Not My Store

Looks likes someone has taken the webname countrygirlcitychic.com and is opening an online store.  It is not me and I have no idea what they will be selling.  I have contacted them and have not gotten a response.  I thought up the name of the blog back in 2008 and did quite a bit of research to make sure  I was not stepping on anyone's toes at the time.  I am a little irritated right now. 

Thanksgiving 2012

We spent Thanksgiving with my three sisters and all of our kids.  Here are a few photos of the fun.

A leaf bigger than my feet!

Dark Chocolate Pie

Fighting Squirrel Pie Decorations

The best pancakes!!

 

We went for a little hike in the park

My Daughter is such a fun sweet girl!

We had a cookout in the backyard Friday night

 

Saturday morning I found CocoNutty bear like this.  

I guess either she had too much eggnog or she made one of the kids mad. 

Mums

Texas is a mum crazy state.  We make mums to celebrate babies and high school homecoming.

I made three this year, two for baby showers and my daughter's junior homecoming.

This one was for a cousin that had a jungle theme for her shower.  
I did not have time to take a good photo.  thankfully my sister snapped one

                                                                                                                                                                     The second was for a flower power baby shower for another cousin.

The third was my daughter's homecoming mum for her junior year.  We decided to go with non school colors.

 

It has three sets of lights!!

Friday's Five Photos

Waco, TX

Waco, TX

 

 Waco, TX

Farmersville, TX

 

Waco, TX

Easter

I did not post much about my Lent journey because it just did not feel right to document the entire process. It was between God and me. I made it through and I feel so close to God right now. I enjoyed the vegan diet so much that I am doing a 30 Day Vegan Online Workshop in May.

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I made a low-key Easter lunch.

Ham
Fresh green beans
Roasted Brussels sprouts
Crash potatoes from the Pioneer Woman's recipe
Potato rolls (store bought)
Buttermilk pie for dessert. (I bought the pie from the grocery store but it was tasty)

The potatoes turned out amazing and yes they have bacon!! I missed bacon so much.

A Little Update

I have done fairly well. I did eat one cheetos on Saturday. Accidents happen. So I have found something so awesome. Coconut milk creamer



It is so amazing. This will be a change that I will take with me for a long time. I have never been a fan of soy creamer but this is totally different, yay! I have been making some of the recipes from Pinterest, the most interesting have been the sweet potato veggie burger so tasty and filling.

Vegan for Lent

I have made the choice to eat a vegan diet this Lent.

I am doing this as a way to sacrifice and remember that I am so blessed, to reflect on life in general and think of others when I find myself wanting. I am not part of a religion that practices Lent but I choose to incorporate this tradition into my life and I am better because of it. I want to give up something that affects my life in a big way but I want to go into it prepared and ready to find joy in the process.

For me this is a huge deal. I am a dairy fiend. I love all types of cheese, real butter and Greek yogurt. I am not a milk drinker but I am a fan of coffee with half and half so that will be a struggle from the start. I know there are soy and coconut creamers but both leave me wanting more. My first challenge will be coffee on Wednesday morning.

I will miss bacon. I was a vegetarian for over ten years and bacon was my gateway meat back to a non-vegetarian diet. I will survive without beef, chicken and fish easily. Pork will be difficult.

Honey remains on the approved foods list. It is my plan, my diet, my Lent so I get to make the rules. I try to stay as refined sugar-free as possible so to remain functioning, honey stays.

I will keep updates of how I do on here. If I slip up, I will be honest about it. Last year I gave up sugar and it was very a difficult thing to do but I did it and only slipped up once. A co-worker brought kolaches in for everyone. It only occurred to me that I was eating sugar after I was midway through my second pineapple-cream cheese. I felt so guilty but I did not quit, I just got back on track.

I have been pinning recipes and reading blogs trying to become vegan savvy. I love VeganDad. I think hearty rib-sticking meals and complex salads will help in the beginning.