Thursday, January 31, 2019

Whats Cookin' Good Lookin'?

Its almost Friday! How has your week been? Mine has been surprisingly productive despite the cold temps outside. One of the biggest goals here in the Fashionably Domestic home has been to stay warm!

I made the family a yummy meal this evening, full of fresh vegetables. We go through so many fruits and vegetables in this house.


Italian Sausage and Veggie Pasta

1 pkg. Italian Chicken Sausage 
1 Red Bell Pepper
A few tablespoons minced garlic
Splash (or 4) of white wine
1 Summer Squash, chopped
1 Zucchini, chopped
2 Heirloom Tomatoes, quartered 
1 can diced tomatoes, 15oz
Kale or Spinach(as preferred)
Italian Seasoning
Dried Minced Onion
Dried Fennel 
Dash of Milk
Salt and Pepper
Organic or Gluten Free rotini pasta

Fill pot with water and bring to a boil for pasta.

Heat pan, add olive oil and saute sausage and red pepper until peppers are soft. Add garlic and a few splashes of white wine and saute for a minute or two. Add squash and zucchini and cook until soft. Add can of tomatoes and season to taste with the garlic, onion, Italian seasoning and fennel. 

While that cooks, I sear the heirloom tomatoes in another pan then puree them in a food processor and add that to the pan of veggies and sausage. I also add a little water if it doesn't seem "saucy" enough for my taste. Add the greens, spinach or kale, dash of a milk and season as needed. Serve topped with red paper flakes and Parmesan cheese. 

If you can't tell, I'm a pinch of this and dash of that type cook so its difficult to really write out a detailed recipes. I owe that skill to my grandmother, truly one of the best home cooks I've ever met.

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In other news, Snuggle Bug is still on an obsessive carb binge. The positive thing is her doctor thinks it will help her gain weight, the down side is my bread machine is getting a workout and I just bought a waffle iron in hopes of saving money on her waffle habit. Fingers crossed it saves some money and who knows what new recipes I'll find on my new waffle making journey! 




Monday, January 28, 2019

Remembering


Three years ago, today, I lost my best friend.

I will never forget the phone call I got in the middle of the grocery store telling me she was dead. The entire world felt unreal, like a dream. I left my cart where it was and walked out to my car, sat and had no idea what to do next. I couldn’t cry. I couldn’t yell. My emotions were frozen.
You see, this was my best friend for as long as I can remember. My middle school confidant. Sleepovers; giggling about boys and gossiping about school. The girl I went to when I ran away from home as a stupid kid. The one who worried for my safety. The girl who cried with me when her prom date stood her up while I offered to put on a dress and go with her myself. The woman whose boyfriend fell asleep in a movie during a double date and we looked at each other and laughed while he snored. The maid of honor at my wedding, the girl who stood beside me and held my bouquet as I put a ring on my husband’s finger. The woman who sat beside me at the baby shower for my first child.

She was dead. Suicide. The depression we had both talked about in our teens, related to each other in that suffering, took her away. I didn’t know how to grieve a loss so unexpected. A loss that could have been prevented. I blamed myself for not seeing. She had slowly become reclusive. She had pulled herself back from the people who cared about her.


I wish I hadn’t been so caught up in my own life. I wish we would have taken the Vegas trip we had talked about. I wish I had made a bigger effort to reach out to her as I moved around the country. The distance took its toll. Her depression took its toll. My depression took its toll.

She wanted more than what we had growing up, two poor girls with single moms who were doing their best to make ends meet. She wanted to travel. She wanted to see Ireland. She wanted to get married. She wanted to have children. She had hopes, dreams and goals.



It took a long time to get through the grief but three years later I can look back at the memories and smile at all the joy she brought to my life. The understanding. The importance of that friendship. I know she was in my life for a reason and I know I will be forever grateful for the time I had with her because, even though I was never able to tell her just how much, she got me through many hard times in my life and knowing I had her gave me strength. Knowing I have her memory will continue to give me strength. 

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Weekend Check In


Happy Sunday lovelies!

Its been a nice weekend here in land of domesticity. Friday night was spent at the local community arts center seeing a production of Addams Family: The Musical. It was an adorable production by local actors and, of course, appealed to my creepy side as the Addams family always does. Plus, it was a chance to wear my latest vintage inspired dress. It paired well with a little belt and cardigan and I was so excited to get so many compliments.

This is the best picture I have of me all dressed nicely. The next time I wear it I'm getting a full sized picture so you can see the beautiful circle skirt in all its glory! 

Saturday was a fun filled day with the family including our first trip to a trampoline park!

Look how much fun these two are having together!

We spent over an hour bouncing, climbing and trying out the challenges and obstacles there and even then hubby joined in. It was a great way to get exercise and have some important family time doing something together. They are requesting Monster Mini golf next weekend. 

Here we are on Sunday and the Fashionably Domestic home smells of freshly cooked bread. I have been on a bread kick lately, much to the joy of Snuggle Bug who is obsessed with fresh bread.


The new loaf next to the first that didn't make it very long before being attacked by the family!

There is something so nice about the smell of something yummy baking in the oven. It makes the entire house feel warm and cozy.

How has your weekend been?

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Big News!


I have news. After years, YEARS of bouncing from school to school, moving, losing and gaining credits, I have finally done it. I have finally completed my bachelor’s degree.



There were so many times that I thought it was never going to happen. So many moments where I was ready to give up. I cried when I left the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a semester to go because the Hubby had orders. I paused when I had my little man. I applied and got in to numerous universities only to find some road block that kept me from continuing on.

But I kept moving, kept studying and it is finally finished. The sense of relief and accomplishment that I feel are immense.

Downside? I have been sending out resumes and applications around town for about a month (and even prior to graduation) and I have been turned down or heard nothing from every place I’ve applied. I was even turned down by a grocery store and a dog walking company. But, no matter. I’m going to keep this feeling of positivity going because I know everything is going to work out well in the end. Until then I am going to enjoy this feeling of joy and happiness and see if I can make 2019 a year full of positivity and joy.