Trisha Wilson's Blog, page 2
November 5, 2011
Holidays
Where Did Thanksgiving Go?
Is it just me or does it seem that no one celebrates Thanksgiving anymore? As soon as Halloween is over (sometimes before), the stores already have Christmas decorations out, the radio stations are playing Christmas music, and everywhere you go, people are talking about what their plans are for Christmas.
Hello?! There's another holiday between Halloween and Christmas; it's called Thanksgiving! I LOVE Thanksgiving and it seems like nowadays it's just another day to some people, where you eat lots of food and watch football.
Personally, to me, I like Thanksgiving just a tad more than Christmas. Why, you ask? Because you get all of the family get-togethers/traditions and food, without the pressure or guilt of buying gifts. Every Thanksgiving morning, I get up at 6 a.m., and by 7 a.m. I'm awake and ready to get started on the cooking. The turkey goes in the oven and I begin boiling the eggs for deviled eggs. After I get the eggs finished, we usually watch part of the Thanksgiving Day parade. (I don't get to watch all of it because I'm back and forth to the kitchen.) Our kitchen is soon filled with smells of turkey and I get started on everything else. Every year, we have the turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, deviled eggs, green beans, rolls--and I make all of that. My mom makes the turkey dressing--it's her thing so I leave her to it. The last two years it was just Momma and myself, because my nephew was in Texas going to school and couldn't make it home. So, we had leftovers for over a week, ha! I, also, didn't make any dessert the last two years. No one in my family likes pumpkin pie, so I never make it. The dessert of the holiday is usually chosen by Samuel, my nephew. It's usually either banana pudding or lemon pie. Most of the time, he chooses lemon pie. Why? Because he knows he'll get most of it then, ha ha! Banana pudding is very popular around here, so it doesn't last long when I make it. On the other hand, I hate lemon pie and Momma likes it a little, but not much. He is home this year, so we'll have to wait and see what he chooses. I usually don't ask him till a few days before, so he can't keep changing his mind.
Getting Creative, Instead Of Broke...
Yes, I feel guilty when I can't gift someone something for Christmas. When anyone asks me what I want, my reply is always the same. Nothing - buy yourself something or spend it on something you need, like the electric bill.
When I used to have a full-time job, I'd buy oodles of presents for everyone, and then I'd be playing catch-up for 3 or 4 months on my bills or what-not. I don't do that anymore. One, because I can't afford it, but two it's not worth it. Yes, I love seeing my family and friends happy when I can buy them something, but I don't go overboard.
I have tried to get "creative" on making gifts. For instance, a couple of years ago, instead of buying gifts, I made my mom a collage. I put it in a 11x16 picture frame, and I had dug out a bunch of family pictures. I put a bigger photo of my dad and her together in the center, with a picture of her mom and dad right above that one. Then surrounding those 2 pictures, I added pictures of us three girls, and the two grandchildren. I didn't put just any pictures either... I put two pictures of each person. The first one was an older picture, where we were younger, maybe around Kindergarten or even younger, and then I added a high school Senior picture on the other side, sort of like a before and after. Of course, one of the grandkids I couldn't do that with, considering she's still in high school now. So I wound up putting the most recent picture I had of her as the "after". Why am I mentioning this? Because of all the gifts I've ever gotten Momma, this is the one she still has and takes care of. It's hanging above the entertainment center. So, my question is: WHY spend oodles of money on something that the person won't have in two months time when you can come up with something that'll fill them with joy and they can keep for a lifetime?
Cross-stitching is another option. I used to love cross-stitching, but I don't ever seem to have the time anymore. There have been a few times I've cross-stitched something and gave it to the person I made it for, for either Christmas, their birthday or just because. I know several "book lovers" so one year my thing was bookmarks. I cross-stitched several bookmarks but personalized each one, with their individual name and favorite colors, a few years ago. A few months back, I was visiting a friend and she said, "I want to show you something." She left the room and came back in holding the bookmark I had made her. She smiled and said, "I use it in my Bible. Every time I see it, it brings a smile to my face, remembering you took the time to make it for me."
What about you? What are your tried and true family Thanksgiving traditions?
What is something you could make for a loved one this year for Christmas and show off your creative side?
Is it just me or does it seem that no one celebrates Thanksgiving anymore? As soon as Halloween is over (sometimes before), the stores already have Christmas decorations out, the radio stations are playing Christmas music, and everywhere you go, people are talking about what their plans are for Christmas.
Hello?! There's another holiday between Halloween and Christmas; it's called Thanksgiving! I LOVE Thanksgiving and it seems like nowadays it's just another day to some people, where you eat lots of food and watch football.
