Supper Club - Recipe Reviews

So, I fully intended to be a good little blogger and take photos of all the food I cooked for supper club last night.  Alas, I failed in Blogger 101 yet again, so I'll have to use other photos. 

I really enjoy cooking.  I never expected to enjoy it, but I do.  So last night, I mixed some of my favorites along with a new recipe for what I thought turned out to be a great meal.  If the rest of the girls didn't like it, they did a good job hiding it!

The new recipe I found on Pinterest last week. 

Source: wittyinthecity.com via Anna on Pinterest

Here is the recipe.  It was soooooo good.  A big hit with everyone.  Instead of using the thighs, I used boneless chicken breasts and cut them up pretty small.  My worst problem was that the chicken wasn't fully thawed when I got ready to cook it and it took forever to cook!!  But I have patient friends who waited until it was finally ready.  Really, really good stuff!!  I'll definitely use it again!


Next up was a recipe I watched Paula Deen put together on Food Network one day.  I'm not a huge Food Network watcher, but this could have been divine intervention, because this casserole tastes like it was made just for me.  Layers of mashed potatoes, onions and red peppers, cheese, and bacon bits.  I'm telling you, it will make your tongue slap your brains out!!  Good stuff!  I wish I had a better picture!

 

Source: foodnetwork.com via Brittany on Pinterest

 

To throw something a little healthy in the mix, I did green beans from Skinnytaste

 

They are really good.  I think I overdid a touch on the olive oil this time, but last time I cooked them, it was a favorite of everyone.

 

I threw in some creamed corn and rolls to finish it off.  I love the frozen creamed cord that you head up on the stove.  Yummy!!

 

For dessert, I made pecan pie and topped it off with some ice cream.

 

 

This is the recipe my mom gave me and I think it's delicious!

 

Pie crust (I think the refrigerated ones that you roll out make the best pies)

3 eggs

1 c sugar

1 c Karo syrup ( I like to mix the light and dark)

1 c pecans

 

I start by putting the pecans in the bottom of the pie crust, mix up the rest of the ingredients and pour it in.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

 

If you use the froze pie crusts, you end up with more filling than you need.  You can double the recipe and make 3 pies. 

 

A great time was had by all last night, good food and great company!

 

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Fall TV

Dixie Creek Farm had a fun post on her favorite fall shows this morning and I thought I would follow suite.  The new ones I'm enjoying this year are

Go On - Matthew Perry plays a sports radio host who lost his wife.  He is required to go to grief counseling.  Y'all, this show is hilarious.  It has me laughing out loud every week!  Matthew Perry is just funny.

Nashville - I have a deep and undying love for Connie Britton.  I was introduced to her in Friday Night Lights and the bond was instant.  Nashville is a completely different kind of feel, but I'm enjoying it.  As a Tennesseean, it's really cool to see places in the show that I'm familiar with in real life.  I had a friend who lives in Nashville email me the other day to say they were filming right across the street from her office (I tried to talk her into going to sign up as an extra!)  The music is great, the story line has lots going on, and so far, I'm a fan!

Source: tonyandkris.com via Tony on Pinterest

Then there is the new to me section:

Revenge - multiple friends had told me how good it was, but I missed the first few and just never got into it.  Well, ABC happened to replay the pilot one night, and I was hooked!  So I ordered the first season on DVD.  It's good.  It's kind of dark and a little heavy for me (I'm really a romantic comedy kind of girl), and sometimes I feel like someone is going to reach out from under the couch and grab my foot, but overall I like it.  I'm DVR'ing the new season so I can catch up on it when I finish season one.  It's slow go, though, that could be next summer!

Source: Uploaded by user via Werda on Pinterest

And the oldie but goody...

Source: itunes.apple.com via Theresa on Pinterest

These plus football keep me entertained.

Side note, scope showed 2 ulcers in my esophagus caused by the pill.  Doc gave me another medicine that is supposed to speed up healing.  I was able to eat a good breakfast this morning!  Praise the Lord!

