Why do I let money get to me so much? I swear I'm going to let it give me an ulcer. This is me officially letting it go...until the next time something pops up...and then so will the vein in my head...but here's to sending out positive vibes that I can stop this cycle of every time something bad monetarily pops up that I freak out.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
I hate money
Why do I let money get to me so much? I swear I'm going to let it give me an ulcer. This is me officially letting it go...until the next time something pops up...and then so will the vein in my head...but here's to sending out positive vibes that I can stop this cycle of every time something bad monetarily pops up that I freak out.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Creamy Chicken Bacon and Artichoke Pasta
This is a rich and flavorful pasta...I mean what more do you need if something has bacon and artichokes in it? It would even be good as a vegetarian dish. It's not bad with some parmesan cheese on top either!
Recipe:
8 oz. of cooked pasta (any kind will do)
Combine and warm all ingredients in one pot. Enjoy.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
What a difference a lil green will do
TechnaGlass is the devil
Friday, November 20, 2009
Screw Pumpkin Pie
I've never cared for pumpkin pie. I feel like it's a big spoonful of baby food. It's mushy and not very tasty. Thank goodness I've found a good crompromise. This has enough cake crumble on it that you can totally eat it! Yet, it's enough like pumpkin pie for those die hards.
Easy Pumpkin Crumble
Recipe by Our Best Bites
1 boxed yellow or white cake mix
1-2 sticks butter (see notes in instructions)
1 16 oz can pumpkin*
2 eggs
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
1/4 t ginger
1/8 t cloves
1/8 t nutmeg
1/2 t salt
1/3 C chopped pecans
1/2 t additional cinnamon for topping
*This makes a dessert about an inch thick or less. That's because I like a high topping-to-pumpkin ratio. If you'd like it thicker, use a large can of pumpkin and double the rest of the filling ingredients (Eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and spices). Leave the rest of the recipe the same.
Preheat oven to 350.
Place 2 C of the cake mix in a bowl. Cut in 3 T chilled butter. Just use your fingers to crumble the butter until it's in small crumbly pieces. Place mixture in a 9x13 baking dish and press flat with your fingers.
Mix pumpkin, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and spices until smooth. Pour on top of the cake mixture in the pan.
Now take the rest of the dry cake mix and mix in 1/2 t cinnamon. Sprinkle it all over the top of the pumpkin mixture. Use a measuring cup so you have a rough measurement of how much you're putting on. Here's why:
Here's a little something I learned after making the dump cake a gazillion times. Cake mixes all have different amounts in them! Different brands, different flavors, etc. Each one is slightly different in volume. I found one mix to have almost double the normal amount. Measuring the amount of cake mix you're sprinkling on top will help you get the perfect topping ratio in the last step.
Next sprinkle on the chopped pecans. You'll have 3 distinct layers now:
Here's the trick: For every 1 C of cake mix you sprinkled on top, you'll need 3 T of melted butter. Drizzle it right on top.
That butter is going to combine with the cake mix and make magic in the oven. Pop it in your 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes or so. A knife should come out without globs of pumpkin on it and the topping should be nice and golden.
You can eat it warm, at room temp, or chilled! My favorite is actually at room temp. Put a dollop of sweetened whipped cream on top. It's also great with vanilla ice cream.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Bring on the Water Works

I used to never cry. I thought it was lame and a sign of weakness. I would be embarrassed when my mom would cry in church. I never had friends that were the typical ball baby girls. I can’t stand girls that cry over every little thing. Get some Kleenex and get over it I thought.
I think I’ve somehow ruined my tear ducts. It’s just not a reaction that I have. Recently I’ve wished I did. I always feel a very cathartic feeling after a good cry. It can be cleansing and relieving all at the same time. I feel like it’s an outward expression or letting go. I just can’t. I can feel 100% absolutely miserable and want to cry and nothing but dust comes from my tears ducts. Not only does it help you to feel better, but I think it helps those around you understand the emotion that you’re going through. I don’t think a sad blank stare communicates the same thing.
I’m just asking for one good cry...come on eyeballs…you can do it! Maybe I need to go cut some onions to help the process start.Tuesday, November 17, 2009
2 year anniversary!
The more I’m married the more I realize I’ve got a lot to learn about ‘real’ love. I’ve found that having a perfect husband doesn’t consist of:
.....Him always having the perfect thing to say, but rather always listening to what I have to say and letting me vent.....Him being the cleanliest person-his many collections of Jordans may permanently liter our bedroom, but he always helps clean up the dishes, living room and takes out the garbage without being asked-and his ability to turn a blind eye when I don’t always do the dishes, hang up my clothes or EVER clean out my filthy truck
.....Him being able to plan these spectacular and surprising dates, but rather him always allowing to be dragged along to whatever scheme or double date I’ve concocted no matter how unmanly or how unfun it seems to him (see pic for just one of the many examples).
.....Him taking me to expensive restaurants, but instead spending his time to faithfully and consistently take me to the temple. .....Him being at my beck and call 24/7 but instead him taking time away to be an awesome home teacher, fulfill his calling and be a good student and still maintain his hobbies so he’s a well rounded person that will have a TON to teach to our children.
I’ve learned it’s focusing on the good and accentuating the positive that helps you stay in love. I’ve learned that this last year has been our hardest so far, with some trials and set backs. However, I’ve also seen that because of these we’ve been able to grow in our patience and understanding and hence become better people.
Love is him running with me while I train for my 5k. He’s an excellent runner so he had to go at an extremely slow pace so it wasn’t even hard for him, and constantly stop while I whined… “I’m gonna throw up! We gotta stop. I need ANOTHER break!” That’s true love!
While I’ve still got a lot to learn, I’m so glad that I have Claudy to be by my side while I learn. I’m so grateful for his patience and unconditional love.
Here’s to a million more years babe!

