January 2009

Here is the last of the “Ask me anything” post…

morewineplease said: How about some book suggestions… fun stuff…what’s your favorite?

I love Emily Giffin’s books (Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, and Love the One You’re With). I also love Jen Lancaster (Bitter is the New Black is AMAZING). I pretty much love any beach read. Do you have any you think I should read?

I’ve really watched your blog grow over the last several months… has it surprised you? Do you ever feel pressure to blog, or to satisfy readers?

I am beyond flattered, shocked, and humbled by how much my blog has grown. It has completely surprised me. I honestly did not ever think that anyone would be interested in reading about my silly life. I am SO THANKFUL to the MANY amazing blog friends that I have made through this experience. I am truly so blessed!

I never feel pressure to blog because blogging is my form of fun and escape during my work day. I actually look forward to blogging if you can believe it. When I first started I used to feel pressure to satisfy readers but then that took the fun out of blogging so now I blog about whatever pops into my head and hope people like it.

The Shabby Princess said: What is your favorite piece of jewelry that you own?

My engagement ring and the Tahitian pearl ring that Mr. Mojito gave me on our honeymoon.

Jessica Lynn said: Does he smother you ever?

Of course!! I am a VERY independent person so I need my space (plus I think it is only natural to need ‘me’ time). When I feel like I am being smothered I usually tell him I want to be alone for a little bit which makes me feel better. Sometimes I watch a movie, read a book, or go out with some girl friends.

Do you need a break?

Never a permanent break (as in breakup), but sometimes I do need a break especially if I get really upset. This usually results in me being in one room and him in another until I have had a chance to calm down.

Is that natural for someone you want to be with for the rest of your life?

I think so. Everyone has good days and bad days…days where you need to be alone and others where you need to be with a crowd of people. You just have to find that happy medium of spending quality time together and not suffocating the other person.

Tara Gibson said: Where is your fav place to shop!

Well, I LOVE Restoration Hardware and Williams Sonoma…wait, are you talking about clothes haha? I would have to say J. Crew, Nordstrom, and Banana Republic. Want to come over and help me look for some fun new spring dresses?

KrissyBo. Said: Do you think you’ll ever move back to Colorado?

Probably someday but not in the next few years. We are really happy with our life in Dallas so it is hard to pick up and move.

Where did you go to college? Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

Mary Michal said: What do you do for a living?

I am a dorky systems engineer (don’t worry, I have no idea what that means either) for a defense contractor.

And if you could do anything, what would your dream job be?

Wedding planner or professional photographer…I seriously day dream about it ALL THE TIME!

New Girl on Post said: What is your happiest moment?

The day Mr. Mojito asked me to marry him!!! It was so special and romantic!!

How about your maddest?

Tough question. When we first started dating Mr. Mojito lied to me about something and I was pretty darn mad about it (to the point where I was ready to break up with him), but we worked through it. I’m glad I did not let that affect us!

What was it about Mr. Mojito that you knew he was the one?

This is going to sound strange, but it was his eyes. I truly think that he has the kindest eyes. It is hard to explain, but when I look at them I instantly feel at peace with the world.

What’s your favorite Giada (Everyday Italian) recipe?

I love ALL of her risotto recipes and make them frequently!! Whether it is her butternut squash and vanilla risotto, mushroom and pea risotto, or champagne risotto I LOVE them all.

Butternut Squash and Vanilla Risotto
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

4 cups vegetable broth
1 large vanilla bean
3 cups cubed butternut squash cut in 1-inch squares, about 12 ounces
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cups finely chopped onion (from 1 onion)
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

In a medium saucepan, warm the broth over medium-high heat. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds and add them and the bean to the broth. When the broth comes to a simmer, reduce the heat to low. Add the butternut squash to the simmering broth and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked squash to a side dish. Turn the heat on the broth down to very low and cover to keep warm.Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender but not brown, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat with the butter. Add the wine and simmer until the wine has almost completely evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the simmering broth and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of broth to absorb before adding the next, until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite and the mixture is creamy, about 20 minutes total. Discard the vanilla bean. Turn off the heat under the risotto (and the remaining broth, if any). Gently stir in the butternut squash, Parmesan cheese, the remaining tablespoon of butter, and salt. Transfer the risotto to a serving bowl and sprinkle with chives. Serve immediately.

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jlc said: If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

I would love to live in New York City for a year. There is so much history, food, art, and culture in NYC that I think would be really cool to experience. However, I do not think I could handle living there for more than a year, so after that I would honestly choose to live in a city like Dallas.

Any vacations coming up in the near future?

Nina and I are heading to Columbia, SC in April to visit Erin at Blue-Eyed Bride. We are going to have so much fun!!!! Mr. Mojito and I are also planning a trip to visit my brother in San Francisco during the summer (possibly for our one year anniversary trip?).

Kate said: How did you end up in Dallas?

I originally intended on swimming in college and Texas has A LOT of great swimming schools. SMU was never on my radar because I wanted to go to college on an academic scholarship (as opposed to an athletic one in case I ever decided to stop swimming) and SMU had not offered me a scholarship yet. The day after I put down my deposit at TCU and spoke with TCU’s swim coach I got a letter in the mail from SMU saying I was being considered for the President’s Scholarship (full tuition and room and board). I did not receive the President’s Scholarship, but I did end up receiving the Dean’s Scholarship and an engineering scholarship which meant my tuition at SMU would be paid for and I would not have to take out student loans. I immediately called TCU and let them know that I was going to attend SMU instead and I have not looked back since.

