Writer's Block

I think I've been spreading myself a little too thin lately...

Between coordinating weddings, work, and family obligations, I have been neglecting my blog.

Couple that with more than 40 posts in less than 2 months , and I just haven't been able to come up with any new material! But, fear not, dear readers, I will be back with new and clever ideas ASAP!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Memorial Day

This song always gets to me...God Bless Our Troops

Blogs of Note

I am suffering from a wee bit of writer's block...I've been rather busy lately and just haven't really felt the inspiration to write anything.

Instead, I would like to recommend some blog writer's who don't lack for material. And they could not possibly be more different!

First off, I would love to introduce everyone to Awkward Family Photos. We all have them. People can either be brave and submit their own silly photos or choose to remain anonymous. There is a whole lot of anonymous going on at that blog. Here's just a teaser...

I would also like to introduce a new blog I have been enjoying lately, Neo-Neocon. This blog is written by a woman in her 50's who was a lifelong Democrat living in a Blue region of our country. After 9/11, she re-examined her politics and switched to the Republican way of thinking, much to the dismay of many of her friends, family, and colleagues.

I, myself, have avoided choosing a political side for most of my adult life. However, with the recent election of Obama, and a campaign that left such a sour taste in my mouth, I have become a Neo-Conservative as well! Her writing is witty, but much more tame than some of the pundits out there (i.e. Limbaugh et al). However, she's not for the die-hard Dems out there!

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Friday Fun Fact

As I'm sure you all know, this weekend marks Memorial Day holiday for Americans. And for almost everybody I know, it also means BBQ's with family and friends...

As an inpatient nurse for many, many years, holidays had lost some meaning for me. Since the hospital never closes, somebody has to be at work during the holidays, right? Memorial Day is just something I never really took the time to consider.

Now that I work in a clinic with guaranteed holidays off, I have taken the time to think about and appreciate the various holidays that America celebrates...

I have always held the utmost respect for our soldiers, and have always admired my father for serving in Vietnam (willingly, not through the draft.) My father-in-law is retired from 30 years of military service, and both my grandfathers are WWII vets. Anyone that has the courage to actually risk their life to protect and maintain the advantages we hold here in the US just strikes awe in my heart.

I know the Iraq war is quite controversial, but it is a part of our everyday lives. Our brothers and sisters are risking their lives so that others might enjoy the freedoms that we hold so dear to our own livelihoods. A lot of people don't want to believe that, and see this as a war that will keep us in oil. But I choose to believe that life has improved for people living in that corner of our globe, not as a result of our President, but as a result of our soldiers.

Now, I'm sure this fun fact isn't going to blow any minds, but Memorial Day celebrates the lives of all soldiers that have died in service of our great country. Here's something you may not know...Memorial Day was formerly known as Decoration Day. In 1868, it was decided that our country would take the time to observe the lives of those who've died defending our country by visiting and decorating their graves. I think this picture is pretty powerful stuff.

Happy Friday Everybody.

Make this for dinner tonight!

My mom made this the other night as a side dish, and with a couple additional ingredients, it was easy to make into a main dish for the Mr. and I! Buying a rotisserie chicken makes it even easier, and it's one of those dishes that you could add whatever your pleasure!

Here's what I used, but feel free to add any sort of veggies or other additives you like!

Rotisserie chicken (I thought the Lemon Pepper flavor sounded yummy!)
Fresh tomatoes (but if you're a sun-dried lover, that would work, too!)
2 16 oz cans of artichoke hearts
1 16 oz can of garbanzo beans
Fresh basil and Fresh mint
Parmesan
almonds (I would've used pine nuts if I had them!)
orzo pasta
Olive oil/vinegar/salt/pepper to taste

Make the orzo according to directions (it only takes about 6 minutes to be al dente!)

Slice up the tomatoes and throw it in with the warm pasta

Take a couple turns around the bend with the olive oil and add vinegar and salt/pepper to taste

Drain and rinse the artichoke hearts and garbanzos

Add the fresh herbs of your choice

Slice up the chicken (I discarded the skin because I was feeling very virtuous!)

