Inspired & Happenings

When I started my blog, a month ago, I honestly did not realize how BIG blogging was. I didn't know anything about it, at all. I'm still learning A LOT, but I've found one thing to be true: people are inspiring. Wow. How many ideas can I get in one day from just one blog?! ...multiply that by a million. There are so many motivated and creative bloggers. I want to do it all! A whole new world of ideas and thoughts. My head is spinning.


Cooking. "Eating burnt suppers the whole first year, And askin' for seconds to keep her from tearin' up. Yeah, man, that's The Good Stuff." Yep, that Kenny Chesney song pretty much described us :) The first year and a half we lived in our house Hub and I mostly ate TV dinners for lunch and dinner or, since Hub worked evenings, I would eat at my parents and bring him home a plate nightly. Then I moved on to learn how to cook basic meals- pasta with meatballs became our number one favorite. Easy, and I could change it up with different sauces. Fast forward to today, 2 years and 10 months since we moved in our home. I'm finally getting the hang of it! I'm so ready to learn- I thought before I'd NEVER learn how to cook and had absolutely no desire to (I think this was the actual problem). I'm now starting to enjoy picking out new recipes, planning meals, grocery shopping, and pretending to be a chef. I've mentioned this before- but my goal is to try out two new recipes each week. So far, I've been doing well! I'm heading into my fourth week, and all meals have been a success. I also like to try recipes that will throw in an ingredient I've never used before. Foodie Hub is loving it!


Photography. I love viewing the awesome awesome photos of professional and amateur photographers in the blog-world. I wish I could take photos like that. I wish I took a photography class, maybe one day I will?. This would be my niche if I had one. For now I'll just continue taking pictures of events, family, friends and editing them for my own enjoyment! But I do hope to learn more- skills- one day, and be able to take great photos. 

Creativity. Scrap-booking is about as creative as I have ever pushed myself.  I dabbled in that since the age of 14 when I received a kit as a gift. I stopped last year. It really was fun, a good hobby. I love looking back at my books. I don't know if I'll pick it up again or not...it gets expensive buying all the materials, and slightly time-consuming. And, well, I love Shutterfly :)
I've seen so many DIY projects that I'm interested in. Hopefully, I can get up the courage to tackle one a few soon. 


Decorating. How I would I love to re-decorate most rooms in my house! With the exterior of the house soon to be re-done (thanks hail storm!) I'm itching to start a makeover inside. Now all I need is a little extra cash and ideas that will work for the areas. I'll be on the look out ;)


Baby goods. I have so many new ideas for whenever I have a little one. From nursery decor to the tiniest of accessories, how will I be able to pass up sooo many cute things? 


Stories. I've read so many heartfelt stories about how family's have handled or are handling life's hardships. Most of these, unthinkable. But these amazing people stay strong and push through while sharing their journey with the world. It makes me realize that every single day is a blessing.  I now want and try to be a better human being, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend. I try not to get mad at the little things anymore. I judge less, you never know.  I love more. And, I appreciate everything and everyone I have in my life. 


I'm loving all this motivation & inspiration!


Happenings.

Good News: Our roof was delivered! Which means we will have a whole new roof SOON! Still waiting for the siding and shutters.


Not So Good News: Kali is at now to Applejack K9 Academy for two weeks :(  She's showing a bit of possessive aggression towards the other dogs. Nothing too serious, but it needs to be corrected. Applejack's is a wonderful family-run facility and I'm very optimistic about it.  They've trained our other dogs (for basic leash training). And, I volunteered there for awhile when I was younger. I know she'll do great, Kali is a smart smart girl. My family hates to do this to her but it is for the best. She's already loved so much that it feels like she's been always been apart of the family, and it's hard to leave her. I wish I could fast forward two weeks!


Great News: A two week fast forward would also be super because we're headed to NYC Labor Day Weekend!! I'm SO excited. As a first-timer I'm sure it will be a feast for the eyes! I want to see as much as I can in the short time frame we're there. I have a penciled itinerary of what we want to do, but I'm taking it lightly, because I know it won't go as planned!

That's all. For now. (Sorry so long!)

My Roxy Girl

The greatest online gift I could have ever picked out

Roxy.

Yes, online. She's actually a Texan girl.

She flew half way across the country to me.

I'll never fly another dog, I feel cruel because of that.

(What was I thinking?)

We had just moved into our first home.

It felt empty.

I really wasn't used to a silent house; nor a house without dogs.

A companion for when Hub worked nights- my first objective.

I came home from a college final...getting ready to head out for another.

I browsed the internet. Shelters, Pet-Finder, random web sites.

I didn't really know what I wanted.

THEN I saw this cute little picture.

And just couldn't resist. 

Yorkie mom, long-haired Chihuahua dad.

I called Hub (boyfriend at the time)

 He said no. ..typical man ;) 

He saw her picture.

By the time we went to bed he was asking,

"what should we name her?"

Roxy came to us just in time for Christmas, 2007

and has been spoiled ever since.

She was 13 weeks old and 3lbs big.

Is she adorable or what?!

laying on her daddy's lap

momma's sidekick

sweetest snuggler

spoiled rotton

little love.

That's my Roxy girl.

I adore my bebe.

Wishful Pictures Contest: Tongues!

the rules

One submission per person

Photograph must have been taken by you

Must link back to page via button

When submitting use permalink only

Photo must be related to this week's theme

Recipe: Chessy Stuffed Shells

Oh My Yum-ness this was good. 


What This Recipe Calls For:


1 container  (16oz) of low fat cottage cheese
1 pkg (10oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained
1 cup 2% milk shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked, drained (I used 14 manicotti shells and left them uncooked)
1 jar (26oz.) marina sauce
1 large tomato, chopped


How To Make It:

Heat oven to 400. Mix cottage cheese, spinach, 1/2 cup mozzarella, Parmesan and seasoning; spoon into shells (this took me quite a few minutes due having manicotti shells!).
Mix sauce and tomatoes; spoon half into 13x9 inch baking dish. Add filled shells; top with remaining sauce. Cover.

Bake 25 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining mozzarella; bake uncovered, 2 min. or until melted.

Pictures don't make it look that good, I know. 

But you will have to take my word that it IS and try it for yourself!