Loves it!

The Black Bean and Sausage soup was a hit! I was so delicious and so comforting. Here's the recipe in case you all are interested:

Black Bean and Sausage Soup

1 medium onion, chopped

1 large carrot, peeled or scrubbed, chopped

1 stalk of celery, sliced

2 large cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 medium potato, peeled, diced

2 cups beef or chicken broth/stalk

1 28oz tin, diced tomatoes

4-6 oz lean kielbasa sausage, cubed
1 19oz tin black beans, or your favorite canned beans

Nutritional Info

Fat 5.0g

Carbohydrates 41.0g

Calories 273.9

Protein 18.8g

1. Heat large pot with low fat cooking spray. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook and stir over medium heat until vegetables begin to soften.

2. Stir in garlic, oregano, potato, broth and tomatoes; heat to boiling. Stir in Kielbasa. Cover and simmer gently for at least 1/2 hour to blend flavours.

3. Drain and rinse beans. Add to soup. Heat until hot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crusty bread. (Even better the next day)

From the original recipe:

** We love this soup. You can prepare it ahead for a gathering and instead of simmering for 1/2 hour, put it in your crockpot on low and add the beans. By the time you are ready to eat (try to make it at least a half an hour) it will be ready to go. Great for potluck as it only gets better the longer it sits.

Number of servings: 6

****Recipe and Picture taken from Spark Recipe's website

Homesick

Is there a way to be homesick, without being away from home? I'm finding myself homesick these past few days, except...I'm not away from home. I guess the better term would be drummersick? I'm missing the drummer a lot and when he's gone there are times that our home doesn't really feel like home. I'm there the dogs are there, but he's not. He's such apart of our lives and whether he's driving me crazy or making me fall in love even more, he's missed. Sometimes I feel like a "single mom" with just me and our doggie children. I spent most of my Saturday this weekend in bed. It just felt comforting to be in. Then to make my drummersickness worse, I rented Nights in Rodanthe. I love Diane Lane and my girl again didn't disappoint. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday. I'm trying to get rid of a headache, but looking forward to our weekly girl's night! It's Black Bean and Sausage soup and salad tonight! I can't wait, it's a new recipe and in addition to sounding delicious, it's healthy too! I'll let you all know how it fairs.

Just a Blonde's Take
Bridget

OK, I KNOW...I SUCK!

Ok, I really suck at this whole blogging thing. I have been absent for so long and I have only my lazy and unimaginative mind to blame. Sometimes I find it almost impossible to think of ideas and topics to blog about...I really think I'm too hard on myself to come up with some brilliant post that will dazzle all when in reality I just need to write about what I know and what's going on. So as a new resolution...I vow to post more, even if it seems like it's nothing. I feel writing is good for the soul and it helps my already bad grammar and spelling issues. And I find it funny that I get so upset when others don't have a new post. I'm a total hypocrite in this regard. I want all my favorite bloggers to post everyday and yet I go months without a word. Oh the shame (don't worry, I have Catholic Guilt I feel bad enough for everyone)! So here we go another post of randomness to catch you all up on what's been going on and I vow to post more frequently:

Ok, so the trip to NYC was great and not so great! We got to see about two things on my list and we had such a terrible time trying to get around that we spent most of the time frustrated about which way was north and why aren't there any hot dog stands around when we need one. I don't think you really can prepare yourself for NYC, I went to Paris last year and thought that that big city experience would have helped in the Big Apple yet it didn't. It really is the city that never sleeps. The whole reason for going was to see Butch Walker perform in Hoboken and that definitely was AMAZING! FYI Butch was on the Ellen DeGeneres show in early February with Pink and it was awesome!

Our garden, or should I say roped off dirt space...our dogs have totally ruined our garden. Half of what we planted was either eaten or trampled to death. We're gonna have to start again in the spring. We love our dogs, but man do they tear up a yard.

Speaking of which we FINALLY found out what our precious Axel is...datdadadaaaa:
Great Pyrenees
Daschund
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Airedale Terrier
German Shepard
and I think there was one more but I can't remember...Can you say MUTT! Some were really unexpected, but it's fun knowing our doggy child's heritage.

