Tuesday, January 31, 2012

House Ideas

As April gets closer my ideas and color schemes for the house are coming together.  We are hoping to start working in the house by the end of February.  Our most significant project will be in the kitchen.

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I am loving this color scheme in the kitchen.  I love the subway tile back splash.  We are going to attempt to DIY the counter tops with concrete (wish us luck!).  As far as flooring we are hoping there will be hardwood under the linoleum that is there, but I doubt that will happen, so we will most likely be picking a tile.

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In our bedroom we have chosen to go with a palette of sage greens and greys with some blue and brown mixed in here and there.

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The walls will be a color similar to the one in the middle and we will incorporate grey curtains and striped bedding.

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I will of course mix in some flowered or patterned pillows.  The rug that will be in the room is actually very similar to the one pictured above.

There is also a sun porch off the bedroom which we will curtain off the entrance from the bedroom to make it darker in the room at night and create more separation.  I am loving yellow accents for the sun porch.

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I can't wait to get started!  Okay, honestly...I can't wait to be finished!  I think everything will be very cute.  I will be posting before and after pictures as we work. 

Any DIY tips for me?

Monday, January 30, 2012

Weekend Recap

That's right no weigh in today.  If you guessed that after Friday's post, you are getting to know me so well!  The good news is that increase activity week is off to a great start...workout buddy and neighbor, Rebecca and I got in a walk this morning and I have plans to go to yoga at lunch.

Over the weekend we did some cleaning out at my mom's house.  You have heard me mention that the husband and I are getting ready to move into a house, well that house is my mom's and in order to get it ready for new people to move in, it's important to get the old things cleaned out.  This house is the house I grew up in and my mom lived in it a little while when she was a child.  It has been in the family for a long time.

One of the highlights of the clean out was that we got to look through a lot of old pictures and newspaper clippings.  Here are some of my favorites.

Mom
Mom and Dad
Gramps - mom's dad
Grandpa D - dad's dad
Dad as a kid - on left
Mom as bridesmaid
Program from my elementary school.
Yes, I was in the mime troupe because I was super cool.  I was laughing at the super high tech  computer on the program...this was only like a few years ago.

In addition to pictures we found all kinds of crazy random things.

ET windup toy and Avon Betsy Ross perfume bottle...everyone has that right?
We worked very hard on Saturday.  We ended up with a ton of stuff to donate to the Salvation Army...my mom is making a drop off trip over there today.  We still have a lot more to do, but we are beginning to make a dent in it.

Sunday we spent relaxing.

Doesn't Trixie look so excited about this snuggle time?
And this morning the husband got awesome news!  He got a promotion!  I am so proud of him!  Congrats angel!!!!

Friday, January 27, 2012

TGIF

Yes, that is my whole title today.  I am too lazy to think of anything more creative.  I am super happy it is Friday and I am looking forward to the evening already.  I am ready to relax.


This week has been weird...weather wise, allergy/headache wise and my energy level has been very low.  I know this will not be a week I have lost any weight.  I keep stressing a little about how slow this is going for me right now.  I know I need to keep on trucking, take a deep breath and just be happy that there is positive progress no matter how small.

Daisies make things better. (source)
So, I will concentrate on the positive today.  I ate a healthy breakfast, I packed a healthy lunch and I am as ready as I am am going to be to take on this day.


Next week my goal will be to move more.  Maybe my body needed the rest I have given it this week and that's why it was telling me to slow down on my activity and sleep more.  I hope I have created the balance it needed.  My mind is ready to go and get some awesome workouts in next week.

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I missed my yoga class this week.  I am already looking forward to yoga next week.  I wish my yoga classroom looked like this picture....that would be cool.  I am also planning on getting to the gym in the morning with my workout buddy and neighbor, Rebecca.  I have missed out this week.  Sorry Rebecca!

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My plans for the weekend are to relax, get some work done at the house we will be moving into at the end of April, take a few walks and plan some great healthy meals for next week.  I hope you have a wonderful relaxing weekend!  What are your plans?

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Pork Chops and Pretty Offices

Good morning!  I made pork chops on Tuesday night and they were delicious!  I used another of Skinny Taste's recipes...Pork Chops with Dijon Herb Sauce and they were fantastic.


My pork chops are not as pretty as the ones in the recipe for two reasons.  1 - I am not a good photographer and 2 - I baked my chops, so they are not as golden brown as the original recipe.  I wanted to be able to do a few chores while dinner cooked, so I seasoned the chops with garlic salt and pepper and put them in a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes.  I also prepped some broccoli for roasting and let them start in with the chops too.

I followed the recipe for the sauce exactly and the herbs I used were garlic (technically not an herb, but delicious in this sauce), chopped Italian parsley, and chives.  The sauce was awesome and really the star of this dish.

"I like pork chops, they look delicious baked too."
At least Sammy thought they looked great.  She is a big fan of my cooking.  LOL.

I love the Skinny Taste website, and if you have not visited, I suggest you head over.  I had boneless pork chops in my freezer and I went to the site, entered pork chops in her recipe search and presto...dinner.  Love it.  Plus she provides nutritional information and weight watchers points +.  Awesome!  These chops are 4 points +.

