Kale Chips for MMM

Linking up today with Ashley, Amanda, and Whitney for 'Motive Me Monday'.  Today we are sharing recipes!  I went with more of a snack than a meal.  I went with Kale Chips.  Now if you have never heard of these, you are not alone.  I heard about them on 'The Ellen Degeneres Show' who had on Gwyneth Paltrow and she said she made this for her kids.  I looked up the recipe and every ones was a little different.  So I tried a few times and this time I think I got it right.  Just you know, these taste like potato chips.  I don't know how it is possible, I really don't...but they are good.  My husband may call it hippie food but he loves it. (you know how much trouble I would be in if he knew I told you!)

What To Do

- Wash & Dry Kale

- Rip the Kale apart into smaller/chip pieces

- Add enough Olive Oil to cover all Kale

- Add Salt (coarse preferably) to taste (I also had some pepper)

- Bake at 250 degrees: 20 minutes for bigger pieces, 15 minutes for smaller pieces

- Kale should be dark green, brown edges, and crispy

Washed

"Piece" size

Ready for the oven

Trust me...it is really good!

Fill It In Ya'll

Today I am back to linking up with Lauren for 'Fill in the Blanks Friday'

1.   When I was a kid I wanted to be      a veterinarian    when I grew up.

2.   As an adult, my dream job would be   to work at an art museum     .

3.  W hen I was younger I wanted to be just like  Lucille Ball   .

4. The childhood Halloween costume that I remember most was when I was    Cinderella...I actually didn't wear it for Halloween because we were in Disney World but I got to wear it when I got back   .

5.  My favorite childhood toy was    my teddy bear, I got him for Christmas when I was 2 and I still have him .

6.  The time I got into the biggest amount of trouble when I was a kid was when   my mom told me not to touch this candle holder, so I did.  And I broke it.   .

7.  I get daily inspiration from    my son, TV, pinterest .

Enchanted Beer Forest

Enchanted Beer Forest?  What the hell is that?  Well first off, we actually call it EBF for short.

Every fall and on the last weekend of October is EBF.  EBF is camping, drinking, and burning things.  Guss has been collecting things to burn since last EFB.  This year he has a headboard, coffee table, nightstand, couch, and random wood.  Previously there has been dressers and pretty much anything that can burn.
I have never been there because I am not allowed.  (Rules below).  My mom has six brothers and they are quite the bunch.  I think it has been almost 20 years they have been having EBF and as the years go on more people have been invited.  The usual to attend?  Well my uncles, my cousins, my girl cousins husbands, friends, and of course my husband.

*FYI - This is not an actual sign* :)


The Rules of the Enchanted Beer Forest
1. No girls allowed.  Unless they are hookers. (so there has never been a girl there haha)
2. Pull Loren (my uncle) away from the fire because my Grandma says so.
(i guess once he passed out near the fire)


And that's it.


Well this year (since I hate being alone), my two girl cousins, Katie & Haylee, are coming to celebrate our own EBF.  But no camping and burning things.  Maybe a little drinking, girl talk, and games!  So this year I am super excited!  Does your husband or significant other have a guys only weekend?  If they do, I'm curious to know if anyone else has a weird yet funny name for it.

Packers vs Vikings!!!

This past weekend I got the opportunity to go to a Packers versus Vikings game.  Besides the Bears, the Vikings are the Packers biggest rival!  I have been to Lambeau 4 times for games but tickets there are supadupa expensive. So this time I was invited to go to the Metradome in Minneapolis.  (Just so you know this post involves the word "poop")  My husband calls the Metradome the "Poopdome".  If you are familiar with sports stadiums you know Lambeau if one of the best.  The "Poopdome"?  One of the worst.  They want a new stadium so bad that the Vikings may be moving on to a different state.  The dome also has the smallest NFL screens I have ever seen.


Anyways.  Guss, myself, my BCF Katie, her husband, his cousin from Michigan, my cousin Rachel, and her husband all traveled to Minnesota.  We wanted to tailgate but for some reason they only have random designated areas.  The parking areas wouldn't allow it (this is the NFL, come on!!!!) so we ended up parking in a lot for $20 bucks and then walking across the street to a park.  At the park there were other people grilling and drinking.   Of course it rained so we took refuge under some trees in the park (seen below).  I will give the Poopdome two compliments.  It is a dome so we didn't have to sit in the rain, and the people who sold me beer were very friendly.  


