Brown Eyed Girl & Her Beau

Breakfast Sandwiches

>> Tuesday, October 27, 2009 – breakfast, recipe

The other day I stumbled on this fabulous website called the Food Gawker. Ya'll this site is pretty incredible! I found several recipes that I have used since and this one was so simple and a definite pleaser so I had to post about it. We are normally in a rush in the mornings, I mean who isn't these days? There's not a ton of easy grab n' go food that will keep you full until lunch and that is also somewhat healthy. Well I saw these breakfast sandwiches and knew I had to try them. I made them last Monday night and they smelled so good we almost had them for dinner. Here's the recipe : Breakfast Sandwiches. I've never made eggs in the oven or in muffin pans for that matter so this was a first. I wasn't too sure how they would turn out, but I was pretty happy with the end result!

eggs

turkey bacon (also used sausage patties)

english muffins (you can use biscuits too)

throw bacon on muffin

add egg with cheese*

wrap sandwich up with saran wrap

sausage and bacon english muffins

12 breakfast sandwiches!

*FYI: I sliced the eggs in half because they were about half the size of the english muffin. They didn't fit too nicely, so I just went ahead and sliced them so they would fit a little better on the muffin. You could also use miniture bagels and the eggs would probably be perfect. I also did the same with the mini sausage patties. They were pre-cooked so that made it much easier.

I put 6 in the fridge and the other 6 in the freezer. I made them last Monday night and we still have about 4 or 5 left! It's been so easy to just grab them in the mornings and either nuke them before we leave for work or zap them in the microwave when we get in the office. So perfect and so delicious!! I got 2 BIG thumbs up from the Mr. on these! They didn't take more than 30 minutes to make and assemble. Super easy and you have breakfast for 12 days! Enjoy ladies :)

Pumpkin Patch

>> Monday, October 26, 2009 – Chester, I heart Fall, Pumpkins

This weekend was awesome! It was busy but we had the best time. I wanted to show off some pics we got while visisting our local pumpkin patch. We took Daisy last year - see here - and she LOVED it. We got some really good pictures of her so we knew we would have to take Mr. Chester this year. I mean, it's only fair. We left big sis at home though. We both felt so bad doing this because she loves car rides. You say "Daisy, you wanna go on a car ride!" and she goes beserk through out the house jumping around! So we had to sneak little Chester out. It was really pretty intense, but I think it worked. I can't believe we are having to sneak around our dogs! What has our life come to? Anyways, we got to the PP and there was immediately a swarm of kids around him. He is quite the cutie, so I can understand :) But one kid in particular kept jocking in on my shots with my little man! Hello, where were the parents with this one?? He was literally in several shots with me and Chester, except for the one I posted without him in it! I do believe we got a few cute ones though. Of course, Aaron took the best one and he has since bragged to me incessantly how he took the best shot and I'm the one that's supposed to know how to use the camera better. Whatevs! It happens. I'll let him gloat for now. Behold our second annual pumpkin patch pictures (say that 5 times fast!)

See the kid!!! He was everywhere I tell ya!

This dog loved him some hay! He would not stop rolling in it.

Framer!! Yes this is the one A took. Props to you A!

loved this barn....

Aww, I love it! A little poppa, son bonding :)

the loot!

I hope yall had a good weekend! It was beautiful here all weekend. Now it's raining here today. No fun, but at least it held off for Monday, right? It's been a great day so far. Both bosses are out of the office and I just got back from lunch with my main squeeze! Can't get much better than that.

No more drama!

