The Girl with Freckles & Curly Hair

Equal

2013-03-30T15:52:00.001-04:00

Equal by shannon72887 featuring moschino

Moschino
$190 - julesb.co.uk

Pieces infinity scarve
$18 - welikefashion.com

2x3 Please Don't Leave Rug
urbanoutfitters.com

Red Heart 5x7 Watercolor Art Print Love Inspirational
etsy.com

Free Scrapbooking Software Templates Embellishments Backgrounds
scrapbookflair.com

Rose Red Vector Graphic
dryicons.com

Designer Hearts 12 x 12 Double-Sided Shimmer Paper
scrapyourtrip.com

Me + Acne

2013-03-21T01:57:00.001-04:00

So, I hate to say it but my poor face and skin has taken the back seat the past 6-7 years while I've tried to figure out what was going on with the rest of my body. But now that I've realized i'm going to be turning 26 this year ..ugh I didn't say that, sorry I meant 25...I'll be turning 25 for the next 20 years just FYI. Anyways, i'm going to be turning..whichever age.. and I'm STILL dealing with acne. I've always been told that I would "grow out of it" but I haven't "grown" in years and I think i'm past the point where it'll just go away on it's own. Now, I've known people who've had the acne situation alot worse then me. And honestly I am TERRIBLE with washing the makeup off my face at night.. so do I think it would help if I did that every night yes, do I think that would make it completely go away.. No. So i've started doing my research. And i'm going all natural... which I've also been working towards on eating habits, getting healthy in general which I think will improve not only my skin but the rest of my body..but that's a whole nother story. So, between Pinterest, a Co-Worker, and the rest of the internet.. giving me tips.. I'm on DAY #2. Well 1:30 AM #2...of my all natural no more acne trial. So here is what I started with on day 1. I bought Raw Honey at Publix... It was expensive and I think although probably still expensive I would've had more options at the health food store. But I had to get the one kind they had. But I figured..raw honey is raw honey. I also bought raw coconut oil. A hint/tip: When you go look for this in the store. You'll probably be like me and are looking for OIL. But wait.. it's deceiving. It's actually solid white. You can melt it, but i've come to find if I leave mine at room temperature for 20-30 minutes it melts in my hands for what I need. You'll also need powdered oats. (The girl who's website I got this off of did not explain what powdered oats was..and all though I had a little clue, I googled it. All it is in the plan oats you guys buy for oatmeal rather then the Fruits ..or flavored kind. Throw it in the blender and it becomes a powder!!.. I know you're thinking well duh Shannon. Did I mention I was doing this all at about 1 am and wasn't in the sharpest frame of mind.) Don't worry my blender isn't the best on the block and mine didn't blend it down completely to powder.. But it won't hurt anything but be a little extra messy if there's still some full oats. And you'll also need baking soda. So you'll need to keep most of your honey seperate. But I took about 1 cup honey, 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda, and about 1 cup powdered oats and combined together. I added some filtered water to make it a little less solid, if that makes sense.. a little less sticky. (I'll add pictures late btw) So once you have all this down..Here's how it goes. You'll want to take a hand towel and run it under pretty warm water. The warmer but not scalding the better, because it'll cool off really fast. Again..before this next step, make sure it's as only as hot as you would stand under the same temp in the shower. So if you're body or you can't handle scalding hot water.. Then you'll place the hand towel on your face.. I also did my neck as I break out there too. And leave it on for a couple minutes.. After about 2 minutes mine started to cool. Then you'll want to rub your honey all over your face. Keep that on from anywhere to 5 minutes or an hour. Depending on how much time you have. Then you'll want to repeat the hot compress. After this you'll take your honey, baking soda, and oats mixture and use it on a scrub on your face. Then rinse off and lightly pat dry your face. Add coconut oil as a moisturizer. Now here's what I've tweaked and added in Day #2. One I didn't google how long to leave the honey on and the website I got this off of didn't mention. So I immediately did the hot compress. This is one reason why I think it didn't work as well today bc I have a huge under the skin pimple.. Those are the worse..bc they're so hard to pop! But anyways. I've also discovered an all natural astringent. Apple Cider Vinegar and water! Your about 1/4 cup of each. The site I got this off of said probably best to dilute it a little more with water if you have more sensitive skin. I do so I put almost a whole nother 1/4 cup of water in my mixture. I'm going to be doing this in between the honey, oats, and baking soda scrub and the coconut oil moisturizer. For this astringent you're not supposed to wash it off as well. You'll just let it air dry. So since I've been sitting here writing this I've had honey on my face. So I think it's time to go do hot compress #2!

