25 Things…

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This idea came from another blogger. But the randomness is all mine. :)

1. Sunrises are my favorite.  Best way to start the day.

2. I rush to the coffee pot each morning.

3.  I think Im addicted to coffee.

4.  Im not on the K-Cup Keurig Bandwagon.

5. Speaking of bandwagons — Im also not on the E-Reader bandwagon.

6. I need to read more. Where is my Steve Jobs book? I think Im still on Chapter 1.

7. What day is it? Man these weeks fly by!

8.  I dont watch local news. If it bleeds it leads…I find it depressing.

9. I love watching Live with Kelly.

10. I kinda miss Regis.

11. Speaking of watching stuff — I need more RH of BH (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills).

12. What a reunion — 3 parts?! Really?!

13. Yes I like reality tv.

14. One show that I dont watch: The Amandas. :( It doesnt accurately dipict organizing projects.

15. That makes me sad. It changes peoples perceptions of what we do.

16. Adele! I listen to Pandora throughout the day — she just came on — she is my fave! :)

17. Speaking of faves — I love Sarah Michelle Gellar! :) Buffy was my fave show ever!

18. I used to spend hours in my room trying to make my hair look like hers.

19. I was 16.  I had nothing better to do.

20.  My mind bounces around more than a ping pong ball!

21. Am I the only one that feels this way?

22.  I need more coffee.

23. I wish Starbucks & Caribou had more coupons!

24. Im addicted to Pinterest.

25. Very bad way to spend waste the day.  I need to be more productive.

:)

Foodie Friday {Pesto Scallops}…

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Before I launch into another delicious recipe to round out the week, I wanted to talk about Valentine’s Day.  I am not a huge Valentine’s Day person.  What I mean is, I dont ask Raymond for roses, cards, presents, or an expensive dinner out.  I am not a big present person for one, but I dont like the hoopla around the day.  It does kinda feel like a Hallmark holiday — okay okay ladies — feel free to let me have it. :)

Now with that said — we were watching the Carolina game the other night and Raymond declared to the television “Why does the guy have to do everything?”.  Now I have no idea what prompted the statement as I was nose deep in the website and Money Saving Mom article debut.  My guess is a commercial about buying jewelry or taking your lady out to dinner ran across the screen.  Well it got me thinking — Raymond is right (as he usually is)! Why it is that the men have to surprise and woo the lady — why cant the lady also surprise the man!  (Im expecting comments galore on this) :)

So…if you want to cook a special dinner for your special fella next week or this weekend then I highly recommend this recipe!  Its SO super easy!

PESTO SCALLOPS

*Sea scallops are worth the splurge here.  Bay scallops shrink when cooked & become rubbery

*I dont add the toasted walnuts.

  • 1 lb sea scallops
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (I use canola oil)
  • 1/2 lb pasta (any shape and kind will do – I use egg noodles)
  • 1/4 cup jarred basil pesto
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  1. Cook pasta following package instructions (about 10 minutes).
  2. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
  3. While pasta is cooking, pat scallops dry and season with salt & pepper.
  4. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Saute 4 minutes per side, until cooked through and no longer translucent.
  6. Add the pesto to drained pasta.  Stir in some of the reserved cooking liquid until pasta is evenly coated with pesto.  *I eyeball the amount of pesto — my philosophy is the more the merrier*
  7. Stir in cheese.  Top with scallops.

I served this with a side of pesto breadsticks.  It was delicious!

PESTO BREADSTICKS

  • 1 tube of refrigerated ready-to-bake breadsticks
  • Pesto
  • Salt & Pepper
  1. Roll out the tub of breadsticks.
  2. Sprinkle each breadstick with salt & pepper.
  3. *I added a little garlic powder as well*
  4. Spread about a 1 tsp to 1 tbsp of pesto on each breadstick
  5. Twist the breadsticks and place on greased cooking sheet
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy! :)

Until next time…

Luck or Fate…

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February 8th will go down as “one for the books”.  To say that I am over the moon about that day is an understatement.  No I didnt get engaged, married, or have my first child.  ;) However, just as equally amazing things happened on that day.

1) I was informed that I made it to the final round for a commercial.  Product: 3M Command Hooks.  I have one last test to pass and plan to blow it out of the water — I really REALLY want to appear in the commercial.

2) My guest post “aired” on the Money Saving Mom‘s website.  Crystal is a well respected and well known blogger, and the fact that I landed the guest post opportunity was huge!  The site has received 1,500 2,500+ views since the article was posted! {To give you an idea of how awesome this is — my previous record for daily views sat at 65} :) The feedback from the post has been amazing — it keeps me motivated and driven.  Organizing is where I belong.

….before I go to #3….

I want to add that my luck is not that good.  I have never won large sums of prizes or contests or … anything really.  The fact that these two {huge} things happened in my life…on the same day….that aint luck…that’s fate! ;)

3) Carolina played Duke….at Carolina.  :) Two great universities and two great basketball teams!  Raymond and I dress out in all Carolina gear and throw down like 20 year old college kids again.  Gooooo Carolina! :)

Thank you so much for your support and kind words!

Welcome to all my “newbies”. :)

Who Me? Film a Commercial? Get Outta Here…

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Indeed, I thought I was on an episode of Punk’d when I got the phone call last week.  {Is that show still around?} I entered a contest awhile back {unsure of exactly how far back} through 3M Command Hook’s Facebook Page.  Im pretty sure the parameters were something like this: “Tell us why you love Command Hooks”.  Simple enough — about 15 minutes later my story was submitted and I went on about my business.  *WHAM* A few months later I get a phone call.  I could barely contain my excitement!  I didnt get much done the rest of the day as I felt like I could knock out Rocky…I was walking on Cloud 9…well you see where I am going with this.

