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I've tried two new recipes lately that I love, love, LOVE.

Please accept my apologies on our pink plates that we bought freshman year in college. Upgrades to come in sync with a new paycheck.

Grilled Veggie Sandwich

yellow squash
zucchini
red onion
cherry tomatoes
Italian salad dressing (or olive oil)
chopped fresh basil
crumbled feta cheese
sourdough bread


1. Sautee/grill zucchini, onion, and squash (if choosing to sautee, add olive oil to pan).
2. Grill for 4 minutes on each side.
3. Cut cherry tomatoes in half; place in bowl and add dressing (or oil) and basil.
4. Add veggies to bowl and toss to coat.
5. Brush bread in olive oil and grill for 1 minute on each side.
6. Add veggie mix to bottom slice of bread, then add feta.
7. Sprinkle remaining basil mixture on top and add top piece of bread.

**This sandwich is really versatile as far as which veggies you can use. I tried red, yellow, & green peppers, onions, and eggplant.



The other evening I had a few visitors over, so I cooked these "bites" for them! They were a success... although there is a possibility they didn't want to hurt my feelings, they all went back for seconds, so I think I'm in the clear.


Lasagna Bites

Ingredients:
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 small onion (chopped)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
2-3 cups marinara sauce
1 can refrigerated biscuits
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
chopped basil.


1. Brown beef in the skillet. Drain.
2. Add garlic, onions, and marinara sauce.
3. Spray muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.
4. Mold bottoms and tops of biscuits to individual muffin slots.
5. After meat mix has time to simmer, scoop one tablespoon into each muffin/biscuit cup.
6. Add one tbsp ricotta cheese on top of meat mixture.
7. Top (cover) with mozzarella cheese and chopped basil.
8. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.
9. Remove from oven and use spoon to help loosen lasagna bites. Serve.




NOM NOM NOM.

Adventure

who wants to go on a road trip?

See YEW in July

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Annie's Top Ten Websites

My Daily Visits. Check them out.

1. www.hotnewhiphop.com
*Where I get the hottest jams before all of you suckaz

2. Mod Cloth
*vintage clothes, moderate prices, updated daily

3. Hot Child in the Country
*The reason I started blogging (if you can call it that) - Jordan Rutledge's blog

4. Looks Good to Me
*Her watercolors on the computer are sick.

5. Pioneer Woman
*She lives my fantasy life. Food + cowboys? Yes, please.

6. Nosh & Tell
*My friend Whitney and her college roommate's food blog - they write about food they eat all over the world.

7. Hulu
*The only place I watch TV anymore.

8. YELP
*If you're in Nash, you need to be familiar with this website. Reviews on everything from food, bars, stores, etc.

9. CNN
*The only way I know what's going on in the world these days. Follow them on Twitter too.

10. Dead Spin blog
*Funny sports moments that everyone should see.

Take Me There

FLOOD

Nashlantis
WaterWorld2
TheOtherSituation 2010
wtflood
etc.


May 1-2, 2010

let's climb this one day.

pics from my crazy life

My Cooking Wishlist

Even though wishlights are usually reserved for big holidays and birthdays, I have a year round wishlights. My cooking wishlist is really becoming quite extravagant, and I'm hoping to come into some money (summer jobs, eh) and purchase a few of these beautiful future additions to my kitchen.


1. APRON.First off, and so I've been told, a woman in the kitchen is a beautiful thing to a man. Not that I'm basing this item on that at all, but who wouldn't want to feel pretty while preparing a beautiful meal?


I find this apron DARLING, and would love to rock this around our precious little kitchen.


2. BIG GIRL BOWL.Another pet peeve of mine in the kitchen is that regular bowls are too small. I don't want two huge bowls of cereal, soup, etc, but one bowl is just never quite large enough. My bowls of soup are always almost overflowing, and this is a disaster waiting to happen. I love these OVERSIZED bowls from Anthropologie for their size, and the fact that they are my favorite color is just an added bonus.