Finish with Parmesan and almonds!

This was even better the next day when all the flavors had a chance to get to know each other. This was also pretty yummy when it was cold!

Enjoy! :)

Desperate Housewives

So, the season finale of Desperate Housewives happened last Sunday...

I admit, I have been known to suffer certain TV show addictions. I was seriously crazed for "Grey's Anatomy" a while back, but then it became dumb and I became annoyed with it, so I don't watch that one anymore...

Desperate Housewives has also gone through a boring phase as well, but I stuck with it for some reason and this season was super juicy!!! I was sad to see Edie killed off on the show, but I think the 5 year jump was totally cool and was a gamble the writers took that paid off...

OK, I am NOT a fan of Susan. She is annoying, and I am hoping that Mike did not marry her at the end of the season like the cliffhanger wants us to wonder. I used to like Katherine, but she became all whiny and clingy once she started dating Mike, and that annoys me.

I also do not like Lynette's husband, Tom, or Bree's husband, Orson. I don't really care too much for Lynette, either. I guess I don't really like anybody on the show, but I love the show!

And that's all I have to say today.

Would you buy this?

I posted a while back about DIY soap...

I met up with some of the Babes from Babes & Bullies over the weekend to do crafty stuff. (I'm beyond excited that some of the Babes are craft-dorks like me!!!) One of the girls makes homemade doggie treats, so I thought it would be cute if we sold treats for bullies AND treats for Babes (homemade soap!) at car washes and various upcoming events we have around Albuquerque.

I wanted to just make the one type, since we weren't too sure how well received they were going to be...Do you think Mojito Soap is trying too hard??? It's basically white soap that is lightly scented with vanilla and mint and has dried lime rings at the top. It turned out kind-of pretty, but I'm just not too sure about this one...


I wasn't able to take any pictures of our efforts, so I thought I would just provide a picture of a mojito instead...

Mmmmmmmm.......Mojitos!

Steal This Idea!!!

I thought these candles were so clever! These were the favors from a bridal shower I went to a couple of weeks ago. In place of the religious picture, there was a picture of the bride and groom.

I know they are sort-of tongue-in-cheek as they are obviously Catholic religious candles, but you can purchase them without any saint or Jesus or Virgin Mary stickers on them, so don't feel like you'd be throwing anything away, thus being sacreligious!



I'm not going to show the picture of mine to save the future bride and groom's privacy, but these can be made into just about anything you could put on a sticker! And they come in such bright colors, they are a nice (and different!) favor to provide to guests.

Friday Fun Fact

So, earlier this week I provided a couple of recipes that were chock-full of chocolate, sugar, and calories! Then, I watched the finale for The Biggest Loser.

I don't know about you all, but I was super inspired! The oldest contestant ever on the show was the at-home winner, after only spending 2 weeks at the ranch! AND passing out at the gym on the first episode! I was so happy that he won (I thought Ron was way too devious, glad he lost!!!)
I think I get way too involved in these reality shows!

A couple months ago, while working out at our gym with the Mr., we saw an older lady (I'm really bad at guessing age, but I'd have to put her in her late 70's maybe?) on the treadmill. On oxygen. Yep, her O2 tank was right off to the side and she was just plugging away! And not at a snail's pace either! It wasn't like she was running, but she wasn't walking slow! I just kept thinking-what is my excuse?

So here's some fun facts about exercise and age, many of which I'm sure most of you know, but perhaps not.



1. Disease prevention

By regulating certain hormones in your body, diseases like cancer and diabetes are prevented, along with a boost in immunity which also keeps you healthy!

2.Prevents osteoporosis

Bones respond to regular use by getting thicker and become thinner the less we use them. Weight bearing exercises strengthens our bones and prevents fractures as we age!

3.Decreased risk of depression and anxiety

Along with the hormones that are produced and circulated to prevent disease in our body, exercise increases the happy hormones responsible for mood and behavior as well! (Runners high is not a myth!)

