I'm a Model, Ya Know What I Mean...

...and I do my little turn on the catwalk...

(It doesn't get much better than a little Right Said Fred in the early morning.)

I'm oober excited for this weekend because I'll be at the beach! The forecast calls for some thunderstorms but I could care less, I'm still off work for four days. Another reason I'm excited? The same photographer who did our engagement session and wedding photos will be taking some informal family portraits. So technically, this will be the third photo shoot Kevin and I have had with AMMC Photography.

Several people have asked us why were having beach pictures done again when we just got married. Well, they're not for us. Kevin's mom has wanted informal family portraits done forever and I'm guessing she doesn't want them all to be of me in my wedding dress. Okay, we all know I'm her favorite but we won't make her choose sides here. (Just kidding Chasity!) Besides, it's an excuse to go to the beach right?

Oh, and if you like cupcakes, come over to my house and eat them. I don't know what to do with these leftovers! I tried to recreate the chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes from Kevin and Amanda's blog but I had several meltdowns in the process. Want to see how they are supposed to look?

 {source, both images}

First of all, I cheated. I used boxed cake mix and pre-made cookie dough. The trick to keeping the cookie dough raw in the center is to freeze it before putting it in your batter. So, while my cookie dough was freezing, I decided to make my cupcake batter -- only to realize I don't have an effing muffin pan. ROOKIE MISTAKE. Okay, I do have a muffin pan, it's at my old house but my wonderful husband jumped in the car and ran to Food Lion to get me one. At nine o'clock at night. He's a good egg huh?

After he returned, I poured in my batter and plopped the frozen cookie dough balls in the center and baked them. They turned out really well! I was pleased until I tried to make the frosting. The instructions for the cookie dough batter are to cream your brown sugar and butter together first, then add in confectioners sugar and milk. Well, I just dumped everything together and mixed. If you bake at all, you will know that my frosting was a melted butter/lumpy sugar mess. UGH. Whatever. I was so aggravated at this point, I frosted them and dipped the tops in chocolate to hide the monstrosity of frosting.

Ugly frosting covertly hidden above... delicious cookie dough center below....

They taste so much better than they look if it's any consolation. Nom nom nom.

Well kids, I'm not sure I'll get a chance to post again before I get back so I hope you have a good weekend!

I'm PMS-ing and grouchy so it should be a fun six hours in the car for Kevin this evening. Outer Banks or bust! Woot.

My Fish Tacos Aren't Disgusting

Each week, Kevin and I sit down and plan out our weeks menu before going to the grocery store. This means that on Sunday, I have to find ways to get the hubs to experience new and different foods. You see, Kevin is somewhat stunted when it comes to the culinary world.

(Does anyone else not know what flan is? I asked three people today {including the hubs}and NONE of them knew what this delicious caramel-custard dessert was!)  

I'm not quite sure how Kevin doesn't know this stuff because I have tried to train  teach him my ways ever since we got together. Honestly, if I'm holding the remote control, there is a 99% chance it's on the Food Network. So, when I was watching my usual Saturday morning programming, the host of  Mexican Made Easy was making fish tacos. It looked easy enough and I knew I could vary the recipe to fit what I had in my kitchen. 

Oh, and being my usual big-mouth self, I got excited yesterday about trying this new recipe and told a co-worker of mine what was in store for dinner. When I uttered the words "fish taco," I'm pretty sure her brain conjured up a crazy image of raw fish mixed with ground beef and cheese because her response was "EW! Oh my gosh that sounds DISGUSTING!" - which shut me up immediately. I guess she's not getting any leftovers.

Regardless of what she said, I forged on.

I didn't follow the recipe to the tee but I think they turned out great. The beer batter was simple: one cup of beer to one cup of flour, mix and set aside. After I cut up my fish (I used flounder) and dredged it in some seasoned flour, I just battered it and fried it. Super easy.

I threw them on a warm corn tortilla, then added on some chopped tomato, onion and cabbage. I added on some sour cream and then a squeeze of lemon topped the whole thing off.

They turned out better than I expected! Of course, they were far from authentic, and if I make these again, I think I'll use a stronger fish. For some reason, the flounder just got a little lost. On the other hand, I went a little shy on my spices. A little heat could have brought out some flavor but I played it a little safe.

