MommyTLC

I'm feeling a little naked and exposed at work today!  For the past 2 months, I've made a point at trying to look my best a work, you know "put your best foot forward" type of thing.  My clothes have been prestine and more "office" approprate (at least now I look like I'm as assistant to an executive rather than someone working in the mail room!), my hair has been styled day in and day out, and I've managed to apply makeup on a regular basis - at least giving myself a "natural" look if I don't feel like wearing too much makeup.

If my outfit isn't quite right, it bothers me, but I manage to deal with it and move on with my day.  If my hair isn't behaving, I can manage with a side part and low pony tail or a neat bun.  But to go without makeup now leaves me feeling like I'm completely exposed!  When I look in the mirror, I'm not at all happy with what I see.  I look like I just got out of bed and I'm not quite up yet, even though it's almost 2:00 pm.  I'd do just about anything right now for a little concealer, some mascara and lip gloss.  I don't need much, but I definitely need SOMETHING ASAP!

Before, I was one of those women who rarely put on an ounce of makeup.  I wasn't even really all that good at applying the crap.  After 2 months of practice, I know feel much more confident with a "painted face".  It's amazing how much of a confidence booster something like a little makeup can be.  It's even more amazing how just a little foundation, some mascara and a neutral lip stick can really improve the way you look!

So I guess I'll have to continue my day looking like a zombie and trying to stay out of the public eye!

I've gotten off track with my goal to become a Domestic Diva in the past couple of months.  Due to the recent house guest making an extended stay, and some internal resentment for allowing said guest to prolong his stay when I honestly wanted him out a few weeks back to regain control of my sanity and my home, I've allowed myself to get off course.  Well, in a few days that will all change and my home will be all mine once again.  It's not easy having to clean up after yourself, the hubby and a little toddler tornado, but add to that a house guest who makes dinner at 10:00 pm and leaves me the mess to clean up after.  Yes, he puts most things in the sink, but I'm not too thrilled about having to play maid.

Technically, moms are like personal maids, but that's a job I willingly signed up for.  I'm happy and proud to take care of my family, but just because I'm kind enough to open my house to you to come in and stay with us does not mean that you have a personal maid service to clean up after you!  Enough with the ranting...

So as you can imagine, the past few months have been a little stressful for me, but that time is coming to a close and I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life.  One free of house guests and back to the peaceful existence of the Deininger household.  First order of business, clean house!  I have some serious catching up to do.  Having to deal with the issues that I've had lately, I'd gotten a little frustrated and pretty much went on strike.  Probably not the best thing to do since the only one really having to deal with those consequences is me, so ultimately I'm just punishing myself in the end.  Great thinking on my part, right!?  Oh well, that's in the past.  Now it's time to get my life back in order starting with getting some order and organization back in my house.  Last night I gave the kitchen a good scrub down, tonight, it's on to the living room, dining room and bathrooms.  That's a hefty load to deal with in one night, but it's probably not as bad as my kitchen was.  I must have spent about 3 hours scrubbing ever inch of that kitchen!  I'm hoping to get a load or two of laundry done as well.

My goal for the remainder of the week is to just get my house tidy so that next week I can start off fresh.  There's nothing like starting the week with a clean house!

As for my cooking... well, that's taken a back seat along with my cleaning.  So starting tonight, I'm back on track with making at least 3 meals a week for my family.  I'm getting back to my home cooking and also getting in touch with my Latin roots.  Thanks to some inspiration from the Food Network and some HEAVY hinting from my darling hubby, I'm looking to learn some of the home cooking I grew up on.  So expect to see a lot more Paraguay meals showing up on this blog in the near future.  I'm going to keep it simple tonight, some Paraguayan tortillas and a tomato and egg salad.  This meal reminds me of being back in Paraguay in my grandmother's kitchen!  What great memories!

Check back with me tomorrow to see how my meal went!

