Whose house? My moms. Why is she renting it? Because she's moving to the beach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://boone.craigslist.org/apa/2187132806.html
Spent the weekend in Boone helping my mom pack up. She starts at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington on February, 21st. Very excited for this positive change in her life and looking forward to having family close by!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Meatless
Hi, I'm Kaylie and I have blogger split personality disorder. Sometimes I post about things Jimmy and I have been up to. Sometimes I post about design - what do I know? Sometimes I post about cooking. I'm all over the place! Today it's cooking.
I've recently become really into cooking vegetarian. I always tried to go meatless at least one dinner a week, but now it's more like a couple lunches and dinners a week. It's really helped to lighten up our lunches and dinners and, low and behold, the fewer meat dishes I plan, the lower my weekly grocery bill! Here's links to a few of our latest meatless dishes...
Lentil & Barley Soup
Penne with Roasted Tomatoes, Garlic and White Beans
Butternut Squash and Parsnip Bake
And because I have leftover parsnips from the butternut squash bake...
Marsala-Glazed Winter Vegetables
I've recently become really into cooking vegetarian. I always tried to go meatless at least one dinner a week, but now it's more like a couple lunches and dinners a week. It's really helped to lighten up our lunches and dinners and, low and behold, the fewer meat dishes I plan, the lower my weekly grocery bill! Here's links to a few of our latest meatless dishes...
Lentil & Barley Soup
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| {From Light-In-Leaves} |
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| {From Ellie Krieger/FoodNetwork} |
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| {From Cooking Light} |
Marsala-Glazed Winter Vegetables
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Another Accomplishment
I was so excited about our photo wall that I forgot to mention my other weekend accomplishment. I know this doesn't sound like any big feat for runners, you know who you are, but I ran 5.5 miles this morning. Even more impressive, or rather surprising, to me was that I felt the best during the last mile and a half. I'm not joking when I say that I think I'm meant to be a longer distance runner. I'm going to start pushing myself. Time and daylight are scarce during the week right now, but I always have the weekends. Another week or so at 5.5 miles and then I'll try 6 and so on.
Weekend Accomplishment
Jimmy and I have wanted to do a photo centerpiece wall for our living room since we moved into our house in April 2009. We've wanted to hang up some of our favorite pictures from our wedding since returning from our honeymoon in October 2009. Finally, we've wanted to showcase the beautiful photograph print that Jimmy's friend Julian gave us a couple months ago.
This weekend we killed three birds with one stone!
This weekend we killed three birds with one stone!
I can't take a straight picture. It's not Jimmy's hanging skills. Clockwise (starting at 12); Masonboro wave print from Julian, trees in Santa Monica near the boardwalk/beach, our first dance at our wedding, lifeguard stand in Santa Monica, Jimmy and I walking on the beach at our wedding.
Do you think we miss Cali?
Saturday, January 15, 2011
New Blog I'm Following
Saving money feels great, especially when it's on groceries and things for around the house. In putting together our weekly meal plans, I've always paid attention to what was on sale at our local grocery stores. A month ago my mom asked me if I've ever gotten into "couponing". I ignorantly answered, yes, I've clipped a coupon and presented it at a store before.What my mom meant by "couponing" though is actually a lot more involved. If you're good at it, you can even pair clipped coupons with the weekly specials and get items significantly discounted or better yet FREE. Excited about the prospect of saving us some money, I started looking into tricks of the trade and quickly became overwhelmed!
So a friend at work recommended I follow Faithful Provisions, a blog that posts the best daily deals at nationwide grocery and drug store chains, including opportunities to pair coupons with weekly specials, and limited-time FREE giveaways. The blog also features a searchable coupon database and tips and tools for saving money!
So a friend at work recommended I follow Faithful Provisions, a blog that posts the best daily deals at nationwide grocery and drug store chains, including opportunities to pair coupons with weekly specials, and limited-time FREE giveaways. The blog also features a searchable coupon database and tips and tools for saving money!
Monday, January 10, 2011
SNOW DAY!
Below are pics of Oleander Drive here in Wilmington as Jimmy and I were on our way home from work at 10AM this morning. Some areas around here got as much as 8 inches. Crazy for a little beachside community. Carolina Beach got zilch - the storm just missed us.
Why am I just now doing a post when I've been off work all day you ask? Oh, because I've been busy watching DIY and HGTV networks and napping in my PJs all day. Occasional laziness is bliss.
