Tilapia Fish Tacos

I don't know how we've gotten to Wednesday already.   I had intended on putting up this post last week, but obviously that didn't happen.  I'm not blogging as much as I'd like because I'm still going through sleep issues with my oldest son. We do know about melatonin and we are working with our pediatrician on the sleep issue.  Just thought I'd throw that out there because every time I've spoken to folks, they mention melatonin.  LOL  It is very slow going and needless to say I'm exhausted a lot because this has been going on for a long time.

But back to the fish tacos.  Last week I decided to try this recipe because my husband had been to a local Mexican restaurant and ordered fish tacos. He hasdecided he loves fish tacos and I need to learn how to make them.  Funny how I'm the one that is supposed to learn this dish. LOL

I found this recipes on All Recipes for Tilapia Fish Tacos.  I was a little hesitant with the recipe because the sauce for it calls for using chipotle chilis and I know they have a kick. But I forged on and made it.  I had to laugh because last week my husband started with a sinus infection and was all stopped up.  Well, when he took a tiny dip of this sauce his sinus cleared for a few minutes. LOL Yeah, this sauce has a kick. 

I have to admit we are both wimps and eat very mild food.  We were both saying how we loved the smoky flavor the chipotle chilies had, but the extra kick was a bit much for us.

The ingredients used to season the tilapia were fabulous.  They are ingredients that I have in my pantry and the cinnamon is a surprise ingredient that gives it a warm taste.  I didn't know how I was going to like having it in the recipe, but it was great.

One other thing I'll mention, I made this recipe a bit too early before my husband got home. It doesn't take long to pull together at all, so I'd recommend waiting until you are close to serving dinner to make it. My fish sat in the oil (which I think I used a tad too much because I eyeballed) and that took away from the meal. But not horribly.  We both liked it and I'll make it again. And that is saying a lot from me because I'm not a big fish person.  This recipe is a great one for going into the warm weather months where you want something kind of hearty, but not heavy.  It has a real fresh, crisp taste with the cilantro and other ingredients. 

Click here if you want to see this recipe.  Since AllRecipes has their stuff copyrighted, I wanted to be respectful and shoot you over to their blog to see the recipe.

This is my last post for this week.  I'll be back next week sharing some great details on a recent trip we took the kids on to visit Thomas the Tank Engine. 

Hope you are having a great day in your neck of the woods!

The Clorox Lounge and the Last Comic Sitting

I have to admit that things have been a little tough around here lately.  I am in the midst of the terrible three's with my youngest.  Many days it is a battle of wills.  One minute I look down at that sweet cherubic face and the next minute something has set him off and he looks like Lou Ferrigno turning into the Incredible Hulk.

Like many moms, I sometimes need a time out from the craziness of the day and the only room in the house where I can get some peace is to duck into the bathroom.  So when I was approached by SocialMoms to blog about Clorox's new Clorox Lounge and their Last Comic Sitting contest, I knew this was right up my alley.

I first went and checked out this website a few weeks ago, and I've already participated in their contest to pick the Last Comic Sitting.  I've really enjoyed their website, so here is the scoop so you can check it out too.  The Clorox Family of Toilet products on-going Ode to the Commode campaign is a community hub designed to be a mom's gotta go place for comedy.  Hosted by comedian Sherri Shepherd, the site found at The Clorox Lounge features hilarious anecdotes, fun contests, exciting give aways, coupons, and just the right amount of comic relief.  And who doesn't need some comic relief during the day?

Over the course of the last few weeks, some of the funniest mom and dad comics have been going head to head in a stand up throw down for the chance to sit on the throne and be crowned the Last Comic Sitting.  Each week they face a new challenge and based on consumer voting one will be eliminated.  The grand prize winner will receive $10,000. 

You have the opportunity to win $10,000 in the last Comic Standing sweepstakes.  Simply visit The Clorox Lounge to sign up and be automatically entered for a chance to win the top prize.  You can generate up to two additional entries each day, per day, by logging in and commenting until April 22, 2012.  Fans can also enter for a chance to win cool prize packs. Ten will be given each week until April 22, 2012.  I don't know about you, but I sure could use an extra $10,000.

To keep in touch with all the happenings be sure to "Like" the Ode to the Commode on Facebook. I love getting reminders in my NewsFeed.  And you can follow @Clorox on Twitter. 

