Random Wednesday - It came quick this week!

Here's to another Wednesday - and one that came quicker than last week, thanks to Memorial Day Monday!

**Sorry this is a day late. I was having issues uploading the pictures.

1.) As I previously mentioned, I'm growing Romaine Lettuce this summer.  I got to harvest the first batch of it this week - it was so bright green! Ahh, the gratification you get from harvesting your own produce!

2.) I made BLT sandwiches for dinner this week - I used the garden lettuce.  It was delicious! I think I'll make tacos tomorrow for dinner...I'm kind of loving this whole 'domesticated' thing.

3.) Speaking of bacon, I have cooked bacon twice in our new apartment - both times I have set the smoke detectors off. Oops.  I guess the fan needs to be on during all bacon preparations from now on.  Thank goodness the sprinkler system did not turn on!

4.)  I made a "Lint Bin!"  It might look silly to you - but it comes in handy for our laundry room!  I took an old milk carton and cut the top off, but left the handle on.  I've set it on top of my dryer so that I have a lint/trash bin in the laundry room.  I'm slowly increasing my DIY crafting capabilities.

I know it doesn't look like much, but it really is handy!

5.) Memorial Day weekend was spent with my parents this weekend.  We grilled out, played in the hose, shot rifles, got tans, and ate far too much food!

6.) Oh yea, and my little cousin rode her new horse...she's a doll.

My sister was gone all weekend camping with her horse...Taz was jealous he didn't get to go on the horsey camping trip.  He's such a handsome guy!

7.) We finished the weekend off watching the Nascar race hill billy style.  Haha - love it!

8.) The Hubby and I went to Bass Pro Shop for the first time this week (since how we now live 5 minutes away).  I found a chair that was far too big for me...and some fudge!

9.) ...and lots-O-hot sauce!  Like, I had no idea they made this many types of hot sauces!  We're looking forward to taking my little cousins during family camp week!

This one is for my brother-n-law who loves him some hot sauce!

10.)  Since we have moved down here, I am surprised at how busy I have been staying!  Between trying to organize and unpack boxes (STILL!), working on Pampered Chef stuff, and errands, I need food on the go.  I've decided that these are my "food of choice" lately.  I don't have time to sit for lunch - Soup on the Go. Perfect! 

The truth is...when have I ever just sat down for lunch, unless it was planned into my day? Gahh, I may need to work on this...

How did your Memorial Day weekend go? Did you watch Nascar on the porch too?

It's 'Salsa' Time!

Last week, on my Random Wednesday post, I briefly mentioned my small addiction to my homemade salsa.  I seriously cannot get enough of it - neither can The Hubby! I have decided to share this addiction with you.
Addictive Summer Salsa
What you need:
3 Roma tomatoes
1 garlic clove
fresh cilantro - varied amount*
white or purple onion
1T lemon juice
1 jalapeno pepper

What you do:
Chop the tomatoes, onions and jalapeno peppers into large chunks.
Place all ingredients in food processor. 
*Add cilantro for desired taste.  Some people do not like a lot of cilantro.  The Hubby and I love it - so I add a lot.
Add sea salt to taste.

Voila!

It's so easy to make - even easier to eat!

**Try these additions:

In addition to salsa making, we've been cooking a lot of sweet corn! So one night, The Hubby and I decided to spice up the already delicious salsa and add sweet corn and black beans to the mix.  One word: Scrumptious! Although he doesn't think it's a good enough word to describe the awesomeness of this salsa.

Second word: Colorful! Just in case you needed a second word. :)

All together now...colorfully scrumptious!

What do you think?

Random Wednesday - So much random-ness!

It's Wednesday again! I have really come to enjoy Random Wednesday - which I think I mentioned last week.  I have so much random-ness to share with you this week!  We've officially moved to our new place in Ohio and I have been getting us settled in...and taking pictures of all the new things I've discovered in the last week.

Before I begin my 10 items of random-ness (I'm totally inventing a new word), I'm excited to share that All Things Occupied has reached 250 all time views today!  It has increased its views by 100 in the last week! Slowly, but surely, making its climb exponentially. 

