Weekend in Review

As usual, this past weekend flew by. I would say that for the most part, my weekend was 

 uneventful, but I did have a few highlights:

I picked a bucket of tomatoes and decided to make 

something delicious. Tune in tomorrow to see what I made.

I participated in an "In Store" focus group at Academy Sports for a popular active ware brand. I have been told that when the new labels/tags come out in 12 months, that my opinions and suggestions will all have something to do with the new look. Go me!

 I discovered a new beer that I now LOVE!

 I bought a wreath form for a craft project I have been wanting to 

create for some time now. (More to come...)

 I participated in Happy Hour both Saturday and Sunday.

 Oh Large Vanilla Diet Coke, how I love thee...

 Have you ever heard about men trying to pick up women in the grocery store? I thought this was something that only happened in the movies...oh, but no! I witnessed the most uncomfortable conversation ever, and I actually considered acting like I knew the 

girl to save her from the awkward moment. Here was his line - "I really need to start 

drinking more water, can you tell me what Crystal Light flavors are the best?" 

Really!? What man drinks Crystal Light?

And finally, I am now a proud user of Spotify, and am absolutely obsessed!!! What is Spotify you might ask, it is a cross between iTunes and Pandora. You can find ANY song

 you want to hear, and add it to your library; you can also create playlists and 

share them with your friends. AMAZING! And no, I do not have the Karaoke 

version of Proud Mary in my Spotify Library...

Fallin for Fallon

Last week, I saw this video...

I then determined that it was time that I created a series recording for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. It has only been two nights since I created the series recording, and I am officially in love with Jimmy Fallon and have thus experienced some much needed laughter.

Jimmy has a series he likes to call "Late Night Hashtags."  A Hashtag is a Twitter term which allows people to make comments/tweets on a certain subject by using the designated "hashtag." In this case, #mybossiswierd was the topic of the night. I laughed so hard, that I thought it would be wrong not to share.

• My former boss asked me to get him a soda. He took off his shoe, reached into his sock and gave me 75 cents.
• Before having to clean the customer bathrooms, my old boss would "knight" us with the toilet plunger.
• When I worked at a Summer Camp, my boss asked me if you could get rabies from toilet paper that a raccoon chewed on.
• My boss once turned around quickly and accidentally hit me in the crotch. He then said, "Oops didn't mean to hit your pony!"
• My old boss at the toy store used to make me organize the stuff animals by which ones would not eat each other in real life.
• My old boss would use white-out to cover coffee stains on his dress shirt...looked like a bird turded on him.
• My first boss used to sneak up behind you, pinch your sides and say, "Keep it real, don't squeal," then wink.
• My boss was yelling in the bathroom stall. I asked him why, and he answered, "Sorry, Angry Birds."

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon will be on my DVR for a long 

time now, as I have fallin for Fallon!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Bloomin Cinnamon Roll Bread

My friend recently stumbled across this recipe in the Birmingham Newspaper. Like the author, I too have seen numerous recipes for this "pull apart" bread (Mostly savory) which have been sweeping the Blogging and Pinterest world. With the ingredients in front of me (Thanks to Melissa), we decided it was time to tackle the recipe.

CAUTION: This recipe is best consumed with a friend, as you will need help in order to not eat the whole loaf.

Ingredients:
1 unsliced round loaf sourdough bread
1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 Tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To make Vanilla Honey Butter: Whip butter and 1/4 cup powdered sugar together until smooth; stir in honey and vanilla.  Set aside.

Cut the bread lengthwise into 1/2" slices, without cutting through the bottom crust. Spread vanilla honey butter in between slices.  Rotate the bread 90 degrees and slice the bread again into 1/2" pieces, without cutting through the bottom crust. Spread more vanilla honey butter in between new cuts. This doesn't need to be perfect - just make sure there is lots of butter in between all the cuts. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Generously sprinkle in between all cuts. (You may have extra butter and cinnamon sugar.  It will just depend on how large your bread loaf is.)

