Table Manners?!

Anna has had some issues eating her purees as of late (spitting, smearing food, knocking it on the floor, etc.), so I started to wonder when we should start teaching table manners... and I think we're going to get serious about the sign language teaching.

William Wilkoff, a pediatric nutrition expert (BabyCenter), says:

"Let's start by being rather broad in our definition of our table manners. 

Let's call it acceptable behavior at the table. I hope that you are setting a good example from the very beginning. This means no arguments at the table and staying seated for the entire meal. It also means no television when you are eating. Don't complain about the food, don't share with your child the list of the foods you don't like and why. In other words, your dinner table behavior should be pleasant, upbeat, and positive, and considerate of others at the table. Whether you put your elbows on the table and how you hold your fork are issues that you can fine-tune later on. 

When your child is beginning to eat in a highchair, do not tolerate intentional spills and food throwing. As soon as it happens, stop the meal and her him/her down, even if he/she hasn't eaten very much. The behavior will stop promptly, or at a minimum, you will quickly learn that he/she isn't hungry. 

As your child becomes a toddler, make it clear that he/she doesn't have to clean his/her plate or even eat anything, but that he/she is expected to behave. He/she may get down from the table and play quietly in the dining area, but he/she doesn't return to the table, and as soon as he/she misbehaves, he/she is in for a time-out. Point on that this "time-out" is not because he/she wasn't eating, but because he/she was misbehaving. 

By following these simple rules your child will soon want to share the dining experience with you and will learn good table manners by watching your example."

I haven't necessarily heard of the not making your kids eat technique, but maybe it's a good idea to focus on behavior first (though I want to see them eat). Hearing what other moms are saying though, we're not the only ones dealing with the meal-fighting. Some kids won't even eat! I think the best bet for us and our issues is to take away the food as soon as she starts playing and to put her down, even though I'm afraid she won't understand and just won't eat... especially since "no" makes her laugh, and if she falls off something, she goes right back to it like five minutes later. It's worth a try though!

What do you think? What are your experiences with your little one? What has worked for you?

Bug-Out Bag!

So, when it came to survival tips, I talked about having a "Bug-Out Bag," or a bag maintained and always ready to go that would be able to last you at least 72 hours (or three days), just in case.

So, what exactly should you have in your "Bug-Out Bag?" Everyone has their own answers and tweaks their own to their own desires, but there are specific things you should have standard:

1. Water - at least three liters, at the bare minimum (three gallons is even better!) - To increase your chance of survival past three days, it is good to have a water purification system ready to go; which can be as easy as iodine tablets (remember 2 tablets for every 1 liter of water). You can also pack a collapsible water bottle and/ or a backpack bucket. Coffee filters can extend the life of your purification system, and make sure to save your bottles if you plan to have bottled water in your bag. Stainless steel canteens are also a good idea.
2. Food - Backpack meals (freeze-dried meals that you add boiling water to) and energy bars are sufficient and both last a long time. MREs are also great (shelf life of three years), if you have access to them.
3. Clothing -
• A pair of sturdy boots or shoes (remember boots are always preferred because of protection and stability)
• A pair of long pants (preferably not blue jeans)
• 2 pairs of socks - hiking (preferably not cotton)
• 2 shirts (maybe one long sleeve and one short sleeve for layering)
• A jacket that is both warm and protection from rain
• Warm, long underwear of some kind
• A hat
• A bandanna
4. Shelter - 
• Some type of tarp or tent and a way to set it up
• A ground tarp or sleeping pad for underneath to stay dry (never underestimate the importance of this)
• Some kind of bedroll, preferably a good sleeping bag
5. First Aid Kit - preferably built by you, most of the prepackaged ones have a bunch of stuff you wouldn't need. You can even add a Sawyer Extractor for poisonous snake and insect bites. Remember the anti-diarrhea medicine (which can be life-or-death if stranded)!
6. Remember The Basics -
1. Rain Gear - have at least two ways to stay dry; poncho and coat are good coupled with your tarp or tent.
2. Fire - Have at least 5 ways to make a fire and 5 ideas for fire tender. It's even a good idea to have a good, light-weight cutting tool besides your knife/knives, like a survival chainsaw.
3. Cooking - Bare minimum a small pot/large cup to boil water in. A small backpacking stove and fuel are obviously better.
4. Light - At least 2 dependable flash lights and back up batteries for each - hand-cranked flash lights work as well (glow sticks are a good idea for a backup).
5. Survival Knife - or two!
6. Weapon - your choice of some sort of firearm and ammo.
7. Also, if you can fit them, hygiene products (toilet paper, etc.) don't hurt!
7. A disaster plan (if applicable), a professional survival book, a compass, a whistle, flares, some sort of rope/cord, a signal mirror, emergency blankets (to keep in warmth), a battery-operated or hand-crank radio/C.B. or Ham radio, bug repellent, sun block, a camp ax and shovel, a multi-tool, a bottle of multi-vitamins, fishing lures and line, Ziploc bags, and duct tape are all other very good ideas.

