Graduation

I'm heading to New Jersey for the weekend because my younger brother is graduating from high school! I am so proud of him and all he's accomplished. I am especially proud that he is going to be attending Villanova in the fall and follow in my (and my mom's and dad's and cousin's and uncle's) footsteps. 

Oh, and just for fun, here's a picture of me from my high school graduation with my two (to this day) best friends.

Don Juan Tacos

Jeremy originally saw this recipe on the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and decided to recreate it for dinner. They're called Don Juan Tacos because the place that is famous for this souped up breakfast burrito is named Don Juan's.

Here's our version of this delicious breakfasty yummy dinner:

Ingredients 

<> Tortillas 

<> 2 Potatoes 

<> Grated Cheddar Cheese 

<> 2 Eggs 

<> Hot Sauce (Optional)

- Cube the potatoes
- Boil potatoes then strain
- Cook potatoes in frying pan
- Beat eggs then pour over potatoes
- Add cheese to potato mixture
- Put warm goodness in warmed tortilla
- Add hot sauce if you want

Easy and delicious andddd it uses ingredients which are commonly found around the house, which is always a plus.

Have you tried any new recipes lately? 

Untitled

Found out today that my Great Aunt Millie past away this morning. We weren't incredibly close, she was my grandmother's younger sister. We could expect to see her at family gatherings and holiday dinners.  In recent years, her health began to decline. She had her morning glass of juice and drifted peacefully away in her favorite chair. She will be missed.

I was already going home this weekend. Now, I'm especially thankful. It's always good to spend time with family and those you love when you're reminded how unknowing life can be.

For if we live, we live to the Lord,

and if we die, we die to the Lord.

So then, whether we live or whether we die,

we are the Lord's.

<> Romans 14:8 <>

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I hope everyone had an amazing Memorial Day holiday this weekend!

On Saturday night, we went to see a Memphis Redbirds game with some very close friends of ours, and their absolutely adorable daughter. She got so into the game dancing to the music and cheering no matter what team made a play. She was such a happy camper until the firework show at the end. She didn't like those so much, she was scared and clung to Jeremy. Completely melted my heart.

A side note, since summer is officially here in Memphis with temperatures easily in the 90s everyday, pretty much the only thing to do during a three day weekend is go to the pool. I am quickly learning that having a cool pool to dunk in is basically the only way to survive Memphis summers. Here's to cotton sun dresses and air conditioning.

Thinking

I think I think too much. You know when you say a word over and over it eventually loses meaning? Well, that just happened with think. Think. What a strange word, yet I do this literally all day.

I tend to over analyze and disect every little thing that goes on and every little thing that I do.

When I write a blog post, I think about how all different people will react when they read it. My family, my "in real life" friends, and other bloggers. I worry about coming off in a way I don't mean to or offending someone.

Thinking consumes me. My mind is literally never quiet.

As a result, I feel like I try too hard. At the beginning, blogging came naturally, I wrote about what  was going on and what I wanted and didn't worry about people reading it. I think I need to starting thinking this way again. Or better yet, stop thinking. Stop thinking about how other people will react, stop thinking about ways to gain followers, stop thinking about how to make everyone happy.

I need to just be myself. I like to think I'm a nice, likeable person, but I guess when you put yourself out there, like we do when we blog, you run the risk of finding people who won't like you, or don't share your same opinions, or who are just different from you. And there's nothing wrong with that.

We are all different, and that's what makes each and every one of us beautiful.

This has been on my heart. Blogging helped me find who I was. However, I'm losing that. I'm trying to be someone that everyone likes, someone that makes everyone happy. What I need to do, is be myself and make myself happy. So, here's to a good, long, weekend and getting back to basics and blogging for me. Only for me.

Oh, How Pinteresting - Bicycles

When the weather's nice I just want to ride a bike everywhere! Too bad I don't live in a place where this is possible. Not yet anyways. Until then, I'll just dream about biking around on something pretty like these.

