Operation: Get Out of Yoga Pants 2013 Re-Cap



What I decided to do for today was a re-cap of all the outfits I have done in 2013. I've only been doing this series since October, but I have quite a bit of outfits documented.  I like re-cap posts because they give me the ability to reflect on how far I have come and where I want to go with things in the future.

 I will start the series back up after the first of the year.  Since it's the holidays, we are gearing up to be pretty busy the next two weeks, so I need to focus on all the holiday hubbub that is coming soon.  This will also give me a chance to recharge and reflect on where I want the blog to go in 2014.

I have about four to five more posts planned for the year, so make sure you pay attention to Facebook for those new post announcements!

And now I present to you.....



Week 1 || Week 2 || Week 3
Week 4 || Week 5 || Week 6

I look forward to bring you more ways to get out of yoga pants in 2014!

Cheesy Tuna Casserole

Welcome everyone!  It's Wednesday and that usually means that it's time for another recipe from yours truly! :)  This week I have a super easy casserole to share with all of you.  We will get to that in a minute, but first I need to cover a couple of things:

1.  This will be the last recipe for 2013.  I won't be posting recipes until after the first of the year.  I'm giving myself a break for the holiday season and to replenish my recipe stash. ;)

2.  I have quite a bit of end-of-the-year things to wrap up that are blog related.  I have posts planned until January 1st, so I need to get to cracking on new material!  Is there anything you would like to see on the blog?  Leave me a comment and tell me!

Now that business is taking care of, let's get to talking about the subject at hand....


This recipe came about after rummaging through my pantry in hopes of finding something to fix for dinner.  It was cold and snowy and I didn't want to venture out to the store.  After doing some quick Google searches and pantry rummaging, I discovered I had everything I would need to make some Cheesy Tuna Casserole!

Ingredients:
1 can of tuna in water, drained
Egg Noodles (I used half of a one pound bag.  It fed three people and we had leftovers for two small portions)
1 can Cream of Celery (You can also use mushroom, but I was out.)
1 can of milk (use the soup can)
1 package of shredded cheddar cheese
Bread Crumbs (I used Panko Bread Crumbs..not my first choice, but it's all I had)
***You may also add veggies***


1.  Bring noodles to a boil before you start the next step.  
2.  To prepare the soup and cheese mixture, heat the soup and one can of milk in a separate pan until smooth.  Flake in tuna.
3.  Turn the soup and tuna mixture down on low, preheat your oven to 350, and grease a 9x13 baking dish.  
4.  By now, your noodles are probably ready.  I shut the burner off and let them sit in their water while I did the next step.
5.  Add the shredded cheese to your soup mixture and stir until melted.  (I started with a half a bag and that was plenty.)
6.  Drain your noodles, dump them back into the pot they came out of , and then add the soup and cheese mixture.  Stir until well blended.
7.  Transfer to the baking dish, top with bread crumbs, and extra shredded cheese if you so desire.
8. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

I was worried about how this would turn out because I did it on the fly, mostly.  I read a few tuna casserole recipes from Google before I started, but that was all the knowledge I had.  I thought it turned out pretty good!  Even the hubbs and the kiddo enjoyed it!

I have discovered that the more I have been cooking from scratch, the better my brain is getting at recalling what goes best with what, cook times, etc.  It's pretty exciting, but really strange at the same time.  I always had to follow recipes.  I was always scared to deviate or try to do something from memory, but I am finding that I am starting to want to venture away from that safe space.

I believe this series has a lot to do with that, so thank you guys for being so supportive!  It means so very much to me!



This post is part of the From My Kitchen series.  Please feel free to browse the archive for more yummy deliciousness!





  

Literary Junkies Link Up: December Edition

I can't believe it has already been a month since we last talked books!  The time has just flown by!  I'm back again today for Literary Junkies Link Up and most of you know the drill by now.  If you are new, you can go here or here to find out more!

Pink Heels Pink Truck
And now for the questions!
1.  If you could write a book, what would it be about? 
This is probably why I don't have a book started-I don't know what I want to write about.  I want to be a published author, but have no idea what I want to write about! 

2.  If you had to read one book or trilogy for the rest of your life, what would it be?
All I would ever need is an anthology of Edgar Allan Poe.

