"There is no rest for the weary." I looked up this phrase, because I love to know where and how idioms came about (not to mention that I have really been feeling it lately) and here is what one definition said:
Prov. Even people who are worn-out must continue to work. (Describes a situation in which a tired person has to do more work.). Isn't this the same definition, next to the word MOM in the dictionary??
It has been over 2 weeks since my last post and I feel like I have been gone for months. My friend Toni is kicking my - - - in the number of her posts this month and I am feeling very behind. Oh, not to worry though, I have been photographing outings and recipes and still driving my family crazy during the past few weeks. I just have not had one moment to sit down and write. We have been go, go, go!!!
It truly has been a whirlwind couple of weeks, starting with high school volleyball tournament last weekend. As I volunteered at the beginning of the season to be the team parent, I jumped on the bus with the team (promising to not embarrass my children of course) and away we went. The team was victorious and fought on to take first place - I was so proud of each and every one of them. Their high school team as of today is undefeated and they have one more game to go for the season to keep their record - I am quite certain I am more nervous about it than they are.
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| One of our volleyball stars. |
My stress level is already starting to peak with the upcoming birthdays and holidays. My husband's is mid-December, then we have Christmas and of course I had to pick the end of December to have twins....so, holidays tend to raise my tension level just a bit. I am already trying to figure out who will be getting what gifts and when, deciding what is the best for a Christmas vs. Birthday present. We have also been blessed this year with our 2 additional twin grandbabies, giving is a total of 3 amazing grandchildren now. I am making all the grandkids blankets this year, so trying to find the perfect material and patterns for their sweet little personalities. Let us also not forget the deadline of trying to get packages out in the mail to our families, so I don't have to pay the exorbitant
"last minute because I didn't get my act together in enough time mailing fees".
Then there's also my very dear friend Felicia coming to visit me next month. I want everything perfect for her so she can be spoiled during her stay with us. She has done so much for me and my family that I want to make her time here special and memorable. I have no doubt that adult beverages will be involved in those memories - she has already put in a request for my husband's Cosmos. Stay tuned for postings during that week...should be very interesting to say the least.
To add some fun into the mix, my work is beyond crazy, busy! I no sooner get to work and it's time to go home. My days are rapidly going by with all the daily tasks, schedules, clients, paper trails and e-mails. Not complaining though, I would take it that way over being bored, any day!!
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Look closely and you can see the other volleyball star being funny!
Now you know why every parent needs a margarita during road trip weekends. |
My husband had also been begging me to do a road trip and get away for the weekend. We tossed around many ideas and learned that Mt. Rushmore was only 5-1/2 hours from us. I jumped online and did my tourist research
because I am such a planner like that. It turns out that Keystone, South Dakota basically shuts down October 1st every year after their tourist season. Perfect!! Got a great hotel for an amazing rate, no crowds at the National Monument and no waiting at restaurants and the weather couldn't have been better for this time of year.
The girls loved all the history at Mt. Rushmore and we were really taken back by the beauty of the monument. We took in every moment there and learned everything that it stood for, the sculptor and the stories behind it. Of course, the movie fan that I am, I had to stake out every location sight from where they filmed National Treasure 2 there.
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| The locals taking over the highway. |
The wildlife before, during and after the visit there was the best though. Our daughters really had a great time seeing all these amazing creatures in their natural environment yet completely okay being around tourists too. We even had time to see the Crazy Horse Memorial, Black Hills Ghost Town and The Flintstones Resort in Custer, SD (
yes, you read that correctly).
http://www.flintstonesbedrockcity.com/
Our drive home took us through quite the storm from South Dakota, through Wyoming and even into Colorado. It was cold, rainy and extremely windy. We were all tired and needed a nice bowl of hearty soup for our chilled bones, to end our perfect weekend.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Inspired by Chicken Enchilada Soup (on realmomkitchen.com )at
http://realmomkitchen.com/463/chicken-enchilada-soup-and-my-top-10-soup-recipes/
(1) 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
(1) 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
(1) 10 ounce package frozen whole kernel corn
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped yellow, green or red bell pepper
(1) 10 ounce can enchilada sauce (mild)
(1) 10.75 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
1-1/2 cups milk
(1) cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese (4 ounces)
(2) cooked chicken breasts, diced
Mix beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, pepper and chicken in a large pot. Whisk together enchilada sauce soup and milk and pour over soup mixture in pot. Stir well.
Bring to a low boil over medium heat, then cover and turn to low and let simmer for about an hour.
Serve with the pepper jack cheese, sour cream, sliced avocado and tortilla strips.
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| This is what Theo thought of us leaving him for the weekend. |
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| Needless to say, he wasn't very happy when we returned and didn't mind letting us know. |