Another first for me? Oven baked fries. I've only ever made french fries in an actual fryer before so I turned to Google. After finding some good tips, I cut up my potatoes and then tossed them in a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. Then, I spread them out on my baking sheet and into a 425 degree oven they went. It took about 25 minutes but they came out crispy and golden.

So, all in all, I'd say this one will go on the repeat list. Easy, fast and tasty. I know I didn't get Kevin to eat some crazy foreign food but we're taking baby steps here.

Me Against Electronics

Okay, I really do try to be a positive person. I think of myself as a glass-half-full (of wine) kinda girl but the electronic devices around me are killing me. Slowly but surely, their dropping like flies.

I know I didn't used to be addicted to television but nowadays, it seems like my world revolves around my weekly television shows. What will I talk about at work if I miss an episode of Dancing with the Stars? Well, if it rains that night, I'll be missing it. Every time it storms, my TV looks like this:

Isn't she pretty?

As you probably guessed, it's raining right now so I'm a little miffed. I will call Comcast for the 90,321 time and they will do another service call. A fat man in a blue shirt will come to my house, probably when I'm here alone. Bodie will bark, the man will ask if he bites. My brain laughs and says no but I tell him yes.

 Man is scared.

Man will crawl under my house, climb the pole near the street, fiddle with my TV and conclude nothing is wrong. We've danced this dance before dude, something has got to give. {sigh} I thought only satellite TV went out during the rain? No HBO for me tonight I guess.

Also, our local radio station has changed and has now messed up my already screwy commute. It used to be super cool and hip playing the best of the Biebs and Ke$ha. You know, that dirty chick we all love to hate?

 Sparkly...

Well instead of 93.7 KISS FM, our station is now ALICE 93.7 and Alice plays crappy music. Okay, I take that back. If I wanted to go to sleep or "make love," I would totally listen to Alice. She plays the likes of Jewel and Sarah McLachlan and even some John Mayer which is just fine but not before 7 a.m.

In the morning, it usually takes all the power I can muster to pick up my phone that I sleep with under my pillow and check my Facebook. What makes you think that once I have showered and made coffee that I want to "slow things down" with a Sarah McLachlan song?

Alice has forced me to remove her from my radio line-up. The first time I heard the new station, the morning show was asking listeners to call in about how often they use Chap Stick. Okay, I am addicted to my Chap Stick but this was as entertaining as ear wax.

I have since replaced Alice with a crappy DC station that is mostly fuzz and am currently making an iTunes mix that will make my FM stations all obsolete. Now, if I can just get that new Nano for Christmas, I'd be all set.

Fave Fridays

This weeks Favorite Fridays topic is your favorite thing about your home or item in your home. Wanna play? Link up over at Jen's blog!

Next month will mark our 5 month anniversary as husband and wife and we have been trying to fix up our house a little at a time but it seems like it will NEVER come together. Working with a home as old as ours, we are constantly running into problems. Apparently, levels didn't exist when this place was built and it didn't originally have indoor plumbing. That last part isn't a joke. The bathroom was added on maybe 30 years ago and you can tell. I can't wait to rip it out and start fresh but currently, my new shower is still sitting in our driveway.

I'll quit whining and tell you that the favorite part about this house is where it's located. Since we've been looking at new houses, it's come to my attention that were pretty lucky. We have a good amount of land on a back road that is still pretty close to town. The new homes that are for sale now are all right on top of each other which I'm just not used to. Our area is very rural but drive 30 miles toward my work, and it's a metropolis. Three colleges in one town? Things have certainly changed.

So, if we move somewhere and I can still have a view similar to the one I have now

I'll be a happy camper. 

----------------

Next order of business, Candace from Mi Chiamo Candace tagged me to answer eight questions, so here goes!

1.   When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and are you living that dream?

It so sad but I can't remember what I wanted to be as a kid. I guess I learned to love cooking and baking so to be a chef would have been cool.

