After!!

I think that Jarrett's favorite thing about having a house is getting to play with tools!! He had this great idea to build a desk out of materials picked up from a salvage shop. The sound of a power drill quickly became the theme song for the week. It was so fun to watch him build this neat work space. I think the success of this project has spun off many to come. Only a week later, he whipped up this functional work table for the garage. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

Guess Who!

Before....

This Week's Eats

Chrissie's Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:
2 large green bell peppers
1/2 cup uncooked Arborio rice
1 cup water
2 Tbs olive oil
3 green onions sliced thin
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1 tomato diced
pinch of ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 400 and cut peppers in half (clean out inside of seeds). Roast peppers cut side down on a greased baking sheet for about 25 minutes. (should start to brown slightly)

Bring 1 cup water to a boil, add rice, cook, and set aside.

Heat olive oil. Saute onions, salt & pepper, italian seasoning, and basil for about 5 minutes. Add diced tomato, rice, and feta. Stir together and let cook over low heat a few more minutes to let the flavors blend.

Spoon mixture into peppers and serve immediately!

Cooking Ahead!

With a crazy week approaching, I knew that I wouldn't have much time to spend in the kitchen. So I rallied up a few recipes and spent two hours working ahead. With the help of 2 skillets, 1 crockpot, 1 magic baker, and a couple of good ole casserole dishes, I took multi-tasking to a whole new level. The outcome: Stacked Mexican Tacos, Island Pork Tenderloin, Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas, and a spaghetti squash for good measure. Tupperwared and ready to go, this cooking venture is sure to pay off when the crazy week begins!

A Perfect Weekend!

This weekend was absolutely perfect! It was technically my last free weekend before the wedding and I was so excited to finally have some down time to catch up on unpacking and spend time with friends. Hoo-ray for a glimpse of getting back to reality. The weekend kicked off with a festive fall dinner party with the Evans. I cooked butternut squash and black bean chili served in edible pumpkin bowls. As labor intensive as it is, I do enjoy cooking this special meal. Equally exciting was decorating the dining table with autumn accents. After dinner we carved pumpkins, sipped cider, and enjoyed a medley of Diolis desserts, compliments of Conner. With bed time approaching, the Evans were homebound and Jarrett and I set sail downtown. We spent the night hanging out with Jarrett's buds, whose personalities are hilarious. There's something so refreshing about hanging out with the guys, something so simple and relaxed. That and the fact that we somehow always end up at Burke, topping ourselves off with a huge slice of pizza. Mmm, mmm...good!

For whatever reason I woke up early Saturday morning. I could have slept in, but was just so excited to get up and enjoy the morning. Call me crazy, but a good run was on the top of my list. The weather was cool, and my Mizunos were craving some pavement action. I ran 11 miles on the treadmill Tuesday and took the rest of the week off to let my body recuperate. I'm just now easing my way back into distance running and am trying to take it slow. I logged 9 miles on Saturday with relative ease which I entirely attribute to the crisp autumn air. It's so much fun to navigate this side of town, discovering beautiful neighborhoods while taking in new scenery. Before I knew it, I was back at the house with a whole day of possibility ahead.

I fulfilled an interesting lunch craving at Zack's, where a cup of pumpkin fro yo was calling my name. My indulgence led me to the nail salon, where I got a mani and pedi. I wanted to pick out my polish colors for the wedding, and am happy to report that I was highly successful. I went with a neutral palate for an elegant and romantic feel. I am almost 100% certain that nobody will be looking at my nails, but I care :). I laid low the rest of the day, a little window shopping here, a little unpacking and organizing there. I truly enjoyed my day of no worries, chores, errands, or obligations.

As if the weekend could get any better, Sunday arrived along with its fair share of fun. We went to church for the blessing of Bennett Clark, our sweet baby nephew. He did such a wonderful job and the twins looked mighty proud and grown up. After a delicious lunch with the family, I met up with my friends for an Arbonne party. My sister and cousin sell Arbonne and I truly enjoy both the smell and the feel of their products. We were pampered with facials and foot soaks to let the line speak for itself. I'm a fan and already can't wait until my items arrive! After the party, Mallory came over to check out the house and join us for a Mexican-inspired meal. As much time as we spend together at the gym, it's always refreshing to hang out in a different setting. And now, I'm sitting in an over-sized chair watching Desperate Housewives and eating chocolate cake. I'd say that's a pretty good ending to a pretty darn good weekend!

Reflections

Thanks Whitney for sharing these wonderful words of wisdom!

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye..

Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

Believe in love at first sight.

Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

Don't judge people by their relatives.

Talk slowly but think quickly.

When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice

Spend some time alone.

Grounds in the Fall

Nothing says autumn like stomping around the fresh fallen leaves on the grounds of UVA!! I made my return to Charlottesville this past weekend, exactly 6 months after I got engaged at the beautiful Monticello. Homecoming provided the perfect excuse for a reunion with my college roommates. We linked up with Anna and Brigid (and their awesome men) as soon as we hit town, for the ultimate tailgating experience (I love you Bodos). After a quick trip to Alumni Hall, we followed the sea of blue and orange towards the football stadium. Unfortunately, before we even set foot into the stands, Carolina had us by 7 points.. and let's just say it went downhill from there. When our Hoos finally scored, we sang our song of wahoo-wah to the tune of desperation and relief. After the game, our party continued downtown at the South Street Brewery (our former Tuesday night tradition). The best nights always come from good company, laughter, remembering old memories and making a new. This was definitely one of those nights!

Sunday morning we went to Carter's Apple orchard to celebrate apple season! This venue always makes the cut whenever I'm in town. You get the best views of Charlottesville, and can get your fill of apple anything- pie, doughnuts, cider, you name it! We picked up a boat load of apples and several pumpkins for an upcoming dinner party. We returned to the downtown mall for a Sunday afternoon stroll and a satisfying lunch at the famous Christian's pizza. Everytime I visit Charlottesville, I am overcomed by nostalgia and a recollection of the incomperable college life. I miss you Virginia!!

This Week's Eats

This week's eats features two of my favorite comfort foods. I finally got my kitchen semi-organized and have broken the ice with a few classics. First up, two bean chili. There are a million variations of this seasonal meal, and I usually opt for this simple take. I sauteed up some onions and peppers along with half a pound each of ground beef and turkey. Then I added a large can of diced tomatoes, as well as a can of kidney and a can of black beans. A few spices later, and a half hour of simmering gets you a huge healthy pot of deliciousness. Cheddar, sour cream and chives make it all the better!

Next up is my all time favorite. Drum roll, please..... Judy Tortillas! This first time I had this dish was in high school. Andrea and I had a friend named Judy who joined us for dinner after field hockey one night. She raved on and on about how much she loved this meal. Little did she know, we went on to name it after her. Classic Tex Mex in all its glory.

Between these two dishes, we were covered for the week. Gotta love leftovers when they taste like this!

Endorphins and sugar buzz...

FYI runners- check out these tasty chews!! After leaving work today, I set off to the gym to hit the treadmill. I was so bummed to discover that I had left my running shorts at home. I briefly entertained the idea of just heading home, but quickly reverted to plan B. With Fleet Feet just around the corner, I dropped in to pick up some new shorts. I managed to find a cool pair of Nikes (my favorite) and decided to try this new brand of chews. A planned 3 mile jog turned into a 10 mile run, all thanks to these little guys. I could feel the energy boost right away and it carried me through. Give them a try!

Why I love to blog!

Over the past two years of this blogging journey, I have genuinely enjoyed sharing my thoughts, photos, inspiration, and updates with all of my loyal readers. In exchange, I have LOVED following the blogs of others, always opening my Google reader with anticipation and excitement. The art of blogging entices inspiration, creativity, and a desire to grow and develop our interests. I am so humbled and flattered to have inspired my dear friend Chrissie to embark on her own blogging adventure!

"I'm not sure why it took me this long to decide blogging was a pretty cool thing. I have always loved cooking and sharing recipes, and taking great pictures. I also love having a way to keep up with my friends and family, and share what's going on in my life with them as well. I was completely inspired my by friend Miriam's blog. I think this while be a place for me to share my cooking successes, my wedding planning updates, my photography, and the life and times of my three adorable pets. So here I go!

ps - Thanks Mir for letting me steal ALL your good ideas :o)"

Love you Chrissie. Can't wait to follow your adventures :)

Home Sweet Home

With the exception of a million boxes scattered about, I'm starting to feel more settled in my new home. Conner and Jill brought me this adorable wreath as a festive house warming gift. Just my style :)

I was so restless all work week long, distracted by the excitement awaiting at home. I managed to leave work early a couple of days to meet up with service and delivery men. This was by far our most exciting delivery!!

By the time Friday arrived, I could hardly contain my excitement! With a crazy work week and a stressful site visit (by the head hanchos who provide my salary), our entire section called it a day at 3:30. I passed on the office happy hour in favor of my stress reliever of choice- the Buena Vista 8-miler. It only took me half a mile to set myself on cruise control, letting my mind take over full speed ahead. After an awesome run, a few downward dogs, and a chugged bottle of water, the weekend was off to a pretty good start. I arrived home only to find this handsome gentleman mowing the lawn. What a wonderful welcome home!

