new jeans

First off, I apologize for the quality of this picture. I know it's a little hard to do, but focus on the jeans. I got these jeans at NY&Co because I am trying to dress a little nicer at work. They are a very dark wash and are a little fitted. They look really nice with brighter colors (hence the pink shirt!) as well as with blacks and grays.

self watering planter

I saw a planter at a friend's house one night that he had made out of a wine bottle and decided that I needed to try it!

I didn't take any step by step pictures, but it's pretty easy to follow. 

I cut a wine bottle using the nail polish remover and fire method, then turned the top part upside down and rested it in the bottom. 

Then I took a scrap piece of fabric and lined the inside of the neck, pulling the rest of the piece of fabric through the neck of the bottle so it would reach the water at the bottom.

Then fill the bottle with soil, add a plant, and then your plant is soaking up its own water and taking care of itself!

(For those of you that know me and plants, it's important for me to have self sustaining plants...since I can't manage  to keep them alive!)

way behind

So, I know that I have been way behind on blogging! I was trying so hard to get a few posted a week, but life caught up with me!!

We are currently in the Illinois/Indiana area, visiting family and friends. It's both fun and hectic, since we are driving all over the place to try to see everyone.

We've already visited my older sister in Indianapolis, which was a blast. My younger sister was also able to join us, so all three of us got to hang out for awhile, which hardly ever happens!

I'll try to get a couple of my most recent projects blogged about while I'm on the road and will keep you posted on how the trip is going!

new belgium brewery tour

Alex and I and a few friends went on a brewery tour in Fort Collins, CO. It was a free tour and really entertaining! They gave lots of free beer samples along the way, explained how they make the beer, and told us all about the kinds of beer they make. We got to see the bottling process and hear a little bit about the New Belgium Brewery as a company.

It was so much fun, and completely free! I completely recommend looking up any breweries or other companies that may offer free tours in your area.

white chicken chili

We got this recipe from Alex's friend's mom. There's a lot of prep work, but once everything is chopped it's really easy to toss everything in the crockpot and it's so delicious!

White Chicken Chili
3 15 oz cans norther beans, drained
2 1/2 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken
1 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 cups chopped red pepper
2 chopped jalepeno peppers
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried oregano
3 1/2 cups chicken broth

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high 4-5 hours. Serve with shredded cheese and tortilla chips.

pork with potatoes and apples

This recipe is one of the first dinners I ever made for Alex, so it is always a little nostalgic to make it! It's a great recipe and we always enjoy it.
 
Pork with Potatoes and Apples
pork roast or pork tenderloin
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp dried rosemary
1 onion (optional)
3 potatoes
3 apples
salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Salt and pepper the pork. Heat the oil and 1 tsp of the rosemary in a skillet on the stove and add pork. Turn to coat Arrange onion around the meat, and cook til lightly browned.
3. Transfer the pork and onions to a glass pan and put it in the oven and set a timer for 30 minutes. 
4. Cube and boil the potatoes for 5 minutes. Drain, toss with olive oil, rosemary, and garlic powder (optional) and arrange around the meat.
5. After the 30 minute timer goes off, arrange the apple, also tossed in oil and rosemary, around the meat and cook for 15 more minutes.

Note: Cook in the oven longer for a bigger piece of pork, and increase apples and potatoes as desired.

turtle brownie pie

The other night, Alex and I were craving something extra sweet, and came up with this beauty of a recipe! Enjoy!

Turtle Brownie Pie
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
1/2 package brownie mix
caramel sauce (to taste)
hot fudge sauce (to taste)
1/2 cups pecans (more to taste)

1.  Put the ice cream in the fridge to soften. In the meantime, cook the brownie in a pie pan, as directed on the package. Cool in the fridge while preparing the ice cream.
2.  Put the softened ice cream in a mixer and mix while adding caramel sauce, hot fudge, and pecans.

3. Spread the ice cream on top of the baked brownie. Top with extra caramel sauce, hot fudge, and pecans.
4. Cut and enjoy!!