Sunday Randoms

Happy Sunday!  I've really not done much of anything this weekend as I've tried to conserve energy and I'm just plumb wore out.

- Friday ended in an interesting way, road trip with a friend to pick up her dad's truck, trailer, and bull.  You know trailer/livestock driving is one of those skills I acquired in life that has come in handy more times than you would expect.  Thanks, Daddy.

- Saturday was lots and lots of football.  Honestly, I was worn out from the week and not enough food, and late nights at work.  I think I took 2 naps, and watched a bunch of games.  That was pretty much it.

- Sunday was more football.  I got up to take a shower for church, but I'm just sapped of energy.  I couldn't make myself get dressed and get out the door, so I looked for TV church, but apparently all those come on at 8:00 and they were over, so football analysis it was.  Let me just say as I sit here with another game on, I might be reaching my football limit for the weekend.  I didn't know it was possible.

- I'm down almost 10 pounds.  Now, if I weren't so hungry, it would be almost comical.  My mouth fell open when I stepped on the scale this morning, I've never weighed this in my life (maybe 4th grade)

- Tomorrow (Monday) is the scope.  Hopefully he can tell me something, either there is still a piece of the pill there to get out, or it looks like it's healing, or I need to get used to 500 calories a day... just tell me something.

- The only thing I can get down comfortably is a Hardees little hamburger... Why?  I don't know.  Full of nutrition?  Not so much. 

- The weight loss has apparently made me feel skinny, combine that with a plethora of emails from my favorite stores about sales... what do you get?   A bunch of clothes on their way to my house.  Now the majority of these are going to have to go back, but maybe there will be a few keepers.

- I think I forgot to tell you, but I did 8.5 miles last Saturday!!!  Made me feel a little better about the upcoming half.  I was planning another good long run for this week, needless to say that didn't happen.  I'm pretty bummed, but there really isn't anything I could do about it, so it is what it is.

- In case I haven't mentioned it, I have such great friends. I have friends who have checked on my every single day of this craziness. I have friends praying, and wanting to know what times tests are happening. I have friends who bring me little Hardees hamburgers and throw in an extra one just in case I can eat it. I have blog friends who have left kind comments and sent thoughtful emails. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 Hope you have a great week!!

It's Ok - Pill Induced Esophagitis Edition

It's Ok...

 

   

...that I haven't really eaten in 4 days and everything I'm reading says this condition could last up to 10 days.

 

...that I won't get to do my long run this weekend (that I desperately need) because I can't eat and fuel myself up for it.

 

...that everyone at work says I look like crap.  Apparently I also need food to look decent.

 

...that my heart goes out to anyone with digestive issues.  Eating and swallowing and all those things are something I've completely taken for granted until now.

 

...that I constantly berate myself for not drinking enough water with that blasted pill so I wouldn't be in this predicament

 

...that maybe I'll see a lesson God is teaching me thru this once I reach the other side, but I'm not there yet

 

...that I cried in my office after I tried to eat after I took the pills that the doc gave me today. 

 

...that the week that I can't eat is a week that we have a ton going on at work that requires lots of late nights.

 

...to appreciate coworkers and a boss that are highly concerned about you and let you come in late, and offer to take you to the doctor.

 

...that the doctor wants to do a scope on Monday... 4 days away!!!!

 

...to write a blog post that does nothing but whine and cry about your current condition.  Sorry, folks, hopefully i'll be back up and at 'em soon.

 

...to have really sweet friends who text and email you daily to see how you are making it. (it's actually the best)

So Happy Thursday!  Tomorrow is Friday and football and the start of the weekend, woo-hoo!!

Oh How Pinteresting - Decor Edition

First, a little update from yesterday... In googling my condition, they say it will be better in 7-10 days.  Oh my goodness, I must eat.  Need food for energy.  But on to other things...

 

It's been a while since I've linked up with Michelle.

A friend at work has agreed to help me work on decorating my house, I need things on my walls in a big way, so we send each other Pinterest pictures of what we think would look good.  Here are a few of my favorites from this week.

