Wanna Swap?

See those lovely ladies right there on the left brightening up my blog? They're my swap sponsors! You could be there too :)

I know that sponsor swapping is such great way for smaller blogs to grow, not to mention, it's fun!

So what do you think, your button on my blog and mine on yours...? If you're interested.. shoot me an email!

alyssa.perrella@gmail.com

ps.. if you're already there, no worries.. you're not going anywhere!

Let's Play A Game

I was tagged by Ashley at The Christian Wife Life andddd Renee at This Won't Hurt A Bit a little while back (errr more like a long time ago, sorry guys!) in this fun little blogger game. I'm sure everyone has seen this floating around the bloggy world lately.

The Rules

1. You must post the rules.

2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4. Tag eleven people and link them on your post

5. Let them know you've tagged them!

Ok, I'm only doing part of this.. it was so hard for me to come up with facts about myself so that's where I'm going to leave this... sorry, I'm a slacker.

Some facts about me:

1- My absolute all time favorite TV show is The Office. I have seen every episode literally dozens of times. I am hopeful that someday the useless Office knowledge I have will come in handy one day haha

2- I auditioned for American Idol a couple summers ago with my best friend, Mary. She is an amaaaazing singer and I went to support her. I figured since I was there, and so we didn't get separated, I auditioned! Neither of us made it past the first round, but we had lots of fun. 

3- I hate walnuts. The doctor says I'm not allergic but every time I eat them my throat gets all scratchy. It's the worst. 

4- I am TERRIBLE at geography. It's embarrassing but I actually don't think I could have found Memphis on a map before I moved here. 

5- When I was a kid I was lucky enough to see David Cone pitch a perfect game for the Yankees. 

6- I went to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama when I was in middle school. That might be where my love for the South started. 

7-Even though I don't consider myself a "girly" girl, I love Disney princesses. My Mom always sends me cards with princesses on them and I even have a Cinderella piggy bank on my refrigerator. 

8- I was a high jumper on my high school track team and even qualified for the state championships! 

9- I am absolutely terrified of tornadoes. As soon as I hear that siren I kind of freak out. Maybe I'll get use to it eventually? 

10- I was a HUGE Backstreet Boy fan when I was in middle school... huge might be an understatement. 

11- My favorite color is green - hah this is such a boring fact but it's so hard to come up with eleven!!!!!

Instead of tagging specific bloggers, I'm going to open this up to anyone who wants to participate!!! I know alot of bloggers have already completed this, this way you can do it only if you want. :)

Vegetarian Chili

This is an extremely easy and very good crock pot vegetarian chili recipe that we threw together last weekend. It was delicious at dinner with some cornbread and then I even brought it to work a few days for lunch.

All you have to do is combine the following ingredients in your crock pot on low and let them cook for about 6-8 hours.

<> Half an onion - diced
<> 1 tsp garlic powder
<> 1 yellow bell pepper - chopped
<> 2 grated carrots
<> 1 1/2 cup corn
<> 1 zucchini - diced
<> 2 cans white kidney beans
<> 1 can diced tomatoes (28oz)
<> 1/2 cup water
<> 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
<> 1 tsp cumin
<> dash cayenne pepper

Easy enough, right? It was realllly good with a bunch of grated cheddar cheese sprinkled on top when served.

Enjoy!

It's About Time

I've missed blogging so much this past week!!! My computer charger decided to die sooo I didn't have a computer for a few days meaning I couldn't blog. It's good to be back. Sometimes unplanned blog breaks are a good thing but for now, I'm ready to dive right back into it.

Let's recap what I've been up to!

Besides getting adjusted to my new work routine and schedule, I've found time to do some fun things around here too. Jeremy and I had quite a busy Saturday.

We went to a Memphis Tiger game... shocker.

But we alsoooo went to see Eric Church! I had gotten Jeremy tickets for Christmas.. it was sooooo great!! One of the best concerts I've ever been to.

Not only was the music amazing, but so was the people watching. There's still so much about the South that I'm learning and getting used to. Apparently I missed the memo to wear a dress and cowboy boots though hah.

Don't you just love when everyone has their cell phones and lighters and the place glows? I wish I could have gotten a good picture of it.

Oh, How Pinteresting - Working

Since I can no longer wear pajamas till noon I've been thinking about work clothes. I'm just going to live vicariously through all the clothes I have in my "My Style" pinboard. I'm actually looking forward to having to get dressed up a little everyday. I wonder how long that will last! I also found out I'll be getting my very own cubicle.. if things go the way I think they will I have a window view. I didn't have a window in the closet I worked in before so I'm pretty excited about that.

Source: cottonandcurls.blogspot.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: tandsdaybook.blogspot.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lola on Pinterest

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: theofficestylist.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Balsamic Chicken Pasta Salad

Today I started my new job (yipeee!!) and I wanted to start the job out on the right foot... by bringing lunch. I'd like to try to bring lunch most days for several reasons. First off, it's a great way to save some money which is one of my resolutions this year, and also I feel like it's just healthier. Yesterday I made some pasta salad to bring to work. Now, I made it with chicken, but I just eat around it and leave it for the boy. The good thing about a recipe like this is that you can pretty much put anything in it and it'll look pretty and taste fantastic!

