This is a great question. And my answer is actually quite funny.
Turns out my first name was just because my mom loved the name. All my other siblings were given family names. But I was named my name because of pure love. Which makes me happy, and I am okay with that reason.
Especially since I have a name for hopefully another little girl, and the first name is not a family name. It’s just a name that I love.
My middle name is a family name. And this is the funny part.
My entire childhood I thought my middle name came from my grandma on dad’s side. She was an awful human being. I only met her once; once was enough.
Through my entire childhood I thought about what to legally change my name to when I was old enough. That was how much I was disturbed.
Obviously I kept the name. Only to find out, from my mom, that I’m actually named after a grandma on my mom’s side who was a lovely person. Haha 😂 Mind you I found this out when I was maybe 17-19. I can’t remember exactly. But for a long time I wonder how my mom could name me with love and hatred.
Safe to say I was mistaken, and now I love my name. And maybe when I become a grandma, maybe my name will be the start of a family name. 🥰
It’s been a while since I did one of these. I have been cooking, but I’ve been trying to figure out how to cook with a new tiny one at my feet.
Todays recipe is from….the mother in-law! Haha 😂 Our relationship was rocky at first but now we have found a common ground. Cooking. I share recipes and she does too. This recipe actually comes from one of my many cookbooks; she discovered it when she visited many years ago.
It’s called…Southwestern Rice Bake
This is the picture she sent me. I love getting recipes like this. Where you’ve changed things to be more delicious!! And I did make it the same as she wrote.
The ingredients. I was also making pickles at the same time. I’ll write about the pickles on a different post.
Cheese, rice, beef, garlic, cilantro, etc. What could go wrong.
First comes the tomatoes.
This lone tomato came from our garden. 😎
Chopping tomatoes, chopping tomatoes, chopping, chopping, chopping. I’m making the salsa for the top first. She wrote that you should let it sit and stew I. The fridge while you make the other part. (My new spiffy knife!! That thing awesome.)
Super easy to make. Just Tomatoes, onion, green chilies, cilantro, salt, pepper, garlic, and fat. I didn’t know about the fat, but she insisted it would taste good. I might just use oil next time. I don’t need to eat extra fat.
The meat! Definitely going to drain off the fat. I’m always looking for ways to be healthier. I’m not too old; my body shouldn’t be hurting.
The gathering…
Mixing!! Mix, mix, mix the stuff up. (I don’t know why I’ve got the shake my wiggles out song stuck in my head… but I do.
Well I did it again. I forgot to take a before picture. I was doing the pickles, the casserole, and the dishes all at once. Ignore the ugliness of my oven. Ewww….I’m going to need a day of scrubbing.
The smaller casserole dish was just left half plain. But look at that delicious salsa. 🤤
Finished! And I must say that mother in law recipe looks amazing. Let’s taste it…!
Taste: 10/10!! I’m happy I did one extra tomato. The salsa makes this dish!!
Easiness: 10! It’s actually not too hard. I just started making dinner a little too late. Took me about 2hrs total. But I also had a baby on my ankles for maybe 30min.
Overall: 10! I will be definitely making this again. So all you daughter-in-laws out there. This is mother-in-law approved. If you want to try it out. My daughter loved it without the salsa. And my son ate maybe a 1/8 cup. He is a hungry thing.
Hope this recipe works for you. Have a good Wednesday.
These are some great questions. Not too hard, and easy enough to answer in the morning.
They won’t be in order of favorite. That’s way too hard. But only picking 10…
#1 How to Train Your Dragon 1-3
I know they are kid movies, but I love them. I actually asked my husband to buy them for me on my 26th birthday. 😎
#2 Star Wars 4-6
It’s not that I’m against 1-3 or 7-9; I just love the original ones. Definitely going to have my kiddos watch the original ones first. That is the way it must be done.
#3 Prince of Persia
I can’t really tell you why I like this movie. It’s funny to me, but also I like the storyline. Also probably because when I watched this movie for the first time with my older brother, he called it the ‘baby face’ movie. Mr. Jake has a baby face in this film. Haha
#4 Avatar: The Last Airbender
I love this tv show. But not only me; it has become a tradition with my husband and daughter. We sadly watch this show about two times a year. Haha My daughter loves it. Definitely recommend this show if you want to laugh and smile the 99% of the time. That 1% is the deep stuff.
#5 Calamity Jane
I wouldn’t say this was a favorite movie when I was younger; but I’ve grown to love it. It is more enjoyable for an older crowd. I didn’t get a lot of the jokes or lines when I was younger.
#6 A Walk to Remember
This was one of the first movies I watched with my sisters and mom. We had a girls day one afternoon, and we all sat together and watched this movie. They all had their boxes of tissues from the get go, and gave me one too. I had no idea what I was getting into. But boy, did I need them. Definitely a cry your eyes out movie. Crying of sadness, crying of happiness, crying just because. If you need to cry, perfect movie.
#7 Pride & Prejudice!!!
