I put the TV in the guest room...

                     

TV in the guest room

Attention Sucker

Yes, you heard me. I put the TV in the guest room. And I about killed myself carrying that 2007 model television up the stairs. You are probably asking yourself, "Why would she do a crazy thing like that?"

 Well, I am tired of that $900 piece of technology getting the most attention in the house.  More attention than the bills, the chores, the dogs, and me!

I am tired of my husband waking up for work tired because he stayed up to late watching TV. I am tired of Monday morning melt downs because we are late and cranky from watching American Idol until 10:15. We get up at 5:15 people, 10:15 is living on the edge!

So I put that heavy black and white piece of plastic in the guest room. I also covered it with a curtain. I am tired of people looking at that thing instead of each other. I am tired the TV getting to be a first priority in this house.

I'm in Trouble

I must warn you. The TV is a loved item in this household. Not by me, or Archie and Waylon (the dogs).  But the other resident has a close relationship with this thing. For that, I am going to be in trouble. I am in trouble because I did not ask to put the TV in the guest room. I also didn't ask if it was a good idea to roll all the cords up neatly and put them in the desk drawer. I also disconnected the cords to the projector upstairs.. That little box gets a lot of attention too. So for this, I am in trouble.

Stay Tuned

Stay tuned, I will let you know how it turns out! Or if I have a place to live today at 5:45, when my husband gets home...

TV stand filled with alternate entertainment

Tales of Ocracoke NC.

A Tale of Ocracoke
Summer 2016

I had this bright idea to take the dogs with us on vacation this year. "Honey the "studio" I rented is pet friendly, lets take the dogs! We'll save a ton of money on boarding!" So we did! And that's all we did this year on vacation was tend to dogs.  We have a lot of dog in our family.  Together Waylon the bigger one, and Archie that smaller (but still not small one) weight about 170 pounds! We technically could have taken another good sized human along on vacation that could gone to the bathroom alone and fed themselves!

So sadly, most of my vacation photos include dogs. Maybe this will be an eye opener for others who also hope that bringing the dogs along will be "nice."

Here we are loaded down in the Prius (seriously) for a week of relaxation (ha!) at the beach. The dogs are squished, but still psyched.

They actually did very well in the car, given the 4 1/2 hour long drive + 1 hour of ferry. We fully expected vomit or a howling fit or something.

Waylon did have some sort of issue occur with his rear region while we were waiting for the ferry. It involved us evacuating the car. We then proceeded to hide while attempting to wipe his hind end with wet wipes without onlookers thinking we had lost our minds. We were successful. Isn't that why you carry wet wipes?

 

"Please tell me we are freaking there already."


We departed our house at 8am in central NC and arrived in Ocracoke at around 4:30 ish. We were all questioning our travel arrangements at this point.

 I will say this about Ocracoke, the beach is great!
It was pristine and secluded. We went to the second beach access from the village. The one without the bathroom and shower (we're tough).

We had a great beach day, it was a little too warm for the pups. We had a shade contraption (that was actually a bug tent, oops).

Archie learned that digging in sand is awesome! Waylon remembered that being coated in sand is icky (so did Jason!).

Ocracoke Coffee Company. Isn't it cute!

We did manage some dog free lounging at Ocracoke Coffee Company. I must say all the coffee we had on the island was legit. There are alot of artists living on the island and they don't mess around with their coffee. Ocracoke Coffee Company makes Starbucks look silly.

The boys managed some lounging too. Archie is taking advantage of Waylon's sleep deprivation by cuddling. Something Waylon does not usually allow. 

Archie takes lounging to a whole new level. He is borderline inappropriate. 

What we loved the most about Ocracoke is the ability to bike everywhere (oh, we squeezed bikes on the back of the Prius, too. Impressive, I know.) Our first whole day there we hopped on our biked and explored the whole island (doesn't take long!). There are many local places to eat out or grab an ice cream cone. 

