White Sauce

"Mexican" Ranch Dip
Salsa Blanco

Who cares what you call it, it's freakin awesome.

I first had this dip at a local taco/burrito dig called Chiloso. I always got this sauce with everything. Chips, nachos, breakfast tacos (ugh, yes). And then another hometown-local burrito chain that no longer exists had it. For two years, I looked everywhere for the recipe. I know it should be an easy recipe to make. But I wanted to have the exact, perfect recipe. Never found it.

And then came Pinterest. After about a year of pinning, I found a copy cat recipe of Chuy's jalapeno ranch dip. I honed in on that recipe so fast it'd make your head spin. So I looked and it seemed pretty on target for what I wanted. Except it has tomatillo in it. I'm sure what I'm looking for didn't. And this was a rather large recipe so I halved it.

1 1/3 C mayo
1/3 C buttermilk
1/3 C jalapeno, canned
1 Tbsp jalapeno juice
A small bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 packet of dry ranch mix - I used the larger packet, I think there's a small packet.
1 Tbsp lime juice

I chopped the small handfull of cilantro and blended everything together in the blender (we dont have a food processer) until it was all chopped and creamy.

I guess this is right. It's still a bit tangy and salty. But daaaaaaamn it's good.

Is Complaining Worth It?

Two stories. Chronological is logical, chrono?

I went to Ulta (and this complaint isn't about them) and purchased some cosmetics. I don't remember what all I bought but I know I picked up two NYX cream eyeshadows. One is a blue-green iridescent sea foam color and the other is a really deep shade of plum purple. I tried them both that day and wore one that evening. When I was putting on my makeup, I noticed a burning sensation on/in my eyes. I attributed that to my contacts and the abuse my eyes take when I put them in.

I went out, had fun and came home and took my makeup off and noticed my lids were marroon. Did the makeup stain my lids? No. The burning was back and my eyes started swelling. I then realized I had an allergic reaction. The only difference in my makeup routine was the NYX cosmetics.

I contacted them via their website to let them know what happened and received an email back saying someone would contact me. The next day, I got an email from someone in their HR department asking for my phone number or for me to call her. I called the next day and it was automated: call during our business hours. It was Easter weekend so I figured everyone was on holiday. Okay.

Following week, I call again. Wrong hours, they're in California and I was off two hours. So I called later. "I'm sorry, she's out on a business trip." Okay, following week "I'm sorry, she's not in the office yet." I haven't called back or emailed again yet. But I plan to. I just got really busy with work and things. I mean, I spent some money on their product. I even went back to Ulta to tell them and they helped me out a bit - get/use a gentle primer. Okay. I'm still too chicken to try the product again. What do you do with a mid-range product that is used but you have an allergic reaction to. You can't give it to someone else, that's unhygenic. It's really pretty. I liked the color. Very beautiful on and it was so nice to use. Anyway, they'll be hearing more from me soon.

Here's Ulta story 2.
I'm a card carrying member and I get member benefit emails. A coupon for free eyebrow waxing was sent to me. "Go to your local Ulta Benefit counter for a free eyebrow waxing on your birthda!" So we went. When I got there, someone was asking the cosmetoigist questions. No big deal.

But then I was walking around the counter for five minutes. It's kinda sad that I know the girl's problem and solution. 'Her makeup melts off her face. She should use a primer. But some of the combination isn't working so there is no telling what the problem is. So try this product.'

They'd all go off to find said product and would return to the counter. Same conversation, same action. Three times. Not once did the cosmetologist ask me if she could help me, even to just see what I needed and return to who she was dealing with. I must've walked around that counter for ten minutes. That's poor customer service right there. And it's not like she didn't see me. I was all over that counter.

So I went to look around for other products that I wanted. The girl never returned to her counter so I got my stuff and left.

The email never said to make an appointment, so I didn't do that. Just showed up. Sure, I can certainly do it myself. I just don't mind taking advantage for a free offer.

So I'm sending two emails.

Menu Plan Monday - Birthday Week

We arrived back home (again) on Sunday. We spent a week at home and decided, what the heck. Go back and visit with family some more. Didn't to an MPM... we ate out pretty much every meal.

