Christmas Wish List

Disclaimer:  I can skip this part, right?  Surely y'all know me well enough by now to know that I don't feel entitled nor deserving of anything, realize that receiving isn't nearly as great as giving, and I'm just doing this because my mom and sister have both asked me to give them ideas of things I'd like...right?  Ok, good.  :)

1.  Vera Bradley Purse (Glenna)-  I'm sorry, but call me grandma...I just don't care.  I will be the last person carrying one of these purses in the free world, I guess.  But you just can't beat a good Vera purse.  The pockets, the POCKETS (worth repeating) are amazing.  They are sturdy, can be washed and still hold their shape, and I love some of the patterns offered on the website.  This one is Plum Crazy.

                   
2. I'm slightly obsessed with perfume.  I think I get perfume almost every year for Christmas.  Last year I got Lollia from Anthropologie.  This year, I would like to have Ivanka Trump's perfume.  Now, I neither like or dislike the Trumps, so I'm not endorsing this because it's hers.  I just think it smells good.




3.  Old Navy Pajama Pants- THE most comfortable ever!

4.  Bow-Tie Ballet Flats from Old Navy

5.  Gift Card for clothes



I'm So Excited, and I Just Can't Hide It!!!!!!!

Click here.  See #7???  I'm checking that off in March.  He's coming to the Ryman in Nashville and I have tickets!!!! No idea who will go with me, but I definitely plan to be there.  I've wanted to see him for YEARS and he always plays in towns that are too far away.  I.am.so.excited.

Corn Dip (Best Ever!)

This weekend my sister, a friend, and I decided to go all out and make some "football finger foods" since two very big games happened to be on television.  My favorite of everything we made was this corn dip.  I could eat it every day for the rest of my life and not get tired of it.  It's that good!

Corn Dip

2 cans Mexicorn
1 can yellow and white corn
1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
green onions, finely chopped

Mix all of the above together and serve with tortilla chips or fritos.

That Went Well.....

Yeah, so that diet post just below...that worked out great, didn't it!?  Oh my stars.  I'm still trying friends.  It's an every.single.day. thing.  I have been getting up three days a week at 5:45 in the morning to walk since August 1.  I'm trying to make exercise a priority, even though I'd rather eat dirt than do it.  I'm still struggling, but I will never quit trying.  Keep those prayers coming.

In other news, school has started back.  I've never been so exhausted in my life!  The first two weeks were brutal, but my body is finally getting used to the new schedule and new routine.  I love my job, so it makes it a little easier to get up in the mornings.

Nothing much else going on in my world these days.  I'm going to the American Idol Concert this weekend.  Some friends and I make the trip every year, so it's a tradition.  I'm looking forward to it. But more than that, I'm looking forward to Labor Day...and the absence of any sort of labor I plan to do on that day.  Cue the hallelujah chorus.

Hope you all are well.  :)

Weight Loss Wednesday

Thanks to those of you that commented on my last post.  While not as many as I'd like to keep me accountable, I have to do this for myself regardless.  I haven't done as well as I'd like.  I haven't done nearly as well as I'd like.  I have only been home two days in the last week and as I said before, that throws me off severely.  I'm excited about a new week.  It WILL be better.

This week I lost: 2 pounds (exactly)

Total weight loss: 2 pounds

I'll take it.  It's better than nothing.

Here I Go Again...

I'm embarrassed to say that I have failed at yet another diet.  In the winter/spring, I was fairly successful at eating clean and counting calories.  I lost about 15 pounds and was feeling good.  But then life happened.  School was out for the summer, and I completely lost control and ruined the progress I had worked so hard to make.  I've learned that when I'm home and on a routine, I do fairly well.  But when I deviate from that, it goes downhill fast.  For example, I was at Impact for almost a week this summer.  I lived in a hotel room without a fridge, so everything I ate was fast food or junk they provided in the cafeteria on campus at Lipscomb.  Also, when my sister and family come to town, I stay at my mom's with them...and she makes cakes, cookies, huge meals, etc etc etc.  It's.too.hard.  But the fact is, that's life.  I will never live in a world where everyone around me is dieting and refuses to eat things that tempt me.  I need to learn to deal with reality and avoid the temptation.  I need to stop using food to fill voids in my life.  It doesn't work- in so many ways.  I'm sick of feeling unable to be my true self and being held back by my appearance.  I'm tired of Satan using it against me and making me feel unworthy.  I'm tired of buying into those lies.  I have to try (for the millionth time) to fix it.