Like I said, these are just the basics (from the bare minimum to the more elaborate), and there are plenty of other things you can add to make things more comfortable - just remember that you could be traveling great distances. You can check out a few of them here. Good luck!

40 Weeks!

Anna Sophia is 40 Weeks Old! 

Even though I have a big belly yet again (not quite as big as I was 40 weeks ago), I can't believe how big my little 20 pound Anna Bear has become. 40 weeks ago, my little Koala Bear was still floating around in my stomach (all 7 pounds 13 ounces worth). Now, look at her!

Survival Tips!

Yesterday, I found out a little known survival tip: Did you know that, in case of emergency, a crayon can burn for 30 minutes?

Growing up in the south ...and living in the woods, so far from everyone and everything, you learn certain, pretty essential tips in case you ever get lost hunting, hiking, exploring, etc., but it could literally happen to anyone.

I don't necessarily believe in the impeding Zombie Apocalypse, but there is a very strong possibility that you could need some of these tips someday if you are ever in any way stranded or are any kind of outdoors man:

1. If you get lost in the wilderness, DON'T panic. Assess your situation, and if possible, stay put until help arrives. If not, find waterways and follow the flow. 
2. The 7 Steps to Survival: Recognition, Inventory, Shelter, Signals, Water, Food, Play (as taught by the Marine Corps).
3. If you are in a crash, it is okay to explore for water and food sources, but always make sure to return to the crash site, as it is always easier to find plane wreckage than to find a single person.
4. ALWAYS leave a message to friends/family about where you are headed and how long you will be gone. Tell 3 people, if at all possible.
5. If you have a "Bug-Out Bag," it should be good for 72 hours.
6. Have water with you wherever you go. If you have to use it in a survival situation, only take small rationed sips throughout the day. 
7. It's smart to carry a good quality knife with you at all times (two is even better!). It will help you with everything from making sparks for a fire to cutting through tough terrain.
8. It's also good to keep a bandanna with you (there are 30+ uses in a survival situation). 
9. Keep a small backpack with you; kayak backpacks and Camelbaks are ideal. They are small, waterproof, and lightweight. They will enable you to travel great distances without weighing you down or getting caught on something. 
10. If traveling, keep your cell phone well-charged and in a Ziploc bag (double-bagged is best), just to keep it dry and ready to use if you end up in range of cell towers.
11. Keep a fresh pair of hiking socks in a warm place to be able to switch between from day to day to keep your feet warm. Wearing boots is also very desirable, as there are so many uses for shoe strings, and boots will keep your feet drier and lower legs/ankles sturdier and safer.
12. The number 3 (sets of 3) and the letter X are international signals of emergency. Make 3 fires on a beach or in a clearing, or make an X in the snow to be seen from the air.
13. International Whistle Code: 1 Whistle Blast - "Where are you?" : 2 Whistle Blasts - "Come to me." : 3 Whistle Blasts - "I need help."
14. The Rules of 3: A human can go 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food.
15. Use tree cover, an uninhabited cave, or make your own shelter to get your body out of the sun and/or weather.
16. A grown man needs 1 gallon of water per day.
17. Common household bleach can be used to purify water of harmful parasites and bacteria. The ratio is 8 drops per gallon. Also, 2 Iodine tablets can purify 1 liter of water.
18. Drink your urine (if there is not a clean water source) to avoid dehydration. It can also clean wounds in hot weather and can be used on fabric to keep you cool. 
19. Pine needles can be boiled into a healthy tea. If eaten raw, the needles will also act as a Vitamin C boost (5 times more Vitamin C than orange juice!), which can prevent some infections from developing.
20. The white inner bark of a pine tree can be eaten raw or boiled as a good supplement of carbs.
21. A Birch tree gives off 70 gallons of water evaporation per day.
22. Peat moss can be boiled and eaten. It is also a good source of water and can be used as bandages to suck up pus and blood. 
23. ALWAYS boil anything you plan to eat or drink. 
24. NEVER eat an animal that you haven't killed yourself.
25. A human burns approximately 1200 calories per day as a minimum if staying idle all day.
26. You use more energy and lose moisture faster by breathing through your mouth than through your nose.
27. Walking burns 90 calories per hour.
28. Your body burns twice as many calories when you are freezing cold and wet.
29. Your body will waste a lot of energy trying to keep your head cool in the heat, so keep it covered with a hat or wrap some sort of clothing around it. 
30. Insects and bugs contain more protein than beef, fish, or chicken and are excellent survival food.
31. Edible insects rule of thumb: "Black, green, or brown; wolf it down. Red, orange, or yellow; forget that fellow."
32. Remember that the more you eat, the more thirsty you will be. If you have no water source, eating something could be the thing that ends you. Water is ALWAYS first priority.
33. Nibble just enough to keep up your strength, but getting full or trying to eat a meal is bad for rationing and your energy level. 
34. The body loses heat 25 times faster in water than it does it air. If you have to get wet, remove clothing to keep it dry. Do not put them back on until the excess water has been absorbed off of you. You can do this by rolling in snow. Then, put the dry clothes back or start a fire immediately.
35. The body loses heat much faster through the ground than it does to the air, so there is an old saying that when sleeping on the ground, a blanket underneath is worth two on top.
36. Snow is a good insulator. It is filled with loads of tiny air bubbles, which trap your body heat.
37. The human body temperature normally stays within a range of about 97.52 - 98.96 degrees F. If it falls just 2 degrees below that, hypothermia will start to set in.
38. Most cases of hypothermia set in between 30 and 50 degrees F.
39. Add 37 to the number of chirps a cricket makes in 15 seconds, and you've got the approximate outside temperature.
40. Charred cloth is easy to make and can really catch a spark when lighting a fire with a flint steel.
41. Mousetraps are cheap, take up little room, and are "ready-to-go" traps that can provide you with some meat in a survival situation.
42. To keep yourself alert and mentally-stable, make sure to keep track of how many days pass.
43. Leave some sort of marker as you move from one place to another, especially if you plan on doubling back.
44. NEVER give up. If you do, you eliminate 100% of your chances of surviving. 