3.  Who is your current favorite book character and why?
I am not reading anything at the moment.  I am giving myself a rest so I can start fresh in 2014!  I reached my goal of 15 books this year!  I actually read 16, so that made me feel better about the small goal I had set for myself!  Next year's goal is 20!

4.  Is there a book you read every year during the holiday season, if so what is it and why? Nope. 

5.  Do you have any books on your Christmas list?  Name a few.
The Accursed by Joyce Carol Oates, Lone Wolf and The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult.

6.  What is a book you read and loved that you didn't expect to? 
Oddly enough, it was the Twilight series.  I actually didn't think I would like them and I ended up loving them.  Now, the movies they did...ehhhh......

Toddler Christmas Crafts

I hope everyone had a great weekend and Monday is treating you kindly!  I hope you all got to see Friday's post!  If not, go check it out now!  

Since we've been getting into the holiday spirit around here, I've been trying to come up with things to keep L busy indoors.  (It is freezing here in the Midwest!) I decided to check Pinterest and was suddenly reminded of all the Christmas crafts I used to make as a kid.  Reindeer hands, paper plate snowmen, Santa with the cotton ball beard....there was so much....and so many different variations!

So, if I'm having problems keeping my kiddo entertained on these cold days, I know someone else has to be, so I did us all a favor and rounded up some crafts for us to do!



I think L and I are going to try our hands at the paper plate snowman and Santa, the paper chains, and possibly the reindeer ornaments, if we have enough time.  However, paper chains can be made at any time, with different colors, for any occasion.....  

Hmm, decisions, decisions....

What are you doing with your little ones to gear up for the holiday season? 

The 12 Days of Ornaments Link Up



Hello everyone!  If you remember correctly, this past week I joined up with Tawny from Tawny's Tidbits and several other bloggers in the 12 Days of DIY Ornaments.  To see all of the ornaments that we individually made, just click on a picture above and it will take you to the ornament and the instructions on how to make it!

Here is mine from this week:
DIY Popsicle Christmas Tree Ornament

Have you made any ornaments recently?  If so, link 'em up below!  Don't forget to check out everyone else's and leave some love when you do!

Have a great weekend everyone!


















Operation: Get Out of Yoga Pants (Week 7)


Hello everyone!  Happy Thursday and welcome to the seventh week of Operation: Get Out of Yoga Pants!  If you are just joining us, you can go here and find out what this whole thing is all about. For those of you that are frequent readers, this week is going to be a little different.

I hit a snag in my outfit planning....

I got bored.

So, immediately recognizing what was wrong, I decided to give myself this week to re-focus.  How am I going to re-focus you ask?

That's easy.

I'm going to use the wonderful powers of the one, the only.....




I decided to go back to my Style Ideas bored and take a refresher course in what I had been pinning lately.


one || two || three || four || five

Okay, I see stripes, patterns, navy blue, burgundy, my ever-favorite mustard, and beautiful shades of the red family.  I can see my love of stripes starting to really grow here-I want that shirt in the first pic so bad!  The patterns are startling to see me pinning, but the colors are not.  I love all colors....but have a hard time getting them to work on me sometimes.  

I spent most of the afternoon yesterday rummaging through my closet and trying to come up with variations of the outfits above.  I was having a difficult time at first because I was so blocked off from thinking out of the box.  I finally just sat down on the floor in the mess I had created and just looked around at the clothing scattered everywhere. 

Then it hit me:

I am missing a lot of basic clothing essentials.

No wonder I can only go so far and then hit a wall!

By the time nap time was done (those are my productive times) all I had was a mess and no outfits to show for it.

Bummer.

I am having a mental block of epic proportions!

So, I decided to ask all of you...

What would you like to see me in? 
Visuals welcome. :)



Toddler Meal Ideas

Does anyone else's child go on food strikes?  L will do good for a while and then she stops eating everything she loved the previous few months.  As frustrating as this can be, all kids do it.  This is why I have back up recipes in my arsenal so I can avoid the fighting and the tears at meal time (from me, not my child...I kid, I kid!  Okay, well, maybe a little...)

When L denies chicken fries, these are some of my go-to recipes for her.  And, hey, they are actually pretty good for Mom, too!






12 Days of DIY Ornaments

 Well....this post was supposed to go live yesterday, but life kind of happened and the blog post didn't.  So, anyway, I am joining up with Tawny from Tawny's Tid Bits and several other bloggers to do a 12 Days of DIY Ornaments!


