Downton Abbey

I'm not sure why I haven't earlier, and by now, most of you have probably heard of it anyways, but I'd like to share the absolutely captivating WWI era based mini-series Downton Abbey.
My mother told me about it after Season 1 ended and I was able to catch an episodes online. That was all it took. It is ridiculously addicting. There are so many plots and twists and surprises. I cry and laugh and worry and cringe and get angry at some point, during every single episode. You must, must read the synopsis of Season 1, catch up on Season 2 and begin watching every Sunday. It is my favorite show since Gilmore Girls. Which should say alot considering I have just about every episode of G.G. taped on my dvr, because I can re-watch them twice (or 5 times). My parents watch it, the boyfriends parents watch it and the boyfriend himself has been getting quite into it. The scenery, the castle it is filmed in, the costumes, the romance, the music, the accents! Everything about it is not only authentic but absolutely gorgeous. I highly recommend it and am so thrilled to see it doing so well. I only hope they can keep it going- there's way too much going on for them to stop now!

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Happy Weekend!

Work week's over- looking forward to a puppy and boyfriend filled weekend, and week off!

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Pinterest Recipes

I'm a Pinterest addict. And for so, so many reasons. One of the latest reasons has been their ridiculously abundant source of recipes. Because of my new work schedule, we have more than enough time in the morning to make breakfast and a nice, big meal when I get home, usually with enough leftovers for my lunch at work the next day. I really can't beat a puppy bouncing around while getting a dose of my favorite therapy (cooking) with my amazing and equally talented boyfriend. It's pretty much perfect. And this extra time has given us the opportunity to try out some new recipes! Which I'd like to share with y'all. Happy Cooking!

Recipe

The picture doesn't really do this one justice. After making this homemade Alfredo sauce, I'll never buy it from a store again. It was amazing. We made it with chicken over linguine.

Recipe

An oven alternative to fajitas. I would recommend substituting some of the oil for water. But other than that, they were delicious, and so easy. The meat and veggies can cook in the oven while you prepare the other toppings, burritos, margaritas, etc. ;)

Recipe

These no-bake energy balls were pretty delish and a great snack. There are so many, generally healthy, possibilities. If you don't mind everyone's curiosity about what the heck you're eating, they're definitely worth a try.

Recipe

We've done several alternatives to this veggie pasta combo. Substitute the asparagus and tomatoes with spinach and olives (black and/or green) and add a bit of heavy cream to the sauce. It's my new favorite dish.

Recipe

I found this glazed muffin recipe when looking for a cereal alternative. I can't wait to try them!

Recipe

I haven't tried these cheesecake cookie dough bars yet, but with it being so cold, I need something other than ice cream to satisfy my sweet tooth at night. These oughtta do it.

Recipe

 I have been looking for a good gyro recipe since we left NM and I haven't found a legit Greek restaurant since (believe it or not). This one includes the legendary tzatziki sauce too! Heaven!

Recipe

A giant chocolate chip cookie made in a skillet. Do I even need to say anything else?

Collect even more recipes on my Foodie board! Now, who's hungry?

Things I've learned since having a puppy

It's been quite a weekend. A good one! But exhausting. Here are some things that I've learned since bringing the little guy home and of course, some pics.

1. Puppies = babies. They eat, drink, cry, and use the "bathroom" (and I use that term loosely because it varies, a lot) all. the. time.
2. I never thought cleaning up after a dog would be so natural to me. Doesn't phase me at all.
3. Taking a pup away from his 8 brothers and sisters and his mommy is really hard to do.
4. Coming home to a sweet face that runs to you when you walk in the door, even after only knowing you for 2 days, is the best feeling. ever.
5. I have been completely useless since he got here. I try to get stuff done while he's sleeping, but when he's awake, forget it. We're busy playing. And don't ask me to leave the house. If he's home, so am I.
6. Puppy runs are the sweetest, funniest things to watch. Butt going one way, head going the other. But he gets where he's going. Puppy playing, with anything, even stuff he's not supposed to, is also the sweetest.
7. Even though they're new, puppy teeth are pretty sharp. And will break the skin. And your shirt.
8. What they say about petting a dog being a stress reducer is so true. It's even more true for puppies.
9. Though we've had a few tiffs about who's doing more, for the most part, he's brought the boyfriend and I closer together. I think I cried 3 times the first day we had him while watching the two of them play. Too cute.
10. He is a living, breathing, thing with quite the personality. And life will never be the same. And we're so glad.

