Mixing It Up In The Kitchen

Last night I decided to make my own recipe and try something new. Here's my new recipe. Hope you try it and love it like we did.

Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta
Serves 2
Slow cooker recipe

What you need
-2 chicken boneless skinless chicken breasts
-1/2 a jar of Alfredo sauce
-1 can of tomato soup
-2 tablespoons of onion powder
-2 tablespoons of garlic powder
-4 tablespoons of oregano flakes
- 2-3 cups of pasta

Steps
1- Mix Alfredo sauce, tomato soup, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano flakes in a crock pot.
2-Once mixed well put chicken in the mixture.

3- Turn crock pot on high for 3 hours.
4- After 3 hours take chicken out and cut into strips or chunks, your choice.
5- Cook on low for another hour.
6- Cook pasta on stove top. 

7- Mix together and enjoy!

Chicago's for Lovers

Friday night I slept like a baby, even though I was so excited for the adventures to come of the weekend. Saturday bright and early at 6am I was wide awake, even thought I really didn't need to be up until 7:30. I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn't so I just got up and got ready for the day. I secretly changed Gareth's alarm clock to 8:15 from 9:15 because I just wanted to get going. We were up and on the road by 9. We rocked out and had a blast on the way there. Well until we got to the tolls, didn't expect them or know those were coming up. We had it in one piece to Chicago by 1:30. Traffic was bad so it took us an hour to get the other ten miles to where we were going.

We went to the Northalsted Market. So, not what visitchicago.com said it was going to be. Not a market at all. Honestly as I heard another group of friends says "a gay fest". Gareth got hit on. I seen things a small town county girl shouldn't. We walked one way and got out of there cause it was just uncomfortable. No, I am not against gays. I have gay family members and love them for who they are. I am from small town Iowa. This means we are very reserved. Traditional couples don't even show affection in public. I'm from a very down home traditional place. I was not exposed to that culture growing up. We walked probably ten blocks and found a bar called "The Dark Horse". We had to stop. It was a good time. We finally found our way back to the car.

We headed to Gino's East for some deep dish Chicago pizza. It was so great. I loved it. I wish I could have deep dish pizza all the time now. I want to go back just for the pizza. For dessert we headed to the Twisted Baker. My best friend just got a job there so we had to try it out.

Next we headed to the We The Kings concert. The concert wasn't the best. There were 5 warm up acts and between each act they took half an hour to set up. It just killed the mood. Plus it was like a big high school party there. We The Kings was really good in concert. We left early at 10:45 since we had a half hour drive to the hotel.

Got to the hotel and all ready to check in. The desk worker said we had no reservation at all. So, I called Expedia and they said she had given our reservation away. So, Expedia upgraded up to a King Suite at the Holiday Inn. It was massive and so nice. As Gareth said "we were high rollers". We got a good nights sleep finally at 2 am.

The next morning I got up and got ready while he was dead to the world. I was super excited for Sunday. We started the day out with going to see the bean. Gareth was not thrilled with this, but I loved it.

Next we headed to The Kerryman Irish restaurant and bar. They had the best food there. I would certainly go back there in a heart beat. I got macaroni and smoked Gouda. It was honestly the best mac and cheese I've ever had. The homemade lemonade was to die for too. Gareth got brunch: french toast and a grilled banana. It was the first grilled banana we have ever had and both loved it.

We headed out to Navy Pier. We spent 2 hours exploring the Pier and looking at all the shops. I took pictures of the Tall Ships. At 3, we meet up with my best friend Sammy Jo, who lives in Chicago. We walked around the Pier a little more and decided to get out of there.

We hoped on the public buses, which was crazy for me to be doing, but I did it anyway. The buses really weren't that bad and were a little fun and reminded me of my school days on the bus. Our next stop was the Sprinkles Cupcakery. I got a smores cupcake. It was the best cupcake ever. It was so cool seeing the Cupcake ATM in person.

We hoped back on the bus. Got back to Navy Pier. Deiced to have dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. It was so amazing. Gareth and I shared out first ever cup of gumbo. It was different, but we really liked it. He got a poeboy, Sammy got a chicken sandwich, and I got 2/3 pound of shrimp. It was all so good.


We gave hugs and said our goodbyes and promised to come back when I turn 21 after November to get the Chicagoan experience. I'm pretty excited for that. I had a blast with Sammy Jo. I miss her so much and love her lots. It was a great day having her meet the man I am going to marry and have her approve of him.

Gareth and I went back to our hotel. We hit up the hot tub for about 45 minutes and decided with my heart I should probably get out. We went back to the room and watched TLC while drinking some Angry Orchard. It was the perfect end to a perfect getaway.

Chicago was a lot of fun. We made a lot of good memories and of course grew closer together. This trip only made me want to marry him more and wish it would come faster. I love him to pieces and couldn't have asked to find a more perfect man for me.

Love always,

Amanda

My Happily Ever After

For I've found him whom my soul loves (Song of Solomon 3:4). This is one of my favorite quotes from the Bible and it rings true in my life. Gareth is the one my soul loves. I love him with all that I am and all that I will be. He is my soul mate. I honestly couldn't live one day without him by my side. He came into my life and my life became perfect and everything begun to make sense. Saturday will be 2 years. I am so excited for Saturday. We've been through so much, so many obstacles that have tried to break us up, but we are strong and only have become stronger battling through the obstacles. I'm so glad I found Gareth and that he is mine forever. I have a cute list of ways to love your man and make him feel appreciated.



Kiss him on the lips. Every day.
Snuggle into him. Any chance you get.
Dress up. Wear something you feel pretty in.

