As blessed as  I feel to have the military provide me with constant healthcare some days those military doctors just drive me NUTS!  This morning I waited for 3 hours to see a doc and then it took me another 2 to finally get what I actually came there for.  Needless to say I was a wee bit annoyed by the time I actually made it to the office today.  But after constant harassment on my part and the help of a very nice gentlemen at Balboa Naval Hospital I finally got scheduled for a CT Scan to find out if I have a kidney stone.

When I got home from work today I felt the need for some therapeutic baking before I started on dinner for Jamie and I.  I found some beautiful blueberries at the store this weekend so I decided to make a recipe that I had seen on Andi’s blog  a few weeks ago.  Only I wanted to make a few changes…

I had a box of yellow cake mix so I subbed that for the dry ingredients and only made a 9×9 pan instead of a 9×13.  They didn’t turn out quite like Andi’s but the results were still delicious!  We’re headed to a BBQ at a friend’s house tomorrow night and I think they’ll be there perfect treat to bring along

It’s was super simple! Half of a box of cake mix, an egg, and eight tbsp of butter.  Use a pastry cutter to blend the dry and the wet.  Add half of the batter to a grease pan,  add the blueberry mixture in the middle, and then more batter on top.  Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.

You can also see the original recipe from Smitten Kitten here.

Since I had finished my therapeutic baking I decided to get cracking on dinner for this evening.  On the menu… baked salmon with butter and lime juice, spicy sweet potato chips and a  big ole’ salad.  I shallow pan fired the the sweet potato in coconut oil and then added my favorite blend of cajun seasoning and a bit of salt while they were still hot.  Jamie was in love!

Spicy Sweet Potato Chips

My Favorite Salad

I’m really trying to get myself back into a more Paleo style diet and this is a great way to start

We’re going to to watch Jeopardy and hang for a bit.  Then I’m off to continue the last book in The Hunger Games Series, MockingJay.  I’m really impressed with these books.  I can’t put them down!  Thanks for the recommendation Julie!

Night Y’all!

Ahh… going back to my job on Monday morning, something I just dread.  It’s it such a depressing thought to think that I’m not going to work to hop in the helicopter and fly around all day, I’m going to do PAPERWORK!  Ick.

But I got up anyhow went for a quick 3 mile run, followed by a little bit of kettlebell work, showered, and headed out the door.  Even if I don’t feel great when I get out of bed all it takes is a little bit of exercise to put me in a great mood.  Gotta love those endorphins!

The best part of my day today, LUNCH!  I had a great salad today comprised of all my favorites (spinach, snacking cucumbers, goat cheese and yellow tomatoes) along with some interesting additions; leftover sweet potatoes, zucchini, squash, and grilled chicken.  Then, I topped it all off with some awesome Southwest Dressing.

Another reason I don’t look forward to Monday’s is that it’s not a barn day for me.  Lou uses the afternoons on Monday’s to run all his errands, so he likes everyone to be out of there fairly early.  This is a limiting factor for me since I can’t always get off work early to go play at the barn.  We also have a show coming up this weekend in Santa Barbara so it’s been pretty hectic.  Jackson’s on a layup for the minute anyway, he stepped on a nail about a week ago, so we are being extra cautious with him to make sure he doesn’t get an infection…. Poor guy!  He’s hanging tough though

This Monday did hold a little bonus for me though, Jamie came back early today.  He was on the road this weekend picking up a few extra flight hours.  It’s nice to have him around again, although I didn’t think he was going to be home this early.  He told me he’d be home around 9, but instead he showed up about 5.  I didn’t really have anything planned for dinner since it was just me, so I whipped up some quick shrimp and some veggies and we chowed down.

I’m off to chill for a bit, I’m reading the second book in the Hunger Games Series, Catching Fire, I couldn’t put the first book down and this one is shaping up to be more of the same.  Now if I can just get Jamie to stop playing Angry Birds, we might have a peaceful little night

Night Y’all. Sweet Dreams.

So I know that it’s a little bit Facebookish, but I think it’s a great way to learn some odd ball things so here it goes anyway…

1. I regret getting my ears pierced for the second time.  When I was 13 it was all I could think about, and now I cringe when I see that second hole.

2. Even though I LOVE Mizzou, and I am so proud to have graduated from there, I covet an Aggie Ring.

3. I love trashy reality TV, I know I shouldn’t but I do, get over it.

4. I have always had a thing for redheads, so when I hooked Jamie I was ecstatic!

5. Flight School was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

6. I read to escape, I love a great book more than any other form of entertainment.

7. I’ve owned Jackson (a horse) since before he was born.  I bought him in utero and made my mother drive me from Missouri to Louisiana the day he was born.

8. I gave the best dog I have ever had the pleasure of training to my dad when I went to flight school, and while I would love to have her back, I’m thankful every day that’s she’s there to keep him company.

9. I don’t read magazines.  I look at the pictures then I’m over it.

10. I have the worst temper, but I have worked very hard to overcome that need to freak out.

11. I am neurotic about my house.  My mom said it started when I left for college.  I think it’s my way of dealing with stress.  Plus who doesn’t like a clean, organized house.

12. I love my Camelback water bottle!

13. I’ve always wanted to be a vet.  I’ve done everything but that, but I’m going to go back to school for it one day.

14. Ice Cream is my weakness.  I can give up everything but that.

15. I’m jealous that my younger sister bought a house before I did.  But she lives in North Dakota and I live in California…

16. Up until I got married I had almost exclusively male friends, but now I’d say I’m closer to 50/50.

17. Fall is my favorite season.  Not seeing the trees change is what breaks my heart the most about living in Southern California.

18.  Turns out I actually enjoy cooking.  I’ve learned a lot in the last two years.

19. I love cowboy boots!  My newest obsession is Caiman skin, Lucchese Boot Company makes a beautiful pair!

20. I can’t understand why people go on Cruises, being trapped on a boat with all those other people gives me the creeps.  That being said I am stuck on a huge boat for 7 months at a time for work

21. My dream job would be to work in embryo transfer with cattle or horses.

22. Colonial Candle Company’s Creme Brulee Candle is the best kitchen candle of all time.  I despise vanilla candles but this one really is delightful!

23. I’ve worn Victoria’s Secret Pink perfume since my freshmen year of college.  I’ve tried to find a new scent but I always end up going back to old faithful.

24. My parents are the most impressive people I know, 30+ years of marriage and still going strong.  I can only hope that Jamie and I can make them proud.

25. I hated the fact that I had curly hair as a kid, now I can’t imagine myself without it.

Tell me something random about you!

Here it is… the obligatory “here I am, new to the blog world” post.

So Hey, Welcome to The Dirt Road Dreamer!  I’m Sarah and I’ve been reading tons of blogs for awhile now and I figured it was about time to make one that fits me.  I read a fairly interesting composition of blogs; from healthy living blogs, to workout blogs, equine blogs, foodie blogs, photography blogs, and few in between.  And the great news is that I LOVE them all.  I’ve learned so much about people and I have really been able to hone different parts of my life through reading other people’s blogs.

This blog will be a mis-mash of all the other blogs I read.  I want to talk about food and working out, but I also want to touch on my horses, my 4-H kids, and my attempted blend of the country lifestyle with the big city.   I hope you’ll enjoy!

I can be reached at thedirtroaddreamer@gmail.com