Mondays

I had a case of the Mondays today.  My alarm clock went off and I ignored it 10 times until my husband made me shut it off.  Then I realized I still had to take a shower, make coffee, and compose myself  in 20 minutes (which is a task I must say because I look rough in the morning).  Even though it was off to a shaky start...it was a great day.  Not as good as yesterday though.  Yesterday was just awesome.  The kind of day I'll remember 10 years from now as the "awesome day".  It involved some of this...

and a lot of this

It's days like yesterday that make me ache for spring time.  Soon my friends....soon.

On a random note, I tried out a new recipe tonight and it was super tasty!  If you don't know, I happen to be Pioneer Woman's biggest fan.  I know people joke about this but I'm not joking....I'm her biggest fan.  She has a recipe for a pineapple stir fry here.  I used chicken instead of meatballs and chicken broth instead of beef broth.  I will most definitely keep this in my recipe stash.

To Pioneer Woman- thank you for all of your delicious recipes and fool proof pictures.  It's because of you and your pictures that I knew my chicken pot pie was horribly wrong.  Yours looked delicious.  Mine looked like...well....it just looked gross.  We happily ordered pizza instead.

~Ashley

Just So You Know....

Just so you know....the OSCARS are on tonight!!!!!!!!!!!  Only the best night of television.  I hope you're watching them!!!!!!!!!

Thoughts

I haven't posted since Monday.  When I started this blog I had a goal of posting at least every other day.  I know that when I read blogs, I get so impatient for new postings and find myself disappointed when I see the same title that was there 3 days ago.  Oddly enough, I'm actually glad that tonight is the first time since Monday that I've been able to post.  You see...I'm tired.  Now please don't think I'm venting or complaining because there's more to this story.  Some recent revelations and discussions have made me realize that I have not been seeking my full potential.  I've been lazy.  I've been putting a lot of "half efforts" into things that deserve every ounce of effort I have.  I would come home feeling exhausted without having a clue why.  After a lot of prayer and reflection, I knew something had to change.  For the first time in a long time, I feel tired for all of the right reasons.  As I was driving home feeling tired, I couldn't help but smile because I knew exactly why I was tired.  I write this not to boast or brag.  My "tiredness" is nothing compared to most.  It's simply a step in the right direction.  I hope those of you reading this are "tired" too and that the feeling is absolutely wonderful.
~Ashley

Cleanliness

I find it difficult to maintain a state of cleanliness in my apartment.  I know...shocker.  Due to pictures posted previously (that I will not mention again due to my ever present embarrassment), you should all have an idea of what I'm talking about.  That being said, I find incredible joy in my small victories.  Today marked a small victory.

My bathroom has been clean for  9 DAYS!  Yes I count the days.  Again....small victories people.  Feel free to share in my excitement if you like!

I'd also like to update you on the shower curtain situation.  I finished several more flowers and have been adding them to the curtain as I go.  It's still not finished but it's looking promising.

It's amazing how many times I find myself wondering to the bathroom.  Did I leave my straightener on?  I better go check the bathroom....Where did I put my earrings?  I better go check the bathroom.... Does my outfit match?  I better go check in the bathroom (as I walk past 3 other mirrors).  My next goal is my closet...it's a terrifying thought but it will be conquered.  

On another random note, I have decided I am boycotting/protesting/being extremely angry with winter.  In order to understand the severity of this statement, you need to know one thing.  I.....love....snow.  Love does not even begin to describe it.  When I hear that snow is in the forecast, my heart surges.  I feel pure joy.  I have, at one point or another, waited outside all night, freezing and shivering under piles of blankets, just to see those first magical flakes.  Hopefully you now understand why me not wanting snow is kind of a big deal.  It's simply this...I am all about the different seasons.  I do not like to mix and match.  For the past 3 days it has been blissfully 75 degrees and sunny.  I am now ready for spring.  To prove my point I painted my nails and toe nails pink.

So snow, please don't take it personally, but I'm done with you.

~Ashley

Sunday BRUNCH

 Sunday BRUNCH is a serious business in our house.  It started about a month ago with the typical dilemma of not knowing what we felt like eating.  I wanted omelets.  My husband wanted smoothies.  My best friend wanted cinnamon roll french toast.  My husband then declared that we would make all of them and call it BRUNCH!  We had our second BRUNCH today and it was beyond fabulous.  Everyone in the kitchen wore aprons.  When I say everyone....I mean everyone.

(My husband will not be very pleased with me for posting these pictures so lets pretend he doesn't see them and not mention it k? thanks.)

We start with the smoothies.  Pineapple, strawberries, and orange juice.

We then start the cinnamon french toast.

 I am using OXO tongs in this picture.  OXO tongs are life changing.  If you don't have a pair...get one.  Please.....you'll be very happy.

While letting the cinnamon french toast cook, break up the frozen hashbrowns in the bag.  I do this by throwing the bag on the floor.  It gets the job done and it's really quite fun.

  

Make sure you don't get carried away with hash brown crushing and let this happen...

If this happens, shrug it off and start a new batch because burnt french toast is disgusting (not that I know from personal experience).

We then cooked the omelets.  And when I say we, I mean my best friend.  She makes life-altering omelets.  Seriously...it's a gift.

When putting spinach in omelets, cover the pot with a lid so that the spinach steams while the omelet cooks.

I then cooked hashbrowns...

and we loaded our plates!

