Monday, July 29, 2013

In Review...

Well - as I write this it is Monday evening. The "worst" day of the week has come and is almost gone; I can see the sun sinking through the trees outside my back window and I'm seriously contemplating a bubble bath once I finish this post. And then sleep...so much sleep. I haven't slept well the past two nights in a row, I'm hoping tonight is different.

The past week was good - it went by much too quickly, as seems to be the case when it comes to most anything good. There are quite a few pictures this week and maybe more little stories than usual; this will all depend on how fiercely this headache I seem to be getting wants to fight me as I type. If it stays a dull throb in the center of my forehead, maybe I'll write a lot. If it ratchets up to something more substantial then it will be a quick play by play. So...the past week in review. Off we go!

Monday morning stretching....

Just randomly took a selfie on Monday on my lunch break...not sure why...but I thought it turned out pretty good.

The royal baby was born on Monday, July 22nd! As much as I was hoping it might be a princess, it was instead a little prince. A little prince named George Alexander Louis! What a mouthful for someone so small. Granted, his life is already destined for majestic things although he won't have any clue just what a fuss his birth elicited for quite some time yet. It seems from all I've seen and read about the Duke and Duchess (really, aren't they a Prince and Princess? I mean...whatever...Lindsey could probably set me straight on all things royal) that little Georgie is in good hands and will probably grow up quite well. I think Kate is very much like the late, great Princess Diana - and the United Kingdom and the British Monarchy are all the better for it in my humble opinion. So - congratulations to Baby Cambridge! And maybe read this article in your spare time...ha-ha!

Watching the Royal Baby Edition of the ABC News at the gym....

Easily my favorite tweet about the new little prince - completely cracked me up.

So - after 9 weeks of walking here at the house and spending the last two-three weeks feeling like I was fighting the treadmill, I finally had to admit defeat when the thing wouldn't let me get but a couple steps without locking up completely. Boo! I admitted defeat in the form of joining a gym. I am not the biggest fan of gyms for many reasons: I can't sing loudly and off key to my music because Lordy, people would stare. They also have gigantic mirrors that you can see yourself in and I really don't like my reflection some days. I suppose that is the main reason I'm in the gym in the first place, but still. Happily, within just 24 hours of joining I discovered that a dear friend goes to the Zumba class (second discovery!) every Tuesday and Thursday night. Time passes really quickly walking on the treadmill when you are yapping with someone and Zumba is actually really fun! So now I'm a week in and I think I'm actually going to enjoy it. Who knew?

Exactly - I thought I was fat in 12th grade & I might have worn a size 8. Can I please be that "fat" again...

Joined the gym - and even though it doesn't look like it; I hate the mirrors.

Wednesday night supper - so delicious. Recipe in one of my precious posts.

Let me just say - for someone who is "scared" of flying, I've really become quite the jet-setter in the past year. I'm bound for Colorado Springs in just thirty days and I realized as I was traveling to Virginia at the beginning of this month that by the end of August I will have flown seven times in the past twelve months! Which is more than both my parents or my younger sister have flown this year. Not bad for a chick who just a few years ago wasn't sure how I'd ever manage to get anywhere on an airplane; let alone on an airplane on my own. It's all kind of old hat at this point...but man, I'm already praying that this time around I don't have any of the issues that came with my most recent flights. Maybe the fact that I'm flying American instead of Delta this time will help? Here's hoping...

Another trip...I'm becoming so jet set!

Thursday morning blues...mostly because it was raining.

I'm kind of obsessed with my navy blue pedicure (still) and I thought it looked great with my peach dress.

Sunset on the way home from the gym on Thursday...

Friday night frog friend!

Oh my - on Friday night I was just sitting at home, minding my own business and watching a little TV when my phone rang. It was my friend Hope, inviting me to come visit her and her precious grandson Micah. When a baby is involved, you don't have to ask me twice - especially when the baby in question is as wonderful as dear little Micah! Micah had been to the doctor on Friday but he's an awfully tough little guy because in spite of three shots, he was in the sweetest mood and we had some pretty good conversations, if I do say so myself. We talked about pulling his cat's tail when he's a little older and about his silly uncles. The time I spent with Micah and Hope on Friday night was easily the best part of my Friday!

