Simply amazed

I am from Chester, New York. It's a small town. The people behind us had goats, up the street had horses, and down a little ways were the corn fields. Now you know, I wasn't always a city girl! We ran around in the corn fields and I cannot tell you how many times I came home with a tick on me...oops! We had bunnies as pets and acres to run around on. We thought playing with gartner snakes was tons of fun! And we always went to Red Grammer concerts! He is the best kids songs musician out there! One day my kids will listen to Red as well!

About a year ago, I received a friend request on facebook from Andy Grammer.... hmm wow blast from the past.. he's Red's son who was a year older than me. I saw he had moved to Cali and just like his dad was trying to make a living from making music. I am so ecstatic to say that Andy is really doing it! A kid from Chester, New York with an amazing voice is really doing it. His first single hit the radio a few weeks ago. He just finished shooting the video to his second single and he will be at the show box opening for Natasha Bedingfield in June!! His single was number 18 on VH1's top 20 this week! I am so excited for him and LOVE his music!! CONGRATS ANDY!!!

Enjoy!

until next time...

Ironic

During the first morning of boot camp, we were told to head to the back room for pull ups. Hmm, pull ups? Did I hear that right? I have NEVER been able to do a pull up. I can arm hang for hours but pull up... nope! Every class since, we have had to do pull ups. Here is the ironic twist! This morning we were cooling down and ready to stretch. I looked at Nic and said "hey no pull ups today?" Which he replied to with, "thank goodness!" I on the other hand was disappointed! So, this morning I decided my goal is to do one pull up by the end of summer! No promises! My husband is a pro he can do a number of them... no fair! I am impressed with anyone who can do multiple pull ups!

Off to school for test number two this week!


until next time...

Livin' The Dream

I always find it funny when you ask someone how things are going or how they are doing and they reply with, "livin' the dream!" Makes me think about my own life and if it is as magical as I dream it to be!

Two weeks ago I was at gravity class* and one of the women said that it was "ladies night out" downtown. My friend Courtenay and I decided we would go see what it was all about. The proceeds went to the women's shelter. A bunch of different stores were selling items at discounted prices and had nibbles and champagne. There was a fashion show as well and a fun photo booth! The photo booth was the highlight of our evening! We had lots of fun dressing up and being goofy! Here's the proof!

No we did not plan the matching outfits! Court showed up and we didn't even notice it until everyone we passed that night said "oh look you guys match!"

It was fun to go out and do something I wouldn't normally do. I am such a home body but am trying to branch out and do more things!

*I do gravity class every Friday morning at 7 AM. It is a glideboard and tower pulley system that works you out by pulling your own weight! Last week Courtenay asked if anyone had a body part they wanted to work on.... no one said anything... so I replied happily with ARMS! The other two women could have killed me! It's a lot of fun!  

until next time...

Nic's Ingredient

 A couple weeks ago Nic was out Turkey hunting and well... Tom was in the wrong place and the wrong time! This made Nic a very happy man! What does this all mean? I was told it was time to make some turkey soup!

I decided to wing it and add what I felt were the "perfect ingredients!" In the pot went garlic, Italian seasoning, chili powder (one of my new favorites), salt, pepper, rosemary, and onion powder (Nic doesn't do onions so if we want the flavor it has to be the powder). Next was... hmm goodness... I have no idea how many boxes of veggie stock. I like stock better because it is not diluted like broth is. Then good ol' Tom went in the pot. He took FOREVER to get tender enough to shred. Literally the pot was on the stove for 2 days!!! (my crock pot was not big enough for all of this or it would have been done in there) After I could shred, I put in carrots, red potatoes, celery, corn, and egg noodles. I wouldn't recommend the egg noodles... they got soggy in the left overs. We enjoyed it and Nic had fun out in the wilderness!

A friend of mine gave me this next recipe. They are suppose to be blueberry muffins but my friend Tami doesn't like to waste time. Therefore, she calls these blueberry bars and puts them in a 9x13 pan. My mother-in law gave me a muffin top pan..it's amazing cause the tops are the best part and next time I make these I will use that pan! When I made it in the 9x13 it seemed to come out more of a blueberry cake...oh well still tasted great! 

Here's how to make them:

1/2 c butter (I used less)

2 eggs (I did just the whites)

1 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp b. powder (I didn't use this cause I use self rising flour)

1/4 tsp salt (I omitted this)

1 1/4 c sugar ( I used 3/4 c and 1/4 c of agave)

1 c sour cream (I substituted plain greek yogurt you can't taste any difference)

2 c flour ( I did half self rising half wheat)

2 c of blueberries (you can use less but I say the more berries the better! You can also do any kind of berry you want)

Mix-

Softened butter and sugar

add eggs

mix in sour cream and vanilla

add in the dry

fold in berries

bake @ 400 for 20-25 min!

I decided that even though I don't have a yard to plant a garden I wouldn't be stopped by that! Here are my cute little mint and basil plants getting their dose of photosynthesis! MOJITOS HERE I COME!!!! Who knew that basil doesn't like a ton of sun... the leaves started to wilt so they are happy inside now!

That's what's new in the kitchen more to come on life soon!

until nex time...