Yummy Yummy Tacos

The other day I mentioned that I made tacos.  I had a request for the recipe.  And I'm all about satisfying people so here it is...

1 lb. ground beef
small onion, chopped
1 tsp. minced garlic (or 1 garlic clove, minced)
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

Put ground beef and chopped onion in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Cook until beef is browned through.  Then add garlic, chili powder and ground cumin.  Cook for about a minute.  Add tomato sauce.  Lower heat to low and continue cooking for 5 minutes (or until the consistency makes you happy).

And that's it.  Super easy peasy and way better than seasoning packets full of salt.  Serve it up in whatever tortillas you like and with toppings that you enjoy!

Running Late

I know, I know.  I'm a little late for RTT.  Actually, I'm not late.  I'm just so random that I'm posting my Random Tuesday Thoughts on Wednesday night.  Ha.

**The Weight Watchers commericals make me wanna pull my ears off.  I'm seriously annoyed by them.

**Oldest kiddo is gearing up for the school spelling bee.  He's such a smarty pants.

**Middle kiddo scored 10 points in his basketball game tonight.  His team won 10-4.

**Baby girl walked around for 15 minutes without a diaper on her butt and didn't pee on anything.

**I'm now down bragging about my kids...for this post anyways.

**After a semester off (because of all the moving we did last year), I'm going back to school next Tuesday.  I'm super duper excited.  I'm a nerd.

**I already bought my books.  Yep, you can see them here along with my other Project 365 photos.

**I made tacos without a seasoning packet tonight.  Yeppers, from scratch.  Super easy and I'll probably never go back to those silly seasoing packets.

**I wanna go to Europe.  Not permanently or anything, just for vacation.  More than once.  I'm pretty certain it would take numerous vacays to take it all in.

And I'm out.  Hope y'all are having an awesome week!

Crazy Thoughts

Sometimes, I have crazy thoughts.  We all do, right?  Right?!

Now, I'm not talking about crazy thoughts like "Hey, maybe we should have more kids" or "Sure, I'll ride that rollercoaster with you even though I just ate a corndog, cotton candy, nachos and a king size soda". No, no, no.  I'm talking about setting new goals for myself that I would have never imagained at other points in my life.

For example, lately, I have been thinking I should write a cookbook.  Everybody else is doing it.  Really, I love to cook.  I love to experiment in the kitchen (that's not dirty, shut up).  And, I love to write.  Seeems like a good idea to me.  Had you asked me 10 years ago if this would ever be a goal I had for myself, I would have looked at you like you'd lost your danged mind.  (The first meal I "cooked" for hubby was spaghetti sauce out of a jar, a bag of salad and some frozen garlic bread.)

So, what about you guys?  Have any crazy thoughts?

New Year, New Random Thoughts

It's Tuesday!  If you've spent time around here in the past, then you know it's time for some of my terrific random thoughts.  Without further ado...

**The older I get, the more obnoxious teenagers get.

**My goal to learn how to can is going well.  I've made pickles, pomegranate sauce and pickled cherries.  All of these things need a bit of time to sit on the shelf, so I don't know how well they turned out yet.  I'll let ya know later.

**The Sugar Bowl starts in about an hour and a half.  I'm super stoked because I'm a Razorback fan!  Woo Pig Sooie!!

**I've got an apple crisp in the oven.  It smells freakin' fabulous.

**I still haven't taken our Christmas stuff down.  It's because I'm lazy, not because I'm feeling extra holly-jolly.

**So far, my 365 photography project is going well.  Check it out on the blog I started for it.

Well, I know it wasn't much, but I have to go check on that apple crisp...maybe tomorrow I'll post the recipe...

Happy 2011...

Um, 2011?!  Really?!  Where the heck is my flying car and robot named Rosie?!