Sooooooo, my idea is this:  I'm beginning Weight Loss Wednesdays.  Each Wednesday, I'm going to weigh in and reveal on my blog the results of the prior week in my effort to lose weight.  I will tell how much I lose or how much I gain.  I promise to be 100% truthful, good or bad.  I just simply need the accountability.  I need to know that people are reading and supporting me.  I haven't decided for sure how I will go about it.  More than likely, I will do a combination of calorie counting and clean eating.  I'm going to try and eliminate most processed foods, eat more fruits and veggies, etc.  I know how to do it, I just need the strength to do it.  My body always fights me when I diet and my metabolism must have died before I was even born.  It's just super hard for me.  Nevertheless, it won't happen if I don't try.  So, here I am again.

I am not soliciting praise, nor am I pleading for you to write cheers or chants to scream at me daily.  I do ask that if you read my blog regularly,  just comment with your name (at least).  Knowing there are people I will have to answer to will help keep me motivated.  So, please please please take a second and comment with your name.  If I don't feel anyone is reading my results, it will defeat the entire purpose of this attempt.  Also, if you struggle with dieting or anything else you'd like to be held accountable for, I would love to help you, too!  Life is too short to have regrets, so I'm trying once more to make myself proud.

I love you all, friends! Thanks in advance for your encouragement and support!

P.S.  I will weigh in the morning and still reveal the results Wednesday, even though it won't be a full week.  I also have to figure out what to do the 20-27 when I go to the beach.  How do I diet then?  I will have to make a plan...

Sweet, Sweet Summer

I decided early on that my goal for this summer was to slow down enough to actually feel like I'm on vacation.  I typically find something to fill almost every single day during my time off and end up going back to school in the fall not feeling like I've had any rest or days to myself.  I was determined to change that this year and friends, I have been very successful at that thus far.  This entire week I have stayed in my pajamas until mid afternoon, gotten a shower late, and either spent the evening watching my favorite reality television shows or hanging out with friends.  I've done laundry.  I've kept the kitchen clean.  I've cooked dinner.  I've done everything on my own schedule.  It's fabulous!  However, it's about to come to an end for two or three weeks.

I guess it's safe to publicly announce that I will be an aunt again in November!!!  My sis is pregnant with #2 and we find out in just a couple weeks if she's having a boy or girl.  I absolutely cannot wait!  I just hope this little nugget sleeps better than ST and doesn't have colic.  Bless.  And speaking of sweet Sarah Taylor, Mom and I are keeping her for a week beginning Saturday!  Cort and Trey are going to the beach for their five year anniversary.  I'm excited to spend the week with  my little princess and spoil her as much as I can.  She's quite the character these days.....hilarious.

I've also accepted a position at church working with the youth group this summer.  I'm super excited and look forward to what God has in store.  We begin VBS Monday and I'll be leaving in a couple weeks for a week long youth camp.  Gone are the days of pajamas and rest for a while, but it will be well worth it.  I'm hoping God will use the trials I have experienced lately and the battles I've fought against Satan to help some of those sweet kids.  He does work in mysterious ways.

So, until the end of the month, my sitting around in my pajamas watching my favorite daytime talk shows is over.  I welcome the change of pace though.  Cabin fever is starting to set in, so the timing is actually perfect.  

I hope you're all enjoying the sunshine.  Keep praying we have no snake sightings around these parts.  So far so good.  ;)

I Look to You

No-Bake Energy Bites

I'm trying to do this clean eating crap stuff again, so I've been desperately searching for recipes that are all organic and super healthy.  I remembered tasting these a while back when a friend made them, and decided to try them myself.  Surprisingly, they are healthy AND delicious.  I wanted to document for myself, so I hope you enjoy them too.

