seriously....this is my life

2012 Project Life (week 19) and this month's winner

 

First of all....I apoligize for my lack of interesting blog posts lately.  Brian remarked the other day that all I seem to blog about is PL and food.  Trust me when I say, I want this to change.  My life is so full and I do hope to have a bigger variety of posts coming this week and in future weeks.

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This month's giveaway winner is Kristie Mckibben.  Kristie email me with your address at angelamoore3902@gmail.com and I'll drop this in the mail to you later this week. 

This week I used pieces from both the Clementine and Cobalt Project Life kits as well as things from my stash.  I also used a partial Design G page protector. 

Left page

Right Page (plus insert)

This carrot came in my co-op basket and it cracked me up!!!

Italian Vegetable Salad

I love vegetables, probably more than fruit, although lately Karsten and I can't get enough blueberries and strawberries.  The thing is, though I love vegetables, lettuce based salads are not my favorite.  I like certain ones and I think when other people make them they taste so much better than my own.  I'm weird, I guess.  So, with all of this said...I frequently make vegetable salads.  Just a bunch of different vegetables chopped up, sometimes I add beans, pour on some salad dressing,  and then I can eat on it for a few days. 

The only reason this is really called an "Italian" Vegetable Salad is that I used a vinaigrette.  I'm hardly buying bottled dressing anymore...it's full of preservatives and I really find it easy to make homemade dressing.  I use the Penzey's Italian Salad Dressing as a base, then add a whole clove of garlic and 3 T. of parmesan cheese.  I shake it up and store it in a mason jar. 

I (heart) mason jars! 

Here's the recipe Download Italian Vegetable Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 orange bell pepper, diced

2 kirby* cucumbers, peeled and diced

1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and diced

1 can chick peas/garbonzo beans, drained and rinsed

¼ cup fresh basil, chiffonade

½ cup grilled corn (one ear)

½ cup favorite Italian vinaigrette (I use Penzey’s dressing base and add a whole garlic clove and 3 T. shredded parmesan)

Directions:

Toss everything together in a bowl.  Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve.  Makes great leftovers. 

Great for a picnic because there’s no dairy.

You could add or eliminate any vegetable.  I only call this “Italian” because of the dressing.

*Kirby cucumbers are small, pickling cucumbers.  Look for ones that are firm with no defects.  Store them in fridge without any kind of packaging. They are my favorite cucumber...very very crunchy!

 

 

meal plan

So a couple of weeks ago I blogged about trying to get a handle on meal planning and meal follow through.  I'm good at planning and not so good on follow through.  A big part of this was that I was expecting too much of myself.  The past 2 weeks I worked from one meal plan and was almost entirely successful!  The key:  Keeping It Simple!  Cook, chop, shred extra for later in the week. 

Here's the meal plan for the next 2 weeks.  I hope to document some of  the recipes and then blog about them. 

Mon (yesterday)--BBQ Chicken Salad (leftover chicken from Sun) with greens, tomatoes, grilled corn, black beans and tortilla strips served with BBQ Ranch dressing (BBQ sauce mixed with Ranch)

Tues--Caprese Panini with Italian Vegetable Salad

Wed--Chicken Spaghetti (make 2 pans and freeze one) Steamed Brocolli and Cauliflower

Thurs--BLAT's (Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, and Tomato) with fruit salad

Fri--Grilled Salmon with Grilled Veggies and Quinoa

Sat--DATE NIGHT!!! 

Sun--Falafel with Cucumber Yogurt Salad and Chopped Greek Salad

Mon--Sour Cream Noodle Bake (make 2 pans and freeze one) Steamed Veggies

Tues--Spinach, Feta, and Mushroom Quiche with Fruit Salad (eat leftovers for breakfast)

Wed--Corn and Crab Chowder

Thurs--Tacos

Fri--Leftovers

Sat--OUT

Sun--Spicy Dr.Pepper Shredded Pork Sandwiches with Slaw and sweet potato fries (freeze leftovers)

Mon--Shredded Pork Soft Tacos with Mango Salsa

 

2012 Project Life (week 18) + May's Giveaway

I'll be perfectly honest in telling you that I was in a FUNK last week...tired, uninspired, just one of those weeks that we all have once in awhile.  So, last week I didn't take a lot of photos...and I'm ok with that.  Part of everyday life is that it is everyday...not always full of new experiences and adventures...and sometimes a little funky. 

Again, I used components of the Cobalt and Clementine kits and Design A page protectors.  I also added a few extras here and there that I'll tell you about as we move on.

Left Page: the first journaling card is from an old Fancy Pants 12x12 page of journaling cards, the next journaling card is from Miss Tina (a website with lots of free PL printables) and if you're looking for a great book series I highly suggest the Bailey Flannigan series by Karen Kingsbury.

