Be The Change | Till Then Smile Often

December 23, 2013

Shortest Week Ever

Welcome to the shortest week ever!! I work on Monday and Friday only!! This weekend was filled with a lot of errands and I took almost no pictures!! I know, right? I failed majorly. Though I got a lot done. Bare with me while I bore you with the details.

Saturday: I had to get an oil change and repair a flat tire that I got on Friday so I headed over to Meineke at 9:00 am. They tried to rope me in to getting all my tires replaced and wouldn’t fix my spare unless I paid for 4 new tires to which I said peace out!!! The guy came over and showed me my air filter to which I said “Yeah, I know that is why I am here.” So when my car was ready I confirmed they replaced the air filter and he said No?! Say What?! Why the hell show it to me then. I said I wanted it done. So then he looks and finds they don’t have one and needs to have one sent over, which should take another 30 minutes. Womp Womp!

The whole time I am there I am calling my Dad and the Animal Shelter because my Dad saw blood in his dog’s urine so he needed to get his dog to the vet but he was busy all day (he referees basketball). I had said I would take the dog for him so he wouldn’t worry all weekend. They weren’t answering their phones though so I called like 20 times.

After I finally got the air filter put in I had to stop at another car shop to get my tire fixed. They of course didn’t have the size tire I needed but he could order it. It would take an hour or two, so I left my tire there to be fixed so I could head south to pick up my Dad’s dog. The vet still wasn’t picking up the phone so I just picked up his dog and took her to the vet. They had reduced hours but open. Since I didn’t technically have an appointment I told them I would wait (which ended up being an 1-1/2 hour wait) and once the vet saw her confirmed it was a UTI and kidney stones. Poor pup will be on antibiotics for a month or more and will have to pass the stones. This is the only pic I took.

It ended up being just around 3:00 pm before I headed back home. I should mention I live about 40-50 minutes NW of my Dad, I hit some traffic on the way back thanks to the fact that just off my exit is the mall. So I ended up getting home at 4:30 dropped off my Dog at home and then headed to get my tire from the shop put on. I then went grocery shopping and to the Dollar Tree to pick up some more tins for cookies I made as gifts. Then to the liquor store to pick up some gift items.

Needless to say after this I was exhausted when I finally got home around 7:30 or so. I ended up watching some Christmas movies with a Redd’s Strawberry Ale.

Sunday: I want to say that it was a nice relaxing day but after a ton of laundry done, cleaning my spare bedroom, changing the sheets on my bed and putting away all the laundry. Then I started a baking marathon.

I started with prepping some fruit salad for the week and even had some for breakfast.

Then I baked 4 dozen chocolate chip cookies for my co-workers gifts.

I had to head out for a few more ingredients so I hit up Wal-Mart which wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I got Seamus a few toys and when I got home I wrapped them but he heard a squeak and he started to play with it, so I decided to let him go ahead and open them tonight.

I baked another 4 dozen chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Then I baked some puppy treats for Seamus. Then a guest post recipe I was working on.

Sneak Peak

I didn’t finish baking till about 8 pm and the only thing I had the energy for dinner was some grapes, 1/2 a banana and some cheese. It was good though.

I am really ready now for three days of ~~chaos~~ rest.

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Leann at Join the Gossip.

December 20, 2013

It’s Friday Time

Is it just me or is this week kinda lame? I think I am just counting down the minutes to Christmas?! I actually have Tuesday through Thursday off next week, so I think I am just too excited for that too. Plus I get to see Maddie on Monday so next week is going to be so exciting.

Only 8 hours to go till the weekend. Woohoo! Since my mind is a big ball of goo I am just going to get on with it so we can get the weekend started quicker, mmkay!

To my fellow bloggers don’t forget to sign-up for my 1 Year Blogiversary Giveaway if you want to be a part of it. Click here to sign-up.

One. I really want to make these breakfast sandwiches and the bonus is, they are Paleo.

PaleOMG – Paleo Recipes – Breakfast Biscuit Sandwiches

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Two. Now that my Christmas knitting projects are done I am getting the itch to knit something just for fun. This cabled cowl is so cute and it going to be on the knitting needles soon.

