Conscious Un-Chicagoing

When I found out Michael wanted to go to graduate school in Chicago, my first thought was of pure excitement. I'd always wanted to get out of the south and experience life a different way. I thought it would be super easy to have a few transition years in the Midwest. Moving in the winter? Sure! Move 3 months into my marriage? Yes! Move without jobs? Why not!? My almost 3 and a half years in Chicago have been a lot of things, but easy isn't one of them. What started off challenging for sure, has ended up being life changing and transformative for both Michael and me. Chicago has been home for me longer than Shreveport was. It's true what they say, life passes by quicker the older you get. 

So as my time here in Chi is coming to a close, I sit and reminisce on the times that have shaped my experience. From working with coworkers that challenge me and collaborate with me in a way that has transformed the kind of Hair Stylist I am today to learning to truly appreciate a dishwasher. I mean, who gets the chance to share a back porch with your best friend, have marathons of The Mindy Project over and over again with the gals, and have bffs that obsess over awards season with you (let's not speak of devils juice)? These are the things I will never have again and for that, I will be forever indebted to you, Chicago. I think about all the possibilities that our life in Houston holds, and it's hard to not dismiss leaving and ignore the goodbyes (because with my gals it will never be goodbye). But it's really a goodbye to a time in my life I will never return to. That being said, I'm ready to start our new life back in our sunny, warm, home: Texas. 

So E-Town, even through all the cold, problems, and expenses, you will always represent the strange time in my life where I ordered Thai food whenever I wanted, made all my friends work with me, never had to pay my rent on time(or ever), ignored being an adult, and bought 2 buck chuck by the case. I will miss you Sweet Home Chicago, but we are ready for this next chapter. Texas, the Jarboe's are coming for you! 

The one about alcohol

I always get to this time of year and go into such deep thought about Lent.  As I said last year, I grew up not really ever knowing what it was.  My church didn't really practice this tradition, and it never really spoke to me.

As my husband and I were driving to work this morning, he asked me what I was giving up for lent. I said I didn't think I was going to do it this year.  It didn't feel right and I felt that I might do it for the wrong reasons.  If I was going to give something up it wasn't going to be to lose weight or to put on a show.  And then I said "I don't want to commit to something and then mess up. I'd rather just not do it"

Since I can remember, my family has had some very difficult views on alcohol.  It's bad for you, it does evil things, stay away forever, etc.  While growing up I did stay away much longer than my boyfriend and friends in high school did.  I saw it turn someone I love dearly into a completely different person.  So as I started to become a grown of-age adult, I have tried to find my beliefs on alcohol.  Can I have a margarita and still love God? Where in all of my life, all of my experiences, where do my thoughts on alcohol stand?  Is it something I want to give up for lent?  Something I can't? Something I need to give up?  These are things I've been asking myself for a few weeks now.  Here is what I've come up with. 

Addiction is horrible.  It sucks you into a somewhat glamorous lifestyle and then spits you out into a world where you choose a substance over people and things and careers you love.  I've watched it ruin people.  But after I've looked and thought and prayed about it, I've come to the conclusion that it's not alcohols fault.  It's not cocaines fault.  It's the addiction.  It's the disease.  

So, after much thought and prayer, I am giving up alcohol for lent.  Not because I feel like it's bad, or that I might be addicted to it, but because it's a topic that hits close to home for me.  Every time I would go grab a drink with a coworker or pour that glass of wine at my house after a long day, I will think and pray for my family, friends, and people in this world that struggle with addiction.  

After a pause, my husband said back to me "Lesley, sometimes in Christianity, we mess up.  Don't let it keep you from living."  

So here is to your Lenten season! I pray that you will find peace and compassion knowing that, if you do struggle with addiction or someone close to you does, someone is praying and thinking of you. 

Happy Lenting!

