Let's Talk....Guys!

This is my first time linking up with Erika and Andrea for Let's Talk

I couldn't resist the topic this month when I read "Let's Talk...Guys!"

Linking up with Erika and Andrea HERE

I am going to talk about my guys....all four of them

My rocks....my men

Rob Breton (My Husband)

My Soul Mate...My One True Love...My Rock

This man saved my life; he was the one I was waiting for and didn't know it for a very long time

God brought us together....he always has a plan

He is the best husband and father

He balances so much

He helps so much around the house (even does grocery shopping most of the time)

all while providing for his family AND volunteering on our town's school board

I would be lost without him and thank God every day for bringing him to me

Yep...we were babies pretty much

Peter Binda (My Dad)

My Dad is so funny...even when he is not trying to be

He is a provider....a rock....a comedian and has a fierce love for his children and grandchildren

I learned my work ethic from him; I learned how to be a good friend from him; I learned to embrace our family traditions and more importantly, how to remember the traditions to share funny stories (even if they are the same ones year after year- ha ha!) I love my Dad

Bob Breton (My Father-In-Law)

My father-in-law is the guy who takes care of all of us

He is always prepared; knows who to call in an emergency and makes sure we are all safe

He is so good with his grandchildren and can run circles around people half his age.  

He makes things look easy

Zach Breton (My Stepson)

Zach is the voice of our home (when he is home).  He is currently in his junior year of UNH AND spending a semester abroad in England.  He has even traveled to Germany and Scotland while out there!  He is so funny; a true old soul; and a wonderful big brother to the girls.

Zach always knows how to make people feel loved and included.

He always remembers me and when I joined the family as a stepmom originally, he never treated me like an outsider in the fam

He has always treated me as a 2nd mom and I will never forget the way he has made me feel.

For a young man, he always exhibits such character and sincerity and inspires us all to be better people

So there you have it.  These are "My Guys"

Can't wait to read all about yours!

Windham Town Election - March 8th GET OUT AND VOTE WINDHAM FRIENDS!

Weekly Gratitude

I have been slacking in this area.  It is not that I am  not grateful; God knows I am thankful every day

I have not been good about my Weekly Gratitude posts and that will change today!

It is Lent; it is a time I often reflect on life, on where I am, what I am thankful for and how I can think about others and sacrifice before obsessing about my own self and my needs.

This week, I am thankful for:

My home; not only our house that we made a home but what home really is to me.  That is my husband, my girls, their unconditional love and being at peace.  It is also being who I am when I am with them.

Being able to provide for my family, while doing something I love and with the flexibility required to balance it all.  The balance is what I am most thankful for.  Being able to work AND be present is a gift I never take for granted.

My passion and energy for volunteering.  May it never die.  When I know that I have inspired just one person to think outside themselves and to fight for kids or the greater good, I feel I have accomplished something.

Chicken, Broccoli & Ziti

Ok friends- this is my go-to meal!  I would bet you that this will be the easiest Chicken, Broccoli & Ziti Recipe you will ever try.  I make this for friends, family and colleagues for celebrations, times to show support and even during times of mourning.  It is my specialty and it is often requested.

When I am presenting it to friends and family, as support, I always include a loaf of garlic bread and a dessert like brownies to make the meal complete (and to get the little ones excited)

Hope you enjoy it! 

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter
1 c. white wine
1/3 c. olive oil
1 lb. of boneless, skinless chicken
1 Bunch of broccoli
1 lb. box of ziti's with lines
5 cloves of garlic, minced
Grated Romano cheese

Salt & Pepper To Taste

 Instructions:
  
Melt butter in deep skillet. Add oil and garlic. Simmer for about 5 minutes (do not let garlic burn).

Add wine and bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low for 20 minutes. 

Cut broccoli into small bite size pieces and steam in microwave for 8 minutes. 

Cut chicken into thin bite size pieces and cook in the butter, garlic and oil.

Remove chicken when done and sauté broccoli in butter, garlic and oil for 5 minutes. 

Sprinkle broccoli with Romano cheese.

Add cooked ziti with broccoli and chicken, and add more Romano cheese along with Salt & Pepper to taste

Enjoy!

Friday Favorites (February 26, 2016)

 

Snuggles with Pidge

School Vacation week CRAZIES

Seriously though?  Anything better than your Keurig early morning?

Lenten Daily Reminder.....Our Rice Bowl....has been part of my Lent since I was a child

and working on Wolverines stuff for next season!

Being on the board and preparing to coach can be stressful but honestly, I am having a blast

Hope you all have a blessed weekend!

Linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea HERE

What's Up Wednesday! (February 2016)

It's time for What's Up Wednesday again!  I always link up with Mel, Shea and Sheaffer for the last Wednesday every month- so much fun!  Here it goes!

Link up HERE
 

What We Are Eating This Week

Have you tried Blue Apron yet?

I highly recommend giving it a shot.  It is an awesome service that delivers recipes with VERY FRESH meal ingredients in a refrigerated box to your home.

You pick the # of meals and how often and you can cancel shipments or cancel anytime.  We just started it, thanks to some advice from friends and we are really enjoying it.  What I like most about it is that it prevents us from getting in dinner ruts.  We can bank on two new meals per week and because you get a beautiful recipe card, you can make those meals in the future too!

The meals we have tried so far include 

Manhatten Fish Chowder (Great but we would cut the spices in half next time we make it!)

Find it HERE

 

and The BBQ Chicken Wings with Smoky Sweet Potato Salad and Cole Slaw (AWESOME!)

