Life in a Jar...

Tomorrow is Mothers Day... The kids and my husband have been wondering where I want to go or what I want to do or what I want. And really, this year I couldn't think of anything that I really needed or wanted. (Shocking for me... I know!) I came up with something they can give me now that I will enjoy later in the future that I will cherish more than any one thing they can buy me or a meal at my favorite restaurant. A Family Time Capsule. 
I took a pickle jar we had in the fridge I was getting tired of looking at and I put the pickles in a tupperware container and washed out the jar. I then spray painted the top and got crafty with the jar and my scrapbook supplies. I asked everyone to bring me a few small things we could put in it. We then filled out some memory cards, wrote letters to each other (about a favorite memory, something we want to do with that person in the future, our favorite thing about that person right now, and what we think their life will be like in the future), made a list of three things we hope to do in the future, a list of the Stuart family favorites, and a list of national news and prices for today. I even uploaded all of our favorites songs to sing in the car on an old Ipod shuffle to put in the jar with the charger and headphones ;) Tomorrow we will take a family photo and send it to one hour developing, place it in the jar, seal the jar and hide it. 

I don't have a set amount of time for when it will be opened or "Open On" Date. All I know is it will be sometime between 10-25 years before I plan on it. I am thinking maybe one night after Christmas dinner. Assuming I can get all my children together at one time ;)  I think it will bring a lot of laughter at some of the things we said and wrote down. I envision my grandchildren being there and laughing at their parents and being in awe of how young their grandparents are. I am looking forward to that day. 
But then again, who doesn't need a little something to look forward to every now and then? 
So this year, I would like to give thanks to my amazing family for the gift of time, love, and family <3 I am one lucky Momma and Wifey <3

Stuffed BBQ Burgers

I Love this time of year! I love the nights we use the grill... I only wish I was as good of a grill master as my husband! But I can't complain too much because I do most the cooking so it is more of treat for me when he grills. Not to mention when he is grilling that means dinner is a combined effort and we work together to get the family fed happily :) 
Tonight instead of the usual traditional grilled burgers I have decided to prepare something new for the hubby to throw on the grill. BBQ Stuffed Burgers. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water! And I am excited to share my new find with all my friends <3 
What you will need:
Ground beef 
1/2 a green pepper
1/2 of an onion
diced up tomato 
shredded cheese (your choice on the kind of cheese) 
2 Table spoons of BBQ sauce

***The exact amounts vary on how many burgers you are making... this measurement will make four*** 

Mix Cheese, tomato, peppers, onions, and BBQ sauce in a bowl

Spread mixture on the bottom beef patty

Place the second beef patty on top of the mixture and press the sides together and try to seal them the best you can.

For an extra kick I added some PC Smoky BBQ Rub sprinkled on the top. 

Grill for three minutes on each side. Brush with BBQ sauce and grill for another 4-5 minutes on each side.

And Enjoy!

I would imagine that you can add anything in the middle. I think this will be a summer favorite for Tad and I. Next time I think we will try swiss, mushroom, and tomato... stay tuned for that review! 

Happy Grilling Season,  my friends! 

Quick and Easy...

Good Afternoon, my friends! Today I want to share with you a quick and easy snack that my kids love! But then again who doesn't love cheese sticks! They are simple to make! All you need is oil, mozzarella cheese sticks, and egg roll wrappers.  

Place a cheese stick on the egg roll wrapper diagonal, And roll up.

I suggest folding in the corners first and using a few drops of water to seal the end.

Fry on all sides till golden brown in a pan with the oil.

Heat up a little marinara sauce if you want and enjoy! 

 Enjoy!

Weekend Living

It's been a little bit since I have blogged. To be honest, I have been feeling somewhat anti-social and just plain uncreative. So with the start of a new week and a new semester of school, I figured I had better snap out of it and get back to the basics. I suppose that is one thing I do find comfort in within my crazy chaotic life... the everyday normal basic living. This weekend was a perfect example of that. Nothing adventurous, crazy, busy, or even expensive. I have to say that some times the days of nothing are the best. This weekend went a little something like this ;) 

Relaxing by doing a little bird watching with Kaiah

A short 4 wheeler trip around the yard to "Work Smarter Not Harder"

Karley loved the 4 Wheeler and wanted to chase Tad and Peyton all around.

Kibby begging to come outside with the rest of us.....

Building the trampoline

What I wouldn't give to be young, carefree, and flexible like that!

Tater even got daddy to jump on the tramp... for about 30 seconds!

Planted the 2nd Lilac bush in the front yard

Checked on some of my other flowers (we have Sun Flowers coming!)

Planted My Lilac tree in the back yard...

Had time to nap...

Caught up on some Storage Wars while Karley begged to get in my lap

Sunday Morning throw yourself together to get to the first movie of the day....

Watched the Avengers....  LOVED this movie! It will probably go on my list of all time favorites with Transformers and Fast and Furious ;) 

 

And That is how a perfect weekend is spent at Casa de Stuart... And now it is a Monday and that means it's back to cooking, cleaning, work and school. Be sure to check out the blog later this week. I am going to be grilling something super yummy I know you will just have to try yourself! Have a great week my friends <3