Class and Coffee

Class and Coffee moves to DaisyGirl

2011-03-07T05:47:00.001-05:00

HI BLOG!

I've really missed hanging out here and posting content, but over the last year-ish I've done a horrible job of just that. I'd like to get back into the blog world, but I've decided not to restart that adventure here. Due to some new phases in my life, the "class and coffee" title just didn't fit anymore. So, I've moved over to DaisyGirl Blog at sarahmckone.com/blog. Please feel free to stop by soon!

Your sad-to-be-leaving,
not-going-far, thankful-for-everything,
New Girl Blogger.

<3

Happy Summer! (almost summer? mine starts when school ends!)

2010-06-10T05:21:00.000-04:00

Hello, hello, little blog!

I’m sorry to have left you alone, but I just finished my semester, started my summer internships, blah, blah and—if you’ll forgive me—I would love to share.

The busiest semester of my life went well, and I’m glad because I think the final year of my master's program is going to be at about the same speed, if not a little faster. But that’s okay!

Normally, this is the part where I would tell you about the projects I’ve been working on (hoping that you’d forgive me for my absence with understanding), BUT I won’t do that today. Work is everywhere; why would you want to hear about work?

INSTEAD, how about I share the strictly non-work projects?

The herb garden: So I mentioned in the last post that Matt and I were moving. Well, we did! We love our new place. It’s a very… cozy apartment, and by that I of course mean that it’s too small. But it’s better priced, everything in it is newer, the community is better, the gym is cooler, the pool is nicer—it’s a winner, so the space thing is no biggie. Unfortunately, the smaller-scaled apartment comes with a smaller-scale porch. But no worries! There is a porch, and so I decided we needed herbs to “spice” up our life (ha! ‘lil parsley pun for ya). I don’t remember to water like I should but I’m getting better, so hopefully the little guys will last the summer. I mean, to call it a garden is a grand overstatement for sure... but I’ve got parsley, oregano, and sweet basil. Recipe ideas for fresh garden herbs, anyone?
Kitchen Adventures: I’ve really been trying lately, and a year of screwing up food is really starting to pay off. This week I made a really good beef stew, all month I’ve been experimenting with scones (sooo good for those summer strawberries), I’m trying to perfect the chicken salad (I’m finding lemon juice can really lighten the mayonnaise, scallions and crushed red pepper add subtle taste differences, and walnuts really add a lot of fun texture to the dish. Any other ideas?), and I am determined to bake more pies. I made my stepmom a Key Lime Pie for Mother’s Day and she swears it was a winner. So I’m going to keep on with that and then maybe graduate to a couple others… with Joy of Cooking's help, of course.
Bowling: We have officially joined a bowling league, and now make up half of the “Raleigh Cannonballers” team. Every Tuesday, I amaze Matt by slowly improving my 72 average… luckily, the league is based on handicap scores, so as long as I continuously improve, our team isn’t held back by my serious lack of bowling skill. Just last week I FINALLY broke 100 for the first time EVER… and we’ve got like 10 weeks or something left in the league, so don’t give up on me yet!
Golf: We’ve been going to the driving range at least once a week, and last month I even participated in the IBM Team Building Golf Tournament! The best part of my golf game is still my “great attitude” (and when people tell me that, they’re basically saying—it’s amazing that you can stay so positive when you suck so bad! I’m taking it as a compliment). I’m having a LOT of fun and I think I will ask for a set of clubs for Christmas/Birthday. But, the real golf fun is Matt's game. He is getting really into it, and-- even better-- he's really pretty good! Since his boss is golf obsessed and most financial professionals are kinda expected to be little Phils and Tigers, I'm okay with him being better than me for now (that's right--for now! I said it! Guess I'll have to keep practicing...). He’s great about helping to teach me to play and is really encouraging.

So there's a small update on my life... I wish I could make grand promises about updating the blog more and checking out what some of my blog friends are doing (I wonder if Google Reader can explode...), but with a busy schedule ahead I don't think I'll make any of those promises. But I will post when I can and keep looking at your recipes / craft ideas / life adventures.

Also, in the comments of my last post, asked about how I develop video tutorials. You may remember that I mentioned how I was developing them for school and work projects? That's actually a really fun and useful tool for everyone to learn how to do (we've ALL shown someone how to do something on the comptuer!), so I'm thinking about a long post for that this summer. Stay tuned!

Your remembering-the-sunscreen,
scone-chompin, Tuesday-bowlin
New Girl Blogger

March Madness: A Post of Excuses

2010-03-12T10:24:00.000-05:00

I know.

All that talk about coming back strong for 2010, and I barely lasted a full two months.

But don't worry! I've come armed with excuses.

1. Matt got a new job! He was on the job hunt for a bit, meeting and interviewing and all kinds of stuff, and now he's a financial planner for Lifetime Asset Management here in Raleigh. Go Matt!

2. We moved!... Kinda.See... our apartment lease was up, but Matt was still in the middle of the job search. He had two possibilities- one in Cary, and one in Raleigh. So... we really didn't know where to move. So, instead of moving to one area only to hear that Matt got a job somewhere else, we moved in with my parents. That's right-- me, my boyfriend, and our two-bedroom-apartment's-worth of stuff moved into my parents house. We've been there for the last three weeks! My poor parents had to store everything in their garage, and we've been crashing with them ever since... hectic, sometimes hilarious, but overall we were just glad to have somewhere to stay while we figured everything out.

We're moving moving into our new apartment today and tomorrow. We signed a lease last week after Matt got a job, and now we're Raleigh residents once again! <3 this city :)

3. I got into a research conference!I was one of 150 graduate students who presented at the 5th Annual Graduate Research Symposium on Wednesday. I had to turn a paper I wrote into a research poster presentation, which was a BLAST. A lot of work. but a BLAST :)

Me Presenting :)

4. Internship, anyone?
I've spent a significant portion of many weekends working on an internship application for this summer position with the NC Domestic Violence Commission. After a main application, 5 individual applications, three phone interviews and six cover letter/resume packets-- I got it! So this summer, I'll be in downtown Raleigh with a grownup job :) Guess I'll have to trade in my pink, polka-dot lunch box...

5. Teaching! ...AlmostSo I just found out that next semester I'll be teaching not one but TWO classes!! I'll have two sections of ENG 332: Communication for Business and Management. I'm beyond excited, but I'm also busy planning the syllabus and rubrics for everything. My materials are due NEXT WEEK! Don't even ask me how much I have left to do...

6. Teaching the TeachersSo I've been working a lot on internet-based tutorials... you know, videos that teach people how to do stuff. Well, some professors in the professional writing department that I TA for FLIPPED when they found out how easy it is to do, and they want me to hold a workshop! I'm going to be teaching all the teachers how to integrate video tutorials into their lesson plans. I can't WAIT!!

7. SIGDOC @ NCSUA group of students got together to form the first SIGDOC Student Chapter at NCSU (my school). SIGDOC is the Special Interest Group on Design of Communication. Membership is only $35, and once you're a member you can listen in on all the awesome conference proceedings and learn about the up-and-coming technologies in the design of communication. Cool! So I've been working with them to get the chapter started... yesterday we hosted our "Launch Party" and we actually had a great turnout! We had the one thing that makes any student organization successful-- free pizza.

8. Part-Time What?Babysitting, Web Design, and refereeing... I've been working in a lot of part-time or contract work. It's been going really great, because it's so very helpful to have a little bit of extra cash when you're moving. And I love all the jobs I've been doing! But I definitely need some time this Spring Break to get caught up...

Anyway, those are all the excuses I have...

Unfortunately, I haven't been knitting, cooking, blogging... which is sad, because those lovely hobbies are so fun and relaxing. But, like I said, we're moving into our new apartment today and tomorrow (as long as the weather cooperates!!), and I have a feeling my life will be on track again here soon.

Then again... that's what I said in January.

Hope you all are having a GREAT March so far! Don't forget to let your clocks spring forward this Sunday :)

Your running-around,
coffee-addict,
kinda-hate-moving, kinda-love-moving,
New Girl Blogger

Recipe Blogroll Review: Pot Sticker Pillows; Cooking+Homework = Disaster

2010-02-02T22:10:00.010-05:00

Currently Listening to "Yellow," Coldplay: Live 2003

Happy February, Everyone!!

I'm still in whirlwind mode; Matt and I spent last weekend in Wilmington, NC (the beach!) for Alumni Weekend-- some of you may remember that we met as undergrads attending UNC-W-- and had a blast!

Matt with two dates-- me and my
beautiful friend Leah at the Alumni
Awards Banquet. We didn't win any
awards or anything but there was
good food and open bar!

Still... as fun as it was to see friends and such, I'm totally exhausted.

There's something about losing your whole weekend... I mean, I'm a routine kind of girl. I need the weekend to cook and blog and knit and basically just wind down, and then Sundays I get started on all the week's homework...

Not this weekend. Spent a glorious weekend in Wilmington, but with all the food (and drink) and friends and festivities, I'm still exhausted.

BUT! Don't you worry; I still decided to undergo a cooking adventure on Sunday. I was exhausted and simultaneously trying to participate in a 5-person conference call for my online class group project-- but I cooked nevertheless.

Of course, it turned out awful, but as always I learned a lot and have a fun story to share :)

~*~*~

Pot Sticker Pillows:
Posted by Slim Shoppin

(Pic by Slim Shoppin)

Meal: (what did I serve this with?)
Jasmine Rice

Recipe Difficulty: (how hard was this to cook?)
3 / 5

Recipe Quality: (how well was the recipe written?)
5 / 5

Dish Deliciousness: (did it taste great?)
3 / 5
(My fault, though... read on)

Number of cooking mistakes: (how many times did I mess up??)
Too many to admit:

I couldn't find egg roll wrappers at the store
I thought I could make homemade egg roll wrappers
I thought I could make homemade egg roll wrappers and the rest of this meal before my group conference call
I wasn't finished dinner and had to try and teach Matt how to finish the meal while starting the conference call
I served dinner without trying ANY of it because I was on a conference call
The rice was undercooked and my homemade egg roll wrappers SUCKED

Repeat Likelihood: (will I try to make it again?)
5 / 5
SO want to try again!

~*~*~

The Story:

So, like I said, we got home from Wilmington Sunday and even though I was exhausted I decided to try and cook anyway.

I thought I could finish dinner early and still have time for my conference call.

I thought that, even though I (1) had never made this recipe before and (2) was attempting to make homemade eggroll wrappers, which adds an extra step to the recipe, I would have time to make this in under an hour. It would have worked if it hadn't been for what I'm going to call the wrapper disaster.

The eggroll wrapper recipe looked fairly simple (see here), and was, but the dough was too elastic and didn't flatten well to fit over the filling.

I tried, I did. But the stupid dough wasn't cooperating, and I just kept making a bigger and bigger mess...

I didn't have time to finish the pot stickers, so I had to try and sign on to the conference call WHILE teaching Matt how to finish my unfinished cooking job.

(Good thing it was just audio and not video...)

He tried, but I didn't set up the pan to the right temp and they burned; then, we tried to eat and the rice was wayyyyyy undercooked.

Sigh...

Luckily...

I doubled the filling recipe and threw half of it in the jasmine rice. It wasn't good that night since the rice was undercooked; BUT, I tried it again at lunch the next day over the stovetop and it was SO good.

Adding a little ginger to the ground turkey goes really well with the Jasmine rice!

Mmm.... seriously, best leftover lunch ever!

Now, I'm not giving up on this recipe because it looks like it would be amazing (if you did it right).

But... anyone know where to find eggroll wrappers??

:)

~*~*~

Comments:
Thank you, Samantha, for this wonderful blog award:

I simply love the simply fabulous award!

This award requires me to blog about a woman who I think is fabulous. This woman can be someone I know in real life, a celebrity, or a fictional character. Then, I must pass the award on to five other fabulous bloggers.

Well, I have three sisters (four now, with the twins! (; but more on that later), and I think they're all fabulous for different reasons... and there were 4 girls in Sex and the City, so it's just too perfect :)

Courtney, Siobhan, Me and Caitlin at
Siobhan's birthday dinner last summer.

5 bloggers for the Simply Fabulous award:

Enjoy, ladies!

~*~*~

So I don't have a great start to February seeing as I'm still reviewing my January blogroll items-- but don't worry; I've got my eye on some sweeeeet February recipes and I'm almost done with January!

Meanwhile, I haven't knit a stitch in about two weeks. So... I'll go ahead and let you know that I'll give a blanket update next post, that way I have to knit some :)

Your just-finished-first-paper-of-the-semester,
enjoying-snow-on-the-ground!, still-pretty-tired,
New Girl Blogger

Recipe Blogroll Review: Tiramisu Cheesecake Bars are Amazing and Help You Make Friends

2010-01-26T08:49:00.003-05:00

Currently Listening to "Once Was Love," Ingrid Michaelson.

EVERYONE loved these cheesecake bars.

Seriously. EVERYONE.

But wait-- before I get into that-- a quick birthday shoutout.

~*~*~

Happy Birthday to Tom!

Tom and my Mom

My step-dad's birthday was this weekend. We're having family game night tonight to celebrate. :)

~*~*~

Ok, more about the cheesecake bars. You really need to make them!

It's such an impressive dessert to say. Just imagine:

Me: Anyone feel like dessert?
Friends: Sure, what do you have?
Me: Oh, [wave of hand], just some homemade Tiramisu Cheesecake Bars... you interested?

::cue the droooolllllling::

My boyfriend and I don't eat sweets much, but we were in love. My step-mom isn't a coffee person, but she enjoyed them. And, most importantly, my morning cup of coffee and these cheesecake bars snuggled together nicely... but even those two were no match for this dessert and a late-night glass of red wine... mmm...

they're definitely all gone. lol. only took a couple days.

anyway, on to the review!

~*~*~

Tiramisu Cheesecake Bars:
Posted by My Tasty Treasures

(Pic by My Tasty Treasures)

Meal: (what did I serve this with?)
Best served with a glass of milk, a digestif, or a hot cup of coffee

Recipe Difficulty: (how hard was this to cook?)
2 / 5

Recipe Quality: (how well was the recipe written?)
5 / 5
*LOVE the pictures :)

Dish Deliciousness: (did it taste great?)
5 / 5

Number of cooking mistakes: (how many times did I mess up??)
2 mistakes total (one wasn't really mine!):

I almost forgot the vanilla
Matt put some in a tupperware that touched the top of the bars... no good. Immediately rips the topping off and they look kind of weird. They still taste good, though :)

Repeat Likelihood: (will I try to make it again?)
5 / 5

~*~*~

The Story:

I think that how you choose to make these depends on your schedule. The cream cheese needs to be room temperature, and my Mom always told me that whenever baking, it's helpful to have most the items around the same temperature. So I also left the egg on the counter so it would be room temperature as well.

Here's another tip from My Mom:

When whipping ingredients together for a fluffy effect, it helps to use a cold, metal mixing bowl. Put your metal mixing bowl in the freezer for a little bit before mixing, and you'll be surprised by the difference it makes!

So here's what I did to fit this baking adventure into my schedule...

My method:

Bake the crust bottom at night; leave the rest of the ingredients out on the counter to reach room-temp and let the crust cool on the counter
In the morning, make the cream cheese filling and when finished, cool in the fridge
Come home for lunch and make the whipped topping!
YUM by dinnertime!!!

It worked out well and really ended up not taking much time at all.

And I can't stress this enough-- they were so good.

~*~*~

Comments

Everyone-- thank you. Your sweet comments about my embarrassing, gross cooking mistake were really nice.

Healthy Delicious pointed out-- she uses organic chicken, and mine were probably huge in comparison. I should have realized! But hey, another lesson in cooking :)

And the recipe was still good! I'll just do better next time.

I loved the idea that Stephanie and Jenn@SlimShoppin shared-- a meat timer. Definitely investing :) Thanks again, everyone!

~*~*~

Thanks to Krysten over at After I Do for passing on the fabulous GLOB Award!

GLOB, you say? Yup!

I wanted to pass this one on to my blog friend Ace

I've followed Ace's blog since... probably since I started blogging... and I recently read a post of hers that I thought was so inspiring and exciting. It's all about her new outlook on working out and being healthy. Anyway, you can read it here.

and Ace, here's the GLOB award for you!

Thanks again, Krysten!

~*~*~

Also, thanks again for this blog award, Nikolett!

Wanted to pass that one on as well:

Tamela at A Brunette Making it One Day at a Time

Krysten over at After I Do

Iva at Iva Messy
Stephanie at Les Jou Jou
Ali at The Way I See It

Happy Blog Awards, everyone!

~*~*~

Alright, back to homework. Matt, if you're reading this, I swear I read for class before I started this blog post :) (I'm always telling him I have such a busy day, and then he sees an update on my blog. lol)

Your missing-the-cheesecake-bars,
loving-our-sunny-weather, been-23-for-a-month!,
New Girl Blogger

Recipe Blogroll Review: Braised Chicken with Grapes; + yum wine, till morning...

2010-01-22T10:17:00.006-05:00

Currently listening to "Pink Moon," Nick Drake

Yesterday seemed like the perfect day for some delicious cooking, for a couple reasons: 1 Matt had friends in town (and I wanted to impress them with my cookin skilllllz); 2. I actually remembered to take the chicken out of the freezer to thaw; 3. It's been a long week since I completed some intense internship applications, finished my first full week of school (my classes are done on Thursdays! woohoo!), and finished two conference proposals...

