Candy. Bday.

Yesterday was my dad’s birthday.

It was also the day that I attempted baking my first birthday cake.

The cake looked like it could be showcased in the window of your corner bakery.

How was the taste?

It was okay. My family gave this cake raving reviews. It was moist and flavorful. The icing was fantastic. But, it contained sour cream which kind of threw me off. I went with it anyway. I don’t know if it is just the thought of sour cream in the icing or if it actually had a hint of a tangy flavor but the icing did not sit well with me. This cake needed to be served with vanilla ice cream to be enjoyed up to it’s full potential.

I am not trying to bash on this cake by any means. I am just not a birthday cake person. I prefer a fudge-like consistency to my baked goods. Or I could throw all of that out the window and let you in on a little secret…

I don’t like most baked goods hardly at all. Or let me rephrase that. I love to bake it but not to eat it. Honestly, I would choose a few dumle or wine gums over a cupcake any day.

Swedish candy is one out of the two top reasons why I am counting down the days until I leave for Sweden. The second is Hans. Yep, I am a candy lover. So sue me. I am sure they are full of HFCS and other naughty goodness but to be quite frank. I don’t care. I love my candy and I won’t stop eating it because some one tells me that I should. Who am I to take away such a pleasure?

Moving on. Back to the birthday cake. My dad loved it and despite his stubbornness for unwanted attention, enjoyed his birthday celebration.

What is your favorite candy? I can’t get enough of almost all of the candy in Sweden and of course my childhood favorite, Reese’s.

An ode to Brie cheese

Brie is a soft cheese that is named after the province in France from which it was originated.

I had not even heard of such a cheese until my freshman year at the University of Oklahoma. Some Frenchies introduced me to the wonder that is Brie cheese. They also introduced me to Nutella which is a whole other story. One way to enjoy Brie is with cracker for a quick, savory snack. Also, Hans and I like to make a meal out of it by serving a french baguette with Brie, wine and some grapes. Whatever way you like to eat it, no one will argue that this cheese is in a whole category of it’s own.

For lunch today, I had a fantastic turkey and brie sandwich.

Crusty bread with Brie, turkey, and lettuce leaves.

Just look at it oozing out of the side. Le sigh. What would I do without Brie?

I have been working on a little project. All will reveal itself with time but let’s just say that I am super excited about what is ahead.

I like to make sure that I keep my thoughts and notes organized. It also helps to have a chic red binder.

What is your favorite way to enjoy Brie cheese? Just a good piece of french bread is enough for me.

Italian white bean & spinach soup

I have had to cut back on the regular spending this month since I purchased Marie-Anne the macbook (switching from a PC to a mac was one of the best decisions I ever made). The simplest way to do that was to eat cheap. Hans and I loved to cook elaborate meals when we were in Charlotte but when I am in Oklahoma, I don’t need to do that.

In the beginning, I ate a lot of sandwiches, wraps and cereal which is all well and good until eating the same thing every day makes you repulsed of the fact of peanut butter and jelly together. (I mean really? I love PB&J’s!!) So, I thought I would be thrifty and cook up a huge pot of homemade soup on a cold late fall evening.

Italian white bean & spinach soup *adapted from this recipe.

1 package of white mushrooms
2 cups boiling water
1 med yellow onion
1 package spinach
1 16 oz can of white beans, rinsed and drained
1 package chicken sausage (I used Archer Farm’s Spinach and Feta Chicken Sausage)
1 14 oz can vegetable broth
garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper to taste

Combine mushrooms with 2 cups of boiling water. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.

Drain mushrooms and reserve the liquid.

Heat some butter in a large nonstick skillet over med-high. Sauté chopped onion and mushrooms for about 5 minutes. Add chicken sausage to the pan. (I had thoroughly cooked them in the pan before making this)

Add the reserved mushroom liquid, spinach, white beans and vegetable broth.

Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and parsley to taste. And serve with a delicious slice of grilled cheese- Haleigh style (a slice of gouda and cloudberry jam.)

