Yard Sale Junkie

Ok, ok...not really :) But, I've spent the last 3 days trying to find as many last minute things as possible to sell. Like all yard-sellers, I plan to make as much money as humanly possible & not bring anything home with me except for cold hard cash!

In addition to the yard sale, I'll also be having a bake sale since I know just how hungry shopping can make you.

My goal is to make at least enough money to pay for my birthday trip to Pittsburgh; any extra money will go toward my trip to Ireland next April...I'm sooo excited!

Getting rid of excess stuff in my house plus making money to travel...is there anything any better than that...well, other than winning the lottery, of course!

So, if you've got stuff you're tired of trying to find a place for or are just tired of looking at, have a yard sale! I found a great website from the Yard Sale Queen that has a ton of fantastic do's as well as valuable don'ts.

So go ahead, make your junk someone else's treasure!!!

I heart Big Lots

What's not to love? I found a great deal today on nothing less than english muffins...that's right! Usually, I go to Costco to purchase my beloved Thomas' english muffins, an 18-pack for $3.59; but today, I found a bargain...an 18-pack for $2.50 = SCORE!

I also found another great pair of sunglasses for...wait for it...$3.00! All of my favorite sunglasses have come from Big Lots for a great price & this makes me happy :)

You wouldn't think it would be so easy to forget about a place with such good deals, but I do (I know, it's terrible). Then, when I visit again, I remember why I love that store!

So, plan a visit today...c'mon, you know you want to :)

Preppy, Preppy, Preppy!

Back about 6-8 months ago, I was using quite a few of my weekends to prep for the weekly meals to come, but in the last few months I've not been quite as diligent about it. Well, today I went back to my old ways of weekend prepping! It really helps the rest of the week go quite a bit easier. So far, this is what's done:

* rotisserie chicken (in the slow cooker)
* whipped cream cheese
* baked pasta dish
* browned ground beef (frozen in individual portions)
* made serving sized bags of granola
* made serving sized bags of chips
* shredded cheese

Of the 3 chicken breasts, I shredded 1 of them to make chicken enchiladas this week; the other 2 may end up as a chicken sandwich or chicken salad.

The baked pasta dish is my version of lasagna based upon what I had in my kitchen. Instead of lasagna noodles, I used linguini. I found 1 bag of frozen (cooked) ground beef from my last batch & heated it up with some jarred tomato sauce, salt, pepper & tons of Italian herbs. Instead of ricotta, I used some of my homemade whipped cream cheese mixed with cottage cheese. Instead of mozzarella, I used cheddar. Everything was layered together, baked at 350 for about 20min or so; then eaten quite voraciously!



About 6 months ago, I read a great time-saving tip about freezing cooked ground beef; and let me tell you...it's fabulous! I buy 2 lb. packages, brown it, drain it, spread it out on a cookie sheet in an even layer & then stick it in the freezer. Once it's thoroughly frozen, I take it out of the freezer, crumble it with my fingers & divide it equally in 3 qt. sized freezer bags. It's a perfect portion for a recipe of shepherd's pie or baked pasta...and super quick!

I think tomorrow's freezing agenda will include breakfast sandwiches & maybe pancakes!

Stand...and then stand some more...

The birthday plans are underway!!! I am living proof of the Bible verse that says "When you've done all to stand, stand." It seems that everytime I'm at the end of my rope, finally get fed up & let it all out, wait just a little longer...then BAM! God has an amazing way of making it all better!

While I know that God loves me, it's way too easy to get my eyes off of Him & onto what is not going right in my life. I need to remind myself about all of the amazing things that have happened in my life over the past 2 years.

I've been thinking of going to visit a friend in Pittsburgh for quite sometime now, but it never seems to work out. However, my wish for somewhere new to visit for my birthday is coming true...that's right, Pittsburgh, here I come!

Although I am definitely not the poster child for standing in faith, God always comes through time after time. I do need to get a little (or alot) better at trusting him...even when situations look impossible. I'm so glad He loves me enough to overlook my (at times) sad little person :0)

My Thirty-One Adventure

For quite a while I've been looking for something new & this is it!!!

