Real Life: Live & Unscripted

I'm just a blogger and this is just my blog.

Crazy title huh? LOL

I'm a mom, but I'm not a mommy blogger.

I'm married, but this isn't a relationship blog.

I cook, but this isn't a food blog.

I sew, but this isn't a sewing blog.

I scrapbook (sometimes), but this isn't a scrapbooking blog.

I knit, but this isn't a knitting blog.

I enjoy beading, but this isn't a jewerly/beading blog.

I like to paint, but this isn't a painting blog.

This blog is simply about ME, and my family. The things I/we do, the things I/we enjoy, some things I like, what I don't like, things that piss me off, things that make me happy. Just stuff. No rhyme or reason.

I may not use correct english and there may be a word here and there that isn't spelled right lol, but I'm just me.

That is all.

On my nightstand...

 

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!

White Chili

 

I gotta say, I got tired of taking pics so this post is lacking lol.

 

 

Pause from the cooking and take a pic of the huge mess you have made in the kitchen lol. Does that happen to y'all!? LOL

 

 

 

This was OH SO GOOD. It was my first time every having/making white chili and we LOVED IT!

Ingredients

• 1 whole Fryer Chicken, Cut Up (or 3 Cups Cooked Chicken)
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 2 whole Cans Green Chilies, Chopped
• 1 pound Dried Great Northern Beans, Rinsed
• 8 cups Chicken Broth
• 1 whole Jalapeno, Sliced
• 1-½ Tablespoon Ground Cumin
• ½ teaspoons Paprika
• ½ teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
• Salt To Taste
• White Pepper, To Taste
• 1 cup Whole Milk
• 2 Tablespoons Masa (corn Flour) OR Cornmeal
• Grated Monterey Jack, To Taste
• Sour Cream For Garnish
• Cilantro For Garnish
• Guacamole (optional)
• Pico De Gallo (optional)
• Corn Tortillas (warmed)

Preparation Instructions

Cover chicken and cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until done. Remove meat from bones. Set aside.

In a dutch oven over medium-high heat, saute onions and garlic for 2 minutes. Add chopped green chilies, then rinsed beans. Pour chicken broth into the pan. Add sliced jalapenos. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin. Place lid on pot and reduce heat to low.

Cook for 2 hours or until beans are done. Halfway through the cooking process, add 3 cups of cooked chicken.

When beans are tender, mix milk with masa (or cornmeal) and pour into the chili. Cook for an additional ten minutes to thicken. Check seasoning and adjust, adding cayenne pepper and paprika if desired.

Add some Monterey Jack cheese to the pot and stir to melt.

Serve chili in a bowl. Garnish with cilantro, sour cream.

Scrap, Scrap, Scrapping along Week 2

This is week two right? LOL

Here is my sketch:

  

This sketch is from Sketches by Moma

And my take on it...

 
and a lil bitty closeup (of course you can click the pics and make them larger lol)

 
Supplies:

CS-Prism (WHERE CAN I ORDER THIS ONLINE?!?)

PP-My Minds Eye

Making Memories- Journaling Sheet

My Minds Eye- Chipboard Accessories

American Craft - Thickers

Prima -Bling

Square Brads - Unknown

Doodlebug - Letter Stickers

Up next we haveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee lol.

 

This sketch is from Sketches by Tamara

I loved this sketch and was gonna go a different route but umm it didn't work out lol.

Here is my version lol.

 

Products:

CS & PP- Basic Grey

American Craft Thickers

Making Memories - Itty bitty letters

Alright ya'll that's it! My post is way late, but  better late than never  right!?!? LOL

Lemme go check on y'all and see how y'all doin!

Toodles!!

Ladies night out...

Y'all already know I love to have fun, but nothing beats having fun with good folks!

Went out with some friends to Cheesecake Factory a couple weeks ago and we had a really good time. Some pics? Sure!

 
I love this pic lol. It's so true lol.

EVERYBODY had their phones out lol. It was so funny lol.

 
Yum

 
More yum

 
My GIRLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.  Lawd, y'all don't know the half!  lol

 
It was COLD lol.

 
Group shot! LOL. We had a blast! Can't wait till next time!

Toodles!

Hump Day Ramblings...

• I love being able to schedule blog posts lol. That is the best thing lol.

• Music is my escape.

• Is this year going by fast OR WHAT!?

