ten gentle reminders

Borrowed from Sarah Tucker Events

[hottest Florida wedding stylist ever]
who borrowed this from the lovely Kate Spade.

Who can do no wrong in my book.

Just a good reminder for a Tuesday.

*******

I went to Connecticut this past weekend for a surprise visit.

My cousin was having a reception for her wedding in Alaska.

Going back is nostalgic, but I am beyond glad to be home.

There's something about your own bed, own shower, own home.

And of course those puppy tail wags when you walk through the door.

Also, Adam painted more trim while I was gone.

I love him more than homemade spaghetti and meatballs.

Enjoy your week!

a new sport

I ate breakfast in bed this weekend.

Because the idea of moving to the couch was just too much to handle.

Plus my bed is full of pillows and warmth.  Why move just so I can eat my bagel properly?

When I did finally emerge from my cocoon of blankets, Adam and I went to practice volleyball at the health center.  And ran into a 64-year-old British guy who thought Adam needed to hone his soccer skills a bit.

Adam used to be a world-class soccer player.  Before his knee surgery.

He even played in Europe.

::proud wife::

So this new European sport was right up his alley.

I give you: soccer raquetball.

The most creative name ever.

It's racquetball.  Played with a soccer ball.

Observe.

 

 I'm not even going to attempt this.

He clearly has the upperhand(foot) in this sport.  I'll have to beat him at something else.

Like synchronized swimming.

food coma

I'm not quite sure how it's possible that I'm still completely full 16 hours after eating.

Well done Strip Steakhouse, well done.

In other news...

You can find me over on my twinie's* blog today.

Talking about my first Valentine's Day with Adam.

The romance was a'swirling.

*not really my twin.  we pretend and that's alright.

day of love

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm sending you some love.

With the full disclosure that next year it will be my face on that card.

What can I say...I have an in with the card gods.

I have big plans today.

Getting my car washed.

Making banana bread.

With plantains though.  We'll see how this pans out.

And dinner at our favorite spot with my husband.

I'm pretty smitten with him.

Don't wait up.

when i grow up

It's crazy that I'm 26 and still have the phrase rambling through my mind.

Aren't we supposed to be doing what we were going to do by now?

Adam and I went to the mall the other night.  Shoe shopping.

For him.  Not me.

My husband has a shoe and coat addiction that I haven't quite found the cure for.

But that's something to discuss at another time.

We were walking in front of this group of teenagers who were, well, being teenagers.  Adam stopped to 'tie his shoe'.  Actually, he just stopped and bent down until they passed so we wouldn't have to walk in front of them anymore.

We're officially old.

And over teenage antics.

Just tack that onto the long list of reasons why I'm aching to find my passion in life.

I think I'll start with when I was eight and I was going to be the greatest, bestest teacher in the whole wide world.

No really.

My little sister, Wren and I created a school in our basement.  An easel and old school desk were pulled front and center.  My mom's sewing table acted as the teacher's desk.  And stacks of paper, pencils and stickers were plentiful.  I was constantly creating handouts, drawing on the board, pacing back and forth as my 'students' completed their assignments.

I was a pretty stellar teacher.  

Though I cannot for the life of me remember what important facts I taught at the wise age of eight.

I did enjoy grading though.  And putting stickers on papers.

The rush of being Mrs. Thompson (of course I was married (to JTT).  It was part of my American dream) soon faded and I moved onto many other careers through my childhood.  Including but not limited to:

a boat captain

a wedding planner

an architect

a ballet dancer

and

perhaps the most prestigious job of all...

a hot dog vendor

What can I say?  I had big dreams.

And I guess at 26 I still do.

be mine

I'm super excited for Valentine's Day this year.

Mainly because we're going to my favorite restaurant.

And there are big plans afoot.

I like to surprise my hubby.  Even if it's just with something as simple as hot dogs for breakfast.

We never really put all that much emphasis on Valentine's Day.  Because we try to celebrate love every day.  With the little things.  Like the fact that Adam did the dishes last night. 
My heart did a little pitter-patter at that.

But what better day than to go a bit over the top to show someone you care?
I already sent out my diy bunting valentines...but I'm still brainstorming some gift ideas for my mama and close friends.

Here are some of my favorite finds to make your Valentine's Day as special as the person you share it with.

i love you card - letterpress venn diagram card - lionheart card - scooter and hearts

 

heart shapes pancakes - ginger coffee cookies - chocolate raspberry hearts - brownie heart cupcakes

 

heart shaped soap - heart shaped tea bags - valentine's day coffee cup warmers - you make life sweet cookie cups

weekend

Our internet went out this weekend.

Which was a blessing in disguise.

Realized of course, after I spent a few hours taking Time Warner Cable's name in vain.

Then I spent the weekend internetless.

And even put down my phone for most of it.

I journaled.  Planned trips.  Created.  Dreamed.

It was somewhat blissful.

I also consumed a lot of tea.  Went wine tasting with my girlfriends.  Took a nap.  Played hide-and-seek with the pup.  And finished our valentines.

It ended up being one of those weekends I kind of needed.

Even if it wasn't what I had planned.

 

french onion soup

I haven't talked about food in a good minute.

So I'll share with you one of my epic successes of the past month.

French Onion Soup from scratch.

I even made it twice.  Just to make sure the first time wasn't a fluke.

Sometimes I amaze myself.

For those of you cooking up a storm for your Valentine's Day surprise, this would be a great soup and salad course.  Before the big entrée.

  Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter

4 onions sliced

4 garlic gloves chopped

3 bay leaves

5-6 sprigs of fresh thyme

salt and pepper

1 cup of red wine (I use Cabernet Sauvignon, preferably one with plum or berry undertones)

3 tbls of flour

2 quarts of beef broth

french baguette, sliced about 1 inch

grated Gruyere cheese (I used mozzarella too)

Directions

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bay leaves and thyme.  Season with salt and pepper.  Sauté until the onions are very soft and caramelized.

Add the wine, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has evaporated.

Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. 

Dust the onions with the flour and give them a stir. Turn the heat down to medium low so the flour doesn't burn, and cook for 10 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. 

Now add the beef broth, bring the soup back to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

When you're ready to eat, toast the baguette slices on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees, flipping halfway through. Sprinkle the slices with the Gruyere and toast until bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.

Ladle the soup in bowls and float the baguette on top.

on the rebound

From the depths of my bed.

Where I snuggled with my pup.

Survived on Earl Grey.

And amused myself with Vogue.

Okay, having the flu wasn't that bad.

But I'm still glad it's gone.