Farm Share: Week 3

After a GREAT winter season with our Greensgrow Farms Farm Share we decided to go with Landisdale Farm for the summer and fall.  It's closer, a little cheaper, and allows for pick-up every week for a small share.  So far we're pleased with the hauls we've been getting, although I'm looking forward to some more variety in the coming weeks.  The first 3 boxes were nearly identical, so here's the scoop:

• Green Cabbage
• Lettuce
• Swiss Chard
• Garlic Scapes (those green curly things)
• Onions
• Summer Squash
• Zucchini
• Blueberries

Pretty yummy stuff--the berries are great in my yogurt in the morning and I've been using the garlic scapes in almost any sauteed meal we've made.  They have a very light, warm garlic flavor that is also slightly sweet.  Perfect for adding just a bit of garlic.  (Although I could probably eat a whole clove like an apple I love garlic so much...)

I'll be sure to let you know what we get tomorrow!

This weekend we have a trip to the Farmer's Market at Clark Park to pick up our Farm Share
Happy Hour at Biba--omg the shirred egg is something I dream about!  Looking forward to the sangria!
A friend's birthday party Saturday night at R2L--first time there so I will be sure to post a review
Sean's mom visiting Sunday night which means a great dinner out, hopefully somewhere new!

What do you all have planned?

Friday Ramblings

JULY?! ALREADY?! This is just craziness, people.

July is going to be an exciting month!!

• The 4th! duh! Who doesn't love fireworks?
• Sean's birthday...although I've arranged for him to get the greatest gift ever (no spoilers yet), I have no clue what I am actually getting him.  Any ideas for a man's man turning 28?
• My badass friend Juliette's birthday.  We are thinking of doing a Philly food tour to celebrate!
• My 1 year anniversary at my job that I love.
• Our Louieversary--we've had him for 2 years!
• We'll also be seriously looking at our finances in preparation for a major purchase in the next 6 months

Sean is working on the Fourth, and so far I've had no luck inviting myself to other people's BBQ's.  Everyone is out of town--what is up with that, Philly?!

I think we're going to try to go to The Super Scooper Ice Cream Fest- 1 spoon, all the ice cream you can handle?  Yes, please!


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 I'm linking up for Happy Hour!

Weekend Recap: Terrain

This weekend I took some of my work friends to Terrain at Styer's.  It is a GLORIOUS place where outdoor meets indoor in one fabulous package.  I pretty much want to snag one of their colorful throw pillows and just set up camp there.  Not to mention, the cafe has some of the best food that has graced my foodie lips and the fact that it's all locally sourced makes my inner green goddess smile. 

If you live anywhere near PA, you need to make a roadtrip.  Seriously. 

Here are a few pics--none of the food since my companions and I snarfed it all down before I could even focus the camera.

Sean and I also headed to the Taste of Philly where we had some YUMTASTIC noms, and enjoyed a gorgeous day down by the river. 

How was your weekend?

Friday Ramblings

Last night Sean and I had a date night. 
I love date nights!
We ate at Barbuzzo and my favorite part was dessert...omg was it amazing!  Unlike anything I've ever eaten!

Salted Caramel Budino from Barbuzzo

Then we saw Next to Normal.  Now I'm a gal who loves my musicals but this was fresh, unique, and realistic. It made me laugh, and cry, and want to see it again. 

I just joined Pinterest...any tips or suggestions as I add another time suck to my day?

It's hot and humid in Philly which means pony tails EVERY. DAY.

I joined a program called "Colorful Choices" at work, with the aim to eat more colorful produce.  It's really made me realize how few servings of produce I get a day and helping me eat more mindfully.

I need to have phone dates with several important people.  I miss them.

I'm hoping this weekend will be filled with sleep, workouts, and maybe a little shopping.  What are you up to?

I'll Never Break Your Heart...just take it Step By Step

I know you've all been waiting in suspense to hear how the New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys concert went.  I have only one word:

EPIC!

The seats were seriously unbelievable...I don't remember the last time I sat on the ground level for a concert!  I could actually see the boys' faces without looking at the JumboTron.

Joey--swoon

They got the Right Stuff

They put on an awesome awesome show, and I definitely screamed like a little girl.  Don't worry--no bra throwing.  My badass friend Juliette (has a black belt and works for the FBI...yeah, badass) and her newly married sister, Charlene (remember them from this post) and I all had an awesome girls' night and lived out our teenage fantasies. 

