I have decided that I'm going to share a recipe each Tuesday. Each one will be one that I've tried. Some will be ones I've found online, ones that have been passed down through my family, and ones that were recommedations of friends. Today's recipe is one I found online, and is great served with earm French bread or over angel hair pasta (my preference). Enjoy!!!
New Orleans Barbequed Shrimp
Ingredients:
1 pound shrimp, heads off and unpeeled
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup zesty Italian dressing
1 tablespook lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlin powder
Directions:
1. Preheat over to 350 degrees
2. Wash shrimp and drain well.
3. Melt butter in a one quart casserole dish. Add salad dressing, lemon juice, black pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Add shrimp to the casserole dish. Stir gently to cover the shrimp with the mixture. Cover and bake, stirring occasionally for 25-30 minutes or until shrimp are pink.
5. Serve the shrimp on a large platter and place the sauce in individual bowls so that you can easily dunk bread in the sauce or pour over angel hair pasta in individual bowls.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Favorite Holiday Photos
Brynn was the perfect age for Christmas this year! She was so excited about decorating the tree, helping to pick out and wrap presents, and preparing for Santa's arrival. Here are a few of my favorite photos from Christmas 2012.
 |
| Christmas Eve at Mana's house, she loved Uncle Bill's train |
 |
| checking out the filled stockings on Christmas morning |
 |
| checking out all the presents Santa left under the tree |
 |
| Brynn's dollhouse...it's huge! She needs the stool to be able to reach the 3rd floor, and she can barely reach the attic! |
 |
| Brynn wore her Santa hat almost all day! |
 |
| with Nonnie and Papa on Christmas night |
 |
| my crazy family in Argyle....it was the first time all 23 of us had been together, including new baby Gavin, who was born in October |
 |
| my beautiful niece, Aislin |
 |
| Brynn and Aislin...definitely going to frame this one once I get the red eyes fixed! |
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Personally Yours by Tasha
This is the year I will get my business off the ground.
This is the year I will bring smiles to people's faces with handmade, personalized gifts.
This is the year I will feel a sense of accomplishment.
This is the year I will stop being afraid of failure.
Several years ago, I decided to start selling handmade, personalized cross stitch items. I spent hours deciding on a design for business cards. I made sure I took pictures of all the projects I completed and had given as gifts. I set up a Facebook page and an Etsy shop. Then I got scared. Scared that no one would like the items. Scared that no one would purchase anything. Scared of failure.
Not anymore. I'm done being scared. I know that I will never make enough money from selling handmade items to be able to stay home. I know that it will just be for extra money. But for me, the sense of accomplishment means more than the money.
Now I just have to figure out how to promote my Facebook page and Etsy shop. I guess this blog post is one of the first steps!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PersonallyYoursTasha?ref=search_shop_redirect
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Personally-Yours-by-Tasha/431409983563543
This is the year I will bring smiles to people's faces with handmade, personalized gifts.
This is the year I will feel a sense of accomplishment.
This is the year I will stop being afraid of failure.
Several years ago, I decided to start selling handmade, personalized cross stitch items. I spent hours deciding on a design for business cards. I made sure I took pictures of all the projects I completed and had given as gifts. I set up a Facebook page and an Etsy shop. Then I got scared. Scared that no one would like the items. Scared that no one would purchase anything. Scared of failure.
Not anymore. I'm done being scared. I know that I will never make enough money from selling handmade items to be able to stay home. I know that it will just be for extra money. But for me, the sense of accomplishment means more than the money.
Now I just have to figure out how to promote my Facebook page and Etsy shop. I guess this blog post is one of the first steps!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PersonallyYoursTasha?ref=search_shop_redirect
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Personally-Yours-by-Tasha/431409983563543
 |
| Girl's name, with hearts |
 |
| Boy's name |
 |
| Wedding Gift |
 |
| Girl's name without hearts |
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Admiration
I decided again this month to participate in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, trying to write each day in January. I attempted to do this in October and was not at all successful, so we'll see how this month will go. I'm not making any promises to succeed, but I will promise to make a conscious effort!
When I got the blog challenge email this morning, I immediately started formulating my post in my head. It's something that's been on my mind a lot lately. Who do you admire and why?
The answer came quickly...my parents.
I have 2 younger brothers, and when we were little, they worked opposite shifts so that someone was home with us before and after school. As we got older and became more self-sufficient, they both worked day shifts. We took family vacations together, to the Jersey shore, rented cabins on Lake Champlain, took a trip to Boston. They never took a vacation without us. They made sacrifices for us, as many parents do. They never drove new cars. When we were old enough to play sports, they were always in attendance at our games, both home and away. In high school, when I decided that I was interested in Speech Pathology, my dad used his connections at the hospital to get me an internship so that I could really see what the job entailed.
