Some people are so clever!

These are great household tips.  I'm definitely going to try some of these! I especially like the idea to use an over the door shoe organizer for cleaning products.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/samir/18-household-tips-that-will-help-you-get-through-y

Another quote from my new favorite author

"[Her daughter] calls her 'Betty,' as in Crocker.  Irene doesn't  mind.  In many ways, she's flattered.  She thinks people who value creating a home and caring for children are vastly underrated.  Vastly, vastly, vastly. Plus more vastly than that, and then some.  What better thing than to have a skinned knee tended by someone who feels the injury along with you?  What deeper comfort after a bad dream than seeing a familiar silhouette at your doorjamb, feeling a familiar weight settling itself at your bedside?  A table set properly, folded clothes, a stocked refrigerator.  Who can say they do not appreciate the idea of home when it conveys such riches - not only appreciate it but also, in certain moments, grant it the elevated place it deserves?"

And another one I came across:

"A comfortable home is a great source of happiness.  It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience."

-Sydney Smith

Quote found by a bookworm

This year I found an author I LOVE, Elizabeth Berg, and I am making my way through all of her books.  I find her characters highly relatable in that they often think the same way I do about things, which is to say they feel things very strongly.  I came across this quote while reading yesterday:

"'I am living in the wrong time,' she said, suddenly.  And when he asked her what she meant, she said, 'I am fulfilled by making hamburger patties, by the care of my child.  I like the smell of laundry detergent.  I like listening to what [my daughter] has to say more than reading the newspaper.  I don't want to be a photographer or run for office.  I don't want to make a million dollars.  I want to read poetry and novels and raise my daughter and make chocolate chip cookies.' And when he said there was nothing wrong with that, she told him he was the only one who thought so."

This really hit home with me.  I feel exactly the same way, like I was born in the wrong time.  I could not care less about quotas, channel partners, referrals, pinging, closing or circling back. It makes it hard when that is what seems to make the world go round.

That hit the spot!

Tonight's delicious summer meal was truly a team effort, so I have to share the credit on this one.  Spencer suggested salmon on the grill, so he was in charge of that.  I love that he loves to grill!  To accompany the salmon, I threw together a tasty orzo salad that incorporated a lot of fresh veggies that gave it a refreshing summer feel.  I added in red bell peppers, cucumbers and red onions.  Spencer helped by throwing together the dressing for the salad while the salmon was grilling.  The asparagus came out great too.  I roasted the spears in the oven with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and left them in for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.  Delicious!  We got this altogether in about 30 minutes. This was a great, yummy and easy summer meal, made even better with our favorite Souverain chardonnay and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. Something about that combination is so heavenly!

Today I love the..

Smell of: The way it smells outside on a hot day
Sound of: Alice radio
Taste of: Leftover chocolate covered strawberries!
Sight of: Blue sky
Feel of: Sun

Good Things about Today:
- Yoga tonight with my mom
- I got to sleep in a little today
- I woke up next to my honey buns
- I finally have an apartment!



Dear Santa, I know it's July, but...

There isn't much to post today, other than that I really want one of these!

I think my favorite color is pistachio, although how can I really choose?!? Maybe I just need all of them!

I CANNOT wait to get my hands on my very own Kitchenaid mixer. I think I will have really arrived as a "domestic diva" when this is proudy displayed on my counter.  I'm already thinking of all the cookies, cakes and other things I will make.  The possibilities are literally limitless!! For now this is what I'm Googling instead of working.

Today I love the...

Smell of: Mexican sage

Sound of: Martha Stewart Radio

Taste of: Strawberry/citrus gum

Sight of: Sunshine

Feel of: New sweater

Good Things about Today:
- I get to see a very special person tonight

- It's warm out!

- The workday is almost over

- I am one step closer to checking a major thing off my "list" (more details to come if all goes well!)

