You've heard of a 'do-over'...

...well, consider this a 'SOUP-OVER'!

Ok, so you remember that chicken taco soup I made the other night?
Well, I was bored tonight & craving it again for dinner
but didn't have the bacon SO, I fiddled with the ingredients to suit what I had in the house and OH MY GOOD GRAVY DID IT COME OUT WAY BETTER TONIGHT THAN EVER BEFORE!

Below is the new REVAMPED RECIPE and seriously,
TRUST ME WHEN I SAY TRY IT THIS WEEK!
You won't regret it!

Chicken Taco Soup... (Momma Style!)

Ingredients:
EVOO (few times around the bottom of a large soup pot)
1 Spanish onion chopped
1/2 red onion chopped
2 lg cloves garlic either minced or chopped
(tonight I chopped although normally I mince,
was just too lazy to get out the mincer again & get it dirty, it's sort of a PITA to clean!)
salt & pepper to taste
1 pkg (3 large) boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
1 box of 'TACO BELL' taco dinner kit
(contains 8 corn taco shells, 1 season packet & 1 sauce pouch)
1 large can CRUSHED tomatoes
1 & 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 brick sharp cheddar (or cheese of your choice) freshly grated
1 lime cut into wedges
small container sour cream

Directions:

In large soup pot go several times around with EVOO over medium high heat.
Chop onions & garlic & throw in.
While they're cooking, cut Chicken up into bite size pieces & add to pot, stirring occasionally.
Once chicken is almost fully cooked, add spice packet & mix well.
In another five minutes, add sauce packet & again, mix.
Then add the crushed tomatoes & chicken stock.
Stir & lower heat a bit & let cook.

Then get to work grating your block-O-cheese & set it aside.
Take the 8 corn taco shells & put into ZIPLOC bag & BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF THEM till they're all crushed into bite size pieces.

In each bowl, add a hand full of corn tortilla pieces, a hand full of cheddar cheese on top & with a large ladle, gently pour piping hot soup OVER tortillas & cheese.
Squeeze a little lime all over top & garnish with a large dollop of sour cream.

SERVE & ENJOY!

Seriously, I am not a very huge Mexican fan but once in a blue moon do I REALLY get a craving for it, tonight... the moon was BLUE!

*grin*

I would've taken pics to show you all but can't find what I did with my digital camera. LOL Trust me, it looked VERY DELICIOUS & tasted EVEN BETTER!

MANGIA TUTTI!

Good LORD...

...CATHERINE, YOU CAN'T JUST SHARE A YUMMY PICTURE LIKE THIS
WITHOUT TELLING US
HOW YOU MADE THESE
DELICIOUSLY EVIL LOOKING
LITTLE DISCS FROM
CHOCOLATE PRETZEL HEAVEN!
OMG!!!
DO SHARE, DO SHARE!
(please?)

-Amy & Ruby Cate
(If I find round pretzels that can be ordered online, I'll SEND YOU THE LINK! So far, all I managed to find were these square pretzels...)

As Ruby Grows...

(Top: Christmas 05') (Bottom: Christmas 06')

...so does the TREE!

Who Needs Mistletoe...

Christmas Bear...

Missing a friend...

Decorate...

Just for shits & giggles...

...check THESE out!
LMFAO

Ruby Cate -- [adjective]: Sexually stunning 'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Nice, my kid's only TWO & already she's sexually stunning?
Good Lord HELP ME COME TEENAGE YEARS!
*sigh*

Amy -- [adjective]: Similar to butter in texture and appearance 'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Sadly, this is probably true. LOL
But hell, who doesn't love BUTTER?
*grin*

Strange...

...8:34pm phone rings

Me: "Hello?"
Matty: "HEY BABY! HOW'YA DOIN' TONIGHT?"
Me: (surprised) "Uh, I'm good Matty, how bout you?"
Matty: "Aw baby I'm good, listen you wanna snuggle up & watch a movie tonight? Cuz uh, I got this movie I haven't watched yet & I think we should watch it, ya know?"
Me: (me thinks he has perhaps had one drink thus far, possibly two) "Uh, sure Matty, you can come over, I'm just reading..."
Matty: (interrupting) "GREAT! So I'll be over in like a few minutes ok? All right Amy, I can't wait, here I come baby!" *click*

Now, I've been friends with Matty long enough to know that this coming over is neither A.) a good thing, nor B.) the smartest thing to do on a work night... but I digress.

So, minutes pass & nothing happens.
I call to make sure he is aware that the walk is slightly icy & to be careful when coming up the front stairs.

