A wedding in the making.....

When I got engaged and settled down from all of the excitement I thought to myself, "I wonder what kind of bride I am going to be"? 

I knew I wouldn't be a 'Bridezilla" so to speak and I actually pictured myself pretty laid back about everything. The kind of personality I have I just want to have everything all sorted out within the first week so that I don't have to think about it again until it's actually time to order it or make it happen. So I can honestly say that within about 2-3 weeks I had it all sorted out- the DJ, Photographer, Venue, dessert, decor, songs, attire, bridal party, favors...ya know- the whole shebang. Luckily, Matt is very similar and LOVES being a planner. It was nice to have him as eager as I was to get certain things sorted out. 

After I had it all figured out I thought....well now I am bored- can you have the wedding sooner? Having it sooner ins't really an option for the venue so I will have to wait. Now I am going back to what I decided on and figuring out the exact details of who I am ordering it from and what the cost will be. I just had to share a hilarious conversation Matt and I had on g-chat:

Me: Hey when you get some time can you fill in all of your friend's addresses so we have them in the excel file? Oh and when you have time can you look at these save the dates and tell me which one you like? (I sent him a link to a website of different ones)
Matt: there's over 200! You just pick, I trust you. Just pick your top 4 and I will pick one. 

Me: It's only 4 pages! Fine...here are the one's I like. Hey quick question

I am going to schedule an appointment for the dogs to get groomed/nails clipped

and they take a while- do you think it would be possible for you to take them in on Monday

if I need that..and I can pick them up after work?

Matt:Which place...oh yeah I know- yeah we can walk there...those dogs need exercise. 

Me: Okay so should I get their hair cut? I mean the regular appointment is just nails and bath but maybe I should get their hair cut too so they look good in the photos. 

Matt: i don't care beb...you do ur thing. Wait- what photos? they ain't gonna be in the save the dates

they will be in our xmas photos. 

Me: why notttttttttttt

Matt: No- its about US not the pups

Me: But THEY are about us

Matt: Then lets have the whole family in the save the dates...you realize the save the date is only one picture. It will be harder to take with them because they will be eating all of our food...

Me: But why not a few! Btw, which save the date did you like? 

Matt: I liked the 4th one.

Me: What about the first one?

Matt: that looks like a 5 year old's birthday invite

Me: whatever to that! the girls at the office liked it. But, we all really liked the 4th one too so I guess we will go with that one. 

Matt:lets take the photos first..then go from there

Me: Well I was just looking to see what the cost was...to have an idea. It's about $150.00

Matt: Jesus. Aren't there cheaper ones?

Me: not really..just let me live my life- I only get married once

Matt: hahaa beb wants to blow money on magnets

So this just made me crack up. Matt is clearly the more logical one in the relationship  I am very fond of my last line " Just let me live my life- I only get married once" over some magnet save the dates. Sometimes I love just being dramatic for the heck of it and chuckling about it after. Luckily, Matt and I's relationship is so silly he gets my drama and finds me rather entertaining which is why we will say "I do" on 9/27/14. PS. you better believe Oscar and Diego will make a cameo in those save the dates....maybe not magnet status but they will sneak in a photo or two ;) 

Doughnut vs. Donut

Here is what you need...seriously- this is it.

Canola oil (enough to be about an inch high in the pan)
Cinnamon 
Sugar
pre-made biscuit mix (you know the ones you get at the store in the tubes that scare the hell out of me when they pop open)

Growing up, my favorite morning treat was waking up to my mom making donuts. There was just something about a home-made (well sort of home-made donut). I decided I was going to make these for Matt on Sunday morning to carry on the morning- treat- donut- tradition. 

So you get these pre-maid exploding container biscuits and you open them up by closing your eyes and pulling....then you take them and separate them out on a plate because you need to make them in the shape of a donut. I grabbed a shot glass but you can grab anything that's a good size to make the center of the hole as well as the donut hole part ( I love a donut hole).

Once you get all the shapes figured out you grab a bowl and pour in equal amounts of sugar and cinnamon- enough to coat all the donuts you prepped. 

I also get 2 plates- One with a paper towel to drain off some of the oil and the other for the finished product after its been all sugared up.