Happy Friday Everybody!

OMG! This cake, like, made me so popular!

So, we had this crazy two weeks worth of celebrations at the clinic where I work. (Tomorrow marks the last day with a Salsa making competition, which I am NOT competing in!) The celebration was meant to mark Nurses Week which my hospital pointedly chose to ignore, but we're not talking about that anymore, I have let it go! *Deep Breath*

Anyways, one of the days was a Chocolate Extravaganza Fantasy Madness theme where everyone brought a chocolaty delicious dessert to share with everyone. I was not working that day, but I brought in this dessert anyways and evidently it received quite a lot of fanfare! I just had to make it again for Mother's Day! Boy, am I glad I did!

A couple of weeks ago, I asked my fellow blogging friend Mommy's Kitchen for some advice about what I should make for this celebration. She had several suggestions, but this one seemed right up my alley as it didn't involve any baking! I would like to introduce to everyone: The Chocolate Eclair Cake! Be prepared everybody, you are about to be subjected to some extremely unprofessional photography!

All you need is:

Graham Crackers

Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix

2 cups of milk

a tub of Cool Whip

a regular size jar of chocolate frosting

Prepare the vanilla pudding according to directions with 2 cups of milk (*Extreme action shot!)

Add Cool Whip (Really appetizing, I know!) And nice shadow of myself in the picture! I am GOOD!

Layer graham crackers at the bottom of a 9 x 13" pan

Alternate with your pudding mixture

Make sure you finish with the graham crackers!

Microwave the frosting on DEFROST for 30-40 seconds...That's all you need for it to be the perfect consistency

Spread evenly over the top!

Now, this cake needs to sit overnight so the graham crackers will get really soft~it was super yummy and unbelievably easy! Thanks Mommy's Kitchen!!!

Enjoy! :)

Nutella = World Peace

I think that Nutella is probably the best gift given to us by the Europeans. This is not up for debate. I think anything that makes it possible to eat a chocolate sandwich is fine in my book! This is actually encouraged on the jar! Mmmmm....Nutella!

One of my friends came across this recipe one night while we were at work. (Oops! I mean, after work! We never play around on the internet, checking our facebooks or reading blogs while at work!)

Anyways, the recipe called for almonds, I tried to change it up a bit with hazelnuts, but couldn't find any at the store, so almonds it is! Of course, the recipe is really easy and REALLY yummy!

All you need:
2 cans of crescent rolls
A jar of Nutella
Sliced almonds (these were dry toasted, but I bet salty one would be tasty as well!)

Roll out each individual crescent roll

Slather each triangle with Nutella (Yes, I said slather!)

Sprinkle on the sliced almonds

Roll 'em up!

Bake according to directions on the crescent roll packaging

And you'll have yummy chocolate crescent rolls!

Believe it or not, these were even better when they were cooled down!

Enjoy! :)

Letter to my Daughter

I can't believe it's already Book Club time again! Where did this past month go? Between work and my new found love of blogging, I haven't had as much time for reading I guess!

This month's pick was Maya Angelou's: Letter to my Daughter. It is a collection of short stories and poems that she wrote or enjoyed, describing different times in her life.

Maya Angelou never had a daughter, but she wrote this collection with all women in mind, as if they were all the daughter's she never had.

In my mind, I have always compared Angelou to Toni Morrison. While I have the utmost respect for Morrison's writing, I have never been "blown away" by anything that I've read of hers. While I had never read anything by Angelou, I was familiar with her poetry and public appearances. I was so impressed!

Even her poetry, which I have always struggled to decipher, was easy to understand. It was like you could hear her distinct voice speaking the words on the pages! And her writings on God and faith spoke to my heart in a way I would never be able to communicate in words that would give it any justice. It made me envious of her gift-an envy I've always had for people that are brave enough to put words to paper. (Although I suppose Angelou would say to examine my other gifts as everyone possesses at least one!)

This book was really easy to read and a nice departure from the "chick lit" I'm so fond of. Plus, the short story format makes it easy to consume in short spurts since I was so pressed for time this month!

