Dinner at the Schloss Hotel in Landstuhl

The other night I had the pleasure of dining at the Schloss Hotel in Landstuhl. We drove up the mountain side at the foot of Burg Nanstein and parked the car. The outside of the hotel is so charming.. beautiful landscaping and a quaint fountain welcome you. Our reservations were for 6:30 and we arrived right on time. Our table was waiting with fresh bread and herb butter... Mmmm. The waitress kindly handed us our menus and offered us the wines on hand. It was very relaxing in the restaurant dining room. Nice music.. candle lights.. *sigh* I ordered the Argentinian rumpsteak.. YUM! It came with a wonderful mushroom topping.. fried potatoes.. and the salad bar. (The salad bar was phenominal.. so fresh and flavorful.. one of the best I've ever had)

When the steak came me and Mike could barely contain ourselves. It was cooked perfect and almost melted in my mouth with every bite. *scarf scarf* lol

Here's a link if you're in the Landstuhl area.. Check out the castle during the day.. and have a nice meal in the evening to top it all off! :) Schloss Hotel Landstuhl

Day # 5 My Favorite Quote

"To be what we are, and you become what we are capable of coming, is the only end of life "
I believe it's an anonymous quote... But it motivates me and encourages me to be the best I can be in everything I do!

Day # 4 My Favorite Book

My favorite book would have to be A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
The story had me hooked the minute I started reading it! It's been years, but I still remember it to a 'T'. Maybe I'll find some time in the near future to enjoy it again. If you haven't had the pleasure, pick up a copy and check it out. It's a great read :)

Jenny Skirt from BurdaStyle

Jenny Skirt from BurdaStyle... I paid 7.50 for the pattern PDF. It's a little pricey for a basic skirt, but the possibilities are endless! I could create numerous designs from this one pattern. (Worth every penny in my opinion.) Above is a picture of my practice skirt.. made from an old sheet. It came out exactly like I wanted. I just need to get it onto some real fabric and add a zipper. The fit is phenomenal as well. This was my first time trying a pattern from Burdastyle and I can honestly say I will be back for more in the near future.

Day #3 Favorite TV Show

I LOVE Degrassi.. (Shhhh.. Don't tell anyone I still watch this haha) It's a show about life in high school, but the most realistic I've seen. The kids aren't spoiled rich and the scenarios are VERY believable. I watch it finding myself able to look back and relate. If you haven't seen the show before and have some time to kill, check it out. You might become hooked like I am! It will have you laughing, crying, cheering, yelling at the screen, and screaming for more when it's over.
What shows are you crazy about? Any favorite Degrassi memories??..

New Dress Patterns to Sew Up!

I just got 5 new patterns in the mail the other afternoon! I am so excited... This is like a Christina Christmas right now!

Here are the 5 I chose-

I think this is my favorite of the bunch.

V8532

V8552

Probably my second favorite!..

V8615

V8380

V5029

Most are just quick easy summer dresses. *Perfect* for evenings out on the town... Now I just need to hunt for the ideal fabrics! Any suggestions if you've made these before.. any ideas for the fabric selections?
Time to get started! *evil grin*

Day # 2 My Favorite Movie

SUPERSTAR!
I've watched this movie a THOUSAND times.. and I could probably watch it a thousand more. lol. I guess it's because Molly Shannon's character reminds me so much of myself  haha..
I have a couple others that I have in my top movie collection, but this one is quoted daily and takes the cake! :)

Day #1 -- My Favorite Song

I'm never good with favorites! Grrrrr lol.. I can usually find something I like in everything! I have a favorite song for every occasion and every mood. Hmm.. as far as an overall favorite? Don't have just one.. Probably something like this--

Claudia Church- Home In My Heart (North Carolina)

I remember waking up

Running down a dirt road
Morning dew a shinin', watermelon by the wagon load
Little baby brother and my sisters in the shade
Listening to the crickets and the music that they made
Riding on a tractor with my grandpa in the summertime
Cold bologna sandwich, green tomatoes on the garden vine
Billy Joe McMillan was the first boy that I ever knew
he moved to California and it broke my heart in...

