Happiness

I'm happy today friends.

 

I'm happy because it's Friday. Even though I'm getting my yawn on like it's my job. The above photo is an even happier me because I'm tan and on vacation. And I'm wearing a pretty dress.

I left the office early and went to happy hour last night. There were men there in kilts. Playing bagpipes. I didn't mind.

March Madness (basketball) started yesterday. It makes this guy very, very happy. Which makes me happy.

 

Even if it means I'm stuck watching hours of basketball. Which admittedly doesn't make me so happy. It meant relegating Jersey Shore to the DVR until further notice. I like to get my Pauly D fix as soon as possible. And try to justify my GSPL. Gym, Stay Pasty, Laundry. Anyone else suffering from this affliction? At least I got to eat this...

 

and this. It was delicious but salty. Very salty.

Today I kind of feel like one of these guys.

 

Also because I drank way too much of this...

 

I'm happy because The Hunger Games director cast Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. I think she's gorgeous.  And she rocks. I like.

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I did not like the last book of The Hunger Games. There, I said it.

I'm happy because it's the end of the week and my kitchen is relatively clean. I'm about to do the happy dance up in here.

I'm happy because all of you have been talking to me a lot lately. Keep that up, will ya? It makes my day.

What's making you happy today?

My New Cookbook

Happy St.P's Day! Though I don't recognize this as an actual holiday, last night I made a loaf of this and tonight we will be dining on this. Isn't everyone Irish today?

So a couple weeks ago, my sister Kimberly went to Holland on her spring break with her boyfriend Nick.

When they returned {and I stopped turning green with envy}, they had brought me back a gift.

It's a Dutch cookbook! Does my sister know me or does she know me?

I'm admittedly not completely familiar with Dutch cuisine. In fact, the closest I've ever come to Dutch food was at Linda's Pancakes in Aruba (which is in fact a Dutch island, by the by).

Oh how I wish I had one of these this morning. Anyhow, I cannot wait to dive into this cookbook!

With dishes like smoked salmon zebra and Dutch apple pie (oh my!), I feel like we've got a winner on our hands.

Oh and my favorite part thus far? The kissing porcelain dolls on the back.

So that's the story of my new cookbook that I can't wait to crack open. I am always a fan of trying out new foods and I love to see what other cultures eat! I think my favorite cuisine while traveling has been in Paris...steak, red wine, fries with mayo sauce...you really can't beat that! So what about you? What's your favorite international cuisine? Have you gotten any new cookbooks lately?

10 things going on with me

Good morning world! I for one am super sleepy this morning. Not to mention the pouring rain is making me want to just crawl back to bed for the day. Anyhow, for today's What About Me Wednesday, I'm just going to ramble a few things going on with me. Sound alright?

1. I'm currently reading Shanghai Girls. I love it. Before that, I read Room, which was recommended by my friend Kristen, and which I thought was so good I blew through it in a matter of days. Anyone reading these books or any other good ones? I'm thinking of starting a Reading section here on the blog...yay or nay?

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2. This guy is working on his first guest post for TAA. I know, I'm pretty excited about it too!

3. Lately, I've been going to sleep at 10pm. Not last night (see paragraph 1). But lots of other nights. It's made getting up early to exercise like a zillion times easier.

4. Last night I had a {frozen} left over slice of this...

 

and this...

woops.

5. That was directly following a 2 hour workout. On Tuesdays, I take a zumba class, followed immediately by pilates. Our building has a beautiful, brand new gym and we hire an instructor to come in on Tuesday nights for the class. I look forward to it every week!

6. I learned how to make the easiest ever black bean quesadilla. No, really. I sometimes hate when things are called 'easiest ever', don't you? It seems kind of subjective to me. But these actually were the easiest ever. Combine a can of drained black beans with 1/2 jar salsa in a saucepan to heat. Lay a tortilla in a lightly buttered skillet. Cover with shredded cheddar, black bean mixture, a little more cheddar and 2nd tortilla. Cook, flip, cook, serve.

7. I go through serious make up obsession phases, caused by my sister Christine. My beautiful sister  is a make up conneussieur. She owns a ton of it and even has a YouTube channel where she does tutorials. It's more like art than make up. Check it out if ya like!

8. I could eat cold cereal every day for every meal. And not just one bowl per sitting either. Hence why I have cut it out of my life completely.

9. I've developed a Hot Cocoa a day habit. Not good, my friends. Our office has a Keurig and I recently found Hot Cocoa K-Cups in the kitchen there. I gave it a try like 2 weeks ago. I'm hooked. Please send help.

10. I'm running a 5K on March 27! Eek. My good friend Kristen (also fellow book lover and recommender of Room) has organized this in honor of her mother, who sadly passed away last year. Her mom was the creator of my favorite-ever Irish soda bread.

I've been training like it's nobody's business because well...I really don't want to embarass myself on race day. The last time I ran a race, it was a few years ago!

So that's about all that's happening with me right now! What's going on with you? What are you reading? What are you eating? Have you ever cut out any foods from your life because you just go crazy on them?

If you like what you read, please drop me a comment! And for more about me, check out our FAQ page!