How Now Brown Cow

Out of all of the many chalks I have done, I think this little guy is on my top 5 list. I am so thankful to have a job where I get to do what I love. It makes "work" worth it. Also thankful to have access to awesome supplies, like my favorite Zig markers. They are hands down- THE best! I especially love the woodcraft pens with their rich earth tones, and smooth coverage. Ah, the tools of the trade. I actually got my shipment in today from markersupply.com , and whenever my orders arrive, it feels like Christmas! Seriously the best part of my day! Anyway-here is my little cow Chalkie. I will probably start posting these guys on here more, since they are such a big part of my life. I dont know why I didn't post them sooner?...anyway- Enjoy!

Chaos

21 weeks along. It's hard to believe that in 19 weeks, my boy will be here. There is still so much to do, that I am constantly trying to remind myself to enjoy being pregnant- but it's hard. Walls to patch, doors to hang, floors to lay, appointments, registries, the excitement and events surrounding 3 other babies in my family/friend unit, two weddings-one of which I'm in, a broken down car, dog sitting, not to mention getting on with my full time job. It's all a bit chaotic and overwhelming. Caleb has been so great. He's proving to be quite the Daddy already. He has stepped up to the plate in so many ways. I don't know how I would get through this without him. I am so thankful to be living this experience with my best friend, my husband, by my side.

:D

We're having a baby! We found out on our anniversary, 4/4/12, and at our appointment a month later, found out we're due 12/12/12! Eeeeep!

Green Chili & Pumpkin Soup

Everybody gets to that point once every few weeks where you're down to the bare bones of your pantry, right? Don't lie....I know you do. No no, not to worry--me too. Tonight was one of those nights in our household, so I wanted to use just what we had, but at the same time, have something comforting. Something that made us feel like it wasn't just thrown together--even though this took about 15 min to make.
So, I researched a couple of soup recipes (because what's more comforting than soup?) and compiled the things from each that I liked best...and concocted this yummieness! Please feel free to make this recipe or create your own variation, and let me know how it turns out!!


Ingredients
1 cup Fat Free, low sodium Chicken Broth
2 small zucchini-chopped, skin on
1/2 cup Chopped yellow Onion
3 cup Green Enchilada Sauce
1 tbsp taco seasoning
1-15oz can Pure Pumpkin
2 Cooked and chopped Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
1 can Corn, drained
Salt, Pepper, Garlic powder to taste-I did about 1/4 tsp of each.

Optional toppings-
Chopped green onion
Chopped cilantro


Directions
Makes 9 one cup servings

Directions:
In a large pot, bring broth to a boil, add the chopped onion and simmer for about 5 minutes, just until the onions get a little tender.

At this point you can add the taco seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, enchilada sauce and pumpkin. Once soup heats back to a low boil, add the chopped chicken, corn, and zucchini and mix well. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, until soup is heated throughout.....I topped it with chopped scallions and cilantro. You could add tortillas and cheese if you want too..

How to help those who just don't give a S#!*.

Man, I've gotta say, I am at a loss for words right now. Someone in my family is giving me hell and I don't know what to do. I feel like I have tried to be there for them, I have helped them when they needed it, opened my home to them, and had them over for dinner. Now that things are getting a little bit harder on them, and they are kind of getting a reality check- they have been more difficult than ever. I will not name names, because I don't want this to be a nasty, mean post....rather, a way to vent and maybe get some suggestions on how to help someone who is unwilling to be helped? Maybe you have had a similar situation?

Here's the small of it- this person is very young, and living on their own, and just got laid off because their place of business shut down. They have been (or say that they have been) looking hard for another job, but in the meantime, they have no savings and need to get by still. Myself and another family member have tried to tell them that they need to file for unemployment, because that is what it is for- to help you in an emergency- like being laid off- until you can find another job. When I told them about this they said its too much effort, and I said not to be lazy, it is there to help them, thats what it's there for. And this person said "youre annoying. stop talking to me". I know that this is just them being defensive, because maybe they know i'm right and they ARE in fact just being lazy. But I can not help wanting to help this person. I love them, and care about them and want them to be okay- but I know that if I help financially they will not learn, and will take the situation for granted.

I-am-at-a-loss....


How do you help someone who isn't willing to help themselves?......



On a brighter note-
here is a delicious recipe i found on pinterest from "For The Love Of Food Blog" --

Found it ( here )

  

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys.

-K

Today is my kind of day.

It really is a messy hair, old flannel, i-don't-care-if-I-look-like-a-boy kind of day. Today is all about COMFORT. Woke up early to throw a giant roast and root veggies in the crock pot to cook all day because Grandma and sis are coming over for dinner. And when I get home from work later, the house is going to smell phenomenal. Caleb is going to hang the lights when he gets home, and we will play Charlie Brown Christmas music while we feast. I am so excited. 4:30 couldn't come any faster!!!

So if you're an IG junkie like myself, I'm sure you've heard of PostalPix , the awesome app that PRINTS your IG pictures for you! They are great quality and competitively priced (which I just love). Caleb and I order our Postal Pix about every two months. They are just darling but unfortunately hard to fit into standard frames. With our stash of snaps ever growing, I was on the hunt for a display solution, when I came across some awesome ideas on Pinterest. There are a lot of great framing inspiration tutorials out there, for all different styles, so I adapted a few of my favorites and came up with an idea that worked for us! All you need is an old frame, wire cutters, needle nose pliers, a pen, a measuring tape or ruler, a framing wire kit ($2.50 at CVS) and a pack of clothes pins (about $1.50 at CVS).oh, and don't forget the star of the show: those cute little pictures! Since I am blogging from my phone ( would it then be called Phlogging!?... I like that.. ) I dont have the ability to post photo captions, so I will just tell you how I did it and post the photos after. Later I will clean it up on the computer to streamline and make it easier to follow! I hope this makes sense, if you have any questions feel free to ask! <3


1. Flip your frame over. With your tape measure, mark along the inside piece of wood where you would like to place your wires. I used the clothes pins to help place where I wanted them too. Keep in mind that you don't want your photos to be hidden by the photo above it. Leave enough space in between each row.

2. Carefully repeat the same step on the side parallel to the one you just measured. Use your pen again to mark where you will put your pins. Use your tape measure to ensure that both sides are evenly marked, as this will determine how straight your wire will be.

3. Place an I hook at each space you measured. They should be included in your framing kit, and they are super easy to install. Just put them where you want, press, and turn into the wood just like a screw. Make sure all of your hooks are vertical with the final twist, meaning that they are running parallel with the piece of wood they are screwed into.

4. After all hooks are in place, take your framing wire and using your wire cutters, cut into lengths about 4" wider than your frame. Cut the same amount of wire sections as you want rows. I have three rows of photos, so I cut three sections.

5. Using your pliers, feed each section into the corresponding hook. Tie and knot the wire to secure and attach the other end of each piece to the hook opposite from it. Make sure to use your pliers here to tighten after you tie your wire. If your rows look a little loose, you can try twisting your hook one or two more times into your frame to re tighten. I had to do this with my rows but you may be fine.

7. Now, you've got your structure down! Easy right!? All that's left is to hang your photos, do whatever feels right, it is YOUR masterpiece! I use the clothes pins. You could also use magnets, clips, twine, or any other attaching device you can think of to give your frame a little bit of "you!" now just frame and enjoy!

We are so excited and happy with our frame. We even decided we are going to rotate out the photos seasonally! So fun!! Ours is hanging right in our front room for us to enjoy everyday! It would also make a great gift, just give along with photos that are special or specific to the recipient! So good. I hope you were able to follow along. It's hard to describe how to do it, because it's so easy! So If you have any reservations about doing this project, reserve no more! It is SO easy and so cute! Do it do it do it!!! And show me when you're done!