6 things you didn't know...

Okay, this post isn't for the weak stomach readers. However, I feel the need to post it because it is just too funny. Here's the story...

My friend, Megan has a "Friday Favorite" series on her blog. Every Friday she post something interesting or fun that she has found on-line that week. Since she just moved and started a new job her time for blogging has been limited. Last Friday, she asked her readers to post their Friday Favorites for her. My sister was a little late in posting, but she did find something that is really good! However, when she went to post the comment she forgot to add the link...when she went back to try and post it, it wouldn't work. I tried to post it and it wouldn't work, so here I am writing a blog about it. Are you ready?!?!?

6 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With Your Placenta

Happy reading :)

Blackberries, Quinoa and more blackberries

Okay, another cooking post... This time, it's stuff we totally made up. We are headed out tomorrow for vacation, so we were trying to eat up all our fresh fruits and veggies because Melissa (our friend who is house-sitting for us) doesn't like anything...really, nothing. She says, "I like bread, sugar and dairy." Ha. If we left her stuff, she wouldn't eat it.
We had 2 eggplants, zucchini, onions, tomatoes and a bunch of blackberries. I had bought some quinoa at Momma Jeans because I wanted to taste and see what all the hype is about. I cooked the quinoa and threw it in with my veggies. Jarrod and I were in love, therefore, quinoa will defiantly be in more of my dishes.
Our blackberry bush is thriving this year...we've had many handfuls hit our kitchen. I made some lemon/blueberry/blackberry muffins for the trip tomorrow and while I was baking, Jarrod decided to use the rest of my lemon concentrate to make us some blackberry drinks. He used, lemons, sugar, blackberries, ice and wine. It was yummy...almost too yummy. Well, I'm off to continue to clean the house. Sorry, Melissa...don't look too close.

The Splashing Contest!

Zeda and her daddy...

Zac and Kristin's shower was last night and we had a BLAST! It's always fun in Joplin but this trip was extra fun for some reason. After the games I had planned (more on that in another post) were over the guys decided to have a splashing contest. Zeda was one of the judges and this is what she looked like when it was done. Needless to say...we went and put her swimsuit back on.

It's what I do...

I thought things would slow down after I had Zeda's party over and done with...but it hasn't. I'm not complaining, I've had a fantastic summer with friends, family and my Zeda girl but it's going too fast. I got to see my wonderful friend Meg tonight because she now LIVES in Springtown. We had Yogurt...my most favorite thing on the planet. I met up with her and Lyndz. We had the babies with us so we had to cut it short when it became obvious that bedtime was fast approaching.
Tonight, Jarrod is out of town and will get back at 2 or 3 am. I like to wait up for him plus it gives me an opportunity to get lots done while the Z baby is sleeping. Tonight...well all week, I've been working on a shower I'm doing this Saturday. It's for Jarrod's cousin/bf Zac and his soon-to-be wife Kristin. They are getting married in October and Zac's mom Sheila wanted me to do a summer/out by the pool themed shower. It's been so fun shopping and planning this little event. Here is a sneak peak at some of the decor...I don't want to show too much in case the bride looks at my post. I will share more later. Now, I must get back to cutting, wrapping, and pouring.

Cooking cooking cooking

I've been cooking up a storm lately...okay maybe just the last couple of weeks. It's actually been quite fun. I told myself I was going to eat better and be more aware of what goes in my mouth. I will say I've cooked foods that might not be lower in fat and calories but they are better for me than what we've been eating. At least I'm getting in my food groups, having colorful meals and eating real foods instead of frozen or boxed meals. I'm not going to claim that I haven't been eating the dreaded "processed" foods because that's a stupid term everyone has been all hipped up about. Come on...everything goes through a "process." Milk goes through a "process" and I'm glad it does...drinking straight from a cow doesn't sound appealing to me. Anyways, check out what the Murdaughs have been eating...

I made the most amazing Curried Egg Salad from 101 Cookbooks (however, I can't find the picture I took so here is a picture of a previous egg salad I made).

This has to be one of my favorites. Blue Cheese and Red Potato Tart from Smitten Kitchen. It might not sound amazing but it is...you should try it.

You will also see in just about every pictures berries with this cream like sauce on top. MY MOST FAVORITE THING TO EAT. However, I'm so glad we finished it off last night. Eating it everyday is not a good thing for me. I'm getting fresh berries and other fruits daily but check out what's in this recipe from The Pioneer Woman. It's so good but I think I will go back to my regular yogurt for awhile.

Above, you will find The Pioneer Woman's enchiladas. I've had a few friends make this recipe so I thought I'd try it for myself. Yep, it's good. A little time consuming to make, but worth it. I invited Sarah and Matt over for dinner because while I was making it, I thought, "This is making a LOT of food." I called sister up and they were over in a jiffy.

Next is another great recipe from The Pioneer Woman. Carrot, Squash and Curry Soup I have a bit of an obsession with curry lately. I can't get enough. I love it, and I use to hate it. Who knows, just a change in my taste buds. I think it's a sign that I'm getting older. Boo. This meal was perfect. A glass of wine, a slice of toast and brie cheese with a nice big bowl of soup. A great summer meal. Oh, don't forget the berries and cream for dessert.

