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Monday, June 30, 2014

Weekend and a 3 day work week!

This morning when my alarm went off I seriously questioned what day it was. How is it Monday again already?

Friday night we had a productive night around the house. The house is all clean and all the laundry done- score! I made a veggie night dinner. We had "baked" fried green tomatoes, marinated collards, corn on the cob, and squash. 

The Baked Fried Green Tomatoes recipe was seen over on Katie's blog. I modified this a bit. I didn't add the cheese on top, I used pimento cheese instead. It was amazing! We will definitely be having these again soon.



Saturday we were kinda lazy. I had hoped to make it a pool day but the cloudy weather and lack of motivation kept me away. We just grilled out burgers and had a few drinks.

Sunday we met my parents at the movie theatre to see "The Jersey Boys". It was an okay movie. We saw "The Jersey Boys" on broadway last year and I think that was much better. There aren't a lot of differences between the play and the movie in my opinion. Not bad but I don't really care to see it again.

Here we are at Monday! At least it's a 3 day work week for me. Then off to the beach house for the 4th- so excited to see the beach! I am hoping the weather will cooperate- fingers crossed!

Happy Monday!

Friday, June 27, 2014

Five on Friday- What's for Dinner?

It's FRIDAY! This week I decided to talk about what I've been cooking lately.

1- I decided to attempt the Grilled Veggie Wraps that Megan posted about. I'll be honest- maybe I did something wrong- these were ok. They weren't by any means awlful but just not what I was exepecting. I think after much thought it was the rice that I'm not fan of. The Hubs decided to make his in a wrap.
I opted to do more of a bowl. We had a few pieces of beef tips and chicken left over from grilling the night before so we tossed these in just because.
2- This Tortellini Salad idea came from Katie's Blog- Greek Tortellini Salad. I took it over to a neighbor's house when we grilled out. She asked for the recipe! I will definitely be making this again.


 3- Chicken Stir-Fry is always a go to at my house. I always keep a couple of frozen chicken breasts, frozen veggies, and pad thai noodles around. I cut cup the defrosted chicken into bite sizes and cook in a bit of sesame oil. I add some amino acids and a bit of teryiaki sauce. Toss in the frozen veggies and let simmer for 8 minutes covered in the wok. I boil some water and toss in the pad thai noodles for 8 minutes. Toss the noodles into the meat/veggies. I usually add a bit of cornstarch to the sauce and serve. These are my leftovers for lunch one day this week since I forgot to take pictures at dinner.


4- Salmon Patties- A coworker made these for a work function a few years ago. They were immediately added to my household rotation. The recipe makes 2 1X3 inch patties. 1- 6oz can of salmon, 1/4 cup of small onion finely chopped and sauteed until softened, 1 egg, 1 tbsp of worchester sauce, 1 tbsp of Texas Pete, dash of black pepper, dash of salt, dash of garlic power, 1/4 cup of bread crumbs, and a drizzle of olive oil. Heat the skillet to medium. Mix all the ingredients together and fold in the salmon. Divide into two parts, use your hand to gently form 2 patties. Add the oil and the patties. Cook about 7-10 minutes on each side. The Hubs isn't a huge salmon fan but loves these!



5- Sausage and Grits Casserole- A former coworker made this for a brunch at the office. I knew immediately my Hubs would love it. He requests this for his breakfast during the week. I can make the casserole and divide it into tupperware containers. He can just reheat them in the am. Ingredients: 1lb. and 1/2 of hot sausage, 1 cup of grits, 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese, 4 eggs broken and stirred, 3/4 cup of milk, and pepper to taste. Brown the sausage and drain. Bring 3 1/2 cups of salted water to a boil. Add grits and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted. Mix remainder of ingredients and pour into a greased 9X13 casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes. This can be made the night before and then cooked or reheated. (Please excuse my half eaten picture- again I forgot to take a picture until we had already dug in!)



What have you been cooking lately? I had already drafted this post before I saw that they are taking a break from 5 on Friday. So I figured I would go ahead and post this one. :)

Linking up with April, Christina, Natasha, and Darci.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Thoughts for Thursday

It's Thursday!

Next week is July 4th?! How did that happen?! Yesterday was exactly 6 months until Christmas! You heard me.. Christmas! My favorite time of the year!! I'm not wanting to rush time because I love summer and I haven't had nearly enough beach time this year but crazy how this year is flying by!

-I'm excited we are actually at home this weekend. The Hubs has already schedule tee times- he's ridiculous I tell ya! I'm hoping to make it to my yogalites class. I really love it! I hold all my stress in my shoulders from sitting at a computer all day so this class helps me stretch it out and work on my posture.

