Random Ramblings – Nineteenth Edition

Hi!  It’s been a minute or two (okay July 3, 2017 to be exact) since I posted a Random Ramblings post, so I felt like it was kind of overdue, right?!  If you are new to the blog, my Random Ramblings post is a little glimpse into my life…with pictures of course!!  So many things to catch you up on, some exciting news, and a sneak peek to what will be coming to the blog in the coming weeks and months.

Are you new to the blog??  Have we met yet?  If not, then now you will get to see the girl behind the recipes and crafts I post every week on the blog!  Since it’s been so long since I have done a Random Ramblings post, and so much has happened over the past several months, I will stick to just the major stuff.

Did you see that I got a horse?!  Meet Ty!!  My goal is to join the mounted patrol unit at the police department I work at, and Ty seems like he will be a good fit for the team.  He’s an older horse and pretty chill.

I spend whatever free time I have, out at the ranch, working with Ty.  Luckily the weather in California has been pretty mild so far this winter, so I have been taking advantage of that for sure!  Ty is very alpha male and so am I (alpa female whatever), so most of the training has been teaching Ty that I am in charge.  I have been loving every second spent out at the ranch with Ty!!

Exciting blog news!!  Did you see that I am now a brand ambassador for Rodelle?!  Rodelle sells quality extracts, cocoa powder, spices and more.  As an ambassador, Rodelle sends me products to use in my baking, and Rodelle can post my recipes on their website.  Plus when Rodelle has new products, they send the products out to their ambassadors to check out and experiment with!

Definitely check out my BEST Chocolate Cake recipe, using Rodelle Gourmet Cocoa Powder.  If there are any recipes you want to see on the blog, leave me suggestions in the comments below too!

So my little Yorkie, Jack, has been having MAJOR skin issues.  Dry, flaky skin.  I just had an allergy test done on Jack, and it determined that the poor dog is allergic to everything.  But my local pet food store was able to help me find a dry dog food for Jack that did not have anything in it that he was allergic to.  And if you have ever tried to find a dog food without peas or pea powder in it, then you know the struggle was real.

I have another dog treat in the works…one that Jack can eat!  So much easier (and cheaper) to make my own allergy-friendly dog treats, than trying to find one to buy.  So stay tuned for that!!

It’s not a Random Ramblings post without a picture of my nieces!!  Miss A is my little mini me.

These girls are growing up so fast!  Wendy and I were just talking about Miss G starting kindergarten next year!!  Wendy is always taking the girls on weekend adventures and it’s fun to get the pictures she texts to me and my momma.  Wendy brought the girls out to the ranch to see Ty last week.  Now Miss G wants a horse.  Sorry Aaron!

Did you read my North Lake Tahoe travel posts?!  Part one was all about where to stay and play in North Lake Tahoe and part two was all about the amazing food we ate!  Love North Lake Tahoe!  I enjoy getting the opportunity to travel and blog about it.  Despite the strange looks from people as I take random pictures of things and of all the food we eat… #bloggerlife

And James and I just got back from a quick overnight trip to SanFrancisco last weekend, where we saw a funny musical from off broadway.  Stay tuned for that travel post coming to the blog soon!

FEELING: Somewhat stressed???  Life is so busy!  Between work, the blog, Ty and keeping up on all the every day adulting responsibilities, it seems like there is never enough hours in the day.  Anyone know how to add extra hours to the day? 😉

But working out has always been a great stress reliever for me, and lately I have been working out with a focus on strength training.  Thanks to James.  To hit the weight room (full of guys) and lift weights, was always daunting to me since I did not know what I was doing.  But now I am confident in my form, and will go to the gym without James, to get my lift on!  On days I am not at the gym, I have workouts I can do at home without weights.  I thought about putting a blog post together with easy workouts to do at home.  Anyone interested in that??  Let me know!

WANTING: For Spring to get here already.  It has been FREEZING here in Northern California this past week.  And I am over the cold!  Anyone else ready for Spring time??  Flowers blooming, bees buzzing, birds chirping and beautiful sunny days?  Ahhhh…just the thought of days like that brings a smile to my face 🙂

WATCHING: The Amazing Race.  Have you been watching??  James got me hooked on Big Brother, so I am totally team Big Brother (Cody and Jess).  I think they are so cute together!  I always tell James him and I should enter to be on the Amazing Race.  A cop and a firefighter, as a couple?  Plus my Type-A personality??  It would make for some funny TV!!

Oh and I see rumblings that Roseanne is coming back to primetime TV in March!!  Can’t wait to check that out.  That was one of those shows I grew up watching.  I think they need to bring back The Wonder Years too!  Any old favorite TV shows you hope to see revived?

CRAVING: Soup and all thinks warm and filling.  Did you see my Healthy Crock Pot Split Pea Soup??  It’s the best!  Time to make another batch.  Or maybe a white bean and chicken soup.  Mmmmmm.

BAKING: Well I have good news for you and bad news.  James (my Chief Tasting Officer) is going on a diet.  A very strict diet.  James said he is allowing a few diet cheats for the goodies I make, but I am trying to be helpful and not sabotage him.  So I am thinking of making some healthier treats!  I will continue with my over-the-top yummy desserts (I can bring those to work!), but now you may see more healthier treats on the blog too!

Ooooh….some more exciting news!!!  After two VERY long years of dealing with health issues (you can read about it HERE), I have been released back to work without restrictions!  I have been back at work for over a year, but was limited to ten-hour days until recently.  So starting this week I am back to a regular patrol schedule working 12.5 hour shifts Saturday through Monday.  I am pretty excited.  Long days, but we are so busy at work, the day flies by anyways!

I still have my struggles and am not 100%.  And to be honest I probably never will be.  But it’s about persevering and overcoming obstacles.

So that’s about it!  I will leave you now with pictures of some recipes coming to the blog in the coming weeks!

Thanks for reading this post about life lately!  Leave me a comment below telling me what you are up to or what you are feeling, wanting, watching, craving or baking!!

And there’s a new recipe coming to the blog in a few days.  Make sure you sign up for my free email subscription before you leave, so you don’t miss a thing!

XOXO,

Kelly

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