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.

Creamy Chicken Bacon and Artichoke Pasta

I got this recipe from my friend Stephanie, and she calls it chicken pappardelle, but since I've changed it a bit, I thought I should come up with my own name...which I should probably stick to cooking.

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)

2 strips bacon (is what it calls for, I like to use Oscar Mayer Real bacon bits and use at LEAST half of the bag...making bacon is too messy and I need LOTS)

1 can sun dried tomato (I like to use Italian Diced Tomatoes...liquid and all)

3 cups cooked and diced chicken

1 T garlic (and a generous extra dash...)

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (I used Tony's Creole seasoning)

1 cup heavy cream (I use the small pint)

1 cup chicken broth

1 can artichoke hearts

2 T flour-I like to have a thicker sauce

Combine and warm all ingredients in one pot. Enjoy.

What a difference a lil green will do

Too bad it takes some green to buy some green! Hence why we've lived a year and a half with these sorry things! When you live in an apartment that was made in the fifties that has faux wood cabinets there's not much you can do to make it look better...especially on a very fixed income. There's of course a TON more I would like to do with my apartment, but all in good time. I guess it's more exciting this way because then you get to become all excited every time you get to check something off of the list instead of doing it in one fell swoop (which I've been tempted to do many times...curtains are calling my name!)Anyways, thank you Roberts. Crazy what a little decor will do. It might not seem that great, but come see it in person! It definitely beats just having phone books up there!

This may have been one of the best purchases I've ever made! No buyers remorse here!

TechnaGlass is the devil

You've been warned! Don't go to TechnaGlass. I went there two months ago to get two rock chips repaired (which by the way are Utah's fault...stupid construction on my way to work...thanks Udot.)

So they told me that they were fixed...right. I trusted them thinking all was taken care of...like they say. Crazy to think that someone would stand by their work right?

So, yesterday when it was really cold I turned on my defrost. Again..what was I thinking? Be able to see out my window? Insane.

As soon as I heated up the 'fixed' rock chip all of the sudden broke out and cracked at least two feet across my entire windshield.

When I took it to them (thinking the logical thing would be for them to admit they didn't fix it right and replace my windshield) they said they could give me $20 off on my new windshield.

$20 off???!!! What the (insert dirty word)? That's still $140!! I shouldn't be having to pay for any of that...that's why I tried to nip it in the butt and fix it before it came to this. I am furious...time wasted, and now more money needs to be spent. Happy Holidays!

Jerks.

Won't be going to them to replace my windshield since I've seen what quality of work they do. We'll see if safelite does any better. Cross your fingers.

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.

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.

But I think I somehow did myself a disservice by training myself not to. I’ll admit I’ve gotten better, I can cry watching a really sad movie or when I really feel the spirit at church, but I still cannot cry when something sad or upsetting happens to me.

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.

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!