I have never posted a question on my blog, but I think this is as good a time as any! Are there any special skills that people possess that make you envious? What would you love to do with your life if you could do anything?

Happy Nurses Week?

So, May 6th marked the beginning of Nurses Week.

Two years ago, the hospital I work for decided to give each of the nurses 5 "I Care" points. What is an "I Care" point you ask? It's an employee award recognition system at our hospital that other staff or patients can dole out to each other for good work. Once you've tallied up a certain number of points, you can exchange them for prizes at our hospital.

I have no problem with the "I care" program, because I think it is a nice way to recognize your co-workers, but I find the hospital giving each nurse an automatic 5 point for nurses week rather...lazy. And Rude. Especially since 5 points can literally only get you a ballpoint pen. Not even one of those clicky pens (I know my fellow nurses out there know exactly what I'm talking about~how annoying is it to get pen stains on your scrub pockets because you didn't feel like re-capping your regular pen???)

Anyways, last year the hospital redeemed itself by giving all the nurses these cute Chinese take-out boxes filled with tea and candles and stuff. The idea was to promote relaxation which I can totally agree with! No beef with the relaxation take-out box for nurses week.

This year, the hospital has sunk to a new low....

Instead of nurses week, they have decided to change it to "Hospital Employees Week". That is bull. Doctors get their own day, social workers, medical assistants, radiology techs. Why not the largest workforce in the hospital??? Now, I have no problem with just having a day and not an entire week, but come on! This is insulting. Everyone loves nurses, right?

Give us our own day, darn it!

Or deal with this lady!

Friday Fun Fact

Cinco de Mayo occurred earlier this week. Like St. Patrick's Day, is an excuse for Americans to party. Evidently, this is not even a widely celebrated holiday in Mexico! I have absolutely no problem or judgement for this, but thought it would be good to make it a Friday Fun Fact.

Cinco de Mayo is thought by many to be Mexican Independence Day. Actually, the true Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th and is the patriotic equivalent to our July 4th.

Cinco de Mayo was the day of the unlikely defeat of the French troops at the Battle of Puebla (the Mexican troops were outnumbered 2 to 1!) It was also the last time that an army from another continent invaded the Americas.

I think that is as good a reason as any to throw back a couple of Coronas and celebrate!!!

Happy Friday Everybody!

Burque Babes & Bullies

The Mr. and I have two pit bulls: CoCo and LuLu. Before we got our older one (CoCo) I knew nothing about pit bulls other than they were always in the headlines, attacking people and generally creating havoc. I also thought they were dogs that tough gang members had for "pets".

Little did I know that our future household member would be a sweet, lazy lap dog that loves everyone she meets and is gentle with our small niece and nephew.

I know that there has been a lot of bad press surrounding pit bulls and I would like to address some of that at a later post, but right now I want to tell everyone about the Burque Babes and Bullies.

This is a group of ladies that promotes the positive and rewarding aspects of the breed and works to dispel some of their myths. All the money they raise goes to a group here in town called Responsibly Adopting Albuquerque's Pit bulls (RAAP).

How do they raise money? By selling T-shirts with the BBB logo, having fundraisers, and promoting their pin-up style calendar! The calendar is really tasteful and cute, and helps to promote the idea that these dogs aren't just for guys that want to seem tough.

BTW, my girls and I will be featured in the 2010 calendar~I'll keep you posted! :)

Bridal Shower Gift-Part Two

OK, here's gift #2 from the weekend of bridal shower attendance!

I came up with this idea years and years ago and it's a nice gift to give a couple about to get married. Whether or not we've actually been brides ourselves, we know how hectic it can be to pull off a wedding. Between all the commotion and chaos, it's easy to lose sight of the reason for the celebration in the first place!

I like to give the bride a "Date Night" that she can share with her future husband to help them reconnect before their "I Do's".

I like to include a bottle of wine, some microwave popcorn, candy, and a gift card to Blockbuster so they can just spend a night on the couch, watching movies together. This can be altered in any way to reflect the likes of the couple involved. I also have given gift cards to a restaurant and theater in an envelope for a "Date Night" present as well!

