An Extra Special Day

Good Morning Everyone?

How are you all today, did you all have a wonderful Valentines day?  I hope so!

Despite being 15 hours apart Mark and I made the most out of Valentines day and our Anniversary with sweet cards and a wonderful Face Time Date!  Mark the wonderful boyfriend that he is surprised me by sending me these beautiful flowers.

(Mark let me know that the floral arrangement was called Lily Pulitzer)!
The flowers were such a surprise, and made me feel extra special.  He sure knows how to melt my heart!  I am a lucky girl!

I made my mom our family friend Renotta and I an extra special dinner to celebrate the day.  A creamy risotto studded with shrimp made for a simple yet elegant meal.  Caprese salad and wine rounded out this perfect meal!

I followed a Taste of Home Recipe for Shrimp Risotto with Spinach.  A bit of rosemary and basil were added to the dish which I thought added a nice depth of flavor.  Risotto is one of those dishes that is comforting and delicious all in one!

And for a little sweet treat after dinner, the three of us enjoyed Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee.

Because Valentines day just wouldn't be Valentines Day without a little chocolate!

How did you celebrate Valentines day?  Do anything special?

Valentines Day, Two Years Later

Two years ago today...

I put on a cute yet comfortable outfit, got into my car and headed to my favorite Starbucks. Unsure of what to expect my stomach was twisting with anticipation and excitement. Little did I know that a simple date at Starbucks would turn into the wonderful relationship Mark and I have today.  

As I sat across from Mark two years ago today I couldn't help but notice how easy our conversation seemed to flow, and how I felt completely comfortable being myself.  I couldn't help but think that there was just something different about him.  I was living in the moment and didn't want the night to end.  I guess you could say the rest is history because that first 7 hour date at Starbucks was what sealed the deal for date #2 and well here we are two years later.

  Two years later he still knows how to make me a happy girl, and continues to surprise me in the little thoughtful things he does.  

So as I say Happy Valentines Day to All of you, I want to say Happy Anniversary and Valentines Day (Us Day-as Mark put it) to Mark, my best friend. Thank you for your continuing support, acceptance and love.

Source: veronicas.tumblr.com via Susie on Pinterest

I hope your Valentines Day is full of Love and Candy Hearts (as my Valentines card from my mom put it) and of course chocolate!

Happy Valentines Day!

A Celebration

Why Hello There Monday!  Why I wish you hadn't come so soon, I would still like to be enjoying my weekend!

I don't think I could have asked for a better weekend.  I dont want to sound cliche but everything was perfect.

 I woke up nice and early Friday morning to spend sometime with mark before he left for work.  And then the day was mine to do whatever I pleased! A short workout and quick shower left me ready for some errands and a late lunch. However the highlight of my day was a brisk walk to a cozy coffee shop where I spent my afternoon hunkered down with a good book, sipping on delicious coffee and watching the snow swirl and fall! It was nice to just sit and enjoy the moment,and the moment was made even better when Mark showed up! After some impromptu "house seeing" Mark and I headed to get everything needed for dinner! Our plan was to have dinner all cooked and ready for his parents so we could sit and eat when they got there. But let's just say that did not happen. Mark and his dad braved the cold and grilled up a delicious dinner of shrimp chicken and loads of veggies, I used a few pinterest recipes to make dipping sauces for our meats and made this delicious Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Fresh Basil!  Delicious! 

 The food was a hit, the conversation great, the board games amusing and the wine flowing! It was a night where you look at the clock and gasp because you have no idea where the time seemed to go! 

 Saturday started somewhat bright and early, with a brunch that was tasty and left everyone at the table saying yum!  We tried Northstar Cafe, my friend Ashley of Places to Go Things To Buy said I would love this cafe. And she was so right! From the Apple Cranberry muffin Mark and I split, to the ricotta pancakes, hot multi grain cereal and of course coffee I was extremely impressed. I told mark I think we found our Columbus brunch location! We ventured out into a blustery cold yet sunny day to explore a historic book store in German Village. 32 rooms of endless books, it was a bit overwhelming and slightly organized like an antique shop. But mark his parents and I enjoyed wandering through this old house for close to an hour. Mark and I relived childhood a bit and picked up Mad Libs and Where's Waldo (which was our post dinner entertainment)!  We parted ways with his parents and Mark and I went in search for our dessert! We stumbled upon a little cupcake shop and picked a few sweet treats up before heading to see... The Vows This was Marks suggestion as the weather was a bit to cold for us to wander in an out of little shops like we had planned! And I enjoyed ever minute of the movie, because sitting right next to me holding my hand the entire time was Mark!