Ravelry: Trellis Cable Neck Warmer pattern by Janet Fenn

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Three. I got my first box from Influenster. I will share more about it this weekend but I am excited about the eyeshadow.

Four. Out of the mouth of babes…. The Worst Thing You Ever Heard You Mom Say?! The best part is at the end the little girl looking at him like Dafaq?

Five. This one is for MeeMee. I mentioned this one as one of my top songs for the year, but she didn’t recognize it. It fueled me through a lot of gym workouts. I could listen to it over and over and over. Love it.

Bonus: My brother posted a pic of my nieces and I just had to share. They are just so adorable!!

Well that is it for me folks. Here’s to counting down the weekend! Hope you have a good one!

December 19, 2013

Lovely Blog Award

Is it just me or is this week dragging on? It could be because the snow, the countdown to Christmas, getting P90X3 in the mail yesterday, my excitement to finally see Maddie from The Whimsy One again on Monday or all of the above. Either way let’s hope these days pick up the pace!

Lindsey over at The Crafty Practitioner sent me a blog award

The Rules:

Thank the one that nominated you. Thank you, Lindsey!!
Put up the picture for the One Lovely Blog Award.
Tell everyone seven things about yourself.
Nominate seven other people and tell them you have nominated them!

7 Things About Me:

1. I once played the flute in Elementary school but the teacher kept mashing my hands trying to “teach” me so I quit.
2. I chipped my front tooth in High School when my dog Sparky jumped up as I was bending down to grab her ball.

3. I got straight A’s in Junior High and then I got moved to Honors level classes. I am a closet nerd! 🙂

4. If I could afford it I would always be in school but just for fun not for another degree. I love learning new things. My recent cake decorating class has me hooked. Waiting for the spring catalog to come out to see what they will offer.

5. I really can’t stand the laser hair removal commercial on the radio. Especially since they have the guys doing it, like I really want my man without hair on his legs, arms or chest. I’d like a real ma, thank you very much!

6. My parents divorced when I was young and I was raised by my Dad. I am so grateful for all he gave up to raise us. I know it wasn’t easy.7. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up!

I nominate:

Whew, that gets tougher and tougher every time! I really am not that interesting folks! It takes me forever to come up with facts about myself. Though I can talk about nothing forever and a day! Hope you all have a great day! Let the countdown begin!

December 18, 2013

The Year of Kerry

The good thing about making lists about the year is that it forces you to remember what you actually did this year. I always feel like I do a lot, but also a lot of nothing. Does that make sense? Maybe just to me? I may just be distracted by the snow we just had and the pain in my back from shoveling so just bare with me please.

Recipes I Loved – There have been so many meals I have made this year and I have seen a big change in the recipes I have done since the beginning of the year. I really want to challenge myself to make even more of a variety of items next year.

Chorizo Pot Pie

Gluhwein – Mulled Wine

Chicken and Gouda Grilled Cheese

Caramel Pear Pie

Honey Oat Bread

Watermelon Sangria

Prosciutto Basil Salad on Watermelon Plates

S’Mores Brownies

Projects Completed

Posts to Get To Know Me Better

The ABC’s of Kerry

The Blogmopolitan Quiz

The Sunshine Award – Part 1

The Sunshine Award – Part 2

25 Random Facts About Me

6 Things About Me

Random is the Game

Reasons Why I Suck

The Blog Post I am most proud of – Write a Soldier

Blog Friends – I could never name every single blogger I follow but these are just a few that I talk to almost daily. Each one has encouraged me, affected me, made me laugh, made me feel less alone, made me feel less weird, met me in person, related to me, motivated me or just plain made me smile and without this blog I never would have got to know them. *I thought about not including this because I didn’t want anyone to feel left out so please if you are not listed you are still very special to me. I look forward to this next year to get to know you even more.