Hanging out with Micah on Friday night - he's the best.

My Micah collage - so many cute pictures; had to compile them!

It was dreary on Saturday morning and this one had no interest in doing anything more than taking naps all over the house...

A very cool moth on the house - and he's "wearing" USM colors. Nice!

See - just napping in another spot.

Watson literally napped all day Saturday. I kid you not - he basically moved from spot to spot throughout the house and slept. Every once in a while he would get up to nibble a bite of food or run a few circles around the yard but then he would always find somewhere else to nap and be out like a light in no time. He slept in his bed, on the guest bed, on the couch (more than once) on the front porch, in the grass, in the chair, on my bed and even on his rug in the kitchen. Geez...I don't know how he sleeps so much sometimes, but he is certainly dedicated to it.

I cleaned all day Saturday - therefore I had to take a picture of my extremely clean glass front door. Ha-ha!

Oh - you just vacuumed this rug? Well let me rub fur all over it then...

Finishing our Game of Thrones marathon on Saturday evening - at least, kind of finishing it. I stopped after Episode 8; I can't watch the Red Wedding again.

Nap no. 4,593.384 of Saturday....he loses interest in Game of Thrones when there are no dragons...

This face is just too precious. Love this little furball to death!

I re-arranged the living room on Tuesday night (I had lots of Zumba energy) and finally took pictures of it on Saturday night...

I had no clue what I was going to eat on Sunday when I got home from church but as I was walking through my kitchen headed for the bedroom on Saturday night, I was struck with the thought that I had chicken tenders and barbecue sauce; both of which would go into a crock pot and cook up quite nicely. I threw it all in there, turned in to low and after a not so good night's sleep and a jaunt to church, I had quite the delicious Sunday dinner. Which made for really good Monday lunch leftovers. Delicious!

Delicious Sunday lunch - if I do say so myself...

Someone stole my seat when I went to get more tea....

True Blood continues to amaze me this season - it's like the writers realized how absolutely insane last season got and so they are slowly trimming away at the characters that caused the crazy. The show is focusing in on the core cast, weeding out the weirdos and really streamlining the writing. This season has been excellent; maybe one of the best seasons since the show started (which is saying something because I loved season 4 - it was very Eric-centric) and I'm glad to know it's been renewed for a seventh season. This time last season I was seriously concerned as to where they were going to take it in season six - season six is proving to be pretty great and my confidence in the show has been renewed. Plus - while they are; for the most part, paring down the weird characters they did add a (weird) character that I love. Can we say hello to...is it Warlow? Ben? Benlow? I don't know...he has too many names. He looks good though. Ha-ha!

I leave you with a picture of me watching True Blood last night in my truly fierce penguin pajama pants. Nothing says supernatural thriller quite like fuzzy penguin pants - but hey, it is what it is. My headache has stayed at bay and it is now time for a lovely bubble bath. Hope you've had a good Monday and I hope your Tuesday is good - I certainly hope my Tuesday is better than my Monday!

Wearing my fierce penguin pajamas to watch True Blood on Sunday night - nothing screams hardcore like penguin pajamas, am I right?



Friday, July 26, 2013

Passing the Time....

It should be noted that I'm suffering from an acute case of boredom. So - if you too are suffering from an acute case of boredom, you might be interested in reading this post. If you aren't then it will probably hold little interest. Either way - here it is - a little something to pass the time.

