Friday, June 2, 2023
We’re Back!
I recently told Brooke about our blog and I decided it was time to start posting
again. A lot has happened since our last post.
Trey and I have the same jobs. Audrey is in college. Brooke will be an 8th
grader and AG will be a sixth grader. Both of the younger girls are great
students and make all A’s. Brooke player 3 sports last year: volleyball,
basketball and soccer. AG participated in cheerleading and basketball, but
is considering some new sports in middle school.
My favorite thing is that we now have a family pet. A sweet golden doodle
named Mickey. He will be 3 in July.
I’ll wrap this up for now, but may post some old stories and will try to
update more often.
Friday, August 7, 2015
First day of Kindergarten
She did great getting up, eating breakfast and getting ready. Trey and I both took her to school today and walked her to her class. We made it to the room and put her backpack in her cubby. Brooke then grabbed me. No tears, but I could tell it wasn't going to be an easy goodbye.
Several girls were playing in the corner of the room. One girl came over and asked me "is she nervous?" I said "yes, just a little bit. Then she said " come on. You can play with me." Brooke still didn't move, but I was so impressed with that little girl. I walked Brooke over to the group and the little girl and teacher finally convinced Brooke to let go of me and play.
When Trey picked her up, he said she had a huge smile on her face. I am so proud of her, but wish time would slow down.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
The little girls demanded to eat out!
So we let them.
They may "eat out" for lunch also.
Last night was our version of the Friday Night Fish Fry. Except for us, it went a little heavier on the shrimp than the fish. We accentuated with Fries and Onion Rings, and added some broccoli. We also had fresh corn on the cob. And by fresh, I mean it was still in the field on the stalk Thursday morning. Thanks Mom and Dad.
Lastly, and a little bit of product endorsement, we had some hushpuppies that I found at Kroger. They are called Country Select Hushpuppies. Not what you would find at a seafood place on Tybee, but pretty good.
They may "eat out" for lunch also.
Last night was our version of the Friday Night Fish Fry. Except for us, it went a little heavier on the shrimp than the fish. We accentuated with Fries and Onion Rings, and added some broccoli. We also had fresh corn on the cob. And by fresh, I mean it was still in the field on the stalk Thursday morning. Thanks Mom and Dad.
Lastly, and a little bit of product endorsement, we had some hushpuppies that I found at Kroger. They are called Country Select Hushpuppies. Not what you would find at a seafood place on Tybee, but pretty good.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
WE ATE OUT!!
Now, it's not what you think.
Before we get into tonight's story, a quick word about last night. We had breakfast for dinner. I really think the girls would do this every night if I would agree to it. We had scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hashbrowns and biscuits and gravy. Every thing was really really good except for the gravy. I just don't know how to make good gravy.
As for tonight....we ate out.
BUT THE STREAK CONTINUES!
Our preschool, Oconee Preschool Academy had a barbecue to celebrate their 20th anniversary. We are very blessed to have found OPA, and went out there to celebrate. It was the traditional barbecue buffet: sandwiches, chips, cole slaw, cookies and pickles. It was great.
Tomorrow.....FISH NIGHT!
Before we get into tonight's story, a quick word about last night. We had breakfast for dinner. I really think the girls would do this every night if I would agree to it. We had scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hashbrowns and biscuits and gravy. Every thing was really really good except for the gravy. I just don't know how to make good gravy.
As for tonight....we ate out.
BUT THE STREAK CONTINUES!
Our preschool, Oconee Preschool Academy had a barbecue to celebrate their 20th anniversary. We are very blessed to have found OPA, and went out there to celebrate. It was the traditional barbecue buffet: sandwiches, chips, cole slaw, cookies and pickles. It was great.
Tomorrow.....FISH NIGHT!
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Meal planning update
Good Morning
Haven't blogged in a couple of days, but the quest continues. We still have not eaten out since May16. Sunday night was a perfect example of what we would have done a few weeks ago. We hosted our church small group. On those nights, we feed the kids before we start at 5:30. This week we prepared Voila Chicken Fajitas. Voila is a bagged meal which has the meat, seasonings and all.
Now, in the past, we would have gone to get something after small group. This week, we cooked up some chicken wings we had in the freezer.
Monday night was spaghetti and meatballs with some garlic toast. Spaghetti is spaghetti, no picture.
Last night, Cheri found a recipe on Mommy Octopus called Crockpot Chicken Quesadilla.
