The Truth:

I haven't been blogging as much this go round. I'm genuinely trying to remedy this. It's just that when I sit down to blog, I want to make sure that what I'm saying is worth saying. I read other people's blogs - some who I know, some who I don't - I gather inspiration, ideas, and sometimes hints of what I wouldn't want to put in this space. Blogging is hard because let's face it, there's millions of us out here posting our favorite outfits, what we made for dinner, or sharing the most personal moments of our lives. Hell, anyone who reads this knows the inner workings of my medical conditions, went through the wedding-planning process with me, and follows my every day journey of life. My struggle is posting content that matters, while trying to keep up with what people might WANT to read on polka-dot chronicles.

I've decided that the theme of my posts from here on out is going to be the truth. You'll see my real life, read my real recipes, live through my real struggles, and celebrate my real successes. I think that's the best way to go with this thing. I'll be more excited about writing. I really think I will.


To start, I'm making a list of books that I want to read before Christmas. I'm hoping to get through FIVE once I start my venture on Monday. Here are the ideas for what I have so far:

1. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
2. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
3. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
4. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Regretfully, I haven't been keeping up with what the good reads are, so any suggestions would be great! I would love to receive a number of recommendations to carry me through the rest of the year!

Bookmarking Old Recipes

To go along with the new recipe I posted tonight, I just wanted to throw back to some of my favorite recipes that I've tried/posted over the past couple years! I'm looking forward to working on these again!

Homemade Mac & Cheese

Muffin-Pan Meatloaf

Spicy Pretzels

Mini Cheesecakes

Banana Nut Bread

Mug Cake

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Non-Chinese Orange Chicken

Enjoy trying them! :)

Learning to Cook

As you can probably imagine, cooking hasn't every reallllllly been my thing. I've always been able to make enough to get myself, but since becoming a married woman, I have to admit that I still haven't really stepped up my cooking game. Between heat being difficult for my skin and working long hours at school, I'm kind of a disappointment in the kitchen. For whatever reason, I've decided today that I'm going to make a change in this department, and I am going to try to keep myself accountable my sharing my stories and recipes here. :)

Ben and I have already been menu planning since we moved in together. It's just what makes sense when you consider finances. The first four months we were living together, finances were VERY tight as neither of us were making true paychecks. We continue meal planning because it makes it much easier to grocery shop and find the best deals at the store! We are also city-market lovers! Fresh produce, honey, and bread are things we pick up pretty frequently.


The first recipe I want to share is something that I've only made a couple times, but Ben loves. It's definitely not a five-star recipe, but it's perfect for the working wife who needs to put together something delicious after work. :)

EIGHT-CAN TACO SOUP*

Required Ingredients -                                           Directions -

1. Golden corn (1 can - drained)                           1. Drain/rinse all ingredients that should have
2. Diced tomatoes (1 can - drained)                        done so
3. Pinto beans (1 can - drained)                           2. Combine all ingredients in a pot
4. Black beans (1 can- drained)                            3. Heat until warm
5. Chicken breast (2 cans - drained)                    4. Serve with tortilla chips
6. Green Enchilada sauce (1 can)                          5. Enjoy! :)
7. Cream of Chicken soup (1 can)
8. Chicken broth (1 can)
9. Taco seasoning (1 package)

Here are a couple pictures from tonight when I made it for dinner!

30 before 30

On Wednesday, August 13th, I turned 26 years old. When I first stopped to think about my coming-of-age, I panicked. Turning 26 means that I'm officially closer to 30. Closer to being older and further away from my youth, college, old friends. Then I stopped to think about all of the great things that come with getting older - being married, starting a family, a career. With all of this in mind, I'm starting a "30 before 30" list. Realistic things I want to accomplish over the next, yes, four years.

I have done my best to split this list into categories to ensure that I stay well rounded. I plan to keep track of my progress here. :)

FIT LIFE

• Make self care a priorty [eating habits, skin, etc.] (__)
• Walk/run at least one 5K per year (0/4)
• Drink nothing but water for 30 days (__)
• Find a medication remedy to maintain my health/skin [and sanity] (__)
• Plant a vegetable/herb garden [and eat from it!] (__)

FULFILLING LIFE

• Achieve inner peace with my medical condition (__)
• Buy a journal and complete Keri Smith's 100 Ideas (__)
• Volunteer 100 hours (__)
• Pay it forward at least once a month [coffee, cards, etc.] (0/46)
• Turn off Facebook for at least one month (__)

TRAVEL LIFE

• Go on five mini-vacations (0/5)
• Visit New Orleans (__)
• Take another cruise (__)
• Go on a roadtrip to __________ (__)
• Visit a friend who lives out of state (__)

NERD LIFE

• Continue my education [Doctorate, Certificate, etc.] (__)
• Earn my state Special Education certification (__)
• Read 50 new books (0/50)
• Grow my blog [followers, dot com, etc.] (__)
• Complete a Project 365 (__)

REAL LIFE

• Become a mother (__)
• Start the process of adopting a second child (__)
• Go fishing for the first time as an adult (__)
• Put together a cookbook of my favorite/mastered recipes (__)
• Buy a house (__)
• Send 20 handwritten notes/cards to family or friends (0/20)
• Tour a local winery (__)
• Have an EPIC 30th birthday party (__)
• Learn to drive a manual car (__)
• Host a holiday meal (__)

My corner of the internet

I welcome you all back to my little corner of the internet. Welcome to my glamorous life. Here are some of the things that have been on my mind lately:

 

With the onset of October, my pumpkin obsession is back in full force! I'm the basic white girl of the century and I love anything and everything pumpkin flavored. Bring me a coffee, cake, pie... whatever, and I will be ALL. OVER. IT. On the same token, I am seriously trying to get myself to a pumpkin patch in the next week or so. We may live in an apartment, but I still want to carve a pumpkin to commemorate my first Halloween season MARRIED to my husband!!

Secondly, I can't get my brain right about Thanksgiving! I'm so excited! I finally got my great aunt's apple pie recipe and I think I'm going to bust out my baking skills and impress everyone with the recipe. I also wasn't in Missouri for Thanksgiving last year so I am very much so looking forward to being here to spend the holiday with my immediate fam bam and Ben's extended family that lives in the area. I also think I might venture out for a bit of Black Friday shopping...

Lastly, Ben is on my mind. Before I got married, I never would have thought things could be the way they are. Ben and I have been to hell and back (more than once), but I find myself falling more and more in love with him as we reach each new day. Things are far from perfect, but I look forward to all of our plans together; ranging from a trip to Branson next month, travelling for Christmas, careers, and starting a family. We've got a pretty good thing going here.


In addition, I'm obsessing over a few things this fall. Similar to last year, I can't get over button-up shirts and scarves... and I love love love this new WINE colored trend!

I've recently picked up a scarf similar to this glittery beauty, and I've purchased these dress pants + a sleeveless button-up in this color.

Overall, I'm loving Fall. I've got a lot planned, so thankfully school is slowing down!! My favorite time of the year.

What things are on your mind? Coffee?? Clothes??