goals

I think I am stuck in a blog rut.  I just tell y'all what's going on in my life, which is fun because then those of you who I don't speak with a lot can see what I'm up to, and then I can preserve my memories somewhat.  BUT, there are so many other good blogs out there which I read and the writers talk about their thoughts more than their actions, and I really kind of like that.  My New Years resolution, (which I haven't kept thus far) is to blog at least 2x a week.  I think because I usually blog about things I do...and if I don't really do anything of interest, I feel like I have nothing to talk about.  I'm going to *try* to talk more about my feelings, emotions, musings, etc more, in addition to fun activities in my life.  Personal goal, lets see how this goes.

I have a new position on my team at work, which started yesterday!! Before, I was calling people who sent in questions on the website and just answering them.  Now they have me calling to existing customers, trying to get them to upgrade to the more high dollar accounts.  So far, I really like it!  It is something different, which is always great, but it also gives me an opportunity to work on sales skills and show what I am capable of.  Challenge accepted!

I'm currently on a renovation kick (also a "trying to be an adult").  DIY EVERYTHING! Except I don't really know how to start.  I want to redo the whole house....but don't know how to get going.   I need to start watching HGTV and DIY Network more.  Another goal - magically learn construction, painting, interior design, and gardening.  I just want to be one of those people that is picks up decrepit furniture at a yucky garage sale or the flea market and can somehow turn it into the key element in the house.

That's all for now.... sleepy at the end of the day, and the ol' brain is already starting to power off.  Y'all try to hold me to my resolution to blog more and delve into my thoughts.  xx M.

Good Eats

I have a lot of recipes for y'all today!  My weekend was filled with chores galore, so to prevent the weekend from being a total bust, I just ate a lot.

Firstly, I had a wine and cheese night, alllll to myself.  I was feeling really lazy and didn't feel like cooking so I stopped by Whole Foods, picked up some cheese and smoked Nova, then went home and popped open a bottle!  With the cheese and salmon, I had some fig jam Mother gave me for Christmas, as well as some delicious spiced pecans Jane gave me for Christmas!!

I had two horses to ride on Saturday, so I needed to eat a good breakfast before I went out to the barn.  I didn't want to get cranky, so I made one of my favorite breakfast meals (lets be real though... I love all breakfasts)!  I poached 2 eggs, made some hollandaise, and then used up the rest of my smoked Nova in a makeshift eggs Benedict!

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict

For lunch, I made a hearty chicken salad!  Kyle doesn't like traditional chicken salad, but I've been craving it, so I trolled around Pinterest until I found a substitution that might work.  Chicken, sausage, green beans sweet potatoes, dill, mayo & more - SO GOOD!  It wasn't pretty so I didn't take a picture, but the link is below.

Hearty Chicken Salad

I also made us a delicious dessert that was a faux creme brulee, lemon vanilla custard thing.  It was awesome, so easy, and pretty healthy!!

Lemon Vanilla Custard

Finally, we made one of my favorite recipes that is a little labor/time intensive, but so savory/fatty/sweet - sweet potato gnocchi, with a sage brown butter sauce!

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Dog Dreams

I had the cutest dream last night that I felt like sharing.

It all started because I watched "Kings of Pastry" on Netflix last night, which is a documentary about French Pastry Chefs trying to become a "Meilleure Ouvrier de France (MOF)," which is an award for skilled workers, and this particular one was for pastry and candy making.  It was pretty interesting, a lot in French, and was about sweets, so it was right up my alley.

Moving along, so Sienna sleeps with us at night, usually right in between us, being the princess that she is - she gets the best part of the bed.  She was right up near my head last night (sharing the pillow and everything) - a mini-me diva-pants for sure.  My dream last night was that Sienna was in the competition for the MOF, and was in the thick of it, furiously creating beautiful little bon-bons and chocolates as far as the eye could see, all so gorgeous and perfect.  In real life though - Sienna was snoring like nobody's business.  She can snore SO LOUDLY, especially when her head is a little inclined like it was on the pillow.  Anyway, in my sleepy stupor, I was trying to move Sienna around to stop the ridiculous noise, but I was also freaking out that I was making her lose the competition and she wasn't going to be awarded the MOF.  I'm sorry Sienna - I cost you the medal of honor and the fancy collar that the MOF's get to wear.

January 2 - Anniversary

Quick recap from this weekend - I had the most fun Saturday!!!

Mother and I met Grandfather in Southern Pines, to show him Mother's new condo that is being renovated, and then we all went to lunch in Pinehurst!  We ate at a great little restaurant that none of us had been to before, Elliott's on Linden, which was very bright and open.  We ate early, so we almost had the whole place to ourselves, and so we sat, ate, talked, watched all the bikers and joggers go by - it was so pleasant!!  Afterwards we wandered through their store, which was connected to the nicest art gallery!  So many dog/horse/fox paintings, as well as gorgeous horse sculptures and equine silver jewelry.  It was nice to get out of Raleigh for the day, visit with my fam, and enjoy a gorgeous day.  I was hoping the shell of my jacket from the Country Saddler would be ready to try on - but no!  It is ready this weekend to try on the shell and choose the liner - can't wait!!

On Saturday night, Kyle and I went on a double date with Loren and Hunter and had THE BEST time!  Seriously, I wish I could do it every day.  We spent 2 hours at The Wine Feed, which is co-owned by the fiance of a girl who used to work at iContact.  Phil and Phil both went to App and started The Wine Feed a couple of years ago, and they recently opened a new storefront that is a major upgrade!! They went from a little basement to a great space on Glenwood South - The Wine Feed - Check them out!   But both of the Phil's were there and talked to all of us while we each had a flight of wine, and then we shared a bottle.  It was SO much fun, super chill, and I barely realized 2 hours had passed.

From The Wine Feed, we all went down to Calavera for an empanada dinner.  I LOVE Calavera, but don't eat there often, even though it is such a treat because the food and drinks are great, for a good price as well.  Seriously though - their spicy pineapple margarita is the best margarita I've ever had, and potentially will ever drink.  By the time we got our food I don't really remember what everyone was talking about, but the conversation was engaging, and the company was outstanding.

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Quick note on my New Year's Day - Kyle and I had a fancy moment yesterday where we enjoyed the leftover duck pate from the beef wellingtons with crackers, wine, and watched the documentary Somm on Netflix.  It was like heaven!

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I realized on my way to work today that it is January 2nd - almost two years ago to the hour, I was sadly boarding a plane to France, already missing my family, and wondering what the future had in store for me.  As they say, the rest is history.  I'm sad about this anniversary, as I will be for May 19, and July 24 because I feel that now the first year has gone by my time and memories from France are only going to get more and more distant as it becomes my five, ten, fifteen year anniversary for those dates that were meaningful to me in my eight month adventure.  I'm sad when I think I will never get those experiences back.  I'm lucky to have such wonderful friends to talk about that time with, and we can make new memories in different locations, but what we all had in Montpellier is finished.  I just think about how sad I was to leave North Carolina two years ago, and how now I'd give anything to do it all over again. I don't regret a single thing during those eight months - I am proud that I lived with the "pourquoi pas" (why not) mentality while I was there because I did so much, grew so much, explored so much, and learned so much.  So much is different now, and it just makes it that much harder to think about what a great time I had in Francey.  Dear France, I miss you, but I'm coming for you - see you in eight more months.