If I Won the Lottery...

I wasn't going to do a post because I have been in the worst blogging funk. Well, it isn't really just blogging. I am just not on my game. BUT, little miss Beth hosted this link up and well, why not dream of what I would do with a couple million dollars.



(1) Pay off all my credit cards and student loans. Probably put some of it away too for savings/future/when I grow old.
(2) Buy a house with lots of land around. Maybe a farm. In the middle of nowhere.
(3) Pay off my parents' debt and their house. Pay for the pool and garage they have wanted to put in.
(4) Donate to a few charities. Definitely pay it forward. 
(5) Take a trip to Spain.
(6) Hire a personal trainer to workout with me 5-6 days a week. 
(7) Pay off my brother's debt and give him some extra spending money (dependent on how much I won)
What would you do with your winnings??

Pinterest and All That Jazz

So I was rudely awoken this morning, an hour before my alarm clock was set to go off, by a very sharp flash of lightning followed by a loud, house-shaking boom of thunder. Yeah, good morning to you too mother nature.

Because I am still in a weird mood this week, I am choosing to link up for Oh How Pinteresting! I've never been shy about my obsession and this week is no different.

Source: someecards.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Isn't it most woman's dream for BOTH?

Source: delightfortheeyes.tumblr.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Beautiful sunset picnic

Source: Uploaded by user via Jackie on Pinterest

Love this outfit! Casual and simple.

Source: modcloth.com via Jackie on Pinterest

That cuff could go with the outfit above it

Source: Uploaded by user via Jackie on Pinterest

Beautiful lyrics by George Strait. I hope to someday have a love like that.

Source: myfavoritesonglyrics.tumblr.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Great song by Randy Houser. Date for 2 underneath the stars...

Source: tayszebras.polyvore.com via Jackie on Pinterest

I like this outfit too. Maybe not the BACK of those jeans, but the idea is great.

Source: Uploaded by user via Jackie on Pinterest

The cutest. Baby Wranglers?!

Source: bumpsmitten.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Waffle bar for a shower/brunch.

Source: pinkpug007.tumblr.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Just love this engagement photo (even if I am not even close myself!)

Just a few of my fave pins. Check out my pinterest page! :)

Bad Blogger

(Before I start, please take a moment to donate to the Red Cross for Oklahoma. The devastation is heart-breaking to see and my prayers & thoughts are with the communities who have been affected!)

I've been a little behind this week in the blogging department. It's only Tuesday but I have no posts planned except for Thursday (and I still have to write that one!)

A major monkey wrench was thrown into my future plans on Friday and it started making the wheels turn in my head. 

I still have a job. I didn't lose it. But I basically now know that I have no real full time future there. Which if I can be blunt, really sucks. 

I liked this job. A lot. And without going into too much detail (because I'm not into bashing people...I've been there before but the truth is, karma can be a b*tch), my view is now skewed.

The big questions is: What. Now.

 For the past 6ish years, since I moved back to CT from NYC, I have always had in the back of my head that I was going to move away from CT. I wasn't like a lot of my high school friends who were putting their roots down in the town we grew up in. 

Don't get me wrong, I see no issue with this...if that's what you are into. I don't hate my hometown. My family lives here. But, I just never saw myself settling down here. 

But, where do I go? Back to NYC? Probably not. As much as I love that city, it wouldn't be the same experience in my late 20s and money being tight. Cost of living is outrageous too. I haven't lived anywhere else besides CT and NYC...so how do you go about finding a new home when you wouldn't be moving for a job or a spouse/significant other?

I jokingly told my mother this past weekend that I was going to run away to a ranch or farm in the middle of nowhere and work there the whole summer. Minimal cell service, little to no tv...my technologically obsessed side of me would freak out but it probably would clear my mind in a way I've never had happen.

Of course, that is me speaking off the cuff and just spewing a form of subconscious diarrhea. I also know that moving, whether to a major metropolitan city or the middle of nowhere, isn't going to rid me of all my problems. 

After this very long post, I was hoping I'd get some sort of epiphany. Hello wishful thinking! This life has been one heck of a journey, and it just took a nice right hand turn that I wasn't expecting. Time to look at what I want out of a job and where I call home.

Any advice for me? I could use a little :)

Sunday Social: Summer Summer Time

Thank you to those who reached out to this weekend when I was having a crappy time. I appreciate it :) It's Sunday, which only means one thing...Sunday Social.

1. What is your favorite kind of surprise?

Hmm. The ones that really catch me off guard. A surprise letter or package in the mail or flowers,, something that shows that the person is thinking of you and really know you. I don't get much in the way of flowers these days, but I do get nice letters and stuff in the mail from friends :)

2. Flowers or Chocolate?

Depends. I love flowers in Spring and Summer because it is just part of the season. But, I do love me some chocolate all the time. ha.

3. What is your favorite summertime activity?

Going to the beach and/or being outside in the sun. yeah yeah, skin cancer, but if I put on sunscreen, it is the best.

going to baseball games

outdoor drinking

 bonfires/fire bowls

4. Do you have any vacations planned this Summer?

Interestingly enough, not at the moment. But with the current happenings in my life, I have been thinking about taking a single girl vacation to the middle of nowhere like, a ranch in the middle of Montana. Sounds crazy? Yeah, that's because it would be. But, right about now, I need something like that to change things up.

5. Favorite Summer Holiday?

July 4th is usually pretty good. I've had some interesting ones...childhood to now...usually involving someone doing something dumb with fireworks. Thankfully no one has ever lost an appendage.

6. Dream Vacation?

Right now: a beach in the middle of the ocean. Like Bora Bora or Fiji.

A Saturday Post?

Say what?

After the short, not so sweet post yesterday, I felt that I needed to post something a little more positive. Here are just a few things to follow up...

