My First True Love

So 15 years ago today at 1:27 pm I gave birth to the most precious baby boy! I can't believe how time flies. It seems I was just doing squats while holding him in his favorite position to calm his colic. I was just showering with him in a hot steamy shower to help his ugly cough. I was just thinking that "first smiles/laughs/words/scooting/crawling/standing/walking etc. is my favorite stage". I was just walking into his room early in the morning with both of our faces lit with the biggest smiles to see each other. I was just cuddling with him on Saturday mornings. I was just teaching him to ride a bike and swim. I was just doing all those things, and now....I have an almost man living in my house. A funny, smart, extremely handsome, caring, helpful young man here. I did this.

At the same time I realize in three and a half years he will be on his own. Well you know not exactly on his on. But....He will be starting his adulthood. Have I guided or taught him enough? Have I shown him enough love? Have I taught him respect, loyalty, honor? And while teaching him these things, have I shown him in my own actions? Have I shown him what hard work is and why it's so important? Have I stressed how important it is to love love love? Love your family, love your girl, love your friends, love your life, love your work, and mostly love your Lord? 

I know he still has so much to learn, but he's such a great kid. I watch him with little kids and he's so good with them. They just love him. It really warms my heart.  And he seems to enjoy them. I watch him with his friends and he is a fun happy guy. I hope he always keeps such good friends and they guide each other to make strong choices. I hope they stay connected for decades. I watch him with elderly strangers offering help to an older lady with her bags. It warms my heart.

Mason, I wish you the most amazing life. I wish you love in all areas.  I wish you health for a long life. And I hope you live a life filled with gratitude. I want you to appreciate everything you have been blessed with and have worked for. I pray that God has amazing things in store for you. You are the BEST thing that has ever happened to me. I love you more and more every day.  

Love you to the moon, 

Momma

P.s. Here are a few I found from then til now. 

Bucket List or Something Like That

A few weeks before we went to Italy, the hubs and I began a bucket list. We are not on our death bed, but we I thought it would be fun to put it all down. It's kind of hard to just think of a ton of things all at once. Of course there are things we knew right away that would be on the list, but then we wanted to really reach. So we borrowed some ideas by searching other bucket lists. When I was in my mid 20's a friend suggested I make a list of 100 things I wanted to see, have, be, or do in my life. So I did. I wish I could find that list now. I'd love to see how many I've accomplished, or changed my mind on. So we add to the list when we think of new things or read about a place that inspires us. I just wanted to share the list as it reads so far. I've crossed out the things we've done. We have a lot of work to do! And I'm sure the list will continue to grow!
I included a few pics of the ones we've done!
 Life list. 

Started 4-6-13

1.  See the northern lights

2. See Haley's comet LBB 83 tab 88 yrs old

3. Canadian tundra

4. Learn to sail

5 take a sailing trip

6. Go deep sea fishing 

7 learn a foreign language conversationally 

8 see an opera at the met

9 see a ballet at a famous stage

10 see a pro football game Oct 6 2013 Dallas vs Denver. With ghs friends. In a suite!

11 scuba dive in I the Great Barrier Reef 

12 walk on the Great Wall of china

13 ride in a hot air balloon

14 travel to the moon on virgin galactic

15 swim with dolphins

16 whale watching

17 hike the Grand Canyon

18 see the sequoia red woods

19 statues of Easter island

20 see the pyramids in Egypt

21 see Stonehenge 

22 see Rome/Vatican 2013

23 cross the equator on boat

24 see the coliseum may 2013

25 make a wish in Trevi fountain may 2013

26 go to Venice2013

27 wine taste in Tuscany 2013

28 kiss my husband at the top of the Eiffel Tower

29 see the sunrise at Taj Mahal

30 go to the top of the Statue of Liberty

31 go to the Coney Island boardwalk

32 ride a cable car in San Francisco

33 go to Oktoberfest in Germany

34. Create enough passive income so that you don't have to work another day in your life.

35. Own a beach house

36. Own a yacht or sailboat

37. Own a ranch with horse stables

38. Write a book. 

39. Know more about our family history

40. See the lighting of the Rockefeller tree

41 ice skate at Rockefeller center

42 live abroad

43. Live a year or more in France

44. Stay in a hut over the water. 

45. Own a villa in Tuscany. 

46 ski in the alps

47 ride a horse on the beach

48 Go to Niagara  falls

49 wine taste in Napa

50 Learn to surf

51 go to Ireland. 