Ingredients:

1 cup organic, rolled oats
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 cup coconut flakes (I didn't have any and I'm not a huge fan of coconut, so I added more oats.)
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 mini chocolate chips (I may or may not have added a "few" more than that.)
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients together.  Refrigerate for half an hour.  Mold into balls and serve.

 

***Several people have asked me what flaxseed is.  It looks almost like poppy seeds when it's ground.  Studies show it reduces the risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart disase, and diabetes.  Some have called it the most powerful plant food on the planet.  :)

Weary

Satan is ruthless.  I have felt him competing for my heart and my mind the past four or five weeks...in a big way.  And I'm weary.  It's been a roller coaster.  I will pray and pray some more, surround myself in God's word, and feel I hear His spirit speak comfort.  It calms me, temporarily.  Then Satan will win again...and the worry/fear/doubt comes back.  It's a constant tug-of-war, and I'm consumed with it.  I confess that I am a very fearful person.  I worry constantly, mostly about my health.  I know on one hand that my fears are very irrational.  Actually, quite ridiculous most of the time.  But on the other hand, Satan's manipulative nature makes my fears seem real.  It's deception at its finest.  On top of battling Satan, I feel guilt for living in a way that is opposite of the faith I profess.  I feel guilty when I don't handle my worries by seeking God's reassurance, but search for it by talking to others.  It's one thing on top of another.  My mind is a battlefield and this soldier is t-i-r-e-d. 

If you've been a long time reader of my blog, you might remember this post.  I wrote about how I feel God rescues me by speaking to me, allowing me to let go of my worries.  Hearing His spirit is the only thing that calms me.  I depend on it.  I search for Him always, in everything.  And he ALWAYS comes through.  If you remember, "ok" has become how I feel God speaks to me.  By seeing those letters coupled together in words during times of trials, by hearing someone say it as soon as I've completed a prayer pleading with God for comfort, or even finding it spray-painted on the concrete beside my driveway.  Oh yes, I did.  He speaks, friends.  And I am so very thankful.

In a moment of desperation this morning, I asked again.  I needed to hear Him.  I pulled in to the school parking lot and the first thing I saw was this...

Amazing, right?  I'm so in love with HOW HE LOVES US!  Satan is still trying to deceive me and say, "That's not what that means, Amy.  This was a coincidence.  That's not God. Even though you've prayed your heart out and God knows how you expect to see Him and in what way you interpret His speaking to you, that's still wrong."  And on, and on, and on.  Such has been my mind all.day.long.  This has to stop.

What I'm coming to realize through this trial is this:

* I HAVE to stay in the word to win my battle.  The only way I'm able to hold my head up daily (and sometimes I don't do it well), is because I've found solace in Him alone.

       
* I can depend on the Holy Spirit to guide me.  I'm just now beginning to realize that the Spirit truly is my comfort and my counselor.  Please don't misunderstand and think I believe God speaks to us in such big, bold ways in every single circumstance we encounter.  But I can promise you one thing...HE DOES SPEAK.  Look for it.  Search for Him.  You will never feel left alone.

     
 * It will pass.  Although this battle has lasted longer than most and I haven't seen a clear end yet, I know I will.  There must be a lesson God wants me to learn.  I am trying to figure out exactly what it is.  Maybe He wanted me to share my story in hopes someone will stumble upon this post needing to hear from Him.  I hope He can use me and my trials to help you.

* I am nothing without Him.  He isn't speaking to me because I've done things right.  He hasn't chosen to reveal His word to because I'm special.  In fact, I feel the opposite. He is coming to me because I'm desperate.  I'm desperate for Him.  And He always delivers.

I would covet your prayers as I continue to fight my battle.  I know each person that reads this (although it may be only two.. :) is fighting a battle, too.  Whether I see it or not or whether it's public or private, it's there.  I'm convinced of that.  Use what I feel God has taught me to help you develop a stronger battle tactic.  Teach me your knowledge, too, because I still need it.

While i write this primarily for my strength and to sort out my thoughts, I hope it comfort someone else.  Let go of all that bothers you, because He cares for you and is longing to give you strength.  Believe that.

Love.... 

I Just Did This.....

Purchase confirmed:  And I.am.so.excited.  Many of you may not understand my need for a purchase such as this.  But if you're a fellow organizer and love to look at your life on paper, make "to-do" lists, and keep important dates right in front of you...you'll appreciate my excitement.  I've been considering this purchase for a while but was hesitant because of how much it costs.  It wasn't outrageous, but more than I'd typically spend on a planner.  My thinking is that since I buy two or three cheap ones throughout the year, this will save me money since it should last!  The tabs are laminated...cue the hallelujah chorus!  And did you see the folder in the back?  Yep- nice.  Okay- my gushing about the planner is over.  I found it on etsy if anyone is interested, I can share the shop name.  :)

 

Favorite Things- Spring 2013

With warmer weather and sunshine becoming more prevalent these days, so is my desire to shop and search for new bright, "springy" items to add to my list of favorite things!  Here's the list so far.

1.  You know I'm a perfume connoisseur,  so I don't buy that much Bath & Body Works anymore.  However, I was strolling through there the other day looking around and came upon this...

It's called Beautiful Day and I think it is THE perfect scent for spring!  It's a new arrival and has that light, clean smell that I love.  I bought the tiny travel size body mist to test it out but am looking forward to going back and getting the full size spray next time. And lotion.

2.  Try this.  Soon.  (Cuban Chicken Panini from Panera Bread)

It's smoked ham, all-natural/antibiotic-free chicken, Swiss cheese, sweet and spicy pickles, chipotle mayo, sun-dried tomato ale mustard served on Focaccia bread.  Delish.

3.  Cajun Shrimp nail polish from OPI.

4.  Brookstone Performance Throw Blanket

My sweet brother in law picked this out for me for Christmas.  I always love to cover up with a blanket when I'm on the couch watching TV.  Now that it's warmer outside, I put away my huge fleece blanket and exchanged it for this one.  It's double-sided.  One side is fleece and keeps me warm. The other side is smooth and cool, which wicks moisture away from your body when you're hot.  It cools you off immediately!  Weird to cool off with a blanket I know, but it works!  

That's all for now.  I'm sure there will be more to come very soon.  Happy Weekend!

HELP!!!!

Does my blog background appear gray?  On my computer at home it's yellow...and matches.  At work, it's gray.  I was assuming it was something with my school computer, but want to make sure.  Please comment what you see so I can fix it if needed.  Thanks, friends!

Happy weekend!

Kristi's Homemade Chicken Tenders

This recipe is from my dear friend Kristi, and it is divine!  I don't know specific amounts, so just "eyeball" it.

Ingredients:
buttermilk
2 eggs
flour
basil
garlic salt
pepper
paprika

Mix all dry ingredients besides flour.  Dip chicken in buttermilk, then egg, last flour.  Dip to coat in herb mix.  Fry.

Zaxby's Sauce

This recipe is for Zaxby's sauce...and it tastes just like it!  I made some homemade chicken tenders a few weeks ago, mixed this sauce up to go with it, and BAM...perfection.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup ketchup

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon worchestire sauce

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Stir together and refrigerate. ***The key is the black pepper.  If the taste is off, add more pepper.  

Fresh Salsa

I'm going to be adding more recipes in the next few posts, anticipating making my cookbook from my favorites I've posted throughout the years.  This one is an all-time favorite....SALSA!

Ingredients:

one large can chopped tomatoes

two cans Rotel

half onion, chopped

three cloves garlic

dash of lime juice

bunch of cilantro (literally- the whole bunch)

salt

Blend together, refrigerate, and serve!

Chicago!

Okay, so I’m finally making time to sit down and blog about my trip to Chicago! It was A-W-E-S-O-M-E…and it was C-O-L-D! I don’t think I have ever been so cold in my life! That didn't keep us from painting the town red, though. Let me tell you...we owned that town. It was an absolute blast and I’m so so thankful for my sweet friends and their willingness to leave their families for a weekend of fun!

We touched down in Chicago around 10:00 Saturday morning and headed (ummmhummm, by way of limo) straight to get some Chicago pizza. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. It was the best I’ve ever eaten. Ever. It stood (that’s right, stood) about two inches tall and was full of more cheesy goodness than you could imagine. We ordered two- one Chicago classic (onion, pepper, mushrooms, and pepperoni) and one Tropic Delight (Canadian bacon and pineapple). It was impossible to choose which one was the best. I’m craving more now.  Girls, if you're reading- "chambers"  Ha!