Personally, to me, I like Thanksgiving just a tad more than Christmas. Why, you ask? Because you get all of the family get-togethers/traditions and food, without the pressure or guilt of buying gifts. Every Thanksgiving morning, I get up at 6 a.m., and by 7 a.m. I'm awake and ready to get started on the cooking. The turkey goes in the oven and I begin boiling the eggs for deviled eggs. After I get the eggs finished, we usually watch part of the Thanksgiving Day parade. (I don't get to watch all of it because I'm back and forth to the kitchen.) Our kitchen is soon filled with smells of turkey and I get started on everything else. Every year, we have the turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, deviled eggs, green beans, rolls--and I make all of that. My mom makes the turkey dressing--it's her thing so I leave her to it. The last two years it was just Momma and myself, because my nephew was in Texas going to school and couldn't make it home. So, we had leftovers for over a week, ha! I, also, didn't make any dessert the last two years. No one in my family likes pumpkin pie, so I never make it. The dessert of the holiday is usually chosen by Samuel, my nephew. It's usually either banana pudding or lemon pie. Most of the time, he chooses lemon pie. Why? Because he knows he'll get most of it then, ha ha! Banana pudding is very popular around here, so it doesn't last long when I make it. On the other hand, I hate lemon pie and Momma likes it a little, but not much. He is home this year, so we'll have to wait and see what he chooses. I usually don't ask him till a few days before, so he can't keep changing his mind.
Getting Creative, Instead Of Broke...
Yes, I feel guilty when I can't gift someone something for Christmas. When anyone asks me what I want, my reply is always the same. Nothing - buy yourself something or spend it on something you need, like the electric bill.
When I used to have a full-time job, I'd buy oodles of presents for everyone, and then I'd be playing catch-up for 3 or 4 months on my bills or what-not. I don't do that anymore. One, because I can't afford it, but two it's not worth it. Yes, I love seeing my family and friends happy when I can buy them something, but I don't go overboard.
I have tried to get "creative" on making gifts. For instance, a couple of years ago, instead of buying gifts, I made my mom a collage. I put it in a 11x16 picture frame, and I had dug out a bunch of family pictures. I put a bigger photo of my dad and her together in the center, with a picture of her mom and dad right above that one. Then surrounding those 2 pictures, I added pictures of us three girls, and the two grandchildren. I didn't put just any pictures either... I put two pictures of each person. The first one was an older picture, where we were younger, maybe around Kindergarten or even younger, and then I added a high school Senior picture on the other side, sort of like a before and after. Of course, one of the grandkids I couldn't do that with, considering she's still in high school now. So I wound up putting the most recent picture I had of her as the "after". Why am I mentioning this? Because of all the gifts I've ever gotten Momma, this is the one she still has and takes care of. It's hanging above the entertainment center. So, my question is: WHY spend oodles of money on something that the person won't have in two months time when you can come up with something that'll fill them with joy and they can keep for a lifetime?
Cross-stitching is another option. I used to love cross-stitching, but I don't ever seem to have the time anymore. There have been a few times I've cross-stitched something and gave it to the person I made it for, for either Christmas, their birthday or just because. I know several "book lovers" so one year my thing was bookmarks. I cross-stitched several bookmarks but personalized each one, with their individual name and favorite colors, a few years ago. A few months back, I was visiting a friend and she said, "I want to show you something." She left the room and came back in holding the bookmark I had made her. She smiled and said, "I use it in my Bible. Every time I see it, it brings a smile to my face, remembering you took the time to make it for me."
What about you? What are your tried and true family Thanksgiving traditions?
What is something you could make for a loved one this year for Christmas and show off your creative side?
November 2, 2011
Follow Your Dreams
Why did I begin writing?
I've wanted to write for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I wrote poems but never thought I could write more than a few lines, so never even bothered to try. Even though I've always had a wild imagination, I still never felt my dream was an option. I needed to get a job and earn a living, right?! I love getting lost in stories, so I do read a lot. Even in high school, it was a rare day when you wouldn't find a romance novel either in my hands or in my purse. My dream has always been to "write what I like to read"...
How did I come up with "An Unforgettable Christmas":
I've been getting asked a lot lately, "How did you come up with that story?" So I decided to write it up in this blog. One Christmas (2004), I was all alone at during the holidays. No family or friends around me, and let me tell you - it was depressing! I had always been in the habit of "thinking up better situations" when I was 'down in the dumps' so I started thinking about my situation and how I could make it better, if only in my mind. That's when I came up with Chelsea & Nick. When the characters came to life inside my imagination, I glanced at my computer and wondered if I could put it on "paper". I turned the computer on and began typing. New Years' Day, 2005, I wrote the words 'The End' on the first draft. At the time, I didn't know what to do with it, so I saved it on a disc and put it up for "safe-keeping". After I discovered I could write a book, and actually enjoyed it, I began coming up with other ideas and outlines of other books.
