Showing posts with label Random Thought Thursday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Random Thought Thursday. Show all posts

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Random Thought Thursday

Well, first-of-all, I apologize for my absenteeism for the last few days.  I swear it seems as though it's so hard to actually sit down and relax these days.  Every night this week has been so busy and I haven't had any time for blogging.  =(  I'm back though, so be prepared for several posts in the next few days.  I know, I know, I still need to blog about my half marathon...bear with me...I'll definitely get to it this weekend.

1.  Has anyone in Nashville seen the people standing on the corner selling one of these?
Well, I have to admit that even though I'm not proud, I have been guilty of thinking to myself, "What in the world are these people doing with signs that say, 'Homeless Paper?'"  The other night when I was at Bunco, I actually asked someone about it.  After the girl explained it to me, I must say that I think the Homeless Paper is a GREAT program.  Apparently, in order to sell this newspaper, the vendors must attend a 4 hour class to learn how.  Also, this person must buy his/her "inventory" for .25 cents each and then he/she is allowed to sell the paper for $1.00.  Finally, the homeless person may receive his/her first few papers free to help them get started.  I think there is nothing better than a program that gives people an opportunity to make their own way.  This weekend as I was leaving Target I saw someone selling the paper, and decided to purchase my first copy.  It is a really neat paper and has lots of articles from people who are either homeless or formerly homeless!  I recommend that anyone who is out and about in Nashville buy a copy of this paper.  I think that you will be pleasantly surprised by what you read!

2.  I am super excited because late last week, I received my swap buddy for...

I was so excited to see who I would be shopping for and who would be shopping for me!  After we chatted yesterday, I think we both have a great idea of what the other likes, and I can't wait to head out next weekend and start shopping!  Oh, and I guess I should tell you about my swap partner.  Her name is Anna and she is a photographer (what a great job, right?).  Go check out her blog when you get some time!  Her photography is amazing!

3.  On Tuesday night, my beau and I had a little date night to see this show:
It was opening night in Nashville, and my friend Reca was able to get us discounted tickets.  The show was amazing!  I honestly didn't know what to expect, and I will have to say that there were areas when it was a little slow.  However, the parts that were good were REALLY good!  My favorite part was at the end when the "Blue Men" threw six GIGANTIC beach balls out into the audience.  That was truly a sureal moment!  Here are a couple of pictures from the night:

Me with my "date" for the evening!  =)

Looks like Reca and I are showing our tonsils.  =)  Either that or just being silly! 

Aimee, Reca, and Me sooooo excited for the show to begin!
4.  I think I mentioned in a previous post that Patrick's sister is in town right now.  Tonight I cooked them both dinner and THEN we played board games.  Those who don't know me don't quite understand my love for board games...and we didn't just play any old board game...we played Sorry and Yahtzee!!!!  My FAVORITES!!!!!  What a fun night!  Oh, and I also made a red velvet cake...also my favorite.  =)
5.  This has been the longest week ever!!!!!  I am taking next week off work and I think this had led to me wondering if I will EVER see Friday at 5:00...however, I am 8 short work hours away from this moment and I CANNOT wait!!!!!

Well, guys, I'm outta here for the night!  I have to get up EARLY in the morning for my 5K training run.  I'm really enjoying the training even though I just started...just hoping I'm able to run 3.1 miles by January 1, 2011!!!!!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Random Thought Thursday

So, it seems that this Random Thought Thursday thing is getting to be a regular occurance...even though most of my posts are "planned," this one really hasn't been.  I guess by the time Thursday comes around, I have a hard time organizing any other thoughts besides "random" ones.  =)  Anywho, several things to catch you up on today:

1.  I am participating in my very first Blog Swap!  The 2 Brain Children of Sandy a la Mode and Much Love, Illy have decided to host this awesome swap:

If you would like to head on over to one of their blogs and sign up, the more the merrier!  It should be a great time!

2.  This lady (who happens to be a friend of mine), is hosting her very first giveaway.  Head over to her blog and sign up to win!  I mean, who WOULDN'T want to win a $30 gift card to CSN?

3.  I had the best dinner tonight!  Thanks to Caroline for posting the recipe on her blog earlier today.  I thought I might pass the recipe on to my readers, since it was so delicious!

Ravioli & Vegatable Soup


Ingredients

1 Tbsp. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
2 Cups Frozen Bell Pepper and Onion Mix, thawed and diced
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper, or to taste (optional)
1 28-oz Can Crushed Tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
1 15-oz Can Vegetable Broth or Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth
1 1/2 Cups Hot Water
1 tsp Drive Basil or Marjoram
1 6-9 oz Package Fresh or Frozen Cheese (or Meat) Ravioli
2 Cups Diced Zucchini (about 2 medium)
Freshly Ground Pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add pepper-onion mix, garlic and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Mixture should look like this...
Add tomatoes, broth, water and basil; bring to a rolling boil over high heat.  Add ravioli and cook for 3 minutes less than the package directions.  Add zucchini; return to a boil.  Cook until the zucchini is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.  Season with pepper.
Finished Product!
This dish, really was delicious!  Here are a couple of tips:
  • I cooked the pepper-onion mixture for a couple minutes longer than the recipe stated.  I really like to make sure onions are really cooked well before I continue on with the recipe.
  • I use minced garlic that you buy in a jar in the produce section at the grocery store.  That stuff is amazing!  It keeps you from having to waste your time pressing garlic cloves and it's not nearly as messy.
  • I wasn't able to find any fire-roasted tomatoes, so I used regular ones.  They were still good, though!
I think that's about all!  It was so freakin' good!  I can't wait to have leftovers for lunch tomorrow!

Well, I think that's it for me!  I'll see you all tomorrow when I'm back for Fill in the Blank Friday!  Good night!