The night of the enchiladas I also made this little cake from Smitten Kitchen. Grapefruit Yogurt Cake. Oh my, is it good. You have to like grapefruit to like this cake. It's not a sweet cake and I left out the glaze to save a few calories. :) I didn't follow the instructions completely, it tells you to sift your flour and I didn't so it's a bit more dense then it should be but still tastes great. We ate it with berries and cream and a glass of wine. A great way to end the night.

Last, is my lemon ice. I got this recipe from my friend Brooke, which she totally made up one day when she was hot. Check out her post here. Anyways, I made some and it was STRONG with lemon flavor so I used that as my concentrate and froze it. Now, when we want something cold, I thaw a little bit of the concentrate and throw it in the blender with ice and sometimes berries and there you go! It's better than SDC's lemon ice! Thanks Brooke!

4 years baby!

Reasons why I love the man I married 4 years ago today...
He challenges me, changed me into a better woman, the way he looks at me, cooks for me, touches me, his drive, his ambitions, his passions, for making me more compassionate, the way he laughs, his kisses, his wit, the way he smells after drinking a beer, for eating anything I make, being adventurous with foods and travel, never telling me no, always being clam, his surprises, his charm, the way his lip quivers when he's nervous, helping bring my beautiful girl into the world, the way he reads to Zeda, looks at Zeda, plays with Zeda, gets sad when she is sad, his parents, his whole family, his helpfulness, his stories, his support, his inability to handle change, his desire to always want to fix it, for loving Jesus, wanting to raise a christian family, his expectations, his brain, for making me smarter, his useless knowledge, his friends, his happy nature, his confidence, his smile, his teeth...haha I could go on forever. I just love that man. But really Jarrod, thanks for making my life so easy...it's easy to love you. I couldn't ask for a better life or a better man to enjoy it with. I can't wait to see us in 50 years!

Zeda and Her Lion

We got Zeda a lion for christmas this past year. It might not look like much but it can hold 140 pounds. It's a beast. Here is Z being cute with her lion tonight.

Resting on her lion

Petting her lion

Lovin' on her lion

Playing with her lion's tail

Hiding behind her lion

Finally, riding her lion

Alec Vanderboom

I went to College with Alec and worked with him at a local photography studio for a short period of time. He is an amazing photographer and his work just keeps on impressing me over and over again. He has a very cool style and an eye for a good photo. I would love to have him take pictures of Zeda some day. Anyways, the point of the blog is that he was featured July 4th on my most favorite wedding blog ever. Green Wedding Shoes is a blog I look at daily. I'm totally excited for him. To see his feature go here. To see his blog and all his cool photos go here. Good job Alec!

Say HELLO!

I have a huge announcement! My Megan is moving back home to Springfield! How exciting is that? She will roll into town next Monday and start her new job at Dury University on Tuesday. Nik will also start his new job sometime this month. I am so happy for their new adventure.

However, they are leaving their life they started in Bama; Nik's family and some good friends. They bought their first home there (which needs to sell by the way) and planned to grow their family there. However, plans have changed and they're going with it. Just keep them in your thoughts and prayers because this is a difficult time...even thought they are super excited to move, saying goodbyes are never fun.
Love you Meg, can't wait for you to get here!

Happy 4th!

This year fireworks were fun! Zeda got to do "some" fireworks...like snakes and smoke bombs. We spent the whole weekend with family. Friday night in Branson with my family and Sunday night in Joplin with his. We had a blast. Jarrod's uncle did the website for a firework store which resulted in some killer fireworks. Sadly, Z just couldn't stay up for those and went to bed before the show started. That's ok; I was able to sit back and watch the show with my glass of wine and Jarrod was able the help the other boys blow stuff up. It was a fun weekend. Hope yours was too!

D-R-O-I-D

Let me start by saying I absolutely LOVE my droid phone. It has changed my life...ha. I'm really not sure what I did without it. My husband also loves his droid even though he wasn't sure about getting us smart-phones in the first place. He's hooked. So here's the point to my blog...When I get a notification for a message, text, facebook, anything my phone says D-R-O-I-D in a very loud, deep, drawn out manly voice. It's became quite the entertainment around my house and when we're with Sarah and Matt. Jeremiah started to say it randomly and it's hilarious to watch him because he totally gets into it and moves his lips in some crazy ways. Well, the other day my phone said, D-R-O-I-D like it does about 50 times a day and Zeda looked a me and said, B-O-I-D in the same deep drawn out way. It was FREAKING HYSTERICAL. I started laughing so she laughed and then started saying it again and again. She's only one, but she's quite the talker. It blows my mind the things she picked up from just watching. For example, I have a big bottle of lotion with a pump spout on her changing table. The other day, she put her hand under the spout and then proceeded to rub her belly. So cute. So, next time you see my Zeda girl ask her to say D-R-O-I-D.