SURPRISE ON ME!

Birthdays of the past PALE in comparison to yesterday's Quarter of a Century 25th Birthday Extravaganza! Seriously, I have the best husband ever. He knew how much I was looking forward to this birthday and months ago he began making plans to "pimp my day" (so to speak). So here's the rundown...

• Scott already summed up his side of the birthday festivities on his blog, so check it out! I just have a few notes to add from my birthday girl perspective. 
• When the secretary called me down to the office it really FREAKED me out! Normally they tell me why they need me down in the office, however, this time she just said "We need to see you in the office"... that's it. I thought I was in trouble. SO, it was a nice turn of emotions to see my hubby standing in there waiting with TULIPS! They planned it out SO WELL because I didn't even have to make a quick set of lesson plans, it was all taken care of! Playing planned hooky ROCKED!

• We ate at Chick-fil-a and visited Target (life is swwweeeeeeT).
• I GOT TATTOOED!!! It hurt like a million little bees stinging my foot and scrapping away with tiny razor blades at the same time. After several weird faces (on my part), the tattoo was finished and I LOVE IT!!! So worth it! note: the phrase "with love" was decided on long before the blog title soooooo, in reality the blog is named after the tattoo not visa versa. 

• Got to go an a shopping spree afterwards at TARGET (yes, i guess i did visit twice in one day. In my defense, Target is one of my favorite places and it WAS my birthday). 
• Katie, Megan, and I ended the day of celebration by feasting at Plaza Azteca. I obsessed a bit over remembering our waiter's name (I used it in EVERY sentence when addressing him) but had fun with two of the coolest ladies in my life! Scott joined us for the last half hour after which we called it a night!

All in all, I couldn't have asked for more!!! I loved all the surprises, birthday wishes, and love that was thrown my way. Not to mention I have a permanent reminder of the awesomeness that was my 25th birthday etched on my foot forever!

from jessie (buzzed on birthday goodness)... with love

25 YEARS IN THE MAKING

Twenty five years ago today I was born (give or take a few days because of leap years)! Thank you mom and dad for making that happen! My time on earth has been wonderful so far, and if that's any predictor of what's to come in the future.... BRING IT ON!

My birthday celebration was kicked off early last night, courtesy of my Community Group. I was presented with balloons, a birthday button, and cookies. Not only that, but my husband (on his own accord) wrote a wonderful tribute post to moi on his blog. What a lovely man he is (I'm just as lucky to have him in my life). Plans for my birthday are pretty much a mystery at this point, so I will be sharing details as they arise. Here's to the good times awaiting me today and this weekend.

from jessie (birthday girl)... with love 

YUMMY or YUCKY

Guess what?... TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY!!! I'll be 25, or a quarter of a century old. If you ask me, this is a milestone birthday. So, this YUMMY or YUCKY post is in honor of birthdays, more specifically, birthday CAKE! 

YUMMY or YUCKY?

Whipped Frosting on Store-bought Cakes

I must go with YUMMMMMY! I appreciate the whipped frosting way more than the sugary, butter icing. It is light, which leaves me room to eat more cake! However, many of the members in my family gag and scowl when the see the whipped icing on the cake, which makes me wonder: Do others have this same distaste for my beloved whipped icing? Your turn: decide if you'd eat this item (YUMMY) or pass it up for heavier, buttery, sugar icing (YUCKY) and post your response in the comments section. It's that EASY!

Thanks to Katie, Tara, Rob, Bethany, and Jake for commenting on the last post. The final tally? A resounding YUCKY on the Peanut Butter, Lettuce, and Mayo Sandwich! Now get to voting on this one (he he he)!

from jessie (cake fiend)... with love

p.s. Bethany gets the "good reader award" for not allowing me to call myself out as older than I am! Thanks Bethany!

Sam the Cooking Guy

This has to be one of the best (if not THE best) cooking show on TV. But, as far as I know, very few people know of it. 

I was fortunate enough to stumble upon Sam the Cooking Guy one random Tuesday (on channel 15 of all stations) while flipping through TV shows after school. What caught my attention was the set and his persona. Sam, the host, was cooking in what appeared to be his kitchen and was seriously chatting it up with me, the viewer, as if we were just hanging out, goofing off, making good food. He also momentarily reminded me of Stu (the lead pastor at the church Scott and I attend, WEC). See for yourself...

