[Slow Cooker] Pork Carnitas

No doubt, this year has brought about a lot of changes. Some have been a breeze, and others have taken their sweet time. Matt and I love our new home. There are so many outdoorsy things that he loves doing that I get to tag along for--hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. My work/life balance, however, has been more like WORK/life. I knew coming to a new place and starting at a new school with new standards would be challenging, so I had told myself that now would be the time to devote as much time as was needed to my work. Matt would be working hard at school and we don't have children (don't tell Avery), so I could spend time making my lessons/classroom/teaching practices perfect. Perfect? Really? No matter how much preparation goes into any of it, these kiddos I teach are twelve and thirteen. There is no perfect, and in fact, imperfection gets us much further in our classroom.

Recently, I made a decision to alter my work/life to be better for me. I said that "I made a decision," when really, I know the Lord nudged me (or shook me) and reminded me to take care of myself. I am back to working out 5-6 days a week, cooking healthy meals that I am proud to share, and I still feel like I am devoting the time needed to my students and my classroom. And hopefully, all of this will show back up on the blog.

For now, I am going to stop talking about me and start talking about a fantastic new [slow cooker] recipe that is sure to have you going for seconds (or thirds if you're anything like my hubby). This weekend was the start of my Spring Break, so today was all about playing. We were in and out of the house all day. Many people feel that slow cooker recipes are best for days when you are at work for long hours, and I completely agree, however, I am all for those recipes even on the days you are home... like today. I LOVED being able to start dinner around 11am, and do nothing about it until it was time to eat dinner. I know you clicked on the link for the recipe, so I'll stop blabbing and get to it.

Pork Carnitas
For the Pork:
Ingredients:
-2 T chili powder
-2 t cumin
-1 t ground coriander
-1 t onion powder
-1 t garlic powder
-1 t sea salt
-1 t oregano
-Pork loin (about 3 pounds)
-1 1/2 cup water
-Bay leaf
Directions: 
Mix all of the spices (first seven ingredients) together in a bowl. Rub down the entire pork loin and place in the slow cooker. Pour in water and place bay leaf inside. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. When the pork is finished cooking, it should shred easily with two forks. I like to shred mine fully and then leave the meat in the juices for a little while longer before serving (just while I'm putting together the rest of the meal).

For the Avocado Cilantro Topping:
Ingredients:
-1/2 of an avocado
-1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
-1/2 cup water
-1 cup cilantro (leaves and stems)
-1 clove garlic
-1/2 t salt
-Juice from half a lime (or more)
Directions:
Pulse all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.

For the Carnitas:
Ingredients:
-Corn tortillas
-1 can Black beans (drained and rinsed)
-Romain lettuce
-Roma tomato (diced)
-Avocado (diced)
-Cheddar cheese (shredded)
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray both sides of tortillas with cooking spray and place tortillas on a baking sheet. Cook for about 8 minutes, flipping them over at about 4 minutes. I usually heat up the black beans on the stove for a few minutes, but you can omit this if you want. The rest of the ingredients are just for toppings. Feel free to add or take away any ingredients.

This may seem like a lot of directions, but it really does not take long at all. You can make the dressing ahead of time or while your tortillas are heating up. Put them together for your family/guests or have everything spread out on the counter and serve buffet-style (my favorite)!

Enjoy! Let me know if you try it!

Anticipating Christmas

Christmas time starts early for us, but not too early. We give Thanksgiving the whole month of November, but come December 1st, it begins to look a lot like Christmas around our house. There is truly nothing like the Christmas season. I spent that first week of December changing out our fall and Thanksgiving decorations for our Christmas ones. My hubby was so proud of me for going up to the attic myself to get everything down. He met me at the bottom of the attic steps, though, just in case. Since I could only decorate for a short time in the evenings, it took a few days. Also, we were missing something kind of huge.. a Christmas tree. Our old tree was a beautiful, wide, and full 8-foot artificial tree that took up way too much storage space, so I sadly parted with it (but kept it in the family), and decided we could get a real one this year (being in North Carolina and all). The fact that we would be gone for two weeks and a real tree being in our house, unattended, began to get to me a little, and when my mom told me about a smaller 6-foot, PRE-LIT, tree from Target for FORTY EIGHT DOLLARS, I was on it.

