Writing a new post on this fancy new template that Blogger has now. How exciting. As I'm writing and looking around this template, I have decided that I really like it already (in these few short seconds) because it looks almost like I'm in Microsoft Word.
Word.
Much better. Oh! I just saw the "Schedule" button on the side! Does that mean I can write this blog now (at 10:43pm) and "schedule" it to "go live" tomorrow morning at 8am?! I think it dooooooes!
Totally groovy. I'm sold.
New Topic.
Transitions. So I've decided that 2012 was a year of transitions for me. In many different ways. Some significant, some not. Some I'll mention here; some I won't. Some were good; some, not so much. But all the same, I think 2012 definitely was a defining year in my life!
Here's a recap of my Top 10 Transitions in 2012:
10. Transitioned from a 12lb to a 14lb bowling ball. And hopefully that will transition into a 180+ average for the second half of the season!
9. Transitioned from having a long-lost-sibling to having my Bubba home finally from the Peace Corps! Now instead of being thousands of miles away, he's only 1.2 miles away at my momma's house! Glad to have him back!
8. Transitioned from wishing I played softball again to actually playing (and coaching) a co-ed softball team! We played all 3 seasons in 2012 and had a blast! We even won a trophy!
7. Transitioned from not working out, to working out, to not working out, to working out, to not working out....you get the idea. Ugh.
6. Transitioned from being thisclose to getting my black belt in Taekwondo to being t h i s c l o s e (not close) to getting it. Uggghhh so frustrating. But, I had other things going on and my school was kinda expensive. Exploring the possibility of joining a new school this year and FINALLY getting that damn thing...
5. Transitioned from constantly worrying about stupid, trivial things to realizing what really matters and focusing on that! Thank God!
4. Transitioned from never wearing foundation to wearing it (almost) every day! I finally found one I like and learned how to apply it the *correct* way! Hooray!
3. Transitioned from one job to a completely different job. Honestly, I liked my previous job but I was becoming increasingly bored, never challenged, and really didn't see where it was leading. I LOVE my new job! It challenges me every day and already I see myself growing more confident and professional, and I think I finally know what I want to be when I grow up!
2. Transitioned some significant friendships. Some I've pushed away; some I've held more tightly than ever; some faded but came back. Overall I think I've got a pretty gosh darn good group of close friends that I love dearly.
1. Transitioned from being a Miss to a Mrs.! FINALLY! I married my best friend and the man of my dreams (so cliche but so true!) on March 3rd! Married life is no different but so different at the same time! I grow more and more in love with him every day and sometimes I feel as nervous and giddy around him as I did 8 years ago! I can't wait to see what the next 8 years (and more!) have in store!
So there you have it. Many more "transitions" from 2012 but too many to post here. Suffice it to say (again) that it was a BIG year for me! I think 2013 has a LOT to live up to! Although I'm sure it won't let me down :-) Let the adventure begin!
January 22, 2013
April 17, 2012
New favorite ingredient!
I don't do it all the time, but I really do love cooking. I enjoy making new recipes and adding my own little flares and flavors to things and seeing how it turns out. I would cook every night if I could! Really! But...UGH...I just hate how long it takes sometimes!!! Why is it that all the really cool-looking, delicious-tasting, mind-blowing meals have a prep time of 4 days and an additional 5 hours of cook time?! I mean seriously, who does that?! NOT this girl.
No, most of my meals are pretty simple. Occasionally I'll spend 45 minutes to an hour making dinner. But most times, I prefer for my meal to be ready in 30 minutes or less. I mean c'mon...I've got things to do in the evenings. Like think about going back to taekwondo, and checking facebook, and reading Harry Potter (I'm on book six finally), and thinking about going to the gym, and taking a bubble bath!
Which is why I was absolutely thrilled to learn about this new ingredient that I had never experienced before until I stumbled upon it on another blogger's page. What is this amazing ingredient you ask? Well. Let me tell you. It is delicious. It is (somewhat) healthy. It is PRECOOKED. It comes in lots of different yummy flavors. Did I mention that it's precooked? Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce you to the new star of at least 2 of my home cooked dinners each week from now on: Chicken Sausage!!!
Haha! Surprised? Probably alot of you already know about this product and have used it many times. I, on the other hand, am the kind of "cook" who thinks that the only two things to make a meal around are chicken breast or hamburger meat. Okay, and maybe occasionally tuna or salmon. I tend to steer clear of anything else. Not because I don't like anything else, but mostly because I either A) don't know how to cook it, or B) don't know that it exists!! Like Chicken Sausage! But now that I have found this wondrous food, you can bet I'll be adding it to my grocery list every week!