Money was put away to help with our college educations. We were encouraged to find a college that fit, whether it be close to home or far away. I remember several road trips with them, in search of the perfect school. While living 4 hours away from home during college, my parents made sure that I knew they were thinking about me. We'd have long, rambling phone conversations every Sunday night. I'd get cards and care packages for no reason. They made it easier to be away from home.
I've lived away from "home" since 1996, but my parents have continued to there for me. When I had back surgery several years ago, my mom offered to come stay for a few weeks until I was feeling better. When I was put in the hospital and labor was induced 4 weeks before my due date, my mom packed a bag and was there the entire time.
The past few years have been rough for my mom and dad, but through it all, my admiration for them has grown. When my dad had kidney problems several years ago, my mom was by his side the whole time, adjusting her diet to meet his needs. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer last March, dad slept in her room at the hospital the entire time.
They've taken care of 3 kids, taken care of their ailing parents, and taken care of each other. They are my heroes, my support system, my cheerleaders. But most of all, they are my parents, and I admire them more than words could ever say!!!
When I got the blog challenge email this morning, I immediately started formulating my post in my head. It's something that's been on my mind a lot lately. Who do you admire and why?
The answer came quickly...my parents.
I have 2 younger brothers, and when we were little, they worked opposite shifts so that someone was home with us before and after school. As we got older and became more self-sufficient, they both worked day shifts. We took family vacations together, to the Jersey shore, rented cabins on Lake Champlain, took a trip to Boston. They never took a vacation without us. They made sacrifices for us, as many parents do. They never drove new cars. When we were old enough to play sports, they were always in attendance at our games, both home and away. In high school, when I decided that I was interested in Speech Pathology, my dad used his connections at the hospital to get me an internship so that I could really see what the job entailed.
Money was put away to help with our college educations. We were encouraged to find a college that fit, whether it be close to home or far away. I remember several road trips with them, in search of the perfect school. While living 4 hours away from home during college, my parents made sure that I knew they were thinking about me. We'd have long, rambling phone conversations every Sunday night. I'd get cards and care packages for no reason. They made it easier to be away from home.
I've lived away from "home" since 1996, but my parents have continued to there for me. When I had back surgery several years ago, my mom offered to come stay for a few weeks until I was feeling better. When I was put in the hospital and labor was induced 4 weeks before my due date, my mom packed a bag and was there the entire time.
The past few years have been rough for my mom and dad, but through it all, my admiration for them has grown. When my dad had kidney problems several years ago, my mom was by his side the whole time, adjusting her diet to meet his needs. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer last March, dad slept in her room at the hospital the entire time.
They've taken care of 3 kids, taken care of their ailing parents, and taken care of each other. They are my heroes, my support system, my cheerleaders. But most of all, they are my parents, and I admire them more than words could ever say!!!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
13 Things to do in 2013
Happy New Year, everyone! Here's hoping that 2013 brings much health, happiness, and peace to your lives! Instead of doing actual resolutions this year, I decided to make a list of 13 things I'd like to do in 2013. Here's the list...
1. Lose 30 pounds. I was doing really good at eating healthier for a while, and then I got off track. I have a gym membership that expires in May 2013, and I haven't gone in a while. I need to get myself back in the habit of eating well and getting my butt to the gym on a regular basis.
2. Brynn needs to finally meet her Aunt Kim. Kim's been my best friend since junior high, and our crazy schedules haven't allowed us to see each other in years. This needs to be the year that we get together and Brynn gets to meet this wonderful lady!
3. Catch up on Brynn's scrapbooks. I'm way behind with my scrapbooking and I'd really like to get her albums caught up.
4. Blog on a regular basis. I tend to think that nobody cares about what I have to write, and then it dawned on me that it really doesn't matter. I write because I like to write, I enjoy the outlet of writing about random things (hence the title of this blog!). I'd really like to start writing at least twice a week.
5. Try 2 new recipes each month. I've gotten in a rut with dinners lately. It seems like I make the same things over and over again, and we're all bored with them.
6. Send cards to friends and family for special occasions, but also for no reason at all. It's so easy to send an email, but it's also fun to open the mailbox and find something other than bills.
7. Finish sewing projects that have been sitting around. I have one large cross stitch project called "The Gift" that my sister-in-law asked me to make for her. It's a confusing pattern, so when I pull it out to work on it, I never stick with it for very long. This will be the year that I surprise her with the completed project.