-I actually "made" dinner last night. I've been making BLT's and things quick and easy lately. So actually cooking last night really felt good! We had salmon patties, marinated collards, corn on the cob, and squash and zuchinni bake. I'll post some of the recipes soon!

- We are planning to go to the matinee on Sunday to see the move "The Jersey Boys".  My Dad is obsessed with this group for some reason. He asked for the play tickets last year for his birthday and for us to go with him. It was good but I'm not obsessed like him. The Hubs I think is equally excited to see the movie so we'll see.
 Jersey Boys (2014) Poster

- We've had all kinds of workers in and out of our house this week. A tile in the shower cracked, so they replaced it. We're also having a granite backsplash installed in the butler's pantry. Well of course receptacles were in the way so we had to have an electrician come move them, someone patch the sheetrock and paint, and now waiting for them to come back out install the backsplash. Why do things have to be so difficult sometimes?! LoL.. Hopefully I house will feel put together after all this craziness!

Thoughts for Thursday
Linking up with Natalie and Annie.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Weekend Recap

Happy Tuesday!

We had a busy but good weekend. I made time for a pedi on Friday after work. I usually stick with the same ole colors. I thought this time I'd try something new. I thought since I like black nails in the fall..what about white nails for summer?! I think I like it!
I got several emails that Saturday was offically "wear your Lilly day". I obliged- I mean like I need an excuse to wear Lilly!
I even decided to wear a searsucker Lilly dress to the wedding we were attending. This dress is actually my favorite dress in my closet. I could seriously wear it everyday!


The Hubs hates taking pictures. He wasn't happy when I suggested we take it. Oh well! I got one picture of us at the wedding.. I'll take it! I should have taken one of the bride and groom- what was I thinking?! Baby steps- at least I took a picture! The wedding was beautiful even though it rained and kinda threw the schedule off. It all worked out in the end. We had a great time! Most important the bride and groom were very happy and they are now married!

I finally drug my butt back to the gym yesterday. I went to the yogalites class at our club. I really like the class. I just wish it was offered more often. I am a little sore today but I always feel so much better when we're done. Fingers crossed I continue this!

Friday, June 20, 2014

5 on Friday- Currently Loving and Thoughts

It's FRIDAY Lovies!

1- I'm still loving my produce box. I started this 2 years ago now. I still like visiting farmers markets but time just doesn't always allow for this. This has been an amazing service. Locally grown veggies delivered right to my office. I could switch this to our house now but even my coworkers seem to get excited about what I got for the week. This week I made my own box with corn, tomatoes, squash, zuchinni, and blueberries! Yum!



2- I'm obsessed with my Tory Burch Miller sandals. I bought these at Nordstrom with their friends and family sale (in April maybe?). They are so much more comfortable than my Jack Rogers (Sorry Jack Rogers!). Why I haven't I indulged in these before? I'll never know but I think I will be investing in another pair soon. Maybe someone will have some sales soon?! One can hope!



3- I think it's time for a pedicure! (Especially judging from the above picture). I've been trying to save some money and stretch pedicures and manicures as far as I can. I was spending a ridiculous amount on these things. We're heading to a wedding this weekend at the beach so I think I must indulge in at least a pedi.

4- I'm already starting to stress think about Christmas shopping. I know it's only June but time is flying these days. Before you know it, it will be Christmas! I don't know about you but I can't just buy every gift at the last minute. I hate credit cards and refuse to spend the new year trying to pay those suckers off. I also don't enjoy shopping with 50 people lined up to check out. I might be crazy but hey- when you're running around like a chicken with its head cut off buying every gift on your list- I'll be sitting home drinking wine by my Christmas trees! Just sayin..

5- I'm so in love with our neighborhood. We moved in November and didn't get to meet a lot of neighbors due to our insane winter and everyone stuck inside. I was kinda worried at first because my entire point of wanting to live in a neighborhood was to meet people. I will have to say we've been beyond blessed! Maybe too blessed since the Hubs always has more than enough people wanting to play golf at the club on multiple days and times on the weekends. To the point I get a little jealous that he is gone so much and nothing seems to get done around our house. Hahaha!   

Hope you have a fun weekend planned!

Linking up with April, Christina, Natasha, and Darci.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Thoughts for Thursday- Time

I still can't believe it's already the middle (almost end!) of June. Where did this year go?!

-The Hubs and I keep saying we're going to make more time for the beach this year. I'm not exactly sure when that's going to happen at this point. We still have a few planned times but not nearly enough in my opinion. It's kinda sad that we have two different places that we could stay for a beach and don't make it down nearly as much as we should.