Steph – Life According to Steph ~ Kathy – Vodka and Soda ~ Jessica – Wonder What’s Next ~ Maddie – The Whimsy One ~ Liz – Fitness Blondie ~ Amanda – Voyage of the MeeMee ~ Lauren – Eat, Drink and Be Lauren ~ Brandi – Realities of Brandi ~ Erin – The Party Girls Guide ~ Nikki – The Pink Growl ~ Emily – Beauty and the Greek ~ Renee – So Fill Your Heart ~ Stacia – The Homey Owl

This is my first year of blogging and I feel like I have learned a lot, grown a lot, and changed quite a bit. I am looking forward to seeing where next year takes me and this blog. Thanks to all who have read or commented, it means the world to me that you take the time to read this blog of mine. To my fellow bloggers don’t forget to sign-up for my 1 Year Blogiversary Giveaway if you want to be a part of it. Click here to sign-up. Also, if there is anything you want to see on my blog let me know in the comments and I can see about doing it in the coming year!

December 17, 2013

Bar-B-Que Chicken Wings

When I asked a few co-workers what they wanted me to bring for the Department Potluck I got an immediate answer of Wings!! Since I don’t eat meat on the bone (yes, I am a freak) I am not sure what the heck was going through my head when I agreed to make them. I may just become a vegetarian, just kidding. I scoured Pinterest for some ideas and I chose this one even though I was hoping for a crockpot recipe. I quickly realized after reading some of the comments on the other recipes, you just don’t get that same greasy BBQ, stuck to your face, need a wet wipe kinda wing without baking it a bit.

Ingredients: 1 large package of chicken wings ~ 1 TBSP Chili Powder ~ 1 TBSP Cumin ~ 2 TSP Garlic Powder ~ 2 TSP Onion Powder ~ Salt and Pepper to taste (optional) ~ BBQ sauce of choice

Directions: Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. The winglettes I bought already came chopped up but if not cut up wings into the flat and the drumstick sections. Discard the pointy part of the wing. Place chicken you are using in a large bowl.

Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl and then sprinkle over wings, toss to combine. I personally decided not to use salt and pepper because I felt the other seasonings were enough and the BBQ sauce added enough flavor. If using salt be careful to not over do the salt.

After the seasoning is evenly over the wings place them on a greased (light spray of Pam) baking sheet in a single layer. NOTE: The juice from the chicken will help to coat the pan but I found it wasn’t enough after the first batch.

Cook the wings uncovered in the oven for 30 minutes. Turn the wings with a tongs and return to oven for another 30 minutes. Coat wings with your favorite BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey Barbeque is really the best I have ever tasted, but use what you like) and place back in oven for 30 more minutes. Since I was taking these to work I wanted to finish these off in a crockpot so it was easier to transport. If not transferring to a crockpot, turn wings with a tongs and coat this side with more sauce, place in oven for a last round of 30 minutes. These came out with an ooey gooey layer of BBQ sauce just like I wanted. The chicken easily fell off the bones and was delicious!

Do you have a favorite Wing recipe?

Have you ever made your own Wings?

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

December 16, 2013

Snowy Days of Winter

Well it was kind of a lazy weekend (not by choice) and I don’t have a lot of pictures to share. We got snow this weekend so that cancelled some plans and also took up a lot of time shoveling too. I do have a lot of pictures of Seamus though. Blame it on cabin fever. 🙂 So let’s get to it.

Friday: I had to race home from work to let Seamus out and then get ready for my Office Christmas Party. I was feeling very well though, a little stomach ache. Not sure what is up with my tummy lately. After I got changed and did my hair I left for the party. The COO of the company made a really great speech, he is actually really funny. The food was really good and we had a lot of laughs at our table. I left a little earlier that usually. I usually close the place down, dancing the night away but I still wasn’t feeling good so I left at 10 pm. No pictures were taken. 🙁 Bad blogger.

Saturday: I got up early and Amanda from Voyage of the MeeMee let me know I hit #1 on the up and coming list on Bloglovin for lifestyle blogs. Seriously?! Is this real, pinch me I thought I was dreaming. I am already dropping back down the list so I am glad I documented it. 🙂 It was fun while it lasted.

I then left early for a little shopping at Toys R Us, Target, and grocery shopping. With the snow coming people were buying all the things!!! I never understand it, this is not our first snow storm, it is pretty typical here in Mass but people still go crazy. After a stop at the library I went home. I opened up a package that I received on Friday but didn’t get a chance to open. It was the sweetest gift ever. Kathy from Vodka and Soda sent me a package with lip oils, hand lotion, nail polish, and face and neck cleansing and a homemade card.