You Need:
<> Package of tortellini - I used Bertolli tortellini that was in the refrigerated section of the grocery store
<> Chicken breast - We get Perdue pre-cooked chicken from the grocery store
<> Balsamic Vinaigrette salad dressing
<> 2 cups Fresh Spinach
<> Basil - I didn't have fresh basil so I just used some basil out of my spice cabinet
<> Container of Cherry Tomatoes

Steps:
<> Put chicken in zip-lock back with some of the balsamic vinaigrette dressing and let it marinade for a while.
<> While chicken is marinading, cook tortellini following directions on package.
<> Let tortellini cool.
<> In a large bowl combine tortellini, chicken (I included the vinaigrette it was marinading in), spinach (chopped), some basil, cherry tomatoes (halved), and some more balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

I Have a Dream

I hope everyone is enjoying their Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Both Jeremy and I are spending our day off cooking some good things that will last us the rest of the week (hoping to blog about that later!) and running some errands before I start my new job tomorrow!

Anyways, people in Memphis have a great appreciation for Martin Luther King.

The Lorraine Motel is located in downtown Memphis. This is where Martin Luther King was assassinated and where the National Civil Rights Museum is located today. When I first visited Memphis, before I moved here, my Mom and I went to the Civil Rights Museum. I learned so much. I feel like this is a part of American History that is so important, but I was surprised by how little I actually knew. If you're ever in Memphis, I definitely recommend going there. It's fun and educational.. who doesn't love that!

Something else I recommend that is Martin Luther King related is the book Hell Hound on His Trail. I haven't read it but Jeremy has, and he is always talking about it. It's one that I plan on reading soon. Anyways, apparently it does a great job setting the scene of the impact Martin Luther King had on civil rights and the very interesting circumstances surrounding his death. Also, it shows the overall effect his death has on the civil rights movement.


I learned something else pretty interesting today! Martin Luther King spoke at Villanova University in January of 1965. I love that there's a picture of it.

It's A Good Day

I got a job!!!

Source: weheartit.com via Lillian on Pinterest

I could jump for joy!

Yesterday morning, I got a call that a company wanted me to come in for a third interview. It went SO great!! I had the best feeling when I walked out of the office. I wanted to tweet and blog about it, but I didn't want to jinx it or get my hopes up. This morning, I got even better news.. they offered me the job!! I start Tuesday.

I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I can't wait to get back into a routine and I can't wait to see what this job has in store for me.

I just want to thank you all for the prayers and support through this stressful time. My blog friends, my real life friends, and my family have kept me positive and hopeful. I am just happy to finally have a plan. God is good.

Want to know what I'll be doing? I'm going to be doing customer service for a company called Varsity. It's a huge national cheerleading company who has their home office right here in Memphis. I'm looking forward to working for a big company where there's lots of new people to meet and lots of room to grow.

Now I can enjoy my holiday weekend and celebrate :)

Be A Donor

 

I've never blogged about it before, but my Dad has had some serious health problems ever since I was in middle school. I don't want to go too much into it, I'll save that for another post, but lately, there have been talks that he might eventually need a bone marrow transplant. As soon as I heard this, it didn't even take a second for me to want to give him my bone marrow. Unfortunately, we do not know if I am a match, and apparently the best chances are siblings. Luckily, we don't have to worry about this just yet but I've been thinking a lot about it lately.

I have been an organ donor since I got my driver's license. I had heard a story about a girl my age who was killed in a car accident. She was an organ donor. Her organs ended up saving three children. That stuck with me and the next time I was at the DMV I checked off that I wanted to be an organ donor. Now I have a cute little heart on my drivers license.

This did not put me in the bone marrow registry, however. To be in the marrow registry, all they need is a cheek swab. After talking to my Mom about this, we found the correct website where you can be added to the registry. You simply fill out a few medical questions and they send you a kit with which you can swab your cheek and send it back. It's as easy as that.

BONUS: American Express is paying for all the fees in the month of January. If you were ever thinking of becoming a donor, you really have nothing to lose. It's completely free, unless you want to make a donation, of course.

Here's the website: bethematch.org

On the bottom left of the page, it says "Join", just click that and the process begins. It really doesn't take that long.

This easy process could potentially save someone's life. I may not be able to help my Dad, but there's someone else out there that might need my bone marrow.

I hope I don't sound like I'm trying to force my readers to do this, it's just something that is very close to my heart and I want to spread the word about it. The blogging community is full of generous, kind, and loving people. If you feel like this is something you'd like to do and you end up registering, I'd love it if you would leave a comment telling me (only if you feel comfortable doing that). 