Right Page: the journaling card with the tab is from the Original 2010 PL kit (not the one from CK).  I'm including a few of these journaling cards in my giveaway :)  The photo of Karsten on the bottom right was taken at Babies R Us where we bought him a big boy car seat.  I'm so thankful for PL...it helps me to record these little milestones in a simple way!

and now for the GIVEAWAY....to enter leave a comment on THIS post telling me what you hope to do this Mother's Day weekend.  I'm hoping to go get a MUCH needed pedicure, go on a date night (Sat) with Brian, and to an early lunch on Sunday with my boys....and I'm hoping to have some creative time on Sunday...and there's a little something I'm hoping to receive...we'll see :)

Here's what's in the giveaway...I will choose a winner next Monday evening and post next Project Life Tuesday.  I'll likely add a few things to these goodies too :)  Thanks for stopping by and entering.

**To get another entry mention this giveaway, and a link to my blog, on your blog and leave me a comment that you did**

• 20 6x6 pieces of paper (My Mind's Eye, Basic Grey, Crate Paper)
• Journaling cards from Original PL edition
• Heidi Grace stickers/journal spots
• Elle's Studio circle journaling spots
• 7 Gypsies tags
• Stickers from Original PL edition
• Making Memories celebrate stickers
• and a few more goodies not pictured!!!  

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Roasted Beets with Orange Vinaigrette

I've made this several times lately because beets are in season here in the South.  If you don't think you like beets I'd challenge you to give these a try.  They don't taste anything like pickled beets and they are so healthy for you. 

Roasted Beets with Orange Vinaigrette  Download Roasted Beets with Orange Vinaigrette

6 medium beets (red, striped, yellow or other variety), trimmed of greens and washed well

Zest and juice of one orange

¼ cup olive oil    

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp maple syrup

Sea Salt and freshly ground pepper

Optional: thin slices of fennel

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Place beets on a baking sheet with sides or in a large, glass baking dish. Pour the orange juice, oil, maple syrup, and ¼ cup water over the beets and season with salt and pepper.  Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and roast the beets until they’re tender when pierced with a knife, 40-45 minutes.  Uncover and let the beets cool to room temperature.  Reserve cooking liquid.

3. Peel the beets (you may want to wear gloves to prevent staining) and quarter them.

4. Add orange zest to cooled cooking liquid and drizzle over peeled and quartered beets.   

5. Optional: sprinkle in some thinly sliced fennel

 

And if you happen to have beets with the greens still attached and looking vibrant here's a link to a recipe and article you could use with the greens.

Beet Greens Recipe from Simply Recipes

What to do with Beet Greens

decades later...stickers and paper still make me happy

From the time I was a little girl I have loved, coveted, and hoarded stickers and cute paper.  I had a dozen sticker books and in my world there was nothing better than Mrs. Grossman stickers on a roll.  I know my Mom hated "wasting" money on stickers, but they were my prized possession. And if my Dad took me to the office supply store with him I could spend hours looking at everything.  If I had birthday money or allowance I usually used it towards this passion of mine. 

Fast forward 30 years....not much has changed!  I still love stickers and paper and if I have a little money left over at the end of the month you might just find me at Archiver's.  It's been a long, mundane week, so today Karsten and I took a little trip to Katy, TX (about 40 minutes from the house).  I needed to get some Mother's Day shopping done, go to Eddie Bauer and use a credit that was about to expire, and I figured that if were going to be on that side of town I might as well go to Archivers....plus I had an album to return since I decided not to do A Week in the Life last week. 

I gave myself a $20 budget at Archiver's and was under budget at check out! (go me!) Honestly 90% of the stuff in scrapbook stores doesn't interest me anymore.  Project Life has changed the way I document life so I don't need much stuff...and let's be honest...I already have TONS of stuff.  (from the days when I didn't limit myself to a $20 scrapbook supply budget)

Here's what I got today

These 6x6 paper pads from My Minds Eye are great for project life

I found these cute Bella Blvd stickers.  I like small things for my PL album and Karsten's baby album. 

Jillibean Soup boy paper and stickers (because when I find a good, classic boy paper I can't resist)

My Mind's Eye title cards for K's album

Please note...there were a few other things that caught my eye, but when I put it into a Project Life perspective I realized that it wouldn't aid in telling my stories and documenting our daily life.  I will always sing Becky Higgin's praises for creating Project Life and making sure that top quality items reach her customers for incredibly fair prices.  I looked at several women in Archiver's today, loading up their baskets with this trendy thing and that trendy thing, and I felt so relieved that I am no longer in that never ending cycle of keeping up with the industry.  There is no judgement on those people, just relief that I have finally found a way that fills my creative soul and preserves our memories. 

