My how time flies

Has it really already been four years since I graduated from the University of Kentucky?

So much has happened since this photo was snapped in early May 2007. I wonder what the next four years will hold!

Summer lovin'

I've heard people say of Lexington, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes." Talk about truth! Over the last month, we have experienced temperatures near 85, temperatures at the freezing mark, torrential rain, tornado warnings, tornado watches, thunderstorms, sun, clouds and flash flooding. This spring has been so sporadic that it has me anxiously awaiting the glorious months of summer.

A taste of summer, a la St. Lucia

Don't get me wrong...I generally consider myself a spring/fall kind of girl. Not too hot, not too cold. I'm the first to admit that I don't handle extremes very well. But the last few weeks have made me yearn for bright sun, sprinklers, the sound of lawn mowers and stifling summer nights.

As such, I have been thinking about what I want to do this summer. Summer is the perfect time to let loose and kick back. Thus, my initial list of ideas to fill my summer of 2011:

• Hall's on the River. Think twilight, a drive out Athens-Boonesboro Road (past Bluegrass Christian Camp), savory beer cheese and an inviting porch.
• Summer Classics Series at the Kentucky Theatre. Summer in Lexington would not be complete without it. Perfect way to spend a Wednesday night--don't forget to sprinkle some of the special salt on the popcorn!
• Lexington Farmer's Market. Since I am now living almost a stone's throw away from the Sunday market on Southland Drive, I really need to take advantage of local farmers' fresh produce and other goodies. I see brunch at Winchell's followed by a leisurely stroll through the market. That sounds about right.
• Berry picking. Many local farms offer berry picking. How perfect would it be to pick berries all afternoon and then bake up a fresh pie or cobbler to enjoy that night? 
• New Orleans. Ok, so this is not local, but Jacob and I are considering an impromptu trip to the bayou this summer. So looking forward to beignets, strolls through the French Quarter and all that jazz!
• Paddle boating out at Jacobson Park. Jacob does not know this yet, but I am hoping I can talk him into paddle boating this summer. Haven't done this since I was 17! So much fun!
• Picnics. I'm thinking a cold bottle of Riesling, fresh chicken salad on dark rye, and a red and white checked blanket. Perhaps by the lake at Jacobson. Two birds with one stone.
• Summerfest at the Arboretum. This tradition began with Shakespeare in the Park in college...another local excuse for lounging outdoors with good food, good company and good entertainment.
• Concert at Riverbend. Haven't looked at this summer's line-up but Riverbend is one of my all-time favorite places for a show. It's been a few years since I last made it up there (Maroon 5/Counting Crows, anyone? HAHA Erin), but I would love to go back soon. Something about an outdoor open pavillion can really awaken the senses.
• Cookout. Being my first summer as a homeowner, I would love to host at least one major cookout. Perhaps around a holiday? Maybe the fourth or even Labor Day... What would really be awesome? A fire pit. Maybe we can create our own this summer in the yard. S'mores!
• Gardening. Jacob planted our garden last week. Lots of tasty herbs (basil, oregano, mint, dill, rosemary) and peppers and tomatoes will soon be making appearances in our yard. Cooking is so much fun in the summer! I really want to get out there and help maintain it (and some of the other landscaping Jacob has been putting his heart into the last few weeks). I just need to get over my fear of creatures that linger in the backyard (aka snakes).
• Stargazing. Not that we have anywhere in town that is ideal for a night of stargazing, but just the same, the thought of lying on a soft blanket in the dead of night looking at the stars screams "summer" to me.
• Flea markets. I want to spend an afternoon walking through a flea market. Haven't been to one since college...but it sounds like grand fun to me!
• Sit pool side. Wouldn't be summer without a few trips to the condo pool with my mother-in-law Debbie. Nothing as simple (or relaxing) as a stack of magazines, SPF 50 and huge sunglasses. She and my mom have instituted a pool day that we hold every August.

What are your plans this summer?

Celebrate we will...cause life is short but sweet for certain

It is amazing how many lives a single life can touch. It’s one of those things that you really never pause to think about until it’s time to say goodbye to someone who has made that sort of an impact on your own life.

Why is that the case, I wonder? If you think about…how often do you really slow down enough to realize how much someone means to you…let alone take the time to share it with them?

Must be human nature—we don’t want to think about a time when that someone won’t be around…but once they are gone, you’re left with the realization of how much they meant to you and the size of hole they filled in your life.

I was reminded of these realizations just a few short weeks ago when Jacob’s uncle passed away.

In honor of Kerry Van Humphrey. May he rest in peace.

