This is for me, not you

I'm trying to explain to my husband that this blog is for me, not anyone else.  He doesn't quite get it.  In the recent year, possibly even months, I have come to realize that it is ok for me to do things for myself and not just for others.  So I've started working out at the gym.  Not to get skinnier, although that will be a much need bonus, but for that 30-45 minutes of me time.  I don't have to worry about answering the phone, making sure the girls are ok, or whatever else I do at work and at home.  I get 30-45 minutes of 'Law and Order' along with the opportunity to run off some frustration, or heck, just to get some peace. 

So this blog...it's for me.  Brent asked me last night if I have anymore followers.  I told him, "no, but I am not doing it to get followers, I'm doing it for me."  He did not understand why I wouldn't just write in a diary.  I hate diaries.  I like typing.  Diaries are for little girls who hide it in the pantie drawer.  I'm an adult.  I'm ok with my friends reading my blog. 

Day 2 - 32 is here!

I'm one day late on writing Day 2.  Oh well! 

When I got home on Monday (Day 1 of blog) and explained to my sweet husband, Brent, that I had started my project, all he could do was smile and give a little giggle.  I immediately knew what he was thinking..."Alison, why are you starting something else that you will not finish?!"  That's ok.  I'm fine with that, really.  Am I talking you into believing me or am I trying to talk myself into it?  (Not really a question.)

But as Brent and I continued to talk about my latest obsession (I even showed it to him via Blackberry)  I could tell that he was somewhat impressed, yet surprised.  But I also knew that he was questioning whether or not I had lost my mind.  That having been said, he has known since we met that one of my dreams is to write a cookbook, so needless to say, he is supportive of my latest venture! 

I will add, though,  he inquired as to whether or not I would write a Day 2 entry.  I said with a stern face, "YES."

So, Day 2 rolls around yesterday...I get home from work.  Brent asks me, "did you blog today?"  I sheepishly say "No, I didn't have time."  I cannot stand it when he is right!  I told him I didn't want to talk about it anymore.  End of discussion.

So, I'm 32 years old today.  I don't feel different.  I'm still the same.  Brent said he saw one more wrinkle and one more grey hair.  What a butt head! 

I had a wonderful day filled with tons of love and well wishes.  Did I mention how many Facebook postings I had that made me feel incredibly special?  If I wasn't a big fan of FB before yesterday, I am now!  Amazing!  The connection I felt via the Internet with people I hadn't spoken to in forever was incredibly meaningful to me.  Just to know that they took 2 seconds out of their day and write on my FB wall meant so much. 

My good friend Bobbie gave me a necklace for my big day which I wore to work.  :-)  Kaelyn's teacher copied KK's face with a birthday message and then sent it to me via cell phone (no wonder Ms. Valerie is Chief Fun Crew Officer at O2B!!).  Then to top off my day, Brent, my wonderful husband and best friend, bought a peanut butter chocolate cake and as we sat around the table watching the girls devour it, since we had already inhaled ours, I couldn't help smiling.  What a wonderful life!  This is good...

Recipe - Beef Stroganoff

This is a family favorite.  My daughter's love it - and they are picky eaters!  My husband, brother, and step-brother all ask for it at family gatherings. 

My grandmother, aka "Gram," created this.  Who knows where she got it.  She probably did, in fact, create it.  She had 7 kids and a husband.  She had to feed everyone on a budget.  My mom passed the recipe on to me. 

Ingredients:

~ 1 lb. ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1 carton fresh baby bella mushrooms, chopped

1 can Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup

Ketchup - some

Worstershire Sauce – 1-2 splashes

Paprika - ~ a shake

~ ¼ cup sour cream

Egg noodles – ¾ of a bag

Step 1:

Brown ground beef in skillet on medium to medium high heat.  When the beef is 90% browned, drain grease from skillet. 

Step 2:

Once beef is drained, add chopped onions, mushrooms, and garlic (to ground beef).  Cook a few minutes until soft.

Meanwhile, cook egg noodles according to package (around 7.5 minutes).  Drain.

Step 3:

Add cream of mushroom soup, a couple of splashes of worstershire sauce, a gob or so of ketchup (less than ¼ cup), a couple of shakes of paprika, some salt, and a little pepper. 

Mix that all up in the skillet with heat turned down to low.

Step 4 (do not do until you are ready to serve):

Add sour cream, stir.  Once it is mixed good, add cooked egg noodles. 

Mix well and serve.  Feeds a hungry family of four with the possibility of lunch the next day!  J

Notes:

·       You’ll figure out how much ketchup, worstershire, and sour cream to add depending on your taste.

o     The ketchup adds tang and zip

o     Worstershire adds boldness

o     Sour cream adds creamy texture

Day 1

So here’s my attempt at a blog, or a book.  Who knows.  I was inspired after watching the movie “Julie and Julia” this weekend.  I can write, at least I think I can.  I also have opinions.  Does anyone want to read them?  Who knows, maybe not. 

I’ve always wanted to write a cookbook.  I’ve thought recently about writing a book for moms and mom-to-bes.  There is so much information that is not relayed to poor unassuming moms (and dads) and I’ve been through it.  Twice.  I have a lot to say.

Why can’t recipes and tidbits of information all be combined into one big book?  That’s my thought.  One big book of information, factual information.  Well, factual for me.  So here it goes…

Monday, January 17, 2011

Tomorrow is my birthday.  32.  I suddenly get a block after typing in that number.  I don’t know that I ever thought about being 32 before.  It’s not old, not in the least.  But actually being 32.  Thirties.  Forties comes next.  Then fifties.  I know, everyone knows this.  But to actually experience it.  I guess I just assumed I would always be in my twenties.  Boy, was I ignorant.