*ring,ring*
Matty: "Hello?"
Me: "Hey hon, it's just me, listen I was just calling to tell you..."
Matty: "Awwww c'mon Aim, you know I'm coming over right now, jeesh!"
Me: "Ah, actually Matty, I know that but that's not what I was calling, I was CALLING because I want you to be aware of the icy front walk way so as to avoid slipping & falling..."
Matty: "Aw Aim, you're a doll, do you know that? Aren't you a sweetie!"
Me: "Yes, I know... just be careful."
Matty: "I'm on my way baby!"
*click*

Now, not that I'm counting or anything but that's TWICE now that he's hung up without saying goodbye. Isn't alcohol fun?
*NOT*

I proceed to get back involved in my book I'm reading and literally maybe a minute IF THAT goes by & 'SLAM' the front door shuts, followed by footsteps up my front stairs.
*knock knock*

Me: "Come In..."

*silence*
*rustling noises like he's trying to fumble with his coat or something*

*knock knock*
(rolling eyes)

Me: "Yes Matty, COME IN..."

~Enter Matty~

(he looks incredibly adorable, smells even better than he looks & walks directly over to me (seated on the couch with my book) and reaches down, grabs me in a hug & kisses my cheek & says "Hi Baby! I'm so happy to be here, I'm in such a good mood tonight!"

Me: "Yes, I noticed..."
Matty: "Ok so look I have this movie (pointing to movie) but we don't have to watch it if you don't want to, I really just wanted to hang out with you and it doesn't matter what we do really. Although we probably should watch the damn thing since I've had it for like days & I brought it with me to Jack's house but we never fuckin' watched it either so maybe it's a sign, maybe it's a shit movie & we shouldn't watch it either. Hey do you still have those Dane Cook CD's? Let's go curl up in your room & just shoot the shit while listening to him, he's a funny fucking bastard isn't he Amy? *hugs me again* BABY YOU'RE SO CUTE TONIGHT, I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE! Did I tell you I'm in like the best mood?"

(this run on sentence continues for what was probably the longest ten minutes of my life...)

Me: "Ok, well why don't we go curl up in my room & chat, I'd love to finish listening to Dane Cook, you know I love listening to him with you.
Matty: "Awwwwww, you do honey, really?"
Me: "Yes, you know that. Ok so let's go..."
(grabbing his hand to lead him into my room, he's fairly steady on his feet, perhaps I've misjudged him, perhaps he really is just in a good mood, who knows... )

*enter my bedroom*

Me: "Ok, do you remember where we left off, cuz I don't"
Matty: "Oh I dunno, fuckin just play it from anywhere, it's all good!"
Me: "Ok..."
(playing DC's CD's *grin I love saying that* hehehe and getting comfortable sitting on the bed)

We spend at least an hour or two listening to his comedy but when I say to you that the run on sentence didn't stop for Dane Cook, I'm not kidding.

Matty was REELING on life, not sure why, not sure what caused it, but he was just in a good mood. He was sweet, held my hands almost the whole time, kissed me a few times on the forehead, cheeks & lips but all gentle sweet kisses.
(the kind that girls remember more so than the sloppy 'typical guy' kisses, ya know?)
We get all toasty & he literally talked the entire time, about lots of things (most of which I forget already, thanks MS, always lookin' out for me *grr*)

We lay there just relaxing, he finally slowed his mouth down & then within seconds of stopping talking, he fell asleep.

Nice, so here I am listening to Dane Cook (who, by the way, is the funniest fucking bastard on the face of the planet *next to my JACK BLACK* when you can actually HEAR HIS JOKES because nobody is trying to TALK OVER HIM) and Matty's sound asleep and so I just curl up with him a little & let him zonk out for a few because I have this feeling that he just needs to rest before I send him home. I know he has to work in the morning & I know how early he gets up, but a little cat nap here curled up with me can only help him in the long run.

10:45pm *Matty slowly wakes up*

Me: "Hey, you ok?"
Matty: "What fuckin' time is it?" *groggily searching my bedroom for a clock*
Me: "It's quarter of 11. You ok to drive home?"
Matty: "Yes Amy, I'm fine I just gotta get home & get to bed, I have to work in the fuckin' morning..."
Me: "Ok, c'mon, I'll walk you out..."

