The End Has Arrived

It sure feels that way and I love it.

Today is my sweetheart's 22nd birthday. I know, we're young. Over six years together and I can't believe how amazing he's been to me. I hope his birthday is as excellent as he is. This morning I got up at 6am to go buy cake mix and bake him a cake while he was sleeping. 

My front-heavy graduate course load is nearing it's end. Today is my last day! Well, it's my last day with twelve credits at least. There will still be classes but the worst is over and I'm excited. I'm ready to start cooking and reading. 

Around the internet, I'm loving:

• Looking at Pioneer Woman's recipes
• Perusing beautiful photos on Pinterest
• Playing with Instagram on my iPod Touch (if you have it, friend me so I can see your photos! I'm allisonmseward)
• Diigo keeping track of my "must try" recipes
• Playing Words with Friends (sewardam to any who play)

I'll try to keep Instagram photos to a minimum but while I've been busy these last couple of weeks it's been much more convenient than carrying my Nikon around. Hopefully I'll be back in amateur photographer mode soon.

Tomorrow I'll be catching up on all the blog posts again. Looking forward to hearing about your weeks!

Friendship Bracelet

I got my friendship bracelet in the mail today! I was so excited. My partner, Brittni, must have done this before because she had a fancy way of braiding off the bracelet. She also decorated my envelope which I only decided not to show this morning because it has my full address, but trust me, it was cute!

Thanks Leigh for hosting the swap! This lil ol' blogging world is a pretty sweet place.

Summer Greens

I love the green that surrounds my town in Virginia right now. Winter felt like it was lasting forever this year and it seems like we just flipped a switch and moved into summer. You know what? I love it.

Now is the time to enjoy some outdoor walks and maybe a visit or two to the SPCA to volunteer with some animals. I bet those puppies could use a walk outdoors!

Charlottesville & Friendship Bracelets

Yesterday I traveled with my fiance to nearby Charlottesville, Virginia. We poked around the University of Virginia campus and walked the downtown Mall. It was a great day to look around and be outdoors although my feet hurt after walking so much! 

Also, you should join the friendship bracelet swap that Leigh is hosting. Shoot her an email if you're interested. I've never made a friendship bracelet before but I'm excited to learn and you can totally hop on board! 

Check her out.

Veggie Meals

Mmm... Know what I love? A tasty, vegetarian meal with lots of veggies!

Last night a girlfriend and I met up and she brought over a vegetarian lasagna and I made sweet potatoes, curried cauliflower, and sauteed spinach. The potatoes and spinach came from our local farm market and were both of excellent quality. 

Here's how to make each if you're interested:

Spinach:

1. Need: Spinach, oil, garlic
2. Put small dose of oil into sauté pan
3. Throw in spinach leaves
4. Put in some garlic (I used roughly 2 cloves)
5. Let cook for as long as desired (roughly 3-4 minutes)

Sweet Potatoes:

1. Need: sweet potatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, oil
2. Peel sweet potatoes and cut (you can do this cubed or in small slices like I did). Roughly one potato for each person.
3. Cover bottom of baking sheet with layer of oil, throw on potato pieces, take two pinches each of salt, pepper, and oregano and sprinkle over top sweet potatoes. 
4. Bake at 350F. If chips like mine ~30mins, if cubes (softer, less crunchy) ~1 hour.
5. Serve warm.

Cauliflower Indian Style

1. Need: 1 cauliflower, onion, 2 small potatoes, curry powder, sugar, turmeric, cumin, garlic (2 cloves), oil
2. The recipe I used (from VT) was a little unclear but I cooked my potatoes first because I was afraid sautéing them wouldn't be sufficient for softening them up. So slice and peel potatoes and throw into boiling water to soften up.
3. Cut onion and cauliflower to have them both ready.
4. Pour a dose of oil into a sauté pan. Throw in onions for 2-3 mins. 
5. Add 1stp tumeric, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 1/2 (I might even prefer 2) tsp curry powder. Also add garlic. Cook for 2 mins. 
6. (Drain potatoes) Add potatoes and cauliflower. Put in 1/2 cup of water and one tablespoon of sugar. Cook until water is gone. 
7. Serve warm. 

Enjoy!