i n • p u r s u i t

[source - PostSecret ] Not my secret. But it's too awesome to not share.

Like my new layout? Yeah...it was time for a change. I can't keep the same look too long--I get antsy. ;) The new layout and header are from The Cutest Blog on the Blog. My friend Alanna's adorable blog Just Laugh. inspired me to figure out how to use cute fonts for my post titles. I found a tutorial from Kevin&Amanda . It takes a few minutes, but I love the really customized look it gives your blog with little effort. Also, it's easily changed. Also, get your fronts from Kevin & Amanda! Mine is called Pea Hannah Chocolate Swirls , in case you were wondering. Just thought I'd share in case anyone else is up for a change. :)

If you read this regularly, you may have heard me mention my Etsy shop. But maybe you've never checked it out. I love making simple earrings out of pretty beads and decided that maybe other people would like them too. Also, I am cheap. So, I refuse to sell my jewelry at a price that I wouldn't pay. So you get a great deal--not that I would ever call you cheap! ;) Here are four pairs of earrings I just sold. If you like them, you should check out my shop because I have plenty more! And if you like a pair below, I can recreate them just for you! (Except the blue-and-white ones. I'm out of those beads!) genuine black freshwater pearl earrings: $5 blue and white beaded earrings: $4 beaded earrings: $2 Metal and clear glass beaded earrings: $4

So, last night, while watching the Bachelor--yes, I watch the Bachelor...it's like a train wreck in cocktail dresses--I realized that all the girls wear stilettos. Yes, duh, of course all the girls wear stilettos. But they appear to walk so easily in them! Those gals wear stilettos all the time and their shoes are just gorgeous! Ugh. Every time I wear my stilettos, I feel like I'm going to trip! To be honest, I've worn stilettos very few times. I wore my white pair once. I feel like they make me look like a hispanic prostitute. I wore them to a lingerie shower I hosted and took them off after five, maybe ten, minutes. I've wore my black pair more because they are classier. Also, my husband is 13 inches taller than I am. I like being closer to him and the stilettos help. I decided that, in order to be able to WALK in these shoes, I just had to wear them more often! Maybe I'll get used to them and not feel like I'm always about to fall over. Today, I decided to we

So, my friend Alanna , told me about Chicken Kiev. Her brother, I think, had given her a vague recipe. She showed it to me and it sounded so tasty. Chicken stuffed with BUTTER. Wow. Must try. So, forget about that complicated Rachel Ray recipe I was thinking of and hello Chicken Kiev! I used this recipe I found and changed it up a tiny bit. They only part I changed of the actual food was I used 3 instead of 6 chicken breasts...but the ones I used were pretty big. I didn't realize that this recipe called for you to deep fry the chicken until I was at the cooking part. Because I'm a thorough reader like that. Instead, I put the chicken in a square baking dish like I do with the other stuffed chicken I make. Also, as with the other stuffed chicken, I decided to add some tomatoes. I tossed them in olive oil and arranged them around the chicken. Result? Delicious. My husband has actually been to the Ukraine (though, I'm not sure if he spent time in Kiev) and he like

Yesterday, I made crab patties and ultimate cheddar bay biscuits . Stargirl turned me on to the crab patties (which, by the way, Mike and I are very impressed that you made them!) and they sounded pretty tasty, but once she sent me the recipe for the cheddar bay biscuits (I mean, who doesn't love those?), I knew I had a meal on my hands that I just had to try. I started the biscuits first. I had never made anything like this from scratch before, so just thinking about it was kind of daunting. Once I got started, though, everything was pretty easy. Mix this, stir that in, etc. The ingredients were all basic stuff that we had around the kitchen. I forgot to put in the cream of tartar, though. I have no idea how I missed it. I was worried about how our oven, which Mike has been known to call "diablo's furnace," would cook them. I really didn't want burnt biscuits. I've learned a few tricks, though, and everything turned out okay. They woman who posted th

So, we've decided that I'll be taking this next semester off. The way we came to this decision is kind of cool, actually. I had been thinking about it for a while. I want a break. We need to save money. And we found out the hard way last semester that we work best when only one person is crazy busy and the other person is not. Mike will be crazy busy this semester. He's doing freelance, working at Starbucks, and working on the house. I help out with the house when I can, but to be honest, there's not a lot I can do there until we get to painting and stuff like that. We were talking one night and we realized that God had put it on both our hearts for me to take this semester off. It had been on both of our minds for a while but neither had mentioned it. And that was pretty much it. And I'm really excited. I'm excited about keeping house, making yummy dinners, spending time with girlfriends, going to the ladies bible study, keeping up with

[drippy faucet, 3-10-08) I love this picture. I also love that it was taken in my old apartment which I sometimes yearn for. Loved that apartment. But, since I took it, this has been one of my favorite photos. I love the color and the dripping faucent.

I know Christmas is over but I haven't undecorated yet (that's tomorrow) and a few minutes ago, I realized I hadn't taken a photo of the day and I'm about to head to bed. I was walking around the house looking for something to photograph when my eyes came across this snowman. I love him, he's so cute! He came on top of a Yankee candle that a friend got me for my birthday/housewarming a few years ago. The candle is all gone now, but I kept Mr. Snowman around for a little Christmas cheer. And hey, at least someone here in SC gets to play in the snow! p.s. Don't forget to enter my jewelry giveaway ! It ends January 5th!

If we go out to eat after church, nine times out of ten, we go to the same Mexican restaurant. They seat us at the same table and we get the same waiter who knows that we'll order two cokes and a small queso dip. No, he's not usually on the phone, but I grabbed the opportunity to snap a photo of my hubby. p.s. Don't forget to enter my jewelry giveaway ! It ends January 5th!

Notice the coat and the space heater? I'm sitting with the door open to get some natural light. Our heat has been sketchy (that's a whole other story!) and the glass storm door doesn't close securely so it's COLD. I think I should get gloves before I do this again. ;) I like to use this cool wicker vase thing as a prop for my pictures. Not only does it makes a pretty nice background, but necklaces and earrings hang nicely from it. And this is a picture of the set-up. I bring down my bedside lamp and use it to add light opposite the sunlight to avoid shadows. But I have to use white paper to make a shadow to avoid direct light and to keep the jewelry from looking yellow. I learned that a photography book my brother gave me. :) p.s. Don't forget to enter my jewelry giveaway ! It ends January 5th!

Okay, one of my goals this year is to take more photos. I decided to start off with the year off with the Sh1ft.org's photographic project, A Day In The Life: New Year's Eve/New Year's Day . Forgot my camera last night, so I started it this morning....

2009: In The Beginning Where did you bring in the New Year? At my parent's house with lots of goofy pictures and pink champagne Who were you with? Mom, Dad, Mary and Mike. Did you make any resolutions? Touch my toes. (No, I still can't.) 2009: Your Love Life Did you break up with anyone ? Nope! Did you get anything for Valentine's day? Um. I really feel like I should know this...but, ugh. I have no idea. (Neither does Mike!) Did you meet anyone special? Not as far as my love life is concerned. Did you fall in love? I married my best friend, if that's not falling in love, I don't know what is. 2009: Friends and Enemies Did you meet any new friends this year? Lots of new friends at school :) Did any of your friendships end? Friendships changed, but didn't end. Did you dislike anyone? Not that I can think of... Did you make any new enemies? I don't do the whole enemy thing. Too much work. Did you resolve any fights? I'm married, so, yes! Who was(wer