Seriously?! SO COOL! I love what he has to say about his show on his website: The show is shot right in my house... I'm just a regular guy, using regular words showing how to cook easy, great food... Food that is 'big in taste and small in effort'. It's a handful of ingredients and a few steps- that's it. This is a cooking show "for the rest of us"...

I have tried out two of his recipes to date, BOTH of which have been repeated in this household. The jalepeno, cheddar, corn biscuits were a hit at community group as well as A.J.'s first birthday party. And the second recipe I tried, grilled caprese sandwitch, was so easy i made it right after watching the show without even referring to the recipe ( SO SO SO yummy). I WILL be trying out more of his recipes as the opportunities arise; this one will probably be next (or maybe this one, who knows!). 

from jessie (the blogging gal)... with love

"B" is for "WEEKEND"

No, you didn't read that incorrectly (and yes... I am a teacher). The letter B defined this weekend for me. Allow me to expand...

Friday afternoon was the beginning of my weekend escapades. I had one of those days as a teacher that left ready to run from my classroom as soon as school was over! Unfortunately, when I hopped into my car, my battery was dead! Thankfully, I have an amazing husband who talked me though it all. We dropped my car off at the repair shop and came back home. I then got together with one of my best buddies, Krystal, and we bonded over dinner at Chili's and a movie at AMC (side note: we WERE NOT the oldest individuals in the movie theater watching 17 Again). My allergies were really kicking my butt on Friday, so I blew my nose alot during dinner and the movie, but only during loud moments when the sound was masked by the dialogue. 

Saturday started with a nice bit of sleeping in (always welcomed)! After a less than glorious breakfast, Scott and I went to pick up my car, complete with new battery and fresh oil change. Krystal and I got back together to prepare for our trip to the beach. After buying lotion and food stuffs from the grocery store, we waited for our other good friend Katie and headed out towards Fort Monroe. We spend two hours on the beach in the blazing, beautiful sun. Our blotchy burns were less than subtle reminders that sunscreen should be applied often and with extreme care (we ALL applied sunscreen regularly during our visit... strange burns developed none the less). We payed a short visit to Katie's mom and ended back at Krystal's, where we were treated to Barbecued Beef (a.k.a. burgers and hot dogs) and a show of bursting flames from the grill. We later discovered that Krystal's dad had turned the propane tank ALL THE WAY up, so our attempts to turn the grill control knobs to low were futile. Krystal surprised Katie and I with big earrings that she had found and bought for all three of us; we each got our own color and I'm determined to plan an occasion where we all wear them with matching outfits! After socializing on the back patio until about midnight, we said our goodbyes and went to our respective homes. 

Sunday ended my weekend. I volunteered at church this morning and after attended the second service. Rob delivered a wonderful message on how most of our prayer lives are busted and suggested a wonderful way in which to mend this break. Both of my parents attended service today along with Katie and I (yes... I am smiling).  Church was followed by an early birthday celebration at the in-laws house. Megan (sister in law) made me the cutest DIY bag which carried a BEAUTIFUL necklace from Otis B Jewelry. I later booked it up to my parents' house to check out the vegetable garden, chat, and eat dinner. Bonding time is very important to me!

I am now bringing this post to a close. Here's to a great weekend and a busy (but wonderful) birthday/work week ahead!

from jessie (b.)... with love

COLOR COMBOS

The office park/mega building across from our apartment complex has beautiful landscaping. It's not immediately noticeable or eye catching from the road, but often while I'm waiting my turn enter the flow of traffic I stare across to this area. A few weeks ago the cherry blossom trees started to bloom and light pink flowers were abundant. The morning after a long rain, the green green grass was complimenting this flowering cherry tree beautifully and it got me thinking about color combinations that hug my heart. I thought I would share some of those with you now.

•  light pink (almost white) and true green
  
•  vibrant yellow and hunter green
  
•  teal and ruby red
  
•  black and shadowy blue (light with hints of gray) 
  
•  orange and silver

On the other hand, there are certain color combinations that bring a bad taste to my mouth. The reasons vary, but the reaction doesn't. 

• purple and green (can we say Barney?)
  