So it was a good night to relax in the kitchen.

The recipe was good! It really was! Thank you, Healthy Delicious!

I'm just such a bad cook.

Ughhhhhh... just suffered a flashback of what happened last night.

Okay, I'll explain... but let's break this down first:

~*~*~

Braised Chicken with Grapes:
Posted by Healthy Delicious

(Pic by Healthy Delicious)

Dinner: (what did I serve this with?)

Braised Chicken was served with risotto, green beans, and a loaf of french bread

Recipe Difficulty: (how hard was this to cook?)
2.5 / 5
*Most difficult part was finding arrowroot spice in my grocery store!

Recipe Quality: (how well was the recipe written?)
5 / 5

Dish Deliciousness: (did it taste great?)
4 / 5

Number of cooking mistakes: (how many times did I mess up??)
3 mistakes total:

Cooking time of chicken quarters depends upon size
Don't accidentally buy red grapes because you didn't read the recipe and then go back for green ones because you're not sure if it matters but forget to bring your wallet inside the store and have to hold everyone in the line up to go get it so you can pay for $1.37 of grapes...
The microwave timer is there to be used so stop trying to remember then time, just to forget it later and wonder if things have been in for long enough

Repeat Likelihood (will I try to make it again?)
5 / 5

~*~*~

The Story:

Matt's work friend "Watkins" (his name is Matt too, but luckily he commonly goes by his last name Watkins as a nickname. Matt and I have such unoriginal names...) was over for a while, and Matt's fraternity brother from undergrad, Josh, was in town from Virginia.

I got home from class and immediately got started. The cooking experience was enjoyable... everything was fairly easy, and the risotto was a good pairing since it's not particularly difficult to cook, and the smells from the kitchen were making the boys holler from the living room about how they couldn't wait to eat!

It took longer than I thought, but when I was done I was nervous. I hadn't really thought about it... but the chicken quarters I bought were huge. I put them on a serving plate and was impressed with their size... they were definitely bigger than the ones in HD's picture. But hey, I figured, I'm feeding a bunch of guys so it should be fine... but I cut into the chicken to make sure it was done.

We all loaded our plates, the guys were talking about how great it smelled, and I'm wondering how I can sneak my camera and get a picture of my plate when....

...Watkins cuts into his chicken.

And it looks good. At first.

Until closer to the bone, his knife hits some kind of vein or something, and the chicken starts bleeding on his plate.

...really? yes.

It was disgusting. Everyone else's was fine, but just in case I quickly swiped up everyone's chicken, tossed them back into the pan *luckily I hadn't cleaned it yet* with some chicken stock to cook longer.

I swear, they all looked done!! Does that just happen sometimes?? All his meet looked totally cooked I swear, but there was just this random vein I guess... ugh it was so gross. I cut everyone's chicken a little in the pan before I served it again about 10 minutes later...

Ughhhhhh.

But you know... I'm lucky, because if it was going to happen to someone, I'm glad it happened with Watkins. He's a great guy, and a true southern gentleman. He's from a smalllllllll town in NC, and was raised not to curse around women, to say "yes, Ma'am," the whole nine yards. He's very polite and kind-- plus, he's a huge hunter. So a little bit of blood didn't bother him at all, lol. He thought it was kind of funny.

I didn't, though. I was so excited about serving a good dinner! It all ended up tasting great-- I loved the sauce, just like HD said we would, and grapes really are a great pairing with chicken!

This was my first time cooking with chicken quarters, and I had no idea what I was looking for when I went to the store. Now I know not to get the huge ones...

I'm gonna try this one again, HD.
And you guys-- I definitely recommend it :)

I'd like to try this recipe again with skinless chicken breasts, but then again I don't want to be scared off chicken quarters. I mean, the chicken was really good!

It was just... ughh. Embarrassing. Learning to be a good cook can be embarrassing....

ANYWAY...

The recipe calls for using a semi-sweet wine... HD used guwurztraminer, which I couldn't find in the store, but I found a great looking riesling.

I think it made a great sauce, and it was fun to drink during and after dinner...

...I just shouldn't have drank as much of it. I was just sipping on it... but we stayed up late since Josh was here and I ended up sipping a lot I suppose...

woke up this morning with a HUGE headache. I forget that white wine gives a headache like no other... I'm used to drinking red wine, which I swear is nicer to you in the morning...

so anyway, I'm going to drink another cup of coffee... my cut off is usually no more than two mugs before lunch, but I'm making a hangover exception.

~*~*~

Comments on my last post:

Recipe Blogroll items for January 2010, posted 1/15

Thanks for the blog award, Nikolett!

My first one of 2010!

I'll pass it on in my next post... thanks a lot for thinking of me, Nikolett! Go check her out over at Better Than Coffee.

Speaking of my next post-- that's where I will also talk about those Tiramisu Cheesecake bars that I found over at My Tasty Treasures blog... some of you were drooling over the pic, as did I.

Yes, they were amazing, and yes, you should make them!

But wait till I post, cause as a new baker I've got some great tips to help you not screw it up... lol

And Kim, no worries, if I make Steph Chows' granola I'll definitely send you some. Unless I eat it all first... then I'll make a second batch and send you that :)

~*~*~

Thanks for the great recipe, Healthy Delicious!

Your still-kind-of-embarrassed,
feeling-very-new-at-cooking,
apparently white-wine-slurping,
New Girl Blogger

Recipe Blogroll items for January 2010

2010-01-15T08:16:00.011-05:00

Currently Listening to "The Call," Regina Spektor

Recipe Blogroll is BACK, baby!!

Woo-hoo!!

A little different this time. Instead of listing a million recipes I'd like to try like last time, I'm going to shoot for four to five a month.

{I'm a deadline person. I'll do better with a deadline.}

Then, during the month, I'll write a review of the yummy recipe, share any tips ::remember, I'm still VERY new to cooking haha::, and post a small award for the recipe writer because I appreciate cooking blogs SO much!!

If you have any recipe you'd like to suggest for my February Blogroll, please let me know in the comments or by e-mailing me at class.and.coffee@gmail.com

**All pictures are from the recipe owner's Web site. Click on the Recipe name to read more about the recipe and to see more pictures!*

Recipe Blogroll Items for January 2010!

Braised Chicken with Grapes: Posted by Healthy Delicious, this recipe uses grapes to help make some "fall-off-the-bone" chicken and, according to HD, some sauce that'll make you want to lick your plate. I'm in!

(Pic by Healthy Delicious)
Tiramisu Cheesecake Bars: Posted by My Tasty Treasures, this recipe sounds sooo good and perfect to break the Christmas-cookie marathon!
(Pic by My Tasty Treasures)
Linguine with Zucchini and Chickpeas: Real Simple Magazine, August 2009; This recipe was definitely intended for summer haha... but I can't resist! All the soups and stews we've been having... I'd love to have a light evening dinner like this soon. And hey, we'll just pretend it's warm :)(Pic from Real Simple)
Applesauce Granola: Posted by Steph Chows, it's a recipe I've been looking for! I love granola... but it's so expensive! I would love to make it at home AND I think it would make a cute gift to give for friends at Valentine's Day!
(Pic by StephChows)
Pot Sticker Pillows: Posted by Slim Shoppin, this recipe makes AMAZING looking pot stickers that are only 30 calories each!! Which... probably won't matter much when I eat about 100 of them, but still...
(Pic by Slim Shoppin)

Here's to a January filled with new recipes!! Thanks you guys!
So now all I've got to do is cook these 5 before the 31st, and I'll post a review for each.
I'll try to write down any helpful hints I come up with along the way... I've only been cooking for about a year now and I still feel very, very new at it :)
~*~*~
Want to try a Recipe Blogroll?
It's a great way to force yourself out of your cooking shell!

Feel free to use the button:

~*~*~
**Quick thanks to Fidgeting Gidget for giving me my new knitting project a great name: marf.
The Marf = The manly knit, manly colored scarf intended for a male
who may be leery of effeminate scarves...

~*~*~

Your excited-to-start-cooking,

loving-the-new-classes,

marf-knitting,

New Girl Blogger

Your Man ___? Finding the Man Scarf. + First Week of Class!

2010-01-12T12:16:00.003-05:00

Currently Listening to "California," Rogue Wave.

Your Man __?

Kym was cracking me up in the comments of my man scarf post, talking about how "Man ___" is always funny. And she's totally right! Man purse is funny no matter what "cool" bag the man is carrying. (Anyone else obsessed with The Hangover?? It's a satchel! Indiana Jones wears one...)

Another favorite of mine was always "man cave." It means a room in the house where men are allowed to do and decorate how they please. Think leather chairs and pool tables, I suppose?

I never understood these men who, in their own houses, had to fight for a basement or upstairs room or-- really?-- the garage, just so they could have their own space. I was always all, "why don't they just share and compromise??"

BUT...

Now that I've lived with my boyfriend for a little over a year, I can honestly say that while I'm still happily in love with him and look forward to seeing him everyday...

His Scarface poster is the FIRST thing that would go in his man cave.

Haha I remember trying so hard to get him to get rid of that when we moved in together...

Then my step-dad saw it when he was helping us unpack and was all, "That's awesome!!"

So now it's in our office. Black matting, gold frame and all.

lovely.

The things we do for love...

Anyway, speaking of lovely things, I think I've chosen a scarf for the "man scarf" project!

Finding the Man Scarf

Fidgeting Gidget shared the Basketweave Scarf pattern from Knitting Daily, which I looooove. I'm so making this for myself lol.

Isn't it cute?? I'm going to go ahead and get this on the needles next because I think it's so cute. I'm afraid Matt won't like the sides... it could be seen as a little "ruffled." Guys are so hard! I can totally understand Steph Chows forgetting the scarf and crocheting her hubs an afghan!!

But like I said... I like the scarf. lol. So FG, I'll make that one for me. You can never have enough cute scarves, I think!

SO. For Mr. Matt, I felt better when Concord Carpenter promised that 1. Using one color is best (that's what I was thinking!) and 2. Wide is ok.

THEN Stephanie posts two scarves, one of which is the Extra Warm Men's Scarf by Cotton and Cloud.

Love it! Manly looking stitches (can stitches be manly? Guess so!), nice gray-black simple man color...

I've got my scarf :)

So now, on the needles:

Extra Warm Men's Scarf by Cotton and Cloud. (Thanks for the suggestion, Stephanie!)
The Hoodie Baby Blanket by Nikol Lohr

Thanks for your help, everyone!

First Week of Class

Now, this is my 2nd day of class during my first week of the semester...

It's my third semester and after this I'll only have two more to go... (May '11, baby!)

And after all that, this is my first online class!

I've got two traditional lecture courses (ENG 518 Publication Management, ENG 519 Online Information Design and Evaluation) but my one online class is EAC 581: Advanced Instructional Design in Training and Development.

It's funny... because it's Advanced Instructional Design, and I've never even taken an Instructional Design course... or a EAC course (EAC is Adult & Higher Education Dept.) at all, for that matter! AND it's my first online course.

...that's a lot of first.

Hopefully I'll survive.

I was a TOTAL DORK and when I signed on to the course, realized everyone was posting introductions in the "forum" so I went around and commented on EVERYONE'S introduction...

...well, there's only 15 people in the class, but anyway...

commented on EVERYONE'S introduction, only to realize afterward that the only other person to comment ON EVERYONE'S INTRODUCTION....

...was the professor.

At least I proved you can still be a dork, even in online classes...

Maybe everyone will just think I'm really nice! lol.

Next post: Cooking, Recipe Blogroll Update!

Your still-freezing-in-NC,

tired-of-cold-weather, making-a-big-stew-to-help,

man-scarf-knitting,

New Girl Blogger

Knitting Group Wednesdays, A Manly Scarf?, and Wishlist Knitting Projects

2010-01-06T14:41:00.006-05:00

Currently Listening to "Night Minds," Missy Higgins.

Yesterday was my sister Courtney's birthday.
Happy Birthday, Courtney!

One of my favorite Courtney pictures...

hanging with goofy Abby last year

Knitting Group Wednesday

One of the reasons it was so easy for me to fall in love with knitting is the amazing knitting group I've been a part of since Summer 2008. The group varies in size, and while we have had a strange bird or two drift in and out of the group, the core five or six individuals that attend are amazing. Very diverse in ages, backgrounds, hometowns, knit skill level, and careers, the women (and one man!) who have kept the group alive make Wednesdays very easy for me to look forward to.

Plus, it doesn't hurt that the group meets at a fun wine/coffee bar in Downtown Raleigh, which (as of January 2nd!) is all now officially smoke-free!! Woo-hoo NC!!

I haven't been in a while, especially since I was tutoring till pretty late on Wednesday last semester, but I'm excited for a new start this year. Plus, I've got some new projects I'm thinking about and everyone in the group is SO helpful when you're struggling through a new project!!

Speaking of new projects...

Manly Scarf, anyone?

I would like to make a scarf for my boyfriend.

(Matt, if you're reading this, don't get excited. I haven't even started!)

Thing is, I've never knit a scarf for a guy. Come to think of it, I've never knit ANY guy things! So I was wondering...

Anyone have any ideas about or patterns for some simple man scarves?

I did see some man scarves I liked on Ravelry...

the Man's Lace Scarf by DoublePointed Designs

Cool for the snowboarder on your list...

But I can just tell Matt wouldn't go for some of these. He's more of a traditional look. But it seems all the "man scarves" are just made really wide.

Doesn't these seem a little wide?

And... except for this randomly freezing week and maybe one other week out of the year, we just don't need that kind of thing here in NC!

Matt has said before he would like a black scarf... but try as I have, I can't really think of a "manly" way to knit the thing. Wide seems silly, but too skinny and it'll look girly.

So... anyone? Ideas?

Other Projects:

Things I've found on Ravelry this week that I'd love to get started on...

1. The Lace Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery

2. The Hoodie Baby Blanket by Nikol Lohr

3. The Grrlfriend Market Bag by Laura Spradlin

How cute are those?!!? Can't wait to get started :)

Good thing I've got a good group to knitters that will help me get started on these :) First I'll have to organize my yarn stash... everyone was too good to me this Christmas!!

Next post: My January to-do recipes-- courtesy of some of the best bloggers around!

~*~*~

Your excited-for-New-Year's-Re-Do-Date,

enjoying-Tom's-Mexican-Soup, still-haven't-taken-down-the-tree,

Grandma-made-me-too-many-cookies, glad-to-be-blogging-again,

New Girl Blogger

I'm Back!! 2010 New Year's Resolution + Finishing Life List Item #25

2010-01-01T13:58:00.008-05:00

Currently Listening to "It Was A Very Good Year," Frank Sinatra.

Happy New Year!

Here's the Raleigh Acorn, our little NC tradition

on New Year's Eve-- drops JUST like the ball

in NYC. Well, maybe not as big of a crowd...

And, Happy New Blog!

I'm so sorry for my absence - been incognito since mid-October. The pressure of school and work kind of hit all at once... and something had to give.

BUT I'm back! And just as interested in learning new cooking/baking techniques, a few new knitting projects, and some general life lessons that come with the territory of a new 20-something's decade.

Of course, that brings the obvious question--

What is your 2010 New Year's Resolution????

I love resolutions. They may not always work out the way you think they will... but it's nice to start fresh sometimes. Well, unless you don't want to change anything...

Not everyone needs a resolution,

I suppose :)

I have a couple (as always), some of which Matt came up with and we're doing together, including:

Have at least one TV-free night a week
Send Birthday cards
Keep up with my blog!
Get in better shape

4 seems like a good number...

Anyway, this New Year's has also presented a chance for me to check something off my life list.

See, on Wednesday Dec. 30th I woke up with a really sore throat. It was manageable at first, but by the end of the night it was hurting!

Of course, by New Year's Eve, I was definitely Ms. I've-Got-A-Cold. Matt had to run out twice for soup and meds, and I spend the day in my PJs instead of the cute New Year's Eve dress I had bought with Leah. It wasn't so bad... big blankets, lots of movies, and some OJ. I also managed to stay up till Midnight for New Year's Eve!

Still, it wasn't the New Year's Eve I had been hoping for... we had plans to meet some friends downtown, and I had that new dress! So Matt's promised to take me out for New Year's re-do next weekend!! Which bring me to my life list item...

√# 25: Experience New Year's Eve twice in one year

I always thought I would cross that one off by celebrating New Year's really close to a time zone border, and then hopping over the border after midnight and celebrating it again! But now I think I'll check this one off with the New Year's re-do next Saturday :) I'll keep my eye on midnight and everything!!

Anyway, lots of other things to update from this past year... fun recipes, finished knitting projects, trips to Disney world, my new twin brother and sister...

But hey, I just got back. So how about we take it slow, and just end with another hearty--

Happy New Year!

Your still-a-little-stuffy,

just-turned-23, lovin-2010-already!,

New Girl Blogger

Blog Awards

2009-12-31T23:47:00.004-05:00

2010 Blog Awards

Thanks to all the award givers!

2010.01.21

Thanks to Krysten over at After I Do for passing on the fabulous GLOB Award!

2010.01.20

The Best Blog Award

Thanks for the Best blog award, Nikolett!

2009 Blog Awards

Thanks to all the award givers!

