I'm Awkward and I'm A Dork!!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY

FRIDAY!!

The weekend is here and I am starting mine off by having a pot luck supper with some of my closest friends!! Not only is this pot luck going to be filled with way too much yummy food but it also going to be in honor of my birthday! Yay!! I am actually getting my first cake for my birthday. That is what sucks about having your birthday land on Thanksgiving, you get a candle in a pie!

A neighbor and family friend, Shirley Young passed away last week. Being from a small community I don't think there was a person from Quyon who didn't know/love Shirley.

Yesterday afternoon was her wake. Jill, Jared (brother) and myself wanted to pay our respects to the family and headed to town.

The Young's/Draper's are a BIG family. We headed inside the funeral home a began giving our condolences to each person in the line.

I always find that I have to stop myself from saying, "How are you" while at a wake since it is a greeting I regularly use.

I was doing so well but when I got to the last person in line this is what happened:

While shaking the hand of Shirley's son.

Me: I'm very sorry for your loss.

Son: I appreciate that. She will be greatly missed.

Me- Nodding

Son: Thank you for coming

Me: No, thank you!

WHAT!?!?!?!?! Who says that?

I literally bolted out of there and instantly hit myself in the forehead.....stupid....stupid...stupid.

Why the heck would I need to thank him? Looking back now I can laugh and be laughed at. But still, why couldn't I be born a graceful and composed?

Hence, I am a super AWKWARD DORK and I'll never change!

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you have a great weekend!

xo

Another One Crossed Off

Happy Friday eve everyone! All week I have been thinking a day behind but the day before Friday is finally here and that thought brings a smile to my face. I need another weekend!

The weather here is getting colder and colder. I keep thinking it is too early to think about snow but I don't think it is that far off. Two winters ago Ryan and I carved pumpkin a week before Halloween and there was snow on the ground that night.

About every week I log onto Day Zero project and take a good look at my 101 list. I think about things that I can accomplish and ones that are in progress. Here is my list again: 101 list

Last weekend I happened to have nothing really planned. It was Thanksgiving, my birthday and I didn't have to work on Monday. So, I picked up some ingredients to complete number 83; make homemade soup from scratch.

I had found what looked to be a simple yet yummy soup recipe that would work perfectly for this and for a easy Monday night supper.

Here is the recipe:

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:

2 tsp butter

2-3 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup flour

4 1/2 cups milk

1 can of chicken broth

4 medium baking potatoes

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup chopped green onions

(which I didn't use because Ryan doesn't like them)

8 slices of bacon cooked and crumbled (divided)

1. Melt butter in stock pot over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute until fragrant.

2. Add flour.

3. SLOWLY add milk a little at a time while whisking constantly to eliminate lumps. Whisk until smooth.

4. Add chicken broth. Bring soup to a simmer and heat until thickened, stirring often. (Took about 5-10 minutes)

5. Once soup is thickened, turn heat to medium low. Cook potatoes in microwave for 5-10 minutes or until they can be easily sliced with a butter knife.

6. Cut potatoes in half, length wise and use a spoon to scoop out potato into pot discarding of skin. Smash the potatoes that are in the pot, breaking up large clumps.

7. Add 1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted.

8. Remove pot from heat and stir in 3/4 cup of sour cream, 1/4 green onion, and 4 strips of crumbled bacon.

9. Ladle into bowls and garnish with more sour cream, bacon and green onion if you wish.

Ryan's second over flowing bowl of soup

10. ENJOY!

This recipe was super easy and made ALOT so I took the left overs and froze them because there was more than enough for another supper down the road. The instructions at first were intimidating for me because there seemed to be alot of steps but really the hardest part was getting the potatoes out of the skins.

I will definitely make this recipe again because it is super filling and Ryan actually liked it! (AMAZING!)

Homemade soup, CHECK. Another thing accomplished off of my 101 list. 16 down 85 more to go!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday!

xo

What a Weekend and Happy Birthday To Me!

Hello out there!! It feels like forever since I have even been on a computer! Today is Tuesday but actually it is my Monday which means that this week will seem really short because of this past long weekend! Woo hoo!!