Lesson learned the hard way:
When I had several ideas & outlines typed up in various word documents, I began writing another. Well, silly me, forgot to continuously save to another device and it eventually caught up to me. My computer crashed, to the extent that EVERYTHING was wiped out. Everything I had ever saved on that computer was gone, forever. (I'm constantly saving to a flash drive now AND emailing my files to myself, just in case. I have seen a flash drive break in two before - I'm still not sure how this lady managed to do it, but I saw the outcome and it wasn't pretty. Especially after I found out what she had on it!) Anyway - I have moved 3 times since that computer crashed, and after all those moves, I figured IF I had saved (which I thought I had saved the book I had been working on at the very least), then there was no hope of me EVER finding it. But, guess what?! I was going through an old purse a few weeks ago (hadn't used it in ages!) and found an old flash drive in there. Yes, you guessed it! The novel I had been working on when my computer crashed had been saved on that flash drive, so it wasn't a complete loss! I have saved it onto 2 flash drives and also have it saved into an email folder. I will not lose it again! Ha!
What I'm working on now:
After I published "An Unforgettable Christmas", I wrote "Daring To Trust" which is the beginning of a series titled, "Indigo Girls Series". It's a shorter story than normal, around 17k, but it didn't require as much back story as many do. I'm now working on book 2 of that same series, "Daring To Love". If you read Julia's story in "Daring To Trust", then you met Ellen, one of Julia's best friends. This series is about four best friends in their 30s, Julia, Ellen, Jae, and & Abby. (That is the order their books will be released in!) For more information on any of my books, please go to "My Books" page.
What's next?:
Once I finish this series, which I plan on having book 4 done and published in May, 2012, I intend to go back to that manuscript who played "hide and go seek" with me for a few years! I haven't come up with a title for it yet, but I'll be sure to let y'all know when I get more in-depth with it!
What about you?:
Is there something you've dreamed of doing for years but kept putting it off? Perhaps thinking it was no use and you had other things to do, maybe doing things in the meantime you felt you had to do but didn't really enjoy it? If you can set aside even 30 minutes a day to focus on YOUR dream, whatever it may be, then you've taken the first step to achieving that dream. Don't EVER give up! Share your story: What's that one thing that you've always wanted to do but just never got around to it? Why not make 2012 the year you make your dreams come true? If you need someone to help encourage you throughout your journey, please contact me. I'd be glad to be of assistance in any way I can! And, don't ever forget to thank God for everything you have and can do. My dream is coming true thanks only to God. If it wasn't for Him, I wouldn't be able to put two words together, much less an entire novel! Phil. 4:13
An image I'll leave you with: [image error] That makes you stop and think, doesn't it?
I've wanted to write for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I wrote poems but never thought I could write more than a few lines, so never even bothered to try. Even though I've always had a wild imagination, I still never felt my dream was an option. I needed to get a job and earn a living, right?! I love getting lost in stories, so I do read a lot. Even in high school, it was a rare day when you wouldn't find a romance novel either in my hands or in my purse. My dream has always been to "write what I like to read"...
How did I come up with "An Unforgettable Christmas":
I've been getting asked a lot lately, "How did you come up with that story?" So I decided to write it up in this blog. One Christmas (2004), I was all alone at during the holidays. No family or friends around me, and let me tell you - it was depressing! I had always been in the habit of "thinking up better situations" when I was 'down in the dumps' so I started thinking about my situation and how I could make it better, if only in my mind. That's when I came up with Chelsea & Nick. When the characters came to life inside my imagination, I glanced at my computer and wondered if I could put it on "paper". I turned the computer on and began typing. New Years' Day, 2005, I wrote the words 'The End' on the first draft. At the time, I didn't know what to do with it, so I saved it on a disc and put it up for "safe-keeping". After I discovered I could write a book, and actually enjoyed it, I began coming up with other ideas and outlines of other books.
Lesson learned the hard way:
When I had several ideas & outlines typed up in various word documents, I began writing another. Well, silly me, forgot to continuously save to another device and it eventually caught up to me. My computer crashed, to the extent that EVERYTHING was wiped out. Everything I had ever saved on that computer was gone, forever. (I'm constantly saving to a flash drive now AND emailing my files to myself, just in case. I have seen a flash drive break in two before - I'm still not sure how this lady managed to do it, but I saw the outcome and it wasn't pretty. Especially after I found out what she had on it!) Anyway - I have moved 3 times since that computer crashed, and after all those moves, I figured IF I had saved (which I thought I had saved the book I had been working on at the very least), then there was no hope of me EVER finding it. But, guess what?! I was going through an old purse a few weeks ago (hadn't used it in ages!) and found an old flash drive in there. Yes, you guessed it! The novel I had been working on when my computer crashed had been saved on that flash drive, so it wasn't a complete loss! I have saved it onto 2 flash drives and also have it saved into an email folder. I will not lose it again! Ha!