Although the boys are getting old, they can still shake it and make me swoon.  I was really a Jordan and then a Nick Carter girl but I guess my tastes have changed.  Since, clearly, I have a type...what do you think?



AJ (Backstreet Boys)
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slap some sunglasses on him and they could be twins, right?!

Too many sexy men in one post, you say?  I apologize to all your husbands, readers. 

So spill it--who was your teeenage crush?!

Friday Ramblings

Wahoo!  The weekend is here again!

I can't fricken wait for the NKOTBSB concert!!  It's going to be epic.  EPIC, I tell you!
I hate spring/I wish we had a screen door.  I am constantly squealing for Sean to kill the bugs that the furball is playing with in the apartment.  I will try to capture one of those moments on video for you all...hilarity always ensues.
Since I'm a new Twitter addict...are we twitter pals yet?...I thought this news on the new photo sharing with twitter was AWESOME! 
I'm off to a staff retreat today...good thing I like the folks I work with!

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY...only a few days left!


What are your weekend plans??

Quit Playin' Games...I got the Right Stuff

So, by some lucky coincidence, I ended up with a ticket to this weekend's New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys Concert... (I'll pause to allow you to squeal).


Ok, now that you got that out of your system, can I just say that I am SO. FRICKEN. EXCITED. to go to this concert?!  I mean, I also feel a little old--I used to play with the NKOTB dolls as a kid since my Barbies definitely thought they were hotter than Ken.  However, I can't wait to scream like a 13 year old girl when they come on stage.  I promise not to shame this blog by throwing my bra or anything...but I have thought about it, just for the record. 

And so, I want to leave you all with this little gem... Don't worry, next week I'll have all the crappy stage pics my little cell phone can manage...and we can squeal together!

PS...The GIVEAWAY ends this weekend!  Go enter!

Weekend Recap and a Recipe

So, it's still technically Wednesday right??

Before I bring you my fab Weekend Recap...don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY!

Ok, so now...my awesome recap and a recipe!

Sean's Grandpa turned 80! We named a Star for Him...Ozzie

Louie was cute and cuddly...as usual

We went strawberry picking...I ate as many as I picked!

Homemade strawberry shortcake mmmmm

So, the recipe is not for Strawberry Shortcake since, let's be honest, any store bought poundcake will do when covered with berries and whipped cream.  For me, the whipped cream is always the best part...and once you've made homemade whipped cream, you'll never go back to canned!

Whipped Cream Recipe:

1 pt. Heavy Cream
Powdered Sugar (1/4-1/2 c. or to taste)
1 Tbs. Vanilla Extract

1. First, put a metal bowl into the freezer to get it chilled.  Even better if you put the beaters in with it.  I would put them in about half an hour before you want your whipped cream.
2. When you're ready to beat it up, take the bowl and beaters out of the freezer and pour in your heavy cream.  Turn your beaters on High in the cream, and beat for about 2 minutes or until the cream is starting to fluff a bit.
3. SLLLOOOWWWLLLYYY add the powdered sugar while continuing to beat on high.  This is a good time to taste your whipped cream (someone has to do this job, sadly), and add until it's sweetened to your liking.
4. Add the Vanilla as the cream is beginning to form stiff peaks to get lots of vanilla flavor. 
5. After 5-7 minutes, your whipped cream should be light and fluffy and ready to scoop on any dessert!
6. ENJOY!

Friday Ramblings

TGIF folks, for realz. 

This has been a long week and I'm looking forward to three days of blissful relaxation!
Saturday is Sean's Grandpa's 80th Birthday!  So we're going up to New York to wish the old guy a Happy One. 
He is the man who has everything so we ended up naming a star for the birthday boy.  Yes, it's cheesy but I'm pretty sure he's going to love it.
We're hoping to stop by a friend's BBQ on the way home.  My college roommate Morgan is hosting and she's the best.  She's also a budding event planner so this is bound to be a great partay!
On Monday I will be announcing my giveaway!  WAHOO!  So if you're not a follower, you should totally get on that.

Confession: I keep bubbles in my office at all times.  I use them to relieve stress.  It's an awesome thing and you should try it...plus it's definitely a conversation starter. 

Therefore, this is on my wishlist:

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Cleaning is also on the agenda for the weekend...my Mother-in-Law is coming to visit and she probably wouldn't appreciate having to walk over heaps of clothes and dog toys to get to the bathroom.  Although an unexpected test of agility is great for keeping in shape. 