The first weekend of December was go time. We had a pretty fun weekend planned, actually. Some friends of Matt's from the Corps of Cadets were in town, and one even stayed with us a few nights. We love seeing people from home. It definitely does the heart good. They came over Friday night (pictured above), but then had plans for the rest of the weekend.

Our Saturday was booked with us having our Christmas card photo taken in the morning, and then... my hunting trip for our tree. Did I mention it was on sale for $48? I looked online to ensure that the Target closest to us had said tree, and the website claimed it did. However, this was not the case once there. No big deal, Target's awesome customer service called the next closest store (25 minutes away... I was determined) to have them put one on hold for me. This was me, fueled up with Spark after leaving the first Target on my way to Target #2.

And then this is me leaving Target #2 with only my tree my tree and lots of other things I needed that caught my eye. Oh good grief, you try going into Target during Christmas time at any time of the year! I found a new doormat I didn't need. Seriously, I already had one that looked like Santa Claus, but I couldn't pass up this poinsettia one. I LOVE poinsettias. I also got some new wrapping paper. I actually did need wrapping paper. I like to buy one roll (sometimes ends up being two) and wrap all presents in the same paper. To me, it makes family Christmases easier. Or maybe, it's my undiagnosed OCD. Honestly, I can't remember what was in the bag. I'm sure it was full of very non-important but Christmas-y (making them important) things! Okay, I admit... I have Target has a problem.

When I got home, I got to it. The tree went up, and it was just as sweet as the sale price! The tree was perfect, and I was so happy with how it turned out. And if I say so myself, the doormat was not a bad purchase either!

       

      
















Okay, and one more, because I added a filter and put my dog in a Christmas sweater... how cute is she?!

In the weeks leading up to Christmas break, Matt was recruiting for jobs, so he was traveling quite a bit, which left Aves and me at home, dreaming of Christmas and trying to stay focused on work. We watched a lot of Christmas movies. One good thing about grading papers is that it is very easy to multitask. Lifetime and Hallmark Channel, thank you for being here in December.

Seriously, we snuggled up on the couch in our buffalo-check patterned PJs a lot and watched Christmas movies. Who knew there were so many! (Christmas movies, not buffalo-check, but I guess that, too)

Since moving to North Carolina, work has taken up a lot of my time. Recently, though, I joined a Cookbook Club, in which each month, we meet at someone's house, having all cooked a dish from the same cookbook. It is somewhat of a potluck dinner, only all of the recipes come from the same book. I've loved it. We have only had two meetings, one in November and one in December, which I hosted. We cooked from one of my favorite cookbooks (one Matt gave me for Christmas in 2014) Skinny Taste.

I loved getting to host new friends and enjoy great food and great conversation around our dining room table. 

When the time did finally come for the holiday break, I was ready. Starting all of the Christmas-y stuff on the 1st definitely has its perks and definitely brings with it anticipation. On the last day of school before the break, we busted out our tacky Christmas sweaters and sent the kiddos off in style!

Thanksgiving

Let me begin by saying that I should be grading projects. I've done literally anything BUT grade those darn things today. #YOLO am I right?

Y'all, the holiday season is awesome. Seriously, the best. It starts with Thanksgiving. I L-O-V-E Thanksgiving. This year was a very special Thanksgiving because family came to us in North Carolina rather than us having to travel to Texas. I know I'm a couple of holidays behind, but this semester has been crazy (isn't it always?!), and I am just getting to it... don't judge.

Right before the Thanksgiving holiday, the last of mine and Matt's siblings got his Aggie ring. This is a big deal to us Texas A&M people. Some say bigger than graduation day. We were so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. Unfortunately, I could not take off of work (so goes the teaching profession) and therefore celebrated from NC with Avery, but Matt was able to fly down for the occassion and got to see his brothers and our sister-in-law and dad. I was so happy he could be there. Is that not the studly-est looking bunch? Shout out to the cutie pie on the left!


 Pretty much the whole month of November was dedicated to school and getting ready for Thanksgiving company. The two ran together a little bit, too. Here is a Color by Number I assigned to my students before the holiday break. They loved it! Even though it was solving equations, you have them color it, and all of a sudden, they can't wait to get their hands on it. I also changed our kitchen chalkboard to a verse of thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for, it seemed like a great daily reminder.
            
















