Tasty Tuesday: Greek Salad

I know you're probably shocked...I'm putting a "healthy" recipe on the blog this week. Ha. I figured since a lot of us have been stuck inside either because of the weather or sickies we've probably eaten more than usual. Well, so instead of a recipe for cookies or some high calorie casserole I thought I'd share a viewers Greek Salad recipe. After all, it has to be healthy if salad is in the title right. Anyway, check it out here and let me know what you think.
Thanks for sharing your recipe Whitney!

What Would You Wear?

If you know who this guy is then you're either watching this season of The Bachelor or you've watched in the past. Because, YES, this guy is BACK for a second chance at love. Brad Womack is the infamous bachelor that turned two girls down during the final rose ceremony. Well, ABC thought he was a good choice for round two. After hearing his story and his deep apologies to the girls he "lead on" his first go around I believe this Texas boy may have changed, but it really doesn't matter what I believe.
So, after swearing off all future bachelors season after season...I'm once again hooked. But after watching Monday's premiere I really started to wonder what I would wear for the first episode. After all, it is the first impression, your first time (at least for most) on national television, etc, etc.
I thought some of the dresses were classy and cute and others looked more like shirts that barely covered the ladie parts. Some girls hair was out of whack. Some girls acted like fools and I was embarrassed for them. All that to say, I've never been in a situation with 29 other girls trying to get ONE guys attention...so who am I to judge.
But I DO know that I would wear something classy. I even asked some of you on Facebook what you would were and I loved some of your answers. I think I agree with those of you that said jeans and a shirt. If I want the guy to like me for me...then I might as well give it to him on the first meeting. Lets face it, when the TV crews are gone and it's us alone...I'll be comfy in my jeans and t-shirt. I wonder if a girl would EVER consider doing that or if the network would even allow it.
I'll never find out, but I would have great respect for a girl who just got out and showed her REAL self.
So, tonight is episode 2...we'll see how it goes. I'm not sure I'm sold on this season. If you don't know already here's a real reason I'm not sold on the "reality" of this show...there's a girl who has fangs. I'm interested to learn more about her.
Ok, enough about reality TV.

maybe later this week I can blog about how to NOT go crazy if you're home with kids during the snow...but we'll have to see how much we get.

PS...I LOVE SNOW!

Dreams Really Do Come True

When you wish upon a star...Ok, sorry my little one is watching Pinocchio while I write this. But seriously, when I think of dreams coming true I think of the famous Disney song.
I know there are Hog fans around the state that are bummed to see our star quarterback leave early for the NFL, but CONGRATS to Ryan Mallett.
It was officially announced yesterday and in a letter to the press Mallett said it was always a dream to play for the Hogs and he's done that and now it's on to bigger dreams. While it's a sad day for a the Hogs isn't it fun to see other's dreams come true.

I know of a lot of little boys that dreams of playing on Sundays and well, now they're grown men still dreaming (or maybe their dreams have changed).

There are a lot of sports analysts talking about this decision. Here is a little history on the star QB with the Hogs.

Now that it's official all of us Razorback fans will have to cheer for Mallett on Sundays! Here's to wishing him luck and success on his new journey with the pigskin.

Now, back to you...do you have any dreams or past dreams...please share.

Monthly Book Review: The Help

I have to admit when someone recommends a book I tend to brush it aside, but my mom swore up and down that I'd love The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I've always enjoyed reading about civil rights and this book did NOT disappoint. I felt like I was back in the 1960's in the deep south where it was normal for black maid's to raise a white families children and clean around the clock. While reading this book I could feel the bond between "the help" and the children. That type of lifestyle has always intrigued me. I can't imagine it in today's day and age, but lets face it the roots of that era still has a strong hold on many in the south. I don't want to give away too much in the book. You can actually visit the author's website here for a glimpse of what you can expect if you haven't read it.
I thought it was a great read. It was actually hard for me to put the book down while I was on vacation. I DO wish I knew what happened "next." I know at least one of my twitter friends said it was a good book, but they were disappointed in the ending.

But to be honest, there were really only positive things said about The Help.

Here are a few comments from facebook:

Cassie wrote, "The Help is one of my all time faves. So captivating and moving."

Patty wrote, "Love The Help. The narrative grabbed me and held me."

Katie said, "LOVE it. My book club read it and it was one of our favorites."

Another twitter friend admitted she could here her nanny in the story lines.
And that's another thing I loved about this book. The author, Kathryn Stockett, relates to the main character, Skeeter. This is not only a story she was writing, but a story she can/does relate to. And lets face it...it's not the 1960's anymore. We can't push this book off as a storyline that happened in the "past" it is still very real today...even if it looks a little different I believe we still encounter "the help" in a new way.

Anyway, what do you think? If you haven't read it, you should. If you have, share your thoughts. There are no right or wrong answers. Please feel free to disagree with me.

Oh and if you want to join in on the next book...I'm going with a suggestion from a friend on Facebook.
Originally we were going to read In the Sanctuary of an Outcast by Neil White, but it's hard to find right now. SO since we're almost half way through the month we're going to read Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. My mom just finished it and said it was an easy, but great read. It's by Beth Hoffman. I promise we'll read Neil White's book in the near future.

Baby Gear Round 2

I know it's been a LONG time since I announced I was pregnant with our second baby girl. Well, believe it or not I have around 5 weeks left. WHAT IN THE WORLD!? I feel like this pregnancy has flown by and I'm don't know if I'm ready to chase two little ones around.

I DO know that I need your help/feedback. Since baby number 2 and Stella are only 2 1/2 years apart I already have most of the baby gear I "need." BUT all you moms out there is there anything I'm missing. We already have a swing, carseat, pack n play, cradle, and now I've been working on the nursery. Am I missing anything. Stella was born in 2008...are there any baby gear that are must haves that have come out since then? We'll need another monitor and a double stroller of some kind...advice?

Please help this momma out!

Tasty Tuesday: Crockpot Pork Roast

I've had this recipe in my recipe box for sometime, but am just now trying it. Oh my goodness it is good.

I thought since we're all back into our routine post holidays...it's probably the ideal time to rely on the ole crockpot to get us back to normal. So, I pulled out this recipe from my old babysitter and it's great!

You can check it out here. I'd love to share more crockpot recipes so please either leave a comment or shoot me an email knwablogger@knwa.com

ENJOY and GO HOGS!

Dead Birds & Fish...What is Going On?

I don't know if you've seen the stories on local news and even national news recently, but what in the world is going on in Arkansas lately.

New Years eve around 1000 birds fell dead from the sky in Beebe. Just dropped dead and they're still trying to figure out why. Here's the article from KARK in Little Rock, but according to my twitter updates it looks like that number is climbing to almost 2000 dead birds within a mile strip in the small Arkansas town. Can you say creepy?

But it doesn't end there. A day before the falling birds, thousands of fish were found dead in the Arkansas River. The Game and Fish is expected to release the total number sometime today, but it all seems a little too Hollywood for me. It sounds like a creepy movie in the making. Let's just hope this is the last of dead animals showing up in the Natural State.

I don't know how I would feel if I lived in Beebe and woke up to dead birds in my yard and no explanation of what happened. I guess we'll just wait and see what the cause was.
Happy Monday. It's kind of a weird way to kick off 2011 in Arkansas.