>> Tuesday, October 13, 2009 – drama, work peeps

Mary J. said it best

I've been thinking about this topic for a while and seeing as it has become a more normal occurence since being at my new job I thought I'd share. At my prior job, I worked with a majority of men. Now, I am lucky enough to have a few women around the office and actually work directly with one of them. We've become really close and I respect her tons. There's just one thing. Sometimes women can be a little moody. I know, shocker! I feel like maybe I was desensitized to this matter after working with all men and kind of having to shift my thinking process and hormones around to fit that environment. Not that I'm an over emotional person to begin with, but I feel like I started thinking more like a man after working with all men. Make sense? I'm normally a "go with the flow" kind of gal. Well, the same can not be said for some I work with, unfortunately. I don't know what it is, but when someone of authority asks me to do something my normal response is "sure." Now, some could say I'm a weenie and I need to let someone know when enough is enough, but I would just rather not cause any drama and deal with it. I've never been pushed to the point to argue back with my boss and I hope it doesn't happen. Well work friend (WF) does this. A lot. She tends to get rather riled up and kind of freaks out when she reaches her point. Which is totally understandable, but sometimes I think it's a little coo-koo! And I don't mean little freak outs, we're talking loud, to the point where me and a few others in our offices can hear her. The other day when it was happening I had to walk over to WF #2 and talk with her because I didn't want to hear it anymore. And then when the freaking out is over with, the tears start rolling along with the "I'm going to quit, I can't do this anymore!" Imagine hearing that within your first 3 weeks of being at a new job! Talk about "what in the world did I get myself into??" Now, I love this girl. Honestly, she has the best heart and is the sweetest person ever, not to mention a riot! She is a a single mother so I know she has a LOT more stress than I can even imagine. But I'm worried that all the men that work here might think we are all crazy! "We" being women. Men don't seem to tolerate a lot of whininess and complaining. I should know, I'm married to one! I just hope they don't group me into being like that. I know I can get my feelings hurt pretty easily and I have gotten upset about work things before but I normally just make Aaron listen to it :) I can't imagine blowing off at my boss! She has worked here longer and seems to be closer with both of our bosses so I'm sure that's why she feels like she can say certain things to them or act a certain way. I just worry about what others think (i.e. VP or Pres) as they are walking down the hall. There's just a lot more drama here than I've ever dealt with before! Also, when WF #1, 2 and I go out to lunch it is a constant gossip session. It's always limited to 2 people in our office that they both dislike and I get to hear it all! I get so tired of it sometimes. Can't we all just get along?? I understand being irritated at someone pushing your buttons, but to waste an entire lunch hour talking about them! You've obviously allowed them to get under your skin and they've set up shop for a while. If I don't like someone, I certainly am not going to sit around and spend my time talking about them. That does nothing but piss me off more! I guess as long as I keep doing what I'm doing and try not to get wrapped up in it all then I'll be fine.

I know you ladies have some work drama too! How do you deal with it? Sometimes we all need to do a big Woohsah! Come on, do it with me "woohsah, woohsah!" All better, right?

Semi-interesting post (with a recipe!)

>> Monday, October 12, 2009 – Fall, football, soup

Hello again!! Wow, I've missed this blog and all my readers...that is if I still have any since I've been a complete slack! I don't even want to go over how many days since my last post. All I know is that it was in September and that is way too long ladies! Sidenote: Whenever bloggers take long breaks I always think they're pregnant. I don't know why, but it's been kind of a running theme in blogland. FYI, I am NOT pregnant in case any of you think the same weird thoughts I do. I've just been a terrible blogger! Sorry!!

This past weekend was a little wild and crazy. My husband is an Aggie. I don't know if there are many ATM readers on this blog, but they are pretty die hard football fans. This past Saturday ATM played OSU. OSU and I go way back. I was born in Stillwater, OK and I have a slew of relatives that attended OSU. In the past I have cheered for OState, since that's what I was told to do or I would be thrown out of the Will! But this year, being the first game we've attended since being married, I decided to support my Aggie husband and I semi-cheered with him. I didn't full on cheer and holler because my sister was sitting next to me, cheering for Ostate, and I was worried about taking an elbow to the rib from her. So I was calm and kept my composure. Poor Ags lost. Either way, I was fine with the outcome! Then we went on to tailgate. And it was quite the tailgate. We had a huge turnout despite the fact that it felt like friggin Alaska outside! When does it ever get that cold in Texas in October? Oh that's right, when I go to a game wearing a very thin sweater (no worries, the Aggie bookstore was there to help as we dropped almost $200 on fleeces between Aaron and me!), and flats where the wet grass and cold air seeped in without a problem. I may or may not have gotten frost bite on my toes. Regardless, we had a great time and it was nice to let loose and have some fun with all of our tailgaters!

Sunday morning I woke up and did my 8 mile run. Yes, you read that right. I ran EIGHT miles! Some of you may remember that I am training for a 1/2 marathon! 8 miles is the most we have done so far and it felt great to cross that run off my schedule!! I felt amazing for the first hour or so and then hunger pains hit and it was downhill from there. I'm actually surprised I was able to keep going. It was the weirdest pain and made me nauseous. I knew I only had a little less than 2 miles to go so I pushed through. But man did I feel awful when I got home. I didn't get sore though so that was a plus. The miles are getting up there which means the race is approaching faster and faster! I never thought I would be able to run 5 miles straight let alone 8 and I did it! It just goes to show that running is a huge mental game and you can do it if you believe it!

I finally got up from the couch around 1 and made cheesy chicken corn soup. It is delicious and an absolute staple around the house when Fall arrives. It's been a favorite of mine and Aaron loves it too now. I decided I would share the recipe since it's one of the easiest soups and it made enough so that we could freeze it and eat again this week! Who doesn't love that?!?