Do you plan on staying forever (or for the foreseeable future)?

Foreseeable future? Yes. Forever? I have no idea. My family really wants us to move to Colorado, but part of me wants to move somewhere crazy like Chicago, Florida, California, or Boston. BUT if that does not work out I really love Dallas and would be happy to live here permanently.

Sarah said: Where is your favorite place to drink a mojito?

I LOVE going out to a great restaurant that has fabulous cocktails. My favorite restaurant in Dallas for a mojito is La Duni (especially the Berry Mojito). Craft Dallas also has a great one.

Sassy Pants said: If the rainbow could taste like ANYTHING you wanted it to, what would it taste like? And you can’t say Skittles because that’s an advertisement scheme *why was I going to spell that as “skeem”?*

It would taste like fruit rollups. The ones you would eat when you were a kid where you had to peel the plastic wrapper off and cut out the fun shapes.

Bama Belle… said: Why did you move to Dallas? Please see above

Where/how did you and Mr. Mojito meet? Please see this post.

If you couldn’t drink mojitos or strawberry martinis anymore, what would you drink?

Sangria!! I love a good glass (err pitcher) of red or white sangria! Clealry I like sweet drinks haha.

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Pink Bliss said: My question (more of a request) is what advice would you give new bloggers in making their blogs successful?

Great question. I think the best way to make your blog successful is to be yourself. Blogging should not be a popularity contest. Write from your heart and readers will come. Of course, commenting on other people’s blogs and “following” them is also a great way to gain readers.

However, keep in mind that blogging should be fun. When I first started blogging I would comment on every blog I followed, but before long I was following 200 blogs and subscribing to a hundred more and I just got burnt out. I admit that I no longer comment on every person’s blog who left me a comment, but I do try to comment when I can.

Mrs. Cup said: What is your favorite gift you’ve ever given?

I am just going to put it out there…Mr. Mojito loves beer (the good stuff). So, for Valentine’s Day one year I made him a book titled “14 Beers for February 14th” that had the history, brewing process, and fun random facts about 14 different beers that he loves. Then I made a cooler that had each of the beers in it so he could sample each beer as he was reading about it.

What is your favorite memory with Mr. Mojito?

I truly love nothing better than our date nights. It does not matter if we go somewhere completely casual or a 5-Star restaurant, I love enjoying a good meal where we can talk, laugh, and just be ourselves…when we are doing this all is right in the world…even if it is just for a moment.

What is your favorite city in the world? St. John! I know it is not a city, but this island is my favorite place on the entire planet.

KDLOST said: Favorite celebrity/actor(s)? Male: Edward Norton, Harrison Ford, and Matt Damon. Female: Kate Winslet.

blueviolet said: Tell us about your bad habits, your sneaky behind closed doors bad habits (any door but the bedroom door)

I refuse to change the toilet paper roll or put my clothes away (instead they hang from the end of the bed). I am also a “picker”. If I see any imperfection on my skin I will pick at it…sometimes I even pick at Mr. Mojito and this drives him crazy!

Jenn said: I’d like to know…what are the first 3 websites you look at every morning when you get to your computer? The Hollywood Gossip, Facebook, and Blogger.

Emily said: How long did you and Mr. Mojito date before marriage? Two and a half years.

When did you know he was the one?

About 5 months into our relationship. It was right before our undergraduate graduation. We were out to dinner celebrating our upcoming graduation, and while we were sharing dessert he looked at me and said, “I love you so much, honey”…and that was when I knew we would be together forever.

What is your favorite kind of food? Risotto, Macaroni and Cheese, and anything chocolate.

Where would your dream vacation be to? Greece or Capri.

Do you guys want to have kids in the future? If so, how many?? Only fur babies for us (please see this post).

Where did you go on your honeymoon? Kaua’i!! It was amazing!

Anonymous said: How did you and Mr. Mojito meet?

We met in a math class our senior year. This was the final math class needed for our math major. This class was ridiculously hard so I approached Mr. Mojito and asked if we could study together because he looked really smart. After 4 months of studying/flirting he finally asked me out on a date.

Were you friends before you dated? No. We lived in the same dorm and had several engineering classes together, but we never spoke until we sat next to each other in our final math class.

What is your favorite wedding memory? Saying our personalized vows in front of our friends and family! It was such a beautiful and special moment for me!

What is your biggest strength and weakness?

Strength: I have a photographic memory, meaning I can remember almost any event like it happened yesterday, including very specific details…it is actually slightly creepy.

Weakness: I am very type A which means that I like things to be in order and perfect…not always a good thing!!

And because I have always wanted to know…how do you get your hair to curl like that (it’s beautiful)? What’s your beauty secret?

HAHAHAHA…sorry this made me laugh out loud. Thank you so much for the compliment, but I am the LAST person you should be asking for beauty secrets because I have ZERO fashion sense. To get my hair to curl like that I use hot rollers. I leave them in for about 10 minutes and then shake them out and go. My hair is very straight and will not hold curling iron curls so I have to use hot rollers if I want any volume.

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