Bucket List Project: See My Hip Bones

Along with weight loss ones, this didn't just happen because it was on my bucket list. When I lost weight I've been finally able to see them, and I must say that I am proud of them.

Bucket List Project: Have A Christmas Without Any Drama

                                            [source]





I am pleased to say, this was a success! haha!

New Year's Resolutions | 2015

Here's my resolutions for the New Year, what are yours?


Life


Travel More - Go to at least one new place

Read the Bible, cover to cover

Read More

Apply to my dream college

Get my license

Go to the zoo/aquarium  



Health


Exercise More

Eat Healthy - and continue to eat that way




For Fun


Dye my hair a different color - by this I mean my whole head, not just bits and pieces

Re-paint my room

Trace my family history

Scrapbook More

Go to a concert

Goodbye 2014!

I'm not gonna lie, I've never been more pleased to have a year over and done with. This year has been one heck of a roller coaster and I'm ready to get off it.
However, this year has brought me a lot of growth, too. I've dealt with many things this year that I never would've thought I would've had to of gone through and it's bringing to be a better and stronger person.

I want to go over the resolutions and what not I'd made from this last year to see if anything as really been done.
You know how these things work 'I'll work out everyday for an hour' three weeks in and you're lucky if you actually wore your yoga pants for yoga.
That's me.

Number one: Get Healthier.

Check. I've done so much better with eating healthy this year than I think I've ever had. Not to say I don't eat junk. I eat my fair share of cookies, but I'm learning balance. If I ate pretty good that day, I'll try not to feel so bad about having a piece of candy or a cookie or two.


Number Two: Blog More.

Check. I'm confident in saying this deserves a check because I think I've done at-least 3 blog challenges and I'm certain that that in itself was more than last year without all the posts I'd done in between.


Number Three: Stop Being So Scared.

Ehhhh I wouldn't say this or that, I've made some big stepping stones but I still worry a lot, but I'm thinking that's just me.


Number Four: Work On My Bucket List.

Okay, I have to update that, I didn't do to much from it to be honest, but I did do some. So in technicality I guess it would be a check, wouldn't it?


Number Five: Read More Books.

I don't think this deserves a check even if my GoodReads account says I've read 27 books. Most were reread and I just don't think I deserve to say it was checked off.


Number Six: Turn My Dreams Into Reality.

This is a work in progress, it's going to take time.

So, what? 3? 2 1/2? out of 5? That's not too bad considering I'm not one to really keep resolutions or anything.


What were your resolutions? Did you accomplish any? If so, what were they?

Bucket List Project: Read At Least 25 Books

 

[source]

This one I honestly didn't think I could do because I was so out of my advocate-reader-self and had a little bit of a hard time getting back into it. I managed to read 27, and possibly 28 if I finish the one I'm in the middle of now, which I'll probably do that here soon before the year ends so I can start off fresh an all.

I really need to work on getting back into the books though, it's not that I don't enjoy reading, it's getting my self to put the time aside to do so.


Here is the list of books I read

1. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
2. The Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
3. The Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket
4. The Series of Unfortunate Events: The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket
5. Keeping The Moon by Sarah Dessen
6. Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
7. The Mortal Instruments: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
8. Four Paws from Heaven by M.R. Wells
9. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
10. Library Love by kpgcatlover
11. The Bad Boy's Girl by jessgirl93
12. The Vampire Academy: The Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
13. A and D by Louisse Carreon
14. Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion by Mark Cotta Vav
15. The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
16. The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
17. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
18. The Quirky Tale of April Hale by demonicblackcat
19. Maybe Perfect by winx1348
20. Twilight Director's Notebook: The Story of How We Made the Movie Based on the Novel by Stephanie Meyer by Catherine Hardwicke
21. The Replacement Girlfriend by AubreyEatsHearts
22. Not Exactly Romeo & Juliet by kpgcatlover
23. Tame by EmilyTheReader
24. My Dark Knight by SheriffSquinty
25. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
26. Maid for Hire by demonicblackcat
27. I'll Protect You by orangechicken


The one that I'm currently in the middle of now is Miles To Go by Miley Cyrus.

