Andi – Page 66 – ANDI HAYS

Citrus Grilled Tilapia With Rice

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Andi

This was a Let’s Dish meal that I was a little skeptical about. I would not consider myself even remotely to be a fish person. I like catching them, but I have never really liked the taste. Unless it doesn’t taste like fish. And I can eat every fish bite with a starch. This meal was way better than I thought it would be. It was filled with flavor and I am actually excited to make the other one of these meals in the near future.

Here are the contents:

First you thaw out the tilapia. Then place it on a baking pan.

You bake this in the oven. While I was baking it, I made the rice.

When the fish is done, remove it and smell the deliciousness.

Then serve it with the rice and in my case, corn.

This was so flavorful. It was filled with citrus flavor and the fish just fell apart. And I was pleased that tilapia wasn’t a very “fishy” fish. So, I am definitely putting the other meal I have of this on my menu for the near future!

Maternity Pictures

Posted on January 31, 2011April 5, 2016 by Andi

My wonderful brother, Adam, who does some photography in his spare time (check out his website) came over a couple weeks ago to take some maternity pictures for us. I was a little hesitant to have them done, but I am SO glad that he insisted and came over and did them. They didn’t take too long and they turned out GREAT!

You can see all of them HERE, but I will post some of my favorites below!

Thank you SO much, Adam! I can’t wait for you to take pictures when Thumper makes her arrival!

S’mores Bark

Posted on January 31, 2011January 31, 2011 by Andi

Right after Christmas, my friend at work picked up some S’mores Bark at Target. We talked about making some and I knew I had to give it a try. So, I made it my mission to make some. I was too tired after work, so I woke up early one morning and made it before work. And it was a HUGE hit and got rave reviews!

There are tons of recipes you can get online, but this is how I made mine.

What you’ll need:

Bag of milk chocolate chips
Bag of white chocolate chips
Graham crackers
Mini marshmallows
Tin foil
Baking pan

First, line a baking pan with tin foil.

Then, put the milk chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.

You’re going to microwave the chocolate until it melts, but while it’s melting, you should break up 2-3 graham crackers so they are ready when your chocolate is melted.

Microwave the chips in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until it is melted.

After the chocolate is melted, spread it out on the tin foil in an even layer.

Then sprinkle the graham crackers on the chocolate and press the crackers into the chocolate to set them in.

Now put this into the fridge or freezer to harden the chocolate a bit. It makes it easier for the next step.

Next, put the white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until it is melted.

And while this is melting, smash up a graham cracker or two for sprinkling over the top at the end.

Now, get your pan out of the fridge/freezer and pour the white chocolate over the milk chocolate and graham crackers. Do your best to spread it all over. The white chocolate will melt the milk chocolate a little and make them blend together. Doing this helps keep them slightly more separated, although, there will be some blending.

Then sprinkle on as many marshmallows as you like. I tend to like marshmallows and added a bunch of them!

And then sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs you made over the top of this.

Finally, add another piece of tin foil to the top and press everything down. This helps to set everything into the chocolate. After doing this, put back into the fridge or freezer until completely hardened.

After it has hardened, break apart into pieces for serving.

And ENJOY. That’s it. It may seem like this is complicated, but I assure you, it’s SO very simple. I also brought this to a gathering the other night and our friends LOVED it! I highly recommend trying this for your next gathering.

1/30/11

Posted on January 30, 2011January 31, 2011 by Andi

Today I have been having some more contractions. They are definitely more noticeable today. We’re hoping that’s a good sign. I keep hoping I’ll wake up in the middle of the night with labor pains, but I just sleep peacefully through the night.

Thumper really doesn’t like contractions. She doesn’t like it when her world contracts on her. She kicks like crazy after one. I suppose I would do the same thing! But I have noticed that her movements have slowed down a little bit since the contractions started. So hopefully that means she’s getting ready to make her arrival.

I am also excited because today there’s only 9 days until my due date! Single digits! Woo hoo! Getting closer!

My feet have been a little less swollen yesterday and today. Well, really my feet just aren’t as thick as they usually are. My legs are still pretty swollen. Smile

1/29/11

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Andi

Tonight we went to Game Night at the Schindler’s house. I was so tired and didn’t really feel like making the trek out to Minnetonka, but I am glad we did. This was probably the last social event we’ll have until the baby is here.

It was also so nice to have our friends so excited about the arrival of Thumper! She is truly going to be confused when we call all our friends “Aunt This” and “Uncle That”! But it’s hard not to think of them like family when they are so happy for us!

They also placed some bets on when Thumper will be here! One friend suggested the prize is we name Thumper after them! Smile

1/28/11

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Andi

Today, my coworker had her baby. I can’t believe that I know 3 people that had babies in the last week! Man, I hope we are right behind them! Smile

1/26/11

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Andi

I had another doctor’s appointment today. She was able to touch the baby’s head this time. And things weren’t as painful as last week. I was thankful for that, but a little bummed that I wasn’t more dilated this week. I was just over 1 cm or so.

I am 38 weeks along now and I asked if she would do anything to help my labor progress. She said she wouldn’t do anything at 38 weeks, but next week, she’ll do everything she can to help me along. Hopefully I won’t make it until my next appointment, but it’s good to know that she’ll do her best to help things progress at that point if I don’t have Thumper before then. If what she does works, it should happen within a day or two. So we’ll see how that goes!

firefly lane

Posted on January 25, 2011January 30, 2011 by Andi

My brother's girl friend let me borrow this book. She read it and said it was good. She was right. It was a fast read and a nice book for me to read on the bus. It was enotional, funny and well written. I definitely want to see if there are other books by this author and give them a try.

I don't want to give too much away about the book, but it follows a couple girls who were unlikely friends at a young age through their lives and over a number of decades. It's a story of friendship last stands the test of time.

Happy reading.

1/24/11

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Andi

Chuck picked me up from work today and we went to Family Night at the Microsoft store. There wasn’t a whole lot going on, but there were some snacks and drinks. I took advantage of this! We also did more walking around the mall….come on baby….your mom and dad are very antsy to meet you! 🙂 But other than some non-painful contractions, nothing too exciting.

I have a doctor’s appointment Wednesday and I am hoping there has been some progress made. I am also going to see if they’ll scrape my membranes and maybe see if we can speed things along. Doing this was at the advice of a friend who is a 3-time mom now. 🙂

Also, our friends, Brett and Stephani had their second baby girl, Audrey today! She had a scheduled C-section, and I am going to swing by the hospital on Wednesday before or after my appointment and see them! So many babies! And it’s crazy to think we’re right behind them!

1/23/11

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Andi

I had some more contractions in the morning, then went to Charlie’s basketball game and Chuck’s broomball game with him…..actually, that was after I spent the morning doing laundry, cleaning a little and putting away things in the baby’s room. I did more cleaning and sorting after we got home and before dinner with some friends. I think I may be nesting. 🙂

Our friends Ben and Trisha had their baby, Chelsea today. I am sure our little girl and Chelsea will be good friends growing up! I’m going to see her Tuesday night, I think.