28 July 2012

A Little Back Track: Ring Dance

I missed quite a few great events to blog about during my hiatus and now that I'm back in action it is killing me that they were forgotten. This being said, I'm going to back track to one of the biggest events of Nic's Naval Academy career: Second Class Ring Dance. A brief explanation for those who are unfamiliar with the dance. . This is when the boys' class rings are dipped in waters of the seven seas "blessing" them into the Navy. Their rings are like their babies so it's a really big deal. They turn Dalgren Hall which is basically a big empty structure into the ball. Think high school dance in the gym but 100% more elaborate.


We both have been looking forward to it since plebe summer but for slightly different reasons. I haven't been able to get really dolled up since prom of senior year and I was itching to get into a ball gown. I'm not sexy but I tried to be in a blue gown covered in sequins and with a slit. It was interesting but I loved my dress in the end. He on the other hand was looking forward to getting his rings. One thing for certain though was that it really told us that we made it to firstie year!! YAY!


It was also Nic's twenty first birthday! A weekend of two incredibly important events! We stayed at his friends house and had a grand partying of a time but somewhere along the lines I have become a grandma and subsequently drink like one. . oh well. To each their own. I did manage to make Nic special birthday rice krispie treats -- and they were gluten free!


For all the younger NAG's looking forward to Ring Dance I have a few bits of advice.

  • Don't piss of your seamstress if she takes the dress in too little at first. She will be mean and take it in too much the next time and you won't be able to zip it while wearing any sort of push up bra. And if you're like me and weren't blessed with boobs that look awesome without a push up you'll be pissed.
  • The line for pictures during the dance isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. We got there an hour/hour an a half after it started about waited less than some of our friends who went earlier udring the day. I am not a big fan of the picture though and haven't found anyone who is. They cut off the top of the ring and every picture I've seen the people look sunburnt. (And I most definitely wasn't).  
  • Don't be one of the girls that had to be carried out because they were that hammered. 
  • Talk to the oldies. They're so cute and sweet and they really do want to talk to you! They're fabulous.
  • Ultimately this isn't your day, it's his. So maybe you'll end up missing pictures with your friends or won't get to hang out with them as much as you thought you would. Just remember why you're there -- and why you met them -- him. 
  • Have fun!! 


I was able to spend some time with my fabulous fellow NAG's! They've become my closest friends and I love them to death. It was awesome being able to go to something so important for your other half and be able to see people that are also extremely important to you too.


Ciao darlings! xoxo

24 July 2012

African Treasures


I like Giraffes (please read like the "I like turtles" boy) and this dandy picture is from Nic's Africa trip. I can't help but share it because they're absolutely beautiful! It's been over a month since Nic got back from Africa and now he's gone to California on his SEAL cruise. It's slightly sad. I was spoiled this last month and now the house is quite quiet. .

But anyways, Nic brought back some awesome wonders from Africa and I just have share them. . I especially love the gold bangle because it perfectly matches the watch he got me for Christmas two years ago. It was also made by the tribe members from collected metals from things like car bumpers!





I love all of the new wonders. The coasters are soapstone with picture of different African animals on them. They're as heavy as can be too. And who doesn't love a good conversation piece? 

Ciao loves! 

17 July 2012

Toffee Chocolate Kiss Cookies

I've decided to start a new day on the blog: Tasty Tuesdays! And possibly Thursday's if I'm making a lot of things I think y'all would like. We'll start off with a FABULOUS cookie recipe that I made last Thursday. . 

Toffee Chocolate Kiss Cookies!

I somehow got lost on my way home from work and was subsequently tired and hungry and slightly sad that Nic wasn't going to be there right when I got home. As I dragged my feet into the kitchen to find something to munch on I found the cutest set up on the counter. Heath toffee crumbles, mini Hershey kisses and both gluten free cookie and brownie mix. 


If you know me you know that one of the ways into my heart is letting me bake. Give me the ingredients to make a masterpiece (yes these are so good that masterpiece is an appropriate term) and I will be the happiest camper. I will say these don't have a "gluten free" taste to them which is supported by the fact that Nic is eating just as many as I am.

Here are the ingredients:
  • King Arthur Gluten Free Cookie Mix
    • 1 egg
    • 1/2 cup of butter
    • 2 tablespoons of water 
  • Heath toffee crumbles 
  • Hershey miniature kisses
It's quite simple. . follow the directions on the box. Preheat the oven to 350, mix the ingredients together (for those of you who haven't baked anything gluten free. . the mix is really dry. I suggest thoroughly washing your hands and then mixing by hand. It's easier to knead the dough.) Mix what you would presume to be "too much" toffee crumbles in. The more the better. I bit the top of the kisses off and rolled it INTO a small ball of the cookie dough. Flatten it slightly before you put them onto the cookie sheets. Mine were the size of thick quarters and they were perfect. 

Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown and enjoy! 


I will say I might be switching semi-sweet morsels for the mini Hershey kisses next time. I love love love dark chocolate but Nic. . not so much. . so these were a happy medium. And he picked them out. 

Happy baking! Ciao darlings! 

14 July 2012

Let's Play Catch-Up

I'm baaaaaaack! I move to Maryland and all of a sudden I drop off the face of the planet. I'm terribly sorry and we'll use this little post as a catch up. From Oriole's games to a wedding, a new job and pinterest cooking trails I've been keeping busy. Nic has also been living here since he came home from Africa in the beginning of June so it has been a month of "new". I also got a Mac and am loving it!

Here are some pictures for a quick catch up!



For the first time in four years Nic and I were able to spend the Fourth of July together! It was fabulous! We had a family picnic with both sets of grandparents and hick worthy amount of firecrackers. I love our country more than anything and it was so nice to spend time with the ones who mean the most to me celebrating our freedom.


My families cabin has been important for Nic and I. The first summer we started dating we visited my grandparents and sat on a swing that I had loved as a child producing one of my favorite photos of us.

2006
Last year the tree the swing was attached to rotted and the swing is gone. Since it was uncharacteristically hot up here (I brought the heat up from Florida) we decided to go swimming in the creek. Here's a picture where we were getting Eevah to swim between us.


I also started school this week and love it! I'm excited to finally be at a "big" college. I got lost my first day, and the garmin and I don't see eye to eye on my desire to not go through the $3.00 toll nor Baltimore city. . So much as it took my through the $3.00 toll when I specifically marked "avoid toll roads" and had no money. A mini break down complete with tears and a nice toll booth worker later I was on my way without a fine! Thank goodness. It's been a bit rocky but it's a beginning! We'll see if how long I remain enthusiastic. According to my Fiction class I won't be as happy go lucky come the first frost. We'll see.


Oh, and I got to eat those babies with my dad! There's a place by my house that cooks them for you and you get to bring them home and smash them with a mallet! I loved it!

Ciao love bugs!