I'm a "Junky"

...a Pinterest "junky" that is...
If you aren't familiar with Pinterest or haven't tried it yet, I should warn you... It's addicting! I have been "pinning" since August/September 2011. I have amassed quite a few pins! I have multiple boards full of stuff that I will probably never attempt or get done in my lifetime! But, it's fun to dream! And I have tried a few things.



Spaghetti Algio, Olio, E Peperoncino



The last couple of nights I have tried a couple of recipes I found on Pinterest. The first one was Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, E Peperoncino (you can find it here). If you like spicy food, you will love this! It was super easy and fast to make too! I will definitely make this again. And, it's one of those recipes that you probably already have the ingredients at home. I added some cut up boneless, skinless chicken breast too. I wanted some protein in it to keep me fuller longer. I also doubled the garlic (can't have too much, right?!?!). I put garlic in with the chicken while it cooked and then added more as the recipe calls.



Linguine with Garlicky Breadcrumbs



Last night I tried another pasta recipe, Linguine with Garlicky Breadcrumbs (you can find it here). Again, very simple and quick. I did make a few changes/additions to this one too. (I can't ever make a recipe just like it says... I'm the substitution Queen!) I used spaghetti in place of linguine, store bought Italian bread crumb instead of making my own and I added chicken too. I was less pleased with this recipe. I didn't think it had enough flavor, it was pretty bland. So, I added crushed red peppers to my serving.

Maybe I will get a chance to accomplish or try some more of my Pinterest pins soon! Until then I will "just keep pinning, just keep pinning..."

New Things!

I shared my love of crocheting in my last post. Unfortunately I'm the type of person that loves to start things and never finish them. Or if I do finish them it takes me FOREVER!!! But, alas, I have finished I few things! I got on a "finishing" kick last year. I decided that I would finish the things I had started, before starting something new. I'm sure part of the reason I have this problem is because I love to learn new things. So, once I begin something and know how to do it, I get bored and move on to something else.

Here's an example of my latest episode... I've been working on an afghan since late last year or early this year (I can't remember when I started). I ran out of one of the colors. Do I just tie it off and call it good? Or do I go buy another skein to finish it out? Well, I ended up buying another skein. But, before I got to Walmart to purchase it, I started another project (the one mentioned in my last post). Well, not only did I start another project, I started it and didn't like the colors. I will have to unravel it and use those colors on something else. So, on the trip to Walmart I bought colors I liked better. Started the new project over again, while the previous unfinished project sits to the side. And the "new" project I started isn't the size or the exact look I wanted, so I searched for new patterns, found some I liked and started ANOTHER project last night with different colors! I guess I can liken this to my sister-in-law that reads 6-7 books at one time.

So in light of my new projects I have opened an Etsy shop! Check out my latest COMPLETED projects! (Umm... Also, I only have one item listed at this time, since that's my only finished project right now. LOL!)http://www.etsy.com/shop/VeronicaMesser

Swept away by life!

So, I haven't posted anything for a few weeks! There are certain times of the year that are busier than others. From the middle of July until the middle of August is one of those times for me! The county fair and carnival is in July, that's when it all begins. While I don't have any children, I do have a niece and nephew, so there is a bit of the back-to-school frenzy. Every year we try to take my neice and nephew to a nearby water reservoir. It's the closest we have to a "beach". It's a lake with a swimming area and a sand beach. My sister-in-law and I took them this year. We spent a lazy afternoon floating in the water. The kids played and had a good time. You couldn't have aske for better weather! With the lack of rain this year the water was WAY down! I would guess by at least three feet. (Picture of the swimming area.)

A cool front came through our area this past week and set me in the mood for fall, my favorite time of year! I dug out my crocheting! With wonderful temperatures, I've set in the swing in the backyard a few evenings. Last Thursday I broke out what was left of a bottle of wine from the 4th of July. (Yeah, I know, fancy cup!) I generally don't follow a pattern when I crochet things, but I'd like to make some items to sell at our town's annual celebration on the square. I tend to start things and not finish them, so we'll see how it goes!

My first project was Pinterest inspired. I've seen a lot of chevron patterns that seem popular and wanted to do some throws with that type of pattern. And I saw a color combination of red, yellow and turquoise that caught my eye. These are some of the photos and color palettes on Pinterest that spurred this project. I also like to try and do some embroidery on the corner of this throw, just to make it "fancy". I haven't ever attempted that before, so we'll see how that goes!

I tried to work with the colors I had. (Pictured on the left.) But, they didn't look right to me. So on a couponing trip to Walmart Saturday I picked up a different shade of turquoise and yellow. I started on it Sunday morning. (The picture on the right are the new colors.) I like it much better! This is the pattern I am using. 

This past Saturday was our county Relay for Life. I was a team captain this year of a small team. It was my mom, aunt and me. With all of our busy and hectic schedules we still managed to raise $686.26! Relay is very near and dear to me. My family has been affected by cancer many times. I have lost four of my great-grandparents, my great-great grandma, my great-aunt and great-uncle and my grandpa. My mom, dad and grandma have both been affected. And probably the one I fight for the most is my nephew. Just before his third birthday he was diagnosed with lukemia. He is now nine years old and hasn't had treatments for the last two years! (Picture of some cookies my mom made.) We sold them the night of Relay as part of our fundraising.

