::random:rambling::

Some things I did on my lazy day…read read read…it's all about ME!! :D 

I can't believe how quickly this Christmas break has come and gone. I didn't think that it would go by this fast. Half the things I wanted to do I didn't get done! Things like go through my drivers ed book, get a lot of studying done, go to IKEA {to get an office chair}, put pictures up…I guess there is still time to do all that…but there was so much going on over the break. Lots of get togethers, not to mention that half of us were sick too…including the puplets ~ meaning Lou'e. So that was a bit stressful. 

::mushroom:&:leek:flatbread::

Loving Candice Kumai!

I am feeling a little more inspired lately. I think this Christmas break was good for me and it was nice to laze about and just BE. With the puplets and with Travis…and to read and listen to motivating music, take enlivening pictures and surround myself with refreshing people. I am sad to see Christmas come and go so quickly but am really looking forward to 2014. 

2013 definitely had its trials and tribulations ~ as well as it's blessings in disguise but it's made me a stronger person for it and I've learned many things about myself and about other people. 

One thing I definitely want to do for *myself* {because this year is going to be about ME} is try new healthy foods. 

I am going to try many recipes from all of my cookbooks and I am not going to shy away from them!! No matter if I screw it up or not! One recipe for sure I am going to try is a quinoa chili recipe that I saw on Shape Magazines website that Candice Kumai shared but that's not the recipe that I wanted to post. The recipe that I am going to post is from her cookbook "Cook Yourself Sexy" that can be found on Amazon here. 

It can be found on page 130 if you already have it. So let's get cooking! I am definitely trying this recipe out and will share pics when I do! :) 

Bon Appetit!

::bookworm::

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

We'll, I am a little disappointed. I had entire blogpost written out on this iPad and it disappeared. >:( 

How very frustrating that is. Especially since it was a bookworm post and that takes time! 

So I guess I have to start all over again. Ho hum. 

I trust that everyone had a safe and fun night last night ringing in the New Year! I had a quiet night ringing 2014 in with my little family. I made an oven-baked chicken and we watched Roasts on Comedy Central. I must admit I fell asleep just after 10:30pm! Thankfully Travis woke me up quarter to 12am so we could ring in the New Year with some sparkling wine, a smooch and the puplets. :) 

I just want to say that if you have never baked a chicken in a cast-iron skillet ~ do it!! You will not regret it!! Thanks again to Kev for that skillet. It's amazing. If you don't have one in your kitchen then get one! Some of the best chicken I have made and tasted. 

Today, since everything is closed, we are laying low and watching the Winter Classic. 

My Christmas vacation is coming to a close and I can't believe how fast it's come and almost gone. Throughout the break I have been voraciously reading. A reading machine! Anything I can get my hands on really. And of course there are so many sales on because of Boxing Day and New Years. 

Oh before going on, Candice Kumai is going to be coming out with a new book in Spiring 2014! I am so excited since I loooove her. I have been reading tunz of her blog too. :) 

Books really are my weakness. They fill me with a joy like no other and I seriously will have my own little library when I have my own house. :)  

Let's get on with it shall we? And maybe you can find a gem within my list. 

City of Fallen Angels ~ $8.98 

&

City of Lost Souls ~ $19.99

both by Cassandra Clare 

Both of which are the last two instalments in the five book series that I am obsessed with. I just finished book three and *SPOILER ALERT* I knew the two main characters weren't brother and sister!! Hahah! I am so smart! Anyways. I just want to keep reading! When I get into a series I really get into them! Cassandra Clare is a great writer too and really can suck you into her books. 

Why the price difference? We'll, the first is a mass paperback and Lost Souls probably hasn't been released in mass paperback yet and is the last book in the instalment too. I guess I could wait for the paperback. I just hope the last book doesn't disappoint! 

::little:catch:up::

How fast Christmas crept up and just blew past us. I really can't believe it. This year I tried to focus on getting into the spirit…and even though I listened to Christmas music every day, watched Christmas movies, decorated ~ and have two tree's up…it's still just not the same as when you were little. I don't feel like I did when I was growing up. I discussed this with my Sister, her boyfriend Leyman and Travis as well…maybe it might change when you have kids. Because their excitement might rub off on you, but as you get older it just doesn't feel the same. That doesn't mean that Christmas still isn't somewhat exciting. I just don't think it's the same.

