ZaLi_TuX_tKo

I am not a Vegetarian...

2016-07-01T19:06:00.002-05:00

except at least twice a week.

I have gone meat free at least twice a week. It has been an enjoyable experiment. I think I am turning it into a habit. Today was my second day this week of going meat free. I had a meat free breakfast burrito, for lunch
I had left over pizza with bell pepper and olive on it.

Tonight for dinner I decided to do stuffed Peppers.

Stuffing:

Beefless Ground
Shredded carrots
the ends of bell peppers chopped
Rice
Sloppy joe mix
table spoon of BBQ sauce
some ketchup
half a cup of Zing Zang

HOLY Cow! Let me just say, first they did not pay me. Second I do not like Bloody Marys. Third, Zing Zang has saved my meal. I can't tell you how many times. It is amazing.

So basically wash bell peppers and cut off the tops
Clean the insides out
Toss the undesirable stuff into your trash or compost.
Dice up the tops
Set both the diced tops and the bell peppers to the side.

Preheat oven to 350

Then just follow the instructions for the beefless ground.
Follow instructions for rice.
Mix it all together the stuff for the stuffing

Stuff it all into the peppers.

Put some cheese on top. Whatever cheese you got will be ok. I promise.

Put in pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

EAT!

This was so yummy. You can use ground beef, turkey, chicken or whatever you want to with this. I bet even some beans would work.

Car free

2016-06-08T15:54:00.001-05:00

Facebook recently reminded me that I have driven for 10 years on a regular basis. What do I have to show for this? Nothing! In that time frame, I have driven 5 different vehicles and I do not have four of them any of them any longer.

It made me think about when I lived in Dallas and I used the public transportation system to get around. I remember having less stress and feeling freer. For the month of May 2016, I went car free, and it was fantastic!

I no longer have to look at the traffic in the morning and decide if the way I normally go to work will be backed up or not. I don’t have to go to a gas station last-minute to fill up, remember to go in for an oil change, or worry about whether I left my lights on.

I now spend less than half of what I used to spend on transportation. It takes roughly the same amount of time to get to and from work as it did before. That time is now spent reading on my phone, or talking to people, via text, of course, I don’t want to make anyone on the metro listen to how cute and smart someone’s kid is, or how offensive someone’s behavior was.).

I have now decided I am ditching my car. I am going to continue a car-free lifestyle. I am going to enjoy the feeling I had 12 years ago all over again. I am no longer going to have to think about where I am parking. Is it safe, can I fit, can I get out of that spot? To be honest, driving was never really pleasurable for me. In fact, I hated it.

Food confession

2015-02-17T18:47:00.001-06:00

I have started to eat mushrooms.

Moved

2014-09-09T01:31:00.000-05:00

My still being worked on living room.

I am moved in and mostly unpacked! I still have some posts I want to make from when I was traveling. I will get to those the next few weeks. So many things have happened. This is not the place to discus most of them. However I am going to post photos of my kitchen that I am still working on. Its super small and its going to be a challenge to use I look forward to it actually. Tonight was my first night cooking in it and I will post more about that later this week.

See you later Tulsa!

2014-06-20T20:23:00.001-05:00

I am just wanting to put some places and things I am going to miss on here. I am not going to put people because it would take to long to type names. These are in no particular order.

1. Driving the IDL at 4 AM music so loud trying to drown out the thoughts that are keeping me up

2. Cosmos the food and drinks are oh so yummy

3. The Admiral Twin it was the place I was after moving to Tulsa from Dallas I decided to let it all go

4. Riverside Drive windows down playing Peach's and The Hush Sound in the Mustang

5. That little wooden bridge on the wrong side of the river just north of 21st across from down town. Never would have made it through what was lost in December 2006 with out this spot.

6. The Center of the Universe

7. 209 Hurricane's

8. Haikey Creek Park

9. The Red Roof Inn.

10. All those penguins all over town!

11. I am going to miss have my Dad just around the corner. Just knowing he is 20 minutes away. I was never really close to him till I was an adult. When I was little defiantly more of a mommas boy.

12. I am going to miss my Dog Maggie. She just looks at me like i am her world. When I am upset she does this thing i swear she is trying to get under my feet. I know my Dad will be a wonderful care taker of her.

