Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Ch ch ch ch changes! It's in the air!!

Fall is often the time when people begin to change things out.

Summer bags are cleaned and gently placed in their dust bags and the fall/winter bags taken out and brushed off.

Shorts and Tanks are put away in favor of Jeans and Cozy Sweaters.

Summer weight comforters are exchanged for the cozy, cuddly warmth of winter/fall comforters. And maybe an extra blanket hanging around for when the window is open and things are quite brisk.

Summer decorations are exchanged for fall themes. Colored leaves, pumpkins, all things Fall.

Summer highlights are looking a little much so a girl decides to darken them. To fit more feel of fall. I've touched on that recently (see picture in prior pic and you'll see what I want) and will get there myself, it is just a matter of the time, the who and the what in the world will I be doing??

This time of year also heralds my return to comfort food. I slip away from salads and salads and more salads and grilled chicken and pork chops and I return to the comfort food.

We've spoken of it before...Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken & Dumplings, Stews, Braised Ribs, Roasted Chicken, Roasted Root Vegetables. I can go on and on.

Most of the time my food rambling centers on main meals - the big ones that tide people over at the end of a long day. These meals warm people's bellies and their hearts. They're the kind of meal you want to savor with warm fuzzy socks on.

Lately though I've been craving breads. It has to do with the way I'm made up. When I'm stressed (and we know I have been) I want carbs.

Gooey, taste yummy carbs = Comfort Food

So to satisfy the urge I've made Garden Harvest Cake.

So super yummy and so so easy. You're welcome in advance.

From Cooking Light

Garden Harvest Cake

Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour (1 cup)
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup grated peeled Granny Smith apple (about 1 medium)
  • 1/2 cup grated carrot (about 1 medium)
  • 1/2 cup shredded zucchini
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/4 cup nonfat buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.

3. Add grated apple, grated carrot, shredded zucchini, and walnuts to flour mixture; toss well.

4. Combine canola oil, buttermilk, and eggs in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.

5. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until combined.

6. Spoon batter into an 8 x 4–inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.

7. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until a wooden pi.ck inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove cake from pan. Cool completely on wire rack before slicing.


Happy Wednesday, y'all!! Friday can't get here fast enough!!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Full Hearts

Have I shared with you lately how full my heart has been lately?

No? Forgive me?

One of my best girlfriends, the one I laugh and cry with regularly is pregnant again.

Sigh

So, so full and happy.

She and her husband lost their first baby, a little girl, last December and are now expecting again. I couldn't be more thrilled for them & can't wait to meet the newest little one.

Welcome him or her to "the family" and shower her/him with love.

Kiss little fingers and toes & marvel with my girlfriend over how perfect her baby is.

Makes for a great Tuesday, doesn't it?

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Happiness Is....


Fresh hair.

I'm still a little more blonde than this picture, but I love having fresh highlights/lowlights. Still not here yet, but I wasn't quite ready to go so dark yet.
via

Fall TV

One of my faves!
via

So excited about this show!
via

New shoes. I'm dying for some new boots. Any recommendations for tall, black boots?

And y'all? It is Thursday! Which means tomorrow is FRIDAY!!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Fabulous Friday

Angel babies singing
Is everyone ready for Fall?

I know MCW - not ready yet since it means winter is around the corner. I can't help it.

I've seen all the posts people have written detailing their love of Fall. I can't help it, I love it too.

Ready for my list?

Short, sweet & to the point.

Kind of like me.

Boots, Sweaters, Chilly Weather, Going a little longer, a little further on the dog walks, Not sweating, Less frizzy hair...

Speaking of hair (and she veers off track - not surprising is it?)

I'm really loving this hair right now. Pretty for Fall, no? Thoughts?

via

Ahem. Back to the list.

Stews, Chicken & Dumplings, Warm Coffee on the Deck in the chill of a Fall morning, Football, Scarves...

Don't you love this scarf?
via


Pumpkin, Pumpkin patches, Pumpkin picking...anything to do with pumpkins and my munchkins!!


Who doesn't love the Teddy Bear Harness?


2010 - He outgrew the Teddy Bear Harness & moved on to Cotton Candy.


Still precious, isn't he?

LOVE

Happy Friday y'all! I hope your weekends are FABULOUS!!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

2 X 4


No, not the wood used in building things.

Since I have one thing and one thing only running through my brain.

Scratch that. That is not true.

