HELLO FROM UNDER THE MOUNTAIN

Today is not a good day. Yesterday was mediocre. I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but life ain't rosey all the time. I feel tired and hormonal and slightly overwhelmed. I have been on a steep learning curve the past week and a half. You know that feeling where you just smile and nod and say "Yes" but in your head you're screaming "What?!". In a way it makes me miss school, where success was tightly defined. Brackets were given for excellence and each peice of work was graded to that scale. Through it all I feel I've been able to keep my head above water. I have accomplished, am accomplishing, things that make me swell with pride (only to be quickly deflated by some new twist)

Not having time to sit and write is stressful as well. I have things I need out of my head. Stubenville! The horrid stay at a Days Inn last weekend! Golf Tournaments! Long days at Disney with children and a saint of an Aunt! But for now I will take solace on this little bitty entry and resolve to make more time in the future.

In other news, though today isn't stellar and business aside, last week really was. I am so greatful for my dear  little Jared. We really do make a great team and he makes me happy to be alive. Also, it is officially summer. I am calling it today folks. Our 3 days spring is over and its 80 degrees out. The first sunburn of the year is fading and the contour has once again returned to a rolling swamp.

P.S. God bless labradoodles

Cheers!

AWKWARD AND AWESOME THURSDAY

Awesome

• The above video is really great. Well played Capitol 360. 
• Disney this weekend with my dear kiddies at Disney. 
• Four year olds who call you with a serenade. Thanks Ashlyn! 
• I got down with some online shopping last night. 
• Birthday apple fritters as big as your head!
• A fresh pedicure.
• Finding a happy birthday pennant and girl scout cookies at my car, thanks Danielle!!!

Awkward

• My dog ate a birth control patch this week. Is that not enough?!

BONNIE'S BRUNSWICK STEW

Sunday we woke up and could barely move out of bed. Placing your bare feet on ice cold floors is rarely inticing. As soon as we got home from church I started dinner. I had just one thing on my mind: Brunswick Stew. I don't know know how traditional my Grammie's recipe is, but it's hearty, tangy and incredibly filling. Perfect with ritz crackers on a cold cold day.

Bonnie's Brunswick Stew

Serves 8 hearty portions

1 LB GROUND BEEF

1 MEDIUM YELLOW ONION, DICED

3 POTATOES, DICED

1/2 TSP BLACK PEPPER or to taste

1/2 TEASPOON SALT or to taste

2 T SUGAR

1/3 CUP APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

2 T WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE

2 T A1 SAUCE

6 OZ TOMATO PASTE

6 OZ KETCHUP tip: fill empty tomato paste can with ketchup to measure

1 CAN PEAS 

1 CAN NIBLET CORN tip: use frozen corn, fill empty pea can with corn to measure

4 C WATER + EXTRA

note: Frozen, fresh or canned corn will work, but to me frozen peas change the taste. Go with whatever you like best!

Dice onions and throw them in a large dutch oven or stock pot. Let them wilt a bit, then add your ground beef.  Brown and drain beef. Add all ingrediants EXCEPT peas and corn. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Simmer 1 hour or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Simmering longer won’t hurt anything, just make sure your potatoes are done. Add corn and peas, simmer 15-20 min.

You may need to add an extra cup of water here. I like a very thick, rich stew, but feel free to thin it out if you’re feeding more people or prefer a soupy consistency. Make sure you adjust seasonings accordingly.

Take off heat and let sit 15 min (optional). Serve hot with ritz crackers on the side. 

COVER THIEF

Today is my birthday. I am having a great day you guys! A fantastic one! Glad to get that out of the way.

It’s been cold here in Florida, colder than it has been all winter. It’s kind of jarring to a girl who’s never seen snow. I realize I am extremely ill prepared for anything below 60 degrees. The heaviest coat I currently own is from Forever 21 for goodness sakes. At least I have a dedicated mini-heater at my beck and call.

Yesterday I came home on my lunch break and found the leftover scraps of a bag of my prescriptions. Gilligan rarely gets into anything, but he cannot resist paper products. They are his true love. Y’all---he had eaten a birth control patch. I flipped out took him to the vet and he was fine.

Last night I woke up in a deranged twist of sheets (like you do) and accused Jared of being a cover thief and a scoundrel. Except it wasn’t Jared, it was Gilligan. He had wedged himself between the two of us and pulled all the duvet on top of himself, snug as a bug in a rug.  Eventually I coerced him into going underneath the covers and after that he literally did not move until I woke him up this morning.

Is it ok to be fully obsessed with your dog? I totally am. He is the best. Ask anybody. Such an awesome little dude. 

BIRTHDAY BLUNDER

For the past two years my bestie best Danielle and I, who have birthdays six days apart, have thrown some pretty rockin' birthday parties. A Publix cake with fudge icing, a birthday headdress and a private room at a private karaoke joint. This year Austin Karaoke was unexpectedly all booked up so we had to cancel most of the festivities last minute. We were, of course, a little (a lot) disappointed  But we still had cake! And a few trooper friends, Limonata, some Guesstures and amateur at-home palm reading. Oh, and Gilligan wore a party hat.