Today for lunch we went to Panera and I ordered the roasted turkey harvest salad which consisted of all natural roasted turkey, fresh d’Anjou pears, dried cherries, gorgonzola, pecans with a cherry balsamic vinaigrette and an apple. It was very good! Although, I have to say my favorite salad from there is still the summer strawberry chicken one yummm. The boy and I also returned a few things and dropped my new watch off to get some links taken out. I can’t wait to wear it! I was never into watches and literally never wear them. Even on the rare occasion I did, I would wear it more for jewelry than for telling time. I hate to admit this but half of my (like 4 ha) watches don’t even work and I still wear them once in a while — so embarrassing! Soo I have a sweet new one from the boy that I LOVE. We’ll go back to pick it up tomorrow :)
Roasted Turkey Harvest Salad, Apple December 30, 2011
Peach Greek Yogurt, Clementines December 29, 2011
This morning for breakfast I had a Chobani peach Greek yogurt with two clementines. This might be the first real breakfast I have had since I am been home. Every other day I have been picking on homemade cookies and other random things around the house. Today I am meeting my friend and her boyfriend for lunch at our favorite pizza place and then my parents are having some family over for a visit tonight so I won’t be eating the greatest later. I figured I might as well get a decent breakfast in ha. Sooo now I need to get some things prepped for tonight while my mom is at work and then the boy will get here around noon for the day few days yayyy! I know it’s only been 8 days since I’ve seen him last but it feels like it’s been so much longer so I cannot wait!! :) xoxo
Christmas Cookie Dough Truffles December 28, 2011
This morning I made a batch of cookie dough truffles from Jessica at How Sweet It Is. I saw these a while back and bookmarked them but never got around to making them. I actually wasn’t tired late last night so I made the cookie dough filling/rolled them in balls and then refrigerated them. Today I coated them in semi-sweet and white chocolate and then dyed some white chocolate red and green to be festive for the holiday. I put the colored chocolate in baggies and cut off the tip to pip it on messily ha. I figured these would be dangerous to make in my apartment so I’m glad I made them at my parents house where I can share. Andddd we just happen to be having company tomorrow and Friday nights so hopefully my taste testers will approve and I can serve a few. They look soooo delicious, of course I want twelve haha. Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season! Clearly, I will blog more regularly once it’s over :)
Christmas Cookies! December 25, 2011
Every year for Christmas my mother, grandmother, and I bake about 20 different kinds of cookies. This is the plate I put together to bring up my aunt’s for Christmas day. My uncle is Italian (like my mom and grandma) so he really appreciated all the different kinds of cookies we make. I think he might have tried every single one even afterrrrr our huge dinner. I forgot a few kinds of cookies I was later told but I figure this was good enough ha. I so miss being home to make all of these every year, I usually only get to help with the tail end of them since I moved out of town. There is nothing like being home for Christmas! I am soo thankful for all the wonderful people in my life — my family, my friends, and my amazing boyfriend make my life complete :)
Filet Mignon, Lobster Tail, Green Beans, Scalloped Potatoes
Tonight for Christmas dinner I had filet mignon, lobster tail, green beans, and scalloped potatoes. I also had a salad and lots of appetizers and cookies too ha. We ate my my aunt and uncle’s house like last year and it was absolutely delicious once again. We had a great night with family and friends even though my grandparents are at their winter home in Florida and my other aunt and two cousins went there this year. Someday I wish we could all be together again. Tomorrow morning my mom wants to go shopping and see what deals are out there. This is when she stocks up on wrapping and bows for next year lol. I have to exchange a few things that Santa must have got confused about ;) It was a wonderful day. Merry Christmas everyone!!!
Teriyaki Grilled Chicken, Steamed Broccoli December 23, 2011
Tonight for dinner I made teriyaki grilled chicken and steamed broccoli. I love being home and having access to a grill. It is the one thing I dislike about living in an apartment complex. When I was in undergrad my grandpa gave me his old grill and I literally used it all year long. I would be outside with snow on the railing and would be puffing smoke since it was so cold out, but I loved me some grilled food ha. The next place I move to WILL be grill ready. Well tonight my mom and I are going to do some moreeeee shopping. I actually went to the other mall that we are going to tonight earlier today. I bought shoes for NYE even though my plans fell through and I have no idea what I am doing. Regardless, I have a cute dress and shoes for some future event/wedding :) Off to shop ’til we shop!
Fried Egg, Ham, & Provolone Bagel Sandwich December 22, 2011
Today for lunch my brother made me a fried egg, ham, and provolone sandwich on a toasted plain bagel. It was super yummy and even better because I didn’t have to make it. I could totally get used to this other people cooking for me thing while I am home. I spent the morning shopping with my father for my mother and then once we got home I wrapped up all her gifts from him as well as my own presents for everyone. It was so fun wrapping and listening to Christmas music. I can’t believe Christmas is only 3 days away! Last night I bought a dress for New Year’s Eve but I forgot my silver heels in Philly so looks like I will have to buy new ones booo. At this point in time, I am still clueless what I am doing since plans keep changing 24/7. Who knows we may end up hanging with my parents! We shall seeeeee!
Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Broiled Brussel Sprouts December 21, 2011
Tonight for dinner I am at my parent’s house and my mom made meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and broiled brussel sprouts. It is phenomenal! I love my mother’s cooking and sometimes I think the same food just tastes better when my mom makes it even though I make things the same exact way. I am excited to finally be back home for the holidays and actually be in a decorated house with a tree. My apartment is sooo lame since my roommates and I are struggling students ha. Tonight my mom and I are going Christmas shopping to get a few gifts and I have to return something at the mall as well. Hopefully 5 million people won’t be out because sometimes I get a little cranky when it’s warm and crowded lol. Four days <3
Luna Bar, Green Bell Pepper Slices December 20, 2011
Today for lunch I am having a Toasted Nuts ‘n Cranberry Luna bar and a sliced green bell pepper. I had tons of yummy holiday snacks at school today since we had our last test before break so everyone wanted to celebrate. I’m actually not even that hungry but I figured I should eat something of substance and I wanted to eat this pepper before I headed home for 2 weeks because clearly it would go bad. I have a bunch of apples and oranges but I am hoping they will be fine in the fridge. My hematology test today was ok, there were but tricky ones but also some I definitely knew so hopefully it turned out ok. Now I am home packing up my life to head home tomorrow. I am hoping I don’t forget anything but I always do, and I always pack tons of stuff and never wear it. I have all these aspirations of plans and half the time just end up hanging on the couch, which is totally ok ha. Dinner tonight with the boy yay!!
Blueberry Breakfast Thin with Butter, Fresh Strawberries
This morning for breakfast I am having a blueberry breakfast thin topped with butter and a huge bowl of strawberries. I really want to finish up my fresh foods before I head home tomorrow so I will be devouring these lovely berries today. I figure they will give me some extra energy for my exam today haha. I literally can’t even believe I just typed last exam. This point felt so far off months, even weeks ago and it has finally arrived. I honestly don’t even care (toooo much) how I do on this hematology exam I really just want to get it over and done with. Then I have to sit through a few more hours of lecture blahhh. Why did I sign up for this lifetime student thing? Christmas is in 5 days yayyy!
Blissful Hope 