Today I obsessed over:

A pumpkin apple muffin that I really wanted but the bakery did not make today.

via

A slice of blueberry pie with ice cream that was my dinner. Comfortfoodmuch??

via

For the record, this was not my pie. I take mine with TWO scoops of ice cream, please, thankyouverymuch.

How skanalicious my hair is looking since I haven't been to the hairdresser since July. Y'all.It is bad.

Sons of Anarchy premiering Tuesday night. Jax. Whoa.

via

But as has been the case lately, the most constant thing on my mind has been what could be a large change in my life.

And as should always be the case (at least in my case) I'd like to be as prepared as possible. Which means looking at plans B, C, D & E in case A doesn't work out.

A being find a new, better, more secure job AFSAP (As Freaking Soon As Possible).

So if A doesn't work out for me, what you may ask is my B?

Two by Four. Two feet by Four Feet.

Not a padded cell.

My two feet with a companion's four feet.

Not that I believe that I would rival the Two by Four of NYC. But as a way to provide a little extra income (I mean, cause if I got nothing else coming in that makes it extra, right?) I think it is doable.

Because y'all. People in Charlotte are like WHOA about their dogs. Personally, I use my lunch time each day to come home & take Hayden out. Because I can.

But those with newer dogs, puppies, elderly dogs or who happen to have to work a long shift would love to have someone check in on their loves.

So, what do you think? Would you pay to have someone take your four legged baby out for a break during the day?

Disclaimer
I know that there is a lot more to it than just thinking how awesome it would be & how great I'd be & then *poof* it happening, but it is a fun thought, no?

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Random Thoughts on a Tuesday

Hi everyone!

I hope that each of you were able to have Monday off and that today is your first day back to work. For those that didn't have Monday off I am sincerely sorry.

I absolutely LOVE short work weeks. Almost as much as I LOVE long weekends. Anyone else believe that the US should institute a nationally observed holiday each month that falls either on a Friday or a Monday?

My hand right now is up in the air saying, "YES!! PLEASE!!!"

On another note, I drove past Auto Bell recently and saw a Mini Cooper parked next to a PT Cruiser. Anyone ever wonder what the PT Cruiser's owner must think? Because really, isn't the PT Cruiser like a bigger, less chic version of the Mini?

On to the next thought....

My birthday just passed and unlike birthdays of years past I didn't make a big deal out of it. I turned 35 which should have been a kind of semi big deal, but with all the uncertainty in my life right now we didn't make a big deal out of it.

And I'm kind of semi ok with that.

Next!

I go back & forth between thinking that I MUST find a new job before something drastic happens to me in my current job (i.e. I lose it) or I keep looking and if I get to a point where I don't have a new job lined up then I can use the time to clear my head.

I go back & forth but keep coming back to this: "Nah. A few days might be nice, but I really will feel like something is missing if I don't have one to go to every day."

Next!

via

I like comfort food when I'm stressed. Macaroni & Cheese, mashed potatoes, roasted chicken & vegetables.

via

Comfort food is my friend.

Anyone else out there indulge in it when stressed?

I have been trying to keep a tight rein on it though. I've been doing well with eating/exercising/weight loss lately losing 1-2 lbs each week.

Which leads to the next thought.

I had to have one shot in my leg last Wednesday. The Wednesday before Labor Day. So I've spent the weekend in my sexy leg sock.

Thank goodness Fall is around the corner. At least if I have to wear these it won't be 100+ degrees!

What kind of random thoughts do you have circling around in your head?

Happy Tuesday y'all!


Monday, September 5, 2011

What happens when your brain won't slow down

Thankfully all, Labor Day weekend is here. I can't tell you how happy I am to have an extra day this weekend to try & still the frantic pace of my mind.

When I have something heavy weighing on me I tend to focus on that with that laser beam focus. Laser beam focus is great for work projects, personal goals, deadlines, etc. Not so much when the focus is aimed at what may or may not happen in the next few weeks.

Things that are out of my control are what I've been focused on lately & it is hard to think of anything else.

I've got a great resume that isn't just words on paper. When I look at all I've accomplished work wise, I know I've got something to be very proud of.

I've got resumes/applications out for so many various positions here in Charlotte and am hopeful and praying that something will open up for me soon.

I'm trying to get back into this groove and not have this weigh so heavy on my heart. It seems that since it is what I'm so focused on that it tends to set my direction. I'm trying to keep that pointed positive and happy.

All of your thoughts & well wishes have been so appreciated!!

Happy Monday, y'all!