Rusty's New Favorite Sandwich....

Last week I made "Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich" from The Pioneer Woman's website. It was YUMMY!

But, today I made "Marlboro Man's 2nd Favorite Sandwich" and this turned out to be Rusty's favorite. I seem to be torn between the two!

To start, I used 2 chicken breasts (boneless/skinless), 5 slices of pepper bacon, 4 slices of cheese, lemon pepper seasoning and 3/4 of a loaf of ciabatta bread from Panera.


Start by browning your bacon in a skillet with a lid (I used medium-med/high heat).


While the bacon is cooking, pound out your chicken breasts.

I place mine in a freezer bag to do this. PW placed her chicken between two sheets of parchment paper.

I don't have a meat mallet so I use my trusty rolling pin. Just whack it until it is thin.

This is what mine looked like.

Now lay on the lemon pepper seasoning (both sides). I know that next time I will put more on than I did. I was afraid to over season but I learned my lesson. Trial and error... there wasn't much error but just knowing that you can't really over do it.

Pull the bacon out of the pan when it is nice and done. Drain all but 1 Tablespoon for the bacon grease.

Now throw your chicken breasts into the grease and fry it for ~ 4 minutes per side (medium heat).

It will be nicely brown.

After the chicken has cooked for ~ 4 minutes on the second side, lay the bacon on the chicken breast.

Next, put your cheese on top of the bacon then cover with a lid.

After about 2 minutes, your cheese should be nice and melty.

Looks good... tastes GOOD to!!

Mmmm..... delicious! I used a little grey poupon mustard on my sandwich. I like a little kick. Rusty isn't a mustard fan so he ate his just like this. Both of us REALLY enjoyed this sandwich.

Plus, it was SUPER easy to make and made a perfect lunch.

Dress up, Science, PW...

Today was AMAZING! I received a call yesterday and was asked to sub for today. The great thing about getting to sub today, it was Halloween dress-up day at the school. I was super excited not only to get to dress up but that I was going to get to teach at my favorite school in my favorite subject.

I taught a science class (I have my BS in biology w/ a minor in chem) so I always love it when I get the chance to teach my favorite subject. The great part about today is we were just doing demonstrations for the kids that were sort of Halloween themed. We worked with dry ice, a fog machine and special paper that reacts with ammonia to make a "bloody message" (the chemical in the orange paper reacts with the ammonia to make the paper red).

Here, there is dry ice in container and then I filled it with water. I ran a soapy rag across the rim of the container to make a bubble. The release of the gas from the solid state makes the bubble get big and make a "crystal ball". (There is a video at the end. I just couldn't get it in the right order)

This is the "witches brew" effect when I first put the water in with the dry ice.

I didn't think I was going to get a reason to dress up this year but as soon as I got the call yesterday, I was thinking up things to be! I was going to be a cat but I could not find one cat ear/tail combo at Target. The best they had was zebra.

I went on http://www.youtube.com/, searched "zebra face paint" and watched a woman do a 3-4 minute tutorial on how to make a zebra mask. Until yesterday, I had never been on youtube. Now I know that I can learn almost anything from the brave people willing to post their own videos.

I even had ears and a mane!

Then I had a huge dilemma while at the school. I saw on the net that The Pioneer Woman was doing a book signing from 3-6 in Tulsa. Here I was dressed like a zebra and not sure if that is how I wanted to make a first impression on her. After much debate (and coaxing from my mom) I headed to Tulsa as a zebra.

I'm super glad I did because I ended up getting to the store at 3:20 to wait in a nice size line and I didn't leave until 4:40.

While standing in the nice size line, I spoke with some wonderful women that were super friendly and made the time pass much faster. Also while in the said line.... I SAW MARLBORO MAN!! This is PW's husband. He runs a cattle ranch and seemed to be super nice.

There she is... PW herself.

I'm a goober and left junk in the book when I got up there. The zebra and the Pioneer Woman. She is so poised and beautiful... and I'm a zebra!

After reviewing the picture, I really wish I would have knelt or something. I kind of look like a goober (and not just because of the costume). I'm glad I went though. How many times do people get to meet the blogger, writers, cooks, etc. that they look up to?!

Zebra and all, I had a TERRIFIC day!



Here is the "crystal ball". Sorry I couldn't start it from the very beginning. I was practicing the trick before I had to do it in front of 25 students!

God's Creation....

This is the beautiful night sky that God gave us in Oklahoma on Monday. I just can't believe the beauty that surrounds us. Can you believe there are some people who don't believe God made this? Can you believe that some people think it all came from a big bang or a primordial soup?

I'm so thankful that I know the truth and that I can praise God for the beauty he places in my life. He blesses me every day and I am thankful.

A Sub Once Again...

I am so happy to have been stuck in the arm by two separate needles and two separate times! All the pain means I can go back to subbing in the wonderful school district I live in.

I called Monday and had my name added back on the sub list. Tuesday I stopped in at my favorite school to see the wonderful people I call friends. It came up that I had put my name on the list and immediately an email went out! Have I said how much I love the people at said school?! Because I do. They make me feel so great every time I walk through the doors.

