Mini Meee...and SO much more

It has been MANY MANY months since the last time I was able to post anything, and boy let me tell you..SO much has happened I don't even know where to begin! So here it goes...

After my last visit with the fertility clinic they told me that if I was serious I needed to consider a different method, something "stronger." The next option was to consider doing fertility shots (and if you know me you know that me even considering this is a BIG deal, I DO NOT do shots). At the time this sounded like I had no other option and I wanted to have a baby so bad I would walk to the end of the earth to make it happen. So I scheduled the appointment to start the process.

At the same time I was planning on spending my days stabbing my stomach with a needle I was also getting ready to start my new job. I was so excited to finally join the working world again and to start contributing to our family, and mostly to be able to do something other than sitting at home stressing and thinking about this fertility process. I went to my first Dr.'s appointment to learn how to inject myself with the medication and I also learned that in order to do the shots it required me to go into the Dr.'s office more often than usual so that they could monitor the dosage and the progress. After that appointment I realized that I was already planning on being in the Dr.'s office (and not in the work office) at least 8 different days out the month it would not be a good start with my new company. I made the hard decision to place the shots on hold for a few months until I established myself at work and got my insurance sorted out.

I could not believe how much I enjoyed my job and enjoyed what I did, that those few months I wanted to wait came and went as fast as night to day...and then a couple of more months passed by.  I kept trying to think of when would be a good time to start the shots back up, but something would always come up at work (some big project) that I could not even really think about it.

After a couple more months went by I noticed that I started feeling a little off....not like myself. I was crying about things I shouldn't be crying about. I was tired when all I did was sleep. My husband would annoy me more than most. I was eating and craving beef jerky?!?! What in the world could be wrong with me?

After coming to the realization that there was something weird about me I decided to take a pregnancy test. I had no hope that this one would be any different or have any other outcome from the many I had taken in the past, but I just wanted to take one so that I could rule out that possibility and move on to figure out what the heck was wrong with me. After waiting those couple of minutes I took a peak at the test and just as I was about to throw it away something caught my eye. There was something different about this test....there was a solid line and a slight hint of another...I knew it was a defective one, It had to be! I then proceeded to take 4 more....all turning out the same. I was still in denial..there is no way I am pregnant, I was told that I don't ovulate and therefore can't get pregnant. I rushed to my Dr for them to confirm that my pregnancy tests I took were all wrong and I was right....but I was wrong and the tests were right. I was pregnant! FINALLY! I could not believe it.....

Fast forward to today...I am currently 26 weeks pregnant with our baby girl and she is due February 14, 2014. Her name is Kimball Rose - a strong family name for a strong little girl. My husband and I cannot believe that we are blessed with such an amazing miracle and we are thankful each and every day for it. I have been dreaming and praying for this child for years and I am so grateful that I get to experience this miracle of life. As I sit here and write our story I can feel this little peanut (that is her nickname) move inside me and I can't help but shed tears of joy knowing God is truly amazing!

Risotto

One of my absolute favorite things in life is a good Risotto. Some people automatically think that risotto is a difficult thing to cook, but honestly its fairly easy.....it just requires some babysitting. Its such a shame that it is not very popular in restaurants, but because of this unfortunate circumstance I HAD to find to find a good recipe. Naturally I turned to one of my favorite cooking stars: The Pioneer Woman for inspiration of course. It was there that I found the most amazing risotto! It is seriously something I cannot live without.

**Mine does not come close to looking as yummy as The Pioneer Woman's**

Sundried Tomato Risotto

 

 What you will need

 

 

 

 

4 Tablespoons Butter

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1/2 whole Large Yellow Onion, Diced 

3 cloves Garlic, Minced 

2 cups Arborio Rice, Uncooked 

8 whole Sun-dried Tomatoes Packed In Oil, Drained And Minced  -- I tend to use more

1 cup Dry White Wine (optional) -- I use Red Wine

7 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth 

Salt As Needed 

Freshly Ground Black Pepper 

1 cup Parmesan, Freshly Grated 

1/4 cup Heavy Whipping Cream 

How it's Done

Heat broth in a saucepan or in a microwave safe pitcher. I used the microwave since its easier, then I just let it rest in there until I am ready for it.

Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven (love my dutch oven!) over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, until the onions start to become transparent.

Add the dry rice. Stir gently to coat and cook for about 3 minutes.

