Chandeliers Craze part 2

Here is the current state of my chandelier painting... I found some beautiful Swavorski crystals that I outlined the silver chandelier crystals with. I was trying to be frugal with the crystals because they are a little expensive. I looked for more "inexpensive" ones but they were so cheap and tacky, I couldn't allow myself to put them onto this painting I put my heart and soul into. The light catches the crystals (not really in the picture) and it is totally worth it...

I am trying to figure out if less is more...I am thinking, I am way to excessive to live by that quote! I need more bling on this painting!!

Stay tuned for more updates on this endeavor!

Gorgonzola stuffed burgers

Gorgonzola stuffed burgers

1 lbs of ground beef

fresh thyme

Worcestershire sauce

rolls

salt

pepper

BUY FRESH THYME! I can not stress how amazing fresh spices and herbs are to recipes! That is the most important thing! Take just the leaves off the springs and chop it up.

In one bowl, add ground beef, salt and pepper to taste and the Worcestershire sauce (usually 11 shakes is good...it can be overpowering if too much is added. Add chopped thyme and blend.

Make hamburgers of the meat. Usually 5 burgers can come out of a pound of beef.

After you've formed the burgers, make them into a bowl shape.

Add a spoon full of crumbled Gorgonzola into the bowl (the Gorgonzola is my favorite with the spices, but any cheese can be add to the middle. Cheddar would also taste great!)

Close up the top of the burgers by folding over the meat on top of the "bowl." I cooked the burgers on my george foreman, but leave the top of the GF up because sometimes the cheese will push out the sides and the top. Just grill them and watch them. Time it out based on how you like the meat cooked...usually 3-5 mins on both sides is good for my medium preference.

While the burgers are grilling, slice and toast the buns. Then put the two together with whatever toppings you like. I personally love cheese, so I put muenster on top of my burger. It is light enough of a cheese that it doesnt clash with the flavors of the burgers.

Bon Appetite!

Chandeliers Craze

The Challenge

I have realized that I'm completely obsessed with damask patterns and chandeliers. I have been searching for something for my walls in either or that wont cost me a fortune.

Hmm enter financial issue.

Apparently it is the new cool thing is this simple elegance design I am going for, so it is EVERYWHERE but wicked expensive.

In true "me" form I thought, "well heck, I bet I can make what I am thinking of," and that's where my new chandelier painting comes into play. A good idea in theory, but a lot more...meticulous than I bargained for! I am extremely Type A so this calming art project has become a tangible anxiety attack. The beauty of the paintings I have done already is the extreme ease in which they were made. Lines could be anywhere, colors could overlap a bit...but with this damn painting, everything on both sides has to be the same and very detailed and BLEH! My idea for the end of it will be to put some crystals or sparkles on it...to spice it up a bit. I LOVE the desert turquoise I am using as the background. I still have no idea where I am going to put it in my room.

I have decided to do a series of these chandelier paintings, though the next ones will be substantially smaller than this 36x36 size.

Current State of Challenge

I listened to that song, "Believe" by Yellowcard and for so long was convinced the song was about Jesus. Found out at the concert, he wrote it about the American soldiers. That makes me happy in a way.

Wanna hold my wife when I get home

Wanna tell the kids they'll never know

How much I love to see them smile

Wanna make a change right here right now

Wanna live a life like you somehow

Wanna make your sacrifice worthwhile

I always thought that lyric was "want to tell the kids I've never known, how much i love to see them smile," until just now when I looked them up. I think i like that better. It made me cry at a concert once lol.

What do you think about the similarities between those lyrics being about soldiers and not Jesus?

Made with Love...

Pesto Pizza

STEP 1

Start with Pillsbury thin crust Pizza dough.

Roll it out onto a cookie sheet.

To add flavor and make sure it doesn't burn, you can brush on some olive oil.

I chose to spread on a little bit (stress LITTLE bit) "I can't believe it's not butter," Mediterranean blend (it includes olive oil in it).

Bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees.

STEP 2

Take the dough out of the oven and spread on a generous portion of pesto.

The kind I like is Buitoni pesto because they offer a reduced fat one.

STEP 3

Sprinkle on a little mozzarella all over.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Add fresh sliced mozzarella. I was lazy and bought a kind that was already pre-sliced.

Usually at this point, I slice up 3 "on the vine" tomatoes and place them on top of the mozzarella slices. Since it will take us a couple days to eat it, I'm not going to because the look of tomatoes that are older than a day gross me out.

Tomato pesto pizza only comes out at parties when I know it will be eaten right away :)

STEP 4

Bake for 8 minutes at 400 degrees, take out of the oven and enjoy :)

"Careful the wishes you make. Wishes are children."

~Babs Streisand.

Favorite line and song by her. Well it is from the Broadway show "into the woods," but I remember listening to it in the car on the way home in Autumn. Somehow that part of the song is a trigger and makes me so excited to have children.

That's what I wish for ☮ ♥ ☺

Easter

So this is a couple days late, but whatever. My best friend, Blair, is in town and I had to spend some serious love time with her. Not had to as in a chore, but had to for the sake of my own soul. We went to the beach with my mother, brother and Marilyn. Amazing time. "on the beach with your best friends," is the quote i have had taped on all my computers since I got my first one back when I was 18. This reminds me of when I am the happiest, and at the beach with Blair, i was truly happy. We played paddle ball for a while and were really good at it. Like really good. I love the sand on the gulf coast...well minus the shells everywhere that were probably beautiful at one time, are now broken and hurt my feet when i walk! Beauty is pain sometimes right! We went to Benedettos in Lutz and I had the most amazing meal of my entire life. Pollo Tuscany, in my belly. I paired it with an amazing Pinot noir, Frank Sinatra's mug shot (one of my favorite photos ever) next to me and a live piano performer was absolute nirvana.

Pollo Tuscany

Today is Easter and I am spending it alone in my apartment with a DVR full of shows for me (Real World, ANTM, Sober house, and LOST). I had a little mac and cheese and a sunny day on my body. Home is a far drive and I am trying to watch my cash money. I miss my dog terribly. My mom still has her kidnapped.

My wedding on Friday went well. The couple paid for full service coordinating, so we were there till midnight. I cried a couple times during it...I think when you are a coordinator and stop crying at the weddings you put some much into, it may be time to get out of the business. A wedding is such a huge life-changing event and we are invited to experience it. Epic. If you stop crying, you have lost your soul. I was really feeling, um well, vulnerable and a little sad, and the wonderful universe sent me one of the best compliments I have ever received.

"You are the type of girl a father prays his son brings home."

The groom's father told me this as I was lent rolling him and lining him up. It really couldn't have come at a better time. I don't care who you are, hearing a cello, violin and flute play "Everything I do, I do for you," it will tug at the heart you wear on your sleeve.

Just breathe.

I made a GREAT pesto pizza yesterday with fresh mozzarella slices on top of it. Should have taken a picture to post up here, but between alcohol and boys at the pool, it was gone before I could even think about it!