Waterfront at Smacnally's 

Waterfront at Silver Lake

The Ocracoke Lighthouse

 If you like secluded, quaint places with lots of bike accessibly and a very laid back environment then Ocracoke may be somewhere you'd enjoy visiting. Here are some of my favorites from our trip:

• Springer's Point Nature Preserve: it is a little nature trail that leads to a small, clean sound front beach. You can swim in the cool, shallow water and hunt for shells and crabs. 
• Smacnally's Waterfront Restaurant: I'll admit, the food was not that great. But the atmosphere is really cool. If you go around 4pm you can watch the fisherman come in and weigh/clean their catch. We preferred to sit here and have drinks.
• Exploring the island on bikes
•  Ocracoke Coffee Company: we had iced coffee and smoothies, which were both great. 
• Books to Be Red: Nice bookstore and owner. Their selection and prices were good. Plus they had a lot of local books about Ocracoke and the Outer Banks to choose from. 
• The beach access by the campground. It was so nice, don't forget to bring some sort of shade. And be friendly to the locals, a lady was quite angry with me when she thought I did not say hello to her. 
• Kayak tour with Ride the Wind: we paddled through the sound into some marsh. We used small little nets to gentle catch small creatures in a estuary. Jason saw a clam the size of his head!

Places I will visit next time: 

• Dajio: nice resturaunt with seafood fare and a patio or brick fired pizza
• The Flying Melon: a Cajun inspired restaurant
• Sail boat ride: it's expensive though $40 dollars each
• Ghost Walk Historic Tour
• More beach time!
• Off shore fishing, also expensive! But you'll definitely catch something!

We ended up cutting our trip a little short, we were all getting a little restless. It was terribly hot (end of June/ 1st of July) and the bugs in Ocracoke are terrible! I read reviews before we went and I thought, "I grew up on the Gulf Coast how bad can they be?" Bad, Deep Woods Off sort of bad. Don't mess around with that Skintastic stuff, opt for the big green can.

Loving the ferry ride!

"Are we home yet ... How about now?"

Archie thought Waylon would make for a comfy seat.

2014 in Review

                            

                

In January we decided in would be  fun to stay at an old farm house for  New Year's Eve. It ended up being really creepy, in a horror movie sort of way. Like waiting for "ghost" granny to be sitting in her rocker in the living room. Well, it was definitely unforgettable!  We got to experience what it feels like to be 80, prematurely.

 

Our county actually achieved having more snow/ "ice" days than actual school days during winter 2014... The first 5 days were fun, the next 10 were just annoying. We did have one really fun day of sledding, while others where trapped on major interstates (the news warned ya!)... Although, losing power in the "Polar Vortex" was not fun though. Good thing we have Jason, "Super Fire Builder" to the rescue!

In March, Jason made me buy a car. Seriously. I am so glad he did because I love my car! It fits my "cheapskatedness" very well- 55 miles per gallon.

                        

For Spring Break, we went down to Wilmington for the weekend. We LOVE Wilmington - minus the traffic. We love the town, definitely the people, and HATE the traffic. Anyway, we had a margarita or two... At Tower 7.  Visited a few of our favorite places and people, and  had some much needed beach walks. Just the refreshing break we needed!

In May, we went down to our favorite spot in the North Carolina mountains and camped for the weekend near the Nantahala river. We did some flat water kayaking and we zipped lined! Usually we white water raft, but last summer I almost flipped my kayak over a in a rapid. Now I have PTSD of sorts, so flat water kayaking it is, at least until I get over myself. 

Sorry no photo :(

In June, after surviving an incredible exhausting school year, although each year is uniquely exhausting in it's own way.... I went to Texas for some much needed R&R. I sat by the pool, had fancy drinks with my aunt. Saw lots of family and played with my adorable nephews. It's always nice to go home and have a break from being a responsible wife, teacher, daughter, adult....Sigh.

This was actually July 4th, not at the beach. I wanted to get Jason in here. :)

In July, we traveled back to our old stomping grounds on the Crystal Coast of NC. We lived in the Jacksonville area for around 5 years, so we always feel at home when we get a chance to go back and visit! The Kindles from Ohio came down for a beach vacation at Pine Knoll Shores. We soaked up the sun, had a shrimp and fish fry, swam in the ocean and the pool! We kayaked in a rain/wind storm (sorry Luke!) and I had a famous shrimp burger, yum!
 It is always nice when we get a chance to spend some time with everyone. We hope they come back soon!

July was also time for some quality Waylon time! Waylon loves when I am home from school! We go on walks, take naps, and play in the park. He is a very happy boy when mom is home! I envy his lifestyle....

In August I turned 27... Oh my gosh how time flies, I still feel 17...except with better decision making skills...We went to a Science Museum in Durham which was pretty cool----if we had children. It was actually a Science- Kid museum... We were those creepy people for a day, but we had a good time. We followed up with a nice picnic and a natural walk with mom at Eno River State park. Such an Amber day, love it!

