Jamaica, Mom

 

The unofficial 5th member of the Ford family stopped by this week to do another country.  Nana took over our country night for the second time.  This time instead of cooking she brought us yummy takeout from one of her faves....Rumbi's!  She brought her Jamaican facts along and Ayden even let her put the pin in our map.  BIG honors! 

 Here's what we had:

• Jamaican Jerk Chicken Rice bowl 
• Voodoo Chicken Salad
• Calypso Spinach Salad
• Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich
• Key Lime Pie
• Jamaican Rum (Which we never ended up opening, but I have every confidence it will not go to waste)

Nana had some great facts too!  For example:

1. Many Jamaican believe in witchcraft or "obeah".  These beliefs include an evil spirit known as Rolling Calf that comes out to haunt people at night....creeeeepy!
2. In restaurants Jamaicans will ask if you are "having it" which is their way of asking if you are dining in.

Thanks for doing Jamaica Mom, we always have fun with you around and can't wait for your next country pick!  It has defiantly been nice having friends and family take over lately, but I am totally ready to get back in the game!  Ayden's pick is next, lets go ask him.  Madagascar?  Yup, wish me luck.

"Are they talking about China on T.V!?!?" - Tyler Allenbaugh

My little brother is home!  After 10 months in Oregon he just couldn't stand being away from his most favorite sister any longer so he packed up and moved home.  We all really missed him and just had to have him join us for one of our country nights.  The country of the week was China which is actually kinda funny because when Tyler was a little boy he used to think that lady parts were called "Chinas".  It's something our family still giggles about, and something he is probably not to happy about me broadcasting.  Good thing he doesn't read my blog.......psh.

When I was preggers with Mr. Ayden Fox, I had the worst cravings for those almond cookies that they have at Chinese restaurants.  I used to make Adam take me to this China Buffet in Prescott where I would fill my purse plate with as many as I could eat.  Adam thought it would be a good excuse to go again, but mostly I think the man just loves a buffet.  I have to say that it wasn't quite as good as I remember, they didn't have almond cookies, and Tyler was making me vom with the HUGE octopus he was eating, whole.

 

Tyler brough along his adorable girlfriend Eliana and some goodies for the kiddos.  What a good Uncle!  Eliana has actually been to China which is super cool and she even taught us a few words.  One of our facts was how fortune cookies were invented in a factory in San Fransisco, where my Grams and I have totally been to, toured, and tasted.  Delish.

Then we went bowling!!

 Which I completely suck at.  There isn't enough beer on this earth to make me a good bowler.  Tyler implemented some dancing rules that had us gettin' our groove on.  Had there been a score board for dance moves, I would have totally won.  Just sayin. 

World's worst bowler = me.

Ay, Columbia

Okay, okay.  I totally suck.  It's true, we missed a week.  In my defense, the past two weeks have been very busy for momma Ford.  So, in order to redeem myself and ease the shame I decided I would show you all some of my very valid excuses.

 First, I loaded up my adorable kids and took them to their G.G's house in Tucson where they got to play with their cousins for 3 whole days!

Then I worked a total of 37 hours in 3 days at the salon, oh man my dogs were barking!  Followed by a super fun sleepover/wedding vendors conference in Camp Verde.

 

There was tequila...in LARGE quantities.  Cute cowboy servers, amazing food from Red's in Sedona, beautiful decor, a much needed bloody mary brunch, and a connection that landed me a styling gig for Bridal Magazine!  More on that later...

Then...Kid Rock (and Sheryl Crow..HELLO!)

For those of you who don't know, my mother and husband are huge Kid Rock fans.  Like, HUGE.  My mother even has a Kid Rock tramp stamp that she proudly portraits.  We had such a great time and got to spend time with my other mother, Starla!

Okay, so that doesn't exactly make me sound that busy but I assure you, it totally felt that way. 

Finally, we got to Colombian night.

We had Pimentones Rellenos and Coffee Cake.  Basically, I bought a box of coffee cake mix and used Maxwell House Colombian coffee instead of water.  Points for creativity, right?  We learned that 95% of the worlds emeralds come from Columbia and that Columbia is the worlds third leading producer of women's lingerie.

Lastly,

Zoie has started making this hysterical face.  The first time she did it, Ayden and I were laughing so hard we could barely breathe.  I caught a couple of them on camera and just had to share....enjoy!

See you next week!  I promise!!!

Sweet, Sweet, Switzerland.