 If you haven't seen the vows you really need to go see this movie. Perfect movie for Valentines day, shows what it means to truly love someone completely!   By this point in the day I was itching to go home and get all pretty for our anniversary dinner! 

Mark had made reservations at a fairly new seafood place in down town Columbus called 89 Fish. And for two seafood loving people such as Mark and I this was the perfect restaurant to celebrate 2 years together. Scallops with truffle risotto were enjoyed as an appetizer, followed by the most delicious crab legs for Mark, and a seafood stocked Cioppino for myself! Cioppinos are becoming one of my favorite dishes to order when out. I love the combination of mussels,scallops, fish and shrimp all cooked in a delicious broth with crusty garlicky bread! And i will admit i stole several bites of Marks crab legs! Even though we had picked up cupcakes earlier for dessert I just couldnt resist ordering the chocolate torte, Mark and I were in Chocolate heaven! To say the food was delicious is a bit of an understatement because it was fantastic. and our wait staff was accommodating beyond belief. Our waiter went above and beyond what was expected to make our evening wonderful.  In the three hours Mark and I spent at dinner nothing else besides him and I mattered. Everything this weekend made me realize all over why I first fell in love with Mark.  There was a hysterical moment involving a tip for the valet that left me running in search of an ATM. It was pretty comical, and yes Mark and I enjoyed round 2 of dessert in the form of cupcakes (which was accompanied by Mad Libs, Wheres Waldo, and anniversary cards)!   

 I was sad to see Sunday come, because goodbyes are never easy. But we made the most of our time together. We tried a new church and met up with Ashley and her husband Doc for a fabulous Geeek lunch! One thing is for sure Mark and I ate at some wonderful places this weekend. I always enjoy when Mark and I are able to meet up with Ashley and Doc. There is always lively conversation and who doesn't love catching up with a bestie!  I know this post has been a bit of a long one, but the weekend was just to wonderful not to share it with all of you!  I promise I will have the Pinterest Challenge recipes for you later this week!  

 How was your weekend? Tell me what you did! 

I'm Leaving...

...On a Jet Plane!

Yup thats right today is the day I leave for a long weekend in Columbus!!

T-Minus 6 hours of work, and I am off!

But Before I leave you all till Monday lets do a little challenge recap shall we?

I think we shall...

Lets begin with stuffed peppers, one of my favorite meals!

Like baked potatoes, stuffed peppers can be made to please everyone in the family.  The fillings are customizable! This recipe came from Women's Health and was Mexican Style!

I personally liked them, my parents weren't to sure!  

We used a ground vegetarian substitute for the ground meat.  While I liked this substitution you could tell that we didn't use "real" meat (the texture was different).  I thought these peppers had some great flavor, but could use a bit more spice.  The raisons were an interesting but lovely addition as they lended a sweetness to the cinnamon!  I will be making these again, but adding a bit more spice!  

*Side note we did not make out stuffed peppers in a slow cooker, we simply baked them!

What else was on the menu?

Oh yes a veggie packed fried rice. 

While this rice was no PF Changs fried rice it was good. 

I only used about 1/4 of a cup of soy sauce (a lot of reviews talked about how salty the dish was).  While the fresh ginger was a nice touch of flavor I felt overall the dish could use a touch of something else maybe some garlic I haven't put my finger on it yet!  The veggie factor was uped as well in this dish by adding broccoli and onions, great addition!

So there you have it folks, two more recipes from the Pinterest Challenge. 

And with that I am off!  I am ready to spend some quality time with my guy!

See you all Monday, have a fabulous weekend! 

Pancake Mornings-What I'm Loving!

Believe it or not when I was a little girl I would only eat pancakes that my daddy made! If my dad didn't make them I wouldn't eat them. There was just something about my dads pancakes that were special. My dads pancakes always had a light perfect fluffy texture that would almost always be dotted with chocolate chips. But I think the reason I loved my dads pancakes the most was the memories that came from pancake mornings in my family. Almost always you would find an array of delicious toppings set out and cookie cutters scattered all over the table.  My sister and I loved cutting fun shapes in to our pancakes.  One thing I can safely say was pancake mornings were a treat!

