On My Mind...

Hello & goodbye Monday....well...basically! Only 1 hour to go. I can hardly stand it! WHY? I'll let the picture do the talking...

That's right...Dillon, Brittany, Ryan Carr, Steve and I are all going with one of the best women (aside from my mother, aunts, and gramma) I know for her big 5-0 birthday...Renee. We are crusin' to Key West, Cozumel and back again..short and sweet but oh so needed. After this hectic Monday, it cannot come fast enough!

A few other things that are on my mind...

 This lady's blog is all about her journey & how she's getting there...first one kid, now a second and her ups and downs to get back to her fighting weight. She is so funny and really puts humor and weight loss into perspective for us regular people. Check out her blog here

 I found this cute guy on Pinterest and wish I had a child's room or craft room to do this for. Maybe if I ever get a proper desk at work I will have space for a smaller version to add some color to the drab, depressing environment.

Lastly...this is what I have on my mind that I need to be doing right now...RUN RUN RUN...after the garbage lunch I had today all I want to do is leave right now and RUN it all off. AHHHHHHH for most of you bikinis aren't for another 3 months...for me...2 days! WHAT?!?!

Not sure how much time I'll have on my hands between running, packing, and getting excite...don't take offense I still <3 you guys. But have a grrrrreat week and I'll check yah when we get back..hopefully a few shades darker and my head in the clouds :)

Dirt Cake

So I was on Pinterest this afternoon and saw an old favorite...I HAD to make it as soon as I got home! I got the recipe from Mississippi Kitchen. Her motto is "don't blame me if you get fat"....too funny! I'll be sure to steer clear of anymore of her recipes for a while. HA! I failed to take pics...and mine isn't as pretty as hers...so here is one of her pictures to entice you the way it did me! ENJOY

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescents

Last night I was craving a little bread, spice, and cheese...I found this recipe online....so I decided to try it out for an appetizer last night. I think they turned out great and were a real crowd pleaser! The four of us devoured it with online 1 slice to spare.

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescents

Here's What You'll Need:
1 tube regular Crescent Rolls
1 (4 ounce) can Diced Jalapenos (you will actually only use half of the can/jar...or to taste)
3/4 (8 ounce) cube cream cheese, room temperature
1 Tbsp. sugar

1. Roll out the crescent rolls
2. Combine cream cheese, jalapenos, and sugar
3. Spread the mix on top of the dough
4. Roll the dough up like a rug
5. Slice the rolled dough and lay the slices on their end like a cinnamon roll
6. Pop in the oven for 15 or so minutes at 350 degrees
ENJOY!!!

Chicken & Rice for the Sick Boy

Well..we successfully got through Monday!!! D has been feeling a little under the weather and requested a light dinner...perfect! So I called my mom and she sent over her Chicken and Rice Soup recipe. Here it is...it is sooooo good, and warm, and "light"!

Chicken rice soup

What you'll need:

Leftovers from Rotisserie Chicken, or Chicken Breasts
1/2 carrot
1 Celery stalk
1 onion
3 cloves of garlic
Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
32oz of chicken broth
1 cup Bismanti rice
 
1. Sauté celery, onion, carrot , & garlic cloves
2. Throw veggies, rice, chicken soup, chicken broth, and water to the consistency you like and let it cook the rice for 30 minutes....or until the rice is tender.
3. Salt and pepper to taste & serve
**Croissants go great with this if you want a little something to sop up the broth!

Just wanted to share a few of my favorite things right now....

 1. Watching Dez devour her bones in 2 days...such a funny lil dog

 2. A new craft I am doing for someone....sneak peek!!

3. There are a few things here....LOVE the show 24, the Yankee Candle scent-Soft Blanket, and the fact we still have some Christmas decor still around :) Santa likes the beach too!

Have a great Tuesday!!!

Funny Dachshunds

Who can't resist a wiener dog? NOT ME! These are just some funny pics I've been collecting and wanted to share!!

Hope your weekend was the greatest!

A Ritzy Dinner

I made this a couple weeks ago, and I am finally able to share with you guys!

Cheezy Ritz Chicken

Ingredients needed:

Chicken breasts or chicken tender strips
Milk
Shredded cheeze
Ritz crackers

1. Thaw chicken and soak in milk
2. Set up your assembly line: Bowl with chicken in milk, cheese, and crushed Ritz crackers

3. Take milk soaked chicken and roll in shredded cheeze
4. Then coat the cheezy chicken with crushed Ritz crackers and place on cookie sheet

5. Cook at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, depending on your oven.
6. Whip up some yummy veggies and potatoes or mac and cheese for a size and enjoy!!

