Sara Say What about Hobbies & Marriage?!
Oh, I'm really loving my new series Sara Say What?! Every week I have something God is placing on my heart. Lately, it's been all about marriage. Next week it might be about my children, friendship, love, hate, laughter, ....... Who KNOWS!?This week, I'm struggling with balancing hobbies in my marriage. When does a hobby become too obsessive? When is it healthy? And how do you balance it and build a strong family dynamic in the house?
Reflections
-Do you or your husband have a hobby?
-Do you find yourself struggling at balancing it with your marriage?
-What little things do you do, on a daily basis, to show your spouse you love 'em?
Is Las Vegas REALLY Kid Friendly?
Recently, I found myself in Las Vegas with the Sits Girls, having fun, networking, and seeing all the city has to offer. As I walked around my hotel and along "The Strip" different people of all races walked right passed me: some old, some young, and some in the midst of parenthood, just like me.
I saw a toddler pulling at his Momma's shirt.
I saw a preschooler drawing at the breakfast buffet.
I saw the bored 8-year-old playing his Nintendo DS on a bench.
I saw families dining together with strollers, car seats, and baby backpacks.
I saw a Mom mixing baby formula at lunch.
I saw another Mom breastfeeding at dinner.
I saw families dressed up heading to a Las Vegas Show.
All in all, I saw ............................... KIDS, FAMILIES, & PARENTS.
I kept thinking to myself, is Las Vegas REALLY that Kid-Friendly? What types of family activities are available? Where is the best place to stay?
Little did I know, that the hotel RIGHT across the street from mine is listed as one of those Kid-Friendly Vegas Hotels, according to Oyster.com, a hotel review site.
The Mirage has endless ways to keep kids entertained, including the nightly eruptions of the hotel's signature man-made volcano and the lions and dolphins at Siefried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. The entertainment options, like Cirque du Soleil shows and performances by puppeteer Terry Fator, are relatively wholesome compared to some of Vegas' other offerings. And there's a kids' menu at California Pizza Kitchen and kid-friendly fare at Carnegie Delicatessen and Paradise Cafe.
Dolphin Habitat's in Vegas? I had no idea! My 6-year-old daughter would be over the moon, since she is now obsessed with the book Winter's Tail and the DS game PETZ Dolphin Encounter. Throw in pizza, volcanos, and puppets and I'd have some really happy children on vacation!
This non-gaming, non-smoking property is a mellow, family-friendly luxury option just off of the Strip. Parents of infants can request cribs, bottle warmers and sterilizers, blankets, bibs, diapers, and baby toiletries from housekeeping, and the Trump Kids program provides terrycloth slippers, board games, books, toys, and a map of Las Vegas for children. All rooms come with queen-size sleeper sofas and kitchenettes.
Alright, I don't have an infant anymore and I was actually asking myself, "Who in the world would bring an INFANT to Las Vegas?!" I've got to say that if I HAD to bring my infant this is the place that really caters to babies. Who knew Vegas offered a Baby-Friendly hotel? As a Mom, I would feel comfort in knowing I can request a bottle sterilizer, keeping my babies bottles safe for feeding. Run out of diapers? Housekeeping can simply bring them up to your room.
My 7 and 6-year-old's would love being able to relax with terry cloth clippers, board games, books, and toys. It keeps Momma from over-packing their little backpacks and suitcases, leaving more room for clothes, shoes, and souviners.
As I browsed all Las Vegas has to offer in Kid-friendly hotels, my opinion changed a bit. Vegas really CAN be kid-friendly. Maybe I'll bring the family on my next conference?
Make-Ahead Chicken Cannelloni
I'm learning the art of "Making-Ahead" with a little help from my newest Cookbook Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms by Jane Doiron. I'm so excited about freezing, preparing, and cooking that I just HAD to share a recipe with you guys. I made this the other night and the whole family thoroughly enjoyed it!I know you're thinking it looks like a lot of steps, however, it is TOTALLY worth it!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 10 oz. bag spinach, cooked, drained, and chopped
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese, part skim
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 Eggs
- 8 oz. box manicotti
Sauce:
- 3 cups heavy scream
- 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 cup 4-cheese pizza cheese, shredded
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Additional Parmesan cheese, for the topping
A Day Ahead
Spray a 13x9x2 inch baking dish with nonstick spray' set aside. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, salt, pepper, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and eggs. Boil the manicotti 1 minute less than directed on the box. Do not overcook. You will need 12 manicotti, but it is good to cook extra in case they fall apart. (There are 14 manicotti per box.) Carefully remove the manicotti from the hot water and place them on a long sheet of wax paper to cool and dry. Fill a pastry bag with the chicken mixture and stuff the manicotti. Place the stuffed manicotti (side by side and touching) in the baking dish. Or you can divide them up into 2 freezable baking pans.