The kind I bought was the Johnsonville brand, and I got two packages: one package of Chicken Sausage Apple and one package of Chicken Sausage Chipotle Monterey Jack Cheese. I used the apple flavor last night and it was perfect. You could just taste the hint of sweet apple, and it complimented the light lemon-butter sauce I made perfectly. The blog that I got my inspiration from recommended a different brand (Al Fresco) but they didn't have it at my Tom Thumb. I don't think they offer it in Texas at all - I checked the website already. It does look good though. And it's actually more healthy than the Johnsonville brand, so if you have access to that or something else, I'd say go for it. Either way, its still healthier and has less fat than regular sausage.
And now for the actual meal. Here's my ingredient list. I know it is super long and complicated....
First I cooked the pasta and when it was about half way done, I added the chopped asparagus to the water. This is method serves 2 purposes: 1) you use one less pot/pan to cook the asparagus and 2) this is about the perfect amount of time to cook the green vegetable without it getting too soggy and mushy. Because seriously, who likes mushy green vegetables? As the noodles and asparagus are cooking, I took 3 of the chicken sausages and sliced them to about half-an-inch-or-so thick and threw them in a pan on medium heat to warm up (just a few minutes will do since they're already cooked!!) Next, I took the spinach, tore it into smaller pieces, and threw that into the bottom of a colander. Then, I drained the perfectly cooked noodles and asparagus into the colander, allowing the hot water to wilt the spinach just enough so that I can add it seamlessly to my dish. Then, I tossed everything (noodles, asparagus, spinach, chicken sausage) and added a little bit of Smart Balance and some lemon juice. And VIOLA! A super delicious, mostly healthy, husband-approved dinner that was literally prepared, cooked and eaten within 30 minutes.
No, most of my meals are pretty simple. Occasionally I'll spend 45 minutes to an hour making dinner. But most times, I prefer for my meal to be ready in 30 minutes or less. I mean c'mon...I've got things to do in the evenings. Like think about going back to taekwondo, and checking facebook, and reading Harry Potter (I'm on book six finally), and thinking about going to the gym, and taking a bubble bath!
Which is why I was absolutely thrilled to learn about this new ingredient that I had never experienced before until I stumbled upon it on another blogger's page. What is this amazing ingredient you ask? Well. Let me tell you. It is delicious. It is (somewhat) healthy. It is PRECOOKED. It comes in lots of different yummy flavors. Did I mention that it's precooked? Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce you to the new star of at least 2 of my home cooked dinners each week from now on: Chicken Sausage!!!
 |
| 1 Link: 180 calories; 12 grams fat; 820 mg sodium; 13 grams Protein |
Haha! Surprised? Probably alot of you already know about this product and have used it many times. I, on the other hand, am the kind of "cook" who thinks that the only two things to make a meal around are chicken breast or hamburger meat. Okay, and maybe occasionally tuna or salmon. I tend to steer clear of anything else. Not because I don't like anything else, but mostly because I either A) don't know how to cook it, or B) don't know that it exists!! Like Chicken Sausage! But now that I have found this wondrous food, you can bet I'll be adding it to my grocery list every week!
The kind I bought was the Johnsonville brand, and I got two packages: one package of Chicken Sausage Apple and one package of Chicken Sausage Chipotle Monterey Jack Cheese. I used the apple flavor last night and it was perfect. You could just taste the hint of sweet apple, and it complimented the light lemon-butter sauce I made perfectly. The blog that I got my inspiration from recommended a different brand (Al Fresco) but they didn't have it at my Tom Thumb. I don't think they offer it in Texas at all - I checked the website already. It does look good though. And it's actually more healthy than the Johnsonville brand, so if you have access to that or something else, I'd say go for it. Either way, its still healthier and has less fat than regular sausage.
 |
| 1 Link: 160 calories; 7 grams fat; 480 mg sodium; 14 grams Protein |
And now for the actual meal. Here's my ingredient list. I know it is super long and complicated....
- about 2 servings (4 oz) whole wheat Rotini pasta
- chopped asparagus (about a third of a "bunch")
- 2 handfuls of fresh spinach
- 1 package Johnsonville Chicken Sausage with Apples (I only used 3 links)
- Tablespoon (or two) of Smart Balance
- A few squirts of lemon juice (fresh would be best but I used bottled)
First I cooked the pasta and when it was about half way done, I added the chopped asparagus to the water. This is method serves 2 purposes: 1) you use one less pot/pan to cook the asparagus and 2) this is about the perfect amount of time to cook the green vegetable without it getting too soggy and mushy. Because seriously, who likes mushy green vegetables? As the noodles and asparagus are cooking, I took 3 of the chicken sausages and sliced them to about half-an-inch-or-so thick and threw them in a pan on medium heat to warm up (just a few minutes will do since they're already cooked!!) Next, I took the spinach, tore it into smaller pieces, and threw that into the bottom of a colander. Then, I drained the perfectly cooked noodles and asparagus into the colander, allowing the hot water to wilt the spinach just enough so that I can add it seamlessly to my dish. Then, I tossed everything (noodles, asparagus, spinach, chicken sausage) and added a little bit of Smart Balance and some lemon juice. And VIOLA! A super delicious, mostly healthy, husband-approved dinner that was literally prepared, cooked and eaten within 30 minutes.