Not an hour later, my phone rang from the wonderful school and I was given a sub job for today! It felt so good to get back in the swing of things. Knowing that not only am I contributing to my household, but that I can be around sweet kids and wonderful adults, is so refreshing.

Needless to say... I had a GREAT day today!

From Kaitlyn and Ivan (and Leslie)

These cute little things showed up in my mailbox today! I can't wait to see them all on little Rowynn. Thank you Kaitlyn and Ivan... you guys picked out the CUTEST things. I love how cuddly and soft the blankie and teddy are, I know that Rowynn will like getting to snuggle with them when he gets here. And, he is going to be the best dressed baby because of the adorable outfits you chose. I am so excited to see him in his new things.

Kaitlyn and Ivan are the children of Leslie. Leslie stumbled across my little blog and became a follower (and a friend). When Kaitlyn and Ivan asked who we were, Leslie told them all about us and our little angel. When they found out we were having a little boy they wanted to pick out a little gift for Rowynn and these are the beautiful things that they picked out! I hope that Rowynn will be as sweet as Kaitlyn and Ivan. What caring sweethearts they both are. It just goes to show what a great mom they have. Thank you Leslie for your kindness. It has rubbed off on your children and that is spectacular.

It is so amazing to me how the Internet can bring people together. People who live so far away and would never have met otherwise. I am so thankful that I have met such amazing people through this little site. I have friends all over now and love getting to know you all.

Free Giveaway....

For all you honey lovers and anything remotely associated with honey, check out http://www.theprovidentwoman.com/ to register to win some yummy, honey products. There is a bottle of honey, a honey comb lotion, honey lip balm and honey sticks. Click here to go direct to the entry!

26 Weeks...

Here it is... I am now 26 weeks and feeling good. There have been a couple of nights this week that I have had minor panic attacks because I hadn't felt Rowynn kick for a while. Thankfully, I have a super supportive husband that took great care of me.

Sometimes I have a hard time not thinking the worse is going to happen. I'm working on that. It has just been a lot of bad news over the past year so I'm trying to re-train my thinking!

As of today, we only have 102 more days to wait! Can you believe how fast this has flown?! I am just so excited to meet him and see what he looks like.

Happy Birthday Rachelle!

I just want to say Happy Birthday Rach! You are a wonderful sister-in-law and I'm glad that Darrin chose you to join the family. I know we are weird sometimes but I'm glad that you put up with us! I love you and I hope it is a special day.

So Far...

Rusty has ran the water for two washers and is (as I type) in the process of running the gas for one of our dryers (thankfully, one is gas and the other is electric).

As of today, I have finished painting two cabinets and started the staining process on four others. Tomorrow, I will add the glossy finish and then I will have completed what I can for the project.

Here we have the painted cabinets with the counter top set on top. I bought tile today so we could try to find one that we like. We decided on the one that is in the front row (row away from cabinets) and on the right side.

Here are two of the four (the other two are identical to this) stained cabinets. All four will hang on the wall above the counter top. We are going to go buy two more sets like the one pictured to hang on either side of the window in the room (above the washers and dryers). I'm looking forward to having SO much storage space! It is DEFINITELY needed.

Hopefully I will have more updates later in the week or at least by the weekend!

Clean and Green

Well, we are one step closer to a nursery. Thanks to Rusty, I was able to put away all of Rowynn's toys, clothes and shoes in a clean, freshly painted closet.

I am so excited to get to put all of these clothes to use!

Plus, he already has 6 pairs of shoes! Granted, they range in sizes up to a size 4.

Yesterday I picked up a package from the post office. Rusty informed me that he had already bought me a Christmas present and that I was not allowed to open it. All I knew was that the box was a pretty good size, light weight and from QVC.

I let it sit on my counter all day then Rusty got home and saw the box and teased me with it for a little while. Then, he said, "do you want to open it?"! Of course my answer was a yes! He said that instead of a Christmas present he would give it to me as a "cut present" (instead of push present for delivering a baby). He said that since I have already had two surgeries and I still have one coming up on February 5, he would let me have it early.

When I opened it, this is what I found inside.......

I fell in love with it instantly! I love the color. I love the size. I love the smell. All around, I love it!

Part of the reason he let me open it early is because I don't carry a purse when I carry a diaper bag. I just pack my purse stuff into the diaper bag and he wanted me to be able to carry this for a little while before Rowynn interfered with my purse carrying! The great thing about this bag, is that I can carry it as a small diaper bag once Rowynn gets here! I think I will be able to fit quite a few things in it.

Well, I just am so grateful to have such a wonderful, loving, thoughtful husband. He never seizes to amaze me with his kindness.

I love you, babe.

Changes

There are many changes taking place in the Stamper household. Not only are we getting a nursery put together but Rusty has also taken on the project of turning a shop room out in the garage into a new laundry/mud room that will be accessible from our master closet.

Before the demo, the shop was Rusty's laundry room for his work clothes and a room to store odds and ends. I hated going in there because it was always so dirty. I can't wait for my laundry room to be right through the closet! Plus, he is putting in a bunch of new storage for me!

