Long time, no write

I am terrible at blogging! I will try to do better!
We had a great weekend last weekend at the Taylors. We went to a charity ball. It was fun!
Here's a few pictures:
Madison & me with our friend Katy:


Tully (Madison's sister) & Katy with me

With the sisters-in-law at home (only college age & + go, so that's why Margaret isn't dressed up)



The Taylor kids





I'm at a "plateau" right now, as far as students go...I'm trying to brainstorm to come up with even more ways to get more students. I'm somewhat happy with the number, but it is definitely not even close to half of the students my sister has, and my goal was 25 students (I need 10 more to make it to 25). The orchestra job does help quite a bit, but since I'm the "bread winner", it is kind of added pressure to do as much as I can. I work really hard to get students, but with the economy, people are very reluctant to pay for violin lessons. I have had probably 15 or so people who have expressed interest, and then said no because of $.

My friends are going to Florida for a weekend next weekend - I wish I wasn't so far away from all my college friends. It's really hard to be so far away! New Years was fun, but way too short and busy. We didn't really get to visit as much as I would have liked. This will be the first year I don't go with them on our little tradition to Disney. I will miss so many things about it and it makes me so sad I can't go. I get really home sick for my friends from Wheaton. I was hoping since it was over a weekend instead of a week, we could afford it - but it's just out of the question with how little I make and all of our expenses here lately. I tried everything I could to go, but it's just not feasible. They may come visit me sometime - I just really wish I could find a way to go (I'm still searching for a possible cheap flight but doubt that is going to happen...flight are SO expensive!!!) So that has been kind of making me feel sad this week, although I'm trying my best not to be a downer, because no one wants to hang around someone like that...

So much happened in such a short time...college flew by so fast...too fast. One minute, I was taking the train into Chicago with the girls Freshman year, and the next minute, we were walking down the aisle in Edman graduating...3 weeks later, we got married and moved 632 miles away...that all happened so fast!

When you are there and able to live with your best friends or walk 2 doors away to their apartment for 4 years, you grow incredibly close and it is really hard to get used to being this far away!

I miss you girls!

Update on life

Well, here I am again, being lazy and not updating like I should. Not a whole lot has happened since I last wrote, but a few interesting things have happened, I guess!

1. I got my hair cut! I love it, it is SO easy and light and fluffy! I used to dye my hair constantly (obsessively) and it was really really dead & dry on the ends, so that's the main reason I cut it. Dying my hair used to be a stress reliever and a way to keep from being "boring". hah. It's officially all my natural non dyed hair now! Yay! Then I decided I haven't really had anything above the 2 inches below the shoulder type cut since 8th grade! So it's a nice change. I got some side bangs too which hide my forehead better than when I swoop my hair over by myself. And the hairstylist literally costs exactly half of the one I went to in Wheaton! Yay for the cheap South...haha.

Before:


After:




2. We're moving! I hate, hate, hate that this house is so nice and perfect except for the VERY loud club in our back yard...it's bad. It has apparently changed ownerships, it was bad before. But it seems to have gotten even worse! It is loud until 1am. Our windows shake sometimes, and the low bass that often REALLY gets to me. Sometimes I just start crying because it gets to my nerves so bad night after night. (so maybe I'm a bit over sensitive to sound??? Poor Madison...) We have heard more explatives from rappers with our doors & windows shut and we're just sick of it! Well, our lease runs out this summer, and our friends from law school knew of a house for $75.00 less than this house per month. It's quiet, 5 miles out in the county, and you can paint it, have dogs, and it's just a tiny bit smaller than this place. It has an office & 2 bedrooms, a nice kitchen, washer & dryer, living room, and 2 bathrooms. The master bathroom is BIG! :-) We will have to be more creative with the layout of our furniture, but it will be well worth it! I am so pumped. The back has a fairly large deck and yard, where we will enjoy our grill and "toe roaster". Our next door neighbors will be aquiantences of ours, and it will be SO nice to know they're there for 2 more years as well. They're quiet and will be nice we/they need anything. We probably won't get a dog at least for now, but that doesn't mean I don't want one SO bad! Unfortunately, pets are expensive and right now, our budget doesn't allow for one. Some day! I have already thought of names, colors for the leash & collar, breeds, etc, etc. I need one of those things to keep me company, all those late nights when Madison is still doing his homework! I would love to have a sweet doggie to cuddle up with me while I am on my laptop or watching a movie/tv. Or even reading the occasional book (*gasp!*)