Ah-mazing. :-)
How much time do you usually spend making dinner?
Do you do anything special to decrease the prep/cook time?
Are there any ingredients you constantly use that make your meal making a breeze?
January 23, 2012
2011 In Review
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
I skied my first double black at Breckenridge…and got engaged!
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I kept some of them – I graduated with my master’s degree and lost a tiny bit of weight.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Emma had a boy in December – Nolan David Webb
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank God. Hopefully we are done with that for a while.
5. What countries did you visit?
None – just stayed in the good ole USA – but I went to a lot of states!
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn't have in 2011?
More money.
7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
April 14th because that is the day that the love of my life proposed to me :-)
8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Graduating with my MBA.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not keeping up with Taekwondo and not saving/spending money wisely.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No – just the usual cold here and there.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Ummm probably new clothes and shoes. It was time for a wardrobe upgrade. ;-)
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Luis’s for sure! He’s definitely grown a lot. And a few of my friends who have once again shown that they are here for me and support me no matter what!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Those who shall not be named.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Ugh. I have no idea. Bills. Clothes. Probably to lots of stuff it didn’t need to go to.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting engaged and all the wedding planning with my mom, family and friends!
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Probably any song by Adele. <---agreed. That, and anything by Lady Antebellum
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Happier; Thinner; Poorer!!!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Saved money; gotten more organized.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worry and stress out over shit that doesn’t matter, and spend money.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We spent Christmas in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado with my dad’s side of the family. We skied and ate and had a great time hanging out with family! Then we had a nice quiet Christmas at home with my momma!
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I fell even MORE in love with Luis. :-) And I got a huge crush on Josh Duhamel and an even bigger one on Timothy Olyphant.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Justified.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Ohhhh hate is such a strong word. Let’s just say that I feel differently about some people.
24. What was the best book you read?
Top 3: Hunger Games Trilogy, Water for Elephants, Harry Potter series (up to book 5)
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ummm, Adele. Although I didn’t really discover her, but I LOVE her. And I discovered that I like hip hop/dance music a lot more than I used to.
26. What did you want and get?
I wanted to graduate, and did. And I wanted to get engaged, and did. And I wanted new clothes, and got them!
27. What did you want and not get?
I wanted to get my black belt in TKD but I slacked off. This year for sure!
28. What was your favorite film of 2011?
Ohhh goodness, I’ll have to go look at a list…. Okay I don’t think I have one favorite but here are a few that I really liked: The Tree of Life, Transformers 3, Bridesmaids, One Day, the last Harry Potter
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
We shall not speak of how young I am. But I had a wonderful dinner at El Finex with my family and then Luis and I kicked it old school at Sevens – our old hangout. I would have liked to done something bigger but it just never works out, being born on New Year’s Eve. Maybe next year… ;-)
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having to deal with drama. And having more money.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?
Progressive! I own skinny jeans! I’d say I’m doing fairly well compared to years of past!
32. What kept you sane?
Luis. My momma. Danielle. Lauren. Timothy Olyphant.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
That one bill that gives the government the right to arrest and hold without trial American citizens. Seriously?
34. Who did you miss?
My old friends from college who I never see anymore :-(
35. Who was the best new person you met?
LOL…did I meet a new person? Ummmm….I’m sure there’s someone…okay maybe not. No one that left an impression at least! (How terrible!)
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Oh I think a learned a few: 1. People do change. Some for the better; some for the worst. 2. Some people never change.
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Actually, two different songs come to mind: The first: “It’s one door swinging open and one door swinging closed…We’re holding on and letting go.” – Ross Copperman. The second, “I’m sexy and I know it” – LMFAO :-)
I hope your year was happy and I hope that 2012 is filled with many blessings for you and me.
January 3, 2012
November 7, 2011
Look! A post!
Oookay so it's been way too long since I've written. Thanks to Lauren and Gianna, now I feel like I need to get on the ball here and make some more posts!!
And what is there more exciting to talk about than my upcoming nuptials?! We are a little under four months away! I can't believe time has gone by so fast! I remember a few weeks after the engagement talking about a possible October 2011 wedding and thinking that it would be no problem to throw together in that (huge) amount of time. No worries that I was in my last semester of grad school....I could totally do it. And now October has come and gone and I see that there would have been NO WAY I could have planned everything the way I wanted in that amount of time. So many things to consider and take care of! While I was jumping at the bit to have a wedding as quickly as possible (hey, I already waited SEVEN years!), I am glad we decided to hold off until the Spring. It has been a much more enjoyable ride than I expected and I am really getting to cherish every moment of precise wedding planning with my family and friends!
