Reflecting and Appreciating the little things

Five years ago if you had asked me where I would be in five years, I would have told you that I was probably going to work for a small or medium size business firm while writing out my business plan. Possibly dating or in a serious relationship. Never would I have thought that I would be six months married and be so happy to love and care for another individual so unconditionally. Clearly I mean Ollie, just kidding, even though the pup is pretty freaking adorable. Why have I suddenly thought of this question?

With the new year coming to an end, I have been blessed to have spent a lot of time with my husband for the past few days ( with his current work schedule that is a true blessing). Spending this quality time with him and our friends has made me feel like we are truly newly weds and "dating" per say. It makes me realize even more than I usually do how much he cares about me and makes me feel special in so many little ways.

 When it comes to life for me, it's always the little things. Nothing has to be over the top or extravagant, just plain and simple. It's the little kisses, the light tickles, and even the face licks.(It's why Hubby says I am a cheap date). It's the small ways he also makes me feel special. Such as every now and then, he makes me choose what we are going to share when we eat and refuses to put in any input and he will eat it whether he doesn't like veggies on his pizza or not. Or when I am not looking in the grocery store he will get me a small bouquet of flowers because he knows how those make me smile. Even when he forces me to sit down and watch my Real Housewives of Whatever town is currently making me laugh while he does the dishes or laundry. ( Yes I have admitted my trashy television to you, but everyone needs a trashy show or mindless television, so you have no room to judge.)

It's these things I have reflected on that makes me so grateful and blessed for my husband, family, friends, and the new blessing God has given us on this journey. What are the things you are grateful for?

A family the Crafts Together, Stays Together!

I believe everyone should have some kind of hobby to keep them busy and not become a complete couch potato. Chris loves to brew beer and wood working, plus some other things. I love to bake/cook and sew here and there. So this past month we have been busy little bees getting our own projects done. I can't show mine yet because they are also Christmas gifts, but I can show you the decorating!

So I promised to show you the progress we have been making with our house with the holidays. I have always wanted to decorate our home for the holidays and I am so excited that I get to do it as our first Christmas as a married couple.

Our Wreath

 We found a plain wreath in our Christmas stuff, so I went to Hobby Lobby got a little ribbon, some shiny things, and Ta-Da!!! Our Wreath, pretty cute I do say so myself!

Center Piece 1

Center Piece 2

We got these Silver Basket and Tray for our wedding and I have had no clue how to use them until now! Filler here and there and BAM, super cute! Sticking close to our red and gold theme.

Mantle Piece

This is just simple but elegant, just like us!

Our tree

This is our tree before our tree skirt.

Now the big project is kind of both of ours but Chris is the one with major technical skills. We are building our dream dresser. I have had dreamed of drawers so deep you could never see the bottom and nice cherry finish. I have never felt like I have had a decent set of drawers, so Chris and I designed our own. And here are some pictures of the top.

Before Stain

After Stain.

 I will add more pictures later, but so far it's sooo beautiful! Chris has already told me that I get most of the drawers! Man, does the love of my life know how to spoil me or what! The drawers are deep and long! I have a sweater problem, so they need proper storage.

Well that's all for now! Is anyone getting excited about Christmas!? Live, Laugh, Love!

Left-Over Mac and Cheese

OK so I know, I have left you alone for two whole weeks! I do apologize but in my defense Hubby and I have been super busy with the holiday season traveling, and working on some top super secret stuff. Don't worry you will know all soon enough! I will prove to you in my next post how we have been so busy to. We have been one crafty little family, even little Ollie is helping out too!

So another reason why I have not posted at all this week, is I have been sick. Hubby was out of town for work and I was trying hard not to cough up a lung. But I am feeling 85.6784% better now. Hopefully by Sunday I will be 100%. Just so glad this didn't happen while traveling to visit family for Christmas.

So all week I have had no appetite what so ever! I come home, barely have energy to cook ramen. Since Hubby was gone, Ollie tried his hardest to take care of mom, but he doesn't have thumbs so it's kind of hard. So finally last night when I was feeling better, I wanted to make something comforting, delish, and using stuff in my house without having to go to the store! (Do you blame me? I already had my PJ's on.) So I decided to make Mac &Cheese with my left overs.

