Wonderful MI Photgrapher

I cannot say enough good things about my lovely friend's business, Cameo Layne Photography. It's been so inspring watching her grow over the years, and now with a blossoming business. Knowing a few complications a small business can bring from my own short experience, I try to help her out in any way I can. A few weeks ago I made darling little masks to use for props and her easter session (tutorial tomorrow)! And today I just wanted to give a quick shout out!

So check her out, "like" her page! Soon she'll be having a launch party for her updated blog, so be on the lookout for that!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/cameolaynestudios

Hot & Cold

Like I mentioned in a previous blog, we've had some struggles in the week & a half since M has been home. It's been almost 7 months being 800+ miles away from each other and 4+ years of a military life. We knew there would be adjustments, just not big blow-ups within days of being back in the family life. Little things have been setting him off, and I either cry or get angry myself. It's not something I'm use to happening often, much less as frequent as it has been. The great thing is we both don't like to let things sit & fester, so after a few minutes of either walking, or thinking by ourselves, we talk it out camly, apologize for our mistakes. Neither of us is perfect, and we realize we have a lot of work to do-but know it's something we can get thru.

I can't help the little whisper of guilt. This year I had a few simple resolutions, and one was to be a better wife. Not that I'm a bad wife, but I believe we all can be better versions of ourselves. Yet so far I'm sure I haven't held up to this idea like I expected. I will continue to try, and keep to my new resolution.

Even though he wasn't on a big deployment overseas, all this time spent apart is giving us some adjustment issues. If anyone has great blogs or articles that help in this aspect, they'd be greatly appreciated if left in a comment!

Thanks for all your support! I pray this next month is a little less stressful, and we're closer than ever.

Apple Croissants

Need a quick dessert for your family? Or, if you're like me, there's a few apples sometimes that really need to be used up. Come fall we'll be up to our armpits in apples (almost every family member has some sort of apple tree), and I can use every single apple recipe there is!

INGREDIENTS:
2-3 apples, peeled & sliced
1 can croissants (in the refridgerator section of your store)
1 TB butter
1/4 C splenda
1/2 - 1 tsp of cinnamon (I love cinnamon, so I do 1tsp)
quick dash of nutmeg

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add apples into the hot skillet. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes. Add the sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg, cook for about 2 minutes more. Turn off the heat. Seperate the croissant triangles from the roll of dough. Approximately 2-3 slices will fit in each croissant. Roll them up (they won't be perfect, this is a rustic dessert), and bake according to the croissant directions. Place into a bowl with a towel to keep their warmth. If you want you can make a quick frosting with equal amounts of confectioner's sugar & milk, with 1/2 tsp vanilla...and drizzle that over the croissants... oh... yum!

HOMECOMING!

Sorry for the lack of postings, but it's for a good reason---promise!
MY HUSBAND IS HOME! It has been a whilrwind week filled with just a myriad of emotions; excitement of him being home, frusturations as we deal with adjusting, happiness at not having to be alone, and well, you get the drift!

Here are some pictures from the last week.





He's already had his first job interview, and while we have our fingers crossed we know there's always competition. But in this economy I thought getting an interview is pretty good.


*for our 6 month update, go here*

Pirate Jack Chicken

Last year I started eating healthier, and trying to cut some of the processed foods from our lives. In the summer I looooove bbq like no other, but realize some of the sauces aren't the greatest for you. Somehow I stumbled up this marinade from Eating Well, and as I tasted it thought "hmm, pepper jack cheese would be awesome on this" so melted some ontop of the breasts for and it added a whole new dimension to this dish. My husband claims to not like fruit mixed with his meat, but he thought this was good--so it's a keeper in our house! This isn't always our "go-to" alternative for bbq sauce but it's a freqeunt flyer on our grill during summer.

