Be The Change | Till Then Smile Often

October 7, 2013

Shopping and Football

Monday, why do you always come so quickly? I enjoyed this weekend and actually felt like I got a lot accomplished. Normally I feel like I just scratched the surface of what I need to get done but this one was different. So lets recap this weekend of accomplishments.

Friday: Friday I went to the gym and got a quick workout in. My legs are still sore from my leg workout on Thursday so it was a biceps and cardio kinda night. After some dinner I picked up a movie at RedBox and hit up CVS where they had a Buy One get 50% off so I scored a few lip glosses.

I settled in with Seamus and the movie.

Side note: I was coughing and feel like I am getting a cold. 🙁 Pretty much anything with Jason Statham I will watch, because he is hot, he has an English accent and he kicks butt in his fight scenes, enuff said! I watched Redemption.

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Saturday: This was all about shopping. I had a lot of places I wanted to hit so it was a well oiled plan of attack. I hit Target for some office supplies and a mailing envelope. I went to the Post office to mail a knitted hat to Emily @ The Beauty and the Greek Blog. Then it was off to Wal-Mart to pick up some dog food for Seamus. Kohl’s was the next stop where I got some new sneakers. I have been having a little bit of issues with my ankle and my knee from an old injury so hoping these will help, plus they look cute!

I then went to JoAnn’s Fabric to grab some supplies for my Halloween costume. Yes, I am making my costume. Yes, Halloween is awesome! What of it?! This is just part of the costume while will be a tulle skirt, but that is the only hint you get for now.

I finished up the shopping extravaganza with some grocery shopping. I took Seamus for a 3 mile walk and then settled in to a few episodes from the second Season of Homeland and rested for a bit (okay I napped for 30 minutes). Seamus always keeps me company.

Ohio State was playing at 8pm so I was tweeting and watching the game which was a nail biter. It was way to close of a game and ended just before midnight with a touchdown at 5 seconds to go!! Thanks for the mini stress attach Buckeyes but I will take the win!

Sunday: Sunday was a very restful day thanks to getting more of my errands done on Saturday. I finish some laundry, dishes and taking out the trash stuff that needs to get done. I settled into this Fall Baking magazine to get some inspiration while enjoying a cup of coffee in my Ohio State mug. I posted the image on Instagram and it was liked by the QB of the Buckeyes – Braxton Miller!! It’s probably not even him, but I’ll take it, it kinda made my morning.

I did some food prep and reading. Currently reading Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner. Since it was raining all day it was a snuggling kinda day. Seamus was a big snuggle bunny. He slept while I was reading, then shortly after I took the picture he got up and snuggled up next to my side, when that wasn’t enough he plopped right in my lap on top of my book. He likes to snuggle on his own terms.

The Patriots played at 1pm so I watched the game, finally took a shower during the half time then it was time for my blogger meetup. I was a bad blogger and didn’t take my camera out at all. Though I snapped a pic of the menu so it counts! It was such fun and all the girls were so nice, and I liked that they all write about different topics!

Just want to add in that poor Seamus got sprayed by a skunk this morning and it is horrific. I gave him a bath then took my own shower and I got to work and i can still smell it on me!! Poor thing was in the corner of my bedroom where he never goes and looked so sad. His eyes were watering and he threw up a little probably trying to get the taste and smell of it out of him. Poor guy!

Linking up with Sami at Sami’s Shenanigans and Leann at Join the Gossip .

October 4, 2013

May This Day Be As Epic As Leg Day

Happy Friday!! I may or may not be doing the dance of the white girl shuffle to ring in this Friday! It was a very odd week. Not in a bad way it was just really weird. I had Wednesday off for a meeting with my lawyer for issues I am having with my Condo/Duplex. It went well and I have a game plan for going forward. She is really awesome since she isn’t charging me. Bonus! I got back into the gym and worked out everyday this week!! Yesterday was leg day so I am walking around like a seasoned cowboy! Ouch! Enough about that, it’s time for me to share with you my five things for Friday.

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One. I am excited to be going to my first ever Boston Area Blogger meetup and it is right down the street from me. Can’t beat it! It is on Sunday at 6:30 pm so be sure to check back on Monday for my Weekend update for pics.