It was pretty low key. Ivy and I went to one of my Aunt's house to swim and have dinner. I made that awesome flag cake for Fourth of July. Sadly, my nephew and mom got a stomach virus or something and we couldn't hang out as much. But we bought a new car! Exciting because we've had only one car for about 5 years. Three of those years it wasn't an inconvenience because Ryan and I worked at the same place. Two of those years, Ryan dropped me off at work. The fact that Ryan got a job necessitated that we needed a second car.

Yesterday was my birthday. I woke up to some awesome stuff. I was taking my medicine and had a mouth full of water. Ivy came into the bedroom and started jabbering at me like usual. I was listening of course but couldn't reply.

Ivy: Mom you're awake!
Me: Mmmhmm
I: Mom!
M: ??
I: Mom! Look at me!
M: *turning so I can look*
I: *points at me, matter of factly* Happy Birthday.

She was totally serious, by the way. I wish I had been able to video/record that moment. I could not stop laughing.

I got to open up some presents. A very lovely coffee mug and some gift cards to some of my favored stores. I had an appointment so we ate at a restaurant that we used to frequent, Chiloso. Yummy breakfast tacos. I get eggs, potatoes and queso on mine. Then I had my appointment. Hooray for prescriptions. Got another little gift at this point, a necklace and another gift card. And we visited Sprinkles and got some cupcakes. I was really tired at that point so we went back home and I took a nice long nap. After that, we went to the bank for car paperwork. I had gotten an email for a free eyebrow waxing at Ulta. I like free and I do need my brows waxed. The rest of the Ulta story is a whole other post. I'm angry. We ended up at Marble Slab for ice cream - which my butt really didn't need. Then we went home. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching a movie with Ivy, dinner and the usual low-key evening events of parenting a two-year-old. And, to top off my evening, I did a vlog (which I need to quickly edit and upload).

Aren't you just so thrilled to know every little detail of my life? I know. Totally boring. I posted this on Facebook the other day: If Morgan Freeman narrated it, my life would be infinitly more awesome. I was watching Shawshank Redemption. I love that movie.

We should be spending this week packing up. We are supposedly moving in 5 days. But I'm sure we have this odd feeling of "we can take a few days to move, it's not a priority." So here I sit, writing a blog.

Did you get through all that okay? Here is the MenuPlanMonday for this week.

Sunday - Pizza: just a frozen one. We got home later in the afternoon so we didn't cook. Just went to the store for groceries and picked that up.
Monday - Hamburgers - I had goat cheese on my burger, YUM!
Tuesday - Nachos
Wednesday - Chicken parmesan with alfredo sauce
Thursday - Ranch chicken with baked beans
Friday - Steaks and mashed potatoes
Saturday - Hot linksI've been wanting to do some more link-ups. Tell me, what link-ups are out there? I'm horrible at Googling and I can't find any.

Have a lovely week!

I just can't help myself

Food. Food. FOOD. FOOOOOOD!
I'm stuffed from this morning's coffee and donuts, celebratory lunch (hot link, grilled corn on the cob, and potato casserole - no dessert yet). Guh! How can I even think of food when I'm this stuffed?! We are starting to get into some serious fooding. And I need to get into some serious running and exercise routines. But it's just. so. darn. hot. 

I can sit and spend hours looking at food blogs.

Star Spangled Jello - About 10 years ago, a relative made some jello cake for 4th of July and I loved it. I asked for the recipe and was told where I could find it. Did I? Of course not. But I just saw this not five minutes ago. I think this may be a variation of it. I swear I will make this.

Simply Scratch - Ryan has been finding and following food blogs and then cooking up recipes found there. So I just got suckered into petting a kitty cat. Ahem... So I started following them too. Simply Scratch is one of the blogs I like. Strawberry buttermilk pancakes oh my god. Seriously, this cat is just sitting by the mouse and when I'm scrolling, she's trolling my arm 'pet meeeeeeee-ow peeeeeet meeeeee-ow'. I'll post the picture later.

I cannot tell you why, but I have been wanting food that has goat cheese/feta incorporated somehow. I'm not overly fond of it. I find it grainy and bitter. So naturally, every time I see it, I want it.

And I really want to like oatmeal. I know it is good for you and filling. But damn the texture. Ick! I saw a vlog/youtube channel... you're doing it wrong (or something) and the 'right' way to do it looked good. I may have to look into it. Link? Ok! Here ya go!

