Paint Ball...Surrender!

Ahh finally a few minutes today to tell you all about paint balling or suicide as I refer to it. Okay so it wasn't that bad and the balls/bullets don't really hurt to bad well unless you get it in the ass as one of our friends found out. It really gets your adrenaline pumping and would be really fun to do with a couple of family's with kids and what not. It was definitely fun for a surprise bday party for our friend. His GF who is a good friend of mine organized the whole thing so it was a huge problem to get there and get everything as they had it reserved. We got these cool outfits with masks and the girls got some extra protection with body armor (the boys weren't to happy about that).

Well after we got everything the fun really began. In the first game a few of us found out we had some not so good guns and had to return them as they wouldn't shoot the paint balls out. You could pick us out like sore thumbs as we stood behind the barricades screaming that the "gun wasn't working and this was not fun!!!" Well we soon found out the fun once we got guns that worked. The boys had the most fun pretending it was different video games (did I mention this was with a group of enginerds?). Most of us had different strategies mine was to not get hit and stay in one place.

I did however "advance" a few times although I'm pretty sure I didn't hit a single soul with my shots that instead of going straight curved mid air in the opposite direction of the person I was shooting at. I should have spent more time here:All in all it was a successful day and I even got a Battle Scar. Yeah its not really a mystery bruise but hey its a bruise none the less! BT thinks his compares but I'll let you decide.

Another note on paint Ball wear some old clothes you get super dirty and this corn statchy paint all over you. And when I say all over I mean from head to toe we had a few with it in their hair.

Paint Ball??

So today I'm going paint balling. Yes, I'm setting myself up to get hurt. BT doesn't understand that in my mind this is gonna hurt a lot more than if I didn't set myself up to get hurt. I know it some kind of psychological disease I have, along with not liking homeless people (yes they scare me and I have to cross the street if they are walking towards me) and not liking stores that are a mess and full of people, my psychological diseases are to a minimum. At one point while discussing this with a friend I suggested we both wear bubble wrap suites to minimize the pain. Well bubble wrap is a little expensive and and I have a feeling the weather is going to be a little warm so I'm sure i would have passed out some time from heat stroke. So were off...

We are going to have to take some pictures of this because I'm sure its going to be monuments.

Rachel Ray to the Rescue

Mondays SUCK! I'm just gonna put it out there for you. Really Sunday night sucks because you start thinking about Monday and what you have to do at work! For me this means updating spreadsheets and trying to get procedures put together for the workplace (did you just hear BLAH BLAH BLAH WHINE WHINE WHINE cause I did). I hate Mondays in general unless that particular Monday is a holiday like next Monday which is MLK (for those of you not in the know its Martin Luther King). But enough on Mondays its time to get back to our regularly scheduled blogging of Crafting and Food.

Mondays focus was FOOD. BT and I met up after work and walked the park and then proceeded to make dinner. Rachael Ray was on the Menu (No we did not eat Rachael I am by no means a cannibal well until you strand me on an island and I want to live). She is probably my favorite chef on the food network and I own a few of her books one of which is...

Which I used last night to adapt my version of Shepherds pie (its even on the cover). But if you want to stick with Rachaels Version here you go! I have to say her 30 minute meals always come out good but mine always takes more than 30 minutes but then again I don't prepare as much as Rachael does. Another comment on this book is that if your trying to diet your going to have to make some substitutions to make it a little healthier or just eat a smaller portion.

Shepherds Pie an adaption of Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Shepherds pie.

2 pounds Red Potato's
2 tablespoons Cream Cheese (you can do Sour Cream but I had Cream Cheese on hand)
1 table spoon of garlic salt (you can season to taste as well) Salt and Pepper to taste 1 large egg yolk
1/2 chicken broth

Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin Olive Oil, 1 turn of the pan
2 pounds ground Beef
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup beef stock or broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire, eyeball it
1 1/2 cup frozen peas with Carrots
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

You also need 1 Large Pot, 1 Frying pan, 1 Small Sauce pan, 1 Large Pyrex Pan 9x13 or larger, and your mixer Kitchen Aid or hand mixer is fine.