• red and yellow (my sister told me they remind her of ketchup and mustard, now I can't pair clothes together that contain those colors)
  
• purple and red ( i just have a hard time accepting these colors together... no reason)
  

What color combinations do you love? or hate? Do share!!!

from jessie (coloring her world)... with love

CAR CLUTTER

My car has been trashy for quite awhile now. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a dirty or unorganized person (well... i don't TRY to be), so it really does bother me (kind of) when I get in my car and there is STUFF everywhere! I'm NOTORIOUS for heading out somewhere (especially my parents house) and bringing something to change into "just in case". This includes shoes, jackets, pants, and shirts. Rarely do I ever change into these items (or take them out of the care for that reason), so you would think I'd just stop dragging my closet along... but nope.  Between this habit and the other items I insist on dragging along with me, I accumulated quite a bit of clutter. 

Here is what I dragged out (okay... SOME of what I dragged out, some of which I left inside) of my car today:

• four coffee mugs (two of which had tissues stuffed inside. i WILL clean them in HOT water)
• two light jackets (one jean, one khaki)
• two winter jackets 
• two 8 packs of Veryfine brand juice (grape AND orange!)
• a grass mat (the kind you take to the beach)
• 3 bags worth of recycling (we live in an apartment, there is no recycling bin, i take them to a drop off location... defiantly more effort, but worth it!)
• a tote bag containing...
• one pair of black flats (mine)
• one pair of black converse (scott's)
• a plastic baggy full of paper trash
• bed bath and beyond 20% off coupon
• Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller
• 2 pairs of sunglasses (why couldn't I find EITHER ONE of these the other day when the sun was BLINDING me!)
• a stack of star shaped post-it notes (neon orange even!)
• make that 3 pairs of sunglasses (just found a pair in the tote bag pocket!)
• snack sized baggy full of magnets (the kind you use for crafting)
• (up until a week ago my back seat also sported...) a card table

There is definitely more than this in my car, but the remaining items are the ones that SHOULD be in there (i.e. umbrella and "emergency/accident" bag).  

In my defense, if i EVER get abandoned in my car away from civilization, I'm set! (can we say survivor woman?) I've got plenty of items to keep me warm, burn, collect food in, and eat. Macgyver could find ALL KINDS of items to use in my car! And this is how I convince myself it's okay to be lazy and just leave items in the car! 

Does anyone else have this problem?

from jessie (convicted car clutterer)... with love

YUMMY or YUCKY

Here ye! Here ye! Darest thou eat the following?

While perusing through my favorite recipe site, allrecipes.com, for vaguely veg recipes, I came across this sandwich idea which received rave reviews. I'm too scared to try it YET, what are your thoughts?

YUMMY or YUCKY?

Peanut Butter, Lettuce, and Mayo Sandwich

I have to say I'm definitely curious (especially after reading the review from others on the site), but my initial reaction is yucky. Your turn: decide if you'd eat this item (YUMMY) or pass it up for fear of gagging/barfing (YUCKY) and post your response in the comments section. It's that EASY!

Thanks to Rob, Bethany, Brian, and Sean for responding on the last yummy or yucky post (my commentitis was momentarily satisfied)! The final decision... Jack Link's Flamin' Buffalo Style Chicken Nuggests (aka Chicken Jerky) are YUCKY!

from jessie (food critic)... with love

DIY BIRTHDAY BAG

Who doesn't like to feel special? No reason or occasion necessary, one of my favorite things in life is to let others know how much I care for them. I always look for opportunities (especially around birthday's and other gift giving times) to customize items for the recipient. This weekend was NO different! My only nephew's first birthday was this weekend and scott and i had already decided not to compete with the grandparents in the gift giving department (because really, who can top grandma???). However, I wanted to do something to let meg, drew, and little AJ know that i really did take a moment to think about how special this birthday was in all their lives! 

I brainstormed some, and decided to personalize his gift bag. Okay, so it's nothing HUGE or specifically memorable, simply an "icing on the cake" item if you will! Here's how I did it!

1. print out the letters or pictures that you want to put on your bag off the computer (you could do this freehand, but i don't trust myself that much!). Cut them out and tape them (temporarily) onto your gift bag.

2. Place a piece of cardboard or a cutting mat the height and width of your bag inside the bag (to prevent cutting through to the other side of course). Then, with a SHARP exacto knife cut around the edges of the letters. Make sure to cut through the bag but not the cardboard. 

3. remove taped on letter page and the piece of the bag that was cut to reveal the "letter" or "shape" hole that remains.

4. open the bag and trace along the border of the letters with glue (this will prevent peeling up around the letters)

5. place a cardstock page (preferably a contrasting color) on the inside of the bag so it adheres to the glue.

