March Goals

On Friday...

I skipped out of work happy and excited to start my 10 days of spring break! Then came the rain...and it is now Monday and it hasn't stopped....

Forecaster says it should be done raining by tomorrow but I AM TIRED OF THE RAIN. I feel like this crazy Texas weather has been nothing but absolutely crazy this year. Basically I have been Binge watching netflix and eating everything in sight..while also online shopping and sipping lots of warm tea.  I need some sun in my life. Needless to say I wont post a bunch of pictures of Brandon and I binge watching Netflix and lounging around..that would be boring.

What I will post though are my new and updated March Goals!!!! 

1. FINISH WHAT I HAVE STARTED!! I am really bad about starting a project and then letting my ADD settle in and completely forget about it. This March I plan to PAINT one of my little ugly desks laying around in the garage with Annie sloan paint and making it completely cute for my new office! I will post my one and only DIY on here because I am sure it will be comical.

2. Do more YOGA!! I think I stated this on my previous goal lists and I have attempted to get into the yoga thing but haven't made it a priority and haven't stuck with it. So I am going to at least try and take it three times a week.

3. Plan, Create, and decorate for this years Easter Party at my house!!! I am in charge of Easter and I have the cutest idea for a table scape..I have already purchased new spring dishes from Pottery Barn  you can shop them here . They come in a multitude of colors and are so perfect for a spring setting!! Love me some PB!

4. Research and Possibly register for a cooking course over the summer. Being a teacher ( yipee!) and the fact that I am not going back to work full time next year has allowed me to have some amazing free time!! However..idol time and free time are two different things in Callie's book. Idol time is when I have nothing to do but sit and stew over my anxieties, things I haven't gotten done ( you get the picture) Free time is when I FILL my empty time with great and fun things to do!!! Therefore over the summer when I am not working I think it would be AMAZING for me to register for a cooking course. San Antonio is home of the Institute for Culinary Arts :) I am thinking my readers may possibly benefit from this course as well!

5. Get the closets and drawers ORGANIZED! 

I did a post on organization which was great! However, it was just a tidbit of organization and this GF needs to have EVERYTHING organized.. Did I mention I also have OCD? :) I am talking drawers, closets, those annoying kitchen junk drawers where all your junk piles up. Yep I am taking charge and organizing. You should too!!!

and just for grins :)

A totally random pic of us because I think he is the BEST husband ever :) For real I am so lucky to have him.

Fast and Easy Pasta Supper

Four Cheese Ravioli in Tomato Cream Sauce

This dinner is so simple that you can put it together in literally 5 minutes!!! Many times when I am tired or just not feeling like cooking I will pop some of this amazing pasta in the pot and boil it up, add a special cream sauce, toss with parmesan, and add a salad!!! Easy!!! You will love this dinner too!!

Shopping List:

one 20 Oz Package of BUITONI four cheese raviolis

one jar of tomato sauce of choice ( I use HEB brand Tomato Basil or Four cheese)

Shredded parmesan cheese

fresh parsley

Heavy Cream

Procedure

Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a few gluts of olive oil and a few pinches of salt. Once boiling add your raviolis ( should take about 5-6 mins) When the little raviolis start to rise to the top that means they are cooked!!!!

Meanwhile..

In a smaller pot pour your tomato sauce in and allow to warm..slowly add the heavy cream ( a glug or two) and stir together. ( Sometimes I add parmesan cheese and a little fresh basil or oregano to this sauce to fancy it up a bit!) 

Drain pasta and salt and pepper it. Mix with the yummy sauce and serve warm :) Garnish with fresh parsley and parm. Cheese. We always serve this dinner with a caesar salad!!

See how simple??!!!!

My Favorite things for Spring 2015

 

 

Favorite Things

 

 

A list of some of my favorite things for Spring

 

 

Don't they scream spring?!! I have the nude, coral, and pewter but am loving the turquoise for spring and summer this year!!!

 

 



 

Neon Pink Rose Quartz Druzy Pendant

Crystal Vineyards

 

Any of these stylish and CUTE necklaces from Accessory Concierge :)

Shop here

 

 

These two perfect lipsticks from MAC..I think they are the perfect pink for your pout. MAC'S Noveu and Nicki Minaj. I have both and I LOVE them.

 

 

Gooseberry Patch's Summer Country Cook book is a must!! I collect Gooseberry patch cookbooks and absolutely love the summer versions where there are recipes on Grilling, Cold Salads, and fun appetizers.

 

Essies Spring 2015 nail polish collection. I love the pink and greyish purple. I paint my nails twice a week and cannot live without the Essie polish. This pack Is sold for 17$$ at Nordstrom! Click here to add a few spring colors in your shopping cart!

 

 

There ya have it..  just a few of my spring must haves that I love!!!!

 

 

 

Turquoise Arrowhead Druzy Pendant

Gypsette Collar

 

Gilded Stone Arrowhead Pendant (more colors)

Kathmandu Tassel Necklace

Baltic Tiles Bib

Angel Feather Druzy Pendant

 

Pearl and Punk Necklace

Viva Boheme Horn Pendant



Pulled Pork Tacos.

PULLED PORK TACOS

AND

PULLED PORK STUFFED POTATOES

So basically you are getting a two in one dinner with one simple common factor-crockpot.

The first night I made the pulled pork stuffed potatoes and with the leftovers I made tacos the next night. Both were a big hit and fed multiple people!!! This is one of those dinners where you work all day and come home to a nice already cooked dinner.