I chose to show you all how to make Christmas trees using popsicle sticks and buttons.  It was a pretty fun project, took minimal time, and I didn't have to break the bank to do it.



Supplies Needed
Craft sticks
Buttons
Green paint and paint brush
Hot glue gun and glue
Ribbon/Twine

First, you need to get your tree set up.  I took one full stick and laid it vertically and then proceeded to stack the other sticks horizontally.  

It looks a little like this:


I had to break the sticks down to the sizes I needed them to be to give it that Christmas tree look.  These were pretty easy to just break with my hands.  I would not advise allowing the little ones to do this part if you are doing these with kiddos.

After you get your tree looking how you want it, hot glue the crap out of it!
I placed glue on the backs of each horizontal piece and placed them on the vertical piece.

I allowed the glue to dry and then I painted it!


Once the paint was dry, I got out my buttons and I started hot gluing buttons onto the tree.  I had some leftover red string from a Christmas craft last year, so I used that to fashion a little hanger so it can be hung on the tree. 


And there you have it folks!  A cute and simple Christmas tree ornament that is fun and easy for all ages!

Also, please head on over and see Morgan's ornament since she is the one that is supposed to be in the limelight today and not me.

Operation: Get Out of Yoga Pants (Week 6)



I am BACK and ready to go with a new outfit *AND* a little something extra at the end.  I am so excited about it!  I can't wait for you all to see it!

Today's outfit is what I like to call "ballsy".  Yup!  I would have never of thought to pair these two colors together and and have it look good on me.  Well, as I was getting dressed today I thought, "Why not?!" 

These were the results...

Ballsy Blue & Gold

(Don't worry, you'll see my face in a sec.)

Tee: Old Navy (exact)
Cardigan: Target (currently unavailable online)
Scarf: Kohl's (similar)
Jeggings: Kohl's (similar)
Boots: Urbanog.com (similar) **Worn, but not shown**

This outfit was fun.  I felt very peppy while wearing it-I think that may have been my confidence boosting.  I know we are in "Christmas mode" all over the place right now and these aren't traditional holiday colors, but I still love the combo.  It's so fun and happy! 

I may have mentioned before that I was searching for a new winter coat.  I haven't had a new coat in about five or six years, so it was definitely time for a new one.

I managed to find the perfect one online during all the online Thanksgiving Day sales.

Wanna see it?

:)



I adore peacoats.  I adore purple.  I found the two together and it was a match made in heaven. The Hubbs says it's totally fitting. :)

Oh, and the best part of this.....

A good majority of the scarfs I own match my coat!

Especially my favorite one.


Coat: JCPenny (exact
Scarf: NY&CO (Plato's Closet Find) 


Holiday Treats Round Up

I don't know about all of you, but one of my favorite things about this time of year is the treats.  The cookies, the cakes, the brownies, the Hershey Kisses....(um, actually, that last one is all year...).

Anyway, I have started making my way through Pinterest and trying to decide what I want to make this year.  I don't go crazy because it's just the three of us, but I love to bake.  The Hubbs loves cookies, so I usually do a cookie or two, but I always try and find something different to do.  Then you have the holiday parties to bake for, too and it can get a bit overwhelming, right?

Well, fear not!  I have come up with a little round up for you all of some of the most delicious looking holiday treats I have seen.




What are some of your favorite treats to make this time of year? 

Dear December

Dear December,

Here we are-the last month of the year.  You are one of the busiest, most stressful times of the year and sometimes December, you get a bad rap.  I know, I know, you didn't choose to host Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year's Eve.  I know you didn't intend to have your days and weekends filled up with shopping, errand running, or holiday parties.  It's a lot to take on, I know.

You see, the thing is December, I think sometimes we take advantage of you.  Since you mark the end of the year, a lot of us go into overdrive and think we have to cram every single thing that we need to do before the new year gets here.




We find ourselves saying things like:

"Oh man, I haven't reached my goal for all the books I wanted to read this year."

"Well, another year, and I still haven't lost that weight."

"We're still in debt..."

And lastly, and most commonly....

"Oh my!  Where did this year go?!" 