8. Read more books. I have a whole library of books on my Kindle just waiting to be read.
9. Get Personally Yours by Tasha off the ground. I've had business cards made for a while, started a facebook page, and attempted to make a few contacts in the local area. I also started an Etsy page, but I haven't done much else. I'd really like to be able to sell some items this year.
10. Be more positive and optimistic.
11. Do more random acts of kindness.
12. Spend more time with my family. This has been a rough year, and we haven't been able to spend much time together. I really miss them all, and Brynn needs to get to know her family in Argyle.
13. Get my house organized. There are closets that need to be cleaned, clothes that need to be sorted, and old boxes that need to be gone through. If I tackle one area at a time, I should be able to get it all done.
1. Lose 30 pounds. I was doing really good at eating healthier for a while, and then I got off track. I have a gym membership that expires in May 2013, and I haven't gone in a while. I need to get myself back in the habit of eating well and getting my butt to the gym on a regular basis.
2. Brynn needs to finally meet her Aunt Kim. Kim's been my best friend since junior high, and our crazy schedules haven't allowed us to see each other in years. This needs to be the year that we get together and Brynn gets to meet this wonderful lady!
3. Catch up on Brynn's scrapbooks. I'm way behind with my scrapbooking and I'd really like to get her albums caught up.
4. Blog on a regular basis. I tend to think that nobody cares about what I have to write, and then it dawned on me that it really doesn't matter. I write because I like to write, I enjoy the outlet of writing about random things (hence the title of this blog!). I'd really like to start writing at least twice a week.
5. Try 2 new recipes each month. I've gotten in a rut with dinners lately. It seems like I make the same things over and over again, and we're all bored with them.
6. Send cards to friends and family for special occasions, but also for no reason at all. It's so easy to send an email, but it's also fun to open the mailbox and find something other than bills.
7. Finish sewing projects that have been sitting around. I have one large cross stitch project called "The Gift" that my sister-in-law asked me to make for her. It's a confusing pattern, so when I pull it out to work on it, I never stick with it for very long. This will be the year that I surprise her with the completed project.
8. Read more books. I have a whole library of books on my Kindle just waiting to be read.
9. Get Personally Yours by Tasha off the ground. I've had business cards made for a while, started a facebook page, and attempted to make a few contacts in the local area. I also started an Etsy page, but I haven't done much else. I'd really like to be able to sell some items this year.
10. Be more positive and optimistic.
11. Do more random acts of kindness.
12. Spend more time with my family. This has been a rough year, and we haven't been able to spend much time together. I really miss them all, and Brynn needs to get to know her family in Argyle.
13. Get my house organized. There are closets that need to be cleaned, clothes that need to be sorted, and old boxes that need to be gone through. If I tackle one area at a time, I should be able to get it all done.
Friday, November 30, 2012
30 Days of Thankful
Like many people I know, I decided to participate in the "30 Days of Thankful" on Facebook. Each day in November, I looked forward to reading what everyone was thankful for in their lives. And each day, I posted something that I was thankful for. Some things were silly, like November 5th, when I had a particularly rough day and was simply thankful for chocolate, but other days were more significant and included my daughter, family, and friends. Just for fun, I thought I'd compile a list of each of my posts here, so I could easily look back and be reminded of all the things in my life that I have to be thankful for. Here goes...
Nov. 1-Today I am thankful for my sweet little girl, who can always make me smile, no matter how bad my day has been.
Nov. 2-Today I am thankful for a wonderful group of friends.
Nov. 3-Today I am thankful for my amazing mom and dad, and I'm so happy they booked their next cruise. It's been a rough year and they deserve it!
Nov. 4-Today I am thankful for the technology that allows me to quickly and easily keep in touch with family and friends, both near and far.
Nov. 5-Today I am thankful for chocolate!
Nov. 6-Today I am thankful to live in a country where I can vote without fear of persecution, prosecution, and even death (in some countries).
Nov. 7-Today I am thankful for the wonderful nurses at Brynn's pediatrician's office.
Nov. 8-Today I am thankful to have found a great daycare/preschool for Brynn. She loves it there, and the teachers are fantastic.
Nov. 9-Today I am thankful for second chances.
Nov. 10-Today I am thankful for modern medicine.
Nov. 11-Today, and every day, I am thankful for those who have served and continue to serve in our military.
Nov. 12-Today I am thankful for the job opportunity that came my way this past April. The change has been amazing, and because of it, I have been able to renew a lost friendship. I have also met and work with some great people.
Nov. 13-Today I am thankful for warm fuzzy socks and a big mug of chai tea.
