something new



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Hi friends! I wanted to try something new. Not a resolution, because I don't really think those work, more like a goal. OK? I am starting small but, then will hopefully make this a regular event for our little family and this here blog.

So, here it is...

Every other week, I will be trying a brand new recipe!

Then, I'll tell you all about it. I want to be better about cooking and boost my confidence in this avenue. I was looking at my sidebar and my "labels" for each blog post and I have ONE recipe listed. One. This made me laugh. So, here we go...

Two weeks ago I found a recipe online at Pioneer Woman Cooks for Chicken Tortilla Soup.

You can find it here.

It was sooooooooo good! I didn't take a a single picture, because I hadn't anticipated blogging about it, and she takes way better pictures than me anyway, so head on over there.

It took me a long while to make it, but it was worth it. I have a hint, just before it's done you may need to add more salt and chili pepper, to make sure it isn't bland. Then, add lots of toppings. It was so great with avocado, sour cream, cheese and salsa!

Happy Cooking!

Back in the saddle again

Ok folks, first two shifts down, a lot more to go. I was fortunate to find an agency job after we came to Pensacola. An agency nurse is basically someone that travels around locally to hospitals when there is a need. So, I am oriented to three hospitals around the area. It has been over two years since I worked a 12 hour shift and my back is feeling it. Probably doesn't help that the only time I sat down in those 12 hours was when I ate lunch. That is definitely not an exaggeration. So, here is what I learned in the last two days...

1. I don't like the smell of poo.
2. I don't like standing for 12 hours.
3. I don't like having to get up really early in the morning.
4. I do like taking care of people.
5. I really like old people, especially when they respond to smiles.

Brooke

Gabe just finished his run with Pensacola Opera's production of Little Women. Gabe played the part of John Brooke. For those of you who remember the story, he is Laurie's tutor and marries the oldest sister, Meg. The operas are performed in the Sanger theater downtown. Here are a few moments I captured during a dress rehearsal.

(last minute set construction)

nice things

Monday night I snacked on this...

(I was introduced to this magic food in Kentucky. You will not find it at Publix or HEB, Walmart is the way to go. It is the most irresistable popcorn you will ever eat. Promise. Report back if you try it)

while watching this...

(I know, I know, I can't help myself. I know for sure I could not watch it live. I fast forward through 50% of it. I loooooooove Emily)

If any of you watch this show and do not read Natalie's commentary about the show you are seriously missing out!!!! I get excited for the season to start just so I can read her breakdowns of each episode.

So hysterical!

Read here

I was also reading this....

Matched by Ally Condie

Recommended by Lauren. I usually always love the books she recommends and I couldn't wait to start reading this. Only a few chapters in, and I know I'll love it!

I also listened to this..

( I know, I guess I'm a multitasker)

#4  Heavy in you Arms by Florence and the Machines

#5  My Love by Sia (from the proposal scene)

#9  Lets get Lost by Beck and Bat for Lashes

are my favorites, but they're all growing on me

Okay, those are some of my favorite things lately...

what are yours?

The new place

A lot of folks call this place P-Cola. 

I labeled this map to help you all understand our little world here. It's nice.

(The red dot is not our house. It's a hospital I will work at from time to time)

Very gracious patrons here in Pensacola are housing us while we live here, along with another couple. The patrons are on a very long cruise, so they view it more like we are house sitting. But, we all know they are really doing us a huuuuuuuuuge favor. As you can see from the map we are incredibly close to the bay and

I-10. We drive along the scenic highway to go downtown and the drive is so beautiful.

Here are the digs...

...and the most magical find in this big beautiful house...

That's right, shower show tunes, in the shower of course. Just in case you forget the lyrics to your favorite show tune mid washing.

Over and out from P-Cola

Diary of a Birthday

Somebody just turned...

He woke up and ...

For lunch he ate...



For dinner we ate at Outback Steakhouse...

Then we went and played some of this...



And then he...

...and then...

See how he backed away. We both started hacking shortly after. It's nice to end your birthday in a dramatic way. I love you baby!

We arrived in Pensacola the evening of January 2nd. We went to bed and woke up in Pensacola on our fifth anniversary, January 3rd. It makes celebrating a new year even more special. After some meetings and rehearsals, hubby and I were able to spend most of the day together. We were excited to explore Pensacola. We were staying in a hotel on Palafox street at the time, so we walked downtown, then continued a few blocks down to Pensacola Bay and this is what we found.

The Peacemaker

Kind of amazing what you can find if you take the time to explore.

 It was beautiful, and we were so glad we were able to tour the ship.

For dinner that night we went to Hemingways on Pensacola Beach. To get there from downtown you take a three mile bridge to Gulf Breeze then another bridge to the beach.

