Thanksgiving menu

Want to know what we're making this year. Prepare to be jealous!

For the meat eaters: Traditional Turkey

Sides:
Gruyere Mashed Potatoes
Baked Cauliflower and Cheese Casserole
Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Garlic and Thyme Roasted Mushrooms
Sesame Dijon Asparagus
Sweet Potato Fries
Green Bean Casserole
Garlic Rolls

Satisfy your sweet tooth:
Apple Crisp
Pumpkin pie

Ohhh - death by Thanksgiving :)

If you want any of the recipes listed above - I am happy to provide!

Going to NYC

Just booked us two tickets to NYC to visit my sister and Wes in January. Jet Blue was running a special that I just couldn't ignore :) Can't wait!!! It's going to be so beautiful in the city. We timed it with the first day of Restaurant Week, so hopefully we can go to some fancy place for very little money :))))))

Can't wait, can't wait!!

It's a one day only special - so check it out if you can!

My boss and super glue

Yesterday, we were in Outlook training and we were on the break (p.s. outlook training is very boring). My boss went to the bathroom and I went to make a phone call. There is a frantic knock on the door. I finish the phone call and go and check what is going on. My boss has squirted super glue in her eye. Yes, you read that correctly. She super glued her eye.

She mistakenly grabbed the small bottle of super glue from her purse instead of her eye drops and squeezed it in. Yes. This is bad. It turned to crystal pretty much immediately but she was able to get some of it out. We took her to her eye doctor who said she had a chemical burn on her eye and corneal abrasions. They had to pull out some of her baby eyelashes to get it out of there. It was right in her tear duct :/ She's going to be ok though.

I always told her that I wished I had a funny story about her. This one is it. Horrifying and hysterical at the same time.

Crazy week so far...

Ok, so it isn't as if a lot of CRAZZZZY things have been happening exactly. It just has felt like a week with a lot of ups and downs.

Monday - went and got my name officially changed to Grace Wallace Castellanos at the Social Security office. That was really cool. It still doesn't feel real. I need to go get a new driver's license etc. next and I hope I will have time to do that tomorrow.

Tuesday - made a bunch of coasters. Then that night, I had terrible insomnia because my mind works WAY too hard and couldn't stop thinking about things. I got a little discouraged too because I was unsure if my etsy shop is going to work out, but now I feel better.

Wednesday - booooooooooooooo for rain. I had to be at work alone and it was creepy and driving was scary, so booooo again. Happily, late at night, we got our wedding collection and slideshow and it was AMAZING!!!! I am so happy and cannot wait to start ordering a bunch and making albums and scrapbooks etc. YYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

Sometimes I hate...

being a woman... ouch... that is all.

Curried Potato Soup

Just so you know. I love soup. I really do. This weekend, I got to make this soup and use my immersion blender for the first time. It was the bomb. LOVE that immersion blender. Thanks to Alex's family for that wonderful appliance.

Curried Potato and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients
4 Tbsp butter
2 shallots, chopped
1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon yellow mustard seed
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (optional)
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, quartered, cut into 1/2-inch slices
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
2 cups roughly chopped cauliflower florets
1 1/2 teaspoons salt (more to taste)
Pepper to taste
1 cup corn kernels (I use frozen for less salt)
2 small yellow squash, roughly chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Sour cream

Method
1 In a large pot (6-quart), melt butter over medium high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, carrot and cumin. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and the bell pepper is lightly browned. Add the turmeric, mustard seed, cayenne, pepper, and curry powder and cook for a minute more. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.

2 Add the potatoes, the broth, water, cauliflower, and salt. Increase the heat to high to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-high or medium, enough to maintain a simmer. Let simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.

3 Add the corn and summer squash, cook for 10 minutes more, until the vegetables are cooked through. Use an immersion blender (or a regular blender) to purée about half of the soup. Adjust seasonings.

Garnish with chopped cilantro and a big dollop of sour cream.

Game night - Yay!

So game night turned out to be a pretty big success. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun and get along really well. I definitely want to make it a monthly thing.

In honor of game night - and because people requested it - here is the recipe for the zucchini patties I made last night.

ZUCCHINI PATTIES!

Ingredients:
2 cups grated zucchini
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup chopped shallot
1/2 chopped red bell pepper
4 cloves of garlic (minced)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (I use regular and panko)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon cumin
salt to taste
pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Grate the zucchini. Press out as much water as you can. I put it in a colander, salt it, and then press out the water with a dish towel.
In a medium bowl, combine the zucchini, eggs, onion, flour, breadcrumbs, cayenne, cumin, pepper, garlic, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and salt. Stir well enough to distribute ingredients evenly.
Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Make a ball of the zucchini mixture and pat on extra breadcrumbs (this is where I use the panko) and put it in the oil. Press the patties until they are about 3/4 inch thick, and cook for a few minutes on each side until golden.

To make sure they are cooked through - you can put them on a baking sheet in the oven on 350 for ten minutes.

