Dinner Time Recipes - Ham, Asparagus, Cheddar Biscuits

I'd like to say I cook dinner most nights of the week, but sadly that's not true! We are probably at the point of cooking 3 nights a week, going out 2 nights, and eating left overs or something else we find around the house the other 2.

I went to Columbia to see Mom and my grandma on Monday night, so I figured I should cook a yummy dinner for Stu last night. I was more impressed by my apron that I made from one of his old button down shirts, but after posting this on social media, you all seemed more interested in what I cooked!
Here is the recipe for this yummy dinner :) Ill post later with instructions on my DIY (Do It Yourself) apron!

Ham cooked in Pepsi & Pineapple

 

Serves: 4

Cook time: 30 mins

 

Ingredients

2 packs of Smithfield Ham

1 small can of chunk pineapple

1/3 cup of pepsi

 

Instructions

I choose the easy way out with the ham! I love Smithfield's already cooked ham slices. I like to overcook for the 2 of us so Stu will have lunch to take to work, so that's why I chose 2 slices. Heat over to 350. Put the two slices in a baking dish. Cover the ham with the pine apple chunks or slices, and then pour the Pepsi on top of it all. Bake for 30 mins.

 

Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon

 

Serves:6
Prep time:10 mins
Cook time:15 mins
 

Ingredients
2 lbs Asparagus
1 package of Maple Bacon
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt/Pepper

 

Instructions
Trim Asparagus ends so that they are all even with one another {about 1-2 inches off}. Rinse
Bundle 5-6 asparagus, wrap tightly with maple bacon, seal with a toothpick.
Place all bundles in a foil lined 9×13 baking dish or pan.
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Roast for 7 mins, turn and roast an additional 7 mins until bacon is cooked through

 

 Cheddar Bay Biscuits

 

Brand: Martha White

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 9-12 mins

 

Ingredients

1/2 cup milk

1 bag of Martha White Chedder & Garlic

 

These guys taste just like red lobsters and were so easy to make!

Remembering Riggs

Many of you have probably seen your friends changing their profile pictures to the picture above or heard someone mention Riggs this past week. I can never imagine the pain that the Farmer family is going though. I wanted to reach out and help our friends during this difficult time. I found that by sharing my talent in jewelry was the best way that Stu and I could help out and cherish the memory of Riggs.

The Riggs Bracelet is now available. Adults bracelets have three mouse heads ands the kids bracelets have one mouse head and 2 sets of 3 pearls.

Please take time to go visit and like the facebook page created for Riggs. https://www.facebook.com/RememberingRiggs

This was a post that Caroline Farmer left earlier this week that I would like to share with you. -"Everyone says "what can we do?" There is nothing. Our communities have engulfed us in love and support and prayer and that is more than we could ask for at this... time.

Riggs Farmer was a precious little boy with blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. He had a contagious laugh. He had a precious birthmark on his calf. He didn't like wearing shoes and was struggling with sippy cups. He danced everyday to the Jake and The never land pirates theme song. He loved water - the ocean, the hose, mud puddles. He loved taking the cover off of the air vent. He liked climbing in the refrigerator. He loved to eat with his little hands and feed his dogs from his high chair. He loved his friends at the CDC. He loved taking everything out of a bag. He liked to beat on the washing machine while it ran. He crawled really fast. He liked dog kisses. He loved laying in the bed between his parents and laughing. He did not like riding in his car seat for a long time but would grab anything in reach and throw it as far as he could. He loved taking a bath. He loved opening and shutting doors. When he got excited, he would clap as hard as he could. If his dogs were outside, he would sit at the door and bang the blinds against the glass. He thought wearing glasses was hilarious - sunglasses or his granddad a reading glasses. He liked crawling in to his parents closet - a no no room. He liked for me to blow him with the hair dryer. He liked turning the page of books - before I could finish reading the page. He liked turning the wheel to the golf cart and his toy truck. He liked magnets. He would light up when someone he loved walked in a room. He loved his uncle who acted like a kid with him.
For him, we ask you that you change your profile picture this week to this graphic so that his love can be seen around the world through social media. He made an impact on this world in less than 13 months.
This graphic is perfect, we were teaching Riggs to love Jesus, Clemson University, and all things Disney. He had shown love for his animals since he was a few days old.
God bless you, my son. Run free with Jesus and big mama (my mom). Please ask Jesus to give your parents strength to go on this earth without you, your joy, and love. You gave me more than I could have ever imagined. I love you. I love you to the moon. I love you farther than Buzz can fly his spaceship. You did everything right. You made Jesus, Big Mama, and Mickey Mouse happy. You are perfection. "-

If you would like to order a Riggs bracelet, please send an email to ASTSCJess@gmail.com 
 

MY facebook is for MY thoughts.

