krissybri

[krissybri]

Turtle Cookies

I decided to make one of my favorite cookie recipes this weekend because everyone in my house had a sweet tooth. This recipe has never failed me and I’m glad to share it with you.

1 1/2 cup country crock butter (softened)

2 cups light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tbsp vanilla ( I use Madagascar vanilla, but you can use whatever you have in your pantry)

1/4 cup milk

3 1/2 cup all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 bag milk chocolate morsels (11.5 oz bag)

1 1/4 cup caramel 

1 cup chopped pecans

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, brown sugar and sugar until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, vanilla and milk and beat an additional 2 minutes.

Add flour, baking powder and salt and beat another 2 minutes. Fold in chocolate morsels, caramel bits and pecans.

On a silicone mat lined baking sheet, drop cookie dough using a 2 Tbsp scoop. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 12-14 minutes.

**I received the Country Crock butter for free to be used for testing purposes**

[krissybri]

Y’all know I’m obsessed with all things Giada! 

Recipe of the Day: Giada’s Pasta Ponza         Giada’s recipe calls for first baking a cherry tomato gratin brimming with breadcrumbs, briny capers and salty pecorino. Once the tomatoes burst and the breadcrumbs crisp, it’s all folded into al dente ziti.

[krissybri]

I haven’t been on here in a long ass time. But to catch y’all up, I now have a 6 month old baby and he’s freaking AMAZING!!!! 

[krissybri]

A Fresh Start

What a beautiful day it is. It's the beginning of a new year that I never thought I'd see. Let me explain.

Many, many years ago when I was first diagnosed with Sickle Cell, I remember the doctor telling my mom and I that I would be "lucky to see the age of 30." I couldn't have been more than 10 at the time and hearing those words was very heavy for me. I've carried that moment with me my entire life.

On December 27th, I turned 30 and boy let me tell you, getting there wasn't easy. I spent the entire day of my 30th in the ER because of a respiratory virus that I had going on, but through all of that, I made it.

Never once did I fully believe I wouldn't see the age of 30, but if I told you that it wasn't on my mind at times that would be a lie. A lot of the decisions I made in my life was because I wasn't sure how much longer this disease would allow me to be on this earth. When I decided to pack up my car, drive to California and start a new life? Yeah, that's because I wanted to do something different. Live my life a little. Explore. Learn.

Every time I'm in the hospital because of a sickle cell crisis, I hear "you won't see 30" and for a split second I think about giving up. But then I remember all of the things that I still want to do with my life. The sights I want to see, the people I want to meet. There's no way I will allow this disease to take over my body.

I often wonder why a doctor would even tell a child those words. Some would give up. I mean, why fight to live if you're not going to make it to 30 anyways? As I get older, there's no doubt that my body feels the changes. I'm only 30, but I've been through enough hospital visits and surgeries for my body to feel about 75. Getting up has now become a chore. It takes not only physical, but mental strength to get up and do something...anything. Most don't realize how hard it is for a sickle cell patient to do the basic of daily activities. It's a daily fight that I have with myself. Because while I want to be able to go out and do everything, I have to listen to what my body is telling me to do.

There is no new year, new me in 2014 for this chick here. Every day of my life has been a new me. I renew my faith in myself DAILY. My only pledge to 2014 is that I will start putting more efforts into finding a cure for this disease. In 2013, I took it upon myself to help the patients that were inside of the sickle cell center with a crisis, but I want to do more. I don't want children to be told what I was. I want them to live as close to a normal life as possible without the weight of '30 is where it ends' on their minds. We can and WILL live to be 30 and beyond.

Something else I want to do is urge the people in my life to be sickle cell educated. I've noticed that I can't do it on my own anymore. I do need help and I need the ones around me to know what's going on so that they can aide me.

If you know me, you know the majority of the time I've got a smile on my face. That's because I've faced a lot of different things and don't allow the small things to bring me down. 

