..the man your man could smell like..

My favorite commercial...have you seen it??? Watch it and I promise you will laugh. If not, watch it again!!!

It was done in all one shot! How crazy is that?!

ENJOY!!!

..use to..

I used to have free time everyday.
I used to get ready by myself everyday.
I used to walk Molly 3 times a day.
I used to only drink coffee when I thought it would taste good.
I used to be 5 lbs lighter.
I used to blog on a regular basis.
I used to only dream about handling the affairs of celebrities (being their nanny, PR rep).
I used to only fill up my gas tank every 2 weeks.
I used to wear heels only on special occasions.
I used to go without makeup or doing my hair.
I used to visit Washington whenever I wanted.

Then I got a job...
Stinks but I guess that's a part of growing up. I really like my job (most days) but I do hate the commute (an hour) and the weight gain (sitting at a desk all day staring at a computer screen, entering social security numbers). But I like the extra money and the social interactions I have now.

I am not sure when I will blog again-I am hoping to get into more of a routine and have time for this. We shall see...

..wordless wednesday..

Old picture but the reason I love wildfires...

Amazing sunsets :)

..tasty tuesday..

I don't have time to type up a recipe of my own BUT I think another point to Tasty Tuesday is to figure out new recipes! So here is one I found and I plan to try soon :) I make another good chili but this sounds good too! I like the corn and taco seasoning added in..

Turkey Chili

1-1.5lbs Extra Lean Ground Turkey
1-14oz can Kidney Beans
1-14oz can Pinto Beans
1-14oz can Black Beans
1 can Tomato Paste
1 can of Original Rotel
1 pk Bird's Eye Steamfresh Corn
1 pk Taco Seasoning
1 jar of Pace Picante Sauce
Water

-Open, drain, and rinse all beans. Set aside.
-Cook Steamfresh Corn according to package. Set aside
-Ground turkey (you can also use ground beef or sirloin) until done. Add taco seasoning per instructions on package.
-In a large pot add Rotel (not drained), beans, tomato paste, 1/2 jar of picante sauce, corn, ground turkey, and about 1-2 cups of water.
-Bring to a boil and then simmer until ready to eat.
-Top with cheese, sour cream, fritos, jalapenos, tabasco, etc.
*Adding more or less water will depend on how thick you like your chili, M likes it thicker so I add less water. It will also thicken as it cooks so you can add more water if need be. The longer it stews the better the flavor*

I will let you know when I try it OR you let me know when you try it!!

..wordless wednesday..

I am not okay with this situation..so therefore, I'm With COCO

..tasty tuesday..

a day late....opps. Not use to working yet!! haha

Penne Pasta Bake

12 oz penne pasta (can use whole wheat..whatever you like)

1 lb ground beef

Onion powder

2-8oz cans tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes

1 6oz can of tomato paste

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

(kind of looks gross...hahaha)

-Cook pasta according to pkg directions; drain.

-Cook meat & sprinkle with onion powder

-Stir in tomato sauce, undrained tomatoes, paste, & some water (like ¼ cup)-cook for 10 minutes on stovetop

-Layer half pasta, half sauce, half cheese, repeat. (in 9/13 pan)

-Cover & bake for 20 minutes

I make this about once a month and we really like it. Of course, being a little family, we only make half and use an 8x8 pan AND always have leftovers. It's good, quick and easy! Most of the time I make it the night before so J can put it in the oven when he gets home...maybe I will do that Sunday night :)

..j-o-b..

It's official!

I got a job offer on Wednesday to work for Screen Actors Guild!!

I am an accounting clerk and work in the managed care department.

Basically I am there to input information and eligibility forms for insurance. I deal with quarterly payments, pension information, insurance clearance inssues, etc. So basically, if you are an actor and member of SAG-I deal with you :) Which is pretty cool...rather interesting the names that came across my desk on my first day! I wish I could tell you more :)

It's a good job and I am very blessed to have something like this. It's only a temp position. Which is actually really great. The building is about 23 miles from where I live BUT it's L.A. so therefore it takes about an hour to get to work. If the commute becomes too much, I can gracefully leave in April or I may have the opportunity to go full time after that. I will be working full time right now (which is 37.5 hours..awesome) Hours are great-8:30-4:30.

I won't be talking too much about work on here for security reasons and basically I shouldn't be talking about work online...but it's a great job and I am anxious to learn more! Thank you for the prayers and encouraging words!!

..walks..

Molly and I out for a walk last week

This is my 100th post and I think my most ridiculous :)

..tasty tuesday..

Potato Skins

4 large baking potatoes, baked

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream

4 green onions, sliced

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell (save pulp for another use). Place potatoes skins on a greased baking sheet. Combine oil, Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, paprika and pepper; brush over both sides of skins. Bake at 475 degrees F for 7 minutes; turn. Bake until crisp, about 7 minutes more. Sprinkle bacon and cheddar cheese inside skins. Bake 2 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions. Serve immediately.

 

Thoughts

These are really good-if you like potato skins. This is the rececipe that we use because we don't need a ton more. It can definitely be shifted for size of group. We really liked it though! The little mix of oil, parmesan, etc is really good and make them a little crispy but not bad at all. Also make sure to not take too much pulp out of it-then they will fall apart and are just overall too weak to be picked up/filled. Not the healthiest recipe but good little appetizer before the Super Bowl :)

..weekend question..

Jim Halpert or The Bachelor, Jake

The choice is simple to me. . .

I am Team Jim.

Your choice?

Ohhh and prayer request-had a job interview with Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Pension and Health Plans on Thursday :) It went really well and I should hear about it sometime within the next week or so. Although it would be an hour (or so) commute the money is good and the job would open some doors for me.