What I'm working on now:
After I published "An Unforgettable Christmas", I wrote "Daring To Trust" which is the beginning of a series titled, "Indigo Girls Series". It's a shorter story than normal, around 17k, but it didn't require as much back story as many do. I'm now working on book 2 of that same series, "Daring To Love". If you read Julia's story in "Daring To Trust", then you met Ellen, one of Julia's best friends. This series is about four best friends in their 30s, Julia, Ellen, Jae, and & Abby. (That is the order their books will be released in!) For more information on any of my books, please go to "My Books" page.
What's next?:
Once I finish this series, which I plan on having book 4 done and published in May, 2012, I intend to go back to that manuscript who played "hide and go seek" with me for a few years! I haven't come up with a title for it yet, but I'll be sure to let y'all know when I get more in-depth with it!
What about you?:
Is there something you've dreamed of doing for years but kept putting it off? Perhaps thinking it was no use and you had other things to do, maybe doing things in the meantime you felt you had to do but didn't really enjoy it? If you can set aside even 30 minutes a day to focus on YOUR dream, whatever it may be, then you've taken the first step to achieving that dream. Don't EVER give up! Share your story: What's that one thing that you've always wanted to do but just never got around to it? Why not make 2012 the year you make your dreams come true? If you need someone to help encourage you throughout your journey, please contact me. I'd be glad to be of assistance in any way I can! And, don't ever forget to thank God for everything you have and can do. My dream is coming true thanks only to God. If it wasn't for Him, I wouldn't be able to put two words together, much less an entire novel! Phil. 4:13
An image I'll leave you with: [image error] That makes you stop and think, doesn't it?
Follow Your Dreams
Why did I begin writing?
I've wanted to write for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I wrote poems but never thought I could write more than a few lines, so never even bothered to try. Even though I've always had a wild imagination, I still never felt my dream was an option. I needed to get a job and earn a living, right?! I love getting lost in stories, so I do read a lot. Even in high school, it was a rare day when you wouldn't find a romance novel either in my hands or in my purse. My dream has always been to "write what I like to read"...
How did I come up with "An Unforgettable Christmas":
I've been getting asked a lot lately, "How did you come up with that story?" So I decided to write it up in this blog. One Christmas (2004), I was all alone at during the holidays. No family or friends around me, and let me tell you - it was depressing! I had always been in the habit of "thinking up better situations" when I was 'down in the dumps' so I started thinking about my situation and how I could make it better, if only in my mind. That's when I came up with Chelsea & Nick. When the characters came to life inside my imagination, I glanced at my computer and wondered if I could put it on "paper". I turned the computer on and began typing. New Years' Day, 2005, I wrote the words 'The End' on the first draft. At the time, I didn't know what to do with it, so I saved it on a disc and put it up for "safe-keeping". After I discovered I could write a book, and actually enjoyed it, I began coming up with other ideas and outlines of other books.
Lesson learned the hard way:
When I had several ideas & outlines typed up in various word documents, I began writing another. Well, silly me, forgot to continuously save to another device and it eventually caught up to me. My computer crashed, to the extent that EVERYTHING was wiped out. Everything I had ever saved on that computer was gone, forever. (I'm constantly saving to a flash drive now AND emailing my files to myself, just in case. I have seen a flash drive break in two before - I'm still not sure how this lady managed to do it, but I saw the outcome and it wasn't pretty. Especially after I found out what she had on it!) Anyway - I have moved 3 times since that computer crashed, and after all those moves, I figured IF I had saved (which I thought I had saved the book I had been working on at the very least), then there was no hope of me EVER finding it. But, guess what?! I was going through an old purse a few weeks ago (hadn't used it in ages!) and found an old flash drive in there. Yes, you guessed it! The novel I had been working on when my computer crashed had been saved on that flash drive, so it wasn't a complete loss! I have saved it onto 2 flash drives and also have it saved into an email folder. I will not lose it again! Ha!
What I'm working on now:
After I published "An Unforgettable Christmas", I wrote "Daring To Trust" which is the beginning of a series titled, "Indigo Girls Series". It's a shorter story than normal, around 17k, but it didn't require as much back story as many do. I'm now working on book 2 of that same series, "Daring To Love". If you read Julia's story in "Daring To Trust", then you met Ellen, one of Julia's best friends. This series is about four best friends in their 30s, Julia, Ellen, Jae, and & Abby. (That is the order their books will be released in!) For more information on any of my books, please go to "My Books" page.
