Summer 2012 Favorite Things!

Hey Y'all!

Well. I had my first class Monday night, and let's just say that it is kicking my HINEY!!!! I have 7 papers due on Sunday at midnight. As of today, I have 5 out of 7 papers finished. Four of which I completed yesterday. After that, a reward trip to Bath and Body Works was required! Anyhoo, the class is not hard, just lots of things to do and lots of different due dates, so you have to make sure you are on top of it all the time! I thought about taking a quick road trip this weekend, but I want to work ahead a little so I am not overwhelmed next week.

I am still very happy that it is summer! Since I have been working so hard for the past few days and it has been very cloudy, I am off to spend the day at the beach today. Besides, my wrists are killing me from typing, so I think a day off is exactly what I need. But, before I go, I wanted to share a few of my favorite things from this summer. :)

Y'all know I love my iced coffee in the summer. While perusing the dairy aisle the other day I came across a magnificent invention. Iced Coffee. Already made. :) It comes in mocha and vanilla flavors. So far, mocha is my favorite! AND, this watermelon juice from Minute Maid is my all time favorite. Yes, it's probably LOADED with sugar, but it is yummy and caffeine free. Whoop, whoop! The watermelon juice is hard to find, and I have to buy several when I go to the store because it is so hard to keep in stock. Apparently, I am not the only fan! I found both at the Evil Empire. (AKA Wally World.)

Another thing that I am a big fan of that I discovered this summer is SPOTIFY! This is an online music service where you can listen to playlists that others have created and you can create too! I found this from Bath and Body Works online. They have a great American Summer playlist! If you look on the left side of the blog, I have linked to a Strawberry Lemonade Summer 2012 playlist that I created. The basic Spotifiy service is free and it has great playlists!

My other summer favorite has been a favorite for a few months. After reading on several blogs about Birchbox, I decided to check it out. Birchbox is a beauty sample box that is delivered monthly to your door for $10. You get 5 samples of the most current beauty must haves. And, let's face it, you can drop $10 on gum and Kleenex. :) I have received two boxes so far and I have loved everything in them! Each box has a theme. The first box I received was a "Gossip Girl" theme based on the show.
Your box comes beautifully packaged. It's such a treat to get each month!

In my first box I got a fabulous moisturizer, great hair care samples, an awesome coral nail polish, and a fantastic lotion.

I received my second box on Monday. This month's theme was Jet Set. So all of the samples are something you can take with you on a trip!

This month I got a wonderful lip tint, that I can't STOP wearing, and Staniac cheek and lip stain, a fantastic hair concoction, a precious zippy bag for traveling and some acetone free nail polish remover pads!

So, if you have been wondering about Birchbox, give it a try. You can cancel at anytime. It's just a nice treat to get for yourself!

Finally, this is not a favorite summer thing, but this is such a good deal, I just had to share!

 About a month ago I was with my Mom in Big Lots in Sumter, SC. We were visiting my grandparents and my Mom kept telling me how Big Lots had Philosophy cosmetics for $3.00. So we went and checked it out. I am a FORMER philosophy girl. They have changed to a new formula for their makeup and with the expense, I just wasn't happy. But, for $3, I found myself very happy!

Most of the makeup was from the Grace line, which I just love. I got blushes, eye shadow, illuminators, bronzers and lip gloss too. For a grand total of $37, I got $298 worth of Philosophy products. Yup. And. My makeup drawer got a good cleaning out!


So those are a few of my favorite things and deals that I have gotten this summer. I am off to enjoy a few hours at the beach! I hope you have a good day!

Tootles,
JKP

Storm Fest 2012!

Hey Y'all!

I can tell I am on summer break! Not only has the African Sleeping Sickness hit me (where I want to sleep ALL the time to catch up on all of the missed sleep during school) but, I am also forgetting what day of the week it is! I have had to set two alarms on my phone so I will remember to go to my graduate class on Monday! :)

Today I went to something fun! All of the local TV stations, along with the National Weather Service and South Carolina Emergency Management Division hosted a Storm Fest! You know me, I HAD to attend! I am very glad I did. I picked up several things for my classroom and personal weather use. :) I even scored a free t-shirt from one of our local TV stations.

Here's my SWAG.....