Friday and First Sale

It is Friday!! Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah! *Does a happy dance* I love the weekends. No, seriously, I LOVE THEM. Now that the wedding is over, my weekends are so much more relaxed and I have tons of time to do projects, spend quality time with Alex, and do fun things :)

Yesterday, I made my first Etsy sale. Have to say. I'm pretty pumped. It was a total stranger too. So that means that people I don't even know like my stuff. Pretty cool, folks.

This weekend - I am starting on some fleece baby blankets. I originally wanted to make one for a present for my niece this Christmas. I'm still going to do that. I have a feeling that people would really like them though. They are very personalizable. I think I made that word up, but I don't care.

Also, I am hosting a game night on Sunday at our house. I'm a little nervous about it (because I am a crazy person) and hope everyone doesn't mind my small, old house and dog and lack of refinement.

Hope everyone has some wonderful weekend plans :)

Crafts by Castellanos has arrived!

My etsy shop is up and running. I only have 16 items up right now - but I plan on expanding as I make things and if interest is shown. Someone contacted me about one of the sets I made last night and the shop had only been up for a couple hours, so I am REALLY hoping that people find my stuff and like it.

I would love opinions :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/graceuga?ga_search_query=graceuga&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

Etsy Shop - I am going to start one

Now that I have a handy-dandy craft table (thank you, my dear patient Alex, who was a trooper through my almost meltdown over wanting one so bad) and the wedding is over, I have time to return to my arts and crafts. Have to say, I'm LOVING it. I have my craft table in the same room as the computer - between the kitchen and living room - and it's a perfect location. I can talk to Alex in the living room or when he's at the computer and I can hop between cooking and crafts easily. I love it. Yes - I am a nerd.

So, with that being said, I am back to doing crafts. Tons of coaster sets and hair flowers. My two new endeavors which will probably end up on an etsy shop are carved boxes and quilts/fleece blankets. I am trying them out for me to begin with before I decide if they are of a good enough quality for an etsy shop.

What should I call my etsy shop? Any ideas? I love suggestions :)

Lentil Soup - it's amazing :)

1 shallot, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 carrots, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 large potato, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon smoked paprika (optional)
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups dry lentils
5 cups vegetable broth
3 cups water
1/2 cup spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
salt to taste ground
black pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, red pepper, potato and celery; cook and stir until onion is tender. Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano, and basil; cook for 2 minutes.

Stir in lentils, and add vegetable broth, water and tomatoes. Add cumin, cayenne, curry powder, and smoked paprika. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve stir in spinach, and cook until it wilts. Stir in vinegar, and season to taste with salt and pepper, and more vinegar if desired.

I also added a dollop of sour cream when I ate it.

The PWC - I did it.

Before




After


I just got 10 inches cut off my hair yesterday. It was a very surreal experience to go from LONG hair to above the shoulders, above the chin hair.

I more often than not had short hair before I started growing it 3 years ago - but it has been that long, possibly longer, since I had it this short.

I am just excited to donate it to Locks of Love and start fresh with a new 'do.

What do you think?

Investigation day!

I love investigation days. I love riding to crazy parts of North Carolina and trying to track down people and then seeing what they have to say. Also, I really like Sharon, my co-worker, so it's fun to do investigations with her.

Lately, I have been feeling "the itch." Not a feminine itch, before you dirty minded ones jump to any conclusions, but the "new project itch." The wedding is over, the honeymoon is over, the presents are stashed, the DIY is done for the moment, and now, I don't have anything major to focus on. Yes, yes, I know, I should just enjoy the relaxation. But seriously, c'mon people, when has that ever been my style.

For now, I am trying to focus on getting all the wedding pictures back and making an album/scrapbook, work, cooking a lot, trying to do some charity work, hosting a game night, and taking my Mom to the beach for her 60th. I know that sounds like plenty, but believe me, it's not.

It's around this time that I normally move/change jobs. Just saying....

People are funny.

I've been doing this blog thing for a very short period of time. Not quite got the hang of it, that's for sure.

What drills that point home are all the way cooler blogs out there. I'm just not that funny. Ok, I can get an occasional chuckle out of people, I have flashes of wit, but I would never characterize myself as funny.

So what do you write about when you aren't that funny, when you don't have a mission with your blog, and when you're not very talented in any one area.

That, my dears, is the question of the day.

For now, I will just include a lovely picture of a plant that I took a long time ago. Enjoy!

