Chicken Cordon Bleu with a Mustard and Parm Sauce

Hello hello!!

Another weekend bites the dust and Monday is back on the radar. What did you do this weekend?

I had a relaxing weekend at Lake Gaston with my family and enjoyed some much needed R&R. A few more days off of work for New Year's this week and then it is back to work for me come 2014. What are your plans for New Years?

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Today I have a delicious and satisfying recipe for you to rein in the new year with! This Chicken Cordon Bleu is a lightened up version of the typical breaded and fried Cordon Bleu you might find else ware. I have baked the chicken and added a creamy mustard sauce using skim milk and Parmesan cheese to keep the flavors up, but the unnecessary calories out.

This is a home run for a quick weeknight meal when you need dinner prepped, baked and on the table in less than an hour. Add some roasted veggies and you have quite the well rounded meal! Keep this on your New Years Resolution menu when you are craving a comforting, cheesy meal while sticking within your caloric means.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we did!!

The Ultimate Mac & Cheese

Hiiii! It's been so long! I miss my little blogosphere!

One word for my absence...work! The holidays are crazy at work so I have been so busy and not been able to get in the kitchen much. Aside from work is working out. During my free hours I have been making an effort to get outside and run and get a workout in. This was my view today on my run...it's hard to skip a workout when this is what I get to look at!

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In preparation for the big day coming in a little more than a week, I have for you my absolute favorite recipe to date. Macaroni and cheese is one of my all time favorite comfort foods and really, who doesn't like gooey, creamy cheese hugging perfectly al' dente macaroni noodles baked to warm and steamy perfection?

Chocolate Pecan Banana Cake

Hi friends! How was your thanksgiving? I hope you were able to enjoy a day off of work and some special time with your family and friends. I know I sure did! I might even get out there and do some shopping later today if I'm feeling really brave. What about you?

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Okay, can I just say I am so over all of the Thanksgiving and leftover's recipes floating around the world wide web and TV. We get it. You've created THE recipe for all of that extra turkey and stuffing, but honestly who even wants that stuff the next day? Not I. Throw that ish on some toast with some mayo and call it a day!

So, after your long day of shopping, relaxing or whatever it is that you do get back in that kitchen and make this ridiculous Chocolate Pecan Banana Cake. It will be worth it. Trust. My mom found this recipe on Pinterest and re-created it to make the most amazingly moist and flavorful banana cake! Not that I've had any Chocolate Pecan Banana Cakes before, but seriously, this cake is off the charts! It is soo addicting and delicious. We have literally made two in the past week!! You've been warned!

Give this recipe a whirl with all of those over-ripe bananas (I'm hoping) you've saved in the freezer! Oh, and throw out that ol' banana bread recipe while you're at it...total snoozer. This cake is the new banana bread and it's going to knock your socks off. Promise.

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

Hi friends! Long time, no chat!

It has been a whirlwind past week or so with work and training and everything else that has been going on. I am glad to be back! Please forgive my absence with this fabulous recipe I've created that is comfort food to the max! Currently, it is freezing cold with ridiculously brutal winds. It makes it seem 10 times worse when the wind is kickin'! Basically, I want warm comforting food for dinner so that's just what I made. This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake is warm, creamy, crunchy and oh soooo cheesy. It will cure the winter weather blues in no time!

Give this recipe a try when your family is in town for Thanksgiving or just as a comforting weeknight meal. Its fairly quick, really simple and totally crowd pleasing.

French Onion Soup with Cheesy Crostini

Hi guys! It is really looking and feeling like fall around here. Leaves are changing, weathers getting cooler and it's dark by the time your sitting in rush hour traffic.

Speaking of fall, I woke up yesterday morning to a cool chill running through the house which only makes me want one thing...soup! Now, let me clarify...I am very, very picky about my soup. I am not a fan of most soups so I wanted something light, but rich and deep in flavor. Also, something with an amazing topping. Soup is all about the amazing cheesy, crunchy toppings that absorb all of the yummy rich soup flavor...am I right?!

