Yummy Goodness!

These Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings have become a regular meal in our house.  I recently made them this past weekend, and they were still sooooooo good.  I started making them because I wanted a chicken recipe where I could bake the chicken instead of frying it.  I mean, frying food isn't the healthiest ya know.  The thing I like about them the best is that they taste as if they are fried, but their not.  Any who, I was telling a friend of mine at work about them, and she wanted the recipe.  I thought....mmmmmmm, others may be able to endulge in these yummy wings too if I just post the recipe on my blog.  So, here ya go! 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper ( I use more...ha!)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (I use more of this as well...he he he)
Paprika, black pepper, and onion powder (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
20 chicken wings (I like to use wingettes, but whole wings can be used as well)
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup hot pepper sauce (I use Louisiana Hot Sauce)

Directions

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and lightly grease with cooking spray. Place the flour, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt into a resealable plastic bag, and shake to mix. Add the chicken wings, seal, and toss until well coated with the flour mixture. Place the wings onto the prepared baking sheet, and place into the refrigerator. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. NOTE:  The wings do better if you can refrigerate them longer than an hour.  You can even refrigerate them overnight if you like.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Whisk together the melted butter and hot sauce in a small bowl. Dip the wings into the butter mixture, and place back on the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, and crispy on the outside, about 45 minutes. Turn the wings over halfway during cooking so they cook evenly.

Viola!  Enjoy the Yummy Goodness!

The Help

I recently read this book and loved it.  I don't want to give the story away, but here's a brief synopsis.  The story is set during the 60's in Jackson, MS.  It is customary for white families to have black female maids.  Some families are nice to their maids, and some not so nice.  The maids get an opportunity to write a book telling about their experiences with the families that they work for.  It is quite a shocker to the families what their maid truly thinks of them. 

My heart just went out to some of the characters in this book. I could only imagine how it would feel to be able to raise children, cook, and clean houses for white families but never being looked upon as good enough.  The movie based on this book comes out Wednesday, August 10th.  I definitely plan to go see it.  I just hope the movie doesn't stray too far from the book.

Baby Bump Chronicles 11w

Due Date:    February 16th

Zodiac Sign:  AQUARIUS-which has characteristics of being good communicators, being friendly, intelligent, and strong-willed.

Symptoms:  I'm not as tired as I have been, so that's a plus.  I'm almost out of this first trimester, so I am excited about that.  My boobies are still sore, but I'm dealing with that.  I also have a breakout going on with my face.  I really hope this clears up fast.  I don't get nauseous like I would before, so that's a big plus.  Pretty much, this is a good pregnancy.  Thank God!

How big is the Baby:  The size of a fig and over 1 1/2 inches long.

Any Cravings:  No real cravings.  I do like eating fruit. I've always liked fruit, so I don't know if I can really call that a craving.

What can't you stand to eat?  I still can't stand Mayo or creamy stuff.  It just irks me.

Any Anticipations?  I am ready to officially be in my second trimester, and to hear the heartbeat again at our next appointment.  I plan to make a list of things that I need to start working on for the baby this weekend.  I need to call some daycares, get some maternity clothes, schedule Scott and I for a baby CPR class at the hospital, start designing a nursery so we will know how we are going to decorate it, clean out the baby room, research car seats and other baby stuff, and the list goes on and on.  Now that I'm not as tired, I feel like I can get a lot done.  No time like the present to start on this long and growing list of things to do.

Maternity Clothes:  Still don't have any, but I plan to pick up a few items this weekend.  Some of my clothes are fitting a little snug.

Exercise:  Oh yeah, I do need to start doing something.  I have some exercises in my newest pregnancy book that I plan to do.  I have started stretching daily though.

Diet:  My diet is still pretty much the same.  Just enjoying eating like I always have!

Things I miss:  A good glass of wine, sleeping all the way through the night, and buying clothes from the Limited

Things I'm enjoying:  Scott talking to my belly bump, being in the bed early most nights, and people's reaction when they hear our news

Who all knows:  Pretty Much everyone.  Our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and as of Wednesday, our church members in the youth ministry that we both volunteer in.  Scott made the announcement during our first meeting for the upcoming school year.  Everyone started clapping and congratulating us.  It was a good feeling!

Latest Belly Pic:  See Below

Baby Bump at 11 weeks

Baby Bump Chronicles 10w4d

This is a book that my dr recommended that I read.  I am kind of excited about reading it.  I am usually a recreational fiction book reader, so this will be different for me.  I have some other books to read that my sister-in-law gave me, so I have a lot of reading to do.  I will give my review here soon, so stay tuned.

