If At First You Don't Succeed

In an effort to think outside the dinner box, I decided to try to make tortilla soup. I've been hanging on to a recipe for about a year but have been leery of trying it as I've never done soup before. I got everything together including, onion, tomatoes, garlic, lime and pepper and mixed in the wonderful food processor I got as a wedding present.

Then I cut a tortilla into strips and fried in a pan for several minutes to get the crunchy pieces to garnish the soup with while the mixture was simmering for about 20 minutes in another pot.

When it was done, I made loaded cheese quesadilla's to go with it. 

I'd say it was decent, not great. Almost too thick like it was perfect for dipping. Then it hit me that I forgot to add the chicken broth! Yep, totally spaced. This is why I can't cook and talk on the phone at the same time. John of course didn't complain and said it's good to try new things. I know my cooking is normally strong but won't deny there is always room for improvement! 

Framed

In searching for some additional artwork for the dining room, I remembered a great site I had used once in our old house. It's simply www.art.com and features a slew of prints in anything imaginable to choose from. Lately I've been a big fan of botanicals and finding the prints to frame myself is fun, not to mention a low cost way to decorate. 

Here are a few favorites I'm trying to pick from...

Thoughts?

Sad Day

I was beyond saddened this morning to open up my Yahoo page and see that my favorite actor Paul Newman has died at the age of 83 after a battle with cancer. 

I remember sitting in a class at ASU my junior year and the teacher putting the film "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in for us to watch. I thought Paul Newman was one of the most handsome men I'd ever seen. I went on to admire him for his activism and wonderful films. He will be missed.

The Power of Dog

Sometimes I wonder what kind of mother I will make one day because of all the practice I get being 'Mom' to our dog. Lately Duke has been acting up. Just little things like going into trash cans or rolling in mud outside then coming in like it was nothing. Barking at anything and everything and constant whining when I won't throw his ball to him, etc. I find myself getting so angry and immediately wanting to scold him but I try to remember he's just a dog and I need to respect his animal nature. Of course, inevitably he'll also do something adorable like cuddle in a ball for a nap, while letting out a sigh and I melt to pieces calling him my 'little angel'.

John laughs at this and is always telling me Duke doesn't really listen to me because I'm not assertive and baby him. I'm a softie I guess and I suppose I do pay for it when it's just the two of us but I believe he knows he's loved and person or dog that is all that matters to me.

Making Me Smile To The Max

This weekend started off on the right foot when the following things happened...

1. Yesterday while having a wonderful chat with E., I got a UPS package that contained my wedding dress. As you may recall from a post a few months ago, I got it preserved. While it turned out to be a little creepy to see it stuffed in a box, I still think it was worth it as I can remember it fondly when I want to. It was one of the most important things I'll ever wear after all.

2. Last night we drove to Manayunk to pick up the exact wicker end chairs I wanted from Pier 1 from a woman on Craig's List. We ended up buying four of them for the price of one in the store and now my dining room is nearly complete. Just need a few more pieces of art and curtains for color and a storage cabinet.

3. Last, but certainly not least, I opened the mail box today so see that our wedding video has finally arrived! I've waited almost six months for this and I am dying to watch it. Unfortunately, I have to wait until tonight when John and I are together, but what's a few more hours. 

Now let's just hope the Philadelphia Eagles win tomorrow so that I can keep on smiling.

Quirks

I've been tagged by the lovely A. of D.C. Diaries to list six unspectacular quirks about myself so here it goes:

1. I am obsessed with my DVR. At the moment I tape and watch about 20 different TV shows. It's actually more embarrassing then quirky!

2. I have always wanted a wiener dog that I could name Newman after one of my favorite actors of all time, the great Paul Newman. Don't ask me why, I just think it works.

3. When I get a new magazine whether at the grocery store or in the mail, I get mad if someone looks at it before I do. It's almost like it's tainted after that.

4. I wrapped up today by cleaning two finish nailers for a contractor friend of my husband's. Took them apart, oiled and degreased them and put all back together. I'm happy to report, they are still firing nails. 

