Fun in the Sun

I've been crossing my fingers for spring to get here. I must be living right, because it was a warm 88 degrees Saturday and Sunday and I got to enjoy this view.

I cut my day short to pick MS up from the airport. Sacrifice is the foundation of a good marriage. Also, I needed someone to rub sunscreen on my back.

We immediately headed down further south for a wedding so I could show off my sunburn and attempt to bring back the windblown look.

After completing my lofty to do list on Friday, I went for my third gold star of the weekend and went to early church with MS on Sunday. It freed up the afternoon to do a little grooming.

Color him unimpressed and color me bright red. It almost makes me enjoy my shaded cube.

Fantastic Friday - Lofty Ambitions

It's been a long, rough week here in our little cube land, so we're breaking out early to enjoy the afternoon.

I can't imagine anything more enjoyable than a solo 10 miler with some long hills, followed by a trip to the grocery store. If I say it enough, maybe it will be true. I do like to eat and fit in my jeans, so time to pay the piper. Sometimes we have to do things we don't like.

Like watch the muscial episode of Grey's.

I laid out some essentials I dug out of the back of the junk drawer this morning. And by junk drawer, I mean treasure trove.

If you see a pasty blonde girl with superior energy running around today, feel free to offer me some water. Seriously. It's hot out there.

I plan on rewarding my efforts tomorrow.

How lucky was I to find a picture of our apartment pool via google images? It must be my day.

Country Roads, Take Me.... On Vacation

At the end of football season, MS came out victorious in his fantasy football pool. Instead of rolling around in all the cash, he thought it was a good idea to take Namath on vacation. He let me tag along too, in order to document.

So off we went.

First stop - Walgreens, where we blew $20 on candy and magazines. Second stop - the mountains. I was too excited to fix my hair. Or even run a brush through it.

It was all fun and games until we had to drive across this -

I pink puffy heart electricity - besides salvation I think air conditioning may be one of God's greatest blessings - but I do. not. like. dams. I used to have nightmares I was getting sucked in the turbines and wake up nearly screaming. I'm not making this up.

Which raises the question, what are these fools doing?

We held on for dear life and made it safely across.

We arrived, unpacked and had a little quality family time.

After the dam and the dam curvy mountain roads, I was never so happy for a glass of wine.

Namath wasn't so sure about my pool game. It is frightening.

I think him and MS were even whispering about it.

Saturday morning after heading into town for pancakes and telling MS 492 times we weren't taking old time pictures in costume, we headed out to see some wildlife.

Unfortunately, the closest Namath got to nature was the leather in the back seat.

After a relaxing dinner Saturday, Sunday morning we headed back down the mountain and towards the city. After stopping for more caffeine and candy.

Our first family vacation was a success. We both had quite the food hangover Sunday night. I can't imagine why.

Thoughts Barely Worth a Penny

1. Tonight is the muscial episode of Grey's. I think they've been promoting this episode since well before George died, therefore I expect it to be about as entertaining as Bob Ross, and I won't even have a naturescape to show off at the end of the hour.

2. The Grizz has a yeast infection. Yes, you read that right. Before your mind goes to some bad places, let me clarify, its in his nose wrinkle. What? Your dog doesn't have a nose wrinkle? I feel bad for you.

I've been cleaning it with some medicated ointment. My google research suggested Monistat. I love this dog, but he'll have to stick to the aforementioned treatment plan for his embarrasing and uncomfortable feminine itch.

3. Thinking about chopping my hair circa de summer 2008. Opinions? Suggestions? Warnings? Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Not sure what I was doing in 2008 to get me this shade of brown, but I wish my past self would have written it down.

Iron Chef

For my birthday, one of my gifts from the in-laws was a cast iron skillet. Mostly I’ve used it as an upper body workout moving it in and out of the oven - because where do you keep a 30 lb skillet – but decided when making this week’s menu to put it in the lineup. And the crowd went wild.

Naturally, I started with something as close to fried as possible – baked chicken parmesan. I let Matt handle the gross part of the chicken while I took this picture of the Grizz. See, I did listen in the 'sharing household responsibilities' portion of pre-marital counseling.

I thought he looked svelte and would appreciate being shown off. He’s rocking his new exercise routine – one full block 3x a week – ever since a neighbor called him a fatty.

After dipping the chicken in egg and coating with Italian bread crumbs, do a quick swirl in the skillet of EVOO. Add chicken. Sear chicken on each side for about 3 minutes.

Pour a glass of wine. Yes, I buy most wines because of the labels.

Admire new spring kitchen towel while ignoring the fact its 48 degrees out.

Spoon some pasta sauce onto the chicken. The beauty of the cast iron – move directly to the oven for 25 minutes. With a few minutes left, sprinkle on cheese. We were out of parmesan, so I used cheddar. Livin’ on the edge. At some point in your prep, boil some pasta, toss with some basil and oregano.

Tip: If you wait to eat dinner until 9 p.m., even a sub-par meal gets a happy plate. Next time I would probably take fewer pictures of the dog and pound out the chicken breasts so they are a little flatter, cook more evenly and seem like more food.

Took this picture as an afterthought, so my apologies the presentation isn't cookbook worthy.

Feeling Lucky

In honor of my second favorite holiday.

Namath was none too pleased. Read: he nearly broke the coffee table attempting to free himself from the horrors of a t-shirt.

The stretched-to-capacity-t-shirt was less than thrilled as well.

Speaking of lucky, I have the best in-laws ever.

Happy St. Patricks!

Wordless Wednesday - Spring Fever Edition

Wordless Wednesday - We All Love The Office

Lunchtime Errands

I'm getting pretty adjusted to the neighborhood and can almost run all of our errands close to home. No small feat in the Ham.

It was rushed, so I hope E. Seasom appreciates me picking up her dry cleaning.

Was glad to see a good(?) report on the Grizz when I picked him up from grooming. Does this read Big Baby or Big Baby? Both fit. The big baby was ready to get OUT OF THERE and took a flying leap into my car. Impressive when you have the build of a bowling ball.

I cut off the exclamation point. It kind of looks insulting without it. Oops.

Happy Thursday. I'm so looking forward to a glass of merlot with Addison Montgomery tonight.