3. THE REDI-SET-GO cooker.The next item is my guilty pleasure of the list. Now I first saw this on an infomercial on TV, and I know it wouldn't be an impulse buy since I still want it. Bad. The Redi-Set-Go cooker is PERFECT for a single lady like myself who enjoys cooking, but doesn't need to use a whole recipe when I'm usually just cooking for one.

This cooker just so happens to cook, bake, steam, fry, and grill ALL IN ONE. Impressive. It's dual side cooking mechanism helps food be ready in just about 5-10 minutes, which for a busy girl like myself, is so helpful considering I want to cook every night, but just don't usually have the time necessary.


4. The final item I will share with you from my cooking wishlist is the biggest and BY FAR the most expensive. These items/cookware set is so far away in my mind that it's more like a dream than a reality. This 15 piece cooking set is probably the best a cook could ever hope for. I'm talking this is what all the big dudes use. It's kind of like that car that you've always wanted, but you could never bring yourself to really spend that much money on a car. Well, this is how I feel about this cookware. i want it so bad, but I would hit myself in the face for spending over 1k for cookware. It sucks, but it's okay because I don't really mind being the little girl at the candy shop looking in the window drooling. Even though in this case it's outside Williams=Sonoma instead of a candy shop.





ENJOY.

The Sky

Incase you don't already know, I am obsessed with the sky.


Especially at night.

Los Angeles

These days, I seem to be quite the globetrotter. At least for the months of March and April.

After returning from Honduras, I was only in Nashville for 4 days before I took off to LOS ANGELES for work. While the trip wasn't all play, I did get to at least see a good amount of the area. We stayed in Santa Monica with my friend's cousin, and both were equally beautiful. I can't wait to go back in three weeks to finish up our work there!

On Thursday I am departing on the evening flight with three of my favorite girls to celebrate KARA BRILEY'S 21st BIRTHDAY.

Kara has been one of my dearest friends for quite some time, but she is quite the baby princess. We're going to have an incredible time, and plan on coming back Monday morning (as long as we don't miss our 7 AM flight).

Happy 21st to my love, KB! It's been a good ride, and I can't wait to see what memories we can make from here!





**ON A SIDE NOTE,

It's also my other best frandz 21st birthday - Sarah Elizabeth Berry! Here's lookin' at you kid!

Recap: Honduras is my home

Had an awesome week in Honduras. Built a house, handed out more food and clothes than I could imagine, spent two awesome days at Jovenes en Camino (the orphanage in El Zamborano, Honduras for abused and neglected boys), and many other things. Most importantly, I got to spend time with some of my best friends who I unfortunately get to see only once or twice a year.

I've learned that while it is fun to have friends who go on the trip with me, I can hang out with them in USA. I don't spend thousands of dollars every year to go to Honduras and hang out with them. So this year, every chance I had, I spent with the Hondurans. What a difference those extra fifteen minutes made three times a day. Whether we were goofing around before heading out for the day, sharing a meal together, or actually having a (somewhat) serious conversation, I can't express the joy it gave me to simply be with some of my favorite people in the world.

I want to take a second to talk about a man who means the world to me. Marco (mi osito, which means my teddy bear) is a basically a single dad with two incredible children. Antonio is 18, and Amanda is 12. Several years ago, Amanda was standing too close to the stove when a pot of boiling water fell and burned over half her body. Because of finances, Marco's wife went to the US to bring in some more money to help pay for their hospital bills. She has never come back, and probably won't. She has also stopped sending money home. Now Marco has spent the past few years taking care of his two beautiful children, and you can tell he doesn't regret one second of it. Not only is he an amazing dad, but he brings joy to the people he's around. Joking and light-hearted, Marco and I are always joking and laughing.

We stay in pretty constant contact through texting, and he has easily become like my Honduran father over the past 3 years. He is protective, funny, caring, giving, and anything a great dad needs to be. Marco is probably dealing with a lot inside, but he carries himself in a proud way. He is proud of the kids he has, and he should be. They have grown up extremely well because of the incredible example they have as a father. I am so proud to have him in my life and so grateful to have spent my week with a man of such greatness.


