Crabmeat Soup from 100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know

 

I tried this recipe once before but since crabmeat is sooo expensive I used imitation. The flavor was phenomenal but the texture was...really strange; we didn't want seconds. So this time I sprang for the real deal and was not disappointed!

 

 The buttery, seafood-y goodness of this soup brought me all kinds of happiness on this rainy Tuesday.

I won't share the recipe but I absolutely recommend this cookbook! It was given to me as a gift after I put it on my amazon wishlist (check it out!) and I was so excited to get it!

What I will tell you is that this is a pretty nutritious recipe as well tasting like it should be served at Red Lobster. Apart from the crabmeat it also calls for spinach, coconut milk, an onion, and lemon juice (I've intentionally omitted 2 or 3 indredients) which all have significant health benefits. There are some other fantastic recipes in this book and it's very user-friendly. I can recommend both it and this smashing soup!

 Yummmmmm

 

How I'm Wearing my New Lace Vest

 

So first off, I never wear gold but I have a few sentimental pieces and I sacrifice my color wheel occasionally to feel near those that gave them to me. I thought they went very well with the delicate feel of the vest.

On my face I have pretty natural make-up + my signature smokey eye. :) Since it's been so humid the past several weeks (and I've just been super lazy) I've been letting my hair air-dry almost every day. Here I scrunched it a little as it was drying and then raked it into a lower ponytail with my fingers. The bangs were slipping so I pulled them loose and tucked them behind my ears.

Now for the fun part! I was at Burke's Outlet the other day looking for jeans (which I still haven't found to suit) and this lace vest caught my eye. It was an impulse buy and I was really afraid I would never, ever wear it but ta-da! Not bad for 12 bucks. :)

I put it over my black, Wal-mart maxi which has proved fantastically versatile and added the brown belt and sandals to tie in the boho feel of the vest. I loved the result! It's been my favorite outfit in weeks and I can't wait to figure out more ways to wear this vest!

Review of "The Fault in our Stars"

I had heard so much about The Fault in our Stars by John Green; and I never go much for pop lit, but I finally decided to read it. I didn't like it. Opinion of pop lit confirmed. And since I haven't heard a single negative thing about it I felt it necessary to write this review.

Maybe it's because the main character is the total opposite of me. Usually I empathize with just about anybody but this girl just made me furrow my brow and roll my eyes at her unrelenting pessimism. Why would you live your life that way? Stupid, moody teenager (Juliet much?). I was so emotionally detached from the characters that when (Spoiler Alert!) the love interest got sick my reaction was: "Good, kill him. It'll redeem your trite plot. Excellent, this is good writing. I approve." I should not have to be thinking about the crafting of the story as I read! I have rarely read anything so unable to engage me. (Oh, and wait, who was it that died first in Romeo & Juliet? Hmmm...maybe it wasn't that original of a plot twist after all...)

The few quotes that resonated with me, I began to realize after I was several chapters in, were those that the characters quoted from other authors. Sad, Mr. Green, just sad. There was one quote that the author had actually penned that I liked but it had lost all of its poignance because I had seen it plastered all over pinterest:

So when I got there I just had to force a 'that's-nice-dear'-smile at the page.

But the thing that bothered me most about the book was that I had the answers to all of its unanswered questions. Jesus! Now maybe I'm being trite, but it's the absolute truth! The biggest emotion I felt while reading was the desperate need to crawl inside the book and tell the characters:  "No! This isn't all there is! And this is not all you were meant for! The one who created the stars created you and he's waiting for you! Can't you hear him calling? Oh, please, please listen before it's too late!"

Since I couldn't tell the characters these things, the book left me very depressed. But perhaps, it served a purpose in my life to give me a glimpse into the hearts of those who don't know. It did serve to remind me that I should have that desperate need to tell everyone that there is hope and there is meaning. We are all created for a purpose, and unless we are fulfilling our most basic need to love and serve our creator-savior then we will have neither.

Q:  So why does everyone love it so much? A:  Why does everyone love Romeo & Juliet??? I'll never understand that... But I think the real reason for this book's success is its title. In my opinion: Brilliant title, poopy book.
 

A Poem Scribbled in Prayer Meeting

When I hold a pen,

It starts to itch and dance in my hand.

What do you want from me?

What do you have to tell me?

To tell the world?
 

Are you the instrument...

Or am I?
 

Day-off Summer Chic

Being comfortable is huge to me: I rarely wear heels and anything that pinches has to depart from my life. I have the day off but I still had some errands and appointments to keep so I wanted to look pretty and wear items that I can't wear working with children.
This outfit was my perfect blend of comfy & classy.

I've been craving a crop top ever since I saw a crop top/maxi skirt combo on pinterest and here is my version:

 

 The top came from JCPenny's and the skirt is from Wet Seal. Of course, I'm wearing my silver crochet Toms! I thought my hair felt mermaid-esque so I chose these starfish earrings from Claire's:

 

This was one of those hairstyles that I didn't plan, it just evolved throughout the day. I started out by straightening it. I went to my first appointment and then I really wanted it out of my face, so I did a waterfall braid starting just above my temple and going just behind my ear on either side. Then I made lunch and really wanted it off my neck, so I did the side braid and I love the result!

