Monday Menu: Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry

Alrighty folks, here is an easy peasy recipe and one of my favs.  

Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry 

Ingredients:

Chicken Tenderloins

Broccoli

Sugar Snap Peas

Red Bell Pepper

Carrots

Minute Rice 

Teriyaki Sauce

Olive Oil

& any other veggies you prefer.

I didn't list amounts because its really up to you. If you like lots-o-veggies then use more. If you would rather more meat then go for it. Its YOUR dinner. 

First I heated up some Olive Oil in a pan. I drizzled enough to cover most but not entire bottom. Then I added the chicken tenderloins that have been brushed with teriyaki sauce. Cook until done. 

Then I use the same pan (no sense in dirtying two) drizzle with oil again and toss in veggies. Cook for a bit. Then add about a fourth cup of teriyaki sauce or more if you like. 

Cook a bit more. 

Simple right. You still with me?  We're almost finished.

 When veggies are almost done cooking (soft) start the rice. It should only take five minutes after you get the water boiling so plan accordingly. Then dump the chicken back in with the veggies to get them warm again while rice is finishing up.

 Serve over rice.

Ta-Da

Your done. Told you it was simple and oh so tasty! Eat up.

Stamp Cramp

Hi y'all. It has been a wonderful weekend for me, and hopefully you as well.  This weekend I acquired some new creative inspiration. Okay maybe not just some, a TON actually.  A friend of my moms had a moving sale and she had two boxes of rubber stamps and other craft supplies she was selling. The whole kit & caboodle sold for $150.  Now if you are into stamping which I am pretty positive none of my readers are (yet), then you know this is a great deal. Stamps run on average five - 10 dollars per stamp. I haven't counted them yet but looky what I got!! 

I think I may get some stamp cramps. Check out this next stamp. Awesome. Plus I think its good to toot your own horn a little every now and again. Maybe I will just frame this and prop it up where I see it everyday as a little encouragement for myself. 

Well anyways, 

Don't Be A Chicken

Or a rooster. Here is a fun project I worked on yesterday and today. I bought that cute rooster for two dollars at Goodwill. Yep, just two buckaroos.

 I transformed that into this little gem. I know it isn't real big and doesn't hold a ton of earrings, but it can hold a few of my favorites! 

Isn't it wonderful what just a little spray paint can do. 

Still chasing my dream one little project at a time.

Frappuccino Love

Hello followers! I would like to formally apologize for my last post. It only proved two things for me. The first was prove to me that I needed to get crafting on something, anything. The second was it made me go a day with chipped polish just to prove to myself I wasn't a lunatic.  

Here is the good stuff, the Frappuccino love. I love them. Go to morning drink over hot coffee. While I kept thinking each time I drank one, 'these little bottles are so adorable. I wish I could make something from them.' Well I made my wish come true and also feel a little bit better paying the price I do for something I can get double gratification from. 

I probably broke some crazy rule out there in the crafting world. I used two different brands of paint. Mainly because I could only find Frosted spray paint in one brand. Quick tidbit in case you are brave enough and want to create something from nothing and add a little spring touch to your home. If you don't want to use paint specifically for glass, you can first spray with Frosting. You can find the Frosting at Lowes and a small selection of paint color at Michaels. The frost acts as a base coat and then allows you to use any kind of paint on your glass. I chose Kyrlon in Hyacinth a pretty purple. I love this color. I did this with some clear soda bottles and they look great frosted without any color. Forgot the pictures of course. I have a feeling I will be spray painting lots of bottles in the future. Can you say wedding center pieces? Here is the finished product. I found this cute little crate at Michaels for 3.50 on clearance. Cheap, easy project. 

I'm going to look for artificial flowers this week sometime for just a smidge more awesomeness. I was just so excited I could not wait any longer to blog about something with substance. Phew I feel much better.

Lauren

There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

My OCD

Warning: This blog post contains very personal information.
 Please don't judge.


