The Split......

Ok so last Friday was an interesting one to say the least. First let me tell you briefly about my job (day job that is). I am a medical biller for an independent company here in Central that is hired by local (and some not) doctors offices, practices, chiropractors, ect. We keep them open basically and bring in their bacon... one clinic collects hundreds of thousands of bucks each month, and we are responsible for getting all of it from pt and insurance companies. Not to mention we code charts.... blah blah... you know lots of medical jargon i wont bore you with. ANYWAY, I work for a small company... their is 12 total. Our partners handle the Imaging center and all 5 employees work in the building in front of ours.
  All that to say Friday we had a meeting with our 2 bosses..... to let us know, they are splitting!!!!! FREAK OUT mode initiated instantly in my head, right? Cause the following news is, not everyone has a place. 1 small company, split into 2 even smaller ones .... ok, great, im out of a job i just know it. The split is a great thing and on great terms it just allows us to cater to our clients better.They leave it at that saying they will let us know the following week who is going where.... lovely! Well later that day MY boss comes to me and asks me if I will go with her... she wants me on her team!! Praise the LORD! She is moving our office to denham and is giving me a raise!!! Later she meet with each of us that she picked sharing how this has been her dream for a long time but has never been Gods timing. (I did not know she heard from God, and was lol "that" kind of Christian). Can i say tears were flowing from my eyes as she shares why she felt Gods blessing on each one of our lives and believed and trusted us to take on this journey God has laid out for all of us!!!!! She draws on the board ... not statistics, marketing, goals or money marks (all the things that makes or breaks us) but a circle with the word "PURPOSE" in it.... she explains our purpose is God. BAM, thats our business plan!!! HOW LUCKY AM I????
   Like I said I knew she was a good boss, treats us good, doesnt cuss and Ive heard her mention in passing "pray" or what not, but to find out she is a born again Christian was beyond my wildest dreams!!! I knew God placed me with this job, and I dont question when my responsibilities changed from week to week, now i know why and so happy I listened to HIM. This job will not only be good for my career, bank account but now strength and based around the LORD?! Holy smokes what an awesome God indeed we serve!!! In another wise very difficult time in my life (and still stressful job) knowing that she walks so strongly with the Lord makes me very proud to work with her and Cant wait for us to branchh out.... each year we have grown but OVER 100% of the last so I have no fear of not succeding and looking very much forward to all the new things I will be doing in this as well. For real, this is a ground breaking, family first, ground up and God grown company!!!!! ;)

Been too LONG

   So to say the very least I have been quite the busy bee and when I land I normally have crashed and crashed hard. Typing in front of a comp is what I do all day, then waitress at night.... 2 things I want nothing to do with once im home. But things are better now, I have found my balance and I am truly amazed at all God has done with me in this time. He has actually shown me how to be happy slowed down and He is doing a wonderful job providing for us. After serving for 9 years I have a tendancy to veiw nights and weekends too important (financially) to just sit at home or be out spending money so I worked... alot, all the time. Starting Jan God gave me no choice but to wait, listen, trust and slow down... have to say I love it!! Yes I still have 2 jobs but I balance them well, I veiw things different and count it all a blessing from God knowing what is truly important.
     I am learning to be more layed back which is a first. After the first month of hair pulling stress at my new job (medical biller) I have to say I dont think my boss and fellow employees thought I'd hack it. Untill I realized I was digging my own grave, and making my dream job miserable. Lol, finally my boss said in passing "do what you can, leave it on your desk at the end of the day and it will be there to start fresh in the am" dont stress. Well DUH!!! Hello here I was never thinking enough was never enough, have to do more, this or that took too long, this deadline is comming up, and that goal has to be meet. All valid things but for everyone, I realize THAT will always be the case.... THAT i cant change... I CAN change how I am and appoach it. Yeah still get stressed, but not to the point I or anyone around me is affected. GROWTH!!
    Chilis... well this taught me patience in a different way, getting hired took a month (4 interview process per CHILIS policy) then because they really didnt need a new server (but I was too good to pass up) and with my schedule training took 3 weeks!! Mind you I came from 11 shifts a week at Sammy's!! During this time I was forced to wait, slow down and trust God.... guess what He came through and taught me a lot!! I LOVE CHILIS, I like/need the extra income but pace myself and refuse to work every night (i cut myself off at a 70 hour week :) )
   I still have a ton to learn, grow and listen to God.... I have 3 huge battles I am struggling with as well personally, but Im getting there.... slowly but surely! Thats all for now, shower and bed but I wanted to get back into blogging and documenting my progress ;)

Smashing Apple's

No we are not literally going to be "smashing" apples, that could get messy and right now for once my kitchen is actually pretty clean, something that NEVER happens!! Honestly its funny because we rarely eat in there but its my haven and where I do all my "work"!!! I think I think better in my kitchen, either way its by far my favorite room in the house... I mean how could it not be? That’s where all the good stuff is!!!! And I think the kitchen is the most forgiving room in the house, it has to be cause it sees us wiping the crumbs off the counter on the floor in that hurried moment, eating that late night snack right out the fridge, drinking milk from the carton (you know everyone is guilty of that at some point), kicking the dog out the way... I mean come on, the best and worst comes out of us in the kitchen!! I absolutely love it!!!

