tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79594926531601941642024-03-13T03:20:48.512-07:00Grits & GriddlesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-13613313621897511802015-07-08T10:00:00.000-07:002015-07-08T10:00:02.562-07:00The Fruit Truck Flipped and Gave Us All LimesThat title just about sums it up.<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, Hubs and I were visiting my family and grabbing some of the garden-fresh veggies that sometimes come our way when we're "down South."<br />
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<i>Note: If you've never had a home-grown tomato or cucumber, please fix this as soon as you can. There are few things in the world that taste as good as a fresh-from-the-garden veggie :)</i><br />
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While we were there, my mom seemed to have an usual amount of limes around, and asked if we would PLEASE take some back to The City with us.<br />
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This is odd, because my mom isn't exactly a huge LIME fan, even though there were probably about 20 or so in her kitchen at the time.<br />
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It turns out, she had a surplus in the lime department because, the day before, a fruit truck that was driving through town sort of...<i>lost its balance</i> and spilled limes everywhere.<br />
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Thankfully, no one was injured so <i><b>FREE LIMES FOR EVERYONE!</b></i><br />
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We also got a few jalapeño peppers out of the deal.<br />
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So, naturally, we made <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/11/white-chicken-enchiladas/" target="_blank">enchiladas</a> and guacamole for supper.<br />
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I love being from a small town in Mississippi. It's just the best.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-51197688246072431892015-07-07T14:48:00.000-07:002015-07-07T14:48:37.110-07:00Free Coffee Times TWOToday has thus far been a particularly caffeinated day...aaaaaand I'm KIND OF LOVING IT.<br />
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Where there is free coffee, you may COUNT ME IN, Madam.<br />
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It all started when I found THIS GEM at the WalMarts this weekend:<br />
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And also shortly thereafter, when I found THIS ONE, too:<br />
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<i>Side note: It just occurred to me that the chocolate one PLAINLY states "Decaffeinated" on the box. Oops.</i><br />
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So first thing this morning, I made myself a hot cup of delicious (and apparently decaf) chocolate coffee. I'd like to think it made me more productive, but then lunch rolled around and then all was lost.<br />
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But AFTER lunch, my coworkers and I found out about a new coffee shop that just opened LITERALLY TEN STEPS FROM OUR FRONT DOOR (okay maybe twenty steps!).<br />
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The struggle is going to be REAL, peeps.<br />
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One of my sweet (and fellow caffeine addicted) co-workers decided to try it out, then later stopped by my desk, worried that she ordered <i>TOO BIG OF A COFFEE*****</i>.<br />
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*****Is there such a thing? I say "nay."<br />
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She insisted - <i><b>INSISTED!</b></i> - on pouring half of it in my cup, and before I knew it, it was GONE AND IN MY BELLY.<br />
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I have no idea what happened, really.<br />
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Only that I suddenly felt ALIVE.<br />
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I come in handy at this place sometimes :)<br />
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***<br />
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On another note, today's lunch took place at the Mississippi Museum of Art (they have an in-house cafe) and it was absolutely crazy good. I'm not exactly sorry for the cliche I've become in terms of posting my food everywhere.<br />
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Grilled Squash Panini with Blueberry Butter.<br />
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Let's just let that sink in a moment, shall we?<br />
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<i>Blueberry Butter.</i><br />
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As weird as it sounds, it was off the charts good. My mouth is watering again just thinking about it.<br />
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Grilled squash, a chunk of mozzarella, lettuce, a fresh tomato, and homemade butter -- all on warm, grilled bread.<br />
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You're incredibly welcome.<br />
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Eat local, folks!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-4098707979659414992015-06-02T15:24:00.001-07:002015-06-03T09:43:18.489-07:00Bucket List BandwagonSummer Bucket Lists are popping up everywhere - and really, I can't find a reason to NOT jump on board with the blog trend.<br />
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Join me, won't you? Here we go!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TNxbDhmZ5Oc/VW4pxlTcFYI/AAAAAAAACSo/e3AGm4XeYDI/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-06-02%2Bat%2B5.09.29%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TNxbDhmZ5Oc/VW4pxlTcFYI/AAAAAAAACSo/e3AGm4XeYDI/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-06-02%2Bat%2B5.09.29%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">background image via Tumblr</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Spend time at the pool.</b><br />
I mentioned awhile back that we've started the grand ol' House Hunt of 2015. While we're pretty pumped (read: <b><u>terrified</u></b>) at the thought of homeownership, we realize that said House may not come with access to a pool. In the year that we've been at our current place, we've visited the pool a handful of times. When it's not crowded and the weather is right, being in and around the pool is pretty great.<br />
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<b>Eat a s'more.</b><br />
Add me to the millions of other people who have said this already, but s'mores are best in the summer. I've melted many a marshmallow on my stove with a butter knife, and if you're nowhere near a campfire or grill it's DEFINITELY the next best thing. COUNT ME IN.<br />
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<b>Hop in a kayak.</b><br />
One of my favorite places to be.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzUoWuWbOr8/VW4qOHV39UI/AAAAAAAACSw/735_UDOaOvs/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzUoWuWbOr8/VW4qOHV39UI/AAAAAAAACSw/735_UDOaOvs/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folly Beach, SC</td></tr>
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<b>Beach getway.</b><br />
It's a must. Even for just a couple of days.<br />
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<b>Disconnect.</b><br />
Unplug and pay attention when I'm with those I care about. I love Instagram, but I love people more.<br />
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<b>Go on an adventure.</b><br />
Day trips to new places can be oh-so-wonderful.<br />
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<b>Conquer a fear (or two?).</b><br />
YIKES. This one is scary (obvious much?), but must be done. What's life if it's not a little bit exciting once in awhile?<br />
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<b>Run more.</b><br />
Not for distance or exercise. Just for fun.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PTPyHE3RPvI/VW4rUdHsUkI/AAAAAAAACS8/iVRVeSCMHpI/s1600/tumblr_mgvqtle6SH1rh6jk2o1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PTPyHE3RPvI/VW4rUdHsUkI/AAAAAAAACS8/iVRVeSCMHpI/s320/tumblr_mgvqtle6SH1rh6jk2o1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">credit: Tumblr</td></tr>
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<b>Write more.</b><br />
Even if it's just blogging more. Writing was my first love, and it's a wonderful, soothing outlet for me.<br />
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<b>Buy fresh flowers.</b><br />
There's something about having fresh flowers in a vase that makes everything seem prettier. It really brightens up a room. Even though I've only bought them on occasion since, well, ever...I'm thinking I need to incorporate more of this into my life.<br />
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<b>Have a party.</b><br />
BONUS POINTS if said House is in the picture at this point. Plus ALL THE MORE REASON to BUY THE FLOWERS! :)<br />
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<b>Be more positive.</b><br />
I can be QUITE a downer on the rough days. I declare this...THE SUMMER OF JOY!<br />
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{insert George Costanza gif here)<br />
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<b>Keep in touch.</b><br />
Earlier this year, I rebooted my Facebook in an effort to reconnect with folks. However, it only reminded me of why I deactivated it in the first place three-ish years ago. I spent too much time on it, and read status updates instead of actually calling someone. So, this weekend, Facebook went BUH-BYE once again. My goal this summer: keep in touch with those I don't see often. I want to call my people, send them a card or two...or MAYBE even WRITE A LETTER (OLD SCHOOL). We shall see!<br />
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Okay people, it's your turn. What's on your summer bucket list?!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-65353619141897584482015-05-14T10:00:00.000-07:002015-05-14T10:00:00.837-07:00Ms. Helen's Corn DipBefore The Mister and I got married, a few of my co-workers at my previous job joined together and gave us a wedding shower. Afterward, my friend/co-worker Christy gave me a cookbook that she made herself (!!!) that contained recipes and marriage advice from many of our co-workers.<br />
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One of my favorite (and the most-used) recipes from that cookbook came from Ms. Helen, a lady that I grew very close to during my three years at that job.<br />
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I've taken this to church dinners, parties, and other places and it's always a hit - and it comes together in a flash, too!<br />
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The original recipe calls for cans of corn, jalapeños, and red peppers, but GO TEAM KROGER because they have little cans of corn with the peppers already mixed in!<br />
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This really doesn't need any seasoning, but if you want an extra kick, try adding some lime and cayenne pepper. I think you'll be pleased!<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Ms. Helen's Famous Corn Dip</h3>