2.   Do you have a Bucket List?  If so, what is the one thing on that list left to fulfill that means the most to you?

I don't have a bucket list but I really want to travel. Even though I'm an Army brat,  I've never been outside the US. Paris, Italy, and Spain sounds so beautiful.  I'm going whether Kevin comes or not. :)

 

 

3.   What is the best thing you ever ate?

This is so hard because I'm such a foodie!!! A couple things come to mind but one that sticks out would be the clam chowder from The Hatteras Man in the Outer Banks. It's not a cream based soup just broth, clams, potatoes and carrots. It was so fresh. I had never had clam chowder that good before. The place is such a tiny hole in the wall I would never have thought they had food that tasty.

4.   What is your most memorable birthday?

I love birthdays and think everyone should be treated special on their birthday.  My most memorable? It was my 21st and I was living with three roommates. Turns out, they snuck into my office the night before my birthday and decorated my desk. The inside joke was that during a conversation one night, I couldn't remember the brand name Lisa Frank and kept saying "I had an Anne Frank backpack!" because apparently, I fail at life. Do you remember the Lisa Frank school supplies?

5.   Who was your best friend when you were a child and are you still friends?

Emilie and I met when we were in 7th grade in Vermont. We still keep in touch today and I'm so glad that she was able to come to my wedding.(Ignore my deer in the headlight look, I was pretty toasted at this point)

6.    What was the best piece of advice your Mother ever gave you?

Dinner is done when the fire alarm goes off. 

7.    If you had a child today, what would you name him/her?

No kiddos for me yet. If I did have kids this soon, I'd probably end up naming them Harry Potter or Edward Cullen.

(source)

8.   Tell me about one of your favorite family holiday traditions - any holiday you choose.

Every Christmas Eve, our family goes to church together and when we get back, we all open one present. I love doing this every year and for a funny reason. My brothers always beg to open all the presents and my mom always wants to cave in. A huge argument always gets started but that's the way we work. Were all loud and obnoxious and fight over dumb stuff. IT'S WHAT WE DO.

It's a Dog's World

A long time ago, I read somewhere that feeding dogs raw meat makes them mean. I'm not quite sure this is true anymore because my sister's great dane eats nothing but raw chicken.

 

Isn't he the sweetest thing? He really is just a big, dumb, happy puppy. If you ever come to visit, he likes hugs so be prepared. You may want a rain coat too because he tends to drool. 

Last Christmas, Bodie and Kahu got a chance to bond. I was a little nervous but it went surprisingly well.

 

Yeah, I am one of "those people." I do put my dog in outfits and look how happy he is. He has a total of three sweaters and the Santa suit which judging by that last picture, Kahu is extremely jealous of. See how presh they look together? Well, in reality, we spent the entire evening trying to separate them. They wanted to play with each other and it was not cute. It looked more like a moose trampling a mouse. Poor Bodie looked like a kickball. He tried to act tough but in the end, Kahu ended up behind bars.

They are soul mates. Don't discriminate, appreciate.

Last One, Promise.

Today is the last birthday I will celebrate for the month only this time, it will be from far far away.

Throughout high school, Katie and I dated cousins which was a good thing because we hated each other at first. They forced us to hang out and so the ex's do need some credit for that I guess.

After I split with my then fiance (gasp!) I moved in with her and another friend and we became even closer while she attended college. Katie got her bachelor's and moved three hours away for her job but I will raise a glass of wine tonight in her honor. :)

So, to my best friend Katie:

IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY.

Period.

It is a statement of fact.

No exclamation point.

It's not like you discovered a cure for cancer.

(Anyone else excited for the new season of The Office!? I am! Wonder who will replace Steve Carrell)

Ahem, sorry, got sidetracked.  Now, I only picked the best pictures I could find for this post....

Okay. For real though, we can look normal...

Happy Birthday Katie. 

Love you.

Commuting Woes

My poor husband has a two and a half hour commute. That's just one way. Every. Single. Day. To be honest with you, I have no idea how he does it. He rides in a van with several other coworkers but in order to meet them at the park and ride, he leaves the house at 2:30 in the morning. Helltothenah am I ever doing that!  More power to him though, I know the job is worth it in the end but come on, 2:30?! It's just crazy talk! My ass has to be at work at 8:30 and even then, I rarely see before 7:00am.