1.      What was your favorite food when you were a child?
-Macaroni & Cheese, hands down. I still love that stuff!
2.      What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
-I have no clue. I'm sure if I had my iTunes handy, I could tell you but my iPhone playlist doesn't have that feature where you can see what is most played. I'd warrant it is something by Hunter Hayes or from one of the three Game of Thrones soundtracks that I have.
3.      What is one of your favorite quotes?
-"Be who you are and say what you mean. Because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss
4.      What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
-Indoor activity...hmm..can sleeping count as an activity? If not, then I like reading a good book or going to the movies. Outdoor activity...I like looking at flowers; I enjoy going to botanical gardens and such.
5.      What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
-Cleaning the bathroom. Ugh. HATE. IT.
6.      What is your favorite form of exercise?
-Until recently I would have said walking (although truly I don't like exercise at all) but I started taking a Zumba class this week and I am really into it. Even though at times I feel completely crazy.
7.      What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year?
-Time of the day - 5 o'clock on the week days and really just the mornings on the weekend; because when I wake up I have the luxury of just being lazy. Day of the week - Saturday, of course. Especially since I've become a member of the work force. Month of the year - December, hands down. I absolutely love anything and everything to do with Christmas.
8.      What’s your least favorite mode of transportation?
-Hmmm...flying? I don't know. I used to hate to fly but now it's not so bad. I've never traveled by train, so I can't really put that up as comparison. I don't like traveling that involves heights..so yeah, I guess flying. It's a love/hate relationship.
9.      What is your favorite body part?
-On myself, I like my eyes. On other people...well it all depends.
10.  What sound do you love?
-The voices of my family and friends. Also music of most any genre.
11.      If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?
-Any kind of party? I don't know; I'm not a huge party planner. I think I'll enjoy throwing birthday parties for my babies one day...so I'll say that. I'll enjoy throwing parties for my babies!
12.      If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint?
-I would paint mountains. The mountains of Tennessee, the mountains of Virginia, the mountains of Colorado. I love the mountains.
13.      If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
-I don't know, so far I've only made it to 28 and 3/4...so I don't think I've lived enough to choose one age and stay there forever. Check back in about ten years and maybe then I'll have something for you.
14.      If you knew the world was ending in 2012, what would you do differently?
-The world didn't end in 2012, so I guess I'm safe from answering this question, huh? ;)
15.      If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
-Ooooh, anyone? I don't know! I feel like the answer to this should be someone very wise or very smart but I'm drawing a blank. Apparently boredom does not help me ilicit good answers. I'll just leave this for another day, when my mind feels sharper.
16.      If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
-I think it would be pretty cool to be in the field where the shepherds were and get to hear the heavenly chorus that announced the arrival of Jesus.
17.      If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
-I think it would be really cool to learn gymnastics at an Olympic level. It would be amazing to swing and flip around those bars and fly through the air the way they do.
18.      If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be?
-Writing a children's book; either about my dog or about the little donkey that lives in a field near my house.
19.      If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?
-What is the point of being immortal for a day? I guess I'd try some extreme sports since there would be no way I could be killed. Heliskiing anyone??
20.  If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
-Something that was both different and old fashioned; something inspired by books I read. Maybe to a name from Game of Thrones? Cersei? Sansa? Arya? Oh - maybe Catelyn. It's different, old fashioned and from Game of Thrones. Catelyn for the win!
21.  If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
-This question..always this question. I should have a really deep answer like Abraham Lincoln or Einstein but the only thing I can really think of is the cast of Game of Thrones or Tom Hiddleston...or Alexander Skarsgard... I really need to go to Comin Con.
22.  If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
-Travel, travel...see all the world.
23.  If you were reincarnated as an animal/drink/ice cream flavor, what would it be?
-Animal, I think I'd like to be a large cat; a panther maybe. Drink, I think I'd just be water. It's a pretty abundant resource, so you could be most anywhere. Ice Cream Flavor, probably my new favorite from Blue Bell - Krazy Kookie Dough. Which kind of drives me nuts because hello - spelling!
24.  If you could know the answer to any question, besides “What is the meaning of life?”, what would it be?
-When will I find my Prince Charming?
25.  If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
-Too many choices, too many choices! It would be awesome to be Hermione from Harry Potter, it would be awesome to be any number of female characters from Game of Thrones. I even think it would be cool to be Sookie Stackhouse from the Southern Vampire Series. Any of the above. All of the above and more.


Thursday, July 25, 2013

Fun with Farfalle

So - I started going to the gym this week. The schedule for me now that I've started going to the gym is heading straight to the gym from work on Monday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday I head home for about an hour before going to walk/do Zumba at the gym. Wednesday is going to be my "off" day; at least for now. That all being said - I decided that I'd cook something that didn't require just one step last night, because hey...real food is pretty delicious.

