Gluten Free Cookies

Today - I am going to BAKE! We are having an office party tomorrow and everyone has to bring a goodie. I'm making some gluten free chocolate chip cookies (this mix is pure heaven - they taste amazing). Also am going to add some orange/fall sprinkles to spice up the batch of cookies. That way they will look festive and utterly irresistible.

Dog Snuggie

Click HERE to order your Dog Snuggie today!

Thaiphoon

Ate at this little restaurant in DC last night. Don't you just love the colors on the wall? Did not get to sit in one of the booths - but, it was a great experience anyway.

Met with Iranian Freedom Fighters - ordered appetizers and a main dish of Ginger Chicken. It was fantastic - complete with mushrooms and chunks of ginger.

My Little Begger

Pretty much the norm - every morning - waiting for me to throw him his ball! Then he runs and fetches it. Repeat!

Fall Chocolate Covered Marshmallows

OK - So, I am not a baker. But, am going to a BRUNCH tomorrow on the Hill. Have to bring a dish - found this idea online on Pinterest (the best website ever).

What do you think? Fall Chocolate Covered Marshmallows? Don't mind if I do...

Don't worry - already ate one. They are pretty delightful.

Halloween Costume

I'd say someone is ready for Trick-or-Treating?!

Little Jester Collar - From My Mom

Jalapeno Poppers

Made these little delicious babies tonight! Jalapeno poppers are my absolute favorite dinner. Just the right mixture of spices - not to mention the pepper revs the metabolism and punches up the weight loss process.

The recipe is pretty simple: 

*4-6 jalapenos (slice in half) 

Stuffing Mix: 

* Low-fat cream cheese 

*Cumin

*Chili powder

*Garlic Powder 

*Shredded Cheese

Mix the ingredients (stuffing mix) in a bowl and spread inside the jalapenos. Bake on 450 - until golden brown.

Free Wine

One of the great things about being a girl – is the opportunity to get free stuff from men. My friend, Kristen and I decided to go out to DuPont for a much needed girl’s night. Little did we know we would be sipping on tasty, red FREE wine. Needless to say, our waiter was the BEST. Think we will be visiting again shortly. 

"Wine is the most civilized thing in the world." - Ernest Hemingway.

iPhone Teaching

Teaching my Dad How to Work an iPhone

Love This

Dad in DC

Last night, a little piece of my Texas heart was in DC. After a weeklong business trip, my dad drove to DC – several hours away - to have dinner with his daughter. Have not seen him since July – so this was a real treat to hug my teddy bear of a father and spend the night laughing and talking with him about work and life. We ate dinner at a unique, urban restaurant in DC. The atmosphere was nice inside. He ordered us a bottle of Pinot Giorgio and an appetizer of steamed clams. 

Picnic in the Park

More Ralph Lauren Quilts, Click Here!

Went on a picnic yesterday – right outside the Capitol. It was cool; however, it looks like fall – orange leaves on the ground, does not quite feel like it yet. Seems like the weather has been fluctuating. I’m simply waiting for the crisp breeze to smell like burnt embers and baked pumpkin seeds! 

Even though the weather was not ideal, the picnic, view and company were amazing. Fixed chicken salad, sliced tomatoes and deviled eggs.  Dessert was strawberries and whipped cream – with a Hershey’s dark chocolate piece – dotted on top of the whipped cream mound. Brought wine – complete with little clear plastic cups. Also, got to use my Ralph Lauren quilt (pictured above)– it’s one of my favorites. 

If you have not had the chance to have a picnic this year – it’s definitely a requirement. Get out – throw a blanket on the ground, gaze at the stars and dine with someone you care about outside in nature. It’s exhilarating. Believe me. 

Running on the Sidewalk

I went running yesterday. I know, shocked me too. Was walking Dallas through the neighborhood and started running with him – because the music pumped me up. (Key – the type of music you listen to is REALLY important for motivation.) Dallas is pretty good at running for a little Cocker Spaniel – although, after we had run a few blocks – knew he was ready to retire.

Want my Legs to Look Like This!

 However, the music was still motivating my body to amp it up. Set my watch for 30 minutes – and ran on and off the entire time. My legs feel awesome today. Not to mention, I did about 30 minutes of yoga yesterday after the run. (Thank goodness – can still do the splits.) 

I think I’m going to run again today. One step at a time! 

"Anybody can be a runner. We were meant to move. We were meant to run. It's the easiest sport."

- Bill Rodgers

Tyco Quints

While browsing through Pinterest this morning, stumbled across this picture. If you grew up in the 90’s – as I did – and were a little girl – you will know EXACTLY what this is a picture of – Quints! 

Read about the Quints

I can vividly remember this commercial on TV. Inwardly, looking at this picture musters up some nostalgic feelings inside. My sister and I had this toy. As I remember – there were Quints with blonde hair and brown hair. We had a set of each.

The most fantastic thing about this toy – was the massive connected five bottles (one piece). 

The greatest poem ever known, Is one all poets have outgrown: The poetry, innate, untold, Of being only four years old.

- Christopher Morley, To a Child

New Coffee Mug

My NEW Coffee Mug!

It doesn’t take much to get me excited. However, there are two gifts that can brighten my day faster than a swelling sun over a horizon – stationary and coffee mugs.

I know, you may be thinking – who in their right mind would pick such a combination. Me – that’s who – can’t shake the writer within me. Thursday night, I attended a Real Clear Politics reception on the Hill. Let me tell you, it was amazing. Food, wine, candy, Georgetown Cupcakes and little goody bags! The “party favors” were stuffed with red and black themed prizes – namely a new coffee mug and a writing tablet!

