PicMonkey

Let's face it.  Auburn football has been nothing less than a crapshoot the past two weeks.  So when the game was set to come on today, I decided to give myself a little distraction to prevent turning into a mean serpant-like snake while watching like I did last week.  As the television was on and I listened to the game, I decided to give my blog a makeover.

Let me just say- PicMonkey is so awesome!  You can basically do anything from editing photos to designing collages, and the best part is....it's FREE!  In honor of my team (and the fact that the colors orange and blue look totally awesome together), I went with that color scheme.  I found a background on The Cutest Blog on the Block, added a HTML gadget on my blogger dashboard, and installed it.  I loved the header template they provided, but I couldn't fit the title of my blog into the small design it offered.  That's when PicMonkey came to the rescue.  Obviously, it's very plain and basic, but it serves its purpose.  If you know me, you know the entire layout will probably change in a few weeks, so taking hours to design one would be a waste.    It's simple, but it's me.  

Can I insert here that I've blogged three times in the past few days?  Yes.  You're welcome. I hope all three of my readers are happy.

Honey Garlic Chicken

Two in two days...record.

I've been all about trying new Pinterest recipes lately.  The favorites thusfar have been ones in which I can use my crockpot.  There's nothing like being able to throw something in a bowl, turn on the heat, and pronto....five hours later, it's done!  The following recipe is one I made THREE TIMES last week.  It's sooooo good and soooooo easy!

Honey Garlic Chicken

6-10 frozen chicken tenderloins
minced garlic
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup honey

Place frozen chicken tenders in the crockpot.  Drop minced garlic on top (I usually use 1-2 teaspoons.  Just "eyeball" it.)  Whisk ketchup, soy sauce, and honey in small bowl.  Pour over chicken and cook 4-5 hours on low.

You can thank me later.

I'm Baaaaack!

That was a pretty long hiatus!  Summer was great- BUSY, as usual.  I got to travel a lot, which I love.  I counted the other day and I have now visited 20 states out of the 50.  Sign up below for which state you would like to accompany me to and we will plan the trip.  Don't fight over Hawaii, now.

School is now in session.  I adjusted fairly well to getting up early and getting back into the swing of things...partially thanks to Xooma and my new found energy.  And, I have absolutely no shame in putting a plug in for this product.  Don't knock it til you try it.  "Haters gonna hate" (right, Bekah?) is my motto.  I am 110% convinced it was a gift from God to me and He has answered my prayers in more than one way due to my becoming part of this company.  Ahhh, I feel better.  #soapbox

In other news, remember the post I wrote a couple months ago about finally catching the blasted snake that was in my yard and the relief I felt to now be able to walk in my front door without the terror and fear of one slithering across my feet?  Yeah, well forget what I said.  I found a snake skin yesterday.  A skin measuring approximately three feet.  A skin right beside my front doorstep.  I.am.not.happy.  It flat out makes me MAD.  Thankfully, fall is coming and those jokers better run for hibernation because I'm on a stakeout to strike them with some venom of my own.  Then, come May, God willing- the house may be for sale.

Since my last post, I've also begun my 36- you read that right- 36 year of life.  A day I dreaded and expected to be pull of grief over the things in life I don't have turned into a day of celebration and blessings, thanks to my friends and family. I felt loved...and it was awesome.  The most amazing thing is I've decided on this, my 36 year, to change a few things.  I'm choosing HOPE this year.  I'm choosing to fight harder in my rounds with Satan and go to battle with my breastplate ready.  I'm not bowing down to his gimmicks and he will not cause me to bow down to his lies that I'm not worthy.  My God is the God of hope and as Joyce Meyer says, I will "expect something good to happen to me today."  It's phenomenal how much lighter I feel and how happy I've become.  I still have to fight, but the victories are outweighing the defeats.  A new favorite verse: Psalm 20:4- "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."
I can't wait to see what God has in store for me!

Wish List- from the Cosmetic Aisle

I need to stop trying to keep up with those Kardashians, because they're causing me to want to hire a makeup artist and spend hundreds of dollars (that I don't have) on cosmetics!  They may be crazy, ridiculous, and immoral- but their makeup sure does look flawless.  So yes, tonight's episode and a trip to Target inspired this post.

Wish List:

1.  Sonia Kashuk Brush Set- I do know enough to know that eye shadow application is all about the brushes.  I pretty much think I want need these.

