What is a "Fighting Daisy?"

I've been temporarily away from this blog due to a schedule overload. In the meantime, I thought I'd update you on some of what my time away has consisted of...anybody up for a particularly memorable road trip to Hyannis, MA? I promise you, it's well worth the drive...

Weekend Bliss

What is everybody doing this weekend?

I am waiting not-so-patiently for my man to come back home! Yes, he is coming back for two weeks to spend Christmas and New Years here with me :) Two weeks may not seem like much, but for us it's an incredible treat. There is definitely an art form to long distance relationships (which, I don't believe, anybody has ever mastered). However, we get to take a break from it all starting tomorrow. I cannot wait!

Aside from all the romance this weekend will have to offer, I will be baking up a storm! Have you ever made Valhorna chocolate brownies? That is my project, and I am determined to succeed, then celebrate by eating every last bite (with Salman's help, of course). If I end up finding a good recipe, I'll be sure to share it with you all.

Until then, have a wonderful, wintery weekend!

{via here

The Blue Hour

I have re-vamped my reading selection. sometimes it's nice to change things up a bit and see what's out there.

Check out this great photography blog, The Blue Hour. One of my favorite posts/series is "on sunday." It reminds me of weekend bliss and going into coffee shops without a daily schedule to adhere to- just me and my coffee (and pastries! don't forget the pastries).





Other blogs I've added to my reading list:
Orangette
Cook and Eat
Fresh 365

...do you see a trend here? My mind has been gravitating heavily towards food as of late. I feel as if the only way to rectify this situation to give in. Maybe this weekend will turn into a cooking/baking extravaganza...who knows.

Happy Friday.

[white] jacket required

This past weekend I went to Dallas to celebrate the man's birthday, as well as his white coat ceremony. We pretty much ate our way through the weekend (what else did you think we'd do?) I will admit, I went into Dallas with (only slightly) low expectations, but the food quickly surpassed my judgment. We first went to The French Room, a "too expensive, but did it anyway for birthday's sake" kind of place. I tend to pay little attention to prices when the food is so delicious...and the company just as much so ;) It's as if I'm in a food coma- you could probably put me in debt, as long as you feed me amazing food and slide the bill in front of me within 1 hour of consuming it all.





Saturday we stopped at Urban Dog Coffee before heading to the white coat ceremony. Outside they were holding a dog adoption event, with all the pooches dressed up for Halloween! It was adorable and I couldn't help snagging a few photos before we left.




This picture makes me crack up- Salman's family was there for the ceremony, and I was sweating bullets the entire time. When his brother asked us if we wanted our picture taken, I was so nervous to get too close to Salman in case his parents were watching...so I awkwardly side-hugged him for the photo.



After the ceremony we had an enormous dinner at the family's house. His mother cooked us a full-on Pakistani meal, with dessert to match. I was practically busting out of my dress as I continued to eat the last bites off my plate. (sorry, no pictures to share...we ate it that fast!)

Sunday before I left all teary-eyed for the airport, we ventured to The Grape Restaurant, an indoor and outdoor eatery that is famous for its brunch menu. Cinnamon pull-apart and polenta fritters, oh my! Cappuccino was magnifique.








...At first I thought that a vegetarian probably doesn't bode well in beef-driven Dallas. However, I was able to get by with a very satisfied palette, plus food to-go!

Thank you, babe, for such a great weekend.

Halloween Hilarity

I just thought this was hilarious. Happy Halloween weekend, all!

via here (thanks, little sissy.)

Weekend Travels

Tomorrow afternoon, I will be hopping on a plane to Dallas! I'm going to see my beau for his b'day (24 years old...old man!) and to celebrate his white coat ceremony! Yes, he is becoming an official soon-to-be doctor. We haven't seen each other since the middle of August, so we're hoping to live it up this weekend as much as possible. Lots of food, love and fun, including dinner here and brunch here :) Stay tuned for post-weekend foodie photos.


I hope you are all making your own getaway plans for the weekend....or one weekend coming up!
Sometimes it feels good to just get outta town, yeah?

oh lord...sigh.

It has been a hectic week. Crazy does not even begin to describe the roller coaster that I've been on. Lots of late nights, paper writing, meetings, mass baking/cooking (for others, not me), meetings, (did I say meetings?) and everything in between. However, things are finally settling down into their normal only-slightly-crazy schedule.

I've been skimping on meals/meal preparation for the past few days- with everything going on, I've barely had a moment to make something delicious (and nutritious) for myself to enjoy and be thoroughly pleased about. Therefore, I am announcing a dish of culinary coziness that you all should make just for yourself this weekend!