Uncle Kerry (or “E” as Jacob and his siblings and cousins referred to him) touched many lives over the course of his life. Kerry was so much more than an uncle/brother/son to those who knew him—he was a friend. Jacob has referred to him as a best friend—someone he could always count on for a kind word or a smile.

Though I only knew him for a few short years (we first met six years ago when Jacob and I started dating), I have my own fond memories of Kerry. Beyond the holidays and Sunday family dinners, I think the memories at the top of my list were those summer nights that he and I would drive downtown to the Kentucky Theatre to watch the films of the Summer Classic Series.

These memories represent but a mere moment in Kerry’s life but they will always have special meaning to me. On top of everything, I know how much he meant to Jacob. And my heart breaks for him and the rest of the Kelly/Humphrey family members. Despite this loss, we can rest in the peace and knowledge that he is in a better place…and we will see him again one of these days.

Now that I think about it…maybe if we constantly thought about mortality we wouldn’t truly live. I’m not sure, but regardless, I want to make a more conscious effort to tell people how I feel about them; never leave someone angry; and take time to truly enjoy the moments/events of my life. And maybe Dave Matthews summed it up best when he said that “life is short, but sweet for certain.”

Today's playlist

Working in an office environment has been quite an interesting experience. Sure, I had tastes of it from time to time in college when I interned at various establishments around town, but I never really knew what it was like until I got my first job out of school, almost four years ago.


Another way to find peace: taking aggression out on the office printer.



I can remember the day I was offered the job like it was yesterday. I was so excited! A cube to decorate, office supplies to pick out and a newfound appreciation for the primetime show The Office all excitingly came hand in hand with the job. Not to mention the joy of choosing an “office chic” wardrobe…especially after four years of trudging around UK’s campus in sweats, tees and flip flops.

Like anything else, that elation has faded over time. Working 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Friday in a 5x5 cubicle certainly isn’t for everyone. And to be honest, I haven’t really decided if it’s for me or not. But, with the economy and the job market the way it is, I realize I am truly blessed to have a job. (No matter how often I plot my means of escape.)

So until I figure out how I want to spend my life…because let’s face it, working is a part of life…I will spend some more time in my cube, taking solace from my treasured Pandora stations.

On today’s playlist: Back Here Radio. Yes, created from that 2000 smash hit of the British boy band sensation, BBMak. Don’t you judge me.

A few songs that have brightened my day (listen to them and they might do the same for you):

•  1979 (Smashing Pumpkins)
•  Ordinary Day (Vanessa Carlton)
•  Sympathy (Goo Goo Dolls)

•  Breathe (Michelle Branch)

Happy Tuesday!

25

I have entered the final days of my life as a 25-year-old.

One week from today I will be entering the uncharted territory of 26. Luckily, having an April Birthday, a good number of my friends have hit the 26-mark ahead of me. They have said, as with most other birthdays, you do not feel any differently. I can only recall one or two specific birthdays that made me feel older. {Perhaps when I turned thirteen (officially a teenager!) and the infamous 21 (which I spent with my now-husband at Comedy off Broadway drinking my first drink...for serious...a margarita).}

A throwback to the eighties. My first Birthday: April 6, 1986.

In my life, getting older has been marked by moments or situations, not necessarily by specific years. For instance, I truly felt like I had hit adulthood when our new bedroom furniture arrived. Not necessarily when I started my "first real job" the summer after I graduated from college or even when I got married last fall. Sure, they both contributed immensely, but that bedroom furniture hit the nail on the head for me.

In many ways, I still feel like a teenager. I remember what it feels like to be madly in love with a Backstreet Boy (I guess it was not meant to be, Nick Carter) and how it felt to first sit behind the wheel of a car (ah, the days of the forest green Taurus...). To go even further back, I can remember what it feels like to be a kid. The hours I spent playing Barbies with my sisters and best friend Trisha and just the complete sense of freedom that comes with having zero responsibility.

Through most every stage of my life, I have often wished time away. Along the way, I would think, "if only I was 10. Or 16. Or 18. Or out of high school. Or out of college. Or married." And time, moving as quick as it does, would fly by me before I could even recognize (or appreciate) what I had. It is never until after those times are over that you realize what you had.

If I could go back, I would tell younger Kristin to relish each moment, each phase and each chapter. You only have one life. Don't wish it all away! I think that is something most people realize once they hit a certain age. I'm just glad it hit me now...while I am still in my mid-20s and not when I am nearing retirement age. A very merry Birthday realization to me!

