Bits & Baubles

2010-10-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

Today Ryan sent me a link in an email called 30 Green How- To's from the re-nest website. I'm constantly looking for new ideas to be creative and Ryan had proved to be a very reliable source for passing on good ideas. The link he sent me was really neat with a lot of great tricks on how to reuse things around your house. But as I looked through all the different links one really caught my eye. Within this list was a link called "How to pare down your stuff". I like to refer to myself as an organized pack rat. Although I like to keep stuff and store it way for the long winter, its all pretty much organized and I'm not afraid to get rid of unless stuff. I currently have a room in my house that has become our catch all and it is completely out of control. My goal this week is to regain that control and to reorganize it so that it is usable and clean! So its time to dust off my organizing tip and tools and put them to good use.

Here are some of my own tips to getting organized:

1. Season Change Cleaning: Every change of season when I'm sifting my clothes from summer to winter I pull out the clothes I didn't wear for the entire season. If I didn't wear it chances are I don't need it. Unless its in bad condition I always donate my stuff to our local thrift store.

2. Old for the New: I love purses! I have lots of purses, but every time I get a new purse I get rid of another one. You can apply this idea to any area of your life where you have excess.

3. Containers and Labels: I use baskets, Rubbermaid's, and canvas boxes to hold a lot of my different odds and ins, and I label them so that I know whats what and where to find what I'm looking for.

4. Birds of a Feather Stay Together: When organizing my cabinets and pantry I keep all the items in family groups. Meaning can veggies all together, beans all together, can tomatoes all together. In the cabinet I sort foods by type of meal. I have 3 shelves on the bottom shelf are breakfast foods, baby food, and snacks, middle shelf is designated to side dishes, dinner type foods, and prepackaged meals, and my top shelf is baking needs such as cake mixes, corn meal, and baking powder.

5. Filing Folders: For papers that are important I have two filing folders. Sorted by type I keep all instruction booklets, warranties, Vet papers, and so on in these folders so when I need them I know right were they are without having to sift through piles and piles of papers. This has proved to be very handy with some of Riley's things that we have needed instructions on how to disassemble or when the universal remote needs to be reprogrammed.

And here are some additional tips for Getting Organized from the professionals:

Top 10 organizing tips from Chez Larsson

HGTV Organization

Simplify 101

Header designed by Ryan Saul

Sweet Sunshine Trail Mix

2010-10-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my amazing husband I am on my first ever health kick. I am a true southern woman... God fearing and "It's always better fried!", but unfortunately that last motto doesn't fit into the lifestyle I want anymore. Please don't misunderstand I plan to stay southern to the bone, I've just got to do it a little bit healthier.

So to go a long with this new lifestyle I've been trying to find ways to make everyday meals healthier. Snacks have proved to be the toughest area so far. It is a lot easier to grab a bag of chips or M&Ms, but that's not going to help my cause. My latest snack creation is Sweet Sunshine Trail Mix. Great for movie night, afternoon snack or even a day out on the trails.

Sweet Sunshine Trail Mix

3 cups kettle corn

3/4 cup Kashi Honey Sunshine cereal

1/4 cup dried fruit bits

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix altogether and Enjoy!

Serves 4

serving size 1 cup

136 calories per serving

Cafe de Saul Pumpkin Spice Latte

2010-10-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

As the days get shorter and weather gets cooler there is one thing that comes to mind that makes my heart sing... IT'S FALL! Fall is my favorite season for lots of reasons, but the one that inspired this post is the one and only Pumpkin Spice Latte! Every year I look forward to Starbucks releasing this wonderful drink and I can't wait to get my hands on one. However this year I decided that I wanted to save money and calories and that there had to be a better way to get my precious pumpkin latte. After a bit of research and experiments I have formed my own pumpkin spiced latte recipe that is low fat and easy to make at your own home. All you need is a few ingredients, a stove and a coffee maker. And wallah the pumpkin spiced latte is all yours!