Stuffed Peppers

Made them last night and they were fabulous! If I do say so myself :)

Ingredients:

2 BIG red bell peppers
1 zucchini
1/2 yellow bell pepper
4 garlic cloves
2 cups of rice (cooked)
1/2 small can of tomato paste
1/2 cup of veggie broth
1/2 lemon
Olive oil
Feta cheese
Handful of fresh cilantro (chopped)
Oregano (to taste)
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
Cayenne pepper (optional)

How to:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut each bell pepper in half. Clean by taking out all seeds, membrane etc.
Oil a baking sheet and brush oil on all sides on the pepper halves.
Place face down on baking sheet.
Cook for 25 minutes until they start to brown.
Chop bell pepper and zucchini into small bites.
Mince garlic.
Heat oil in a skillet and sautee the bell pepper, zucchini, and garlic for approx. 4minutes.
Add tomato paste, veggie broth, oregano, cayenne, salt, pepper, and cilantro and sautee for another 4 minutes.
Add rice, mix well, and sautee for an additional 4 minutes.
Take off heat and add feta (as much as you like) and squeeze the lemon into it. Mix well.
Take out peppers and spoon the mixture into each half. It can be heaped.
Sprinkle feta on top.
Bake for 5 more minutes.

ENJOY!!

You can also vary the vegetables used - ie. add mushrooms, broccoli etc.
You can also add ground beef if you are a meat-eater.

RIP Buddy

Last night, my best friend, Megan, had to put her dog to sleep. Buddy was a beautiful dog who was so sweet and who we all loved very much. Buddy just wanted love and cuddles and would be loyal to you until the end of time. He loved Megan so much and would carry her shoe, remote control, anything around in his mouth when you got home because he was so excited. I will miss you Buddy :(

We were blogged!!

Robin Lin posted some wonderful photographs from our wedding. She was such a superb person to work with! I can't wait to see all of them :)))

http://www.robinlin.com/blog/?p=1689

Friday is here!!

I'm updating the website and doing case reviews from home. In a little bit, I'm going to meet my coworker and we're off on investigation.

As hard as it has been to return to work, I am still really interested in what we're working toward so it could be worse. I will say though, this job has definitely given me a different perspective on the people working within the justice system.

Alex is off to the Mars Volta show tonight, leaving me home alone :( Luckily, a wonderful girl from the Knot gave me a free Blockbuster coupon that lets you get two movies, a bucket of popcorn, and drinks for free! Think it is time to rent some super girly flicks that I couldn't force Alex to watch with me. Any suggestions? I'm considering Sex and the City as at least one of them :)

Post-wedding goals.

Well, I don't have a complete list, but here are some things I want to do now the wedding is over:

Take cooking classes
Start saving money
Go to more dance classes
Go out and try and meet more people
Learn how to quilt
Be better at keeping in touch
Scrapbook
Get a bike and start biking again

Return to the blog

So - Yes, I have been a very absent blogger - but hear me out. I got married. We had a major case and hearing at work. I went on a honeymoon. I was planning a fricking wedding.

Excuses aside, I am back and ready to begin again.

The wedding and honeymoon were phenomenal. Small hiccups notwithstanding, it was pretty flawless. The weather that weather.com had been predicting did not arrive. No rain throughout the ceremony. YIPPPEEE!! We were able to have our outdoor ceremony and it was so wonderful.

The honeymoon was perfect and we had such a great time. I am so excited that we are such good travel partners because travelling is so important to me. Old San Juan and Vieques were both amazing. Vieques is crazy and wild and jungle-like with pristine beaches and awesome wildlife. Old San Juan is beautiful and interesting and has some lovely crumbling-down architecture that speaks to me.

So now, it is back to the real world and real life. I am so happy to begin this next chapter. We have been putting off doing so many things because of the wedding and I am overjoyed that we will have the time, energy, and finances to begin some of the projects and start actually socializing.

Thanks to everyone for all the support and encouragement and I will post more details as time permits :)

ABCs of me!!!

A-Age: 25
B-Birth date: April 11, 1984
C-Chore you hate: Cleaning the bathroom floor and shower!
D-Dog's name: Yoshi
E-Enter or Exit: Exit (I like to steal away)
F-Favorite color: Red
G-Gold or silver: Silver
H-Hair color: Blonde
I-Instrument: Piano or the human voice
J-Job Title: Office Manager/Case Manager
K-Kids: are best left to those who want them.
L-Living arrangements: Alex, Yoshi, and I in an adorable little home.
M-Monkey or Moose: Oooh - Moose, I guess.
N-Nicknames: GracerRacer, Grapie, Grapelet, Grace-Face
O-Odd thing about you: I am weirdly flexible
P-Pet Peeve: Super negative people
Q-Quote from a movie: "This? This is ice. This is what happens to water when it gets too cold. This? This is Kent. This is what happens to people when they get too sexually frustrated."
R-Right/Left Handed: Right handed
S-Siblings: Two older sisters, one half-brother, two step-sisters.
T-Time you wake up? 6:30am
U-Underwear: I am aware of the existence of underwear
V-Veggie you dislike: Onions
W-What makes you run late: Cuddling with Alex
X-X-Rays: are cool
Y-Yummy food you make: everything I make is yummy - lasagna, black bean burgers, homemade spaghetti sauce, curry, soups
Z-Zoo Animal: Giraffe

Need to do this so I calm down

100 days until the wedding!!!

