Engagement Sneak Peek

Noah and I went out this morning with our photographer for our engagement session. We had a great time and she, Meredith, did a great job!

Just wanted to share a sneak peek with you!

{Meredith Sizemore Photography}

Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta

Thought I would let you know that Noah gave the salsa his seal of approval when he came home from work yesterday. We embarrassingly went through a whole bag of chips (ok, mostly me). 

I did try one more Pioneer Woman meal yesterday which is her Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta. 

It was pretty easy to make and after the salsa and the pasta I have seen a whole bunch of tomatoes in one day! 

This one was pretty easy, it just took about 30 minutes (well, should have taken 30, it actually took me 40 because I put the pasta in to boil a little to late and had to wait for it to be ready). 

I'll forgo the directions since they're right on Pioneer Woman's page, but it's definitely worth a shot. For the second time, this makes a LOT of sauce. Good for a big family, or do what we do and save the left overs for another meal. 

After skyping with my sister and her boyfriend while preparing dinner I got to eat it with my sweetheart. All in all it was a great day and I'm hoping it will give me some strength. 

Have a lovely weekend!

Homemade Salsa

I got this recipe from Ree Drummonds, aka Pioneer Woman. I've been wanting to make my own salsa for ages but we just got a blender so I can finally fulfill my wishes.

You need a can of whole tomatoes, two cans of Rotel, an onion, cilantro, sugar, salt, cumin, and a jalapeno pepper. You're also supposed to have some lime juice but, being me, I went without.

Throw in all the tomatoes (with their juice) and then chop up about half an onion or so and add it.

Then throw in some chopped jalapeno pepper (seeds and all). 

Next put in 1/2 a cup to a whole cup of cilantro. I was so proud getting my cilantro from our garden. I ended up using about half a cup for our salsa. 

Throw it in the blender along with 1/4 tsp of salt, 1/4 sugar, and 1/4 cumin.  Blend and voilà. You now have splendid salsa.

It really is delicious and amazing. Just be warned about the amount. Let me tell you your options:

1. Clean off half a shelf in your fridge to store the salsa
2. Be taking a bowl or two to a party in the very near future
3. Share with the neighbors or friends
4. OR.... be prepared to suffer salsa overdose.

Ree has a big family but around here, well, that is a ton of salsa. It should keep well, but just be warned!

Now, if you have a blender go and try this little joy for yourself. Mmmm!

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.

Past Meets Present

Tonight I'm heading to the hometown once again to perform in an alumni band concert at my high school alma mater. That's why there's a grin on my face. I played saxophone all four years in high school and was first chair in one band or another for three of those four years.  It was such a big part of my life in high school and it was a shock to lose that in college. I haven't touched my alto in a little over three years (I played in a concert band my freshman year in college). 

It was a transition. After all, my friends in high school I met in band, all of my free time was spent playing at a game, concert, or musical, and that's even where I met my now-fiance. I can't imagine what my life would be at this moment without my experience with music. 

I'm excited to go back and remember a time that both my dad and my mom could be there for me and when friends were easy to keep up with because school was a breeze... Yet I'm happy to be where I am today. 

Did you have a big event in high school? Was it athletics? drama? band? 

Do you ever wonder how your life would be different if you had or hadn't done one little thing? 

(I actually didn't want to be in band in middle school when they were asking students to try out, not at all. In fact, I only tried out instruments because it got me out of home economics class. I ended up trying a flute and being good at it and that set my life on a completely different course. Strange the way things work out.)

Summer Hopes

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Ah, sweet summertime. I have so many hopes for you.

I want to canoe, raft, camp, hike, and generally enjoy the great outdoors.  Sometimes though we just can't have what we want when we want it. I know in a couple of weeks I'll have more time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors so I just need to learn patience!

We're hitting 90 degrees in my part of the world though which is hot, hot, hot for outdoor play unless it's a water activity. Maybe we'll raft down the Shenandoah River. Ah.... A girl can dream. 

Hope it's not too hot in your part of the world!

Plus I just found this Notebook-inspired engagement session. I'm kind of in love... you know, Allie & Noah - it's no coincidence. 

What's your favorite part of summer? And does anyone else want to try making this watermelon salsa? I think I must.

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