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What you'll need:</div>
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2 cans of Mexican/Baja corn with jalapeños and red peppers (or 4 small cans)</div>
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8 oz. sour cream</div>
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4 oz. cream cheese, softened</div>
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10 oz. grated cheddar cheese</div>
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Fritos, for serving</div>
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What you'll do:</div>
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Drain corn and pour into a large bowl. Add in remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Chill until serving time, then serve alongside Fritos.</div>
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Delish.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-44832842841927134152015-05-13T14:30:00.002-07:002015-05-13T14:30:47.258-07:00Weekend AdventuresIsn't it nice how a quick out-of-town trip can lift your spirits?<br />
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This past weekend was a combined birthday-slash-Mother's Day weekend celebration for us, and the drive home is always worth it.<br />
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We kicked off the weekend on Friday night with an outdoor concert hosted by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra on the Reservoir near our city.<br />
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The weather was absolutely perfect for picnic blankets, sailboats, and music from the movies.<br />
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And of course, fireworks at the end!<br />
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Saturday had an early start with Magnolia Meltdown 5K...<br />
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And it didn't disappoint! Around mile 2 my knee started hurting again, so maybe I'm not 100% "healed up" like I thought, but I'm definitely on my way!<br />
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YEAH for running again!<br />
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The rest of the weekend included crawfish, berry pie, and a little early Mother's Day cele-bray-sheon.<br />
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Not before stopping at Sonic, though :)<br />
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<br />
Is ANYONE ELSE out there basically ADDICTED to the new slushes? I've been to Sonic more times in the past two months than I have in my entire life. Roughly.<br />
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I'm not proud, but I'm DEFINITELY not sorry.<br />
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MY WORD I LOVE GRAPE SLUSHES.<br />
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Also...<br />
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Handwritten thank-you cards are the best.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoC8ryG97is/VVPByfdS5UI/AAAAAAAACP4/Rv8SuJARa34/s1600/unnamed-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoC8ryG97is/VVPByfdS5UI/AAAAAAAACP4/Rv8SuJARa34/s320/unnamed-6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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...Especially when there are days like this:<br />
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But that's another story for {maybe} another day ;)<br />
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Happy Wednesday!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-24493801815426940802015-05-12T09:30:00.000-07:002015-05-12T09:30:00.752-07:00Chicken Stuffed 'BellasA recipe! Hooray!<div>
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I love simple, easy-to-put-together meals. THIS recipe is one of those!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvSMHOCc9Js/VU0uzhllB1I/AAAAAAAACO4/QEO9rIAp0qA/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvSMHOCc9Js/VU0uzhllB1I/AAAAAAAACO4/QEO9rIAp0qA/s320/unnamed-3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love using portobella mushrooms as an entree, they're filling, but not overly heavy like bread or pasta - and they're just downright delicious.</div>
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If you thaw and/or cook your chicken ahead of time, this will literally come together in just a few minutes. The longest part is baking them, but even then they are done in about 10 minutes.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_vDOo22HuI/VU0uzvJqFTI/AAAAAAAACPQ/wDk1wem4RbE/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_vDOo22HuI/VU0uzvJqFTI/AAAAAAAACPQ/wDk1wem4RbE/s320/unnamed-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One shortcut I've found is this - and it may sound ridiculous, but it's what I do! When I need shredded chicken, I cook it throughly and then put it in the blender for a few rounds. By doing this, I usually have finely shredded chicken in about three seconds. Try it! It's worth it.</div>
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My super-key ingredient for this recipe is this:</div>
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I first used this when I made chicken marsala awhile back, and it ups the flavor like nobody's business when it comes to cooking with mushrooms. I had to try it in this dish and, even with just a third of a cup, it BLEW MY MIND.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNX9srxUg0Q/VU0uzrOo9ZI/AAAAAAAACO8/483-M7CUrU8/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNX9srxUg0Q/VU0uzrOo9ZI/AAAAAAAACO8/483-M7CUrU8/s320/unnamed-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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((<b>Note:</b> I was a little afraid to cook with even cooking wine for a long time, then I learned the alcohol cooks out, much to my relief. If you're not comfortable with this, then chicken broth will work fine!))</div>
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My pictures of this are terrible quality, but don't let that deter you from trying your hand at this dish. I think you'll be pleased!</div>
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Chicken Stuffed 'Bellas<br />Serves 2</h3>
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adapted from <a href="http://whatscookingmexico.com/2008/03/05/lunch-special-stuffed-creamy-portabella-mushrooms/" target="_blank">What'sCookingMexico</a></div>
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<b><u>What you'll need</u>:</b></div>
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2 medium-sized portobella mushrooms</div>
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1/4 cup of butter (1/2 stick butter)</div>
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4 oz cream cheese</div>
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1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded</div>
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1/3 cup marsala cooking wine or low-sodium chicken broth</div>
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2-3 tbsp half & half</div>
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1/2 tsp garlic powder</div>
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1/2 tsp onion powder</div>
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dash of crushed red pepper</div>
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dash of salt and pepper</div>
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Italian breadcrumbs</div>
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<b><u>What you'll do</u>:</b></div>
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In a large skillet, melt butter and cream cheese. Stir frequently to mix. When each are about halfway melted, add marsala wine (or chicken broth), garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red peppers. Stir and continue to cook.</div>
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Meanwhile, rinse and clean your mushrooms by using a spoon to scoop out the insides. Remove the stems and chop into small pieces, then add to the sauce mixture as it cooks. If sauce mixture looks <br />"soupy," add half & half. This will make the sauce very creamy, so add a little at a time until it reaches the consistency you prefer.</div>
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Place mushrooms in a baking dish or sheet, then fill with sauce mixture. Top with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs and bake for 10 minutes at 350. After 10 minutes, turn on the broiler for about 2 minutes, just enough to let the breadcrumbs start to darken and crisp.</div>
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Remove the mushrooms from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then enjoy!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-57419277295392141452015-05-08T14:15:00.003-07:002015-05-08T14:15:47.084-07:00Friday ThoughtsI've sat down at least TWICE this week to write a post or two, but to be quite honest, there's not a lot going on right now and I thought I'd spare you pointless details about the tacos I made on Tuesday night and the beautiful weather we've had lately.<br />
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Don't you love me? :)<br />
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However, it's been kind of quiet over here today, and I've found that writing keeps me HIGHLY entertained. So bear with me, because<br />
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<b>ONE</b>. There are some people that can go all day at work - all eight hours or so - and still leave looking just as flawless as they did when they arrived that morning. I am NOT one of those people.<br />
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Please, somebody, tell me how it's done! How on EARTH do you people keep your hair looking FANTASTIC? How do you keep ALL OF YOUR MAKEUP ON through the day? By noon mine is non- existent and my hair looks A HOT mess.<br />
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<b>TWO.</b> Ever since our daycation last weekend, I'm in full-blown vacay mode. Unfortunately, it's impossible to find a place to stay, um, ANYWHERE near the beach without roughly SIX MONTHS notice. I have an idea or two I'm stewing on, but it MIGHT have to wait until June.<br />
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<i>JUNE.</i> Patience is not my strong suit.<br />
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<b>THREE. </b>Today we had a baby shower at work. With what appears to be THE MOST fantastic diaper cake I've ever seen in my life.<br />
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I kind of want a centerpiece like this for my dining room table. I have a feeling that JUST might be vetoed by a certain tall man <a href="http://gritsandgriddles.blogspot.com/2015/05/daycation.html" target="_blank">wearing a ridiculous hat</a>.<br />
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<b>FOUR.</b> Speaking of baby shower, I MOST DEFINITELY bought THESE SHOES for my gift. I have no idea if the couple were registered anywhere, but as soon as I heard the words "baby girl gift" my mind IMMEDIATELY said "GLITTER."<br />
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THEY EVEN HAVE CUPCAKES ON THE INSIDE.<br />
DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW THIS AFFECTS ME???<br />
