So fresh and so clean, clean

Homemade guacamole

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Onions and bell peppers

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Steak

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Fajitas

I started marinating the steak yesterday in my very own fajita blend mixture (we don't use that bottled shit round here).  The citrus tenderizes the skirt steak and the spices give it the zing, once you give it a taste you can never go back.  Same goes for the guacamole, it's so easy to make and tastes so fresh and clean compared to the pre-packaed stuff with all those chemicals they add.

Pumpkin pie muffins to top it all off.

It's all about me

I can never find my crochet hooks because I leave them all over the house so this morning I decided to make myself a present to reward my bad behavior.

When I was younger Olivia was not a popular name and I could never find anything with my name written on it.  These days it's everywhere but having a pencil with your name on it at 31 is not the same as when you're 6.

Now this is no pencil, so I am pleased as punch to have my name scrawled on the front in my very own handwriting.  I haven't quite decided on the button so it is not attached yet.  I'm either going with this one or maybe a wooden button, not sure yet.

I am very happy with how it turned out and it will be getting used today.

Bang Bang, she shot me down

You don't have to make it out to Bonefish grill to have bang bang shrimp.  We decided to stay in tonight, have a few drinks, and watch a dvd.  I also made some grouper but it didn't look as pretty so I didn't take a photo of it but look at that shrimp.  Yes, it was that good.

*as requested I am adding the recipe

Peeled and cleaned uncooked shrimp

1/4 cup thai sweet chili sauce

1/4 mayo

sriracha hot chili sauce

cornstarch

oil for frying

I just throw the shrimp in a ziploc bag with the cornstarch.  The amount of cornstarch will depend on the number of shrimp you're making.  Just make sure they are coated well doesn't need to be exact.  Get the oil nice and hot ( I don't have a deep fryer so I just use a pan on the stove).  While the oil is heating mix the mayo, thai sweet chili, and the sriracha together.  The thai chili and sriracha can be found in the "asian" section of any regular grocery store.  If you have never used sriracha I warn you the stuff can be potent so be careful, just use a few drops at a time (remember you can always add more, taking away is impossible).  The man can't handle spicy stuff so about 4 drops was okay for him, I won't tell you how much I put for mine it would probably peel paint off a car.

Oh yes, I almost forgot about that oil it's probably hot by now so fry those shrimp up not too long or they will get rubbery a couple minutes is all they really take.  The cornstarch will turn slightly golden and some of it will fall off the shrimp but that's okay as long as some of it stays on.  These shrimp aren't suppose to be covered in a thick batter just enough to grab onto the sauce.  Drain those little shrimpies on a papertowel then throw them into a large bowl.  Put the sauce you made into the bowl ( I only use about half) and mix them around.  When the shrimp is coated put them in a serving dish and put some chopped green onions on top.  I think they put the shrimp on top of some shredded lettuce at Bonefish so if you're trying to impress you can do that too.  

I also received a lovely little note from a blog reader.  It was such a nice surprise when I opened up my p.o. box this morning.  As soon as I got home I found a cute letter set to use so I could write back.

Matchbox Love and a giveaway

Matchboxes are a fun quick craft that can become quite addicting.  They are usually filled with an assortment of small items.  Buttons, stickers, brads, beads, ribbon, etc.

You can either take a regular matchbox and decorate or you can make your own with card stock.  Rachel has a free template available for those who want to try a hand at making their own.  I just bought a multi pack of matchboxes at walmart but then realized I was just wasting all the matches so I will be making my own once my current supply runs out.

These are the ones I have made so far and either given away or swapped.  You can find a bunch of groups on flickr and see all sorts of matchboxes people have made.

MissT makes some really amazing ones that I love.  I found  this one that caught my eye as well.

I'm already working on a new one that I will be giving away.  Entering will be as easy as leaving a comment.

My neighbor Totoro...

Would you like him to be yours?  All I could get in today was a little etsy shop update, I really do have to hand it to people who run their shops full time.  It is a lot of work, I just do it for fun and sometimes I just have to take a break because it can become so draining.

I've made a few of these guys already and I just think Totoro is so darn cute making him is so much fun!

