It's been a while...

What, like two weeks now. Sorry to those of you that are faithful readers! Here's my updates:

Foodie Fridays: I flew home from Atlanta on the 26th. From the time my plane landed in San Diego to the time I walked through my front door it was just about 2 - 2 1/2 hours (thank you California Friday traffic). Dear Mr S was so kind to have cooked and left me a plate to heat up since had left for work. Therefore there wasn't one on the 26th. And on the 2nd I was cooking for 1 as Mr S was going to be later than usual on the arrival home...so I didn't cook anything spectacular. I am, however, very sorry to say that I managed to eat a whole box of Mac & Cheese by myself (I'm not really proud of that).

Thursday's Through The Lense: *surprise!!* I've not taken any good pictures lately so I've not had anything to share. But I'm hoping to get some up over the next few weeks...probably some oldie but goodies.

Work: changes coming/finalizing. I'm back with CSU as of Thursday. I'll still be doing some travel, but it sounds like I'll be keeping to the West Coast - which is FINE by me after jaunting all over the Central-East US the past 8 months. I'm not kidding when I say all over the Central & Eastern US: San Antonio, Atlanta (twice), Minneapolis/St. Paul (twice), Iowa (Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, & Des Moines all in one week), Orange Beach (Alabama), Tampa, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and DC. Plus two work trips to Arizona and one Conference in San Diego that I actually got to stay IN San Diego for (instead of driving in every day). But the majority of my travel this year has been out of my time zone. Even if I'm gone for a week at a time with the new position, it'll still be nice to be on the same zone has home. There will be more details to come with this as things unfold and finalize.

Wedding (what everyone really cares about): coming right along. Invites went out on the 22nd of August and are slowly coming back in. I know, I sent them early. But after looking over the guest list I think we might be going over our original number and getting them early allows us to make the necessary financial arrangements in time to compensate. I really didn't think there would be as many people on the invite list as there were. I had my appointment with the florist last week: went $160 over budget!! The good news on that, though, is it may come down. I'd really love to do something fun and unique for the boutineers, like this:

but I just don't know what yet. So I went ahead and ordered them for the guys just in case the plan never comes to be. I've just about got the centerpieces figured out...I just need to find out if three of them are going to be too tall and what to do if they are (I don't have the receipts for the pillars...and I bought them late last year?) If they're too tall I might put them on a food table or at the guest book area. Speaking of, I've decided there will be no guest book. I'm going to do up little cards for the guests to write words of wisdom or such on them and either have them hang them on some manzanite (or similar) branches or put in a jar. Still undecided on that part of the detail. But I really like the idea of the guest book being more personalized than just putting your name and address in a book.

Weight Loss: ugh! I've lost about 10 pounds. Yup...that's it since May. How depressing?! But it's really all my fault. I fluctuate on keeping track of my points like I'm supposed to. And I've not been working out. I mean, I can only go so far with just watching what I eat. I was actually doing really good...lost the 10 pounds and then I screwed up a week (a week I was out of town) and that sent me back to fluctuating between gaining and losing. With all the back and forth, the scale says I've lost a total of 10 pounds. This week I'm really getting on the ball though. I've worked out twice this week already and I'm keeping in my points each day. I've got to keep going and lose SOME weight before Nov 13. It's not that my dress doesn't fit...it's actually perfect. But I'd rather lose than gain and it not fit at all (that would be a nightmare!!).

I think that's all I've got, for now. Look for more posts later this week!

Hugs...

Foodie Fridays

I've decided to start a new weekly post, for those weeks I'm in town. I'm not sure how long it will last as I do tend to be sporadic and things are heating up in the crazy wedding planning stage. But Friday is usually a "light" day in the evenings of this abode and I'm going to start trying out some new recipes (in anticipation of becoming a Mrs).

For my first trick - Won-ton Pizza Rolls
(head on over to Peas & Crayons for the original recipe, and other amazing goodies)

Now, Ms P&C does a pretty fantabulous job of detailing out all you need to do. But I'm nowhere near the kitchen expert she is, so for those that are "beginners" out here in blog-land I'll show you how mine turned out.
My first step was to figure out if I could create the faux-fryer...and I totally happened to have the necessary equipment:

You are looking at a cooling rack on top of a aluminum foiled cookie sheet. I must admit, I was skeptical as to how this would work...but it did amazing!

Next up - ingredients:
Won-ton wrappers (that I had to search on their website to find where they were sold here in SoCal - Albertson's), pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, pasta sauce, Parmesan cheese.

Preheat oven:

Put your won-ton wrapper on the "creating" surface of choice:

Toppings: there is no particular order for this (I played around with the different ways to do this). I'm not big on pasta sauce, so I even made a couple without (last pic in this group). Ms P&C created hers with sauteed mushrooms in garlic too, so there's room for creating your own innards.

