I recognized those headlights

After spending 8 hours traveling from Georgia to North Carolina back into Virginia, being tired was an understatement.  I had just spent the last three days standing on my feet, smiling and talking, and "selling" my customer to the other conference attendees.  It was a good trip, but I like being at home so much better.

I picked up my brown and pink polka dotted carry on bag and headed out of my smaller town airport.  As I waited, I finally checked my email and passed the time until I recognized those headlights.  Higher up than most cars and close set, they were a warming and comforting sight.  The lifted Jeep with noisy tires pulled to the curb.  I could feel my face grow with a big smile.

He put the beast in park, hopped out, and held out a jacket for me.  My heart melted as I jumped in the topless Jeep and he drove us back to our little home.  With my hair blowing in the breeze I wasn't cold at all.

I love that man with his big boy toys.  He's a good man.  He even rubbed my feet when we got home.  I love being home.  

Whirlwind

The last month has been a whirlwind.  A couple weeks ago we made the big move to sweet Charlottesville.  It a very busy weekend.  Luckily we had great weather and our new town greeted us with vibrant blooming trees, pinks, purples and yellow against a perfect blue sky.

We weren't without our moving snags...like me forgetting the Playstation and very important cords/wires in Nova.  Ladies:  if moving, make sure your sig. other explicitly specifies which boxes he/she really wants to bring.

I didn't even get to help unpack because that Monday I traveled up to Baltimore to support a week-long work meeting.  So this was the first week I got to live in our new house, and I love it.

I love that we have a full house to live in.  I can't believe we were living in apartments/one room for so long.  Being able to stretch out and spread out is priceless.

We are blessed to have found this home.

We are in the heart of the city and SO close to everything.  During one weekend, Husband I did all kinds of running around (Lowes about 4 times, Big lots, grocery store, Target, the mall, etc, etc, etc) and it was all done during one afternoon!  What?!  In Nova that would have been a three day ordeal.  Not here, when you live 5-10 min away from everything, it's amazing how much time you save.

So we are settling in and unpacking slow but steadily.  Working my way through the boxes, a couple at a time.  My game plan is to unpack and *try* and let the house/us settle before decorating.  This is tough for me because I just want to nest and make the house comfortable as soon as possible.

So that's what I've been doing the last couple weeks, we are absolutely loving this town and our home.  A fresh start was exactly what we needed.

Love & Hugs.

It's cute

This past weekend I got to spend my first weekend in the new house.  It is cute, quirky, but cute.  I did take pictures, but the memory card is in Charlottesville.

Husband's honey-do list has already started:
-Adjust the water heater so we can have warm water that isn't hot as hell or ice cold like it's from Alaska.
-Fix a toilet a stopper (is that the right word?).
-Put in a new kitchen faucet that allows us wash dishes in the entire sink rather than just the side closest to the faucet.
-Draino the water pipes

Other than those minor things, we are SO very excited.  We have space, which is exactly what we want after living in one room for 9+ months.  I think I am/we are really going to like having three floors.   It will be good to work on one level and then play on the others.

So, while we were in town we looked at furniture, couches and love seats mainly.  Tip to my lady friends: if you want to go furniture shopping, set the expectations of your beloved and be prepared to compromise.  Saturday afternoon we looked at couches but both of us were not in the right state of mind.  On Sunday we had a much better idea of what we were doing, what we were looking for, and we were successful!

After sitting on almost every couch in two stores, we found a cute, more tailored love seat for the upstairs living room and a comfy, lounge/nap ready leather recliner for the downstairs living room.  They both should be delivered this Saturday sometime while we're unpacking.

Oh yeah, our big moving push is this weekend.  So this week we are packing, we've ordered the U-Haul, we're taking off work, it's all coming together.  My fingers are crossed loading and unloading goes well and no one gets hurt or throws out their back (b/c that would suck).

And I am happy to report my co-workers are happy for me/us, which eases any sort of worries or concerns I had.

I'm getting ready to close one chapter of my life and open up a brand new one.  It feels surreal but it's exciting and I am so looking forward to it.  A change of pace, a change in scenery, different people, a different life style.  Of course it'll be challenging, but who doesn't love a good challenge and a chance to prove how awesome you really are?

I hope all is well with you.

Love & Hugs.

It's happening

One of my new year's resolutions is coming true: we are moving!  Our new residence will be in beautiful Charlottesville, VA, with rolling hills, views of the Blue Ride Mountains, delicious restaurants, and breweries and wineries galore.

We found a charming 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house right in the heart of C-ville.  It has pretty much everything we were looking for:

-Right in town
-3 bedrooms
-More than one bathroom
-Gas stove
-Dishwasher
-Washer & dryer
-Yard with the ability to have a grill
-Workspace for tools and bicycles
-About 1200 sqft

It was the second house we visited and we are really excited.  We have wanted to move out of NoVA for about 3 years and we took our time finding the next place to live.  The three years of wishing gave us plenty of time to prioritize the things that are important to us and we firmly believe that Charlottesville and this home will satisfy our desires.

So you wanna see it?

Isn't it cute?!  It's in such a nice neighborhood too and we are maybe 7 minutes away from Whole Foods (which is a huge plus if you know us).  So that is the only picture I have right now but believe me, there will be many more.  

So here is the general layout of this super cute home.  

