Quiet day

Hi all. Just a quiet day here at the house of Basham. We are sitting just listening to a Mac & Beth Lynch CD while waiting for dinner to cook (Cheesy Shell Lasagna... DELICIOUS). Karyss and I played some games today and mostly just hung out together for her last day of Spring break. I took on the horrible task of cleaning out the computer hutch and right now I must say it looks wonderful. The worst part about our computer is that it is in the living room so anyone coming in to our house can see the clutter... Not now.. It is DE-Cluttered. What a nice feeling. I can sit down and pay bills ( with all the stress that goes with that) and not be stressed by the clutter. Does anyone out there watch "Clean House" on the Style network??? I don't know how some of those people live.. I think there might be a slight exaggeration before the designers get there.
Anyway, just wanted to check in with everyone about our quiet day.
Have a great weekend everyone!

A cute thing

Hi everyone. My daughter did the cutest thing this morning and I just had to share . I was back folding laundry in the bedroom and Karyss was in the kitchen eating her cereal. I heard her coming down the hall and much to my surprise she arrived at my door with a bowl of cereal. She wanted to give me breakfast. Isn't that sweet?? I must have looked hungry this morning or something :-D It was very sweet and I just had to share it. Here is a picture of her and Riley .

Happy birthday!

My baby boy is 3 months old today... I cannot believe it. Seems like we were just counting down to his birth and now he is here and 1/4 of a year old! Here's a cute picture taken today .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY !!! We love you

A thankful family

Hi everyone. Sorry I have been MIA the last week or so. I don't know where the time has gone. Anyway, I am posting today because something something interesting happened.... I cooked a meal and my husband and my daughter both loved it at the same time and both thanked me. Now, to be fair, my husband almost always thanks me for dinner but sometimes I know he is just being polite.... Tonight I was thanked and appreciated.. And it was a trial run of something new! Can you believe it?? Okay, maybe I am getting a little too excited but my world is very small these days so I take joy in little things. Are ya'all dying to know what I cooked?? Probably not but I will share it anyway. I found the recipe in Light and Tasty magazine. It was Pita Pizzas which I thought would be more pizza like but it is actually a mexican flair. Here is the recipe in case anyone is interested:


Pita Pizzas

1/2 pound lean ground beef
5 whole pita breads
1 16 ounce can fat free refried beans
1 c chunky salsa
1/2 c shredded Mexican cheese
5 T fat free sour cream
2 green onions, sliced
IN a nonstick skillet cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain. Place pitas on a baking sheet. Spread with refried beans. Top with beef, salsa and cheese. Broil 4 inches from the heat for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions.
379 calories, 8 g fat, 26 mg cholesterol, 52 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber

Also, on the cooking front, we had an activity with the young couples on Saturday evening and our wonderful friends' Chris and Joy's house. I wanted to bring a dessert and so Karyss and I set off in search of something scrumptious... We came upon another recipe in Light and Tasty. It was for Caramel Brownie Pizza..... This also met with several compliments. We have just finished it at our house and several ladies took some home with them. It was VERY easy to make and fun for Karyss to help with. here is the recipe for that:


Caramel Brownie Pizza

1 package reduced fat brownie mix (13 inch x 9 inch pan size)
1/2 c fat free caramel apple dip
1/2 c miniature chocolate chips
1/4 c chopped pecans
Prepare brownie batter according to package directions. Coat a 12 inch pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread batter over pan to within 1 inch of the edge. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted 2 inches from edge comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. Spread caramel apple dip over the top; sprinkle with chocolate chips and pecans.
330 calories, 8 g fat, 2 mg cholesterol, 63 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber

Let me know if any of you make these and what your families think. Enjoy :0D

Proud Wife and anxious mother

Hello everyone out there! I must say that this weekend I played VERY proud wife! My husband's sister came to visit us on Friday. We were all set for a weekend of doing things with her but it didn't exactly work out that way. We knew there was a memorial service/funeral on Saturday. Pastor asked me to play for it but told Dan he didn't necessarily need to be there since neither of us actually knew the person that died. Saturday at around 11 o'clock Pastor called Dan to say "Guess what?? You are doing a funeral today!" Dan was shocked speechless ( those of you who know Dan know this is a rare thing!). Anyway, he spent the next few hours trying to prepare for the unknown. The funeral was at 2 O'clock. He had never done anything like that before. Luckily, another church member was asked to sing at the funeral and she is one of those people who know how to take charge and she helped us figure out how the service should be planned and how it should take place. That was a huge blessing. We survived that together and I was so proud of how he boldly proclaimed salvation at this funeral in a room full of people that were mostly unsaved.

Sunday morning, we were woken up by the phone ringing.. Guess who?? Pastor.. still sick.. Guess who is preaching today?? Again Dan had to pull it together to preach the Sunday service. Again, I was so proud of him.. leading singing, the choir and preaching without much notice. I just had to share how incredibly proud I have been of him this weekend.

Riley got a new outfit this weekend. I saw it at Walmart and just couldn't leave it in the store. I think it is adorable. Don't you ???

By the way, is it possible that my baby, not yet 3 months old is teething already?? He is drooling and chewing and crying for no reason! Anyone have any good comfort tips for teething babies???? HELP!

Riley

Oh my!! Riley is growing so much! I am so amazed every day at how much he has changed and grown!!! Here is a picture of him today all dressed up and ready to go.. (not that we are going much of anywhere today but still...)







The shoes on his feet are really cute. They have Maple leafs on them. They are special shoes almost like mocassins that children can't kick off. Here is a shot of them

Karyss

Hi Everyone.
Karyss got her hair cut the other day and I was struck by how much of a young lady she has become. She just marched herself back to the chair and chatted away to the stylist. It was adorable to watch.
Here is a picture:

Wednesday updates

Hi Everyone.
Karyss has half days at school this week. I have been enjoying that because we finish up with homework and all so much sooner that we can spend time together. I am going to take her to get haircuts probably tomorrow but may even do it this afternoon. Riley is finally sleeping 6 hours most nights and that is making everyone feel better. Poor Dan has been fighting the flu this week but seems better today and GUESS WHAT?? He joined the gym!! I am so proud of him for taking this step to better himself and his health. Please pray with me that I can get healthy and fit as well. Anyone have any good links for healthy recipes?? Or healthy recipes to share?? I feel like I am stuck in a rut with cooking . Anyone else out there feel that way?? I could use any suggestions you have .

Well, need to go get Riley up so we can go get Karyss from school. Thanks for reading!!

Riley

My baby smiles now. It is soooo cute!!! I just love it! He is growing up so fast!!! STOP!! I'm not ready :-D

Riley has found his thumb!!! I know I shouldn't encourage it but it looks soooo cute!!!

Vacation Photos Finally

Karyss & Nanny had a good time searching out shells on the beach.. It was sooo beautiful!!!

Lori , Nanny and Riley

This is at Auntie Shelley's birthday party. He LOVED all the love he got on this trip :-D

Karyss loved reading with Nanny & Riley!!!!

Isn't my dad so cute holding him????

Auntie Lori loved him too :-D

Sorry everyone, I tried to post these last week and I finally had them downloaded and my computer "hiccupped" and they were lost. Needless to say I was too frustrated to try again. Dial up takes FOREVER.

Thank you so much to those who have commented. It is so great to get back in touch with people!