Maverick!

I just have to say I have a smile from ear to ear... Today was date number 4 with "L" or 5 if you count Sophia's 1st flight as a date (which I don't) and to say AMAZING would be an understatement! Pilot boy exceeded my expectations and I am extremely impressed.

The date couldn't be more perfect... I got to his place and he had all these veggies that he had hand  picked for our dinner from his organic garden - yes, he has an organic garden with his neighbor on an acre right on his property - him and his neighbor take care of it and I tasted the crunchiest and tastiest snap peas EVER. He had picked baby potatoes, onions, rosemary, mint (for the tea - yes tea!), broccoli, turnip greens, some sort of lettuce that seemed more like a dark green leaf and I am sure I am missing something else.

He brewed tea for us to drink all night with fresh honey from his friend's honey bee's. He made an awesome salad, cooked the turnip greens, the potatoes and chicken in the grill. Everything was so amazing, and we watched a movie... You want to guess? TOP  GUN! It was so perfect! Mr. Pilot was just so in his element and I was totally loving it.

He had a big smile on his face all trough the night and he so enjoyed cooking for me... He was so excited! His house was in perfect order, clean and everything in place... Huge kitchen with tons of counter space and a deck in the back where the Big Green Egg matched perfectly.

We watched Top Gun while eating and he was just so sweet, the smile on his face just melted me and I had so much fun. When it was time to go "L" was nervous and the anticipation was killing me, I could see it coming... he finally made a move! Great kisser, my first kiss in a LONG time but totally worth the wait =)

Now it's time to go to bed as I have work tomorrow and I know I will pay for this late night... But as I lay in my bed while blogging this post I have a smile on my face that will last for a while because I am finally feeling butterflies again!

Night Night!

Until next post...

 CM

Dating Scene

Oh boy has this been interesting... I am back on Match.com and honestly I still don't know if I am ready or even have the time to dedicate to this. I think I am out of patience and just don't feel like dealing with all the BS, which honestly is way more than what I remembered.

I have gone on 4 dates so far and I can barely stand anyone, there is though one guy that made it to a second and a third date because he is mostly normal and cute but I still find myself pointing out (to myself) all his imperfections. 

No one is perfect... right? And I do have to say, this is the exact same thing I did to try to sabotage my last relationship where I ended up engaged and living together. My point is that maybe with age my Virgo characteristics seem to be getting stronger, I even vacuum every day and sometimes twice which seems extremely OCD to me.

So after 3 dates should I assume he is interested? I usually throw the bomb pretty early about exclusivity. I am not one to date more than one person at a time and I am assuming that at any moment pilot boy is going to try to make a move, which I will welcome... But there is no way I will be sucking face with anyone that is not "at least" giving me the exclusivity rights. 

So some people debate my decision of putting this up front in such an early stage, but I say it's part of the screening process. If your level of interest is not high enough to be willing to at least entertain the idea  of giving us the chance to see how things go without external distractions, then simply you are not worth my time.

My theory is that in the on-line dating world, the grass will always be greener on the other side. The options are so vast that you will always be curious about what the next candidate has to offer. In my opinion, unless you stop for a while to pursue the one that caught your attention you will never settle and give anyone a fair chance.

So date #4 is tomorrow and he is actually cooking dinner for me at his house... He actually cooks, woot woot! What the location leads me to believe is that at some point during the cooking/cleaning Mr. Smooth will come out and try to make a move. Nervous? Yes, which is why I have to throw the bomb of exclusivity so neither him nor I waste our time.

Am I being too direct too soon? Maybe... But if you want a piece of me then you have to play by my rules. I don't think you sticking with me and only me is too much to ask, specially if your trying to take this casual friendship to the next level.

I  am also terrified that he might want to take me out for a ride on his "fast plane" because yes, there are 2 small planes! Ughh... I am freaking out! Why can't I be like my daughter and just jump on the freaking plane? Somehow I do not think of this as fun and that might be a big hiccup when it comes to compatibility... or maybe I will fly once and love it and then everything will be fine ;)

Oh well, we shall see what happens... If he or I freak out then... NEXT!

Until next post.

CM

Cannellini-bean & Artichoke Salad

This recipes came up DELISH! I am sure this is the type of recipe that will taste even better in a day or two, so here it is and I hope you enjoy it.

Ingredients:

• 2 -14 oz. can of cannellini beans
• 6 green onions finely sliced
• 10 oz. jar charbroiled artichokes in oil
• 4 tbsp fresh basil
• 10 oz. baby vine tomatoes
• 1 tbsp of white vinegar
• Salt & Black-pepper (to taste)
• 1/4 cup of pine nuts

Preparation:

Chop the basil, cut artichokes into quarters, cut vine tomatoes in half and put on a bowl with the beans and the green onions. On a small bowl put about 6 table spoons from the artichoke, mix with the vinegar salt & pepper to make a light dressing and toss the salad ingredients together.

Chill for a bit in the fridge and sprinkle with pine nuts before serving!

