Soaking It Up.

The long weekend was such a delight that I can't think about the fact that it's over. If this Labor Day weekend had a theme, it would be food, which is just the way we like it. And also, painting. So, let's have a photo recap:

Friday night we started out with Goat Cheese Stuffed Figs Wrapped in Proscuitto:

Then we had Fish Tacos (Hugh would like you to note the amazing ability of the camera in capturing the lime juice. I won't tell you how many photos we took to get this shot, but suffice to say, Hugh's tacos were very limey.):

Saturday morning after lots of coffee, I baked a delicious chocolate cake:

And then, it was finally time for football. Despite some painful moments, our Gators pulled through for the win:

And then we played in the yard with our favorite dog until he was panting like a fool:

Don't worry, our first born got some attention too:


Sunday was a relaxing day with delicious dinner:

Then, remember how I talked about feeling so motivated last week? Well, we finally started redecorating our living room:

I will save the full before and after photo shoot until we get a couple of other things to finish the room, but here's a little peak (and proof that I really was at the White Hot Household this weekend):

And this is what Fletcher thought about being shut out of the room all afternoon:

I hope you had a happy weekend with your favorite person. Here's to a four day week!

Whew!

It's been a quiet week on the old blog, friends. That's because our life feels a little bit crazy right now between working and studying and traveling and being sick and vet appointments and keeping up with the house and on and on.

On top of that, there has been a lot of uninspired eating going on in this house. Like frozen burritos (Amy's, so they're healthy enough, but still), salad, tacos, pasta with tuna, cheese and crackers, peanut butter english muffins, and chips and salsa. I'm blaming it on the summer heat. And med school. And traveling. And work.

But, there is an end in sight! And it almost feels like Fall outside! I woke up this morning ready to cook all weekend, and redecorate our living room, and work in the garden, and go for a run, and groom the dog. That's what I mean by the ebbing and flowing motivation.

Also, we've made it to Thursday, which is always a sure sign that we will survive until the weekend. To say the White Hot household is ready for the weekend would be an understatement. And it's a long one, no less! And Hugh has an exam tomorrow morning, so he will be free for three whole days! Clearly, there are lots of reasons to exclaim.

And with that, I'm off to look for a paint color and have a celebratory glass of champagne. Here's to an extra day off!

Oh, and some Henry Parker cuteness, free of charge:

PS I promise to be a better blogger next week. Stay tuned!

Finish Line!

Do you ever get to the end of your week and feel like you've just completed a race? That's the kind of week it's been around here. Between work, traveling for work, and a sick husband who is so busy I've only seen him for a few hours, I am very glad it's Friday.

Especially because I get to see this girl today:

Nicole and I met in college. She was my little sister in our sorority eight years ago. That seems like a very long time. This is what we looked like then:

When I was almost done with college, I turned twenty-one. And my most long-time friend came to celebrate:

Chad and I met when we were five and went to school together until we left for college. And, do you see that tan blond in the background above? That's Nicole. That was the night they met. And from that night on, they were Chad & Nicole:

Two and a half short years later, one day after Hugh and I got engaged (sorry about that, Chad), Chad popped the question. Which means Nicole and I got to plan our weddings together:

Suffice to say, it was a very fun and happy sixteen months. There were 5:30pm phone calls every day on my way home from work. There were long weekend conference calls about dresses and flowers and food and vendors. As Nicole said in her Matron of Honor (or Lady of Honor, as she named herself) toast, "Everyone should get to plan a wedding with their best friend." Because, let's be honest, you're going to need someone to help you calm down when you are moments away from that big walk down the aisle:

So alike (and silly) at times that Hugh calls us the Ding Dong Sisters, Nicole and I are two peas in a pod. And we love a good girls' weekend:


I hope your weekend is full of happy toasts, friends. Can't wait to see you, N (and Chad!)!

See You Next Week, Weekend.

It was a lovely weekend in the White Hot household. Let's have a photo recap:

I die from his sweetness. PS See his healing wound? Poor baby!

Restocked produce basket, post-farmer's market Saturday

Thank you note writing while Hugh skyped with his Dad in Dubai in the background. PS See my gorgeous mixer?!

Amazing how quickly they can go from this:

To this:

Sunday dinner, thanks to Hugh. Seared Duck Breast, Roasted Peaches, and Cold Sesame Noodles.

And then it was Monday. Hope you enjoyed yours!

Hooray!

When he's home basically all summer long, these are some of the things you forget about having a husband in med school:

• He uses the dry erase board as a study tool, so I frequently have to go into the office, open the windows and turn on the fan to ensure that my only husband doesn't die from toxic fume exposure.
• The studying nights can be lonely for the non-studying wife. However, as of Friday morning, my house is clean, the laundry is done, and my meal plan for next week is ready, so we can agree I have been channeling said loneliness into productivity.
• Hugh never eats during the school week. Like, doesn't eat breakfast, rarely eats lunch, just eats dinner. At which point I have usually had two meals and two snacks when we sit down together. I have accepted the fact that I will never understand this trait. Ever.
• The days leading up to a test, Hugh gets up at 4am. This means I have to get up with the dog child when he awakens. Shoot.

But, there is one good thing I had forgotten:

• How completely wonderful the post-test weekends feel!

Hugh's first test for the year is over! I am so.excited. I'm frantically wrapping up my work for the day, signing off, and preparing to soak up my time with him.

A true task master to himself, Hugh came home and changed clothes to go mow the yard. But when he's finished, you'd better believe we will be celebrating and relaxing for the duration of the weekend.

Enjoy your weekend, friends. I hope you have something to celebrate!

Monday Funday

Our sweet puppy babe is home safe and sound. His procedures have left him more down and out than we expected, so I've spent the afternoon on the couch giving him my undivided attention while he sleeps it off. He should be up and around tomorrow and back to his old self by the end of the week. In the meantime, we'll be providing lots of naps and pets and wet food.

This is what we've eaten the last few days and what's on the plan for the rest of the week:

Garden bounty.

Pork Meatball Bahn Mi. We have made these many times and they are amazing. Make them immediately.

Carne Asada. Loosely based on this (and the pseudo-dietitian in me loves this blog).

Turkey Sausage Sandwiches with Peppers (from the garden) and Onions

White Bean Enchiladas

Chicken Caesar Salad Pitas

PS Even though Henry was soaking up the return of his only child status today, I know he was secretly missing Fletcher. Some brotherly love for you (from this weekend):

You Have Got To Be Kidding Me.

If I could keep the money I have spent on my sweet dog child in 2010 alone...

Last night, Fletcher woke up in a pool of his own blood. After an examination (we consider ourselves amateur veterinarians at this point) and a minor freakout on my part, we thought he bit his lip, cleaned him up, and we all went to sleep.

This morning, something didn't seem right as he was drooling nonstop (Fletcher is not a drooler, thank god). Further examination revealed that he had broken his canine off. That's right: completely off, down to the root. In his sleep.

An early morning trip to the vet confirmed he'll need to be back first thing Monday morning to have it pulled (and to be microchipped, have his teeth cleaned, and have a scar on his back fixed while he's sedated). The vet said the tooth was probably already cracked and he just chomped down too hard during one of his dog dreams.

I, of course, am traumatized. Fortunately, Fletcher is totally fine. He is pain free, as crazy as ever, and happy to be on a diet of wet food until he's all healed up.

I say it all the time, but it is a good thing he's cute: