Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that you all have a fabulous day with your family, friends, and eat lots of yummy food! (Yes, this was our Christmas card)

Im home!

I am back! Sorry I never told you guys that I was leaving, after the events that happened this summer, I have decided not to announce when I am traveling until after I get home! (Which is hard to do when I am excited to go.) So with that being said, I just got back from a 4 day 3 night vacation with Bryan and his childhood best friend. 

Can you guess where we went? 

If you guessed Las Vegas, you are right! It is our new favorite vacation spot. If you remember we went this summer, and LOVED it. This time it was not nearly as crowded and cool (high of mid 40's), and we loved seeing all the hotels decorated for Christmas. We are going to start going back once a year, and probably around this time! I am still on Vegas time (12 am) but after averaging 4 hours of sleep a night, I am tired! I will do a full update, over a few days very soon! I can't wait to look at the rest of my pictures from this time! 

Christmas Cookies

Ok, so today, to avoid studying I made lots, and lots of cookies....

And if you are wondering how many cookies that there are so nicely laid out...it would be about 18 dozen...HOLY COW WHAT WAS I THINKING! Well I was thinking I wanted to make a few of my favorites from growing up, and a few traditional. I am going to send them to a few loved ones, and family that I haven't seen/talked to in a while! I know I have family in Ohio that reads this, and I am sending a big box your way! :) 

I made Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies, and Gingerbread cookies. My two favorites that I made are...

The snowball cookies. Let me say that I now know why my mother hated to make these cookies! They are a pain in the rear! I am thankful for my handy Bella food process thingy for helping me out finely chopping all those nuts! 

My other childhood favorite (and adult favorite) is

Spritz....This year I broke down and bought a cookie press. It took a little bit to get use to using the cookie press, but once I got the right pressure down it was easy! I am happy that I now can make these cookies that are my childhood favorite! 

I have not tried a single cookie that I made...I am not hungry since I made 18 dozen cookies! It only took me 3 and a half hours! I will be packing them up tomorrow and sending them on their way to homes to spread Christmas Cheer! I will be including Bryan and I's Christmas card! I just LOVE our card, it turned out perfect! I will post that some time this week! 

For my family, watch for you box of cookies coming your way! I am also giving some to the family I nanny for along with a few others here the Fort.

What is your favorite Christmas cookie? 

Heathy, Easy, Quick, Dinner

Ok, I know I have not posted a new recipe in a while, but time to cook in my life has been replaced with studying! Until last night! Today begins dead days (study days) and Monday I begin my finals. So last night I made a yummy healthy dinner for my roommie and I! Its penne pasta with diced tomatoes, ground turkey, and spinach! I am not sure of the name...my aunt just taught it to me!

This is a relatively cheap dinner. I bought all organic but even doing that it way 11 dollars, and I still had chicken broth and penne left over. I buy my spinach from the bulk section because you can get exactly how much you need and its cheaper! As you can see I only paid 1.05 for it! 

So for this recipe you need:

Ground turkey (I only used half the package and froze the rest)

1 can of diced tomatoes

2 cups of spinach

1-1/2 cans of low sodium chicken broth (half the container in my case)

half a pound of whole wheat penne (half the bag in my case)

So, I browned the grounded turkey in a little EVOO, and chopped garlic and seasoned with some Italian seasoning(none are in the pic because they were already in the pan)

After the turkey is cooked, I added the whole can of tomatoes, chicken broth, and the penne right into the pan. I covered and let simmer until the penne is cooked. 

Then add the spinach, coved the pan and let the spinach cook for about 2-3 minutes. 

Then its done! 

When I plate it, I top with some freshly grated parmesan. 

I hope that you all can try this quick, easy, and healthy dinner! 

We had left overs that will gives us both another meal! 

Finals Time...

Ok, so finals time in my life officially SUCKS! I feel like I am always behind, and I can never feel caught up! This is how I go to class most days now....

Its not because I dont care how I look, its that I am just to darn tired to do anything. Sunday night I got a whopping 2 hours of sleep due to a test and project due on Monday...Then I was PRAYING for a snow day...but that did not happen. I had to roll out of bed, and get dressed and leave my warm apartment to go to school in freezing cold temperatures...I just have to remind myself during this time, that in a few weeks it will all be over, and I will be happy, relaxed, and having fun. 

