Mint + Orange

Oh what a week! I started on-boarding for my new job, had a little time to myself with Jack and was able to take in the outdoors! I wore my hippie sandals for the first time this season. They aren't very stylish but they very comfy! Just something easy to throw on when I'm futsing around outdoors.

Jack had a HUGE milestone this week! He's passed three different dog training classes and is a certified good citizen. (Seriously I don't know how he passed, the doggie gods were among us!) Even though he is certified it doesn't actually mean he is in control. Most of the time he has a dual personality, either sweet  and friendly or just down right ugly, I want to rip your hand off mentality.

So I guess what I am leading up to, Jack and I went on our FIRST bike ride together!!! And it was AMAZING!!! He was perfect! I rode an old bike my dad had restored years ago with a basket that I knew would be easy to hop off in case of emergency. I didn't want to risk crashing my good bike. I'm not sure if he was so good because he was half scared of the bike or because he just knew what to do! Whatever the reason I am so proud! I peddled my bike and he trotted along side me, no problems. Honestly it looked like we had done this a million times! I hope this wasn't a one time fluke, I'm trying to get my mom to take him out this way, so he will get faster paced exercise and more distance. Fingers are crossed for her safe travels!

I know I've already shared a few photos of the peonies but I couldn't resist! They are my favorite! These are a slightly different variety and I tend to like these better. I have no idea what they are called!

Peas and Q's By Nicole.

Yesterday in my outfit post I forgot to mention my nail polish! I have been on a nail polish hiatus for the past month. No specific reason, I just got tired of painting and repainting. Sometimes I think your nails just need time to breath and be natural. I have seen a slight difference in their health! I've had this color for a while now. It's Peas and Q's by Nicole. I always have problems with chips and have wanted to try laquer but the price tag keeps me away. I painted these Sunday night before bed. I've been pretty hard on them and today was the first day I noticed a chip! I guess that's what I get for working out!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! You are so special! Be sure to pamper your mom and be thankful for all she has done! I know I sure am! In the mean time I am off to a wedding of a good friend I played volleyball with! I can't wait to see some of my teammates! I swear this is the summer of weddings! Have a good one!

xoxo

Rachel

walk in the park

We had a family outing at the park today.
Even Dad made an appearance..
It was a big deal.
Plus Jack was well behaved.

This was the first time in a long time I can remember us doing something like this as a family. It was really refreshing. We need to head outside to play more often. With all the fresh air I know we will have sweet dreams tonight.

Today I walked in the same footsteps I did more than 10 years ago.  Mom photographed me in the same location with my first pup Toby. So many things have changed since then. Toby is no longer with us and  looking back I had no idea where I would be now. I was just concentrating on finishing grade school and moving on to high school. Here I stand all grown up, a college graduate.  Just yesterday I accepted my first big girl job. I hold the future in the palm of my hand.

I'm going to have to do some digging and find the other photo.

Dad surprised us and made an appearance. He walked with us awhile but came back to the car to wait for us while we finished exploring the rest of the park.

 Jack has grown up so quickly. I still can't believe he is almost 9 months old. Today we let him have free rein of the backseat, crate-less. Surprisingly he very well behaved and even napped on the way home. Once we returned home, I noticed the peonies will be blooming in a couple of days. They are one of my favorites, minus the ants.

You'll be sure to see some here on the blog. Peonies, not ants.

Easter Morning

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful Sunday!

Today would have been perfect for a long bike ride.

Maybe tomorrow.

Can you believe it is Easter already?

I sure can't.

Where has the time gone?

For the moment you will have to settle for a camera phone dump. I recently have become obsessed with the blog Pioneer Woman, she has a cooking show on the Food Network. She is a city girl turned cowgirl. AND I love it! I bought her cookbook and love story, she takes amazing photos.

All her food looks so delicious, it would make me fat.

The days of Jack letting me take a photo with him are limited. Apparently he doesn't want to share a frame with me.
His facial expression is priceless. Look at that tongue!
Get me out of here!!

This nest is perfect.
Three blue robins eggs.
Momma did well.

Have a Happy Easter!!

poop slingin' son of a guns

I've recovered!

Recovered from a case of lazy blogger.

In lieu of my posting, I've gotten reconnected with my roots. Way back when I had a horse, which meant it was my responsibility to muck out his stall and dump wheelbarrows full of manure.

Growing up I was always enlisted to help in the garden and pull weeds. As I've gotten older my hate for gardening has grown. My reasoning is I want to do it on my own terms.. Occasionally I will get over it and help out. Mom wrangled me into helping her start a new raised garden. A friend let her have all the manure she wanted, which meant she needed help spreading it. Jack could't have been more excited.

He may be a standard poodle.

BUT. That doesn't mean he doesn't love horse manure.

In fact, HE LOVES IT!!!

He loves eating it.

He loves walking in it.

He loves playing in it.

He loves laying in it.

Classy, I know.

Leader of the manure project and her charge.

Evidence of manure eating.

Box of Manure.

It does have an appealing look, right?

Mmmmmmm, manure tongue and all!

Perched on his pile. Proud of all his work!

