We Can Do It

(And no that wasn't supposed to be a political comment.)
 
My office decided to allow costumes this year. In fact it was so strongly encouraged that it became mandatory-voluntary (you don't have to but everyone else will...) So I had to think what kind of costume could I put together without too much thought and with no extra money spent. (Since the only costume I actually own is not work appropriate. Very much so the "sexy such and such" category. And hey I wore it the first time Hubby and I really hung out, so it certainly didn't hurt in those efforts.)

I tried to think of the easy things. Olympian? (I could use some fake gold metals Hubby won on our honeymoon)  Flower Power 70's person? (Hair down, big  sunglasses, blousey dress without the belt, etc.) They all seemed a bit lame. Things that required a tiny bit more effort than I was willing to put out. (I'd have to make fake "USA" and other patches? Um no, that's not happening) Oh and it's cold out all of a sudden so it had to be suitably warm. So instead I went with this:

Halloween: Rosie the Riveter

I found a few examples around the interwebs, things similar to this. Actually I got a really similar headband from Modcloth and decided I'd make this as my costume. I took a grey/chambray (?) shirt (super comfy and super cute, normally a real snazzy top) with old jeans and decided with my headband I'd made a costume. 

Of course it wasn't easy breezie (color girl) and there was one catch. In the Great Moving Purge I threw out the only red lipstick I owned (at the time I thought it was 3-8 years old, exact age unknown, and not used since then so it was time to be thrown out). So I had to fake red lips with some lip liner and gloss and thoroughly rosied up my cheeks with two types of blush. 

That, ladies and germs, is what I am for Halloween today. I may or may not stay in this tonight while waiting (and hoping, fingers crossed) we get some trick-or-treaters. 

Did you dress up? At work (does you work allow it? support and encourage it? forbid it?) Tonight?

high five for friday

Happy Friday ladies and germs! Another interesting week almost over. Here's some fun stuff over the last few days. 

1. Stylin' Pumpkins. This is how Hubby decided was the best way to transport our pumpkins from the patch to our house. Yeah, that's how we roll!

2.  I don't give a hoot. Okay, actually I do. I worked hard on carving my pumpkin. You can't really tell in this poor picture, it's the owl in the pretty picture. This was the best my phone could capture, I know pathetic. I took better pictures with my real camera but can't find the cord to upload them. So enjoy this for now.

really bad iPhone photo

via HP, wonderful free pumpkin carving templates!

3. Glove being oven mitt. That's right, use one. And use the right sized one. So used a full size one and not a mini one, that way you won't burn the back of your hand on the oven. Ochie!

via google images

4. Best TV ever! Hubby and I love Ducky Dynasty. Realized it came back on, love!

via google images

5 a. Si (Part 1). This seriously came out of his mouth on one episode. Priceless!

via memegenerator.net

5 b. Si (Part 2). Hubby and I were CRACKING UP when this took place. Si decided the hired hand couldn't work the ho right, he was going to. Of course when asked when the last time he worked one was he seriously say "Community Project" and THEN "[in] Vietnam" like that was a legit response!

 

Si's response to "When was the last time you used [a back ho]?"

via memegenerator.net

How was your week?

linked up to Lauren/frommygreydeskblog's High Five For Friday

 

high five for friday

Hello ladies and germs! (That's something straight out of my Mom's playbook of favorite sayings. It's lame but catchy!) It's finally Friday! How's your week been? As always, mine was a bit eventful.

via my favorite nursery, Native Nurseries

  1. Gardening. I decided to garden. EXCEPT I didn't have the money and had the poor timing of doing this in the fall to actually do much that add curb appeal. Instead I went for function. Hello garlic and rosemary and kale! I hope to eat you soon!

2. Gallery Wall. Eventually we'll agree on an arrangement and hang them up. For now it's like this, taking up most of our living room...
3. Pain. I know how is that a good thing? It's because my out of shape self started working out again. So yes I'm in pain and it's pathetic but hopefully it's a start to something good!
4. Happy Birthday Dad! Nuff' said!

While I totally wish these were mine they're not. It's via google images.

 5. Pumpkins! Our new neighbors (we're trying to become a part of the krew) are doing pumpkins this weekend. Yes they're doing it because they have young kids but I'm totally joining in on the fun! 

linked up to Lauren/frommygreydeskblog's High Five For Friday

 

Recipe Update: Baked Veggie Enchilada

Breaking news! I actually followed through with my plan, that's right I participated in Meatless Monday yesterday. Well I had meat during the day (snacked on some of Hubby's beef jerky) but anyway....   Here is photographic evidence of everything. (And my altered recipe, as far as how I made this creation last night.)