  Alright sorry for going into all that, back to the point at hand.... smashing apples! I gave it this name because they are "smashingly good"!! :) and oh so easy. You don’t know this yet because I am trying to hide it for as long as I can but the truth must be set free.... I stink at baking. I LOVE TO.... i just burn, under cook, measure wrong, improvise.... u get the point, i do all the things you cant do in baking!!! I still try and this is prob why you don’t know this yet because I only will post edible stuff!! No really I can but I have bad luck in most attempts I suppose... I blame my oven mostly!! *wink wink* But this concoction turned out good and will be done many more times (if my oven chooses to let me).

First I started off with

· 4 Gala apples,

· 2 cups of brown sugar (keep half sep)

· 1 tbs cinnamon

· 1 tbs nutmeg

· handful crasins

· handful pecans

· 1/2 apple cider vinegar

· 4 tbs butter

Next we make a spot for the goodness. Use apple core, pairing knife or teeth (haha, please no) but whatever you do make sure you don’t puncture through the bottom. Have the hole about an inch around or so and down deep enough you get all the seeds out. I like to keep more apple in mine but for my husband’s I hollowed out much more so this is completely up to your apple/sugar ratio you got going on!!

Now the only real smashing we will be doing is when you add one cup brown sugar and everything else but the vinegar and the butter to a bowl and combine.

Place the apples in a 2 quart deep dish then fill those puppies right up to the top with the filling!!! Its ok if it doesn’t all fit, hang on to it trust me you will use it. Dab a tsp of butter right on top of each one.

Pour the vinegar into the dish and reserved cup of brown sugar and stir around. Into the oven they go at 350 for about 35-45 mins uncovered. Periodically you want to open it up and spoon the drippings over the apples.

DING!!!!! alright you ready to see what your in for????

                                                         SMASHING APPLES!!!!!!

 Once you pull them out top with whatever left over sugar pecan mixture and let cool for just a few mins before you serve. Oh right now your house is wafting with sweet nutmeg goodness. It doesnt smell like a homemade apple pie.... its even better smelling!!!

And then you take a bite..... oh that first forkful is so heavenly I am kicking myself now wondering why I only made 4 (one each... I might want more!!!) well one was plenty and i cant imagine they re warm well!

They were such a hit this will be my new go to treat all year long!! Serve with a scoop of icecream, drizzle with chocolate who know what else I'll come up with but YOU have got to make them and see for yourself!!

Roasted Potato Hearts

I do feel presentation is everything but if it taste like crap who are you kidding... its a fail!! lol well these my friends were not a fail but a winner for sure. I made them for my family for valentines lunch but I am thinking just how cute these would be to add a little love to any plate just for some flair.



Roasted Potatoes



• 2 lbs potatoes
• olive oil
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tbs paprika
• 3 tbs caraway seeds
• 1 tsp thyme
• fresh chopped parsley

I peeled and sliced the potatoes in about half inch slices then used a heart cookie cutter to make my little hearts but if you dont want to spend that time or do this just any day this recipe is still of course awesome!!

      Considering I was in a crunch for time to get dinner on the table after church for my family I turned on a pot of salted water while I worked away cutting the potatoes. Once they were cut and cute threw them in the pot and par boiled them for about 4 mins.

     Next drain them really well and put them on a cookie sheet. Actually if you want to take an extra step (and this case it helps) put them in a bowl, drizzle them with olive oil and dowse them with all seasonings but parsley and let them soak up this goodness for a few minutes.

    THEN put them on a pan and roast them in the oven on 375 for 15 mins, carefully flip them and back in the oven for another 15-20 mins. They will be perfectly soft and tender inside but you want to achieve and crispness on the outside. Thats why you dont want to "stir" them or mess with them too much. In the last 5 mins throw on a nice handful of parsley to let that crisp up with them!!!

   Obviously you can use any seasonings you would like but these flavors are great and really different than the usual salt, pepper and Italian seasonings. Thyme is my typical go to herb that adds a unique flavor but I LOVE the crunch that the caraway seeds give, look and really has wonderful flavor as well. But branch out and use what you want!!! Whatever you do just make sure when you test them the fork goes through the "crust" but nice and tender on the inside!!! And now the fun part... serve and enjoy!!!

Another BBLS!!

Ok so this past Sunday was another BBLS!! Bourque, Bish, Loftin Sunday lunch (thats me, my hubs, mom and paw paw for all those others who may tune in. Anyway, I knew I wouldnt be able to spend valentines day with them so I wanted this Sunday to be kinda our Vday dinner. The menu was a  sweet and savory pork tenderloin, creamed spinach and mushroom, roasted potato hearts, and baked stuffed apples for dessert!!!! YUM!!! The thing with these lunches is I try to have them EXTRAVAGANT food, different flavors yet doesn't break the bank and can be done within an hour of getting home from church!!! So in comes the ol crock pot. I have NEVER been a user of this wonderful creation mainly because I love to cook and cherish my time in the kitchen... i love to stir, add, taste, simmer and fuss over my food during the prep process and the "pot" takes all that away. However, it does do miracles like cook a supper tender pork tenderloin while I sleep and go to church and I will have to say after 9 hours lifting that lid gave me much more joy than I anticipated when pure heaven billowed out!!! Score!!!! (my fear is that time and I know it will happen where it will not be such a good surprise inside.... hopefully I'll prolong this as long as possible)

 I LOVE little touches. I think its more than "finishing touches" but more or less adds so much flair and makes ordinary become extraordinary. We are all water drinkers, so no fancy drink required or something to waste time on...... so little red heart ice cubes added just the touch i needed!! I used crystal lite water also to add just a hint of flavor instead of using food coloring. hehe, i think im cute!! :)

Next, I did a quick creamed spinach and mushroom and mom made a green been casserole (my all time fave) but the SHOW stoppers were my roasted hearts and baked apples!!!! oh oh oh my so good!!!!