A top ten of sorts

With nine and a half years of material, I had one heck of a hard time trying to pare down my top ten favorite memories at Bellerive Kroger. But alas, I did it and my top ten favorite moments are as follows:

Jacob and I on "our bench"



10) Impromptu Streetfighter tournament. A few summers back, I had a group of Kroger friends over to my (then) apartment at Brandywine. While hanging out, they noticed that I had the early 1990s Sega Genesis gaming system and a myriad of games. Before we knew it, all ten or 15 of us were fully enthralled in an all-out Streetfighter tournament. And I dominated. I beat every one of them. Until my friend Yohan decided to take me on. He put my sweet, super fast Chun li kicking moves to shame. And with that, I was knocked from the title spot.

9) Power Outages. During my tenure, our store suffered from more than one thunderstorm-induced power outage. If you had a shift during one such occurence, you could count on a good time. All customers would have to leave the store--and the doors would be locked behind them. Those of us on the Front End would be sent off to tackle cleaning odd jobs around the store. This often turned into us goofing off in the dark--including games of tag or hide-and-go-seek. Other times, when we were "done" cleaning, we would plop ourselves onto the patio furniture that lined the front of the store and just talk. What a sight it must have been--groups of us sitting under umbrella covered tables in the dark.

8) Midnight shifts. Ok, not every one of those shifts make my top ten list, but back in the day, I would often get to close with a good friend (or two) of mine. We would get into all sorts of mischief. For serious--if our managers had watched the video footage during some of these nights, we would have been written up for sure. Luckily, this never happened...thankfully... One of our favorite things to do during these late night shifts was to race the motor carts (or as we often called them, the "mechanized" carts). Sometimes it would just be a race through the store, but more often than not, it would involve a race around the entire store. Outside. In the dead of night. A handful of times this resulted in a dead cart--you had to cross your fingers it wouldn't happen to you behind the building. If it did, you were stuck with pushing your cart to the finish line...aka back into the store lobby.

7) Made-up games to pass the time. A few of us would play games to pass the time...one of our old favorites was the ABC game. We would pick a topic (like movies) and the first person would throw out a movie title. "Anaconda." The next person in line would have to come up with a movie that started with the last letter in Anaconda, also an "a." And so on until someone gave up. There was also the infamous cookie dough challenge. We only made it through that game once--let's just say it involved logs of cookie dough and some people may have thrown up. Just saying. The junior high classic M.A.S.H also made its way into the rotation. Many a rainy day was spent standing at the supervisor podium or at Uscan writing on long pieces of receipt tape.

6) Hide-and-go-seek. No, we didn't only play in the store. We often took our shenanigans over to Shilito Park after dark...often times after we would all go to dinner together. These outings always made for a lot of fun. Good, clean fun...until one of those adventures took an unfortunate twist that resulted in me breaking my foot. Eeek! That was a pretty embarrasing story to tell the clinic doctor the next morning.

5) Produce prep room intervention. On the very day that Jacob first asked me out, back on Halloween in 2004, there was an intervention of sorts held in the store's produce prep room that involved about five or six of my Kroger guy friends. Somehow, someone overheard him ask me out (or heard us making plans for the night) and word traveled fast. Before I knew it, I was paged to the store's produce prep room. I walked in to find a cast of characters back there and they spent a few minutes questioning me and my plans for the evening. Come to find out, one of the guys leading the intervention had a crush on me. He even intercepted Jacob in the parking lot that night (to ask if he could tag along at the Trail of Terror.) Long story short, Jacob let him come along. The three of us went through the trail. Then the three of us watched a scary movie. But, as you know, Jacob won out. :)

4) Stickering of Gragg's car. Through the history of Kroger, there have been quite a few characters who have worked there. In my 9.5 year stint, I could easily name some 20 or 25 interesting personalities I worked with. This is a brief story about one such co-worker. (Brief history: this guy had asked me out--twice--once in the privacy of the breakroom where I nicely turned him down and the second time, he brought an outside--a non-Kroger employee--for support and asked me out in front of a crowd of our co-workers, to which I famously replied "Are you crazy?") On the front end, we had "I've been Krogering" stickers that we would hand out to kids. One night, four of us thought it might be funny to cover this kid's car in these stickers. So we did. We still laugh about it to this day. What wasn't so funny? His reaction. He was an angry sort. And it was unfortunate that the very next night, a different group thought it would be funny to do it to his car again. Not the best decision they ever made. I literally had to talk the kid out of calling the police. For serious. Luckily, the stickers came off pretty easily. I would know, I broke down and helped him clean it up.

3) Roof top nights. An old dear friend of mine from the Kroger days was the most mischievous of them all. He was the one who located the door that led to the roof. As in the top of the building. We were both working a midnight shift when this discovery occured. And yes, we took advantage of the opportunity. Climbed up the ladder and walked around on top of the store. I think there may have even been a snack involved (popcorn, what else?).