North Carolina...your pine trees so tall
Your hills and your valleys, your cool waterfalls
Your Blue Ridge Mountains
Your fields and your streams
Are lost on the back roads that run through my dreams
Of North Carolina...Home in my heart

Skinny legs and barefoot on the top of an abandoned car
Pouring out my heart just like a country music singing star
Pinecone for a microphone
Full moon for a spotlight
Shining down from heaven, like it's smiling on me

North Carolina...your pine trees so tall
Your hills and your valleys, your cool waterfalls
Your Blue Ridge Mountains
Your fields and your streams
Are lost on the back roads that run through my dreams
Of North Carolina...Home in my heart

Although it seems like yesterday
I'm still a million miles away
Going to the ocean in my uncle's new sedan
Daddy's in the Army, there's a war in Vietnam
Mama kept us going with her sewing and a prayer
It's hard to be a family when your daddy's missing

North Carolina...your pine trees so tall
Your hills and your valleys, your cool waterfalls
Your Blue Ridge Mountains
Your fields and your streams
Are lost on the back roads that run through my dreams
Of North Carolina...Home in my heart
Home in my heart
Home in my heart

This song gets me every time! The music itself isn't the best, but the lyrics hit the nail on the head with me. So many beautiful memories of growing up in North Carolina. I tried to find a video on Youtube or the song online but everything seems blocked here in Germany! (Booooo)

30 Days About Me

I've been 'tagged' by my girlfriend Kegan to participate.. so here goes!! God knows I neeeeeeded a little push to blog lately! SOOO much has been going on and I've been quite overwhelmed! I'm glad to be back though! Here are my topics.. (On top of whatever else I feel... Travel, Projects, etc)

Day 01 - your favorite song
Day 02 - your favorite movie
Day 03 - your favorite television program
Day 04 - your favorite book
Day 05 - your favorite quote
Day 06 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 08 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 - a photo of you taken recently
Day 12 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - a fanfic
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a YouTube video
Day 24 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - this month, in great detail
Day 28 - this year, in great detail
Day 29 - hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 -- whatever tickles your fancy

Sloppy Joe Pockets.. Quick and OH SO GOOD!

I got this idea from the Pillsbury site... They looked so hearty and filling that I had to give them a try!

Ingredients you'll need--

1lb Ground beef (I got the leanest I could find!)

1 Can Manwich or sloppy joe mix

An onion and pepper (if you'd like)

1-2 Cans of Pillsbury crescent roll dough

1 Egg (for an egg wash if you want shiny pretty pockets) I skipped the egg this time

First, brown your hamburger meat... If you didn't use lean meat you may need to drain the fat after you brown it.

Add your onion and pepper if you choose to do so, just toss them around a bit until your onion is translucent. Now add your sloppy joe sauce mixture and cook until heated. Transfer to a clean mixing bowl to cool before stuffing pockets.

I am impatient and stuck my meat mix in the freezer until it cooled down a lot and then finished cooling in the fridge.

Spread out your crescent dough on a flat cookie sheet. I lined mine with parchment paper to prevent any big messes and the pockets from sticking. You may want to press the seams of the dough triangles together to prevent any large rips while stuffing.

Pull your chilled sloppy joe filling from the fridge and scoop spoonfuls onto your dough. It took about 1 or 2 for my pockets.

It's a little tricky to seal them, but you'll get the hang of it after the first one. Once they are stuffed and sealed you can take your egg and a few teaspoons of water and whisk them together... Brush the tops of your pockets to give them a nice golden shine during baking.

Bake for about 15 minutes at 375 or until the crescent is golden brown and cooked through. I can tell they're done by the buttery crescent smell in the air ;)

Fresh from the oven and ready to bust open from their buttery, flaky cocoons! Mmmmm 

Nom, I, NOM, could, NoM, not stop, nOm, eating these things! They hit the spot and reheat well! You could add an endless variety of fillings to these... I know I'll be experimenting in the near future. What kind of combos are you going to try?!  I'll be making a coffee pastry this week.. so don't forget to check back!
Lovessssss,

Coastal Scents Swag! :D

I was very fortunate to receive a gift from my friend Devin recently! I got the Coastal Scents 88 palette, the 10 piece blush palette, a camo quad concealer in medium, a smacks lip gloss in Strut On Nude, and a variety of brushes. I can't describe how excited I was to get home and try them out! :D  Well, I guess this picture tells the story LOL

The colors are bright and vibrant in person.. My arm is not the best canvas to demonstrate that, but put some primer on your eyelids and this palette will NOT fail you!  