Put a thin layer of water on two edges:

Fold (the water acts a bit like a glue keeping the sides together), press, put on Faux-Frying rack:

Spray with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese (actually do this before putting on faux-frying rack otherwise you get a mess below...like you see in mine)

Bake for 8-11 minutes (took about 9 for me...could have gone a or two minute longer for maximum crunch)

And...

Voila':

Won-ton Pizza Rolls!!!

My opinion: these were fantastic. While assembly seems a little time consuming, I'm new to this so I will probably speed up as I get to know what I'm doing. I could have baked a little longer as the edges were crispy/crunchy, but the centers were still soft (but done). The hard part is finding the balance of innards so they don't spill out but I still get the "pizza" taste I'm looking for. That and I LOVE cheese and I want a lot of it...but it's a little hard to keep it closed if it's stuffed too much.

Again, don't forget to check out Peas & Crayons for other great recipes and fun stuff!

Enjoy...

Friday's Fill In

I haven't done one of these in a while, so I thought I'd have a little fun today (when I'm supposed to be working).



1. Blue skies _better stick around this weekend_.

2. _I love taking trips down_ memory lane _but not with my mom...those are usually embarrassing!!_

3. Kids _say some of the greatest things_.

4. _No making phone calls_, _no alarm clock_, _no deadlines_; these are some of the best things about vacation.

5. Love is _the best thing ever when shared with the right person (Mr. S)_.

6. _How does one watch_ submarine races.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _finishing reading my book and starting another_, tomorrow my plans include _laundry and a little cleaning_ and Sunday, I want to _go to church, take a nap, and read a book_!

Friday Fill-Ins

(found here)

1. In the near darkness it gets harder and harder to see with out a light on.

2. I'll be traveling every other weekend til further notice.

3. But this is such a fun thing to do, I don't know why I'm not more consistent.

4. The water is usually COLD in the stream.

5. It's always nice to come home after a trip.

6. Good food and pleasant company.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to cleaning and some grocery shopping (maybe), tomorrow my plans include more cleaning and organizing and Sunday, I want to go to church then head down to Del Mar for the Bridal Bazaar!!

Friday Fill-Ins

Well, it's been a while since I've done one of these, so here we go:

1. Why does it have to rain on my weekend home?

2. The effort you put into the job is equal to the accomplishment felt at the end.

3. My favorite breakfast includes COFFEE!!!

4. Private by James Patterson was the last book I read this week.

5. I am SO glad to be home!!

6. Food, or a massage, would make me feel better right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, tomorrow my plans include a manicure and relaxing and Sunday, I want to go to church and get the laundry done!

Friday Fill-Ins!

It's a day late...but here's this weekend's installment of:



1. Bring your favorite PJs whenever you go on a trip...that way you feel a little like you're at home.

2. Unfortunately, calories are included in all the meals I'll be eating today.

3. Just about anything chocolate is exactly what I need to get through a typical work day...that and coffee.

4. Well, you see, what happened was....HA!!!!.

5. Wish I could see some bling soon!

6. But what if it rains on Tuesday? Well, we will just go anyway!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to being home and doing nothing, tomorrow my plans include house & school work (and probably some regular work I didn't do yesterday) and Sunday, I want to go to church, read a book, and organize my office!

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-8

1. Ooooh, I heart shiney stuff!

2. I'm so annoyed, I can't stand it!

3. How the heck did I end up with so many miles on my poor car?

4. La Jolla Beach is one of my favorite places to visit.

5. I'm not a tired, I'm not!

6. It smells good so it has to be good.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include shopping, a birthday party, and school work and Sunday, I want to go to the bridal show in Del Mar but am thinking I shouldn't since I'm not officially engaged. :)

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-7

1. New experiences and possibilities are scary but always fun.

2. Sometimes an unexpected turn on a daily walk can lead to the most amazing discovery of your life!

3. I'm looking forward to marrying the love of my life...whenever he decides to drop to a knee. :)

4. Such an amazing man I'd never have imagined.

5. Try to find a needle in a haystack!

6. I always try to keep a positive attitude is what's extraordinary about me.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, tomorrow my plans include as little as possible with the possibility of some time by the pool, and Sunday I want to go to church and then just relax all day!

Friday Fill Ins - 2011-06

1. Family is very important!

2. Life always brings ups and downs.

3. Trust your heart...it will never lead you in the wrong direction.

4. Always hope for the best.

5. Parents do know what they're talking about (from time to time).

6. Speak so that you never regret what was said.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a surprise visit to M&D, tomorrow my plans include flying home and laundry, and Sunday I want to spend the day with Mr. S in celebration of 2 years together!!

