Bosses Day Breakfast!

I was going to do this post last week when Bosses Day actually happened (October 16) but was inspired to do a more meaningful post instead which you can read about here.  And, by the way, Kidd's Kids ended up raising over a half million dollars in one day.  I went to Canes for lunch and it was PACKED!  I find it amazing how awesome people can be sometimes.

And thank you to everyone for their sweet comments about my 30 Day Shred Results.  You guys are what inspired me to keep going and I did not want to embarrass myself with my results pictures!  Now that I'm under the 150 mark, I NEVER, EVER, EVER want to climb back over that again.  I am giving myself a week of sleeping in then I'm going to go back at it next week.  I have to admit that while waking up in the mornings was hard, I love that my muffin top is almost completely gone and that my jeans that I used to consider my skinny girl jeans are now way too big.

So here is my Bosses Day Post...which by the way is by no means low calorie but it is a great splurge for a special occasion.

I have the best job ever!  My boss and coworkers are literally like family to me.  So for bosses day, a coworker and I decided to make breakfast for everyone in the office.  I love the Pioneer Woman!  My favorite "chef" used to be Paula Deen, but Ree Drummond has slowly made her way to the top.  She cooks simple, yummy, southern recipes.  I pinned this recipe a long time ago and have wanted to try it for awhile - it did not disappoint.

Click here for the original pin.  

Overnight Baked French Toast

Here is what you need:

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf sourdough bread (I used Pepperidge Farm)
• 8 eggs
• 2 cups milk 
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teapsoon cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp. vanilla

Topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 stick cold butter, cut into pieces

Grease a 9 x 13 pan with butter (make sure you grease really well).  Tear bread into bite-size chunks and place evenly in the pan.

In a medium bowl mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.  Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until it all looks nice and crumbly.  Place in a ziploc bag.

Mix together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla.  Pour evenly over bread.  Cover tightly and store french toast and topping in the fridge overnight.  

When ready to bake, take pan and bag out of fridge.  Remove lid and evenly sprinkle the crumb mixture over the top.  Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

And here is the yummy goodness!  I put mine in my casserole carrier (which I love and recommend for anyone that loves to cook) and headed to work.

I brought syrup and powdered sugar to put on top.  It was super yummy and everyone loved it.  This was a really easy recipe too and much easier than making individual slices of french toast.  I also saw a recipe where they added some pumpkin pie filling so next time I make it I'm totally adding the pumpkin :)  

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Trading Wine for Weights...the Results!

During my Pinterest Challenge I challenged myself to trade my nightly glass of wine for weights with Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  Check out my original post here.

Today marks the end of 30 days and I am very thankful that I am done.  I have decided that a 30 day commitment is really hard for me...around 20 days I lose interest and have to push myself to keep going.  By week 2 of the Shred I realized that in order to make myself do the Shred every day I was going to have to do it in the morning before work.  So I got my butt out of bed most days at 5:15 am and got it done and over with (I am not a morning person so this was BIG for me).  In addition to the Shred, I also ran some days with my hubby or some of the girls at work.

So...I will quit rambling and show you guys the results:

I am pretty happy with my loss this month...come on check out those abs :)

And here are the measurements:

Before and (After) Measurements:

Weight - 152 pounds (148 pounds)
Waist - 31" (30")
Hip - 39.75" (38.5")
Left Thigh - 23.75" (23")
Right Thigh - 23.5" (23")
Chest - 35.25" (34")
Left Arm - 11" (10.5")
Right Arm - 11.5" (11")

That's 4 pounds and 5.75 inches!

I am so proud that I am in the 140's!  I actually really liked Jillian's workouts and will keep doing them as my strength training.  I was sore a lot of days but I loved the fact that I could get my workout done in less than 30 minutes with some definite results.  

I'm still not at my goal weight...I'd like to be between 140 and 145 but I am on my way.  Hope this is some motivation for others out there doing it...keep it going ladies!

Oh and today I am a featured sponsor on Holly's Blog...Where we can live like Jack & Sally!  Thanks Holly and welcome new followers - hope you enjoy my blog and don't get scared off by my half naked pics!

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Putting it in Perspective

The post I had planned today was not this one - I was planning on showing off my baking skills with the French Toast Casserole I made yesterday for Bosses' Day.  BUT when I got in my car this morning to head to work I was moved to do something different.

This post is all about being thankful for the healthy child I have at home.  When I flipped on the radio today to my favorite morning show, they were doing Kidd's Kids Day.  This group of DJ's does something special each year where they dedicate one day to ask for donations to take 50 families with terminally or chronically ill children to Disney World.  I cried the entire way to work this morning and not because everything they said was sad, but because I am just so thankful that I have a healthy little girl!

I can not imagine how parents with kids that have terminal or chronic illnesses cope each day.  I can honestly say I'm not sure that this is something I could handle.  And I praise them for all their strength, courage and ability to put one foot in front of the other each day.  So, today I am giving to Kidd's Kids and I am going to Raising Canes for lunch where 15% of the proceeds go back to this organization.  I am paying my "healthy kid tax" and I am very happy to do this.

