recap

It's been awhile so let's recap what I have been up too...

• I spent a weekend at Bountiful with some rockin' people for Sr. High Retreat
• I did some pre-work stuff (drug test, background, orientation...)
• I started a new job
• I've witnessed a dead body being covered by a white sheet among other things while doing my job
• Mark and I had our first Thanksgiving by ourselves
• I relaxed for 5 days without doing anything and I got paid for it!!
• I decorated the apartment for Christmas (minus the Christmas Tree)
• I've tried new recipes

It doesn't seem like a lot, but really it has been crazy busy around here.

Now that I think some of it has settled down a bit, I am making a commitment to making more time to read. I love, love, love to read and I have plenty of new and old books to show for it. Since I don't go into work until 2:30 - 3:00pm, I am going to commit to reading a book for an hour a day. I started Mercy by Jodi Picoult and I never got around to finishing it so that's what I am going to be reading over the next week.

I also promise to blog more often!

Peace, hugs & smiles,

J

just call me suzy homemaker

Today I've been in the kitchen cooking up some goodness. First of all, I prepared tonight's dinner in the crock pot - Thai Peanut Chicken (which was a dish that we were supposed to have last week but we had so many leftovers I decided not to make it). And then I made a broccoli and bacon salad - you know, the one that you have at picnics and potlucks - the one with the grapes, small pieces of broccoli and crisp bacon mixed with a delicious dressing. And last but not least, I made some peanut butter and chocolate fudge. I have never, in my life, ever attempted fudge because I thought it was hard but I actually never took the time to look at fudge recipes which in fact, are rather easy. I particularly loved this recipe because everything that I needed for it, I had in my pantry plus its gluten free. If you are looking for a yummy, easy and delicious fudge recipe, try this one:

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Fudge

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 1/3 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter

1 7 ounce jar of marshmallow creme

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate pieces

1/2 cup coarsely chopped peanuts (optional)

1. Line an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil, leaving about 1 inch of foil extending over the ends of pan. Butter the foil; set pan aside.
2. In a 2-quart saucepan combine sugar and evaporated milk. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until sugar mixture boils. Reduce heat to medium; continue cooking for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
3. Immediately stir in peanut butter, marshmallow creme, and chocolate pieces. Stir until chocolate melts and ingredients are well combined. Quickly spread fudge evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with peanuts (if desired), pressing them lightly into the fudge with a spatula or your hands.
4. Cover and chill for 2 to 3 hours or until firm. When firm, remove fudge from pan, using the overlapping foil to lift fudge. Place on a cutting board; cut fudge into squares. Store, covered, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes 3 pounds (64 pieces)

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.

Peace, hugs & smiles,
J

music

Music is what feelings sound like. When I'm expressing any kind of emotion be it sad, angry, happy or mellow I listen to music. The simple art of musical instruments and life altering lyrics have always been a huge part of my life. I listen to anything and everything and if you ask me what kind of music is my favorite or what my favorite band is, I won't be able to answer that. Music is the universal language of mankind and it truly speaks to me. Hearing a certain song reminds me of specific people, places and times in my life whether they bring me comfort, animosity or sadness, it still makes me feel. When I hear "A Song for Mama" by Boyz II Men, it reminds me of Nick and how he played that song for his mother at her funeral. When I hear Blue October's "18th Floor Balcony", it is a promise of the future as it is the song I want to walk down the aisle to on my wedding. When I hear "Friends" by Michael W. Smith, it reminds me of every camp I have ever attended as a camper. When I hear any song by Logan Ross, I hear God given talent that provides me with a blanket of peace. "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey reminds me of everyday in college. When I hear John Waller's "While I'm Waiting", I'm constantly reminded of my faith and where I am currently at in my life. I can't turn on the radio, or open iTunes and NOT hear a song that doesn't bring back a flood of emotions, that one memory I forever have a connection with.

Peace, hugs & smiles,
J

best news in a long time!

So....here it is:

I GOT A JOB!!!!!

This is the greatest news that I could have received and it couldn't have come at a better time! A HUGE weight has lifted off my shoulders and I feel like a brand new person. No more worries and stress! I'm SUPER excited because it's actually the job that I really, really, really wanted. It's a youth program coordinator position working with inner city youth at a youth empowerment center in Dayton. I have always wanted a JOB that lets me work with youth (not just doing summer camps which I LOOOVE, LOOOOVE to do as well). With this job, I will be able to pay bills and (in time) do the things that I have been wanting to do for a loooong time which include:

• date nights with Mark
• $1.75 movie night
• thrifting
• antiquing
• re-decorating my apartment
• putting money BACK into my savings account
• visiting my friends
• and many, many, many more things!!!

Thanks to three of my dear friends Lee Lee, Becky and Alicia for helping me land the job with the rockin' references that they gave! And....I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!

Peace, hugs & smiles,

J

election day

i voted today....
did you?

another week of meals

I think I have managed to pull together another week of delicious meals. I sat down earlier this morning and decided on the hot food feast we will partake in this week.

Since Mark is working today, Tuesday and maybe Wednesday, I won't cook while he is gone. I could actually eat a bowl of cereal for dinner and be just fine but for the remainder of the week, we will be having:

Wednesday - Pot Roast (with potatoes, carrots, celery and onions)

Thursday - Pan-Fried Tilapia (with cornmeal breading instead of flour) and roasted vegetables

Friday - Thai Peanut Chicken with brown rice

Saturday - Crock-pot Chili

Sunday - all you can eat leftover day

In the meantime, I need to slow-cook the ribs that Mark thawed out so they don't go to waste and grill up the Italian sausages that he set out too. Maybe that's what I will eat on for the few days that he is gone.

Stay warm out there and let me know what you are eating this week or what new recipe you will be trying.

Peace, hugs & smiles,

J