The birthday festivities continued this past weekend when Mom, Dad, Katie, and John came to Charleston to visit. We had so much fun. They got into town on Friday evening and we joined them downtown at Virginia's on King Street for dinner. Dinner was good but the company was better. We had so much fun catching up! Then, we went back to the hotel to relax and open presents (yeah!). Mom bought me a gorgeous pearl ring and a Moravian star light fixture. It is so beautiful! I can't wait to see it hung up. It isn't a hardwired light fixture, rather a lamp that you plug in. So I'm thinking we will suspend it in the corner of the master bedroom over a comfy chair, that I've yet to purchase. :o) Katie got me the wooden candle sticks that I was drooling over at Hobby Lobby this Christmas. They look so perfect by the fireplace!!
It was a quick visit but we had a blast. Before everyone left Saturday, we went to Lowe's and picked out the bathroom tile. It's called Roman Beige or something like that. It is a sandy tan color with lots of texture. I can't wait to see them installed. Fixing up this condo is so much fun! What a great weekend!
Tomorrow, I'm driving to Aiken to stay the night before flying out to D.C. to visit Britt and Tara and the babies for the weekend. I can't wait. I haven't seen them in almost a year and the little ones are getting so big!! Pictures to come! We have so much catching up to do!!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Happy Birthday to Me!!
I am definitely feeling the birthday love today! This has been the best birthday I've had all year ;o) Seriously, so much fun. I went to work and was spoiled with attention, gifts, lunch, and chocolate birthday cake. I was answering my phone every other minute talking with family and friends that called to wish me happy birthday. Someone asked, "Why are you at work on your birthday?" And I said, "Are you kidding, look at how spoiled I am. If I were home, I'd be on the couch watching reruns of Ina. No contest!" :o)
Jen got me a best of 1983 book and we had so much fun looking through it. She got me lots of other little goodies including a porcelain plate that said, "You're the type of friend everyone wishes they had." So sweet! Cristell got me a gift card to Kohls which I'm looking forward to spending. ;o) I've been getting sweet cards in the mail all week too. Sherry sent me a starbucks gift card. Dad was the first this morning to wish me happy birthday (at 12:50 am!) with a text message. I called Granny this afternoon to hear her annual birthday poem that she writes me every year. Super funny and her best yet!
When I got home, Justin had flowers, a huge balloon, and card. I barely had time to enjoy them before we had to rush to dinner at Grill 225. It was delicious. They are well known for their 42-50 day aged steaks. I had no idea you could age steak but it is a process where the humidity, temp, etc is well controlled and allows the connective tissue of the meat to break down naturally (enzymatic) so the meat is super moist. Justin got the filet, I got the tuna tartar tower (so delicious!) and we both had apps and dessert. They put a candle in my dessert so the day was complete :o)
It was really dark in the restaurant and these pics were taken with the phone so you can see the fog but you can sort of see the bubbles under the ice. This is my champagne "nitrotini." It is the specialty drink at 225 that came with a written warning, they are served at -320 degrees and can burn. The drink stays cold for a long time but you have to let the liquid nitrogen wear off first. Super cool!
Such a good meal with wine and great service. The whole sha-bang! We had a blast. And...we get to do it all over tomorrow when my family comes to town. We're going to Virginia's on King Street, a restaurant that boasts good southern food so the Cleveland's should be pleased. Keep you posted.
Thanks so much for all the birthday love and for making this such a special day! If 29 is half as fun as 28, it'll be an awesome year!
Jen got me a best of 1983 book and we had so much fun looking through it. She got me lots of other little goodies including a porcelain plate that said, "You're the type of friend everyone wishes they had." So sweet! Cristell got me a gift card to Kohls which I'm looking forward to spending. ;o) I've been getting sweet cards in the mail all week too. Sherry sent me a starbucks gift card. Dad was the first this morning to wish me happy birthday (at 12:50 am!) with a text message. I called Granny this afternoon to hear her annual birthday poem that she writes me every year. Super funny and her best yet!
When I got home, Justin had flowers, a huge balloon, and card. I barely had time to enjoy them before we had to rush to dinner at Grill 225. It was delicious. They are well known for their 42-50 day aged steaks. I had no idea you could age steak but it is a process where the humidity, temp, etc is well controlled and allows the connective tissue of the meat to break down naturally (enzymatic) so the meat is super moist. Justin got the filet, I got the tuna tartar tower (so delicious!) and we both had apps and dessert. They put a candle in my dessert so the day was complete :o)
It was really dark in the restaurant and these pics were taken with the phone so you can see the fog but you can sort of see the bubbles under the ice. This is my champagne "nitrotini." It is the specialty drink at 225 that came with a written warning, they are served at -320 degrees and can burn. The drink stays cold for a long time but you have to let the liquid nitrogen wear off first. Super cool!
