We were blessed to have such a beautiful Thanksgiving season this year! 5 Thanksgiving get togethers, plus an Anniversary party and I may need a new wardrobe that includes bigger pants ha ha! Only kidding, I minded my eating (mostly) and even received a comment about losing a few pounds (totally made my day). I thought that I would take this opportunity to list everything that I am thankful for this beautiful day:
My amazing husband
My beautiful family
My sensational friends
My health
My happiness
My job (soon to be jobs)
My home
My freedom
God Bless you all as you enter this holiday season and remember the true meaning of what we are about to celebrate!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Chasing my own tail :)
Wow! 70 degree temps in the middle of November...what state do I live in again? The weather has been so gorgeous and it gave me the perfect day to get lots of errand running accomplished, yay! Next week is the Randolph County Extension Homemakers annual Time for Trees event and I have been blessed to be a part of the planning committee for the past 3 years. Local home ec clubs, businesses and organizations decorate 3' Christmas trees or wreaths and show case them while accepting silent bids. We also have very generous businesses, organizations and individuals that donate gifts/gift certificates that are used as door prizes or silent auction items. Let me tell you, the people of Randolph County are simply amazing! We have had such an out pouring of generous support and I am sure my husband will be the first in line to place some bids (he loves auctions). All of the proceeds go to the local food pantry and we typically raise well over a thousand dollars to donate! There will also be refreshments, live entertainment and a visit from Santa and his lovely wife. So, if you would like to support us, please visit Husted Hall from 10:00am-6:00pm on November 18th. Entertainment will begin at 3pm.
Winchester is also getting ready for its annual Christmas on the Square. This year I will get to work at The Cashmere Cat and show off some of our fantastic items. I know that I am a bit partial, since I work there and all, but the shop is simply lovely and we have very quality items. We recently brought in Kellie's Kreation air fresheners and they are so wonderful and affordable! $2.00 and your car, room, storage area, etc. will smell amazing! I have the love spell (made popular by Victoria's Secret) in my van and it permeated the space within 25 minutes! My Mom bought the coffee scent to put in her kitchen...I came in last night to the disappointment that coffee was not brewing :( However, her kitchen smells like a Sunday morning! We also got a new shipment of the FireSide coffees and cocoas...whaooo! Marta and I are especially fond of the pumpkin pie mocha! So if you have a chance, stop by the shop.
Well there is my little spiel for the day...just my thoughts and tidbits rolled into one. I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful day!
Winchester is also getting ready for its annual Christmas on the Square. This year I will get to work at The Cashmere Cat and show off some of our fantastic items. I know that I am a bit partial, since I work there and all, but the shop is simply lovely and we have very quality items. We recently brought in Kellie's Kreation air fresheners and they are so wonderful and affordable! $2.00 and your car, room, storage area, etc. will smell amazing! I have the love spell (made popular by Victoria's Secret) in my van and it permeated the space within 25 minutes! My Mom bought the coffee scent to put in her kitchen...I came in last night to the disappointment that coffee was not brewing :( However, her kitchen smells like a Sunday morning! We also got a new shipment of the FireSide coffees and cocoas...whaooo! Marta and I are especially fond of the pumpkin pie mocha! So if you have a chance, stop by the shop.
Well there is my little spiel for the day...just my thoughts and tidbits rolled into one. I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful day!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Baby steps...baby steps!
The first day of any change can be scary, but this was happy and exciting! Isn't it strange how we can start to transform ourselves with one tiny adjustment in our habits? That is exactly how this journey is going to move forward, small adjustments and transformations...all in baby steps! It didn't all creep up on me one day, so it sure isn't going to creep off of me overnight either (oh I wish). I guess patience truly is a virtue that I must hold on to.
Last night, I sat down and watched Biggest Loser with Steven. These contestants are power-houses with exercise energy that only most can imagine. I realize that they have very unique circumstances (no job, no family, nothing to do but work out while at the ranch), but they still show dedication at home of the finale of the show would be pretty boring. I do draw encouragement from the show, but have the where-with-all to realize that losing 20 pounds in a week isn't realistic or very healthy. I would be happy to lose that in a month!
So, what baby step should I incorporate today? More water! Yes, I am going to strive to drink the necessary amount of H2O today, so wish me luck! Water is by far not my favorite drink, but I shall learn to love it!
Have an amazing and blessed day!
Last night, I sat down and watched Biggest Loser with Steven. These contestants are power-houses with exercise energy that only most can imagine. I realize that they have very unique circumstances (no job, no family, nothing to do but work out while at the ranch), but they still show dedication at home of the finale of the show would be pretty boring. I do draw encouragement from the show, but have the where-with-all to realize that losing 20 pounds in a week isn't realistic or very healthy. I would be happy to lose that in a month!
So, what baby step should I incorporate today? More water! Yes, I am going to strive to drink the necessary amount of H2O today, so wish me luck! Water is by far not my favorite drink, but I shall learn to love it!
Have an amazing and blessed day!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
New Journey
Wow, I cannot believe that it has been so long since I have posted any new blogs...shame on me! Well I am starting into a new journey in life and I wanted to share it will all of you :) Last evening, I had the honor to listen to the teachings of John Muncy while attending revival at our church (Voice for Christ) and it was quite the wake up call. He spoke on the changes of our culture today and the strong influence of our media, especially on our youth. He also made us stop and think about our role in the church and if we were inviting in God or something else...we need to do some cleaning. In all honesty, those 2 hours gave me a whole new perspective on a lot of areas of my life, the first being my health! Today is a brand new day and I am going to treat it as such. I have been given this life to live to the fullest, so I better start doing just that! So, here are some steps that I want to take in order to achieve my goal weight. I would like to be at goal within 18-24 months!
Nicole's Steps
1. Limit fast-food and restaurant food! I love to cook, so why not spend less money and make something at home that typically tastes so much better! Only eat at places that are really worth my splurge (yes, Waffle House is included lol). For those of you that do not know, I absolutely love the Waffle House in Englewood, OH!
2. Eat fresh! Be careful of the pre-packaged food that I eat and try to make as many things from scratch as possible.
3. Move more! Even a little bit of movement is better than nothing.
4. Build a support network. Gather friends and family that will encourage this journey, not hinder it!
5. Limit wasted media time. Check email, facebook, etc. a couple of times per day. Only watch television shows/movies that really interest me and then get up and do something else.
Okay, so there are some of my steps that I am going to work on this week. I am going to try and do a better job of blogging and updating all on my progress! Have an amazing Tuesday :)
Nicole's Steps
1. Limit fast-food and restaurant food! I love to cook, so why not spend less money and make something at home that typically tastes so much better! Only eat at places that are really worth my splurge (yes, Waffle House is included lol). For those of you that do not know, I absolutely love the Waffle House in Englewood, OH!
2. Eat fresh! Be careful of the pre-packaged food that I eat and try to make as many things from scratch as possible.
3. Move more! Even a little bit of movement is better than nothing.
4. Build a support network. Gather friends and family that will encourage this journey, not hinder it!
5. Limit wasted media time. Check email, facebook, etc. a couple of times per day. Only watch television shows/movies that really interest me and then get up and do something else.
Okay, so there are some of my steps that I am going to work on this week. I am going to try and do a better job of blogging and updating all on my progress! Have an amazing Tuesday :)
Saturday, June 5, 2010
I Love My Hometown!
I absolutely love this time of year and the little things that make my hometown special really start to shine! The Farmer's Market on the downtown square started last weekend and they seemed to have a fairly packed group. Fresh baked goods, home grown veggies, garden decorations and the list could go on and on. We've only had this for the past couple of years and it just continues to grow! As I mentioned in the last post, we are seeing quite a bit of business really starting to boom in Winchester, as well as other places in Randolph County. Jason's Meat Market, On the Square and Sweet Sensations (open soon) are just a couple of our recent additions. Since my parent's and my brother-in-law own locally owned and operated businesses here in town, it makes me happy to see other "Mom and Pop" establishments. I would love to take the time to do a complete history on the evolution of the downtown square...all of the businesses that have come and gone, families that have been in business for generations, etc. Even in my twenty-some years, the square has almost completely changed, more than once! With the addition of the Winchester Main Street group, we have been able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of our community and build upon what we do best...mid western hospitality! The updating of some of the downtown buildings (making them business ready) has been a tremendous asset and I think that the investors in these projects should be commended for their hard work and efforts. Some no longer live here and still want to give back to their hometown...how great! We may be small in number, but we are mighty in spirit. We are very well known for our school sports, coins, racing, pies, chocolate and golfing...what more could you ask for? I love being a small town girl :-) I mean, the Mayor is my facebook friend! So take the time today to see what makes your hometown special. God Bless!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Summer Tummy...fill it right!