2009.03.29

Thanks Ace, for The Lemonade Award

2009.04.06

Thanks Ace, for the Kreativ Blogger Award

2009.04.13

Thanks Tamela, for the Superwoman Award

2009.04.23

Thanks Fidgeting Gidget, for the Honest Scrap Award

2009.05.15

Thanks Tamela, for the Queen Award

2009.05.18

Thanks, Mrs. C, for the Deer to Me Cupcake Award

2009.05.18

Thanks Novelista Barista, for the Funky Blog Award

2009.06.22

Thanks Mrs.C, for the Charming/Honest Award

2009.06.27

Thanks Cucinista @ Working-Lunch for the One Lovely Blog Award!

2009.07.15

Thanks ACE for the Honest Blog Award

2009.07.15

Thanks Ali for the Kind & Charming Blog Award

2009.08.06

Thanks ACE, for the Over the Top Blog Award

Back with Bread and Article News + Pumpkin Seeds Recipes?

2009-10-12T09:06:00.006-04:00

Currently Listening to "Maybe," Ingrid Michaelson

Happy Monday, bloggers! I really really miss being in the blog world... I feel like I'm missing out on so much. But I've been spending most of my spare time on school and that article...

more on that in a minute :)

I can't believe it's October 12th already. I swear, yesterday was September 1st...

Comments
Jeremyandgirls: THANK YOU so much for the homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe! I am so looking forward to trying that! I love fall so much...

Thank you all for the comments about the blanket! Sad to say I haven't made much progress since I had a lot of papers due last week, but I'm hoping to get some quality knitting time in this week :)

Kathy, I loved your idea about making one big blanket for both the twins! 'Cause you're right, they'll be little enough to share it for a long time! And yes, Sarah, you should start knitting!!! As if you don't have enough to do with your new little baby :)

Cooking Update:
(plus flowers from my Mom!)

There, ladies and gentlemen, is a loaf of bread that I baked. That's right. With my busy schedule, I found time to bake bread.

(Thanks again for that loaf pan, Peggy!)

How does she do it?!

Simple... Betttttttty Crocker :)

See... Mrs. Crocker has these new boxed muffin mixes out... and on the back of the box is an additional recipe for baking BREAD instead of muffins!

Simple and delicious :)

And noooo, I wasn't paid for that mini-advertisement... I just truly appreciate products that make life happy.

Other Updates...

I haven't updated in forever and I am SO SORRY! But it's for good reason...

My article is going to be published :)

They checked yes!!

It took a LOT of work, and caused me to fall a liiitttttttle behind in grad school projects, so I've been running around catching up.

But it's definitely very exciting. I keep remembering that it happened and breaking out into a random smile... lol. I know, I know, corny. But I just can't wait to see my name, my words, my research in PRINT!!

As far as catching up on everything... my plan is to catch up this week, to carve pumpkins this weekend, and to bake some pumpkin seeds too...

Anyone have any good recipes I can try?

~*~*~

I also promise to catch up on your blogs-- I am so sorry I haven't been around! But I've been thinking about you (and keeping up with some of you busy people on Twitter!) and can't wait to see what you've been up to lately!

For now-- have a great week!

Your celebrating-that-Panthers-win,
leaves-enjoyin, apartment-decorating,
Halloween-decorations-lovin,
New Girl Blogger

CFP News, Baby Blanket and TWINS update!

2009-09-22T07:32:00.005-04:00

Listening to "Extraordinary Girl," Green Day.

What a great morning... I have a new coffee mug, the window open to the rain, and my books spread out just waiting to be read.

But! I wanted to put my homework on hold, in order to tell you a couple things...

First, MATT passed his CFP EXAM!

You might remember me talking about his ridiculous course load, or all the studying he was doing over the year, and how he was a complete study zombie before the exam last July... well, we finally heard and he passed his FIRST time around.

There was only a 50% pass rate, and the rate was MUCH lower for first-time test takers... but he still passed. Because he's amazing.

We actually found out about a week ago, but I've been spending time thinking of something special to do for him to help us celebrate...

I have one idea, but can't really tell you yet because he's been known to poke around here some... but it's pretty silly, so if I end up doing it I'll let you know :)

But congratulations, Matt! I knew you could do it! I'm so very, very proud of you and feel very lucky to be your girlfriend, because I know I'm going to get to see you do more amazing things in the future!!

~*~*~

KNITTING!

I promised :)

I am currently knitting a cuuute little baby blanket, pattern on ravelry: Savannah's blankie by Amy-lynne Mitchell.

Below: Amy-lynne's picture of the blanket:

And then my progress so far...

I'm using the Mission Falls %100 cotton, which is so soft and nice to knit with! Small skeins... but makes it easier to carry the project around :)

Color: Lemongrass.

I know what you're thinking... my step-mom is pregnant with TWINS. Shouldn't I be making two of these?

Yes, Yes... but this one isn't for Maranna, it's for my friend and former co-worker Lori, whose fiancie's sister-in-law is preggers as well.

So here's a preview, Lori! Hope you like it so far!

~*~*~

As for the twins...

My step-mom and the babies are doing great, aaaaannnnnddd her BABY SHOWER is this Saturday!

So I'll be back with lots of fun pictures of baby things that make us all go "awwwww."

Plus, I got her the CUTEST baby shower gifts... but can't share just yet. Promise to show, though!

Also... I'm going to try and bake something new and yummy in the loaf pan that Peggy gifted me to celebrate our first day back in school. Can't wait to show you that, either!!!

But for now, back to coffee and homework...

Your about-to-scarf-down-some-cheerios,
loving-the-new-coffee-mug,
hoping-for-more-time-to-knit,
enjoyin-the-rainy-morning,
New Girl Blogger

Do you Like Me? Check Yes, No... or Maybe.

2009-09-15T08:04:00.009-04:00

Listening to "Starfish," Sister Hazel.

When we were little, my best friend Allie and I were dorks.

No, like DORKS. Seriously.

We had a lot of fun and managed fine, but we definitely had our shares of the "awkward stage." Messy hair, crooked teeth, huge braces, funny glasses... you name it, we had it.

Well, when we were in the 5th grade, I decided to have a crush on the cool, skateboard dude on our bus. His name was... Brandon. ...I think. (and it was so important then, haha...)

So, in classic Elementary-school-dating style, I passed Brandon a note. "Do you like me?"

Underneath the question were two answers: Yes or No. Next to them I put checkboxes (usability first, people).

When I got the note back, I was really nervous. I knew there was no way skateboard guy would like me... but maybe he would...

and "maybe" is what I got. Underneath my "yes" and "no" options, Brandon had written in a "Maybe" option, drawn a box next to it, and checked that one.

There was hope for skater dude and I! Maybe I wasn't such a dork after all!!!!

Well, later, I found out that my bestie Allie, after delivering the note, convinced Brandon to put "Maybe" so he wouldn't hurt my feelings :)

That's what best friends are for!

So... what's the point of that story?

Right! Well, yesterday I got a great MAYBE...

Dear Sarah:

Thank you for your submission to EXPLORATIONS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity for the State of North Carolina.

[Cue the drumroll...]

...your submission has also been reviewed by three members of the Explorations Editorial Board and me. Based on these reviews, I am requesting that you revise and resubmit your paper, “Composition 2.0 in the Classroom: Studying the Integration of New Media and Multimodal Composition”, still for consideration in the 4th edition of Explorations to be published in November 2009.

So...

it's a maybe!!!

Woo-hoo!!!

I posted a while back about how I submitted my honors thesis from undergrad to a research journal. I've finally heard back! Even though I'm in grad school now this would be a great publication line for my resume/cv...

Even though in the rest of the e-mail, they basically said... your research is great! Just write better, it's still great news.

haha.

I can do it! I got a maybe! And this time, I don't think Allie put them up to it... although maybe I should call her and check...

Great news for a Monday! :) Now to find time to do those revisions...

~*~*~

In other news...

my next post will be about knitting.

Why?

because I haven't been knitting.

And if I force myself into a promise of it for next post, I'll be more likely to do it. I missss knitting. But haven't made the time! So now I will make time.

~*~*~

Also, I look like this.

Because I'm in the Christmas spirit already?

No.

Because I have a cold.

Honestly, I think I sneezed 10 times in a row yesterday.

My little nose is quite red.

But hey, at least it's not Swine Flu :)

For now, bring on the Kleenex! And lots of ramen... mmm...

~*~*~

Your sniffily,
article-revising,
promise-to-knit, knitting-new-project!,
annoyed-with-Kanye,
New Girl Blogger

The Fun Things that September Brings... like homemade applesauce!!

2009-09-08T09:25:00.006-04:00

Listening to "Currently," Keaton Simmons

Comments:
I'm so glad you enjoyed my pictures from the cooking class; honestly, it was one of the best meals I've ever eaten... so if you have any inkling to try one of the recipes-- DO IT!

About the limoncello-- Jeremyandgirls and Samantha definitely noticed the absence in my review-- I didn't include that recipe because I had NO good pictures. But it was a delicious aperitif... and about as easy to make as moonshine!! (Which... I've never made lol, but I know it's not so bad) So I'll definitely post that recipe soon, whenever I try it here at home, because it would be a GREAT Christmas gift... (always thinking about Christmas!)

Peggy helped me learn a new word-- beurre manié = beurre manie = kneaded butter Pronunciation: BARE mahn-YAY This flour-butter mixture is used as a thickening agent. That's what I was stirring for the cauliflower gratin. Didn't know it had a name! Thanks Peggy!

Cucinista-- SO cool that you were just in Italy!! If only I had posted this sooner!! Luckily I posted before your big trip, green ink! You better take lots of pictures of the food! Mmmm...

~*~*~

HELLO, SEPTEMBER!!!

You're my favorite. Well, fall is my favorite-- I love all the months in fall pretty equally.

Things I love:

School starts (...and school supplies)
Football starts!!
Fall leaves, pretty colors
Crisp weather
Pumpkin beers on outside patios with light sweaters
Pumpkin lattes on a cool morning with school books and long sleeves
Pumpkin pie (notice a trend, anyone??)
Warm soup dinners
Fall jackets with big buttons
Autumn-colored shoes and corduroys
Windows-open mornings with a couch blanket and a good book
FOOTBALL STARTS!! Hmm... mentioned that...

Basically... I love fall... how about you??

Now, there's a new thing about fall I like as well: Making Applesauce.

~*~*~

Homemade Applesauce

Tom, my step-dad, recently visited his amazing 92-year-old grandmother, who decided to gift him her applesauce maker.

So, he also bought a bunch of apples, and away we went...

Get lots of apples

Cut and cook--

Note: It's easy to peel them when they're hot; just "dip" the skin-side of the apple into cold water and it's easy to tear off! Kinda like when you "shock" tomatoes! Way faster than a peeler, and you waste less apple...

Assemble alien-looking masher over sauce pan

No alien-looking masher? According to Matt's Mom, it's just as easy to warm (NOT BOIL, just a nice heat up) the peeled apples in a sauce pan and mash with fork, potato masher, whatever-- especially if you like them a little chunkier. Don't burn them!

Put peeled apple pieces in masher; mash!

-Add sugar to the mashed, warming-in-saucepan apples (how much depends on how many apples-- just remember, while you can add more sugar, you can't take the sugar away once it's in there!)
-Optional: Add cinnamon (Tom decided to let each applesauce eater decide if they wanted cinnamon or not; I think that was a smart choice)

Make a lot, put in containers, freeze some!

Good all fall!!

Happy September, everyone! Hope you had a GREAT Labor Day Weekend!

~*~*~

Your fall-weather-enjoying,
needs-to-go-back-to-reading-for-class,
excited-to-beat-Matt-in-fantasy-football-this-weekend!,
looking-for-fall-knitting-projects (as if I need more projects...),
New Girl Blogger

Titina's Awesomeness: A Cooking Class Review (with Recipes!)

2009-09-01T06:53:00.006-04:00

Listening to "Keep Your Hands To Yourself," The Georgia Satellites.

Special Edition of Class and Coffee:
Cooking with Titina!

I do apologize for the picture quality; I was using my phone camera
(which actually did a great job! Thanks, Sony Ericsson!) and I was
FAMISHED by the time we finally ate... so pictures were not my
first priority lol.

We got to wear "Cooking with Titina!" aprons!! I liked
mine a little more than Matt liked his...

Titina is such a big deal-- she has her own brand of
canned tomatoes! Seriously!

We started with a champagne drink that mixed some
sparkling wine with fresh peaches (YUM! and simple!
Food process some fresh peaches for a hot second
and then add champagne!), and then bruschetta!

She baked the bread first then added the room-
temperature tomato, basil and olive oil mixture. Her basil
was fresh from her garden and smelled heavenly!

~*~*~

After the bruschetta, she asked me to come help! There
were 12 of us in the class total, and she asked each of us
to come help with something.

Matt was making fun of me because all I was really
doing was stirring... but I was stirring the sauce for
the Cavolfiori al Gratinati, or...

Cauliflower Gratin!

I had to stir really fast...
first a butter (4 Tbsp.) and flour (4 tbsp.) mix,
boiling over the stove top (loved her oven!)
and then after that got really hot we gradually added
milk (1 1/4 cup whole milk). We sprinkled the top
with salt and nutmeg, and I kept stirring till it was
bubbling and thick. It took a while! Then we added eggs
(2 beaten) and poured the sauce over cooked cauliflower
florets, arranged in a baking dish. We topped with
breadcrumbs, Parmesean, salt and pepper, then baked at
350 for 20 minutes!

So. Good. Yummmm yum yum. Creamy delish!

~*~*~

Next Matt was called to help! I was so excited.
He got to do a little more work than me, which
I was totally fine with. He helped with the Bomboloni
Capresi, or the...

Friters Filled with Mozzarella and Ham!

For the Dough: Place yeast (1 Tbsp.) in a bowl and add
warm milk (1/2 cup), flour (1 cup) and sugar (1 cup).
Stir in with fork; allow to stand for 5 to 6 minutes.

Next, sprinkle work surface with lots of flour and
add yeast mixture. Kneead, slowly working in
additional flour (2 1/4 cups), butter (6 tbsp.
room temperature), warm milk (1 1/2 cup) and
salt (1 pinch).

Dough should feel soft and smooth. Allow to
rise for 30 minutes.

Once the dough is done its risin', you're gonna
add about a tablespoon of "filling" to a little
ball of dough. Flatten the dough, add the filling
(2 lbs mozarella cheese, chopped, and 1 lb. ham,
chopped), then fold the dough over and seal with
the top of a glass *like Matt's doing!

You've gotta seal them well because you're going
to fry these babies!

Just a few minutes; they cook quick! Careful!

We made a special garlic, chopped tomatoes
and oregano sauce for this-- which was really
good!-- but I think you'd be fine covering these
little guys with some good ol' Ragu.

See the Mozzarella ooooozing out?? MMMMmmmm.
Honestly, it was one of the best things I've ever
tasted! I wanted to eat 12 of them!

~*~*~

(Warning: Worst picture of the night-- coming up!)

Pollo alle Castagne, or-- Chicken in a Chestnut
Sauce! This chicken was amazing.

Unfortunately, my picture is not.

See... I was one of the last people to be served this
dish, and I was so hungry that I literally snapped
and grabbed.

But it was an AMAZING dish. I'll give you the serious
recipe... Pollo alle Castagne:

1 cup shelled chestnuts
4 chicken breasts
1 small green pepper, diced
2 tbsp flour
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 tbsp chicken stock*
(*we used 1/2 bouillon cube instead)
1/2 cup HEAVY cream (like, Italian heavy
cream. It looks like yogurt!)
salt to taste

Season the chicken with salt and dredge in flour.
In a large frying pan, melt the butter over
medium heat. Cut chicken into tenderloin-size
pieces, 1 inch wide and 4-6 inches long. Add the
chicken, cooking until golden, then add the wine.
Lower heat, cover pan, and let simmer for about
20 minutes.

Transfer chicken to platter.

The Chestnut Sauce: Deglaze the cooking
juices with the chicken stock, scraping pan well.
Add the heavy (I'm not kidding-- HEAVY) cream,
chopped chestnuts and green pepper, and simmer
gently for about 5 minutes

Pour (amazing) sauce over chicken.

~*~*~

Now, when dinner time came, we all sat down around
a huge dining room table. Titina's husband came in
to eat with us as well, and they spoke together in quick
Italian while we all served ourselves this amazing food. Most
couples brough their own bottle of wine, and we all DUG IN.
In between the amazing bites of awesomeness, I did get
to ask Titina a couple of questions.

Her and her husband owned three restaurants in Capri,
Italy, in the southern part of Italy, right on the beach.

They lived in Capri, running their restaurants, for most of
their lives, until their sons came to America. They decided
to come too, and they've been running Capri Flavors
for 12 years.

Her and her husband have been married for 49 years.

It was so... lovely to hear them talk about Italy.
Definitely helps make food taste good when you're
enjoying it with good conversation.

~*~*~

Dessert:

Chocolate almond cake with chocolate gelato.
Nothing to write home about, but a great way
to end the meal... and then of course espresso...
I was in heaven.

~*~*~

Definitely one of my favorite presents ever!

Thanks, Matt!

(Notice he still has his apron on. It must have
grown on him...)

~*~*~

Your enjoying-the-rain, still-in-PJs,
excited-for-football, loving-September!!,
looking-forward-to-Labor-Day,
knit-and-grad-school-updates-next!,
New Girl Blogger.