13. I will miss Baby Daddy my cat I am going to miss her she still tries to sleep in my arm pit even though she isn't big enough. Also watching her with a lid from a bottle of water crying her said little cry because it just won't do what she wants. I am grateful my sister is going to care for her.

14. I will maybe even miss Ting Ting. He can be very entertaining.

What I won't miss is being any where near the BA 169 interchange during high traffic. Worst thing in Tulsa Oklahoma!

I have meet some very awesome people in Tulsa that have been wonderful friends and I am very so lucky to have them in my life. You have each changed my life forever. (Feel free to Sandlot that, I did.) I look forward to the experiences I am going to have. New place and people, I am ready. I am going to do my best to go outside of my box try things I have said no me never. This is my chance to change myself as much as I have been changed by others.

So until I am back.

Love,

JCUB

Fur Baby Friday

2013-08-16T03:14:00.002-05:00

MAGGIE!

This first photo was taken the day i came to get her from Gma's she was hidden under that table so scared and afraid. we suspected she had been abused, but it wasn't till we toke her in to get fixed we saw all the scars on her tummy after they shaved her. she is also scared of water, she wont go near the tub and when i soak in the tub she cries i the other room. we take her to he groomers cause its such a hard thing to get her bathed at home.

Last week we took Maggie to the vet. We got her yearly check and shots everything is just fine. She is still a puppy at times. She isn't even two years old yet. Yesterday my dad came by he is going out of town for the week, we are watching his dog Lady. He is the same height as me and was on the sofa petting his dog. all the sudden Maggie tries to jump over his head and almost made it. He had moved just enough to not get smacked into. i am so glad she doesn't jump the fence. The other day +Roy Bell had decided to take her some were with him, she is such a good girl she refused to leave the back yard with out her leash.

Meeting BabyDaddy

She was so little

Yep she got under the break while i was driving.

The first time i saw them Cuddling on there own.

She like to use me as a pillow.

More cuddling!

Sibling Number 2 gave this to her when we went and visited.

She likes it when we put some peanut butter in there!

Sibling Number 4's Dog

Shhhh there sleeping.

Cheesy Grown Up SpaghettiOs

2013-06-28T10:55:00.000-05:00

So last night we had a friend over for dinner, we decided to try a new recipe. I didn't cook so i cant really describe the process. How ever +Roy Bell says it is very easy to make. It was so yummy and the only change he had made was some salt. I have to my knowledge never ate a can of SpaghettiOs so i can't compare. I highly suggest that any one make this. i did learn how to do the shredded chicken. its just cooking it in water, and then cutting and breaking it up.

Cheesy Grown Up SpaghettiOs

Ingredients

1 pound small circular pasta
1 stick/1/2 cup unsalted butter
Three 15 ounce cans tomato sauce
1 tablespoon dry Ranch Dressing seasoning packet
2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions then drain under cold water to stop cooking.
Melt butter into a large dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add tomato sauce, stirring to combine. Add your cooked pasta to the sauce along with the shredded chicken, Ranch seasoning and black pepper. Stir to combine, reduce heat to medium low.. Top with shredded cheese and close lid to melt cheese for 3-5 minutes. Once cheese is melted, serve.

Makes 8-10 Servings

Fur baby Friday

2013-04-12T21:15:00.001-05:00

So dad's cats now live with dad and we no longer have Dingo. She is going to a deaf rescue in Wisconsin. number one joked that its a good thing she's deaf she can't hear the accent. I miss her at times. Like yesterday I was at the store and the cheep hard plastic kids pools where out for sale and I thought YES! I can get one of those. Only then to remember that she was the dog that loved water not Maggie. She was such a pretty dog, but we just couldn't meet her needs. She has made it so 60% of the back yard doesn't have grass. This is the last photo I toke of her. This is also the First photo of Maggie on the blog, cause i haven't been doing the blog. we have had her for almost a year i will write more about her.

few more photos:

Wordless Wednesday

2013-01-02T17:53:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2012-08-01T21:57:00.001-05:00

Fried Green Tomato Bacon Sandwich!