The original BBC one! I think this actually would be in the top 3. I love this movie! (Technically a show) I remember a Saturday that I sat down to watch the movie; then my mom came home and asked to watch it again with me. So of course I did. Then my younger brother showed up, so we three watched it again. So about 16hrs later I had, had my fill of pride & prejudice. But I still continue to watch it!
#8 2014 Godzilla 1 & 2019 Godzilla 2
I don’t know why I like these movies. But when I want to watch this kind of movie I watch these ones. They are great. And it’s a movie that my husband will watch with me.
#9 Harry Potter 1-7
I know many people will say these movies but I really do like them. My older sister was a huge and still is a huge Harry Potter fan. It was a fun thing to have in common with her. I also own all the books. I think the 7th book and 7th movie is my favorite. Maybe 3….No maybe 1…. Let’s just stick to all. I like all of them. Even though the 4th one was a bit scary.
#10 Any Disaster movie. San Andreas, Day After Tomorrow, Geostrom, Deep Impact, Armageddon, Independence Day, Twister, Greenland, etc.
I again don’t know why I like to watch these types of movies, but I do. My mom does too! They keep me on the edge of my seat! Greenland was maybe on the edge of a little too intense… Original Independence Day, epic!! Twister, frightening. I’ve probably watched Day After Tomorrow 30-40 times. At least once a year.
#11 Sports Movies: 42, Remember the Titian, Greatest Game Ever Played, Facing the Giants, Blind Side, Forever Strong, Ford vs Ferrari, Miracle, Glory Road, Mighty Ducks, etc.
I know it’s supposed to be 10, but I can’t believe I forgot one of my most watched categories. The ones I listed are just a few. I’ve watched so many more. All the ones I listed are great! I recommend all of them. I know why I love sport movies. I’m was an athlete. I love watching movies where they complete their goals and beat their endeavors. They are inspiring. The husband is not a big fan so I tend to watch them by myself. Which is all good; means I get to watch them over and over again.
.-.-.-.-.
I’m sure there are movies I forgot. I love dance movies. I love foreign movies. I love action movies. Right!! Probably #12 would be Die Hard. But that’s a Christmas movie. So I feel like there should be second list: Top Ten Christmas Movies. That list would be easier I think.
But I love…no wait! Shooter. I can’t believe I forgot about that movie. I love that movie. Maybe I would replace Shooter with Calamity Jane. If you like Action/ Thriller movies I definitely recommend this one.
Also Hot Fuzz. Man! I’m now remembering all the movies. This one is a movie my husband and I quote all the time. “Narp.” But it is a bit gory. Not for little eyes. I still close my eyes at some scenes.
Okay I’ve got to stop. I could probably continue to list movies. Let’s just say I like various types of movies. Just No horror or harming little kids.
Life is too short, just watch what you like. There is only so much time in a day. And let’s be honest, you maybe only have 2-3hrs at night to watch something. And you will watch something you like.
Excited to read other peoples answers. Also to see if I’m the only one who couldn’t stay within 10 movies.
I’ll be honest. I have typed several different things for this post and they don’t seem like me. I know it’s supposed to be my opposite self but I think some thing’s would transfer over into an alternate universe. Like I am sure I would want to be a mom no matter what. Currently i knew this was for sure so I started young; young enough to enjoy my kiddos life. So opposite…start kids later in life; only one or two.
Let’s say maybe I wasn’t a swimmer…but I’m sure I would have been some sort of athlete. So let’s say opposite of swimming. Track. I would have been a track athlete. Land sports…blah! Unless it’s ultimate frisbee, I am not a land sport person in this current universe.
So….would it be my upbringing that would have been different? My dad bringing me up….then I wouldn’t have been myself. I can’t even imagine that life, nor would I want to. I probably would have run away back to my mom’s house with my siblings.
Maybe my husband is different. No. He is my match. I went on so many first dates for two years that there is no way he wouldn’t be my other half in an alternate universe. But let’s say he is older than me. That’s different.
Maybe… I’m well off…Yes money would be helpful. But I’m so well off now with so many different skills that would be sad if I wasn’t an artist, cook, organizer, etc. I would take skills over money any day. Because with skills I could make money if I needed to. Money will run out at some point. But sure, wealthy with money.
And I don’t know what’s to come in my future, so I don’t know my alternate idea. So….I guess….
Alternate universe me: Brought up by my dad. Track athlete. Older husband. Married late, late kids. Wealthy.
I don’t know about you, but I will take my current life 100%. My alternate self has such a sad sounding life.
I have been craving corn dogs. Must be a pregnancy thing. Because it’s usually my husband who is. But I decided to try making them myself.
I am now someone who will attempt to make it myself first. It’s cheaper!
A recipe from Pinterest.
Watching food videos with my daughter before bedtime has some perks. Even though it is evil to have to see delicious food before sleeping.
But first I had to gather all the ingredients…
Also the hubby wanted fries to go along with the dinner. Since I was already going to fry the corn dogs it wasn’t too much extra work.
I boil the fries 7min before starting the frying process. It gives them that soft inside and crunchy shell. 😍The normal pot was for boiling. Big Red is my new best frying friend!! 😎
Pat the hotdogs dry and skewer them! Death to the hotdogs!! Mwahahahahahaha!!
