World Traveler

I'd like to think of myself as a world traveler. Insert gratuitous travel photos below...

Bathing my elephant in Chiang Mai.

White Sands Beach in Kona, Hawaii

I wish we traveled more, but alas have grown-up people jobs with limited vacation time.

In the meantime I will sit in my office drinking out of this new mug I purchased this weekend!

Buy It Here

 

Do You Spell Potato With An E?

Growing up we ate potatoes at every meal. I mean every meal. My family is Irish and really like their potatoes.  


I also grew-up in Indiana. Home to Dan Quayle who regularly misspells potato .... but I digress. 


After I moved out I don't think I ate another potato until I discovered sweet potato fries. Still somewhat in the potato family. 


A few weeks ago I was stumbled upon this recipe and decided to give it a try. 


These potatoes are delicious! I thought some crumbled bacon would have made the taters more tasty, but would probably disqualify the recipe as "light." 

Recipe from Cooking Light 

Prep: 4 minutes; Cook: 10 minutes

Prep Time: 4 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 potato, 1 cup bean mixture, 1 tablespoon cheese, and 1 tablespoon cilantro)

Ingredients

• 4  (6-ounce) baking potatoes
• Cooking spray
• 1/2  cup  chopped onion
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  teaspoon  ground cumin
• 1/2  teaspoon  chili powder
• 1  (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans (such as Eden Organic), rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2  cups  frozen whole-kernel corn
• 1 1/2  cups  fresh salsa
• 1/4  cup  (1 ounce) reduced-fat shredded cheddar-Jack cheese (such as Cabot)
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

1. Pierce potatoes with a fork; arrange in a circle on paper towels in microwave oven. Microwave at HIGH 10 minutes, turning and rearranging potatoes after 5 minutes.

2. While potatoes cook, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and next 3 ingredients; sauté 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add beans, corn, and salsa; cook 4 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

3. Split potatoes lengthwise, cutting to, but not through, other side. Fluff with a fork. Spoon about 1 cup bean mixture over each potato. Top each serving evenly with cheese and cilantro.

The Perfect Flat

I found her....

... and she will be on my foot in 2 business days. Thanks Endless!

Writing It Down

At any moment my desk looks like it exploded with buck slips and post-it notes. I would show you, but then I would be exposing confidential information. ;)

I am always looking for cute organizers, note pads, etc. I tend to be more organized when I have something cute to write on. I found this the other day...

Via Esty

Love, love, LOVE IT! 

Newest Etsy Find

I have always loved elephants. After our visit to Thailand where we were able to work on an elephant farm, I have become even more enamored with these creatures.That's me with an 18 month old elephant. He was so gentle yet playful. I LOVED him.

Recently I spotted this charm necklace on Etsy, and I snapped it up! The charm is quite heavy (the description did warn me), so I think I will only bring her out from time to time!

Love, love, love!

This weekend my oldest friend in the world came in town to visit me. This year we are celebrating BIG birthdays.... the dreaded 30!

Jaime and I met in the 2nd Grade when I was new to St. Mary's Catholic School. We bonded immediately over our love of colored pens, talking during classes when we should not have been, and whatever else little six year-old girls bond over. Our second grade teacher was AWFUL, but the best thing that came out of second grade was a 23+ year friendship - and my cursive handwriting skillz.

We headed down to Disneyland for a magical days of fun!!  Is there a better way to celebrate your 30th birthday??? I think not!

We visited Pixie Hallow because Jaime LOVES Tink!

Hime customized some stylish ears.

Of course we spent plenty of time in Fantasyland because that is our FAVORITE land of all!

Riding Dumbo of course!

Then Jaime kissed Mr. Toad.

I had such a blast this weekend! We laughed so hard all weekend. We also reminensed about being friends for over 23 + years which is pretty amazing since we haven't lived in the same state for over 14 of those years! I am so lucky to have such an amazing friend is Jaime. I can't wait to see what we are like when we are 60!

Another Girl Named Kyle

Last night the world viewers watching Bravo's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills were introduced to another girl Kyle.

Kyle Richards aka former child star aka Paris Hilton's Aunt aka Beverly Hills socialite.

I am a sucker for mindless TV on Thursday nights as a way to unwind from my stressful week. Cue my DVR flipping the channel to Bravo so I can get my weekly fix of catty girl fights. Meow... I haven't been getting enough of it lately at work, so I need these ladies!

Will you be watching RHOBH?