2) Co-workers. I have to sum it up and say that one of my top memories at Kroger were the friends that I made. Some of which I have been lucky enough to keep in touch with over the years. And the rest, social media sites like Facebook have allowed us to keep in touch though our lives have taken us all over the place. Not only that, but just the random assortment of people that I worked with over the last 9.5 years have easily made their way onto my top-ten list. Kroger would not have been Kroger without those people. (Even those interesting personalities I mentioned earlier!)

1) My hubby, of course! I tease Jacob all the time that he owes a lot to Kroger...it's where we first met. He likes to remind me of his early memories of me--I was the girl who would eat apple slices (with caramel dipping sauce!) and read books in the breakroom. But something about that obviously drew him in (the charm, of course...). I will never forget when I found out that he had a crush on me--I literally named every guy in the store before I said Jacob's name (I always considered him to be the hot, older boy...why would he have any interest in me?!). I was floored! From that moment, our co-worker friendship grew into something much more. We only dated a few months before he quit Kroger back in 2005, but we had some fun times as co-workers.

At the end of the day, I am blessed to have had such a great part-time job all of these years. I will always look back on it with fond memories in my mind and a smile on my face. And, if you think about it, I will always have a little bit of it with me. I go home to him every night.

Well, I did it: yesterday was my final day at Kroger

This has been a long time coming--when I started my first (and current) full time job in the summer of 2007, I figured I would quit Kroger by the end of the year. But 2007 came and went.

Along the way, I set other "quit dates" in my mind and none ever panned out. There always seemed to be a reason to hold onto the job (and the steady flow of money). But, now that the wedding is over (and paid for), I really could not justify working there every weekend.

Sure, the money is nice and there will always be a want (if not a need) of a little extra cash, but it got to the point where I determined that my time is significantly more important than the paycheck I was bringing in. Not only that, but working a grand total of eight hours each weekend at the second job does not sound strenuous, was taking a toll. (How? Less time with my new husband, working seven days a week, never being able to sleep in, etc...)


Regardless, I took the plunge and it is for serious this time. In fact, I am calling the union today to withdraw.

When I started working there on August 5, 2001 as a 16-year-old, I never expected to be there beyond high school. I went to Kroger after a little more than a year at McDonalds (my first job). I started as a cashier and, over time, assumed different roles and responsibilities throughout the store--including spots in floral, produce, payroll and as office assistant.

Despite the frequent changes in scenery, the largest portion of my time at Kroger took place on the front end. In addition to cashier, I had my fair share of cart duty as a bagger, ran u-scan, played the role of supervisor and worked in Customer Care. I even had the weekly task of closing the store (Sunday was my designated night).



The whole thing feels surreal to me...even as I drove away from the store last night, I looked back in my rearview mirror, and it still did not click. And maybe it never will. I guess after working some place for almost a decade, it becomes a part of you in some strange way. I made a lot of good friends through that place. I met my husband there! I have so many memories (all over the scale) at that store. And, in a way, I grew up there. For a long time, it was the only connection I had to my "parents' pre-divorce" life. Maybe that's why I stayed for so long. 

I will never forget what that place has meant to me--nor the numerous people who walked in and out of my life there. This week, I am planning on a special blog post in honor of "#708" or "ol trusty" as others have called it in the past. Some may laugh, but I feel this moment deserves it!

Have a fantastic Monday.  

A fun find from IKEA

Along the topic of magnetism, I want to show you a nifty IKEA contraption:

When it comes to a kitchen, you want a space to fit your cooking needs. We are in the process of creating such a space. Jacob and I cook quite a bit--as such, we have several "go-to" spices we seem to use pretty frequently (like basil, oregano or cayenne pepper)..but there are those spices we only use on occasion (like cumin or cardamom). 

So when it came time to register for our wedding gifts last year, we decided that the standard spice rack was not for us. Instead, I stumbled across this ingenious IKEA idea:

Combine a Grundtal magnetic knife rack with Grundtal magnetic containers. 

Grundtal knife rack...only $8.99

Grundtal containers...a set of three only $4.99

Result? A pretty awesome (and oh so versatile) magnetic spice rack.  We made two, one for baking spices and another for general cooking spices. See here:

Our most-used cooking spices and seasonings

Our baking spices...made more convenient right above my KitchenAid mixer

Not only are they convenient and easy-to-use, but they make an artful addition to any kitchen wall

So pretty! And no more questioning whether you are out of your spices.

Not only are these containers good for spices, but they can be used for non-edibles as well. In my workspace, I have a set of three on a magnet board holding rubber bands, push pins and paper clips. How would you use them?

Secrets of a 60-year-old house

Lately, I have been spending a healthy amount of time in our third bedroom--transforming it into my very own workspace. Kind of like (Dwight's) Shrute Space. Well--kind of. Not so officious.

