Ashlea Fabulous

iBacon

2012-02-14T20:44:00.001-08:00

This is the 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon sandwich at Melt in Lakewood Oh. Hickory smoked bacon, Applewood smoked bacon, Black pepper-crusted slab bacon, Italian Pancetta, Sweet candied bacon, Herb Cream Cheese with bacon bits, In-house made mayonnaise infused with bacon, Sharp Cheddar, Fresh romaine lettuce and tomato.

It was so good I wanted to eat my napkin because it had sandwich residue all over it.

I hooked my girl up this Valentines day!!

!HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Lex

Strawberry Surprise Cupcakes

2012-02-07T19:32:00.001-08:00

I am baking some cupcakes for my sister. She likes strawberry so I'm trying something different.

CUPCAKE RECIPE

You will need:
•eggs
•sugar
•all-purpose flour
•baking powder
•butter
•milk
•vanilla extract
•orange extract (optional)
•strawberries (or fruit of choice)

You're gonna need two separate bowls to start out. Preheat your oven to 325.

In the first bowl with a mixer beat four whole eggs for four to five minutes. Add two cups of sugar, beat on low for thirty seconds, then high for another four to five minutes. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a half a teaspoon of orange extract (optional).

In a separate bowl sift two cups of all-purpose flour, two teaspoons of baking powder, and a quarter teaspoon of salt.

Meanwhile, mix quarter cup of butter (half of a stick) and a cup of milk in a pot. Slowly bring it to a boil. Let it cool.

Take the dry mix and slowly pour into the first bowl while mixing on low. Mix till it is combined. It will seem pretty thick, but don't worry.

Once it's all combined pour in the cooled down butter/milk. Mix till it is combined.

Once you've lined your cupcake holders fill about 2/3- less if you want puny cupcakes, more for some monster-size cupcakes. Once this is done cut the tops off the strawberries, if necessary. You can use fresh, thawed, or frozen. Push into the center of the cupcakes. Now you're ready to bake!

I always bake my cupcakes on the center rack. Habit. And I don't keep track of time, which doesn't help you any. This is what I do..

Each oven is different, so keep an eye on the cupcakes. Since it is technically a spongecake you can tell when it's done by pressing the top of it and it would, in a sense, bounce back or you can do the toothpick test. I usually check it around the time my house smells like cupcakes.

And voila! Strawberry Surprise Cupcakes by Ashlea and James :) Wait till they cool before you put your frosting on.

FROSTING RECIPE

You will need:
•powdered sugar
•two sticks of butter (room temp)
•vanilla extract
•whipping cream

In a bowl you will mix three cups of powdered sugar and the two sticks of butter. Make sure the two sticks of butter are at room temperature. This is extremely important.

Beat on low until it is combined, then on high speed for about three minutes.

Add in a teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix until it's combined. For a different flavor try another extract instead of vanilla. That's the beauty of baking :)

Now add in two tablespoons of whipping cream while mixing on medium speed. You can add more if you want.

Now frost those cupcakes and enjoy!

*To switch it up a bit, use blueberries or other fruits instead of strawberries.

**if you do not like spongecake you will not enjoy these cupcakes.

***Will make about two dozen cupcakes, or two 8-inch cakes.

ENJOY! <3

Week 10

2012-02-07T09:53:00.001-08:00

So we definitely had a scare yesterday. We spent all day at two different urgent cares. The first place feared we had an ectopic pregnancy, but after the ultrasounds at the second location ectopic was ruled out. They found a large cyst and said Tylenol would be the only thing I could take to stop the pain. I am actually allergic to the active ingredient so I have to go through this whole pregnancy in pain. I hope it subsides.
I also have had a food allergy to dairy, but since we became pregnant my allergy has worsened. I can't even enjoy almond milk without getting itchy. Not dairy, but the nuts... Giggity. Soy milk, here I come.
Because of my health issues, most I refuse to go public with, I will be heavily monitored throughout the pregnancy. My biggest concern is being out of breath. I have to coach myself on breathing since I've already had issues stemming from my birth defect, pectus excavatum. It's scary, but I have a wonderful team behind me: my husband, family, friends, midwife, and doctors galore.

Well I'm off to the dentist, and then outro to the midwife.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Baby, we can't wait to hold you!!

Too ready!

2012-02-06T17:03:00.001-08:00

Holy shit I'm excited! How about you??