Two. I think I have already professed my love for Halloween but if not I bring you these free Printables. I love them all. Go here for all of them. This one will be on display in my home!

Three. Can I just say that I love Jimmy Fallon!! I am so glad he moved to late night!! The rap duo’s he does with Justin Timberlake are Epic, but the ones I love the best are the lip sync contests. The one with John Krasinski was good but this one is even better! I was laughing out loud while watching this one.

Four. Pretty much how i am feeling today, and while trying to crawl up the stairs last night! Oh, but what a feeling!

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Five. So I have a little confession to make…. I take all my first dates to Margarita’s!! There are a few reasons why.

1. If I am going to cheat on my diet it is going to be for Mexican food and Margarita’s

2. They usually serve $5.00 Margarita’s the size of your head

3. I have a bad memory (thank to a concussion) so this way when looking back with that special someone about your first date you won’t forget where it happened, because it will always be Margarita’s. I think it is genius! Haha!

Well I am off to count the minutes to this weekend!! Keep me busy by telling me what you have planned for this weekend?

October 3, 2013

6 Things About Me

Good Morning! I am feeling a little chipper after my day off, even though it was everything but relaxing. I felt like I ran around all day. There was not a moment of rest at all, but I got done what I needed to, so I guess that is a good thing.

A little while back I was tagged by Lisa from Meanderings, Adventures and Crafty Inspiration. She was assigned as my Little as part of the Bigs and Littles Blogging Network. It has been so nice getting to know her, she has traveled to many far away places and currently in Peru! Consider us all jealous! She tagged my in a post for 6 Things About Me, so I am posting my 6 Things.

Would you prefer a city break or a sun, sea, and sand vacation?

I would prefer a sun, sea , and sand vacation. Parking my butt in a beach chair and not moving for a few days sounds perfect. Think Bermuda, though I would get out and enjoy the water too, parasailing or getting on some jetski’s would be so much fun!

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If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?

I can’t pick just one but a few on my bucket list and have been a dream of mine to visit for a long time are Greece, Italy, and Australia.

How many countries have you traveled to? How many of the 50 states?

I have only been outside of the US once when i went to Germany. It was really beautiful and had a lot of great castles and interesting food. I love how they are really big on letting dogs go everywhere. There was a lot of dogs in restaurants and in stores. My idea of Utopia! (Though I don’t think Seamus would make the grade – they were really well behaved dogs) I have driven through probably 25-30 of the 50 states but I would like to spend more time in each state in the future. Road trip anyone?

View from Burg Landshut

Burg Landshut

What is your favorite thing about yourself (or quality you like in others if you don’t wanna talk about yourself)?
I think that I have a giving heart. I want to help others whenever I can.

What did you want to be when you grew up and what do you do now?

I think I have wanted to be everything under the sun. A big one for me was a Cop. Though I think I have always been to sensitive for it. If someone gave me a sob story I may just let them go. I also was afraid of becoming to jaded. My major in college started out as Criminal Justice and was looking into being a Forensic Analyst though the blood part got to me.

What is something not a lot of people would know about you?

I almost graduated college in a year and a half. I took so many classes my freshman year because I was so homesick. After talking to my Dad the first trimester of Sophmore year I decided to stick it out, changed my Major and took a lighter course load. I ended up with a Major in Communication and a minor in Sociology. I blame my Dad, he is wicked smart and I guess it rubbed off!

What random fact would I be surprised to learn about you? Share in the comments.

October 2, 2013

Like a Busted Can of Biscuits

Happy Hump Day everyone!! I have the day off today so it will be relaxing minus a trip to my lawyers office for condo business. Seamus is going to hate me being home because I will be walking him into the ground! Chubby monkey needs some extra exercise! So after feeling like a stuff sausage after one to many cheat meals I am back to eating as healthy as possible. So here is a day of eats.

Breakfast – Nothing special here 18 oz of water, 1 scoop protein, 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1 TBSP Natural peanut butter.

Mid-morning – 3/4 cup egg whites, 1 egg scrambled with salsa ~ 1/2 cup oats prepared with 1 cup water with one packet of Truvia.

