A lovely Saturday.

Today my very handy neighbor came over and informed me that my dishwasher is kaput. I guess it's back to the pioneer days for this lady.
At least I have Mrs. Meyer's to make the task more enjoyable.
Later in the morning Angelina and I went to Pensacola to buy necessary things like skinny vanilla lattes with protein powder and makeup. It was a good, fun day.
I decided to switch foundations. I've only ever been loyal to one brand, and that's Lancôme. I love their products, they blend beautifully with my skin tone, and don't cause any complexion issues.
I switched from their Ageless Mineral Makeup to their new Ôscillation Mineral Makeup.
I thought the oscillation thing seemed gimmicky, but the lady took off my makeup and applied this stuff, and I loved it. It feels soft, has just the right amount of coverage, and is still sheer enough that my skin looks like skin. Plus it wears for 14 hours and has an SPF of 21.

I also picked up a new facial cleanser, Philosophy's Purity Made Simple. It's a makeup remover and cleanser in one (because those aren't the same thing, people) and it's got a nice, creamy texture. I'm pretty excited about it.

Shopping made us hungry, so we went to Panera. I had half a Fuji Apple Salad and half a bowl of their Garden Vegetable with Pesto Soup.

Angelina had half of a Greek Salad and some of Panera's awesome Chicken Noodle.

And we both had a Black Cherry Smoothie. They were delicious, and under 300 calories. Which made us happy.

One more thing. I've decided that I'm going to start wearing my hair in a more wavy fashion, so this morning I gave my hair some big curls with my flat iron. Strange, I know, for me to be curling my already curly hair. It fell flat rather quickly, but I still liked the way it looked.

And for no good reason at all, I thought I'd throw in a picture of my newest tattoo. It's not really new, I've had it for a while, but a lot of my good friends back home haven't seen it.

Haha, don't be jealous of my mad photography skills.
I'm off to work out and then go to bed! I work bright and early tomorrow. Happy early Valentine's Day everybody!

Not Much

I didn't do much today. I had the day off and didn't feel well this morning, so a lot of sleeping was in order.
Once I woke up and was functional, I fixed my favorite snack.

Now you know my secret... my favorite snack is cherry tomatoes topped with feta cheese, dried herbs, and olive oil, then heated up in the microwave. It makes me happy.

Then I hung out with baby Braden from 5:30 to 12:30. Yay for baby time, he's awesome as awesome can be.

this is awesome. and sad.

Chicken two ways and birds on soap. Oh, and the dog park.

I finally opened one of the cute soaps that Angelina gifted me. I didn't want to, it was so cute!
I'm glad I did though, because I found out that there's a cute little bird etched into each bar!
The soap is olive leaf and coriander scented, and I'm in love with it. I want to stock up for my guest bathroom!

This post isn't going to be lengthy or chatty, I'll save that for another day. I've been working a lot, and that combined with housework (which never ends) and yardwork (which is just beginning) and endless puppy attention time is wiping me out! It's going to take me a couple of weeks to normalize.
My dishwasher is broken, and that makes me sad. It smells like fire and spits water. I'm afraid of it, it's like a deleted scene from Mr. Mom. Only with me, not Michael Keaton.
The other night I made this tasty little chicky boob.
It's a chicken breast pounded thin, cooked through and then topped with sliced tomato and feta cheese and broiled for a few minutes. I made a quick side of orzo pasta with oregano, zucchini, and lemon zest. Awesome.
The next night I had chicken left over from the night before, so I made curry. A girl I work with, Grace, invited me to a really nice dog park in Pensacola, and on the way there we passed an Indian restaurant, so I got a hankerin'. The dogs had a great time at the park, Malo and Maggie got along well with Grace's Border Collie and Border Collie/Labrador mix. I forgot the camera, otherwise I'd be posting tons of pictures of the pups being silly. I just need to get another one and keep in my car.
Work is going pretty well. I hope to pick up some more bar shifts (actually making drinks) but since I'm new I guess I need to prove to everyone that I can hang, hahaha. I've been working register and the drive through window, which I don't mind at all, so no complaining here. I worked today from 0500-0930 (a "princess shift" as my boss called it) and tomorrow I have a real shift, 0730-1600, and I'm off Friday and Saturday, then open again on Sunday. I love how working is making the time fly by, Ricky will be home in 5 weeks!
I'm off to shower, finish bed linens (it's Wednesday) and watch The Purple Rose of Cairo.
And possibly have some wine. Orrrr liquor.
Goodnight!

