4 Simple Goals Before 2013

While browsing through Pinterest the other day, I came across a blog post that really spoke to me.

Unfortunately, I found it through another pin and thought I pinned the post but didn't. 

Oh, Pinterest you giveth and you taketh away! 

Fortunately, I remember the gist of the post. The blogger came up with four simple goals that she could start right now and still accomplish by the end of the year.

She encouraged setting simple goals that are personal as well as action-oriented, not result-oriented. She also suggested giving yourself a reward for each goal accomplished AND to blog about each goal once it's done.

So, I decided to go for it. 

Here are my four Simple Goals before 2013...

1. Make my health a priority. This means exercising regularly, actually eating vegetables daily, taking my vitamins and getting enough sleep. Hopefully, this leads to some weight loss but if it doesn't, then I'll settle for feeling better.

2.  Decorate with conviction. What I hope to accomplish with this one is for my home not to look like I just moved in. Put some pictures on the wall. Get rid of my old TV which is sitting next to my new flat screen. Put away the boxes of stuff that always seem to appear.

3.  Reconnect with my friends. I do NOT like to talk on the phone and I live a boring life so I never think my friends will want to talk to me. However, I DO want to hear about their lives, so I am going to pick up the phone and start calling. If you are my friend, you've been warned!

4.  Tackle one housekeeping job every day. This one is going to be the toughest...I hate to clean and I've gotten used to my house the way it is (No, it's not a candidate for hoarders, but I wouldn't eat off my floors!) But I think if I just choose to do SOMETHING each day, then hopefully it becomes routine.

For my rewards? I haven't decided on my individual rewards but I AM going to buy myself a rocking pair of jeans in the New Year if I am successful!

If you've seen this concept on another blog, let me know. I'd love to give the credit for this idea to the blogger who came up with it.

Wednesday Loves September Style

I'm loving that my Sweet Autumn Clematis is blooming like CRAZY this week. So pretty.

I'm loving that it is already Wednesday and the weekend is just around the corner. Oh the possibilities.

I'm loving that I got a $10 Starbucks card for $5 with this Living Social deal. It's like getting a free drink! And yes, I spend $5 on a drink and I'm OK with that. (I think it's good until midnight tonight!)

I'm loving the Purdue has its own Pinterest account and that I found this on it.

Source: keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk via Megan on Pinterest

I'm loving this title - Because writing is easier than quitting - from DesignHER Momma. I read it. I nodded my head at some of her words. I blinked back tears at others. I understood where she was coming from. This post is why I love being part of this online community.

I'm loving that I had some time to spend with my nieces at my parents' farm. We actually stopped and smelled the flowers.

Linking up to What I'm Loving Wednesday over at this kind of love.

Wordless Wednesday Staycation Plans

 Korean War Memorial - so moving.

After back-to-back trips to DC for work (and one cancelled flight), I'm ready for a true "staycation" next week. I looked around the house and realized that I could keep busy for an entire week just doing the stuff I've been "meaning" to for a while, like...

 Finally opening my Flat Abs Pilates DVD and using it.

Making recipes, not just pinning them, like this Chicken and Rice Casserole
as well as all of the others on my Pinterest board.

Taking these dollar store buys and turning them into this

and maybe tackle a few other pins on my "I'm Going to Get Crafty" board.

May throw in a trip to Ikea, a birthday lunch with my nephew and a lazy afternoon by the pool!

Note: There's an affiliate link on this page but, as always, the opinions are my own!

Ladies in My Life

This week a few things happened to remind me how lucky I am to have some extraordinary women in my life...women whom I have known for just a year or so and women whom I have known my entire life and women whom I have know in between. (That's a terrible sentence and I know at least one person who will be very disappointed in me - sorry Mom.)

When I started thinking about how to write this post, I headed to my Pinterest boards to find some inspiration.

Here are a few that sum up my feelings about my gal pals...

Source: boxergifts.com via Megan on Pinterest

My family is actually extraordinarily ordinary. I am a product of two parents (who are still together after 40-plus years) who raised four daughters who actually like each other.

Crazy, huh?

