checking in....

We just got back home after a week of house-sitting at my parents; it's nice to be spoiled with central air & cable TV (although I will say I don't miss cable much at all - there's never anything on!). My parent's poor cat Trixie really had her world rocked this past week. Not only were Cory and I there with our 2 dogs (in addition to my parent's 2 dogs), there were also some guys working on repairing the water damaged ceiling during the day while we were at work! I'm pretty sure she didn't leave an upstairs bedroom the entire time. I almost coaxed her out from under the bed yesterday but she suddenly turned on me, hissed, swatted!...and then disappeared again. She will be so relieved when my parents get home tonight. The photo above is an old one - she never came out long enough for a photo op this time around. :)

happy news...

It's been an exciting week around these parts....I started a new job on Wednesday!!! I am working in an administrative office at a university & I love it so far! I've been on the job hunt for many months and it truly was a demoralizing and frustrating process at times. I'm so thankful for this opportunity and to have rejoined the workforce! I'm sure this new routine will be an adjustment but I am the type of person who gets more done when I am kept busy, so it is a welcome adjustment to be sure. It's only been 2 days but my co-workers seem very nice, hardworking & have wonderful senses of humor. I totally lucked out! :)

30 Salads Challenge

I made this absolutely fantastic ginger steak salad last week when I had a visit from 2 of my favorite girls ever, in town all the way from Montana! I have to say that every recipe I have tried from the Pioneer Woman, thus far at least, has been amazing! The dressing is the real wow factor of this salad: just the right amount of sweet & spicy (courtesy of the jalapeno). I got a new julienne peeler a while back & am totally in love with it (is that weird?). I guess you really know you're getting older when things like that are exciting! :)

catching up...

Clearly, I've been neglecting the blog...again. I can't believe it is June already! The last few weeks have been the best kind of busy! I've had visits from some of my favorite people, lots of quality family time (including a kickball game at the softball diamond), and a jewelry-making session with my ladies (thank you Pinterest!). My sister Molly was visiting from DC and had a blast playing with our camera - she took all the above photos & even talked me into an impromptu photo shoot on a country road! Unfortunately, she took a bad case of poison ivy home with her....but I'm pretty sure that was from playing pirates with our nieces & nephew in the woods at our parent's house and not from our photo shoot. :)