Ingredients
4-6 chicken breasts (steak would also be awesome)
1oz slices of pepper jack cheese per breast
MARINADE:
1/4 cup canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1/4 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5 dashes hot sauce

1. Mix up the marinade, and let the meat soak 2hrs to overnight. My sweet spot for this marinade was about 6hrs, I didn't want to let the orange overpower for my husband.
2. Over medium heat, grill, or pan cook 6-12 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of meat. During the last minute of cooking, throw on the pepper jack cheese to get it all nice & melty!
3. Serve with whatever sides you wish, the tex-mex kind pair nicely with this! =)

Thanks to Eating Well for this fabulous marinade *here*

Week Wrapup & Future Projects

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY! AHHH, glorious Saturday! I cannot believe we are expected to reach temperatures of 70+ today in MI. This week has been successful, I'm almost done with the projects for Sammy's party, today I should finish up the few things for hubby's homecoming, along with crafts for my photographer friend & her easter sessions (pics later). I'm becoming more excited & nervous for the homecoming. Excited because, well, it will be so nice to be together as a family again. Nervous because my husband & I have a lot of work for us cut out in our marriage, and hopefully not having miles seperating us will make things easier. I'm also nervous because over 4 years of a guaranteed paycheck are coming to an end, and the "civilian life" scares the heck out of me, I know these next few months are NOT going to be easy in that aspect. But I must have faith.

FUTURE PROJECTS:
-Egg Carton Wreath for Easter & Various Easter crafts
-Washer Ribbon Necklace *link here*
-Bunny Masks (be on the lookout for a post soon)
-Wrapup of train party decor
-Making more blog friends!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I'm going to enjoy another cup of coffee!

FREEBIE comment love buttons

I haven't done graphics in so long, thought I'd dip my toe back into the water. Hope you like them! Let me know if you like them or use them, I love to see my stuff on other's blogs =)

LUCKY nails

I have roughly a week until my husband is finally home! My emotions are caught up in a whirlwind, and the best way to wind down this morning was to do a nail design on my roomate D (family friend we're living with). No way am I saying I'm a professional or that good, just a simple cute design for St. Pattys Day and I thought I'd share!
*FULL SIZE VERSION HERE*

DIY His&Hers Frosty Mugs

Spring is just starting, and with that comes flowers, gardening, and sitting out on the porch at then end of the day with a nice cool glass of your favorite beverage. My husband's might be coke & jack, mine sweet tea =)

I cannot believe in just a few short days he will be home finally! It has truly felt like it would never come, with the usmc saying he'd be able to come home in October, then no, then maybe around thanksgiving, and it changed again to no...the constant "waiting game" that we thought we were use to but oh so obviously wasn't. Here is one of the little surprises I have up my sleeve for him. It's more for my entertainment, but he HAS been hinting around for a frosty mug ;)

The great thing about this craft is it only cost me $2.00, these cute frosty mugs are in different bright colors at the Dollar Tree store this spring! They have a lid with a straw as well. I used puffy type of craft paint (read the bottle it should say it can be used for crafts with plastic as well)... and if you don't have any it's relatively cheap to buy! I did the Mr. & Mrs. by hand (could be changed obviously to His&Hers if you aren't married), and put red glitter on the Mrs. Lips! So cute! It helped the red paint POP against the hot pink cup. Link to me if you do this, I'd love to see your mugs!

Participating in my first "link party" this Tuesday from cute blog: Reasons to Skip The Housework ;)

Breaking transDawn

The other day I had a chance to interview a friend named Dawn, who has graciously allowed me a glimpse into her currently double life. Why? Dawn is currently still male, and has finally become more open about her transgender life. I mentioned this Tuesday during my food for thought blog *here*, please have a read.

I am going to try my best to keep this as clean cut as possible, focusing on the interview and not adding any of my own comments/opinions.
_______________________
Interview 1: Dawn. March 2012.

Why did you choose the name Dawn?
-One day with my good friend whom I had just "come out" to, told me if I was going to be serious about this I needed a "name." We were in the arts&crafts section of a store, she threatened to pick a letter and I would then have to choose a name from it whatever popped into my head first. Quickly my eyes were drawn to the letter "D" first, and Dawn just came to me. I like it because it is simplistic yet has so many meanings.

