engaged

I can’t believe it…we are engaged!!  How did I get so lucky?!  I wanted to share the story of how it happened on here since it has been hard to find time to call and share with everyone (I’m so sorry friends & family…I love you all so much).

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Tuesday is Jay’s work from home day, and it was the warmest day we have had so far this year, so he suggested we take the dog on a walk down by the river after I got home from work.  I thought it was a bit funny that he wanted to take a walk so badly, but figured he wanted to get out of the house and enjoy the sun (finally!). 

So, we head down to the water with Rondo.  We’re walking along, enjoying our neighborhood, and right by the pier were at least 30 young kids playing on their bicycles and scooters.  We love Rondo so much…but children and bikes are not his thing (at all)…we hadto scoop him up to walk through the crowd of kids.  At this point, Jay must have been internally freaking out…all these kids, rondo barking, so much noise!

We get through the mania, and make it to the water, where it was basically just us.  We were looking at the city, enjoying the view, and Jay starts to talk about how we have a wonderful life here, and how even when we make our way out to the burbs (eventually) I won’t have to miss the city because we will still be here all the time.  I wasn’t thinking anything at this point, just thought he was being reflective while looking at the skyline!  He said he can’t wait to start life together and then…..asked me to hold the Rondo’s leash…ha!  I take the leash and still, didn’t think anything of it.  I was looking down at Rondo and the city, and then I turn around…

“And I have something to ask you…”

This would be when I totally lost my cool.  Jay was down on one knee!  I couldn’t believe it was happening!  I was, and still am, beyond excited.  I can’t believe that I get to spend the rest of my life with Jay!  It is the most amazing feeling in the world, and the proposal was so…us!  Dog barking and all!  Absolutely perfect.

Here are some pictures from right after it happened…

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(strangers took this one for us.  they thought we were tourists at first and didn’t want to.  but then i screamed “we just got engaged!!” and then they were more than happy to help!)

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We are both so excited!  The ring is more than I could have asked for…it’s so beautiful.  I’m obsessed with it, and terrified of hurting it!

To our families…I think I speak for both of us when I say we feel so lucky to join the other side.  We love you all so incredibly much.

Kate, thank you thank you for helping Jay find the ring, and keeping the secret when I kept telling you it wasn’t happening for a while. You are my baby angel and I can’t wait for all of the fun planning we get to do together!!!

Jay, I love you so much! I can’t wait to start a family and life together….you’re my favorite person in the world and always will be (promise). 

xo-j

A little sunshine

It is finally warm in NYC, and everyone is out and about.  Nothing feels better than being able to eat lunch in the sunshine!  Now all we need is full on summer to come so I can get these legs tan…

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(lunch date with erin on the trump tower deck)

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(ya see what i’m sayin?!)

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Welcome back sunshine…we have missed you!

xo-j

FR

Last night we went to see Frightened Rabbit at Terminal 5.  T5 may be the worst venue ever (or maybe I’m just too short), but the show was fantastic!  Also, we got to go with my brother and his gf and some friends which was so fun.  Loved having them in the city for the night!

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(crazy crowd below & torturing jay with biscuits before the show)

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(encore?!)

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(yes!)

Love them!

Now another weekend of mania.  Big plans ahead!

xo-j

 

 

Lately

We have been running around like maniacs since before Easter.  Here are some pictures from lately…

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(we got to meet this perfect boy)

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(he lives quite the life)

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(got to have lunch with a lovely visitor)

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(i don’t know where this guy was going with all that mcdonalds…)

xo-j

 

 

Film

On our vacation (almost 2 months ago!) we took pictures on a disposable camera…I thought it would be fun to have one roll of actual film.  I just got them back!  Some of them you would immediately delete on a digital camera, but overall I really love them.  Here are a few from the film…

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egg cupcakes

Last night jay had a basketball game, and when I am home alone….I go crazy after a while.  I can’t stand having idle hands!  I decided to try and make Easter cupcakes in eggshells.  They turned out great and I thought I would share the how to!

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WHAT YOU NEED:

12 large eggs (you will empty them out, and if your cupcake recipe calls for eggs you can use the inside of the ones you empty)
Corkscrew
Foil
Plastic Bag
Cupcake mix or recipe of your choosing (you can fill these with any cupcake batter)

1. Wash your eggs!

2. Take the corkscrew and make a pin-sized hole in the bottom of the egg.  Then slowly make the hole larger so that it is around the size of a dime.  Don’t be afraid to press hard into the egg!

