Satisfying a Craving

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to make nachos. My easygoing fiance is perfectly willing to microwave shredded cheese over chips and call it a day. I, on the other hand, am a little bit more picky when it comes to this dish. The best nachos ever, believe it or not, come from the little mexican place in my college food court. I used to have to limit myself to eating this amazingness only once a week, knowing that otherwise I would be tempted to eat so many meals worth that I'd start to resemble Violet Beauregarde. I'm only a little bit ashamed to say that this is one of the things I miss the most about school (coming in right after my friends and being able to walk everywhere in nice weather). Recently, though, I started to seriously crave these nachos again, so I set out to recreate them in the comfort of my own kitchen.
Some things were pretty obvious: basic chips, diced onions, lettuce, black beans, sour cream. There are, however, a few key components that proved a little tougher to figure out: the heavenly cheese sauce and the "salsa ranch" that always topped off all of this deliciousness. As suspicious as I am about the texture of Velveeta cheese, I always hear that it's one of the best (and the easiest) to melt. I knew I wasn't going to have a ton of time on my hands this week to perfect the recipe, so I decided to start here. I was actually pleasantly surprised -- it certainly wasn't the best and it turned out to be a lot thicker than I was hoping, but it wasn't as awful as I expected. I didn't make a whole lot, so the rest of the yummy stuff I loaded on also sort of overpowered it. Not a bad start, but definitely something to keep working on.
I really wasn't sure where to start for the salsa until I remembered the hidden valley ranch mix that I had in the pantry. I mixed that with some sour cream and then stirred a little bit of mild salsa in. Again, it wasn't exactly the right consistency, but considering it took me about 2 minutes to make, I was pretty impressed. Once everything got mixed together, my little imitation actually turned out to be a darn good little meal:

Terrible picture quality but yummy dinner!

I'm going to keep working on this one, but for a first attempt I'd say it went pretty well. Now if only I could start to recreate some of the other things I've been craving... 

   Love,

    Meg

A Case of the Mondays

I've felt a little bit off all day today. Tired but restless, stressed but bored, annoyed but I just can't put my finger on the reason why. It's actually been a good day, for a Monday. I got up early this morning and went for a great run before work (I thought exercise was supposed to put you in a good mood?) The office was really crazy but the day absolutely flew by. My awesome fiance took me grocery shopping tonight and I (finally) have a fridge full of yummy food that I can't wait to cook eat. I even picked up the enormous wedding issue of martha stewart living -- not a magazine I would normally read, but I couldn't risk missing all the fantastic wedding ideas that I'm sure are lurking underneath its covers. When it comes to wedding planning, I'm definitely a leave-no-stone-unturned kind of girl -- more than willing to sort through thousands of mediocre ideas just to find that one perfect detail. After we left the grocery store, Dan and I grabbed burgers from 5 Guys for dinner -- I've been eating so well lately but I've been craving a good cheeseburger for at least two weeks now, and I was practically drooling all the way home. Not quite as good as a homemade cheeseburger fresh off the grill, but still pretty awesome. Plus when I got home, there was a package sitting on our doormat that I've been waiting for anxiously. Overall? Pretty decent for a Monday.
So why am I still a little down? Call it lack of sunshine, warm weather, and a good tan. That's right, in the college world (from which I have only recently been unceremoniously shoved), this week is spring break. My facebook is full of status updates from Miami, the Outer Banks, and multiple cruise ships which all seem to be floating along towards tropic locations. Unfortunately, the working world doesn't seem to offer such luxuries as a whole week set aside to jet off to warmer climates. But what I wouldn't give for my toes to be here...

Or here...

Really, I'm not too particular. All I ask for is sun and warmth. And maybe a fruity drink. 

   Love,

    Meg

(Mostly) Silent Sundays

Oh hey there blog! Nice to know that you're still here, even though you've been a little neglected lately. It's been a busy weekend, so I figured it would be fun (and easier, I'm trying to conserve brain cells for the long week ahead) to share what I've been up to in picture form. Except I didn't take any pictures. My poor camera has also been pretty neglected recently -- it hasn't seen the light of day in several weeks. So I'm borrowing the photography skills of others this time around, and hopefully next week I'll do better at taking a few snapshots of my own.