Roasted Potatoes (Hearts)
http://atreasuredlegacy.blogspot.com/2012/02/roasted-potato-hearts.html

Holy cow look at my potatoes!!!! yes all cut by hand!!!! oh so good and so cute!!! and the stuffed apples stuffed us alright but worth it!! all the flavor and smell of a apple pie but in my opinion better!!

Stuffed baked Apples

It was a short lunch both left at 3:30 cause Paw paw had homework lol for his bible study and mom had a shower to go too but it was awesome none the less and as always it blesses my heart to have them and try to spoil my family in any way I can!!! And lets face it I do it best with food. LOL paw paw said after i handed him this apple and coffee "never know what that little girl puts in front of me, but Im learning its always going to be good!!" Hehe it is funny because I always have to explain what the heck I serve which is half the fun!!! This is what i wanted this to become too. We all eat pretty basic during the week in our ruts so sunday is the day to wake up those taste buds!!!!! lol and get in some added calories that may not be needed but hey its sunday, God wouldn't let something so great to be bad for us right??? Thats my story and im sticking to it!!!!

Black cherry vanilla oatmeal bath salt

So for Valentine’s day this year I work with all woman at my new job and my mind was reeling for things to do.... most are dieting so sweets were out the question. I wanted to do personalized pictures, cups, coasters etc but only knowing them a month posed problems in all those areas not knowing too much about them. SOOOOOO, bath salts is what I came up with!!!

 

 

   I've been collecting bottles for crafts I just knew I'd need them for... lol my husband now just shakes his head at the growing collection which is not bad at about 20ish bottles. Either way I knew I needed to find a use for some of them and FAST!! These particular ones I got from the restaurant one night after "detailing".. (no I didn’t steal them for all unknowing readers, I work in a restaurant as well!) anyway, as I was tossing the empty Heinz 57 bottles in the trash I quickly saw potential and rescued them right back!! And yeah trust me, plenty of crazy looks from my co workers as well for some reason they didn’t see what I saw! Well look who is laughing now? With just a little love and lots of scrubbing these babys were just what I needed!

 

I supper glued a small muffin wrapper on the lid that I had left over from my cupcakes I cooked the day before or I would have used fabric however I thought these did nicely, filled with my home made salt and then HAD to spruce them up and add hand painted initials on all of them (easier too since there are 9 total)

I mean really how fun is that!!!???? You could use stickers, stencil, etch the glass to be extra fancy or just leave them plain. I free handed all the girls first intials with just some craft paint but what you do at this point is all up too you!!

 

 

Alright now i gave those away but can you guess these???

 

 If that doesnt look like LOVE what does????? :)

 

 

Ok, well in case you couldnt tell, the larger two are apple butter jars, the skinny one hot sauce and well, u got me I bought the last one... thats my special one for my momma!!! I have some jelly jars that are square too that will be adorable for the next go around but really any old container will do just be creative... and as you see you dont have to spend lots of money on "special glass containers" you find in stores but by all means you can!


Anyway, enough about the jars and now on to the salts!! I picked my scents to my theme... and my co workers are on diets so I wanted something "sweet"... hehe how bout a bath full of calories after a long day at work?? ok, not really but that was my thinking... so I did a Black cherry and vanilla Oatmeal soak/salt.

 

If you have read one of my earllier post you know I LOVE to buy bulk so I went for a 10 lb bag of epsom salt at sam's for 6 bucks... oh yeah!!! I picked up some essential oils that I thought would smell nice too and a thing of sea salt. The mixture I chose was about 1/2 cup of sea salt to 2 cups of epsom. So here is what I did....

• 2 cups epsom salt
• 1/2 cup sea salt
• 15ish drops black cherry oil
• 5ish drops vanilla oil
• red food coloring

****It is important that you do not just drop in the food coloring and oil to the whole amount of salts... it will clump and not mix evenly. I found what worked best was use the measuring cup and combine it well there then add to the rest. I also had mine in a butter tub, sealed the lid tight then "shake, shake, shake"!!! Yep I was dancing around the kitchen during this process!! I feel that helps as well! Each time open the lid, "test" out the strength of the "flavor" and color.... and repeat process as many times as you need!!! I decided I wanted to add an extra Love to mine and took some oatmeal (not quick cooking) buzzed it in the food processor and added about 1/2 cup to my salts as well. This will add a mellow smell, texture and softness to the bath water!!!!!! YUMMY!!! Oh my goodness everytime I lifted that lid I did extra little happy dances!! Really the strength and scent is up to you and what you think the person would like. I didnt want mine TOO strong but then again not too weak. THE great thing is you can always add salt if you make it too strong (especially if you do like me and have enough)

   Yep so thats it, my "black cherry vanilla oatmeal bath soak" I dont know about you but I hear some hot water calling my name!! oh yes ofcourse I made a bit too much so I can enjoy all my hard work as well!!

