The Poop Converter

The below article was in the military news paper, Stars and Stripes, today and I thought it was so interesting.  I had to read it out loud to my office then we had a good discussion on the whole poop thing.  I think this is so economical and a great way to recycle and just help out with something that otherwise would be useless.  I think other cities should take the same idea into consideration for their own parks.

I am loving...

Ok, I know I get on these kicks where certain things are my favorites then I move on to something new but these three things have been around for a while so I just had to brag about them so hopefully somebody out there will catch on if you haven't already. 

1. Bakerella- Bakerella is a blog I happened upon when I first started blogging and is a great source for creative baking. Not only do you have a million examples of desserts ranging from cakes, brownies, pies, cookies….all the way to these little creations called cake pops. Below is a picture of what I am talking about. I can’t wait to get home and try some of these recipes! I am sure that mine won’t be as pretty as some of these but I think they will taste delicious. Along with recipes there is also a link tab that takes you into a whole new world. Who knew you can buy candy coloring things that are sort of like frosting I guess. Also you can buy edible decorating pens. I know that I am going to branch out once I get the hang of these little pretties and get really creative.

You can even have a hard copy of some great ideas and recipes if you buy Bakerella’s new book on cake pops. Check it out at your nearest book store its title is Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for more than 40 Irresistible Mini Treats.

Happy Baking

2. Legal Sounds- A friend at my old office turned me onto this music downloading site at the beginning of the year and it is wonderful. It is cheaper than any music service out there and LEGAL. For example, so far I have probably purchases more than 18 CDs for around $1.25 per CD. Now tell me that’s not a bargain. A few perks is that it comes with its own music downloader that doesn’t take a lot of space on your computer, they have a daily FREE song and this isn’t just a crappy song they are very popular songs that you want to have, and last did I mention how inexpensive it is. The music is compatible with iTunes and I am sure other music players. Once your songs have downloaded and are stored in My Music file you just upload them to iTunes and voila you are ready to rock out.

Happy Listening

3. Meatball Marinara Sandwich from Subway- I LOVE THESE CALORIE PACKED SANDWICHES!! I am so addicted. I have only ate these at our Iraq Subway for some reason I am sort of nervous to try it at home.  I know that’s a little backwards but whatever. I think a lot of it is that at home we have a lot of more options that aren’t offered out here like the sweet onion sauce. I love it so when I am at home and I eat Subway that’s what I get but in Iraq…ooohhhh the meatball is the best. I have gotten my whole office hooked. LOL I am such a trend setter. I had one actually this morning around 9 I declared that I needed Subway for lunch so after our conference call that lasted 4 hours I went to get one. I was so yummy. I know I will pay for it tonight when I go run but it was so worth it.

Happy Eating

**Christmas List Cont...**

Well I forgot two very important things that I NEED not just want for Christmas. LOL 

I having been wanted a sewing machine for a while but just have never gotten myself one.  I know I would use it for all sorts of crafty things around the house if I had one.  The one I picked out, figuring it would take care of all my needs plus last me a long while as my creativity advances, is the Singer 7256 Fashion Mate. 

Since I am considering getting a new car I am also considering what all bells and whistles I want on it.  All the extras that come on a new car are really expensive and I have heard that GPS systems that come installed in vehicles aren't as up-to-date as the store bought ones.  So....I have thought about it and decided to get just a regular GPS and then I can use it in my current car (in case I don't get a new one) and also use it later in a new car.  A GPS is really going to come in handy especially if  I get the job I am going for as there will be some traveling involved.  I looked online and so far Garmin seems the best way to go and the Nuvi 1300LM has all the features I want plus a few extras and it is still reasonably priced.

Show Us Where You Live- Master Bedroom

I saw this on a Keri's blog last week and wanted to participate.  I love my master bedroom it's like my own little cozy sanctuary.  I need a few more touches but it's pretty much complete.

