Hello/Goodbye

I am not sure what to think of mother nature's bipolar attitude, but I am trying to keep myself preoccupied with crafting, cooking, and what have you... Just Friday, I was laying out bricks and mulch in the almost 80 degree weather and then Sunday night/Monday morning came and BOOM!! Winter seemed to be here once a again.

                                        My poor Lilac bush..crushed!! Due to the heavy snow.

Our power/heat was out for a couple hours due to the snow, but Mocha stayed warm in her sweatshirt.

On the contrary, my weekend (last Friday) started out with a little something like this...

So classy! Right?! Home made baked chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries with some Chandon Champagne. I'm not mad at it....

I got to hang out with my dogs...

Get things organized around the house... but somebody (Mocha... cough, cough) DOES NOT like it when I put her toys away. Of course she has to get them all back out... haha

Planned my weekly meals and stocked up on groceries/flowers for my next Pinterest creation.

My new flower centerpiece.

Enjoyed a night out on the town @ The Cellar in Corning.

However, it got a little crazy on the way home... : P

!I spent the day on Sunday shopping with my mom in Rochester and found these new Sperry rain boots. I am a little obsessed with them and wear them every chance I get.. including the "snow storm" we had. Yes, I thought these were a more suitable choice than Uggs for the occasion. I even got to meet up with a friend that lives in Rochester, who joined in on the shopping trip. So fun!

and the weekly dinners begin....

Sunday: Cauliflower Crust Pizza with Mozzarella Cheese & Basil. Tried something new... but FAILED!! They taste was good! However, the crust did not harden : (

For dessert: Whole Wheat Brownies http://www.marthastewart.com/333982/whole-wheat-brownies

Amaze!! They are from Martha Stewart (my childhood idol duh! haha)..A must try!!

Monday: Crispy Southwest Wraps

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2009/09/crispy-southwest-chicken-wraps.html

Italian cuisine meets Chinese cuisine...

Tuesday: Grilled Bruschetta Chicken with Edamame 'Fried' Rice.

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/05/grilled-chicken-bruschetta.html

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/04/asian-edamame-fried-rice.html

Wednesday: lemon & Pepper Tilapia, Broccoli/Cauliflower Mixture, and Baked Cheddar Biscuits.

http://www.skinnytaste.com/search?q=baked+cheddar+biscuits

Thursday: Arugula Salad with Garden Penne Pasta and Garbanzo Beans.

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012_02_28_archive.html

Friday: Chicken, Goat cheese & Spinach Quesadillas 

http://sugarcooking.blogspot.com/2010/02/chicken-spinach-goat-cheese-quesadillas.html

Healthy Snacks:

Skinny Green Tropical Smoothie

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/02/skinny-green-tropical-smoothie.html

Light & Fit Vanilla Yogurt with Flax Seed & Sliced Strawberries

I found these flowers last night when I got home from teaching dance.. Just Because... from my husband. He's good! : )

The so called adventures of Spring Break

Spring Break was just what I needed. A week of a little R & R,  cleaning, purging, and organizing.  It's amazing how fast a week goes!! Isn't ironic that the first day back to work today just so happens to be  the hottest day outside?! But hey, I'll take it! I wish it could be hot and sunny everyday!

87 degrees the first day back to work

Here is a little snippet of what my vacation entailed:

unfortunately, this is pretty much how most of Spring Break looked

I needed some comfort food for those rainy/dreary days. What better way than with tomato soup and grilled cheese?!

Took a nap with the dogs (Doggy Pile!!)

I cleaned the entire house from top to bottom...

                                          
                                including cleaning out my closet. (Five bags of clothes donated)
Ya know, just making some more room for those new spring/summer clothes I plan on adding to my
                                                                                     collection. ; )

My house had moments of being torn upside down. The TV room was freshly painted.

Freshly painted a light creamy color. (Notice Mocha waiting for me to finish taking pictures) Now, I just have to hang all the pictures back up... 

Including some of my favorites (pictured above)

Pat tried to get our yard back in order after the fence was installed. Look at that stud at work... haha

and the dogs are right there in on the action..

Our new vanity sink was finally installed after sitting in our house for the past month. My first experience with granite. ( I like it, I like it a lot! ) 

Stocked up on some green machine smoothies.

Of course I got caught up on some TV, pinterest, and other leisurely activities. 

Made some delicious meals. Including this one... Martha Stewart's recipe. (Scallops over Tuscan white beans and spinach) 

Home made spaghetti and meat balls with my favorite Atwater Riesling wine. 

Date Night with Pat at Tony R's in Corning

The best Espresso Martini!

Saturday before break was over, it was finally nice enough to enjoy some Dunkin Doughnuts breakfast outside on the patio.

Saturday night, I got to reunite with my good friends from college. I missed them so much!

A little champagne toast for the occasion.

Sunday, after returning home from my visit in Syracuse, I felt I needed to get myself back on track!

After a run around the local high school track, (even helped myself to the high jump and hurtles that were left out) I made a delicious healthy dinner. (Salmon spinach salad with strawberries and goat cheese) 

For dessert, skinny Oreo truffles.

Now, it's back to the grind... and my body is definitely paying the price! So sleepy! (yawn...)