A Day at the Zoo

Photography...

Last week I went to the Indianapolis Zoo with my family. It was an absolutely beautiful day in Indy. Not too hot, not too cool. Fabulously sunny. Shorts, t-shirt, and sandals were the perfect attire. 

I hadn't been to a zoo in a few years and so I was kind of excited to go. It is always amazing to see the animals in all their wonder. How different each of them are, but yet how impressive they all are in their own manner. It is an eye opening experience in itself to see these amazing creatures. I'll just say God really had a creative finger. 

I was able to take some photos and I wanted to share them with you. I hope you enjoy!

   

A Walk in the Park

So my husband and I have been traveling to new places recently. We've been in the northern mid-west area known as Indiana. Specifically Indianapolis. Visiting new places allows for new experiences. Remember no two places are exactly the same. For example, I'm from Florida, Indianapolis and Florida look very different in landscape.  Florida has palm trees; Indianapolis not so much. Indianapolis has lush, thick trees with beautiful green leaves. "But Florida has beaches," is what you're thinking. You are correct. Though my point is that both places offer beauty, but in very different ways.

To view this green, lush beauty we went for a walk at a nearby nature park called Starkey Park. It's hidden inside a residential neighborhood, but once found it is well worth the search. The three of us, me, my husband, and our dog, went for a relaxing two mile stroll. Here are a few pictures to bring you on the journey too.

He Knows What's Going On...Even If You Don't

It seems the more people I talk to nowadays, the more I realize I'm in the same boat as many people. Everyone has their own situation of importance going on in their lives. To all of us, our own situation always seems a bit more detrimental than the other person's. Mostly because our lives are the lives we know the best, and also they are the lives we are most interested in.

The situation in which I am referring is that of figuring out what exactly your life (my life) is going to be. Where will I live, what will I do for work, who will I become friends with; all of these add up to the future. The thing is, I can never really know. All I can do is make one decision at a time. However, there is someone that does know, and can help me make the right decisions one by one. That someone is the one and only God of the Bible.

There are days I find myself curious, wondering, and frustrated at not knowing what is going on in my own life. The only way I can settle down and be confident that my life will be something is to look to my creator. He tells us that he has good plans for us.

Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,  plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Now I don't know what my life has in store, but I know it can be great. I know someone else is watching me, watching after me, and routing for me to do big things the entire time. So, that's what I'll try to do...big things. Just be comforted in the truth that He is always with you; and you can't truly fail if you have Him...you can only stumble a little bit. Don't worry, He'll pick you up and dust you off.

Food Is Love, Food Is Life

Ah, food. Something we all need to live, but something I love to make. Food is more than just a necessity, it is a passion and a creative outlet...a delicious one at that. Making food is making art, you start with nothing, just some plain simple ingredients when set on a counter alone, but once prepared and added together just the way you want, it's a masterpiece. Fabulous, just fabulous.

I love watching food network, it is inspiration at your cooking fingertips. It is my dream to be on food network. Whenever I watch it, I always seem to take a recipe they cooked and make it my own. I'll change a few ingredients and maybe the technique in which I cook it. By doing that, I've just created my own dish. I would say that is generally how new dishes are created, they were inspired by something else. To create, inspiration is always a helpful boost.

Last night I was inspired by my hunger, I made my own home-made Meaty Tomato Sauce. This idea was thought of off the top of my head, food network didn't aide in this idea.

This is the recipe for Meaty Tomato Sauce

Coat the bottom of your pot with olive oil and turn on the heat.

Chop 1.5 onions and drop in the bottom of the pot to start. They'll start to breakdown and all of the flavors of the onion will come out.

Mince 3 large garlic cloves. Add to the pot once the onions have started to brown and soften.

Once the onions and garlic have blended (cooked down a bit), add your choice of meat. Ground turkey, beef, or sausage will do the trick. I added ground beef, approximately 1lb.

Once the meat is added, season the meat with salt, pepper, and dried Italian seasoning. For fresh seasoning, use parsley, oregano, and basil finely minced.

