Grits & Gravy

Jenga and Margaritas

2012-02-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

My friend, Mallory, and I made a pact at the beginning of the year. We committed to two outings/adventures a month to explore our fabulous city, meet new people and have some good ole fun.

Feeling the need for mexican food and margaritas, we started the night off by enjoying a scrumptious meal at The Lime in South Tampa. Mal had a delish strawberry margarita and I drank a skinny margarita, which is basically tequila with a splash of club soda and lime. Our drinks were amazing and gave us high hopes for our supper. We split their signature appetizer that includes queso, guacamole and salsa followed by a chicken burrito. Needless to say, we were stuffed because the food did not disappoint.

After dinner, we walked about a mile up the road to Yard of Ale. The best thing about this bar is the large games they have. People were busy chatting and playing jenga or connect 4. We staked our claim on a jenga section and proceeded to rock the game for the next few hours. The night was just a blast. We even met these two cute couples who joined in with us for jenga fun and good conversation.

Of course, the night would not be complete without having one, if not many, student affairs moments. The downfall to your training for our field is that it becomes a part of who you are and it doesn't quite shut off. Mal and I determined that when at a bar being hit on by two semi-drunken guys, these are the signs that you work in student affairs:

You ask where he went to college to ensure that he is not currently a student.
You seize up inside when he says "homo".
You use the word "engagement" at a bar and it is not in reference to a proposal.

Even though our brains were still turning, we were able to put aside our work hat and have a great time. This evening will need to be repeated very soon!

where dreams are made of

2012-02-11T12:31:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I jetted to New York to visit my friend Kathryn. She and I go way back to my DC days when she interned at the non-profit I worked with. We maintain our friendship by making sure to get on a plane to see each other at least once a year. Washington, DC has become our meet up place but this year I decided that it was time to see her new home in New Jersey. We had a fabulous weekend full of long chats, watching Bones and exploring New York City.

Once I arrived, we had a hearty breakfast and hopped on the bus to venture into the city. Our first stop was to popbar, a delectable gelateria located on Carmine Street at 6th Avenue. They make gelato fresh daily and use only the best ingredients. During the winter, popbar features the most amazing hot chocolate. You choose your type of chocolate (milk, dark or white) and then something heavenly occurs in your cup. You are given a bar of chocolate in freshly steamed milk. Then the swirling begins to slowly melt your chocolate bar. Did I mention that this was heavenly?

Armed with deliciousness in our hands, we strolled to Chelsea Market taking in unique things on the street and popping in to some stores along the way. I especially enjoyed this beautiful 9/11 Memorial on a fence, lined with ceramics from across the country.

After taking in the streets, we wandered through Chelsea Market. Literally, I could probably live inside this place because it is filled with all of my favorite things.. Anthropologie, wine, cupcakes, olive oil & balsamic vinegar filling station, fresh seafood market, and coffee shop. We explored every inch of the market, enjoying all of the unique treasures we found and people around us.

One of my absolute favorite things about a city is that people are out. Not just out running errands but out engaged in conversations with friends, tucked away in a book or enjoying a bite to eat. When I lived in DC I always felt comforted by being surrounded by people. There are no tacky strip malls or a dozen chain restaurants on every corner. Cities have unique characters in their people and places that just warm me up.

After getting our fill of exploring we decided to ventured into Colicchio & Sons to watch the sunset and toast our weekend together. This setting also created the stage for a special moment for me when Kath asked if I would be one of her bridesmaids. She has remained one of my closest friends for so many years and I cannot wait to share in her special day right there beside her.

We capped the evening by eating pizza with friends and watching football. Of course, some late night Bones watching occurred as well. In the morning, we slept in, quite late I might add, and took off to the city again. We ate scrumptious burgers at 5 Napkin Burger and split a peanut butter shake at the Shake Shack. After freezing our tails off walking around Times Square, we escaped indoors and caught a movie.

Kathryn scored us tickets at the Upright Citizen Brigade Theater. If you are in NYC, this is an absolute must! We had so much fun at the theater. People stand in line for hours because it is just that good, no lie.

Rent is BACK!!

We spent my last night in NYC strolling the streets and enjoying the excitement in Times Square. On Monday morning, we awoke early to grab a bite at Turning Point in Hoboken before I caught my flight. We had a delicious breakfast right on the waterfront overlooking the NYC skyline. I had an amazing caramel latte and a great reflective chat (that gave way to the dating series) with Kath. The trip was just perfect, packed with quality time with one of my best girls.

A History of Dating: Reflections

2012-02-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

While I started my career in students affairs, a lot of my college friends were getting married and starting families. My life that did not include any of that and I found it challenging to really connect with those friends. The dissonance was a blessing because it gave me some much need reflection time. I was doing exactly what I needed to be doing for me. I did not need for it to be validated or understood by anyone else. I was closed off to the possibility of a relationship because I wanted a little room to breathe. I had not been being true to me or the things that I wanted in a partner and I knew it. The brutal truth was I had gone looking for all the wrong things and every minute of it felt like water torture. I no longer felt interested in the filler guy or someone to just go on a date with. If I was going to venture back into dating, I wanted it to be for a genuine connection.

Along the way, I have learned a great deal... I absolutely believe in love but I think it is not something that can be forced. It comes in its own time. Vulnerability is something that I work at everyday. Trust takes time. I do not always have it together even if I am sporting a smile on my face. I am incredibly loyal. Some day I want to be a momma and would like someone to share my life with. I am thankful for my history and hope that I always find the courage for what is next. We do not always get it right but I think that is good because it makes the moments we do all that much sweeter. I have never lost confidence in myself or the life I have chosen, it may look different but it is just the way I hoped it would be.

Several years later, I am still single. While I have no idea what the future holds for me or if there will be my own version of a Johnny (Dirty Dancing reference), I am really good with me. Your twenties are just this tumultuous love affair filled with the times of your life and the moments that just make you cry. I would not do anything different because all of it has brought me to this point. The rest is still unwritten.

"She could never go back and make some of the details pretty. All she could do was move forward and make the whole beautiful"

A History of Dating: Part Three

2012-02-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

As soon as I graduated from college, I took off to start a new chapter of my life in Washington, DC. I loved everything about being the city: the job, the culture, the people, and the yoga on every corner did not hurt. I often refer to DC as some of the best years of my life because it truly was. There was also a lot going on underneath the surface. My getting off the rollercoaster with Tony Harris took me almost a year to get used to. There was not anyone to ask me about my day or share my life with. At twenty-two, I had embarked on a brave new journey… all by myself.

Somewhere around the end of the year, I decided that I would finally give a relationship a chance. I choose to finally be with Scott, the brother of my best friend. Scott and I had an odd sort of a relationship. He had asked me to be with him about a year before I met Tony but I had a dozen hesitations and when it came down to it, I could not do it. While home for New Years, I chose to spend the holiday with my best friend, her husband and Scott. In my head, this was perfect timing for me to tell Scott what I had been thinking and get on with this relationship. One problem arose, much to my surprise, he was no longer single. Just before we rang in the new year, the new girl walked in through the door. The rest of the night ended with the new girl staying over while I slept on the couch, with his dog. In the morning, I awoke feeling heartbroken. After an hour of talking it through with him, I left still crying with snot coming from places that I did not know existed. Looking back, my heart was not really into being with him. I wanted to not be so alone and I thought I picked out the best option. Unfortunately, you cannot just up and make those kinds of decisions.

Still fresh from the Scott situation, I began talking to a guy friend, who I refer to as Crazy, from my hometown. One thing led to another and soon he was visiting me in DC and I was going to South Carolina to visit him. At the time, Crazy said all of the things that I wanted to hear so I dove in. There were signs that it was all wrong but I forged ahead, determined not to have another relationship failure on the books. On a visit to see him in South Carolina, things turned ugly quick and before I knew it, an argument turned into me being left at Walmart with my car. I was seconds from a breakdown. When you are having this many emotions, a girl needs to phone a friend. Only my phone was dead. So I pulled into a gas station and asked if I could borrow a plug. And there I was, sitting on the floor of a jiffy, crying near the nacho pump cheese station.

With all that had happened with Tony, Scott and Crazy, I needed a hiatus from dating. I remained emotionally challenged for the next year. In rare moments, all of the emotions I was bottling up would get the best of me but then I would pull it together and go on about my day. After two years in DC, I moved to Georgia for grad school. During my first semester, a professor told us that in order to truly help students we would need to face all of the skeletons in our own closet. I figured it was time to dig in to all of the stuff I was carrying around. Once I did, it just started to flow out of me. I have never cried so much in my whole life. I found a new level of honesty and a lot of acceptance. The hiatus made me stop looking outward and find fulfillment from inside of myself.

Up Next...Where I am now

A History of Dating: Part Two

2012-01-29T18:11:00.000-08:00

Then Came Love

A few weeks after Lee, I left the bad boys behind and started dating Randall. He was intelligent, funny, a little shy, and incredibly talented on the ball field or with an instrument in his hand. He was my best friend, confidant and the first boy I ever loved. For three and a half years, we had a pretty solid relationship. He showed me what it meant to love someone else and the security that comes from having someone in your corner. We adored each other and I was perfectly content on the idea of spending the rest of my life with him. One of the things that I appreciated about our relationship was the support we gave each other to explore our interests. Unfortunately, we (or maybe just me) got so good at exploring independently of each other that we ended up disconnected and unable to find our way back. Randall wanted to build a life in our hometown and I wanted to get out and see the world. Our relationship quickly became a battle over him being upset that I never seemed to have time for him and my hounding him to apply for college. After two months of constant fighting, I called it quits on our relationship while on vacation in Hawaii… over email (definitely not my finest hour). I learned that no matter how great they are, some relationships are just not meant to last forever. I am so incredibly thankful for having had him in my life for that time. It was brutal losing my best friend and his family but in the end it was the best decision for both of us. I remain fond of my time with him because there is just something special about your first love.

{Image Credit}

For the next few years, I focused on school and things I was passionate about. I discovered that you could hang out with boys you liked without actually being their girlfriend; after years of having a boyfriend that seemed like an appealing option to me. During the fall of my junior year of college, I met Tony Harris and he halted my “love them and leave them” approach when he asked me to go to the homecoming dance. I was not so sure about him in the beginning because I was very busy living my life but he was persistent throughout the week of homecoming and by the end of it, we were dating. Tony seemed to engulf me with his charming, life of the party personality. He was intelligent, driven and quite sweet to me. There was something about him that put me at ease and made me nervous all at the same time. It was not long before my days started and ended with him by my side. I just wanted to open up my whole heart to him but I had been planning to spend the spring semester in Washington, DC so we agreed to enjoy our time together and not to get too invested in a relationship. Unfortunately, my heart did not get on board with the plan. After a great semester together, I struggled when our relationship faded away as I left for the city.

When I returned from DC, I realized that my feelings for Tony had remained the same but he was living up his college years so we agreed that we would just be friends. Throughout my senior year, Tony and I continued to spend a lot of time together. The problem with two people who care about each other trying to be just friends is that you never quite have clear boundaries. And the problem for me being friends with someone I liked was that there were other girls, lots of other girls that cycled through. It began to feel like I was the girl waiting in the wings hoping that one day he would wake up, realize how stellar I was and choose me. Sometimes the person that you love and want to be with just does not reciprocate those feelings. After two semesters of what seemed like a roller coaster, I got off of the ride.

Stay tuned for part three!

Click here to read part one.

A History of Dating: Part One

2012-01-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

Source: forum.xcitefun.net via Jessica on Pinterest

First Came Boys

I was pretty much crazy about boys for the minute that I noticed them in preschool. One particular boy caught my attention on the playground and the next thing I knew I was getting a talking to from my Momma about how it was not appropriate to kiss boys at school. My first “boyfriend” was a family friend named Ryan who proposed to me with a ring out of the bubble gum machine in kindergarten.

In 4^th grade, I discovered how to flirt and used it on my first crush, Matthew Allen. My success in flirting with Matthew led to elementary years that were occupied with many of crushes, long phone calls about nothing at all, and perfecting my skills in penning a love note.

By the 6^th grade, I had fully developed (girls, you know what I mean) and began to catch the attention of older boys which is the time period of dating that I call “the older the better”. My daddy was coaching my older brother’s baseball team and that created the ideal opportunity for my dating life. Boy, did I go through them. I had my first kiss with a boy named Justin behind the concession stand at the ballpark. I know, I was way too young to be kissing but this is what happens when you are going with older boys.

In 7^th grade, I won the attention of a popular boy named Russell (who is now like a brother so it seems gross) and a whole group of girls who tried to beat me up daily because he liked me instead of them. I learned how cruel other girls could be and how much I liked being with someone who was protective of me, even though I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Clearly. Russell punched Chris for commenting on my behind. He got suspended and I got to go to the end of the year dance with his best friend instead.

In middle school, I discovered the bad boys. I was the ultimate good girl so, naturally, they were the perfect fit for me. I started going with Chris (yep, the same one Russell punched) who was surprisingly amazing to me but the allure of the bad boy had set in and I boyfriend hopped until I settled on Lee. Daddy loathed Lee and forbid me to go out with him so, of course, I rebelled and experience my first bad relationship. Lee and I went out for six long months. In the beginning, everything was great (as it always is) and then it turned into a jealous, controlling mess. I began to lie to my friends and family to be able to see him and tried to paint the picture of a great relationship. In the end, I became a desperate, self-conscious, unhappy mess until Lee finally broke up with me after I hung up the phone on him one night during an argument. Somewhere around making myself throw up my dinner and crying myself to sleep, I got myself together and vowed to never let anyone control my life again.

And then came love...

a few of my favorite things

2012-01-11T09:31:00.000-08:00


{Image Courtesy: Lyla & Blue}

Pecorino Romano Cheese

Triangle Yoga Pose

{Image Credit}

These Dresses

Drive In Movies

Portrait of a Leading Lady: Angie

2012-01-02T12:23:00.000-08:00

If you have been reading my blog or follow me on twitter, you have probably noticed my unwavering support for Angie, aka Angie Away. Angie is currently on a pit-stop in our hometown from her travels which gives me the chance to properly welcome her home as my next Portrait of a Leading Lady.

Angie and I met my junior of high school (her senior year) when we both made the varsity cheerleading squad. Neither Ang or myself had ever cheered before so we both just jumped in, as we do, and became fast friends. The sport became our bond together as we learned the ropes, roomed together at Cheer Camp, spotted each other during practice, and spent many of nights at sleepovers. Cheerleading united us but our love for travel and doing the unexpected has made us life long friends.

Angie and I reunite each year during Christmas for the Annual Cheerleader Dinner but over the years we have had our own adventures along the way. Soon after she graduated from college, we flew off to Hawaii for a week of hiking, sun bathing, chatting, seafood, papaya, and even a helicopter ride. A few years ago, I visited Angie in NYC. We stayed out until wee early hours of the morning, had a picnic in Central Park, saw Wicked, ate amazing food, and laid in bed watching Pride and Prejudice.

Even though we have a friendship spanning almost 12 years now, I still feel like we are those eager young women taking on the world. We might be a little older but we still have sleepovers, spot each other and cheer one another as we go through the adventures of life.

A year ago, Angie quit her fabulous job in NYC and set out to see the world, literally. She has visited all 7 continents, been to churches around the world, made new friends, almost got eaten by a shark, and experienced places some of us only dream of visiting. I could not be prouder of my friend because she is living exactly the life she wants to be living - that takes gumption.

I am pleased to introduce you to Angie!

Age:30

Occupation: Writer/Publicist
Location: Around the World

Describe yourself in one word: Go

What is your favorite book? Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen

Favorite music? My iPod has everything from Kings of Leon to Taylor Swift, Bob Marley to Bach and any musical I can get my hands on.