I headed to the fridge to scope out the perfect ingredients for said soup and the first thing that I spotted were the two huge bags of onions we had. Perfect. French onion soup it is! Then the topping...oh I couldn't forget the topping...a cheesy crunchy crostini made with french bread, rubbed with garlic and topped with a gooey mozzarella and provolone cheese mixture. Yes. This seriously screams fall and I promise you wont regret making this when your house smells amazing all afternoon!

Enjoy!

Cheddar & Feta Stuffed Peppers

Happy Monday friends!

One of my favorite dishes we had a while ago was stuffed peppers with feta cheese on them. For some reason we decided to put feta cheese on the tops before sticking them in the oven to bake before serving. It was revolutionary. Seriously, I cannot eat a stuffed pepper without it now! Give this recipe a try and you won't turn back either.

Last night I wanted to re-create these stuffed peppers, but make them a touch healthier by sneaking in some grated carrot and even putting my family to the test with which option they prefer. Grated cheddar or crumbled feta. The decision was unanimous...crumbled feta without a doubt!

How To: Prepare for a Healthy Week Ahead

Hi friends! Long time, no chat ay? I have been busy busy looking for a job, working said job and adjusting to a new schedule. I started working with a big catering company in the area at the events they were hired to cater for. I do all sorts of stuff with them and so far I love it! I am hoping to be able to proceed with this company and continue to learn and grow with them in the future.

With my new position comes an unpredictable schedule. Typically, we will not know what events we are scheduled for until just a few days ahead. They could be morning, afternoon or evening shifts which is what I am getting used to. Tomorrow for example I am working a job from 7am until around 1pm and then an evening event from 4:30 until about 10:30. In order to make healthy choices and continue to lead a healthy lifestyle it is important to prepare!!

Today, I have a few tips for you to help you prepare for the week ahead and to give yourself a leg up on making the right choices when your stomach starts to grumble!

Animal Kingdom & ESPN's Wide World of Sports

Hey there! As promised, I have a whole bunch of pictures for you from our Florida vacation! When we arrived in Florida we checked into our hotel and headed right to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex to watch some softball games! That was the whole reason for going in the first place was to watch my brother and his team, FunGuyz play in the softball world series. During our stay we watched lots of softball games, went to a Miami Hurricanes football game and even ventured to Animal Kingdom! I have a ton of pictures from the Animal Kingdom so I hope you enjoy a sneak peek into our vacation!

Broccoli & Basil Bow Tie Salad

Hey guys! I hope you are having a wonderful week. Boy, has it flown by!

Last night we celebrated Erika's birthday. I made some yummy cake balls and I can't wait to share the recipe with you! Peanut butter and chocolate balls rolled in peanut butter cups...they are divine! Very rich and decadent...perfect with a tall glass of milk.

Today, I have a recipe that I have been waiting to share for a while... I made this a few weeks ago for my family for dinner one night. I planned to take some pictures with what was left after everyone agreed it was yummy...until I went to look for the container and it is MIA. I guess my dad enjoyed it so much he decided to take it for lunch instead of letting me get some pictures! Oh well, just an excuse to make it again!

So, for you today I have this delicious and healthy side dish. I served this up with some grilled pork chops the first time and tonight I plan to serve this with some oven baked chicken tenders for a quick dinner for just my dad and I. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we have!

It is so light and refreshing with the nice zing of lemon and creamy Parmesan flowing through each bite. Don't forget the basil, it adds such a bite you don't want to miss! Oh, and it comes packed with tender broccoli pieces, so that pretty much seals the healthy side dish deal!

Enjoy :-)

How To: Roasting Red Peppers

I arrived home from Florida yesterday! We had a blast on our trip and I can't wait to share more with you! I'll have more on that later. For now, I have loads of laundry to get to, shopping to get done and a job to find!

Today I wanted to introduce a new series called How To. Basically, this new series is just as it sounds...learning how to do something that might seem intimidating or difficult to do. Quite frankly, most of the time the things to do are quite simple. It just takes the right fresh and quality ingredients to nail it!

Today I have a How To on roasting red peppers. If you have ever purchased a jar of these in the store they are quite expensive. Typically they come oil packed and seriously, they are a nice chunk of change. Especially when it is so inexpensive to throw together at home!

Check it out!

Past, Present, Future

Hi friends!