Why am I just now doing a post when I've been off work all day you ask? Oh, because I've been busy watching DIY and HGTV networks and napping in my PJs all day. Occasional laziness is bliss.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Lindsey's Baby Shower
Well, I've finally gotten back into the swing of things this week after a long and eventful holiday break. Today, I drove to Durham, NC for Lindsey's baby shower. The hostess and the rest of the shower committee did a wonderful job. It was a beautiful event. Lindsey was glowing and looking, in my opinion, too svelte to be 32 weeks. But what do I know?!? I guess they say the tummy doesn't pop as much with a first pregnancy, which I'm sure is a blessing when you're the mommy-to-be. Can't wait to meet baby V! He's gonna be a boy. I just know it. Come on March 4th...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Victory
That's right ladies and gents - I've taken the title in my women's fantasy football league, The Tight Ends. Special thanks to the fellows on Team O'Connor. I couldn't have done it without you!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Jimmy versus Kaylie
Oh and in case anyone would notice, or it wasn't already obvious by the tone of voice and subject matter, Jimmy did not write the "Christmas 4 & 5" post. I didn't realize I was logged into his gmail when I started the post. Oops!
Christmas 4 & 5: Maryland
As I said in my previous post, we woke up Saturday, Christmas Day, to snow and it didn't stop until Tuesday. Lucky for us we had plans to leave Boone early Sunday morning, so we just barely scooted out before the driving got too rough.
Christmas 4
We arrived at Jimmy's mom's condo in Columbia, MD late afternoon on Sunday and festivities began shortly thereafter. Martha had yummy pizza and snacks for us. We exchanged our "Secret Santa" gifts, Kevin found the pickle ornament and for that was awarded a new Redskins Jersey. We played Apples to Apples and Taboo for Target gift cards. I love that Martha sweetens the deal with gift cards - as if the O'Connor's need anything to make them more competitive than they already are!
Christmas 5
We woke up Monday morning and quickly made our way to Jimmy's dad and stepmom's house in Woodbine, MD for Christmas 5. Marisol had swedish meatballs and homemade crab soup for us to munch on. Again, we exchanged "Secret Santa" gifts and then opened our Marisol, made-with-love, stockings. Best stocking gift - the matching flannel pajamas for the whole family - see the group shot below! Oh and Marisol and Dan got the cutest puppy named Buddy!
After the debris was cleaned up and we were once again spoiled with lovely presents, the girls quickly started on prepping the turkey feast for that evening. About 3ish, the extended family, Uncle Jamie, Aunt Aileen and Uncle Pat, in from Chicago, and cousins Austin, Kelsey, Meghan and Michael showed up. I stayed in the kitchen with Marisol, but the rest of family played the "Minute to Win It" games Kelly had set-up in the basement. From the sound of it, it was very fun!
We had a wonderful turkey dinner and then began the annual O'Connor Grab Bag, or Dirty Santa, game. Always a good time. And then Marisol and Dan gave all the cousins matching hoodies with built-in headphones!
Though that concludes our "Christmas" celebrations, the fun didn't stop there. We stayed with Dan and Marisol on Tuesday night as well. We went for a great walk through the woods near their house and then just laid around and read and I even snuck in a little nap. In the evening, Dan and Marisol introduced me to a new (to me), but I think really old, game called Skip-Bo. It was fun.
Wednesday Dan and Marisol left for a New Years trip to SC, so me, Jimmy and Kevin just hung out around the house. Jimmy and I went for a hilly, MD run. It was brutal.
Thursday was a very exciting day for miss Martha and boyfriend, Ron - they got the keys to their new house in Riva, MD near Annapolis! Being three able-bodied youngins', we met Ron at the old Columbia condo to help with moving day. A short 8 hours later and we were enjoying a cold beer in the new place. It's an amazing house that I know they, and we, will enjoy for years to come. Couldn't be happier for them!
To celebrate the new house, we went out to dinner at a local crab house and then called it a night. Friday we had plans to see Annapolis before we headed back to NC in the afternoon and let me say that I am so glad we did. Annapolis was such a pretty place. I honestly think I took 200 pictures of other peoples' houses. A little weird...
Anywho, we got back to NC at about 10pm on Friday, New Years Eve, stayed awake long enough to say "Happy New Years" to one another and then pretty much went into R&R mode for the rest of the weekend.
More to come on other life happenings soon...
Christmas 4
We arrived at Jimmy's mom's condo in Columbia, MD late afternoon on Sunday and festivities began shortly thereafter. Martha had yummy pizza and snacks for us. We exchanged our "Secret Santa" gifts, Kevin found the pickle ornament and for that was awarded a new Redskins Jersey. We played Apples to Apples and Taboo for Target gift cards. I love that Martha sweetens the deal with gift cards - as if the O'Connor's need anything to make them more competitive than they already are!
