Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Chips

Aaaand we're back. Sorry for the long absence. We took a much needed vacation down to the beach to celebrate the 4th of July. I'm so glad we did because the weather was terrible here at home for the fireworks but it was great where we were! What a blessing. I really built up fireworks to my son this year because he is finally old enough to really know what's going on and not be frightened.

Before we left, I had a ton of leftover corn tortillas and wanted to find a really delicious recipe that could use up the rest of them. I found lots of savory recipes but fell head over heels when I saw this sweet treat. I got the basic idea from this recipe. I added the strawberries and honey and then eventually added chocolate syrup to the last few. Yum. I left a few plain ones too because my little guy doesn't like honey. But I thought the honey was as a great addition.

The recipe said to put a little oil in the pan and bring it to medium heat/high heat. I cut my corn tortillas into triangles - because I'm daring like that.

They brown quickly! So be ready to move them to some paper towels with a paper bag underneath. Some of the oil still got through to my counter. I just cleaned up afterwards but if you are concerned about your surface you may need to put some plastic wrap under the bag/paper towel. 

I made a little cinnamon plus sugar mixture and sprinkled one side, flipped them, and sprinkled the other side.

 At this point - YUM

I chopped up some strawberries. Here's my unglamorous workstation.

Final product!

These were seriously super tasty. And I felt like I had done something really impressive! Like Food Network style or something. The possibilities are endless. Plain, with cinnamon, with sugar, both, chocolate syrup, honey or all of the above. The only way to mess these up is to walk away from the oil while the tortillas are in there to go do something really productive like check your email or sweep and then you come back and they're dark brown. Toss! Good thing I had a lot of tortillas.

 I'm wondering if maybe I should try a ranch-type chip next time. Or a chipotle? Let me know if you have made your own chips!

Life Lately: First Timer's Club

Welcome, Riley, to the joy of riding a bike...and the road rash that will follow soon whenever you feel cool enough to ride down that really big hill and try to fit between two trees and hit one of the trees face on. Well, at least that's what your mom did.

Teaching Riley how to ride a bike has me dragging my bike out more, which conjures up lots of moments of fun. 

A Little Pizazz Girl

Top: Kohls, Skirt: NY&Co, Sandals: Chadwicks, Necklace: Thrifted

I spiced it up a bit for a trip to run errands and have a visit with Lala (my mom) and Caris (my niece- just wait - her picture is below....and you'll die). Basic black and white is easy and simple and always looks pulled together. This skirt is a comfy stretch jersey and the sandals are a low wedge. Both perfect for being a mom, running errands and looking somewhat chic. Somewhat. The hot pink lipstick was just the pop of pizazz that finished the look.

And now the star of the show....

Baby polka dots? Um...yes, thank you.

Hurry Up and Go Girl

Dress: Thrifted, Leggings: NY&Co, Sandals: Belk

You just can't beat it - easy peasy dress and some leggings equal a quick way to get out the door with clothes on. Success!!

Frazzled Peach Girl

 

Top & Skirt: Thrifted, Sandals: Target

This pretty little tree was just begging for attention. It is on this lonely, abandoned lot near an old manufacturing plant that is completely deserted. So I showed it some love. 

An update on the stay at home aspect of my life....It is hard. Very hard. It wasn't hard when the boys were in school for half a day. I got all of my cleaning, grocery shopping, household chores and errands done before they got out of school. But Thursday and Friday just felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants and I felt severely unproductive all day. 

I've realized the solution to my problem is...planning. Schedules. Writing down or typing up what I would like to get done AT SOME POINT that day. And not going overboard. I know I am only one person but I have to wear the hats of cook, maid, playmate, wife and mom. All of those things are like...different. When I went to work I was just the payroll girl. I just did payroll. I didn't clean my house - I paid someone else to. I cooked, but I didn't really put a lot of planning into it. We would eat out a lot. I was still mom but I wasn't so much of the playmate. At least not for all day. Part of what I am dealing with is that I DON'T have to be his playmate all day. Well, and the fact that I just can't. 

Are you a stay at home mom? What is your schedule? How do you not feel bad about taking time out from the kids or the house to do something you want to do?

I guess the good thing is that we are not lacking in ideas or things to do! We have a full schedule, really. It is just getting it all in. Without killing each other.

 

A Sucker for Seersucker Girl

Dress & Belt: Thrifter, Wedges: Target

I have had this dress safely tucked away all winter just patiently waiting for summertime to roll around. What goes with seersucker? Lemonade and the 4th of July.

Romper: Thrifted, Sandals: Target, Necklace: Gift

Still trying to complete that goal of looking pulled together rather than a slouchy gal with nowhere to go. I love the fabric of this romper. It is like completely resistant to wrinkles so when I'm looking in my closet and need something to throw on quickly this guy is always ready to go.