Get Crafty and Creative

For the past few weeks, I have been pondering what to do with my summer. I am finally done with grad school, so summer classes will not be tying me down...so what is there to do?I have been seeking options to keep myself busy, because there is no way that I can just "sit around"... I will need something to do! I thought about applying for summer jobs to make a few extra bucks --- but seeking a job in which I have to ask to take a few weeks off because of FCCLA doesn't seem fair to the employer. So again, what should I do? Well, I think getting crafty and creative just maybe a good idea!

     There are several crafty projects that I want to try and learn to do. Here are a few for sure:

Crochet a tote from recycled grocery bags

Quilt a cute apron

Sew a pillowcase dress for the special little girls in my life...and finally ---

Reupholster a chair found at a yard sale. 

Check back throughout the summer to see if I made any progress with these crafty and creative projects! (:

25 Recipes for 25 Years of Life

On Thursday, I will be turning 25 --- wow, how time flies! It seems like yesterday I was little girl playing make-believe school with my sister, Katie. Who would have thought, many years later, that I would actually be a teacher, a Family and Consumer Sciences (Home Ec) teacher, at that? In honor of turning 25, I am hoping to create the 25 wonderful recipes listed below. Perhaps, I will be able to use some of them in my classroom. I found all the recipes on the Food Network Website. They have many delicious recipes that I can not wait to try!

1. Raw Asparagus Pesto
2. Tri-Colour Stuffed Pepper Soup
3. Slow Cooked Chicken Gumbo
4. Oatmeal Craisin Cookies
5. Chewy Chocolate Chippers
6. Hurry Up Chicken Pot-Pie
7. Orzo with Roasted Vegetables
8. Rigatoni with Vegetable Bolognese
9. Grilled Shrimp and Noodle Salad
10. Chile Rubbed Pork Chops
11. Lemon Ricotta Biscuits
12. Sweet and Sour Chicken
13. Chicken Tandoori
14. Farro Salad with Grilled Eggplant Tomatoes and Onion
15. Strawberry Shortcake
16. Gazpacho with Lime Chicken
17. Chicken Paillards with Herb-Tomato Salad
18. Broccoli Chowder with Cheddar Toasts
19. Pot Roast Carbonnade
20. Scallion Sweet Potatoes
21. Hot Plums and Berries
22. Grilled Corn Salsa
23. Vegetable Chips with Blue-Cheese Dip
24. Grilled Chicken with Spicy Peach Glaze
25. Blueberry (or seasonal fruit) Crumble

I hope to make one of these yummy recipes each week over the summer to meet one of my 101 in 1001 goals! Keep an eye out for new posts that include pictures of these delectable treats!

101 in 1001

I have finally become motivated to start blogging, finally!  It has been on my mind for some time. While many of you already know, I am extremely busy and not because of anyone's fault but my own. I can not seem to learn the meaning of "no". While I put much of my time into my work, the students I teach, and my family, I thought it was finally time that I do something for myself - something I can do to relax from time to time. This is where blogging comes in. Many of my friends have started to blog over the past year and it is great to see their input on products, recipes, and even what is happening in their lives. Through my blog, I hope to do some of the same --- share photos, tasty recipes, insights on lesson plans, and updates on my personal adventures. 

I recently saw a friend post on 101 in 1001. I was uncertain at first what it meant, but of course I was intrigued and continued to read! I quickly found out that 101 in 1001 meant that she was going to set 101 goals to reach in 1001 days. What a fabulous idea! While I have not created all 101 goals just yet, I will be keeping track of my accomplishments on here --- (Click on the 101 in 1001 tab) --- Check back often to see my progress and to perhaps cheer me on. 

Start Date: May 18, 2011

End Date: February 12, 2014. 

Thanks to Breanna for motivating me to begin my 101 in 1001. Have I inspired you?