Anyways...I hope you all celebrated the new year safely and have enjoyed this holiday season.  We went to visit family.  First, we stopped at my parents' house in Arkansas for a couple of days.  Then, we went to Hubby's mom's house in Minnesota.  Later, we went to Hubby's dad's house in Arkansas.  Finally, we came home.  So, basically, we spent two weeks in the truck with three kids and two dogs.  Loads of, uh, fun.

My house is now full of toys that have good batteries and make random noises at random times.  The boys also got a go-cart from Hubby's grandfather.  I have no comment about it.  I have also dubbed Christmas 2010 as "The Pajama Christmas" since we all received about 300 pairs of pajamas each.  Don't tell anyone, but I traded some of mine in on some really spectacular storage containers for my kitchen.

Anyone make New Year's resolutions?  I've decided that this is the year I learn to can things.  I'm thinking I'll start with some sort of jam or preserves.  Here's hoping I don't give my family botulism in 2011!  I also think I'll do one of the 365 photography projects.  I already took a picture today, so I'm off to a stellar start.

I hope you all had a wonderful 2010 and I wish you an even better 2011!

**Update**  I just started up a new blog to keep up with my picture project for the year.  Check it out HERE!

Sport Parents

Oldest Kiddo and Middle Kiddo are playing basketball.  They are loving it.  This is their first time playing hoops with a team.  I've been attempting to teach them the basics since they were born so they aren't too bad.  All in all, they are having fun.

Did you catch that last part?  They are having fun!  That's what playing sports at this age is all about.  (Well, learning the basics is part of it as well, but fun is the number one priority in my opinion.)  Apparently, I am in the minority on this one.  I am continually appalled at how parents behave during games and practices.

Here's the deal.  I signed my kids up to play a sport.  I did not sign up to coach.  Therefore, I assume that the guy (or gal) that introduced himself (or herself) as Coach So-and-So has it all under control.  They don't need my help from the bleachers.  In fact, the coach will probably have better luck with my kids if I am quiet.  During practice, I am invisible.  The reality of it is that I'm only there in case my kid gets hurt.  (Don't get me wrong, I watch my kids but I do not do anything to attract their attention.)  During games, I am nothing more than a cheerleader.  If my kid does something awesome, I cheer.  Otherwise, I sit and watch the game.

I am so sick of seeing and hearing parents yelling at their kids from the stands.  I had to remind one guy last week that our kids' game was a family friendly environment so his yelling at his daughter to grab the "damned ball" was unacceptable.  It's just ridiculous.  If I were a kid of parents like that, I'd be embarrassed.  I hold my kids a pretty high standard when it comes to their behavior in public.  I've always felt that in order for them to meet that standard I have to set the example.  (Monkey see, monkey do)  

So, what do you guys think?  When did parents behaving poorly at 6 year old's games become ok?  Why do parents do this sort of stuff?  Obviously, the 5 minute "Parents you need to behave" class they make us take before allowing our kids to participate isn't working.  So, how do we stop this trend?

How I Plan to Gain 10 Pounds...or Brownies with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

After indulging in a yummy little treat at a certain coffee place recently, I decided that I could make it for cheaper at home.  (Which is just fabulous because I really need to gain an extra 10 pounds...not.)  Anyhoo, I thought other people might want to share in the yumminess so here it is...

Brownies with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

Brownies

Whatever your favorite boxed mix is or if you are talented enough to make them at home that works too.

Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tsp Peppermint extract
2-2 1/4 cups Powdered sugar

Using an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter together.  Mix in the peppermint extract.  Slowly add in the powdered sugar a little at a time.  You absolutely must stick your finger in and taste it along the way until you get the consistency and flavor you desire.

After the brownies have cooled, spread the frosting on them.  Sprinkle with some of those cute peppermint cake sprinkles.  Enjoy!

**This recipe for the frosting made more than enough for my 8x8 pan of brownies.  It would probably be enough for a 13x9 pan as well, but if you like lots of frosting then double the recipe.

***I would have included pictures but we kinda ate them all already.  Sorry.