I didn't mean to ramble, or be whiney....but I haven't been able to craft, work out, enjoy a glass of wine, or sleep since Thanksgiving. All of those things I truly love, and enjoy...Tomorrow is my last class day, and next week is my last set of finals ever! In the spring I will be student teaching, so I will not have finals...THANK THE LORD! So, I guess I will suffer through my last set of college finals, and I am sure I will survive! Going to dinner with friends on Friday, and I get to do one of the most awkward things on Saturday...That would be going to a wedding as the "nanny" and not even knowing the bride or groom...lovely...we will see how this one plays out! 

Happy Tuesday...well Wednesday now! 

Good Night...

Projects...Papers...and Finals oohh my!

Its that time of year guys...Im not talking about Christmas...but Im talking about my semester is starting to wind down...in the traditional busy fashion! After Monday, I will be a little more free to post more frequently...I have a few posts I have planned! I am going to show you my Christmas Decor...the gifts I gave/received in my craft exchange...ect... But for today here are a few Christmas decor pictures.

This was the wreath that I made! I am into burlap this year! 

I got 3 yards of burlap and made the wreath and the garland for my tree! I absolutely LOVE it! I need a little more to make a bow for the top of my tree! 

Do you have your trees up? Did you change your theme this year?

I am not MIA I promise!!

Hey Guys! Sorry, I am not MIA! I have just been busy celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with family! I promise after I finish this big project I will be back to regular Blogging! I lots of things to update you guys on! So keep an eye out for some big updates!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I will do a full update on my Thanksgiving, and some BIG news/updates :)

Have a great Monday! 

Day 18, 19,20, 21, and 22 whew...

Sorry guys I have been crazy busy trying to get Bryan and I's Christmas card pictures done, and ready to go out!! Are you all ready for Thanksgiving, done shopping? I have all of my stuff bought and ready to start making!  

Day 18:

Today I am thankful for Hobby Lobby. I have had a very stressful week, and Hobby Lobby has been my outlet over the last few weeks! Hobby Lobby, provides me hours of relaxation, as I wonder endlessly down isle after isle of crafting bliss. 

Day 19:

Today I am thankful for passing one of my two certification exams! 

See, look at that! You have to make a 80% or better to "pass" the test! I averaged my score out, and I made an 87! Woohoo! Now only one more and I can officially teach!! I will take a 3rd in the spring, but it wont determine if I can get a job or not! It is just a special education certificaion. 

Day 20:

Today I am thankful for my first grade class! This class has been awesome! Not only have they learned alot from me, but they also taught me alot. I am happy to say, that I will be with them again in the spring!  Not only are the kids amazing, but so are the parents! 

Day 21:

Today I am thankful for chili on a cold day! I made some killer chili today for dinner! It was my Aunt Nellie's recipe and boy was it delicious! 

Day 22:

Today I am thankful for my Aunt Nellie! 

She is always there for me! She is my 2nd mom, and there is not a day that goes by that I do not text or call her! I have spent my Christmas Breaks with her since I was oo in the 7th grade! That is a tradition that I still do now that I am a senior in college. We have a different kind of relationship than most neice/aunts have. But thats ok, and I would not trade anything in the world for her! 

Day 22:

Today I am thankful for Bryan!

He has seen me at my worst...and at my best, and he has loved me through it all. He has seen me devastated because of events, and he has seen me on cloud 9. During all of those times he has supported my decision. He is my best friend. I have no clue what I would do without him in my life! He makes me smile every single day! 

Day 16 & 17 of thankfulness

Day 16:Today I am thankful to this little guy. 

He brings so much joy and love to my life. He is always there, even when no one else is. I am so thankful that my mom broke down and let me get him even though I was heading off to college that next summer. Now he is 4 and a half, and I can not imagine my life without him! He is so sweet, and cares so much about me! So, today I am thankful for my Riley! Isn't that such a cute picture of him?

Day 17: Today I am thankful for where I have been placed for my student teaching in the Spring...well January! I have been placed with the lovely first graders I have been with every Friday all day for this whole semester! Tomorrow is my last day, well for this semester! I can not wait to go back next semester. Even the Fridays I have spent with them this year I love them. I consider them "my kids". Man what will I do when I have my own class next year? So today I am thankful for my student teaching placement! 

Today I would like to ask you all to pray for comfort for my second family down in Waco. Today last year they lost their (great)grandma, kinda unexpectedly. I pray that they are remembering the memories they have with her ;) I love you guys! See you in December! 

ONE WEEK UNTILL THANKSGIVING DAY!! :) YAY! What are you all making for thanksgiving?

