I don't really feel like fucking doing this today....

Nor do I feel like putting the laundry away. What an awful task. I've managed to delegate my other least favorite task of emptying the dishwasher to my son, but the laundry remains mine. It's a thankless job but somebody's gotta do it, that is until I can force my children to do it for me. Until then, fuck you laundry. Fuck you. 

What's to drink....

I've been trying to be less of an animal since getting back from vacation. This means a little less guzzling drinks and more sipping on things like a lady. We'll see how long this lasts for but I've been drinking more red wine lately. This particular one is in the tasting section of my fave liquor store. I don't typically do wine tastings in the store. I LIKE the idea of it but I think it's kind of a half-assed idea. So, they have all these wines that I can try, great start. It's basically free or there is a nominal cost. Still sounding good. So, I walk over to look at the selection of all the delicious shit I can try and I am quickly reminded that my part-raised-by-wolves, part-chimpanzee, part-frat boy toddler is IN the store WITH me. The store is FULL of glass. And Kelsey does not walk, Kelsey only runs. So, immediately my mouth watering goes to full on dry mouth because if Kels is going to knock over some bottles they are going to be some super fucking expensive ones. So, there is no time for "tasting". There is barely time to run through the store grabbing the first thing I can find, all while yelling "watch out, excuse me, stop running, don't touch that, no you can't drink it, watch out, IT'S GLASS, there's no bathroom, stop saying penis, WATCH OUT". There is no wine tasting. There is just hoping for a good bottle and the least amount of destruction as possible, and that maybe one day they'll put a daycare in the liquor store so that I can actually put that wine tasting to good use. Luckily, this one worked out. Cheers.

 Substance Cabernet Sauvignon 

What's to eat....

I needed a new twist to my chicken thighs and I found this recipe that came out really good. The paleo freaks will love this one because it's a recipe by Bill Staley of the Primal Palate. I used boneless skinless chicken thighs, whereas the cave people used the bone-in, skin-on type so to be extra caveman-ish. I think it would be good either way, so do what you like. If you enjoy the recipe and want to thank me, please feel free to come over and put this fucking laundry away.

Spice-Rubbed Chicken Thighs

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/spice-rubbed-chicken-thighs

Working on my keeping things in perspective....

I had a momentary lapse of reason this week, as us humans sometimes do. I fell into the trap of beating myself up, questioning myself, and my self-worth, and then beating myself up for doing so. So basically I was feeling bad and then I started to beat the shit out of myself FOR feeling bad. I'm not new to this, I happen to be very good at it, so I know when this happens I need a voice of reason, someone who knows what the hell they are talking about, so that my head can be swiftly removed from my ass. This person can come in many forms, a friend, my Mom, a therapist, sometimes someone I don't even know. I'm leaving the link to what got my head of out of my ass (for the most part) this week. I loved this piece, and I am grateful for the perspective it drilled into my big head (this is not a knock on my head, I DO, in fact, have a really big head, thanks, Dad). Anyway, if your head is up your ass, especially regarding body issue stuff, read below. 

http://momastery.com/blog/2014/07/06/body-masterpiece/


Wishing you ALL of the Good Stuff. 

XO
Tara

P.S. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am drinking more red wine so as to sip slowly, but I MAY have guzzled some white wine last night. It happens, people, let's not beat the shit out of ourselves for it. I've done enough of that this week.

Back to life....

back to reality. The Kali summer vacation 2016 has come to a close, and we are back into the swing of things, sorta. It takes a little acclimating (and a shit ton of laundry) to get back at it. But here we are, like we never left. Oh vacation, why do we do you so wrong? Why can't we be like the Europeans that go on a 6 week holiday? They do vacation so right.  I could go on a 6 week holiday, I would be brilliant (said with British accent) at that shit. But alas, us silly Americans only do 1-2 weeks at a time. I'm going to work on getting that changed. What a crock of bullshit. 

What's to drink...

Well, when I found out that last week's twisted teas have about 240 calories EACH I almost had a fucking heart attack and contemplated throwing myself off the beach house deck, but we were on the first floor so it would do little more than to get some sand jammed into some unfortunate areas, so I decided against. However, I did feel like, after drinking (I'm not going to venture to guess the actual number because then I could do the math, then YOU could do the math) a lotty lot of these caloric fuckers, I needed to get off them and onto something a bit lighter. Luckily, I have some great friends, some really smart ones, that happen to know a thing or two. The first thing my friend, Laurie knows is lady parts, my vagina included, AND she delivered Kelsey. The second thing she knows, is a good drink. How lucky am I? A good friend, that knows good drink, and a good vagina.  Everybody should have a Laurie in their life. She would want me to say, don't forget your annual exams and PAP smears, ladies. If you're worried about the appointment and need a little something to take the edge off, while not BLOWING your diet (100 calories per bottle), this is your jam. And you guys, it has bubbles. Cheers!

Truly Grapefruit and Pomelo (pictured on the deck I didn't throw myself off of)

What's to eat....

I love when people cook for me and that doesn't happen often (ahem, Tommy) so I was pleased as punch when one of my sister's friends had put together some steak skewers and kick ass arugula orzo salad. Both recipes are equally delicious, the steak has a little kick and the salad's so fresh and peppery, holy yum. I came home and had to recreate it. I've since tried this marinade on shrimp and it's also pretty amazing.  Thanks Jill, please come around more and cook for me.

Jill's Steak Skewers and Orzo Arugula Salad 

Working on my coming off vacation blues....

I'm having all the feels about vacation being over. It goes so fast, right? And now it's back to the daily grind of life and I'm feeling a little out of sorts. I miss my immediate family being together, I miss seeing my extended family, I miss the ocean, I miss the beach, I miss being able to drink at noon (yeah, I said it). I know how lucky we are to have these times together. I know it won't be like this forever. So, while I am a little blue about it ll being over, I am going to do my best to be grateful. We are a lucky bunch, we really are.  