All in all it's been a good summer! Bring on fall!

Monday, Monday...

I'll back up to Sunday... I normally go to church in a neighboring town (about 20 miles away), but since I haven't had the extra gas money and with the triple digit temps and no a/c in my car, I haven't made the drive. So, I went to church with my dad this last Sunday. Good lesson this week! After church we came home to the a/c not working. And I sat in the recliner, next to the fan and watched tv. So, I had a perfectly lazy Sunday afternoon!

And off to work I went this morning! I planned ahead and took my gym clothes with me today. I hit the gym for 30 minutes after work. Short, but good workout! My legs were shaking when I left, wasn't sure I was going to make it to my car. Then, I stopped by my bfff's house for a short chat before I had to run and errand. And then I made a quick stop by the grocery store for some lunch meat and cheetos for supper!

After looking at my calendar this evening, I realized that I wrote an event down for Saturday for my Jamberry Nails business, but other than the town it's in I have no other details written down, don't know where it's at or the time. Note to self: write down more details next time!

Birthday Marathon Saturday

My morning began just after 7:00 am. I showered and quickly headed out the door. I had to meet my family at 8:00 am  for an "all day" birthday party. My dad's mom, Granny, wanted to have the family together for her birthday. My Aunt Janet lives a few hours away to the south and my Uncle Daryl lives a few hours away to the north. Also, Janet's son was up from Florida. There are five siblings in my dad's family, and it's a rare occasion when all five are in the same location at the same time. So, the prep work began at 8:00 am with the local relatives and others arrived around noon. It was nice spending time with family. Even seeing the family that lives close by. Everyone is so busy that we don't see each other or get together. We finally wrapped it up around 5:30pm. Clean up ensued. I had to leave about 6:15 pm to go to another birthday party!

My cousin's son (on my mom's side of the family) was having his 3rd birthday party. Just about a mile away, a little boy was excited about opening his presents! I arrived a little early and got to join in on a "tea party" with three little people. Luckily this little boy's shyness faded away from the usual "smile and hides his face" charade. This party consisted of an adorable little boy, cake, ice cream and opening presents!

Blowing out the candle!

Oh, and in case you're wondering... he likes Woody better than Buzz!

The Couponing Me

I planned a couponing trip for after work today. As I mentioned in my previous post, I like to coupon. No, I'm not an extreme couponer, but I know how to get a good deal. Today's trip was to Dollar General. I made my plan of attack last night. I made my list and clipped my coupons. I had my coupons sorted into two seperate transactions. And to my surprise, the store had all of the items on my list! The check-out procedure didn't go as smoothly as planned. I had everything organized on my end, but the cashier wasn't familiar with "professional" couponing. Some stores (Dollar General, Target, Family Dollar, to name a few) issue store coupons. You can "stack" store coupons with a manufacturer coupon (using two coupons on one item) and use them on a sale item to get the best deal. She didn't know that you could do that. So, I got a newbie, meaning it took a while at the checkout. Also, I wasn't able to use one of my $0.40 off coupons due to their system and how they were entered. Note to self: have them take off manufacturer coupons BEFORE store coupons.

I generally feel like I have done a really good job shopping when I save 50%. My savings was only about 37% off my total for this trip. My before total is on sale prices, had it been figured on regular prices, I would have a higher percentage of saving.

Before coupons: $81.65 (Sale prices, not regular prices.)
After coupons: $51.50 (tax not included)
Total Savings: $30.15

Here's what I got!

I didn't have the Kool-Aid on my list, nor was it on sale. But, I needed it for an event next week. Just another day in my life!

So this is me... The Everyday Me.

I always find it interesting how different people live their lives. It's amazing how individuals such as siblings and close-knit families can be so different. I know that the environment people grow up in shapes their lives. So, how did I become the ever changing person that is me? I also find it interesting how many different interests people have. This will be a blog about what has shaped my life, my interests/hobbies and my life on an everyday basis.

I liken this blog to what my ancestors and close relatives did when they kept journals. Last weekend I attended a family reunion, the Naffziger family reunion in Southeast Kansas. (Yes it's German, I have a lot of German ancestry on both sides of the family. I'm sure that has trickeled down into who I am today.) I have always found genealogy interesting. One family member had brought journals that an older realative had written. She had a few there, ones that were in better condition. The lady that had written the journals wrote about everyday life. She wrote an entry EVERYDAY! The entry may have only been that it rained that day or that someone came to visit, but there was something to write about everyday. And in another instance, my great-grandma (who greatly influenced my life) kept a journal. She also made an entry almost everyday.

So, even on the mundane days that seem of little importance to the days filled with activities keeping me busy, I will try to make a daily entry, or at least a few times a week. Some of my interests that I share on this blog may include: scrapbooking, cooking/baking, crocheting and couponing. These are the things I enjoy doing, but there also is SO MUCH MORE!