I Cook My Bacon In The Oven

Last week I decided to experiment with dinner.  I tired cooking bacon in the oven.  It turned out deliciously crispy and the clean up was incredibly easy. In the past I have tried cooking it in the microwave and it never worked out well.  Here is what you do:


Oven Roasted Bacon 

1) Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
2) Line cookie sheet with tin foil.
3) Place a cooling rack on top of the cookie sheet.
4) Lay bacon on top of cooling rack/sheet combo.
5) Cook for 30 min (for regular bacon) to 45 min (for thick cut bacon) or until crispy.

Bacon, getting ready for the oven.

Enjoy!
EM

Tiny Cucumber

The first harvest from the garden!  Can't wait to enjoy it with dinner.

Garden Update!

I snapped a few pictures this morning in the garden, thought I would share them with you.  Everything is blooming, growing, and getting little veggies on it.  So exciting!

Hello, Turtle.

Beautiful Zucchini

The big picture. 

Later!

EM

So Long, Fair Well, I'll Be Back Next Week

Two days after I graduated with my master's I started working at YouthBuild Schenectady.  In just over a year I feel that I have gained 10 years of experience, stories, lessons, ideas, challenges, and successes.  I will forever be grateful for the profound effect this job has had on me.  Yesterday was the last day of programming for the students and for me as well.  Due to funding changes I will be moving to a new department in the agency.  I was so worried that it wouldn't be as wonderful/challenging/exciting as the YouthBuild program.  However, if there is any one thing that stands out in all my YouthBuild experience it is that you have to take your own advice.  There is no way I can keep telling the students that it is great to make positive changes in their lives that help them achieve their goals if I can't do it for myself.  It is so easy for me give other people advice, and so often I am totally lost when it comes to myself.  So, like this lesson in taking my own advice, I will carry so much else with me from this job to the next.  Thank you YouthBuild!!!

Flowers from everyone at YouthBuild.

On to new adventures!

EM

Super Sweet Cupcakes

Last week I made these sweet cupcakes for a friend's graduation party.  They were easy, pretty, and amazingly good.  I used a basic yellow cake recipe with vanilla frosting, then some hand dipped chocolate strawberries.  Nom. 

Getting Started.

Dipped!  Baker's Chocolate makes this microwaveable dip that is so easy and fast.  Warmed up in 1.5 min and hardened in 10 min.

Lovely.

Enjoy!

EM

Sisterhood

My sister is home for spring break.  I was over at my parents house with the intention of sewing...but then this happened...

Candid.  Love it.

Jazz Hands

Shadow Puppets

Lately I have really been trying hard to live in the moment.  I have been feeling a little adrift, so in an attempt to focus myself I just try to give my all to what is going on, who I am with, and what I am doing to ground myself.  It has really helped and given me a sense of clarity.  Plus I really love these pictures and my sister.

Good Night!
EM

Nothing Up My Sleeve (Because It's All In my Purse)

I have gained a reputation of always carrying a large purse with me, in it everything and occasionally a kitchen sink.  In theory a purse is supposed to carry in it all the things I feel that I must have with me at all times.  So tonight I decided to take every single item out of my bag and document it for you here.  I hope you find this as enjoyable as I did. 

Things I keep in my purse:

Calendar
Notebook
To Do List Notebook
Phone
IPod
Work Phone
Head Phones
Phone Headset
3 Types of PostIt Notes
Tied Pen
Tissues
2 Travel Shampoos
Travel Conditioner
Toothpaste
2 Travel Deodorants
Hand Lotion
Chapstick
Lip Gloss
Perfume
Flash Drive
Screwdriver Set
Small Swiss Army Knife
Small Scissors
Flashlight
Coupon packet w/ coupons
Nail Clippers
Mini Luffa
Travel Body Wash
Travel Face Wash
Black Socks
3 Pens
1 Pencil
1 Highlighter
1 Black Marker
Medicine (Tylenol, Benedril etc)
Tape Measure
2 Tampons
4 Band aids
Floss
Sunscreen
Gum
Mini Uno Deck
Frisbee
Eye Glass Cleaner
Hand Sanitizer
Mini Rubix Cube
Mini Barrel of Monkeys
Mini Deck of Cards
Orange Tic Tacs
Mini Match Box Car
$15 Cash
2 Credit Cards
2 Debt Cards
4 Regal Cinemas Passes
6 Spectrum Theater Passes
2 Gift Cards
1 Winning Scratch Off Ticket ($1)
MVP Heath Insurance Card
1 Postage Stamp
Membership Cards for:
CVS
Rite Aid
Fantastic Sams
The Book House
Regal Movies
Faddegon's
BJ's
Auntie Annes
T.G.I.F.
Subway
Panera
1 DC Metro Smart Trip Card
Keys to:
Office
Mail Box
Front Door
Apartment Building
Car
Gym Swipper
Office Swipe Card
License
1 Wallet
1 Coin Purse
1 Pencil Bag
1 Large Cosmetic Bag
Trail Mix Bar

105 Items, I wonder what that number and the items themselves say about me.  What I do know is that I feel prepared for almost any situation.  I have solved two car problems, countless headaches, and kept myself organized with what I carry around.  I feel that I need to carry this much with me because I have to be prepared.  Even though I am organized I am also extremely last minute.  When I inevitably leave the house without something I already have it with me. 
What do you always have with you?

Night!
EM