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Megan on Pinterest

I'd like to think the above saying refers to me, but I'm not sure. Luckily, I am blessed with three sisters who are some of my best friends. I always know even if I say or do something that makes one of them mad, they won't stay that way long. Why?

Because...

Source: etsy.com via Megan on Pinterest

Or it may be because they need a sitter for Saturday night. Either way works for me.

Source: holidaysnobs.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

My mom is great. She still feeds me, takes me shopping (well, I usually drive) and listens to me ramble on about my life, even when I know she just does it because I'm her daughter. My home will ALWAYS be where she and my dad are at...even when they are living in my attic when they get old (just kidding).

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

Judging from the number of "friends" pins I have on Pinterest, I either have a lot of friends or wish I had a lot of friends!

I recently got an invitation to the baby shower of one of my BFFs from elementary, junior high and high school.

It made me smile.

It made me remember all of the stupid things we did as kids.

It made me wish that she still lived down the road so she could pick me up on her way to school.

It made me realize that even though we haven't talked in AGES, it will be like no time has past when we see each other again.

It made me realize that I have lots of friends like that and reminded me that maybe I should pick up the phone and catch up with them.

Source: etsy.com via Megan on Pinterest

Speaking of phone calls, one of my BFFs from college called today. I immediately acted like we were in junior high and asked her if she was mad at me because I hadn't heard from her in "like a week."

She laughed at me and all was right with the world. I know that we'll probably be having similar conversations when we are in our 80s. (Well, she'll be 80 and I'll be her younger, hotter friend at 76.)

Source: yellowdoggrannie.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

When I read this one, I immediately thought of one very special friend who befriended a lonely Midwest girl trying to find her place on the East Coast. I know she has my back FOREVER!

Source: Uploaded by user via Megan on Pinterest

This one hit home as I stood in line tonight with three women waiting to hug another lady as she faces life without her dad...all of whom I got to know through this wonderful thing called Social Media. She saw us, smiled at us, and hugged us.

I realized that while I'm blessed with many friends I am equally blessed to have true friends both old and new.

Source: Uploaded by user via Megan on Pinterest

Do you have a favorite saying that sums up the friends in your life?  If you do, please share.

Acting My Age

I often forget that I am within spitting distance of 35.

Like I can flip the calendar ahead a few months and see it staring at me.

I don't feel my age when I...

...pin things like this on my "Things that Make Me Laugh" board...

Source: memehumor.tumblr.com via Megan on Pinterest

...see an ad in my local newspaper congratulating someone I went to high school with for a great professional honor and I immediately want to post something like this on his Facebook page:

"Congratulations Bob* on being named one of the top young gravediggers* in the state. Just wondering why they used your senior picture in the paper...ha ha."

Probably a good thing that I'm not friends with him on Facebook.

...send things like this to my co-workers.

Then I'm quickly reminded of my age when I can barely walk when I get up in the morning because my knees are stiff and when I hear a dirt bike on the walking trail outside my house and I think "those darn kids are at it again."

*Name and occupation changed to protect the innocent.

Bacon and Other Random Pins

Some people use Google.

Others Yahoo or even Bing.

I know some folks who use YouTube.

But there's this place on the Internet where you can find recipes, the latest crafting ideas, cute outfits and even humorous quotes and cartoons.

What is this place you ask? Pinterest, of course!

As my first attempt at completing a writing prompt over at Mama's Losin' It, here are my last five Pins...

5.  I use Pinterest as a keeper of all things. 

Source: amazon.com via Megan on Pinterest

I write a weekend post over at Real Farmwives of America and I featured a book review last weekend that included this book.

4.  I use Pinterest to make me laugh.

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Megan on Pinterest

True statement. Sad, but treatment.

3.  I use Pinterest to improve my skills.

Source: loveveggiesandyoga.com via Megan on Pinterest

Or at least that's the plan. I did read through this post on photography tips for food shots.

2.  I use Pinterest to document some of my favorite memories.

Source: galinthemiddle.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

There are many photos (better photos) out there of this exact same image, but this is my perspective and I love it.