So a special shout out to all of my readers! Thank you for taking time to read All Things Occupied.  I hope you are enjoying the journey.  I would love to get an idea of my audience, so please, follow the blog and don't hesitate to comment.  I'm always eager to hear your feedback! Thanks again!  You have helped make this blogging journey exciting and meaningful for me.

...Now onto it.

1.) My grandparents gave The Hubby an electric grill. He's been grilling all week.  I'm happy - because he's been taking care of the main course - and he's happy because he's in grilling bliss!

2.) Eating nightly dinners together makes for a happy family.  I'm so thankful for the time we are able to spend together.  Hard to believe we made it through an excruciating 10 months!

Mmm...grilled chicken and other yummy foods!  I think I could get used to this grilling stuff!

3.) I've been making homemade salsa like its going outta style!

2 Reasons:

a) because it's deliciously addictive

b) because The Hubby loves it - and we now live together again.

Both reasons are very good reasons to make salsa.

4.) In relation to salsa...The Hubby and I started our first mini garden.  We're growing jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, chives, romaine lettuce, and cilantro.  The hope is that we won't have to grocery shop every time we want to make salsa.  Super excited - just praying the herbs and veggies take well!  Anybody have any tips on keeping herbs and veggies alive?

5.) One of the first things we did when we moved to Ohio? Found the Target. Yup - it's my happy place, and it is within 10 minutes. Only thing missing, the attached Starbucks. (This could be a good thing though!)

Target dollar bins - yes!

6.) I'm excited for the summer Olympics.  Every time I see the commercial for VISA I get hyped up. Anybody else excited for the 2012 Olympics?

7.) Shopping at Meijer the other day...they had a half an isle dedicated to Duck Tape.  Yup - Duck Tape. Who would have thought?

I had no idea Duck Tape was so colorful??

8.) So there's this place, it's called YogurtVi - try some. It's the new Coldstone! (but healthier!) So good!

Yogurt Vi and a wishing well...

9.) I have come to the conclusion that I am on a memoir kick.  Currently reading "Heaven is Here" by Stephanie Nielson, author of the nieniedialogues.com. This book is phenomenal! Stephanie's story is inspiring. Her hope is contagious. Her blog is amazing. Read it!

10.) The next memoir: "White Girl Problems," by Babe Walker.  I literally laughed out loud when I read an excerpt. Can't wait to read this one next!

What books are you currently reading?  Have you read either of the above?

What did you do this week?

Packing Saga: Part 2

Here it is, the final chapter of the Packing Saga! 
If you are coming in late, please refer to Packing Saga: Part 1

Oh the packing.... yes, it was a lot. However, I managed to survive and prove to my volunteers that I can, indeed, be all packed up, in boxes, and ready to go, on the morning of 'Moving Day.' 

Yes, me, who is possibly the world's best procrastinator was packed and ready to go on time this time around. 

My mother in law was very impressed!

Here are the necessary steps to completing all of your packing desires:

1.) Organize a group of men to help move the heavy stuff...without the men, I would have left a lot of heavy things behind. 

2.) Make friends with the maintenance men at your apartment complex... free boxes!

Thank you much Mr. Maintenance Man!

3.) Don't hesitate to call mom.  My mother was a life saver! She sacrificed a Friday to spend assisting me in the packing of my kitchen (dun... dun... dun....)!

4.) In addition to having a pot of coffee to guzzle down and share with your mom, don't forget to take a lunch break.  The Hubby and I took my mom to The University Roadhouse (my last visit there before Moving Day).  It was the perfect option.  Not only was the food fantastic (per usual) but I also got to introduce my mom to some of my favorite WMU OT faculty members that we bumped into!

5.) Stack boxes in a fashion that allows for continued movement throughout home. 

Otherwise you will box yourself in...literally.

6.) On the night before Moving Day, DO allow your two little cousins to spend one last night with you in the apartment... they end of being a ton of help in the morning before the trucks arrive!

7.) Set time goals.  I am proud to say that we met all of our goals on time.  I was pleasantly surprised - even with the trucks arriving a little late, 1 lunch break, and 1 potty break during a 3 hour drive!

8.) Keep your cool.

Seriously...see #9.

9.) If it broke, attempt fixing. If it cannot be fixed, junk it.  If it won't fit, send it back.

The world will not end.

I know this for a fact... my 6-shelved bookcase became a 3 shelved bookcase and we ran out of room for our table in our new apartment. 

So far, we're managing just fine without 3 shelves, a table, and 4 chairs.

10.) Locate glassware.

11.) Locate pre-packaged icey beverage.

12.) Sit on patio and drink icey beverage.

Hey, it was almost 90degrees that day, and I was exhausted. I met all of my goals...I think it was well deserved.

13.) Let The Hubby find his grill, hotdogs and grill.

Items 10-13 are also known as the: Take a break and reward yourself phase.


The rest will fall into place shortly.... I am slowly unpacking boxes, arranging and rearranging furniture and dishes. 

We have completed move #2 successfully. Mission accomplished!

PS - I do not want to do this again in 6 months.

Don't forget to follow my blog!

Random Wednesdays

It's time for that part of the week! I am growing to love Random Wednesdays.  My thoughts are sometimes very random - I love that I have created a day for me to blog about 10 random events or things. Best idea ever!

So this is what's happened in the last week...

1.) Okay, I apologize in advance for the product placement - not purposeful, just a big part of my week.  I have begun selling Pampered Chef! I love to cook and bake, so this only makes sense for me.  Why not? I can earn free products! Um...yes, please!

I also think these mini catalogs are super cute. I kind of have this weird obsession with miniaturized things. Anybody else?

2.) Watching Ellen makes me laugh hysterically.  It also makes me think about how fun her life must be! She gets to give away stuff and makes people smile and laugh.  Why didn't I think of a career like that?!

3.) I am finally beginning to feel confident about where I am at with the packing.  Boxes are every where! I promised myself I would be more organized and 'on top of it' when it came to packing this time - so far: Goal Achieved!

4.) My husband SO owes me! He has gotten out of packing...he's doing school or something. Psshh...

(Yes, that was me being funny - I respect and love my husband for all of his dedication and hard work!)


5.) My cupboards are becoming very bare...I refuse to pack a bunch of foods.  So I have been eating weird things for meals lately.  Like pretzels, string cheese, carrots, and yogurt. Yup - as a meal.

Notice the 2 boxes of fudge brownies and 1 box of cake mix?? Yup, I planning that for a meal here shortly....

Seriously...that's all there is in our cupboard. I refuse to go grocery shopping.


6.) Fudge brownies brings me to my next thought... I've been doing this new Jillian Michaels workout. (Funny how the thought of eating brownies brings my mind back around to Jillian Michaels).  It's a great workout! I love the combination of kickboxing, yoga and cardio.  What type of workout do you enjoy doing?

7.) I like birds.  I hope that we have birds by our new apartment.  I have just started feeding the birds here and I love the variety of birds that we get to our patio: Cardinals, Blue Jays, Finches, Sparrows, Robins...and probably more.  Those are the ones I recognize and know the names of. They have eaten an entire suet block in one week! I bought it last week and it's gone already - as of yesterday! Crazy, hungry birds!

8.) It is bizarre to me that this time next week I will be living in a different state.  I cannot believe that this time has come already.  I have my first visit to the first clinic I will be working at next Tuesday as well.  I am really looking forward to this!


9.) Have you all heard of the new reality show, Duets??  Can I just say...if I see one more music reality show, I might puke.  It is getting a bit ridiculous. Are you all on the same page or do you disagree?


10.) I just ate Qdoba for dinner. I just found out that we won't be living next to a Qdoba anymore. I enjoyed every bit of that dinner! Now I am stuffed.


Have a great night! This time next week, I'll be blogging from the Buckeye State!

Please Follow

So, I'm going to throw this out there... I need followers.  My husband cannot be the only one reading this blog - he doesn't even like to read!