So. An entirely random food post.
And to keep it mixed up... My newest nephew was born yesterday at 6:04 pm weighing in at 7 pounds 3 ounces and 20 inches. Welcome to the world Gaberial Paul William.

Let them eat cake

This cake will kill you. This cake will kill me. Happy birthday America! You can blame this cake for the deaths of your citizens.

I was going to vlog this. Then I just got so into making it that I forgot what I was doing. My husband, and I think my mom, asked me about this cake. So I decided to make it again.

Back Story
I (read: we) moved away from home. I got hooked on a little-known blog called The Pioneer Woman. This was when there was no differentiation of her posts (no "Pioneer Woman Cooks") and I started cooking some of the recipes that she posted. That summer, my parents came up for a visit and I made this cake a day or two before they left. It was delicious. And I hadn't thought about it since. Until this year. Like I said, I know Ryan was talking about it and I think my mom mentioned it so I made it today. My mom and I went and got everything we needed. I don't think I even put the fruit on it when I made it the first time. I don't know... itsbeensooooolongagooooo.uuuuugh.

Back-to-Today Story:
Anyway, I remember I didn't make the full recipe. And it was a pain in the ass to convert it again. So... for the record and for my sanity, I'll give you the conversion for a half recipe. And for your curiosity, here's the link to the original recipe posted on TPW. Because I live in the real world, I do not (nor does my mom) possess commercial baking pans at 17x12.5" or piping bags with star tips. I used a 9X13" pan and a gallon sized zippy baggie for the icing.


AAAAaaaaand *headdesk* about the stripes. Don't get it? Shame on you!


In the process of making the icing, I think I may have killed the hand mixer that my mother has had since who-knows-when that is surely older than I am. It's avocado green if that gives you any indication. For some reason, my cake batter didn't turn out as thick but I was using a hand mixer, not a stand mixer. Who knows. It should taste just fine though. But if someone ends up face down, totally not my fault.


So here's a converted/half recipe for Barefoot Contessa's Fourth of July cake on The Pioneer Woman Cooks.



FOR THE CAKE:
1 stick + 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
1.5 cups Sugar
3 whole Eggs
1/2 cup Sour Cream (Not Low Fat)
3/4 teaspoon Vanilla
1.5 cups Flour, Sifted
2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt (Use just under half Teaspoon Regular Salt If Kosher Salt Is Not Available)
1 teaspoon Baking Soda

FROSTING
12 ounces pound Cream Cheese (1.5 - 8oz. Packages, Not Low Fat)
1/2 pound Unsalted Butter (2 Sticks)
3 1/4 C Powdered Sugar
3/4 teaspoon Vanilla
1 pint Blueberries
2 pints Raspberries (Wash And Pat Dry)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9x13 pan.

In a mixing bowl, mix unsalted butter and sugar together on high until light and fluffy, about a minute or so. Add eggs, two at a time. Mix after each addition. Add sour cream and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, kosher salt and baking soda. Turn mixer to low and gradually add flour mixture to butter/sugar mixture, one scoop at a time. Mix after every addition. Keep adding the flour mixture, mix until just combined. Do not overmix!

Pour the thick cake batter into the pan. (It’s much thicker than regular cake batters.) With a knife or offset spatula, spread the cake batter evenly over the pan. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.


To make the cream cheese frosting, in a mixing bowl, add cream cheese and butter. Whip to combine. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until thoroughly combined, scraping the sides once during mixing.

Put about 1/2 the frosting on the cake. Mark off the area of the stars with a toothpick. Prepare a pastry bag with a large star tip and fill up to 2/3 with icing. Fold down both corners to keep icing from splurging out the top. Gripping the folded-down end tightly under fingertips and start squeezing two lines of frosting at the bottom of the cake. Make two rows of raspberries on the cake, then add another two lines of frosting.
Keep repeating: two lines of frosting, two lines of raspberries, two lines of frosting, etc.

Fill the square in the corner with a nice layer of blueberries. With the star tip, squeeze little dollops of frosting all over the blueberries. Variation: Simply frost the cake with all the icing and sprinkle raspberries and blueberries randomly and generously all over the cake.

Sad Tears of Desperation

We are being "harrassed" by our current apartment complex.

