Giveaway!

I've mentioned Sanna before and her amazing talent. She's having an Anniversary Giveaway on her blog. You can see the details if the contest here. Good luck (but no more luck than I)!

Weekend Update - Dave Matthews Band and Book Club

Last Friday, we met friends in the city and then went to the Dave Matthews Band. It was super flipping hot. The combination of the heat and the vodka was not kind to me. Ever since we moved down here, I'm not good in the extreme heat. Either way, the band was awesome. It was nice to hear some songs I haven't heard in awhile. I wish they had played my favorite - Why I Am, but they did were awesome. I didn't know the Zac Brown Band other than what I had heard at the Grammy's, but they were fantastic. Below is a video of Zac Brown and the Dave Matthews Band from the concert and below that is the playlist from the evening.

On Saturday, we mostly slept late. Husband played golf in the afternoon while Little Miss and I hung out. We got some ice cream and then she played in the fountain. We came home, changed into dry clothes and she took a very long nap. We had dinner and then Little Miss went to bed while we continued our Mad Men marathon of Season 3 in preparation for tonight's Season 4 premiere. We're very excited.

On Sunday, I went to book club at Clyde's to discover that the Eggs Chesapeake must only be at Old Ebbitt Grill or just not at the Mark Center. We had a fairly good discussion (aka moved right along to gossip and news). Then, I picked up Little Miss in a horrible thunderstorm and put her right down for a late nap. Tonight will be dinner and Mad Men (though I'm recording the premiere of My Boys and The Pillars of the Earth as well. I didn't realize my Sundays were getting so booked! I may have to cut back on some of the horrible summer television I've been watching.

Anyway, good weekend! One more weekend and then vacation!

Big Eyed Fish *
Pantala Naga Pampa *
Rapunzel *
Seven *
Lying In the Hands of God *
(Still Water) Don’t Drink the Water *
One Sweet World *
Proudest Monkey (tease) Satellite *
Stay Or Leave *
You Might Die Trying *
Aint It Funny How Time Slips Away +
Funny The Way It Is *
Break For It *
Jimi Thing *
Shake Me Like a Monkey *
So Damn Lucky *
You and Me *
Two Step *

Encore:
Sister ~Corn Bread *
Ants Marching *

Adorable Meets Cute

Last Wednesday, we brought Little Miss over to finally meet her new cousin who came home the day before. We didn't expect much because she doesn't show much interest in babies or have much of a mothering gene at this time. However, she said "hi" to her cousin and held his hand. She pretty much held his hand as much as possible. She also sat very still when we put him on a pillow on her lap. She asks to see pictures of him all the time. It's absolutely the cutest thing ever. At one point, she peered over him and said, "cute!" and another time, she said "awwww". When we went to leave, she asked if he could come home with us. Very adorable.

Comfort Food

I mentioned that last weekend we cooked for the new parents. I didn't mention what we cooked. We cooked mostly comfort food and food that can keep for awhile or be frozen. Husband made homemade tomato sauce with sausage and meatballs as well as breaded chicken cutlets. He also made a sour cream coffee cake. I made Macaroni and Cheese and Sausage Pizza Dip. The sausage dip is super easy, but it does taste best when right out of the oven and hot. The Sausage Pizza Dip is pictured above and the recipe is below:

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
3/4 pound bulk Italian sweet or hot sausage
Half of an onion
Finely chopped 2 cloves garlic
Finely chopped 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup (about 4¼ ounces) shredded scamorza or mozzarella cheese
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (eyeball it)
2 pinches dried oregano
1 cup tomato sauce
1 loaf sesame semolina bread, sliced

Directions:
In a medium skillet, heat the EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage, breaking it up into little bits with a wooden spoon, until browned. Drain off all but a few tablespoons of fat from the sausage. Reduce the heat to medium, push the sausage to the sides of the pan, add the onion and garlic to the center and cook until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Mix into the sausage and remove the pan from the heat.

Preheat the broiler with the rack set 8 to 10 inches away from the heat. Combine the cream cheese with half the scamorza and half the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Stir in the oregano and then fold the sausage into the combined cheeses. Spread the mixture into a casserole. Top with the tomato sauce and the remaining cheese. Cover with foil and broil for 2 minutes, then uncover and broil until bubbling, about 5 minutes. Serve with the semolina bread.

It's as Easy as 1, 2, 3

Of course, it's when you hit 4 that things get really hard. Little Miss can count in Spanish. This sounds impressive until you listen to her. Uno, dos, tres, cracker - yes, that is cracker. Turn up the volume and listen again if you miss it. So, she gets her math skills from me. You don't need math.

You Should See a Doctor for That...

I hate grocery shopping. I really do. I've never liked it. I'm like a little kid. Whenever I go to the grocery store, I need to get a treat (even if that treat is cheese or fruit or wine). Anyway, sometimes, it's just enough to pass down the International Foods aisle and see this:

Weekend Update - New Nephew

Last Friday, we went to the hospital to visit our new nephew who was awake and alert for us. See photo above.

