What did you say today?

I said:

"Bye, Babe. Have a good day at work. Love you!"
"Charlie, don't eat the Target ad!"
"Huh. I guess carrots look the same going in and coming out."
"Really? Three extra pictures sheets for FREE? Thank you!"
"I'll have a chicken bacon ranch on whole wheat bread."
"I shop at JoAnn Fabric for their scrapbooking stuff." (A lady from a local newspaper interviewed me as I was entering the store.)

And plenty of other stuff. It's interesting, though, as I never thought I'd say the second one. Obviously it was my fault for putting it within Charlie's reach. My BFF and I have talked about the things you never thought you'd say until the situation arises and they come out of your mouth. Not in a bad, negative, way, just the things that need to be said to babies and kids! My favorite of hers: "Don't eat the carpet!" :)

Incompetance at Walmart

I just had my most frustrating moment at Walmart to date. Julie and I had just finished our shopping and were near an open register by the garden stuff, so we decided to check out there. Mistake! There was an elderly lady working the register, and when she began checking our stuff you could tell she was new. Julie had picked up some baseball pants for our nephew in the clearance section that were $5, however they rang up as $9 which caused a huge dilemma for this women. Julie stated they were $5 and the checker gave a puzzled look, then she said, "but they rang up as $9." Who cares what they rang up as, the sticker in aisle said $5! So Julie went back to retrieve the sticker that said they were $5; in the mean time, a slightly more competent individual came by and the checker lady explained the situation. He said just ring them up as $5. First problem solved. Julie came back with sticker that said they were $5, but she was too late.

Next problem. We wanted a gift receipt for the baseball pants. Mistake! First, we asked her if we could get a gift receipt, and she yes . . . but than just looked at us. So we said, "well can we get one." She then reached for a gift card. Maybe she didn't know what a gift receipt was, I don't know. After some explaining we finally got on the same page and she figured out what we were asking. The next step was a little harder. Apparently one must be a genius to retrieve a gift receipt. The checker and slightly more competent person made several attempts and failures to retrieve a gift receipt for the baseball pants. Next, the assistant manager came over and attempted and we thought all our problems would be solved, but after several failed attempts by her we finally said forget it and moved on. Problem not solved.

Next problem. We'd received a rebate card, which acts as a debit card, in the mail for the new cellphones we just purchased. Anyway, we should be able to use this like a cash and since Walmart is the largest retailer in America (or world), we thought this would be an easy place to use it. Mistake! The checker could not figure out how to ring up a debit card. She kept ringing it up as a credit card, but of course that wouldn't work because it's not linked to a credit account. After six failed attempts at using this card, I finally said forget it, and used my credit card. Problem not solved.

Final problem. You know when you sign for a credit card electronically, you just make a squiggly line on the screen. Well, this again caused a severe mental cramp for this woman. I signed in this manner, as I always do, and she asked to see my credit card. So I gave it to her; well, I hadn't signed the back of the card, so she asked to see my driver's license. I handed it over without complaint. She looked at my driver's license, and at my signature on the receipt and said, "Why did you sign it like this, it's just a squiggly line?" At this point in my head I was screaming, Are you kidding me?! You already wasted 20 minutes of my life for something that should have taken 3! What does it matter how I sign for my stuff! She then proceeded to call over the slightly more competent person and showed him that the two signatures didn't match. Again what does it matter, the name on the credit card matches my driver licence. The slightly more competent person said, "I sign my stuff like that all the time." She then handed my receipt and I walked away exasperated.

Why do I continue to shop at Walmart with experiences like this? If this were some mom and pop store I would probably never go back. Well, to be honest, because their stuff is cheap, so I'm probably asking for it. But still. Come on Walmart employees.

Charlie giggling at 6 months.

The One about ME. Julie.