Also, I was promoted this year. I am now an AVP (Assistant Vice President) of the bank! It sounds cooler than it really is...I mean I'm super pumped and it's a great honor, but I'm not making millions. And I will be the manager at our newest branch that is in it's final stages of construction. Yay, can't wait for new building smell (Side Note: I love new building smell, I think it has to do with the paint lacquer or wood stain fumes...gets me excited, however I feel the complete opposite about new car smell...ahhh gross makes me gag just mentioning it)

The drummer and I (check out that grammatical correctness!) are still going strong. I have gotten word that a proposal may be within this decade. Here's hoping. He's working out of town even more than usual. Now he's gone for two weeks at a time...I only get to see him every other weekend and then he's off again. Boo!! But I'm happy and thankful he has a job in this lovely economy, I know others have not been so fortunate.

Oh and more news on one of my favorite Photags...her home is being featured on Apartment Therapy as one of the 2009 home tours! It makes me want to slit my couch arms at how wonderful it is. Go check it out!

My most favorite French person is coming to visit at the end of March!! She's one of my best friends and lives in Paris as a musician (it's hard being her). Anyway, this will be the first time she's seen our house so of course I'm trying to get it all ready and have her room looking fantastic for when she stays.

And I've been trying to GO GREEN this year. Yet another resolution, however this one I've been better at sticking to so far. I use all my own bags when I shop...it's kind of become a new addiction (there are too many cute ones out there), I don't buy paper towels anymore. I bought a bunch of towels and flour sacks to clean up messes. I try to eat organic as much as possible and I'm looking into starting a compost bin! I'm trying to add one new thing a month so that by the end of the year I'll have 12 new things that I'm doing to help SAVE the Earth. I think new month is starting the recycle bin thru our trash service.

That's about all that I've been up to lately house, work, drummer, friends...life can't get any better. I'll catch you all next week, the drummer took the laptop with him so no posts this weekend...I'll let you know when I get my new couch pillow in!! I DIE!

Just a Blonde's Take
Bridget

Spady Family

Hey everyone if you have a chance please visit this blog... http://www.bethjansenphotographynews.blogspot.com/ and read the post on Nov. 18th. This family is having to endure some horrible stuff and if there's anything anyone can do for them please do so. I don't know them personally but I found out about them from one of my favorite photographers. She does some amazing things...not only with photos, but as a human. Tis the season.

Just a Blonde's Take

Bridget

My Apologies

I'm so sorry dear blogging family for neglecting you for so long. My small crazy world has been unusually busy and so much has happened since I last posted. I'm also sorry that this post is going to have no rhyme or reason...I've got too many random bits of info to share that this is going to be all over the place. So let me get you all up to speed...

Well, currently I must admit I'm just a little bummed. My brother was here on leave for a few weeks and just left again this Sunday. This time saying good bye wasn't nearly as hard knowing he'll be home for the upcoming holidays. His visits are always too short and I feel like I never get enough time with him. But I cherish the moments we do get together and anticipate our next meeting. And let me just brag about him for a moment...instead of my Marine bro spending all of his money on getting wasted and taking out hot chicks he took his two sisters out (I was a little mad, I wanted to pay...what can you do though? I'm not taking on a weapon of the government...as he calls himself) And Sunday when my parents came by the house to help me with my new garden (I'll elaborate) they presented me with a gift little bro bought for me. It was the ENTIRE Sex and the City TV series collection in the Hot pink fuzzy box and all! I think I may have mentioned a story about how I wanted it and would probably buy if for myself at Christmas. And apparently he got lil sis an Ipod! What? I couldn't and still can't understand what made him do that, (and not that I even care about getting gifts) but the thought was so nice and I love him for being so generous and sweet. Anyway moving on...

So like I mentioned I now have a garden in my back yard (thanks to the wonderful help of my parental units) My dad cut limbs, tilled the earth, and repaired a fence and gate...my step mom helped me dig up roots, measure, design, pick plants and oversee dad. She's a wonderful project manager! It's not quite done, I need to add a few more plants and some rocks and mulch, but overall I think it's a success! Tonight dad and I will be putting in some sod for the part of the yard that got torn up in the construction of my new porch...ahhh, yet something else for me to share! Now the hard part will be keeping everything alive! I've taken some before and after pics so those I'll share with you all soon!