First...

I immersed myself in a great book and while I drank a beer instead of tea, it had the same effect!

Second...

While what happened yesterday wasn't quite an end per se, it was a very definitive answer to where I stood in a certain situation. 

Third...

I realized that I am going to have to make some pretty major choices in the next few months and while it scares the ever-loving-crap out of me, it is necessary for me to find ultimate happiness.

I know I have been vague. I am still reeling from what happened yesterday because it raised some big questions in my mind about what path I am and where I am headed in life. I was thrown for a bit of a loop and now I am just trying to sort through what my next steps are going to be. Please be patient with me. 

If you are having weather like we are having here, enjoy it and have a great weekend :)

Not TGIF

I had other plans for posting today but I am not in the greatest mood, I don't want to spread the negativity. Let's just say, things didn't work out for me with something that I was excited for and looking forward to and now I am not only incredibly disappointed, but also not sure what the next step is. I already had my meltdown today in the car. Just seems that when I thought things were going good...they took a nose dive. So forgive me if I don't post a full post today.

I sure hope that the old saying "when one door closes, another one opens" is true...

Single Girl Eats...

I had a "ah-ha" moment last night while eating dinner for a new segment here on the bloggy-blog. I don't know about you, but in the past when I have looked for recipes for 1-2 people, I almost always come up empty.

When thinking about this, I realized one of my talents I am willing to admit to is that I am good at cooking. I am even better at making meals for 1 or 2 people. Right now I don't quite live alone but I am responsible for most of my meals.

So why not start a series where I share my knowledge and skills (not including my knife skills...chefs would cringe if they watched me chop an onion. I get the job done though without missing a fingertip!).

The recipes and tips aren't just for the single girls/guys like me who are sick of take out. Couples and families can adapt and use them also!

I won't tell you here how to make a million dollars and hire a personal chef, but I can tell you some things that have worked for me to making my meals quick endeavors. I prefer to not be in the kitchen for 8000 hours slaving over a stove/oven. Less than 30 minutes is ideal. 20 or less is better. Prep is a huge part of it, but I slack on that often too. 

Today's Lesson: KITCHEN STAPLES

These are must haves for ANY kitchen, not just the single girl. If you don't have a well stocked pantry, fridge, and freezer, you are going to be reaching for the chinese menu and phone quicker than ever.

SPICES/SEASONINGS

Now don't go thinking you have to have something crazy in the mix, but the basic essentials include: onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme, curry powder, cumin, etc etc. Can you go crazy and have chinese 5 spice or garam masala or turmeric? sure, knock yourself out. But you won't be cooking with them nearly as much as the others.

GOOD COOKING OILS

I personally use olive oil and coconut oil for most of my cooking needs. I also have cooking spray on hand too, because sometimes you don't need that much oil.

BROWN RICE

QUINOA

WHOLE WHEAT PASTA

I always have ziti and spaghetti on hand. I am not gluten free, so adjust to your needs obviously.

MINCED GARLIC in a JAR

I personally like to chop my own garlic, but if you don't think you will use it enough, they sell jarred minced garlic in water. Brilliant invention, the flavor is slightly different, but it is super simple to use.

ONIONS/CARROTS/CELERY

Called mirepoix in cooking terms (and you thought I had no idea what I was talking about!), it is the holy trinity base for a lot of food. Plus- the carrots and celery are great to snack on. haha.

FLOUR

HONEY

GREEK YOGURT

I use greek yogurt in lieu sour cream. It is healthier and you get a dose of the good stuff that is in it. It isn't quite the same flavor as sour cream, but it works. Buy fat free, plain for the best versatility.

CANNED TOMATOES & PASTE

Obviously these can be used to make marinara sauce (like this one here) but it can be used in so many different dishes and sometimes is better than fresh tomatoes.

CHEESE

I know. The most board statement ever. BUT, I usually have on hand 50% Reduced Fat Cabot Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese, reduced feta cheese, and occasionally part skim mozzarella (which can be frozen)

CANNED/CARTON BROTH (BEEF, CHICKEN, VEGETABLE)

Try to find as low sodium/low fat as you can. When you use the broth in a recipe, it adds a nice flavor that may not be there if you used just water. 

CORN & WHOLE WHEAT TORTILLAS

I make sure these are frozen because there is no way I can eat an entire package of 12+ myself. I take out only what I need. I will talk about how the freezer is your best friend another time.

CANNED BEANS

Look again for low sodium (or no salt) and make sure it is packed in water, not oil. These can be used in a wide variety of recipes.

I THINK that is it. For now. Obviously, there are other things you need to have on hand such as fresh vegetables, fruit, and meats/proteins, but I think those aren't as necessary to always have on hand.

And because I did say that I would give you recipes, here is what I had for dinner last night. It is SUPER SIMPLE to double for more than one person, but this is how it is for one.

Italian Ground Turkey and Rice

Ingredients: 

1/2 green bell pepper

1/4 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

1-2 tsp olive oil

2 tbsp tomato paste mixed with 1 cup warm water

1/2 tbsp dried oregano

1/2 tbsp dried basil

1 tsp dried parsley

pinch salt and pepper

4oz ground turkey

1/2 cup cooked brown rice

Optional: 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese

1)Add olive oil to saute pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Saute in the oil until onions become translucent. 

2)Add ground turkey to pan and cook until no longer pink.

3)Add tomato paste/water mix and spices.

4)Cook until entire mixture is bubbling, about 5 minutes.

5)Serve over brown rice, top with mozzarella cheese.

(You can also use this over pasta or spaghetti squash)

(note: I am NOT a photographer, so you will have to do with my iphone photos for now)

What kinds of recipes/tips would you like to see in this feature?? I want as much input as possible to maximize the usefulness!