A Very Important Day!

I am a politics junkie!  I soak up information like a sponge.  I think I surprise a lot of people with my strong conservatism.  My beliefs have caused many debates and tons of outrage among my liberal friends.  In the end though, I have respect for all of my friends that take the time to learn about the candidate they support and follow through with their convictions.  It does not matter how wrong I may believe you are, I am still proud of  you for being an American and one who does their duty!

I find one of my most important roles as a Mom is to instill values in my children.   I don't want them to be flaky, slackers, who don't give a shit about where our country is headed.  I want to make sure my kids know that their decision DOES affect their future! I believe it is selfish, lazy, and irresponsible for those who are legal United States Citizens to not take part in something that I believe is their duty!  It truly angers me when I read "I hate politics" or "I refuse to vote because they both suck".  If you think one didn't do their job in the last 4 years then vote for someone else.  Give someone else a chance.  You can NOT know they suck if they haven't been given the chance to suck.  Are people not aware that the ballot has more than a Republican and Democratic candidate on it?  That there is also the "Green Party" and the "Libertarian Party" on there?  You have choices.  Please stop making excuses for your laziness and take advantage of a freedom that a lot of people in other countries DON'T get and ROCK THE DAMN VOTE!!

I took Hunter and Addy to the polls with me today.  I explained what we were doing (to the 3 year old not the baby hehe) He insisted he was going to vote for Mickey.  I was so proud that he was thinking about who he really liked.  He stood next to me while I voted and he reached over and tugged at the bottom of my shirt.  I leaned down and asked what he needed.  He replied with "I need you to remember I want to vote for Mickey"  It was so cute!!  It was also inspiring to see such a young child take an interest and make sure that Mommy remembered who he wanted to vote for in this election.  It makes me smile.  It also gives me a glimmer of hope that this child, our countries future, does want to be involved...even if it is Mickey he wants in office.

The oldest came home later and informed me that he got to vote at school.  He said the vote was secret and the teachers didn't ask who they chose.  He told me he voted for Romney because he was tired of his dad not being able to take a day off work because things cost so much.  This is through the eyes of a child.  He never asked me why Daddy worked ALL THE TIME and he isn't completely wrong in his assumptions.  The job his Daddy is working on was funded by Obama Stimulus money.  HOWEVER,  the funding was cut by the administration and they were given an impossible task to complete in a very short amount of time, or the company will lose the money.  So, now Heath is working 12+ hours everyday until the job is completed.  This just goes to show kids DO pay attention to what's going on around them.  They may not completely understand the issues, but the idea that they understand there are issues for them to worry about is a HUGE accomplishment.  

I do not want or need to know who you voted for this year.  I just want you to know how happy it makes me that you exercised one of your rights!

Goodnight Friends and HAPPY ELECTION DAY!!!!

Semi-Homemade Saturday:: Two Dinners and a Dessert!

Today's Semi-Homemade Saturday is a double whammy AND a bonus dessert! Only because it is Fall and these are all Fall flavors that belong together! I am going to give you a 3 for1deal! haha
I am going to give you my Pot Roast Recipe and then show you how to make a Semi-Homemade version of Beef Stew and last of all, a Fabulous DESSERT!!  I know,  I know!!  How kind of me, right?  Well, get a piece of paper and a pen ready, or you could hop into the new age and make sure your printer has ink.  Here we go!

For the roast you will need

A Roast of your choice.  Whichever kind you won't mess up tends to be your best bet!
also remember, you will need leftovers for the second dinner.  I get a 2 lb roast.
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch.  I use the spicy!!  My family likes a kick.
2 packets of gravy.  I usually use onion gravy but this round I used brown because it's more popular with most.
1 jar of pepperoncini's
1/2 package of Hormel Peppered Bacon bits
1 stick of butter or margarine
Bottle of wine

Pour about 1/4 cup of the pepperocini juice in the bottom of the crockpot.
Put the roast in there.
Dump packets of ranch and gravy on top of the roast
place a stick of butter on top of the roast
throw in a handful of the pepperocini's
sprinkle bacon bits on top

Now let that bad boy cook on low for about 8 hours.  After your 8ish hours have passed, turn the crockpot to the warm setting, pour yourself a glass of that wine and prepare your sides.
I make green beans with mine and save the leftovers to throw into the beef stew.

Serve.

