What's New With Me: Making Lemonade

Last month was a bit of a rollercoaster and I’m happy to see it go. The biggest headache/first world problem this month was around a trip. I was supposed to go to a work conference in Long Beach, CA, and I invited Blue so we could turn it into a bit of a vacation. But it got rescheduled to October the day after I made all of the arrangements, so I had to change all of them. Being that Blue already had purchased her flight, we decided to make lemonade and go anyway. Except my boss asked me to shorten my trip by a day, so Blue got to CA the day before me. And I scheduled a studio tour at Warner Bros, but they called me 2 days later to inform me that they were cancelling that tour because of some big meeting, and could I reschedule? Uh, noooo I can’t reschedule because I’m only in L.A. for a day and seriously? Ugh. At least I got a refund. Lemonade.

I also found a new position at my current company that I was really interested in, so that got my ass in gear to redo my resume. I’m still working on it, but they filled the position. Le sigh. BUT my resume is almost completely revamped which I wanted to do regardless, so that’s progress. Lemonade.

Besides all that dramz, life is pretty good. I was able to take a long weekend early in the month and saw P!nk, Brandi Carlile, and Bon Jovi. It was my first time seeing them, and each was such a different experience that it’s hard to pick a favorite! Probably P!nk though. I wasn’t familiar with Brandi Carlile’s music at all (that was a late Valentine’s Day present to Blue), and Bon Jovi played too much new stuff, which I didn’t really care for. But P!nk was phenomenal. She’s way more talented vocally than I gave her credit for and she was flying around the arena like Tinkerbell- while singing!- which was so cool. And with these 3 (and Ed Sheeran in Sept), I think I’ve seen everyone I’ve ever wanted to, which is kind of weird because I feel like I’ve always had a concert wish list, but also kind of awesome?!

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I also attended my first craft beer festival of the season with some of my favorite people and I think I’ve found my new favorite. It’s called “Samoa This” by Southern Tier Brewing and it seriously tastes like a Samoa Girl Scout cookie, but in stout form. So. Good.

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Reading: Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury. I've never read it and I'm looking forward to see how it compares to the new show starring Micheal B. Jordan coming out later this month. 

Watching: Westworld and The Handmaid's Tale, both of which just came back for Season 2 in the last few weeks. I also finally saw Black Panther, and Avengers: Infinity War. 

Listening To: my 90’s playlist on my iPod. Ace of Base, Alanis Morissette, All Saints, Aaliyah, No Doubt... man, I miss this music!

Wanting/Wish-Listing: I really wanted a cute graphic T for Cinco de Mayo, but couldn't find any when I went shopping on Saturday. Also, Tieks. But I can't justify paying the same amount for shoes as a roundtrip flight to California. Do you own a pair? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Buying: toiletries, a small crossbody bag because I can't find my old one, and a new nail polish because I haven't purchased one in over 2 years (Essie- Carry On). 

Creating: a post about packing 5 days in a carry on.

Celebrating: Star Wars Day on Friday and Cinco de Mayo in Old San Diego.

Wearing: Jeans, tee, and hoodie. My not-working uniform. 

Sharing: A new recipe for Chili Cheese Pasta next week! Stay tuned! 

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Going: to California! We'll be visitng LA for a day, then taking the Amtrak on the scenic route down the coast to San Diego. I'm so ready for vacation! 

What's new with you?

Linking up with Kristen and Anne.

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Shit Blue Said

At a show...
Me: The attendant wiped her ass for her! Not her literal ass, her jeans. But still!

Blue: Monica Lewinsky situation...

Me: Yeah, but this one got a tip.

Blue: So did she.

On the person next to us at a concert... 

Blue: (whispering) She smells like feet.

Me: Do you wanna change seats?

Blue: No it’s just the agony of defeat.

Me: Did you know Reese Witherspoon had a book club?

Blue: I think I saw that somewhere. I figured you were all over it. 

