Stepfamilies and Guac... Odd Combo, but it works.

Today is 

National Step-Family Day

and 

National Guacamole Day

The guy in this picture is my step-dad

My Mom and Step-Dad before church

He never tried to be my "Dad" per-say, but he did 

let me know that he'd be there for me

like a dad would

and that he cared about me. 

That meant the world to me 

and it still does...

See, life for an 11 year old 

is already a bit complicated. 

You're in that weird zone where

you're not quite a little kid, 

but not fully a teen, 

so things are confusing 

and you kind of don't know where you stand in the world. 

Add in 3 bonus siblings, a new house, new school, new life

with a new dad and things can get even worse. 

I was having trouble adjusting until that conversation with my step-dad... 

No I didn't become the perfect angel overnight, 

I was far from it, 

but 

I did make different choices... 

better choices because of the role model 

I had in my life

and for that I'll 

always be thankful 

to my step-father. 

Are you in a step-family? 

Celebrate yourself! 

Celebrate family in general, 

because family

step or not 

should be celebrated. 

I had no idea this day existed, 

but I'm glad it did. 

I tried to celebrate by giving 

my step-dad a call, 

but I couldn't get him on the phone

(A very big deal for an introvert like me. I hate talking on the phone!)

So instead I'm thanking him in this post. 

I listened to the song 

by Brad Paisley that 

reminds me of him. 

It's called,

"He Didn't Have to Be"

Now, the fun stuff! 

GUACAMOLE! 

I was so happy about this day 

that I practically skipped around the grocery store. 

What's funny about that is, 

we just had a new grocery store open up 

near our home and the people thought I was excited about that... 

Oh no... 

I was excited about GUAC! 

It's one of my favorite 

go-to healthy snacks to have 

late night, when the kids are in bed, 

and the man is busy doing something or another, 

and it's just me, HGTV, and a good book. 

Guess what I'm doing after this post? Haha! 

So, in honor of National Guacamole Day 

I shall share my simple and delicious recipe with you. 

Lori's Good Guac!

The Ingredients... Avocado, Lime, Shallot, Garlic (1 or 2 cloves), 1 Cherry Tomato, Salt & Pepper (The Owls)

Directions

1. In a bowl mash up the avocado

and set aside

2. Rough chop the tomato and add to avocado

3. Chop shallot into small pieces and 

mince the garlic. 

4. Saute the shallots and garlic in a tiny bit of EVOO for about 30-45 seconds, 

just enough to get the flavors out really well

5. Add shallots and garlic to avocado and mix,

 add salt & pepper,  half the lime and add the juice to the mixture to taste

Enjoy! 

I eat it it with a spoon, 

but it's also good with torilla chips. 

Doesn't it look good? I can't wait to eat it up!

I have a feeling this year will be full of food

Good food and I'm not the least bit upset about that! 

Tomorrow is 

National Apple Dumpling Day

I've never made Apple Dumplings... 

I'm not sure that I'll even try. 

See ya tomorrow!