Freeing my Camellia tree

Freeing my Camellia tree of some sort of nasty overgrown vines was my Monday morning task that I had been putting off for about a month now. I was waiting for warmer weather and Monday proved to be just that as hoped for. I bought some small and I mean small pruning clippers that I thought would work and set out to undertake the challenge. I was not prepared for the Divine message that God planed to reveal in my little yard work. As you can see this had been growing for quite some time I can imagine and not as easy as I thought. I laughed to myself as I try to find a place to begin. This thing is seriously daunting and I quickly asses the volume and already settle that it will probably take me more than just this morning. My tactic is just to randomly start clipping and clipping, pulling just to find NOTHING giving way. This has a root system I find like 15 feet away (really) and I am really wishing I had my husbands machete with me because that would be better suited for this job.

But I dont and this is my only morning off so I keep clipping and using this time to pray. God starts working with me and each vine I clip it means something to me.. a part of me I need to clip. This week we have also been fasting... which ironically was facebook, blogging and pintrest for me. But I reflect how much of my life I still control and havent given to God. I wander what I look like to God, how covered am I with vines? I think to myself... oh who am I kidding I was talking, audible and prob pretty loud to myself actually, "well, Ashley dont get discouraged... your "vines" have been growning for YEARS now too... it takes time to groom..... right? right! Well too my surprise after a while... ehhhh about an hour or so each tug pulled off a hunk, then some more and I started to notice the stuff towering way above was even coming down with it!!! Oh my JOY!!!! I had started enjoying the pruning and just taking it twig by twig just blindly clipping and VOILA.

There is so much more details but lets just say I have never cried so much doing yard work lol!! But oh so great tears of joy feeling Gods hand on me and what he does for us and constantly doing in me. And there I go getting ok with dealing with it slowly and BAM God proves he can tug it all off at once too!! Just get out there with a willing heart and a desire to free your camellia's 

IT"S FREE!!!! God did a great thing Monday morning and see this pretty bush is there to prove it!!!!!

Spunky Pineapple Sassy's

   This treat holds the ultimate Triply "S" that I LOVE.... salty, sweet and spicy!! What wouldn't taste good with that combo? OK, well I can think of a ton of things... this however is NOT one!! I love me some fresh, frozen or even canned pineapple any day of the week. This week I have been planning all kinds of treats for my LOVED ones for the infamous Valentines day and it has been a challenge, weight watchers menu for some, full fat for others, savory and non edible etc. But I am most excited about this special treat for my beloved Aunt D who is my kindred spirit. She is to say the least "sassy" "sweet" and a little "spicy" too!! We were talking early about a recipe I gave her and she even wanted to add some more spicy to that which was shocking, but the thing she loves most is her chocolate.... really, like don't invite her over, keep her out too long or even have a dessert without chocolate being involved. Seriously, serve something sweet for dessert that doesn't have chocolate... lol she will eat it then keep looking for the real thing, how she is barely over 100 lbs is a mystery to me!!! Anyway, today we were talking about us being our "sassy" selves especially with our new short haircuts and our plans for when she comes in town next week... and of course my mind is reeling on what special "happy" to have for her. This is what I came up with and I do believe it will knock her socks off!!!! I have dearly named it this because I have been called spunky by my entire life and Sassy is my new nickname for my Aunt D.... enter the creation of.....

                                    Spunky Pineapple Sassy's or (Sassy Pineapple Skewers)

• Cut, chore and cube half a fresh pineapple (if none available you could use canned I GUESS, but I would not cheat yourself of this if all possible)
• 2 bars of a good quality dark chocolate
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (flaky)

  Ok how easy is this right? Just a few GOOD quality products and you get what you pay for!!

First you want to make sure you have your pineapple's prepped and ready on their skewers sitting on wax paper. It is also a really good idea to dry them off with a paper towel first as well.

Now I use the ol microwave to melt my chocolate (just personal preference) but by all means ladies (and maybe gentleman) break out that double boiler if you are feeling extra spunky!!! Once you have that melted stir in the sassy cayenne pepper and start your dippin!!!! Don't cover the whole pineapple, you want to be able to see what it is and have that contrast is wonderful. Once you have tipped their toes in that "hot bath" place them on the wax paper and sprinkle with some salt flakes..... Important note dont get too carried away dippin these guys that you forget to sprinkle while they are still wet. Once that chocolate hardens obviously the salt wont stick and it adds just the perfect touch. Next pop in the fridge and chill for about 30 mins until hardened then you are set to impress!!!

And there you have it!!!! Oh such heaven and I might add quite healthy!! At about 60-70 calories a piece that aint a bad Vday dessert!!! More pics will follow of this I'm sure as I "do the real thing"... shhhhhh test runs are always my favorite though of trying any recipes I cant lie!!!

HUNGER.....