Class with Titina and a Capri Menu Preview! + School Update

2009-08-27T07:42:00.007-04:00

Listening to "Vegetable Car," Joshua Radin.

Comments:
Thanks so much for all the encouraging comments! It really seems like everyone's hit that wall where, suddenly, they feel like they may have signed up for a liiiittle much. But I'm over the wall, people-- scaled it without looking back. It's going to be a great semester, and I'm just going to do my best to keep my head above water. All they can ask for, right? Thanks again :)

Tamela, that to-do list idea was great. I've been organizing my tasks with the most important ones on top, and it helps me focus (and avoid procrastination...)! Haha and Pegs you're right, three classes has felt different than last semester's two classes. JeremyandGirls-- your comment was so sweet. It definitely gave me a big smile. When I get stressed I just need to remember my dream of being a professor. It always makes me feel like the hard work is worth it! Stephchows-- haha I know; where did the summer go?!?! Kim-- I can't even tell you how excited I get when I think about us both going through these crazy academic experiences together :) DuoDishes-- the high school I used to coach lacrosse at, Laney High School, is the same high school MJ went to!! Cool, huh?! But... I never did meet him. Did get to see his locker :) If I ever run into him I'll tell him y'all said hello. Samantha-- I feel like everyone needs a Connie!!! Your Mom sounds like an amazing example. ACE-- hahaha loooove lowly (or should we say lovely!) blog stalkers :) Karine-- the age thing is weird! I've found it makes me feel better if I wear nice "teacher" clothes haha. Chadski-- always nice to not be the only one freaking out :)

Thanks again, everyone!

~*~*~

Class with Titina

Tomorrow, Matt and I have a dinner date with Titina.

Titina Vuotto, chef de cuisine & author
of "Aromas and Flavors of Capri"

Last December when I graduated from UNCW, Matt bought me a gift certificate for two to take a cooking class with Titina. But it was hard, with CFP and my classes and his work and all the other blah, to schedule a great night!

But we'll be there tomorrow, and here's the menu:

---
CAPRI Menu

Limoncello
Lemon Liquor

Bomboloni Capresi
Friters Filled with Mozzarella and Ham

Pollo alle Castagne
Chicken with Chestnut Sauce
Cavolfiori al Gratinati
Cauliflower Gratin

Torta Caprese
Almond and Chocolate Cake
---

Are you drooling?? I'm totally excited.

I won't tell you too much about it, since I'd love to do a review when we're finished... but I will tell you that I CAN'T WAIT, and that unfortunately, I already know how much I looooove limoncello. Mmmmmmmm.

Also, Titina encourages couples to bring their own bottle of wine to the lesson, so that there is lots of merry drinking and cooking.

Titina, I think we're going to get along fantastically!

~*~*~

Grad School Update:

OFFICIAL. Except the ID girl thought I
was a freshman lol, tried to get me to pay for a
new undergrad card...

I'm almost finished with my first week--- and I've survived!

Phew. There is a lot to read.

Haha!

But I knew that... it's just a matter of getting it done :)

Speaking of... back to work!

I will say that I really love my classes, and that meeting my professors, talking over the syllabus, and having time to think about all the projects has actually helped me feel like I can handle it.

I miss you guys, though; I feel like this week I've been awful at catching up on the blog world. But I have tomorrow off and plan on doing a lot of catch up :) ...and homework, of course!

Enjoy your almost weekend!

~*~*~

Your capri-anticipatin'
forgot-how-to-knit-by-now,
can't-wait-till-Friday!,
New Girl Blogger

I wanna be Like Mike! Graduate School Freakout

2009-08-24T10:28:00.009-04:00

Listening to "Homecoming," Kanye West ft. Chris Martin.

Hi blog.

You're a little behind on my life.

See... last week I had orientation, and then the first day of class, and now I'm reading a million pages of required readings... throw work into the mix, and you'll see why didn't update you at all!

I'm so sorry. Last week feels like a million years ago and 2 seconds ago all at the same time.

But, ladies and gentlemen, I have a small, semi-interesting post prepared if you have time :)

So last Tuesday was the big New Graduate Student Orientation at NC State...

...I walked in to the conference-style McKimmon Center, tightly balling my fists with excitement. The overwhelming number of people and insane amount of air conditioning hit me at the same time, so I took a deep breath as I searched for a seat. I had barely chosen a pen from my new pencil pouch before someone got up to speak. Projector screens lowered, and over 1,000 graduate students looked to the same podium...

The speakers were nice, quasi-inspiring and, at some points, speaking precautions. Manage your time. Don't take on too much. Establish a good relationship with your Advisor. Manage your time. Manage your time...

At lunch I found a couple friendly girls in the excessively long bathroom line. We swapped stories about our soon-to-be graduate programs, our undergraduate experiences, our boyfriends... it was nice to meet new people. Most of the girls impressed me with what they'd been doing over the summer, from internships to taking classes... What had I done over the summer?

After lunch we split into groups. The graduate students with TA positions were herded into one room. We had a great speaker who regaled us with tales of his teaching experiences. He was fun, energetic, and you could tell he gave everything he had to his teaching profession. He was my hero, the best of the best... to me his name was Mike--- I really wanna be like Mike.

After he spoke we had a young woman who had just finished her Teaching Assistantship last May. She was really great as well. She opened up the floor for questions, allowing us all to reveal some of our fears.

How do I get the students to take me seriously-- I'm barely a year older than they are!

Do they call me by my last name or by my first?

Should I allow them to add me as a friend on Facebook?

After some of the questions were out of the way, she told us about her experiences. How she managed it all, some of her tough situations, advice... it was great and I was taking notes. I was so impressed.

After it was all over, I left the murderously cold air conditioning, took my new knowledge and new notes, and drove home. But something happened on the way.

I freaked out.

Seriously, I freaked.

I started thinking about my laundry list life. All the things I have going on. I thought about school, the classes, the readings and the papers, the teaching assistantship, work, the new marketing program, tutoring... it all hit me at once. When will I sleep? When will I cook? I just finally met all these nice people... will I have time to have a life???

Sometimes, all a freakout needs is a little organization. A little de-cluttering. It's worked for me before. I got home and straightened up the apartment, putting schoolbooks here, new notebooks there. It didn't help.

I sat down at the kitchen table, armed with my planner, and tried to plan out my semester. It didn't help.

I talked to my Mom and Tom a little, who both called to see how my big day had went. I let them know a little about how I was feeling. They both said similarly wonderful things, about how I had managed in undergraduate and how I would again, and both times I really did start to feel better. But then I would look at my planner... and those time constraints were still staring me in the face. Only 24 hours in a day, only 7 days in a week.

Matt got home, and we talked about everything in a roundabout way... eventually he just sat down with me and my planner and asked me to try and tell him how I felt. And like a total baby, I tried to say it but cried instead.

Big 'ol crocodile tears.

I tried to explain through my blubbering... I was scared. I had signed up for too much! Everyone thinks I can handle this and I can't. It's too much. I'm not as smart as everyone thinks I am. There's no way.

NO way.

He calmed me down, and very pragmatically went through my schedule and the next two years. It was nice.

If you have to, you'll quit your job, he says. We'll make this work.

I start to feel better. When I comment on my immature tears, sheepishly wiping my face with a kleenex, he smiles.

That's why this is going to work, he says. You care so much, that you're crying on your planner. You're going to make this work.

I felt better immediately, and got my excitement back as the night went on. And then I thought of my inspirations.

Sure, I wanna be like Mike. He was amazing, captivating, inspiring... but is he really my idol? I want to be a great teacher, but I'm going to be my own great teacher. I thought of my real inspirations, and came up with a pretty good one.

My friend Connie.

Actually, she's my best friend's Mom. She just went back to school this past year. She also has a son in high school and a brand new granddaughter (Abby!!). She's still working full time, but has received ALL A's in her classes so far. She's on track to complete her graduate degree by this April, because she's refused to take any time off school since the day she started.

I think it's great to have heroes in your profession, people to look up to, characteristics that you may strive to embody. But in the end, it's your real heroes, your family and friends, who help remind you that you can achieve. That an everyday goal can be accomplished with everyday courage and everyday fortitude. That you don't have to be a superhero to do it all-- you just have to care. To really want it. And I do.

~*~*~

Now, this wouldn't be a Class and Coffee post if I didn't say something about knitting or cooking. And I haven't touched my knitting needles all week! But, I can share something about cooking:

The Sunday Sandwich Maker!

When I was babysitting on Sunday night (yesterday!), Matt made all our sandwiches for the week. They're here wrapped up and just waiting to be grabbed so that we'd save time. He made mine with American cheese, my favorite :)

Life is good.

~*~*~

Next post: My first day of school!

~*~*~

Your no-longer-freaking,
graduate-school-loving,
required-readings-reading,
wondering---who-are-your-heroes?
New Girl Blogger

Just to make sure you heard me... more about BREAKFAST!

2009-08-17T15:29:00.007-04:00

Listening to "Hide and Seek," Imogen Heap.
(Impossible to get sick of this song)

You crazy breakfast-skippers!!

So many of you commented about busy mornings filled with granola bars or--WORSE--nothing!!

And, of course, others of you acknowledged the awesome power of breakfasts :)

And other comment notes... Ali-- that award was for you too! Thanks for all your great comments! And April, from JeremyandGirls, CONGRATS!!!!! GOIN' BACK TO SCHOOL!! YOU'RE AWESOME!! Don't be nervous; you're going to be awesome and I can't wait to read about it. Congrats again! Debby, I definitely think this quiche would be a good lunch dish as well :) Brett Alexandra-- I have a canon digital rebel xt that I loooove. And Kathy-- You're a busy Mom!! Get someone to make this quiche for you :-D

~*~*~

Cooking Update

So, for all you breakfast skippers, I thought I'd tempt you one more time.

Quiche, Take 2

Meet the cheesy potato-onion quiche, with a strawberry & blueberry side.

MMMmmm, right?!

Sunday Preparation for Cheesy Potato-Onion Quiche:
-Chop 2 medium-sized potatoes; try for smaller, square pieces. No need to peel or cook first! Easy-peasy!
-Chop 1 white onion
-Dice up some scallions / green onion (aren't those the same thing? I'm never sure)
-Mix onion, potato, scallions and 1 cup shredded cheese (pick your fav! We used cheddar) in sprayed pie pan/dish.
-In separate bowl, mix 3 eggs, 1 1/4 cup milk. (No need to add biscuit mix this time; potatoes help to bring balance to the dish)
-Pour mixture over potato/onion mix in dish.
-Top with a little salt and pepper, then add a top coat extra cheese
-Bake at 425 for 20 minutes; cut "X" in the top cheese (which should be baked hard), then bake for additional 10 minutes.

YUM!

Fruit Tips:
-On Sunday, grab some of your favorite fruit from the grocery store.
-Clean, and chop into bite-sized pieces. Put into freezer bag and store in fridge.
-Each morning, take out a cup of your mixed fruit!
-Like it sweet? Sprinkle fruit with a half packet of Splenda or Equal!

Now if that's not an easy, yummy morning... I don't know what is!

~*~*~

Now, this week is jam-packed for me.

Because...

IT'S THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!

Just picture me jumping up and down.

I'm so excited.

On Sunday morning I made Matt look at my binder and all my hole-punched syllabi.

CAN'T wait!!

On that note-- off to do some more reading :)

EAT BREAKFAST, PEOPLE!!

~*~*~

Your running-around, breakfast-obsessed
loving-orientation, smiling-for-my-new-student-ID,
TRYING TO FIND TIME TO KNIT and BLOG READ,
New Girl Blogger

Attention Breakfast Skippers!! Also- Pictures with Grandma, Vol. 2

2009-08-11T15:17:00.001-04:00

Listening to "I'm Not Over," Carolina Liar.

An award, another Grandmother visit (this time, Matt's grandmother!) full of pictures, and yummy breakfast dishes. Think you're up for it all?

~*~*~

But first--
Comments!

Thanks so much for all the great comments!

To answer some questions... Amy, I used a pork tenderloin. It was very easy to marinate in the fridge and then to cut into pan-sized pieces! LK, I have seen those binder clips!! I went to Staples after my school-supply splurge and had to seriously control myself... I wanted everything! :) Burpandslurp, no worries-- I will definitely be updating my blog full of TA stories once everything gets underway. Brett- I haven't seen Julie & Julia-- YET! My Mom and I have big plans for that one. I know I'll love it! We've been YouTubing Julia Child lately haha.

ALSO: Sounds like I'm not the only school supply fan :) Don't you wish they had lunchboxes like that back when we were kids?!?! And as for the Asian-style cooking advice-- seriously appreciated :) Thanks!! Oh and Chadski-- first meal in the apartment sounds great! I'm always looking for easy pasta sauces that don't require much effort or much money (Alfredo sauce is so expensive at the store!). That sounds like a keeper!

~*~*~

Award!

I didn't fulfill my award responsibilities last post! Sorry! So here it goes!

Thanks again, Ace!

Here’s how it works: USE ONLY ONE WORD!

Tricky, tricky!

1. Where is your cell phone? hiding

2. Your hair? chameleon

3. Your mother? bright

4. Your father? Army

5. Your favorite food? carbs

6. Your dream last night? strange

7. Your favorite drink? coffee

8. Your dream/goal? happiness

9. What room are you in? living room (compound noun should count as one word, yes?)

10. Your hobby? myriad

11. Your fear? loneliness

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? teaching

13. Where were you last night? kitchen

14. Something that you aren’t? mathematician

15. Muffins? Mmm.

16. Wish list item? Wii

17. Where did you grow up? Everywhere

18. Last thing you did? eat

19. What are you wearing? Comfortables

20. Your TV? Matt's

21. Your pets? Soon!

22. Friends? lovely

23. Your life? starting

24. Your mood? excited

25. Missing someone? Madden...

26. Vehicle? tired

27. Something you’re not wearing? contacts

28. Your favorite store? Target

29. Your favorite color? ambivalent

30. When was the last time you laughed? today

31. Last time you cried? Unsure

32. Your best friend? Many

33. One place that I go to over and over? Mom's

34. One person who emails me regularly? Bookstore

35. Favorite place to eat? out

Pass the award on:
Hey, commenters! Thanks again for all the great comments! Feel free to accept the award!

Or, just enjoy some one-word contemplation and try the word challenge!

Ashley, Ali, Amy --- Just A Titch, Samantha, Kym, Trina, Ace (Feel free to re-accept! :-p ), Kim, Mary, Peggy, Sarah, Amy, The Duo Dishes, Chow and Chatter, LK - Healthy Delicious, Tony, Ron, Thegamerswife, Clelia, LiLu, Ella Everywhere, burpandslurp, Iva, stephchows, nora@ffr, Brett Alexandra, chadski

~*~*~

All About Breakfast

What are your breakfasts like? Enjoyable? Rushed? Coffee-drenched? Or, (hope not!) SKIPPED???

If you're anything like my boyfriend, you just may be busy in the morning. Trying to sleep in till the last possible second, then breezing out the door with office files and a game plan for the new day, some busy-bodies skip breakfast in attempts to save time.

No more, I say!

I love breakfast. I love cereal, bagels, fruit cups, muffins, eggs, sausage, bacon, and yes-- coffee. Breakfast is my favorite meal! I don't skip breakfast for anything. If I wake up at 2pm (Promise, that hasn't happened since college! But IF...), then lunch may get skipped. But NEVER breakfast!

BUT Sarah! I have no time!
I can't make breakfast in the morning!

Well... then don't make breakfast in the morning :) Make it on Sunday, and enjoy it all week!

Delicious, Nutritious Quiche!

Version 1: Veggie Quiche with red and green peppers, onion, and scallions.
adapted from recipe found on GroupRecipe.com

MMMmm...

Simple Sunday Preperation:
Preheat oven to 425. Chop veggies and put in sprayed pie dish. Should be enough veggies to really fill dish! In separate bowl, mix milk (1 1/3 cup), biscuit mix (2/3 cup), and 4 eggs. Pour mixture over veggies. Top with shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, then poke holes in top crust and bake for 10 more minutes (keeps quiche from being too runny by allowing moisture to escape. Learned that the hard way...)

Why I Love It:

Easy to grab and heat a slice before work; you can even tupperware some and eat at work! Or, enjoy at home! Dress it up with sides of salsa or sour cream, or even wrap it in a warm tortilla!
Filling, but healthy! Energy throughout the day!
Adding biscuit mix-- sometimes I find eggs to be a little... unsettling on the stomach. I don't know why, but I just can't handle too much egg in the morning. But, by adding the biscuit mix, it makes the dish a little less "egg-y" and really, really yummy! Also, you can afford to add the calories since the dish has no high-calorie crust.

Next Post- Version 2: Potato & Onion Breakfast Quiche!

~*~*~

With that, here are some fun pictures of our weekend with Matt's grandmother and parents!

~*~*~

Your hair-dyin, quiche-enjoyin,
school-supply-organizin, sore-after-tubing,
New Girl Blogger

Pork Suey! + Lovely, Unnecessary School Supplies & Blog Award

2009-08-06T14:27:00.006-04:00

Listening to "Talk of the Nation," NPR.

I have heard that it's bad to tie shopping to emotions.

