This isn't just any Meatloaf!!!

Let me start by saying, I am not a meatloaf kinda girl.

 Those men.. (you know who they are) who take COLD MEATLOAF

throw it on a couple slices of bread with Ketchup...just freak me out!

I just never really enjoyed meatloaf. No reason really. I'm the same way with hamburgers.. I think it's just ground beef in general. That being said, let me just say this...

This meatloaf is awesome! I mean really, really GOOD

Preheat your oven to 350 and give this recipe a try!!

This recipe is brought to you via my new cookbook "The Pioneer Woman Cooks - Recipes from an accidental country girl". You know the Pioneer Woman? I was first introduced to her through her Photoshop Tutorials and awesome actions... who knew she cooks and has her own cookbook... check out her blog HERE.

I highly suggest you get her recipe book.  We sort of collect recipe books and this one is unlike any I've ever had.  It's a story about Ree and her family and their ranch along with their everyday, doable recipes.  It's got a lot of fun little tidbits throughout and you'd swear she is in your kitchen right beside you sharing a cup of coffee and shooting the breeze with you,

Click on her cookbook below to be taken directly to this recipe.. You won't regret it!

Mouse Paper Scissors - PROJECT #1

.

Is this not the cutest?

This was our first Project in Mouse Paper Scissors

Wouldn't this make a great teachers gift or 

a gift for a friend? 

Isn't that paper awesome?  It's all part of the class kit.

See that ribbon?  That was white, we painted it with

the Tattered Angels Chalk Paint... cute, eh?

The ribbon flower wasn't part of the class, but I'm

totally stuck on these so I added one on.

Mouse, Paper, Scissors!!!

I signed up to take a class with Jessica Sprague and Heidi Swapp.. (I know.. shocking, right?)  LOL  It's called Mouse, Paper, Scissors.  Anyway.. this isn't just any 'ole class, it's a Hybrid class.  You want to know the best part?  You get a box of goodies to use for the projects!   A box of goodies hand picked by Heidi and Jessica!  Here's my box.  Have you ever seen a more fun selection of Goodies!  Wow!  Love, Love, Love this!!

There are so many fun things in here.  A mirrored frame (wonder what we're doing with that?), a easel...hmmmm?, Tombow, new paper that isn't even released yet, Tattered Angels, ribbons, can't wait to see what's to come!

Ribbon Flower

I made this cute ribbon flower per Rhonna Farrars instructions, I used ribbon instead of the paper printed fabric.  Isn't it cute?  I put a pin on the back so I can put it on just about anything, but I thought it was really cute on this scarf.  I'm going to try and make a necklace like the ones in Anthropologie.  Wish  me luck.

Weigh in Friday

Well today I weighed and I am down 7.5 pounds... I feel a bit better, but still really need to lose the other ten, but I'll take it.  I have been eating a lot of fruit (grapes, melon and pineapple) this week and snacking on pretzels for my salt fix.  For dinner I'm eating whatever we have.. chili, burger, pork chops, etc., the only difference being I'm not going back for seconds and trying to be reasonable on the first serving.  So.. 7.5 pounds is a start.  How are you doing?

Digi in Deeper Lesson 6

Let me just say.. my least favorite lesson so far.  Totally do not like this whatsoever.  First of all I don't like the photo adjustments on the color.. It's called cross processing... looks weird in my book, and secondly, I adjusted the overall color scheme to match my Notre Dame Theme... (blue and gold).. ugh.. and thirdly, my skyline of Notre Dame is way to bare... but you have to post the bad along with the good.. right.

Digi in Deeper Lesson 5

Wow... I redid this layout 3 times with three different sets of photos and still didn't do it the way it was laid out in class.  But, on the other hand.. I like how it turned out. 

Yummy Oatmeal Cookies! Seriously, you gotta try these!

A little Birdie Told me

I got my kit from Taylored Expressions and was a bit reluctant to try it.  The colors and patterns are so bold.  Very pretty, but very bold - I wasn't sure how to approach a card with them.  Here is what I came up with.  I thought it turned out ok.. :)

Just to Say Hello

This is very simple, but I really liked the way it turned out.

Happy Birthday Card

Just made this one for inventory.  The stickles aren't dry yet, so the cupcake looks a little crimpled in the photo.

Merci

struggled with this card  Loved the paper, but just didn't come out the way I envisioned.

Digi in Deeper Lesson 4

I just finished this layout from the Digi In Deeper class with Jessica Sprague.  I am not sure I am quite this "free style" in my layouts, but it's good to go outside the comfort zone, right?