Happy Birthday Marley

My dear sweet Marley will be 2 tomorrow.  We don't know if tomorrow is her actual birthday since she was found on the side of the road when she was about a week old by a wonderful woman in Alabama with her mama and her brother and sisters.  Unfortunately her mama was very thin and sick but this woman who found them took them all in and got each and everyone of them vet care.  Mama was a fighter and nursed the little ones for about 4 weeks and sadly passed away.  I was lucky enough to adopt Marley when she was about 7 weeks old, she was a teeny weeny little fluff ball.  Look at that face, how could you not fall in love instantly?

Now she is going to be 2 and I couldn't have asked for a better snuggle buddy, I love her to pieces.  She had developed a love for piggies so I got her this one for her birthday present and tomorrow she will be having a tasty NY strip steak to celebrate. 

She has a natural mohawk that started to form when she was about 6 months old.  I tried to get it to go down but it won't, all the charts from the vet's off say "cream lab mix with awesome mohawk" for her description.  Got to love it!

Rainbows and Unicorns

Inspired by thedaintysquid’s love of color Sunday’s cupcakes were bright, fun, and cheery.  Unfortunately my favorite frosting tip had an altercation with Mr. garbage disposal so the frosting was a little more rustic than usual.

 

I have to say the layering of all the colors extended the prep time by quite a bit but the outcome is well worth it.  When I’m short on time I use a basic box of cake mix and a couple extra tweeks to make them extra tasty.

 Frosting on the other hand is always homemade, I just can’t stand the stuff that comes in those plastic tubs.  All you need is confectioners sugar, butter, vanilla, and a little cream.  I don’t even measure I just toss them in the mixer and out comes frosting.

Where are those unicorns?



YAY! Saturday

What is everyone up to today?  Me, I'm trying to finish up the is guy and get him sold.  I spent the morning making his hat since fall is fast approaching and I don't want him to catch a cold.  I also attached his eyes and muzzle.  If don't recall earlier this week he looked like this so he is slowly taking shape.  There is still a little tweeking that needs to be done to his face before it is just right, then I'm off to make him a little matching scarf. 

The mornings have been slightly cooler here, a small sign of the changing of the seasons.  The magnolia's have all fallen and the days are getting shorter.  Does anyone have any last minute warm weather adventures?

  

iphone friday

This was my day

Driving to work in the morning

purse

drink

muffin breakfast

casual friday

1st place in the office olympics obstacle course

cool kid

sweet marley <3

How was yours?

Rescue 911

My dear sweet dog Marley rescued this little guy.  He was sitting in gutter and she went over to him and just stared at him until the man saw it and picked it up.  Minutes later a street sweeper came by, he would not have survived it.  I don't know if it is a he but I always think of turtle as male.  Also, please excuse my horrible chipped nail polish.

He's so teeny weeny and cute.  I already went to the pet store and picked up some turtle hatchling food but he hasn't eaten it yet.  Anyone know what kind of turtle this is?  I am thinking Florida mud turtle but I could be very wrong.  I sent his cute little picture off to some turtle site to see if they can identify him for me.  For now this little guy needs a name.  Any suggestions?

Hey there.

I think I mentioned before I signed up for a September blogging workshop that had daily blog prompts.  I only managed to actually complete one.  This here is going to be #2, you can’t say I don’t stick with anything (even if it is only partially).  Yesterday’s topic was “Take a moment to write about your nightly routine”

I really wish I had some amazing things but in reality evenings just seem to wiz on by and are usually filled with the need to’s and not the want to’s.  It is usually 5 o’clock before I manage get home for the day and there is little time to wind down before dinner needs to be made, assistance with homework is needed, the dog needs walking, etc…. then there are the dishes, I loathe them.  After all is said and done I have a very limited amount of actual me time.  There is so much going on during the week that family time has to get squeezed in every chance you have and personal sanity time usually gets pushed aside into the dark corner.

This weekend the boys will be out of the house and I will have an unlimited supply of time to do whatever it is I feel like doing, even if it is nothing.  I dug the mohair fabric I have out of the cabinet last  night and started on a couple new stuffed animals.  I forgot how much I liked hand sewing, it’s almost soothing. 