Lunch – 6 oz of chicken, 1 cup of broccoli, 1/2 cup of rice topped with a little salsa

Mid Afternoon – One whole cucumber, 1 can of tuna, little spoonful of Greek yogurt

Dinner – This was so very random but I was not feeling any food. One Honeycrisp apple, 1 scoop protein shake, 1 cup of broccoli

How has your eating been this week?

Are you caving to the pumpkin craze and eating it all?

Linking up with Liz from Fitness Blondie

and Jenn from Peas and Crayons

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October 1, 2013

Spicy Chicken Chili

If there is anything that screams fall it is Chili!! I don’t think I have ever made my own, it has always been at other parties that I have had them. So a goal for me this year is to find a recipe that I like and/or modify one to my tastes. I decided to follow the recipe from this pin. However I made a few changes. I think this will be a good base but I already have plans for the next batch!

Ingredients:

3-4 cups Cooked Chicken, shredded ~ 2 (15.5 oz) cans Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed ~ 1 cup Corn (I used frozen) ~ 1 medium Onion, diced ~1 TSP minced Garlic (or 2 cloves minced) ~ 3 tablespoons Flour ~ 4 teaspoons Chili Powder ~ 2 teaspoons Cumin ~ 1-1/2 teaspoons Kosher Salt {more or less to taste} ~ 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste ~ 3-4 cups Chicken Broth ~ 3/4 cup Whole Milk or Heavy Cream OPTIONAL: Green Pepper and Jalapeno (left out from the original recipe)

Directions:

In a dutch oven or shallow pan sauté the onions, and minced garlic in three tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat.

Once soft, season with the chili powder and cumin. Sprinkle with the flour and stir until the flour is absorbed. Add in one cup chicken broth and the 3/4 cup milk (or cream) stir and bring to a simmer. Stir in two tablespoons tomato paste.

Add in the drained beans, shredded chicken and corn.

Stir and add in 2 cups of more broth (add a little more if needed).

Cover and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour over medium-low, then remove the lid and simmer for 15 minutes.

I added a sprinkle of shredded taco cheese. Optional to serve with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Do you have a favorite Chili Recipe?

Do you have a “must have” ingredient or spice for Chili?

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

September 30, 2013

When I Retire

When I retire, I would hope that there are people to celebrate with me, to wish me well and to tell me how I made a difference in their lives. I don’t think that would happen in my current position, but for my second mom that is exactly what happened. She retired this past summer as a Library Paraprofessional. She helped to mold and shape how kids felt about reading. She read to them using different voices for different characters. She read The Polar Express every year, but she didn’t just read it, she made it come to life! This is just a part of who she is but I am sure she made a difference in so many kids lives. She is finally getting to see Graceland (she is a huge Elvis fan)!! So on Saturday we celebrate her and the next chapter in her life.

On Friday I prepared some props for the party. We planned on setting up a photo booth.

I tested them out on Seamus. He was stinking up the joint so it really was fitting.

I got up early on Saturday to help setup for the party. Last week I didn’t really do my hair except to put it in a ponytail so it was really just nice to do my hair. A little selfie action to prove I actually clean up nice.

Since I was going to be gone most of the day I drove Seamus to my Dad’s so he could babysit Seamus. Seamus is not a fun passenger to have in the car. He barks almost the whole way there but he finally got comfortable and became quiet once squeezed between me and the door. He is such a needy little bugger.

I didn’t get a lot of pictures from the party since I was having fun and chatting it up with everyone. My family was there too so I got to see my nieces.

Getting fiesty with Elvis in the photo booth!

Opening up her brand new iPad!

It was a great party but a long day! After picking up Seamus from my Dad’s I headed home and got into my jammies and watched Almost Famous with some candles going and some Apple Pie Moonshine and sprite.

Sunday I spent the day doing errands like grocery shopping, cleaning the bathrooms, laundry, dishes, sweeping and mopping. I did take a break to do a quick workout. It felt really great to get back into it.

I spent the rest of the night doing food prep, making Seamus some dog biscuits and made some chili. This was my first of the season and it will serve as a good base but I will be experimenting with adding a few things to it. I will be sharing the recipe soon!!

I am also part of a group giveaway with lots of gift cards, and ad space up for one lucky winner. Go here to enter!

How did you spend your weekend?