Turn the Broiler on to HIGH

Optional Ingredients: Cheese for topping

And the Directions

Potato's: First start off by pealing off the eyes and other growths that you might not want to eat. You do NOT have to peel the potatoes you want the fiber from the skin plus its very thin compared to the brown Russet potatoes. This is optional but if you want to blanch the potatoes to remove some of the starch here is how you do it. Slice the potatoes up (about 1 inch cubes and place them in some ice water for 10-20 minutes then drain the water. Next start to boil some water on the stove with some salt in water. Place the potatoes in the water and boil for 10-12 minutes or until they are tender (you should be able to slice effortlessly).

Meat: While the potatoes are a boiling. Add your Olive Oil to a pan and place on Medium to High heat and add your meat and brown for about 4 minutes (it should still be a tad bit pink). Chop your onion while this is going on and then add the onion to the meat along with salt and pepper to taste (i used a little salt probably 1 tsp and a lot of pepper 2tablespoons or more). Let cook for another 5 minutes stirring occasionally

Sauce: While meat is cooking melt butter in sauce pan and add the flour let cook for 2 minutes should be thick. Add the Beef Stock and let cook for another 2 minutes so it can thicken up again.

Back to the Meat: Add your Peas and Carrots to the mix and cook for about 2 minutes while stirring so the Peas and Carrots are cooked. Now take your meat and place in the Pyrex pan and pour the Sauce over the top and mix in a little.

Potatoes: Drain potatoes in sink and run cold water over them to cool them down. In mixing bowl mix together Egg Yolk, Chicken broth, Cream Cheese, Salt and Pepper, and Garlic salt. turn mixer on and slowly add potatoes and mix until smooth and creamy (chunky potatoes are never fun). Pour the potatoes over the meat mixtures and smooth down. Place in the oven and let cook under broiler (about 6-8 inches from top of oven) until the potatoes are evenly browned. You can add the cheese when you take it out. Add parsley to the top of your lovely shepherds pie and serve it up! Yummy

Ill try to add some pictures later of the creation but let me tell you crowd pleaser...well at least for me and BT

Wiki Wacky Woo x2

So my weekend was eventful. Well only eventful because I'm out of college and don't get wild and crazy like I used to. Boy Toy made it up here safe and sound and his apt is almost put together and we both survived our first weekend in Sac Town. A few friends came over to help out and I sat back and watched. Its okay though I'm gonna craft for BT and make him some fancy drapes for his windows. Don't worry I will post pictures and a tutorial on how to make theses super easy and inexpensive drapes.

Now for the interesting part. Saturday night, besides being a bit of a blur we had a great time out in Davis acting like college students. I started earlier than the boys but that's because they were slow and wanted dinner. I on the other hand wanted to get the party started at Bernardo's with a friend and some Wiki's . This turned into a long night of pub crawling and seeing old friends (yes we never left this place). In the end I got home alive with a scraped toe and the feeling that I was back in college. Except I didn't have to study on Sunday through the pounding headache.

Ahh college why did I ever leave and become the pansy I am now?

Picture Perfect Day

Remember that resolution to take more photos? Well yesterday was a picture perfect day(since the rest of the week was well grey and dreary). These are the grape fields that are outside my office. I know who could ask for more I'm pretty spoiled with the view.

Ive been meaning to take a picture of these bushes out side work. The grounds keepers keep triming them down they remind me of pom poms.

Moving on UP

The day is finally here! BT is moving up here to go to school! Now many of you probably don't know this but BT and I have always lived about 45 minutes or more away from each other. So this is a HUGE change since he is living about 30 blocks away now. More or less it will be an adventure for both of us as he finishes up school and becomes a famous sports writer/commentator (I'm crossing my fingers) and I retire and become a full time crafter (don't roll your eyes at me!). Don't rain on my parade and let me keep dreaming you never know it could happen.

So Back to BT moving up. He is driving up tonight with a friend in a giant U-Hall while towing his car. Now BT drives a tiny car and by tiny I mean its a 4 door Volkswagen GTI so driving a giant truck will be an adventure and a half for him especially through the grapevine.

Now for those of you out of towners the grapevine is a portion of the 5 freeway that winds through the mountains from LA to Bakersfield. Its either your favorite part of the ride or the part you dread the most. If you get car sick easily stay away from this cause its a doosey.

