Monday, September 26, 2011

Multi-Tasking: Pork Chops and Rice

Am I the only one that loves dinner that cooks itself allowing for more time to get all of the other chores done? I hate having to stand over a stove watching food.When I have to do that, I have to wait to finish all of the other things on the unending to-do list. I like to multi-task at its best.

This recipe is one of my mom’s, and I love it. The husband loves it, too. I’ve finally got it down to an art with the time and temperature for the oven, so I figured I would share it with you.

Ingredients:

1/2 bell pepper, chopped

1/2 onion, chopped

4 boneless pork chops

1 cup rice

1 can Beef Consomme’

Directions:

IMG_9347

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Season pork chops to taste. Personally, I use Nalty’s Seasoning. Cook pork chops in skillet until cooked thoroughly.

Put rice, onion, and bell pepper into large casserole dish.

This next part can be confusing, so pay close attention. It will involve the Beef Consomme’ and water. On the package of rice, it states how much water to add to the rice. INSTEAD of adding just water, you will make that amount the amount of liquid needed. Therefore, measure the beef consomme’. Then, add the amount of water needed to equal the rest of the amount of liquid needed.

Here’s an example of how it worked out for me:

My rice bag called for 2 cups of water. My beef consomme’ measured out to be 1 cup. Then, I knew to add one cup of water to it as well to make the total of 2 cups.

I hope I just didn’t lose you.

After you’ve added in the liquids to the casserole dish, add in the cooked pork chops. Cover the dish with tin foil. Insert into the oven for 30 minutes.

Around the 30 minute mark, check the dish to make sure that the rice has soaked up the liquids. You don’t want your rice to be undercooked, but you don’t want it to be dry either. It’s a tricky process. For me though, 30 minutes at 400 degrees was perfect.

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It’s a pretty quick dinner solution! I hope you all give it a shot and try it! Let me know how you like it!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Let’s Catch Up a Bit…

It has been non-stop around here lately. If you see me and I look completely out of it, it’s because I’m completely out of energy. There’s no time for that though. Instead, I have to press on and keep trucking…..until the last weekend of October. Then the next weekend after that, I will be on vacation for Veteran’s Day weekend. I’m ordering myself a stay-cation. I’m going to sleep in and enjoy  doing absolutely nothing. In the mean time though, I will be celebrating with three wonderfully sweet couples in starting what was one of the best moments of my life. I have to say that I have an amazing husband, and I’m incredibly grateful for him caring for me when I have my meltdowns and for just being by my side and supporting me all along the way.

Anyhow….that’s not the point of this post. Last weekend, my friend and co-worker, Nicole, asked me to take pictures for her daughter’s 9th birthday party. I was glad to do it! I especially love going to take pictures where I know a lot of the people there. It helps to feel comfortable with the people you’re taking pictures of. The weather was a bit windy that day for a pool party, but the girls braved it and still had a blast. Kids know not temperature.

Overall, I think they had a great time. I most certainly enjoyed myself. Thanks for letting me be a part of Ali’s special day. I hope enabled you to enjoy the moments with Ali instead of having to worry about the photos! Love you girls lots!

Ali's Birthday

Happy bIrthday Ali!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Happy Fall, Ya’ll!

Today is the first official day of fall! Now, if the rain would just bring some cooler weather in, I would be even happier.

While I do enjoy a good rainy day, I would like at least one non-rainy day, so I can finish a few spray painting projects that need to be finished by the deadline {Saturday morning}.

In the spirit of fall though….

Remember that image I shared with you all and told you it would make a great printable? Well, it did!

Fall

Here it is!

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It’s sitting on my entryway table, and I hope to have a few more fall inspired quotes and word art hanging out around the house by the weekend. We’ll see. There doesn’t seem to be much extra time to spare, and what time is left is spent just being worn out and tired. In the mean time, you’ll just have spray paint a frame that you have shoved in the back of closet, print out this print, and put in a spot that you will see and bring a smile to your face!

Happy Fall, Ya’ll!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

A New Want

I absolutely love anything monogrammed, and today while I was browsing through Pinterest, I found this awesome wooden monogram. It’s not your typical one letter initial. It’s the three letter, scrolly, and absolutely gorgeous monogram.

