For the love of food

Matt and I come up with ideas for food trucks about once a week, haha. We love food, we love eating, and we love day dreaming. I want to share a meal that is in our weekly rotation and is one of my favorites: a quesadilla. I know, easy, right?

Matt’s idea for this meals food truck is called ‘Dillas’, and it's quesadillas of every kind; breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Introducing a Foley weekly rotation meal: Calabacitas Quesadilla  

What you need:

Tortillas (the ones pictured are from Trader Joes and they are SO, SO good)

Cheddar cheese

2 zucchini or squash chopped

½-1 cup of chopped yellow onion

Corn (we always have fire roasted corn on hand in the freezer) about ½- 1 cup depending on your batch

Guacamole (we make ours with avocado, tomatoes,onion, and lime juice)

Salsa

You basically want all parts equal with the zucchini, onion, and corn. So, depending on how many quesadillas you want to make will determine how much you use. With the quantities listed above we can usually make about 3 quesadillas.

Satay the chopped zucchini, onion and corn- easy as that. Then make the quesadilla- easy as that.

Don’t forget to pair with a margarita J

Happiest of Birthdays to Avery Monroe

When I found out my best friend was pregnant I was, of course, ecstatic- I mean what could be better than my favorite person in the world creating a teeny tiny person?

I remember the text message from Amira's dad letting me know it was probably time to start heading to the hospital. Driving there I was so nervous, excited, worried, happy and not really knowing what to expect. I was with Amira in the delivery room up until the point she was told she would have to deliver by c-section and at that time had to leave. I remember seeing Avery being carried down the hall and looking at her through the small circular door window.

Isn't it insane that we have babies? That we create these little humans who will pick up traits of ours and form their own opinions and go on living their own lives? I don't think I really, truly, understood what a baby can do to your life until Avery came along.
To be honest, in the beginning, I didn't really know how to be there for Amira. I would visit but she was struggling with breastfeeding and I felt so helpless. I wanted to help but there wasn't really anything I could do and I felt sad; almost like I was failing at my job of being a best friend.

WOW- that entry was from 1/22/2015. I never finished it and it's been sitting in my draft box ever since. I guess I thought it would be fitting to finally post it the week of Avery's 4th birthday. It's funny looking back because I realize that while I think I'm a good friend, I also have a really hard time when those close to me are going through something hard. I think too much. I'm always worrying that I'm not doing the right thing; being there too much or too little, and I spin myself into this oblivion of anxiety which results in just withdrawing and waiting until I'm told I am needed. I remember feeling that way when Amira had Avery, but of course over time it faded. Amira has always been good about telling me she needs or wants me there, and I think that is why our relationship has been so great all of these years; she always makes me feel like she can never get too much of me, and that's a really great feeling to have.

4 years of having little miss Avery in my life. I can't even describe the love I have for her. I told Matt I would jump in front of a bullet for her, and I meant it more than I've ever meant anything. She is so special. She is hilarious; I mean really, really funny. She is so incredibly loving. She is playful and happy and laughs any chance she gets; you have never seen a brighter light. I count down to the days I get to see her, and I'm sad when I have to leave. She has become one of my favorite human beings and someone I know I can't live without. She has been such a gift in my life and I am thankful for her every.single.day. Happy Birthday, sweet girl.

blah blah blah

Let me just start by saying that I literally have nothing major to say. I just thought it would be good to post something because it was kind of sort of a goal of mine to be better about blogging so my friends and family can keep better tabs on me :p

I am feeling good about 2017 thus far (10 days in). I have managed to stay 100% vegetarian even when tempted by my favorite braised short rib pasta at my favorite little Italian restaurant with my favorite glass of pinot noir! I know that was a run-on but I don’t give a damn.
Matt and I have been about 85% vegetarian but we still have meat on occasion and this year I really wanted to stay true to what I believe in as much as possible. Don't get me wrong, I love a good burger but have you ever looked into the eyes of a cow? They are sweet, innocent creatures of this world. 

I have also stayed true to my health as far as working out. I don’t have a certain goal for weight loss, I just want to feel good about getting dressed in the morning: simple as that.