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If I found these in adult sizes I would most certainly own them by now.<br />
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<b>FIVE.</b> It's been five months since our St. <a href="http://gritsandgriddles.blogspot.com/2014/12/walking-and-running-in-memphis.html" target="_blank">Jude race in Memphis</a>, and my knee/leg issue has FINALLY healed up. So I'm celebrating tomorrow by - WHY NOT - doing a 5K, because the weather has been fantastic lately and all I want to do is RUN THE RACES.<br />
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Fingers crossed that my leg really is, in fact, healed up and there will be no hobbling like last time! :)<br />
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<b>SIX.</b> Every year around this time I catch myself thinking about how nice it must be to be teacher with summer break right around the corner. But THEN I remember how scary it must be to be outnumbered by small children and/or teenagers, and then crawl back into my cube to continue sending emails to people who are not, technically, children.<br />
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<b>SEVEN.</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/hannahroof" target="_blank">The Hannah and Kaylee Show</a>. Gets me EVERY TIME. Watch their stuff and just TRY not to laugh.<br />
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<b>EIGHT. </b>I saw this yesterday and was <i>THISCLOSE </i>to sending it to Hubs at work. Considering the fact that we don't exactly have a dog (or any kind of pet) I'm thinking it will not fly.</div>
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A girl can dream.</div>
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Have a great weekend everybody! And to all those mamas out there -- Happy Mother's Day!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-69276538462197940702015-05-04T14:57:00.001-07:002015-05-04T14:57:20.295-07:00DaycationWhooooo-weeee what a whirlwind of a weekend.<br />
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...And <a href="http://gritsandgriddles.blogspot.com/2015/05/were-fightingrobots-and-i-have-bow-and.html" target="_blank">pre-weekend</a>.<br />
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Because I'm still catching up on sleep yo!<br />
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FIRST and FOREMOST, though....<br />
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People. We have a Royal Baby.<br />
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I'll spare you the details of how <strike>obsessed</strike> excited I am and all the things that the news media has already covered. Except....<br />
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Can we TALK about how pretty the name Charlotte is???<br />
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Okay, that is all.<br />
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WEEKEND!<br />
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Saturday morning (oddly enough, right about the time the Royal Baby was announced) Hubs and I headed out for a last-minute road trip to the big ol' city of Robertsdale, Alabama.<br />
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Population: 264<br />
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...or something like that.<br />
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We had some specific business to tend to, and afterwards realized we were a mere 30 minutes from one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD::::::<br />
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...and a whopping 45 minutes from one of my OTHER favorite places EEN ZEE WORLD:::::<br />
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I mean, we couldn't drive 3.5 hours and NOT go a little further to Gulf Shores, am I right?<br />
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Because we're geniuses and didn't plan properly (we actually didn't realize how close we were going to be), we made a flying trip into the Walmarts nearby and racked up on clearance swim items.<br />
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An $8 swimsuit and a couple of Tshirts later and we were SET.<br />
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Plus The Mister snagged this foxy hat, which (I feel like) he wants you to know that he is VERY proud of.<br />
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He plans to wear it on multiple OTHER occasions, by the way. I plan to veto that motion.</div>
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We couldn't spend the night due to other plans, but the 4.5-hour drive back was MORE than worth it.<br />
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Next time, though, we're definitely staying for longer.<br />
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Happy Monday, party people! And remember:<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-89640644617228994882015-05-01T12:39:00.004-07:002015-05-01T12:39:56.857-07:00Friday ThoughtsFriday!!!!!<br />
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It's Friday and THIS is my HAPPY DANCE:::::::::::<br />
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Thoughts for today:</div>
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<b>one.</b> No sign of Royal Baby #2 yet. However, here is a <a href="http://www.msn.com/en-my/entertainment/celebrity/prince-william-and-duchess-kates-royal-road-to-baby-supernumber2/ss-AAb7gRe" target="_blank">royal slideshow</a> that tracks The Royals' road to Baby #2. It's silly, but I had a jolly good giggle. </div>
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<b>two.</b> They're calling this whole she-bang The Great Kate Wait. This MIGHT be taking it a <i>leeeeettle</i> too far, people. And that's coming from ME.</div>
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<b>three.</b> Since we've started The Great House Hunt of 2015, all I can think about in terms of requirements is that I MUST, at some point in time, be able to have a PORCH BED. Don't you want to come drink coffee with me IN MY PORCH BED????</div>
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...aaaand now I want a nap.</div>
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<b>four.</b> I took one of those crazy surveys last week to see "Which Steel Magnolia Character" I was. My result?</div>
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NAILED IT.</div>
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Oh Ouiser. You've <b><i>ALWAYS</i></b> been my favorite :)</div>
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<b>five.</b> I also took a quiz to find out "My Spirit Animal" or some nonsense.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8kY6yE9HrA/VUPS_BYF8jI/AAAAAAAACMk/H542lBiEe-M/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-22%2Bat%2B4.44.23%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8kY6yE9HrA/VUPS_BYF8jI/AAAAAAAACMk/H542lBiEe-M/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-22%2Bat%2B4.44.23%2BPM.png" height="320" width="284" /></a></div>
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Does anyone know what a PANGOLIN is? Except for GROSS?</div>
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Apparently it's some sort of "scaly anteater" creature or something. I'm NOT sure how I feel about this.</div>
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<b>six.</b> Last week I got my very first monogram! I'm only a year and a half late, but who's counting, right? ;) The Mister and I were shopping around in this CUTE little home store here, and when I saw the color of this hat I knew I just HAD to have it with a monogram. Didn't they do a great job???</div>
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It's coral with navy writing. I am IN LOVE and now I want to monogram ALL THE THINGS.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QI_Vv1Ihbjs/VUPTthjgU2I/AAAAAAAACM4/qxQepUF0prk/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-05-01%2Bat%2B2.26.36%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QI_Vv1Ihbjs/VUPTthjgU2I/AAAAAAAACM4/qxQepUF0prk/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-05-01%2Bat%2B2.26.36%2BPM.png" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
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seven. This week I finished reading <a href="http://thebigmamablog.com/" target="_blank">Melanie Shankle</a>'s "Nobody's Cuter Than You." Let me tell you, this book made my heart SO HAPPY like none other. It's the sweetest, funniest thing, and you feel like she is right there telling you every single story. I laughed and smiled so much while reading this book...and it made me REALLY miss all of my ladies!!!</div>
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HIGHLY recommend this one, people ;)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pFjEZ1fAixo/VUPWUoXkb3I/AAAAAAAACNA/Bvg5Fxb8wyU/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-05-01%2Bat%2B2.37.52%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pFjEZ1fAixo/VUPWUoXkb3I/AAAAAAAACNA/Bvg5Fxb8wyU/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-05-01%2Bat%2B2.37.52%2BPM.png" height="320" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebigmamablog.com/" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />That's all for today - have a great one!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-68565374169273694412015-05-01T11:41:00.001-07:002015-05-01T11:41:19.851-07:00"We're fighting...ROBOTS. And I have a BOW AND ARROW."WHOOO went to see new The Avengers movie LATE last night???<br />
<br />
And WHOOOOO didn't leave the theater until after 1 a.m.???<br />
<br />
And WHOOOO was ridiculously excited about it???<br />
<br />
I think a better question might be...<br />
<br />
<i>WHO AM I??????</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Never IN MY LIFE did I think I would ever watch - much less, ENJOY - a movie revolving around superheroes. It's never been my thing.<br />
<br />
I actually kind of have a weird thing about movies -- it's VERY HARD for me to sit still for that long without getting all kinds of restless. I've been that way most of my life.<br />
<br />
But then HELLO MARRIAGE and suddenly I'm getting excited about Avengers?<br />
<br />
I have no idea anymore.<br />
<br />
All I can say is...this one is intense. And it's funny -- possibly funnier than the first, but that's a matter of opinion. All in all, it's a VERY good movie. But you MIGHT want to go see it at a reasonable time when you DON'T have to get up early for work the next morning.<br />
<br />
But if you do -- it's worth it :)<br />
<br />
Even if it's just to hear the Hawkeye jokes throughout the movie.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZScEGpi2Gdw/VUPHE3nFwfI/AAAAAAAACLk/BID4wGVAzy4/s1600/tumblr_mdog6i3GDm1r6oa8xo4_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZScEGpi2Gdw/VUPHE3nFwfI/AAAAAAAACLk/BID4wGVAzy4/s1600/tumblr_mdog6i3GDm1r6oa8xo4_250.gif" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPDp-IAyjPk/VUPHE39ZjzI/AAAAAAAACLc/wMI6ByL_QRY/s1600/tumblr_mdp16wPOKK1qgwhsto1_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPDp-IAyjPk/VUPHE39ZjzI/AAAAAAAACLc/wMI6ByL_QRY/s1600/tumblr_mdp16wPOKK1qgwhsto1_250.gif" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_uUkBUYjkEE/VUPHE-NrcXI/AAAAAAAACLg/e3sluusayv0/s1600/tumblr_mdp16wPOKK1qgwhsto5_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_uUkBUYjkEE/VUPHE-NrcXI/AAAAAAAACLg/e3sluusayv0/s1600/tumblr_mdp16wPOKK1qgwhsto5_250.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rebloggy.com/post/snl-captain-america-avengers-hawkeye-jeremy-renner-taran-killam-hawkeye-what-are/35977034310" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
