Sunday Dinner!

It's really nice when my husband compliments me on my cooking. I love making him happy...and FULL. You know that saying, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach"? Well, it really does have some truth to it! I love watching him lick his fingers and say... "babe, can i have some more?" ...OF COURSE YOU CAN!! =)

I made Sunday dinner (yesterday)...and let me tell you, it was a "Hit"...and I'm not TOOTING my own horn or anything...it really was finger licking, delicious.

Sunday Dinner Menu at the "Coles":

My famous Arugula salad (recipe to follow), Penne Alla vodka with Chicken (YUMS!!), Chocolate cake with my FAVORITE Chocolate Butter cream!! (Double YUMS!!!!!!).

I've honestly come to LOVE this salad. My brother in law-who is a meat and potatoes kind of guy-was asking for 3rds on this last night! It was a HUGE HIT! He even wanted to take some home!! =) It makes me happy when, not only my husband, but guest enjoy my food...even when it's something that is this EASY---where NO cooking, baking, or even measuring, is required! ;-)

All the while i was preparing this, i kept saying "I should take some pics to put on my blog"...but...my hands were full...so i couldn't quite snap a pic. I've googled all the pics for you to actually see what they look like.

I got everything at Trader Joe's...which, may i add...is my FAVORITE (Yes, I've said FAVORITE about 3 million times-and I'll probably say it another 6 million more before this blog post is over) place to shop, EVER!!

I'm not sure if any of you are familiar with baby Arugula, and if you're not...RUN...do not WALK...RUUUUN...as fast as you can to the nearest Trader Joes, and pick up a bag. I promise, you won't be disappointed. My husband is a picky "salad" eater...and HE LOVES IT!!

So, without further ado here is my famous salad (i tried this

 salad at a restaurant once, and went home and googled the recipe):

Arugula Salad with Pears and Gorgonzola

Ingredients:

1 bag of baby Arugula (I always buy the TJ's brand-it comes fresh in a bag- and i think it's called "Rocket Arugula"-which is usually the short, smaller leaf)

-1 cup (roughly-remember-NO MEASURING---so put as much or as little as you want---either way, it doesn't ruin the salad) of Candied Pecans (You can substitute for walnuts, and you can find it in the Nuts aisle of TJ's)

-1/2 cup (roughly) of TJ's crumbled Gorgonzola

2-bosc pears sliced (these are the brown pears, you can find them in any supermarket/fruit store/Trader Joe's). They are amazingly sweet, juicy, and DELICIOUS!

1 bottle of Trader Joe's Raspberry Vinaigrette (I don't usually pre-mix dressing in my salads, i think dressing is very personal---so i put it on the table for people to add as much/little as they'd like)

and Voilà!...the MOST AMAZING Salad...ever made!!!!!! It's sweet, tangy, bitter, and SALTY! The flavors are just...amazing! I promise, your salad will be a HIT at any dinner...and it's easy peasy! You just mix and serve!

GA-GA for babies.

Truth be told, I've got babies on my mind.
I know! I KNOW. Crazy!!! I don't know what's wrong with me!!??!! Is this what usually happens after you get married? Is this the part where...you finally get that "itch"...??

Here is the thing, Mr. Cole's sister just gave birth to her adorable baby boy. His sister got engaged 6 months before us, and was married 23 days before us. Yes, you heard it correct, Twenty Three Days.
Not even a full month before. She found out she was pregnant last year in March...right smack in the middle of her wedding planning! At first, we were all stunned. We really didnt' exactly think that the relationship was a solid one, and now, to top it off... A BABY!!?? I'm not going to lie, every inch of my body was just "happy" it wasn't me. Happy I wasn't the one, finding out- 6 months before my wedding that i was going to be giving birth...only 3 months after tying the knot. I was just...in that "ha ha, thank god I'm not the one walking down the aisle with a baby bump"...and i sure as hell-would HATE to prove my mom right....she still not OK with the fact that Mr. Cole and I moved in together...and were having "pre-marital sex"...to top that off...getting pregnant before my wedding! Oh god, I'm getting HOT just thinking about her reaction to that!
So now, 3 months after my wedding...this precious baby boy is born...and I've got it bad. Baby fever. When i see Mr. Cole hold this baby...his face just lights up! I can only imagine...how good of a father he is going to be one day...and i know, how good of a mother i am going to be.
And now, I've got this whole "blog" thing going, and EVERYWHERE I GO...PEOPLE ARE HAVING BABIES!!!!! Everyone is putting up, "belly pics"...and "nursery pics"...and I'm going GAGA-for babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've always been a very calculated person. I want things to happen, the way I WANT THEM TO HAPPEN...AND WHEN I WANT THEM TO HAPPEN. I know, i didn't want to have a baby before i got married...and I know...i wanted to wait at least 2 years...so i can travel...and get settled in...and be financially stable..etc etc. But...it's something so weird...I've never wanted something THIS bad.  When i see babies...i am literally drawn to them....LIKE A MAGNET! I am drawn to their innocence...to their cries (i know, even THAT draws me closer)...to their odor, to their cuteness, their little hands, and little feet!
Having my sister in law have this baby...makes me want one...really bad. And...i hate that i do. I've even been playing with my birth control...like it's some sort of joke...like "oh, maybe if i miss a pill or 2, and it's "BY ACCIDENT"..."..SEE, THIS SORT OF STUFF HAS GOT ME GOING NUTS!