Bon Weekend

Wait, what weekend?
I worked Friday, Saturday, and today, and I'm not off until Friday. I'm actually glad to have the hours, it makes the time fly by and it's better than sitting at home. Today was a really good day at work, there were only 5 people on, and that's a number that makes me happy. I'm still not used to working with so many people! At KB we had 3 people max, at our busiest times, and even that felt crowded. We had the business to justify more, but the NAF staffing rules were ridiculous. Anyway, I'm still getting used to not bumping into people and learning to tuck in my elbows. =)
I do my "Barista Certification" tomorrow. Exciting, no?

I got off at 1600 today, and I have a lot of housework to do, so I wanted something fast and comforting for dinner tonight.
Enter the soup and sandwich combination.

Tomato soup (Campbell's!) with some creme fraiche and shredded cheddar, along with a grilled cheese made with Jewish Rye (what what), cheddar, and green onions, and a Granny Smith.

This was delicious. I don't know how long it's been since I had a grilled cheese sandwich. Too long.
I hope everyone had a great weekend and is rested up for the coming week!

Squidly Diddly

Thanks goodness for squid and it's wicked fast cooking time. I was tired today and wanted something fast, but I still wanted something delicious and homemade.

Campanelle pasta topped with a mixture of olive oil, white wine, squid (bodies and tentacles), shallots, fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, and cherry tomatoes.

Blazing Saddles is on, it's a good way to spend the evening.
=)

37 and a half. Oh my god!

Angelina came over tonight for some tasty food.
And lovely company.
And The Office & 30 Rock.

Dinner was filet mignon, potatoes roasted with truffle oil and herbes de provence, and pan roasted broccoli with pine nuts. I made a quick sauce for the filets with shallots, oyster mushrooms, thyme, and some of the Pinot Noir that we also drank with dinner. Thyme, mushrooms, and Pinot Noir... so Northwest chic! We're both Washington girls, so it works.

Angelina brought over this fabulous Harney and Sons tea, the Paris blend. I made some light as air lavender cookies to go with it.

Delicious meal and lots of laughter.

Ricky is in Ruidoso going snowboarding until tomorrow night, and all of the phones are down at the hotel he's staying at. How awesome is that? Ugh.
It's raining so hard right now, it's so loud that it's keeping me from relaxing.
Malcolm in the Middle is still on TV?

Cardio, Shellfish, Coffee, and Babies.

Today was a pretty good day. Angelina and I went to the gym (which was too damn hot, arg) and did some cardio. Ah, cardio. I love you and hate you.

Before I left to pick up Braden I made myself a delicious lunch of spicy shrimp and a nice hunk of baguette.

Fresh shrimp, lots of garlic, tomatoes, shallots, white wine, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. So good.
Braden didn't feel well this afternoon. Poor guy.
I'd like to give a big thanks to my iced Venti Americano with nonfat milk, for getting me through the afternoon. Thank you. ♥

Annnd now I'd like to share two fabulous websites

Earthy Delights
-truffles, mushrooms, and other gourmet goodies-
(thanks Kari Beth!)

Caldrea
-the higher end offering from Mrs. Meyer's, they have fabulous scents like Lavender Pine and Basil Blue Sage.

Braden doesn't care much for Eddie or Jimmy.

Bethany had to work late today, so I got to pick Braden up from daycare and take him home!

While stopped at a red light, I reached around and, without looking, took a picture of him.
This is what I got.

He's such a GQ baby.

In the car we had a lengthy discussion about Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page. Braden didn't have much to contribute, he just hiccuped and fell asleep.I still gave him some smushy-face kisses when we got home.

Once Bethany got home, he looked at her like she was crazy for leaving him in my care.
"Seriously mom, all she did was sing "Panama" and talk about guitarists. Come on. How is this helping me develop?"

To be sweet and thoughtful and wonderful, Bethany treated me to some tasty and super spicy Thai food, complete with delicious Thai iced tea.

Thai hot is serious stuff. My nose was running and my lips burned, and it was totally worth it.

Ricky Powell!

I love you and miss you.
You're the best husband I could ever ask for.
♥-Nissa

Snacky dinner. Cute puppies. Cold lizard.

Today wasn't a hungry day. For dinner I had a couple of steamed baby artichokes with some tasty sauce I made with mayo, creme fraiche, salt & pepper, and lemon juice...