Now, go out back and get lost! Haha. Hopefully, you never have to use these tips in a life-and-death situation, but they are definitely good to know and to know well, just in case!

Perfect Pumpkin Pie!

My dad loves pumpkin pie, and luckily his birthday is October 18th, so it's a great fall treat and a birthday dessert for him. Here is a famous pumpkin pie recipe (since 1950), with which you can never go wrong! ENJOY!

Famous Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 1 can (15 ounce) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 can (12 fl. ounce) Carnation Evaporated Milk
• 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell

Directions:

1. Mix sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a small bowl. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
2. Pour into pie shell. 
3. Bake in preheated oven at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F; bake 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. 

NOTE: Do not freeze pie, as this will cause the crust to separate from the filling. 

Recipe sponsored by Libby's Pumpkin for Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie. 

October's Currently!

October is definitely my favorite month and time of the year, and I'm so glad it's finally here!

I'm officially 30 Weeks pregnant, so only a quarter of pregnancy left to go! 10 more weeks until Little Man is finally here with us!

CURRENTLY...

LISTENING: 

To the birds chirping, the leaves rustling through the trees, two squirrels running up and down a tree and cackling at one another, and Motley unstealthily stalking after them - as well as Anna watching her favorite show, Courage the Cowardly Dog in the background. 

I absolutely love living out in the country for moments like this because I wouldn't hear roasters crowing in the morning or owls and whippoorwills sounding at night if we lived in the city. We still have butterflies, crickets, grasshoppers, and we even saw a hummingbird the other day while sitting on the front porch swing. Nature is so breathtaking and beautiful!

LOVING:

It's done getting above the 70s here, and sitting outside at night in 54 degree weather feels incredible! I love the fall because it's just cool enough for a  light jacket, and the warmth of the sun through the breeze feels perfectly amazing! I wish it would stay this temperature all year long, and I pray we don't have quite as bitter of a winter this year as we did last year!

