monday musings: i heart the kitchen

Ahh, it's Monday again...hope my little blogger friends are well rested and ready for another CRAZY week!

This weekend, I focused on resolution #3.  I'm recently obsessed with crock pot enchiladas.  My MIL Lee has made these before but I finally buckled down and gave it a whirl these past 2 weekends.  I jazzed it up a bit because I love my food with a little kick and it was a hit for friends and family.  Basically, we just layered tortillas, frozen chicken, green enchilada sauce, cream of chicken soup, tomatoes, and peppers - then cook on low for 10+ hours and you have a masterpiece.

I also dabbled in some brownie-making on Sunday and whipped up 3 batches {sorry no pics - camera is dead} including chocolate peanut butter, dark chocolate raspberry, and dark chocolate orange.  I got rave reviews from my small group gals. 

Which, let me just brag about this group of women.  They are incredible.  They keep me going when life gets tough.  They encourage me daily.  They are real and authentic...they don't skirt around tough issues and always challenge me to be a better friend, wife, co-worker, sister, daughter, and self.  We are so blessed to be part of something so wonderful and so much bigger than ourselves.

Hope you have a great Monday and start to another week! 

friday fun: jan 21

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Happy weekend, friends!  I don't know about you... but this week has been long and exhausting!  Time for my five Friday fun things...

1) The weather has been such a downer this week - all I want to do is stay in bed.  And catch up on my DVR.  Current DVR options include re-runs of Rachel Zoe {my latest obsession - I die}, Top Chef All-Stars {yay for Restaurant Week} and Top Chef Las Vegas {because I never saw it the first time around}.

2) We're celebrating one of my bff's bdays this weekend.  I love birthday parties - espescially because I know there will be cake!

3) The mister has been getting busier by the day with beloved busy season.  They keep saying that someday this whole experience will be worth it... we are just trying to hang in there. 

4) Because of his crazy schedule, I am a single lady most nights.  This week I have already worked on a few of my resolutions {specifically numbers 2 and 11}.  I enjoyed my weekly viewing of the trainwreck we all know as The Bachelor with my bffs {and bffs mom - truly the best part!}.  I also indulged in my weekly Taco Tuesday with a dear friend from ACU {I would link to you Brooke if you hadn't deleted your blog!}.

5) I'm really intrigued by the Silhoutte.  Have you seen this amazing machine??  It's almost like it can do anything you want!  But, I'm kind of slow when it comes to fancy computer devices.  If it's not excel, outlook, or visio, I am not your girl.  And yes, I am a Visio pro.  Be jealous.  I can flowchart like no one's business!

Have a great weekend!  See you kids on Monday!

resolutions: top 11 in 2011

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Top 11 resolutions for 2011:

1) Get moving.  This last year just felt crazy all around... and I'm ready to get in gear.  I'm not making any specific goals other than to make better use of my gym membership and enjoy the outside when I can. 

2) Read more books.  Like these classic Penguin books.  I'm not opposed to judging a book by it's cover - find me a cute cover and I'm sold.  {I use the same philosophy when it comes to wine!}

3) Cook more.  I want to cook more to try new things, save some green, and eat more green.  Time to make better use of my crockpot with this fabulous book from mom.

4) Get organized.  It's time to give everything a 'home' {and remember where that home is}.  I feel some spring cleaning coming up!

5) Stress less.  I worry too much about the small things in life.  I cling to these words to remind me my worry is just not worth it.

6) Love more.  We can all love more through our words and actions.  I want to be nicer, speak kinder, listen better, extend grace, support better, and ultimately love better.  Life's too short not to love! 

7) Save more.  It's time to re-evaluate where the cash goes.  I think I can forgo a few lunches / dinners / happy hours and put that money to better uses.

8) Give more.  I am beyond blessed.  I've been given earthly wealth that I hope we are wise enough to invest in things that matter and help those who need it most. 

9) Snuggle more.  I love spending time with the mister.  He blesses me every day and I am one lucky lady.  So maybe this year he will get some more snuggles! :)

10) Grow.  I want to grow my mind and spirit this year.  Maybe I'll finally finish my certification or take on something new with work. 

11) Stay connected.  I want to do a better job keeping up with friends and family this year.  This is where you come in - have a blog? Let me know!  Want to meet up?  Let's do coffee!

Cheers to a fabulous 2010 and a warm welcome to 2011!

{and check out 31 ways to kick off the new year}