I am also replacing sorry with thank you! I won’t be able to do it all the time, but I say sorry way too much. I know it has a lot to do with my job (being in customer service) but sometimes I’m not actually sorry so I am not going to say it.

Every year I make it a point to be the best type of friend I can be. Friendship it truly what makes my world go-round. I can have a good 30 minutes with a good friend and feel like I am on top of the world. We should never leave friends as a last priority.

I got a sewing machine for Christmas (thanks Mom and Dad) and it’s super cute and yellow! So, for 2017 I will be taking up sewing J My first project is to sew work out pants (I know, I got cocky)

I also need to take up piano because Matt got me a nice keyboard for my birthday last year and I haven’t really used it. When I see it sitting there I feel guilty because I know it’s something I would love to do but haven’t made the time.

I think it’s so important to make sure we put time aside to be creative. Maybe it’s just sitting alone (with your phone in another room on silent) and just listening to music. Maybe it’s journaling or writing a friend a hand-written letter. We need to have time with ourselves and really soak in the life that we have. As I’ve gotten older I am saddened by how quickly time goes, even a day feels like a blink of an eye. It scares me. The other day Matt and I were talking about how badly we wanted our childhood imagination and perception of time back. I am sure that as we get older, and have children, and have more to do it will only go faster. This year I am going to try to slow down time…when I figure out how I will let you know.

xo

The Mannequin

For 4 months I have been scouring the web to find an attractive male mannequin. Well, let me rephrase: a cheap, attractive, male mannequin; these are not easy to come by people. It’s been hard work but I had a vision in mind. I cannot take responsibility for this vision, but I will take full credit for my determination and ability to conquer my end goal, resulting in the best front yard Christmas display. I saw this photo about 2 years ago and it has stuck with me ever since. I thought to myself, “when we buy a house, this is what I am going to do for Christmas” like that was one of my greatest motivations for buying a home. Anyways, two years ago, when I showed Matt this hilarious photo he thought it was cool and clever, but I don’t think he thought about it nearly as much as I have. Which is why in the end his lack of determination totally let me down, and I ended up taking the whole thing on myself.

Two days ago, I found him; he was affordable, good looking (great bod), and close by (I hate long distant relationships). I texted Matt at 8 am and said, “I found a male mannequin and I need you to pick him up at 6:30 PM tonight”. I guess I never really thought about it but when you haven’t been privy to the search of the male mannequin, this text may come off a bit alarming. Side Note: I had to ask Matt to pick him up because I already had dinner plans with a friend so, ya know.

 I quickly followed up with a link to the craigslist ad letting him know I wanted the skin colored one. There were two listed in the ad: a white, plastic, shiny man and a skin colored ‘normal’ man. Matt immediately wrote back, ‘We are not getting this mannequin”. Okay! So, he did remember why I actually wanted him because there weren’t any questions as to why it was just a NO. I responded by saying, ‘This is something that will really make me happy so can you please do this for me? It’s all I ever wanted for Christmas”. Crickets.  In my mind, I was kind of thinking, yeah, he will do this, I can get him to do this. No, he really wasn’t going to do this. I called him on my way to dinner begging and pleading and I think the conversation ended with, ‘Well, thanks for nothin!’ as I hung up.

So, after dinner, I drove out to a very sketchy part of town. It was around 8 PM and I pulled over when I was about 5 minutes away to send my friends a dramatic, ‘come find me in 10 minutes if I don’t reply’ video message. Of course, when you think you’re in the ghetto ‘everyone is looking at you and on some kind of drug that’s going to make them stab you from behind’ (this is what goes through my mind). I had to get cash out so I would meet the seller near his apartment by a Wells Fargo. Then I was stressing…thinking, ‘Is this guy just going to walk over carrying a skin toned mannequin? What will people think of this exchange?”. The Wells Fargo was in front of a Walmart so then I’m thinking, ‘they may not even take a second glance’. Then I thought, “Oh my god, I’m taking out cash- someone’s going to come up from behind me, stab me in the back, and take the cash and I’m never going to get the mannequin”.