So I pillaged my fridge and pulled out left over green peas, a couple of mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and chicken. I really wanted bacon, but I was out and again the mission was for me not to go to the store. You can use any kind of cheese you have or desire, I have done a Gouda mac and cheese before. So I pulled out the Mexican mix cheese I had and some Velveeta.

Now let me tell you my brief opinion of Velveeta. You can ask any of my friends, I am not a huge fan of American cheese unless it is from Subway or in a grilled cheese. Those are two of my very few exceptions. I am also not a fan of Velveeta. Give me a good mozzarella or provolone, how about Cheddar, who does not like Cheddar? But in Hubby's opinion, it's what qualifies you to be an American and has to be in Mac &Cheese no matter what or it is not cheesy enough. So if I expect him to eat my home made mac & cheese, it has to have Velveeta in it. You have to pick your battles right?

So let's get started. I chopped up one whole chicken breast and started it to saute in some oil. While that started, I started my pasta to boil.

When the chicken was getting close to being cooked through, I added my chopped mushrooms, peas, and quartered cherry tomatoes to the saute pan. Cook till it is desired texture and chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Now when your pasta is cooked and drained, add your chicken saute to the same pot as the pasta. You do not want it to cool, it is very important. Thoroughly mix together.

Now as in most things I do, this is not scientific. I added one part Velveeta and one part Mexican cheese mix. (About 2 oz. for the amount I used, but you might need more if you make a bigger pot.) Now work those upper arms and stir constantly still all your cheese clumps are gone. I also add a little milk to help with the creaminess. If you feel like you need more cheese (who doesn't like cheese?) then add more of your favorite, clearly I did not add more Velveeta.

So keep on stirring, you think you are done, but that Velveeta is a tricky beast and tends to hide in the depths of the pot.

Your ending mixture should look some like this. If your mac is too stiff, then add a smidgen more milk till you get the desired cream texture.

Sprinkle a little pepper and salt, yumm

Multi bene! Your left over mac & cheese is done. What would you add to your left over Mac & Cheese? And remember Live, Laugh, and Love!

Ollie's Favorite Things!

Have you ever seen Oprah's show at the end of the year when she tells you her favorite things!! And then she gives everyone a new car, a paid trip to Australia, and a diamond necklace of your choosing.

 

 Well since it is Ollie's first Christmas with us I thought I would list some of Ollie's Favorite Things. This list is going to be way better though, because it's thing's Ollie loves and he backs behind them 100 PERCENT. I know this because he told me so. Get ready to say Awww,

10. Ollie loves his special spot on our couch. I have a pillow that I got from my Big Sister (sorry big) and we started using it in the car and that's they way we get him to stay in one spot. So it has become our travel pillow for him and his "spot" in the living room. Move his pillow without his permission, he gets grumpy. But I get to see this cute face like this before I leave in the morning, what a cutie pie.

9. He loves to cuddle. Where do you ask? If most prefers the "cave" of our legs. You know when you curl up and your legs form a crook, that's Ollie's spot and no one else's, so you better go find your own.

8. Powder Puff, Lacey, and Scooter. Ollie currently has three best friends. One I call Powder Puff and is barely 6 months old (you can see the reason for her name below), my Aunt's long haired dachshund, Lacey, and Scooter, his best guy pal in college station who is also a dachshund. He loves dogs his size or smaller, if you are a Spanish Mastiff or an elephant, you might as well kiss Ollie good bye. But if you are his best friend, he will play with you for hours on hours. 

7. Tug-o-War fights with Daddy. Ollie loves to play with Hubby whenever he can. He loves to play tug-o-war with the toys, tug-o-war on Hubby's fingers, and fend Hubby off of me when we have tickle fights. What can I say, wee little Ollie is a Momma's boy.

6. Cooking and Taste testing. Ollie has an amazing palate and is a huge foodie like his Mom and Dad. So he loves to "supervise" us when we are cooking. That's right he supervises. Even does quality control on the bacon or some of the veggies here and there. 

5. Wet Legs.  Now you may think this is weird, but Ollie just loves when we come out of the shower because he gets a chance at our legs. They are sopping wet and there for him to lick up for himself. Our legs to him is the equivalent to a snow cone on a hot Texas day. 

