Guilty Pleasure

Okay, this post was originally titled something generic like "Fall TV Round-Up" but I'm changing it to "Guilty Pleasure" because after listing these shows, I realize I'm not watching the most educational of shows.  I am shamelessly telling y'all right now that Mr. Smith and I love to zone out in front of the TV.  And as mentioned before, we were MUCHO excited about the new Fall TV line-up. 

Here's what we're watching:

Monday

I used to be a big fan of Dancing with the Stars, but I just can't get into this season.  I think maybe it's because I feel like they're more concerned with the "most controversial season ever" than just some good ole fashion dancing.  We are watching Two & a Half Men, 2 Broke Girls, and How I Met Your Mother (we were late getting on the How I Met Your Mother train, but we're here and we're sticking with it).

I watched "Hart of Dixie" because I feel obligated to watch southern shows to verify their accurate portrayal of the South... and this show was right. on. the. money.  And it's cute.  I'll stick with it. 

Mr. Smith watches football sometimes, but then we join up for Castle. 

Tuesday

Okay, most of these shows are all mine, not Mr. Smith's.  He's usually still on the computer working or some manly show on like the NGC channel, while I'm vegging out to Glee (almost gave up on it last season), Ringer (new show), and The Rachel Zoe Project.  If you watch The Rachel Zoe Project, here are some pointers that I think you need to survive: 
1.  You must love fashion above anything else
2.  In this love of fashion, you must use jargon such as "I die."  "This is bananas."  "This is major."  "This dress is sick."  You know - putting the full emphasis on how much fashion is the most critical thing EVER.  Not that the 2 Americans were released from Iran.  Not the economy.  Not the starving children worldwide. 
3.  This fashion means anything black, fur, multi-colored fur, animal print, sequins, or anything vintage. 
4.  You have to agree with Rachel on everything.  Notice how all those assitants wait until she voices her opinion, and then they chime in saying the same phrase just as emphastically.
5.  To work for her, you either have to be a fabulous gay man or depressed woman who wears way too much smokey eye make-up.  I like a smokey eye as much as the next person, but not at 10 a.m. 
5.  Don't eat.  Anything.  At all.  Ever again. 
6.  You have to complain about how busy you are.  Especially as you sit there complaining about how busy you are.  Note:  If you have the time to sit there and complain about how busy you are, you're not that busy.
7.  Toss all that aside and roll around in the ridiculousness of it.

Wednesday
Highlight of my week. 
Up All Night.
Modern Family.
Happy Endings.
Revenge. - Yes we jumped on the Revenge train last week.  Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you maybe didn't notice the 9,358 commercials that abc plugged ALL SUMMER LONG.  Yes, Mr. Smith and I made fun of them.  Yes, we're now aboard the Revenge train.

Thursday
My guilty pleasure night.
The Vampire Diaries
The Secret Circle
Whitney
Yes, they are teeny bopper shows, but I can't stop watching them. 
And I just can't do Grey's Anatomy anymore.  I've officially given up on it as of last season. 
Good bye Grey's.  Catch you on the flip side with the re-runs on Lifetime. 

Friday
Movie Night!
Or, we're probably in Tuscaloosa for Game Weekend.

Misc
Pan Am
30 Rock (late comer to this show, and I have no idea why, given my LOVE of Tina Fey)
Big Bang Theory (I love some nerdy guys!)
Wheel of Fortune (Mr. Smith and I play while eating dinner.)

P.S.
We're geriatric. 
I'm aware.
And don't think I don't have to DVR the shows and they rewind them when H starts crying. 
I'm dedicated.

P.P.S.
H rolled over today.  Back to stomach and then from his stomach to back.
I tried to videotape it, but I sound like such a redneck on it that I will not be showing it on here anytime soon.
Maybe.

5 Months!

Dear Harrison,

You are now five months old!  I cannot believe what a difference a month can make. 

You are such a little man now, and we can see the wheels turning in that precious little head of yours.  When you watch your cartoons, you actually laugh at some of their funny moments (child genius maybe?). 

I'm estimating you weigh at least 45 pounds.  At least.  No... maybe 15 - 15 1/2 pounds?  You're in Size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothing. 

You are still exclusively on a Mommy Milk diet - no formula or rice cereal.  We are going to try the "baby-led weaning" approach, which is suppose to start around six months.  More updates on that later.

Your favorite activities include turning over on your side, playing on your playmat, sucking your thumb, snuggling with your favorite Ella the Elephant lovie, and you've discovered your feet. 

You also LOVE to laugh at Mommy and Daddy, and sound like a little penguin or seal when you giggle.  You love to be tickled, fly in air like Superman, and stand up with our assistance. 

We love you!

Sitting up like a big boy in your bumpo seat!

You can actually grasp the toys now and shake them on your own. 

And you love cheering on the Tide! 

Emmy Night Dijon Mustard Chicken

I'm a sucker for an Awards Show, so last night's Emmy Awards was the perfect opportunity to try out a new recipe.

That... and there was a coupon and cream cheese involved.

And you know this girl's mantra of "If there's cream cheese in it, it must be good."

