For My One In A Minion {Valentine's Day}

With Valentine's Day tomorrow I thought I would share what my sweetheart can look forward to.

We've never been big on Valentine's and usually keep it pretty low key.

I think surprising each other randomly through out the year is much more exciting and special than one day.

I did want to do something but not go over-the-top. I made him this little goodie bag.

I collected some of his favorite treats and made a card. 

I also got him signed up for the "Dollar Shave Club". He's been searching for a new razor so I thought this could be a cool way to try something he might like. 

Drew is all about some micro-brews and craft beer. 

I snagged these earlier in the week since I knew most likely we'd be snowed in.

The "yellow snow IPA" just had to be his!

I also dipped some pretzels in white chocolate, his favorite.

Add some peppermint and festive sprinkles and boom, V-Day treat!

I added some beer nuts to go with the brew, Swedish Fish and Twizzlers then put it all in a red bag.

I'm sure he will like it and enjoy some of his loot this weekend.

Wednesday Randoms {and more snow}

Well the snow is a falling and by the looks of a six day weekend is here.

We were out of school today because we are under a winter storm warning.

We've seen lots of weather weather advisories but I can't remember a winter storm warning so we are loaded up on can goods, toilet paper, and beer and prepared to be snowed in for a bit.

I totally found myself joining the other East Tennesseans at the grocery store yesterday.

Here in the south we just can't handle the snow. 

I'm not sure what our deal is but we all get nervous-

buys lots of bread and milk (I don't even like milk but bought plenty), made sure I plenty of dog food for the fur child, and Drew picked up extra beer on his way home.

(that's his contribution to the fridge in prep of the mini blizzard)

We have the prediction of anywhere to 3-7 inches of snow. Remember two weeks ago we got two inches of snow and were pretty much shut in for a week. So I don't think we will be back in for the remainder of this week at school and we are already off Monday. Right now the wind is swirling and blowing snow like crazy and I've already made camp in my favorite sweat shirt and have enjoyed so much coffee I'm a bit jittery yet still want more.  #addiction

Last night we got some "chicken cordon blue" or whatever it's called from Fresh Market and I whipped up some sides. It was delicious! Given my asparagus wasn't nearly as healthy as it should have been since I covered it in sauce with zero guilt, it was amazing. The Fresh Market has a ton of $2.99 deals on Tuesday and we got the asparagus for $2.99 for 2 pounds and the two chicken breast ready to pop into the for $2.99 and I could barely eat half. Yay, for an easy dinner!

A few weeks ago I shared a home tour on the blog. 

I got several e-mails, comments, etc. about how clean it was. Just wanted to share an honest pic that is slightly embarrassing but shows that although I'm OCD about cleaning, I'm totally human and a mess from time to time.  The counter is covered with mail and other crap as well as three jackets piled on top of one chair, the couch cushions a mess cause Copper keeps walking on them, and I could go on.

Since I was off today and the snow just rolled in a bit after 2:00 I went to school to clean-up my classroom since I probably won't be back for a week and work on some papers while throwing Copper's frisbee down the hall every 90 seconds. Grabbed a quick lunch with my mom at my favorite deli/coffee shop and then tackled that mess of a kitchen and cleaned up since I'll be indoors for a few days. I'm looking forward to finishing some blog post I've been working on and spending 24/7 in cozy socks and comfy layers.  In the meantime I'm enjoying the crockpot smells that are filling the house with my sleepy Copper next to me kicking his legs and dreaming away!

Make-Up Find

Okay, I've been debating with myself if I should buy the Urban Decay Naked eye shadow or not. I love make-up and like one of my 5th graders love to try and play with new finds.

I don't mind spending more on my powder or a good BB cream but $50+ for eye shadow is way more that I usually spend. Most of my eye shadows are from Victoria Secret and I absolutely love them!
Saturday at Target I came across this gem:

This is the Physician Formulas Nude pallet. It is amazing and all the earthy browns I love plus a great light shimmer.

It was $10 at Target and worth every penny! So glad I waited and didn't splurge!

