Wednesday Want...

I love photography but not great at it. I am interested in learning some but just as a hobby. I love pictures and scrap booking. SO this is why today's Wednesday Want is Canon 55-250mm lens. I have a zoom lens that only does distance. Then I have a normal lens that doesn't zoom in. I am constantly switching them back and forth and you miss some good shots having to switch lens. This lens will do both!!  Maybe some day soon :))

                                      

Father's Day Treats

   This year on Father's Day our budget was a little tight since we are saving for Vacation. I thought what could I do for Michael that would be cheap but nice... Well I decided to feed him :)) Here are some samples of his special treats. 

First we started with these delicious muffins that I cooked before church. They are EASY!!!

Ingredients:

     

Cooking spray7 slices white or whole-wheat sandwich bread
6 slices bacon
6 large eggs
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter 6 standard muffin cups. With a rolling pin, flatten bread slices slightly and, with a 4 1/4-inch cookie cutter, cut into 7 rounds. Cut each round in half, then press 2 halves into each muffin cup, overlapping slightly and making sure bread comes up to edge of cup. Use extra bread to patch any gaps. 2.In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium, until almost crisp, 4 minutes, flipping once. (It will continue to cook in the oven.) Lay 1 bacon slice in each bread cup and crack an egg over each. Season with salt and pepper. Bake until egg whites are just set, 20 to 25 minutes. Run a small knife around cups to loosen toasts. Serve immediately.

Next I decided Mike needed something sweet. So we made these red velvet and cream cheese icing cupcakes. They were DELICIOSo!! 

 

I found these adorable free printables here.     

Most men drink so I thought... I need to get Mike a 6 pack so he can enjoy his Sunday and be lazy!!! 

 

But this is the 6 pack I was thinking about. Him and the kids all sat around and drank a glass bottle coke together. Of course my girls wanted to decorate them. So we found these cool print outs here. Mike had a Father's Day at home hanging with his kids, just what he wanted!!           

                               

Monday Munchies...

I thought I would add a new segment to the blog called Monday Munchies. I love cooking and LOVE trying new recipes. I love sharing what I find too :)) So I will try to put a new recipe up every Monday!

This week I'm going to start with one of our new favorites... This recipe is very easy and fast!! I don't add pineapple or juice to my share, due to being on low carb diet and it still taste GREAT!!

Shrimp Stir Fry

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Veg oil                         

8 oz. pkg. Snap peas            

1 red bell pepper                    

1/2 onion thinly sliced           

1 Tbsp minced garlic

8 oz. can pineapple tidbits (save juice)
3 Tbsp Teryaki

14 oz. pkg frozen shrimp thawed  

2 cups of brown or white rice

Directions:

In large skillet heat oil to medium heat. Combine peas, red bell pepper, onion, and garlic in skillet. Cook for 6 minutes or until almost tender. Add teryaki and pineapple juice. Then add shrimp and pineapple. Cook until heated through.

Cook rice according to package.

Happy Father's Day to all!!!!

Weight Loss Journey...

Almost 13 years ago I got pregnant with a Beautiful baby girl!!! At the age of 15 I was in denial. I refused maternity clothes and healthy food. I stayed away from home trying to avoid my parents which in return caused me to eat out everyday!! Well this is when my weight problems started. I gained 82 lbs! Yes you read this right... 120lbs to 202lbs when I walked out of Hospital. I immediately started on  weight loss journey. 

I learned exercise wasn't as easy after children as it was before. I learned I couldn't eat whatever I wanted and NOT gain. I learned I had to watch what I was eating and exercise everyday to lose weight. I learned losing weight was HARD!! I learned the words will power, discipline, and consistency. I learned persistence does pay off!!!

After saying that... Here I was 12 & 1/2 years later and weighed 181 again in my life. So the weight loss journey began again. Boy is harder to lose weight at 28 then it is at 16. I started February 11th after booking a cruise. I was NOT going to get on a cruise ship in a bathing suit at 181 lbs. I started first by counting calories in vs. calories burned. I did this with the AWESOME help of my body media armband. It tracks calories burned based on heart rate, precipitation, and muscle tension. It tracked my steps taken, sleep habits, and intensity of my work outs. This arm band was my BFF for a month. I lost 14lbs in 5 weeks. 

I went on my cruise and felt a little bit better after losing the weight. Ate how I wanted to on my cruise then came home to realize I gained 6 back. REALLY??? So back to counting calories I went.... and Nothing!!! No weight loss, no matter how hard I worked out and how many calories I cut. So I went to a nutritionist. She said lets try cutting carbs. HUH?!?! 

I have never tried cutting carbs. I have no idea what to eat when cutting carbs. I am NOT a meat eater (only b/c of taste) I am a HUGE bread eater. WOW!! What a change of lifestyle. But I did it!!! Weigh started falling off. Almost everyday I had lost another lb. I was loving it!! It was working!! 

Now 10 weeks later I am still on this weight loss journey. Losing weight takes planning, LOTS of planning. I have to plan out my meals and then plan out the families meals. Everyday is a challenge, but I have learned a new lesson. Instead of taking it day by day, take it meal by meal. If I want something sweet I go ahead and treat myself cause half way through it I'm satisfied and my lovely daughter, husband, or 3 yr old boy will finish it. Every 10 lbs down I reward myself BIG with either a piece of new clothing or Mexican food :)) 

I am now 1lb away from losing 30lbs so we (Tiff and I) are looking forward to some Beary Bear Yogurt. Here is my before and after picture as of 27lbs lost.

Farmer Boy

Most of you know my hubby is a computer, star wars, outer space nerd and I LOVE IT!! Well the past couple of weeks he has turned into Farmer Boy. Mud boots and all!! For the first time in 4 1/2 years he doesn't have to program a website that needs to be done by Yesterday. So needless to say he has come out of his computer!! Yay for me!!!

This past weekend he decided to try his hand at a garden by himself. It's not doing too bad, just started it a little too late (I think). He and Marisa planted some green peppers, cantaloupe and some seeds. The green peppers seem to be doing ok. Our cantaloupe on the other hand is not looking too good. The rain has beaten it to death. You can see it in the top left pic. Since I've taken this photo it has limped over even more :(

If you notice in the bottom right hand of the pic there is a wood box...Well that is his compost. He is turning, adding, and babysitting it every evening, even in the rain. He has researched and asked tons of questions from our experienced neighbors and has come to the conclusion that we need chickens to help boost the compost. I won't lie I would love to have the eggs too. So as of yesterday @ 7:30 am I was a proud owner of a chicken coop. Yes we are getting chickens...

     Front                                Back

The coop needs a lot of TLC, but it was basically given to us. With some new wood to replace the bad, some paint, and new chicken wire she might not look too bad!! I will keep you updated on the chicken coop progress. As far as the chickens, we will get them once coop is all done.

Lazy Rainy Day

This melts my heart!

Yesterday was just a Lazy Rainy Day...

(excuse pic...it's from my cell phone)

Calla Lilies...

Just a few weeks ago my calla lilies were just coming up. Now look at the payoff of hard work...

I love having fresh flowers in my home especially when I grow them!!

Finally after 9 years...

Well after 9 years of being together and 2 babies later, Tana and Robert signed the contract!! They're MARRIED!! I am so happy for them. The wedding was perfect.

 Tana's coworker who is interested in photography offered her services as a gift. I also said I would be more then happy to help. I LOVE photography but not to experienced (still learning). I thought this was an excellent oppurtunity for me to play. 

Tana was absolutely stunning!!

Mr & Mrs. Gagnon

I had a lot of fun and learned a ton!! Excited about what little project I can do next.

Love this place

I just love the Farmer's Market. It's a slight little drive from Mt. Juliet but never lets me down. Mike and I LOVE to eat at the BBQ joint. It's quite yummy, but really caloric too :) Our last trip we took I decided to take my camera and try out some photography (which I'm interested in but doesn't have much time for). I think overall it was a success. Here are a few shots I got...

All the fruits and veggies make the Farmer's Market full of color!! But I think my eye tends to go towards red...

Just walking around the Market makes you want to eat healthier. 

Aren't these a Beauty!!! 

Well like I said I am interested in learning photography but only for personal uses. I made a fabulous discovery yesterday and I feel I have hit the Jackpot LOL!! I was reading on a blog I follow (Thriftydecorchick) and she mentioned she uses picnik to do all her photo editing. Well let me tell you I spent ALL day on this site playing around with my photos. It sure does beat photoshop... (unless your a pro) It's so user friendly and EASY!!! Most of the tools are free but I went ahead and paid $25 for the year. Yes it's only $25 for the whole YEAR.

What doesn't belong...

Please, Please, Please, excuse the mess... This is our storage building in our back yard. It tends to get everything I want out of the house. It's the catch all and most of the time it catches all the kids stuff too. But I couldn't resist this picture though.

I was busy trimming bushes yesterday morning and noticed Isaac wasn't around anymore... SO of course I take off around the corner yelling "ISAAC" and where did I find him....Up there. He said "I am a Big Boy now cause I can get to the back just like Daddy" LOL!! Just thought I would share a little laughter from our day. Hope everyone is enjoying this Beautiful HOT weather were having.

What's Blooming

I took a little walk around my yard this morning hoping to enjoy the beautiful blooms around my house. Here's whats blooming at my house!!

Our "Tiffany" rose bush has 5 roses on it already this year, and can see some more buds. 

My Calla lily has started to peek out. 

And my Hostas are taking over. These guys are HUGE!! 

I just wish my Tulips would have come back this year. And my Hydrangea bush is not producing and flowers. I guess I'll give them some more time.