Happy Halloween

I'm back!! I almost forgot about my blog for a while...a long while! I haven't posted in about 8 months. I decided though that I should start posting again. I keep thinking how neat it will be to get to look back on this blog and have everything documented.

Even though this is a busy time of year for us, I am going to try and and least blog a couple times a month. I'll keep this first one short and sweet.

Happy Halloween, from the Marandos!

Taylor's Birthday Weekend

Yesterday was Taylor's 24th Birthday!! Saturday we went to dinner at the RAM in Fishers before heading out with friends in Broad Ripple. We had such a blast all night. Happy Birthday Taylor!!!

Sunday Ryan and I had to pick up my car in Broad Ripple. We decided to take a walk on the Monon and stop for lunch at the Monon Food Company. We sat outside and watched everyone passing by on such a beautiful, sunny day. The food was really great, and I would definitely go back. The rest of the day Sunday we went to look at bikes and watched basketball.

Hope everyone has a great week!! xoxo

Chicago & Cleveland

The past two weekends we went on road trips. First we went up to Chicago to visit friends, and the following weekend we traveled to Cleveland for St. Patrick's Day. We had amazing weather in both cities, and had an absolute blast. Here are some pictures from the past couple weekends.

Starbucks stop..Loved Spending the Weekend with JR!

View from where we stayed in Chicago.

Kuma's Corner for Lunch -- This was AMAZING!

Chicago xoxo

Birthday Boy Pouring Drinks at our Table!

We Met up with Amie & Tom.

Loved Seeing the Girls in Chicago!

Happy St. Patty's Day : )

Marando's on 3/17

St. Patty's Day Bling!

Beef Stew

Last night I made beef stew for the first time and it turned out great! I used a recipe that I saw Giada making on Everyday Italian. I changed it up quite a bit so it was just how Ryan and I like it. For example I used beef instead of lamb, and added a lot more vegetables. This is one you will have to try. Let me know what you think.

Ingredients:


1/4 cup olive oil

2 pounds of beef tip meat cut into 1 1/2 to 2-inch pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 1/2 cups dry red wine

3 1/2 cups beef broth

1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1onions cut into 1-inch pieces

12 small red-skinned potatoes, halved

4 large carrots, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions:

Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper. Toss the beef with the flour in a large bowl to coat. Add the beef to the pot and cook until brown, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a bowl. Add the garlic to the same pot and saute over medium heat until tender and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer over medium-high heat until reduced by half, stirring to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot, about 5 minutes. Return the beef to the pot. Stir in the broth, tomatoes with their juices, and tomato paste. Cover partially and simmer over medium-low until the beef is just tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, clean and chop your vegetables. Add the onions, potatoes, and carrots to the stew. Simmer until the beef and vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes longer. Season the stew, to taste, with salt and pepper.

ENJOY!

Be My Valentine

Yesterday was Valentine's day, and it was a great one! I got a really nice surprise delivery at work from my wonderful husband...

After work Ryan met me downtown for dinner at Mo's Steakhouse. I love Mo's and Ryan had never been, so I couldn't wait to take him. We had such a good dinner before heading to the Pacers vs Heat game. We had a blast even though the game was quite a blowout! Ryan, of course, loved getting to see Lebron play, and Lebron did not disappoint.

Hope everyone else had a wonderful Valentine's Day as well! xoxo

Super Bowl MEDIA DAY

Today Taylor and I went to Lucas Oil for Super Bowl Media Day. We had such a great time! When we arrived at the stadium we were given a media day gift bag. Inside there was a radio so we could listen to all the player interviews from our seats. This was the first year that fans were able to purchase tickets and attend the event. I am so glad we got to be a part of it : )

                                    

                                    

Happy Hump Day

It's Wednesday and I had the day off : ) I have been so busy with work and was in Chicago all last week/ weekend, which is why I got the day off today. It also explains my lack of blogging in December & January.
Ryan flew out to Lake Tahoe about 12 hours after I got back from Chicago. He is so thoughtful though, and booked me a surprise massage for last night. It was much needed...I have the best husband ever! So my day of relaxation really started last night at the spa. I slept so amazingly last night, and it was great to sleep in an extra hour. I got up and headed to the gym for strictly strength then went to let Bentley boy out. I met my mom for lunch at Patachou and some shopping. Before she headed back to Lafayette we made a pit stop at GiGi's Cupcakes...yum! Such a relaxing Wednesday. I hope tomorrow goes by just as quickly because Ryan gets back on Friday. Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Healthy Snacks

Recently I have been trying to get more creative with healthy snacks. The other night I came up with a winner, at least in Ryan's eyes. This was so easy, and actually pretty satisfying! All you do is slice up an apple, and spread a thin layer of peanut butter on each slice. Then sprinkle on a little bit of your favorite granola. (I like the Special K Low Fat Granola.) Then add a few chocolate chips and ENJOY : )

Since we are talking apples, here is another quick snack I make a lot. Again you just slice up an apple and top with a thin layer of peanut butter. Then thinly slice a banana and put those slices onto the apple. Lastly top off your apple with a light dusting of cinnamon.



My other current favorite snack, also known as my usual breakfast, has been oatmeal. Nothing new or creative about this though. I like to mix Quick Quaker Oats with water and half a spoonful of brown sugar. Once it comes out of the microwave I top with fresh berries. Such a quick and easy breakfast, or snack.

I hope everyone enjoys these healthy snacks. Please share if you have any favorites of your own. I am always looking to try new ideas. And for everyone who is trying to eat healthy as their New Year's resolution, I hope you can add these snack ideas to your diet, especially if you are starting to get in a rut.

Picture Dump: Christmas to New Years

I can't imagine ending 2011 in a better way.....

Thursday, before Christmas, Ryan and I went to the last Colt's home game of the season.

 Friday we traveled to Lafayette for the annual Beer Tasting Contest.

Dad won the Reinbeer I made.

Fear NO Beer Club

Husband, Brother-In-Law, Dad, Uncles & Grandpa

 Everyone came over to our house on Christmas Eve after Mass.

Love this family photo : )

xoxo

Me & Tori

Made the change to PJs

Rockin our new PJs

We came back to Indy after Christmas on Monday afternoon. Ryan's parents came from Cleveland to stay with us for a few days. My family came up to Indy Monday night and we all went to Harry & Izzy's for dinner and exchanged gifts. We had a great time visiting and celebrating Christmas with the Marandos. I had the week after Christmas off, and got to see nephdog a lot : )

We went bowling with friends at Pinheads one night.

Saturday night we cheered on the Hoosiers, as they beat number 2 Ohio State!! Then we made our way to Amber's for a New Year's Eve celebration.