Me: I am

Blue: Hey, if it was for short stories, she could call it Reese's pieces. 

Watching a commercial on curing stinky feet...
Me: That's me!
Blue: We both have stinky feet.
Me: No one is as bad as [my friend] Sunshine though. It's like a bomb goes off.
Blue: And her stinky kid. Fuckin' fart bag.

Blue: Maybe I should do my laundry here more often. I just had a 100% socks in socks out match rate.

Finding a pimple...

Blue: I have conjoined twins growing on my chin. I’m going to have to claim them as a dependent on my taxes.

Blue: I need to set budget. Only way to survive without donating an egg and let's be honest, they're probably scrambled by this point.

checking to see swollen glands when I had a sore throat...

Blue: You have a lovely uvula.

Me: Thanks. It's long and dangly.

Blue: Yes, you're quite well hung.

At work...

Blue: Are they both Aussies?

Coworker: Yes. 

Blue: Now I want to go to Outback. Since I'm a "Steak-holder." 

All read and approved by Blue before posting.

You can find other Shit Blue Said here: Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol.3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, Vol. 8

What's New With Me- March

"In like a lion, out like a lamb," as the saying goes. 

And roar that lion did. We had 4 snow days this month. That's more than the last 2 months combined! Not that I minded one bit, because unlike some places we don't do "WFH," when we're closed that's it. And since I live in an apartment, I didn't even have to worry about shoveling! I didn't waste those days either; I cleaned, purged, read, and rested. It was glorious. 

We celebrated a friend's birthday dinner at a hibachi steakhouse. You ever notice how after hibachi, all of your clothes smell like the food/restaurant? Anyway, it was a really great night. I can't figure out how to add the video from FB, but the chef was totally embarrassing the birthday girl and putting her name in every pop song he sang and he sung a TON, and we were laughing so loud that people from other tables started videotaping us! My abs hurt from laughing so much. I didn't know that was an actual thing. 

The following weekend was St. Patrick's Day. We started around 1:30? and the restaurant was empty. This picture was taken then haha. The next place we went to was so crowded that we just had a beer while waiting on line for the bathroom and bounced. The last place was my favorite- not too crowded, free shepherd's pie and corned beef and cabbage, and an bartender who knew us and took care of us. 

I finally received MoviePass and used it to see A Wrinkle in Time, which I really enjoyed. 2 things about MoviePass: 1. I was happily surprised at how easy it is to use, and 2. I thought it could be used multiple times in one day, which isn't true. Bummer. I was thinking "great! On rainy days I can just chill at the movie theater all the live long day!" I feel like they should make this clearer, but overall I still like it and can't wait to see a bunch of new movies soon. I also started watching A Good Place, Champions, and Splitting Up Together. Obviously I'm in the mood for light-hearted comedies lately. 

I know I just said this yesterday but for those of you who haven't seen it, A friend of mine went to Vermont recently and brought back this loot! My favorite name was "Kittens on Parade" by Magic Hat lol. We got the first 6-pack sold! My favorite in taste was called Inertia by Burlington Beer Company. The double stout tasted like coffee, vanilla, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch! If you love craft beers too, connect with me on Untappd!

And that's about it for March! What's new with you? 

Currently- April

Reading: I thought I was done with Erin's Challenge, but alas, I'm one short! Picking up my final read, The Invoice by Jonas Kaarlson, tonight. 

Watching: Movies- A Wrinkle In Time. I read it for the first time before seeing the movie and though I liked it, I think I preferred the movie. *Gasp!* It was just so beautifully done! TV- Binged (and loved) Everything Sucks! on Netflix. Now trying to get in to The Good Place. I also want to check out some of the new shows that just premiered like Champions, Splitting Up Together, and Alex, Inc.

Listening To: Get Out of Your Own Way- U2 featuring Afrojack. So upbeat! 

Making: Vegetarian Enchiladas Verdes tonight for dinner! If it's any good, I'll share the recipe!