It's like CHRISTMAS!! haha.. 

Here is the blush palette up close. The colors range from bright to very soft glows. Some have gold flecks in them and some are just a matte glow. They all come off very natural though, which is something I aim for with my daily makeup.

Can you say rainbow?! So many colors to choose from... get crazy with it, or stay in your natural comfort zone! I can't wait to order the ultra shimmer palette! 

The lip gloss was o...k. I only wish it had a nicer scent or flavoring to it. The color is great though and the consistency is a nice thick fluid formula. I was nervous with the camo quad, but the colors are great and the makeup is creamy and easy to blend. It works nicely on the eyelids as a base for the shadow if you don't have primer. 

I received a kabuki-ish brush that worked like a charm for the blushes.. and nice fat fluffy brush for the shadows... and two contour shadow brushes that blend the pigments so effortlessly!
I've seen so much about Coastal Scents lately and can honestly say I will be ordering more! It's affordable makeup and their products are nice quality.  Anywho! Glad to be back my loves!! :D
xoxox,

Happy 3 Year Blogiversary!!

It's been a LONNNNG and crazy week for me! Lots of little busy things and the the holidays have kept me away... BUT, I'm back! Today is my 3 year blog birthday!! I can't believe it's been that long... It seems like only yesterday I started this blog to keep me entertained and share my thoughts with my friends and family. Over these three years that family has grown beyond what I ever could imagine. Thank you for a terrific time!! It's been GREAT!
Now on to my latest....

I ordered these lovely ladies from Amazon last week... Just in time for the gorgeous spring sandal weather we're getting! They're from GoJane and cost me $18.90 (+6 for s+h) SoOoOOoO worth it! They are exactly what I was looking for! I purchased a size 7 and they were true to size. The shipping was quick (considering it took days and I'm all the way in Europe) and the product is excellent quality!

A close-up of the dangling medallions... I love the way they jingle when I walk. I feel like I'm ready to jump into a gladiator battle haha 'Roman goddess here, and Yes, these are my fantabulous new sandals.'

Don't mind the pale feet.. They've been held captive by the sock warriors all winter long.. hehehe

Now I just need to find the spring and summer outfits to go with them ;0)
What are your top picks for summer?!! Your essentials? Hope you all are enjoying your Easter Holidays! I'm back to celebrating my blogger bday!
xoxoox,

Burg Nanstein

A couple quick photos of my latest castle exploration, Burg Nanstein. It's about 15 minutes from my home. One of the coolest I've been to and supposedly haunted. *Cue creepy music*  It's got a nice little restaurant off of the side with a great view overlooking the Landstuhl/Ramstein area and is very reasonably priced.

Park your chariots here please...

This is the view you can enjoy entering the castle or dining out on the restaurant balcony.

My house is waaaaaaaay past those windmills in the back!

All the gorgeous Roman arches..

I think I forgot to drink Alice's shrinking potion... *tisk tisk*

My husband exploring..

Helllllo! It's me.. Please let me in oh royal friends! I come bearing gifts!

Follow me... Princess Steena.. I will take you to the castle's treasure! lol

Could you imaging stepping out of your castle to this view in the morning?

Heading for the courtyard..

I love how the castle flows right into the natural rock... 

From above on the bridge.. Sorry it's so bright.

These dungeons were creepy..*eerie water dripping*

The courtyard was probably my favorite spot.. Peaceful and full of beauty

Statue.. pretty much standard in any great courtyard!

These detailed stone scrolls could be seen all over the castle.

I think this well in the center of the castle courtyard was my favorite part.. (not just because it was comfy on my bum either lol)