Just a little example of the goodness of Georgetown Cupcakes. They did not have Gluten Free at the event, but that's a minor detail. Haha.

Sipping coffee from my new mug this morning. It’s around 8:30am on a Saturday – got my pajamas on – looking out to a spectacular view of the Washington Monument and a little furry one is resting on my legs.

My tired puppy - Dallas

Life is sweet and God is good. He’s so gracious. It’s times like these that I think about how he blesses his beloved and I am truly humbled to see and feel his face shine upon me. So – want to thank him for his provision and guidance. His light makes the world a beautiful place. And, his joy enables me to love others with such a full heart. Love Saturdays.

One of my Pinterest finds! Amen.

 

Brown Boot Day

Love that two of my co-workers have the exact same boots as I do. Love Friday's at work - casual clothes. Well, not too casual - jeans, nice blouse and boots.

Cannot wait for the weekend. Girls night tonight. And, seeing "The Ides of March" Saturday night. Then - Columbus Day on Monday. Three day weekend.

Angels in Adoption

Last night – I went to a beautiful gala for the organization Angels in Adoption. After work, a co-worker of mine and I headed over to the Ronald Reagan Building for the event. Never been an advocate for adoption really in my life, but after hearing the moving stories of foster children being loved and adopted by relative strangers, it made me think differently of the process.

These are just regular people – dealing with infertility issues or regular people sensing that their care is needed in a child’s life - and that's incredible.

Snapshot of the Gala

The Wednesday’s Child Program described it really well when they told a story of a lady watching the program in DC –who looked at a child on the TV screen and stated, “That’s my child!” – an instant connection was recognized. 

We sat at a table with some people from Buckner International – which is also another great group of people. They do the program – Shoes for Orphan Souls – which I am absolutely in love with. (They are actually hosting their first barefoot run this year in Coppell, Texas!)

Beautiful Place Setting

It surprised me; but - Laura Ingraham was the MC for the night. Typically, just a conservative commentator, she set aside her advocating of the right and simply talked about what it means to be an adoptive parent. She has adopted three kids of her own – all from Guatemala. 

Overall, thought it was a great experience. I will never look at adoption the same again. I truly believe that God places a special love in certain hearts – to look after those born in to this work without a loving, supporting home. And, he equips them with everything they need to be that rooftop and house of love for ‘the least of these.’ 

Makes me think of this song by Third Day - "Children of God:"

Dinner for 5 - Yes, Please

My DC Apartment

Just wanted to share this photo - taken July 4th from my apartment. My family was in town from the Lone Star State, and this was our meal. As you can see - had to add one more chair to the mix. But, all in all, think this table setting looked grand.

Glasses awaiting Sangria!

 And - what night would be complete without Sangria! Arranged the wine glasses along my windowsill in the kitchen for an artistic effect! What an awesome family affair. 

Sometimes this big haired, southern girl loves city living - so urban, so chic, so cosmopolitan!

Living Social Yoga

Bought a great deal online the other day at work - 20 yoga classes for $20! I know, almost hard to believe - seeing that yoga classes at studios are generally $17 a class. Anyway, after a long absence from studio yoga, met my friend Theresa yesterday for a much needed stress relieving class. It was great - dozens of people packed in a row-house studio with purple walls - fogging up the windows. My body feels awesome this morning - something about yoga makes you feel sexy. It creates an awareness of your muscles and just the beauty of the body in general. If you have not tried yoga or have fallen out of practice, I would highly recommend it - especially for people with stressful jobs. It reminds me to breathe, lengthen my body and drink in the present moment.

Welcome Fall

Took a little trip to the craft store in Virginia yesterday…because really, it can’t be fall without a homemade fall wreath. Purchased a plain wreath, some festive ribbon and an assortment of inexpensive buttons. After a little bow tying and some hot glue action – this (picture above) was the final masterpiece. 

Now – I am ready for fall.  

Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  - George Eliot

 

Southern Belles

Southern Belle Barbie

I fell in LOVE with this article in Garden and Gun yesterday. A friend of mine sent this to me – via gchat of all things. He is from CA and has always raved about Southern women. After reading this little piece, I am more than proud to call myself a Southern Belle. To a T this is how my Mama raised me. 

“…being Southern means handwritten thank-you notes, using a rhino horn’s worth of salt in every recipe, and spending a minimum of twenty minutes a day in front of her makeup mirror so she can examine her beauty in “office,” “outdoor,” and “evening” illumination. It also means never leaving the house with wet hair. Not even in the case of fire. Because wet hair is low-rent. It shows you don’t care, and not caring is not something Southern women do, at least when it comes to our hair.” 

Read the FULL article here: Garden and Gun

What a Combo - Saturday in October

BOO- it's the first day of October. Now, I really think fall is upon us. LOVE this weather - sweaters, hot tea, crackling fires and brisk wind. Click here for the ultimate picture of fall. I just want to jump in that picture - and twirl in a dress with my arms open wide!

It’s also SATURDAY. Love the weekends. Get to relax and actually collect my *personal* thoughts. The weekdays are devoted to work – press, writing on point/message and scheduling interviews. The weekends are devoted to me. This morning Dallas and I went on a little walk around the Capitol Hill neighborhood (we woke up at 10am – usually do not sleep this late). It’s now raining like cats and dogs outside and FREEZING. However, we managed to escape the ice cold drops – before it got too bad.

(Photo of Dallas taken right before it poured on us).