Wednesday, May 30, 2012

jamaican me crazy

jared and i spent an entire week in paradise a couple of weeks ago to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. we stayed at couples - tower isle in ocho rios, jamaica.  it was an all-inclusive resort which is nice because we didn't have any expenses once we got there. 

we spent our days in the shade due to the fact that the first day we got burnt to a crisp, reading, playing with the ipad and relaxing. i managed to get through three and a half books and nine magazines. i would love to get that much reading done every week.   we also went snorkeling a couple times, which was so much fun.  i had never done anything like that before and thought it was so cool seeing the fish and reefs up close and personal.  we ended the week with a massage outside under the stars.

the food was fantastic.  we ate breakfast every day at the buffet. i would get the same thing -- a bananarama smoothie, poached egg, two pieces of bacon and an english muffin. for lunch we would chill out at the veggie bar.  all the food was fresh and they had a great variety light options. dinner was fantastic, the restaurant had a ton of options including the catch of the day which was always snapper.  the best restaurant hands down was "8 rivers."  the quality of food was insane and the meal we got there would cost us easily $125 here.

an added bonus to the trip, we flew through charlotte airport and i stumbled upon a pinkberry.  it was pure bliss.  while the frozen yogurt shops are multiplying here in WDM, nothing compares to the original pinkberry.  the airport also had rocking chairs with big windows that you could stare out, for one moment i felt like i was in a nicholas sparks book.  this airport quickly moved up to the number one spot on my list.

it was a wonderful trip and i am super grateful that we had the opportunity to travel and spend the week together.

ya mon.







Tuesday, May 29, 2012

herb planter

check out my new outdoor herb planter!



pretty jazzed about this. last year i had all my herbs lined up in little pots on the deck and the rabbits and squinnies would occasionally get to them but no longer.  i saw this idea on pinterest and talked my dad and jared into helping me pull it off.  and we got all the materials at lowe's for less than $35.00.

in it i have a few different flowers and the following herbs:
parsley
cilantro
basil
tarragon
rosemary
thyme

i just love spring! 



Monday, May 28, 2012

weekly menu posting

sunday: bravo -- i had a coupon for $15 off and it had been years since we dined at bravo.  i thought it was just okay and it didn't make me want to rush back. i got the bravo chopped side salad and thought it was overdressed and for my entree i got the margherita pizza and didn't love the crust.

monday: bbq at the sievers' residence -- what better way to spend memorial day than with friends and a bbq.  the food was phenom and the company was even better. they grilled up some steak and veggies along with cheesy potatoes and some melon.

tuesday: key west grilled chicken, grilled peppers and cilantro lime rice -- this was on the menu last weekend but due to the craziness prepping to be gone for the weekend, it just didn't happen so here it is again this week.

wednesday: slow cooker green chili pork tacos -- it's been awhile since i've had the slow cooker out, ready to have dinner on the table when we get home from work.

thursday: lemony pesto pasta with edamame and almonds -- not only is this recipe super healthy it also only has six ingredients.

friday/saturday: out of town -- my cousin amanda is getting married so we are headed home to celebrate with them. 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

weekly menu posting

things are starting to get crazy, sorry for the delay in the menu posting and lack of blogging lately.  hopefully i'll get back into a routine sooner than later, i feel like i'm running around with my head cut off.  some days i wish i had an extra three hours in the day.


sunday: bbq with nic -- she brought the burgers and i made pasta salad and baked beans.

monday: cheesecake factory -- nic and i had dinner one last time with miss leslie bauman.

tuesday: leftovers -- i had originally planned on a grilled chicken dish but after getting home and opening the fridge it was hard to make a meal when leftovers were plentiful. 

wednesday: bbq with our life group -- our small group from church is coming over for dinner and we're grilling out.  jared and i are grilling up hamburgers and hot dogs while everyone else is bringing a side dish to share.  i just love this time of year.

thursday: key west chicken, grilled peppers and cilantro lime rice -- can't wait for this meal, all of my favorite flavors on one plate.

friday/saturday: out of town -- we're attending wedding festivities for the future mr. and mrs. murphy! woo hoo!

Monday, May 14, 2012

weekly menu posting

after a week of vacation, we're now back to reality which means cooking at home (which i'm actually excited about.) here is our latest menu, enjoy!

sunday: grilled burgers, spicy sweet potato wedges with creamy chive dipping sauce and roasted brussels sprouts -- it was perfect weather to gas up the grill and enjoy some delish burgers and wonderful sides.

monday: west coast grilled veggie pizza -- we decided just to throw this in the oven instead of using the grill, super good but not great for having leftovers, the spinach had started to wilt.

tuesday: spring pea-pesto -- i love peas and pesto, how can you go wrong? don't worry NH or mom, i won't try this recipe out on you.

wednesday: lemon poppy seed chicken -- one of my favorites, thanks to my friend cal.

thursday:  "big salad" with spicy grilled shrimp skewers -- i thought a salad sounded good so jared and i are each going to pick ingredients until we get a big salad, along with a side of shrimp.

friday: dinner out -- location tba, my family is in town so we will let them pick what sounds good

saturday: skillet lasagna -- we had this not too long ago and i really liked it, much quicker than traditional lasagna.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

thinking ahead

as we are starting to prepare for vacation i started to think ahead. i don't know about you but every time i'm on a plane as the treat cart goes by, i can't resist.
 i'm a sucker for a snack and i end up spending $5 for a tiny bag of chips.  well not this time, i bought some treats ahead of time and packaged them myself.  so for five bucks, i was able to buy an entire box of cheez-its and a package of fudge stripe cookies.

dave ramsey would be proud. 


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

the perfect margarita : recipe recap

the final product
i love a good margarita and after several attempts i think we finally found the perfect recipe. thought i would share just in time for cinco de mayo (which by the way from my experience, they don't celebrate in mexico.)

perfect margarita recipe:

4 ounces good-quality tequila (i use a white tequila)
1 1/2 ounces triple sec
3 ounces fresh-squeezed lime juice
2 to 3 ounces simple syrup (equal parts water & sugar boiled and cooled)
ice to your liking depending on if you want frozen or on the rocks
coarse salt for rimming the glass (if you choose.)
lime slice to garnish (even though i forgot it for my picture.)

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

#embarassing

on our way into work this morning we were listening to big ken and colleen and the topic of conversation was disgusting habits that people do even though they know they are socially unacceptable.  for example, 70% of people double dip. 

as we were pulling into the parking garage, they moved onto phone calls/texts from listeners giving examples of what they do.  the first person right off the bat says "i pee in pools."  i was absolutely disgusted and yelled in questioning fashion "i pee in pools?!?!"  i wasn't paying any attention to the fact that jared had already opened his car door and next thing you know you hear my voice echoing throughout the garage.

jared looked at me and said "sssh, people can hear you." 

oops...for the record i don't pee in pools and i still hate parking garages.