I took Seamus for a walk and then went to another store to pick up a gift for my boss. Then I bunkered down to see how the storm was going to go. I had a birthday party on the South Shore but the snow started at 1pm and the heart of the storm would have been hitting as I was leaving so I decided to stay off the roads. I spent the night knitting (trying to finish a last minute gift), snuggling with Seamus, and watching Christmas movies.

Sunday: When I woke up it was still drizzling but the snow had stop. It snowed about 5 inches with a few inches of ice. I had a hearty breakfast in preparation for shoveling.

My neighbor who I share the driveway with decided to just drive over the snow and ice. Go figure. Ugh!

I have an electric snow blower but I think I may need to upgrade soon. It is not heavy duty enough for the type of weather we get. It took me two hours to do my drive which is a really long driveway but still. My Breast Cancer rain boots kept me warm.

I had to go to Michael’s to pick up another ball of yarn but after I got home I was in for the night. I got a better video of Seamus and his weird grunting and growling. He is a weirdo but oh so cute!

I made some mozzarella stick but they didn’t come out as great as I wanted so I’ll have to keep working on the recipe. I still ate them but not stellar. I then made a few batched of wings for my office yankee swap and potluck tomorrow.

The rest of the night was spent knitting and blogging stuff. Really low key especially since I was expecting this weekend to be really hectic but I will take it while I can.

Don’t forget if you want to participate in my upcoming 1 Year Blogiversary with Jessica from Wonder What’s Next, please fill out this form. All the details are at the top of the form.

On a side note it was so cold this morning my car wouldn’t start. It did after the third try but that shows you how cold it was overnight.

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Leann at Join the Gossip.

December 13, 2013

Friday Funtime

Happy Friday everyone!! This was only a 4 day work week after being off on Monday but I am still glad for Friday. I need the weekend to get caught up. I have my company Holiday party tonight and my second Mom’s birthday party on Saturday night. It will be busy but I am still hoping to get a lot done. By now you know the drill, I share five things I am loving lately.

One. One of the things the million Lifetime movies I have watched recently is, that there are good people in the world. This cute 5 year old signs Christmas songs for her deaf parents during a school concert. Here is a link to the whole story. This is what Christmas is about, sharing the heartfelt stories that touch your heart.

Two. Every so often I will check out the up and coming lists on Bloglovin to find new blogs to read. Well guess what I saw when I checked Wednesday night….. yup that is me on that list at #17!!! I can’t believe it and I know the list changes all the time so it will probably be short lived but I never dreamed this little blog oh mine would make any list! I couldn’t be happier or more excited.

UPDATE: As I was preparing this post I checked to see where I was currently ranked, prepared to see I dropped off the face of the earth and saw this instead!!! Oh my FREAKING goodness!!! Pinch me I am dreaming. I never want to be a “huge” blogger because I always want to be able to correspond to everyone who comments by myself, and I want to always read other blogs and connect with others, but it is still really cool!!! More than anything I am so thankful to those who actually read my blog, comment on my blog, or lurk quietly in the background. You all make it worth it.

Three. After seeing these Overnight Apple Gingerbread Cinnamon roll from Baked by Rachel, I am going to be making these for Christmas morning. All of her recipes are amazing! If you want to make them too click here for the recipe.

Overnight Apple Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com The perfect holiday breakfast!

Four. I have been stressed out all week. Mostly just because I really don’t like being behind in everything. From work emails, to blog emails, to blog reading it was a little much but Seamus always finds a way to make me smile. He really puts up with a lot, and all he asks for in return is a few extra belly rubs. Who can complain with that request. Not I said the fly! This just may be next years Christmas Card. He just looks so adorable. He has been doing this grunting thing at me lately which is kinda a new thing. I am trying to record it but, no luck yet.

