So cute!!

My friend Maggie has been super inspiring on cute crafts lately!!  Last Wednesday, we got together with another friend, Jess Poole, and made these adorable flower pins that we had seen on another blog- madebylex.com.  (Let's just say that I ended up staying for 4 HOURS!!! With me being a super slowpoke crafter + being with really fun friends= not getting projects finished in a timely manner!!) Anyway, I'm seriously obsessed with this blogger's creations, fashion, and overall cuteness!  Here's the original flower pin:

And here's how mine turned out (sadly, I didn't get a picture of Maggie's or Jess' pins- but theirs were even cuter!):

I do love these colors for fall!

The next project we want to tackle is a yarn wreath, which I think will be PERFECT for fall!!  Maggie found some great example ones on etsy, and then a tutorial from this new blogger, who I now have a blog crush on. 
Here's her tutorial and wreath:

And here's another cute wreath Mags found:

My wedding is definitely way past (3 years next week actually!), but I'm IN LOVE with these amazing invitations that this girl designed.  Do you think maybe Nick and I should have a renewing of the vows this year- so I could use these? :)

One last future project I want to create- I think these would be such cute, personal wedding gifts :)  And since we have 10 weddings this year (10 in '10!!), I'd have plenty of opportunity to give this a try!!  If I ever get around to making one, I'll post it (sidenote: This seller is asking $60 a piece for these- crazy!!)

Happy Friday!! 

Life at these (not-so-fast) speeds

Back way too long ago, when I was a soph or jr. in college (around '01, folks- we're seriously going back far), I decided to go out and try to break 20 minutes in a 5k.  I had just started getting back into running on my own, after taking a few months of due to injury. After running XC my freshman year at Covenant,  I came back thinking I'd run for Marshall starting sophomore year. But after putting in way too many miles and overtraining that summer, I got injured and have basically battled injuries on and off ever since then.  So I can't remember if this was right after coming back from my IT band injury or right after the summer I had a stress fracture in my shin, but I got back into my routine of running for several weeks and decided to try a sub-20-minute 5k... and I ran a 20:02.  I know it sounds ridiculous, but it was heartbreaking.  After that race, I got so discouraged (and I'm such a headcase about running anyway) that I didn't run a 5k race for a few years after that.  I ran other distances, but stayed away from competing in a 5k.  Stupid- I know.  But I figured that by not putting myself out there and trying, then I was saving myself disappointment because then I couldn't fail again. 

With that being said, I'm now far from being able to run a sub-20 minute 5k haha :)  But I do have a new goal.  Back in May a friend at work asked me to run a 5k for a charity she's involved with, so I agreed, even though I knew it wouldn't be pretty.  I ran it in about 22:35 and wasn't too upset about that time since I hadn't been ready whatsoever for actually "racing".  So the following weekend my favorite charity, Little Victories, put on their 5k, and I decided I wanted to break 22 minutes.  I ran a 21:57- just barely made it!!  The official clock said I ran a 21:27, and I wish I could say that was my true time! But something must have gotten screwed up with their timer because my personal watch did not agree, and I heard some other runners say the same.  I realize these aren't at all record breaking times, but I was pleased- since I seriously never do speed workouts.  Wait- maybe twice a year I do.  But basically never.
 
So now I'm setting a goal to run in the low 21's.  I'm definitely gonna have to get in better speed shape, but it's a time I think I'd be happy with at this point in my life.  I wish I was still on a team where I didn't have a choice but to do the workouts that the coach made me do.  But I'm apparently gonna have to find my own motivation and push myself :)  I've been going to a spinning class at the Y the last several weeks- and man, that kicks my butt.  It's a totally different workout than just going out and enjoying a run.  I leave those classes a little woozy and sick, and my legs feel like jell-o.  So I'm hoping maybe that will translate over and help improve my speed in running some too. 

My 1 other goal is to either run a better marathon time, or run a good half marathon.  Nick had planned on doing NYC this year and I thought about trying it again by entering to run for a charity.  But with his knee surgery taking longer than expected to heal :(, he's decided to wait til 2011.  So I was thinking about doing San Antonio on November 14- but now we're thinking about heading to the Auburn/Georgia game that weekend (yay!!!)  So if that ends up the plan, then I'm gonna run the Marshall University half marathon right here in Huntington November 7 and try for a 1:45 time.  They also have a full marathon that day- but since there are less than 500 people who do the full and maybe 50 people cheering along the way, then I feel like it's basically the same as if I'd go out and run 26.2 miles by myself one random day.  I'd rather wait and do a big race with lots of people cheering you on for a full marathon.  Anyway, so I may just wait til next November and do NYC again with Nick.  It throws things off a little since we've been tossing around the idea of trying to get pregnant next spring/summer (I can't even talk about this)- but we may just need to bump it back a few more months :)  I just need to improve on my sad time that I ran in my first full marathon.  I'm just still bummed out that I had trained so hard and had trained to run a 3:45-3:50 and should have been able to do it, and then things just got a little screwed up with my leg 2 weeks before.  And I think since I had wanted to run a marathon since I was 18, I had it in my head that it was going to be impossible.  But now that I see I can do it, I feel like I'll be able to shave off a big chunk of time.  I will admit that the thought of all those long runs by myself again depresses me a bit lol :)  I LOVE to run, but after about the 2 hour mark, it's not very fun anymore and my body starts to hate me.  I'd love it if there was a group here to train with, but that sadly is not the case.  So I guess I'm just gonna have to get stronger mentally and get out there on my own!!  Just wanted to write down the reasons for some of my recently added goals on my 101 list.