What have I done so far you ask? Well let me tell you all about it! Wedding venue? Check! Wedding reception site? Check! Dress? Check! Invitations? Check! DJ? Check! Amazing Bridal party? Check! Complimentary wedding colors chosen? Check! Photographer? Double Check! Awesome photo booth? Check!
I do have to give a shout out here about our wonderful photographers. They are Chelsea and Mack McGowan, of McGowan Images. This awesome husband and wife duo are the coolest couple! And their photography skills are amazing! They really captured the essence of our relationship in our engagement pictures and we had such a fun time doing them! I am so glad they are going to do my bridals and the wedding as well! I am SUPER excited about getting my bridal pictures taken. We are doing them at the Winspear Opera House in the Arts District in downtown Dallas. I think they are going to be pretty awesome. :-) We love you Chels and Mack! Most of you have probably seen our pictures on their blog and facebook, but I'll post a few here, just to show off again. I highly recommend them for your next photo session.
So what's left? Flowers. Cake. Alcohol. :-) Oh, and the Bachelorette party. Can't wait!!!
And what is there more exciting to talk about than my upcoming nuptials?! We are a little under four months away! I can't believe time has gone by so fast! I remember a few weeks after the engagement talking about a possible October 2011 wedding and thinking that it would be no problem to throw together in that (huge) amount of time. No worries that I was in my last semester of grad school....I could totally do it. And now October has come and gone and I see that there would have been NO WAY I could have planned everything the way I wanted in that amount of time. So many things to consider and take care of! While I was jumping at the bit to have a wedding as quickly as possible (hey, I already waited SEVEN years!), I am glad we decided to hold off until the Spring. It has been a much more enjoyable ride than I expected and I am really getting to cherish every moment of precise wedding planning with my family and friends!
What have I done so far you ask? Well let me tell you all about it! Wedding venue? Check! Wedding reception site? Check! Dress? Check! Invitations? Check! DJ? Check! Amazing Bridal party? Check! Complimentary wedding colors chosen? Check! Photographer? Double Check! Awesome photo booth? Check!
I do have to give a shout out here about our wonderful photographers. They are Chelsea and Mack McGowan, of McGowan Images. This awesome husband and wife duo are the coolest couple! And their photography skills are amazing! They really captured the essence of our relationship in our engagement pictures and we had such a fun time doing them! I am so glad they are going to do my bridals and the wedding as well! I am SUPER excited about getting my bridal pictures taken. We are doing them at the Winspear Opera House in the Arts District in downtown Dallas. I think they are going to be pretty awesome. :-) We love you Chels and Mack! Most of you have probably seen our pictures on their blog and facebook, but I'll post a few here, just to show off again. I highly recommend them for your next photo session.
So what's left? Flowers. Cake. Alcohol. :-) Oh, and the Bachelorette party. Can't wait!!!
July 25, 2011
Fight Heart Disease and Stroke
Unfortunately, too many of us have a loved one affected by heart disease or stroke. To help stop this, I will be walking in this year's Heart Walk benefiting the American Heart Association. This is the third year that I have participated and strongly support this cause. I have set a personal goal to raise funds that are needed for critical heart disease and stroke research and education.
You can help me raise funds and protect those you love by making a donation online. Click on the link below or on the icon on the left side of the page to visit my personal donation site where you can make a secure online donation. The American Heart Association's online fundraising website has a minimum donation amount of $25.00. If you prefer a smaller amount, you can do so by sending a check directly to me.
Your donation will make a difference in the fight against our nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers-heart disease and stroke. Thank you for your support!!
If you are interested in participating in the Dallas Heart Walk, it will be held at Victory Park in downtown on September 10th.
You can help me raise funds and protect those you love by making a donation online. Click on the link below or on the icon on the left side of the page to visit my personal donation site where you can make a secure online donation. The American Heart Association's online fundraising website has a minimum donation amount of $25.00. If you prefer a smaller amount, you can do so by sending a check directly to me.
Your donation will make a difference in the fight against our nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers-heart disease and stroke. Thank you for your support!!
If you are interested in participating in the Dallas Heart Walk, it will be held at Victory Park in downtown on September 10th.
July 18, 2011
LolaLand Creations: 250 Facebook Fan Giveaway
Head over to my dear friend Laura's blog today and enter her giveaway for a super cute crocheted baby headband (there's an adult one too if you don't have a baby!)
LolaLand Creations: 250 Facebook Fan Giveaway:
Check out her Facebook page and see all the adorable handmade products!
I mean seriously! How cute is this?!
Go visit her and tell her I sent you!
LolaLand Creations: 250 Facebook Fan Giveaway:
Check out her Facebook page and see all the adorable handmade products!
I mean seriously! How cute is this?!
Go visit her and tell her I sent you!
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