New Beginnings.

Well. Here we are. I've been gone and there's a reason. The biggest is that we've recently moved from a small town to the big city. But there's more to it than that. I'll explain.

So Lent started almost two weeks ago and that's what started it. Some years I don't really feel compelled to give anything up. I might fast one day a week or give up chocolate. Nothing major. One year as a teenager my dad made us all give up TV. That was fun. But some years I feel really convicted. I know there's a thorn that needs dealing with. This year I knew I needed to give up shopping. And anyone who knows me knows what a true sacrifice this is. I don't just love shopping retail, although that's a part of my vice, I love a good deal. I love to shop the thrift stores and sale racks for those hidden gems. I mean who hasn't used shopping to make yourself feel better? (And if you haven't, clearly you are a better human being than I and you can just keep that information to yourself thank you very much.) But for me it was happening way to often. And I have a closet full of clothes I've worn one time and a house full of things I don't really need. Because while shopping initially made me feel better, it didn't last.

And so I became really introspective. What was it that would make me feel better? Maybe Lent should be something more than just giving up the physical and tangible. Maybe I needed to give up something of my very nature as well.

I'm not an overly self-confident individual. I'm a people pleaser. Always forming myself into what others wanted me to be. But never quite sure who I wanted to be. Don't get me wrong over the years I've realized that isn't the way to live. I'm a far different individual at 36 than I was at 26. But at my core, I haven't changed much.

I am an avid blog reader. I love blogs about fashion and crafting. Thrifting and DIY. Food blogs and all the blogs in between. There's so much to be inspired by. It's why I started this blog. I thought maybe someone would want to read what I had to say. But it's a bit of a Catch 22 isn't it? I'm inundated with all the amazing things other people do and I start to feel that I'm not good enough. My nose is too big and my hips are too wide. I have 'man hands.' And most of what I create is just something that someone else did first. And the list goes on and on.

So there's the real thorn. The one that's been with me for far too long. The thing I really need to give up. My lack of self-confidence. My inability to see myself as I truly am. That compared to all the other women and men out there I just don't measure up. What could I possibly have to say or make or do that anyone would care about? I'm not special or unique.

But you see I am. I realized I have my mother's nose. A beautiful woman inside and out who's taught me more about how to love and live well than any other woman I know. And my wide hips have enabled me to give birth to three beautiful daughters. Little girls who I hope will grow into lovely and confident women. And my 'man hands' have created some really pretty things. Even if someone else did it first.

So along with shopping, I'm giving up my very nature. And it starts here. With my blog. Because I have things to say and stuff to create too. And maybe someone out there will want read it, but maybe not. And that's ok.

Because in the end it won't matter how many people heard what I had to say. Only that I had the courage to say it.

A motto for life.

"Live in a mansion. Marry Justin Beiber. Always wear a nightgown to bed." Emma age 7

Well said my little one. Well said.

(And no I didn't die. I just still haven't managed to balance real life and a blog.)

A rose by any other name...

...wouldn't look as sweet. A little outfit post and refashion for you today. When I found this little blouse at the Goodwill I immediately saw it's potential. I mean what's not to love about little rosebuds? Right? And to be truthful it wasn't that bad before. Just a little dated. I shortened the sleeves because I knew I would want to wear it this summer and I adjusted the neck line. I love it! Hope you do to.

Before


After

A bad week, a good outfit and Applebee's.

Sorry for the lack of posting. Last week was bad. Like work all week, someone stealing my credit card information, $40 going missing from my purse while at school, wind storm so strong it knocks our entire fence over, bad. And today my daughter is throwing up. So yeah. Looks like this week is going to be a winner too.

But this outfit is pretty good. It was actually going to be the last outfit that I posted for my abbreviated 30 for 30. It is just so simple and classic. I felt pretty great in it too. Ironically it's the last thing I wore before my life fell apart last time and I was absent from blogging for so long. But that's a story for another day.



My sweet husband and I are having this "discussion" last night. We got to talking about the royal wedding this week and that got us to talking about Princess Diana and subsequently her death. We were talking about where we were when we found out. And we both say "We were at the bar and it came on TV." And I say "Yeah we were at Applebee's." And my husband says "No. We were at the "such and such" pub in our old neighborhood." He can't remember the name of the place, which to me is suspect. But long, boring story short, we cannot agree. We are both convinced of where we were. And it just got me to thinking. Memory is a weird thing.

And that's it really. Until next time.

Take me out to the ballgame.

So I am subbing at the school yesterday and I have lunch duty. I look up and see a table of 3rd grade boys fooling around. I walk up to them and say:

"Y'all need to stop doing the wave and sit down and eat your lunch."

They look up at me wide eyed and shocked and say:

"You know what it's called?!"

"Yes."

"Have you been to a baseball game?"

"Yes."

"Have you done the wave?"

"Yes I have."

With mouths hanging open they say "Cool."

The most delicious pork you will ever eat.

And that's not an understatement. Admittedly this isn't the best picture. But I wasn't going to waste time retaking them because I was in too big of a hurry to eat. That's how good this pork is. It is the most delicious pork I have ever eaten. For real. And I have eaten a lot of pork. It is moist and tender and so full of flavor. I served it on both corn and flour tortillas and the corn was way better. Just ignore the half eaten beans in the background. Next time I will serve this with whole black beans and maybe some spanish rice.

Where did this most fabulous recipe come from you ask? Well I'll tell you. Because I learned how to share in kindergarten. This fabulous girl is my sweet cousin. Her blog covers her journey following her weight loss surgery. She's awesome. Really. I admire her so much for her determination to go through with the surgery and then maintain everything afterward. And she's an awesome cook. She created this recipe all on her own. Amazing.

The only change I made was to cook it in the oven. I baked it at 325 for 3-4 hours. Just until it was fork tender. This made it slightly crunchy and browned on the edges. And I think that you are supposed to use red salsa that has green chile in it. And even though I have learned to read, again thank you kindergarten, I used green tomatillo salsa instead. But I think it was a happy accident and would make the same mistake again.

Four bean turkey chili.

See, I told you I was back. I'm gonna change it up. And surprise you with a recipe today. It's been all about the cute outfits around here, but y'all I am a girl of many talents. I cook too. Among other things.

With the cold snap here this week I was all about the soups. And this chili is a winner. Serve it with your favorite cornbread recipe and I guarantee you won't be sorry.

Here is the link for the recipe. I pretty much follow the recipe except I use about 2 cups of broth and I only drain my garbanzo beans. The others I just dump right in. It makes it a litte thicker.

This is a really lean and healthy chili. Except when you eat it smothered in cheese as Frito pie the next day. Which in my opinion is how it should be eaten. Enjoy.