Birthday 2010 Take 2

This evening was dinner at my mothers, family time and sweet gifts. Mom made the meal of my choice, bought one of my favorite cakes and got to laugh and have fun. Here is the evening:







Mom bringing my loverly diet coke









Cute Pajamas

Seems I had a butterfly themed birthday, which is just fine by me.

Birthday 2010 Take 1

The first half of my day has been amazing. Breakfast made for me, gifts from my love, a picnic for lunch, an afternoon in the sun tanning and reading, and assisting my hubby (VERY little) with planting a butterfly flower garden. Here are some pics from the first half of my day. Such a joy!












My Porter enjoying leftovers




My tucker watching daddy

Flowers

I..heart...flowers. To celebrate their beauty, I have taken a few pictures of flowers around my home and in my home. I love cutting fresh flowers, placing them in vases of all kinds and displaying them around my home.

Here are just a few











Azaleas outside my home





















My favorite smell in the whole world; lavender















Azaleas inside my home, in my kitchen
















Bridal Wreath in my bedroom












Love my Daisy in my Mason Vasey

A Southern Dedication

I love being a southern woman!
Ya’ll, bless her heart, ain’t, fit to be tied, a heap, reckon, fixin, tarnation, yonder and more.

Translation for non-southerners:
Ya’ll: You all, a group of people.
Sentence: Ya’ll come back now, ya hear?

Bless her heart: Poor thing (pity)
Sentence: She’s got such crooked teeth, bless her heart.

Ain’t: won’t; not
Sentence: I ain’t going to the store alone. Or. She ain’t right.

Fit to be tied: Upset, angry
Sentence: I’m so mad; I’m fit to be tied.

A heap: tons, a lot
Sentence: That’s a heap of collards.

Reckon: I guess
Sentence: I reckon I’ll help you TP her house.

Fixin: about to do something.
Sentence: We’re fixin to leave Wal-Mart.

Tarnation: surprise or what in the world?
Sentence: What in the tarnation is she doing at this bar-b-cue?

Yonder: measures distance
Sentence: There’s a sale on shoes on that aisle over yonder.

Okay, to be honest, I don’t say all of these words, but I do say most. Being a southern woman is a great privilege. We love wholeheartedly, are polite, display hospitality, smile, are generous, and fun.

We are there for others!
If someone gets stuck in the mud while bogging, we will call our husband/boyfriend (whichever is available first...just kidding ya'll) to grab his truck and chains and go pull ‘em out.

If our cousin’s friend’s mother passes from a heart attack due to high cholesterol, we will gather up a group to take collards, pork chops, biscuits, mac & cheese, a jug of sweet tea, and a pecan pie by the house to show we are thinking of the family.

If we are out with our girlfriend and run in to the girl who sleeps around (bless her heart), we will politely smile while softly talk about her between clenched teeth.

Southern women are dedicated to God, family, friends and tradition. We say “mam” and “please and thank you.” We are strong and independent; yet expect to marry a gentleman. We say what we mean while maintaining a sense of dignity and charm. We forgive easy, love hard and can make anyone feel welcome with a home cooked meal.

Above all, we are very intelligent! Southern Women are labeled as dumb; but who else can charm a man and get him to "do her bidding" simply with an accent, twirling her pearls, and using psychology? (and we didn't even have to get a degree to learn how to use that psychology)

We keep up with today's fashion while adding our own twist(i.e. boots and/or big hair). We have a certain sweetness to us that other’s can’t figure out and we value our reputation.

I am blessed and delighted to be a southern girl; ya’ll know what I mean?

P.S. I dont have a boyfriend,I love my hubby, I dont TP peoples homes, talking about someone behind their back is wrong and gossip is a sin...but I did have fun writing this for you southerners! ;)

Eating Healthy...Continued

On my own, I decided to limit my calorie intake to 1350 a day and incorporate 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week. Well, two days and even three days in were okay for me. Day four and the hunger really started to get to me. By day six, I was really holding back my tears at lunch when I looked at the VERY little food on my plate. For someone who is an emotional eater, this change is really hard.
I was telling my sister (the unpaid nutritionist) about the amount of calories I was eating each day. At times, less than 1350. After she input my info (weight, height, target weight)in to a calculator she proceeds to burst my bubble....in a great way! I was shorting myself 200+ calories a day. Plus the fact that I am exercising, even more calories were added in. However, I am sticking with my 1500+ calories a day (give or take a few)
I love to eat healthy. I always have loved to. I love fruits, veggies, seafood, chicken, nuts. Pretty much all that's natural and yummy.