MY Facebook is for MY thoughts. If you don't like what I say or do on there, then please delete me as a friend. If you don't have something nice to say, then please don't say anything at all. Especially if you do not even know me!

Yesterday around 3pm I posted a status on MY facebook page about seeing a homeless man wearing a ZTA big letter shirt. I then said for sorority girls to please not give your big letter shirts or jerseys to Goodwill or other stores similar so that other people can wear them and misrepresent us. MY comment was meant to sorority girls. NOT to homeless people.

The man that I saw wearing this shirt may or may not have been homeless. He was clean cut, just happened to be wearing a bright turquoise shirt with ZTA on the front.
If you were the Zeta sister that took this shirt off your back so this man could have a shirt to wear, then my hands are clapping for you. Thank you for thinking of others and literally giving away the shirt you are wearing so someone else could have it.
If you were the Zeta sister that donated your old clothes to goodwill, good for you! I have taken a many of things there these past couple months after our move, and I know they were very appreciated. I am not ashamed to say I shop at Goodwill and Salvation Army too!
If you were the Zeta sister that donated your big letter shirt to Goodwill, then I am very disappointed. Not everyone receives a big letter shirt. Sure anyone who attends a sorority or fraternity formal gets a tshirt with letters on it, but NOT a big letter shirt. Your letters are meant to be worn with pride. You are representing an organization that stands for much more than just YOU. Not everyone can wear a big letter shirt. Only initiated members who have worked hard to get that that position. If you do not want your letter shirts anymore, than please donate to a local chapter or to younger sisters that will appreciate and cherish those letters.

Around 9pm, this status had gotten so out of control with people bashing me about comments on homeless people, that I deleted the status. I am not sorry for posting what I did. I am sorry that I offended people by it. I am not sure when people got the idea to be rude to me for assuming something different. I understand that people will see one thing even if I meant something else, but why do people feel the need to bash someone else on their views.

I deleted the status. Thought everything was over and done with. Until I woke up this morning to this message from a girl I went to high school with.

"I saw your post about the homeless man wearing one of your sister sorority shirts. GOD FORBID. if that's all you have to worry about is a homeless man wearing one of your fellow sisters shirts than I'd say you've got it pretty fucking made. Your disgusting for saying that. And the only reason I'm not posting on your time line is so I don't embarrass my father. A man who struggled with addiction, hit rock bottom, lives in a HOMELESS shelter downtown and is working harder than you've ever worked to rebuild his live. So for what you ignorantly said...FUCK YOU. you are so disgusting and rude and spoiled. If someone wants to donate their stupid sorority shirt to goodwill it's their choice. Who are you to tell someone not to donate their clothes to goodwill. Who do you think you are!? Oh I know, I snobby stuck up bitch. You need to put a filter on that mouth."

I have now given it a few hours and decided to address this on MY blog. Yet again, I am not sorry for posting what I did. I am sorry that I offended people by it. I have made it clear that I am not shaming this man for wearing a shirt that he probably had no idea what it meant. I would never talk to someone this way though. I have respect for myself and my family and would never want to belittle someone with my words.

Clearly many of the people that read this status yesterday either were not in a sorority or really hated them! If you were not or are not a greek member, then please keep to yourself about this matter because you will never understand the bond and friendships you make from being greek. There were plenty of times in college that Greek members get made fun of for "buying friends", but being in a greek organization is much more than that. I have so much confidence in myself, my leadership and my beliefs because of some of the lessons I learned while in Zeta for 4 years. After college, you become an alum and really realize that your Greek organization is not just for 4 years, and it could be for a life time if you choose it. I have so much pride for being a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and want to wear my letters all the time. They represent strong women, loyalty, a bonding friendship, hard work, and most of all are MY letters that I earned the right to wear.

Renovation Time Sneak Peak

I guess you can say we have been a little busy getting our new house ready to move in! It's so hard for me to imagine what the house looked like before we starting taking it apart, so I am so glad I took pictures along the way! We are set to move in by the end of February, so these next few weeks will be keeping us extra busy getting everything ready :)

Here are a few pictures I put together of before and afters! The hardwood floors are almost finished and ready to be sanded, refinished and stained!

Kitchen

My Craft Room

 

This picture was previously not possible! We took down the wall between the kitchen and the dining room opening it all up into one room :) Stu plans on building us an island bar where the wall was!

November's Favorite Things

We are a two weeks into November and I am just getting around to posting about my favorite things this month! It amazes me that we are so close to Christmas already!! Some of these favorites are under $20 and be great gift ideas :) Click on the blue words to send you to the website and see more on each item.