Bridal Shower Gift-Part One

I was lucky enough to be invited to two bridal showers this past weekend and wanted to share a couple of gift ideas with everyone!

My go-to gift lately has been this first one: A Wedding Day Survival Kit!

I am fully aware that both my camera and my picture-taking skills are EXTREMELY poor, but you all get the idea here, right?

(I found these cute houndstooth tissues after the original picture was taken. Cool, huh? The tissues, obviously NOT the picture!)

Inside each kit, I like to include things that a busy bride might need on the big day: hair spray, chocolate, hand cream, a granola bar, mouthwash, deodorant, gum, lip gloss or chap stick, clear nail polish, Kleenex, and my little piece de resistance, a little bottle of tequila complete with some lime salt to make it a little better going down! Put it all together in a cute make-up bag and you have yourself a fun and different gift to give your friend at her bridal shower!

It's kind-of a gag gift, but my friends have confessed to actually using it on their wedding day and being quite glad to have it!

Man Chili!

We love chili in our house! Tex-Mex, Red, Green, whatever!

I usually like to make chili when it's really cold outside, but it has already significantly warmed up here in New Mexico. I was craving some chili, though, and this recipe is just too darn easy!

Do the onion, garlic and oil thing at the bottom of a pan...

Add a package of ground turkey meat (Even though we're using turkey, this meal is still manly, just trust me in this one!)

An entire 28 oz can of diced tomatoes, including the juice!

Who is my little helper in the kitchen? That is one of my sweet pit bulls, LuLu. Whenever I am cooking, she is always there to help out, making sure anything that hits the ground is promptly taken care of.

Rinsed 12 oz cans of pinto beans and corn

Add some salt and cayenne pepper to taste (you know what you like!) I find the packaged chili or taco seasonings to be rather salty myself.

And for the not-so-secret man ingredient?

Beer! Not chicken broth, not water. Beer. Any beer you like! This is what turns an ordinary chili into a man chili. Hooray for beer!

Let simmer on the stove for about 30 minutes or so, I'm not an expert on this. Just long enough for everything to get hot, and for all the alcohol to burn off.

Mmmmm....man chili!

Now for my favorite part: chili decorations! I like fresh cilantro, avocado, and a little bit of plain Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), but use your imagination here folks! Cheese, onions, tortilla chips, jalapenos, whatever!

Enjoy! :)

Friday Fun Fact

I have tried my hardest to not put my political two cents in my blog thus far...But I think it has become unavoidable. I just have to make some commentary here. Sorry to anyone reading this who is in love with our President, I know there are lots and lots of you.

Last week, there was a low flying plane over NYC. It ended up being one of the President's planes. Over New York City. A city that had been victim to the worst terrorist attack on American soil. A terrorist attack that involved PLANES! As you can imagine, people were freaked.

At first, the President's people said they didn't know anything about it, but quickly realized that that made them look like a bunch of idiots, as they are required to know where the plane is at all times in case of an emergency and the President needs to be on board. (The President was in Washington while this was taking place.)

Then, it was a "training flight" that had already been paid for, so they had to do it.

Finally, it was decided that this this training session should turn into a Photo-Op situation: "Air Force One flying over Ground Zero". How touching. I wonder how much that cost all of us? Couldn't this have just been "Photo-shopped"? Wouldn't it have been nice if the mayor of NYC had at least been notified? (Mayor Bloomberg was evidently furious!)

Within all this mess, I was able to come up with a fun fact for you all! Did you know that Air Force One is only able to hold that title when the President is on board? At all other times, it is only considered "one of the President's planes". The same holds true for the presidential helicopter which becomes "Marine One" while the President is on board. "Air Force Two" refers to any plane that is carrying our vice-President (but not the President, of course, because then it would be Air Force One!) I didn't know that until the other day when the Mr. told me. Pretty cool, if you ask me!

Happy Friday Everyone!