I get a daily email from Kraft that has a recipe and some of them immediately go into the delete file on my email - I'm sorry guys, but I'm not making salmon fishsticks. Just not my thing. What is my thing though is this dish - Chicken Florentine Casserole. I was all over this one as soon as I saw it, so I added the ingredients to my grocery list and decided last night was the perfect time to whip this us. And I'm really glad I did because it was delicious! Check out the pictures and the recipe will be at the bottom! Also, the irony of posting a pasta dish and talking about joining the gym all in the same post - yeah, I get that. I also get that I like to eat good food, so I'm going to keep on exercising and I'm going to keep on cooking good food!


Cooking my chicken with some garlic...made the kitchen smell good!

There is spinach in this - do I get just a couple healthy points for that? Probably not...

Noodles...noodles...noodles...

Oh yeah - there is also bacon. Maybe that cancels out the spinach? Oh well...

Got to get my leafy greens in there!

Bacon makes everything better. Always.

Ready to go in the oven...only 25 minutes till yum time!

My oven looks a little dirty there on the bottom. Oh well...

Turning my little owl's head around backward...25 minutes till he can see again...

I had to take the foil off after the first 10 minutes - a couple noodles stuck to it. And I ate them. Because they were delicious.

Finished product out of the oven - smelled so good!

Please excuse me while I nom...nom...nom...on this deliciousness.

Chicken Florentine Casserole

-1 can chicken, drained
-garlic
-2 cups cooked farfalle
-3/4 cup milk
-1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
-3/4 cup spinach leaves
-4 slices of bacon, cooked and shredded
-1 container Philadelphia Cooking Creme; Italian Herb flavor

-Cook chicken and garlic together in a skillet; set aside.
-Cook pasta and drain water
-Mix together pasta, chicken, milk, mozzarella cheese, spinach, bacon and cooking creme - combine well
-Put pasta mixture in a lightly greased baking dish and cover with tinfoil
-Cook at 375 for 25 minutes; take the tinfoil off after the first 10 minutes.
-Let cool and dig in!

I should note - although I don't have a picture of it, Watson sat in the kitchen floor while I cooked chicken and mixed up the pasta. He also sat right in front of me, still as a statue and focused on my food while I ate. He may or may not have been given a bite of chicken covered in sauce. Ha-ha! Hope y'all have a good Thursday!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Titles...They're Hard...

I just have real trouble thinking up titles sometimes. What is up with that? I don't know - maybe because I write these posts on Monday mornings (typically) and my brain on Monday morning is akin to that of a zombie - I have only one thought. No, it's not brains. It's coffee! Granted, that is kind of the same line of thought for me almost every morning but on Monday it's much stronger. I'm not sure what it is about Mondays but they pretty much are the worst for everyone, right? I'm sure that it isn't just me...right?

Moving on - the past week, in pictures and possibly short stories. Although as I look at the pictures, it might just be mostly pictures. Ha-ha. Enjoy!
Maybe one of my new favorite pictures - noticed these little guys when I headed out for lunch on Monday and managed to get a pretty good picture!

Thank goodness I have a dog - at least the pickle chicken didn't totally go to waste.

Drinking from my Nationals cup...

He was asleep. Sound asleep. And then I got out a popsicle. Amazing.

Reading...on the tablet. I didn't think I'd enjoy reading books on the tablet but I actually really do. Crazy. I do miss the smell that books have though. Ha-ha.

The Start Journal - I need to be better about writing in mine.

The boss lady brought lunch on Wednesday - it was some good Boston Butt. I may or may not have eaten two sandwiches. I'll never tell...

So - this is delicious. Not sure where it's been all this time, but it tastes amazing.

Wednesday afternoon - package from my lovely parents. I'm a blessed girl. Also - owl kitchen timer? Awesome!

Great minds - they think alike.