Hello LenaBena,

Here are the top 10 reasons why you should STAY:

1. WE APPRECIATE YOU & WANT YOU TO STAY! Oh good for you!
2. You won't have to clean out every closet and drawer in your place. I have to do that anyway on about a monthly basis.
3. You don't have to buy boxes and pack up everything you own. Jokes on you! I still have my boxes from the last move.
4. We are so close to all the best "fun" in town! Love the " " around the word FUN. Because what's more "fun" than a Whataburger and two gas stations?
5. WE APPRECIATE YOU & WANT YOU TO STAY! You don't say? See #1
6. Your car already knows how to get here without you thinking! Whoa! When did I become Tom Cruise in Minority Report?!
7. You know where everything is in your neighborhood grocery store! That's the thing about a chain grocery... It's all mapped out the same.
8. You have a great dry cleaner and a convenient membership at the local gym or video store! You don't know me!
9. This is your home and you have great friends that live here too! ... HAAAAAHAHAHAHAhaaaaaaaa!!!!! What friends? The ones that were aiming the gun or the ones being aimed at?
10. WE APPRECIATE YOU & WANT YOU TO STAY! See #s 1 & 5 I guess you couldn't come up with ten actual reasons for us to stay. That's why I'm leaving!

Make the right decision and STAY! Call us today to sign a new lease and reserve your apartment for another year!

Sincerely,

Your Team at Desperate Apartment Complex

This is not the first email or other contact we have gotten from them begging us to stay. This is ridiculous. They weren't ready for us to move in, they're not ready for us to move out.

Quick Summer Craft Tutorial

Oh look! A craft tutorial!

I'm not sure where I first saw this idea but I saw it on Pinterest recently.

So I kept this idea in mind. I knew I was going to the beach this summer and I knew I wanted to do this little craft. I also knew I wanted to vlog it. So it did. Granted, mine is not as classy and "purdy" as Ms. Stewart's but it works for me. I really just wanted to do a quick one. You can do different types of jars too. Right now, mine is sitting on my dresser. And I'm reminded of driving up and down the beach, cooking nachos, starting my love affair with coffee, and playing bartender and creating a new beverage with a naughty name.


I hope your summer is going a great as mine is! Happy crafting!

San Antonio Vlogs

Just a couple of vlogs from San Antonio. I have maybe one more to do but for now, enjoy!

Potty Training... WHUT?

When Ivy turned two, we got her a potty chair. We were just simply introducing her to the concept. We didn't force her to sit on it. Just a suggestion. "Wanna sit on your potty?" Sometimes she would, sometimes she wouldn't. No big deal. We would just occasionally ask her.

A few months ago, she would sit on her potty and potty just a little bit. Still no forcing and we would celebrate it - no matter if she did anything or not.

She recently started to become interested in sitting on her potty quite often but still not doing anything. But a couple of evenings ago, after her bath, I asked her if she wanted to potty and she said yes. And WHAMMO!!! She went!

Ever since this weekend, she's been going to the potty more and more. Without us even asking! She'd just go and show up to one of us naked! Lots of laughs on a cute little baby booty streaking the living room - SUPRPISE!

She loves to flush the big toilet. She has two options now. She can use her own potty chair. Today, we bought a step stool and a toddler seat for the big toilet. Either way, she is one happy potty girl. We aren't forcing it. I think it just clicked with her.

So what did we do? Who knows? But it's working.

Menu Plan Monday over coffee

Back from visiting family and a mini-trip to San Antonio. Back to the real world. Back to Menu Plan Monday.

I am (we are?) going to try to make a better effort of losing weight. My 'fitness' goals did not happen. But I swear, I don't want to buy new clothes because they're too small. I want to buy new clothes because what I have is too big. I've downloaded some apps to my iphone. Fitocracy, Nike+ and 5K Runner which is probably wrong but it is the couch to 5K app. All free apps.

Bought some fruit today so I'll be adding that to what I eat. Apples, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. Oh! And watermelon. I love fruit. I just hate having to prep it before I eat it. Ugh! First world problems - I have to wash my fruit and cut it and put it in a bowl before I eat it. The downside is that I've added coffee to my diet. Whooboy! I blame you, Jessica! I would blame Starbucks but that was only occasional because of the price. I usually only purchase because I have a gift card or I get a frapp which will probably be no longer happening. Who knows.