In July
- Book El Convento
- Athens for Emily's Blessingway and 4th July
- Shower (July 25th)
- Possibly Tori Amos (July 31st)
- Send check and contract for portraits
- Alex goes to Rome for recording (July 18th)

In August
- Send invites (1st week of August)
- Pay for half of rings
- Purchase centerpiece branches
- Book car rental for Vieques
- Purchase aislerunner (if needed)
- Finalize ceremony details
- Purchase props for prop basket
- Purchase hair comb

In September
- Pay for half of rings
- Get wedding license
- Bridal portraits and hair and makeup trial (Sept. 8th)
- Fittings for dress (September 19)
- Alex's wedding gift
- Purchase final decorations
- Send checks to vendors
- Check on RSVPs
- Buy trees for ceremony (if necessary)

In October
- Send checks to vendors
- Run through with vendors
- Buy alcohol/drinks for the reception
- Finalize all details
- Wrap lilies and curl edges
- Put together centerpieces
- Beautify!
- Get married!!!

Lilies are done!!!

Hours of folding later, we have completed a huge project! One hundred and sixty beautiful origami lilies!!!!

So proud of us :)

Now, on to the candleholder favors. Whew, it's neverending!

RIP Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Ed McMahon

Tough times. The deaths of so many legends in one week. Two in one day. It's unbelievably sad. No matter what you think of the personal lives of these people, the contribution to music and television is incredible. They will all be sorely missed.

4 Years!!!

Of Alex and Grace today!!! So happy! It's been an awesome four years :)

YAYYYYYYYY!!! That is all.

Oh, hump wednesday...

You're back again so soon?

I feel like the weeks keep rolling by and rolling by. Where did 2009 go? How did it get to be halfway through already?!? Oh well, I guess a lot has happened this year so far and there is much more to come.

Last night, Alex and I went to the Palace International in Durham for Alex's birthday dinner. They serve African cuisine and it was phenomenal. Great ingredients, simple flavors, good food. It was so nice to try somewhere new (for me) and to celebrate his birthday!! Yipppeeeee!!!

This week is going to be a fun one - tomorrow is our anniversary, Friday we go to the movies, and then this weekend is free for any and all activities we see fit. We are slowly coming to a point where we are almost done with origami lilies - whew! That has been a huge project.

Oh, and p.s. - check out the alchemy section on etsy. It is where you can request that people make you items and they bid on it and tell you what they can do. I posted for a handmade guestbook yesterday and had 9 responses by the end of the day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALEX!!!

It is Alex's 25th birthday today!!! Yippppeeeee!

So excited that I get to spend another special day in his life with him. Probably a pretty low-key birthday. Great dinner at the Palace International, maybe a couple drinks, then our house for relaxation and love :)

This is a fun week because we also celebrate our four year anniversary on Thursday at the Melting Pot! Yipppeeeeee

ode to the mouse

Grace arrives home
Twas a Thursday night
She's feeling so tired
And something's not right

The house is a mess
She's goes to the kitchen
She's going to clean
And try not to start bitchin'

What does she spot?
The blender soaks in the sink
It was full last night
Of a yummy drink

She pours it out
It's time for a clean
Out flows a dead mouse
How Gracie does scream!

Why, dear mousey
Go into a blender full to the brim
When you are just a small mousey
And it appears you can't swim

I'm sorry you're gone
I'm sorry your life has ended
Bye bye to my blender
And the drinks it would have blended...

I am getting lazy about this...

So, I am sending out my shower invites today. BTW they are totally cute. Red with pink polka dots, my favorite.

What else is new? Scrad just left for Kennesaw so now the house feels a little emptier.

Oh, that's right, the Athens trip!!! So much fun!! So happy I got to spend time with Megan. I love that girl! Her family is pretty awesome too. The show on Saturday was a big success. Alex and Scrad played a couple acoustic songs at the beginning and Alex was so good. I love to hear him sing.

The shower was fun, we played baby games, and chowed down, and drank a bunch of beer. Athens folks are like family to me and it is so great to visit them and be a part of anything important going on in their lives.

Shower favors

My Mom is throwing me a shower at her house on July 25th. It is going to be an English Tea Party theme.

My sister came up with an awesome idea for guest favors - go to a flea market/thrift store, but some teacups, get English candy and fill each teacup with it and then wrap it up all pretty. Simple but fun and in keeping with the theme! Love it :)

Thanks Loola!

The plan for the weekend!

Can't wait until this weekend!!!

Tomorrow, I drive down to Lilburn, GA to see my best friend Megan and I cannot wait :) We are going to go get dinner or drinks or something and just chat it up. It is always so mentally rejuvenating spending time with her, so I am super duper excited.