On Saturday, we went back to the hospital after lunch (after Little Miss's nap) where new nephew was sleeping, but he was a few wires less which made it easier to snuggle with him. After, we ran some errands, had a nice dinner and a relaxing evening. Photo below is Little Miss ready to leave the apartment. Her sunglasses are upside down, but she was careful to grab her purse and put all her trains in it.

On Sunday, we cooked for the new parents so they wouldn't have to worry about food. We know how hard it is to come home with a tiny baby who depends on you for everything. Thinking about food is just the last straw that tips you over into insanity. On a good day, I'd shower and have a bowl of cereal and count the hours down until Husband came home from work. We had a nice Sunday. Little Miss and I took a little walk and went to the grocery store and mostly just stayed around home. With all the activity the last week, her routine has been disrupted and I don't think her sleeping schedule has returned yet.

Big week this week so stay tuned!

Cupcakes, Books and Friends

Who could ask for anything more?

Last night, my friends and I went met and had something to eat at La Madeleine and then went to Borders to see Jennifer Weiner. It was so much fun. Obviously, the three of us always have fun. Add Jennifer Weiner and that's a winning night. Jennifer Weiner is doing a Cupcakes Across America tour so we were greeted with cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake. I had my first red velvet cupcake. It was fantastic. I started the book, Fly Away Home, last night. It is very good so far!

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Last Monday, I got a call that my brother-in-law's wife was admitted into the hospital. It looked like our new nephew was coming a little earlier than expected. So, we were definitely excited for his arrival. Then, on Tuesday, I waited and waited and waited. Lunch time came and went and no nephew. Dinner time came and went and no nephew. Then, we got the call that he was coming. Husband and I both had the same thought. He was going to be born within 10 minutes of when Little Miss was born. Must be a good time for babies to be born. On Wednesday, I could barely work because I couldn't wait to see the new little guy. Of course, I was super busy so left later than I anticipated (plus, I had to make a few stops on the way home to pick up presents). Then, we got to the hospital and saw Little Miss - who was in exile in the waiting room as she wasn't a sibling and under 12. We went in to see Sister-in-Law and then Husband saw the new nephew. Then, it was my turn! He's very tiny, but he's just absolutely perfect. Little Miss has gone to the hospital with the In-Laws and either getting little or no naps. She's been such a trooper and just coming home and going straight to bed. I think she'll be glad to have a relaxing weekend with just her parents.

Weekend Update - Too Busy for Pictures

Last Friday, I went to a friend's house after work. It is a brand-new place (for her), and she moved just the day before. We had pizza and wine and watched The Hangover (which you seriously cannot watch too many times) and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which involved a lot of reading as it is a foreign film. After that, I drove home and fell promptly asleep.

On Saturday, Little Miss woke up very early which gave me about 4 hours of sleep, and I'm a girl who likes her sleep. We had breakfast and got ready for the day. Husband woke up early and wanted to do some errands. Because Little Miss loves going out and driving, we decided we'd venture out as a family. We all piled into the car and went to Best Buy for satellite radio for the new car. While Husband was working on that, Little Miss and I walked around the store and then to the nearby pet store to look at the animals. Little Miss got a treat. Then, we were going to go to lunch, but Little Miss fell asleep in the car so we just went to Sister's house. We picked up her spare car seat, fed her fish and then head back out on the road to lunch. We had lunch at Maggiano's. Little Miss was now working on no nap, but she was good. She ate first and then we took turns eating while the other walked Little Miss around. Then, we went grocery shopping and then back to Best Buy. By then, it was around 6PM. Little Miss and I both took a nap when we got home. At around 8:30, we woke her up for dinner and she went right back to sleep after that.

Late that night, Husband went grocery shopping to pick up some things we forgot. It turned out, sometime between dinner and midnight, someone went by our car and scratched it all up. It was very traumatic. Husband got rubbing compound and most of the scratches are gone, but there are still a couple of lingering ones which is frustrating considering the car was ours for less than a week.

On Sunday, Husband made us pancakes and then later, I met friends at the mall for lunch at Five Guys and then two of us went to see Toy Story 3. I was so proud of myself for making it through without crying and then I got to the end of the movie and lost it. Stupid animated movies. They get me everytime. We had a nice family dinner, bath time and then bid the weekend farewell.

I'd like to say the week was low key, but it wasn't.

Beach Bag Giveaway

I've mentioned my talented friends before, and I will continue to do so. My friend, Sanna is having a giveaway on her blog. She made the pictured beach bag. She has 3 ways to enter. Good luck (but not too much luck because I want to win)!

We Think She May Be Telling Us Something...

Congratulations, Coach and Mrs. Coach!

It must have been my Sexy Friday nod that encouraged the Academy. Congratulations to Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton for their outstanding work on Friday Night Lights as Coach Eric Taylor and Tami Taylor. They continue to be the best couple on television and are now recognized by people other than myself.

Revised: For a complete list, you can go here. I'm pretty happy with the list though I think there are a few snubs of course. I'm looking forward the show at least!

