Just When You Think You Have It All Figured Out...

The MCK Patio Garden is Back

Last summer, while pregnant, I started a patio garden since I wasn't working at night anymore and was able to get up in the mornings and actually tend to it.

Although I grew about five working peppers, I was immediately hooked on the idea of expanding my garden. This year, the patio plants are; oregano, cilantro, parsley, hot peppers, sweet onions and green beans. Hopefully some celery, green peppers and a few other varieties of hot peppers will be joining the team.

Along with our love of Cajun food, Anthony and I have been trying our hand at hot sauces and spices. Hence, the reason these plants were chosen. Minus the green beans. I just have a weird obsession with green beans.

Sunday Morning Cartoons

Pinterest - 1, Maria - 0

Contrary to blog post, I really don't have as much time on my hands as it seems. Today however, I simply had a lot of cooking to do to prepare for this weekend so while I was in the kitchen I whipped up these little babies.

If you haven't already discovered Pinterest, I suggest you run, don't walk to this site. You can thank me later. This is a recipe I found while aimlessly perusing one evening.

Simply use mini muffin pans to make brownies and push down the center before they cool. Add peanut butter and voila... the most sinfully non-healthy thing I've made in days. 

Happy 6 Months JMA!

How do you celebrate a six month old half birthday? Why, Pizza Hut of course. Jaxon had craving for pizza while in the womb and today proved to be no different. He tried to grab at every pizza slice on the table and after getting cranky, Anthony allowed him to suck on a plain bread stick.

We figured if anything detrimental happened, we're going to the doctor's tomorrow for his six month checkup.

Turns out it was pure love, Italian style. 

Happy Mardi Gras!

2 Days Till Krewe du Amato Presents: Mardi Gras

Today I cross pollinated the Amato home with Bourbon Street. Here's the lovechild:

3 Days till the Krewe du Amato Presents: Mardi Gras!

Now that Valentine's Day is over, the official countdown to our first annual Mardi Gras party is on! The Krewe du Amato has put their creative geniuses together to come up with the most decadent New Orleans style shindig this side of the Mississippi.

Here's a look at what inspired some of our decorations this year:

credits from left to right: thepickyapple.com, fancyfaces.com, mardigrasoutlet.com, thetablescaper.blogspot.com, homeiswheretheboatis.wordpress.com

Happy Valentine's Day

How Old Are You, Jaxon?

Happy Valentine's Day

Do It Myself Photos

After staring at a blank wall night after night, I decided to head to Michael's craft store and do a little 'do-it-myself' crafting.

My inner Martha was certainly in full force.

I found a picture that I LOVED, printed it out and cut it into perfectly portioned pieces. I then glued each piece on canvases that I bought. Lastly, I painted glue seal over each picture.

They didn't come out as perfect as I would have liked, but I think the idea was there.

voila!...

What We're Reading

Aside from the barrage of baby books that I am now rereading to Jaxon, I decided it was time that I get my own reading level book and get back to having a little 'me' time. Since I'm naturally a night owl, the boys usually go to bed before me and I stay up watching television. Last night, I turned it off and started mommy reading time.

After promising myself I'd just read one chapter, I was instantly hooked. Three chapters later and Jaxon's first nightly feeding time, I finally put it down. Needless to say, the coffee is flowing this morning.

I'm not the only one who can't put a book down, JMA has recently discovered, 'The Very Hungry Caterpiller' and it quickly became one of his favorites.

Game Day Goodness

Dog Days of Winter

Very Low Fat Buffalo Chicken Dip

With a low key Super Bowl Sunday right around the corner, I was searching through my fridge for something that would replica the usual foods I would gorge on if I would be going to the bar.

My creation: Very Low Fat Buffalo Chicken Dip...Ma's Spicy Chick Dip?... Buffalo Bleu Dip? Okay, well the dip is good, the name still needs some work.

Ingredients: (this is a rough guestimate)

• 1 cup shredded chicken
• 1 tablespoon buttermilk
• 1/2 cup fat free sour cream
• 2 wedges Laughing Cow Blue Cheese
• hot sauce

Instructions:

• Combine all the ingredients except the hot sauce in a bowl. Stir until well blended together.
• Add hot sauce till you get the desired amount of heat that you like.



Dinner Tonight: [Not So] Greek Meatballs

I case you were getting bored with my constant post of Jaxon (although I know you aren't) or just frustrated that I don't post enough, I now give you: Dinner Tonight.

This recipe was borrowed (word for word) from Weight Watchers. It's their recipe for for Greek meatballs, although in all the years of my mom making Greek food, I couldn't find one ingredient that was actually a Greek staple. Therefore, I "cleverly" renamed this dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb uncooked turkey breast
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp sage
• 8 small uncooked new potatoes
• 9 oz frozen artichoke hearts
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

• coat a skillet with cooking spray
• season turkey with salt and sage, shape into balls. Add turkey to the skillet and brown on all sides, about 3-5 minutes. Remove and place in slow cooker.
• Add potatoes, frozen artichoke hearts, oregano, pepper and broth. Cover and cook on high heat for 5-6 hours.
• About 15 minutes before serving, spoon cornstarch into a cup. Add one tablespoon of the slow cooker liquid and lemon juice; stir well.  Stir into slow cooker, cover and cook on low heat for 15 minutes more.