Pour in the wine. Stir gently and cook over medium-low heat until most of the liquid is gone. Add in minced sundried tomatoes and stir. 

Then begin adding broth, one cup at a time, stirring gently while the rice absorbs the liquid. (This is where the babysitting begins) Repeat this until the rice is done---it usually takes between 6 and 8 cups of broth. You don't want the rice to be completely soft and mushy, it needs to have a slight bite. 

Remove from heat, then stir in Parmesan and heavy cream. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. 

Bon Appetit!

 

Another Year Gone By

{2012}

As another year comes to an end, I cant help but look back on all the wonderful things that happened this year. 2012 was full of lots of exciting adventures!

~ I started out the new year with an exciting new job that allowed me to be a part of an AMAZING opportunity in launching Disney Cruise Line's newest ship the Disney Fantasy. AND on top of being able to work such a wonderful event, I got to take my husband and my parents on a cruise of a lifetime! 

~ After the high of having my family around me and embracing a real family vacation (except I had to do some work while on it) it got my husband and I thinking of what really mattered in life. We then started the daunting task of crunching numbers and looking for jobs. We were lucky to find something quickly and began to process of packing up a home and leaving our friends behind.

~ I turned a quarter of a century old! 

~ After arriving in Texas, I got the pleasure of visiting one of my long time friends in Maine, it was a trip that I will never forget, and will have to do it again soon! Absolutely beautiful!

~ My husband and I celebrated our 2nd year anniversary

~ I have gone from working at a place where dreams come true, to being unemployed and a full-time stay at home "mom", and then finally getting a job that will bring in the new year!

I know that the best is yet to be, and I can't wait to see what 2013 will bring!!

{NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS 2013}

I don't usually make resolutions, but I figured what the heck!

1. Focus on spending time with my husband and family, to make it a point to have quality time at least once a week.

2. To make healthier decisions, and develop a healthy lifestyle

3. To have family dinners at our table 5 nights a week.

4. To save money and pay off debt, particularly my school loan

5. To be adventurous



HAPPY NEW YEAR! MAY YOU AND YOURS BE BLESSED IN THE COMING YEAR!

Green Bean Casserole

In light of the Holidays I have decided to post one of my favorite dishes for the season. GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE...this dish is the reason I look forward to the holidays. I could eat this all day every day.

I do have to admit, this recipe came from an online source. However, I got it so many years ago I cannot remember which site it came from. So if any of you out there knows exactly where this recipe originated, please share. I want to make sure they get the credit.

1/3 stick of Butter

1/2 Cup of diced onions

1/2 Cup of sliced mushrooms

2 Cups of sliced fresh Green Beans

3 Cups of Chicken Broth

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 Can French Onion Rings

Garlic Powder, Pepper, & Salt to taste

Preheat oven to 350*

Melt butter in a large skillet. Saute the onions and mushrooms in the butter. Cook until they are a golden brown color.

Boil Green Beans in chicken broth for 10 minutes.

Then drain.

Combine green beans, mushroom soup, salt, pepper, garlic powder, mushroom mixture in a large mixing bowl.  Mix well.

Pour mixture into a greased 11/2 quart baking dish. Bake 20 minutes.

 Then top with French Onion rings and bake for another 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy!

*** Note: I was making this dish for about 20 people, so I doubled the recipe**

The Crown Jewels

As I was spending hours on end looking at the millions of things on Pinterest, I came across a jewelry organizer that I really really wanted....it was PERFECT! and FINALLY something stylish that I could organize all my necklaces, earrings, and bracelets without them being tossed under the sink (which probably explains why I don't wear a lot of my jewelry....out of sight, out of mind)

So I then spent more hours upon hours looking for one that I would like and wouldn't cost me a million dollars. Well, no such luck! I found some that were similar, but none that I was really attracted to....so I guess as the saying goes "If you want something done right, you've gotta do it yourself"....and I did!

The great thing about making it yourself, you can be as eclectic as you want....I went and bought all the supplies at Hobby Lobby (my favorite store for ANYTHING). 

Here is a list of things you will need:

1. Wooden Frame...I bought a 12X12 frame

2. All different types of knobs and holders that you would want to put on there...I love the eclectic look so I got all different kinds, but if you like simple you could get all the same. The great thing about this, is that you can make it however you want!