2012-07-02T20:24:00.002-05:00

So i have been after some Fried Green Tomatoes for some time now but I can never find the essential ingredient. One of my Best friends mom and i drove all over town one day looking for them it was a wounder-full day. Then one of Roy's friends went Tomato crazy so that we could have some and this week we did!

So we made some Bacon! cause what isn't good with Bacon. save the grease.

sliced up the Tomatoes.

Then dip them in flour (you can add salt and peeper to this step).

Then milk egg mix(didn't get a photo)

Then Bread Crumbs. (you can add almost any spices you like to this step)

This is why you save the grease, we added some oil into it, and fried them good!

Don't forget to flip them.

Golden brown crispy goodness!

let them drain and dry (oh yeah not that you didn't know this but do the same to the bacon)

OOHHH the Bacon!

Opps i closed it with out the photo...

Served with s side of Ranch, and a roll.

THANK YOU CAROL!

Flashback Fridays

2012-06-22T21:21:00.001-05:00

so I was digging around today for a cable modem that I just new was in a box somewere. Not only did I find the modem and its power cable but I found this also. Its a Pog I was I belive in 5th grade when they were popular. Its was an odd game. This is the only one I imagine I have left.

cupcake challenge ::: week 12 ~ father's day

2012-06-17T17:59:00.002-05:00

The theme this week was fathers day!

As mention on Number 2's blog Dad likes Chocolate cake.i just did a devils food. my plan was to do some thing with Nascar cars dad really likes it. i thought i know i can put them all together and make it look like a track... only i am very creative but not so talented. lol... so here they are.

i meant for the green to be darker but it didn't come out so maybe not so much Nascar as off road racing? i am sure dad would have fun either way!

Wordless Wednesday

2012-06-13T17:42:00.001-05:00

The cupcakes that failed

2012-06-12T17:30:00.000-05:00

Or should I rather say the cookie dough that failed. This week the challenge was Flag Day. My idea was to make plan white cupcakes put some vanilla frosting on them, and the back some sugar cookies decorate them and put them in the frosting. I have well over 100 cookie cutters.

I had decided to use. Bag of add eggs and butter cookie mix. This is were the issues started. I never should have I should made my own dough. It wasn't able to hold the shapes. I thought hmmm all just refrigerate these and make the cookie the next day.

Well the next day showed up. I had just this awful experience with some rude person at the store on my way home from work. I was on the phone with number 6. I was in line at the self check I was waiting for one to open. Well there pretty cramped and aren't designed for each to have there own line especially with shopping carts and more then one person at each register. It was two registers wide two registers deep so 4 feet behind one register was another and 8 feet across to the next one

So there I am waiting a respectable distance from the check outs waiting for the next open machine when one opens up I start to tell me sister good bye and move towards it weaving around the two people there co shoppers and there baskets. This women comes out of no were and starts to use the check out. This is not OK at all. I excuse myself and tell her I was waiting she proceeds to tell me I wasn't, I was waiting some were else but it wasn't for the register. I explain in a much more irritated voice how there isn't room for individual lines. She looks at me with this look in her eyes I haven't seen since my freshmen year of high school the last time I got bullied in school.

At that point I lost it. I went into this overly defensive place and attack at all cost urge came over me. I just had this urge to slap her face. She was obviously pregnant and I had my sister still on the phone still who knew I was upset and trying to calm me down. I honestly almost cried on the spot.

She did have a child maybe around ten with her. So I told her that I hope someone sets a better ex sample for her children on how to act in public then she was. A register came open I started using that. I was shaking I was so upset. I was talking to mys sister very loudly with the intention of this woman hearing me. She turns and says to me do you want to start something. I said honey you all ready did. She stopped talking. I stopped acting like a puffer fish lol.

Around that time the call dropped I ran my card, grab my receipt and put my things in my basket. I actually didn't scan on of the items in the basket and had to do another transaction. I almost left the can of sauce just to get away from this woman. See here is the thing I realize this is all silly sounding I am sure. I really am a push over for a smile. Oops I am sorry I didn't realize. That's all it would have taken I would have said oh its OK, then made some comment about how crowed, and confusingly they were designed and installed.