Source: pinteresting2699.weebly.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: thevintagewren.blogspot.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: blog.anydns.com via Anna on Pinterest

Source: kimberlytaylorimages.com via Anna on Pinterest

Source: inspirationfordecoration.blogspot.com via Anna on Pinterest

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Source: bhg.com via Anna on Pinterest

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Source: southernlivinghouseplans.com via Anna on Pinterest

Source: vintagerosebrocante.tumblr.com via Anna on Pinterest

 

Source: lauraleeclark.com via Anna on Pinterest

Happy Wednesday!!

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good...

 

Happy Boss's Day to me!!

 

 

I work with such great people!!

 

The Bad...

 

I think I may be dying.  I a pill Sunday night and I think it’s lodged in my esophagus.  It hurts something terrible.   I went to a friend's yesterday and she started telling me she had the exact same meds when she was a kid and one lodged and she had to have a scope.  Called the doctor. He told me to take Mylanta which I've been doing but it doesn't seem to be helping. He called this morning and asked if I could swallow. I told him I could bit the pain wasn't any better. He said it should get better in the next few days... If I don't starve to death!!! That last part is me being a touch overdramatic because I'm hungry and I can’t eat.  Seriously, this is no fun at all!!  I'm all for losing weight but not because it hurts too much to eat!

 

 

The Ugly...

 

TN vs AL is Saturday.  I graduated from TN.  I was never an AL hater, FL yes, but our high school coach played at AL and instilled a little reverance for the Bear and the Tide.  But then I began working in Alabama.  I cross the state line most every morning and enter the land of Crimson.  These fans are crazy!!  I no longer can wear red because they all congratulate me for seeing the light.  They greet each other and say goodbye with "Roll Tide".  They think Saban is the be all end all.  It's just too much and it has put a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. 

But Saturday will be the third Saturday in October and it will be game time yet again.  And let's go ahead and be honest, there's a chance we won't even score.  And there's an even better chance they will score on most of their possessions.  This one is going to be ugly. 

 

Favorite Apps

So I've documented my love affair with Words With Friends, still my favorite phone game!!!!!  Although Scramble can run a close second.

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

 

But I've found some other apps that are pretty top notch.

 

1.  Voxer - It turns your phone into a walkie talkie!  I despise voicemail with a passion.  I don't want to listen to it.  I don't want to put in my password, none of it.  So this little jewel lets me send my voxer friends a voice message with just the touch of a button.  I can use it while driving saving myself from texting.  It's just the best.  My sister and I use it a lot, and a coworker and I have found it handy and easy for quick questions!

 

 

Source: jadechristensensblog.blogspot.com via Jade on Pinterest

2.  Instagram - If you aren't using it, you are missing out!  A fun way to keep up with friends thru pictures!  You can also add fun effects to the pictures you post. 

 

 

Source: thenorba.com via Tancredi on Pinterest

3.  Gratitude Diary - Last is one I have only been using about a month.  I acutally hear about it from a friend on Instagram :-)   It's a great place to record things I'm thankful for as I think about my day.  It makes me smile every time I open it up and see the list of grateful entries.  Helps me work on my goal of disciplining myself to be thankful and positive!

 

 

What are some of your favorite apps? 

Discipline

Discipline.

It really is the key to so much, isn't it?  Let me think about some of the blogs I enjoy the most.

Danielle wrote a fabulous post this morning about being disciplined in looking at the positive. 

Amy busted her tail for four months, really focused, stayed disciplined and qualified for the Boston Marathon with her time in Chicago this weekend.  That girl ran an 8:23 pace for 26.2 miles!!!  Amazing!!

 

Natasha can pack more into a day or weekend than I can in a month.  The girl is major disciplined with her time and attitude and produces some cool stuff!  And I love the name of her blog, Hello Happiness!

