Desert Botanical Garden and a trip to the ER

This past weekend a couple of my husbands aunts came to town for a visit.  I searched out something fun to do and we headed down to the Monarch Butterfly Exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden.  It was pretty neat for the kids to see so many butterflies up close.  Tess really loved it and we took lots of pictures. 

The Gardens also had an exhibit of these large wood carvings of animals.  They were pretty awesome to look at. 

After a long and eventful morning we headed up to North Scottsdale for lunch.  We had a huge delicious meal and we were devouring some amazing ice cream cake when disaster struck.  Abby had been playing in a glass cup of water when she knocked it over and it shattered on the table.  I looked over and see the glass and immediately grab her.  In the meantime my husband relays to me that she's bleeding.  I grab a napkin and wrap it around her wrist and hold it tight.  She's screaming her head off so I rush out to the car.  Hubby and aunts scramble to clean up the table, pay the bill, and grab the leftovers.  We immediately head to the Children's ER near our house.  Turns out, she needs 5 stitiches!  Poor baby!  The worst part was holding her still long enough for the doc to get all the sewing done.  After about 20 minutes and 5 icky looking stitches we're all done.  The whole visit lasted just about an hour and as soon as we got in the car, the poor little girl passed out from sheer exhaustion.  She seems to be handling it pretty well!

At the hospital immediately after the stitches

Later that same night...she doesn't seem to be any worse for wear

Using her arm quite well I think

how it looks today


 I pray we don't have another trip to the ER anytime soon - it's way too stressful on mama!

Pinetop: Labor Day Weekend

We traveled north to Pinetop AZ for Labor Day weekend.  We rented a 7 bedroom house for 6 adults and 7 kids.  We had a blast hanging out, fishing, and feeding the ducks.  Enjoy our video!

Tried and true...

I love this meal!  I have made it many many times and each time I fall in love with it all over again.  I have recently begun making it as a dinner to take over to friends who have recently given birth.  Each time I have made it, the mom has requested the recipe.  So here it is for all you new moms out there!

Enjoy!

Leftovers Pasta

1 lb pasta
1 cup ham
1 cup Andouille sausage
1 cup corn
1 cup peas
1 pint heavy cream
1/4 cup parmesan
1/4 cup asiago
2 tablespoons garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons salted butter
1 teaspoon oregano flakes
1 teaspoon basil flakes
salt, pepper, and garlic salt to taste

Heat large pot with salted water for pasta, but don't add the pasta yet. 

In a large frying pan over medium heat, add olive oil and saute ham and sausage for 2-3 minutes. 

Add 2 tablespoons butter and melt.  Add peas, corn, garlic, basil, oregano, and a few heavy pinches of salt and pepper.  Saute for another 2-3 minutes.

Add cream and remaining 2 tablespoons butter, stir well and let simmer for 2-3 minutes. 

Finally add cheeses and simmer for a few more minutes.  Add garlic salt and pepper to taste.  Reduce heat to low and cover while you cook the pasta. 

Cook's Notes:

I usually make it without the peas and corn because my husband can't stand them.  It is delicious either way.  Also, sometimes I omit the butter and double the cream.  I love the extra sauce and in my head it equals out (well not really but it's a start).  Lastly, I have never used Andouille sausage.  I usually use mild italian sausage instead or just double the ham.