Happy long weekend everyone!  Hope it's filled with sunshine and picnics and bubbles!

Secret Single Girl Behavior

Did you ever see that Sex and the City episode where they talk about their "Secret Single Girl Behavior".  The stuff that you only do when your man isn't around...the stuff that once you start living with a dude, or God forbid get married, goes out the window along with any sense of portion control you once had.

Well Sean spent the night at one of his friend's on Friday night so they could get up at the crack of dawn to play golf.  So I got to be a single gal for the night which really got me thinking about all the things I used to do pre-Sean living with me...

In college my roommate and I would have "Bathrobe Time".  We'd each take a long shower, and then hang around in our cushy bathrobes the rest of the day.  This was usually accompanied by making some chilli cheese dip and wine for dinner and watching trashy tv.  Those days were GLORIOUS!!  Sean appreciates neither trashy tv nor my chilli cheese dip, although he'd probably go for the bathrobe thing.  Mostly because the odds of me shifting on the couch and accidentally flashing him would be pretty good.

Once I lived on my own I used to actually work out regularly (yeah yeah...I'm working on it, I swear!).  And a lot of the time I'd do a workout video in the living room.  Have you ever done an at home workout?  I LOVE them but you look INSANE and I'm not up for that kind of ridicule...plus living in a tiny apartment doesn't leave much room for anything but marching in place.  Thank you Leslie Sansom.

I also used to eat better.  To curb my ice cream cravings I'd keep some low fat Cool Whip (pronounced HWIP a la Stewie from the Family Guy) in the freezer and eat it right out of the container.  I'd add fruit/nuts/chocolate chips...it was delicious.  I could still probably do that but now the hubs makes homemade ice cream...and the whip just doesn't cut it.

And of course there's the trashy tv.  Usually in the form of wedding or baby shows.  On Friday night I cleared the tivo of all the baby shows I had recorded.  I laughed, I cried..it was epic.

So what are your Secret Single Girl Behaviors? 

Friday Ramblings

It looks like we will finally have some sunshine after rain, fog, and thunderstorms all week.

I'm not complaining though...it seems as though the rain has knocked a lot of the pollen out which makes my sinuses super happy.

This weekend I have a big event with my staff, and then it's off to the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival.  Lot's of yummy food and of course, great people watching!

Although I've been fighting my cookie craving, Lauren over at The Elephant's Trunk posted a recipe so amazing sounding I absolutely need to try it.  So I will be doing that this weekend as well. (Hopefully the gym too....maybe...Bueller?)

I have a GIVEAWAY coming up!  Wooo!  I'm pretty psyched.  I'll give you a hint...it has to do with this post.

I got the exciting news that one of my friend is expecting a baby BOY!  Which makes me think of all the fun boy things there are...I love a baby in a tie!





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Here's hoping for good weather and fun times this weekend!  What are all of you up to?

Friday Ramblings

Thank you tech gods over at blogger for saving the system!  We are back up and running for this weeks ramblings...and oh boy are they random.

Man, coming back from vacation sucks! 
Work has been a monster...hence the sporadic posting
Next week will be better.  So so much better
Did you read my post on Justin Bieber and his Death Metal premier?  Go now!
This weekend is the Italian Market Festival in Philly, aka my heaven. 

Kami over at Searching for Serendipity is having a heck of a time at the end of her pregnancy.  Thoughts and prayers are being sent her way!

I am going to an Amish Smorgasborg at 6am Saturday morning...I must really love my staff to get up that early!

How fun are these candlesticks?!

A link party is coming...right here...next week.  Be ready!

How was your week friends?  Any fun plans for the weekend?

Friday Ramblings

Yikes!  This week and weekend went from being practically bare on my calendar to being WAY. TOO. FULL!  I've been running around like one of those creepy lizards with the lily pad neck.... you know...

Looking forward to:
A wedding in Ocean City!
One of my favorite people coming to visit!
Cheering for Sean and many of my colleagues as they participate in the Broad Street Run!

Loving:
The sunny warm weather
That our vacation is super soon!
Summery cocktails--I love mojitos!
That it is almost May
Guest posting for 2 lovely blogs this month...details to come

Thinking About:
Sean's car being in the shop and whether that means a bill or car hunting...
All of my friends (local and in blog land) that are expecting little ones and all the fun baby shopping to do
Doing some Shopping
Buttered movie popcorn, yum! 
Hosting a link party this month...would you link up?

