Lifesaver!

Source: CSN Stores (this isn't my munchkin, but he's cute, huh?)

We've FINALLY put munchkin #3 in his own crib at night. This little gadget made it so much easier for me! It is amazing! I can't believe that we made it through 2 other munchkins with out it! I know, I know a lot of you don't see the need... but for me it equaled instant peace of mind!  I can see and hear him with out disturbing him  - even in the dark! I love it. No more worrying if he is okay or not. I can turn it on silent too, and just watch him!

Not only does it have night-vision, but you can play music from the handheld monitor with the push of a button! I love this little piece of equipment and I'll be using it for years to come!!  It will be so useful to put in the boys' room when I can't be in there to watch them! I can also catch them in their shenanigans when their older, ha!

You can get your own right here at one of CSN's 200 stores. 

Munchkin #3

Source: CSN Stores

From the manufacturer:  There is nothing more important to you than your child’s safety and security. You want to be with them day and night to know that they are safe at all times. But with so much to do around the house in an average day, you know that it isn’t always possible. The BABYVIEW20 is Levana’s easy-to-use video baby monitor that ensures you’re always there for your loved one. This portable system allows you to watch over your child with a handheld monitor and be alerted whenever she makes a sound, even when the system is in standby mode. The night vision feature allows you to see your child when it’s dark, and you can play comforting lullabies directly from the camera. The BABYVIEW20 is the perfect solution for every parent - now you can rest easy knowing your child is safe! 

Levana BABYVIEW20 Highlights 

Set it Up in Seconds

Just switch on the camera and monitor and the system is ready to use. You will immediately see what the camera sees on the LCD screen. 

Watch Your Child with No Interference -- Clear Signal Technology

• A digital wireless system ensures that you get a clear picture of your baby at all times.
• No interference from cordless phones, microwave ovens, WiFi signals (from wireless routers), Bluetooth devices, or other wireless devices in your home.
• All video and audio of your baby is kept private and secure -- a digital signal ensures a secure link that can not be intercepted.
• Watch your baby anywhere in the house or outside (up to 150 ft).

Hassle-Free Portable Monitoring

The battery-powered monitor makes carrying it around easy and convenient. The included rechargeable Lithium-ion battery gives you up to 4.5 hours of continuous use, allowing you to easily move the monitor from room to room. A low battery indicator lets you know when the battery needs to be recharged. Just plug the monitor into a wall outlet to charge the battery or for long term use. 

Around The Clock Monitoring with Standby Mode

Standby mode allows you to rest easy, but be alerted instantly. This feature shuts off the monitor’s screen and audio. It will only turn back on when your child starts to cry or make noise. You will be immediately notified on the monitor you when your child starts to cry -- the LCD and audio will switch on. 

Night Vision Allows You To Watch Over Your Child Both Day and Night!

See your child at night with built-in night vision. Infrared LEDs output light that is invisible to the human eye but can be seen on the monitor. The night vision will turn on automatically when it gets dark and allow you to see up to 15ft away. It also turns off during the day to save energy.

(I was NOT compensated for this opinion, it is all of my own accord!)

Black bean burgers! DELISH!

These burgers are so easy and delicious, not to mention great for you!! You should totally try them out!

Black Bean Burgers

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 red onion, diced
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp kosher salt
A few grinds ground pepper
1/2 tsp lime juice
1 tsp Tabasco
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
A few extra tablespoons olive oil

For serving:
Hamburger buns
Ketchup
Mustard
Tomatoes
Avocados
Lettuce

Add the beans to a large bowl and mash with a masher or your hands. Set aside.

In a small skillet, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium high heat. Add onions and saute until softened, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Add to black beans. Add oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, lime juice, Tabasco, garlic and bread crumbs. Stir well to combine.

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add a few tablespoons olive oil, enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Shape black bean mixture into patties and cook on each side for 3-5 minutes.

Serve on hamburger buns with whatever condiments you like.

Yields 6 burgers.

