Cabin Fever Tomato Basil Soup.

Yesterday I decided that I was going to make Tomato Basil Soup, it's a favorite in our house....but of course, when you are stuck indoors you don't always have all the ingredients you need (Thankfully I did have what I needed because my hubby braved the snow yesterday, not once but twice, to get ingredients for goodies for the week to come) I was searching for an easy, tasty recipe that I could make on the quick. It turned out pretty great if I do say so myself....

Here it is:

Cabin Fever Tomato Basil Soup

Combine:

4 Cups of Tomato Juice

28 oz. of crushed Tomatoes

14 fresh Basil Leaves

1-2 Tsp. Garlic Salt

1-2 Tsp. Crushed Black Pepper

1-2 Tsp. Sea Salt

1-2 Tsp. Crushed Red Pepper

Add all these ingredients into a pot on the stove heat to medium and let it simmer for 30-45 minutes. 

Remove from heat and blend. Add back to pot and combine:

1 stick (1/2 Cup) of unsalted butter

1 Cup of Heavy Whipping Cream

Heat on low for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat. Top with Grated Parmesian to taste and serve!

Like I said, easy, fast, and also all in one pot which makes me SOOO happy! 

Snow. Days.

Well, Day two of cabin fever :) I guess it really constitutes as day one since we did actually leave the house yesterday before the roads were closed. I am currently rocking coconut oil in my hair (my favorite hair treatment when it is overly dry) and I am very tempted to maybe clean out the bathrooms. (Deep clean.... leaving nothing but essentials) as I get older I've realized, other than makeup, I am very tried and true to the products I use on my hair, face, and teeth. I'm okay with that. 

On that note I am interested in finding a better body wash... something that doesn't dry me out and force me to lather myself in coco butter every time I take a shower. Any Suggestions?? 

We live close to the heart of our little/big town and on a main drive, thanks to that I have seen a barrage of plow trucks and tow trucks. I predict that there is going to be a very ansy six year old bursting through the house in about an hour and lasting till bed time... I also predict that there is going to be tomato basil soup on the stove very soon simmering all day :) 

I hope everyone in the vicinity is staying warm, stuffed, and happy! 

Happy Monday!

Stay Warm!

2014.

Happy New Years, Loves! Can you believe that it is 2014?? 

I am currently sitting inside my (thankfully) warm house watching the snow fall at a rapid rate. Thank you NWI, I believe we are behind the times with global warming... maybe next year.

I feel as though the past few weeks were a blur.... I have so much to post about and review and tell you about this new year, I guess that is something to look forward to in the coming weeks? 

A few facts about my new year so far?

1. Our Christmas tree is still up...and it is BEYOND dead.

2. I am the mother of a six year old. SIX. I cried, many times on her birthday. MANY. 

3. I am excited about what this year is going to bring... (I have an idea of a few things but I'll just surprise you guys with that when it happens. Deal with it ;)

4. I have been cleaning out the house like it's not even funny. I want our family to ultimately be way more minimalist than we were before.... I will keep you posted on this.

5. I am a stay at home (in school) mommy as of last month. I am totally adjusting to this... there has been a lot more baking and cooking going on. I have a feeling this will aid in some future recipe blogs... how do you guys feel about this?

6. And I am also going to start some Youtubing.. for real. I know I had said that before... tried... then failed... but I think I can actually do it. Let me know if there is anything you want to see.

7. Finally, I am officially over Birchbox. Does anyone else agree with me? It's been horrible. Also, do you have any new box subscriptions that you are loving that I should try?? Let me know! 

Happy 2014 from my family to yours. Let's make it awesome!

Makeup Favorites, Update.

Lately I have been madly in love with a few products that I feel naked without.... And I thought I would share those with you this cold, blah morning. Makeup makes everything better, don't you agree?? 

First I am in love with a non-drugstore base for the first time in forever! The Lorac Natural Performance Foundation.

Next, I am a sucker for Wet and Wild, most people know that about me... their makeup is not only nostalgic for me, it also is really great quality for the most part. I have been addicted to the Wet and Wild Walking on Eggshells eyeshadow palette that breaks the bank at a whopping $2.99. 

Then I've been using a blush by Pixie as my contouring powder on my nonexistent cheekbones and it is AMAZING. I love it, the color is Healthiest Honey and its just enough color to give a great shadow but not a bronzer that I usually overpower my face with ;) (Far left color)

I have always purchased powder highlighters because I just trust them, I know they work and I have had  good success with them, but I got a kit last month that had Benefits Sun Beam in it... what was wrong with me all these years??? I am madly in love with this highlighter! I put a dab of it on each one of my cheekbones (right under the outside corners of my eyes) and it blends perfectly with my foundation. 

 

I highly recommend these products if you are looking to test out some new (oldies but goodies) products! 

Happy Thursday!

Not so TMI

 I had a few rough days last week and this week and ended up in the hospital... I'm fine, but the outcome was that I was given a few different prescriptions to aid in a speedy recovery. I don't usually ever, ever take medication unless I am forced too....

Within a few days of taking the medication I was prescribed, I noticed that I was experiencing some of the side effects that the information packet said may occur during the time that I take the medication, until it is completely out of my system. First thought.... this is not going to be pleasant. 