Headed over to Happy Hour...it's 5 o'clock somewhere right?

Atlantic City/Realizing I'm old

I hope you all had a very Happy Easter and a wonderful weekend!  Most years Sean and I color eggs and make a fancy dinner, but this year we've been running around and just dropped the ball with being festive.  Our weekend was, um, less than traditional.  We still made a great dinner (steak and bacon wrapped scallops---if that doesn't scream HAPPY EASTER I don't know what does), but that's about all the celebration that happened in our house.

Saturday I was in Atlantic City for a bachelorette party.  Charlene is my good friend Juliette's sister and she's getting married next weekend!  I was so happy to be included and although we had a super fun time...I came to a shocking realization.  I.  Can't.  Hang.  But more on that later.

Charlene started by opening some presents...mine was an assortment of things to take to bed.  I included a blanket, some candles, and um...some other unmentionables...wink wink!


The Bride to Be

Yumtastic giant "Strawberry Blonde" martini. 


Juliette, Me, Charlene, Kelsey

  So I was so busy eating that this is the only food pic I got from The Melting Pot but just take my word for it that it was amazing.  If you've never been, it's worth the money, and the fondue is super fun.  Perfect for a special occasion.

Cheese course

So after subduing to a food coma, we roused ourselves and headed out for the night.  The rundown looked something like this...

Latin Dancers at Cuba Libre---mental note: Learn to Salsa Dance!

Losing $32 on slots---mental note: Don't play slots, shop instead!

Dancing at a club where there are half naked girls in cages--mental note: I am old and should be nowhere near cages.

I felt so old and SO grateful to no longer be single.  Between the bros and the hos I pretty much decided right then that a crazy night for me should consist of wine and a crazy game of Apples to Apples.  So much groping, so much attitude, and so little tolerance for BS.  It's a shame that I've gotten so old and boring, but dealing with weirdos who look like they should be on Jersey Shore and having my ears ring from the club music just isn't my bag anymore.  Definitely a revelation, and I think I'm ok with it. 

I'm so glad that I was able to celebrate with Charlene before her big day, and I hope she had a good time.  Although something tells me it won't be long before she feels like an old married lady too!

Friday Ramblings

This week was another blur!  But this weekend should be exciting!

My badass friend Juliette, (she works for the FBI and is therefore a serious badass), invited me to Atlantic City this weekend to celebrate her sister's bachelorette party. 

Atlantic City is called the Vegas of the Northeast...and well, yeah sure, we'll go with that. 

There is fondue involved--which is pretty much YUMTASTIC!

Hoping to not lose TOO much money gambling...

...Especially since Sean and I are going to FLORIDA in 2 weeks!  We'll be meeting my mom and hanging with my fabulous cousins...the ones from my list!

We might even go to Disney--I love Disney. 

My necklace arrived!  The one from this post and it's even lovelier in person!  Plus there was a handwritten note included--personal touches are the best.

I am doing my VERY FIRST guest post next week!!!  All the details to come.

Easter is on Sunday and we are totally unprepared.  I'm still going to attempt an Easter Basket for Sean, but no guarantees. 

Have you "LIKED" the Scarlet Cardinal on facebook yet?!  GO DO IT!

What are you doing this weekend?  I hope it involved Peeps.  Lots of Peeps. 

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Weekend Recap

Although Sean was working all weekend, it was one of the best I've had in a long time.  (Don't tell him that!)

Went on a long walk downtown to see the Macy's flower show...who knew Macy's even HAD a flower show?!


Wannamaker Organ



Got a mani/pedi.  I will never get a regular manicure again--gel all the way baby!  Dries immediately, and lasts for two weeks?  Yes please!



Don't judge my feet--just focus on the pretty pink polish!

Ate at DiBruno Bros.  YUMTASTIC to the max.

Pulled pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe mmmmmmm

Decorated!  Check back later this week for my wall decal adventures.

Did some shopping!  Haven't checked off all my spring must haves, but got some great new tops to wear to work.  WINNING!

Had an impromptu visit from a friend--one of Sean's groomsmen.  He told us a story of being caught with no pants..pants are overrated anyway don't you think? 

Anyway, we went to our favorite Ethiopian restaurant on Saturday night and to our new favorite brunch place Sunday morning.