Such a good meal with wine and great service. The whole sha-bang! We had a blast. And...we get to do it all over tomorrow when my family comes to town. We're going to Virginia's on King Street, a restaurant that boasts good southern food so the Cleveland's should be pleased. Keep you posted.
Thanks so much for all the birthday love and for making this such a special day! If 29 is half as fun as 28, it'll be an awesome year!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Happy Birthday Mason!
Sweet Mason Kyle Yohe was born today at 11:58 weighting 8 pounds 6 ounces and 21.5 inches long! For those who may not know, Mason is my cousin, Kristina's and her husband's, sweet new addition. He joins proud big brother, Hunter. Isn't he the most precious thing you've ever seen?!? I'm in love. I can't wait to snuggle him!
In other news, we spent all evening at the vet with Sadie. Apparently, she sprained her elbow again. Some doggie pain meds and rest and she'll be fine. $300+ later. Oh well, she's worth it!
My last night as a 28 year old! Holy smokes, when did that happen!?! I can only hope 29 is as much fun :o) My last year as a twenty something. Boy does time fly! Justin and I have dinner reservations at Grill 225, a really swanky spot downtown. Then, mom and the gang are coming into town Friday. We'll eat at Virginia's on King and maybe do some shopping. The weather is going to be amazing so it should make for a great visit. Really looking forward to it after such a hectic week!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
My favorite risotto
I have mentioned before that I just love Ina Garten. I watch her show every day and have nearly 80 saved on my DVR. She is wonderful. I'll often use concepts of her cooking and try my hand at a variation. The other day, she was cooking with butternut squash. I've never eaten a butternut squash and wanted to challenge myself. I roasted it (like Ina does) in the oven with a little olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Then I had the idea to put it into risotto (not that novel of an idea) until I decided to add roasted asparagus too! Holy smokes, flavor explosion! The most delicious risotto I've ever had!
The picture isn't that appetizing but trust you me, it was!
Just to recap:
1. Risotto: saute onion in 1 tbs olive oil and 1 tbs butter, add 3 cloves minced garlic. Add 2 cups arborio rice and stir until rice turns golden color. Deglaze pot with 1/4 cup apple cider. Stir continuously. (In a separate pot), bring 5 cups of homemade veggie stock to simmer. Spoon 1-2 ladle-fulls of broth into rice at a time, stir constantly to avoid burning/sticking to pot. When liquid is absorbed, add another ladle. Keep stiring. Continue until rice is soft (approximately 20 minutes). After rice is tender, add 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese and stir.
2. Butternut squash: Wash and peel, dice into 1" x 1" cubes and put on sheet pan with 2 tbs olive oil, 1 tbs maple syrup, salt and pepper. Stir. Put into oven on 375 until soft (approximately 20 minutes), stir once around 10 minutes. If looking a little dried out when you go to stir, add a little more olive oil and maple syrup.
3. Asparagus: Wash and pop off stalky ends. Lay on sheet pan and drizzle with 2tbs olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Put in oven at 375 until stalky ends are easy to fork and tips are slightly charred (approximately 15 minutes). Flip over once during cook time. Take out and splash with lemon juice and chop.
Spoon heaping amount into bowl with butternut squash and asparagus, top with shredded parmesan and enjoy! It may sound weird to eat something made with maple syrup and lemon but you really can't taste either, it just adds a different layer of flavor! So yummy!
The picture isn't that appetizing but trust you me, it was!
Just to recap:
1. Risotto: saute onion in 1 tbs olive oil and 1 tbs butter, add 3 cloves minced garlic. Add 2 cups arborio rice and stir until rice turns golden color. Deglaze pot with 1/4 cup apple cider. Stir continuously. (In a separate pot), bring 5 cups of homemade veggie stock to simmer. Spoon 1-2 ladle-fulls of broth into rice at a time, stir constantly to avoid burning/sticking to pot. When liquid is absorbed, add another ladle. Keep stiring. Continue until rice is soft (approximately 20 minutes). After rice is tender, add 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese and stir.
