smith slimdown

One of our 2nd grade teachers started an unofficial Weight Watchers group called "Smith Slimdown".

We are basically following the Weights Watchers program to slim down.  We are doing the program for 12 weeks, which takes to the week before we get out of school for Christmas Break.  We all paid $12 to join and all the money goes into a pot.  The person that has the highest percentage of weight loss will get the entire pot of money.  So far 32 people have joined, so the pot of money is at $384.  I highly doubt I will win, because I really don't have that much weight to lose, but I am super motivated to slim down a little, firm up and get fit!!  

I'm taking the day off today, but I went to the school to weight in this morning and I lost 5.4 pounds!!

happy birthday honey!!

Happy Birthday Honey!! I'm so glad that you were born 28 years ago!!

I hope you enjoyed your homemade pumpkin bread for breakfast, your lunch packed with love, your special birthday dinner of Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, and Rolls, and Banana Pudding.  

Can you tell that the way to my husband's heart is through his tummy??

I gave Matt the new "antler/claw" Rangers shirt......

.....and some new kicks for his birthday!!

After dinner we watched a little 24 and now we are off to Wednesday night guys basketball and ladies bible study!!

hawaiian chicken salad

Back in the day, my Mom and I used to go to Applebee's when we were out shopping and split the Oriental Chicken Salad.  I haven't been to Applebee's in years, but the taste of this salad is still fresh in my mouth because it was just so good.  Chili's & Cheddar's both have a good Hawaiian Chicken Salad, but the Applebee's Salad was always my favorite.  

A few weeks ago, my Mom googled the Applebee's dressing and we re-created the salad.

One word.  

DELICIOUS.  

Here's what you'll need for the salad.... 

Grilled Chicken

(I grilled mine with a Lawry's Madarin Ginger Maranade)

Lettuce

Julienned Carrots

Cabbage

Slivered Almonds

Chow Mein Noodles

Pineapple Pieces 

Add as much or as little of these ingredients as you want!!

For the dressing you will need......

3 Tablespoons of Honey

1 1/2 Tablespoons of Rice Wine Vinegar

1/4 cup of Mayonaise

1 teaspoon of Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard

1/8 teaspoon of Sesame Oil

Mix the above ingredients.  Chill and serve over salad.  

Enjoy!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Hawaiin Chicken Salad with Oriental Salad Dressing 

** I promise that I am actyally going to make this recipe this week!! I've said I was going to make it for 3 weeks now.

Tuesday: Grilled Shrimp Kebobs, Couscous, & Asparagus

Wednesday: Matt's Birthday Dinner: Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Salad, & Rolls

Thursday: Talapia with Shrimp Bayou Sauce & Asparagus

Friday: Cookout @ The Robertson's

Saturday Breakfast: Matt: Bible Study Me: On my own

Saturday Lunch: Pizza

Saturday Dinner: Me: Wedding Matt: Pork Roast Sandwiches with Au Ju Sauce & Mashed Potatoes

Sunday Lunch: Lunch w/ our ABF

Sunday Dinner: PF Chang Frozen Meal, Egg Roll & Edamame

26th birthday

On my birthday, September 20th, Matt came home from work a little bit early!! I seriously have the best husband ever!!  After we got all ready to go, we stopped by my parents house to visit for a little while.

My parents gave me the cutest camera bag.  I'm kind of obsessed with it.  I'm so excited that I can carry it as a purse but safely carry my camera in it too!!

After hanging out with my parents for a little while, Matt and I headed Benihana's for dinner. 

I got a free meal by joining Benihana's Chef Table here.

After stuffing ourselves silly, I came home to a creatively wrapped present from my husband.

It's okay though, he was sweet enough to wrap a present that I picked out!!  We went shopping last weekend to pick out my Citizen of Humanity jeans!!   

I'm so excited to get them hemmed, so I can wear them.  I've never had a nice pair of jeans, and I hear they change your life forever!! Ha!!  So come on fall......I'm ready to wear my new jeans!!

it's that time of year again

Hi, my name is Katy, and I'm an apple snob.

When I went grocery shopping today at Kroger, I was super excited to see these shiny, huge, Honeycrips Apples!! I wasn't excited though, to see the price. It kills me to pay that much for produce, but it is so worth it!!

I guess it's time to take out a small loan to afford my apple addiction this fall.  

my dvr is a little full

Fall TV starts this week!! I'm so excited!!

**I promise I don't watch TV every night.  I usually end up watching a ton these shows while Matt watches college football on Saturday and NFL football on Sunday.

Here's what's on my DVR....

(This is a new show that Matt and I are trying out this year.)

What is on your DVR??

birthday girl

And since I share my birthday with my little brother, Happy Birthday to the Birthday Boy too!!

meal planning monday

Wow, I haven't blogged in an entire week.  And I've actually only blogged 5 times this month.  That is SO not like me.  I promise I'm still here.  I've just been super busy and super exhausted since school started.  Hopefully there will be a little bit more blogging this week at The Link Home!!