I'm also so excited that the Holiday season is finally starting, which means decorating, scented candles, family time, and lots and lots of hearty, soul food cooking! Check out my chili and roast recipes (and more) at Mommy's Corner!

THINKING:

Joseph and I are trying to come up with lots of ideas and traditions to make this Holiday season and every Holiday season special for little Anna ...and next year, for Little Man. I love getting her involved in anything we're doing: cooking, shopping, etc., and we have quite a few things planned for this year; starting with a trip to our local dairy farm for a corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, fall treats, and so much more, closer to the middle-end of this month!

WANTING:

I really want to take some fall pictures down by the canal whenever we can get over there because it's so pretty down there, and yes, we live in the woods, but there aren't really any pretty spots to take pictures in, and we kind of live in the land of the pines, haha!

Also, Anna has some Halloween jammies and a cute little Halloween outfit, but we still haven't found her Halloween costume yet, and I want to get her some cute little fall and winter outfits, especially for around Christmastime! ...I also want to get a cute, warm, comfy maternity sweater if I'm going to put my pregnant butt in any pictures this year, haha!

NEEDING:

Anna has been so cranky (and whiny) lately - like can't put her down or she will start whining whiny, and being a Stay-At-Home Mom that doesn't get out and around other grown-ups nearly as much as she used to is REALLY getting to me. I need a break, a VACATION, and some time to relax with my sweetheart, instead of worrying about getting her to go to sleep before we even get to touch each other ...and about fiances, work, transportation, housing, etc.

TREAT:

I'm not much of a baker, but we're making some fall treats this year! 

We've baked cakes, muffins, and cookies since the beginning of this month, but I'm baking a pumpkin pie (and possibly a chocolate chip cookie cake) this coming week for my Daddy's birthday, and we'll be making caramel apples (as soon as my fatty pregnant self stops eating all the apples, haha!). I've also thought about making an apple crisp or some apple cider later on this month!

So, what's "currently" going on with you?

Fall Scavenger Hunts!

A scavenger hunt is a great activity to get the kiddies outside any time of year, but especially in all this beautiful weather!

Here are a few Fall Scavenger Hunt printables to get you and your little one's inspired and moving:

Mexican Chicken!

I think I finally got it right! Ever notice that when you cook chicken, then add it to something: quesadillas, chicken lasagna, etc., the flavor is on and around the chicken but not really in the chicken? Well, that, my friends, is why we have the crock pot! I have been trying to figure out the best way to make flavorful chicken quesadillas, and I think I've finally done it! ENJOY!

Mexican Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/4 cups diced green chile peppers
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 (5 ounce) bottle hot pepper sauce (I use Texas Pete Hot Sauce)
• 1 teaspoon salt or seasoning salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

1. Trim the breasts of any access fat and season with the salt/seasoning salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and brown on all sides. 
2. Transfer the chicken to a slow cooker, and top it with the chopped onion. Season with the chile peppers, chili powder, cayenne pepper, hot pepper sauce, and garlic powder. Add enough water to cover 1/3 of the chicken (I added a little bit more). 
3. Cover and cook on High for 4 to 5 hours, making sure there is always liquid in the pot.
4. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and shred it using two forks (reserve the cooking liquid, if desired). 
5. Serve with tacos, burritos, or quesadillas.

Side Notes: 

• The guys absolutely loved the cooking liquid, even though it was super hot and spicy, so putting it on the side for dip or sauce to put on the tacos definitely doesn't hurt.
• Also, after shredding the meat, you can cook the meat and 1 cup of the cooking liquid in a frying pan for delicious burritos.
• To freeze the meat, transfer to a freezer-safe container and add 2 cups of the reserved liquid. Freeze up to 6 months; thaw in refrigerator or microwave. 
• Recipe good for chuck roast and pork. If using a roast, cook on Low for 6-8 hours.

Halloween Safety Tips!

Monsters, goblins, and superheroes will soon be descending on homes everywhere. While Halloween is a time for fun and treats, it's not near as easy to let the kiddos out into the world as it used to be or to be able to trust your fellow neighbor, and it's important to stay safe. 

