Quick Pickles!

Sorry this is more of a summer recipe.... but I love pickles year-round! In august I attempted to tackle refridgerator pickles (a bucket-list item, actually) - and they were a SUCCESS! =)

There's just something about that tangy, crunchy little slice that just screams SUMMER! I love kosher dill. What makes it "kosher"? It does not mean it is a jewish recipe, made by jewish dietary guidelines. The difference between just regular "dill" pickles and "kosher dill" is that there is both garlic AND dill added to the brine.

Without further adieu, here is my quick pickle reciple! This recipe will make you 2 pints. It can easily be doubled, quadroupled ;)

 

special thanks to Ted Allen's refrigerator pickles at foodnetwork.com for
inspiring this recipe. I've tweaked it to suit my tastes, but he at least gave

a clue on how to do the whole fridge-canning thing! he also put cauliflower,
carrots, and other veggies in his mix. let me know if you give it a try!

September Horoscope

Ever since I was a little girl, I've been FASCINATED by the stars, how people use them for knowledge, and most of all-HOROSCOPES. Now, I'm not the kind who reads mine everyday and will live word for word by it... I like to ready my monthly or weekly horoscope at the END of it, to see if any of it was true! Though I do have fun giggling with friends over cosmo's steamy horoscopes each month ;)

Since it's the last week of September, I thought I would share my month's horoscope. I'm an Aries, and mighty proud (though my son is also, oh boy). Here is my september overview from www.horoscope.com :

ARIES: This could be a stressful month with Uranus and Pluto in square and Saturn opposite your sign in Libra. There will be tension when dealing with others, and perhaps upsets regarding your career. A Full Moon in Aries on September 29 will further stir things up. You could feel like your world is in turmoil and go through a personal crisis. A New Moon in Virgo on September 15 will help you pay closer attention to managing your stress and taking care of your body. You won't get ill if you can eat healthfully, get plenty of rest, and pace yourself.

 

 The career aspect is spot-on. This was a month of oops&mess ups . I had to call in sick (which I never do and hate to do), I messed up a day and went to the wrong place (I'm a school photographer). Just all-around off my "game." While I realize I'm only human, I had to stop beating myself up about it & just take it day by day.

 

Do you "believe" in horoscopes? What is your sign? How has this month been for you? Let me know in a comment!

 

*I AM NOT PAID BY HOROSCOPE.COM TO SHARE THEIR LINK/SITE. I'VE ALWAYS USED THIS SITE FOR MY READINGS FOR OVER 7 YEARS*

6 months later...



It has been 6 months since my husband has been home. 6 months done with the USMC. *click here to see our homecoming post* =) 6 months of being not just a military family, but a disabled veteran family now. Finding others similar to us isn't he easiest in our area. So it has been a big shock for me, someone who was very involved and comfortable in the "military family/community" aspect that life on base brings.

The job side of things has been one of the biggest struggles. In April he ended up getting a seasonal job as maintenance at a golf course. I remind him all the time there is no shame in a day of good work but he is still unhappy.

Multiple interviews, at least 1-3 every other week, has still shown up as dead ends. He has been as honest as possible, and when asked why he left the comfortable military life (it shows on his resume as honorably discharged), he will tell them the truth-he is a disabled veteran. Even though it is against the law to discriminate, it's funny how sometimes he will be on a second interview, sometimes even (an unheard of to me) third interview and once he mentions any disability they're thankful but never contact him again. He is considering keeping that little bit of info under wraps to try and see if that gets him any farther. *SW MICHIGAN WORKS* are very enthusiastic and helpful, they give us so much hope about "veteran-friendly" workplaces. I know they're out there, but finding the right one has just been hard. I've gotten to the point I have to try so hard to force some excitement and hopefulness to him when he has another interview, but I know my attitude has to be rubbing off and not helping him any.

By law, a workplace has to allow a disabled veteran attend his V.A appointments. And with my husband guaranteed at least 2-3 a month, I can understand from the employer-side why they would rather have someone else who would have a better chance attending work. Even though it hurts our pride when that someone else they choose is less qualified for the job than my husband.

As a huge change in our family, I started working at the end of July. My job is also partly seasonal, with it slowing down in November and picking back up in February. So this past week I have been looking for a SECOND job. Many friends/family have told me "but now you're going to be even more tired, and see your son even less"! I understand that fully, and it pains me a little but we have to do what's necessary. Just like so many Americans struggling out there. I know I'm not the first, nor the last. I have so much respect for others, and single parents especially, out there.

He has another appointment this Tuesday, and I'm praying the hardest I have in a year. Any good vibes readers have to send would be greatly appreciated!

Galaxy Nails

^click to make bigger!

I've seen these floating around pinterest and have wanted to try them for awhile now. The only problem is, when it comes to something this intricate---I need NO distractions. So I got up at a decent time, made a huge breakfast, and while the kiddo was distracted with that food I snuck off to my nail guinea pig-my mother's roomate Dee. =)

The technique used was taking makeup facial sponges (found at the dollar tree for a nice big pack - they're shaped like triangles), putting different blots of 'space' paint (dark blue, purple, teal, and a nice dark silvery grey), "stamping" the sponge into that and then rolling the sponge onto nails that already have a black base-coat on. This stamping effect is nice because it blends it so nicely and dries faster than the usual paint-by-brush way. For more detailed instructions on using sponges for nails, check out this pin *here*  from Laynie's Fingers Blog =) 

So after I rolled on the lovely colors, I went thru and blotted the blue, purple, and teal into certain areas that I wanted to have a more bold color. Let that dry, and then taking a nice chunky gold top coat, do little random areas in the gold. No need to be perfect, the galaxy isn't cookie-cutter shape! Take a toothpick and a super glittery silvery and make little "stars." To add contrast, I added little "star" dots mainly in the gold areas to let them show thru. It would be fun to do mini-constellations as well!

Let me know if you've done "galaxy" nails before, or were inspired by this post! Link back to me, let me know! =)