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup milk *

2 tbsp sugar or 1 1/2 tsp splenda (three packets)

1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 cup double strength coffee

whipped cream *

pinch of pumpkin pie spice

1) make 2 cups of coffee using 2 scoops of ground coffee

2) in a small pot mix together vanilla extract, milk, sugar or splenda, and pumpkin pie spice over medium heat. As milk mixture warms whisk until frothy and hot.

3) in coffee mug pour one cup of coffee and then add all of milk mixture.

4) top with whipped cream and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice

5) Drink and Enjoy!

*i used smart balance non-fat milk 1cup= 110 cal.

non-fat whipped cream 2 tbsp= 5 cal

three splenda packets

totaling: 115 calories!!

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte= 380 calories

Photography by Ryan Saul

2009-02-21T23:29:00.000-08:00

As many of you already know I have a very talented husband. He is a gifted designer, extremely creative, and an amazing photographer. His skill in photography has bloomed into a wonderful gift. He has taken beautiful pictures of many of our friends and family, and is always wanting to take my picture. I unfortunately don't particularly enjoy my picture being taken, but last night the mood struck me! At around 11:30 last night I came up to Ryan who already had the look of "I'm getting sleepy" and said "wanna take some pictures?" Because my husband knows me well, he knew this chance may not come around again for some time so he said of course and was off setting up lights and all of his fancy equipment. Mean while I proceeded to "beautify" myself. To my surprise I really got into it and had a great time! After several hours of flashes and clicks we collected a good amount of pictures worth keeping. To my surprise (not at all to his ability but to my photogenic"ness") there were several beautiful pictures, that he and I were very proud of.

Today he spent some time correcting light balance, and working his magic and created these wonderful pictures that I am proud to call "ME!" So the clever soul that I am... I came up with a perfect name for his photographs, Backdoor Photography, for the simple fact that all of these pictures were taken in our garage right outside our backdoor. Whether he keeps the name is yet to be seen, but for now it works.

So thank you Ryan for making me feel beautiful and confident, and for loving me so completely!

Recipe of the Week

2009-01-11T18:23:00.000-08:00

I have decided to add a creative addition to my blog, Recipe of the Week. I love to cook and the more I cook the more creative and confident I get with my meals.

Ryan and I are in desperate need of groceries, so until we make it to the store I had to think of something to make for dinner. The only meat we had was frozen salmon filets and breaded buffalo chicken tenders. Not wanting chicken I decided to create something new... I got on Food Network.com which is a great site to get recipes and found ideas for mixing salmon and pasta. This is what I came up with.

Sundried Tomatoes and Broccoli with Salmon over Linguine.

Sundried tomatoes in oil 1 c. chopped
1 c. broccoli chopped
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 tbsp sundried tomato oil
1 1/2 tbsp Olive oil
1/4 c. water
2-3 Salmon filets
salt
pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp sundried tomato oil
Feta cheese
Linguine

Cook linguine as directed

Heat 1 tbsp sundried tomato oil and Olive oil, add finely chopped garlic and saute.

Add chopped tomatoes and broccoli cook till broccoli is tender.

Meanwhile, rub salt, pepper, and garlic powder onto salmon.

Add 1/4 c. water to tomato and broccoli mixture, then add salmon and sprinkle entire mixture with red pepper flakes.

Cook salmon covered for 3 minutes or until edges turn light pink/gray.

Flip salmon and cook covered for another 3 minutes or until flaky.

Once salmon is cook thoroughly, remove and set aside on a paper towel.

Add linguine to remaining sundried tomato and broccoli mixture.

Add 1/4 c. feta and 1 tsp sundried tomato oil and mix together.

Plate linguine, sprinkle with feta, top with salmon filet.

Enjoy!

(picture taken by Ryan)

Frosty

2008-12-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

Ewwwaaa...!

