What I'm Loving Wednesday -- 3.7.12

HELLLLOOOOO MARCH!

First of all, I am loving...

1} MARCH!  This is my favorite month of the year.  After the rain and dreariness of Jan and Feb, this month holds promise of longer days, brighter sunshine, and lots of fun to be had.  It is the beginning of the best time of the year -- the sunshiny months.  It is full of optimism.

2} that this season of The Bachelor is almost over.  (Oh, The Bachelor, my guilty pleasure.) You know what?  I like Ben, I really do.  He is one of my favorite bachelor's so far.  Buuuuuuut... I just don't care for Courtney and I know how it is going to end up and I stopped watching.  I just read the recaps and then move on.

3} that I have been getting into my gym routine again.  After two months of stuff that prevented it (a cold, trips, another cold, and so on and so forth) I am happy to say I have worked out three times -- AKA my goal -- in the past week.  Woot-woot!



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 4} the time change scheduled for Sunday.  I am so excited to have the sun go down later.  I feel so ALIVE when I have lots of daylight left in my day after work.  Alive and PRODUCTIVE.

5} Last week I was excited to have Catching Fire on my desk, this week I am excited because this bad boy should be showing up today or tomorrow (depending on if this particular former student of mine remembers to bring it): 

I am ready to see how Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire, finishes her journey.

6} Speaking of Katniss, I am super loving that the movie will be coming out soon.  We rarely go to the movies (something about neither of us wanting to spend $20+ when we can wait a bit and get it for a buck at the RedBox), but there are some things you must see in the theater.  I had convinced my husband that I needed to see Titanic on the big screen as I was not allowed to do so when it came out the first time.  (My parents were not too keen on their 15 year-old daughter seeing nudity on the big screen.)  But then I saw the Hunger Games were coming out right before that and I knew that I needed  to see that, too.  Our conversation went something like this:

Me: Babe, you wanna see The Hunger Games with me when it comes out?

Him:  Another movie?

Me:  Here, look at the trailer... you will love this movie, I promise.

Him: I don't know... the Avengers are coming out at the same time and I thought we were going to see that...

Me:  If you see The Hunger Games with me I won't make you see Titanic.

Him: DONE!  Let's watch it.

Poor Kate and Leo, I may never see you on the big screen.  But Katniss, I will be there to cheer you on.  You have my full support!  :)

Back to things I am loving...

6} Greek Style Baked Eggs.  I saw this on Pinterest last Friday and immediately told my husband to run to the grocery store for Feta.  I have had these three times since.  They are just too good.



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 7} Other great recipes that must make their way into my belly:
 

Zucchini Wrapped Feta and Kalamata Olives
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 8} the countdown to Brazil has begun!  It has been 15 months since our last trip and I am looking forward to many things.  Seeing family and friends, of course... but also Brazilian pizza and pastel and sugar cane juice and grilled cheese (not the sandwich, but actual cheese that is grilled) on the beach and churrasco and... I really could go on and on. 

9} our Brazil Smile Box is almost full!  I asked the students at my school to help sponsor 24 kids at an orphanage in Brazil so we can take the stuff down there, and we have received almost everything we have asked for.  That means 24 children will each receive a brand new shirt, pair of pajamas, socks, underwear, school supplies, and a toy.  I can't wait to pass these bags out!!!

10} my new shoes.  I was looking for a pair of nude pumps and cute summer sandals to wear anywhere.  I found both.

From Payless:

 From Forever 21:

And, of course, my man!  He is my biggest encourager, even with my crazy ideas like the "Not Barefoot in the Kitchen" section I started.  It is because of him and the support he gives that I have the courage to try new things.  Another reason I love him!

Happy Wednesday, Folks!


OLDER POSTS:

{February 29, 2012}
{February 22, 2012}
{February 15, 2012}
{February 8, 2012}
{February 2, 2012}
{January 25, 2012}
{January 18, 2012}

What I'm Loving Wednesday -- 2.29.12

Happy Leap Day!  I love that I got to put 2.29 on the date today.  So rare, you know?  I love experiencing rare things.

Today, I am loving:

1} DayQuil.  No joke.  Without it I would straight up miserable.  But it is allowing me to function.  Remember that cold I had last week?  Well, I shared it with my husband.  And then he so kindly shared it back with me.  I mean, I know scientifically that doesn't make sense, but anyway, that's what happened -- or something like that.