There is so much to catch up on! A lot has been going on lately and it is almost time to travel to Florida! Let me update you on whats been happening...

Past...

Okay, first lets start with work. I recently decided I no longer wanted to work in the industry I was in and wanted to make a change of careers. Potentially to something in the food industry, but that is to be determined. I decided to leave my job and work on finding something that I enjoy and that is something I can do for a long time! I have been looking into different things and I have applied for a job that has some potential so we will see how that plays out! 

This past week was also my birthday! Last Friday I celebrated with my family and friends with a delicious dinner, a night out on the town and a fabulous breakfast to wrap up the big day! Check out my new room!  

Still working on the wrinkles ;-) 

Nostalgic Oatmeal Cream Pies

Can we talk about this weather we are having right now? I can't even believe how amazing it is outside. I have been at the house this week with the windows and doors wide open letting the cool, fall-like breeze blow through the house. Man, it has felt good!

Right now I am sitting in the office at home with the windows open and a light jacket on. Absolutely perfect.

I love fall weather.

So, last week as I was roaming the grocery store in the midst of the almost fall weather and I spotted the oh so nostalgic oatmeal cream pies in that long white box.

Do you guys remember those? The ones your mom used to stick in your lunch box for school? Those things were perfection. Not only was the cookie perfectly chewy and moist, but the cream was so simply sweet and sticky and the most perfect compliment to the cookies. The worst part? They were gone in about 2 seconds.

Today, I have a recipe for my very own oatmeal cream pies! They are just as chewy and moist as I remember the good ol' ones to be. Give these babies a try and take an oatmeal cream pie bus down memory lane!

Enjoy :-)

One Killer Workout

Hi friends! Happy Friday the 13th!!! Okay, besides the fact that this day is quite the superstition...FRIDAY THE 13TH??? You mean, we are practically half way through September already?!! Goodness. Slow down, September!

What are you up to this weekend?

I am heading to Lake Gaston for a quick getaway weekend with my fam. I hear we are getting a weekend full of fall temperatures?? I. can't. wait.

Lately, as you may have noticed, I haven't posted much in the way of workouts on the blog.

Don't fret! I promise I have still been busting my butt in the gym and getting in good workouts. My diet has been up and down as usual, but I am working on getting it on track and balancing new recipe creations with portion control. I have a passion for cooking and baking and creating recipes and I want that to shine through here. Working out and dieting is a big thing in my life, too, but not something I am passionate about for blogging, writing or documenting. That is the main reason there has been a change of focus. I hope you guys find it for the better! I'll continue to add working out posts and updates, but it will not be regular.

So, with all of that being said I have a pretty killer workout to share with you guys!

I started doing this workout about a month ago and I did it for 4 weeks around 3 times a week. This was created by my friend Nate who recently got his personal training certification and has been working at a studio in downtown Apex. He came up with this circuit style workout and fortunately for you, he agreed to share!

This workout will take about an hour to complete including a warm up and cool down...and you will need some equipment.

For the lunges, high kicks and duck walks we would typically do those for the length of the gym which is fairly small. I would guess about 20-25 ft long and we do them there & back.

Try and go at a fast pace with little to no rests. After the sprint take a quick "rest" by walking around the gym before starting the next cycle.

Have fun!!

Whatever your weekend holds I hope it is spectacular!

Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes

GUYS! Have you heard of Stitch Fix yet?? I am obsessed. I already had my first "fix" and am waiting for my second to arrive. Once I get my second one I am going to do a full review for you to see. In the meantime, check out their website and see what it is all about!!

I seriously can't wait to share that with you!!

Anywho check out my Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes I made this weekend. They are so cheesy and creamy it is the perfect side dish for any meal!

The Next Few Weeks...

Hi friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Mine was full of relaxing, good food, softball, yoga and mattress shopping!

I was pretty excited to go mattress shopping with the family because for my birthday (see below) I asked for a new mattress for my room. My old one was pretty worn out and needed to be replaced. We found a comfortable new one for a really good deal. So we jumped on it and I get to set it up tonight! Can't beat an early birthday present now can ya?!

Am I the only one who gets excited about mattress shopping? ha!

