Thursday, September 30, 2010

Things I'm lovin' Thursday

Boots! I need to make a Marshalls or TJ Maxx or Macy's Trip very soon. I never know what I can or can't pull off so gf trip is a must!
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The office is back on tv :) Can not wait to watch tonight. Also I'm enjoying the show outsourced. The main character isn't bad to look at either :)



Decorating for Fall and feeling crafty. Everything inspires me to want to make something :)



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Christmas is just around the corner!



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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Work is taking over

I need a break from life sometimes. So yesterday I had horrible, lay in the fetal position stabbing pains in my RIGHT ovary (the cysts are supposed to be on my left) but of course, I had to work and I can't just leave. It's next to impossible and easier to get all hopped up on pain meds and plow through. I hate pain meds and I'm almost out so I'm sort of saving them for when I absolutely need them; yesterday I absolutely needed them.
After working all day I headed home and took an hour nap with the dogs, it was heaven :)  (Not me or my dogs in the pics)


 
I did manage to get Mercedes an appointment for today to see the vet to have her stiches evaluated. I'm getting a second opinion on my cysts on Monday :) It was the earliest appointment available and doesn't interfere too much for work. I'm also going to request a full blood work up because I've been feeling exhausted all the time and been getting horrible migraines. All of these "medical issues" are really causing me discomfort on an almost daily basis and really interfering with my life :(
I have a medical review tomorrow for my new anxiety meds which for some reason I thought was today. Thankfully the nurse called to confirm last night and it's tomorrow :) It's usually a 15 minute meeting, but this lady is only in 3 hours a week at the office I go to. Talk about inconvenient and of course, she's there from 9-12 or 11-2, some people have jobs so of course, I have to take time off work to go.
I followed everyone from yesterday but really haven't been able to poke around everyone's blog. Probably in the next few days. Work has been super busy and they're giving me even more stress-induced panic attacks waiting to happen. Now don't get my wrong, I LOVE my job. I've been here 7 years and it's been pretty much, my only REAL job. Like normal hours, benefits, vacation, etc. My job is by no means easy though. Everyday my job changes, I do alot of the same things, but when a crisis comes up it's mine, whether I'm in a good mood or not and I have to fix it. I shouldn't complain because I love my job and the people, but sometimes it's more than I feel like dealing with. I'm sure some of you understand what I'm talking about and if not, well you are lucky.
I need to do some grocery shopping tonight so hopefully my migraine goes away. Mr. P called and said he's probably taking today off so we will probably grill some dinner and watch a movie. Finally a night to relax. I also want to start on my spooky sign tutorial, hopefully by this weekend. Oh and this weekend we are using Sunday as a date day! We will be going apple pick and to a preseason Detroit Red Wings Game :) Something to look forward to!
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Monday, September 27, 2010

Easy Yummy Mushroom Pork Chops!

I make this recipe at least once per week and Mr. P loves it. Sometimes I'm known to throw it all in the crockpot, set it on low and let it cook! I made this in the oven yesterday while my kitchen was being put back together  (i.e. I got to sit on the couch and watch house hunters while the boys did all the heavy lifting). I came across the recipe online over a year ago and tweaked it to meet mine and Mr. P's tastes and lifestyle. Sometimes I make stuffing to top it with, other times the gravy itself is delicioso. So here is my guestimated recipe. Enjoy!

Gather ingredients, you will need:
2 pork chops (there is enough gravy for 4)
1 can mushroom soup (condensed, I used golden mushroom last night)
1/2 c. milk
salt & pepper to taste
Extra mushrooms (fresh or canned), optional
Stuffing, optional

Preheat oven to 350-375 degrees (depends on oven). Season pork chops to taste with salt & pepper. In bowl, combine mushroom soup and milk, whisk together. Add additional mushrooms if desired.  
Place pork chops on bottom of dish, pour mushroom mixture over pork chops. 

Bake for 1 hour, or until internal temperature of pork chops reaches 155 degrees F. If you would like to add the stuffing, prepare as directed on box and top pork chops when plating. Simple and scrumptious!

I made pepper jack mac & cheese. It didn't turn out exact because I tend to read the recipe as I go and oops! You were supposed to divide the cheese and I just added it all at the same time. Still turned out yummy!

I'm BACK!

From the weekend :) I had an extremely busy weekend. My weekend started out bad, I met my mom for dinner and within minutes of getting home was sick. :( I have no idea if it was the food, or something else but it was not a good night. I woke up Saturday, unsure of how I was feeling. While I took a shower, I came out to find the little devil dogs had chewed my favorite pair of heels :( 
It's hard to stay mad at that face...
I spent most of the day shopping, trying to find those exact shoes, in my size which I did!!!!They were $25 at Target and totally worth it, but now I have to break in the new pair. I also scooped up a few shirts off the clearance rack, 3 shirts for $20, what a steal! They will all be for work I'm sure.
My friend came over with my godson and we split a bottle of arbor mist (sangria) and some garlic dip with pita bread. 



It was a funny afternoon where we tried to watch accidental husband. The movie was pretty crappy but the wine made it better, we had a hard time following the story though...

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Mr. P came home early from work and we went to the movies and saw Dinner for Schmucks. It was funny and tons of chuckle moments, but not a great movie, in my opinion. I'm not sure why, but I expected something more memorable you know?
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Sunday was shop til you drop day :) I bought a ton of Halloween decorations and crafts. This week I'm going to do a couple tutorials for a Fall Leaf Wreath, a Scary Halloween sign and Halloween subway art. I feel like I've been bitten by the craft bug! I made an attempt at spice cake mini-pumpkins but the cakes got stuck to the pan and didn't turn out. Instead I made cupcakes and dusted them with the orange sugar. We will do a second try next weekend.


Mr. P put together my kitchen last night! I'm so happy I have a functioning kitchen again. Then we watched Abandoned which was Brittany Murphy's last movie. Throughout the movie Mr. P kept saying how she looked like crap and now I think it's cuz she died during production so they had to use a computer program to edit last minute scenes or something. The movie wasn't great, it had Dean Cain in it who used to be Superman when it was on TV, if anyone ever used to watch it. 
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Mimi Rogers was in it, but had a smallish side part. Overall I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars. Not great but not horrible.
Now to catch up on what everyone else did this weekend!!

I will be posting a super easy pork chop dinner tutorial later today. I made it for dinner last night while my kitchen was being put back together. I make it at least once a week. I need to upload the pictures and get it all set up.

Enjoy your Monday!!

Friday, September 24, 2010

100 Followers and Blueberry Cheesecake!

I was so happy when I saw I had 100 followers!!! Yay! Such an accomplishment. Thanks everyone for following, it truly means alot :)
Last night, my friend and I hit Victoria's Secret, thankfully they haven't given me an Angels card. I walked out spend $26.50 for 9 (yes, 9!) pairs of panties! That's less than $3/pair (for all you non-math whiz's)! I love their sales. Here are the bags in my closet that have accumulated over the last week or 2 :/

I then made the promised Blueberry Cheesecake for Mr. P. I got the recipe from here. I changed a few things "to taste" and I used Splenda vs. sugar. Here are my instructions:


Gather ingredients.






I used a granola crust I had been trying to figure out how to use and thought would be a healthy substitute.
Combine cream cheese with eggs and sugar (*Splenda).


Beat mixture well until consistency is smooth.


I added vanilla, even though it wasn't listed as an ingredient. Had I thought about it, I probably would have added a splash of lemon juice too.
Once mixture is well blended, pour into pie crust.
Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes (I baked mine for 45 minutes, turning temperature down to 325 for the last 10-15 minutes). Half-way through cooking I also added a shallow pan with water to the bottom shelf in the oven. I learned this in my pastry class, it helps the cheesecake cook through. Chill in refrigerator.
Top with blueberry pie filling and whipped topping as desired.
It was yummy! I also baked some slice and bake cookies as a surprise and reason to use the new stove :)


This was my kitchen helper who I tripped over all night :)
**The cone doesn't slow her down at all!


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