You shouldn't shop to celebrate, or shop to cheer yourself up... you should only shop when you need things.

I've heard the same argument about eating ("Don't eat when you're upset!").

And I understand the argument.

But... once a year, before a very important time, I shop on emotion.

The emotion of pure excitement.

I buy school supplies.

Silly, colorful, frivolous school supplies! I love them.

School to me is... a sweet return to normal (think Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail... "bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils"), an enjoyably difficult task to conquer (definitely Hermione in Harry Potter), and something I've always loved to do, and probably always will... (maybe Diane Court in Say Anything... but I totally wouldn't have broken Llyod Dobler's heart...)

And I celebrate the start of a new academic year (sometimes even the start of a new semester...) with new school supplies.

Even when I don't need them.

And this week, I bought these:

Oh, that isn't all I bought. But here are
the most fun/frivolous things...

1. The Multi-Colored Pens, Highlighters, and Fun Mechanical Pencils: Do I need that many? No. Do I love and cherish them? Yes.

2. The Polka-Dot Pencil Pouch: Also holds cute, tiny-sized post-it notes to mark textbook pages. Love it.

3. Color-Matching Desk Set: Small clock, stapler, paper clip holder, and miscellaneous boxed supplies. I mean... do they need to all match? No. But will that look really cute in my tiny TA cubicle? YES.

4. THE BEST OF ALL-- Is it a purse? No. It's cute enough to be a purse, but that polka-dot bag in the back, ladies and gentlemen, is a LUNCH BOX. That's right. A lunch box. So cute.

I bought other things as well... binders, tabbed dividers, a new planner (LOVE new planners...), loose-leaf paper (college-ruled, baby!), and some spirals.

But thought I'd show you the silly ones.

Didn't break the bank or anything (thanks, Wal-Mart)... but I definitely consider the whole thing to be a treat for myself.

You know how it is... everyone has different splurges, yes? You have one, right? Maybe yours is a big night out, a fancy new pair of shoes, or even just an ice cream cone after a hot summer day. My splurge just happens to be school supplies.

CAN'T WAIT!

~*~*~

Cooking Update:

Pork Suey!
(From Quick & Healthy)

YUM.

Quick Instructions, if you're interested:
Brown pork cuts (1/4-inch thick) in non-stick sprayed skillet. Add celery (2 c.), onion (1 c.), soy sauce (1 tbsp.), beef broth ( c.), and salt (dash), and let simmer 10 minutes.

In separate bowl, mix corn starch (2.5 tbsp.), ginger (1/4 tsp.), molasses (1 tbsp.), and water (1/4 c). Stir into hot skillet. Allow to boil and thicken; serve over noodles or brown rice.

I slipped in too much corn starch, and you can definitely taste that (oops!), but still tastes good overall :)

I definitely recommend!

I do have a questions, though: If you're making a dish with soy sauce or another Asian influence, do you have a favorite pasta or rice type? I'd like to cook more with soy sauce, since I looooove it, but I don't know which pasta/rice to serve with it. Advice?

Matt was working late when I fixed this; it was a yummy, filling meal that paired well with wine and some lazy television :)

~*~*~
!*!*! AWARD !*!*!

Thanks SO much, ACE!

What a cute award-- I'd never seen this one!

Looking forward to fulfilling the award duties (a one-word challenge-- I LOVE word challenges!) in my next post. Thanks again!

~*~*~

Back to the daily grind of this crazy week... it's actually been a great week, just busy. I hope your week has been great as well!

I've been doing a lot of planning for the TA position :) I can't WAIT to get started!!

Twitter and Facebook Users: How about that crazy down-time episode today?! They're saying it was hacker-driven. Interesting story about that here.

I'll be gone this weekend-- going to visit Matt's parents and grandmother!! I can't wait to meet his grandmother; I've never met her before since she lives far up north. Plus, seeing Matt's parents is always fun: they're great, their lake house is beautiful, and his Mom is quite the prolific knitter.

See you soon!

Your snackin-on-Cap'n-Crunch,
Summer-storm-enjoyin,
always-checker-board-knittin,
New Girl Blogger

Pickin' Crabs, Teachin' Grandma, Cookin' Fish. + Prego Update

2009-08-03T12:48:00.009-04:00

Listening to "French Song," Kate Walsh.

So.

Apparently, I used to blog when Matt was studying.

Because since Matt's taken the CFP exam, he hasn't been studying.

And I haven't been blogging.

But! I think it was just that initial honeymoon-phase week, where I'm so glad to have him around (instead of the study zombie that I had before), and was thus way too excited to pay attention to my computer.

Schedules are slowly getting back to normal, but it has been a fantastic week of fun :)

~*~*~

Grandma's House

My grandmother's house was so relaxing.

Need I say more?

My grandmother is in Maryland. So is a lot of my family, and naturally I've been picking crabs since before I can remember.

(Pickin' Crabs: (verb phrase) To eat the crab meat from a steamed crab (most often the Chesapeake-area Blue Crab) that sits on top of newspaper, on a picnic table, covered in Old Bay spices. Crab meat is picked from the crab and then is often dipped in melted butter or simply enjoyed. The process is a slow one and typically considered a social event. Common side dishes are Corn on the Cob and Corona.)

Matt is from Detroit, and had never even had Old Bay (the traditional East Coast seafood spice). He had definitely never picked crab, and described his limitless crab experience as confined to Red Lobster.

Definitely not good enough for my family.

So we went ahead and gave him his first experience.

Yum!

He did a great job, though! It can be an interesting experience if you've never done it before. I don't recommend doing it on your own or with a group of other inexperienced pickers. Always helps to have a guide :)

~*~*~

Knitting Update

This ties into my visit with my grandmother.

because...

I taught my grandma to knit!

I gave her a knit kit for her birthday-- a knitting bag, some yarn, lots of needles, and a guide book-- and promised to teach her sometime this year.

She's crocheted before, but had never knit! She really took to it very quickly! She's going to try a scarf with that fall-colored yarn and then maybe I can teach her some more by Christmas.

Not to brag or anything... but is my Grandma a cutie or what?! Getting older in my family isn't so bad; we've got good genes :) I think we get it from the red wine...

Checkerboard:
I frogged it once, and won't again! I've been knitting slow and steady for the past couple weeks and am now just beyond where I was when I had to pull it all out. Slow and steady wins the race, people! (Plus... I'm afraid if I mess it up again I may just throw it out a window. Defeated? Defenestrate!)

~*~*~

Cooking Update:

I tried Phoo-D's Poached Samon with Dijon Cream Sauce!

This recipe was BANGIN. Seriously.

We were ravishing hungry by the time it was made, so we dug in and I thought, "Eh, I'll take a picture for the blog tomorrow."

...then Matt ate the leftovers before I got a chance. Good sign though, yes?

So here's PHOO-D'S PICTURE, not Class and Coffee's picture, totally PHOO-D'S, so be amazed by HER PICTURE, not mine:

Photo Credit: Phoo-D
Mine definitely didn't look this good.
Tasted phenom, though!

Had a little trouble finding the "thyme sprigs," but definitely don't just sprinkle in thyme because you have to pull the thyme out of the simmering pan before you make the cream sauce. Just a tip ;-)

Would definitely recommend this recipe!!

Recipe Blogroll Future:

I only have 5 recipes left to make off the blogroll!

Once their done, I think I'm going to have my first blog contest.

You know, ask people to submit recipes, either their own or others that they've seen on blogs, and then have something fun for the winner (who will probably be chosen randomly, but maybe I can think of something...).

Yes? No?

~*~*~

Other Updates:

Prego: My stepmom Maranna is still pregnant with twins and the babes are doing great. I was hoping they would change their mind about not finding out the sex of the babies, but no. And I looked at their black-and-whites and could not decipher a thing that would give me a hint. So I guess it'll be a surprise... it's totally killing me and I can't wait to find out!

I've asked about names but they're still not sure about that either. Too much suspense!!!!! I already have like 3 names for my kids.
School: STARTS in 10 DAYS!! I can tell it's getting close because I'm starting to have those nightmares where I'm failing a final or rushing around hallways without being able to find the right classroom... haha oh the dorky nightmares of a dorky dork.
Matt and I have a 3-year anniversary tomorrow :) We're not going to do any celebrating (it's a Tuesday!) but we will be in Wilmington this weekend, so we'll have fun talking about that crazy party three years ago that started it all.

I'm making him a gift (just paid student fees, people), but can't tell you juuuust in case he has time to check my blog before tomorrow!

~*~*~

Your summer-storm-lovin,
Kate-Walsh-listening, behind-on-reading,
Crab-meat-missing, Shark-week-obsessing,
New Girl Blogger

My Night In! Plus-- To Grandmother's House We Go

2009-07-23T22:41:00.007-04:00

I had big plans for tonight.

See, Matt's traveling for work. His office, Capitol Financial Solutions (part of the John Hancock network) met with other branches today in Richmond, VA (about 3.5 hours from us in Raleigh, NC). He's there tonight but the conference doesn't start until tomorrow. Hmm... wonder what they're all doing to kill time tonight before the conference tomorrow... :).

So I had big plans for tonight.

That included:

-Lots of Chinese food

-Red Wine

-HGTV

-and, of course, Laundry and Knitting.

Quite a plan, right?

I picked up my Chinese and settled into my PJs by about 6pm. But I got a happy surprise.

Tom, my step-dad, called!

We talked for a long time about my exciting Chinese evening, my sisters, my Mom's new running club plans (how cool!), his work stuff, etc. It was nice to catch up, since he's home for the first time this week after a couple weeks in China and a week in the mountains of Tennessee on vacation with my Mom. So after we got off the phone, I settled back up with my Chicken Lo Mein. But then, another surprise.

My best friend from college, Leah, called!

I hadn't spoken to her on the phone in a couple weeks! So we talked for a long time about her dating adventures, reminisced about college memories... all the fun stuff. We talked for a long time, but her phone died. So, again, settled into my couch, filled my red wine glass...

My Mom calls! Running class is over-- can she stop by?

Of course! I love my Mom, and I love when she comes by the apartment. She's psyched for her new running club, which met for the first time near my apartment, and we talk about that during commercials of some fun, trash TV (at one point we were even watching E True Hollywood Story). So she stays for a while, helps me finish my Chinese, and I enjoy the company. She heads out around 9pm. Now my alone time will really start. But-- wait!

Leah calls back! She's cooked dinner for a boy who's suppppposed to be home from work.

We talk more about this new beau she's just started dating (and why he isn't home from work yet, when he was supposed to finish up at 9:30... "good thing I bought a bottle of wine," she says, "so whatever."), but mostly talk about more important things... like House Hunters on HGTV (love the show) and how they should have a keychain wine opener (has that been invented yet?).

By the time we get off the phone, it's about 10.

So it was a long, multi-person conversation, from about 6:30 - 10.

I'm a little bit excited. It was so nice talking with everyone... but I'm a ready for this alone time that I've been pumping myself up about.

I sit back in the couch, ponder a fortune cookie, and think to myself, "this is nice."

Maybe I should knit.

Or read.

Or...

hmm.

It's very quiet.

The chinese is gone, the wine is gone, and there isn't anything good on TV.

And after a while, being alone isn't as fun as I thought it would be.

I mean, it's ok... but... what should I do now...

Then I remembered-- ha! I'm behind on blog reading!

And I thought I was alone :)

~*~*~

I'm driving to Richmond tomorrow to pick up Matt when he's finished with his conference. Then, we'll head up to Maryland together to visit my grandma!

I think it'll be a great weekend. I'll take lots of pictures!

Hope you all have a great weekend as well!

Your TV-watchin,
too-much-Chinese-food-eatin,
Yes,-really-Christmas-shoppin,
New Girl Blogger

Yummy Cake, But Awful Picture...

2009-07-21T17:28:00.007-04:00

Listening to "Spinning," Jack's Mannequin

First, let's go ahead and get this out of the way.

Are you ready?

It's a really bad picture I took of some cake.

As in, REALLY bad picture.

I'm almost embarrassed.

Unfortunately, when you take a picture of chocolate cake... especially in a bunt cake shape... when half of it is gone... you have to be careful. It can turn out ugly.

Like my picture.

Ready?

Here we go...

Ok. I apologize for putting you through that.

I tried to take a better one, honest... a couple angles... different lighting... close ups... nothing worked.

Then I gave up and took this one.

See, the cake was better sliced on a plate, with a little chocolate sauce, next to some ice cream and a small drizzle of Bailey's Irish Cream...

...but it's hard to keep ice cream and Bailey's in the apartment for long.

So by the time I went to take a picture of the yummy cake, we were all out of those things.

Now that we've gotten the picture out of the way, let's really talk about...

Duo Dishes' Molten Cake:

(I used this recipe to make Matt's birthday cake!)

-The original recipe makes smaller, mini cakes that go great with ice cream and chocolate sauce!

-Matt loves snickers. So I melted a couple mini snickers in a crock pot and replaced some of the chocolate that the recipe calls for with my melted snickers concoction (you can see evidence of some of the snickers nuts on the platter!). I also cut up some of the mini snickers and mixed that into the batter. Yummm.

-I used a bunt pan so that it would be more like a birthday cake; the recipe still worked, I simply altered the cooking time.

-Yum!! I'd like to try it again later, using small ramekins like Duo Dishes does!

-I definitely recommend! But don't forget the ice cream! Very Important! Mmmm...

~*~*~

Matt's CFP Test:

So... he took it. Finally. After 9 months of classes and 2 months of studying! Phew.

He won't find out for six weeks whether or not he passed!

It's a hard test... over 3/4th of the people there had taken it before, and this was Matt's first time. It would be GREAT if he passed. He put so much time into class and studying, and he's a smart guy. But if he doesn't pass, it definitely won't be the end of the world. They offer the exam 4 times a year. But like I said, he studies a LOT, so I really think he might be just fine. We'll see!

Anyway, again, thanks for encouraging comments :) I updated him incessantly on how many people had wished him good luck!

~*~*~

Now I have to go. I just started a new marketing campaign for the tutoring company-- targeting pediatricians now, instead of just school counselors. It's fun, and it's been going really well, but definitely time consuming!

Plus, my Mom is like two books ahead of me in our Summer book club. Ack!

I should have a break on Thursday to get some much-needed blog reading done :)

~*~*~

Your Potter-fan,
Christmas-shopping,
always-tutoring,
New Girl Blogger

The Intimidating Holy Grail Recipe; + Awards!

2009-07-15T13:48:00.007-04:00

Listening to "Faster," Rachael Yamagata.

The Flank Steak

When I first saw this recipe over at My Tasty Treasures, I was intimidated.

Very intimidated.

Let me explain. Picture this from the beginning. Here I am, trying to learn how to cook this year... and I figured: I'm going to need to learn three things:

1. What kind of flavors are appropriate with what foods

2. How long to keep stuff in the oven or on the stove top

3. How to make gravy, so I can just pour that over things I burn.

Turns out... you need a little bit more than that to cook. It sounds unbelievable-- was I really that naive about cooking?-- but in all seriousness, I thought that it was kind of a one-process-fits-all deal. But recipes aren't just lists of ingredients... they're instructions. I know that now. Back when I first saw this recipe... it was proof that learning to cook, to really learn, the way I want to, would take a little while. There's a lot to learn!

I've learned a lot so far this year... or I feel like I have... thanks in big part to the Recipe Blogroll challenge (have I mentioned how excited I am to make a new one of those soon!?)... and last week I had sudden motivation to try the holy grail.

The recipe with string. (more commonly known as butcher's twine)

That's how I've been thinking of it! I remember when I saw Donna's pictures, all the steps, and
this process that I really wasn't familiar with... I was intimidated. But thanks to that sudden burst of kitchen confidence, I decided to try it.

and here it is!

The Stuffed Flank Steak Debut.

I did it!!

There was lots of jumping up and down, clapping... I asked Matt about 100 times if he liked it...

but more than anything, it was fun. It was fun to finish a recipe that I thought looked difficult. It was fun to create something that required carefully slicing the meat (and I didn't cut myself!), yummy ingredients and, of course, butcher's twine. And, as always, it was fun to learn one more thing about cooking :)

~*~*~

Blog Awards:

Thanks so much, ACE!

Rules:
1. Thank the award giver
2. Copy the Logo and place on your blog
3. Link back to the award giver/s
4. Name 10 things about you that people may find interesting
5. Nominate and link 10 other blogs for this award
6. Comment on each blog to tell them about the award!

Phew! ok. So, even though it's out of order, here's 10 blogs:
1. Fidgeting Gidget
2. Vicki
3. Amy
4. Mary
5. Iva
6. Katie
7. Shawna
8. Ali
9. Brilliant Farmgirl
10. Kristina

10 Interesting Things... hmm... hopefully these qualify.
1. I read really fast, sometimes too fast.
2. I like things clean and neat; but sometimes it's physically impossible for me to put away my laundry.
3. I have my bank card number, drivers license number and student ID number easily memorized, but I lose my phone 10 times a day.
4. I dye my hair a lot; I think it's fun.
5. My favorite type of wine is cabernet sauvignon... it can even be a cheap one, I'm not too picky.
6. My high school lacrosse team won the state championship my senior year; for me, the best part was that my little sister was a freshman on the team so we got to do that together.
7. My first car was a p.o.s. named Will, and I loved him.
8. I'm still a little (a lot) afraid of the dark.
9. I absolutely LOVE airports and hotels.
10. I got hit by a car once while I was on my bike! It was just a little hit, I was fine, and the girl paid to fix my bike... but if you're in a college town and on your cell phone, pay attention to bikes! It could be me!