"All I do is win"- would not be on the soundtrack of my life this week

This week I've had a few "Wow, I'm such a lame-o" moments :)  But it's always fun to look back and laugh!!
1. I was making fried green tomatoes for the residents at work, and the oil got too hot and not only splattered up and burned my arm all over, but I set off the smoke alarm and the fire department had to come up.  Oh- and this is the second year in a row this has happened.  Awesome.
2. Checking out at Kroger, I dropped an entire container of blueberries on the floor.  And not just one of the small containers- a huge one.  (I blame it on USWeekly for having a picture of the Bachelorette, Ally, and Frank on the front, and telling about his girlfriend.  I was so flustered!!  I did not want to know that information!  I've avoided all gossip magazines for the very reason that I did not want ANY surprises on the show to be ruined- and then they just bombarded me with that on their front cover!)
3. My sewing skills are disgraceful.  I understand it takes some time and practice... but really? I can't even sew a straight line?  If patterns were supposed to be zig zags, I'd be a natural.  I'm trying to make an ADORABLE dress for one of my bffs Ashlea whose little girl is now a week past her due date.  I really want to have something to send her when Adisyn (finally) gets here, but it may be a couple of weeks late sadly.  If I ever complete it, you better believe I'm posting it on here because it'll be big friggin' accomplishment!!

On to happier topics!!  One of my next projects is this lovely little piece:

It's a JCrew knock-off, which I've been wanting to recreate some of the great (and way overly priced) JCrew and Banana Republic necklaces anyway- so I loved this!! 

One successful attempt this week was a recipe from the show "Bobby Flay's Throwdown".  Nick, being the southern boy that he is, loves some shrimp n grits.  A couple of weeks ago I tried a recipe, and it turned out really good, but it called for Rotel tomatoes with green chiles.  I still loved it, but Nick would have preferred it a little less set-your-mouth-on-fire.  So we were watching the Bobby Flay show where he challenges a man from Georgia (who was precious btw) to a cook-off for shrimp n grits.  I think it's one of my all-time favorite recipes, and Nick said it's definitely his.  Even if you don't like shrimp n grits very much, don't worry.  I wasn't a big fan either- but this man's recipe is incredible!!!  I'll warn you that the shrimp is super spicy, so you may want to leave out a little of the spices if you don't like that.  Here it is if you're interested!

Joe Barnett's Shrimp N Grits (courtesy of foodnetwork.com)

{Shrimp}

1 1/2 lbs. shrimp (I only used 1 lb. since it was just Nick and me, and I just adjusted the seasoning measurements)

2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning

1 Tbsp paprika

1 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning

Freshly ground pepper

{Grits}

2 c. water

2 chicken buillon cubes

2 Tbsp butter/margarine

1 c. quick cook grits

1 Tbsp tomato paste

3/4 c. heavy whipping cream (I used half & half instead)

3 1/2 oz. extra-sharp cheddar cheese

{Sauce}

2 Tbsp butter/margarine

1 Tbsp minced garlic (yum!!!!)

3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

1 c. chicken stock

1/2 c. heavy whipping cream (again, I used half & half)

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp hot sauce

1 slice sugar-cured ham (I left this out altogether)

1. Combine all the shrimp seasoning in a bowl, and then toss the shrimp until well-coated.  Set aside.

2. Next is the grits.  In medium saucepan, bring water, chicken bouillon cubes, and butter to a boil. Slowly add the grits, whisking often with wire whisk for 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, cream, and cheese. Keep whisking for another 2 or 3 minutes until the grits become creamy.

3. Now saute the shrimp. In a large saute pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add in the spice-coated shrimp, and cook only until they're just done and tender. Don't overcook. Remove the shrimp from the saute pan and set them aside in a bowl.

4. The roux is next. With all those wonderful drippings from the shrimp in the saute pan, add 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and stir with a wooden spatula to make a roux. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes until roux reaches a medium-tan color, then slowly add the chicken stock and heavy whipping cream. Whisk together and cook for 2 minutes, then whisk in Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Set aside.