We spent the weekend at Dan's house with his brothers since his parents are in 

Florida with his sister, who is about to have a baby! Saturday started with a little bit of relaxation:

(I wish my bed looked like that)

... and then Dan's little brother made us french toast for breakfast:

Yummy!

We headed back to our apartment for the afternoon to check on the furball 

and took a short nap:

Saturday night, we headed out with Dan's brother and his girlfriend 

for a delicious dinner of this:

... (although ours looked much better than this picture and came with the best tartar sauce ever), 

plus a few of these:

Even though we were stuffed, we stopped by for some of this afterwards:

Soooo good! Then we went to see this movie:

... which was hysterical and a perfect date night pick. This lady:

is one of my very favorite people. She is so gorgeous and just an 

inspiring personality both on- and off-screen!

Today, Dan and I braved our hometown mall (one of my least favorite 

places to be -- always crowded and chaotic) to make a big purchase:

... our wedding rings! (nope, not the ones in the picture)

I'm working on a post all about our wedding plans this week, so stay tuned!

I also treated myself to one of these:

... which I crave every once in a while.

Then we headed back to Dan's house -- his grandmother came to town this afternoon

to hang out with the boys during the week, and she made a fantastic dinner:

All the food I consumed this weekend was so worth it, 

but it means I will be doing a lot of this:

... this week!

   Love,

    Meg

Sometimes It's Okay...

Since graduating from college and dipping my toes into this whole "real life" thing, I've noticed that my perspective on what is "acceptable" has changed in many ways. I worked my butt off during four years of school, but the 8-5 workday has introduced a whole new meaning to the word "exhausted." Turning in work for a grade was stressful enough, but turning in work to a boss? That's a whole new ballgame. Beyond the job front, I've also moved out "on my own"... except, with a boy. If anything will change your perspective on personal habits, let. me. tell. you. I love him to death, but sometimes I wonder if we really are both of the same species. And speaking of species, there's also the fact that I am still a new parent... of a furball. Lots of adjustments!
I have always been a perfectionist (and still am, don't get me wrong), but these new experiences have taught me a lot about when and where it's okay to let go a little, stop feeling guilty, and just live:


Sometimes it's okay... to invite your parents over for dinner... and then ask them to bring dinner. At least I was making dessert!
Sometimes it's okay... to make yourself feel better because even though the girl sprinting on the treadmill next to you has run twice the distance you have and she's barely broken a sweat, she's wearing workout clothes left over from the early 80's. Plus she shouts the answers to Wheel of Fortune. From the treadmill. Awkward.
Sometimes it's okay... to take a compliment. Especially if it's in regards to something you've been busting your ass on lately. Don't minimize the effort, just smile and say thank you (and then do a little victory dance once no one is looking).
Sometimes it's okay... to read magazines online instead of spending the money to subscribe. It's fun to get something other than bills in the mail, but no matter how interesting they look, they will only sit on the coffee table for months. I always get through the Food Network magazine that my mom got me, and I'm so tempted to subscribe to 1 or 2 or 6 more, but I know I'd never have time to read them.
Sometimes it's okay... to miss your fiance terribly when he's gone but to be comforted a little by the fact that there is a little extra space to stretch out in bed.
Sometimes it's okay... to force the cat to sleep in bed with you because the bed feels a little too big without afore mentioned fiance. Luckily we adopted a snuggler, so it doesn't take much convincing for little Toby.
Sometimes it's okay... to visit the in-laws for a yummy homemade dinner that you didn't actually have to cook. Also to accept their offer of leftover macaroni and cheese to take home... but to turn down the broccoli. (Who am I kidding? This is always okay.) 
Sometimes it's okay... to wear a boring outfit to work. It's tough to color-coordinate and accesorize when your eyes are still half shut in the mornings.
Sometimes it's okay... to need a little space.
Sometimes it's okay... to pack a healthy lunch for work... and then go out to get a big, delicious side of hummus and pita to go with it.
Sometimes it's okay... to unsubscribe from all those emails that you never read anyway.
Sometimes it's okay... to drink a glass of tomato juice for breakfast at work and wish that it were a bloody mary.
Sometimes it's okay... to hit the snooze button and sleep through a morning workout, but still get up in plenty of time to stop at Starbucks on my way to work.
Sometimes it's okay... to take a day off from work. I'm definitely not used to getting vacation/personal days, and I'm so tempted to just save them up in case of an emergency. I've only taken one so far, but I am sooo ready for another one already. I miss cancelled classes and spring break and skipping a class every once in a while!
Sometimes it's okay... to cook for just one person. Cereal for dinner gets old. Fast.