Also...

Thanks so much, Ali!

Rules:
This award is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to six bloggers who must choose six more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

1. Suz
2. Ace
3. Sarah
4. Peggy
5. The Gamer's Wife
6. Samantha

Woo-hoo! Congrats everyone. Awards are fun :)

~*~*~

I'll save my Duo Dishes' cake post for Friday or Saturday; I'm trying hard to update more than once a week! (And I'm going to need something to distract me while Matt's taking his test...)

Thanks so much for wishing Matt good luck on his exam. He's starting to get nervous (eek! Me too!)... but still doing a great job of studying. We drove to the testing site today, that way he wouldn't worry about driving directions the day of the exam, and we took a break for lunch at Olive Garden! MY FAVORITE! Now he's studying away again... every couple of hours we take a break and play Mario Kart on the 64 :)

~*~*~

Small P.S.: If you're looking for some jaw-dropping inspiration, just take a quick peek at the insane workout plan my best friend Suz has planned for the next 30 days. She went to Canada in high school but she's still my Suz, and if I know her well enough she'll be a little annoyed and embarrassed that I gave her a shout out like this... but she can just deal because her last couple posts about what she's doing during her 30 days of training are really... insane! She's so motivated! Good luck Suz :) Work out enough for the both of us!

~*~*~

Your breadsticks-lovin,
new-music-searchin,
History-channel-watchin,
New Girl Blogger

Birthday Bonanza! + Promises for Recipe Reviews

2009-07-12T19:36:00.007-04:00

Listening to "Hometown Glory," Adele.

I am a little embarrassed...

...feel as though I might be scolded...

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!

Sorry! It's been over a week since I blogged. Last post, I was blabbing about Matt's birthday, then a busy week of tutoring and Web Design got the best of me, and then...

before I knew it, there was another birthday to celebrate...

But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Matt's Birthday:

You may recall... he had to spend the whole Birthday/4th July weekend in his online class (his CFP exam is THIS FRIDAY, the 17th!!!! He's studying while I type this :p )
We did go out for 4th of July-- to a baseball game with hot dogs, some beers and fireworks.

The Will-Call lady randomly gave us two free,
unclaimed tickets! I thanked her and immediately
gushed, "It's his birthday!!!" He's got good
karma, I guess :)

His birthday DAY (the 5th) I gave him his big surprise present-- GOLF LESSONS!

That's not even the best part.

They're couples lessons.

For the two of us.

To learn golf.

Together.

Dorky? Corny? Yes.

You may be thinking... uh, Sarah... does your boyfriend maybe want lessons of his own? Without you hanging around? I mean, you guys already live together... he can have his own hobbies...

Well, don't you worry. Luckily, my boyfriend likes me and we've been talking forever about how we'd like to learn golf together. So he was very surprised and excited.

I got him two lessons; we'll have our own instructor, and any equipment we don't have we can rent--free of charge (well, free because we paid for the lessons, anyway). And since it's a gift certificate, we can have the lessons whenever we want!
Oh, and we went out to dinner to The Melting Pot. YUM!!! And romantic, in a fun way; since you do have to spend time cooking your food it's not a dinner you can rush through. We had fun :) Definitely couldn't afford to go there every month, but it was worth the visit. I'm a new fondue fan!!

So Matt had a successful birthday... despite the studying.

...and like I said, he's still studying.

But it'll finally be over this week!

(can you tell that I'm a little more than a little bit exited about Matt finally taking this test on Friday? He's seriously a study zombie.)

~*~*~

Who else had a birthday?

ABBY!!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ABBY!!

Since it was her 1st Birthday... it'll obviously be best explained in pictures...

Mom Allie makes Abby a special ladybug cake...

Abby does a great job of eating the cake
like the big one-year-old Abbster that she is...

After a quick bath and outfit change,
Abby opens presents!

And, after all the excitement, takes a quick
nap on her Aunt Sarah :)

It was a lovely birthday :)

Now I'm home and tired.

~*~*~

But I promise, next post, no more birthday madness!

Instead, reviews of:
-Duo Dishes' Molten Chocolate Cake (was Matt's birthday cake!)
-My Tasty Treasures' Flank Steak (yum! just wait!)

Till then, I'm going to enjoy my boyfriend's company (he was studying all weekend and couldn't make it to Abby's festivities), finish my tutor reports and try to catch up on Love in the Time of Cholera! My Mom's already finished!

~*~*~

Your about-to-read,
still-knitting-checkers,
counting-down-'till-HP,
New Girl Blogger

Frogged- Back to Square 1. Jambalaya. Matt's B-Day!

2009-07-03T10:47:00.011-04:00

Listening to "I'm Gonna Love You Forever," Randy Travis.

I frogged my checkerboard.

(For those of you who aren't knit enthusiasts)...

Frog: (v) When the knitter makes a mistake, but does not notice the mistake for a while, and is forced to rip out multiple rows of a project, a process known as frogging.

So, again, I frogged my checkerboard. Complete frog. Earlier this week I came to a mistake row, tried to fix it, made it worse, tried to take it out, got stitches crossed and backwards... so I frogged it.

post-frogging: my progress since Wednesday.

Back to square 1... I've been knitting it all over again since Wednesday.

But it's ok! It's a fun pattern to knit, I learned something through my mess up, and I'd rather it be knitted well than almost done and all messy.

~*~*~

Cooking Update

I made Cajun Chicken, Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya. It is Sooooo good.

Originally, I was going to try Mom on the Run's recipe, which looks fabulous. But I was e-mailed one from a blog friend... he's a military fighter pilot guy who had a blog that helped him clear his head, but he was afraid it would be too easy for others to decipher his wannabe-anonymous identity. So he took the blog private.

But before doing so, he e-mailed me this Jambalaya recipe! And it is so fabulous... it's so amazing that even if you're a vegetarian I would at least suggest trying to make this with tofu or something. Ok... not sure if that would work. But... seriously, the flavor is amazing. Hmm... now I'm trying to think of what veggies you could use to replace all the meat. I'll keep thinking...

I thought I would post the recipe exactly how he e-mailed it, with my comments interjected of course! :)

Ingredients:
-2 or 3 chicken breasts [Sarah's note: I used 3]
-Package of andouille sausage (the pepperage farm stuff will do just fine. they make a "cajun" version.) [Sarah's note: I went pepperage farm!]
-A pound or so of shrimp (I'd suggest no smaller than medium. Large works well but sometimes they're too large and people wont get a lot per serving)
-3 ripe tomatoes (use fresh, ive tried to make this with canned and you lose a lot) [Sarah's note: Glad he told me that... I use canned tomatoes a lot with cooking, 'cause I'm a wimp, but he convinced me not to]
-Chicken stock
-2 or 3 cups of rice (I prefer jasmine but that's the filipino in me)[Sarah's note: I used 2.5 cups Jasmine rice]
-4 cloves of garlic
-1 whole medium red onion
-"Cajun" seasoning
-Red pepper flakes
-Salt and pepper

okay. this is an easy, one pot (or two) dish.
First, the prep:

-Garlic - chop fine
-Red onion - chop fine as well
-Tomatoes - peeled, seeded, and chopped fine. my trick is to core the tomatoes. make an "X" on the bottom of it with a knife. then to put them into boiling water for a minute. take them out and immediately place them into ice cold water to "shock" them. That allows you to peel the tomatoes (from the X) quite easily. once peeled, cut in half and squeeze the seeds out. after that's all done, you can chop up the tomatoes into small pieces. dont worry though, the tomatoes will cook thoroughly and dissolve into the stew. [Sarah's note: This was SO helpful! I had no idea how to do this. It was fairly quick and easy. And he was right, the tomatoes dissolved right into the jambalaya, which is great because I'm not big on tomato chunks. So cool. I love recipes that help me learn...]
-Chicken - chop into smallish, 1 or 2" bite sized pieces.
-Sausage - cut diagonally
-Shrimp - peel. devine if you so choose. I don't. [Sarah's note: I bought some that were already peeled and deveined... wimp, I know. One thing at a time, people.]

Cooking time.
-In a large stock pot or dutch oven, heat up some olive oil. add red pepper flakes to infuse the oil. [Sarah's Note: I used 1.5 tbsp Red Pepper Flakes. I thought it was a perfect amount, but I am a slight spice wimp. Use your gut] Add onion and let simmer for a couple minutes.
-Next add garlic and simmer being careful not to burn the garlic.
-Salt, pepper, and add cajun seasoning. I wish I could tell you how much, just game it. [Sarah's Note: I used what I felt like was a lot... 4tbsp cajun, 2 tbsp salt, 2 tbsp pepper. But it turned out great. I love "taste and see" recipes!]
-Next add chicken and sausage and let saute for a couple minutes. I add some more salt and pepper and cajun seasonings.
-After a couple minutes of sauteing (you dont need long) add the tomatoes and stir. last chance to adjust seasonings so one last taste test.
-Add the rice and follow the instructions for the amount of liquid/chicken stock (usually 1.5-2 parts liquid to rice). [Sarah's note: I used 2.5 cups rice, 5 cups chicken stock]
-Give one good stir then cover.
-Bring stew to a boil then reduce heat to simmer. DO NOT OPEN THE LID ONCE CLOSED!
-Rice usually takes 20 mins to cook so around minute 16-17, add the shrimp to the stew and cover again. this allows the shrimp to cook but not become rubbery from being overcooked.
-Once rice is fully cooked, remove from heat. salt and pepper to taste.

I find that it tastes better if you can perfect the seasoning before the rice gets in. Remember the rice is going to absorb a lot of it. i have a tendency to overseason though so i have to really be timid with it.

Yum. 'Nuff said.

Thanks, blog friend! Like I said-- it turned out really great. I'm loving the leftovers!

Tonight's cooking goal: Donna--FFW's Stuffed Flank Steak. EEeek! Soo excited...

~*~*~

Matt's Birthday!

Matt's birthday is this Sunday! One day after the 4th :) It would be cool if he was born on Independence Day... because then we'd both kinda be born on holidays... but one day off isn't bad.

I am so looking forward to his birthday! I love his birthday. We always do something fun...

Here's us two years ago when I took him kayaking:

We kayaked to this little inlet in Wilmington and had a lovely picnic, just the two of us!

Then a storm came in and we almost died getting back, trying to dodge all the 4th of July vacation boats who were trying to hurry back as well. But that story another day :)

And one year ago, when we celebrated his birthday in Charleston...

Here we are at the Battery, lookin' out at the water...

Here we are, a little tipsy after lots of good food and good drinks at a fancy restaurant in downtown Charleston...

So, what big surprise do we have for his birthday this year??

Unfortunately, he has 20 hours of online courses to complete this weekend for his CFP stuff. I know, on the 4th and on his birthday! So no big surprises like previous years... but it's ok; Sunday night we're going out to The Melting Pot, a fun, swanky fondue restaurant. We've never been!

I've got a couple fun surprises planned... a yummy surprise cake, some fun presents, and a treat at the restaurant... but I can't post JUST in case he looks at the blog. Not that he'll have any time to this weekend with his class... but I don't want to risk it. I'll fill you in later, hopefully with pictures of us fondue-dipping!

It's definitely not kayaking or traveling... but it's going to be a good weekend :)

~*~*~

Other sidenotes:

-Tom's in China! Cool... he'll be there till about July 10th, home just in time for him and my Mom to take my younger sisters on a big camping trip
-Happy Birthday, America! My Dad will be enjoying the 4th from Baghdad, so send happy thoughts that way :)
-Winston is here! I've blogged about Winston before... he's a family friend's dog that I dog sit sometimes. Winston's parents are enjoying the beach this weekend, so he's here keeping me company while Matt studies... (actually, he's lying under the table by Matt while Matt studies and pets him. He's supposed to be playing with me... dogs always like Matt better than me. What is that?!)
-Juggling 3 web projects right now: two volunteer, one paid. Phew! It's taking up a lot of time!

~*~*~

Have a great holiday weekend, everyone!

Your checkers-frogging, web-designing,
jambalaya-enjoying, birthday-anticipating,
New Girl Blogger

Summer Blues/Me = Dork, Blog Awards, Half Birthday.

2009-06-27T12:57:00.008-04:00

Listening to "Beautiful World," Colin Hay.

Dear Blogger Friends,

What I'm about to say just might be considered by some of you to be utter blasphemy. So, I apologize in advance to anyone who may take offense.

But...

I'm ready for summer to be over.

THERE. I said it. I know, I know, you think I'm crazy. And I'm so sorry if summer is your favorite time of the year, because here I am wishing it away.

But...

I'm ready for school to start.

See, I've always been a big sit in the front row, raise your hand a lot, read the extra assignments, color-coded note cards NERD. I'm a school nerd. I love things like school supplies and new planners. I look at my fall school schedule at least once a week just because I'm that freakin' excited about it. I've already read the first chapter in most of my textbooks for next semester.

True Story.

And, next semester will be the start of something amazing-- my Teaching Assistantship. I worked my butt off in undergrad, trying to acquire the grades, research experience, internships and awards that would back up my lifelong dream of being a TA. Hey, some kinds wanna be movie stars. I wanted a free ride to school and the joy of teaching experience.

Last year, applying to grad school and waiting to hear about my TA application was such a roller coaster. First, I was told I wouldn't get the position because of a lack of funding. Then, there was funding, and I got my position.

Quite the Disney movie, eh?

And now, as we simmer through the middle of the summer, as my school books sit lonely on my desk, as my pencils and planners and notecards and binders and highlighters and erasers and paperclips hibernate sadly in boxes and slumped bookbags, I can't help but dream about that first day of school.

I need to snap out of it!

I have almost a month and a half before school starts. That's a lot of summer! I don't want to dream it away just because there are exciting things on the horizon! So, here's my...

List of Exciting Summer Things:
(to get my mind off of the starting-school excitement)

1. Abby's First Birthday- July 11th, 2009.
Oh baby Abby, this time last year I was feverishly knitting your a baby blanket, trying to finish it before you popped out of your Mom. I didn't succeed, but that's ok-- the wee hours of July 11th were a happy time for everyone, finished knit blanket or not. I'm very proud to be your Aunt Sarah and I can't wait for your birthday. I also can't wait till you're older and I can steal you away from your Mom for zoo trips and things :)

My first knitting project- and a blanket for
Abby's first year, given to her and her Mommy
last summer. What will I get her this year?!

2. Matt's CFP Exam- July 17th and 18th, 2009.
For over 10 months now, Matt has been working towards becoming a Certified Financial Planner. He's been in class every other weekend, on Friday evenings and all day Saturday, since last September. He's read countless books, taken multiple mini-examinations, and suffered through hours of in-person and online lectures. After all that... he takes his two-day, 10 hour exam next month. I know he's going to feel so great after taking that exam, thanks to all his hard work! And I'll be glad to say goodbye to the Saturday study zombie and hello to free-time boyfriend. Saturday baseball game, anyone?!

3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- July 15th @ Midnight
Did I mention that I'm a nerd? I've been to the premiere of each Harry Potter movie, in line at midnight with all the other crazy fans. When the books were still coming out, I'd finish my waitressing shift and immediately head to Barnes & Nobles, waiting in line with the other fanatics just so I could rush home and read. I'd usually stay up all night till I finished the book and head into work again right after. Can you imagine? D-O-R-K!

Can't. Wait.

Since Matt will be only a couple days away from his exam at that point, Allie might be my date instead. Fun!

4. Recipe Blogroll- Part Deux
I really enjoyed creating my first recipe blogroll. It's been such a fun project, always reminding me to try the recipes that I found and enjoyed on your blogs! I'm almost done with this one and I really look forward to creating the next one. Just a couple more recipes for me to finish first!

5. The 2-Woman, 4-Book Bookclub
The Mom/Daughter book club! I just started Love in the Time of Cholera. It's definitely a slow read-- slow, slow read-- but I'm enjoying it so far. Yesterday after I got off work, I went to the local wine/coffee bar where our knitting group meets, and read outside with a beer for a while. It was so nice! I might do the same thing today while Matt studies... even though I should really take care of some work things.

6. My Checkerboard
Progress has slowed since I recently frogged a row... but this knitting project is going to be a great finished product. Can't wait to celebrate it with a game of checkers during a summer picnic with Matt! After he takes his test, of course.

So I have lots of things to look forward to...

birthdays, books, movies, knitting and recipes. Plus, blogging! See, I knew a list would help. If I could just avoid accidentally coming across really adorable school supplies in stores... I just might make it through this summer without searching for a time speed-up machine on E-bay.

~*~*~

Blog Awards:

Last post, I thanked Mrs. C for passing me the Charming and Honest Blogger Award!