Here are a few tips to make this year's holiday a fun one and a safe one:

Costumes (you can even have a "Costume Fashion Show" with the kids to check these):

• Look for flame-resistant materials for costumes and be particularly aware of open flames  in Jack O' Lanterns
• Choose costumes that do not have sharp objects attached to masks or the costume itself
• Beware of costumes with big baggy sleeves or billowing skirts; costumes should be shirt enough to prevent children from tripping and falling
• Make sure masks allow for full vision; if possible, apply non-toxic face paint or cosmetics as an alternative to masks - always test make-up in a small area first, in case of rash or allergic reaction 
• If your child wears a hat or scarf, make sure it fits securely and provides adequate ventilation 
• Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible
• Make sure children wear properly fitting shoes
• Plan costumes with highly visible colors
• Add reflective tape or stickers to costumes and treat bags or have the child wear a reflective bracelet
• Attach each child's name, address, and phone number to their clothes, in case they becomes separated from adults
• If it's chilly, make sure to bundle up - it may be tempting to show off that costume, but if the temperature is dropping, bring a jacket and/or opt for thermal underwear

Trick-or-Treating:

The most important thing to remember to make children visible to automobile drivers. A child is four times more likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween than any other time.

• Give kids flashlights to carry
• Accompany your children when trick-or-treating
• If your children are old enough to trick-or-treat by themselves, have them go in groups - even if only on your block or in your building (make sure they have a cell phone with them)
• Allow children to travel only in familiar areas
• Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren't going with them and set a curfew; check your local sex offender registries and plan accordingly
• Stay away from darkened house and stick to houses with their porch lights on and decorations celebrating the Halloween spirit
• Don't trick-or-treat too late - start off in daylight or around dusk and make sure to wrap it up before it gets too late
• Remind children to follow the rules of crossing streets - look both ways and cross only at intersections and crosswalks, as well as walking, instead of running from place to place and avoiding taking shortcuts (alleys, fields, etc; stick to well-lit streets) - also avoid neighborhood animals, never assuming they are friendly
• Use battery-powered jack o' lantern candles for your own house. Place pumpkins with real flames well away from where trick-or-treaters will be waling or standing 
• Remind your children to never go into a stranger's house, garage, or backyard and to never take a ride from a stranger

Candy:

• Feed kids a good meal before trick-or-treating, so they won't be as tempted to eat any candy before they bring it home for you to check
• Do not allow children to eat any treats until they've been sorted and checked by an adult at home in good light
• Throw candy away if it appears to have been unwrapped and re-wrapped, is free and open from any packaging, has been personally-wrapped instead of professionally, has a faded wrapper, or has holes or tears
• Do not allow young children to have any items that are small enough to present a choking hazard or that have small parts or components that could separate during use
• Limit candy to prevent a child from getting an upset stomach or sick - make it a weekly treat or save it as a reward after that night

This Halloween, be safe and smart, but not paranoid. There is no reason to scare your child, but be sure to trust your parental instincts. Happy Trick-or-Treating!

Check out this printable Trick-or-Treating checklist to make sure nothing gets left behind!

Poppy Seed Chicken!

I had never had this dish before I met my hubby-to-be, but it was a dish that he grew up with that always brings him back to his childhood, and now we have it pretty regularly. It's easy, one-dish, yummy, and oh so filling! Definitely a weeknight family pleaser! ENJOY!

Poppy Seed Chicken

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil
• Seasoning salt/garlic salt
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 (8 ounce) packages buttery, round crackers, crushed (I always use Ritz crackers)
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (I don't know what they do, but they are a necessity for this recipe!)

Directions:

1. Season chicken breasts lightly with the seasoning salt/garlic salt and cut into bite-sized pieces. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until no longer pink. Set aside to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
3. Place the chicken into a bowl with the cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups, sour cream, poppy seeds, and one of the packages of crushed crackers. Stir until well-blended, then transfer mixture to a 9x13 inch shallow baking dish. Spread the other package of crushed crackers evenly across the top of the mixture.
4. Bake mixture in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until heated through and lightly browned on top.

28 Week Appointment!

Yesterday was my 28 Week appointment for Little Man ...and the dreaded Glucose Tolerance Test! Our sweet boy's heartbeat was in the high 140s and seems to be doing great!