Right after lunch, we went to the Skydeck at the Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears tower). We were all nervous, but determined to walk out on the ledge-which was 103 stories tall. That’s high, friends. So high that I was so dizzy when I stepped off the elevator that I thought I was going to pass out. It’s the tallest building in the western hemisphere. And the ledge is glass. Clear glass. See through glass…like all the way to the ground. We waited in line for over an hour but we finally made our way to the ledge. Hesitantly, we all did it. Quickly. But we did it.

You can tell I'm scared by the look on my face!

The view was amazing!

We went next to Magnificent Mile to check out the sights. We used our Hop On/Hop Off Trolley passes to take us from place to place. I didn’t realize most of the stores were designer or name brands that I definitely couldn’t afford…Armani, Tiffany, Coach, etc. I don’t think I walked inside one single store. But, it was still neat to see and I’m glad I can now say I’ve been there. We searched and searched along Michigan Avenue for somewhere to eat. The wait time was nuts everywhere we checked, until we found this place called Foodlife. I think it was coolest place I’ve ever been to eat. We were given a “charge card” upon entering. The place was huge, and included lots of different “restaurants” within the big restaurant…if that makes sense. Once you’re seated at your table, you take your charge card and visit any counter you’d like to order anything you’d like. They swipe your card and when you’re finished, you take your card to the front to pay. There was a BBQ bar, sushi bar, comfort food bar, Chinese, Stir Fry, Soup, Salad, Mexican, etc. I didn’t particularly like my food choice- Sesame Chicken- but I think it’s because I was so tired and determined not to stand in line, that I chose the first place I saw that I could get something quick. The other girls seemed to enjoy their meal. Nevertheless, I LOVED the concept.

We got a good night’s sleep and woke up the next morning anticipating our visit to Chinatown. My wallet was so eager to find some knockoff purses or sunglasses. Boy, were we wrong. This wasn’t like the Chinatown in NYC. This was the literal Chinatown…as in an Asian community. No venders. No knockoffs. Needless to say, our time there was short-lived.

We hopped on the trolley and headed to Millennium Park to see the giant silver bean! We had the most fun! We took tons of pictures and were super silly…and didn’t even care. We went from there to the Michigan Avenue Bridge, which was the scene from My Best Friend’s Wedding. Then we followed the smell of popcorn (not really, but almost) to Garrett Popcorn. The.most.amazing.popcorn.ever. Oh my goodness. What I wouldn’t give for some now. And Giordano’s Pizza.

The afternoon came to an end and it was time to go freshen up for our much awaited reservations at RPM Italian. This was the primary reason I wanted to visit Chicago…because I love me some Giuliana and Bill Rancic! They are part owners of this restaurant and I watched them renovate the building, choose the menu, and even plan the waiter/waitress uniforms on their reality show…which begins again in June! The food was phenomenal. We all had Giuliana’s Italian Salad, followed by our own choice of pastas. I chose Mama DePandi’s Bucatini Pomodoro.  It was pasta noodles that were hollowed out in the center, with the most flavorful pasta sauce you could imagine.  Delish!  A couple of the girls got spaghetti and meatballs….take a look at the size of that meatball! It tasted as good as it looked, too.

After we walked around Michigan Avenue a while and let our food settle, we decided to go to the John Hancock Building to see the view of the city at night.  We rode the elevator to the 96^th floor into the Signature Room Lounge.  We feasted on some magnificent desserts- cheesecake for me.  The view was much better than the dessert, in my opinion.  Although I ate every bite.

Yes- This is a real picture that I took looking out the window.

