Girls Nite Out

The four of us girls had a long overdue visit with each other this past weekend. The last time we got together was in October, and we learned the oh so exciting news that Cambria and Brandon are expecting their first child!

This time we meet in Raleigh and spent our weekend together. We went to The Village Deli and enjoyed a delicious lunch before heading to get our toes done. All 4 of us were pretty embarrassed at how terrible our toes looked, but with a foot scrub, filing, leg massage, and nail polish our feet once again looked beautiful. I love getting pedicures, however getting them with your best friends just make it so much more enjoyable.

We went to dinner at this WONDERFUL restaurant in Raleigh, Hayes Barton. Once we walked in we spotted the desert case, and we knew we were in trouble. The wine was delicious, food was outstanding, conversation sweet, decor from WWII, and a very friendly wait staff. Thanks Mer for suggesting this place. We were so full after dinner that we got our dessert to go.

Once we got home we settled into our comfy clothes, opened a bottle of wine, and devoured our desserts. We had an amazing time together. No matter how long it has been since we've been together we always just pick back up from where we left off. I am going to do a blog on friends soon. Keep an eye out for it:)

Cambria opening her sparkling grape juice, and I am opening the wine:)

Key lime tart(above). Carrot cake (below).

Thursday Nite Sushi

Every other Thursday night Scott and I meet Ash and Trent at Sogo for sushi that is 1/2 price! While the wait can sometimes be a bear the company and the sushi make it all worth the wait. This past Thursday our Mom was in town and was able to join us for dinner. I didn't get any pictures of us but I did take a few of some of our specialty rolls. California and Philly roll always look the same.
Already looking forward to next Thursday.

Burrito Bowl

Scott ate lunch with coworkers at Chiptole and came back telling me about these burrito bowls. I thought it sounded delicious and something I could easily make at home. I used brown rice, 1 can of black beans, ground beef with hot & spicy taco seasoning, salsa, sour cream, and a sliced avocado. I bought wheat tortillas and made quesadillas to go along with the bowls. This dinner was delish and so simple.

By the way these made excellent quesadillas for Saturdays lunch.

2nd race

I am running my second race and this time it is a 10k (6.2 miles). My very very dear friend Whitney and her sister, and myself are running the Cooper River Bridge Run April 2. The boys plan on drinking beer while the ladies conquer the bridge. I am really excited about this race and so happy to have a friend to run it with. I just wish we lived closer together so I could have a running buddy.

While I am feeling a little frustrated due to a pulled/strained groin muscle, I hope to be back and training next week. I have GIVEN into this pain and continue to nurse my leg with anti-inflamatories, ice, and heat. I am hoping this won't lead to a dr. visit. I have become quite ill with not being able to run:( God is most defiantly working on my patience right now.

Have a happy Saturday and stay warm. I will continue to numb my leg with ice:)

How sweet it is

Sometimes the simplest things make you smile and make you realize how blessed your life is. I was busy doing my own thing and happen to look over at the sofa and this is what I see:) How sweet is this? We really don't like the dogs being on the furniture, but they look so sweet and comfortable relaxing with their dad I couldn't say anything. I love these 3!

Must have Monday

I have listed 3 items that have become must have items. I have just discovered all 3 within the past week and am so excited about them I wanted to share them with you.

First, Acorn house shoes. I have the same genes that my Nana had. Our hands and feet are always freezing. I will never forget always seeing my Nana in her blue house shoes with a matching robe in the winter time. Also anytime she would touch us her hands were freezing. I always remember thinking couldn't she just warm her hands up before she touched our bare skin? Well I now I know that they were never really going to be warm unless she wore mittens all the time. I have tried numerous different types of house shoes, but didn't find one that really kept my feet warm. I was looking for a few crucial things when purchasing a new pair of house shoes. They needed to cover my heels, be comfortable, have a sole that I could wear outdoors, hold up for many winter seasons, and not too expensive. I was able to find all of this in these new house shoes. Once I found these and the clearance price I knew they were worth a try. I am thrilled with them and wear them around the house all the time:)

Second, Garmin forerunner 305. I found this watch while reading some runners blogs. While this watch seemed really expensive I still really wanted it. The current watch I use now is never accurate on distance, and doesn't keep my time. So my sweet husband ordered this watch for me. He knew I would keep looking at it and talking about it, but never purchase it. This watch came with a heart rate monitor so I can see where my heart rate is while running. Also, this watch has a GPS in it which keeps my distance accurate. I can plug it in my computer and it will show me a map of where I just ran, it shows my race pace, timed mile, and so much more! If you love to run and enjoy running outdoors then I would without a doubt recommend this watch. Pictured watch and heart rate monitor.