It was very simple. Chicken, a block of cream cheese and a can of Rotel. After it crocks for a while, stir it up, shred the chicken and prepare quesadillas. We paired it up with some whole kernal corn. Good meal.
Tonight is breakfast night. The challenge of breakfast night is that everyone wants something different. We'll see what makes the cut.
Haven't blogged in a couple of days, but the quest continues. We still have not eaten out since May16. Sunday night was a perfect example of what we would have done a few weeks ago. We hosted our church small group. On those nights, we feed the kids before we start at 5:30. This week we prepared Voila Chicken Fajitas. Voila is a bagged meal which has the meat, seasonings and all.
Now, in the past, we would have gone to get something after small group. This week, we cooked up some chicken wings we had in the freezer.
Monday night was spaghetti and meatballs with some garlic toast. Spaghetti is spaghetti, no picture.
Last night, Cheri found a recipe on Mommy Octopus called Crockpot Chicken Quesadilla.
It was very simple. Chicken, a block of cream cheese and a can of Rotel. After it crocks for a while, stir it up, shred the chicken and prepare quesadillas. We paired it up with some whole kernal corn. Good meal.
Tonight is breakfast night. The challenge of breakfast night is that everyone wants something different. We'll see what makes the cut.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
More Italian!
Tonight we did the Meatball sub casserole. It was very good. Cheri got the recipe from Julie's Eats and Treats, and man, it was good. Easy to make. We combined it with some mixed veggies and cut peaches.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Friday Night Pizza night
Tonight was a simple pizza night. Homemade.
We got the kit at Aldi to make 2 pizzas. One was Pepperoni, the other a half and half with one side cheese and the other pepperoni and onion.
We also had a mini salad bar and everyone could make their own salad.
While it wasn't Pizza Hut or Mama Sid's, it was still a good and filling meal.
Check back for tomorrow, as there is still some shuffling of the menu going on for the weekend.
Trey
We got the kit at Aldi to make 2 pizzas. One was Pepperoni, the other a half and half with one side cheese and the other pepperoni and onion.
We also had a mini salad bar and everyone could make their own salad.
While it wasn't Pizza Hut or Mama Sid's, it was still a good and filling meal.
Check back for tomorrow, as there is still some shuffling of the menu going on for the weekend.
Trey
Thursday, May 28, 2015
End of Pre-K
Last week, Brooke completed Pre-K. It is hard to believe she will be starting kindergarten in a few months.
As Trey mentioned yesterday, tonight was leftover night. No exciting dinner pictures to share. On the menu for tomorrow night, homemade pizza and salad.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
We're having Meat Loaf for dinner!
Tonight was Meat Loaf night in the Bliss household. I told Cheri that I was cooking it food network style. By that, I mean with A LOT of spice. Have you ever noticed that when you cook in your own kitchen you tend to be very conservative adding flavor, but on TV, they add a little meat to the spice? Tonight my meat loaf definitely had a zip....and even Anna Grace, not the best eater, had a second helping.
I'll say this, we are a week and a half in, and it seems to be getting easier, not harder.
Answering a couple of questions...first, the no eating out includes lunches. Also, we will eat out if someone else is paying.
Tomorrow is leftover day, so not sure if we will have a picture tomorrow.
I'll say this, we are a week and a half in, and it seems to be getting easier, not harder.
Answering a couple of questions...first, the no eating out includes lunches. Also, we will eat out if someone else is paying.
Tomorrow is leftover day, so not sure if we will have a picture tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Crockpot Tuesday
In preparing our meal list for the next few weeks, we tried to come up with different crockpot recipes for Tuesday night dinner. I like to go to the 5:30 Zumba class, so a crockpot meal makes it easier to eat as a family when I get home.
Cheri
I found a crockpot recipe last week that we tried out tonight. I found the recipe on Mix and Match Mama. I love this blog and have tried a few of her recipes.
Tonight we had Chipolte Corn Chicken. You can find the recipe here. I was a little concerned it would be too spicy, so we use little Chipolte this time. It was very delicious and easy to make. This will definitely be on our regular rotation.
Monday, May 25, 2015
The End of Eating Out....a (roughly) 60 day journey
Sometimes the best or the most satisfying things that you do come out of conversations you don't expect to have.
Last Saturday, we went out to eat. We usually don't hit the restaurants on Saturday because on the east side there aren't enough seats to keep there from being a long wait. Of course, that is when the students are in town, but with the spring semester over, its not so bad for a little bit. We also go out to eat after church most Sundays, however due to some other commitments, that was not going to happen last weekend.