I found this gnocchi dish on The Cutting Edge, and it made my taste buds swoon. With all of the chilly weather that has debuted recently, I figured a nice, comfy meal would do the trick. This is a twist on a traditional italian pasta dish. I can definitely see this mac+cheese in a bowl on my lap as I sit on my sofa and watch tv episodes from the past week...

Bon Appetit! And have a lovely, relaxing weekend.

weekend casual

How beautiful does Audrey Hepburn look in this photograph?! It makes me want to have a nice, relaxing weekend in loose clothing...and maybe get a super-short haircut...

Okay, maybe not that short. Maybe just a haircut in general would be nice.

{image via here}

What are you up to this weekend?

Tomorrow I'm spending the day with my Nonna and probably seeing the film, "Eat, Pray, Love." I am not a particular fan of the book itself- based on others' interpretations, not mine, though. However, I L-O-V-E Julia Roberts! "Pretty Woman" has been my favorite movie since I was 10 years old (it was also the first rated R movie I watched without my mother's permission!) Then, tomorrow night, my Mommy is coming to visit and sleep over and play with her granddaughter (No, I didn't have a baby in the past few days. Oregon is her grand baby :)

Vacation

{via here}

I'll be in Florida this week spending quality time with my sissy-poo and parents...and yes, we're going to Disney World. Despite being at the ripe old age of 23, I have yet to go to Disney World. Hopefully it's the magical place I've always imagined it to be ;) Anybody out there going somewhere special for the summer?

I'll make sure to post plenty of pictures and highlights upon my return next week! Till then, have a wonderful week/weekend and stay cool.

happy weekend & CSA!

Salman, my new roommate for the summer (Sonia), and I have joined the CSA with One Straw Farm here in Maryland! "CSA" stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Each week we get to pick up a half share of fruits/vegetables at the Waverly Farmer's Market. One Straw Farm is completely organic, too! I can't wait to share pictures with you of our first share this weekend :)

Try to find a CSA program near you!

Happy weekend.

Fancy Schmancy

On Saturday night, Salman and I went out to celebrate our one year anniversary of being together. We went to Cafe Atlantico in DC and was it amazing! The flavors were jaw-dropping (I have never had better dessert in my life). This dinner also marked the end of my first class in my long journey towards applying to nursing school, as well as Salman's acceptance into med school...now time to digest, which should only take about a weeek ;) I was a particular fan of the chocolate cake with banana foam and chocolate mousse swirled around the plate. It took all of my self-control to avoid licking the plate clean.

See how quickly this dessert dissolved? it was mostly in part due to the extremely wonderful cafe latte that accompanied it. Coffee + chocolate = heaven.

Flea Market

I went to Rice's Flea Market a couple weekends ago with my sister and mom while visiting home for mother's day. I find it so intriguing to see the collections pop up at various vendors. DVDs (from which I bought Sleepless in Seattle...love that movie), tapestries, cacti, windchimes, pins and plants. Most of the time, flea markets aren't about finding something hidden, but appreciating the great lengths to which people will go in order to show their knowledge of the particular items they're selling. The lady selling her new and used DVDs was able to rattle off the summaries of every movie I picked up. (see anything you like?)

Mother's Day Weekend/Friday Find

This weekend is Mother's Day Weekend! Make sure to thank your mother, grandmother, aunt, or any women who have played a crucial role in your life, for all that they have done for you.

I am hopping on a train this evening after work to go to PA and surprise my mom for mother's day :) Her birthday was last weekend, and when I talked to her on the phone she was so upset because she thought I wasn't coming home to visit until next month. I am so excited to see the look on her face when I walk through the door tonight! She has a habit of becoming particularly emotional when surprised, so I'm getting ready for the waterworks...

I also bought her these beautiful earrings from the non-profit my lovely friend, Jules, works for: Empowering Women International. They have an Etsy shop too (my Friday Find)! You should check it out! All of the jewelry is handmade by refugee women who are making a life for themselves through crafts(wo)manship here in the US. EWI provides them with the capability to market their items, and also raises money to help support their organization's cause.

{Amazonite Nugget Bracelet, via here}

Do you have anything special you are doing for your mommy/mommy figure?

Happy Friday!

weekend getaway. revisited.

Last weekend we had a little getaway to new york city! We rode subways, drank coffee, walked through Columbia campus a bit (ghost face killer was arriving soon, apparently. We didn't stay to see, though), saw the off-broadway play "Family Week," and ate...a lot. It was wonderful.









Happy Friday. See you later!