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The man's publicist is BRILLIANT. Seriously.<br />
<br />
In other news, I just realized that I've JUST posted not one, but THREE gifs relating to a fictional superhero. And I am LAUGHING HARD.<br />
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WHO. AM. I???Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-57234058870093798962015-04-29T11:54:00.001-07:002015-04-29T11:54:23.781-07:00Royal Baby Watch: Part 2Okay people -- It's 1:36 p.m. on Wednesday and no sign of the Royal Baby yet.<br />
<br />
But don't you worry! I'll be right here <strike>refreshing Google 16 times a day</strike> waiting...waiting and ready to give you all an update.<br />
<br />
I mean, WHERE ELSE would you want to go to receive all things Royal Baby, <i><b>AMIRIGHT???</b></i><br />
<br />
Heh heh hehhhh.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9NYimIA8TA/VUEn0Et2wlI/AAAAAAAACLM/axaTHKSV4v4/s1600/6147c054-bfc5-11e3-_589366b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9NYimIA8TA/VUEn0Et2wlI/AAAAAAAACLM/axaTHKSV4v4/s1600/6147c054-bfc5-11e3-_589366b.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Prince Georgie is NOT impressed with the media rubbish.<br />
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{SIDE NOTE: A few days ago (in other words, probably two months ago), I saw someone refer to Georgie as HRH George and I'm thinking...that's a LEEEETLE formal for a not-yet-two-year-old, right? That is all.}<br />
<br />
<br />
OOH! ALSO!<br />
<br />
Yesterday Will & Kate sent pastries and coffee to Royal <strike>stalkers</strike> fans who have been waiting outside of the hospital. I tweeted it before, but I'll say it again...YES THIS DOES MAKE ME LOVE THEM MORE!<br />
<br />
{I promise I'm not obsessed. I just like happy news :) }<br />
<br />
While part of me thinks, "Oh hey, how nice of these mighty fine folks to dish out free food to these people" ---- ANOTHER part of me <i>MIIIIGHT</i> be thinking that this <i>MIIIIGHT</i> have been a fun ploy to distract everyone while they slid in the side door of the hospital.<br />
<br />
After all: today, security was beefed up at Ye Olde Lindo Wing and they had security dogs sniffing around the premises. MUCH, as I read, as they did once Georgie was born.<br />
<br />
The hospital insists that this was a "dry run," but I am skeptical. I feel like it's only a matter of time that we hear ol' Willy say "Oh hey, by the way, we had a kid yesterday."<br />
<br />
Kind of like THIS!!!! Please, people, tell me you remember this commercial:<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9JxhTnWrKYs/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9JxhTnWrKYs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br />
Oh, those Royals. Ever so slick.<br />
<br />
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In other news (sort of)...Today is Will and Kate's 4th anniversary. It's been FOUR WHOLE YEARS since we saw THAT DRESS:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U31Pvy_VUqc/VUEnM2v8E1I/AAAAAAAACLE/jfeRp5aDiPU/s1600/Duchess-Kate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U31Pvy_VUqc/VUEnM2v8E1I/AAAAAAAACLE/jfeRp5aDiPU/s1600/Duchess-Kate.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
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I may or may not have watched a few highlights of the broadcast this morning. But I'll never tell!</div>
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In other news, <i>I woke up this morning thinking it was Saturday.</i> It was not, in fact, Saturday. It is WEDNESDAY. WEDNESDAY. You can imagine the kind of day I am having right now.</div>
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My blog is riveting, isn't it? Just RIVETING!</div>
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That's all for now, folks. Stay tuned for your up-to-minute (or maybe day-late?) Royal Baby updates! Until next time!</div>
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Love,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The OFFICIAL UN-official Royal Detective</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-21779172900524869672015-04-23T15:20:00.002-07:002015-04-23T15:20:55.486-07:00Sunkist DreamsWhooo-wheee!!!<br />
<br />
What a doozy of a week!<br />
<br />
I have a FANTASTICAL recipe that I experimented with over the weekend, but right now my mind is going in about 6000 different directions. Thanks in NO SMALL PART to the aforementioned "doozy" that was the week!<br />
<br />
Also...<br />
<br />
I may or may not have dreamed about THE DUCHESS having the second Royal Baby last night. It was CRAZY. The countdown is ON, my friends. Is it a GIRL? A BOY? There are definitely some differences this time around, but it is MAKING ME CRAZY (-ier?) waiting to know!<br />
<br />
What is it? TELL ME KATE I HAVE TO KNOW!!!!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-w4SfYqEnc/VTlrywsoffI/AAAAAAAACKg/6uVEb4dlYkE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-23%2Bat%2B5.01.08%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-w4SfYqEnc/VTlrywsoffI/AAAAAAAACKg/6uVEb4dlYkE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-23%2Bat%2B5.01.08%2BPM.png" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Oh Katie. You sly chickadee, you.<br />
<br />
Speaking of the Royal Bambino, the "rumored" due date according to a "source" (aka a TRAITOR!) is April 25th.<br />
<br />
DO WE REALIZE THAT IS LESS THAN TWO DAYS AWAY?<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
On my dream earlier...yeah, what I DIDN'T mention was that, in my dream, I WAS TOTALLY THERE. As in...I and a friend (not sure who? I never saw their face) camped outside of the Lindo Wing in our <i><b>oh-so-classy</b></i> <b>tailgate chairs</b> and a cooler filled with <b>Sunkist</b>.<br />
<br />
WHY the Sunkist, I'll never know. But there's GOT to be some sort of significance, right?<br />
<br />
QUICK! Someone look that up and tell me what orange represents in a dream!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kwqhN8yPc5I/VTlvPXwqGOI/AAAAAAAACKs/AmqDgmedtA8/s1600/sunkist20ozbottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kwqhN8yPc5I/VTlvPXwqGOI/AAAAAAAACKs/AmqDgmedtA8/s1600/sunkist20ozbottle.jpg" height="320" width="132" /></a></div>
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Does it mean she's having a girl??????</div>
<br />
Moving on. In the dream, Faceless Friend and myself were chatting with our Sunkists in a back alley near the Lindo Wing when, all of a sudden, a BLACK SUV pulls up beside us and (very quietly) The Duchess steps out, heels and clutch and all. I was speechless. Faceless Friend goes to take a picture and I said something like:<br />
<br />
"No! This is private moment! Plus they'll see us, you dork."<br />
<br />
#class<br />
<br />
But they DID see us!<br />
<br />
For some reason, The Duchess became tired on her walk from the SUV to the hospital door, and requested a chair to sit in before moving any further. And they brought her a TAILGATE chair. YES. A TAILGATE CHAIR.<br />
<br />
{side note: This is sounding more and more ridiculous the further I get into this story. I promise I'm not AS obsessed as I may seem. Thank you for your time.}<br />
<br />
As she sat, she looked RIGHT AT Faceless Friend and myself!<br />
<br />
Faceless Friend elbowed me and said "Say something!"<br />
<br />
But I choked.<br />
<br />
Like, literally. Right there on my Sunkist.<br />
<br />
Apparently I swallowed wrong or something.<br />
<br />
And all I could do was hold my hands around my neck in the typical "I'm choking" manner.<br />
<br />
And all I could THINK was "I'm LITERALLY CHOKING right here in front of The Duchess!!!"<br />
<br />
And then I woke up.<br />
<br />
...<br />
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Moral of the story?<br />
<br />
Do NOT drink Sunkist in a tailgate chair whilst waiting to see Royalty.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yL4p_BiQbwg/VTlv-asyaVI/AAAAAAAACK0/S8M5Xx00UkU/s1600/PolarHeat_Chair.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yL4p_BiQbwg/VTlv-asyaVI/AAAAAAAACK0/S8M5Xx00UkU/s1600/PolarHeat_Chair.gif" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
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I canNOT make this stuff up.</div>
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That is all.</div>
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Happy Thursday, friends!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-13892168689776024002015-04-17T15:01:00.004-07:002015-04-17T15:01:51.061-07:00Reekly Wecap...because for some reason it's nearly impossibly for me to say it correctly.<br />
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But regardless - HOORAY! It's Friday!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4sjoqYeERow/VTGAf6fSMwI/AAAAAAAACJ0/PmsjOKevhNE/s1600/IMG_5957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4sjoqYeERow/VTGAf6fSMwI/AAAAAAAACJ0/PmsjOKevhNE/s1600/IMG_5957.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This week has been a nice one. Despite a couple of nights of thunderstorms that brought me to the fetal position until The Mister got home, there were actually a few evenings that included long walks and pretty sunsets.<br />
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Homemade pizza is getting to be a weekly tradition at our place - and I've got to admit it's one of my favorite things to cook. We tried this out on Sunday night with mozzarella-stuffed crust and olives sprinkled on top.<br />
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A taco truck came to my office on Tuesday!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z15M6iSz64w/VTGAc0qvc9I/AAAAAAAACJo/NuAj6NyrPMo/s1600/IMG_5936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z15M6iSz64w/VTGAc0qvc9I/AAAAAAAACJo/NuAj6NyrPMo/s1600/IMG_5936.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The owner only spoke English, and the cook only spoke Spanish. It was fun to see them interact - and they cooked up THE BEST chorizo tacos I've eaten yet.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oELiNBszkGo/VTGAcymJBxI/AAAAAAAACKI/4ZXBEzJ85t4/s1600/IMG_5937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oELiNBszkGo/VTGAcymJBxI/AAAAAAAACKI/4ZXBEzJ85t4/s1600/IMG_5937.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, Mexican tacos anyway. Let's not forget the <a href="http://gritsandgriddles.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-tacos-that-changed-my-life.html" target="_blank">Shark Tacos</a> we had down in Folly Beach last year :) Or the BBQ tacos from the old gas station down the street. As shady as that sounds - they were actually QUITE phenomenal.<br />
<br />
Oh tacos. They have my heart.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On Wednesday - I received a special delivery from my sister in Mobile!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPxvgA-mFkk/VTGAdQTLL6I/AAAAAAAACJs/wTYS8xbKr3Q/s1600/IMG_5944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPxvgA-mFkk/VTGAdQTLL6I/AAAAAAAACJs/wTYS8xbKr3Q/s1600/IMG_5944.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Why yes, that IS a piece of wedding cake that had just been delivered to our doorstep!<br />
