What a blessing it is to have great women in our lives. Wishing you all a Happy Mother’s Day!!!
-xo
Category Archives: Holidays
Hello April…Birthday Countdown!
I’m so excited because April is here and it’s my Birthday month! Whoot Whoot! The weather is starting to warm up and that’s something to be excited about! I have something exciting planned (well at least to me), but I’ll tell you more about that later. I really didn’t want anything for my birthday, but of course I made a birthday wish list! *wink* I was laughing as I was putting my list together. Everything and I mean everything was health/fitness related. These are things I’m for real-for real excited about! Wait, I did get one non-fitness/health related gift, but it was a must! Let me start off by saying, I kind of already got one of the gifts. Okay, okay…I didn’t “kind of”…I actually did!
Polar Sports Watch and Chest Strap — Love this watch! It syncs to my heart rate monitor (chest strap - seen below) to tell me skinny on my workout progress.
My Birthday Wish List!
Yes, that’s a fanny pack! I’m an 80′s Baby and a Vintage Lover…what can I say!
I added a NutriBullet which I bought a few weeks ago that I absolutely LOVE! I also bought new running shoes (and a few pair of pants) prior to my Half-Marathon back in February, but you can never have enough running shoes or pants right?! And I mean…who doesn’t want kettle bells? I’m thinking they will all come by way of a big, PINK bow!
No seriously, I’m just happy to see another birthday and when you get to the tender age of…(yeah) the simplest things make you happy! Just living, breathing, and being in good health is more than enough for me! So gifts or not, I’m going to have the Happiest Birthday Ever!!!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you all!
Wow! Can you believe how fast last year went by?! I can’t. I’m really excited for a new year, new beginnings, new opportunities, and new blessings! I don’t really do the whole resolution thing. I do, however, want to be a better person than I was in 2012. I have so many awesome things planned for this year and I can’t wait to share them with you! Until then…
Wishing you and yours an AWESOME 2013!!!!
-xo,
A
Celebrate the New Year with Chicken & Dumplings
Happy New Year’s Eve Everyone!!!
We all know the new year brings about new resolutions and traditions from collard greens to black-eyed peas. I’m sure if you ask Grandma nem’ the list may go on! My Mom has a New Year tradition of making Chicken & Dumplings! I remember them oh so well as a child and I loved them every single time she prepared them. Starting this year, I will carry out the tradition. I made them back in the Fall and they were SO GOOD…OMG! I had to pop somebody’s hand, because they went back for second, thirds, and even fourths! O___o lol I’m so excited to make them again. This isn’t her recipe, but this one is super easy and close to the real thing!
Recipe via AllRecipes.com
Slow-Cooker Chicken & Dumplings
Serves 8 – You can also use a Crock Pot (that’s what I used)
Ingredients
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken (I used 1 cream of chicken, 1 cream of celery)
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 (10 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces (I used reduced-fat biscuit dough and it was delicious)
*I doctored mine up a bit by adding a few seasonings of choice.
Directions
- Place the chicken, butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover (Instead of water I used chicken broth to cover,adds more flavor).
- Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hours on High. About 30 minutes before serving, place the torn (flattened) biscuit dough in the slow cooker (or crock pot). Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center.
ENJOY AND HAPPY NYE!!!!!
~A
Feeling “Quichey” for Christmas!
Christmas morning I decided to make a breakfast Quiche for the very first time! There use to be this stuff called “Pour-a-Quiche”, but I haven’t been able to find it anywhere so I made it myself. Of course I had to share the recipe!
Sausage Quiche
Ingredients:
- 1 (9 inch) pie shell
- 1/2 lb ground sausage
- 1 cup of grated/shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 small grated onion
- 1 Tbsp of flour
- 1 large can Pet milk
- 2 eggs
- Parsley
Directions:
Brown sausage; drain. Place in pie shell. Sprinkle grated cheese, flour and onion on top. Beat eggs and milk; bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until set.
It was absolutely delish!!!
I also brought out one of my favorite breakfast items Georgia Boy Smoked Sausages, which are made near Albany, Georgia (where my Mom’s family resides). This is TRULY a treat, because I don’t eat them often. I was so excited when I found out they were sold in AL! My husband also prepared his famous corn grits. Mmmm!
I decided to make Slutty Brownies: Turtle Edition on Christmas Eve! They were pretty good — Toffee-ish! I also made a pecan pie, which is my holiday FAVORITE!
I rocked my $0.99 lounge/casual dress I found at the thrift store! It was festive and Christmasy (made that up) so I had to wear it! Sorry I don’t have a full pic…I was on the couch all day! lol
Oh and I even rocked a Santa hat! Check it out!!!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I’m going to enjoy the rest of my vacation, read a few books, crochet some scarves, and relax!
Happy Holidays!
~A
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!! I’m so thankful for family and friends. This time of year is especially hard for those who have lost loved ones (including myself). May the peace of God be a comfort to everyone. My prayers are with those affected in Sandy Hook and their families, Mr. Han’s family, and many more.
Regardless of the reason…THIS season brings people together! There’s nothing like family time, amazing friends, giving, and just being thankful.
Enjoy and be blessed…for Jesus is the reason for the season!
Merry Christmas to all!!!
XX
A Gift That Gives Back!
Christmas is less than a week away and it’s Christmas shoppers crunch time! I started a little bit early this year, but I still have few things to get on my list. I found the coolest gifts that also allowed me to give back to charity. The organization “Whatever It Takes” raises funds for key global development causes, including poverty alleviation, the protection of children, and environmental conservation. They have teamed up with celebrities in fashion, film, sports, television, music, etc. with artwork designed by Serena Williams, Penelope Cruz, George Clooney, Pink, and Kanye West just to name a few. A variety of fun pieces have been created and all for a great cause.
The jewelry “artwork” is all designed by the celebrities and every item that is purchased is donated to a celebrity’s charity of choice.
I fell in love with these two! The artwork on the watch (L) was designed by Serena Williams and the charm/link bracelet (R) artwork by Penelope Cruz . The bracelet says, “Give Love A Chance”.
You can find them at your local Macy’s (and other stores) and visit their website here to learn more about the organization.
Another great gift idea which I think is perfect, especially for kids, is Toms Shoes! I purchased my sweet, nephews a pair of their very first Toms! I can’t wait to see them on their little feet. For every pair of shoes you buy, they give a new pair of shoes to a child in need — “One For One”.
Why shoes?
-
GROWING UP BAREFOOT
In many developing countries, children must walk barefoot for miles to school, clean water and medical help. -
INJURY AND DISEASE
Hundreds of millions of children are at risk of injury, infection and soil-transmitted diseases that most don’t have access to prevent or treat. -
EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY
Children who are healthy are more likely to be successful students, and access to education is a critical determinant of long-term success. -
A BETTER TOMORROW
Healthy, educated children have a better chance of improving the future of their entire community.
Visit Toms Shoes here and find out about their other great programs that help give back!
Happy Shopping & Merry Christmas!!!