I had a FABULOUS weekend! So eventful but I still feel so rested! No dare this week since there was no way I was turning on my computer yesterday!

Friday I was so happy to get done work! I was feeling tired, sluggish and so ready for the weekend to start. In fact, the moment I got home from work I crawled straight to the basement and fell asleep!

Once I woke up from my Friday afternoon nap I went and made some yummy homemade pizza for supper. Zip.ca had sent me Slumdog Millionaire so Ry and I settled in for "Friday movie night in Beechgrove".

Saturday morning I woke up early because Jilly had invited me to run to the city with her for some errands! We headed first to pick up some pictures from Walmart and then headed straight to Starbucks for the Pumpkin Spice latte that I have been dreaming about for a week! Jill decided to get one too and had an "interesting" conversation with the cashier while we waited about Harry Potter.

Full of caffeine we headed off to Micheal's where I think we both spent WAY too much money on their discounted fall decorating stuff and then to Toys R Us. We finished off the morning with Lunch at Kelsey's with spinach dip included, yum! Perfect way to spend a Saturday morning!

Saturday night I had all of my family over. We had decided to not have turkey this year so instead we ordered in wings and fries from Gavan's, the local bar. We all pigged out while we watched the Leafs KILL the Sens. So wonderful! :-) In between periods we had birthday cake and presents for my birthday!

It was so fun teaching Faith how to blow out candles, she was so proud that she did it, with a little help from Auntie.

I got some wonderful presents; necklace, c.d and new hairdryer from Ry. Gift certificate for my favorite clothes from Ryan's parents, Zumba classes from my brother, sister in law and niece and look what my parents got me......

Isn't it funny how when you grow up you get excited over a mixer? ha ha! How things have changed!

Sunday morning was church, relaxing and supper at Ryan's parent's where his mom made a FEAST for us! It was so yummy and I was so thankful to have such such a delicious turkey dinner!

Monday was a day of relaxation! Baking so I could test out me new mixer, watching a movie, and then my first Zumba class where I sweat my butt off!! It was a fun workout though and I can't wait till next class!

Well there you have it! My busy weekend! Today will also be probably busy here at work but that's O.K I'm going to stay relaxed because today is:

My Birthday! It's so hard every year to start saying your new age, 23....23....23...wow! I can remember being 13 and thinking, "wow in ten years I'll be 23, weh that's old!" ha ha!

How was your weekend? What did you do? Are you full of Turkey?

Have a great Tuesday!

xo

Craft Night and Happy Friday!

Oh sweet, sweet Friday! Why is it so sweet? Because it is a Friday before a long weekend! That's why! There is something extra special about a long weekend...especially Thanksgiving! I am looking forward to some yummy food and great times with family! AND a pumpkin spice latte!! I tell you I need therapy, I'm obsessed!

Last year I was going to a craft night that was being held in my hometown once every month. That was super fun but I sometimes it would start to late (suppose to start at 7 never started till 8) and wished I could make something that I wanted since I have a million craft ideas rolling around in my brain. Well this year instead of renewing for the women's craft night I decided to start my own with some friends.

I invited a group of close friends that had also been going to craft night and they liked the idea too. They also agreed that they wanted to host their own craft for a certain month so that I actually don't have to do it every time. For example, this month I chose what the craft was and next will be Stacy.

For my craft night last night I wanted to make something for Halloween. It is just around the corner and I had this craft idea since last year.

Here are the supplies you need to make your own mason jar Halloween lantern:

- Glass jars (I used baby food, apple sauce and mason jars)

- Modge Podge

- Colored tissue paper

- Scissors

- Paint brush

- Black scrap booking paper

- Ribbon or Raffia

If you are hosting a craft night another item to add to your supplies list is yummy snacks....essential!! ha ha

First you clean your jars really well. You don't want some left over apple sauce molding in the bottom of the jars later on...ew....

Once the jars are clean and dry, take a jar, tissue paper (cut into 1-2 inch strips), modge podge and paint brush. Apply a thin coat of modge podge to the outside of your jar. Place a piece of tissue paper directly over top. You will have to put a little extra modge podge on the corners and sides of the tissue paper.

