Soups On!

I love soup in general, but really crave it this time of year.

French onion, Pho (Thai noodle soup), Vegetable Beef, Chicken, I could go on and on...

Friday nights I fix some sort of Mexican food - tacos, nachos, enchiladas, fajitas. I added tortilla soup this past Friday night and LUV this recipe!

I just googled tortilla soup recipes and found this one on the Food Network.

I left out the black beans (didn't have them) and cooked the chicken in a skillet separately and used chicken strips instead of breasts. I also used Wholly Guacamole instead of avocado.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, diced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 jalapenos, finely diced
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
2 limes, juiced, plus wedges for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 (8-inch) flour tortilla, grilled, cut into thin strips
1 avocado, pitted, sliced
1 cup shredded Monterrey cheese

Directions
In a large saucepan heat the vegetable oil. Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes. Once the onions have softened add the garlic and jalapenos and cook for another minute. Pour the chicken broth, tomatoes and beans into the pot and bring to a boil. Once at a boil lower heat to simmer and add your chicken breasts. Cook the chicken for 20 to 25 minutes. Once chicken is cooked remove from pot. When cool enough to handle shred it and set it aside. Add lime juice and fresh cilantro to the pot. In a serving bowl add a mound of shredded chicken. Ladle soup over chicken and top with a lime wedge, grilled tortilla strips, avocado slices and cheese.

I will be having some leftover tortilla soup for lunch today!

Enjoy!

In the Pink

I have not had much time for blogging lately, but I did manage to change the background on my page. Luv it. Check out the link at the top - they have really cute blog designs.
Have a good week!

Feelin Crafty

I have been in a crafty state of mind lately. I don't really sell my crafts, but decided to do an artists market that is close to work. There weren't a ton of people, but it went well. I sold a good number of things and had some great comments on them. YEAH ME! I am my worst critic...

This is one of my favorite coaster sets. I like the font and the numbers. I did the same kind of thing on my front door for the house numbers.

These are my girly ones.

Christmas coasters!

I also made a basball one - very cute!

Here are the glass tile pendants that I have been making for a while now-

FUN! I am drooling over the Infinity Scarf and can't decide whether to make it or buy it...

Okay, have a good evening. I am off to laundry and get ready for the week!

Catch Up

I can't believe that I haven't posted in over a month. Things have been busy. Work, home - just not enough hours in the day! The time change hit me hard and I have been pooped. I am getting up earlier, which is a good thing, but dragging by early evening.

Here is my catch up post-

1st off-many thanks to Anna at Pinkadots. She gave me my first blog award!

And now my apologies to Anna for just now getting around to it!

Halloween - luv Halloween!

See my sweet Daisy peeking around the pumpkin? Cutie pie.

I was a little nervous we wouldn't have any trick or treaters. We had zero last year. I was thrilled that we had about 20 and it was raining. It was enough to leave me too many fun sized treats to eat.

I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving. (I am looking forward to the moment the food is on the table and we are ready to sit and eat!)

I know this was probably the most boring post ever! I am working my way out of my funk and am getting my bloggy butt back in gear. I have been working on some neat projects and hope to show them to you soon!

I WANT MY TAP SHOES!

On the way home Friday evening I went to my bargain stores. I was on a mission to find Halloween decorations. I went to the thrift store first. I was so excited to see right when I walk in 5 large plastic plug-in Halloween decorations. They are on top of a large stand - I was on tip-toe trying to read the price. I was about to start jumping up in the air to see the price when I see NFS. SAD - not for sale...

Okay, this place is into Halloween - they must have decorations for sale - right? I found 1 thing, 1 thing. It was not bad for its purpose and the price couldn't be any better.

Bless that little child's heart for scribbling on this pumpkin. (I am sure his mom didn't say that). 69Cents. Deal of the day.

I am going to paint it white and either put text or polka dots on it, not sure yet. I am not sure how the dots or wording will turn out, so I am happy I have invested a whopping 69cents for this project.

Went a few doors down to an antique store. I found this cool iron pumpkin. The candle would have cost more than I paid for both. I next found this large paperclip. I am pretty sure that it was from Pottery Barn and the$4.00 they were asking was not. I couldn't carry anything else, so I went to the front and dropped off my finds. I began again and found a pair of black tap shoes in my size. $9.00. Okay, I don't know how to tap dance and had never thought too much about it.