See what I made? Poppyseed bread! And unlike my failed attempts at zucchini bread, these two beauties actually ROSE. On top is a little sprinkle of coconut because, let's face it; everything is better with coconut. Regarding that zucchini bread, I think I'm going to have to make a phone call to my friends, Dr. and Mrs. Zucchini Master themselves (D & T!). Seriously, those two crank out the zucchini bread like the experts that they are.
Anyway, I've been trying to cook some new recipes lately and wanted to share a little of what I've been making - or trying to. :)
-chicken tandoori
-curried rice pilaf
-frittata with peppers, onion, mushrooms, and leftover chicken
-sesame brown rice salad with shredded chicken and peanuts
-spicy chicken with poblano peppers and cheese
-zucchini bread (emphasis on the "trying" on this one)
-homemade whole wheat pizza crust
-buffalo/bbq chicken pizza
-peanut butter french toast "waffles" with mixed berry sauce
-bowtie pasta with corn, bacon and ricotta cheese
-homemade almond coffee syrup
-Mom's Marvelous Marinade
-blueberry sour cream muffins
-buttermilk pancakes (why have I not done that one YEARS ago??)

Some of the recipes turn out better than others, but only one recipe has totally surprised me. The one with poblano peppers! Wow, those things are spicy! My eyes were watering and I was coughing and sputtering just slicing them and getting them ready for the broiler. Yikes. Later, like a half hour later, I touched my eye and it BURNED. And that was after I washed my hands at least 3 times with soap. But, as it turns out, the broiling really makes the flavor more mild, and the recipe was a hit! I would definitely make that one again - and I'm going to be wiser next time and wear rubber gloves when prepping the poblanos.

The peanut butter french toast waffles made my waffle maker into a huge mess. After making them, I looked back at the waffle maker and told Matt, "Let's just throw it out!" Seriously, I spent probably 45 minutes trying to clean that sucker. Note to self: don't use waffle maker next time. It would have turned out just as yummy if I had grilled them like french toast. I'm writing all of these things down, so in the future, I'll save myself some headache.

I think I'm going to make guacamole for supper tonight, and as much as I'm sure we would love to just eat the guac, I'll probably make some kind of pizza to go with it. I think Fridays are going to be pizza day in our house. Also, once the temps start to fall, Sundays will probably be stew/soup day. I love a good stew/soup.

My list of things to try is long (bruschetta, cuban sandwiches, something with lamb...), but I have an eager audience and a little guy who happily bounces in his "jungle hopper" while I cook. I'd like to try making baby food, too, but I scored a bunch on a super great clearance sale. In that instance, I'm confident that it would have cost me more to make my own baby food. I'm sure I'll get to it eventually.

I'm pretty excited about my success thusfar and it definitely keeps things interesting around here. My spice rack has never been more full! I'm trying to keep things healthy with lots of fruits and veggies, staying away from the millions of baked goods that jump out of magazines and cookbooks. The one exception: FUNNEL CAKE. Remember my state fair post? Well, I found a recipe to re-create the yumminess.

Which leads me to my next confession: I'm in an exercise rut. I just cannot do it. I'm not sure what it is, but I just can't bring myself to exercise - other than walks. And boy, could I use it. Charlie is 6 months old now and I still look 6 months pregnant. Which I'm not. I'm stuck in my comfy clothes (Why dress up when I'm just staying at home? Jeans? Nah. Sweats? YES.) and feel more frumpy because of it. What makes matters worse is the fact that Matt has been doing so awesome at faithfully getting up at 5:30 every morning to work out. Sometimes I'm jealous that he's fit and healthy. Sometimes I secretly want to sabotage his success (by baking yummy things!!). See? The truth comes out. But behind it all, I just want that for myself. The bad part is that I can have that for myself if I JUST DO IT ALREADY. Get off my extra-large rump and move. I need help.

Ok, more confessions later. I have food to prepare. :)

SnuggleBug

Two nights ago, Charlie started "traveling" while sleeping. I put him down in the middle of his crib and later found him with his head way up in the corner! He LOVES soft blankets up by his face when sleeping, so I guess the super soft bumper pad worked the same as his blankets!

Grill Master 2000

We upgraded from the little tabletop grill. It was time! Matt's grilled up some tasty meals already, and we have a great covered patio that will allow to keep using the grill all through the winter. On tonight's menu was grilled chicken (with a delicious marinade, compliments of Mom) and corn on the cob. Matt's done corn on the grill two times now and it seems to work out well. As long as the grill's on anyway, why not throw it on? Yum, yum.

Charlie and Mommy

A quick shot after church last Sunday. Proof - I DO exist!!