Linking up with Sami at Sami’s Shenanigans and Leann at Join the Gossip .

September 26, 2013

Better than Ice Cream

Happy Friday!! I am so glad for this week to be coming to an end. It has been long, stressful and frenzied!! Every night I come home more exhausted than the day before. It doesn’t help that I haven’t been to the gym all week. I am trying to keep it together and looking forward to next Tuesday when the fiscal year ends and I can breathe again. So this week I have just been trying to get by. So this week for 5 on Friday I will share with you a few thing that helped me get by or kept me relatively sane.

One. The title of this post comes from the ending song from this movie. Ice cream by Sara McLaughlin. This movie is such a classic and one of my favorites. Yes, I own the DVD and would watch it every time it is on TV. Total chick flick but hey, I am a girl to there.

Two. Nothing more is needed.

Three. Thanks to Maddie for posting the sappiest saddest cryfest video. The video was playing Butterfly Kisses which reminded me of my Dad. See my Freshman year of college I was away at Ohio State University over 800 miles from my Dad and brother and feeling really homesick. My Dad sent me a care package and it included the CD with Butterfly kisses. He really tries hard to be a tough guy but he really is a softie. That is why he is the BEST.DAD.EVER!! I am so lucky to have had him to raise me. I know it was really tough for him being a single Dad but he was always there for me.

Four. Pretty much how I have felt all week.

Five. Wine. I don’t drink often and I showed such restraint by holding out till Thursday but it helped. This was a wine I won at a party once and I really like it. I don’t typically like Red as I find it a little too sharp and musky. This is a dessert wine so it is a little more fruity. It is Alasia Brachetto d’Acqui from Italy. Nothing wrong with an Italian, just saying!

Well I will be counting down the minutes to the end of the work day and hoping and praying that next week is a little less hectic and i am going to get back to the gym and hit it hard! Have a great weekend everyone!

What helps you get through a bad day or bad week?

September 25, 2013

Random is the Game

So I haven’t talked about my job on here but I work in Government Contracts (it is really not as ~~glamorous~~ ~~boring~~ important as it sounds) and the fiscal year for the Government ends September 30th. This means they have to spend all their money or lose it come next years budget. So this week for me is kinda like what tax season is for CPA’s. It is chaotic, frenzied and really stressful. Meaning I have not taken one picture of my meals this week and with a few new faces around here I figured I would change it up a bit this week with a few random things about me.

* I majored in Communication with a minor in Sociology in college. My job has nothing to do with either but I guess my blog kinda does, right?

* I played Softball growing up from 8 years old up to 17 years old. I was a lefty who played third base. When I got to High School they wouldn’t let me play 3rd (they didn’t think a lefty could do it) so I became a pitcher and ended up pitching almost every game my Sophmore year. I miss playing all the time and go to the batting cages when I can.

Back row third from the left – in case you couldn’t tell

* I played soccer when I was young too but I was really aggressive and so they tried putting my as Goalie. No-one puts Kerry in a corner!

* I am a total type A and I fit my Virgo personality perfectly. I make lists upon lists of everything. Some of it is due to a concussion and memory issues but mostly just due to me constantly wanting to look things up, research something, remember a song or movie someone mentioned. I keep a daily, weekly and monthly to-do list thanks to Chalene’s 30 day program to help master organization and meeting goals.

* I lost my kitty Jasmine in January 2013 to feline breast cancer. I still cry looking at pictures of her and it was one of the hardest things watching her go. She was the first pet that was all mine and not a family pet.

* I can not carry a tune, like at all!

* I am a lefty – it has been said we a smarter! 😉

* I am a total old soul and believe in good old fashion values. I wish we didn’t lose so much of what was good about the older generation.

* I have such a hard time saying No and want to help everyone, sometimes as the detriment of my own sanity or comfort. I don’t know if this is a good or bad quality.

* Yellow is my favorite color. I really makes me smile when wearing it, decorating with it, or painting with it.

* I will always support breast cancer fundraising. I used to walk/volunteer at the Breast Cancer Walk in Boston and pass out favors at the finish line. I also ended up with extreme hypothermia while doing the 3 day Breast Cancer walk one year.