So my new porch!! For those who hadn't experienced the worst back porch ever let me just tell you. Before the porch was made up of giant square cement pavers that had warped and sunken over the years which created a giant mud pit. When it rained water and mud would collect and my "back porch" suddenly became a giant bowl of mud and water. Not too much fun when you have two dogs you have to let in and out all day. So I contacted a friend that I know that does concrete and had him come out and pour me a new porch. (Again, before and after pics on their way). I must say I'm pretty happy with the end result. We had our first patio party a few weekends ago and it was just lovely! We finally got to season our Chiminea and bust out the pottery barn patio lights. Hopefully with the new garden many more patio parties will take place.

Moving right along, I must tell you all I'm super excited to share that me and the drummer will be embarking on our first trip together soon! We will be heading to the Big Apple, The city that never sleeps, the melting pot of America...yep We're going to NYC! We fly into Newark Airport in NJ and will be traveling back and forth from the shores of Jersey to the busy streets of Manhattan. The whole reason for the trip is so we can see one of our favorite singers, songwriter, producer, most hottest man ever play at Maxwell's in Hoboken NJ! Yes, you are correct I speak of the genius that is Butch Walker!!!! For those who haven't had him shoved down your throat by the drummer he is musical loveliness! Check him out...you will not be disappointed. There aren't many musicians that I believe that put much emotion much less every ounce of their souls into their craft anymore. I was (force fed) introduced to Butch Walker when me and the drummer started dating. He always had him playing in the car or on the computer. So I thought his stuff was pretty good...I fell in love when we went to his show last year. The drummer to this day jokes that he could have asked me to marry him and I wouldn't have known because I was fixed on Mr. Walker. Hearing Butch Walker's music live is unlike anything I've ever experienced. I've always liked music but I've never been one to obsess or ooze about it. I don't consider myself a "music person". But all I know is something happened in that venue and some way somehow I fell in love with Mr. Walker on a level that I've yet to understand. It's not a romantic love or even a love for a friend...it's something so different. "Snap" Whoa what just happened? How did my post end up here?? OK, so now you see why we are flying half way across the country to see a concert. Nuf said. I'm excited to see all that the city has to offer and to be able to share it all with the drummer. Anyone have any good ideas on what to see or do? I've got a list going including but not limited to...The Bronx zoo, Coney Island, Ground Zero, The statue of liberty, Times Square, Wall street, Central Park, shopping (of course) and any local pub or cafe that looks too good to pass up!

And my last bit of info that's kept me away for so long, is my new position!! Yep, this blondie got herself promoted! It's quite different from what I was doing before so I've had to endure lots of training. I'm way pumped though and it's a nice change. I'm actually the boss instead of being bossed. I think that's what's been the hardest thing to overcome. Getting used to telling others what to do instead of taking orders and doing it all myself. Oh, just another step into becoming an adult. (when do we ever actually become one?)

Well, my lovelies I hope this starts to make up for my absence. I promise to try and not leave for so long again. See you all again if not before my trip, but after!

Just a Blonde's Take
Bridget

KNOW YOUR GENES?

May I present to you....Axel, the new 4 legged love of my life (not to exclude Riley). The drummer and I have been looking at adopting a new dog for a while now and we finally found him! I was chatting with a fellow co-worker the other day and it came up that she was a foster mom for our city's Humane Society. Well, I hadn't been on (stalking) their website yet so she showed me the link and I immediately spotted him. I emailed the drummer his pics and info (as I frequently do with other dogs...It's almost an illness) and told him that I thought that this was the one! He fell in love as quickly as I did and the next thing you know I'm filling out the online application. Now there was a little mix up with his name and picture at first...(they accidentally put his picture with his brother's name...Ace) But everything was quickly sorted out and we got our little (huge) puppy boy.

