Wolfgang Puck Chicken Tortilla Soup

I know nothing about Wolfgang, maybe he once was on Food Network? My only frame of reference for him is seeing him on my grocery store shelf selling soup. Nothing really struck my fancy till I was house sitting and saw that they had some of his soups. They told me to help myself to whatever, so I helped myself to some his Chicken Tortilla Soup. I figured since it was a mexican style dish that Id grill up some quesadillas to go along with. There are few things in this food life that I lead that is much better than this folks. Maybe not Wolfgang Puck’s version every time, but how have I not had tortilla soup before then? How is that possible? I really dont know. Maybe I have and it wasnt that amazing that I just dont remember it. But man alive, this bowl of soup was oh so good. So thank you Pell’s for stocking your shelf with this soup and offering it to me while you were on the west coast. My eyes have seen the light to the greatness that is tortilla soup.

Wet ‘N Wild

Beginning of the summer some friends of mine from 514 told me I should get a sessions pass to our local water park, Wet ‘N Wild. You may be thinking that these are young, college age friends when actually they are in their 30s and parents to the sweetest one year old in the world. The story goes that the summer they moved to Carolina from Washington (state - I cant believe I even say that because if I meant D.C. I would say D.C. I can spot a east coaster vs. a west coaster when this is even a discussion) they got sessions passes to Wet ‘N Wild and with Emma (their one year old) loving the water, they thought this would be the perfect summer to do it again. I wasnt totally sold, and put it off. Even when other friends of ours who at the time where expecting a baby goes sessions passes. But then my pastor’s family got sessions passes, who have kids that ages are perfect for such a place, I caved. I got a sessions pass to Wet ‘N Wild and man Im glad I did. Ive had such fun hanging out with my 514 friends, spending some quality time with Emma in her floaty, riding rides with the Renslow kids (pastor’s family) and my favorite, spending hours just floating on the lazy river. The Renslows go twice a week, every week, all summer. My other friends come when they can, which is probably once every two weeks or so. Im pretty much the same with my random work hours. I even took the Renslow kids without their parents once and it was blast. This last week I went alone, which to me felt a bit like going to the movies alone. Uncomfortable at first, but once I settled into, no one really cares other than myself that Im here alone, it was great. I got some quality tan lines which is really why I got the sessions pass in the first place oh and the fellowship of course. I hope that this many friends get sessions passes again next summer because I have loved showing off my sessions pass to my friends who I know are judging me for having it. I have no shame! I have loved my summer and my sessions pass.

Many apologizes for the delay in posting my favorites. Blame the lack of commutation on my landlords part to tell us he had changed internet companies. And then not understand what “just reset the router” means but interprets as call the internet guy to come out twice to the house. Poor internet guy. But I cant complain too much, the rent is too cheap. So, lets carry on with this fun little series.

Jon and Kate plus 8
TLC has brought many wonderful things into my life. I enjoy What Not to Wear (but it is very bad to watch that then go to a public place like the mall. Gosh does America dress awful.) and some of the home make over shows. But lately, all I turn TLC on for is to see if Jon and Kate Plus 8 are on. I just dont know what it is about this show but I cant get enough of it! Its almost that I couldnt believe that a women is alone all day with 8 children and her house looked so neat. Or that she didnt run away. I had to seen how they function in such a matter. I love the line at the end of their show “It may be a crazy life, but its our life.” They love their life and its not at all what they had planned. They are a delightful family who love each other. Sure, Kate can be mean to Jon but I wouldnt be so kind if I had 8 kids running around either! Id be too tired to be nice I think. Im amazed at her mad organization skills. I think also, its sharing their story, a story they didnt plan or expect. Us, the viewers get completely wrapped up in it and want to watch these kids grow up. We have made this connection through this TV show which is so weird to think of since I dont really consider myself a reality show watcher. I keep coming back, seeing how their doing. To hear more of their story. And I really cant completely explain why but I enjoy Jon and Kate plus 8 a lot.

Harvey Seat Belt Bags This love for these bags started long ago when this company was first starting out. The company I worked for in high school (a fancy baby story) started carrying them in a diaper bag form. Even then, I considered getting one just because they were just that cool. Who cares if the bag had a space for a bottle? Other the years I kept tabs on this wonderful company based just outside of LA. Jason bought me my first seat belt bag - a cute red one for my birthday the first year we were dating. I got a even bigger one, a brown on for my next birthday. And then they had a sale randomly and so I bought a cute little green one. Yes, I own three Harvey Seat Belt bags. You’d think that be enough, but no, I love them so much I want one of each kind they come out with! They have bags with more than one color… bags with patterns… different styles… I love them all! I didnt think I was a bag/purse girl till the Harveys came into my life.