To Make the Sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cream. When the cream is hot, stir in the bouillon, garlic, shredded cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well blended. Pour the sauce over the cannelloni. Cover and refrigerate.
Cooking Directions
Take the cannelloni out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat the over to 350F. Sprinkle the top of the cannelloni with Parmesan cheese. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake 20-25 minutes until bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown. Serves 6 (2 manicotti each).
Freezing Directions
This dish will taste fine after it has been frozen, but be aware that the cream will separate. If you want to freeze the cannelloni, be sure that it is completely coled first. Then wrap it well in plastic wrap and place it in a labeled extra-large freezer bag or 2 layers of foil. On the outside of the bag, write "Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before cooking." This will freeze up to 2 months.
Thawing Directions
Transfer the frozen cannelloni dish to the refrigerator at least 24 hours before you want to to cook it. Remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Cook as directed. You may have to add on a little cooking time, if it's not completely thawed out.
Wordless Wednesday The HulkMeister
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Music Monday: A More Beautiful You
On this cool, crisp, Fall Monday, I've got my daughter on my mind.She's only 6 years old, but every day I see her more and more affected by her peers to have the latest. I understand how she wants to fit in, especially at school, however, it breaks my heart to see her pressured so young. She's still so innocent, free spirited, and beautiful.
Which brings me to her relationship with her "BFF". There is a young girl just one year older, who rides the bus with her. Our families are great friends now, but these two girls fight more than they have fun, constantly criticizing the way each other looks. There is such a need to be "better" than one another that they miss the opportunity to encourage each other, love each other, and show their peers what friendship should and could be.
If only they can see that beauty is more than clothes and shoes. Beauty is within ourselves, a confidence that God gives us to be gentle, joyous, loving, patient, peaceful, good, faithful, self-controlling, and kind.
I think, as women, we all struggle with looks. Personally, it's been my weight since having children. I remember an incident with a good friend of mine after having my first child.
The laughter out of his mouth sticks in my brain, when he reassured me I wasn't a fat cow because of being a size 8 after giving birth. Boy do I need that encouragement now that I'm size 12 after two MORE children, but more than anything I need to remember that beauty is MORE than what number displays on my bathroom scale, the make-up I have on my face, or the shoes I don on my feet.
I struggle because of past mistakes, I've made in my marriage and bigger events that unfolded in the last year.
I struggle because it's hard to be confident in yourself when all you see is piles of laundry and dirty dishes all day.
I struggle because I can't fit into size 8 anymore.
I struggle because my hair is coarse and frizzy.
I struggle because, most days, I'm fighting with a 2 year old.
I struggle because I see so many beautiful women around me.
I struggle because I'm tired.
I struggle because life moves too fast.
I struggle because I forget that God has made all of us so perfect, in His image, for a bigger purpose. We can never fully understand just how wonderful His works are.
There could never be a more beautiful you and young mothers, especially, need to hear that. I know I do. So, on this crisp, Fall, Music Monday... Jonny Diaz reminds all of us just how beautiful we are.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)
From the album More Beautiful You
Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight
her body isn't fake And she's always felt overweight
Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care
your skin your body your hair
Are perfect just the way you are
There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you
Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead
Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel that you are
Chorus
So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forgets
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with his light he will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl
Halloween Fun: Edible Eyeballs
After recovering from the flu, my family really needs to boost our immune system with healthy foods, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun on Halloween, right??Let me share this really simple, yet Spooky Halloween Snack idea, courtesy of Disney Family Fun:
Ingredients
Carrots
Cream cheese
Pitted black olives
Instructions
Simply slice carrots into 1-inch-thick chunks, top each with a blob of cream cheese and one half of a pitted olive, and serve.
What are you guys doing for Halloween?
With all the extra candy left over, what do you do with access?
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
So, sometimes I get ambitious and think I can do fun stuff with my blog... like..umm... try a new layout. I still have my sweet graphics that Tina made, but I wanted everything switched around and look what I did.Does it look kinda of, unbalanced?
See lots of stuff missing?
Well, I can fix it (there I go being ambitious again). So, please be patient while my blog is under construction. You can still read the posts just fine.
Hey! If you think you can help me fix it... leave me a comment!