Anyways, I wanted to share some things that are coming up in the next few weeks. The best day of the year is fastly approaching, as is a fabulous Florida vaca.

Check out what I've got going on in the next few weeks!

Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats

Happy Labor day!! I hope you are enjoying your long weekend!

Still in need of a dessert recipe for your big Labor Day BBQ tonight? Well look no further! I have the recipe for you. Oh, and did I mention it can be ready in about 30 minutes or so? Which, of course, is perfect for you since you are in need of fast recipe to get on the table for tonight!

Not only will the kids go crazy over this one, but the adults too! These have such an amazing peanut butter note with the nice hit of chocolate on the top. The small sprinkle of salt really is the key to bringing out the best of all of these flavors. Don't forget it!

Perfect for your late Labor Day dessert, or as scary as it sounds...think Halloween! How fabulous would these be for the kiddos trick or treating in your neighborhood? Or, sneak a tray to the adult party. They really are for everyone!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and give these tasty treats a try!

Watermelon Margaritas

Happy Thursday, friends! This week has been all over the place. On Tuesday it felt like Monday and today it feels like Friday. What is going on?

Although the days are all blurring together we are this much closer to a long weekend! I had a change of plans and decided to stay in town instead of traveling to the beach this weekend. I could use some rest and some time to get some stuff done. Don't worry though, I'll still be enjoying my fair share of summer beverages and grilled food!

As promised, today I have for you a recipe which includes tequila!

So without further adieu, here are my light and refreshing summer margaritas. These babies would be perfect while hangin' poolside with some friends this weekend! Or ya know, doing whatever it is that you do! Just try these. They are a total winner!

Grilled Summer Peaches with a Maple Glaze

Can you believe the unofficial last day of summer is less than a week away? To me, summer ends after labor day. It's like, the last hoorah for any fun at the pool, cookouts, and of course, the beach!

I am more than likely heading somewhere with some cool refreshing water to play in, sun rays, beautiful weather and delicious food to grill! Not too shabby of a labor day and round up of summer if you ask me! What are your plans for labor day weekend?

No matter what your plans are you should check out the recipes I've created that would be great for whatever your Labor Day weekend holds!

Don't forget to check back later this week for another recipe to try. Psssstttt it may or may not have some tequila! You'll definitely want to come back for that one, I promise!

Grilled Chicken Sliders with a Classic Marinade

It is so gorgeous out today I can't stand it! Today, we have softball on the agenda and a family Sunday dinner later tonight. I absolutely love playing on days like today. Upper 70's with a cool breeze...it really doesn't get much better than that.

Not only is it the perfect day to get outside and play, but also to get outside and GRILL! I have a fun and versatile recipe to share with you today. Fire up the grill and invite some friends over! Don't forget to stock up on some refreshing summer beer's before the pumpkin flavors knock them off the shelf!  

Lately...

Happy Friday!!! The weekend has finally arrived and word on the street is that it is going to be absolutely gorgeous in NC this weekend. Woohoo!!

This weekend I am going to try a fresh juice bar for the first time. I watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead the documentary a few nights ago and I have been dying to try fresh juice since. So, this weekend I am on a mission!



Source

Cheesy Taco Enchiladas

I have another quick and easy recipe for you guys today! I absolutely love Mexican style food and when I can convince the family to eat it, it is a win-win in my book! This recipe was one I came up with using a bunch of stuff from the fridge/pantry that needed to go. The corn was leftover, the taco sauce was from another recipe, half full sour cream dish that was getting close to expiration...you get the point.

Fortunately, for this super simple throw together recipe, it turned out really well! Everyone deemed this a keeper and although you need to prepare part of it a few hours or better yet, the night before, it is seriously such a cinch to get into the oven for a fast weeknight meal.

Quick and Easy Fruit Pies

I hope your having a wonderful weekend! It has been pretty wet and dare I say a little chilly in my neck of the woods this weekend, leaving me with plenty of time to have some fun in the kitchen!

I wanted to make something quick and easy that everyone would enjoy for a sweet treat tonight. My dad is a big fan of pies, but my mom is a chocolate (anything) fan...so I liked the idea of these handheld individual little pies. They are very versatile so pick whatever flavors and fillings you like!