I am in absolute love. I think I definitely need one of these. So, if you’re wondering what in the world to get me for Christmas, let me direct you to this website. Kidding not really!

monogram

Wouldn’t it just bring your wreath to a whole new level?!?! And when you wouldn’t want to use it for a wreath, there are plenty of places you could find for it in your home. This monogram would find a place year-round in my house.

Is there anything more southern than anything and everything monogrammed? I think not. That’s why the company is called Southern Proper Monogram. So go on! What are waiting for? Adorn your door with one yourself!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

A Fall Bucket List

Because I don’t have the time nor the energy to post my own pictures of the goings-on around these parts, I’m just sharing with you what I have found on Pinterest. Tonight, as I should have been getting ready for bed, I was browsing the beloved website. That’s when I stumbled upon this….

bucket list

So, I may not actually want to do every single thing on this list, but I thought it might be fun to make my own up. Why not? Then, we’ll see just what I cross off at the end of this wonderful season. So…start thinking about your fall bucket list. I’ll be working on mine, and I’ll be back soon to share with you my final list.

Oh, and if you want a great idea to use the image above…..I have linked it up to its owner. She made it a printable, so you can put it in a frame and use a dry erase marker to cross off what you complete! Brilliant!

 

9 Days Till Fall, Ya’ll!

 

Monday, September 12, 2011

Crafting Doesn’t Pay the Bills

But I sure wish it did! It’s my absolute passion {aside from teaching kids}. If all of my crafting paid the bills, I would do it all day, every day. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. Because of that, I am behind on my crafting projects. All of my projects get the back burner, which really disheartens me. I SO want to make time for my creativeness, but in the peak of school I am utterly exhausted. 

FallSubwayArt-1

I always have such big plans for holiday décor, but I fail miserably. There’s just not enough time in the day to get everything done. I love my summer off just as much as the next person, but I do believe that I would rather have more time off in the fall. It’s so much more enjoyable to me than summer! I know everyone won’t agree with me on that, but heat makes me miserable. At least during the fall season, it’s not the unbearable heat that we suffer through during the summer months.

Speaking of holiday décor, I am very disappointed that the stores around here are not breaking out the fall décor. However, when October rolls around, we’ll break out the Christmas decorations. What’s with that? I can’t even decorate now that I want to because there’s no where in this small town to find anything. Maybe sooner than later it will appear before my very eyes!

I apologize for the rant tonight, but I am in desperate need of some through and through fall weather and activities!!! Bring on the s’mores, cooler weather {not too cold}, an evening fire, and snuggling! Talk about an ideal date! That’s all this girl needs in the world right now!

Maybe….just maybe…I’ll be able to pull some crafts out of my hat over the weekend. It will certainly make me smile if I’m able to do something!

P.S. Click on the picture above to be linked to a free fall printable!

10 days until the

First Official Day of Fall, Ya’ll!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Wedding: 1 of 4

This evening, we celebrated the marriage of my cousin and his bride. It was full of laughter, a few tears, love, and just pure enjoyment between family and friends.

Moments of Kevin's Wedding

Kevin {The Groom}

We wish them many, many years of happiness! We love you both so much! Congratulations!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Monograms and Mimosas: Andrea’s Shower

Today, I had the honor of hosting my very first bridal shower {on my own}. I loved being able to construct everything to just what I wanted it to be, but I do think that I have learned why one usually has some co-hosts as well. Just when I thought I may not be able to pull it off, everything came together, and it made for a magnificent shower.

Luckily, Tropical Storm Lee hasn’t made his official appearance yet. While it was a little rainy, it was come and go. It certainly didn’t cause an interference. However, I will gladly accept interference tomorrow and Monday. It will keep my at home {for the most part}, so I will be able to relax and enjoy my extra day off.

Back to the shower now…

Monograms and Mimosas was the theme. Pink and Green were the colors used.

Monograms and Mimosas Decor

Monograms and Mimosas food

Monograms and Mimosas gifts

A big thank-you to all those that came! I hope you all enjoyed it! I had a great time, and I feel sure Andrea did as well!