But with BT up here now that hopefully means more adventures and stories for the blog but who knows. I'm sure I'll have some stories for you about the moving processes and don't worry I'm more than willing to share!

French

I need to learn french FAST...http://laboutiquedelavaliseapois.blogspot.com/

Sports Bra's

Okay it official I'm going on a rant. But its a rant worth ranting about. When did girls decide it was OK to go to the gym without a Sports Bra on? Let alone no Bra at all? Yes I notice you at the gym and I'm not looking for fun. Let me make this very clear Sports Bra's are MANDATORY at the gym and the built in "bra" in your spaghetti strap t-shirt doesn't count. Those girls deserve some support even if you don't have much to support. I'm by no means trying to be mean but someone had to say it. Ive been going to the gym now for most of my adult life and in the past year Ive noticed more women going commando up top at the gym than ever before. In college we wear sports bra's to push them up and let the boys see them. Later in life you wear them because they are more comfortable than your wire bra. But to not even wear a bra at the gym OUCH!!! My girls are hurting just thinking about it. Please think about the girls and give them some support I'm begging you. That and all the men are looking at you and is that the kind of attention you want to attract?

Buying Sleeping Pills and Frosting

Yesterday was a long long day. I was at work for a long time and then wen to a friends house for dinner. On my way to dinner I stopped by the Grocery Store to pick up 2 items

I looked like a confused Drug addict. In the check out line I got a little self conscious thinking how in the hell do I explain this one? Luckily the clerk didn't comment on my self destructive ways. How was he to know I'm a sprinkle addict who cant sleep at night?

The Funfetti frosting was really for the Funfetti cupcakes I made for our dinner. You all know I'm a sprinkle addict so I couldn't pass it up in the store. That and I was having dinner with a guy friend who lives with 2 other guys. They are manly men they don't eat sprinkles well unless they are free.

The Sleeping Pills were to help me get a good nights rest. Right now I'm house sitting for a friend who is in Cabo on her honey moon (so obviously I wasn't invited). And I'm taking care of her mischievous kittens who like to play at 1am. After one night of no sleep I'm taking a stand and getting a good nights sleep (and it was glorious!).

I'm hoping my next visit to the grocery store wont be so revealing.

My Cheaters Guide to Crochet

Okay so This is the guide I gave to my BTM (boy toy's mom) for Xmas. Its a 9 page guide on Crocheting and how to get addicted. I'm no expert so I left it up to the many people who taught me how to crochet those lovely ladies and gentlemen on YouTube. If you cant learn in person this is your next best place to learn. These people walk you thought crocheting step by step they will even do a whole project with you if you want. I thought someone out there would enjoy it and possibly use it. Now just a Warning I am no expert in Crochet in fact I taught myself from a book. I was frustrated for about the first month of it until one day it just clicked all of a sudden for me. The Tutorial I have prepared is a good way to get started and the best part is these people took the time to actually put it on video more than I could ever do it plus I still cant afford lessons.

If you didn't find the links the first time Here, Here, and Here it is again!

Oh and on another note. find better videos or links let me know im glad to add them to the tutorial!

Why Every Kid Should Take Wood Shop

Yes I'm a girl. Although not a Girly girl but I'm a girl non the less. I know how to cook and sew and crochet and other girl stuff but did you know I took Wood shop in 7th and 8th grade? I see that surprised look on your face. Its true I know how to use a Ban Saw, Table Saw, Router, Nail Gun, Hammer, Screwdriver, Automatic Screwdriver, Sand Paper, Paint, Stain, Biscuit Cutter, and much much more! Wood Shop to me was the best invention ever for a school kid. I learned how to do things most girls don't know how to do and I use my knowledge every day. The best part about wood shop is the projects. I made a nifty coat hanger that is still in my closet back home and a night stand. While I was at home the old night stand got taken down from its hiding place so I could haul it back up north to be repainted.


I have to say it turned out pretty well and any wood shop teacher would be proud that

1. I still have my project
2. I have re-purposed my project to make it more modern
3. I appreciate everything I learned in that class.

This class was a great help to me in moving out on my own because I was the one who could put up pictures straight, put up shelving so items did not roll off, and paint things without drips. I wish they offered wood shop in college because I would have been the first to sign up. Oh well.