Working Girl-Ariel

2013-01-13T10:24:00.001-05:00

Working Girl-Ariel by shannon72887 featuring stud earrings

Chiffon top
allyfashion.com

Etro dressy pants
mytheresa.com

High heel shoes
boohoo.com

Valextra
barneys.com

Coach stud earrings
coach.com

Workin It- Snow White

2013-01-13T01:04:00.001-05:00

Workin It- Snow White by shannon72887 featuring a leather doctor bag

Dorothy Perkins blue top
dorothyperkins.com

T By Alexander Wang knit pencil skirt
theoutnet.com

Sergio Rossi stiletto high heels
stylebop.com

Leather doctor bag
$565 - julesb.co.uk

Tarina Tarantino cameo brooch
tarinatarantino.com

Diamante jewelry
chicwish.com

ASOS genuine leather belt
asos.com

Merry Christmas

2012-12-25T12:21:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas by shannon72887 on Polyvore

Wedgwood White Snowflake Ball Ornament
wwrd.com

Christmas Photography - holiday decor fine art photography lights -...
etsy.com

Kim Seybert Bead Burst Ball
kimseybert.com

Red Berries and Snow - 8x10 Photograph - Scarlet & White Winter Fine...
etsy.com

[USD $ 19.19] - 36cm 14" Large Size Gold Sequin Bowknot Christmas...
miniinthebox.com

Antique Ephemera Cursive Calligraphy Script Poetry Christmas Tree...
$17 - zazzle.co.uk

holiday decor, candy cane love "the Nicest Present" Christmas wedding
supermarkethq.com

Christmas Garland Artificial Christmas Garland No Lights Unlit 78" x...
lawnornamentsandfountains.com

Flamant Christmas Ball in Red with Reindeer
$6.48 - flamantshop.com

Flamant Christmas Ball in Gold
$5.95 - flamantshop.com

Gold Snowflake Ornaments
jaysonhome.com

Pier One Gold Snowflake Ornament
pier1.com

ASDA Teal Disco Ball Christmas Decoration
direct.asda.com

10 Stunning Christmas Stockings At Home with Kim Vallee
athome.kimvallee.com

Cool Capture Tiny Vintage Christmas
geeksugar.com

Winter photography Snow photography Woodland forest Minimalism...
etsy.com

Red and Polka Dots

2012-10-13T19:51:00.001-04:00

Red and Polka Dots by shannon72887 featuring denim jeans

Polka dot blouse
$115 - farfetch.com

Blazer
$52 - ginatricot.com

BLANK denim jeans
$100 - eluxe.ca

Steve Madden high heel shoes
endless.com

Burberry handbag
$1,335 - farfetch.com

Game Time

2012-10-09T01:23:00.001-04:00

Game Time by shannon72887 featuring nike

J Brand cropped jeans
matchesfashion.com

Nike
gametimeusa.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors michael kors tote bag
bloomingdales.com

Blue earrings
amazon.com

TOMS University of Florida Women's Campus Classics
toms.com

Mint, Sequins, and Pink

2012-10-01T09:44:00.001-04:00

Mint, Sequins, and Pink by shannon72887 featuring rose jewelry

Warehouse sequin t shirt
$62 - warehouse.co.uk

Vero Moda summer jacket
$52 - veromoda.com

J Crew j crew
jcrew.com

Tall shoes
boohoo.com

Rose jewelry
$11 - debenhams.com

Happy Birthday Ryder

2012-09-29T14:23:00.000-04:00

Favorites.