   Love,

    Meg

Ch-ch-ch-changes

I'm feeling particularly crabby today, annoyed by work and money and my busy schedule and the Army and an errant tooth and the clothes I'm wearing and my energy level (did you catch all that? Happy Tuesday!), so I figured it would be a good day to blog about something I don't so much like either. If you're looking for sunshine and inspiration, it's probably best that you come back tomorrow... or at least go outside to read this post.
Let's begin here: I don't deal well with change. More than just "don't like," more than just "not accustomed to," more than just "have a little trouble with." Flat out don't. deal. well. at all. Dread, despise, refuse, loathe, avoid at all costs -- all of those work. Even little tiny changes that wouldn't faze a normal person have a tendency to knock me into a tailspin. It's okay that now you're sitting there wondering about me a little, thinking "how boring!" I know lots of people who can't live without change -- they yearn for variety and get a little hairy when they're stuck in the same place/relationship/routine for too long. I respect these people, I really do, but I can't even begin to understand them. Given the choice between adventure and flux and invariable routine.... well, that's not even a choice for me. I know, I know. How boring. Bear with me though...
The reality is, actually, I adjust pretty well to change on the outside. I can totally fool you into thinking that I'm fine, so basically anyone who knows me doesn't even realize that I have this little issue. It's the inner turmoil that most people never see which leads me to the conclusion that I don't handle change well. It really doesn't matter what the nature of the change is, either: I used to get equally as upset leaving college after two grueling weeks of finals to go home for a much needed break as I did heading back to school after being at home for a month. I was sad to leave a job I didn't actually like. I dread the ends of vacations. I am a whimpering excuse for a human being for at least 2 days after Dan leaves for a long period of training (but never around anyone else).
At the risk of sounding slightly Freudian and blaming my parents (it's really not their fault), I think my extreme hatred of major life changes stems from their divorce. As I can recall, that was the last big adjustment in my life that did not, in fact, produce a massive thunderstorm in my head. I was about 11 when my parents decided to separate and probably 12 by the time my mom moved out and I started to split my time between them, and everyone (parents, grandparents, teachers, friends) watched me make this transition with worried expressions. In the end, though, I managed to prove them all wrong and scaled the hurdle like it was no more than a speed bump. Both inside and out, I emerged from this one apparently unscathed. Apparently.
I have a feeling that the self-composure and strength needed to get through such a big change with the amount of success that I had, though, used up some sort of inner quota. Does anyone know where I can buy a thicker skin and a sense of adventure? With maybe a side of coping mechanism?
I wanted to write about this strong internal objection to change because it is particularly pertinent and growing ever more so. The next year comes with the promise of major changes in almost every part of my life: my job is constantly evolving (sometimes for the better, sometimes not), I'm getting married (don't get me wrong, I'm beyond excited, but still it's pretty big), Dan is leaving for a deployment (hello, living alone), and then there's that little question about law school, a career, and my future. All kinds of big, scary obstacles looming ahead, popping out at the most inopportune times to scare me out of my mind remind me that they're still there. And because I am a wimp, here I sit with my head in the sand, trying hard to pretend I don't feel that tapping on my shoulder. 
So there you have it. Change makes me nauseous, and it's going to be a long year, boys and girls.
For now, it seems that the most obvious solution to this is to go to the gym, sweat a little, and then head home to curl up with the cat, a rather large glass of wine, and a good movie. Please excuse me while I drown my worries in a little merlot.... sorry for being such a pessimistic little raincloud today!

