"Blogger's" Block!

I'm not sure how it happened, all I know is that It Has Happened!

Writers Block!  Or in this case, Blogger's Block!

I remember when I started this blog (almost nine months ago) I had no problem coming up with material to write about.  I guess when you're planning a wedding, remodeling a house and trying to rent out another house you have lots of great material!

With our Wedding Party!

And I love writing about my couponing successes, but let's face it, unless you're on the coupon train you probably don't care if deodorant is free after coupon or if a clearance deal make something that typically goes for $8 about $1.50!

So I've been sitting at my computer night after night trying to come up with something exciting to write about.  And I'm stuck!  Not that things aren't great, they are!! They've just really settled down.  Darrin and I have found our rhythm in this whole marriage thing, our floors haven't ripped in months, and our rental tenants are a dream!

But where does that leave you, my loyal followers ( all four of you!)?  I'll tell you where it leaves you - with a very frustrated blogging wife! 

So while I'm working on getting my grove back I thought I'd leave you with something entertaining...or at least entertaining for me!  AMERICAN IDOL!

Now if you've been reading this blog for a while you know that I am a huge Reality Television Junkie!  I can't get enough of it!  And I was SO excited for American Idol to start back.  The auditions, Hollywood week and Vegas results were awesome but I knew the live shows were going to ROCK this year!

The Top 25 didn't disappoint and I'm pretty sure I've narrowed down my two favorites already this year.  I mean, with performances like these how could they not win!

 Phillip Phillips is Amazing!

I am so happy Colton Dixon came back this season!

All that said and done I was little sad to see some of the guys go home on Thursday night.  My third favorite, Jazzy and Wacky Reed Grimm didn't make the cut this round but I would still pay to see him live!

So while I go off to ponder how to get my blogging mojo back I hope I've left you with some entertaining video clips!


Do you watch American Idol?  Any favorites so far?  
Have you ever had writter's block?  How did you move past it?

A Romantic at Heart

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!  I know I'm a big romantic sap when it comes to the "official Halmark holiday" but I am perfectly fine with that.  I was even more sappy this year because it was my first Valentine's day as a married women!

This did NOT make Darrin happy!

Our Valentine's Day celebration spanned several days (mainly because I wasn't a huge fan of dinner at 8pm on a Tuesday night, when I have to work the next day). 

We started early on Saturday with an afternoon viewing of The Vow!

I know, I know, I really take the cheesy V-day as far as it can possibly go...what can I say?  I've watched one too many romantic comedies I guess?

Anyway, I thought this was the perfect way to start our celebration.  Although I totally think most of the great parts of this movie are shown in the previews but the chemistry between Channing and Rachel was amazing! 

After that I got a wonderful gift from my husband! 

Love Birds!

We had dinner reservations that night at Catch.  If you're a fan of Top Chef you may remember Chef Keith Rhodes from earlier this season - corn tortillas anyone?? Anyway, Catch is his restaurant and if he was eliminated first this season the winner must make food that is indescribable!  We LOVE Catch.

And here is why...

To start the evening

Winter root vegetable salad with goat cheese and vinaigrette

I obviously couldn't wait to try my seared tuna with lobster stuffed dumplings and edememe pesto

Darrin's BBQ chicken with mac and cheese didn't last very long!

I think Darrin was starting to get a bit annoyed with my picture taking at this point!

Such a trooper :)

Not to make anyone too jealous but this food is beyond amazing!  We didn't have one bite of food that we didn't love! 

Burbon chocolate ice cream and chocolate cake with chocolate mousse

The only damper in the evening was the news of Whitney Houston's death.  Did anyone catch Mercedes' version of "I Will Always Love You" on Glee this week? Loved it!

Now, I'm sure you're shaking your head and rolling your eyes at this point and begging me to find the antidote for the arrow Cupid must have struck me with, but I promise I'm almost done!

Tuesday I got a wonderful surprise at work when Darrin showed up for a lunch date and these:

Love my flowers!

I cooked manly meal for dinner in hopes of wiping all memories of hearts, and flowers, and chocolates from Darrin's mind and we just spend the night hanging out at home!

Steak, mashed taters and asparagus

 So I must say, for a "holiday" that really isn't, February 14th was pretty great this year!

Did you do anything for Valentine's Day?  Do you love to celebrate with the ones you love, or do you find it to be a day you'd rather wasn't?

I Love Snacks and I'm Darn Proud of It!

A few days ago I was making myself an evening snack (pretty sure it was just an apple and peanut butter but I had to cut the apple so I'm going to go ahead and say I "made" something) and I started thinking about how surprised Darrin is going to be with how much I eat.  Not that I eat a lot - I've lost over 60 pounds in a year (take that crazy hormone issue that made me balloon up in 6 months time!!) - and I eat really healthy, but I do eat a fair amount.

So my apple and peanut butter (Jif Natural Peanut Butter, which is amazing!) made me realize there are still things that Darrin and I don't know about each other.  I tried to ask him what he thought I was going to be surprised by living with him but he never really answered me - guess that mean all of my faithful readers (aka my mom and grandmother) will get to learn all about Darrin with me. 

There are definitely some things he's going to be a little surprised to learn about me.  I mean, he knows I'm a huge reality tv junkie (Bachelorette SPOILER ALERT: My heart broke for Ryan tonight by the way and I adore JP) and he knows I can't resist the frozen yogurt bar in town but I don't think he realizes that I blast show tunes when I clean or that I have a very specific get-ready-for-bed routine.

Now I know that none of these are deal-breakers (or at least I hope not!) but I do think they'll lead to a few very funny evenings and probably an embarrassing moment or two.  I have to admit though I'm pretty excited for it.  In a way it's like starting a new relationship but with someone you already love and are going to spend the rest of your life with.  All the fun none of the stress!!

Speaking of late night snacks, I'll leave you with a picture of mine tonight - which was amazing and super healthy!

So Yummy!

Just some Laughing Cow Cheese (only 1 WW point for 2 wedges of the Herb) some tomatoes and water crackers, which are also really healthy.  Plus a glass of wine, which I more than needed after today!

Now time to watch Emily's interview on why she and Brad didn't last - which may have been the biggest shocker of the year (she said thick with sarcasm;) )!!