I love when fate makes an appearance

Fate has struck again! (and in a weird way, but one that started my day in such a way that I know today is gonna be a good day).

Grabbing a Diet Coke from the bookstore before work is a common occurrence for me (not everyday common, but common) but today something uncommon happened. I happened to find a 'Jackson' #ShareACoke and obviously had to grab it. Back up a hot second - I originally grabbed 'Angela' and 'Jackson' slid down behind it..couldn't miss the opportunity to have 'Jackson' Diet Coke! So, I put 'Angela' back (sorry girl) and grabbed 'Jackson'. 

I definitely was not prepared for what was about to happen.

When I grabbed the 'Jackson' Diet Coke, a 'Joe' slid into it's place. I was taken aback for a hot second and a wave of mixed emotions hit me - happy, sad, tears, smiles, etc. The reason this is significant is that Joe Jackson was the name of my dad's dad. I never had the opportunity to meet Grandpa Joe (he passed away before I was born) but will randomly think about him and what he was like. There are still things I would like to know about him - his personality, things he enjoyed, his childhood, etc.

I'm a big believer in things happening for a reason and this small, may seem insignificant to others, event made my day and makes me feel like Grandpa Joe was stopping by to say 'Hi'. I will probably never know why it happened but I'm very glad it did. 

 

A Young Grandpa Joe from the 1940s. He served the US during WWII.

Happy Wednesday, 

<3 Kelsey

Good Food & Great Recipes

I feel like I am constantly trying to find new recipes to try and mix up what I cook for dinner (and then have as leftovers for lunch the next day). Many times I get on Pinterest to find inspiration and recipes - this tends to end with 1 of these 4 common outcomes:

1. "OMGoodness, this recipe looks amazing, I have all the ingredients already, and WOW it tastes amazing too!" <- Desired Outcome.
2. "Wow this recipe looks so tasty and amazing...WAT it has 50+ ingredients (some of which are so specific I would only use them once)...No thanks"
3. "Wow this looks great" *clicks image for recipe & 50 million pop ups and ads occur or the link is broken**random video begins playing*
4. No Luck - guess it's pasta again

Have any of you experienced something like this?

I was inspired to start documenting recipes I had tried after finding a recipe spreadsheet that was shared on Reddit. Using this spreadsheet as a base, I have begun to add recipes that I want to try, add additional notes or variations to try, and rate ones that are classified as 'Success!! Will make again!'. 

You can view the spreadsheet with my edits and additions if you'd like!

*Note: the italicized comments are from the original girl I got the spreadsheet from* 

Now for the good part of/the main reason I started writing this post - I wanted to share with you the recipes I have tried recently that are SO GOOD & def new favorites. (esp. if you like soups)

Baked Eggs & Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

I made this dish on Saturday for lunch and served it with sweet potato fries & my goodness, it was heaven!! This recipe comes from Cookie + Kate.

 Lentil & Vegetable Soup

I don't have a picture of this one because it's a recipe that comes from a British YouTuber I watch, but this soup is really good and a great base to add your own flair or eat how it is. The sky is the limit with this one! It also freezes really well.

Recipe: 

2 onions

2 carrots

2 leeks (or 1 big one)

1 potato (I typically use a red or yellow potato)

1 tbs of Olive Oil

1 tbs of flour

3 cups of vegetable broth

1/4 c Red Lentils

Peel and chop vegetables

Pan fry the vegetables (EXCEPT the potatoes) in the oil for 10 min

Stir in flour to thicken and cook for an additional 2 minutes

In a soup pan/stock pot, add the pan fried veggies, vegetable broth, potatoes, and red lentils

Cover and boil for 10 min and lower heat to simmer for 20-25 min

Classic Black Bean Soup & Rice

I love this recipe so much and and its so easy to make. Great throw down & you most likely have the ingredients already! Find the recipe at Landeelu's Blog.

Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower is amazing and you can basically flavor and use it any way you want! Here is Food Network's Recipe to use as a base recipe, but then take it any direction you'd like (different flavors, sauces, make tacos, whatever you'd like!)

Food Network Recipe Here! 

Pictured: Spicy Sriracha Baked Cauliflower w/Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Enjoy & I will share more as I come across new & yummy foods! <3 Kelsey!

i made dis no. 3

In 11 days I will be attending a New Professionals Conference in Madison, Wisconsin! I'm so excited to be at the university that has my most favorite mascot - a Badger!!! Just look at this guy! His name is Buckingham U. "Bucky" Badger..love. (you can bet I will be purchasing a stuffed Buckingham.)

  

Anyways...one of the tasks we were assigned was to create a short film showcase something new or innovating being done in your student union. & the short film below is what I came up with to showcase the SUB at Texas Tech!! I am so proud of myself for filming and editing this video #HumbleBrag 

In addition to my love for the mascot, I can't wait to be surrounded by fellow new professionals and get all develop-y for a week! #ProfessionalDevelopment #CountdownToIPDS #11days

Enjoy! <3 Kelsey

40 books in 2017

Yep. That's the goal. 40 books by the end of this year... I can't tell you the last time I read 10 books in a year that were not school related.

Backstory: A co-worker and I have challenged ourselves to read 40 books by the end of this year back in March. Seemed like a pretty achievable goal at the time, but it is now May 11th and I have read 1.5 books. With summer approaching and a more routine schedule for the next few months in sight, I have a good feeling a can check off a good chunk of that 40 this summer. While I have all the intentions in the world, I lack the motivation because #TheHandmaidsTale. (have any of y'all started that show?!? it's soooo good & 10/10 recommend).

Nevertheless, I will complete this challenge and will keep you updated as a complete each book, following the same layout below for each one.

Side note: if you have any book recommendations, let me know!

The journey of 40 books starts with page 1


Book 1/40 

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
by Brené Brown
Amazon Review: 4.6/5 stars
Amazon Description: In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, a leading expert on shame, authenticity, and belonging, shares ten guideposts on the power of Wholehearted living—a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.

Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we'd no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while thinking, "What if I can't keep all of these balls in the air? Why isn't everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations? What will people think if I fail or give up? When can I stop proving myself?"

In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, "No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough," and to go to bed at night thinking, "Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn't change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging."

My Thoughts: WOW WOW WOW! I absolutely loved this book and its life changing words of wisdom. The Gifts of Imperfection has been a source of inspiration for the Wholehearted living thing that I have begun to adapt as a lifestyle. I checked this book out at the Lubbock Public Library and found myself desperately wanting to underline everything that was amazing and good, but instead now have 50+ pictures of chunks of text that I literally finger snapped and said 'preach' to as I read. As soon as I finished the book, I immediately purchased it off Amazon. I have a feeling this book will come in handy in the future - whether as a refresher for myself or something I can lend to a friend. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who is struggling to truly let go of who they think they are supposed to be & want to embrace who they truly are.