What inspires you? Faith, hope & love

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? I am a devoted big sister.

What do you feel is the biggest misconception about you? At first glance, I seem very ambitious and success driven, but that's not the case at all. Any success I've had is a result of God's work in my life, and I take no credit!

What is the best advice you have received? Don't settle.

What would you tell your younger self? Don't date until you're 25. Wear sunscreen. Don't eat processed food. It gets better.

What do you love most about you? I love that I don't know where I'm going to end up.

Describe your idea of a perfect day: Beautiful weather on a gorgeous beach with people I love. And maybe some lobster.

What do you consider to be your greatest adventure, so far? I'm on it!

I feel most beautiful… when I get my wild hair blown out at the salon.

My favorite guilty pleasure is… Britney Spears.

Happiness is… being content with little or much.

I would change… my exercise habits.

Something people would be surprised to know about me is… I'm an introvert. An extroverted introvert.

I feel fearless when… I wake up. Fear is not an emotion I entertain (except in the case of cockroaches).

My Life… is a bit of an open book. You're welcome to read all about it: www.angieaway.com.

Highlights of 2011

2011-12-31T07:43:00.000-08:00

Source: pingg.com via pingg on Pinterest

Goodbye, 2011!

Before I say goodbye to this year, I thought I would reflect on the highlights. This was a big year of changes and settling in to the unknown. While there have been big things that have occurred, I think that some of my fondest moments have been the simple pleasures that I have been able to enjoy!

Kicked off the year by celebrating Dustin's 21st birthday

Had lots of snow in Arkansas

Spent Valentine's Day with my little friend, Heath

Visited Terra Studios with Angela and Ella

Enjoyed lots of good reading with my AR Book Club ladies

Traveled to North Carolina for Ro and Melvin's Wedding

Ended an amazing academic year with phenomenal students

Saw Les Miserables with Kerri and Manda

Found my way back to the yoga mat

Wrote a letter to an old bf that gave me closure

Had a Girls Trip with Mel, Morg, and Kel

Spent time perfecting my Auntie skills to my little loves
Got quality time with my best friend, Micah and his love, Rebecca

Tapas and Flamenco with Momma and Doug

Got a new job at USF and moved to Tampa
Enjoyed live music with Mallory

Said goodbye to Nana, the matriarch of the Poe-Brown Family

Suppers with Mel at Tijuana Flats

Tried new things
Read along as Angie Away took on the world

Celebrated engagements
Visited Morg & Chirs in Ft. Lauderdale

Embraced eating alone
Wrote 51 blog posts
Made new friends and rekindled old friendships
Sleepovers with Ella and Olivia
Turned Twenty-Nine
Created a Thirty Before Thirty List

Thank you for reading and coming along with me on this journey. My readership has increased beyond my wildest dreams and I appreciate all of your encouraging words and notes you send in response to my posts. Keep reading and sending me your thoughts!

Happy New Year!

Holidays at the Espinolas

2011-12-29T08:42:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, one of my favorite Tampa families generously hosted a few of us for a dinner party at their home. The night was full of scrumptious food and lots of laughter! Jen and Wayne are excellent hosts that create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. They also excel in creating delicious dishes for us to enjoy!

For the holiday party, Jen and Wayne brought their A game in the kitchen. For appetizers, we enjoyed bacon wrapped scallops (a personal favorite) and a crostini topped with a chicken and cheese mixture. Of course, no party is complete without a signature drink. We sipped on buttertinis and sparkling wine.

The dinner menu was nothing short of YUMMY! The meal began with this fabulous Roasted Pear with Blue Cheese salad. This starter would be an excellent addition to any dinner party you are planning or an excellent choice for a dinner for one special.

Our fabulous hostess in her kitchen

Before: Pears with Blue Cheese

After: Great starter to any meal

We also feasted on ham, mashed potatoes, rolls with a herbed butter, and fresh green beans. We topped the meal off with a buttery shot and tiramisu trifle for dessert.

Our host bringing out the after dinner delight

I cannot describe how amazing this was!

As a parting gift, we all received a Christmas Pickle. The tradition is that when decorating the tree, you hide a pickle ornament in your tree. On Christmas, everyone searches for the mystery pickle. The one who finds the pickle receives a special gift and good fortune for the year ahead.

I enjoy all of the fellowship with friends and family that comes with the holidays. This event was certainly a highlight of my season. I hope you enjoyed good food and great times with your friends and family!

A special thank you to the Espinola Family for their hospitality and allowing me to blog about the special event!

Sunday Supper: White Bean Soup with Kale and Chorizo

2011-12-19T17:26:00.000-08:00

One of my new favorite soups to make is this White Bean Soup with Kale and Chorizo that I got from Cooking Light Magazine. It is light, healthy and sure to warm up your bellies.

White Bean Soup with Kale and Chorizo
2 ounces Spanish Chorizo, finely chopped (Note: If you use mexican chorizo, remove casing)
1 cup of chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups of low sodium chicken broth
2 (15 ounce) cans of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups of chopped kale
1/2 teaspoon of pepper

Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chorizo and saute for 1 minute. Add onion, garlic to pan and saute for about 5 minutes or until tender. While chorizo mixture cooks, pour chicken broth into a soup pot and bring to a boil. Add beans and partially mash with a potato masher (or fork). Add chorizo mixture and kale and cook over medium heat for about 6-10 minutes.

Yields 4 servings (about 1 1/2 cups). 235 calories; 7 grams of fat; 7.6 grams of fiber; 13.4 grams of protein, 586mg of sodium; 30.7 grams of carbs

Letter to my younger self

2011-12-16T05:06:00.000-08:00

Approaching 30 makes me extremely reflective. Who am I kidding? I am just a reflective person. I was recently reminded of a book I read where several influential women wrote a letter to their younger self. I was pondering what I would tell my young, fresh out of high school, bright-eyed self and here is what I came up with...

1. Say no to pump cheese.
You know that delicious gooey cheese that can only be found in a pump jar and is usually sold to us at the ballgame as nachos? Yes, that is the one and only pump cheese. I can thank it for most, if not all, of my cellulite. Stay away from it and all processed foods for that matter because there are plenty of yummy things out there that do not come in a container that has a longer shelf life than you do.

2. Girlfriends are one of greatest gifts you'll receive.
I would not know where to begin to describe this one. Your girls are part of your immediate family. You will be blessed to pick up a few in each phase of your life. These relationships will mean the world to you. They will keep you grounded and give you strength. They are your first loves.

3. Hey, It's Ok!
Life delivers stuff - sometimes it is so wonderful that you feel like you could soar above the clouds and other times, it brings you to your knees. The reality is that is it good to skin your knees every once in a while. Get a band-aid and pick yourself back up.

4. Life is a verb.
Life does not always come knocking at your door asking you to play, so get out there and live the life you always imagined.

5. Give saving the world your best shot.
When I was a freshman in college, my roommates would tease me about my hectic schedule. They would say "where are you off to today, to save the world?" It became our joke but I still love it when they say it to me ten years later. You will not actually save the world but you can make a great impact on someones life.

6. Keep your packing boxes handy.
You never know where life will take you... Tampa, DC, Georgia, Arkansas, Back to Tampa. Life is an adventure, always do what comes next.

7. Your life will be more than you imagined, so relax.
When you turn 29, life will look far differently than you ever expected it to and it will be better than you ever imagined. Relax because you are going to do great things and be surrounded by phenomenal people every day.

8. The plan is not as important as the experience.
When you are younger the POA (plan of action) will seem important because it is how you keep your sanity. You'll always be this organized but you'll learn to let go of the plan. The best things in life come from the unexpected.

9. Do that thing that terrifies you.
You are going to be scared, A LOT. Keep doing and being. Face those fears because great things lie on the other side.

10. Be vulnerable.
You are a fragile, tough girl. You do not always have to have it together and you can totally have the breakdown(s) you deserve. You will cry more in graduate school than ever in your life, it's okay. Let people into your heart because it will fill you with more joy than you thought you could contain.

11. Fall in love.
This will always terrify you a bit but you will always believe in love. You are going to get your heart broken a couple of times but some day you will find that one you choose to fully commit to. Fall in love as many times as it takes to get it right.

12. Dance it out in your living room.
Just own it! You need to dance it out especially during stressful times. This is therapy, do it, often.

13. Drink beer.
Who wants to drink out of some large container full of goodness knows what? Not you! Learn to drink beer so you don't have to be the girl at the party who needs a fruity drink. You'll thank me later.

14. Always find compassion for others.
Your heart is big, especially when it comes to others. Do not lose that because it makes you who you are. Keep believing in the goodness in others.

15. Use all of your talents - use everything you got!
Live by this quote. "When I stand before God at the end of my life I want to be able to say, I used everything you gave me"

16. Your life will be anything but ordinary.
You are going to choose a path that does not make sense to a lot of people. You did not have the typical "normal" life growing up so it is kind of in your blood. Lots of people are cheering you on. Your not normal family will be the most important thing in your life.

17. Spend entire afternoons getting lost in books.

18. Hit the yoga mat.
You will find few places where you will "not think". Yoga is your space, your solace.

19. Save money.
Be prepared for the rainy day or next great adventure.

20. You'll always be a girl who grew up on a dirt road.
You'll have many adventures but in your heart you'll always be a girl who grew up on a dirt road. You will not always carry the same opinions or want to live that far from the grocery store but where you came from is just as important as who you are today. When you lose your way, go home to remind yourself what is really important in life.

What would you all tell your younger self?

What should every girl do once?

2011-11-29T07:05:00.000-08:00

{Image Source}

A few weeks ago, I posed a question to my friends on facebook and twitter. I asked, "what should every girl do once?"

While the responses ranged, I found that my women friends wanted to encourage other women to be empowered, to do something on their own or go outside of their comfort zone. Some of them were life milestones and others were little treats along the way. I loved the responses so much that I googled ideas, took my friends ideas and added a few of my own to come up with this list.

Every girl should...

1. Go on vacation, see a movie, and/or eat at a restaurant alone
2. Go skydiving, shark cage diving, or something else completely outrageous, fun and dangerous
3. Learn how to change a tire
4. Buy something wildly outside of your budget
5. Apply for that dream job or college you think you cannot get into
6. Fall hopelessly in love
7. Be a great friend
8. Figure out what you believe in
9. Travel (another city, state or country)
10. Live on your own

And yes, I heard a lot of "have a baby" from my eager parents who desperately want a grandchild. It has been noted. I especially loved Courtney's comment which was to "be present at the birth of a child because only women can do it!" Let's hear it for the girls!

{Image Source Unknown}

Dinner for one, please

2011-11-27T05:49:00.000-08:00

The fact is that I would rather cook for a house full of people than just myself any ole day but the reality is I live alone and my cooking is usually enjoyed by just me. Last night, I decided to make myself a scrumptious meal accompanied with Norah Jones, candles and wine - date night for just me!

A few weeks ago, I visited Morgan in south Florida and we had one of the most amazing meals. I thought I could re-create this marvelous dish we shared and to my surprise it turned out just as yummy!

So whether you are cooking for a house full or just one, I hope you enjoy! It is definitely okay to make yourself a fabulous meal and love every bite!

Scallops with Cannellini Beans and Spinach
Fresh Scallops (approx. 4 per person)
1/2 can of Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 strips of center cut bacon (or reduced sodium), chopped
1 cup of spinach
1 shallot, diced
3/4 cup of reduced sodium chicken broth

In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Leave behind any bacon oil or drippings to flavor the rest of the meal. Remove bacon from pan.

Rinse scallops and pat dry with a paper towel. Salt and pepper. Add to skillet to cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan. Tip: To get that nice crust, don't mess with your scallops until its time to flip them.

Add shallots and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add chicken broth (you may add more broth depending on how much sauce you like). Add beans and cook for about 5 minutes to let broth thicken. Make sure to get all of the bacon drippings off of the bottom to flavor sauce.

Add spinach until it begins to wilt. Then add the bacon and scallops back to dish to warm for about 1 minute. Note: Add salt and pepper to taste but be careful because the bacon, beans and broth have plenty already.

Make yourself a pretty plate and enjoy!

The aftermath

well, hello there!

2011-11-14T18:13:00.000-08:00

{Image Source Unknown}

I started blogging for a pure pleasure so when it began to seem like another thing on my to do list I took a little hiatus. I'm inspired again and working on lots of posts that promise to showcase all of my thoughts recently.

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather!

Tailgate Special: Shrimp Skewers

2011-09-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

Christine and I at tailgate

We enjoyed our second home game this season against FAMU. I had some shrimp in the freezer so I decided to try out a new marinade.

Herb-Marinated Shrimp Skewers
3/4 cup fresh cilantro
3/4 cup fresh basil
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 lime, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
pinch of salt and pepper
2 garlic cloves
12-24 shrimp, peeled and deveined

Combine all ingredients (except shrimp) in a food processor; process until smooth. Place shrimp and marinade in bowl, tossing to coat. Marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Thread shrimp on wooden skewers for cooking.

Cook shrimp in a grill or broil in the oven for 2 minutes on each side. Note: The citrus will cook the shrimp so be sure to cook immediately. I let the shrimp marinade too long and the shrimp got a little overcooked.

Hanging out with Little Bro Joe

Profile of a Leading Lady: Kari

2011-09-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

In February, I collected profiles of women in my life who inspire me and I wanted to feature on my blog. Between the move and life transition, I have not kept up with this feature story but watching the Emmy's the other night re-inspired me to highlight these amazing women. To find out more about my inspiration for this project visit my original post.

September's Leading Lady is Miss Kari Rood! Kari and I met in graduate school at the University of Georgia where we both studied College Student Affairs Administration. Honestly, you cannot help but love her! She always has a bright smile on her face and a welcomes you with a warm heart. We bonded over our love for coffee and little sweet treats. She is authentic and courageous. One of the things that I appreciate most about Kari is her ability to make even the smallest moment something special.

Age: 25
Occupation: Student Programs Coordinator
Location: Seattle, WA

Describe yourself in one word: Joyful

Favorite Book: I'm terrible at picking favorites. Growing up it was The Secret Garden. Lately I have read and loved The Hunger Games (the first 2 in the series), The Help, and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.

Favorite Music: Classic Rock or Jazz. The Washover Fans is a great local band that I saw in concert recently, Sara Bareilles, The Sweet Remains, Adele.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? The year I spent as the Director for Dance Marathon at BGSU. We raised almost $200,000 for Mercy Children's Hospital in NW Ohio.

What do you feel is the biggest misconception about you? I asked a friend this question the other day. She said she was really surprised by how independent I am.

What is the best advice you have received? You are the only one who wakes up every day and puts on your shoes. Make your decisions for you, not anyone else.

What would you tell your younger self? You can't and don't need to do everything. Relax, enjoy life, and get more sleep!

What do you love most about you? I am extremely grateful to be a positive and optimistic person.

I feel most beautiful…when I'm laughing.

My favorite guilty pleasure is…http://www.dailypuppy.com/? How embarrassing.. haha.

Happiness is… a good book or the newspaper, a pastry, and an Americano at a cozy coffee shop.

I would change…legal rights for same-sex marriage.

Something people would be surprised to know about me is…I was a first-generation college student.

My Life…is exactly where it should be right now. :)

Sunday Supper: White Pizza with Fresh Basil

2011-09-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

After having a yummy carb induced coma breakfast with Mal, my body was craving.. well more carbs, particularly, a yummy slice of pizza. I decided to use some leftovers in the fridge to pull together a homemade and healthier version of the traditional pie.