December, just because we crab about you and we stay constantly busy, doesn't mean we don't care about you.  Nooo, see, we love you.  We enjoy this time with our friends and families.  We love the holiday's you bring.  We love watching kids get all excited on Christmas Eve about the Santa Tracker and then, the next morning, when he has arrived and the walk out to the tree and see, yes!  He came!  Santa came and this is the BEST DAY EVER!  Oh man, he ate the cookies!  Oh look-are those his footprints by the fireplace!?

So, you see December, it's all good.  We welcome you with open arms despite the fact that you are so chocked full of things to do and people to see, but we get moments.  We got small moments that remind us of why you are the last month of the year.  You send us out with a bang!  We start the new year so full of love and joy and happiness and you did that, December!  You give us full hearts to start a new year with.

Thank you, December.  I don't know if anyone has ever said that to you, but thank you now.  Thank you for allowing me to have time with my family and my friends.  Thank you for allowing me to have moments with my child that remind me of what it is like to be a child when I desperately need it the most. Thank you for filling my heart so full that I can't help but be optimistic about the next year.

Thank you, December, and may your heart be full now, too.

Sara








It Takes All Kinds of Kinds

I was going to post about our Thanksgiving holiday yesterday and how I managed to roast my first turkey and not screw it up.  I was going to post about how much fun L had with her Uncle Bubby and even show you a picture.  Lastly, I was also going to post my outfit from the day yesterday.

However, none of that will be happening today since I awoke this morning to a message from a personal friend on my personal Facebook about how I was the subject of a blog post from a pretty well-known blogger.

And it wasn't praises that were being sung.

I (apparently), according to the post, made someone mad with my opinion on a Facebook status that I responded to on or around November 17.  I was responding passionately to something that I disagreed with.

I am going to be professional and respectable and not say any names or anything that could point fingers to specific individuals.  I realize that I (and some of my personal friends and family) weren't given that privilege of having our privacy protected, but I wasn't raised to blast people out on social media, blogs, etc. (I'm from the South, we just say, "Oh bless their little heart..." and move on.)

Basically, I commented on a Facebook status and let my opinion be known on a specific issue surrounding children's homemade Christmas ornaments.  Sometime between the time I posted my comment/response and the next morning, my comment was deleted.  I wasn't surprised.  I did, however, share the Facebook status on my personal Facebook page that morning because I wanted to see what others would say about it.

And then I forgot about it.

Well, on Wednesday, November 27, that shared status from my personal Facebook page was posted on a blogger's blog.  They did not cover my name or picture NOR did they cover up any of my friends and family's profile pics or full legal names. The blogger then proceeded to berate me for my opinion that they opened themselves up to when they posted a status about it on their Facebook page. 

I was not the only one that had a differing opinion on the original status.  Several people weighed in.  Several people agreed with my comment by "liking" it.  There were some who agreed with what the post was about, too!  I didn't say anything to them.  I directed my comment to the writer.  I thought I was respectable.  I thought I made myself clear.  I don't believe I threatened their parenting skills in any way.

I hit a nerve and now my name is being circulated throughout the internet.  The post, at the
time of this writing, has been shared 532 times on Facebook alone.  Wow.  At least 532 people have seen my face and are all forming opinions of me and my friends and family.  They are all judging me and my friends and family by one post.  One.

The comments on the blog post are very hard to read.  I keep reading the word judgmental and, at first, I was angry. Oh I was so angry!  I am not a judgmental person!  And then, after several conversations this morning with friends and family, their words started to sink in....

They are judging me by one post.  

And that realization calmed me and helped me write these words.  

I knew when I started blogging, that this day would come.  I honestly thought it would be in my comments and a reader would be telling me how judgmental I was, but it happened in another realm of social media and it was taken to someone else's blog.  Okay, so be it.  I can't take it back.  I meant what I said and I mean what I say today.  

This is me not giving someone the satisfaction or the publicity that they, apparently, so desperately need.  I am a nobody in the blogging world and in the general world itself.  I am not a celebrity.  I don't know what this blogger thought they would get out of it, but if they needed to do that to make themselves feel better (which is what I am starting to think) well, then, so be it.

I'll be your damn martyr for today.

Today.

Tomorrow, you can kiss my ass.














Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole

It has just gotten down right frigid here in the Midwest this week.  I was looking for an easy meal to prepare since I am saving all of my energy for my big turkey preparing debut on Thursday.  I also wanted something warm and comforting since it was so darn cold outside!

Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole



Ya'll, this is so good!  My husband was all about it, my kid was all about it, and I enjoyed eating my portion of it too!  We even have leftovers!