-I have to find time to try paddleboarding. The Hubs' step Dad got a gift certificate to try this at Topsail Beach. I've been wanting to do this for quite awhile. The Hubs isn't interested in trying this with me. I will probably fall flat on my face but it's just something I've wanted to try to do. 

-I never believed my parents when they used to tell me the older I would get the quicker time would seem to go by. As a kid, time seemed to drag on and on. It felt like an eternity from each Christmas or birthday. Now I swear I blink and I'm a year older. Funny how that happens.

-Why isn't there more time in the day? Or less time at work? I wish I had more time to spend with my precious grandparents. I know they won't be around forever and I treasure every moment I can spend with them. I now live about an hour away and it makes visiting not as easy as it once was. I worry that I will regret not seeing them as much as I wanted to. I must find a way to make more time for them.


I guess I could go on and on about things I need to make more time for. There will never be enough time to do everything I want to do but I will just have to make the most of what time I have. What do you need to make time for? Just my thoughts for this Thursday.

Thoughts for Thursday
Linking up with Natalie and Annie.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

It's Summer!

It's definitely summer around here! It's downright miserable! I'm a lover of the summer but it's a bit extreme this week. Check out my thermometer on my car yesterday at 5:30pm!!
I met some of my favs for dinner last night. We went to Mura. I adore Mura but it can be a bit pricey. Luckily Sundays and Tuesdays they have buy one get one 1/2 off specials on rolls. Better than full price but still on the pricey side if you ask me. But it's definitely some of the best sushi around Raleigh (in my opinion)! We started off with some edamame.


I had been craving their piano roll for a few weeks now. It definitely hit the spot! Below is the their piano roll (the avocado topped one) and their screaming o roll.  


Their presentation is alway so pretty! Check out the little pinwheel :). Anyone have a sushi place they recommend in the Raleigh area? I'm always up for trying a new place.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

New Blog Design

Happy Tuesday ya'll!

Thanks to TeachPrayLove Designs, I have a pretty new blog design. Lauren was amazing! If anyone is looking to have some work done- definitely contact her. I am CLUELESS about these things and she was very patient and sweet. 

I'm excited to have dinner with some of my favs tonight. Hopefully I will remember to take some pictures this time. I have been craving sushi for a week now so I'm pumped! I hope everyone is having a good week!

Monday, June 16, 2014

Happy Monday!

Is it me or did this weekend fly by? I was even off on Friday and it still seemed to be over in a blink of an eye.

Friday I attended my very first US Open. The weather was absolutely perfect! We had a really good time. I had a ball in the gift shop- HA! Lily Pulitzer did some scarves and bags especially for the US Open this year. I had to have one of these. I have always loved Lily it was kind of a no-brainer. I sported my new scarf at work today!



Please excuse my iphone picture- the quality isn't all that great. I love how Lily incorporates such details in their pretty designs. I will be wearing this for years!

My Picture

This is me and my Hubs. Sadly- this is the only picture we have from our US Open experience. We weren't allowed to take cameras or phones inside. This was taken on our way out- I'm a sweaty mess! The line was crazy long as we came in but those people were smart to take their pics first!

Father's Day- I've already epically failed at one my goals to take more pictures. I don't have a single picture to post or for my personal memories from father's day. We had a wonderful weekend. We had pool time and dinner with the Hub's step Dad. We had lunch with the Hub's Dad and family and dinner with my parents. I hope all the Dad's out there had a wonderful day/weekend!

Until Next Time Lovies- Megan

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Thoughts for Thursday

Happy Thursday Lovies!

I'm going to attempt to do my very first link up today. This should be interesting since I'm not the best at these technology things.. :) So here we go.. my Thoughts for Thursday!

- I have got to program myself to take more pictures. I have seriously become slack about this. Not just for my blog but to document our lives. The hubs isn't a fan of pictures and seriously pouts worse than any kiddo when I say- "Let's take a picture!" I don't want to take a picture every day but I can't remember the last time we took a picture together just because.

- I'm super pumped for Friday. I'm going to my very first US Open in Pinehurst, NC. The hubs and his family have been before since they are from Sanford, NC. I will admit I was bummed to see that I can't take a camera or phone in with me. So much for taking some pictures (back #1)!! Hopefully the weather won't be too hot and we'll avoid rain/thunderstorms.

-I'm so not motivated at work or at home these days. I'm not sure what my deal is. I feel like I never have enough sleep and I'm constantly dragging. I used to work out at least 5 days week but recently I've been a bum. I need to get some kind of schedule again. I work better when I have schedule (I'm so type A it isn't even funny sometimes!).