New on Burning Angel

2012-02-06T13:11:00.001-08:00

Check out my newest set!

YAY

2012-02-06T00:20:00.001-08:00

!!!Congratulations!!!

You'll be the raddest mommy ever :)

Lex

An email from my mommy

2012-02-04T21:02:00.001-08:00

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being..

She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?'

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze..

'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked.

She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...'

'No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me..

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.'

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, ' We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.

If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody! Can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.

The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets..'

She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.'

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those months ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your friends and family, they'll really enjoy it!

These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. We make a Living by what we get. We make a Life by what we give.

Spawning minions!!

2012-02-03T11:28:00.001-08:00

It's true: WE ARE PREGNANT!! We are the happiest we have ever been!

Visiting our midwife in a couple days. Yes, we are doing a natural birth, water to be specific. Yes, I have been given strange looks and ridicule for my decision. It's just sad to see how many people are so misinformed with all the information available out there. Oh well. To each their own =)

Baby, I can't wait to hold you in my arms!!

First Job and first make out session were at this park!

2012-02-01T01:40:00.001-08:00

This was an amusement park called Geauga Lake. Cedar Point had it shut down because they didn't want Sea World buying it and creating competition for them... Which is ludicrous based on the fact that Cedar Point is literally 7 times the size with almost as many roller coasters as Geauga Lake had rides.

This ride was called the Raging Wolf Bobs and is at the end of the street that I live on.

Only you can prevent yourself from happiness.

2012-01-31T14:01:00.001-08:00

Looking back on some things, even as recent as less than a week ago, I realize I could have done or said some things better. I could have kept composure, kept my mouth shut, or just stay out of it altogether. So I wear my heart on my sleeve, sue me. To understand why I do these things I must dissect, examine, and reexamine my life. I know I don't have it entirely together, then again I don't think anyone truly does. I think what bugs me the most is knowing compassion and kindness are hard to come by in people, and it is truly saddening. I am too sensitive, which is why I can come across as harsh or bitchy. I need to learn to man up, I suppose. I guess I've always been a firm believer of finding solutions, even when it doesn't involve me. That is my worst habit.

This past weekend I found out extremely exciting news. Although it is still too soon to share with the world, I hope my decisions wont negatively affect any friendships.

For all my alt fans who have followed me throughout the years, thank you. I still have three sets on Burning Angel that will go live in due time. I have promised for GodsGirls sets, however since my computer ceased to function properly I do not know when they will e submitted.

To be honest, these are the last things on my mind, at the moment, but I have been getting multiple messages and emails questioning them, and I didn't want to leave you hanging. Again, thank you for showing such interest. It means a ton, and hope you continue to enjoy the sets I put out.

I have not been working lately, which bothers me. In order to feel accomplished and productive I've been baking, cooking, running errands when I have the energy, and helping those in need. It was also bath time for the cats- my hands deeply regret it.

Spending time with family and loved ones has also been the majority of my days. It's nice to have such an incredible bunch in my life. It helps me get back to reality and realize what is truly important in life, and what isn't. It's easy for me to get caught up in the chaos, especially with all this spare time on my hands, but I'm thankful I have the ones I do to call me out on my shit. Thank you.

Anyway, this entry is pretty scatter minded, so I'm just going to end it at this:

I have the best husband in the world, a wild family that loves me, and quite a few friends I can rely on. I know the next few months are going to be difficult, but when I have people like this in my corner, I cannot fail.

Be happy and stay positive. <3

This week

2012-01-26T11:07:00.001-08:00

On Monday before finishing up at Crowbar, I had to drop James of at the airport. I always hate when he leave because the house always feels so empty. No one to cook for, no one to annoy... Anyway. I ended up dying my hair and chopping off all the dead, which left me with a pixie cut. I took a picture after I colored it, but not after I cut it.