1.  I use Pinterest to proclaim my love of bacon (and also S'mores but that's another post).

Source: mcphee.com via Megan on Pinterest

I think bacon represents more to me than just the world's most perfect food (it is though).

I grew up on a farm in Indiana and we raised pigs (and corn and soybeans). My dad and grandpa spent their days in the barn while we played in the toolshed or out in the yard.

When we piled into my dad's truck (or in the back - those were the days before seat belt laws), the signs were many that he raised pigs.

From the rubber boots in the back of the truck to the grease crayon (used to mark the back of a pig when sorting them) on the seat to the mounds of paper on the dash, dad's truck was his office. Looking back, I now know where I get my organization skills...dad's truck cab looked very similar to my desk in my office!

Bacon might be something that most people buy in the store (I do too) but it's something more to me. It's a reminder that there are people, like my dad, who spend their lives raising food so that I can enjoy bacon at breakfast...and lunch...and supper.

Or, maybe it's just bacon...who knows!

Pantry Cooking Pinterest Style

Source: Uploaded by user via Megan on Pinterest

Well, I had no bacon in the house but I did have the ingredients for a dish on Pinterest that I have had my eye for quite a while. Unfortunately, I took NO pictures of it (though it isn't the most eye-appealing dish)...hence the photo above...had to have some visual on here.

Have you seen this pin?

Luckily, I had all of the ingredients in my pantry and freezer to put this together on Sunday morning. I love when a plan comes together!

Mel over at The Larson Lingo shared this recipe on her blog and admitted that it doesn't really have a name. I'll call it Slow-Cooked Salsa-Style Chicken...be sure to go to Mel's blog to see the final product.

Here are the directions. Believe me you need to try this. I served it over rice and it was delicious. I had leftovers tonight and it was as good (or better) than yesterday's serving.

Slow-Cooked Salsa-Style Chicken

Bag of frozen chicken thighs (2.5-3 lbs.) - could use chicken tenderloins or breasts
8 oz. cream cheese
Can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
Can of corn (drained)
Can of seasoned diced tomatoes (I used Red Gold's Lime and Cilantro Petite Diced Tomatoes - GO Indiana company - but you could use a store brand or Rotel.)

Place chicken into the crock pot (I always use the plastic liners...clean up is so much easier.) and top with cream cheese. Add the black beans, corn and tomatoes. Put the lid on and cook on slow for 6-8 hours.

Stir every two hours...it looks very bland but don't let that worry you!

Mine was done at 6 hours...assuming all crock pots are a bit different. When chicken is done, turn off the crock pot and let set for 30-45 minutes to allow it to thicken.

Serve over rice or whatever you want! I served peas with the meal and ended up mixing them with the chicken and it was yummy.

I'm very excited that the recipe lived up to the hype on Pinterest!

If you want to see some of the other recipes that I've tried from Pinterest...check out my "Recipes I've Tried" board.

Linking to Beyer Beware's Hunk of Meat Monday linky party. Be sure to check out here 3 Cheese Baked Spaghetti...yummy!

Holiday Treats Thanks to Pinterest

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I enjoyed the time with my family and am still coming down from all the food consumed over the weekend.

I was such a slacker when it has come to this blog over the last couple of months.

I was an even bigger slacker when it came to my holiday baking.

I only made a few treats and helped my mom and sister make a few more. On top of that, I didn't even take photos of the goodies I DID make!

However, most of the treats I made came from Pinterest so I thought I would feature them on here in case you are looking for a quick, sweet treat for any upcoming holiday gatherings.

Here we go...

These Rolo cookies are super easy (4 ingredients) and are quite yummy. I'm wondering what they would taste like with Reese's Cups instead of Rolos...I do have a cake mix in the pantry!

Source: sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

I even used Pinterest to find my OWN recipes, like these Sweet and Saltines candies! My sister and I made two trays of these treats - one with saltines and one with graham crackers. The saltine variety is the perfect combo of sweet and salty!

Source: galinthemiddle.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

This white chocolate-coated candy mix is my FAVORITE holiday treat EVER. It is super simple and delicious.