Thought I would share this great deal with all my make-up loving blogging friends!

Our weekend and weekly menu

As always, the weekend went by quickly.

Friday night was less than eventful. We went to a bonfire which I usually love but considering it was in the low 20's outside and we had a hard time getting the fire started I was longing for a hot bath!

Saturday morning we found out that my sweet Grandma was helping host a pancake breakfast at a local restaurant for a great cause so we showed up and surprised her. It was fun to see her in "action" and the place was packed! So packed we sat for over half an hour and couldn't get anything to eat they were so full. We didn't mind since it was for a great cause and let them keep the ten bucks and we walked over to Panera Bread next door. I forgot how yummy it is!

I had this yummy spinach and bacon dish with a coffee.

When we went to "fix" up our coffees and they had ground cinnamon to sprinkle in. I forgot how yummy cinnamon is in coffee. This could help with my creamer addiction. 

Since I didn't have a whole lot to do I decided to swing into Target. I still had some $ left on a Starbucks card I had gotten as a Christmas gift from a sweet kiddo so got yet another coffee. For the first time, EVER, I didn't find any clothes that I just "had" to have at Target.

Now this little number did catch my eye. I seriously can't believe this is shorts. The inseam was -2 inches. (yes, negative)

#lacedoesntmakeitclassy

I got caught taking a pic of these by another shopper and she laughed out loud too. 

Even when I was 16 and wore "short shorts" I would NEVER have worn this. My bikini has better coverage. 

Saturday night we went to dinner just us.

We went to this neat pizza place and pub downtown and enjoyed some yummy brews and a meat overload pizza while watching the Olympics. (Which the U.S.A. is KILLING it in slope style!!!)

Being the adults we are, we rented Despicable Me II on the way home.

We made a drink and started the movie around 10:00, which I should have known was past our bedtime.

Well I woke up at 1:30 with the t.v. off, my drink melted, and all three of us (Copper of course) passed out on the couch. Wild and crazy Saturday!

Sunday after church I ran into Publix (where I didn't do well at all with my coupons this time) and snagged some goods for dinners this week.

Drew said he had a special request for dinner and I got excited thinking I was going to cook something neat only to find out he really wants hot dogs. So we had hot dogs tonight with tots and they were pretty yummy.

Here is what we I will be cooking this week:

Monday//fajitas

Tuesday// baked chicken, rosemary potatoes, veggies

Wednesday//a new recipe from the blog Hello Newlywed Life

This is a yummy pasta recipe that I can toss in the crock pot and serve with steamed broc

Thursday// Small Group T.B.D.

Friday// possible heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's ?!

Keep my kiddos (and myself) in your thoughts tomorrow as we are SUPPOSED to take the state writing assessment but it looks as if weather could be a problem again. This has been canceled once and we would really, really like to get this behind us--we'll see!

Have a great week!!

Friday //5/

//Friday Five//

It is Friday, finally.

This hasn't been a bad week by any means but I'm so happy the weekend is here.

Sounds pathetic, but this is the first full week I've worked in a while.
I'm looking forward to a lot of nothing this weekend!
A lot of cooking breakfast, staying in pj's longer than I should, and going for a long walk if Mother Nature permits.

//1/ This Monday was supposed to be our state writing assessment. Since we were out pretty much the whole week prior they postponed it and gave us this week to help prepare. I'm definitely thankful for that time and I'll be even more thankful when this test is behind us. Most of all I'm so thankful my class has kept such a great attitude and continue to work so hard. They deserve the #1 spot for sure!

//2/ This week the weather wasn't AS bad as last week. I'm so grateful for the little bit of time we got to spend outside and the evening walks/jogs/runs. I'm wanting spring so bad I can't stand it! In the mean time I'll take all the above freezing days as possible.

//3/ I need to do a post about how the yearly Bible reading plan is going. I'm so excited and really feeling motivated with my reading habit. Almost 40 days into and the app says "8% complete" and that feels so good. I'm familiar with the stories but didn't really know them so I feel so excited to read parts that I recognize and grow what I already knew. The Bible reading has been something I've been so intimidated about for so long and now I truly don't know what I was so worried about.

