{snow days are a good day for catching up!}

It's true.  I haven't blogged for months {and I'm ashamed to say so...}!  :/  I guess it took a 'snow day' to set my priorities straight.  Well, that and the countless emails, texts, facebook messages and glares.  {juuuuust kidding.}  Either way, here I am: blogging!  But where should I start?  These last many months have been crazy.  Seriously.

September:
In September I started a Masters program for my MBA.  I love(d) the challenge, focus, and of course meeting people!  Oh and I finally got a MacBook.  Joy!  And, my lovely little sis (that I spoke about HERE) moved to Paris.  Oui !!!

October:
I met some more Army wives.  They are fantastic!  It's a nice feeling to be able to relate to those around you!  Also, Anthony took me to see AUTUMN!!  We had to drive a couple hours north, but it was worth it. :)

{Mister spontaneously took me on a two hour drive, so I could see some fall colors! It was SO worth it!!}

{I also made up this yummy pumpkin soup (with a dollop of plain yogurt).  The flavors brought 

some yummy comfort to the fall season!}

November:
I spent Thanksgiving with some local friends as my husband had to travel home last minute.  Admittedly, it was a hard week.  But, I had fun with friends and enjoyed some yummy food!  Because Mister was going to be gone, we started decorating for Christmas early!  It made my heart so happy and so cozy! ;)

December:
Christmas!  Need I say more?  I love the Christmas season!!  Our decorated house was so cozy.  And, this was going to be the first year Mister and I spent Christmas morning at our own place, with just the two of us!  BUT....gotta love the Army! He had to work on Christmas, so we ended up celebrating on the 24th.  So, I filled my home with Christmas cookies and delivered them to some of our neighbors that couldn't go home for the holiday either!  It was actually a lot of fun. So no complaints. :)

{My Christmas Cookies!! This was just a portion, since the recipe made a TON!}

January: 
This past month was a doozy.  School was going strong, life was on path and then bam! My dear Mister received Deployment orders. :/ Also, though I was doing well in school, I just made the decision last week to put further classes on hold. It's good.  I promise!  I can start them back up, but I need life to settle down a bit.  One thing that has helped with the stress is a Treadmill!!! Yes, we got one.  And it's awe-some! It was our Christmas and Anniversary gift!

{I feel so blessed to be married to my best friend!  3 years already, and yet at the 

same time, it feels like I've always been married to him.}

Current: 
So here I am at the beginning of February, facing the mountain of another deployment, enjoying every moment I have with my Mister while I can, trying to keep our home cozy (even with the lit Christmas Tree all put away), continuing to dust like crazy - thanks to the never ending dusty wind that this city offers, reading a lot, and knitting even more.  And today...enjoying our first snow day!

You're all caught up and I'm sure suffering from an overload of information!!!

Cheers to 2011 and a better year of blogging!!

x,
tal

{ladies lunch}

Fresh Tomato Tarts

9oz fresh puff pastry
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp pesto
6 plum tomatoes, sliced
Kosher Sea Salt and Crushed Black Pepper
Fresh thyme leaves to garish (optional, but so good!!)

*On a lightly floured kitchen counter, roll out pastry dough to a rectangle about 12x10 inches.
*Cut rectangle in half and divide each half into 3 pieces to make 6 even pieces. Chill for 20 minutes (ish).
*Lightly score the edges of the dough and brush with the beaten egg.
*Spread the pesto over center, leaving a border on each side.
*Arrange tomato slices on top of pesto.

*Season well with Salt and Pepper and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.
*Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes (until well risen and golden brown)

**This can also be made in one large rectangle instead of individual tarts.

In regards to the Pesto...you can choose to make it from scratch. It's supper easy by just blending (basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, olive oil...) BUT - as I don't always keep pine nuts on hand and generally like to "kick-up" the flavor with paste anyway, I use the below product. It's fantastic! Lasts for a long time. You can easily mix some good Olive Oil with it and dress pasta or simply spread out on a tart (like above).


Use this recipe as an excuse to have some friends over. They'll be impressed with the yumminess and you'll be happy with the easy preparation!! Oh -- and make sure to tell me if you try it!



{This recipe was adapted from an old recipe I had. I punched up the flavor with my own additions.}