I discontinued the medication immediately and prayed that miraculously the side effects would stop. Right. At. That. Moment. But the didn't stop, they got worst, probably because the medication was still working its way through my system. 

Now to spare you the details I am going to leave the side effects to the imagination... but they were not fun, one specifically. 

Monday rolled around and the symptoms were getting more annoying. I was working and my discomfort out weighed my ability to work properly, so I went home. When I made it home I realized the one product I needed to aid in my discomfort, I ran out of. Surprising? Not really. 

I headed to the store with one item on my shopping list, and I needed it now. Made it to the store, and there were no parking spots... none. And the idea of walking, just the idea, pained me... but I powered through. I walked the half mile from my car to the store, which was the closest parking spot I could get, and made it in... only to get bombarded with crazy holiday shoppers. It was rough.... there was pushing, bumping, and even name calling and that was just me.... I hate going to the store during the holiday season.... it steals my holiday joy. 

I find my product, I finally made it out, and I made it home.   

I am fine now, I'm over my ailments... but for the brief time in life, I was miserable... and I needed you all to understand my pain. 

Happy Hump Day!!

Back in the Saddle.

It takes time. Obviously. And I am no closer to my normal self, and I don't know what that is or if I will ever find it. But I am someone else now, and that is okay. I hope that I am a wiser person for it, I think much more now, I accept much more now, and I understand the value of taking my time now more than ever. Time is precious, don't waste it on anyone that does not mean the world to you. 

So today, for the first time I am taking a long breath and I am climbing back into the saddle. I have tried to write. I've started sentences many times over the past few weeks, but every time that I do, it all just comes back to him... to Tyler... to all the questions I have for him... all the words that are left in my heart for him... and when those come, I stop typing. (and usually I start crying) I talk to him, often, don't worry. I am grieving the best that I can... but I, now, here, I want to come back to you all and write about what makes me happy... all the superficial things that don't take effort to write  about. I cannot promise that I won't write about my feelings, and I cannot promise that I won't mention how I am feeling now and again. But for today and for now I am back to blog about gooey crap, funny moments, and those things in life that just keep me going. Thank you for your patience. 

Love,

B.

My World. Let's get ready for the holidays!

A Ripe Mosaic

~

I never know how to start something that I know will be difficult to write. And today, especially, I don't know how to write about death. I am sure there is someone out there that is well versed in the eloquence needed to write on those that have passed on. I am a religious person, and I am sure I could lead off with that foot... but for me in this moment that is not what I am looking for. I am not mad at God. I am not angry at Him for this death, I find it immature when people use that cop-out. We are a product of our own doing from the moment we can comprehend right and wrong till our last breath. I am not saying that is true, that is my truth. So, today though I may not be ready too, I am going to write about my loss. 

I felt love at a very young age. Real, unconditional, true love. He came into this world, to annoy the hell out of me September 21, 1989. He was rough, he was loud, he was sneaky, he broke things, and more than anything he frustrated me. We fought, we bickered, and even at times I begged God to let me sell him for a kitten. God obviously knew something I didn't. In the midst of the bloody noses and the minor concussions.... we became best friends. We knew everything about each other. We knew each others fears, dreams, wants, and needs. He was my platonic first love. 

As we grew up I never needed anyone to make me feel special because I already had that someone. He fiercely protected me just as much as he fought with me. We learned how to be independent... together. We supported each others failures and successes. We lied for each other. We imagined for each other. He loved me the way I dreamt someday a man would love me forever, and I him. He loved me when I didn't deserve it and no one else did. 

When I made mistakes, over and over again, he told me not to mind what others thought... because he knew I did. I followed him to every music gig I could possible. I wanted to be by his side always. And now I've failed him in that respect.

Please don't console me. That's not what I'm asking. That isn't the reason I'm writing this. I don't pity myself or the time that I won't have with him. I ache because I lost my best friend. I ache because so many thought/think they knew him the way I did. I ache because I see the hole that his absence has left so many. It pains me to know the dark secrets that I do, that no one will ever know but me now. It hurts to see so many people that didn't care for him, act like they give a rats ass now...even worse that they have the audacity to contact me (pigs). 

But for those that loved him, thank you. You're love is felt by me. Everyday I feel your love. Every moment I loose my breath, I take another one knowing there is love out there for him still and the one of a kind being he was. You make me smile when all I can do is cry, your faces, even if not in front of me, remind me how important it is to keep loving. For everything that he was, and everything he did, and everything he was judged for.... there is one thing he did better than anyone else I've ever met. He LOVED the hell out of those around him. He hugged like a maniac, he cared-not just listened-he cared because he loved you and me. 

Remember him for that please. That is all I'm asking. If I could get one massive gift from anyone, when you think of him... think of that massive heart of his. That loved like literally no one I ever have met did. 

That fucking love has carried me the past few weeks.

To all of you, thank you. Thank you, and you know who you are for keeping me loved, keeping him loved.

(Mini was there too.... in my belly)

Tyler,

I promise you, my love, I will always keep you closer to my heart that you can comprehend and ever did. I will not let those that hurt you before hurt me our those we love, ever. I will make sure you are in my heart always and that you feel it, where ever you are. See you in my dreams honey.

Play on.

~

His Voice for the Quiet Moments.