2012-09-12T23:00:00.002-04:00

Source: montreatbooksandgifts.org via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: findinghappyy.tumblr.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: vintagevixenlgs.tumblr.com via Annie on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: healthy-is-the-way-to-go.tumblr.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: ohpleasetaylor.tumblr.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Shannon on Pinterest

FOOTBALLL!!!

2012-09-10T23:08:00.000-04:00

Fantasy Football

Thomas does it every year, but although I watch football, i've never REALLY gotten into it.

So, when my work decided to do a Beginner's Fantasy Football League this year, I decided to jump on it. I figured it'd give me a better reason to learn .. well a more fun reason to learn.. more about football, then just learning to learn.

Well I did TONS of research!!

Then it came time for draft and 2 people from our League hadn't signed up. (This is Sunday before the first season game). So they changed the draft to Wednesday at 8pm. (During the first game) Well I don't even get off until 8 and would miss half of the draft. After all the research i've done and it being my first FFBL I didn't want to auto-draft. So, I facebooked, Thomas' facebooked, I texted, and Thomas' called ... a campaign to start my own League.

I only had until Tuesday night!!

So, come Tuesday morning I only had 5 people (including myself), and I needed atleast 8.

Well, Thomas came through for me.. He got his younger sister, Emily, her husband, and his mom to join. So, out of the 8 of us playing on my friend's husband knew anything.

So, I made sure to make slides from all the information I had learned.

And we did our draft!

I got a pretty decent team, but apparently auto-drafting is the way to go Because his mom autodrafted since she didn't know what to do and got a REALLY good team.

The only person I REALLY wanted but didn't get was of course "My other boyfriend" Tim.

Why would I want him, if he's not even playing? Well.. I'm weird and I had 1 extra seat on my bench and I wanted him on my team ;)

But Thomas' sister drafted him.. I was bummed. I was waiting to draft him until later because I figured noone would draft him. She beat me to it.

So here's my lineup:

We have 8 player's playing and 8 bench players each.

QB: Tony Romo (Dallas)

Running Back: LeSeann McCoy (Philly)

Running Back: Matt Forte (Chicago)

Wide Receiver: A.J. Green (Cincinnati)

Wide Receiver: Percy Harvin (Minnesota)

Tight End: Jimmy Graham (New Orleans)

Kicker: Dan Bailey (Houston)

Defense: 49ers

Bench Players:

QB: Philip Rivers (San Diego)

QB: Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay)--

I drafted a 3rd QB in hopes I could get Emily to trade me for Tim Tebow.

Running Back: Ahmad Bradshaw (New York Giants)

Running Back: Doug Martin (Tampa Bay)

Wide Receiver: Eric Decker (Denver)

Wide Receiver: Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh)

Tight End: Jacob Tamme (Denver)

Defense: Lions

How did I do.. Well my #6 Ranked QB scored better then the #1 or #2 QBs.

(Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady)

My defense didn't get me any negative points, and one of my running backs did really good.

I'm playing against Laurie, Thomas' mom, who I said earlier had a REALLY good team.

All my players are done playing and I got a score of: 94 points.

She's got 1 player, playing now.. McFadden and has 87 points. So she only needs 8 more points to win. :(

Oh Timmy...

2012-09-06T22:33:00.003-04:00

I don't think i'd be as obsessed with him if he was a jerk. But how can you not watch him and not love him and the faith he has:

Source: youtube.com via Susan on Pinterest

Divorce

2012-08-28T22:19:00.000-04:00

It's ugly, it's hard on everyone and it's not any easier if you're 10 or 25. My parents SHOULD have gotten divorced 10 years ago when they intended on it. But they decided to "stay together for the kids".. So my last 10 years have included less and less family outings because they started to have more and more fighting. The occasional fighting out loud, or the flat our ignoring each other, my dad sleeping in my brothers room once he went off to college, the nasty comment about one or the other, my mom getting increasingly more independent on her medications, and starting to take more, and my dad getting more and more distant.

Things do happen for a reason, if my parents had gotten a divorce 10 years ago My mom, my brothers and I most likely would've ended up in Indiana, I would've seen very little of my dad, and I would've never moved to Jacksonville and met the friends I have or Thomas.