Big Knitted Scarf- Thank you SC weather for never being able to plan a week ahead of you. Monday of this week I was wearing a short dress with no leggings, and now today its a whopping 41 degrees outside! These fluffy knitted scarfs add a little something extra to any outfit and also keep you fashionable and warm!!! You can find them in many stores today for under $30, but check out websites online like Zulilly or H&M and score them for under $15 :)

Rodan+Fields Amp Roller & Night Renewing Serum- This interesting little tool has been called "Spanx for your face" by Ellen DeGeneres. The amp roller looks like a mini paint roller and contains tiny needles that open your pores so that your skincare can really sink into your skin! Most people who use the Amp Roller on top of their favorite R+F regimen see results faster. The Night Renewing Serum is applied after you roll and will leave your face feeling like velvet! I used the Amp Roller 6 nights of the week along with the Reverse to get these amazing results! AMP ROLLER

Dark Lipstick- There is something about wearing lipstick that makes me feel better about myself. Maybe just because my teeth appear a little more white or my smile looks a little bigger, but I love it! I often switch between nude colors and bright red, but I have found a love for this dark red recently. I am not brand loyal when it comes to lipstick, but I bought Make Up Forever things for my wedding day and it worked perfect! MakeUp Forever Rouge Lipstick

Zoya Nail Polish- I change my nail color weekly! I don't know what it when I pick a color, but I find one better the following week and then have to paint them over again! This brand is comparable to OPI or Essie in colors and price. I found the color called Madeline a few weeks ago and automatically loved it! It's just enough pink but neutral for me :)

Philosophy Bubble Bath/Shampoo/Showergel- This stuff is so good, I would eat it if I could! Their 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths offer a head-to-toe cleansing experience that lets you treat yourself without the calories. The irresistible scents are hard to choose a favorite, but I personally love their Eggnog during this time of year. They even include the recipe for each scent on the front of the bottle :) They have so many scents including cinnamon bun, vanilla birthday cake, pink frosted animal cracker & Christmas cookie! Their 16 oz bottle is $17.00, but you can score smaller sizes for as low as $6.

Fun print fleece lined leggings- I used to judge girls that wore leggings as pants. Now I do it every day I can! During the colder months, my favorites outfits are leggings and oversized sweaters with a fun scarf. These fun leggings now come in more colors and prints! And many of them are lined with fleece inside to keep you every warmer in these cold months. You can find most for under $30 in department stores. Altar'd State is one of my favorite store and has them for $29.95 Tribal Print Legging

Floppy Hat- Love Love Love! I kept seeing girls wear these hats, but I didn't think I could pull it off. Finally I came across this one at Altar'd State. I have worn it multiple times a week since I got it and always get complements :)  Altar'd State Floppy Hat for $20.

Tom's Leopard Wedges- Leopard is the new neutral! This fun print goes with most anything. I especially love these because I feel good when I buy from Toms because of their One for One trade which gives a pair of shoes to children in need. Leopard Toms These specific shoes were $99 but they have the same print in a lace up bootie for $89.

Stretchy Bangles- Of course I had to include some of the stretchy bangles I have been making! I make them in all colors and most include three small crosses or a large pearl. I have been stacking them along with all my other bangles and they all look great together :) Check them on Facebook, Instagram or the blog. All are only $12. A Southern Touch Blog

Clemson Homecoming with Bonnie Blue

Well we are down to only two more home games this season for Clemson football! The fall is flying by!! This past week was homecoming and we played Syracuse. Taylor's parents have a golden retriever named Bonnie Blue who they bring up every home game weekend, but they usually keep her in the camper! Since this game was a night game and we had all day to tailgate, they brought her along to hang out for the day :) I convinced Stu to talk her with us on our walk across campus to see the homecoming floats that Student life makes every year. We really want a dog of our own, but this was definitely a test of how it will completely change out schedule!!
Miss Bonnie Blue has a mind of her own, as you'll see in the pictures below. She often decided to stop at random tailgates for attention, or just to let us know she needed water.

 

 

Update on house plans

With everything I have been doing, I have let my blog fall on the back burner, so tonight will be an update! I have been doing trunk shows around the state for A Southern Touch, babysitting, and even taken on a position at a local children's boutique in Greenville. It's been crazy getting my schedules together, and now with the holiday season, it's going to be even more nuts! And to top it all off, we are a month in with renovations to our new house... Check out what's been going on so far!

 

Most of the floors that we plan to pull up are now all out! The wall that we are taking down is between the kitchen and the dining room. We want to open it up to have a bigger feel, and be able to put a small island with barstools up where the wall was.

I have been living on Pinterest and buying home décor out like crazy and here are some ideas I have fallen in love with for our house!

Days 1-5 of our fixer upper

All carpet is up and most wall paper is down! My thighs are burning from being hunched over ripping up the particle boards that were under the foam which was under the carpet.