So church this morning was wonderful!! It was about the hunger for God and our decreased appetite for him. Why? because we fill up on junk. A wonderful point Pastor Terry made too..... we are wrong to pray for a deeper, richer or what have you "hunger for God" if we aren't feeling it. Hunger is natural! It will come. So so true because this hit home to me this week and honest to God in the shower this morning was praying I didnt feel "filled up" like I wanted.... OUCH on the pew when he stared talking!!! Honestly, we pray for a hunger for God, at least I have, but have I ever woken up and thought "oh my Lord please let me be hungry today, I have a date tonight"!!! BAHAAAA I wish... nope never fails Im starved before I get outta bed! However, if I am still hungry for that date depends on what I feed myself throughout the day. I know if we have dinner plans I typically wont eat all day so I am STARVED and have PLENTY of room for whatever we treat ourselves to for dinner, Josh however inevitability will have just eaten a bag of chips or a big lunch so he has a smaller appetite which irritates the POO outta me. But WOW is this how GOD feels? He has the best meal prepared for us all his blood, sweat and tears poured out to serve us and do we come full, half full or starved to the table? And what have we filled ourselves with that we dont have room for what he has in store for us? And then the icing on the cake is we have the nerve to say... hmmmm dont feel full of you God give me some hunger, as we stuff our face with a "chip" (aka, facebook, pintrest, phone calls, tv, shopping, sleeping, video games.... the list of junk food goes on). I am so very guilty of this especially since my new job. Even though He has done so many miracles and His hand has been so present in everything I have received i havent truly been filling up just on him. The early mornings have "prevented" me from doing my bible reading, afternoon and evening of course are busy and for some reason just never had time at night either... I am guilty of snacking on junk food. I should be waking up STARVING for his word. In the afternoon I should be CRAVING to taste His sweet love and mercy, and be ready to gorge myself in His feast in the evening as well... not to mention if I have time to snack on some bits of the word in between!!!  So this week I am giving up the two biggest waste of my time that I love dearly... facebook and my newest obsession is Pintrest what fills up a lot of my time. I have to admit I knew it was taking too much of my time but this morning I knew God was coming down on me for that. I click on the app 20 times a day easy... my bible app... zero. Instead of browsing those searching for new crafts and what so and so is doing... I'll search the bible, new scriptures and what I need to be doing!!! Food wasnt the focus of the fast this week it is more of our times and actions so I am looking forward to it..... and to being very hungry!!

On that note I know its horrible but I could no longer resist a king cake!!! I swear tonight it just jumped right out in my buggy!!! hehe... Im sending it to work with Josh, Ive had my fix now back to the "good stuff"!!!! but YUMMMMM,.... Bavarian cream (for some reason I thought that was chocolate too, but no worries I added my own!!) and toffee icecream!!!! Ok so Ill wake up hungry tomorrow!! :)



A week from......

Well HECK tic to say the least!! The new job has given me fits, not to mention all the changes. One day I'm suppose to do this, the next that and the next who knows!! My job title has now officially changed 4 times in 3 weeks and its a bit bewildering at best. I love it, the people, the job and really focused on being grateful for whatever opportunity they give me. I am praying that I can prove myself to also be what they want and do well at it. Anyway, here's hoping!!!
Also, I quite Applebees last week because it was too long of hours and not enough money, especially for the drive. However, I still want/need a second job because "Job A" keeps going from full to part time. Either way I want the restaurant for some nights and weekends...... SO I find out Monday if I am going back to Sammy's!! Pray!!!
One thing I am trying dearly to focus on myself.... hear me out!! I cant base my life on the what if's, she did, well because of that, if only, its their fault and what have you.... in the end ALL I can change is ME. Life happens as it may, My reaction to that should directly reflect God and His will (in a perfect situation). I have by far yet to perfect this but am working on it, ME, MYSELF AND I, needs a lot of work... and by that I mean a lot to let go of. Stress is not of God, anxiety, shortness and even just not displaying a smile through it all..... I feel I have been pretty easy going However, not sure if what I know is on the inside is being displayed on the outside.... that means, too much of me is still in control and I dont want that. SO THIS WEEK, I am going to try to really let go and take each hour (I might set a timer or alert or something) to say a quick prayer, evaluate, and refocus.
  I am not saying I have been bad or have lost my handle or anything.... but really kinda thought to myself have my new coworkers been able to see God's ever so present hand through my actions? Have I been a window for Him, do they see HIM in me? I am not so sure, therefore prob NOT. And lets face it, our lives are sheer ciaos when left to our own deism's.... I dont need that!!!
SOOOOOO.... back to the ol saying.... LET GO AND LET GOD!!!! :)

Peppermint treats

Holy Goodness here we go!!!So for new years eve I just wanted a few simple snacks out that would be light and last. I had been eyeing something like this for a while and dying for the oppurntity to try it... i just knew i couldnt trust myself with a whole batch to myself or i would eat it all.... heehe but let me tell you i brought in the new years right polishing off this bowl anyway!!! :) Anyway... heres how...

 Pop one bag of popcorn, stick to whatever you like best. Light or plain will work just as much as that extra movie butter one!! On the stove melt 4 blocks of bakers chocolate, or a bag of whatever you like... mind you it was Christmas so I had an abundance of melting chocolate!!! Put in 1 stick of butter and a dash of salt. After that is melted throw in about 2 handfuls of your favorate marsh mellow... peppermint, mint chocolate, pumpkin spice... you name it!! Anyway, in a LARGE bowl add half the popcorn then pour half the melted mixture over it and toss. Continue with the rest. You can do it all at once i just find its easier to coat if you break it up, and believe me you want all those puffed peices covered in this scrumptious sauce. Then spread them over a greased cookie sheet. Sprinkly with salt and bake them at 275 for 20-25 min. Check and stir half was through to coat more evenly. When they are done take out and cool then ENJOY. These will have such a wonderful crispy texture and decident taste!!!! I like to add a little more salt to these sweet bites.... and trust me this is the best popcorn you have ever eaten!!!

