Weekend Update

It's no secret, college town or not, that Wilmington slows down after the summer. And though late winter can be cold and boring, we welcome the chill pace in our little beach town during the months leading up to the holidays.

Friday night we grabbed a quick bite and decided to join the rest of Wilmington (no joke) at Legion Stadium for a local showdown football game - Hoggard High vs. New Hanover High. It was quite an event to say the least. New Hanover hasn't beaten Hoggard since 1996 - Hoggard Vikings reign supreme!






Saturday Jimmy spent most the day studying for the GMATs like the diligent person that he is. I offered moral support laying just a few feet from him on the couch. We were both in need of some fresh air, so we set out for a bike ride to explore. It was technically Saturday night as we made our way back home, so we stopped in for a pumpkin beer at the Fat Pelican and then a great glass of wine at our local coffee shop/wine bar. The lady working Two Wine Guys called Sacred Stone her, I think it was, "porch crusher", because this California blend is truly too easy to drink, take a bottle to your porch and you may not come back inside with any of it left...




Two Wine Guys

Sunday Jimmy continued his studies and watched football. I finished "Bright Shiny Morning" and started and completed "New Moon". I freaking love the Twilight books. They are seriously so addicting.

Well, that is it for us and our weekend.

Quick & Healthy - Recipe Galore!

Though I still love cooking nightly, I've recently scaled back on the more time consuming meals and now I'm leaning towards dinners like those considered "Quick & Healthy" by Cooking Light magazine. Here are a few of my favorites from the last week or so...

Roast Chicken Chimichangas


Shepherd's Pie

Sweet & Sour Chicken

Pierogies with Bacon, Sauteed Onion and Sour Cream


Chicken Tortilla Pie


And although it's not quick or seemingly healthy, this was amazing. I love cooking with butternut squash, but I'm not a fan of the butternut squash based soups. They taste like baby food.

Roasted Butternut Squash & Bacon Pasta

I'm Going to Pump You Up

I had to create a post about my favorite class at the gym, Body Pump. I fell in love with this class pre-wedding and I am so proud of myself for continuing my workout regiment post-wedding. The devil on my shoulder says, "you're married, get comfortable." Luckily for me though, the angel usually speaks louder. For anyone who hasn't taken this class, it includes 6 whole minutes of nonstop squats with 40+ lbs of weight on your shoulders (ouch!), you also work every major muscle group in your arm and your abs. It hurts so good. Now if only the daylight savings darkness wasn't infringing on Jimmy and I's after work runs I'd really be in good shape...

Laid Back Halloween

Jimmy and I decided this year to take it easy for Halloween. Just a couple bucks each for our costumes, a cooler of good seasonal beer, some festive outdoor decorations and we were ready for some trick-or-treaters. Much to our disappointment, we only got about 20 kiddies to stop by, but had fun nonetheless.

The unsuspecting pumpkins:


First up is my grim reaper face. Next is Jimmy's hooded skeleton with flames.

I was going to be a scarecrow, but decided last minute that I could more easily pull off a farmer.



Jimmy looking freaky with the Scream mask...



700 S. 5th Street looking awfully Halloweeny...

Tis the Season...

Well not really. It's actually a little premature, but who's complaining?!? Being lazy today channel surfing I stumbled upon my first showing of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation for the year. I freaking love that movie. It rivals Home Alone for my favorite Christmas movie. It makes me want to fast forward through Halloween and Thanksgiving and get to Christmas already. Uncle Eddies of the world, I salute you...

Best Lunch Break Ever

I had the pleasure of spending my lunch break today with Lauren and baby Bailey. I was only about an hour late getting back to work. Oops! I have no self control when it comes to babies wanting to snuggle with me. Apparently my lap was a very comfortable place to relax. Though I probably shouldn't flatter myself as I think a baby her age likes anyone who will hold them... near their mommy that is. Can't wait until I see her and Lauren again!

Happy One Month Anniversary to Us!

Today, Oct. 19th, marks Jimmy and I's one month wedding anniversary. It's barely a significant milestone, but any excuse to share some of my favorite wedding pictures and reminisce about the wedding is worth a blog post to me.

Our wedding was everything I could have ever hoped for and more. I couldn't be more thankful to my parents. And everyone who lended a hand to help pull everything together, I'll never forget. I'm so excited to now be a part of two wonderful families. Can't wait to spend every other month like this last month, happy and so in love with Jimmy.