New Favorite Thing...

Change.  This year is all about change for me.  And since I've done pretty much the same thing for the past 15 years.  Everything is going to be my new favorite thing!!   This "change" is in regards to my make-up.  I have worn pretty much two colors of eye shadows, one for my browns and one for my pinks--same colors for as long as I've been wearing make-up I think.  Well, I decided to branch out and I'm so glad I did!  I love this new Revlon ColorStay eye shadow stick that just came out.  I have never used anything but powder eye shadow, but this is so easy and looks great on!!  Now this is a stick so you don't have to use the little applicator that comes in eye shadow packs, but I have also changed over to using brushes.  Another huge difference.  It's like I'm learning to do make-up all over again.  

I'm still staying in my general colors---taking baby steps..  LOL!!  But, change is good.....

Chicken Pot Pie---CROCKPOT!!!

I have stated this numerous times in the past, but I'm in love with my crockpot.  If it was up to me, that would be the only cooking appliance in my kitchen!  I found this recipe from Crock Pot Girl via Pinterest and I also follow her Crock Pot Girl blog.  It looks so simple and if it involves chicken, I know Mac will eat it.  

I'll let you know how it turns out!!

Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

It is going to blow you away at how simple this is!!

• Fill the bottom of the crockpot with boneless chicken
• Pour a can of cream of chicken, cream of celery and cream of broccoli soup over chicken.
• Cover and cook on low for 6 hours
• Add a can of corn, carrots (I think I would use fresh carrots), green beans and peas
• Cover and cook for an additional 45 minutes
• Make biscuits in the oven and scoop pot pie onto biscuits.

EASY BREEZY!!!

Thanks Crock Pot Girl!!!

It's time----VACATION!!!!

Yes, friends...  I'm on vacation!!!

Happy Sunday....

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday.....

Best Experience...

As most of my friends know, I recently took my house off the market---since it's a crappy market and went with  refinancing  it instead.  Mac and I are going to live in it until he graduates high school.   So three more years in Helena.  Yea!!!
I just wanted to give a huge thanks to my Realtor Fran Robertson for all her hard work over the past six months.  She helped keep a constant flow of traffic coming into my home.  She is also such a sweet dear friend who truly has your best interest at heart.
In doing my refinance, I used Cathy Gapen with Hometown Mortgage.  This was another wonderful experience.  I live by emails and text, and over 90% of all our interactions were done this way.  It really progressed this process as we were never playing phone tag!!  My entire refinance process took less than or right at two weeks.  I signed all the paperwork yesterday.  And I do mean alot...

If you are in need of either of their services, I recommend them whole heartily.  Contact me if you have any questions or just click on the links I have provided to go their respective sites.  I'm also going to give you a picture of Cathy's contact information.  We all know rates are at an all time low, so what will it hurt to give her a call and see what she can do for you..

Best of luck friends and have a wonderful weekend!!!

 

Another Case and Favorite Thing....

First, let me say it's not my fault.  Kerra, one of my friends from work introduced me to this iPhone case and I haven't been able to get it off my mind since!!  And we all know when I get the "bug" for something, it normally doesn't take long before I gotta get it...  If it is within reason, of course.
This is the Lifeproof Case for the iphone 4 and 4s..  It is so pretty in person!  I ordered it from Amazon for $58.00!!  Weird, but the price has changed since then.  But none the less, it's cheaper on Amazon than on the LifeProof web site which has them for $80.00.

I'm still not convinced that I'm going to take my phone into the pool or ocean.  But hopefully if it does get wet--this case will protect it.  I just really like the "thinner" look of this case verses the Otter Box defender case.  I'll give you a full review of how I like it when I get back from my vacation at the beach.  The only other con is that I wish it was in a lime green color.  Black, purple, white or pink are your only choices.  I figured I could find it in my purse the best with pink.  And was afraid white could get dirty...
Can't wait!!!  But this is the last iPhone case I am buying !!!

Monday Motivation

Happy Father's Day!!!

I hope all the dad's out there have a WONDERFUL day!!  I love you dad and thanks for EVERYTHING you do for me!!!

Favorite Product...

I just have to share my love for this product..  It is truly the best hairspray ever!!  It is by Nick Chavez and it's called Plump N Thick Thickening Hairspray.  I blame this addiction on my mom.  But for Alabama weather, it works great!!  You can't get it in local stores, and QVC is sold out.  Best place and price is on Amazon....  It's worth it!!!

Short on Words---But.......

Well, I've been working most of this week so I really don't have much to add...  Just couldn't pass up this picture!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Pasta... Need I say More?

My garden is blowing up with fresh tomatoes and jalapenos so I'm always looking for recipe's that I can incorporate my veggies into it.  I think I found a good one.  It comes from one of the blogs that I follow, SkinnyTaste.com.  It's called Angel Hair with Zucchini and Tomatoes---and it looks very tasty from the picture...

Ingredients

2 zucchini, cut or in ribbons
4 cloves garlic chopped
2 shallots diced
3 tomatoes, diced
4 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
crushed red pepper flakes to taste
8 oz. angel hair pasta
2tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup low sodium fat free chicken broth


Directions:


In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to instructions.