It was easily 50% Packer fans so it was a lot of fun!  I was a little nervous at first but then we came out and kicked some major ass.  The Green Bay Packers are now 7-0...the only undefeated team in the league.  


Another little tidbit about the Poopdome is that since the mascot is the Vikings they blow this damn Viking horn when something good happens.  It even annoys me on the TV.  Well my cousin's husband made up something awesome and we all joined in.  To the tune of (yes, i am going to attempt to write this) "dooo-dooooooooo" we would go "scoooooooreboooaarrrrrd!"...yah...it was awesome.  


This part I am not saying I condone (since I did not participate) but my cousin's husband started saying something about the cheerleaders being fat.  They are by no means even close but he was drunk and out of control!  But the funny thing he said was "the cheerleaders are throwing butter in the stands!".  I don't even get it but I think that was hilarious!


Final thought...most of the pictures are blurry.  Blame it on the drunk Packer fans!

 Mason didn't come with but he was in his Packer gear!

 Hiding from the rain

 The poopdome in all its "glory"

We won!  That's Aaron Rodgers doing some interviews.  And to the right of him #8 is Ryan Longwell.  He used to play for the Packers and I actually have his autograph!

This also checks off #38 on my Day Zero Project!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Hello Kiley Giveaway!

Kiley over at Hello Kiley is having a great giveaway!

I don't usually blog about giveaways unless I really really want it!

She is giving away

Urban Decay Naked Palette!!!

I have heard about so many people having this and loving it.  But I am real cheap with make-up so I'm excited to get the chance to win this!

Go over and follow Kiley and enter this giveaway!

Yes, It is all about me!

I am linking up with my favorite Domesticated Hygienist Kasey for the second go'round of "It's All About Me"

Well I know last time I did some random questions that I stole from Kasey.  But today I am doing some other randoms.  Most of them odd randoms.  So here we go.  Don't judge. :)

- I like the smell of skunk.  Don't get me wrong...I don't want to smell like one!  But I don't cringe when I smell it.

- I am terrified of car washes

- If I could have any job in the world, I would work with trees.  I don't know what I would do with them but I just love looking and learning about trees.

- I bought my first Golden Retriever without telling my fiance (now husband)

- When we decided to get a second dog (another Golden Retriever) we went to a farm and I realized it was the same place we got our first one.  Turns our they are actual half brother and sister.  It was a nice surprise.

- I had to wear headgear for a year.  Thankfully I only had to do it after to school.

- I never really liked my sisters until they left for college.  Now we are good friends.

- I have never had detention/got sent to the principles office in my life.

- I used to have my very own horse.  I lived in town but my parents had friends who had horses.  She was an Arabian and was named Dancer.

- I worked at McDonald's (ending up as a manager) for 7 years

- I don't like even numbers

- I can't spend the night alone. I need another adult in the house.

- I was originally going to be a Police Officer

- When I was pregnant the Swine Flue/H1N1 peaked.  I got the H1N1 shot and a girl at my work said by doing so I was giving my son autism.  And it was like smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day.

- My son was frank breech, that is why I needed a c-section.  While some pregnant ladies complained their unborn baby was using their bladder as a punching bag, my son was actually sitting on it!  His toes were by his head (which on the ultrasound he liked to suck). I didn't find this out till I was 36 weeks pregnant.

Now my two most embarrassing randoms:

- I used a night light till I was 13.  My sisters made me (really) watch Freddy Kruger and It (with the scary clown) when I was younger and it took me forever to get over it!

- I still call my parents mommy and daddy (or daddie as my dad spells it)  I know it is weird but I just never got out of the habit.

Heart Therapy (3)

I have been trying not to do a link up everyday but this one is so good I can't not do it.  You can link up with Ashley for "Heart Therapy"

Today is all about hopes and dreams.  What we want to accomplish in life and what it is inside of yourself that you just want to get out?

I have a lot of hopes and dreams.  I think everyone does.  I have the general and cliche (but mean it from the bottom of my heart): be happy, fulfilled, raise healthy and good children.  And then the more personal ones.  I have dreams of traveling all 50 states, touring Europe, finding a career I love and get paid for.  