At this point - I have to interject and tell y'all about a show I discovered on Wednesday night. I can assure you I never thought I'd watch the show but when I stumbled upon it in boredom on Wednesday night I became fascinated. I even recorded two episodes of it last night so I can watch it later in the week when I have nothing to do. The show is called Naked and Afraid and y'all - it is no joke. They drop two people in the wild - I mean, the wild as in like...the wilds of the African Serengetti or the jungles of Costa Rica - totally naked and with only one survival tool apiece. For 21 days. And that is it. There is no prize for surviving the 21 days except that knowledge that you did it. No million dollar prize or a new car. It gets really intense, really quickly. There are hyenas, poisonous snakes, rivers at flood stage, bugs...and the two people are completely naked. I think that is what makes the show work. Just when things get all too intense and the guy on the team has lost 30 pounds in 19 days and now he has an infected foot and may not make it to the rescue point on time...boom - a naked butt. And it's funny. Because no matter how old we get, there is just something funny about a naked butt. Anyway - if you're bored, try to check it out. It's funny. It comes on the Discovery channel and it's a hoot.


There was a thunderstorm on Thursday morning - someone doesn't handle storms well.

A turtle in the yard after the rain...

Raindrops on...not roses. Just a plant outside the office.

Oh - I have recently discovered pimento and cheese and let me tell you - I have been missing out. I'm not sure what kept me from trying something that is mainly cheese but I have spent 28 years not eating pimento and cheese and that phase is over. The stuff is delicious on crackers, toasted bread, in a grilled cheese. If you have some crazy good recipe with the stuff that you want to share - please do. Because I am loving the stuff.
Nom...Nom...Nom...so delicious.

I spent my Thursday lunch break getting a pedicure. It was lovely. Navy just seemed like a good color choice...

I had some good old fashioned comfort food for supper Thursday night - mac & cheese. Watson was willing to do whatever it took to insure he got a taste...

To the victor go the spoils...

I've found my new favorite coffee. Delicous!

Pedicured toes in the sunshine on Friday...

Lunch on Friday, courtesy of my Momma. Thanks for the gift card Mom! And Dad too...I'm sure.

I should have never downloaded this game...it takes up too much of my time. And I still have no clue what the fish even do...

Watson with his treat from Pet Meds - this is the only thing he likes about getting a box from Pet Meds.

Saturday morning slump - someone wanted to just stay in the bed.

I was far mor active on Saturday than I intended to be when I woke up. I knew that my grass desperately needed to be cut but that wasn't first on my agenda. I told Watson I would take him on an adventure - which to him means he gets to ride in the car somewhere. We went to the lake and walked below the dam, up the stairs and across the dam back to the car. Ya'll - it is hot outside. Even at 10:15 in the morning, it is already pretty toasty.

I had planned to use a riding mower to cut my grass and it was only going to take about fifteen minutes but once I found out that the riding mower had a dead battery, I grabbed the push mower and just got on with it. My grass was up to my knees and whether I wanted to or not, it had to be cut - so I buckled down and did it. I was pretty proud of myself when I was done but I was also worn slap out! It took longer than I'd planned on it taking (almost an hour) and dragging/pushing a mower is much harder than riding around on one. I've never been so happy to see a bath because I was covered with dust, dirt and stray blades of grass. Gross.

I am just not cut out for all this yard work. I like the great outdoors just fine but I'd rather let someone else keep them at bay for me. I got a nice little sunburn on my shoulders and two days later, the palms of my hands still feel bruised from having to hold down that stupid bar on the handle of the mower. I'm not complaining though - there is a certain sort of pride in looking out my front window and knowing that I mowed the yard and it looks pretty darn good. Now - if it can just not rain for a few weeks so that I don't have to cut the grass again too soon, that would be just fine. Ha-ha. Yeah right.


Taking a walk...

Watson tries to beat the heat by hiding out under my Grandma's porch...little goose.


Look at that fine grass cutting job! And yes, I know - you don't cut grass in flip flops. My Dad told me all about it!

Taking a Saturday afternoon nap - and he didn't even have to cut grass!! What a bum.

They were supposed to go to the church...but I got distracted and forgot them. Oh well, people in my office will eat them.

Changes...one of the only things that is constant in life.

Well - I guess that's about all for now. Hope you had a good weekend and hopefully your week ahead will be good. I also hope my week ahead will be good!