<br />
Some families send cards or letters or flowers and whatnot. My family sends CAKE. This is NOT the first time a piece has been mailed across the Mississippi-Alabama line...I do not lie!<br />
<br />
We do love our cake 'round these parts. And we just hate to miss out on an occasion that involves it - so this is our fun little way of including each other in things from afar.<br />
<br />
<br />
I experimented with a new recipe last night based off of my <a href="http://gritsandgriddles.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-days-and-crawfish-pie.html" target="_blank">crawfish pie recipe</a>, only this time wrapped in a crescent roll. We were pleasantly surprised :)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tY4uccjsFYE/VTGAfjnI6lI/AAAAAAAACJw/z0Yu7NdU57Y/s1600/IMG_5953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tY4uccjsFYE/VTGAfjnI6lI/AAAAAAAACJw/z0Yu7NdU57Y/s1600/IMG_5953.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And today was a T-shirt day at work. Oh happy day, indeed!<br />
<br />
It's part of a fundraiser our organization is doing. If you want my money, give me a T-shirt :)<br />
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<br />
That pretty much sums it up for this week, folks. The weather looks gloomy for tomorrow, but there's a wee bit of sunshine left for today. Hope you have a happy Friday!<br />
<br />
<br />
One day I'll be more interesting. I promise ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-19103162906240914722015-04-16T13:06:00.000-07:002015-04-16T13:06:01.624-07:00If You Give A Girl A Checkbook<div class="MsoNormal">
If you give a girl a checkbook,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’ll likely pay her bills.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But she’ll start some online shopping,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her budget keeping, still (WINK!).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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She’ll remember there’s a gift card,<o:p></o:p></div>
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She received it long ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She can use it for this purchase,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And save her money, WHOA!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But where is this card?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’ll ponder to herself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OH, it’s in my old purse,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my closet on the shelf!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So she’ll put down her shopping,<o:p></o:p></div>
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To find that that old purse,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is no longer in its place!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’ll clean off the shelves,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Til her closet she has purged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She will search through EVERYTHING,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And hopes that purse will emerge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’ll find old clothes and shoes,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That she no longer wears,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And toss them into storage,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To get them out of her hair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But then she’ll see how messy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her apartment has become.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She’ll surely trip o’er everything.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Enough!” she’ll say, “I’m done!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The time is right, she’ll think,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To take a trip to Target.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’ll grab her keys and scurry,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With her debit card and wallet!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Target, oh that magical place,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s all its praises sing!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For its clothing, groceries, STORAGE BINS,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And all the sparkly things!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A girl will gather what she needs,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Especially storage supplies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’ll go home and get to business,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To get that closet organized!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’ll work and she’ll work,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For hours upon end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorting, searching, cleaning still,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This night’s for sure a win!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But when the closet she has finished,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That purse she hasn’t found.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She cleans her bedroom, kitchen, her living room too,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And everything else around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But once there’s nothing left to clean,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or organize or sort,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh my!” she’ll say, “It’s 1 AM!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My mission I must abort!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So as she lies that night in bed,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’ll think of the time she took.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A seven-hour search for just one thing!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
And it all started with a checkbook.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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...But I wouldn't know anything about that ;)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-7559279180493488002015-04-14T15:02:00.002-07:002015-04-14T15:02:34.922-07:00When in RomeHooray! It's Tuesday!<br />
<br />
Most of last week was spent on the road, which really wasn't all that bad. Not bad at all considering it began with a little of this:<br />
<br />
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...and this:<br />
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...at my parents' house for Easter.<br />
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I absolutely LOVE going home. And freshly boiled crawfish isn't too shabby either :)<br />
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A couple of days later, it was time to hit the road again en route to Tupelo, where I was looking forward to attending the Public Relations Association's annual state conference.<br />
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The whole 3-day event was Elvis-themed, which I was pretty pumped about. I mean, who doesn't love a little Elvis?<br />
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The conference was really nice - we were able to hear from the VP of Marketing for GRACELAND (can you IMAGINE?), which, let's face it, was the main reason I wanted to go.</div>
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Plus, we were treated to two performances by the talented Memphis Jones.</div>
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If you're ever around Memphis and get a chance to hear him, I HIGHLY recommend doing so. He was hilarious in addition to being a being a crazy great performer.</div>
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Once the conference wrapped on Friday, I figured I'd make a quick pit stop by the Elvis birthplace since my hotel was only a mile away from it. I originally thought I'd just pop in, grab something fun for my grandmother (who's a huge fan of The King, by the way), and be back on the road within 30 minutes or so.</div>
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Ohhhhh was I wrong. This place was GREAT. I left a little over TWO HOURS later. Oops =)</div>
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First up, Elvis's HOUSE!</div>
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If I understood correctly, the house and museum is still on the original property! In the late 1950's, Elvis (already a superstar) visited his hometown for a benefit concert and wanted to see his childhood home. When he saw it was for sale, he convinced the city to purchase the land and turn it into a park for children.</div>
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The house has since been restored to its original condition. It's just a two-room house that Elvis's dad built himself on a $180 loan from his employer.</div>
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Elvis was born in this room. This VERY ROOM!</div>
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Kitchen:</div>
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And a few years back, the museum had his childhood church building moved to the property, and restored it to its original look and feel.</div>
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The museum did a short presentation about the church, and I MAY OR MAY NOT have hummed along to a hymn or two.</div>
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Then there was the "Elvis at 13" statue...</div>
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And so, so many other things. I was blown away. I couldn't take pictures inside of the museum, but there were so many original photos and memorabilia from Elvis's heyday on display, as well as other things that he gifted to his friends and family, which were donated to the museum.<br />
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It was way more than I thought it would be, and I'm so glad I had a few extra minutes (or hours :) ) to spare. Something I would highly recommend if you ever find yourself near the Tupelo area.<br />
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There were people there from Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin (maybe?), and more. But I was easily the youngest person there by a good 30-35 years. YES!<br />
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And that's definitely NOT an older gentleman posing in front of an outhouse replica in the right corner. No, not at all.<br />
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:)<br />
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Happy trails, friends!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-26972412182612133672015-04-02T15:02:00.002-07:002015-04-02T15:02:05.222-07:00Pup-Pup-Pup-Pranking The MisterI got him!<br />
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I got him GOOD!<br />