52 go to England where Travis lived

53 go to Sweden to see Anna. 

54 see the fjords in Norway

Venice

Wine Tasting in Tuscany (we did a lot of tasting wine, but this was the only official tasting)

Wish at Trevi Fountain

ROMA!

Pro Football Game! Broncos Vs. Cowboys

Tomatoes IN YOUR FACE!

As some of you know, my husband and I went to Italy this past summer with another fabulous couple. It was amazing. This is just a quick post to share how I fell in love with YES to tomatoes facial wipes. They are a long flight life saver. I always can't wait to do three things after a long flight, brush my teeth, wash my face, and change my undies (why yes, I said that!)  These wipes just felt so refreshing. Even our men used them on the flight! The tomato wipes are for oily or blemish prone skin, and I think they make a world of difference for travel. Oh, and also on those nights that you really don't feel like washing your face before bed, I just grab one of these babies and take it to bed with me and scrub a dub while I'm laying in bed. Anyway, they also make a cucumber one that my dear friend Sara at Sara Goes West introduced me to. They are both great, but I've stuck with the tomato version of the product. So, I thought I'd share with my faithful followers! (right?)
Yes to Tomatoes

Dry Shampoo

So I have the oiliest hair and skin ever! I always washed my hair EVERYDAY! A few dear friends (Sara and Cori) turned me on to the idea of using dry shampoo. Now I'm sold! I use the cheapest thing out there. Why yes, it has horrible ingredients listed (butane, and propane) on the can, but I can't seem to find any I like that don't have those ingredients. I use Suave, with the yellow cap. It's for blondes, and I just love it. It has a fresh scent, it gives me the most amazing body I've ever had. The only negative is that a few times I think it gave me a few dry spots on my scalp, just really flaky dime size areas that kind of itched. That sucks right? Well I found that I get those in the oiliest parts of my "spray zone." It seems to happen when I try to go three or four days without washing. So I try to just do an every other day wash now. Anyway, I started this post a few months ago, and haven't gotten around to finishing it. I just wanted to share for any of you gals that are blessed with the natural oils that I am so over!
Suave Dry Shampoo

Oh my word.. Joanie's biscuits!

Just saying this woman's biscuits are the shiz!!! I need another lesson before I blog althe how to. Maybe soon to come! 

Girls trip in 5 days!

Hello World! Aka, my 3 random readers,
In five days I will be flying to Panama City Beach to meet some of the best chics around! Erin, Kerri, and Valerie! We went to High School together soooo long ago! Last year we took our first actual girl's trip to Dallas. We stayed in the swanky W hotel, shopped, went to the Ghost Bar, a dueling piano bar, layed in the sun, ordered room service at the pool, ate great food at Del Frisco's and laughed our a double s's off!

We meet again this coming Friday at the beach! I am ready! We've all been working on our bikini bods. Though none of us are at our desired end point, we have all been working hard to improve our already awesome selves! (ha) Thanks Val and Steph for the PUSH! We will miss our 5th member, Stephani, this year! It won't be the same without her!  

Here is a fun collage I made into postcards for these girls a few weeks ago to pump them up, (like we needed that!)

These women are spectacular! We have all been through so much. The strength of this group astounds me! So many blessings and trials in each of our lives. The support system we have is amazing. Most of us live far apart so this can be the only time we get to spend together each year. Our men understand the need for this time of relaxing and fellowship. The faith shown by these ladies is also just incredible! 

We have 14 amazing children between us! Yes, 14! That keeps us all super busy! We love our babies, but appreciate this time to recharge those momma batteries! 

We have been there for each other going on 20 years! (wow, that makes us sound too old!) I'm so thankful that God put these girls in my path when we moved to NM way back in the day! They are a part of me, they inspire me, they have supported me in my low times, and laughed with me almost all of the other times! These women are so full of love and life and I'm proud to call them my GiRlZ!