Our products are exclusive to Thirty-One and provide style and convenience at an amazingly affordable price. From our key product line, to our “direction” line for teens, or our uniquely crafted “31kid” line for children and moms, you will find so many options to fit every personality type and every situation. We continue to develop new products built on the idea that our products must be stylish, functional, affordable and easy to give as gifts to encourage someone special.

Click here to view the New Fall Catalog







Here's to finding what you can be passionate about & workin' it!!!

Redeeming Moment

After my not-so-cheery evening, I was desperately hoping that today would be a much better day...fail. While the day itself was a bomb, there was one wonderfully redeeming moment that made my terrible day somewhat bearable. One of my co-workers brought me a lovely little gift! However, the gift was not the best part of it; the best part was knowing that someone was thinking of me.





Sometimes, just knowing that someone somewhere is thinking of you makes life a little happpier :)

Miserable bluesy moments

Do you ever have those days when everything seems to be rolling along smoothly & then *whop*...out of nowhere, the miserable blues descend upon your sad little soul? (too dramatic?) Dramatic, yes; but true, most definitely! For me, today was one of those 'everything's good' days...until *whop* the thought of my upcoming birthday entered my mind...bad move, brain. Even though my birthday is not until October, my brain decided that I should begin making plans immediately; thus begins our cautionary tale.

For the last 20 years (give or take a few), my family has always celebrated my birthday in the same way...we usually make our annual pilgrimmage to the Dixie Classic Fair. Even last year, I could not wait for the fair; I was so excited! This year, however, is shaping up to be quite altogether different. While at work, I had the thought of maybe going to the beach, since I absolutely love the beach in the fall...plus, I haven't actually been to the beach in several years. After running this "brilliant" idea past my Mom, who did not seem to share my same enthusiasm, the blues began to descend.

After finishing our conversation, I decided to do what I do best, reseach; and that is where the misery quickly entered the picture. After researching tons of options, I've come to the conclusion (a month & a half in advance, mind you) that I am simply too broke to go anywhere or do anything for my birthday.

Dear Lord in Heaven...what is my problem???

Now that I've made note of my miserable moment, I'll be going to bed...never to think of this miserable moment again. I resolve that my birthday will be spectacular, memorable and tons of fun! I simply must remember to remind myself to think happy thoughts :)

So, if you've succombed to a miserable bluesy moment, follow after me:

1) write it down & get it all out
2) ask God for help
3) go to bed
4) resolve that tomorrow will be better

I'm not saying it's a perfect plan, but tomorrow will tell if it actually worked.
Nite all.

The Amazingly Powerful B's

Been feeling tired lately? A little off your rhythm? Well I have for several months now, but I can finally say that I'm beginning to feel better...hallelujah! I attribute most of this feeling better to the fact that I've recently begun to take my vitamins again...and extra doses of B-complex.

Growing up, and even today, my Mother was a huge apostle of vitamins; in fact, if you mention not feeling well, her first reaction is "How much vitamin C have you been taking?" Even with all of that knowledge, like most of us who know what to do & don't, I just kept getting worse & worse without ever popping the first pill :)

Today, after only 4 days, I have a new-found love for B-complex! If you have issues with fatigue, depression, mood swings, etc., B-complex might just be your new best friend. Here's a little cheat sheet of the powerful B's that make up B-complex:

Scientists know that B vitamins are part of many important bodily functions:

•Vitamin B1 (thiamin) and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) help the body produce energy and affect enzymes that influence the muscles, nerves, and heart.

•Vitamin B3 (niacin) has a role in energy production in cells and helps keep the skin, nervous system, and digestive system healthy.

•Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) influences normal growth and development.

•Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) helps the body break down protein and helps maintain the health of red blood cells, the nervous system, and parts of the immune system.

•Vitamin B7 (biotin) helps break down protein and carbohydrates and helps the body make hormones.

•Vitamin B9 (folic acid) helps the cells in the body make and maintain DNA and is important in the production of red blood cells.

•Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays a role in the body's growth and development. It also has a part in producing blood cells, nervous system function, and how the body uses folic acid and carbohydrates.