Drinking: all the craft beer! A friend of mine went to Vermont recently and brought back this loot! My favorite name was "Kittens on Parade" by Magic Hat lol. We got the first 6-pack sold! My favorite in taste was called Inertia by Burlington Beer Company. The double stout tasted like coffee, vanilla, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch! If you love craft beers too, connect with me on Untappd!

Cultivating: my new work space. (I feel like I'm using that word incorrectly but I'm not growing anything, so this will have to do.) You can see below where I currently work (on the right). My boss is making me move to that empty space on the left. Those are literally the only two workspaces in this area and there's no good reason behind this decision. I try not to sweat the small stuff, but this is just annoying.

Buying: I finally made it to the new Cost Plus World Market store that opened up near me. I picked up Pocky's, Cafe du Monde coffee grinds, and this 1-minute microwavable Indian Spinach Dal to put on top of rice for a quick meal. It was actually pretty tasty! I also recently purchased this hat from Ginger Snaps Jewelry. You see that little anchor? That's a snap, and it's interchangeable with literally hundreds of different "snaps," like those Keep Collective bracelets where you can change the square charms in them. I absolutely adore it. Unfortunately I forgot to take a pic before this went live. My b. 

Feeling: Generally underwhelmed and disappointed. I'm OVER winter. It's gray and cold and rainy and just blah. And then my favorite local burger and shake restaurant closed unexpectedly so I can't even drown my sorrows in an avocado burger and Oreo milkshake #firstworldproblems

Showering: The skies have been showering us with rain and snow and everything in between. Hoping for LOTS of May flowers (if they don't drown... sigh). 

Expecting: More snow this weekend and Monday. Oh, joy. *sarcasm*

Linking up with Anne!

Tasty Tuesday: Amish Country Casserole

I honestly don't remember the last time I posted a recipe, mostly because I haven't been cooking anything new. However in an effort to complete my 101 goal of trying 12 new recipes, here we are. Also in an attempt to shop my freezer/cupboards, I perused my Pinterest boards for a recipe where I already had all of the ingredients on hand. This recipe is adapted from here. Serves 6. 

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 bag of egg noodles
1 can (10.75 oz) Cream of Mushroom Soup (original calls for Golden Mushroom)
1 can (10.75 oz) Condensed Tomato Soup 
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheese (I used Mexican Blend because it's what I had; can use any)
2 Tbsp dried onion flakes (or 1/2 fresh onion, chopped, or 1 tsp onion powder)
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder

To Make:

1. Preheat oven to 350 and spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Cook noodles according to the directions on the package and drain.

3. Brown the beef with the salt and drain. 

4. In a large mixing bowl combine the condensed tomato soup, mushroom soup, milk, onion flakes, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir together.

5. Add the cooked egg noodles and beef. Stir together.

6. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and sprinkle cheese on top.

7. Bake for 25 minutes.  

Bon appetit! 

Linking up with The Blended Blog! 

TBB Asks: Spring Edition

1. What 3 colors remind you of Spring? Green, pink, and lavender. 

2. What is the first thing you add to your wardrobe in Spring? Light jacket

3. What is the first wardrobe item you ditch in Spring? The big heavy coat and hat/gloves/scarf

5. What's Spring like where you live? Warmer, sunnier, and everything is in bloom. 

6. What's your favorite thing about Spring? The warmer weather! 

7. Are you a Spring Cleaner? A bit. I purge more, but I'm still not cleaning baseboards and the top of my ceiling fan... 

already started!

8. Are you a baseball fan? Yes. Go Phillies! 

10. Favorite Spring outdoor activity? Eating and drinking al fresco. 

11. Flowers in the ground or in pots? If you want to keep them alive, far away from me! #blackthumb

14. When do you pull out your sandals? After I get a pedicure, don't want to scare people away! 

What's your favorite thing about Spring? 

Linking up with The Blended Blog!