Sick Day/Blog Hop

I'm sick....what a bummer! It started on Tuesday with just a sore throat and the sniffles and then it progressed from there. Now I just feel like one big ball of snot and as of yesterday i've completely lost my voice. I had a photo shoot planned for today that i'm going to have to reschedule, which stinks because we had some very interesting ideas planned. On a cuter note, as I was getting Snuggle Bug dressed for school I had to whisper to her since I don't have a voice. She decided that she needed to whisper back to me. She whispered to me up until the hubby told her it was time to go...cutest kid ever.

I suppose I'll take today to relax, do some reading for school since my classes start in a little over a week and just enjoy the quiet for a while. I'm no good at resting though. Instead I sit here and look around the house thinking about what I could be doing if I were well. Yeah, resting really isn't my thing.

So today I will leave you with one of my favorite sick day soups that always makes me feel a little better.

Ginger Chicken Soup (from a 2004 Real Simple Magazine)

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons ginger grated fresh ginger
2 32-ounce containers low-sodium chicken broth
2 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 medium turnip, peeled and chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 2- to 2 1/2-pound rotisserie chicken
1/2 cup frozen peas
4 scallions, sliced
4 biscuits, store-bought or made from a mix (optional)

Directions
1.Heat the oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
2.Add the broth. Stir in the parsnips, carrots, celery, turnip, and ½ teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
3.Meanwhile, using a fork or your fingers, shred the chicken meat, discarding the skin and bones. 4.Add the chicken, peas, and scallions to the saucepan and cook until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve with the biscuits, if using.

OH YEAH.....

Its blog hop time! I just LOVE blog hops! They give me the chance to find some awesome new blogs and gain some awesome new followers!

and Hop Along Friday!!

Winter break is coming to an end

It feels like the winter break just started….. but it actually ends in a little over a week! ACK! Time flies when you’re having fun.

Almost two weeks with family in the house and then this last week has been spent trying to get the house back in order from the blissful chaos of the holidays. The hubby goes on a business trip in a few days and I get to spend a handful of nights crafting, cleaning and reading, some of my favorite things to do when he is away. Then come the 18th its back to school for me. I learned the hard way that it can be very difficult keeping a balance between home and school because school can really take over a person’s life. I’ve also realized that I very much miss a stay at home mom. I know getting an education is the right thing to do but I often miss staying at home to teach and play with Snuggle Bug. She is growing up so fast and it feels like I can’t keep up anymore. On a positive note, I think I’ve gotten my schedule spread out enough to actually be able to spend some time focusing on the house and family, rather than burying myself under homework when I walked in the door at 5:30pm like I did this past semester. You know you’re studying too much when your 2 year old tells everyone, “mommy is doing homework.”

I’m feeling pretty positive about 2011 and the spring semester. I only hope I can keep this positivity up.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!!

How are you planning on spending 2011? What are your resolutions?

I want to manage my time between school and my family so I can be sure to not get lost in my own personal pursuits and take care of my family the way they deserve.

2010 was an amazing year for me. So many changes, so many challenges that I faced and triumphed over. I really hope that 2011 will be just as good...if not better!

Winter Break!!

Winter Break is here!!!!!!!!

I finished my last two finals today, which means it is time for winter break....four weeks of no classes, no homework and no tests! I've really enjoyed this semester but I am so happy to get a break.

Its going to be a very busy holiday! The hubby's family starts making their way here for Christmas soon. His brother and his brother's two kiddos should be here on Monday and there is so much to do! This house is a mess because i've been so focused on school over the past few weeks. I think its time to make a to do list and get cracking on that!

Oh yeah!

I just logged onto my twitter, first time in months, and found it was hacked! Ugh!

If you are following me and were getting stupid tweets about pharmacy stuff or anything along those lines then i'm really sorry! I deleted all the posts and everything should be good now.

Sorry!

What a semester!

I'm almost done with my first semester at the University of Colorado! I have finals next week and then its time for winter break!

It has been so different being back on campus after so many years away, but this semester has been a good experience. I've made some new friends, gained a wonderful mentor, and learned that there are amazing professors out there and some who will push their personal beliefs on you all semester until you want to lose your mind. I got knocked down and built back up and its been really good for me.

Snuggle Bug absolutely loves her daycare and talks about her friends all the time. She is really thriving, learning a ton and loves being around her peers. Four months later and I still hate dropping her off each morning. I'm glad she is happy but I feel like I am missing so much and it still breaks my heart. I just remind myself that i'm doing this for her so I can provide her with a better life.

Now it times to study for finals and get ready for a wonderful holiday season. The hubby's mom and two brothers are coming out along with his brother's two kiddos. I'm going to have a full house this Christmas!

Ben's latest film!

Here is my brother's latest short...... Be sure to comment on it at youtube and let him know you liked it!!