July 4th revisited!

 Brisket for the Fourth, DUH! Easy and delicious!

A little sample of what our afternoon and evening looked like as we celebrated Freedom and American Pride! I wish I would have gotten photos of everyone! A great turnout of friends and awesome food!

My dear sweet Nanny Kathy. She and her family came in from Louisiana. Isn't she elegant?!

My Godchild Thomas, aka Bill. What an awesome young man he has turned out to be! Very proud of him!

 Skip, after he made several funny faces.

The admiral (in the bump)! Momma's face not allowed.

A little love from my baby.

Mom's pool is always my favorite 4th spot!

 A detail shot by Louis Prejean.

Me and Luci, enjoying the water!

A lil more detail. Thank you Louis Prejean.

Brandon escaping Breeze's herding abilities in a very masculine jump!

The pool always turns into a trick contest.  Mason, I give that a 4. You need to point your toes!

My sweet, amazing mom! My hero!

And the finale. Fireworks show from the front lawn!

Mitch in action!

The photographer! Louis!

July 4th

Happy Independence Day!

As we all gather with family and friends to celebrate our country's birthday, I hope your day is filled with laughter, sunshine, and great memories. 

This morning I had some dear family over for espresso and melon salad. Both were music to my mouth! I am so excited to use my Moka pot on the weekends. Illy espresso is just too yummy! The melon salad was super easy, I cut up a small watermelon that I got in my Bountiful Basket 2 weeks ago. I also cut up a cantaloup. I julienned some basil from the garden and added crumbled goat cheese. It was fresh and sweet with a bit of tang from the goat cheese! I love that stuff! 

I have a brisket in the oven. I've tried them on the grill before, and my super griller hubs smoked one once, but they are kind of tricky that way, so some good ole Claude's Brisket Marinade overnight and 4+ hours in the oven works great for me! The house is smelling so delish right now! I can't wait to tear into that pan!
Happy 4th to all! 
xo,
BB

Product Review-Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

Travis and I went to the big city this week. Albuquerque is huge to this girl! Anyway, I needed a few fun things from Sephora and ended up getting a lil extra.

I always hate the texture of my skin. I don't have major breakouts, but I have huge pores and they look clogged to me. So I got a new brush head for my Clarisonic. I had the one it came with, which works fine, but I didn't see radiance the way I thought I would, so I got the one that does more scrubbing in those disgusting pores.

While I was talking to the perfect skinned sales girl, she mentioned this black mask. I have a black mask from Origins that is great but it's not a peel off, and who doesn't love a peel off mask? So she showed it to me and put a dot on her hand and it looked awesome. She said it will pull all the gunk out like a Biorre strip. I freaking love those! She also said to make sure I didn't get it in my hairline because it will pull it out. Boy howdy was she right, I didn't get it in my hairline but any tiny facial hairs I had before, they are gone! That puppy pulled out all kinds of stuff. And yes you can see it on the mask when you peel it off. I loved it. My husband couldn't stop laughing at me while I wore it around the house. He was also warned to stop making me laugh because we all know how that feels with a mask on. Anyway, all in all, I love the mask. Price wise it was a little more than I like to spend at $36 (I think). Here is a lovely picture so that you get the full effect.

Another love......

Garden time! Although it was 25* this morning! Sunday was our first venture into the home improvement stores to check out the goods. I got 3 lovely sweet basil plants. And 3 lemon zest petunias! I love those things. I'm already dreaming of tomato basil goat cheese and prosciutto salads this summer! We did chisel the patio furniture out of the winter's dust a week or so ago, but it's all covered again due to a hellacious dust storm this weekend. That is the downside to 300+ sunny days a year! The hubs has been turning the soil in the garden for a few weeks. Taking out grubs too. Darn critters. But our compost is nice and black, so we are excited to see what the garden can do this year!

