New Layout.

Please bear with me as I tweak the layout this week. I'm bored with the old one, but still deciding what I like, so its a work in process.

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Lots to catch up, some links and giveaways!

So, again, it's been over a week, I'm really bad at remembering that real computers with real keyboards exist at home, since I live on one all day at work, and all my essential communications can be done on my cell phone wherever.

In the last week and a half I've-

Worked both jobs, taught lessons, gained 3 new students for the coming school year. The new job is going GREAT!! We're getting a full team going and it's so much fun to be involved in so much of what's going on at the church. Some of the new people on the team are even younger than me, which is also great, even if one won't stop calling me "ma'am"! :)

Taken my mom shopping all over the place and to see the Winnie the Pooh movie for her birthday.  GREAT first movie for a small child! Cute music, cute story, funny and sentimental without being a sob story for adults! Also, only 69 minutes long! Easy to sit through! Most the voices were good, Tigger was the same as the one in the 60's-90's cartoons, and that guy did Pooh too, and did a great job. Not sure how I feel about Craig Ferguson doing Owl's voice, I mean he's not exactly kid friendly, not that kids know who he is, but it's still weird.

I've been starting to collect things for our new place, which I haven't definitively found yet. We've picked the complex, but we need to go meet management and see actual units available in two different styles and fill out paperwork.

We got a free couch from someone I work with, and it's in perfect condition, and comes with a coffee table! Fantastic! I'm totally covering it with a slip cover, but it was free, and it's a sleeper and will serve as a guest bed! Double fantastic!

Also, I'm getting hooked on Etsy again, also another little online shop or two. I'm debating between several pieces from Splendor Shop  Great jewelry, great prices, and she has a great blog too! I also just figured out today that my sister knew her sister when she lived in Houston!  Small world!

I also entered in a GIVEAWAY over on 5k's and Chardonnay again! She's been hosting a ton of fantastic giveaways lately, you should totally follow!

I'm off to make dinner, homemade mac and cheese, and maybe some cupcakes to follow, I need chocolate this week!

11 days is much better than a month!

So, at least this time I should have less to catch you up on, but I don't!

I started my new job yesterday! I got it! It's amazing!

I'm an administrative assistant in the worship ministries department at our church, 30 hours a week, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-3:00pm.  My job is to take the service orders, created by the pastor and worship pastor, pull the music, create the teleprompts, leaders sheets, media team sheets, and power points for the three English services we have every week. My office is amazing! I'm sharing the front worship department office with a fantastic lady I know from kids choir, my kids choir coordinator is one of the full time staff, as well as the worship secretary and our new worship pastor.  We have an amazing office, with a full kitchen and a Kuerig! I have my own giant desk and shelves and can't wait to decorate them! I need to get a print order into the lab ASAP!

But, the best part is, I get to be home in time to teach lessons and still be a house wife again!!! I'm totally loving having time to grab groceries on the way home and make my husband dinner at night, I can run errands, keep clean laundry, and be home at night, instead of closing the store.  I'm still working a few shifts while they try to get a couple people promoted through HR, but only like 2 a week for another 2-3 weeks.

Of course, the two jobs for a few weeks means extra pay checks, which is fantastic for saving for our new place.

Hopefully I'll have news on that in a couple of weeks.

So, with a regular schedule, I can also get back to regular blogging.  Any ideas for what I should blog about?  I've got a bunch of sermon notes from our pastors latest series I'm dying to blog about.  Should be a good discussion starter as the series is of the political nature, and a few recipes I'm planning to try and hopefully share.  Anything else?

Back to finishing up dinner.  Oh it's good to be home evenings again!

Ben and Ginger 1 Year Wedding Anniversary Photoshoot

I'm still here.....

sort of, most of the time!

Things have been a little hectic lately.

Instead of my normal 18-24 hours at work, I've been working 35-40, plus lessons still, and a few photoshoots, so I'm a bit behind on basically everything else.

Work has become torturous, my co-manager is out to get me, I'm serious. I know that sounds juvenile, and petty middle-school-ish, but, basically, she dumps everything on me, doesn't do the parts of her job that she doesn't like, blames me when things aren't done and then takes my hours, gives them to girls who are only available for like 2 specific shifts a week and then gives me the crummy hours.  Everytime I come in after her the store is a mess, whatever task of the day is only half done when it should be finished and she's giving me attitude to do her work and complaining how she has to do everything, when all she's doing is kissing up to the big clients and ignoring everything else.  She thinks she's buddy buddy with the district manager, calling her and texting her about pointless stuff and treating anyone who doesn't look like they're going to spend at least $500 bucks like garbage, making me get complaints from clients and having to wait on 12 people at a time, instead of 1 like her.

So, basically, I'm done with work.