6. affix any pieces onto the cardstock that is peeking through the right side of the bag that you wish to replace (in this case i glued on the piece that represents the "hole" in the middle of the A)

7. TA-DA!!! a lovely and customized bag to let the recipient know.... "hey... i thought about you!" 

Why I never did this before now... who knows!!! Total time: maybe half an hour (I was doing several things at once while this was being made). It is now my plan to do this for any birthday gift I give (in a bag that is).  Let me know if you try this, I'd love to see the results you got! Also, if you have any original ideas that you execute for birthdays or gifts, let me know!

from jessie (customized and crafty)... with love

PASSING TIME... not gas

I planned on doing a tutorial post on "personalized birthday gift bags" this evening. But lo and behold... the camera that I took the pictures on is MIA (i have a sneaking suspicion that Scott took it to band practice with him once again). SOOOOOOOOO, here is a list of my weekend happenings:

• discovered the the Captain George's Seafood closed down in Hampton (this was honestly a SHOCK... if there is any city in the 757 that can throw back some serious crab legs, it's HPT BABY! so weird)
• took an adventurous ride up to Williamsburg and ate at the larger Captain George's Buffet (only around crab legs do Scott and I indulge ourselves so much!)
• hung out with Jess and Danny (after the seafood feast) who refused to let us sit one minute without laughing (what kidders!)
• discovered big dogs are pretty awesome (the animal, not the brand of clothing)
• gave my sister in law Megan her birthday gift only to find that my in-laws bought her the SAME EXACT ONE!!! When they saw the original necklace (from briguysgirls) was gone, they asked the maker to create a new one. Not only that, but in a moment of clearance section blindness, I bought a purse I had told my mother-in-law I wanted for my birthday. And guess what....yep.... she had already bought it for me and had it waiting at her house to give me next week!!! oh... i felt so small. 
• AJ, my nephew, turned 1 this weekend! I feel like looking at other peoples lives, more than looking at my own, makes me realize how much time has flown! 
• discovered just how bad allergies can be! I literally slept with a tissue stuffed in my nose last night. After turning it RAW and RED from blowing it so much yesterday, touching it at all sent surges of pain through my body (maybe a bit dramatic... but it really was sore)
• realized that Benadryl does NOT knock me out... not even close. Everyone is always so weary of taking it, but seriously had no effect on me, didn't even really help my allergies. sad but true
• ate way too many carbs this weekend (not like I'm monitoring that or anything, i just know that I was WELL over my daily intake)
• LOVE LOVE LOVE Agave Lemonade by SOBE Life Water... so yummy!
• attended church today and got to sit next to my husband through the WHOLE service (this occurrence is truly few and far in-between)
• had lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings (B-dubs?.... ridiculous name!!!) with fun friends bryan, kevin, kim, and dave. 
• went shopping with scott. This always turns out rotten for me; I never find anything when I go shopping with him while he finds tons of things. grrrr
• realized it get REALLY grumpy when on allergy medicine ( SO SORRY SCOOTER!)

There is the weekend in not-so-short detail. Hopefully I'll get a chance to post the tutorial monday or tuesday. What did you do this weekend?

from jessie (the red nosed pollen hater)... with love

Fill in the Blank

2 day hiatus from the blog... what's WRONG with me?!?!

Today I'm back with an all new Fill in the Blank; let's call it "Fill in the Blank Friday"! I appreciated the responses from the last Fill in the Blank left by BetnyNonnie and Rob. Here's how this works: read the statement, think about how you would fill in the blank, leave your completed statement in the comment section for ME and OTHER READERS to enjoy! So easy!

This week's Fill in the Blank is:

My favorite lunch from the 

school cafeteria was ____________ . 

My Response: My favorite lunch from the school cafeteria was never to be. To make a long story short, in kindergarten I bought my first school lunch and was made to eat it (by and EVIL lunch monitor) even after milk was spilled all over the grilled cheese and corn.    : ( 

from jessie (a little filler)... with love

LF Jewelry Designs

SHOUT OUT... TO ME!!! Oh, what a happy moment. As many of your have learned by now, I've recently been spending my free "internet browsing" time on Etsy.com ( LOVE IT!). Well, one of the shops that I was fortunate enough to stumble upon, LFJewelryDesigns, has me mesmerized (with jewelry that is). 

So in one of my many "click backs" to this shop today I noticed the Shop Announcement noted at the top of the page. Low and behold, to what did my wandering eyes appear but this...