While Jarrett worked in the yard, I put on an apron and popped a top as accompaniment to the culinary adventures ahead. I've been wanting to make a festive fall dinner since the season arrived. And the chill in the air had me craving a warm bowl of chili. The two desires merged into this perfect meal, which was inspired by one of my favorite vegetarian cooks. But first, let's talk dessert! I made these tasty vegan pumpkin pecan blondies Thursday evening with every intention of delivering them to my new neighbors. Sadly, these tasty treats didn't make it past the front door. A pre-made dessert freed up more time to spend preparing the main course!

While traditional chili is always a winner, I was in the mood for something a little more creative. Enter butternut squash and black bean chili. Oh so good!! I've never actually cooked a butternut squash, and concluded that it tastes like the vegetable cousin of a sweet potato. No arguments there.

The true star of the show was the edible bowls which were miniature cooking pumpkins! I cut off the lids, scooped out the pumpkin guts, and drizzled them with olive oil. I popped them in the oven while I prepped the chili. When the chili was finished I filled up the pumpkins and put them back into the oven. In that magical half hour, the chili cooked into the pumpkin while merging the flavors. The best part of all was scraping the spoon into the pumpkin with each tasty bite. Healthy, delicious, and full of flavor!

The next morning Jarrett headed to Asheville for his BACHELOR PARTY!! A weekend of golf with his best men was right up his ally. This happy smile did not come from having my fiance away. This is an "I love Tanglewood and I love mountain biking" smile.

I met up with Whitney and Geoff to take Tanglewood, hills and all. Geoff hit up the trails, while Whit and I navigated the layout of the land. Eleven and a half miles later, we called it quits with energized spirits and the whole day ahead. I spent the rest of the day working on wedding crafts at Whit's and unpacking and settling back home. I love you autumn!

Dixieland Delight

It's that time of year again!!

The Dixie Classic Fair rolled into town this week, with tasty treats and peculiar characters in tow. A mid-week pick me up indeed! Of course, this is the view that always gives me chills, filling me with a child-like excitement!

With the return of the fair one can only wonder what they can possibly fry next. Cookies, candy bars, and even butter made the list last year. And if that's not disgusting enough, enter the Krispy Kreme bacon and cheese burger. Barf! Yes, you heard me folks. An artery clogging burger sandwiched between two gooey doughnuts. Seriously, let's move on!

The Dixie Fair highlights our agricultural society in a manner that truly brings you back to the basics. Set apart from the neon lights and proto-typical carnival scene, you'll find an array of log cabins and a more rustic environment. There are blacksmiths, tinsmiths, wood carvers and more, each offering a unique demonstration while perfecting their craft. The night ended with a stroll through the petting zoo, where this moment captured my heart!!

Homeowner!

The past week has been nothing short of exciting. This time last week I was packing like a maniac, making phone calls to stop and start services, dotting my i's and crossing both my t's and my fingers that things would proceed as planned. On the night before closing, J and I decided to take a hiatus from the chaos for a much needed date night. We enjoyed a delectable meal at Meridian. I ordered the grouper and shrimp with grits, andouille sausage & roasted tomato pan sauce. I also stole a few bites of J's delicious bison. It was so relaxing to eat by candle light and enjoy each other's company.

The next day, we got our caffeine on (a la pumpkin spice) and headed to the bank to translate our savings into a certified check for our down payment! I'm not really certain how many prayers we said that morning, but after an hour of signing papers with the lawyer, they were indeed answered. The deed was put on record and the keys were ours by 1:30 in the afternoon!! Over the next 36 hours with the help of our dear friends and family, all of our possessions found their new home in Beagle Run. I was in awe of how much STUFF I have accumulated over the years. For a girl who has moved 10 times in the last 10 years, I deem myself ruthless when it comes to keeping unwanted items. With every move I make a point to downsize, but it still amazes me how much I have/ "need." I suppose that's a post for another day :).

It still doesn't seem like the house is truly ours. We had our first dinner party on Saturday and when everyone started to head home, it felt like we should be packing up and heading out too! Pinch me!! Unpacking hasn't been too bad. Short of a chili stain on my favorite blue pants and a few cold showers, we havn't encountered any catastrophes or major kinks in our plans. I am counting down the hours until I get to head home and nest :). Thank you God!!!