I used to drive a mere seven miles to work. It would take me MAYBE ten minutes to get there unless I got behind  a tractor. It was fan-freaking-tastic I tell you. After moving in with Hubs, that sweet little drive went out the window and now I drive 25 miles to work.

"That's nothing!!" - you say. "Easy peasy!" - you tell me. 

Well, my friends, in my spare time at work *cough cough* I mean HOME....I made you this purdy pixture. :)

(whattup paint skillz)

No, my house is not orange, in fact, it is stone. Regardless, you get my drift. I go through two school zones, past a resort community and also through a golf course to get to work. 

You have no idea how pissed I got when I was on my way to work this morning I see this crap:

That would be the start of a golf tournament with ten golf carts crossing the street. What you can't see though, is the man in the middle of the road stopping traffic. AKA : He's holding my ass up and I'm not happy. 

Not to mention, I'm not a morning person in the least. My coffee had not started to flow through my blood stream and I was already my usual five minutes late. (Sorry boss)

Add in about 14 stop lights, old ladies, and some high school students -- my 25 miles has turn into a good 50 minute excursion. Plus, since I'm alone in my car, I'm normally silently screaming inside my head. Good times.

Oh oh oh, but the weekends ..... their my favorite. You see, Sunday is check in day at the ski resort which makes my weekends suck just as much.

Apparently, all the tourists that visit our area seem to think that their going to miss their turn into the ski lodge. They stay in the left lane and go ten under the speed limit the entire 15 miles it takes to get to the resort from the interstate.  You know what, I've got news for 'em :

THERE IS A BIG FREAKIN SIGN AT THE TURN TO THE RESORT!!!! 

I promise, you will not miss it. You won't because you can't. And if you continue to ride in the left lane, I'm having this installed on my vehicle.

If you see that in your rear view mirror... take a hint and move over or SPEED THE FUCK UP.

Friday Overload!

Another crazy week has ended here and I'm exhausted. So glad it's Friday!

Quick question for you, does anyone know where I can work that will let Bodie come with me on a daily basis? He works well under pressure and is usually quiet and keeps to himself. Doesn't start drama (like some people I work with) keeps a positive attitude (unlike some coworkers) and is cute (no comment.)

See? He fits perfectly under the desk at home so I know he'd be quite comfy while at work. The poor thing has had some tummy issues last night and today so send him some good vibes while you search for that job, will ya? Thanks. 

So, since it is Friday and all, I give to you Favorite Fridays. Click over on Jen's blog to link up.

Today's topic is your favorite Fall T.V. show but took me some thinking because I'm a huge television and movie buff. There are so many shows I'd recommend, I'll just leave you with a few of my top choices.

Everyone is excited for the return of Grey's Anatomy. Although, I have to say, in my personal opinion, the first few seasons were so much better. Now that Grey and McDreamy are official, there's no good love drama to keep me interested.

Of course, I have to throw in Glee. I didn't catch on to the show choir craze until the middle of the first season when I went to visit my best friend and she got me hooked with this clip:

I know you watch Dancing with the Stars like I do....oh, you don't? That's cool, but I'm rooting for the Sitch.

Lastly, I'm sooooo stoked for Top Chef: Just Desserts. I'm waiting to see my girl over on Big Apple Nosh to be a judge. Gail Simmons, you listening?

===============

Next subject on the agenda, Hilary over at The Tale of this Newlywed chose me as one of her picks for the Versatile Blogger award. Thanks Hilary!!!

She then tasked me....I knew there was going to be a catch! 

I have to answer 8 questions from her, so here goes:

1. Which season is your favorite? Why?  

My sister would say salt, because that's how she answered this question when she was asked. Not seasoning Heather! SEASON. Oh, um, mine would be fall. It has all the necessities : beach, birthdays, Halloween and cool weather.

2. What is your dream car? 

I think I own it, good old Alice. Although she's cursed... I still love her. She's a silver Volkswagen Eos and is a hard top convertible. 

3. What is the last book you read?

 The Last Song, by Nicholas Sparks. I know you are surprised....

4. What is your favorite weekend activity?

DOING NOTHING. Kevin and I have such crazy schedules with work. Also, while redoing the house, it's rare to even HAVE a free weekend.

