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!

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.

via

Says it all, doesn't it?