Fall Chores

2008-11-13T17:35:00.000-08:00

So I learned something new about Ryan the other day... apparently he is an expert leaf bagger! Wednesday is my day off work, and I spent the better part of the afternoon raking our front yard. Which I was very excited about because this is the first place we've lived where we had a yard to tend to. So after many piles of leaves accumulated, I decided to start bagging before the day light was gone. One little handful at a time, I stuffed leaves into the bags. Ryan came home shortly after I had started bagging. He saw what I was doing and said "I know a much better way of doing that! And it will take half the time." I was thinking yea yea whatever, I had done the whole yard without any advice from him, but little did I know! After changing into yard worthy clothes be proceeded to show me the Saul way of leaf bagging. He took a bag and stepping on the inside of either side, then bent over and held open the bag with one hand. He then started shoveling at high speed the leaves between his legs and into the bag! I wish I had gotten a picture of the this, because it is quite a sight! I have never seen Ryan move so fast upside down. Before I knew it the bag was full and the pile was nonexistent! He was right, he did know a better way of doing it, and it did take half the time. I was so impressed with his bagging ability I asked him where he learned do that. He then told me, the faster you get the leaves bagged the faster you get to go play. I was a bit confused, but then he told me that he and Courtney had chores every Saturday, and that they couldn't play until the chores were done. I then got this wonderful vision of Ryan and Courtney as little kids shoveling leaves as fast as their little arms would go, just to get done with their chores.

After the laughter of watching Ryan upside down shoveling leaves subsided a bit, I then tried his way, and not only is it faster, but it makes bagging leaves a lot more fun!

Twilight

2008-11-07T22:11:00.000-08:00

I have started this new hobby of jewelry making, and I love it! There is always something new to try and create. I'm just now starting to feel a bit more confident in my ability, and want to try to sell some pieces. If there is ever a set you like, just let me know!

I'm calling this first set Twilight. The set consists of a bracelet and a pair of earrings. I created this piece to match a new outfit, that is black and fuchsia. The outfit needed something sassy, yet sophisticated to spruce it up! And I think this does the trick. The name Twilight comes from the color scheme. The dark with the touch of fuchsia reminds me of moment in time when the day gives way to night, but gives one last hint of color.

The bracelet has a toggle clasp in pewter. It is made up of gray shell in ovals and small circles, black seed beads, diso black beads, and fuchsia rectangle glass beads. The wire is 19 gauge (Flexability Better).

The earrings are earwire with ball, silver plated.

They are made up of black seed beads, gray shell small circles , fuchsia rectangle glass

beads, on a flat head pen.

I would like to thank Ryan for building the light box so that these pictures are possible. I am able to do so much more than I ever thought because of his faith in me, and all that he sees in me!

Boston Continued...

2008-11-07T15:54:00.001-08:00

Well I thought I'd better finish my post about Boston, so here ya go.

Although Fenway and the Red Sox were our main priority, we did experience other parts of Boston. Once again it was raining so there were a lot of things we wanted to do, but were unable to. So we made the best of the weather and did inside things... that were cheap. Like I said before Ryan did a bit of research before we left to find other things to do in Boston. One thing he found was free tours of the Sam Adam's Brewery. So we hiked it across town and visited good ole Sam.

Now this place is the one that is on those commericals for Sam Adam's but they protray it a bit differently than it really is... the brewery is a small factory in the middle of the Jamaica Plains borro. Although small it was pretty neat. We learned that there are several other breweries and that the one in Boston was the first one, but is now the testing lab for new brews. After the tour, we went into the "testing area" were we were able to sample several of their beers. I however do not like beer so Ryan got some extra samples. I was a good sport though and tasted a few of them. But not to worry, I did not go thirsty! They supplied me with my very own ROOT BEER! I felt a little silly, but I figured everyone would just think I was pregnant.

I was a little disappointed about our tour though cause even though I tried I did not get to see the big bald man with the RED beard! He was on my to see list, but alas he was not there.