Third, electronic toothbrush. I am a bit of an aggressive brusher. My toothbrushes never last longer than 1 month, because I have chiseled the bristles down to nothing. I never felt like my teeth were clean enough. I decided that I might want to give the electric toothbrush a shot. I just ran to Target to find one and was overwhelmed by the number of choices. The prices range from $69.99 to $189.99. For a toothbrush?:/ I then found an oral b for about $26. I decided before I dropped a ton of money on a toothbrush I would give the cheaper one a shot. I love this brush. I bought the one the "flosses" while it brushes. After brushing my teeth I feel like I have just left the dentist office. It also has a 2 minute timer to let me know when I have brushed for the proper amount of time. After having the timer I am pretty sure I never really brushed for 2 minutes. Opps. If you are in the market for a new toothbrush I would think about switching to an electric toothbrush.

What are some of your new favorite finds?

Greek Mac and Cheese

We feel in love with this mac and cheese at a friend's Christmas party. They generously passed on the recipe. I have made it twice. First time with cheddar cheese and it was a crowd pleaser. The second time I used goat cheese and mozzarella. I also sautéed an onion and mushrooms. Then added sun dried tomatoes and spinach to the mix. This meal was perfect for a cold day.

16 Oz. uncooked medium whole wheat shells

½ cup butter or margarine

1/3 cup all purpose flour

2 cups milk

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

5 oz of goat cheese

1 – 12 oz. container small curd cottage cheese

2 large eggs – slightly beaten

1 tsp. salt

½ cup dry breadcrumbs

1 tsp greek seasoning

Filling:

1 small onion

1 package of sliced baby bella mushrooms

1 package of sun dried tomatoes sliced

1 bag of fresh spinach

Cook pasta according to package directions – drain

Melt butter in dutch oven over low heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook 1 minute, whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in milk – cook over low heat – whisk until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and the next three ingredients. Stir into pasta.

Sauté onion and mushrooms in olive oil until tender. Remove from heat add to macaroni once prepared. Mix in spinach and tomatoes.

Spoon mixture into lightly greased 9 x 13 dish. Top with remaining 1 cup shredded cheese. Combine breadcrumbs and seasoning and sprinkle over top layer of cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25-30 minutes

Makes 10-12 servings

ENJOY!!

Thanks Brooks' for sharing this recipe.

Snow day eats

In a Cooking Light magazine I found a recipe for an italian beef stew. I thought no better day to make this then on a cold snowy day. Since we were home all day we were able to make this around lunch and put it in the crock pot and let the flavors come together. I was actually able to get Scott in the kitchen for this:) This stew was delicious and different from any other beef stew we have had. We took some over to our neighbors to enjoy. The wife is 6 months pregnant and was just put on bed rest. Please keep them in your prayers. They have an active 16 month old at home which makes it harder for bed rest.

Onion, garlic, and carrots(orange & yellow) sauteing.

Beef chunks salted, dredged in flour and then cooked.

Everything comes together in the crock pot.

Piping hot bowl of italian beef stew!

As an afternoon delight I made us hot chocolate with milk. There is nothing better than hot chocolate made with milk. It is richer, chocolatier, and more filling.

A timely process to heat milk while not burning it.

But completely worth the time. 2 cups of delicious hot chocolate.

I used my old camera today in the kitchen and really could tell a difference.

What is your favorite thing to do, eat, and/or drink on your snow day?

Snow day

Monday morning we woke up to snow! While this was not what I wanted it was absolutely beautiful. Scott and I took the dogs out to go to the bathroom and we were shocked by their reaction to the snow. Typically they hate snow, cold, and rain. However this time they ran around chasing each other and Coby liked putting his face down in the snow.

Scott had to chase down Trixy. She was having a little too much fun.

Our Kids

As you know we have 2 very furry children. With our hair types who could be surprised that our kids would have anything but a lot of hair:)

Coby will be 8 years old in March. I adopted this cute little guy right out of college. My mom and Scott used to kid with me saying he was an impulse purchase, while I still know they are wrong he is the best purchase I ever made! He is a chocolate cocker spaniel with the most loving personality. Scott and I joke around that if he could talk he would be a suffer dude. He loves attention, getting scratched, running after his tennis ball, eating bones, giving kisses, and sitting in your lap. He is sweet with kids and loves everyone.