But sometimes I think even if not 10 years ago, why not 9 when my dad got out of the military, or 3 when it started to get really bad. But they stayed together for me to graduate, for Shane to graduate, so they had to stay together for Sam as well.

Were we better off? I don't know.

But now what we've anticipated for 15 years is finally happening. And it's like the longer they waited the nastier the ending.

It was so bad 2 years ago I moved in with my boyfriend, it was so bad 3 months ago when my mom found out "things" which my dad has still not admitted to that I had to let my dad come live with me. For atleast the sake of Sam not having to live in that house with the constant screaming for his last 2 weeks of high school, and his summer before he starts college.

But letting my dad move in just stopped the face to face fighting. I've had to endure texts and emails over and over of things my mom "thinks" my dad has done, what he's doing to her, and her immature rantings just because she's pissed off.

I've asked her and Shane has asked her over and over not to include us in THEIR divorce. There is no custody that needs to be decided, there is no choice we need to make between parents, so there is no reason that we should be subjected to the nasty details that should be between only my dad and my mom.

3 months later, my brother has moved into the dorms and I'm literally sick, tired, and stressed about it.
I'm tired of not knowing who to believe, or what to believe. I'm tired of the he said, she said. I'm tired of constantly being put into the middle of it because they can't talk to each other like reason adults. Even for the littlest things like asking my dad to do this or do that.

So, I gave them an ultimatum. I told them that either they leave out Shane and I, that the putting us in the middle texts and emails stop or dad will be moving back into the house that he is paying for, the reason he can't afford to get his own place. The 4 bedroom house that apparently is NOT big enough for the both of them... So my dad decided to go ahead and move back in. He did the adult thing and decided that my stress is not worth him staying there, he said they'll start handling this like adults. My mom however, only had "Your dad will find a room somewhere" to say.

But now that she's realized she has no choice, that he is coming back to stay there, It's now my fault. I have gotten text or text, how I've done more hurt then help (apparently the 3 months of sanity she just thanked me for over the weekend, has suddenly gone away even though my dad has not even moved back in), how she does not want to speak to me, how even though before she said this divorce will not effect my dad paying for my car insurance, now I will have to start paying for it or get my own.

I'm tired of this. My dad is not the saint in all of this, but neither is my mom. The things I could tell you that they've done too each other the past 24 years of marriage, would make this post a book. And make you wonder why they've been married for this long, or how they ever got divorced in the first place.

I'm done. I'm tired of doing what is right for the sake of my parents sanity and it turning into stress and unhealthy habits and times for myself.

15-16 years ago I sat in my room and cover one brothers ears with my hands as I had the other listen to music with headphones while they were screaming at each other with no disregard for their children. Which lead to me crying myself to sleep every night, a nasty eating disorder that I myself, without the help of anyone else climbed myself out of, multiple thoughts and close attempts of taking my own life.

After that I had addictive habits over and over of things that just made me feel better for a moment, until I came home. From eating, boys, alcohol, even church for years.. I threw myself into church, for reasons I've only realized now that it was just another addiction. I wanted so badly to believe in God at the time, and believe that he would fix everything in an instant. That if I did my bible studies, that I attended church 3 times a week, that if I did everything I was supposed to do, things would get better. And when I didn't realize that I was doing all of those things for the wrong reasons, that God doesn't do things instantly or even exactly how we want them to be, but that he does everything for a reason. I hated him, I finally had someone to blame other then my parents. I flat out stopped believing that he was even real because he didn't help me in my mind, if anything he only through in a miserable 4 years of high school, and health issues and made things worse.

I'm finally to the point in my life where i'm happy, 150% happy not because of something temporary. But because of my amazing boyfriend, which in turn has helped me believe in God again. Helped me believe that he does have a plan, that all the struggles, I have gone through have not him making my life worse, but him helping me learn lessons so I could get to this amazing part of my life.

I have a great boyfriend, a great house, great job, amazing pets, and people in my life. And I REFUSE to let them bring me down. To stress me back again, to take away this happy place I am in.

Even now I have let my dad live with me for 3 months, and him physically being here has not been the issue, if anything it has been nice to have him around, seeing him everyday again. But it's the emotional drama that has come with it. The unspoken cloud of things that I want him to tell me are true or not, but things I really don't want to know. The go between I've been made into because my parents can't talk to each other.