Bucket List Project: Lose Ten Pounds

Now before you go and think I lost ten pounds just because of it being a bucket list thing, that's not true. I put them on my list because I actually wanted to lose weight, and ten pounds was acceptable in my healthy weight range, and I was very happy after doing so[:

[source]

                 

Bucket List Project: Build A Gingerbread House

I don't think that Christmas is complete without building a gingerbread house. This was the one thing I was dying to do this holiday, my mom surprised me with one a while ago and I've been trying patiently to hold it off until closet to Christmas to make it and be able to enjoy it.

 

 [source]

I also found that putting the icing in the micrwave for about 10 - 15 seconds till it was warm helped SO MUCH. It would not stick to the gingerbread at all after kneading it in the package. And it worked wonderfully once it was heated.

I kept it simple. Gingerbread houses are still new to me, I don't understand how people can make them so nicely and perfect.
Until then, I'm content with my little house[:

Bucket List Project: Grow My Own Food

Catching up with my Bucket List Project, some of these are very late, but I wanted to get them up before the end of the year. [:

 

[source]

 

 

I planted cucumber seeds, not expecting as many to last, I planted all the ones that sprouted. Well, our garden was over-run by cucumbers, this is the first pick from the crop.

Along with tomatoes. We had got a bunch of bowls full of them. This was one harvest, right before the temperature was supposed to get really low. We thought it would kill the plants but it turned out they survived and we got another bowl or two full before the frost came.

DIY Pawprint Ornament

My grandparents are always so hard to buy for. I know if I ask them what they want they'll say nothing, they have everything they need, a roof over their head, clothes on their back, family, friends, food.... but there's no way you can't just not get them nothing.

This year, with having Chestnut, I thought it would be great to make them an ornament while she's still a puppy. I wanted to do this with Peaches and Benji but like had other plans before I had the chance to do it.

All you need is a half a cup of corn starch, 1 cup of baking soda, and 3/4  cup of water.

I didn't have a complete cup of baking soda, I was a few table spoons off, but it still worked! So if you don't have an exact cup of baking soda, that's okay, take out a bit of the cornstarch and you'll be okay[:

You mix it all together in a saucepan over low/medium heat until it starts to thicken. This can take a little while, I almost thought it wasn't gonna work and gave it a few more minutes and it started clumping together. When it starts to clump I stirred it till it started to get like mashed potatoes and took it off the heat and continued to stir till it was all mixed together then put it in a bowl with a damp paper towel draped over it until it cooled.

Once it's cooled you can roll it out or form it in any way you like. I found it best to roll it on wax paper to help when it came time to clean up.

Lay out your pieces and let them harden, over night is best.

Coat them in modge podge and your set to go.

You could also paint them or draw on the with a sharpie. Whatever you like!

Christmas & Everything That Wasn't On Sale!

This is what Christmas morning looks like at my house. Every year we sit at the top of the stairs while my parents make their tea(usually Dad has coffee but his recent Sherlock Holmes watching has changed that this year), and tell us about how we got coal while we wait for my grandparents to get here. Once they are here and they get their tea, and everyone sits down in the living room and is content, we can go down. Our gifts get hidden. It's been like that every year in the past and I love it.

My big gift was a new point-and-shoot digital camera. I wanted something to vlog with and apparently practically every model was sold out. It's a REALLY nice camera and I'm very happy with it.


The day after we decided to go shopping. I was every every hour Christmas night, on the hour, hoping I didn't sleep in and constantly trying to figure out what places we should go to. Mom didn't have anything set in mind, the only place I really wanted to go was Target and Tractor Supply. We got up at 5:30 and showed up at Target about a quarter till.

It was practically dead. Within' ten minutes I think like 20 or so other cars showed up and people were lining up at the door. We stayed in the car and waited for everybody else to go in. I thought it was gonna be like a mad house but when we went inside it was SO quiet, everyone was back in the Christmas stuff.
I couldn't get over how much stuff wasn't on sale. Everywhere we went I was just shocked, there is supossed to be huge sales...WHERE ARE THE HUGE SALES?
I did manage to find a few things, I think I'm gonna do a post on the stuff I got.

When we saw how dead the mall was we made a quick dessision to stop.

Only the day after Christmas can you make a last minute choice to cross three lanes of traffic with not another car in site in any direction to go to a mall that opened 2 hours ago that has HUGE SALES advertised. (seriously though, Old Navy had everything 75%). The parking lot was dead at the main entrance where everyone always parks.

They didn't have what I was hoping for, no polar bear sweater, or the clothing items I was hoping were on sale. Ain't that the way of it? Haha!

We were out from 5am to about 3:30-4pm and were EXHAUSTED when we got home. I fell asleep about an hour later. I'm hoping that burned off all the biscuits I had for Christmas, lol!

Gluten Free Friday: Tyson Gluten Free Chicken Breast Strips - Review

                                                                 [source]



I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not th most comfortable with cooking meat. I know how to, I just choose not too. Even sine going gluten free I've missed chicken strips so incredibly much that it was probably sad. I LOVE chicken. I would eat chicken for my only meal for the rest of my life if I could. Kid you not.
So when I saw these Tyson chicken strips you bet I was gonna try them.

I'm glad I did too! They're a little greasy, but it's not disgustingly gross or anything, nothing a paper towel won't fix. I'm sure if you made them in the oven it wouldn't be so bad, I opt out for the lazy way and do them in the microwave [; so the breading is a little mushy on the bottom.
However they are seasoned and it's spicy, but not so much in a hot way, it's just from the spices they use.

INGREDIENTS:
Boneless, skinless chicken breast with rib meat, water, rice flour, contains 2% or less than the following: annatto extract, chicken fat, corn starch, dried chicken broth, dried garlic, dried onion, garlic powder, natural flavor, onion powder, paprika extract, salt, soybean oil, spices, sugar, torula yeast, xanthan gum, yellow corn flour. Breading set in vegetable oil.


The price is a little hefty for $8 a bag(at Giant Eagle), I know the first bag I got had four pieces in it, but this second bag I got has about 7 - 8 inside and they aren't dinky size pieces either. One is enough for me. So it's a bit of a toss up on which you get. But, it's REAL chicken, not that gross spongy stuff like chicken nuggets are made of , gross!

If you have it, I would say they are worth it. I like them a lot and their a nice quick protein fix if you're someone who doesn't get as much protein as they should *raises hand*.

3 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

Maybe you're not one of those people who shops early, or time gets away from you and before you know it stores are packed and there's only a week left until Christmas and there's someone you forgot to get a gift for and you have no idea what to do.
Well hopefully this will help.
Here is a few different gift ideas that could get you on your way.



A Bakers Basket
Pick up a cookbook and pick out a recipe, something simple, it doesn't have to call for a ton of ingredients. Maybe a cookie recipe, or brownies! Pick up a few of the dry ingredients, how about the cocoa powder? Vanilla extract? Maybe something to mix in with the brownies like Reese's Cups or Chocolate Chips. Add a spatula, cookie cutters, an oven-mitt, and you're good to go!

A Custom Mug

Find a plain white coffee mug and with a sharpie write on it maybe an inside joke, a special quote, or a cute doodle of a cat or a flower, put it in the oven while it preheats[so it doesn't crack] to 425 degrees and then bake it for 35mins. It's best to leave it sit in there while the oven cools off too, just in case!

Create a Mani/Pedi in a Jar
Find a jar fill it with a nail file, clippers, fuzzy socks, lotion, sugar scrub, and nail polish.
The perfect quick fix for any girl!

Stocking Stuffers Ideas Under $10 ~ For Her

Stocking Stuffers:

                                                         [source]

EOS Lip Balms
Hand Lotion
Nail Polish
Fuzzy Socks
Jewelry
Earphones
Gloves
iPod Case
Hair Ties
Bookmark

                                             [source]
Book Light
Pens
Mini notepads
Make Up
Finger Nail Files
Ornament
Candy
Snacks

                                            [source]


Cookie Cutters
Craft Supplies
Candle
Small Stuffed Animal
Hand Sanitizer
Change Purse
Car Air Fresheners

                                                          [source]

Bath & Body Works Fragrance Mist
Hat
Scarf
Sunglasses
Coffee Cup
DVD
CD

Gluten Free Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Hello there!

Here are a some suggested food ideas for stocking stuffers for your gluten free buddy!