Anyway, I have always wanted my own space like this where all of my random hobbies, knick knacks and interests could converge into a single space. An organized mish mash of sorts.

A dear friend of mine (Amy!) had the first embodiment of such a room--her space is tuly a mecca. The first time I saw it, I had to spend a good minute or two standing in the doorway simply taking it all in. LOVE!

My room is far from done (once it is, I will do a post on it and share some of the highlights...like my ribbon rack and wrapping paper stand), but in the mean time, I wanted to share "my favorite feature" of the room: the magnetic closet doors.

Yes, you read that right...magnetic! These originals are a tad unsightly and anything but useful (why house builders back in the 1950s ever thought sliding closet doors were ingenius, I will never understand). I initially wanted to rip them off and replace them with a fun patterned curtain from IKEA. But once I realized their worth (magnetism!), I just couldn't do it.

At the moment, the closet door is housing my 2010 tax paperwork, some coupons and a wall calendar. Not to mention some pretty snazzy magnets from my once-awesome magnet collection. Who knows what it will hold next?!

ALSO: Upon further investigation into the only other sliding closet doors in the house (front hallway), I have learned that they too are magnetic! What the what?! So exciting.

Valentines and Birthdays

Our little rabbit turns four today. And yes, we will be celebrating. People still find it fascinating that we have a rabbit for a pet. They are even more intrigued when they learn that we do not keep her caged up and she is litter trained. I guess it does sound a little peculiar...

At some point toward the end of college, we decided we wanted to purchase a pet rabbit. No rhyme or reason...we just wanted to do it. And do it we did... I remember calling every pet shop in town trying to locate a lop rabbit on the Friday before Easter 2007. That was no easy feat. The only lop left in Lex was a gray one--way across town.

The day we marched into the Eastland Pet Shop, all we knew about rabbit ownership could be attributed to what we had seen in the OC. Surely it couldn't be that much work. Were we ever wrong!

Enjoying a few blueberries on her last Birthday



In those first few months, Hocus chewed through electrical wires and remote control buttons, dug the carpet bare in bedrooms and dug at sheets and pillow cases until they were filled with holes. And, before she was litter trained, she used to use Jacob's bed as her litterbox. Ick!

Things have certainly changed since the beginning--she is noticeably calmer and much more laid back. I wouldn't say she is any sweeter than the day we first brought her home--she has quite the mean streak in her. But instead of wreaking havoc on the house, her days are spent lounging and sleeping. Truly the life. 

Happy 4th Birthday Hocus Pocus!



Pizza! Pizza!

Favorite day of the week, hands down, would have to be Thursday. Back when Marissa was still alive and Michael Scott's shenanigans would make anyone blush, we instituted our Thursday TV night. Thus easily making Thursdays the highlight of our week.

Fresh dough

What goes best with a night of classic American television? Pizza, of course. At some point along the way, we aquired a yummy recipe for a fresh and homemade pizza dough...and the rest is history.

When we weren't making our own pies, those early days saw boxes from typical delivery chains like Sir Pizza, Pizza Hut and Donato's; and even a few carry out orders from Brooklyn Pizza and Bellachino's. Those tastes steadily gave way to some of our favorite local standbys like Slice of Chicago, Mellow Mushroom and of course, Goodfella's. These days, we find ourselves testing the waters at some throwback establishments (namely Dominos) and at new joints (like Naked Pizza). But through it all...our homemade pizzas have stood the test of time.

Sure, some might say that we are pizza fiends. But we wouldn't be Jacob and Kristin without a Thursday night pizza and TV night. (Much like we wouldn't be Jacob and Kristin without our Saturday night America's Most Wanted viewings--but that's another story.)

Pre-bake

Anyway--on this pleasantly perfect Thursday evening, I wanted to share our recipe for pizza dough. It's from Betty Crocker's Big Red 10th Edition Cookbook. Add whatever sauce and toppings you want...and the result? The most amazing pizza you will ever place in your mouth. Seriously.

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of fast rise yeast
• Half cup hot water
• 1 and a half cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar

How to:
Mix hot water and yeast in mixing bowl. Add one cup of the flour, olive oil, salt and sugar. Mix until dough forms. Mixture will be sticky. Continue adding flour until the dough is pliable and smooth. (You may need to put down the spoon and begin kneading the dough.) Continue kneading dough. Set aside. Rub Crisco on inside of another mixing bowl. Place dough ball into Crisco bowl, rubbing it to get Crisco on sides of ball. Cover and let rise for 15 minutes. Punch down, re-cover and place in fridge for a few hours until ready to use. I typically will make this dough during my lunch break and it is ready to go when I am off work around 5.