Asian Lettuce Wraps with Carrot Slaw

Hi friends! How is your week going?

I can't wait to share this recipe with you today!

So, typically an Asian or Chinese dish is not one you would find me making or especially eating. For some reason I just don't enjoy oriental foods. Maybe I haven't had the right kind or I am ordering the wrong thing, but typically it is something I shy away from. Well, except for chicken wings from the China Chef II around the corner from my house. Weird right? Chicken wings from a Chinese restaurant. Seriously, if you have not tried them before...do it!!! Crazy good.

Anyways, the other day my dad offered to make us his favorite stir fry dish. Now, typically I am begging for any other dish he wants to make, but I can only win that battle every so often. So instead of fighting for another type of dish, I offered to make something that would fit all of our taste buds, watch our waistlines, and satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Recent Scaleless Victories

Sometimes when the scale isn't a reflection of the work and effort you've put into your recent diet and exercise habits (muscle weighs more than fat) it's nice to take notice in other small victories.

Recently I have noticed a few victories off the scale. Which, in my opinion these victories are sometimes even better than what you see on the scale. This reflects more of the progress I've made and the positive rather than what the number on the scale is telling me, whether it is good or bad.

A Weekend at the Farm

Happy Sunday! This weekend I was recruited to animal sit for my brother. Him and his girlfriend, Erika were headed up to VA to visit with her brother and his wife. They drove up Friday afternoon, so after work I headed to his house to stay for the weekend. My brothers home is located in Fuquay Varina on about an acre of land. The homeowners before him set up this fabulous garden with all sorts of different foods. He has numerous peach, pear, apple and pecan trees. Strawberries, grapes, raspberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and much more! Between the 3 little furry ones and the abundance of fruits and veggies to keep after we have affectionately named it the Flynn Farm. Needless to say they are a busy couple! Fortunately, I was able to just hang out and relax this weekend. Lots of hanging with the little ones!

Lovin' V

Hey friends! Happy Friday to you! Another long week in the books and a beautiful weekend ahead. My schedule is wide open for the weekend and I couldn't be more excited. Though, on Saturday I am walking/running a 5k, but other than that I am free. I see a lot of relaxing, tanning and cooking in my future :).

What are your plans for the weekend?

This week I wanted to share with you a few more things that I am totally lovin' right now. My brother adopted a little pup last week so I thought it was a good time to introduce all of the Flynn fur babies!!! I am always lovin' on these furry companions!!

One Pan Cheesy Sausage Pasta

The other night I made this fabulous, quick dish from the oh-so-amazing Amanda at kevinandamanda.com. Her food is always so amazing and her pictures just make you want to dive through your computer screen and take a bite!

I made her spicy sausage pasta dish and it was not only super quick and easy as she promised, but so creamy and the perfect amount of heat throughout, thanks to a can of Ro-Tel! How easy is that?!

Here is my recipe for Amanda's dish, but just a tad lightened up!

Lovin' IV

I hope you are enjoying your weekend so far! I know I sure am. Has anyone else felt like the weeks are so long and slow recently and the weekend is just gone in the blink of an eye? Man, it sure has for me. And I know that is usually the case, but it is like extra terrible this week.

Anyways, I have some fun (and yummy) things to share with you this week! So, without further adieu here is another addition of Lovin'!

Check-Up

Summer has officially started which also means that the first half of the year has already flown by. I know, I can't believe it either.

Back in February I made a few goals for the new year and considering it is July, I think it's time for a check in to see how I am doing and what I need to start doing.

A Full Day of Eats

Hi guys! I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday weekend and you enjoyed some delicious treats! I know I sure did. My brother had us over for a cookout & fireworks at his place and man, was there a ton of  (fairly healthy) food! Then, we headed up to Lake Gaston for a little getaway. After a couple of nice days off it has been a little tough adjusting back into a workout and diet routine, but I think its going well so far!

An Update

A couple of weeks ago I posted about getting back into it. I made 4 goals to determine what I needed to do to get back into my grove with dieting and exercising. Now that a few weeks has passed  I wanted to share with you my progress and what needs improving.