On tuesday I had to go to the dentist for a root canal and crown. Ended up leaving about five hours later. I had multiple rounds of shots because I still felt them drilling my tooth. Talk about pain. More rounds of shots for me turned br00tal; I was shot in my muscle and my jaw ended up locking. I didn't realize it locked til I tried opening my jaw and bit the dentists finger. I felt soo bad. I get home, and my brother n his girlfriend notice some discoloration on my lip. I ended up pulling a vein out of my lip, a bruised tongue from them accidentally hitting it or me biting it, bumps all along the inside of my mouth from some sort of allergic reaction, I presume, and massive swelling on my jaw, leaving me to drink my meals. I swear my body is the worst when it comes to healing.
You would think I'd be angry over this. Actually not even close. It's out of my control at this point and all i can do is do my best at helping my body heal.
I am so excited I finally have a whole tooth in the back of my mouth! I can't wait to have my first meal where I can actually chew shit.
I love my dentist and regardless of what went down I still think they did an incredible job and are the nicest office I've ever visited.

Ginger before the dentist, one during, one after.

Crowbar

2012-01-26T10:52:00.001-08:00

I helped my mom redo the Crowbar's floor at their main location. Obviously you won't be able to see the fine detail so it probably looks like crap. The floor was fauxed and holds a striking resemblance to the table tops, and the 'dance floor' is fauxed with a lighter color and sealed with slut dust in the top coat. In other words it sparkles :)

This week

2012-01-19T07:39:00.001-08:00

This week at work our new friends are getting ready to move into their new home. It was previously owned by the owner of fright done or whatever. Gorgeous house. They wanted all the oak in the house redone to a toasted almond look, of which I am the master. There was an oversized kitchen, a banister with spindles that will soon mimic the chandelier, another taking on the second set of stairs, powder room, downstairs bathroom, laundry room, all the cabinets in the hallway, jack and Jill bath, and finally the master bath. We had it set for eight days, but we knocked it out sooner than we expected. These are all untouched, but since it's from the phone you may still have difficulty making out how precise the work actually is. All of it is done by hand.

Snuggles and her Christmas gift from Me!!

2012-01-16T15:00:00.000-08:00

My fiancés legs are incredible to begin with, but my Christmas gift of Jack Skellington footy pajamas makes them and her exponentially more snuggltastic!

She's also all about Unicorns and Bacon!

Lex

Because I want one!

2012-01-16T12:03:00.000-08:00

One of the things I've always wanted is a bed the size of a wrestling ring complete with ropes and turnbuckles. This item would work perfectly with all aspects of bed usage, it would create an entirely new genera of pornographic films, and it would go great with my 'Stone Cold Steve Austin' style black underpants. You know you wanna do a flying elbow off the top rope on to a plush comfortable surface when entering your bed on nightly, and a 20' X 20' plush surface with springy ropes surrounding mattress would make this dream a reality! Make Wrestlemania a nightly occurrence in your own bedroom.

To go with the bed; hook up some cool lights and get some entrance music that activate when ever you open the door to enter the bedroom.

Best idea ever???

It'll take you exactly zero seconds to realize it is!

So I ask: Why doesn't this product exist?

Lex

fun week at work!

2012-01-13T13:23:00.001-08:00

This week we were at a friends house, helping out with some things the previous owners messed up. They ripped off the wallpaper so we could do skip trowel on the top part of the wall. To get the look we use joint compound. Once that's dry a soft faux goes over the top to create warmth and depth. I also had to fix the front door, which was horribly stained. The befores are the pictures of the door a funky orange color, durings are a solid base, and the final has a glaze, which was still wet when I took the picture, to give it that wood grain finish.

Below are some before and during photos. The afters are going to be the square photos. Sorry I can't reorder them, blame the app >.<

striped hoodies and fuzzy socks

2012-01-12T15:40:00.001-08:00

'I don't even look like that, I need a new picture.'

Just to get one picture:

Pinball is the key!

2012-01-10T21:17:00.001-08:00

It's loud, obnoxious, and each table is screaming with personality. Pinball is the coolest of all* leisure time activities. It's totally rock n' roll! Bright lights accompanied by a cool array of really loud sound effects that drown out everything around you (think about it)... When you are in pinball mode nothing ells matters. Seeing the ball slip passed the flippers has been a legitimate excuse to scream obscenities since 1871. Abe Lincoln himself had an early pre-curser pinball game in the White House, and he was awesome!

Slamming the ball around the table, stalling it on the flipper, and watching the score counter roll will always give me an unexplainable rise. Pinball is forever old school cool, and the tables keep getting better! My current favorite is The Simpsons table by Sterns, I do want it in my house some day!

Yep, from the campy artwork, to the kuchunk sound of the flippers; pinball will forever be king!

I love you pinball!

