Well...now I know why I'm always tired...

That's right!  We're expecting an Air Force Brat!  I've had 3 positive tests, 3 separate kinds, that all popped positive within less then a minute.  I had my prenatal lab work done yesterday, and am now just waiting on our first ultrasound, and first prenatal visit in March.  

Yes, I know it's controversial to tell people this early, but we're so over the moon, we just couldn't wait.  {please, don't make this a debate about how and when we chose to tell everyone}  

I'm starting to have all of the normal symptoms for being about 5 weeks...bloated, tired, hungry, etc.  

We couldn't be happier to be welcoming a new life into our family in October.  Neither of us can stop smiling!

Dorito Chicken

Yup...it's recipe time!  I'm linking up today with Tasty Tuesday over at For The Love of Blogs

I must say, that I'm really enjoying sharing our favorite recipes with all of you!  And this one is no different.  Dorito chicken is so easy, and so yummy!
Start out with a bag of your favorite dorito's.  Put them into a food processor, and process into a bread-crumb like consistency.  Next get your chicken breast tenders out.  Coat the chicken in mayo (yup, mayo).  Roll the mayo coated tenders in the dorito's.  Place on a rack (ie. cookie cooling rack) on a cookie sheet.  Place in a 400* oven for about 15 minutes, or until tenders are cooked thoroughly.  
See, I told you it's easy!  And it's a HIT with kids!  We hope y'all enjoy!  
This insomnia is kicking my butt, so I'm heading back to bed for a bit (I hope).  Have a great Tuesday everyone!

TGIF?

I think I'm glad it's Friday...but then again, I'm not really sure.  It's a drill weekend, so that means after tonight, I'll hardly see Nick for the weekend.  I mean, this month is better then most, where he's on a 3 day break from his civilian job...so he'll be home at night...but still.  On a bright note, my best is coming over for a photo shoot on Sunday!  I can't wait, I haven't seen her in FOREVER.  And to make it alittle better, it's adult time!  We hardly ever get time just the 2 of us.  Don't get me wrong, I love my nephews with all my heart...but sometimes it's good to have adult time.

Another thing that I planned to do this weekend was some crafting, and get caught up on my photography class.  I'm hoping that the photos can still happen, but I'm not so sure about my purse sewing.  When I was cutting up veggies to go with our trout for dinner tonight I chopped a huge chunk out of my thumb with my mandolin.  Not the smartest thing I've ever done.  It was totally avoidable too, I just got careless, and didn't have the guard on.  Stupid.  Thankfully, Nick was on his way home from running some errands.  He got home right after I cut myself.  Thank God, cause if I was here by myself, I would have freaked out! 

SO, now while Nick does plyometrics from p90x, I'm blogging, and waiting for him to be done, so that we can get dinner started.  So, I figured, what better time then now, after my happy cooking mishap then to post a recipe?  I've had some interest lately for me to post recipes.  If there's something in particular that you would like to learn how to make, feel free to contact us munchkin{dot}amy{at}gmail{dot}com

I've decided today to post one of our favorites. 

Braised Pork Chops with Mustard Gravy

4-6 boneless pork chops

2 envelopes of pork gravy

2 tablespoons dijon mustard

pork spice rub (I use McCormick)

salt & pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 400*

Sprinkle the pork spice rub liberally on both sides of each pork chop.

In a medium (oven safe) fry pan heat about 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil.  Place all pork chops in the pan, and brown on both sides.  

While the pork is browning, follow instructions on the gravy packets.  Once the gravy is heated, add the dijon mustard and mix.  

Once the pork chops are browned, pour the gravy over the pork chops.  Place the pan in the oven, and bake 20-30 minutes (until the pork chops reach an internal temp of 160* with a meat thermometer).  Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes.  

I usually serve with sauteed asparagus and freshly mashed potatoes.

We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!  Let us know if you make it, and be sure to send us pictures of your final project!

New friends, inspiration, and a call for sponsors

So here I am, another night that I can't sleep.  Go figure!  

But, tonight, I'm good with it...I have things on my mind.  Good things.  Have you all heard of For The Love of Blogs? No?  Really?  You HAVE to go over there and check them out.  Talk about an amazing group of bloggers!  It's just amazing.  So, since I had just found them today, I spent a couple hours exploring around the site tonight.  I stumbled across the chat room.  So, I decided to check it out.  I am SO glad that I did.  I "met" 4 amazing women.  We had a great time chatting about anything and everything.  It eventually came out that I am a trained chef, and that I have a passion for photography.  I gave a little advice on cameras, and received a little advice on incorporating more food stuffs into Live, Laugh, Love...Our Way.  

That all being said.  I think that these ladies are right.  I need to post more about what I love here.  Yes, it is "Our" blog, but for the most part I have free reign.  Nick helps from time to time with photography stuff, and give me ideas, but mostly he just supports me with the blog.  So, I love photography, which I cover (mostly) over on Amy Brown Photography.  I also love to cook.  I went to school to be a chef.  Unfortunately, between my health, and some other things, I no longer work as a chef.  But that doesn't mean that I don't like to cook.  I LOVE to cook.  I cook on a daily basis for Nick, and myself.  

So, this is what I'm thinking.  And please let me know what you think!  I'm thinking that I'm going to start posting a recipe a day.  That recipe might be for a side dish, or a dessert, who knows.  I'm just going to lay them out there.  What I ask of you, my amazing bloggy friends, is to be HONEST.  If you like what I'm doing, let me know.  And, if you use one of my recipes...take some pictures of it, and email them to me at munchkin{dot}amy{at}gmail{dot}com.  Nick and I both would love to see how your meals come out!  

And don't forget, we're still running to occasional reviews and giveaways as well.  

And!!  I know I've been kinda beating this to death lately, but we're looking for sponsors.  Contact me at munchkin{dot}amy{at}gmail{dot}com  I would LOVE to have your blog or business advertised here on Live, Laugh, Love.

So, it might be a little late, but here's to a great new year, full of changes and new beginnings!

Until tomorrow!