Friday, June 27, 2014

TGIF!

Hello! It's Friday again so it's time for another link up with Lauren Elizabeth for High Five for Friday. I had to actually narrow down my list this week, there were so many little things that made my week great!

1. I went to a farmer's market last weekend and got some fruit and this pretty little succulent.

2. Mike and I went for an evening hike on Tuesday. We brought a little picnic dinner with us and it was really nice!

3. A stray cat in our neighborhood had three kittens! They are SO cute!!!! The kittens have been hanging out on our side yard, and I love to watch them play. Sorry the picture isn't that good, but those little babies don't like to sit still at all.

4. We have a miniature rose bush out front that bloomed this week.

5. My little wildflowers I planted in the egg carton took off and had to be replanted in a bigger container. Can't wait for them to bloom!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, June 20, 2014

High Five for Friday

Happy Friday to you all! I had a pretty great week this week. Below are five reason why...

1. Tuesday evening we had some friends over for homemade pizza. It was nice to chat and eat some yummy food.


2. Clipped this flower from our front yard!!!


3. Wednesday Mike and I went to the Trinidad History Museum. Very interesting.


4. We made a super delicious meal of steaks and stuffed potatoes.


5. I have been awaiting the release of Emily Ley's 2014-2015 collection. It launched on Monday and I ordered her new Home Base Binder. It should arrive today!

I wish you a every happy weekend and a happy anniversary to the best Mom and Dad a girl could ask for!!!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Book Review: Quitter

Quitter
Jon Acuff

I finished Quitter by Jon Acuff about a month ago.  This book is super motivational! It's geared toward people who have a dream job in mind, but are currently working at a job that isn't. However, even if you already are working your desired occupation, I think this book is worth the read. The author goes through various steps to take in order to propel you towards your dream. I love that he is real and honest with his advice. Acuff tells you your dream is not going to happen in one day. It could possible take years, and lots and lots of hard work; but you can get there. The author also includes numerous personal stories throughout the book. I feel this helps the reader relate so much more to the author and also allows the reader to be more willing to take his advice knowing he's been through it all and came out with his dream. I really love that much of Acuff's advice relates to and includes steps from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. If you have any goals in your life right now that you are having trouble attaining or perhaps are getting discouraged about, work related or not, you should read this book!

Monday, June 16, 2014

Mac and Cheese Makeover



I was reading through an issue of Southern Living Magazine and stumbled upon a recipe I was dying to try. It was called The City and The Country Mac and Cheese. I LOVE mac and cheese. I started reading through the ingredients and quickly realized this was going to be a pricey meal to make. I decided to make a cheaters version of this recipe that would be cheaper and easier. Let me know what you think!

Ingredients
2 boxes Velvetta Shells & Cheese
1.5 lbs fully cooked smoked ham, cubed
1/4 cup grated onion
1 tbsp vegetable oil
4 tbsp butter
1 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp flour
1/2 cup Panko
1/4 cup shredded cheese of your choice

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare Velvetta pasta as directed on package.
3. Meanwhile, saute ham in 1 tbsp hot oil in large skillet for about 7 to 8 minutes or until ham is lightly browned.
4. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, dry mustard, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes and saute about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Next, add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, about two minutes or until mixture is golden brown and smooth.
5. Once the Velvetta pasta is prepared, add in your in your ham and onion mixture. Stir until well combined.
6. Pour mac n cheese into a 9x11 pan. Then sprinkle Panko and shredded cheese on top.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, then enjoy!

Friday, June 13, 2014

High Five for Friday

It's Friday! Time for another High Five for Friday. This week has gone by really quickly. Here are my top five picks for this week...



1. The camping trip Mike and I took earlier this week. We just had a really nice time! It was perfect.


2. I've been wanting to learn some of the flowers that grow at the state park and around town. Mike got this book for me. It's super awesome because it gives you a picture of the flower, the name, and then describes edible and medicinal uses. I love it.


3. Mike sent me an email earlier this week that just said, "You need this". I DO need this! Anyone who knows me knows how much I love some mac n cheese.

4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!!! Today is Mike's birthday. He has lots of presents to open that family has mailed to him and we are going out to dinner tonight to a restaurant we haven't tried yet. Can't wait!

5. I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there, but especially to my dad. I don't know what I would have done without my dad growing up. He's the BEST! Love you Dad!!!!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Camping Trip

Mike's birthday is this Friday and we thought it would be fun to start the celebration with a camping trip. We packed up the car on Monday and headed to Lathrop State Park, which is about forty minutes north of us. The park was beautiful and we had such a relaxing and fun time. We walked a three mile trail, did some geocaching, took some pictures, ate a bunch of yummy food, and relaxed by the camp fire. Perfection!














Hope you are having a great week! Talk to you again on Friday.


Friday, June 6, 2014

Happy Friday!

High Five for Friday!!! It's Friday again. I had a very relaxing Wednesday and Thursday off from work this week and I'm back to it again today. However, this will be a quick week for me, as I took Monday and Tuesday off next week so Mike and I could go camping in celebration of his birthday which is next Friday. My top picks of this week are...

1. I started reading the sixth book of the Mortal Instruments book series. This is my fifth book of the summer so far and it's only the beginning of June!
2. Reorganized the bookshelf that's in our living/dining room area. It was getting a bit crazy with books and DVDs that we took out and just shoved back in. Now the books are organized by genre and alphabetized by author and all the DVDs are in alphabetical order. I love it.
3. I did a little crafting and made a little cover for my camera lenses.
4. My wildflower sprouts I posted about on Monday are doing awesome. They have grown quite a bit!
5. I baked an angel food cake yesterday and it is so yummy! I love eating it with strawberries.

Have a great weekend!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Hello Monday!

Hi Everyone and happy Monday. I'm doing something new today called Hello Monday! It's a link up with Lisa Leonard Designs (she makes some beautiful jewelry, so check her out if you haven't before). Hello Monday is a way to say hello and get energized for a new week.

1. Hello Monday! It's my "Thursday" today, so I'm looking forward to getting closer to my weekend which is Wednesday and Thursday.


2. Hello Springtime finally arriving. The weather has been really beautiful lately.


3. Hello Mr. Bee in our backyard.


4. Hello Little Bear who has been visiting our neighborhood recently.


5. Hello baby sprouts of the wildflowers I planted last week. Can't wait to see you bloom!

Have a great start to your week!