What are your evening routines?





The boys are busy

As some people may or may not be aware 9/14 is a very big day in the video gaming universe.  The latest Halo game was released and has taken the souls of many boys young and old.  

They are going to be preoccupied for hours, days, weeks.  The kid has time restrictions on his game play, I'm wondering if the man should have them as well.

Of course we had to get the super special legendary edition because it came with extras.

We won't go into how much all this cost.

The kid's xbox broke a few weeks ago so of course he needed a new one because the boys can't share they each need their own.  Boys = 1 man + 1 kid

  

Disconnected

This past work week seemed to last forever even though it was a day shorter than normal.  The cubicle walls felt a little closer and by the end of the week I was to the point of suffocation.  Close of business on Friday did not come soon enough and I bolted as fast as my legs could carry me outside into fresh air.  

I tried my best to stay away from the computer this weekend so I could recoop and recharge.  I cleaned, I did some sewing, crocheting, and of course I made some edible goodies.

What do you do when you need a break from your 9-5?

To die for banana pudding.

2 bags pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies

2 bananas, sliced (you can add more if you like)

 2 cups of milk

1 1/2 boxes of french vanilla instant pudding (the 5 oz boxes and make sure you get french vanilla, it doesn't taste right with regular.)

1 8oz package of cream cheese softened

1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk

12 oz of whipped cream ( I make my own but you can use store bought)

Put the milk and pudding mix in a bowl and blend with mixer about 2 minutes.  Using another bowl mix the cream cheese and condensed milk together and until smooth, if your cream cheese isn't softened it will be lumpy and you will have cream cheese lumps in the finished product. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Line the bottom of a pan with cookies.  Pour some of the mixture over the cookies, add some bananas, more cookies (this is where I add the broken ones, save the pretty ones for the top layer.) more mixture and bananas, more mixture then your final layer of cookies. Cookies on the bottom and top all the other stuff in the middle how ever you want it, doesn't really matter.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

I hope that makes sense, someone gave me the recipe so I can't take credit but if you have any questions let me know.

Baby, baby

Holding onto summer sweetness

I came across Cathe Holden's website today and found a tutorial for these simple summer cherries.  The woman is amazing and is so creative.  I didn't have any beads, modge podge, or green paper with type so I had to improvise.

I used some red wool and needle felted some balls and used some wool felt to make some leaves.  Not bad for a quick little project to decorate some empty jam jars.  I have quite a few of these jars so I think I will try and make a different type of berry for each of them and see how they turn out.  

Happy Labor Day!

No work today and I am pleased as punch.  There is a brisket slow roasting in the oven and the house is already filling with the smell, yum.  Does anyone have any plans for today?  I am still going through all my stuff and deep cleaning my house.  My craft room is the only place in the entire house that has carpet, everything else is hardwood and can be a pain in the arse to clean to my liking.  

It goes something like this: 

1.  We sweep

2.  We dust mop

3.  We vacuum on the bare floor setting

4.  Finally Steam clean

Unfortunately we have had 2 shitty shark floor steamers that have both broken.  A complete waste of a couple hundred dollars I must say.  The options at Target, Walmart, and other similar stores are quite limited and I really did not want to throw away more money on the stupid shark.  Lucky for me I was in Macy's the other week and came across a HANN steam floor cleaner, it was on sale and I loved the way it looked so obviously I couldn't resist.  I have to say it works like a charm and I am very hopeful it will withstand the test of time.

You know that blanket I thought I was going to be done with today?  HA! Not even close to being done.  At this point it just looks like a giant scarf so I am going to continue to work on it.

I'm also trying to reduce the clutter in my craft room and finding all sorts of odds and ends that are not getting used.  I'm sure there is someone out there that will appreciate it and make something lovely.  Is anyone interested is this?  It is just thread and some ribbon odds and ends.  If so just shoot me an email secretlylovespink@gmail.com and it's yours.

This or that

How brand loyal are you?  My selections are below feel free to add yours in the comments, this is all in good fun I know some people get pretty hardcore when it comes to brand loyalty.

Canon or Nikon

In the Coke and Pepsi wars

Mac or PC

Fast food or homemade

Store bought or handmade