So now your wondering what I'm using this mustard yellow night stand for I guess? Well you know that Tree I got here it is!











I know so pretty my mother got me the trimmings and hopefully I will be able to make some more for Valentines day and other holidays as this tree will be out year round for me.

Resolutions

This year I'm not going for the typical lose weight resolution (although it would be nice). Ive decided to come up with a list of things I have been telling myself to do for months and now is the time to set it in stone or at least put it out where everyone can see it so they can remind me about it.



1. To use up all the crafting stuff in my Crafting Closet (see below). It's time to stop buying fabric and projects that I say I'm going to start and then not start them! I'm going to try my best to use what fabric and crafting supplies I have to make stuff and sell it on Etsy and make myself some stuff as well (ie that quilt Ive been yammering about).

(that doesn't include the drawers below full of fabric and some other stuff I have stashed)

2. Spend less time in the gym and more time outside exercising. That gym is going to be the death of me. I have a wonderful park next door and there are biking trails and all kinds of out doorsie stuff to do around here its time to get out of jail and enjoy the fresh air.

3. Take the GMAT. Yes its time to go back to school and show the world what I'm made of by getting my Masters in Business something or other!

4. Start using Adobe products more. I did start this past year so I'm continuing my education in the design world.


5. Eat out at least once a week and try a new restaurant at least once a month. This shouldn't be to hard with Poodles moving up here next week. Its time to start living!


6. Smile more often and stop sweating the small stuff.


7. No more complaining at work. It time to put up and shut up.


8. Take more pictures. I feel as though the camera has not been used enough lately so it time to pull it out and get picture crazy.


9. Try to learn why Boy Toy is such a Sports Fanatic and give into it a little more instead of just rolling my eyes.



Who knows how far I will get down the list But I'm going to try!

Xmas come and gone

Christmas blew by like a run away train with lots of toys on it! I'm 24 years old and Santa still comes to my house! He hasn't missed a year yet so I still believe and will continue to if he keeps sliding down my chimney. With the economy slowing "down" I wasn't expecting to much and I kept my list to Santa pretty short and full of items I knew I would use. This year was no disappointment either with cookie sheets, glass mixing bowls, 3cup cusinart, mandoline slicer, zester, cup cake tower, baking mats, a Smith Hawkens tree, clothes, gym bag, gloves, and some DY aka David Yurman and more odds and ends. What does this all add up to??? More fun and creativity!!!
1. More cooking cool stuff
2. Decorating my tree every month for a new Holiday
3. more gyming it
4. Crafting like crazy!!!

This year is going to be GREAT! But besides Xmas and getting stuff I also gave out my T-Shirts and Nalgene cozy's and got RAVE reviews! My mom was extremely impressed and so was the rest of the family they want me to make more for them. I was also busy while at home crocheting up a storm Ill be making another post about that and putting up some of my stuff on etsy soon!

Not only did I Craft I also hit up the SALES!!! And boy did I make out! Bloomies was having a great sale along with Smith & Hawkens, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Target, and the other places I like to visit when home. I got lots of good deals on Xmas stuff for next year and Clothes for now. Soon enough I'm going to outgrow this apartment with all the stuff I have.

All in All Christmas was a success lots of giving and receiving and Shopping

Home Home on the Range

Yes its true I'm at home! The blog has been a little lacking in content and will be for the next few weeks but don't you worry I'm still cooking and crafting. Oh and Xmas gifts went over very well, to the point they want me to make more. Ive been making beanies like crazy for the family (we live in so cal when do you ever need a beanie?) and ill be teaching the Boy Toy's mom how to crochet next week some time as well. So I'll be busy and ill have a long post or a string of short ones after the new year! Hope you all are enjoying the holidays!!!

Chronicles of Bake-O-Rama The Finale

I Cheated! Yes its true I cheated. This cookie is never absent from the Home Ec Teachers Christmas. It's a Family favorite and it comes right off the Hershey Website!! I can remember having these since I was a wee little Home Ec Teacher Daughter. So here it is without further introduction.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

HERE!

I know I'm lazy today but what the hey I thought they did a great job saying how to make these and here are some pics for you!