I Am Who I Am

After a long talk with a friend this week, I've realized that I don't give myself the credit I deserve.

It's time for a pep talk. Maybe it's time that you give yourself one too...

Hi, I'm Abby.

I am who I am and YOUR approval is not needed.

I am awesome.

I come from two parents that love me and taught me everything I know. They are THE BEST parents I could have asked for.

I have two beautiful sisters that I'm ridiculously proud of and love more than anything.  They make me laugh and keep me grounded.

I married a man that supports and loves me...even when I'm not awesome.

 I am smart and strive for the best.

I am talented.

I love to laugh...LOUD...to the point of tears.

I like over-sized and under-sized objects.

I would rather be outside working hard and getting dirty than sitting inside chit-chatting.

Challenge me and see what happens...I'll climb mountains.

I love nature.

I am silly and sometimes laugh for no reason.


I have an opinion. I voice it. And I'm not afraid.

I love marine life.

I'm a nerd. And a geek.

I'm sentimental.

I am a child of the 1980s and like my hair to have volume.

I can pull faces with the best of 'em.

Oh and did I mention that I'm dead sexy?

Be who you are and be proud of it.
  Embrace it.
Everyone is different.
Life is too short to pretend to be someone else.
What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of YOUR life for it.

5 Skeins Left

It's been awhile since I updated you on the afghan progress.  

I've been slowing crocheting bit by bit, but it's coming together.  

I think I'm on my second or third skein of yarn...

...only 5 skeins left...

I'm hoping to have it finished by April 20...

JASON'S GRADUATION DAY!

Taking Shape

The plants are finally taking shape!  

Tall, strong, and they look like the plants they are supposed to be!

The cilantro is starting to look like cilantro...

...and the tomatoes are growing their second set of leaves that look like tomato leaves!

Very exciting!  

My first garden is ACTUALLY growing!

Orange Rolls

This morning I tried my hand at orange rolls, it proved to be much more of a project than I anticipated.  

The whole process took about 2-3 hours and produced four dozen orange crescent rolls.

INGREDIENTS

 Rolls:

• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup oil
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 7 cups flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 Tablespoons (2 packages) dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water

Filling:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter
• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• Zest of two oranges

Glaze:

• Mix together juice of 2-3 oranges and  approximately 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar. (I juiced the oranges, strained out the chunks, and then added the sugar to the taste and consistency I wanted.)  If you put in too much powdered sugar and don't have any more oranges, try adding a little orange juice.

DIRECTIONS

1. Stir milk, sugar, oil, and salt until sugar is completely dissolved. Add 2 cups of the flour and beat well. Add 2 eggs and stir in. 
2. Dissolve the 2 T. yeast in a 1/2 c. warm water and add to flour mixture. 
3. Mix in the remaining 4 cups of flour. 
4. Put some flour on a pastry board or counter and knead until dough is smooth and not sticky (more flour may be added if sticky). 
5. Put dough into greased bowl and let rise until double (about an hour) in a warm place. 

6.  Divide dough into 6 parts and roll each into a circle. 

7.  Spread 1/6 of the orange/butter filling mixture and cut into 8 wedges. (I use a pizza cutter to cut, it's easier than a knife.)

   

9.  Roll each into a crescent shape and transfer to a baking sheet. (roll the wide end of the triangle to the pointy end)

10.  Cover and let rise at least 1 hour in a warm place. 

11.  Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. 

12.  Pour on glaze when rolls are still warm. **Warm, not hot.  If the rolls are too hot the glaze will melt right off.

Spindly vs Hearty

My gardening professor would be proud, my plants are no longer spindly.   

I took his advice and gave them some tough love.  

BEFORE

AFTER

Thinned the herd, gave them less water, more sun and colder temperatures (putting them right next to the window at night to chill them). 

The plants are thickening up and a lot stronger!

Why don't you want spindly plants?  When you plant them outside, they will be exposed to rain and wind.  A spindly plant will buckle under the pressure and snap off.  

A hearty plant, on the other hand, will be able to  withstand the elements and grow large enough to produce food.

Graduation Invitations

Today we received Jason's graduation announcements in the mail!

So proud of him!

Delicious Dinner

Meet our delicious dinner.

Why am I blogging about a meal?  

Because it was fast, delicious and healthy!

Romaine lettuce (the greener the better) with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and herbal feta cheese; side of broccoli, and a delicious tender steak top with sauteed (in olive oil so it's healthier than butter) mushrooms.

NOM NOM NOM!