DJ Earworm and Some Ex-Boyfriend Story

I dated this guy for 2 and a half years once and he introduced me to these songs by DJ Earworm.  Every year, this DJ guy takes the most popular songs and mashes them up together to make one comprehensive, awesome song.

So what if I'm a dork.  I like mashups...

This is the 2013 one. Enjoy!

Southern Mac and Cheese

I've never been one to like the stove-top mac and cheese that comes with the powdered neon yellow/orange cheese.  Even as a kid, I would opt for something else.  So, I was pretty sure that I just didn't like Mac and Cheese in general.

Enter the classic pot luck.

Do you know what a pot luck is?  Growing up, one Sunday a month, after church, a bunch of families would all get together and bring food and eat together and fellowship. Those afternoons are some of my favorite memories!  Most women would bring a covered dish or casserole, and this baked type mac and cheese was a staple.  I loved it.  I had to have it.  I had to figure out how to make it.

Then I forgot about it.

Until two years ago, when I was watching Trisha Yearwood on the cooking channel.  She made an  AMAZING looking Mac and Cheese and once again, I was obsessed.  She makes her differently than mine and in a completely different method (crock-pot), but to be fair, this recipe is definitely inspired by her television show.  I hope y'all try it!

Sorry for the janky angle. I was so excited about eating it...

Southern Mac and Cheese

8 oz of cooked elbow pasta (macaroni)
1 12 oz can of evaporated milk
8 oz sour cream
1 stick of butter, melted
2 large eggs, beaten
4 cups of Colby Jack shredded cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika plus some to sprinkle on the top



Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and set aside a greased 9 by 13 casserole dish.  Mix everything together in a large bowl, but save some of the cheese to sprinkle on the top.  Bake for 45 minutes covered with foil, then 15 more minutes without the foil until the top is tan and bubbly.  Let the casserole rest for AT LEAST 15 minutes before you dig in.  Enjoy!

Christmas and DIY Cone Trees

If you know me at all, you know that I love home decor and DIY things.  If I could figure out how, I would buy five hundred blank houses and decorate them all completely different. Part of what I love about my home is all the personalized touches that I've added over the years.  Seasonal decor is a big thing for me; I am a Christmas freak.  Even though I live alone, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't decorate just a much as I would living with others.  Expect a home tour/Christmas decor video soon:).

Today I wanted to share with you an easy way to make those super chic little Christmas trees that all the decor stores are selling right now.  Super easy and super fun.  I started with a cardboard cone base, but you could certainly make your own cone out of poster-board or cardboard as well.  Then, I just took ribbon scraps and burlap that I loved and glued them around the tree.  The golden beaded one is made from a long strand of those super cheap necklaces that you can find at any dollar store. Ta-Da!  Instant awesome DIY Christmas cheer.  I made up three of these babies in about an hour with a trusty hot glue gun.

*My style trends more towards natural/rustic decor with pops of color here and there.  I love burlap and natural woods, with gold and silver sprinkles throughout for Christmastime.

The finished project

The way to do the ribbon and burlap is to wind it around, starting at the top by affixing it with a small dot of glue.  Then, as you wind, make one twist per round as you go down, keeping the ribbon tight.  This is how to create that effortless "rumpled" look.  Then, at the end I hot glue all around the bottom and sporadically within the body, taking care not to let the glue show.  For the beads, I would put long lines of hot glue down the tree body from the top along each side so that each round was hitting the hot glue at two separate spots.

These are the three Marmie made.  She opted for a more colorful look. 

Gift Ideas for Kids

It's that time of year!  Here are my best picks for the children in your life. Click on the captions and it will show you where to purchase, if you so choose:).  

Tin Can Robot Kit! 

Rock Tumber: Who didn't have one of these?

Calico Critters Cozy Kitchen

Kitchen Set by Melissa and Doug

Wooden legos 

Felt Sandwhich set 

Super Rad Dollhouse 

Slingshot!  This is handmade and available in other colors

Beeswax crayons

Coloring book of awesome.  Tell me you wouldn't frame this artwork and be proud of it?

Natural playdough.  No link for this one:(

Candle-making kit for little hands.  

And then...two more out of the box ideas to teach children about the importance of living outside themselves: 

Sponsor a child.  Teach your kids that Christmas is about giving back, too!  

Go to your local zoo and get information on how to sponsor an animal.  Then your kiddo can see the animal and understand that giving is even more important than receiving. If you don't live by a zoo, Google the WWF and find out how to save animals in the wild with donations. 

Hey Guys and a Rant

Note: I have received several sweet, heartwarming comments but also a few negative comments about this post.  Because of this I have disabled comments.  Please remember that this is a personal lifestyle blog and if what I say offends you, you most certainly don't have to read it.  


So it snowed.  And iced.  Hopefully it melts soon. It was pretty dramatic, as I had to work the night it blew in.  What typically takes me 30 minutes took over an hour, and cars and trucks were sliding off the road left and right.  I saw a big gasoline truck slip and fish-tail out into the median right in front of me.  Luckily no one was hurt.  The hospital was understaffed because of the bad weather and they were worried that they would have to keep us over our 13 hour shifts because day shift couldn't come in.  Yeah, they can do that.  Nurses don't get enough respect or acknowledgment.  My relief was only a bit late, so it was all good for me and I was able to drive the hour home again in new, fresh ice.



Anyway, here's some snow pictures.

Holiday Gift Guide: The Men in Your Life

I think men are the hardest people to shop for in the entire world.  Like ever.  Ever.  I used to get the standard coffee cup or book or DVD, but not this year!  Nope, this year, I'm throwing down the gift-giving gauntlet and picked the most epic gifts ever.  Here's a few ideas (click the links to find where to get them):

Alarm clock that you have to shoot to make stop.  How neat is that?!

Hehe.  I know who I'm getting this for...

6 pack of Beer Soap.  What?! 

Nerdy Clock

BBQ rubs of the states.  My favorite would be Texas, of course

Make your own beer!

Whiskey Stones

Really Cool Shoes

Life Lately

The chili from Wendy's is pretty good!  I like it on my way to work. 

This is a family favorite. I can remember my dad singing this loudly all over the house at Christmas time. 

Vitamin K vial made of glass that you literally have to break open to syringe out.  Seems like a dumb idea...

Been making homemade Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Butter. Amazing. 

Cutie patootie

My hand all swole up and red from the gel we use at work.  

My new turkey feather in my collection. :)