One of my favorite things are artichoke hearts and capers. I love their tanginess, and saltiness and the texture...YUM! So two meals today were thought around both artichokes and capers.

Breakfast: Artichokes with eggs whites on toast
2 large egg whites (34 calories)
8 quartered artichoke hearts (30 calories)
thin sliced toast (40 calories)
1/2 tsp Parmesan cheese (5 calories)
Total Calories: 109

Heat skillet over medium heat and spray with pam or olive oil spray. Separate egg whites from yolks. Place artichokes in skillet and heat through. Season egg whites with salt and pepper and stir. Place egg whites in skillet and scramble until cooked through. Serve on your favorite low calorie bread; toasted and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.













For Dinner: Baked Tilapia, Couscous with artichokes and olives, Asparagus with lemon

Tilapia 4oz. (90 calories)
1 Tbs. Capers (0 calories)
1 Lemon squeezed (5 calories)
2 tsp. Olive Oil (60 calories)
Artichokes (15 calories for 4)
Couscous (1 cup 230)
5 Olives (4 calories)
5 pieces of asparagus (22 calories)
Total Calories: 426 Calories

In a glass baking dish place tilapia with S&P, small sprinkle of olive oil, juice from a half of lemon and the capers. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes.

Cook couscous according to package directions and while covered and waiting for it to "fluff" put in artichokes, small amount of olive oil and black olives.

In a pan heated on med-high heat put juice of other half of lemon, asparagus and 1/4 cup of water. Cover and steam for about 7-10 minutes. Make sure it doesn't overcook (where it remains crispy)



Sorry for the cruddy camera. Wish it took better pictures.

Attempt at eating healthy

With the weather warmer and the days longer I have had the urge to "spring" into action physically and mentally. This past winter found me cold and dreary. I had no remorse for pigging out on comfort foods, staying indoors, reading, watching tv, and sleeping. But my hibernation could not last long. As soon as warmer weather approached, I cleaned my carpet, took the plants back outside and doctored them, and began to notice the extra weight Mr. Winter gave to me.
With our annual July beach trip in mind, I thought about being in public in a swimsuit and screeched! I decided to start eating better foods and watching my calorie intake. I am currently on day 5 of the progress and have lost 2 pounds already. I have always heard that once you have lost weight, and then gained some or all of it back...that those are the pounds that shed the quickest...I am sure that once the weight I lost, then gained, and lose again goes by...that the new weight to loose will take longer...but I am planning to be in it for the long haul. I am ready for results. (dont forget; this is only day five!!)
I have really enjoyed my meal planning and thought I would share with you the past few days breakfast and lunch menu.

Breakfast: Waffles with strawberry and raspberry infused syrup
Because of a wonderful problem I have (IBS) whole grains are something I can only take in limited quantities. Because I knew I would be eating these waffles for the next few days, I had to get regular waffles. So since I am watching my calories, I searched for the waffles with the least amount of calories.

Two waffles
Three strawberries (frozen or fresh)
Handful of raspberries (frozen or fresh)
1 1/2 tbs. of light syrup
Total: 200 calories

Mix fruit together with the syrup and microwave until fruit juices are incorporated into syrup. I used frozen fruit so it took about 55 seconds. Heat waffles according to package directions, top with fruit syrup and enjoy











Lunch: Tuna salad with Artichokes and Olives
1 can of tuna (in water or Olive Oil)
1 can of artichoke hearts
1/2 cup black olives (whole or sliced)
2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
S&P to taste
Total: 1 cup = 110 Calories (without bread)
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and serve with a low calorie bread or eat alone.












Best when served warm! It is yummy!!!!

