Easy Apple Chips

What happens when Christmas time rolls around.  OK well around here its almost all year, but y'all know what I'm talking about.  The doorbell rings and its the neighbors with handful of goodies for you.  I was so looking forward to holiday baking but we ended up being overrun by the flu so I never got around to it. Back to my story. What do you do when you have the sweetest neighbors but they have a few allergies that make cooking for them a little tricky if you don't know the ins and outs of the allergy.  My fix.  Apple chips. Because, whats better than apples, cinnamon and a little sugar?

The idea of Apple Chips came to me after seeing this post by a fellow blogger friend Jennifer.  A little back story. If you have been following for even just a little while then you know that I foster for the local great dane rescue. One day I shared a call for a foster family for a momma who needed to be separated from her pups so she could start her medication and get better.  Well Jennifer stepped up for me and welcomed Viv into her home with open arms.  Then her sweet son decided that Viv was his and so they started raising money to officially adopt her.  And they did this by selling the homemade apple chips. And now Viv has a forever home.  They used a dehydrator for theirs but I figured the oven would work too.  

Click here for a printable recipe

All you need is about 4 apples, some sugar and cinnamon.  

Wash apples and preheat oven to 225.

In a small bowl mix sugar and cinnamon. 

Slice apples with mandolin.  Or by hand if you can.

Arrange apples on cookie sheet.  But be sure they are not touching.

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.  No need to go crazy.

Bake for one hour. Flip. And bake for another hour.

Once they come out of the oven they will crisp up even more.  I suggest making sure they are not stuck down to the pan because if they harden to the pan they are a pain to get off.  

I hope y'all enjoy them as much as we do.  They boys think they are the coolest thing.  And keep asking what else we can make chips out of.  I'm wanting to try Kale chips but I'm worried they will be to tempting for me even though there is enough VitK in them to cause me some trouble.  What else could we turn to chips?

Read More

Must be Monday

My Monday started off with a text from David telling me that he was coming home sick.  When this man admits hes sick its bad.  When he leaves work...its BAD. His fever walking in the door was 103.  He changed and went straight to bed and I dont thinks hes gotten up since.  No lunch.  No dinner.  Just Nyquil.

My mother in law took me to get the rest of my shopping done.  I didnt find everything I needed but I did spend  all my money. Whoops. I havent nailed down my menu.   I know what I  have to make but who  knows what day Ill make what. Tonight I didnt even make dinner. Grandma got the boys happy meals while I shopped and I had a Chimichanga.

I did manage to get all but 3 presents.  Two being my inlaws because what the heck do I give to someone who has everything they need and who no gift will ever be enough for all they do for us year round.  They even came over and watched the boys while they were sick so we could finish our Christmas shopping. Who ever we didnt get for might just have to wait for a new years gift instead.

The plan is to have a dinner here Christmas Eve.  Then go to Grandmas house on Christmas Day for tamales!! We are supposed  to help make them but everyone seems to be out sick.  I had been lucky to have been skipped this round.  Then as soon as I lay down...the coughing started.  Crap.

Im praying I wake up and everyone is magically better.  Christmas can go on and we can be surrounded by family and friends.  Sounds much better than being sick in a sick bubble.  Grandma has already told me she will call my doctor if I get a fever. (per drs orders).  So I took some cough syrup  and am praying all is good in the morning.  I hope everyone is healthy and I wish you all the Merriest Christmas!

Read More

The Flu, Fevers and the Rainbow Bridge.

When it rains it pours.   True story but luckily I have amazing friends who remind me to open my damn umbrella.  Its been an awful week. 

One kid was home half the week with a stomach bug and fever.  By Friday night the little one was up to 103.  Thankfully there was no vomiting for him.  By Saturday night the Mr was down for the count too.

And just when you'd think things could not get any worse, the dog I was sitting  started acting a little off. By the morning I knew something was wrong and we rushed her to the vet.  A few hours later and she was gone.  The vet said there was nothing I could have done.  Cancer ran like fire through her body and there was no stopping it. 

My heart is broken.  And not even because of what I went through. Her family had just left on vacation after getting an all clear from her vet. She was their everything. And whats worse is their Chihuahua was mauled just 2 months ago.  I can only hope that me loving on her for the 2 days is somewhat of a comfort. She was never alone and last night I set my alarm  to check on her every hour and make aure she was comfy.  I slept from 3 to 6 and when I tried to take her out in the morning she just couldn't. I know in my heart I didnt do anything wrong but it doesn't stop the hurt.  I wanted to go back to the vet and stay with her until she passed. But when she took a turn for the worse, there was no time. She was in pain and now she has crossed over the rainbow bridge to play with her brother. I cant imagine their pain and heartache.  The poor boys.  As if losing one dog wasnt enough. Ahh my heart hurts. 

Im trying to be glad I was here to love on her in her final hours.  The vet tech promised to hold her and love on her until she was gone.  No dog should ever have to die alone and unloved. She was loved by so many. Such a sweet and beautiful. I know you are resting easy now Gaga. You will be missed girl!