Gadget that has changed my life

I love making apple pies, especially for the holidays.  Apple is my favorite kind of pie, likely because I grew up eating it more than any other type since my grandparents had an apple tree in their backyard.  The apples were much too bitter to be eaten right off the tree, but when baked in a pie they were delicious.  I usually make pies for the Christmas, and it can be an all day event that I have to plan for during an already busy season.  I usually make several at a time, and it can take hours and once I get on a roll I may as well keep going.  It's mainly the peeling and slicing part that takes so much time.  I usually set myself up on a chair in front of the TV with a bowl of apples, another bowl or pot for the peels and go to town for a couple hours.  But no more! This week I used the apple peeler I got for my birthday for the first time. It peels and slices at the same time!  It turned what would have been a 1.5 hour job into a 5 minute job, and I couldn't have been more excited! I like how the peeler looks old fashioned, because we know how much I love vintage kitchenware. 

I got a set of Paula Deen pie crust cutters a while back and this week was my first time using them as well.  The set came with a star, a heart, a flower and a leaf.  The star was perfect for the 4th of July, and helped me copy an idea I saw on Martha Stewart's website for a star-covered pie. How cute is this? I sent it with my parents to the BBQ they were going to and I heard it was a big hit!



A little of this, a little of that

This post is about something I made last week, but I wanted to share it anyway. 

I bring my lunch to work everyday.  It's more economical than going out and buying something, and also it makes it easier to be healthy.  I often bring soup, because it's healthy and inexpensive.  Last Tuesday night I was thinking about lunch for the rest of the week and thought about going to the store for a few cans of soup.  Then I decided to look at what I had to see if I could make something from scratch, which wouldn't cost anything and would be a lot healthier.

This is what I found that seemed useful:
1 can black beans
1 can white beans
1 can tomato sauce
some veggies including celery, squash, peppers, tomatos, onions

It seemed like I could make a pretty good soup from this stuff.  I started by sauteeing the vegetables in some olilve oil and spices (chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. I eyeballed the amounts, but it was probably 1 tbsp chli powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp each of salt and pepper) then added the tomato sauce and beans.  I simmered it for about 30 minutes, and voila! Easy, cheap and good for you! It made enough for lunch for three days.  I love the feeling of utilizing what I have.

Today I love:

Smell of: Marc Jacobs perfume

Sound of: Quiet office

Taste of: Canteloupe

Sight of: Sun
Feel of: Stretching

Good Things about Today:

- I might be singing a lease for an apartment tonight

- I'm not totally stressed at work today (yet)

-The sun is shining

- I woke up before my alarm

A weekend of scavenging

This weekend was the annual rummage sale at St. Peter Church. My mom and I got up early on Saturday and planned on being at the front of the line of people waiting for the doors to open.  While we were getting ready to go, my mom's friend called to say that her husband had seen a vintage Pyrex bowl at a garage sale that morning for $1.  I decided I should go check that out right away before heading to the rummage sale, so I did.  The bowl was still there and for $1 I couldn't pass it up.  I love the pattern, but it's not in great shape. If I ever find one of the same in better condition I will swap this one out.

Then we went to the rummage sale and could tell pretty quickly that there was no Pyrex:(  I did a couple sweeps of the tables and didn't find anything.  Then on my third and fourth sweeps I started to find some stuff I "needed."  I got three plush patchwork pumpkins, originally from Hallmark, for only $1 each.  I love Halloween/Fall so I couldn't pass those up.  I got a really nice, brand new looking vase and a pan to make mini-bundts! I think mini-bundts are getting to be the new cupcake in the hierarchy of trendy baked goods.

After the rummage sale my mom went to her friend's house and the house next door was being cleaned out because the woman who lived there recently passed away.  Her daughter was there clearing stuff out.  My mom knows her and she said basically everything in the house was up for grabs because she didn't want to deal with having a garage sale.  My mom called me to meet her there to see if I wanted anything.  Man, we were in a scavengy mood that day!  I got a cute end table with a glass top that lifts up to make a shadow box display inside.  But I am most excited about this:

A Dutch oven! Of course it's old and used, but it's a real Belgian, enameled, cast iron Dutch oven! I was so excited to get this.  And for free!! I have been wanting one for a long time, but new ones of this size can cost between $250-$300.  It also came with a smaller one that has a handle.  This was such a great find.  I'm already planning all of the chili, soups and stews I will be making in this!