Now you understand why Peter Pan didn't want to grow up.

...learning how to "grow up." I love Jesus, sunshine, laughter and being with the people I love. I love a good run...once I'm finished ;) I am working on being more thankful for the things that I have; and more patient with the things that I don't.



Monday, August 8, 2011

A few of my favorite things...to eat.

Recently I had been asked for a few of my favorite recipes, so I figured why not blog them?  So here are a few of my go-tos in the kitchen.  In no particular order. 



Mom's Chicken Soup: 

  • 1/2 package Grandma's Egg Noodles (frozen section)
  • 2 cans of the 49oz Chicken Broth (or "stock")
  • 2 large carrots (dice 3/4 of these - save 1/4 one!)
  • 2 stalks for celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped white onion
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 1 chicken breast, sliced & diced small
  • 3 Bullion cubes (or 3tspn of bullion powder)
*In a large pot, add 3 tablespoons EVOO and chicken peices.  Cook on medium until chicken is no longer pink and is easy to cut with a plastic cooking spoon.  (if you prefer more "peppery" taste - pepper and salt your chicken at this time)

*Add the cans of chicken stock and bullion, diced carrots, celery, and both onions.  

*Shred the remaining 1/4 carrot (use a cheese grater if you don't have a food processor) into the pot. 

*Salt and Pepper to taste. 

*Cook until carrots are just a little softer than normal - about 5-8 min on medium.

*Take Gma's noodles - slit the bag in various places and microwave per directions.  Seperate 1/2 of the noodles out - if you like it REALLY noodley - use all - but these babies get HUGE.  (saran wrap the 1/2 noodles, put in freezer bag and re-freeze for next time!)

*Separate each noodle as best you can and add to the pot.  

*Cook for 12-18 min, or per the directions on the noodle package :) 

ENJOY.

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Redneck Casserole

  • 1 pound ground lean beef (or turkey burger)
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 6 Velveta cheese singles (yes, like what you use for grilled cheese!)
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2-2/3 bag frozen tator tots
  • 1/4 cup chopped white onion

 * Brown meat and chopped onion over medium heat - you can add minced dehydrated garlic, salt and pepper as well as some Cajun seasoning for some pizazz - I recommend all of the above or this can be pretty bland :) 

*Bake tator tots per direction on the package

*Spray baking pan (9x13) with EVOO or the like

*Lay 2/3 of the tots in the bottom of the pan

*Cover tots with burger mix

*Spread can of mushroom soup over meat layer, top with the 6 cheese slices

*Add remaining tots to the top and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. 

Bake @ 425 for aprx. 20 min and Waaa-La...YUM. 

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Butterscotch Rice Krispies

  • 1/2 bag large marshmallows
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons butter (or the like)
  • Box of rice krispies 
  • 1/2 bag butterscotch chips
*Over medium heat, combine marshmallows, butter and vanilla in a large pot.  Stir constantly until marshmallows become creamy.

*Remove from heat. Mix in rice krispies 2 cups at a time until there is enough cereal to cover most of the mallow creme. 

*Mix in butterscotch chips to your liking - 1/4-1/2 a bag is PLENTY

*Pour into a SPRAYED 10x10 pan

*Spray a large spatula and press the treats flat. 

*Let cool - NOT in the fridge - this will make them hard :) 

Cut 'em up and try not to eat the whole pan at once



Thursday, August 4, 2011

Home. With a View.

I love summer...even though I work my ass rear off through most of it. 
*
I love beers on a patio.  I prefer my own. 


I love that the bulbs I planted last fall are now these giant leafy items in my yard. 
And that this rose was a winter-worn shrub not 4 months ago. 


And that occasionally I get to live vicariously through "the nephews" while they slip and slide like champions. 

Being from Wyoming, I REALLY love that I can have a wind chime.  That doesn't break.  That is actually soothing. 



 



Friday, July 22, 2011

* OFFICE ... WITH A VIEW *


 I see pretty neat things throughout the day --

Like this rooster with "bloomers" (ie: feathered feet)


 And in the top left corner...that's a turkey.  Named "Thanksgiving".  Poor guy.
 I see dogs like this one.  Her name is Maggie.  Her owner told me she might bark, but she looked more dead than anything.  Oh, did I mention she's 13?  What a way to treat your aging companion, folks. 
 I made friends with this miniature donkey.  He would bray anytime I went too far.  And quiet down when I got closer.  I wanted to take him home.  He is about the size of a large dog. 
 This woman was the cutest thing, albeit a tad out there.  When asked about this hole in her roof she replied, "Oh, yeah, that might be from the squirrels...we cut them out a house in our soffits."  Wow.
 The same lady's husband (must to her dismay as I gathered) turned both of their garage stalls into a bird habitat.  He had 5 African Greys and a few others...only about 15.  At least they called me pretty when I walked by.

And when I am really lucky, I get to chase rainbows down the reservoir during a rainstorm.





 And work with a view like this......



And I even witness wanna-be super heroes on their way to the save the day...



And when I am lucky enough to catch some time in the office to chase the paper trail, I sometimes get to see this little desk lizard that I love. 

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Must have attire. For me, at least.





New Meaning of Tired.

I am tired.   Like seriously.  
Could fall asleep at any given time of the day tired.  
I have worked 132 hours.  In the last 11 days. 
It's been hot.  Like 90-103* hot.  And humid.  And Sticky.
I get 8-9 hours of sleep at the end of the day.  It's not enough.
I weigh less at the end of the day than I did at the start of the day.  
I sweat.  
I haven't gone to the gym in 10 days.  That's 9 days missed that I don't usually have.
I signed up for this.  I must be a work-masochist. 
I still love my job.  I still like (most) my homeowners.  
My house did not sustain any damage.  I would not mind a new roof and some paint.
5 more days to go.  I can do this.  
I think I can do this. 


Monday, July 4, 2011

Guess this 6am gym pays off?

I went home this weekend.  And if you've ever spent the night at my mama's, you know that sleeping in is a non occurrence.  So we got there at 8 Thursday, were in bed by 11 and by 5am, I was in the car with my mom on the way to her Cross Fit gym.   By 515, we were in the parking lot (class started at 530) with my sisters, Jewlz and Becks, drinking coffee and waking up.  At 530 we were running.  And those ladies had the NERVE to make fun of the way that I "prance" instead of run.  Can you believe that?  Humph.  I made Beckers run with me (it was only .25 mi!) and she said that she doesn't even sprint at that speed.  

On to the WOD (workout of the day) - overhead squats.  Thank you, Bilal for being an awesome trainer...I was able to do the workout and kick those ladies rears ;)  We finished up with a mile run around the "loop" which includes a hill.  And we were home lounging by 630.  


Thanks, Mountain Fit, for letting me take the class for free.  And it was sure nice to know that my workouts have paid off and I can hang when thrown into a new workout routine :) 
Wish I had my mom and sisters with me for the WOD every morning!

Who Knew? Whonu!!

I love  cookies.  I realllly love Oreo cookies.  One time, I ate an entire bag with my college roommate...I don't think she had more than half of a row, while I ate the other 2.5.  In just a few hours.  And although, I would like to feign regret or embarrassment, I simply cannot.  I love cookies.  And I really love Oreos.  

SO.  Whilst shopping last week when I stumbled on a "WhoNu Nutritional Cookie" - that looked like an Oreo?  I had to buy them.  And damn if I am not glad that I did :)  YUM.  


And apparenlty they have other flavors...so I will be looking for this as well.  MMMM MMMM good.