Take One: Chalk Photography

Today for art class with the 4th and 5th graders we did chalk photography. There is a small deck above our parking lot  but it would be more convenient to have a ladder that I could move around. However, for our first try I am very proud of the results. Here are some of our best along with my reflections.

She makes me think of Peter Pan in this photo!

We learned that the more of your body you can get off the ground the better it will look.

Reeeeeeeeeeach!!!

Some of the kids just got it and didn't even need me to direct them; she is totally sold on that star.

Floating away...

The parking lines got in our way but we worked with what we had. :)

Moonshine and sweet dreams :)

I used the bottom of my shoe to swipe the moonshine into creation and I love it. 

 

Yawn!

 I thought this pose very whimsical. ;) Next time I might try drawing both wings for a straight-on shot.

 

Deliciously Nutritious, Unbelievably Easy, Chicken Noodle Soup

I have had a nasty flu-ish disease for the past 3 days and am finally getting over it. My digestive system has been on strike but I'm appeasing it with some homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. Unlike most of my kitchen experiments, this recipe was a smashing success the first time I made it around 7 years ago. My family loved it and my mom told me to write down what I'd done but it was so easy I didn't need to. The beauty is in the simplicity.

You will need: Chicken breasts (frozen or thawed), egg noodles, 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup (I recommend Campbell's but only because if I buy the Wal-mart brand I feel the need to pick out all the little chicken bits cuz they look gross to me.), and salt. Yup, that's it! (You can also add carrots if you want some more vitamins and color...I guess in theory you could also add celery but I have no idea why anyone would want to.)

If the outward beauty of this recipe is is it's simplicity then its inner beauty is in its adaptability and freedom from measuring. I hate to measure; I cook like the fairies in Sleeping Beauty. If you only want enough for yourself then just cook 1 chicken breast and if you want enough for a family of 7 then use the whole package. For 1 serving use about a cup of egg noodles, for the whole fam use the whole bag. I hope you can figure out a small can of Cream of Chicken vs the Family Size...

To begin: Place chicken (frozen or thawed) in pot and cover with water, boil until fully cooked.

Then: DO NOT DRAIN! Remove chicken to another dish (paper plates do not have to be washed ;) and let cool.

Afterwhich: Add Cream of Chicken to broth in pot (Bonus: this recipe does not use multiple pots and pans! And all the lazy people say: Yaaay!!!).

Furthermore: Add noodles to pot and cook til done, don't let them get too squishy. :P You can turn the heat down a little for this phase if you need to. Stir periodically.

During which: You can either use your hands or a couple of forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized chunks and add it back into the pot, this is the most tedious part, but it still doesn't take long.

Finally: Salt to taste (unless you're a salt-a-holic, *ahem*Mom!* then salt only a little bit and let your diners add more if they wish) and serve!

10 Ways to be a Good Travel Buddy

I have been to some pretty awesome places. I've also had some pretty miserable travel companions. Ok, I've been a miserable travel companion-more times than I care to admit-but I've also had some great ones and made some cherished memories. Learning from my mistakes and others' I think I'm on my way to being the ideal travel companion (unless you're Dr. Sheldon Cooper in which case nobody can please you anyway). Allow me to share my wisdom. ;)

1. Always be positive. Keep small stuff in perspective and look for the adventure and growing experience in big hitches. Easier said than done but if you determine within yourself not to let anything ruin the experience for you...the world is your oyster. A trip is only as good as the attitudes of the people making it.

2. Be honest. If something is bothering you, speak up kindly and with humor, and offer a trade or compromise. Never ask for something without offering something in return. ("If you'll stop picking your nose in public, I'll stop serenading you in elevators.")Watch out for male family members though. I have a pet peeve about people whistling in the car which my dad does a lot. I've never told him because I'm pretty positive he would do it on purpose. Instead I just take a deep breath and ask him something about soccer (his passion). We've had some pretty great conversations that way.

3. Take pictures of your fellow travelers. I can't tell you how often I've been the only one who took pictures and at the end of the trip was the only one without any good pictures of myself to share on facebook. Depressing!

4. Don't mooch. Asking for something once in an 'I can't believe I forgot that' emergency is fine, but if it's something you'll need to use repeatedly (phone charger, contact solution) you need to buy a replacement for yourself. And don't ask to borrow money; budget for yourself before you leave and if there's something you can't afford, you can't afford it. I've had people ask to borrow money from me while traveling and then I had to go without because they failed to budget properly. Talk about breeding resentment. I've also been the one who needed to borrow stuff, once is about all you'll get before nobody wants to talk to you anymore.

5. Share things. Conversely, it's a great idea to pack one blow-dryer between you or trade accessories. Just talk it out beforehand so nobody is surprised into resentment.

6. Take care of yourself. Know your own limits and protect them. If you need a nap in the middle of the day, take one! Emotional and physical health are very fragile when traveling, it is your job to protect them. Don't expect others to do it for you because in their efforts to protect their own boundaries they will actually be more abrasive than normal.