 I found my furniture at Ashley Furniture. It is really sturdy and has a timeless look that can last me a really long time.  Has anyone bought furniture lately....it better last a long time because it $$$$adds up$$$$

The sign above the TV says Always Kiss Me Goodnight.  I love that saying and I do live by that rule.  I wanted to stencil the words above my bed and I tried that but being the very un-artsy type it didn't really work out.  But no worries trusty ole Canton pulled through with the sign.  I want to put a flower arrangement on the tall dresser to the right and I need some more wall art.  For now, I love it and I can't wait to get back to my comfy bed.

Caleb's 1st TD

Last night Caleb's 7th grade football team played Canton in Canton.  The score was 40-6 with Canton coming out on top so that's a bummer but the main thing is my brother scored the ONLY touchdown for the Tigers.  I am so disappointed that I missed this special time.  I know he couldn't really enjoy it like regular since his team lost but I think this is the first touchdown of many!!! So proud of you Caleb.  I will be at every game next year.  I PROMISE!!! I love you GO TIGERS!!!

The Transformation

Yes I know I'm about 2 weeks behind but long post kill me I'm the worst procrastinator.  I have before and after pictures of my new casa.  The before pictures show the way it looked before I actually bought it.  Then there is a picture of the same room transformed to my taste.  I could use pictures of the rooms totally empty but I think you can see more of the transformation by me using the old owner's decor vs my decor. I still need a few homey touches like pictures and wall art but that will come in time.  My mom painted every wall in the house a new shade and the floor from the dining room through the rest of the house is new.  Other than that its all just furniture and my own touches.  I am very proud of the way it turned out and just want to thank my family for helping me out so much.  Thanks everybody!

OK down to business the first picture below was the previous owner's guest bedroom.

Now it's my home office.  The picture is a little red tinted, my flash on my camera wasn't working for some reason.  To the right of the picture (which you can't see) is a little built in desk with shelves that go to the ceiling.  This room isn't quite finished yet.  When I get home I want to add a couple of those ladder book shelves and a matching console table and use it as my desk instead.  I also need some decor put up.  I have some really cool ideas for this room centered around all my travels.  I can't wait to fix it up some more.  The over sized chair is so comfortable and it reclines.  Right now other than the chair I only have my cedar chest and a floor lamp in the room but once I get home I will work on it first thing since HOPEFULLY I will be working from home and also doing school.

The guest bath before.

The new and super improved guest bath with a light yellow paint, new mirror (not shown).  I took down the sliding shower doors and replaced it with a regular shower curtain to update the look a little.  It took me forever to find a shower curtain that I liked.  I didn't really know what I was looking for but nothing really grabbed me.  This one didn't so much speak to me either but after 3 weeks of looking I settled on it from Bed Bath and Beyond.  I got the really cool stained glass window from Canton for $10, I thought it was a great find.  I wanted this space to have a warm but clean feel so I just went with off white towels and a matching bath rug.  I want just one more piece to put beside the sink.  I want a blue coral statue thing that I saw at Pier 1 and then this room will be complete. Oh and I forgot the floor is new the old floor was faux marble now its faux wood...much more me.

The living room before.

AFTER- I am really proud of this room. I mean compared to the Plain Jane look it was it has totally been transformed. At first I was going to paint the entire room an orange color but once I saw a little bit of it on the wall I decided it was going to be too much with the brown furniture and other tan tones.  My cousin, Artie, suggested a red and the day I got home from the airport we went to Lowe's and came out with this color.  I love it and I used it in another room also.  It works great with my furniture and just makes everything pop.  I added some brown zebra print pillows I picked up at Wal-Mart to give it a modern edge.  I wanted some sort of iron work above the mantle so I picked up those matching iron whatever they are at Canton.  They were all rusty and what paint was left was chipped.  I worked them over with a wire brush and the my brother hung them from a tree in the backyard so I could repaint them.  I think they turned out perfect.  I got the candle holders from Hobby Lobby.  I want a few more homey touches for the mantle I just don't know what yet. The far right of the picture, which isn't shown, is a coffee table and a bug fluffy couch.  I have to say this furniture is the most comfortable furniture EVER.  You just melt when you sit on it.  I got a great big picture from Canton that is hung above the couch also.  I will be sure to get more pictures of the details later on.  I also need something on the TV wall just not sure yet. Any suggestions? I also am thinking I want a smaller cow skin rug for the area of the floor that is shown but not sure yet. As you can tell I want to add a few more things I just need time to roll around some ideas.

