Bite The Beat

Fuller, go easy on the Pepsi!

2011-10-11T23:02:00.017-04:00

I tell myself that I will get better at this blogging business, but every time I make that vow, I take month-long breaks in between posts. And, when I sit down to update all that has happened, my mind decides not to conjure up those memories of days not-so-long-ago.

So here is what I can remember:
Steven and I moved from the sleepy town of Canton to the more diverse, bustling city of Lawrenceville, GA. We got approved for our home a week before the move-in date, which was a blessing and a relief, but 10 times more stressful than moving already is, because of lifting and carrying boxes in triple-digit heat, and having to make plans based around my brother's graduation party (which happened to fall on one of our moving days). But now we're all nice and settled in our new place, and we love it here! It has lots of natural light, olive-colored walls, built-in bookshelves, a lake view from the porch-- and when we pull into our parking space, I know a house full of food, familiar scents, and movies await me.

I finally got to visit California. Steven's stepbrother got married in June, and the wedding was held at Arrowhead Pine Rose Cabins in Twin Peaks, CA, and it was beyond gorgeous there. This girl really could've gotten used to the mountain air and cozy, rustic cabin with its sumptuously plush pillows and mattresses, and the dining area stocked with hundreds of VHS tapes instead of DVDs. But, in a blink of an eye, our vacation was over.

I recently contacted my local Girl Scout council to volunteer as a troop leader, and my application was approved. So, now I'm just waiting to hear back about Girl Scout meetings and events happening in my area. I'm going to be a real life Phyllis Nefler y'all!

I turned a year older on August the 12th.

And I'm sure there's more, but that's all that comes to mind right now.

New(er) things:
Last Thursday was Steven's birthday and we celebrated by eating pizza, drinking Pepsi Throwback (nostalgia junkies rejoice!), and watching Home Alone, which we have yet to return because we're planning on watching it again . I made three pizzas for his birthday dinner: Margherita, BBQ Chicken, and Jalapeno-Pineapple. I know the pizzas look like they came straight out of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon, but they were authentic-tasting and delicious. One thing's for sure: I will never ever use Kroger brand pre-made pizza crusts again. Pillsbury Classic Pizza Crust for life!

*When there's a picture taken of me and my family, it never comes out the way I envisioned. Someone is always mid-sentence or looking in the wrong direction or not smiling. Want proof? Here ya go.

I've been collecting my favorite childhood movies on VHS. So far, my collection consists of E.T. and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Hey, you've got to start somewhere. We're making our own tradition where we watch the Peanuts holiday specials, A Christmas Story, Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York at the start of the holiday season. This will probably result in me owning Peanuts gang coffee mugs, a Talkboy, and both Home Alone games on NES.

After wishing that it would start looking like fall around here, the weather finally decided to give in to my pleas and the temperature dipped down to the high 50s overnight. I've been taking full advantage of this by deep-frying Oreos, making roasted garlic soup and watching Felicity on Netflix (she wears a lot of sweaters). I'm living it up, I tell ya!

California Dreams

2011-06-26T20:45:00.016-04:00

So, this one time I went to In-N-Out Burger in Orange County, California, and I was insanely tourist-y about it. I ordered something from the "secret" menu, asked for paper hats to go, and had my picture taken outside of the building to prove that it wasn't all a dream. And by this one time, I mean just last week. (More on that in my next post.)

I know you're all like, Geez Louise, it's just a fast food restaurant. But, umm, no, it isn't. In-N-Out is like the Disney World of burger joints, making the beloved West Coast chain magical and important in ways I can't explain. I'm just particular about burgers, you see. And my Double-Double was tasty-tasty. The beef patty was grilled to absolute burger perfection, the cheese stayed melted, the cold toppings were crisp and fresh, and the bun was toasted. As in, it wasn't soggy or spongy from the burger's running juices. It was marvelous, y'all!

Okay, enough about that. Until next time, Seacrest (In-N-)Out!

Sorry, I just had to.

Blossom

2011-03-28T04:05:00.003-04:00

Spring has treated me rather kindly since its arrival last week. Aside from enjoying the splendid weather we've been having lately, my days have consisted mainly of movie watching and filling my belly with seasonal foods like barbecue and cheeseburgers (what's new?), but they've also been mixed with productive things like spring cleaning, getting prepared for our move in May, starting a daily workout routine, and challenging myself with my new cooking endeavors, which included: my very first Quiche Lorraine made from scratch (pie crust and all), tomato, mozzarella, and basil bruschetta, and Dr. Pepper pork carnitas that Steven and I have eaten for lunch and dinner 3 days in a row. And, in between watching the Netflix DVDs that get sent to our loft every other day and eBay bidding/winning my tax refund away, I'm trying to get back into reading-- I mean, don't get me wrong, I have always loved reading; it's just everything else is competing for my attention these days. So, I'm setting some goals in hopes to increase my attention span and help myself become more self-sufficient. My springtime goals are simple: read at least one book a week and start crafting again. Too bad I only remember how to make pot holders.

I'll leave you with the exquisite harmonies and syrupy, blended voices of the Lennon Sisters, who I cannot stop listening to on repeat. I haven't heard a rendition of "Unchained Melody" that I didn't like, but this version is by far my favorite!