Soup's On!

I am soooo excited!! Today I made my first pot of soup!! I have never been much for soup...something about vegetables floating in juice was never that appetizing to me until mom introduced to me wild rice potato soup. As my dad would say "ooooooo weeeee!!! If you put a bowl of that soup on top of your head....your tongue would be slapping your face to get to it!!!" So today I thought I would try my hand at it and all I can say is "oooooo weeeeee!!!" I like to learn to cook it's just soooo hard to cook for one and with a college schedule and budget, it is not that easy to find things to cook! My friend Laini and I have decided to cook together more often in order to cure this problem...thursday night I am introducing her to eggplant!!! I will post about that later this week.

But here is the recipe from www.cooks.com (come on now it can't be that hard...if a college student can do it, then you can do it)

CHEESE & POTATO WILD RICE SOUP

2 c. cooked wild rice

1/2 lb. bacon or ham, cut into pieces

1/4 c. onion, chopped

3 cans cream of potato soup

4 soup cans milk

2 1/2 c. Velveeta cheese, cubed
Fry bacon and onions until bacon is crisp. Drain excess fat. Place soup into a saucepan. Stir in milk, fried bacon and onion, cheese and cooked wild rice. Heat and stir until cheese is melted. If desired, garnish individual servings with a carrot curl. Serves 10 to 12.

**Because I have been dieting, instead of regular bacon, I used turkey bacon. And don't be afraid to overcook the bacon...no one likes chewy bacon in their soup (crunchy is much better). I also left out the onions (yuck!). And instead of 4 soup cans of milk I substituted some of it for low-sodium chicken broth (mom's idea), and I didn't use quite that much cheese just because it can get fattening...but it still tastes great!!

I'm sending some home with my sister today, so we will have to see what mom and dad think for a true opinion on the soup!!!

Bon Appetite!!!

Yearbook Yourself

The new fad flying around college and facebook is yearbookyourself.com I saw everyone else's pictures and I had to try it out! You just go to the website, upload a picture of yourself, and pick your year!!

Here is the one I did...but there are several to choose from...from the 50's to 2000!!

Game Day 3

After another long exhausting week it was nice to kick back and go to another Fightin' Texas Aggie Football Game!! This week the Ags took on the Army...and yes we won!!! ((21 to 17)) WHOOP!!

Today was Military Appreciation Day which was appropriate considering the Corp was taking on the Army. They had a lot going on to pay contribute to those defending out country. To open the game several military men parachuted into Kyle Field.Then during halftime, the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band played tribute to the military followed by the Corp marching in carrying a HUGE American flag that covered the whole field! This week, was our largest group with 11 of all sitting together we had a great time despite the heat!! Did I mention that the game started at 11:30...which meant we were out there in the middle of the heat of the day?!?!? I think the heat might have been getting to us at this point!

We were sitting on first deck this week...which made it soooo nice when it came time to leaving...have you ever been trapped on 3rd deck at the end of the game...talk about miserable!!!

I finally did it!! I stayed the whole entire game!!! I was soooo excited...it has taken me 3 years to build enough endurance to stand the whole game. (( I will be paying for it tomorrow though))
I learned a new tradition today (since I finally stayed the whole game) the freshman corp run and chase the yell leaders and then carry them off to throw them into fish pond...it was definitely fun to watch!!

Game Day 2

The BFF from the Valley...Priscilla

With Bobby and Tito

The Prairie View A&M Band performed during halftime and man were they good!! They would put down their instruments and start dancing or several times dance with their instruments...it was fun to watch!!

We saw several Miami fans today...but this has to be my favorite!! We chased him down because after seeing his ensemble we had to have a picture!!

So I don't have too much to say about the game today :( but I did enjoy spending time with Priscilla, Tito, and Bobby!! I had plans on volunteering in Houston today, but the church I was suppose to help with closed it down for the weekend so they could have church services. Needless to say, I didn't get to go and I had already given my football ticket away! Now I had no plans for my Saturday!! But Tito to the rescue...John Deere gave him tickets on 1st deck for his birthday and he had an extra!! Happy Birthday Tito!!

Happy Birthday Lindsey!

It's Lindsey's 17th birthday so here are 17 things that I love about my sister!

1. She always gives me fashion advice...even if I didn't ask for it

2. If you need to get somewhere she won't let anything get in her way of driving...sidewalks, bicycle paths, curbs, mailboxes

3. She is strong-willed

4. Lindsey is creative...when it comes to mom's art talent she was the lucky one to get it!

5. She always has an encouraging word when I am down or upset

6. She keeps me updated and always has the scoop about what's going on at the house

7. If I have a craving to sing and dance...she is the first one I would call...she is down for it!

8. Although I am the big sister she's pretty good at teaching me some things too...like how to play tennis!

9. She is patient with me...back to tennis. Even though I stink (but I haven't hit my car in a while) she will still go out and play with me

10. Lindsey can always provide a good laugh (most of the time its unintentional)

11. She's a cook...and not a bad one either. She loves to make sweets...brownies, sopapilla cheesecake, rice krispies...mmmmm it's all good!