Cheesy Chicken Corn Soup

3-10 3/4 oz cans cream of chicken soup

1-14 1/2 oz can chicken broth

1-16 oz. Pkg frozen whole kernel corn

2-C chopped cooked chicken

1-10 oz Rotel

1-8 oz Velveeta cubed Cheese - I used reduced fat and it tastes the same

1- garlic clove minced

1/4 t pepper

Stir soup and broth in a dutch oven (or big pot) until well blended; add corn and remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over med heat. Reduce heat and simmer stirring often 30 min or until smooth and heated through. You can serve or let cool and pour into containers and freeze up to 1 month.

Serious deliciousness in that soup right there! I'm almost craving it right now. Wish I would have packed it for my lunch! I threw a few tortilla chips on top and served it piping hot! I'm sure Frito's would be good too or whatever you can think up!

I hope you all are having a great Monday. Not sure if "great" and "Monday" really go hand in hand, but nonetheless! It's dreary and rainy here and I wish I was back in bed.

Mi casa es su casa

>> Tuesday, September 29, 2009 – bedroom, house, mantle

This weekend I did a little shopping for the house. I had made up my mind that I was going to re-decorate my mantle area so I was on a mission. I was so not in love with what we had and I felt like it was just kind of thrown together without much thought. I was going to go the Pottery Barn route, but thought I would hit up our Marshall's Home Goods first. Umm, have you all been to a Home Goods before?? It's pretty amazing. I took some PB magazine clippings for ideas and 2 1/2 hours later I was standing in line with a basket full of stuff! I went with a whole new theme or style for the mantle than what we had before. I absolutely LOVE it!

I figured while I was snapping pics I might as well invite you all into my boudoir as well :) We got the Morgan bedding from PB for our wedding (white) and then added on some zebra pillows and shams. Then I saw the Simone bedding that came out this Fall and just knew it would be the perfect pizzaz to add to our room. Ya know, liven it up a little. Aaron was very skeptical of my idea, but I ordered it regardless. Now that it's all put together he understands that this little lady just might know what she's talking about. It's probably my favorite room in the house now! Love Love! We painted the back wall or accent wall a deep brown when we first moved in and I think it really makes the bedding stand out. We also added some of our wedding pics above the bed. This was done completely on the cheap. Michaels frames and I printed up the pics (8x10). The two French doors go into our bathroom. I will show that on another day when it's a little cleaner :)

More goodies that I picked up at Marshall's. I love the copper pumpkin. I can't wait to get our real pumpkins this weekend at the pumpkin patch! We took miss Daisy Mae last year with us and she loved it so this year we are going to take mister Chester. Can't wait!

I just HAD to get this for A when I saw it. He always talks about wanting to go visit Ireland, aka his "homeland" and this book was too pretty to pass up. He of course loves it. And has spent some time perusing the pages and telling me where he is going to take me. One day soon, hun!

I hope you all are having a fantastic week!! I feel like there is so much going on right now and I'm trying to get it all out and posted but the new google picture upload is not my friend....or else I'm just really dumb. Needless to say, this post took me FOREVER to get up and running. I could not seem to figure out the whole placement of the pics. It's kind of weird. Aaron has been on me about waiting too long to blog so I tried doing it last night and 10 o'clock rolled around and I was no further than I was when I started! I'm hoping I will learn all the tricks as I go.

G's Birthday!

>> Monday, September 21, 2009 – birthday, i love my family

This past Saturday was my beautiful little sister's 9th birthday! I love this little girl so much and I had the best time celebrating with her. She spent the day bike riding with some friends on her new sweet purple bike; which I don't have a pic of, but it was pretty awesome, and swimming. Later, at her request, we went to a little Italian restaurant that just so happens to be the same restaurant Aaron and I had our rehearsal dinner at. She has loved this place since the first time she took a bite of their delicious macaroni and cheese. You can tell from the pics below that she was on cloud nine the entire night. Check out her adorable peasant top and skinny jeans! I had to get her some dark skinnies! She LOVES them. And my mom bought her some stylish black flat boots which completed the outfit! The kid raked in on outfits. Lord knows she didn't need any more toys or games so we were all instructed to go the clothing route, which I happen to love! She has such a fun/funky style right now. Reminds me a little of me when I was her age. I loved the mismatched high tops and sideways ponytails. She also has dreams of being a fashion designer and has actually sketched out some stuff and pulled out pages from magazines as her inspiration. The girl is going places!