   Love,

    Meg

Confessions from a Fiance-less Weekend

I have been a complete waste of space so far this weekend. Luckily no one has been around to witness my laziness, and I am of the belief that once in a while, everyone deserves a few days off from... well, the whole world. As much as I miss Dan when he is gone, especially on the weekends, after several crazy weeks in a row it has been nice to be a total slacker. Hopefully the cat isn't judging me too much.
Because the boring weekend has given me absolutely nothing to write about (except terrible commercials and the exact contours of my couch), I figured I'd share some brutally honest confessions about what life is like when your fiance is gone all weekend... hopefully all of you won't judge me too much either:
Confession 1: I changed into shorts and a t-shirt when I got home on Friday, and even though I did shower yesterday, I have yet to put on "real" clothes.
Confession 2: I woke up at 9 yesterday morning (which was blissfully late for this girl), but did not get out of bed until 12... and then it was only to move to the couch.
Confession 3: I did not eat a real meal yesterday, unless you count Thin Mints. As much as I love to cook, it's so nice to take a day off from figuring out how to cook a recipe without that one necessary ingredient I don't have in the pantry (there's always one).
Confession 4: I've watched at least 7 episodes of Sex in the City.
Confession 5: I didn't even open the shades yesterday, much less actually go outside at all.
Confession 6: My idea of productivity? One load of laundry and emptying the dishwasher.
Confession 7: After such an exciting day, I sat down on the couch to watch a movie... and fell asleep. Guess where I slept all night?
Pretty bad, huh? Thankfully I have plans to act like a real person today in hopes of making up for yesterday. It's nice outside so I'm heading to one of my favorite places to run, and then I'm meeting up with my future MIL for a movie this afternoon. Dan comes home tonight to rescue me from empty-house syndrome!

   Love,

    Meg

  

Friday Favorites

Oh goodness, words can't even describe how thrilled I am that it is Friday. I have absolutely nothing planned this weekend: Dan will be at drill until Sunday evening, and although I will miss him, I am looking forward to two days full of sleeping late, bonding with the cat, a few good runs, finally getting through that book I've been trying to finish all week, and cleaning our home sweet home. I might even tackle the piles of laundry that threaten to swallow Toby every time he ventures into our closet. After several super busy weekends in a row, I am really excited to take one off and just relax. In celebration, I'm here to share a few more of the wonderful things that have made my week...

Teddy Grahams! I haven't eaten one of these little guys in probably 15 years. I bought two boxes recently to use in recipes (honey to go with the cookie dough dip and chocolate for one of the cheesecake crusts) and have been snacking on the leftovers all week. They are the perfect cure for my mid-afternoon cravings for something sweet, and they actually aren't too bad for you (as cookies go). Plus it's been fun to relive my childhood as I bite their little heads off.... yep, terrible. You should see me with a gingerbread man.

{via}

I love the original "Keep Calm and Carry On" quote with the crown image and unique historic feel, but I can't help but fall in love with some of the adorable new adaptations of it as well. This has to be my favorite variation and I am so tempted to buy one to hang up in our kitchen. It's kind of the perfect little life motto for me right now -- after all, what problem can't be solved with a cupcake... or 3?

I know I'm a few months late on this craze (I'm used to being just a little bit behind the curve), but in my defense, I've been wanting to play forever and they just rolled out the Android app about 2 weeks ago. It is everything I dreamed of and more. My father takes his Scrabble very seriously and I seem to have inherited his passion... as well as a little bit of his fierce determination to win. every. game. Dan is slightly frustrating to play with because he takes approximately 3 days to come up with each word, but I've been playing with his little brother's girlfriend and luckily she maintains a much more desirable pace (and is quite a challenging opponent). Here's my question for all of you out there in blog-land: do any of you play words with friends? I'd love to play with you... I promise I'm not actually as competitive as it sounds!

I've been running into this new song from Zac Brown Band for at least a week in all kinds of places (including a few blogs, although of course I don't remember which ones now), but for some reason I didn't get around to listening to it until yesterday. Since then it has been on repeat, and I'm not kidding when I say that I must have played it at least 50 times. I love so much of their music -- they have amazing voices that blend well together and create some really incredible harmony. This new single is haunting and sad but oh so wonderful. The lyrics are also pretty great:  

When I close my eyes I see you, no matter where I am

I can smell your perfume through these whispering pines

I'm with your ghost again, it's a shame about the weather

But I know soon we'll be together, and I can't wait 'til then...

Does this even surprise you? Sometimes the promise of Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee, even when it's freezing outside, is enough to get me through a day... or even a week. I have to run over to that side of town after work today and I am so excited to have the perfect excuse to pick up a treat on the way home. Plus I went to the gym this morning, so I'd say I've earned this one.

Happy weekend everyone!

   Love,

    Meg