Baked Veggie Enchilada 

(aka Mexican Lasagna)

adapted from perrysplate.com's Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchilads

Ingredients:

1 red and 2 green bell peppers, cut into thin strips
1 head of cauliflower, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 onion, halved and slivered (1/2 a yellow and 1/2 a red onion)
1 bag frozen corn kernels (I used a Publix steamer bag, think it was 10 oz)
3 T+ grapeseed oil and extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
salt and black pepper
2 cups store bought salsa (aka 1 jar)
1 small can enchilada sauce
2 ounces baby spinach leaves (about 2 big handfuls)
6 flour tortillas, halved
2 cups shredded cheese 

Directions:

Part 1: Roasting the Veggies
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly oil 2 large baking/cookie sheets. Place red bell peppers, cauliflower, sweet potato, onion, and corn kernels onto the baking/cookie sheets, roughly divided in half.  Drizzle grapeseed oil/olive oil and sprinkle the minced garlic over top. Add salt and pepper to taste and then use your hands to mix everything together. After everything is coated well, spread the vegetables evenly among the two pans. Roast for 30-40 minutes until vegetables are tender and begin to brown in spots. Stir  the pan every 10-20 minutes for even roasting. Remove pan from oven and reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Part 2: Baking 
Prepare a 9x13 baking pan with nonstick spray. Spread 1/4 cup of salsa and a large splash of enchilada sauce onto the bottom of the baking pan. Add a layer of tortilla pieces, to completely cover the salsa (4 halves, 2 whole tortillas). Top with 1/3 of the vegetables, a handful of spinach, and 1/3 of the cheese. Make a second layer of tortillas, salsa/enchilada sauce, vegetables, spinach, and cheese. Top with with a layer of tortillas, salsa/enchilada sauce, vegetables, and cheese. 

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and everything is heated through.

Let it sit for 5 minutes and cut into squares. 

A large 9x13 made approximately 12 servings. Believe it or not it's pretty filling and you should be able to get away with smaller than expected serving sizes.

meatless monday

There's this thing, it's called Meatless Monday. It's cool and all but our vegetarian days just randomly happen, no real planning around it. In fact we/I sort of quasi plan our regular meals each week. It's more like "I'm buying these things for these meals and we'll figure out when which meal gets cooked later". Anyway, Hubby decided that of my proposed meals he wants this tonight. So that's the goal, we'll see what happens.

Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas

recipe and image via Perry's Plate {perrysplate.com}

Ingredients:

1 poblano chile, cut into matchsticks I don't really do chili peppers
2 red bell peppers, cut into matchsticks
1/2 head of cauliflower, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 onion, halved and slivered
1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
3 T grapeseed oil
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin I don't have this at home
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro Cilantro and I don't get along
2 cups store bought salsa
2 ounces baby spinach leaves (about 2 big handfuls)
9-10 corn tortillas, halved
2 cups shredded cheese 
sour cream and thinly sliced scallions (green onions) for garnish, if desired I don't have these so it won't be used tonight

Directions:

Part 1: Roasting the Veggies
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly oil a large shallow roasting pan or rimmed cookie sheet. Place red bell peppers, cauliflower, sweet potato, onion, and corn kernels onto cookie sheet.  Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle the minced garlic over top. Add a generous pinch or two of salt and black pepper, then use your hands to mix everything together. After everything is coated well, spread the vegetables evenly in the pan. Roast for 30-40 minutes until vegetables are tender and begin to brown in spots. Stir  the pan every 10 minutes for even roasting. Remove pan from oven and reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Part 2: Baking 
Prepare an 9x13 baking pan with nonstick spray. Spread 1/4 cup of salsa into the bottom of the baking pan. Add a layer of tortilla pieces, to completely cover the salsa. Top with 1/3 of the vegetables, a handful of spinach, and 1/3 of the cheese. Make a second layer of tortilla, salsa, vegetables, spinach, and cheese. Top with with a layer of tortillas, salsa, vegetables, and cheese. Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and everything is heated through.

Let it sit for 5 minutes and cut into squares.
Serves 4-5 (I'm hoping for more like 6+ servings the way I'll bake and cut it)

high five for friday

High five for friday everyone!!!

1. Zoe apparently found the one tiny piece of styrofoam left in the house and of course had to slink around all cute with it on her nose! what!?! I didn't do anything!!
2. Finally using our Le Cruet pot that was a wedding gift (shower gift actually). LOVE IT!
3. My new iPhone background thanks to Amy Moss of EatDrinkChic.com {here}
4. Gross and cute: Zoe decided to lick hubby's socks in a cute and adorable way, yet I made her stop since it was also really gross and creepy.
5. Came home to these beauties on our kitchen table. Leave it to hubby to get what's really important when he goes to get groceries!

high five for friday

Another week almost done, finally! I'm excited that the work week is almost over. And while I'm happy to start being able to get my house in order I'm not excited in actually unpacking, cleaning, and organizing! But after this weekend hopefully my life will be a bit more ... well closer to "normal".

Anyway, highlights of this past week:

1. No Dumping. During one of many trips moving last weekend (when we got the unexpected crazy rain while moving our mattress) our grill started to fall off the truck, no matter how many times Hubby rearranged it.  In an effort to save the rest of the furniture, or try to, I suggested just leaving the grill on the side of the road and we'd pick it up when the rain stopped. The next day as we drove around our new neighborhood this very sign was about 3 inches away from where we left the grill on the side of the road. Seriously!