And when I get home today, I'm going to hug my daughter just a little tighter and read her that one extra story she asks for every night because you never know what can happen.  Thank you Kidd's Kids for the reminder of how lucky I truly am for this beautiful girl.

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My Newest Tat

I'm linking up today with one of my FAVORITE bloggers Melanie from 4KOTTEZ!


So here is my newest tat...

Isn't it sooo cute!  And I let my daughter get a matching one :)

Haha!  This is the only tat or ink that you will probably ever see on me - the temporary wash off kind!  So why did I link up today...because I love Melanie and I thought this was a really fun link up.  

I honestly have never wanted to get a tattoo...there just really isn't anything out there that I can commit to have on my body for the rest of my life.  But if I had to get one I would probably get one on my foot and it would be a dainty, feminine one.  And it would probably have something to do with the three best days of my life - College Graduation Day, Wedding Day and the day Addison was born.  I have nothing against them as long as they are in good taste.  My hubby has 3 and to be honest I barely even realize they are there anymore.  

But...I did not go without self expression and rebelling in college...instead of a tattoo I got my belly button pierced.  I was tinier than I had ever been even in high school and my parents HATED the thought of me putting a huge hole in my belly button which was all the more reason that I got it!  I went to South Padre Island for spring break and partied, partied, partied.  

Look at that tiny waist...I wish I still had that!

After a crazy night in Matamoros, Mexico me and 2 of my girlfriends decided we all wanted to get pierced.  Off we went with 10 frat guys standing around watching us and I literally almost passed out when I got it done.  I kept it in for several years and loved it for a really long time!   

So there's my ink or non-ink story...thanks Mel for hosting this link up! 

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My Baby's Growing Up

These pics might actually make me cry!  My baby is growing up too fast :(

December 2009 - 3 Weeks Old

June 2010 - 6 months

December 2010 - 1 year

June 2011 - 18 months

December 2011 - 2 years

May 2012 - 2 1/2 years

September 2012 - 2 3/4 years

I am so proud of this little girl and how smart and sweet she can be.  Her new favs that make me smile:

• Butterfly kisses and Eskimo kisses 
• Reading Halloween Books - we read them at least 4 times a day and she has memorized them
• Movies - her latest fav is Bee Movie
• Playing pretend - she is the mommy and I am the "friend"
• Gymnastics classes
• Stickers! Stickers! Stickers!
• iPad Games
• Foods - Fruit Snacks, Squeeze Go Gurt, Chicken Nuggets, Cinnamon Sugar anything
• Singing Taylor Swift - Never Ever, Ever Getting Back Together

I'm going to do a little bragging about what a smart cookie Addison is!  She goes to Montessori school and just got moved up to the 3-5 year old class (3 months early) and is doing great.  Her school, Wonderland Montessori, is amazing!  The teachers and the curriculum are great and I could not be happier with how she's doing.  

Okay enough bragging about my girl!  I'm so proud to be her mommy and I love her more than I could have ever imagined I would.  

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Me, Myself and I

To all my new followers, I am so happy you've found me!  This blog is a place where I can document my life, get motivated and hopefully inspire and make a difference in other's lives.  So for those of you that don't know me very well, I wanted to give you a little insight about who I am and what makes me me!

What I am...

• A mom to a precious 2 year old named Addison.
• Wife to my amazing husband Mike who I can't live without and who loves me unconditionally (no matter how crazy I am some days).
• An Event Planner!  This is my total dream job and I am very fortunate to have such a great team around me to pull off some kick ass events.
• Food Lover!  I love cooking and eating just about anything.  I will try anything once but carbs are my ultimate weakness.
• A Runner...this is my "me" time!  I love a good run when I've had a bad day or just need to clear my head.  I may or may not be considering running a half marathon next February.
• Sleeper - I need my 8 hours people and more to "catch up" on the weekends.  Unfortunately, my 2 year old does not share this trait.
• Weekend Wino - I love my wine time on Friday and Saturdays.  Just makes the end of my week!  My hubs and I love sitting on the patio, having a drink and chatting.  
• Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Granddaughter - I have a pretty large extended family and we are all pretty close.  Everyone lives in Texas and most around DFW.  
• A small business owner - I dabble in design and love doing custom cards, invites, announcements and labels.  This is strictly a hobby but I love making special times in peoples lives more special with unique and custom cards.  Check out my Etsy Shop and follow Cuddlebug Cards on facebook!

What I'm Not...

• A fashionista...my sister is working on this one but I just don't have an eye for it.  I envy you girls that post pictures of yourself everyday in cute outfits.  
• Dancer - no Zumba or dancing for this white chick.  Although I do make exceptions to blaring music and dancing in the car (I do catch people staring and laughing at me).
• A good dieter - hence the whole food and wine lover thing.
• Big Spender - I am super frugal and since I've had Addison I've been even more frugal.  I look for deals on everything, restaurants, online, clothes, anything.  The only thing I can't get into is grocery couponing..I've tried it but it takes so much time.
• Good at Remembering - If I don't write it down, it's gone.  My husband says I'm totally ADD and it's really bad when I'm trying to clean the house.  I will be cleaning the kitchen and go to put something in the bathroom then start cleaning something in the bathroom and then realize I was doing stuff in the kitchen.  It's bad.