I applied and interviewed for a admin position at church last week.  I'm still in the running because they've been checking my references this week, but I haven't heard anything. It's been 8 days, so I'm kind of going crazy waiting.  I really want to be done with my store now, but I'm sticking it out, just in case. The new job would be a huge answer to prayer, it would allow me the freedom to teach, to volunteer with kids programs at church, and to be home to cook and take care of things at home when we move out in 2-3 months.  So, be praying things resolve quickly, so I know if I need to keep looking, or can kindly leave the position I'm at.

My husband's trying very hard not to die in the heat down here.  His job is outdoors, on a golf course, running, literally, 18 holes of golf every day.  For those of you not familiar with Houston summers, temperatures start in the triple digits by 11am, and stay there til 6pm, and that's before you add another 10 degrees for humidity and heat index. For those of you not familiar with golf, 18 holes is roughly 6.5-7 miles, up and down hill, and takes about 4 hours to play, the most popular tee times are right after lunch.  So, yeah, he's trying not to die daily.  We go through alot of propel and gatorade, and a chick-fil-a milkshake is a daily after work snack for him, just trying to cool down.

We're still at my parents, with the plan to move out in September.  Debts, besides my husband's school loans and our recently acquired car payment, are all paid off.  Now it's just saving for furniture and start up costs. I've been stalking the Macys home sales this summer picking up a few things at a time, and I think we finally have enough towels to have a completely new set and get rid of our wedding gift ones. 5 years later, and I think it's time! Same with sheets, I've been picking up sets and pieces whenever they're on sale.  Basically the only things I kept from our place in NY were the pots and pans and dishes, so everything else needs replacing, it's so much fun getting to decorate all over again!  I can't wait to get our place and post tours in a few months.

Photoshoot recaps and recipes coming this weekend, or today, depending on how today goes. 

I'm a Grown-up Again!

For the first time in 3 years, 4 months and 1 day, we're a 2 car couple again. For the first time in 1 year, 5 months and 9 days, I have a car again.

Considering the fact that I bought my first car within days of getting my license, I've been feeling like I was 12 again.

I'm an independent woman once again!

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Random Ramblings

Today's been a productive day, productivity leads to creativity, which leads to rambling.  But, since I'm off work, car-less and housebound, that means you get to deal with my rambling! Ha! Sorry, stop reading now if you're not in the mood for my perky energy thing going on today! And I've only had 3 shots of espresso!

I headed to the gym this morning ran a mile in under 10 to get in my cardio, did 100 reps on both leg machines, skipped the arm reps because the old men kept budging me, went to the grocery store, came home, did 100 crunches and scrubbed the kitchen floor to finish off the workout. Then I did 2 loads of laundry, cleaned our living room and straightened the bathroom.  Did I mention this was all before 12:30?  I'd consider that a pretty productive morning.

Speaking of workouts, I'm looking for opinions-Pilates or Zumba to tone? I'm putting on too much bulk just running and doing reps so I need something else to rotate in, what are pros and cons of each? I've never done an exercise class before, so I'm trying to get all the info I can before I show up naive and stupid at one!

I'm totally dying to throw at least 3 parties. My Pinterest boards are FULL of foods that would be perfect for brunches, dessert parties, decorating ideas, presentation ideas, everything for hostessing! Someone give me an excuse!! Please!!

I'm loving summer clothes suddenly.  My conservative northeast side is telling me all this white that's so in is crazy and ridiculous and impractical, but my new southern girl lifestyle is telling me I need to expand my horizons.  White shorts maybe? White skirt?  Would definitely make my legs look even more tan than they already get simply living down here.

Buying all these summer clothes is making me realize I have far too many sweaters and jeans and wintery dresses and boots. I'm wondering if anyone else has any success with blog sales, how do you set your prices, what does shipping cost and have you even had any success?  Tips anyone?

I think that's it for now, the sunshine is calling my getting paler by the busy day skin. :)

Comments, advice and responses would be awesome to alot of these topics!

Photoshoot with Sofia

Homemade Chicken Fingers

 This is probably my husband's ultimate favorite food that I make.  I don't do it that often, because it's probably not the healthiest even if it is WAY healthier than it's fast food counter part, but also, because it involves oil that can splatter, and I'd like to keep him excited about it! :)

1 Package Chicken Tender Pieces (roughly 1.25-1.5 pounds)
1 Egg
1/2 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Unseasoned Bread Crumbs
1/2 Cup Flour
Salt, Pepper, Paprika to smell/taste
1 TB Chicken Bouillon Seasoning

Fill bottom only of a large deep skillet or frying pan with vegetable oil, turn heat to low until just before chicken is ready to fry.

Beat Egg and Milk in a small bowl
Trim any fat off of chicken pieces and let "swim" in the bowl the a few seconds, flipping them around a bit to make sure they're evenly coated.

 

Mix together dry ingredients in pie pan.  

