M.I.A

Hey Bloggers!

It has been a while since I have written a post. I would say life in general was a busy time. I really took this time off from writing to focus on family. I felt it was most important during this time but now I'm back. :) Here is what I have been up to....

1. Health. I started going to the gym more and started eating more clean. I have lost 6 lbs. but I have remained at that new weight. I'm okay with that. I think now it is just a matter of toning.

2. Work was extremely demanding. I had a lot on my plate at work and I was going in early and leaving late. Then I would come home to either leave to go to the gym or to cook dinner. I was too tired to blog. However, I would still read all of my blogs that I would follow. It's exciting some of the things you are doing or events happening in your lives.

3. Family ~ My brother has joined the Air Force. I spent a lot of my free time trying to do stuff with him and the family. We did a few days at the beach, cookouts, golfing days and whatever else we wanted to do. He left in May so I wanted to spend the those few months with him. I write him twice a week. When I was working, I only had time to write him once a week but now that I am out for summer I write him twice a week. I always leave a little quote from our favorite movies, songs or anything inspirational to keep his spirits up. I think it helps him stay motivated. :)

5. Travels. I had a couple of trips this year. We went to Savannah for St. Patricks day. Of course it rained so we watched from the comfort of my aunt and uncles home. It was great catching up with my best friend and family. I also just got back from a girls weekend in Jacksonville from seeing the Florida Country Music Festival. It was great fun but more on that in a later post.

6. Blog Name Change. I felt the need to change my blog name. I don't know why exactly but I feel like the new name is more....me. I probably will not fix my pictures from previous posts because that's a lot of work. Besides I think it shows the transition. I'll be working on small transitions throughout the summer so bare with me. I think it is great to start a new year with a new name.

Until next time...
Tiffany 

Best of 2013: Food!

Honestly, who doesn't like to eat? My weight has shown that I apparently love to eat. That's okay because I am beginning to work on that. In the meantime, I would like to share with you the favorite things I enjoyed to eat this year. I will also attach some of the recipes so if you see something you like then you can share it in your home. 

1. Seafood pasta

Dad makes his own noodles and uses his Kitchen Aid pasta cutter attachment to help but you can use fettuccine noodles for a short cut. We typically use shrimp, scallops and clams. We have added squid and baby octopus in the past. We cook the noodles in clam juice and water along with pepper corn, parsley, time, and basil. Once the noodles are almost tender we add the shrimp, scallops, and clams. The noodles will absorb most of the liquid. However, once on the platter add a little of the juices, extra virgin olive oil and top off with fresh Parmesan. Then TA-DA!

2. Sweet Adventure Sampler Trio at Outback

3. Brick Oven Pizza: Brooklyn Style

Dad changes his dough recipe so I cannot share a particular one. :/ Add corn meal to the bottom of your paddle and make your pizza on top of the paddle. Corn meal will help the dough from sticking. Bertolli or Classico is the brand we use for our sauce. We mix our cheeses with mozzarella, parmesan, or gouda. Add any meats, veggies or fruit that you would like. Slide the pizza into the brick oven and allow the pizza to cook a few minute on each side. Rotate the pizza as each side begins to brown for even cooking. 

4. Low Country Boil recipe

5. Fillet with lump crab meat and hollandaise sauce. Sides include parsnips, asparagus, and baked potato lightly coated with EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and sea salt. 

6. Greek seasoned pork, tabouli, Basmati long grain rice, tzatziki sauce, and pita wrap

7. Shrimp Tacos

I season all grilled/pan seared my shrimp with Adobo, Magic Mike Seafood Seasoning, & parsley. Then cook in a pan lightly coated with EVOO. 

8. CrockPot Pot Roast with onions, celery, potatoes, & carrots. 

We use Knorr's Sauerbraten pot roast seasoning mix. 

9. Shrimp and Grits

10. Crab Cakes. 

Here is a similar recipe I use. I do not use egg or dijon mustard in my recipe because the mayonnaise holds everything together and keeps things moist. I do add a little extra mayo only to hold things together. You do not need a lot. I also use Ritz crackers instead of Saltines. I mix mayo and Old Bay in a small bowl. Once crab cakes are formed, I lightly brush the tops with the mixtures and sprinkle with paprika. I bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. 

11. Stuffed Lobster. Broccoli. Steamed Wild Rice.

 clams casino recipe. Instead of pancetta, we use bacon and we substitute the clams with crabmeat plus we add Ritz crackers. :)

12. Lamb with mint rosemary sauce, carrots, squash, side salad.

13. Yellow cake with Chocolate Buttercream Icing

I used a regular moist yellow box cake mix.

14. German night from our trip to Helen, Ga.

Schnitzel, potato pancakes, grilled shrimp in garlic sauce, red cabbage, spaetzle, potato dumpling, Sauerbraten and bratwurtz. 