Sunday morning we woke up and spent some time with God together, which was very special.  We then set out on a mission to make it to Navy Pier.  Boy, did we think we would never get there!  We hopped on the trolley and little did we know, we had to ride the complete two hour tour to get to where we wanted to go.  If you had been as cold as we had been that weekend, you wouldn't have gotten off and walked either.  Ha!  We got on at the stop just after Navy Pier, so we sat through the entire tour…miserably.  The man driving loved to talk (understatement).  By the time we got to Navy Pier, I think we all jumped off before that thing even came to a complete stop!  We shopped around inside, then walked out to look at the view.  It was SNOWING, so the temperatures were beyond frigid.  We ate lunch at Bubba Gump’s, nursed a sick one (Oh, the memories), enjoyed ice cream and caramel apples, then headed back to the hotel to get our luggage and prepare for our trip back to the airport. 

Our flight was supposed to leave Chicago at 9:35, but was delayed until 10:20 due to the snow in Washington, where our plane had been.  We landed in Nashville around 11:30 and finally made it home safely, after traveling over many snow-covered overpasses and narrowly avoiding heart attacks, around 3:00 am Tuesday morning.  But, it was worth it.

I’m so thankful for these girls and what they mean to me.  I’m so thankful God led me to a school in which I am able to spend the majority of my days with people I love so dearly.  God is truly amazing and I am in awe of what He’s done in my life.  I truly, truly count my blessings and consider these ladies and our friendships among the biggest.

I love you, girls!

Spring Wish List

There are so many cute things out there right now that I really, really want!  Granted, I'm blessed and have way more than I need, but it's fun to dream, right?  I love seeing new items you girls write about, so I thought I'd share what I've been eyeing lately. 

1.  I'm behind on this one, but I want a Pandora bracelet.  Everytime I see someone wearing them, my need for it grows. Ha! I wish they weren't so expensive!

 2.  Speaking of jewelry, I saw a Waxing Poetic charm the other day online that I.MUST.HAVE.  I have a necklace with two charms and I want to add to it.  I have an A my mom got me for Christmas, and the other is a cross that my sweet friends gave me for my birthday.  Now, I want this one to go with it.  LOVE.

3.  Who loves Charming Charlie?  ME!!!  While most of the jewelry in there is just a wee bit out of my box, I love to go in there and browse.  It's fun to look at all the earrings, necklaces, shoes, scarves, etc.  The last couple times I've been in there, I've discovered their perfume.  It's smells reeeeeally good.  I'd consider myself to be somewhat of a perfume connoisseur.  I have forever been a fan of smelling nice and never leave the house without spraying something on.  So when I tell you something smells nice, believe me!  There are two kinds I like there: Lace and So Smitten.  They're both that light, clean smell that I enjoy.  I think a bottle is $30. Not too shabby.

4.  Anyone that knows me well knows I love me some Iphone cases!  I have several one or two that I alternate back and forth.  Something about changing them up makes me feel like I have a new phone.  Well today, I discovered this puppy.  I LOVE it.  It's Jessica Swift.  I saw someone with one the other day and was immediately smitten.  It's hard plastic, wraps completely around the phone, and isn't one of those flimsy ones like you see often.  It looks really durable, which is what I like most.

What are your favorite things for spring?  Do share!

***Chicago Post is coming up next!  Stay tuned.

Happy Spring Break to Meeeeeee!!!!

I'll be in the Windy City if you need me.  Hold my calls until Tuesday.  Pictures will be posted when I return.

No-Bake Key Lime Cream Cakes

Another recipe I've made lately is for these scrumptuous key lime cream cakes.  They are so very easy, really quick, and they look pretty, too! 

Ingredients

Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs ( Buy the box of crumbs, so you don't have to crush them yourself!)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
***I had to use more than what this recipe called for to fill 12 cupcake liners.  Just add more little by little until you have enough.

Filling:
8 ounce cream cheese, softened
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup bottled key lime juice (I used Nellie and Joe's)
1 container Cool Whip
lime slices

Directions
Line 12 cupcake cups with foil liners. Stir graham cracker crumbs, pecans and melted butter together in a bowl to combine. Spoon 1 Tbsp. of the mixture into each liner, pressing it down to make the crust.

With an electric mixer on low speed, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until creamy, about 30 seconds. Add the condensed milk and key lime juice, and blend on medium speed until just combined, 20 to 30 seconds. Add 1 cup of the whipped topping and blend on low speed for 15 seconds longer.

