Tip #44

So, my husband has boogers. All the time. This is not really something that bothers him so much, just me. One day upon telling him that he had a booger in his mustache, he replied with gratitude, "Hey! You said I had a mustache!"
Yesterday we were riding in the car, and as usual, I informed him of yet another booger looming at the end of the twin tunnels. After removing it, he needed a tissue...which I did not have. I suggested his jeans, and then thought, "You can always put a booger in your pocket. That way you don't see it, and it's there for later (in case you're into that)."
To which he replied, "You should put that tip on your blog."
Bingo bango: Tip #44

Black Bean Soup

This was SUPER easy and SUPER good. Sounds like a winner, eh?

1 lb. black beans (soaked over night)
1 can rotel
1 can white shoepeg corn
1 pack taco seasoning
6-7 green onions, chopped
1 T minced garlic
fresh cilantro, chopped
juice from 1-2 limes

After I drained the beans, I tossed it all in my best friend, the crock pot, and covered with water. (high for 6-8 hours, or low for 8-10). Just before serving I put about 3 cups of the beans and soup in the blender, then added it back to the rest. We served it with cheese, sour cream, fresh guacamole, and tortilla chips.
yummmmmm.

The Jar Lady

So far, housing rainbow NERDS was the only thing we could come up with for the empty baby food jars. Until now...
These are washed out, goo-goned and ready to hang. I used regular craft wire and double wrapped the top to make a hanging bud vase. I might have gone a little crazy...my neighbor came in and said it looked like I took a machete to the azalea bush out front. There were flowers everywhere. Now I make John Jay wash out every little jar we empty. I'm a jar saver...one step closer to becoming my Grandmommy Sosebee. That, and the 1/2 full Starbucks drink I stuck in the freezer.

Counterfeit Free People

I love Free People. If I'm in a store and see an article of clothing that I like, it's most likely from them. But even at TJ Maxx prices, I usually can't afford them. I sketched a "pattern" for my most recent (overpriced) FP find and used one of John Jay's old Penguin shirts to create my own version (he's going to be forced to go around bare-chested if I don't stop raiding his closet).

Thank You Annie

This salad is incredible. INCREDIBLE.

• Spinach leaves
• Feta cheese
• Chopped walnuts
• Diced mango
• Annie's Naturals roasted red pepper vinaigrette

It's definitely the dressing that makes it, though. If you only buy one ingredient, let it be the dressing. Oh man. It's safe to say that it's one of the best store bought dressings I've ever had. My only regret is that I stopped long enough to take pictures for you people.

It looks like Annie has been busy in the kitchen...Artichoke Parmesan, Gingerly Vinaigrette Low-Fat Dressing, Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, Lemon and Chive...so many! There is quite a lot of salad in store for the Alvaro household. Sorry John Jay.

Flower Child

Excluding allergies, I love spring. Everything is new and bright...and the flowers! Our little walking path has been garnished with splashes of Japanese magnolias, daffodils, irises, camellias, dogwoods, and azaleas (to name a few). If no one's looking, I'll pick one and stick it in my hair. The other day I "borrowed" a beautiful pink dogwood bloom and tucked it under my bobby pin. But by the end of the day it was all sad and droopy.
These cute paper flowers were hanging out in the craft section at the grocery store. I just wired them to a bobby pin and ta-da! Instant spring! And this way you don't have to worry about a bug crawling in your ear.

Happy Birthday Jenn!

My best friend, Jenn Kilpatrick is celebrating her birthday today in Africa. That's right, AFRICA. She and Britton, along with their 6 month old, Siriana, went to visit his parents (they are missionaries in Malawi) and help out at the school, crisis nursery and other various places for a month.
I've been sitting here contemplating whether or not to write a long, mushy, how-much-I-love-Jenn kind of post, or just show you what I made for her b-day. Let me just say, that I know for certain, with out a doubt, that I will never again have a friend like Jenn. How does one even begin to describe her? She is the most thoughtful, selfless, creative, loving, giving, fun, quirky, strange, beautiful, hard-working, Christ-like friend I have ever known. She is one of the few people on this earth that I know will love me no matter how ugly, selfish, grumpy, or evil I tend to be. I will miss her greatly when we move. I can't say much more...due to the tears.
Thank you Jenn. I love you and hope your African birthday is the best one yet.

These gifts were sent via Britton. I made her a scarf out of some sheer plaid fabric. And by "made" I mean "hemmed." I have a scarf from the other half of the fabric. ("BE FRI" "ST ENDS," if you will). Judah helped me pick out the green beads for her bracelet. And the little bag I made is from an old shirt we discovered we both had (because we used to accidentally wear it on the same day). Then I lined it with a swatch from some scraps her mom donated to me.