My, How the Time Flies!

I am always so intrigued by exactly how fast time flies. (That intrigue, mind you, is right up there in the same category as where mismatched socks go and why it never fails you hit every red light when late to work.)

We have been very busy in the last few weeks!

The biggest change is we have given up the beach bungalow in lieu of a roomy, plush apartment here in Oceanside. (Now affectionately referred to as "the Chateau".) Our new space is three times that of the bungalow, has two patios and a fireplace. Plus, Mini-Marine will now have his own master suite... as we have two of those as well! And all for the same price as the old place. Photos to follow as soon as the mountains of boxes in my living room have subsided.

Speaking of the little prince, our guy is almost here! I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy has flown by. I also would like to add to the intrigue list above as to a) where my toes have gone and b) where my belly button has gone. Just two more mysteries in life, I suppose. Right now, he already has somewhat of a sleeping schedule and is only really active in the late afternoon and early evening. We can only hope he decides to keep up this schedule once he is here!

More frequent updates this week, I promise. In the meantime, check the sidebar to keep up with me on Twitter!

Sunday Gourmet: Southern Sweet Tea

There's a tradition in our family of drinking our tea syrupy sweet.

And adding sugar post ice just won't do. We're Southern and we like our tea the way we like our tea.

I visited the most amazing little cafe yesterday. And for the first time since I've been in California, I experienced true Southern sweet tea. (More on the cafe later.) This brought on a bit of a pregnancy craving -- Mini-Marine is half Southern, you know! -- and I was forced to dust off my own family recipe for the sweet liquid. The other thing I love about this recipe is it is so summery and looks great in a spout jar on the counter top. (The tea will keep for 2-3 days unrefrigerated... which is how we generally keep it in our family.)

Southern Sweet Tea

- 8 to 10 tea bags
- 1 cup sugar
- Enough water to fill a small sauce pan
- Ice
- Cold water

Fill the sauce pan full. Add in the sugar and stir. Heat the water until boiling and take off the heat. Add tea bags and cover.

Allow the tea to steep for between thirty minutes and three hours. (The longer it sits the better it will be.) Remove the tea bags and pour into a pitcher filled with ice and cold water. Add lemon wedges if it suits your fancy.

Tiffany's Love

When I was growing up, I was obsessed with all things Audrey Hepburn.

I probably watched Breakfast at Tiffany's a thousand times and would walk around with a stick pen pretending it was that famed cigarette holder. *sigh* Oh, those days of innocence.

As I grew older, my love for the movie transcended into a love for the store. Oh, how that scene in Sweet Home Alabama where Reese Witherspoon gets proposed to in a Tiffany's store and gets to pick out any ring thrilled me. And then there was the day I found out that they were actually putting in a store in my hometown, Tucson... I literally cried.

And as the years and my innocent, parent supplied budget faded... so did my penchant for all things Tiffany & Co., stowed away into the longing list of "wouldn't that be nice if I ever won the lottery."

But today, I fell in love with Tiffany's all over again. While glancing through a magazine at work, I noticed the Tiffany Keys collection.

Isn't it gorgeous? They have several different price points... gold, silver, platinum, diamonds... and even a charming bracelet or two. The Tiffany Keys Heart Key Pendant in silver will definitely be on my next credit card statement, and at only $150 Mr. Wonderful Husband can't complain too much!

Readers: Tell me your Tiffany love! What item do you wish you could really afford?

Sunday Gourmet: Potato Bacon Soup

I have wanted to do a weekly recipe post for awhile.

Today it is dreary and rainy and cold by the coast... quite a change from the 75 degrees and sunshine of yesterday. Our hopes for grilling lime chicken in the backyard this afternoon dashed by soggy charcoal, I decided a batch of simmering potato bacon soup would make a perfect substitute. (Think creamy, delightful, and with tons of flavor.) And what better time to share this yummy smelling recipe with my fellow blog friends?

Enjoy this new weekly feature to my blog. Photos to come in future posts, once Mr. Wonderful Husband remembers to get the camera cord out of our storage unit ;)

Potato Bacon Soup

- Half pound bacon, chopped into small pieces
- One medium onion, diced
- One and a half tablespoons of flour
- One can chicken stock
- Three to four medium potatoes, diced
- Half cup sour cream
- One cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Saute the bacon in a medium frying pan until crisp. Do not drain the bacon grease off. Add the onion and cook until tender. Stir in flour until smooth.

Transfer all ingredients to a large stock pot. Add the potatoes and chicken broth. Allow the soup to cook over a medium heat for about an hour, or until the potatoes are done. (Add additional water if needed while cooking.)

In a small bowl, mix three to four tablespoons of hot broth to the sour cream. Add the sour cream mixture to the broth and stir well. Mix in the shredded cheddear cheese and stir until melted.

Pour into soup bowls or dishes. Top with a small spoonful of additional sour cream. Add extra cheese, crumbled bacon, scallions, and any other garnishes. Serve immediately.

Baby Barbeques

I really love it when I get to explore new ideas while freelancing.

For example, I was just writing an article for Associated Content about how many couples are opting to host unisex "baby barbeques" instead of baby showers. How grand is this idea? I think I've already gotten a few ideas for mine now... Outdoor tables set with chic baby blue cloths and dark blue damask placemats. Grilled petit cut steaks seared with garlic and baby asparagus sprouts. Drinking lemonade out of my awesome Pier 1 wineglasses.

Is my preppy showing right now? Because I think my dreams of a lavish affair will be -- in all reality -- dashed by a teeny tiny Southern California guest house backyard and a husband who will most likely roll his eyes and insist on beers and brats.

What is your take? Traditional baby shower or a "baby barbeque"?

Back and Blogging From Bed

I'm back and blogging from bed.

No, I am not ill... there is just an unscrupulous amount of unfolded laundry sitting on my couch at the moment. (It is Mr. Wonderful Husband's week to fold/put away. Whoo hoo!) Besides, my bed just so happens to be my favorite place in this entire beach bungalow.

Why, you ask? (Do you really have to ask? Okay, I will tell you.) When I blog from bed, I get to lounge on my brown/teal damask duvet and large billowy pillows with a wine glass full of Black Cherry Kool-Aid next to me. (Not quite the Bordeaux I was hoping for, but come September...) Who wouldn't love this as their favorite blogging spot?

Oh, and as a side note for those of you catching the alliteral theme in this post...

Mini-Marine is a BOY.

Hiatus

Going on a bit of a blogging hiatus...