Baby Bump Chronicles- 10w

Due Date:    February 16th

Symptoms:    I have been sooooooooooo tired.  I don't think I have been this tired in my whole life.  I usually am able to get on up in the mornings, but lately I just lay in the bed until the last possible minute.  And that's not to mention that I get in the bed pretty early now, and I am still tired in the mornings.  I haven't had any morning sickness.  I get a little nauseous sometimes when I haven't eaten in a while.  As long as I keep something on my stomach, I am good though.  One other symptom is my boobies are sore, and I think they may be getting bigger already.  Can we say, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Oh yeah about 3 times out of the week, I have to get up in the middle of the night to pee.  I am usually an all night sleeper, but not any more.

How Big is the Baby?  The size of a Kumquat.  I know you say, what in the world is a kumquat?  It's a fruit similar to an orange, and about the size of an olive.

Any Cravings?  Actually, I don't have any real cravings.  I just have to make sure that I have something on my stomach, or I get a little nauseous.  I did just up and made a pecan pie Tuesday night, and it's gone as of last night.....LOL  I do like having some fruit around.  I recently had some yummy watermelon that I wouldn't mind having some more of.  But for the most part, there isn't just one thing that I just have to have all the time.

What can't you stand to eat?  I can't stand mayo.  I have always loved chicken and tuna salad, but now I can't stand the site of it.  I think it's the white texture that bothers me.  All I can say is when I see it, it's GROSS!!!!

Any Anticipations?  I am looking forward to knowing the sex of the baby.  The Chinese Gender Predictor says that we are having a girl, but we shall see in due time.  I truly go with the old cliche'...It doesn't matter to me as long as he/she is healthy.

Maternity Clothes:  I haven't bought any yet, but I have noticed that some of my work slacks are a little snugger than normal.  I plan to get some cute dresses, maternity slacks and jeans, and flats .  Since I will be my biggest during the colder months, I want to get some outfits that I can wear then.  September through December is my favorite time of the year because of football, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the new season's tv shows.   I am really excited about this fall.

Exercise:  I haven't done a thing.  I do plan to start a little pregnancy workout because it will make the pregnancy better and even delivery easier.  I think I will start a workout plan this week.

Diet:  I have been eating a lot of fruit (pineapples, grapes, peaches, nectarines, watermelon, and strawberries).  I eat lots of yogurt and drink lots of water.   I think I am doing well with eating.  I just wish I had some good home-cooking.

Latest Belly Pic:  See below

Belly Pic at 10 weeks

Breaking News...

It's official, I'm Pregnant, or should I use the new lingo, Preggers or Prego.  I am currently 9w5d (that's 9 weeks and 5 days).  I'm due Feb 16th.  Scott and I are so excited.  Now that I have exciting happenings going on with me now, you will be hearing a lot more from me.  So stay tuned for the Baby Bump Chronicles to come.

Oh yeah, my good friend, Telischa, gave me The Belly Book as a gift today.  She is just the sweetest!  I can take pictures of my baby bump, and put the pictures in this book.  I can also keep a little journal with ultrasound pictures and interesting things that happen along the pregnancy.  I can't wait to enter my first journal posting here in the next few days.

 

Happy Dirty 30 Jermaine!!!!!!!!

Here's some pictures of a birthday dinner for our friend Jermaine at Famous Dave's. He turned the big 30..woo hoo!

 Jermaine

Michelle and Mary

The birthday cake...No, I didn't do it, but I think it did turn out well.

Scott and I

 

Transformers....More Than Meets The Eye

Jayden and Optimus Prime

Scott and Jayden with Optimus Prime

Thursday night, Scott, Jayden, and I went to the movies to see Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon.  We all enjoyed it.  It was very good and entertaining.  The only negative thing was that the movie was soooooo long.  Outside of that, I can say that I liked it better than Transformers 2.  I can also say that I missed Megan Fox as Sam Witwitcky's girlfriend.  I think Megan is a better fit versus this new Victoria Secret's model.  That's just my opinion, but who am I?  Any who,  Scott and I both enjoyed Jayden.  He is so cute!  He kept us both laughing.  We all had a great time and can't wait for Transformers 4 if there is one.

Latest Cake

This is my first attempt at a loop bow.  It turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.  The cake is yellow cake with buttercream icing and fondant accents.  Thanks for looking!!!!!

Happy Birthday Carrigan!!!!!!

