Rainy Days

I seem to always find myself at Target on Sundays. The reason I remember this is because we have a Chick-fil-a right next to Target and I always say, "Oooo I could go for some Chick-fil-a!" and then I get sad because I remember that they are closed on Sundays! Seriously...this probably happens every other, if not every, week.

So naturally, yesterday, I was at Target. As soon as we (mom, lil bro and I) were in the check-out line, I look outside to see a torrential downpour! I had bought my stuff first so lil bro asked me to go get the car.
*Sidenote: I'm terrified of lightning.
So, I'm running to the car and there are HUGE drops falling from the sky. I think you know it's going to be a bad one when the first drops are HUGE ones. Then, I see a gigantic bolt of lightning and I was BOOKIN' IT to the car. I was practically soaked by the time I got there.
Then by the time I got to them waiting at the door, it was a full on hail storm. Cah-razy!! My mom just got a new car, too, so I was freaking out that it would get hail damage...but what can ya do?!

Anyway, while I waited for it to let up a little so they could run to the car, I was pondering about all the cute rain gear that I didn't have with me, but wish I did!

Wellies/Rain Boots, whatever floats your boat

The ones I have - Classic Yellow from Old Navy...a bargain!
I also used to wear a Pink with White Polka-Dot pair from Target

The ones I wish I had - Hunter Wellies in Pink :)

Rain Coat

The one I have - Columbia Rain Jacket

The one I wish I had - North Face Venture Jacket

Umbrella

The one I have - Brighton "I Wish It Would Rain". I had to take a picture because I can't find it anywhere online! I found this at a shop downtown.

I also have this one - Clear Bubble Umbrella with flowers...for when I'm feeling 5 years old!

The one I wish I had - Vera Bradley umbrella in Plum Petals

What's your favorite rain gear? I'm sure there's lots more cute stuff that I missed :)

xoxo,

Sunday Verse

xoxo,

I had the best day with you today.

Well, this didn't happen today...but earlier in the week I had one of the best days!

SB and I met up in the afternoon for lunch and then he went to play with a Boston Terrier - his favorite.

This isn't the one he played with - this is our family friends' Boston, Spunky, in Va Beach!

Meanwhile, I decided to get the fixings for dinner and dessert! I went over to Mom's house to get some inspiration and I found this book -

Have y'all seen these books before? There is a series of them, including The Kitchen Survival Guide (pictured), The Supermarket Survival Guide, The Restaurant Survival Guide, Kids version and more! They are creatively designed, include lots of facts and pictures and have really got me thinking about what I'm eating when I go out.
Now, I'm not a huge health nut but it is nice to have some "better options" available.

I decided to go with the Pesto Gnocchi with Green Beans and Tomatoes

This picture doesn't do it justice, really (i'm just obsessed with instagr.am) but it was delicious! SB liked it, which was the most important part.  We decided though that next time we would add some sliced, grilled chicken to it for extra protein and flavor. Here is the recipe!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound green beans

1 pint cherry tomatoes

Salt

1 16 ounce package potato gnocchi

1/2 cup pesto

1 cup bite-size cubes of fresh mozzarella

Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated

Cooking Directions

Set a large pot of water over high heat.

Heat a large skillet or saute pan over medium heat.

Add the olive oil and green beans to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes, then toss in the tomatoes and continue to cook until the green beans are tender (but still crisp) and the tomatoes are browned on the outside.

Remove from heat.

Salt the water after it reaches a boil.

Drop the gnocchi in and cook until they float to the surface (4-5 minutes).

Drain and add the gnocchi to the pan with the green beans and tomatoes.

Stir in the pesto and mozzarella.

Divide among 4 warm plates or bowls and top with a bit of grated parmesan

It was yummyyyy. I love to cook meals every once in a while and it was a nice 'at home' evening!
Then it was time for dessert. SB helped with this :) He is a great helper.

For dessert, we made "Outrageous Cookie Bars" but grandma-style. My grandma used to make these and would use chocolate chips & butterscotch chips instead of all chocolate.

This picture is before we put on the coconut.
Here is the recipe :) They are soooo yummy!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 can (14 oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
  
  Directions
• PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
  
  MELT butter in 13 x 9-inch baking pan in oven; remove from oven. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over butter. Stir well; press onto bottom of pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Sprinkle with morsels, coconut and nuts; press down firmly.
  BAKE for 25 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

After dessert we went to see Crazy, Stupid, Love.

It was very good! I love Steve Carell and if you do too, I think you'll like this movie. It's weird to see Ryan Gosling in any movie since he will always be Noah to me! This movie has some funny and serious parts and some twists!

It was a perfect day :)

Yesterday I mentioned I went to Paint 'n Fun...here is my progress!

I'll let ya know when it's done :) I ran out of time to paint because the movie was about to start -- which by the way was awesome! Even if you haven't read the book...go see it!!

happy weekend :)

xoxo,

Friday Fun: The Help

Tonight I'm going to see The Help! Also, going to 'Paint 'n Fun'. I can't wait to show you what I make :) (assuming it turns out cute!)

Have you seen it already? Plan to see it? Read the book?

I haven't read the book...but I'm still excited to see it! :) I'm also excited to get some Sno Caps...my favorite movie treat, hehe.

happy weekend!
xoxo,

Relay For Life

I attend Virginia Tech. A school that

• has over 30,000 full time students
• sits on over 2,500 acres
• prides itself in our motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve)
• proudly wears maroon and orange
• has family across the globe
• has suffered tragedy, stood back up and gained new hope

You want to know what else?

Virginia Tech is the world's #1 collegiate Relay For Life.
I ain't jokin.

I am honored to say that VT Relay raised $625,000 for the American Cancer Society at our 2011 event this past April. I didn't have a blog back then, so that's why I am sharing it with you now.
I was able to serve on the Survivorship committee where five other girls and myself planned a banquet for the cancer survivors of our community. It was truly a rewarding and inspiring experience.

If any of you are involved in Relay For Life, please share your stories/comments. I would love to hear about it :)
If you aren't involved, I strongly encourage you to start. Each and every one of us has been affected by cancer in one way or another. Whether it be a family member, friend, neighbor, teacher, coworker or even ourselves...this disease has touched all of our lives and I know we all have inspiration to fight back.

Here are some photos from our event, by our lovely photographer...

Yes, it was cold and wet and miserable and I was there from 7:00 am Friday - 5:00 am Saturday.
But we probably saved thousands of lives and I know we created more birthdays, and for that I am grateful.


If you'd like to see more pictures, here is a beautiful slideshow. Put your volume up :)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Galatians 6:9

xoxo,