Other pizza making tips:

• If you have one, use a pizza stone! They are GREAT! We use the medium round stones from Pampered Chef.
• Rub a pastry brush drenched in olive oil along the outer ring of your dough. Sprinkle any Italian seasoning or spice of your choice for an extra POP!
• Use GOOD mozzarella cheese.
• If your grocery store carries Boar's Head products, their pepperoni is the BEST!
• Add fresh minced garlic for a little, as Emeril says, BAM!
• Once your sauce and toppings are on, add some spices (sprinkle on some basil, oregano, rosemary, a dash of salt and a shake of pepper) and drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake your pizza at 400 degrees for 15 or so minutes.

Burgoo for you

Our crock-pot...work in progress.

Jacob and I have established what we refer to as "Crock-Pot Sundays." Over the last few weeks, we have made many slow cooker favorites in our shiny new crock-pot (thanks, Min!). We have made many tasty dishes...pulled pork (that we layered onto sandwiches with plenty of onions and dill pickles), chicken noodle soup, shrimp gumbo, and the like...crock-pot meals are great for two people because you can "cook" once and eat several meals. Pretty handy.

I have to admit, prior to these Sunday afternoon cooking extravaganzas, I have never really used a crock-pot. But they are fascinating. I call it "cooking for dummies." Seriously--anyone can use one of these babies. You turn it on, add your ingredients, put on the lid, set the timer and voila! Dinner is served when you are ready to eat.

Our most recent excursion in the art of slow cooking was trying our hand at a Kentucky staple: burgoo. My favorite definition of burgoo would have to be: "the Southern stew with a strange name and secret recipes." That couldn't be more true.



A bowl of our burgoo



In a History of Kentucky class Jacob and I took in college, our professor told us that burgoo of early settlers would include wild game...and even roadkill. Yick. Probably the reason I did not try this hearty stew until just a month or so ago.  But I am sure glad that I did!

A friend and co-worker of mine (Wesley) made this recipe at our holiday progressive dinner in December 2010. Tweak it to adjust the ingredients (and/or amount) to your liking.

Need:

- 1/2 pound mixed meat (beef, lamb, pork, chicken, game, etc.)
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 4 cups beef stock
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced (canned is fine)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1 small green pepper, diced
- 1 potato, diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1/4 cup lima beans
- 1/2 cup yellow corn
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- salt and pepper to taste

Set crock-pot to low heat (cook for 7 or so hours) or high heat (cook for four or so hours). Add all ingredients. Put on the lid. Set timer and go about your day! 

Fresh out of the oven



The beauty of burgoo is that you can add whatever you want to it. There is no wrong answer here, people. I think this recipe would be perfect for a large gathering. We paired it with Green Chile and Corn Mini Muffins (from Cupcakes from the Cake Mix Doctor). Ummm...there is no better remedy for a cold, dark, dreary winter day.

These muffins are UBER easy to make--really, all you need to do is mix a box of corn muffin mix (we used Jiffy) with a small can of creamed corn, small can of chopped green chiles, an egg, one cup shredded cheese and a diced (and seeded) jalepeno pepper. Drop two tablespoons of batter into mini muffin cups. Place into heated oven (400 degrees) and cook until lightly golden (17-20 minutes). Yum!

Add a little Kentucky flavor the next time you have an inkling to make a stew...and make burgoo!

Why use a box when you can make homemade?

My youngest sister Kimberly turned 23 today. In an instant, my sisters and I became true stairsteps: ages 23, 24 and 25...well, until early April anyway. To this day, I still question my parents' sanity. 

I took the opportunity to make a cake for today's celebration. Kim's favorite kind of cake is funfetti. You know, the pre-made Pillsbury cake mix. It is basically white cake, but the "funfetti" part is a bunch of colored sprinkles that bake into the dough and form a confetti like appearance inside the cake. It's basically a party in a box. 

As for icing, she likes white. I prefer chocolate myself, but if the girl wanted white on white, she was going to get white on white.

Instead of simply using a cake mix and can of frosting, I decided to kick it up a notch. I tried two new (well, new to me anyway) recipes from my Joy of Cooking cookbook: White Cake and Seven Minute White Icing. I followed the basic cake recipe but added quite a few rainbow sprinkles to the batter to give it that Funfetti appearance.

All in all, the cake turned out pretty delish, despite not being as moist as I typically like my cakes. It had a heavier texture and reminded me more of a wedding cake. Not that there's anything wrong with that! 


The icing was really sweet; kind of had a marshmallow creme kind of consistency. Maybe I didn't beat it as long as I should have. But it tasted great just the same!