I've been blogged!!!

http://www.fromjessie.blogspot.com/2009/02/etsy-hidden-jewel.html

HOLLA! I was tagged, given a shout out, referenced, linked, whatever you want to call it, today was a shining day in the history of my blogging life!!! HORRAY!

It's only fair for me to return the favor to a shop whose elegant, simplistic design has me yearning to spend my birthday money. A few of my FAVORITE items are pictured and linked below, ENJOY!

Attention

Over the Rainbow

Roses are Red

City Lights Necklace 

Understated 

from jessie (tag, you're it!)... with love

HANDS AND HUGS=FAMILY

Just a short post tonight (for Katie, Rob, and Mom who regularly check on my blog... thanks guys!). It was community group night once again, definitely one of my FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE nights of the week!!! This week was no different. 

I cannot get over how quickly everyone has come together to support and love one another. And although I cannot divulge the events and discussions from CG, I will say that we all joined hands for prayer tonight and hugged on our way out. This is such a FAMILY ritual for me that it really brought that connected feeling into my heart. 

Speaking of spiritual things (I'm SO good at transitions), two morsels for thought that I've been chewing on that you are free to partake in too: Robshep's post Fat People Know Diets and Donald Miller's book Through Painted Deserts. Speaking of which, time to go read and rest. 

from jessie (hand holds and hugs)... with love

TOFU TUESDAY

We finally did it... we ate a TOFU DINNER! Technically it was yesterday that we ate it, but "Tofu Monday" just isn't as catchy! 

I went to my favorite recipes site allrecipes.com for some tofu help and ended up settling on a dish called Hot and Spicy Tofu. The minimal, basic ingredients and the two step directions sold me. During preparation, it was SO colorful and there wasn't much about it that looked nasty. I ended up serving it over white rice for the final presentation!

The review? Scott AND Jessie BOTH say, "HECK YEAH I'll eat that again!" However, slight modifications will be made next time around: add the whole can of chilis for more spice and brown the tofu longer. 

from jessie (tackled tofu!)... with love

Favorite Things

Can you tell me what was on ABC Family this weekend? 

Well, in-between the Easter Activities and family time, I was able to sneak in a little TV time; and to my delight (and Scott's tolerance), ABC Family was airing The Sound of Music all weekend! Outside of the WONDERFUL sing-alongs (again... to my husbands HIGH tolerance), and interpretive dancing, I was left with the lyrics " a few of my favorite things" in my head. Lightbulb moment!

So every now and again, I will be posting on a few of MY favorite things. This post specifically is about my "scrap" book, if you want to call it that. It's not a scrapbook in the modern sense because it's not full of store bought cardstock and pictures of me and mine being goofy making memories (because I have plenty of those!). Instead, it's a book of all those things that I felt necessary to keep but didn't want just piling up on my dresser (like SO many things do). So I took all those memory scraps, cool magazine cuttings, interesting idea finds, and special notes and taped them into this book! Looking back on this book reminds me of so many good times, and helps me look forward to wonderful events ahead (like BUYING A HOUSE!... one day). 

Just to give you an idea, one of my "scraps", cut from a magazine, answers the question Why do so many women have cold hands and feet? The answer? Circulation and Blood pressure! The nerves that control blood flow to the hands and feet are more sensitive in women. So when the tempertautre drops, our vessels constrict more, warming blood flow slows, and our hands and feet feel cold. Women also have lower blood pressure (esp. when cold or stressed) which also limits blood flow). THANKS "Scrap" BOOK! 

Everyone has favorite things, and this is just ONE of a FEW of my favorite things! What's one of yours?

from jessie (happy thoughts)... with love

Happy Easter!

I was just sitting here at home waiting for Scott to arrive (we're having Easter Brunch with his family) and I just couldn't contain myself...

WOW!!!

 Today has been AWESOME so far! Between waking up at 5:00 am to be at the Ferguson Center at 6:00 am, watching 30,000 eggs drop from a helicopter, AND attending the most MEMORABLE Easter Service of my life (for SO many reasons) God has done FANTASTIC things in my life (and the lives of SO MANY) today! 