After the disaster at Fenway, we decided to go to Harvard Square, and see about getting a sweat shirt. Harvard was beautiful, and a lot of fun. We went to starbucks and got coffee, went into the Harvard book store, and into other cute little shops. Then we made our way to the Harvard Campus. It had actually stopped raining for a little while, and so we were able to walk around and enjoy the area. As we walked around, I could not help but think that other people who saw us thought we went to Harvard... needless to say I felt very smart! To think, Jessica going to Harvard! HA! Not that I'm not a smart person, but I don't think I would "fit in" there. Because Ryan and I flew to Boston, and everything we brought we carried in backpacks we didn't bring a tripod, but we were able to get a few good shots of a steeple there on the campus. It was really pretty. Everything was glowing because of the rain, and the sky was dark but illuminated from the city lights.

After Harvard Square we went to Boston Garden and then to Cheers for dinner! For those of you who have not been there, just a heads up, it looks nothing like bar in the show! It is small and cramped, but the food was good and it was somewhere to sit and be dry.

Ryan and I had a wonderful time in Boston and plan to go back soon. I am so thankful for our family helping make this dream of Ryan's come true. Another thing that was great about this trip, was that we were able to spend time together on a vacation to a place we had never been before. (well that I hadn't been before ;) It isn't very often that we get to go somewhere other than Franklin, and this was the perfect opportunity.

HA! HA! HA!

2008-10-31T20:58:00.000-07:00

BOOBEES!!!!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T19:24:00.000-07:00

Trick or treat, smell my feet!
Halloween is not one of my favorite holidays but I must say that this one was okay. Besides being sick, I didn't have to go to any haunted houses and I wasn't scared by any weirdo's. This was our first time living in a neighborhood and so I was really excited about the trick or treaters. Unfortunately, we only had a few. We live in a rather old neighborhood and there just aren't many kids I guess. Oh well more candy for me! We did however have a lot of fun last night carving our pumpkins and stay up way to late! Ryan carved a great wacky face and I carved a pretty good "Trick or Treat" with candy corn. (if I do say so myself)

Although we didn't have a lot kids knocking on our door, we did have some unexpected visitors. Ryan and I went out side to blow out our pumpkins and thats when we spotted our guests. On the bird feeder next to our porch there were two mice, and another one on the railing of the porch. Obviously they came to trick or treat, just not for snickers and M&M's!

Other than the fact that these guys could cause A LOT of problems they were really cute. Expecially the little guy hanging for dear life on the top of the shepherds hook. Just look at that cute little face!

The little one actually caught in the act, sat as still as he could, but I think he was sneaking seeds into his cheeks when we weren't looking!

I hope everyone had a happy halloween and that it wasn't too spooky! BOO!

(I'll post more pictures of our pumpkins and our night of carving later, we got some cute ones)

Sick

2008-10-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

Well once again I have caught strep throat! But I'm not sure where I got it from this time. It seems like every time fall comes around I inevitably get it. This time was the worst! I started feeling bad Friday with a sore throat, by Saturday afternoon I was down! I did not leave my house until Tuesday night. For those of you that haven't had strep since you were a kid... let me tell you its not like it was then! For adults it is ten times more miserable. You feel like your joints and muscle are fighting against each other, it hurts to move, it hurts to lay still. Your throat burns with the intensity of a thousand suns, and hurts like you had catus bush for lunch. On top of feeling awful your mind is not foggy, like with the flu, and you get cabin fever quick! Give me a migrain anyday!

But not to worry, I am feeling much better, except....

I now have cough, and I'm loosing my voice! What now!! Hopefully it's not bronchitis which also seems to be a yearly thing for me. We are going to keep our fingers crossed on that one!

I hate being sick!!!!

BOSTON RED SOX!

2008-10-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

For Ryan's birthday his family, my mom and I surprised Ryan with a trip to Boston to see the Red Sox play against the Yankees for the second to last game of the season! I arranged for us to stay at a Bed and Bagel in Coolidge Corner. Which turned out to be a charming guest house. Because of the unfortunate weather and our short amount of time we weren't able to enjoy all that it had to offer, but it gave a safe and DRY place to lay our extremely weary heads!