2. Game of Thrones via OnDemand. Instead of unpacking Hubby and I (well mostly me, he unpacked a bit this week) settled in and made use of our 3 months free HBO and Comcast's OnDemand feature to watch all of season 2 of this addictive show!

3. Boca Burgers.  To get away from all things fast food (as that's all I'd consumed for the better part of a week) I planned to cook a real meal. That totally fell through (where are pots, pans, cooking utensils, real plates!?!) and I was able to swing cheeseburgers using these wonders!

4. Paint the Town Pink. My whole town got into Breast Cancer Awareness month by kicking things off with this event. About half of my office participated. We even submitted a photo to our local paper. I'll skip posting it to protect the innocent (LOL! I looked good but others didn't)

via Friday We're In Love's Anniversary pictures

5. Anniversary Photo Shoot! So with moving we're officially able to visit my family for Thanksgiving this year. Yay! That brings a whole new thought into the mix: we could do an anniversary photo shoot at the same park we were married in! What!?! Yeah, I know, that'd be awesome. So now like a crazy person I'm trying to find a photographer that I like, that's available, and that I could afford! (If you happen to know an amazing and cheap photographer in Miami I'm all ears for suggestions!)

breast cancer awareness

On a serious note October is breast cancer awareness month. It seems as if every woman (and man) can tell a personal story about someone who has been or is being impacted by breast cancer. It also happens that it's an issue that's extremely personal to me and my family. My great grandmother, both of my grandmothers, and my aunt have all had breast cancer. Several were diagnosed at very early ages. Only two of those four survived their diagnosis.

This is something that affects everyone. So in case you're living under a rock and had no idea about what October means to this cause or had no idea how invasive this is I wanted to support the cause by writing about it on my blog.

Spread awareness. Support efforts to find a cure. 

Susan G. Komen

National Breast Cancer Foundation

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) 

 

yes, I'm still alive ... barely

So this weekend we moved. In any setting that's an event that a normal person would dread. I knew it wouldn't be fun. I knew I'd be miserable. But I hoped it'd work out well enough and I'd be so happy in our new home when all was said and done that'd it be worth it. And then this weekend happened. (I accidentally typed happy when first writing that, that was not and is NOT how I feel about this at all. Ironic that's what my fingers erroneously typed at first though!)

The long and short of it all: 

FRIDAY 

• Friday after work hubby and I work on taking a load to the new house. As he's working on the next load and I'm running a quick errand I come back to him with his hand wrapped up and bloody. He broke a giant piece of glass and cut his left hand open. (He's left handed) That was at 9:38, I sped through town to the one office open until 10 (to avoid having to go to the ER) and he had his hand stitched up. (Sort of, cloth strips/stitches, no actual stitches.) Then off to CVS for his antibiotics he had to start that night to be filled. Oh and he also had to get a tetanus shot, just in case. And he almost passed out three times between the drive there and while they were working on him.  

SATURDAY

• With false enthusiasm  we start bright and early. I head to Comcast to pick up our new equipment since we had to switch to them for this new house. Per friends' suggestions I got there at 8:25 when they open at 9. For 20 minutes it was just me and the lawn crew, no one else. All of a sudden at 8:45 everyone in town shows up. Miraculously I'm the first one helped.
• Back at the house Hubby is greeted by only two of the three friends who promised to help us move. Third guy flaked off. Hubby's dominant hand is down and yet he pushes through, bandaged up and all.
• In the middle of our second trip, mattresses in tow, the heavens open up and it POURS. The boxspring is soaked through, mattress was thankfully covered (because I'm crazy like that even when there was no rain forecast) and has patches of wetness, lots of other wooden furniture soaked as well.

SUNDAY

• It's just Hubby and I and we're trying to power through and finish. (We have to be out of the old house by midnight.) Morning trips: okay. In a lull I start to panic: there's no way we'll be done in time ... I can't handle 5-10 more trips, I don't have it in me! What are we going to do!?! Hubby insists it'll all be okay, just keep moving!
• Afternoon trips: it pours again. This time we were somewhat prepared, had tarps. But were limited to not being able to take things outside into cars because it was POURING! 
• Rain stops and we make a few more trips. And then have to take an hour, round trip, to drop off the borrowed trailer. I have NO CLUE where these people lived and how it's still considered to be in our town!
• 10:30 PM we finish at the old house and head over with two full vehicles worth of stuff to the new house. Hubby's hand needs to be protected and wrapped for showers, for the second time this week I have to shower him. (Fun, but not when we're both bone tired.)
• 12:35 AM I declare I'm going to bed I can't stay awake anymore, I don't care if my hair is still wet I'm done!

And that brings us to now. Yesterday Hubby and I were like zombies trying to function. Today it a little bit better. Hello October!