Day 15 of Thankfulness!

Today I am thankful for the yummy and healthy food I have to eat. I know several kids that I have observed in their classroom, that they do not know where their next meal will come from when they are not at school. That saddens me so much. So today I am thankful that I have the resources for food. 

(this is the yummy salad that I eat at least once a day!) 

It is from my good friend/sister April. 

It has:

 spring mix

grape tomatoes (cut in half)

cucumber

craisins

feta cheese

pine nuts

then I do a spoon a dressing and a spoon of Olive Oil! 

I make it without dressing on Mondays, and just scoop some into a bowl every day then add dressing and cheese!

Day 12, 13, 14 of Thankfulness...

Man, I have really done a horrible job keeping up with my thankfulness this year! I will say each year that goes by, my life seems to get busier, and busier! I am going to catch up on the last few days that I have missed! 

Day 12:

Today I am thankful for a roommate who wanted to put our Christmas tree up, about a week and a half after Thanksgiving! We had a day off from class, so we hit up Hobby Lobby, took down the fall decor, and set the tree up. It sat like this with just lights for a few days, until we had time to put the ornaments on the tree! The tree looks soo nice now, and I will do a post about it and the other holiday decor on December 1st! 

Day 13:

Today, I am thankful that one of my favorite radio stations began to play Christmas music during their evening show. I was having a rough day, and then I switched to this station on my way home from work, and I couldn't help but sing along! 

Day 14:

Today, I am thankful for the offer that we have on the house. The house has been on the market for nearly 6 months. The housing market is not doing well, so I am thankful that we have an offer and that we are in contract. I was in Big Spring this weekend, and I went by the house, to make sure every thing I wanted was out of the house. It was bitter sweet. I am happy the house is in contract and will hopefully be sold, but at the same time, this is the house that I grew up in since I was 6. So many memories are in this home! 

Right now I am working on my craft for my gift exchange, so I can get it in the mail by the 30th of November! I am excited to receive my gift from my partner! 

I hope you are all getting ready for Thanksgiving! I can not believe that its only a week and a few days away! This year I will not be spending it with my family/mom. So it will be very different for me, but I am excited, and will miss her!

Day 11 of thankfulness

I am doing Day 11 now because, tomorrow I will be VERY busy!! Back to school with my lovely first graders who I love :) 

Today, I am thankful for all of those brave men and women who fight for our freedom! I am thankful that they do a selfless act of going out and protecting the USA. I am also thankful for their family and loved ones who also sacrifice alot for the USA. I have a cousin, and uncles who have served the USA. So, thank you Uncle Bill, Uncle Joe, Uncle Danny, and Lauryn. Thank you for your selfless act, and for protecting the USA. 

Day 10 of thankfulness

Ok, today Im switching gears and talking abou someone I'm thankful for. 

Today I am going to say why I am thankful for this person. 

This person and I have had a rough past, but through it all I am still thankful for this person. 

They have continued to teach me things over the many months that we have not talked. 

This person is my friend Morgan.

I am not going into the issues on this blog, as it is not the place, but I am thankful for having her in my life everyday.

 Even through the rough times that we are having, there is not a day that goes by that I do not think about her, pray for her, and miss her. 

I miss her like something terrible, but I know in time things will be alright.

She has been there for me through so much, and has helped me when I need it most. 

I have known her since I was in the second grade. 

Some of my greatest memories are with her, making me laugh, cry from laughing so hard, and just having a fabulous time.

I know that she will be there for me again like she has been in the past, as I will always be there for her no matter what. 

I love her with all of my heart. 

I am so thankful for her. 

Day 8 & 9 of Thankfulness

Day 8

Today, I am thankful for a day off form school! It was a much needed day off form going to school! Today my roommate and I went to Hobby Lobby...lunch at BJ's (my first time, and it was yummy), then some fall clothing shopping! Then I had to head to work. Some where in all of that we got the Christmas tree up...I know some of you are screaming NOO. But my roommate and I LOVE Christmas, and want to enjoy it! The tree is up and has white lights on it this year, but no ornaments YET! 

Day 9

Today I am thankful that my roommate's sister's dog is home safe. He got out early this morning and thankfully someone found him and took him to a vet. I am so thankful, because I know if it was my Riley, I would be worried sick! 

How are your days of thankfulness going? I hope you are keeping up! It is great to stop and think and be thankful! 

Thankfulness Day 3

I am seriously behind. But it's not completely my fault. Blogger didn't post my last few....lovely!