This ruined the night for me I came home and just was number out. Dad called to ask about mail hours later. He could tell I was upset. He says well next time tell them there in the wrong place, and when they what? He says to tell them the assholes are on isle 10.

So I didn't do cookies, to finish the cupcakes. Today though I was ready, only they still wont hold shape. So I have learned don't be lazy make your own dough.

Flashback Fridays

2012-06-08T18:00:00.000-05:00

The summer after i graduated (witch was ten years ago now lol) i went on a road trip with My Dad, Gma, and Gpa. this was from Wichita Falls TX to Los Angeles CA. we were out there for the better part of the month of June. we didn't go straight out to L.A. though we made some stops along the way.

First stop was the Petrified Forest i toke a lot of photos on the trip but some how over the years i have seemed to have lost them all but this one. its one my Dad. Gma and Gpa hardly even got out of the truck they just sat in there and waited for dad and i to come back. we walked to the bottom of this hill it was about a 100 yards. I remember i had some photos of drawing in some of the stones. it was a fun day. i would like to go back again and have more then just a few hours to walk around.

After that we went to the Grand Canyon again Gma, and Gpa never really got out of the truck. the only time they did at either place was to look at the gift shop. but Gma was worried. dad and i were climbing around and poking our heads out over the edge and she was just freaked out we were going to fall into the Grand Canyon. there was this advertisement for a train tour i want to go back some day and go n the train ride.

we spent time in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Galt California. Most of the time we spent in Los Angeles but the drive down the 101 coastal hwy from Los Angeles to San Francisco was so nice. Another trip i plan to make again. We ate lunch in San Francisco and spent what seemed like for ever on the Golden Gate Bridge cause we got on it during rush hour. we spent some time in Sacramento and Galt visiting family. I learned how to make Yarn from my Aunt while in Galt and ended up using that as my how to demonstration in speech class in college.

Fur Baby Friday

2012-06-08T11:09:00.004-05:00

So this last week Dingo has started jumping out of the bed. this isn't just she has to go to the bath room and we wouldn't wake up. she just time after time kept jumping out of the bed. so we have been keeping her in the kennel at night. what this means is the cats will start sleeping in the bed again. I woke up this morning with Tucker and TingTing on either side of me (as seen below). last night i had Breanna all up in my face it was quite cute.

TingTing

Tucker

Dingo

Clover

BabyDaddy

Breanna

Stump The Chief

2012-06-05T16:43:00.000-05:00

So I was listening to the radio the other day and came across this on NPR there is a radio show The Splendid Table (with Lynne Rossetto Kasper) and they did this segment the host has a caller on the line they pick 5 items from there kitchen, she has to make a dish out of them, she can use water, salt, and pepper. She can ask for three other items but can only use them if the caller has the items. Now idk if she makes a request and you don't have it if that still counts as one of the three or not. I would imagine not. It was a lot of fun to listen to they have it available on the site to listen to. I love the idea and will use this as a game a parties! Tell everyone to right down 5 things from there kitchen. And then pair people up who knows we might get some fabulous ideas for dinner.

Also the host was going over a Mellon soup, I didn't like the sound of the one she was making but Roy did find this Mango Watermelon soup recipe for me. It sounds like it would make a wounder full drink if you add some Rum, and maybe some Club Soda if its not liquid enough. For non alcoholic just add some Club Soda as needed. Maybe do some Mango squares and Mellon balls that are frozen instead of ice to keep it cool.

I just bought the new album for The Scissor Sisters and I am listening to it. One thing I have noticed is that they do change from album to album but the changes aren't complete turn around. There still musically related its nice. i shared it on G+ if you want to you can go on there and listen to each song one time for free.

This last weekend we did no cell phone. We will call it a practice weekend we didn't power them down cause of course Roy's store they need to be able to reach him we went most of the weekend with out any calls! There was also minimal texting. It was nice we just watched a lot of TV. As I am writing this Roy just got home with some scratch tickets! I love to scratch them its OK if I don't win. I am going to go have fun with them. We are also seeing Gma today.

Fridays?

2012-06-02T12:23:00.000-05:00

So I have two ideas for what to do on Fridays.

Flashback Friday. I would go through old photos, awards, and things. Write about them. Might even get some people to guest blog for me about a memory they have about a photo, or object.