5. (I left this step out) And last, a little country ham. Cook 1 center slice of cured country ham in a saute pan, and cut into cubes.

6. Now it's ready!!!  Spoon out the grits, then the shrimp, then cover in the sauce and if you made the ham, sprinkle it on top.  Enjoy!!

I heart wreaths!!

So, right now I'm a little obsessed with crafting.  And especially when it comes to cute, unusual wreaths!  Here's a project I saw months ago on one of my favorite crafting bloggers, and I FINALLY finished my copycat version:

Theirs:

Mine:

I wish my picture wasn't so fuzzy- but it's from my phone.  And I should have put more circles into the center sides of the wreath- but I'm fine with how it turned out and didn't feel like doing anymore- haha :)
Now I just finished a Christmas card wreath (that's right- it's July and I'm starting on a Christmas project.)  I always get all these fun ideas and have great intentions to make stuff right around November/December, but we all know it's just about impossible to add extra projects with all the craziness and festivities during the holidays.  So I figured I'd get a little done now while I can :)  I love this website and used their tutorial, which is really simple.  They did 2 versions- 1 is for their bags of tea, and the other was for a baby shower to hold gift cards. 
Here they both are:

Seriously- are these not so cute???  And I'm always trying to figure out how to display Christmas cards that we receive, and I thought this was a perfect way to do it.  I finished mine last night, and here it is:

My friend Maggie is an insanely gifted crafter (don't let her lie to you- she's humble like that)- and here's a great wreath she just finished that she found on a website.
Here's her version, and I love it!!

And here's the original from younghouselove:

I figure that's enough wreaths for now! :) 

Books Check 'Em Out!

Not sure if anybody else remembers the commercial from when we were younger, but this song goes through my head at random times. And, apparently, the commercial's message worked on me. I LOVE libraries. I have no idea why exactly, but I seriously love them. Especially the big 4-story main library in downtown Huntington. I get some kind of weird, eerie feeling when I'm in them that I cannot explain. It might be that there are all these strangers all milling around and being so quiet- and for some reason I love it. And maybe I feel like I'm more intelligent- just for being at the library haha :) I realize this is ridiculous, but I still feel like an intellectual when I'm there. And then there's the fact that everything is FREE!!! I cannot understand why people go and spend tons of money on brand new books??? I never know what to do with them after I finish, and then they just add to the absurd amount of clutter Nick and I already have- so I usually end up giving the books away anyway. And then there's the hippie side of me that loves that by borrowing from the library instead of buying the book, I'm helping cut down on paper used for printing. But the main selling point for me is definitely the free price tag. I left the library a few weeks ago with 3 great books for 0 dollars, and I felt like I had discovered this great secret, and I almost wanted to tell shout it out and tell everyone on the street!!
To actually tie this back into my 101 List (since I haven't updated about my goals in months), I've read 2 of my 10 classics- both Jane Austen books (goal #52).  I started with "Pride and Prejudice" and loved it, so then I moved on to "Sense and Sensibility".  As much as I enjoyed both novels, I decided to take a little break from reading the classics to read a few random books I'd been really looking forward to.  And it's amazing how much faster and easier I can read the books now compared to when I was reading Austen!!  haha :)  Some books I just finished are "The Weight of Silence" (GREAT book), "The Things They Carried", "Heroic Measures", and "The Art of Racing in the Rain".  Right now I'm in the middle of "The Choice" (a Nicholas Sparks book someone gave me to read) and "The Sweet By and By" I just started this week.  And I'm so so excited because the library has me on the list to get a book called "Little Bee" that I can't wait to read!!  After that, I think I need to go back and read a few more classics... but I just needed a mini break :)  It probably also helped that I was on vacation this past week, so I had more free time to read.  But sometimes I felt like I had to read some of Austen's sentences 3 or 4 times to completely appreciate what she was saying. 
While we were on vacation in Hilton Head, I also got to mark off #92 on my list because Nick and I went parasailing :)  It was a good experience and really relaxing, but not as amazing as I think I'd expected.  We also visited a new city that I'd never been to before (#11 on my list)- Savannah, GA.  What a gorgeous place!!  I loved all the cobblestone streets and the little parks throughout the city.  We tried to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant, but at the time they were booked, and Nick was too hungry to wait :)  So we walked down a few streets and found a restaurant called Belford's and it was INCREDIBLE!!  I got their crab cakes w/spiced tomato jam and Nick got the shrimp, grits and greens and both were amazing!!  Both dishes had won  "Taste of Savannah" awards from Southern Living magazine.  So I actually think it was better that we didn't go to Paula's restaurant- since I'm not a major fan of her cooking as much as I am of her adorable personality :)  I do wish I could have met her for a quick second though!  OK, that's all for today!

Victory for Cows Everywhere!!