Lesley 

Twenty Fourteen

For the past few years, my husband, best friend and I have tried to make a list of goals for the next year (11 in 2011, etc).  It has gotten too high to have 14 goals so I've decided on 4.  I can't believe it's this time of year again!  It feels like yesterday that I was making one of these right before I moved to Chicago and that was 3 years ago!  While the last few years have not come easy, I'm so happy to have made it to 2014 with my very best friends, great family and more in love with my husband than I was last year.  I'm pretty lucky. 

1. My first goal is to not look ahead and live in the future. To savor and love exactly where I am.  Michael and I are in a very transitional year and it's very easy to forget about the now and just look ahead all year.  I just want to enjoy today and try my hardest to not worry about tomorrow until it's here. 

2. Read a book a month.  I've had this goal for the past few years and really dropped the ball this year.  I really want to get back into my habit of reading consistantly.

3. Travel for pleasure as much as possible.  The last few years I have only traveled to visit my family and weddings etc.  That is obviously the priority but we have really missed having any vacations!  I would like to travel a few times to places we haven't been to relax and have some fun. 

4. To learn how to stand up for what I believe in without being offensive.  There have been so many times this year that I have written blogs that I haven't ever posted (ChickFilA, Miley Cyrus, Trayvon Martin, DuckDynasty... Just to name a few) just for the sake of being PC and also just to not stir the pot.  I'm not going to change anyone's mind but I also feel if I don't stand up for what I know is right, I will lose myself.  To quote one of many unposted blogs, 

"I'm a self proclaimed feminist who hates being one.  It's not too much fun, it gets on everyone's nerves (TBH I hate people who have a cause), and it generally means I feel the need to speak up when really I should just be quiet, roll my eyes and move on."

I want to learn how to roll my eyes and move on but also how to advocate for things that are near and dear to me. 

All in all, I am very excited to see what 2014 has in store for all of us.  I am trusting in God to take my family, friends and me where we are ready and willing to be this year.  

Happy New Year!  

Lessons learned from 13 going on 30

I wrote this essay for a Real Simple contest some two years ago and never sent it in. I think I may have forgotten? Anyways, I just found it and thought I would post.  Remember it's a little out of date.  It was written the summer after I was married, so it's definetly mushy.  My apologies in advance :) 

"A Razzle, Mr. Flamhaff? Thank you, Mrs. Flamhaff!"  The ending scene to the cutesy Jen Garner- Mark Ruffalo rom-com "13 going on 30" was perfect.  I was with my mom and sister and as we were leaving the theater my mom looked at us and said "The moral of this story? Lesley, be nice to Michael Jarboe!" I was appalled. 

The first time I saw Michael Jarboe, he was standing in front of my sixth grade locker.  In his uniform polo and shorts, signature metal chain ball necklace, pixie like bangs and light blue colored braces, I knew he was waiting for my best friend, Miranda (whose locker was directly under mine).  Miranda told me she had started dating someone.  She forgot to mention he was a total dork.  They "dated" for several months, but eventually broke up because he was going too fast for her.  Tried to hold her hand or something.  I was relived.  Two years later, I had signed up to help the student council sell carnations for Valentine's Day.  That was the first day Michael Jarboe made me laugh.  But I couldn't like this guy!  He was in choir and theater!  I was a cheerleader!  This just couldn't work.  

What I know of love, I know mostly from my parents, they are going on 28 years of marriage.  I knew nothing but love growing up.  I realize I'm a rare find, to still have my parents together.  When I was 16, fresh off my first real heartbreak, I felt so alone.  My friends and family tried to cheer me up, but the only thing that helped was my eating disorder.  It was making me feel in control of something.  And then, one day, I got an out of the blue call from Michael Jarboe.  He wanted to take me to a movie.  That sounded great.  We had become great friends, but my last boyfriend always thought we had a connection so I wasn't allowed to talk to him.  That night, Michael Jarboe took me to Hunan dynasty for chinese food, we saw Shrek 2, and went and sat in a fast food restaurant for hours.  That's when I saw Michael Jarboe for the first time. We laughed until we cried.  