//4/  Next week is Valentines Day. I honestly don't care much about the "holiday" and believe you should treat your other like Valentines Day-everyday. But being in an elementary setting I can't help but get excited for this cheesy holiday because the kids get so fired up about it. I do look forward to exchanging cute little cards and maybe make some homemade ones. Gotta love crafts!

//5/  As tired as I am from getting back in the groove this week I'm grateful for Drew being home all this week and that we both get to go to jobs that we love and feel passionate about. Even though Wednesday night I was ready for bed at 7:30 I'm thankful that I got to spend my day working with great teachers and kiddos in an awesome school. I was starting to complain about how tired I was but then I started thinking about WHY I was tired and what had been accomplished that day and realized I would be so ungrateful to not be thankful for what took place (and took my energy ha).

Here's to the weekend!!!

Homemade Chicken Enchiladas

We love Mexican food in our house!

This chicken enchilada recipe I've been making and tweaking for years, it is so yummy!

This is what you'll need:

/one pound or two cups of cooked (boiled) chicken pulled apart/ one small can of diced green chilies/ 2 cups of chicken broth/ 3 tablespoons of butter/ 3 tablespoons of flour/ one cup of fat free sour cream/ 2 cups of cheese divided (I used a Mexican blend)/ 10 large wraps of your choice

This is optional but oh so delicious:

I add a can of Rotel tomatoes to our enchiladas as well as a can of black beans rinsed

First I combine all the ingredients for the "inside" of my enchiladas.

I have the boiled chicken pulled apart, one cup of cheese, rinsed black beans, and Rotel.

Next I fill my wraps. 

I used about half a cup per wrap.

I place the filled enchiladas in a lightly sprayed casserole dish.

Now for the delicious sauce!

Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a sauce pan.

Once the butter is melted, add 3 tablespoons of flour.

This will be super thick. Keep mixing this for about a minute.

Next add the chicken broth and with a whisk stir well.

About two minutes or so.

Once all the way mixed add the sour cream and green chilies. 

Keep the temp on a low simmer here.

(If this boils you stand a chance of the sour cream becoming chunky, gross!)

Pour sauce over enchiladas.

It will look like a lot of liquid, it will cook down.

Add remaining cup of cheese.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Once cooked, allow to sit for about 5 minutes.

This recipe is delicious and one of our favorites. 

I like to add a bit of salsa on top.

So good!!

Our Weekend

Well my long week of snow days rolled into the weekend!

Drew finally got home and it was so nice to just relax.

Friday afternoon we went to our favorite beer garden, Vics.

We love the fenced in back patio so Copper can run wild and the big screens to enjoy as we sip our brew.

It was still a bit slushy but just nice to be outside.

Saturday morning Drew did some mini house projects and I did some major grocery shopping. After eating some lunch we went to his grandparents for a visit. They have a big farm and Copper wore himself out running every where. He didn't even make it out of the driveway, passed out. 

Saturday night we ate at my all time favorite place.

No special occasion, just dinner with Lee and Rachel.

(Drew's brother and fiance')

Sometimes the best treats are the random ones like this, even though I ate wayyyy too much bread.

Sunday for the Super Bowl (which was such a disappointment) I made these awesome sausage and cream cheese crescents. I found them on Pintrest and they were as tasty as they were simple to make.

I didn't get a picture of it but I also made a black bean, corn, and feta fresh salsa. I saw it on the Simply Free blog (which is an amazing blog) and thought it looked so yummy. Since my other dish was not so healthy I wanted to make something a bit more "clean" and that I cold eat plenty of guilt-free.

This morning it was back to school after almost a week off.

The kids were due a treat for great behavior in special area and I also wanted them to know how much I appreciated them working hard on the practice writing assessment Tuesday as the snow came down.

(it is SO very hard for the kiddos to focus KNOWING they are about to go home and sled)

In stead of a cookie I went sprinkle crazy and they got a cupcake treat,yum!