For dinner, I have been eating more sensible. Grilled chicken with baked potato. Chicken with roasted cauliflower & broccoli (425 degree oven for 30 minutes mixed with olive oil, salt and Mrs. Dash)

Snacks of pistachios or 100 calorie packs or 10 calorie jello or string cheese.

Two days this week of walking for 20-30 minutes. And I must confess. I sure do feel better!
I hope this lasts.

Getting Creative with Life

Bucket List
(In no particular order)
1. Go to Italy
2. Write a book
3. Give money to help others
4. Start a project for a witnessing tool and see it grow
5. Continue my relationship with my mentee and see her succeed
6. Cook my way through an Italian Cookbook (Prefer Giada)
7. Receive a position with a Christian Ministry to help other women
8. Be able to quit my million jobs so that I can focus solely on working to further God’s Kingdom
9. Complete a family mission statement
10. Organize an event to raise money for a charity again

What is yours?

Chicken Parmiginia and Made Over Deep Dish Brownies

Tonight for dinner we had Chicken Parmigiana...after dinner my hubby said something he has NEVER said in his life..."Woman, that was good...now get in the kitchen and make me bake me something sweet"...Those who know my husband understand that was purely harmless and done out of a loving, sweet and joking manner...so all you hardcore feminists...relax ;)Pictures Below Recipes!!

Rachel's Chicken Parmigiana
Three boneless skinless chicken breasts
Two pieces of stale lunch bread (ends preferably)
2 tablespoons flour
1 Jar Traditional Marinara
1 Jar five cheese Marinara
2 Tablespoons Ricotta Cheese
3 Tablespoons butter
1/2 pack (more or less) of Spaghetti Noodles
1/2 cup of Mozzarella or Shredded Italian Cheese Blend

Boil noodles according to package directions.
Cut chicken breasts in half (lengthwise) to make the 3 breasts a total of 6.
Refrigerate 3 of the breasts and use them for another dish, later.
Season the remaining 3 breasts with a garlic/rosemary/oregano blend (or any poultry seasoning) and salt and pepper to desired taste.
Pulse the two slices of bread in a processor until they are fine crumbs.
Mix with flour
Heat Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil over medium-high heat.
Coat seasoned chicken breasts and put in hot oil.
Cook about 10-12 minutes. While the noodles are cooking is convenient.
While chicken and noodles are cooking, add half traditional sauce and half five cheese sauce, ricotta, and butter in a casserole dish.
Once chicken and noodles are cooked through, drain noodles and dab chicken breasts with a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Place noodles in sauce mixture and stir. Place chicken breasts on top of spaghetti and cover each breast with a mixture of traditional and five cheese sauce (just enough to cover)and divide cheese evenly to spread on top. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.
Enjoy!

Made Over Deep Dish Brownies
3 tablespoons unsalted butter ( I used salted butter and omitted the salt below)
2 tablespoons canola or other neutral tasting oil
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, (I used chocolate chips)
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1.5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
2 large eggs, cold
1 tablespoon cold brewed coffee
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Directions
Position rack in the lower third of the oven and heat oven to 325 degrees F. Use an 8 by 8 silicon baking pan or line a similar sized metal or glass baking dish with foil or parchment paper so it hangs over the edges by about 1 inch. Spray the pan completely before and after lining.

Put the butter, oil and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until melted, stirring occasionally.

Stir the brown and white sugars, vanilla and salt into the chocolate mixture with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs and coffee and beat vigorously until fully incorporated and the batter is thick and glossy. Add the cocoa, flour and baking soda and stir just until it disappears.

Pour the batter into the pan and bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with a few crumbs, about 30 minutes (40 minutes if not using silicon).

Cool the brownies in the pan on the counter. Lift brownies out of the pan by the foil, if needed. Peel off the foil and cut into 2-inch squares. Serve. Store extra brownies in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days.


Here are the pictures: The Brownies are kind of fudgie!!!

Getting Creative with Giving

LET ME APOLOGIZE FOR THE LAYOUT OF THIS POST...SOMETHING IS FUNKY WITH MY BLOG TONIGHT...