Now everything is prepped so you pour canola oil in a skillet and you turn it to medium heat. Once you feel some heat coming off- grab some tongs and put as many donuts as you can fit in the pan. **** this is not a breakfast you make while doing other errands around the house- the donuts cook up fast. There is nothing I hate more than some burnt ass donuts so make sure you turn them when they need it. I do all the donuts first and then the donut holes...it just gives me a peace of mind. 

Once they have cooked on each side I move them to the dry off plate where some of the oil can soak off onto the paper towel....then I transfer it to the sugaring hole (bowl with sugar and cinnamon) and mix it all around. From there it goes to the finished product plate and viola!!! I served a dozen to Matt with a hot cup of coffee while he laid in bed watching Star Wars- yes I scored points that day. 

Friday's aren't what they used to be

The other night (well, it was a Friday night) Matt and I got home from work around 4:30...walked the dogs...and then we got into our pajamas. We were just hanging out....trying to pick a first dance song for the wedding, listening to records, sitting with the dogs, and watching Anthony Bourdain. At one point I went in the bedroom to get something and got a glimpse of myself in the mirror...and I thought, my god Friday's aren't what they used to be. I remember a Friday night being this glorious night of getting off work, getting dolled up, and going out. Here I was in my mis-matched pajamas with the bottoms pulled up way too high, no make-up, glasses, and hair back. I walked into the living room where Matt was and he was slouched on the couch in his flannels with his legs spread and I started laughing so hard. I said, "I have to blog about this"....(that is why he is rolling his eyes when I snapped the photo). 

I think a lot of people, most of the time (including myself) are quick to post pictures of the fun outings they are on and all the adventures and trips and glamorous nights....but not enough people point out the real-life-in-my -thirties type of nights and I wanted to. My favorite Friday nights are always the ones when I am in pj's way too early on a couch with friends laughing the night away. 

We went through the drive-thru of Roberto's and ate greasy Mexican food...then we got into bed at 8 to watch a scary movie and Matt fell asleep by 9. 

It was a perfect night and I think it's important to recognize the life in these simple, uneventful moments. Don't ever let yourself think if you aren't going out, that you aren't doing anything. xo 

Givin it up.

Me: "Matt?"
Matt: "Yes?"
Me: "I have something serious to talk to you about"
Matt: "Okay...."
Me: "It's going to affect you immensely so you need to hear me out and figure out how you are going to deal with it"
Matt: "Okay....."
Me: "People will be staring and pointing and whispering...you might not want to be seen with me. You might possibly want to break off the engagement"
Matt: "What is it!"
Me: "I have decided to go grey"

His response was what I expected- he thought I was being dramatic and didn't really care if I was grey or purple but this is the conversation we had the other night. 

I have been coloring my hair for so long I can't even remember when the first time I did it was....and for the longest time I was just coloring it because it was fun. Then one day somewhere around 23 I saw a pesky grey hair and I knew my life was changing. 
Since then I have been coloring my hair because I had to cover up the grey's and man has it been exhausting.  I just want to stop having to do it every 3 weeks and I want to see what MY hair color looks like and feels like. As part of my exaggerative( is this a word?)  personality I will tell you I am 80% grey but realistically maybe about 15%....let's put it this way- any time you part my hair you will find at least one and he is usually hanging out with a group if friends. 

So the other night when I was about to color it I said F this! I have to tell you...it was so freakin' liberating. It's just like this is who I am and I am 100% okay with it. 
Most of my friends including Matt will laugh and say that I hardly have a lot of grey's and this isn't a big accomplishment but for me it is because it has been such a chore that I thought I had to do...and to know I no longer have this task is very freeing! 

I know when we have the wedding I want to do some highlights to accent the style of my hair and at that point I will color it again but up until then (about a year from now) I am not coloring it....and it's pretty exciting. Not to mention all of the money I am going to save:) 

Please baby jesus don't let me be the kind with the huge silver streak down the side like Elvira...because then I might have to delete this post and jump back on the wagon. 

