Are You Ready for Another?

I know, I know this week has been all about Stinker turning 4 and his party. However with this big event brought many friends and family to call/ visit. One question that came up so often was .... are you ready for another? You guys need to have one more? You need a little girl. You get the picture.

As always, I smirk, shrug the shoulders and try to dismiss the question. If only people knew how hard and painful that question really is to hear.

Just reaching my 30s with my friends, coworkers, and relatives officially in full bloom and all announcing their due dates this is just one more hurdle. As a mom, friend, and family member I couldn't be more happy for each and every one.

Evening comes and I recap the daughting question "Are you ready for another" or I replay the faces of excitement as I get told the news about the families growing.

It's just not that easy. As a female with PCOS as much as I want to say YES we are ready, YES we are going to, those are the answers I can just shout. Im on my 8th month of trying to balance meds with my Doctors (I have 3 to 4). All of them mixed together of course mess with my hormone levels, digestive system, energy levels and much more.

Losing close to 14 lbs in 5months sounds like a perfect thing to a female, but in the same case the reason behind it is from being so sick from the meds I just can't handle the food and nothing tastes good. Waking up at 5am with an alarm for work after restless sleep isn't getting any easier either.

Take it for what it is, I promise I am not trying to complain! My hubby and I with the boys are a strong team. We can and will concur the world together! This was me thinking aloud and for anyone that cares to listen to please stop and think before asking that "simple" question. Although it's a great question unless you REALLY know the person sometimes it can really leave someone in pain. I'm not writing this to make anyone feel bad or second what they have done in the past. This was to raise awareness and to be open to all including myself.

So in answer to your question as well as many others.... Are you ready for another? Yes we are, but we are letting god decide if he is too. Meanwhile, I sit and count my blessing each and everyday for all that I have and couldn't be more happy with that!

Hot Diggity Dog Left Over Ideas

Better to have too much food rather than not enough. Stinkers 4th birthday party went well. The house is now in order and we are getting back to "normal" (whatever that may be).

With over 20 cooked hot dogs left over and closer to 40 buns (some people didnt use buns which threw my number off). I know you can freeze bread/buns but I had concerns about the bread drying out still PLUS I had no food plans for this week.  I had to get creative this week for the meals, but  because of work and school still keep it simple. I didnt want to throw the food away nor run to the grocery store.

Check out the ways we "recycled" the hot dogs and buns without getting sick of them.

• Homemade Croutons
• Corn Dog Muffins Found this recipe on pinterest. Thank you Taste of home  for the idea.  *Only difference from this recipe we used fresh corn because it is fall time here in MI. *
• Bruchetta
• Coney Pizza
• Bread Pudding - Thank you Foodnetwork for your recipe! We didnt add the nuts or rasins because our boys dont care for them.  Next time... I would suggest adding at least one of them which will tame down the sweetnees. WHEW it was sweet, yummy but sweet! Also, we used a packaged of hot dog buns chopped up and sat over 2 nights (to dry up). This was a fantastic evening snack hot with a cup of coffee building a puzzle as a family. Cant think of a better relaxing evening.

Bruchetta - quick and easy using hot dog buns

With many leftover hot dog buns from Stinkers 4th Birthday party; I had to get creative to reuse the leftovers.

Bruchetta on the left with chicken pasta. Great Fall dinner.

Bruchetta
With my garden overflowing with tomatoes and now the leftover hot dog buns this seemed too silly to not create.

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 larger tomatoes (peeled and chopped OR you can use a can of tamatoes drained once again with garden season we used fresh because they were on hand)
• 1 clove of fresh garlic (thank you garden season garlic is full bloom and tasty as can be)
• 2 teaspoon garlic/balsamic vinegar (I had garlic expressions in my fridge and used that)
• fresh basil leaves, chopped to your liking (you could also use italian seasoning here)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 package of hot dog buns
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Turn on the oven to 450°F to preheat.
2. In a bowl mix the tomatoes, garlic, garlic/balsamic vinegar. Add the chopped basil and add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Line a cookie sheet with foil.
4. Split the hot dog buns apart so a package of 8 buns is now 16 pieces of slice of soon to be fantastic bruchetta lay on the foil cookie sheet.
5. Brush with Olive Oil and flip all pieces over to brush again.
6. Place tray of bread slices in the oven on the top rack (I used my toaster over so I did it in a couple of batches). Toast for 3-5 minutes on each side, until the bread just begins to turn golden brown and get crunchy.
7. Place on serving platter with the brucheeta tomatoe mixture on the side to allow everyone to have control of how much they would like and avoid the bread to not get soggy before eating. This also makes for easier leftovers as you can retoast the bread quikly and add your mixture as needed.

Homemade Croutons

With many leftover hot dog buns from Stinkers 4th Birthday party; I had to get creative to reuse the leftovers.

I made a few batches of homemade croutons thinking it would be PERFECT for Fall Season fresh salads and in soups.