Lex

Been awhile!

2012-01-10T12:59:00.001-08:00

I got to spend time with close friends on New Years and watch the fireworks from the street behind our house. Perfect view of the strip. It was nice :) then some old lady and her husband approached us. Let's just say he shouldn't have been driving and she shouldn't ever be a fashion consultant.

I had two days off that week and got to spend those days with my niece and nephew. Laurelyn was so quiet, which is strange for a child her age, but extremely intelligent. She also enjoyed grabbing sand at the park and watching the airplanes.. until she pointed up at the sky and got sand in her eyes. She wasnt quiet after that. Noah and I bonded during her nap time, and shot some zombies. Then we were off to get Alvin and the Chipmunks from McDonalds. Adventures. Yes.

When I got back to work it has been job site after job site. We restored some cabinets and banisters. Before and a lot of afters are included below. When we went back to one of our sweetest clients house yesterday I had to take a picture of our friends work. Unfortunately there are no befores, as we helped after the fact. There are bamboo floors, rainforest marble counters, bath, and shower, a gorgeous chandelier over the tub, and some pretty unique faucets. Thanks, now I have a complex about my faucets :)

It was my stepdaughter's and Goddaughter's birthday last week. I got to wrap more presents, and bake cupcakes! Yes, I enjoy being in the kitchen. I had to bake fifty cupcakes for my Goddaughter's birthday party and she wanted a certain kind so her cupcakes were not from scratch, however the frosting was. The cupcakes I made the day after was entirely from scratch, but I was a little disappointed. I plan on attempting it again, but tweaking it to my liking. I'm a picky sweet tooth. I bought a new frosting decorating kit so of course I had to play with it. Not the best, but also not bad for a first attempt. I also made delicious funnel cake. Man, I love my cookbook.

Once I find the perfect recipe I'll share it with you :)

After my baking frenzy James made lobster tail, shrimp, and scallops wrapped in bacon, had Juliet Moscato and watched Deathly Hallows part one while we ate. Best way to enjoy the evening of a day off.

I don't like how the blogger app doesn't allow me to insert photos where I want. Or how it won't let me reorder. Oh well.

Naked Betty White.
Also, I want a cane corso :)
And a pterosaur tattoo.
Here's what's been happening lately :)

Happy Something?

2011-12-31T21:08:00.001-08:00

!HAPPY FUCKING NEW YEAR!

nomz

2011-12-30T04:59:00.001-08:00

Last night I made some pot stickers! Haven't had em in awhile. They were so good.

I usually put rice wine, thin sweet and sour sauce, pork, tiny bit of beef, garlic, green onions, bok choy, little bit of flour, and maybe one or two more ingredients in the mix before I wrap them. Sometimes I'll use ground chicken, or pork/shrimp mix. Sounds gross, but I swear it's bomb!

picsss

Hipster & Path

2011-12-29T12:25:00.000-08:00

if you're on Hipster or Path add/follow me and i'll do the same!
<3

Click Here to view my Hipster profile :]

for Path search Ashlea Louise <3

HEY LEX
you should make some of those gingerbread women for me aaanomnomnomnomzzz

for those of you on your mobile/tablet Lex is one of the guest authors on my blog.
check out some of his posts by clicking here
and to check out the other guest author, Dex, click here!
they're two cool dudes, i tell ya :]

<3

gurrrrrl

2011-12-28T23:41:00.001-08:00

what the shit is this? I get sick right before new years? Super mature. Who am I kidding, still gonna get smashed I'm sure.

Anyway.

Christmas was a success! Spent time with close friends and family. Stepdaughters loved their gifts, so did my niece and nephew. Still have yet to see my Goddaughter, but Sister and I have conflicting schedules.

I changed my name on twitter
@AshleaSomething
And on instagram. Same thing.

Picture time!

<3

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T02:30:00.001-08:00

Hope you are all enjoying the holidays! I am having such an awesome time with family and giving my hands a break from painting! We still have two more pies to bake, but other than that all gifts and gift baskets are complete!

Picture time :)

If you are on instagram add me- ashlea420
And if you're on hipster, find me-
Ashlea Louise

(:

Here is my sexy contribution to the proceedings...

2011-12-22T21:40:00.001-08:00

My gingerbread Woman of I'll repute.

She has the hair and bush of Ben Franklin.

Lex