Tuesday, March 30, 2010
My wish came true....
...we are getting a niece in August!!!! I cannot wait to create amazing things for that little lady:) Congratulations Kristie and Scott!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Ruffle Party!
Sooo....a new sewing project has begun! I have recently discovered an amazing blog...This and That. I think I could have found a new best friend! Her blog has all kinds of fun craft projects and recipes! She recently did a post on ruffle pillows...and it was love at first sight. Now part of this ruffle includes doing a rolled hem. Hmm....that's a new one for me. I have spent the past 2 hours on this rolled hem business. It's quite tricky for a perfectionist like me. I have already made a ruffle, one side has the rolled hem and one side does not:) I love it anyway. It makes me want to master the rolled hem even more!
This is a big week for us. We find out if we are having a niece or nephew! My sister, Kristin, had our first nephew, Brady James, in September. My sister-in-law, Kristie, finds out what she is having this week. I hope it's a girl:) I have big plans for these ruffles and I don't think Brady would appreciate them.
Hope your Mondays go by fast!
This is a big week for us. We find out if we are having a niece or nephew! My sister, Kristin, had our first nephew, Brady James, in September. My sister-in-law, Kristie, finds out what she is having this week. I hope it's a girl:) I have big plans for these ruffles and I don't think Brady would appreciate them.
Hope your Mondays go by fast!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
American Idol ya'll...
So my husband and I enjoy watching American Idol together and having our own critique session....and I'm not quite sure why we aren't sharing it:) I would be interested to see if others agree or disagree with us. Typically, we agree with Simon everytime...
Lee...Love his voice. His performances certainly aren't high energy, but I would buy his CD.
Paige...She has such a powerful voice. Not sure where it went. Cara said it was the worst vocal they have ever heard this season. Um, have they forgotten about Tim's "Apologize" performance?
Tim...Someone cut his hair, it's eating his face. Also, how has he made it this far? Vocals just are not his strong point.
Aaron...So I've been pretty tough on him so far. I think he is too young and has a lot of room to grow. That being said, I actually loved his performance tonight. He made me feel like a 16 year old girl...so there.
Crystal...I love her. I think she has done more fantastic things, the CCR song for one. I think that has been Ryan's favorite so far this season.
Micheal...Something about him makes me very uncomfortable, not sure what. The song...why would you pick that one. It's been done too many times. He does have nice voice moments though.
Andrew...He peaked way too early. I love that his voice is so unique...but he needs to do something amazing with it. Ryan thinks he went the wrong way with the song, should have dropped the band and done a guitar remake. Agreed.
Katie...Love the song choice. Ryan made an interesting observation tonight. He thinks Katie is singing in the wrong key for her voice...and I agree. There is something off about her voice, but she isn't the worst.
Casey...He has the look, he has the voice, he has the musical talent. Get him some confidence and build the performance, done.
Didi...She has such a unique voice but she didn't do much with it this week.
Siobhan...I never even know what is going to come out of that girl's mouth, but good grief can she sing.
Ryan's summary of the night was the same as Simon's....song choices people!
Side note...saw Adam Shankman from So You Think You Can Dance sitting next to Miley Cyrus tonight. I heart Adam. I kinda wish we were friends. And so tonight, for the first and last time, I was jealous of Miley.
Lee...Love his voice. His performances certainly aren't high energy, but I would buy his CD.
Paige...She has such a powerful voice. Not sure where it went. Cara said it was the worst vocal they have ever heard this season. Um, have they forgotten about Tim's "Apologize" performance?
Tim...Someone cut his hair, it's eating his face. Also, how has he made it this far? Vocals just are not his strong point.
Aaron...So I've been pretty tough on him so far. I think he is too young and has a lot of room to grow. That being said, I actually loved his performance tonight. He made me feel like a 16 year old girl...so there.
Crystal...I love her. I think she has done more fantastic things, the CCR song for one. I think that has been Ryan's favorite so far this season.
Micheal...Something about him makes me very uncomfortable, not sure what. The song...why would you pick that one. It's been done too many times. He does have nice voice moments though.
Andrew...He peaked way too early. I love that his voice is so unique...but he needs to do something amazing with it. Ryan thinks he went the wrong way with the song, should have dropped the band and done a guitar remake. Agreed.