I love summertime and the abundance of freshness that it brings with it! Farmer's Market is in full swing, flowers blooming and the smell of grilled food fills the air of our quaint town. With the addition of Jason's Meat Market in downtown Winchester, grilling season has taken on a whole new role...it is wonderful to be able to pick up ribs, roasts, steak burgers, etc. right here in our own backyard! It is also nice to keep all of the heat outside, not in the house! Grilling out also gives me the opportunity to utilize all of the Stonewall Kitchen products that are being sold at another new downtown business, On the Square. Winchester is having a HUGE revitalization...come visit us! Since spending time in the water sounds like more fun than staying in the kitchen on these hot summer days, here are a couple of my picks for great eats, with less heat!
Orchard Salad with Chicken: So all of the produce at the market was too good to pass up and those two left over chicken breasts needs be used in something...hmmmmmm. 4 cups of town romaine lettuce (or whatever you have), at least a half cup of each fruit (I like blueberry, sliced strawberry and pineapple) and 2 sliced chicken breasts. Want to kick-it up? Add some nuts or toasted sunflower seeds. I serve with a honey mustard dressing and yum-o!
Fiesta Corn Salad: This may sound like a side dish, but there is plenty to satisfy a summer hunger! Cook roughly 2 cups of corn (fresh, frozen, canned) in the desired method. While corn is cooking, chop one red bell pepper into small pieces and saute in a small skillet with 1 Tablespoon of butter. Add to corn when finished. In a medium sauce pan, add 1 8oz block of room temperature cream cheese, 2 Tablespoons butter and 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar and warm throughout. While warming, chop 2 green onions and add to corn mixture. When sauce has warmed, add corn mixture and stir. Place mixture in a serving dish and chill for at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, crush BBQ corn chips on top! So delicious :-)
As always, enjoy and be safe!
Orchard Salad with Chicken: So all of the produce at the market was too good to pass up and those two left over chicken breasts needs be used in something...hmmmmmm. 4 cups of town romaine lettuce (or whatever you have), at least a half cup of each fruit (I like blueberry, sliced strawberry and pineapple) and 2 sliced chicken breasts. Want to kick-it up? Add some nuts or toasted sunflower seeds. I serve with a honey mustard dressing and yum-o!
Fiesta Corn Salad: This may sound like a side dish, but there is plenty to satisfy a summer hunger! Cook roughly 2 cups of corn (fresh, frozen, canned) in the desired method. While corn is cooking, chop one red bell pepper into small pieces and saute in a small skillet with 1 Tablespoon of butter. Add to corn when finished. In a medium sauce pan, add 1 8oz block of room temperature cream cheese, 2 Tablespoons butter and 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar and warm throughout. While warming, chop 2 green onions and add to corn mixture. When sauce has warmed, add corn mixture and stir. Place mixture in a serving dish and chill for at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, crush BBQ corn chips on top! So delicious :-)
As always, enjoy and be safe!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Sweet, treats and blooms!
I should start our by saying "sorry" for my continual lags in posting...here is a promise to actually doing this on a more frequent basis. Since I have been on the hunt for a new job these past couple of months, it has given me the opportunity to be more creative in the kitchen and dive into some passions that I did not have much time to do before. In preparation for the upcoming JuneFest that will be happening in downtown Winchester in the next couple of weeks, I have been preparing to make about 8 cheesecakes, some sweet dips and cake balls. Yes, I said cake balls! After seeing a post about these delicious little treats, my curiosity got the best of me and it was time for some research...and I am glad that I took the time to look these up! Simple, delicious bites of heaven! Bake a cake, crumble it up in a bowl, add a can of icing, freeze, dip in chocolate coating...voila cake balls! Here are a few flavor creations I am hoping to attempt:
Monkey Madness (banana as the main flavor)
Cordially Yours (cherries)
Strawberry Patch (you guessed it)
Luau Love (tropical flavors)
Wedded Bliss (oh yes, traditional wedding cake)
Have a flavor you want me to try, let me know! I am fairly game for anything! Of course, the famous Fields' Cheesecake will be making its triumphant return and Cheesecakes for a Cause remains in effect...all profits from our JuneFest booth will be donated to the American Cancer Society for the Relay for Life of Randolph County. Come see us!
Monkey Madness (banana as the main flavor)
Cordially Yours (cherries)
Strawberry Patch (you guessed it)
Luau Love (tropical flavors)
Wedded Bliss (oh yes, traditional wedding cake)
Have a flavor you want me to try, let me know! I am fairly game for anything! Of course, the famous Fields' Cheesecake will be making its triumphant return and Cheesecakes for a Cause remains in effect...all profits from our JuneFest booth will be donated to the American Cancer Society for the Relay for Life of Randolph County. Come see us!
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