Coffee. Husband got himself a french press and a grinder a while back. When the weather was cold, he'd have that and I'd have a hot chocolate. I was never really into coffee. But since last weekend, I've had a kurig coffee, and regular ol pot coffee. I can totally tell a difference in the flavor of the coffee that Ryan made which is much richer and not watered down. I do kill it with sugar and cream though.

I got two awesome mugs while we were in San Antonio. A handmade pottery mug from Jus' Cuz Pottery and an Alamo mug. Nothing off the wall or BA but still pretty nifty. MUGS! My first year teaching, a student gave me a mug with some candy for Valentine's Day. I keep it at work. But now I will really use it for coffee - probably at work. I also have a vintage Strawberry Cupcake mug - but that's geared toward children. How can it be a coffee mug? Where did I get that? ... An old supervisor I think?

Tell me, what is your favorite coffee mug (or mugs) and how do you take your java?

Here's my awesome mug from Jus' Cuz. I take it with a lot of cream and two heaping teaspoons of sugar. Good morning!

So, what you all came for... The MPM!

Sunday - Pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches - via Simply Scratch - however we just used bottled BBQ sauce.
Monday - LOs if they make it past lunch, Pizza if they don't
Tuesday - Fondu
Wednesday - Fried fish and shrimp
Thursday - Nachos
Friday - Ranch chicken
Saturday - Pizza if we have LOs on Monday or stir fry if we eat pizza on Monday.

San Antonio

The plans were simple. Well, for me anyway. Husband wanted an actual itenerary. Aaaaand there went the vacation. Noooooo. I'm kidding. I know how he is. He likes to have everything mapped out - A B C D... And I am a bit more spontaneous.

Tuesday, we arrived and went directly to a record store, ate lunch at Pho Sure (not recommended) and back to the record store. Then we went to another store and checked in to the Inn. We then rested a bit then walked the Riverwalk. Once back at the Inn, we went to a bar, The Friendly Spot. They had a great beer selection, not that I drink beer, but awful food. We went back to the Inn, picked up the car and attempted to eat at Dough Pizzeria but the wait was 1+ hours. Skipped that and went to Sushihana which was excellent! Then we went to another shop and retired for the evening.

Wednesday, we went to the Alamo and then to Sea World. I got a free ticket for being a teacher and we got a discounted ticket and parking through my credit union. Despite the discounts, we were not happy with the place. Yes, we saw a Shamu show and I got what I went for, it was just disgusting hot, packed and not really what we were expecting. It was just shows, rides and a little water park. Nothing like an aquarium or little learning areas. Meh, whatever. So... We had lunch at Dough Pizzeria which was amazing! And there was no wait this time which was even better. And the tiramisu? To die for. We went back to downtown for Market Square. I made good on my promise to myself. I became a coffee drinker over my beach weekend with some girlfriends and wanted a cool mug. I got two. I also added to my pressed penny, refrigerator magnet and owl collections. We went to another shop, rested at the Inn and the had dinner at a burger place called Chris Madrid's. The burger was huge but was really yummy! After that we called it a night.

Thursday morning, we made plans to pursue my dorky hobby but I got frustrated and gave up. Maybe next time, letterboxing. We went ahead and went to the Natural Bridge Caverns which was better than I expected. Got a few more pressed pennies and another magnet and we went back to SETX.

Quiet and relaxing vacation that was full of amazing food!

Pictures and vlogs coming soon!

New Hair!!

What's in my bag - beach bag edition

Getting in the Mood

Probably not quite the mood you're thinking about. Find your way out of the gutter and we will have a little chat.

Being more specific, what gets you in the mood for summer? I love summer for a lot of different reasons. There are certain songs, movies, books (although I typically don't re-read a book just because it's summertime), smells and flavors that just remind me of summer and hid a sweet spot in my brain. In my most recent vlog, I ask a few questions about summer. What does summer mean or why is it special to you? How do get ready for summer aka what puts you in the summer mood? And when does summer really start? We all know I'm from Texas and summer is practically year round in my neck of the woods.

Spoiling it for a little bit, I mentioned music in my vlog and that I like to create playlists for CDs so I have a few lists for you. Aren't you thrilled?!