3. Some type of material to put on the back to hold your earrings. I personally used something more stylish (lace) instead of what looks like chicken wire as used in the picture above. But you could use whatever you like. For the lace I made sure I got enough to layer it a few times. (I bought 3 ft worth for 2 frames).

4. Spray paint in whatever color you want your frame to be. I used grey. (note: this is optional, if you buy a frame that is already painted then you won't need this)

5.  Drill, drill bit, screws, staple gun (the heavy duty kind), and staples

The first thing I did, was arrange all my knick-knack knobs on my frame so I got an idea of what I wanted before I started. 

Then once I got a general idea I set the knobs aside and painted the frame. Once it was dry I grabbed the knobs and marked the places on the frame where I wanted them. With the drill and drill bit the thickness of the knobs, I drilled the holes where I am going to place my knobs.

After that I put the backing on. Once again I used multiple layers of lace for my backing. So grab your material and place it on the back of the frame with enough material to staple on all sides. I got a little staple crazy and made sure that sucker is going to hold! But you just want to make sure it is sturdy enough. Next just trim off the excess material.

Ta-Da! BEAUTIFUL! 

Almost done.....just add all your gadgets and gizmos! For all the knobs, you just screw them into the drilled holes. But if you have other holders like I do, you will have to screw them into the frame with a drill and wood screws.

I made 2 of them, one for me (left) and one for my sister (right). I cant wait to hang it up and place all my jewels on it!

Here is what it looks like hanging on the wall....

Career Woman

We have now been in Texas for 4 months and each day I question if we made the right decision. I knew personally that it was right, having my family so close and being able to take part in family functions. But professionally, did we make a mistake? For my husband he wouldn't think so, he is so much happier here than he has ever been, and loves his job more than anything (of course not more than me, but you get the idea). As for me I feel like I am a kid again, when a grownup asks you "what do you want to do with your life, what do you want to be when you grow up?" and you never have the right answer.

I have spent hours on end applying for more jobs then I can count, and it feels like I am running on a hamster wheel. Working so hard to get nowhere. I was extremely blessed to have had such an amazing group of people to work with at Disney, that I fear I wasn't going to be able to find that closeness again. (maybe that is why I thought about changing careers and going back to school..who knows, I am one complicated woman) Everyone I worked with was more than a colleague, but a friend.

After going through interviews and reading up on companies, my fear started to seem like it was inevitable...until the other day....I had an interview with this company, and when I left there I felt like THIS is what I have been searching for. This is the type of company I want to work for and these are the exact type of people I want to work with. I left there feeling elated! I wanted this job soooooooo bad! I was on pins and needles just waiting to hear back. (The hardest part is always the waiting). Luckily I didn't have to wait too long for them to call me...whew!...and WOOO HOOO they offered me the job!!!!!!!!!!! I'm finally back out in the workforce....I start January 7th! Lets hope the Mayans aren't correct about the end of the world.....

I finally feel like this is where I am supposed to be in life, and I couldn't be more excited to see what the future will hold in my career.

Anyone else out there as excited about their career as I am? Or am I just nuts?

Chicken & Rice Casserole

YUMMY is an understatement for this amazing, melt in your mouth deliciousness....This recipe is an all-time favorite in our house hold. My husband is always asking me to make it, even if we have already had it one night this week. It is one of those that has been passed down from my grandparents, to my parents, and then to me. (and I am sure there are others out there like it, but not as good :D) I hope one day I can pass it along to my kids. 

What I love most about this recipe is that it is SO EASY! You really can't mess it up!

Here is what you will need:

2 Chicken Bouillon Cubes

6-8 Chicken Parts (I use boneless - skinless thighs)

2 Cups Boiling Water

1/2 Pkg Dry Onion Soup Mix

1 Cup long grain rice, uncooked

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

Salt & Pepper to taste

9X13 Baking Pan

Small Pot

Foil

First you preheat the oven to 325 degrees and while that is heating up go ahead and boil the 2 cups of water in a pot with the bouillon cubes.

Lay the rice in a 9X13 pan & pour the boiling water over the rice. Then you lay the chicken on top of the rice (you can use frozen chicken).

Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix over the chicken and the rice, then spread the can of soup over the top.

Doesn't that just look nice and gooey?!

Cover the pan with foil and place in the preheated oven. Cook for an hour then uncover and bake for another 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes, then serve.

Bon Appetit!