I woke up this morning with the strong urge to get in the car and drive to the coast, which would work way better if I lived near the coast rather in the desert. I have to admit, the urge to be near the water is constant. I am scared to death to actually be in the ocean, but boy is beautiful when the waves are crashing in or you see a whale. This is a picture from Cannon Beach. My husband and I took this trip prior to being engaged or married. I would recommend it to anyone. We flew into Portland, rented a car then drove down the coast. On the way back to Portland, we cut up the middle to visit covered bridges.  Snapping back to reality, walking on the beach with a soft cast and a post-op shoe on would not be fun. 

Eight more days till my foot is freed...hoping the toe is healing well so I can get on with life!

Meatball Stew

Last night's Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches were a hit! I am definitely going to make them again. I added my own BBQ sauce to the meat for some extra flavor. The pork was very moist and not dried out at all.

Tonight I am making another new recipe called Meatball Stew. Again, I found this recipe on the Family Circle website. http://www.familycircle.com/recipe/beef/meatball-stew/. I have never ate a parsnip before. This recipe calls for 3. On Saturday when I went grocery shopping, I wasn't even sure what one looked like!

I only have 9 more days till the soft cast comes off. That will be so nice. My toe doesn't feel any better though so it worries me. I have the fear the doc will recommend keeping it on or redoing it as this one is falling apart.

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Tonight's dinner is a new recipe. I typically do not eat pork, but I have noticed that all I ever make is beef and chicken recipes. When I first started this journey of using my crock-pot as much as possible I was bored of eating the same recipes over and over. I can say that I have only repeated a few new recipes since I began this mission, but the meat is always the same.

Last night, I went out shopping (yes hobbling really). The recipe calls for a boneless pork shoulder, however, those were nowhere to be found so I went with bone-in. The butcher guaranteed me that the bone will just fall right out after slow cooking it and it could have a better flavor.

I found this recipe via the Family Circle website. http://www.familycircle.com/recipe/carolina-pulled-pork-sandwiches/

The nice thing is that I have most of the ingredients in my pantry already. I only had to buy the pork and the coleslaw.

Stay tuned for my rating and the photos made by the amateur cook. Haven't you noticed that the pictures that magazine post next to the recipes always look fabulous and when you cook it, the meal looks nice but not like the picture?

My Broken Toe

My broken toe has slowed me down a bit on being the best DIY, frugal gal I can be. Luckily, the swelling has gone down a bit last time I could see it. Let me rewind for you...I broke it on July 15th while walking through the house. My handy crate on wheels cart was stationed in it normal spot, however the night of July 15th I managed to connect my little toe with its sturdy frame. The next day I went to an urgent care and they confirmed it was broken. By this time, my toe had been throbbing all night with horrible shooting pains and I had to literally drag that foot around because I could not put any weight on it at all. Now, I like to research everything, so I spent my 4 hours waiting in Urgent Care researching broken toes.  I had the symptoms: massive bruising, swelling, no weight baring, etc. I thought, in a couple weeks this will all be done with and I can go on with life... WRONG! I bought my post-op shoe and buddy taped my toes as suggested by the doc and the nurse however, nothing was getting better. They originally told me it would take 4 weeks to heal and did give me prescriptions for an anti-inflammatory and a pain medicine. I finally decided to get a podiatrist to look at it just in case. So on August 1st, I went in. He took additional X-rays because I did not have my originals. He told me that the fracture was curved and long. To help alleviate the pain I was still having he decided to put a soft cast on my foot for 2 weeks and have me return for a check up. So I am on day 4 of wearing the soft cast, which is driving me crazy by the way. I cannot get it wet, so I have to wrap up the foot for showers and no swimming. Yesterday, I broke down and had my new husband shave the lowest part of my leg near my ankle so that I could lay on the floor with my leg in the air (so that the water ran up my leg rather than down). It was quite a sight! The dogs understood it as a perfect opportunity to get in free kisses.

Initial swelling after hitting my toe

Buddy taping 

My soft cast with post-op shoe

The Crockpot and I

I recently have been trying a slew of crockpot ideas that I have found from Pinterest and other websites. Pinterest has became my newest obsession. Sedona even has a board of things she might like! For anyone who has't used their crock-pot... well, clean it out, buy some crock-pot liners, and find some recipes. I use mine at least 3 days a week. When I first bought it, I used in 3 times a month because I lacked recipes and mostly the motivation to use it or no motivation to just cook. Crock-pots can save a TON of money, effort, and your time. During the school year when I depart at the crack of dawn,  I leave the recipes for my new hubby with all the meat and veggies pre-chopped, sauces made, etc. so that he just has to turn on the crock and dump ingredients in. It is perfect! I come home from school and I really don't have to do anything.

This is the model I have. I want a programmable one next. I read a blog where the person had 2 crock-pots and she was able to cook one meal for today and one ahead for tomorrow.  I am going to try that before I go back to work... I am on summer vacation now. The first 2 weeks of school are always exhausting. I think it is just getting back into the swing of things, getting up early, and keeping up with the list of to do's to get ready for the new school year that wears me down.

My First Post

Hi Everyone,

I recently was married this summer. After spending a year planning, saving, and becoming a DIY bride, I had  nothing to do after the wedding except to try new things. This is my adventures as a country gal in the city attempting to be frugal in a fun way! Sedona, the saucy schnauzer herself, is always by my side with every new project.

Kassie