*walking to living room*

Matty: *hugging me* "Aim, you're the best you know that? I love you"
Me: "Matty, I love you too... and you're not so shabby yourself. Now drive safe & get to bed."
Matty: "I'll talk to you tomorrow k?"
Me: (knowing that I won't talk to him again till probably next week sometime) "Ok luv, you got it..."
Matty: "G'night Amy, thanks for... uh, thanks."
Me: "You're welcome hon... g'night"

And that was that & here I sit relaying it all to you people...

...just like I said; Strange.

You've got questions...

...I've got answers!

My family & friends have been recently asking me;
"What can we get Ruby for Christmas?"
Honestly, Ruby really does not need clothes at all &
with her Early Intervention coming along SO WELL,
I asked her E.I. worker, Lisa for a few suggestions:


So without further ado,
I give you educational suggestions provided by:
Melissa & Doug


Melissa & Doug Lacing Beads in a Box


Melissa & Doug Primary Lacing Beads



Melissa & Doug Geometric Stacker


Melissa & Doug Pound -A- Peg




Melissa & Doug Pound and Roll



Melissa & Doug Bear Dress Up

Melissa & Doug Vehicles Sound Blocks

Melissa & Doug Stack and Rock Pals

Melissa & Doug Tools Chunky

Melissa & Doug Construction Chunky

Melissa & Doug Color Puzzle Cards

Melissa & Doug Mailbox and Mail Set


Melissa & Doug ABC Chunky


Melissa & Doug Jumbo Numbers Chunky


Melissa & Doug Latches Board

Melissa & Doug Children Around The World Lacing Puppets w/Tin Box

Melissa & Doug Children Around The World Floor Puzzle

Missed connections...

...we all have them, but the problem is, once they're over, you can't go back in time to change whatever it was that you wish you had, or hadn't done.
It's just what it looks like it is, a missed connection.
All we can do is to keep on keeping on & hope for the best.
Hope to make a new connection that this time, doesn't get missed.
Whatever 'that' connection, that moment is for you.

Maybe you wish you could go back in time to tell someone you love them, when you didn't.
Maybe you wish you could say you're sorry to someone whose ears are long overdue to hear those words from your lips...
Maybe you think if only you'd have done 'A' when you actually did 'B', then maybe your life would be different, somehow better... but would it?

We all do things that we regret or wish we'd have done differently, so be it. It's called life.
Every night, as I go through my whole rigmarole of 'locking up' and 'turning out lights' etc, I end up here, in front of my computer, in my bedroom, always alone.

Night after night the people all over the world have their nighttime routines, but the only difference between them & me, is that once their 'lights are turned out' and their' doors are locked', they all crawl into bed next to someone... while I'm here curled up with my ancient teddy bear that sometimes I even question why I still own at age 34, but that's a post for another day.

It used to be that that warm body for me was my beloved Ebenezer.
Now, the only part of me kept warm by him, is my heart
through all the wonderful memories I have of the ten &
a half years I was blessed to be with him.

Some days I think to myself that I can't possibly go on another day being so alone, so lonely.
Why is it that nearly everyone in the world has someone yet here I sit, night after night, going to bed AGAIN, alone?
Sitting in front of this computer as if it cares at all whether I'm here typing like a damn fool, or not.
I hear people all the time complain about the most ridiculous things, people who HAVE someone by their side, have security, have love, have companionship... yet they still haven't a clue what they've got.
They continue to bitch incessantly about the stupid things, the little shit that at the end of the day doesn't mean a fucking thing.
When I hear those people who clearly have no idea what they have, still BITCHING about life's little bumps in the road, I just want to grab them by the neck & shake them while screaming:
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME? YOU'RE SERIOUSLY GOING TO WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING SO TRIVIAL WHEN YOU ARE SO FUCKING BLIND TO WHAT YOU'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH ALREADY? OPEN YOUR EYES, YOU HAVE MORE THAN YOU THINK, THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS & SHUT THE HELL UP ALL READY!" etc...
Now don't get me wrong, I'm never going to actually put my hands like that on another person, but honestly it's how I feel inside when I hear people who are perfectly blessed to walk through life's day to day challenges, be they small or great, with a PARTNER by their side rather than alone, but are so completely wrapped up in THE STUPID SHIT life hands you that they become obscenely oblivious to their fortunate situation, which is painfully obvious to those of us who have yet to find it.

I guess if God had intended me to be a part of a 'couple', he'd have had that happen already, right? I mean, isn't that how it works, if thy will be done, show me & all that bible hoopla.
Problem is, I'm not much of a catholic (more of a recovering roman catholic truth be told...) I'm not really even much for organized religions, they piss me off...
If I'm anything, I'm just spiritual.

