Halloween

Halloween is tomorrow so in honor of all things creepy and costume-ee...

Have a happy and safe one!

Hemp....Clothing that is

I didn't know that you can make clothing out of hemp ,but apparently you can make all kind of things out of it. Who knew?

Once again while browsing on Esty(Sorry-I know-I am obsessed-promise my next post won't be about Etsy) I came across this store. I LOVE this lady's clothing! It looks so simple and comfortable ,but also really unique. Unfortunately all things "earth friendly" seem to cost an arm and a leg. Which now that I think of it I am not sure why. If something is more natural and simple it seems like it should cost less since you don't have to pay for all the processing. Anyways-maybe her prices are high because she makes everything based off your own personal measurements which is really nice I suppose for a great fit. I am really loving this little jacket/sweater thing and also this skirt. Just wanted to share...

Soap

I love shopping around on Esty. Seeing handmade items really excites me for some reason. Maybe because I also like to create.

I picked up a very small sample of all natural soap from an Amish stand at the Nashville Flea Market awhile ago and loved it. It left my hands feeling so soft. I read up on natural soaps and how if you have sensitive or dry skin they really are the way to go. I love the convenience of shower gel and my little puff ,but I thought I would give the bar soap another try. The flea market only happens once a month so I decided to look on Etsy for some soap.

I was amazed at how many different people sell soap on there so I just picked one at random. I ordered a few items from this person. I bought one regular soap bar that smells like lemon, an orange smelling shampoo bar, and a charcoal facial soap bar(sounds weird but I am really liking it. and it's black which looks kind of cool). I loved everything I got although the shampoo bar wouldn't get all the pomade out of my hair so I used the rest as a regular bar of soap. When I used up all the soap I decided to try another brand for fun. I just received my package from this person on etsy the other day. I bought the 4 pack of soaps which ended up being cheaper than the other store. Anyways-so now I am obsessed with buying this kind of soap because my skin is not nearly as dry as usual and I love trying out new scents.

Actually I love my new soaps so much that I may try to make my own. My husband even made me a special soap mold so all I need now are all the ingredients.

Converse

When I was in middle school and high school I often walked around wearing a pair of Chuck Taylor Converse shoes. I had black, red, and even a high top pair that had the American flag on them. Once I graduated high school I kind of felt like maybe I had grown out of those shoes-as if they were only made for teenagers. The funny thing though is that they seem to be having a comeback because not only do I see young people wearing them I see older people wearing them too. So-as I browsed around the shoe store a couple of days ago I walked up to the display of all the Chucks and let out a sigh and admired all the new colors they now come in. I was drawn to these magenta ones and ended up buying them. I love them! When I look at them I can't help but think of all my friends in 8th grade sitting around the table during wood shop with our Nirvana t-shirts, our flannel shirts, and Chucks. ohhh...memories....

Friday

Fridays are great! I only work 4 hours on Friday's and that makes it extra great. Unfortunately the weather is cold and rainy today ,but perfect for sitting on the couch bundled up in a blanket with a good movie. Speaking of movies I really hope I can make it to see Where The Wild Things Are this weekend.

On another note-I found a tasty recipe I am going to try over the weekend. This one came from The Pioneer Woman's Blog.

Spaghetti with Artichoke Hearts and Tomatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 medium onion, finely diced

1 14.5 ounce can artichoke hearts (quartered or whole), drained

1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup chicken broth, more as needed

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

salt & pepper to taste

1 pound thin spaghetti

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons chopped chives or other herbs

Cook spaghetti till al dente. Drain and set aside.Melt olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add artichoke hearts and tomatoes. Stir and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream and chicken broth. Add salt and pepper to taste (do not undersalt!) Cook over low heat until heated through, then turn off heat.Place drained pasta in a large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 cup Parmesan. Pour sauce over the top. Add chopped chives. Toss lightly to combine and coat; add a tiny bit of reserved pasta water if sauce seems too thick.

Hope you have a great weekend!

My Taste Bud's New Best Friend

Sparks

Currently I am reading this

I have read a couple of Nicholas Sparks books. The first one I really enjoyed. I think it was called The Wedding (sequel to the Notebook I think). The second one I can't seem to remember the title. It was good but pretty predictable. Although I am making my way through The Rescue I find myself cringing with each new chapter. I am all for romantic stories and what not but I feel like all the woman characters in his books are all basically the same woman. Has anyone else ever thought this? It's like all the stories are exactly the same with a few minor changes- like the location (except for wait-they all seem to take place in a cozy little NC town), the eye and hair color of the woman (they always are very attractive but don't seem to know it), and the occupation of the love interest. In this book he is a fire fighter.

I don't want to knock Mr.Nicholas but he keeps banging out book after book and and I kind of wish he would slow it down and actually write a story that isn't so cliche. That is jut me though.

Waves

I have been astounded lately by my inconsistent nature. Or maybe I should say inconsistent attitude..or thought life (I guess I don't know what you would call it). One moment I feel so sure that life will work its self out and that I don't need to worry and then the very next moment I worry like nobodies business and can't seem to find any hope. The smallest thing can set me off in either direction. This reminds me exactly of this verse- James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

I am like a wave tossed by the wind and it stinks!