Sunday BRUNCH is a ritual I am extremely grateful for.  It will always consist of these things because there is no better combination that could be put on one plate.  It will always be eaten on Sundays because Sundays are the best.  It will always be savored and relished and will never be taken for granted.  We are open to having visitors....just let us know so we can make extra.
~Ashley

Secrets

My husband informed me today that I was not allowed to post my "secret" recipes.  (I have no idea what my "secret" recipes are).  I very kindly informed him that I was already planning on posting this one.  The "secret" recipes are apparently the good ones....so consider yourself lucky because all other "secret" recipes are staying secret (except they probably won't because again....I don't know what the "secret" recipes are).

French Fries (yes it's a bland title but what else should I call them?)

1.  Start with White Potatoes.  You can find them in any grocery store and they are the best potatoes for french fries (in my humble opinion).

2. Cut potatoes into very thin slices.

3. Cut the thin slices into french fry size pieces.

4.  Place the french fry pieces into a large ziplock bag.

5. Pour a liberal amount of olive oil into the bag, zip shut, and shake like crazy!

6.  Place french fries onto a greased baking sheet.  Make sure all slices are laying flat on the pan...that's what makes them crispy!

7.  This is the most....important....step.  My secret weapon.

I'm convinced that I would probably eat Spam if it was flavored with season salt....(except that's a total lie because I will never eat Spam....ever. No offense or anything...it's just not my thing).

8.  After sprinkling/coating potatoes with seasoning salt, place on top shelf of a 450 degree oven for about 30 minutes.  Don't be afraid if this happens while they are cooking.

The steam from the potatoes seeps through the back of the oven.  The first time I made these I literally grabbed the fire extinguisher ready to blast the burning contents of my oven.  Silly me. (By the way...do you like my note that reminds me to turn the oven off?  It works....sometimes....)

9.  Grab a bowl and fill with ranch or blue cheese dressing.  Take the fries out of the oven and enjoy!!!

~Ashley

Crafty

In high school and college I was never a crafty person.  Despite my efforts, my art projects leaned towards the "my 6 year old would have been proud of this."  When kids cut out beautiful snowflakes in middle school, I ended up with a heap of tissue scraps because I could never cut it right.  I received a C in high school art with comments such as "at least you tried".  I say this to point out that I was not born with the artistic gene.  Recently I have discovered an interest in DIY projects.  I would browse through various blogs, always inspired at the beautiful creations people made from simple things.  I love the idea of taking something simple and transforming it into something beautiful.  This weekend, we, meaning my best friend and I, did just that.  

I love shower curtains.  As weird as that may sound, it's true...I love them.  The patterns, and frills, and designs.  I do not, however, love the prices.  Shower curtains are expensive!!!  When we moved to our apartment, we were on an extremely tight budget and I could not bring myself to pay massive amounts of money on something that is used to block water.  I just couldn't.  I went to Wal-Mart and bought colored shower liners for 6.00.  I have used them ever since.

This weekend we decided to make flowers.  We got the designs from mrspriss.com and oncewed.com.  This is what we made.

I was amazed that I, failure at anything art-related, was able to make pretty decent silk flowers.  The felt flowers were made by my friend and are going to be used to make a beautiful bouquet.  I used my silk flowers to transform my boring shower curtain into this...

I am absolutely not one to brag but I have to say...I'm proud.  Take that high school art teacher!  I plan on making several more and continuing the line of flowers down to the bottom of the shower curtain.  I also have to add...my bathroom has stayed spick and span for...wait for it....5 days now.  Baby steps people...baby steps.  

~Ashley

Unique

Unique: having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable.  My best friend and I went to "Unique" yesterday, the most incredible thrift store out there.  The definition fits.  Imagine a warehouse filled with long lost treasures and trendy clothes.  A warehouse with two aisles of purses and five or six aisles of shoes.  A warehouse with 5 "stuff" aisles filled with just that...stuff.  There's something about stuff.  It's amazing.  I could literally walk down "stuff" aisles for hours and be completely satisfied.  Here are some of the treasures we found.

I'm assuming these are genuine portraits, not advertisements.  Who doesn't want a picture of other people's children?

A chandelier?  Maybe??

Only my favorite game of all time.  I always wanted to call Brad...he was such a hunk.

Mary-Kate and Ashley eating McDonalds in Paris.  It just doesn't get much better.

We used to sing and dance to this movie using hairbrushes as microphones.  We were cool.

I may poke fun but this store really was great.  Huge selection + low prices = one happy girl.

~Ashley

Habits

As I informed you earlier, I have given up watching TV unless they are shows that both my husband and I watch.    TV had become a nasty habit.  The thing about habits is.....they are hard to give up.  So far, my decision has been an easy one.  Today, however, was a different story.  I arrived home thanking the heavens that it was Friday.  I let the dog out, sat on the couch, and stared at the blank TV.  I could feel my fingers itching to pick up the remote and settle in for a "relaxing" Friday afternoon.What was Barefoot Contessa cooking? Are Cory and Topanga finally getting married on Boy Meets World?  What did I miss between Derek and Meredith on Greys Anatomy?  While thinking about the events I had missed with my characters, something kept nagging my brain. I am literally sickened with shame at these photos....but whatever...admittance is the first step in recovery right?

and this didn't help either...

I realize that these photos are embarrassing, but in order for you to understand my dilemma, you need to see the true grit of the problem.  Just realizing that I would have to post these pictures on this blog as a promise to myself made me forget any longings for my television characters.  I turned on my ITunes playlist that includes This Woman's Work by Kate Bush (Best Song Ever) and The Story by Brandie Carlile.  I lit some candles and then I tackled the kitchen.

I thought that by giving up my normal routine of watching television, I would be sacrificing my "relaxing" afternoon.  Quite the contrary actually.  I feel incredibly relaxed knowing that I worked hard and that my apartment is clean.  (Side note....I'm still incredibly embarrassed  about the pictures I posted so if you see me in public....lets just not talk about it.  K?  Thanks.)
~Ashley