 I can’t stop thinking about the guy carrying the naked mannequin through the parking lot so I text him, ‘are you just going to carry the mannequin in public?’ and he responds, “No, I’m here in the Wells Fargo parking lot in the back lot in my black Camry”. I purposely parked in the front near Walmart where there were bright lights and crack heads so I would be safe, but I reluctantly tell him I will meet him out back. I creep through the lot and find the black Camry idling, and slide up next to it. I find myself nervous, I am meeting him, my mannequin! The seller gets out and he’s nice (phew). He tells me he used to own a retail shop down the street that he closed so he has extra mannequins. He opens his back door and I see him- my mannequin- but he’s in 5 pieces and that was kind of weird. I was expecting him to be sitting there in the back seat waiting for me. Anyways, the guy shows me how to put him together and we catapult him into the back of my car over the top of the seat and his head flies off and lands on the floor. The guy shows me that the mannequins name is Ken. It actually says Ken on the back of his plastic skull.

We make the exchange and I say, ‘In case you are wondering why I am buying a mannequin it’s for a Christmas decoration’. He really didn’t care. I tried explaining Christmas vacation and all was lost; he had no idea what I was talking about. Anyhow, it would allow me to sleep a little better at night having told him, otherwise I would think that he was thinking, “what does she want with this mannequin? Meeting me at night in such a rush to get him and wondering if I am going to carry him through the parking lot”.

So, I drive home and I’m feeling bad that I just have Ken’s head up front with me while his body was laying over my back seat but such is life.

 I park and I’m thinking, ‘what is Matt going to say about this mannequin? He probably doesn’t even think I got him and that I have been sitting at dinner having multiple glasses of wine.” I see my neighbors are out in the front and I think, ‘Ok well, this is kind of embarrassing but I will walk as briskly as possible and it’s dark’. So, I pull Ken from the back and start making a B-line for the front door. I am in mid-grass lawn when I am reminded that Matt installed sensor lights (the same ones I have been begging for all year)- so whatever they go on- I’m caught- busted- found out; the neighborhood weirdo. But, the real clencher was that as soon as I startled a bit from the lights going on, Ken just started falling apart; I mean limbs all over the lawn. I am jogging now and just kicking arms and legs and I just start laughing hysterically. I’m just laughing so hard and I just drop his torso- I abandon him and just run into the house. I shut the door and peer back through the glass and see him lying there. Matt’s on the couch and I say, “I need your help’’. Of course, he’s like, “What are you doing now”? So, I run out and grab his torso and come through the house and say, “I need help with my mannequin”.

That is the gist of the story. Matt couldn’t believe I went and bought him. To quote, “I can’t believe you spent our hard-earned money on a mannequin” and, “We are not putting this creep in our front yard”.

The cat and dogs are having a hard time accepting Ken but eventually, over time…. So, you ready for the final end goal of all end goals???!!

Food For Flop

I genuinely do not like salads. I have tried everything to make a salad and then to like it. I tend to like salads when other people make them, but I mainly just tolerate them and I wouldn’t be caught dead saying I love them. I have this aussie friend that eats her salad like it’s an art. She picks things with the fork but it’s backwards and then she uses a knife and backs that ass up and scoops it to the back of the fork- it’s just balancing there; I mean it’s like the cirque du soleil of food. And every time she eats the salad I think, ‘man this is making me want a salad’. I tried eating a salad like her but it was like impossible, and then it didn’t really make it taste any better like I thought it would. Anyways, if there isn’t a salad inside two pieces of bread then it’s not really for me and that’s today’s food for flop. I think I will post food for flops on Fridays so it all starts with an F. This blog is getting desperate already.

Friend: one attached to another by affection or esteem

Today I was inspired by a longtime friend. She inspires me daily whether she realizes it or not but, today I wanted to write about it. This friend thinks I am funny, special, talented, and inspirational and makes sure to remind me of these values whether it be a card in the mail, a text, or a gift. Have you ever felt like you didn’t deserve to have someone so caring in your life because you aren’t nearly as good of a person as they are? My friend, Chelsea Dinsmore, can see the good in every single human being. She can find the bright side to every situation and is constantly challenging herself to become a better person (even when you think it isn’t possible!).