I will say that although I didn't purchase any of the Simple Stories line I might in the future because they are perfect for Project Life.  The only thing I wish, is that instead of everything being cream it would be white.

COME BACK ON TUESDAY TO SEE THIS WEEK'S PROJECT LIFE AND ENTER A GIVEAWAY!!!!! 

 

fill in the blank Friday

Hello Friday...it's SO nice to see you again!  I'm ready for the weekend in the biggest way.  Hoping our neighborhood swimming pool opens up tomorrow! 

1. My bedtime routine consists of...telling myself every evening that I'm going to be in bed by 9:00 and then at 9:30-10 realizing that I missed that mark.  Usually my pjs are already on, so I wash my face, take my meds, brush my teeth, crawl into bed, and read until I'm having difficulty keeping my eyes open.  Sometimes this is just a couple minutes of reading, other times it's closer to a half hour. 

2. I am...so happy it's Friday.  Knowing that Brian will be here to help me with K makes me so happy. 

3. I can't stand...black coffee because....it's nasty and makes my stomach hurt.

4. If I had an extra $50 I would go buy...a cute lamp for my office.  I have my eye on one at Target. 

5. The best thing about blog friends is that...they find your life interesting enough to read about and think you're really creative even when you're not! 

6. A recipe I've really been wanting to try is....PW's Vanilla Bean Scones (maybe this weekend)

7. The most interesting thing I did this week was...take photos of a EH&S Years of Service ceremony for Dow.  Hey, it's my first paid photography gig!!! 

8. Today I hope to accomplish....getting my Mother's Day shopping started and finished. 

9. I'm super excited about....the thought of my parent's moving to Texas sooner than later!!! 

10. My favorite thing about being Karsten's momma is....having him crawl up to me and hug me! 

2012 Project Life (week 17)

This week I used a few things from both the Clementine and Cobalt kit as well as this page protector which I cut 1/3 off. 

Many of the photos in the insert are from Kelly's blog...she seemed to have her camera handy more than I did over the weekend. 

i really liked this page protector with 4x4 slots

this tab is from Creative Imaginations specifically the Creative Cafe line which no longer exists, but is perfect for PL, so glad I stocked up years ago.  The transparency on the first page is also CI.

DETAIL SHOTS:

love the little tags from Making Memories...another oldie but goodie product

stickers from October Afternoon

banner is from My Mind's Eye (my favorite paper company)

photos from the weekend

To see more photos and stories from the weekend visit Kelly's blog

What a great weekend we had at our house.  Kelly brought X and E for a visit this past weekend.  I had planned on driving to visit with them, but after a long week for her husband Ryan she felt it would be better to  bring her kids here and leave him with a quiet house! 

We went out for breakfast on Saturday morning at Mimi's Cafe, went to my Aunt and Uncle's pool so the kids could "swim", went to church Saturday night and then out to dinner with some of Kelly and Ryan's friends from when they used to live here.  (Brian and I now go to the church that Kelly and Ryan went to when they lived here years ago).  We were going to make PW homemade doughnuts, but Kelly and I were both too tired Saturday night to make the dough...plus it's just too easy to go buy doughnuts, a treat for al of us!

I loved watching X and E play with Karsten.  We call them cousins because Kelly and I are like sisters. 

putting a puzzle together

X and E looking for turtles at our neighborhood pond

E sharing his train tracks with Karsten

and Karsten doing a taste test of the train tracks.

and a random bathtime photo

fill in the blank Friday

1. The first thing I do in the morning is....go to the bathroom, put my hair up, stumble into the kitchen and make a cup of coffee, open the blinds, have quiet time.

2. I can hardly wait for...Kelly to get here later today with X and E.  Such a fun weekend ahead!

3. The quickest way to my heart is....saying something sweet about my baby....because....I think he's pretty much the cutest little boy ever and I absolutely adore him.

4. A little known fact about me is that...I threw out the first pitch at a St. Louis Cardinal's Game when I was 13. 

5. The best part about my job is...being able to watch Karsten discover and learn new things all day long.

6. Something I couldn't live without...is my faith and hope in Jesus Christ....that, and caffeine...and chocolate....and my friends...and my husband...but first and foremost...my faith!

7. Something useful that I wish I knew how to do is....sew.  I have a sewing machine on my Amazon wishlist...the only problem is that the last thing I need is another hobby! 

8. The yummiest thing I made this week was...PW Broccoli Cheese Soup.  I cut the recipe in half and didn't use as much cream or butter, but it was still really good and easy!

9. The best decision I made this week was...to not embark on the Week in the Life project.  I realized that before I add another project I need to finish some projects! 

10. Recently I looked into...Mother's Day Out for K-bug.  There's one literally less than a mile from my house, but he'll have to wait another year because he won't be 18 months by Sept 1st. 

Have a Super Weekend!!!