My Favorite Purchase of the Week

I forgot to post my favorite purchase of the week from last week- a beautiful gold necklace with a small lower case "e" on it (for Elizabeth). I picked the little beauty up at my favorite little shop Sophie's, which by the way is expanding and I am so glad they have more space for their beautiful little things. I love it! Am I vain? I think it's a little less garish then the "Carrie" necklace worn by Carrie Bradshaw for at least one season of Sex and the City.

The Splendid Table

I have discovered a wonderful new radio show that is on public radio in Nashville, but not around here- THE SPLENDID TABLE. If you are a foodie at all, which I consider myself to be, then this is a show for you. You can download the podcasts for the Splendid Table from itunes, which I have begun doing.

If you enjoy food-talk and new recipe ideas then Lynne Rosetto Kasper can be your favorite new radio personality. You may also recognize that she is the inspiration for the SNL skit where Alec Baldwin is a guest on a call-in radio food show peddling his "Schwetti Balls" (meatballs). Absolutely hilarious. Back to the subject though- Lynne seems to have a food encyclopedia stored in her brain that she can access at anytime. She takes calls from listeners with questions ranging from, "what are preserved lemons and how do you make them?" to, "what kind of appetizers should I serve at my new restaurant in France?". Amazing...and you know, she gave pretty great answers to both of those questions. Lynne also has guests on with her discussing recipes, regional foods, drinks, anything that you can think of food-related.

The SPLENDID TABLE... a must listen!

Croque Monsieur

I made my first croque monsieur http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croque-monsieur sandwich today. It was delicious!!!! It's a perfectly delicious ham and cheese sandwich with a bechamel sauce on top. This is perhaps the most perfect sandwich man has invented if you ask me. I got the recipe from a cookbook I purchased recently Barefoot in Paris by Ina Garten. As soon as I found the cookbook I knew I wanted to cook just about everything in it and the croque monsieur was first on my list.

The Big Biscuit Barn

Wonderfully delicious BIG cinnamon rolls on the cheap. Need I say more?

Tomato Update

My tomatoes are getting bigger...slowly, but surely. I am sure that one day I will have a tomato to eat. I may even have enough of my Roma tomotoes to make a delicious pasta sauce.

Party!

I am excited...I am having a party this weekend for my 30th birthday. I love to throw a party! I think I have driven my poor mother crazy though- because I wanted to throw the party in my parents' backyard and have my mother make the cake. She is feeling the stress, but I reassured her-- I planned a wedding for 150 people by myself so I can certainly plan a party for 15-20 people.

The cake will be red velvet. The food will be delicious, fresh appetizers. There will be wine. So, hopefully I'll have a good turnout...I invited a fair amount of people so hopefully a few people will show up.

The table and cake will be decorated with peonies, which is my favorite flower. They have beautiful ruffly petals.

Father

My father is the best one around...I'm sure of it. Not only has he (along with my amazing mother) moved me a total of 6 times in the past 3 years (yes that is 6!), but he has given me wonderful advice and helped me in more ways than he can know. When I was feeling pretty low this year he encouraged me and gave me great advice. I know that I am very blessed to have him as my father.

I am sure that my mother and father are the best parents around--a great team and great example of what a godly, happy marriage looks like.

BTW- nobody packs a U-Haul like my Dad-- it's like watching Tetris with boxes in the back of the truck. :)

Banana Republic Shopping Spree

I love Banana Republic! I received a very generous gift card for my birthday to BR and went by today to do a little shopping. I spent a little more than my gift card, but got some great new outfits for work.

Here are a couple of the things I picked up:

And a couple things I'm drooling over:

30 and fabulous!

I am 30 and fabulous! Well, at least I am 30 and am feeling fabulous.

I went out with the girls for my birthday and ate waaaaay too much food and dessert. It was so great to be out with them and celebrating my bday.

Around the house

I am loving my entryway... pretty roses from my backyard, mirror, small chest. Nice and simple and it makes me happy.

I also, with the help of my Dad, framed the piece

of art I bought from the Clothesline Art Show.

It is hanging up in my bathroom now. I LOVE it!

In the front yard- finished with my herb planting and moved my ivy topiary to the front porch. These little steps of progress make me happy.

Long time, no write

It's been a long time since I have written-- things have been so busy. I am determined that I will write at least once a week from now on though.

I am house-sitting this week for family and am enjoying the benefits like cable tv, lots of good food, a beautiful backyard, and comfy couches. :) I am still close to my house so I can pop over and still work on getting my house all settles--amazing how long that actually takes. I am pretty much settled in. I have a lot of work still to do though. I would like to do some landscaping in the front and of course more arranging in the house. I have re-arranged the living room and I love it now. I need to do a little more tweaking, but it will soon be there.

Also- yard sale coming soon with lots of good stuff!