Carrigan turned the Big 3, and what better way to celebrate than with Dora and Friends.  Cara had lots of fun swimming with her family and friends and jumping in the little jumping thinga my jig (yall know what I mean...lol)  It's amazing how she has grown and matured.  With each year, I can see her growing up more and more.  She is so smart!  Happy Birthday Cara, and may you have many, many more!

Cara posing

Cara all decked out in the swimsuit and goggles....Hilarious!

Cara pointing at her favorite character right now

The birthday cake and cupcakes I that I did for Cara.

My Flirty 30 Birthday

Here are 2 dozen roses that my wonderful husband had sent to me at work.  He is just the greatest!

This is a cake that my co-workers got for me at work.  They are so sweet and the cake was delish!

I must say that I had the best 30th birthday.  Of course, you know me and the hubby went to Vegas and had a blast.  Then he sent me 2 dozen roses, and he wouldn't let me cook all week long.  Since I didn't cook, Scott grilled out one day, and we ate out the rest of the week.  After work yesterday, we went to Happy Hour at On the Border.  On the Border is turning into one of my favorite restarants.  They have very good drinks and food. 

I want to thank everyone for the wonderful text messages, phone calls, e-mails, birthday cards, gifts, and birthday wishes.  It all meant so much, and made my day oh so special!  Thank you all again!

I kept getting asked the question, "How does it feel to be 30?"  Well, I feel very blessed.  I have a great family, loving husband, great friends, and a growing relationship with God.  I have a list of things that I plan to do in my 30's, so stay tuned because the best is yet to come.

Viva, Las Vegas....

My birthday is June 9th, and I will be turning the Big 30.  In preparation for this splendid milestone in my life, me and the hubby took off to Vegas.  We had an absolute blast!  We learned how to play craps, which is actually a lot of fun. We stayed at the Venetian, which is the Italian themed hotel with the gondolas (the long boats that you see in Italy).  It was a very nice hotel with a casino of course, mall, and restaurants.  It's weird how all the hotels in Vegas basically take you to whole new parts of the world.  You can be in Italy one minute, then walk down the street and be in New York or Paris.  It is very neat.  Well, let me stop babbling and post some pictures already.  Here we go....


THE HOTELS

The Venetian Hotel where we stayed.  It was like we were really in Italy.  Sooooo Beautiful!

Gondola rides inside of our hotel

This is the ceiling of the shops in the Venetian.  Makes it look like you are outside.

The Mirage Hotel

Caesars Palace has to be one of the larger hotels.  It was soooooooo long.  Very beautiful hotel

A nice statute outside of the Caesars Palace hotel

The Bellagio, you know the hotel that you see in all the movies with the water show out front. 

ENTERTAINMENT

A play in the Caesars Palace

It was weird how folks just dress up in different costumes and walk the strip....Hilarious

Scott and I in the helicopter on our way to see the Hoover Dam and the Vegas strip.  We took a limo to the airport to the catch the helicopter.  Very romantic! 

Scott outside of the helicopter

A band at the B.B. King club

We saw this show and absolutely loved it.  The thing we didn't like was that it wasn't long enough.  The tricks and acrobatics that were done were so unreal.  Just awesome!  I highly recommend it.

The following are pictures from the Madame Tussard's Wax Museum

Scott and Michael Jordan

Whoopi Goldberg and I

Jamie Foxx....He looked a little small in frame in my opinion

Eva Longoria and I

Matthew McConaughey

Hugh Hefner

Chr-endell and Brangelina  aka  Christian/Wendell (Scott) and Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt

Halle and Scott

Tiger Woods, Scott, and Jack Nicholson

Scott and Tiger

Babe Ruth and Scott

I had to show Beyonce' some moves

Michael Jackson and me

Scott and Snoop Dogg

Scott, TuPac, and I

Captain Jack Sparrow and the Thirsty Scott

I just love Judy Garland since I am such a Wizard of Oz fan

Marilyn Monroe and me...Happy Birthday Mr. President...lol

JFK, me, and Jackie-O

Me, President Obama, and Scott

Scott on his first interview with Oprah Winfrey

Scott and George W. Bush

Oprah is always begging me to do interviews with her...lol

John Wayne and Scott

FOOD

A yummy salad with balsamic vinegarette from the Cheesecake Factory.  Those are crab wontons in the back that were also yum!

A meatlovers pizza from California Pizza Kitchen.  Scott visited one of these in ATL, and raved about it.  I tried it, and I must say that it is quite delish.

MISCELLANEOUS PICTURES

Scott in front of a pirate ship at the Treasure Island Hotel

This waterfall was so pretty.

Me inside of the shops in the Venetian with a real life Roman statue

Me with a Roman Statue

Scott and I at the Cheesecake Factory