Saturday is our friend David's art show at Flicker Theatre in Athens. Meg is going to come to it with me - so I get my fiance, my best friend, and tons of our close friends all in one place at one time. YIPPPEEEEE! Plus, Alex and his groomsman Adam might do a couple acoustic songs which would be awesome!

Sunday is Emily and David's baby shower. Emily is now about 7 months pregnant and they are having a shower at her home. Emily and David are going to be awesome parents :) Can't wait to spend time with them and help out where we can.

Monday - we drive home and I get to relax because I am taking the day off :)

So much fun stuff in store.

Hump Day

I am a little cranky today. Work related - don't want to get into it on here. I am just aggravated by people at times.

Side note - 4 MONTHS TODAY!!!!! That is all the time left before the wedding.

List of to dos:

Finish lilies
Finish favors
Hair and makeup trial
Shower
Book car rental
Book El Convento
Get wedding license
Send invitations
Fittings for Alex and groomsmen
Pay off rings
Buy all the rest of the centerpiece materials
Make signs/seating cards etc.
Finish getting presents as thank yous
Find guestbook

I am sure there are tons of other things I am forgetting....

oops - been a little absent

Not sure why I haven't been updating the blog. I think I've just been a little exhausted lately.

So - updates - Picked up my dress and went to see Olga. She is an incredible seamstress and I am totally confident that she is going to do wonders with my dress. She is also making my veil and doing all the alterations for only $225. Not bad, right?!

We went to a reggae show last night, Easy Star All Stars, and it was super fun. Lots of dancing, great crowd, and the music was phenomenal. So, so much fun but now I am exhausted at work after only getting about 4 1/2 hours of sleep.

What else is new?

Ohhhh - I booked one of our honeymoon hotels - Hix Island House on Vieques off Puerto Rico. Go check it out - http://www.hixislandhouse.com/ - we are staying in La Casita!!! I cannot wait!!! Only 4 months and 2 days until I am a married lady!

YAYAYYAYAYAYYAYAY!! Can't wait to be Alex's wife :)

What recipe for today...

Well, well, well - Thursday already. How did that happen?!?!?

Here is my recipe for today:

Spinach quiche!

Ingredients:
1 package frozen spinach or equivalent fresh spinach (close to a lb)
1 frozen pie shell (preferably deep dish)
6 eggs
1/4 cup of milk
1 1/2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper (to taste)
2 cloves of garlic
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin

How to make it:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Boil water and cook the spinach until it is no longer frozen. If using fresh, shred it, and saute in a pan with a smidge of olive oil (yes I said smidge). Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk together with the milk and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Add all of the spices and mix together. Layer the spinach and the eggs and cheese into the pie shell. Sprinkle the extra cheese on top. Cover the edges of the pie shell with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

Cook for 45 minutes and then remove the foil and cook an additional ten minutes. Check the center to ensure the eggs have cooked through. Allow to cool for ten minutes before serving.

Back from Rome

We were in Rome all weekend for Austin's (Alex's brother) high school graduation. It was a great time seeing some of his family, but exhausting as always. His Mom and I went and picked out the dress she will be wearing for the wedding. She looked so lovely in the dress and it was a lot of fun to spend time with her doing girly things!

Also, I picked up the book "Eat, Pray, Love" and I am enjoying it immensely. I feel like I can really relate to some of the issues she talks about and it is really speaking to me on a lot of levels. I highly recommend this book to others. I don't really want to go into a ton of detail - it's just a really thoughtful and provocative book about searching for knowledge of yourself.

Today...

I feel like Kim Jong Il in Team America :(

That is all.

Chili Lime Tofu with Quinoa and fresh veggies

Ingredients:

1 Block Tofu, extra firm, 14 oz

For Sauce
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
3 Tbs Soy sauce
3 tablespoons
1/2 Zest of the Lime
1/2 tsp Red Chili Flakes (or 1-2 fresh hot chilies, minced)
2 Cloves Garlic
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, crushed or grated
1/4 tsp Salt
4 Mint Leaves, chiffonaded

Quinoa
1 Cup Quinoa, rubbed/rinsed in cool water, drained
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 Zest Lime
1/4 tsp Salt
2 Cup Water

Veggies:
1 bunch Kale
2 cups broccoli florets
1 teaspoon salt

Combine all the ingredients for the quinoa in a pot that has a tight fitting lid. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 20 minutes, then turn off heat. Do not open lid. Let steam for 10 minutes before serving.

Prepare the sauce by whisking all of the ingredients together until salt is dissolved.

Prepare kale by removing fibrous stalk in the middle and chopping into bite-size pieces. Blanch the kale and broccoli together in salted, boiling water for approximately 30 seconds. Drain and set aside.

Drain tofu and cut it into small triangles. Heat a well-seasoned cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Spread the tofu out in one layer in the pan. Using a spatula, press the tofu. After several minutes, flip the tofu over and press the other side. After about 10 minutes of shallow frying, add the chili-lime sauce and stir to coat the tofu. Turn off the heat. The sauce will bubble up, reduce, and form a glaze. After sauce has begun reducing, add kale and broccoli and stir until coated.