Kitchen Before

The kitchen it's self isn't so different.  The main thing is the floor and the paint is new.  The kitchen and dining room are the same color.  It was suppose to be more of an olive green color but it turned out a little tanner than I thought.  But actually I don't know what I thought because when compared to the paint chip card it matched exactly so anyways its a good color.  A few things that aren't shown are my awesome french country style canisters that I got at Canton for $11 a piece.

Master Bedroom Before

AFTER- Again it's totally different and WAY better.  Before there was carpet that was replaced with the faux wood floor and then a great rug from Lowe's.  I painted only one wall the same color red as the living room and put my bed against the red wall.  I don't have anything blocking the window now and my new bedroom furniture is much larger than it looked on the Internet.  I love it though. Tune in for a new post on my master bedroom for more pictures.

 

Master Bath Before- 2 words WALLPAPER and YUK

Now this is my master bath after I did what I do. I was going for a spa like theme so I settled on a sea foam blue color.  I know sea foam is a green color but this has more blue tones in it.  I love it and it accents all the other decor really nice.  I went with just fluffy brown towels and rugs.  I still need something for the other wall by the tub and I think my friend Rachael is going to help me design a really cool cross to hang in that space.

This wall is opposite of the tub.  I fell in love with this mirror when I saw it on the Pier 1 website.  When my cousin picked me up from the airport we stopped by there and grabbed it.  I also saw a matching leaf decoration and got it.  I love my bathroom it is very relaxing it turned out exactly like I wanted it to.

Dining room before

After- My mom painted and took down that hideous border.  I love it and I think it looks really elegant.  I didn't have any fancy china so when we were at Canton I found a pretty flowered pattern of china and the lady sold every piece for $30.  Just some filler for the china cabinet.  My mom got me the clock as a surprise.  We did have it hanging in the living room but thought it went better there. The light fixture is being replaced when it comes in.  It has been back ordered for about 2 months now.  Once that is in this room will be complete.

Old Floor- There wasn't anything necessarily wrong with it I just didn't like it so before I moved in I replaced it and I am sssssooooo glad I did.

New floor- I knew the floor would change the entire look of the house and it did.  I love it.  My next big thing is the countertops I think I want to go with a dark shade of granite.  It isn't a must just something later down the road that I would like to do.

Before Entry Way- notice the tacky PLASTIC "chandelier" and the wallpaper. OMG!! It had to go...

Now it looks so much better. No wallpaper and we replaced the light fixture.  I haven't decorated this little hallway at all.  I just didn't know what I wanted to do with it.  I have a few ideas now so when I get home I am going to conquer.  Mike has made me a really nice little console table that is going to go in the nook by the front door.  In the picture it isn't shown but it is to the left of the door.  I've made a really great flower arrangement to sit on the table and I am going to repaint another piece of iron work I got at Canton to hang in the nook wall.

So that's it....I didn't show the guest bedroom because right now the bedroom furniture isn't put together because I need to get a mattress set and really there is no decoration in there either, just a new coat of tan paint on the walls.  That will be another project but should be an easy one that I can get over as soon as I get home.

**My Christmas Wish List**

Christmas is just around the corner and I can't remember the last Christmas when I actually wanted something specific but this year I even have a running list.  Hopefully I will get a couple of these items from Santa because I have been a VERY good girl this year :)

The coveted Artisan 5 Quart Kitchen Aid mixer. I have waited forever for one of these and finally I am going to have one if I have to buy it for myself (which I probably will have to) but I don't care.  It is calling my name in onyx black.  Hello cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and other delicious goodies. 