I will keep you posted! Any prayer requests from you??

Have a great weekend!!

..wordless wednesday..

This post is mostly for Stephanie

Where does time go?!? Hailey was soo little when we first saw her when Steph visited in November 2006..

Share your pictures on Wordless Wednesday!

..tasty tuesday..

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

1 cup flour
1 cup old old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
6 (1 ounce) squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, coarsely chopped (I just used milk chocolate chips-about half a bag)

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
-Beat butter, sugars and peanut butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until well blended after each addition. Stir in chocolate.
-Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased baking sheets.
-Bake 10 to 12 min. or until lightly browned. Cool 1 min.; remove from baking sheets to wire racks. Cool completely.
I cooked mine for about 9 minutes

Whenever I make chocolate chip cookies, they end up too flat or just weird looking. I have had success with these the 2 times I have made them and they stayed soft for a few days..not that they last long with me around! I think you could also substitute chocolate chips with raisins (but why leave out chocolate?!)

Enjoy!! Let me know what you think :) Share your recipes with me! Anything, desserts, main dish, appetizers, smoothies, drinks..whatever!

..week 2..

...of The Bachelor

This is the week I was waiting for! The Magic Mountain date!
One night back in October I was sitting in my living room and heard some noises going on outside-looked out and it was a firework show. I stood there and watched it..wondering what the heck was going on?! Then in the newspaper they said it was for the filming of the Bachelor. So I have been looking forward to watching this episode for a long time : )

It was another great Bachelor episode filled with tan girls prancing around in bikinis as I sat and ate peach dump cake with ice cream. And I am okay with that!

Anyways, my Top 5 was rocked a little this week by the loss of Christina..

My Original Top 5-January 5, 2010

Ali
Kimberly

Elizabeth (from Nebraska)

Kathryn

Christina

Now of my top 5 I have 3 still in play. I really like Ali. I think she is adorable and very genuine. I do believe that Jake is kind of dorky but what guy isn’t at times? Tenley is growing on me. Michelle is still around…and she is crazy!! She didn’t get a group date this week so she started packing and was going to leave. She was pouting and complaining. The other girls talked her into staying. Then when she saw Jake she was all hyped up and acting all giddy. I love that one girl called her “Debbie Downer”. Ohhh and Rozlyn got kicked off for having a relationship with a producer of the show. She acted shocked…really? Really.

I do think the best part of this episode was “On the Wings of Love” when Ali and Jake were flying. I was just waiting for that…I hope they play it again at the end of the season when he is spinning around with the final girl and there are aerial shots ;)

..interested..

Anyone interested in doing Tasty Tuesday?? Share a recipe you love or maybe a recipe website you like on your blog! Maybe include a picture or 2...if you make it regularly, share your secrets (if you can! ha)

Also, interested in Wordless Wednesday?? Post pictures on your blog from that week in the news, your life, fashion..whatever :)

I am starting this next weekend..I will be doing a Bachelor recap on Monday night or Tuesday morning too ;) Steph..join me :)

..wings of love..

*Disclaimer* If you are not a fan, please do not read and make a comment about how stupid I am..thank you :)

That's right...it's time for....

THE BACHELOR!

I love it! I look forward to the beginning of each week for one reason...The Bachelor.

This season will be very interesting! I am anxious to see all the craziness that happens. As I was sitting and watching it last night, Jesse joined me for the first few minutes and asked me:
"Which do you like better, Bachelor or Bachelorette?"
"Easy! Bachelor. The slutty girls crack me up! AND the Bachelorette shows too much arrogance. Makes me want to puke. I hate men acting all macho"
Yes we have conversations like this. And daily.

Anyways, as of right now I have a few favorite girls. Here is the deal, some friends and I made some picks from pictures alone on Sunday night (judgemental-yes) Then we had to decide if we still liked those girls after hearing their voices and learning a little about them on the first episode.

My Original Top 5-January 5, 2010

Ali

Kimberly

Elizabeth (from Nebraska)

Kathryn

Christina

After watching the show, just a couple thoughts...
-Ali-Seems down to earth, lost her voice before the show but still put herself out there-squeaky voice and all! And ripped her dress..but beautiful girl!
-Kimberly-didn't get a rose! What the heck?! So no further comments..
-Elizabeth-weird boobs! She wears low cut stuff and she has the nasty fake Tori Spelling boobs that look awful! I think she is gorgeous though
-Kathryn-crazy purple dress! Wearing fake engagement ring because she is a flight attendent
-Christina-self proclaimed bitch..that makes me nervous..and she doesn't seem super classy

Tenley got the first rose and seems like a nice girl...he digs her and kissed her the first night.

I still think it's too early to pick my Top 3 but I really like Ali :) I will update more next week!

P.S. Jake is adorable!!! Great bachelor!

..something new..

"Something NEW!!"

"Eww, what's that?"
-Family Dog-

That's my response most of the time but not right now.
We bought Wii Active this weekend!!

I took a look at it tonight and can't wait to start it Monday morning! I really hope I like it. We have a gym here but sometimes I don't like going down there-especially when there are middle aged creepy men watching you run on the treadmill. Yuck. Anyways, it has so much-dancing, calorie counting, 30 day challenge, custom music, custom workouts, running, baseball, basketball..so much. I am anxious to use it! Oh my favorite part-you create your virtual version of you working out-like hair, clothes, shoes, body :)

I will be updating periodically on how it is, if you should go get it, etc.

Ohhh and my Monday nights will be booked for the next like 10 weeks...the Bachelor starts tomorrow night ;)