Till Then Smile Often

January 12, 2015

Weekend Wanders

Is it really Monday? This weekend seemed to fly by, I forgot to stop and take pictures but I do have a few. I got a lot done around the house, but I also did some knitting and some reading done too. So here we go.

~ Saturday was a whirlwind of chores, library trip, the gym and watching the Patriots eeek out a win!

~ I finally hung up some art I got while I was in Maine this past December. The yellow and blue goes well in my office that has blue walls. (The anchor is more blue that the picture shows)

~ I made this amazing salad after my trip to the gym.

~ I am only considering this a half conquer since I decided to take the stain a little dark and need to lighten the letter. Almost done though. This will makes it way onto my bedroom wall.

Seamus Sightings

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Biana from B Loved Boston.

January 9, 2015

Friday Favorites | Got Wood

The first full week after a nine day vacation was brutal, the time seemed to go so slow even though it was really busy. I have to say this weekend is going to busy since I have a ton of cleaning to get done, a DIY project to tackle and some more wall art to hang up. It’s looking to be really productive. NOw on to the favorites so we can get this show on the road:

Favorite Kitchen Inspiration: With my kitchen and half bath renovation to be on my list for the year, this picture is my dream kitchen!

Favorite Quote: I need to practice this often.

Favorite DIY: I love the idea of being able to hide your trash can. I also may be addicted to wood projects. So many projects not enough time.

Favorite Recipe: This is more tips than recipe but it is food related. Having good Paleo snacks on hands is so important with staying on track.

Tips for staying paleo and 11 approved paleo snacks #DixieQuicktakes

Favorite Funnies:

Ed Sheeran rocked this year, but he gives good advice too. Hehe.

He also gave Sam Smith the perfect advice about dealing with haters. | 39 Things Ed Sheeran Did In 2014 That Were Utterly Perfect

This made me laugh way too hard!

Probably not the best time to take a selfie.

Hey, firefighter! Shouldn't you be, you know, fighting that fire? | 27 People Who Should NOT Be Taking A Selfie Right Now

Me too!! Just kidding I couldn’t be a vegetarian because…BACON!

Linking up with Amanda

Also linking up with Natasha for 5 on Friday.

January 7, 2015

Who Do You Admire?

While reading the book The Power of 100! it asks the question “Who Do You Admire?” and to be honest I struggled to come up with the 4 people he asked the reader to write down. Not that I don’t admire a lot of people for different reasons but it just threw me for a loop. I don’t work well under pressure.

How do you limit it to just 4 people you admire?

The author listed people like Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey and his mother. Would my list be as profound. I am not a history buff so most likely not. It can be any person past or present and it can be any person known to you or not. Someone you want to be more like, motivates you, or is just an amazing person. So when I thought about it I came up with these four:

My Dad – From the time I was seven my Dad became a single parent to two kids. We were a handful and we needed a lot, as most kids do. From the sports we played, clothes we needed, and all the mood swings I know I put him through. He always provided even though I know some years were a real struggle for him. He gave all he had including his time. He is the person I most admire.

Chalene Johnson – She is a huge fitness trainer and I first saw her on an infomercial and fell in love with her TurboFire workout. I like her even more for her commitment to family, her goal setting program (The 30 Day Push) and her desire to help people live the happiest life they can possibly live. She also started as a fitness instructor and built an empire which is very admirable. Her workouts are the only ones I want to do two years after buying and not get sick of her, like with some other DVD’s. Learn more about her here.

Julia Childs – Besides her being a pioneer in the cooking world she also didn’t get started until well into her 40’s and didn’t appear on TV until she was 50 years old. Her gumption to start a new career and re-invent her self is such an admirable quality. A reminder to all that you can always try something new. For her history, you can read more here.

Alice Paul – A woman’s rights activist that endured prison and began a hunger strike in support of women’s right to vote, for speaking out against President Wilson. Even after being force fed 3 times a day she still refused to eat or give up. The strength of her convictions as well as the others who stood up for woman’s rights is so empowering. The held vigil outside the White House for two and a half years until the 19th Amendment was passed!! I first heard Alice Paul’s her story in the movie Iron Jawed Angels. If only I could have 1/10th of her strength.

Who Do You Admire?

January 6, 2015

Bacon Bourbon Apple Fritters

I was feeling so impressed with myself for having all my drafts written for the week and then I realized that the monthly book post isn’t until next week. Womp Womp. So I texted my girl Maddie and she agreed to let me re-post the recipe I used to guest post on her blog. Maddie is the first blogger I ever met in real life. She is my Southern Belle, with a penchant for Bourbon and bacon. Could she be more perfect? She also hosted me at her house down in North Carolina, and we had a blast. You can read about my trip here and here.