I decided that $9.00 is a deal and these shoes may just change my life. Way too long to explain and I can't remember my whole convoluted internal conversation, but the shoes were coming home with me.

I had almost reached the back of the store and was heading to the register and to pick up my oh-so life changing tap shoes. I passed two young girls (20's?) as I rounded the corner, next I see the shelf where my shoes were and it is now empty. EMPTY. How, how can this be??????

WHY, why did I not pick them up? I know the rule - if you want it, pick it up immediately and guard it with your life. Come on!

The nice lady at the register asked if I need anything - YES, make those girls give me back my $9.00 tap shoes!!!

Okay, I did not say this. I really, really wanted to. I did tell her of my intent of buying the shoes and how I foolishly did not pick them up. She was very nice about it and took my number in case they changed their mind.

No call.

I know that I did not need these shoes. But when I tried them on and they fit and made such a neat little tapping sound, I really wanted them.

My consolation prize came courtesy of Big Lots. I got these two signs and this cool metal skeleton.

These are cute and I LUV Halloween and were all together only a tiny bit more than the shoes. I am still nursing my bruised super shopper, deal finding, no tap shoe wearing, ego.

1 Year Anniversary!

This was my very first blog on September 25, 2008.
Boy does time fly!
I really enjoy reading and learning from all of your blogs! Thanks for the support and inspiration!

Greetings,

This is my first blog! Not really sure about this, but what I do know is that there are some really creative people out there. I want to share my creative projects and hear about yours. When I see a new thing - craft, recipe, whatever, I have to figure out how to reproduce it. If it something that I like, I become obsessed with trying to recreate it and make it mine. I haven't really found out what to do with all of these projects after I have mastered them, but I love a challenge.

My latest recreation was cupcake pops from Bakerella. I made them for a baby shower at work and everyone really liked them.

Update - the babies were born early and have turned 1!

Baking has never been my thing. Even in culinary school I was more of a cook than a baker. So to hear rave reviews and having them pass my way too critical self analysis, I was thrilled. You have to check out Bakerella, she is my baking hero! http://bakerella.blogspot.com/

Until next time~

Yippee! The rain is gone!

Yeah! The rain has ended. I haven't checked the forecast - I am afraid to hear if there is more to come.

This is the sun shining through the trees in my backyard.

Luckily we didn't have any damage to our area and the roads were pretty clear. We did discover that one of our fireplaces needs some attention.

I heard that yesterday was the first day of Fall. Really? Double yipee! I was afraid I was bringing out my fall decorations too soon. I was slowly sneaking them out...

What's your favorite thing about Fall? The cooler weather? Football? Pumpkins? Sweatshirts and jeans? Maybe all of the above??

Rain, Rain Go Away or not...

It is raining again! Most of the time we have rain showers and they are over within an hour. Not this week! It is the most rain we have had in a LONG time.
The rain doesn't bother me that much. I am not that much of a girly girl - I don't care if I get a bit wet.

I did realize that I left my rain boots under my desk at work. Hmmmm...

Plan B - always have to have a plan B.

I found these rain boots online at Target-

(The argyle on up top is from Target too - I love argyle!)

Cute red bird on a gray rainy day-

Love blue and green -

This Fleur De leis boot is cool -

Mine (from Target - of course), sitting at work, are black with white polka dots.

Do you have fun or go-to rainy day gear?

Nothing on tv

Really - there is nothing on tv.
I watched Vampire Diaries tonight, not super but is was okay. It seems that all of my shows have ended their seasons.
Can't wait until I the new shows are on.
What shows are you looking forward to?
What shows do you miss?

Sunday

No snazzy post title today.

First off, I have been deliberating about posting on this or not. Well, I have to get it out and get on with it.

Infertility sucks!

Most of the time I deal pretty well with this, but this month (this weekend) has been pretty rough. The tough week at work and my sleep schedule being off probably didn't help. I hate crying and I am the biggest cry baby - commercials, sad stories, it doesn't take much. I cried at work. I. HATE. CRYING.