2} K-Love Radio.  I really appreciate having something positive and uplifting to listen to.  It can turn a bad mood into a good one, or a moment of stress into a moment of peace.  It helps me put everything into perspective.  (Listen to it online HERE.)

3} that I have this book on my desk.  One of my former students dropped it off to me today.  So happy!  (Thanks, Leanne!)

4} Tomorrow is March!  I love March.  It is the beginning of the sunshiny time of the year.  It always seems so full of hope and promise.

And being March my finds for this week are things that to me scream LIFE.  (Remember to click on the pictures if you want to be taken to their sources.)





5} these wardrobe pieces

6} quick and easy pasta sauce guide by Rachael Ray.

7} this Spring like center piece from Better Homes & Gardens.  It is fake flowers glue-gunned to branches.  Brilliant!

8} We are having a Mario Kart Tournament in class this afternoon.  Remember that marble jar I mentioned before?  Well, they filled it up. 

9} that it is music time.  I love my kids (students), but I love my music break every Wednesday!

10} two very cool bloggy things: (1) The night I posted about the baked eggs in chunky tomato sauce a friend (actually, my boss, but I consider her a friend, too) sent me a text showing that she made my recipe.  How wonderful!  Best form of a compliment I can get.  (2) This:

I know for many people out there this little 6,000+ for Feb. count is low, but for me it is beautiful.  See that upward trend?  That's because of YOU!  Thank you for reading my words, commenting and sharing your encouragement/thoughts/questions, and for following my cooking-slash-life journey with me.  I am happy to have all of you here!!!

And last, but definitely not least, I am loving my husband.  He is always so sweet to me, but especially when I am not feeling well.  He goes above and beyond what I could hope for. 

Happy Wednesday, Folks!


OLDER POSTS:

{February 22, 2012}
{February 15, 2012}
{February 8, 2012}
{February 2, 2012}
{January 25, 2012}
{January 18, 2012}

2.22.12 - What I'm Loving Wednesday (The color edition)

I have something to admit to you.

I almost didn't do this post today.  I am tired, I have a cold, and my sneezes are explosive.  (You should see the look of panic on my students' faces as I scrunch my face up in sneeze-preparation... they know that if my hand/sleeve/tissue is not fast enough they better be the heck out of dodge.  I actually had one guy drop to the floor and cover his head as a sneeze was coming.  Poor kids.)

But then I thought, "THIS is why I need to do this."  And I am so glad I did.  Running through my brain for things I am happy about right now kind of put that whole woe-is-me bit to rest.  Not to mention the sun is shining.  Always wonderful.

This is what I am loving today:

1} I spent the weekend with my grandpa.  Old people are generally cute and sweet, and my grandpa is doubly so.  I haven't seen him for five years, so this was a great blessing.  Last time I was there my grandma was still alive and things have definitely changed, but he is going strong and we had a great time -- not to mention many trips to Denny's and Cracker Barrel ;)

2} Facebook.  Seriously.  It allowed me to reconnect with my one of my two childhood best friends even after we moved far apart from each other.  This girl and I were so close that we really believed we were cousins, and she is the closest thing I have ever had as far as older-sister-ness goes.  SO incredibly amazing to reconnect this weekend after twenty years!!!

3} Butternut squash in browned butter ravioli.  Had it this weekend and fell.in.love.  I am going to try to recreate the recipe sometime soon.  Now I am on the quest for the perfect pear and arugula flat bread AND this.  Not complaining, though...

4} COLOR!  For example, this wall in NYC that I found the is weekend (the capstone of our East Coast weekend)...

5} And the mere fact that I got to see New York City for the first time in my life!  Once again, love the colors, even if it is found in the yellow of a taxi cab.

6} Colorful decor...



7} Colorful food.  These dishes are brought to you by Foodie Crush.  Oh how I love this collection of amazing recipes and beautiful food photography!  I am not there yet, but I will be.  Just give me some time.  In the meantime, I think I have some ideas for dinner this week :)

(As always, click on the picture to be taken to the recipe.)

And, of course, my man.  He is my best travel buddy and I love having adventures with him!

(That's us with a very teeny-tiny Statue of Liberty behind us.)

Happy Wednesday, Folks!