This is a no fail recipe!  My family loves it every time and it has never came out bad!

Take the stoneware part of the crockpot out of the heating element, shred or chop the beef, put the lid on and throw it in the fridge.  DO NOT DISCARD THE JUICES!  THEY ARE SUPER IMPORTANT!!

I typically make my stew a couple of days later.  I don't like to burn the family out on roast beef!  I'm super thoughtful like that!!

Now for my
Semi-Homemade Beef Stew

What you will need.

The leftover roast with it's juices and pepperocinis (if you have any left)
leftover green beans
1 can of carrots
1 can of  diced potatoes
1 onion cut
beef stew seasoning packet
1 tbsp corn starch
2 cups water
Salt and pepper to taste

This stew can be put on early in the morning or in the afternoon.  I start mine around noon, but I stay at home all day and have that option.  For you hard working mamma's out there, go ahead and throw it on in the morning.

Okay, put stoneware full of leftover goodness into the heating element.
add 2 cups of water
add beef stew seasoning packet
add can of potatoes
add can of carrots
add leftover green beans
add onion
salt and pepper to taste
cover and let simmer

About an hour before serving whisk together 1 tbsp of corn starch with about a 1/2 cup of the beef broth until smooth.
Add it back to the crock pot and stir the mixture in with a slotted spoon.  Cover and let simmer until you are ready to serve.

Heat up a can of crescents or some buttermilk biscuits, throw some frozen corn on the cob in the microwave and serve your delicious semi-homemade meal!!

Now, if you really want to impress you can add a Semi-Homemade dessert!

Semi-homemade apple upside down cake

1 box of spice cake mix
1 can of apple pie filling
1/4 c. brown sugar
cinnamon
caramel topping
disposable tin cake pan
cooking spray

preheat oven to 350
Prepare cake mix as directed on box
set aside.
spray disposable pan with cooking spray
pour apple pie filling in pan and spread evenly across the bottom
spinkle 1/4 cup brown sugar on that
dust with cinnamon
drizzle some of the caramel topping on top of that
pour half the cake mix over it
drizzle more caramel sauce
pour the remaining cake mix
bake for about an hour or until toothpick comes out clean.

Pull out of the over, let cool, and then flip it over onto a cookie sheet.
Garnish with vanilla ice cream and enjoy the flavors of fall!!

Apple Upside Down Cake garnished with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

DISCLAIMER::
Since most of this is stuff I throw together the "recipe" won't always have exact measurements.  However it is truly hard to screw up a Semi-homemade recipe!  hehehehe

Liebster Award #2. YAY!!!

I am honored and pleased to announce that I was, once again, awarded the Liebster Award.  To make it even more special, I was nominated for it by one of my most favorite people

 Funny Postpartum Lady

If you aren't following her blog or her FACEBOOK PAGE, you are really missing out!  She is fabulous and I absolutely adore her and everything she has done for me!  Thank you for the nomination FPL!!  

Here are the rules for the Liebster Award. 

Each person must post 11 things about themselves. 

Answer the 11 questions the person giving the award has set for you. 

Create 11 questions for the people you will be giving the award to.

Choose 11 people to award and send them a link to your post. Go to their page and tell them.

No tag backs.

Here are Funny Postpartum Lady's questions

1. What is your favorite 90's movie?

Seeing as how I am a 90's kid, this is super duper hard for me to pick just one!! However, there is one movie that I will watch every single time it comes on tv, because I love it so much and that movie is.....Drum Roll please......

CLUELESS

hahaha  Has to be one of my favorite 90's movies of all time!!

2. What is your favorite color?

I am a girly girl.  I love pinks, purples, and reds.

  

3. Do you have pets? If so, what kind and what are their names?

Yes!  I have Dust Bunnies.  They are male.  I call them Dusty and Harry

4. If you could be a guy for a day, what would you want to do?

PEE STANDING UP!!!!!

Geez it would be nice to walk into a public restroom and pee super fast!  No laying toilet paper on the seat, no hovering, no looking for a place to put your purse when you notice the hanger on the door has been broken off.   Seriously, it's all fun and games until you fall in a toilet!  Dudes are lucky!

5. If you could look like an actress, who would it be?

Emma Stone!  She is adorable and smokin' hot all in one!  

Makes me sick!