I finally just don't care. I will miss my dad, and I feel sorry for making him go back there for his and my mothers sake. But I can't care, I can't feel bad. Because I need to enjoy my life, I need to enjoy everything that's good in my life. And now have to worry and stress about them anymore. They are adults and they need to start acting like that.

I'm sorry this is so long, but its just things I needed to say. Even if no one reads them, its things that I just needed to put into words.

IM DONE.

Jean and Lace

2012-08-26T18:34:00.001-04:00

Jean and Lace by shannon72887 featuring flower earrings

Madewell western shirt
madewell.com

Short shorts
tillys.com

Kitten heels
amazon.com

Dorothy Perkins shoulder handbag
dorothyperkins.com

Flower earrings
simons.ca

Charlotte Russe pearl jewelry
charlotterusse.com

Workin It- Pink and Polka Dots

2012-08-26T18:15:00.001-04:00

Workin It- Pink and Polka Dots by shannon72887 featuring retro sunglasses

Alexon pink cardigan
$32 - debenhams.com

Racerback tank
tillys.com

J Crew pleated skirt
jcrew.com

Ash high heels
my-wardrobe.com

Lace necklace
boohoo.com

2b metal belt
2bstores.com

River Island retro sunglasses
$21 - riverisland.com

Workin It

2012-08-26T17:00:00.001-04:00

Workin It by shannon72887 featuring a red skirt

Rib tank
witchery.com.au

AX Paris one button blazer
$35 - axparis.co.uk

Red skirt
topshop.com

High heels
modcloth.com

Tattoo necklace
amazon.com

Live in the Moment Color Vellum Strip
scrapyourtrip.com

Girls Night Out

2012-08-25T14:49:00.001-04:00

Girls Night Out by shannon72887 featuring collar jewelry

H M button shirt
$24 - hm.com

Silver sequin shorts
topshop.com

Dorothy Perkins black studded heels
$67 - dorothyperkins.com

River Island black handbag
$55 - riverisland.com

Talullah Tu collar jewelry
$35 - talullahtu.co.uk

Workin It

2012-08-25T14:31:00.001-04:00

Workin It by shannon72887 featuring a white shirt

American Vintage white shirt
$51 - the-dressingroom.com

Abercrombie Fitch wool jacket
abercrombie.com

Long maxi skirt
target.com

Black boots
boohoo.com

Mesh jewelry
topshop.com

Cute and Fun Outfit

2012-08-25T14:24:00.001-04:00

Cute and Fun Outfit by shannon72887 featuring platform pumps

Scoop neck tee
$62 - witchery.com.au

Paige Denim high rise skinny jeans
my-wardrobe.com

Jessica Simpson platform pumps
lordandtaylor.com

Studded handbag
dsw.com

Zara mesh jewelry
zara.com

Flower-Garden Cardi
talbots.com

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

2012-08-25T13:17:00.001-04:00

MINI CHICKEN POT PIES

I found this recipe on Pinterest but the link it took me to was Betty Crocker.

(I had just enough to use all 12 muffin tins in my pan)

Ingredients

3-4 Boneless Chicken Breasts
2 Cans Cream of Chicken Soup : (mine were a little dry because I used only 1 can)
1 Bag of frozen Mixed Veggies : (My bag had carrots, peas, lima beans, and corn)
2 cups Bisquick
2 eggs
About 1 Cup Shredded Cheese: (You don't have to use this, or you can use more or less)
1 Stick of Butter or Cooking Spray
1 - 1 1/2 Cups Milk
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions

Preheat oven to about 400 Degrees F.

1. Boil Chicken until cooked throughly about 20 minutes, but you'll need to check on it.

I've found that if the chicken is a little defrosted first and you cut into big pieces it takes a little less time.

2. When you go to boil chicken set frozen veggies out (still in bag), this will defrost them just enough. You don't want to defrost them all the way because they'll over cook when you cook the pot pies in the oven.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine Bisquick, 2 eggs, and milk. Start with 1 cup milk, if still took dry add another 1/2 cup. You want it to be pretty thick, not runny. Mix until little or no clumps are left. Set to the side.

