Archives for January 2013

Happiness Now- Studio Calico 1.6.13 Sunday Sketch

January 8, 2013

Another year you made a promise
another chance to turn it all around
and do not save this for tomorrow
embrace the past and you can live for now
and I will give the world to you

For the past few years whenever I think of new years or a big change this Ian Axel song pops into my head. I’ve seen him perform several times and he is the kind of performer that gives me chills. Might have cried during gone. okay, every time.

Anyway, it’s a new year. It’s time to wipe the slate clean and start over where possible. I did just that this weekend. I reorganized my scrapbooking workstation. I liked it before since everything was at arms reach and I was facing out the room (I don’t like to be startled- I will pee my pants). But it really was taking up way too much room with that configuration so I reworked it and cleaned up my supplies. I’m about 95% done so I’m happy with what I accomplished and how it looks. I even hung up a few pictures. so now I’m feeling inspired and i am going to kick some crafty butt.

Starting things off I did a layout for my take on Studio Calico’s first Sunday Sketch of the new year. I really tried to stick with the Sunday Sketches last year but when we moved things really fell flat on their face. I’m hoping I get further along in the year. Wish me luck.

0106cardsketch

–1.6.13 sunday sketch–

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Monday Munchies: Filiberto’s Mexican Food- AZ, CA, NM

January 7, 2013

As part of my Monday Munchies series, I will feature a different eatery for a review on the first and third Monday of every month. Hope you enjoy!

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When Price and I were visiting his dad in Arizona for Thanksgiving we went out of lunch one day at one of the local Mexican places nearby. It was not the kind of place I would typically gravitate to but I’m glad we went. I just never think of places in strip malls. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a part of CT that didn’t have them & now I’m in a city, which also doesn’t have them. But I’m glad I didn’t something that I would not normally do since we had a great lunch (plus leftovers) from Filiberto’s.

Once we went in I knew I would love this place. I love casual Mexican places, since they often don’t care too much about the decor and flare, but focus on making great food. Besides that, places with picture menus have a special place in my heart. Like greasy, comforting Chinese food places that you can say I’ll have a #10 with an egg roll… this is exactly like that.

I ordered a #7- Tostada and Taco Plate ($6.39). When it was ready I was shocked at how generous the portion was, esp for the price! The side of the rice and refried beans was so large, and those were just the sides. The tostada was really simple with beans and cheese and topped with lettuce but was really good with some added vegetables. The beef taco was really good but not like I had ever had before. It seemed that they assembled a soft taco with a spicy, cooked ground beef and cheese prior to frying the whole thing crispy. I could be completely wrong about that but in all it all was super crunchy. I typically don’t like chunky tacos but this was so different and really good.

I also had the Horchata as well which was really good. I’ve been to places where it is sooo thin but this was the perfect consistency and flavor.

Tom had the #17- Two Chili Rellenos Plate ($7.09) and Price had the #13- Chimichanga Plate ($7.09). Both were large portions of food as well, enough for 2 people to share each one, which is why we had leftovers. I commented to Price how I prefer a chunky guac so it was good that I didn’t get a side, plus I already had a ton of food. He said that it was really good and that it, along with the sour cream, were really good toppings for the chimichanga. I’ll take his word on it since he really enjoyed his meal.

Filiberto's_salsas

We sat down to eat so we enjoyed the salsa and condiment station. I love places that have salsa bars since I love great salsa. There were 3 spice levels to the salsas so they could satisfy any palate. These went well with the complimentary chips that were available at the counter. As well, there were pickled veggies and peppers and onions. I really liked the pickled carrots, which was the first time having them.

This just proves it’s often a great idea to take a chance on something you would not normally do. Go visit a new place and I bet things will surprise you. Filiberto’s proves why

Filiberto’s

40975 N Ironwood Dr
Queen Creek, AZ 85140

As well as locations around AZ, NM, and CA. Check ’em out!

Thirsty Thursday: Mocha Magic Smoothie

January 3, 2013

It’s a new year. It’s a perfect way to kick off ‘something new’.

What better way to kick off a great new year than starting things off to a great start?!? How do you do that? With an awesome breakfast smoothie that will jump start your day.

I flipped through my copy of Smoothies for Life! to find a smoothie that would be a great breakfast to get me through the day. It’s so cold here (high of 23 today!) so a cold smoothie might not sound like a pleasant way to start the day but I still pulled through. I prepped most of last night- froze my sliced banana, powders in my magic bullet cup- so I just needed to add milk and blend. I ran down stairs to the kitchen did this as fast as I could before running back up to the hot bathroom to take a boiling shower. Really… the knob is all the way over and I love it. Maybe that is why my skin is extra dry? Whatever. So while I got dressed I had my breakfast and coffee all in one and I was ready to kick some ass at my first day back at work since Dec. 21st. ouch.

Amanda embraced ‘something new’ by reaching for a new bottle of bourbon she had. I totally like her style. She changed things up and made a delightful Mississippi Mud Cake with Espresso Bourbon Glaze. Sounds amazing right?!?!

Mocha Magic Smoothie

Makes 1

Ingredients

10 ounces milk
1 sliced banana, frozen
2 to 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons protein powder
1 to 2 tablespoons instant coffee

Process

Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

8 years

January 2, 2013

today was pretty awesome.

we celebrated our 8 yrs today with a pretty chill day off. some sleeping in. bunny and jack cuddling and hopping around on our bed. english muffins for breakfast. i had some dental work done. we had a nice lunch out. some errands and then some napping. price let me sleep longer while he cleaned up the kitchen. he’s the best.

i can’t believe that we just celebrated year #8. it’s crazy how fast time flies. with the new year we just discussed everything we had accomplished in 2012… giants superbowl parade, buy a house, guys weekend in vegas, cruise, long weekend in maine, plenty of advenures in boston and new england, trip to austin, nascar race, 30th birthday trip to chicago, thanksgiving in az… and that’s just a few of the tons of things we did. the things we ave done in the 8 years together is incredible.

i am so proud of everything we have accomplished these past 8 years. we have been on so many adventures together that i can’t wait to see what we have planned- and unplanned- in the upcoming years.

pic from new years