What I have found on my my journey for love is it comes when you have no idea.  I basically spent my whole childhood begging to get this guy out of my life.  Michael Jarboe taught me more about love than I ever knew.  He firstly taught me how to love myself,   and then he taught me how to love him. 

Last October, I married Michael Jarboe.  I never experienced real love until a day in November 2009, I somehow got tricked into going to my old middle school.  As I walked in, there was a pathway of candles to my sixth grade locker where Michael Jarboe was on one knee.  Where we first saw each other.  Where he, singlehandedly, changed my life forever.

Current Obsessions

The Official 2012 Olympics (according to me)

You all are watching the Olympics.  If you aren't please escort yourself to Canada.  We all have our favorites, for different reasons, here are mine.  May the odds be ever in your favor! (sorry, I couldn't help it)

Gabby Douglas is CLEARLY the darling of these Olympic Games.  She is the cutest thing I've ever seen!  These girls made me excited about gymnastics for the first time since 96' Dominique Dawes and Kerri Strug.  The deal with her hair?  No deal.  I dont understand. Seriously. What is the big deal?

 Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings are so much fun to watch! Not as much fun for me as it is for my husband (he continues to tell me, thanks hun) but still, those abs are fierce!  That braid?  eh.

 McKayla Maroney's bitch face is my absolute favorite part of this years games.  Look. At. That. Face. PURE GENIUS! I worship you, McKayla.  May I one day don that face in a CORE pic.

 I know you can't talk about this years Olympics without mentioning Phelps.  I think he's a douche.  Good job on the medals though.  Also, I think you're dumb when you speak. 

 Missy Franklin is 17.  I can not, not cry when I watch her win these medals.  She is so surprised genuinely (a la TSwift circa her first round of awards shows.  Now it's annoying.  Swift not Franklin. Oh God.)  I cried watching her parents, I cried watching her coach, I cried watching her teammates, I cried watching freaking Kate Middleton cheering her on.  You go Glen CoCo.

 Ryan. Lochte. Need I say more? 

(I think he's actually missing some brain cells.  He can't form complete sentences.  He clearly is meant to be without a shirt. Praise Allah)

 Ryan Lochte's Mom.  Oh that sweet, sweet lady who says he only has time for one night stands.  Where does the line start?

Aly Raisman's parents are more interesting to watch than she is!  Don't get me wrong, that girl is fierce, but I couldn't take my eyes off her mom and dad just jolting all around. Brilliance.

The Bronze goes to Ryan Lochte for the obvious.

Silver goes to the Raisman's

Gold is obviously McKayla's. At least you got one from me, boo!

Makeover yourself, girl.

Every girl knows that in order for a chick flick to, in fact, BE a chick flick, there's got to be a makeover scene. That or have Meg/Tom or Julia/Richard in it.  Some of my favorite makeover scene's include but aren't limited to...

 The Devil Wears Prada

Anne Hathaway, no stranger to a makeover scene, is amazing in this walk-through NYC of costume changes.  It is by far my second favorite move makeover of. all. time.

Maid in Manhattan

JLo is fine.  Need I say more?  Is she even remotely convincing as a maid?   Didn't think so.

 Mean Girls


Ahhh the good old days when Lindsay Lohan was a semi-respectable human being.  She looks like a whore, yes.  But at least she doesn't (yet) look rode hard and hung up wet.

 Never Been Kissed

Drew is so tragic when this movie starts.  There isn't quite a makeover scene, per say, but she looks less of a hotmess.

 Pretty Woman 


Julia.  These were the days.  I love this movie.  The clothes are wretched before and after.  "Do you work on commission?  Big BIG mistake, HUGE"

 Grease

This is the worst need for a makeover, but quite possibly the most famous.  When Sandy ditches that sweet Sandra D ponytail for those high waist leather pants, every girl wanted to wear that.  

