Summer "Must Haves"

I was helping the adorable Mrs. Jones find a dress a few weeks ago via the tweet. She suggested that I put together a list of ten summer "must haves".  I can do that!

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A great dress.  One that you can dress up for a garden party/cocktail party or dress down and it works for a beach bonfire.

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Wedge espadrilles.  Sweet summery shoes that are casual but versatile.  Plus, the wedge gives a little more ankle stability than a standard heel - quite useful if you've had a little more sangria than normal.  :-)

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Flip flops. For most of us, beach time (or pool time) is inevitable.  A colorful pair of flip flops are fun and useful all season long!

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A short sleeved cardigan.  There's no hiding that cardigans are one of my fashion staples.  They are great for layering, providing a little warmth on a cool summer night and giving a pop of color/a little visual interest where needed.

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A multi purpose moisturizer.  The summer dries out your skin, ladies! Between warmer air, more sun exposure and the glistening that results {hey, at least I didn't we sweat!}, I need something to not only keep my skin moisturized but provide some SPF too.  It's an even bigger bonus if I find something oil-free.  :-)

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A good mani & pedi.  Some of you lovelies get mani/pedis all year long, which is great.  Some folks take care of their own nails all the time with is pretty cool too.  My theory is that if you get a great mani/pedi at the beginning of each season, it makes it easier for "at home care" on a regular basis.

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Sunglasses.  I don't take my own advice enough on this...but wear sunglasses!  Save yourself from wrinkles around your eyes caused by squinting into the sun.

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Cute camis.  Summer clothes are supposed to be fun!  This cami has great detail and is adorable!

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Great shorts. Find some that fit your body, please - I'm begging you!  Last year I saw lots of too tight, too droopy and buns hanging out.  Please don't bend over and make me look at your bum again this year. 

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Fun accessories!  Lots of color; beachy accents; just FUN!

What are your summer must haves?

Tuesdays At The Table - Southwestern Salad & Avocado Lime Dressing

Happy Tuesday, and Happy International Vegetarian Week! I always feel like I forget to let you all know about these food-based "holidays", so I'm glad I remembered this one.  :-)
I was going to do a post about crockpot pot roast...but I see the irony in doing that directly after pointing out that it's vegetarian week.  So we'll come back to that at a later date!  This time, let's go with a nice crunchy salad!

Southwestern Salad & Avocado Lime Dressing

2 cups chopped romaine lettuce

1 ½ cups cooked pinto beans or 1 15-oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup grape tomatoes, rough chopped

½ cup fresh or frozen (thawed) corn kernels

¼ cup chopped green onions

2 Tbs. chopped cilantro

1 ripe avocado

¾ cups prepared (not chunky) salsa

½ cup sour cream

3 Tbs. lime juice

Tabasco sauce, optional

⅓ cup crushed corn tortilla chips (about 20 chips), optional

Combine lettuce, beans, tomatoes, and corn in clear glass bowl. Sprinkle green onions and cilantro on top.

Mash avocado in separate bowl, and whisk in salsa, sour cream, and lime juice. Season with hot sauce (if using), and salt & pepper, if desired. Pour dressing over salad, toss well, and top with crushed corn chips.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

New PUPPY!!!

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that there's been a little hoopla in trying to adopt a new fur-kid.  Well, things are finally falling into place!

Meet my new little one!  If everything goes according to plan, she'll get to come home next weekend.

At 7 weeks

Yesterday at 13 weeks

She is absolutely beautiful, is so loving and is astonishingly laid back.  I estimate that she'll be ten pounds of a smidge less when she's grown.

Now...I need a name for my new little love! Her name now is Dixie, which is sweet - but I don't think "fits" her.  HELP ME!  I'm drawing a blank and you all are my sounding board.  I only have two requirements for any suggestions you give me - it has to go well with Meadow and Beckett's names & can't sound like the word "no".

Sound off!  There may be a little price if I pick your name!

Ah...What An Experience!

I made it through the CNA program!  It's been quite the experience...

I met some really great people.  Smart, caring, generous women that I would be proud to work with in the future.  :-)  Yesterday we finished up our clinical experience (I'll re-visit that again in a minute) and took our final exam.

