Meatless Monday

Mondays are a drag. I'm normally still worn out from the previous weekend. Not to mention that Mondays always seem to go by at a snail's pace at school. Also, one of our little men sees bio dad, which means that he typically doesn't nap. I know that by 6 o'clock I'm exhausted, now imagine a 2 year old who got up at 6:00 and had no rest since. Lots of clingy-ness, tears, erratic behavior. Yikes! This is why I have to make a meal that is yummy to the kids and quick--i.e food that won't be thrown across the table that is fast enough to get the kids in bed early. Aahhh....sweet 7:30.

So, that being said....I thought I'd share my recipe for yummy and healthy Mexican Lasagna. Get out your can openers, cause your gonna need them.

Mexican Lasagna

Ingredients:
1 15oz. can of fat free refried beans
1 15oz. can of black beans, rinsed
1 15oz. can of enchilada sauce
jar of salsa
1 8oz. can Ro*Tel
1 small can of corn, drained
1/2 5oz. can of green chiles
1/2 chopped red onion
1 chopped bell pepper
pinch of cumin
handful of chopped cilantro
tortillas
2 cups of colby jack cheese

Preheat oven to 360 degrees.
Mix beans, Ro*tel, corn, peppers, 1/2 of green chiles, onion, pepper, cumin, 1/2 of cilantro.

Pour a little enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 9x13" pan. Add 2 tortillas--they will overlap. Add 1/2 of bean mixture and some cheese (optional) on top. Top that with two more tortillas. Continue to layer.

Once you have run out of bean mixture, top lasagna off with two more tortillas, the rest of the enchilada sauce, cheese, a bit of salsa, and the remainder of chiles and cilantro.

Pop in the oven for 30 minutes or until cheese bubbles.
Cool for 5 minutes, cut and enjoy with a dollop of fat free sour cream and salsa on the side.
Yummy!

Happy Eating!
~L

Like, Totally 80's

Hi.
Just a quick link to an article about some pretty awesome 80's fashion. The author, Julie Anderson used one of my photos. Check it out. I'm def poppin' some collars.

You can check out the article here.

And...while we're on the topic of fab 80's fashion, check out some of my fashion icons from my younger years. Who am I kidding--I'm still inspired by all these women. I am a product of the eighties after all.

All images found at We heart it.

I hope you have a totally rad evening!
~L

Wardrobe Wednesday

I like this outfit. I saw something similar on Gwyneth Paltrow in 'Country Stong'. I loved that movie. She was a total hot mess, but looked fab all the while. I just love any kind of Southern fiction. So, I thought I'd go a little bit country today.
Shirt: Target
skirt: TJ Maxx?
belt: thrift
tights: Target
Boots: Old Navy

For now, My plan is to post outfits on Wednesdays. We'll see if I can get my act together enough to do it more often.

Have a great day!
~L

Sleepy Monkey

Just thought I'd share this little video with y'all of the Monkey falling asleep at the dinner table. So cute. It's about as adorable as sleepy kittens, huh? Let's just say that he ended up face down in his dinner plate.

Hi Y'all.

Wanna know a little secret?  I've been staring at the front page of this little blog for a week trying to figure out what to write for my very first post.  SO MUCH PRESSURE!  I've just been so fixated on making the first post interesting enough for you to want t come back and check in with Bulldog & the Monkey again that it has left me unable to find just the right words. Fast forward to one week later.....I think I've finally let go of 'perfect' and have decided to jump in feet first.  So, here we are.  I think I'll start by filling y'all in on a little about me.
I'm Leah.
I live on a small farm with my hubby, 3 boys (I know....pray for me), 2 dogs, 2 cats, 6 horses and 1 African spur thighed tortoise. My younger self could have never imagined life would have turned out like this! I was for sure I would be a city dweller for life!
I teach middle school art, and manage to love it most of the time.
I like to make stuff--paintings, crafts, small sewing projects, but find that with 3 little kids I don't have a lot   of time for it. Bummer...I know, but I wouldn't trade them!
I love fashion, and used to be a regular over at wardrobe Remix on flickr.  I'm really gonna try to get back to it. Thrift stores and vintage clothes make me happy!
I'm not very tech savvy, but I'm hoping working on this blog with help with some of that.
I love music and bad television.
I have fantastic kids that drive me crazy, but I wouldn't change a thing.
I shop more than I should, and definitely have a shoe addiction.
I'm trying to be a healthier and better person--inside and out.
And....I really want my husband to build me chicken coop--let me know if you have any words of wisdom on that one!

So, you may be asking what's up with the name 'Bulldog & the Monkey'? Well, see those little munchkins above? The chubby one is the Bulldog. He acquired that name from my Poppa who thinks he looks like a bulldog due to his insanely chubby cheeks. The other one, the one we call the Monkey, got his name from his mad climbing skills. Never in my life have I ever seen anything like it. Thus Bulldog & the Monkey was born. I'm sure I'll spend plenty of time writing about them. They do lots of funny stuff. My oldest son, A., has never really been given a funny nickname, but he will no doubt make many appearances here. Well, I think that covers the basics for now.

My plan is to write about family life, teaching, fashion, and whatever else may come to mind. I hope you'll pop back in from time to time to see how things are going. I'll tell you what...If you keep reading, I'll keep writing--and no more blog jitters. See? Feet first.

Have a great day~
L