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With yesterday being April Fool's Day, I knew we HAD to get a laugh at some point. I just didn't know how that was going to happen.<br />
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At first :)<br />
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We ALL know by now my love for <a href="http://gritsandgriddles.blogspot.com/2015/02/friday-thoughts.html" target="_blank">puppies</a> and sweet little <a href="http://gritsandgriddles.blogspot.com/2015/03/girl-weekend.html" target="_blank">baby animals</a>. I have NO DOUBT that The Mister knows better than anyone.<br />
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So I conspired with a coworker and grabbed an old photo of her dog (when he was a puppy), worked some Photoshop magic after work, and sent THIS to Hubs while he was still at work!!!!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GU2qfeyolvY/VR24nP_9eyI/AAAAAAAACGc/pmZexkREFsE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-01%2Bat%2B4.34.38%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GU2qfeyolvY/VR24nP_9eyI/AAAAAAAACGc/pmZexkREFsE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-01%2Bat%2B4.34.38%2BPM.png" height="185" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's the EXACT color of our carpet!!!!! I was so pumped I couldn't even contain myself on the drive home.</div>
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As soon as I walked in the door, this text conversation ensued....</div>
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...It took him awhile to answer.</div>
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Oops.</div>
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He SAID that his phone was taking too long to download the picture...but I think we can all agree that he was just stunned.</div>
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STUNNED!</div>
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Finally, he called me as he was driving home. It was all I could do to keep from LOSING IT on the phone!!!<br />
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I even pulled up a YouTube video of a puppy barking to play in the background.<br />
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Genius? Why yes, yes I am.<br />
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His reaction was just PRICELESS. Something about how he WAS NOT surprised AT ALL because OF COURSE I want to take in every animal I see, but then again JUST HOW LONG could we manage a puppy in an apartment and WHERE WILL SHE SLEEP and WHERE WILL SHE PEE and WHERE ON EARTH DO PEOPLE BUY KENNELS????<br />
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Let me pause right here to say that I've added the ALL CAPS for dramatic effect. I was seriously impressed with how calm and collected he was throughout the entire conversation. He was nervous...but surprisingly okay with it all. I'll have to keep this in mind for future endeavors hahahaha<br />
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I finally couldn't hold it in any longer and spilled the beans.<br />
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He was utterly confused and I kind of had to give him a few minutes to let it soak in that we do NOT, in fact, have a puppy.<br />
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Just imagine how he felt when I showed him how I THIS Photoshopped gem -- of him actually HOLDING said puppy!!!<br />
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I think he looks mighty cute with a puppy on his shoulder.<br />
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I actually originally sent this one to my parents, telling them that our family dog now had a sister. They did NOT think it was a good idea.<br />
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BAHAHA.<br />
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Lisa = 1; Everyone Else = 0.<br />
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It was a LOVELY April Fools' Day indeed.<br />
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Until next time!!!!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-28358191252616341102015-03-27T14:36:00.000-07:002015-03-27T14:40:41.970-07:00A Friday Survey<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay Party People! It's FRIDAY afternoon and I have {finally} HAD MY COFFEE so we're about to have some fun! My sweeeeeeet friend <a href="http://natslife6.blogspot.com/2015/03/old-school-update.html?showComment=1427488559796#c5236517209555455113" target="_blank">Natalie</a> posted a survey on her blog today and I pretty much loved it. So I copied it. And now we have a SA-WEET blog post thingy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So without further ado -- here's your friendly neighborhood random Friday afternoon blog post!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">What is the last thing you watched on TV?</span></strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #6d6d6d; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #6d6d6d; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" />I really don't remember. But it was probably King of Queens or something last night, because it's basically how we usually end our days. I know the TV was definitely ON last night, and that I was in front of it --- but so many things were bouncing around in my mind I really didn't realize what was on in front of me. Oops. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">When did you last step outside? What were you doing?</span></strong><span style="color: #6d6d6d;"><strong></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Earlier when I was coming back from lunch! It was the first time in weeks that I've actually left for lunch (THANK YOU LORD FOR THE SUNSHINE), and it was GLORIOUS Spring weather outside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was just coming back from grabbing some lunch and delivering a cup of coffee to my friend Christy, who's been having a rough week. I know how she feels (ha), but it's wonderful how just a few minutes catching up with friend can brighten a day. I think it did both of us a world of good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not to mention, you know, CAFFEINE.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">What is on the walls of the room you are in?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Um...carpet?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And a random giant cord. I'm not sure what it is connecting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm in a cube.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd go to my people and pay off their bills for that month. Then I would buy a vacation home or a beach or an ISLAND OH MY WORD I WOULD BUY AN ISLAND!</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Tell me something about you that most people don’t know.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Like Natalie, I'm extremely shy. And I mean overwhelmingly shy, and I have yet to overcome it. I love being around people, but at the same time the thought of being in a large crowd makes me want to curl up in a corner and disappear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For example, a few years ago, I attended a conference out of state and hid in the bathroom, almost hyperventilating, during the many "networking breaks," which only lasted about 15 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">...but give me a microphone and a stage and it's exhilarating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, bonus fact: I would really love to work in television. And when I was little I wanted to be a stand-up comedienne. (<- ????)</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Who made the last incoming call on your phone?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On my work phone -- my organization's marketing department.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">If you could change something about your home, without worry about expense or mess, what would you do?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I would have a house on the water. A private lakehouse and a couple of kayaks? Jackpot.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">What was the last thing you bought?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Coffee for Christy and myself. It was a drive-by coffee date, ha.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not sure. Possibly sky diving if I was strapped to a professional with approximately 10 backup parachutes.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">If you could eat lunch with one famous person, who would it be?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jimmy Fallon! I love the guy! I'm convinced we'd have a blast and laugh a ton.</span><br />
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For example:<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JB_DkFYkSYQ/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JB_DkFYkSYQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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I laughed ridiculously hard.</div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe GAP or Banana Republic? Unless I wasn't paying for it, then I would say ALL THE STORES.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Actually, maybe Academy and/or Dick's. Because WORKOUT CLOTHES ARE COMFORTABLE.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Is the glass half empty or half full?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On a good day, it's half-full of something sparkly and delicious!</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">What’s the farthest-away place you’ve been?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hawaii :)</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">What’s under your bed? </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few giant, broken-down boxes that we didn't want to part with, because we knew we would eventually move. And most likely a pair of shoes or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Excuse me now while I crawl in a corner and cry because I've now realized how boring I am.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">What is your favorite time of the day?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">10am and 4pm. At 10am, it's still mid-morning but the day is still new. At 4pm, the day is young but everything starts to slow down a little.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">What Inspires You?</span></strong></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Talking to and reading about people who absolutely love and are passionate about what they do. I so want to feel that way.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-20611593321799974122015-03-26T14:38:00.001-07:002015-03-26T14:39:22.828-07:00Coconut Chicken TacosAs I type this, the skies are about to open up for a downpour that will supposedly last most of the night, bringing with it the inevitable cold snap that the weatherpeople have been expecting all week.<br />
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However, for the past week or so, we've been blessed with some INCREDIBLE springtime weather -- our temps have been in the 70s all week with sunshine every day. It's been a much-needed change in atmosphere.<br />