Warm+Satisfying on a cozy, Sunday night. The funny part about this is that Hans got to watch my Food Network show the whole time. We were talking on skype while I was preparing the soup. It felt like he was in the kitchen with me- kind of.

Work went by fast for a Monday. I was shocked because some of the students in Oklahoma do not know how to dress in cold weather. I saw some kids with a t-shirt and shorts on!! The high was 45 degrees today. Insane. It was cold enough to bring out my winter coat this morning.

Love it! A close up of my outfit.

I had to chop off my head. You couldn’t see the detail of the outfit from far away, it looked like a big blob of winter clothes.

Do you have any cold weather traditions? My dad started up his fire for the first time this season, it was so nice to lay there by the warmth all evening.

A sea of orange

I am not feeling my best today. I woke up with a headache and my stomach is very tender? I don’t know how to explain it. It doesn’t hurt, it is tender to the touch. Weird, I hope it is nothing serious. If it gets any worse I may make a trip to the doctor tomorrow. I guess all those sleepless nights are catching up with me. And no, I am not preggers.

Anyway, yesterday was fun. My mom and I took my little brother to Stillwater, Okla to look at the OSU campus. Since I went OU, I didn’t necessarily like the fact that my little brother wanted to go to OSU. However, my entire family went to OSU. So, on their terms.. I was the rebel, which means I guess I can forgive my little brother for wanting to go to OSU

It was a game day so there was orange everywhere. You could immediately pick me out of the sea of orange since I discreetly showed my Sooner pride with a red scarf.

Isn’t my little brother cute?

I felt like a real American today- as in I drank a beer and watched some football This was about my third beer ever (I prefer wine) and the first time I have watched a football game in about 4 years. I am not much of a sports fan but it was still fun. We actually didn’t go to the OSU game, we just watched some football on the big screen tv’s in the Eskimo Joe’s food tent.

The quality of food in the tent actually surprised me. It was good.. very good, actually. I enjoyed a grilled chicken sandwich. I also sampled one of Eksimo Joe’s famous cheese fries.

Meh. They were alright. Not really my thing.

Eskimo Joe’s is a famous food & bar joint in Stillwater. I can remember going there from time I was a young. It is just standard American food, I think what keeps people coming back are the cheese fries and the atmosphere.

I really enjoyed spending some quality time with my little brother. He is excited for his future and it really got me in the mood to resume my university studies in August.

Are you a sports fan? If so, which sport? I am tough but not too coordinated so naturally I am not much of a sports girl. I don’t really like watching sports on tv either, I get too bored.

Sometimes I can be very blunt, sorry if that offends any of you.

Have a peaceful Sunday with lots of rest

Hello sunshine

The weekend is here!

After feeling like a dark cloud has been above my head for several days, I am happy that today.. I could finally feel the sunshine. Things are turning around with ‘the situation’ that I had to deal with this week and it looks like it is all going to work out with minimal damage. You guys never cease to amaze me! Thank you for all of your sweet comments this week. And also about my long hair! I was so thrilled that you noticed! You see, after I got married.. I decided to be a rebel and cut my long beautiful hair 10+ inches.

I adored the cut for a few months but quickly realized it was not me. It was a sassy cut that I could play up, and it was fun for awhile but I missed my long hair terribly. I felt naked all the time without it.. and I hated the fact that my tattoo on the back of my neck was out in the open for all to see. I love my tattoo but I like that I can keep it a secret with my hair.

My outfit at work today complete with borrowed BCBG bag from mom. Yay for casual Friday! Work went smoothly, but I have been averaging 3 hours of sleep each night since Sunday. I felt nauseated, and like a train had parked itself on my head. So, I took a nap, a 30 minute nap but a nap nonetheless.

With Mr. Alligator. Hans and I got Mr. Alligator at the Ikea trip for our 1st apartment together in Sweden. It’s as close as I can get to my hubby. I think this is one of the reasons that I am having trouble sleeping- along with stress. I am not used to sleeping alone in a big bed, I am thinking of getting a body pillow.. hopefully that will help me out some.