What memory stands out the most to you?
-At the moment, just a short time after coming out I'm just being happy.
When I was the age of 7 they had commercials on TV all the time about designing your own Barbie. I had begged my family to let me do it, they agreed if I saved up the money on my own. I never did make it but they had been okay with that idea.

How far will you go?
-Depends. State law mandates I have at least 1 year of therapy. I would like to go all the way but the risks make me cautious. So maybe just stop at hormones & cosmetics.

There has been growing interest in the media about the transgender community, do you watch?
-I don't keep up with TV. But if a post pops up on the news for my yahoo page, then I might read it. Most of the things I learn about what the media says about transgenders comes from a social website I'm apart of, fetlife. A majority of the news seems to think and talk about "eh, they're just there" that stands out to me. It disappoints me when people think it's a disease. They're just ignorant. My own grandmother thinks you can do what you want with your life, but in the end you will be punished in the afterlife. I have a long way to go before I have the worries of the public eye turned towards me. But haters are going to hate.

Do you have any more "chick" oriented guilty pleasures? Like shows or movies? I don't meant to offend and have the closed mind that just because you feel you are a girl that automatically means you're into "girly" things, but I have known you when you were still male, I'm just curious.
- =) The movie Anastasia & PDA

Did you have any 2012 resolutions? Did you stick to them?
-My fitness & health. Trying to find more venues for my business or just a new job. And yes.

Who are some of your idols?
- They vary widely. Johnny Depp inspires me with my love of theater. I have 2 trans idols, one who I do not know the name of but her life story was inspring. The other is Nong Toom, a very good boxer. And for fitness & life: A BriBri indian I met while in Costa Rica. He was over 100 years old yet only looked 50, and completely dependant on himself. To be able to just depend on yourself is awesome & inspiring.

You've mentioned a few times your newly found transgeder life as a "condition"...why? Do you have doubts?
-In the big book of problems it's called a condition. I haven't found the proper word to describe it for me personally.

What spurred you to finally start the transition when you have "known" for almost all your life that you was a girl inside?
-For the majority of my childhood I didn't pursue my feelings because my family said it wasn't how boys were suppose to behave. They always told me once I was 18 I could do what I want, and that stuck with me. When I was 19 and in college I felt I could be free to be myself. I thought "oh well" to anyone's disapproval. Sometimes I wish I had spoken up sooner, but I'm overall glad I waited until I was 19 to come out. I would have lost my composure if I had been 9 years old and invited to a slumber party, then sent home because i wasn't a "real girl" (for that story, visit Janet Mock's blog *here*).

_______________________

Thank you Dawn, for this opportunity. I wasn't expecting to blog about this, but I'm glad to have had this chance. For more about Dawn's life & some pretty neat game reviews, check out her blog: *TransGamer Dawn*

DIY: Jean Spring Wreath

As I posted last week, I said I'd be working on a few spring wreaths. Here is one of them! Not only is this budget friendly (Mine cost just $1), it is total country chic! Lying in my scrap fabric bag was a pair of jeans. I try to save a few here & there that cannot go to charity, it had holes in unmentionable places (use to be my "workin outside" pair). When the dollar tree started rolling out all the new stuff for spring, I seen some basic wicker wreaths, and grabbed about 4 of them 2 big, & 2 small. A family friend has been slowing giving me her stash of fake flowers (I keep saying no, I don't need anymore, but somehow they end up in a car). The last carload brought some cute white daisy's - MY FAVE FLOWER!

You will need:
Some sort of basic wreath (check dollar tree, goodwill)
1 pair of old jeans (I only used 1 leg)
hot glue
Fake flowers of your choice

1. Cut the jeans into long strips. Hot glue 1 strip to the 'back' of your wreath, trying to hide it. Begin wrapping the strip around, slightly overlapping, gluing every few inches or so to secure it.
2. Once the wreath is covered, snip off some flower heads and decide your layout (the old wives tale of floral arranging is to have an ODD number of flowers, it's bad luck to have and even amount). If you are happy with how it looks, glue them into place!
3. I cut the tiny little pocket from the jeans, glued a piece of cardboard to the back, and then put it onto the wreath as well. I'd love to put something inside of it, just not sure yet.