Shopping List: 

pork butt or shoulder. ( Try and look for a cut that is nicely square/oblong and will fit nicely in an oblong crockpot.

16 oz of Dr Pepper

1 bottle of your favorite bbq sauce ( mine is sweet baby rays)

salt/pepper

one onion-chopped

four sweet potatoes- baked at 400 deg. for one hour

a sleeve of corn tortillas

pico degallo

cilantro

chopped pineapple

Procedure:

Early in the morning Salt and pepper your pork all over. Place directly in crock pot. Over the pork roast sprinkle your chopped onions all around the meat. Then cover the pork in bbq sauce and add your 16 oz can of dr pepper. Cook on low 8 hours. 

8 hours later...

check on your pork ( meat should be sliding off of the bone now) and use your fork to " pull the pork" into desired shreds.  If you haven't already cooked your potatoes you should pop them in the oven for an hour ( drizzle with EVOO and sprinkle with salt and pepper. poke holes all over them and set in a lined baking dish)

once the potatoes are done slice them open with a knife and stuff the pulled pork inside ...you can sprinkle with some Gruyere' cheese!! I served this dinner with a salad!!!! SO yummy :)

Taco Version of Pulled Pork (leftover edition)

Simply place the leftover pulled pork in a hot cast iron skillet and brown a little bit. Place the chopped pineapple in with the pulled pork and allow it to soften and the juices to run with the pork. Place a designated amount of corn tortillas inside a wet ( squeezed of excess water) towel and cover. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Tortillas will be HOT! Be careful :) 

Take your pulled pork/pineapple mix and place inside of the corn tortilla..sprinkle some chopped cilantro and some pico de gallo on top and you are golden for supper!! I served with some warm tortilla soup-recipe up soon!!!!

Life Lately

Life Lately...

Has gone by fast.. and slow..

Has had its ups and downs..

Has shown God's grace..

Has allowed us to share tears in answered prayers..

Has been filled with lots of family time..

Has my house smelling like Lemon Bundt Cakes..

Has brought me joy..

Has brought me sadness..

Has been real. 

A few pictures of our life lately...

He thinks he is human..

New car pic!!!

Finally after a year we caved and got wood floors. It was WORTH IT. I repeat. Worth it. Dogs/cats/kids../wine?? Yeah. no carpet.

Mom comes and visits a lot and I LOVE IT

Brunch at the TPC Marriott

Dining room

Fireside

My cute outfit for church :) 

My husband took me to Smoke Shack. It was unbelievable...Brisket grilled cheese..four cheese Maccaroni topped with brisket. #whatdiet?

Back to healthy eating!!! HAHA!! Paleo cheeseburgers and a wedge salad kabob

I so love this pic of us! From our first vacation in Colorado together I was 22 :)!

Valentine's Day Favorites

 

 

 

VALENTINE's Day Favorites

 

 

Call me crazy but normally I do not celebrate this particular LOVEEE day :) I think it is so cheesy!!!! Being a preschool teacher though, I have to kick on my V-day attitude and get pretty creative because what three year old can resist a box of chocolates and some heart crafts?? I did turn it up a notch and rent " The Best of me" BEST MOVIE EVER!!!! while eating chocolates, while forcing Brandon to rub my back...soooo I guess I am kind of in the lovey mood this year! Brandon and I never go out on Valentine's day because GF hates a crowd! My sweet husband is going to make me a steak dinner and watch a movie with me. WINNING!!! Here are some of my Valentine favorites!

 

 

 

 

I absolutely thought this was such a cute gift!!! I made the popcorn and then put them in little cups for my kids :) so cute!! Recipe found on pinterest.

 

This craft was a hit with my little ones. I simply cut out a heart made out of card stock, placed it in a paper plate and allowed the children to dip their marble in a cup of paint. Then using a spoon ( fine motor skills :) yay!) they were to plop the marble on the heart and maneuver the pan so that a design is created!! So easy!!!!

 

My hubby took me shopping and let me pick out these babies for Valentine's ...LOVE!

 

I have worn pink or red all week.. this was my outfit on Thursday :)

Shirt: Loft

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Michael Kors

Coffee cup: Macy's

 

Happy Valentine's Day!



Lemon Cookie Crunch Bundt Cake

 

 

 

This is by far my favorite @mixnmatchmama recipe yet!!!! she is so creative with her bundt cakes and this one was SOOO appealing to me because of the lemon and the lemon cookies crunched up :) This is a great spring or summer recipe. I plan on bringing this to many church functions, girls nights, and making it at home for ME!

 

Ingredients

 

one box lemon cake mix

two boxes lemon pudding ( use vanilla if you cant find lemon)

one can of butter cream frosting

zest of a lemon

one package of golden oreos ( I used lemon/ golden oreos)

1/2 cup of veggie oil

1 1/4 cup of water

 

 

Method

 

preheat oven to 350 degrees

in a mixing bowl combine cake mix, oil, water, eggs, and pudding

pour into greased Bundt pan and bake for 45 minutes

in a smaller mixing bowl, scoop out the butter cream frosting, add about a tsp of lemon zest, and the crushed golden oreos ( I put mine in a zip lock bag and whack them on the counter) mix the lemon zest and crunched cookies in the bowl.

Invert cake when finished onto a cake plate. Frost the cooled cake. Garnish with more oreos!