I hope EVERYONE'S Easter is going/went well and that you found a reason and a moment to celebrate what this holiday is for... Jesus dying on the cross and rising from the dead to give you a NEW LIFE! WOW!

from jessie (was busted, now blessed)... with love

Spring Break 09::Days 4-5:: Rest and Relaxation

Although this hasn't been my IDEAL spring break vacation, I refuse to complain about the break from school and work (because school is work for me... get it?). Yesterday was a bit of a blur, not because it moved so fast, but because it was so relaxed, but I'll recall as best as I can:

• woke up and made more biscuits (this time I concocted a little honey butter to spread on them... so bad, but SO GOOD!)
• was LAZY for a few hours
• swung by the WEC office to pick up something for Scooter
• dropped off the apartment application, minus a critical piece (see Day 5)
• went to Tropical Smoothie to pick up two delicious treats!
• drove myself and the Smoothie treats over to hang out with Kristi M (and Logan) for awhile (Play-doh ROCKS!)
• made dinner (black bean tacos)
• went to the gym for awhile while Scott and Mike rocked out in the apartment
• delved into my new edition of REAL SIMPLE magazine
• sleepy time with the hubby

then came FRIDAY... HORRAH! Which is going something like this:

• woke up and ate the remaining biscuits (seems to be a reoccurring theme)
• dropped of a copy of Scott's license and Social Security card at the apartment complex
• visited Farm Fresh (stamps, flowers, and food)
• came home and ate some  lunch ( new flavor Doritos... Last Call Jalepeno Poppers)
• stretched out on the balcony with a Sobe Life Water ( Agave Lemonade) and Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller (Scott just finished it and really enjoyed the read)
• at some point feel asleep... afternoon cat nap
• BLOGGING
• ... and the rest of tonight is still up in the air (with the exception of dance class with Katie tonight at the YMCA)

My day(s) so far. But seriously, that Sobe Life Water flavor ROCKS! Have a FUN FRIDAY everyone!

from jessie (list master)... with love

FIll in the Blank

Here's how this works: read the statement, think about how you would fill in the blank, leave you completed statement in the comments section. SO EASY and SO MUCH fun!

This week's fill in the blank is:

The yummiest thing about 

today was _______________ . 

My response: The yummiest thing about today was the Sunrise Sunset Smoothie I drank alongside Kristi and her Jetty Punch Smoothie (yay for making friends)!

from jessie (drawing a blank)... with love

Spring Break 09::Day 2-3:: Livin' Easy

Spring Break is all about taking it easy! I spent the last two days doing just that. Not quite as productive as day one, but enjoyable non the less. So yesterday...

• Woke Up (again... this is a good thing)
• went to the gym and saw the awesome Monica Shepherd (attempted to make plans for a yummy dinner together that will have to be remade... sad)
• ironed my four sets of fabric for the craft projects I have planned
• ate lunch (again... a good thing)
• took a nap (how often do you get THAT luxury?)
• cooked some Boca Chicken Patties and oven fries for dinner (really SLAVED over that one)
• COMMUNITY GROUP!!! (minus some members, but still wonderful)
• made plans to see/hang out with Kristi M. on Thursday (we WILL watch the new Jim Gaffigan DVD)
• spent some quite time with Scott
• SLEEEEEPPPPPPPPPP!

after a few hours of sleep today went something like this...

• woke up to Scott packing for the gym
• went back to sleep
• woke up an hour or two later
• made some drop biscuits (thank you Bisquick for making breakfast so SIMPLE!)
• filled out apt. application (we will be relocating within the 757 in August)
• lunch with Scott at Mona's (Koreanese... Korean and Japanese food... I can't BELIEVE I took a bite of kimchee) 
• called 60 volunteers at the WEC office to help Jake get out with the AWESOME EASTER SERVICE THIS SUNDAY (I promise, if you've NEVER been to our church... it's NOTHING like what you're expecting!!!)
• pit stop at Starbucks for a much deserved Mocha Frappuccino
• Watched the latest episode of LOST to prepare for tonight's episode
• (getting ready to do all of the following/ planning to do tonight... )
• make dinner (some Rachel Ray concoction that I have high hopes for... vaguely veg!)
• gym with the AWESOME KATIE
• back to back America's Next Top Model and LOST

WOW... when I lay it all out like that, it looks like ALOT. Go me! I hope the past two days have gone just as well for you!

from jessie (lover of lists)... with love

YUMMY or YUCKY

It's that time again! 

This is another item that I found while grocery shopping with my mom. The commissary carries some strange foods my friend, and this one just about made me faint in horror:

YUMMY or YUCKY?