4. TREATS! The soft kind most especially along with chew sticks. We get him these soft Jerky Bites for snacks at HEB. They are locally made and they also are more bang for your buck. Look Ollie is saving you money too! But man is he a super happy pup if he gets his chew stick!

3. His Sweater. We ordered him his first sweater from Etsy.com that is argyle and he just loves that he looks so dapper. He is a scholar and a gentleman deep down and freaking adorable on the outside. 

2. Boogers. Again, this might be weird, but after we got Ollie we found that this was quite common among pups. But licking our noses and cleaning them out of boogers are his favorite part of the day. If Ollie likes you, he wants your boogers, so consider yourself so lucky if he does so.

1. SQUIRRELS!!! His favorite time of the day is when he gets to go outside in the courtyard and patrol for the squirrels. They are a menace to our community and Ollie is on watch for them. So don't worry is always in tip top shape and more than willing to chase and run around as his favorite activity. It's just a bonus that he can protect you!

 

Well I hope you have fully enjoyed reading about Ollie's favorite things. He just thought with the holiday season you should know all about it so you know what to do/get for your own adorable pup for Christmas. What is Ollie getting for Christmas? Well if you promise not to tell, he is getting a bandanna from his grandma and chocolate dog safe treats from his Mom and Dad. He is going to be so excited on Christmas! Until next week, Live, Laugh and Love!!!!

Risotto, an easier side dish than you think

Have you ever watched Hell's Kitchen? The one with Gordon Ramsay looking for a new head chef for one of his bazillion restaurants and he pretty much yells at you and throws things at the chefs. That one, it comes on Fox, but man don't I love it. My mom thinks I am weird for loving a show where the main person is yelling and screaming at the cooks and in her words "degrading", but my Dad and I LOVE IT and think it's so funny. I also mainly love it for the cooking and the challenges. (Master Chef is also a great show to!!) On a side note, if you have never worked in a restaurant you have no idea how tense it can get in the kitchen, yelling happens. Hence why you grow tough skin when you get burned, to protect you from all the yelling.

One of my Favorite shows.

 Well the reason why I bring up Hell's Kitchen is one of the sides I see the chef's make 95% of the time and seem to screw it up 93.4567% of the time (just trust my math, he-he) is Risotto. It is a very simple dish to make, hence why I couldn't comprehend why these guys can mess it up so much. Before we go into the nitty gritty let me give you a very brief history of Risotto. Risotto is a short grain rice that was introduced to Spain and Italy by the Arabs during the Middle Ages. Italy was most ideal to grow this rice because of the humidity and flat land and quickly became an Italian staple. Believe it or not, Italians also love to take their time with their food to make sure that the flavors are absorbed and cherished (hence why an Italian dinner party can last for hours, trust me I know from first hand experience).

Now let's get started on this lovely dish. This is another dish that you can make your own, add or subtract veggies or change the flavors. Play with it, add saffron or fresh basil. It's truly hard to screw up Risotto. It just takes a little longer than normal rice and some additional stirring, but by the end, you can impress your friends and they will believe you are a gourmet chef!

Here are the things you are going to need:

1. 1 to 1 1/2 cups of Aborio (risotto) rice. This will make a lot, it's just like rice, it will double or triple in size.
2. 1 quart of broth, Chicken, vegetable or beef. I usually use what is going to complement my main dish.
3. Optional: vegetables to saute, such as mushrooms, peas, or spinach. 
4. A little olive oil
5. Optional: wine

Yup that's it, really four items. Ok let's get started. Get a medium saute pan. With a little olive oil saute your veggies. I picked mushrooms. After they have been sauteed to satisfaction, add the Aborio. Yes dry, trust me. Let the Aborio saute a little until you can smell an almond or nutty scent.

Saute it dry first

While the mushrooms are sauteing, start on your broth. I usually recommend that it is warmed up. I used the powdered broth or the stuff from the carton. Heat up about a quart of broth.

 

Now that your broth is ready, pour a little into your risotto pan, about a quarter of the liquid. With a spoon stir the risotto and mix it all in together. You don't have to stir the risotto all the time but  keep an eye on it because you do not want it to stick. You want the risotto to absorb the flavors.