Nov. 14-Today I am thankful for the morals and values instilled in me by my parents.
Nov. 15-Today I am thankful for good advice from trusted friends.
Nov. 16-Today I am thankful for quiet time.
Nov. 17-Today I am thankful for great neighbors.
Nov. 18-Today I am thankful for my 2 brothers. While we may not talk all the time and don't see each other as often as I'd like, I hope they both know how proud I am of the amazing men they've become. Love you, Gregg and Jonathan!
Nov. 19-Today I am thankful for my wonderful best friend, Kim, for way too many reasons to list. I am truly blessed to have her in my life.
Nov. 20-Today I am thankful for my DVR.
Nov. 21-Today I am thankful for a 4 day weekend.
Nov. 22-Today I am thankful that I had a nice talk with my parents, even if I wasn't able to spend the day with them. A big part of my heart will always be in Argyle.
Nov. 23-Today I am thankful for online shopping and free shipping.
Nov. 24-Today I am thankful that Brynn got to spend time with Aunt Dee Dee.
Nov. 25-Today I am thankful that I got lots done around the house before I started feeling yucky.
Nov. 26-Today I am thankful for leftovers and not having to cook dinner.
Nov. 27-Today I am thankful for karma.
Nov. 28-Today I am thankful for some really great co-workers.
Nov. 29-Today I am thankful for some much-needed time alone.
Nov. 30-Today I am thankful for all the little things that make me smile.
If you've gotten all the way through my boring list, thanks for reading. It's been a while since I've written anything on my blog, and it feels good to write again, even if this was a pretty easy post. Really going to try to get back into the habit of writing on a regular basis!
Nov. 1-Today I am thankful for my sweet little girl, who can always make me smile, no matter how bad my day has been.
Nov. 2-Today I am thankful for a wonderful group of friends.
Nov. 3-Today I am thankful for my amazing mom and dad, and I'm so happy they booked their next cruise. It's been a rough year and they deserve it!
Nov. 4-Today I am thankful for the technology that allows me to quickly and easily keep in touch with family and friends, both near and far.
Nov. 5-Today I am thankful for chocolate!
Nov. 6-Today I am thankful to live in a country where I can vote without fear of persecution, prosecution, and even death (in some countries).
Nov. 7-Today I am thankful for the wonderful nurses at Brynn's pediatrician's office.
Nov. 8-Today I am thankful to have found a great daycare/preschool for Brynn. She loves it there, and the teachers are fantastic.
Nov. 9-Today I am thankful for second chances.
Nov. 10-Today I am thankful for modern medicine.
Nov. 11-Today, and every day, I am thankful for those who have served and continue to serve in our military.
Nov. 12-Today I am thankful for the job opportunity that came my way this past April. The change has been amazing, and because of it, I have been able to renew a lost friendship. I have also met and work with some great people.
Nov. 13-Today I am thankful for warm fuzzy socks and a big mug of chai tea.
Nov. 14-Today I am thankful for the morals and values instilled in me by my parents.
Nov. 15-Today I am thankful for good advice from trusted friends.
Nov. 16-Today I am thankful for quiet time.
Nov. 17-Today I am thankful for great neighbors.
Nov. 18-Today I am thankful for my 2 brothers. While we may not talk all the time and don't see each other as often as I'd like, I hope they both know how proud I am of the amazing men they've become. Love you, Gregg and Jonathan!
Nov. 19-Today I am thankful for my wonderful best friend, Kim, for way too many reasons to list. I am truly blessed to have her in my life.
Nov. 20-Today I am thankful for my DVR.
Nov. 21-Today I am thankful for a 4 day weekend.
Nov. 22-Today I am thankful that I had a nice talk with my parents, even if I wasn't able to spend the day with them. A big part of my heart will always be in Argyle.
Nov. 23-Today I am thankful for online shopping and free shipping.
Nov. 24-Today I am thankful that Brynn got to spend time with Aunt Dee Dee.
Nov. 25-Today I am thankful that I got lots done around the house before I started feeling yucky.
Nov. 26-Today I am thankful for leftovers and not having to cook dinner.
Nov. 27-Today I am thankful for karma.
Nov. 28-Today I am thankful for some really great co-workers.
Nov. 29-Today I am thankful for some much-needed time alone.
Nov. 30-Today I am thankful for all the little things that make me smile.
If you've gotten all the way through my boring list, thanks for reading. It's been a while since I've written anything on my blog, and it feels good to write again, even if this was a pretty easy post. Really going to try to get back into the habit of writing on a regular basis!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Golden Thread
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)