Kylie's Bachelorette

My parents were gracious enough to let 8 girls invade their condo in Destin, Florida last weekend. They have a wonderful 3 bed room, full kitchen, ocean view, bay view, sleeps 12 condo. Here's the link to the condo with pictures, if you want to feel like you were there with us. Or if you are looking for a vacation rental. Shameless plug. 

We didn't end up with the best weather (which we knew northern Florida isn't the place to go in March) - but we did have a wonderful time. 

Only one small issue: the lock stopped working, and we couldn't get into the condo around 10 pm on Thursday. After 13 keys were made and tried, and one IT professional on the case (that's me..obviously) it was determined that the keys were not the problem, and it was indeed the lock. (Shockingly, key number 12 did not get us to that conclusion..).We got to meet all of the security guards, the front desk people, and one locksmith. We got to hear the crazy spring break stories of the past week, and talk to some super nice 24 hour line individuals from ResortQuest, and we were all set for the weekend. 

On Friday we attempted to venture to the hot tub, but apparently were not the only ones with that idea. So we grabbed the packed cooler, set it up in the middle of the condo and pretended we were out on the beach. We went to Pompano Joe's for dinner, where the bartender made Kylie a margarita in her bride cup (he even salted the rim!). 

This is the only group shot I have of the entire weekend. Apparently our waiter had some issues with the autofocus. 

The next morning we went to the Whale's Tail for breakfast on the beach. Although it was a little windy and chilly - so we settled for the breakfast with a view of the beach. 

We did some outlet mall shopping during the day. Then stayed in the condo that night to play games, eat dinner, eat cake, and finish up the beer in the cooler. 

(Obviously I am leaving out the incriminating stories. What kind of friend would I be if I told the internet everything?)

Sunday was the most beautiful day. Everyone had to leave early except for Tricia, Grace and myself. So we went out by the pool to get a little sun. It was only around 63 degrees, so we didn't think to put on sunscreen - and no one really wanted to have to shower again before flying. 

Note to self - don't lay out in capris. My reverse sock tan has made it impossible to wear dresses or skirts to work this week. 

This is a horrible picture, but its too funny not to share. Here's to hoping that this goes away soon!

I can't wait until we all get together again in May to celebrate Kylie and Justin!

Hearty Vegetable Soup

Sorry for the blog hiatus. I really put a lot of weight in Punxsutawney Phil and his ability to predict weather patterns. He said we would have an early spring, and every morning, when I check the weather, and it's below freezing (in the South! in March!), a little part of me gets angrier and angrier. I keep thinking 'tomorrow is the today' and am constantly let down. I really hope this gets brought up in Punxsutawney Phil's 2013 performance review. I can't be the only disgruntled customer.

Needless to say, I am ready for warmer weather! There hasn't been a whole lot happening around here, which is why I haven't been posting much. I plan to be out in the garden, taking Koda on more walks, playing some tennis, and laying by a pool as this weather gets warmer. But until then, we are mostly eating and catching up on our DVR.

I did go through my pictures today and found that I actually do have a good bit to catch up on. Most of these are recipes, which I apologize for - but what else is there to do in the winter but eat? So expect a few more posts from me - and hopefully no more longer-than-a-week breaks. 

Starting with the first one, a hearty vegetable soup to get you through these last few weeks of winter (I refuse to pretend that it is Spring ... 27 degrees is not Spring).

8 cups beef broth 

1 diced bell pepper

1 diced jalapeno

2 cloves garlic minced

2 T olive oil

1 teaspoon sugar

1 sprig of rosemary

1 potato – chopped

1 sweet potato – peeled chopped

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup green beans (cut into 1inch pieces)

1 cup loosely chopped broccoli

1 portabello mushroom – diced

1 cup spinach
2 T half and half

First, let me explain some of the ingredients. I used 8 cups of water and 8 beef bouillon cubes to make the broth, so feel free to do the same. The sugar is used to neutralize the spiciness of the jalapeno - so don't worry about this being spicy. I don't think spicy goes well with the flavors of sweet potatoes, garlic, and rosemary - so I definitely recommend the sugar. Lastly, the half and half gives it just a hint of creamy (which works well with the potatoes) without much added fat. 