-I've been very happy that we've been trying to go to church again. The hubs isn't always thrilled and agreed that he would go at least once a month. We haven't been very consistent but I hope to keep this up because it just puts me in a good mood. I would love to get involved in bible study or women's group at our church. The hubs probably won't be up for it but I really think I would enjoy it.

-I can't believe it's already the middle of June. Our summer is almost completely booked until October. Ridiculous I tell ya! We have said every year that we will slow down and spend more time at the beach. So far- this has yet to happen. One day..

Thoughts for Thursday

Linking up with Annie and Natalie.
Until Next Time Lovies- Megan

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Lunch

Happy Wednesday!

I am horrible at remembering to take pictures of things. I made a summer dinner last night and completely forgot to take a picture! I've been seeing so many post corn, tomatoes, avocados, and other summer treats that it inspired me to try something too. I had planned to try and recreate this salad I saw over on Natalie's blog- designer bags & dirty diapers- Chopped-blt-salad. I got lazy last night and didn't feel like roasting the corn. My hubs also didn't sound too excited about a salad last night so he opted for wheat bread, bacon, lettuce, cheese, tomato and mustard. I decided to be a little different so I opted for bacon, cheese, tomato (yes- pause for reaction! If you know me- you know I hate tomatoes but they are seriously growing on me in sandwiches. I still can't handle them by themselves or in a salad just yet), and avocado in a spinach wrap. It seriously hit the spot! The hubs even commented that I was good and he'd like to have it again soon. See my re-creation for lunch today since I didn't take a picture last night!
I can seriously be a lazy cook sometimes. I love good food but sometimes after working all day I just don't feel like spending an hour or more in the kitchen. I bake my bacon. The hubs thought I was weird when we first got married by doing this. I use a cookie pan with a lip to prevent the grease from sliding off. I wrap the pan in tin foil and preheat the to 400 degrees. Cook for 12-17 minutes depending on your oven. I remove the bacon strips from the pan to paper towels immediately to drain and excess grease. Super easy!

Until Next Time Lovies!-Megan

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The Bench Revive

Happy Tuesday!

Today I wanted to share my very first DIY project. Our porch is an odd shape but I wanted something inviting and if we happened to want to sit there we could. The prices for benches are ridiculous!! I didn't want to sink $200 into something that was going to sit outside. This started my interest in craigslist. I stalked that site everyday for weeks! One Monday morning I stumbled across this beauty. I immediately emailed the owners and arranged to come that day. Luckily they lived 2 mintues from my office, it was meant to be :). It definitely had some serious sun damage but it was made of a good sturdy wood. Sold! I quickly loaded this into my truck and off I went.
The next day I called my Dad and made a trip to Lowe's to get some sanding materials. I sanded on this thing every day after work for a week! I then hauled it to my Dad's for staining. My Dad has more paints and stains than anyone I know. He's also a master at this kinda stuff. He immediately went to work.  The next week, I picked this back up and on our porch it went!

I love how this turned out! Not bad for $40 and a little bit of work! Of course I then started plotting on how to decorate this bench. Off to Carolina Pottery- I bought several patterns to try and finally decided on red, black and white- image that!! I had purchased a wooden monogram- I'm obsessed with monograms!- after my Hubs and I were married. When we moved I couldn't decide where to put this, so it been sitting in our attic. My Mom actually mentioned this might be a good spot and she was right! I love how all this came together! Excuse the bit of pollen now collected on the bench.

Thanks for stopping by! Until Next Time Lovies- Megan

Monday, June 2, 2014

Blog Lovin

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Craigslist Find Makeover

Happy Monday Loves! I hope everyone had a good weekend! I am by no means a great DIY-er. This is my second DIY project and I can't take credit for most of this. We moved in November and I've been scrambling to get this house decorated. I am very picky and I can't visualize anything! We were trying to save some money so I had been browsing craigslist almost daily. I came across this little table. I love the details. My husband was excited it had cushions and not just the wooden bottoms. So we went to check it out. Let me tell you I was kinda surprised how beat up the top of the table was. I took these pictures and immediately sent them to my Dad. He's great at DIY projects and he's a perfectionist.

He thought he could work with this so we negotiated a price. We picked this up and hauled it to my parents house. My Dad showed me how to use an electric sander. This was my first time using anything like that. I will be honest I only did this for a few minutes and my Dad pushed me out of the way. He told me to let him handle it. I told him I wanted the white painted black and distressed, to sand out the damage top and restain it. The cushions were a hot mess so they were quickly ripped off. After much searching I finally found the perfect fabric to recover the chairs.




I am just thrilled with the end result! I will have to say they turned out better than I ever imagined. I can't wait to have someone over to try them out!

Until next time Lovies!!- Megan