Serve tofu, kale, and broccoli over the quinoa - ENJOY!!!

Oh man!

Yesterday was a crazy day - I witnessed something that I never thought I would in my life. I can't mention any details because we have very confidential work. I'm just really overwhelmed right now though...

Also, I have decided to do vegan Wednesdays. One day a week cutting out all animal products. I think it is important that we try and limit our impact on this lovely planet we all call home. Let's see how it goes. I urge everyone to try and make a little sacrifice here and there when it comes to their meat consumption. It is amazing the wonders that would do for the earth and the animals :) That's my soapbox for the day!

Send thoughts my way at the moment and hope that everything turns out as it should at my job...

It never rains, but it pours...

I always found this to be a rather strange saying...

I have been really emotional recently. Not sure why. Just given to random bursts of emotion - typically, it occurs when something sad comes on TV, or I hear a sad story, or a sad song is on the radio. Take for instance, yesterday. I was listening to the Les Mis soundtrack in my car and "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" came on and I just started bawling! Not good...

What is funny about the story above, is that something almost exactly the same happened during my freshman year of college. Listening to Les Mis, driving home to my parents, the song was "Come to Me," and again I started crying. Although, that time, I proceeded to rear end the person in front of me. Oops! Minor damage to both vehicles, it was stop and go traffic, so it wasn't horrendous. I think I should learn my lesson and not listen to that in the car :)

Hahaha!

Anyway - shout out to Megan, my bestie, who I love with all my heart, and who only today discovered my blog :) Miss you, Megleena!

Happy Marrow Monday!

Today, I went to be swabbed to be on the bone marrow registry. It was super simple - they swab the inside of your cheeks to get your tissue type and then your information is in the bone marrow registry. When people are in need of bone marrow, their doctors search the registry for donors. The chances of you being a match are pretty slim, but I would be so happy to donate to someone in need! Think about doing it, people :)

Also, my Mom and I had lunch this weekend and stopped in DSW. We picked out some gorgeous wedding shoes!!!

I love them, love them, love them!!! Plus, I can dye them after the wedding to my favorite color - RED!!!!!!!! Yay! They were a steal for only $35!

Giveaway over at Allover Art

Allover Art

Allover Art is doing their May giveaway. She has a wonderful etsy shop that you should go check out if you need any unique jewelry for friends or family!

Tofu Enchiladas

Today will be another day on the road. We'll be off on another prison interview so expect me to be sore and exhausted when this one is over.

So, this Friday, Scrad (Adam) finally arrives from California. He is going to be staying with us for a few weeks. Scrad is one of Alex's closest friends and they are planning on an enormous recording fest while he is here!! I am so happy that Alex and Scrad will both be able to spend some time focusing on their passion.

It's recipe Thursday - so here is the enchilada recipe I made last night...

Ingredients:

16 ounce bottle or can enchilada sauce
6 low-fat or fat-free tortillas
1 jar salsa
2 cans refried beans
1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup shredded sharp Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
1/4 cup kalamata olives , pitted
1 can corn
1/2 red bell pepper
1 jalapeño , chopped and seeded
Baked tofu

Heat oven to 400°. Cut tofu into triangles and bake for 20 minutes, turning once. Roughly dice the red pepper and then saute in some olive oil for about 7 minutes.

Pour the can of enchilada sauce into a pie dish. Dip tortillas in the sauce to soften them.

On a cutting board, gently spread refried beans on one side of each tortilla. Add about 6 pieces of baked tofu to the middle. Sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Add olives, chopped jalapeño, corn, red bell pepper and salsa (optional).

Pour some enchilada sauce in the baking dish to avoid sticking. Roll up the tortillas and place seam-side down in a 9" x 13" baking dish.

Blend the sour cream into the remaining enchilada sauce in the pie dish. Pour over enchiladas and sprinkle remaining cheese.

Cover and bake for 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly

Mother's Day weekend and Hayley J. Sandum

This weekend, Mum, Gary, Foster, Alex, Yoshi, and I headed up to the cabin on my Mom's land. It was a beautiful sunny mother's day weekend. We had so much fun together, fixing stuff up, putting together the futon, playing games, toasting marshmallows, exploring the waterfall etc. Alex and I took some beautiful pictures down by the waterfall. It is so lush and green and gorgeous that it felt like being in the rainforest. On the way home, Alex picked two ticks out of my hair, that's love :)

Just a share, I love that boy so much that sometimes when a song comes on that describes how much I love him, I start crying. Sad, but true. I love Alex!!!!!