=) Your wreath is finished! You could also glue some ribbon to the back to "hang" it from, that would be super cute too, or if you had a thicker wreath that won't hook into a hanger. Mine was only about an inch thick.

If you do this, I'd love to see it! Link back to me or leave a comment!

FFT: the New Segregation

Food For Thought, Tuesday March 6th

The New Segregation

seg·re·gate [v. seg-ri-geyt; n. seg-ri-git, -geyt]
1. to separate or set apart from others or from the main body or group; isolate.

When you mention the word segregationg, people automatically think about race, back to a time before the 1960's where people went to seperate schools, different "rooms."
Allow to bring you to modern day segregation: the LGBT community. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. As a whole, most of the nation, media, politics seperate them from us, like they aren't human beings. Some of my dearest friends, and closest friends growing up were LG or B. I didn't realize, until a few days ago, there was a T in their midsts. One has opened up and trusted me with their story. She has agreed to be interviewed, to further educate and open up minds---to draw close that "gap."

Sad thing is, even in the LGBT community, Transgenders are often the 'odd ones out'. Sometimes they're segregated withing their own, supposedly all loving community. I'm not trying to sway peoples minds, tell you what to think, what is right or wrong or what God may have said or wants us to do. I'm just telling it like it is. The interview will be posted on Friday. I hope you read it. Remember the little rabbit Thumper from Bambi: If you have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all.

Tuscan Chicken Recipe

This is my most requested dinner from family & friends. Something about it is so unique. The first time I made it, I was quite nervous. My husband isn't a fan of beans unless they're baked or in ham soup, and my son is the typical picky toddler. I made it under 45 minutes before I left for zumba one night, and had it warm for when they were ready to eat. I came back home that night to only half a thigh left for me, I had made 4 for us. My son & husband both had second helpings they love it that much! Hopefully you love it as much we do!

INGREDIENTS (serves 3-4, depending on how many thighs you make)

3-4 chicken thighs, skinned

1 TB olive oil

1 onion, thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper (or half large one), seeded and sliced thin (you want all veggies sliced same size roughly)

1 green bell pepper (or half large one), seeded and sliced thin

1 garlic clove, crushed&minched (or 1 heaping TB jarred minced garlic is just fine)

1/2 C chicken broth

1-3 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried parsley

1/2 can cannellini beans, drained (white kidney beans, if you make more than 4 thighs use whole can)

Adobo seasoning and pepper to season chicken

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over med-high. Season chicken with adobo (little goes a long way) and pepper and fry chicken until golden brown and done (if they're thicker thighs put a lid on the skillet to help them cook). Remove and keep warm. Add the onion and peppers to the pan and gently saute until softened, but not brown. Stir in the garlic.

2. Add the chicken broth, oregano, parsley. Taste, season with S&P if desired. Stir in the beans and Re-add the chicken, heat through. Serve & Enjoy.

A Teardrop Falls...

A Teardrop Falls... this is the little sign taped to one single door in the delivery section of a hospital. I go in, someone excitedly passing me by with cute colorful baloons and a stuffed animal, their faces excited with the newness of this joy that has been given to their family as they rush to their loved one's room. Most of the time the labor & delivery rooms are happy, loving filled area. My feet sounded loud, my heart, even louder. My cousin had lost her baby at 38 weeks, and had just been induced that morning after waiting 3 days. 3 days, listening to babies first few hours of whimpering, families happy celebrations, knowing she would not be able to experience that no matter how much all of us wanted to turn back time. I cannot imagine the torture she must be going thru. She is holding up so strong. She's told us she is just trying to retain composure until the baby is delievered. At 7 last night she was only dialated at 2-3cm. The doctor promised one way or another the baby would be out tonight. My heart just hurts for her. I wished there was more to do, she thanked me and said the company was appreciated more than she could give words to everyone...because she hated the hours late at night when she was finally alone to try and "sleep." Many, many prayers and good thoughts are needed for her please.