Spoon mixture evenly into liners. Cover pan with plastic and freeze until firm, at least 3 hours. Remove from freezer 15 minutes before serving; peel off liners and dollop 1 Tbsp. remaining whipped topping on each cake. Garnish with lime slices, if you like.

Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry

I've been a cookin' fool lately...and I've loved it.  I've cooked more the past four or five days than I have the entire month combined.  I've made new things and found a couple recipes that I have truly loved, so I thought I'd share.  I eventually want to print my recipes from this blog and make my own cookbook.

This stir fry recipe came from a new app I downloaded not too long ago.  It's the Spark Recipes app.  It has lots of low-calorie/healthy recipes and every single one I've made so far has been really good.  This one was actually the best meal I've made in a while.  I thought it was absolutely delicious.  I used the recipe from the app but tweaked it a little, so I will try to list exactly what I used...even though I didn't measure anything.

Ingredients: (all approximate- I just "eyeballed" it.)

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins (I used about 3/4 of the bag.)

3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons ground ginger (key ingredient...Don't leave it out!)

1 medium onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 pound fresh mushrooms

Directions:

Cut tenderloins into pieces and place in large bowl.  Pour soy sauce, sugar, and ginger on top of the chicken and stir.  Let sit while you prepare vegetables.

Heat olive oil in large skillet.  Stir fry vegetables until tender on medium-high heat.

Remove vegetables from skillet and set aside.  Place chicken in skillet and cook until no longer pink...it doesn't take very long.  Return vegetables to skillet, stir gently, and serve.

*I served with brown rice and tomorrow for lunch I am putting it on lettuce and making a fajita salad.

Wisdom Wednesday #4 and #5

4.  Stomach viruses are from the devil.
5.  Sinus infections are next in line.

***The last two Wednesdays I have been sick.  I'm typically a pretty healthy person and thankfully, usually don't catch the latest virus or illness that is going around at school.  But this year....I'm seeming to catch it all.  I am about to be on my way to pick up my second antibiotic in two weeks, hoping it will knock this sinus infection and cough out.  I had the stomach virus last week.  I'm SICK of being SICK.  Prayers please, for me to feel normal asap.

Blessings...

My Valentine

Since Valentine's Day is approaching and love is in the air (gag), I can't help but to think of this little munchkin and how much my heart has grown since she came into my life.  I can't even begin to describe in words how deeply I love her and how much happiness she brings me.  Even when I struggled a couple months ago with anxiety and depression, seeing her was the absolute best medicine I could have been given.  She makes me smile all.the.time.  She's the cutest, sweetest, smartest, and most perfect two year old I know.  And she's all mine.  Blessed....

I love you, Sarah Taylor...

Wisdom Wednesday #3

Happy Hump Day my dear three readers!  It's Wisdom Wednesday once again and I'm back to impart some major wisdom today. Buckle up!



1.  This, in fact, is a REAL picture I accidentally stumbled across on ebay while looking for my sweet niece a cute smocked or seersucker swimsuit for our beach trip this summer.  Just take a second and look at this.......  It's wrong on so many levels.  If you've EVER considered putting your six month old in some cross-chested, too much skin baring bikini type get-up, I beg you to reconsider.  If it's camoflauge on top of that, go ahead and make a call to the psych ward because you are clearly not thinking rationally.  And on top of that, how scary looking is this doll?

2.  On a lighter note (and calorie...like that transition??), if you haven't tried the Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco, you need to.  It's only 160 calories and really tasty.  If you want to add even more flavor, have them add the avocado ranch dressing.  It's an additional 80 calories but tastes soooo delightful.  In my opinion, these make a good snack in the middle of the afternoon, too.  I couldn't eat cheese and crackers for that amount of calories!


3.  I've discovered a new photo editing website.  It's www.fotoflexer.com.  As much as I've been playing around with my blog templates/backgrounds/headers, I've looked at several tutorials.  One introduced me to this website.  It's similar to picMonkey, but I actually like it better.  There's so many options, tons of really great fonts, you can do more in my opinion that on other sites...and it's FREE!  Check it out.

That's it for today.  New wisdom coming your way in a week!