4. In another mixing bowl, combine mixed veggies, cream of chicken (both cans), and 3/4 of your shredded cheese. Set to the side.

5. When your chicken is cooked thoroughly, let cool. Best way to do this is to pour into colander. Pour 1/2 a cup of ice over it. And spray cold water onto it and mix it around until the ice melts. (Spray the water for about 30 - 60 seconds before you start mixing the chicken to insure it's not hot to where you'll burn yourself, if you don't mix around while you're spraying water it will only cool the top pieces).

6. Once your chicken is cool enough to be handled. Cut into small chunks or shred. (I cut into small chunks similar to the chicken in store bought pot pies). Combine with veggie, soup mix. Stir until completely mixed in. Add Salt and Pepper to taste. (I like my food salty and peppery so I normally don't add much salt at all and let everyone add it to their plates individually. I learned to do this after many dinner complaints that the food was a little salty.)

*****You can use either regular muffin pans, mini muffin pans, or even a small casserole dish and make 1 casserole out of it. (The cooking directions are for 1 Regular Sized Muffin Tins containing 12 muffins), you may need to cook longer for a small casserole dish, or less time for mini muffin tins.****

7. Butter each muffin tin completely from top to bottom to ensure your pot pies don't stick.

8. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of Bisquick mix into each muffin tin.

(If using mini muffin tins 1/2 of this, if using casserole dish make about a 1/2 layer on the bottom)

9. Next layer the chicken/veggie mixture into each tin. You want to leave about 1/4 of an inch at the top. You can always spoon some out if you put too much. Or if you have 1-2 muffins left. Spoon a little out of each. (Don't worry if some Bisquick oozes up through the mix, this is one reason to keep it thick because less will ooze up to the top)

10. Next put about a spoon full of Bisquick mix on top of each layer. You want to smooth out and completely cover veggie/chicken mixture. Add more if it's not enough.

11. *Optional* My friend made this recipe after seeing it on my Facebook and added a little cheese on the top so that it adds a little nice, crunchy cheese top to it. I will be doing this next time, that is why I advised not to use all your cheese in the mixture.

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS:

The original recipe advised to cook for 25 minutes at 400.

I don't know if my oven just isn't as strong because I needed about 10-15 minutes longer.

After the initial 25 minutes make sure to keep an eye on it.

I have the attention span of an ant, or for those who have kids .. I just set my Oven alarm at 5 minute intervals and checked it each time.

It'll look like picture above, nice and golden brown.

I'm not a big pot pie fan, but my boyfriend is. Nor am I a huge veggie fan. So this is great for kids because it really masks the veggie taste. And it's got your meat, start, and veggies all in one so no need to make anything else with it.

These are great left overs too!!

Each person had 1-2 pot pies. If you want to make more, just double recipe and use 2 muffin tins, or a large casserole dish.

LOL

2012-08-18T14:44:00.003-04:00

My new Pinterest obsession looking up funny pictures.. Especially the ones that have the vintage pictures with the funny sayings and the So true ones.

I believe in Magic

2012-08-06T00:13:00.001-04:00

I believe in Magic by shannon72887 on Polyvore

4 Cardinals couple BUY 2 prints and get 1 FREE, sale , water color art...
etsy.com

Red girl fashion illustration, American girl autumn decor, Wall art...
etsy.com

Home Made Chips and Salsa Recipes

2012-08-05T14:33:00.000-04:00

This is so easy to make for potlucks and parties. Only cost a fraction more then a jar of salsa and it's so much more fresh.

SALSA INGREDIENTS

(I don't measure or always make the same amount but this will make about 1 large bowl, this recipe is really off taste, you can add more things as you're mixing it)

3-4 Large Tomatoes

1 Red or White Onion

1 Green Pepper (you can also add a yellow pepper for taste)

1-2 Jalapeno Peppers (You can use a spicier pepper if you prefer)

1 bushel Cilantro

1 Container of Lime Juice

(These below are preference)

1 bottle of your preferred hot sauce

1 bottle of Taco Bell Mild Sauce

Garlic (1-2 Table Spoons Worth)

Either Garlic Gloves, Jar of Minced Garlic, or Garlic Powder

Also need a food processor, blender, or atleast a chopper.