7. Be understanding. If your travel buddy goes at a slower pace than you, remember that everybody has different needs and that you don't have to spend every second together. Do something by yourself while they recharge/read every. flippin. sign. Or if they're being easily miffed, give them some space. It'll pass.

8. Pack light. No, duh. But really, think about how inconsiderate it is to take up more than your share of car space, or to slow everybody down because your twelfth bag hasn't come off the plane yet. You should be able to manage everything you packed by yourself and be able to walk a mile/up two flights of stairs with it. That's probably what you'll have to do at your destination.

9. Be punctual. This goes hand-in-hand with the above. I have a sister who is notorious for both of these. Trust me, you do not want to be that person.

10. Be an Improv-er. You know Improv? That delightful aspect of Theatre that lends itself so well to comedy? What's the only rule in Improv? Never say 'no;' if you absolutely must then say 'or instead we could...' Travel is about stretching yourself and trying new things anyway, so don't be a wet blanket. I tried Henna for the first time in October and it's a new personal favorite! Furthermore, if you have fun suggestions and (Improv) games ready whenever there's a dull spot then you'll become the most sought-after travel buddy in the realm! This is one of my best friend's, who's superhero name is Thunderthighs (someone called her that one day even though she's a size 6 and rather than be offended she ran with it), super powers, but I'm learning from her. :) On my most recent road trip I packed Bananagrams, a table game that's like a cross between scrabble and cross-word puzzles. We were just blah one evening when we went to dinner and were afraid the wait was going to be horrendous. I whipped out my little game and suddenly we were the hot spot of the restaurant. Everybody wanted to know what we were playing!

Have fun, be fun, don't be a baby, and enjoy your journey. Traveling is a gift. :)
Did I miss anything that would make me the perfect travel buddy for you? Be sure to let me know in the comments!

This & That

Here goes nuthin'! My first post; such a momentous occasion! I feel so much pressure to make it good. Hmm. Maybe I'll just tell you a few of the things that made me laugh this week. For instance, yesterday I made myself mac 'n' cheese for lunch (if you're adventurous you should try it my way: add white tuna to it. I know it sounds weird but it's delicious.) and while it was cooking I poured myself a glass of pink lemonade to go with it. In my mind I was saving the world so it was a few minutes before I realized I'd actually poured myself a bowl of lemonade. It's hard to drink pink lemonade from a cereal bowl.

Then there was the time I got hit on by a twelve-year-old. Oh, wait, that's like, everyday. Seriously, minors are the only males I get attention from; the first time I ever got asked out to my face (proxy ask-outs just don't even count, man-up, men!) I was seventeen and my my knight-in-shining-training-wheels was thirteen. I said no. Onyhoo, the other day I was teaching a class and one of my students who tries to flirt with me all the time and is actually twelve, came up to me and tried to lean on my shoulder. I was in heels so it was quite a reach and so as not to hurt his wittle pwide I leaned on his shoulder instead. 2.5 seconds later I tried to walk away and he was like, 'No! Come back!' and I was all like 'I don't need a man to lean on!' Thus I saved his pride by calling him a man and also saved myself. Gosh, little boys, calm down!

Speaking of boys and calming down, I physically had to stop myself from chasing one in Wal-mart a few days ago. So I get off work, and I'm real tired, right? It's 10:00 at night but I have no food at my house so I stopped at Wal-mart and I'm walking through the store and notice this adorable guy, but I don't pay much attention cuz he's with a girl (who was completely engrossed in whatever it was he was saying), but! As I was walking past them, like, I'm inches from this guy, ok? And he was was a lot older than twelve, p.s. I suddenly realized that he was speaking in a British accent...and I was all like:




And then I was sad, because I wanted one, and I couldn't have one.

My father really wants to help me change that. He really is my (very flawed) superhero, he wants to help me get anything I want if he can see that it will be beneficial in my life. Well, my mom informed me, when I stopped by for a visit one evening, 'Your dad is making a list of potential husbands for you; I don't think I was supposed to tell you that...' 'Well, who are they?!' I replied with a twinkle of hope and ever so much angst. 'I bet I really wasn't supposed to tell you that...I'll just show you their facebook pictures.' As Mother's story unfolded it came to light that one of these candidates was the son of a local businessman who's establishment I had just been in that morning. He's always very friendly but he had seemed a little more so...'Wait. Did Dad talk to him about it?' Mom: 'He may have sort of, possibly, said something like "I hear your son is single, so is my daughter. We should all have dinner together sometime."' At this I kind of collapsed on the floor in the anguish of embarrassment and had to tell my unsympathetic mother (who laughed at my plight) about how I had gone out in public and into the previously mentioned establishment looking like a homeless person. Always shower and wear something that hasn't been slept in, ladies, you never know when small-town matchmakers will strike.

So those are a few of the things that made me laugh this week, I hope it made you laugh too. :) There was also the time I opened the linen closet and there was a cat there...and the time a co-worker asked me if I was feeling ok and I said 'yeah, I'm fine, it's just my time.' and she just turned and booked it away from me...or the time...

Well, you get the idea; life is crazy, laugh about it.