Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Project 365: 69 | Notebook | 08.27.12


Project 365: 69 | Notebook | 08.27.12

It is nearly impossible for me to leave a Target store with only the items on my shopping list. For example, I entered a Target last week intending to purchase two items. I left with four. This handy dandy notebook was one of my impulse buys. I couldn't resist its cuteness and it has become a fabulous place for my various to-do lists.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 68 | Lily | 08.26.12


Project 365: 68 | Lily | 08.26.12

While waiting for my broccoli and cheddar egg muffins to bake (recipe coming soon), I spotted this beauty in our backyard and did a quick photo shoot.

Camera: Canon Rebel T1i

Project 365: 67 | Appetizer | 08.25.12


Project 365: 67 | Appetizer | 08.25.12

We had an impromptu date night at home on Saturday. Our first course was an olive and cheese plate. The olives were from a trip that my parents took to France (and are delicious) and the cheese (smoked gouda and manchego) was leftover from our friend's birthday wine tasting trip. (See day/photo #52)

Camera: iPhone

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Project 365: 66 | Finally | 08.24.12


Project 365: 66 | Finally | 08.24.12

We are cable-free (3+ years and counting!) and rely on Hulu and Netflix to meet our TV and movie needs. We had been waiting for-ev-er for the first disc of True Blood Season 4 from Netflix. At least it seemed like forever. We finally received it on Friday and promptly watched the two episodes that evening. Now there is a "very long wait" of disc two. Great.

Cameras: iPhone

Project 365: 65 | Necklace | 08.23.12


Project 365: 65 | Necklace | 08.23.12

My honey picks has given me some of my favorite pieces of jewelry.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 64 | Vino | 08.22.12


Project 365: 64 | Vino | 08.22.12

Not shabby for a $4 bottle of zin.

Camera: iPhone

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Project 365: 63 | Yelling | 08.21.12


Project 365: 63 | Yelling | 08.21.12

Whenever Stella Kitty gets outside, she goes a few feet and then starts rolling around on the concrete, purring and yelling.

Seriously, look closely.

See her slightly open mouth? She's yelling.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 62 | Salad | 08.20.12


Project 365: 62 | Salad | 08.20.12

Once of our favorites recipes (Taco Salad) now made sans tortilla chips.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 61 | Loves | 08.19.12


Project 365: 61 | Loves | 08.19.12

My loves, bird watching on a Sunday morning.

Camera: iPhone

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Project 365: 60 | Nautical | 08.18.12


Project 365: 60 | Nautical | 08.18.12

We had back-to-back themed birthday celebrations yesterday. I was proud that I was able to transition from the nautical themed afternoon gathering to the evening cocktail party with just a change of earrings.

Camera: Canon Rebel T1i


Project 365: 59 | Theater | 08.17.12


Project 365: 59 | Theater | 08.17.12

I saw the thought-provoking, 1920s play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) on Friday night. The best part was that the production was the first from a completely youth-led theater company. They did a fantastic job.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 58 | Rest | 08.16.12


Project 365: 58 | Rest | 08.16.12

We have some quite lovely rest stops in California.

Camera: iPhone

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Project 365: 57 | Store | 08.15.12


Project 365: 57 | Store | 08.15.12

For some reason, my GPS took me a different route to and from a business trip out of town this Wednesday/Thursday. Both trips included driving through lots of random small towns. I guess my GPS knows that I love traveling through/to new places.

I did not stop at this store but it was pretty tempting.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 56 | Sunset | 08.14.12


Project 365: 56 | Sunset | 08.14.12

Summer sunset from our backyard. No filter needed.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 55 | H2O | 08.13.12


Project 365: 55 | H2O | 08.13.12

H2O.

Agua.

Voda.*

Water.

Whatever you call it, I drink a lot of it.

*During my first trip to Bosnia (of three), my traveling companions and I were going to a park just outside of Sarajevo and part of the trip involved a ride in a horse train carriage. At one point along the way, the man driving the carriage pulled over, turned back to us, and just kept saying "voda" over and over again. He then got out of the carriage, went down to a little stream and filled a bucket up with water. He brought the bucket back for the horse to have a drink, turned to us and said, "voda!" In response, we put our hands up and exclaimed, "water!" That is when I learned how to say water in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian and that man learned how to say water in English.

Camera: iPhone

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Recipe: Asparagus and Three Cheese Pizza


A few months ago, I decided to try and limit my bread and pasta intake.

AKA, I can't remember the last time I had a sandwich.


Weeeeelllll, if you don't consider these Hawaiian Pork Sliders a member of the sandwich category. Or the french bread with meats and cheeses that I stuffed in my face while wine tasting on Saturday. I suppose that bread-meats-cheeses is a deconstructed sandwich. Scratch that "I can't remember..." comment above. I had my last sandwich on Saturday.