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All of this Springy weather has me craving summertime and beach food, and I've got the perfect recipe to kick off the season.<br />
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I made this as kind of a quick, thrown-together meal before church earlier this week, and I'm ridiculously pumped because it TASTES LIKE SUMMER.<br />
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This recipe originally came from <a href="http://lecremedelacrumb.com/2015/01/baked-coconut-chicken-strips.html" target="_blank">Creme de la Crumb</a> - but we ended up putting our strips on tacos...because TACOS mean SUMMER and did I mention WE ARE READY FOR IT?<br />
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So ready. Sooo so ready.<br />
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Also, we kind of (literally) shoved these in our mouths as we were walking out of the door for church, so I have zero pictures. Blogger fail #647.<br />
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Fix these with some warm tortillas and topped with sweet and sour sauce and you will be SET. We didn't even need cheese! Seriously, the flavor in these babies are LEGIT.<br />
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Summer, come on.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Coconut Chicken Tacos<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Serves 2</span></h3>
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<b><u>What you'll need</u>:</b></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">1/2 cup flour</span></div>
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1 tsp Tony's</div>
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1/2 tsp garlic powder</div>
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Dash of pepper</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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1 tbsp water</div>
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2 cups (1 small bag) coconut flakes</div>
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Corn or flour tortillas</div>
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<b><u>What you'll do</u>:</b></div>
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In a small bowl, combine the flour and seasonings. Set aside.</div>
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In separate bowl, combine eggs and water, then whisk until just mixed. Set aside.</div>
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In another bowl or plate, pour out coconut flakes. Having these "stations" will make prepping so much easier.</div>
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Slice chicken breasts into 1/2-inch strips. One at a time, dip in flour mixture, then egg mixture, then roll in coconut. Lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or foil, sprayed with non-stick cooking spray).</div>
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Bake chicken strips 10-15 or until done in the center. Warm some tortillas and build your taco, topping with sweet and sour sauce.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-5957564251927219722015-03-23T15:19:00.001-07:002015-03-23T15:20:17.100-07:00Hootie & the MondaysThis morning I woke up with Hootie's "<a href="https://youtu.be/O6VbT7mZo7o" target="_blank">Let Her Cry</a>" in my head.<br />
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I have no idea why, because I really haven't heard this song in way too long. But for some reason, I've been HOOKED on this song all day.<br />
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Oh Hootie. You and your ridiculously soothing voice.<br />
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So what did I do?<br />
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Went straight to work at finding the Hootie & the Blowfish station on Pandora.<br />
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MY OH MY the NOSTALGIA.<br />
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Just a few of the songs that I've heard over the course of today:<br />
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Slide - Goo Goo Dolls<br />
Free Fallin' - Tom Petty<br />
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison<br />
One Week - Barenaked Ladies (I just felt really awkward typing that. My apologies)<br />
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman<br />
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd<br />
Breakfast at Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something<br />
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<br />
I'm thinking it's pretty much the best rainy Monday playlist yet.<br />
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---<br />
<br />
So LAST WEEK.<br />
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Last week was a little rough. But that's okay because on Friday, THIS GIRL came to town!!!!<br />
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My friend Stephanie from college was passing through The City with her honey, Russ, and made a pit stop to have a double date with Hubs and myself.<br />
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We had a ball. Hubs and Russ go WAY back and have been friends since high school, so it's really funny that he and Stephanie, whom I've been close to since college, have found one another.<br />
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We're all from around the same area (Stephanie is from a small town about 15 minutes from my hometown), so it was SO NICE to have a little bit of "home" with us to kick the weekend off right.<br />
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We even revisited our crazy college roots and stayed out until the grand old hour of 9 p.m. because we are PARTY. ANIMALS.<br />
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Saturday morning, we <i><b>intended</b></i> to run our City's St. Paddy's Day 5K. However, when we woke up and it was raining, we opted out considering Hubs and I had both been sick the entire week.<br />
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So we did the only sensible thing to do in times like these and hit the road for SHIPLEY'S.<br />
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Only the greatest donuts around. NBD.<br />
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We also stopped for fancy coffee and all that jazz from our favorite shop and took a rainy drive through the woods.<br />
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We basically did a lot of nothing this weekend, but were oddly okay with that because sometimes, especially after being sick for a week, you just need to curl up and rest while eating donuts and listening to the rain.<br />
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On a totally unrelated note, I think I'm finally close to mastering the art of Charlene's biscuits*.<br />
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Happy Monday, folks :) Spring has finally arrived!<br />
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*My mom's biscuits are of legendary status. I just thought you should know this.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-86976302843501169202015-03-11T15:23:00.001-07:002015-03-11T15:25:09.803-07:00Girl WeekendLiving with a boy definitely has its advantages.<br />
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Something on the top shelf? He's got it.<br />
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Heavy box to lift into the closet? Easy.<br />
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Sixteen bags of groceries to take up to our third floor apartment? <i>Nooooooo problem.</i><br />
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<br />
Hubs is no doubt my best friend. And living with him is great. But one of my FIRST and longest best friends was (and still is!) my cousin Kayla. We've been talking for months about her coming up for a weekend stay, and this weekend IT TOTALLY HAPPENED.<br />
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Girl time is oh-so-good for the soul, my peeps. I assure you this.<br />
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Hubs had to work late on Friday, and by the time Kayla got to the apartment, I was just finishing up supper. So we put on comfy clothes, ate chicken and dumplings (down South we just call it "dumplins"), and chatted the evening away.<br />
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The Hubs got home and we all talked and talked some more.<br />
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Until around 11:30 that night when we decided it was high time to <b><i>BAKE SOME CUPCAKES</i></b>.<br />
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Clearly, the passionate love for cupcakes DOES IN FACT run in our family.<br />
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They were oh-so-delicious.<br />
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Saturday morning we slept late and ate cupcakes AGAIN before heading to a late breakfast at our FAVORITE BREAKFAST PLACE EVER.<br />
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(outside of Cracker Barrel, I mean. Because Homegirl loves her CB.)<br />
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<br />
You guessed it! I do love <a href="http://www.anotherbrokenegg.com/" target="_blank">the Broken Egg</a> with all of my whole little heart!<br />
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The weather was even in the 60s again so we could eat on the patio!<br />
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Many a beignet, omelet, and potato were consumed, but not before we could have our annual struggle to take the perfect picture!<br />
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Regardless, the girl can't take a bad picture. Seriously though, isn't she gorgeous???<br />
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We spent the rest of the day shopping - because Kayla is my ultimate shopping buddy, and then Saturday night my friend Christy and her husband came over for dinner. But because I'm lame I neglected to take any and all photos so please forgive me and enjoy this photo of Miniature Goat that I want kind of badly!!!<br />
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Blog writer FAIL.<br />
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Then Sunday we all went to church, came home to our PJs, and consumed EVEN MORE CUPCAKES while watching Father of the Bride.<br />
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Parts one AND two, mind you.<br />
<br />
Do we know how to party or WHAT.<br />
<br />
But in all seriousness, this weekend was just oh-so-lovely and warms my heart to its very core.<br />
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I've said it before, but there's just something about being around family that just makes everything okay. We got to hang out, catch up, talk about all sorts of stuff like girls do, and just be together.<br />
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So this post really doesn't serve much of a purpose other than to reiterate my belief that best friends, famliy, and cupcakes make everything a-okay. Hope your week is getting good at this point, friends :)</div>