After the meat has browned, add 16oz. canned tomato sauce, 1 regular sized can of diced tomatoes (with juice), and two freshly diced tomatoes. Stir everything until well incorporated.

Add more seasoning to pump up the flavor from the newly added tomato concoctions. Always flavor to taste. As in, stir in some seasoning and then taste to make sure the flavor is noticeable and delicious.

Let sauce simmer (about 45 min to an hour) until all of the tomatoes have broken down and all the ingredients are well meshed. The longer you let the sauce simmer, the better the flavors will blend. It could simmer for hours if desired.

Once ready, spoon over your favorite type of pasta and enjoy.

Sadly I wasn't able to take a picture, but it is delicious, I promise. I hope you enjoy.

 

How Will They Know It's ME

Applying for jobs has become an experience that I will call, uncertain. With every business switching to on-line applications, how do you set yourself apart from the rest? That is my question, but the thing is, I can't answer it. I prefer face-to-face interaction, and sadly, our society has fallen far from it. Everything has to do with the internet, hence my blogging right now. With the internet follows faceless applications and un-known personalities. Not so good for someone who gives great first impressions when handing in the application.

I recently had a job interview. To spoil the ending, I didn't get it. I received an e-mail the following day after I had sent in my resume to call in to schedule an interview. To my surprise, it was a much quicker response than I thought, also more so than my previous experiences. So, I called, scheduled an appointment, and picked out something to wear. I have work experience in certain areas, but I also haven't done a lot of things. The thing is, I'm an intelligent woman, I'd learn quickly if someone would just let me learn. Also, I am college educated which I wish would give me more credibility, but so far, I don't think it does.

So, I went in for the interview and the woman who first spoke to me and asked me some questions was very friendly and welcoming. Then it was time for her boss. She was the woman who made the decisions. I'll admit she was extremely intimidating. Probably why I didn't get the job. After she had explained the job and everything that went with it, it was my turn to speak. I was nervous, so nervous. I couldn't get my thoughts out in a mature and fluent sounding manner. Quite sad actually. I tend to offer myself as a good additive to any environment. I'll be honest, I wasn't so successful this time. This woman really made me nervous, I mean, she was a total shark. She also seemed to have a problem with the fact that I was freshly out of college. That didn't excite her, more annoyed her than anything I think.

All that said, if you're lucky enough to make it through the internet world to really meet an actual person that has reviewed your resume, my advice to you, especially a recent college graduate, would be...

*Think about what kind of questions the employer will ask and try to prepare your answers. The employer will always ask if you have any questions...try to come up with questions.

*Try not to be nervous. You are a capable, intelligent person I'm sure. So act like it and have some confidence.

*This should be common sense, but look nice and professional. No one likes a slob.

Good Luck job hunting to you and me!

Say Hello To My Little Friends....Haag n Dazs

  

The joy of eating ice cream definitely surpasses the joy of eating any other dessert. However, not just any ice cream, the famously creamy Haagen-Dazs. I can't create the two dots over the A, so forgive me. This cold little piece of heaven is a delight on any hot summer day. Really all you need is a spoon and the carton. Bowls are over-rated. And, if you can't find a spoon, just put your pointer and middle finger together, bend them, and start scooping. That idea is only for emergencies...I do recommend a spoon over fingers. Ice cream is cold.

Cold is why it is perfect for the season. Nothing cools you down like a nice cup or cone of ice cream. When the sun is beating down on you, it is almost like a shield...well sort of.  If you like an assortment of flavors, you'll find whatever it is your taste buds are searching for. So go grab some Haagen-Dazs and make it a great summer day.

HGTV Addicted!

My new TV channel that I have been hooked on is HGTV. No matter the show, I'm hooked. I could sit there for hours and watch and watch. I want to see the new beautifully finished products that the designers create from something that starts as awefully drab. When renovating, or just re-decorating your home, the price tag can wander from $1,000-$20,000; that's a big difference in some chump change. Some easy fixes that go along way are closer than you think.


1. A fresh coat of paint with a nice pop in color is the best thing you can do to spruce up your rooms. Just remember not to under or over do it.