What's next?:
Once I finish this series, which I plan on having book 4 done and published in May, 2012, I intend to go back to that manuscript who played "hide and go seek" with me for a few years! I haven't come up with a title for it yet, but I'll be sure to let y'all know when I get more in-depth with it!
What about you?:
Is there something you've dreamed of doing for years but kept putting it off? Perhaps thinking it was no use and you had other things to do, maybe doing things in the meantime you felt you had to do but didn't really enjoy it? If you can set aside even 30 minutes a day to focus on YOUR dream, whatever it may be, then you've taken the first step to achieving that dream. Don't EVER give up! Share your story: What's that one thing that you've always wanted to do but just never got around to it? Why not make 2012 the year you make your dreams come true? If you need someone to help encourage you throughout your journey, please contact me. I'd be glad to be of assistance in any way I can! And, don't ever forget to thank God for everything you have and can do. My dream is coming true thanks only to God. If it wasn't for Him, I wouldn't be able to put two words together, much less an entire novel! Phil. 4:13
An image I'll leave you with: [image error] That makes you stop and think, doesn't it?
I've wanted to write for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I wrote poems but never thought I could write more than a few lines, so never even bothered to try. Even though I've always had a wild imagination, I still never felt my dream was an option. I needed to get a job and earn a living, right?! I love getting lost in stories, so I do read a lot. Even in high school, it was a rare day when you wouldn't find a romance novel either in my hands or in my purse. My dream has always been to "write what I like to read"...
How did I come up with "An Unforgettable Christmas":
I've been getting asked a lot lately, "How did you come up with that story?" So I decided to write it up in this blog. One Christmas (2004), I was all alone at during the holidays. No family or friends around me, and let me tell you - it was depressing! I had always been in the habit of "thinking up better situations" when I was 'down in the dumps' so I started thinking about my situation and how I could make it better, if only in my mind. That's when I came up with Chelsea & Nick. When the characters came to life inside my imagination, I glanced at my computer and wondered if I could put it on "paper". I turned the computer on and began typing. New Years' Day, 2005, I wrote the words 'The End' on the first draft. At the time, I didn't know what to do with it, so I saved it on a disc and put it up for "safe-keeping". After I discovered I could write a book, and actually enjoyed it, I began coming up with other ideas and outlines of other books.
Lesson learned the hard way:
When I had several ideas & outlines typed up in various word documents, I began writing another. Well, silly me, forgot to continuously save to another device and it eventually caught up to me. My computer crashed, to the extent that EVERYTHING was wiped out. Everything I had ever saved on that computer was gone, forever. (I'm constantly saving to a flash drive now AND emailing my files to myself, just in case. I have seen a flash drive break in two before - I'm still not sure how this lady managed to do it, but I saw the outcome and it wasn't pretty. Especially after I found out what she had on it!) Anyway - I have moved 3 times since that computer crashed, and after all those moves, I figured IF I had saved (which I thought I had saved the book I had been working on at the very least), then there was no hope of me EVER finding it. But, guess what?! I was going through an old purse a few weeks ago (hadn't used it in ages!) and found an old flash drive in there. Yes, you guessed it! The novel I had been working on when my computer crashed had been saved on that flash drive, so it wasn't a complete loss! I have saved it onto 2 flash drives and also have it saved into an email folder. I will not lose it again! Ha!
What I'm working on now:
After I published "An Unforgettable Christmas", I wrote "Daring To Trust" which is the beginning of a series titled, "Indigo Girls Series". It's a shorter story than normal, around 17k, but it didn't require as much back story as many do. I'm now working on book 2 of that same series, "Daring To Love". If you read Julia's story in "Daring To Trust", then you met Ellen, one of Julia's best friends. This series is about four best friends in their 30s, Julia, Ellen, Jae, and & Abby. (That is the order their books will be released in!) For more information on any of my books, please go to "My Books" page.
What's next?:
Once I finish this series, which I plan on having book 4 done and published in May, 2012, I intend to go back to that manuscript who played "hide and go seek" with me for a few years! I haven't come up with a title for it yet, but I'll be sure to let y'all know when I get more in-depth with it!