So, now that we've gotten him home and we're sharing our good news with family and friends the question of, "what kind of dog is he?" keeps popping up. Well? We don't really know? With Riley it was easy...A Golden Retriever (I got her from a breeder, she's got papers). But since Axel was abandoned on the side of a country road along with his siblings we don't know what breed his parents were. And his adoption paperwork only makes things more confusing...according to those and the website he's a Lab/Saint Bernard/Hound/Shepard mix? So being the proactive (annoyingly curious) mommy that I am, I searched the web for this:

It's a Pet DNA test that you do at home! You just swab the inside of their cheek with the test swab in the kit, put it in the envelope provided and send it off to the lab (no pun intended)(even though I think it's really cute to think there's a Labrador in a lab coat and goggles testing swabs...awwwe). In a few weeks they send you back the results with a cute certificate that tells you exactly who your dog's ancestors are! Pretty cool I think. I can't wait to find out just exactly what breed Axel is. Not only will it make my response to "what kind of dog is it?" a lot more simple, it will also provide us with valuable information about our pet like physical and behavioral traits that are specific to certain breeds. What I can tell for now is that he's going to be a Super Sized Big Boy (his paws are already bigger than my 75 lbs. Golden's). So I'll definitely let you all know what breed(s) Axel is when his test results come in, but in the meantime do you know your pet's breed? Do you know your own Pedigree? Can you guess what my puppy's chemical makeup consists of? Can't wait to see if anyone is right!

Just a Blonde's Take
Bridget

CELEBRATING THE 4TH

As the 4th of July approaches us this week, I can't help but find myself somewhat sad. The sight of American flags hanging from every possible place and talk of fireworks only makes me miss my baby brother more. You see my brother is a part of the Marine Corps and is in Iraq as we type. I worry/think about him everyday and this week I find my thoughts wandering to him even more. I come from a very Patriotic family. My dad always tried to instill in us the importance of country and to uphold the ideals of our founding fathers. The constitution was almost regarded as highly as the Bible in our house. He had it posted along with the amendments on our refrigerator (the place where all things important are posted...school papers, reminders, pizza coupons). So naturally my brother wanted to defend and serve his country by joining the Marines. Now I have to say, with the exception of my father, everyone was pretty shocked and upset that my little bro decided to join the Marine Corps during the middle of a war. Not that we didn't support him in his decision or weren't proud as hell, but just worried of what that might mean in the future. A moment I will Never forget is seeing my brother for the first time after he completed boot camp. The drill Sargents had us all (family) confined to a small roped off square. All our boys came jogging out of the barracks chanting their steps. They paused in front of us staring straight ahead as we all yelled and screamed. I remember seeing my brother out of the crowd and the look on his face. It was like a dream. I could barely scream...my voice cracked...I was so excited and so over joyed that I was starting to cry as I yelled. I couldn't get it all out fast enough. The graduation was a 2 day affair, and that first glimpse of our loved ones only ended up being a tease. They had to go back to their barracks and get ready. The next day they graduated and I've never seen more relief on more faces in my whole life. I have a dear childhood friend who is also in the Marine Corps and was stationed in a nearby area. He came to my brother's graduation and presented him with a Marine coin that was given to him for good luck by another Marine before he left to fight in the war (my bro is supposed to pass it on to someone else before their first tour when he gets back). It was such a thoughtful and meaningful gift. And I felt so touched and honored that he thought enough of my brother to give it to him. I'll never forget that weekend. I got to see the ocean for the first time and it was with my brother who was starting a new chapter in his life.

The Family at my bro's graduation in San Diego

Sister, Me, Brother, Dad, and Step Mom

At the Ocean

I can't bring myself to watch the news anymore (not that I was an avid watcher before) I'm constantly afraid of what I might hear or see. I know myself well enough to know that I would drive myself crazy with worry. However despite all the worry and sadness I feel. I can't help but have a huge sense of pride. Pride in my brother, my country, and our military and their families. I now know how hard it is to see your loved ones get on a plane and not be sure if that's the last time that you'll ever see them. To know that where they are going is directly in harms way and that they are doing it all for their country. And I can't help but feel ashamed that I'm not strong or courageous enough to do it myself. This will be the first 4th of July that I'll celebrate since my brother has been gone and I know it will be hard to watch the fireworks without being a little sad and missing him. So with the rockets red glare and the bombs bursting in air I'll be rooting for all our troops. HOOORRAAAHHHH! SEMPER FI

Happy 4th Everyone!

Just a Blonde's Take
Bridget