Here's the blog award description:

"This award is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

And here are some other bloggers that I feel deserve the award (I accidentally chose more than 8):

1. LiLu: Girl, I know you've received it before, but you are definitely the most Honest blogger I know.
2. Burp and Slurp: I love how you intertwine your personal experiences and hardships with your new found courage and commitment to healthy eating. Lovely!
3. Fidgeting Gidget: A seriously amazing blogger. This girl puts up 7 blog posts to my every 1. She's incredible! Try to keep up!
4. Ella @ Here, There, Everywhere: She's on an extended vacation right now, but when she's home she's always filling us in about life and experiences on the dating scene. She's very honest about it all and it's fun for a "taken" girl like me to live vicariously through someone who's still enjoying the roller coaster of dating!
5. Sebastian-- Sebs, you're a boy. Normally, boy bloggers aren't ones to hope for blog awards. But if any boy can appreciate an award despite the chance that its frivolous aesthetics could make him appear just a tad effeminate... it's you. And you are quite honest.
6. Kym @ Bee Creative- This girl is hilarious, and quite honest. Her last blog post that I read was about the time she was questioned about her age in an airplane seat row that required all occupants to be at least 15 years old. And she's 21!! Don't worry girl, I feel your pain.
7. Cook. Lift. Study. THIS BLOG is by one of my very BEST FRIENDS! Isn't that cool? We suffered through high school together, and now she's up in Canada doing the Undergrad thing... love that we can stay connected through blogging. Oh, and she's charming and honest and all that.
8. Amy @ Rainy Saturday: Another honest, talk-about-life blogger. A great read!
9. Kim @ My Idea of What's Going On: My Peace Corps friend, who I love and miss, is a honest blogger... which is good, because every time I read her posts I feel like we had a quick conversation!
10. YOSH Sarah: Sarah is fun. A goof. In Japan. Named Sarah, and spells it right. What's not to love?

~*~*~

Also, thanks to Cucinista @ Working Lunch, I've received the One Lovely Blogger Award!

Thanks, Cucinista! I think you definitely deserved the Lovely Blog award as well!

Here are some more I'd like to pass this award on to:
1. Green Ink: A lovely, inspiring blog.
2. LK @ Healthy Delicious: She really does make everything look delicious, even if it is healthy.
3. Steph @ LesJouJou: Great all around blogger. I love her posts, especially Etsy Vintage days... plus, her Etsy shop was totally featured on the Etsy homepage the other day, so she's like my famous blogger friend.
4. More Yarn Please: Started this blog to answer a dare by her blogging daughter. It's lovely as well.
5. She Knits by the Seashore: A sweet blogger who incorporates so many things into each blog post. A joy to read.
6. Jenn @ Slim Shoppin': Always has a yummy, healthy post to enjoy. Definitely eyeing a couple of her recipes for my next recipe blogroll!
7. Sarah Says: Sarah is lovely and funny, and she's gonna have one lovely baby here soon! Er... I should say one handsome baby, not lovely, but was trying to stay in award theme. He'll be a lovely handsome boy :)
8. Chow and Chatter: Her recipes are so unique, it's always a fun read. Can't wait to try some of them!
9. Next to Heaven: Mrs. C's definitely got the blog thing down. A lot of times she's participating in writing prompts that just might inspire you to blog as well!
10. Ninja Knits: Another knitting friend who posts amazing and inspiring things. Her last post title, Foodgasim Continues, made me laugh out loud. in public.
11. Knitting Knoobie: Always one of the first blogs I visit when I start blog reading. I've been visiting her blog for a while and her stories of NYC knitting stores inspire me to keep knitting! Also, stories about her frogging projects make me feel like I'm not the only one :)

~*~*~

In other, albeit random, news...

Thursday was my half Birthday!

My birthday sucks.
It's on Christmas.
No, really. I was born on Christmas.

So my step-dad started this tradition back in the day where, in order to bridge the long period between Decembers--during the "presents drought" (Valentine's Day is nice, but mostly I just get lots of presents once a year. You summer birthdays better appreciate your parents timing!!)-- he gets me a small "half Birthday" present.

Cute, right?

He was actually in California this week so I haven't gotten my little gift yet, but we did all go out to dinner last night at my favorite local Mexican restaurant, Dos Taquitos, so I considered the margaritas my half birthday present. Even though we were really celebrating belated Father's Day and his return from Cali.

So thanks, Tom! And happy half Birthday to me-- can you believe you now have less than 6 months till Christmas?!

I gotta get knitting!

~*~*~

That's all for now; hope everyone has a great weekend!

Your Michael-Jackson-mixed-CD-makin,
soon-to-be-knitting, Saturday-afternoon-coffee-drinkin,
New Girl Blogger

Buffalo Wing Ckn, Blog Award, Father's Day/Birthday!

2009-06-22T16:07:00.005-04:00

Currently Listening to "Hello Sunshine," Syd Matters.

So, it was Father's Day Weekend!

My Mom & Tom were visiting Connie and Bill, Allie's parents and Abby's grandparents [see previous post for pictures of the adorable Abby and my friend Allie!]. So we're going to celebrate with Tom sometime next week.

We spend Sunday evening with my Dad and MarAnna, eating yummy grilled cheeseburgers and mac & cheese, which was nice!

The group, all smiles :)

We got him a onesie in preparation for the Twins arrival in December.

It was also my Dad's birthday this week, so he's really had a lot to celebrate.

Also, the same evening my Dad was able to give Siobhan her 17th birthday presents! With a big family, it's always someone's birthday/father-or-mother's day/anniversary/graduation, etc.

Beautiful birthday girl! She got
a GPS from the 'rents-- not going to
lie, I'm totally jealous.

~*~*~

Cooking Updates

Buffalo Wing Sammies and homemade wedge fries, found on Steph Chow's and now crossed off my recipe blogroll!!

We had the buffalo wing chicken on buns
and the next day in wraps. Good either
way!!! I tore the chicken into smaller
pieces for the bun serve, but ate it up
tender-style in the wrap :)

I. Love. French. Fries.

SO good. Ok... so technically Steph Chow's fries recipe was for healthy shoestring sweet potato fries. I love sweet potato fries!

...but Matt doesn't.

And since he's the one who spent 20 hours in a digital classroom for CFP this weekend (I know! 20 hours! He really did. He's really preparing for this exam... test on July 17th!) ... and since cutting potatoes is hard for me and includes the slight possibility of me slicing off a pinky (just kidding, Mom), I figured I would make the kind of fries eeeeveryone likes.

They were so yummy. No leftovers left, already!

I hope it was a nice reward for Matt, since he had so much classroom time-- bar food at home!!

~*~*~

Gifts!

It was Father's Day, and my little sis's birthday, and I'm the one getting presents?!

I know!

Saffron from a Sweetie
One of my dearest friends is currently in Azerbaijan, workin the Peace Corps thing for a little while! I sent her a package a while back, and she rewarded me greatly by shipping me some LOVELY things from Azzy.

Including SAFFRON.

I bought a special container for it. He's
getting along well with the other spices so far.

To a new cook, this is like gold.

...awesome looking, strange gold that I do not yet know how to use.

But I will learn!

THANKS Kim :)

~*~*~

Blog Award!

Thanks to Mrs. C for the Charming and Honest Blog Award!

I love it! Promise to award others in my next post :)
...I've said that before. But I mean it this time. Trust, people!

~*~*~

This week,

I've finished up Count of Monte Cristo. One of the kids I'm tutoring is really struggling with reading, so we're reading a couple books together over the summer. I'm glad to be done with it, though; I can start with Love in the time of Cholera, one of the books my Mom and I choose for our Summer Book Club.
I've been knitting away; actually, crocheting! I crocheted along the edge of Abby's Jacket to give it a more finished look. So excited that I know how to crochet now! I'll have more pictures of that when I give it to Ms. Abby on her birthday next month!
Working on a Web site for the lacrosse team I used to coach. Fun!
More survey calls for the tutoring company... these are getting less and less fun. "Do you have a couple of minutes to tell me about your tutoring experience this year?" Blah.
Will make time to go to the pool. WILL! It's summer!

~*~*~

Your about-to-eat-dinner,
excited-for-Transformers!,
Jon-and-Kate-ignoring,
New Girl Blogger

No Can... but Muffins, Cookies, Hummus and ABBY JACKET!

2009-06-17T10:01:00.003-04:00

Listening to "Passing Afternoon," Iron & Wine.

Article Update:
My article I was telling you about, the whole possibility of getting published? It has been officially submitted for publication. Woo-hoo! I cut it down to a final 25 pages and sent it off last night. We'll see! I'm nervous, but in the end it was good writing practice if nothing else :)

Stanley Can!
...so I didn't win.

I played two rounds, got 4th in the first round and 3rd in the second. Not good enough to get me into the final round. So I am improving! Maybe next year...

Matt played great! I knew he would... that's why I wanted to beat him. Haha! But he came in first during one of two preliminary rounds, which gave him enough points to put him in the "playoff runoff." He didn't make it out of that round alive, but it was cool to see him playing with some of the "serious croquet stars," almost in the finals!

Matt playing... you can see the
Stanley Can in the background!

Luckily, though, the hummus was a HIT! Such a hit... that it was all gone before I could take a picture. But seriously, if you haven't tried Steph Chow's hummus recipe yet, do so... everyone was gobbling it up! I got lots of praise!

Here are some Stanley Can moments
I did manage to capture:

My Mom and Abby, spectating.

My youngest sister Siobhan, who placed
1st during her first round! We were so
proud! She's literally jumping for joy...

small sidenote: today's Siobhan's birthday. She'll be 17! my
youngest sister is 17... so, of course, I feel old.

Allie (my best friend and Abby's Mom),
trying her hand at croquet!

Allie's Stanley Can Cake! It's a little
melted in this picture... but how
cool! She's very creative :)

Leah, my other best friend that came
to visit, and Abby after lunch :)

Overall it was just fun. Jason Jones, one of the members of the tourney that has been there since the beginning, ended up winning the cup (again). So next year he'll be the host!

~*~*~

Knitting Update:

The Finished Abby Jacket

All done :) I was literally still knitting the final sleeve the morning Allie and Abby were going to leave, because I really wanted Abby to try it on...

Abby, modeling her freshly finished jacket!

I really like the way it turned out! I might crochet along the edges to make it a little smoother, and then add a button... I have a little time to do that, since I'm giving her the jacket for her first birthday this July 11th!

Look at her smile! She's a very happy baby :)

It feels good to finally be finished... I can finish up my checkerboard! I'm still only on the second row of squares...

~*~*~

Cooking Update
To treat my weekend guests, Leah, Allie and Abby, I made muffins and cookies.

Smitten Kitchen's Brownie Roll-Out Cookies
(thanks for the recipe pointer, From a North London Kitchen!)
-Very yummy
-Easy, except you have to wait for the dough to chill for an hour. I'm very impatient!
-Not too sweet-- a perfect snack cookie!
-Great for cookie cutters :)

Steph Chow's Blueberry Muffins
-SO good!
-Low Calorie (unless, like me, you add a topping of butter/brown sugar... bad. I know. bad.)
-Quick to make!

These are totally all gone now...

~*~*~

And now ladies and gentlemen... I am going to click on my google reader for the first time since Friday...

145 posts?!?! Holy blogger, you guys!

...I'll try to catch up. I do have to work though, you know, so give me a couple days.

~*~*~

Your cookie-eating,
sister's-birthday-celebrating,
checker-square-knitting,
New Girl Blogger

What's a Stanely CAN? + why all bananas = evil.

2009-06-10T12:13:00.008-04:00

Listening to "Into the Mystic," Van Morrison.

I... haven't been cooking.

...or really knitting.

or reading or cleaning or doing laundry or answering e-mails.

Instead, I ate a banana.

Well I didn't eat a whole one, but I ate some in a smoothie. By accident. But I'm allergic to bananas. Normally my lip just swells up or something and a benedryl will cure all/make me take a nap. But this time... my tongue swelled/cramped up.

I sounded like this guy.

Warren from There's Something about Mary--
love that movie :)

I'm fine :0) But I did have to go to the emergency room and get some not-so-fun shots and stuff, so today I'm tiiiiired.

I'm going to go to an allergist and make sure I'm not allergic to anything else :) And my parents have instructed that Matt is no longer to have any bananas in the apartment. Ever. lol. Poor guy.

Plus I've got some epi-pens now, which is nice. My mom's going to sew me a fun carrying case for one!

Anyone else got strange allergies or experiences with them? The human body is a crazy thing!

~*~*~

THE STANLEY CAN!

When my step-father Tom was in high school, he and his dorky friends set up a croquet tournament. It turned into an annual event so that every summer all the friends could get back together and hang out.

My Mom at last year's tournament, plotting
her next croquet move...

Whoever wins the croquet tournament gets to put their name on the coveted Stanley Can.

Jason, the 2007 Stanley Can winner,
passing the can to last year's
winner-- my Step-Dad Tom!

Also, the winner gets to be the host of the next Stanley Can tournament.

This year's tournament will be at my parent's house this Saturday! I have a couple friends coming into town (Leah, my best friend from college, and Allie, my best friend from... forever (3rd grade), who is bringing her baby Abby), plus lots of fun friends of my parents. Also, two of my favorite families to babysit for are coming!! It's going to be a great day :)

I plan to make:
-A hummus plate, complete with two kinds of hummus and veggies, pita chips and pita triangles for dipping. I plan to use Steph Chow's hummus recipe again! This will be my "covered dish" contribution to the Can.
-Cookies, maybe in the shape of a Stanley Can!
-Muffins, for my apartment guests (Leah and Allie) to enjoy in the morning! I guess Matt can have some, too...

So look forward to lots of Stanley Can pictures soon :) And reviews of the recipes I use!

~*~*~

For today, I'm going to take another nap, skip tutoring, take my medicine, try to catch up on blog reading, and knit. I need to be ready for the can, so rest is imperative. I've been telling Matt that I'm going to beat his croquet butt for months!!

**********
EDIT
Forgot to mention, Tamela at A Brunette Making It One Day at a Time is having a fab contest; you could win Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD! I really want it... but thought I would let you know, since so many of us are trying to look good in our bathing suits this summer :)

Also, Knitting Knoobie just announced her newest contest -- you could win some beautiful yarn. All you have to do to enter is tell a joke! How cute!

Can you tell I'm catching up on blog reading? Ha!
**********

Your soon-to-be-napping,
perpetually-behind-on-blog-reading,
banana-hating,
New Girl Blogger

Readabu292. Plus, a 2-woman book club.

2009-06-07T12:31:00.010-04:00

Listening to "Forever," Ben Harper.

When I was a kid, somewhere around 7 years old, I got to do what (at the time) I thought was the coolest thing in the world. Ever. Cooler than Alanis Morissette playing the harmonica in her music videos (...ok, so I totally miss '90s music).

I got to set up my very own AIM screen name.

Now, this was "back in the day" when not everyone had a home computer. Back in the day, when AOL joyously announced "You've Got Mail" after your computer sang the "Dial-Up" techno-themed connection song for 20 minutes before getting online. Oh, dial up. Remember?

Anyway, I was so excited to make a screen name. I thought for hours, days even, about what my online persona would be titled. And after all that thought, I came up with...

ReadaBu292.

...what?

In my elementary-school genius, I thought of "read a bunch." Because that's what I did when I was young. I read. A bunch. Or, "a bu," since apparently I thought that shortening "bunch" in my screen name would make sense.

...And the 292? I have no idea. I guess I thought it rhymed?

Anyway, besides proving to you that I was a huuuuge dork when I was younger (/totally still am), I've also revealed one of my long time hobbies: Reading!

Me in all my elementary school glory.
My Mom thinks I am too dramatic about how
dorky I was during my awkward years... but
that's just because she's the one who gave me
that haircut.

Like the glasses in that picture? It's a small/blurry pic... but in case you were wondering: yes, I was in serious need of braces. And yes, that's a sweater vest.

ANYWAY-- I love to read. After all, I double-majored in English and history in Undergrad. And... if you try to major in those without seriously loving reading... you're pretty much going to throw yourself out of a library window.

Which brings me to the Word of the Day:

defenestrate: to throw through or out of a window.

No, I'm not kidding. Look it up.

~*~*~

Recent Read:

I just finished Catcher in the Rye. How I graduated with an English degree without reading this book... I'm not sure. But I finally caught up.
Review:
I was definitely affected by Holden. I was wrapped up in his story and Salinger's writing style. But I just felt so empathetically lonely while reading... and in the end it finished so abruptly. I had to hold the book close to my chest for a couple minutes and just sigh/think. (...I mentioned that I'm a big dork, right?) I wanted to understand his character enough to ponder about where his life went after the story ended. But it was bleak to think about.

Any thoughts? Was this anyone's favorite high school required reading?

If you liked Catcher and the Rye... might interest you to know that someone other than Salinger wrote a sequel. No kidding. Salinger's pissed about it though and is trying to sue so that it doesn't get published. Poor hermit Salinger. He just wants everyone to leave him and his book characters alone. So stop asking him for movie rights to Catcher, people!

~*~*~

The Two-Woman Book Club

So moving on... while in the library, I was talking on the phone to my Mom about what book to pick up. My Mom and I are seriously close... and what started as a quick phone call about book ideas turned into a debate about the 15 most alcoholic writers of all time (I totally predicted Hemingway would be numero uno, but was surprised to see how low ol' Tennessee Williams was on the list... thought he'd be like #3!).

This digression turned into us deciding that we should read some books together over the summer. Join a book club? Never! My whole undergraduate career was like an academic book club. So it's just going to be my Mom and me, reading books pool side (we've also discussed alcoholic pool-side drinks, which would of course change depending on the theme/setting of the book).

We decided that I would pick two books, then she would pick two books.