Honestly, I just want to eliminate most, if not all, of the negativity in my life. Seeing people complain about things in their life they can change has to be the most frustrating for me. I live with a disease that was given to me genetically. It's not something I can change. Yet, you want to complain about the petty things. It drives me insane. Why not be happy that you woke up this morning? Just be happy to be alive. That's what it's all about. Find ways to fix the things that are wrong in your life instead of complaining about it. Whining and pouting will do nothing for your situation. Being negative takes more energy than it does to just smile and move about your day. Why waste energy on such filth? Give yourself the gift of happiness. Be free of all that holds you back from being the best you.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone that has been in my corner. The past 30 years haven't been easy on me, which means that it hasn't been any better for you. With my sickness, I've learned that at times it can be hardest for the ones who love you because they also have to endure the heartache that you go through. But for the people who put aside their own pains and pettiness and took care of me? I thank you. 

While I know the next part of my sickle journey won't be easy (I'm basing that off of all the medicines I now have to take just to be normal), I'm ready for the ride. My sickle cell disease does define me and I'm okay with that. It's made me who I am and I'm stronger because of it. I will continue to fight this disease with everything I have. All I ask is that you, in turn, fight for your lives as well. Fight to be better. Fight to make a difference. Fight to live another day.

Happy New Year, friends! 

xoxo

[krissybri]

Open Letter to Mom on Her Birthday...

Wow, it's hard to know where to start with this one, but I'm just going to speak from my heart.

Mom,

In most instances, I am a wordsmith. I can write anything about any situation. But when I want to write about how much you mean to me it's hard, because there truly are no words to describe it.

Growing up, Lord knows we had our difficulties. Screaming matches, not speaking over petty things and me challenging you every step of the way. More than anything, I regret the words I sometimes used when we would fight because I know I can't take those back. But in a weird way, I feel like those situations made our relationship stronger once I became an adult.

You have ALWAYS been there for me. Every tough moment I've had, if I look back and see who was by my side, it was you. There has never been a time where you weren't there for me when I was sick. If I called you at 2am from the ER, you were there by 2:30. As a single mother, I really can't remember a time when you weren't attempting to be involved in our lives. Even though your time was thin, You made sure to do the best you could with what you had. I admire your strength and heart more than anything in this world.

There were times when I truly didn't think I would live because of my Sickle Cell. Having to have surgeries as a kid was so tough on me. But you were there. Strong. Telling me I would be okay and you were always there when I woke up. Letting me know that I could fight this disease is just about the only thing that's kept me moving these days. To have a chronically ill child is tough on any parent. But as far back as I can remember, you handled it with grace. You were a rock and made me believe that I could have a normal childhood, when we all knew that I wouldn't. But it was your beliefs that got me through.

I honestly don't know how you do it. 3 kids, a single parent and always present. I thank you, mom. You are the driving force in my life. I, honestly, don't know where I would be without you in my corner. I call you and bother you every day because you're my best friend. I know I can turn to you for anything.

Through it all, I know you've always been and always will be there for me. I want you to know that I love you and would do anything for you as well. I am so thankful to have a MOTHER. A nurturing parent. You've never said "I can't" but rather, "I'll figure it out". I've always heard that there is no better love than a mother's love and it's so true. I look to you with admiration in knowing you have always had the courage to be strong for us.

You truly are the light of my life, Franny. I cried writing this so I know you're going to cry reading it. But just know it came from the bottom of my heart. I am who I am because I have you by my side. You're the best mom that I could have ever asked for. I love you. 

Oh, and, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

[krissybri]

A Piece of Me

Lately, I've been getting the 'you're too chipper/happy for the morning time' response from people when I say 'good morning' or really anything welcoming. Not going to lie, it kind of bothers me. But then I have to remember that a lot of people don't know my story.

Hard for me to believe that I'm turning 30 this year. Looking back, sometimes I'm even surprised that I've made it this far. I spent most of my childhood in the hospital at Egleston. The doctors there knew me by name. To the point where they would know the times of year that I would be admitted because my body just quit.

I was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease when my family moved to GA in the 90s. My mom always tells me that as a baby I would walk around limping and whining and she never knew why. Now we know that I was in pain and probably having a crisis.

I endure pain on a daily basis. On most days, it hurts for me to even get out of the bed. Usually takes me hours to even fall asleep because my body just can't relax enough to fall asleep. I go to bed and in the back of my mind I wonder if I will even wake up the next day. Because I've had crisis' in my sleep and I know what can happen. I've stopped breathing before. So that fear is always in my head. Should it be? Probably not, but it's truly something that I can't help.