The dandies are out. 

They are everywhere! 

Just a constant reminder that summer will be here before we know it!

Isn't this the neatest thing you've ever seen! A pair of these extra large turtles were mating near my house! He may look small but he was not. I'm guessing about 20 pounds and as round as a steering wheel!

Seeing wildlife like this makes me love nature.

Makes me love living in the country.

Where in the city would you see a massive turtle?

Lastly, I've been on a kale kick. I put it in everything! My newest recipe you need to try is kale chips. Wash kale and cut out the stem. Sprinkle with olive oil, garlic powder and pepper or season to taste. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake about 15 minutes. Flip and cook until crispy. Let me know what you think!

Share the Love

Happy Valentine's Day Ya'll! Valentine's Day has never been one of my favorites but it's an excuse to tell the important people in my life I love them! The past few years I have sent out boxed valentines, this year I went back to my childhood days and decided to make my own. A little glue, some glitter and anything can happen. Friday night I found a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies and had to try it. They ended up being really good, I just wasn't anticipating such a large batch. Note to self: pay attention to serving size! A red flag should have been a pound of butter. I had a monster vat of dough, thank goodness for mixers! I let them sit overnight and baked them up Saturday.

Saturday was a special evening because a fellow teammate of mine from Parkland was being inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was great reuniting with some of the girls and our coaches and well as seeing some baseball players who were also inducted. It's a great feeling to still feel like a moment hasn't passed and be able to catch up right where you left off!

Jaques Torres' Secret Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

--Makes 8.5 Dozen 1 ounce cookies (Beware Large Batch!!!)

Ingredients:

1 pound unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 1/4 cups packed light- brown sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups plus 2 tablespoons pastry flour *
3 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 pounds bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

*If you don't have pastry flour then substitute 1 1/2 cup cake flour plus 1 tablespoon & 1 1/2 all purpose flour plus 1 tablespoon.

Directions:

Refrigerate prior to baking for a better result.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or non stick baking mats: set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer use paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars

Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Reduce speed to low and add both flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and chocolate. Mix until well combined.

Refrigerate for 24 hours (up to 3 days).

I used a 1 ounce scoop. Bake for 10 minutes and then switch racks, back an additional 5 minutes or until done.

Cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack.

I found this recipe here.

Had some special moments with Jack this weekend. Recently he hasn't been much of a snuggler, but after our long run Sunday morning both of us felt like napping. I wouldn't necessarily call it snuggling, maybe more crashing on Rachel. Nether less we had a nice nap. Jack got a hair cut this week and I can't believe how quickly he has transformed from a puppy into a little man. I've said many times Jack and Olive have a love/ hate relationship. Sometimes, let me rephase, most of the time, Olive takes a beating. Once we get over that there are so many great moments between those two that make you smile. Nose touches, snuggles, Jack sitting on Olive,  Olive eating Jack's treats while he is in a down stay, Olive napping on Jack's toy. The list is endless!

Congratulations to Brooklyn (pictured in the middle). We are all so proud of your accomplishments and all the memories we have together! Watch out current Parkland girls, a 2006 alumni match might take place. We may be older, but we can still bring the heat!

Tan & Orange: Tan-gorine

Seems the weather is confused about what season it is, which is making it hard for me to not have spring fashion fashion fever. My wires are crossed because the past few days I have been dressing completely wrong. I wake up thinking it will be frigid outside, packing on the layers, wrapping  myself in a scarf and tossing on a hat to only find out it is 45-55 degrees outside! I've even started wearing brighter colors. Once the weather truly realizes its missed its mark and returns to normal February weather no one will be ready for it. They will have packed away all their big, comfy sweaters and winter boots and brought out their colorful spring favorites.

Spring will be a refreshing change for me, every time I look into my closet I see camel, black, brown, and grey. And STRIPES. They are everywhere. Thankfully they are timeless and in all different variations. Tangerine has been my go to color going into spring. I picked up the cutest tan & tangerine scarf from Target, its a cheap way to add some color into my closet. Last season I purchased this tan/ tangerine printed top and only wore it once. I was actually shocked I picked it out not my typical purchase but I think it will work nicely for Spring.

As with my boredom of  winter clothing, I am over winter comfort foods. Every once in a while I can handle a creamy soup or what not but I am more of a fresh person. I would much rather eat a salad of some sort.

Took these bad boys out for their first treadmill run on Tuesday, I couldn't have been more pleased with them. I'll still have to do a comparison with my normal running tennies to see which I prefer. I have a feeling they will be fine for the treadmill but will take some getting used on the pavement. This photo makes me laugh, my feet look so small (which they definitely aren't), maybe its because are just so far away!

Normally I am not a big cereal girl but a friend of mine got me started on coconut milk and almond milk. Wow so delicious in the morning with fresh or frozen fruit. A nice change up from eating eggs or protein shakes all the time. I do love a good chocolate shake with peanut butter and banana.

This isn't the greatest quality photo by any means but I had to share. Jack has started sitting like this and looks like such a dork. It's even better in person, but its honestly hilarious! I've never seen a dog sit like this!