In honor of Valentines Day and a tight budget I want to share a few ideas with you. With my money often tight around gift giving time, I like to make homemade gifts to give to my loved ones. Over the years I have written stories, bound them and given them as Christmas gifts. I have written poems and had them framed or laminated and attached to gifts as a cute and different "tag". Here are a few of the items I have made for my husband over the years that may help give you ideas for Valentines Day. It is coming up on us pretty quickly. (Really quick) A few things I have done that I have no pictures for are as follows:
1. How Do I love thee? Candy Jar: A jar filled with mini candy bars (mini...mini...candy bars)Printed tons of things that I love about my husband on computer paper, cut it in to thin strips(small enough to tape on to candy bar wrapper) then printed out "How do I love thee....let me count the ways" tag that I glued around the outside of the jar. Every time he went for a piece of candy, he got a reason I love him...it lasted about a month and a half.

2. Poster Board love note with Candy. I took a poster board and using the candy I made sentences. For ex. Hi "Sweettart" (made the "t" an "h" with a marker.) "York" (but blacked out the "k") my "sugarbaby'. I love you "mounds" and could smother you with "kisses". I am so happy to be Mrs. "Clark" & I wouldn't trade our love for "100 grand"...this can be done REALLY cheap by buying the stuff from the Dollar Store.(here is a picture I found on net close to what I did...but like I said, I used poster board)
















3. Last year instead of a card I got an envelope and printed 30 things I wanted for his life and future. One for him to read each day for a month. I cut each "wish" in to 30 strips and put it in an envelope labeled "What I pray for your life"
Some of the things were 1. Laughter in the midst of sorrow 2. A long healthy life 3.A job that you can be passionate about...etc...etc...






Here are the things I have made...

the first gift ever when we were dating. You take a TV tray or tray like you use at a cafeteria, cut out things that remind you of that person, glue them on there and then buy craft glue that dries clear that you can wipe down (can't remember the name of it...has been soooo long) but someone at a craft store can help you. He uses it as a tv tray...(MAKE SURE TO TELL THE PERSON HELPING YOU what it will be used for and that a wet rag will be used to wipe it down so the "glue" has to be waterproof)






















I took letters that I bought from Wal-Mart, cheap craft paint, and a picture that represents him and one that represents me, printed them, glued them to painted letter and we are going to attach hooks to the bottom to use as coat hangers.


















Another one was a poem I wrote about his passion and framed it:





















I took pictures of our pets(could do your kids) and made him a picture to hang up:























Finally, I took (he is a firefighter..volunteer for 10 years and paid now) a firefighter ornament, cut it apart and glued it inside of a shadow box...You can make all kinds of shadow boxes using old photos, concert tickets, things from when you two were dating...etc...



















These are just a few ideas on how you can make gift giving a little more special. Something made with love and from your heart means more than you will ever know.

As I promised!

As I promised, here is my second Vlog of the day! If you have not, you MUST...I repeat Must...check out my first one titled First Timer and then scroll to the bottom to see it...Go ahead and check it out and then check this one out. GO!!!!

First Timer

Okay, decided to make this site about cooking, also. Two of my many passions are decorating and cooking. So trying out my Vlogging skills. Go to the bottom of the page to watch the video of me making breakfast and making myself look like an idiot :) And let me apologize in advance for the HUGE mistake towards the end...I could kick myself!!!! However, it just shows my First Timer-ness at this Vlog thing! Enjoy!

Four Dollars?!

So my venture into Salvation Army produced more than I was planning. I was on a mission to pick up a $10 bed frame for my mother that my grandmother told her about since my mom wanted to have an extra bed in the grand kids room. So, one rainy day my husband and I proceeded with taking his truck to Salvation Army to purchase this bed frame for her.

While there, I happened to look over in a corner and saw a lonely yellow single bed frame. My spare bedroom had just received a "dumping". We were turning the bedroom turned computer room turned bedroom turned computer room back in to a bedroom, forever!!! The one thing this bedroom was missing was a bed. I did not think this bed would happen upon me so quickly. I was actually expecting it to be a few months, really. I knew that my budget could not afford a bed and I knew no one wanting to get rid of a single bed for free-so it was a huge surprise when I happened upon this bed frame.