What about you?:
Is there something you've dreamed of doing for years but kept putting it off? Perhaps thinking it was no use and you had other things to do, maybe doing things in the meantime you felt you had to do but didn't really enjoy it? If you can set aside even 30 minutes a day to focus on YOUR dream, whatever it may be, then you've taken the first step to achieving that dream. Don't EVER give up! Share your story: What's that one thing that you've always wanted to do but just never got around to it? Why not make 2012 the year you make your dreams come true? If you need someone to help encourage you throughout your journey, please contact me. I'd be glad to be of assistance in any way I can! And, don't ever forget to thank God for everything you have and can do. My dream is coming true thanks only to God. If it wasn't for Him, I wouldn't be able to put two words together, much less an entire novel! Phil. 4:13
An image I'll leave you with: [image error] That makes you stop and think, doesn't it?
October 21, 2011
Randomness
So today, I thought I would just post some random off-the-wall cold hard facts about me. You ready?
I'm a member of the Church of Christ.I hate pickles.Fall is my favorite season.I'm an emotional girl. I cry at everything; this includes sad movies, songs, books, TV shows.... You name it. If it's sad, I'll cry. (Sometimes even if it's not!)My dog, Snickers, is spoiled rotten and I treat him like a baby most of the time.Sawyer Brown is my all-time favorite artist. When I write, they are who is playing behind my headphones.I have very low self-esteem, about myself and everything I do and say.I'm shy, unless I know everyone in the group of people I'm with, then you won't be able to get me to shut up.Criminal Minds & Army Wives are the only 2 TV shows I will tolerate commercials for... Everything else I DVR!I love to cook and bake.I am a natural blonde, but that one is classified information....so shh :)I have headaches, a lot. Therefore, sometimes my writing is slow going and is delayed for days at a time, until I can handle concentrating on the computer screen.I have a great group of friends, and I'm truly blessed.My right foot is a whole size larger than my left. (Also on the feet: I have weird toes. Where everyone else's seem to get shorter as the toes get smaller, my toes are all the same length. And most women LOVE shoes, I don't. If they're comfortable I'll wear them, but I don't go buy shoes just because I can or see some "I just have to have!" In my entire "collection" of shoes, I don't have more than 10 pairs - maybe not even that many!) Okay - after you finish gasping and getting over that last sentence, you can move on to the next random fact...You can't tell it by looking at me, but I can seriously go 2 or 3 days without eating anything. As long as I have my diet mountain dew to drink, I'm good to go :) (Speaking of which, I haven't eaten anything since Wednesday -- it's Friday now lol)Okay I think that'll be all for now... I may add another list some day down the road, but I can't think of anything else right off :) Enjoy reading & laughing!
I'm a member of the Church of Christ.I hate pickles.Fall is my favorite season.I'm an emotional girl. I cry at everything; this includes sad movies, songs, books, TV shows.... You name it. If it's sad, I'll cry. (Sometimes even if it's not!)My dog, Snickers, is spoiled rotten and I treat him like a baby most of the time.Sawyer Brown is my all-time favorite artist. When I write, they are who is playing behind my headphones.I have very low self-esteem, about myself and everything I do and say.I'm shy, unless I know everyone in the group of people I'm with, then you won't be able to get me to shut up.Criminal Minds & Army Wives are the only 2 TV shows I will tolerate commercials for... Everything else I DVR!I love to cook and bake.I am a natural blonde, but that one is classified information....so shh :)I have headaches, a lot. Therefore, sometimes my writing is slow going and is delayed for days at a time, until I can handle concentrating on the computer screen.I have a great group of friends, and I'm truly blessed.My right foot is a whole size larger than my left. (Also on the feet: I have weird toes. Where everyone else's seem to get shorter as the toes get smaller, my toes are all the same length. And most women LOVE shoes, I don't. If they're comfortable I'll wear them, but I don't go buy shoes just because I can or see some "I just have to have!" In my entire "collection" of shoes, I don't have more than 10 pairs - maybe not even that many!) Okay - after you finish gasping and getting over that last sentence, you can move on to the next random fact...You can't tell it by looking at me, but I can seriously go 2 or 3 days without eating anything. As long as I have my diet mountain dew to drink, I'm good to go :) (Speaking of which, I haven't eaten anything since Wednesday -- it's Friday now lol)Okay I think that'll be all for now... I may add another list some day down the road, but I can't think of anything else right off :) Enjoy reading & laughing!
Randomness
So today, I thought I would just post some random off-the-wall cold hard facts about me. You ready?
