Saturday, July 9, 2011

Subway breakfast

This is my first attempt to blog from my phone. Hope it works! Anyone use the Blogger+ app on your iPhone?

Anyway, I tried Subway breakfast for the first time this mornin and got the egg white muffin English muffin melt with ham and cheese! Yummy and healthy :)

Classroom Colors

Since I am so "design savvy" (that is a joke), I decided to post some pictures of my colors and I guess overall "theme" of my new classroom. When I am finished actually decorating it- I will post some real pictures!

Here are the colors I am using... these are my actual patterns on borders, posters, letters, etc.




My sweet and artistic friend, Ryan, is making me a canvas name sign to hang on my door with these colors and patterns.  That is one of the things that I am most excited about. 

I also have a set of paper lanterns that we used at our rehearsal dinner in these colors that we will be hanging sporadically from the ceiling. 

Another thing I am excited about is painting my hideous, scratched up, metal desk. Im thinking lime green? 

I am soooo excited for my classroom to come together and can't wait to show you guys pictures of the real thing!

Any fellow teachers out there have any classroom decor suggestions?

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Recipe Time!!

I tried my hand with a new recipe tonight at of the July edition of Cooking Light magazine. We have brothers staying with us this week (mine and Pat's), so I wanted to cook them something yummy and even a little bit healthy =)

Baked Ziti With Summer Veggies

Chop up a wholllle lot of veggies...

 Combine your squash, zucchini, and onion

In another bowl combine your tomato and garlic...

Cook the ziti according to package directions.

Drain.

Saute all your veggies for about 8 minutes (starting with S,Z,O combo and adding in T and G combo)

Remove the sautéed veggies from heat and add the pasta, mozzarella, salt, and fresh chopped basil and oregano.

Combine it together! Make sure it's a big skillet =)

Add one more mixture of ricotta and egg, cook for 15 minutes and here is the delicious result =)


The boys were happy so that made me happy- that and the fact that it was really good!

Here is the official recipe with measurements and stuff:

  • YIELD: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups)
  • COURSE: CasserolesMain Dishes
Ingredients
  • 4 ounces uncooked ziti
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped yellow squash
  • 1 cup chopped zucchini
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cups chopped tomato
  • garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/4 cup (2 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
  • large egg, lightly beaten
  • Cooking spray

Preparation
  • 1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.
  • 2. Preheat oven to 400°.
  • 3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan. Add squash, zucchini, and onion; sauté 5 minutes. Add tomato and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in pasta, 1/2 cup mozzarella, herbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper.
  • 4. Combine ricotta, remaining salt, and egg. Stir into pasta mixture. Spoon into an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until bubbly and browned.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Chattanooooooga

Chattanooga is awesome! How have I never been to this little gem of a place before? I definitely see myself going back often since we are only an hour and a half away. Well, for us it was about three hours because of this crazy detour we had to go on complete with stand still traffic. Fun. We ate the lunch we packed in the car and got there about 1ish.

We had some great trip advisors (some friends) that told us where to park, to ride the free shuttle, and even gave us their free passes for the aquarium. So we followed their advice and went straight to the aquarium without a hitch.

We got on the FREE electric shuttle... love free stuff lol and headed to the aquarium.

Saw some cool animals



And some funny looking ones... lol

Pat's favorite part was the wall as we were leaving. Not sure what this had to do with aquariums?

We stopped at the little outdoor market on our way out, listened to some good music, and bought some new earrings =)

Spotted this adorable place and just had to stop. 

Figured it would be okay to eat this chocolate cupcake PILED with peanut butter icing since we were walking everywhere all day right?

Stopped at a used book store. It was so junky. And the lady was rude.

Walked the pedestrian bridge and back...

Saw these adorable townhouses. I want one!

Almost died of heat exhaustion...

And then ate dinner at this awesome restaurant called The Terminal Brewhouse. Unfortunately, we put the camera back in the car because I think Pat was kind of tired of carrying it. I understood I guess. Ha- but really the place was great. I had a delicious salad with roasted pecans and chicken and goat cheese. Can we say YUM?!