We have decided to set an induction date for December 20th (a Friday, instead of a Sunday, like the 22nd) because my doctor won't be on call that week because of the holidays and so we can be home before Christmas and before rude holiday staff. That way, we can enjoy a little Christmastime with little Anna before she goes down to Florida to stay with her grandparents for a week.

Also, because of the terrible hemorrhage I had when I gave birth to Anna and because I have a negative blood type that has the possibility of not being compatible with Little Man's, I have to go to the hospital, have my blood drawn, and get the RhoGAM shot ...ahhh, more needles, haha!

After all that news, I had to drink the "orange-flavored" "Gatorade" juice for the Glucose Test and then sit in the waiting room for an hour to get my blood drawn. Anna was exhausted and passed out on my chest, even with all the noise going on in there. 

I got my blood drawn, and then Anna and I went to Kid-2-Kid, so I could sell some of the clothes that don't fit her anymore. Then, I got her a cute little Halloween outfit and a light coat for her as it gets colder. She got to be around other little kids while she was there, and she loved it! She was SO very good all day long, quiet and just taking it all in, then she babbled to me the whole car ride home and yelled, "Whoo!" every time we went over a bump or set of train tracks! My little angel is so perfectly adorable!

Birthday Blessings!

Another year has come and gone, and today, I turn 22. And, though I can't drink again this birthday, haha, I can't help but take a second to appreciate how my life has changed and how I have grown over the past year.

I am now the mother to a beautiful, healthy, bouncy baby girl, and I have a little boy due in less than three months. I have a wonderful family who support me, a best friend who has never left, and an amazing husband-to-be who will legally be my husband in just a few weeks! I have never been so happy in my life as I am now, and I am so blessed to have made it this far. 

This time last year, I still wasn't grown-up. I had Anna on the way, but I still had no clue what it took to be a good mother and to truly be a good partner. I have come so far since then, and every day I feel only more blessed to have what I have and to have made better decisions over the past few months to get me to this point!

Until next year, XOXO, Kyrstie.

Anna trying her first piece of ice cream cake! She definitely wasn't sure about that stuff! Haha!

I hate pictures of myself these days, but me and my younger sister, Mystie (she and my mom came to visit today).

Side Note: My day was made even more wonderful by my dad and my Joseph. They brought home pizza so I didn't have to cook, and Joseph brought me the most chocolaty cupcake he could find with a candle to blow out. He also got me presents from Victoria's Secret, one of every girl's favorite stores! He is so absolutely amazing!

Awesome Aussie Chicken!

Okay, so it's not easy to come up with a recipe that introduces your family to different tastes and mixes that they haven't experienced before ...especially when it comes to chicken! But, I cooked this rendition of Australian-Style Chicken last night, and the guys said it was different, good, hearty, and definitely hit all areas of the taste buds! ENJOY!

Aussie Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves - pounded to 1/2 thickness (not a necessity, but it makes it oh so much easier to cook!)
• 2 teaspoons seasoning salt 
• 6 slices bacon, cut in half (feel free to add more, I sure did!)
• 1/2 cup prepared yellow mustard 
• 1/2 cup honey (I know, I know, honey mustard chicken right? Just wait!)
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups shredded Colby-Monterrey Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

1. Rub the chicken breasts with the seasoning salt, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place bacon in a large skillet. Cook over medium high heat until crisp. Set aside. Save bacon grease in skillet.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mustard, honey, corn syrup, mayonnaise, and dried onion flakes. Remove half of the sauce, cover, and refrigerate to serve later. 
4. Use the same skillet and bacon grease heated over medium heat. Place the breasts in the skillet and saute for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until browned. Remove from skillet and place the breasts into a 9x13 inch baking pan. Apply the sauce to each breast, then layer each breast with bacon. Sprinkle top with the shredded cheese. 
5. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and chicken juices run clear. Garnish with parsley and serve with the reserved sauce.

Eight Months!

Anna's eighth month has come and gone, and our Big Girl is wobbling into her ninth month! She is so determined to stand that we will have a walker before we know it! 

We have so much planned for this October; the air is getting cooler, so she can go outside so much more, which she loves! We're also taking her to her first corn maze/pumpkin patch/petting zoo (and so much more!), along with dressing up and Trick-Or-Treating! We're SO excited to start a few traditions with our little Anna Bear this fall and this Halloween!

How was your September? What have you and/or your little one been up to?