I'm a member of the Church of Christ.I hate pickles.Fall is my favorite season.I'm an emotional girl. I cry at everything; this includes sad movies, songs, books, TV shows.... You name it. If it's sad, I'll cry. (Sometimes even if it's not!)My dog, Snickers, is spoiled rotten and I treat him like a baby most of the time.Sawyer Brown is my all-time favorite artist. When I write, they are who is playing behind my headphones. My dream since I was 5 years old has been to see them live in concert & meet them in person. Maybe someday...I have very low self-esteem, about myself and everything I do and say.I'm shy, unless I know everyone in the group of people I'm with, then you won't be able to get me to shut up.Criminal Minds & Army Wives are the only 2 TV shows I will tolerate commercials for... Everything else I DVR!I love to cook and bake.I am a natural blonde, but that one is classified information....so shh :)I have headaches, a lot. Therefore, sometimes my writing is slow going and is delayed for days at a time, until I can handle concentrating on the computer screen.I have a great group of friends, and I'm truly blessed.My right foot is a whole size larger than my left. (Also on the feet: I have weird toes. Where everyone else's seem to get shorter as the toes get smaller, my toes are all the same length. And most women LOVE shoes, I don't. If they're comfortable I'll wear them, but I don't go buy shoes just because I can or see some "I just have to have!" In my entire "collection" of shoes, I don't have more than 10 pairs - maybe not even that many!) Okay - after you finish gasping and getting over that last sentence, you can move on to the next random fact...You can't tell it by looking at me, but I can seriously go 2 or 3 days without eating anything. As long as I have my diet mountain dew to drink, I'm good to go :) (Speaking of which, I haven't eaten anything since Wednesday -- it's Friday now lol)Okay I think that'll be all for now... I may add another list some day down the road, but I can't think of anything else right off :) Enjoy reading & laughing! :-P
I'm a member of the Church of Christ.I hate pickles.Fall is my favorite season.I'm an emotional girl. I cry at everything; this includes sad movies, songs, books, TV shows.... You name it. If it's sad, I'll cry. (Sometimes even if it's not!)My dog, Snickers, is spoiled rotten and I treat him like a baby most of the time.Sawyer Brown is my all-time favorite artist. When I write, they are who is playing behind my headphones. My dream since I was 5 years old has been to see them live in concert & meet them in person. Maybe someday...I have very low self-esteem, about myself and everything I do and say.I'm shy, unless I know everyone in the group of people I'm with, then you won't be able to get me to shut up.Criminal Minds & Army Wives are the only 2 TV shows I will tolerate commercials for... Everything else I DVR!I love to cook and bake.I am a natural blonde, but that one is classified information....so shh :)I have headaches, a lot. Therefore, sometimes my writing is slow going and is delayed for days at a time, until I can handle concentrating on the computer screen.I have a great group of friends, and I'm truly blessed.My right foot is a whole size larger than my left. (Also on the feet: I have weird toes. Where everyone else's seem to get shorter as the toes get smaller, my toes are all the same length. And most women LOVE shoes, I don't. If they're comfortable I'll wear them, but I don't go buy shoes just because I can or see some "I just have to have!" In my entire "collection" of shoes, I don't have more than 10 pairs - maybe not even that many!) Okay - after you finish gasping and getting over that last sentence, you can move on to the next random fact...You can't tell it by looking at me, but I can seriously go 2 or 3 days without eating anything. As long as I have my diet mountain dew to drink, I'm good to go :) (Speaking of which, I haven't eaten anything since Wednesday -- it's Friday now lol)Okay I think that'll be all for now... I may add another list some day down the road, but I can't think of anything else right off :) Enjoy reading & laughing! :-P
October 20, 2011
My first ever blog!
Why did I decide to start my blogging journey today? I really don't know, but I suspect it has something to do with procrastinating. I have been writing on my newest book "Daring to Love" today, and I really needed a break. So, what did I do? I came over here to write! My brain is warped, that is all I know to tell you! Ha!
I have decided to start off my blogging journey with something I'm quite familiar with, and is one of my passions. Cooking! I love to cook & bake, especially for those who appreciate eating, ha ha ! :)
I thought I would share with you today a recipe that I make quite often and is always a hit. It isn't hard to make, even for a beginner.
Chicken Casserole
Ingredients:
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts (depending on size is how many you need)
1 small container of sour cream
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom
breadcrumbs (I always use the breadcrumbs that come in a can* -Italian seasoning flavor)
1 stick of butter Directions:
In a medium pot, boil your chicken until it is no longer pink. (Add your seasonings to this pot of water while boiling - this is your ONLY chance to season it! -- I put Seasoning salt, black pepper and garlic powder on EVERYTHING that I season, but you use what you're most comfortable with :) ) After chicken finishes cooking, drain and set aside to cool. (It's hard to handle when hot - trust me on this, and I wouldn't recommend trying it! About 15 mins is usually good, as long as you don't leave it in the hot pot that you boiled it in!) Alright - while it's cooling, go ahead & preheat your oven to 350. In a large casserole dish, (don't forget to spray it!) start tearing your chicken into small pieces - less than an inch (I hope you washed your hands! ;) ) You can spread the chicken out evenly after you finish that part, but make sure there's no "holes" where you can see the bottom of the dish. Make sure it's well-covered! Set aside.
