Beautiful Aptos

Our view from Seascape Resort, Aptos, CA.



XOXO-Rachel

Weekend time!

Off to Aptos for the Lozano/Misasi wedding, so excited for the beautiful couple ( he caught the garter at our wedding)! Looking forward to two and a half days at the beach with my love, then Cabo on Monday!
Apparently XM radio has a fantasy sports station, oh yay [insert sarcasm].


XOXO-Rachel

Reading now...

I love to read blogs! For the past year I have been doing so excessively. I love so many blogs , I normally start by checking http://live-to-the-point-of-tears.tumblr.com , http://clutteredcupcake.blogspot.com , http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com , and betterafter.blogspot.com . With so much blog reading and pinterest it's sometimes hard to pick up a book. In the last few months I've been trying to read more I just finished The Help, which was amazing but I need to read more books, don't you just love blogs though???  (see my other shared blog to see my race to read Page Turners)!

I'm currently reading:



I also have The girl with the Dragon Tattoo shoved under my bed, I've only read 5 pages of it. I need more ideas, good books, ugh


XOXO-Rachel

Beer Cheese Dip

I saw this recipe for Beer Cheese Dip on pinterest, I had actually had it over the summer, Joe's friend has been making it for years. It is very easy and really tasty. You could definitely use it as a cheese ball, think I might do so for our next party. Here's the recipe:

2 – 8oz pkg Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup beer (if dip is too thick, add more beer. Dip should be thick for cheese ball version)
1/2 to 3/4 envelope Ranch Dressing Mix*
2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Whip the first three ingredients until well blended.
Stir in cheddar cheese
*Original recipe calls for 1 envelope, it was a little to salty for me and Kristen.

I serve with pretzels but you could use any cracker or chip you want.




XOXO-Rachel

Heirloom Pico de Gallo

I've always thought pico de gallo is a funny name for salsa. I did a little research and I heard it comes from the act of people using their fingers like a rooster pecking, chunks of salsa from the bowl, gallo being rooster in Spanish. Even with a ridiculous name it's still delish.

I was given some heirloom tomatoes (Thank you, Erica!), I new they would make a perfect pico de gallo.

5 heirloom tomato (medium sized)
3 jalapeño peppers (use more if you like it hot)
1/2 of a yellow onion
Handful of cilantro
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon cumin powder
Juice from 1 lime

Chop the first four ingredients place in bowl. Stir in last 3 ingredients. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Serve with chips! I also ate it on eggs an in a burrito.






XOXO-Rachel

30 and 3

I live in my hometown somewhere I never in my 30 years imagined I would end up living. My husband (Joe) of almost 3 years and I bought a home here last December close to our family and friends. He has always wanted to live in his childhood neighborhood, I have always wanted to be in a big city, a fifth floor walk up, tiny studio would suit me just fine. It's funny how what you want can be changed so easily by love. It's truly an amazing thing to be married to your best friend, it changes you in ways you've never dreamed possible. I'm lucky to have found such a loving and supportive man to share my life with. As we approach our 3 year wedding anniversary, I find myself being thankful more and more for him.

Turning 30 has also changed me, I'm working out, reading for pleasure, and staying on top of my laundry. My goals are to enjoy my delish life with my hubby, get a teaching degree, start up-cycling used furniture, learn to sew, landscape my big ass yard, turn my house into a home room by room, volunteer, and all around just be a better person. Not sure how long all of that might take, especially since I'm sure I'll add goals an we want to have children, I hear they take up a lot of time hahaha.





Here we are being silly (see above). Please note the karaoke singer in the background , I do not karaoke...Joe does. I do however love to dance like a fool to the cupid shuffle and other various line dances after a few cocktails of course.


XOXO-Rachel