I also picked up a cute craft idea to help my kiddies remember the water cycle... a water cycle bracelet! I have to admit, I haven't taken mine off yet! :) It starts with a green bead to remind the children of the grass and plants. The next bead is yellow for the sun. The white bead is for the clouds. The blue bead is for the water in the lakes, ponds and oceans. The last bead is clear to help the children remember the concept of evaporation and condensation! So cute!

I came home from Storm Fest and took a three hour nap! Then I proceeded to clean my house and catch up on laundry. I have taken a peek at my syllabus for my class that starts next week, and I have SEVEN projects due. Good grief. So I figured I better get caught up on house work and laundry!

Tomorrow I plan on going to church and then, where else.... THE BEACH!
I have found a wonderful "new to me author" Karen White and I just can't put down her books. I love her books because they all take place on the coast of South Carolina. Check her out, you will really enjoy her books! I started with On Folly Beach and now I am on to The Beach Trees. She also has a set of books that are mysteries and take place in Charleston.

Alrighty. I have one more load to go into the dryer... and then I am calling it a night!!!!
Tootles!
:) JKP

Go Forth and Dip! Crockpot French Dippies!

Hey Y'all!!

I know it has been a while since I posted a recipe.... AND this one has BFF Marie's seal of approval!
I have made this recipe a few times and it is always a big hit. My best friend Marie has been visiting this week and boy have we been busy! Yesterday we planned to spend the day on the beach and we wanted something yummy for supper, but we were tired of eating out. Enter Crockpot French Dippies. Easy, peasy with big yummy results! I found this recipe on Pinterest!

To make Crockpot French Dippies you will need....

1 Pot Roast or Rump roast. This week Food Lion has rump roast on sale. For last night's recipe, I used a tried and true pot roast. But in the pictures a rump roast was used. Either one works great!
1 packet of Onion Soup Mix
1 can of Beef Broth
Deli Rolls
Mozzarella Cheese
*This is not a messy recipe, but since you want to make sure you save all of the au jous.. if you use a slow cooker saver liner, it will be easier to collect the au jus at the end for dipping! I have made this recipe with and without the liner... no biggy if you don't have one.


Now. Get ready. This is hard! Combine the beef broth and onion soup packet in a zippy bag. Make sure it is mixed well. Then add your roast. Make sure it is really covered. Now, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake... shake your booty. :) That's Pitty Pat's FAVORITE song!

Then dump the entire contents in your zippy bag into your Crockpot. Set it on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Then. Go shopping. Go to the beach. Whatever. When you return.... your house will SMELL SO GOOD!!!

Right before you are ready to eat, pull the roast out of the Crockpot. Now, this may be difficult because at this point, the roast is so juicy and tender, it will fall apart when you place a fork in it! Shred all of the meat. You have my permission to pick and eat the meat at this point. You won't be able to resist!

Once the meat is shredded, let it hang out for a few minutes. Cut your deli rolls in half lengthwise and place your rolls in the toaster and toast them well. While the bread is toasting.. drain the juice from the Crockpot into individual serving dishes.

Once the bread is toasted, place the shredded meat on top of the roll. I added mozzarella cheese on top. Place the top on the roll and then cut in half. Plate the sandwich, and don't forget the divine au jus!!!

Go forth and dip my friends!!!!

I hope y'all have a great day! I am heading back to the beach.. if I stay here all day I will be fetching tennis balls under furniture all day!

Tootles!

:) JKP

Currently for June

Hey Y'all!

It's the first day of summer vacay and I stayed in my PJ's until 11:30! Even if I was cleaning house, I was still in my jammies! It has also been a rainy, rainy day, so it was hard to get out of my jammies!

My best friend Marie is on her way into town. We are planning dinner in Calabash tonight and then our annual walk around Callahan's of Calabash!

Last but not least, I present you with this month's Currently! If you want your own... visit Farley's site! I now have a link to her page on the right side of the blog!
The last 3 words had to do with where do you wish you could to travel to this year, where have you been this year and where do you want to travel to this year. Here's mine! Enjoy!!

Tootles!

:) JKP

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round, Round and Round..

Hey Y'all,

Well! It's officially summer! And guess what I am doing?????

If you guessed going back to school... then winner, winner chicken dinner for YOU!!!

Yes, I am going back to school to work on the ol' Masters Degree. I am starting slow. After 15 years of teaching, you think I would have found the time to finish up ALL of my graduate work. But, no. This past semester I had a practicum teaching student in my classroom. When you host a practicum student, you earn a free class from Coastal Carolina. So I poked around the summer schedule for a technology class that I might want to take. I found out that Coastal has an add on certification for Online Teaching that I would like to add to my teaching certificate. All of these classes also count towards a Master's degree in Instructional Technology. So. Bob's your uncle and I'm going back to school.