In my opinion, this is what a real man looks like.

My Dream Bed

I think I could daydream here forever.

Countdown

I leave for Honduras in 4 days.

The weather is currently around 98 each day.

I still have much to do.

Therefore, here's a picture of some little boys I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE.

Is this real life?

Inspired by my favorite blogger

These are the main reasons I decided to start blogging.

1. I enjoy writing.
2. Jordan Rutledge
3. I have lots of different interests, and I find it fun to talk about them.
4. Jordan Rutledge's blog


So check out her blog on the link above, because this post was inspired by her as well.


I have been known to have many girl crushes, and usually they stem from how high a woman might be on my personal "SHE'S AMAZING" scale. Looks, for me, only have a small affect on a my crushes, but talent is definitely my #1 most important characteristic.

This is why my girl crush of March is Kiersten Holine.


A youtube discovery by my brother, I have been eerily stalking her for the past year or so. She finally is on iTunes, and I'm super psyched. Although her covers, for me personally, are better than her originals, I think that is mainly because we share lots of favorite artists. From covers by Bon Iver, Ray Lamontagne, Fleet Foxes, M. Ward, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan, Kiersten's got a raw talent. In my opinion, you can't make your voice "sound better" on youtube.


So here's one of my favorite covers she has done, so I hope you all enjoy her as much as I do. Cheers.

TGIF & Etsy

So Fridays are usually my favorite day of the week, because I literally live for the weekends. Since I'm in a good mood, I decided to do a post on something that makes me happy. Etsy.com is a newfound love of sorts, and I have been obsessed ever since I discovered it last fall.

These are some of my favorite things on etsy at the moment. Enjoy.


This pillow cover was my first etsy purchase, and they are great. Super cheap, and they're really beautiful.



This was my second purchase on etsy, and I have received so many questions/comments/praises on this laptop decal. Not only can you get different kinds of decals, but you have pretty much the entire rainbow of color options to choose from. I, of course, chose my favorite color, and went with this tree in baby blue. Totally worth eight bucks.



Well tis the season, right? The wedding season that is... I feel like so many people are getting married, including one of my good friends, Ashley, in two weeks! I was just surfing etsy's cake toppers, and I am obsessed with these two. Ashley's fiance is in the Navy, so this is like so perfect. Also, I love owls. Therefore I'm obsessed with these two designs.




And finally... I am in love with everything photography, and I have enormous respect for people who are good at it. I found this artist on etsy, but now I mainly follow her blog. I love everything she does because it has this sort of old, vintage feel that makes me want nothing more than to be barefoot on a summer day running in a field somewhere. I know... but anyone who has that kind of affect on me, I enjoy. Check out her blog.

This is one of my favorites.

Wild Weekend

This weekend was maybe one of the best I've had in college. This past Wednesday, the 17th, was my brother's 23rd birthday, so Thursday I went up and surprised him in Oxford, MS (Ole Miss). That night he had to work, so I hung out with his girlfriend and his friends.

Friday during the day was perfect weather, so all we did was lay around and sunbathe/climb trees/play. Friday night while Luke had to go to fraternity stuff, KK (Luke's lady) and I got busy preparing for his SURPRISE RAVE.

When I say surprise rave, I'm referring to the best rave I have ever been to. Not only did I manage to spend over $80 bucks on GLOW STICKS, but it was a TIE DIE theme in honor of my brother's favorite pastime. We literally covered ourselves and the house in glow stick juice. This is the front door....


NUTS.

Needless to say, I had an amazing weekend, and it sucked to come back home to a Monday where it was raining. Thanks Nashville. Here's some fun pictures to touch on the craziness of the weekend.

San Valentin

So Valentine's day hasn't really ever been my thing, but I can still celebrate love.


Like my family for one. I really love my family.

Exhibit A.

My mom found out I was coming home for dinner last night, and this is what I see when I walk in the back door.



