crafty.

I think I'm about to get crafty.

With the way the job market is and how bored I get after I clean the apartment for the 100th time for the week, I need a creative outlet.

One that may possibly make a little money, via (you guessed it) Etsy.

What I am going to make?

Can't tell you that yet.

It will be vintage-y and Anthropologie-y and you will want to have one (or two)--I hope!

(And yes, I DO know what I am going to make--just need to test it out this week.)

Stay tuned!

beachy.

Springtime is upon us--YAY!!!!!

With that said, so are all of the SUPER cute spring fashions.

"Beachy" is my favorite Spring/Summer "look."

I would like to wear this today, courtesy of Anthropologie (of course):



Sunny Skies Tee




Worker Bee Trousers




Marine Depths Wedges




Tears of Midas Earrings




Laughter & Efflorescence Cuff




Pompom Zarape Clutch



cows in a tree.

It rained a lot the other night. We had an oak tree casualty due to excessive ground saturation.

Apparently cows eat Spanish moss...



Moo.

 There are actually 3 calves and 2 cows here...



Hey.



I love moss.



Maybe if I don't mooooove, she won't see me and will go away so I can eat my newly found moss in peace.

Ok, fine. Bye.



mid-week list.

1. Rent is due. I hate paying rent.

2. I have been to a workout class 3 out of the last 4 days. YAY me!

3. I have been trying some new recipes and will share them over the next days/weeks.

3a. We need to stop eating out 3+ times a week.

3b. I LOVE eating out.

4. My niece thinks Husband looks like Buzz Lightyear. You be the judge.

5. Husband has his one month post-op doctor's appointment Monday...he is SO desperate to play golf, so let's hope for some good news!

6. I love Spring.

7. I miss Spring Break.

8. Sister and Brother-in-law are going to Jamaica this month for sister's 30th birthday...jealous (about Jamaica, not so much the big 3-0).

9. I will be keeping my nieces while they are gone...unless I am employed.

10. I hope that I'm employed--not because I don't want to keep my nieces, but because I am SO TIRED of being unemployed. I could scream. But I won't.

11. I will continue with the job hunt and practicing patience.

12. Husband and I just signed up for the Rumpshaker 5k in Birmingham on March 26. It is for colon cancer awareness. Our team is "Seymore Butts" and was started by one of my bestest friends, Melissa, who's (awesome) father has colon cancer. Please go here for more info and to sign up. It's $20 and that includes your "donation", t-shirt, and some other little goodies. Feel free to join our team!

13. Happy Hump Day!

mangia!

That's "eat!" in Italian, for those who do not know...

Today I'm sharing with all five of you my favorite favorite favorite pasta to make.

Why do I LOVE it?

It is EASY.

It is DELICIOUS.

It is VERY similar to "Tag Pic Pac" at Carrabas.



Cast of Characters--plus whatever spaghetti-type pasta you like.

 Fresh Pasta

Serves 2

Ingredients

1/2 box of spaghetti noodles (regular or whole grain)
1 can diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed
10 cloves of fresh garlic, sliced
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Romano cheese, shredded
Italian seasoning
Red pepper or red pepper flakes
Salt
Pepper

-Prepare your pasta according to the box (add some salt to the water). Don't over cook the pasta!

-While the pasta is cooking, over med/high heat in a large skillet, soften the garlic in a Tbsp of olive oil. This takes about two minutes--be careful not to burn the garlic!

-Add the drained/rinsed diced tomatoes to the garlic/olive oil.

-Add Italian seasoning (just sprinkle some).

-Add salt and pepper (to taste).

-Add a few dashes of red pepper.

-Continue to stir tomato mixture until thoroughly heated.

-Drain pasta and add it into the skillet with the tomato mixture.

-Add fresh chopped basil.

-Drizzle with remaining Tbsp of olive oil.

-Mix together (easiest with tongs).

-Plate and top with Romano cheese.

You may add more tomatoes or less--same with the olive oil, basil, and garlic. BUT, in my opinon, the more the better. The garlic and the basil are what REALLY flavor this pasta, so don't skimp!

Mangia.

Fresh Pasta



florida food.

We are headed to Florida to hang out with Husband's family for a long weekend. One thing we look forward to is eating at all of our "places" while we are there. Try these out if you are ever in the Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota area...

William's Subs.
3801 Tyrone Blvd.
St. Petersburg, FL 33709

William's Subs

Fresh bread, cheese, and meats. Add mayo, onions, fresh diced tomatoes, sweet relish, and spicy pepper relish. SO. SO. GOOD. See below....

Ted Peter's Smoked Fish.

1350 Pasadena Ave S
South Pasadena, FL 33707



Ted Peter's



Smoked Fish Spread



Cheeseburger...that's Velveeta on there!



Ted Peter's is the "Lloyd's" of St. Petersburg--in my opinion. They do smoked fish instead of BBQ. Husband and his family LOVE their 'smoked fish spread'. I do not eat seafood. They have a GREAT cheeseburger...and they have Barq's Rootbeer served in frosty mugs!

Columbia Restaurant.

411 St. Armands Circle
Sarasota, FL 34236



Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota



1905 Salad

Sangria

The Columbia Restaurant has several locations in the Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota area. We like to visit the one on St. Armand's in Sarasota. We always order Sangria (of course) and a '1905 Salad'--which is made by your server at your table. Here is the recipe. They also sell their sangria mix in the gift shop and online.

valentine's history lesson

Today is St. Valentine's Day.

Who the heck is/was Saint Valentine?!

I, like most of you, did not really know either--except for the part about him being a "saint."

So, here it goes:

**Disclaimer: I am not Catholic and am just compiling what I could find online. Thank you.**

Saint Valentine = Valentinus

Valentinus was a priest who assisted those in Rome who were being persecuted--and performed marriage ceremonies at a time when marriage was outlawed (i.e. the Emperor needed "single" soldiers for his army). He was captured, beaten, and then beheaded on February 14 (suprise!) in 270 AD by Emperor Claudius II. Thus, making him a martyr. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom...and to replace a pagan holiday of Juno Februata, Roman goddess of the "fever" (google it).

He is the patron saint of (this is where it gets interesting): affianced couples, bee keepers (?!?), engaged couples, epilepsy (?!?), fainting (?!?), greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague (?!?), travellers, and young people.

It is said that before being beheaded, he wrote a farewell letter, and signed it "From your Valentine..."

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!



Valentinus



Emperor Claudius II



Pope Gelasius