Hope you like it ;)

CM

Life is good!

So it's been a bit hectic around here but I have to say, the last two weeks have been really great. As some of you know,  right before the Chicago trip the whole car drama was settled, bringing complete closure to a relationship that meant so much to me (and probably only me). 

The interesting thing about this, is that right after that, a cascade of awesome events just started happening. Awesome event #1 - My Immigration attorney called me to tell me that the interview that I had been waiting for (for over a year) was happening which triggered my trip to Chicago. Going to Chicago it's just and awesome event all by itself but the fact that it was related to my permanent residence just made it so much better.

Awesome event #2 - Time with my BFF Shannon, I stayed at her place most of the time and we got to RUN, which I miss tremendously. We went for a Niketown run and we did a 5K race. Can't wait to do this more often =)

Awesome event #3 - When in Chicago I got a call from a staffing agency in GA asking me if I could come in for an interview on Monday as they had a company looking for a very specific skill that I happen to have! The best part is that when I came back to GA and went to the agency the rate was great and the company was awesome.

So in the last two weeks, I got the car drama resolved and now I own my car. My 10 year green card got approved and should be in the mail shortly, went to Chicago for a mini vacay and got a new job! Now the job is a temp job but they are already talking about the possibility of hiring me and that's awesome! It's a British company and they have incredible benefits, I mean 16 paid holidays... yes you heard that right, not vacation days but paid holidays! They just had 4 days off for Easter, INSANE! and that's just a tiny itsy bitsy part of it.

I am extremely excited and can't even express in words how grateful I am for these events. I believe that there is a reason for all things that happen in your life, good and bad, and I am absolutely positive that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

God does amazing things and he has worked amazingly in my life in the last 4 months.

Thank you lord for all these blessings!

I hope you have an awesome day.

Until next post.

CM

It's good to be in love

One of my new favorite songs...

More impressive vegetarian recipes

Today I made a recipe for a friend and I honestly didn't know what to expect as not only it is a vegetarian/vegan recipe but it has an ingredient that I have not played with much, bulgur wheat. The recipe is Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls, and the result? A delicious tasty meal that I will for sure repeat and recommend. 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh mushroom
• 1 cup diced zucchini
• 3/4 cup chopped green pepper
• 3/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 3/4 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup bulgur
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoran
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 large head cabbage
• 6 tablespoon shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Directions:

In a large saucepan combine all first 10 ingredients and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes; remove from heat and let it stand.

Meanwhile, cook cabbage on boiling water until leaves start falling off the head. Set aside 8 nice large leaves (put aside the rest for other use). 

Cut out the thick vein from each leaf making a V-shape, then overlap cut ends before filling. 

When cooled down stir 4 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese as well as lemon juice into filling mix. Place about 1/3 of a cup on each cabbage leaf and fold in sides; starting at an unfolded edge roll to completely enclose filling.

On a container, combine tomato sauce and hot pepper sauce; pour 1/3 cup into a 2 qt. baking dish. Place cabbage rolls in dish; spoon remaining sauce over top and  and cover with aluminum foil.

Put in the oven at 400 C for 15 minutes or until heated throughout . Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and serve.

The wonderful thing about this recipe is that is is very filling, 2 of these babies are only 142 calories! INSANE! you can eat the whole tray for less that 600 calories (fat kid talking).

I was really impressed not only about the taste but the texture of this dish, I dare you to try it and let me know what you think =)

Until next post!

CM

Being home has it's perks

I am back from Chicago and even thought I have tons of things in my To Do list it feels good to be back into my routine. Besides the ridiculous amount of clothes that I have to fold I do have one of my favorite house chores on my list, which is to cook for the week.

Yesterday in an effort to get back into my vegetarian routine (because I did cheat in Chicago) I cooked the most amazing and healthy version of the Cuban rice and beans recipe. It was quick and easy and most importantly DELICIOUS!

Try it out because you will fall in love with this tasty side dish, once you do it once you will be hooked!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground coriander
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 (15 oz.) can of black beans rinsed and drained (low sodium)
• 1 cup cooked long-grained brown rice (no salt)
• 3/4 cup chopped tomato
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Preparation:

I personally like my vegetables chopped extremely small and I think this dish calls for that, but it's up to you to decide how you like it best. Coat a non-stick skillet cooking spray and place on medium heat until hot. Add onion and green peppers and  sauté   until onion is clear and peppers are crisp-tender. 

Add cumin, coriander and red pepper until evenly mixed and  sauté   for another 3 min. Now add beans, rice and remaining ingredients steering until is all heated. This recipe usually is a bit dry, which I personally like but if you would like the rice a bit more moist its up to you.

This recipe serves about 6 people and half a cup has only about 110 calories, is that awesome or what? I love tasty filling recipes like this. Notice there is no salt added, using spices is a great substitute and they all have excellent health benefits!

Now get your tushy in the kitchen and try this out, I promise it will be fast and delicious!

Enjoy...

CM