5. I hate cooked fruit. Don't like cobbler, cherry pies, or anything like that. Bleh!

6. I have some Barbara Streisand on my I-Pod. 

I'd now like to tag my pal E. of The Land of Entrapment to share as well.

Stress Reliever

My new job has been keeping me extremely busy and I haven't had much 'me' time lately. That's why on my way home from work today I was happy to stop into Old Navy for some bargain shopping. Armed with an amazing coupon and a list of fall needs, I picked up this pink, cropped trench coat and cardigan sweater, not to mention a few other staples. 

I'm telling you right now, I feel better all ready. The only thing that could make this day any more relaxing is a bowl of Wheat Chex and the newest Project Runway taped from last night. With my husband working late, I fully intend to take advantage!

Housewarming

Saturday we hosted our very first party in the new house and it was a big success. I can't tell you how nice it was to have family and friends gathered in our place to help break it in. Of course we were missing a few loved ones but it will give us an excuse to do it again soon.

The afternoon was muggy and humid but that didn't stop anyone from hanging out on the back deck

Duke even got to play with his favorite little lady, my cousin's dog, Bowie

John of course cooked up a storm on the bbq, and we even allowed him a few breaks here and there

I was in the kitchen/AC with the crazy amount of food everyone had brought 

My future sister-n-law made all the appetizers, including taco dip which was a huge hit not only yesterday but today, too when John and I ate the rest of it during Sunday lounge time

The best part of the night came when most of the guests had gone home except for our friends and we finished off the keg while playing Wii and laughing hysterically. It was a great ending to a fun day.

Fear Not

Well, it's official. I've definitely changed. 

Somewhere between my younger self and pushing 30 I became so afraid of things. I always had little quirky fears like lizards and man sandals, but today while heading to Baltimore for the day on a work trip I started to break into a complete panic attack as I approached the Fort McHenry tunnel. It's inevitable that you have to go through this mile and a half or so if you want to continue into Maryland toward DC from Interstate 95. The last time I did this my foot shook on the gas pedal but I sang at the top of my lungs to distract myself. This time I was paralyzed. I go through it often with John driving to visit his brother in VA and am OK but by myself it's different. I just wish I understood why all the sudden this is something I think I can't do.

So today I pulled off at an exit to use the bathroom about two miles from the tunnel and actually figured out a way I could get to downtown Baltimore without having to pass through the dumb thing. I was so proud of myself and it really only tacked an extra 10 minutes onto my drive. I did the same thing going home. Embarrassing, yes, but tonight I'm relaxed and some days that's all I can ask for.

Tabletastic

Sunday felt like the perfect day to just sit around and do nothing, but being as though my husband and I have a hard time doing that, we decided to tackle a few small projects before settling in to watch the Philadelphia Eagles pounce on the St. Louis Rams and all the other football games of the day. 

John's task included cutting the grass which he can now proudly say takes him two hours and me, painting our new coffee table.

We picked up this beat-up, honey stained table for $22 from a crazy lady on Craig's List. We then sanded it and sanded it until I decided I was OK with a warn look as most of our furniture bears that style and opted for painting to add some color to the family room. 'Butter Up' from Sherwin Williams was the yellow of choice. 

For a grand total of $36 for a coffee table, I'd say it was worth the labor, not to mention we had somewhere to put our feet up for the rest of the afternoon.

Weddings and Weather

Last night we went to a wedding for one of John's friends,

in weather that looked like this...

By the time we got there I was looking and feeling a little something along these lines...

It was a total mess and I wasn't thrilled but, the bride and groom didn't seem to be bothered by any of it and treated their guests to a fun time. This included a very entertaining 'dance off' between the couple who met years ago at a night club. At one point even the DJ had his jacket and tie off and was getting down to the techno music! It was definitely something original that I'd never seen at a wedding before.

This was the first wedding in our group of friends since our own, and it was great to be able to relax and enjoy ourselves. 

I'm also happy to report that thanks to my mini-van I was able to take 8 of our friends home safely. I knew that thing would come in handy!

Time To Rock

OK, so I downloaded a few songs...

The memories! 

Don't judge.