I am Weak

Today, I was at the mall practicing parking the new addition. I got a pretty inexpensive lunch (at the only place you can get lunch for under $3) and the restaurant is right next to the cupcake place. So, I bought a cookies and cream on chocolate and was prepared to check out when I noticed there was a special - the Cynthia's Sin was on sale this month. So, I had to buy that one, too. It worked out because I then spent enough to get my little card punched. So, I decided to eat the Cynthia's Sin cupcake this afternoon, and it was pretty good. It is a chocolate cupcake dipped in chocolate and then the light peanut butter icing on top with a few peanuts and drizzles of something yummy. I am thoroughly enjoying the sweet treat. Of course, now I am done seeing as I ate all my calories for the week at lunch.

New Addition

It is true. For the first time, we got a new car. It's a 2010 Toyota Corolla LE. We drove it home last night. Husband drove last night so my first drive was to work this morning. I actually adapted to driving the new car faster than I thought though I'm still learning where everything is. Little Miss was introduced to the car last night, and she took to it immediately. She sat in the passenger seat and then moved on to the driver's seat, but she was also pretty content in her seat in back. With the heat wave, it's really nice having a car with reliable and very cold air conditioning. I'm actually one of the few who doesn't care for the new car smell. It kind of gives me a headache, but it is still nicer than the old car smell.

Our Domestic Goddess

Well, you know it's not me.

The other day, Little Miss was being her wacky self running around and being silly. She was playing with her play kitchen. Then, seconds later, she was running into her bedroom. She comes out with one mitten on. So, fine. She's done stranger things. Then, she went to her kitchen to pick up the pan. She looks at me and says, "Hot. Mitt." as an explanation. She calls her mittens "mitt" or "mitts". Then, the light came on in my head. I told her she was very smart. She sees us use our oven mitts all the time. She knew better than to touch her (imaginary) hot pan with her bare hand. Then, she mixed whatever she was cooking and made me try it (after I blew on it, of course, because it was hot).

She doesn't play with her play kitchen often, but she loves actual cooking. She gets her stool and helps all the time. She also has a lot of respect for the appliances. She knows that when the stove or oven is on that they are hot and usually stays a healthy distance away. She also is a bit scared of the blender and exits the room when it's turned on. This is amusing because the girl is afraid of nothing... except the blender and vacuum. It's good to be scared of some things though.

Below, you can see her cooking with her light blue/green mitten and orange pan.

Weekend Update - Independence Day

Last Friday, work closed early so I went to the grocery store and then got a pedicure. It was lovely. On Saturday, we spent the day with the In-Laws. We ate lunch and dinner and hung in the pool. It was a fun day (and the pool always photographs so nicely).

On Sunday, I went to see Knight and Day with a friend. We enjoyed it. Plus, snacks were $1 which was awesome! Then, we made dinner and watched fireworks on TV. Yesterday was a quiet day. Although, we woke to no water, it came on by mid-morning. We hung out by the pool again and had mostly a quiet night. Little Miss had such a busy weekend with the pool and walks that she slept a ton. So much so that Husband thought she was a little under the weather. It has been nice for me because she's been extra cuddly and quite the Mama's girl. She's been on a really good stretch where she's been talking a ton, learning so much, and really progressing into a Big Girl (except for the potty training). She's really so much fun.

Sexy Friday

I am kind of phoning it in this week, but I still think Reid Scott is sexy. Plus, it's good timing because My Boys comes back this month to TBS. I didn't expect to like My Boys, but I just find it a great summer half-hour comedy. It's cute and the characters are somewhat likeable. I will totally miss Jim Gaffigan. I don't care how they write him out. He's so hilarious as Andy. Either way, I'll still watch, I suppose. It also looks like Reid Scott has been on a few shows I watch, but I don't remember most of his appearances. Happy Independence Day weekend!

Movies Watched in June 2010

1. The Princess and the Frog
2. It’s Complicated
3. Bandslam
4. The A-Team
5. Up in the Air

Most of these movies were watched in the beginning of June. It was a good month. I was glad I got to watch some movies. I’m hoping July is a good movie month (or just really looking forward to seeing Toy Story 3. I’ve heard it’s going to live up to my expectations, and I can’t wait.) We’ll see if I can squeeze some more in. I know I have tickets to a movie next week and I have a Netflix at home right now, not including the movies I have on my DVR.

Books Read in June 2010

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (NOTE: This is Book 1 of the Millenium trilogy. The book order can be found here.)
2. Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 1 of the Fool’s Gold series. The book order can be found here.)
3. Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 2 of the Fool’s Gold series. The book order can be found here.)

As always, the books that link to an ebook were read on my nook and the books that link to a physical book were read on paper (although none were paper books this month). I didn’t think I’d read any books this month. I hit a major slump. I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo the first week and then I read half of the second book in the series. I started and stopped many books, but none grabbed my interest until the end of the month. I’m on a roll now and hopefully I’ll recover a bit in July.