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Happy Wednesday!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-39449975542013702782015-03-05T13:51:00.003-08:002015-03-05T13:51:46.383-08:00Because It's Snowing in KentuckyWell folks, we woke up this morning to cloudy, rainy skies with a very mild chance of snow but a very large chance of sleet, which set in around 8:30 a.m.<br />
<br />
By the time I hopped out of the shower this morning, I had a missed call and a voice message from my grandmother, which kind of scared me because A) she never calls that early and B) she's NEVER left a voice message on my phone.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, everything was fine. But the conversation that took place was pretty hilarious.<br />
<br />
<br />
"Lisa-BELL!" she said when she picked up the phone (it's what she's called me since I was a baby). "You better NOT go into work today!"<br />
<br />
"What do you mean?" I knew this was about to get good.<br />
<br />
"You better stay OFF those roads, baby. This weather is CRAZY!"<br />
<br />
<i>I looked out the window. Slight sprinkles of rain.</i><br />
<br />
"Umm...?"<br />
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"Those roads are dangerous! It's <b><i>SNOWING</i></b> in <i><b>KENTUCKY</b></i>!"<br />
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<br />
<i>I love my grandmother. So, so much.</i><br />
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"It's so bad, people are stranded. <b><i>STRANDED!</i></b> The Law is having to come get 'em out!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Down here, "The Law" = cops, ambulances, fire truck, all emergency response teams.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
"Well, over here it's not too bad..." <i>I'm trying to hide my giggles. Seriously.</i><br />
<br />
"No no! I've been watching the NEWS ALL MORNING and it's BAD! Don't go to work and get stranded in the snow!"<br />
<br />
"I love you, MawMaw. You be careful today."<br />
<br />
"I love you too, honey. Just stay off those roads!"<br />
<br />
<br />
My grandmother loves everybody. Even that mean old raccoon they found in the woods once that looked homeless, so they put him in a cage and took him home until he hissed and shook the cage with all of his body weight. I love that she cares so much about all of us that she stayed glued to the TV all morning, watching the weather to make sure her babies were safe.<br />
<br />
My grandmother is amazing in so many ways. Especially since Jackson, Mississippi is still "so far North" to her; even though my hometown is only three hours South of here.<br />
<br />
<br />
And most days, it seems so far away to me too.<br />
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<br />
Y'all be safe out there today! And if you're in Kentucky, my heart goes out to you as you wait for The Law to come get you out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-34246426631652346282015-03-03T14:28:00.002-08:002015-03-03T14:28:56.039-08:00A Rainy Day PlaylistWell folks, the Royal Baby of Country Music has been born.<br />
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This kid has NO IDEA how attractive he will be down the road. He'll definitely have the world's best head of hair, if you're asking me!</div>
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Now all we have to do is wait until Will & Kate's baby makes its grand entrance, and we'll be good to go!<br />
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In other words, this gross weather may be coming to a halt for today - it looks like the sun is at least trying to come out this afternoon, despite a very rainy start to the day.<br />
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But regardless! Here are a few chill-worthy songs that seem pretty perfect for a rainy day. Enjoy, friends!</div>
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I Like to Be With Me When I'm With You - Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors</div>
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Hung the Moon - Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors</div>
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Dancing Shoes - Green River Ordinance</div>
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Baby Tomorrow - Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors*</div>
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Downtown Train - Everything But The Girl</div>
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Something in the Water - Carrie Underwood</div>
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Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran</div>
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Tiny Dancer - Elton John</div>
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Love Me Tender - Nora Jones, Adam Levy</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">*I'm kind of on a kick. Oops.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-73165544687013600632015-03-02T15:23:00.003-08:002015-03-02T15:36:35.535-08:00Things We Love More Than We ShouldThis is a silly and very pointless post.<br />
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Unlike all of my other meaningful, inspiring posts :)<br />
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But the truth is, it's Monday afternoon and I'm waiting for a few things to be finalized before I can leave work. So here we go!<br />
<br />
Awhile back, I read a post on <a href="http://www.pbfingers.com/2015/01/29/things-you-love-more-than-you-should/" target="_blank">Julie's blog</a> where she mused about all the things she loves way more than she should. While it was a funny post, it stuck with me, and since then I've noticed a lot of things that I really, really like and love WAY more than I should. For example.<br />
<br />
Post-Its.<br />
<br />
I currently have 12 Post-Its hanging all around my cube. Not counting the 3 full stacks that have yet to be used.<br />
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It's how I function. I'm a list-maker by nature, so to have various Post-Its to compartmentalize various projects (color-coordinated, OF COURSE) helps me to work more efficiently.<br />
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The more Post-Its, the more productive and on-task I am. BONUS POINTS if they are AMAZING COLORS like TEAL and PURPLE.<br />
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Sadly (kind of), Post-Its are not the ONLY thing for which I have an unusual adoration. Here's a list, because as we've just learned, that's just how I roll :)<br />
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<br />
<ul>
<li>Post-Its</li>
<li>Warm homemade bread (includes my grandmother's yeast rolls and my mom's biscuits :) )</li>
<li>Candles</li>
<li>School/Office supplies (the smell...aaahh the smell of new supplies!)</li>
<li>Making lists</li>
<li>New pens after old ones are out of ink</li>
<li>Cracker Barrel coffee</li>
<li>Cracker Barrel anything</li>
<li>Homemade spaghetti sauce</li>
<li>Glitter (<- be still my HEART)</li>
<li>Sequins</li>
<li>Writing vs. typing</li>
<li>Chapstick</li>
<li>Pictures of pretty cakes (????)</li>
<li>Going out of town</li>
<li>Splashing salt water IN MY OWN FACE at the beach (weird right??? I've convinced myself it makes my skin softer)</li>
<li>Drinking basically anything out of champagne or wine glass (water? orange juice? apple juice? FILL ME UP)</li>
<li>Being barefoot</li>
<li>Brunch (oh, brunch. How I love thee)</li>
<li>The smell of sheets, fresh out of the dryer (I've been known to sniff my pillow for several minutes)</li>
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And that's just a taste of my weirdness.</div>
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What about you? What are some of the things you love more than you think you should?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-58917136280995375262015-02-27T14:58:00.003-08:002015-02-27T14:58:57.482-08:00Now That We've Survived the Gas LeakHappy Friday, one and all!<br />
<br />
<br />
Well. Now that we've successfully completed a week of <i>almost</i>-snow-days and all-day rainy slush days, let's add "workplace gas leak" to the list of thing we've survived, shall we?<br />
<br />
My, oh my. It has been a wild ride this week, I do declare.<br />
<br />
Yesterday afternoon at work, we were all humming along, minding our own business and adjusting to a semi-normal day -- one that DIDN'T involve snow predictions, bridge closures, and detours through THE SHADIEST ROADS YOU'LL EVER SEE OH MY WORD -- when suddenly I started smelling something...odd.<br />
<br />
It was faint, in all honesty, but...odd.<br />
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I had a half-cup of coffee sitting next to me, which had been there since around 8 a.m., so I thought maybe the creamer had gone sour? Nope, not it. Maybe it was my computer overheating? Nope.<br />
<br />
EGAD what if it's me? Thankfully, nope, it wasn't.<br />
<br />
A few people have some smaller space heaters under their desk -- so that was a possibility.<br />
<br />
But the smell was faint, so it was hard to pinpoint exactly where it was coming from.<br />
<br />
Just then, one of my co-workers sitting next me jumped out of her office and said...."Is there a gas leak in here??? It smells like GAS. Like really...GAS."<br />
<br />
Immediately about six heads popped up throughout our row of cubes.<br />
<br />
<b><i>GAS??????</i></b><br />
<br />
My boss flew out of her office to check with some of our managers, but none were to be found. She ran back just as we saw a nice crowd of people gathering by the front door, fidgeting trying to get out.<br />
<br />
"GRAB YOUR STUFF," she said to us all. "We have to go NOW."<br />
<br />
The tone of her voice said that she meant business and something scary was about to go down.<br />
<br />
By the time we'd reached the parking lot there were probably at least 60 people outside, with more coming behind us. Confusion to the MAX.<br />
<br />
Long story short (ish), apparently it was the building NEXT to us that had some issues, but a gas leak was not one of them and all was safe and sound.<br />
<br />
A large group of us stayed outside for a little longer just in case, but it proved to be okay.<br />
<br />
We still smelled like gas for a few more hours, though.<br />
<br />
BUT. All's well that ends well, I guess. Right?<br />
<br />
Right.<br />
<br />
Because it's FRIDAY. And a sunny weekend is (finally) ahead!<br />
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<br />
May your skies be bright, your coffee be delicious, and your air be NOT poisoned with gas!<br />
<br />
Happy weekend!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959492653160194164.post-88094413713441251032015-02-24T14:55:00.002-08:002015-02-24T14:55:17.900-08:00Once upon a time...Once upon a time...<br />
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I lived in South Mississippi.<br />
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And we wore shorts and flipflops in the winter.<br />
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I miss those days.<br />
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For those of you who have it much, much worse right now...and my heart goes out to you.<br />
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Less than one month until Spring!!!!<br />
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BRING. IT. ON.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0