Guest Chef at Rags'

Unlike so many people my age, I am skipping the 30x30. Instead, I am jumping on opportunities to do things I've always wanted to or just sound really cool.

Last fall, I was introduced to this little restaurant and bar in Lakeview (Birmingham). They do guest chef night from time to time and I finally got around to signing up in April.

Back in high school, I used to want to be a chef. Then I spent an entire day cooking for my friends and changed my mind. (LOL!) This was all about getting in an industrial kitchen and cooking for more people than I am comfortable with. I also got to do a little fundraiser for my favorite local charity, the 1917 Clinic.

I chose to make my go-to recipe of apple roasted pork tenderloin. Rags' donates a portion of the profits to a charity of the chef's choice, and I decided to donate $5 per plate served to the 1917 Clinic, as well.

Here, I have to thank everyone who supported me and the 1917 Clinic that night. Alan, who donated his own $5 because he wouldn't be able to attend, my mother, Gamma, Mrs. Graham, James, Michael,Debbie, William, Margaret, Meredith, Shannon, Dana, Melissa (who is a vegetarian and just skipped the pork), Laura, Ryke, Space, John Paul, Jordan (my brother, who came all the way from Montevallo), and everyone else I don't know who ordered the plate.

I'm really glad I decided not to pursue that career path, but I think a couple of times a year doing guest chef will satisfy me just fine!

28th Birthday Party!



On April 7, I turned 22 for the second time. (I actually turned 28 ... heehee). I celebrated with my friends on April 8, at Nana Funks, of course. I racked up on the wine (thank you, everyone!). It was such a special night and I am so thankful I got to visit with friends from many seasons of my life. Shannon did such a great job decorating. That part was so unexpected, and she went above and beyond!

I'm one of those people who likes to eat around 7 or 8, but Happy Hour (specifically, Friday Happy Hour) tends to get in the way of that. We have this group we call the "Friday Friends," so Fridays are THE social event of the week. All I wanted was to be able to eat dinner at Happy Hour, so I got a small catering order and a cake and we partied!

Before I go any further, I want to thank the Nana Funks staff! I hopped in real quick on my actual birthday and Ryke had bought me a glass of wine, and Ricky wished me a happy birthday as he was leaving and I was coming in. Like I said, Shannon did a great job of decorating. (She even got me a special balloon with a sweet dog on it because I have been wanting a dog.) Melissa and Stephanie actually took time away from their evening (when I assume they are getting in a good nap before they have to be at work later on to work all night) to make appearances. And Troy and Dustin also made a point to wish me a happy birthday. It was very special that everyone acknowledged my special day and I hope to never forget it! After all, how many times does a girl turn 22? We'll find out ... (LOL). Also, Scott gave me some glasses of wine the next Monday when I saw him. If you're looking for a bar in Birmingham, make friends with Nana Funks! They are a great group of people!

One more highlight I don't want to forget is dancing with the Space-man to "No Sugar Tonight." Time of my life!

Now, on to the pictures. Please excuse my purple lips (and probably teeth!). I was having too much fun to bother with keeping that under control :)

Shannon wrote this sweet sign for me

Me and Brother (Jordan)

Me and Melissa - best girlfriend from high school! We have very few pictures together and rarely get to hang out.

The Cake - I decided to turn 22 again!

Full view of The Cake - from Savage's, of course!

Me, Laura, and Melissa

Me and someone who probably wishes to remain anonymous

Me and The Debbie - my best bar friend!

Jessica, Me, Keri D., and Sara

Me and Space - my favorite ex-boyfriend

Meredith, Me, and Margaret - my favorite Auburn fans!

Me and Stephanie

Food!

Decorations - Shannon did such a great job :)

A wonderful bottle of wine from my anonymous (Alabama fan) friend. I love how he wraps a present!

Widespread Panic

These are my pictures from the Widespread Panic concert in Birmingham. I didn't take any pictures Friday night because, to put it nicely, people were not very nice that night. I missed most of Charlie Daniels, cried most of the first set (the stress got the better of me :/), and finally was able to enjoy the second set (for the most part). You wouldn't have wanted to see those pictures, anyway.

On a happier note about Friday, the energy from the band was AWESOME!!! They covered "Riders on the Storm," which was pretty cool and very fitting for a stormy day, and later they covered "Feelin' Alright," and I was in LOVE. I freakin' love Joe Cocker! They also played "Bust it Big," and "Porch Song." It's kind of foggy on the rest of the set list, due to my little meltdown (note sarcasm).

The pictures here are from the second night. I chilled out at home in Birmingham on Saturday, locked myself in my bedroom, blasted some Panic CDs, took a hot shower, and just centered myself in a much better mood. And it worked! Ain't life grand, y'all!

Saturday night was much more laid back, and we all had fun, especially Space, as you will see.

Go order the DVD of the shows! It's the best $30 I've ever spent. While you're at it, go download them, too. Loves it!

 

Space-man was SPACED! He definitely had a good time. Don't judge - he's been pretty responsible lately.

Me and Shannon. So freakin' excited for a good night!

Me and Space. He was all over me all night. I gave up on dancing when I found myself with a Space backpack :/

Pet Peeves: Pregnacy and Parenting edition

This is something I've thought about posting before I even had a blog. I even thought about starting a blog all about pet peeves. But that's negative. I guess doing a post about pet peeves is pretty negative, too. That's why I've never done it before. However, sometimes a girl's gotta vent. And my friends have heard plenty of venting over the years.

1. Women who complain about pregnancy related nausea. This one should be fairly obvious if you know me or have been reading my blog enough. When the nausea persists beyond pregnancy, I will totally sympathize with you as you vent on Facebook. Until then, though, be thankful you have a reason why you feel that way.

2. People who find themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy, choose to keep the child(ren), and basically treat the kids as accessories or entertainment. Parenthood is somehow a privilege thought of as a right. Just because you can make a baby doesn't mean you should be a parent. Instead of neglecting your child or not meeting it's needs (and yours, since your well-being is vital to the child's proper care), do everyone a favor and give the child(ren) to someone who can adequately provide for him/her/them.

3. People who vent about their kids on Facebook. Part of being a parent is teaching a child how to act properly in various situations. You chose to be a parent, so quit complaining. Furthermore, words can not describe what an injustice you're doing to your children. Seriously, I am considering reporting excessive complaints to DHR. You're on notice.

4. Misspelling words and neglecting to use punctuation. Especially when you are on a rant about why you choose to homeschool. Work on spelling properly and using proper grammar and punctuation so you can help your kids grow up into, at the minimum, intelligent sounding adults. If my kids misspell on Facebook, you better believe I will correct them. On Facebook.

5. People who feel they are doing a good thing by giving indigent people baby showers. Yes, I know this is highly controversial. It goes back to #4. They probably didn't choose abortion because they couldn't afford it and they think their only option is keeping the baby because they don't know much (if anything) about adoption. There's also this thing called foster care that you put your children into until you get yourself together for them. If you can't take care of yourself, you have no business raising a child.

6. People who already have a few kids, choose to adopt a child, and then ask for people to help them adopt said child by hosting fundraisers, or just asking for donations. See #5. You already have plenty of kids. Take some time to save up some money on your own and then adopt a child.

7.

Recipe: Chicken, black bean and corn quesadillas

I've been craving black beans and corn and wanted to come up with a good recipe incorporating the two of them. At first, I was just thinking of a stir fry, but then I started craving quesadillas. And I wanted a little something more in my quesadillas than just chicken and cheese.

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts, boiled and chopped
Chopped white onion
1 can black beans, drained
1 can sweet kernel corn, drained
Tomato, chopped

Tortillas
Shredded cheese


Directions:

Heat up your chicken in a skillet with some olive oil

Add onions and tomatoes

Add corn and beans

Saute all things together until hot

On a cookie sheet, lay out tortillas (it is helpful to cover cookie sheet in foil)

Put a thin layer of cheese on each tortilla

Put some stir fry mixture on top of cheese

Add another layer of cheese

Top with another tortilla

Bake at 350 until melted and browned

Favorite Things: The Makeup Post

{Click on the captions to be taken to more information about the item ... and the source.}



Clinique Exfoliating Scrub



CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion



Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Get Started Kit

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation



Too Faced Naked Eye Soft & Sexy Eye Shadow Collection



Sephora Collection Lash Plumper



Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara

Chanel Chance Eau de Toilette Spray

Fresh Cannabis Santal

Calvin Klein ck one

More good news

Granny is doing well. She got moved to a rehab facility, so she is officially on her way to recovery. Yay!

In other good news ...

Widespread Panic announced some Spring tour dates and April 15 and 16 are for Birmingham!!! (And even more exciting is Charlie Daniels will be with them April 15.) So, you know where I plan on being those two days. Double yay!