I wasn't sure what I was going to give away on this day.
And then I saw this GoFundMe fundraiser on Facebook and I knew this was my sign.
I love the Ellen show. And I love Ellen. (But really, who doesn't love Ellen?)
She's had the most adorable boy on her show a few times over the last several years. His name is Tayt and he needed a heart transplant. He got his heart transplant a few weeks ago and he is doing amazing. That boy, is something else.
He is out of the hospital but has to stay nearby until at least Labor Day (maybe even until Halloween or Christmas.) His mom is of course staying with him. Which means they aren't home with the rest of his family.
Tayt's Nana Lori started a fundraiser to help out his family financially.
And I knew that's what I was supposed to "give away" today. So I did.
I may be young but I also know how blessed I am. So I'm paying it forward.
Stay strong Tayt! And just keep swimming :D
Here is the link if you would like to donate yourself:
http://www.gofundme.com/xs8n5c
I know that some of these fundraising sites have gotten bad press lately because people lie and make up fundraisers for something that doesn't exist. But trust me on this one. This is a legit one.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
July 14: National Nude Day (NOTE: This post is PG rated)
National Nude Day.
They seriously have every type of day out there.
And no, I didn't spend the day in the nude.
I went to work today entirely clothed and I stayed that way.
So I don't have a picture for today.
You are probably thanking your lucky stars this post is picture-less.
You were also probably nervous to click on this blog post for fear of what you might see/read.
If you celebrated today, kudos to you. But please don't tell me about it. I don't want to know.
But I do have a funny story for you that involves nude people.
One of my roommates in college worked a summer at a clothing-optional resort. She was the sweetest girl and very modest. I still can't picture her working there. One day she ran into her brother's ex-girlfriend's mom. Could you even imagine how awkward that would be?
All I know, is that if I ever found myself at a place like that (like maybe if I was blindfolded and dragged there against my will) I would be afraid to sit down or to touch anything.
They seriously have every type of day out there.
And no, I didn't spend the day in the nude.
I went to work today entirely clothed and I stayed that way.
So I don't have a picture for today.
You are probably thanking your lucky stars this post is picture-less.
You were also probably nervous to click on this blog post for fear of what you might see/read.
If you celebrated today, kudos to you. But please don't tell me about it. I don't want to know.
But I do have a funny story for you that involves nude people.
One of my roommates in college worked a summer at a clothing-optional resort. She was the sweetest girl and very modest. I still can't picture her working there. One day she ran into her brother's ex-girlfriend's mom. Could you even imagine how awkward that would be?
All I know, is that if I ever found myself at a place like that (like maybe if I was blindfolded and dragged there against my will) I would be afraid to sit down or to touch anything.
Monday, July 13, 2015
July 13: National French Fry Day
Yummmm. National French Fry Day.
What? This isn't a french fry?
Too bad.
I like tater tots better and I had them on hand. But I mean, if you squint your eyes, they might kinda look like a french fry. Just imagine, a shorter, and more robust french fry.
Close enough. And good enough for me!
Sunday, July 12, 2015
July 12: National Simplicity Day
I live a pretty hectic life. At least, I do in the summer anyways. I work on average, about 6 days in a row before I have a day off. Sometimes, I work 11 days in a row before I have a day off. My day off is normally spent "catching up on life." That means cleaning my room and bathroom, emptying out my car, and doing laundry. Not really a relaxing day off.
I'm not complaining. I like a busy life. But sometimes, I do wish it was simpler. I miss doing puzzles and I miss reading. I'm a pro at multi-tasking, which I like, but sometimes, I wish I only needed to do one thing at a time.
In a world where everyone is go go go, trying to get "ahead", I think most people could benefit from a simpler life. Because if you think about it, what does it even mean to "get ahead?"
So today, in honor of National Simplicity Day, I tried to spend less time on my computer. I tried not to check my phone as often. I tried to remember to watch the sunset and give my cat more attention.
Today, I picked the first batch of blueberries from our garden. And I savored each and every one. (And I tried to save some for my parents to eat, but it was hard.)
I remembered to breathe. And I reminded myself that tomorrow is another day and I tried not to rush myself.
I'm not complaining. I like a busy life. But sometimes, I do wish it was simpler. I miss doing puzzles and I miss reading. I'm a pro at multi-tasking, which I like, but sometimes, I wish I only needed to do one thing at a time.