Working Out and Roasted Butternut Squash

As soon as I got home from school (3:45ish) I changed to workout. I love doing Insanity. I know I'm working my booty off, which is exactly the point. Well today was cardio recovery day. Which isn't a cakewalk either, but it's my favorite day because there is no cardio. Anywho...my 14 year old baby wanted to do it with me. Trying to workout with a 14 year old isn't that much different than working out with a toddler, he still talks the whole time!! I think I always workout harder when I work out with someone else, so I welcomed it. After that adventure, I went to see what veggie I wanted to cook tonight. I already thawed some chicken breasts to grill so I was half way there. I always try to keep a butternut squash on hand because they are so low carb and delish! So I will tell you how I cook those puppies right up!!

First I wash it off because I don't know how many times my kiddos have dropped it off of the butcher block. Or whose hands touched it at the grocery store.

Then I take the handy potato peeler and take off all the skin and cut the ends off. I cut it in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Then I cut it into about one inch chunks.

Does anyone else have one of those Pampered Chef oil sprayers? Well I love mine. I use it on all veggies. It's one of those pump kind that you put regular oil in. Mine is always full of extra virgin olive oil. I just like the fact that there are no added chemicals to my oil. Not that I'm a totally clean eater, but I like to do what I can. And did you know that aerosol spray oil such as Pam, is not good to use on your non-stick cookware? One of the chemicals eats away at the coatings, so that was my other great reason for getting the pump sprayer. Nonstick stuff can be pretty pricy. So I like to take care of it best I can.

Ok back to the butternut. I spray a large cookie sheet with it and toss on the squash. I spray the squash a little too. It helps it get crispy on then edges. Then I sprinkle on some salt and pepper and garlic. Fresh is always better but gees, I'm a busy lady and sometimes I don't feel like peeling garlic! So tonight I used the minced kind you see in the picture below. Anyways toss that together and bake for 40 min at 400*. I love this stuff. If you like rosemary you can also chop some fresh stuff up and toss that in too.

Best easy weeknight din-din

Ok so during the week I mostly like to make quick and easy. Tonight was that for sure. We had those great thick pork loin chops. I thawed those out quick like. Seasoned them with garlic salt, lemon pepper and dried parsley. Then threw them on the grill for 7 min a side. Yumma. As for my healthy veggie options, I had a bag of frozen broccoli florets. So I steamed them right up. And topped them with some very finely micro planed parmesan cheese. I also threw a bag of frozen okra in a pan with some rotel! Added a bit of season salt (tex joy steak seasoning) and let it simmer a few min while the chops were on the grill. Yumm yumm gimme some!

Sorry for the poor quality pic. It'll have to do!!

Homemade Pasta Buffet Night!

I forgot to load the pictures from pasta making with friends and family! I used the easiest recipe

http://www.thelittlekitchen.net/2013/02/20/how-to-make-homemade-pasta-with-kitchenaid/

Random Stuff About Brookie

Let's see, I'll start with a few things, just for focus and quickness....
I'm married to the BEST man ever. He was made for me and I am so thankful for him! I have 3 teenagers that I love dearly, but drive me crazy too. A 16 year old step-son. A 14 year old step-daughter, and a 14 year old son. I will have three in high school really soon (like 5 months) and I'm excited and scared at the same time. I hope they make better choices than me! Ha! I have four awesome parents. My mom and stepdad live here in New Mexico, my dad and stepmom live in Louisiana. They are all joys to be around and a few of them are pretty crazy!

I'm blonde and I love it. I don't think blondes have more fun, I just feel way hotter when I am blonde. I do pay for this blondness, and it's something that I will not skimp on! Even when my husband tells me how much I've spent on hair though out the year. (He's pretty type A. He keeps a very thorough budget and I have a love/hate relationship with that part of him!) 

My BFF is Rissa. We met freshman year of high school. We have pretty much been besties since getting kicked out of freshman girls chorus for giggling and talking too much. She is my family! I love her so much. She is one crazy lady too. You will love her! Boy do we have some stories. Can't wait to share! 

