Full of Spice

I posted on Facebook not long ago that I added up the amount that our family spent on eating out during the timeframe of June 15- July 15. It made me sick to my stomach. SO..... my friend and I sat down and made some menus together. We are actually eating together several times this week to cut down on leftovers. We are not big leftover fans, and there's a 90% chance of being wasted if it's leftover.

Tonight is Buffalo Chicken Pizza night. YUM!!!

1 (10 oz.) package refrigerated pizza crust
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
4 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 TBS. fresh parsley
1/2 cup Frank's Buffalo Sauce
1 TBS. vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 cup sliced banana peppers
1 and 1/2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1/4 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing

** Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly flour baking sheet. Unroll pizza crust onto baking sheet and roll out to edge.
** Chop tomatoes and celery in a small bowl.
** Mix in grated cheese and snipped parsley.
** In separate bowl, combine buffalo sauce, vinegar, salt, and garlic.
** Chop chicken and add to sauce mixture; mix well.
** Spread chicken mixture evenly over dough.
** Layer banana peppers over chicken.
** Top with cheese mixture.
** Bake 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
** Cut into squares and drizzle with dressing.

Cousinly Love

My sister and her family have been here for their annual summer visit. They live in Mali, Africa and teach in the American School there. Yesterday after Vacation Bible School, we loaded our crew up and went out to Tanyard Creek to take pictures. They did very well. 5 girls and 1 boy... and the boy was the least cooperative. He got stung by some sort of caterpillar in the water, and it was downhill from there. I really tried to downplay the caterpillar thing, and even reached over and flicked it into the stream. When I did... it stung me on the finger and it really hurt. So lesson learned.... if you see a lime green caterpillar, leave it alone. You can tell in the pictures, he isn't his same photogenic self. We did get some great pics, and had a fun trip.

I happen to be a little partial to these 3. Aren't they cute? I think we are going back soon to take some more in a different matching outfit.

I had this one printed in a 5x7. When I went to Wal-Mart to pick it up, they wanted the photographer's release of copyright. I just laughed. My sister has a great camera. Don't ya think??

This was taken with my little Kodak camera. Not bad..... Mason is hanging on to Caroline for dear life!!!






We are off to enjoy this beautiful weather by the pool this afternoon.

Where Art Thou Matt???

Today started out VERY early for the tenants of Room 1023. We were up at 4:30 to get ready for:

......... the TODAY show!!! I only cried for a few minutes when I realized

that Matt wasn't there that day.

I was so excited to hear this clip live. We were standing right behind the speaker which you can see in the front there. It was loud and exciting!!

The girls including Ashton, Emily, and Catie Beth dressed in dance costumes in hope of getting us on national TV. Guess what?? IT WORKED!!

Makenzie and I make a brief entrance on the far right side, and at the very end, you can hear me scream, "Hi Mason!" Our few seconds of fame. :-)
O.K. I just watched this clip, and I cut us off the right hand side. I promise, we show up for a brief, fleeting moment. I'd go back and redo, but Blogger takes SO long to upload a video clip. Hours that I don't have right now...... You'll just have to take my word for it.

Meredith was very nice and personable. She came over and told the girls they looked adorable.

Stephanie Abrams from the Weather Channel was in for Al. He was on vacation.
Natalie Morales and Meredith

They did part of the Today Throws a Wedding segment. They showed the bride the bridal gown choices. The groom had to wear a mask so he didn't see the choices. Poor guy.

This was the gown that won. Very pretty!

For me, this was my most favorite part of the trip.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Every great day starts at Starbucks!!

This was our first activity of the day.... Radio City Music Hall. Those of you who know me, know that museums/tours are not my #1 pick of things to do; however, I absolutely loved touring Radio City. The building has such an interesting history. This was definitely in my top 5 of NYC!!

24 karat gold accents on the doors

View of the inside of the Music Hall

I only put this picture in here because I love Makenzie's expression. When she first saw this statue, she wasn't sure what to think. Pretty funny! This was very controversial when the building opened... obviously. I almost didn't get this picture. The girls were MORTIFIED.

Our tour guide (who was very eccentric...)with Joanna the Rockette

Some of the Rockette costumes since the 1930s.

A guestbook at Radio City. This is Tim Russert and below is Richard Nixon.

A real life Rockette. She came out to tell us a little about what she does at Radio City.

This was the highlight of Madison's trip. She says this was her favorite part.

Night view of Radio City~

The girls posing at the Deal or No Deal mural at the NBC tower. I didn't take many pics at the NBC studios... mostly because cameras were forbidden from the tour that we took. We got to see the studio where Saturday Night Live is taped, as well as the studio for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. We also stood behind Brian Williams' anchordesk for the Nightly News. It was an interesting tour. I kept my eyes peeled for Matt, Meredith, or ANY famous person, but no such luck. Our tour guide did say that it was common to see them in the halls.

This is across the street from Carnegie Hall... SURPRISE and just a few blocks from our hotel.

Lunchtime at the Carnegie Deli

This is ONE reuben sandwich from the Carnegie Deli after we split it in half. I had never seen one like this. It was open faced, and didn't look real appealing. I love reubens, but I will say that it wasn't my most favorite reuben in the world.... and it was $22.00 for this small sandwich.

The lions in front of the New York City Library on our walk to the Empire State Building

In the lobby on the way up

View from the street

Statue of Liberty in the distance

And yes.... they even fought at the top of the Empire State Building :-) No place is sacred anymore.

Now I understand the line in Annie, "I want this floor shining like the top of the Chrysler Building!"

Sunset from the top of the Empire State Building

Absolutely beautiful views!!

Needless to say... .we were exhausted after this day, and we had the TODAY Show the next morning bright and early at 4:30. I'll post those pictures at another time.

4th of July... Big Apple Style!

Today is the 4th of July and Emily's birthday. After Madison's last dance of the competition, we started the holiday off eating at a Mexican restaurant named Iguana. It was great food, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Homemade guacamole made at the table

Makenzie and the birthday girl, Emily

Waiting patiently for fireworks

The girls did a great job of entertaining themselves. We waited for 5 hours for the fireworks to begin. We even got a Hog Call in there for the New Yorkers listening pleasure.

Eddie giving Madison a boost so she could see a fountain. He is laughing hysterically at something Madison said. Very funny.....

The fireworks were unbelievable. There were 8 barges on the river shooting the same fireworks show at the same time. It was amazing!

After the fireworks, we made our way back to Times Square to M&M World. Nothing makes Mason happier than M&Ms. He would've gone crazy in there.


One of the buildings in Times Square. Hope you all had a GREAT 4th of July!