• Cheez-IT 100 Calorie Packs are the TRUTH! LOVE them.

• I did say last week to watch what view you were making right? Umm hmmm, when you try your shirt on and wonder why it's a lil too snug, make sure it's SUPPOSED to have darts in the front. That is all.

• I AM SO SLEEPY!!!

• There are squirrels in my attic. Getting that taken care of TODAY!

• Ok, traps will be set today! YAY!

• Jaelyn has a track meet in a little bit. I need a blanket, some gloves, maybe my knitting needles or a book and a thermos of hot tea. Yep, i'll be there a while lol.

• I was too cold to knit, glad I didn't take anything. Gonna ATTEMPT to finish Tony's hat. Like. I gotta do that first, then I'll knit for myself lol.

• I made Kayla the most pretty dress. I can't wait to show you guys pictures. Maybe I'll get her to just put it on and have a photoshoot lol.

• My mojo is like EVERYWHERE. I've been scrapbooking, looking at knitting patterns, sewing my behind off, I pulled my beads out today! I tell you, beautiful weather will make it all better lol.

• My laundry is OVERFLOWING. It's a huge mountain. Seriously.

• Sometimes, all you need is a listening ear. That's it.

• I finally picked up my ipod again. Y'all can quit cussing me out for not playing words with friends lol. I'm back lol.

• I need to move all my itunes music OFF of my laptop. Need to go get a small external hard drive for it.

• I need some ink for my printer.

• Petty. Just petty.

• LOL@ slid under a car lol.

• Sooooooooooooooooooo ummm ok.

• I know who I can call when I need to. Thank you.

• I haven't had a perm since umm November I think. I got it cut in October...I THINK I got a perm in November or December lol. I can NOT rememeber. Either way, it's time for one now lol.

• "connection"

• I promise I won't drop it.

Alright y'all...go lol.

More Lost pics!

Let's play catch up again lol.

WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY back in January I went to a bead show here with Kisha lol.

 
Such pretty beads lol

 
Kisha and Kayla getting they "shop" on lol

 
And a group shot lol. I promise I LOVE that hat lol.

  

Kayla had a baton recital. That's THE only picture I have lol. I do have a video I have YET to edit though lol.

Took a trip to the Pancake house...

 
 
 
 
 
Jaelyn had the "ITIS" lol.

Jaelyn had a sleepover/mall/movie trip with some of her friends for her bday lol.

 
These girls are HILARIOUS! LOL. We had fun but they wore ME OUT!

 
Yeah, they were taking pics IN the movies lol. Love this one though lol. I think it's Jaelyn's face.boo.k profile pic lol.

Love this pic of the kids we took before going in Target...

 

When we came out we had snow flurries lol

 

  

I stole this pic from Cheryl's blog lol.

 
  

 

 
  

  

And I THINK we all caught up lol.

Toodles!

Scrap, Scrap, Scrapping along!

WOOHOO!!! Ok, so this was the first week of our "get scrapping" challenge lol.

LET ME TELL YOU HOW MUCH I NEEDED THIS!!!!!

Thanks to all you ladies who are playing along!!!

Did you guys finish your layouts? Link them up in the post, or send me a pic and I'll post it!!

Sooo if you are a little late to the game, check out last weeks post. You can see all the ladies that are playing along and you can check the comment section here for a list of inspirational sites! I LOVE IT!

So here was my sketch from last week:

 

And here is my version of it:

 
(you can click the photo to make it larger)

and I broke out the Heidi Swapp Ghost Shapes AND some spray paint! LOL

 
Yeah baby! LOL y'all know I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE snowflakes lol.

Products Used:

AMERICAN CRAFT FABRIC THICKERS

HEIDI SWAPP MAILBOX LETTERS & GHOST SHAPES

PP-BO BUNNY

CS-UNKNOWN

7GYPSIES STICKER

WHITE SPRAY PAINT

LOVE LOVE LOVE lol.

Here are my sketches for this week, YES sketcheS lol. I'm going to challenge myself to do TWO!!! LOL

 
It's the February 20 sketch from Scrap Sketches by Moma

 
It's Challenge #109 from Sketches by Tamara

Ok, can't wait to see what you all have done and I can't WAIT to get started on MY layouts! WHOO HOOO! LOL

Toodles!

Butterick 5284

 

One can never have enough white blouses...right!? I needed a simple plain white blouse. This pattern really fit the bill. I will def make this one again, and with ruffles.