Day 3
I am thankful for a nice warm home to be living in. Tonight the temperatures are getting down into the lower 30's. I could not imagine what I would do without a warm place to sleep at night.

Day 4
Today I am thankful for my car that will be fully paid off next month. Yay for one less loan payment I will have to make aft I graduate.

Day 5
TodAy Im thankful for having a washer and dryer. I have never been more appreciative of a washer and dryer until I didn't have one for 2 months. But thankfully I had some people who so kindly let me use there's (thanks you, Bryan, Michelle's sister, and the Martindales). It's nice to be able to just throw a load in when I feel like it.

Day 6
Today I am thankful for the changing seasons. The trees are finally changing colors and they are beautiful. I was scared since we had very little rain that the trees wouldn't change colors. But they went to yellow and orange, not just brown.

Day 7
Today I am thankful for the rain that we so badly need that we received today. I knOw that we need several more inches of rain to catch up.

24 Days of Thankfulness: Day 1 and Day 2

Guess what guys! I am doing my 24 days of thankfulness again! You can check out last years and I am sure I will still be thankful for many of the same things! For those of you who are wondering what I am doing, I am doing a day of thankfulness until Thanksgiving. I encourage you all to do it again this year, or for the first time! Do it with you significant other, kids, family, or just on your own! I know I missed day 1 so I will do two today! 

Day 1:

Today I am thankful for my craft time! I sometimes think it is what keeps me going and sometimes sane during my crazy life in the College of Education! I am thankful for the piece and relaxation it gives me! Without it I think I would be a crazy mess :) 

Here is a little hint of what I am working on! Can you say "CHRISTMAS".

Day 2:

Today I am thankful for Starbucks Christmas cups. They made my morning today 10x better as I went to study before a test! Wait, I am thankful for Starbucks period! I can sit there read, study, or just people watch for hours! This is also something that I have found will relax me, and sitting at Starbucks or my other favorite coffee place has become part of my morning routine before class! What will I do when I have to student teach next semester? 

What are y'all thankful for? 

The Holiday Season is in the air!

This morning as I walked into my favorite bagel shop I noticed they have switched from their harvest blend to the winter blend and they were play Christmas Music! 

I got my winter bled coffee and whole wheat bagel thin! Then I went to sit and enjoy it and check my blogs and emails...and guess what!!! I opened my dashboard and...Linda over at Craftaholics Anonymous opened up signups for her Christmas hand made gift exchange! I signed up and so should you!

Sign up now for the Handmade Gift Exchange! hosted by @Craftaholics Anonymous

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!

Happy Halloween! 

This last weekend, I was invited to a Halloween party in Dallas. Before the party we headed to dinner at Wild Salsa in downtown! It was very authentic and flavorful! I brought my roommate Michelle, and her sister Chris. I have not dressed up since I was little, and I waited until the last minute so I was a leopard cat. Michelle was Frosty the Snowman (we made her costume in 5 minutes...gotta love education majors and creativity :)) Chris was a baseball player from some movie...I am sure that many of you can tell from her costume, but I have never seen the movie and everyone was appalled.  April and Jason were a Greek god and goddess hehe... 

Andrew and Navin threw an awesome Egyptian themed party. They must have spent a week decorating their loft! It was awesome, but all of their parties are awesome! They even had themed food, of eye ball cake balls, bloody chocolate fountain (red food coloring and white chocolate), and all kinds of yummy candy! They also had a bloody sangria, and a bloody vodka punch. 

I am so glad to have April in my life! She is a great friend, mentor, and sister!

Michelle, Chris, and I at the party! 

I hope you all have a fantastic Halloween and try not to eat to much candy :) 

Go Rangers!

So, on Saturday, Bryan and I headed to his cousin's house for a great Rangers watching party! 

Bryan's Cousin April, her husband Jason, and sweet and adorable son Alexander were great hosts! April made delicious potroast, tortellini, pizza, and I brought a salad!  

(The Claw!!)

We had lots of fun, with a few tense moments...

Thanks April and Jason for having us over, I cant wait to do it again another time :)

 The only thing that could have made it better was if we had won that game! But we came back the next 2 nights and won! We play again tomorrow and I know we will be World Series Champs! 

Go Rangers! 

Etsy Craft Show

First of, let me say I am feeling soo much better! That cold hit me hard and fast...Friday night I got the worst head ache ever. The rest of the weekend was down hill! 