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-05

1. We are on this earth because we do have a purpose...even if we don't know what it is. Besides, I hear you can't breathe to well in space w/out an oxygen tank.

2. Learn to experience all life has to offer.

3. One of the hardest things for me to learn when to say no.

4. I love being connected.

5. I remember a lot of things...most of which make me smile.

6. Mr. S is one of the best parts of my life.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include organizing the office and school work and Sunday, I want to go to church, do homework, and sleep all day!

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-04

1. Up-stairs apartments are a pain in the butt to move out of or into.

2. I don't want to catch any more bugs that are going around.

3. Coats and scarves, mittens and boots: so ready to put them away for a while...oh wait...it's not that cold where I live!! :)

4. I would LOVE a nice back rub.

5. I'm thinking about how to organize my new office space in the new place.

6. It's going to be _a long few weeks with all that I've got going on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to no rest, just moving, tomorrow my plans include more moving and Sunday, I want to finish moving and rest before I leave for San Antonio for a week!

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-03

1. So many of us overlook the little joys of life.

2. I do my best to keep a positive outlook, even in hardship.

3. Those who are accepting of their mistakes will only learn from them.

4. My life is waiting quietly.

5. Light is in both the outside and the inside.

6. Find beauty in all that is ordinary.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing tonight, tomorrow my plans include homework and packing and Sunday, I want to relax, but will be doing more homework and packing instead and cleaning and organizing and sorting!

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-02

I can't believe I somehow missed the first one of the year (last week). And I was going to try so hard to stay on top of them this year. Oh well....

Here is:



1. Right now I need something sweet.

2. Cold coffee is what's in my glass.

3. A copy of this letter, wait...what letter?

4. Soup is best with a spoon.

5. The best movie I've seen lately is Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

6. Warm, snugly blankets = like; Snuggling with Mr. S = love.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to School work & Season 3 of Grey's, tomorrow my plans include chillaxin and more school work, and Sunday, I want to go to church, read my books, relax all day!

Friday Fill In #202

This week, I'm going to give you a choice of fill-ins OR a different kind of fill-in (or both). A friend emailed me a list where you have to identify Christmas songs by the initials of the first words of the first line of each song. Each Friday until Christmas Eve I'll post 9 more of these songs and if you'd like to play along, great!

So...here we go!

1. The best thing about a birthday celebration is having friends & family around.

2. I am not a fan the passage of time.

3. I went shopping recently and the most interesting thing I bought was a green bow ring and jangling earrings for Christmas parties this season.

4. I love the child's game candyland.

5. The reason is I remember playing it over and over and over again as a child!

6. I despise the snow and cold.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the city parade to watch my future little sis-in-law with the pageant princesses, tomorrow my plans include another Christmas parade to watch a friend's daughter cheer and Sunday, I want to sleep, but I have a Christmas party at my soon to be grandmother-in-law's!

AND/OR

1. HYAMLC: Have yourself a merry little Christmas
2. TFNTADS: The First Noel (the angels did say)
3. GRYMGLNYD: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (let nothing you dismay)
4. ICUAMC: It came upon a midnight clear
5. SNHNAICAIB: Silent Night (holy night, all is calm, all is bright)
6. OTFDOCMTLGTM: 12 Days of Christmas (on the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me)
7. DTHWBOHFLLLLLLLL: Deck the Halls (with bows{sp} of holly, Fa la la la la la la la la)
8. YBWOYBNC: Santa Clause is Coming to Town (You better watch out, you better not cry)
9. JTTWTLHC: Joy to the World (the Lord has come)

*yeah...had to look up some of these from google. :)
Fun stuff! :)

And we're back!!!

1. One of my strongest beliefs is that God loves us no matter what we've done.

2. My To Do list for the next week is huge!

3. The sky is cloudy with a threat of rain and wind and cold, so I want my most comfy sweatshirt, a good book, and some Hot Apple Spice from Starbucks!!!

4. Just being in the same room as my love is comforting to me.

5. I always thought I'd be younger when I got married...turns out I'll be older. :)

6. Last night, after driving to my love's house, I carried in my stuff and then I went outside to look at the full moon (ok, I saw the full moon as I was walking in).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to school work, tomorrow my plans include San Francisco for the day/night and returning to SD at midnight and Sunday, I want to rest, but I have an event in LA that day!

#192

1. Family is very important to me!

2. Driving back and forth to and from San Diego got very old very fast this week!

3. I love a good long hot bath!

4. Stephen makes a good meal.

5. I've got the Friday "don't wanna do nuthin" bug!

6. CA people not knowing how to drive up a hill on the freeway: wth!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include hanging at Casa de K3 and Sunday, I want to do some more relaxing...and maybe some organizing of my work junk!



Happy Labor Day weekend to all!!

