All by myself......

My job....can be hard, frustrating, challenging, stressful...and that's all before I even arrive at my base city to report for work. And actually, it is the most difficult part of being a flight attendant in my opinion. Once I am on the airplane and all the precious details of scheduling my children while I am gone have been organized, I can somewhat relax and hope it all goes well. Having a passenger chew me out because he didn't get a choice between chicken or pasta, well, that's nothing.....I can just smile and nod and apologize. Being a Mom has changed my perspective....I just can't sweat the small stuff. I could worry and stress the entire time I am working but what would that accomplish? NOTHING!! Just as much as the passenger yelling at me who didn't get his choice of meal....there is no drive through McDonald's in the sky. So, deep breath, apologize, offer alternative options and move on..... Most of the time I work with great crews and go to fabulous destinations so I really don't have much to complain about. And as most Moms would agree, having some alone time is worth all the hassle of getting to work. Don't get me wrong....I MISS my husband and children when I am gone but it is very nice to be alone in a hotel room......sleeping in, taking a bath, working out.....being on my own time schedule. My room in Sao Paulo....oh yes, I will be pushing those beds together.

Look at my great bathroom.....and I won't have to clean it!!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from our house to yours!

Tezza's Love Tags

Please visit my Etsy shop. I will be adding more pieces so check back often.
I love creating these necklaces.I have made many for friends and family as gifts and have been asked several times if I have a website so I thought I would open a little Etsy shop. Please feel free to pass it on to friends and family. I am hoping to get some orders for Mother's Day. You can visit my shop here. Thanks!!

Macaroni Cheese

Both of my girls had MAJOR orthodontia work done today and their poor little mouths are so sore so it's homemade Macaroni Cheese to the rescue!!!! Wasn't I just talking about getting into my bikini??? oh well...... This recipe comes from my sister-in-law Esther. I believe it is her mother's recipe and oh, is it yummy!!! My kids love it. I also made it on Christmas Eve and it is a real crowd pleaser and a good alternative for those vegetarian guests. (I also served homemade lasagna with meat sauce).

My sister-in-law is British....this recipe calls for single cream but I can't find it. Of course, I have only looked at Kroger and Wal-Mart. Who has time to hit several stores? Anyway, I just use whipping cream and it is delicious and simple.....

Here it is....

Macaroni Cheese

2 TBL butter

2 TBL plain flour

2/3 C. milk

2 cartons single cream (237 ml each)

250 g extra tasty mature cheddar cheese (grated)

pasta (5 small hand fulls)

1 tomato (optional)

1. Cook pasta in boiling water.
2. In a sauce pan, melt butter and add the flour slowly
3. Add the milk and single cream slowly, stirring all the time. Then add the cheddar cheese, but keep some for sprinkle.
4. Mix the cook pasta and put in baking dish.
5. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on to together with slice tomato.
6. Cook in oven for about 25 minutes at 180 degrees celcius. (370 F.)

Thank you, Esther for serving us this while we were visiting in Singapore!! It is a new family favorite!

"Hotel" Birthday Party

My daughter had a fabulous idea for her birthday party this year. She wanted a hotel theme party at our house. We hit Hobby Lobby and created this cute invite by scanning a piece of scrapbook paper into Paint and then uploading it into Picnik to add the text and stickers. Picnik is a GREAT site. If you haven't used it, you should try it. My daughter begged for a membership....$24.95/year so we got her one. I started playing with it when I was creating my etsy banner. Oh my gosh....so much fun!!! Patrick and I got hotel keys from our various travels and we covered the keys in bright stickers and put them in little envelopes stamped with Plaza Penny Resort.......SO cute!! I will leave chocolates on their pillows and of course, I will play maid, cook and waitress. She wants her sister to be the bell hop....don't know how that will play out. Hopefully all the girls will have fun.

15 years.....

15 years ago today, I married my husband Patrick. We didn't know what we were doing. Neither of us are very good planners. We just knew we wanted to be together. Now, 15 years later, looking back and reflecting at all the highs and lows, celebrations and tragedies, sleepless nights, vacations, money saved, money spent, kids, dog, fights, reconciliations, and everything in between.......I have to say that we have been mostly lucky, mostly happy and greatly blessed! Happy Anniversary to my love, my life, my biggest fan and the father of the three most wonderful girls in the world !!!

When Guiness is on tap, my Irish eyes are smiling!

Dublin ranks at the top of my favorite layover spots. The people are friendly, the weather is mild, and there is Guiness on tap. Nothing is better while you are in Ireland and it just tastes different there~better, oh, so much better!!! Of course, that won't stop me from having one here today in the States. Last St. Patty's Day, I suffered......I gave up beer for Lent. Wow!! That was hard. Statue in St. Stephen's Green

Ahhhhh......I love the creamy foam on top!!! Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!