Five. I put out a feeler last week to see about the interest for a blogger collaboration for my One Year Blogging Anniversary and doing a giveaway. Well I received interest from a few of you and I am pleased to announce the Jessica from Wonder What’s Next is going to be co-hosting with me since her Anniversary is so close to mine. So if you want to participate in the giveaway please fill out this form. This is first come first serve and we will close the sign-up on December 29th, so complete the enclosed if interested. The more people we have the more we can give away. Also this is my first time ever hosting a giveaway so don’t make me feel like the kid who never got picked for kickball!! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bHE0yiBDCCUlRWenIfBd5eS3d-HB24pUyYRA_Ynq2dc/viewform

Speaking of giveaways the one for $300 CASH is still going on. Click here to enter.

What are you up to this weekend?

December 12, 2013

The Blogmopolitan Quiz

Well after being on vacation last weekend I am still sort of playing catch up so when Erin from Two Thirds Hazel posted this Quiz I thought it was really cute and a great way to learn a little bit more about me. Besides it’s fun, cute and who didn’t fill out these quizzes in Cosmo at one time or another!

If you want to fill out the quiz yourself head over to Erin’s and download it here.

December 11, 2013

Humpday Confessions and a Giveaway

Happy Hump day folks. Have I got a treat for you today. Not only am I linking up with the hilariously snarky Kathy from Vodka and Soda but I also have a giveaway going on to win $300 dollars CASH!! Dolla Dolla bills y’all!!! So here are some of my confessions.

– One of my favorite movies is Boondock Saints. It may seem like an odd choice for me since it has a lot of violence and a lot of cursing, but it has Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus. ‘Nuff said. It is a pretty good movie though, set in Boston and all about righting wrongs and vigilante justice.

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– I really crushed on Sean Patrick Flanery from his role in Simply Irresistible. Total guilty pleasure and total cheesy movie but what can I say, I am a girl and I do what I want! 😉

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– Another total guilty pleasure is Mob Wives. It is back and better than ever. I love Big Ang. The smokey voice of an old sailor. I am always afraid she is going to topple over too. They got some new blood too, that Drita may punch out at some point.

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– I have done almost all the Beachbody programs at some point in the last few years from P90X, TurboFire, Chalean Extreme, Insanity, RevAbs, and Les Mills Combat. I get a discount as a Beachbody coach and so I ordered P90X3!!! I can’t wait to get it so I can start.

What are some of your confessions?

If you aren’t already following Kathy from Vodka and Soda what are you waiting for??? Go follow her already!

HCDV

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Today is the 1 Year Anniversary of Simply Clarke and I have teamed up with 13 other bloggers to help her celebrate by giving away $300 CASH to one lucky winner! Hope you are having a great day and that you hop on over to Simply Clarke and tell Marquis congrats, as well as, thank the fabulous co-hosts below!

Simply Clarke / Living In Another Language / The Dwelling Tree / Behind Blue Eyes

Mer In America / Beauty Brawler / I’m Always Ashley / Rebekah’s Ramblings

Treasure Tromp / Southern Beauty Guide / Till Then Smile Often / Life Could Be A Dream

Two Miracles / To The Sea

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 10, 2013

The Ghost of Christmas Past

I want to say I remember everything about Christmas as a kid, but I remember more the feeling. Waking up and grabbing my stocking then going back to my bedroom to play for the games or whatever we got in the stocking. Then we got to open presents when it was actually a decent hour. For some reason my Dad didn’t consider 5 am decent, though that is when I now get up for work. (Picture me doing the Rock eyebrow raise)

My Dad is really big on Christmas, he really is a big kid about it. We always got a lot of electronics and he has to have a list with visuals so he knows exactly what we want. No clothes for us, he is a guy after all. Here are some of my favorite Christmas memories. Don’t mind the horrible picture quality. I am so old the digital camera wasn’t invented when I was young.

All the missing teeth, my goodness. Barbie Home and Office really what was I thinking?! Who wants to work when they play??

Do I not look entertained?! Those knee socks are super sexy too. 😉

Seriously excited about getting a kitchen. This was one of my favorite gifts. Don’t overlook those footy pj’s. I wore those a lot.

From the haircut to the smile I was totally digging on the Strawberry Shortcake with stroller.

My little pony Pretty Parlor because they had to look their best! Duh?!

Seriously those dimples! Not much has changed.

This was our tree one year! Like I said my Dad is a kid at Christmas. You won’t hear me complaining though.

What are some of your childhood favorite gifts or memories?

Linking up with Tay and Helene

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