Oh how I love bulk!!

Ok so I'm busted!!!

No i dont come from a big family, own a restaurant or lol even have kids but yes this kind of shopping and finds makes me so happy!! What you are looking at ..

• a 27 oz can of el pato tomato sauce (aka WONDERFUL STUFF) josh loves this like salsa and it is great to use for great flavor in cooking. Normally buy the 4 -8 oz cans... Found this big guy for a buck!!!
• 3 pound tub of cottage cheese... that is one of my many staples
• ;) 6 jars of apple butter!! ok I didn't need to buy that many but great sale and who can have too much apple butter?
• 3 lbs of broccoli this is also a weekly buy for me and to buy it like this is a steel ... i cant afford it from anywhere but Sams because of the sheer volume of veggies I eat!!
• hehe, on that note... 5 pound bag of carrots!! I love it (normally I do the babys but they were out and for $2.98 really?)
• 7 POUNDS of Ketchup.... for $3.48!!!!!

    Ok that was my trip to Sams which like I said I frequent about one a week or I can push it to once every two weeks if I pay attention to my veggie supply. Typically the trip is standard, spinach, broc, carrots, cottage cheese, gas and some sort of fruit. Mom and I also split alot of stuff which works great for both of us. However, some times I splurge on something or find a ridiculous deal.... in walks my ketchup!!!

Yes I am just walking along the very bare Sams because they are changing locations this week and this massive can of ketchup grabs my eye, at first I laugh and walk away then intrigued I go back to have a look... yup, just 3.48 for this monstrosity of a thing. Well I think, my husband does go though some ketchup so what the heck!!! Now mind you I rarely get a buggy at Sam's when I walk in because they are huge and a pain, however it never fails that I quickly regret it. As you can imagine I am juggling all the above in my arms... awkward and a heavy load to say the least!

    I had the lady a $20 get my 3 something bucks back for all my goodies and try like heck to make it to my car without dropping one or all of my grocieries. Its a 20 lb something load if you werent keeping track of the weights of these things!!!

    The funniest thing was when I got home and proudly showed my husband his "happy" (the ketchup). He often states that there isnt much I do that surprises him anymore as he is very used to my random buys and finds!!! But a 7 pound thing of ketchup was new!!

 I also got a 50 lb bag of dog food.... yep for this little guy!! gotta take care of my boys!!!

Anyways, thats it, just happy about my BIG buys and LITTLE prices!!!

  

Midnight snack

Ok I almost hate to admit this but ohhhhhh did i just find a treat!!! what do you make when you are hungry, want something light, filling, sweet, salty and just the thing to scratch that midnight craving??? Feast your eyes on the Pb and C sandwitch and almond and cranberry oatmeal!!!

PB & C Sammy

• wheat roll slighty buttered and toasted
• crunchy peanut butter
• a chunk of white almond bark
• heat for 22 seconds!!!

Almond and Cranberry Oatmeal

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup quickcooking oatmeal
• 1 tsp almond extract
• dash of salt
• 1 Tbs brown sugar
• handful of craisins

simmer all ingrediants together in small saucepan for about 5-10 mins stirring to make sure it gets creamy then dip that bad boy up and ENJOY!!

                                     

Yes I'm sure u are asking what? And what the heck am I looking at? Well I had these nice little wheat dinner rolls which are the perfect size for any little Sammy in my opinion but I wanted something sweet as well. My first thought was dang I'm out of nutela so I created something even better!!! I just filled this little guy with a nice layer of crunchy peanut butter and then comes the show stopper....... A little slab of almond bark!!!!! Yep that melting stuff is great for other things than dipping strawberries in!!! I have been playing around with tons of ways to use it up (because lets just say I over bought during the Christmas hooray) but this is one of my favs!!! Anyway, so u slide that hunk on the pb Sammy and into the mic for about 15 secs. And out come this wonderful ooy gooy delicious treat!! The crunch of the peanut butter with the soft sweet bread... Well u will just have to try it!!! And the almond bark goes oh so nicely with the flavors and adds a unique twist to it!!!!

This would have satisfied my hunger but I got inspired by the almond flavor so took it a step further and made some oatmeal. Follow the directions of the quick cooking oats but adding some milk to it as well. Cook a bit longer stirring it constantly to get a creaminess out of the oats. I am all about texture and flavor so add some dried cranberries in the pot in the beginning so the can swell up and incorporate in the flavors, then the secret here is a nice splash of " almond extract"!!!!! Yes it is delish and ties the two dishes together in a perfect combo. Top with s sprinkle of brown sugar and dive in!!!!! Oh my belly was so happy. I know almond might think can be skipped up but trust me add that flavor!!!!

BBLS!!!!

