Golden Birthday

26 years old on the 26th, Andrew's golden birthday!  We started the day with homemade biscuits and bacon, one of Andrew's favorite breakfast meals.  As we sat down to eat, Andrew opened his gifts and let me take pictures of him--even though it was 6am, he was a sport. I mentioned in an earlier post that I was giving Andrew coffee themed gifts...which included this french press and a mug from his favorite local breakfast joint, Brother Junipers.

We parted ways after breakfast and reunited after work.  We headed to the gym for a quick workout, and then off to Osaka, a Japanese Steakhouse.  As if we had not eaten enough at dinner, we continued our eating at home with the ice cream cake I made. With my beautiful voice, I serenaded Andrew with a solo of "happy birthday".  He blew out the candle, we ate cake and went to bed.

A low-key birthday, just what we like.

Birthday Week

It's finally here, the week we wait for all year.  And that's birthday week to be exact.  But my birthday week is special because Andrew and I share one.  Tomorrow Andrew celebrates his 26th year and next Wednesday I will be a quarter-century. It is crazy to think that we have now known each other for 6 years!  Time certainly flys.

Andrew has requested an ice cream cake.  After digging for some recipes, I have decided to make a version of this cake.  So after we go to dinner of his choice, probably BBQ, pizza or burgers, we will enjoy his cake and open gifts.

We are the low-key kind of birthday people.  Not into parties or big gatherings, maybe we will when we get older or once we have kids.  We are still trying to establish traditions for our family, and birthdays are under that umbrella.  Growing up Andrew's family always made cool posters/signs and hung them up around the house for the birthday boy or girl.  When I was a kid my mom always made us homemade cakes, usually ice cream.  We got to pick out our favorite ice cream flavors that my mom would use, it was something I was always excited about.

My present to Andrew last year....
This year there will be a coffee theme.  Something he has been interested in lately.

Pictures to come of our celebration!

Bangs?

I'm considering getting bangs....is that a good idea, I just can't decide?  Luckily I work in a profession where the look and cleanliness of my hair matter very little, something I am very thankful for.  If you know me, hair washing is not very high on my priority list. Sorry Mom, I know that disappoints you.  So I figure, if I don't like them, I can always pin them up?  I'll let you know what I decide.

I've been seeing bangs every where these days, they seem to be a hot look right now in the celeb arena. Lots of award show beauties with bangs, and even the First Lady! Here are some hairstyles I like...

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Throwback Thursdays: Florence, Italy

During my junior year of college I studied in Florence, Italy for a semester.  The city was beautiful, rustic and and full of life-changing food, people and experiences.  Each year, as spring begins, I grow nostalgic and yearn for the Piazzale Michelangelo, geloto and my dear friend Gino--a jovial barista who I would chat with daily over cups of coffee and the occasional grappa.  This week the weather has been beautiful in Memphis, allowing me to reminisce about my days in Italy, a city that I love so dearly.

 Walking through the streets of Cinque Terre with Christie and Neela

 Genoa

Biking in Florence

Coffee with Gino and my roommate and dear friend Neela

Porch Time

Sunny and 58 degrees.  Today was a beautiful day in Memphis.  After our run, Boone and I decided to just hang out on the porch...

 Can't wait to start riding my bike now that winter is almost over.

Tired from our run in the park.

Cherry Almond Granola

This year I have been on a kick.  A granola kick that is.  Homemade granola is such an easy and delicious snack or meal...and very versatile I might add.  I've been playing around with a few recipes, one from my Moosewood Cookbook and one from Ellie Krieger, taking bits and pieces from each recipe.  This week I decided to make a cherry almond granola, which turned out quite well. I still want to tweak the recipe, but will share it when I get it just right!

Goats That Yell Like People

I have to admit, I am not much of a youtube fan....I know, lame right?  Andrew always calls me over to watch funny videos that he finds, but for some reason, it is just painful for me to sit there and watch a video.  I don't know what it is.
Anyway, a few weeks ago, Andrew found this hilarious video of goats that yell like people.  At first I was not interested in watching, but Andrew could not stop laughing. I was intrigued.  Needless to say, it is a hilarious video, you must watch!

For Taylor Swift fans, another video including goats. Still laughing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpccpglnNf0

Throwback Thursday: My family

Last Thursday I was inspired.

My good friend was instagraming pictures of us from middle school, college and all the areas in between.  When I asked why all the pictures, she replied as if the answer was so obvious.  Throwback Thursday.  I guess I was the last to get the memo about this weekly event on Instagram.

Thinking of how "Throwback Thursday" applied to my life, I began to reflect...

Both my parents have recently gone through old pictures and have emailed several to me. Born in separate NY boroughs (my mom in Brooklyn, my dad in Queens), my parents eventually met during their high school years in Rockaway Beach, Queens.  Below are pictures of my relatives-- grandparents, aunt, uncles, and parents as children.  If you have ever read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, that is exactly how I picture the setting of these pictures.

My Poppy (my mother's father) is the man in the grey suit, what a stud.

My Aunt Chick and Uncle Phil's wedding.

My Nana--my mother's mother who gave me my red hair.

My paternal grandfather.

My paternal grandmother, with her brother.  They sang on the radio!

And....We're Back

Wow...sorry I have been gone so long!  I wish I could say that I just returned from "wintering" in some exotic tropical island, but sadly, that would be a lie.  From sickness and craziness at work to re-vamping the blog, my life has been just to wild!

I'm sure you have just been DYING to know what I have been up to.  Well, here you go.

Celebrating V-day

Oreo cheesecake for dessert

A fellow HP lover sent me this.  Incredible.

Learning about Black History Month at Kroger

A visit from my two Moms..and a trip to Graceland.

It snowed in Memphis!

Our favorite girls that we spent the weekend with!