2011 December

Happy in my own skin

December 29, 2011 By Heather 9 Comments

Maybe it’s the red lipstick that I have always wanted to wear but never had the courage to.

Maybe it’s the encouraging of like-minded friends from all across the country.

Maybe it’s the glasses or the vintage clothes that I like to wear.

I am sure that it’s all of these things and none of these things; all at the same time.

One thing is for certain, in my 34 and a half years in this world I am finally accepting who I am and the beauty that was created in me. We don’t all have to fit into some cookie cutter mold to be beautiful. We are all beautiful in our own ways and when you feel that beauty way down in the depths of your heart. It radiates.

There once was a time when I hated to have my photo taken. I would put myself down and pick out each and every one of my flaws. I longed to look like other women, never like myself.

Then I had these girls and they changed me, especially as they have grown into beautiful young women. I never want them to doubt the beauty that they have deep down in their heart. I want them to be happy with who they are and confident in the choices that they make; whether it be to confidently rock the red lipstick, some vintage wears or an over sized pair of frames.

Now I smile confidently and happily know that I am the daughter of a King.

Now I challenge each one of you to be confident with who you are, even if you aren’t even sure who that is yet. I think of this quote by Albert Einstein and nod my head every single time I recite it.

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.

Are you up for the challenge? Please let me know. I want to encourage you just as much as all of you have encouraged me.

Filed Under: challenge for the new year, happy being me

Wishing you much Joy on this day and beyond

December 25, 2011 By Heather Leave a Comment

From our house to yours we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

My cards have not gone out in the mail yet, so if you get one, act totally surprised!!

If you are up for a good chuckle and have three minutes of free time, check out the big package opening with the girls. I should note that this was after they had opened 16 really boring gifts that really weren’t gifts at all. (Toothbrushes, hair brushes, soap, underwear…..)

Christmas 2011 from Heather Durdil on Vimeo.

Filed Under: Merry Christmas

I Serve-d Up a much needed girls night out

December 25, 2011 By Heather 6 Comments

Updated to add that this contest will be going on until 12/30!!

This post is sponsored by Serve from American Express. Sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below by 12/27 for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account!

Last night in the hustle and bustle of last minute Christmas shopping a few of us got together for a girls night out at a local pub and bistro in my hometown. The girls were excited to hear about Serve and this new way to spending & sharing money and of course all the catching up we had to do.

We started the evening off with some drinks and had an interesting conversation with another patron who had tied a bit too much Christmas spirit on before coming to our table asking us for lotion. yes seriously. So the whole rest of the night in between bites of food we would toss out a random Silence of the Lambs reference.

Please tell me odd things like this happen at all of your girls night outs.

One of the things that I found interesting about Serve that I shared with my friends is how secure it really is. After three failed attempts of trying to log into your account, your account is locked down. There is an 800 number for you to call and each time (why yes I locked myself out of my account more than once) I spoke to a very friendly representative who gladly helped me get my account unlocked and walked me through changing my PIN so it would happen again.

I think that customer service is so important with a company and when you are dealing with money, especially my money, even more so.

I think The Bestie’s favorite part of the meal was her huge plate of nachos.

While D. had heard great things about the fried pickles from people that had been there before.

Clearly I was starving and couldn’t get my mussels into my face fast enough.

Why no I didn’t get ~~many~~ looks for that face.

When it came time for the meal to end, splitting the bill was a breeze with the Split the Bill feature on Serve. No more trying to figure out who needs to pay what or the famous ‘I have no cash.’ Serve lets you sent and request money with ease.

Are you excited to try Serve? If you win the $100 you could have a nice girls night out or just buy yourself something pretty; either way one commenter on my blog will win.

Remember to sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below by 12/27 for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account! Official sweepstakes rules and regulations may be found by clicking here. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Filed Under: fun with my friends, serve, sponsored posts

Gluten Free Tassies on InstaFriday

December 23, 2011 By Heather 1 Comment

Feel free to go here to help win me a much need bed

This week was filled with many things like fixing up my kitchen with vintage trim, hanging photos, watching Giggles create awesome things in the name of schoolwork, becoming a finalist to win a bed, and having fun with some acrylic paint.

But today, today, I want to talk to you about these

Gluten Free Tassies!

I am known for my tassies. Seriously, ask my husband or my kids or anyone that has had the pleasure of tasting one….they are ah-mazing!

This summer when I went gluten free I was most saddened about the treats that I would miss as I had heard that gluten free baking wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I have done a bit here and there, but always followed a recipe, never trying to convert something myself.

Well, I have done it. My tassies taste just like my tassies and I am here to share my secret recipe with you. And to let you know why they are so good.