So when people tell me I'm too happy in the mornings, it's because I'm alive. I woke up. I'm HERE. I refuse to let my Sickle Cell get the best of me. I may be in pain 24 hours out of the day, but I refuse to show that to anyone. The only person who truly knows when I'm in pain is my mother. She knows all of the ways I hide it. From the way I rub my hands and feet when there is pain in certain parts of my body. 

While I want everyone in my life to fully understand what I deal with on a daily basis, some people just can't or won't understand. It's hard for people who lead healthy lives to understand what a sickly person goes through. When you're complaining about the simplest things in life, I'm making it a positive because I know it could be worse. I hear of sickle cell patients that I've encountered through my work at the center passing away weekly. I know that could be me one day. But instead of focusing on the negative, I choose to live happily and enjoy every minute that I have here on this earth.

Sometimes I wish everyone was able to look at life that way because then I know this world would be a much happier place. There is nothing more irritating to me than seeing negative people. Always complaining about things that can be changed. Well you know what? I can't change this disease. I can't change the pain I suffer daily. But you know what I do? I smile and keep moving. When you focus and dwell on the negative, you become negative. I truly believe that if I focused on how much pain I was in, that I would be in even more. Probably be in the hospital more than I am. 

I haven't been on Tumblr in years. But I felt this is something I needed to share. As I'm entering a new phase of my life, it's important that those close to me understand what life is like. While you'll never see me complain, just know that I'm probably in pain but choosing to enjoy what is ahead for me. Many doctors used to tell me that I wouldn't live to this age. Well I'm here and I don't plan on going anywhere. I will fight Sickle Cell for as long as I can. While I don't expect many to understand what I go through, I just ask that you think about how hard life COULD be before you complain about  how much you hate your job or how you can't stand your parents, etc. Just be thankful that you woke up to see another day. It's really that simple.

Love y'all. xoxo

[krissybri]

BREAKING NEWS!!

Jim Tressel resigns as Ohio State head coach after 10 seasons (106-22)

[krissybri]

Prosciutto Panini and Pasta Fagioli Soup (Taken with Instagram at La Bottega)

[krissybri]

Pad Priew-Warn (Sweet & Sour Chicken Thai Style) (Taken with Instagram at erawan thai cuisine)

[krissybri]

Fettucine Alfredo w/ Logastino (Taken with instagram)

[krissybri]

popeater:

jamief:

nightline:

Michelle Obama dances The Running Man and The Dougie

Trust us on this one.

yes. amazing.

Michelle Obama can Dougie better than we can.  This is not surprising.

[krissybri]

Best drink ever (Taken with instagram)

[krissybri]

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Creamy Crab & Rock Shrimp Enchiladas

Ingredients

1 tbs vegetable oil 1/2 cup finely diced onion 3 green onions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced 1 tsp minced jalapeno, seeds removed if desired coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 1/2 tsp good quality chile powder (such as ancho powder) 1/2 pound rock shrimp (or peeled and deveined medium shrimp) 4 ounces cream cheese, room temp. 3/4 cup grated monterey jack or white cheddar 1/2 pound crabmeat, picked over 1/2 cup fresh corn kernels (optional) 1/4 cup diced red pepper (optional) 10 medium flour tortillas 1 cup good quality enchilada sauce 2 tbs sour cream

Preparation

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and, when warm, add the onion and green onion with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the jalapeno and chile powder and cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Stir in shrimp with a pinch each of salt and pepper and cook, stirring, just until shrimp are opaque, 1-2 minutes more. Transfer mixture to a bowl and cool. To the cooled shrimp mixture, add the cream cheese, 1/2 cup of the monterey jack, crab, corn and red pepper. Stir very gently to combine, taste and season as needed with additional salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lay the tortillas on a work surface and divide filling into the centers of each. Roll up and place, seam side down, into a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Combine the enchilada sauce with the sour cream and spread the mixture over the enchiladas. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup of monterey jack and bake until heated through, about 20 minutes. Turn oven to broil and cool 1-2 minutes more, just until tops are lightly browned. Enchiladas can be filled and placed in the pan (without the sauce), covered and refrigerated up to one day. Just before baking, top with sauce and cheese.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/CREAMY-CRAB-AND-ROCK-SHRIMP-ENCHILADAS-1201811#ixzz1KVMCDhDQ ENJOY!

[krissybri]

My Easter face (Taken with instagram)