Best. Deal. EVER!

Okay, so today, on my quest to find new sheets for my bed, I happened upon a Le Creuset outlet store. They happened to be having a "moving sale" and were having amazing markdowns. Brett and I thought we'd go check it out, considering we have been lusting after their cookware for a very long time. Unfortunately for us, they have always been waaaaaay out of our price range, but we had never seen an outlet of this kind before, so we thought it was worth going in for a look-see. To my amazement, they were having 70% off of their outlet prices, which are at least $100 less than regular retail anyway. I had intended on buying sheets while at the outlets, but after seeing the prices of these pots, I decided I can live with the sheets I already have, and went for the cookware instead. I ended up getting five items for $1000 less than what I would have paid for discount retail (like, Williams-Sonoma sale prices). I got all five items for less than what I would have paid for the cheapest pot I bought. Are you following? It was amazing!!

So, I am now the proud owner of these five babies (but in lime green, not this paler green color):

6.75 qt. round dutch oven


6.75 qt. oval dutch oven


5 qt. casserole


9.5 qt. oval dutch oven


Wok (mine is actually all black)
source of photos


Thank you Foley, Alabama for furthering my obsession with kitchenware!

A Bit Absent...

As I'm sure all three of you have noticed, I haven't been blogging much, lately. The whole process of getting the heck outta dodge has been a bit overwhelming. It just hit me tonight that I'm really leaving. I have a week and a half to finalize everything, say goodbye to the good friends we have made here in Colorado, and hope for the best as we move onward. I'm sure you're sick of hearing my "boo hooing" over this subject. On a lighter note, here are a few things I am happy about right now...

1) Brett and I got to have a few days to ourselves this weekend while my wonderful sis-in-law watched our boys. It has been a very productive weekend and we enjoyed spending time together as a couple. It will be a while before we'll get a chance to do any kind of date night again in the near future, so a "date weekend"/move preparation was just what we needed.

My main man, whom I love so much!

2) I found out last night that my sis, her hubby, and their two sweet boys are coming to see us for Thanksgiving! It's so incredibly generous of them to make the long trek from Pennsylvania to Florida to come see us. I can't tell you how excited I am!

Our soon-to-be visitors!

3) I got some new nail polishes last night. They're a bit of a weakness of mine. I love getting new colors, especially OPI colors. I let Brett pick out one for me, and I have to say, the one he chose is my new favorite. Ahhh, the simple pleasures in life, eh?

Brett's pick (that I'm wearing right now) - 'We'll Always Have Paris' Suede


My pick - 'Midnight in Moscow'

4) I'm currently eating one of my most favorite indulgences - caramel-chocolate-nut-covered apples. They are the best! And healthy! (The apple makes it healthy, right?)

I hope you're all having a splendid weekend and doing something that makes you happy!

Photos

I feel like posting some photos I've taken over the last little while. Even after all these months, I'm still trying to get the hang of my camera. Here are some of my favorites. Enjoy!

The sunset last night was so pretty. Unfortunately, this picture doesn't do it justice. I grabbed my camera a little too late and the colors had already started to fade. I still love the subtle gradation of colors I was able to capture, though.


On the other side of the sky, there was a giant full moon. So beautiful!


This is my 1-year-old. He's my little angel.


This is my 3-year-old. This face says it all, but, heaven help me, I love this kid more than life itself.


My sweet little man.


This guy's a sweetheart, too, even when he's caught with his hand in the sugar jar.

Friday Favorite

One of my favorite meals is what I made for dinner tonight: Roast beef sandwiches with sauteed mushrooms and melted cheese. Mmmmm, it's so good! Not to mention the homemade onion strings on the side.

I'm by no means a food photographer, so don't judge me too harshly. Just trust me when I say this is delicious! :-)

For the sandwich, I saute mushrooms, warm the bread in the oven, heat the deli roast beef in the mushroom pan for about 30 seconds (just enough to warm it, but not get rid of the pinkiness of the meat), and layer it on the bread. I then place the cheese on the sandwich and throw it under the broiler until the cheese is all warm and melty. I usually use provolone, but I had a hankering for havarti and it was just as yummy as the provolone. Mmmm.... There's nothing better than melted cheese, right?

As for the onion strings, I use this recipe. They are wonderful! I absolutely loathe onions, but these onion "strings" have changed me for life. I still can't do the raw onion thing, but I will never balk at these tasty little morsels ever! I will probably cook up a batch to use for that one green bean casserole that everyone knows and loves, but that's another post for another time.

Friday Favorites

The weather is FINALLY starting to get a little cooler and that means I FINALLY get to start wearing my most favorite item of apparel: sweaters! Cardigans, to be more exact. I love a cardigan, especially a loose-fitting one over a simple cap-sleeve tee. It's probably my main uniform. What can I say? I like to be comfy. These are some of my favorites that I would LOVE to add to my wardrobe (just to name a few). If only... If only.

Very "weekend in"


More for "going out."


Very "preppy"


Love the color, even though it's not really what you'd expect for fall/winter.


Ooooo, so soft-looking!

The Hunger Games...

I just recently read The Hunger Games and its sequel, Catching Fire.  I LOVED them!  They weren't at all what I was expecting, and I liked that aspect.  I'm a bit obsessed now, and I will be re-reading them here shortly.  (I know, I'm a nerd.)  If you haven't read the books, you should!  That way we can discuss! 

Fall Television

School has started 'round these parts, and that can only mean one thing... FALL! I love the fall. It brings with it not only the crisp, cool air that I love, but it is also that wonderful time of year when the crappy summer TV ends, and all my favorite shows come back to entertain me once again. In honor of school starting, I thought I would rattle off a few of those wonderful shows I am most looking forward to...

(Started last Thursday!)
It's baaaaack! Last week was the first episode on their new network and I couldn't have been more excited. If I had had anyone else here that loved it as much as I, we would have had a little party.

(Thurs., Sept. 24th)
They've done away with some characters... Added some new... Kept the most important...

And I can't wait to see what they have in store for their new season.

(Thurs., Sept. 17th)
Yes, I am an Office fan. I jumped on the bandwagon last year and I had wondered where it had been all my life. Thank goodness for Netflix! I was able to catch up on 5 seasons in a matter of just a few weeks. Let me tell ya... it was difficult having to wait a whole week to see new episodes when I was finally caught up on things.

(Monday, Sept. 21st)
I don't know why I stick to this show. It just sucks me right in. It's more frustrating than LOST, and I love that show, too! Argh. Must...watch. Can't...stay...away...

(Thurs., Sept. 17th)
Okay, LOVE this show! It's my new favorite. It's a cross between "X-Files" and "CSI" with a chase usually thrown in at the end (that always seems a little silly, but it never goes on too long). :-) If you haven't watched it, you must! Especially if you enjoy the two shows I just mentioned.


There are always a few others that get thrown into the mix - Smallville, LOST (which actually won't return until Spring. Bummer!), Scrubs, 30 Rock, and the list goes on. My Thursdays are usually packed to the brim, thus making my DVR packed to the brim, also. A person can only watch so much in one night! If you enjoy these shows as much as I do, there's always a spot for you on my sofa!