Maybe I am just saying this because this year I have been so busy and things were a bit stressful. Between Maggie's surgeries, studying, work, and a billion other things I didn't really stand back and enjoy the lead up to Christmas. I try and be mindful but I think that sometimes it is hard amidst the hustle and bustle so I think that in 2014 I am really going to try and practise mindfulness…among other things. 

There are many things that I really want to focus on in 2014…I always said I wanted to do in 2013 that I just didn't do. I think I also need to be less hard on myself…and also need to focus on the good times and the people around me too. The good things. :) 

Anyways…I will write more on that in the next few days. I just wanted to share a few pics…a little insight into the past few weeks. 

Some of the best times is spent with friends and family. We had a great time with my BFF, Bee's, we did a belated birthday dinner for him the last weekend of November…but we listened to Christmas music, chatted and had a great time. The puplets love him. He's such an awesome man and we are grateful to have him in our lives. :) 

::merry:christmas::

What a year it has been. A whirlwind of sorts and I am sorry that I haven't been on here since September. I know, I always apologize. But the past few months have been really crazy for me! With rescuing another dog, having my family visit and stay for a while and getting ready for the holidays, plus work and school ~ it really has been nuts! 

2013 has come and gone…where has the time gone to? I am not really sure what I have accomplished…the only things I can really think of is going home for a few weeks…and that is always fun…moving into our new and gorgeous apartment…and rescuing Maggie. I am so grateful for the many small blessings in disguise and the friendships that I have formed this past year as well and how close I have gotten to certain people too. 

I will definitely try and blog more often on here…I think Pinterest got in the way at first and then life did. ;) 

So on that note, I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday! 

Merry Christmas everyone!!! <3 font="">

-S.*

::random:rambling::

I realize that I haven't been on here in quite some time and I have to divulge in something...I've been cheating...on blogger, I must confess.

I just can't help it...I really can't...

I am addicted to Pinterest!

I can sit on that thing for hours and hours! And I DO! I will go to bed at around 9:30pm and tell myself I will spend 15-20 minutes on the damn thing and I'll then glance over at the clock and quickly realize that I have spent a good 2 hours on the disgustingly enslaving web site. 

Okay, it isn't disgusting, it's preposterously satisfying. 

To be quite honest it can be inspiring. The images and quotes you come across can spark quite the floodgates of virtuosity in one's perception.

Basically meaning my so-called "writers/creative block" went out the back door along with those 2-3 hours of my life furiously click-click-clicking, pin-pin-repinning. 

I am not exactly sure why Pinterest makes me ridiculously jolly ~ but it does. I am going to chalk it up to the fact that it is my own virtual bulletin board of lovely things. 

I have my own bulletin board at home of inspiring, rapturous things that just make me happy but Pinterest you have on the go. 

Your go-to happy place in the palm of your hand, or in your pocket. 

Well, literally in your pocket, on your iPhone. 

Anyways...that is what I have been doing...cheating on you, Blogger. 

Anyways...

Yesterday I tried out a new recipe that my Mom had sent over to me from the blog The Novice Chef. And let me tell you, the kitchen never smelt so fabulous! Honestly...

Yum yum...my masterpiece!

Yea, that's the Chicken Caprese...yumyum. Four big juicy chicken breasts, some 2 pints of poppable grape tomatoes, 4 cloves local super fragrant garlic cloves, 10 giant basil leaves; finely chopped and some delicious buffalo mozzarella. 

On top of some "stringy" {spaghettini} pasta...which Travis dislikes immensely but he got over it as soon as this plate was put in front of him. Oh yea. ;) 

Healthy and delightful!

Well, more healthy if you don't use refined white pasta. Keep that in mind.

Tonight, I will be trying a new recipe from my new cookbook by Ali Larter, "Kitchen Revelry". 

Quite excited to try it. I have my go-to chili recipe that I make time and time again that I found a while ago on the AllRecipes site - "It's Chili by George" that is pretty much famous in the internet world and I have tweaked to my own liking but I want to try something different...so I will post this new recipe in a new post. :) 

Happy Monday! 

And welcome back, to me. ;)

Until Pinterest gets me back in it's grasp. 

-S.*