August means back to school, which carries such bittersweet feelings. Goodbye naps, staying in pajama until noon, and basically any freedom to do anything from the hours of 7:00-5:00. Hello 50+ work week, and lots of noisy children.... It also means new school supplies and new room decorations, and meeting new students and families. It's an exciting, exhausting, and sad time all wrapped into one package.

In September, We saw Jason Aldean. He put on a really good show! The most memorable part of the night was when Jason outsmarted the thousands of people trying to leave and we got out of the parking lot in 5 minutes flat, it was so funny! We love defying crowds.

Spending time with little people, making circuits!

In October, we saw Luke Bryan (again..... :D) in Columbia, SC. We did the same thing last year, but there were WAY more people this year. It was insane! And it was super dusty, we had to leave early because we could not breathe!  Luke Bryan "Woodstock" style is not my thing...

This kids at school made this really cute spiders for "Harvest" can't say Halloween.

Dressed up as Johnny and June Carter Cash. Jason looked great I could not find a wig so I did not really fit the part, but it was fun. Did I mention that it was 50 degrees and our outing was outdoors!? I froze. Johnny was jacketless for the evening.

We went to Ohio for Thanksgiving in November. Every year I have to drag mom and Jason, kicking and screaming to take our Christmas card photo. We tried to be "unique" this year. We're keeping it "cool" this holiday season. Such nerds...

Made some gingerbread houses with the kiddos before heading to Texas

We ended our year in Texas, well almost. We're home now, still recovering from the Texas trip. Thanks for the respiratory-whatever, everyone was passing around by the way... :) We got everyone together for Christmas and made an untraditional- gasp! Lasagna dinner that we prepped the day before. All day no one was cooking, everyone could just visit! I got to finally use my birthday camera to take some family photos and actually got about 20 minutes of good shots before everyone started to shut down on us.

It is so nice to feel so loved and to have so many people to love. Now everyone is patiently waiting for Jason and I to add a bundle of love to the family---- Sorry to say not in 2015 everyone! Maybe, 2017, 18.... Can't go much further than that. Pardon my slang,  "I ain't no Spring chicken anymore!"

I hope everyone's 2015 is better than 2014. I hope you meet your goals, travel, love more, laugh often, and take the chance to savor every single minute.

Happy New Year everyone!

We Have a Name!

Welcome!

  I have had the intention to blog all summer but it did not feel right without a really good name! Well here it is: Eat Read Teach. It defines my life and this blog perfectly. First of all I am a wife and I love to cook for my family.  I am a cook not a baker but have managed to learn basic baking such as cookies, cakes, and muffins. I am not a recipe follower (except when I bake). Sometimes it gets me in trouble, more so in my earlier cooking days. I intent to post easy to follow recipes and basic cooking tips that I use at home. I am a "real" food junky which has eased up a little since I started teaching. Let's be honest, sometimes we just have to eat even if it is frozen pizza. But a majority of the time we cook all homemade over here and I look forward to sharing that with you.

  I am also an avid reader. I prefer a good book over TV any day (no advertisements!).  Reading books can take you anywhere you want to go, help you know anything you want to know, and my favorite, cook anything you want to cook! I will be sharing books and cook books I have encountered that I find noteworthy.

  Finally, teach. I am a fifth grade teacher going into my second year of teaching. Teaching is where most of my time and thought currently goes. Especially this early in my career. I will be sharing some tips for 1st year teachers, things I wish someone would have told me. Also, some funny stories from my classroom, and any teaching methods that work (or didn't work).

  I think I have given you a good summary of what this blog will contain. It should be interesting. If you are one of those people who like to read blogs and analyze my grammar and punctuation, my word choice....etc.  Please find another blog to critique. Most posts here will be written at rapid speed.  I do not have a lot of time, and I am human.  I can guarantee I will spell something wrong, use a wrong punctuation mark, definitely say something you don't agree with. That is the beauty of having my own blog, I get to make my mistakes :). It you want a super tidy, error free, perfectly worded blog, please keep searching. For everyone else, stay tuned!

Oven Fajitas

I made these yesterday and they turned out great! I marinated the chicken and had planned to grill the meat. I was feeling lazy, and did not want to battle the grill so I stuck the casserole dish I marinated the meat in sauce and all, under the broiler. I was a little worried, but they turned out fantastic! I will definitely make these again, and again.