Butterick 5284

Pattern Description:

MISSES' SHIRT: Shirts A, B, C, D have front band, collar, collar band and sleeve variations. A: self-double ruffles and cuff with slit. B: flounce, front and back darts. B, C, D: gathered sleeves with continuous lap and cuff. C: front panel with tucks. D: front and back darts, ribbon sash.

I made view A without the ruffle.

Pattern Sizing:
8-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes very simple. I love the instructions for the collar/collar stand.

 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

This pattern is very well drafted. Nothing to dislike.

Fabric Used:

White Shirt Cotton

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

None, but next time I will lengthen it and add darts to it.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I plan on making this again with the ruffles. I almost want to make another white one with the ruffle lol.

Conclusion:

Great basic shirt pattern. I plan on making this one a few times.

Here are some additional pictures:

 
 
 

Ohhh, I JUST decided to try and sew buttons on my top with my machine...LOVE IT! I'll never hand sew another button if I can help it lol.

 

Y'all have a good one!

On my nightstand...

 

T.otal Eclipse of the Hea.rt

I read this book a few weeks ago (yep, I'm behind on posting my books lol) but it was OH SO GOOD.

This isn't your typical Z.an.e. book.

Don't go into it looking for all the hot and steamy $.e.x  that she is known for. This book is TOTALLY watered down.

The story line is just superb. I did NOT want to put it down. I actually got a little bit "emotional" lol while I was reading it.

It's almost like the story is just so close to what could happen in real life.

Pick this one up. Read it. You will NOT regret it!

Vogue 8511

 

Vogue 8511

Pattern Description:

MISSES’ DRESSES: Dresses have lined, princess seamed bodice, pleated skirt front, darts in skirt back and back zipper closure, length is 1" below mid-knee. A: sleeveless. B: three-quarter length sleeves.

Pattern Sizing:

6-12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!

 

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Super easy!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

This was a great pattern.

Fabric Used:
Knit from Joanns

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Since I used a knit, I didn't put a zipper in it lol. It really didn't need one.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I REALLY think I want to make this one again, but I'm not sure lol. I do recommend it.

Conclusion:

I thought this was a very well drafted pattern. No troubles at all!

Toodles!

My first Duvet Cover...and some pillows lol.

This was a LONG time coming. How long?!!?

Here is the original post where I purchased the fabric. Yeah WAY back in 2007!!!!

 
The pic is crooked because I had the camera sideways lol.

I totally LOVE the way this came out! I am SO proud of it ya'll!! LIKE SOOOOOOOOOOO PROUD!!!

 
Here is a close up of the trim. This was my first time using anything like this and it was easy. Just a LOT of it.

 
I had some left over fabric so I made a little pillow for my chaise lounge. I LOVE that thing!

The details:

I really didn't use a pattern. I took the comforter that was already on my bed and measured it to get the yardage.  Once I got the fabric off the roll thing, I kinda measured it against the bed just to make sure I had what I needed.

I don't know if you can see the seams on the fabric or not but they are on each side of the mattress. The middle piece is a full piece of fabric. When I measured the bed, I doubled the fabric, and cut the second piece in half, and sewed it to the main center piece (if that makes ANY sense).

The pillows were also made just by measuring the queen size pillows I already had on my bed. I was going to do pillow shams, but I just opted to stuff all the pillows. That was a LOT of stuffing lol.  These won't be slept on, decoration ONLY. lol.

And there you have it!

My very first duvet cover! Gotta get to those new window treatments next! LOL

Y'all wanna know something funny!?!? LOL I'm already planning on changing it again lol. Not right now though lol ;)

Toodles!

Hump Day Ramblings.......

• I'm finally going through my email. Will try to keep it current. KEY WORD TRY lol.

• Working on a white blouse...ready to finish it so I can make my jeans.

• OMG, just OMFG.

• ...and this little piggy cried wee wee wee alllllllllll the way home ;) Yep, ALL THE WAY HOME.

• I needed that more than you will ever know. Thank you.

• I give up.

• My mojo is SUPER flowing!

• I now know why you never will.

• This is a Wednesday night I won't soon forget.  Just WOW. Drama is like WOW. Why does it happen so late?!

• On EVERY level and in every way. It's sick.

• I was tryn to keep my voice down in Michaels lol.

