Easter & TV Updates

Finally, we've had some gorgeous spring weather! Tanner literally wants to spend every minute outside and I try to oblige his requests as often as possible. His favorite activities include: picking up sticks and pine cones, digging in the dirt, and putting rocks in his wheelbarrow- he is all boy!

We had a great Easter filled with tons of treats. I let Tanner have a few jelly beans before mass. BIG mistake. He was even more out of control than usual.

Tanner was really into the egg hunt this year and still goes into the yard looking for them, ha.

He will be two next week and I can hardly believe it! I put him in his last bubble and took some pics to commemorate the occasion. Where did my baby go?

The 30th birthday celebrations continue for all of our girlfriends. It's so nice to have ongoing plans with everyone!

I am SO happy all my shows are back! Spring tv is my favorite!

Via

I mean, her eyes really say it all- just crazy. Ramona is absolutely out of her mind this season. I love how she says something and literally 30 seconds later has total amnesia about it. And the way she talked about Heather's house in the Berkshires was appalling. I'm embarrassed for her.

Via

I want the old Don back. I get that this season is about character evolution but it's just awkward (and depressing!) to watch Don struggle so much. Peggy is being Peggy (read: miserable despite her success) and same goes for Betty. I really hope Don turns it around in the last few episodes.

Via

I'm sure most reality tv junkies like myself have been tuning in to Chrisley Knows Best. This show is pure gold. I don't understand how these people made their money and apparently neither does anyone else. Interesting article in People.

 

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Weekend In Chi

Last weekend I visited one of my best friends and college roomie in Chicago. We had such a great time shopping, eating, drinking and catching up. I don't think we stopped talking for a minute!

We had a ridiculously good dinner at Sienna Tavern where our other friend's husband is the executive chef. It was all so delicious!

I was missing my little buddy by the time Sunday rolled around and was so excited to give him the little present I got him. He was totally thrilled with the stuffed Winnie the Pooh and I just loved seeing his giddy expression.

Fast forward to yesterday morning when I hear a huge crash behind me as I was folding the laundry:

 

TG there were no injuries. He was actually pretty pleased with himself and started going to town on all of the off limits goodies I keep in his top drawer. To be honest, this incident is not all that unusual at our house, ha! Tanner is very curious and has zero fear. He really keeps me on my toes.

 

I asked Tanner the other day if he was a baby or a big boy and he quickly answered "big boy." It's hard to believe he will be 2 in May. Time really does fly!

 

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Spring is near?

So, it's basically March and still cold as ever. In fact, snow is in the forecast again next week. Seriously, what the hell.

Anyways, there was a day or two last week where temps were above freezing. We, of course, capitalized on it and spent as much time outside as possible.

*No head on shots of T because he literally does not sit still all day. These are the only photos that weren't blurry from him bolting from one thing to the next.

What else have I been doing to entertain myself in the cold?

Eating.

I whipped up this pasta dish a few weeks ago and it's been in the rotation ever since. Super easy AND healthy.

I don't have exact measurements for a recipe because I kind of threw it together based on what I had at the house.

Here's what I did: sautéed 2 bunches of kale in olive oil and a few minced garlic cloves, sprinkled in some red pepper flakes, salt & pepper. I chopped up 2 big chicken breasts that I had cooked earlier. 1 box of whole wheat penne from TJ's. And about 1 cup of Parmesan cheese. I combined everything in a big bowl and tossed it together with a little bit more olive oil, salt & pepper, and lemon juice. I kept testing it until I thought it tasted right.

And balancing it out with these.....

Via

I was so excited to have plans for Valentines Day but Mother Nature had a different idea (more snow, duh). So, we ended up staying in and giving Tanner a roll of painters tape which provided him/us 30 minutes of entertainment. Parenting win.

Tanner loves taking pics on our iPhones. #selfieexpert

I have a trip planned to Chicago next month to visit my college roomie and couldn't be more excited! Counting down the days...

*Tans courtesy of Miami Beach ca. 2006

 

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S.A.D.

I told Mark the other day I was suffering from SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I was only partially kidding because I am SO so tired of this weather. I can't remember the last time I saw the grass for more than 24 hours. And it's only February.