... and a BLT! I can't remember the last time I had one. Jewish Rye bread (what can I say?) with romaine lettuce, fresh tomato, and Applegate Farms organic bacon. Applegate Farms is great, their smoked bacon is uncured and has no added nitrates. Their pigs are fed a vegetarian diet and aren't treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.

Here are some obligatory pictures of the Westies. You're not tired of them yet, are you?
=)

Maggie being terrifying!

Malo being pathetic.

There was a very cold and miserable looking lizard on my porch. I almost wanted to bring it inside, but then I remembered that they are outside every night, and they seem to be doing fine. Poor Bill. Not that this lizard had anything to do with a chimney. I don't even have a chimney. Alice in Wonderland? Anyone?

I did my grocery shopping today and got some great things. Be on the lookout for blogs involving shrimp, calamari, filet mignon, leeks, and other assorted fabulousness.

Sunday breakfast and some sushi pictures.

I wanted a smoothie this morning. I don't own a blender. I do, however, own a food processor. I used that instead and didn't have any issues.
I haven't made a smoothie in I don't know how long, but I have this protein powder that is disgusting on it's own. It needed some friends and a trip to a food processor.
I started with a banana (organic and free trade certified, of course).

I also added 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter, a dash of vanilla extract, plain soy milk, 1 scoop of the chocolate flavored whey protein, and some ice.

It was amazing. I just might make another one for lunch. Before anyone thinks, "It's SO bad to just have a smoothie for lunch, blah blah blah" keep in mind that this thing has about 405 calories.

The Slippery Mermaid! On Thursday, Brittany, Bethany, and I went out for sushi. Bethany sent me the pictures this morning (I had forgotten my camera) and now I'll share them here. Some of them are blurry and I'm sorry, but it isn't the sort of place for repeated photo taking.
My plate:

Merry Mermaid (background) - Scallops, shrimp, bacon, scallions, and spicy mayo inside; outside smoked salmon.
Psycho Mermaid (foreground) - Shrimp tempura roll topped with spicy baked crab salad and drizzled with eel sauce.
Brittany's plate:
(look how happy she is!)

Dixie Roll (background) - Tuna, bacon, cream cheese, topped with spicy mayo.
Dragon Roll (foreground) - Spicy tuna, cucumber, and tempura crunch inside; tuna, avocado, eel, tobiko, spicy mayo and red chili sauce outside.
Bethany's plate:

Raider Roll- Seared steak and avocado. Fish? No. Delicious? Yes.
We all shared our rolls, and had some edamame before our entrees. I love this place. And these girls!

Mushrooms and Broccoli, and a nod to Salinger.

I'm tired.

That being said, I made myself a delicious vegetarian dinner tonight.
Polenta (Squee!) with mushroom cream sauce made with the fresh organic Shiitake mushrooms I bought at Ever'Man, along with some broccoli cooked with red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and garlic.
Stop underlining the word 'Shiitake' in red computer, it isn't spelled wrong. Not to mention that it's a proper noun and can be spelled however it wants.

I blanched the broccoli very quickly, then drained it and sauteed it in olive oil along with the previously stated ingredients. It was awesome, and I'll be making it again for sure.

On to a more somber topic.
As most of you hopefully already know, the world lost American author Jerome David Salinger on Wednesday, January 27th. J.D. Salinger wrote the hugely influential The Catcher in the Rye, Franny and Zooey, as well as several novellas.
The Catcher in the Rye opened up the whole world of American literature to me. Franny and Zooey is always in my car as my "if I stop by a coffee shop and want to read something" book. While his list of works is short, they were all incredibly well written and he will be missed.
Salinger died at age 91, and hadn't given an interview of any kind since 1980, and his last original work was published back in 1965. He was known for his reclusive nature, and it's nice to know that he lived a peaceful, calm, long life.
To reference Holden Caulfield, it's still crummy. (If you get that, good. If not, don't worry about it.)
“It's funny. All you have to do is say something nobody understands and they'll do practically anything you want them to.”
-J.D. Salinger

Lunch!

This is going to be a short post, I need to get ready for work.
Today I wanted to have something new and interesting for lunch.
That new and interesting thing involved shallots, green grapes, and lemon supremes.

Here's my lunch!
Chicken paillards with a sauce of lemon juice, butter, olive oil, dijon mustard, chicken stock, shallots, lemon supremes, and grapes. Garnished with pink peppercorns and fresh parsley and served with some crispy fries.

Delicious! I'm off to go learn cold bar at Starbucks, have a great Saturday everybody.

♥