I believe that if you're good & kind & decent, then good kind & decent things will come your way.
And after all, haven't I already been blessed to be Mom to the most wonderful Dog on the planet ever? And then even further blessed to be the mother to the most adorable little almond eyed beauty this side of Fenway?

They say that good things happen in 3's...

I wonder where my #3 is & if he's made a wrong turn at Albuquerque... *sigh*

Don't mind me, just having one of those nights... once, just once I'd like to know that my life didn't have to constantly consist of going to bed alone.
Just one time I'd love to crawl in next to a warm body... a warm & caring friend.

Maybe I should start polishing up on my new years wish... I know I won't get that ever elusive kiss at midnight, but there's always hope for next year, right?

Santa Baby...

...please leave THIS VACUUM under my tree, for ME!
I know it's ugly but you'll agree, you'll see...
Please take a chance on this Momma, please oh please.
I'll clean house just in time for Pajama New Year...
THIS SINGLE MOMMA NEEDS IT A.S.A.P.
Please help the dust & TODDLER GOO DISAPPEAR,
My home is quite a MESSY place, I do fear,
If I get this from you, you'll be my FAVORITE DEAR!
So hurry down the chimney REAL SOON!

*sigh*
Why is it that all the really NICE vacuums are TOO EXPENSIVE for us single moms?
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Time to start a 'vacuum' jar.

(Kudos to PERRIN who posted about this beauty &
has me COMPLETELY FIXATED upon getting one!)

Headaches & Toddlers...

...are a regular part of my daily life it seems.
Every morning at 7:15am, twins arrive screaming & raring to go as Ruby & I, still somewhat in comas from the night before, slowly rouse out of bed to hear them in the pack & play in my living room, inevitably fighting over some toy their mother has tossed in there to keep them contented until I go in to start our day.

I don't know if it has much to do with how I gave myself my shot last night or what, but I have THE WORST HEADACHE today that I think only my friend Karen can understand.
As is with her treatment, she gets frequent headaches that are far more severe than mine I'm guessing but if I were a betting woman, I'd bet mine, today, is running a close second.

It's funny, as much as I love my job, I have days when I wonder quietly to myself if anyone would mind if this Nanny HIRED HER OWN NANNY to come in & help with damage control...

...the pay is lousy but I'll feed your ass.

Anyone... anyone... Bueller?
*sigh*

Why Not? LMFAO!

A family of Yankees fans was out shopping in one of the major pro shops for sports gear. It was the son's 10Th birthday and he wanted a pro jersey. Looking around , he noticed a Red Sox jersey and fell in love with it. Taking the jersey to his father, the boy said "Dad, look at this cool jersey...I think I want to be a Red Sox fan". His father, outraged, smacks the little boy up-side his head; "Get rid of that shirt! Go talk to your mother...I don't want to look at you right now". Walking over to his mother, he holds up the shirt and says "Hey Mom, I think I want to be a Red Sox fan". His mother can't believe her ears. She pinches his arm, hard, "Ha! No son of mine is gonna be any Red Sox fan. I can't listen to this...go talk to your sister". Sniffling, the young boy, holding the jersey up and admiring it as he walks towards his sister, walks right by her without realizing it. Seeing what he's holding, she boots him in the ass as he walks by; "Put that thing away...what are you, a loser?!!!" she screeches. Dejectedly, the boy returns the jersey to the place he found it.

A little later, as the family is paying for their items, the father looks down and notices the boy is no longer carrying the shirt. "So...I hope you've learned a lesson with all this Red Sox talk, son" he says. "Yes, Dad, I have" says the boy, "I've only been a Red Sox fan for a half an hour and I already hate you freakin' Yankee bastards!!!"

*big ass grin*
hehehehe

The "C" Word...

...that's right, CONSIDERATION!

Tonight is wed night, typically wed's come & go with no fanfare, however as of late, they've been turning into Matty & Me nights.
Very toasty to say the least, UNTIL of course, that big ugly "C" word comes into play...

When it's 9:42pm & the phone has yet to ring & you just KNOW in your heart that a certain someone whose name ends in 'atty' is most likely sound asleep in his bed by now because he gets up insanely early for work every day... it's just completely & utterly annoying with a capital 'PISS ME OFF' ya know?

Huge use of the "C" word here, or in this case,
LACK
THEREOF!

Sadly, I am about to go curl up in bed with my book
and read until my eyes become too heavy to do so & just drift off into an annoyance induced coma.