Music
Cruel Summer by Bananarama
The Tide is High by Blondie
Surfer Girl by the Beach Boys
Surfin USA by the Beach Boys
Go Outside by Cults
Summertime by Janis Joplin
Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet
Pipeline by Dick Dale
Dog Days by Florence and the Machine
This is by no means all that I would put on my summer playlist. This is just what I like and could just build a list without looking for inspiration.

Books
I just finished Divergent by Veronica Roth. I don't think there's a summer feel to the book but I'm putting it on this list.
Anything by Sarah Dessen (Young Adult) but specifically Along for the Ride
The Disenchantments by Nina Lacour *I haven't read this one yet but will
The Girls of No Return by Erin Saldin *I haven't read this one yet but will
The Hunger Games trilogy by Susan Collins
Delerium and Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver Although Pandemonium is set in colder weather.

Movies
The Lion King
The Little Mermaid
Lilo and Stitch
North Shore
The Endless Summer
The Sandlot
Jaws
Summer School
National Lampoon's Vacation
Independence Day
Dirty Dancing

And there you have it!
I hope you have a great summer (H.A.G.S.!)
Stay cool and do something fun

The clouds are talking to ya...

We live in an area that for the past four or five years, hasn't gotten too much rain. Lake levels are down. Area wide water conservation days. Drought. But lately? Like within the past couple weeks, we've been getting some pretty good thunderstorms. Hooray! I love thunderstorms. Lightening is pretty, the sounds are so relaxing, perfect book weather. However, there is one person who is not a fan of this weather pattern.

Of course, it is Ivy. For 3 or 4 nights in a row, it rained hard. Extremely loud thunder claps rolling one right after another. She'd be asleep -knocked clean-smooth out- and husband and I would be settling in to bed after relaxing with our books. Like clockwork, my head would hit the pillow and the thunder would clap and the kidlette would cry hysterically. The third evening of this an idea struck me like the lightening outside...

I told Ivy, "Listen... I know it's loud and it wakes you up. But you know what? That is thunder. And all thunder is are clouds telling you 'hello.'" She calmed down pretty quick. I stayed in bed with her for a few minutes for some more thunder to roll by, which it did. So then...

Me: What is that?
Ivy: Tunderr
Me: Yup, and what's it doing?
Ivy: Saayinn hi to Iybee
Me: That's right! Not so scary is it?
Ivy: *squeeling with laughter* NOOO!! *more laughs*

The rest of the noisy evening, I was kept awake from the thunder, not a frightened two-year-old. And so have consecutive stormy nights. Ryan even mentioned that he thinks she even likes thunder now. I do make a point to remind her what the clouds are doing and she's playing right along with it.

I told this story to someone else and their question was "what if she asks why it's so loud?" Without skipping a beat, I said "Well Ivy, clouds are pretty big. Big clouds have big voices. And they want to make sure you hear them tell you hello." The response I received was an approving knod.

Well played.

Feel free to try this on your kids. I'm not going to guarantee that it works. But so far, it has worked for me.

Day One

Today is the beginning of my summer vacation. For three days in a row, it has felt like Saturday. Let's see what's been happening since last week.

My job at the high school has ended. I did very well keeping it together during the day. Send the kids out on a happy note. I went to lunch with my friends and then Ryan sent me an email. He gets me. He understands why I do what I do. He understands what it all means to me. What he said filled my heart and made me cry.

I recovered and got the rest of my work done. Turned in my keys, did the whole end of year check out. And at the very end, the secretary told me some things that broke my heart about my whole situation. We were all in agreement about it. I hated saying goodbye.

But I know that what is happening will be a good challenge for me. I'm thankful I have a job.

Friday I visited the teacher I am replacing and found out more about my placement. I also checked to make sure my things arrived (which they had) and to deliver the rest of my belongings. I have a huge amount of space for just little ol' me.

Saturday, I attended the graduation of my previous school placement. I wished congratulations to my kiddos. Sunday, I worked the graduation at my current (?) school. It was very interesting. There were 862 graduates and it only took 1.5 hours. The teachers who participated wore regalia as well - almost like a college or university graduation. I also congratulated my kiddos there too, of course!