How come it is that I can think of so many things I am but not that many that I'm not.  

Here is my sweet daughter and love of my life (this is one of my favorite pictures of them - he is an awesome Daddy).

Thanks for following and reading!

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Blast from the Past Weekend!

We had a really busy weekend!  I had Friday off and Addison and I had our Mommy/Daughter Date (post to come later)...we did Monster Mayhem and Chick Fil A!  We also spent $450 on a broken air conditioner only for it to cool down enough on Saturday that we had to turn on the heat :(

Saturday did not start well...Addison had gymnastics class and then we were headed straight to a church fall festival and carnival.  BUT...during gymnastics class, she was NOT listening to the instructor so we pulled her out of class to try and straighten her up and told her if she didn't go back in and listen that we weren't going to the carnival.  She walked back in and threw herself on the floor screaming and kicking- needless to say we jerked her out of there and left with her kicking and fighting all the way to the car where she cried the entire way home saying "I want to go to the carnival."

Are anyone else's kiddos going through this phase?  I swear I love my child but she tests me every single day.  She has always been a pretty good kiddo but lately we battle about everything especially her following directions.  The hubs and I decided after the embarrassing meltdown we were only going to tell her once to do something before implementing a consequence-no more second chances.

Saturday night we headed to a Couple's Baby Shower!  It was for a high school friend of mine and it was literally like a high school reunion.  We had a great time catching up with old friends and letting all our kiddos play together.  And I found out that some of my friends found my blog and are reading it...Hi Erica and Catherine!

I have spent all day Sunday in my PJ's which are my favorite kind of days.  We watched movies, painted our finger nails, made a Halloween Countdown Treat Board, did laundry (which I swear I'm going to get done before Sunday at 8:00 pm and never do) and made Sunday dinner.  Here is Addison's Halloween Countdown.

After making her Spooky Tutu last weekend she woke up on Monday asking to go "Trick or Treating."  She is so excited this year!  I thought it would be fun to do a Halloween Countdown Treat Board.  She and I made this together and I put little treats in each little pouch for her to open each day.  Can you see the excitement on her face when she got a new tattoo?

And Sunday dinner was amazing!  I made Jalapeno Popper Chicken from this Pin which I've been meaning to make for a long time.  It did not disappoint ..yum-o!  And we scarfed it so fast I didn't get a picture of it - but it was really good.

I'm not ready to go back to work tomorrow...I swear even over long weekends I never accomplish everything I want to get done.

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VLOGing it up!

After a short little blogging hiatus...I'm back!

I couldn't resist linking up with Holly and Emily to do my first VLOG (Video Blog).  

So I did this about a million times...I should totally post my outtakes :)  Hope you guys enjoy!  I'm loving seeing everyone else's VLOG's!  It's nice to put faces and voices with names.

Happy Friday - have a great weekend!

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You're not that Pinteresting & Winner of the Gift Card!

It's over...It's over!  Happy Dance :)

My husband literally told me on a daily basis..."You're not that Pinteresting!"  And every day he got the look (you know that "Go to Hell" look that every woman has in her arsenal) .  But by about week 2, it ended up being a game of me trying to sneak pictures of my pins/blogs and my husband trying to catch me in the act.  Needless to say he is very glad this is over too!

So what have I learned from this?

• I will never commit to blogging for 30 days straight again!  Like EVER!
• I am very productive when I post something on a blog...for some reason I feel I have to prove myself and when I put it out there I'm automatically committed to it.
• I am craftier than I thought I was. See Day 3, Day 6, Day 12 and Day 29.
• My daughter is a diva whether I want her to be or not.  See Day 7 and Day 9.
• I actually bake more than I thought I did. See Day 2, Day 5, Day 21 and Day 30.
• I love Nutella! See Day 5 and Day 15.
• I still don't know what baking soda does in tea...mystery was never solved. See Day 24.
• Some pins fail and it's okay. See Day 11.
• You crazy followers have made me really BRAVE. See Day 17 and Day 26.
• I like easy and low cal recipes. See Day 8, Day 10, Day 13, Day 20, Day 27, Day 28 and Day 30.
• And I feel very loved and really appreciate everyone's sweet comments, motivation and support!  I'm sure I would have quit during week 1 if it wasn't for everyone reading and commenting.

I hope you all enjoyed reading as I created, cooked, crafted and cleaned my way through 30 Pins!

WINNER!  WINNER!

So now...onto what you have all been waiting for - who's ready to go shop at Target?  I love this place and can NEVER leave with the few things I go in to get.

There were 98 comments over the 30 days and the winner is Megan at Amazing Love!!!  Congratulations - please email me your address to mere.dowdy@gmail.com by October 2nd at 9:00 pm to claim your gift card.

And I am going to be totally honest...I am going to take a little blogging hiatus for a few days.  My family deserves it and dang it I deserve it to!  

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