Wishing you ALL of the Good Stuff. 

XO

Tara 

P.S. Pop, thanks for Kelsey, I know you had a hand in that. You are missed. Love you. 

Everything is better at the beach....

and this week has been no exception to that rule. I have had a week full of family and friends, food, booze, and laughter. And I am super grateful. The beach is my happy place, and having all these people, whom I love so fiercely, in the same magical place, is pretty much a fucking dream. And waking up to this doesn't hurt, either. 

What's to drink....

Pretty much everything. Is that a good answer? Regardless, it's the truth, but I figured I'd pick one of my faves from the week. These are soooo good. I don't typically love sweet drinks but this baby hits the spot (the "spot" being about 12 pm on the beach). Cheers!

Twisted Tea Peach

What's to eat....

Pretty much everything, again. We try to keep it simple down here because lugging all this shit on and off the beach is hard enough. So last night's dinner was a little of this, a little of that, and some pretty amazing sushi from Little Sumo's Sushi Shack in Surf City.  

A bunch of really delicious shit

Working on my IDGAF (I don't give a fuck) jar....

and I have another thing to put in it. I have had a notoriously bad track record for exercising while I'm on vacation. It usually looks something like this...I go in with the best intentions, I pack workout clothes, throw a kettlebell or some dumbbells in the car, some bands, a jump rope, etc. and then I just fucking stare at it all week long. And then I start to feel like all that excercise shit is heckling me to get off my lazy ass and DO something, but you know what, I just don't wanna. So, I'm not. And I'm putting it in the IDGAF jar because I'm done beating myself up about it. I work hard all year long. My vacation is mine to do with what and how I want.  And right now, I'm gonna sit on my ass and have a twisted tea.

Wishing you ALL of the Good Stuff. 

XO

Tara

P.S. Mams, Dad, Grams, Kelly, Rich, Ryan, Owen, Krissy, Jamie, Emma, Tracy, Cubby, Liza, Danny, Isaiah, Eli, Jonah, Talia, Kate, Sharon, Patrick, Kelsey, and Tommy Kali, I love you all, so very much.  You make my heart happy. If one of you could manage to buy a huge house on the beach I'd really appreciate it. 

Every single week....

I ask myself, while rushing to make my "deadline", what in the hell I am doing writing this blog. I mean, I turn down actual invitations to things on Thursday mornings. "No, sorry, I gotta get my blog out in time".  So here I am, folks, another week, more good stuff, I hope. Otherwise, what the fuck am I doing here?

What's to drink....

Oh man, you guys, this is a special one. I've only had it twice in my life, but both times I was blown away by how smooth and delicious this cab tastes. The only little problem is that it's about $42 a bottle. So, it's not an every day wine, unless you're some kinda baller housewife, and if you are, let me know, so we can be friends, and I can come over and drink this with you on the daily. In the meantime, I am trying to figure out ways to justify buying a bottle here and there. Things I have come up with so far...

1. I have not yelled today (I'll never get to drink the wine again)

2. I have not cried today (I have a better shot than the yelling but still doubtful)

3. I will appreciate this wine so much more than the usual shit I drink (I think I'm getting somewhere with this one)

4. Red wine IS good for your heart, so this fancy-will-make-you-broke-wine probably has some kinda super powers (sounds reasonable)

5. Some day I will be dead (by far the most compelling of the arguments) 

For real, treat yourself and try this one. If you need justification, please refer to #5. It pertains to you, too. Cheers!

Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis 2013

What's to eat....

We do skirt steak in my house quite often, but I've upped my game with this one. I was having company over for dinner, and wanted to make things a little less run of the mill, so I added a chimichurri sauce to the steak. It was a big hit, as was the wine (dinner party with brother-in-law and future sister-in-law make justification list for fancy wine). Anyway, try this simple, but really fresh, and yummy recipe out. Side note, I dated a guy whose family is from Argentina. I think this would have made them proud. Tommy is super stoked about that, I'm sure. 

Grilled skirt steak with Argentinian chimichurri sauce

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/steak-gaucho-style-with-argentinian-chimichurri-sauce-recipe.html

Working on my should I just drop the fitness part....

of this blog. I mean, each week I think I should be writing about fitness but fitness isn't really fun(ny), except if we want to discuss things such as peeing your pants whilst jumping rope. And I'm not even going NEAR the discussion of the passing gas thing in yoga. I don't take yoga for that reason. Well, not that reason alone, but the thought of being in a room with a bunch of contorted farting people is basically my worst fucking nightmare. And hot yoga? So you're in the heat, and people are doing this, in the hot, and now STINKY heat? Yeah, no thanks, I'm all set. I'm sorry, you guys are fucking animals. But I digress, maybe I'll just keep the fitness part in for good measure, in case a good story comes along here and there, AND to make me look like less of an eating-and-drinking-all-the-time-animal. I do exercise, people. I can't start drinking that early in the morning, so I may as well. 

Wishing you ALL of the Good Stuff. 

XO

Tara

P.S. What in the shit with getting ready for a beach vacation?? I've busted my ass this week, spent a gazillion dollars (still trying to justify getting a bottle of that wine, though), I have lists on lists on lists, and still so much left to do. BUT at the end of it all, awaits the beautiful beaches of Long Beach Island, where I will sit on my ass, and be waited on, hand and foot, all week long. Oh wait, that last part isn't going to happen. Kudos to all the Moms out there, busting your asses for your families, so they can enjoy a vacation, while you do all their laundry and clean up all their shit. Is it cocktail hour, yet.