Also, introducing the newest member of the Sandum-Wallace family - HAYLEY JENNIFER SANDUM. She is gorgeous already. Such a long little baby. Jenny says that she is very sweet and calm so far. Her and Emily are getting along well - Emily tucked her in the other night :)

Welcome Hayley Jennifer Sandum

Our new niece, Hayley Jennifer Sandum, was born May 7th, 2009 at 3:30pm. A healthy 7lbs, 3 ounces. She joins Emily Leia Sandum :) I cannot wait to meet you, baby boo :)

Congrats to Jenny and Chris!!! I love you tons :)

My sister is in labor!!!

I can't even concentrate at work today. My sister went in to labor last night and will hopefully be delivering her second child at some point today! We don't know yet if she is having a boy or a girl. (I have a sneaking suspicion that it is a boy).

So nervous for her and excited. I can't wait to be an Auntie again!! Love you, Jelly Bean, and I am thinking of you all day!

Please send thoughts and prayers for a safe delivery for mother and baby :)

Out all day

Today, I am out on investigation all day. It is mostly going to be a lot of driving. Wish me luck!

I don't have much to say today. Oooh - I forgot! Saturday, my Mom and I went to pick up my dress and it is beautiful and looks amazing on and I felt like a princess. The dress is super heavy though and I am hoping for a nice, cool wedding day so that I don't turn into a sweaty beast! We went and looked for veils too. The veil we found was exquisite, but ridiculously expensive. I think I am going to get one from etsy that I found that was about $50 and this cute hair comb for the top!

HAIR COMB
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23271254&ref=sr_gallery_20&&ga_search_query=gold+and+pearl+hair+comb&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=1&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

VEIL
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19578233&ref=sr_gallery_18&&ga_search_query=cathedral+veil&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

What do you guys think???

Tagged by Ashley

I was tagged by Ashley and I love quizzes, so here goes...

1. What is your current obsession? Being more creative and trying to start this little coaster side project.

2. Which item of clothing do you wear most often? OOOH - hmmm - well, I wear my one pair of jeans all the time, these black wedges all the time, and this purple One Star top a whoooole lot.

3. What's for dinner? I think tonight we are making polenta cakes with red pepper sauce and some asparagus. Alex is in love with the polenta cakes :)

4. What are you listening to? Typing, nothing else, I wish I could play music.

5. Say something about the person who tagged you. Ashley is a determined and driven person.

6. Favorite vacation spot? Lake Bled was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my life.

7. What are you reading right now? I just got started on this Salman Rushdie book that Megan gave me - The Enchantress of Florence

8. 4 words to describe yourself: blunt, loyal, skeptical, and loving

9. Guilty pleasure? Way too much internet time. Oh, and peanut butter.

10. First spring thing to do? Take walks later in the evening, enjoy the daffodils, tulips and the other spring flowers.

I tag Bailey at Champagne Taste, Shan at Mr. & Mrs. In Training, and Jessica at Wedding Peephole

Sold my first set!

Sold my first set to Becky who was a volunteer with me in Peru. She is giving them to her father for Father's Day!!

Friday, Friday, Friday

Yay, yay, yay!!! I love weekends so much. Here is a list of some of my favorite weekend things:

1) The Farmer's Market
2) Not having to wake to the sound of an alarm
3) Casual clothes, no uncomfortable work clothes
4) Long walks with Alex
5) Craft projects with Alex
6) Naps
7) Being outside in the daylight
8) Yoshi cuddles
9) Getting things accomplished
10) Lazing in the hammock

Thursday = Recipe Day

I think I am going to start the trend of putting up a recipe every Thursday. It'll be something new each week, I hope. This week is Homemade Black Bean Burgers. These black bean burgers are great on wheat hamburger buns with some cheese on top and a lime and chili sour cream.

INGREDIENTS
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon Lime Juice
1 tablespoon of cilantro
Feta cheese to taste

STEP BY STEP:
If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Try and drain excess water. Then stir into mashed beans.
In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, cilantro, lime juice and chili sauce.
Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Add as much feta cheese as you would like. Divide mixture into four patties.
If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.


Chili Lime sour cream - three tablespoons sour cream, one teaspoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon chili powder/cayenne/paprika (whatever one of these you have) - mix together and put on the burgers and buns.

Thoughts for Shan

This wonderful girl from the Knot, Shannon, just found out some distressing news and needs thoughts and vibes today. Keep her in mind and hope that it all works out for her, her fiance, and their wedding.

Furloughing state employees

The Governor just ordered that state employees be furloughed for a mandatory 10 hours... they're taking money out of our next two paychecks. Great. We're already broke and I'm planning a freaking wedding. This sucks. Alex and I will just have to tighten our belts and keep things as close to budget as possible.

*Sigh*

I hate money.

Good news - I go pick up my dress this weekend with my Mum and I made an appt. with Olga (NC Knot girls rave about her) for my alterations. So pleased, because she is a very popular alterations person and does incredible work.

Oh, and it is LOST DAY!!! Yay!!! Got to keep the positives at the forefront of my mind :)

The dress!!!

My dress has come in - I got the call this morning! Aghggggggjhhhhhh - I hope it still looks as beautiful as I remember and that I look pretty in it!

