DBC- Day 23

*A youtube video*

So, I'm kinda cheating. My youtube video is also my first vlog. I saw this fun thing on Jessica's Blog and wanted to join in on the fun! :) But, yes, it took me all of the month of January to do it. Shoot.

Anyways, here's the video! (I am from Michigan...I forgot to say that in the vlog!)



P.S. please ignore the terrible lighting. And please still be my friend after you watch this. :)


Here's the list of words and the questions if you want to follow along!

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

• What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
• What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
• What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
• What do you call gym shoes?
• What do you say to address a group of people?
• What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
• What do you call your grandparents?
• What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
• What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
• What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

Here's the link I promised! Click it!

This is going to be fun!

Love.

30 DBC- Day 22

*a website*

Ok, whenever I think of crazy websites, I always think of this little gem that my bud, Kathryn found in computer technology- six period, my sophomore year. :)

www.menwholooklikekennyrogers.com

30 DBC-Day 21

*a recipe*

Ok-I'm doing this all from memory, so cut me some slack if it's vague. But this is insanely delicious and a good way to use up veggies that are sitting in your fridge.

Pasta stir fry

1 lb linguine pasta, or whatever pasta you have
1 small container heavy whipping cream (8 oz?)
1 1/2 c Parma cheese (or whatever white cheese you prefer or have)
Veggies (whatever needs to be used up or sounds good!)
Chicken breasts-can be omitted if you want an all veggie meal (believe me, you won't miss it!)

Bring large pan up to boil with salted water for pasta. When boiling add pasta and cook al dente. (directions on box)
Meanwhile, in non stick sauté pan, season and cook chicken if you have it. Remove from pan-set aside. Pre chop all your veggies into bite sized pieces, or whatever size or shape you like. I like to use broccoli, green pepper, grape tomatoes, onion, mushroom, carrots and zucchini. All the veggies take different times to cook-so this is the tricky part. First, you heat up the oil ( just a few turns of the pan). Then the tougher veggies normally take longer. So, first, it's the carrots and broccoli. Wait a few minutes to give those guys a head start, then add green peppers and zucchini. Wait a few more minutes, then it's mushrooms and onions. And finally the tomatoes. Salt and pepper all the veggies and cook until tender crisp. Then, add cooked and drained pasta, along with the chicken, cream and cheese. It should thicken, if it doesn't, turn up the heat and/or add more cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!

So good and a great way to get your veggie fill! I can't wait to have a garden so I can just go pick stuff for dinner!

30 DBC- Day 20

*A Hobby*

I have lots of hobbies. I love crafting! Sewing and scrap booking are probably what I do the most, but right now, my best friend and I found out how to make fabric earrings and fabric jewelry...I will and plan to do a tutorial on that soon! :) For now...my favorite:

Please ignore the bad light....and tired eyes! It's what being sick does to you.

30 DBC- Day 19

*a talent of yours*

A talent....hmm. I think tomorrow is going to be easier to answer. My idea of a 'talent' is something Miss America would do. And since I don't dance or twirl batons, I don't know what my talent is!!

Is cooking a talent? Maybe baking? I love to do both of these and my husband loves it too! So, if you consider cooking or baking a talent, then that's it.

30 DBC- Day 18

Awe Man!

I was doing so good! O well...I got sick and I had to go to work (yuck) and I honestly didn't have any energy. I'm still not one hundred percent, but I'm feeling better than I did!

Anyways, Day 17's question is about my wedding (future/past/whatever).

Yes. I did get married. My wedding was amazing. I loved every minute of it-including the planning. To get caught-up....click on the "Wedding" label on my blog! :)

Love.

Treat for myself...and you too!

I bought myself a late Christmas present the other day. I really wanted a cookie jar, and my mom and Ry had looked for one for me, but didn't really see one that they thought I would like. Little did they know, I just wanted a standard, functional, but still pretty cookie jar. So I went to my local grocery store and found one I liked and bought it for myself! But of course, you can't buy a cookie jar, and not get things to put in it!

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 6-ounce package Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

{Source}

These are soooo good! The hubster doesn't really dig cranberries, but he loves these. And they are really easy to make for so much flavor!

30 DBC- Day 17

*An art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)*

My favorite art is always from my husband. He's an art major so of course his work is amazing, however, if you don't believe me...see for yourself! He did this piece in watercolor in December 2010.

I just hope our kids are this talented...

30 DBC- Day 16

*A song that makes me cry*





This song, "There goes my life" by Kenny Chesney makes me cry...every time! Love it. He sang it when I went to see him in 2008, and I totally blubbered like a baby. Haha!

30 DBC- Day 15

*My dream house*

My Dream house would have to be on some body of water. Somewhere with a wrap around porch and where it gets hot in the summer and cold and snowy in the winter. Something like this....

I really, really like this one! I actually love it.

Love the fall colors!

What a view! I can just see our kids jumping off that dock. :)

100

Happy 100 Posts to me! 