White Pizza with Fresh Basil
3-4 tablespoons pesto with basil
1/2 cup of shredded fresh mozzarella cheese (substitute: skim shredded italian cheese blend)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
pinch of pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 flatout wrap for crust
olive oil cooking spray

Preheat broiler. Heat baking sheet in broiler while prepping pizza. Lightly coat crust with cooking spray. Spread pesto evenly over crust, leaving a 1-inch border.

Sprinkle shredded cheese. Dollop ricotta with a teaspoon. Broil for 2-5 minutes, until cheese is melted. Top with fresh basil.

Enjoy! Happy Sunday!

Tailgate Special: Chicken Kabobs & Guacamole

2011-09-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend marked the first home game for the USF Bulls! I was pretty excited to break out my delish guacamole recipe and try a new chicken marinade. Both were a hit!

Guacamole

Ingredients:

2-3 avocados
1 lime
1/2 red onion, chopped
2-3 tbsp fresh cilantro, stems removed
salt & pepper
1 roma tomato, chopped & seeds removed
tortilla chips

Start with your avocados. I run my knife from top to bottom on the exterior to create a cross section of the avocado. Stab your knife into the pit and then remove it using a paper towel (to prevent slipping). I then cut vertically and horizontally to create small squares on each side. With a spoon, run it around the skin to remove the yummy avocado inside. Once you have scooped out the inner goodness, mash it with a fork.

Add the juice of a lime, chopped red onion, chopped cilantro, and chopped tomato. Salt and pepper to taste. You can enjoy immediately or refrigerate to before serving with chips.

Note: Guacamole has many uses. This recipe would also be delicious as a relish on burger or piece of chicken or on top of a salad.

Chicken Kabobs
Adapted from Epic Health

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 bell pepper
1 purple onion
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
2 tsp ground mustard
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
kabob skewers

Note: Add any veggies you like

Mix the worcestershire sauce and ground mustard, avoid clumping. Mix in soy sauce, water and vegetable oil. If you would like to use the marinade for basting later, set aside 1/3 cup.

Cut the chicken, bell pepper and onion into pieces. To ensure that everything cooks correctly, try and make all of your kabob items about the same size.

Thread the chicken and veggies alternately on skewers. I chose to use the smaller 6 inch skewers to make it easier to eat at the tailgate. The smaller skewers also allow you to create more servings to share.

Pour the marinade over the skewers and chill for 2-3 hours. Grill for about 10 minutes on each side or until the chicken is done.

I placed my skewers in a large tubberware dish and had them marinate in the cooler until it was time for them to go on the grill. You could also marinate the chicken before threading.

Tourist In Your Own Town: Girls Night Out

2011-09-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been crazy busy! My friend Mal and I decided that we needed to organize a Girls Night Out to connect with some of our women friends at work. It was a great opportunity to get to know new people and spend time with friends I have already made.

In celebration of Dine Tampa Bay, we started with a delicious supper at Tinatapas. I had a stellar goat cheese appetizer and filet mignon with blue cheese for my entree. Most importantly, I ended the meal with my favorite, budino and dolce de leche ice cream. Our meal was full of conversation, sangria and yummy food.

Afterwards, a few of us ventured to Fly to hear Chris Nathan. He is a great artist that I just discovered. He's brilliant - loved hearing him live! Fly has a great atmosphere, good menu, great drinks, and lots of live music.

The night was a lot of fun and full of my favorite things! I'm also glad that it helped me discover a new restaurant and venue to hear great music.

We want to establish a monthly Girls Night Out so leave me comments on your favorite things to do with your girlfriends.

Learn...

2011-08-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

I discovered this project last week on another blog and I am blown away by it. I love the concept, video, editing.. all of it! This has certainly re-inspired my Thirty Before Thirty list. To see how I am doing, check out my update here.

Enjoy!

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

To see the other two videos, visit their website.

Music Monday

2011-08-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

Here is what is on my playlist this week....

I can never get enough of Sister Hazel. I've been belting this one out in car recently.

This kind of love by Sister Hazel

Boys from the South by Pistol Annies

Whenever We're Alone by Brantley Gilbert

Good Night for Dancing by the Josh Abbott Band with Charla Corn

Summer Couscous

2011-08-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite summer dishes is couscous. This dish is light, fresh and is ready in a matter of minutes. Let's be honest, I live in the south and it is way too hot to be cooking a super involved dish in the heat. I enjoy this dish hot or cold so you could use it as a side, main course or in place of a salad when entertaining.

I use Near East's packaged couscous which can be found in most grocery stores. I have not yet attempted to make my own couscous but it's on my list.

Ingredients:
1 package of Near East Couscous
1 1/4 cups of chicken broth
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 bunch of fresh basil
1/2 cup of snow peas
1/2 cup of fresh asparagus
1/2 cup of red bell pepper
Optional: Grilled chicken and/or other veggies

To prepare the couscous, combine the chicken broth, olive oil and season packet (if one is included). Bring to a boil. Stir in couscous and cover for 5 minutes. Using a fork, gently fluff couscous. Chop all of your veggies and combine with couscous.

Note: I prefer for my veggies to be raw so that there is a little crunch in my dish. You could roast or steam them if you would prefer them to be cooked.

Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Fun Fact: Couscous is considered one of the healthier grains and is a good source for protein and potassium.

Happy Eating!

a few favorites

2011-08-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

I am adoring this website called, We Heart It. If you enjoy photography and/or images, this is the place for you. I picked a few of my favorite photos to share for this week's edition of my favorite things. Enjoy!

{Image Source: Polyvore}

Dancing

The other night I went out with friends and this old man came up to me and asked me to dance. My first instinct was to say no but then I thought it was so nice to be asked so I let him give me a few turns on the dance floor. It was sweet.

"She dreams of mermaids and motorcycles and meeting a man who can dance"

{Image Source: Softly Collided}

Sparklers

Nothing says summertime like these bright lights!

Smores

I, for real, love a smore! I was reading this restaurant recommendation the other day and the place had smores on the dessert menu so now all I think think about is this warm, gooey treat.

{Image Source: Wet Behind the Ears}

Does this need a caption?

Where is this? Where do I get one? and.. how long can I lay in this while reading books?

Summer Staycation

2011-08-16T05:24:00.000-07:00

The move from Fayetteville to Tampa was so quick that I did not get my yearly summer vacation recharge moment. I decided to take a Friday & Monday off to give me a nice, long weekend. The time off was exactly what I needed. I feel refreshed and ready for the start of the new school year.

On Friday, I had a four hour lunch with an old friend. There was lots of wine and good eats involved. It was definitely nice to catch up. That night, I totally vegged out on the couch. I think that is a sign that I am getting old because I was really excited to have some quiet time with my DVR.

I deep cleaned my house on Saturday and went shopping. I did forget that it was tax free weekend in Florida so that was a little special. My friends Blake and Joe recently graduated from Law School and I was able to celebrate with Joe on Saturday night. Fun night. I'm really proud of these two!

Mal and I saw Crazy, Stupid, Love on Sunday. It was a riot and such a sweet story. For those of you who have not seen it, I will share that there is a Dirty Dancing scene that stole my heart. I think I fell in love with a fictional character... I mean, he does the lift! Go see this movie!

{Source: http://whysoserious.tumblr.com/page/7}

The Junior League of Tampa hosted a special screening of The Help on Monday at Cinebistro. I was thrilled to see it for a second time! It was definitely just as enjoyable as the first time. Cinebistro was a cool place because you are able to order supper and eat while wathcing the moive. It is a little pricey but the experience is definitely worth it. If you have a dinner theater near you, check it out. Great little treat for yourself, night out with the girls or date night.

I hit up a spin class this weekend and took a 4 mile walk. The best part of my workout time this weekend was the random stop I made at the park to partake in the swing set. Sometimes you just need to enjoy something simple.

{Source: A Touch of Sunshine}

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend! Stay tuned for my "Summer Favorites" post!

Tapas and Flamenco

2011-08-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday night, Doug and I took Momma to an amazing restaurant called Spain Restaurant and TOMA Bar in downtown Tampa to celebrate her birthday.

We traveled as a family to Spain a few years ago and this cozy little place sure brought back all of our fond memories of the trip. Doug studied abroad in Spain as a young fellow and his love for the country certainly transcended to Momma and I. We simply fell in love with Madrid.

The start of the meal began with the traditional serrano ham, manchego cheese, and olives. We then shared calamari, chorizo and potatoes in a spicy tomato based sauce. And, of course, no meal is complete without a little Roja! Every bite was delicious!

In Spain, we had a very special treat that all of us were happy to see on the menu...Chocolat & Churros!

The Flamenco dancers and guitarist were beyond talented and we thoroughly enjoyed the after dinner show.

If you live in or visit Tampa, I strongly suggest this special hideaway. We are already booked for the next Flamenco night!

Friday Favorites

2011-07-08T04:36:00.000-07:00

My new address book

I'm old fashioned. I get pretty excited about paper, stationary and a hand written note. I recently purchased this little Tiffany Blue address book to store the information of all of my loved ones.

Hobo Wallet in Lauren Vintage

Chi Omega Alumnae Chapter

I am thoroughly enjoying being able to spend time with Chi O's in the Tampa Bay area. Some of the ladies were in chapter with me and others I am meeting for the first time. Either way, I'm loving it!

{Image Courtesy of Once Upon A Time}

Telephone

I actually dislike talking on the phone. I know, it doesn't seem normal but I loathe it. My father would be surprised to hear me say this now considering I just HAD to have my own phone line as a teenager. What can I say? It was a phase.

For last couple of weeks, I have been making a better effort to stay connected with people. I have been making one or two calls a week to say hello and catch up with a friend. It definitely gets harder to stay in touch, especially when so many of my friends are all across the country, so it has been nice just to know what is happening in people's lives and to hear their voices.

My favorite phone calls are with Angela because she was my daily check in and I miss those morning chats. Actually, I talk with her several times a week and I do not mind it one bit.

E , I hope you are reading this and feeling proud of your positive influence on me!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Vision Boarding

2011-07-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

"Your intent should pour out of you. It should emanate from every cell of your being so that you attract the people and circumstances that can support you in manifesting your desires."

~ Dianne Collins

I found yoga while spending a semester interning in Washington, DC. That summer I traveled to Spain and found that this practice transcended cultures and language barriers. I found a deep connection to practicing yoga and through it, a deep connection to myself. When I walk into a yoga studio all of the thoughts, stresses and to-do lists of the day disappear. For a busy girl like me, this is magical. As I have grown in my practice, I have become more intentional in every aspect of my life.

While living in DC, I had the pleasure of practicing at Tranquil Space. The thing that was so different about this studio was that it took a holistic approach and encompassed all parts of our lives. At the helm of the ship is Kimberly Wilson. She provides vision for living a purposeful life both on and off the mat.

Shortly after I arrived in DC, she published her first book entitled Hip Tranquil Chick. This book serves as a constant source of inspiration and thought provoking reflection. My favorite chapter features tools for living a vision-led life based on your values. I used this chapter to inspire my most recent art project.

Most yoga classes begin with some deep breaths and the instructor asking you to set your intention for practice that day. This is one of my favorite parts of class because it forces you to think about the "why". As I began packing my things to move to Florida, I started clipping words and images out of magazines that provided vision and intention for my next journey. I wanted the beginning of this journey to be as purposeful as the decision process I went through to get here.

The first step was laying out all of my clipping and painting my canvas with this beautiful blue. Then I arranged all of my clippings and glued them on. Once the glue dried, I sealed my vision board with collage pauge (can be purchased at any craft store).

This project served as a wonderful intention setting activity and reminds me each day of my vision for this next phase of my life. It may change or adapt as life delivers the unexpected but I am happy to know that I have this little beauty to guide my way and answer the "why" if I forget.

Enjoy the slideshow!

Independence Day Celebration

2011-07-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!

I celebrated a day early with Momma and Doug in Dunedin. We feasted on mahi and fresh cucumber, tomato, feta, and mint salad. The feta was so fresh and delicious that I ate a big ole piece all by itself. Yum!

Then we wandered down to Jollimon's Grill to enjoy sangria and fresh key lime pie. There was a fabulous Irish band that played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. It was such a treat! To complete the night, we enjoyed some early fireworks with a finale to God Bless the USA.

A great night and great celebration for the country we love so dearly! I hope everyone has a great holiday!

Thirty Before Thirty Update!

2011-07-03T07:46:00.000-07:00

{Photo Courtesy of Indulge-In-Reveries}

In January, I created a Thirty Before Thirty list detailing all of the things I wanted to accomplish prior to the celebration of my 30th Birthday.

Here is an update on my list:

~~1. Get up earlier~~
2. Enjoy more live music
3. Carve out more time for friends
~~4. Go to an educational conference~~
5. Have long dinners full of conversation
6. Be less busy and more present
~~7. Have a creative outlet~~
8. Spend more time being a tourist in my own town
9. Start saving for the cottage house on the lake
10. Stay out until the sun comes up
~~11. Spend more time being quiet~~
12. Buy a red peacot
13. Go to a yoga retreat
14. Read Jane Austen's collected works
15. Take a Cake Decorating class
~~16. Continue taking the right next step~~
17. Pay off my credit card and car
18. Read Atlas Shrugged
19. Decorate my Christmas tree in my own style
20. Find the perfect pair of jeans
~~21. Be in a book club~~
22. Take a creative writing class
23. Apply to a PhD program
~~24. Explore moving closer to family~~
25. Take better care of my body
26. Have a Reunion with Chi O Pledge Class
~~27. Subscription to a local theater~~
~~28. Get rid of excess stuff~~
29. Redecorate Bedroom
30. Celebrate 30 in Greece!

I'm looking forward to the road ahead!

{Image Courtesy of Sunset & Silhouette Dreams}

Favorite Things: Entertainment Edition

2011-06-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

This week's favorite things is entitled the entertainment edition because I am pretty excited about the lineup coming my way.

Law & Order: Criminal Intent aired its last episode on Sunday. I am deeply saddened by this because I have been a loyal watcher for the last ten years. Let's be honest, I watch all of them. Religiously! Thankfully, there will be lots of re-runs because I am not yet ready to live without Goren and Eames.

The Help. Need I say more!? I cannot stop gushing over this book. I am literally beside myself counting down until the movie is released. I read this sensational novel last summer and I have not stopped thinking about it since. The trailer is a huge teaser that I want to watch again, and, again.

This fall, the CW is introducing a new show called the Hart of Dixie. I love, love, love the south. I really love when people not from the south fall in love and find it as enticing as I do. I'm thrilled to watch the resident New Yorker fall to the charms of the South.

New Girl on Fox. This just looks precious! Girl after my own heart.

Oh, Brenda Lee is back! The Closer is back in just two weeks... on the edge of my seat!

Bridesmaids. I am clear that this movie came out over a month ago but I have yet to see it. I am the real life version of 27 Dresses so I am that this one is right up my ally.

Happy Watching!

Rainy Weekend

2011-06-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been filled with rain, and more rain. I took the opportunity to retreat for the weekend. My life has been jam packed since February and the break was needed. I had a little R&R by having a long phone chat with KFoss, getting my hair done and had a Reiki massage yesterday. Outside of that, I did a whole lot of nothing. Whole Foods, Sex & The City marathon and sleep pretty much sum up my weekend. Fabulous.

A few inspiring rainy images.

{Image Courtesy of Karen Ilagan}

{Image Courtesy of I Heart Shabby Chic}

{Image Courtesy of AwesomePictures.Me}

{Image Courtesy of Winter Winds}

xo.

Etsy Find of the Day: To Kill A Mockingbird

2011-06-23T05:07:00.000-07:00

This morning I made a stellar purchase on Etsy for my bedroom. I bought this fabulous poster featuring To Kill A Mockingbird. Considering this is one of my favorite books and matches my color scheme, it pretty much had to be mine!