The day i got back from my honeymoon...was the day it all began. Everyone (and their mothers, literally) is asking "so, when are you going to have a baby?"....i mean, EVERYONE.  Like...I know this is the next step, for a married couple...but DAMN! Can i live? Then, out of no where, this little guy is born..and BOOM...explosion of emotions and all that good stuff is spewing out of my body.

See, here is the thing. Mr. Cole decided that after the wedding, since we are in the process of buying the house (my mom is selling me a house of hers-more details of that later)...and bills would be a lot easier/less....we've decided to take a leap of faith, and have him go back to school. We decided, this was the best time...for him to get focused on his career...and for him to finish off college...before we actually DO have kids. Mr. Cole worked 2 jobs...and in order for him to go back to school, he needed to quit 1. So, he did. Therefore, Less MONEY and obviously...more on my shoulders. I've decided to take more on my plate, in order to get him started....you know, a jump start. Mr. Cole wants to be a police officer...and he needs just a few more credits and then he can take the exam and then start in the academy. So, he basically only needs about 1 more full year of college. That's not THAT long. But, with Baby on my brain...all i keep thinking is...this is just NOT the right time for something like this. I can't be selfish. It's not fair.
I've decided, I'm going to start off FRESH on my Birth Control this month...and not play with it. It's just, not the right time. And i guess, we can play with our new nephew and enjoy that time. I think, when the time is right, we'll both know...scary thing is....Mr. Cole wants one just as bad as I do! But, I've got to stay strong...the urge will eventually fade (I'm hoping)...and we can focus on ourselves first....for now. That way, when we do bring a sweet, precious, being into the world, we'll be more stable, and maybe, just maybe...i can be a stay at home mom!?! =)

Snowed in.

Good Morning.

It's been a little cold here, on the Island. We just got hit with another 11 inches of snow last night, which makes it 51 inches this year, alone. And, we're ONLY IN JANUARY!

So...we're all here. Snowed in.

It actually sounds a lot better than it actually is. It SUCKS. I dislike the snow...maybe 10 times more this year than EVER. You can't do anything. Driving is terrible, and i can't do anything "craft" wise..because all of my craft ideas, are "outdoors" crafts...like spray painting and painting!

So, here i am...sitting...waiting for this snow to melt (it may take a while).

I've been checking out some amazing new blogs recently...and they are seriously inspiring me to do so much more this year, more than any other year. I can't wait till the weather outside is nice...so i can start all my fun new projects on the house.

Other than that, I've decided to organize my MESS of a linen closet. It's absolutely terrible! I went in there to grab a towel...and everything came tumbling down. I also have to organize the closet in the dining room. I think i might get shelves...and use that as an extra pantry, since our kitchen cabinets are too small. That or, i can use that space for extra room to store all my pots and pans. Hm.

Maybe I'll play with furniture in my room...mix it up a little.

My cousin got me this beautiful comforter and bedding set for Xmas, but...it doesn't really "go" with my room. I was thinking of selling it...to get something that "does" match. Is that mean? I mean, i don't want it to just SIT in my closet...that's just not fair either, right?

And, there was no gift receipt....and i don't want to ask him where he got it...because then he would say "why?"...The comforter is like pear and yellow...and my room is aqua.

Any who...i found this awesome dip recipe on a blog i recently started to follow-that I'm going to try this weekend. Looks super yummy!!

Greek 7 Layer Dip Recipe

anyone have any good "snowed" in recipes they'd like to share?

furry babies.

furry babies.
Originally uploaded by Canny Cole

Yes, this bunch of fur...is my happiness.
Meet: Bailey Fox, Marley Bob "Titty", and Sebastian Charles.