Source: galinthemiddle.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

I blame a co-worker for this next treat. We were sitting at our office holiday pitch-in lunch enjoying some of my white chocolate-coated candy mix when she mentioned that while she enjoyed the treat, puppy chow was her favorite snack mix.

So for days after that conversation, I had puppy chow on my mind. I also had a box of Rice Chex in my pantry so I poked around on Pinterest for different variations on the classic treat. I found this...

Source: redbuddynotes.blogspot.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

It looks like an ordinary bowl of puppy chow, right?

Wrong! It is made with Nutella...the world's best spread!

Better than that? It only had 6 ingredients and can be done in the microwave. There were other recipes on Pinterest for this mix but they were much more complicated and had ingredients that I didn't have on hand.

I took the batch into work and shared. I took what was left to my family Christmas celebrations. I had to get it out of the house!

Unfortunately, I had Rice Chex cereal leftover and just enough Nutella to make a half batch today.

I may or may not be typing this post with powdered sugar on my fingers and a container of the stuff beside me on the couch. I'll never tell!

Friday Confessional

It's Friday! 

Does anyone else think this week was 8 days long?

Whew...I'm ready for the weekend. 

I'm participating in the Friday Confessional over at A Blonde Ambition hosted by the lovely Leslie. I'm a big fan of random blog posts (been known to write a few myself) so I can't wait to see what others "confess" today!

Here we go...

1. I have been experiencing some serious road rage this week. Now, I haven't ACTED on my rage but I have given people dirty looks and yelled at them in my head. I swear that my car is invisible at times the way people cut in front of me and turn out in front of me...it's crazy!

2.  While I unpacked my Christmas decorations last weekend and put up my tree, the boxes are still strewn about my living room floor and all my snowman are strewn randomly on top of my china cabinet. Maybe I'll finish decorating this weekend and throw put the boxes out in the garage.

3.  My name is Megan and I'm addicted to Pinterest. I know...it's so cliche. Everyone is obsessed, but I can't help it. It's just too easy to sit on the couch and start scrolling! Right now I have a couple dozen recipes pinned and have only attempted one of them and it was simply to throw cinnamon rolls on the waffle iron! Don't even ask about the decorating and craft projects I've pinned!

4.  Speaking of Pinterest, I get kind of depressed when I click on some of the very cute outfits other pinners create via Polyvore only to find out the cute t-shirt is $100 and the scarf is affordable but from a store in the UK.

5.  Every night this past week I have fixed myself a cup of decaf coffee (yes, I'm getting too old for caffeine in the evening) with a splash of Bailey's with a Hint of Mint Chocolate and a dollop of Cool Whip. It's my new favorite.

I think that's it for my confessions! Be sure to pop over to A Blonde Ambition and check out her most excellent blog, as well as the Confessional link-up.

The Snowmen are Coming

Started my Christmas decorating this weekend...can't wait to deck out the top of my new china cabinet.

I realized something as I unpacked the storage boxes. 

My love of snowmen may have gotten a bit out of hand.

I just put out all of my snowmen on top of the china cabinet to see what I had...

Not the greatest photo but as you can see I have A LOT of snowmen!

I'm still working on the display on top of my china cabinet and if I like how it turns out, I'll post an "after" photo.

In the meantime, I did get a bit crafty and put together this decoration.

Not as good as the ones in the magazines or on Pinterest, but I like it.

I also put up my Christmas tree this afternoon.

As I was stringing the lights, I remembered why it's been 3 years since I last put up a tree.

I HATE stringing lights! But once it was all lit up and the ornaments hung, I am glad I did it.

So, how's your holiday decorating going? Are you finished? No started?

Loving My Pinterest Waffles

Woo Hoo!

via

That's right...I tried one of the recipes that I pinned. 

For full disclosure, it isn't so much a recipe as an alternative cooking method of a favorite breakfast food.

via

That's right...cinnamon rolls in the waffle maker.

One word...GENIUS!

Just heat up your standard Belgian waffle maker and coat with some cooking spray.

Grab a roll of basic cinnamon rolls from the fridge.

Place a cinnamon roll on each of the sections and close the lid - pressing down lightly.