My Diet check in yesterday didn't happen.  I am sorry.  It has been a crazy week.  I did lose another pound, but that's all.  I am afraid all the birthday celebration and all kind of slowed it down.  I did continue to eat light lunch (usually a turkey sandwich on whole wheat with lowfat mayo and either carrots or fruit, but dinners were a bit tougher.  So one more pounds.. that's ok... at least it wasn't a gain week!

Puppy Love

This was lesson 3 - I forgot to post it the other day.  My mind is elsewhere... I think I have cabin fever brain!  I seriously need some sunshine and outdoor activities! :) 

Digi in Deeper Lesson 2

Another layout for my Digi in Deeper class with Jessica Sprague. 

Weightloss First Friday

I started the weightloss program on Monday, it's now Friday.  I've decided to weigh in on Fridays hoping that it will keep me in check for the weekend (Don't want to undo what I've accomplished during the week on a weekend splurge).  So, I weighed myself this morning and guess what??? 4 pounds! Woot Woot!  I know the first week always is the biggest and now it will probably be a pound or two a week, but for now, I am excited.  I would totally be lying if I said I wasn't dying for a big plate of Fettucine Alfredo about now!

Oh, and a little side note.  One time I read that if you are going to eat a fast food breakfast a McDonald's Breakfast Burrito was a good choice.  I have been going to McDonald's for over a year almost every morning and getting two breakfast burritos.  Yesterday, I didn't have time for breakfast so I thought well I will swing in and get 1 burrito.  While waiting in the line at the drive thru I googled from my phone "Calories in a McDonald's Breakfast Burrito".  OMG!  320... IN ONE.  All this time I have been downing 640 calories before I even got to work !   So, needless to say it went something like this...


"Welcome to McDonald's can I interest you in a Mocha Latte?"


"One LARGE DIET COKE, please and that will be all."


$1.07, please drive around


I get to the window and the lady said... "No Burritos?"  I said... no, I am in rehab! :(

Happy Birthday, Doug!!

Today is Doug's Birthday!  Wooohoo!   I got him a cast iron grill pan that he's been wanting along with an hour long message at the salon where I get my hair done.  He is going tonight for a deep tissue message, then I will cook him dinner.   He wouldn't let me post pictures of him this morning before his shower.. :)  I'll post some later.

He asked and you said "yes"

Jessica Sprague's Digi In Deeper class is so Awesome!  Just when you think you've got a handle on Photoshop, she teaches you so many more fantastic techniques.  I really love today's lesson.   These photos are from Ashlea and Richie's Engagement Collection

A New Class at Jessica Sprague

I started a new class at JessicaSprague.com called Digi in Deeper.  I signed up for this class a while back and forgot about it, till I got an email this morning welcoming me to class and our first "assignment".  I have no idea what we are going to do, but we were supposed to make a base layout with just the three photos... the rest was just "extra credit".  Tomorrow we will see what Jessica has in store ..

Yummy Party Dip

My good friend Snowmanlover (Barb) called me today and challenged me to make this dip.  Since I was going to start the diet today, I hmmmm'd and haaa'd, but she left me so curious and hungry for it, then she told me she and Bridget were making it....I had to try it.  (Can't start a diet on Superbowl Sunday, right???)  Let me just say... HELLO!  YUMMY!!!  Doug loved it too.  My favorite is with the celery sticks, but chips and crackers were good too!

I used Fat Free Ranch and low fat cream cheese, so I felt like it wasn't as bad as it could have been. 

Spicy Buffalo Dip

2 - 8 ounce packages of cream cheese (softened)

1 cup bottled Ranch Salad Dressing

1 cup Louisiana Hot Sauce

2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped OR 2 cans of chicken drained

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Soften cream cheese, mix together all ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes until bubbly. Serve with celery and Chicken in a Biskit crackers.

Weight Loss

It's been a long hard winter and it's only the beginning of February.  I, along with a few of my close family and and friends, have soothed the winter blues with lots of scrumptious home cooked comfort meals and unfortunately the pounds came with it.  I am setting a goal on for myself of 15 pounds.  (I really could lose about 20, but let's tackle one goal at a time.   So I've set a counter on the sidebar and am hereby holding myself accountable.  I have tried repeatedly, but when I don't see the the immediate change in the scales, I lose faith and figure why not eat the yummy Chick-fil-a sandwhich that I so love.  My thought process is this... I will write down everything I eat... EVERYTHING.  I am thinking maybe I can shame myself into following the program.  :)  Want to try it with me?  Let me know... I would love to support you in your weightloss goal and would love to have your support.