The first to arrive in North Carolina was my mom. She came early to help get everything ready and grocery shop but also just to be here. It was so fun having her here for a few days before everyone else got here.

The next to arrive were my brother and sister-in-law (with my soon to be born niece or nephew!) and her family, as well as Matt's brother and his girlfriend. So many people that we love all in one place! We took them to one of our favorite lunch spots, and later, some of the group even got to enjoy a Duke basketball game. Here are the Cameron Crazies in Cameron Indoor.

I stayed back with my mom to pick up these two goofballs from the airport--my dad and sister. They didn't arrive until Wednesday night, but we soaked up all the time we had together.

On Thanksgiving Day, my mom, sister, and I were in the kitchen most of the morning. My mom is pretty much a professional when it comes to holiday meals and even created a timeline of when things would go into the oven, etc. Think we are related? Yes. That afternoon, we indulged an abundance of great food, football, and family time. After lunch, we went on campus to explore the Sarah P. Duke Gardens and took some pictures (some of which ended up on Christmas cards this year).
          
















That night, many of the ladies took to the streets mall and braved the Black Friday shopping while the others went to see a movie.

The following day was spent trail hiking, showing family around our new city and the beautiful Duke campus, and again just enjoying the company. That night, we went to The Angus Barn, a Raleigh icon, that serves some of the finest steaks and seafood in the Triangle. It really was an experience. It was decorated for Christmas already and was such a wonderful atmosphere. We even took a tour of the wine cellar and kitchen.

      

     
















While we were waiting to be seated, we took pictures by the Christmas tree. If you look closely, you can see a little elf who was sitting in the tree. On the right, the boys checking out the cigar collection after dinner.

All too soon, the week was over and everyone had to go back home. We didn't get to see all of our family, but we cherish the times that we get to see any of them, especially since being so far away now. Once Thanksgiving was over, it was time to finish out the first semester strong and begin to get ready for Christmas. December was upon us!

Veterans' Day

Today is my first Veterans' Day holiday off of work. In the past, we have had school on Veterans' Day. We always had an assembly that brought me to tears every year. The assembly was to honor veterans, specifically family members and loved ones of students and teachers who had served our country that were able to attend the assembly.

Last year, I proudly invited my grandfather to be an honored guest at the assembly. He served in the U.S. Air Force in the 1940's. This year, I'm thanking my favorite veteran from another state and from home, giving me the time to write about it. This man right here, he is the best. He doesn't think of himself as any sort of hero, but man oh man, he has a passion for the Lord like no other and will always be a hero to me.

Life in Durham

Hubby and I started school back in August. As you may know, there is a lot of newness in our life right now. We each just finished our first quarter of school a couple of weeks ago, and we are already deep into the busy-ness of Q2. Last week was my last full week of teaching before we come back from Thanksgiving break. We had a field trip and Veterans' Day this week, and have a half day next week with assemblies during the day, and then all of a sudden, it's Thanksgiving week. How does that happen? How does time just fly by like that? Wasn't it just August?

August

August was full of things like getting our new house in order. We are renting, so we didn't get to have to paint or anything crazy, but I was definitely in full nest-mode. Target is just around the corner, which is just plain dangerous.

Being in a new place, I had to get all new ID cards. In my first two weeks here, I got a new NC driver's license (that is still hard to get used to), a new teacher's ID through my new school district (or what I like to call my "teacher's discount proof"), and a spouse ID card through the university.  If that wasn't newness enough, I stepped into a brand new school with an empty canvas of a classroom. I will have to do a later post to update on all that has gone on at school and with the setup of my classroom. Starting from scratch in a new classroom definitely has its pros and cons. 

    

      
















And, of course, how could I forget those fun, college theme-parties that kept us out too late. During Orientation, the students throw themed parties for everyone to get to know each other. The first one we went to was a 90's party, and we went as Squints Palledorous and Wendy Peffercorn from The Sandlot, one of my favorite movies. The second one was a nerd party, and we grabbed a couple of my math teacher shirts, our fanny packs, threw on our glasses, and called it a nerd costume.