The $10 bed my mother was getting was not as cute as this bed over in the corner and I walked over thinking I probably did not have enough cash to purchase the bed at the time. I was sure it was $20 or more. As I was looking at the frame, I leaned it over and saw a 4 written on it in pencil - no $ sign - just a 4. I kept looking for the price when an associate asked if she could help me and so I asked her the price. She looked at it and said - "it's right where you are looking"

$4??!! Really??!! So I snatched it up and she asked what color I planned to paint it as it had paint that was peeling off and a little red was shining through the yellow. "I'm not planning to paint it!" I said.

We loaded it up, and took it home!

From there, everything fell in to place. My sister-in-law had a spare single mattress she gave me and a lady I worked for had already given me a spread and vintage pillows (which at the time she gave them to me, I had no use for...I just knew they were cute and free and couldn't pass them up) So we got everything home, set it up...threw on the spread....the pillows, two different quilts given to me and a few stuffed animals (for my niece) and taa-daa! My $4 purchase along with my hand-me-downs transformed the entire room!

THRILLED!!

Welcome & More

Hi Friends! Welcome to my new blog!

I started this blog because I have been seeking other ways to let my creative juices flow. Many friends and family who have been to my house "ooooh and aaaaah" over items I decorate with. Each time they are amazed that either:
A. I took an old piece of furniture and "re-did" it myself.
B. Purchased the item they "just love" at a yard sale.
C. Got my picture, or bed frame, or cabinet at a thrift store.

More than once I have been asked to help another with decorating their home. The thing is, I don't think I am good at coming up with decorating suggestions on the spot...so I usually decline or act like I forgot that they asked. This decorating thing that people think I have has come from many years of purchases, or wanting a new dresser and not being able to afford anything more than a can of spray paint to change it myself, or hunting yard sales and thrift stores.

My decorating style as my husband likes to call it is "Old-People stuff with some young people stuff thrown in". I told him it is referred to as "Vintage with a Modern Twist"....thank you very much.

So I started this blog to hopefully help you release those creative juices of yours when you want to add new items to your collection or re-decorate your house but have only $10. The good thing is the stuff I get range from 5¢ to around $30, so it can fit many budgets.

I hope this blog will help you see that $1.00 cabinet door at the yard sale as a picture frame. Or that it just gets you out to go to yard sales, thrift stores and sale racks instead of high-end stores when you just have to spend that dollar you don't have.

So sit back, check in at least once a week, and start putting your creativity to use!!!

WALL ART Cheaper than WAL-MART
Here begins our adventure in to Cheapville, USA. Our first stop along the way is Wall Art Ave. The pictures on these walls range from 5¢ to $9. With these items you don't need perfect credit or a financial planner. There is 0% interest and no monthly payment. Wall Art Ave displays some of the cheapest art available.

Picture #1

$1.00 Cabinet Door and 50¢ pictures with no frames purchased from three different yard sales: Creative juices...get to work!

I hope you can see this picture. The "frame" is a cabinet door I got for $1.00 at a yard sale. I saw it sitting over by its lonely self. I had no idea what I was going to do with it until I got home. While rummaging for paint, I noticed two pictures I had purchased a few months earlier at a yard sale for about 50¢ a piece, but had not gotten around to finding frames for them. So I got some glue- forwent the paint- and proceeded with making a wall hanging for my kitchen.

Picture #2

Art surrounding my art. These items were FREE! My grandmother was getting rid of a few items and no longer wanted these two pictures.

So I stuck them by my creation


Picture #3

My $1.50 a piece pictures from a yard sale I happened upon when heading to town one day

Picture #4

10¢ a piece pictures from Salvation Army hanging in my room.

(Note: Here is an example of the "Old People Stuff" he referred too) Pressed flowers in frames...can't say I blame him...

Picture #4

Picture in middle $1.00. Pictures on top and bottom, gift from a friend that she got at a yard sale for me. She knows my style ;)
Picture #5

Needed something to cover my electrical box, couldn't afford a wall covering, so got this rug for $9.00 at a thrift store.

Picture #6

My dollar store pictures and my thrift store bottle collection

There you have it. Just a few of my pictures that I have found for low, low prices along with having to get creative!!
So the next time you see those 50¢ pictures with no frame and stumble upon a cabinet door...grab 'em up and get to work :)