Memorial Day Weekend!

So happy that summer has unofficially began!

If this past weekend is any indication to how much fun I will have this summer, then I cannot wait!  Rusty and I had a pretty busy weekend! It was so nice to finally be in town for a weekend.

It was so nice out on Friday, that we decided it would be a perfect evening to take the dogs on a walk through Downtown Greenville and stop at one of the many restaurants that had outdoor seating.  I am still in awe at the fact that you can bring your dogs to any restaurant that has outdoor seating...I mean how cool is that!?  I had been craving sushi, so we decided to try a place downtown.  It was pretty good and the dogs definitely loved ALL of the attention that they were getting from everyone that was walking by.  It was such a nice evening and after dinner we strolled up Main St. to where they had live music and lots of beer vendors.  I just love how there is always something going on downtown, its so nice to find something new to do each night down there!

Saturday, we enjoyed more of what Greenville has to offer.  They have the Farmer's Market every Saturday on the streets of Downtown.  Several local vendors come out and set up tents for everyone to browse through.  It is still early in the season, so not all of the vendors have all of their produce ready, but it was still so packed.  Rusty and I were able to find some delicious goodies and sampled from several different vendors.  We ended up buying this awesome Black Bean and Mango Salsa, Jalapeno Pimento Cheese, and Rusty picked out some Habenero Chutney. I can't wait to go back in a few weeks when they have some more fresh fruit and to buy some of the fresh fish and homemade pasta that they have.  When we finished walking around the market, we decided to try out the new bagel restaurant, Sully's Steamers.  It was seriously delicious.  I definitely suggest that you try it out if you haven't already

The fun didn't stop there.  Every Memorial Day weekend, the Greenville Hospital Systems sponsors the Aloft Festival.  They have hot air balloon launches, festival rides and game, fair food, and concerts.  On Saturday night, we went to go see Andy Grammer and Corey Smith play.  Rusty and I had the best time.  I loved seeing all of the hot air balloons get filled off and float away into the sky.  There had to be about 50 of them! Both of concerts were great and it was the perfect weather to enjoy it.  I also experienced a first, FRIED OREOS! I don't know why I waited this long to try them, but oh my gah were they delicious.  I didn't just stop at the fried oreos, I also got to sample some red velvet funnel cake (also amazing) and some fried green tomatoes with chipotle mayo from a local restaurant.  Overall, it was a perfect night :)

We spent Sunday at our friends' pool and cooked out with them. It was so nice to enjoy the sun and some good friends! Monday, was a MUCH needed day off after all of the excitement of the weekend.  Rusty and I were both exhausted, but we did manage to sneak in a little fun and went and saw Hangover 3.  It was a lot better than the second, very funny! Now it is back to work for a few days before we have another fun and busy weekend ahead of us!

Healthy Living

Over the past few months, I have been on a bit of a health kick.  Most of this started after I got my gallbladder removed, which has forced me to change my diet.  Not only have I changed my diet, but I have also kept consistent with working out 6-7 times a week.  It is the best stress relief for me and a great way for me to clear my mind.  Most of the times I like to wake up in the morning and get it over with because after work I am exhausted and feel pressed for time.  Anyway, I started Insanity again on Sunday (woof, is that a workout!).  I am already so sore, but I am really determine to stick to it for the next 60 days! 

Rusty and I tend to eat very healthy.  Of course we do have our days when we cheat, but we have been really good about cooking and grilling healthy options.  It is so hard for me because I have to go out to eat for lunch with my clients.  It sounds like it would be awesome, a free lunch, right? But no, I am so sick of it! Thankfully, at most of my lunches we tend to avoid the chain restaurants.  I sound spoiled, but I do not enjoy eating at chains at all.  I am really liking how most restaurants now have menus that feature their "lighter/lean options" with the nutritional information.  It is making lunches a little bit more bearable.  If they don't have that on there, I like to look at the MyFitness Pal app, which has so many restaurants on there, just so I can see exactly what is in my food.  You would be surprised how bad some of the salads and other normally healthy items are! 

I am excited to track my progress with Insanity.  I hoping that I can build up my endurance and tone up! Crossing my fingers that I actually stick to it!  

This past Sunday, I decided to make a few breakfast choices for Rusty and I.  I made 2 different types of muffins that were quick and easy to take on the go, since all mornings seem so rushed lately.  