Apparently these are the new/old thing.  New to me old to everyone else.  While I was home Piper and I were hanging out at Rachael's and they got on a conversation about Scentsys.  As the conversation progressed and I tried catching on but I just couldn't grasp what was going on.  I had to call a time out just to have them explain.  Well it is this amazing lamp/candle thing.  I asked them how long this has been popular they said oh I guess about 2 years...shows how much I miss LOL.  Anyways, it plugs into the wall and heats up a little tray on top that you put wax cubes in and it smells like a candle.  They came in all different designs and the wax comes in tons of different scents.  I know my home is begging me for one of these. 

This is probably going to have to be a late Christmas or Valentines Day gift to myself but either way its on my wish list.  The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan.  It's so cute and so economical even though its a small SUV.  I haven't seen it in person yet but I plan on checking it out as soon as I get home and I really hope I like it as much in person as I do on the Internet. 

The Demob "Plan"

First off just let me say that I use the word plan loosely only because so far my “plans” really haven’t worked out with ANYTHING, which I guess has taught me to be less organized. So now back to the “plan”…after buying my house, going home and moving in I really really really didn’t want to leave. I am more than ready to move back home permanently and start my life again. I am ready to have fun, get a dog, work ONLY 40 hours instead of 84, and all sorts of back to reality things LOL. After a 16 hour plane ride back to Dubai I have got a really good idea of what I am going to do. I don’t have any dates yet so that makes it a little less solid because my co-worker is taking a Christmas RR and she doesn’t have her dates yet. But the jest of it is when she gets back hopefully around the 1st week of January I will leave for Dubai for around 4 days. I want to sight see there and do a few things that I haven’t made time to do the million other times I’ve been there. After I get done doing what I want I will demob from Dubai and head home. Once I get home I will only be there for a couple days before I head off to a week long vacation in Curacao. After returning from a tropical paradise I will settle back into life at home and start work the 2nd or 3rd week of February. I have big plans when I get home. School starts January 18th so I will be taking a load of online classes, I already have a really great job opportunity lined up that I hope works out, and I need to find myself a boxer puppy to keep me company in my big, lonely house. I also have a yard to revamp and lots of family and friends who just can’t wait for me to get back. I myself can hardly wait especially after I day like today it makes it that much harder to stay knowing that I am ready to leave. A few things I am looking forward to besides traveling and a couple great vacays are weekends in Fort Worth with my besty Piper, having girls night with Heather, going to Canton with Rachael, maybe weekending it in Florida a few times, drinking a lot of Olive Garden wine with Lara, relaxing on Sundays watching Lifetime with Mom, cooking in my kitchen, going clubbing and dancing, and mainly just being regular again. So Winnsboro and world here I come again in January!!! I CAN’T WAIT! Pray for me that my plan will go as planned LOL.

Knowledge

The only source of knowledge is experience.
Albert Einstein

What's on my kindle and my nightstand

I am totally hooked on James Patterson.  At one time I had around 7 books I needed to read on my kindle.  I read them all and then just didn't know who to turn to next.  My co-worker said she loves James Patterson so I grabbed all his books she had and put them on my kindle.  I am on my 4th book and I can't put them down.  They are easy and GOOD reads. I have around 17 more to read through but that doesn't even come close to completing his bibliography.  James Patterson cranks them out.  He has so many different series and types.  Right now I am hooked on the Women's Murder Club series.  They are fantastic.

One night while I was home Piper and I were hanging out at Rachael's just catching up and of course talking men when Rachael suggested to Piper and I that we needed to read the book "Why Men Love Bitches" it is a self-help/advice book about men and really women.  I don't even question Rae's book advice these days.  I mean first it was Harry Potter and then Twilight the girl knows what's good!  As I was waiting on my flight in Dubai to Baghdad I found the book in the duty free and grabbed it up. I also grabbed another one by the same author called "Why Men Marry Bitches", hey it can't hurt can it.  So as soon as I finish or need a break from James I'm going to hop on over to learning about bitches I suppose.  I will let everyone know how they turn out.  ;)

