Love Notes

The Signs

So, maybe they've always been there but the signs pointing me towards the small wins are really big.

This was the fortune from the last fortune cookie at lunch today:


Okay, so maybe you think I've lost it....{a fortune cookie, really?!?}

I do believe everyone has a destiny and its up to us to make it happen.

Marinated Cheese

We had  crawfish boil this weekend, and I had the hardest time trying to think of appetizer ideas.  I wanted something that 'went' with crawfish but something that wouldn't be too filling before everyone chowed down on the mudbugs.  {After all we had 65, yes, 65 pounds of crawfish to eat!}

 

After a good hour of browsing Pinterest for ideas {and getting sidetracked with crawfish décor}, I went back to an oldie but goodie after reading something about a smoked cheeseball during my search. 

 

A friend of mine makes some amazing marinated cheese, and it's super easy.  The cool thing is you could really mix it up with your favorite cheeses.  For our party, I bought pre-chopped cheddar cubes and cream cheese.  If you use cream cheese, you'll have to cut it into cubes and it's a whole heck of a lot easier if it's cold.  Cutting room temperature cream cheese is a goopy mess.

 

It was definitely a hit with our friends and family!

 

{Marinated Cheese}

 

1/2 c. Olive oil

1/2 c. Balsamic vinegar

1/4 c. Roasted red bell peppers, chopped (I buy mine in the jar and chop 'em up)

2 tbsp. Fresh flat leaf parsley (you could probably use dried and adjust the measurement)

3 tbsp. Chopped green onions

5 Cloves of minced garlic (I use the stuff in the jar, but fresh would be delish)

1 tsp. Sugar

1/2 tsp. salt and pepper (or to taste)

3/4 tsp. Dried basil

 

Cut cheese (if necessary) into bite size cubes and stack in a  separate dish or even a freezer bag if you're using harder cheeses (i.e. cheddar or feta). Mix all other ingredients in a separate bowl.  Pour over the top of your cheese stacks.  Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.  Prepare and serve with crackers. 

 

 

 

 

ENJOY!!

 

The Origins of the Small Wins

I was asked today how I came up with the name "The Small Wins."  The story goes a little something like this:

"In west Philadelphia born and raised
On the playground was where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool
And all shootin some b-ball outside of the school..."

{I Digress}

It was one of those mornings.  You know, the kind that you should have probably just rolled over and gone back to sleep?  Well, I didn't do that, but I'm sure everything that could have gone wrong that morning did.  On top of it all, it was raining.  So, I took a deep breath, pulled on my big girl panties and got the two little monsters into the car. 

At the time, they attended separate schools, so my morning drop-off routine took me about 30 extra minutes. 

{That's a story for another day}. 

After I dropped of Ms. Sunshine, it was #2's turn.  By the time I got to his school, it was pouring.  I finally just said, "it's go time," unstrapped him and pulled him into the front seat, put his bag over my shoulder, prepped my umbrella and counted myself down.  Hop out, umbrella up, kid delivered....success.  On the way back out, I pulled off some kind of amazingness that I'll probably never ever pull off again.  I opened the door while managing to close the wet umbrella and then shut the door without getting myself or the inside of the car soaked.  And...as an added bonus...my hair looked amazing.  I was pretty damn proud of myself that morning.

Round 1 - check. 

Round 2 - get to work. 

I thought to myself, "Man, sometimes it's the small wins that can really make you feel good."  I posted that very thought on Facebook that morning:

Mommy win of the day: getting two kids into daycare in the pouring rain without getting drenched! An added bonus? My hair still looks cute! Lol! #smallwins

I bought the domain when I got to the office.  



               

Welcome to The Small Wins