Until I grow in this area I think that is why God gave me my husband. He is solid and dependable. He is not easily shaken or thrown off balance. When I start freaking out all it takes to bring me back to reality is him saying "it will be ok." I probably am gullible but I believe him every time. But the amazing miracle is that in the end everything does seem to work its self out. Maybe not in the way I would have imagined but it does. Which then makes me think of this verse-Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose.

Now that I wrote this I am having one of those peaceful moments where I am reminded that God is in control even when I am not. The peaceful moment is also helped by my Starbucks Pumpkin Spice latte. Thanks be to God for peace and Starbucks!

win some lose most of them

I for whatever reason I don't have much luck at winning in things. games, drawings, and radio station giveaways, oh..and now there seems to be people giving away things on their blogs all the time. Don't get any ideas here. I don't have anything exciting to give away unless you want an outdated magazine or a few bananas that probably are on their way to becoming banana bread(which by the way I found a really good recipe for,so maybe I could give you that if you want).
I guess I can't say that I have never won because in fact I did happen to win a coloring contest put on by Giant Eagle grocery store when I was younger. I think I won an Easter basket or a stuffed rabbit or something. I also won a drawing contest put on by the Lion's Club and they "honored" me at a banquet and used my picture in their yearly calendar. But other than those two times the only time I won something when I became an adult was when I was caller 7 or 10(I can't remember) on Lightening 100 radio station here in Nashville for some CD of some band who I had never heard of. I still was excited. I mean..I had won. However I never did get my prize. They told me I had to come to their building downtown to pick it up and I was like-well ok then. So I drove myself down there trying not to have a freak out-cause I hate driving in down town areas. I finally parked (had to pay for it mind you) and made my way into the building only to find that they had closed for the day. What! S0 I decided to come back one more time and guess what?!? they moved to a new location who knows where. I gave up. I mean all this for some band I had never heard of and no offense probably sounds like every other band in Nashville.
This brings me to current day. Well actually yesterday's current day..or something like that. My mom and I went to hear a woman speak and they had an ice breaker thing where there was a prize involved. There were these clues and you had to figure out what candy/chocolate they were talking about. For example-here is an easy one- she has long hair and prefers riding on horses nude. Godiva chocolate! Well The first couple were REALLY easy and I thought I had it made. I must know my candy I thought and then realized oh yes I know it too well hence the weight gain over the past few years. As the phrases kept coming they got way harder and I really only filled in a few more and gave up. I figured there was NO WAY I won..once again. At the end they asked "did anyone get more than 5,6,7,8,9 correct" and as I looked around I was the only one standing. VICTORY! and then they gave me a travel mug. Which I mean I totally needed. Who doesn't need another one right! It's nice and silver and pink which I usually don't like but am starting to appreciate. I am sure it will hold my hot beverages beautifully.
There really is no moral to this story except to say to those who feel like losers -You too could play a game and win. maybe. If you win U2 tickets or a new car I hope You will think of me and and give me a ride in your new car and take me to U2 with you.haha...........
No-seriously. Have you ever won anything really cool? I would Love to hear about it.

PS. One of my favorite blogs is called pioneer woman. Check it out here. This lady gives away some really great things like Kitchen Aid Mixers. I tried winning a few of those but as you can see I didn't win. But you might. And-her blog is really funny and has a bunch of great recipes with picture instructions.

Adventures While Cooking

Yesterday after work I had the urge to cook. So-I flipped through pages of my cook books and looked online. I found a recipe for some kind of Asian baked chicken and I figured I would give it a go. The only problem with the recipe was that it called for a whole chicken which I had ,but it wanted me to cut it up into pieces. This might not be an issue with some folks but I can hardly stand to touch precut skinless chicken breast let alone a big stretchy skinned chicken with all the organs stuffed inside that I have to shake over the trash to release them. I knew that I needed help so I went straight to youtube. Which is where I found this video. The chef makes it look oh so easy with his sharp little knife. So clean, so undiscusting. I thought to myself-I can do this. I got my chicken and plopped it on my cutting board and pulled out my best knife (which by the way is a silver steak knife-I know...I need a good knife..maybe for Christmas). I started the video on my laptop that sat next to me and played the part about cutting the legs and them paused it as I tried it myself. I stuck my knife in and started to cut. Or at least I thought I was cutting but in reality I was just moving the knife up and down and stretching the skin out while gross juices were flying in the air. Gagging... Dull knife-obviously not like the one he had used. So-I got out the kitchen scissors. They seemed to work a lot better. What probably took the chef 2 minutes to attempt took me about an hour. I could not figure out how you are supposed to cut between the bones and by the time I was finished I had the nastiest mangled carcass sitting on my counter top. Thankfully no one else saw it until after It was baked and by them It actually looked pretty nice and tasted even better.

Ahhh...the adventures of cooking!