Bailey is a mutt we rescued from a local shelter in 2007. We don't know what he is (breed wise)...but Mr. Cole thinks he has rhodesian ridgeback and pitbull in him.  He really is the funniest slash dumbest dog you will ever meet. He reminds me of Lenny, from Of Mice and Men. You know, big...and stupid! Yes...that's him to a T.  He is surrounded by smaller fur-babies, so sometimes he thinks he really is that small. It's actually really funny to watch him attempt to sit on my lap.

Marley Bob, AKA "Titty", AKA "Mr. Tittlesworth", AKA "Toddy" AKA "Psycho"...is the cat in the middle. MC and I found him in a garbage can in 2008 right outside our first apartment. He is the light of our world...and BOY does this cute guy keep us busy. When he's not CRYING for food...he's usually attacking one of the dogs. We think he actually is a tiger...because he sure acts like one. MC and I love Bob Marley (for more reasons than 1)...and that is why we decided to name him after him.

Sebastian Charles.  Where do I begin? I adopted Sebastian from a lady that could no longer care for him in 2004.  Sebastian was my baby, way before I even knew Mr. Cole. He was...and still continues to be...my favorite (But shh, don't tell the rest). Here is the thing...Sebastian is not very nice. Actually, he is quite mean...well, to everyone who isn't me.  Not many people like him, because he's actually tried to bite a few (well, everyone).  He only like's me...and that is ok, because i'm all that matters! Right?!  A few years back, Sebastian started to get rashes. Soon after that, he started to loose his hair. Now, he is about 75% bald. Poor guy! In the cold Long Island winters, little guy has to do his business in a coat. So, don't make fun, when you see him wearing sweaters and all types of t-shirts. He really has no other choice.  We've taken him to 6 vets, but no one can tell us what he has. The vet said, to just keep him comfortable and happy...so that's what we're doing. He's going to be 11 years old soon. I love my little old man!!

Well, there you go. A little more about Me, and my lovely family. =)

News.

I called my Mom a few minutes ago...to let her know how our backspash adventure went (i'll tell you about that later)...and i was a little irritated with the conversation (blame the PMS)...and then she laid a bomb down on me. My uncle (my mom's brother), was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver.

Quite honestly...i don't know exactly what it is...i just know, he got it from drinking...and that he doesn't have much time left. =( I'm honestly "blank" right now. I don't know what to feel...if i should like cry...or call him...I'm just......here. Starring at this computer screen.

Has anyone ever had a family member die...and NOT KNOW HOW TO FEEL? Am i freaking normal right now? Shouldn't i be, UPSET?! Seriously. WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH ME.

I just googled "cirrhosis of the liver".
I think i feel nauseous.

What is cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions due to chronic injury. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, partially blocking the flow of blood through the liver. Scarring also impairs the liver’s ability to

• control infections
• remove bacteria and toxins from the blood
• process nutrients, hormones, and drugs
• make proteins that regulate blood clotting
• produce bile to help absorb fats—including cholesterol—and fat-soluble vitamins

A healthy liver is able to regenerate most of its own cells when they become damaged. With end-stage cirrhosis, the liver can no longer effectively replace damaged cells. A healthy liver is necessary for survival.  Cirrhosis is the twelfth leading cause of death by disease, accounting for 27,000 deaths each year. The condition affects men slightly more often than women.

Hi there.

My first blog post.

So...here it is. My very first "blog" post. I don't know where to begin....Hmmm.

I've been contemplating the idea of having my own blog for some time now...but for one reason or another...i always get sidetracked...and I'm always thinking too hard of what I want to write about.
Recently, I've found some extra time on my hands, and i think this will be a great way for me to "vent"...and trust me...i have a lot of VENTING to do.

I guess, I'll just start from here...and now...and introduce myself.

My name is "Cole". Cole is not my real name...but that's what you can call me...(for now-at least until i feel more comfortable with putting my real name out in blog-land). I married my Husband, "Mr. Cole" on October 10th of last year (10-10-10). 

I've known MC for about 5 1/2 years.  We met on a camping trip on forth of July of 2005, and we've been together ever since. We started dating in August that same year...and started living together in November (Yep, 3 months after meeting for the first time-cool huh?). I guess you can say...we moved a little "fast"...but I like to say....it was just "meant to be"...and honestly, I wouldn't change a thing!

Ok....so...that was a really short introduction of myself and a little glimpse of my life for the past 5 1/2 years...but i'm sure i'll go into more detail about it later in the blog (i'm almost 100% positive i will blab about our relationship/families/lives/love/etc.), So bare with me.  I'm going to post again, really soon. I think i just need some more ammo (Aka coffee).

xox
COLE