Recipes | Very Veggie Potato Soup

As the title entails it is a lot of vegetables and it is absolutely delicious! I tried to make it healthy but since I was using leftovers and what I had on hand I think it could use some tweaking to make it healthier. Until next time this is how you make this easy soup.

• 1 Small Package of Frozen Mixed Vegetables ( I used the "California Blend")
• 4-5 Small Red Potatoes
• 1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1/4 Cup Sour Cream
• 2 Teaspoons Paprika
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• To Taste Salt/Pepper 

1. First off you want to peel those potatoes and get them in boiling water to soften up just a little (about 10-15 minutes) meanwhile you want to soften up the frozen mixed vegetables.
2. Once the potatoes are soft but still firm put them in the food processor or blender along with the mixed vegetables, peeled garlic cloves. Puree everything then add in the Cream of Mushroom, and continue to puree until you get the texture you want (some people like it a little chunky while others may like it smoother.) 
3. Put the puree in a saucepan on medium low, add in your spices and allow it to cook for about five minutes.
4. Turn it down to low heat and stir in 1/4 cup of sour cream.
5. Scoop it into a big bowl with low-fat cheese and a little hot sauce if desired and as always enjoy!

Like I said I used what I had on hand so next time I might change it a bit. Maybe try a low sodium chicken broth rather than the Cream of Mushroom and just add in fresh mushrooms. Also replacing the sour cream with a low-fat variation or even try greek/regular low fat plain yogurt instead. It's definitely something I want to try again especially with Fall around the corner :)

Vintage Find 7/20

I've been searching for more Paint-By-Numbers for the wall in the living room and I finally found another that I love! I had went with the family to an antique mall where I found a few awesome pieces but they were way over priced or not the style I was looking towards. A few weeks later I went out shopping with my Mom and we decided to check out a local antique store and stumbled upon this beauty plus it was at a great price!

Here it is hanging up but I think it needs something else, maybe some more smaller PBN to go underneath it?  What are some of your recent finds?

Eleven Questions

I was tagged by Jenny from Magic Cat Jenny about two week ago and I've been slowly (but surely) filling out these questions as I've worked a hectic schedule! 

The Rules: Answer the 11 questions, tag 11 people & let them know, and ask them a new set of questions. I'm not sure if I know 11 bloggers to tag that have not already done this yet, but we'll find out.

1. What’s the #1 most played song on your iTunes/iPod/Phone/etc?
   Hating Every Minute by Alkaline Trio
2. What is your favorite body part?My butt...just kidding, not really, I guess I would say my legs. They may not be perfect but I've learned to love them.
3. What was one of the best parties you have ever been to?
   Not a real party person but if you call it a "mini" party I love doing double dates with my bff and her fiance, we always have a fun time.
4. Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
   I've only been told I've looked like few people famous people: Winona Ryder, Shannyn Sossamon (when she was in A Knight's Tale) and some lady from J.A.G. I don't think I look like any of those ladies or anyone in particular
5. If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be?
   Building a future business with a friend, we haven't had time to really work on stuff even though we have a majority of the idea down. It would be nice to just spend a year working on this awesome idea.
6. If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
   There are some many from books and television shows, probably I'd either be Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender (cartoon NOT movie) or the Doctor from Doctor Who
7. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
   A Story Not Quite Finished
8. When was the last time you were nervous?
   More like when was the last time I wasn't?
9. What is something you learned in the last week?
   A few things this week at the Bakery.
10. Name a blog or two you always read.
    I always check up on my bigger blogs (like over 10,000 followers) because they always have something new but I love to check out Magic Cat Jenny (of course!) Wanderland Vintage, Of Corgis & Cocktails...basically everyone that I've met through blogger are on my frequent (if not daily) reading list.
11. What is your favorite thing about blogging, why do you do it?
    It's a place for me to record my life, I love looking back and just reading what I wrote in the moment. I also love sharing ideas with all my readers. Even though I'm not on here as frequently as when I started I still love reading comments and thinking of blog post ideas.

 

Guess What Today Is?

It's my 23rd birthday!!

I know twenty-three isn't anything special, and unlike Taylor Swift I'm no longer feeling twenty-two. Friday I went out with the Grandparents, Mom, Step-Dad and my Brother to Roadhouse (Texas Roadhouse but I like calling it that). I ordered one of their margaritas, which was huge, luckily I had a little help drinking it because even though it wasn't too strong it was still too much. My Grandpa mentioned last Sunday how he was going to tell them it was my birthday so they'd sing, but I just brushed it off and said, "Sure". It was pretty crowded when we got there and they had already came out a few times to sing Happy Birthday to other tables. While we were waiting on our food he told the waitress it was my birthday, but I quickly shook my head 'no' and she said, "Well would you like a free ice cream?" Thinking she took pity on me I answered "Okay", she replied, "Then you'll have to let us sing to you!" I got hooked in by free ice cream, but I wasn't sure if they were going to really sing to me or not. Well as soon as we were finished eating I hear the clapping...I got the spotlight on me and got some free ice cream. It wasn't as horrible since my Grandpa also told them about my Grandma's birthday being a few days ago, so I wasn't the only one getting sung too. All in all I had a great time with the family, and I'm excited to go out with friends later tonight for some Sushi :)

Sponsor In August!