Well that is all I have for today, hope you learned a little bit more about me. I can’t tell you all enough how incredibly blessed I feel that you take the time to read my little ole blog. If we haven’t connected yet please comment so we can get to know each other better! Much love!

Linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday.

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September 23, 2013

Caramel Pear Pie

If you saw my Fall Bucket List you will know that baking a pie was one of my items. It is inevitable that I will bake a pie every year but I wanted to something other than the standard Apple pie. When I saw this Pin on Pinterest I knew I had to give it a try. The pears become very soft when baking and the caramel and brown sugar lend the sweetness to the center. My co-workers told me it was blog worthy, so hope you give it a try!

Ingredients:

Pie Crust – 2½ cup flour ~ 1 cup cold butter, cubed ~1 tsp salt ~ 1 tsp sugar ~ 6 to 8 tbsp ice cold water ~ 1 egg white, for brushing over the crust

Filling – 10 pears, peeled, cored, and sliced ~ juice from one lime ~ 1/3 cup Caramel Sauce ~ Pinch of Brown Sugar

Directions: Remove butter from freezer. Butter should be frozen (I always store my butter in the freezer for baking purposes). In a food processor add the flour, salt and sugar and mix till combined. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture is mixed (should be chunky crumbles). Add the ice water one tablespoon at a time and continue mixing. The dough should start to hold together. Go slow and check after each one.

Caramel Pear Pie

Remove dough from food processor and place it on a cutting board or mat. Roll into a ball and cut in half forming the top and bottom crust.

Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to 2 days before using. Peel, core and slice the pears and toss with the lime juice.

Preheat oven to 425° F / 220° C. Take out your dough and roll out so that it’s 10 inches in diameter and place it and arrange in your pie dish.

Brush the pie crust with egg white so that it doesn’t get soggy. Add the pears to the pie dish and pour the caramel sauce over the pears, you don’t have to pour it all if you think it’s too much sauce.

Sprinkle on a pinch or two of Brown sugar.

Roll out the other disc so that it’s 12 inches in diameter cut it into lattice strips. Arrange the lattice strips nicely over the pears, cutting the parts that overhang.

Brush with remaining egg white to the lattice top. This will give you that nice golden brown crust! Sprinkle on a little granulated sugar for an added glow.

Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

What is you favorite kind of pie?

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

September 23, 2013

Weekend of Rest

Well another week is upon us and I can gladly say that this weekend was really restful. As much as I wanted to cross off some items from my many to-do lists I didn’t do anything that wasn’t required. It was so relaxing and decadent to not be running around like a crazy person.

Friday: I spent the night catching up on my DVR’s so I don’t have pictures of it.

Saturday:

1. I started the morning off with a really large cup of coffee. Seamus actually let me sleep in until 6:30 which is really late for him.

2. I made a quick run to the grocery store and picked up this Smoked Gouda with Bacon cheese.

3. I started knitting a new fall hat while watching a ton of Movies. Including No Strings Attached, Miss Congeniality, Message in a Bottle and Bridesmaids.

4. I baked 2 slices of Hard Salami per muffin tin in the oven at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes to make cups then added some cucumber, tomatoes and cheese.

5. Just in time for the Ohio State Game to start I made Cheesy Corn Chowder with Bacon and Gorgonzola from How Sweet It Is. It was AMAZING!! Probably my favorite soup EVER now! Ohio State kicked some Florida A&M butt. Total shutout 76-0.

Sunday:

6. I started my morning off with some juicing! This is Apples, orange, carrots, celery and blueberries.

7. I finished this book. I have another 4 out from the library so I need to get reading. I can’t figure out how I feel about this book. It was not what I expected and the ending took a really weird turn. I didn’t hate it but it was just random.

8. I finished my Slouchy Cable Beret! Looking forward to wearing it once the weather gets cooler. It knitted up quickly too. It is actually a more mint color than the pic shows.

9. Snuggle time with Seamus for the rest of the night watching a little Breaking Bad.

Overall very relaxing weekend. I even took a 25 minute power nap on Sunday after the Patriots game. Not having to fit so much into such a small amount of time was really refreshing. I am going to enjoy it while it lasts because I know it won’t last long!

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Sami at Sami’s Shenanigans and Leann at Join the Gossip .

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