So the first BBLS was a HIT!!! Bish, Bourque, Lofin Sunday that is!! :) Josh, Mom, Paw-Paw and I gathered at our house after chuch this afternoon for some lunch and football, and a little nap was on the agenda for the paw paw as well, hehe. This is something I said at Christmas I wanted to start this year for many reasons. One to obviously spend more time as a family, get Paw paw out of the house, Josh away from his video games, Mom company for her "games" and me a reason to try new recipes just to name a few. The 3 of us typically did lunch on Wednesday but now with my new job my treasured Wednesdays with mom and Paw-paws are not an option as well so BBLS is VITAL!!! Anyway today was pretty laid back to say the least but they made it out about 1... mom bringing me a "happy" basket of fresh lemons, tomatillos, pablonos, bell pepper and cauliflower!! YUM for me!

I have never been a crockpot cooker in my life, I know its great easy and whatever im just more of the put it on the stove kinda girl. I guess I'm not a huge plan a head person either or patient... all reasons I dont use them often but with the Sundays Mom and Paw paw stressed about this being stressful for me LOL. So on that note its a PERFECT excuse to broaden my horizons and break out the ol crockpot, through the stuff in there and VOILA lunch is ready when we get out of church!!! After looking a several ideas Josh picked this one that I think would work good for everyone (which will be a small challenge to please all our pallets, calorie levels and taste). SO Chicken Chile was lunch with southern cornbread and loaded mash potato bites, and yes it was YUMMY!!! I got the first two off Pintrest (aka my crack) and the pots were my little idea. I did adjust a few things to suite us better and loved it!!! This is what I did.

Chicken and Turkey Creamed Chili

• 1 can of rotel
• 2 cans of corn (one reg, one creamed)
• 2 cans of black beans
• 1 4oz can of green chilies
• 1 cup of salsa
• 2 tbs chili powder
• 2 tbs cumin
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbs minced garlic
• 1 packet of ranch mix
• 3 chicken breast
• 1 cup shredded turkey (can be left out)
• 1 1/2 blocks of fat free cream cheese

Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl together. Strain and rinse black beans. Dice green chilies. OK THATS IT!!! Put chicken in the bottom of the crock pot and dump all BUT the cream cheese on top. This does fill it up to the top so be careful but stir all the goodies together leaving the chicken nestled on the bottom. I did mine before church so turned that sucker on high and hit the door. Let me tell you when we walked in a few hours later the house wafted with spice and richness.

so i kicked off my shoes and as my lovely husband mopped the floors i got to making the cornbread.... here is the link http://www.thecountrycook.net/2011/01/chili-cornbread-and-birthday-fun.html and here is my finished product.....

I dont know if it was my oven or not but i did have to cook mine for about 10-12 mins longer before it was done in the center just FYI so check that toothpick!! I like alot of thing raw but cornbread I'm thinking NOT. This is the most airy, soft, moist and just sweet enough cornbread ever!! I mean no butter necessary kinda good here ladies!!! (although of course i used some) Just for future sake i will never NOT double this receipt!! An 8x8 pan barely lasted for the 4 of us... well my hubby quite literally ate half the pan but who wouldnt??? And when I made a comment (lol because i was secretly jealous) he sputters with a mouthful of crumbs, "what its GOOD!!!!" haha. So lesson learned, if you want extra or left overs DOUBLE!!

Next i made my loaded mash bites.... arent they too cute???? hehehe

Anyway, it was a hit and then we retired to the den to see who was going to make it to the super bowl!!! I am very not enthusiastic in this part but am much a comic relief to mom as she fusses about me NOT knowing such and such and so and so .... blah blah... hehe. I love my family, and now i love BBLS!!!

TALK TO ME!!!!

[the rules]

1. You must post the rules.

2. Post 11 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 11 new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4. Tag 11 people and link them on your post

5. Let them know you've tagged them!

[11 fun facts about moi]

1) I LOVE FOOD!!!!!! I dont know which one i like more creating it or eating it, however I do know I get the most satisfaction with giving it or having other people enjoy what I have made. I like to cook with the others interest first and foremost which does mean about 90% of what I cook I dont love myself... or what I would choose but I make it for others. I also dont cook small meals.... never have!!! everything is made to feed an army, just the way I roll!!

2) I have the ability to look COMPLETELY different on a daily basis! I know it sounds weird and goes beyond made-up or roll outta bed look. My eyes change colors, my hair does too drastically depending on the weather and the day. Some days I look tan others I dont (iron levels or something i think). I dont know really how all I know is people I work with and see me on a daily basis do double takes all the time and ask oh you dyed ur hair, cut it, got colored lenses, spray tan, or just "really you look like a completely different person then yesterday". I dont know.... call me a gecko!!!

3) I have only dated/married guys with crystal blue eyes!! all but my very first bf all my men have been owners of show stopping baby blues!!! of course lots of people love this feature and might be that shallow to only date men that do, I however am not one of them.... it just so happened that way i guess... took me years to realize and find it kinda funny!!

4) I eat mustard on EVERYTHING!!! and this is my all time fav... Koops Horseradish spicy brown.. now here is the kicker, i use it as a salad dressing but most often that is what i dip my veggies in. Yep, plate of raw broc, carrots and colli with a pile of this stuff??? WHAT! One happy girl here. And dont knock it till you try it... my brand new boss turned up her nose Friday at the idea.. guess what she had monday at lunch? U guessed it, her own bottle next to her veggies for lunch!!! Its just that good (and much healthier than anything else)

5) I talk to myself ALOT. If it was just in private I guess that would be one thing, but lol I got no prob talking to myself in public as well! I have always joked this is why i have always had pets cause if you walk in on me talking i can say "i was fussing at the dog"... now i just dont care and admit it!

