The Infamous Taco Ring

During spring break of my sophomore year of college, I took a day trip to College Station to visit my newlywed friend, Sally! Me and Joanna made the trek up there together (as if it was so far) because that week we were off, but A&M was not. It was perfect and the day was so much fun! That evening while we were waiting for her hubby, Jon, to get home she announced to us that she'd be making a Taco Ring for dinner that night. Immediately we were interested, because in that home, anything involving the word taco is undeniably delightful. We watched her make this intricate ring and then devoured it. Once I realized how easy it was to make, it became my staple meal in college. I impressed everybody with my cooking skillz by making this for them at some point. You see, I didn't quite get the spiritual gift of cooking, so I was overjoyed when anyone was impressed with this dish. It meant they were impressed with me. Ha!

Still to this day, seven years later, it is my staple. Yet I owe all credit to Sally for introducing me to said Taco Ring.

Last night on twitter I announced I was making the taco ring and it became quite the talk. And when I say it became quite the talk, I mean all of 3 people were interested in it, however, I decided it would be fun to put the recipe on the blog.

While cooking I used my handy dandy iPhone to take some saintlike photos so that you could see just in fact, what a taco ring is. I tried to be all Pioneer Woman like with my photography skillz, especially taking pictures while I was cooking, but I failed miserably. How does she do it?

Without further ado, here is my first, and quite possibly the only, recipe you'll see on the ole blog.

Ingredients:
1 Can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
1 lb of Ground Beef
1 Package of Taco Seasoning
1 Package of Mexican Shredded Cheese

Extra Toppings Include:
1 Tub of Sour Cream
1 Package of Guacamole (Or you can make your own!)
1 Can of Salsa
1 Bag of Lettuce (If you want some crunch!)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375º
2. Thoroughly cook the ground beef as you normally would. Once cooked, poor out the fat accumulated and add the package of seasoning to give it some extra flair. I mean, flavor.
3. While you let the meat simmer, take the crescent rolls of out the package and separate them into their individual triangles.
4. Once separated, using the wide end of the triangle, create a star like shape connecting all 8 pieces on a cooking pan. Sprinkle the cheese around the middle once all the pieces are connected.

5. Take the meat and scatter it around the middle of the ring, then add more cheese on top. I say the more cheese, the better. You'll have meat falling over the edges, but don't be alarmed.

6. Once the meat is scattered, take the ends of the crescent rolls and fold them over into the middle of the ring, tucking them under and connecting them together. It's a hard technique, I tell ya. Hard.

7. Once all sides are perfectly folded over, place in oven and cook for 11 - 13 minutes. However, don't take me at my word, check the label before you do anything I say.

8. Once the crescent layers have all reached that sweet golden brown color, take out of the oven, let it sit for approximately 78 seconds, add extra toppings at your cost (I add ALL of them!) and let your taste buds have a little celebration.
9. If you're hungry, this feeds about 3 people. If you're not so hungry, it feeds about 4 which I think is the correct proportion.
10. It was only appropriate that I shared this recipe with you on Cinco de Mayo! I totally planned that. Except I totally didn't.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

May Day

Dear May,

Would you please stop creeping up on me? Every year I have a little panic attack on May 1st because I can't imagine that we're already in the fifth month of the year. Like really, where has 2010 gone? A few reasons May tends to give me hives are as follows.

1) I lead a small group of Senior girls. Do you know what that means? That means that I have all of 2 meetings left with them. It also means that we have to come up with some "end of the year" party and I'm not sure I can mentally wrap my mind around that. Do you get the feeling I'm a teeny bit attached? I'll just stop there.

2) It means that one month from TOMORROW I'll be 25. 25! A quarter of a century old. Really? I have my thoughts about turning 25 but I'll save those for a more appropriate date. But more than anything, I'm so excited!

