this week's menu...and cooking with one hand

We are all settled in our new apartment in Richmond, and I am so excited to cook in our new kitchen! It has all brand-new appliances and lots of counter space and storage. I thought I would try some new recipes this week. I found many of these recipes on the Dinner Tonight blog, I love Martha!

• MONDAY: Grilled Lemon Garlic Shrimp - Pasta with Arugula, White beans, and Walnuts (I used whole wheat pasta and added some goat cheese)
• TUESDAY: Eggplant and Mozzarella Melt (without the bread) - Spaghetti and Meatballs
• WEDNESDAY: Fish Tacos with Salsa Verde and Radish Slaw (substituting Mahi Mahi for Tilapia) - Corn and Black Beans
• THURSDAY: Spinach and Brie Chicken with Tomato Orzo
• FRIDAY: Grilled Rib Eye Steak - Italian Panzanella Salad - and a bottle of red wine we received as a gift at our engagement party last week!

Speaking of our engagement party, I sliced off the very tip of my finger just a few days before while slicing some bell peppers with a super sharp knife. Check out my sweet bandage. By the day of the party I was able to switch to a small piece of gauze with a Hello Kitty bandaid, much better than the Mickey Mouse pointer finger. Not very fun.

can't blog...

must. finish. quilt.

moving day is coming up and I don't want to have to move it in pieces.

this week's menu & Norcal eats

Short week this week. Arrived home last night from a week-long trip to Northern California for Mother's Day. Enjoyed tons of shopping and wedding planning with my mom and sister in Sacramento, visited friends in San Francisco, and a lovely Sunday drive and brunch in Sonoma Valley. Also made sure to hit my favorite food spots, Mikuni Sushi, Pizzeria Delfina, Bi-Rite Creamery, Tartine, and In-N-Out Burger ("that's what a hamburger's all about!"). 

So here it is:

• Baked pasta with sausage, spinach, garlic, and ricotta
• Strip steaks - Corn on the cob - Warm potato salad with bacon and parsley
• Thin-crust pepperoni pizza - Caesar salad
• going out for sushi!

that was quite a hike...

I'm engaged! Jonathan proposed to me on our hike on the trail map. It was very sweet. I'm guilty of having made fun of those that have their entire wedding planned within a week of getting engaged, but guess what... I am one of those people now. Wedding planning is more fun than I ever imagined!

this weekend's adventure

Tomorrow we're headed to Eno River State Park in Durham, NC for some hiking and a picnic. I'm making Barefoot Contessa's truffled filet of beef sandwiches (french bread-sliced filet mignon-shaved parmesan-arugula-TRUFFLE BUTTER mmmmmm). Also bringing some dried pineapple trail mix. And a camera! Let's hope for no rain, there's a 30% chance.

on the menu

• Roasted salmon - Tortellini with potatoes and mint pesto
• Steak and blue cheese chopped salad
• Teriyaki bacon-wrapped chicken and pineapple skewers - Basmati rice - Roasted asparagus
• Roasted vegetable and goat cheese lasagna
• NACHOS! 

go your own way

I'm headed to Charlotte tomorrow to go to the Fleetwood Mac Reunion show. Very excited!

on the menu

Here's what we are eating for dinner this week:

• Steak tacos - Pineapple and chipotle salsa - Smoky black beans and roasted corn
  
• Bacon wrapped pork tenderloin - Smashed red potatoes - Roasted carrots and fennel with pecorino
• Cast iron skillet pepperoni and cheese pizza with cornmeal crust - Casear salad
• Lemon and thyme chicken thighs - Cheese ravioli with zucchini and parmesan

new yarn

I haven't had much work lately, so I've been working hard to keep myself busy. Today I took a field trip to the state farmers market and a specialty yarn store. I don't know why I bother with Michaels for yarn. The nice stuff is totally worth it. I'm really into 100% cotton right now, plain and simple. The orangey-coral one is my favorite. I have a bunch of new craft ideas. I WILL have an etsy shop one day.

I'm spending the evening trying to finish up my current crafts. I'm on the homestretch of my crocheted flower coverlet.  I'll be watching American Idol and the Real Housewives of NYC. I think this season is much better than the first. CAN'T WAIT for the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

one month

Countdown to our next move, into another apartment.  We're going to make a day trip up to Richmond next weekend to check out our top three apartment complexes that we have found from a little internet research.

Not looking forward to: Packing, but I know I will be happier if I start ahead of time and have a somewhat organized [chaos] move. 

Looking forward to: Letting the men do the heavy lifting, UNPACKING, and DECORATING a new apartment. Also, apartments have pools. We're moving mid-May...perfect timing. Getting a new job.

Wish me luck.

Dear Mr. Easter Bunny,

I would like this in my Easter basket this year. It is the only thing I'm asking for (besides Peeps, my fave).

current projects

Here are my current projects:

Images from Berroco

Crocheted coverlet in shades of blue, using Paton SWS (soy/wool/silk) yarn. It's yummy.

I am also making the "Mod Sampler" quilt from Oh, Fransson!'s quilt-along. 

These projects happen to be both my first crochet project, and my first quilt! Nothing like jumping in head first... they are both coming along very well so far. Pictures to come soon.

I have been knitting for a few years now, and sewing since I was a little girl, so I am digging the challenge these new projects are bringing me. 

I almost always have more than one project going at a time, gotta keep it exciting! There is nothing worse than getting burned out on your very own project.