10 Things Ed. 5: Cars

1. I am surprisingly drawn to Toyota FJ Cruisers… NOT like me at all.

2. My parents bought me my first car, a 1999 little black Toyota Corolla, right after I graduated high school. It has been driven to Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, and all over Tennessee.

3. One winter morning Rust ripped the door handle off our Corolla. In a flash of ingenuity, he glued it back on. It has since been ripped off two other times, but not by us… both have been mechanics who were working on the car for unrelated things, and both simply handed the door handle back to us with abashed expressions and mumbled apologies.

4. We bought our jeep right after we got married, as Rust was pining desperately for some type of “man vehicle.”

5. A month after we bought said jeep, I had already popped the front tire and bent the rim. That story will come later.

6. Though, to redeem myself at the expense of my husband: in one year Rust backed into our garbage can with the Corolla, and into the front of the Corolla with the Jeep.

7. In college, whilst in the midst of my crush on Rust, a state trooper caught my attention at an intersection and yelled to me through the window that I had a flat tire. He then proceeded to LEAVE ME while I parked (and fretted) in a Food Lion parking lot. It gave me the perfect excuse to call Rust, however, who came on his lunch break, changed my tire, and put a goofy grin on my face–he came to my rescue.

8 . Rust wants an ancient rough-and-tumble jeep to “tool around in,” as he puts it.

9. In high school I drove a red Ford station wagon. It wasn’t as bad as I let on.

10. Nevertheless, we are thankful for our cars!!

First time a-swimmin’

So fun! We went swimming last week, and it was Anna’s first time in the pool. She loved it!

The twins, Lucy & Nathan, who weren’t too thrilled to have me entertain them while their momma, our good friend Megan, went to prep the pool.

Mandy & John, and Megan with her twins Nathan & Lucy.

Anna kept her sunglasses on in the pool almost the entire time!

Swinging (or, wow, I really struggled with what to title this post)

Anna is nine-going-on-ten months. I love this age. For Anna, this has become the age of Trying New Things, be it new foods (like blueberries, mango, pumpkin bread, chicken), new places (wedding!), or new adventures (swimming, independent playtime, & pulling up). One recent New Thing was the baby swing my parents bought & installed at their house.

Here is what Anna thought of it:

She laughed and giggled most of the time, as I suspected she would. Let’s just say Anna is one of the easiest babies to entertain that I have met!

Let’s compare Jonathan’s reaction…

Finally a little smile! Trust  me, this means Jonathan likes it!

It is so much fun to have two little cousins around the same age!

Neil & Monica’s Wedding

 

This was such a great wedding! It was an honor to be a part of one of my very best friend’s wedding day. Monica and I met when we were freshman at Tech, and we have been friends ever since! Almost every one of my favorite memories from college has Monica in them. We both majored in psychology and took many of our courses together. We enjoy the same music, and so went to many concerts together. Road trips, shopping, late nights, Bible studies, study sessions (hah, more like talking sessions!), watching intramurals… I feel like I could go on and on recalling all the things we did together. I even had the privilege of being roommates with her my senior year of college. As excited as I was to be married to Rust, I did have moments during my first year of marriage where I missed terribly my two roomies — Monica nd Katie — and all the spontaneous fun and deep conversations we had during that year. I felt that this wedding was a closing to a chapter in my life (to be very cliche), but a fitting one. We are all married now!

Here are some pictures from the wedding, which was June 27.

Katie, aforementioned former roommate, took some awesome pictures for me during the wedding!

[Beth Pope, whom I've mentioned many times before, was the photographer!]

[This is my favorite picture Katie took during the wedding. Beautiful scenery, beautiful dress, beautiful couple!]

[Glee!]

[Monica & Mandy were actually roomies in college, too!]

[My spiritual mentor from college, Jodie, with her husband Eric and children Aubrey and Caden! We ended up spending a lot of time with them over the weekend, and we had SO much fun! I miss her!]

[Family picture--an actual good one!]

Doesn’t it seem like a beautiful wedding?

Beth has even more beautiful photos of the wedding! I am always amazed at her talent. (And, on pages 64, 65, & 66 there are some fun pictures of Rust and Anna–who came to the wedding with dried pureed squash on her face and her shoes on the wrong feet!!)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 3 corn tortillas (6 inches), cut into 1/4-inch strips
• 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 pound red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
• 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 tablespoons lime juice

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine tortilla strips, 1 teaspoon oil and salt. Seal bag and shake to coat. Arrange tortilla strips on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until crisp, stirring once. Remove to paper towels to cool.
In a large saucepan, saute chicken in remaining oil until lightly browned. Add the onion. Cook and stir until onion is tender. Add broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the corn, chilies, cilantro and pepper. Cook until heated through. Stir in lime juice. Garnish with tortilla strips. Yield: 6 servings. Source: Taste of Home

Thoughts: Overall, I liked this soup. I enjoyed the lime flavor, and it made so much we didn’t end up finishing our leftovers. Still, I almost think there could be a better chicken tortilla soup out there.