Entertaining my wild man in this weather is challenging to say the least. He loves being outside, getting dirty and just being a boy. Not possible when it's as cold as it's been.

He is only sitting still because I was dangling a fruit chew above the camera.

Tanner has tons of toys. Like a ridiculous amount. But he gets tired of playing with them. We've gotten a membership to the childrens museum, we go to open gyms at our park, story time, play dates, going to my parents, etc etc. Thankfully, T really enjoys Mickeys Clubhouse and Sesame Street. Always a great distraction.

Tanners been telling us he has to go to the bathroom- no dice. He just loves sitting on the potty and shredding TP.

 

Pickings are pretty slim in the TV department for me right now. Mondays are actually my favorite television night thanks to Bravo.

 

Source

Even though RHOBH is kind of a snoozefest, I'm still powering through the season (with the exception of Carlton's hideous antics). Now Vanderpump Rules, that's a whole different story. The finale, I mean- woah, woah! It was out of this world. Kristin (and Jax and Tom), ew. I cannot wait for the reunion.

Two more shows helping me move towards Spring: RHONY and Game of Thrones, both premiering in a few weeks.

Can't wait to see how THIS unravels....

Via

And back to real life....the 30th birthday celebrations continue! My friends are all planning a trip for everyone's milestone bdays. I've got my fingers crossed for somewhere warm!

Hi Jaime!

 

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Make this now- Hearty & Healthy

In my opinion, finding a meal that's good for you and actually tastes delicious is no easy feat. I was doing some searching on Pinterest for a soup that incorporated dark leafy greens and a lean protein without any refined carbs. I found a few recipes that sounded pretty good and kind of did a combination of them (mainly this one).

Tanner's nap time is when I make dinner. So, whatever our meal is, it has to be relatively quick and easy to prepare. This soup definitely was just that. I had my sister and dad over for dinner last night and everyone really enjoyed it (even Tanner)!

 

Italian (Chicken) Sausage with Kale and White Bean Soup

1lb Italian Sausage taken out of casings and chopped/crumbled

1 large bunch of kale

1-2 12 oz cans canellini or great northern beans (depending on your preference)

1 medium onion

3 garlic cloves

1 tbsp olive oil

5 cups chicken broth

1. Chop onion and garlic. Add olive oil to the pot and cook until onion gets soft/becomes translucent.

2. Add sausage and brown until it's cooked all the way through. Drain excess oil after sausage is cooked.

3. Add kale, beans, and broth. Cook approx. 15 minutes until kale has wilted/reduced.

 

I let the soup simmer for about 30 more minutes and it really helped the flavors blend.

Mark asked that we don't have guests next time I make it so he can have more for himself :)

Enjoy!

 

 

 

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Holidays

The last few weeks have been super busy. We had a great Christmas and New Years! I feel relieved now that all the traveling is over though. We drove to Asheville after Christmas to spend time with Mark's family and then headed to Charleston from there for a wedding weekend.

It was so fun going back to Charleston- we visited some of our old haunts (Taco Boy, Poogan's Porch) and checked out some new places as well (Bay Street Biergarten and The Alley- we loved both!). We also stopped by our old neighborhood and saw our friends and took a stroll down to the dock where Mark proposed and we took many a walk when Tanner was a tiny babe. It was a great weekend!

And now we are being welcomed back to the Midwest by this:

Yes that's NEGATIVE 5 degrees. I mean, I just can't..........

 

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Domestic Me- Dad's Chili

Please contain your enthusiasm as I try to illustrate my achievements in the kitchen.

It has been so freaking cold and snowy here already I can tell it's going to be a long winter. When the season rolls around nothing sounds better for dinner than something warm and filling. I make a lot of soups nov-mar.

This recipe is from my dad who has made this chili....for as long as I can remember. I changed out the ground beef for ground chicken and you honestly can't tell the difference. We also accidentally got pinto beans at the store one time and haven't looked back since.

1 lb lean ground meat

1 yellow onion

1 large can tomato sauce

1 small can tomato paste + 1 small can of water

1 can pinto beans

1 can kidney beans

2 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp sugar

Salt & Pepper to taste

Brown meat and onion then drain. Add in all other ingredients and let simmer for 30 minutes. Make sure to have lots of shredded cheddar on hand to top the chili with- we like ours extra cheesy!

 

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