Eggs florentine with sauteed spinach, toasted focaccia, and truffle hollandaise.  It probably took about 6 months off my life but holy amazing, Batman, was it worth it.



It was just what I needed to gear up for a busy busy week at work.  Tell me what your favorite part of your weekend was, it will help us all get over a case of the Mondays. 

Friday Ramblings

What are you all doing this weekend?

I am getting in some girl time with a mani/pedi (I DESPERATELY need one!) and of course some spring wardrobe updating. 

A couple of rambling thoughts to end the week, :

• My work schedule for this term sucks!  And is seriously impeding my gym time. 
• Sean's schedule sucks worse.  Way worse.
• I need to take another knitting class so I can knit pretty things.
• I LOVE Raising Hope.  Have you seen this show?  It is the. funniest. show. ever. 
• I also love Glee and can't wait for a new episode!
• If my demon ball of fur eats one more of my plants I might have to use him as compost. 
• I bought wall decals for our living room.  I will be posting about them next week.  I can't wait to get them up!
• I would rather gnaw my own arm off than iron clothes.  Consequently Sean did 2 hours worth of ironing on his day off.  My domestic diva award will be arriving in the mail next week.
• I am out of wine.  How did this happen, and how soon can I fix it?
• I am redesigning the blog next week and it's going to be epic.  Details to come!

Meet me over at Where We Love is Home for Happy Hour today!



Have a lovely weekend.  Have some adventures for me!

Wahoo Weekend!

This morning I woke up and broke not one, but two glasses.  One of them was a wine glass--even more of a travesty.  Mornings like that make me SO glad it's Friday!

Tonight, Sean and I will be hanging out with some of my work friends at a poker night, and I will be bringing the pepper jelly we got in our farm share and putting over some brie.  Thank you for the suggestions!

I think tomorrow while Sean is interning the day away I will head to the Pennsy Flea Market.  I haven't been, and it sounds like a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.

Do you flea?  What are you up to this weekend?

And don't forget to pop-in next week.  It will be a week of wedding posts to celebrate our Anniversary!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend, everyone!  My weekend started early since I took my comp day today.  I'm currently blogging in my pj's with the furball curled up in my lap.  I love lazy days!

This weekend Sean is heading to his parents home in New Hampshire.  He will be spending some time with his mom before her knee replacement surgery on Tuesday (ouch!) So, I am a single lady for a few days!  As exciting as it is to have freedom to take up the whole bed and watch bad reality tv...I definitely hate when the hubs isn't around.  We were long distance for a year before we got engaged and that pretty much sucked, so when we're apart now I still get all mopey and whiny.

But--I have some fun things going on to keep me distracted:

This afternoon I am heading into the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia to check out the brand new Jonathan Adler store...someday when I'm rich and famous he will come and decorate my house with all of the absurd animal sculptures in his collection....and it will be GLORIOUS!

Farm share pickup tomorrow! Hooray! 

A seed starting workshop at Greensgrow is in the plans as well. I think I might attempt to grow lettuce in a container on our little patio this spring--apparently this works--we'll see.

And I'm most excited to see my friend who recently found out she is PREGGO!!  I'm so excited for her and her husband, and she's already promised that I can squeeze the baby.  I'm also already planning on buying this for the peanut.  Um...prepare for cuteness overload:

This makes me even more excited to start my knitting class this Sunday!  Although, LylaKayt's hats are telling me I need to learn to crochet--anyone want to teach me??  I will trade for homemade meatballs and lovely conversation!

So I think that my weekend will be jam packed and lots of fun.  Recap to come next week!

Also---stay tuned because next week I will be hosting my VERY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!  This one is as good as cash money!  If you haven't already become a follower you should get on that since it may or may not increase your chances....just sayin'.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

updates to come

This week has been crrrrazy busy!  I got to spend some time on a Segway, and with a super cute baby today, and I'm getting ready for a blast from the past weekend.  Pictures and details will abound next week.  In the mean time, here are some of my ideas for getting lost in the interwebs while I'm out having fun...

The baby I squeezed today would look even cuter in this outfit!
For the wino on the go...
As someone with awful allergies, we have kleenex all over our apartment.  I really need some of these rather than those awful flower patterned boxes.
I have just been made aware of http://beerscenemag.com/ and now my life is complete!  (Even for a non-beer drinker this site/mag is awesome!)
Love love love what this blogger did in her dining room...someday when we own a house...


Have a lovely weekend!