Coat Egg washed chicken pieces in mixture. Dip and press into breading mixture on both sides to completely coat. 

Set to side to let settle for a couple of minutes before frying.

Turn heat up to Medium to Medium High so chicken sizzles as soon as you add it to oil.

 

Cook 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown, being careful not to crowd the pan. 

                           

Your oil should stay clean enough for 3 batches, so don't rush and put all the chicken in at once.

 

Remove and drain on paper towel covered plate. Serve warm with French Fries or other Potato Dish.

 

ENJOY!

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Mac and Cheese

 So I cooked two real meals this week! 2! And worked, and we still have clean clothes! It's a miracle  compared to recent weeks!

 So, I figured I should share-

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (I've adapted it some over the years)

Boil/Cook 12oz Pasta (medium elbow, small shell, spiral or bowtie work best) in an oven safe pot if possible.  I use my Le Crueset Oval Dutch Oven.
Preheat Oven to 350.
Drain, butter insides of dutch oven/pan, return pasta to pan.
Add 12oz mixed cheddars shredded cheese (I use one bag 3 Cheddar Blend plus 1/2 a bag of Mild Cheddar, you can also add Monterray Jack or Colby) and 2 TB light Mayonnaise.
Stir and drizzle with 2 TB Milk.

 

Melt 1 stick unsalted butter in microwave.  Crush 1 sleeve Ritz Crackers into butter and mix with fork til all crackers are moistened.

Spread over pasta.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until crackers are golden.

 

ENJOY!

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Happiness is.....

A good cup of coffee

A day off driving around running errands and listening to country :)

A good hair day (mine didn't start off good, but I got fed up around 3:00 and rinsed it out and started over, yes, I'm that shallow sometimes)

Scheduling photo shoots

Making your husband's favorite dinner and being appreciated for it.

Having clean sheets on the bed

Knowing you only have to work 11 hours of the holiday weekend in order to get paid for 14.

Figuring out that by August I may be able to be self employed, or at least only have to work minimum part time for anyone else :)


Food posts coming tomorrow.

More Giveaways!

I promise, I really will post about something other than giveaways, it's just that so many people are having so many good ones these days!

Faith Hope Love is hosting a Scentsy giveaway HERE.  

 I got rid of most of my candles when I left the northeast, figuring they wouldn't be as practical in the south since they gave off alot of heat.  Well, Scentsy would be perfect then! 

and

5K's and Chardonnay is hosting ANOTHER giveaway HERE for adorable hair bows from Bows and Buttons on Etsy.

I'll always take a chance on winning a cute free present for my niece, and this gives you 3 adorable little girl bows of your choice from their Etsy shop!

Good luck!

Another giveaway!

So shoot me, the only giveaways I ever find are ones for me niece!

Mrs Stethoscope at 5K's and Chardonnay is hosting another great little girl Giveaway, sponsored by Tied and True Tutus on Etsy.

Go enter!

Giveaway alert!!

I'm starting to love entering more and more giveaways that are baby centric. Weird since I don't have kids and never want them myself, right? Well I have a niece I ADORE, so I enter them for her, so don't get upset that I'm cutting in on your chances to win, and come enter with me!

5K's and Chardonnay is hosting a giveaway from Gobbledygook Bowtique.

GO ENTER!

Boston Creme Cake

 Be fore warned, this is probably the least healthy cake I know how to make, but it's so good it still has to be made at least twice a year.

This is one of those, I was in the mood for something, couldn't find a recipe I liked the looks of, so used whatever basics I had around the house and started playing and it worked.  I'm not a scratch cake girl, I seem to have a hard time working with cake flour and getting things to rise properly, so I use a box mix just for the dry ingredients so that they balance correctly, then mix it up differently no matter what kind of cake I'm making, so this was a pretty easy adaptation for me.  Just really rich!

Ingredients-

For Cakes-

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix

1 Stick Softened Butter

3 Eggs

1/2 Cup Milk

3/4 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

For Filling-

1 Box French Vanilla Instant Pudding

1 Cup Milk

1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1/4 Cup Confectioners Sugar

For Frosting-

1 Can Chocolate Fudge Frosting

2 Tbsp Milk

1/2 Cup Confectioners Sugar

Cake Instructions

Grease bottoms only of 2 - 9 inch round pans (can use 8", just will be a very tall cake!)

Preheat oven to 350.

Beat together all cake ingredients. Start on a low speed to combine them, then beat on medium-high for 2 minutes to get all the lumps out.  Batter should be a thick, creamy, pudding like consistency.

Pour half the batter into each pan.  Bake 32-35 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Release cakes from pans immediately and let cool completely on a raised cooling rack.

While cake is baking,

Filling Instructions

Pour Milk and Cream into a chilled mixing bowl. Turn mixer on low, slowly add in Pudding Mix.  Beat on low til well combined.  