Oven Fajitas

Marinade:

3/4 cup olive oil
3 TBS Red wine vinegar
1 lemon juiced
2 cloves of garlic sliced
1 TBS chili pwd
1 tsp of cumin
Dash of salt and pepper "eye ball" it
1/2 onion sliced
1/2 bell pepper sliced

1 pack of boneless chicken tenderloins (cooks faster)
* if using chicken breasts cut into strips

Side Dish/ Topping:

1/2 head cut up broccoli (bite size)
1/2 sliced onion
1/2 sliced bell pepper
3 lg carrots cut up (bite size)

1 pack of fajita size tortillas

This is a recipe where it is best to marinade the chicken the night before or the morning you are going to cook.

Step 1-

• Gather all the ingredients for the marinade, chop marinade veg
• Mix up all the marinade ingredients and whisk together (leave out pepper and onion)
• Arrange chicken, pepper, and onion in a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish
• Cover chicken with the marinade
• Cover with plastic wrap and leave in the fridge until ready to cook
• Chop broccoli, carrot, onion, and pepper and store in the fridge for later (big time saver)
  

Step 2- Dinner Time

• Turn on the broiler
  
• Uncover chicken and broil (in the same dish with the marinade) for 20 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through (watch out the broiler can be crazy, I would check it every few minutes)
• Grab veggie mix you chopped earlier and arrange on a cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper
• Once chicken is done cover with foil and set aside
• Heat oven to 450 degrees and put in the veggies (should take about 10 minutes), they should be tender but crisp and green
• Heat tortillas in the microwave or in the oven wrapped in foil while the veggies cook
• Once veggies are done slice up the chicken and serve in warm tortillas with the roasted veggies!
  

I serve these with cheese, salsa, sour cream, and refried beans on the side.

Enjoy!

Enchilada Casserole

This is another one of my husband's favorites, and it is way easier than making a regular pan of enchiladas. If you like meat, cheese, and beans then this is for you. I will also attach a homemade enchilada sauce recipe in case your are feeling really ambitious!

Enchilada Casserole

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup of onion diced
1/2 cup of bell pepper diced
1 jalapeno diced (optional)
1 lg can red enchilada sauce
1 can pinto beans rinsed and drained
10 corn tortillas cut into strips
2 cups shredded cheddar

• Gather all ingredients, open cans, dice veggies
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Brown the ground meat with the peppers and onion, drain
• Spray a 9x13 inch casserole dish
• Layer the sauce, meat, beans, and cheese in the casserole dish (like lasagna)
• I do sauce, then tortilla, meat and beans, cheese, then repeat
• Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncover, and bake for 10-15 more minutes
• Should be golden on top

- I serve this with chopped lettuce, tomato, and sour cream

Enjoy!


Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 tablespoons self-rising flour ( I use regular) 1/4 cup chili powder 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 1/2 cups water 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon onion salt salt to taste

Directions:

1.	Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in flour and chili powder, reduce heat to medium, and cook until lightly brown, stirring constantly to prevent burning flour.
2.	Gradually stir in tomato sauce, water, cumin, garlic powder, and onion salt into the flour and chili powder until smooth, and continue cooking over medium heat approximately 10 minutes, or until thickened slightly. Season to taste with salt.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/ten-minute-enchilada-sauce/

Meatballs (to go with your sauce!)

These meatballs go great in a pot of spaghetti or with sauce and mashed potatoes. These also work well with a sweet and savory sauce (can of cranberry sauce and a bottle of chili sauce).
This is also my recipe, so no siting necessary.

Meatballs

1lbs of ground round beef ( you could use ground chicken, turkey, or pork)
1/2 panko (can use more to stretch your meat)
1 egg
1/2 shredded Parmesan
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (can use TBS dry, but fresh parsley really makes these pop)
salt and pepper to taste (probably 1tsp salt, 1/4 of pepper, I don't really measure)

Gather all your ingredients, chop your parsley

Preheat over to 400

Add everything in a large mixing bowl and mix together (I use my hands)

Using your TBS form uniform sized balls

Arrange on a sprayed cookie sheet, (I use a broiler pan that drains) if you use a fatty meat don't use a sheet pan or you will have a greasy mess!

Cook for about 20 minutes, more for larger meat balls

Keep an eye on them they don't take long to cook. Slice one in half to check them if the juices run clear they are done.

Now they are ready to add to your tomato sauce, or any sauce. They are also pretty tasted dipped in ketchup.

Enjoy! Happy cooking!