Find it HERE 

Then we enjoyed the Parmesan Provolone Pizza with a Broccoli Romaine Salad (OUTSTANDING!)

Find it HERE

and the Seared Steakhouse Salmon with Creamed Kale and Roasted Potatoes (We decided that the kale was the best part of this meal)

Find it HERE

and FINALLY to answer this month's question of what are we eating this week?

Geesh long-winded much? ;)

We will be having our usual grilled chicken breasts and salad one night, TJ's Chili Lime Chicken Burgers with salad one night, TJ's Mahi Mahi Burgers and broccoli another night and then our two Blue Apron meals for the week are.....

Pork Meatballs with Creamy Polenta and Broccolini

HERE

and Pinto Bean & Winter Squash Soup with Tortilla Strips

HERE

What I'm Reminiscing About

Past Town Elections

It is election season once again in Windham; I am working hard for what I think is right and reminiscing about the candidates I have helped in the past too.....

What I'm Loving

This very MILD Winter we are enjoying in New England this year

This week, it was in the50's and close to 60- it really felt like Spring!

Looks like we will be enjoying more lobster this Summer too!  For The Win!

What We've Been Up To

Some skating!!!

Soccer Casino Night- Such a blast!

Meeting celebrities at the Winter Wine Festival of NH- pictured here with Steve Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards- dream come true!

Diana has been cheering up a storm

She is working really hard with her ECE Junior Frost Team (can't wait to see them compete!)

and working on her Back Tuck with Coach Kayla

Diana and Kayla enjoyed their Annual Trip to Disney on Ice!

Such fun lunch dates with new friends!

Valentine Festivities

Play Groups with Eva & The MOMS Club :)

Diana's Beach Day at School!

"Campaigning"

A Coffee Date with Mimi :)

and an awesome Mexican Dinner with Plenty of Margaritas with our dear friends at Plaza Azteca!

What I am Dreading

the one last snow storm or two that will most likely happen this winter

The weather has been so mild and beautiful....when I look out my front door, most of the snow is gone and it looks like early Spring...wish it would stay but dreading that word....N'OR EASTER....ugh!

What I'm Working On

My health...per usual

I have incorporated Shakeology into my life and I am actually enjoying it

Having shakes for breakfast and most of the time lunch and then a healthy meal for dinner

The days I know I am going to have a lunch meeting for work or a fun lunch date with my gal pals, I switch it up and do a shake for dinner

and I continue to exercise and try to hit my 10,000 steps a day so my Fit Bit does its happy dance!

My friend Lea encouraged me to join the gym with her and I can't believe I did it

She is awesome!  I agreed to do 2 classes/week with her and she even stands in the back with me

New friend and so glad we met!

What I'm Excited About!

DISNEY...in April...already planning activities and outfits of course!

Suggestions always welcome friends!  Cannot wait to have fun with friends and family

and cannot wait for the fun my girls are going to have!

What I'm Watching/Reading

I feel like not much has changed this past month

I am still watching my favorites including Jane The Virgin, Younger, Teachers, Dance Moms, Scandal....oh yea and my hubby and I have been watching the O.J mini series...have you seen it?  It is fabulous!

The People Versus O.J. Simpson

and I am still making my way through

The One and Only

What I'm Listening To

Lots of pop on Kiss 108, 90's hits on Serius XM 90's on 9, Kids Bop for my littles

and Jazz on the weekends

What I'm Wearing

You know I love me some Lilly pieces

I have been combining some old ones and new ones for a new twist

and couple them with my two favorite pairs of jeans

The high waist skinny jeans from Old Navy and the I.N.C curvy fit boot leg jeans from Macy's

First the Alida Top in Santorini Blue Deep Dive (I feel like I have worn this ALL winter)

The colors cheer me up when it is freezing out!

and because I loved the fit of this top so much, I snagged it in the other print that it comes in

So this is the Alida Top in Multi Sea Jewels

Both are sold out on the Lilly Pulitzer site but you can find them on other sites like 

In the Pink Online HERE 

I wore this one this past weekend- Exhibit A

(doesn't it go well with the margarita?) ;)

and my trusty jeans

from Old Navy

and Macy's

 

and this Lilly vest is 5 years old- you may be able to find one on Ebay 

I love this over some of my Lilly tops, sweaters and plain tees- I just love the color

and the Harp cashmere wrap (which you can still find)

It must be my good luck wrap because I was wearing it when I met Steve Lohr ;)

Exhibit B

What I'm Doing This Weekend

It is our last weekend of pretty much quiet family time, for awhile at least.

We start traveling on weekends for Diana's cheer comps after that!

I know we will be cooking and probably entertaining but we will be at home and close to home this coming weekend

Our home....Our happy place

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

Cheer comps!  

We decided to stay over at a couple of our destinations

It is another excuse to socialize with our new friends and get the full comp experience

First stop= Hartford!

What Else is New?

Well I decided to coach cheer again this coming Fall; 

I was also asked to step in to be the Head Coach

It is a bit scary but I am excited for the challenge and so happy with Diana's reaction-

she can't wait!

Bonus Question For the Month

What is My Favorite Easter Tradition?

Easter Baking with Mimi

We used to do it every Holy Saturday but since Diana started cheering with ECE, it has become a bit more challenging

We always fit it in....This year we are going to do it on Good Friday

This was one of my favorite years baking (2011) -(we were still in our old house here!) check out that post HERE

Look forward to reading all about your fun months!