Cakes are not one of my favorites when it comes to baking and sweet making, but it was nice to get into the kitchen for a little baking session. Happy 23rd Birthday, Kimberly! 

A perfect stocking stuffer

Came across the cutest gift idea the other day...a shower cap! I know, sounds crazy right? But really, Jimeale makes the cutest shower caps I have ever seen. I have been dropping hints like crazy to get one in my stocking here in two and a half weeks.

Isn't it adorable?

Photo from Jimeale

Do you wear a shower cap?

A cookie recipe every baker needs

Nothing says the holidays like baking. And no holiday baking is complete without a batch of homemade butter cookies and frosting!

I came across the most delicious recipe a few weeks ago and finally got to try it out earlier this week at my first Christmas party of the season! This recipe is perfect for a cookie press (if you're an avid cookie maker and you do not have a press...you need one!) or a great excuse to pull out the rolling pin and cookie cutters.

To make these yummy butter cookies, you simply need:

• 1 pound of Land O Lakes butter (four sticks/one package)--make sure the butter is softened to room temperature
• 1 stick of margarine (yes...this recipe calls for both margarine and butter...not the healthiest of cookies, but they sure are tasty!)--the margarine should be softened to room temperature as well
• 5 cups of four
• Dash of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 3 teaspoons of vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Once you have your ingredients, cream the sugar, salt, butter and margarine. Slowly add the flour and vanilla. I used my trusty KitchenAid mixer for this process, but you can just easily use a hand mixer or a spoon--up to you.

Once combined, either load the dough into the cookie press or roll it out on a floured surface with a rolling pin and use your cookie cutters in the dough. Place the cookies on the pan of your choice (I prefer using Pampered Chef baking stones when making cookies, but that's just me!) and pop into the oven.

Pressed cookies only take between five and seven minutes to bake (cut-outs take closer to ten minutes). Of course, the cook time really comes down to your oven and your cookie preference (soft or crispy). These cookies are good at either consistency if you ask me!

While the cookies are baking, whip up frosting using powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Place powdered sugar in a bowl and add milk at one tablespoon at a time until you reach a thick spreading consistency. At that point, add some vanilla and food coloring if you wish.

Warning: these cookies are super addictive! But I hope that they add to your holiday cheer.

One-80

On Thanksgiving Day, Jacob and I were in a terrible accident on I-75--a major highway that runs through our state. Thankfully, we were both able to walk away from the scene without more than a few bumps and bruises... But ever since that moment nearly a week ago, my mind has been racing.

I keep running through different what-if scenarios...and am terrified to get behind the wheels of a car (not considering the highway for a while if I can help it)...and I am terrified when Jacob has to drive some place. I've been told that these fears will eventually subside and life will calm down. But who knows how long that will take?

Luckily, the things racing through my mind are not all scary or fear-driven...I have been blessed with a new outlook on life. There are so many things that people take forgranted...and so many things that in the grand scheme of things, just don't matter. Life is short. And fragile. Sure, you think you understand these things, but when I am completely honest with myself, I realize that I didn't. Not until last week anyway. 

Above all, the knowledge that we were saved from that accident for a reason has truly stuck with me. Not sure what God has in store for us at this point, but knowing that we have a second chance is comforting.

That said, I think I am officially changing the direction of my blog...a 180 so to speak. It was initially created to capture the planning process of our September 2010 wedding, but now, I think it is more important to capture life. Because, as I said in my first blog post over a year ago, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

That makes more sense now than it ever has before.

Gone in a flash!

So I am now officially, and legally, Kristin Kelly.

I have to say a few things: I need to apologize for being the world's most terrible blogger over the last few weeks. Really, over the last few months. I think my last post was a month and a half ago. Shameful! And the sad thing is, I really don't have much of an excuse. We all just got so consumed with the wedding and those final details. Yes, I was one of those brides who, despite my best intentions, ended up working down til the final minute to make sure things were finished. Hot mess! But with a lot of help, I got through the day and was able to really enjoy that night. (Even though I was fashionably late to my own rehearsal...HAHA!)

But I wanted to drop a quick note to tell you that I plan to re-cap the day's events and the little details that made it our special day.

Despite my obvious biasness, I have to say, that the wedding (by wedding, I mean the rehearsal/dinner/ceremony/reception) was absolutely perfect. I loved every minute of that weekend! Seriously. I was sad it was over!

After the last year and a half of planning and the last five and a half years of dating, it all culminated into one sweet moment in the chapel over at Southland. Well 20 something minutes to be more exact. And every part of it was perfect. I will never forget that for the rest of my life.