If you have blender or food processor:

Cut 2 tomatoes, 1/2 onion, 1/2 green pepper, 1 jalapeno pepper (take out seeds like a green pepper), 1/2 bushel of cilantro into large-medium chunks . If you got garlic gloves or minced garlic add now. (You don't want too large because food processor might not chop small enough, not too small because it'll turn it into liquid before you're done mixing everything).

Combine in Food Processor

Mix to chunky consistency.

Add 1-2 Tablespoons of Lime Juice (I do this by taste this is a guesstimate)

1-2 Table spoons of Hot Sauce

1/2 Bottle of Mild Sauce

1-2 Teaspoons of Salt

If you're using Garlic Powder add 1-2 Tablespoons now.

Blend a couple seconds so it's all mixed.

Taste add more hot sauce if you want it spicier, lime juice if needed.

If you need more salsa then you have made now. Make sure it's to taste how you like it. Pour out about 3/4 into container you'll be using to serve it. Then chop into large chunks the remainder of tomatoes, onion, peppers, and cilantro and mix in blender.

The reason you pour some out is because when your mixer is pretty full it won't cut up the chunks to the consistency of the rest of the salsa, But you leave some in there because it does blend well with some liquid already in it.

Then again add salt, hot sauce, the rest of the mild sauce, lime juice to taste.

Combine with the rest of the salsa.

IF YOU'RE USING A BLENDER****

Make sure to use the LOWEST SETTING. Because if not it will make your salsa a puree versus chunky.

IF YOU'RE ONLY USING A CHOPPER OR JUST YOU & A KNIFE****

Make sure to chop the vegetables small enough that they're at a size you'll want to eat them with chips!

FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME WITH QUESTIONS

HOME MADE TORTILLA CHIPS

(You don't need a deep fryer, I didn't always have one, just a large sauce pan and a wide rubber spoon/utensil with holes in it)

Ingredients

1 Package Small Corn Tortillas

(Your grocery store should have a package with a large stack of about 50-100)

1 bottle of Vegetable Oil (I use this because it's reusable and easy to dispose of)

Salt (I like to use sea salt, it's a little chunkier and holds better)

Cut 4-5 tortillas at a time like you would a pie to make the chip shape.

So you'll have 8 pieces each tortilla.

You can cut into 4 to have larger chips. They just take a little longer to cook.

If you're using deep fryer I turn mine to about 300 Degrees, (mine is small and comes with a basket. Make sure to fill enough oil so the basket goes about 1/2 way into the oil.) If you're using pan

pour oil to about 1/2 way fill up the pan.

To check to see if oil is ready (bc it doesn't always boil like water).

Throw 1 tortilla piece into the basket or pan. If it starts bubbling and cooking it's hot enough.

(Normally it takes about 5 minutes to get this hot so I have the oil heating while i'm cutting the chips)

You only want to cook about 5-7 pieces at a time because if the pan/deep fryer basket is too full each chip won't get cooked all they way around. Also make sure they're not sticking to each other before you put them in.

There's no real time on how long to cook each batch. You want them to be in between white (their original color) and golden.
**REMEMBER** The chips will actually cook a little longer once you take them out so that's why you don't want them to be too dark before you take them out.

Don't throw out them if they turn brown, or they still look white. I've walked away and forgotten chips, or taken them out too early (As long as they're hard all the way through they're good to go). I've just thrown them in with the finished ones and they get eaten just the same. They still taste fine.

When taking them out. I have a plate right next to the stove or deep fryer with about 4-5 paper towels on it.

(You want it close so you don't get oil everywhere, and the paper towels will soak up leftover oil).

I put salt to taste on about every 2 batches.

(If you put salt on each batch the chips underneath will get too salty)

Let cool before tasting.

ENJOY AND AGAIN. FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS!

Chips or salsa didn't turn out right? Email me and we can walk through what might have gone wrong!