# 191

1. You do your thing; I do mine and sometimes we might actually get something done!!

2. Coffee is what's been on my mind on and off all day (I've only been up an hour, cut me a little slack).

3. Remember when we spent almost every weekend in the pool at the Bradshaw House! I miss that summer!!

4. Vinylmation, reading, and NCIS are three of my favorite obsessions :-)

5. During the last year I have grown...I hope.

6. Stephen puts a smile on my face.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Cheesecake Factory for dinner than Michael Buble' concert, tomorrow my plans include The USS Midway then dinner at Doug & Alicia's and Sunday, I want to go to church and then take a nap!

#190

1. Laughter is always the best medicine!

2. "T* here is" are the three words that started off the last email I sent. *name has been removed for privacy purposes...that and it was a work email. :)

3. What I'm most looking forward to today is when the work day is over.

4. Stephen puts a smile on my face.

5. Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?!?

6. COFFEE... just what I needed!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to RESTING, tomorrow my plans include cleaning my apartment and laundry and Sunday, I want to go to church then have a nice dinner with my love!

Lateness for the Friday and Sunday stuff

Hi....sorry I'm late! LOL!! I've been out of town since Wednesday of last week and I wasn't sure what kind, if any, of internet access I'd have while in Michigan so I left my lapper at home. But here's the catch-up for Friday's Fill-In and the Stealing Sunday Meme. :)

~~~~~~



*writing this as if I'd done it on time on Friday*

#189
1. Music calms me down and makes my day so much better.

2. Coffee and being left alone is what I like first thing in the morning.

3. The first thing I said this morning was: who want's the first shower (I think...I don't remember the first thing I said Fri morning while I was in Michigan)

4. Pizza; it's what's for dinner tonight.

5. It's all been a fun and interesting time!

6. Sleeping is what I feel like doing right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging with the other bridesmaids in the condo, tomorrow my plans include Elise & Reuben's wedding then reception and Sunday, I want to sleep...but I'm going home, so I'll sleep on the plane!

~~~~~

Crafty 50 Meme - Part II



26. What do you normally smell like?

Not sure...fav lotion/perfume is Japanese Cherry Blossom, though

27. Do you like Carrie Underwood?

yes!!

28. Been to “The Vegas”?

A couple times

29. How far away do you live from your parents?

7 hour drive

30. Are you happy with your job?

not right now...they owe me mileage money!!!

31. Where do you work and what do you do there?

Sorry...can't put that here...too public. But I can't tell ya I'm an admission's counselor for a college.

32. What did you get in the mail today?

haven't checked yet...but I'm hoping for a reimbursement check from work!

33. How do you like your steak cooked?

medium

34. Britney Spears…is she back?

unfortunately

35. What do you usually order at Taco Bell?

chalupa or crunch wrap supreme

36. Have you ever sat all the way through Gone With the Wind?

no...not yet. I've seen the whole thing, but at different intervals at different times

37. Have you ever been to Mt Rushmore?

no...it's on the list, though

38. Is it just me, or was The Marine (w/John Cena) a really horrible movie?

no...it wasn't that great

39. Are surveys like the cocaine of myspace?

sometimes

40. Where is your favorite place (that you have actually been to)?

Disneyland, if we're talking attractions. Not sure about anything else.

41. What is your favorite candle scent?

Spiced pumpkin...which is odd because I don't like pumpkin pie

42. Do you believe places can really be haunted?

no

43. Do you smoke cigarettes?

no

44. Have you ever been to NYC or LA?

yes to both

45. How many states have you been to where all you saw was the airport?

a lot!!!

46. Do you think 50 questions is enough?

yeah, why not

47. Are you currently planning a trip?

yes...hopefully Vegas in Nov. If not, than AZ in December

48. Is Ryan Seacrest gay? Should anyone care?

don't think so...don't really care

49. Do you take anti-depressants? Sleeping pills?

no to both

50. What do you think about space travel?

interesting concept...still not sure if it's real or just a conspiracy.

~~~~~

Alright. There is the Fri & Sun stuff. I'll get Monday's Mug up later today, along with an update from life.

TTFN...

#188 (it's a few hours early, but read it as if you were reading it on Friday!)

1. Life is a precious gift...cherish it. It'll be the best/wildest/scariest/most amzing ride you'll ever get on!

2. Some days I wonder where I left my desire to keep going to work.

3. My last text message (or IM) ended in these three words: I love you!

4. Sushi is what I'm thinking about for dinner sometime soon.

5. On the 1st day of August my parents took Stephen and I to Pancake House for brunch!!

6. There are days that I'm lively and energetic. Today has not been one of those.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to not a whole lot as Stephen will have my car, tomorrow I hope my plans include laying out by the pool for an hour or two then a Fry's run and Sunday, I want to go to church for the first time in many months...then read some of my new library books!