What I'm Loving Wednesday

Hello there and Happy Hump Day!

Today I wanted to join in on a link up over at This Kind of Love. These are the things I'm loving most on this wacky Wednesday.



{one}
SPRING! Duh, who isn't??



{two}
DEALS! Last weekend, I got all this from Bath and Body for a grand total of 5 cents! (I did have a gift card to spend, but still!)



{three}
CLEAN house. I know I'm in the minority when I say this, but I really enjoy cleaning my house. It's quite therapeutic.


(via)

{four}
NEW RECIPES. I plan on trying out this meal from Skinny Taste tonight. Yummy, I love some fresh asparagus.



{five}
VACATION!! We booked a Cancun trip for the end of May and I am so so excited!!


(via)

Hope you're having a great week so far!

Abuelos and Hunger Games

Last night was the perfect end to the week.

We went to Abuelo's for a yummy Mexican dinner followed by going to see The Hunger Games.







We always have fun, but for some reason last night felt like we were on vacation. And considering our next vacay isn't until the end of May, I'll take a little weekend fun to tide me over til then.

My review:

Abuelos: a bit fancier than our typical Mexican restaurant just down the street. They had a very good selection on the menu. I had delicious chicken quesadilla but it was great with a side of guacamole and their "papas" specialty, which is like a cheesy mashed potatoes. Matt had meat. Lots of stuffed shrimp wrapped in bacon sort of meal. He goes all out.

Hunger Games: amazing! I read the book and I was pleasantly surprised that the movie was true to the book. Yes, they left out parts of the book, but that did not make the movie less enjoyable. The costumes were amazing and the gruesome battle scenes were not too scarring. Matt did not read the book, and he also enjoyed the movie, not knowing much more than the parts I'd told him about the book. He kept asking "was that in the book?" I can't wait to see if they come out with a part two and three.

Now, I'm off to watch the men's basketball team of Ohio State cream those little boys from Syracuse! Toodles!

First Signs of Spring

Hello Lovelies!

I am so excited that spring has arrived!



{1} baby growth sprouting up from the ground
{2} new bamboo
{3} first flowers on the new tree
{4} neighbor's purple tree



{1} putting together the new toy
{2} the weed wacker
{3} complete! one happy man.



{1-4} Cookie, being adorable, per usual.

We are having an unseasonably warm March and I can't say I've complained about that. I'll take 70s-80s any time of the year. It's fun having a house with a big yard. We are thinking of putting some time into a few landscaping projects. Just didn't think we would be starting this early in the year!


{via}

Favorite Salads

Hello fabulous readers!

Today I want to discuss my top three favorite restaurant salads of all time. Are you ready for your mouth to water? Here we go.

3. Fazoli's Country Caesar



I couldn't find a good picture of it, so you'll just have to go there yourself and try it out. This salad is loaded with breaded chicken that is so soft and tender and coated with a bit of crispy breading. Lettuce is fresh and chopped into small pieces. Croutons are extra crunchy. Top it off with a citrus vinaigrette and this salad is the best on the menu.


2. Chilli's Chicken Quesadilla Explosion Salad



This salad is insane. Pros: Everything they put on it is delicious and to top it off, they give you four triangle cheese quesadillas on the side. Cons: The calorie count is extremely high, but I dare you not to eat the whole thing. It will be a challenge. You just can't stop eating it! Last time I got it, I ate (almost) the whole plate and 2 out of the 4 quesadillas. Luckily, I have a garbage disposal for a husband.


1. Texas Roadhouse Grilled Chicken Salad



And..my all time favorite. The chicken in this salad is so fresh tasting and the texture is that melt-in-your-mouth kind of juiciness. Their made from scratch Ranch dressing is to die for. So thick and creamy-good. The shredded cheese has a great flavor. The crispy bacon bits, the crunchy croutons, and the fresh tomato. YUM!!! OK BYE...I'm going there now.

There you have it! My favorite salads. Try them out next time you're out at one of these tasty restaurants. I have to say we are frequent visitors of the Texas Roadhouse here in our city. They have finally stopped asking, "have you ever been to a Texas Roadhouse before". Why yes, yes we have.

DISCLAIMER: Not all salads are healthy choices. Even these three probably aren't the healthiest choices on the menu, but that's what makes them delicious. Cheese, croutons, and Ranch can really add up in the calorie category. Try to opt for salads loaded with juicy veggies so you don't have to pour on the dressing.

Babies, Babies, Babies!

It's official, EVERYONE is pregnant.



Except me. And probably you. But other than me and you, everyone else is with child. I can't believe how many baby bump and sonogram pictures are popping up on my Facebook news feed these days. Funny how life changes...I remember when most status updates were school-related. Then, everyone was all about the wedding craze. Now, it's time for that next stage in life. Babies, babies, and more babies.



AND I LOVE IT!! I love seeing pictures of friends' babies and I especially love seeing progress baby bump pictures. I will admit that I have even creeped on strangers pictures and blogs just to see the progress from day one to full term just for fun. The best part about everyone else being pregnant is that I am going to have so many people to give me advice when I am someday with child.

When Matt and I first got married, we decided to spend the first five years of our marriage just enjoying married life together without children (minus Cookie, of course). But recently, we have been asked multiple times, "WHEN ARE YOU GUYS GONNA HAVE A BABY??"



...and the answer is still the same. NOT yet. Although it is very tempting to start trying for one now due to peer pressure, we are holding strong. Did I mention that all three of Matt's sisters are pregnant? Not to mention my own sister just became an AUNT on March 1. She is so lucky! I will be an aunt soon, too! So that when this happens, I can just hand the kid back...




Babies, babies, babies!!! So happy to be in this "stage" in life.