Today I am thankful for handwritten cards

I love getting handwritten notes and cards from my kids. My favorites though are the ones with horrible handwriting and misspelling. The first note we ever got from Allison said "I like you, you get me fied tieken." Fied tieken is "fried chicken." Here is my newest one. Though the spelling is improving, the handwriting is still all over the place. I'll sure miss it when these turn into store bought Hallmark cards.

Quick, Easy, Delicious Nacho's Platter

This is a recipe for nacho's that we've been making for years. My kids are very picky eaters, but this is a meal where there are never any leftovers. My daughter actually requests that we make this when her friends are over because they all love it so much. It is also quick and easy, perfect for those days when you don't feel like standing over a stove for a long time.

Author: Theresa M.print recipe

Easy Nacho Platter

prep time: cook time: total time:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 Taco Seasoning Mix Packet
• 2 Medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 small (about 4oz) can sliced black olives
• 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 bag Tostitos Scoops Chips (you can use the flat ones, but the scoops are awesome at holding the filling in!)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Brown ground beef, drain. Mix in taco seasoning and 3/4 c of water. Cook an additional 3 or 4 minutes until season is mixed through and no water remains
3. Line a cookie sheet (I use a 9x13) with Tostitos Scoops. Using a spatula, sprinkle ground beef mixture over chips. Repeat with the black olives and tomatoes. Last, sprinkle shredded cheddar over all the chips
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until all cheese is melted through
5. Top with sour cream or guacamole. Serve immediately

http://www.theresasmixednuts.com/2011/11/quick-easy-delcious-mexican-nachos_15.html

Created using The Recipes Generator

Enjoy!

Aerie Stores Holiday Collection

This week I was invited to come to Aerie and preview their new holiday collection. They were even generous enough to supply me with a $50 gift card to help with my purchase. I brought along Mariah and we had so much fun going through all the new items. The sales staff was super friendly and helpful, even bringing out items from the back that hadn't been put on display yet. I think Mariah is more of Aerie's target demographic so I let her do most of the shopping. Here were a few of our favorite picks that should be showing up in your stores soon:

These are the Paige Cotton Push Up Bra that retails for about $20 with their current 40% off bra sale and matching panties that run around $7.50 each.

Me with the Fair Isle Scuffs slippers, retail $19.50 (super soft!) and a pair of their really cute holiday boxers, retail $15.50 each.

Mariah was really wanting these new matching pj's

but shhhh, I'm going back for them this weekend for her Christmas present! These retail for a little over $50 for the set (not including bra) and $30 for the pants.

Since we usually update our lingerie wardrobe right around the start of the school year we didn't purchase any this time, but did end up getting these beautiful items:

Peekaboo Cardi

Perfect V Neck Cardi

Happy Apothecary Tapping Tips Nail Color in Storm Cloud

And a gorgeous pair of hoop earrings.

Also when we were checking out, we received a surprise coupon to get a FREE GIFT 11/29/11-12/19/11. When you bring the coupon in you either get a free panty ($7.50 value), $25, $50, $100, or $500 off your next purchase. You just need to bring it back in between those dates and have them scan to see what your surprise is!

There were a lot more great items to be seen in the store. If you have a teen daughter who you are stumped on what to get for Christmas you should really check them out. They carry a lot of beautiful items any girl would be pleased to have. Thanks Aerie! We had a blast shopping with you!

Soft Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love having visitors in my home. I always try and make them feel as welcome as possible, and I find that supplying guests with good food and drink always makes them want to come back for more. If you were to come to my home I'd have a batch of these chocolate chip cookies ready and waiting for you. Unfortunately, since this is online and not my real home, I can do the second best thing and give you the recipe. Hands down, these are the best soft batch chocolate chip cookies I have ever had and get compliments and requests for them at every gathering or holiday function. Enjoy!

yield: 2 Dozen CookiesAuthor: Theresa M.print recipe

Soft Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

prep time: 12 MINScook time: 8 MINStotal time: 20 mins

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup butter *real butter, not a spread*
• 1/2 cup Crisco Butter Flavor Shortening
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1- 12oz package semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine soften butter with shortening, sugar and brown sugar and vanilla. Beat until creamy. Beat in egg. Gradually add flour mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop a little more than a tablespoon into the palm of your hand and roll into a nice tight ball about an inch and a half in diameter. (I don't drop them onto a cookie sheet by the spoonful. They bake much better when rolled into a ball.)
3. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 8-10 min. Note: I take them out of the oven before they start to turn dark! (I usually pull them out right at 9 minutes. They don't look done, but they will finish baking on the cookie sheet once it's removed from the oven.) Do not double this recipe, or they will not bake soft. You can also make this recipe for bars too. Spread dough into greased 9x13 inch pan. Bake them at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15-20 minutes.

http://www.theresasmixednuts.com/2011/11/soft-batch-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

Created using The Recipes Generator

Tip: I don't use a cookie scoop. My sister in law did and her cookies turned out flat. I like to scoop out about a tablespoons worth of the dough, then roll it into a tight ball into the palms of my hands and then bake, like so:

Breaking Out of My Shell

Hello all! Let me introduce myself! My name is Theresa. I've been married to my husband for 8 years, and together we have two girls, ages 12 and 7. My husband works for an internet company that sells truck accessories and I am fortunate enough to be able to stay home with my girls, though at times I find that to be more challenging than any of the full time jobs I've held in years past. Don't get me wrong though, I wouldn't trade being able to stay home with my girls for anything in the world!

I've been waffling about starting a blog for awhile now. I guess what's been holding me back is that little voice in my head putting doubts in my mind about whether or not what I have to say is important enough for anyone to read about. "Will they like me?" "What if I say something stupid?" "Is my grammar and spelling correct?" I've been living in this comfort zone bubble for as long as I can remember, so as an early New Year's resolution, I'm breaking out of my comfort zone and am putting myself out there. I've thought about the answers to those questions and have come to the conclusion that it's ok if not everyone likes me. If I say something stupid, oh well. Live and learn. As for the spelling and grammar, as Reese Witherspoon once said "I'm from Tennessee. I probably say everything wrong." While I'm a Midwest girl, I've lived in various southern states throughout my whole life- Texas, S. Carolina, and Tennessee. I think this qualifies me to apply Reese's quote to what flies out of my mouth also.

I like to read, I like to write, and I like to learn. I'm hoping to connect with other like minded parents out there and maybe learn from you all as well. I'm glad you stopped by and hope you enjoy your stay. I look forward to getting to know you all, so please come again!