window boxes...

 i am painting my house white...

siding AND trim...

solid white.

the foundation and brick colums

are going to be a pale grey...

i think the perfect 

way to bring some beautiful color to my 

new home is

with window boxes!

big over flowing window boxes!

i am moving in two weeks!!!!

my sweet girl.....

my date with

Quinn...

we had so much fun as always...

today we ate lunch,

played games, 

and went to the park....

we had such a blast!

when we arrived to hampton park...

there was a kindergarden class playing...

and my goodness they certainly were excited 

to see  "THE BABY!"

so gentle and friendly 

Quinn was mesmerized as these 

sweet children pushed her swing...

Quinn loved every minute...

i loved watching how gentile 

and sweet both boy and girl were....

Quinn 

was definitely sad to

 watch all of the young friends leave....

BUT......

with

auntie havens ...

we get

to 

swing high!!

Quinn 

was definitely 

"white knuckled"

but was having so much fun....

as was i...

after swinging

we climbed and 

we slided....

we even jiggled

on the 

rocking horse....

xoxoxo

mi casa...

progress!

progress!

progress!

first picture

i didn't even own it yet!

i wish i had a strait shot..... 

but i didn't know then 

what i know now! 

that was the entrance to my kitchen....

first stages of demolition!

framing the new look!

before dry wall...

after drywall!

today!

with my new back door!!

everyday i get so excited...

more and more!

now it's time to start PACKING!!!!

the perfect midnight snack...

local corn on the cob

POPCORN!

how 

delicious

healthy

and 

good!

and so much fun to pop!

i love dates with my sister!

the butcher and bee 

is a new very small and very good restaurant

in town...

it is open from

11-3

A.M / P.M.

once in a while they have a Vietnamese 

"pop up dinner"

so for my sisters birthday 

we had a dinner date...

the food is all freshly made

by a sweet Vietnamese family

and was truly delicious!

of course lexie and i ordered 

one of each thing...

and to end the night...

a couple of cocktails 

at the belmont.....

and of course AC's

after all what is a night out without

AC's bar & grill?

R.I.P. AC....

we love and miss you.....

pure barre....

i got my butt whooped today
in my new class!


it was so much fun,
i can tell i'm going to get addicted!

ladies if you haven't already

you should definitely give this a shot!!!

pho.....

pho

BROTH

• 5 pounds beef marrow or knuckle bones
• 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 2 pieces
• 2 (3-inch) pieces ginger, cut in half lengthwise and lightly bruised with the flat side of a knife, lightly charred (see Note, below)
• 2 yellow onions, peeled and charred (see Note, below)
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 3 ounces rock sugar, or 3 tablespoons sugar
• 10 whole star anise, lightly toasted in a dry pan
• 6 whole cloves, lightly toasted in a dry pan
• 1 tablespoon sea salt

NOODLE ASSEMBLY

• 1 pound dried 1/16-inch-wide rice sticks, soaked, cooked and drained 
• 1/3 pound beef sirloin, slightly frozen, then sliced paper-thin across the grain

GARNISHES

• 1/2 yellow onion, sliced paper-thin
• 3 scallions, cut into thin rings
• 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 pound bean sprouts
• 10 sprigs Asian basil
• 1 dozen saw-leaf herb leaves (optional)
• 6 Thai bird chilies or 1 serrano chili, cut into thin rings
• 1 lime, cut into 6 thin wedges
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 
  
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• view wine pairing

preparation

1. In a large stockpot, bring 6 quarts water to a boil. Place the bones and beef chuck in a second pot and add water to cover. Bring to a boil and boil vigorously for 5 minutes. Using tongs, carefully transfer the bones and beef to the first pot of boiling water. Discard the water in which the meat cooked. (This cleans the bones and meat and reduces the impurities that can cloud the broth.) When the water returns to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Skim the surface often to remove any foam and fat. Add the charred ginger and onions, fish sauce and sugar. Simmer until the beef chuck is tender, about 40 minutes. Remove one piece and submerge in cool water for 10 minutes to prevent the meat from darkening and drying out. Drain, then cut into thin slices and set aside. Let the other piece of beef chuck continue to cook in the simmering broth.

2. When the broth has been simmering for about 1 1/2 hours total, wrap the star anise and cloves in a spice bag (or piece of cheesecloth) and add to the broth. Let infuse until the broth is fragrant, about 30 minutes. Remove and discard both the spice bag and onions. Add the salt and continue to simmer, skimming as necessary, until you're ready to assemble the dish. The broth needs to cook for at least 2 hours. (The broth will taste salty but will be balanced once the noodles and accompaniments are added.) Leave the remaining chuck and bones to simmer in the pot while you assemble the bowls.

3. To serve, place the cooked noodles in preheated bowls. (If the noodles are not hot, reheat them in a microwave or dip them briefly in boiling water to prevent them from cooling down the soup.) Place a few slices of the beef chuck and the raw sirloin on the noodles. Bring the broth to a rolling boil; ladle about 2 to 3 cups into each bowl. The broth will cook the raw beef instantly. Garnish with yellow onions, scallions and cilantro. Serve immediately, inviting guests to garnish the bowls with bean sprouts, herbs, chilies, lime juice and black pepper.

How to Char Ginger and Onions:
To char ginger, hold the piece with tongs directly over an open flame or place it directly on a medium-hot electric burner. While turning, char until the edges are slightly blackened and the ginger is fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Char the onions in the same way. Peel and discard the blackened skins of the ginger and onions, then rinse and add to the broth.

found here...

love...

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

love:definition:

a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, asfor a parent, child, or friend.

sexual passion or desire.

a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person;sweetheart.

 love:Synonyms

 tenderness, fondness, predilection, warmth, passion,adoration.

love, passion, and adoration all mean a deep andenduring emotional regard, usually

 for another person,  liking, inclination, regard, friendliness. like, adore, 

adulate

pictures found on google....