Saturday, January 21, 2012

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

I hope you all had a great week! Mine was nice. It was just long and stressful. Ah, the life of a last semester nursing student :) My husband, Christopher, told me Thursday that we were going to have company tonight. YIKES! So, I totally freaked out because I had a 160 question HESI Friday at 2P. The list of to-dos was piling up with tasks that needed to be done before the guests arrived at 6P.

Instead of cooking a full meal, we are making snacks. I know. YUMMY! Chris made his buffalo chicken dip :) and I made barbeque cocktail weenies in my beloved crockpot and.....chocolate covered pretzels.

It was my first attempt at making these, so I was kinda nervous at how they would turn out. I was praying they would be perfect. Well, at least that the chocolate would stay on them.













Here's what I used:
1 box of Baker's semisweet chocolate squares.
1 bad of Kroger sour dough nuggets
wax paper on a cooking sheet
valentines sprinkles

I prepped my chocolate first. I ended up using a total of the 5 out of 8 squares in the Baker's box. While they were in the microwave for 1 minutes, I spread wax paper out on a baking sheet. I then opened my bad of pretzels, and two at a time dipped them in the chocolate.

Here's a trick I learned: To get excess chocolate goodness off of the pretzel, use a fork.

I made about half of the pan regular chocolate pretzels, and then I wanted to add more pizzazz. After I dipped some pretzels into the chocolate and removed the extra chocolate with my super handy fork, I added some Valentine's Day sprinkles to them. There are lips, hearts, and cute black dots on them now.













Here they are!! My finished product.
They are now cozied up with blueberries, strawberries, apple slices, and cheese and crackers in one of my favorite Tupperware display pieces.

If there is anything you want to ask me, talk about, or for me to try please leave me a comment, and I'll gladly make the request! I hope you all have a perfect weekend

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken-weight watchers

Happy Tuesday, everyone!
I joined Pinterest in June/July, and I hve been addicted since the very beginning. While I was browsing this morning, I found this crockpot salsa chicken recipe, and I knew that I had to make it.

The original post came from: http://www.recipe-diaries.com/2011/05/21/crock-pot-salsa-chicken-weight-watcher-recipes/

The recipe called for

1 16 oz can of Salsa
3 frozen chicken breasts
1 package taco seasoning

It is just Chris and me, so I don't want to make too much, so instead I used

14 oz of my 16 oz can of salsa
2 frozen chicken breasts
1/2 packet of taco seasoning




















After putting the 3 ingrediants into the crockpot, it cooks on low for 5-6 hours, and then you shred the chicken. ENJOY!!


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Last First Day

It is SUPER hard to believe that this day is finally here! Today marks the day of hard work and dedication thoughout the years. Today is my last first day of college. It seems like yesterday that I was walking across the campus of The University of Alabama to my very first class on my very first day of my college career. Speaking of this university, a HUGE congratulations is in order! Yesterday, we as a Crimson Nation won our 14th national championship!! This marks 2 in my college career! The same is said for my father. He ran track at UA, and he was there for the '78 and '79 championships! To celebrate this achievement and because I have so much pride in my university, I have 2 items that I cannot wait to purchase.
NEW - Saturday Soiree...Ruffler Dress with Removable Sash...Size 3, 6, 9, 12 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12
AND
Womens Fioni NightWomen's Influence Bow Pump
My Mom told me that these could be my birthday present!! I take after her with several things, but one main thing we have in common: We LOVE bows!