When you first add

When you mix it all together

Then when the liquid is fully absorbed and there is no liquid in the pan, add more and repeat. You are going to do this till you are out of broth (3-4 times) and till the risotto is nice a creamy. If you stir often enough and use enough liquid, you should be able to avoid lumps. When you get lumps Gorden Ramsay comes to your house and throws the pan against something a disgrace. And you don't want to be a disgrace by Gordon Ramsay.

Last set of sauce

End product

If you are not a creamy stage and you need just that extra ounce of liquid, this is where vino comes in. Not sure what wine to use, chicken broth and veggie = white (chardonnay goes well) and beef =red. Stir it in and Viola, Bam,  or Poof the Magical Dragon if you prefer, your Risotto is done. It goes great as a side or as a main dish. I grate a little fresh Romano or Parm over it, that is some excellent cooking there.

So now get your application for Master Chef (Gordon is nicer there) or the Hell's Kitchen because you know how to cook Risotto. Now go home, sit down with a glass of wine and pat your self on the back because you made it better than the others show screw up 93.4567% of the time. Live, Laugh, and Love!!!

SMASHED Potatoes

So I have been talking about them long enough, here is a super awesome easy side if you need something easy and cheap. I call 'em SMASHED potatoes. When I told Hubby, he got so excited (I promise you he acts 6 or 12 half the time, depends on the day) because he got to smash something. This is a fun dish to do with little ones (or those who act like little ones at heart) or even after your have had a stressful day. What you do in your own home is your own business, I don't need to see and I won't judge, lol.

Alright here is what you are going to need:
Red Potatoes, about 1-2 per person. Maybe 3 if you are really hungry.
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Any bake potato fixings you like.
Set your oven to 350

So start off boiling your potatoes. You do not want them over done to where you can mash them, but you want them done enough to where you can slide a knife or fork in and out of it easily.

As always, drizzle your pan with a little olive oil

Easiness of moving the fork in and out of the potatoe

So once your potatoes tender, then place them on your oiled up pan. You don't want them cramped and right next to each other. It's ok to give them a little breathin' room, trust me they will appreciate it in the long run.

I Crush, I mean SMASH, you!

 Now here is the fun part! Take your potato masher and SMASH them once in each direction. You want them to crack open for you and succumb to your power of the SMASH. (Can you tell we had fun making this side?)

 Next drizzle a little olive oil over your newly smashed potatoes.

 Now add some salt, pepper, maybe some chopped green onion. Don't add cheese if you want to do that yet. After you have seasoned to your hearts desire, go ahead and place your Smashed beauties into the oven at 350 for about 10-12 minutes. You just want them to firm/crisp up a little, so don't go crazy.

So after they are done you can add your other fixings to them. Hubby hates sour cream so we usually don't buy it (I know he is weird). If you want to add some cheese and you want it a little melted. Take out your potatoes about 3 minutes early and put it on them and put back for the remaining time. Well as always Live, Laugh, Love!!!

A Birthday in my Office

So this is how loved I feel in my office. It was birthday yesterday and I knew what was going to happen, my desk is going to get "redecorated" by my co-workers. We are simple women and are easily entertained. I am fortunate to be the last of the birthdays for the year, so I knew what was coming, but I thought hmmm, I am right in the front where I great our candidates and clients, it is not going to be that over the top so should be somewhat safe. I thought wrong...

The first look

This is what you first see when you walk in and it looks like where Tinsel Town made their new home.

My back filing desk, not to bad, festive.

Tinsel is EVERYWHERE!

Then my main desk. When I laughed and saw this, I was just so thankful that payroll was the day before. Their is tinsel EVERYWHERE. I can't lift up a paper or pen without out dragging some with it. And my co-worker, Ashley, thinks I need more.

Poor little Henry

I do love it, even if this comes off sarcastic, even though there is a mess, I feel so loved. It was the perfect ending to a four day long celebration of my birthday. So thanks to all my family, friends, and wonderful husband. I am so blessed to have you all in my life and do not know what I would do without you all. Live, Laugh, and Love!

It's my birthday and I jumped out of an AIRPLANE!!!

