Phew, what a week…or so.

well, it has been quite a week. I have been so sick with… H1N1! i Now that I’m back in commission (though still weak), Mandy and I have set a weight loss goal because… I found the dress! And Mandy just wants to lose the last little bit she needs to lose before she gets her MOH dress.

So, of course, I’ve been aiming for healthy (yet still tasty) meals this week. Tonight’s choice was pasta, salad and a roll, yum!

in case you were worried i forgot about you.

i didn’t!

i promise!

This month is crazy. It started with me going to Charlotte, and then going to Charleston last weekend for wedding planning… and this weekend is Charleston again for Robbie’s wedding/my Uncle’s annual (belated) fourth of july party (b/c of the wedding in charlotte), then next weekend I’m trying to decide about going to Boone (that’s going to be a big we’ll see because I feel like crap already and camping does NOT mix well with that).

Then… August! Rockville Regatta & I turn 21 and school starts back… so weird because it feels like since I haven’t left Clemson, I’m still waiting on summer. Haha, I wish. Mandy will be back up here in just three weeks! I cannot wait until she moves back here… and of course, Chris is coming in August.

Wow.

When did summer just end?!?!

up the ante.

So we’ve been following weight watchers this week and I challenged myself to stick to a $45 budget to feed both of us, plus what we already have in the house. We had half the meat we needed for the week and no veggies, bread, snacks or lunch stuff.

And it so happens that I LOVE cooking in a challenge. I have just felt inspired. Last night we had homemade smashed garlic potatoes, peas with onions and mushrooms simmered in a white wine sauce (white wine, broth and parmesan–not the kraft canned parmesan either!) and slow cooked baby back ribs with homemade sweet and spicy barbecue sauce (see last post for details).

Well, tonight is blackened lime tilapia with pico and a yet-to-be-determined-flavor roux, broccoli with parmesan and pepper, and mushroom risotto/herb sauce with angel hair pasta.

Not bad right? I make it all under 8 points (weight watchers).. thanks to spices

So this week is really making me excited for what summer will be! Even dinner at Kit’s was pretty light!

summer lovin’.

summer is here, and man is it nice!

the veggies are growing up nicely. we used our first green onions and basil yesterday at Kit’s for dinner, and it was awesome

Now, I realized I have not posted a good recipe on here in a while, and that is unfortunate because I am constantly cooking up new concoctions. We were at Ingles today and baby back ribs were on sale, so we got some. Let me tell you how we’re cooking Baby back ribs our way!

Baby Back Ribs with homemade BBQ Sauce:

1/2 rack of ribs (feeds two)
salt
pepper
garlic powder
sugar
worcestershire sauce
olive oil
2 cloves garlic (large), minced
sliced onion (3-4 large slices)
minced onion

First things first, pull out your slow cooker. Throw the ribs in there (a half rack should fit) and sprinkle with salt, pepper and about a tbsp of worcestershire sauce, then top with the onion slices. I also threw mine in with a little garlic powder, but thats optional.

While that’s cooking, put olive oil, minced onion (1 tsp or so) and minced garlic in a saucepan on high. Let them cook down about 2 minutes, then throw in some seasoning salt and some worcestershire sauce (about 2 tbsp). Then let that cook for about 1 more minute before adding tomato sauce, about 3 tbsp of sugar and a pinch of cayenne and stir it up. Cook on low for about 15 minutes.

After the pork is done (3-4 hours on high), turn on your broiler. Brush the sauce all over the now tender ribs and broil them about two minutes on each side.

Hope you guys enjoy that recipe! Much love…and so the job hunt goes on.

the hunt.

As I sit here, looking for a job for the summer or for the rest of the year and into next year, I’m finding something: there are getting to be more jobs out there (a good thing) but I’m not getting any calls back! It’s pretty frustrating, I’ve applied so many times to so many different places and nothing. I just hope that things get better soon! Nathan told me I’d get a job today, haha, so hopefully something will happen.

I’m going home to charleston tomorrow and I’m not sure what to do about all my plants! grr. I guess I could have nathan come over and water them… i’d ask kit but its kind of a drive for her if she’s not already at the reserve and i’d feel bad making her drive over here. I could just water them a ton and they could be good until saturday… it IS supposed to rain all week.

hmm. things to think about. another “things I like” coming soon .

it has been quite a while…

School is out! That feels good to say, so ready for a break. The unfortunate thing is, I CAN’T FIND A JOB! I’m not even looking for a summer/temporary job, just a normal part-time job! Nothing is out there… I’m afraid I’ll be working ChaCha all summer. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I’d just prefer some experience I can use on my next major job hunt: Post-Graduation.

Anyways, we started a garden on the balcony! We’re growing marigolds, sweet pea, dianthus, tomatoes, onions, lettuce and basil! Everything is growing pretty well right now, we even have a tomato on the vine and two types of lettuce sprouts! We’re using coffee grounds on the lettuce, and it sprouted after three days instead of the usual 8-10. EXCITING! I’ll take pictures soon.

I think that’s about all the info I have for right now. I’ll type more later!

love,
me

Okay, time for a longer post.

Having a bad cold is not fun at all. I’ve been going back and forth from coughing up a lung to feeling great… it’s kind of weird. I have all this built up energy from the weekend of rest so I cleaned up the entire kitchen, did all the dishes and organized the recycling bin.

Now i’m attempting to study while watching american idol. I’m about 1/3 of the way done with it, but man, philosophy just isn’t that fun.

I feel so motivated tonight, but not to study. (To be fair… I also feel like I already know what I’m studying, too.) And I really want some sweet tea and I’m about to make that, I don’t know why but I’ve been thinking about it like so much today, haha. Looking forward to some sweet tea.

I might go ahead and apply for some more internships for this summer.

Before I go, recipe for some of the hors d’oeuvres i’m thinking of bringing to the superbowl party saturday…

1 small loaf pumpernickel or whole grain crackers
1-2 cucumbers
1 tub chive and onion cream cheese
1 tsp dill

Smear cream cheese on crackers/bread, top with slice of cucumber and sprinkle on a bit of dill.

It’s healthy and delicious!