Then I have a few more personal hopes and dreams.  I want to write a book.  It would be somewhat of a memoir of my younger years.  I know to some that it might not seem interesting but I have a lot of stories that need to be shared.  Also my dream is just to be ok with who I am.  Not worry about what other people think.  I have struggled with that all my life and now I am in my late twenties.   I just want to comfortable with myself.  Not feel like I am always the outcast and uncomfortable.  The last few weeks I have just been down.  I have been having problems with my best friend and money troubles.  I'm sure some of you can relate - just feeling "off".  I want to get out of this funk and feel better.  I am trying so hard though.  I am just trying to tell myself "one day at a time".

Motivate Me Monday

A little late to the party today and I know I have touched on this subject before, but since it is a new link up, I am revisiting and will continue to do so!

So I will be linking up with Ashley, Whitney, and Amanda on Monday's for "Motivate Me Monday!"

Today is all about introduction...why fitness is important to you, strengths, weaknesses, goals, etc.

My strengths

I like fruits and a lot of veggies (I am telling myself that that is a strength!)

My weaknesses

- eating out

- making myself carb driven meals at home

- salt

- beer 

- smoking

My goals

- lose 45 pounds from my starting weight

- Zumba cardio party 3x/week

- Walks 5x/week (including treadmill)

- eat out only once a week

- drink more water

- remember to take vitamins every day

- quit smoking

Next week it is about healthy recipes!  I am very excited for that one!  

It is finally over!

This is my 100th Post!!! (at least my 100th written post but i think a few other ones squeezed in before i posted this) And the day has finally arrived!  I have finished all three of my 30 Day Challenges. There were times where I wanted to quit but I didn't. (Do I sound like a just ran a marathon?)  This also crosses off #61 on my Day Zero Project "Complete the 30 Day Truths".  (which would be the one's listed under P/Personal)


G: a photo of yourself & 3 good things that happened in the past 30 days - To tell you the truth, I don't have a lot of pictures of myself alone...I'm usually with people.  But for you today I will just post 2 funny pictures of myself...actually alone for once.  

I was stuck in between the bed and wall!

Most people eat popcorn or chips during a game...not me! I eat spaghetti noodles!  Well not anymore...the doc tells me I need to stop with the carbs! (this was a one time thing and don't worry...i didn't eat the whole thing!)

1) I went on vacation
2) I got almost 30 followers (I know that isn't much but it is to me! thanks so much for following!)
3) The Packers are 6-0 (not counting today's game) and the Brewers made it into the playoffs and LCS.  Which hasn't been done since the 1980's!


P: A letter to yourself - I actually did this for "Heart Therapy" a while ago.


F: A picture of someone you miss - These are my two Grandpas: Gilbert & Peter...they are both in heaven now but I miss them like crazy all the time.  

Pumpkin Patch

This past weekend we took Mason to a pumpkin patch for the first time!  We also took a wagon ride, played in a giant sandbox, and saw some animals.  It was really windy and a bit cold but still a success!

Franken'mason'

All he wanted to do was play in (or around) the sandbox

Our pumpkin nestled safely in the stroller.

Finally a picture of him by the pumpkins.

Wagon-ride...Mason thought it was OK.  My husband thought it would be fun to have that "look".

Friday Fill-In!

Linking up once again with Lauren for "Fill in the blank Friday!"

1.   Nothing says fall like      colorful trees, crunching leaves, football, and the smell of burnt leaves.

2.   My favorite autumnal tradition is   i don't have one yet, but we went to the pumpkin patch for the first time and now that Mason is old enough maybe that will be our new tradition      .

3.  My favorite fall treat is   not a big fan of pumpkin flavored stuff but i love hot apple cider, honey crisp apples, and specialty coffee drinks at Starbucks   .

4. Fall makes me think of    being cozy    because    I think of football Sunday's and being in sweatshirts and cuddling   .

5.  Autumn free form word association, go!    colors, trees, raking, pumpkins, cider .

6.  My go-to outfit in the fall is     jeans, sweatshirt and my converse shoes  .

7.  My favorite fall holiday is (Halloween or Thanksgiving)    Thanksgiving.  I am not too big into Halloween...never have been.  Now that I am an adult I got to a Halloween party (I will share my costume idea soon) but I love Thanksgiving. Great food and family.  I love it!

The (Figurative) Doctor Killer

I think I jinx doctors.  I either make them quit or they "resign".  I was thinking about making this a post awhile ago but then something today happened that affirmed it.  I got a letter from the last doctor I went to.  