I think taste testing this recipe has been my most favorite so far. It’s light and airy but full of flavor. Worth cheating on your diet to enjoy one!

Ingredients:

Batter: 2 cups flour ~ 2 TBSP Sugar ~ 2 TSP Baking Powder ~ 1/2 TSP Salt ~ 1/2 TSP Ground Cinnamon ~ 1/2 cup cooked Bacon, chopped (approx. 6 slices) ~ 2/3 cup milk ~ 2 eggs ~ 1 cup water ~ 2 TBSP Bourbon (I used Evan Williams) ~ 2 cups Apples, diced (approx. 2 medium sized apples)

Bourbon Sugar Glaze: 1/2 cup brown sugar (pack it down tight) ~ 1 TBSP melted Butter ~ 1/4 cup milk ~ 1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar ~ 1 TBSP Bourbon

Directions: In a mixing bowl add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and bacon. In a smaller bowl mix the eggs, milk, water and bourbon. Add to the dry ingredients and add the apples. Stir until fully incorporated.

NOTE: If you find the mix too runny add more flour by the tablespoon, until the desired consistency is reached. If it is too thick add water by the tablespoon. You want it to look similar to a pancake batter.

In a skillet or saute pan heat oil to 375 degrees. Place batter into the oil using a tablespoon. You don’t want them to be too big or they won’t cook throughout. These cook up fast so have a metal slotted spoon handy to flip them.

Mix up the glaze and serve.

5.0 from 2 reviews

Bacon Bourbon Apple Fritters

Ingredients

Batter: 2 cups flour ~ 2 TBSP Sugar ~ 2 TSP Baking Powder ~ ½ TSP Salt ~ ½ TSP Ground Cinnamon ~ ½ cup Bacon, chopped (approx. 6 slices) ~ ⅔ cup milk ~ 2 eggs ~ 1 cup water ~ 2 TBSP Bourbon (I used Evan Williams) ~ 2 cups Apples, diced (approx. 2 medium sized apples)
Bourbon Sugar Glaze: ½ cup brown sugar (pack it down tight) ~ 1 TBSP melted Butter ~ ¼ cup milk ~ 1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar ~ 1 TBSP Bourbon

Instructions

Directions: In a mixing bowl add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and bacon. In a smaller bowl mix the eggs, milk water and bourbon. Add to the dry ingredients and add the apples. Stir until fully incorporated.
NOTE: If you find the mix too runny add more flour by the tablespoon, until the desired consistency is reached. If it is too thick add water by the tablespoon. You want it to look similar to a pancake batter.
In a skillet or saute pan heating oil to 375 degrees. Place batter into the oil using a tablespoon. You don't want them to be too big or they won't cook throughout. These cook up fast so have a metal slotted spoon handy to flip them.
Mix up the glaze and serve.

January 5, 2015

Clogs and Dreaming

I had a last minute issue with my kitchen sink that I needed to deal with so my weekend was very uneventful. I had to wait around almost all of Saturday and they missed two planned appointments and didn’t end up getting there till 6pm but they did come the same day I called so I can’t really be mad about it. I ended up having to do two loads of dishes after they left, and moped the floors twice. It took all of 15 minutes to fix too! Go figure.

So lucky for you this will be short! Here we go.

~ While I was waiting for the plumber I hung some new art in my living room (above), bedroom, and my office.

~ I started a new book and it was appropriate to have tea since the main character is a tea shop owner.

~ I went to Joann’s Fabrics for some vinyl for my Silhouette Cameo so be prepared for some projects coming.

~ I also started reading The Power of 100! which is a self-help book about putting your dreams on paper and making them happen. Realizing what gets in your way and finding ways around them. I am about 1/2 done and I am loving it and have pages of notes.

~ I had over 60 Goodreads emails that I cleaned out of my Inbox and ended up adding about 50 books to my to-read list. Oy vey! This task has been on my to-do list for awhile so glad I can finally cross it off.

~ Okay I didn’t conquer it the plumber did, but I did conquer the aftermath. Haha! I cleaned that kitchen within an inch of its porcelain veneer. Just in time too since I was running out of silverware.

Seamus Sightings

Overall it was laid back and relaxed and I got a lot of tasks that have been lingering around for awhile.

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Biana from B Loved Boston.

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