Read More

Menu Plan Monday: Dec 15th

One more week until Christmas Vacation. This past week went by in a blur. David has been home since Wednesday and we were busy enjoying our time together that nothing got done. Nothing. But I do love that even though we have been practically joined at the hip for the last few days, it never gets old. We got our grocery shopping done on time and I was under budget by a whole 50 cents. And my menu is done.

Monday:
Chicken with Spanish rice, beans and salad.

Tuesday:
Taco Tuesday.

Wednesday:
Leftovers

Thursday:
One pan baked Salmon and Veggies with brown rice pilaf.

Friday:
Whole roast chicken with stuffing and broccoli.

Saturday:
Spaghetti and salad.

Sunday:
Clean out the fridge night.


I've been trying really hard to make sure we eat everything I cook.  By having 2 leftover nights, we have really cut back on our food waste.  There is some chili in the fridge that I will eat for lunch tomorrow but other than some leftover sides, everything got eaten last week.  Should be interesting having them home for 2 weeks of break.  The amount of food growing kids can eat.  Amazes me!

Read More

San Antonio Aquarium. Hands on Fun!

The boys and I were invited out to a sneak peek of the new San Antonio Aquarium a few nights before it opened.  I was also lucky enough to go back on opening day, with no kids!  And I am super excited to go back again.  I love all things related to the ocean.  I was practically raised in one.  So what sets this aquarium apart for any other one I've been to.  You can touch just about everything.  If you have kids, you have probably had to ask them to stop touching things.  Like a million times.  But here, if they want to stick their hands in the shark tank, they can.  If if they want to touch the big iguana, they can.  My boys have been talking about it for days.

It might take some time before they are ready, but its not every day you get to pet a shark.



Once they have the hang of it, they won't want to stop.



After studying and touching the tortoise he said "Look mom, there is no glass.  You cant touch almost everything!"

Thankfully this guy is in a covered tank, because he is one of the few you do NOT want to touch!

The staff was super helpful and had all kinds of cool information for the kids. Here they were discussing Ziggys third eye.

So here is one thing I have touched before.  Granted the first time mostly it was the octopus that did the touching and it grabbed on to my leg while I tried to run away on the reef.  This guy shook my hand with a firm grip but let go.  Such a gentleman!



This guy is Iggy.  He is bigger than his friend Ziggy.  And he was just hanging out on his boat enjoying some lunch.  No glass walls here! How cool is he!



Got snakes?  We met Buttercup this morning and I never thought I would be so excited to hold a snake.  Its pretty amazing to feel their muscles squeeze.

Not a reptile person? How about birds? There are little ones.



And there are big ones!  Take your pick! King Louis here is quite a cutie!



The Aquarium is open now but there are still a few things in the works.  I cant wait to revisit again once its all done. I am very sure we will be back before then too.  There is a bounce house area and a section for the little ones. And there are Dinosaurs up top.  They move and make noise so be sure you don't miss them either.

I'm not sure how much longer they will be on sale but for now memberships are 50% off and can be used to visit both the Austin and Portland Aquariums too!  Click HERE to buy yours today!  There are also some great activities that you and your family can enjoy.  I know I am going to be snorkeling with the stingrays but if you prefer to stay dry, there is also an octopus encounter that looks like fun too.  Maybe stay the night and sleep with the sharks?  You can even have your birthday party there.  There is so much fun to be had here. And you will want to come back again and again.  I know we will!

Read More

Foster Dog Diaries: Hello Walter!

What is it about the holidays that makes time just fly right by?  If we are friends on Facebook/Twitter/IG then you have already been overwhelmed with this face for the past few weeks but I want to share him with everyone so...

Meet Walter!



Walter is a 5 year old Dane/Mastiff mix and is a dream dog.  He gets along great with other dogs. I have a Dane and a Chihuahua. He is probably the most laid back dog I've fostered so far.  He is not asking for anything more than a comfy bed and some love.  Don't let his size fool you.  He doesn't take up much room at all.  He is also my heaviest foster, weighing in at 145 lbs and yet one of the easiest dogs to walk.

Walter came in to the rescue with a busted back leg but has healed up great. On occasion he favors it but other than the scar you might not ever notice.  He really is an amazing dog and I am hoping he finds and even more amazing house and family.  Just look at his face!

So why isn't he adopted if hes so great?  Ill tell you why.  Because he is 5.  I cant tell you the number of times I heard "Oh wow, so hes pretty old".  And it breaks my heart. I like to think a dog is like a car.  You get out what you put in.  I've heard of Danes living to be 11 years old.  Proper care and nutrition will do that.  So yes, Walter is no puppy.  But hes housebroken, crate trained, leash trained.  He is very well socialized and is an all around great dog.  If you are looking for a laid back kinda dog, Walter is your guy!

In the almost 3 weeks of fostering him, he has settled in quite nicely here.  And as much as I love him and would keep him, that would mean a full house and no more fostering, which I truly love. What is that saying? If you love it set it free.  Something like that.  Knowing that he is loved is all my heart needs.  Isn't he just the cutest!

Read More