Photo Courtesy of Claudia Varosio

And for a steal I might add... $23.30 with shipping. This vendor has gorgeous re-created movie posters and I encourage you to check them out.

I'm dreaming of...

2011-06-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

having a porch as fabulous as this!

Now Introducing... The Breedens

2011-06-15T06:54:00.000-07:00

CSAA Family

Roshaunda and her sweet love, Melvin, said "I Do" a few weeks ago in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Ro and I met at UGA while we were in grad school together. We initially bonded over our southern lady qualities but I grew to love and respect her for way more than her fabulous outfits. I have the deepest respect for her and value our friendship a great deal. Ro sees through the smoke and takes people for who they are - I am pretty fond of this!

The Breedens

In grad school, she reconnected with a college friend and they quickly became a family. I could not be happier for them and felt honored to be able to be a part of their day. I was so touched by their vows, even had the tears to prove it. Ro's vows especially resonated with me because what she said was so simple, honest and incredibly powerful. She said some like... I love you and know that you will always love me and take care of me, thank you for always being in my corner. Isn't that what it is really about?

Waiting on the beautiful bride!

As a bonus, we were able to have a mini grad school reunion. I could never express how much my cohort impacted my life. I cherish these people in such a deep way and love any time that I am able to spend with them. Joan and I got to spend a little extra time together with a trip to Waffle House and a sleepover which was definitely a special treat.

Me & Joansie

We also got to meet E's fiance. Leave it to Joan to bring it to reality. I am pretty sure Matt's introduction to the group went something like, "You better take care of our girl or we will roll up on you. You know we used to go to the shooting range after class." Classic. Welcome to the Family, Matt!

Matt & E

Best wedding food.. Ever!

Great, great weekend filled with lots of love and laughter. I'm excited for the next time CSAA is together!

The Day I Tried Boxing

2011-06-14T06:52:00.000-07:00

Warning: super long post ahead....

So, today I thought I might die in an exercise class.

My journey or better yet, struggle with exercise began when I left the lovely city of Washington, DC where my day consisted of walking 2 miles to and from work and hitting the gym in the wee hours of the morning. This shift occurred because, well, I went to grad school. The Freshmen 15 has nothing on the situation that occurs in grad school. Needless to say, exercise or food that resembled something real barely crossed my mind.

E made great attempts at keeping me quasi on track. She talked me into a summer bootcamp. Yes, we participated in a bootcamp class at 9:00am, five days a week, outside, in the unforgiving Georgia heat. Surprisingly, I ended up loving it. Although the amount of beer we consumed that summer only seemed to cancel out our great efforts. Then there was our favorite 90 minute spin class - which I loved and was addicted to like drugs. Mags and I even tried to hit a yoga class every now and again. Still, the two years reeked havoc on the ole body.

While unpacking boxes, I began experiencing some intense lower back pain. My bestie, who is also a physical therapist, notified me that I had stressed my sciatic nerve. Fantastic! Who injures themselves during routine box movement? Clearly, me. After a little treatment with him, he told me that my abs and hips are weak and I needed to create more time to working out these muscles (and working out in general). I decided, I'm 28 and need to be able to walk when I am 80 so it's time to get it together.

And then it happened.

I have been longing to try boxing for years so imagine my excitement when I discovered there is a boxing gym in Tampa. I finally mustered up the courage and tried a class. I was not sure what to expect but I had a feeling it was going to flatten me out like a pancake. It did.

As I entered the gym, a class was going on so I sat down and began taking notes. I did not want to be a creepy stalker so I tried not to watch those currently in class but let's be honest, I needed to know what I was about to experience.

The instructor came over and got me signed up. My only instructions were that there would be 15 mins cardio, 15 mins abs, and 30 mins boxing. Luckily, I made a friend (who also happens to be a junior leaguer) in the waiting area who filled me in that pretty much every second of the class was killer. Great. And that he is the hardest instructor. Great, again.

The first 15 minutes were okay. I even made it through the running and squats. I loathe running but it wasn't so bad. Then came the abs. All I really remember from those 15 minutes of torture is the instructor saying, "Why are you stopping?", "Knees together" and "Lower". At the end, we had 2 minutes of sit ups to which he held down my feet and made me articulate my count. Talk about pressure to perform. I just kept trucking, praying that my body would once again rise off of the floor.

Then there was more running and sprinting while holding a ball over our head. As that ended, I thought, "thank goodness it is time for boxing". Um, wrong, boxing is hard! As I am getting my hands wrapped and boxing gloves put on, I began to feel a little light headed. The instructor sweetly tells me to get water and take it easy a second. I sit down, praying to God that I do not pass out in this gym full of people and begging my body to make it through the next 30 minutes. I quickly recovered and began the next segment.

This was no movie folks. I got a quick instruction on my stance and away we went into intervals of boxing, jumping jacks, running, push ups, and squats. I'm sorry, what?!?! God bless that instructor because he was intense but I really loved him for it. I needed a drill sargeant and he delivered. At one point, he came over to me and said, "are you arms heavy?". Let's see, they were more like wet noodles flopping around with heavy sandbags on the end of them. I would say, yes.

The bonus to the experience was the excellent playlist. The last song made me laugh out loud out from the irony. Can you guess? "I need a doctor" by Dr. Dre and Eminem. I did need a doctor, hot bath and icy hot.

Side note: I have not used icy hot since cheerleading but extreme measures were needed today. Can we please discuss the intensity of the heat? I literally thought that my back was experiencing a chemical peel gone wrong.

While stretching, I realized that I have a hole in my workout pants. Great, I am out of shape and my clothes are holy. Conveniently, the instructor was sitting directly across from me and all I kept thinking was, "please do not let him see this hole". I did excel at the stretching segment, thank you yoga! Those of you who know me well, know that I tend to say crazy things when I am embarrassed. This little hole did not fail me because suddenly I thought I could be funny and say something like, "oh, great, something I can finally do.. hahaha" followed by silence and then the instructor said, "well, i hope so". Joke Fail.

I have never experienced a more intense workout in my life but I survived. Clearly, a little hard work with the body did not kill me. I anticipate that I will not be able to walk tomorrow but that class was just what the doctor ordered. It was so hard I could barely think and I cannot wait to go back!

Summer Reading List

2011-06-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts of summer is being able to devour book after book. I cannot wait for my summer lineup!

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

July Book Club Selection

Emotionally Intelligent Leadership by Shankman and Allen

Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Final book in The Hunger Games series!

Choosing Me Before We by Christine Arylo

Big Girls Don't Cry by Rebecca Traister

Sunday Supper: Roasted Shrimp & Feta

2011-06-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts of living in Tampa is the proximity of family. My Momma and Bonus Dad, Doug, live an hour south in a sweet little town called Dunedin. I made the drive down today to enjoy some quality family time, delicious meal and evening stroll.

Momma made Sunday Supper tonight and as always, treated me to an amazing meal. Mediterranean flavors are my absolute favorites. I love the simplicity of ingredients and richness of flavors. Tonight's menu featured this delicious Roasted Shrimp and Feta recipe from Ina Garten. We also feasted on roasted veggies and Champagne Sangria. To top of the meal, dessert was fresh berries in a raspberry reduction with fresh whipped cream and pistachios.

Happy Eating!

Sweet Days of Summer

2011-06-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Me & Momma in Clearwater, FL

As many places as I travel of live, my heart remains below the Mason-Dixon Line. There is something so alluring about the south. People usually have strong opinions about the region, love it or hate it, I call it home.

Summer is the season of the south, maybe that is because it is just hot here most of the year. When I was younger, my life revolved around laying out, baseball season and backyard barbeques. I'm happy to say that not too much has changed. The summer always marks freedom, exploration and community.

Growing up, I could not wait to lather up with baby oil (Yikes, I know!) and get myself as tan as possible. I lived in my bathing suit and sundresses. I could not wait for night to fall and the lighting bugs to shine. Sweet tea, homemade ice cream and corn on the cob remained staples at evening meals. We would sweat to death during the day, nap during the afternoon showers and emerge for the warm starry skies of the night.

You can say a lot of things about the south but one value that I hold dear is the sense of community. Summer brings out the community like no other time of the year. There are backyard barbeques, days spent on the lake/pond, festivals, family reunions, and long conversations had around the campfire.

While the first official day of summer is a few weeks away, I'm excited to gear up for the best time of the year. I spent the morning cleaning the porch and getting it ready for summer entertaining. Like any other good southern gal, I'm equipped with all of the essential summer gear (koozies, coolers, patriotic platters, ice cream maker, camping chairs, etc.).

Raise a smore and toast the beginning of summer to be filled with loved ones, laughter, seafood boils, drinks that are accompanied by koozies, days on the water, and warm nights!

Happy Summer!

A Few of My Favorite Things

2011-06-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

Peonies

I am not sure quite what it is about this sweet little flower but I cannot get enough of them. You know when something is on your mind and then you seem to constantly see things that remind you of it? It seems silly to think I feel that way about a flower but I cannot seem to escape them. Something about the peony just makes me smile. I have yet to find fresh cuts in Tampa but I am on the hunt.

Courtesy of Angie

Angie's Around the World Adventures

One of my best pals from high school set off to embark on her dream trip - around the world in one year. When she first told me she was contemplating this all I could think to say was "GO"! She did not need my encouragement but she definitely has my constant support. I am hoping that she will finally pen that book she has been promising me.

Ang always inspires me because she seems to tuck away the fear that creeps in and dive head first. I am lucky to call her my friend. She is a brilliant, witty writer and I encourage you to follow her adventures through her blog, http://angieaway.com/ or on Twitter @bigappleangie. You'll be glad you did!

Photo Courtesy of the Cooking Channel

From Spain with Love

One thing I am loving about Tampa is having the Cooking Channel. Really, it is hard to be productive at home because all I want to do is watch this channel. My new favorite show is From Spain with Love which features Annie Sibonney on a food tour of Spain. The show explores the numerous regions highlighting their cultures and of course, culinary delights.

I spent two weeks in Spain during the summer before my senior year of college. Spain has remained one of my favorite places and I frequently think fondly of that trip. This show is introducing me to new regions and I am gaining a deeper understanding of the integral role food plays in this culture. This is one guilty pleasure that I will keep enjoying!

Sunday Supper: Pulled Pork

2011-05-31T04:02:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite dishes to make and enjoy during the summer is pulled pork. Something about this meal just screams summer to me.

On Sunday, The Smiths came over to catch up, have lunch, celebrate my arrival to Tampa, and spend some time in the pool. I took the opportunity to break out an old favorite. One of the great things about this dish is that it is I make mine in the crockpot so you fix it and forget it until its time to eat. I enjoy being able to spend time with my guests rather than being tied up in the kitchen the whole time.

Momma suggested this rub for the pork and it was divine. The meat came out so tender and yummy. Definitely make this dish because it is sure to be a crowd pleaser. You could also adapt this recipe for chicken.

Pulled Pork
Serves 8

2 lb. pork tenderloin
1/2 cup of chicken broth - you really could use any liquid, I happened to have this on hand
BBQ Sauce
Buns to make a sandwich
Any side fixings you might fancy

Dry Rub Ingredients, Courtesy of Tyler Florence

3 tablespoons paprika

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon dry mustard

3 tablespoons coarse sea salt

The night before wash and dry the tenderloin. Apply the dry rub thoroughly to cover the tenderloin. Be generous. Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight.

Note: If you forget to do this ahead of time, it is no big deal. Apply it before placing in crockpot. It tastes better the longer it has to season the meat.

Place the seasoned tenderloin with chicken broth in crockpot. Cook on low for 6-7 hours until tender. The meat should fall apart. To get the "pulled" effect, use two forks and gently pull the meat apart while it is still warm. Serve immediately.

Your guests could enjoy this on buns or without. This dish could also be frozen and is great for leftovers.

Of course, the most important part of any meal is the ones you are able to enjoy it with. I have been friends with Melissa and Derek for nearly ten years. Mel, my fellow dip queen, made my favorite dip and we had lots of girl talk. Y'all know that I love me some babies. Lucky for me, The Smith Family includes two little pumpkins who sweetly call me "Aunt Jessica". I always cherish my time with them. I am happy to have been able to share my Sunday with such dear friends.

Derek and Madi Kate enjoying the pool

Little Connor relaxing

Girl Time with Melissa

xo. JM

On The Move Again!

2011-05-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

If you have been following my tweets or posts on facebook, you know that I am once again on the move!

palm trees outside of my new apartment!

In January, I created a Thirty Before Thirty list which detailed the 30 things I want to accomplish before my 30th Birthday. Number 24 on this list was exploring the idea of moving closer to my family and friends. I not only explored the idea, but 3 weeks ago I packed up my apartment and set sail for the sunshine state.

When I began writing the list last fall, I had no idea that the perfect opportunity would come knocking on my door step. A job opened at the University of South Florida doing exactly the work I enjoy. I was not ready to leave Arkansas but I threw my name in the hat and thought I could at least see what happened. After months of interviews and waiting, I received a job offer. I happily accepted and it has been a whirlwind every since.

Anytime I make a major decision, such as this one, I enlist the opinions and thoughts of those I trust most. I cannot thank those people enough for talking me off the ledge, cheering me on, and just being a supportive ear every step of the way. I am always so deeply touched to be able to have such a strong support network, it is an enornmous gift to be loved.

I do not think that it has quite hit me that I no longer live in Arkansas. I miss my friends and students there but this was definitely the right next step. Everything about me feels calmer and like something is just right. I have no idea where this next part of my journey will take me but I am happy to be on the ride.

This song seems to sum it up for me right now.

To be continued...

Oh, Hello!

2011-05-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

It has been ages since I have blogged because my computer had to have its hardrive replaced, I did not have internet, AND I moved to Florida!

Image Source Page:
http://solar.calfinder.com/magazine/gainesville-solar-tariff

I promise lots of blogging to come. Stay tuned!

Saturday in Pictures

2011-03-13T18:37:00.000-07:00

I have been admiring those folks who are taking one photo for every day of the year. I am not sure that I could manage to remember to do that but I thought it would be a fun project for a Saturday.

The past couple of weeks have been full of long work hours and not much of a break, even on the weekends, so I planned out a fun R&R weekend for myself to rejuvenate my spirit. I wanted to bring a little of me back into the hurried schedule that has been occupying my life as of recent. Taking photos throughout the day helped me be more present and appreciate how I was spending my day.

I kicked it off at 7:14am with a little cuddle time with Atticus. I stopped letting the cats sleep with me because its weird and they have started to wake me up in the middle of the night. Being that Atticus is shut out all night, he is ready to mingle in the morning and eagerly awaits me at my bedroom door.

My very own Atticus Finch

I had some time before my morning yoga class so I drank a warm protein shake and caught up on reading The Eleusis and The Hunger Games. Have I mentioned how much I love this book? I finished it yesterday and it was so good that I have to go this week to get the second installment.

I got so involved in my book that I had to quickly get ready for yoga with Ms. Jimmy. I have not been to a class in a bit so I was really looking forward to it this week. Of course, it was full of openers, ab work and deep stretches - exactly what I needed. In fact, I am a little sore today. I was so relaxed that I totally passed out during savasana. I rarely get my mind that calm these days so that was an extra special treat.

After yoga, I took a little joy ride in the car and jammed out to Adele's new album. I am over the top obsessed and am constantly listening to it at home and work. "One and Only" is definitely my new favorite song and I sing it.. loudly...over and over and over. Here is a little video so you can enjoy it as well.