The Adventures of Marvin the Gnome

2012-08-05T13:41:00.002-04:00

I found this guy at a store up in Indiana last year. I was inspired by the Travelocity commercials and the story of the Roaming Gnome. So I plan to take him to all our travels. (He missed Las Vegas) But here are some pictures of his adventures already:

Marvin and I hanging out at my Grandma's House

Marvin at the Horseshoe Casino Boat in Indiana

Got some Beads at the Boat

Marvin at Hogwarts

Since I only travel a couple times a year. I will be taking Marvin out around Jacksonville as well.

Stay Tuned...

Birthday Fun

2012-08-05T12:00:00.001-04:00

Hey Blog world.. I know i'm terrible at this blogging on a daily or even weekly basis thing. I will try harder.

So how are things.

Well, I turned 25 last week!! Quarter of a Century.. BLAH. But On the bright side.. my boyfriend will be 29 in a week, so i'll always feel young.

The week before I had a party at the house. I was stressing out, first big shin dig as a grown up in my own place aka not my parent's house. We finally got the kitchen painted. The "dining area" is bright yellow and the kitchen where the cabinets start is lime green. I love it!! Thomas suggested the lime green we were going to do all yellow. But I love both colors.

I made one of my first Pinterest projects. Here is the Pinterest version:

Here's my version:

I did not have a good experience with stencils so alot of the writing is hand done. I had also gotten fabric paint for another project and made the mistake of using that for this. It takes many many coats. So this was a good week long project with me coming home and working on it every night. But it looks great in our kitchen. I want to get small frames and spray paint them the colors of the painting (besides yellow of course) and put them along either side of the painting. Because the only other thing we have on this wall is a calendar so the yellow definitely makes how empty the wall is stand out more.

So anyways, I did that and with the painting I wanted to have some decoration to the house for my party. I also put the desk I refinished last year in the entry way as you walk in. Its my shabby chic desk, only $40 on craigslist. Painted in an eggshell color and then sanded the sides and areas where it would eventually wear down so it looks vintage.

The party was fun, just the right amount of people. I made a couple Pinterest recipes. Click the link for the recipe.

Cake Batter Dip

(I had graham crackers for dipping instead of animal crackers)

... Apparently I didn't find out until after alot of people lot it was mashed potatoes in a bowl. I was like umm... why would I be serving mashed potatoes and graham crackers? T

homas tried it and was like YUMM you need to get this recipe. I said, I MADE IT! He had been running around doing other things for my party for me so kinda missed what I was cooking. And I was cooking about 4-5 things at once.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

.. This was so good. I finished off the leftovers the next day when I was hungover. The only difference to the recipe is that I mixed everything together where as she layers it. I then put another layer of hot sauce, ranch, and cheese on top. I served this with tortilla chips.

I attempted making fried pickles but used my brown rice flour instead of normal flour and all the breading fell off when I fried them. I had veggies and dip, salsa (home made), my home made tortilla chips (i'll post the recipe for the chips and salsa in a post after this.) I had an awesome birthday cake, but I got to drinking and forgot to do candles. So again for the 2nd year in a row i didn't blow out candles on a cake. Last year I had a candle on a shot at the restaurant we went to because I declined any dessert.

My Cake this year:

LOL Moment: When Thomas picked it up for me (bc I told him I wasn't paying for my own birthday cake) the guy thought it was for his daughter.

I didn't get alot of pictures... But here's only of my Team Lead/Co-Worker Anna and Me:

Also got a group photo of alot of my co-workers that came can you tell we're 98% girls in our department:

SO it was alot of fun. And since it went so well I'm going to finally have a Halloween Party this year which I've always wanted to do since it's my favorite holiday. It's a good thing to because look at the full bar I have at my house leftover from my party:

So on my actual birthday my boyfriend got me the only thing I asked for, HARRY POTTER WORLD tickets.. Actually called Islands of Adventure. But I haven't gotten to go since they've opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter part of the park.

Here are some highlights of my day:

It was awesome, but HOT & CROWDED. I would definitely recommend going when school isn't out and when it's a little cooler September or October.

SO YEA! I'm 25!