AMOS & Peppers!!

I would like to introduce the latest addition to the Bragdon/Gottlieb household....AMOS!

He is such a sweetheart and for all those who are concerned that Ben got a cat, blame it on me!  I wanted a puppy and Ben settled for a cat (since a cat is much cheaper/easier than a puppy).  And I must say, Amos is a very manly kitten!  

Ellie is not adjusting well, but I'm almost positive that she will eventually come around and she will love Amos just as much as Ben and I do!  

I'm sure everyone has been wondering how my garden is doing...I haven't posted anything about it in awhile...well...I HAVE...

PEPPERS!!!!!

I'm hoping we will be able to eat them in about 2 weeks...Also, I took these pictures a few days ago so they have gotten bigger since then!  I have about 3-4 bigger ones and then I have about 15-20 baby ones that will hopefully grow into big ones (providing they don't die)! 

I am still enjoying my free time and I start classes next Tuesday.  So far, I've gotten two grades and am pretty happy about them.  

Hope ya'll are having a wonderful week!! Love Ya'll!

I'M BAAAAACK!!!! & better than EVER!

Hey Ya'll!!  So I know it has been a few weeks since I have posted...I have been on a finals hiatus....I am happy to report that I am done & am a 3L (providing grades come back in my favor!)!!

So since I have last posted:

• We have listened to and booked the band for the wedding...The band is The Goat Hill String Band, they are an awesome "alt-bluegrass" band and they will most definitely be a HIT at the wedding, please check them out: http://soundcloud.com/goat-hill-string-band/01-goat-hill-string-band-demo. I think it will fit in PERFECTLY with a "rustic garden party" wedding!!  
• Ben and I have survived yet another finals season...it always gets a little tense around the end of every semester...I turn into a finals beast (i.e. an emotional roller coaster), but it's nice to know we only have two left!!  
• I have discovered www.etsy.com.  They have some of the CUTEST handmade stuff and I definitely plan on getting some stuff from there for the wedding, if you are looking for a unique gift for someone...or for yourself (because EVERYONE deserves a little something every now and then) check out etsy.com and help out the "starving artists" :)  
• Ben and I celebrated the end of finals with a wonderful dinner!  We had a Groupon for Buckhead Grille in Columbus.  It is a 5 star steakhouse in GA and it is literally RIGHT NEXT DOOR to Ben's apartment.  I had the Shrimp and Pancetta Carbonara and Ben had Lamb Chops, then for dessert we had this AMAZING chocolate cake, the cake was so moist that I couldn't tell the difference between the cake and the icing and to go along with it?  A chocolate martini...DUH!  Ben really knows how to make me feel special, and he does it every time!!
• We get to pick up our kitten on Sunday!!  Ben and I are getting a new kitten, he's grey and his name is Amos, named after the mascot of Sugarloaf (the ski resort in Maine where Ben's dad owns a restaurant, Gepetto's).  We have been told that Amos is the smartest and fattest kitten of the bunch!  He is the first who gets to leave the litter, we are so excited!!

So I am going to do something on this blog that I haven't done yet...recipe anyone?  So lately, I have been trying to eat healthier and I've started to incorporate some vegan recipes into my diet.  My favorite thing I made so far is a black bean taco filling, here is the recipe:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, diced (although I used half of an onion)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 bell pepper, chopped (I did use a whole one, but only because I LOOOVE bell pepper)

2 (14.5 oz) cans of black beans, rinsed, drained, and mashed

2 tablespoons of cornmeal

1 1/2 tablespoons cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less for less heat)

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 cup of salsa

Saute the onion, garlic and pepper.  Stir in the mashed beans.  Then add everything else and let it cook for 5 minutes.  

I also added a can of corn. It is good on tortillas as a burrito, or as a dip!!  I LOVE this stuff, it is delicious!!  I hope ya'll enjoy!

Now that I am done with finals, I hope to be able to post more often. Now I leave you with Llama with Hats:

Have a good day!! Love Y'all!!!

Well, Well, Well...

Hey Y'all!!

Whew!!!  What a week it has been....

First and foremost, I am still in shock over the destruction from the tornadoes that ripped through Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.  I am saddened everyday that I cannot physically go to these places and help...I have already sent a load of goodies on one truck but I definitely plan on sending as much as I can!! The storms took people's lives and threw them into piles:

What's worse is that there are children who have lost their entire families and are orphaned and have nowhere to go...If you are interested in helping out there are drop sites ALL OVER THE COUNTRY...it is amazing how this relief effort has become so infectious!!!!  

NEXT, unless you have been under a rock, you know that OSAMA BIN LADEN HAS BEEN KILLED and the United States is in custody of his body!!!!!  Now, if I were personally responsible for his body I would slowly dismember it...or no, I would hang it in the middle of New York City with a box of rocks....EVERYONE GETS A SHOT!!  Is that weird that that's what I would want to do?

In all seriousness though, I am so proud of our US Military (yes, I am bias to the Army) but I am almost positive that this was a collaborative effort among all branches of the military, and our brave soldiers never cease to amaze me....USA! USA! USA!

FUN FACT:  The death of Hitler was announced on May 1, 1945...66 years to the day....

Finally...Finals are now upon me...looming over my head like a giant boulder that can drop at any moment.  How in the heck am I supposed to study when the US is killing terrorist masterminds, the relief effort is tugging at my heartstrings & Ellie is "taking a bath on my books"

LASTLY, I  found this on another blog and thought it was pretty funny:

Dear X, Sincerely Y

Dear Noah,

We could have sworn you said the ark wasn't leaving till 5.

Sincerely,

Unicorns

Dear Yahoo,

I've never heard anyone say, "I don't know, let's Yahoo! it..." just

saying...

Sincerely,

Google

Dear Windshield Wipers,

Can't touch this.

Sincerely,

That Little Triangle 

Dear Rose,

There was definitely room on that Door for the both of us.

Sincerely,

Jack

PS, you let go

Dear Osama Bin Laden,

Marco....

Sincerely,

United States

Dear Scissors,

I feel your pain.....no one wants to run with me either.

Sincerely,

Sarah Palin

Dear Saturn,

I liked it, so I put a ring on it.

Sincerely,

God

Dear Customers,

Yes, we ARE making fun of you in Vietnamese.

Sincerely,

Nail Salon Ladies

Dear Ugly People,

You're welcome.

Sincerely,

Alcohol

Dear Mr. Gump

What are you talking about? There's a little diagram on the lid that

tells you EXACTLY what you're gonna get....

Sincerely,

Jenny

Dear Martin Luther King Jr.

I have a dream within a dream within a dream within another dream....

What now?

Sincerely,

Leonardo Di Caprio

Hope all is going well with everyone!!!!