The Princess Diaries

Look at Anne.  Her first makeover scene.  It's hard to make her look like she needs a makeover for sure, but plucking those eyebrows and snapping those glasses in half was pure genius.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

The obvious, far superior, best makeover scene in ANY chick flick is Toula.  Not only does Toula realize herself that she needs a change, she goes out, gets a degree and a job, all the while buying some new makeup and clothes to go with her new look.  Ian Miller/Aiden Shaw/Jon Corbett loved her from the start and says he doesn't even remember "Frump Girl".  I certainly did.  Why in the hell did Carrie leave him anyways?  Am I mixing up my stories here? He will always be Aiden in my heart.  Although, Ian Miller is pretty great as well.

Kerry Alan Jones- He's a lot of things, but he's NOT a loser

While I was growing up, whenever my siblings and I would call my Dad a loser he would ALWAYS respond with "Listen, I'm a lot of things, but I'm not a loser".  I have no idea why, but that was so hilarious to us.  He is such a joker, will always make up an answer he has no idea to, makes the best hot dogs and pancakes you'll ever have, and will do pretty much anything to put a smile on your face.  When he was teaching me how to drive and park in our garage, he turned to me and said, with all seriousness "If you take nothing away from this Lesley remember... Never and I mean NEVER put your lips on the ceramic logs while they're burning" got out of the car and went inside.  I think I knew right then and there where my sense of humor came from.

While I was growing up, my parents and I clashed on a lot of things.  Once I got to be about 17, I started to see what kind of Dad I really had.  A Dad who would work overtime so my mom could stay home with us, get his MBA while working full time, send me money when I just don't have enough to eat, drive the worst car in the world so my sister could have a reliable one (while parking next to a lexus, bmw, etc.), the list goes on and on.  I think the moment I realized my Dad was the most supportive father in the world was when I told him I wasn't enjoying college.  He sat me down and told me he always thought I would love hair school.  I hadn't even thought it was an option!  He stood by me, went to all the meetings, helped me get financial aide, and had my back when a lot of people were very hateful.  He always puts us first, something I'm not sure I could do, and for that I will be forever grateful. 

My favorite thing he does lately is just call to he misses Michael and me.  He truly is a lot of things, but he's for sure, almost never, a loser. :)

Current Obsessions

Chris Hemsworth, Lady GaGa VivaGlam Lipstick, Mint Pants, Naomi Clark and HBO's Girls.

Momma's Girl

This post is dedicated to my most beautiful and wonderful mother, Valerie Jones. 

Throughout my life my mother has done so many amazing things for me.  Meeting my father, moving back to Irving, putting me in public school, giving me 3 insane siblings, going to every single boring football game to watch me be a cheerleader, reminding me to be nice to Michael Jarboe, waiting for me for HOURS outside my high school, supporting me going to trade school and moving to Shreveport and getting married, treating my husband like he's been in the family forever, listening to my countless phone calls that make no sense... The list could go on and on.

I am so proud to have such a caring and loving mom.  She is truly the most selfless person I have ever met, putting my siblings and me above anything and anyone else.  She dedicates her life to her family, few friends, and serving on the IrvingISD school board (all for free!).  I feel like I got a lot of my best qualities from my mother.  And also my terrifying ones :)

I love my mom.  I hope one day I can be half the mother, wife, and person she is.  Thanks Val for everything you did and do for Lacey, Austin, Justin and myself (and Michael too!)  We love you and are SO proud of you!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

40 Days of Purpose, Lent, Adding, Subtracting, Giving up Chocolate

When I was growing up as an Assemblies of God pastors kid legacy major, I had no idea what the idea of "Lent" was.  That's for Catholics, I thought.  We had 40 Days of Purpose (newsflash evangelicals, its the same. thing.).  I only started "giving up" things once I moved to a United Methodist church about 5 years ago.  (About the time I started taking communion using intinction rather than taking it from a prepackaged cup at my seat and it completely changed me.)  I usually give up fried food, cursing, booze, meat, or the inevitable chocolate for Lent.  I end up giving up about 8 days later and never think about it again.