3. We had a nice, low key 1st married valentines' day. Can't believe we've been married for almost 9 months! We decided not to fight the Oxford traffic, plus it's expensive to eat out around here! We usually go for lunch if anything, just because it's cheaper. We were going to, but instead, we just grabbed something to eat here. I made dinner and a cake. I was proud of my cake...I always try to think of a reason to make a cake, because I love being creative with cakes! It all started when I was in Kroger, and they were selling heart shaped throw away cake pans. There were 2 of them in a pack. Then I went online and found this fun diet cake recipe on omnomicon's blog. I'm usually an unbleached flour, natural food when-it's-cheap type girl, so this was kind of a rare occasion for me! :-) Let's just say, Madison was SHOCKED when he cut open that cake! haha!

So here's what I did...

I divided the batter into 3 bowls. I used gel food coloring (better for you than the old stuff - and brighter!) and dripped it into the bowls to make pink, red, and left the yellow cake as is.














I greased the pans w/ crisco and flour to make it easy to flip them out to decorate.
One cake mix = 2 heart pans. I poured the majority of the red on the bottom of the first one, half of the yellow cake mix on top, and about 1/3 of the pink on the top. Then with the other, I did the opposite. Don't mix the colors, just dump on top of each other.

















I baked for the normal time on the box directions, they came out just right.
















I flipped the first one onto the cake platter and iced it.













Then I set the second layer & frosted it.











Tada!




















































4. I'm starting my 1st Saturday group lesson in 2 weeks and I'm pumped! It will be once a month! Bekah recommended a book that gives ideas and such and I am ready! I had 100% parent response which just warms my heart! I am so excited for these children to all meet each other and gain confidence by playing with and for each other! We will play theory based games, play for eachother, with eachother, play other music games, etc. I will definitely have to report how well I am able to control 7 children from ages 5-10!

That's about all, nothing else to report! :-)

25 things about me...because everyone is doing it...

Because I'm that narcissistic...haha ;-)

1. I have lived in 7 states, 15 houses, 3 apartments, and 1 dorm.

2. I started playing violin at age 3 1/2

3. I don't really like turning on the TV ever...and when I do, I usually just get frustrated because I never know what is on when (this excludes the office).

4. I love children...I love my job...I actually sometimes even miss being a nanny believe it or not...I look forward to being a mom someday!

5. I love being with people once I'm with them, but have anxiety until I'm there! I am always glad when I make myself go somewhere, because once I'm there, I am very glad!

6. I always want to be early to everything...and then sit in my car until it's time to go in.

7. I play the piano when I'm sad

8. Baking & cooking is a stress reliever. I absolutely love it.

9. Madison was 18 and I was 19 when we met. We talked all during Christmas break of '04, and officially started dating Jan 17, 2005. We got engaged Dec. 2006, and got married May 2008. I had a crush on him first! ;-)

10. I am a obsessive micro-manager when it comes to Madison & my calendars and such. I really try to chill out so I don't annoy people!!! My poor husband...

11. I love to paint but am a little hesitant of showing anyone the results

12. I sing when I'm alone in my car or at home constantly

13. I love hearing different peoples' laughs

14. I technically need glasses all the time but hate wearing them and my eyes are too sensitive for contacts (one time Bekah spent about 1 hr getting a contact out of my eye). So I just walk around with very blurry vision...I only wear glasses when driving or when reading music. I have trouble seeing close up stuff and far away stuff...go figure...I'm a freak.

15. I absolutely love board games!

16. I have never been to New York city

17. I have been to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, England, Scotland, Mexico, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Poland, St. Thomas, Kitts, US Virgin Islands, Caymen Islands, St. Lucia, St. Martin, and Puerto Rico.