I got a 98% on my final!  YAY ME!!!!  I missed ONE question - and the "right" answer to that question is so outdated that it's truly not applicable anymore.

Anywho, the clinical experience was an exercise in patience, joy and frustration.  I started with Ms. A and she a sweet little thing once she was up and about.  The rest of the week I had Ms. B - who is exactly who I hope to be as an elderly woman.  She was the life of the proverbial party, yelled out my name when she wanted my attention {no call light for her!} and everyone in my class gravitated to her.  My parting gift to her was a manicure with some great red nail polish {she wasn't a fan of the pink that a volunteer had put on her}.  Her parting gift to me was to  compliment me so much, tell me how much she loved me, beg me not to leave her - that I sobbed in the car on the way back to class to take my final.

My only frustration with our clinical site was that there just didn't seem to be enough supplies to go around.  It was a search each day to find everything you needed to properly take care of the residents.

If everyone could think happy thoughts for me, I'd appreciate it.  My last step is to take the state exam.  Hopefully I'll have a date for it soon! Then I'll get a good year worth of practical experience under my belt before nursing school  :-)

P.S. A big thank you to Jane, Kristin, Mrs. Jones, Andrea, Holly, Jessica and everyone else who has supported me as I change careers.  Your encouragement is invaluable!  I love you all.

3 on Thursday - Comfort Foods

Welcome back to a new round of 3 on Thursday!  My sparkling super-mommy of a co-host Andrea and I appreciate you playing along with us each week!  Make sure you drop by to say "hi" to her.  :-) She's pretty darn awesome!


I'm going to skip the longer spiel I post every week...in favor of just reminding you to: A. Leave Andrea or I a comment. B. Link up! C. Visit a few of the other lovely ladies who played along too. Please and THANK YOU!

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This week's question:
What are your 3 favorite comfort foods?

Mac and cheese.  Not just anybody's mac and cheese - MY version.  I do it up with a real thick bechamel sauce followed by 45 minutes of baking that culminates in a panko & parm crust.  It is NOT waistline friendly...but I have a good list of people who ask for me to make them this recipe - including my mom! (aka the best cook I know!)

Mint chocolate chip ice cream.  Sure, I could probably survive with the store brand.  But I don't eat much of this stuff...so I tend to keep a few of the "good stuff" stockpiled in the freezer.  My favorites are Haagen Daaz and Ben & Jerry's.

Pineapple chunks.  Seriously...who has fruit as their comfort food?  Apparently, I do!  But it's only pineapple!  Give me an apple or orange when I'm sad, cranky or upset - and it's getting thrown back at you.  :-)

I want to know what your comfort foods are too!

Tuesdays At The Table - Curried Chicken Salad

Happy Tuesday!  Thanks to you lovely ladies who commented, tweeted or emailed me your support yesterday.  It gave me the boost of confidence I needed for my first day of clinicals.  :-)  You are all AWESOME!
This week I'm bringing back one of my favorite leftover chicken recipes.  I'll pick up a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking it myself sometimes - sure I'm probably cutting corners, but I'm OK with that!

Curried Chicken Salad3 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup diced celery
1 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup dijon mustard
1/3 cup chutney
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
pinch of salt and pepper

In a large bowl mix mustard, chutney, oil, curry powder, salt and pepper. Stir well. Add in chicken celery, and green onions. Toss ingredients until the chicken is well coated. Chill and serve.

My two favorite ways to eat this is 1. On top of a garden salad; 2. In a chicken salad melt with provolone cheese and whole wheat bread. Yum!

What's cooking in your kitchen?



P.S. Come back on Thursday!  This week for 3 on Thursday, Andrea and I will be talking about our three favorite comfort foods.  We'd love it if you'd post yours and share with the group too!

Rockin' Some Scrubs...

This week is the clinical round of my CNA program - and as odd as it sounds, I'm a little weirded out by wearing scrubs to "work" instead of business casual "regular" clothes.
So, just pretend with me for a minute.  Tell me I'm going to be adorable wearing these suckers, that my patients will adore me, and that I won't make any stupid mistakes.

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Oh...and this week's 3 on Thursday question:
Tell us about three of you comfort foods!