 

5. If you could only save one pair of shoes from your closet, which ones would you choose?

My rainbows. I wear them ever single day. 

 

6. What do you do for a living? (Stolen from Sara :-))

Leader of the Free World. See, you learn something about me every day.

7. What is your best memory from high school/college?

I can't just choose one! I met some of my best friends while in high school and even lived with two of them while they attended college.

8. What was your first job?

Subway. The best sandwich artist you'll meet. :)

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE! 

I'm going to get some wine now... 

 

Calling all Nicholas Sparks fans....

I got home from work and the hubs informed me I got a package....

I'm one happy girl....

My new Nicholas Sparks book came today! 

I'm a big fan of his and anticipate his new release each fall. Usually, the new book coinsides with our beach trip. Not sure if I'll be able to hold off reading it, we don't leave for the beach until October. If a good book catches my interest, I can't put it down so it's likely I will finish it quickly.
On the other hand, I have books on my shelf I haven't even creased the spine.

C is for Cookie

Continuing on the train of birthdays this month, today is the 18th anniversary of my youngest brother's birth. 

So, here is my question: what do you get an 18 year old boy? One that's just started college and is living on his own out in the great big world? Ok, so it's only 20 minutes away and he still comes home for dinner, but that's not the point here. Moving on.

I thought about it all day at work but nothing came to me. Four o'clock came and went and I got in my car and headed to the gym. On the way, I noticed a sign that said Campus Cookies. It never really caught my attention before but today it did and the light bulb came on.

Food. Guys like food right?

My fingers were already dialing my sister. We chatted for a few minutes and she pulled up their website, http://www.campuscookie.com/index.html. Turns out, this place delivers cookies. That's it.

They bring fresh, hot, steaming, delicious cookies straight to your door.

That's not it, for the low low price of $18 we got him:

  A Dozen Assorted Traditional Cookies
2 Brownies with Heart Sprinkles
1 Cookie Dipping Cup
1 2% Milk
1 Happy Birthday Balloon

 I think that's pretty awesome. He's totally gonna love those heart sprinkles. And a balloon too? What college guy doesn't want cookies, milk AND a balloon delivered to their door? I can tell you who does:

THIS GUY.



****UPDATE****

I wrote this post around 9:30 pm - it is now 9:55 and the bro just texted me.

Him = "I JUST GOT THE COOKIES!!!!!"
Me = "Do you like?"
Him = "Yeah! It came with milk too!"
Me = "Awesome, Are they warm? They said they'd be warm."
Him= "They is HOT!"


I'd have to say that's a birthday success.

Then VS Now

Being 23, I grew up during the 90's and while it may not seem so long ago, the fads were so different! Nowadays, kids are getting kicked out of class for their iTouch players where as I wasn't allowed to have my Gigapet. Anyone else have one of those stupid things?

Right now, it's all about Team Edward and Team Jacob but when I was 12, it was N'Sync and The Backstreet Boys. (Nick Carter? *swoon*)

The hottest thing girls had at slumber parties when I was a kid was Polly Pockets and Pretty Pretty Princess. My nieces are now fans of Littlest Pet Shop and Webkins. They don't even play board games anymore.

After school, all the kids would come over to my house and watch the original Power Rangers. You know, where there were no special effects and we all were dying for the Red and Pink rangers to get together? Oh, maybe that was just me.

Not to mention the fact that Mtv actually had music, no Video Music awards or VMA's (yay Justin Bieber!! What? He's a cutie). Plus, the cartoons were awesome. We didn't have Spongebob or Dora, we watched Looney Tunes and Captain Planet.

Does anyone remember Jellies? Man, I loved those things! Last year, everyone wanted a pair of Heely's.

Ten years ago, all the kids were fighting over pogs and slap bracelets. My best friend who's a teacher has to ban those Silly Band things because kids are trading them.

Don't get me started on the music. How about a little Spice Girls? No Doubt? Even Aqua, anyone remember Barbie Girl? Now were paying $500 a ticket to see Hannah Montana.

It may not seem like so long ago but it's always nice to reminisce. What do you miss from your childhood?
I can tell you I'm sure everyone misses that 95 cent gasoline!