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2.  Empty the contents of the egg into a bowl using the corkscrew to ease it out.  When you are done rinse the eggs well inside and out, then put in a saltwater bath for 30 minutes (make sure to let the saltwater get into the egg so it sinks) IMG_6774 IMG_6775 IMG_6778

4. Make your cupcake batter while the eggs are soaking (any batter you love).

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5. Once the eggs have soaked, rinse them again well in the sink (inside and out), and place on a paper towel hole side down

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6. Pour the batter into a plastic bag and cut a small hole in the tip of the bag…this will be your egg filler!

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7. Fill those eggs up and place them in a cupcake tray.  I used some foil to hold them upright and into place…

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7. Bake and don’t worry that the cupcake is pouring out!

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8. Cut off the excess cupcake and clean the outside of the egg with a damp paper towel

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9. Crack shell & top with frosting if you like! You did it!

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I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and Happy Easter!

xo-j

Can’t stop

Things I can’t stop obsessing over today…

How badly these hurt my feet…IMG_6731[1]

The fact that we found and tried all 3 flavors…They weren’t going to be sold in nyc but through some duane reade magic they were there yesterday.  Checked back today and they were gone 😦

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Chvrches new song (and old one too)

 

 

culinary institute

Last night my friend Erin and I took a wine, cheese, and meats of Italy class at the Institute of Culinary Education…it was so. much. fun.  We learned all about the different grapes, regions of Italy, the different textures, flavors, and aromas of not only the wine, but cheese and salumi.  We had a great time pairing the wine with the food (obviously), and learning at the same time!

Here are some pictures from our amazing class:

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(did you know all salami is salumi, but not all salumi is salami?!)

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(we had 10 different wines!)

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I would recommend this class to anyone!  I want to take so many more now! Thanks so much M&D for this great gift.

xo-j

Busy bee

As always, we have been running around.  Here are some pictures from life lately…

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(spring)

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(city view from cab)

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(night in with my loves jac & char)

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(my amazing homemade turkey burger. i brought the leftovers to work and here is the result.  thank you so much kitchen jerk whoever you are)

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(the annual  festival of tom)

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(even rondo had a case of the mondays)

xo-j

chicken pasta

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My Mom is an amazing cook…but much to her annoyance, all of our favorite meals she makes take her 20 minutes.  She can spend hours and hours making a meal, and we will all love it just about the same as the simple things.  Having been cooking on my own for a while now, I understand why this makes her nuts.  To spend hours on a cake when everyone would rather eat the Shop Rite cookies…ugh!

Anyway, she gave me this recipe for chicken pasta and it has become a staple in our apartment.  Jay’s #1 request…so I thought I would share since, at the end of the work day, who has 4 hours to make the food network version of recipes with 984 ingredients, when everyone loves the simple recipe just as much, if not more!

CHICKEN PASTA

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WHAT YOU NEED:

1 lb chicken breast
2 cans cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup (i use one of each)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup parm
1 box ziti
Frozen broccoli (or frozen mix)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Brown and dice the chicken in a deep pan (that has a lid)with a little oil & butter.  I put some red pepper flakes on mine in the pan, let it brown, then dice in the pan.

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2. While the chicken is browning, bring a pot of water to a boil for the ziti.

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3. Once the chicken is browned, add the milk, parm, and soup.  Stir it up, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer.

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4. Cover the chicken mix and let it simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.

5. Cook the pasta for the recommended time on the box (normally 10 minutes).  The last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking, add your frozen broc or frozen mix to the boiling pasta.

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(so if it is 10 minute pasta time, after 7 minutes add the broc, return to boil for the remaining 3 minutes)

6. Drain the pasta/veg mix, and add to the simmering chicken/soup mix that has been cooking for 10 minutes (it’s ok if it has been longer)…

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7. Now stir it alllllll up!

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8. Top with the cheddar.  The recipe says 1/2 cup…both my Mom and I are cheese liberal, I use at least a cup…probably more.  Then cover so it melts on top (about 1 minute) and you are done! Look how delicious!!

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That is it!  Easy, delicious, happy.  In an effort to be healthy I served ours with a little salad that I made (arugula, strawberries, parm, and homemade dressing)…

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Beware, making this recipe will result in you making this recipe thousands of times because everyone loves it!  Thanks Mom!

xo-j