3) After May comes June. June means camp in Florida. Florida means beaches. Beaches mean swimsuit. I'm cringing thinking about putting on a swimsuit especially after I just pigged out on Chicken Fried Rice and custard. Although I'm consistent to go to my step aerobics class at the gym, that's about all I'm consistent with! I need to step in up a notch or 20. I'm also thinking Shred might make a comeback. We'll see about that.

4) June means summer! And while I love summer I also immediately revert to the word insane. Not only is our weather stupidly hot and insane (I have theory that since we had such a cold winter we're going to have a really hot summer.) my schedule tends to be pretty insane as well. I get the privilege of going on every youth trip. Believe me, I love absolutely love traveling and going on all the trips, but add my vacation to that and I'm gone a little over four weeks from June to July. And that's just the trips! We still have a calender chock full of events all summer long. Hence why the word insane comes to mind. I always feel like I need another vacation after summer. (It's times like these I'm so thankful I'm single and don't have a family and children to care for and worry about, nor feel guilty about leaving. I know once I have a family these trips will be few and far between. I'm eating it up while I can!)

5) With all that said, I really do love May! It's always a crazy month, but a good, fun month. I have a few weddings, a handful of graduations parties, birthday parties and more. It's a very social month, and for this sanguine, that's a very good thing.

So May, I guess I'll welcome you in my little world, but would you please slow down?

So Long, Atlanta! You Were So Good To Us!

I'm not sure why it's taken me almost an entire week to blog about my Atlanta trip, but I do have a few issues that have kept me from documenting a hilariously fun weekend.

1) I am just pooped from the weekend. Seriously can't get to bed early enough each night! Seven hours (or 7 1/2 I should say) for an entire weekend is just flat wrong. Plus, I hopped right back into full throttle work on Sunday when I returned. I don't think my brain has recovered.

2) Monday I could barely function. So writing a blog post? Please.

3) There is just SO much to blog about, yet I feel like I can't do it justice with both writing and pictures, so I've avoided blogging all around. Cool, I know! I'm going to give you what I can and I'll just have to get over my perfectionism. Or insecurity is what I should label that.

Friday afternoon after work, I headed back to my house, picked up my teeny carry-on suitcase, drove through McDonald's and met Jen & her dad at my parents house where I left my car. We scurried to the airport then proceeded to wait for what seemed like years to even lay eyes on our plane. We finally boarded our pencil (yes, it was one of those that I can't even stand up straight it) and landed in Atlanta 2 hours later. Kim offered to pick us up and we were so grateful!

Little did we know that airport is 78 miles long and we walked the entire thing. We were sweating and huffing and puffing. I know we looked like dorks because we probably walked past the same people on the tram 12 different times and I know they wondered why we weren't on it with them. We're naive if anything. Finally we spotted Kim and Nikki at the top of the escalator and we were besides ourselves with blogging joy. And because we're bloggers, Kim was taking pictures of us the whole time. It was kind of like the paparazzi.

Kim explained to me she had a little surprise for me in her car and I couldn't wait to get there! I love me a surprise. To my great delight I hopped in the seat behind her and low and behold she brought her Big Se*y Hairspray and Big Se*y Root Pump with her for me to use that weekend. I obviously couldn't take that with me on the plane, so I was filled with joy! Thank you, Kim!

Right as we were pulling out, we happened to spot Kelly with all her sweet friends loading up their car. Kim rolled down our car windows and then I proceeded to sound like an absolute dork because I was so caught of guard I didn't know what to say. Thankfully, at the perfect moment Jenna turned around and attacked me with a hug through my window. It made all the awkwardness disappear! They were so sweet and then we went on our merry way!

Back at the hotel, we had many wonderful reunions! I haven't seen most of the ladies since San Antonio which was almost two years ago so it was so fun to jump, scream and hug! All of us decided Starbucks was in order so we crammed in the car and headed that way. We shut the place down!

Friday night we stayed up WAY to late chatting and laughing. After lunch Saturday I was really starting to feel the effects of my lack of sleep. I was doodling to stay awake! It was awful!

Oh my gosh, are you kidding me? I just typed all of that and it's only Friday? Bless my heart.