Not sure what to think or do at this point, took my frustrations out on, well... myself sadly, since tonight was a 'shot night' I jammed that sucker in so far that it really hurt.

But it took my mind off my other reason for hurting...

g'night.

The Strange Reality of Friendship...

...so, remember Matty?

Well, he's been coming around more often than not & I'm beyond proud to say that he's quit smoking, period.
Done.
Fin'.
Finite.
etc...

I can't even BEGIN to put into words how happy that makes me for him as well as for myself.
You see, one of the biggest reasons Matty & I were "just friends" for so long was because he smoked. I just can't get on board with a smoker, completely & totally disgusting habit.
Plus, it really IS like kissing an ashtray, and forgive me but... ah, NO!

So, smoking is no longer an issue & the boy hasn't drank as much as before either. Why the sudden changes & the spending more time here? Who knows, but I do know one thing... I have a serious 'Matty Size Crush' on the boy that I don't know how to process... we've been friends for so long that it's really 'weird' now to me to be feeling things for him that I've never before felt.
What do I do? It's like, I think about him & the phone rings, and wow, look at that, it's Matty.
Or, I'll pick up the phone to ring him & his brother will answer & say " wow Amy, Matty & I were just talking about you..." etc.
Little things like that, little signs that neither one of us can ignore for much longer...
It's what has become the strange reality of our friendship, things that happen CONSTANTLY that neither one of us can overlook, but neither one can truly explain either...


I dunno, I really really don't know what to do about how I'm feeling about him & considering that we do kind of have somewhat of a past, it's another link in the chain that is Amy & Matty.

I guess I'm going to just take it one day at a time... Wednesday's tend to be 'our day' so who knows, maybe I'll see him again tonight & we can relax, listen to some Dane Cook (HYSTERICAL!) and just enjoy being in each other's company.

It really doesn't help matters that he smells so god damned good every time he comes over here! I mean seriously, after he leaves I end up burying myself face first into my COUCH
for God sakes!
Yes, it's THAT GOOD!

So, we'll see what happens tonight, as I say, normally wed nights are Matty nights but this week, he found his way here on a Monday night & stayed pretty late because honestly, we just have fun together. Sitting next to him on the couch, occasionally holding hands or just chatting (we tend to do allot of that) is just something I don't think I'm ever going to be sick of, because the reality is, I just love Matty & I know he loves me too... but could we possibly fall 'in' love?
Only time will tell...

Dinner & "white trash" Dancing...

...Ruby style!

Tuesdays with Uncle Steve...

...Chicken Tortilla Soup with Chipotle and Fire Roasted Tomato!
(God Bless RACHAEL RAY for the most FANTABULOUS DINNER CREATIONS EVER!)

3 cups chicken stock
1 pound chicken tenders
1 bay leaf, fresh if available
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
4 slices thick, smoky center cut bacon, chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 chipotles in adobo, chopped, plus 2 tablespoons sauce
1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
Salt
4 cups lightly crushed corn tortilla chips
2 cups shredded fresh smoked mozzarella or smoked sharp white Cheddar, 3/4 pound
1 lime, cut into wedges
1/2 red onion, chopped
Freshly chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish Bring broth to a simmer and add chicken tenders, poach 6 to 7 minutes with a bay leaf.

While chicken poaches, heat extra-virgin olive oil in a medium soup pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp then remove with slotted spoon. Drain off excess fat, leaving 2 to 3 tablespoons in the pan. Add onions and garlic to the skillet and cook 5 minutes then stir in chipotles and tomatoes.

Remove chicken from stock, dice and then add to soup. Pass stock through a strainer then add to the soup.

Place a pile of crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of each soup bowl. Cover liberally with smoked cheese then ladle the hot soup down over the top. Serve with lime, raw onions and cilantro at table to finish the soup.

Yummmm!

Blue Eyes...

...Ruby is constantly coming up to me, pointing to my eyes & saying:
"blue eyes Momma..."

To which I reply: "Yes baby, Momma has blue eyes, and what color eyes does Ruby have?"

She's always quick to respond: "Blue eyes Ruby!"

Sadly, this obviously isn't the case & I gently try to explain to her that no, she has brown eyes like her Nonno, not blue eyes like Momma.
And Nanna has green eyes and Uncle Adam has hazel.
And even Bear has black eyes!

I know it's hard for a 2 year old to get it.
That even though we're all part of a family, we can still look a little different from one another.

...man, if she only knew.

Shhh...

...Bear, Maisy & I are takin' a little snoozeroonie, g'night!