Seriously it was a mistake I made about 17 years ago and I have just gone with it

Items needed
mini muffin pan
cooling rack
mini tart shaper (I have this kind)
2 8 oz packages of cream cheese
2 sticks of butter
2 tsp of xantham gum
1 cup of rice flour (I used the rice flour because I had it on hand, not sure I like the texture, need to experiment with other flours)
1 bag of shelled walnuts (8 oz)
1 cup of margarine
2 cups of brown sugar
2 eggs

Cream together the butter and cream cheese with you mixer. I just set mine up in the stand mixer and let it get good and fluffy. When it is all mixed up add in the xatham gum and the flour while mixing on low speed. The xantham gum really binds it up quick so as soon as it is dough like take it off of the mixer as it will make the dough tough. Cover and put in fridge for at least an hour, I do mine overnight.

When the dough is chilled preheat your oven to 325 degrees and grease your muffin pan. Make sure your rack is in the middle of your oven as over the years I have learned that the tassies bake best there.

In a microwave safe bowl melt your margarine and your brown sugar together. Chop your walnuts until they are almost powder-y and then mix in with your melted sugar margarine mixture. Beat the eggs and mix in to the sugar, margarine, walnut mixture taking care to make sure that it isn’t too hot, because you don’t want to scramble your eggs.

I use a mini scoop to get the dough out, but you can roll the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls. Drop a ball in each muffin cup or scoop if you are doing it my way. Take your mini tart shaper and make sure it is floured, push it down on the dough ball so it lines the inside of your mini muffin pan. (So glad that I don’t write recipes for a living…this is harder to write out than I thought, but I am committed!)

You may have to put the pan in the fridge a few times as as the dough warms up it gets to sticky to work with. Cold dough is key.

Using a large spoon (the bigger one in your silverware set), spoon the mixture into the dough shells, not quite all the way up.

Bake in oven for 20 minutes. They are done with they are goldeny brown and bubbling.
Place pan on cooling rack to cool, then take a spoon and pop them out after they cool. (That part takes practice)

Enjoy! And try not to eat in one sitting!

Whatever is left, store in airtight container.

Linking up with Life Rearranged for InstaFriday.

Filed Under: christmas traditions, gluten free baking, instafriday

Help me Win the Bed!

December 20, 2011 By Heather 4 Comments

Oh my goodness you guys my entry made it to the finals!!

I am one of seven finalists to win the bed.

Please help me out by going here and voting for me Finalist #4.

You must comment on the post and your comment must say (word for word)

I want Heather to win the Tempur-Pedic bed.

If it doesn’t say that it won’t count.

And I really need this bed.

Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: contests, help me, our bed

I want to win a Tempurpedic bed, seriously!

December 16, 2011 By Heather 1 Comment

Remember when I talked about the great bed dilemma.

Yeah, well I talked to my husband about your answers and he told me that in all honestly it isn’t the blankets that are hindering him from coming to bed. It’s our mattress.

Doing the job he does, he comes home so very sore every.single.night and our mattress (of unknown age) doesn’t make it better. In fact, the couch is comfier for him to sleep on.

Then my darling friend, Carmen, announced to the world that she is giving away a bed, and I just had to enter. For him. For me. For us.

Why I need to win a Tempurpedic Bed from Heather Durdil on Vimeo.

Filed Under: contests, new mattresses, our bed, Tempurpedic

On her Seventeenth Birthday I received Joy & Peace

December 13, 2011 By Heather 7 Comments

It took me seventeen years, but I enjoyed a birthday.

On Friday we had a private family affair after both Giggles and the Husband got off of work and we worked our way through her seventeen surprises.

My eyes were brimming with tears but they were of joy, not sadness.

I was savoring each and every moment of our little family all together in our living room joking about how Giggles mistakenly thought key drop read backwards on a door meant to try to open it. You had to be there.

Saturday was filled up with so many things; breakfast, shopping, and our Christmas party at church.

Sunday had people coming over and a house that needed cleaning and a lasagna that needed baking.

The house got cleaned and what didn’t get done, just didn’t matter. People weren’t coming over to see how clean or not clean my house was, they were coming to celebrate with Giggles.

My best friend called me several times after church to make sure I was okay, asking if she could do anything, bring anything. I calmly told her I had everything under control.

I don’t know what happened when she turned seventeen but it was like a switch was flipping in my brain and I realized that everything is going to be alright.

My house was full with family and friends. There were children laughing and playing, adults chattering and a baby being passed around for everyone to hold.

We ate, we sang, we celebrated. I did it with ease.

I am not sure of this feeling I am having, or rather not. This peace I have fills me with such joy. I am content to just be and to savor the moment. I don’t feel like I am waiting for the world to swallow me up.

I’m not saying that it will always feel like this, but I will savor this joy, this peace. I will hold it close to my heart so that when I look back I know that it was all worth it.

I will always cherish #celebrating17

Linking up with Just Write

Filed Under: #celebrating17, Just Write

#CelebratingSeventeen

December 9, 2011 By Heather 1 Comment

Remember when I wrote about birthdays and how they made me feel?

I can honestly say that I didn’t cherish and celebrate like I thought I could. It just wasn’t in me.

But this year, seventeen, I don’t know what has happened. I have been looking forward to #CelebratingSeventeen for weeks now. I have been counting down the days. Reminding Giggles each and every day that her birthday was coming up soon. Preparing seventeen special surprises for her special day.