I have to admit that my eating hasn’t been the best since I started working a few weeks ago. I find myself grabbing a granola bar and rushing out the door. So, today I made a point to sit down and enjoy a real breakfast.

Chocolate Overload Oatmeal. 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 banana, brown sugar, cinnamon, white chocolate wonderful PB, and chocolate chips. Yep, way better than a rushed granola bar.

I managed to have a sit down lunch today too. Well done Haleigh. (Yes I talk to myself) A flat out w/a veggie burger, spinach, fresh tomatoes straight from my dad’s garden and ketchup.

This was taken before I dumped ketchup all over it.

My aunt had a hayride and a bonfire out at her house tonight. It was a blast!! I haven’t been to one of those things in years. Of course, I used it as an excuse to wear my pink scarf.

A hot dog and s’mores were most definitely consumed. I was too busy enjoying the company to snap a photo- you understand Oh and I can’t forget about the Bailey’s hot chocolate. One of my favorites.

Have you ever cut your hair and deeply regretted it? I don’t regret cutting my hair off last year but it took such a long time to get it back, which makes the cute, playful short cut not really worth it to me.

Goodnight! xoxo

Frugalista

Good evening!

This week has been legendary in the book of bad weeks. A lot of things have happened that have resulted in about 3 hours of sleep every night since Sunday.

Miss VeggieGirl’s post really struck something inside of me. It was like she was describing my exact feelings. So, I tried to cheer myself up by looking down.

My doggie Lucky. We got him when I was 8 years old. It is starting to break my heart because he is losing his hearing and he is starting to have minor arthritis problems. I love him so much. He slept with me until I graduated from high school. He has seen me through thick and thin- and he loves me no less. My day just got better.

Moving on. My outfit today was thrown together in 2 minutes because I was running late.

A simple red sweater and the usual black express dress pants. I don’t have many “career woman” outfits. But luckily, tomorrow is jeans Friday

I have become the definition of a frugalista lately. Case in point: part of tonight’s dinner was a PB&J.

Although my childhood self did not enjoy such a foodie pb&j. I was all about the jif and grape jelly back in the day. Good thing I have made the upgrade to White Chocolate Wonderful and Raspberry Jam. Still. Not much has changed since elementary school

Don’t get me wrong. PB&J, Grilled Cheese, and Hummus Wraps are some of my favorite foods. But, they are starting to get a bit old.

Do you have any ideas for frugalista meals that are not the above? All suggestions are appreciated xoxo

I need yoga

My body and mind had been craving yoga for several weeks. I resumed my practice on Monday. Well, it’s a good thing because I was hit with mucho stress on Tuesday. I don’t really want to get into it on the blog, but I came home from work in tears. It was a combination of several things that was weighing down on me and I just couldn’t keep it together. Thank the Goddess for yoga. (or God whichever you prefer)

Moving on…

Here is my outfit from the other day, I kind of just threw it together in 5 minutes.

I really don’t put much thought into my every day clothing choices, I just wear what feels right and what I think looks good for the weather, occasion, etc.

The one good thing about cutting back on grocery expenses? Creative and delicious sammies and wraps.

Egg sammie

Toasted bread with 1 egg, 1 slice of gouda, spinach and light mayo.

Grilled Cheese- Haleigh version

Oh. M. Gee. this was fantastic! Two slices of whole wheat bread both spread with cloudberry jam, 2 slices of gouda and spinach. I was lickin’ my fingers after this one.

Plain ol’ turkey/hummus wrap

An oldie but goodie A flatout wrap smeared with chipotle hummus, turkey, cheese and spinach.

What takes this one over the top is to grill it in the sautee pan like a grilled cheese- crusty on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside. Love.