This has minimal ingredients, about a half an hour prep time, and about a 35 minute bake time.  So, in a little over an hour, you can produce this meal for your family.

The following recipe states that it serves 8, however, we are a family of three and we probably have enough left for two of us to eat it. We kinda like big portions sometimes.... :)

Ingredients:
2 cups of Egg Noodles
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
3 cups, divided Shredded Cheddar Cheese 
1 cup of Milk
1 Can of Cooked Chicken
Salt and Pepper (to taste)
1/4 cup of Ritz Cracker Toppings

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350
Start your water for your noodles.  Once water comes to a boil, dump in your 2 cups of noodles.  Cook per package directions. 
Get out a big skillet and dump in your 2 cans of soup and 2 cups of the shredded cheese.  Set to med-high heat and slowly stir in the milk.  Continue heating and stirring frequently until cheese melts.
Drain your cooked chicken and toss that into the soupy cheese mixture. Add your noodles once those are done.
Stir it all together and prepare to dump all of that into a 2 1/2qt casserole dish where you will then sprinkle the top with the crumbled up Ritz crackers. 
Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes.
At the end of bake time, sprinkle the top generously with the remaining shredded cheese (or more) and bake for another five minutes.

It comes out looking like this:

I highly recommend this recipe!  It was pretty easy to do and it was a really comforting meal that my family enjoyed. 

And after all the leftovers have been put away tomorrow and you are checking the days events, come on back for my Thanksgiving Day version of Operation: Get Out of Yoga Pants! 

See ya then!

This post is part of the From My Kitchen series.  Please feel free to browse the archive for my yummy deliciousness!











NaBloPoMo Friday: Week 3

NaBloPoMo November 2013

And here we are again for another NaBloPoMo Friday!  For those of you that are just tuning in, you can read more about all this bloggy business here.

Today's prompt is to talk about the last thing I hid.  

.....This is me thinking......

Got it!

This.


That, my friends, is Catch Me Kitty.  She is a spunky, little,  electronic cat, that roams around singing her little song....

"Catch me, catch me if you can.
I'm a kitty who likes to play.
Chase me, catch me, we'll have fun.
Ready, steady, come on let's run!

And then she yells, "Catch me if you can!"
And she ZOOMS around the house, tormenting my actual cats, and delighting my two and a half year old.  She's squealing and laughing, the cats are running for cover, and then one stops, vomits from the stress, and lays down-giving up.

........

*sigh*

Don't get me wrong, it's a cute toy.  

But.....when you HEAR the song every FIVE MINUTES, it can become almost hellish.

So, I did what any mother of a two and a half year old would do when she wants some peace and quiet and for her child to play with the HUNDREDS OF OTHER (quieter) toys she has!

I hid it.
In my bedroom closet.
A room that she's not allowed in.

Just for the evening.

She will get it back tomorrow.
It will be laying in her toy bin in the living room when she gets up in the morning.
I will have already put it there.

She will see it, still bleary eyed from sleep, and she will gasp and go, "Ohh kitty!" and she will grab it, turn it on, set it on the floor, and off they will go to chase the morning.

And we will start the cycle all over again.

...Anything to hear her laugh....









Operation: Get Out of Yoga Pants (Week 5)

So, this weeks post is a bit different.

1.  I'm not actually wearing the outfit this week.  I've been fighting a sinus infection for the past few days and my face is quite swollen.  I look a bit scary!

2.  I'm not actually wearing today's featured outfit until Sunday for our family photo session.  Since I have felt like crap all week, we haven't really gone anywhere.  Sure, I have ran to the store alone in the evenings, but that's been about the extent of my outings this week.  I just feel crummy.










So, with all of that being said, here is this weeks featured outfit!  AND A BONUS OUTFIT!
(And a promise to come back next week wearing my Thanksgiving Day outfit!)

Family Photo Day

Sweater: Kohl's (exact)
Jeggings: Kohl's (similar)
Boots: Urbanog.com (similar)

Here's the deal:  This is a super simple outfit for family photos.  I like to keep it basic-no busy prints for this girl when getting photographed!  I *may* add a red scarf.  As a matter of fact, I will more than likely add a red scarf.  L's dress is Christmas plaid, so that will go well together.  

I feel my best in the jeggings and boots so that should help me feel comfortable getting my picture taken, which I can't hardly stand to do anymore. 

***BONUS OUTFIT***
L's Christmas Dud's

Top: Hand-me-down
Dress: The tag says Children's Place, but it's a hand-me-down, too.
Tights: Wal-Mart (similar)
Boots: K-Mart (exact)

We love our hand-me-downs!  I have had to purchase a few things here and there for L since she has been born, but between the hand-me-downs and, what we like to call "Grandma Splurges", this kid strays pretty well outfitted.

L's outfit is a bit different this year.  The past couple of years she has worn really frilly Christmas dresses. (Think sparkles and glitter...I know, I know....but she's my little girl and she looked so cute....) Anyway, this year I wanted to do something a bit more comfortable, yet still cute.


What do you like to wear for family photos?






Thanksgiving Dessert Round Up

Alright, so, here's the deal:  I flaked on a recipe for this week.  I totally forgot to include my featured recipe in my grocery list and thus, it did not get purchased.  Next week though, I will have an awesome new recipe to make up for it!

In the meantime, I took the liberty of rounding up some pretty yummy looking Thanksgiving desserts around Pinterest!  Have a look see!  You won't find pumpkin pie in this round up!



What's for dessert at your house on Thanksgiving? 

Literary Junkies Link Up: November

It's that time of the month again where I get all nerdy on you.  Okay, wait, this is probably not the only time I get nerdy on you, but you get the idea.

The drill is that I answer five book-related questions provided by Lesley from By the Porchlightt and Taylor from Pink Heels Pink Truck and then I head on over and link up with them!  You can totally do this yourself, too!  In fact, you should because it's totally worth it to browse the other blogs and get book ideas! :)

November Questions

1.  What are you currently reading?  Tell us about it!  I am currently reading (and I am not lying about this title) Thin Rich Bitches by Janet Eve Josselyn.  It's not my "normal" book choice, but it's not bad so far.  I got it for free from BookGorilla.com.  If you aren't subscribed to them, you should be.  It's free! (They did not pay me to say that.  I just love the website!) 

Anyway...the synopsis:

Leaving her cheating husband in Boston with the paralegal he impregnated, Pippin Snowe and her son move to a ramshackle farmhouse that she inherited in the exclusive community of Dover, Massachusetts. Pippin finds employment with a local architect, designing kitchen renovations for wealthy Dover women who treat her as they treat the rest of the hired help. Concluding that social climbing is just another sport that she is no good at, Pippin opens a country club for dogs that offers services that the Dover women didn’t know they wanted until they found out that admission was required and spaces were limited.

With irreverent wit, Thin Rich Bitches is a humorous chronicle of one woman’s quest to find her place within a community of people who are more blessed physically and financially, while learning valuable lessons about life, love, competition, and canine couture.


Like I said, it isn't my "normal" book choice, but it's a nice change.  The writing is pretty good and she has humor in all the right spots. 

2.  How many books have you read this year? Do you set reading goals for yourself? I track my books on Goodreads and I have read 12 books this year.  My goal is 15.  I used to read way more than 15 books year, but since becoming a mom, I don't really have all that much time any more.  However, I still make time and thought that 15 books was a good goal.  Next year, I will move it up to 20.


3.  What do you think are the best and worst book-to-movie/TV show adaptations? Oh wow, um.....the first one that comes to mind is The Twilight Saga.  I adored those books.  I was in my mid-twenties when I read them.  My mom got me hooked on those books.  The movies were good, but not as good as the books.  I faithfully went and saw every movie in the theater (the first one with my mom and some of her friends from work), but they just weren't as good as what I had pictured in my mind.  I don't really care for them to adapt books into movies/shows.  I think you lose a lot of the essence when you take a book and try to portray it on a screen.  


4.  What is the first line of your favorite book? Daaaaaaaannnggg!  Oh this is so hard!  I have many books I adore, but there are a few that have impacted me deeply and I classify those as my favorites.  The first line of one of my favorite books is this:  



"When I was twelve, a fortune-teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone." -God-Shaped Hole by Tiffani DeBartolo


I'm telling you, if you have not read this book, you need to.  Don't let the title scare you.  Trust me.