But, before I get ahead of myself I better start at the beginning. As the day got closer and closer for us to leave for Boston the weather report got worse and worse. I, the optimistic, kept hopeful that rain would not ruin our trip! I had kept this trip a surprise for months, and I was not going to let a chance of rain spoil our plans! Ryan however, was not so hopeful, and was his realistic self. He decided a week or two before we even left for Boston that rain would defiantly be in our forecast! Unfortunately he was right. From the time we landed in Boston till we left it rained, and rained, and rained. Despite the rain we had a wonderful time, although soaked from head to toe.

I being a simple girl from TN, am not accustom to the big city life. But I must say that I did well. Boston is one of the greatest "big cities" I have ever been to! Ryan and I became pros at the T. (not once did we get on the wrong train!) Boston has the feel of a bunch of small town main streets thrown into one big town center. Every district had its own feel and characteristics that made it charming and unique. Needless to say I loved it and plan to go back.

One thing that amazed me about Boston (which I'm sure has to due with the fact that I AM NOT from a big city) was that no matter what the weather the streets were crowed with people walking to and from, doing their daily jog, walking their dogs, and old ladies carrying their groceries home from Trader Joe's. It was like it wasn't raining at all. I however was soaking wet, and wishing more than anything I had brought my, oh so ever cute, polka dot rain boots that I got from Target. I now realize that, that situation will probably be one of the few times I will actually NEED to wear them for the purpose they serve. But they were sitting still packed, in the box labeled shoes, dry as can be. Everywhere we went I saw girls wearing their cute rain boots, and there I was with my wet and now stinky new balances.

As for the main purpose of our visit, the Red Sox game, it didn't turn out quite like we had planned but, we made the most of it. Ryan got online before we left and found out that Fenway gave tours before games or on non-game days. So of course that was on our to do list. We got up the day of our game and headed straight to Fenway. Ryan and I bought tour tickets and couldn't wait to finally see what we had come all this way for. As we walked up the ramp to the top level of the park our hearts started to pound. Finally we saw what we had been waiting for... FENWAY PARK! I am not a huge sports person, but there was an indescribable feeling that came over everyone in the crowd as the walkway opened up to the green grass and red seats! We spent the morning taking the tour of Fenway. Ryan and I weren't there for the tour guide and his stories. Ryan had already heard most of them, and I knew Ryan would fill me in on what I missed. We were there to see, touch, smell, and take pictures of Fenway!

So the funniest story of our Fenway tour, came to life from my lack of knowledge of Fenway and the Red Sox. Ryan and I are standing in the stands looking out over Fenway, and he says "oh look Jess it's the lone red seat". I have no idea what he is talking about but I am looking my hardest to spot this lone red seat in the sea of red seats. Ryan is very excited about this seat so I want to make sure that I get a good picture of this notorious red seat. So I found what I thought was this great lone seat and snapped my shot. I was so excited that I found the lone red seat and ran after Ryan to show him my picture... if you look carefully at the picture in the very middle next to the out field wall there is a seat all by itself. Let me just tell you... that is NOT the lone red seat. Although it is a seat that is all alone.

The real lone seat however is in the right field bleachers and marks the longest measurable home run hit inside of Fenway, by Ted Williams. This picture is of the real lone red seat that is the only red chair in a sea of dark green seats! Although I felt very silly, it was very funny! And I am glad that Ryan wasn't so excited about that red seat that I got a picture of, cause I would HATE to sit there!

This post is to be continued...

Blogging

2008-10-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

Okay so I got this great idea to start a blog, but now that I have one I'm not to sure what to do with it. I do however, think it will be fun to share my thoughts, ideas, bits and baubles with those who are willing to listen.

I sometimes find myself hesitant to share what's on my mind, and what is going on in my life. I'm not sure if it because I don't want to seem self absorbed or if it is because I am scared to let people in. I love to listen to others, I like to know what is going on in my friends and families lives. Which may be for the simple reason that I'm nosey! Whether that's true or not, I want to use this blog as a window into my life.