Fur baby Friday. Pics of the animals since I felt a little strange about Meow Monday and including the dog in it.

I am typically off on Fridays who is to say I can't and won't post both, or do every other. I really like both ideas. What about you?

also i am testing the schedule future with this i wrote this in advance and it will hopefully post when i have it set to!

So it didn't work user error. shameful lol.... I'll try again sometime.

Fur Baby Friday

2012-06-01T21:08:00.000-05:00

Photos after the break.

Babydaddy

TingTing

Tucker

Clover

Breana

Dingo

Cupcake challenge ::: Week 10

2012-06-01T12:13:00.001-05:00

This week its Blueberries!

I am not a fan of processed fruits, I know people think I am crazy all the time. I don't eat pies so don't ask lol... But seriously I am a total picky picky person on my fruits. So I was going to use the blueberries to make the frosting but Roy was interested in the blueberries in them. So the plan was to do half with them in the cupcakes and the other half with them in the frosting.

I just used a boxed cake mix fallowed as directed. Made the ones with out the berries first then added the berries and made those.

I then made the frosting and split it. I ran some berries in the magic bullet and added them to half of it. Well I say half turned out just less then half. So I ended up with two berry filled cupcakes with berry frosting on them.

I over mixed the cake mix so there super fluffy and airy they almost collapsed in my hands while frosting. They are good though!

Drum Roll Please....

2012-05-30T21:59:00.000-05:00

For at least a month now, my sister and I have been promising Jacob we'd come over to write down his recipe for Red Sauce. After making plans and having to cancel at the last minute, we decided to do it tonight. I have to tell you though, making Red Sauce, while entertaining a 4 1/12 month old, fighting with a puppy, chasing a two year old, and constantly reminding Jacob to measure, can be very difficult. But, somehow, it's been accomplished! Here we have it, the coveted recipe for Red Sauce.

Jacob's Infamous Red Sauce

(with every ingredient in the spice cabinet but cinnamon.)

First things first, the base for the sauce:

3 29oz cans of tomato sauce

1 28oz can diced tomatoes

2/3 cup of diced red onion

6 cloves of minced garlic

1 heaping tbsp chives

1/4 tsp of chili powder

1/2 tsp of thyme

1/2 tsp of sage

1 tsp of oregano

1 tsp of basil

2 tbsp of parsley

1 tbsp of Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp of red wine vinegar

1 1/2 tsp of balsamic vinegar

Mix ingredients into a pot and simmer on low.

Next, the meat:

1/3 cup diced red onion

1/4 tsp fennel seed

4 cloves of minced garlic

1/2 tsp lemon pepper

1 lb of ground beef

1 lb of itailan sausage

In a separate skillet, mix ingredients (if you have a ‘Roy’ have him do it, because he makes the meat perfect!). Cook on medium high, until the meat is thoroughly done. Mix into sauce. Simmer the sauce and the meat together on low for about two hours, stirring occasionally. Mix sauce with pasta and serve! Don’t forget to enjoy!

We've found that this recipe is good for almost 8 servings. If you decide 8 is too much, I recommend not cutting it in half, instead, save the rest of the sauce for later. Like chili, it just keeps tasting better!

Wordless Wednesday

2012-05-30T17:20:00.001-05:00

Cupcake challenge ::: week 9

2012-05-27T17:01:00.001-05:00

This is going to be super short. The theme was soda this week so we went with crush we toke a simple white cake mix, used soda instead of water. Oragne and Strawberry the strabbery batter was thicker. Mom helped me make them we left them in NE with Number3 and kids. Didn't even end up with time to frost them. Lol.

Bayliss Park.

2012-05-24T15:13:00.001-05:00

This is in downtown Councel Bluffs Iowa. We just got here I toke these photos and wanted to share them. Lloyd, Roy, and I are having fun!

Hope there in order if not I will corect them later. We are checking into the hotel in a minute, then visiting Number3 and Number4 and there families.

I have been thinking about the cupcake challenge for this week, if I was at home I would make Rum and Coke. I would do a rum cake with a coke flavored frosting. Maybe I can have all the kids help me tonight and we can do something alse hhhmmm I've got a few ideas.