5.  What's your favorite quote from a book?  Oh I wish you would not have asked me this.  I love quotes.  I collect them.  In my brain.  Seriously.  Most of my head is filled with Disney Junior cartoons, memorized children stories, and every single trait of Lynzi's.  Despite this, there is a portion reserved for written word. That's where I go when I need a reprieve. Yup.  In my head.  They like me there. :) 

Anyway, so, a quote....one.... .... ....

(It took me ten minutes to find one.) 

I'm just going to stick with the God-Shaped Hole theme, because this is really a quote that spoke to me when I was reading the book.  There is a lot of truth to this statement: 

We’re all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls. Some people use alcohol, or sex, or their children, or food, or money, or music, or heroin. A lot of people even use the concept of God itself. I could go on and on. I used to know a girl who used shoes. She had over two-hundred pairs. But it’s all the same thing, really. People, for some stupid reason, think they can escape their sorrows.” 






Pink Heels Pink Truck

NaBloPoMo Friday: Week 2

NaBloPoMo November 2013
Today's post is pretty fun since I get to talk about any outfit from one time in my life that I felt comfortable in.

This was actually a no-brainer for me. I didn't think twice, I didn't try and think of something else, I just went with my first instinct.

I am thirty years old, so therefore, I have worn countless outfits. From the handmade Christmas outfits my mom used to make for my brother and I, to the prom dresses, to the plaid school girl skirts and black mesh shirts in my early 20s: this is the one outfit that I felt the most beautiful, secure, and capable in my life....

My wedding dress...




What outfit is your most comfortable?

Have a great Friday! 



Operation: Get Out of Yoga Pants (Week 4)





It's week four!  I can't believe it!  I get to show you this week what I was supposed to show you last week.  I'm really starting to dig deep in my wardrobe and pull out things that I have purchased, but haven't had the guts to wear.  I'm also starting to notice some things I am missing in my wardrobe.  I can say that when I put this outfit on this morning, I immediately started thinking about how I could wear this other times of the year if I only had such and such to go with it.

That's a huge change from the way I used to think.

Before I show you this weeks outfit, I want to say something:  I don't wear prints on my person usually.  A scarf or shoes are one thing.  To actually wear a print on my body is a huge deal for me.

 So, for this outfit, I took a baby step out of my comfort zone.

(And I apologize for the quality on one of the photos.  I wasn't quite close enough to the camera and when I edited the photo, it got a little grainy on me.) 


Seeing Red

Sunglasses: Coach (These were purchased at a Coach Outlet a couple of years ago.)
Cardigan: Old Navy (exact)
Shirt: Old Navy (exact)
Jeggings: Wal-Mart (similar)
Shoes: Target (Currently unavailable online.)

Here's what I think is missing from today's outfit:


I put the outfit on and immediately thought, "I need one of those red bubble necklaces.  I'm looking a little plain up top." I don't hardly have any fun jewelry anymore. I used to, but a lot of it has been broken or misplaced the last couple of years.  Dear Santa....

I did get another idea for an outfit involving this shirt when it gets warmer.  I don't have all the pieces I need, but it won't be hard to acquire them before spring rolls around.  I also hope stripes are still "in" when spring rolls around.  

What have you done recently out of your comfort zone? 





Pigs in a Blanket


Here I am again with another recipe from my kitchen!  This one is good for the kiddos and adults!  Because, seriously, who doesn't like little hot dogs wrapped in melted cheese and a lovely croissant?


I made these for L and I one day for a fun lunch.  In need of a change from our lunch meat/PBJ/Chicken Fingers rut, I started scouring the fridge.

Hmm...Turkey dogs....sliced cheese....a can of croissants...PIGS IN A BLANKET!

I quickly got to work creating the coolest pigs in a blanket I had ever created.



Here's what you will need:
4 hot dogs
4 slices of American cheese
A can of croissants
(This recipe makes 8.  Adjust for your needs.)

Here's what you need to do:
***Follow the directions on the croissant can for pre-heating and cooking times.***
Spray your cookie sheet with a good non-stick spray.
Cut the hot dogs and the cheese slices in half.
Un-roll the croissants so they make their cute little triangles and place them directly on the cookie sheet (or a cutting board, counter top, etc.)
Place a piece of cheese down on the little triangle, then the hot dog, and roll 'em up!
Continue this until they are all rolled and bake as directed. 



Let them cool down and serve!


Toddler approved!



This post is part of the From My Kitchen series.  Please feel free to browse the archive for more yummy deliciousness!






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