So a couple of months ago I saw the movie "Food Inc." which completely disturbed me, to say the least.  There were so many things that were unsettling that I can't even begin to write it all down.  But my main issue was seeing the sickening animal cruelty.  I CANNOT HANDLE IT.  Lots of other things were upsetting as well- like the hormones given to the animals, their terrible unnatural diets, the diseases and filth that can be passed on to the consumers.  But nothing made me as ill or sad as the animal treatment.  So since I watched the movie, I've been wrestling with how to be practical and really apply what I took away from the movie.  Honestly, I felt like they basically were telling me to move to a farm, grow my own organic vegetables and fruits, raise and slaughter my own animals, never buy from grocery stores, and totally give up all processed food.  But that's probably not going to happen :).  So I've just tried to be much more conscious of what I'm buying- looking for organic produce and free range meat, and not ordering meat when I go to restaurants or fast food.  It hasn't been too hard though- the number of times I've eaten meat (besides fish) since the movie I could definitely count on 1 hand, and that's usually just when I get in a tricky situation where I have no other choice or don't want to offend the cook :)  I definitely don't think vegetarian is for everybody (and I'm not even going totally vegetarian anyway)- and I've had to be much more careful of getting protein from other sources, like beans and nuts (I've made a ridiculous amount of bean burritos and PB&Js lately.)  But I just haven't felt right about eating much meat since the movie (except fish- I've been eating tuna, cod, salmon, mahi mahi, etc. like crazy!!  I know that sounds doesn't make much sense, but I feel like fish get a pretty good life out there swimming around in lakes and oceans. Still weird- I know.) 

Here's my request- just let the animals have a good, happy life before their time comes.  That's it!!  And I don't think that's too much to ask!!  It's not that I'm against the idea of eating meat all together- I just hate the thought of the cows and chickens suffering for me.  (I realize this isn't an issue for most people- and that's totally OK!!  Nick is still definitely a fan of meat in any shape or form.  This is just a personal dilemma I'm trying to wrestle with.)

So...... (I'm now stepping down from my soapbox- I apologize for all that) tonight I tried something new and I'm so excited for how it went over!!!  I made taco soup for dinner for Nick and me tonight, and Craig, my brother-in-law, was over here too.  So without saying anything, I used Morning Star's vegetable crumbles instead of hamburger meat- and both guys LOVED it!!!!  I was so excited to tell them that it wasn't actually meat- yesss!!  (I realize it may sound terrible that I tricked them, but I need to experiment!)  So now, I have a great meal that me and my meat-lovin' husband can both enjoy- and I can feel free of guilt while we're eating it!!!  I don't feel guilty for hurting the animals, AND I don't feel guilty that my husband is stuck with a weirdo, hippie wife who won't cook him something he likes :)  Victory!!!!  Nick is definitely not a fan otherMorning Star products that I eat, but at least we have 1!! :)

If you haven't seen "Food Inc.", I would totally recommend it.  Not that I think everyone needs a guilt trip, but it's so eye-opening and exposes a lot of problems that we never hear about and need to be aware of.  As the idea of kids has starting coming onto my radar, I feel like there's a few changes that need to be made.  And if I just suddenly do that once a kid gets here, I'm afraid my body will go into shock :)  So I figure I may as well start making adjustments now and be careful of the choices we're making so that it's just natural when that time comes to think about my child's nutrition.

These are a few of my favorite things... about Nick :)

This is a super random list of some of the quirky things that make me have a crush on my husband :)  Just wanted to write them down so I can always look at this and smile.
-He talks about how Jesus had "swagger".
-He gives Copper pep talks about how he needs to get a job and contribute to the family.
-Although he can spell "valentine" and "disciple" correctly, he still pronounces them "valentime" and "discifle".  I will never understand this.
-He put our hamster in his shirt pocket for our family portrait for the church directory :)
-He makes THE BEST cartoon faces ever.
-He knows more about history than Stephen Ambrose. And he not only knows all the reasons he believes in Intelligent Design, but he studies evolution also- so that he knows both sides.
-He never gets me appropriate cards for holidays.  He just gets a random card, and then adds conversation bubbles or his own animation to it to make it say whatever he wants.
-He has an amazing appreciation for people.
-He's overly optimistic :)  His old boss, Terry, used to tell him, "I've stopped listening to your predictions for the month because they're always high" haha :) And he was known in high school for the quote, "Don't worry, it'll be alright"- even when things weren't alright.
-He makes grocery store trips 3 times faster when he goes with me.  He asks me to tell him a few things we on the list, and then he literally will run around and get everything and hurry back to me to put them in the cart- then asks for more.  He'd be great on Supermarket Sweep.
-I love that most nights are like a slumber party- like getting to stay up late and laugh really hard with my best friend.

I apologize if this made anyone gag from my lame-ness :)