2. Nude Lip Gloss- Again, I do think Kim K's makeup is impeccable.  I love the shade she wears on her lips...not that I watch the show much or anything. ;)

3.  Fake Eyelashes- My eyelashes just simply aren't  up to par.  They are actually a decent length, but they stick straight out and will NOT cooperate with an eyelash curler at all.  I've tried it and they will stay curled for a few minutes and then nothing. I'm totally open to tricks and tips on making your eyelashes look longer, fuller, etc.  I've tried different mascaras and nothing has worked.

4.  Self Explanatory

I realize this post is pretty much superficial, but what girl doesn't dream of the perfect product or cosmetic to make her look like a movie star?  Call me weird, but I do. No shame here.

Minnesota

As I mentioned in a previous post, I just returned from a great trip to Minnesota.  It was my first visit there and I came home with the conclusion that the south has met its match as far as hospitality and kindness.  Everywhere we went people would ask how we were, how our day was going, open doors for us, offer to carry our food to the car, etc.  They are some of the most genuine people I've ever been around.  It was so encouraging and just outright heartwarming to know there are still many nice people in the world...even up north! :)

I visited the Mall of America, which is insane!  It's ginormous and has so many roller coasters and rides in the middle of it.  I'm not a fan of roller coasters, so I watched as everyone else rode...other than the kiddy one I rode with Ryder.  It was just my speed.  Ha!

I got to go to a lot of Twins games and see Josh play.  He hit three home runs while I was there, so I'd pretty much say I brought him good luck.  Target Field is so pretty.  We got to go on the field and watch fireworks in honor of Memorial Day.  I got to go in the Twins' dugout, which was really neat.  One observation to add- this team is made up of some really good looking men!  Wow.

We also traveled to Kansas City, in which I got to drive through Iowa and cross over the border into Kansas.  Iowa was nothing but corn, flat land, corn again, and these windmills/wind turbines/whatever they're called.  I had never seen anything like it!

I got to add the Royals stadium to my list of those I've visited.  It was pretty, too.

I'm so thankful to have had this opportunity and to have visited several states I had never been to before. I flew back to Birmingham and got to spend a few days with my favorite one year old and my sister and brother.  LOVE them!

Her new beach hat.  She's ready!

I'm home now but will be leaving to sing at a youth event next week, AcaFest in Nashville the week after that, meet up with some girlfriends for a weekend of fun, and the family beach trip in mid July.  I love me some summertime!

I'm Lovin' It!

Now that summer is here and my travels are over for the moment, I've had time to sit down and play around with Picnik's replacement website PicMonkey.  I actually think I like it a little better!  It's very easy to use and the best part is...it's FREE!  I made my new blog header and did one for my sister, too.  It's SO much fun!  Not only do I have a new look, it motivates me to blog more.  We'll see how long it lasts...

Life List Re-visted (and yes, I'm still a blogger)

Each summer, it is my goal to work especially hard to check things off my life list.  I copied and pasted this from a post I wrote last summer.

My Life List: (in random order)

1. Visit Los Angeles/Hollywood/Laguna Beach
2. Visit New York City
3 Travel to (or at least through) all states in the U.S.
4. Ride a gondola in Italy
5. Take a cooking class
6. Go to Paris
7. See Gavin DeGraw in concert
8. Go on a mission trip
9. Get married
10. Have children
11. Buy a house 
12. Be debt-free
13. Attend a taping of a daytime talk show (Oprah, the View, Regis and Kelly, etc.)
14. Learn how to drive a stick shift
15. Go camping
16. Go to the Mall of America
17. Visit Washington D.C. again, and this time appreciate what's there


One of my goals is to visit every state in the country.  I just returned from a great trip to visit friends in Minnesota.  We took a road trip through Iowa to Kansas City (which is right on the border of Kansas and Missouri if you're geographically challenged like me).  On my flight home, I had a layover in Texas.  I count that.  :)  I can now mark off Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, and Texas.  That's huge and call me a geek if you choose, but I'm excited!  Who wants to take me to Hawaii?  Any nice, rich, handsome man out there dying to go??

I can also check off number 16, which was visit the Mall of America.  Wow!  That place is insane!  Pictures coming soon of that awesome experience.

Happy Summer to all of you! I can't wait to read the exciting things you do and document. :)