I wrapped up the morning with a tuna sandwich and BBQ Popchips. Saturday had a summer feel to it for me and so a tuna sandwich was completely necessary. It actually reminds me of summers with my Momma at the beach - it is one of our favorites.

I spent the afternoon getting a massage, brow wax, and mani/pedi. The mani/pedi was definitely a highlight. I met a very sweet girl, Miranda. She was just precious and I was so relaxed that she told me I should stay and enjoy the massage chair while finishing up my book... so I did. It was lovely. Normally, I would be rushed but I just let myself be in the moment. Nothing like enjoying a good book in one of those chairs with a yummy starbucks. And my nails look fabulous!

When I got home I popped in my latest Netflix and watched a few episodes of Law & Order: UK. If you are a devoted Law & Order fan, as I am, you will love this new edition to the family. Crown v. ....

Although I had a full day, I was still ready for more. Quincy and I headed to Joses to partake in some ice cold beverages and chips & salsa. Perfection.

The whole day felt like the best day ever! I just enjoyed being able to do all of the things that I love. I feel restored and ready for the next couple of busy weeks. Here is a little photo that got snapped of me - I hope I look as happy as I felt.

xo. jm

A Few of My Favorite Things: Week of 3.6.11

2011-03-06T20:20:00.000-08:00

Collecting Inspiration for Redecorating My Bedroom

I have never actually "decorated" any room in my house. More like, I have collected leftover items over the years. I am having a great time drawing inspiration from blogs and magazines. My colors are deep turquoise, grey, silvery blue, white, and pops of yellow. More photos to come on this fab project.

Adele, Adele, Adele

I'm obsessed with her new album! I cannot get enough of it.

Home Away From Home

I have been spending lots of time at my desk lately so I'm glad that it is filled with so many memories and things I love. One of my favorite things in my office is a block that I got at Riffraff with the quote, "She believed she could, so she did" and that is serving as my daily inspiration.

The Hunger Games Trilogy

I have just started the first book, which is April's Book Club selection, and I am already devouring the pages. I also discovered that the series is slated to made into a movie... Can't wait!

Have a great week y'all!

Portrait of A Leading Lady: Kira

2011-03-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I posted about a new series that I was introducing entitled Portrait of A Leading Lady. When I began to jot down who I wanted to feature I was pleased to realize that I had so many wonderful ladies in my life.

My first post will feature a woman that I have been friends with for ten years. I met Kira when we became roommates my freshman year of college. At first, Kira was unsure of this new freshman with a bubbly personality who was going through sorority rush but I soon won her over and we developed a great friendship. When I lived in DC, Kira and I got to spend lots of Sundays together over brunch or evenings meeting up for drinks or supper. The thing that I admire most about her is that she is strong and vulnerable all at the same time. If you are lucky, you see her in those rare moments when she lets her guard down and shares herself with you. Kira and I may have been unlikely friends in the beginning but we soon realized that we are so much of the same that we just get each other. I adore her and hope you appreciate her as much as I do.

I am thrilled for Kira to be my first Leading Lady.... Enjoy!

Age: 28
Occupation: Executive Recruiter
Location: Alexandria, VA

Describe yourself in one word: Is it sad that Awesome was the first word that popped into my head?

What is your favorite book? City of Thieves

Favorite music? Alternative/ Classic rock

What inspires you? Greatness

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? Buying my first place at 23 and not going into foreclosure :) and being a damn good aunt kiki

What do you feel is the biggest misconception about you? That I am not compassionate

What is the best advice you have received? A job is a job and will always be there with our without you, live your life don't live your job

What would you tell your younger self? Don't rush into adulthood and learn to love

What do you love most about you? My emotional strength

Describe your idea of a perfect day: One with spontaneous adventure with friends that make my life full of laughter and if my dog can be involved that would indeed be perfect!

What do you consider to be your greatest adventure, so far? I would say moving away from home to go to school in Florida and creating some of the best friendships ever...next adventure would be to move across the country

I feel most beautiful…after I have finished running and all sweaty and gross

My favorite guilty pleasure is…doritos and peanut butter :)

Happiness is…living without restrictions and never worrying about tomorrow

I would change…my wall and make it easier to breakdown

Something people would be surprised to know about me is…i am insecure

I feel fearless when…it comes to protecting those I love and standing true to my convictions

My Life…is the and that I was dealt and I can either accept it or fight it and I made a conscience decision years ago to accept all the bumps and mishaps as what makes me and makes my life as it is today. I could either see some of my past as an excuse to be a victim or a reason to be stronger and make my life just that MY LIFE.

Musings of a Student Affairs Professional: Take Two

2011-02-19T10:59:00.000-08:00

One of the challenging things that I find about the field is that even though you are surrounded by people it can be isolating. When you have designated yourself as the 'helper' for so many, it is hard for me to ask for the same kind of support from others.

The thing that saves me and often brings me out isolation is the family that I have created here (and emergency phone calls to Dr. Dean). We know it happens and that it takes us actively doing something to change it so we challenge each other, ask about the happening with our families back home and current happenings in our lives outside of work. I appreciate this because it makes being away from my family easier because I know that I am supported and loved right here where I am.

Today, I am taking time to appreciate the staff who are like family, keep me sane, support me, and work countless hours with me. Here are the people who share my days and bring such joy into my life.....

Alexis and Justin

A girl needs her friends. It is nice to have people you can chill on the couch with, grab an impromptu dinner with, discuss intimate details of your life, and laugh your tail off with.

Quincy

He makes me laugh constantly and is little piece of home in Arkansas because he reminds me of "my people". Bonus: The man has moves and we know how much I love a man who can groove!

Good Friends

Jody and Rick

They take care of me and love me as if I was a member of their family. I am so thankful to work with Jody and have them as a part of my life. They also serve as grandparents to Abbey & Atticus.

Angela

I am so thankful for Angela because she is my guardian angel here. I talk to her about everything and cannot put into words how much I appreciate our relationship. Her and her family are so special to me.

Nikki and Kerri

I have so much fun and many adventures with these two. There are some people you just love being around.

My little friend, Heath.

I love the babies.... in a huge way. To my benefit, parents need date nights so we get to hang out.

My Tuesday Night Supper and Glee Clubbers.

Lyndsy, also Heath's Mama.

Due to our advising roles for ASG, Lyndsy and I have bi-weekly meetings and they serve as a great constant for rich conversation about the work we do and reflection time on our lives. As an added bonus, we have become great friends.

My CLCE Family

I just love these people.

Italian Club Sandwiches

2011-02-16T06:54:00.000-08:00

Confession Time. I am vain about how food looks. When I enjoy food, I want it to be pretty and made with a little extra love. Honestly, I get totally grossed out when food looks slopped on the plate - guess that is why I am not a huge fan of buffet restaurants. Maybe I take a little bit longer to slice up cake or dirty up an extra dish so that it is on a pretty platter but I think it is worth it. Presentation is important to me because it shows that a little extra something went in to it.

I find myself drawn to recipes that look delicious and will certainly be beauties on the plate. These Italian Club Sandwiches look so yummy sliced up with all of the layers and make a great addition to any spread. I made these sandwiches months ago for Book Club and then I whipped them up again for a Super Bowl Party.

There are a several steps but do not let that intimidate you, it is super easy.

Recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis, Everyday Italian.

Italian Club Sandwiches
1 Round of Focaccia bread
Pinch of Salt and Pepper
4-6 Slices of Bacon or Turkey Bacon
1/2 cup sun dried tomato pesto
4 ounces thinly sliced turkey
4 ounces sliced provolone cheese
2 eggs
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Butter or Olive Oil Spray

Note: You could also make these vegetarian friendly by substituting meat for veggies. You could also just add veggies to make it a bit healthier or to add extra layers of color. Spinach and/or bell pepper would be great additions.

Step One: Egg Crepes
Whisk eggs and whipping cream with a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat a small skillet on medium, add butter or spray to coat pan. Add half of egg mixture, swirl around so that it coats the bottom of the pan. Cook egg crepe until set, about a minute or two. Invert skillet to drop the crepe onto plate, allow to cool. Repeat to make second crepe.

Step Two: Bacon! My fave
Cook bacon until crisp. I prefer to cook my bacon in the oven on 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until done. I place a cooling rack (for baking) over a cookie sheet and pop in the oven. The clean up is so easy and you can multitask. Just watch the bacon because it can burn quickly.

Note: I substituted turkey bacon because some of my friends do not eat pork. Sometimes I make two loafs of the sandwiches and do one with bacon and one without.

Step Three: Toast bread
Cut the focaccia bread in half horizontally. A bread knife is the easiest but use what you have. Brush a little butter or olive oil and heat on griddle for about 2-3 minutes, cut side down.

Step Four: Layers
Spread pesto on each side of toasted bread. Starting with the bottom piece begin to build layers. Place egg crepe on bottom. Add turkey, provolone, bacon. Repeat layers. Place top of focaccia half on layers.

Step Five: Slice and Serve
Slice into desired size wedges. My preference is bit size sandwiches but I made them a little bigger for the party being that it would be supper time. To hold sandwich together, place a toothpick through each sandwich.

Happy Eating!

For more pictures, click through slideshow.

Favorite Things...

2011-02-14T06:13:00.000-08:00

Week of February 14, 2011

Adele's New Song

I'm crossing my fingers that this song makes it onto this season of SYTYCD. I love Adele and am really excited for her new album to come out. I'm only sad that her tour will not stop anywhere near me.

These phenomenal women

(From Left: Jillian, Joan, Ro, Jemilia, Me)

I love me some people but there are some that come into my life and leave huge imprints on my heart. My time a UGA gave me the richest experiences and best group of people that I could spend two years with. These women always humbled me with their courage and honesty about who they are. We bonded over unexpected similarities of our humble beginnings and family upbringings. They taught me how to give myself permission to be exactly who I am, even when that is not popular. After getting an email from Jillian this week, it made me reflect on the specialness of my relationships with them. Joansie and Ro have been a strong support network of calls, texts, and prayers.... I'm counting down until I can see them in May when Ro will say 'I Do'. Some people just call on us to be greater than we think we are and I am so grateful for that.

Checking off items on my Thirty Before Thirty List

Accomplished: Book Club, Education Conference, Creative Outlet, More Quiet Time, Subscription to Local Theater, Rid of Excess. In Progress: Cake Decorating Class, Paying Off Debt, Stabilizing Weight, Yoga Retreat.

{Image Source: Lifes a Feast}

Bubble Baths

A guilty pleasure of mine is soaking in a hot bubble bath with a glass of cabernet sauvignon. I have not had wine since Christmas, crazy diet, but I have been enjoying a few soaks here and there. Baths just soothe my soul. I find them best enjoyed with the old school, Johnson and Johnson Baby Nighttime bubble bath with lavender.

Portrait of a Leading Lady

2011-02-13T10:38:00.000-08:00

"I am fairly certain that given a cape and nice tiara, I could save the world"

When I was a teenager I eagerly awaited the newest edition of Cosmopolitan magazine. As Elle Woods stated, it was like the Bible. My favorite issue featured the newly named Fun, Fearless Female of that year. I found the women they selected to be fascinating and was always curious to learn a bit more about these ladies who led such public lives yet dedicated a good portion of their time to more than the latest fad.

The title 'Fun, Fearless Female' has been a fond reference for many of the women in my life. I like the essence it captures and how it does not ask for permission for women to celebrate how they are fabulous. Award show season led me to think about the stars in my life because we are all the 'it girl' in our own right. Over the next couple of months, I will be featuring a few of the leading ladies that I have encountered in my life along the way.

I hope that you enjoy learning a bit more about these women and take a few moments to celebrate how you are a leading lady or man in your own life. Feel free to offer suggestions of women to be featured!

"She was perfectly comfortable being exceptional and she didn't mind telling him about it either"

Walnut & Blue Cheese Grapes

2011-02-12T14:34:00.000-08:00

Ready for a scrumptious treat and a hit at your next party? I have it with these Walnut & Blue Cheese Grapes!

These little goodies are so yummy and easy. My cabin fever during the snow storm in Arkansas led me to have a DVRathon of Food Network shows logged on my tv. When I watched Giada whipped these up and I knew I had to try them out and they are delish.

Recipe Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis, Giada at Home.

Walnut & Blue Cheese Grapes

2 ounces (1/4 cup) cream cheese, room temperature

2 ounces (1/4 cup) blue cheese, room temperature

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 dozen red grapes, chilled

4 ounces (1 cup) finely chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a food processor, blend cream cheese, blue cheese, and cream until smooth. Place the mixture in a bowl. In another bowl, mix the walnuts, sugar, and parsley.

Now set up the assembly line. First place about 4 or 5 grapes at a time in the cheese mixture and coat well. Spoon the grapes in the walnut mixture and coat grapes with a fork. Place grapes on lined cookie sheet. Repeat until all grapes are done. Chill for 2-3 hours.

Note: You could even make this recipe a day ahead and store in an air tight container.

Enjoy!

Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner

2011-02-11T20:54:00.000-08:00

I was five years old when Dirty Dancing came out in theaters. I am not sure who let me watch it first and do not even recall the first time I saw it because it seems as though it was always there. All of us have things or experiences that trigger a sense of comfort and this movie has always served as a happy place for me.

Momma

My first memory of watching the movie was at my Granny and Paw Paw's, although it was already my favorite by this time. My grandparents had one of those huge televisions that sat on the ground. You know, the ones with the speakers on the bottom. I remember it seeming so enormous but I wanted to be as close as my Granny would let me so I would lie on the floor and scoot real close.

Sometimes I wonder what they were thinking letting me watch this movie but I loved it. I would watch the movie over and over. Several movies were purchased because they would literally be worn out. One summer, I learned the dances that were my favorites and tortured my older brother and cousin by making them be Johnny and doing the dance routines with me. My cousin Holly was the best because she obliged me. She even did the famous lift scene with me in the pool.

Out Dancing with Kath

I was never formally a dancer although it always seems to be a great part of my life with my Momma. One great thing about having a young Mommy is that she is totally hip, even if you never want your friends to think so. She listened to cool music and we were always dancing around or signing in the car. For alone time, my Momma would jam to music in her room. I was curious what she was doing in there but I figured that she was doing what I wanted to do which was dance my heart out in my room! Dancing always provided me a great space to let go and I still love to turn up the music and dance it out in my living room.

Dancing with Morg at her wedding

Luckily, I have managed to find good friends who equally love to dance it out. The Cheerleaders... just try keeping us still. Every Chi Omega function and Homecoming gathering was like a dance off. We frequented a country bar in Tampa where we would line dance almost every Thursday night. Morgan and I even made up a dance routines to a few songs that we loved in college. Kathryn and I would dance until the sun came up in DC. And when I moved to Georgia, almost all of my friends (especially Mags) loved to tear it up on the dance floor. My dance highlight as an adult was definitely at Melissa and Derek's wedding when Blake and I attempted to do the final routine in Dirty Dancing. I'm sure their wedding guests thought we were crazy but I did not even notice anyone watching.

Blake & I @ UGA Football Game

I miss school dances and nights dancing my heart out with my girlfriends. I wish we lived in the times where men would take you out to the dance hall. This past August, I was visiting Doug's family in New York. I was talking with his Aunt Helen and she shared that her and Uncle Charles would go dancing every Friday night, often staying out until the wee hours of morning. Why was I not born during that time period?

Maybe it is just a movie but Dirty Dancing captured me. Most little girls are dreaming of the Princes in the Disney movies but I dreamed of Patrick Swayze. I firmly believe that our ideas of romance and relationships are shaped from a young age and I guess it is no wonder that I loved pretending some day I would be someones Baby. She was strong, intelligent, did what scared her, and stood up for what she believed in. That is always the kind of woman I have wanted to be and I'm looking forward to my very own Johnny someday.