I have noticed something weird these past few days about my food choices: cheese. This may be normal for you, but not for me. I usually crave sweets or peanut butter but I just can’t get enough cheese! Not complaining or anything I just think it’s a bit odd since that rarely happens.

What is your fav sandwich/wrap combo?

Coming back to life

I didn’t find a substitute job for today but that’s okay because I took the time to look at my life, as a whole. What was missing, what I am thankful for, where I am presently and where I want to be in the future. Besides Hans, there is one thing that has been missing from my life for the past few months: yoga.

Life got in the way and I neglected my yoga practice, probably when I needed it most. I was stressed about my temporary move to Oklahoma, I was stressed entertaining Hans’ family, I was stressed thinking about my husband job training abroad, I was just stressed. Why did I neglect my yoga practice? I still made exercise a part of my daily life but I pushed my practice to the back of my mind. I believe that I needed a release like running when I was pissed off. You see,  yoga brings not only physiological benefits but psychological as well. Yoga makes us feel. I didn’t want to feel, I just wanted to be angry.

But, that is all over now. I am temporarily living in Tulsa. Hans is on the other side of the Atlantic and I have to deal with it. I am ready for my yoga practice again. So, I lit some beautiful candles.

I sat down on my yoga mat, and I told myself to just breathe. And I did. I was ready.

I was stiff. So stiff and tight all over my body. It was not happy with me, but it will be. I will gradually get back into my practice. Today, I did a 30 min yogadownload. It was exactly what I needed. Slow enough for my body to realize what it had gotten itself into but not too slow that I got bored.

Do you tend to neglect things in life when you need them the most? I can honestly say that I do. Sometimes I just want to be miserable and feel sorry for myself. But not anymore.

The cure

to a mild hangover.

Coffee+Marie-Anne.

Carbs.

Carbs.

And more carbs. Toast for breakfast and cereal for lunch. Original.

Going to the mall with my mom and my rarely seen little brother helps too. He made me sit in the backseat so naturally, I had a photo shoot since I was bored.

I chopped my head off. I guess that means I wouldn’t make such a great fashion photographer.

I haven’t found a substitute job for tomorrow yet so hopefully I will have some luck later on tonight. xoxo

Interesting Evening

The question of the night was: What the hell did you put in those margaritas??? Anyway, let’s rewind a bit.

My mom and I had one of her friends over for dinner last night. Now, if you know my mom then you know that she never has dinner parties. But, she remodeled her house recently. So, now why shouldn’t she? She needs to show it off!

Our Saturday involved several errands to prepare for the dinner soirée.

C’est la mode.

I love flanel in the fall. Not only is it comfortable but you can turn redneck into chic. Although it doesn’t feel like fall. Yesterday it hit 80 degrees. Really, Oklahoma, really? I don’t think we got the memo that it’s supposed to be cold this time of year.

I am trying to grow out my bangs, hence the headband in every photo.

Since I received Marie-Anne the macbook, I have been able to talk to my hot husband on skype. Skype is the easiest (and cheapest) way to talk trans-Atlantic.

Of course, facebook was in the cards too. Sexy glasses, Hans.

The evening started out innocent enough.

with a taco spread- lean ground beef, lettuce, tomato, salsa, flour & corn tortillas, and hard tortilla shells.

and the star.

A mountain of guacamole.

And then the margaritas were poured. I had 1.5 margaritas and then the drunk tipsy photos of myself started coming in at fool force.

Wow.

A shot up the nose. Lovely.

Classy.

This leads me to the question.. what the hell were in those margaritas?? 1.5 drinks has never affected me like that. I did some thinking when I woke up this morning- with a headache. When I looked back on my calorie intake for yesterday it was extremely low which leads to a lightweight being even more of a lightweight. We were running around the whole day, I just didn’t have the time to eat much. Let’s just say the night ended with a couple (or 3) of homemade brownies. Hey, at least I made up for my calorie deficit.

When I woke up this morning, I immediately made friends with my water bottle.

Hi friend. Now, I will devour you.

I am feeling better already.