This weekend

Chris's parents came into town from the bay area. It was a quick visit, but we had a full weekend of fun. We explored USD, where Chris's dad started law school, went shopping, ate a LOT of food and toured around some of the neighborhoods here in San Diego.

I'm looking forward to many more of these family visits now that we're not in the Midwest. I got so sick of visiting with everyone twice a year! Now we just have to figure out the holidays...

Birthday Scenes

This birthday, I had to work. Obviously, the world goes on. Nothing was going to stop my fun though! My morning started with bagels and lots of donuts. 

Took a light nap in the afternoon, and woke up to these!

Chris must have been paying attention...  He also got me the apron from Anthropologie I showed him almost 2 months ago!

Ready to head out for the night! What I wore, also seen in Las Vegas. Excited for next year, but there's no way I'm ready for 25. Quarter-midlife crisis anyone?

It's just me...

This weekend, when my boyfriend went to Vegas, I had a lot of quiet time. Surprisingly, I was able to make it a productive weekend. DIYs/Furniture coming soon!

One of the things I love about Chris being out of town is that I can eat whatever I want! Seeing as he hates several strong flavors, veggies, fruits and all seafood, I indulge like crazy.

Avocado, tomatoes, mozzarella, pesto, basil and lemon juice. 

Turned into bruschetta.

Shrimp in garlic/parsley butter. Of course I'm immediately craving this again.

Sushi! Pretty self-explanatory. 

Hey, I said I was indulging! At least Jack got to share the table scraps. 

I think he secretly likes when Chris goes out of town occasionally too. Sleeping on the bed can't be that bad...

Lately

This week (aside from working) I've been...

Unpacking (this is all that's left!! Whoo-hoo!!)

Painting,

Finally starting to see our garden grow. It's getting out of control...

Eating lots of easy greens,

watching a lot of baseball (still in 1st place!), 

and spoiling Jack with almost daily dog park outings. If anyone was wondering how he's been adjusting, I think this photo sums it all up. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Drink this, not that!

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a soda problem. Not just any soda problem, a Dr. Pepper problem. When I've had a rough day, instead of coming home and cracking open a beer, I snap open that can of Dr. Pepper. There's something about the sweet, slightly tangy-ness of it that I haven't been able to find in another type of beverage. Until now. With all the excess mint in my garden, I've been trying to use it up. I came across this recipe and now I'm totally hooked!

3 slices of cucumber

3-4 mint leaves (Depending on my mood, I use more)

1 tsp fresh lime juice

6 oz club soda

Ice

Optional: 1/2 tsp sugar (you can use as much, or little as you like)

Mix and squash all the ingredients, minus the club soda. Add the club soda, and voila!

This is such a perfect drink for a warm summer evening. It's a perfect mix of light and refreshing! Hopefully I'll be drinking more of these, and less sugar-loaded soda.

Been baking

In preparation to leave for the weekend (Vegas whoo-hoo!) I made some brownies. I love travel snacks and if I don't pack some goodies, I end up shopping for random food in the airport. Plus I have a feeling with the Giants in town, there will be guys around the house after the games. Here's the recipe:

1 cup (8oz) salted butter

2 1/4 cups sugar

1 1/4 cocoa powder

Pinch of salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp vanilla

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

Melt the butter over low/medium heat. Remove from heat and add sugar. Reheat mixture until it has a slick shiny look to it.

Move mixture into a mixing bowl. Stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating until smooth, then add flour. 

Bake at 350 in a lightly greased 9x13 pan.

Well, what did you expect? I told you the Giants are in town! Have a great weekend everyone!

Ice sticks

I came across a few of these ice trays while picking up some quick containers at Ikea, and I knew I had to have them. 

While browsing the grocery store, it came to me... Fruit ice cube sticks! I've seen it done with cubes, but these are so perfect for water bottles and pretty drinks. I'm constantly trying to drink more water, and this seems like a cool way to mix it up.

I used an assortment of berries and mint leaves for my first batch. Chop in half and place into the tray. There's an optional step here to boil distilled water (once it cools it can be used to make clear ice instead of frosted).

Just add water and pop into the freezer.

I was impatient and thirsty, so I popped some out of the tray a little early. 

Looks so adorable in a glass, and definitely adds something special to my boring water. Yummy and refreshing! I might just have to keep these in my freezer all the time!

For some other colors, check out Holly's version at Zucchero Zucchero

Stuffed mushrooms

Last minute gatherings call for a little creativity, and I came across some mushrooms in my fridge (begging to be used). Perfect timing! I scoured around and made a few adjustments to a recipe I found online.

• 12 whole fresh mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 
  

Break off the mushroom stems, chop them up with the garlic, and fry them in a pan with some olive oil. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

Stir the mushrooms and garlic in with the cream cheese, parmesan cheese, black pepper, onion powder and cayenne pepper. 

Next, fill the mushroom caps with a generous amount of the mixture, and place them on a greased cookie sheet. Don't worry about piling it on, it cooks nicely without leaking onto the pan. I covered half of the mushrooms with breadcrumbs, just to get some variety.

Bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees, or until the mushrooms begin to brown on top. Let cool and enjoy! These are also great with italian sausage mixed in!

Bacon salad cups

I saw these yummy looking cups on Not Martha, and decided they would be perfect for the mostly-boys weekend we were having. Guys love bacon right?

I made small ones, because salads don't fit into the usual beer drinking pizza-fest.

Use the bottom of a cupcake pan, and cover it with aluminum foil. Wrap the bacon around it and pop in the oven at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Basic, but so good. Homemade ranch totally made this salad (and the bacon)! I'm tempted to use these for every meal, but bacon may lose it's appeal pretty quickly.

Pretend like you don't notice the toothpick in this one? The oven I was using didn't cook evenly, so some had to be surgically repaired to prevent burning.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I didn't plan very far ahead this year, but if I would have....

I would have picked up some of these banners. They make me want to plan a party just to use them!

Instead, I'll settle for some homemade soft tacos and enchiladas and a quiet night with friends. Have a great weekend! 

We need to talk...

Chocolate, I've found your presence over the last few days pleasant, but we need a break.

It's not you, it's me. Really. Summer is coming, and I can't keep pretending that this is working out. I just can't be with you, right now. I know I'll miss you, but we'll be stronger when this is all over. Yeah, that's it. Stronger.

P.S. I love you.

Lately

Things have been changing around here now that spring has sprung. Thank goodness! I hope I don't see rain for quite a while. I'm so sick of soup and comfort foods right now.

So far lots of salad and fruit among the goodies I picked up at the farmers market. Hello delicious!

We've definitely been on a fresh-mex kick lately. How can you say no to fresh produce-filled tortillas and homemade guac and salsa?

Chris surprised me with gorgeous fresh flowers from the farmers market (they've opened up quite a bit)! So sweet, especially since it's like pulling teeth to get him to go to any outdoor markets/festivals. 

In other news, the ducklings finally hatched! They have since moved on (I think to a nearby canal), but they were tons of fun to watch while they were here. How adorable are they?

Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend!