On The Menu: Meatloaf

I used to think meatloaf was the most disgusting dishes out there. The turnaround came when I was extremely hungry one night and that was for dinner. Tough love for Lauren. I ate the meatloaf. Much to my surprise, I LOVED it. 

When I moved to AL I knew I would be trying some new cuisine and when Meatloaf was on the menu I was a bit apprehensive. I only liked Mom's meatloaf. Once again it was eat it or eat nothing. Two for two, I loved it. 

My mom's recipe is a little more difficult, not much but it calls for beef and pork sausage and is a LOT of meatloaf. This is perfect for two (if you have a hungry other half) and only calls for ground beef.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb ground beef

about 1/4 green pepper

about 1/4 cup onion

1 egg

2 Slices of bread (crumbed/ripped to pieces)

salt and pepper

1/4 cup ketchup

Mix all ingredients together. Bake in greased dish at 350 for 45 minutes to an hour. Pour off excess juices cooked from meatloaf. When ten minutes remain top with ketchup. Serve with whatever you want. 

*you know how I love to cook add more or less or whatever YOU want*

Eat. Eat. Eat. Enjoy!

Progress Post

Single Blossom on chain with silver bead

Single Blossom on chain with pearl

Above & Below Trio Blossom Necklace

Colors available - basics to start

Mother's Day

First and foremost, Happy Mother's Day MOM! Words can't describe my thankfulness for all that you have done and continue to do. I realize that even this day is as special as the last 27. Each year its something different. Last year you welcomed a new son-in-law to the family and next year there will be two. Hopefully in a few years you will be a Grandma and that too will just make this day more special for you. It is different now than when we were babies but no two Mother's Days will ever be the same. Motherhood is never over once your child is born. It is a lifetime commitment. 


As my time as a nanny nears fifteen months I have been able to get a small glimpse into what motherhood will be like.  I am SO excited, however I have seen exactly how much work it is. Diapers. Feedings. Crying. Tantrums. Crawling. Walking. Rolling over. Sitting up. Sickness. Teething. Doctor visits. Shots. Spit up. Sleepless nights. Dirty house. Punishments. Naps.  But with the work comes the priceless moments that I am so unbelievable eager to experience. Kisses. Hugs. Baths. Giggles. Smiles. Cuddles. Laughs. The good baby smell. Falling asleep in my arms. Walking. Talking. Learning. Conversations. Hearing "Momma". 


Oh this list could go on and on. Its a package deal. I think it is the bad that makes the good, great!


Happy Mother's Day to any Moms or expecting Moms!

Today I Was Home MAY'd!

Happy birthday to me!. Whoo Hoo! Today I am 24 years young! Time has flown. I love getting birthday cards or cards of any kind probably because I like sending them just as much. Since my sister works for Hallmark she has easy access to the best of the best in greeting cards. I am so lucky to have her as a sister. I always value her opinion, am overly sensitive to everything she says, and often respond defensively. I am trying hard to work on all of these things.  

The card reads

 Front: 

" When friends say they're 'close as sisters' - 

Inside:

We're the kind of sisters they mean. Happy Birthday

So grateful for my family and especially her!


My birthday was celebrated first by sleeping in. Okay so I wasted a little bit of it (only til noon), but seriously I love sleeping in so I think one day won't hurt. 

Then my Mom joined me as I went to try on some more wedding dresses. Pretty sure I was successful this time, but I know the Big Guy upstairs was helping along with some other extra prayers. (It is National Day of Prayer)

Onto some less serious shopping and dinner to finish the day. Nothing to crazy for Cinco de Drinko, as my brothers call it,  but I thought it was a perfect day. 


Thanks Mom and Dad for bringing me into the world.


Now I look forward to my half birthday also known as my wedding day!!




The best things in life are homemade.

Award!!

Tonight was spent in the kitchen. I made MEATLOAF and have the recipe via pics that I was all amped up to share with you. But that can wait a few posts if you will bare with me cause I have to announce some exciting news!

Tonight I received

award from a fellow blogger and woman I truly admire. Blair writes about the adventures as a professional athletes wife and unwavering faith it takes to succeed at such a challenge. Folks, IT AIN'T EASY! Period. She makes it entertaining and tells it how it is.

 Thanks Blair!!

When receiving this award the rules are:

1. Thank and link to the person who awarded you

2. Share 7 facts about yourself

3. Pass on the award to 7 new-found blog friends

4. Let your friends know they were awarded!

Here is a seven fact countdown about myself:

7. Sometimes I forget the kids I nanny aren't mine, I love them so much. 

6. Cardinal fan for life. Even before the fiancée came along.   

5. I am terrible at making decisions, hence no wedding plans confirmed.

4. Pizza. Pizza. Pizza. Yum.

3. I never go to bed early enough.

2. Painting my nails is one of my favorite pick me ups. 

1. I chose a different lifestyle and career path to be with the one I love. 

Not that interesting huh? Well now I get to dish out the award. Since I don't have seven blog friends I will choose a few in no particular order.

Snitkerdoodle: Anxiously awaiting Hannah's return to the blogosphere to hear new endeavors as a Mom. Motherhood and an Army Wife is nothing less than versatile. 

Pracht Party of 3: Another favorite! Watching a baby grow up before your eyes. It helps that he is oh so adorable! Working mom = versatile.

Journalista: I find through Karen's photos we often overlook God's simple wonders. Her photographed subjects are versatile.

Karla: Get blogging sista! We love seeing buoy and his versatile personality.

Adam's Transplant: This story is so incredible and the versatile award is an understatement.

What a great way to end my Tuesday. Meatloaf recipe coming soon.

Tonight I received a text message that said this:

(8:54) Sooooo cute. Sarah (name has been changed) prayed for Brandon tonight in her goodnight prayers. She told me his team isn't doing to good and he needs some extra help! 


PEOPLE!!! SHE IS FOUR AND A HALF YEARS OLD. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE! 

GOD IS SO GOOD! 

NEW Blossom Necklace

Sometimes I have absolutely no idea what a project of mine will turn into. This might be my favorite party about creating. It is about evolving and adjusting and going with what you have. Not everything I make turns out, I just choose not to show that here. Although I could start a spin off blog of craft projects gone wrong. What I was getting at was that a simple hair barrette has been transformed into this dainty lil' summer accessory. The Blossoms them self are less than 1" in diameter. They are on a 15" chain with white satin ribbon to tie for an adjustable length.

 It is so precious.

Now I have to get my little fingers busy and get ready for the Chocolate Ball.  It is less than 50 days away. How many do you think I can make before then?

Philipians 4:13 

"I can do ALL  things through Christ who strengthens me."

Time Is Not Free

Is anyone out there trying to live on a budget?

Do you hate how expensive things are these days?

Have you ever bought something you know you could make yourself?

I answered YES to every single question. 

A phrase I had written in a previous post has been echoing in my mind since then. CRAFT HOARDER. I am unbelievably blessed with all the items necessary to create just about anything I want. One thing I do not have just lying around is time.

I work Monday through Friday approximately 8:30 a.m until 6 p.m. Thursdays are flexible and a 4-6 hour day which I then use the rest to do most of my crafting,errand running, and shopping. Saturday and Sunday are also free days, unless of course I am traveling, which happens a lot during baseball season.

This is what I have. BEADS. BEADS. BEADS!

If time were unlimited I would make this necklace in many different shades and sizes until all the beads were gone. Its casual or fancy perfect for any season.

The fact that this necklace retails for $78 and I could make it or 15 more for free irks me. But time isn't free, is it? Anyone looking for volunteer work? He He, but seriously.