In a world where everyone is go go go, trying to get "ahead", I think most people could benefit from a simpler life. Because if you think about it, what does it even mean to "get ahead?"
So today, in honor of National Simplicity Day, I tried to spend less time on my computer. I tried not to check my phone as often. I tried to remember to watch the sunset and give my cat more attention.
Today, I picked the first batch of blueberries from our garden. And I savored each and every one. (And I tried to save some for my parents to eat, but it was hard.)
I remembered to breathe. And I reminded myself that tomorrow is another day and I tried not to rush myself.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
July 11: National Blueberry Muffin Day
These aren't your regular blueberry muffins. These are orange blueberry muffins. As you can guess, these muffins required an orange. We didn't have an orange in the house. This wouldn't be a problem, normally anyways.
Mom and I went to Pilates this morning. I drove so mom didn't have her purse. (This is important, I promise.) I was very low on gas. We got to the grocery store and I realized I didn't have my purse either. (Oooops drove without my license!) But we needed that orange! I yelled, "Everybody search for change!" I should probably mention that my car is super messy. Mom had to push some trash off my passenger's seat just to sit down. We hunted and managed to come up with a small handful of coins. One dollar and seventeen cents to be exact. So we headed into the grocery story, picked out a small orange, and luckily it cost less than $1.17. I didn't have enough money to get any gas (I wasn't about to hand the guy less than 50 cents and tell him I wanted 50 cents worth of gas.) Luckily I made it home and back to town (with my purse) and got gas without my car dying on me.
We bought that orange and I made orange blueberry muffins. And everything ended up ok.
JazzyJ's Orange Blueberry Muffins:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup orange juice
- zest from one orange
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg whites
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon soda
- 3 cups blueberries
- cinnamon and sugar for sprinkling on top
Directions:
1. Grate the skin of one orange to create the zest. Juice the same orange. I got about 3/4 cup juice from one orange, so I added 1/4 cup of orange juice from the fridge to make one full cup of orange juice.
2. Mix together
the oats, orange zest, and orange juice.
3. Add in oil and applesauce.
4. Lightly beat the eggs and egg whites together and add to the mixture.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Add this dry mixture to the other mixture and mix.
6. Gently fold in blueberries. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar on top.
7. Pour into lined muffin cups and bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes.
EAT. Then you should probably eat a second one.
Mom and I went to Pilates this morning. I drove so mom didn't have her purse. (This is important, I promise.) I was very low on gas. We got to the grocery store and I realized I didn't have my purse either. (Oooops drove without my license!) But we needed that orange! I yelled, "Everybody search for change!" I should probably mention that my car is super messy. Mom had to push some trash off my passenger's seat just to sit down. We hunted and managed to come up with a small handful of coins. One dollar and seventeen cents to be exact. So we headed into the grocery story, picked out a small orange, and luckily it cost less than $1.17. I didn't have enough money to get any gas (I wasn't about to hand the guy less than 50 cents and tell him I wanted 50 cents worth of gas.) Luckily I made it home and back to town (with my purse) and got gas without my car dying on me.
We bought that orange and I made orange blueberry muffins. And everything ended up ok.
JazzyJ's Orange Blueberry Muffins:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup orange juice
- zest from one orange
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg whites
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon soda
- 3 cups blueberries
- cinnamon and sugar for sprinkling on top
Directions:
1. Grate the skin of one orange to create the zest. Juice the same orange. I got about 3/4 cup juice from one orange, so I added 1/4 cup of orange juice from the fridge to make one full cup of orange juice.
2. Mix together
the oats, orange zest, and orange juice.
3. Add in oil and applesauce.
4. Lightly beat the eggs and egg whites together and add to the mixture.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Add this dry mixture to the other mixture and mix.
6. Gently fold in blueberries. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar on top.
7. Pour into lined muffin cups and bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes.
EAT. Then you should probably eat a second one.
Friday, July 10, 2015
July 10: National Pina Colada Day
"If you like pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain, if you're not into yoga, or you have half a brain..."
This may be one of the greatest songs ever written. It's a great song to belt out in a car. It's just a great song in general.
Pina Coladas were one of my go to drinks in college. One time, my roommate Allison and I, were making a Pina Colada after one our roommates had gone to bed. Her bedroom connected to the kitchen and we were afraid the sound of the blender would wake her up. So we simply took the blender into the hallway of the apartment building (outside of our apartment) and blended a Pina Colada in the hallway.
A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Especially if it involves making a Pina Colada.