Ladies working hard!

Once the jar is completely covered grab your black paper and cut out the desired face.

Apply to jar using your modge podge.

Place a ribbon or raffia around the top of the jar, place tea light inside. Once completely dry light your lantern and enjoy your new spooky Halloween decoration!

Happy Friday everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!!

xo

Tag I'm it!

Did you all know that Thursday is my FAVORITE day of the week? Well it is. Not only is my bank account happy (pay day!) but it is the day before Friday.

This Thursday in particular I am having some lovely ladies over to partake is a craft night led by me! I'm excited to share with them all the craft that I did and that I am going to teach them to do!

(Don't worry I'll share it with you too!)

Kelly over at Keeping up with kelly & co. tagged me in a little "getting to know you" post! I answer questions from her and then pass some questions onto 8 other fellow bloggers! If you haven't gone over to Kelly's blog before GO! She is such a sweet heart, amazing baker and always writes the best posts!! Thanks for the tag Kelly!

Here are my answers to her questions:

1. What is your dream car?

To be honest that changes every day! I would love to have a Cadillac Escalade one day since it has always been one that I liked!

2. What is your favorite piece of jewelry you own?

I actually don't own any good jewelry (aka real). I do have one necklace that I got in Disney. It was at a place where you pay $20, pick an oyster out of the water and then find a pearl. I kept the pearl and got it mounted onto a necklace when I got back to Canada.

3. If you could have a spending spree at any store where would it be?

Ahh...that would be awesome!! I think I would pick H&M. I would have to travel to Montreal to do so but it would be so worth it!

4. Would you rather watch reality t.v or scripted t.v?

Oh..I love me some reality t.v! Survivor, Real Housewives, America's Next Top Model, House Hunters, Teen Mom etc...Seriously, the list could go on and on!

5. What is your after work/school snack?

I usually start supper as soon as I'm done work. Every week I buy a block of cheese, cut it up and store it in the fridge. Then throughout the week Ryan and I can snack on a couple of slices of cheese if we ever get hungry. I stole this idea from Ryan's Mom! (Thanks Bev!)

6. Would you rather have a good hair day or an awesome outfit?

My hair always looks the same but defiantly an awesome outfit!

7. What is your dream ideal job?

Surprisingly, enough I am actually doing my dream job at the family business. No, it's not very glamorous and sometimes it is really stressful but I love what I do. I get to meet some interesting people, work right across the road from my house (The traffic is awful, ha ha) and sometimes even travel. Perfect.

8. Why did you start blogging?

When I started blogging I did it as an experiment. I wasn't sure how it was going to go but kept an open mind. I ended up loving having a place where I could go and reflect! I keep thinking I'm going to run out of things to talk about but every day brings new ideas!

Alright here is who I tag:

Jill at Jill's World

Nicole at That's Life

Cait at Shopping Bags to Diaper Bags

Stacy at Stacy's 101 List

Sharon at Sharon's 101 List

Nell at Wranglers and Ribbons

Whitney at Everything Happens for a Reason

Mandy at Mandy's Blog

And anyone else who would like to answer the below questions!

Here are your questions ladies:

1. If you were stuck on a desert island, what 4 items would you bring with you?

2. What is your favorite thing to do when you have nothing to do?

3. What is your best asset?

4. What is your favorite restaurant and why?

5. What do you prefer, fancy night out on the town or movie/chips at home?

6. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?

7. What is the number 1 thing on your Christmas list this year?

8. What is your favorite holiday (which holiday and why) activity?

Happy Friday Eve!

xo

We Like Em' Big In The Pontiac....

Get your minds out of the gutter! ha ha

I'm talking about three large items that I've discovered over the last few weeks.....

A giant egg from my brother's egg farm

One weekend I had to go pick eggs for my brother and sister in law and out came this huge egg!! I just had to keep it to compare it to an average egg! When I cracked it, it had 3 yolks!! Weh!