And at the end of August, we both had our first days of school--the true beginning to this new chapter in our lives. [pictured with our mascot, both the bluedevil and the bulldog]

September

With the month of September, came a bit more normalcy but also more new. We have now been "Food Truck Rodeo" attendees. Not that Houston wasn't, but we now live in a very "foodie" city, which we have been loving! I am still cooking on weeknights, but it has made exploring our new city so fun to try all of the new [and delicious] restaurants! We also have a new football team to cheer for. I'm not going to lie, being in blue was a little weird my first game. I've never cheered for a royal blue team before. I don't hate it, if I'm being honest.

    











I also have this other football team I've been cheering for... hubs is playing on a flag football team. Did I mention he is living the college life right now? No, it is definitely not all play, even if it seems like it. Poor guy works his booty off, and he definitely deserves a little flag football time. Avery LOVES sleeping through watching his games! 

September also brought our first visitor from home. Casey, husband of my good friend Caitlyn at Our Schaefer Stories, was in town for work for one day and came to have dinner with us. We LOVE the Schaefers, and we loved getting to spend time with him, even if for just a couple of hours.

The last thing that September brought was my first trip back to Texas. :) I left on a Friday after school, was picked up at the airport by my mom and sister, and it was non-stop family-time the whole weekend. It was awesome! It was a perfect way to celebrate my birthday a little early.

October

October was an interesting month here, for many reasons. One of those was the weird weather that seemed very familiar. It was anywhere from 38 degrees to 85 degrees on any given day. It also rained about 36 out of the 31 days. Yes, I teach math, and yes, I feel like that's what happened. I have worn my rain boots more in the last month than I have worn rain boots in my life... I think. However, October did bring the fall season. I truly love this season and all that it brings. It brings my favorite clothes; it brings cooler weather; it brings out the most beautiful colors in God's creation; and it brings my favorite holidays. We have family coming to visit for Thanksgiving, and I can hardly stand to wait!

Matt participated in one of Duke University's great traditions--he camped out with more than 800 other graduate students in an attempt to be drawn in a lottery for a season ticket to Duke basketball games this season. Well, he got one! He was thrilled, and he even took me to their pre-season opener. It was our first time in Cameron Stadium. I can't even imagine what it's like for a Duke v. UNC game. Wow-EE!

In the middle of October, we took a second trip to Texas. The trip was planned so that Matt could start recruiting for a summer internship during his fall break. I just tagged along, especially since it was his birthday! I left a day early, knowing that I would have to come back really early to go back to school. I did not have the week off like he did. Being there early gave me time to spend with my mom and sister at the Aggie game. I loved being back in College Station for a day! 

We celebrated Matt's birthday the next day with a lunch at my parents' house with some more family. He has been working so hard all semester, I was hoping he could just relax for a few days. It never ceases to amaze me how driven and motivated he is.

November has already been a great month, and I think the rain may have actually stopped for a while. We have so much that we are looking forward to this and next months. I can't wait!

Things Kids Say

49 days in, ladies and gentlemen. I officially consider it not the beginning of the school year anymore.

I have learned, in my ~3.272 years of experience, kids are inquisitive honest. Sometimes, kids are too inquisitive honest. I've never experienced more of this from children than this year.

"Mrs. Bormann, why are your earrings so weird?"

"Mrs. Bormann, the zipper on your shirt is too big."

"Mrs. Bormann, why did you cut your hair? I liked it better long."

I remember judging taking note of one of my HS science teacher's clothes one year. He seemed to cycle through the same shirts very often. Too often, I thought at the time. I apologize for doing that. Poor guy, he was just trying to keep it simple.

A couple of weeks ago, one of the best "things kids say" moments happened. I will not be able to do the moment justice, but I am going to give it a try.

A student in my last class of the day likes to write notes on my white board to my 1st period for the following day. One Tuesday afternoon, right before the end-of-school bell rang, she began writing her note to my 1st period for the following morning, "Happy Wensday!" When I saw it, I tried to enunciate the word for her, "WED-NES-DAY," in an attempt to remind her it is spelled differently than most people say it, to which, she responded, "huh?" I said to her, "remember, it's actually spelled, "WED-NES-DAY," sounding it out again. So, she proceded to fix the spelling. I began working on something else, partially forgetting what had just happened, when she says, "Mrs. Bormann... [looking puzzled] ... when did they change it?"

... "sweet girl, they haven't."

#middleschool

Happy Monday, my friends!