6. What is your favorite TV Show?

Okay, Funny Postpartum Lady!  Questions like this should say "What ARE you favorite TV showS"

A show I can watch and never get enough of but is no longer on the air is,

Everybody Loves Raymond

A show that's currently on would have to be either, Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, or The Good Wife.  All shows I hate waiting for to come back. 

Don't even get me started on sitcoms ;)

7. Is there something you want to say to someone anonymously? If so, say it here.

Your need for attention is the exact reason why your relationships with others never last.  

ahhhh that felt good!!

8. Why do you blog?

It is an outlet.  It is also something I have control over.  May sound funny but parts of my life are very unstable and the one thing I can control in my life are my thoughts.  No one can change them or control them or keep me from sharing them.  It is something I can do without needing to schedule it around everyone else. 

9. How long have you been blogging?

I started blogging in January of 2011.  So we are coming up on 2 years.  My very first blog only had 19 views. LOL

10. If you and I could hang out, what would you want to do?

Fredricksburg!  Shopping, food, and wineries.  Doesn't get any better, and as soon as you are done EBFing baby girl, we will!!  ;) 

11. What did you want to be when you grew up as a kid?

A journalist.  

Now it's my turn to ask the questions!!  (((evil laugh)))

1.  If you had to lose one of your five senses (taste, feel, smell, see, hear) or risk death, which would you choose?  Why?

2.  What's your favorite fall back recipe when you need something quick?

3.  Do you prefer being the host/hostess at a gathering or being the guest?

4.  What do you usually have your thermostat set to in the winter? 

5. In your own home are you wearing shoes or barefoot?

6. Someone calls you from an unknown number, do you answer it or throw the phone across the room as though Satan himself may be on the other end of that call?

7.  Do you believe in this Mayan Calendar, 2012, world's going to end, zombie apocalypse stuff?

8.  You can only pick ONE.  Reading or Music?

9.  Do you need noise or complete silence while trying to fall asleep?

10.  What is your favorite carnival/fair food?

11.  Do you shop on Black Friday?

Here are the lucky bloggers that get to answer my questions!!  I'm not sure I can pinpoint 11 but here goes....

A.D.D. Music Mamma

The Somewhat Sane Mom

The Crumb Diaries-Curveballs

Moore Organized Mayhem

The Black Tiara

My Morning Cup of Coffee

Crazy Mama Drama

Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Tripping While Standing Still

Adventure into Domesticland

The Plucky Procrastinator

I love every single one of these blogs!!!  You are all amazing!  

Diaper Cake Gift Certificate GIVEAWAY!!

eDiaperCake.com Gift Card Giveaway!!

EEEEK!! I am so excited. I have another sponsored giveaway! This time it is a wonderful company called eDiaperCakes.com, ran by a woman named Liz. She wanted the opportunity to stay at home with her baby, and still have an income. Thus, ediapercakes.com was born. She is extremely talented. These are just a few of the diaper cakes she has available on her site!
I am so proud to have to opportunity to host this on my blog.


About The Company

eDiaperCakes wants to make any baby shower as memorable as possible. Our high-quality diapers and handcrafted designs ensure that any mother-to-be is happy with our work, and we strive for perfection in every single gift we create.

Our Diaper Cakes offer the best value on the market today. Each piece includes approximately 75 Pampers Swaddlers diapers as well as a number of other practical gifts for parents. We include socks, mittens, teethers, books, toys, bibs, and so much more on our cakes, and everything is arranged as beautifully as possible.

Our team creates every Diaper Cake by hand. We painstakingly craft all four tiers of the cake to ensure that it looks its best. Next, we accessorize the cake and then ship it out to you in two days or less. Our cakes are ideal for baby showers, where they can form the centerpiece of the celebration.

Our accessories and gifts are of the highest level of quality. We don’t include any products that we wouldn’t use on our own children, and we want you to be proud to present our Diaper Cakes at baby showers. Our cakes include practical gifts for parents as well as cuddly toys that newborn babies will treasure as they grow older.

Some of our designs feature flower arrangements, making them a perfect way to celebrate the birth of a baby girl. Others feature cuddly stuffed dinosaurs for baby boys. We also feature neutral cakes,do-it-yourself cakes, and so much more. Whether you want to give a cake that includes a book or you want to assemble a cake yourself, we have everything you need to make a positive impact at your next baby shower.


Now head over and enter the giveaway!! You only have a week to enter. So don't wait. a Rafflecopter giveaway