As someone who doesn't love cooked spinach (and therefore finds other ways of eating it) the spinach in this just completely melts in your mouth. I love it!

1. In a large stock pot combine the bell pepper, jalapeno, garlic and olive oil.
2. Sautee over medium heat for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the beef broth. Add the sugar and the rosemary. Bring to a boil.
4. Add the potato, sweet potato, and carrots. Boil 10 minutes.
5. Add the green beans, broccoli, and mushrooms. Boil for 2 minutes.
6. Add the spinach and the half and half. Boil for 1 minute. 
7. Remove from heat. Carefully remove the rosemary stem. Serve and enjoy. 

A hearty, calendar-is-pretending-its-spring-but-really-its-winter soup that takes less than 20 minutes to make. 

I cut up some stale bread, baked for 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprayed the cubes with olive oil, baked another 2 minutes, and served on top of the soup.

Thin Mint Milkshake

Reasons to make a Thin Mint Milkshake:

A. You want to be cool and make a green drink, but you haven't been brave enough to try this yet.

B. You have leftover creme de menthe from making these.

C. St. Patrick's day is near so everything should be green and minty.

D. You are human.

That covers around 90% my readers, so let's begin.

Did you guys know that there is a Girl Scout Cookie Finder app? It takes your location and shows the closest places that the mini saleswomen stake out and what time they will be there. Best idea!

Did you also know that it isn't always correct? That when you get your husband up at 9 am to drive to Lowe's so you can have first pick of the cookie flavors (and he already thinks you're crazy), that they might not actually be there? Or that they might not be at Dollar Tree either? Or Walmart? Or said husband might start getting cranky because he doesn't want the cookies nearly as badly as you do?

I do wonder if we are on some watch list for the amount of time Saturday morning that we spent stalking the small children. That's really going to help my google ratings - put stalking and children in the same sentence. When I saw the rainbow of boxes outside a pet supplies store and screamed "Pull over! They're here!!" I had to play it cool. Like we needed pet supplies, and then, "Oh, Girl Scout cookies? I mean, I guess we can support the troops." So Koda got some raw, organic, refrigerated dog food and may never eat her normal kibbles again. 

Back to what you really want, the recipe.

Thin Mint Milkshake

4 small scoops of vanilla ice cream (your home ice cream scooper, not Baskin Robbins style, don't get too agressive)

1/4 cup of milk

4 Thin Mint cookies

2 tablespoons chocolate chips

1/2 teaspoon of creme de menthe

If your ice cream is pretty hard, microwave the scoops for about 15 seconds. Dump all ingredients in the blender and blend until you can't take it anymore, and just want the milkshake in your mouth.

Top with homemade whipped cream if you are feeling super Martha Stewart.

This is what your husband will do to his milkshake, in the amount of time it takes you to take pictures of yours in the grass. 

Stalk the children. Buy the cookies. Make the milkshake. 

Confession

You guys. I have a confession. I have been really mean to Dan recently, and he just doesn’t deserve it. I wish I could take back half the things I have said to him. Unfortunately, they are in writing – and I just can’t take them back.

But if you can’t confess to the internet about these kinds of things, who can you tell? You know?

Let’s start with the first one. I really don’t want to tell you this, but I have to for the context of the story. Dan sends me a text everyday that says “I love you.”  I really, really don’t want to tell you this, but, again, I have to for the context of the story. I usually try to reply with “I love you more,” “I love you most,” or “I love you more than anything.” Please don’t throw up. Please stop. Please just move on.

So the other day, this happened:

D: I love you

K: I love you Mohammed!

Dan may or may not think I am currently in love with a Mohammed.


On another day, this happened:

D: I love you

K: I love you more than ants.

Well that is sweet of me. Ants? Definitely. Roaches? Ehhh, not so sure. I’ll get back to you.

Again:

D: I love you

K: I love toys.

Good job, Kelley. Just change the subject. Surely he won’t notice.


And then last week:

K: I am doing Yolanda.

Woahhh! How is that even in my dictionary?

K: Leanne.

Good save. She’s much prettier.

K: Neither of them. I am leaving Walgreens.

Thanks autocorrect. You are singlehandedly trying to ruin my relationship.