Where has this month gone? I mean seriously, my birthday is at the end of the month and that's coming up in a few days!

Well as per usual Sponsorship is free, so if you're interested check out the Sponsorship page and send me an email with what option you'd like to do!

Birthday Wish List

Tattoo // Leopard Print Flats // Doctor the Recipe Shakers // KitchenAid Mixer // Drawstring Backpack //Denim Vest

Next Saturday will be my 23rd Birthday and I can't believe that it's only in a week! Even though I'm still unsure on what I'm going to do on my birthday I did have a good idea of what I wanted for it.

• New Tattoo- I've gotten money saved up and just looking for a time to go down and get another one. There were so many ideas but I like the idea of a ship wheel and possibly adding a Doctor Who spin to it.
• Leopard Print Flats- I love flats and wear them all the time so these leopard print ones would go perfect for my (slow) growing collection.
• Doctor the Recipe Shakes- I think they're just darn adorable and I love Doctor Who.
• KitchenAid Mixer- The item that inspired my recent tattoo is something I've wanted for a while, though I may not get it for my birthday it's too pretty not to put on here.
• Drawstring Backpack- Though I don't carry a backpack much, but I going to a concert/festival a few days after my birthday and this would be too perfect (plus cute) to carry all the things.
• Denim Vest- Who doesn't want a cool denim vest they and trick out with patches and pins? 

Recipes | Grilled Ranch Zucchini

One thing I love about Summer is fresh vegetables from my Grandpa's garden. A few weeks ago he sent me home with huge a zucchini squash that I had no idea what to do with. Luckily my Mom was nearby and mentioned a great recipe that she makes all the time! It's easy, delicious, and did I mention affordable?

What You'll Need:

• Zucchini Squash
• Ranch Dressing Packet
• Sheet Tray
• Grill (Outdoor or Indoor)

1. Clean zucchini and cut off the narrow part of the squash. Take the thicker half and slice 1/2" pieces. Take the narrow piece and cut lengthwise to get long strips.
   *This way you use the whole squash and don't have to worry about small pieces falling between the grill.
2. Lay out zucchini pieces and sprinkle both sides with the ranch packet.
3. Leave on the grill for about 2-3  minutes then flip; if there isn't any grill marks leave it for a few minutes longer.
4. Once the other side is done you're ready to eat!

We paired our ranch zucchini with a pasta and cheese sauce, but it's perfect as just a side dish too!

Sponsor In July!!

It's still a slow start on bringing back the blog but I'm still hopeful that it can be done. I have plenty of space and as always it's free! Just click on the Sponsor tab for more information and email me before Sunday :)

Recipes | Passion-Apple Tea

At the end of the term my friend and I discovered this secret drink after hearing someone order it at Starbucks. It was fantastic and it was all we ordered until the end of school. Basically it was their Passion fruit lemonade with apple juice instead of lemonade, so I was on the look out for the passion fruit tea. I finally found it and it taste exactly like the original :)

What You'll Need:

• Tazo Iced Passion Herbal Infusion
• Quart (32 oz.)Boiling Water
• Quart (or more) Apple Juice
• Simple Syrup* (optional)

1. The instructions are rather easy for the tea, take the boiling water into a heat safe pitcher and drop the packet in, allow to steep for 5 minutes. 
2. Pour a little over a quart of apple juice into the mixture (feel free to adjust to your liking) and there you go!
3. I think the sugar in the apple juice is plenty, but if you want it sweeter just adjust it by using simple syrup.
4. Enjoy!

*Simple Syrup*

- Equal parts sugar and water-

1. Place all ingredients into a pot and heat until the sugar water mixture begins to boil.
2. Allow to cool before using.

Sponsor In June!

I know it's already June, but since I'm trying to be more active with the blog I felt that I could do monthly Sponsorship again. Now it's not going to be as intense as I use to have it with different sizes or a big Sponsor Spotlight (I really want to keep it simple for a while) but you'll still get some of the same features from before!

The Semi-new Sponsorship

• I'll host up to 20 Sponsors each month.
• As before it'll be 100% Free 
• Ad size is 200x100 (see image above for reference)
• Sponsors can do giveaways and/or guest post (please contact me in advance to discuss)
• Ads will cycle with every page refresh, so everyone gets some attention.
• Ad for Ad available: I'll keep your ad up for as long as you keep mine up on your blog, this way you don't have to worry about renewal each month. (please contact me if you're interested)

I'm trying to think of a neat way to do a Sponsor Spotlight but in a shorter version to get attention to your blog! It may not happen this month but will be an option for the near future.

If you're interested please email me at: amberupbeat[at]aol[dot]com

* This is a non-profit blog, but I still have the right to deny Sponsorship or Giveaways if I feel that they do not represent my blog or what my followers are interested in.