I just noticed my socks…they match….! The weather is going to change. 😳
I double fry the fries. First round is for 6min. I did all the groups of fries. Since I use the bare minimum oil I have to do several rounds.
Let’s start the corn dogs!!
Dip dip dip. Oh so cute and chubby!!! Hopefully they taste good. The baking powder is what makes them fluff up.
I had to add about 1 cup of oil…it seemed so wasteful…I think the most I used nowadays is 1/3 of a cup.
The recipe said I could do up to 3 at a time, but since it’s my first time; I decided to do 1.
Yummy! The husband did the taste test… he said it was miserable as he gobbled it down. 😏
Even I got input from the opinionated daughter…
She approved!!
Next was another round of fries. Then my own opinion…
I like the mixture of ketchup and mustard…I’m all alone in my small family…
Looks like Photo: maybe 8. The pictures make theirs look picture perfect. Mine were imperfect, but the taste was…
Taste: 10! At first… Then after one corn dog, my husband and I discovered they are extremely greasy. We don’t really eat super greasy foods anymore. They are too heavy. My fries are probably our limit. I’ll be trying an air frying recipe next time.
Easiness: 10! It was a super easy recipe. I’m bummed that I won’t be making it again, but if your stomach is not as sensitive; this is a perfect recipe. Hopefully the air fryer recipe is just as easy.
I’m currently munching on carrots to help settle my stomach. 😞
Overall: It was delicious as we ate it! Just the aftermath is hitting us. Elizabeth liked it though. Even though she probably would have filled herself up on carrots and ranch if we let her. Haha 😂
So I posted a chapter a while ago. And now as I’m looking it was deleted. Like the site deleted it. I have it saved elsewhere, but still weird. And it’s no longer in my drafts or in the trash. It just disappeared.
So I’ll post another chapter soon. But it takes time to get it off of my computer. Only a few minutes, but in mama land it seems more like 20!
Well I decided to try and make my small drawings into one cohesive piece. I’m slowly coloring it.
The baby has decided to fight me on dinner. She gets the goods stuff and she argues with me about eating it…
But here is my drawing so far.
These were my drawings that jumped out to me. A happy frog (from online site neopets) 2007Classic Couple! 2008Tinker bell 2011King Saul veggie tales- 2005
2005…that’s 16 years ago…that’s crazy but awesome that I still have art that far back.
So far
I know drawing random things is maybe not the best, but it keeps the creativity and skills alive.
I must say…I love the Donald and Daisy Duck part. I think I might paint this a bit larger and hang it up somewhere. Definitely represents all married people perfectly.
We decided to build the garage/ shed at the end of our carport. We always seem to do big projects before winter comes. Last time it was the concrete work and the carport installation.
The garage is 8ft x 10ft x 10ft. As the hubby was framing it, I was inside eating lunch with the baby. She was being a troublemaker.
Our little helper wanted to help daddy move the wood.
It’s sweet when little kids want to help, but they make it more difficult. But as I’ve been told. It’s good to start them young; because then they will grow up helping.
Oh yes dinner…the hubby wanted to smoke some meat!
It is going to be torture to smell this all day as we work.
Not too bad…
I really didn’t help for this part. The hubby had his drawn plans, and just did his own thing. I just watched the baby. I felt really useless.
Can it be dinner time now? Nope. Still about 3 hrs to go.
I helped with the rafters. I handed them up to him, and he did all the hard stuff. I was pretty much just a pair of helping hands. Also maybe the mascot.
Meet got done around 5:30pm, but it still had to sit 30min before we could devour it! But back to the project…It gets dark around 6:45pm now. Because winter is coming.
The sweet thing decided to scout out daddy’s creation.
Sine she started dancing. I believe she approves.
I am sorry…I have no other pictures of the meat. I was too hungry to remember. But I can tell you…it was delicious!!
Day 2
Adding the black tar paper made the space feel bigger! Especially not in the sunshine.
This is going to make a huge improvement; also add value.
The overhang.
The space between the shed and garage is about 5ft. So with both overhang there is about 3ft of empty. We might stack wood here; under the garage overhang.
The roof!
I feel like putting the roof on was where I was most helpful!! The hubby was on the roof. I had to grab a sheet of plywood and hand it up to the hubby. I also had to do this process for the metal paneling. I felt so helpful! And the hubby said I made it a lot easier. Since he didn’t have to go up and down constantly. 😎
Having the roof down and some of the plywood siding done makes it look complete!
Finished!!
So seriously we built a garage , 10 x 8 x 10!, in less than 24hrs. 😎 I feel quite accomplished. But I also have great pride in my hubby!! He did amazing!
Now you shouldn’t be surprised, but we were able to fill the entirety of the garage and there is no more space. Haha! But after I reorganize it, and the hubby makes the shelf and his work table, it will look better.
Finally after a few years we actually have some storage space/ shop on our property!
Have a productive Wednesday. With my back still a little tweaked i will be having a safe, cold Wednesday. ❄️
emily2jane 