Saturday we obviously headed to the conference where Jen and I sat in overflow while the rest of our peeps served at the LPM tables and had priority seating. However, I have to say that I still enjoyed being in overflow. Me and Jen met up with my friend Lindsay and it was fun meeting her. Talk about a sweet girl!

This is where I should talk about the conference itself. But I'm going to be really honest and say it's still so much to process! I took tons of notes and have been looking over them every day. I don't want to flippantly just talk about what she taught without letting it soak in my heart first. However, it was amazing and my heart longs to pursue security in Christ and Christ alone. I'm so thankful for her obedience and passionate heart to write a book like this one. I didn't know how much I needed it until I started reading it!

Okay, trying to speed things up!

After the conference we chatted for a long time with tons of peeps, then headed to Starbucks to get a second wind. We needed it badly! Once we exhausted our caffeine drip, we headed to the siesta gathering, connecting the dots! It was fun and my favorite part was hearing a word from sweet Lisa. (Lisa, how did we not get a picture this time?) Homegirl can teach and she did just that. I really enjoyed just getting to witness how the Lord has gifted her!

We still hadn't eaten so after that we plopped ourselves at Rafferty's. Y'all, I'm not sure I've attended a funnier meal. I'd say we were all a little bit punchy by 9:00 that night! Add lack of food to that and you've got some legal crazies. We laughed until we cried and then laughed some more and took a few ridiculous pictures! After our wild and crazy dinner we headed back to the hotel in the monsoon where we then proceeded to chat it up until the wee hours of the morning. By that point I was so delirious I wrote everyone a goodnight note. And while that sounds super sweet, I assure you it was delirium and randomness. Pure treasures at best!

Sunday morning came way to quick when we said our "See you laters!" and then Karen dropped us off at the airport. Would you be shocked if I told you I slept the entire way home? Because I did. Out like a light!

Every second of the weekend was an absolute blessing and blast! I'm not sure a blog post could do it justice, but after all, that's what we do. We blog.

If that wasn't the longest recap over, enjoy some pics of the weekend! I ripped some of them off facebook, but I'm 100% secure in that.

This is by far my favorite picture of the weekend! Pretty much sums it up.

Kim snapped a picture of us real quick with our hair products we were not allowed to bring on the plane. Love it!

Jen & I driving Fran's van to the conference! Starbucks in tow. Duh!

How did I get these out of order? Anywho, this is from Friday evening once we arrived at Starbucks. Yup, Abby, me and Jen all crammed in the back of the Explorer! Don't worry, it was one block away! Plus, it's only tradition!

Beth and Melissa did a fun little Q&A time that we only got to hear about 10 minutes worth, but it was fun!

Me and sweet Lindsay!


Jenna Babe! Loved getting to meet her. I just wish we could have chatted more! Next time! :)

Here is where our delirium set in. Don't ask!

Such a fun dinner with a great group of ladies!

Fran was serenading us!

Love these ladies to bits!

Karen! If you don't know her, you should. I would have loved to have taken her home with me! Wise, wise woman right there.

Fran and I had issues getting a pictures...


But somehow, we got one and I love it! We look like sisters!

Robyn, you are hilarious! I seriously can't believe this is the first time I met you.


Nikki and I go way back! She totally road in my car to San Antonio. ;) What a treasure!

Kim! I am so grateful for you! Love this lady.

Saying our goodbyes.

Karen was so kind to take her girls to the airport! ;)


Thanks for letting me purge, friends! I loved each and every minute of the weekend. My only regret is that I didn't get to spend as much time with everyone. And that I only got pictures with a few of you. I was awful at having my camera out! It was also so fun meeting some new faces as well! Mercy, I could go on and on, but I'll stop now.

Peace out, yo!

A Myriad of Items

I feel like I have a lot on my mind and it's sometimes cathartic to just write it all out in the ole' bloggy blog.