This is the room before the demo.

Yes, you are seeing things right... it has a pink floor and pink counter tops.

Here are the new cabinets that will be installed.

Plus, I will have a counter to fold clothes on!

Here is Rusty banging out the counter top... bye, bye yuckyness!

After all of his hard work all that is left are four walls and a concrete floor. I'm loving the blank canvas we have to work with.

So much better.

Next up is moving the plumbing around, tape, mud and paint.

Here is Rusty painting Rowynn's closet. Thanks to our wonderful neighbor (who loaned us his paint sprayer) he was able to do the whole thing in under 10 minutes!

Last week I went ahead and cleaned out Abigayl's closet. All of these bins are filled with outfits she never got to wear. So, most of them still have the tags on. When she gets a little sister it will be nice to finally get to use the outfits. I even found a couple of things that Rowynn could wear. No, they're not pink!

So, I will keep you posted with lots of pictures of our progress! Exciting things are happening around here and I can't wait to show off the finished progress.

Fair-ly Crazy

I'm a little late on the post but I thought better late than never! Unfortunately, I didn't take my camera so it will be all commentary (boring!).

Sunday afternoon we headed out to the Tulsa State Fair and my goodness was it chilly! I'm not accustom to this cool weather so early... but I'm sure enjoying it. (I actually have the fire going as I am typing this)

Please, I beg you, do not read this and judge me. I have a weakness for food. Especially fair food that is dripping with goodness and fried and lovely.

Okay, my first stop was at the pineapple whip stand. I'm not sure what it is but I know that it was cold pineapplely. It was good. A little bland for my taste but it was good. I only ate half because I figure, why waste the calories on something I don't LOVE?! Then, while looking for the fried green tomatoes stand, I came across the gyro stand and decided I needed one. My goodness it was delicious! I think I will be eating that every year.

There it was, shining like a beacon, the prized fried green tomato stand. That is our favorite food at the fair. We wait a whole year to eat those delicious little things. And they didn't disappoint this year! What was sad, as I was sitting there eating a fried green tomato, I spotted a stand that had fried salsa and cheese olive, fried mushrooms and fried peaches (among many other things!) but I was drawn to the fried peaches and knew I had to have some fried mushrooms. So, I left the tomatoes with Rusty while I went to grab more treats.

The peaches were SO good. There was a cinnamon dipping sauce that just completed the whole taste bud adventure. Since we had gorged ourselves on so many wonderful things, we decided we should take a break from the food to enjoy some of the inside booths. To my delight, we hit the fair on the evening that they were giving away the ribbons for the sugar arts/cakes. The person giving away the ribbons is a woman I have seen on Food Network many times during the Challenge shows! Also, one of the cake people I have seen on the same show was there. It was pretty neat to get to see people I watch on TV right there at the Tulsa State Fair.

After a couple more buildings we decided to grab a caramel apple, sit, eat and rest. I'll tell you, that caramel apple was the greatest thing I have ever put in my mouth. The apple was not to sweet but not to tart and the caramel was soft and chewy and perfect! It was heaven on a stick.

Before leaving, we headed over to the petting zoo and was able to pet almost everything in there! It was fantastic.

Animals, food and great company... perfection!

Movement!

Lately Rowynn has been pretty active. Of course, there are times when he sleeps but when he is awake he is really moving. For the last day or two I have been able to feel his movement with my hand on my belly. Unfortunately, Rusty hasn't been able to catch a time when Rowynn was moving around so that he could feel it.

Today though, I was sitting on the couch and Rusty was in the kitchen when I SAW the movement! I had Rusty come in and he put his hands on my belly. He wasn't feeling anything so he took his hands off and we just watched my belly for a minute... there it was, a little thump and we both were able to see Rowynn doing his thing!!

Yeah... this is the best part for me about being pregnant. I love feeling and seeing the movements. It makes the pregnancy so fun and provides a huge connection for me.

Beauty

Beauty is the only word I can use describe yesterday. We were surrounded by so much love and strength from all of the prayers we could feel. We spent the day together... talking, laughing and enjoying the MANY wonderful memories we have of and with Abigayl.

I want to thank all of you who said a prayer for us yesterday or sent words of encouragement. It is amazing how much strength we can gain from those around us that lift us up. God is good and He will provide the things you need.

I was also surrounded by beauty in the flowers that we received......

I love the pink and white stripped rose... I think that is the neatest and prettiest flower I have ever seen! Beautiful.

These flower came all the way from Washington! Thank you to the Curry family for your prayers and love. The smile you provided for us was so needed and so appreciated.

These flowers came from Alaska! Thank you mom. My whole house smells like lilies now and I am loving it! I don't want my nose to get used to it because I just want to keep smelling that beautiful smell. I love you.

Rusty and I are so blessed to have such an amazing support system. I am floored that our lives have been touched by family, friends, church family and my "blogger" friends. I would never have thought that through this tragedy I would make the friends that I have made. Many of which are online! I love keeping up with your lives and I love sharing mine with those that want to be a part of it.

Thank you again for your love, support, prayers and kindness.