18. I have an electric violin, and an electric guitar

19. I absolutely HATE when people crack their knuckles and have literally never cracked a single knuckle

20. I lose keys, purses, phones, etc. like crazy and I'm very forgetful...VERY forgetful.

21. I love knitting, sewing, scrapbooking, making jewelry, etc.

22. Madison & I have been together for four years total

23. I am obsessed with bubble tea (if you don't know what it is, you are really missing out - unfortunately the closest place is in Cordova, TN and yes I have been there)

24. I am obsessed with taking pictures & love looking at pictures a lot...I really look forward to when we can afford a good camera.

25. I never delete messages in my inbox (total right now in my gmail inbox: 2128) facebook inbox: 118

A fun weekend [Recipe: Spinach Stuffed Chicken]

Well, it's Monday, which means back to work! Today I got a lot done. I sorted a bunch of laundry, I cleaned, made a mess, and re-cleaned the kitchen, and I got a bunch of lesson planning and such done. I also arranged something for my little orchestra at Regents. This Friday night, the orchestra is playing for the school's talent show during intermission. We just started all our new music, so it will be a little rough, but it will still be fun! The principle and his wife want their son to take violin lessons from me, so she and I are meeting this week to discuss lessons. I think I may teach him at Regents right after orchestra, since they have to stay there until 4pm anyways.

This weekend was great. Friday night, we had Danica, Jason, Danica's sister Bethany, Kayla & Daniel over. It was fun spending time with Danica's sister, and we thought that it would be a fun thing to do while she was in town. We have gotten to know our [relatively new] friends, Kayla & Daniel through a few different things, such as a Bible study we were in last semester, and Kayla & Danica are my Curves workout buddies. We hung out a bit in the Grove too, so over time, we have gotten to know them. They're a lot of fun. They are getting married in June, and I am playing in her wedding in Brookhaven.

Sunday night, we went over to Aaron & Kelly's house for a fun Superbowl party. There were other law school people there as well, and it was fun hanging out and eating lots of delicious food. They were very good hosts and everyone enjoyed themselves. I brought Knorr dip and a football field cake. I love decorating cakes! I may not be very good at it, but I love anything to do with painting or decorating cakes. It's so much fun for me, and quite relaxing! I would love decorating cakes for a living, but I don't think I would make as much as I do teaching violin :-) Probably not the most profitable living around here.

Recipe of the day: Spinach Stuffed Chicken (I halved this recipe & it was still too much for Madison & I to eat)

It was funny, I went online to find a recipe that I could use a half of a bag of fresh spinach, some bacon, chicken, and sour cream (because these were all things I had to buy for our get-togethers this weekend) and I found this amazing recipe! I will definitely be making this again.

(note: this is not the halved recipe)
INGREDIENTS:
1 (10 oz) package fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup lowfat or regular sour cream
1/2 cup shredded mozzerella
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch chili pepper
8 strips turkey bacon or regular bacon (uncooked)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F

2. Place spinach in a large glass bowl, and heat in the microwave for 3 minutes, stirring every minute or so, or until wilted.

3. Stir in sour cream, cheese, garlic, black pepper, and chili powder.


4. Pound chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness. (I put saran wrap on the chicken so the gross chicken juice doesn't spray everywhere!)



5. Lay the chicken breasts out on a clean surface, and spoon some of the spinach mixture onto each one.


6. Roll up chicken to enclose the spinach, then wrap each chicken breast with two slices of bacon. Secure with toothpicks, and arrange in a shallow baking dish. (I did not have toothpicks, hence the crazy skewer sticks!)


7. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes in the preheated oven, then increase heat to 500 degrees F, or use the oven's broiler to cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to brown the bacon.



I took the bacon off (we are watching our fat intake) but it didn't necessarily say that you can't eat it. I also only like extra crispy bacon. It keeps the chicken nice & moist, and gives it just the slightest hint of bacon taste. mm!
I highly recommend this recipe! We were going to make it this weekend as a special treat, then we realized we were busy all weekend, so I decided to make it tonight. It's relatively low-fat and really tasty!