Best Recipe in the world....yeah I said it

Okay so....I have to say I am very excited to blog about this recipe. Here is why- I really made it on my own using what I had in the house and it turned out amazing. I came up with it one night when I was starving and wanted to make some kind of lasagna using what I had...now it is one of the weekly meals Matt and I have. I am thrilled that it's not something I found on Pinterest although I am sure there is a very similar version out there somewhere. Here is what you need:

Lasagna noodles (9 of them for 3 layers of 3)
32 oz tomato sauce
2 eggs
2 heaping (and I mean HEAPING) spoons of non-flavored greek yogurt
1 cup of Mozzarella
1 cup of cheddar
1/4 cup Parmesan
1 cup of mushrooms
2 zucchinis
1 squash
1/2 eggplant
red pepper (5 sprinkles)
salt (2 sprinkles)
Italian seasoning (2 sprinkles)
garlic powder (2 sprinkles)

Here is the thing...you can really add whatever you want as long as you get the idea of proportion to liquid/solids. For example, the other night I only used mushrooms, zucchini, and squash and did away with the eggplant...I'm getting sick and tired of eggplant for some reason so this week it's on my shit list. Anyways, if you don't like mushrooms use bell pepper or just squash and zucchini- it will all be good. Also, last time I didn't have cheddar so I did 2 cups of mozzarella. So knock yourself out and make it your own but you get the general idea of the recipe. 
In a large skillet you are going to put all the double sliced in half veggies with some oil and start heatin' up. 

Then in a pot put the tomato sauce in it and start heatin' that up. In the tomato sauce you will add in all the sprinkles of stuff- red pepper- salt- garlic powder- Italian seasoning...make this your own too just by tasting it as you go. I had a previous sauce I had made that I froze so mine already had some mushrooms and bell peppers in it....throw whatever the hell you want in that sauce. 

In another large pot you are going to want to boil water and add the 9 lasagna noodles. 
Once the veggies get soft and the sauce is bubblin' go ahead and add the sauce to the skillet with the veggies- mix it all together and let it simmer for about 10 minutes while the noodles cook up. 
Now hop over to a mixing bowl and do the eggs, yogurt, and cheeses. 

Okay now you are going to heat your oven to 450 and grab an 8 inch casserole dish. Drain the cooked noodles and once they cool off a bit you can grab them out and layer 3 at the bottom of the casserole dish. After you do that first layer you are gonna do a layer of the veggie/sauce mix. After the veggie/sauce mix go ahead and plop the yogurt mix and smear it all around. Do this 3 times. 

Go ahead and put it in the oven and let it bubble...usually about 30 min.. 
You guys- trust me on this one. It's a little more work than I prefer but I am telling you...it's really really good. Matt LOVES it. Also, once you make it you have leftovers for at least 2 other meals so you can't really beat that. Trust me on this one. 

Being Sick.

So Matt got back from Germany with a cold...he said he got it in Munich during Oktoberfest which is to be expected with all those drunks walking around breathing on each other. Needless to say he passed it along to me. There is a funny joke comic I once saw about men being big, huge, babies when they are sick but sadly enough...in my world...it is I who is the big fat baby. I blame my mom! She babied me way too much growing up and waited on me hand and foot especially when I was ill (I blame you mother, but I still am happy it happened!). Anyways, now that I am in my adult life traces of my childhood behavior definitely pop up when I am feeling under the weather. TRUTHFULLY- I really do have a viral infection but it's not like I am on my death bed. But I have had to leave early from work most days and went to the doctor once. During this time of being sick I frequently wander into the bathroom, stare at myself in the mirror, and moan. Then I go lay on the bed and call the dogs and tell them how sick I am. When Matt is around I sporadically cry and whimper saying I will never be well again. I was closing up the blinds at night and Matt asked if I shut the window- I went to put my hand on it and then walked away slowly saying I was too weak...I went on the couch and whimpered. I lay on the couch bundled up and text message all my friends about how sick I am hoping to get sympathy messages- it works. I watch say yes to the dress marathons while sipping tea and Matt patiently watches the show too, I think he may be getting into it. The thing is...although I may be acting a little dramatic in my time of sickness...it has made me think over, and over, and OVER again how much I take my health for granted. Man, I have a sore throat, headache, runny nose, and cough and I feel this down?? Imagine having cancer or a permanent ailment...it just made me realize how truly from the bottom of my ever living soul thankful I am to be for the most part healthy and well. I am sure Matt lays in bed and thanks god for the exact same thing. I am so lucky to be able to open my eyes every morning, breathe out of my nose, get up on my two feet, get ready and head on out to work each day. I can't ever forget that and I will try each day not to. 
As for Matt he has been the expected perfect angel but I think deep down he knows he brought this international bug back to me and I didn't even get to enjoy the fest! For that, he will be watching at least 2 more days worth of TLC re-runs of Say yes to the dress and telling me which style dresses he likes best. 