Yesterday I visited the BFF's office.  She is a photographer and I have mentioned her on the blog before and her work has appeared in this post.  Anyway, I love her office!  It is a bright blue and has lots of her work on the walls (duh).


It's a very happy office and I want to work there.


Pretty, right?  You can see more of her work on her website - monkey-tree.com - Kasey is awesome.

My office is cute and yellow and does have some Kasey pictures in it.

my office
also my office
But I still think Kasey's office is a very happy looking place and I would like to move my desk over and work there.  The one thing it does not have that mine does...


This cute bird to hold notes.  :)  I suppose I could bring him along and have the best of both worlds.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Weekend Recap and Weigh In

First things first...as I mentioned in Friday's post my friend Roberta's mom was having brain surgery.  The surgery was a great success, they were able to remove all of the tumor and a cyst and she is now recovering.  Thank you for sending your good thoughts and prayers in Roberta's family's direction!  Please keep them coming...she is now in the recovery stage and we all know how hard that can be.

Last weekend started with Friday Funday at The Ginger Man.  The husband loves the g-man for it's gigantic tap wall of craft beers.  I also enjoy trying all the beers, but Friday I limited myself on beers to limit calories...I was proud of me.


Their beer menu is so big they call the food part of their menu Solids.  I think that's hilarious.


We played some darts.  The g-man improved their scoreboards.  I was happy, they used to be pretty bad.  I don't know how that E + D heart got there.  Honest.  Daniel won...he would want me to report that.  Not by much of course.

The rest of the weekend consisted of cleaning up and out in preparation for our end of April move.  The scale didn't budge as I was hoping it was going to.

Previously:  -4.6
This Week:  -0
Total:           -4.6

But hey...not budging means I didn't gain either, so I will take it.

In other extra fun news, I got my car inspected over the weekend, so now my car is due for its next inspection in 2013.  I am wondering if the state of Texas is paranoid about the number 13 or if it is just worried its residents are paranoid.


Here's a sticker with a 2012 expiration date.


Here's my new sticker.  Interesting.  I wonder if 2014 will be 14 or 4.  How is your state handling next year ending in the dreaded number 13?

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Happy Friday to You!

As mentioned in Monday's Weekend Recap post, my friend Roberta ran the EP5K last Sunday that was happening in conjunction with the Houston Marathon. She made the mistake of sending me her finisher picture.

YAY BIRD!
I told her it was going in the blog, so don't worry she won't be mad at me...I hope. :)

The main thing on my mind this Friday is Roberta's mom. She is having a little brain surgery this morning. There is nothing little about brain surgery. Please send your prayers, good mojo, healing thoughts to my dear friend and her family. They can use it.

Thank you.

Thankful It's Thursday

Good morning.  TGIT!  Is that a thing?  If it isn't it should be because that's how I feel this morning.  I'm having one of those weeks where you don't quite feel like yourself.  I didn't want to get up this morning, but I thought it through and here is what I came up with for reasons to get up and face the day.


This sign from my doctor's office reception window yesterday.  I like it.  I will be thinking of it a lot today.

It is Thankful Things Thursday over at Ali on the Run.  If you have not read her Thankful Things Thursday, I think you should...it always makes me smile.  And today...bonus...she is thankful for glitter.  She knows the way to my heart..."so much glitter".

The husband must know I have been having a weird week, look what he came home with last night...


I love daisies...I don't know if you knew that.  My secret is out.  Thank you sweet Daniel!

Tomorrow is my short Friday and I am looking forward to lunch with the husband and then a weekend of relaxing and gym visits.  I have done great this week with my food choices, I have done pretty well with the working out and I am excited to see my accomplishment on Monday morning when I get on the scale.  I have the menus planned out for the next week and we are getting the grocery store done tonight!  I am tired of feeling weird and I am ready to move on!  I plan on tackling that starting (hopefully) today.

So go forth, have a wonderful Thursday!  I am going to give it my best shot.  Enjoy the daisies.


What's your favorite flower?

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Valentine Decorations and Awesome Recipe

I know I said in yesterday's post that my fun new Valentine decorations would star in today's blog, but they have been over shadowed by the dinner that workout buddy and neighbor, Rebecca made last night.


Allow me to introduce you to Skinny Taste's Skinny Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting.  They were delicious, the serving size was two "cupcakes" and the points+ value on them is 6.  They were delicious!  The meatloaf is made from ground turkey and has zucchini and onion in it.


Rebecca went all out icing the cupcakes.


Impressive!


She served them with steamed green beans and a little extra potatoes on the side.  Yum.  So, visit Skinny Taste for lots of great slimmed down recipes.  Lunch today will also be compliments of Rebecca and Skinny Taste...Spinach Tortellini en Brodo.  Rebecca had an extra serving just for me!  Can't wait to try it!

And now for my boring new Valentine decorations...only kidding about the boring part...I love them!  I found this wooden heart at Michael's.