Last year my best friend Emma posted this blog about instead of giving something up for Lent we add something that would change our views.  Like, maybe we should try to eat chocolate every day for lent.  We aren't all in the same place!  Who is to say that I should give up eating french fries and focus on God's grace in the time I would be eating said fries.  It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Last year for Lent I decided I would do one thing a day just for myself.  Buy myself flowers, make myself cookies, clean my bathroom, go out with my 2 girlfriends, make a homemade margarita, talk to my mom for 2 hours on the phone, have a date with my husband, and while I'm doing such things I would thank God for my ability to do these things.  I was in a very dark place this time last year and it only got worse as the year went on.  I do remember though, feeling like I loved my life a little more during this time.

Recently I have really realized my struggle with self image.  It is something I will always struggle with I've come to understand.  So, naturally, my first thought was to workout and diet every day this year for lent.  Essentially, lose weight for God and if I don't it will not only be a defeat against myself but also my faith. Obviously a horrible, and selfish, idea.  I just want to not feel like I am obsessed with how much I weigh.

So I have decided to give up weighing myself for the entire lenten season.  If you know me, you know I'm weighing myself every single day and beating myself up over .6 lbs I've gained, lost, or maintained.  During my obsessive habits, freak outs, work outs, etc. I'm going to instead give my God thanks for giving me the ability to choose how I deal with different things and for the pretty awesome life I have.  Like while I may live my life, take communion, pray, and go to church differently then some (and differently than I would've thought 6 years ago), I know that the faith, grace, and love God has for me is all I need.

Here's to a new perspective!  Happy Lenting!
xxLesley

Update on 12 in 2012

I thought I would give a quick update on how I'm doing this year on my 12 things to do in 2012!!  It has been a pretty amazing 2012 so far!


1. Live on an actual budget.  Well, I signed up for www.mint.com and really tried the budget thing.  It may or may not be looked at. Ever.  I really should've thought this one out. :)
2. Read a book a month.  Well!! I actually have read 4 books so far this year!  I finished Water for Elephants, The Hunger Games Trilogy(Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay) and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Minday Kaling.  Any suggestions on my next one??
3. BUY A NEW COUCH.  Hopefully this will happen soon.
4. Go to the BEACH.  Never again will I not let my feet hit the sand and water with my friends.  Flights BOOKED!!!  April 9th cannot come soon enough.
5. Start playing the piano again.  Well, I really don't have a piano.  Must figure that out.
6. Lose 20 lbs by my birthday, April 6, and maintain it all year.  I really have rethought this one.  I don't want to have a particular set amount in mind.  I want to change my lifestyle and just be more healthy.  I have thrown out my scale, and hopefully this will help give me some freedom from my obsession with weight without having some crazy diet keeping me down.
7. Spend more time with friends that live elsewhere.  I have set some dates to go back to Dallas AND Shreveport! Huzzah!
8. Actually watch ALL the movies nominated for Best Picture before the Oscars.  I'm getting there! Only 3 left!!
9. Go to a Bulls game.  I think we're thinking about the end of March.  Denver Nuggets game??
10. Buy my DREAM Michael Kors watch.  THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!
11. Decorate my apartment EXACTLY like I've been picturing and keep it CLEAN!!  I have really been good about decorating it but keeping it clean?  I may have to wait until Kaci Kimball is here :)
12. Cook 4 nights a week.  Eh?  Hopefully I'll just start cooking again. 


Really in the past 6 weeks of 2012, I have come along way.  When I wrote all of these down I wasn't thinking about actually doing something on all of these.  I'm glad I'm mostly keeping up with these things and hopefully the next 10 1/2 months will give me time to complete the others :)


xx Lesley 

Oscar Nominations

As part of my 12 in 2012, I planned on watching every movie nominated for an Oscar this year.  There are nine nominated for Best Picture and I have seen... two.  So, I'm writing out a list of the movies I need to see before the end of February. 