So as you can see my wonderful husband decided to take me skydiving for my 24th birthday. I sometimes don't know what I do to deserve such an amazing, wonderful, and thoughtful husband. he truly spoils me rotten. So to make up for the lack of me posting for the week (Sorry it has been crazy) I thought I would share our videos of our jump together. So thank you Spaceland Skydive for doing this for us!

All I can say about this was it was truly breath taking. The first five seconds we were free falling I was freaking out a little bit and thinking in my head "Why the Heck did I decide to jump out of a plane. I have truly lost my mind if I thought this was fun." Then after three seconds of hyperventilating I then remembered to smile for the camera. I have no words for what a remarkable and amazing experience it was. I loved it!! So above is mine and below is good ol' Hubby's jump. He says my video was better, but I think his facial expressions are WAAAAYYY better.

So thank you to all my family and friends who made my 24th birthday a wonderful and memorable birthday. All the way from jumping out of a plane with my amazing husband to every single piece of pink tinsel that has swallowed my desk (thanks for that one Ashley, now my paperwork has somewhere else to hide, I do love it).

So enjoy and look for a post soon on some potatoes! I need finish enjoying my birthday cupcakes my office has purchased for me. Don't judge, there are no calories on your birthday, my mother has told me so! Live, Laugh, Love all!

Yummy Spaghetti Carbonara

Ok before you run for the hills because you think Spaghetti Carbonara is to difficult and you should only eat it when you go eat out. Trust me it's not. It's a very very very simple pasta dish. A true Carbonara is just pasta, bacon, eggs, and cheese. There are some variations here and there, you will see a slight variation or two in mine also. It's quick, simple, and Del-i-cious!

Before we get started, just to let you know a few things. As always I tell you to make this recipe your own. I had to improvise what I normally use. In the ingredient list I will tell you I use peas, but last night, where I thought we had peas, alas we apparently ate them all. So we substituted spinach with it. Last time I made this dish I had pork chops on the side, but Hubby requested chicken in the dish. Just another great example of making this dish your own!

Ok your grocery list:

• Spaghetti
• 2 Eggs
• Parmesan
• Bacon (sliced or cubed)
• Peas
• Olive Oil

See simple so far right? Ok start with cooking your spaghetti. Now while you have your water boiling and the pasta is cooking, start on the bacon.

Boiling the spaghetti

Before we go on, just to let you know I LOVE bacon. Can't get enough of it. And before you ask, yes I have tried chocolate covered bacon. It was ok, the place we got it from served us more a sliver of bacon drowned in chocolate. Maybe again, but I am not going to rush to be the first in line. But Bacon for breakfast, ahh it's heaven. lol.

So get your bacon, I used about 6-8 half strips. Took the stack and make sliced is and started cooking it in a large sauce pan. Yes a large sauce pan, use the biggest one you have. Your dish will start and end here, so get a biggin'.

Yummy, yummy, yummy bacon

For us after the bacon was close, then we added the chopped chicken. ( We made a whole chicken over the weekend, so e just used cooked chicken meat. If you are using raw, then add it in with the bacon in the beginning)

Bacon with the chicken

Then after the bacon is cooked, we added our spinach. For you add the peas. Just use your imagination and pretend that my chopped spinach is peas. As that sautes, put it on low heat and check on your pasta. If your pasta is done, drain it, and reserve about half a cup of pasta water. Then add the pasta to the pan. Let it soak up all that bacon flavor, yummmmm.

*Jedi Wave* This dish has peas in it

As that is mixed up, in a separate bowl, add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of Parmesan and mix thoroughly with 2 eggs. Make sure that there are no lumps. Once it is mixed up, add it to the pasta in the pan.

Get rid of all the clumps

Adding the two eggs

This should be your final result

Mix it all together! *Note: I accidentally made to much pasta* Now remember, keep it on low and you don't want to cook for too long. Just a few minutes, because you don't want the cheese and egg to become Ala scramble cheese eggs amongst the pasta. If you think it is stiff, then add a little pasta water, little by little, to loosen it up.

YUMMMYYYYY!

Voila! Multi Bene! You have yourself a simple quick pasta dish, all under thirty minutes! Now sprinkle some more parm, get a glass of vino, and let the special person/family/friend tell you how much of an amazing cook you are. Live, Laugh, and Love! Enjoy!