BBQ Beef Sliders

First of all- excuse my spelling error in the title of my last post.  It has now been corrected.  Can't be perfect 24/7.  (so kidding)

So, who says girls can't have Super Bowl parties?  I couldn't have cared less about the outcome and in fact, didn't even know who was playing until a week before.  But, the halftime show was amazing and the commercials entertaining, so that was reason enough for a party.  I decided to try a recipe I found on Pioneer Woman's website.  It's called Spicy Whiskey BBQ Sliders, but I left out the whiskey and they were ah-mazing.

Spicy BBQ Sliders

2 lbs ground beef

salt and pepper

1 whole, large onion

1 cup BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's)

12 Dinner Rolls

***Can also include jalapenos to add spice.  I didn't.

 

Form the meat into twelve small patties.  Salt and pepper each side.  Fry in skillet (Mrs. Pioneer Woman said 3-4 minutes on each side.  WRONG!  It took waaaaay longer than that.  I eventually had to put them in the microwave to speed up the process.)  Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside.  Drain all but about two tablespoons of grease from the skillet.

Chop onion and place in skillet.  Add BBQ sauce.  Saute until warm.  Add patties to mix.  Cook until no longer pink and onions are soft.  Place inside grilled or toasted dinner rolls.  Spoon BBQ/onion mixture on top of hamburger.

Yummmmmm!

It's a Real Tragedy

I cannot believe what has happened.  I can't be happy with my blog for more than a few weeks before wanting to change it again.  I was sitting here procrastinating grading papers while my kids were in computer and decided, "hey...let's go for another blog change real quick.  I'm feeling brighter and happier colors."  As I've done many times before, I changed things around, saved it, and boom- new blog.  This time for some reason, it DID NOT SAVE MY BLOG LIST!  I'm in panic mode.  Do you guys realize how much I love reading your blogs?  Do you realize how much I love venturing onto my craft blogs and finding new stuff to do?  Oh my goodness!!!  It's gone....and I'm lost.  Please, please, please comment and leave me your blog address.  I remember most of the blogs I read, but not the actual web address.  I want to add you all back!

Wisdom Wednesday (a day late)

Sorry for the delay, friends.  I know you have all been eagerly awaiting Wisdom Wednesday #2!  The wisdom I have to impart today is absolutely priceless, of course.

1.  In this day and age, if you're famous and well-known for anything whatsoever, it somehow qualifies you to be a professional at everything..  i.e. Chris Harrison (host of the Bachelor) now has a clothing line.  Paula Deen now has an eye wear line.  She is an expert cook, so she now has magically become an expert on bifocals?  What about the Karsashians...they have everything.  Just because they have a crazy reality show.  One that I never miss, but don't tell anyone.    Give me a break.  I'm a professional teacher so maybe I will just create my own line of toilet seats or water hoses.  It's just nuts. 

2.  Don't ever return a chicken.  You read that right.  My sweet and sometimes crazy grandmother bought a chicken at the grocery store the other day.  She got it home, cooked it, and realized it just wasn't worth what she payed for it.  It was too small, people!  She took that joker right back to the store..IN THE PAN IN WHICH SHE COOKED IT, and asked for a refund.  Oh yes, she did.  She got it too.  Don't mess with grandmother.

3.  Up until last week, I always splurged and paid extra money for Tide laundry detergent.  I LOVE the smell of clean laundry and well, I just thought Tide was the one that smelled the best.  Wrong.  It's Gain powder detergent.  Way better.

4.  The diet is working.  I'm down 8.2 pounds in three weeks.  Pumped.

Until next time....

Pineapple Cheese Ball

We had "Finger Food Bunco" last night and with the busyness that is this week, I needed something quick, simple, and inexpensive to make.  I found this recipe on Pinterest (imagine that) and thought I would try it out. It will from now on be on my list of favorite appetizer/snack recipes.  I thought it was delicious!

PINEAPPLE CHEESE BALL

1 and 1/2 packages cream cheese
1 small can crushed pineapple (well drained)
powdered sugar (to taste- about 2-3 tablespoons)
green onion (approximately 2 tablespoons)
chopped pecans

Combine all ingredients together.  Mold into a ball and chill.  Roll in crushed pecans.  Refrigerate until served.  Serve with crackers.


Enjoy!