Pleasing By Reason of Comfort

Fancy knife that I'm (less) terrified of Realizing that it'd been more than a year since I updated, and all of my posts have to do with cooking or baking, while I chopped up goodies to throw into my slow cooker, I decided to nab a few photos along the way.  Today, I tried a recipe from one of my favorite new recipe books:  Gourmet Vegetarian Slow Cooker: Simple and Sophisticated Meals from Around the World . My grandmother, Mama Liz, gave this to me last year for Christmas. I was so curious when I first opened the gift -- especially because I didn't have a slow cooker yet! So, as I creep closer and closer to married life (76 days and counting -- not me, Macy's is counting), I have found myself wanting to develop skills that I feel every woman should have. This most recent? Cooking healthy meals in large portions that can be frozen easily.  Onions apparently look like worms when you cook them this way **Pause as I realize I left my bread proofing in the o...

Realizing that I had been taking all of these great photos of the fun things I have gotten to do lately, and that I haven't stopped in too long to discuss how grateful I am for my life, I decided to do a quick update. Today, I am grateful for fall weather, seeing Noel's eyes light up when he watches glass blowing, and good friends who are always willing to be the "third wheel." Yesterday, Noel, Jade and I went to the Renaissance Festival outside of Annapolis, MD. I have not seen Noel so excited to be in company of so many (strange) people! So, we nerded out and walked around, drinking beer out of our handmade mugs and eating (them) turkey legs and (me) fried bread. It was a healthy sort of day. I think the best part of the day was watching Noel watch the glass blowing from the artisans at Art of Fire . Jade , being the awesome person she is, couldn't resist buying up BOTH of the pieces that we watched being made. Which brings me to Jade. I'm not sure I...

Today, I am grateful to have a best friend in my sister. Today, of all days, I needed her. I needed her not only to answer the phone when I called, but to actually predict that I would walk into my apartment to find yet another ticket from the DC Police for my car. She must have predicted that, because she assured that my incredible care package would arrive on the exact same day that I would break into tears because I'm so tired of paying for things related to my car. Let me just leave it at that with the car because this is a place in my life where I only focus on the positive. What am I grateful for. Just to give a little more background, I'm guessing most of us can relate to receiving care packages at camp. My mom used to surprise me with them. I never knew when I would get one. And, when they arrived, they were incredible. But, what I always loved the most were her letters. She would write more than a card--a story! A story that detailed the lives of my siblings ...

Today I am grateful to have a partner who puts up with the fact that he, sometimes, has to suffer because I don't have my mom to talk to.  I realized tonight that Noel suffers because I can't get on the phone and call my mom when I need to vent. When I have a stressful day at school and am frustrated, I can't call her up and tell her about my bad day, instead I have to unload it all onto him.  Even when it's not easy...he listens and responds.  Even when I can't see him at least 3 nights out of the week because I'm getting home at 9 p.m. every night...he still listens and responds.  I am grateful for how hard he works,  even when I don't deserve it.

Today I am grateful to have a kind and giving upstairs neighbor, Tanya! I wish I had thought of taking a photo with her earlier so that you may all see her, but I didn't. Tonight she invited us upstairs (to the third floor of the house) to delight in her glorious tomato soup. And, I must say (although it is quite difficult), I found it so delicious, it ranks higher than Bretts. I still love Brett's tomato soup for all of the same reasons, but add butter and flower to this bisque, and you've got my stomach churning! I will also admit that I stole this photo off of the AllRecipes website on which the recipe came...but I did not take a photo of her soup either. I love making new friends and meeting new people! Grateful that it is almost Thanksgiving time, too. Home: A week from tomorrow! All of my Athens friends, I am making an effort to come up to Athens the Friday after Thanksgiving...will update you all if the plans work out.

Today I am grateful that, two years ago today, Noel showed up to Neighbors in Atlanta to get me back. I had recently chopped off all of my hair, and I was wearing spandex and cat ears, and had whiskers drawn on my face. I was dressed for Halloween. Although it would take 6 more months, I gave in. I am so grateful for that night and every day I've spent with him since.

Today, I am grateful that Noel got his first paycheck! So, to celebrate. I baked cookies. As you can see by the title of this post, I ate more dough than I did baked cookies. But, here's the finished product: And now...we celebrate! Off to Truckaroo . Halloween style. And yes. I am wearing sweater leggings. In preparation for the snow we're apparently going to get!!