Every doctor I have listed below is a doctor/therapist that I have "chased" away. These are their stories. *said in Law & Order voice*


Dr. D:  He was my OB/GYN when I was pregnant.  I loved him and he was very easy to trust (since my life and my son's were in his hands during the c-section).  However 3 months after my son was born he "resigned".  I say (type) it like that because he was asked to resign.  Not for malpractice or anything to do with patients and his ability...but other reasons.


Dr. R:  He was my general doctor.  I went to him for check-ups and a few other things over the years.  He retired last year. 


Dr. W:  She was my next GYN.  I needed to see her for "girly" reasons.  I saw her 3 times and then she told me she actually doesn't practice at the hospital all the time.  She was moving back to Montana.


Dr. B: This is my first therapist.  I had actually went for the initial visit and met with NK who I figured was going to be my therapist. However she wasn't taking new patients so I was recommended to Dr. B.  First visit?  He told me he accepted a new position somewhere else and would be gone in 3 weeks.  I still met with him a few times and the good news was NK said she would open appointments for me.


NK: She turned out to be my primary therapist.  I have been seeing her since last fall and because of her I have become a better person.  She was so easy to talk to and she was close in age to me so it was almost like talking to a friend.  Well all of sudden my insurance dropped...which means no more appointments with NK.  At my last appointment I told her but I wanted to make an appointment in a few months so I could save up some money.  Then came the bad news.  She also had accepted a new position somewhere and that day she had put in her notice.  Commence me crying for the whole appointment.


Dr. L:  Last but not least.  I went to see him one time (ONE TIME!), for a problem with my foot and yesterday I got a letter...he has decided to stop working for the hospital and work somewhere else.  


I know these are probably all coincidences...but it certainly does not feel like it.  I feel like I am the Doctor "Killer"  (like said in the title, in a figurative sense).  Hopefully in the future I will have better luck!

Another installment of "It's OK!"

Head on over to Amber and Neely's blogs and link up for "It's Ok Thursday!"
it's ok

...that i have never had Pirate's Booty until yesterday.  it is really good plus i love to say "you gettin' some booty" to my husband

...to cry because my parents cat is getting put to sleep tomorrow (who is going to say it isn't?)

...to take a shower with a small glass of wine after a long day...go ahead and judge but it is fantastic!

...to make walking on the treadmill less horrible by watching trashy tv while doing it

...to leave mason's room looking like this because he is just going to do it again tomorrow

...to be excited that the mail comes even though it is hardly anything good

...to think that your child/ren are the cutest in the universe...i think that is in the job description

...to have a husband who embarrasses me by his dancing but everyone else thinks he is hilarious (try living with him) :)

...that my dogs are my "vacuum" when Mason throws food on the floor (everyday!)

Twenty-Nine

G: hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days - My hopes and dreams are pretty simple.  Be happy and keep my son happy.  Then the not so simple...go back to school for nursing and move.  That of course includes: making our house sellable (that's a word right?), selling our house, finding another house, moving...yuck.


P: Something you hope to change about yourself and why - I think what I would like to change is my confidence.  I don't have the best self-esteem.  But going back to school and working in a field like Nursing, I need to step up my game.  Something I learned from therapy was that not everyone can like you.  There will be people who don't like you, I mean there are people I don't like so why should it be any different.  The biggest thing I learned (coming from a constant people-pleaser) is that everyone is responsible for their own feelings.  So this went a little off topic from the confidence thing but it ties in a bit.  I need to be confident in who I am and not worry about other people.

F: A picture that can always make you smile - taken this past summer

I'm in Love

This is pretty much a post of pictures, showing my love for my new life planner from Erin Condren.  (Yes I have also climbed on the bandwagon).  I am obsessed with planning and writing things down.  My parents told me, as soon as I could write I would be jotting things down.  Even things like "brush teeth", "wash hands".  So I feel like this was a good choice for me.  Plus it was an early Christmas gift from my mother-in-law! 

pretty box

wrapped like a present

nice and protected

my personalized notepads

my favorite things are listed on the front/back

love

Heart Therapy (2)

Today the prompt is to make a list of all the things you can think of that you are thankful for.

While I'm sure I will miss a few things here is my list.

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

- A husband who loves me

- A child who makes me laugh all the time

- Dogs who get annoying but protect us

- Having a house to live in

- Having parents that I can talk to about anything

- Good books to read

- Fall and the sweatshirt weather

- New blog friends and followers

- My husband who folded all the laundry this week :)

- Family who supports me and loves me for who I am

- A healthy family