NYC

I am heading out east tomorrow to visit Jake for Easter weekend.  This will be our last weekend in the city while he is still a West Point Cadet.  Since we may not spend a lot of time in NYC in the future, we are going to hit up some of our favorite places where we have made some very fond memories.  The first is The Heartland Brewery (funny because we will be in the big city, yet hanging out in the most midwestern looking place we can find), and Havana Central which has amazing Cuban food and my favorite, mojitos!  We are also thinking about seeing a show, going to central park, going to the Easter parade, or maybe even hitting up the Manhattan Flea market.  We'll just have to see what time and our wallets allot.

I have never been a big fan of the NYC.  This could be because I picture Jake traveling through it every time he leaves MN and has to return out east :( , but really I think its just the hustle and bustle.  I like things a bit more peaceful and serene.

So you'd think NYC would be the last place we'd end up for our honeymoon, right? Well...wrong. Sort of.
We are going to be flying to New York the morning after our wedding, but we will only be there for a bit until our cruise leaves!  I suppose I can put up with the city one more time if it lands me on a cruise ship with my handsome husband, plenty of pools, and tasty treats. ;)

I hope you all have a lovely weekend! I know I will! I have been missing Jake and can't wait to see him and give him a big hug!
I will leave you with these pictures from the first time I visited Jake at West Point two and a half years ago:

Brides Coffee Invite

Today my formal invite to the Brides Coffee to be held at West Point during Jake's Graduation week came in the mail.

I am so excited for this event.  Jake's mom, LeAnne, and I will attend and meet other brides and Army wives.  I am sure I will learn a ton as they go over policies and etiquette.  

I am already mentally preparing myself as I know they will discuss what happens in the event of an injury or tragic death of one of our loved ones. (Sounds pretty uplifting for a morning brunch, huh?!)

SO... on a lighter note... lets think about the important things... ;)

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR!?

Old Navy

Anthropologie

Maurices

Dog Pile

My dad is getting a much deserved, much anticipated puppy!  He has always had a HUGE heart for animals, and the Alcott residence has been without moving fur-balls for some time now.  It is about time to feel that love of a dog when you walk through the door, or to have a companion to walk by your side on a nice spring day like today. There is nothing that can replace the feeling of a caring animal that lays it's head on your lap when you cry, or who leaps up and down when you pick up the leash, or say the simple word "outside!"  Yes, having a puppy will be a ton of work, and it will be sad when it cries for it's mama and siblings the first few nights in our house, but soon it will be like family.  It wont be a burden or a stressor, but just another great part of the Alcott household.  It will be a dog that I will miss while I'm traveling with my new husband, but with the right persuasion I should be able to get my dad to send me tons of pictures and videos as the puppy grows up.  It is good to know there will be a sweet four-legged girl to take care of my dad when his little girl heads down to the southern border to start a life with the handsome 2LT Howell. God only knows what my dad would do without a little girl to take care of! ;)

Here are some photos of our first time visiting the puppies.  The mama dog had 9 puppies; 4 girls and 5 boys.  My dad will be getting a girl, but we don't know which one yet.  He wants to wait and choose after he can detect more of their personalities. (I'm sure he'll choose the wild one, so she can adequately fill my shoes) ;)

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

I am a huge fan of snail mail, so these wedding RSVP's have got me in high spirits.

10:30, when the mail-carrier comes, is one of my favorite times of the day.

(I know, my days are exciting, huh?)

But really, I love to open up the RSVP's and see who will be attending the wedding.

It's getting so close, and I am so ready.  

50 days, folks! 

I tried Sushi...

Tricia and I getting prepared for our first bite of the "Samurai Tuna Roll."
(with spicy sesame tuna and cucumber)

AND LIKED IT!

To be honest, this was actually the second time I've tried sushi.  The first time I was not a fan - but I was told that I had to give it another try, this time with FRESHLY ROLLED sushi. 

(Not from the refrigerator at the grocery store).