I am much better this morning. I think the overdose of Midol and the brownies before breakfast helped.

Funny what a brownie (or several can do). I feel a bit better.

Enjoy your Sunday! Trueblood tonight!!

Quickest Project Ever

I am full of good intentions. My simple projects take 10 times longer than they should. Maybe I am just easily distracted or have too much going on.

Here is the quickest project ever. I had some frames leftover from another project and two postcards I bought at a bookstore. I had no idea what I was going to do with the postcards, but they were cute and inexpensive. The postcards had been hanging about on my dresser for way too long. I knew it was time to do something with them or they would end up lost or beat up.

I dug through my frames and the fit was pretty close. I trimmed off a little on the sides and they fit fine.

I had them framed and hung in about 15 minutes. New world record!

Vacay Recap

I am back from vacation. I was in the Pacific Northwest for 9 days!

I went for a conference in Portland Mon.-Thurs. and then vacay the rest of the time. Conference was great, learned a lot, and made a new friend.

I am not a great flyer. I was flying since the womb, but as I got older I developed this non-love for flying. My dad is a pilot and my family has flown in everything and in all kinds of weather.

Anyway, I take my seat - always an aisle and near the wing section. Two seats over from me was a really nice lady. We chatted for a few minutes before the center seat occupant arrived. It was the pilot flying the return flight. (A HA! He would be the first to react to anything off.)

We all arrived at our destination safely. That afternoon I went to the Portland zoo for the opening reception for the conference. It was so hot all of the animals had been put away. I don't know where they went, they just weren't any around.

Next morning, conference begins. I get my coffee and breakfast and pick a random table. I exchange a few words with the other people at the table. The lady sitting across from me and I start chatting. Five seconds later I realize it is the lady from the plane! Too funny and small world. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Karen and spending time with her.

Skip to vacay. My husband flew out on Thursday afternoon when the conference ended. Yipee, vacation time! He had never been to Portland before and I knew he would love it as much as I do. (And he did!)

We spent the evening in Portland and then on Friday headed up to Port Angeles, WA. Not a ton to do here, so we took the ferry across to Victoria, BC. Beautiful! Spent two nights there. Great weather, sight-seeing and meals.

On Sunday we got on the 6am ferry, came back to P.A. and then headed to Forks, WA. It is the next town on the map and yes, it is the home of Twilight.

We reached Forks around 9amish and went to the coffee shop for breakfast. We had the best breakfast - yum. I did visit the Twilight gift store to see what they had. I did not go on the Twilight tour though. Actually, my husband offered, but I declined.

Next stop the beaches - we went to LaPush which is also a Twilight location. It is home to the wolf pack in the book. I am from FL. It was not like any beach I had ever been to. I did like it though, it was different and had its own beauty about it.

Next beach was Astoria. Interesting small town, cold, gray and good brew pubs! At one point in the early evening, I had a shirt, sweat jacket and a hoodie sweat-shirt on.

Next up - Gearhart. We ate lunch at the McMenimen brewpub/restaurant at the golf club. It was really windy and really disappointing. I have been to two other of their locations and this sucked. The other locations are hip, revitalized old buildings, lots of character, etc. The one in Gearhart had no life to it. Sad.

After Gearhart, we headed back into Portland. The super high temps had died down and it was great. Had drinks at this restaurant, The Original. They had a hamburger (the Voodoo Doughnut Burger- natural beef patty, cheddar, glazed doughnut) that had glazed doughnuts for the bun. OMG! I did not have one, but the thought of it still haunts me in a greedy way. Dinner was at Mama Mia's Tratorria and then breakfast the next morning was at Mothers's Bistro & Bar. These locations are not to be missed!

We are thankful to have had a safe and relaxing vacation (been too many years) and to have made it home safely.

Stay tuned for more projects and my hotel reviews!

Have a good weekend!

Vera

Happy Friday!

I am posting today about my new love. I got a postcard catalog in the mail this week from Vera Bradley. I have only once purcahsed a Vera product and it was from the clearance. (Yes, I am a cheap-butt) I do have a few other items that were gifts - thanks Cheryl!