I am genuinely excited about a birthday and I can honestly say that this is the first time in seventeen years that it has happened. It was like seventeen was some huge hurdle that I needed to overcome and I sort of held my breath until I got us here.

She is surfing in uncharted waters right now. When I was seventeen I was expecting her and preparing to get married and move to Orlando to be with her dad. One of her biggest concerns right is the fact that colleges keep misspelling our last name when they send her stuff and for whatever reason it makes her really really mad.

It could be worse honey, you could be Bill Clinton, Jr….embrace that people will always misspell our last name

Soon I will leave to pick her up from work and we will open up 16 special gifts (as she opened her cheesecake from Aladdin’s right after school.) Thanks Stacy!! And you know what I can’t wait.

She and I have come a long way and I couldn’t be happier with the young woman she has become. Not only am I proud to call her my daughter, but also my friend.

Happy Birthday Giggles! May your head always be smaller than mine!

And if you want a good cry, you can check out this video I made two years ago for her 15th birthday. I bawl every.single.time.

Year Fifteen from Heather Durdil on Vimeo.

Filed Under: #celebratingseventeen, enjoying life, Giggles

Seventeen years ago

December 6, 2011 By Heather 5 Comments

Seventeen years ago I dropped off my fiance to our small bus station in town so that he could fulfill his commitment to join the Navy.

Seventeen years ago I was very much overdue and felt like I would be pregnant forever.

I remember longing looking at the bus station as I was driving home from my classes that afternoon, wondering if he was still inside. I wanted to pull the car in the parking lot and run, well as fast a 45 week girl runs with a very large baby pushing her hip out of socket and messing with her sciatica can, and rush into his arms.

I looked at the time and realized that I couldn’t pull into the lot, I had to get to the hospital for what would be the last of my twice a week NSTs.

The baby stretched as she did everyday. It felt as if she was going to rip out of my stomach. You could see her nose and her arms. You could count her toes.

I couldn’t breathe. Partly from the stretching babe inside my belly, but partly because I just didn’t know if I could do it on my own. Maybe everyone was right, maybe I was too young, too foolish, maybe I wasn’t ready.

My rock had left on that bus and I wouldn’t see him again until February. I knew that if he could give up his dreams for us that I could do it. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I knew it was the right thing for me to do.

I had no expectations of how he would be involved when I found out I was pregnant. And seventeen years later he is still by my side sacrificing his life for the rest of us. He works so hard and puts himself last because he says that is just what a man does.

He is my rock. He is always there for me. I pray that I can be the same support for him that he is for me.

Seventeen years is a long time looking forward, but looking back, it is just a blip on the radar.

Linking up with Just Write

Filed Under: looking back and not regretting a thing, teenage pregnancy

Reflecting on my week via Insta-Friday

December 2, 2011 By Heather 2 Comments

Last weekend started off early with me meeting an old friend (which coincidentally is a friend of another friend, such a small world.) for breakfast in Oberlin. We ate at the Fresh Start Cafe, if you are ever in the area it is yummy, inexpensive, AND they have gluten free options including bread!!

*******

After breakfast I decided to head over to the new Oberlin Goodwill to check out what new stuff they have since it’s been a while since I was in there. I was bummed that I wasn’t the person that spent the first dollar in the store so I could be on the plaque until I looked at the photo.

Yes, that is me & my mama in the background of the photo. Just so you know I had found a brand new thirty-one bag on the racks for $2! I said “Look, Ma, it’s a thirty-one bag!” She examined it, agreed and then tossed it into her cart and walked away!

When I saw the photo I ~~may have probably~~ squealed and ~~maybe~~ the whole store just kind of looked at me like I was crazy.

*******

After returning home from my adventures in Oberlin, I finished off the blanket for my new nephew.

It is super soft and I love it so much. Many thanks to my instagram pal, Joni, for sharing her Granny Stripe blanket with us so often that I had to make one myself.

********

After dropping off the blanket to my nephew the girls & I headed to the store to pick up some things we needed and we got a couple bags of these.

They are seriously the best things ever. The Husband even commented on how good they were and he doesn’t even like sweet potatoes. My only complaint to Terra about them would be the whole ‘limited edition’ thing. Seriously these are a year round staple!

*********

The Husband had a couple of days off in the middle of the week (I know!) and so this was my resulting view because he needed to rid the online gaming world of zombies.

I am pretty sure in the event of a Zombiepocolypse we will be okay as long as everything plays out the same as it did on the PS3.

*********

On Thursday a post of mine went live at Miss Unlimited on being Sixteen and Pregnant.

I am seriously overwhelmed by the support & love that so many people gave there and on facebook & twitter.

**********

Today my baby got contacts and I was banished to the waiting room while she had contact lens class. Thankfully I had my crochet to keep me company.

Linking up with Life Rearranged for InstaFriday. You should totally play along, it’s awesome. And speaking of awesome, so is this giveaway I am doing right now-GO ENTER!!