Source: indulgy.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: 79ideas.org via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source: notjustalabel.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: goo.gl via Gisela on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Linking up with Michelle today... a BIG congratulations to her and her husband :) :) 

I am so happy for them -- they're expecting!!

BBQ Fest

Why would a Vegetarian go to something called BBQ Fest, you ask? Only becuase it is the biggest thing to happen in Memphis since Elvis left the building. Even though I wouldn't be tasting any of the world renowned, award winning barbeque grub, I did have a good time with some good friends taking in the atmosphere.

  For those of you who don't know, Memphis is the barbeque capital of the world! Every May there is giant food competition called BBQ Fest in which teams from all of the country (the world?) bring their best barbeque recipes and compete. Tom Lee Park, which is right on the banks of the Mississippi River becomes tent city. Each team that competes sets up shop with temporary kitchens with ginormous smokers in tents. There are multi-story tents, themed tents, and then just plain simple tailgate-ish tents. All award winning teams proudly display their trophys and other recognition they might have receieved for their cooking. There are hundreds of teams! In order to get into a tent though, and actually eat some barbeque, you have to know somebody on a team. Lucky for us, we have a good friend who has a family member on a team, sooo we were able to truly experience the fest.   It pretty much becomes one huge party by nightfall all in celebration of good barbeque. Only in Memphis. 

Eating in Memphis (3) - Yolo

Located in the charming Collierville town square lies Yolo where we found our next item on the "100 Things to Eat in Memphis" list, self-serve frozen yogurt.  It seems like there are about a million self-serve froyo places now-a-days, however, Yolo stands out in Memphis. It is part of Project Green Fork, (which I talked about here) meaning they are environmentally friendly. They even feature toppings from many different local businesses.  Not to mention, the yogurt tastes amazing. It's such a fun thing to go do on a hot summer night.  There are many locations sprinkled throughout the Memphis area and beyond. They even have a food truck! 

I had mint chocolate with a bit of espresso flavored froyo topped with fresh strawberies and blackberries. Delicious!!

Just Because

Aren't these flowers pretty? My oh so thoughtful boyfriend gave them to me because he actually reads my blog and noticed that in this post I said I had never receieved flowers for no reason. I love how supportive he is of this little hobby of mine and that he actually reads my blog everyday. He even sometimes offers me post topic suggestions when he's feeling inspired. He better be careful, I may be making him play photographer for me next!

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Ps. Don't forget, if you want to swap buttons with me, just send me an email (alyssa.perrella@gmail.com)!!

All I need is a 250x100 button :)

Walmart Sunrise

I did something this morning that I never thought I'd do..

I watched the sun rise from the Walmart parking lot.. let me explain.

At about 5 this morning, I got a phone call I hope nobody ever gets... "Can you help me? My dog is, uhh, leaking". Yes, Harrison apparently had a very upset tummy and was having an "accident". I rushed over to Jeremy's apartment in my pajamas (boxer shorts and a very large tshirt) to help.

There was mess everywhere.. literally, everywhere. And "leaking" was definitly a good word to use to describe the poor sick pup.
   

I jumped in the car and raced to the 24-hour Walmart to get some carpet cleaner and lysol.. lots of it.

It wasn't until I was pulling into the parking lot that I realized I hadn't looked in a mirror. I could tell I probably looked horendous by the looks I was getting from Walmart employees of all people.. and you know they've probably seen some pretty bad stuff. I mean, it is a Walmart, in Mississippi. I got double-takes and a few pitying looks from employees stocking the shelves.
     
Anyways, I grabbed several bottles of cleaner and a whole package of paper towels and when I walked outside, there was a gorgeous sunrise. I took a deep breath and knew it was all going to be ok.

Somehow I still made it to work on time and Harrison is apparently feeling better. I have no idea what happened. All I know is that I have already had two giant cups of coffee and I can say that I have appreciated a sun rise.. at Walmart.
     

healthy harrison I also want to note that Jeremy did clean up majority of it and I'm so proud of him for doing such a diligent job and not getting sick himself.. :)