Start adding confectioners sugar one tablespoon at a time, increasing your speed with every addition.

Beat until mixture reaches a "set" pudding consistency. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.

Once cakes are cool, move 1 cake to a large plate or tray (cake needs to stay refrigerated, so I pretty much just make it fit on a dinner plate) top with a 1" thick layer of filling, then the other cake.

Place assembled tower in fridge for 10-15 minutes.

While cake is setting, make up frosting.  You can use a stovetop chocolate frosting, but I just use the can as a base to speed things up, plus, I'm not a detail cook, so less room for error.

Frosting Instructions-

Beat 1 can Frosting with electric mixer.  Add milk to thin out, then confectioners sugar to bring back to desired texture. Pour over cake and spread roughly down sides.  Chill at least a half an hour before serving.

 

Sorry, these are all cell phone pics, need to start remembering to keep a camera downstairs when cooking.

ENJOY!

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Vacation Pics

 Half the fun of going to Disney this year was because it was my niece's first trip! We got to spend a day in the parks with her, and I even got to babysit her for about 4 hours!!

 Annual Magic Kingdom Castle pic- from the side this time, too many shows and parades this time of year! Like hourly, literally!

Dressed up for our Anniversary.

 My handsome husband waiting outside the restaurant for our Anniversay Dinner. We celebrated our 5 Year Wedding Anniversaryat "Le Cellier Steakhouse" inside the Canada Pavillion in EPCOT.

 BEST STEAK EVER!!!

We wandered around walking off our dinner and checking out the flower show topiaries. These were my favorite of course! Beauty and the Beast will always be MY Princess movie. Every girl has one, right? What's yours?

Watching Illuminations (aka best fireworks in the world, seriously, if you miss them at Disney World, you missed out major!)

Up and Running!

Finally!! I was actually off last night and today and wanted to blog so many things. Now I'm forgetting them all of course, but at least now I have the option to blog them!  I don't know about you, but I don't like it when someone takes away my option to do something.

This morning was actually fairly productive, which is not normal when I know it's my one morning off for the next 9 mornings.  I got up by 7:00, made my husband breakfast got him out the door, caught up on shows online while paying all the bills due before the 21st and editing pictures from Florida last week.  I did plan to go to Zumba this morning, but lost track of time giving the bathroom it's every 3 weeks deep bleaching, so I plopped on the floor, did a bunch of crunches, made myself a low-fat latte and went back to scrubbing the bathroom and washing towels. 

Now I'm planning out my errands and shopping lists based on the coupons available to me and planning on helping clean part of the pool wall while hopefully getting some sun, before showering and being cute and ready for my husband to get home around 3:00.

While coupon hunting and list making, I thought I'd share some of the random deals I've stumbled upon.

Old Navy 50% off one full priced item

Sports Authority $10 off of $50  (we'll probably be using this one on new basketball shoes for my husband this weekend.)

TGI Fridays $5 off of $15


Cheesecake Factory FREE slice of cheesecake with $30 purchase (great for a date-night)


Baskin Robbins BOGO FREE Cone  (more our budget date night this week)

Hope someone can use some of them.

Also, my store is having 40% off all sale merchandise, in store and online right now, which is better than my associate discount. Hit it up for some deals, I did!

Disney and Food posts coming soon!

Giveaway Alert!!

So really, I don't want you to go enter, because I want to win, but, what's the fun of a contest if there's no competition, right? (at least this is what I'm telling myself :)

Hop on over to 5K's and Chardonnays blog for her Favorite Things Giveaway!

Great beauty products, and a really great blog all together, lots of funny posts, and pictures of her adorable little girl!

Good luck!

Oh my freakin cookies!

So yeah, I stumbled upon something amazing on Pinterest the other day.  And by amazing, I mean AMAZING!!!!

Oh my freaking amazing giant homemade Oreos!!!!

Follow the links below to get to the recipe, calls for lots of un-healthy stuff, but everyone has to splurge once in awhile!

RECIPE

Stir Fry

So I cooked a real meal on Friday. It had been awhile since I'd cooked something worth posting about.

Ginger Sweet and Sour Beef and Broccoli-

1 pound flank steak, cut into bite sized pieces
2 cups broccoli pieces
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 cup jasmine rice
Ground Ginger
Paprika
Black pepper
Garlic salt
Olive oil
Water
Sweet and Sour Sauce

Drizzle oil in large deep frying pan. Season with all spices to smell- the ginger should just out way the garlic. Heat on medium high. Brown steak.

Add chopped veggies, 1/4 cup water, stir and cover. Turn heat to medium, simmer 5-7 minutes or until a paring knife slips easily into broccoli pieces.

Remove from heat, add 1/2 cup sauce plus 2 tbsp water, stir, cover for 2-3 minutes.

Serve over rice prepared according to bag directions.

Serves 4.

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