• Running is the only way I have.

• When sewing, pay attention to the view you are making lol. That is all.

• That meant the world to me. Thank you. Gnite.

• I'm about to pass out. SO SLEEPY.

• I have SO much to do this morning!!!!

• I slept SO good last night, my hair came unwrapped and my satin cap was NEXT to me! LOL

• My morning started off PERFECT!

• My sewing mojo is going so strong right now, I am sewing one dress, and cutting out another top for myself and a dress for Kayla! PLEASE mojo stay!! LOL

• OMG, everytime I think about it I FALL OUT LAUGHING!!!! LMAO! You couldn't even get it out! LOL

• My wrist is killing me.

• I cried today, but I laughed even more. Thank you for being there :)

• "It's a pleasure" LOL

• Crawl up in a big ole ball and die!!!! LMAO! OMG. Lenny Williams said that didn't he?! LMAO

• Ummm ok.

• Operation de-clutter is in effect!

Alright y'all, go...

Chicken Scallopini

The pioneer woman is DANGEROUS lol

 

Flatten chicken breasts to uniform thickness. Salt and pepper both sides, then dredge in flour.

  

 

  

Grab a helper so you can have a really cool picture lol.

  

Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken breasts until golden brown. Remove to a plate and set aside.

 

  

Throw mushrooms into the pan and stir. Immediately pour in wine and chicken broth (optional), and then squeeze juice of 1/2 to 1 lemon. Stir to deglaze the pan, and then cook vigorously for 1 minute, until sauce reduces.

 

 

  

Pour in cream and stir, then add capers and parsley and stir. Turn off heat. Stir and add salt and pepper to taste. Don’t under salt!

 

  

  

Copy and Paste the recipe...that's what I did lol

Ingredients

• 1 pound Linguine
• 6 whole Boneless, Skinless, Trimmed Chicken Breasts
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• Flour
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 4 Tablespoons Butter
• 12 ounces, weight White Mushrooms, Sliced Thin
• 1 cup Dry White Wine
• Chicken Broth (optional)
• 1 whole Lemon
• ½ cups Heavy Cream (can Use Half-and-Half)
• 1 teaspoon (heaping) Capers
• Chopped Fresh Italian Parsley
• Parmesan Cheese, For Topping

Preparation Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Flatten chicken breasts to uniform thickness. Salt and pepper both sides, then dredge in flour. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken breasts until golden brown. Remove to a plate and set aside.

Throw mushrooms into the pan and stir. Immediately pour in wine and chicken broth (optional), and then squeeze juice of 1/2 to 1 lemon. Stir to deglaze the pan, and then cook vigorously for 1 minute, until sauce reduces.

Pour in cream and stir, then add capers and parsley and stir. Turn off heat. Stir and add salt and pepper to taste. Don’t under salt!

Place pasta and chicken on a platter and top with every last drop of sauce. Generously sprinkle Parmesan Cheese over the top.

Scrap, Scrap, Scrapping along!

***THIS IS GOING TO BE A FEATURED POST, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR OTHER POSTS, I WILL TAKE IT DOWN LATER IN THE WEEK***

Ok, so I have some pictures printed out and I am going to SCRAP!

This is how this will work:

Every Monday I will post a sketch that I am going to use. The following Monday I will link up the previous weeks sketch and my completed layout. Sound good? Lemme know lol.

Since I am just now getting back into my scrapping, I am going to make it a GOAL to do ONE layout a week. ONE you say?! HEYYYYYYYYYYY I haven't touched ANYTHING in months so one is GOOD lol.  

I want to try and do this for an entire month, so by months end I SHOULD have four LO's. lol.

If you want to post the sketch you are going to work from, that is all fine and dandy. Once you get your sketch picked out/ layout finished post it on your blog and leave a link in the comment section, and I will get them linked up in this post.

OMG, I'm actually excited!!!  This should be fun.

Here is a list of the ladies that are gonna play. If you want me to add your name to this post, let me know and I'll get it up there:

Cynta

Kisha

Elsie

Mrs. Saditty

Neecha

KeeKee

Rachelle

Kim

Mye

Melanie

Karen

Kim T

And Nikki (do you blog!?!??! LOL)

Ok....SOOO here is the sketch I plan on working with this week.

 
It's from Pencil LinesSketch 172

Alright! LET'S SCRAP!!!

Toodles!