Memory Lane, Pt 1

After Sara did her post about her 'early' years, I decided to look through my old photo album. There were a few times where I literally laughed out loud, so I decided to share them with you, too.


Nanny always tried to dress my sister and I in these ridiculous poofy dresses and HUGE hair bows.


One year, She decided to buy me this "Dolly Parton" dress. Annnnnnd she made me wear it for every occasion.

At some point, she let me start dressing myself. Which turned out to be not much better. haha


I remember when I had to get glasses. Nanny thought I was just saying that I couldn't see so I could get them because my friends kept having to get them. This was not the case. I mean seriously, do you think I actually wanted to wear those hideous things?!

Tomorrow, we'll take a journey through my high school years.
Do you have any embarrassing school photos? If so, please share! [This means you, Matt.]

Have I told you lately...

that I have an obsessive personality?

Well, I do.
Aaron and I recently started watching Dexter on Netflix.
Although I was a little freaked out at first, I just COULD NOT stop watching it.
There's just something about Michael C. Hall that just draws me in :)
....the stories are good, too. haha
Anyway, we finished season 1 last night after watching it for 4 straight hours. It only took us like 3 days to watch the entire season. So, if that's any indication, you guys should probably check it out.

Besides Dexter, it seems like all our favorite new shows come from either HBO or Showtime. SO, I called the cable company to see how much it would cost to get those channels added, annnnnnnnnnd they wanted $38.80 A MONTH!!! How ridiculous is that? I guess we'll have to just keep waiting until the seasons come on dvd.

And, while I have still had NO luck finding a job, Aaron has landed one through the work study program at school. It's only 20 hours a week, but something is better than nothing, right?

I'm leaving you with an amazing recipe that I tried this week and ABSOLUTELY loved. It's so easy, Matt could probably do it.

FIESTA CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

What You Need

1 small Onion, chopped

1 clove Garlic, minced

1 lb. cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts, shredded

1 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa, divided

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed

1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

1 tsp. Ground cumin

1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheese, divided

8 Flour tortillas (6 inch)

Make It

HEAT oven to 350°F.

HEAT large skillet spayed with cooking spray on medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir 2 min. Add chicken, 1/4 cup salsa, cream cheese, cilantro and cumin; mix well. Cook 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Add 1/2 cup shredded cheese; mix well.

SPOON about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-sides down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining salsa and shredded cheese.

BAKE 15 to 20 min. or until heated through.

Mmmm

Have ya'll tried the green bean fries from TGI Fridays?
They're amazing. Even if you don't like regular green beans, you will probably like these because they are well seasoned AND...they're fried :)

I think the only let down is that they're almost $7.

Last night I experimented, and made them at home. I had almost all the ingredients, so it only cost me $.55 to make 1/2 lb and the sauce.

4 servings

Wasabi Cucumber Ranch Dip

1/2 cup bottled ranch dressing (Hidden Valley is best)
1/4 cup cucumbers, peeled, seeded, minced
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon wasabi powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 pinch cayenne pepper


Green Beans

1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
6-8 ounces fresh green beans
1 cup flour
1 cup plain breadcrumbs or seasoned dry bread crumbs
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
vegetable shortening, for frying or vegetable oil

Combine dip ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Place in bowl; cover and chill till ready to use. Dip will thicken as it chills.

Place beans in the broth. Bring to a boil and cook 15 minutes, then place in cold water to stop cooking process.

Mix beaten egg with milk in a shallow bowl. Measure 1 cup of flour into another shallow bowl.
Combine bread crumbs, 3/4 teaspoons salt, black pepper, onion powder and garlic powder into a third bowl.

Take a handful of beans out of the water and shake off excess liquid. Coat the beans with the flour, shaking to remove excess flour. Dip the beans, one at a time, into egg/milk mixture, then dip in breadcrumb mixture. Place the beans on a plate until all are coated.

Heat the shortening or oil to 350*F in a heavy skillet(or use deep fryer). Use enough to cover the beans, about 1 1/2 inches. Fry until golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

To serve, place on a large platter and serve with the wasabi cucumber ranch dip.

twice as nice

1. If you could host a Reality TV show, which one would it be?

I would host one of the real world/road rules challenges. I LOVE those shows :)

2. Do you put your seat belt on before or after you start the car?

After...usually.

3. Shave or hair removal cream?

I shave. I've tried hair removal cream, but it never seems to work on me.

4. What's your favorite feature in a house?

Large open kitchens!

5. What is your favorite "Fall" scent?

pumpkin spice!!!

6. What tv show are you looking forward to seeing the most this Fall??

Gossip Girllllll.

7. Personal Shopper or Personal Chef?

Is this something I am, or something I need? I would love to be a personal chef, but I would definitely NEED a personal shopper ;)

8. What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of "Fall"?

pumpkins

Broken

I found out this morning that the local animal shelter was responsible for the death of 21 dogs.
I got this overwhelming sick feeling in my stomach, and I felt like I was going to cry. It broke my heart. Not only do I have a soft spot for homeless animals [well, pretty much all animals], but that shelter is where we got Kami.
All I could think about is, what if they would have killed Kami before we even got the chance to adopt her? What if her brother was still in there? What bothers me the most, is that they are supposedly a 'no kill' shelter. That is what we were told when we went looking for a pet, and that is what they claim to be. *sigh*
So please, please, PLEASE...when you decide that you are ready for an animal, check your local shelters first. I know everyone loves to buy 'designer' dogs, but it is seriously worth it to adopt a pet from a shelter.

Spoiled Rotten

Aaron got back from his 2 week training on Saturday. BOY was I glad to see him.

I decided that since he'd been stuck eating at the 'portable' dining hall and gross MRE's for two weeks, that I needed to make him an extra special dinner.
So I did....
Steak, shrimp, roasted asparagus, roasted corn on the cob, and cheesy garlic bread.
And for dessert, my chocolate cherry fantasy pie.
Of course he loved it, and we both ate so much we were practically in a coma after dinner.
Yesterday, we decided to go to town. We went to a few shops, and got a few things. Then we headed to see Scott Pilgrim.

It was seriously amazing. Maybe because I'm a dork, or maybe because I'm not so secretly in love with Michael Cera, but this movie is definitely in my top 10. GO SEE IT. NOW!

After the movie, we went to our FAV. restaurant, TGI Fridays.
FYI, they have this 3 course for $12.99 thing going on. It's actually a great deal. And as much as I love that place, I'm glad there isn't one closer to us, or I'd probably be 5,000 pounds right now.

Have I mentioned

I am absolutely exhausted....to the point where I think I could sleep for 3 days straight.
Since last Thursday, I have driven/ridden [is that a word?] literally 1,274 miles. And yes, I was geeky and actually added it up.

I also didn't get the job at the bank, even though I passed the teller test, and had an awkward phone interview. When I called to complain to my husband about it, he said 'you could always join the army'...........and in that moment, I couldn't help but wonder if he even 'knows' me.

Anyways, I hope my life gets back on track soon. I need stability....and sleep.

I can only tell you what it feels like....

Remember how I said I was going to be busy?
Wellllllll, I have been.

Thursday night, we drove the 5+ hours to my sister's house.
Got up Friday morning and made it to the cheesecake factory for lunch. I got the spicy chicken chipotle pasta, and it was amazing--as usual!
For dessert, my sister and I shared the Tiramisu cheesecake. My mouth is watering as I type this, and I wish I could go back, now!
On top of all that, my sister MADE me a birthday cake.
It was sooo good!
That night, we went to see Salt. It was okay, but I was expecting it to be a lot better. At times it just seemed to go on forever, and ever.
Saturday morning we went to the local water park. It was smaller than what I'm used to, but it was really nice. It wasn't crowded, so we didn't have to wait to do things. It was fun seeing my lil nephew play in the water. But the best part, no doubt, was the lazy river. It felt so amazing just floating along without a care in the world.
Later, we went to see The Other Guys. It was so hilarious. I'm not going to lie, they showed some of the main funny parts during the trailers, but there were enough unexpected scenes to make up for it. I would definitely recommend it, and I will probably end up going to see it again when Aaron comes home.
Sunday, we made the long journey back home, and I spent the rest of the day lazing around baking cookies.
On Monday, myself and my friend Kelly headed up to Auburn to see our friends Matt and Frisco graduate. They aren't just any friends, they've been our best friends since high school, and pretty much the only people I've kept in constant contact with since.
Needless to say, I am very, very proud.

And now my journey continues....
Off to my MIL's today, then heading to north Alabama tomorrow for colorguard practice.
Hope you all are still enjoying the summer!

Busy days ahead

Tomorrow morning I have a teller assessment at Regions bank.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!
After that, my Nanny, my aunt, and I will be headed to Georgia to spend the weekend with my sister.
Monday, my two bfff's will graduate college.
And only a little over a week until Aaron comes home <3.

A few weeks ago, I finished some paintings Sara asked me to do for her son's room.
They turned out so cute, I was inspired to do a few more kid style paintings. I just finished with a baby unicorn.
Currently working on a baby giraffe, and would definitely be willing to take on any ideas you all may have for commissions.

It's a new day...

And with a new day brings a fresh start.
I am not in a depressing mood today, thankfully.
I have, however, kept myself busy.
You know...
Running errands, paying bills, finishing season 3 of Gossip Girl [Chuck better not be dead], painting, cooking, trying to stay out of the heat.
Someone ordered a custom owl pillow from my etsy, and I had enough fabric left over to make another, so.....

Ta-Da!
$10+$2 s&h

Keep your eye out for some new paintings, coming soon.

Manic Monday

Everyone is destined for a break down every once in a while, right?

Things I realized today:
-I will be 23 in 4 days.
-I still have no job, despite the countless applications/resumes I've sent out.
-I am not in school, and I also do not have a degree.
-If something doesn't happen quick, we're going to sink.

I'm due for a miracle.