Christmas 5
We woke up Monday morning and quickly made our way to Jimmy's dad and stepmom's house in Woodbine, MD for Christmas 5. Marisol had swedish meatballs and homemade crab soup for us to munch on. Again, we exchanged "Secret Santa" gifts and then opened our Marisol, made-with-love, stockings. Best stocking gift - the matching flannel pajamas for the whole family - see the group shot below! Oh and Marisol and Dan got the cutest puppy named Buddy!
After the debris was cleaned up and we were once again spoiled with lovely presents, the girls quickly started on prepping the turkey feast for that evening. About 3ish, the extended family, Uncle Jamie, Aunt Aileen and Uncle Pat, in from Chicago, and cousins Austin, Kelsey, Meghan and Michael showed up. I stayed in the kitchen with Marisol, but the rest of family played the "Minute to Win It" games Kelly had set-up in the basement. From the sound of it, it was very fun!
We had a wonderful turkey dinner and then began the annual O'Connor Grab Bag, or Dirty Santa, game. Always a good time. And then Marisol and Dan gave all the cousins matching hoodies with built-in headphones!
Though that concludes our "Christmas" celebrations, the fun didn't stop there. We stayed with Dan and Marisol on Tuesday night as well. We went for a great walk through the woods near their house and then just laid around and read and I even snuck in a little nap. In the evening, Dan and Marisol introduced me to a new (to me), but I think really old, game called Skip-Bo. It was fun.
Wednesday Dan and Marisol left for a New Years trip to SC, so me, Jimmy and Kevin just hung out around the house. Jimmy and I went for a hilly, MD run. It was brutal.
Thursday was a very exciting day for miss Martha and boyfriend, Ron - they got the keys to their new house in Riva, MD near Annapolis! Being three able-bodied youngins', we met Ron at the old Columbia condo to help with moving day. A short 8 hours later and we were enjoying a cold beer in the new place. It's an amazing house that I know they, and we, will enjoy for years to come. Couldn't be happier for them!
To celebrate the new house, we went out to dinner at a local crab house and then called it a night. Friday we had plans to see Annapolis before we headed back to NC in the afternoon and let me say that I am so glad we did. Annapolis was such a pretty place. I honestly think I took 200 pictures of other peoples' houses. A little weird...
Anywho, we got back to NC at about 10pm on Friday, New Years Eve, stayed awake long enough to say "Happy New Years" to one another and then pretty much went into R&R mode for the rest of the weekend.
More to come on other life happenings soon...
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Christmas 1, 2 & 3: Boone, NC
2 weeks, 5 Christmases = 2 very tired, but very fortunate humans and 1 likewise pup! Alright, now where do I start... Friday, December 17th Jimmy and I had a full, busy day at work while Malloy was at the puppy play center down the road. At the stroke of 5pm, we were out the door to pick up Malloy and hit the road towards Boone.
Christmas #1
First stop was my dad's for a couple days with the Grandparents in from Ohio and, of course, Colin in from Arizona. We lasted just a little while Friday night then Saturday was a fun-filled day of hiking (Malloy loves big sticks!) and our annual "Christmas Eve" dinner of steak fondue, Heintzelman hashbrown casserole, salad and garlic bread.
Sunday morning was our "Christmas Day" with Grandma and Grandpa. First thing after we woke up it was time to begin the cooking prep for our annual "Christmas Day" turkey feast. Mom came over in the afternoon to enjoy dinner and the gift exchange with us. Great presents were both given and received and great company was enjoyed!
Monday morning - what was the date at this point? - right, Dec. 20th, Jimmy and I woke up to 17 degree weather and snow flurries, but still decided 2 full days of over-eating was enough to justify an early morning run. So we set out and did about 2 miles in the chilly and hilly mountains of NC. After a shower it was time to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa, concluding Christmas #1.
Christmas #2
Our next stop was Boone proper to spend a couple days with mom! Ali's boyfriend, Dieter, was in town with his 2 bulldogs, we had Malloy, Ali had Nala, my mom has Mikey - it was a show with all the dogs, but very fun nonetheless. We hung out during the day and then went out to dinner at our favorite local Mexican restaurant. It was important to my mom to have us spend the night with her before we opened gifts, so we decided to do our "Christmas Day" with her on Wednesday, which made Tuesday "Christmas Eve".
Tuesday we went on a great hike where there was tons of snow, like feet of snow in some places. Dieter almost got Ali and I stuck in a snowy ditch. It was an adventure. Needless to say, the hot tub and a holiday-festive sneaky pete cocktail was just what the doctor ordered. That night we played our new game, The Game of Things, and had delicious heavy appetizer foods for dinner.