I still need to “pass” a few more tests, but I did make it through the preliminary rounds! :) The next step is to film a home video of me using and implementing 3M Command Hooks and why I think they are so great.  This would be an exceptionally easy task except my home is fairly organized.  {Who are we kidding, it is very organized} So….I am on the lookout for a project!

Come one, come all!  If you would like to be a part of the video, then please send me an email!  Im thinking a contest here — submit picture(s) and ideas of how 3M Command Hooks would be perfect for <insert project here>.  The most creative and possibly the most unorganized room with the greatest potential will be chosen!  Email me:  jennifer{at}pureandsimpleorganizing{dot}com.

I cannot wait to see what we can create together {video & organizing mastermind project}! Bahahaha — not sure where the Dr. Evil laugh came from…. oh well back to my website project! :)

Until next time….

Guest Bloggers…

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Good Monday Morning!  I hope you all enjoyed the Super Bowl game last night.  I thought it was a fairly entertaining game.  How many of you were sad to see football end for yet another season?

Onward… Im on the lookout to fill guest spots for my blog.  If you are interested:

  • Email me your name, link to blog/website, article title, article (500-600 words), and a short bio.
  • Topic ideas: recipes, organizing, saving money, decorating ideas, etc
  • I am scheduling for March and April.

A blog or website is not necessary — if you have a great idea and want to share then please send it over as well!

Looking forward to sharing stories and ideas with my readers! :)

jennifer@pureandsimpleorganizing.com

Until next time…

 

Super Bowl Sunday {Recipes}…

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I usually dont blog on the weekends, but I wanted to share a delicious {and original} recipe for this weekend’s football game. :)  To say that I love to cook might be an understatement.  However, I had hit a plateau with my recipe inspiration {thank you Pinterest for reviving my inspiration}.  You see, I need recipes to cook up great things.  There are only a hand full of dishes that I make without them … you know the kind that comes from your head.  Well chili happens to be one of them.  I made the most delicious pot of chili today and I finally documented it!  I thought I would share with you!

JENNIFER’S CHILI 

  • 2 lbs Ground Beef
  • (15.5 oz) Can of Light Red Kidney Beans, rinsed & drained
  • (15.5 oz) Can of Dark Red Kidney Beans, rinsed & drained
  • (15.5 oz) Can of Pinto Beans, rinsed & drained
  • (15.25 oz) Can of Corn, rinsed & drained
  • (2) (14.5 oz) Cans of Stewed Tomatoes, chopped
  • (15 oz) Can of Tomato Sauce
  • (8 oz) Can of Tomato Paste
  • Medium Onions, chopped
  • Large Green Pepper, chopped
  • (8 oz) Package of Mushrooms, chopped (any variety)
  • Cloves of Garlic, minced
  • (1-2) Jalapeños, chopped
  • (2) (12 oz) Beer (any variety)
  • Palmful – Paprika
  • Palmful - Oregano
  • One packet of Chili Mix
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Palmfuls of Sugar (to taste)
  • Ketchup (to taste)
  1. Brown beef in a non-stick skillet.  Pour in large stockpot
  2. Drain & Rinse beans and corn.  Add to stockpot.
  3. Add tomato sauce and paste.
  4. Add onions, green pepper, mushrooms, garlic, and jalapeño.
  5. Chop stewed tomatoes.  Pour sauce from can and tomatoes into stockpot.
  6. Add beers and packet of chili mix.
  7. Simmer on low to medium for 20 minutes.
  8. Taste and add spices, sugar, and ketchup to taste.
  9. Simmer on low for up to an hour.  The longer it simmers the better the flavor — just make sure it doesnt burn.
  10. Serve with cornbread muffins (I prefer Trader Joes variety).
Raymond and I are heading to his brother’s house for the game.  I havent seen Raymond this excited about driving to Dallas (North Carolina) in awhile.  His brother and wife just had  their first baby, which is causing the anticipation I believe.  We also plan to make:
Paula Deen’s Mini Burgers   (with a twist — mushrooms & smoked gouda)
I prefer to bake up cupcakes or Reese Cup Brownie Bites — but since his family has a lot of health problems, Raymond asked me to keep it fairly healthy.  Fine — Ill save the really yummy stuff for another day!
What are you making for the big game?
Go Patriots…Go Giants….I am honestly pulling for them both.  What can I say, I think they are both great!
Until next time…

 

Foodie Friday…Peanut Butter & Jelly Braid

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Round 2 of Foodie Fridays — today’s recipe is about braids.  Not the kind in your hair….geez! :)  I am 0 for 2 this week in recipes {chicken stir fry & shrimp lo mein was gross blech}  However, I did manage to make this braid last week and it was delicious!  There is a variation of this for tacos that was also delicious — next week’s recipe! :)

Peanut Butter & Jelly Braid

*the recipe calls for yeast and bread making — I did not go that far — I used crescent rolls*

  • (2) Refrigerated Crescent Rolls (roll of 8)
  • Peanut Butter
  • Jelly or jam
  1. Open crescent roll package. Unroll each triangle.
  2. Place each triangle lengthwise down a cookie sheet
  3. Alternate them so they make a large rectangle
  4. Spread peanut butter along center (about 2″ across)
  5. Top with jelly
  6. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes

I used Sugar-Free Smuckers Strawberry Jam.  Once it baked – it was more like jello.  I would stick with the full sugar variety.

What did you make this week that was yum-o?