Anyway, I have fallen in love with this new bag-

And I love the name - the bag is called So Over It. Hah! That is me on many days...

Do love Vera? What is your favorite bag (doesn't have to be a VB)?

Friday's Fabulous Finds

I was on a mission Friday; fabulous finds. I was inspired by Kristina @ The Purple Pea, she had a great find of a sweet tea pot that cost more in elbow grease than money!

I started at Target, only because I had a gift card from Christmas to use. I found three small pillows for $3.74 each. I love the white one with the green embroidery and green satin ribbon. The other two are fine and will help on the daybed.

Next I found this monkey night light. He was $3 and change, so in the basket he went. He is a rechargeable night light. They also had a blue bird, but it was still regular price at $12 something. (When we have a child, and if it is a boy, then I have a whole animal theme planned. No decor planned if it is a girl, yet. See the fertility doc on Tuesday - fingers crossed for good test results.)

Next I found this necklace. It was marked down from $9.99 to $6.98. I was still on an acquisition buzz when I took this picture, so I didn't try real hard for a good shot.

After work I went to my favorite home consignment shop. I had been on the hunt for a dresser for the blue room. I didn't find a dresser, but did find these two pictures for the house.

A great thing about this shop is that you get 10% off the price every 30 days and I have a shopper card, so I get an additional 5% off. YIPPEEE!

The first picture is pretty big. I had only seen it in smaller sizes and really like it on a larger scale. The second picture is in tribute to my girls - Daisy, Zoe and Guinness. I collect bulldog statues and pictures. (I hate the word figurines, not sure if statue is the right word...)
Anyway, the frame on this is worth WAY more than I paid for the whole picture.

I was still on a find "high" on Saturday, so we went to the once a month antique show. It was fine, not many bargains. I did buy these two prints from an old book. I think they will look nice once they are matted and framed. (Another one of my things - Bees!)

I am off now to figure out where to hang my finds and clean the house. Have a great day!

Project Status Report

I hope you had a great 4th of July!

This is my girl, Guinness. She was feeling in the spirit all of 5 seconds.

Didn't do much at all here. I did think about my projects, but that was about it.

Most of my projects are for my guest room - the Blue Room. This is going to be our nursery - one day, hopefully soon! The room is turning out pretty girly. I tried for a neutral palate, but couldn't find a look without having to repaint the room.
I am torn about what to do with my frame. Here is its latest look:

Okay, not loving it yet. I am thinking about trying it with out the white paper. I would like to have the blue wall show through around the R. Not sure if the frame will hold the single pane of glass or not. More trial and error to come.

The chair is done. I found a cushion at Pier1 that I like and that goes with the room. I sprayed that chair with white gloss spray paint and it looks good to go. I like the flowers with the stripes on the cushion.

I wanted a chandelier for the new light. I wish I had a picure of the old light. YUCK. It was the square glass, boring as ever. The chandelier was out, our ceilings aren't terribly high and my husband was installing it, so he had his say on it.

Here is the new light. I like it and it is SO much better that the old one. It will be as girly-fancy with crystals as I will get, so it stays.

(Overlook the textured ceiling!)

I found this metal shell picture at one of my favorite shops and added it to my beach decor.

Thanks for stopping by and Stay tuned!

All feedback/suggestions welcome people!

Hump Day Slump

Yesterday in my staff retreat at work we had a guest that talked about our Birkman results. (If you don't know about Birkman, here is the short version - personality assessment that facilitates team building, executive coaching, leadership development, career management and interpersonal conflict resolution) One thing that rang SO true was when we don't have or make use of a creative outlet we can suffer in our personal and professional life. AMEN!

I can feel this, for lack of a better word, grouchiness come over me and I start looking around for a project. I have several projects started, but none really completed yet.

Here are some projects that I am working on:

This is for my guest room or better known as the blue room. Stay tuned!

I found this old fan at one of my favorite haunts. There is no off/on switch, you just plug it in. The first time I plugged it in I was so happy that it worked and then I got really excited because it was oscillating. My husband corrected me, it was just vibrating so much that it was moving around on the table. Oh well. Where to put it?

I don't know if I will make it to the beach this summer, so I brought the beach to us!

More to come!