Deficiency of certain B vitamins can cause anemia, tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, muscle cramps, respiratory infections, hair loss, eczema, poor growth in children, and birth defects.


So, remember your B's & they'll be work hard for you :)

Practice makes perfect, right?

Today, I finally decided to attempt cake decorating; while I'm not thrilled with the results, everyone has to start somewhere...right? With any luck, the whole practice makes perfect thing will actually work out :)

Unfortunately, I ran a little short on frosting, but still pressed on :)





















So, whatever fun little task you haven't perfected quite yet, just keep practicing...I sure will!!!

Frost Yourselves!

My most favorite bakery, Ketchie Creek Bakery in Mocksville, NC, has some of the best buttercream frosting I've ever tasted. I'm been on a mission to find a comparable frosting I could make in my own kitchen & I think I've finally located a most perfectly fluffy frosting!

Things You'll Need:
A good stand mixer
1 to 2 pounds powder sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon imitation butter (I didn't have any & substituted almond instead)
1 stick butter
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 3 tablespoons of Half & Half (I didn't have any & substituted heavy cream)

Step 1
First of all, put the butter and shortening in a mixing bowl and be prepared to let this mix on high for a a few minutes. I put the two ingredients into my KitchenAid, turn it on and go do other things in the kitchen for a while. A lady I met in a rummage sale said the secret is to really lighten the butter and shortening with air. And she was right!

Step 2
Reduce to stir, then add the salt and granulated sugar. Drizzle in the vanilla and butter flavorings. Up the setting to high slowly and let mix another 30 seconds or so.

Step 3
Reduce to stir again and add about 1 cup of the powder sugar. Let it work into the butter/shortening mixture. Add another cup of powder sugar and let work in. Add a third cup of powder sugar and let mix together nicely.

Step 4
I usually end up using 3/4 of a bag of powder sugar to make sure I have a really generous amount of frosting. Once you have added enough powder sugar, it may be on the clumpy side. Add the Half and Half one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting will peak when stirring with a spatula. The test is to lift the spatula up and the frosting should hold it's peak after the spatula is out of the bowl. The consistency is easily adjusted by either adding more powder sugar to thicken the frosting or more Half & Half to lighten the frosting. Humidity and heat do effect the consistency so don't worry about exact measurements.

Step 5
Now comes the special step. Slowly up the speed and let the mixer do it's job. Let it mix on high for at least 3 minutes. Five minutes would be even better! It will become light and fluffy - just a bit heavier than whipped cream if done right!!! This is truly butter cream frosting!

Let me tell you, the finished product is almost exactly the same fluffy (slightly gritty) textured frosting as my favorite bakery! I'll definitely be playing around with different flavors & colors...I'm such a happy camper now!!! Tomorrow, I'll be trying this fabulous on my mini layer cake. If all goes well, pictures will follow!

May your frosting always be sweet! =)

I wanna be a Korean Toe Tapper :)

After an exhausting day yesterday, I just knew that I was going to have one fantastic night of sleep...little did I know, FAIL! Once I was in bed, first I couldn't get comfortable, then my pillows felt too flat, then the thoughts started.

*You were wrong to complain to the coordinator about the work event today; you should apologize.
*You should really go take a cake decorating class.
*You get paid tomorrow, what bills do you have to pay?
*You should finish cleaning out your closet to find items for the yard sale in 2 weeks.
*You should start off making & decorating mini cakes to practice & then move onto full-size cakes.
*You should get up & make a list of items you're gonna bake for the yard sale.

And on, and on, and on...needless to say, I got maybe 30 minutes of sleep the entire night. So, after biting the head off one of our accounting controllers (and then apologizing), I told her how little sleep I had gotten & then (graciously) she offered some great advice. She said "The next time you can't sleep, do what I do - it's called the Korean Toe Tap." She gave me a brief description & I decided to do a little research to see what else I could find. Amazingly, it's an actual thing...who'da thunk? She suggested singing something rhythmic while tapping like the ABC's; hopefully, I won't have to employ this interesting sleep induction method tonight...we shall see. Here's a little detail about the Korean Toe Tap:

Tap Those Toes

There is another Brain Wave Vibration exercise that can help many physical problems, including headaches, insomnia, and circulation problems. Toe-Tap Vibration helps return the body’s energy balance to a healthy state by bringing energy down to the lower body. It is also a very good mind-body coordination exercise. Because the feet are so far away from the brain, you may find at first that they do not want to cooperate with you! But keep working at it and keep trying to increase your speed and the evenness of rhythm.

The feet contain a wide variety of acupressure points that are stimulated through this exercise. Because all the energy lines in the body end in the feet, you can energize your whole body when you stimulate your feet.


Toe-Tap Vibration

1. Lie down on the floor comfortably. Place your arms and legs on the floor and close your eyes. Breathe in and out several times to release excess tension.

2. As you are lying there, gently shake your head from side to side, allowing your shoulders, arms, legs and your whole body to relax. Imagine that all your stress is melting into the ground.

3. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth, making a whooshing sound.

4. Repeat this 3 times.

5. Touch your heels together, tap your toes together; then part the toes again, trying to touch the sides of the feet on the ground. Repeat several times in quick succession. Adjust the speed on this motion depending on your comfort level, but repeat at least 50 times without stopping.

6. When you begin to feel fatigued, slowly stop tapping and rest. Feel the subtle vibration going through the end of the toes to the knees, thighs, hips and waist and to the top of your head. Challenge yourself to do a greater number of repetitions each time you practice.


While I'm no dancer, I think this toe tapping is one I can definitely handle!

Hap Tappy!!!

YouTube-ilicious!

If there's one website that is the most underutilized by anyone who has a desire to learn how to do anything...it's YouTube! I didn't really think too much about this until my sister brought it up in conversation today.

I have always been one of those people who would much rather do tons of research & then try something new all by myself instead of asking for help (or taking a class). Therefore, if I want to know how to do something, I usually turn to the one place that almost always comes through each & every time...YouTube!

I was talking to my sister about not feeling confident in doing cake decorating and she pulled a fast one on me by saying "Why don't you just watch it on YouTube...just last weekend, you watched a video on how to cut your own hair & then just did it! I'm sure decorating a cake isn't anything compared to cutting your own hair!" And while this is true...I did watch videos on how to cut my own hair...and then I did, in fact, cut my own hair...somehow, the task of decorating a cake seems a bit more daunting due to the fact that I would be decorating it for someone other than myself.

I am quite aware that if I ever want to have a business in sweets, I must conquer my fear & just go for it...even if I fall flat on my face (into a tub of delicious buttercream frosting), I can just smooth it over & try again.

Now, without further ado, I present to you a few of the things I have learned on YouTube!

1) how to knit
2) how to make the perfect swiss meringue buttercream
3) how to cut my own hair
4) how to make homemade butter

So, there you have it...if there's something you want to learn, just YouTube it!!!

Smooth like a baby's butt...ercream!

I began my trip down Buttercream Lane this past Friday...and was not very impressed. I had found several recipes, but decided to first try a "baby batch" that was suggested by a chick who had made her own wedding cake...this, my friends, was largo mistako numero uno! It was terrible...basically, it tasted like a hunk of extremely sweet butter...definitely not good eats :(

Fast forward 5 days: I'm in the grocery store & decide to be brave & try this whole Buttercream thing again...so, a container of egg whites went gleefully home with me. Last week, my Mom sent me a link to a video & written instructions on the most perfect Swiss Meringue Buttercream, so this is the one I was going to try next. After all, nothing could be worse than the first one I made.

Just to be sure, I watched the video again (ok, ok...for the 5th time) just to make sure I had all of the instructions firmly cemented in my brain. First, cook the egg whites & sugar over a water bath until the sugar has completely melted - check. Second, whip egg white mixture at high speed until they form stiff peaks - check. Third, thrown in diced chunks of butter & let 'er rip for about 7-11min - check. May I just say, this buttercream is probably the most silky deliciousness that has ever entered my pallete!