I have a case of the Mondays...

We are home from an absolutely wonderful weekend in Athens. It was so great to see everyone and share some really happy times together. Amy and Ryan got married in a way that suited them to a tee. It was great to see what just a couple weeks of planning can yield. All hands were in to prep for the feast and put up decorations and do anything needed. I love our friends. I always leave Athens with a heavy heart knowing that we are leaving some of the most generous and loving people there.

This weekend in Athens, there was also a triple homicide by a UGA professor. Keep the deceased in your thoughts and prayers and let's all hope and pray that they catch him. These are crazy times in the world and a lot of people are acting in horrific ways. It just makes me value life and my loved ones even more. It is always so beyond comprehension when someone acts this way and I am so sad for the kids and friends and family that lost loved ones this weekend...

Love to Athens and happy vibes to everyone today. Hopefully, I will snap out of my Athens-withdrawal blues soon.

P.S. I love Alex, spending time with him this weekend and any other time reminds me of how amazing, loving, supportive, and loyal he is. I am so happy to be marrying someone who is a great friend to others and also to me.

TGIF!

So, Alex and I are heading out of town tonight to Athens, GA! Time to go see some friends and celebrate a marriage :)

On a slightly less positive note.... I need new tires. That's what they told me when I went to get my oil changed. Don't really have the money or time to do it right now so I guess it will have to wait until we get back and payday. I really do not enjoy having unexpected expenses come up. *Sigh* Especially when they are increasing our healthcare costs and talking about furloughing people. Do they not realize I have a wedding to pay for???

Anyway, something positive, I have to end with something positive. I cannot wait to enjoy a weekend in Athens and see Amy and Ryan tie the knot and see everyone and touch Emily's pregnant belly and be in Athens!!! Ahhhhh! It really is home in a lot of ways.

PURPLE!

Shan tagged me - here goes!!

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1) My Wedding!
2) Going home to my beautiful man every night
3) Ryan and Amy getting married this weekend
4) Seeing our friends on Friday
5) My new niece or nephew being born
6) LOST tonight
7) Seeing my whole family in under 6 months
8) Walking Yoshi in the beautiful spring sunlight
8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1) Made new coasters
2) Ate at Sweet Tomatoes, yummmmm
3) Bought scrapbooking paper
4) Resumed blogging
5) Made a new recipe for dinner
6) Talked to my Mommy on the phone
7) Kissed my lovely FI
8) Mixed up some chili oil
8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1) Cut my hair NOW
2) Lose 30 pounds
3) Not work
4) Ballroom dance including swing, tango, waltz etc.
5) Sew things!
6) Draw
7) See my family and friends everyday
8) Get a tan without it meaning cancer
8 Shows I Watch:
1) LOST
2) Chuck
3) The Simpsons
4) Reno 911
5) Ace of Cakes
6) Millionaire Matchmaker
7) The Office
8) 30 Rock

Coasters

Alex described these as suitable for a vampire lounge...

Hump Day aka Lost Day

Last night was a ton of fun. Alex and I got so much accomplished! I finished the sea salt and oil for our friends and got one set of coasters completely done. Alex worked on his painting and it is looking amazing. He is trying out this new technique using paper on the wood to get more texture, depth, and personality in the painting. So far, so good!

Oh, and we got to the halfway stage with the origami lilies!!!!!!! FINALLY!!! 80 down, 80 more to go! Whew! It's a lot of folding. I am so pleased though because they are going to be a big part of the decor.

I am in a great mood today and hope to keep it going. Tonight is LOST, aka my favorite show. I wonder what they have in store.

2 in one day!! Ahhh!!!

Our friends, Ryan and Amy are getting married this weekend. They only gave us two weeks notice of the wedding and they don't want "traditional gifts" so we are doing the following:

Alex is painting them a waist high painting of a lotus and a man coming out of it.
I am making them:
Citrus and Rosemary Sea Salt
Mango Chili Vinegar
Lemon and Ginger Honey
Spicy Olive Oil
Peach Whiskey
and a Set of Coasters

Recipes and craft steps available :)

Boy, has it been a while

Ok - so since I started the blog I have done absolutely nothing to continue it. So, I guess it is time for updates!

1) Alex and I got engaged and are getting married October 10, 2009. A lot of planning had taken place and it has been a ton of fun so far. We have all our vendors booked and are just paying off and buying the rest of the stuff before it comes to be!
2) Well, my sister, Emily, Becca, and Beth all got pregnant. Becca had her baby last week, Kathryn Isabelle. Jenny is due in a couple weeks. Emily is due in August. Beth is due in September! Wow!!!
3) I have started cooking a lot and really want to go to culinary school in the next few years.
4) I have decided to start an etsy shop online. I am pretty creative and have started a ton of fun projects that I think would be fun for others to get a chance to look at.

I am now dedicating myself to restarting this whole blog thing in earnest. Keep me honest, folks!