The Chocolate Lovers

 [source]

Milk Chocolate Hershey Kisses
Candy Cane Kisses (on the package these are not listed as gluten free, but they don't contain any gluten ingredients)
Ian's Cookie Buttons
Peppermint Patties
M&M's
Chocolate Covered Cashews
Original Reese's Cups
Original Butterfinger Bar
Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate Mix
Glutino Fudge Covered Pretzels
Raisinets
Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares




The Health Cautious

 [source]


Beef Jerky (be sure to check the ingredients to make sure there is no wheat/gluten)
Freeze Dried Fruit
Yogurt covered fruit
Trail Mix
KIND Bars
Nuts
Simply Balanced Fruit Leathers/Ropes/Snacks
Annie's Fruit Snacks
Popcorn
Tea
Orchard Bars
Flavored Drink Powders
Gum
Welch's Fruit Snacks
Larabars
Clif Kid Zfruit & Veggie Fruit Snacks
Apple Chips






The All-In-ers

 [source]

Candy Canes
Gummi Worms
Lollipops
Schar Hazlenut Bars
Skittles
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks are all said to be gluten free.
Jelly Beans
Life Savers
Gummi Bears
Schar Cheese Bites
Fruit Pebbles Snack Bars
Glutino Yogurt Covered Pretzels
Bit O Honey
Oh Henry! Bars
Laffy Taffy
Lik M Aid
Wonka Pixy Stix
Schar Vanilla Sandwich Cremes
Starbursts
Butterfingers

Gifts Ideas For Cat Lovers

These are some super cute gifts for the cat lovers in your life! I hope these spark a bit of inspiration on what to get them for Christmas[:

Whether you're a book advocate, or someone who always has a planner on hand, this bookmark is adorable!

This cat speaker dances when you plug your iPod into it. Too cute!

It's not the size of the gift that counts. Get them a magnet that has the saying every cat lover isn't afraid to admit.

You can never go wrong with classics, especially when the kitties are involved.

Curl up next to a fire in this cozy sweater with a book, slippers, and a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate and just relax for the evening.

Gift Ideas For Dog Lovers

Being a huge dog lover myself, I thought it would be nice to come up with a post of some cute gift ideas of gifts for the animal lover in your life, these are just a few things I found!

Shelter Pups has this really cool custom stuffed dog. You send them a picture of your dog and they'll recreate it into a stuffed animal. Adorable!!

I LOVE this Personalized Pet Pillow. You can choose from 4 different deigns, your dogs name and your own pronunciation, there's also 12 different dog graphics, and 3 different unique dog definitions. I don't know any dog lover who wouldn't like this!

A gift for the dog, and the owner! Chuckit! Tennis Ball Launcher. All the fun of playing it, without worrying about holding the slobber covered ball.

This cute necklace is sure to win over any animal lovers heart, and there is a gold version!

Gift Ideas For Kids ~ Girls

This guide is for the younger girls, maybe if you're stuck on what to get someone, this will help[:

Let's be real. I think every girl wants a Barbie Dreamhouse. I was never the girly girl kid but the one going fishing, digging in dirt for worms and liked playing sports and even I wanted the Barbie Dreamhouse.

Play-Doh is one of those amazing things. You can create practically anything and everything with it and you won't get bored. This set is too cute!

LEGO's aren't JUST for boys. Girls can play with them too! LEGO has a few different lines, this is the Friends Heartlake Shopping Mall set.

Who DOESN'T love play kitchens? This one by KidKraft is pretty cool. And of course if you get one you have to get one of those food sets to go with it *wink wink* (they even have a cute picnic set!)

A journal that has invisible ink, opens to your(the girls) voice, there's even hidden compartments to keep things in! How cool is that??

Gluten Free Friday: Sam Mills Gluten Free Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips - Review

[source]



Sam Mills is one of my absolute favorite GF brands, their products are really good AND affordable. When I found out they had their own chips, I was pretty excited to try them.
These are sooooooooo good! I'm not a huge fan of cheese-flavored snack type foods but these are really good. And I actually think they taste better than Dorito's-don't hate me! But their just, so good!!

Because these chips are corn based, it does have a hint/after-taste or corn, if you've ever had their pasta, it taste pretty much exactly like that. These cheese flavor itself is a little tangy. It doesn't really taste like fake-cheese, but it doesn't taste like real cheese either, I guess you'd say it tastes like powdered nacho cheese, lol. [Since when did cheese become so hard to describe? I'm sorry!]
Like any good chip, they are crunchy, and are a bit salty but not too overwhelming to where it's all you can taste and your face is all puckered up.

These are definitely one of my favorite chips I have tried though, and I will be definitely getting them again in the future!