1) First of all, did you notice that I used the words "myriad" and "cathartic" already and I've only used 254 characters? I'm feeling especially smart this afternoon. It must be all the book knowledge seeping into my brain. They do say reading increases your vocabulary. I guess you could call me living proof of that fact. And yes, for the record, I counted out the characters used from the title to 254. I'm a nerd.

2) I hope you sense my sarcasm as I express to you the smartness I've required in reading. Yes, I lerve reading, but I'm not that smart. I don't want y'all believing lies about me.

3) Jen and I leave for Atlanta the day after tomorrow. (Insert Jessie Spano's rendition of "I'm So Excited" here, except leave out the part when she says she so...scared. I'm not scared to go to Atlanta. Not one bit. Just super duper excited! Like, so excited!)

4) Because of said Atlanta trip that means I get to get on a plane. Which means I could possibly be purchasing a pack of mentos, combos and reading sky mall in my very near future. I'm just sayin'. Don't make fun of my odd combination of airplane necessities.

5) Speaking of airplanes and flying, can we discuss some foreseen issues? Jen and I don't plan on checking anything. I mean, let's get real, we'll be gone for all of 48 hours. I don't think paying $25 to check certain items is necessary. Like take for instance our aerosol hairspray. Security will snatch that up as quick as my iPhone was stolen on Christmas Eve. The little pump hairsprays do nothing. However, more than hairspray you know what I'm worried about? My root plumper. Oh yes. It does wonders for my hair, and as far as I know, they don't make travel size root plumper. We have pictures to take this weekend, folks! And our hair must be precise for these pictures. This whole 3 ounce thing is totally cramping my style.

6) We won't even talk about how I'll have to pack for the whole weekend in one carry on bag. This could be tragic. Just know that I'm working through it.

7) I promise I have not forgotten about your questions and my answers. Promise. I'm just being super, super slow and finishing it. Like, abnormally slow. Please forgive me. They're coming.

8) I have not finished So Long, Insecurity. It's really starting to stress me out. I'll be bringing it with me. We have a little date on the plane. Along with my mentos and combos. I'm going to try and refrain from buying the new Women's Health magazine that's totally featuring my favorite Jillian Michaels. Oh wait, you didn't know I was obsessed with The Biggest Loser? Well now you do. Honestly, you can only read how to get Flat Abs Fast! before you want to punch everyone in sight because getting Flat Abs Fast! isn't working for you.

9) Speaking of Biggest Loser, did you watch last nights episode? Tissues, anyone? Sweet mercy. I think what I loved more than anything was seeing both Bob and Jillian cry. They really do have a heart with real life emotions other than yelling at people to do the LAST CHANCE WORKOUT!

10) You know what else I love? Glee. I'll readily admit that half the reason I love it is because of the top notch harmonies they perform. It's totally the music nerd in me that is oddly thrilled by a perfect harmony, but I just can't get over it. Plus, Sue Sylvester? Finn Hudson? Rachel Berry? Will Schuester? Brilliant. And if you've never watched Glee you have no idea what I'm talking about. And yes, Will Schuester is so dreamy. And single. ;)

11) Speaking of Glee, it's the only station I listen to on Pandora. It's fantabulous. Go The Distance from Hercules just came on which is my cue to log off and move on with life.

Go the distance, folks. Go the distance.

Operation Surprise Claire = Complete Success

One thing I do fairly well is keep a secret. In my few short years of living, I've had to keep many a secret. Whether they are serious secrets, surprise secrets, engagement secrets, or party secrets, I've learned to do it well.

Currently I am living with one of my lifelong friends, Claire and our roommate Mandy, both of whom have a birthday this coming weekend. A 25th birthday nonetheless! Since Claire's hubby is serving in Iraq (hence why we're living with her) Mandy and I thought it would be fun to make a big to do about her birthday. Not only is it her 25th, but we wanted to bless her and show her how much we care about and love her since Russell can't celebrate with her this year. The other fact is that Russell and Claire share the same birthday, and it would be both of their golden birthdays. They'll both be turning 25 on April 25th! How fun is that?