Melissa and Derek's Wedding

"She dreams of mermaid and motorcycles and meeting a man who can dance"

Cold Temperatures & Warm Memories

2011-02-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

I have been complaining about the snow and cold weather for weeks but today I felt charmed by the snow falling on the ground and pure beauty in the white that surrounds my home.

view of my street

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~ Edith Sitwell

And the snow continues to fall....

my car is buried :)

A Few of My Favorite Things...

2011-02-07T19:02:00.000-08:00

The main theme of my Thirty Before Thirty list is to be more present. One way I am doing that is taking out time to document my current favorite things and be thankful for these little treasures in my life.

This week, I'm loving......

Lori McKenna's New Album, Lorraine.

This is on constant repeat in my house.

My new reading nook. While deep cleaning the house during the onset of my cabin fever, I decided to move around some furniture to create a more cozy space for reading... thus my new nook.

Currently, I'm enjoying The Hunger Games, The Tea Rose, and Alexandra Stoddard's Grace Notes with this stellar candle gifted from a student.

Snow days full of sleep for good recovery time from bronchitis.

New Friends.
We have a new addition to our Tuesday night supper/Glee crew. While he cannot actually join us on Tuesday nights, he has captured the heart of our beloved Justin. Alison and I got to meet Justin's new love, Zack, and we quickly fell in love with him too.

Image Source: helphive.com

Saturday brought sunshine and warmer temperatures.

While it is still freezing, I opened the windows to get some circulation and fresh air into the apartment.

Image Source: Supernatural Botanticals

Hitting the Mat.
After weeks off from yoga it feels great to spend some time back on the mat. I enjoyed a deep stretch class Sunday and Hot Yoga on Monday. Looking forward to being back at my favorite Wednesday class with Kristin.

What's In My Bag?

2011-02-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

Courtney, a member of my CSAA family and fellow blogger, posted a "What's In My Bag?" edition of her blog and I loved the idea and borrowed it for Grits & Gravy.

I discovered that I have a ton of stuff in my bag. My Daddy calls my purses 'suitcases' because I like them kind of large. What can I say? I like to be prepared so my bag is a little Mary Poppin-ish.

A few years ago, my sweet brothers got me this lovely Coach purse and wallet. I adore it.

Here is a list of the goodies inside:
1. Vera Bradley Journal: I like to have something to jot down ideas and thoughts. Even though I have the latest technology, I'm old school and like to write it down.

2. Iphone: Addiction

3. Cough Drops & Tissues: I have had a wicked case of bronchitis thus the endless supply of these items in my bag.

4. Wipes: These always come in handy.

5. Glasses: Sunglasses and the seeing kind.

6. Sudafed & Advil: Like to have these on hand.

7. Orbit gum: have to keep it fresh

8. Hair clips

9. Camera: I never leave home without my handy Nikon. I had to purchase this one when my last camera died and I love it.

10. Pens & Highlighters: I had no idea how many of these were in my purse. There are a lot, guess I have a good bit of writing to do.

11. Gloves: I am currently living in what feels like Antarctica. Dramatic, I know, but this Floridian in freezing in these temperatures. I usually have a fun scarf in my bag but not really because of the cold. Scarves are my favorite accessory!

12. Baekgaard Travel Case: I use this as my everyday toiletry bag. I used to be a frequent flier and this just made life easy when going through security. It contains floss, lip glosses, band aids, lotion, tweezers, and more hair clips and bobby pins.

13. Rifraff Gift Certificate: One of my favorite local stores, visit their website and you'll understand.

14. Jump drive

15. Keys with my Fayetteville library card (thanks to Ella and Angela).

With all of these items, it is no wonder that I am always prepared and need yoga to rebalance my body.

Ladies, what is in your bag?

Thirty Before Thirty

2011-01-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

"The world is full of people will go their whole lives and

not actually live one day.

She did not intend on being one of them."

I can hardly believe it but 30 is practically around the corner.... by that I mean, a year and half away. For some time now, I have been eagerly anticipating my 30th year. I have no idea why but I have this immense wonder about who I will be and what my life will look like when I reach this milestone. I have been contemplating what I would want to do between now and then in order to mark the occasion. I met a new friend Gracie who told me about a bucket list she made which contained the 30 things she wanted to do before her 30th birthday. I tend to avoid making lists about my life or creating a five year plan because I never wanted to be limited by "the plan" but this seemed more like an articulation of the many things that have been swirling around in my "want to dos" for some time so I figured it was finally time to write them down and explore them. I have been working on my list for a bit and think I have it perfected but I am withholding the right to amend as life introduces new journeys.

As I was sharing this idea with my friends Justin and Morgan, we realized we had some of the same bucket list items so I invite along anyone who wants to partake in the adventure.

30 Things Before 30

1. Get up earlier. I love to take my time in the morning... get in a workout, have a little coffee, watch the news, and read. I just like to have a space to do my thing before the busy of the day begins.

2. Enjoy more live music. This is probably one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy music at raunchy old bars, at a quiet table in a classy place, or somewhere infectious that just makes you want to dance. My friends in college used to tease me because I would randomly be dancing when I heard a beat... "oh, never miss a beat!". I want more of it in my life.

Dwayne and I tearing it up on the dance floor!
Sweating like crazy and trying to keep my dress up

3. Carve out more time for friends. I do not like to spend time with people when it is rushed so often when I am home I tend to see only a few people because I want to really be able to give my attention to them. This year, I rented a condo for a week and invited all sorts of people to come and go as they pleased. It worked beautifully and I got to spend quality time with people I had not connected with in a while. I also committed more time with one of my favorite families, The Rodriguez clan, and spent the night over the holiday. We did not have any big agenda, except Santa cookies, but this ranks high in my best experiences. I'm continuing the trend all the way to 30 and beyond.

4. Go to an education conference that engages me the way the classroom does. I attended the Leadership Educators Institute this year and adored it. I felt enriched and renewed in my practice as an educator.

5. Have long dinners full of conversation. If you have ever been out to eat with me, it is rarely short. I hate to rush and enjoy the fellowship and conversation. I learned how fulfilling this is for me when I lived in DC and my friend Kathryn and I would go to supper for hours and would chat about this most unique things with great depth. I appreciate this time with people.

State Department with Kath

6. Be less busy and more present. I wrote a whole blog on this, What I Know Now.

7. Have a creative outlet. Blogging is a fun adventure for me because it is my creative outlet. Sometimes I feel vulnerable and other times I am just sharing a yummy recipe or book I read. There is something special in putting your thoughts out there for other people to devour. I think a lot about my posts- What will they think? Am I ready to say it? Mostly I just own that this is for me and hope that others can appreciate it too.

Pop Rock Candy!

8. Spend more time being a tourist in my own town. When you live somewhere it is easy to pass up all that a place has to offer. We often frequent the restaurants but rarely do we appreciate what is unique or fun about where we live and the people who are our neighbors.

9. Start saving for that cottage house on the lake. Growing up, the lake was my solitude and water still does that for me. I love to share it with others by having a house full of people. I often steal those quiet moments in the early morning where the water is still and the birds are awakening. I will probably still be renting an apartment but have a great house on the lake to escape to and I am totally okay with that.

10. Stay out until the sun comes up. My favorite band, Sister Hazel, has a great album called Chasing Daylight. Every song embodies the exploration of life. It generated from their friends who watched the sun set on one coast of Florida and rise on the other. I'm not sure that will be my adventure but I would love that moment in time where you lose all track and before you know it, it is a new day.

11. Spend more time being quiet. For the longest time I could not sleep at night because a thousand things were running through my mind and then one day it dawned on me, going to bed was the only time in the day where I was not distracted by other things and I could actually here my own thoughts. I require quiet space.

12. Continue taking the right next step. I do not have a five or ten year plan and I like it that way.

13. Buy a red peacot.

14. Go to a yoga retreat. (Morgan... hint, hint!)

15. Read Jane Austen's collected works.

16. Take a cake decorating class.

17. Pay off my credit card and car. I have seriously low debt but I would like it to be gone by 30.

18. Read Atlas Shrugged. I have owned this book forever but it kind of intimidates me so it is time to just devour it.

19. Decorate my Christmas tree in my own style. I was inspired by my wrapping paper this year and bought new bulbs! All jewel tones with red accents, its going to be gorgeous!

20. Find the perfect pair of jeans.

21. Be in a Book Club. I love to read but I love even more having an outlet to discuss it and garner opinions from others.

22. Take a creative writing class.

23. Apply to PhD programs. Yikes!

24. Explore moving closer to family or living somewhere that is more easily accessible.

25. Take better care of my body and stabilize my weight. I really let my time in grad school reek havoc on my health. I did discover because of it that I have a slight insulin issue which I am now working very hard to get under control.

26. Have a reunion with my Chi Omega pledge class.

27. Have a subscription to the local theater. I have been enjoying shows all year long! Luckily, my friend Kerri also wanted to indulge in this so it is great to be able to have the experience together. I fondly refer to her as my "arts buddy" because she shares the same appetite for theater and live music.

28. Get rid of excess stuff. Too much stuff makes me feel suffocated. I have been seriously cleaning and getting rid of stuff that I have been hanging on to forever. Why do we think we need so many things? I'm not sure but I'm downsizing so I can actually live in my space vs. having stuff filling it up.

29. Redecorate my bedroom and with this beauty of a bed from Crate and Barrell. I want my room to be simple and classy.

30. Celebrate 30 in Greece! Anyone is welcome to come along!

Chocolate Chip Tea Cookies

2011-01-14T19:10:00.000-08:00

My Junior League cookbook is delivering yet another delicious treat... Chocolate Chip Tea Cookies. Perfect for your next gathering with the girls!

Chocolate Chip Tea Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1/2 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2/3 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

Beat the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Beat in the vanilla. Add the flour and walnuts, gradually. Beat constantly until combined. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate chips.

Shape cookie dough into 1-inch balls and arrange the ball 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown on the edges. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Place the remaining chocolate chips in a heavy-duty sealable plastic bag. Microwave for 30 second and knead the bag. Microwave at an additional 20 second intervals, kneading after each interval until smooth. Cut a tiny corner in the bag and drizzle the chocolate over the tea cakes.

Chill the tea cakes for 5 minutes or until chocolate is set. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Makes 3 dozen.

To purchase your very own cookbook, ask me or visit the League's website.

A Little Saturday Inspiration

2011-01-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

"peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."

"the real act of discovery is not in finding new lands, but in seeing with new eyes" marcel proust

"the important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become" charles dubois

"i want to be all that i am capable of becoming" katherine mansfield

Bring on the Books.....

2011-01-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

"Keep the old coat and buy the new book"

I have a ritual of creating a list of the books I want to read for the upcoming year. Thanks to my book club, I carved out a lot of time to read last year and I found it thoroughly enjoyable and good for my soul. I am looking forward to the pages that await me....

Please leave suggestions or tell me what is on your list.

2011 Reading List

Big Girls Don't Cry: The Election that Changed Everything for American Women
Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee
Emily Post's Biography
Social Intelligence

The Fixer Upper

Magnolia Wednesdays

Living Out Loud

The Summer We Read Gatsby

Hunger Game Series

"Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?"

Look Me in the Eye: My Life With Asperger's

Scout, Atticus, and Boo

Little Earthquakes

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story

The books that my wonderful Book Club ladies choose

If you are looking for some ideas for your reading list, here are a few that continue to top my list:

The Help

Pride & Prejudice
To Kill A Mockingbird
The Best Day of Someone Else's Life
I Never Fancied Him Anyway
In A Different Voice
Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy
Uglies, Pretties, and Specials - Scott Westerfield Series

Hip Tranquil Chick

You Are Your Choices

The Art and Power of Being a Lady

The Southern Lady: From Pedestals to Politics

Girls in Trucks

Good in Bed & Certain Girls

Love Walked In

All Jennifer Crusie, Pamela Morsi, and Mary Kay Andrews... they are a wonderful guilty pleasure

The Mermaid Chair

Water for Elephants

Slowing Down to the Speed of Life

"To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries."

What I Know Now

2011-01-04T11:55:00.000-08:00

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all"

Last year, one of my closest friends lost her mother just before the holidays. Several months later when I was visiting my friend and her family, her husband said something like, I know you are busy but could you try and call her more to check in. Of course, I could call my friend more but I realized that one of my very best friends probably thought I was too busy working to talk to her or support her when she really needed me. And frankly, she was right because I would let calls go without being returned for days until she called me again.

I am not the kind of person who wants to be living a kind of life where everything is hurried, planned, or just a check mark on my to do list but I have been. That conversation was a good wake up call about how I was living my life but it has taken me 6 months to get a place where I was willing to do anything about it. Luckily for me, she loves me even when I am not at my best.

When I turned twenty-seven I wrote in my journal that my life was exactly where I wanted it to be: new apartment in a new city, great job with students I love, healthy family, and a life full of really wonderful people. What I realize now is that life has a funny way of putting you in your place or at least right in the place you need to be. Twenty-seven did not turn out to be so easy and half of my twenty-eighth year presented a whole new kind of challenge. Simply achieving the life I imagined is not enough for me, I want to be fully engaged in living it.

I recently attended a conference and a presenter asked us, "what are we (student affairs professionals) doing that inhibits student growth?". I was not even resistant to the question because I immediately thought of the things that I do. All those things we are busy doing leave us exhausted which leads to our students only getting half of what we are capable of.

"Everyone thinks of changing the world but no one think of changing himself"

That question keeps repeating over and over for me because I realize that point is ringing true in every area of my life. I am only being a fraction of myself. My observation of myself and those around me is that we are running around with a thousand things to do and we are achieving a ton but we are not finding meaning in the things we are doing. Whether it is being a mom, student, starting our careers, etc. - everyone just seems to be busy but I am not sure what we are so busy doing.

A few months ago, a mentor and friend encouraged me to reconnect with an old love. The conversation went something like:

Her: Why don't you just get on a plane and go see him?
Me: I don't know about that. Remember when they broke my heart?
Her: Yes, so. It could be something great or something for you to get out of your system. Either way, you'll have a great time.
Me: Yeah, I don't know about that. Maybe we should try being friends.
Her: What is the worst that could happen, you get your heart broken? Okay, and?

What I did not say was... There is no way I have time to be dealing with drudging up a past relationship and potentially getting hurt. I think I'll just let this go.

I have absolutely no idea if anything would have come from reconnecting with this person but I pretty much shut it down before the opportunity could even begin to happen. It could have been a great friendship, love of my life, and simply a moment in time but all I know is, I stopped in dead in its tracks because I thought stating "I didn't have time" and verifying that with a list of potential variables meant something. It doesn't. All it means is that I am limiting myself.

"It is simple. I prefer my eggs over easy, my coffee with cream,

and my love with reckless abandon"

I see a lot of people, myself included, saying "I do not have time for that"... for that could be a yoga class, reading a book you've had on the shelf for months, cooking a healthy meal, being a good friend, sleeping, sitting in silence, being phenomenal at your job, spending time with your partner, actually enjoying your life, or even risking getting your heart broken. I used to be a girl who was open to all that life had to offer, sometimes with reckless abandon, and now I feel like a girl with a schedule.

In 2011, I am asking myself "What I am doing that is inhibiting me from living a happy and fulfilled life?". I am going to keep asking it until I purge the things that are blocking me from being a woman that is living her life to the fullest.

"Your intent should pour out of you. It should emanate from every cell of your being so that you attract the people and circumstances that can support you in manifesting your desires"

Turkey Meatballs

2010-12-14T12:04:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite "make ahead of the week" dishes is my Turkey Meatballs. They are so easy and can be enjoyed multiple ways. Sometimes I make double and freeze half - they store really well. I enjoy these yummy things on salads for lunch, in soups, with pasta and sauce, or with a side of veggies.