Here are our picks:

1. Sarah's Key (my pick): The juxtaposition of two stories: 10-year-old Sarah, caught in the roundup/deportation of Jewish families in Paris during the '40s, and Julia, a 45-year-old Jounalist, covering the story some 60 years later during the anniversary of the tragedy.

2. 'Round Ireland with a Fridge (my pick): British comedian Tony Hawks is bet that he cannot travel around Ireland with a fridge in tow. This book chronicles his attempt and the journey along the way. What's not to love?!

3. Love in the Time of Cholera (Mom's pick): Love and disappointment, set in the Carribbean. I'm kind of embarrassed that I haven't read this yet because it's supposed to be sooo good.

4. The Swallows of Kabul (Mom's pick): Set in Kabul, follows two couples dealing with the rule of the Taliban and the changing social/religious ideologies and how these changes have affected their lives.

I think we're going to start with Love. We both have other books to finish, then we'll get started!

Other news:

Construction: is finally done. Our apartment is slightly more normal now.
Knitting: One more row of checkered squares is complete! Need to go buy different sized DPNs to finish Abby's jacket sleeves... knitting is expensive. Good thing I'm an addict.
Cooking: Am struggling to finish these last couple Recipe Blogroll items. Will work harder this week!
Sports: Anyone else see the RED WINGS DOMINATE last night? Actually... I was babysitting and watching Disney Channel for most of it. But the score speaks for itself. 5-0, baby!
Babysitting: Had a full weekend of babysitting and it was lovely. I. Love. Kids.

~*~*~

Your readabu292,
OLD-NAVY-LOVIN, (did you see their sales this week! SCORE!)
Sunday-Food-Network-watchin,
Holden-Caulfield-pondering,
New Girl Blogger.

Sports, Meatloaf, MacChz II, Knitting, Construction. + Snickers.

2009-06-05T10:23:00.007-04:00

Listening to "Lucky Boy," Matt Nathanson

What a week!

Tutoring
Almost done with most of my tutoring clients and starting to meet some of the new clients that I'll be helping for the summer. I love meeting new clients! You can always tell the kids who are a little shy at first... but who you know are going to be crazy, talk-non-stop fireballs later on :)

Also finished up my training in the tutor company Main Office. I'll be in charge of billing, filing, and some marketing. Next week I'll be calling local school counselors and asking if they'd like information about our company. Yikes! I hate cold calls. But Matt gave me a tip that seems to be working-- "It's hard for people to be mean to you on the phone if you're smiling. They can't see your smile, but they can hear it!" It works!

Getting Published?
I've also been working on a fun project-- editing my undergraduate honors thesis. What? Didn't I graduate from Undergrad already?

I did... but my school nominated my honors thesis to the NC Undergraduate Journal, a journal which includes work from undergraduate students in all 16 public NC Universities. So I've been turning my 100+ page honors thesis into a 25 page article! How exciting-- it might get published! I'll let you know :)

Sports
Of course! The Red Wings are vying for the STANLEY CUP '09! Matt is from Detroit... have I told you that? So it's exciting for them to have a Detroit pro team do well-- especially after the way the Detroit Lions performed: historically, embarrassingly awful. They were the first Pro football team to have a no win season. So luckily, the hockey team is bringing a better rep to the city!

Nice! 

The Wings did suffer a disappointing loss last night, but I think they've been playing well and am excited for the next game.

Also-- NBA Finals!!

Howard, making Bryant look not as tall...

I'm rooting for the Magic because I think Dwight Howard should have a ring... plus, Kobe, you have a couple rings. But the Magic lost last night, and the Lakers are historically phenom when playing in a series after winning the series' first game. So we'll see how that goes!

You guys? Anyone else into these finals?

~*~*~

Cooking Updates:

Mac & Cheese: Part Deux
Last time I made Macaroni and Cheese it was good... but not great. It was a little too thick, like Mac & Cheese Cake.

This time, the recipe was lovely and I actually followed it... YUM! Thanks Knitting Knoobie, for pointing me to that recipe! Another one checked off the Recipe Blogroll!

Unfortunately, I have not yet learned how to cook for two people, so I always make too much food. As such, some of the mac is in the freezer to be eaten at a later date :)

Mac and Cheese-- about to be frozen. Two
people can only eat so much!

Meatloaf
Also made a meatloaf-- per Matt's request-- pretty easy! Except I was halfway through the recipe when it said "loaf pan." Loaf pan? I googled it... and recognized immediately that it was a pan I did not have.

So I just put it on a cookie sheet and kinda molded it into a meatloaf-- it turned out just fine! Crisis averted!

All that's left since making the large
meatloaf last Friday. Matt's been eating
a lot of it! Guess we won't have to freeze this!

I'm hoping I'll have time to cook this weekend so I can tackle some more of those recipes on my recipe blogroll. I've seen so many great recipes posted on your blogs lately, so I can't wait to make my next blogroll!!

~*~*~

Knitting Update
Abby Jacket
Finally started on the sleeves...

Hoping to be finished by the time they
visit next weekend!

Checkerboard
Love this project. Sure, I restarted it a couple times... it was a hard pattern at first! But now it's pretty easy and I can't WAIT till it's finished!!

Look like a checkerboard yet?

Hopefully we'll be drinking beers outside and playing checkers on a Saturday afternoon sometime soon!

I've been trying to think of what I can use for game pieces. I want something with a little character. Bottle caps? Matt said he'd use New Caste beer caps, because it'll be good luck for getting "Kinged" in the game. He's a dork :)

Any other ideas?

~*~*~

Life:
Other reasons I've been busy...

Construction:
Insane construction outside our apartment. ALL week.

See the guy in the yellow vest? See the
door he's standing next to? Yea-- our door.

A pipe was clogged, so they literally had to dig a trench and replace the pipe. In the end, it's good that they're doing this and not just ignoring the problem. But seriously, all week it has sounded like a construction site here! Jackhammers were involved. As I'm typing this, they're chisseling away at some cement, or something equally as loud. Ohhh apartment living.

House Guest:
Finally, Snickers came to visit!

Matt's parents dog, Snickers. Took me like
100 tries to get him to hold still for a picture! :)

Snickers is SO cute. He acts like a puppy even though he's an older dog. He sits with me while I knit :) He went home yesterday, but not before Matt's parents took us out to Cheesecake Factory! YUM!

~*~*~

That's all for now, 'folks! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Your checker-board-knitting,
overtime-tutoring, sports-lovin,
construction-hatin,
weekend-anticipating!,
New Girl Blogger

Keepsake Award and--Wait, Who's Having Twins?

2009-05-31T16:29:00.006-04:00

Listening to "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off," Joe Nichols

Keepsake Award

This week I created the Keepsake Blog Award! I like making awards... I get to practice my limited photoshop skills. :)

Rules for this award:

1. Post a funny or sweet keepsake that tells something about you.

2. Pass the award onto 10 other bloggers that you think are keepers!

Here are my 10 bloggers:

1. StephChows: Thanks for always posting such yummy looking recipes-- and photos!
2. Brett:Alexandra: I may be a little biased because you're a Hokie and I love that... but your blog is too cute!
3. Sarah-Yosh!: Your blog is too cute at well... I love hearing about your students :) Plus, the random stuff you post just makes me smile!
4. The Gamer's Wife: Love hearing about your hilarious ups and downs as a gamer's wife. (Just so everyone knows, though, she can beat him at MarioKart Racing!)
5. Samantha: I love your writing and your posts about your non-traditional wedding!
6. LesJouJou: I live for your Vintage Day posts :) And your etsy shop updates!
7. KnittingKnoobie: One of my favorite knitting blogs... I've learned so much from it!
8. Slim Shoppin': Your recipes really inspire me to try to cook and eat healthier-- especially since you make everything look and sound so great!
9. Fidgeting Gidget: I know your work/life adventures are only going to get more intersting :) Plus, she's cheering for the Red Wings too! Woo-hoo!
10. Tamela: Your blog is just too cute. Plus, you've got the best giveway goin on right now-- you could win the 30 Day Shred DVD!! Woo-hoo!!

Congrats bloggers! Feel free to post and participate!

Code for the award:

IF you didn't receive an award-- don't be sad! I'm going to try and invent a new award every month :)

And for my keepsake item:

Me in Cowboy Boots and Mini-skirt!

HA!! This picture will be a lot funnier if you've read the story of how Matt and I met; this picture is from when I was 7... who knew that 12 years later I'd be wearing a similar outfit (minus the gardening gloves) to meet the coolest boyfriend this side of the ping-pong table!

And now...
The Twins Baby-Momma!

I really didn't mean to turn this into such a suspenseful deal... but I wanted to make sure it was ok with my Dad and Step-Mom before posting this info on my blog...

That's right!! My Step-Mom is prego!! AND SHE'S HAVING TWINS!!

She's due this January and they are not finding out the gender of the babies. So I really need to start knitting!

My Dad and Step-Mother have been married for a little over 2 years now. She's a kindergarten teacher and she loves kids, so I know she's excited about this pregnancy.

I would be lying if I told you I haven't been thinking a lot about a couple things... My three sisters and I are older (my oldest sister is 23, my youngest 17), so it'll definitely be an adventure having a set of little twins running around. I have wondered... how will I manage to be close with these little guys when I'm so much older and not living at home? Growing up, my three sisters and I were so close-- and close in age. So this is new for me! I want to make sure to be a good big sister to them, but it'll be different. Plus, now my Dad will have six children (Eat your heart out, Jon & Kate!). Is that going to be a lot? What else will change?

But mostly, it's simple: there are two little bundles of joy coming into the world this January, and my Dad and Step-Mom are very excited! In the end, I think everything else will work itself out. That's what families do!

I think it's natural to be nervous when you know things are going to change. But this is a happy, good change. I'm getting excited... I really need to start knitting for those little guys (or girls!)! :)

So congrats, Dad and MarAnna!

~*~*~

Other Random News:

I did manage to (finally) cook some meatloaf and some mac & cheese, but I think I've said enough for one post :) so next time-- how to cook meatloaf without a loaf pan! (...because you didn't realize that you don't have one until you're halfway through the recipe)
I am still knitting the checkerboard-- it's a great little "game" pattern book, there's a checkerboard and a backgammon board and a little game purse you can knit that holds the knitted boards and the game pieces. How cute!
Off to the grocery store! Need supplies for my next couple of kitchen adventures!

~*~*~

FINALLY, an apology:

I have been so behind on blog reading... it's just been a crazy, crazy week! Promise to catch up soon :) Hope you're all doing well!!

Your award-giving, all-the-time-babysitting,
behind-on-blog-reading, Red-Wings-cheering
New Girl Blogger

Sorry Baby, No Time for Meatloaf! and Dear Teacher,

2009-05-28T10:29:00.005-04:00

Listening to-- the air conditioning people install things at the house where I nanny. Lots of hammering, pounding... it's lovely. I can't believe Jace is still sleeping.

Crazy life!! So it's my last week of nannying, and I start my new job on Monday. I'm babysitting all weekend to earn some extra cash, woo-hoo!, but it'll be perfect because Matt has class anyway. And these kids are cuuuuuute :) I'm seriously going to babysit until I have my own freakin kids. I love it!

I've been tutoring extra, trying to help all the poor kids study before the EOG- End of Grade-- tests. Some kinds are finished with them, others aren't. Depends on the school.

And can I just vent? For one second?

Dear Laura's 5th Grade Teacher:

I know you're concerned about Laura's score on her upcoming Science EOG. I am as well. But when I was helping her during our tutoring session, the following conversation occurred:

Me: Do you remember what a fault line is? I think that might be why we're having trouble with this question.

Laura: I asked my teacher, she said if I see any questions about fault lines, that the answer is probably "earthquake."

Me: But don't you want to understand what a fault line is? That will help for lots of questions.

Laura: I think my teacher just wants me to get the questions right.

Let me assure you, this is not the first time I've heard her talk about her education in this manner.

Now, teacher, I know your job is hard. I can't imagine-- and I'm not patronizing you, I really think teachers have a lot on their plates, much more than they deserve for their salary. And I know that test scores unfairly determine your salary, and that you're put under a lot of pressure to make sure your students pass these standardized tests. I know that, and I am sorry.

BUT giving poor Laura the IMPRESSION that it is more important for her to SCORE WELL on THIS TEST than it is to LEARN is defeating the purpose of
EDUCATION.

So please, try to avoid that type of language with her. She's working really hard in our sessions and finally seems to enjoy some of her schoolwork-- which is amazing, because school really is harder for her than it is for most children. Please don't take this progress away from her by making class all about test scores.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Laura's Tutor

...I feel better. Thanks.

~*~*~

In other news, I haven't had time to cook a single meal since my glorious kitchen time this weekend.

Poor Matt had to take me out to dinner yesterday (at a Mexican place!! YUM!!!) because we have no food lol. I keep promising to cook meatloaf and mac & cheese... but there's been no time! Right now it's looking like there will be time... Saturday night. LOL.

And... with nannying and tutoring today... who knows what dinner will be tonight. Cereal, anyone?

~*~*~

Finally,
Knitting Project
for the new circular needles.

DONT YOU LOVE IT!!!! I can't WAIT!!!

~*~*~

In my NEXT Blog post:

I give awards!
I'll (finally) tell you who the twin baby-momma is!
You're gonna flip!
I'll (hopefully) have cooked something!

~*~*~

Your running-around-a-lot,
relying-on-coffee, biscotti-munchin,
lookin-forward-to-Enchilada-leftovers,
writer-of-letters-I-don't-send,
New Girl Blogger

Memorial Day! Biscottis, Whole Wheat Biscuits and Meatballs!

2009-05-25T14:55:00.007-04:00

Listening to "Small Town Girl," Journey.
(for some reason this has been the theme to our weekend... I've serenaded Matt with this song twice now in the car. Who knows...)

Cooking Updates

Duo Dishes' Whole Wheat Cheese & Herb Biscuits
-Prep: Not bad at all! Fairly simple ingredients! Perfect for a weekend morning.
-Taste: YUM! Loved these! Full of flavor.
-Tip: I made them a little small... I wasn't sure how the dough would react in the oven and I didn't want them to get too big and run into one another haha. But they didn't rise or spread out much at all! If I had made them bigger, they would have been delish biscuits for a yummy breakfast sandwich! Next time :)

Duo Dishes' Sweet & Spicy Meatballs

-Prep: So easy! This was a quick make.
-Taste: AMAZING! I loved this sauce!! It was just tangy enough with the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
-Tip: I used my grandmother's homemade grape jelly. I love her jelly! It's so great and flavorful-- I think that definitely helped :) If you don't have homemade jelly on hand, I would at least invest in some great stuff! Because the jelly adds a lot of flavor.

From a North London Kitchen's Chocolate Biscotti
(She found the recipe on Batter Splattered)
-Prep: Pretty easy! I don't have a mixer (what?! I know...) but my food processor worked out pretty well anyway.
-Taste: Love. Love. I love these. So glad there are a lot of them. MMMmmm.
-Tip: Ok... so you bake the biscotti log, let it cool, cut it, then bake the smaller biscotiis for a little longer. I let the logs cool for a little too long before cutting, and the logs were a little too hard. A couple pieces crumbled when I was trying to cut them. Don't do that! Still turned out great, though :)

Mmm... a morning treat for the
rest of the week!

Cooking Goals for this Week:
1. Meatloaf (Matt's request-- I've never made one before!)

Excited about this! Most the recipes I read say to use ground beef but I like ground turkey so much better... so I'll try that and let you know how it goes.)

2. Knitting Knoobie's Mac & Cheese (Which she found on Food Network)

This will be my second attempt at baked Mac & Cheese. My last one was good but just too heavy! It was more like mac and cheese cake haha. This one is simpler :) I'm going to try to make my own bread crumbs for it!

3. From a North London Kitchen's Mushroom Bourguignon (Which she found on Smitten Kitchen)

Matt hates mushrooms-- but I looooove them. And he'll be in class all next Saturday! So this will be a special Saturday lunch for me :)

~*~*~

Knitting Update:

Abby's Jacket: Kinda Finished!
...kinda.

So it needs sleeves.

But my pattern worked! There is a
body! Woo-hoo!

Circular Needles:

I... made a mistake. I went to the yarn store to by yarn for two new projects... and I also bought a new, full set of circular needles!!!

Do I have money for a complete set of circular needles? Well... maybe should have kept that money in saivngs... but look at all the needles!!!

More on what I have planned for this beautiful new needle set in a later post :)

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day is special. I like holidays that celebrate the soldiers. I come from a family with lots of military background on my Father's side-- including my Dad! It's funny, because I'm more Democrat... and traditionally, the military personell are more Republican. So my Dad and I may not always agree on politics.

BUT on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, holidays like this... it's nice. Because the holiday celebrates the soldiers. It's not about the politics behind the war, or anything like that-- it's about those who fight the wars, those who are away from their families in far away countries. It's all about the soldiers.

And I like that.

An older picture from his last tour! He's
actually a contractor now, but I don't have
any pictures of that! This is from when he
was with the Army last year...
he's third from the left :)

So Happy Memorial Day, Dad. I know you don't get the day off like the rest of us, which is ironic! But we're all thinking about you, and all military service men and women! Be safe!

~*~*~

Have a great Holiday!

Your biscotti-munching,
circular-needle-knitting,
holiday-enjoying,
New Girl Blogger