6) At age 29 i can honestly say I have almost NEVER finished reading a book. Even the rare few I have gotten into by the time I get back to it I have either forgotten or lost interest in it. That however did change a few months ago with the Hunger Games and eagerly looking for more that I can enjoy. I do finally see the pleasure of "curling up to a good book"!! Boy is my sis ever so happy

7) I wear SOCKS!! most of the time 2 pair. Definitely in the winter im sporting some thick soccer like socks that go up to my knees then another pair! My feet get super cold and once they do I am miserable... like really, dont talk to me or ill bite your head off cause i cant feel my lower extremities kinda pain thing. It gets bad. And yeah when people arent looking i have been known to slip on a 3rd pair just to keep warm!! ;)

8) Im a salt lover. I have just started eating some sweets but give me a bag of pretzels over a cookie any day.

9) on that note i am jealous of people who can bake!!! Something about it takes my breath away.... I cant do it!!! I blame it on my style of cooking though... im a looker, taster and pot stirrer!! Crock pots, casseroles and all things like that just dont suite me. But to take it to the next level and create a beautiful made from scratch cake and icing and all??? IM GREEN WITH ENVY!!

10) I am a loner. Something that has just developed over years of being broken down, isolated and hurt. I ran with the wrong crowd for so long too now its hard for me to feel comfortable and fit in to normal life either (there is a whole reason why but....). anyway, I am outgoing .... its just shy!! ;) Moving on....

11) I am a Daddy's girl. Point blank, born one and will die one. The bond we had cant be described, replaced or mimicked. Thats another reason I'm still a "Bourque". I told dad a long time ago I hated the fact I wasnt a boy and couldnt keep His last name... I have always been proud to be a Bourque, and thus I didnt change my name. I always wanted to be known as his daughter.... now it means more to me than ever.

Anyways............. enough about me, lets see what mel wants to know!!!!! lol about me!! ;)

1. What are your biggest pet peeves, not including traffic issues? (We all have traffic issues.)

        I HATE when people leave long messages on VM... like to the point that it cuts them off!! AND THEN CALL BACK and leave a second one to finish!!! lol especially since i am the type not to listen to it the first place and just call when i see i missed a call.... so irritating and then they have the nerve to say... well i told u in the email!!! BAHAAA 12 mins in!!! dont you dare.

 

2. If you could go on an all-expense paid vacation & take one person, who would you take & where would you go?

  Me and Daddy.. Australia

 

3. If you could do anything you wanted for your next birthday, what would you do? (Money is no object & everything is okay to eat!)

   hmmmm, the big 30 i would love to spend on the beaches of Hawii.... thats it.. really im simple

 

4. What is your favorite play or musical? If you do not have one, how are we friends? (Totally kidding. I don't watch football, it all evens out!) lol, well thanks to my sis and mom, dad and I were forced to sit through many!!! but really no Beauty and the Beast by far, saw the broadway and it was Amazing!!!

 

4. What are some of your favorite girl names? Favorite boy names? I cant say my girls name bc i have had it picked out for years and wont share it. However, anything unique i Love and by unique it doesnt have to be "Ski Apple Van blah blah blah... but something unique to u give a certain flare that is special to any name i think

 

5. What is the biggest lesson you have learned in life?

   Life is short, I know nothing, and i truly would be nothing without God. Hitting rock bottom was nothing compared to Him breaking me and rebuilding me into His image. I have a LONG way to go till i can look in the mirror and see him Ps 17:15, but yeah thats my lesson

 

6. What is your favorite recipe? (Link please!) ohhhh, no links to these... all under lock and key!! no really my daddys bread pudding, my gumbo, my moms ettouffee, my maw maws mac and cheese.. you get the drift

 

7. What is the last book you read? Did you enjoy it? Mocking Jay from the Hunger Games... love it!!!

 

8. Who is your favorite author or speaker? oh i have neither sorry

 

9. Which bloggie friends do you hope to meet in real life? lol i only have 3 friends.... hehee

 

10. What is your nervous habit? I smoke... yeah i know bad and im quiting this month i swear but its my nervous habit

11. What do you hope will happen (that could happen!) in 2012? well i already got my career job!!!! but i would love to buy a house (but that wont happen this year prob), im getting a new (to me) car, and i'll take another raise!! but really i want to be happy thats it, just at the end of the day to be able to thank God for his blessings and I will be happy.

 

Ok now my turn!!!

 

1) whats your most vivid childhood memory?

2) what makes you blush?

3) if you were a color what would it be and why so?

4) would you prefer to play in the Olympics or in a symphony?

5) what physically was the most pain you have ever felt?

6) do you prefer email, text or phone call? real letters dont count we all love those!!!

7) how did you meet your mate or if you havent how would you like too?

8) it's raining outside.... your perfect way to spend it would be

9) fav president in the last 30 years?

10) Whats your biggest fear?

11) Finally how has blogging changed your life?

 

thats it now your turn!!!!