All that to say, this past Saturday, Mandy and I, along with the help of her parents pulled off a surprise party for Claire at our house! Knowing that I would be in Atlanta this coming weekend we knew we couldn't do it the weekend of her birthday, and we also figured she would suspect less if we did it the weekend before her birthday.

However, she thought it would also be appropriate to celebrate the weekend before her birthday and tried to plan a birthday dinner at Taste of Texas this past Saturday evening, ruining all of our plans, but it ended up all working out in the end as far as "plans" were concerned.

Saturday afternoon Mandy and I frantically cleaned and "ran errands" all while Claire was grading away. I knew at that moment that she had no idea what was to come, or she'd of been cleaning with us. We then successfully got her out of the house before her big birthday dinner to go get mani's and pedi's and do a little shopping! I don't think deceiving her could have gone more perfect. Plus, we were all due for a pedi!

While the three of us were out pampering ourselves, her mom and sisters were at our house decorating away. Looking back I would have done things a little differently, but it all ended up perfect. All week long we'd been buying decorations and items for the party and stashing them away in Mandy's car. Mandy's mom also helped us a ton in that she kept the main dishes at her house and just baked them there. I'm telling you, without the help of the mom's, Mandy and I could never have pulled it off. I am so thankful for them!

Little did Claire know that while we were out and about, 30 people were arriving at the house ready to celebrate her. All day I was so nervous and anxious! I kept it pretty hidden, but I couldn't stop wondering how everything at the house was going. Mandy and I, even though we were together, texted back and forth all day as well. It was hilarious!

Finally six o'clock rolled around and we were headed back home to get ready for dinner. My palms were so sweaty and still, Claire had not a fat clue. Once we got to the door, I unlocked it and then stepped back. Claire gave me a weird look and headed inside to the roar of everyone crowded in the living room yelling, "Surprise!" She screamed, stepped back outside and asked who was in our house. It was classic!

She finally walked in and realized that it was her party! I'll never forget that fun little moment. It was perfect and could not have gone more smoothly.

We ate, celebrated, laughed, opened gifts and chatted the night away. The only downer was the fact that we actually didn't get to eat at Taste of Texas. However, we're planning a date there soon!

All in all it was a great evening and I think she felt blessed and celebrated beyond measure! I'm now thankful that I don't have to lie to her any longer or avoid talking about her birthday. Planning a surprise party is no small feat! But it's the best when it's a complete success, which it most definitely was!

The food table!

Dining room! Our decorations were all pink and black since pink is her favorite color.

It was a delicious meal! And we've got leftovers for at least a week.

My favorite part of this picture is one of her Sunday school friends is holding his wife's purse. You see it? I might get killed for posting this.

The birthday girl eating!

Claire's sister, Bonnie and her sweet family! Noah, her nephew, is quite the entertainer. Check out his lasagna face!

How cute is this sign? Perfect colors and perfect for Claire. She's a girly girl if you've ever met one. I love Hobby Lobby!

When you forget candles you have to improvise! Her sister made the fabulous cake. It was delicious!

I have to admit that this banner was my pride and glory. I'm admitting right now that I was way to proud about it! While I was making it I kept saying, "Pride comes before fall!" But seriously, how cute is it? It was perfect in her dining room.

Since she was turning 25, we had everyone bring 25 items of something. It was so fun! She got things like 25 starburst, paper clips (since she's a teacher), quarters, gift cards with $25 and some other creative things.

Once the party peeps were gone, we had a roomie photo shoot. Because we're cool like that! Here I am with the birthday girl!

Mandy and Claire!

We had to rig a photographer. Hilarious! I love my timer way too much.

Love it!

We're crazy!

And we act like we're in a sorority! Ha!

One last pic of the adorable banner, that's still hanging up, mind you.

Pink, black and frilly!

Claire had to hold up the chandelier so I could get a good picture of the wall. If not, it left some awful shadows!

Remnants of a sweet birthday!

Happy, happy birthday, Claire! You are loved!