Let them cook for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes and that's it.

Use the frosting that is included with the rolls...

Or use maple syrup.

I liked them both and suggest you try them both ways!

Maybe I'll try one of my pinned recipes with more than one ingredient next time.

Showcasing My Favorite Author

My favorite author is Gene Stratton-Porter. I'm not sure when I first read her book A Girl of the Limberlost but I do remember falling in love with it. I've read and re-read it many times over the years and even have the movie adaptation on VHS.

Even though it is set in the early 1900s, the story centers around young Elnora and her bitter mother and even has a love story that probably fueled my enjoyment of a good romance novel to this day. 

When my mom realized how much I loved Gene Stratton-Porter and her books, she started giving me old copies of her books for my birthday and at Christmas. I even have a couple first editions in my collection.

I have always loved decorating with these books and they have traveled with me from Massachusetts to Indiana and from my apartment to my condo over the years.

Last weekend I tapped into my "crafty" side to showcase them in my new-to-me china cabinet. I think my "I'm going to get crafty" inspiration board on Pinterest inspired me!

Most of my books don't have the original paper covers but the books themselves are so pretty, I never missed them.

However, when I started moving the books around this weekend, I discovered the paper covers inside a couple of the books. They were colorful and interesting and I wanted to find a way to display them.

In my closet, I found a couple of 8x10 frames and placed the covers on top of the mats and I think my "book cover art" project turned out very cool.

What do you think?

I just love the copy on the book cover above.

I love that Stratton-Porter's books center around rural America (often rural Indiana) and her A Daughter of the Land is another favorite of mine.

Even though they are very different, I think the two covers look nice next to each other. Here's the final shelf complete with my bird from Poland, a wooden butterfly ornament (of course) and my "creativity" rocks...

I think I may just need to curl up with a Gene Stratton-Porter book tonight...

Badly Needed Inspiration

I've been slacking lately.

I've lacked motivation.

I've lacked inspiration.

I've lacked the ability to get off the couch for anything other than going to the kitchen for a snack.

However, it's a new week and I'm determined to take some steps to get back on track.

First step I took was to head to Pinterest for some inspiration...

Source: etsy.com via Megan on Pinterest

Second step is tackling the wreck that is my house. I hate to clean, I really do. Since I live alone, I don't have the pressure to clean it except for when I'm expecting company. Maybe I just need to start inviting people over EVERY weekend. That might just do the trick...

In the meantime, I'm going to start a weekly to do list of household chores. Maybe writing them down and checking them off will provide the accountability that I obviously need.

One of the items on the household chores to do list is going to be doing one of these a week...

Source: littlelucylu.com via Megan on Pinterest

I live surrounded by clutter and I think if I tackle it slowly and methodically, I may just beat it!

Third, I need to start eating better (more regularly and a bit healthier) and exercising in some sort of consistent manner.

I can go a day with only drinking my morning Starbucks peppermint mocha (yes, I drink this ALL year round) and some water. This only leads to bad thing the next day...like headaches.

I've actually started this one already by grabbing a bag of baby spinach the last time I hit the grocery store. I do NOT like salad at all except if it's a spinach salad and then I'm game. To keep the spinach from just sitting in the fridge, I also hard-boiled some eggs and cut them up, fried up some bacon and crumbled it AND bought some Craisins (thanks Ginny over at Gin & Juicy Juice for the inspiration) to keep on hand this week so I can easily whip up a salad for lunch or dinner.

Now when it comes to the exercising regularly, I struggle - big time. I try to remember this...

Source: diethoroscopes.tumblr.com via Megan on Pinterest

But it doesn't always help. Some of my friends are The Couch-to-5K Running Plan but I don't know if I want to start running...my pants aren't THAT tight!

No matter whether I start a regular exercise regimen or just get myself off the couch to run the vacuum, I think it all comes down to remembering this...

Source: stumbleupon.com via Megan on Pinterest

Do Not Want to Live in a World Without

If you are on Pinterest or Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or even old-fashioned e-mail, you've probably seen this but it's worth sharing again.

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Says it all, doesn't it?