Today. My first real day of vacation. Taking care of business. Mostly cleaning stuff. Getting rid of clothes I don't like or want, toys Ivy doesn't play with. Just a bunch of junk. We are getting ready to go on vacation too.

Here is my Menu Plan Monday (hosted by OrgJunkie). We leave for vacation this week so I don't know if there will be any menus for the following weeks.

Sunday - Fondu
Monday - Tacos with a friend
Tuesday - Fried fish and shrimp
Wednesday - Fondu (to finish the bread before it goes bad)
Thursday - Out Of Town
Friday - OOT
Saturday - OOT

A Smidgeon of Advice

I wrote the following on the white board today for my students.

Thank you all so much for making this the best year ever for me. I hope that I will see you all again very soon.

Congratulations to you, seniors . You made it. Go out and own the world. Don't let anyone stop you from reaching for the dreams you have. Just like in [class], LIFE is what YOU make it. So make it the best for yourself. Make wise decisions. Think. Read. DO NOT SETTLE - in love, in careers, in friends...

I hope I taught you well. Not only interior design, but a little bit about life too. You'll make mistakes. Learn from them. Laugh at them and move on. Always move on.

Congratulations!

I would have written more. I could always write more. But I think that will do for today.

"Mexican" Seven Layer Dip

"Mexican" Seven Layer Dip

Ingredients
2 large cans refried beans
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Chili powder
Salt
Pepper
3 Avocados, mashed
3 tbsp lemon juice
8 ounces sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 package taco seasoning
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
2 cups tomatoes, chopped
1 small can slicked black olives
1 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Mix two cans of refried beans with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt and pepper to taste. Spread a layer in bottom of serving plate or pie dish.

Mix together mashed avocados, 3 tbsp lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Spread evenly over bean layer.


Mix together sour cream, mayonnaise and taco seasoning. Spread evenly over avocado mixture.

Sprinkle green onions on top of sour cream layer.

Sprinkle tomatoes on top of onions

Sprinkle olives on top of tomatoes

Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of tomatoes.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Summer Plans

I am ready for summer. I filmed a vlog about it but I'm not really happy with it so I might redo it.

I'm thinking about summer. Memorial day is my official start to summer which happens to be today. Even thought I still have a cumulative total of 3 days of work left. Two full days, one half day (with the kids but full of evening stuff to do) and a graduation. So let's dig into my summer plans.

My freshmen babies that I had my first year of teaching are graduating. I was sent an invite and I'm going to their graduation. The next day is our graduation. And then we have some appointments to take care of. After that, we are heading to the hometown to spend time with family. A birthday party and a beach weekend! I hope I'll get my nose pierced and do something interesting and fun with my hair!

Then, husband and I will be going to San Antonio for two nights. We will return to the hometown to pick up our darling little munchkin and returning home. Home to pack pack pack. Various big city adventures. Buy another car.

July brings us to more appointments and moving (!!). At the end of the month, husband and kidlette will be going to the hometown and I will be heading into Dallas every day for a conference. After that, I'll be going to the hometown for another visit and husband and I will venture to Austin for a weekend or so.

Mid August brings us both (yeay!) back to work. Teacher inservice and all that jazz.

I am fairly certain that this summer will contain vlogs and crafts and letterboxing and penny collecting and the taking in of shows. Busy doesn't even begin to cover it.

Memorial Day Menu Plan Monday

These last couple of weeks of school have been relaxed. The students have been reviewing for their finals. I decided to let them have a treat and bring food for a little in-class, end of year celebration.

I made some simple blueberry muffins from a mix, a "Mexican" dip, chili con queso and bought pizza. I was really thrilled with the dip. I haven't had it in a while and never made it before. I asked my MIL for the recipe and I was even asked for it by a student. So I thought I would post it here too. I'm not sure of the source but it sure is delicious.

Seven Layer "Mexican" Dip

Oh so yummy!

And while I'm at it, here's next week's Menu Plan Monday!

Sunday - Appetizers (crab cups, pigs in a blanket, roasted potatoes, salad)
Monday - Fondu
Tuesday - Leftover BBQ from lunches
Wednesday - Stir fry
Thursday - Breakfast
Friday - Steak and potatoes
Saturday - Fried catfish and shrimp (carry over from previous week)

OrgJunkie!!