Best Picture:
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Hugo
The Help
Moneyball
War Horse

 Best Actor/Actress
My Week With Marilyn
Albert Nobbs
The Iron Lady

 I've seen Midnight in Paris and Tree of Life.  I LOVED Midnight in Paris and HATED Tree of Life.

We've got a lot of watching to do!!!!!!

Red Wine Sangria... Woof.

Proceed with Caution.  Hangovers will, for sure, ensue.


My friends are hilarious.  Also very politically conscious.  We look forward to the State of the Union every year.  So this year, Whitney made a 5 course, progressive SOTU satire dinner.  It was amazing.  She truly outdoes herself every. time.  Emma was in charge of the drinking game and I was in charge of the drink.  We already had 2 bottles of red wine and a bottle of vodka so I researched and came up with this recipe.  It is served chilled but its dry AND fruity enough for the winter and to drink a lot of (which is what we were looking for)

So here it is!!



Ingredients:
1 1/2 750 ml bottles dry Red Wine (I used Cab Sav)
1 carton of Orange Juice
1/2 cup of Brandy
1 cup Triple Sec
1 small bottle of Vodka
1/4 cup of Sweetened Lime Juice
1 bottle of Club Soda or Ginger Ale
2 apples, cored and sliced
2 oranges, sliced
1 lime, sliced

Pour all together in a pitcher or punch bowl, except club soda/ginger ale, and let chill together in the fridge for one hour.

Pour the club soda/ginger ale in when ready to serve to give an extra kick!

(side bar:  if you're looking for a SOTU drinking game, try waterfalls during the applause.  From start until they finish. every time. thank you and goodnight)

Golden Globes

It. Has. Begun.
My favorite part of the year!!!!!!

Best Dressed:
Charlize Theron, Emma Stone and Reese Witherspoon!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!

 

Worst Dressed:

Sara Michelle Geller and the Glee girls are trying too hard, chose the wrong dresses and take themselves TOO seriously!  (or in SMG's case, not seriously enough)

2 weeks till the SAG awards!!!!!!

#signaturecocktail

Sacred Heart Diet... Have. My. Babies.

Hello my friends. 
These past 9 days of 2012 have been quite eventful.  I have spent most of them either working, watching way too many episodes of The West Wing and being hungry.  If you read my last blog you know I've been on a soup cleanse!  It really blows ass but boy does it work.  So if you've never been on the diet, or you haven't heard of it here is my review.
It's called the Sacred Heart Diet and you spend 7 days on the cleanse.  You make a batch of soup (it's horribly disgusting, so I made some adjustments) that lasts you about 3-4 days.  You can eat as much soup as you want and whatever is specific for that day.  Day 1 is all soup and fruit.  Day 2 is all soup and veggies.  Day 3 soup, veggies, and fruit.  Day 4 is soup, bananas, and skim milk.  Day 5 is beef, tomatoes, and soup.  Day 6 is beef, veggies and soup.  Day 7 is brown rice, veggies and the soup is optional.  I substituted the beef for Jennie O's frozen turkey meatballs in my soup day 5 and I had tilapia and veggies day 6 since I don't usually eat meat.  Also on the banana and milk day, I blended milk, a banana, 1 tsp of vanilla, and ice 3 times and it was great!
THE BEST NEWS?!  I lost 8 lbs in 7 days on this cleanse and will for sure fit into my bridesmaids dress (which was a size too small a week ago!!!!!) this Friday! 
The hardest part of this was certainly not drinking Diet Coke, alcohol, and not eating any cheese or carbs.  I do feel like now I really find ways to get energy and have fun without so much of them.  I find myself going towards the fruits and veggies instead of the pretzels and hummus or cheezits which I'm happy about.  But I cannot wait to have a meal with my girlfriends while we watch the globes on Sunday that involves cheese, chocolate wine :)
I leave you with my soup recipe in case you are wanting to try it.  I really can't recommend it more.  Not only did a lose some pounds, I really feel so much better and more energetic.