I am a wee bit nervous. I am almost 40 and I am not as snappy as those 20 year olds. But one thing I have going for me is that I have taught this class that I am taking for The Citadel. So, it shouldn't be too bad! :)

I have several days until my class starts next Monday. We only meet once a week for two hours and then the rest of the class is online. So, I plan to have some fun between now and then!

My best friend Marie is coming for a visit tomorrow and we have LOTS of fun planned. I just hope that the weather stays nice. We have had some rain and storms over the past few days.

Anyhoo. That's what I am up to. That and I bought some more yarn. Maybe I will cast on tomorrow, maybe not. But I am thinking I have found my knitting mojo once again.

Tootles!
:) JKP

p.s. Pitty Pat wanted me to add that he just got a bath AND he is NOT happy about it. I tried to explain to him that rolling on a dead frog has consequences. I think I better sleep on the sofa tonight.

My Early Morning Wake Up Call

Hey Y'all,

Someone in this house hasn't gotten the memo that it's SUMMER! 7 am wake up slap in the face this morning!

Tootles!
JKP

Happy Summer!

Hey Y'all!

Did you notice I took a little vacay from the blog during the month of May? Well. I'm BAACCKKK! And, it's SUMMER!

I am not going to lie, this last bought of vertigo has really taken a toll on me. It was all I could do to make it through the school day, get ready for the next day, and then get myself home. Our last day with kiddies was Friday and I have a workday on Monday. I am hoping a few days of rest, sun and fun and I will be back, good as new. I haven't been able to go to Zumba all month because I still can't look up or down without getting very dizzy. So I am hoping that I can go back after I have gotten some rest!

I can't believe that on Friday, I wrapped up year 15 of teaching for me. I did shed a few tears as my babies left for summer. But, they totally spoiled me before they left! Here are a few of my end of the year gifts.

I LOVE Tervis Tumblers and received a few as gifts! I take my coffee in one every morning. Then, I rinse it out and add water! I received some beautiful "P" notecards and a very pretty bracelet. I also got some smell goods that I have been putting on myself everytime I go into Bath and Body Works! Malibu Heat is beach in a bottle. I swear! I also was given a beautiful Mandevella flowering plant by one of my students. I have the perfect place to plant it so it can grow!

On top of the end of school and vertigo, I have had a knitting project that I had to finish for a friend. While this was an ok knit, I have decided not to do anymore knits for folks that make me have a deadline. I actually lost my knitting mojo a bit while I was working on this project. I don't know if it was the blanket (not my favorite things to make) or the fact that this project kept me away from doing SO many other things that I love because it was time consuming and I HAD to get it done.  I was just glad to finish this up. From now on, I am sticking to baby hats for gifts. NO MORE BLANKETS. Here's a finished picture....

This was a simple dishcloth pattern baby blanket and paper bag pattern hat. It turned out great but, blankets are no longer my cup of tea!

Today, I had my first summer adventure! My Mom bought an ipad last Monday and I am getting one through my school district in the fall. I know. YIPPEE! So I drove to Charleston to meet Mom and Aunt Gwen at the Apple store on King Street. We took a basic ipad class today. It was really fun to be in a real Apple store. We do not have one here in Myrtle Beach. We learned a few tricks and tips and then had a yummy lunch right across the street from Apple. We walked around a bit and even wandered into Knit. Since I am still leary from my last LONG knitting project, I really wasn't in the mood to buy ANY yarn. But I did find somehthing to get the yarny knitty juices going again. This is a SIMPLE project and it's for me! I will show you what it becomes in a while. I am not planning on picking up the needles again for a few days. I also picked up some Soak to clean some of my knits with.

My best friend Marie is coming to visit me on Tuesday and we have some touristy adventures cooked up. I am so looking forward to hitting the beach with a good book, decaf sweet tea and soaking up some sun!

I hope you are having a nice weekend wherever you are!

Tootles!

:) JKP

p.s. You need to "LIKE" Bath and Body Works on Facebook. They are running a month long countdown to summer on their page. Each day they have a new treat. Sometimes it is a coupon. They put up an American Summer playlist on Spotify last week and it is DIVINE! I can't stop listening to it! :)