It was so great, in fact, that I made a second batch! On the second one, I decided to play with the recipe a bit (see, only one successful recipe in & I'm already too big for my britches!) I thought I'd try to make it a little lighter & add extra egg whites...well, all went well until I added the butter & then the mixture in my mixer turned into a yucky, soupy mess! So, I quickly realized that there was not enough butter to blend with the extra liquid (egg whites) I had added...argggg. I added more butter & let it blend...and blend...and blend...and you guessed it, blend some more. Finally, after about 17 minutes I was amazed to find another perfect batch of buttercream!

Now that you've been tempted beyond imagination & are ready to strangle the recipe from my very fingers...a bit too dramatic? Hmmm. Here it is, what you've all been waiting for...drumroll, please!

1:2:3 Swiss Meringue Buttercream




1:2:3 Swiss Meringue Buttercream
A delicious Swiss Meringue Buttercream Icing Recipe.

4 oz (1/2 cup) egg whites
8 oz ( 1 cup) granulated sugar
12 oz (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Pinch of salt

1. Combine the egg whites, salt and sugar in a mixing bowl and place over simmering water.

2. Continuously beating with a whisk, heat until egg whites are hot and all the sugar is dissolved (~140 degrees). If the sugar is not completely melted, your final product will be grainy, so make sure!

3. Remove from the heat and place on the mixer. Whisk on medium speed until meringue is stiff, and the mixing bowl is cool to the touch. The meringue will be white with a bright sheen, and very sticky!

4. Switch to the paddle attachment, and on medium speed add the butter a few cubes at a time. Please note, if the meringue is not completely cool, the butter will melt instead of combining evenly.

5. Continue beating until all the butter is incorporated. At one point it may appear as if the mixture has “broken”, looking watery and separated like curdled milk. Continue mixing…it will all come together, I promise!

6. Increase speed to high, and beat until smooth.

7. Add flavorings of your choice and tint with coloring paste.

Recipe by Dyann www.dyannbakes.com


So, please make this frosting...you'll be sooo glad you did! I recently saw a video of a baking teacher who said: If you made it in your home, then it's homemade - even if it's from a box, it's still homemade! (and) Even if you make the cake from a box, make the frosting from scratch - it fools them everytime!

Happy frosting!!!

***No Criminal Record***

After searching all day for some type of blog inspiration...I've finally located it, in my Inbox of all places! Like a dork, I am signed up on several internet dating sites...why, I have no idea - I do not have any paid subscriptions nor do I ever respond to any of the email alerts...yes, I'm insane.

Anyway, my brilliant moment of blog inspiration came from the opening line of a Chemistry.com subscriber named Mike:

34 Years Old and in Huntsville, Alabama
***No Criminal Record***
Me? For the most part I am laid back. I enjoy staying active by working out, playing sports, and jogging. I am always up for Read more »

Ok, so I must know...what kind of people must you deal with on a daily basis that could cause you to use that as an opening line with complete cyber strangers??? Also, if I see any form of the words "I'm a laid back guy" again, I might just have to scream...like Gabrielle Union's character in Daddy's Little Girls when she saw "one more guy over 40 in a throwback jersey"!!!

So, there you have it, my funny moment of the day...big shout out to Mike from Huntsville, AL...stay criminal free, my friend!

Peace Out!!!

Sex and the what???

For as long as I can remember, I have never watched Sex and the City...or even wanted to watch it. But, by some strange twist of Netflix fate, here I am...on a Monday evening...watching said movie. And quite to my chagrin, it's pretty good!

Which makes me that much more convinced that I must visit New York...although I am definitely not even an "extra" character in said movie at all...I'd still love to experience the nonstop energy of New York at least once.

PS ~ as sad as it is...I so can't wait to see the 2nd move :)

More to life...

For as long as I can remember, I've felt (or rather known) that there was much more to life than I was currently experiencing. This notion continues to become more & more real to me...but mostly, I feel unable to do anything about it.

I keep thinking "one of these days, my world will change & become what I've always longed for it to be"...but the longer it takes to happen, the more I lose hope.

I feel as if my entire life has been a life of waiting; and while everyone knows that good things come to those who wait, it seems there might be a statute of limitations on the whole waiting thing.