I read blogs

I have become a blog junkie.  I click on a familiar blog and suddenly find myself clicking on every other blog they mention and oh it's even sweeter when they have a "blogs I love" list.  I have recently read, stalked and subscribed to so many food, fashion, DIY, craft, jewelry making blogs my mind is overloaded with "I could do that" projects.

To get to my point.. I read a blog recently, and I don't remember which one it is.  I will try and find it and post it here, but the blog challenged one to take no less than 40 self portraits in one setting.  Well it sounded fun.  I felt so silly sitting in my formal living room in FRONT of the camera... but here's the results.  I didn't think about the backlighting from the window and I should've readjusted my settings, but that's part of the fun, yes?  Had I thought ahead I would have fixed my hair a little nicer this morning and chosen my outfit more cautiously... (at least I wasn't in my usual Saturday sweats!).  A few of pictures surprised me, I didn't think I was acting goofy!  he hee

A Genius Bar????

Let me share with you my Mac Story. I have a Macbook (laptop). I love my macbook. She sits with me and entertains me while Doug watches his westerns, football or whatever.

Recently baby mac stopped "waking up" from her naps. I was so worried. I called my computer guy and, of course, she didn't sleep a wink while he babysat her for a couple of days. We ended up putting a new hard drive in and thought that was it. You can guess what happened next. I get her back and immediately she goes down for a nap and won't wake up AGAIN. This time she was down for good. Called the computer guy... and after a couple of CPR attempts... he said.. "that's not good"...:( A trip to the Apple Store and a week and half later, she's all better.   A new logic board and the best part... FREE OF CHARGE!!! They initially told me it would be $1000 if it was a logic board.. then they told me $310... well... I went to pick her up today and was told no charge! I was a very happy girl! To that end I really hate to say anything negative about Apple... they are truly a great company, however, I have to put this out there.  A GENIUS BAR?  GENUIS?  If you've never been to an Apple Store.. let me warn you.  They refer to their technicians as Geniuses.. and if your take you mac in for a repair you are instructed to go the GENIUS Bar.  I find this a bit obnoxious.  Is it me or does that insinuate that the "apple people" are superior to their customer?  I called so many times this week to get an update only to be told.. "I'm sorry, there is only one GENIUS working today, so I can't really tell you anything other than the GENIUS will call you when he is finished with your computer."... WHAT?  I actually asked the guy I was talking to.. "So what is YOUR TITLE?  Are you a GENIUS.. you could hear the somber defeated tone in his voice as he said.. "No, I am not a genius...  I will find someone with Genius clearance and have them return a call to you"....  SERIOUSLY????  Genius Clearance???  Really????!!  What IS that?


So anyway..... we've been getting reaquainted tonight. Funny, I have a very large Imac in the other room who is newer, shinier, larger and faster, but all I could think about was baby mac. I know, I have issues... I'm working on them.

A New "Look"

I have spent a lot of time learning how to make a blog background and header and tweak sizing here and there, add banners, signatures, fonts, but up till now I have not created a single blog background that I thought screamed "ME". Till Now.... Those of you who know me know exactly why this blog is finally one that I feel looks like "ME", as a blog should. I still need some tweaks here and there, but I am hoping that this is going to stay. Love this photo of Daisy and she is such a fun part of each day. I am hoping to change things up a bit and make this more of an online journal in lieu of just crafts and food.... :)

bruschetta

A little Bruschetta Appetizer tonight to go with our Chicken Noodle soup on this crazy snow day.  Totally winged this.

Set oven to broil (high).

Saute chopped onion in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a bit of garlic and basil when onion is lightly browned turn heat off.

Slice bread (I used an Italian Garlic Loaf from Walmart).  Lay bread slices onto a cookie sheet and drizzle lightly with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, put into boiler for about a minute until bread is just lightly browned.  Remove from oven and top with sauteed mixture.. and just a sprinkle of salt and pepper then top with a bit of Mozzarella and parmesan, drizzle lightly again with EVOO and return to broiler for approximately 1 -2 minutes.  YUMMM!!!!  I topped with extra basil, but not necessary

Halloween Album

This is the album I worked on at the Scrap Weekend with Jodie last weekend. I've still got a few more pages to add, but I'm soooo over Halloween now! LOL

Ahhhh... never mind my hair... Sheena Easton style... lol

Ashlea was Jeanie... isn't this cute!?!?!!?

Love, Love, Love Alex's face... all sooted!  LOL

My little construction guy