Monday, December 30, 2013

Link Up: 2013 in Review

2013 in Review

I hope each of you had a great Christmas. I was blessed as always to get time with my family. It's on to the new year, so here are a few reflections on what the last year has brought. I found this link-up via Jenessa over at And Thats Beautiful To Me, she jumped on board with Nicole at Three 31. I was hesitant at first and then I thought, "why not, years from now it will be good to look back on!"



What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
1) Took a big girl serious job
2) Moved to a house of my own
Did you keep your new years’ resolutions?
Nope, not really
Will you make more for next year?
Yes, and hopefully I can keep them
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! some of my best friends had little ones.
Did anyone close to you die?
Not family, but some very close friends.
What countries did you visit?
Canada, "eh!"
What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
To be content. 
What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory?
June 2, start date of new job and the day my MS diploma arrived in the mail. 
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The job
What was your biggest failure?
Not sure, I have a few friendships or relationships that I wish I had saved, worked harder on, or do a better job keeping in touch with them
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully no!
What was the best thing you bought?
No major purchases, pricewise probably repair on my car :(
Whose behavior merited celebration?
My understanding and loving family!  
Where did most of your money go?
FUEL! My car in general
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My puppy (yes, I know, I still haven't blogged about that)
What song will always remind you of 2013?
None
Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder?
Tie
Thinner or fatter?
Unfortunately the latter
Richer or poorer?
Breakeven
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Worked-out, enjoyed life
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Cried
How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas with my amazing family. 
Did you fall in love in 2013?
No
How many one-night stands?
NONE!
Who were your best friends?
Abby and Anna
What thing did you do that was meaningful to others?
I don't think anything, correct me if I am wrong
What were your favorite TV programs?
Probably watched less TV this year than in the past.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate people, and thankfully there isn't anyone that I am more annoyed with.
What was the best book you read in 2013?
Did I read a book?!
What was your greatest musical discovery?
....
What did you want and get?
puppy
What did you want but did NOT get?
New vehicle
What were your favorite films this year?
Madea movies
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Had a huge Dirty 30 Party! That means I turned 3-0, ugh
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I can't really say, I do think that I am realizing more every day, and year what I truly want out of life. 
What kept you sane?
My family!
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Not to into that 
What political issue stirred you the most?
Don't have time to even go here. 
Who do you miss?
My friends, both guys and girls that I have made years of memories with, but as we "grow up" it seems we grow apart or don't make time for each other. 

Who are the best new persons you met this year?
My co-workers 
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
Life it too short to not do, say or act on how you feel. 
Quote that sums up your year:
I have a few, ok to many to list but here are a few that jumped out at me 
 

I invite you to join up and do this year end review! Link up at: http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=302807 and check out how other blogger’s year end reviews went!
How was your 2013?

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Cowboy Christmas!

Being a graduate of Oklahoma State University made me like this even a little more. This is wonderful, its perfect, couldn't do it better myself,  reminds me of home!

Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you!!!


Monday, December 23, 2013

Eggnog Pound Cake

I made this tasty little cake this past Friday for a Christmas party.Quote from my best friend, " O my gosh,Its really good, it tastes just like eggnog!"


Recipe & Picture from Southern Living.


 I made a few tweaks here and there!

Ingredients

  • (16-oz.) package pound cake mix 
  • 1 1/4 cups eggnog
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2tsp vanilla

Preparation

  1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat all ingredients together at low speed with an electric mixer until blended. Increase speed to medium, and beat 2 minutes. Pour into a lightly greased 9- x 5-inch loaf pan.***(This wasn't big enough, so one 9x5, and then 2 mini loaves)
  2. 2. Bake at 350° for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely (about 1 hour).

Monday, December 16, 2013

Hot JalapeƱo Corn Dip

This is the time of year for Christmas parties, and parties mean food! 


Photo from: The Sunny Side of Life

I found this tasty looking Hot JalapeƱo Corn Dip over at The Sunny Side of Life and decided to give it a try. Personally, I would add more JalapeƱos make it a little more spicy. Also, it isn't too shabby cold before baked.

Ingredients
  1. 2 cans sweet corn, drained
  2. 2 jalapeƱo peppers, seeded and minced (Or equivalent of canned or jar version. More or less to your personal taste)
  3. 2 green onions, chopped
  4. 1/2 cup sour cream
  5. 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  6. 1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
  7. 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
  8. 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  9. 1 teaspoon onion powder
  10. 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  11. dash of hot sauce
  12. salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375˚.
  2. In medium bowl, mix together mayo, sour cream, spices, and hot sauce.
  3. Fold in corn, jalapeƱo peppers, onions, and 3/4 cups of blended cheese.
  4. Place in greased 2 qt. baking dish, and top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
  5. Bake in preheated oven for approx. 20 min. or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
  6. Serve with tortilla chips.
Notes
  1. You can substitute fresh or frozen corn for the canned corn. I simply used what I had on hand.
  2. You can also substitute 1 cup of mexican blend cheese for the monterey jack and cheddar.