This Little Piggy Went to Market

Hi friends! FINALLY I'm back from the ATL Gift Mart. After 6 days in ATL...and this being my 10th day straight of working I am sooo done! Thank goodness I have a 1/2 day today so I got to sleep in, and get to leave early...I like the idea of this part time thing :)

Here are a few pics from my trip!

 Dez waving adios... so sad to leave these two for a week. Glad I'm back!!

 This is looking up inside the Marriott Marquis hotel in ATL...we didn't stay here, but some friends did....crazy picture

 Thursday night one of our vendors treated us to the BEST dinner. The atmosphere, food and drinks were amazingggg. I won't show more than this picture, so you'll have to go experience it yourself...but it is soo awesome

 ....so go to TWO whenever you're in ATL!

 Friday morning, bright and early...with coffee in hand & snow flurries falling we are ready to start work

 We found a company who sells glitter tattoos...mine stayed on and sparkly for 3 days!

 This is 1 of the 3 bldgs at the mart....13 floors jam packed with vendors...can you believe how much STUFF is out there for us to buy...so crazy to me

 The Queen was at the mart helping sell stuff

 One thing I am so excited about...if I have to buy this for myself for 10 years down the road I will....I am in love!

 BUT...my favorite thing from the show is made by the FREAKER's. You can see more about their product here. I am so excited to get these -one size fits all- drink coozies into our Surf stores...so many fun patterns and a great retail price too...obsessed with mine they gave me.

If you know me at all you know I am a Chicka FREAK...so why not have a sammy with my new freaker?!!

Hope you guys had a great week/weekend while I was away!

Valentine's Day Wreath

You can view my newest creation on my Etsy site: Life By the Day!

So, go ahead-take down that tree and those lights you've been putting off....get some fresh new decor and brighten your home with pink, hearts, and a beautiful new wreath!

Spaghetti Bread

If you like spaghetti, cheese & bread you'll love this great/easy dinner idea!

What you'll need:

• Marinara sauce
• Spaghetti noodles
• If you're a meat lover add hamburger or turkey burger meat
• Parmesan
• Moz cheese
• Pizza dough in a can
• Garlic powder
• Butter (melted)
• Parsley-if you have it on hand it makes it look pretty

1. Start by making your spaghetti like you always do...boil noodles/drain...cook meat...add marinara...mix together...add Parmesan

2. Get a cookie sheet and roll out the canned pizza dough (I think Pillsbury is the brand)
3. Pile the spaghetti mixture into the center of the dough
4. Add moz cheese to the top
5. Cut slits in the dough

6. Fold the ends up like a diaper then start from one end and alternate dough strips & braid until it's nicely packaged!

7. Brush melted butter and garlic powder to the top and sprinkle parsley flakes

8. Pop in the oven at 350-400 degrees for 20-25minutes, until golden brown
9. Slice that baby up and serve...gooey moz cheese with spaghetti, and bread all in one...I die...

I'm getting hungry just thinking about this one....one of my new fave meals by far-and D liked it too. I think I'll make this one a regular on the menu!



Buffalo Chicken Calzones

Wanted to share a yummy dinner with you guys...Buffalo Chicken Calzones!

What you need:
Pizza Dough-from can
Hot sauce
Chicken
Ranch dressing
Cheese
Butter
Milk

(Mind I don't use exact measurements)

1. Cook chicken and shread
2. Mix handful of cheese, ranch to your preference, butter, hot sauce as you like it, and a dash of milk to help it all "stick" together
3. Add chicken and add more cheese or any other ingredients if you think it may need so the mixture covers the chicken well
4. Roll out pizza dough and cut into 4 squares
5. Put mixture in middle of dough and roll up like a pocket

6. Add a brush of melted butter if you like
7. Pop in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown

ENJOY!!

Let's Go Bowling...belated post

The Thurs before NYE me and D went to bowl with Elyse and Butters...was quite interesting with all the contests we came up with!! Here are a few pictures to share!

A David Free 2012!!!

Let's celebrate!! We didn't find David on NYE!

Sorry it's been a while since my last post...between DC for NYE and a long/hard work week-that left 0 time to myself...so here is my NYE post FYE...for your entertainment..ENJOY!

 In front of B's pretty Christmas tree before we venture out to try to find a cab!

 With my pretty BFF, Rachel...so happy she FINALLY decided to share a NYE with me!

We were greeted with our own personal bottle of champagne when we walked in the door...this could get interesting...

 Line em up...by the time all 200 people were in the building every inch of every surface was covered with bottles...HAPPY NEW YEARS!

 Officially 2012...celebrating with friends!

 Things are getting sloppy...so this concludes my pictures for the night

I tried to take a lot of pictures but juggling a champagne bottle, purse, hat, drink, and iPhone was just a disaster waiting to happen...at least I captured some good ones for the record.