Father's Day is just 3 days away and what better was to start the day than with a fantastic brunch for the entire family.  The idea of creating a delicious brunch used to be an intimidating thing for be before, until I learned how simple the entire meal really is.  It's all about having a good mixing of the sweet and savory!  I came across this recipe while watching Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa Darabian on the Food Network Channel.  It looked so delicious and easy to make that I had to try it myself.  (It has been a while since I took the time to cook a real meal, but this was my inspiration to get back to my Domestic Diva quest)

Huevos Rancheros

Ingredients:
8 (5-inch) flour tortillas
3 tablespoons butter, melted
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup prepared chunky cilantro salsa, divided
3/4 cup cooked black beans
8 eggs
1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
Special Equipment: 12-cup muffin tin

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut off the outer edge of each tortilla and remove so that the tortillas fit snugly into the muffin tin cups. Brush both sides of the tortillas lightly with the melted butter and sprinkle with salt. Press the tortillas into the muffin tin, creating little tortilla cups.

In a small bowl, mix half the salsa with the black beans and season with salt and pepper. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the black bean mixture into each tortilla cup. Crack an egg into each of the eight cups. Bake until barely set, about 8 minutes. Top with cheese, cover with aluminum foil, and then bake for 6 to 7 minutes more. To serve, spoon the sour cream and remaining salsa on top of the eggs.

***A little word of advice - spray your muffin tin before pressing the tortillas into it to keep the tortilla from sticking.  Do not use cupcake tin, the egg will overflow causing the huevos rancheros to stick to the tin.

These huevos rancheros go great with a little sweet corn bread.  Since the egg is cooked to the consistency of a "sunny side up" egg, mixing the running yoke with the salsa makes a great dip for the corn bread! Super YUM!!!

Just the thought of this is making my mouth water!  This is a must try recipe!  Pair this with a Raspberry and Lime Brunch Cocktail and you're in for an amazing brunch treat!  Bon appetit!

We have a winner!Congratulations to Wendy, entry #969!A special thanks to all those who participated in the St. Patty's Day $110 Cash Prize Giveaway!Also a very special thanks to all the Heather Jones from Mommy Only Has Two Hands for putting this together and to all the co-hosts for your contributions.

Being a Domestic Diva is more worked than I ever imagined.  Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying myself although I feel like I'm working non stop 24 hours a day, but I'm finding it to be very satisfying and fulfilling in a strange way.  It's nice to know that I'm nourishing my family, I'm keeping a tidy home, and I'm still able to have a little me time in addition.  I'm slowly getting the hang of this balancing act, or at least it feels that way to me.

A few weeks back, hubby approached me about having a good friend stay with us for a few months because of a current issue with his living situation.  At first I was a little hesitant but all my worries vanished when hubby told me who he was speaking of.  This guy, we'll just call him G, has been a close friend of ours for almost 10 years now.  He's the kind of guy that will take the shirt off his back if you needed it.  How could I say no?  So last week we prepared ourselves to welcome G into our home for the next 3 months.  I wasn't exactly sure how things would work out, especially with our little monkey, but so far all has been good.

Well, "good" is somewhat an understatement!  Things have been pretty terrific, actually.  Ok, so hubby and I haven't really had much time alone, but that's just one more things we'll have to learn to balance.  Besides that, I really can't complain.  To be 100% honest, I'm getting spoiled rotten with G around!  Lately, things at work have been really busy between it being tax season and me talking on additional responsibilities that I've been dying for (anything to make my day more busy, I know, I must be out of my mind!), I've been coming home absolutely exhausted and ready for a break.  I haven't really wanted to think about cooking or cleaning or anything else besides my couch, a good book and maybe even a nice glass of wine.  And can you blame me?  Well, since G has moved in, that's pretty much exactly what I've been getting.  I come home and the house is spotless, dishes are washed and put away, kitchen is stocked (yes, he's went grocery shopping for me), and he's taken on his share of cooking a couple nights a week.

To make matters even better, hubby now has 2 nights a week off instead of just 1!  So he cooks (or we go out) 2 nights a week, G cooks 2 nights a week, and I cook 3 nights a week.  I could really get used to this!  I'm going to miss G when he leaves but I will enjoy this time while it lasts!