I LOVE TO TRAVEL. In fact, I wish it were my job. I'm still brainstorming on making it my job. We shall see how that turns out. I love to research for a trip. I obsess about what to wear before a trip. I don't check luggage and haven't since 2009. I aim to never check luggage again! I have not traveled as much as some, but more than others. It is a major focus in my life and before a trip is over, I'm already dreaming of the next one. I get sad when a trip is over if I don't have another one on the books because I don't have the excitment of looking forward and dreaming of that next place.  I may post some past trip pics/stories from time to time and will definitly post future trips. A big one is coming up this summer! I can't wait to share it!

I grew up partly in Cajun Country in Southwest Louisiana. Early in high school I moved to Southeastern New Mexico and that has mostly been home since then. I love and appreciate both places. I look forward to living in other places after our kids are in college. I'm sure I'll tell you in the future about where I want to live, where I have lived, and so on.

I teach kindergarten. I love my babies. They make me crazy sometimes, but I think they are ADORABLE!! It really is a joy to teach. I love the teachers I work with. Our team/school is super hard working and go above and beyond to get our kiddos where they need to be! Some of my posts may be about school projects, because that is part of who I am.

I'll end with cooking. I love to cook. I love the routine of cutting an onion. It is theraputic to me. I love to feed people. We rarely eat out. (Partly because there are few restaraunts in our town that can cook better than me or the hubs.) I love my table full of family, friends and newbies. I think cooking and sharing a meal makes such a connection. And wine makes it all the better.

Ok, so there's a few things about me. I really want to be myself on this blog. As I reread this post, I feel a little stuffy and serious. Not what I'm going for. Hopefully I'm not really stuffy and serious and that will show through with practice! Ok, Here are a few pics!!

This is Marissa and me. I'm on the right. We had a girls weekend away a few months ago and had the best time! This is just a little self portrait of one of those nights.

Me and the hubs on our wedding day. We are about to hit 4 years in May! He's hotter than ever!

My precious kiddos!

Rosemary Olive Oil Bread

Can you say yum? This is an amazing loaf of Italian style bread. It was Saturday morning and I had that feeling of wanting to be in the kitchen all day. And for the most part, I was. I started with this bread. Then I started making Giada's marinara sauce..which ended up in inviting my mom and step-dad and another great couple over for a pasta buffet. We made homemade pasta together and each family provided a sauce. I made the marinara, my mom brought an amazing parsley pesto, and my great friend Sara brought a spinach mushroom white sauce that was super tasty! 

In case you were wondering....

The purpose of this blog is to force me to write and express creativity. This may or may not be the 4th blog I've started...and hopefully this one will live.

I'll start with one of my passions, cooking. Last night I threw the ingredients in a crock pot. Then I threw the crockpot in the fridge until morning. So I came home to a delicious smelling house and dinner was mostly ready. This is a great low calorie Thai Chicken recipe from Weight Watchers. It was pretty amazing. The husband thought it was great too.

Recipe from weightwatchers.com

13 1/2 fl oz light coconut milk
7 tsp Thai curry paste, red variety, divided (or to taste)
1 1/2 tsp table salt, (or to taste)
1/2 head(s) (large) uncooked cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 pound(s) uncooked potato(es), peeled, cut into small chunks
1 medium sweet red pepper(s), cut into chunks
2 medium uncooked carrot(s), cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 1/2 pound(s) uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast(s), six 4 oz pieces
2 Tbsp reduced-fat peanut butter
1/3 cup(s) cilantro, fresh, chopped
3 medium uncooked scallion(s), sliced
1 medium fresh lime(s), cut into 6 wedges
2 Tbsp peanuts, salted, chopped

Instructions
In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, whisk together coconut milk, 4 teaspoons curry paste and salt until blended. Add cauliflower, potatoes, pepper and carrots; toss to mix and coat.

Rub 2 teaspoons curry paste all over chicken; place chicken on top of vegetable mixture. Cover slow cooker and cook on LOW setting until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender, about 5 to 6 hours.

Remove chicken to a cutting board and cut into bite-size pieces (or shred using two forks); set aside.

Stir peanut butter and remaining 1 teaspoon curry paste into slow cooker until blended. Add chicken back to slow cooker with cilantro and scallions; gently stir to coat. Spoon onto plates or into bowls and serve with lime wedges; sprinkle each serving with 1 teaspoon peanuts. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.