It is almost opening day! Some of you have already made it clear you will be there. It's gonna be cold. Sorry I had to, but really who cares if it is cold. ITS CARDINAL BASEBALL!!  I have never been to opening day at Busch Stadium and I grew up a Cards fan, that just isn't right. I know my future holds an opening day...somewhere though. Its all about this lesson God is teaching me. We have been on patience for quite some time now. I am pretty positive the lesson has no end date, ever. 

Anyways I'm going to get my red on. When I say red I mean red nail polish. I have always wanted to blog about my OCD when it comes to nail polish (insert my fiancées eye roll here) because I like to think its somewhat crafty. Am I wrong here? But at the same time I do realize I may have a problem or that this is unusual. I'll risk sounding completely neurotic because hey, nobody is perfect. Anyways...take a look at the collection...SHEESH. I know it doesn't look that bad, but I love them and want more and more.

  

So it goes about like this... 

If it starts to chip, I start to pick.

If I start to pick, I pick and pick and pick until its almost ALL off. 

If Brandon pitches, I must make sure there are no chips to begin with. 

If there are...pretty positive I will have to redo them. Sorry darling I get nervous.

I kinda hate when I have pink nails and a red shirt on. 

I get bummed when I break a nail. 

I will strategically plan out when I paint them if I will be away from home over a weekend.

I do not like when one nail is short and the rest are long. 

If one goes, they all go.

I am not high maintenance I promise, but I cannot stand when I have chipped polish. 

I have had maybe three manicures in my life. Why... because I am positive I can do it better, for free, exactly how I like it. I know it sounds snobby but really people I know there is SOMETHING in your life you feel this way about.

 Now that I have confessed about my nail polish OCD I know I sound PRETTY crazy. Maybe someday I will get over this. For now, I have to go paint them before they start breaking. 

Here is some fun spring inspiration for your nails.

Yes I have tried this, with multiple colors of course. Enjoy.

lauren

Where's Waldo?

Look who got their Zumba Instructors License!!! Yep all theses ladies and one male. It was such a busy day from 8:30 - 4:30. FUN. I gotta say the little old lady on the right in all green was absolutely adorable!!!  Thats why I LOVE ZUMBA its for everyone. Now I have to find time to  practice and choreograph some workouts so I can get my first class going. EEEK! 

Can you find me?

lauren

Third row, left half, redish Mizzou t-shirt. 

Update

I have been failing lately with my blog posts dwindling to fewer and fewer each month. It is a good thing though because it means I have been super busy. Far different from the previous months in AL where I was barely awake for more than 8 hours a day. Huge adjustment. I love being busy though so I am thrilled at that and will never let my life get that dull for that long of time again. Don't get me wrong it was great being in AL with Cotton, just when I return I am making a point, a giant one, to not be a bum. 

My work schedule has changed since I returned. I know watch the kiddos four days a week and use the fifth for cleaning/laundry/billing & paperwork. We definitely have fun. I love these kids so much. While brother was napping we decided to make our own Mardi Gras mask.

He loves his Cheetos Puffcorn so much. He says "yummmm" while he is getting it out and then proceeds to show me where the bowl is for his 'nack.'  (This usually happens every morning around 8:30 a.m.)

Then we play dress up. I'm sorry but this is hilarious! Pictures just don't do it justice.

Enough about the kids...someone is getting a little jealous. =) My mom and dad and younger brother loaded up the car last Wednesday night and headed for Orlando, Fl. At approx. the National Anthem we were walking into the stadium. Pretty awesome timing right? Road warriors driving through the night. We got to see four games in three different stadiums and just about everyone in the Cardinals rotation and bullpen pitch except this guy. Talk about bad timing. Whats worse is the day after we left he pitched at 10:30 in the morning. He is healthy and happy just following his dream and I enjoy every second of sharing that with him, even if its his rest days. 

What a role model. I love this man!

I didn't mind the beautiful sunshine either...

...especially when I arrived in my driveway Monday night to step out into SNOW!

 I told you I've been busy. Oh one more thing, we've set a wedding date of November 5th. We don't know where yet though we are taking this at snail pace and enjoying every second of it.

lauren