Turkey Meatballs
1 lb ground turkey
1 cup of skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 egg
1 cup breadcrumbs (I swap regular breadcrumbs for Panko crumbs)
Pinch of oregano, salt, and pepper
Note: I often add chopped bell pepper and purple onion for added veggies and flavor

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine ingredients in mixing bowl. Heat pan with olive or canola oil to medium heat. Shape meatballs and them in pan for 10-15 minutes, until browned on all sides. Hint: I use an ice cream scooper for consistency in size and less mess. Careful not to put in too many meatballs because your pan will lose its heat.

Once all of the meatballs have been browned, place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Bake in the oven for 15-20 miniutes, until done. Serve immediately or let cool to freeze.

Enjoy!

Time with the girls

2010-12-12T14:02:00.000-08:00

One of the greatest gifts Chi Omega gave me is my best girls. We all pledged in different semesters but we developed a friendship that has grown and changed throughout each turn in our lives. I was traveling to Tampa for a conference so I decided that I would fly in a two days early and spend some quality time with the girls. Morgan flew up to join me on Friday and we shared a delicious bottle of wine and tapas at The Living Room in Downtown Dunedin. After hours chatting up a storm, we called it a night in the wee hours of the morning. Saturday, we enjoyed breakfast at Kelly's and a long stroll down to the waterfront area. We soaked up the sun and caught up on the happenings of life.

Kelly & Morgan

After we spent a few hours lost, trying to remember how to get around Tampa, we ended up hitting one of our old frequented spots, Tijuana Flats. After a bit of shopping at International Plaza we headed home to meet Kel and get ready for a little birthday dinner for Morgan. Melissa met us and we enjoyed wine and yummy food at The Pub, my new favorite spot in Tampa. To cap the night, we picked up hot chocolate and dessert from The Cheesecake Factory. Kel stayed over and we stayed up talking until our eyes could not stay open any longer. Sunday, we enjoyed a nice breakfast together and it was back to our respective worlds.

Morg, Me, Mel

When you have reached this stage in life when you are working to develop your career, raising babies, and being a wife - the quality time for just the girls becomes a special occasion. I appreciate that no matter where life has led us, we continue to carve out time to be together. We are clearly grown but I still feel as though we are those bright eyed college girls ready to take on the world. I sort of love that about us.

Flashback from College

A Little Bit Wicked

2010-12-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

With Angie in NYC

A few years ago, I traveled to NYC to visit my fabulous friend, Angie. The fun part about our friendship is that we mostly seeing each other when we meet up somewhere fun like Hawaii or NY - maybe Africa this summer. Angie and I met my junior year of high school when we were the new kids on the cheerleading squad. After rooming together at camp, our friendship was sealed. During my last trip to the Big Apple to visit Angie, we saw WICKED and my love affair with the show began.

My older brother loved The Wizard of Oz but it just never was my thing. When Wicked came out, starring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, I knew I wanted to see it but my adoration for the show caught me by complete surprise. It is simply phenomenal! After raving about it, Morgan sent me a copy of the soundtrack and I listened to it over and over. Momma purchased the soundtrack for me so now I have a copy at home and one in the office.

I have pretty much been dreaming about the next time I would see it so you can imagine my excitement when I heard it was coming close to Fayetteville. My friend Kerri, also know as my theater buddy, and I planned to see the show. I put reminders on my calendar to check on ticket availability until finally the release date was announced just before my birthday. Momma and Doug decided that my ticket would be my birthday present and away to ticket wonderland we ventured.

Tickets, Coffee, & Soundtrack

After posting something on my FB, Nikki approached me about coming along. Of course, we were delighted for her to join us and the three of us waited impatiently for October to pass and Wicked to be here. On the day of the show, I woke up and enjoyed coffee out of my NYC Central Park Starbucks coffee mug that I purchased while visiting Ang, it seemed only right. I am quite certain my neighbors wanted to shoot me as the walls shook with Defying Gravity at 8am on a Saturday but what can you do. We left around 9am and drove the three hours to Little Rock with soundtrack on hand. We gabbed and sang the whole way down.

When we arrived, we quickly checked into the hotel and changed. We had planned to get lunch but ran out of time and rather than be late to the show, we sucked it up. Best part of our hotel was that the cast, yes, the cast were staying there. Unfortunately, we only caught a glimpse of a couple of the dancers but we still slept close to the stars.

The DoubleTree dyed their water green

The show was amazing, yet again. Nikki was seeing it for the first time so that added extra excitement to the event. When it ended, we all wanted it to just start over. I cannot explain my love affair with the show but I swear it gets better each time I see it. I love the theme of doing what is right even when it is not popular and I am certain that is was keeps me coming back for more. The story has depth paired with beautiful music.

Nikki, me, Kerri

Once the show ended, we snapped a few photos and headed to the downtown area for food. You can imagine that at this point we were ravenous. We enjoyed a fantastic meal at Rumba, an amazing mexican-cuban restaurant. I enjoyed steak tacos (which had pot roast style meat) with yellow rice and black beans. Obviously, I had a margarita or two. This Florida gal loves me some Mexican-Cuban food, it warms my soul so I was in heaven. The restaurant has a funky, retro vibe that made it a great spot for a girls night out.

We ate ourselves into such a food coma that we retired to the room around 8pm. Our plan was to change and then hit the town. After chatting up a storm for two hours we decided to just hit the hay. I, admittedly, was practically already down for the count. I adored the show but our girl talk and hysterical laughter in the room was probably my favorite part of the trip.

We rose Sunday morning and hit Starbucks for a little breakfast and coffee. I love their egg white and turkey bacon sandwiches with a pumpkin spiced latte. Delicious! We hit the road back to Fayetteville and sadly, our fun adventure ended.

Candles @ Rumba

The show was fabulous and spending time with Kerri and Nikki was a tremendous treat! Here is to the next time I'll be seeing green with Wicked.

25 Things About Me

2010-12-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

My guilty pleasures when I fly are The Economist and US Weekly. When skimming through US Weekly this past trip, I found myself reading "25 things you did not know about me" and I thought it was a fun idea for a blog post. I always enjoy learning fun facts about people, things you expect and others that you would have never guessed. Here are 25 Things You May or May not know about me:

1. I have lived in 5 cities and 3 different states in the 10 years since I left home for college.
2. My Daddy and I have the same initials.
3. I read Pride & Prejudice and To Kill a Mockingbird every year. I am starting to collect used hard cover editions of the books.
4. If I could live anywhere, it would be in a cottage on the lake.
5. I do not believe there is much that a bubble bath and glass of Cabernet cannot fix.
6. My cats are named Abbey after Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen and Atticus after To Kill A Mockingbird.
7. There was a period of time that I wanted to rock the runways as a model.
8. If I were not in student affairs, I would want to be an FBI profiler or social secretary for the First Lady.
9. Washington, DC is my favorite city in the United States.
10. I am obsessed with dark chocolate and pumpkin.
11. I am the first member of my family to graduate college.
12. I have strong instincts about people. The first time I ever talked to Morgan was to invite her to come to a Chi Omega spring recruitment party and we have been best friends since.
13. Before USF, I wanted to study nursing in Hawaii.
14. I have never lived in a residence hall or gone to a fraternity party.
15. I have a fondness for written notes, letters, and being sent flowers.
16. I love Natty Light, wine, and pomegranate martinis.
17. I collect cookbooks from Junior Leagues and cities I visit.
18. I had my belly button pierced for about 6 months.
19. Wtih all of my culinary skills, I cannot achieve making a cheesecake.
20. The only piece of furniture I have purchased is my coffee table and bookshelves, everything else in my house was passed down.
21. Steamed Broccoli is my favorite veggie.
22. I buy little cocktail napkins and decorative muffin liners all the time.
23. I got a referral in 5th grade for saying "turd". When the principal called my Daddy, he said next time I would just say "s**t". My referral got tore up and dismissed from my record.
24. I am named after the little girl my mother babysat when she was a teenager.
25. I accidentally stole a handi-snack from the grocery store when I was little. My Momma made me go into the store to admit what I had done and pay for it.

Decorating for Christmas

2010-12-01T15:50:00.000-08:00

When I was little my step mom began purchasing us an ornament each year which served as our Christmas Eve gift. I have an ornament for almost every year of my life that represents something I was interested in then, from scuba diving to being rodeo queen. When I went to college, my Momma purchased my first bulbs of blues and silver which still adorn my tree. With all of the meaning behind my ornaments, I always feel a bit nostalgic about decorating my Christmas tree. I have had a hesitancy about decorating my tree an anything but these ornaments but I have decided that it is time to transition into ornaments that I buy for myself - I'm thinking owls and jewel tones. I may be a family of one but I still think it is important to start your own holiday traditions. I could never get rid of these ornaments so I will be displaying them in a large vase in future years. With the changing of traditions on my tree, I felt especially excited to decorate the tree this year.

Everyone has a process they use to decorate. I start by pulling out the tree and getting all of the branches ready. Then I lay out my ornaments to survey what will go on the tree this year. Some of my ornaments that would be prime time for the cats to break, I display in a vase. Once all of the ornaments are laid out, I test the lights. I strand the tree and then the fun begins. This year, I simplified and only put up a few ornaments. I even broke the rule and put up my tree before Thanksgiving because I am going home on the 17th and I wanted to be able to enjoy it for a bit.

I begin shopping for Christmas super early because I hate the crowds as the holiday grows closer so I am usually done by Thanksgiving. This year is no exception, although I still have a few lingering things. Wrapping presents is the most fun for me - there is nothing like getting a pretty present! I did a twist on Christmas colors and went with Green, Pink, and Red with white for bows. I got the cutest paper at Pier One and these little accent berries at Hobby Lobby (for a steal I might add). For a couple of years now, I have flown home for Christmas and have not been able to decorate my presents all that nice so I really got excited about wrapping this year.

Presents under the tree!

How cute is this paper?

Hope you are all enjoying the twinkle of your trees! Tonight, I'll be enjoying mine with a delicious cup of hot chocolate.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-29T23:59:00.000-08:00

Olivia & Morgee

I have many things to be thankful for this year. I have settled into my life in Arkansas, developed great friendships, and am able to work with phenomenal students. The year brought celebration with the births of Olivia, Heath, and Connor. My brother Dustin completed his degree from Lake City Community College and married his long-time love Erika. Baby brother Kyle got a great new job doing something he enjoys while his girlfriend began her studies at the local community college. To top the year off, Momma and Doug made the move back to Florida.

Dustin's Graduation

One of the things that I appreciate most about my family is that we have some real grit to us. With all of the great things happening, the distance I live from my family was a bit difficult this year as my availability to travel home was less than in past years. As always, the Morgan/Bell clan is supporting me and sacrificing time so that I may do work that I enjoy. We took a hit this year when we lost Pops Morgan and Aunt Donna but we are pulling through okay and rallying together through the difficult moments.

Kyle & Rachel

My family structure is anything but typical and sometimes worlds apart but it is unique and exactly what I needed to become who I am. As I grow older, my awareness of how hard my parents worked to provide for me grows more apparent. I appreciate their sacrifices every day.

A fun thing about my family is that I get to be an only child with Momma and Doug and one of four with Daddy and Rhonda. I spend Thanksgiving with the Bells and Christmas with the Morgans. Sometimes we travel for Thanksgiving but this year we chose to stay home and spend the holiday with my Paw Paw and Donna. This holiday seemed to continue my theme of the year which is to reconnect by spending quality time with family and friends.

The down time allowed me to have an extensive BBM convo with Mel, plan my next visit with Morg, Send out invite for Cheerleader Reunion, plan a sleepover with the Rodriguez fam, catch up with Blake, and spend some long overdue time with my Paw Paw. Momma, Doug, and I had a great couple of low key days watching movies and whipping up delicious meals. Normally when I am in the Tampa area I attempt to see all of my college buddies but I resisted the temptation this time to decompress and focus on family. Don't worry TPA friends, I'll be back after Christmas and ready to socialize!

Tampa is always a breath of fresh air for me. Going to college in such a great city really gave me the opportunity to explore and develop a life all of my own. When I was a young thing, my friends and I loved Bahama Breeze - great patio, tasty drinks, and yummy food. My mother being the excellent fun coordinator that she is let this restaurant be our first stop. I enjoyed sangria and grouper tacos with black beans and yellow rice. Grouper is my absolute favorite fish and I pretty much crave it constantly.

After a busy day shopping, Momma and Doug whipped together a delicious arugula (from my Paw Paw's garden) and steak salad with shaved parmesan cheese and roasted red bell pepper. This salad is a lot of my favorite things and I appreciate that my Momma always puts together great, fresh dishes that I adore when I am home. Over the next couple of days, I got a massage and did a little mother/daughter shopping. To walk into a Crate & Barrel was like a piece of heaven. Some people need clothes, I need housewares items. While at the International Mall, we tried out this great new hot spot called The Pub. The meal was stellar! We enjoyed a glass of white wine (it's vacation!), goat cheese dip with warm pitas, and split an order of fish tacos. I literally could have eaten myself sick on the goat cheese, it was like nothing I have ever tasted and I cannot wait until the next time we meet.

Goat Cheese & Pita

Fish Tacos

We wrapped up the week with a Thanksgiving celebration in Ocala, home of Paw Paw and Donna. It has been about three years since I have been to their house so it was great to see the new chickens and plentiful garden. My family rocks any Starbucks within site so naturally we hit the local joint on the downtown square and enjoyed the beautifully decorated park. Keeping with tradition, we went and saw Morning Glory and it was a great little holiday movie. Friday we stuffed ourselves at Cracker Barrel and spent a few more hours with my grandparents before heading home. Saturday, I successfully avoided being violated in the airport and away I went back home to Arkansas.

It was a great, refreshing trip and I am thankful for the time I am able to spend with my family. I am looking forward to the holiday season and having some more good ole fashion family fun!

Halloween in November

2010-11-27T07:21:00.000-08:00

Best Meal in Fayetteville

I'm a little behind on current events but Halloween was so much fun that I had to showcase my good times with some Arkansas buddies. One of my best pals in Arkansas is Quincy - he is hilarious and that would do anything for you friend. He also reminds me of my coastal, southern home and we frequently enjoy shrimp, crawdaddies, and crab legs together (as pictured here).

I love October and Fall, in a weird obsessive kind of of way. While I like dressing up, Halloween seems more like the perfect time to eat fall treats and drink pumpkin beer while enjoying the cool crisp air. Thanks to Quincy hosting a rockin' shindig, this Halloween was all the things I love - great friends, lots of laughs, good food & drinks, and fabulous costumes. Of course, no party is complete without a dance off, Saints game, and costume competition.

While my 50's girl costume has debuted several times over the years, this was my favorite rendition of it. Funny thing is that this is probably how I dress in real life, as Kristina noted "your costume is cute but you know that you would wear that skirt to work if it didn't have a poodle on it". Good news, my full skirt dresses are all the rage right now and I am actually participating in a trend. Here are a few highlights from the night:

Me with Rachel Zoe, aka Alexis

Alexis, Justin, and I

Justin and "Tammy", the costume winner

Typical

He just likes to pretend that he doesn't want to cuddle with me

Trojan and Bumble Bee Witch

Alison rocking my favorite costume

It was a great night had by all. I am positive it was also the latest I have stayed up in quite a while so it was good to get out and get my dance on. Looking forward to next year's festivities!