2. Just as importnantly, if you use neutral colors on the walls, which isn't bad, just make sure they're not bland neutrals, and add some color with your accessories. Throw pillows, wall art, and bookshelf decorations can change the look of a room.

3. Make your space workable. Don't keep it cluttered, show your countertops so you can use your countertops (when cooking). Every house that has an open feel is more comfortable to be in.

4. Show off your big windows. Let the light in; don't hide a great feature to your room by covering the windows with over done paneling or curtains. Simply add something that comlpiments the windows and lets the light in.

Here are some images to give you ideas!

Oh The Possibilities...

A small depiction of the U.S. in words

At the moment, if I haven't already mentioned, I am looking for a new place to settle down for a while. I'm ready to branch away from this Florida life I've lived for so many years and see something different. Experience something different. Live something different. The problem??? The United States = gigantic. I've known of its hugeness all my life, that is part of the beauty, but when trying to pick a place to relocate, it makes it much more difficult. Determining factors in my opinion...

1. How close should I be to family- If my stay only lasts two or three years, then I can move back to the fam after my exploration is over.

Hmmm, which way?

2. What scenery do I want- I've lived near the beach most of my life, will I survive if landlocked?

Here seems soothing

3. East, Midwest, West, oh and, North or South- New area, new way of life.

The "you" is referring to direction

Everywhere seems to be a great option. There are new people to meet and new venues to visit. So really, wherever I end up I'm not missing out on anything. I still need to decide which venues and which people.

Summer Road Trips

There's no better time than summer to take a road trip. Weather is never an issue no matter where you are in the States, and it's an exciting way to take your summer vacation. All you need is a great attitude, a best friend(s), and MapQuest, unless you have a smart phone, which you probably do.

So recently I headed off on my own road trip with my best friend. We started our journey in Florida...first stop...Monticello, AR. The actual first destination was Stroud, OK, but we stopped in Arkansas after the thirteen hour drive to visit a friend of mine. Things to know about Monticello, AR...

1. It is a very small town, but it still has some charm with the old timey antebellum houses and the town square.

2. There are two high schools for such a small town...at least you can pick where you want to be educated.

Once we reached the town of Stroud, OK we saw a new style of life. We were visiting my friend's grandpa, now my grandpa (the friend is my husband), and grandpa happens to be a cattle rancher. He raises calves, gets them fat, and then sells them at an auction. Things to know about Stroud, OK...

1. This is a town of 1500 people.

2. The scenery is breathtaking.

3. Stroud sits on the famous Route 66.

This restaurant has been on Route 66
in Stroud for years and years.

From Stroud, we drove to Alamogordo, NM to visit my grandparents. We reached Alamogordo after being in the car for about 11 hours. Alamogordo is a city in the middle of the desert. There isn't much around other than the city itself and the surrounding mountains (which are beautiful). If you've never visited this area of the country I recommend it. The scenery is vastly different than anywhere else, and not only different, but beautiful in its own way. Things to know about Alamogordo, NM...

The mountains lining Alamogordo.

1. It is surrounded by mountains which you can drive up into to visit towns such as Ruidoso or Cloudscroft (they're great for shopping).  

2.  It is always sunny; it only gets about 6-10 inches of rain a year.

3. The temperature is hot, but the humidity is low.

Making this trip a road trip actually saved us money because plane tickets can be so expensive. Beyond saving money, it created more memories than a plane ride ever could.

Are You A Cowboy?

Today I went into a Western World store because I needed to pick up a few things. On my list was a pair of cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. While I was browsing around, I realized something...it is expensive to be a cowboy. All the things you need to be a successful cowboy really do cost a pretty penny. However, the outcome is good. Let me break it down for you.

Cowboy boots: $150.00  

Cowboy hat: $80.00

Wrangler jeans: $29.98

Belt Buckle: $19.99

Plaid shirt: $23.99

The feeling you have when being a true cowboy:  $Priceless$

It is all worth it; cause there's nothing better than a cowboy.