 

You know, I make excuses for all sorts of things, that I'm too shy or too serious or not built for that, or tired, or busy, or not talented enough, but lots of things in life come down to your attitude and a good attitude is something you must discipline yourself to have, on the bad days, on the good days, on the challenging days, on the amazing days. 

So how do I develop the happy/good attitude discipline?  Think Positive!  God puts that instruction in writing.  Choose to think about the good, about the positive.  Fight off the negative thoughts.  My negativity tends to be about myself more than anything else, but those negative words I think not only tear me down, but lay the groundwork for excuses.

 

 

Source: lamplightart.com via Anna on Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do I develop the physical and time management disciplines?  Make goals and stick with them,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 make them a priority, and don't let excuses slide in.  I think the pin below sums it up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: simpletruths.com via Simple on Pinterest

If you want to conquer a new frontier, discipline is a must... just ask Teddy...

Source: verybestquotes.com via Melissa on Pinterest

 

And God gives us the tools if we will just put in the effort to make these disciplines part of our every day life.

 

Source: google.com via Beth on Pinterest

 

My friend, Melissa, has a new motto, to be a better version of herself today than she was yesterday.  I think mine is to be a more disciplined version today than I was yesterday.

It's OK

It's OK...

 

   

...to have enjoyed Twitter for the first time last night.  There are some funny people out there and they were cracking me up during the debate.  I may have done a little tweeting of my own :-)

 

...to be debating sending Sarah Palin an email asking her to tone down the hair color... too dark, friend, too dark

 

...to have added a must to my husband list this week.  Must like spaghetti.  While I was warming my leftovers up in the microwave the other night, my mind went to a dark dark place that involved living with someone who didn't like spaghetti, it was a scary moment.

 

...to want to cry every time I have to stand up or sit down.  The lunges from Tuesday are still killing me.  So. Out. Of. Shape.

 

...to give a big fat birthday shout out to my sister  Happy Birthday!!!

...to be messaged on facebook by a guy from junior high with the following, and I quote "Are you married?  Have chitlins?"... Why, yes, yes I am for 10 happy years, and we have 6 lovely children

...to find this little jewel today when a certain favorite blog asked for a limerick
There once was a maid from Madras
Who possessed a magnificent ass.
Neither round or pink,
As some might think,
It was gray, had long ears and ate grass.

...to have made tons of cookies this morning for a fundraiser tomorrow and have co-workers eating them right and left.  Not sure how much they are going to help the fundraiser.

...to want Chipotle every day for lunch.  Soooo goood!!

Have a great Thursday!!

 

This Week's Highlights...

1.  That moment when one of the best cooks you know texts you to ask you how much butter you put in the rice... SCORE!!

2.  When God uses a devotional to put this verse in front of you, Ephesians 1:11  "Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan"  He makes everything work out according to His plan.  Of course He does.  I have this fear of messing up His plan for life so much it can't ever get back on track, so this verse gives me comfort.

3.  Winning fantasy football for the week... yeah this puts me in 7th place which is pretty much 6th Big Fat Loser, but the only way to move up is one win at a time.

4.  Bible Verse Exchange... received an email today about a Bible verse exchange, kind of like the recipe exchanges that went around email, but with Bible verses.  I received my first one tonight, and let me just say I loved it, put a big fat smile on my face - John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!... I have overcome the world, how does that not put a smile on your face.

5.  Clearing things up... as I told you earlier in the week, there are some things that have been hanging over my head.  I worked to try and clear them up and I'm feeling much better.

6.  Budget Time... The accountant in me is not going to tell you just how long I went without working on my budget, but let's just say a while.  There was some good, some bad, some needed changes, but it helped me put things in perspective, get some goals back on track, and start looking forward to my next vacation.

7.  Exercise... So this morning I met a friend at the gym for some much overdo strength workouts.  I'm already dreading standing up and sitting down tomorrow.  Those were the first lunges I've seen in ages and lunges and I just don't have a love affair, but it felt good to be challenging myself.  I'm hoping not only will it make me stronger, but it will help my running... if I'm EVER able to run at full throttle again...

Happy mid-week