After a delicious meal, followed my some chocolate-nut covered strawberries, I got to spend some quality time with my parents.



I've decided that since I no longer live with my parents, and in fact haven't since high school (not once have I gone home to live with them since coming to college), I now respect and appreciate them more. So this February 14th, I celebrated my parents.



LOVE. It's pretty powerful stuff.

muzak for the poor

While watching the new trailer for ROBIN HOOD, featuring Russell Crow and Cate Blanchett, I have decided to be more like him. Considering he is one of my all time favorite characters, this is what I'm willing to do for you all...

My friends always are asking me to burn them cd's or give them suggestions, because I spend the majority of my time looking up new music. I really enjoy almost all music, with the minor exception of slasher/headbanger music (if you can even call it that). Nevertheless, I'm going to publish my "Top 25 Most Played" from my itunes, no matter how embarrassing or not. It shows the obvious fickleness of my music taste.


Laugh. Cry. Make fun of me.

Simply enjoy this. It's rare.


ANNIE B'S TOP 25 MOST PLAYED SONGS ON iTUNES

1. Re: Stacks - Bon Iver
2. Winter Birds - Ray Lamontagne
3. Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing - Chris Rice
4. Arms Open Wide - Hillsong United
5. Kiss Me Thru the Phone - Soulja Boy Tell 'Em
6. Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac
7. You Rock My World - Michael Jackson
8. Gibberish - Ryan Leslie
9. Only You Can Love Me This Way - Keith Urban
10. Gotta Have You - The Weepies
11. Sky - Joshua Radin feat. Ingrid Michaelson
12. Woods - Bon Iver
13. A Falling Through - Ray Lamontagne
14. P.Y.T. - Michael Jackson
15. Till Kingdom Come - Coldplay
16. Closer - Kings of Leon
17. Ooh Baby - Mario
18. All the Wild Horses- Ray Lamontagne
19. Party in the U.S.A. - Miley Cyrus
20. Hazy - Rosi Golan feat. William Fitzsimmons
21. Trust - Keyshia Cole
22. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
23. Breakin' Up - Rilo Kiley
24. The Wolf - Eddie Vedder
25. All Along the Watchtower - Bob Dylan




That was fun for me, but the fact that there is a SOULJA BOY song in my Top 25 is embarrassing. I need to calm down.

BLOGGIN' YALL

Here we go. My first blog. Just a little about myself, and my friends who will probably appear numerous times in this blog (some daily).


Number one.
My family. They are nuts.

This is my mom. She's been a kindergarten teacher for... well too long. After spending the majority of her time with 5 year olds, she usually acts like one.


My father is who I take after for the most part.
He literally is the sweetest man in the entire world, and I am so proud to have him as my dad.






Luke... We tend to have fun together.




I'll post on my crew later, but now to tell you a little about me. I am currently in my junior year at Lipscomb University. I'm double majoring in Spanish and International Business, and I love my field(s). I probably would've left my now if it hadn't been for tricky transfering issues, but I do love my friends I've made. I'm a dreamer and hippie, because one of my #1 goals in life is to be a part of changing the world to be a better place FOR EVERYONE.

As for my job - IT'S THE BEST. I am so pumped about it. I'm interning for a consulting company for the United Nations called THE BRAVE. We have made a film called When the Night Comes, directed and produced by THE BOBBY BAILEY. The film is about the deadliest disease mankind has ever known. Malaria.

On a more serious note, malaria kills a child every THIRTY SECONDS, and more people have died because of malaria in the history of the world than any other disease. I'll probably blog about this more than anything, just because of how important this has become in my life.



ON TO THE NEXT ONE. I'll probably blog too about whatever I'm listening to, my favorite musicians, etc. Music is probably what I do most of my time when I'm not working, studying, eating, or sleeping.


#currently playing: De Que Me Sirve la Vida by Camila (this was the obvious inspiration to the name of my blog.



Also, follow me elsewhere if you'd like.

Twitter

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Hasta luego...