More about me

I guess I should share more about myself, in an effort to connect with whoever stumbles across my little ol' blog :)

I could start with where I grew up, or my education, or my current job. So many of us identify with what job we have, but I often tell people that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up yet! I could identify myself by groups that I associate with, or beliefs that I have, or things I have accomplished.

It's hard to define oneself, but I'll attempt to give you an idea "about me"...

Hmm. I am loud, outspoken, and opinionated. I like theatre and working out (sometimes!). I am a Christian and a doctor. I am a college professor (which I never 'feel' like. I think the title holds more weight with others than myself.). I love certain junk foods (hello, Buffalo pretzels and crunchy Cheetos!) and huge salads, although usually not at the same time. But salad and chicken wings go together nicely...

Back on track...I am a chiropractor. This really shapes my view on a lot of topics, especially political issues and healthcare of course. I also have sold any number of products over the years, or tried to...Pampered Chef and Stampin' Up, among others. I currently independently represent a couple different industries...Team Trivia and It Works! are the most prominent. (I love those wraps!)

I love animals and people. I love being social, but I definitely love being home cozied up to my muscle man, too! Oh, and I'm pretty darn crafty. Crochet is my preference, but I'm handy knitting something like a scarf (no purl, no other tricks). Give me chocolate and I'll love you forever, or until the chocolate is gone. I also enjoy fire, usually in the form of candles. I always buy candles, and yes, eventually I burn them! Especially if they smell yummy :) Oh, and I like cooking and baking. S does a pretty bang up job in the kitchen too...I can't wait until we can find a house with enough room for both of us to be in the kitchen together!

I have lots of ambitions and goals, although not all of them are easy to define. After getting married this year I plan on prioritizing my goals and creating goals with S. I know things will change over the next few years, but I'm looking forward to plotting out some life stuff with him. :)

I look forward to teaching in a four year institution (I think) and practicing again. I always look forward to whatever adventure presents itself, especially with a great teammate like S.

I also look forward to further questions, or comments, or both. Does anyone read this?!?

Foodie adventures...

Well, I did something I've *NEVER* done before tonight. Actually, several somethings!!

I have absolutely fallen in love with Pinterest (it's a bride's best friend!) and of course, along the way I find fabulous pictures of yummy looking recipes! (Check out my "Foodie Adventures" board!)

I came across a "Blue Velvet Cake" recipe and was instantly intrigued...probably because of the color. I'm a sucker for bright colors and anything shiny...

Here's the original blog post with the recipe I used: http://adventurescooking.blogspot.com/2010/03/blue-velvet-cake-with-cream-cheese.html

And here's some of my adventure...

I followed her instructions pretty much to the T, except for the amount of food coloring. Did you know that Red, Yellow, and Green food colorings come in full bottles (by the spices and extracts!) but Blue is only in 4 packs!??! At least, at my Walmart and Food Lion close to my house...so I only put in .25 oz instead of 2 oz. I don't know that it affected the color too badly...they're still pretty blue!

Also, I have exactly ONE muffin tin, so I made 12 cupcakes and 2 8" rounds. I did not grease the pans because one recipe said that angel food cake needs to "climb" the walls of a pan. I also considered doing this in a 9x13 pan but found out that it may not be the best idea, thus the smaller rounds.

Oh yeah, I forgot the blueberries! I had them...a huge thing of 'em from Costco...but totally forgot to put them in. So...see how I incorporated them anyways!!!

There are two gone because Muscle Man and I couldn't wait...












 I mean...HOW CUTE IS THAT!??!
 

There's the two 8" rounds...I put one down on a plate with the cooked top up. Then I added frosting, and....

Frosting and BLUEBERRIES!! And more frosting on top of the berries. Then....

Threw the next round on TOP of all that, with the pan side up. It's flatter. There's a nice divot on top, but I filled it with frosting (icing?).

 There it it! Two layers with middle blueberry surprise! It's by NO means perfect, but that wasn't my intention. Oh, and ignore the Woodchuck and Sam Adams bottles in the background, and the mess on the counter!! Do, however, pay attention to the Cardinals cup..they rock!

 There's the finished product...more blueberries on top. Adorable, and the berries make it soooo tasty!

So...there's my adventure for the day! Enjoy, and go try something new for yourself!

I'm still alive...

Yeah, I'm still here. Apparently consistency is not something I value with this little blog. I'd hope to turn it into one of the fabulous blogs I frequent, posting daily or at least weekly..maybe I'll turn that into a weekly goal. Update on my life, etc...

Ok, so this week...I've gotten a tattoo (my third), bought new shoes (it's been a year since I started working out, so new shoe time!), and...that's about it for interesting things.

I'm still doing team trivia, I'm still teaching and pushing them as hard as I can so the good ones who really understand the material are the ones that make it through (saving lives!), and I'm (still?) planning my wedding!

Oh, didn't I mention? Muscle man and I are engaged. :) As of January, when he talked to my parents. So 6 1/2 months from now, I will be Mrs. Liberty. Actually, legally I'll be Dr. Liberty. But still, awesome. I love this man so much, so it's exciting to put the time, energy, heart and soul into designing the perfect day for us and those we love to share this life event.

There's so much running around in my head these days. Work, work, grading, schedules, calendar for wedding stuff, money, and all the background noise of things I want to complete or projects I want to start....I wish I could find a way to get it all out of my head, onto paper, and organize it.

I'm inspired by friends (one in particular) who write daily, who draw regularly, who journal, who spend serious time each day feeding their creative side. I feel like I'm doing good if I get on Pinterest and at least get the juices flowing, much less complete or actually make something from there!!

One day...
I'll be organized.
I'll accomplish EVERYTHING on my to-do list.
I'll be bored outta my mind because I have *nothing* else to do...so really I'm just saving myself from the boredom!

I crack myself up, and I'm literally just rambling now. So I'll stop, and you can go back to doing something productive...