I didn't think it would make that big of a difference, so I went in expecting to gag a little and have to wash it down with my mojito; but to my surprise, I liked it a lot and went in for more!

In summary: If you don't like sushi; Go to Chino Latino in Mpls, MN with some good friends and enjoy! ;)

This is Michelle.  She rocks.  So did her awesome "French Toast of the Dead."
(Better-dipped Mexican Pan de Muerto with sliced banana and Meyer's Rum caramel syrup)

Devin and Steve... being pensive

It was a great night in Minneapolis with some great friends.  It is so nice that spring is in the air!

After our Late Night trip to Chino Latino we went for a walk to Lake Calhoun... 

the location where Jake proposed.  

It brought back the butterflies. :)

Bridal Shower

I love the term bridal shower.  I am a bride who was definitely showered with gifts, love, hugs, and laughter at my bridal shower this weekend (thrown by a family friend, Jan, and my sweet Aunt Dee).  

It was great to have my close family there, and also a few family friends I had not seen in quite in a while.  I was surprised and overjoyed at the great turn out.

Me wearing my kitchen/American themed "corsage"

Delicious marble Byerly's cake brought by my Aunt Dee.

I am surrounded by such creative people.  I was given hand-embroidered towels from my Grandma-to-be, homemade cards by many, and my artistic sister decorated my bridal chair (a kitchen chair that was owned by my late Grandma and Grandpa Alcott).

The unique bridal chair decorated by my sister, Diane. 

Dessert table.

 Everything was themed to match my wedding colors, blue and green.  Everyone went above and beyond to make this a very special and memorable day.  It was fantastic to be surrounded by so many people that love me and like to share their lives with me.  

I feel blessed. 

Flavorsome Frittata

Today I made this delicious frittata that I adapted from a Weight Watchers online recipe.

Ingredients:

Cooking spray

1 onion, sliced

2 large eggs

4 large egg whites (I used 1/2 cup Egg Beaters egg whites)

pinch of salt

pinch of pepper

1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in half

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (I used reduced fat)

2 Tbsp dried bread crumbs (I used Panko)

Basil (I chopped up about 5 large leaves)

Spinach (I used about 3/4 cup chopped)

Instructions:

Preheat broiler.

Coat skillet with cooking spray. Cook sliced onion over medium heat until tender (about 5 minutes).

In bowl, beat together eggs, egg whites, salt and pepper.  Stir in tomatoes onion, spinach and basil.

Coat skillet again with cooking spray. Set over medium heat.

Pour mixture into skillet and cook until almost set, about 5 minutes.

Sprinkle cheese over frittata and top with breadcrumbs.

Place skillet under broiler until cooked through and bread crumbs turn golden-brown. (this happens very quickly - about 1 minute) 

*Note: if you do not have a skillet that can be placed in the oven (a problem I ran into) slide almost set frittata into a pie pan to finish cooking under the broiler.

Cut into wedges and enjoy!

I served my frittata with a whole wheat waffle topped with mango.  Mouthwatering.  

Banana Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients:
Cooking spray
1 2/3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
3/4 cup sugar
4 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup egg substitute (or 2 eggs)
3 bananas, peeled and mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup blueberries (I used frozen) You could also use chopped cranberries or strawberries

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Coat muffin tin with cooking spray (I used a ceramic muffin pan).

In medium bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

In a large bowl beat sugar and applesauce until sugar begins to dissolve (about 2 minutes).

Beat in eggs and mashed bananas.

Stir in flour mixture and fruit with a rubber spatula, making sure you scrape down sides of bowl to moisten everything.

Scoop batter into muffin tin (makes 12 muffins).

Bake until browned - about 25 minutes (a toothpick inserted into center of bread should come out with a few moist crumbs).

Place pan on wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes.  Remove muffins and enjoy!

Today's critic: Theodore - my sweet breakfast loving nephew.  

First words: "They're kinda sticky" 

 After a few bites: "They're good!"

Time to try them out for yourselves! Have a wonderful weekend!