While pasta is cooking, heat a saute pan on medium-high.  Add oil when
pan gets hot.  Add garlic and shallots to the pan and saute for about 1 minute.  Add zucchini 
and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Cook about 2 minutes.  Then add tomatoes, crushed
red pepper and the chicken broth.  Adding more salt and pepper if needed.  Stir for another minute 
and remove from the burner.
Drain pasta reserving some of the water and toss the pasta with the zucchini.  Add more of the pasta water if needed.  
You may add Parmesan cheese if you would like..  I HATE Parmesan!!  But go for it!!


Pop over to SkinnyTaste.com for some more tasty recipes!!!

Pinterest Chicken Review

I found this recipe last week on Pinterest via Just A Pinch Recipe Club for chicken.  Mac loves chicken so I thought I would give it a try.  With only 5 ingredients I thought why not.  The main ingredient called for a cup of  Parmesan Cheese.  That should have been a red flag for me right there.  I'm not a fan of Parmesan anything.  Stinks up my house!!  I tried adding 2 Ranch seasoning packets to off set it.  It didn't help that much.  And Mac didn't like the smell, nor did he eat it.  So I'm DONE with anything Parmesan!!  But if your family likes it, give it a try.  It is VERY simple to make!!

Sunday Thought....

Zulily---Check it Out!!

A few weeks ago a friend of mine at work turned me onto this site called Zulily.  It has virtually everything you can think of.  Clothes for all ages, housewares, jewelry and my favorite--shoes!!  They offer specials on select categories everyday with great prices.  The only catch to this is that none of the items can be returned.   I just ordered my first item today.  It was very easy.  I view the site via my iPhone every morning.  The items tend to sell out as the day progresses, so check it out as soon as you get the alert!!

Badges to Baking...

Do you ever start planning your off time way before you're off?  I'm already making a list of the things I need to do on my five days off and it doesn't even begin until Friday!!  I hope to kick things off with a great workout. If  I have time---my dad is having surgery Friday morning so my workout will have to be VERY early..  But I 'll get some quality reading time in while we are waiting for him to get out of surgery and into recovery...  Hello Christian Grey....

Badges!!!  I have to get some new badges made.  The new part of Children's Hospital that is connected to us should be opening soon and I need to have some badges ready.  I also have some repair work to do on a few others..  It's a must do!!

Here is one of my baking "to do's" for this weekend.  I'm not a bread person per say, but it just looks pretty.  I'm sure I can find someone to eat it!!  I found the recipe at Sweet Pea's Kitchen---thanks to Pinterest.  It has more ingredients than I normally do---but I'm feeling brave...  I'll let you know how it turns out...

How Fit Are We?

I know I have told ya'll before that I have a serious magazine addiction.  I just can't help it.  They scream at me anytime I'm in a check out line!!  And so I must buy it..  This interesting article came from this month's Shape magazine. It America's Fittest 2012 cities.  The rankings are based on nutritious eateries, farmers markets, outdoor activities, health in the city as a general.  How you get to and from work is even included.  I don't see many bicycles rolling down I-65---so that may have hurt us.

Here is a list of the Top Ten Fittest 2012:

1.  Minneapolis
2.  Washington, DC
3.  Boston
4.  San Francisco
5.  Hartford, CT
6.  Sacramento, CA
7.  Portland, OR
8.  Seattle
9.  Denver
10. Austin, TX

Now if you are curious as to where Birmingham ranked---we are number 46.  That sure does sound like it's a long way down the list.  But the south is known for it's southern cooking and we are also getting popular for our obesity numbers as well.  All areas we can work on!!

We are half way done with 2012, where are you in your weight loss goals that you probably set at the beginning of the year.  I have lost roughly 20 pounds (partly due to stress from the "divorce diet")--but I will take it and keep going!!  I have changed from cooking with beef to using turkey.  Mac hasn't even noticed.  And thanks to Pinterest I have found so many healthy, new recipe's to cook, that I'm set for a very long time in that area.  Not to mention the endless motivational tips and fitness ideas.  So there really is no reason we all can't change our lifestyles in some form or fashion to live a healthier life...
Find your motivation and just make the change---it becomes a habit after just one month!!

Final thought.....

Motivational Monday....

Sunday Thought....

This says it all....

Crescent Pepperoni Roll Ups---Review

This was a great "find" on Pinterest!!  And they were so good!!  These rollups were easy and very simple.  I found the recipe on Pinterest via Plain Chicken.  HUGE hit!  I have found my new party recipe...  I used small and regular pepperoni with string mozzarella.  As for the crescent rolls, I used the large ones and the regular ones.  Both turned out great.  I also used Pizza Quick for the sauce to dip them in.  But you don't have to have the sauce for them to taste great..  Makes for great "carpet food" on movie night with the kids....

Enjoy!!!

Easy Dessert---with Berries!!

I will forever express my love for berries--blueberries especially...  So I had to post this Pinterest find.  It looks so easy!  I'm not a "dessert" person, but it looks simple and my favorite--not many ingredients. It's called Berry Cobbler from Living a Changed Life via Pinterest.
Let me know if you make it!!!