NOTES: Instead of shaping the patties as big as a regular hamburger, I would make them small and thick. Once you bite into your black bean burger, the burger is going to spread and flatten. So making them smaller will leave room for spreading on the bun.

Source: Rookie-Cookie

There's an APP for that...

Okay, maybe not actually an APP... but it works!

We have no home phone in our home. Mr. Wonderful and I rely on our cell phones. He is never far from his phone, as for me... I loose it often! It's so frustrating for me at times when I cannot find it! I usually just wait until someone calls me, but I hate that! So look what I found:

http://www.wheresmycellphone.com/

This website lets you type in your phone number and it will call your phone so you can find it! Awesome! I've done it several times and have never had any problems with prank calls or any unsolicited calls! YAY! Maybe you can use it someday too!

(UPDATE: You may not want to actually ANSWER your phone when it rings... it may or may not be sex hotline. I was told this by my IRL Jenn friend. Just hit ignore!)

Fruit (and veggie) smoothies!

We love making fruit smoothies during our hot Texas summers. We don't really follow a recipe as such, but usually use the same ingredients. Basically we put a handful of strawberries, blue berries, black berries, a couple of bananas, a 1/3 cup of splenda, a handful of spinach (you don't taste it at all) one container of vanilla yogurt, 12 or so ice cubes, a dash of vanilla and a splash of vanilla soy milk! Dump it all in the blender and puree until smooth... instant refreshment!

Everyone in my family loves them and they're good for ya too! You should totally try it!

Independence Day!

I hope that you all have fun plans for this weekend! We're excited to watch the city parade and fireworks and then set off some of our own!

Our little city is know for having the largest small-town parade in the world (okay maybe not world, but America?!). Seriously it goes on for hours! It includes lots of pretty floats and lots of low-riders. Some of those low-riders are pretty cool with their hydraulics or whatever it's called... but some roll through like they just accidentally got in the parade line, not a decoration or a bit of charisma in sight.

Since we'll be downtown watching the festivities I decided to make a couple of shirts for the littlest 2 munchkins to wear.  I used some old t-shirts that I had lying around to make the shapes and then adhered them with wonder under! I would have made big munchkin one too, but he said ummm they're cute mom, but no thanks!

I still need to sew around the shapes and then wash them, but they're almost done!

Fortunately we live out of the city limits so we can set off all of these:

We LOVE doing this... especially Mr. Wonderful and Munchkin #1. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us, but if not we'll do it another night. We also love to sit outside and watch the city's fireworks. They are pretty darn good for a small town.

I'm going to attempt to make these tonight too... wish me luck!

I'm not going to add the icing on top... I think they'll be plenty sweet and cute with out that! If you'd like the recipe click this link: patriotic cookies.
source: http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/

Happy 4th of July, y'all!

DIY wreath - on the cheap!

Can you guess what this is made out of?! Give up?

Lima beans!! Who would have thought?! 

Well I found the tutorial on this little guy on a great blog and just HAD to make one! I think they are super cute. Here is the link to the tutorial if you'd like to make one yourself! Just click the link below!

Lima bean wreath tutorial

Yellow squash chorizo tacos

Because we've had an abundance of squash... I've been forced to get creative with some recipes. I found this one and it was delish!!!

Yellow Squash Chorizo Tacos

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 medium yellow squash, diced
1 tsp kosher salt
A few grinds black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin
10 oz pork chorizo ( I used turkey chorizo... who knew?!)
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
1 14 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
Tortillas for serving
Guacamole for serving

In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the olive oil. Once the oil runs quickly in the pan, add the onion, yellow squash, salt, pepper and cumin. Saute until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add chorizo and break up using a wooden spoon. Once chorizo is broken up, add the tomatoes and black beans. Stir until well combined. Cook until chorizo is cooked through, about 10 minutes, stirring often.

Serve a scoopful of chorizo filling in a tortilla with guacamole.

source: http://rookie-cookierecipes.blogspot.com/