Jack Link's Flamin' Buffalo Style Chicken Nuggets 

(aka Chicken Jerky)

I think my opinion on this is clear (reference my reaction upon first seeing it). Your turn: decide if you'd eat this item (YUMMY) or pass it up for fear of gagging/barfing (YUCKY) and post your response in the comments section. It's that EASY!

from jessie (food critic)... with love

Spring Break 09::Day 1:: Accomplishment

What a slow day for blogging! Not too many comments abound and not really any new posts on my favorite blogs to check in on. OH WELL... I'll take care of enough of that for everyone!

This week will be full of accomplishments for me. This Spring Break I was unable to plan any "out of town" or "travel" activity, but I am okay with this. Instead of traveling in the car, I will divulge into my "to make" bookmarks and indulge in a Week of Crafts (along with other self involved activities). Today kicked my week off well. Here is a breakdown of what I accomplished today:

• WOKE UP... EARLY EVEN (starting the day off early leaves more time open to get stuff done)
• went to the gym (I normally reserve Sundays and Mondays as my days off)
• watched FULL HOUSE (DJ Tanner anyone?)
• dyed my hair (finally found my happy color... *)
• bought fabric and other crafty items for 3 SEPARATE PROJECTS
• read a chapter or two of Watchmen and soaked up some sun on the balcony
• created and cooked a vaugely veg dinner for scott and I
• cleaned the house while listening to some PARAMORE (I'm so 13 years old sometimes)
• salvaged some glass beads and stones from 2 necklaces that weren't getting worn
• made a new neclace
• soaking in some TV time and a glass of wine

So there you go... I feel pretty accomplished and fulfilled. I hate feeling like I did NOTHING with my "free day"; thankfully, that was not the case today. I'll keep you updated as the week goes on. Feel free to toss out any suggestions for fun things to do around town to help me occupy my week. 

from jessie (busy bee)... with love

Rainy Day Pick-Me-Up

Courtesy of me here at "From Jessie... With Love" a little video in homage of my fellow 80's babies!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

I saw this first on the morning show The Daily Buzz. This was, and still is, one of my favorite 80's songs, and I love that they are joking on it. ENJOY!

from jessie (mullenator)... with love

ONE YEAR TODAY

It was one year ago today that Scott Thomas Minter and Jessica Katherine Barta became ONE in holy matrimony!

What a wonderful year it has been. We have been through some ups and downs, just as many couples experience during the first year, but I must say we have weathered it and come out STRONG. I know God put me in the right hands to join me in the journey that is the rest of our life together. 

To this day, and all the days ahead, I hold true to the vows that we picked to exchange that day:

"Today I take you to be my husband/wife.

I make a commitment to you today:

With God's help I will love and serve,

Honor, and protect you. I'm choosing today

to spend the rest of my life with you.

I will walk with you when life is good,

and through every storm.

You are a gift to me from God.

I hope others see Christ's heart and love

in the way that I care for you.

Today, I pledge my love, my all, to you."

I love my husband with a passion and feel overjoyed and humbled to be associated with someone so insightful, genuine, intelligent, emotionally-aware, and loving. If given the chance to start over again, I'd still choose him. I cannot express how thrilled I am that both of us are dedicated to making this marriage work. I feel that's a commitment so many are willing to neglect, but it is essential to making a relationship with ANYONE work!

Happy Anniversary Scott Y

from jessie (devoted wife)... with love

Etsy Extravaganza!

So weird that I didn't post yesterday! However, in my defense, I was busy celebrating the wedding anniversary with the hubby (post coming tomorrow)!

Today's post is devoted to the wonderful items I've discovered while "webdow" shopping on Etsy! What a fantastic site! I'm often overwhelmed with the crafty talent displayed by the countless individuals selling on this site. I was recently able to purchase an item from an Etsy seller, briguysgirls, and was ecstatic about the result!!! I definitely recommend pouncing on a purchase if you see something you like on this site (most of these items are one of a kind). Without further adieu:  

    

            

Left-Right/Top-Bottom :: pinwheel nesting bowls :: LaLa Bloom Fresh Collection EyeShadow :: Shoreline Necklace:: Octopus To Do List:: Fowl Hair Print :: Cozy Cuff :: Matie Cupcake Topper :: City Lights Necklace 

So there you go, just a few of the WONDERFUL finds I sought out on Etsy. And seriously, if you are looking for a birthday idea gift (April 29th), I'd be MORE THAN HAPPY with either necklace (wink wink). 

from jessie (Etsy fiend)... with love