Things are coming together!

I've been a wee bit MIA lately, but as you can read from my last post, I have been up to my eyeballs in busyness! After Jay and I signed all the papers, we took a trip to (where else?) Lowe's to pick up some door stops, so we don't cause any dings on the walls. We then went to Wendy's to have a celebratory meal! What can I say, I'm easy to please! I just love their chicken sandwiches.

We then drove off to the house and put a few things away. I just can't believe how bare the house feels right now, but in a few short weeks, it will be half-filled. As soon as we got the house I started putting things away in the closet. I'm ridiculous!

I cannot wait for the furniture to come next Friday. There will be absolutely NO Black Friday shopping for me this year. The DirectTV installer will also be coming that day too. I'm not happy about having a dish, but it is only for the short term (thank goodness). If you have any praises about using a dish, I would love to hear them.

I found these counter height bar stools

at Walmart to put at the breakfast bar. The reviews on them were good, besides the assembly. I got two sets. What do you think of them?

It's ours!

Yesterday, Jay and I took a trip to Worcester to sign the papers and close on the house. This gorgeous house, and 2 1/3 acres now belong to us! It still doesn't seem completely real, but it is. I am over the moon!

Veteran's Day

Today we thank the men and women in our country who have served- especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice- to die for our country. The military lifestyle is not easy- there are sacrifices for not only those who are deployed, but also their families who they leave behind. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries are often missed so our country can remain the land of the free. I have come to embrace the military lifestyle- it has led our family to meet so many dear friends we never would have met.... and I am very proud that Ben continues to serve for our country.

Thank you to all of who will serve, continue to serve and have served for our freedom. We are forever grateful, and today we salute you.

Especially big thanks go out to:

my father, who served in the Air Force for 20 years,

Jason, who served in the Navy for 5 years

and Brian, Jay's brother, who is currently serving in Iraq! We love and miss you Bri!

God Bless!

Weekend Recap

Jay and I had a great weekend down in CT. I left right after school and when I arrived I did some Christmas shopping. Since I'm a teacher, I bought some great workbooks and novels for my little cousins. I refuse to buy them toys because they get so much on Christmas anyway. I then went to Target to look at frames. For Christmas, I want to make Jay's mom, Denise, a collage of her three sons through the years. One picture from childhood, a picture when the were teenagers, and a current picture. What do you think? Too mushy-gushy? This is the frame I am considering using:

Jay arrived from Pittsburgh earlier then expected. I picked him up some dinner and we vegged on the cough for the rest of the night.

Saturday morning, we woke up early, but literally stayed in bed till noon watching The History Channel. We are such nerds! Later that afternoon, we drove to Mystic to pay for the map and pick out the matting and frame. We picked out a honey colored frame and a neutral gray mat. It kind of looks like this:

After the maps, we walked around to all the cutesy little stores, and I found another Christmas present! I bought a beautiful pair of pink pearl earrings for my Nana.

Aren't they cute? She loved pink, and I think she'll love them!

We went to eat dinner at a cute Italian place called Anthony J's. I got a delicious alio olio dish with chicken...yummmm! On our way home, we nearly hit a deer in the road. It literally came out of no where. Thankfully, Jason swerved and we missed it.

Sunday morning, my parents came to look at the furniture we picked out, and they loved it. Can I just say again, how wonderful our salesperson was? Julian was incredible! While we were there, my Nana decided to buy a dining room set. It was a crazy, furniture buying day. Our furniture will be delivered the day after Thanksgiving....I'm stoked!

PS....1 week till closing!

Off to CT for the weekend!

This weekend I'm off to the big CT for the weekend to see Jay. His flight arrives around 7:30 tonight, and I am so glad he will finally be back from Pittsburgh. It really has seemed like a longggg week.

This weekend we have a few fun things planned. On Saturday morning Jay and I are going to Mystic, CT. (Yes, the same Mystic made famous in the movie Mystic Pizza with Julia Roberts. Sadly, the pizza is pretty greasy and gross!) Jason wants to get an old map of Cape Cod for his Dad for Christmas. On the main street in Mystic there is this really nice, photo and map shop. So, we'll go there, walk around to all the little artsy places and get dinner at Anthony's. Jason is pretty excited about it!

Usually Sunday is GAME DAY, and part of it will be! However, on Sunday we will be going to Raymour and Flanigan's to put a down payment on the furniture. My parents are coming to check it out. Have a great weekend!

Mani and Pedis with Mom

After my many long meetings this afternoon, I headed to the mall to get dinner and nails done with mom. For dinner I headed to my favorite place in the food court, "Gourmet India." My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I got Chicken Tika Masala, Gobi Aloo, and the obligatory Nan.


My mom isn't much for Indian food, so she got some Pizza at Regina's. (She's so Italian, ha!) If you are ever in Boston's North End be sure to go to original Pizzeria Regina's and get a pie. You won't regret it.

After dinner, we got manicures and pedicures. I choose a beautiful plum color named, "Lincoln Park after midnight." It was great to spend time with Mom and chitchat. I also went to Williams-Sonoma and started Christmas shopping. I picked up a pie plate and spoonula for Jay's father, Ruben. He is an incredible cook and baker. Everything that comes out of his kitchen is incredible! One person down, a dozen or so more to go!

Show Us Your Thanksgiving Traditions

I'm hopping on the bandwagon and participating in Kelly's Korner "Show us your life" series. This week the theme is Thanksgiving recipes and traditions. This year will be the first time (in my entire life) that I won't be home for Thanksgiving dinner. Jay and I have decided to split the time between our parents' houses. I'll be down the Cape for dinner this year, and I'm really excited. After dinner we'll head to my parent's house for dessert. Something tells me I will be in no mood to eat another morsel!

Normally, when I'm at my parent's house for Thanksgiving my Nana and I do most of the prep work and cooking for the day. We have turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, etc. However, we also have a smorgasboard of appetizers which include my famously delicous-

Pizza Dip

Ingredients:
(I make this recipe low-fat. You can always use full fat products!)

-8 oz. low fat, plain cream cheese
-8 oz. fat free sour cream
-pinch each of oregano, garlic salt, basil
-1 cup of tomato and basil sauce
-1 cup of low fat mozzerella
-any topping you like on a pizza

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place sour cream, cream cheese, and herbs in mixing bowl. Mix together until smooth.
3. Place mixture in a 9-inch pie plate. Smooth down so surface is flat.
4. Spoon tomato sauce on mixture until completely covered.
5. Put mozzarella cheese on top of sauce and any other pizza toppings on top of cheese.
6. Bake 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling in center.
7. Let cool for 5 minutes, serve with tortilla chips.



This recipe is always the bell of the ball before the feast begins. Usually I make two dips, a plain cheese and a veggie topping one, and they are gone within an hour. Your guests or hosts, will definitely be in for a treat with this delicious recipe!

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone! :)


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