life.

*If you are reading in Google Reader, click on over to see my new blog design. :)

I feel like my blogging and blog designing has taken a back burner the last four months or so. Ty was finished with school and I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible before residency. I want to play catch up on blogging/documenting our lives.

• Ty started his residency on July 1st and we are adjusting to his new schedule. Poor guy is TIRED! He is working long hours and when he gets home has a lot of reading/studying to do for surgery meetings, boards, and just general learning.
• He is enjoying residency, despite everything I mentioned above.
  
• One of the things I am praying for during residency is for him to never lose his passion for medicine and his compassion for patients. I don't know how he does it. I would have given up a long time ago. :)

• Last month I attended a shower for this pretty lady and her twins!

• I have really cut back on the amount of custom blog designs that I am doing, but I have some new pre-made templates and they can be installed in just a few days. Check them out if you are looking for a new design! (Some of the designs can be customized with different colors.)

• I have taken on more responsibility at work and I'm getting a new office. We have done some rearranging within our office and they are combining two offices to make my new one. It is big!
  

• We have cable tv! During medical school, we had the most basic plan offered. Which meant just the local news channels. Not anymore! We have lots of channels and.....DVR! I see a lot of couch time in my future.

• One good thing about Ty's schedule is that I'm able to work out after work at the school gym and still have plenty of time in the evenings to prepare dinner, etc. Working out balances out all the tv time, right?!
  

• Our house is still for sale. I'm not feeling very positive about it selling. People are still coming to look at it, so I guess that is a good sign.
  

• At least it means I have a clean house. :)

• I know everyone is suffering from the heat, but my goodness it is hot. My city is the 4th hottest city in the country right now. Sheesh. I'm very thankful for the a/c.

• I have teamed up with Blogher and Mary Kay for a giveaway. Check it out on my giveaway blog!
  

summer cooking

I don't know about where you live, but here in Oklahoma we are experiencing record temperatures for July. I can't remember the last day we saw a temp below 100 and there seems to be no relief in sight. The last thing I want to do in the evenings is turn on my oven. We live in an older house and having the oven on drastically changes the temperature inside and my a/c can't keep up.

I will, however, grill outside occasionally. But at least this way there is relief from the heat when I go inside. I found some great summer recipes that do not require the oven and I thought I would share.


Crockpot Meals really are the best!
Cafe Rio Pork Salad

Source: beckyhiggins.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

The Cafe Rio Pork Salad recipe makes a ton, but it is just as delicious reheated the next day. It's all about that salad dressing.

Tomato & Tortellini Salad

Source: southernliving.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

I added grilled chicken to this recipe and it was perfect. I've been grilling my chicken with a little bit of olive oil and Mrs. Dash seasoning. It has a good flavor and the oil makes it a little crispy.

Summer Salad--panera copy cat

Source: google.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

This salad has become a staple in our house. There is no recipe; you just add whatever fruit you may have around, sliced almonds, and poppy seed dressing. I use grilled chicken, strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, and sometimes add goat cheese to it as well. I use Brianna's Poppy Seed dressing.

Turkey Burgers

Source: google.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

My mom made these for us not too long ago and they were so good that I picked up a package for our house. They come frozen in packs of two, so they are perfect for Ty and I. They are already seasoned and made into patties, which makes for a very easy weeknight meal. I found them at Wal-Mart.

Do you have any summer recipes to share? Please let me know!

Farmer's Market

We had a great weekend! Ty was off and we were able to spend a lot of time together.
Friday night I went to dinner with my best friend from home, Chelsey, and her husband and parents. I had written best friend from high school, but changed it because we grew up together and high school just didn't quite cover it all. We were also bridesmaids in each others weddings.
It was so good to see them all! Unfortunately, Ty had to work late and missed all the birthday fun.

Saturday morning Ty and I headed to the Cherry Street Farmer's Market. We came home with some good stuff!

Pretty flowers




Our yummy lunch

The andouille sausuge was amazing. I don't even really like sausage and I loved it.

I have been making chili lime butter to go on our corn on the cob and it is delish. All you have to do is melt some butter, sprinkle in some chili powder and squirt in lime juice. Very easy.

We spent some time at Barnes & Noble, so Ty could get some studying done. I miss Border's. I wish they wouldn't have all closed here. I did find this cute cupcake package on sale, so I guess B&N isn't all that bad.

My sister-in-law, Sarah, was in town visiting her parents. She brought our two nephews over to play Sunday afternoon. They are so much fun! I should have snapped some pictures.

Ty and I ran to Wal-Mart for a couple of items and I saw this silver lamp.

I wish I had a place for it.

I may be a little behind on this trend, but I have become obsessed with pastel nail polish lately.

jade, no pre-nup, cloud
I bought the revlon colors last night at Wal-Mart. I'm curious to see how the polish holds up.

pinnable me: diy

I’m linking up with Stefanie from Paw Prints and Pastry Bags again this week for Pinnable Me Friday. I have found so many great craft projects and tutorials on pinterest and hope to accomplish one of them this weekend. Maybe one of these will inspire a weekend project for you!

diy cake stand with tutorial

Source: inthiswonderfullife.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

mod podge art

Source: flickr.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

make glass bottles blue

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

citrus sugar scrub

Source: pauladeen.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

This would be so cute for a Sunday School class or your own kids.

Source: cdn-2-service.phanfare.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

terra cotta pots + fabric + mod podge = adorable!

Source: ashleyannphotography.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

I have new pre-made templates available on my blog design site! Be sure to check them out if you are in need of a blog makeover!

Happy Birthday Mason!

Today is my nephew, Mason's, first birthday. My sister and brother-in-law threw him a great party yesterday. Ty had to work this weekend, so I went home by myself. My sister asked me to help with his party several months ago and I was so excited. I love party planning! I made the invitations and all the paper products.

The theme was based on this toy dachshund I bought Mason for Christmas.








mason jar filled with "bones" candy






Mason loves to pat Wade on the head. It is so sweet.

Wade is Ty's brother and sister-in-law's little boy and they are about 6 weeks apart.

sweet family




Ready for cake!


I think it's safe to say he liked it!



All the kiddos

All those boys are our nephews, except for the little one in the stripes. (We also have another nephew and a niece not pictured.)



Re-energized after his nap!


party favors: coloring sheets and bone crayons