Normally I buy a Pina Colada mix. But this time, we bought this rich coconut stuff in a squeeze container.
I added 1 1/2 ounces rum, 3 ounces of this coconut cream stuff, 3 ounces crushed pineapple, and some ice. I tripled the recipe since I was making three of these drinks. But then I couldn't taste the rum. So I poured in more rum. And then poured in a little more just for fun.
It was oh so creamy, smooth, and had a nice rich coconut taste. And you could taste the rum. Ohhhh could you taste the rum :D
You see that sea turtle/ocean themed decoration around the rim of my glass? Well' that's one of those snazzy hair ties that also doubles as a bracelet. TrendyTurtles is expanding soon to carry a variety of these! Stay tuned, it's going to be big.
This may be one of the greatest songs ever written. It's a great song to belt out in a car. It's just a great song in general.
Pina Coladas were one of my go to drinks in college. One time, my roommate Allison and I, were making a Pina Colada after one our roommates had gone to bed. Her bedroom connected to the kitchen and we were afraid the sound of the blender would wake her up. So we simply took the blender into the hallway of the apartment building (outside of our apartment) and blended a Pina Colada in the hallway.
A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Especially if it involves making a Pina Colada.
Normally I buy a Pina Colada mix. But this time, we bought this rich coconut stuff in a squeeze container.
I added 1 1/2 ounces rum, 3 ounces of this coconut cream stuff, 3 ounces crushed pineapple, and some ice. I tripled the recipe since I was making three of these drinks. But then I couldn't taste the rum. So I poured in more rum. And then poured in a little more just for fun.
It was oh so creamy, smooth, and had a nice rich coconut taste. And you could taste the rum. Ohhhh could you taste the rum :D
You see that sea turtle/ocean themed decoration around the rim of my glass? Well' that's one of those snazzy hair ties that also doubles as a bracelet. TrendyTurtles is expanding soon to carry a variety of these! Stay tuned, it's going to be big.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
July 9: National Sugar Cookie Day
What's better than sugar cookies?
Maybe sugar cookies with frosting.
Or sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles.
But what about cat shaped cookies with frosting and sprinkles?
It doesn't get much better than that.
JazzyJ's Super Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Cream together butter and sugar until super smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
2. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill for at least one hour (or over night).
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out dough on a floured surface until about 1/2 inch thick.
4. Cut into shapes and cook cook on a cookie sheet for 5 to 7 minutes.
Buttercream Frosting:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter, soft
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons milk
Cream everything together until smooth. Add more milk a few drops at a time if needed.
I added a few drops of blue food coloring to get a nice light aqua blue color.
Top with your favorite sprinkles. Remember, you can never have too many sprinkles.
I made these star shaped cookies for my neighbor, Jeff. He is a super star because he's a volunteer EMT and fireman. Thank you Jeff, for your service to our community! We appreciate you.
This was supposed to be a turtle shaped cookie that I hand shaped myself. And then it's head fell off. And now it looks like a misshaped Pillsbury Dough Boy. But that's ok. It was delicious.
I'm normally not a fan of sugar cookies because they are often too crunchy for me. These were nice and soft. The frosting was amazing and the sprinkles, of course, might have been the best part. :D
Maybe sugar cookies with frosting.
Or sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles.
But what about cat shaped cookies with frosting and sprinkles?
It doesn't get much better than that.
JazzyJ's Super Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Cream together butter and sugar until super smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
2. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill for at least one hour (or over night).
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out dough on a floured surface until about 1/2 inch thick.
4. Cut into shapes and cook cook on a cookie sheet for 5 to 7 minutes.
 |
| Which ones don't belong? Which one is my favorite? |
Buttercream Frosting:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter, soft
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons milk
Cream everything together until smooth. Add more milk a few drops at a time if needed.
I added a few drops of blue food coloring to get a nice light aqua blue color.
Top with your favorite sprinkles. Remember, you can never have too many sprinkles.
I made these star shaped cookies for my neighbor, Jeff. He is a super star because he's a volunteer EMT and fireman. Thank you Jeff, for your service to our community! We appreciate you.
This was supposed to be a turtle shaped cookie that I hand shaped myself. And then it's head fell off. And now it looks like a misshaped Pillsbury Dough Boy. But that's ok. It was delicious.
I'm normally not a fan of sugar cookies because they are often too crunchy for me. These were nice and soft. The frosting was amazing and the sprinkles, of course, might have been the best part. :D
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