In a medium bowl, take your sour cream, cream of chicken & cream of mushroom (out of the cans of course!) and mix them up well! Pour this mixture over your chicken. Then after you do this, it's time to get the breadcrumbs out. Spread them THINLY on top of the cream mixture. (I say thinly because you don't want a thick crust on this, or it takes away from the rest of it!) After you have gotten a thin layer spread across the top, take your stick of butter. You can do this 1 of 2 different ways (Depends on my mood on what I wanna do!) If I feel like slaughtering something, I cut it in little pieces and put them in random spots on the breadcrumbs, evenly of course. If I'm in a more peaceful mood (LOL), then I put the butter in a bowl in the microwave and melt it. After melting it, just pour it over the top of the breadcrumbs, slowly -- you don't wanna soak one end of the casserole while leaving the other end dry!
Place your dish carefully in the oven (It's really jiggly at this point, so you don't want it to overflow ;) ) ... Look at your clock and figure it will be done in about half hour! (Maybe sooner - depends on your oven. If you're not sure how fast or slow your oven cooks, I would suggest checking it after 15 mins.)
Your casserole will be done when the breadcrumbs on top are a golden brown and the edges are "bubbly".
*Kitchen tip: If you have a can of breadcrumbs, put them in the fridge and they stay fresh for MONTHS!*
P.S.. I know this doesn't read like a "normal" recipe, but I've never claimed to be normal, nor do I want to be.
Feel free to comment, share suggestions or your own recipes (Or even if it has nothing to do with cooking, that's okay!)
I have decided to start off my blogging journey with something I'm quite familiar with, and is one of my passions. Cooking! I love to cook & bake, especially for those who appreciate eating, ha ha ! :)
I thought I would share with you today a recipe that I make quite often and is always a hit. It isn't hard to make, even for a beginner.
Chicken Casserole
Ingredients:
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts (depending on size is how many you need)
1 small container of sour cream
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom
breadcrumbs (I always use the breadcrumbs that come in a can* -Italian seasoning flavor)
1 stick of butter Directions:
In a medium pot, boil your chicken until it is no longer pink. (Add your seasonings to this pot of water while boiling - this is your ONLY chance to season it! -- I put Seasoning salt, black pepper and garlic powder on EVERYTHING that I season, but you use what you're most comfortable with :) ) After chicken finishes cooking, drain and set aside to cool. (It's hard to handle when hot - trust me on this, and I wouldn't recommend trying it! About 15 mins is usually good, as long as you don't leave it in the hot pot that you boiled it in!) Alright - while it's cooling, go ahead & preheat your oven to 350. In a large casserole dish, (don't forget to spray it!) start tearing your chicken into small pieces - less than an inch (I hope you washed your hands! ;) ) You can spread the chicken out evenly after you finish that part, but make sure there's no "holes" where you can see the bottom of the dish. Make sure it's well-covered! Set aside.
In a medium bowl, take your sour cream, cream of chicken & cream of mushroom (out of the cans of course!) and mix them up well! Pour this mixture over your chicken. Then after you do this, it's time to get the breadcrumbs out. Spread them THINLY on top of the cream mixture. (I say thinly because you don't want a thick crust on this, or it takes away from the rest of it!) After you have gotten a thin layer spread across the top, take your stick of butter. You can do this 1 of 2 different ways (Depends on my mood on what I wanna do!) If I feel like slaughtering something, I cut it in little pieces and put them in random spots on the breadcrumbs, evenly of course. If I'm in a more peaceful mood (LOL), then I put the butter in a bowl in the microwave and melt it. After melting it, just pour it over the top of the breadcrumbs, slowly -- you don't wanna soak one end of the casserole while leaving the other end dry!
Place your dish carefully in the oven (It's really jiggly at this point, so you don't want it to overflow ;) ) ... Look at your clock and figure it will be done in about half hour! (Maybe sooner - depends on your oven. If you're not sure how fast or slow your oven cooks, I would suggest checking it after 15 mins.)
Your casserole will be done when the breadcrumbs on top are a golden brown and the edges are "bubbly".
*Kitchen tip: If you have a can of breadcrumbs, put them in the fridge and they stay fresh for MONTHS!*
P.S.. I know this doesn't read like a "normal" recipe, but I've never claimed to be normal, nor do I want to be.
Feel free to comment, share suggestions or your own recipes (Or even if it has nothing to do with cooking, that's okay!)