Hearing some of the funny anecdotes from The Clorox Lounge website reminds me of a time when my youngest son was about nine months old and I decided to save a few bucks and buy a cheaper brand of diapers than I had normally been buying.  I was shopping at Stein Mart with my mom when all of a sudden, I knew my little guy had taken care of his business and it wasn't going to be pretty.  I pushed the stroller as fast as I could to the back of the store to the bathroom.  I got in there and it was awful. Not only had the cheapo diapers failed me, but they failed me in a big way so it was all over his outfit and the stroller.  My mom came in and I had to strip him down and try to get him cleaned up.  I was making wash clothes out of  paper towels.  And of course there was only a t-shirt in the diaper bag and not a whole outfit.  It was such a mess.  I had a Scarlett O'Hara moment and said, "As God as my witness, we will always have portable soap wipes, a clean outfit and at least 5 clean diapers at one time in the diaper bag." And needless to say I went back to using the diapers I had been using.  I plan on bringing this story up when he becomes a sassy teenager and starts dating. LOL

So have you checked out The Clorox Lounge?  How do you escape the craziness of your day?

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox® blogging program, to earn My SocialMoms Rewards Points. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic click here.

I hope you are having a great day in your neck of the woods!  Later this week I'll be sharing a fish taco recipe I just tried. So swim on back to check it out.

Ann's Coconut Pie

We've had some great weather here and it is almost as though we've skipped spring and jumped right into summer. The boys aren't complaining since I've been able to get out the water table and they get to have ice cream sandwiches outside as an occasional treat.

And speaking of treats, today I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes that is near and dear to my heart.  This recipe is from a wonderful lady who was like a grandmother to me.  Her name was Ann and she was the neighbor who lived behind us when I was growing up.

I had the unusual and wonderful experience of living in the same house my whole life until I grew up and moved out on my own.  And up until about five years ago, my parents were still in the same house.  And up until that time, Ann lived in the house behind until she had some health issues and had to move in with a lady who cared for her.

Ann was a gem and there will never be another person like her.  She was married and her husband passed away when I was about five.  I vaguely remember him.  I loved them both and they were good people.  They never had any children, but Ann was close to us and she had nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews she was close to as well. 

Ann was a wonderful cook and I was so blessed to be in her kitchen and watch her cook.  She loved trying out recipes and was kind and would share her creations with us a lot.  It always smelled good in her kitchen.

Yesterday I made Ann's coconut pie recipe.  My in laws like when I make it, so I shared one of the pies with them.  And we kept one which you see pictured below.  I got a little teary in the car on the way to my in laws thinking about Ann and how much I miss her.  Through her kind actions she touched a lot of people in such a positive way and she was always well thought of in the community.  So I hope you'll give Ann's coconut pie recipe a try.  And if you are like Ann, you'll share one of your pies with someone else. 

Ann's Coconut Pie

1 1/2 cups sugar
2 unbaked pie shells (I find deep dish to work the best)
1/4 cup margarine
2 tablespoons flour
4 eggs slightly beaten
1 cup of milk
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla
1 small can or bag (7 oz.) coconut (I usually use a whole bag of coconut, sometimes a big bag)  You will need more than 3 1/2 oz to make it thick.

Mix flour and sugar. Stir in margarine. Add eggs, milk, vanilla, and coconut.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until brown.  The center should be set and not jiggle.  (I find I have to bake mine a little longer to get it to set).

Enjoy!

Hope you are having a great day in your neck of the woods!

Tropicana Pure Premium Sweepstakes

Happy Thursday everyone!  The weekend is almost finally here. I have to admit that Sunday mornings are one of my favorites because our family gets a chance to all sit down together to eat breakfast.  I usually cook up a big breakfast.  I wanted to blog about how my family brings the farm to the table because I was approached by SocialMoms and Tropicana Pure Premium 100% Florida Orange Juice to participate in their program to tell folks about Tropicana’s fabulous orange juice and their current sweepstakes.   Our family loves and drinks Tropicana orange juice.   I was excited to blog about this and to learn even more about a product we use here in our home.