Dijon Mustard Chicken

You'll Need:

Chicken Tenderloins or Chicken Breast (I used tenderloins - faster to cook)

Dijon Mustard (coupon!)

Cream Cheese

Chicken Broth

Parsley

Oil (to cook chicken in)

Mix together:

Cream Cheese (about 1/3 or 1/2 cup)

6-7 tbsp. Dijon Mustard

1/2 cup to 3/4 cup chicken broth

1 tbsp Parsley

You can add more or less of the ingredients according to how much sauce you want.  We like a lot, so I used the greater amounts.

Set that bad boy aside.

Cook chicken in oil, until brown on both sides.  This took about 10 minutes with the tenderloins, but I'm sure chicken breasts would take longer.

Pour mixture over chicken and simmer on Low heat for 3-5 minutes, until sauce thickens. 

Serve over white rice and sprinkle some parsley over it if yo' feelin' fancy.

It's a big week, folks.  Fall TV is here, and we Smith's are mucho excited.  MUCHO.

Allison's Baby Shower!

Last weekend, I helped host a baby shower for one of my nearest and dearest, Mrs. Bates.

We've been pals 4-eva, and I'm so excited for her and Mr. Bates on the upcoming arrival of Kate Preston!

Harrison's Baptism

Forgive me.  I know these are so late, but here are some pictures from Harrison's Baptism...

Aunt MK.  BFF since kindergarten!

H was tuckered out. 

Lunch fit for a Little Prince...

Nanny Suz!

Aunt Cameron's got the magic touch...

Carden side

Aunt Anna knows how to make me laugh!

Smith side

Where were you?

I'm sure many of you will be remembering where exactly you were 10 years ago tomorrow.  It's one of those moments that everyone remembers what they were doing at the time they found out about the terrorist attacks on our country.

Where was I?  I can remember it like it was yesterday. 

I was 18 and a college freshman.  It was the day after Bid Day, and I was lying in my oh-so-cool twin bed in my dorm room in Tutwiler, contemplating just how much trouble I would get in by wearing my new Phi Mu Bid Day t-shirt without washing it first (major no-no).  I had just turned on the television and was sleepily taking in the morning news programs when the "Breaking News" came on - that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Towers. Jeez, I remember thinking, I hope the pilot is okay.  There must have been some strong winds to do that... before realizing the magnitude of what had happened.

As I laid there watching it and trying to wrap my head around what the heck really happened - I saw the second plane hit in real time - with people there in NYC yelling and running shakily down the sidewalks.  I can remember sitting straight up in the bed, with a dishelved head of hair and bleary eyes and yelping an "OH MY GOD!"  as I surely was not seeing what I thought I was witnessing.  Not ten seconds later I could hear yelling in the hallways of the 8th floor of Tutwiler as more people were finding out what was going on. 

I immediately picked up my cell phone and called my mom, who was teaching in her second grade classroom.  "Mom - turn on your TV.  We're under attack."

I didn't go to class that day.  I sat - held hostage, really - in front of the TV as more and more "Oh My God" moments kept tumbling in.  The second World Trade Center Tower, their collaspe,s that smoke cloud right out of a horror movie filling the streets, President Bush's address, the Pentagon, then finding out about Flight United 93. 

What those terrorists didn't know is that yeah - it was scary to be an American that day.  Who knew what was coming around the bend?  But I had never been prouder to be an American.  The spirit of resolve and the solidity of unity had never been stronger.  Watching the specials on television over the past few days has only strengthened that feeling with the Smith's... how about y'all?  Aren't you proud to be an American?

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

Baby's First Beach Trip...

... may be a bust.  On paper, at least.

We headed to Sandestin Friday morning and stayed until Monday morning.  Whilst there, H got to experience the following instead of leisurely soaking up the rays beachside:

1.  Tropical Storm

2.  Two nights in a row of fire alarms at the resort at approximately 3:45 am and 4:45 am, respectively

3.  Our own personal form of torture as our smoke alarm in our room beeped for the following 14 HOURS afterwards. 

4.  The air conditioner going out mid-weekend.

5.  Stopping at the McDonald's in Andalusia on the way home Monday, only to have their Power completely out.  Had to use the restroom with my cell phone's light. 

But, you make do with what ya got, so H got to experience these highlights:

Falling asleep at Acme Oyster House in Daddy's lap Friday night. 

I had the Gumbo Poopa.  Yep, that's its real name.

One guess what H did after having that via Mommy later on.  Guess we know where it gets its name now.

Laughing and relaxing ALL DAY as we were completely lazy.

Playing dress up with Mommy in beachwear.

Look at those rolls!  I could eat him alive.

If we can't go to the beach, we'll bring the beach to us.

H and I dressed in our bathing suits and played in the bath tub. 

He's the next Michael Phelps, I swear it.

Nice break from the rain - we strolled through Baytown Wharf. 

Notice it's completely dead - no one was there. 

Kinda nice, though.

H's first Alabama game!

Cheering on the Tide to victory on the way to a 14th National Championship!

Taking in the sights with Daddy on the Pier. 

I love this pic.