VACATION!

I have been counting down the days and it is almost here! 37 days later, I finally GET TO SEE MARK! YAY! If you can't tell, I am beyond excited!!! Though this month really has flown by, it seems like it has been forever since I have seen him! His birthday is on Thursday so I am flying down to Dallas Thursday to have dinner with him and his family.  I'll be there through Monday morning and CAN"T WAIT! I am excited to do some of our favorite things together, just in a new place! I'm hoping we'll get to spend some quality time just hanging out, swimming, shopping, eating, cartoon watching, and just having a great time! I also am really excited about his birthday present so I hope he loves it! 

Granted this month has not been the most fun (I mean it wasn't terrible at all but would have been better with a certain someone around :) ) it really has made me appreciate Mark even more. Not that I am not usually super excited to see him but I feel like a little kid the night before Christmas! I have been giddy, giggly, and energetic! I just can't wait for my plane to touch down in less that 45 hours and give him the biggest kiss of my life!!!

 When two people are meant for each other, no time is too long, no distance is too far, and no one can ever tear them apart.

Happy song for the week!

I'm seriously obsessed with Blake Shelton! And his relationship with Miranda Lambert! Just a great song if you haven't heard it yet! God gave me you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68YgtNis8Bc&feature=related

My Wine List!

Here are the wines that I am currently obsessing over! WARNING: I am a white wine fanatic (the sweeter the better!) that is trying to dip my toes into red wine! PLEASE let me know if you have any great suggestions!

Spatlese 2008 (Germany)

Kung Fu Girl 2010 Riesling (Washington State)



Kiona Vineyards 2009 Riesling (Washington State)

Balsamic Bruschetta

One of my favorite things to do is to cook! Granted, it's a lot more fun to cook for others to enjoy but there is also something so simple about cooking a delightful homemade dinner for yourself. Mark and I would typically try to get together on Sunday depending on our weekend plans and so I didn't usually cook during the weekend a ton.  Also, during a busy week, I usually try to heat up leftovers, a healthy choice meal, meet up with friends, or eat something quick like a PB and J! I am going to try and make it my goal to try and cook one new dish every week and (depending how it turns out!) share them with you!  This weekend, Kansas City FINALLY got a TRADER JOES and  I was so excited to try it out! For those of you that don't know, Trader Joes is a reasonably priced health food store and has fantastic stuff.  It is especially known for it's wine, "Two buck chuck"- that you can get for the stealing price of $3 a bottle!!! After going and checking out (along with half of KC) what they have to offer, I decided that I was going to try and make some homemade bruschetta this evening. 

I started off marinating cherry tomatoes sliced into 4ths with balsamic vinegar, basil, a little big of kosher salt and a splash of olive oil. 

Next, I used a take and bake loaf of french bread.  I cooked this in the oven according to the package, taking it out and slicing it into thin pieces.

After bread is cut, brush lightly both sides with olive oil. Place in the oven on broil and watch until it is just brown.  Take out and flip, repeat. 

Once both slices are browned, top with a spreadable cheese (I used goat cheese but know that cream cheese will work just as well).  Finish off by topping with the tomato mixture and enjoy.  Bon Appetite!



This recipe is great for a meal for one, an appetizer for a gathering, or a snack with wine before date night!