So today I want to devote what in loving Wednesday to pancakes!  Because I have had serious craving for pancakes the last couple of weeks... I have just been to lazy to actually make them (what is wrong with me?)!

So here are a few delicious pancake recipes I have been dying to try...
Apple Walnut Pancakes from Taste of Home

Source: tasteofhome.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

These look delicious!

Cinnamon Bun Pancakes

Source: bakedbree.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Pancakes cinnamon roll style!

Makin' banana pancakes

Source: howsweeteats.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Yes I sing the Jack Johnson song when I make banana pancakes, makes it more fun!
And just because these pancakes remind me of cookie cutter pancakes...

Source: cutestfood.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

How cute are those?

Doesn't this list make you want to run to your kitchen and whip up pancakes?
I wish I had time to make pancakes before work, don't you?

Happy Wednesday!
What are your favorite pancake recipes?

Girls Night Out-Color Me Mine

Happy Tuesday!

Saturday was girls night out, and we got crafty!  My coworkers and I met up for dinner, and pottery painting at Color Me Mine!

Such a fun evening, it was great to get out with friends and do something a bit out of the ordinary!  Each Saturday is PJ night at Color Me Mine, Pjs and painting great combination. I got a few strange looks at dinner, but you know what I made a fashion statement and was comfortable!  I was shocked when we walked in and saw that Color Me Mine allowed you to bring in drinks such as wine and beer (who knew?).  Would be a fun date night if you ask me (maybe Mark and I will go when he is here)!   

I had the hardest time trying to figure out what piece of pottery I wanted to paint (I would have painted one of everything if I could have).  Color Me Mine had tons of cute dishes/serving items, would be a perfect personal touch to any ones home!  I finally decided on  a large dinner plate.  Which I plan on using as a sort of catch all tray in my bedroom!  I picked 5 different colors and did and created a mosaic pattern!  I figured I couldn't go wrong with big geometric shapes, it was just like a coloring book (I just had to stay in the lines)!

I cannot wait to get it back this week!

Whats a fun girls night out that you have had?

A Short Week

Oh Hey Monday!

Forgive me because I feel this post is going to be random and all over the place!

How about that Super Bowl? Was anyone disappointed by the outcome?
I have to admit I really didn't care who won. I pretty much watch the Super Bowl for the commercials, and half time show, anyone else like me?

This was my favorite commercial of the evening!

And thank goodness Madonna sounded better then last years Black Eyed Peas Performance!
We sat around eating delicious homemade pizza, guacamole delicious, Trader Joe's dessert and some yummy salad!

(My pizza was loaded with spinach, basil, and cilantro, and of course we had pepperoni for my dad)!
 Sounds perfect to me!
This week is a short one for me, since I leave for Columbus on Thursday!
So this weeks  Pinterest Challenges is going to be short, but don't worry still delicious!

I did finish off last weeks Pinterest challenges this weekend with the final two dishes!
And both were delicious, and in my mind keepers.

Lets start with this soup.

Spinach, Tomato Orzo Soup
Tasted like a grown up version chicken noodle soup.  I loved the addition of spinach, and the orzo made this broth base soup seem thick and filling!  This recipe makes a big pot of soup.  Would be perfect to make on Sunday nights then you would have delicious soup to eat the entire week!

That yummy salad I mentioned above, well that would be this salad...

Balsamic Chicken, Spinach and Tomato Pasta Salad
So good!  I loved that there was a subtle balsamic flavor, and that the salad was not dripping in dressing.  I topped my serving with a bit of feta, which was a great flavor punch!  Easy to assemble, and keeps well.  This salad will be making its way into my lunch box this short work week!

Lets wrap up this post with the two recipes in this weeks Pinterest Challenge.
I found this gem of a recipe, and immediately decided I had to make them this week!
Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Source: recipes.womenshealthmag.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

I love stuffed peppers! And I have not made them in what seems like forever!  Hoping these ones will have a great flavor, and judging by the spices called for I think they will be delicious!

And numero two...
Vegetarian Fried Rice

Source: realsimple.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

I am hoping this will taste like a healthy version of my favorite fried rice from PF Changs!
This week I am also trying to lighten up on of my moms favorite breads recipes, stay tuned for the results!
Happy Monday!

PS: Anyone score some Jason Wu pieces this weekend at Target?
I did't venture out Saturday to check out the collection, but I am going to go see if out local Target has pieces left!  Such a great collection, full of classic pieces!

What was your favorite part of the Super Bowl?