Recommended Reading: The American Patriot’s Almanac

Happy Independence Day! I thought it was fitting to post a recommendation for a book I stumbled upon recently, The American Patriot’s Almanac. We bought this book for my father-in-law for Father’s Day (though we just gave it to him this weekend!), and I must say I was almost sad to see this go! This hardbound book features daily readings about events through America’s history. This is great for someone like me, who loves history but probably needs to brush up on what I learned in high school and college! Each reading is detailed enough to paint a great picture of a historical figure or event (and their importance to us today), but short enough to keep your interest. Also scattered throughout the book are interesting and important sections such as the history of our country’s flag, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Amendments–all important documents every American should probably know, but sadly don’t… including me! Just looking through this book really gave me a hunger to learn these things by heart !

Whew!

It seems I took an unintended blogging break! One day of not posting led to another day of not posting and, well, here it is almost two weeks later. Honestly, it was really refreshing for me–I enjoyed the breathing room, the freedom to not post, and just carry on with life. BUT, I do love writing and sharing pictures so don’t think Tatumfam is going to disappear! We have been so busy, though, the past two weeks! Between sweet friends staying with us, the out-of-town wedding of one of my best friends, spending time with friends, and baking and keeping up the house… this summer has been full, but lovely. I feel like I have a million things to share! I will just have to break it up over several posts! That, however, will have to wait until after the 4th festivities — we’re leaving this afternoon to spend some good time at Papa and Grandma Tatum’s today and tomorrow, and then hanging out with my parents Saturday.

For now, some random photos from the past two weeks.

Happy 9 Months, Annalou

Our day yesterday was quite pleasant: a walk with a friend and her sweet baby on the local university campus and a visit from cousin John and Aunt Mandy!

(So proud of  herself!)

Anna: Wait for me!

 

9 Months!

You eat most enthusiastically pears, mango, and squash.

You know three signs (more, all done, sleep) and you do one other but I don’t know what it means!

You half-crawl, half-flop your way around the house. And you are so proud!

You love attention and love to be held!

You love to laugh, and sometimes do a fake laugh to get everyone’s attention. It is so funny.

You love other babies and children! You always smile and try to touch them.

You love cousin John and love to follow him around.

When I take your bib off, you hold onto it and smile mischievously. We have made a game out of it.

You love one book in particular, Bible for Little Hearts, which we read to you everyday.

You love roll-a-rounds, throwing them and crawling after them.

It finally seems you are enjoying bathtime more: you are finally splashing the water and laughing.

You hate getting your mouth wiped after dinner and your fingernails clipped.

When I tell you “no touch,” you start crying. But you listen and don’t touch it again (at least when I am looking!).

You will wave hello and goodbye to people.

The first thing you do in the morning when I get you out of your crib is wave to your room.

You are starting to dance.

This month you finally picked up food (mastered that pincher grasp!) and fed yourself.

During dinner you grunt and whimper while you watch us it… it seems like you want to eat our food so badly!

You say “ma-ma-ma-ma” and “ba-ba-ba-BA” the most often.

I cherish and love each day with you! I am so thankful for your sweet, fun personality!

Recently & randomly

Exploring the world from high-up…

Giving kisses to the baby in the book…

Smiles with Momma..

Sometimes it’s good to change your perspective…

Do we have a redhead in our midst?

Can you see evidence of my busy craftiness?

Anna’s early morning hair… long enough now to be tousled after a good night’s sleep.

Her newest face… which Rust calls “The Hulk.”

Learning to move from bottom to belly…

Storms rollin’ in…

Do we look like brave stormchasers?

Simply Soupy: Fiesta Chicken Chowder

Fiesta Chicken Chowder

• 3 tbls all-purpose flour
• 1 envelope fajita seasoning, divided
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbls vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups water
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) Rotel
• 1 can (11 oz) Mericorn, drained
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
• 1 can (11 oz) nacho cheese soup
• 1 tbl lime juice

In a large resealable bag, combine flour and 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning; add chicken. Seal bag and shake to coat. In a large saucepan, saute chicken in oil until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm.

In the same pan, saute onion and garlic until onion is tender. Stir in the water, bans, tomatoes, corn, rice, chilies, and remaining fajita seasoning. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer approximately 20 minutes until rice is cooked.

Stir in soup, lime juice, and chicken; heat through. Approximately 10 servings.

Source: Taste of Home

Thoughts: We really enjoyed this spicy chowder! It was pretty thick, not entirely like a real creamy chowder, but a good twist on a soup. We would make it again!

Also: You may have already noticed, but I am only going to do Simply Soupy every other week from now on! I have been making soups weekly since January (and don’t plan on stopping!) , so by now there are some favorites I want to repeat for Rust and me, so I am not going to be trying a new soup every week anymore.