Wrap your arms around his neck.

Smile at him with all your heart.

Turn up the music and slow down the dance.
Wake him in the morning with a kiss.
Give him a knowing wink from across the way.
Go to bed early. Together.
Listen sympathetically to his day.
Hold hands. Whenever you can.
Laugh at his jokes. No matter how many times you've heard them.
Run your fingers through his hair.
Fix him his favorite foods.
Talk late into the night.
Reach out and touch him. Often.
Send him a text. That would make him smile.
Whisper secrets in his ear.
Enjoy his company. Just 'cause you like him.
Go for a long walk. Arm in arm.
Plan special surprises for him.
Let him know how much you missed him while he was gone.
Greet him with an adoring smile.

Offer him a back rub.
Leave no doubt of your devotion.
Prepare a picnic. Then head over to the park.
Cuddle up on the couch and watch an old movie.
Walk outside on a clear night. And stare at the stars together.
Light up when he enters the room.
Brush your lips against his forehead.
Speak in that sweet tone. Saved just for him.
Call him up. Just to say, I love you.
Sit on the porch. And watch the world go by.
Lay your head on his strong shoulders.
Thank God for him. Every day.
Light a small fire. Deep in his heart.
Look lovingly into his eyes.
Fall asleep in his arms. Whenever possible.

Curly Hair & Change

For some odd reason lately I have been really getting into curling my hair. I just love how it looks and makes me look older, more grown up, and more put together. I really could see myself wearing my hair curly to school.

Most people complain about having to curl their hair and that it takes so long. Well, I love it. I love curling my hair and taking that half an hour to myself. I steal the bathroom and just jam out while I curl my hair. It honestly is so relaxing and puts me in such a great mood for the day.

With all great things comes practice. My curling isn't perfect yet, it isn't great yet, but it is okay. And I'm okay with okay because I like how it doesn't look perfect. I'm not perfect, nor should my hair be.

I really think I'm going to curl my hair during my Junior year of college. I am a Junior I should look more put together and sophisticated. Also, I need a new wardrobe. I mean jeans and a t-shirt every single day really isn't grown up. It fact I wore that outfit in high school and junior high.

So, when I get some money I shall invest in some classier shirts. Maybe some lace shirts. I love lace. I might even go crazy and wear dresses to school sometimes. I just really want change. I don't want to be the same as I always was. I want to feel pretty like everyone tells me I am.

Deep down I know I am pretty. The weight gain makes it hard for me to see that, very hard. I think every woman struggles with seeing her own beauty. I think if we took the time to really dress ourselves in something that fits our body and looks good on our body then we will feel pretty and be able to see we are pretty.

I know that shopping for clothes is so frustrating and heart breaking. Things don't fit and it seems like nothing will fit. Maybe try the next size up, you never know it might fit perfectly. I know, no one in the world wants to try the next size up and it hurts to have to try the next size, but wouldn't you rather try the next size and get that perfect top you love rather than just walk out of the store heart broken?

You've just got to change your thoughts. Tell yourself it's okay, size doesn't matter. Really size doesn't matter. Size is a number, it doesn't define you. It doesn't define your personality, doesn't define who you are deep down, and doesn't define your life. Plus, you can always cut the size tag out when you buy it if it really bugs you.

Life as a girl is hard, but being plus sized is even harder. You always feel like you are being looked at. You always try to hide certain body parts. It's a struggle and a fight within your mind. It's a very hard to be a woman.

Ladies- tell yourself every day that you are beautiful and believe it, say it with sincerity. Find clothes that make you feel beautiful and wear them. Forget what others say. If they make you feel good then that's all that matters.

Gents- Be nice. Be that guy that makes her day. Tell her she's beautiful. Tell her how good that outfits looks. If you never say it, she will never know.

Just be confident with what you have and make the most of life. Life is too short to worry about your weight, what others think of you and things that really don't matter. Just be happy and live life to the fullest.

Love always,
Amanda


P.S.
A great hair blog
http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/p/hair_17.html

Ready for Change

After 5 months of working at a facility caring for mentally and physically disabled clients I quit. No, not cause of the clients. I loved the clients, they were amazing. It was like home, like being around my cousin all the time, it was normal. I quit because they don't care. The staff doesn't care, the supervisors don't care, the Q's don't care, no one cares. They are just a job to them. The whole system there was flawed and I hated it. They claimed the clients had choices, but their life was a schedule and programs. There was no choice. It wasn't right and I couldn't handle it.

I told my mom I quit, I thought she would be pissed. But she understood and was proud of me for standing up for what I believe in and what is right. When you have a family member that is mentally and physically disabled you see the world differently and you see how one is cared for differently. You have different beliefs and ideas. Also, when you've had a family member that has been in a facility and gone through a terrible experience it is hard to see certain things happen when you are working. Sometimes enough is enough. You have to put yourself first and be able to sleep at night with what is going on in your life.

I told my friends. They were all supportive of me. The bad part was I have rent to pay, bills and college and right now I have no job. My friends are in charge at my college's dinning, cafe, and coffee shop. They are going to help me out and get me a job. I love them for it.

Today my friend Casey and I were shopping. I got a call for a number I didn't know. I answered it and it was a company I had applied too. Best part, it is for a photography job. I'm so excited for my interview tomorrow. I really hope I get the job. It is a dream of mine to work in the photography field. I can do this. I hope they see the best in me and hire me. I am very hopeful.

It's funny how one day you go from nothing to having opportunities fall in your lap. I am so grateful for everything I have and everyone I have in my life. I wouldn't be where I am without each and every one of them. I'll keep you updated on how the interview goes.

Love always,
Amanda