Listing and checking off goals

2015 is the year I have made some lists and goals on what I would like to check off the bucket list. One of the first goals on my list is to become a social media manager to many.

 I want to beef up my social media presence on all levels, work and personal. I also want to build my social media portfolio. As of right now I manage the family business (AGademics), I manage my father's construction company (Calabretta's Construction) and I also mange my work's  social media (TX A&M Agrilife Extension- Wise County) It seems like a lot but it is but at the same time I think I can add more clients that pay a little bit more than what I am getting now. I enjoy what I do for them and I want to be able to expand my portfolio to a few more people. I would love to stay with the Agriculture community but I am not opposed to those outside of the Ag world. I will be posting links to all of those I manage that way if anyone is interested in having a social media manager they can see what I have been up too. 

www.agademics.com

www.calabrettaconstruction.com

Cowgirl chic for the birthday girl

Every little girl needs a teepee. Especially one growing up in Texas. I was inspired by a local mom who posted the most amazing teepee for her little one but WAY out pf my budget. But thanks to finding the best fabric ever in Wearherford and the wood on town and I had this done over the weekend. I just need to make some throw pillows with the extra fabric and Landry will be all set. 

Fall Beauty Swap!!

I am so excite to participate in this Fall's beauty swap! I was paired up with the nicest person from Montana, Tana Beswick of Cow Camp Craziness (www.cowcampcraziness.blogspot.com) I have came to LOVE her blog and getting to know her via email and instagram. She takes the best pictures of her life on the ranch. I was more than excited to go shopping for Tana and send her a goodie box to Montana!! Here is what she sent me and I love it and I have been bragging to everyone who will listen.

1. Neal's Yard Remedy is a facial mask that Tana totally recommends doing it on a weekend or Wednesday I can't wait to try this out. This weekend got away from me way to fast. But I love the way it smells.

2. Clinque sample has "like mink" duo eye shadow and "cupid" blush. I am wearing the blush and shadows now and I LOVE how they are neutrals and can be everyday looks.

3. Nivea lip gloss is AWESOME it has SPF in it and I love that cause I am not a huge lipstick girl but I love this. And my lips don't feel all goopy

4. EOS lip balm is something I have been dying to try and I was so excited when I saw this in the goodie bag from Tana. I make sure this is always with me. Even when I rocking the diaper bag.

5. I have been hearing all about Jamberry and have never tried it. I was excited to see this. Cause like most I suck at painting my nails and I don't even dare to try to do my own artwork on my nails. I am excited to rock theses.

I can not thank Tana enough who shipped this awesome goodie bag out to me and to Crystal Cattle for hosting this through her blog. I look forward to this all the time.

Another baby food trick

I have no idea where this idea came from but let me tell you I love it and so does Little Miss. 

 

She hates picking up over ripe bananas to the point she would smash them and make a mess or just not eat them cause she couldn't pick them up. Well here is the genius idea, I smashed up Cheerios into crumbles and put her banana pieces in the Cheerios and now it's easier for her to pick up and eat. So simple yet awesome cause now she is eating her banana not wasting them

Love this time of the year

Time flies

Almost three years ago to the date I went and interviewed for my now job and got it. It was true that Texas was calling and I finally answered the call and I have loved every minute of it. I am where I was susposed to be and found the man I am susposed to grow old with. 

It's  amazing in the short 3 years how much has changed. I came to Texas as a single lady with no care in the world just wanting a change and a new job. Fast forward I am now a wife, mother, step-mother. I still have my job and I still love even with all the bumps I might have with it.  

I can't wait to see what the next three years have in store. And if they are going to filled with just has much adventure. 

Fall inspired wreath

Thank you again Pinterest for my newest craft project. My husband and I like to have front door decorations and I just made the cutest one I think yet. What's so nice about this wreath is that I can easily change out the color of the ribbon and the fabric tufts. It's all in with just pushpins. I'm so glad I am crafty and not spending WAY too much on this. I spent a total of $18 dollars on this wreath and I've seen them on sale for $35 or more on different websites. 

So proud

I made pancakes for Landry is morning after a morning of fails the other day I found a recipe that works and totally can be changed up for different flavors. 

 The recipe is: 

1 whole super ripe banana mashed

2 eggs

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

Mix & make on a greased griddle. 

I'm saving the leftovers and popping them in a microwave for another time. 

New Favorite Recipe from Wheel n Deal Mama

Found on wheelndealmama.com

Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole
What you need:
2lb chicken, cooked and cubed (actually used 1 whole pre cooked chicken & shredded it up)
1 box (10oz) Rotini noodles (used whole wheat 1 box was too much for the 3 of us)
7-8 slices of Bacon cooked and chopped up
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tbsp flour
1 cup of Milk (I used 2%)
3/4 cup of Ranch Dressing
 3 tbsp of butter (I didn't use butter I left little bit of bacon grease in the pan instead)
2 cups of Mexican Cheese Blend
1 small can of Green Chile  (I added canned corn instead to add veggies)

How to make Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole
Cook your chicken thoroughly, I tossed it in the oven covered at 375 for 45 minutes, but time will vary depending on the size/thickness of your chicken. ( I totally skipped this part thanks to my precooked chicken)
During the last 10 minutes of the chicken cooking, make your bacon and make the noodles per directions on the package. Set both aside once done. Oh, and chop up your bacon.
Chop your chicken into bits.