12. Lindsey doesn't care what others think about her. She someone obsessed with pleasing others by the way she looks or drives or wears. She is real and does what she finds to be fun no matter how goofy it may be

13. She is thoughtful.

14. Lindsey loves to give...at Christmas she is on the lookout for the best gift for mom and dad

15. She knows how to show me the moves...Lindsey knows that I can't dance and have no rhythm but she tries to help a sista out!

16. Lindsey is considerate. From when we were little i remember Lindsey would always let me watch my favorite tv show even if it was her day to choose.

17. She is the best sister I've ever had and wouldn't trade a minute of it for the world!

I love you little sister and I hope you had a great 17th birthday!!

Oh College

Whew I am exhausted!! The past 2 days I have had not 1, not 2, but 3 tests!! Late nighters, early mornings, coffee, power bars, energy shots....oh my oh my it has been a week.

I think the profs must get together and plan all our tests to hit at once...it never fails!!

Usually I can handle a few lost hours of sleep, but man I must getting old because this time it really hit me hard! The twenties is just a whole other whirl wind.

Signs of my tiredness...

Early this week as I was sitting at a red light this bread truck pulled beside me. On the side of the truck was a beautiful club sandwhich, decked with bacon, turkey, cheese...oh it was a site! (can you tell I have been dieting???) I was so into this picture, thinking of how I haven't made myself a club sandwhich in a long time and no matter where you go...you cannot beat a Walker's club sandwhich!! The next thing I know I am in reverse going backwards...I immediately start flippin out!! Pressing the breaks as hard as I can...checking to make sure that I was in drive. I didn't know what was going on! As I look up and try to figure out what was happening I realized that I wasn't in reverse...the bread truck was driving forward!! Oh what a relief it was...I have already had my wreck for the month...I by no means needed another!!!

After my all nighter last night and a doctor visit, I head to school to take 2 tests. Relieved by the end of the day because I am done for the weekend with 3 tests behind me I begin to look for my keys...but they are NOWHERE to be found!! Great...how big is A&M there is no telling where I put those things!! Can we say frustrated??? I hear my mother's voice in my head...where was the last place you had them?? So I begin to think about my day and then it hits me! Early today as I sat on the bus this cute guy sits across from me!! Ooooo he was cute! I kept catching myself looking at him...awkward!! Because I didn't want him to think that I was looking at him, as soon as my bus stop came I bolted like a little school girl!! Leaving my keys behind! Low and behold I had found them on the bus!!

Well I am glad that this week is over!! But I can't slow down yet! Saturday I am volunteering in Houston to help with Hurricane Relief Stations, then babysitting from 6:30 to 11:30 that night and Sunday is powderpuff practice and volleyball intramurals!!

I will post more about those later!!

A Red Carpet Affair

Hurricane Ike made it especially difficult for planning Jacy's Suprise 20th Birthday. But we were bound and determined to not let mother nature ruin Jacy's night of leaving the teen years!!! Because we thought we were going to have to cancel it...it turned out to not being a suprise, but we had just as much fun with great friends!The theme was a red carpet affair. Everyone wore black and white...except the birthday girl who stood out in yellow

It turned out to be a great night...and since Jacy and many of the party goers are from the Houston area it was a great way to take their minds off so many worries and give Jacy her birthday that Ike wasn't gonna take away!!

But thoughts and prayers are still nonetheless with those victims...including family in Madisonville without power still!

Happy Grandparent's Day

College has gotten me sooo busy...school, work, gym, and of course the social scene...I wonder why is there only 24 hours in a day??? I have really tried keeping in touch with my grandparents a lot more. Today was Grandparent's Day, so in order to celebrate I drove to Houston this morning to go to church with Grandma Tricia and then take her out for lunch. We had such a good time and I love getting to spend time with her. Growing up, Grandma lived in Madisonville for a good bit, so I would see her very frequently, but since moving to Houston it's harder to keep in touch, but it only makes those visit much sweeter and precious. Many may know that Grandma raised 6 boys! How she did that...I do not know, but what I strong woman she is that I love and admire. She has a beautiful Christian spirit, and a huge heart filled with love for her 6 sons, 4 daughter-in-laws, and 8 grandkids!!