Homemade Croutons
I researched a few recipes and mixed and matched to make my own. Below measurements are just esitmates but that is part of the fun of making something like this. It doesnt have to be perfect!

Ingredients:

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

• 2 packages of hot dog buns (chopped up)
• 1/2 cupbutter, melted
• 2 tbls Italian Seasoning
• 2 tsp Garlic Salt
• 1 tsp Onion Powder

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375° F.
2. Cut the buns into small pieces (about 1inch). Place on a baking sheet lined aluminum foil.
3. Drizzle with the butter, sprinkle with salt and the herbs. Bake, turning and mixing on occasion to crisp all ends for about 10-15min/ until golden and crispy.
4. Let cool completely and transfer in a resealable plastic bag/ container. I've read you can store them for about 5 to 7 days in fridge OR you can freezer for up to 3 months. We haven't gotten that far but I did try some the past couple of days and so far I'm very pleased.

 

Coney Pizza

With many leftover hot dog buns from Stinkers 4th Birthday party; I had to get creative to reuse the leftovers.

A family favorite!

Coney pizza... this time we added salami too (a little less spicey that pepperoni for the kids).

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza crust dough
• 1 can of chili no beans or corn dog chili
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 4-6 chopped hot dogs
• 1 cup shredded cheddar (we prefer shar cheddar for this pizza)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400°F.
2. Unroll and press pizza dough on floured baking pan.
3. Spread the chili sauce leaving some edge for crust if you prefer.
4. Top sauce with chopped onion, hot dogs, and cheese
5. Bake pizza 12 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.
6. Top with favorite condiments such as ketchup or mustard if you wish or eat it the way it is. Yummy!

FOUR!!!

OK I know my past two posts have been about his birthday which included the party planning and the party.

Today was much different. No planning at all and no one around. Just me and stinker.

Stop 1. Every morning is better with donuts

Stop 2. You can't have a birthday with a balloon.

Stop 3.  No time clock, nothing else to do we spent 5hrs at the zoo and he was in heaven. The weather was partially cloudy (even rained for about 30min) but that didn't stop him. No stroller (he is a big boy). We walked, and talked, and talked, and laughed.  The place was pretty empty which made it even more of a special experience.The animales were putting on a show for him and my little silly boy photographer captured all of it.



 

 

 

The party was great fun but my one on one time with the birthday boy was the BEST thing I could've asked for. His true colors come out when he is around animals... he is one himself.

Happy birthday little man.... I love you forever and always!

Drive-In Birthday Party

Mother Nature did not get an invite and apparently was mad at me. The forecast for today.... 84 with isolated thunderstorms. As we were setting up the party tent we heard sports games were being postponned due to weather conditions. Ahhhhhhh!

I can only plan so much! As I explained in  ............ I was all ready for today.

Our little birthday boy was picked up at 8am today to go fishing with his faorite Ms. Klare. This gave us a good solid 4hrs of no "extra" hands if you know what I mean (wink, wink).

OK fast forward its PaRty Time!!! As everyone (meaning approximately 70 people) run inside the house because it is raining as the arrive. NOT what I had planned. The kids were running up and down the stairs with toy swords, guns, balls, and anything else boy that is around the house with the girls screaming. Ah yes exactly how I planned it NOT!!!!!!

Less than 30-40min later we started to move people outside and this my friends is when the party got started....

Hot Dog steamer was a hit which had our Hot Diggity Dogs served with all the fixins on the side(ketchup, mustard, onions, fresh garden tomatoes, and cheese). I had an array of chip bags.

 The whole style was grab and go. Once people finished eating I had them move to make "cars" for the movie. Cute table all set up with supplies (glue, stickers, paper, sicorss, glitter and jewels). Instead I found the kids "sledding" with the boxes down the hill. Exactly how I planned it NOT!!! haha actually it was really funny to watch and they had a blast. You can't plan it all and the things they came up with made the party even better.

 

OK cars are made (kinda), movie is set up.


My cupcake tower (I made yey) was displayed, the "concession stand" was open and the popcorn machine was doing its thing. Let the fun begin!

 

We did something a little different. We sang happy birthday and then instead of blowing out a candle we released a lantern. He was soooooooooooooooo excited! Best of all exactly how I planned it NOT but even better than I hoped. Apparently there was another party nearby and they too released lanterns. Stinker thought his lantern went and got his "friends" he was soooo excited it was the best surprise for him (and me).

His lantern going away.

His lantern found "friends" at least 7 or 8 in this picture look like polka dots.

Birthday boy in his car with his tigers and glow sticks.

 

The movie played, the kids giggled and smiled and to me made it all worth it.

Look how big this screen was compared to the roof of my neighbors yard!

Of course no party would be complete without me forgetting something... if anyone would like to come join us this week we have prescooped ice cream in the freezer! Exactly how I planned it... not!!! ha-ha