2. Butternut squash: Wash and peel, dice into 1" x 1" cubes and put on sheet pan with 2 tbs olive oil, 1 tbs maple syrup, salt and pepper. Stir. Put into oven on 375 until soft (approximately 20 minutes), stir once around 10 minutes. If looking a little dried out when you go to stir, add a little more olive oil and maple syrup.
3. Asparagus: Wash and pop off stalky ends. Lay on sheet pan and drizzle with 2tbs olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Put in oven at 375 until stalky ends are easy to fork and tips are slightly charred (approximately 15 minutes). Flip over once during cook time. Take out and splash with lemon juice and chop.
Spoon heaping amount into bowl with butternut squash and asparagus, top with shredded parmesan and enjoy! It may sound weird to eat something made with maple syrup and lemon but you really can't taste either, it just adds a different layer of flavor! So yummy!
NYE Resolutions
I absolutely love New Years! Everything is new and fresh and there is endless possibility. That being said, I am not a huge fan of New Year's resolutions. Probably because I don't think I've actually known anyone to stick to it. Maybe for a few months, sure, maybe even the entire year, but I can't think of anyone that I've ever seen make a lifestyle change from what started as a New Year's resolution. I could just be projecting :o)
Year after year, I have many resolutions but I couldn't even tell you what last year's resolutions were. Many would agree that most resolutions fail because our goals are not realistic or planned, the novelty wears off, we forget, or simply because guilt doesn't motivate long term change. Instead, I think that we'd be more successful if we would challenge ourselves to short term, well-defined, and achievable goals. And by "challenge," I mean, "trick" myself with easy behavior changes that stick.
For example, I wanted to start drinking more water a few months ago. I realized that I would go an entire day with only drinking a cup of coffee or a diet coke. At the end of the day I would feel dehydrated and have a headache. I realized that I wasn't thinking of my need to drink water during the day. The problem being, we don't have a water fountain at work and I don't want to spend $1.50 on bottled water, so I'd reach for the nearest thing and end up drinking three plus cups of coffee a day! So I "tricked" myself into drinking more water by always carrying a Tervis tumbler to work with me in the morning full of cold water and filling it with (free) ice from the cafeteria throughout the day that will melt and become more water. It has worked so well! I drink much more water than before and can really tell a difference the days I do drink water vs. the days I don't.
When it comes to change (for me), I don't think that it can be a huge life change all at once. Instead, I think you have to have a loose vision of what you want to be and gravitate towards the things that interest you and coincide with your vision. I wanted to start cooking more last year so I started watching the cooking network to find what style of cooking I enjoyed the most. I really enjoyed Ina Garten's cooking style and recipes. Now, I absolutely adore her. Being a vegetarian, it is difficult to get excited about cooking, especially when everyone you would cook for (besides my sister) is not a vegetarian. Ina has so many recipes that don't have meat and they are so satisfying.
The one thing I would really enjoy doing more of this year is reading. For motivation, I've borrowed a book from a friend. We plan to go see the movie in February. I have to be done before we see it. I have motivation because we're really excited to see the movie. Plus she is looking forward to seeing what I thought of the book. We'll see how that works.
Other resolutions that I'm considering how to "trick" myself into doing are:
1. Read the bible more consistently
2. Wake up early
3. Be more organized
4. Be on time
5. Be thankful and verbalize appreciation
Year after year, I have many resolutions but I couldn't even tell you what last year's resolutions were. Many would agree that most resolutions fail because our goals are not realistic or planned, the novelty wears off, we forget, or simply because guilt doesn't motivate long term change. Instead, I think that we'd be more successful if we would challenge ourselves to short term, well-defined, and achievable goals. And by "challenge," I mean, "trick" myself with easy behavior changes that stick.
For example, I wanted to start drinking more water a few months ago. I realized that I would go an entire day with only drinking a cup of coffee or a diet coke. At the end of the day I would feel dehydrated and have a headache. I realized that I wasn't thinking of my need to drink water during the day. The problem being, we don't have a water fountain at work and I don't want to spend $1.50 on bottled water, so I'd reach for the nearest thing and end up drinking three plus cups of coffee a day! So I "tricked" myself into drinking more water by always carrying a Tervis tumbler to work with me in the morning full of cold water and filling it with (free) ice from the cafeteria throughout the day that will melt and become more water. It has worked so well! I drink much more water than before and can really tell a difference the days I do drink water vs. the days I don't.
