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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.

Angel

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.

fruit

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

cookies

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

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.

dinner

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

How was your weekend?

Linking up with  Leann at Join the Gossip.

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Posted by Kerry 28 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized

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

SOURCE

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

SOURCE

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

voxbox

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!

THE GOOD LIFE BLOG

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Posted by Kerry 26 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: 5onFriday, Back That Azz Up

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:
  1. Thank the one that nominated you. Thank you, Lindsey!!
  2. Put up the picture for the One Lovely Blog Award.
  3. Tell everyone seven things about yourself.
  4. 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.Sparky - 14 yrs old when she passed
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.
cakecake-2
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:

  1. Amanda @ Voyage of the MeeMee
  2. Stacia @ The Homey Owl
  3. Renee @ So Fill Your Heart
  4. Kim @ Racing Bananas
  5. Liz @ Fitness Blondie
  6. Jessica @ Wonder What’s Next
  7. Maddie @ The Whimsy One

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!

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Posted by Kerry 24 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: Facts about me, Lovely Blog Award

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

Chorizo Pot Pie

Gluhwein - Mulled Cider

Gluhwein – Mulled Wine

Griiled-Cheese3

Chicken and Gouda Grilled Cheese

Caramel Pear Pie

Caramel Pear Pie

Honey Oat Bread

Honey Oat Bread

Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon Sangria

Prosciutto Basil Salad on Watermelon Plates

Prosciutto Basil Salad on Watermelon Plates

S'Mores Brownies

S’Mores Brownies

Projects Completed

Fall DIY CenterpieceFall Centerpiece

coffee table

Winter Centerpiece

American Flag

American Flag

monogram-2

Anchored Monogram

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!

That's What She Read
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Posted by Kerry 43 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: Year in Review, Year of Kerry

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

wings-3

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.

wings-2

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.

wings-1

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!

wings-4

Do you have a favorite Wing recipe?

Have you ever made your own Wings?

 

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

 

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Posted by Kerry 28 Comments
Filed Under: Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged: Bar-B-Que Chicken Wings, BBQ Wings, Taste of Tuesday

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