Wrap in foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until bread is warm.  Unwrap cinnamon bread and place on serving platter.  Combine powdered sugar and milk - adding milk until you get the consistency desired.  Drizzle icing over bread and serve immediately. Enjoy!

It's Britney, Bitch!

Monday night, I had the opportunity to go see the one and only, Miss Britney Spears. It was a last minute opportunity and decision, and I am SO glad I said "Yes". I must say, Britney's concert was by far one of the best "shows" I have ever seen. From the lighting to the dancers, and then to the pyrotechnics, the show was a constant dance party. All in all, I am not ashamed to admit, that I am now a proud owner of Britney's 7th album Femme Fatale!

Here she comes...

Fresh Off the Vine

Have you heard of the website TasteSpotting? 

The creators of TasteSpotting believe that we first eat with our eyes. Upholding their belief, they created an online community which allows bloggers to submit recipes that are just as visually enticing as they are delicious, a "Visual Potluck" if you will.  If you are in search of a new recipe, I strongly urge you to visit TasteSpotting.

With the Truck Patch in full swing, and tomatoes serving as a common summer staple in most kitchens, I thought it would be great to share a few recipes that I plan on making soon. Enjoy!

Tomato Bread

Roasted Tomatoes with Shrimp and Feta

Baked Frittata with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

Summer Salad with Tomatoes, Avocado and Cucumbers

The Nations Capital

Last week, I traveled to Washington D.C. for a work conference. Unfortunately, most of my time was spent within the convention center, but I was able to sneak away one night for a Monuments by Moonlight tour. I can not even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the tour. I must say, I am now proud to admit that I have a much greater appreciate for history than I did in 8th grade (which was when I last visited the Nations Capital), and was quite eager to be at the front of the tour the whole time.

 Below are a few pictures from the tour.

The Capital Building

Do you know who lives on Pennsylvania Ave.?

The White House - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.!

Lafayette Park (Directly across the street from the White House) 

The park itself, is referred to Hell's Corner because the jurisdiction is split 

between D.C. Metro, Park Police and the Secret Service.

Statue in Lafayette Park

Honest Abe

(By far, my favorite monument!)

A Weekend in Boston

Following our week on Martha's Vineyard, Bailey, Laura, Anna and I had planned to head to Boston for the weekend. We did everything a tourist is expected to do, and enjoyed ourselves every minute of the way.

Bailey and Laura anxiously waiting for our Boston bound bus.

First stop - Regina Pizza. And yes, we felt the need to each order our own pizza. 

(I swear they were all different, even though they all look the same.)

After pizza, it was time for a Cannoli!

Was there a doubt in your mind that Anna and I would not take the 

Boston Harbor Cruise Whale Watch Tour? This is a shot of the skyline as 

we were pulling away from the harbor.

We saw whales!

 We did some shopping on Newbury Street, and fell in

love with the architecture.

We went to the Boston Common and Public Gardens.

And, who could leave Boston without enjoying a 

Boston Cream Pie from Quincy Market? NOT ME!

Martha's Vineyard 2011

I can't believe it has been two weeks now since I said goodbye to the Vineyard.

 Below is a quick recap:

Anna and I were greeted by the family + Laura when

 our ferry arrived in Oak Bluffs, MA.

We celebrated Anna's 27th Birthday!

(Yes - I made the hat. Click here for instructions.)

I loved the sign in front of the Vineyard Vine's Store - 1154.61 miles to Nashville.

We did some shopping.

I drank a lot of beer with blueberries. LOVE.

And drank some more while on the beach.

We went to Menemsha for the sunset. Hi Dad.

Yes, we bought matching sweatshirts in an 

attempt to recreate an awkward family photo.

Then the sun set.

After one of the fastest weeks of my life, it was time to say goodbye. Mom and Dad were to return to Texas, and Bailey, Laura, Anna and I were off to Boston.