So remember a few weeks ago I went to the Etsy Craft Fair? Well I got a few things and I thought I would share? 

I got 2 pair of awesome ear rings, and a new key chain thingy! I left the craft fair excited for my next one  in November! I also left only our 20 bucks! How awesome is that :) 

Hope your having a great week! 

Tomorrow I will blog Pics from our Ranger Watching Party from Saturday! 

Sick....

The kids in my first grade class have successfully given me their cold! Be back in a few days! I need to heal up!

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Fall Walkthrough 2011...

Here is the walkthrough of the house with our fall decor out! I hit up a few stores like Hobby Lobby and Target to buy the things! I spent less than $40 to deck this place out! I did not do Halloween decor because I dont have kids, and I felt that my money is better invested in "fall" decor since it can be up until the 2nd week of nov when we plan to whip the Christmas stuff out! My roommate and I love Christmas just about the same, and she has no problem with Christmas going up in Early to Mid November! Thank God! 

Welcome to our home! 

This is what you see when you walk in! (We have a couch, well we have for about a month now) There are 2 grape vine pumpkins on the coffee table! I got those at Target in the dollar section! 

This is how our kitchen looks! 

Here is a closer look! I had the bow on the plant to the left, I made the pumpkin that is next to it! The Harvest sign and pumpkins are from Hobby Lobby! There is a glass pumpkin on the fridge that is full of candy corn (I got that pumpkin at a steal last fall for about 2 dollars!)

Come have a seat at our table! 

I got the runner at Kohls last Christmas for 2 dollars, then spent about 10 bucks on the placemats! The Pumpkin in the middle is from Garden Ridge, then I made the candles that are on each side of it! I found that idea on my new favorite site pinterest. I found so many fantastic ideas! 

This is a up close picture of it! I had the jars from Nellie's spaghetti sauce, then I bough the candles and candy corn for about 5 bucks (to make both). I already had the raffia from my wreath, which I will do a tutorial how to make the wreath later this week! 

Here is a picture of our entry way! I bought those pumpkins on the shelf at Hobby Lobby for $8. The sign above our coat hooks says "Give Thanks". That was also from Hobby Lobby for $7! 

Finally, here is how I keep my home full of the smells of fall! Bath and Body Works had their candles 2/10. You bet I stocked up! :) 

I hope you enjoyed the walk through! We are finally getting some nice cool fall weather this week! I can not wait for the leaves to begin to fall! :) 

Have a great Fall Y'all! 

Tomorrow Tomorrow!

Ok, I will be posting my fall walkthrough of my apartment tomorrow! I am exhausted. Yesterday I went to the Zoo with my kids that I teach on Fridays....then I taught a lesson today...The lesson is not the part that killed me, it was the field trip to the zoo yesterday! Tonight I went to dinner with a friend, and ordered a glass of wine to unwind...and would you look at the glass that they gave me...

Classy huh? (It was fuller...) 

Tomorrow I am heading to a Etsy sale. It is some of the venders that are from Fort Worth who sell on Etsy. If you would like to check out some of the vendors click the button I have added! 

I will post pictures of my purchases and my fall walkthrough of my apartment tomorrow night! Now I am heading to bed! 

Fall Preview...

Well the apartment is all falled (I don't know if that is really a word) out! I will blog more pictures tomorrow, as I am writing a lesson plan right now! But here is a quick fall preview!

I made this wreath, after seeing many inspirations online! I love how it turned out...simple..but as my roommate put it, very Anthropology like! I will take that :) 

Come back tomorrow for the full fall walkthrough of the apartment! 

(By the way I am going to start putting my blog name on some pictures here and there, as I have seen people taking them, and not giving credit, or cropping parts out and still not giving credit...I hate to plaster my blog name all over the pictures, but I am tired of seeing this happen!) 

Clean Eating: Homemade Granola

A week ago, I had a major craving for some good old granola. So I did some research, found some recipes and made my own! I don't eat it alone, but I sprinkle it on my yogurt!

Doesn't it look yummy?

Here is the recipe.

3 cups oatmeal (not instant) 
1/2 cup almonds (thin sliced)
1/4 cup of unsweetened dried cranberries
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/4 cup agave or honey
2 tsp. cinnamon


I measured each out, and tossed it together in a big bowl. 
Spread evenly on a cookie sheet.
I put in a 300 degree oven for about 40 minutes, mixing every 10 minutes. 
Its great to top on yogurt, or for a kiddo's snack!