I know y'all are hungry now!

Best of 2013: Travels!

Instead of doing a traditional 5 on Friday I am going to do a "Best of 2013" for the next few days. Today, I am going to focus on the best travels that we have taken this year. Though we have not gone to many places, the places we did go were meaningful. Let's get started.

Our trips around Florida.

It was our great uncle's 80th Birthday ~ Tampa, FL.

Disney Wide World Sports: Braves vs. Marlins.

This is why I chop!

Georgia vs. Nebraska Capital One Bowl

Orlando, FL. 

Many beach days! ~ New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Our trips to Georgia.

February my cousin's wedding ~ Savannah, GA.

Darien, GA.

Dillard, GA.

White Water Rafting ~ Chattooga River

Helen, GA.

The Georgia Aquarium ~ Atlanta, GA.

I hope 2014 brings us new travels. Here is my bucket list of places I would love to see:

Greece

Italy

Spain

Scotland

Ireland

Grand Cayman Islands

Turks and Caicos 

Cabo San Lucas

Boston, M.A.

Seattle, WA.

San Diego, CA 

Niagara Falls ~ Canada Side

Nashville, TN

Charlotte, NC

Chicago, IL

Las Vegas, NV

Grad Canyon, NV.

South Carolina Nicolas Sparks book tour

Yosemite National Park

Alaska

Places I have been:

France

Belgium

Germany

Switzerland

Bahamas

St. Maarten

Virgin Islands ~ St. Johns & St. Thomas Islands

Washington D.C.

Virginia

Georgia

Myrtle Beach, SC.

Florida Keys

Fort Lauderdale, FL.

St. Pete/Tampa, FL. 

Jacksonville, FL.

St. Augustine, FL.

Daytona, FL. 

Pensacola, FL.

Denver, CO.

Colorado Springs, CO.

Breckenridge, CO. 

Leavenworth, KS

Kansas City, KS

Overland Park, KS 

I am sure I am forgetting some places I have been and I am sure I will add places I would love to see as time goes on. I also hope air fares will cool it's jets for a while so I can go back to Europe. About 5 years ago, I was able to fly to Germany and back for $500. Now, it is up to $1400 per person. Uh, no thanks! So until those prices come down, I will take the chances of traveling within the United States.   What are the places you would love to visit?

New Year's Resolution

Hey Y'all! I hope you are having fun scrabbling around picking up those last minute gifts for the ones you love. Not unless you are one of those people who is very organized and had all your shopping done by the first weekend in December. I definitely envy you if your shopping is done. 

I know it is a little early to talk about New Year's resolutions but I have a confession...I already have one in mind. This only came about when I had the bright idea to step on the scale for the first time in months. Yeah....BIG MISTAKE or maybe it was a wake up call! Who gets on a scale during the holidays? This girl. When I saw the big fat number staring back at me in the face, I kindly picked my chin up off the floor and tucked my big round eyes back into my head. Then, I realized that I am at my heaviest weight I have ever been! Oy vey! At that moment I told myself, no more. 

So after December 25th it's back to taking care of myself and cutting back the sweets. I'm not even waiting for the new year because delaying is not benefiting me. Yesterday I made the choice and today I started the change. This morning I got back on my cycling bike and ate a balance breakfast full of protein. For dinner, I made grilled chicken with veggies baked in the oven. I know I will be off track on Christmas day but I plan on getting back on track the day after. 

Though I never make New Year's resolutions, this year I am make one to better my health. 

What is your New Year's resolution going to be?

5 on Friday

Hey Y'all! I hope you are having a Holly Jolly Friday so far. This week has been a busy one with last minute nick-nack shopping after work. The students got out early each day and I was able to catch up on some last minute things so that is always a plus. Anywho, I'm linking up to share my favorite things this week.

{one}

One of my favorite products this week is the No Puffery from Origins. Love. Love. Love. It's a roll on and you use a small amount under your eyes to reduce those ugly bags and puffiness. The consultant recommended putting it in the refrigerator for the coolness. However, I see a difference without having to go to my refrigerator so no extra trip for me. 

{two}

Our neighborhood had their holiday celebration. Every year we have a get together to mingle for a few hours. This year we had a great turn out and great participation. We line the streets with votives in a white paper bags. The neighborhood looked so festive. After I came home from taking my bestie to the train station, I made yummy cupcakes with homemade buttercream icing for our holiday celebration. 

 

{three}

We had a doggy Christmas shoot with the pups the other night. That was interesting and hilarious at the same time. My doggies are not good about patiently waiting and posing so perfectly for the camera. So, many dog treats later and having them face me and not the tree, I got 2 good shots. 

{four}

The elf Holly Belle has been up to no good this week.

{five}

I got off work early today. :) That itself makes a pretty awesome #5. 

Until next time...