Why you ask?  Well, I'm considering making my blog private.  If I do this, then unless you are following the blog, you won't be able to read my posts anymore. This means recipes too! Also - I would like to see who my audience is.  I know I have some... I have over 150 views already. (And I doubt my husband is that excited about my blog).

It's easy, if you have a gmail, yahoo, or twitter account - you can sign in using those already existing accounts.  If not, you can enter in your email address.  That's it! Easy, peasy!

I appreciate your support and your reading of my blog. 

Now, don't make me use the puppy face....okay, too late....here comes the puppy face.

I warned you....it's hard to say 'no' isn't it? :)

Yummy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Taking a packing hiatus to bring you the recipe for sweet potato fries.  I recommend you take your own personal hiatus and make these yummy (and healthy!) sweeties right now!

Yummy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Rinse and clean sweet potatoes  - 1 large sweet potato was enough for myself and my husband. Plan accordingly.  I don't peel my sweet potatoes - but I have heard of some people peeling the skin.

Cut sweet potatoes into half and then into long wedges.  Don't cut them too thin, they will get mushy, but not too thick or they won't cook all the way through. 

Like this...

Take a large gallon Zip Lock bag and pour in 2-3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil into the bag.  You want enough Olive Oil to coat the potatoes, but not too much, it will make them soggy. Nobody likes soggy fries!

Next, add a little bit of sea salt, rosemary seasoning, and cinnamon. 

Place cut potatoes into the Zip Lock bag and shake...this is almost as fun as eating them!

Pour out coated potatoes in glass baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Waiting for them to bake smells so good!!

That's it! Easy, simple, delicious!
Enjoy!

Random Wednesdays

 Agh, it's Wednesday already! How did this madness happen??  This is a good time to point out that for the next week or so, I may appear MIA with all of this moving 'stuff' going on. But enough about that, let's get onto it...

1.) We officially have our forwarding address! I only about lost my mind twice, but we finally have a place to live! This makes for a much less stressed version of myself and much happier version of my husband (as he has to deal with the stressed, not so nice, version of myself). 

2.) Visiting family, celebrating birthdays, and riding horses makes me a happier person.  It just does. Simple as that.


3.) Babies eating cake...it will forever be at the top of my list of things I love watching.

4.) Have I mentioned how much I dislike packing?  (See the Packing Saga: Pt 1)  Officially 10 days out from Moving Day!! Ughh...packing...

5.) I made a shadow box for my husband this weekend with old lures he got from his dad.  He loves it. Now my dad wants one. Perfect idea for father's day this summer! (Watch for upcoming 'How To' post).

6.) I am aware that I have not posted the recipe for sweet potato fries yet...I apologize.  It's all part of the 'MIA' thing I was talking about.  Blame it on the packing...

7.) While packing/cleaning/organizing this week I found two birthday cards: one from me to Luke and one from Luke to me. Same cards. That's love!

8.) Color Run update: the Ann Arbor Color Run has already filled up! Crazy - I know! My husband and I were the only ones who signed up before the race filled up (by 'only ones' I mean, the only ones from the team we established - which no longer exists).  So, Luke and I will be participating in a 5k together (The Color Run) for our 3rd anniversary. Just the two of us, with cheerleaders waiting for us at the end of the race to take pictures of us and all of our color-ness!

9.)  If it wasn't for my Addie-tized office, my data entry job would be way more boring than it already is.  Thank you Addie for your smiling face plastered all of over my desk!

10.) I think I need a cookie now...

Random Wednesdays: Something New!

Hey look! Something new!

This is the part of the week where I ramble about 10 random things that happened in the last week. Look for this posting every Wednesday! :)

1.) Just registered for The Color Run this summer with my husband, my mom, and some friends. Let's go team!

Let's get our color on!

2.) I just discovered the hillarity of Betty White's: Off Their Rockers. So. Funny! I cannot stop laughing.  My neighbors probably think I'm crazy.

3.) Grapefruit. Just do it. (See all of the health benefits here.)

Mmmm...even the smell of grapefruit makes my mouth water!

4.) I adore this little nugget!  I cannot get enough of her smiles and kisses! I can't wait for when we move to the Toledo area and we get to take her to the zoo!