I love writing. I love expressing my feelings through honesty, and hoping that somewhere somehow, I can make someone laugh and/or feel like they are not alone in this crazy world. I haven’t always kept up on my blog because I think the blogging world is way too saturated, and I also think, ‘why does anyone care what I have to say’. But then today my friend Chelsea reminded me that she did enjoy reading my blog posts and wished I kept up on it. I feel like it was the push I needed to feel inspired and continue to do something I thoroughly enjoy: journaling and telling stories.  So once again Chelsea, thank you for inspiring me and pushing me to continue with the things I am passionate about and that make me happy. ***DISCLAIMER: I am not an English major and sometimes my grammar blows. I am on here to just write what is popping into my brain and as I would talk, and it isn't always going to be perfect. I know I have friends that might lose sleep over this so now you can't say you weren't warned. ******

I just want to write funny stories and life experiences that my friends and family can read and hopefully feel a bit more connected to me by. I mean it’s not like I am the most interesting human being on the planet but I need everyone to know when I get into bed at 7:30 PM, watch 5 episodes of Seinfeld, then fall asleep with my mouth open.

Today I am going to share my favorite photo from this week.Oscar looks so grumpy (as usual), and I just want to squeeze his doggy cheeks and kiss him. He loves the chickens and will sit out in the rain just to be near them. He also goes into the chicken coop when we are cleaning it out and tries to be part of their group.

I am the worst

On December 18th of 2013 (almost a year ago exactly) I posted about how I am the worst blogger. Well..it still rings true; I am the worst blogger. I think it's been about 10 months since I have written anything. How do I even start? I can't even get into the big things because it's just too much to catch up on. BUT I can certainly summarize a thing or two:

1. Saw Tom Petty for the 5th time (but it was Matt's first!)
2. Saw the Counting Crows (something I have wanted to do since I was 14)
3. Saw Jerry Seinfeld stand-up- this is huge. I can't even talk about it because I get too emotional on       how happy it made me.
4. I got married to the love of my life.
5. We went to New Zealand and Australia for 3 1/2 weeks and just got back!

Of course there are plenty of other amazing things that happened along the way but those are the major points for me :)

Now that the year is yet again coming to an end it's a time to reflect back but also plan ahead. I am huge on making plans and writing lists and having everything all figured out. Matt and I have decided to make 2015 the year of traveling. We want to go to as many places as we can (taking into consideration vacation time, argh) in the next year! So far on the list we have Texas, Costa Rica, Arizona, Michigan, Rome, New Mexico, and Guatemala. Yes we may be dreaming but who cares, I love it! We also want to open our own movie theater, own a pet lamb, and run a fishing lodge. We have a big list of dreams some that may never happen but it's still exciting just the same.

I am looking forward to the new year and even though it's really just another day on January 1st there is still something exciting about the calendar turning over. It can be fresh starts, new beginnings, more adventures- anything you want it to be.

I am hoping something blog worthy will happen to me in the next month or so. It's hard for me to blog if I don't have a funny story. My recipes are all pretty much the same- I recycle the same 5 things over and over and over again so I can't really blog about that. I am childless and I don't have enough money to shop and be fashionable because I spend it all on coffee, food, dog treats, and traveling. So in that respect I am totally blog unworthy.

-catchya on the flip

Oh! For the past 6 months or so I have tried thinking of sayings other than "I died" or "I die" or "I can't". They're too played out in my opinion. I tried a new on on Amira which was- "'I'm limp". She seriously hated it. I tried it a few times through text and she didn't seem to catch on so I let it go for a bit...I texted her with it a few months later and she said, "Please don't try to bring that back".

Anyways, I'm on to something new and it's "call NASA". Here is the context:

Amira: Avery just used the bathroom for the first time!!
Kandi: I don't believe it!! Call NASA.
(because I am so mind blown that I need to fly to the moon)

Anyways, I'm going to try it on her this weekend and we will see how it all pans out.