Friday Night Date Nights

We haven't had too many because of my crazy schedule but Friday nights are Date Nights. 

We don't do anything fancy, just get out of the house for a few hours, away from our computers and the television. We actually get to have a conversation! 

Here are some fun highlights...

 Sending my mother a picture of me with styled hair and make-up! Ha!

 Sushi at In The Raw one night...

 Rosemary Martini at BlackBird another night...

We were also fortunate enough to get a night away while Grandpa Brown stopped in for a week. 

We went to Vast in OKC. It was fabulous. Best service I have had in OK to date. I think the atmosphere could be a tad different but I really did enjoy myself. 

 I had the scallops... and...

And hubs had something delish but I cannot remember what it was...

Date Nights (in my personal opinion) are a must for parents. We need to remember that between the day in and day out routine there is still a little fun to be had.

Awe... date night.

-Whitney

9 Months!! (3 weeks late!)

Well, I am a little late but Ballerina hit the 9 month marker!!

My amazing little girl is growing like a weed...

26 inches long

19 lbs

 These photos were taken on her 9 month bday, Feb. 24, 2012. She already looks different! 

 She is learning to sit in her own chair. Although she would really love to stand in it! 

 Look at my big girl standing up at her music table! (Thanks God-Mommy Erin!)

As of 9 months, Ballerina's favorites include... spending each morning snuggling with her Daddy, bath time, daily walks, kale puffs, rice cakes and spinach w/apples!!

 Would you look at my girl sitting in the big girl tub!!! She loves it! 

If I am on time for 10 months, it will just be a week away!!

Sorry for the delay in posts... its competition season. -Whitney

Black Bean Turkey Chili

 Not sure what everyone else ate during the Super Bowl, but at our house... it is a chili day!

This is our newest chili recipe at the Brown house and we LOVE it!!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound ground turkey

1 white onion (chopped)

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

3 cans black beans

1 can diced green chiles

2 cans stewed tomatoes

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder 

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried basil leaves 

In a large frying pan cook your onions in olive oil over medium high heat until transparent.

After about 1 minute, add the garlic.

Once onions are soft, add the turkey meat.

While turkey is cooking, add the tomatoes, black beans, green chiles, vinegar and spices to a large pot. (Do not drain anything!) Once turkey is cooked through, add turkey, onion & garlic to pot.

Leave the chili to cook for an hour on med-low heat. 

Then serve! We added some chopped avocado on top! Mmmmm...

 Chili is even better on day 2!!

Enjoy!

-Whitney