OLDER POSTS:

{February 15, 2012}
{February 8, 2012}
{February 2, 2012}
{January 25, 2012}
{January 18, 2012}

2.15.12 - What I am Loving Wednesday

It is chilly today, but it is beautiful!  So that brings me to the first thing I am loving today --

1} the sunshine.  You will hear me say this often, but that is because it is so incredibly true for me.

2} warm slippers in my classroom.  Yes, I walk around my room wearing slippers with little multi-colored Christmas trees quite a lot.  My kids don't even look twice anymore.

3} that somebody listed my blog as one of the things they are loving today!  What an honor!  Thank you, Wendi at Southern Yogi!

4} 60% of my class got A's on their math tests and the rest got a passing grade.  Woot-woot!  As much as I would like to say this is a testament of my teaching ability, it mostly falls on them.  They work harder than any other group I have had before.  I am so proud!  (BTW, these particular math tests have been deemed as "too hard" by some other teachers I know, so those A's are not easily handed out.)

5} these outfits.  Oh Pinterest, you make me want to go shopping.  All the time.  If only I could afford that.  For now I settle for "window shopping" on my computer.

For any day --

For a sunny day --

 For church or somewhere nice (look at those shoes. Love.) --

6} new food ideas.  Snacks that look and sound oh-so-good.

Garlic and Cilantro Fries

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  Butternut Squash and Parmesan Chips

//via A Couple Cooks, one of my favorite blogs//

7} that I get to go gift-registry planning today for an orphanage in Brazil.  I am so excited to take that little zapper and click on jammies and crayons and all things good! 

8} Picnik.  I use it all the time to edit pictures.  What am I going to in April when they close?  :(

9} this living room.  I am not a fan of white walls usually, but with all this color it totally and completely works.



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10} these words.  I truly believe this.

And, as always, my man.  He is away right now on business, but I get to see him tomorrow and get to have a weekend full of adventure with him.  He is my favorite.

And now it's your turn.  What are YOU loving this Wednesday?  (Really, I want to know!)

Happy Wednesday, Folks!

OLDER POSTS:

{February 8, 2012}
{February 2, 2012}
{January 25, 2012}
{January 18, 2012}

2.8.12 - What I am Loving Wednesday

Valentine's Day is less than a week away, and although I am not really a big Valentine's Day girl I am really loving some Valentine's themed-things right now.  Don't worry about my lack of excitement for "The Day of Love".  I have always thought it was overrated, when I was single, dating, and married...  I had a friend tell me once that "everyday is Lover's Day when you are with the right person", and that is truly how I feel.  That being said, however, I am loving some very V-day-ish type things.

For instance, pictures of couples in love.

What can I say?  Some people hate kissing pictures, but I love them.  There is something so perfect in a kiss between two people who really care about each other.

I am also loving these Valentine's Day inspired treats.  (As always, click on them to be taken to their original source/recipe.)

Other than V-Day stuff, I am loving:

1} my bright green walls in my classroom.  Think Neon Green Highlighter.  Although I almost cried when I originally saw the finished product, I now look at them with gratefulness that they can cheer up any cloudy day, such as today.

2} the M&M's Superbowl commercial.  CRACKED ME UP!  If you didn't see, go find it on YouTube.  It is well worth it.

3} the power of a marble jar with nine-year-olds.  Yeah, it may be extrinsic motivation but whatever, it works.

4} pastel skinny jeans.  Hated the bright colored ones, but these are awesome.  Now the question is will this look be good on me?  Hmmm...

5} this bedroom.  Look at all that sunlight.  Sigh.

6} Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter.  I ran out a few weeks ago and have been relying on the healthy stuff from Trader Joe's, and as much I love Trader Joe's (and you know I do!), nothing beats the gooey goodness of Skippy.  I would like to thank my man for braving the peanut butter section in the grocery store yesterday to help me satisfy my craving.  You may think that is no big deal, but for a Brazilian man who never eats peanut butter and has never been faced with all the options, this was quite the feat.  ("Man, you Americans are serious about your peanut butter!"  Yes, yes we are.)

7} Ripe avocados.  Yum.

8} My husband and the fact that he has never, ever sent me roses on Valentine's Day, but he sent red tulips instead, knowing they are my favorite.



(Us, celebrating our three-day-after-Valentine's Day celebration in 2010.)


Happy Wednesday, Folks!

OLDER POSTS:

{February 2, 2012}
{January 25, 2012}
{January 18, 2012}