Quote

"If we ever find the meaning of life, it will be a musical note." - The Who

Sunday, December 16, 2012

30 Days of Thanks

I'm a little late in posting this- In the month of November, I took Facebook's 30 Days of Thanks challenge, in which each day in the month you post what you are thankful for.  Here is my list:

30 Days of Thanks
1:  Patience
2: "Almost Heaven" Amber Ale
3: Family and Friends
4: Football
5:  Sweatpants and Hoodies
6: To live in a free country and have the freedom to vote.
7: Pinterest
8: Toby
9:   My home
10: Sunshine and Red Wine
11: Our Veterans
12: Pandora Boy Band Radio
13: My job
14: My students
15: My coworkers
16: To have a break off of school
17: Free 50 yard line wvu tickets
18: Kitties- Ziggy, Cleo, and Mario
19: Kori and our many shopping sprees.
20: The friends, family, and pets that I have love and lost
21: Life lessons
22: Family traditions
23: Family time
24: Seat warmers
25: My Keurig
26: Pizza
27: Diet Coke
28: Chocolate
29: Today is Thursday and our Thursday show line up
30: That this is over.....

At times, it was really hard to pick something to be thankful for because it may have been a bad day.  Overall, it was very fun and I would do it again next year!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

DIY Roasted Red Peppers

Fall is my favorite time of year for many reasons.  I love the cooler weather to wear sweaters/hoodies, the leaves changing colors, pumpkin beers, pumpkin breads, and the list continues...

I also love the thought that red peppers go on sale for 10 for $10, because this gives me a chance to make roasted red peppers to last me all winter to add to meals.  It's also a great gift idea.  So, I decided to make some for my BFF Kori.  Here is a step by step tutorial with pictures:

 
Roasted Red Peppers

Preheat oven to broil.

Lightly coat the peppers with a coat of vegetable oil and put on a pan.



Place in the oven and keep a close eye on them, turning them when they become charred.



Once charred on all sides and tender, remove and immediatley place in a glass bowl.  Cover with plastic wrap and leave for 15-20 minutes. 



After 15-20 minutes, peel away skin (using a paper towel helps), and take out seeds, stem and ribs.  I like to cut them where the ribs are.  Finally, store in an air tight container. Fill container most of the way with olive oil.



I put mine in a Mason Jar and used a decorative cupcake liner, added a tag, and there's my gift!

FYI- A pint size Mason Jar will only hold about 3 average sized peppers. 

Monday, November 12, 2012

Celebrating Veteran's Day

Today marks the holiday in observing our Veterans.  I am thankful to all of the Veterans. For without them who knows just where we would be.

I thank the men and women serving today, I thank the men and woman who plan to serve in the future, I thank the men and women who have served in the past and I especially thank the men & women that paid the ultimate price for this country. Thank You and God Bless You.

Both of my grandfather's served in the military. 

My grandpa Bill was in the Korean War.  After he passed away (not from serving- medical issues), my grandma gave me one of his dogtags. 



My other grandpa Ron served in the Navy.  He went when he was 17 years old and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. 


On a side note, Kit-Kat won the Candy Bar Election!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Candy Election

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!!!

Today in school, my students participated in our primary election for our Candy Election.  It's the Chocolate against the Fruit/Chewy candy.  We made a list of all the types of candy that falls under that category and then voted on one from each.  And the winner is......

Kit-Kat vs. Starburst!!

It was a great activity for Halloween!  Students will write speeches as to why their choice of candy wins!  I will share with you the final results! 

Sometimes, teaching can be so fun!!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Ghetto Bedford

For the last 3 years, my family has gone to Bedford, PA to stay in a cabin.  The first year we celebrated my dad's 50th birthday, second year was my mom's 50th birthday, and this year was my sister's 30th birthday!   We went this weekend and had so much fun!  I call this blog "Ghetto Bedford" as an inside joke about my dad's reaction when we found out we were going there for his 50th birthday.

Since when we go it is someone's milestone birthday, we create a PowerPoint slideshow of their life.  It was my turn to make Kara's slideshow and I am so proud of myself because I did it!  I have never done a PowerPoint slideshow before, so I was quite impressed with myself (there was even music in it!).

Some things that we do in Bedford, is see the windmills, Gravity Hill (Google it), shopping, have bonfires, and drink.  This year was really no different. We went to the Johnstown Flood Memorial, drank Sam Adams Octoberfest out of a pumpkin keg, Kara and I sang and danced to New Kids on the Block, did some antiquing, played "Name that Tune 80s Style", created Bendaroos, drank, had a bonefire, grilled out, and drank some more.  One of the best part about Bedford, besides the breath-taking view, is that we always come home with delicious Delmonico steaks.  :)   

It was a nice relaxing few days away from work.  Here are a few pics from my mini-vacation.
The amazing view from the deck!  I watched the sunrise twice- no photo could ever capture its true beauty!

The windmills on our way in.  This was a cluster of them by the road.  I like the rustic meets modern look of this picture.

 








Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Pittsburgh Renaissance Faire

Another tradition that my BFF, Kori and I do every year is attend the annual Pittsburgh Renaissance Faire in New Stanton, PA.  We dress up, drink at the Pub, and have a blast!  This was my 6th year attending the faire, and every year is just as fun as the last. 

I was really excited this year because I got a new costume.  Here are a few pics. 



They have the neatest shops and gift ideas.  I got Toby's dad a family crest picture with the history, and my sister a candle that is actually a moisturizing lotion.  It's a great place for families, or 2 pirates trying to get some ale!  Huzzah!!

Friday, September 21, 2012

New Year's Resolution Updates

I can't believe it is almost the end of September. Crazy to think that only 10 months ago, did I compose these resolutions. Where does the time go??? Here is my New Year's Resolution update...

1.) I will maintain a healthy lifestyle. The exercising has not been happening, but I'm eating good. So technically, that is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I am eager to try out the walking trail by my house, but I need a buddy, because I've heard horror stories if you go by yourself. I'm making good choices in eating, so I'm still succeeding at this goal.

2.) Once a month, I will donate to an organization of my choice.
January- Money Donation to Relay for Life for our 2nd grade fundraiser.
February- Money Donation to the Empty Bowls Project of Monongalia County (a school fundraiser as well)
March- 2 1/2 bags of clothing and shoes donated to the Goodwill
April- Goodwill donation
May- Goodwill donation (gotta love moving!)
June- Cory's Kidz $10 donation in honor of a high school classmate that passed away. RIP Joey Burkland~~~~
July- $20 donation towards spay and neutering of stray animals in OBX
August- Goodwill donation and $30 donation to Cameroom Football Development Program
September- $5 donation to St. Jude's hospital and purchase from Pura Vida bracelets, which proceeds go to providing full time jobs to folks in Costa Rica and helping clean the shorelines.

 3.) I will pay off my credit cards. It's a work in progress.....as always. Haha. Balances are still low, even though unexpected purchases always come up! LoL.

And this last goal is just for this blog: ~I will post on my blog at least twice a month.- So far, so good!!! (Except for February! Hey, its a short month!)

I am doing good with my goals. I would say my weakest is the credit cards. Hey, what can I say!? This girl likes to spend money! LoL.

FYI Note: Today marks the 7th Anniversary of Toby and my first date. We went to TGIFriday's and then saw "The Exorcism of Emily Rose"

Tomorrow I will be going to the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival with Kori, which is a yearly tradition. I am very excited about it and will post about it before the end of this month! Until then! ~