Bottom line, I am trying to fill my stomach with foods that provide my body with lots of good energy -- lean protein, fruits and vegetables. I feel better eating this way.

Pizza isn't a common food occurrence in our house so this recipe was a nice, still healthful, treat. It was also a quick, vegetarian dinner for a weeknight. We had big bowls of delicious salad before said pizza and I limited myself to a serving size, which you may be surprised to find out is not half of the prepared pizza.

Who knew?!


Asparagus and Three Cheese Pizza

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole wheat pizza crust -- I buy the whole wheat pizza dough from Trader Joe's and then prep it according to package instructions
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 8 ounces fresh asparagus, sliced in half lengthwise and then into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
  • 5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • Black pepper

Directions: 

  1. If using pizza dough, prepare according to package instructions. 
  2. Preheat oven to 400º F. 
  3. Combine the olive oil and minced garlic in a small bowl. Brush over the crust. 
  4. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the olive oil and garlic sauce, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges of the crust. 
  5. Top the mozzarella with an even layer of asparagus, goat cheese and parmesan. Sprinkle with black pepper. 
  6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until crust is browned around the edges and the cheese is bubbly and just starting to brown. 
  7. Slice and serve. 

Monday, August 13, 2012

Project 365: 54 | Crepe Myrtle | 08.12.12


Project 365: 54 | Crepe Myrtle | 08.12.12

According to my mother, the crepe myrtle in our front yard is "very southern!"

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 53 | Bees! | 08.11.12


Project 365: 53 | Bees! | 08.11.12

As I mentioned in the description of photo #52, our friend got a free jar of local honey while we were wine tasting in celebration of her birthday. We all got to do a honey tasting and hang out with the local bees in the photo above while she decided which flavor she wanted as her free gift.

Camera: Canon Rebel T1i

Project 365: 52 | Crown | 08.10.12


Project 365: 52 | Crown | 08.10.12

I made our good friend Jackie this crown for her to wear during our wine tasting trip on Saturday. When we arrived at the first winery, a man walked up and told her that he would give her a free jar of local honey* since it was her birthday. Yep, the crown totally paid for itself within five minutes.

*The wildflower honey she chose paired perfectly with the manchego we had packed in our picnic lunch.

Camera: iPhone

Friday, August 10, 2012

Project 365: 51 | Travel | 08.09.12


Project 365: 51 | Travel | 08.09.12

It takes a lot of self control for me to not put the entire Target stock of miniature travel-size bath and beauty products in my shopping cart. They are so cute.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 50 | Elliptical | 08.08.12


Project 365: 50 | Elliptical | 08.08.12

I'd like to present to you a kitty on an elliptical. She be up in the gym, just workin' on her fitness.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 49 | Sliders | 08.07.12


Project 365: 49 | Sliders | 08.07.12

Hawaiian pork sliders with BBQ sauce and grilled pineapple to be exact. These are most definitely being inserted into the regular meal rotation because they are one of the most tasty things I have stuffed in my face. The recipe is from Very Culinary. Run, don't walk, to find it here.

Camera: iPhone

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Project 365: 48 | Pizza | 08.06.12


Project 365: 48 | Pizza | 08.06.12

Homemade asparagus and three cheese pizza. Recipe post to follow.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 47 | Rosie | 08.05.12


Project 365: 47 | Rosie | 08.05.12

We visited the Rosie the Riveter Memorial on Sunday. It was wonderful! I took so many photos that it was difficult to choose just one to post. I settled on this one because I loved the quote but I will do another blog post with more photos from the day.

Camera: Canon Rebel T1i


Sunday, August 5, 2012

Project 365: 46 | Bar | 08.04.12


Project 365: 46 | Bar | 08.04.12

Some of the nautical decor in my favorite karaoke bar. We went last night and for the first time ever, karaoke was broken. Sad face.

Camera: iPhone

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Project 365: 45 | HHHH | 08.03.12


Project 365: 45 | HHHH | 08.03.12

Happy hour, dinner and karaoke with our former roommates.
HHHH = Hoover House Happy Hour.

Camera: iPhone

Friday, August 3, 2012

Project 365: 44 | IPA | 08.02.12


Project 365: 44 | IPA | 08.02.12

Happy IPA day! Cheers!

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 43 | Train | 08.01.12


Project 365: 43 | Train | 08.01.12


I always enjoy the opportunity to take public transportation to a meeting.

Camera: iPhone

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Project 365: 42 | Fruit | 07.31.12


Project 365: 42 | Fruit | 07.31.12

I picked up some delicious fruit (white peaches, nectarines, and some other light colored nectarine/plum type thing) at a produce stand on the way home from work. It was a good life decision.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 41 | Bug | 07.30.12


Project 365: 41 | Bug | 07.30.12

This ladybug rode all the way to work with me on the hood of my car.

Camera: iPhone