Best god daughter ever! Seriously, she's the best!

5.) Got happiness? If not, pick up Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project.  Solid stuff.

We could all use a little more 'happy.' Get some!



6.) I can't get enough of this Blueberry Sun Tea. 

It's delicious.

It's good for you.

It's green tea.

It's blueberries + antioxidants

It's good for you.

It's delicious.

Did I just make a Haiku?????

7.) I made sweet potatoe fries this week. Delicious!

(I really need to find a new descriptive word for food...Really, really good? ....Fantastic? ...Yummy? ...Scrumptious?) 

Yes, I made them for myself.  Yes, I plan on posting the recipe.  Yes, you will love them!

8.) Biggest pet peeve living in an apartment?  Even more than waking me up in the middle of the night because you insist on standing outside of my window talking: smoking outside of my OPEN window. Thank you for the second hand smoke and for forcing me to close my window when it is so nice outside.) Yuck.

9.) Love. Warm. Weather. It feels so good going for a run outside.  I have missed this. Thank you rain for stopping long enough for me to get my runs in this week - outside!

10.) Shout out to my fellow OT classmates! Hooray on a job well done! Next stop, graduation!

Delicious 5-Cheese Spinach Artichoke Dip

Happy May Day!!

Here it is, my long awaited recipe for my Delicious  5-Cheese Spinach Artichoke Dip.

The origins of this recipe came about out of frustration of the current spinach artichoke dip recipes available.  I wanted a dip that was creamy, cheesy, and did not contain mayo.   I wanted a dip that met my taste buds, not someone else.  Thus, the Delicious Spinach Artichoke Dip was then created.

Here's what you need:

1 can of artichoke hearts
1 package of frozen spinach
2 garlic cloves
1 block of cream cheese - I like to use Philadelphia's Low Fat cream cheese...but original is good too.
1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 c grated Romano cheese
1 c grated mozzarella (set 1/4 c aside)
1/2 c Alfredo sauce - you can make your own, or I really like Bertolli's Alfredo Sauce.
Diced tomatoes (optional)

Did I mention cheesy? Yeah, cream cheese!

Here's what you do:

Thaw frozen spinach and rinse.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Drain and chop artichoke hearts
Combine thawed spinach, artichoke hearts and block of cream cheese in a mixing bowl. 
Mix until creamy consistency.

Don't worry - it will get even more creamy and cheesy before it's done!

Either dice or use garlic press to press garlic cloves into bowl.  Then mix it up some more!
Grate Romano, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses. 
(You can cheat with the Parmesan and mozzarella cheese if you must).
Dump (Yes, I'm using the term 'dump' because there is so much cheese!) 1/2c Parmesan, 2/4c Romano, 3/4c mozzarella cheese into the mixing bowl. 

(If you add more mozzarella, I won't tell!)

Pour in 1/2c Alfredo sauce - mix it up!
Pour cheesy, creamy goodness into baking dish.  It should have a thick consistency and be 'mold-able.'  Flatten out the mix and then pour on the remaining mozzarella cheese. 

Now, sometimes I add diced tomatoes for color and flavor.  It's good...but not everyone likes it.  If you want to add tomatoes, you can do 1 of 2 things: 1) mix in diced tomatoes throughout batch or 2) just place a few pretty little diced tomatoes on top as a garnish.  Either way, it looks pretty!

Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly golden along edges.

I have taking this to family gatherings and it is always gone by the end of the night.  I have also recently made it right in the crockpot.  Instead of baking in the oven, I placed it in the crockpot on low for a few hours.  When it becomes the right amount of melted + golden brown, I then turn the crockpot down to 'warm.'  This technique worked great!  It was a barn party.  I needed to keep my dip creamy and cheesy, the warm crockpot allowed for the desired consistency throughout the night!

And there you have it! Delicious 5-Cheese Spinach Artichoke Dip! Mmm Mmm delicious!
Enjoy!

**Next time I bake this, I will be sure to take pictures of the process and post.  I love recipes with pictures, but I didn't have any at the time...and I couldn't wait to share it!