Ingredients:
3 lg carrot sticks, peeled and chopped
2 stocks of celery, chopped
1 whole bunch of green onions, chopped/cut in 1/2 inch ribbons
1 green pepper, chopped
1/2 jar of smoked sweet red peppers, cut
1 whole bunch of green beans, ends cut and snapped
1 lg can of stewed tomatoes
1 chicken bouillon cube
2 cartons of vegetable broth
some salt, pepper, tony cacheres, worcestershire sauce, chulula sauce, etc.  Whatever seasoning works for you.

Directions:
I saute my chopped carrots, celery, green onions and green pepper in a wok with cooking spray, salt, pepper and worcestershire until they soften and retain some flavor.  Put them in a large soup pot or crock pot.
Add 1 carton of the broth to a small sauce pan and boil your green beans with that and pepper for about 45 min.
Add the other carton of broth, all veggies, the bouillon cube, and your seasonings to the pot/crockpot and turn on low (I put my crockpot on 10 hours cooking)
Add the entire sauce pan of green beans and broth to the crock pot after they are done and then wake up to soup!




Happy New Year and Happy Cleansing!
xxlesley

Spaghetti Squash with Homemade Tomato Sauce

My cousin Leah's wedding is next Friday!!! I am so excited to get back to Dallas and celebrate with her and her new husband-to-be Luke :)  BUT I have to be in a strapless dress that ALMOST fits.  haha
SO I'm on the Sacred Heart Diet aka Veggie Soup Cleanse.  It's pretty terrible and I'm only on day 3!  Anyways you have to eat the soup plus different things everyday.  Today it was Soup and all the cooked, raw, or canned veggies you want.  I HAD to have real food so I realized I had a spaghetti squash and decided to go with it!  This is the sauce I use for all spaghetti, lasagna, penne, etc.  It. Is. Amazing.  And so easy to make!
So here is my Spaghetti Squash with Homemade Tomato Sauce
(sorry I don't have many pictures!)

INGREDIENTS:

1 Large Spaghetti Squash
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
1 Large can of crushed tomatoes (I love the Contadina brand)
2 yellow onions
2 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp red pepper flakes
1tsp sugar
2 tbsp of butter
Goat cheese
1 tbsp of garlic/rosemary seasoning

Directions:

Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees

Start with cutting your spaghetti squash in half.  It's a little hard so make sure you have a large VERY sharp knife.  Make sure you take out all the seeds and such.  Its a little gross, kind of like a pumpkin, so scrape it all out into the trash.

Rub the squash with your EVOO, a pinch of salt and pepper on each half.  Place them cut side down in a roasting pan and roast for 45 min and then flip them over and roast for another 10 min.

While the squash is cooking, chop your 2 onions and cloves of garlic and put them in a sauce pan.  Saute the onions and garlic in a little olive oil with salt and pepper.

After they have become fragrant, put in your spices (basil, oregano, red pepper and sugar) and the butter and saute for a few min longer. 

Pour in your tomatoes, stir together, bring to a slight boil, cover and turn down the heat to a low temperature.   Let it simmer for about 40 mins

After your squash is done cooking, use a fork and scrape the "spaghetti" into the sauce pan.  Stir all together.  You can use a little bit of water to thin your sauce if you think it needs it.  

Stir together the goat cheese an garlic/rosemary seasoning and spoon a little on top of the "spaghetti"  I promise its SO worth it!!

12 in 2012

As I look back on my post last year on 11 in 2011, I only accomplished 2 things.  I became an active person and went an entire year without shattering an iPhone screen (only because mine was already shattered and I just kept that phone).
SO! My theme for 2012 is reasonable, attainable goals.