We headed back home and fell asleep immediately! Long but awesome day with hubs. Loved it. Can't wait to do it again.

Any other places around me (North Alabama) that you guys would recommend checking out?

Thursday, June 30, 2011

The Travel Itch

I have slightly settled my need to do some fun things itch... Pat and I are going on a day trip to Chattanooga on Saturday. We plan to walk around downtown, visit the shops, hang out at the park by the river, eat a good dinner, etc. I am excited! Any must sees, must eats, or must shops anyone?

Anyway, here are the places on my "before we have kids travel destinations: US edition"


I know, I know- I have never been to Vegas. Everyone has to go to Vegas at some point right?


Wine Country- Norther California. I can't imagine the beauty of strolling through vineyards...



Austin, TX- I have just heard that Austin is so much FUN


Cape Cod- looks so beautiful


Chicago, IL

Seattle, WA


It looks like we have a busy few years ahead of us doesn't it? Better start making some serious money lol. 

Anyone been to these places and have any recommendations?

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

From nannying to traveling to Fourth of July fashion

God is amazing. Let me just start out with that simple statement.

Next, this "summer off" where I would have so much free time to blog and play, has been SO busy! I am a nanny for some awesome girls 5 days a week and on top of that I am trying to get ready for MY OWN CLASSROOM!

You heard me ladies and gents, I will officially be a 5th grade teacher at a wonderful private school starting in August. I am so excited but I have so much work to do. I am going this weekend to start buying some things for my room. I will definitely put up pictures of the progress. I also have been studying the math and reading curriculum that I will be teaching- it is good stuff! I do have 30+ novels to read before I start teaching the reading series though. Haha, no biggie.

Anyway, one of the main things I am feeling right now is this itch to DO SOMETHING. I am not sure what and I am not sure why. I just feel like we need to go and see the world and live and experience things. I have been thinking so much about the monotony of life and the ruts that we get stuck in and how many experiences we pass up worrying about money and time and silly things that mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. Life is so short and I have really found myself thinking lately about how much I want to travel and have fun with my husband exploring God's beautiful creations.

Sorry, that was so random. Let's move onto more important things like Fourth of July fashion right?!

We will be spending the evening watching bands and fireworks in a park in the middle of July in HOT Alabama- so what in the world do I wear?! Here are some cute things I have found:


LOVING this look from Forever 21... just about exactly how casually I will be dressing for our blazing outdoor affair.



Who could resist this adorable outfit from H&M? Blue and white striped dress, red shoes, and a hat? Yes please. 


Love this casual skirt and tank combo topped off with red sunglasses. So cute. 


The look below is from Madewell- lace tank, shorts, and a red and white striped cardigan around the waist to give it a little flair. 

These last two outfits are from Nasty Gal. Im lovin the first look- I would feel super American. 


The red and white romper is pretty presh too... 


Which of these looks would you sport to celebrate the Fourth of July?

Friday, June 17, 2011

iPhone photo dump

My iPhone is filling up with fun photos that I have taken over the last month or so when I got it- I thought I would share a few of my favorites with ya'll =)

 Good times at tutoring

Me and Hubs at my sweet friend Natalie's rehearsal dinner 

Me and Nat at the bridesmaid luncheon, showing off the cute bag she gave us! 

Last day of tutoring... already miss them =( 

I finally beat my dad!! The one and only time haha

 Cute decor at my cousin's baby shower.. can't wait to meet baby Wes. 

 Centerpiece- it was so cute. 

Beautiful hydrangeas from my Aunt Jill's yard 

Ahhh this kitten! I wanna squeeze it it's so cute- at my Mimi's house.  

My little brother's awesome hair the other morning

Hubs at the beach... with his cousin's hair extensions in. Kinda scary.  

Beautiful sky that day...

Us at the beach =) 

The girls I nanny found these and we nursed them for a few days before their mom came back for them.

The girl's being nuts- this is the "Superman with a wave" 

You can't tell from this picture but they were coming full speed down a hill in this plastic wagon, lol 

My adorable new bike

Beautiful lilies in our backyard. Atleast, I think that's what they are. 

These are some of my faves... be back with another dump soon I'm sure. That sounded weird. Night!!