I hope you all have a beautiful day! Always find happiness in each situation.
If there is a topic you would like to talk about or questions you would like to ask me, please share :D

Last First Day

It is SUPER hard to believe that this day is finally here! Today marks the day of hard work and dedication thoughout the years. Today is my last first day of college. It seems like yesterday that I was walking across the campus of The University of Alabama to my very first class on my very first day of my college career. Speaking of this university, a HUGE congratulations is in order! Yesterday, we as a Crimson Nation won our 14th national championship!! This marks 2 in my college career! The same is said for my father. He ran track at UA, and he was there for the '78 and '79 championships! To celebrate this achievement and because I have so much pride in my university, I have 2 items that I cannot wait to purchase.
NEW - Saturday Soiree...Ruffler Dress with Removable Sash...Size 3, 6, 9, 12 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12

Sunday, January 8, 2012

The Road to Opportunities

What an incredible Sunday!! Chris ran the sound at our church this morning, and I joined in on the live stream for the 9AM service. Worship pulled on our heart strings. Sound was a tiny issue this morning for the live stream, and I remembered that I had not read my devotional from Friday. I chose then to read it. Here's an excerpt:

"My husband, Bill, loves his coffee. But along with his love of coffee, Bill also has a habit that can be very annoying - his aversion to getting the coffee mugs into the dishwasher. I find coffee cups every place imaginable: in the garage, in the car, in the truck, in the closet, on the sidewalk, on the deck and patio, in the shop, in the office, on the stairwell, in the bathroom—you name it, and I have probably found a coffee cup there. It is a good thing we are authors and speakers because we love collecting the coffee mugs from all the churches where we speak and all the TV and radio shows on which we appear —and we need every one of those mugs!
I am not a coffee drinker really. I might drink a nonfat latte, but for the most part, coffee makes my heart race, and I prefer that only Bill makes my heart skip a beat! Bill says I am naturally caffeinated by God and it takes Bill drinking three cups of coffee just to keep up with my energy. On the other hand, Bill has an internal homing device that helps him spot a Starbucks green awning!
How did I handle the mugs issue?
Appreciate the Difference: Coffee is a part of what makes Bill - well, Bill! One day, as we were preparing to move homes, I was doing that “last load of dishes” and I realized it was all coffee mugs - 47 of them to be exact! It made me smile because years ago, I decided to pray for Bill every time I saw one of his empty displaced mugs. I was seeking to apply the principle “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). I have embraced the ever-reappearing-dirty coffee mug with fond affection because it reminds me of my hard workin’ man who requires caffeine to do all the wonderful acts of service that benefit so many – including me."
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends/?gclid=CL_Bx5Pfwa0CFVCR7Qod4HnRBQ

Chris was able to hear the message from the pastor, and as we texted through the message we both connected.
Now, the reason that is such an important thing is because right now we aren't too sure where we will be headed. The company that Chris works for lost their contract, and the company that won the contract will be offering him a job soon, so we will know if it will be a pay cut, the same, or even more than what we are used to. Chris has let a couple of friends here share his resume for jobs here, but he has applied to the company that he has worked for for several of their out of state districts. Depending on what happens, we could be moving out of state, and it is even a possibility that I will be finishing my last semester of nursing school without him here.
These conclusions haven't been easy to come to, and discussing the possibilities and sharing them with our fathers hasn't been the easiest either. We don't know when we will know what is going to happen, but we do know that we are provided for. We have no doubt that God will use us to do great things wherever we are. All we can do is trust in Him, not be anxious, and fully let go of trying to be in control of our lives.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phillipians 4:6

Friday, January 6, 2012

A New Year

A New Year and my very first blog! I am beyond excited to finally start a blog and share some highlights of my life with you.

2011 was a PERFECT year!
1. I finished my first full year of upper division nursing school
2. I made some very close friends
3. I married my best friend
4. Chris and I have worked more on communication, and we have come a long way
5. We led a lifegroup on Walking with God
6. I learned that I could cook and not burn the house down
7. My mother in law gave me my first sewing machine
8. I cooked my first full holiday meal
9. I found my passion- Obstetrics
10. I'm now the healthiest I have ever been and I rededicated my life to Christ

I can only imagine what this year will hold. In May, I will graduate with my BSN. I plan on taking some time off, and then, maybe go back to school to be a midwife. Chris and I are not sure exactly what will be thrown in our court, but with whatever happens, we know that God is in control. We are hoping for a little one soon, but of course after I graduate!

With whatever happens, I will share our journey with you, and I can't wait for you join us!