Niece Sleep Over

One blessing about being home in MI again that I try to take full advantage of is being there for my niece and nephews. The Marine Corps has kept us 'sheltered' from their lives for a good 4 years. Our family has had over 11 boys born in the past 5 years as well, and with my niece being the oldest at 9 years, she can sometimes feel left to the sidelines. Now that I am home I really am trying to make sure I give her some one-on-one time at least every other month. Friday was Dr. Seuss' 108th birthday and her school had a fun olympics day event. The elementary gym was decorated in cute pom trees and bright colored banners. Each class was a team and wore a specific color. It was so cute watching them relay, jump thru hoops, and just have a crazy day. I wasn't expecting, however, for a teacher to grab me to participate-RING THE YAK (I failed, miserably), but I tried my best thru my embarassment =)



Since it was a half day, I took my niece home for a sleepover. I've forgotten what it's like to be that age, we did the ChaChaSlide, Cupid Shuffle, and Macarena at least 20 times~each. Hopefully next week the scale will reflect that, since my muscles are killing me! She picked out 4 colors of nail polish and I painted a design on her fingernails. I would have done her toes, but my son had a stomach ache and distracted me a little. While he was napping we went to the mall, tried on some sparkly clothes. And into Bath&Body Works, where we took the red ribbons and literally tried all the sprays. Since her mom isn't a fan of any body spray or perfume, I let her pick out their nice smelling hand sanitizer with a bedazzled carrier for her backpack. The night ended with lots of pizza, breadstix, cinnastix, and her choice of movies: Dolphin Tale & Mr. Popper's Penguins (so cute).

Black Bean Tacos

As I'm writing this the next day, I am very tempted to go heat one up to eat. I love when a recipe turns out better than I had planned. I know there are hundreds of bean tacos, this is just my spin on it!

INGREDIENTS:
~2 cans black beans, drained & rinsed
~1 can fire roasted salsa/tex mex style tomatoes, strained/seperated from juices
~2 TB olive oil
~1 TB minced garlic, or 2 cloves smashed&minced
~1/2 large red onion, diced
~1 green pepper, diced
~half of your choice red, yellow, orange pepper, diced
~2 tsp Adobe seasoning
~Your favorite shells & toppings!

DIRECTIONS:
In a skillet (prefereable with raised edges) over medium heat saute onions & peppers in olive oil for about 3-5 minutes, until they're tender (but not mushy). Add in black beans, and garlic. Let that mingle for another minute, but not too long or else the garlic may brown (which is a legal kitchen offense, bytheway). Turn heat to low, add the strained tomato mixture. Season with Adobe, and salt & pepper if you choose.

Assemble your tacos however you please. I put down the black bean mixture, cheese on top to get it all nice & melty, fresh chopped onions & lettuce, with some sour cream. YUM! If you wanted to make it a wee bit spicy add in a couple dashes of hot sauce or even chopped jalapenos to the black beans! I have to keep it kid friendly, so everyone is responsible for their own level of hotness on their own plate. Enjoy!

Do you (or a certain manly man of the house) absolutely HAVE to have meat on this? Grilled chicken would pair wonderful with this mixture.

What a week & Month!

Of course, the news that my husband is finally coming home from serving in the United States Marine Corps comes during a week I am busy. I don't mind at all, just feel bad for those who now have to deal with my spacey-ness as I think about how much I need to get done before he's home. Next month is not only Easter but my sons 3rd birthday, and the FIRST birthday he's been able to celebrate with family. We use to live in NC, 800+ miles away from our current MI residence. I'll explain the situation of being away from my husband in a different post.

--CURRENT CRAFT PROJECTS--
~Homecoming banners for M (1 sheet style with paint, 1 bunting type for inside)
~Sammy's party Invitations
~21 question album (link here)
~Various Train-Theme Decor
~Spring Wreaths =) I LOVE spring.

Thursdays are vegetarian days. I'm having a friend over, and we'll be making bean tacos. My mouth is already watering!