Forever 21 . Okay so I understand I am boarder line (not already) too old for this place. This is my guilty pleasure store, that I dont go to very often, but every once and a while I want a cheap vintage looking piece to add to my wardrobe. This happens maybe every 2 years or so. I have never been to the Forever 21 here in town, which is in the mall, which explains why I have never been there. Firstly, the mall here doesnt have a good rep, as in, not a good idea to go there at night. Second, I dont really enjoy malls and thankfully, it doesnt seem that my high schoolers do ether. Only time I have been to the mall before my trip to Forever 21 about a month ago was two years after, day after Thanksgiving aka Black Friday. The Starbucks in the mall needed help to properly serve caffeine to all those crazy shoppers who were up way too early. It was such a blast being in a tiny Starbucks with 10 other baristas. So, what did I purchase at Forever 21? Well, sadly, only one piece. I looked on their website before I went and I saw at least 8 pieces I wanted to find and try on. Only one I really loved in person and it fit, which is this tank:

Isnt it cute? First thing Jason said when he saw it (besides my freshly chopped off hair - which is why this photo was taken in the first place) was that it was vintagey looking. Goal accomplished! And if you read yesterday’s post - you can see why this piece really caught my eye. Who can resist cute buttons? Not me!

.:Buttons:.

I dont know what it is about these cute little round circles, but lately Im drawn to them. Shirts, shoes, whatever! Though these buttons are not like a typical collar button down shirt - no you’d find buttons on its shoulders, or shoes that “bow” is a button. They are adorable and I want to buy every since piece I come across. Are they coming back in style or is just me seeing them everywhere because Ive become glazed over when I see buttons and Im like a month to a flame? Now Im in the mood to find some neat decorating idea to make out of cute buttons. Or go to a flea market somewhere and fine old funky buttons.

Grande unsweetened three splenda no water black tea with a splash of non-fat milk. That is my summer Starbucks drink. And yes I put milk in my tea - not much, just a little more than a splash. I drink it the English way when its hot, so why not when its cold? If possible, I drink one of these everyday. Being with my discount its about a dollar (or free if Im lucky). For while I wasnt drinking anything from Starbucks for whatever reason. I have been on a tea kick for quite a while but it is way too hot to be drinking hot tea. So I moved my way over to the cold side and have been enjoying it ever since. You know when the Starbucks near the church I work at recognizes me and at least knows its black tea… but they dont know my “picky” parts of my drink….Ive been getting this drink way too much.

Feasting on Asphalt - If you are an Alton Brown fan, surely you have heard of this show. Last year the second season was on the Food Network and the previews had Jace and I on the edge of our seats waiting for it. We adore Alton, so of course we were going to tune into this show about eating on the open road. We have yet to see season one of this series, but recently I purchased the season we partake in last year. As much as I love Altons witty banter and large consumption of road food - I really love it for the pretty photos and videography. I will forgive his crew for using a Cannon to take photos because they are so pretty. I dont do, Netflix so Im not sure if you can this great show or not. I got my copy of it for $20 at Target - which is worth every penny if you enjoy traveling, food, photography and well of course the wonderful Alton Brown.

Ive been a very bad blogger lately. I have all sorts of reasons - but instead of giving you those, Im going to share with you what my “come-back” is all about. I love how my friend Brandi lists something good that happens everyday and posts it the beginning of a month looking back on the last. My other friend Kendra told me that her husband and her looks back on their days and pick their favorite moment of the day. I love both of these ideas a lot. Here is my own version of that - some of my favorite things and people that recently have been deemed “my favorite” as of late. Number one is…

Pirate’s Booty. I know Ive already lost you some of you. Unless you are into pirates which surprises me how many people out there are actually into pirates. This is the only degree of pirate you’ll find in my life. These tasty morals that make up a bag of Pirate’s Booty are basically a very light weight popcorn covered in this tasty, almost Parmesan cheese but better powder. Trader Joe’s is this delightful grocery store that sadly the nearest one to me is over an hour away. But in my homeland of California they were everywhere. And my mom couldnt keep Pirate’s Booty in the house when we all lived in home. When I was in Ohio this past summer we had a “Kroger Run” (which means we let 180 high school kids run wild in a Kroger) and low and behold not only did they have Pirate’s Booty but it was on sale! So Im currently enjoying a bag of Pirate’s Booty that came all the way from Findlay, Ohio.