Nightline Prime: Secrets of Your Mind

Thursday night I watched a show I had been seeing advertise on AFN called Secrets of Your Mind, why we are the way we are.  Pretty much it is an explanation of the way we are by our brains.  Thursday's theme was love and it was so cool and sad.  They show portrayed 3 different couples each a different story and the first story is something I would sssoooo do (if my partner didn't kill me).  The first couple were newlyweds when they traveled 20,000 miles on a motorcycle with a side car down a road that took 8 1/2 months.  The main deal is before and after each of them had a brain scan to see if they were in love, attached, or sexually attracted to each other.  Apparently your brain actually lights up in three different areas for each.  It was so interesting but also sort of weird.  I could go on and on but you just have to watch the show, next week is about killers and what is going on in their brains that make them the way they are. NOT that that is an excuse but it is very interesting and will help the general public understand other's trials not to mention make us wake up and realize how lucky most of us have it.  Check out the clip of whats to come...so cool. 

Blog Challenge Day 30- Whatever tickles your fancy

Moscato- Castello del Poggio

This is a wine that Olive Garden carries and it is the best wine I have tasted and liked. Lara is always telling me about this wine and how good it is but I am not really that big of a wine drinker. If I am going to drink wine it is going to be either white or a really sweet blush just because I don’t like the tart rotten taste that much. OH and it has to be really cold for the first glass or two. So anyways even my mom was swearing by this wine and I knew it must be good after that because my mom doesn’t like any sort of wine. Before I left to come back Lara, Colby, Mom, and I went to Texarkana to eat at Olive Garden and to do a few last minute purchases for the house before I left. Lara saw her opportunity to sway me…LOL I wasn’t in the wine mood seeing it was early in the day so we just got a bottle to take with us. The next night we drank it and I am a believer it is the best wine I have ever had. It is so good and sweet it is almost too sweet and the bottle only has like 4 glasses but whatever. I found a place this morning online called the Wine Mall that sells it. I bought 12 bottles so I will have a stock when I get home. I can’t wait to get home and cook some really yummy food, open a bottle of wine, and relax with my girls.

Blog Challenge Day 29- Hopes, plans, dreams for the next 365

Well this is actually a post that is coming up so you will have to stay tuned but I will leave you with this…….

I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
Thomas Jefferson

Blog Challenge Day 28- Your year in great detail

Ok so I have to say this year has FLEW by. I started this year out in a great way with a trip to Thailand with my cousin Mia. We had the greatest time. After returning from Thailand I got a promotion, a raise, and a new office. In June I went home for two weeks and had an ok time. I had a lot of business to take care of so it wasn’t really much of a vacation. The last day I was home I found a house and set out to buy it. July 28, 2010 I closed on my second home and was ecstatic. Since June, I have been furniture shopping and making my home mine. I went home again in August to move. I had previously planned to spend that vacation period in Paris, London, and Dubai but my house was more important and so I’m saving that vacation for later. I am now back from home once again in Iraq and just working and figuring life out single and fabulous. I will finish out the year here, in Iraq, then……who knows ;)

Blog Challenge Day 27- Your month in great detail

Ok I just refuse to give great detail on this one but I will hit the high points just because my life isn’t that interesting. I went home and surprised my family by showing up a day earlier than planned, I moved into and got settled and organized in my house, spend some time with my friends and family, and then came back to Iraq.

Blog Challenge Day 26- Your week in great detail

Ok my week has been pretty slow and not really much has happened. My first day back to work after returning from RR was Sunday and I was so tired the first two days. I slept so much Saturday when I got back to my room that by Sunday at 1:45 a.m. I was wide eyed and bushy tailed. I finished a book and started another before even getting to work at 5:15. But by 3 that afternoon I was dragging and it took everything I had to not fall sleep at my desk. Monday was a little better but still very jet lagged. By Wednesday I was back to normal. Nothing exciting has happened I have finished up my bit of shopping and now I am just having my SATC marathon. Pretty much every day is the same here wake up, go to work, eat lunch, get off work, go to sleep. EVERY DAY

Blog Challenge Day 25- Your day in great detail

Well yesterday was so boring. I woke up around 4:30 and read until my alarm went off at 5:30. I through myself out of bed and felt good so I put in my contacts and even a little make up, which is VERY rare for me in Iraq usually it is ponytail and glasses. I got to work around 5:50 and started my day. I did my reports, checked OMG on yahoo.com to get my celebrity news fix, and then checked my regular email. After sipping two mugs of hot chocolate it was time to start the Sex and the City marathon. There is an IT drive on our computers that I have a link to that has so many movies and series on it. I found SATC and downloaded seasons 1-6. I finished season 1 & 2 yesterday. I called a friend from my old office and had lunch with him around 11:30. Everyone in my office goes to lunch around 1 but that is way too late for me because I don’t eat breakfast so by 11:30 I am starving. I dropped Wayne back off and headed back to my office to sit through the rest of the afternoon. Dustee and I went to the PX around 4:30 to get a few things and around 6:30 I was heading to my room. After a shower I got cozy in my bed and ordered all my outside furniture for my little patio and the extended patio that is going to be poured soon (hopefully). Below are the pictures of what I got. I can’t wait to get the concrete poured and it all set up for summer. I can see me and my gals out drinking margaritas and sunning ourselves. AWWW the good life! Ok so to finish off the night I watched the first episode of Apprentice and could barely keep my eyes open until the end. Around 9 I turned off the TV and my lamp and headed to dream land. I know I am old and boring by going to bed at 9 but I am in Iraq and gosh there just isn’t much to do… not to mention I had been up since 4:30. That was my day in great detail the most exciting thing that happened to me was ordering my furniture. LOL

Blog Challenge Day 24- Whatever tickles your fancy

It is finally cooling off in Iraq and before I left home it was really nice even raining a bit...finally Fall is coming into view.  I took a poll yesterday throughout my office when I was preparing for this post to ask everyone what their favorite season was.  I got the usual answers mostly Fall and Summer are the favorites.  NO ONE liked Winter as a favorite but I can't really blame them there.  After going through a reasoning conversation that started out with my favorite season being Summer I really discovered that my favorite is actually Fall.  Let me explain: Winter is just not fun at all I mean there are some good factors like warm fire places and my favorite holiday, Christmas, and of course we can't forget my birthday but overall I am just sort of thankful that there is global warming because East Texas doesn't have much of a Winter these days.  I like the cold for about a week but after that I think its for the birds.  Next comes Spring.  I really don't like much about Spring as it brings sneezing and sometimes too much rain and it is just a teaser for Summer.  It's not warm enough for shorts but too warm for the fire place and other cozy comforts of Winter.  Then comes Summer, my second favorite season its all sunshine, shorts, and vacations.  Summer is the fun season and it is always sort of sad to see it end. 

I came to the conclusion that Fall is my favorite mainly because fall food is great and I love cooking.  It is starting to cool off so you can really enjoy being outside and the nights are nice for bar-b-ques and parties.  Its just a sort of perfect time of year when everything seems to slow down.  Not to mention its football season.  So there you have it the first signs of Fall is tickling my fancy!

Blog Challenge Day 23- A youtube video

My favorite video which is in Russian with one line of German.  Once you listen and watch you are going to have this stuck in your head for eternity LOL…..ENJOY

Blog Challenge Day 22- A website

My co-workers tell me I should be a salesman because when I really like something I could sell it to just about anyone. About a year or so ago, I don’t know maybe not that long I can’t really remember but all I do know is that http://www.bing.com/ is the best. The thing I love about it most is that as soon as you land on the homepage you start learning before you even try to find out what you actually needed. Each day there is a new homepage image and they are always the most beautiful, interesting images that you have to find out about. If you haven’t you need to check it out; it is my main go to search engine.  I even have it on my phone. It’s AWESOME go ahead and BING it!

