Hair Cut

It’s that time again. Every couple years I get an itch for new hairdo. I’ve done long, short, in the middle, bangs, no bangs, side bangs…I just feel the need to change it up every now and then. And I’ve had the itch to change it up for about a month now. I asked a couple people for suggestions on what to do, and it went something like this: “I want a major change, but I don’t think I want it short, I definitely don’t want to dye it, and I’m waiting to cut my bangs until I get back from Switzerland.” My family and friends looked at me with blank stares like “Well…you just eliminated every kind of major change. So, I don’t know what to tell you.” But, every person suggested that I should just go shorter. Not quite as short as my bob in the past but kind of shoulder-ish length. And if you saw my instagram yesterday, you know that I gave in and put my hair on the chopping block. Here’s how it came out…

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Allie and I started joking around playing model/photographer…

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Then, I was over that game…

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I think I’m loving it. My hair has been in a bun on the top of my head for the past month because I couldn’t stand my long hair anymore…so many dead ends and it was so dry. This haircut feels freeing and the perfect amount of change. Yay…problem solved! (Although, Allie says it doesn’t even seem like a change cause she’s so used to me changing up my hair so much. Whatever!)

The Gang’s All Here

Can anyone name that movie?? One of my favorite things to do with Allie is quote movies. We just throw quotes into everyday conversations where it is fitting and without even asking each other we can pick up on the references. And I quote movies all the time even if she isn’t around cause it cracks me up. Yes, I crack myself up sometimes…I get that from my lovely mother. But,  guess what people??? Allie got here this morning!!!! So, now I have someone to pick up on my movie references. And it’s way more fun that way. By the way, the title of this post is a quote from How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days…in case you didn’t pick up on that! And it’s true…we were missing our 5th partner in crime! It’s not the same without her and we are so excited to have her here and the whole family back together again. The gang’s all here and we couldn’t be happier! Yay!

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^^Waiting for Allie!

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^^Hugs all around!

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^^It was the first time Ivy met her Auntie Allie!

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Welcome home, Allie!

Tarragon Chicken Noodle Soup

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The other day, I slept in (until 1:00pm, people…I don’t even remember the last time I slept that late!) so needless to say I got a pretty late start to the day. I had some “breakfast,” bundled up for the 20-something degree weather, and headed into town for some shopping and a warm cup of coffee with my mom! Then, it was time for dinner. Because when you sleep in until 1:00pm…dinnertime just sneaks right up on you! So, my mom and I headed to the grocery store to pick up some ingredients, went home, got in our pajamas, and whipped up a Quick and Easy Super Delicious Perfect for Winter Tarragon Chicken Noodle Soup! How’s that for a name?

Ingredients

6 ½ cups of chicken stock

3 carrots, peeled and sliced thinly

2 celery stalks, sliced thinly

1 leek, halved lengthwise and sliced thinly

1 smaller white onion, diced

1 cup of peas

1 rotisserie chicken, cut up into small pieces

2 tsp. chopped tarragon

Salt and Pepper

Pasta – any kind you like…we picked a curly kind cause it’s fun

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Directions:

  1. Put the chicken stock into a large pot and add the carrots, celery, onion, and leek. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes.
  2. Stir in the peas, chicken meat, and pasta and continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. TIP: Check the packaging on the pasta for the amount of time it takes to cook. Ours took 7 minutes so we waited and let the peas and chicken cook for about 4 minutes before putting the pasta in.
  3. Add the tarragon, salt, and pepper. Stir and let cook for about 1 more minute.
  4. Ladle the soup and serve.

Enjoy and Happy Cooking!