Monday: Birthday Dinner @ Benihana's

Tuesday: Rotini Pasta & Meat Sauce, French Bread & Salad

Wednesday: Beef Fajitas

Thursday: Gloria's with my K-team; Matt- Chicken Pot Pie

Friday: Grimaldi's Pizza

Saturday Breakfast: Oatmeal

Saturday Lunch: Corn Dogs 

Saturday Dinner:Bacon Wrapped Chicken Shish Ka Bobs

Sunday Lunch: Baked Chicken Nuggets 

Sunday Dinner: Talapia with Shrimp Bayou Sauce & Rice

birthday trio

Tonight we headed over to Matt's sister and brother-in-law's house to celebrate the September birthdays of the family.  

My birthday is on the 20th, Matt's is on the 29th, and Stan, Matt's Dad, is on the 16th.

We had a delicious BBQ meal made by Bryan and some yummy birthday cake!!

We even got to blow out the candles and make a wish!!

Grandaddy with all of his grandkids!!  

I think there needs to be a few more in this picture! ;) Don't you??

I swear my "baby fever" keeps getting stronger every time I hang around this little guy.  Ethan is just the most precious baby ever!! Just look at him.

I was totally spoiled by my family!!

I got a cute picnic basket, a new camera strap, and some fall yard flags!!

The other birthday boy didn't really cooperate for any other pictures. I'll be sure to get some pictures of him on his real birthday though!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Veggie Quesadillas & Homemade Hot Sauce

Tuesday: Sicliano's Taste of Italty with my family for Ryan's Birthday

Wednesday: Chicken Spaghetti, Rolls & Salad

Thursday: Celebrate Home Party (Matt-on his own)

Friday:  Chicken Poppyseed Casserole, Rolls, & Veggies

Saturday Dinner: Shrimp Pasta in a Foil Package

Sunday Lunch: Taco Bueno

Sunday Dinner: September Birthday Celebration w/ The Link Family

chicken fried rice

Last night I knew I was going to be working a little later than normal, so I planned an easy meal.  We eat "frozen bag" type meals every now and then to give me a break from cooking especially when I have to work late.  I threw this Contessa Chicken Fried Rice on the stove and baked some egg rolls for dinner.

As we were eating, I said "This sure is good for a frozen bag meal."

Matt's response....

"This is a frozen bag meal?"

Darn.  I shouldn't have said anything.  I threw away the bag, and he never saw it.  He would have never known the difference between my homemade fried rice and the frozen bag if I hadn't said anything!!

Oh well.  At least I know he likes it, because it will probably be my new recipe for chicken fried rice.  I'll definitely be trying some more of these Contessa Frozen Meals.  This one was really good and actually lower in calories than most frozen meals.  

september desktop

Somehow September 1st managed to slip right by me.  

Better later than never.  

Here's my September Desktop!!

my excuses for not blogging

My last real blog post was a week ago.  

(I don't count Meal Planning Monday as a real blog post.)

I have lots of excuses as to 
why I haven't been blogging though.

Seven days ago

my excuse would have been

I had to work late.

Six days ago

my excuse would have been

I had Bible Study.

Five days ago

my excuse would have been

I don't feel good.

Four days ago 

my excuse would have been

I had a bad day.

Three days ago

my excuse would have been

I spent time with family all day.

Two days ago

my excuse would have been

I was too busy cleaning & couponing.

One day ago

my excuse would have been

It's Labor Day and I'm not doing a dang thing.

But today

my excuse is

I'm addicted to

And if I'm real honest.  I've been watching 24 on Netflix Instant Streaming for the last 4 days with my husband a little too much.  

It all started when Matt would watch 24 while I was on my computer or doing coupon stuff.  Somehow I got really interested in Season 2.  It drove him crazy when I would ask him questions or try to watch it when I was really watching it.  I don't normally like shows or movies like 24, so I'm surprised I got so interested.  When Matt started Season 3, I decided to sit down and follow the show.  

Oh my word....Most. Addicting. Show. Ever.  

Tomorrow though, I will blog.  

labor day

I have a love/hate relationship with Labor Day.  

I love it because it comes just at the perfect time.  I've only been in school for 2 weeks, but I desperately need the day off!!

I hate it, because it means summer is really over.  

meal planning monday

Monday Lunch: Leftovers

Monday Dinner: Lemon Pepper Chicken, Zucchini, Mashed Potatoes, & Garlic Toast

Tuesday: Fried Rice & Egg Rolls

Wednesday: Taco Cornbread Casserole

Thursday: Dinner @ The Havards (I'm bringing Banana Pudding)

Friday: Tin Star Tacos & Homemade Salsa

Saturday Breakfast: Matt- Bible Study Katy- Coupon Class

Saturday Lunch: Chili Cheese Wraps

Saturday Dinner: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Salad

Sunday Lunch: Lunch w/ our ABF

Sunday Dinner: $1 Pizza at Papa Murphy's