Trixy will be 4 years old in April. While this little 5 pound maltese was my idea, her favorite person is her father. Trixy is high and mighty. She thinks she runs the household and is in LOVE with her brother. We aren't sure what she will do when something happens to Coby. She has anxiety separation from her big brother. Trixy also loves me but we have recently discovered her love for males. When our friends come over she gravitates to the guys. Trixy loves her big brother, giving kisses on noses, being picked up, running around in circles, playing with Coby, and chewing on her stuffed animals. She is a spunky little dog, but so sweet.

I've been on a Roll

I have gotten back into cooking again. For the past year I had stopped with my "gourmet meals," but now I am back at it in the kitchen. I blame our extremely small kitchen for my lack of enthusiasm in the kitchen lately. However, I decided that I better suck it up and get back in the kitchen. I love cooking! Growing up my mom would always let her help cook or bake. I credit mine and my sisters love for cooking to my mom.

When I am in the kitchen cooking, I literally do not think about anything other than cooking. It is sort of therapeutic for me. Thanks to my wonderful husband who cleans while/after I cook. I must say that my messes while cooking have become quite minimal to what I used to create. I know Scott thanks me for this, however, usually he doesn't complain as long as I am cooking the meals. Below are some of our previous meals over the past couple of weeks. Yes these are all homemade.

Edamame...A favorite snack food for us while dinner is cooking.

Filet mignon topped with blue cheese dip and a side of vegetables.

Traditional New Years Day meal.

Black eyed peas= good luck

(Spinach) Greens= wealth

(Pork chops with cooked pears) Pork= health

cornbread= carbs:)

Asian style crab cakes with remoulade sauce.

A side of spicy baked cayenne sweet potato fries:)

Skiing in the New Year!

Since 2005 we have spent NYE with our dear friends Geoff and Whit. This year we headed up to Sugar Mtn. With all of the early snow Boone has received we couldn't miss the opportunity for some great skiing. For the first part of the day Scott and Geoff headed off on the big boy slopes while Whit and I started on the green slopes. We hadn't skied in a while, and we weren't as confident as the boys. Half way thru the day we met up with the boys and relaxed in the lodge with a beverage before hitting the slopes together. Luckily, skiing is like riding a bike, you never forget how to do it.

After skiing we went back to the cabin and got ready for dinner at a new tapas restaurant in Boone, Crave. This restaurant is a must try if you are looking for a new place to eat in Boone. We were seated in our own booth in our own little part of the restaurant. We split a bottle of wine and enjoyed sharing our tapas' with one another. We were able to order the food as we wanted it, and didn't have to order it all up front. This kept us from over eating. Our dinner lasted about 2.5 hours, but we had a great time with wonderful friends and excellent food. We made it just in time to change clothes, ring in the new year, and then hit bed. We were exhausted after a day of skiing.

Happy New Years!

View from the bottom of the mountain.

Scott and I at the top of the mtn. getting ready for our last run of the day.

Geoff, Whit, myself, and Scott at Crave.

Whit's delicious smoked salmon.

The girls opted for the chocolat del fuego as our dessert.

It had a hint of cayenne pepper for heat!

This did NOT disappoint.

Shift Adoption

We have some friends that are in the process of adopting their first child from South Korea. Kate and Andy are raising money for the adoption. Check out their blog. We got our nieces and nephew each a piggy bank for Christmas. The kids where thrilled with their banks. Below are the piggy banks we got for the girls. Side note....Kate and Andy are painting all of these piggy banks. Kate has been blessed with a talent that she is able to use to help bring home their first child.

Favorite top 10 finds in 2010

These are in no particular order. Some of these are shared between Scott and I and some are just mine.

1. Fat Tire New Belgium Ale

2. Loreal Everpure....Rosemary Mint much cheaper version of Aveda.

3. www.skinnytaste.com.... delicious recipes that are made skinny.

4. Running....So I realized if I put my mind to something I can achieve it. Still working on Scott to run with me longer.

5. Chardonnay....I have been a red wine girl for years, but recently have been really into chardonnay.

6. The Snack Factory buffalo pretzel crisps....These can be found in the produce section in grocery stores.

7. www.etsy.com...Great website for eclectic finds....I also have a talented former student that has her own store on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Kristieanne8792

8. Cycling....some gyms refer to as spinning...I tried it this summer and have been hooked ever since. I feel like I could conquer anything after a great class.

9. Organic milk...Since Scott doesn't drink milk a plus to this is that it keeps so much longer!...also I haven't been having stomach issues as much after switching.

10. Trader Joe's....Love this inexpensive organic food store. We now make a weekly trip to do our grocery shopping there.