30 DBC- Day 14

*Favorite Non Fiction*

I really don't read non fiction books. But the first one that came to mind is a copy I own of Edgar Allen Poe's Poems and Short Stories. For some reason, I'm super fascinated with Poe. I remember one time I was reading "The Fall of the House of Usher" at work, and someone came up to talk to me (desk job) and I didn't know that they were there and I kinda yelped and jumped. Shoot. The thing is, I used to read Poe when I was little...I think I even remember a Wishbone on one of his stories? Maybe not. Sidenote, when Wishbone was super popular, I had a wishbone dog. Yea, I know...you're pretty jealous.

Daphne on a kayaking trip

O Christmas Tree....O Christmas Tree

The hubster took down the christmas tree today. Our first tree is sitting on the curb outside our home. So sad! And yes, we know it's January 13...our trash man comes on Friday, and we meant to take it down last week, but last Thursday was a little crazy for us! So, in honor of our first Christmas Tree....

We got a fake tree stand from Ryan's parent's...we made it work for our real tree! Toby "helping" set up the tree, of course!

 Me putting lights on our tiny tree

Ryan putting bulbs on

Our tree...complete with star!

Love

30 DBC- Day 13

*A fictional book*

I'm assuming this means what is your favorite fictional book?  I'm reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova right now and it's really good. It's also a pretty large book, which makes me feel really smart carrying it around an having my bookmark stick out half way through. It's about Dracula...it sounds silly, but it's kinda creepy and keeps you on your toes (in a good way!). I haven't gotten to the end, but so far, I would recommend it!

30 DBC- Day 12

*what is something you are OCD about?*

A few things I am OCD about are things like putting lotion on my legs after I shower, making sure Toby has water in his dish and pushing Ryan on to his side of the bed! He is such a bed/blanket hog! For you not married people out there-remember to buy two comforters/blankets! It sounds silly, but in the middle of the night when you don't wake up freezing, you'll be thanking me!

30 DBC- Day 11

This is the most recent photo of me...it was taken NYE. I'm the one four from the left.

This is another fairly recent photo of me...I'm not crazy about how I look, but I really like that wall!

So there you have it! :)

30 DBC- Day 10

*A Photo of you from ten years ago*

I, unfortunately, do not have access to my old photographs. However, I am planning on going to my parents home (where the photos are) this weekend. So, stay tuned....I owe ya one (or a few)! :)


On a side note-When it rains, it pours, so if you guys get around to it...send happy thoughts my way!

30DBC-Day 9

*A photo you took*

I took this photo on our honeymoon in Eleuthera. And I just realized that I never blogged more than one day! I think that should change after my 30 day challenge...!

30DBC-Day 8

Day 8 (sort of...I truly have an appreciation for you gals who blog every day!)

*A photo that makes you sad/angry*

This is a picture of a picture of my grandpa. He passed away February 2008 from cancer. It was really hard to not have him at my wedding, but seeing the blue of his shirt in random wedding photos makes me smile.

Jenny Venema Photography

Pinnacle Whipped

So here is my make up blog post for missing a day...

Over New Years weekend, I discovered Pinnacle Whipped. It's vodka...that tastes like WHIPPED CREAM. The best part...it's like 12.99 at my liquor store. Seriously. *little freak out moment on how amazing this is!*

Ok...So this is amazing, right? And, you can go here for a huge 100 recipe booklet-all made with this one type of vodka. But, my favorite is....

{Source}

Sarah's "Dreaming of Strawberries" Cocktail

1.5 oz Pinnacle Whipped

3 oz Strawberry Daiquiri Mix

Splash of Pineapple Juice 

Ice

Blend or Shake in martini mixer. Serve with Strawberry garnish

Perfect.

**Disclaimer-I am in no way an alcoholic. Seriously, the farthest thing from it! But, I do love girly drinks... :)**

30DBC-Day 7

Sorry Friends, I forgot to do yesterday's post. So, I think I owe you a 'real' post...:)

*A Photo that makes me happy*

This is a photo of Toby when he was a few months old and he was stinky. He needed a bath, and since he's half pom, all the pom fluff flatted, and he looked so ridiculous and pathetic. But this photo makes me so happy. I love my baby. :)

30 DBC- Day 6

*what are 20 of my favorite things?*

Ok, here's the (unofficial) list!

1. My puppy, Toby
2. Lake Michigan
3. Thai food
4. Photography
5. Weddings
6. Laughing
7. Chai soy lattes
8. Netflix
9. Books (reading and writing)
10. Ice cream
11. Crafts (sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking,ect...)
12. Cooking and baking
13. My iPhone
14. Traveling
15. Michigan Fall
16. Spontaneity
17. Cuddling
18. Rainstorms/lightning
19. Yankee Candles
20. My hubby, Ryan :)

30 DBC- Day 5

*What is my favorite quote?*

In honor of the Christmas spirit, and the fact I really am not into quotes (even though this one does give me the chills) I would have to say my favorite quote is "No man is a failure who has friends" from It's a Wonderful Life. I love it, and it really reminds me what not only the Christmas season is about, but really what every season is about.

30 DBC- Day 4

Day 4-What is your favorite book?

I just finished reading 'The Hunger Games'. It was really good. I honestly didn't sleep the entire night. It was really intense without being too graphic or too vulgar. But as much as I loved that book (series), I would say my favorite book would have to be anything by Jodi piccoult. I seriously love her books. Any of them is like watching a law and order episode-but better. The Hunger Games are a pretty close second. :)