Katie...Love the song choice. Ryan made an interesting observation tonight. He thinks Katie is singing in the wrong key for her voice...and I agree. There is something off about her voice, but she isn't the worst.
Casey...He has the look, he has the voice, he has the musical talent. Get him some confidence and build the performance, done.
Didi...She has such a unique voice but she didn't do much with it this week.
Siobhan...I never even know what is going to come out of that girl's mouth, but good grief can she sing.
Ryan's summary of the night was the same as Simon's....song choices people!
Side note...saw Adam Shankman from So You Think You Can Dance sitting next to Miley Cyrus tonight. I heart Adam. I kinda wish we were friends. And so tonight, for the first and last time, I was jealous of Miley.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
New artwork!
So I completed my art project! This was my first, but I'm hoping to make more pieces similar to this style. I love the splash of colors on it:)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
To my husband...
So my wonderful husband, Ryan, had a birthday this weekend. I had planned on doing a post on his birthday about our story...but a stomach virus got in the way:( So I will do it tonight!
I guess I should start this story with how I ended up in Ohio. When I was finishing up Grad School, I started searching for jobs on the internet. I somehow reached the conclusion that I would move anywhere, as long as I found the job I wanted...which was working as a speech therapist in a hospital with adults and pediatrics. That job presented itself in Springfield, Ohio. So, after graduation, I packed up everything and moved to Ohio. The first friends I made in Ohio were Ashlea, Nicole, and Amy. Ashlea lived across from me and we met when I went over looking for a drill. Nicole worked at the apartment complex we all lived in and Amy was hired at the hospital around the same time I was. The four of us started a tradition the summer I moved to Ohio...Ladies Night! We would go to a local Mexican restaurant, then move the party back to the apartment complex. One particular night, Ashlea's boyfriend...soon to be husband...decided to bring some friends over. One of those friends happened to be Ryan...and the rest was history!
We exchanged numbers that night and spend the next week texting. This is a particularly entertaining detail because Ryan did not have a texting plan at that time:) We hung out again the next weekend and were pretty much inseparable from that point on. Our official first date was actually a double date with Matt and Ashlea at an Italian restaurant. I don't know if I even remember our first actual date though....Our dates consisted of us cooking dinner for each other at our apartments. It was a great way to fall in love. For those of you wondering...Ryan was the first to drop the "L" bomb....but I was quick to follow. We admitted that we were scared at how fast it happened, but we wouldn't change a thing! Being in love has been better than I ever thought it would be and I am so excited about the adventures we have ahead of us!
I guess I should start this story with how I ended up in Ohio. When I was finishing up Grad School, I started searching for jobs on the internet. I somehow reached the conclusion that I would move anywhere, as long as I found the job I wanted...which was working as a speech therapist in a hospital with adults and pediatrics. That job presented itself in Springfield, Ohio. So, after graduation, I packed up everything and moved to Ohio. The first friends I made in Ohio were Ashlea, Nicole, and Amy. Ashlea lived across from me and we met when I went over looking for a drill. Nicole worked at the apartment complex we all lived in and Amy was hired at the hospital around the same time I was. The four of us started a tradition the summer I moved to Ohio...Ladies Night! We would go to a local Mexican restaurant, then move the party back to the apartment complex. One particular night, Ashlea's boyfriend...soon to be husband...decided to bring some friends over. One of those friends happened to be Ryan...and the rest was history!
We exchanged numbers that night and spend the next week texting. This is a particularly entertaining detail because Ryan did not have a texting plan at that time:) We hung out again the next weekend and were pretty much inseparable from that point on. Our official first date was actually a double date with Matt and Ashlea at an Italian restaurant. I don't know if I even remember our first actual date though....Our dates consisted of us cooking dinner for each other at our apartments. It was a great way to fall in love. For those of you wondering...Ryan was the first to drop the "L" bomb....but I was quick to follow. We admitted that we were scared at how fast it happened, but we wouldn't change a thing! Being in love has been better than I ever thought it would be and I am so excited about the adventures we have ahead of us!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Bean Soup
This recipe is so easy and quick, it's kinda unbelievable. It's from Better Homes and Gardens:)
3 cups tortilla chips
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken, cut into chunks
2 tsp oil
2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack Cheese
1 4.5 oz can diced green chilis
14 oz chicken broth
cilantro to taste
1. Preheat broiler. Crush 2 cups of the chips.
2. If you are using raw chicken, cook in hot oil in a dutch oven until done. We used crock pot chicken, so I heated it in hot oil. Add beans, 1 cup cheese, chilis, chicken broth, 1/2 cup water, crushed chips, and cilantro. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you don't, the chips start to stick to the bottom.