This aint no health post

We can't all be healthy all of the time so I decided to bake cupcakes this weekend...and man did I strike a gold mine! I had a bunch of bananas that were about to be bad so I knew I wanted to make something incorporating the three of them but I also didn't want to make banana bread for the hundredth time. SO why not make banana cupcakes! I found this recipe on Pinterest of course but I changed mine up a bit. As far as cake part of the recipe goes here is what I did differently: I used 3 bananas instead of just 2 and I used almond milk instead of regular. I was a little worried what the almond milk would do to it and it wasn't anything crazy but I do think it played a part in making the cake more dense which I actually really liked. I didn't make the frosting because I wanted to go with a cool little flavor mix up. I bought a whipped milk chocolate frosting and cut up strawberries on top with powdered sugar. Seriously, strawberries and bananas and milk chocolate and powdered sugar!!!!!!!!!!! Matt has already eaten half the dozen. I highly recommend this recipe. And I must add...it felt good to be bad. 

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-and-Vanilla-Cupcakes-with-Buttercream-Frosting/Detail.aspx

Sweet Potato tacos!

So I saw this recipe on making Sweet Potato tacos and I knew I had to try it! I have been really loving sweet potatoes lately and wanted to find different recipes where I could use them. I did change things a bit when I made mine because I didn't have everything it called for. Here is the recipe I found:

http://www.thefauxmartha.com/2013/04/08/sweet-potato-tacos-and-hunger/

I used pinto beans instead of black beans...I didn't have any vegetable or chicken broth so I just did water...and I used chili paste instead of chipotle pepper. Oh and I didn't have cilantro :(

Anyways the recipe was pretty easy once everything was chopped. Man how I hate chopping...and prepping. I wish everything you bought at the store was already chopped...then I would cook the most delicious meals all of the time. I know, I'm lazy. I also have the worlds smallest kitchen so it isn't that enjoyable to be in there chopping and dicin' things up. I hit my elbow on the fridge when I have to chop something!

Here are my pictures:

This is when I first started with half the ingredients chopped and cooking

This is once I had everything in the pan cooking

this is the finished product!

All in all- yes I would make this recipe again. It was really good. The consistency was soft inside but the hard shell gave it a nice crunch. The flavor was great and the avocado topped it off perfectly. I will be making this one for Matt when he gets back! (1 more day)

A really good breakfast

So lately I have been eating a lot better in the mornings. I went through a stage where I wasn't eating all that well. I either had a Starbucks cheese danish or some kind of breakfast burrito with a lot of cheese and potato; it probably wasn't the best way to start my morning and it also explains why I gained weight during that period of my life.Thank god my metabolism was better in high school and college because I ate Jack in the Box mozzarella sticks and curly fires dipped in ranch dressing ever.single.morning. 
Anyways, I was really unhappy with my employment situation and food was kind of my only enjoyment at work. This year I set a goal for myself that I was going to start eating a lot better than I have been in the past. Don't get me wrong- I still enjoy my 'bad' food because I think life would be so bland without it, but I do know it's important to put better food into my body creating a healthier me. I have lost about 12 pounds in the past 5 months which may not be stellar but I can tell the difference! I have kind of reached a stopping point but am still hoping to shed about 5 more pounds to reach my goal weight. I refuse to take any pill or starve myself and I think just slowly over the next 5 months with eating right it should fall off. For breakfast I have changed my burritos and danishes to some type of fruit...basically a banana. I got really bored with it I'm not gonna lie. I mean I don't just have a banana but I will make smoothies or have a mango...but it's usually fruit and while it tastes good its not always that filling and doesn't give me that much fuel. I just can't think of any good ideas that are fast, healthy, and filling. I saw this idea on pinterest and had it today and it was really, really good! It also really filled me up and I wasn't hungry again until lunch. Here is the idea:

http://thechicbrulee.com/2013/04/11/almond-butter-rice-cakes/

So anyways, just thought I would share this good idea and please if you have any I am all ears!