Switzerland ranks up there as one of the most fun countries we have visited and we owe it all to my mom.  She has been patiently awaiting her turn to do a country with us.  She pondered doing countries that begin with "D" since her name is Debbie, but D countries are very limited.  Ultimately, she decided to go with Switzerland and boy are we glad she did.  Because Switzerland is famous for Fondue and who doesn't love fondue???                                  

   Here is our journey to Switzerland.....

First we had to shop for our fondue ingredients AND a fondue pot.

Then we dipped and dipped to our hearts content.

Mini Zoie Photo shoot.....why not?

 We thought it would be fun to play a little prank on Adam.  So we poured these Jelly Beans into a bowl and asked him to guess the flavors.  It gave us a serious case of the giggles, the kind where tears run down your cheeks and your tummy hurts.  Ayden was bursting at the seams with the secret of the gross flavors.  Good thing Adam is such a good sport!

FUN FACTS:

1. The first known recipe for cheese fondue dates back to 1699.
2. Swiss Army knifes are red so they can be seen in the snow.
3. There are no mosquitoes in Switzerland.
4. It was once against the law to slam your car door.
5. Our personal favorite....It is against the law to mow your lawn dressed like Elvis.  What?!

My mom is one of those instantly likeable people.  Not only is she a fantastic Nana but she is my very best friend and there isn't a single person on this planet who I have more fun being around.  Mom, you did a great job and we had So. Much. Fun!  I definitely think you need to do it again!!  Love you more!

I see London...I see FRANCE!

Very FANCY French wine.

My Grams wanted to squeeze in one more country before she went all the way back to Alabama.  She had been to California the previous week and gone to a friends house that has started doing the country challenge with her family.  Which naturally, I think is awesome!  I have heard of a couple families that have taken our idea and ran with it, adding cute little twists and making it their own.  So cool.  This family had done France and Grams said it was really delish.   So we gave it a whirl.

 Its cooked with an entire bottle of wine, which doesn't suck.  Oh and crumbled bacon? Yep, pretty amazing.

 FRENCH vanilla ice cream sundaes!

I joke that my Grams is the wife I never had, she completely spoils me and won't let me lift a finger around the house.  She is the domestic goddess that I long to but will never be.  I hate that she lives so far away but I love the time we get to spend together on her visits.   Thank you for everything you do and for simply being YOU!

By the way, did you know it is illegal to water a grapevine in France?

 Nana has been patiently waiting to do a country......TONIGHT!

Hey, Mambo..Mambo Italiano

My first job was waiting tables at a place called Giovanni's in Prescott, Az.  After working there for a couple years I became a complete and total pasta snob.  I was spoiled by some awesome Italians with some incredible food.  Adam would come sit in the back room while I was working and order iced tea, after iced tea, after iced tea.  Even though he may have had an alternative motive for being there, he also loved the grub.  Giovanni's is still there but it's under new management and sooooo not the same.  Nothing but Giovannis will ever replace the stromboli sized hole in my heart, but I can say that we have found the next best thing.  It tastes like it, it looks like it, and I even think the logos are simailar.  Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce......  Floridinos (click here to try it...do it!).

Carb Heaven.

Now, those of you who have kids know that there is a window (ages 1-3ish) where dining out isn't exactly enjoyable.  Most of the meal was spent keeping knifes, large cups of liquid, and piping hot plates away from a very quick little girl.  We did read our facts and we did get to mark Italy off our map but I must say that I have definately had more relaxing meals in my day.  My Grams was here for another visit and of course she was just happy as can be, along for the ride, helpful, and not bothered one bit by the chaos.  Just another reason to love her!  Long story short, we basically ate and ran.  On the way home while Grams rode shotgun, Fox and I had a mini photo shoot....Who's a dirty kitty?

The next day we spent packing for our "staycation" to The Point Resort.  Ayden went down his first waterslide and Zoie girl rocked that bikini.  Sun, water, lazy rivers, and compfy beds were just what the doctor had ordered. But, there was one thing that trumped all the fun and sun...laying in bed between my mom and my Grams watching Pawn stars and reading Women's World, best part ever...hands down.

Next week....France!

The Ford's do Finland for the 4th.

Oh, what fun we had on the 4th of July.  There are so many things that made my day/night fantastic...

To list a few...

1. I had the WHOLE day off.  Which I fully enjoyed after a 15 hour day at the salon on Sunday.
2. Adam got off early.
3. My momma came over to spend the day and treat Ayden to a movie.
4. I was itching to put Zoie in her cute little red, white, and blue halter top.
5. Fireworks and tailgating.
6. Oh yea...It was also Finnish night!