Egg White Omelets (1 WW point each)

Calories: 56, Fat: 2g Carbs: 3g, Fiber: 1g, Protein: 7g

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients:

• 14 egg whites
• 4 whole eggs
• 1/2 red pepper, minced
• 1/2 cup of baby spinach
• 1/4-1/2 cup of diced tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp. basil
• 1/2 tsp. oregano
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste (I added a little bit of cheese on a few of them!)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  
2. Coat a muffin tin with spray and set aside.
3. Combine all of the veggies in a large bowl.
4. Fill the muffin tins about 2/3 full with the veggie mixture.
5. Whisk the eggs and seasonings together in a large mixing bowl.
6. After the eggs are whisked together, fill each muffin tin to the top.
7. Bake muffins for 25 minutes, until they have risen and are slightly brown.

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Pancake Muffins

Serving: 12 muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pancake mix
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup of water
• 3-4 tbsp. of syrup
• 3/4 cup of chocolate chips
• 1 cup of diced strawberries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Line the muffin tins with liners or you can spray.  Fill muffin tins 3/4 full and put in the oven for 15-18 minutes or until browned. 

These are both super easy recipes.  You can store the egg muffins in the freezer and just reheat them when you are ready.  The pancake muffins taste delicious warmed in the microwave for a few seconds before eating as well!

Enjoy :)

DIY Coasters for the Man Cave

What a NICE weekend it has been.  After everything that has gone on in my life over the past week, this weekend couldn't have come any sooner.  It was so nice to actually sleep in for once.  Yesterday I slept until 10:00am, which is unheard of for me! I spent most of Saturday relaxing, while Rusty and Will played their first round in the golf tournament that they entered this weekend.

After running some errands a grabbing lunch with the guys, we had a pretty low-key night. I don't really enjoy doing nothing all weekend, which Rusty has come to find out.  We have been wanting to make these coasters from beer cases that I had pinned a while ago for his man cave.  We decided that it would be fun to make them this weekend.  We had to modify the original instructions since we didn't decide to do it until 8:45 on Saturday.  The only store open was Walmart, so instead of getting ceramic tiles we decided to get cork board and cut it into squares ourselves.   

These coasters are SO easy to make.  You can find the original instructions for the coasters here http://atticlace.blogspot.com/2012/12/7-days-of-gifting-day-3-for-him-dont.html?m=1

We improvised and all we used was the cardboard from 6 packs, mod podge, cork board, and a X-acto knife.

1. Cut your cork board into 9 even squares. 
2. After cutting the cork board, cut the beer cases so that they are the same size as the cork board.
3. Once you have cut the cork board and beer cases, use the mod podge to adhear the cardboard to the cork board.
4. Do this about 4 times and let them dry

Then you are done, its that easy!

 Rusty hard at work, cutting the cork board

 We have been collecting beer cases for this, but I am sure we will want to 

continue to make more as the summer goes on

The finished products!

Happy Sunday Funday :)

Insta-Lately

I feel like there is never enough time in the day (I know I always say this)! Lately it feels like the days are getting shorter and shorter the busier that I get.  A lot has been going on lately in my life.  Even though the house is being delayed and we aren't moving in until August, I am still busy planning for that day! I keep looking around at different stores for cute accent pieces and new furniture items.  Rusty and I have also done quite a bit of traveling on the weekends.  We have recently gone to Surfside Beach with a lot of friends and last weekend we went to Charlotte for the Wells Fargo Tournament and to do some shopping!

I am so happy that it is Wednesday...Friday is so close, I can feel it! This weekend will be so nice, we finally have NOTHING to do and I couldn't be any more excited to just relax and get things done around the house.

Here are a few snapshots of my life lately! 

My delicious pear preserve muffins!

 Movie night with Rusty with delicious Crescent wrapped brie with warm raspberry jam!

 The amazingly beautiful accent chairs that we bought for the new house

Rusty cooking a delicious and healthy grilled dinner

Grilled veggies, chicken, and potatoes!

 Pepper Jack and Spinach stuffed chicken, grilled corn, and homemade sweet potato fries

Guess you could say I am becoming quite the cook?

Finally a weekend away in Surfside Beach

Jeffy C the birthday boy!!

The boys after their golfing adventure in Surfside Beach

The whole gang!

my love!!!

I could seriously sit on this back porch forever and I'd be a happy girl!

Funfetti blondies that I made for my coworker Melissa's birthday

Birthday treats for Melissa!

Aren't my mom and dad the most precious people ever!

Enjoying an amazing dinner in Charlotte with the family at Bad Daddy's!

I am hoping to do a lot of cooking, baking, and shopping this weekend! Time to do some spring cleaning of my closet and replace all the clothes I am giving away with brand new ones :)

Enjoy the rest of your week!