1. Live on an actual budget.
2. Read a book a month.
3. BUY A NEW COUCH.
4. Go to the BEACH.  Never again will I not let my feet hit the sand and water with my friends.
5. Start playing the piano again.
6. Lose 20 lbs by my birthday, April 6, and maintain it all year.
7. Spend more time with friends that live elsewhere.
8. Actually watch ALL the movies nominated for Best Picture before the Oscars.
9. Go to a Bulls game.
10. Buy my DREAM Michael Kors watch.
11. Decorate my apartment EXACTLY like I've been picturing and keep it CLEAN!!
12. Cook 4 nights a week.

Favorites of 2011

As 2011 comes to a close, I really just cant believe it.  So much has happened to Michael and I this year!  It's very hard to believe this time last year we still lived in Shreveport!  2011 was a year of change for my friends and I and most of us are just ready for a new year.  But I thought I would make a list, before I get into my 12 for 2012 tomorrow, of my favorite things from this past year.

Favorite Event: 
Rhapsody 2011 was by far my favorite event, memory, trip, etc.  Seeing ALL of my friends together again, eating a Taco Mania, I mean... what is better?!

Best Family Moment:
My brother Austin graduated from high school and now goes to The University of Texas.  It makes me want to vomit how old he is.

Favorite Movie:
I saw a goodly amount of movies this year and BY FAR my fave has to be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.  I cannot believe it's over!!

Favorite Book: 
I'm probably behind but One Day was a great book.  Even though it made me want to kill myself it was the book that sparked my interest in reading again!!

Favorite Music:
It's hard to choose with Beyonce, Lady GaGa and Adele coming out with new albums and I overplayed all of them.  But Beyonce's 4 was by far the most overplayed in my household so I choose her :)

Favorite Resturant:
This year it HAS to go to Taco Diner.  For. Real.  Mambo Taxis for. the. win.

In between all of this I celebrated my first year of marriage, moved to Chicago, got a new job, roadtripped to Milwaukee twice and Shreveport, lived by a beach, my car got totaled by a firetruck, moved apartments twice, got a fabulous roommate and became obsessed with Friday Night Lights.  All in all, 2011 was a hard but good year.  BUT I'm so ready for 2012.  Bring. It.

good friends come once in a lifetime

This past weekend changed me. 

Michael, Emma, Whitney and I traveled to Shreveport for last past 5 days for a weekend of reunion with my friends and for the 70th anniversary of the Centenary College Choir and Rhapsody.  Michael, Emma and I hadn't been back there since January!  We had a tour of food itinerary and an abundance of friends waiting!!!  I expected to leave there missing my friends and family, but I really am surprised at how I feel back in Chicago.  

Our weekend was AMAZING!  Filled with mexican food, booze, concerts, late night happy hour, late night round-the-fire chats, celebrating Amelia's first birthday, telling stories we've already told thousands of times and laughing at them like it was the first time we heard them, and my very best friends.  Introducing Shreveport to Whitney was a lot of fun as well.  Love that city and never knew I would be homesick for sweet Shrevegas that I swore I hated.  We left with lots of memories and with probably an extra 5 lbs each. haha  AND we started wondering why this can't be our lives all. the. time.

I talked to my mom on the phone while we were there and she said "Lesley, I haven't heard you this happy in a very long time.  I hope you can find a way to be this happy for the years Michael is in school in Chicago."  Whitney looked at Emma while we were driving and just said "I generally had a great time.  You guys are so lucky you found each other."  After we got back Emma and I looked at each other and just couldn't believe that, what, we will NEVER have as much fun as we did this weekend since we will never live near each other again!?  I really don't enjoy that and seriously not a good time.

When I moved to Shreveport 4 years ago, I never knew I was gaining a family.  I never knew that I could have friends that feel like I couldn't live without them.  I genuinely am in love with my friends I met in Shreveport. 

If I learned anything from this past weekend is that we have all tried to live apart for, like, 3 years now.  No one has even come close to having friends that equal what we all have.  I know that it's a long shot, but we all should live near each other.  How?  Not sure.  But all I know is that I haven't had as much fun in probably a year like I did this past weekend.  Probably since the last time we were all together. 

So I guess in truth, my friends changed me.  This past weekend just changed my mind.