Summer Bucket List

Summer officially starts tomorrow! I couldn't be more excited. Summer is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. My all time favorite activities involve water and what better time of the year to enjoy it than summertime?!!

Getting Back Into It...

This week I am getting back into my diet/workout jam. I was slacking off, skipping workouts, my diet was slipping, and I was not enjoying the repercussions from all of these combined!!! This week I plan to get my ish together and stick with it!

Jalapeno Cheddar Burgers

Recently I was shopping at the local Harris Teeter and was in need of a quick dinner option. I was eyeing the meat case and saw a Jalapeno Cheddar Burger and knew that was it! When I got home I added a little S&P and grilled it up until it was a nice medium. Let me tell you, that was a damn good burger! I was shocked. I figured it would be just okay since it was pre-made, but man was it good. I knew I had to re-create it for myself!

Lovin' III

Hey friends! How is your short week treating you? I am definitely glad it is almost over!

I am leaving tomorrow for the lake so I wanted to share some things I am lovin' with you this week. Let me know what your lovin' in the comments section!

Virgo: Everything Happens For a Reason

"Virgo's major life lesson is to learn to trust in and have faith in the unknown. They have to understand that things in life happen for a reason that is not always known to them, they do not have to always know everything. They need to learn to calm down and not over-analyze a situation or event." Source.

I love this quote! I absolutely need to follow this. ;-)

So, I was reading Tina's blog earlier today about her and her husband's (and dog's) zodiac signs. It got me thinking about how I have never really researched specific details and personality info on my sign, the Virgo. I love to read my horoscope when I pick up a Coffee News to read in our local shops so I was really interested to see the whole Virgo story, if you will. I looked at quite a few different sites and each one I read was more and more like me. It is pretty crazy how spot on it is.

I made a list of some of the items I found interesting and relatable. After all, that is the Virgo-esque thing to do ;-).

Words

• Virgo strength words: Analytical, Observant, Helpful, Reliable, Precise. (1.)
• Key Charistics: Loving, susceptible, sympathetic, sensual, faithful, instinctive, charitable, over-reactive and moody. (2.) If you know me you are probably nodding with agreement over the last one. ;-) I may or may not be called a "drama queen" often...
• Virgo weakness words: Skeptical, Fussy, Inflexible, Cold, Interfering (1.) I think the "cold" is pretty spot on as explained later with friendships.

Friendship

• Virgo might try to analyze and control a friend's life but only with the idea that they will improve their life, not purely for the sake of controlling. Be patient with your Virgo friend and understand that their recommendations are only to make your life better.(1.)
•  Some people might find them cold or emotionally detached because they live in their minds, not in their emotions and feelings. (1.) I absolutely agree with this one. I am not one to speak about my emotions and feelings.

Personality

• Before a Virgo plunges into anything, from a problem to a vacation idea, they need to analyze all the facts and know all the details before they plunge in and make a decision. (1) Totally me. I have to have everything planned and analyzed and ready to go or I will panic!
• What they believe is what will be, if they have a negative outlook on life, things will present themselves to be negative and they will be very moody and isolated/detached. If they are positive, the same events that occur will be held in a positive light and they will be a pleasant, well adjusted person. (1.) So true. Stay positive!!!
• Virgo exists in the mind, everything is inside. To the world, Virgo presents a calm and collected exterior but on the inside, nervous uncontrolled intensity in the mind, trying to figure things out, how to improve everything, analyzing and thinking. Virgo can tire itself out without even moving! (1.) This is so funny because I am constantly jokingly saying "I am exhausted" after long conversations or serious thinking and other people's conversations.
• You belong to a group of people known for their perfectionism and highly analytical minds. There's a bit of a joke about how precise and demanding Virgos are but when you think about it, what's wrong with being tidy, organised and clean? In a way, you are misunderstood and your attention to detail, your desire for excellence and hygiene is not as bad as some might think. (2.) Preach it!! I like to be clean and organized...so what? ;-)
• Others who aren't quite as precise in the way they carry out their own work find it hard dealing with you. In your own mind there’s no point in doing anything half-heartedly. You'd rather not do it at all. You are very clear on this. (2) So true. I cannot begin something if I know I will do it half-assed. I have to be 100% into it to complete something.
• Keeping a diary and making lists are a favorite pastime of yours. (2.) Lol! I am obsessed with lists ;-), clearly.