Blog Challenge Day 21- A recipe

If it wasn’t such a sacred tradition I would share the Best Friends Hot Fudge Pudding Cake but……..that is a Megan, Piper, and Rachael special. When we are together we always have to make it; we call it "our cake" and we have been making it since I think around 6th grade and it is delicious. But since I am not going to share that little piece of heaven with you I will share a new recipe that I made while I was home. I keep seeing stuffed pork tenderloin recipes in all my cooking magazines and things but I have never made it. While I was home Lara and I were watching Top Chef and decided that I would make supper that night for everyone. We went to Brookshire’s to grocery shop not knowing what we went for and in the meat section the light bulb went off……….. I could finally make the stuffed pork tenderloin. I didn’t know how or have the recipe but I did have my trusty crack berry (LOL) glued to my hand so the search was on. My phone gave me the recipe in seconds so we got all our ingredients and headed to the house. I didn’t take pictures but all I can say is it was delicious and a big hit with everyone. Besides the tenderloin I also made mashed potatoes, because what meal isn’t complete without potatoes, and steamed asparagus in a little bit of butter. Below is the recipe I used for the stuffed pork tenderloin I highly recommend it to anyone. This would make a great Sunday dinner. It takes about 45 minutes or so to bake so it might be a bit too much for a working girl during the week. The flavor of the stuffing just goes through out the pork as it cooks and it stays so moist.

Ingredients
• 1 (3/4 pound) pork tenderloin
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup soft bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 bacon strip

Directions
1. Make a lengthwise slit about three-fourths of the way through tenderloin; open tenderloin so it lies flat. Flatten to 1/4-in. thickness; set aside.

2. In a small skillet, sauté onion in butter until tender. Add bread crumbs; sauté until crumbs are golden brown. Remove from the heat. Stir in the parsley, sage, rosemary, salt, pepper and enough egg to moisten the ingredients.

3. Spread stuffing on one long side of tenderloin to within 1/4 in. of edges. Close meat and place bacon on top; tie with kitchen string. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.

Recipe from http://www.allrecipes.com/

Blog Challenge Day 20- A hobby of mine

Again, like the talent thing, I am not big into hobbies but I really like cooking so I guess that would be a hobby of mine. I love experimenting with new foods and pushing my own boundaries when it comes to skills and recipes.

Blog Challenge Day 19- A talent of mine

Well I don’t have any spectacular talents. I mean I am good at a lot of things but wouldn’t necessarily call them talents so I pick home decorating. I am no Martha Stewart or Southern Living but I am pretty good and making a home feel cozy and I have my own warm style. I am not that creative so sometimes I miss the obvious but I am getting better. Below is a headboard and one of the walls in my brother and Lara’s bedroom that I did for them last year.

Blog Challenge Day 18- Whatever tickles your fancy

Old country…..I have been stuck on old country since after lunch today LOL! My iPod is going crazy with Johnny Paycheck at the moment. All I am saying is I am in need of a Bud Light, a back road, and a few runnin’ buddies.  I remember just a few years ago I didn’t really enjoy that type of music but as I have grown up and grown wiser I guess my taste in music has also and now I really appreciate it. It does make me miss home and wish I had a dancing buddy and a floor to boot scoot around…….

Blog Challenge Day 17- An art piece

Well, I really like architecture and art but other than a couple college electives I haven’t really had much of a chance to explore and learn a lot about art. The one thing that stuck out in my mind is the Sistine Chapel. I haven’t had a chance to visit it YET but Rome and all of Italy is at the top of my travel bucket list. Anyways back to the topic, I think the Sistine Chapel is just breath taking and that is only from learning a little about it and seeing pictures. I couldn’t imagine seeing it in person I might just cry at the beauty and grandeur. Not only is it stunning but we have to remember it was painted in the 1500s with a paint brush and like one guy…Michelangelo, who was usually a sculpture not a painter. There just aren’t words but if I had to describe it the word would be freaking magnificent!!!!!!!

Jet Lagged

Back from R&R

Well I made it back from home and I am now back at work.  The day is nice and cool and pretty much as perfect as Iraq can be.  I will be posting A LOT soon.  I have to catch everyone up on my activities while I was home which wasn't much other than house.  Speaking of house I have to post all my lovely before and after pictures and I also fell way behind on 30 days of blogging so I need to complete that.  Stay tuned, I am off to the DFAC for a breakfast burrito. YYYUUUMMMM. Have a great lazy Sunday!