Mince your garlic cloves.
Preheat the oven to 350.
Keep a small bit of your bacon drippings in the pan.   Cook the garlic cloves and butter just  until melted (don’t brown). Toss in the chicken and the flour and cook for about 1 minute mixing it all together. Dump in the milk and ranch. Mix over medium/low heat for about 2-3 minute until slightly thickened.
Add in 1 cup of cheese. Mix it all together throughly. Then fold it in with the noodles. Get it all mixed up together.  At this point you can add the green chile — I actually used half a can of green chile as I did half the casserole with the green chile and half without.
Dump the casserole in a large casserole dish. Pour the remaining cup of cheese over the top of the casserole. Cook for 15 minutes at 350 until cheese is nicely melted.

At the end I added cherry tomatoes (cut in half) and green onion to my dish. The boys don't like that many veggies so I added them to mine it was yummy and it added more color to the dish. We had plenty of leftovers so I froze half and the rest is my left overs for lunch at work. 

New crafting adventure

Well thanks to my subway art being so well received my dear friend from high school asked if I did invitations too. Well I did only once before for a baby shower but that was on a whim. She asked me to do a family reunion for her and I think it turned out great. I think I am venturing into a new art form and maybe I can make a little money on the side. Who knows but I do know I enjoy making these and having others like them.  It makes me happy. 

My newest creative outlet

So I have found how to make these subway art signs for babies. And I love doing them. So far I have been cranking them out for my sorority sisters. It's my little gift to them since I can't be attending all these baby showers. So far they have loved them as much as I love making them. 

This Fresno State one is for one of my favorite little boys ever!! I makes me want to have a boy soon! 

True words

Oh the places we go

OMG, I just checked in for our flight tomorrow to the west coast. I am so nervous because when I say 'we' it is Landry and I. I am flying alone with a teething , 6month old baby girl to California. I know I will have troops on the ground when I get there. But those 3 hours in the sky are what have me really nervous. I have been trying to read all the tips I can on flying with a baby/toddler and I think I might have all the tips memorized by now. I am packing everything I can think of to make her happy on the plane, Hopefully she will sleep thru it all and be a champ.

I haven't even packed yet I usually pack the night or morning before I have to leave for the airport. But I feel like one suitcase will not be enough for this mommy and baby. Wish me luck I feel like I will need all the positive vibes I can get for the journey that is ahead of us.

It is going to be a BIG week for Landry. She had her  6 month check up on Tuesday and had 3 shots, she is teething and now her first plane ride to visit our California family. I will have to make sure to take lots of pictures.

Wednesday Word ...hehe

I have no idea but every time I see  or say this expression it makes me smile. Sometimes a ton is not enough to express what is really going on. But 'SHIT TON" is. 

My summer corn salad

Every summer time I make my famous corn salad and it's a HUGE it. Just this weekend alone I had people texting & asking for the recipe. So I thought I better share the recipe with all. 

On a side note I have made it before in the winter with canned corn and it's SO not the same but it made do. 

Corn salad -medium bowl worth 

3 ears of corn -grilled or fresh (cut kernels off the cob)

1/2 green bell pepper

1/4 medium red onion

1/2 small can Chopped black olives 

1 avocado diced up 

Handful of cherry tomatoes cut in half

Spoonful of chopped garlic 

Salt and pepper to taste 

I don't add any dressing because it will make it's own juice. It's super yummy and if you wanted to add any dressing I would recommend very little Italian dressing. 

Enjoy!!! 

I love to be crafty

I so love to be crafty it's kinda like my therapy. I like to get lost in the process of making something cute for somebody or for me. Lately all my creativity has gone into making cute things for Landry. The other day she got a ton of new headbands. Don't worry I plan on sharing with all the soon to be mommas I know.  Also my creativity has lead to some great gifts. And my creativity has lead to Landry getting some of her outfits repurposed into a new outfit. I'm so glad I know how to sew and use a hot glue gun. 

Wednesday Words...

I think this saying gets said most to the little ones. Cause what little kid isn't a "Silly Goose"

Baby weight

I have always struggled with my weight especially since I stopped playing two sports a year after graduating high school.  But now I find myself a new mommy to a beautiful 5.5 month old baby girl. It seems like everytime I look in a mirror or see a picture of myself I hate all the extra weight I see. 

I try to work out when I can thanks to the Xbox fitness. But I know it's in it enough. I try to eat healthy but damn taco casa tastes good. I know it's not a race to loose the weight and I know I didn't put it on over night. But I so wish it would come off a lot faster and easier than it is. 

I need to amp up my game and really watch what I eat. And I would love a gym membership or personal trainer. But as a working a mom I want all the baby time I can get. So I must figure out how up do baby gym. Baby girl is getting heavier and I'm getting a great arm work out. But I need to get rid of my double chin and spare tire. 

Wish me luck in my adventure to a skinnier me. Cause I am gonna need all the luck, prayers and motivation I can get. 

Bless your heart....

I don't know how many times I have used this phrase but sometimes all you can say is : "Bless Your Heart". Those 3 little words are enough to get your point across without the other person truly knowing how pissed off you are at them or how dumb they might be at that moment. 

Wednesday Words

This is so true!! Coming from the land of weekend warrior cowboys you learn quickly those that know what they are talking about just by their boots. Boots can say a lot about a person. And I can tell you every country person I know has a pair that's for working in and a pair for going out in. I can spot the cheap ones so easily and I that can be a curse and a blessing. Buying a pair of boots is an investment and when you have to part with a pair of boot it is like saying good bye to an old friend. You hate to get rid of a good pair of boots cause that is when they are broken in just right and fit like a slipper. I could go on and on about boots but as you can see I love my boots.