My work note pad ;-)

Sources:
Please find that each bullet has a number beside of it to correlate with the below linked sources.
(1.)
(2.)

I really found this interesting how much of a Virgo I really am. Did any other Virgo's find these points to be pretty spot on?

What is your sign?
Do you find that your sign represents you?

The Ninja Challenge

Happy Almost Friday Everyone!

What have you got planned for the weekend ahead? I hope its a long weekend, I could sure use it!!

Image Via Google.com

On Saturday I am signed up for my 2nd ever 5k. Nate and I signed up to race with a few friends from his work and this Saturday is the big day! We signed up for The Ninja Challenge race which looks like a lot of fun and quite a butt kicking at the same time. It is a 5k race with obstacles mixed in the race like monkey bars, rope walls, etc. It looks pretty bad ass and I am super nervous-excited for the big day. As I have said before I am not a fan of running so I probably won't be doing many more of these but I am looking forward to this one since it is an obstacle course too. Fingers crossed I make it out alive because the pictures on the website seriously look insane. Okay, I am starting to get really nervous now...maybe I should have looked at those before signing up??

After the 5k we are going to hang out at my brothers house for a few hours and play with his kittens! How cute are these little fur balls?

The first picture is of the baby, Marley. He is about 9 weeks old and Chris and Erika adopted him from one of their friends who fostered a pregnant cat. He is part Minx (he has a tail!) and part Tabby.  The far right is Misty. Misty was adopted from the animal shelter and she is a few months old. They think she is a Russian Blue, but nobody is really sure. Apparently Russian Blue cat's are prized cats and are very rare to find in a shelter, so it's hard to tell what she is. The middle is the first night they were together getting to meet each other.  They are the best of friends now and Chris and Erika said they don't stop playing with each other all night when they get home. They are the cutest!!! I love my little fur niece and nephew :-).

Sunday is a day full of softball. We have our first weekend of our tournament starting this weekend! If we win we will play again next weekend, but if we lose both of our games the season is over. Boo! Wish us luck, we sure need it!

Tell me about your weekend plans! 
What kind of pets do you have?
Cat or dog lover?

The Greystone Inn at Lake Toxaway II

After day 1 at The Greystone Inn we woke up feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the day! We had plans to go on a nice kayaking adventure around the lake first thing in the morning, but first we headed down for breakfast to get some fuel before kayaking. For breakfast I tried the omelet which had ham, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms, peppers and onions. I also had the side fruit and toast with my breakfast. I am a breakfast freak so I really loved the breakfast and appreciated that it was a big breakfast to keep us full all morning.

After breakfast we headed down to the boat dock to get out on the water. We set up our kayaks and each started in an individual kayak, but quickly realized we should share the two person one for an easier time.

We adventured for the better half of 3 hours and rode all around the lake and admired the beautiful houses that looked out over the water and their boat docks that were just as beautiful and intricate as the homes. It really was quite a site to see.

View of the Inn

Huge house on the water

Part of the Greystone Inn property

Side view of the Inn

After kayaking we wanted to grab some lunch in the dining room, but quickly realized they are closed on Mondays for lunch. A couple overheard us talking with the front desk about it and suggested we go to a little market cafe place in the next town over. I seriously cannot remember the name of this place to save my life. Or the name of the town...ahh! I'll keep you posted if I figure it out :-).

They described it as a delicious hole in the wall style place with delicious burgers and sandwiches all attached to a market with fresh breads, delicious cheeses, meats, and fun wines. Oh and a coffee shop, too! We both agreed that is exactly where we wanted to go!! We arrived in an adorable little town with numerous shops and beautiful homes all leading to this little market. After window shopping for a little bit we headed into the market and roamed around. Everything looked so delicious. We debated on some fresh  bread and cheese for later, but decided against since it was already late in the afternoon.

For lunch, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger which was outstanding. We also left with vanilla lattes for the road which were exactly what we needed.

Once we returned we roamed around the premises, enjoyed the breathtaking views and even got a crochet lesson from a gentleman that was on the course playing. It seems like an extremely long game, but I would love to check it out. We didn't have enough time to start a game then because dinner was soon to come. I swear it seems like all we did was eat!