Married life has been a blast so far! Jacob is so amazing. And we are having a really fun time unpacking everything in our house and getting things cleaned up. It is so great waking up next to him every morning and coming home to him every night.

Unlike the planning of the wedding, the whole planning of our life together is something that is (and will continue to be) an ongoing process. And that is what makes it fun!

Anyway, that is my update for today. Look for the re-cap (and honeymoon photos) soon!

And now, a taste of our wedding, fresh from Mary Lashbrook's blog:

A Perfect Ten

My wedding gown fits like a glove. There is no other way to describe this. It hugs me in all of the right places and feels like it was made just for me... Pretty amazing considering how much money some brides have to spend on dress alterations. I have to admit that I am thrilled to not have to pay a dime for alterations. Not a dime!

I have to say that I would wait eight long months for the custom cutting again. What a lifeline! Those extra three inches cut off the bottom of the dress were perfect and my adorable kitten heel shoes are the exact height they need to be. A HUGE thanks to Diane and Ruth's Bridal! And Maggie Sottero! (I am a fan for life.)

With the dress in and ready to go, my wedding day look is complete. Although, I do not have anything old or borrowed...guess I should start thinking about that. Any ideas??

Wish I could post a picture or two from yesterday, but cannot risk Jacob seeing it. :) All in due time!

Details Details Details

I have been one heck of a terrible blogger lately. I hate to place blame some where...but I have to admit, I have been working an ungodly number of hours the last several weeks. In addition to my regular 40 hour/week at minimum job, I have stepped up my game at my part-time job at Kroger. (Pushing my usual 4-8 hour/week to a 13-20 hour/week.) Needless to say, it has been an exhausting ride. Luckily, it will be winding down here at the end of August when I take a much needed leave of absence from Bellerive.

Not only that, but wedding planning has honestly taken a backseat to more exciting things going on right now (namely painting a few of the rooms in our house, unpacking boxes from my apartment and getting things straightened out for a seamless transition).

I have reached that point in our engagement where I am ready to get the show on the road. Planning a wedding is such a headache! Never realized how much drama and stress would be involved...but here we are...inching ever closer to the one month mark. It will be here before we know it!

Since I have last written, we have taken care of so many details: ordered and picked up Jacob's wedding band. My dress came in (first fitting after work today!). Finalizing our menu for the reception. Moved rehearsal dinner venues over to Malone's/chose a menu/making arrangements. Completed and sent our invitations. Received several RSVPs and wedding presents. Had my second shower (thrown by Debbie's fabulous friends). Bought an exit dress. Finalized tuxedo rentals. Working on additional crafting projects. Another IKEA run.

Despite everything going on around me, I will make better attempts at writing over the last month of our 18-month engagement. So many things to share!

One thing to share now: my latest craft project for the wedding. I have been told over and over how we need to have some sort of box to hold cards from people at the wedding reception, on the gift table. I have seen people use all sorts of things, most particularly bird cages. Not a fan of this decor item. Nothing wrong with it, just not in my taste. So, in an effort to make it more creative, I am making my own. Here are two images I have come across that I am using as my inspiration:

I bought supplies from Hobby Lobby last night to begin creating my own version...although I am only making a single layer box (not wanting to go for the wedding cake-inspired look). I bought a silky gray/silver color fabric that I am covering my box in; thick orange ribbon to wrap around it, and thin white ribbon to tie a pretty bow around it. On top of the box, I cut a slit to slide the cards in and I am placing wooden letters (painted in an emerald green) to spell out CARDS. Will hopefully get some time to work on it this weekend. Excited!

While I am at it, I really need to finish my bridesmaids' bouquet charms.

Anyway, happy Thursday!

Busy bees

Since I last updated, we have made a significant dent on the wedding planning front. I am proud to say that we have:

• Printed our invitations and started assembly (crossing my fingers to get these out within the next week);
• Ordered and received my veil (I highly recommend Occansey Designs...you get to design every element of your veil; they are QUICK; and they are inexpensive).
• Ordered (and received) more paper for our programs and RSVP cards;
• Spent a Saturday afternoon at IKEA gathering more supplies for our centerpieces (thanks Stephanie!!!); and
• Found and bought earrings for the big day (still trying to pick out a bracelet!).

Other than those items, I really do not have much more to update on. Strike that, reverse it. We did get an unexpected (and unfortunate) call that Murray's (our rehearsal dinner site) is closing. Bad news bears! If we can get the deposit back, Jacob's parents are looking into other locales around town and if not, we will be having the rehearsal dinner at Merrick Inn (also owned by the people who own Murray's). It is what it is.

To end on a brighter note, I think I might have decided on a photo we are going to display at the rehearsal dinner (and have our fabulous wedding party sign the mat):

Happy Thursday!