We decided to go to La Fiesta, one of our favorites. The one bad thing about la Fiesta is that Audrey can no longer order off of the kid's menu. So, we go...of course we get drinks and cheese dip and then get the bill.
$48.
We get home and start a conversation about going out to eat less. And I propose to Cheri that we just don't eat out the entire month of June. Kind of a "restaurant fast" That was not good enough for her, she counters with starting now. So I can't let her have the last word, and propose not eating out again until we go to the beach.
In Mid-July.
Figuring it up, it is right about 60 days of not eating out. Easily longer than we've ever gone. The only thing left is to figure out how we are gonna do it. The first thing we decide is that we HAVE to have a plan and a menu. Too many of our eat out nights are because we were going to wing it when we got home, or we just didn't want to cook. So, enter the menu calendar. We set up a calendar and just started filling in dates. It really ended up just being any meals we could think of, but putting them in writing makes it more concrete...THIS is what we are having. The next thing we decided on were some emergency meals. What do you do when the chicken isn't thawed out. Spaghetti and hotdogs to the rescue.
So we started. We have a reservation the day we get to Savannah at Our Lady and Sons. That will be our next meal out. So far we have had Hot Dogs, Ranch Chicken, a crockpotted Boston Butt, Shepherd Pie, the much needed leftover night, Barbecue at a party we were invited to, Hamburgers, CrabLegs and Ribs. Tomorrow is another crockpot creation, Chipolte Corn Chicken.
So what do we plan on accomplishing? Well first, saving money. Secondly, and maybe even more importantly, a sense of pride that we CAN do this.
We have not blogged in six months. I, personally, can not remember the last time I wrote a blog entry. But I plan on chronicling this, both for you, but maybe more for us.
Until tomorrow....
Trey
Last Saturday, we went out to eat. We usually don't hit the restaurants on Saturday because on the east side there aren't enough seats to keep there from being a long wait. Of course, that is when the students are in town, but with the spring semester over, its not so bad for a little bit. We also go out to eat after church most Sundays, however due to some other commitments, that was not going to happen last weekend.
We decided to go to La Fiesta, one of our favorites. The one bad thing about la Fiesta is that Audrey can no longer order off of the kid's menu. So, we go...of course we get drinks and cheese dip and then get the bill.
$48.
We get home and start a conversation about going out to eat less. And I propose to Cheri that we just don't eat out the entire month of June. Kind of a "restaurant fast" That was not good enough for her, she counters with starting now. So I can't let her have the last word, and propose not eating out again until we go to the beach.
In Mid-July.
Figuring it up, it is right about 60 days of not eating out. Easily longer than we've ever gone. The only thing left is to figure out how we are gonna do it. The first thing we decide is that we HAVE to have a plan and a menu. Too many of our eat out nights are because we were going to wing it when we got home, or we just didn't want to cook. So, enter the menu calendar. We set up a calendar and just started filling in dates. It really ended up just being any meals we could think of, but putting them in writing makes it more concrete...THIS is what we are having. The next thing we decided on were some emergency meals. What do you do when the chicken isn't thawed out. Spaghetti and hotdogs to the rescue.
So we started. We have a reservation the day we get to Savannah at Our Lady and Sons. That will be our next meal out. So far we have had Hot Dogs, Ranch Chicken, a crockpotted Boston Butt, Shepherd Pie, the much needed leftover night, Barbecue at a party we were invited to, Hamburgers, CrabLegs and Ribs. Tomorrow is another crockpot creation, Chipolte Corn Chicken.
So what do we plan on accomplishing? Well first, saving money. Secondly, and maybe even more importantly, a sense of pride that we CAN do this.
We have not blogged in six months. I, personally, can not remember the last time I wrote a blog entry. But I plan on chronicling this, both for you, but maybe more for us.
Until tomorrow....
Trey
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Disney 2014: More PhotoPass Pictures
As I mentioned earlier, we purchased the Photo Pass offered by Disney. It was nice to know we'd have a lot of family pictures and not have to ask the photographers to take pictures with our camera. Here are some of my favorite family pictures.
A family picture at Animal Kingdom
Our family tradition to take a family photo at Tusker House. Unfortunately, Donald Duck no longer poses for pictures at Tusker House.
Family shot with Belle at Epcot
Another Epcot picture
A family photo with both Mickey and Minnie
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Disney 2014 Day 6: Animal Kingdom
Our last day at Disney would only be a half day as we had to travel home. We did this last year as well and actually enjoy going to one of the parks for the morning and then hitting the road. We again decided to do Animal Kingdom on our last day. On our next trip, we will need to spend a full day at Animal Kingdom.