3. While the soup simmers, place remaining tortilla chips on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle remaining cheese on chips. Broil 6 inches from heat for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted and starts to brown.
4. Serve soup with chips!
Since we used pre-cooked chicken, it cut down on time. However, I started this meal at 5:30, and it was done by 5:42! I also added an extra can of beans and chicken broth. The soup still tasted great and now we have leftovers:)
I am working on my sea life canvas collection again. I really need to take pictures of them...maybe next week. So far, I have done a big blue whale and a super happy purple octopus. Up next...a starfish and a blowfish. I have also decided to re-create an amazing picture I saw in a Pottery Barn Kids catalog. I could order it, but it's a smooth $250. I seem to be super crafty these days...
Later:)
3 cups tortilla chips
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken, cut into chunks
2 tsp oil
2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack Cheese
1 4.5 oz can diced green chilis
14 oz chicken broth
cilantro to taste
1. Preheat broiler. Crush 2 cups of the chips.
2. If you are using raw chicken, cook in hot oil in a dutch oven until done. We used crock pot chicken, so I heated it in hot oil. Add beans, 1 cup cheese, chilis, chicken broth, 1/2 cup water, crushed chips, and cilantro. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you don't, the chips start to stick to the bottom.
3. While the soup simmers, place remaining tortilla chips on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle remaining cheese on chips. Broil 6 inches from heat for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted and starts to brown.
4. Serve soup with chips!
Since we used pre-cooked chicken, it cut down on time. However, I started this meal at 5:30, and it was done by 5:42! I also added an extra can of beans and chicken broth. The soup still tasted great and now we have leftovers:)
I am working on my sea life canvas collection again. I really need to take pictures of them...maybe next week. So far, I have done a big blue whale and a super happy purple octopus. Up next...a starfish and a blowfish. I have also decided to re-create an amazing picture I saw in a Pottery Barn Kids catalog. I could order it, but it's a smooth $250. I seem to be super crafty these days...
Later:)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
New Project...
So I had an amazing idea today....and I owe it all to one of my patients. This little guy has some eating difficulties, mostly aversions to textures. The family struggles to find things he will eat. I started making suggestions of things they could prepare, and then puree for him. That's when it came to me....my brilliant idea. A cookbook. But not just any cookbook. One with meals that can be easily altered to be small child friendly. Ok, it may not be the most brilliant idea I've ever had, but I think it could turn into something fantastic. Not only would it work for children with texture aversions or babies who aren't ready for solids foods, it would also work for adults/geriatrics who have oral difficulties with food! Um....can you tell I have many patients who have swallowing difficulties?
I think food is a huge part of life, much larger than most people realize. And I'm not just talking about eating food. I'm talking about planning meals for you and your family, grocery shopping, preparing food, and mealtime. I will never forget my first dysphagia lecture in grad school. My professor, Dr. Boult, opened with a song from Sesame Street called "Everybody Eats"...and it's so true! So I think everyone already knows that I love to cook. I guess this food passion of mine is larger than I realized:) I think it needs a different name though...sounds like I'm just obsessed with stuffing my face. How about a passion for culinary socialization...or there's no place like the kitchen.....or, to quote Big Bird, "Everybody Eats!"
Oh my, this is going to keep my brain pretty busy.
I think food is a huge part of life, much larger than most people realize. And I'm not just talking about eating food. I'm talking about planning meals for you and your family, grocery shopping, preparing food, and mealtime. I will never forget my first dysphagia lecture in grad school. My professor, Dr. Boult, opened with a song from Sesame Street called "Everybody Eats"...and it's so true! So I think everyone already knows that I love to cook. I guess this food passion of mine is larger than I realized:) I think it needs a different name though...sounds like I'm just obsessed with stuffing my face. How about a passion for culinary socialization...or there's no place like the kitchen.....or, to quote Big Bird, "Everybody Eats!"
Oh my, this is going to keep my brain pretty busy.
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