Try It Out Tuesday

Pinspiration:

Source: tumblr.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Here's my version:

This was so easy. I really hate when I see nail tutorials on Pinterest that claim to be so easy...like that one with the sponge ombre nails (totally NOT easy)...and they're just a big, fat fail. Waste of time. These? THESE are easy. I do have some suggestions for you, though:

1. Paint your nails one color and then wait a very long time. See, I have no patience. I just want them to dry! already! If you're a little more normal and can wait the elapsed time for your nails to dry, well, then, proceed when ready. As for me, I painted the next step on the next day.

2. Get out your fancy scissors and tape. I would suggest you cut your strips before hand. Place the new, fun edge over half your finger and get to painting. I let this dry a few minutes before I took the tape off.

3. Be sure to use top coat.

And just because it's funny:

(And if you don't get the reference- Go Here)

Also, one of my favorite bloggers is giving away a cute maternity top! You should go check that out and soon! The giveaway ends on Wednesday.

Linking up with:

Try It Out Tuesday

How about an easy recipe for your Tuesday night? This recipe has been modified significantly (because of sweet screaming child at the grocery store) but it stems from the Pioneer Woman's Asian Flank Steak. I was only able to get some of the ingredients so I kind of did my own thing and the result was still pretty tasty.

Here's what you'll need:
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup sherry
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons garlic (I used that amazing garlic in a tube. Sounds gross, but oh so tasty.) Old school way: 3-5 cloves
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
3 flat steaks (Flank or Flat Iron or Other)
2 Green Onions
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Directions

• Mix the first seven ingredients into a bowl.
• Pour mixture into a large ziplock bag and place the steaks inside to marinade for 3-5 hours.
• Grill steaks for a couple of minutes on both sides.
• Cut in slices and pour roasted sesame seeds and chopped onions over as garnish!
• Enjoy!

As a side, I made these. Seriously- I might never make baked potatoes any other way. It was easy of course, and oh-so-yummy.

Source: realmomkitchen.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Try It Out Tuesday

I haven't posted one of my try outs in quite some time, but after I tasted the yummy dinner I prepared last night. I knew today would be the day! Because let me tell you...

You've got to try this easy yet flavorful recipe!

I also finished the book I've been reading today so you'll want to try that out, too.

Grilled Chicken with Spinach and Melted Mozzarella



Recipe print off options found here.  The best part? It's low in calories and high in protein! If you click on the link, you'll be redirected to Gina from SkinnyTaste.com. If you're on weight watchers, it's your lucky day because she provides the point information for many of her recipes.

I would never tell Captain J that what he consumed last night was good for him. He might not like it as much anymore! Of course, I added the pasta and bread, but the noodles were whole wheat! He really enjoyed it. I did, too especially because I just had some more for lunch today. It makes for tasty leftovers!

I've been cooking a lot more lately. In an effort to save time and money, I've begun to plan out our meals for each week and only make a trip to the grocery store one time. I despise the grocery store, but I will say that it is much more fun now that I'm printing coupons. I go to coupons.com and use their printable options. When I don't find what I'm looking for there, I browse around google looking for specific product coupons. Target has a lot of great options, too for cleaning supplies and basic grocery necessities. It's rewarding to see how much I have saved at the end of the receipt when I check out. Not only am I feeling better about saving a few dollars here and there, but I'm also impressing the Captain. I usually step outside my comfort zone of tasty country cookin' to try to make a wide variety of meals he might enjoy. I think he's really embracing this new side of me.

Enough about food, let's talk literature...

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt



This book by Beth Hoffman sat on my shelf for awhile, just waiting to be plucked from the masses of unreads in my lineup. It stole my heart! I've always been a sucker for southern literature. Here are a few quotes from others describing this novel:

"Anyone in need of a Southern-girl-power fix will find {this book} engaging." - People

"Charming, disarming, sweet as the scent of magnolias on a Southern summer night." - Mary Kay Andrews

and my favorite-

"A peach of a novel." - Ladies Home Journal

I like the latter most because that's exactly how I would describe it.

The main character and book namesake, Cecilia Honeycutt, had a troubled life. Growing up in the North with an eccentric mother who clung to her days of growing up in Georgia and the life she had built herself there as Vidalia Onion Queen left its toll on young CeeCee. When tragedy strikes her household, she has no where to turn and is forced to leave the only life she's ever known to live with an aunt she has barely met.

CeeCee's character is one of a very strong and sweet girl who is attempting to navigate through the mess of feelings she has for her mom and dad. Disappointment and embarrassment are not uncommon for her, but what evolves from her story is much different. Perseverance, love, and a little Southern hospitality help to change CeeCee's world, yet again.

All the characters in the book are each interesting in their own way. Hoffman's words leave you wanting to know more about each one. This is definitely a chick read, but it's a good one all the same. Let me know if you try it out!

Love,

Try It Out Tuesday

Haven't done this in awhile, ehh? Despite having a "me" day, I still got a lot accomplished. I think it's this summer solstice. When it's constantly gorgeous outside, I yearn to get out and be productive. After hanging out with these two cutie patooties-

and then spending time with this precious little dearie-

I decided it was time to get to work on a few chores around my house. I have a certain special visitor coming up to see me very soon so I cleaned the spare bedroom from head to toe. Then I got to work on my "dream board" that I've been wanting to do for so long. What's a dream board, you may ask? Well, there's an exhaustive definition over at my blog buddy Dutch's page so why don't you go check that out. In short, it's a place to portray goals and dreams creatively. It's a place of motivation. It's a place to visualize what you want out of life and each day. Too hippyish for ya? Well, heck, for me it's just another excuse for crafting :) Here's my final product (although I'm sure I'll add more as I see fit):

On the dry erase portion, I plan to keep track of daily and weekly goals in regard to exercising, chores, watching what I eat, and bible verse memorizations. I'm excited. Think it'll work? Anyway, TRY IT OUT! It is, at the very least, something for you to do when you're bored.

Also, I wanted to post another low maintenance, super easy crock pot recipe if you'd like to TRY IT OUT. This ranch chicken recipe is very tasty and produces some excellent leftovers (this coming from the woman who thinks most leftovers are yucky)-

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons bacon seasoning


• 1 teaspoon garlic


• 1 (1 ounce) package hidden valley ranch dressing mix


• 1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup


• 1/2 cup milk


• 1 cup sour cream


• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts


• 1 (16 ounce) package egg noodles, prepared

*Mix first six ingredients and pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on high setting for 3-4 hours or until chicken is done.

Ok, so I actually improvised and used what I had. Instead of bacon seasoning, I used bacon bits. I also just used a whole clove of garlic. Then I skipped the noodles and served it with mashed potatoes instead. This meal was very filling for the two of us so we had leftovers for today.

Did you try anything new today?