Pumpkin Pie Cake

2010-11-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

When I first read this recipe, I thought it was an interesting idea. After making this scrumptious thing, I would like to declare it brilliant. This is a happy blend of pie and cake in one delicious wrapping. My colleagues at work are often my test tasters for new recipes and this was was such a hit that staff requested it for an upcoming potluck. This is not a waist watcher but it sure is a good holiday indulgence.

This is sure to be the hit of your next dinner party, Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Cake
1 - 29 ounce can pumpkin

4 eggs

13 ounces evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (or you can substitute all spice)

1 - 2 layer yellow cake mix

1 cup (2 sticks of butter), melted

1 cup chopped pecans

Whipped cream for garnish

Beat the pumpkin, eggs, evaporated milk, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan cake pan. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top. Pour the butter evenly over the cake mix. (Variation: I took a whisk and mixed in the cake mix a bit) Sprinkle with the pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into squares and garnish with whipped cream, if desired.

Makes 15 Servings

Recipe Courtesy of Add Another Place Setting, Junior League of NWA Cookbook. To purchase a book, visit JLNWA at http://www.juniorleaguenwa.org.

Pumpkin Dip with Gingersnap Cookies

2010-11-21T13:45:00.000-08:00

The dip queen is back to bring you a fall favorite. One of my favorite pumpkin dishes is this pumpkin dip. Many of my cookbooks feature this delicious sweet treat but it is especially yummy from page 81 of the Junior League of NWA Cookbook. This dish is simple, inexpensive, and the perfect addition to your holiday table.

Pumpkin Dip

16 oz. of cream cheese, softened

3 cups of confectioners sugar

1 tablespoon of cinnamon

1 tablespoon of ginger

30 oz. canned pumpkin

Gingersnaps

Hint: The recipe does not call for it but I like to add a little dash of all spice.

Blend the softened cream cheese and confectioners sugar. Add cinnamon, ginger, and pumpkin. Mix well and chill for 1 hour. Serve with gingersnap cookies.

Book Review: The 5 Love Languages

2010-11-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

For years I have been meaning to read Gary Chapman's The 5 Love Languages. Over time I have read passages and gotten the general themes but never really invested in reading the book. This weekend I pulled it off the bookshelf, sat down with a glass of wine and dove in. While the book is based on martial relationships, I believe that it is transferable to most relationships we are connected to.

The basis is that each of us have a language we use to communicate love and want to receive it. The trick is to understanding our own and the person's that we are in the relationship with. Chapman discovered the 5 languages after years of counseling couples. He determines them to be: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.

I always assumed that Physical Touch would be my language because I am a touchy cuddly person. The assessment identified Words of Affirmation as my primary with Physical Touch and Quality Time being tied for my secondary languages. All of these are completely true for how I equate someone loving me and often how I show love to others. Words of Affirmation took me by surprise but then as I reflected on it, I realized that when verbal/written communication is not coming from a partner or friend I often struggle to know how they feel. I am a communicator and I like for people to articulate their feelings as well. At work, I want a review. With friends and family, I always use cards as a way to express feelings for them. If you are diggin me romantically, you need to come out and say it.

I have this strong memory as a child, shortly after my parents divorced that I was talking on the phone with my Daddy and we hung up without him telling me he loved me. That particular day I was at my Granny's and I remember that I immediately started crying. When she asked me what was wrong, I told her Daddy didn't love me. Trying to calm me down she said of course he loves you and I responded with, but he didn't say it. Obviously, he loves me a great deal but it wouldn't have mattered if he brought me a present or spent hours with me, I needed him to say it, just so that I could be sure. I am sure that my Granny called him back because I got another phone call from him just to say he loved me. Long before I even could grasp what love was, I knew how it needed to be communicated to me. I would guess that all of us have these inherent ways we need to hear that someone loves us.

The book is helpful in realizing that we must communicate our language to those we are in relationships with and need them to communicate theirs. Absent of that, we will default to our preferred language and this can leave the other person without any idea of how committed we are to them. A person can do a lot of things to show me they care but if they tell me or even better, put it in writing, I am over the moon and completely confident in their feelings for me. Recently, I had breakfast with a distinguished alumni and his wife. The couple told us of how they went on their first date - he wrote her a letter asking her out. My students kind of laughed at me because I was like... oh, that is the best thing ever! Of course now it makes complete sense to me, I would find it appealing for someone to write me a note 1. to ask me out and 2. to express why they wanted to spend that kind of time with me. I always find myself able to trust someone when they communicate their feelings through words - now I understand it is because that is how I fill up my love tank. Around my house and in my office, you will find notes that were especially meaningful or validating for me. I go back to them time and again - they are sacred to me.

The book also frames relationships, specifically marriage, in a great way as a choice. He talks about how the "in love/obsession" phase of a relationship lasts about two years and then the reality of what we require emotionally surfaces and the choice of commitment begins because "it is fundamental to our nature". Beyond the obsession phase of a relationship, I often wonder how people can be married for 50 years and I love that Chapman talks about it as a choice we have to make every single day. He states "Our most basic emotional need is not to fall in love but to be genuinely loved by another, to know a love that grows out of reason and choice, not instinct. I need to be loved by someone who chooses to love me, who sees in me something worth loving." What a compelling concept. I have heard friends discuss marriage but no one ever really talks about the real life of it or how hard it is which has left me skeptical. After reading this book, this single gal really loved the way he frames marriage, a concept I can now totally grasp.

I am sure that understanding my language a bit better will enhance my relationships and I'll definitely be trying to figure out how those in my life need me to communicate that I love them.

"Love is something you do for someone else, not something you do for yourself"

Tuesday Night Suppers

2010-11-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

A month ago, a friend and I started a new tradition of having Tuesday night suppers together. This has become one of the highlights of my week because it is a great time to unwind - have a delicious meal, enjoy a few glasses of wine, and watch Glee. Carving time with friends is important, especially when our schedules only seem to get fuller. Let's be honest, I could skip the food and just enjoy the wine and fellowship but having a real meal is definitely a bonus to the week and often encourages me to cook during the rest of the week. The first night, I whipped up some of my famous Chocolate Souffle and this last time I tried out some homemade peppermint patties. Of course, we do not just eat dessert! Justin made a yummy pasta with cream sauce, broccoli, and chicken. Last week, I made spaghetti with turkey meatballs (recipe will be posted soon!).

I am looking forward to many more weeknight meals celebrating friendship.

Justin's idea of what my glass of wine should look like! And of course, I am featuring the dessert - cinnamon cream cheese icing and gingersnaps.

Zesty Spinach Dip

2010-10-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

I love a dip, really love a dip. My friend Melissa and I named ourselves the dip queens because we are always rocking them! To uphold my title, I am always on the hunt for the next great dip so I tried a new recipe out of the Junior League Cookbook. This is a great recipe for fall, not too heavy but warm and creamy - perfect for a dinner party, book club, movie night, or game day. It is also low cost and pretty which are always bonuses for me when hosting. Happy Dipping!

Zesty Spinach Dip

Ingredients

8 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
8 ounces of cream cheese, softened

2 cups (8 ounces) of shredded Cheddar cheese

1 (10 ounce) can tomatoes with green chiles

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Spoon into baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve warm with crackers or pita chips. Makes 16 servings.

If you are interested in purchasing the Junior League of NWA, leave a comment or email me. Proceeds of the book support League initiatives in the community. Books are a steal at $29.44 (including tax).

Happy Birthday!

2010-10-04T17:53:00.001-07:00

Some of my Arkansas Family who joined me for dinner

I never understand why people dread their birthdays and getting older. My birthday pretty much gets better every year and this one was no exception. My day started with 6:30am calls from the parents, not sure why they thought I would be up so early but I have to admit that it was great to get to talk with them before the busy day began.

At work, I had a beautiful sign made by the lovely ladies who work at our front desk, a delivered pumpkin spiced latte from Kayln, balloons and oreos from Justin, and Chase made me an extra special red velvet cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Ms. Jean and Ms. Jody made me pumpkin cakes and my awesome students bought me the polkadot blanket I have long been desiring from the bookstore. I got to have lunch with Angela and then Justin delivered my second delicious pumpkin spiced latte of the day! I mean, what can go wrong with all of these delicious treats?

Momma and Doug got me a ticket to see Wicked and the Morgan Fam got me this crazy cool Owl stained glass lamp which I am loving to death. I got showered with all of my favorite things... stationary, pumpkin candles, funky jewelry, and a sea of Starbucks cards. I really enjoyed the calls from family and friends, especially my extra special birthday message from Ella.

I decided to celebrate my birthday yesterday because, well, all my pals work in student affairs and it is impossible to find a night during the week that we do not have meetings. Justin made me an extra special birthday dessert... red velvet pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting. Have you ever heard of such a thing? I simply could not get enough of it!

Being so far away from home, it was great to be reminded of the family I have here in Arkansas. Families take many different forms and I am so lucky to be so loved and living such a blessed life. Thank you to everyone who made my day so special!

Pumpkin Muffins

2010-09-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up to a cool 60 degrees and what I hope is the start of the fall season. I am thrilled for the rich colors and to be wrapped up in scarves. One of my favorite things about fall is the food - warm, hearty, rich, and sweet. Pumpkin is something I enjoy most about fall so I could not resist breaking out my favorite Pumpkin Muffin recipe.

Ingredients

3 cups unbleached self rising flour

3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups canned or fresh pumpkin

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups golden raisins (optional)

Courtesy of Vera Bradley Cookbook, page 103.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners. Sift the four, sugar, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and add the vanilla, oil, pumpkin, and eggs. Beat well.

Using an ice cream scooper, fill muffin tins 2/3 full with mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Enjoy for breakfast or desert with a warm cup of coffee.

I like to collect muffin liners to add a little extra decoration when baking cupcake, cornbread or muffins. I keep them in this fun hat box to add a little extra color in my pantry. We can always add a little extra something for us to enjoy or to give to our loved ones.

Spinach and Cheese Lasagne Roll Ups = Yummy!

2010-09-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks to YumSugar, I found this yummy and super easy recipe. This meal is perfect for a quick weeknight recipe, hosting friends or enjoying some yummy pasta! One great thing about this dish is that you can adjust it to how many you are serving. Tonight it was just me so I only made two roll ups. Add a salad and dinner is served.

Ingredients

1/2 pound (8-10) uncooked lasagna noodles

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 1/2 cups marinara sauce

1 1/2 cups of raw baby spinach

1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella

Serves 4 to 6

Serving is 7oz., 350 calories, 11g of fat, 47g of carbs, 16g of protein

Note: To make this dish lighter, use skim dairy products. Dairy is okay to use low fat versions of because nothing fake has to be added in order to make in lower in fat.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a dash of salt and noodles. Cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well and transfer to a clean working surface.

Grease (I just put a little sauce in the bottom instead of using veg spray) pan and set aside. Work on one noodle at a time, lay it out flat on your surface. Spread about 2 tablespoons of ricotta and 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce then top with spinach (I added a little mozzarella here). Leave a bit of room at the end so that it does not all spew out the bottom. Take one end and begin to roll the noodle snugly.

Arrange in pan, seam side down or you can sit them up if the space is tight enough to keep them in place. Pour remaining marinara sauce over took and sprinkle mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden, delicious and bubbly. Enjoy!

Variation: Momma would tell me that this dish lacks protein so feel free to add a meat to the mix. Sausage would be an excellent addition.

Variation: If you want to get in more veggies, I have made this same dish by adding broccoli. Steam broccoli first and then chop in food processor. You can add it the same way as you do the other ingredients.

Homecoming Theme Reveal

2010-09-23T18:51:00.001-07:00

The 2010 Homecoming Theme is.......

The Call Heard Around the World

Woo Pig Sooie!

Book Club & A Delicious Hummus Recipe

2010-09-19T17:52:00.001-07:00

A couple of months ago, my friend Alexis and I started a book club to force us to read, which we love, and give us an excuse to have some girl time. This group is one of my favorite things in Fayetteville because it's simple and I get to spend time with some great women.

Each month we rotate hostesses and the one hosting chooses the book. This month it was my turn and I picked Water for Elephants. I found the book to be a fascinating depiction of the start of traveling circuses and their cultures, especially during the Depression Era. This was a great read - very engaging (I finished in two days) and I felt captivated to learn about the two main characters and where their fate would lead them. I am looking forward to the movie starring one of my faves, Reese Witherspoon.

Book Club also usually involves food and I made a delicious new hummus recipe which I just had to share. The menu for book club included this hummus, egg salad sandwiches, and salad. For dessert, we enjoyed cotton candy, caramel corn and brownies.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Courtesy of Cooking Light, October 2010

Ingredients

1/3 cup of tahini (sesame seed paste)

1/4 cup of water

1/4 cup of bottled roasted red bell peppers, rinsed and drained

2 tablespoons of lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon of salt, or to taste

1 garlic clove, minced

1 - 15 ounce can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Olive Oil

Place all ingredients in food processor, process until smooth. Add olive oil in a stream until desired consistency. Serve with crackers, pita chips or pretzel chips.

Yields 2 cups (Serving size 1/4 cup)

102 calories per serving, 3.5g of Protein, 10.5g of Carbs, 2g of Fiber, 5.7g of Fat

Musings of a Student Affairs Professional

2010-09-14T20:44:00.000-07:00

When I chose, or more likely answered my fate, to go into Student Affairs I knew why I loved the field and had to be a part of it but I was surprised by how passionate I could be about the issues that my students cared about. Thank goodness Ed picked me to be the GA for student government because it has become one of the areas I love most about this work.

Student Affairs is not always easy but the hardest days are always triumphed by incredible moments with your students - they achieve a new goal or they breakthrough something that leads to a bit more self understanding and I say, oh yes! This is why it is worth it when I am tired or have not seen my family in months. Lucky for me, these really great moments happen far more often than the hard days.

Tonight, we swore in Senators and Cabinet members and I felt so filled with excitement to see where they would take their year. The road will not always be easy but the payoff is huge. Off the 100ish students who hold positions in ASG, I get to work closely with the 6 person Executive Committee (pictured below) - they are phenomenal and I am so happy to be able to share in this time with them! To all of the new Senators and Cabinet members - Welcome to the ASG Family, I know you are going to rock it!

Junior League of NWA Cookbook

2010-08-22T17:11:00.001-07:00

I have the pleasure of serving on the cookbook committee this year for the Junior League of Northwest Arkansas and I am committed to selling at least two cases (20 books!) so I will need your help in reaching my goal. I purchase books for hostess gifts, wedding/engagement presents, welcome someone to the community, holidays, birthdays, or to provide a friend with the next book in their Junior League Cookbook collection.

Here is a little taste of what is to offer in the cookbook:

Dickson Street Hummus

Ingredients
1 15 ounce can of garbanzo beans
3 garlic cloves
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
2 teaspoons of cumin
2 tablespoons of olive oil (or to desired texture)
Salt to taste

Mix in a food processor or blender the garbanzo beans, garlic, lemon juice, sesame seeds, cumin and salt. Add the olive oil in a fine stream, processing constantly until creamy. Serve with pita chips or veggies.

Makes 4 servings

Want to purchase a Junior League of NWA Cookbook?
Books are $26.95 plus tax

If you are local, I can deliver books or shipping is also available. If you are out of town, visit the JLNWA website to purchase books.

Another school year begins.....

2010-08-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

As the first week of classes approach, universities across the country will welcome back returners and new students with non-stop fun and entertainment to foster community amongst the student body and engage students with ways that they can GET INVOLVED on campus. As a student affairs professional, your wardrobe consists only of tshirts, jeans, and a baseball cap for the next two weeks as you move from event to event, hosting your own or helping out your fellow staff members. While this is only 3 of the 10 shirts I have for the weeks ahead, I took a little snapshot to celebrate the occasion.