It had a small bow on it with a ribbon that I would call a country kitchen style, which isn't my personal style and was also way too small so I bought this polka dot ribbon and worked my magic.  The ribbon was on sale for 3 bucks and the heart was only 6, so it was also an inexpensive project.  Bonus, I had enough ribbon left to decorate my office wreath too!


I found some cute gemstone shaped acrylic pieces to surround my candle at Pier One.  I was pleased with the colors...they match my throw pillows and are Valentine-y without being an overload of pink, hot pink and red.


I like my Valentine decorations to be fun and festive without being too...Valentine-y.  The coasters and the votive holder in the background I have had forever.


I also picked up this cute heart ornament at Pier One and hung it on the mirror in my living room.  I heart it.


These kitchen towels are old but still cute.  The centers of the flowers are hearts.

Do you do any decorating for Valentine's Day or is it just me?

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Weekend Recap

There is no weigh in in the title, since there was no weigh in on Monday.  Yes, I skipped it again.  I will start again next week.  I haven't been completely myself the past couple of days, but I am working on it.  Good thing we are all works in progress or I would be very worried about me.

My biggest accomplishment this weekend was an hour long workout on Saturday in the gym.  I did 35 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes on the treadmill.  All with the fabulous company of workout buddy and neighbor, Rebecca.

Rebecca, me, Roberta, Daniel
We had some friends over for dinner on Saturday night.  Doesn't Daniel look thrilled about girl's night?  We let him join us since we are so sweet.  I made my lightened version of linguini with clam sauce and a big salad.  Then we played Apples to Apples.

Ever played?  It's fun!
We of course had a cocktail (or two).


Aren't these cocktail napkins funny?

Thanks for the napkins, Aunt Boo!
Roberta ran the EP5K on Sunday morning that was happening in conjunction with the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon.  Way to go Roberta!!  And all the runners who ran on Sunday!

Both of the football teams I was rooting for lost on Sunday...that was kind of a bummer.  The Texans and the Packers both had great seasons...but it would have been fun to watch one of them continue.  Oh, well...next season.

The other bonus of this weekend is that it was a long weekend, at least for me.  The husband had to work so I had the day to myself.  I did a lot of evaluating and a little shopping.  I love Christmas money.

Kat Von D Sinner eyeshadow -  I like.
The rest of my purchases were house items...mostly Valentine themed for finishing my decorating for the month.  :)  Those will star in tomorrow's blog.

I hope you have a fabulous day!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

About Me - With Pictures!

Good morning everyone and happy Friday! I have nothing new to report except that I finally found time to add pictures to my About Me page. YAY! Now you can see my old before, my old after and my new before. Hopefully coming up soon I will be posting some new in progress pictures to the page as well.


Have a fantastic weekend!

New Recipe Adaptation and Unofficial Weigh In

Good morning!  It is chilly here this morning!  I made an incredible dinner last night.  I adapted a recipe from Eat, Live Run called Lightened Up Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta and it was fantastic! Thanks Jenna for the awesome idea!

In Jenna's recipe she uses Tony Cachere's Creole Seasoning.  I love that stuff and I had NEVER thought to put it in pasta.  Fantastic idea!


Jenna uses cream in her sauce and for that I substituted Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese.  I was very pleased with how this substitution worked.


I also switched shallot for garlic and onion since that's what I had on hand.  Here's what I did:

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 chicken tenders, seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder
  • 2 cans diced tomato
  • 6 wedges laughing cow light swiss cheese (I think next time I will reduce this to 4, the sauce ended up a little too thick as it cooled)
  • 2 tsp Tony Chachere's
  • 4 servings uncooked spaghetti
  • olive oil from misto sprayer
Cook chicken at 375 until cooked through (about 15 minutes).  While the chicken is baking, cook your pasta according to package directions and start your sauce.  Saute onion in olive oil in a large covered skillet.  I used my misto sprayer to add the olive oil to my pan, but I gave it a generous spray.  I would estimate I added half a teaspoon of oil to my non-stick pan.

While onion is sauteing add 1 tsp of Tony Chachere's.  I will be honest I didn't measure the seasoning I used the eye ball method and gave the onion a generous coating.  When the onion is translucent add the minced garlic and saute a minute longer.  Add tomatoes with their juices and bring to a simmer.

Add the cheese wedges and let them melt and bring the sauce back to a low simmer.  Add more Tony Chachere's as needed.

Yummy, simmering sauce
Once your chicken is done, let it rest and then cut into bite sized pieces.  Serve one cup of pasta with two sliced chicken tenders and a generous cup of sauce.  This recipe made 4 servings.  The weight watchers points + on this dinner was 10.

YUM!
Where's mine?
Sorry Sammy...not for pups.

My other fun from yesterday evening was my cool new martini glass.

Yay!
My excitement this morning came from a visit with the scale!  I am calling this an unofficial weigh in since my weigh in day with WW online is actually on Mondays, I won't be recording this there, but I was still happy!

Previously: -4.6
This Week: -1.2
Total:          -5.8

Have a fantastic Thursday!!