Crockpot

Out of all the things Scott and I included on our wedding registry about two years ago, a crock-pot failed to make this list. I realize this is a wedding gift staple but I just wasn't sure we had enough room to store one in our apartment. Well... in the months following the wedding I regretted not asking for one and thankfully my husband realized this and bought me one for Christmas (he listens so well!). 

I'm happy to announce that I've put it to work about 4 times since the holidays and discovered two very yummy recipes in the process. I will share them with you now!!!

• Spicy Black Bean Soup - This recipe is such as tasty treat! Especially delicious with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese and a dollop of daisy (sour cream that is!). I followed the suggestion to puree half the soup and mix it back in before eating. The consistency is much more authentic this way! 
• Chicken Taco Soup - also very tasty (or else I wouldn't be sharing it with you!). I followed more than one suggestion on here and added several spices, some tomatoes, and perhaps some more jalepenoes to the mix. In the end it was perfection! Adding a bit of rice and a dollop of sour cream (yes...again) before eating is a nice way to amp it up! 

Give them a try, tell me what you think, and feel free to guide me in the direction of some of your favorite crock-pot recipes. 

from jessie (cookin crock-pot cuisine)... with love 

Gah Bau Kham

If you know Hampton at all, I'm sure you'd agree that it is in NO SENSE a cultural mecca; in fact, I'd say that we lack quite a bit of diversified culture in our area. So when it comes to cuisine, there aren't many choices. This is unfortunate because Scott and I have been looking to expand our palate and introduce new foods into our diet. 

After our Thai Food adventure in Arlington, VA with my friend Krystal, we were on the look out for any hope of Thai food close to home... we found our answer at Gah Bau Kham- a modestly decorated gem of a restaurant tucked away in the Coliseum area of Hampton. We ventured there last night with our friends Dave, Kim, and Bryan in tow. I feel confident in reporting that all of us were quite pleased with our experience there. We tried two appetizers (fresh spring rolls and some fried wontons) and between the five of us tried Pad Thai, Curry, and Angel Hair Rice Noodles with Veggies (in varying degrees of hotness from two star hot to five star/thai hot). All of the food, and the service, was pleasant and refreshing! 

Thai food is delicious and it's not much of a stretch (ingredients wise) from what most of us are used to eating anyways. We (Scott and I) will be returning to this restaurant and searching for more  "rare cultural gems" here in our area to expand our mind and our tummies! 

from jessie (tasted thai)... with love

disclaimer: Scott commented that (and I quote)- Thai food is as hot coming out as it is going in ((ewwww)) ... so be careful and prepared in your choice of "heat" when eating Thai! 

Golden Birthday

Your Golden Birthday takes place when your age matches up with the date you were born on. For example, someone who was born on the 5th of **insert any month here** would have their Golden Birthday when they turned 5 years old. 

I had never heard of this birthday phenomenon until that WONDERFUL and BEAUTIFUL friend Katie of mine shared the concept with me. Her golden birthday has already past (22nd Birthday) but mine has not (29 on the 29th). I know this is still three years away (do the math) but since birthdays have been on my brain I couldn't help thinking of the fun things that I will do to make THAT year feel special: everyone wearing some form of gold attire seems like a good start!  

Golden Birthday's can take place any time before someone turns 32.... so when is your Golden Birthday? And please comment if you've ever heard of this concept before! 

from jessie (not quite a golden girl)... with love 

Little Sister

 My little sister turns 22 this year. 

Like many siblings, Jackie and I occupy two opposite ends of the personality spectrum: she's like dad and I'm like mom; she's daring and I'm laid back; she's athletic and I'm crafty; she's a city slicker and I like a slightly calmer pace; she loud and silly and I'm.... only kinda loud and slightly silly. So I guess we're not different in ALL aspects!

It's so crazy to watch your younger sibling grow up... but it's inevitable. Jackie... HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY! 

from jessie (big sis)... with love 

murder mystery party

Have you ever been involved in or hosted a Murder Mystery Party? I have not and am a little curious as to how one would "go down" in my group of friends. Spring is on its way which means A LOT of birthdays are soon to follow... including mine and Scott's! Last year, for my 25th Birthday, Scott organized and planned (along with my good friends Katie and Krystal) what I would deem my best birthday ever. So the question arose last night (as I thought towards the future), "What now? What would make for another memorable birthday?"

Amongst other ideas, the concept of a murder mystery party arose. There are A LOT of websites out there that sell the party planning kits, and I've played with the idea before, but I feel the success of this type of party rests on the friends you invite. 

Perhaps I'll give it a try this year (or in a year soon to come). What are your thoughts/takes on this party theme?

from jessie (investigating the perfect party theme)... with love 

double duty

Take a close look at these goodies...

What a lovely pair of holiday inspired bedroom slippers right? WRONG! Well, half way wrong. Friends, those are PADS that have been artfully sculpted and stuck together to make a cozy pair of house shoes. Not sure if they are wearable, but if you're in the market for a gag gift, this crafty venture has you covered!

from jessie (giggling)... with love 

Diclaimer: I did not create the craft you see to the right... I did a search for "maxi pad slippers" after my co-worker Liz shared that her aunt made all the ladies in the family a pair for Christmas. 

house envy

So my LOVELY, and BEAUTIFUL friend Katie and her now fiancee Jake just recently purchased their first house together. They moved in a little after Thanksgiving and I don't think either of them could be more excited (even going on two months now) with their newly acquired living situation! Katie especially was excited at the prospect of making this house THIERS... creating a BRIGHT, ATTRACTIVE, and INVITING home in which they could enjoy living day to day and entertaining friends in...

Well, this concept of hers stemmed from a website she found while house hunting  www.younghouselove.com . It truely is a wonderful site FULL of ideas on making the most of your space. Just look at one of the MANY changes that this Richmond based couple made to their first home...

  

I mean REALLY?! So lovely! Take a moment to visit the site, read their "blog" story, and browse though the countless pictures of their home renovations. I'm certain you'll come away inspired. 

from jessie (one of these days)... with love 

accountability

The awesome Rob approached me today and inquired, "Are you still blogging?" Well friends, yes I am and HERE I am. 

I apologize to those who have been checking in regularly for an update... I guess I've just been simultaneously busy and lazy. My goal is to post at least twice a week this year. Keeping the posts shorter I think will also aid me in feeling more "inspired" and less "weighed down" by my blogging! 

This being my first update in a LONG while, I'm sure you're wondering what's been going on. Well...

• Thanksgiving
• Christmas (with BOTH sides of the family)
• Got a Crockpot and have tried out SEVERAL new recipes 
• New Years (celebrated with the Poteats & Friends as well as the crew over at Katie & Jake's new place) 
• I've received and bought several things off ETSY (hope you used it for your Christmas purchasing needs too!)
• Enjoyed several vacations from school
• put my sewing machine to SERIOUS work
• rearranged the house a little bit... including the craft area 
• fell in love with my husband even more
• took a surprise trip up to DC (courtesy of Scott) to visit Krystal and the Nation's Capitol
• hung out with tons of awesome friends

... and so much more awesome stuff it's difficult to account for every single one! Here we go again!

from jessie (trying to stay dedicated)... with love