For the second nights dinner I was honestly pretty disappointed to find out it was the exact same menu from the previous night. The soups changed and the deserts changed, but otherwise it was the same selection. I stuck with my same meal as I had on the first day.

After dinner we hung out in the bar area and on the front porch chatting with the locals and enjoying the evening mountain views. It really was a beautiful and breathtaking place to visit.

We packed up the next morning and hit the road. I had lots of packing and laundry to do for Las Vegas!

Have you ever been to an inclusive style resort?
What is your favorite type of restaurant?

Las Vegas Recap

I am going to jump around a little bit with my vacation recaps...I mean it is all a big blur anyways, so why not?

Disclaimer: Please remember this was Las Vegas. All events included lots of drinks before, during and after. This recap will not have exclusive details ;-). What happens there, stays there after all!

Early Thursday morning I left for Las Vegas to meet my cousin, Danya and her friends for a nice girls trip. After flight delays and airplane troubles we all met at Vegas around 2:00 on Thursday afternoon.

Upon arriving we all headed down to the pool for some relaxation and then headed to our first show. Our first show happened to be the Thunder from Down Under male entertainment show. It was a blast and I highly recommend doing this with your girls if you go. Leave the boys at home. ;-).

On Friday, we woke up and enjoyed the pool pretty much all day until it closed around 6. The pool is typically the place to be during the day if your looking for a fun time. The drinks there will make you broke very quickly so I really recommend stopping by a liquor store for the option to make your own in the hotel room! After that we practically bar and club hopped for the rest of the night. We were celebrating one of the girl's birthdays that we were with so we all got dressed up and even sported some plastic tiaras! Keepin' it classy ;-). We all ended up at Senor Frogs dancing and drinking until the early hours of the morning when me and a few of the girls decided to taxi it back to the room and get some sleep.

Saturday morning we were all in desperate need of some breakfast. So, we got ready and headed out in search of some food. We attempted a few places, but the lines were too insane to even get a table. We finally found a really good sounding french cafe with healthy and tasty options. Plus there was no wait to be seated. Bonus!!! I ordered the scrambled eggs with a side of bacon and toast. Their bread slices were incredible. I think it was a sourdough loaf but the slices were huge and so fresh. Just what we needed to continue our adventure!

After we fueled up, we all agreed on going to the wax museum. We were on our way there and were practically ran over by the discount ticket sales solicitors. One of the girls said it was legit so we checked it out. $13 bucks later we had half-price tickets and were off to see the waxy celebrities! Check out some of the better celebrity replicas.

A few of us were pretty worn out after this drink fest of a weekend so far and decided to keep it pretty low key and go to another show on Saturday night. We started out at CPK for a drink and dinner and then headed to the discount ticket sale place again where we all agreed on Boyz II Men. Boyz II Men was never really a music selection I chose growing up. I think they were for people a little older than me when they were popular so I really didn't know what to expect. Let me tell you it was an awesome show!!! What I really liked about this concert opposed to other concerts I have seen is that this was more personal. They told us stories about their songs and about the other group members (no longer with them). They also were very thankful of the crowd. I have never really thought about that before, but when they were really appreciative of us being there and choosing to come see them over the other shows it really is a major change of pace. Once your appreciated as a fan (after all without you they wouldn't be who they are) it makes you realize that the concerts you've spent hundreds of dollars on almost make you feel like they are doing you a favor of being there... You know? Okay, sorry, small tangent! ;-)

After the show we went back to the hotel and tried our hand (or wallet) at some gambling. I am not really a big fan of gambling, so I just stuck the $20 I had in a slot machine and rode it as far as it would go and called it quits when I was done. Fortunatly, I didn't lose it all! We did do quite a bit of watching on the roulette tables and saw one man pour a few hundred bucks down the drain in a matter of minutes. To each their own?

I really enjoyed my first trip to Vegas, although I think next time I'll keep it a day shorter. After so much sun, booze and fun you just really wear yourself out quickly. Oh, and the time change didn't help. ;-)

Have you ever been to Las Vegas?
What was your favorite show?