Giant Apples from my apple tree

I only had one apple tree this year that actually produced apples and over half of the 6 dozen apples were HUGE! I still had a couple store bought apples in the fridge that I used for comparison. It was like two average apples in one!

Ryan's Giant pumpkin

Ryan has always wanted to grow a giant pumpkin and this year we finally attempted it. Our first plant died from frost so if the first one had continued to grow I bet this pumpkin would be even more huge! We both can't wait to grow another one next year.

On another note last week I was on the road visiting clients for work. Right around lunch time I was feeling pretty sluggish and so I said to myself;

"Self, you should stop at a Starbucks and FINALLY try a pumpkin spice latte that you have heard SOOO much about."

Well, I did. And let me tell you....O.......M......G.....I have died and gone to latte heaven!

It was honestly like drinking fall in a coffee cup. I would recommend it to anyone. In fact, I am currently thinking of ways to convince Jilly to stop at Starbucks on our Saturday trip to the city...ha ha :-)

I am officially addicted! I just wish the closest Starbucks wasn't an hour away! Boooo.....

My dare this week is to tell me something you are thankful for.

Well here is what I am thankful for:

I am thankful for an awesome family who have always love and supported me.

I am thankful for my beautiful niece Faith who brightens my day every time I see her.

I am thankful that I will have a new niece or nephew in March.

I am thankful for this handsome man who loves me despite my weirdness. Who protects me and always makes me smile.

I am thankful for all of my friends.

I am thankful that all of the above are healthy and happy including myself.

I am thankful for my beautiful home that I am making my own.

I am thankful for my job that I enjoy going to everyday.

I am thankful for my beautiful small town which right now is bursting with fall colors.

I am thankful for this blog and my readers. This blog has allowed me to express myself, reflect, meet new people, and share my life with others.

What are you thankful for?

xo

Dare #50 and What a weekend!

Hello lovelies! Welcome back to the work week! I am actually relieved to see the weekend come to an end because that means next weekend is Thanksgiving (in Canada).

I had one full weekend! Phew! But very eventful and fun!

Before I get to that here is your dare this week:

Dare #50:

Being that Thanksgiving is this coming weekend tell me, what are you thankful for?

I was a very happy girl come Friday afternoon. After a busy week at work and some other personal things going on, I was spent!

I went home on Friday afternoon and literally CRASHED on the couch and fell asleep for two hours. When I woke up Ryan and I headed to my parents home to play a couple of games of Euchre. We needed to get some practise in for the upcoming Euchre tournament on Saturday.

On Saturday morning I got to look after this little cutie.....

Jared and Holly wanted an hour to go for a run so Faith and I hung out for a little bit.

After Faith had gone home and Ryan returned from work we got ready and headed to Sharon and Wayne's for the euchre tournament that we were SO looking forward to.

Ryan and I love to play cards and were so thankful that Sharon and Wayne decided to put on this tournament.

We did awful but had a blast losing! ha ha! You should have seen the food spread! Snacks throughout the whole afternoon then spaghetti with homemade spaghetti sauce, garlic bread and Cesar salad for supper! Yum!

Being full as could be I had to duck out a little early to head to work.

Sunday morning I woke up pretty early because I am getting the living room/dining room painted. My whole house is a mess with paint cans everywhere and dry wall dust on every surface! Ah!

I decided to escape the mess for a bit and went to church with Mom. Afterwards, I headed back home to go take a nap but couldn't because the painting was not finished yet. So, I took out all of my baking supplies and made 6 homemade apple pies! All ready for Thanksgiving! Yum!

After the pies were ready and supper was in the fridge Ryan and I headed back to Sharon and Wayne's for a quick visit and to pick up a couple square bales for fall decorating. It was nice seeing Emma and Sharon again. (Sharon look in Emma's car seat, ha ha!)

Ryan finally harvested his pumpkin that didn't get so giant this year but it was great practise for next year! We tried weighing it and it is definitely over 100 lbs! Tucker is so scared of it! ha ha! The porch is now all decorated for the fall.

So, how was your weekend? Relaxing? Busy? Successful?

I hope everyone has a great Monday morning!

xo