October! Holy shamoly. I can't believe how fast fall came. It's freezing cold and snowy. Olive and Izzy are both snuggled up.

Things are calming down and looking up.

Last night I had company and made red pepper risotto with sausage. It was soooo good. We tried a couple great wines and had a great evening.

Today it's grey and cool...very fall-like weather. This year has gone by quickly. I'm ready for fall. I'm ready for some changes. I'm certainly ready for this year to be over. Next year will be better. I turn 30 in six months. It will be good.

Sunday night dinner: Risotto with Mozzarella, Peas, Parmesan, and Bacon.

:)

Ah, mojo, mojo. How I've missed you, my dear mojo.

I bought green chiles and asiago cheese bread at the farmers market today.

Saw Time Traveler's Wife and Julie& Julia, both of which I loved. I had a lovely weekend so far. Olive and I went to visit a friend this afternoon after Olive had a much needed bath, and we had a great day.

Things are good. I am healthy. I have good food in my kitchen, a clean puppy, a lovely home, and things are looking quite positive. I will survive this time in my life. And I will do it with gusto!

:)

Finally. Back into the kitchen. There is something about the kitchen that helps me get my mojo back. White bean and chicken chili & cheddar scallion garlic bread.

It's good to be back. :)

Well, I did it. I got a rescue doggie. She is just wonderful. I love her so, and she and Izzy love eachother. :)

Meet Olive.

I had the worst day. The worst. I came home, slumped down at my kitchen sink onto the tile floor and just sobbed. Ever had a day like that? I felt like there weren't enough tears in my face to release what was going on in my head and heart.

I felt broken. Broken and broken hearted. But then... just when I needed it... a phone call from someone that loves me. And the advice I received was perfect.

I've for sure been going through a hard time lately. But it would be silly of me to forget how far I've come. I have changed undesireable situations, I have excelled in certain areas, and I have grown exceptionally strong. I thought cancer was the hardest thing I'd ever do.

I was wrong.

My prayer for these days is that I remain hopeful. That I keep my optimism. And that I never forget the people that love me. Thanks for the boost. You'll never know how you helped me today. :)

Oh, tonsillitis. How I hate thee.

Looking forward to:
good dinner tonight
good wine
good conversation
my all girls camping trip next weekend

Would someone please talk me out of getting another dog? Please. It's not like I need one. But I am dreaming of a rescue dog from the shelter. Decisions, decisions. :)

Life. She is one fickle beeotch.

I don't put everything that is going on in my life out there for everyone to read, but I will say that these past few months have been pretty ridiculous in terms of the garbage I have had to cope with.

I am starting to be happy again, however. I am feeling very together, and "dealing" fairly well. I have put myself back out into the world, made some new friends, and developed some new hobbies. I just got back from a business trip to Connecticut, where I learned so much new material that my brain hurt. :) It was good for me.


Today is father's day, and I'm full of appreciation for my awesome dad and all he has done for me. For all the hard work he did so that I never wanted for anything, for the miles he drove to rescue me from a bad breakup when I was in college, for the squeezy hugs he always has an abundance of, for the fishing trips he took me on, for the hero that he has been in my life...for all of that, I am eternally thankful. I love you, dad...and I am the LUCKIEST girl in the world.

I haven't dropped of the face of the earth. :)

I'm just... decompressing. Simplifying. Learning how to be.

Life sure does throw curveballs.

The death of Cleo left me terribly sad, and I've got some things going on in my life that have just been really craptastic lately. Nothing cancer related, just life.

This past week, to put a cherry on my craptastic sundae, I received a dog bite TO THE FACE (not my dog) and had to go to the ER. Good times. It's healing pretty quickly, and doesn't appear that it will scar at all, which is good news. I did have to get a tetanus and I'm still on antibiotics.

I have dealt with my fair share of hard times, and I know that this, too, shall pass. Onward and upward. :)

The Passing of Dear Miss Cleo

To the most wonderful, funniest dog...

It was an honor, a blessing, to be able to be your "mommy" for a time. You brought me more happiness, more laughs, more comfort, and more snuggles than I knew what to do with. The void you have left can't ever be filled by any other dog. You were incredible. You were special. You were the bright spot on a rainy day, the snuggly-bug on a cold night.

We miss you terribly. It's too quiet and too still. I'll miss your frantic little bark telling me that Diesel was doing something naughty. :) I'll miss your growl of protection when something seemed not quite right. I'll miss the slurp across the cheek at just the right moment, because you knew I needed some slobber in my life just then. I'll miss your sweet little snore. I'll miss everything that made you, YOU. You will NEVER be forgotten, little miss lady.

I love you so.

Things that made my day super-deluxe, in no particular order:

1. Day and lunch with my mom, who happens to be the coolest chick on the planet.
2. Call from potential employer to set up job interview.
3. Best possible turn out of experimental dinner, Zuppa Toscana, see below.
4. Bombay Sapphire and tonic with a squeeze of lime.
5. My newfound knowledge of how to cook the perfect over-medium egg.

Zuppa Toscana

Onion, garlic, chicken stock, cream, potatoes, sausage, bacon, and kale. I couldn't find kale, so used chard.

And... Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with cheese

:) I love my kitchen.

Mexican Chicken Soup-- From Ina Garten

This is basically a tortilla soup, but I didn't care for the consistency after the tortillas were added, so I pureed the base before adding the chicken. I also added cilantro and cheese. This is a perfect lunch.

Not really a breakfast dish, but I made it for breakfast anyway. Apple, shallot and gorgonzola pizza. This is so good. This would pair perfectly with an arugula salad and balsamic vinaigrette.

Dinner tonight: gorgonzola crusted filet mignon with red wine reduction, grilled asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes with crispy shallots.