Wednesday morning we opened the majority of our presents, saving our stockings and a gift or two for actual Christmas Day. Again, too many wonderful gifts were given and received. Man, we're so fortunate. We then spent the rest of Wednesday playing games and hanging out. We made a great dinner of pork tenderloin, twice baked potatoes, asparagus and an incredible salad. My mom's friend Tim joined us which was an added perk! Wonderful Christmas #2!
Christmas #3
Thursday morning we woke up at my mom's, but quickly headed over to my dad's to spend the next two days with him and exchange a few gifts between the five of us. Thursday day was pretty uneventful and relaxing. We made a Mexican feast for dinner with "Taco Bell-inspired" double decker tacos, refried beans and Mexican rice. Friday morning was our "Christmas Morning" with my dad. Among a couple other things, I got an iPod shuffle. I've been running without music since my iPod died months ago and it's been torture. Yay for music again!
Friday night Ali made the family spaghetti and meatballs recipe and hit it out of the park. Great job Ali!
Saturday morning, actual Christmas Day, we woke up at my dad's to a WHITE CHRISTMAS and drove to my mom's to spend our last day in town with her. We opened our stockings and then went out to lunch at our favorite local Chinese restaurant. Yummy! We then went back to my mom and hunkered down for a great snowfall and soaked up our last day together...
Stayed tuned for our wonderful adventures in Maryland - Christmases 4 & 5!
Christmas #1
First stop was my dad's for a couple days with the Grandparents in from Ohio and, of course, Colin in from Arizona. We lasted just a little while Friday night then Saturday was a fun-filled day of hiking (Malloy loves big sticks!) and our annual "Christmas Eve" dinner of steak fondue, Heintzelman hashbrown casserole, salad and garlic bread.
Sunday morning was our "Christmas Day" with Grandma and Grandpa. First thing after we woke up it was time to begin the cooking prep for our annual "Christmas Day" turkey feast. Mom came over in the afternoon to enjoy dinner and the gift exchange with us. Great presents were both given and received and great company was enjoyed!
Monday morning - what was the date at this point? - right, Dec. 20th, Jimmy and I woke up to 17 degree weather and snow flurries, but still decided 2 full days of over-eating was enough to justify an early morning run. So we set out and did about 2 miles in the chilly and hilly mountains of NC. After a shower it was time to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa, concluding Christmas #1.
Christmas #2
Our next stop was Boone proper to spend a couple days with mom! Ali's boyfriend, Dieter, was in town with his 2 bulldogs, we had Malloy, Ali had Nala, my mom has Mikey - it was a show with all the dogs, but very fun nonetheless. We hung out during the day and then went out to dinner at our favorite local Mexican restaurant. It was important to my mom to have us spend the night with her before we opened gifts, so we decided to do our "Christmas Day" with her on Wednesday, which made Tuesday "Christmas Eve".
Tuesday we went on a great hike where there was tons of snow, like feet of snow in some places. Dieter almost got Ali and I stuck in a snowy ditch. It was an adventure. Needless to say, the hot tub and a holiday-festive sneaky pete cocktail was just what the doctor ordered. That night we played our new game, The Game of Things, and had delicious heavy appetizer foods for dinner.
Wednesday morning we opened the majority of our presents, saving our stockings and a gift or two for actual Christmas Day. Again, too many wonderful gifts were given and received. Man, we're so fortunate. We then spent the rest of Wednesday playing games and hanging out. We made a great dinner of pork tenderloin, twice baked potatoes, asparagus and an incredible salad. My mom's friend Tim joined us which was an added perk! Wonderful Christmas #2!
Christmas #3
Thursday morning we woke up at my mom's, but quickly headed over to my dad's to spend the next two days with him and exchange a few gifts between the five of us. Thursday day was pretty uneventful and relaxing. We made a Mexican feast for dinner with "Taco Bell-inspired" double decker tacos, refried beans and Mexican rice. Friday morning was our "Christmas Morning" with my dad. Among a couple other things, I got an iPod shuffle. I've been running without music since my iPod died months ago and it's been torture. Yay for music again!
Friday night Ali made the family spaghetti and meatballs recipe and hit it out of the park. Great job Ali!
Saturday morning, actual Christmas Day, we woke up at my dad's to a WHITE CHRISTMAS and drove to my mom's to spend our last day in town with her. We opened our stockings and then went out to lunch at our favorite local Chinese restaurant. Yummy! We then went back to my mom and hunkered down for a great snowfall and soaked up our last day together...
Stayed tuned for our wonderful adventures in Maryland - Christmases 4 & 5!
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