Oh, How Pinteresting - Mint

I mentioned on Monday that I love anything mint and chocolate. Apparently I also love the color mint! Lots of things I pin are mint colored. Here are some of my favorites:

Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

<Source - http://blog.joyhey.com/>

Source: modcloth.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: wonderforest.storenvy.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: chicwish.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

How can I talk about mint without putting something yummy and delicious...

Source: insidethekaganoffkitchen.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Fried Pickles

Let's talk about something random for a minute.. fried pickles. I had no idea these delicious chips existed until I moved to Memphis. In fact, I even remember the first time I heard about them! Jeremy mentioned them and I actually thought he was making them up.

I had my first taste of this goodness at a Huey's and since then my life has never been the same. Ok, maybe that's a little dramatic, but seriously, they are soo soo soo good. I instantly fell in love. We've actually made our own fried pickles, which reminds me, we have to do that again soon.

I've learned about a lot of new things when I abruptly moved to the South. Fried pickles are definitely one of the true joys that I am happy to now have the pleasure of knowing.

So, now I want to hear from you!
Do you prefer chips or spears?
Where are your favorite fried pickles from?

Facts

Here are ten things about me you might not have known, you might not care to know, or maybe might be interested to know about me:

- I have been a vegetarian for three years (technically pescetarian - I eat fish) 

- I always vote pro-life.

- I never finish the end of drinks - I always leave a little at the bottom of the glass.

- I split my dead ends. Especially when I'm stressed. (It is my New Years resolution to stop - so far so good!)

- I always have the TV volume on an even number.

- I love anything mint and chocolate.

- I hate blow drying my hair but I do it everyday.

- I always have a hair tie on my wrist but I never wear my hair up in public.. except at the gym.

- When I was a kid, umm more like in high school, I wanted to work at Disney World. (I actually still would if they offered me a job hah)

- I like when the windshield wipers wipe to the beat of the music on the radio. 


If there's anything else you'd like to know - feel free to ask.

First Weekend

It's the first weekend of 2012... anybody doing anything fun?

I'll be heading down to Tupelo, Mississippi for two Memphis Tiger hockey games... should be fun!

Macaroni & Cheese

Yesterday I made the easiest and extremely delicious homemade Macaroni and Cheese.. thought I'd share it with everyone!

I complied a few recipes I happened to come across over the internet and the final product was deeeelicious! I used two different kinds of cheese, however, you can really do whatever you want. The most important thing to remember is that you can't ever use too much cheese!

You will need:

- about 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

- 2 cups cheddar cheese

- 1 cup swiss cheese

- 1 1/4 cup half-and-half

- butter

- salt

- pepper

Steps:

- Preheat over to 350

- Cook macaroni using the directions on the box

- Butter a baking dish 

- Put about half of the macaroni (drained) in baking dish

- Sprinkle some salt and pepper then cover macaroni with half of the cheese

- Layer the remaining macaroni and cover with the rest of the cheese

- Dot the top with some slices of butter

- Pour the cream over the top

- Bake for about 25 minutes

There you have it!! Nothing too fancy, but sometimes that's all you need.

Oh, How Pinteresting - Bags

I feel like it's been so long since I've posted a Pinteresting post!! I thought I'd start the new year off with a fun post of some pretty bags that I've accumulated in my "My Style" pin-board.

Source: etsy.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: hilariousness.tumblr.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: piperlime.gap.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: net-a-porter.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Cute, right?!

I'm Hopeful...

... that this will be my last week not working. I am hopeful that my new job will start next week.

As of right now, things are pretty unclear. I don't have an official start date since the company has been on vacation since before Christmas. Now that the holidays are over, I am anxious to get things rolling. I am ready to get back into a routine. I have been staying very positive (or trying to at least) through this whole process and I am just ready. I am getting tired of this uncertainty.

Resolutions

That time of year again, time to make some resolutions. I think it's good to set goals and start the new year on a good foot.

Communication
I live far from my family and a lot of my friends. I'd like to be better at communicating. We're so lucky to live in a time when we have so many different ways of talking to people. There's email, phone, text, facebook, twitter, facetime, skype.. the list seriously could go on and on. I'm going to be better at staying in touch.

Save Money
I've always been a saver, however, I know there are definitely places that I spend frivolously and places where I could be saving some money for the future. I'd like to be more money conscious and end the year with a good 'ole hunk of saved cash.

Eat Three Meals A Day
This seems like a pretty obvious thing, but I can't tell you the amount of days that I only eat two meals a day. I tend to skip breakfast... all. the. time. I know I'll feel better eating three actual meals. I'll give myself bonus points for eating three healthy meals!

Stop Splitting My Ends
I have the awful awful habit of splitting my dead ends. Especially when I'm stressed. I am going to stop this year! I can do it!

Be Present
I am sure we are all guilty of not being present all the time when we are with people. I am getting so bad at this. I need to put twitter away and focus wholeheartedly on whoever I happen to be spending time with. I will be present.


Well there you have it! Way more than I thought I'd have. It's going to be a great year. I just know it!

Happy New Year