Mandy and Jace

We had a fast and furious weekend and I really wish there was one more day to it. The weekend was a blast but I’m still tired. The bad thing is I’m sitting here thinking of all the things I need to do this week. My house needs cleaning, I have weeds taking over my flower bed and I have a mountain of laundry. No rest for the weary this week. I’m determined to get it all done gracefully, though.
This weeks plan is an easy one. I really didn’t want to do anything fancy with all the other things I need to do.

Here’s the plan.
Tonight: melt in your mouth pancakes, eggs and bacon
Tuesday: pork chops with potato cakes
Wednesday: grilled cheese sandwiches
Thursday: take out after praise and worship practice
Friday: date night!

Happy eating!

I think I like vacation way too much. I just got off of one and I am ready for another. Does anyone else feel this way? We spent all last week in sunny, HOT Florida with Jace’s parents and had a blast. I know I normally keep everyone very updated on Facebook and Twitter about our vacation encounters but we decided that it would be smarter for us to not let the world know that our house would be vacant for a week. Not that I don’t like having house guests but I would like to be there when people are at my house and I’d rather not give an open invitation to the bad guys. The good thing is this will all be new to you.
We were met at the airport by Jace’s parents, brother and niece Mary Elise. I had a blast with this little bundle of energy. The only thing is I wish I knew what she was saying, she clearly knows what she’s talking about. She already has great taste in shoes!

We did a lot of relaxing and exploring. We took our very first trip to see a lighthouse. Before last week the closest I had ever been to a lighthouse was a Thomas Kinkade print. Now I can say I have been all the way up to the top of one. My sore legs can also second that. It was a long way up with no AC but it was totally worth it once we got to the top. You could see so far and the ocean breeze felt amazing. I also took some really cool pics.

We then went to a really old fort in St. Augustine. It is the oldest fort in America and it’s scenery did not disappoint. I got some cook pics here too.

After that, THE BEACH. This was the only thing I really wanted to do while in Florida. I love the beach. I think it was one of God’s masterpieces. So calming, beautiful and fun. The only thing we were disappointed in was the lack of sea shells. That was easy to get over, though.

We have just made it home from a whirlwind vacation in Florida. My favorite part of vacation is the food. I decided that it’s not worth trying to diet on vacation so I pretty much eat what I want to when we go out of town. So now, we have to get back on track. We will definitely be cutting calories this week, but not flavor. I am a firm believer that you don’t’ have to eat all salad to eat healthy.

Here’s this weeks plan.
Tonight: roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and corn on the cobb
Tuesday: steak with pasta covered in olive oil and lemon juice
Wednesday: cheesy chicken enchilada soup
Thursday: take out after practice
Friday: date night
Saturday: Jace’s award winning chili

I decided not to do a meal plan this week. Sorry guys, I’ll do one next week. In the mean time enjoy a lovely little story about the chaos of the Gregg household

We have more gadgets than we know what to do with. I swear I woke up one morning and realized that somehow by osmosis I have become a geek. Don’t know how it happened but here we are, and I am not sure what to make of it. So, I decided to kind of take an inventory of all the techie gadgets we have. People, we may need an intervention. Computers, IPhones, iPods, hard drives, game stations, the Blackberry, the list goes on and on. I am attached to my iPhone. Literally, if it’s not in my hand it’s in my pocket. Don’t believe me. Here’s a look at the back pocket of my jeans.

Believe me now??? I don’t have a ring from my chewing tobacco, I HAVE A SQUARE THE SHAPE OF AN IPHONE ON MY BUTT!!!!! If the iPhone isn’t enough I have come to the realization that I can’t just watch TV. I have to have my laptop in my lap to watch TV. I don’t have to be doing anything on it, but it needs to be open so if I want to check my email, Facebook, twitter, blog, randomly Google something or email my husband who isn’t listening I can with speed and ease. A normal evening for us looks like this. Both of us on the couch with iPhones and blackberries within reach and both laptops open on our laps, watching the shows that we have recorded through the week. What is wrong with this picture? This is the other problem with tons of gadgets.

Chargers. When we travel we have to have a separate bag for our chargers. No, I’m not exaggerating. It’s almost funny to watch me unpack when we get to a hotel. I have to get all the chargers out, and put them in their designated spot. Phone chargers and docks by the bed (once again for fast checking of crack like websites or 3am texting and phone calls) and the computers get plugged in because I most likely ran the batteries down on the way to our destination. I’m sure with all of our gadget and my hair appliances we rack up quite and electric bill for the poor hotels we stay at.

We may need help soon.

Well, our house experienced it’s first rush of house guests this weekend and it survived. I think it’s a keeper. We had my father-in-law Joe’s youth group staying here all weekend and it was a lot of fun. It was a blast meeting new people and showing off our new house. Saturday morning I got brave and decided I wanted made cinnamon rolls for the first time. They turned out really tasty. I think I’m going to make them one more time before I post the recipe and the pics to make sure everything is perfect.

I think this should be a pretty calm week for a change. We definitely need it. I picked up a new stir fry cookbook from Sams last time I was there, so we are going to try one of the recipes from it. If it is good I’ll post the recipe Wednesday. I absolutely LOVE stir frys. They are so tasty and healthy.

Here’s this weeks plan.
Tonight: pork and green beans in a ginger sauce
Tuesday: build your own pizza with whole wheat pizza dough
Wednesday: Fried rice made with leftovers
Thursday: take out after praise and worship practice
Friday: date night

Happy eating!