When it comes to change (for me), I don't think that it can be a huge life change all at once. Instead, I think you have to have a loose vision of what you want to be and gravitate towards the things that interest you and coincide with your vision. I wanted to start cooking more last year so I started watching the cooking network to find what style of cooking I enjoyed the most. I really enjoyed Ina Garten's cooking style and recipes. Now, I absolutely adore her. Being a vegetarian, it is difficult to get excited about cooking, especially when everyone you would cook for (besides my sister) is not a vegetarian. Ina has so many recipes that don't have meat and they are so satisfying.
The one thing I would really enjoy doing more of this year is reading. For motivation, I've borrowed a book from a friend. We plan to go see the movie in February. I have to be done before we see it. I have motivation because we're really excited to see the movie. Plus she is looking forward to seeing what I thought of the book. We'll see how that works.
Other resolutions that I'm considering how to "trick" myself into doing are:
1. Read the bible more consistently
2. Wake up early
3. Be more organized
4. Be on time
5. Be thankful and verbalize appreciation
Monday, January 2, 2012
Cauliflower?
This New Years, we were a little too "tired" to cook the big good luck meal. Instead, I opted to try a new recipe, cauliflower pizza dough. It was delicious! Who knew? Obviously, very healthy and cheap! I only used 1/3 of the head of cauliflower. It was a few extra steps but I felt good knowing that it was low calories, low carbs, and not full of preservatives, like the ready made dough we typically buy. The steps and pics are below.
First, I broke the florets from the head and put them in a food processor until they looked like grain. Not too much, else it'll puree.
Then, using my spatula, I mixed it together and formed the mixture into a gooey ball.
Next, on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, I pressed the "dough" into a round, 1/2" circle.
And baked at 450 until golden brown (approximately 15 minutes).
Lastly, the "dough" was transferred onto the cutting board to add my pizza toppings before going back into the oven until done. I typically have spinach, feta, onions, red pepper, and cheese for our pizza topping. I suspect that anyone wanting to try this recipe with meat will need to cook the meat first.
I was so excited to try it that I forgot to get a picture of the final product. Trust me that it was yummy and we will definitely be doing this again. It's a great idea for the carb conscious or anyone with a gluten sensitivity. I'm looking forward to trying other recipes using this same concept.
First, I broke the florets from the head and put them in a food processor until they looked like grain. Not too much, else it'll puree.
After that, the "grained" cauliflower goes into the microwave for 8 minutes to release the water and heat the cauliflower. Then I added an egg, mozerella cheese, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Then, using my spatula, I mixed it together and formed the mixture into a gooey ball.
Next, on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, I pressed the "dough" into a round, 1/2" circle.
And baked at 450 until golden brown (approximately 15 minutes).
Lastly, the "dough" was transferred onto the cutting board to add my pizza toppings before going back into the oven until done. I typically have spinach, feta, onions, red pepper, and cheese for our pizza topping. I suspect that anyone wanting to try this recipe with meat will need to cook the meat first.
I was so excited to try it that I forgot to get a picture of the final product. Trust me that it was yummy and we will definitely be doing this again. It's a great idea for the carb conscious or anyone with a gluten sensitivity. I'm looking forward to trying other recipes using this same concept.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year!
What a year! 2011 sure was a great year and I was lucky enough to see it out with two of my favorite people. On the last day of 2011, Katie and I shopped til we dropped. Then, Justin joined us for dinner at Basil. We strolled through Marion Square to see the lights and listen to the NYE band before heading back home. The smell of firework smoke hung heavy over James Island, no doubt from the show at the park. We played Balderdash for the rest of the night and watched the ball drop at midnight. Such a fun night!! Below are a few pics from the evening...
This was so funny, Justin bent over to pick up a card or something and Santa's hammer got caught on Justin's back pocket. We cried we were laughing so hard!
No Justin, it's not midnight yet! haha
So are you Justin...
Getting a little rowdy!
Such a fun night! Here's to 2012, may it bring as much joy and laughter as 2011. Wishing everyone much health and happiness! Happy New Year!
This was so funny, Justin bent over to pick up a card or something and Santa's hammer got caught on Justin's back pocket. We cried we were laughing so hard!
Even Sadie stayed up to watch the New Year come in.
No Justin, it's not midnight yet! haha
My sister is so pretty!
So are you Justin...
Getting a little rowdy!
Such a fun night! Here's to 2012, may it bring as much joy and laughter as 2011. Wishing everyone much health and happiness! Happy New Year!
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