We're so excited to be here :)

Here is information about Gabe's upcoming show, Little Women

http://pensacolaopera.com/women.html

Pretty things

Here are a few of the handmade gifts I gave for Christmas this year...

My first project came from an idea using freezer paper stenciling. If you haven't tried this craft technique I highly recommend it for those of you that like instant gratification. Easy and fun!

The tutorial I used for help was this one, from Cheri at I am Momma Hear me Roar.

She uses a video which is super helpful.

I bought the shirt at Sports Authority, but then I also found shirts similar at Walmart. The only place I found the freezer paper was also at Walmart. Considering it was my very first try I thought it turned out pretty good. The possibilities are endless and I have a ton of freezer paper left. :)

Next, I made some simple tea towels with a cute fabric I found at Joanns. I bought the tea towels at Target, then just added a strip of fabric along the bottom and sewed the fabric in place.

Very easy and they were a big hit!

My third craft, involved an attempt at jewelry. I don't know very much about jewelry making, but I would like to learn more. Last year I found a great tutorial by Disney at Ruffles and Stuff.

She goes into great detail about some basics, which I tried to replicate for this necklace.

I found the beads at Hobby Lobby and the hardware at Michaels.

 Here was the finished product for my Mom...

Last but not least here are a few more pictures of the tree skirt.

I wish I had taken 100 pictures of every step, but alas I was kind of in a rush to finish and didn't pay attention to details like blogging. It took me forever to commit to the size. I was so afraid to cut this pretty fabric. So much so that I began dreaming about making it. I was at Gabe's mom one night explaining my fears and she made it real simple. "Here, just cut it the same size as my kitchen table." And that was that. It was precisely the right size. So, I cut the main fabric, and also a liner for the back with the table as a template. I then took one yard of the gold fabric and cut long, even strips. I folded each strip in half to add more volume then sewed them all together to make one very long gold piece, that was later ruffled.

The sequence went like this

Top--Main fabric (right side facing down)

Middle---gold ruffle pinned along liner with ruffle facing in

Bottom---liner (right side up)

I then sewed around the outside, then up the middle making a keyhole shape, leaving a small opening to flip it right side out and voila. I made ties for the back and it was done. I was so glad. Now, I'll need to make one for me one of these days. Thanks to everyone that helped with the details. It's amazing what you can come up with, when you have some extra mommas around ;)

New Year Festivities

Here are some pics from the last few days we spent in Orlando. Happy New Year everyone!

Gabe's extended family had a party at Gigi's house. I have been with Gabe for 11 years and I am still meeting new people. Huge family!

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We also visited Celebration with Mom and Linda to see all the Christmas decorations and the "snow."

New Years Eve we spent with my Dad and Beth. We watched the Noles win and had an extreme feast for just the four of us. No one ever leaves that house hungry. Especially Gabe.

 Partying the night away with Martinelli's by the fire. So fun!!!

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New Years Day we spent with Gabe's mom and siblings.

Garrett and Alex had the new XBox Kinect with Dance Live. Craziness ensued.

"...and after he's been hooked I'll play that one that's on his heart. Oh, oh, oh....

Can't read my, can't read my, no he can't read my pokerface..."

Peace out, friends

Christmas with Mom and Linda

Our Christmas extravagamza concluded with these lovely ladies.



My sister mentioned over Thanksgiving that she didn't have a tree skirt and immediately the wheels in my big brain started turning. I considered just buying her one, but I thought it would be more special if I could make her one. This is a picture we took after she opened it. It turned out pretty great. I'll post more pics of all my Christmas crafts/gifts later. I kept wanting to post all through December, but didn't want to ruin any surprises.

Look at Gabe's face with his storm trooper spatula. He loves it.

We were very blessed this Christmas. It was so wonderful to be home for so long and enjoy quality time with all our family members. We miss them all again, but it's nice to know that we're still in the same state.

Thanks Mom and Linda for a fabulous time!!!

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Pensacola is so pretty. I can't wait to share pics with you all. Miss you, love you, Bye!

Christmas with Dad and Beth

...and so it continues. :) Christmas Eve was a blast. We spent the evening in Longwood with my Dad and Beth, along with her sons, Sarah and Kris, and Kris' parents. Phew. Full house again.

Remember the Christmas sweaters we wore caroling with Gabe's mom? They were intended as a joke for Christmas Eve but she liked 'em so much she kept Gabe's. It really is cute. Doesn't he look darling with those little Santas?

At the end of the night we all sat in the living room and listened to Gabe play Christmas Carols on the piano. My Dad was feeling very brave and sang a duet with Gabe. It was magical. Really. It was great!

Thanks Dad and Beth for a great Christmas Eve!!!