delicious!

From the time I can remember, I would climb up on the barstool at our counter and sit for long periods of time just watching my mom "create" in the kitchen. It was a prime seat that I often took advantage of. I would watch how her hands formed dough, how she chopped vegetables, how she put together a healthy meal for a family of five. I would watch and have good conversation with my mother. She would ask me about my day and we would talk while she worked. 


When I was old enough, I got off the barstool and worked right alongside her. She taught me my way around a kitchen and gave me confidence by allowing me to work on my own. I learned recipes like the "memorized" homemade biscuits (her recipe from her head) that I could make myself. She gently instructed me and I developed a love. I learned to cook.


I believe this instruction brought me to love cooking now in my life. I love "creating" meals for my family. I love finding new recipes and spending time in the kitchen preparing. 


I get to enjoy one sweet little face looking at me while I cook as well. Grey will climb up onto the stool and watch just like I used to. Hopefully all of my children will do the same. I can't wait to have them right alongside me learning to cook themselves. As of now, I do have a little helper that is already right by my side throughout the day and gets so much joy helping me cook. I know this will develop over the years and want him there as long as he will stay near. 


As I have been busy making some delicious recipes I was thinking on all of these things. I wanted to share a few. Did I mention they are delicious? because they are. mmm mmm.


First of all my dear mom that was mentioned above, made The Pioneer Woman's Salsa while I was at her house. 

Oh wow. I came home and decided to try it myself. I don't have a large food processor or a blender so I was perplexed at how I was going to accomplish this massive making of salsa. I decided to use our smoothie maker and it worked like a charm I tell ya! Matthew and I have devoured an entire recipe ourselves (it makes a lot) and I just made another batch today! Check it out and try it. You may find yourself eating it at EVERY SINGLE meal like we have been. Yes, even breakfast.


I decided since that was so delicious I would spend some more time in the kitchen making Cajun Chicken Pasta by PW as well. 

After Matthew had his first bite he confidently told me it was the best homemade meal he'd ever had. Pretty lofty exclamation but I have to tell you there are no words for this. 


Grey and I have been taking advantage of some rainy days and baking in the afternoons after his nap. Here's that little fella ready to roll. (yes he is STILL in his p.j.'s. there really was no reason to get dressed)

My February issue of Southern Living has many many corners turned down marking all kinds of delicious things I would like to try. Grey and I have tried the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies (we excluded the pecans because i was fresh out!) and they were YUMMY! 


Poor little guy woke up this morning with another fever. (silly mono just won't skiddadle) It was his Valentines Day Party at school today and he was absolutely crushed that he wasn't going to get to deliver these treats. We worked on them earlier this week.  

I decided we would have our very own Valentines Party here at home. We had been planning to make some cupcakes (also from Southern Living) and I finally found the miniature cupcake wrappers I had been looking for to make them. We geared up and jumped into yet another baking day.

*these are the Bite-Size Sour Cream-Pound Cake Cupcakes  Fresh Citrus with Orange Buttercream 


Grey mostly watched as not to breathe on everything. But after his nap, he got to indulge in a tasty treat himself. I think it's safe to say they are YUMMY as well! 

I plan to try another PW recipe this weekend, her Mexican Lasagna. I'm sure it will be terrific as well. 


I better go tend to my little Grey Bear. Really hoping he can shake this mono.