We headed straight to Everest Expedition since we had fast passes. Unfortunately, the ride was down. We had some time to kill before breakfast and walked around a little.
We ate breakfast at Tusker House which is a tradition. We heard ahead of the trip that they no longer take the photos with Donald outside of Tusker House which was very disappointing. We still got a family picture, though.
The breakfast buffet was wonderful and the girls loved the characters.
After breakfast, we went on the safari ride. It was pretty bumpy, but AG did great and was well behaved.
We then headed back to the Everest ride. The line was huge even for fast pass so we went through the single rider line. Brooke did not want to ride which was probably good. I don't think she was ready for that one.
We then went to the Dino land area to use our last few snack credits. The girls played on the playground for a little bit and then it was time to make our way to the exit.
We saw the vine lady on our way out and the girls were amazed. AG couldn't take her eyes off of her.
Another fun and successful trip to Disney World. Trey and I are already trying to figure out a way to go next year. And here is a picture of the girls about 10 minutes into the ride home.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Disney Day 5: Magic Kingdom
This was the big day! We had a fast pass to meet Anna and Elsa. The only catch was we had to wait until 8:40. So we decided to go to the park for the morning and head back to the hotel after lunch to rest before returning in the evening.
We noticed when we arrived that Merida had a very short line. The girls had never met her so they were excited. They were also given a picture to color while they waited to meet her.
Next, we headed to the Winnie the Pooh ride. We had a short wait, but the girls enjoyed playing while we went through the line.
Our next fast pass was for Big Thunder Mountain. The big girls and I rode first while Trey waited with AG. We all loved it and the girls rode again with Trey. I took a picture of AG while we waited.
We had some time before our next fast pass, so we headed to Tom Sawyer Island. We had never explored the island before. The kids had a lot of fun and it was a relaxing way to kill some time.
The girls and I rode Splash Mountain next while Trey and AG waited. I got pretty wet and we were heading to lunch next. Luckily, it was warm and I dried quickly.
On our walk to lunch, we encountered the new Move It, Shake It, Dance and Play it Street Party. This was actually the first day of this party. We watched for a few minutes and Brooke even danced with Jessie.
Our lunch reservations were at Crystal Palace, another character buffet. The food is great and the girls enjoyed the characters. AG took pictures with all except Tigger. Brooke was given a cupcake for her birthday. We probably will not visit Crystal Palace next time since the girls are getting a little old for the Winnie the Pooh characters.
After lunch, we caught a bus back to our hotel to relax. Of course, the girls wanted to go swimming. Trey took them to the pool and then they came back to the room to rest. We were hoping the girls would nap, but no luck. We headed back to the park around 6:15.
Our first stop was dinner. We planned to get hot dogs at Casey's, but it was packed. Brooke was also asleep in the stroller making if difficult for all of us to get in line. So we went to our second choice, Columbia Harbor House. There wa also a wait there, but I wax able to grab a table while Trey and Audrey got the food. The food was decent. Brooke woke up as we were eating.
After dinner Trey wanted to head to Splash Mountain since he did not ride it earlier. Audrey wanted to ride with him. The little girls and I went to a little play area nearby. They had a blast.
It was finally time to meet Anna and Elsa. The regular line had a 90 minute wait. With our fast passes, we had to wait about 5 minutes. The girls loved meeting Anna and Elsa. Elsa was amazing and spent so much time with the girls. At the end, AG said "Kiss, Elsa?" Elsa was so sweet and let AG kids her on the cheek.
Anna was not as great in her interaction with the girls, but they didn't care. When AG asked for a kiss, Anna said "I'll just blow you a kiss."
We headed over to the People Mover, but it looked like it was down. So we went on the Carousel of Progress. AG was scared at times because of the darkness. Brooke really enjoyed it.
There was no line for the People Mover when we checker, so the girls and I rode while Trey rode Space Mountain. It was so much fun to ride at night. We decided to head towards the exit at that point. We noticed there was no wait for Tinkerbell, so we stopped for pictures.
By the time we finished with Tinkerbell, the fireworks were wrapping up. So we were in a crowd leaving. It was a long day, but definitely worth it.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
PhotoPass Pictures
We purchased the photopass package that Disney offers and were very pleased with our pictures. I'll be posting the pictures in posts in the next few days, but thought I'd share a few the girls took at Hollywood Studios.
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