First floor has the master bedroom w/ adjoining bathroom and a good sized closet.  There is a small-ish living room that opens next to a dining area which is right next to the kitchen.  The kitchen was a big selling point for us for several reasons.  One, gas stove.  Enough said.  It also has a dishwasher and the cabinets have pull out drawers which I think is great.  Next to the dining area is a sliding glass door to the deck that looks out to the backyard.  

Downstairs there's a second living room (woot woot!), a mud room and then a large unfinished portion.  The unfinished portion has the washer and dryer and a lot of room for storage, which is great because Husband has a lot of tools.  And it gives us a safe place to store our bicycles.  

Top floor, there are two good sized bedrooms (one of them will become my sweet office) and a bathroom.  One of the bedrooms has a small room attached to it - interesting but I think it'll be great space as a reading nook or a storage place.  

So there's a LOT to do in preparation for the move...like packing, getting our utilities set up (mental note to make some phone calls tomorrow), and changing our address.  

That is the biggest thing happening in my life right now.  Does anyone have any tips for moving or getting to know a new town?  

Love & Hugs.  

Fat Tuesday

I did not realize it was Fat Tuesday.  So tonight, I eat chocolate.  Because I am giving it up for lent.  

Chocolate Heart

I have become too close with sweet chocolate so this is a welcome break.  

Anyone else giving up sweet treats?  

Love & hugs my friends. 

Modern woman

So it's been a little bit since I've posted.  

First, work is crazy busy as usual.  It has become the norm that I stay late 30-90 minutes every day.  When I actually leave at 5pm, it's like going home early.  But I have to say, for once I enjoy my job.  It's challenging and satisfying, a great combo right?  And I am so happy to be growing personally and professionally.  

But since I'm coming home around 6pm during the week it means I can't fit in the gym AND making dinner AND life things AND hanging out my sweet husband.  Usually I can fit in one or two, but that's it.  It reminds me of the modern woman pin from Pinterst.  

So true right?!  

And I'm trying to be more healthy but it is TOUGH!  It feels like I'm always taking two steps forward and then one step back.  I'm sure you other modern women feel this frustration too.  I'll have a day with good healthy food, but the next day I can't make it to the gym and I'm eating thai.  Grr.  As a result I'm moody and self conscious.  Did I mention I am the matron of honor for my BFF's wedding in May?  Yeah, lets add to the stress.  

Oh well, at least it's one step forward, right?  On to some good news!  

I started running again!  After about 4 months of no running, I'm able to squeak in some easy runs at a snail's pace, but hey, at least I'm running!  I think my new shoes help.  :)  I felt like with my new start, maybe I needed to get some new shoes (the old ones could have been the problem!).  Is anyone else out there a tad superstitious about working out or work out gear?  No?  Maybe it's just me wanting new running shoes.  

Also I got a bicycle!  I need an alternative to running since I really need to take it slow and a bike seemed to be a good investment.  Let me just tell you, it's been about 10+ years since I have been on a bike.  Oh man it is awkward and a little terrifying and fun all at the same time.  I'll have to post more about it later.  

A third thing, I am done with taxes!  Woot!  They were much easier this year, which was wonderful.  That's one less thing to stress about.  

I hope everyone out there is doing well! 

Love & Hugs! 

My favorite salad

I have to share this recipe because it is my absolute favorite salad.  Of course it's an Ina recipe, Greek Panzanella.  Basically a crouton and veggie salad that's light and refreshing, but delicious and satisfying.  I've made it countless times in the last 6 months.  In all honesty, I would love to have it in my fridge at all times.

Ingredients

• Good olive oil
• 1 small French bread or boule, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups) - I like rosemary bread!  
• Kosher salt
• 1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 red bell pepper, large diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, large diced
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 red onion, sliced in half rounds
• 1/2 pound feta cheese, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup calamata olives, pitted

For the vinaigrette:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced - I leave the garlic cloves out - they're too pungent for me.  Instead I use a garlic grinder/mill - same great garlicy taste without the strength of raw garlic.  
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup good red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup good olive oil

Directions

Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan. Add the bread cubes and sprinkle with salt; cook over low to medium heat, tossing frequently, for 5 to 10 minutes, until nicely browned. Add more olive oil as needed.

^^^  Above is Ina's directions but I have an even easier way...because who really wants to stand at a stove and toss bread cubes frequently?  

First, preheat the oven to 375.  Then cut your bread into cubes and spread in a cookie sheet/sheet pan, ideally in a single layer.  Then add extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to the bread cubes, and sprinkle salt, pepper and I like to add garlic powder and toss to coat.  (The garlic grinders from the grocery stores are awesome.)  Pop the bread cube filled sheet into the oven for about 10-15 min - flipping the cubes mid way through.  You end up with delicious, home made croutons that seems easier and faster than sauteing so much bread in a pan.   

While the bread is baking, cut the cucumber, red pepper, yellow pepper, tomatoes and red onion and put everything in a large bowl.

For the vinaigrette, whisk together the garlic (again, garlic powder/garlic mill), oregano, mustard, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and the pepper in a small bowl. While still whisking, add the olive oil and make an emulsion. Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables. Add the feta, olives and bread cubes and mix together lightly. Set aside for 30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

^^^ The recipe says add the vinaigrette to the veggies and then add the croutons.  However I like to mix the veggies and croutons and THEN add the vinaigrette.  Either way, as long as the vinaigrette gets into the salad - you're golden.  

It's a fantastic salad.  A good way to get your veggies without lettuce.  =)  

Have a wonderful week!