First, let me share the exciting details about Tropicana Pure Premium’s sweepstakes.  You can enter the sweepstakes via the Tropicana Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Tropicana  for a chance to win 100 Florida prizes, including one-year-supplies of Tropicana (in the form of twelve 59 oz Tropicana Pure Premium containers) and a trip to Florida to visit an orange grove.  Ninety-nine winners will get a one-year supply of orange juice in the form of twelve coupons for (12) 59 oz Tropicana Pure Premium® containers. One winner will get a trip to a Florida orange grove and invite three (3) guests for: Round-trip airfare for four (4) to Florida, three (3) night stay at a Florida hotel.The winner will have an exclusive experience at a Florida orange grove. For official rules and regulations, visit the “sweeps” tab on Tropicana’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/Tropicana  I think these sound like awesome prizes and I’ve already entered myself. I can’t imagine how beautiful it must be to walk through a grove of oranges.  Check out this picture of one of the groves.

After hearing that you could win a trip to visit an orange grove, I found these facts to be very interesting.  Doesn’t this make you want to go visit the groves?  I know I’m ready to pack my bags and go!

·         Oranges have been grown in Florida since the 1560s, approximately 147 years before any other U.S. state.

·         Tropicana’s roots in Florida go back a long way. Some of its current grower relationships date to the 1960s.

·         The two major orange types in Tropicana Pure Premium are Valencia and Hamlin. Valencias typically have more intense color and flavor, while Hamlins can be sweeter. They each add unique characteristics to the TPP blend.

·         The different micro climates and soil types mean that fruit reaches peak maturity at different times, allowing Tropicana to harvest ripe fruit throughout the entire growing season.

And just think, someone is going to get lucky and win a trip to see all of that in person!  I imagine the smell in the groves must be heavenly!

As I mentioned in my post earlier, Sunday morning is my favorite morning to cook breakfast for my family.  We are all together and we don’t have to rush out the door early to go in opposite directions.  I usually cook a big country type breakfast. It is my way of bringing the farm to the table.  Of course we have Tropicana orange juice to drink.  The kids and my husband love when I make chocolate chip pancakes.  I personally love to make sausage and bacon because it tastes wonderful.  The smell of them cooking fills the house.  Sometimes I mix it up and I’ll make grits and sausage casserole, or other tasty dishes that I’ve previously shared on the blog.  This has become a family tradition that we all like and I’m hoping it will be a great memory for my boys as they grow up. 
Don't forget to go and enter Tropicana's sweepstakes via their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Tropicana and be sure to “Like” their page.  

 And if you win the big trip to Florida or any of the other great prizes, be sure to let me know.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tropicana blogging program, to earn My SocialMoms Rewards Points. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic click here."

Spring Break and Post Easter

How did it get to be Thursday of this week already?  I don't know where the week has gone.  We went out of town for two days to visit my sister and we've been on the go, go, go. 

I cooked a big dinner for Easter which everyone said turned out great. I don't think I've ever cooked so many items that needed to be cooked in the oven.  So rotating the food was a challenge.  But it all turned out great and we enjoyed the left overs.  I have to say I love having left over holiday food.  And this holiday convinced me that I'm now adding spiral hams to our holiday gatherings.  I had both a turkey breast and ham, plus a number of sides.

So I'm playing catch up today at home.  How are things going for you this week?  Are you doing anything exciting this week?  So many folks are on Spring Break. I love hearing about their adventures!

Hope you are having a great day in your neck of the woods!

Easter Egg Decorating

So we are in full swing here waiting for Easter.  This is the first year that we've had a chance to color Easter eggs where I knew the boys would be old enough to listen and I wouldn't end up with colors spilling all over the place.

After Easter last year, I found a great egg decorating kit at Walgreens that is an egg spinner.  I knew this would be perfect for us to use.  So we got it out of our Easter box and yesterday afternoon the boys and I took it out for a spin.  This was so easy to use.  You put a hard boiled egg in the machine, pour the color in, shut the top and then let the kids spin.  Color eggs on the egg so easy.  The kit came with a plastic bag that has a bunny on it. They called the bag a puppet. You use the puppet to take the colored egg out of the spinner.  I then put the eggs on a piece of newspaper to dry.  It was the easiest way I've ever colored eggs with the least amount of mess. The color easily washed out of the spinner.  I washed between colors.  But you could throw caution to the wind and see what happens with mixing colors. I think that would have been pretty too.

We also used stickers to decorate some of the eggs. My oldest son, Sawyer, decorated his eggs with Angry Birds stickers. Does anyone else see the irony in this? LOL  And my youngest is a huge Lightning McQueen fan and so he put those on his eggs.

Here are some pictures of our egg decorating adventures.

I found out that my Pampered Chef cooking rack when flipped over and covered with newspaper makes a great "holder" for keeping eggs from rolling off the table.

Hope you are having a great day in your neck of the woods!