I often have comments on my accent and asked where am I from? I always say Madisonville, but I know that much of my country accent and background is based from my mom's parents. My memaw and pawpaw add a unique flavor to my culture that I am very proud of...straight country!! Words like down yonder and britches cannot be replaced...it's a language of their own that I enjoy! What grandparents build an outhouse, give you the nickname of Punky Brewster, teach you how to ride a four wheeler or send you crawfish fishing with bacon on a string...MINE DO!! I love my Memaw and Pawpaw and hate that I don't get to see them near enough.

I hate that I don't have pictures of my grandparents to post, but don't worry next time I see them we will be taking plenty of pictures!

Home Sweet Home (Finally)

Here is my new bedroom!! I have had soooo much practice in decorating my room since I have moved so many times here recently! But this time my dad brought most of my things up on Friday, so my mom hasn't seen the finished product...just an empty room. This means that I had to put things up and place things on my own (before mom was always such a huge help in positioning my furniture). I am so proud of the way it all came out...I love it!! But don't worry mom...when it comes time to get my own home you will be much needed!!!

This is my favorite spot in the room. There was already a built in desk and shelf which I love...so much space to add pictures and new bought decor from Hobby Lobby :) But above it I bought vinyl letters from Hobby Lobby and put up the "love you from the inside out" This is such a beautiful worship song that I love! I heard it for the first time and thought what a beautiful prayer that would be. That night and all that week I made that my prayer...learning to love christ from the inside out, not a surface love. 4 days later, Christ took something out of my life that I thought would be there for a very long time. I was devestated to say the least. A few weeks later I was at Breakaway when they played this song again and I couldn't help but to weep. I remembered from a few weeks earlier when I had made that my prayer and God had answered it by removing what was quickly replacing my love for Christ. God answers prayers! Although that was definitely not what I had wanted or thought that was what I asked for, as many months have passed since then I have seen God move.

Here's my bathroom! I still need to be on the lookout for my Paris decor to add into the bathroom. But I did find this sign at Hobby Lobby that quotes Philipians 4:8..."Whatever is noble, pure, right, lovely...think on these things." This is my sister's favorite verse and she has it written up in her bathroom so she sees it each and every morning, so I had to get because I too find it beautiful!!

The one problem with the new apartment is there is so little shelf space, so I had to purchase a shelf to add to the wall to hold my hair supplies and you guessed it...it came from Hobby Lobby too (have I mentioned that I absolutely love Hobby Lobby???)

And here is my wad of necklaces that sits on my counter with no place to go. I took this picture as a friendly hint/reminder...Mom I need one of your necklace holders!!!

A Sign of Getting Old

Everyone knows my mom is talented and loves painting and now even jewelry making! But this isn't a new discovery. For as long as I can remember my mom has painted. In fact you know how you always hear stories from parents or grandparents how their parents made all of their clothes...well my mom painted all of my clothes!! But anyway of course she had to get supplies from Hobby Lobby...oh how I dreaded making those stops. All those breakables which made mom even more on the edge while we were in there or the strong smell of the fake flowers so when you got too close it made you want to sneeze just made it an unpleasant shopping experience.

Now that I am 20 and have a place of my own...oh how I love Hobby Lobby!! I can spend forever in that store and they always have the best sales!!! Today I racked shop in there...to where I finally had to walk through the jungle of flowers on my way to the register so I couldn't see anything else! But I am very excited about my finds and will post pics soon of my room and bathroom all completed!!!

But for now...back to work!!

I've Been Tagged...Here's the Strange!

Write 7 strange characteristics about yourself. They interest us all!* Tag 6 other people at the end of your Post.* Visit everyone that you have tagged and leave a comment on their blog to let them know that they have been tagged.

1. I was probably the only 10 year old who told Little Susie to Wake Up or knew that Chantilly Lace had wiggle in her walk and giggle in her talk. And I bet no other 7 year old knew about Little Egypt coming out strutting wearing nothing but a booooooow or that Charlie Brown...he's a clown! Needless to say I was brained washed on the oldies from when I was little!
2. I cannot drive with shoes on! I love love to be barefooted!
3. This week marked the 11th time that I have moved. Nope, you are not seeing double there is really 2 one's...ELEVEN times!
4. I love piercings. If it wasn't for my dad, I would certainly have more than what I have now. The adrenaline ruse is amazing. It has made me a lot better with my shot tolerance. Shots and giving blood is an ease!
5. I love to flex in the mirror...especially after I've been working out.
6. When it comes to close spaces or rooms with no air circulation...I flip out! I feel like I cannot breathe and go crazy!!
7. I may have been one of the only kids that did not like spaghetti or macaroni and cheese. As of today I still don't like them and would take a hot dog over a steak ANY day of the week!