After his first bath in his new house!

Pitiful. Those eyes will get him just about anything he wants.

See what I mean?!

I can't get over how tiny he is!

Puppy ears flopping in the wind!

This was his first day, our first time outside and he does this? My heart was mush.

Posing for pictures!

More posing- he's getting pretty dang good.

And playing with stuff he found outside that daddy let him bring in. "You buy em toys and they play with the box", said my mother, understanding completely. :)

Welcome home Baby Duke!

Puppy day!

We're going to pick up our puppy today! We are beyond excited and can't wait to show y'all how handsome he is! Until then, here are some pictures I've come across over the past few months that have made me all warm and fuzzy inside, until we get the real thing. :)

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Bedroom To-Do List

So yesterday we finished the last closet. Now all that needs done is the painting of that room, and it'll be decorating and furnishing time! The best part! I think the first room we'll focus on is the bedroom, being that it's the one we spend the most time in. And it's so close to being finished. Here's what we have left to do!

Get/Make a Headboard (or bed):

I know I shared a plan that we thought would be the one, but it proved to be little bit out of our expertise. So we're shooting for something a little simpler (and faster).

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 Galvanized anything is a hit in my book. Gives such a rustic feel.

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Again, with the pallet wood. There's so much you could do.

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Love the grandness. And the lighting.

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Pallets and fabric. I would move it down a bit towards the bed, so it could actually be used.

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Love, love, love the barn doors. The boyfriends mom said she has some old doors we could use, or an old fireplace mantle. Oh, the possibilities.

Create a Sitting Area

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 Because we have a huge window at the end of our bed, this would be a nice setup to face the window and enjoy the view.

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 This is a little more room than we have, but I like the table adorning flowers. I have an orchid on the window sill now; I'd love to have a better place to put it, with some mags/books.

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 I like that this seating is almost just an extension of the bed.

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Love the colors of this space. Simple, neutral, and classic.

Fill up the Walls

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 Gorgeous colors, and I love the mirrors behind the lamps on the nightstands! Such a beautiful way to reflect light to warm up a space.

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Clusters of frames are a great way to display similar pictures. I adore the black lamp shades too. I have one already and the light it gives off against the paint color- mmm. Gorg.

Finish Up with Decorative Touches/Furniture

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 Flowers on the bedside table = perfection. Love the bed, by the way.

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 I'd like a rug with black border like this, but smaller and two on each side of the bed. And another rug under the sitting area, to distinguish the areas.

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 I would like a large dresser or armoire in the corner of the bedroom for folded clothes, blankets, sheets, etc.

Replace the (now broken) Overhead Light with a Chandelier

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 Country bedroom, with a bit of whimsy. Too girly for some people in this house, but I like it. :)

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 Fit for a queen! So classy and glamorous.

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 Little bit of country, and simplicity.

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 The chandelier is a little much, but the bedside table lamps are amazing. (Love the "B" for Brittany too.)

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 This has such a romantic feel- notice the mirrors behind the lamps again? Def doing it.

So that's about it! Should be finished in no time...

Everyday.

I'll keep it short today, because I'm trying to use my time wisely. :)

Going back to work on a more frequent basis makes it seem like I'm desperately trying to use every minute of every day off to catch up on errands and odd jobs. While our house hasn't been this clean and organized since we moved in, it can be a bit overwhelming at times. We're still working on painting one more room after the closet's finished. We still have some preparations to do before the puppy comes on Friday. And then Saturday I go back to work. It all just doesn't seem to leave enough time for everything, in addition to wanting to just spend time with the boyfriend, relaxing, taking it all in, and just enjoying the fruits of our labor. So while vacuuming and sanding and painting and cleaning are important, we must not forget to take a minute, or two, to just be. To sit back and look around and really appreciate all that we have, all that we've accomplished, and just how blessed we truly are. I saw a saying the other day that I can't quite remember exactly how it went but it basically said to not let making a living get in the way of making a life. It really struck a chord. While I enjoy work, and the paycheck that comes with it, I cannot let it consume my life. I have genuinely started to try to keep the two as separate as I can. Time is precious and I'm certainly not getting any younger. I need to enjoy being this age, living in this house, with this man (and puppy) and these things.
And most days, I truly do.
Now I'm just shooting for everyday.