one word: RHUBARB

get excited.

I've got an itch that needs to be scratched.

I'm itching to change my blog design.  This is a character flaw of mine, I think. Well, it depends on how you look at it I guess.  I just can't seem to leave well enough alone.  As a kid, I always needed to rearrange my room every year (or every 6 months) just to get a fresh new look.  My last apartment and my current apartment sort of inhibit this as my furniture can really only sit one way in the somewhat tiny space I'm given.  So, I must fulfill this urge for a new look in a different outlet.  I'm thinking my blog design.

Can you tell I'm struggling to find things to talk about?

For the past couple days, I've sat on my oh-so-comfy recliner, watching tv, and... well, doing just that.  all day, every day.  You'd think this would get old.  But, I look at like this: I will never, ever again be able to experience this freedom (at least until I retire).  What's one thing you always hear working adults yearn for?  Time to themselves or with their loved one.  Everyone wants it and needs it, but rarely gets it.  There's always something or someone to worry about, whether it's family, job, finances, or (fill in blank).

So... here I am. Nothing to do, and loving every bit of it.  I'm lucky to have this time before med school and I'm going to darn well use it, thank you very much.

Anyway, back to the point.  I'm itching for a new look.  Part of this stems from the recent visit to Richmond, where I was able to see my dream apartment that, regretfully, my sister lives in (regretfully because I don't live there).  Hardwood floors, the perfect kitchen, light purple paint, natural light flowing in through the abundant windows, and the smell (oh the smell!) Let me clarify here... because I just sounded like creepy McCreepster.

My Aunt Ann's house smells incredible.  Not sure what it is but it smells homey and wonderful.  I always look/looked forward to going to her house because of how it smells.  Brings back great memories.  Picture the scent of a house full of flowers with something always baking in the oven.  Anywho, Erin's apartment now smells like this.  Which is probably what made me fall in love with the apartment in the first place.  I just realized that this explanation just made me sound even creepier but whatever.  Just deal with the creepiness.

Okay, so back to the blog design.  Maybe I should just leave it and buy a new picture or vase of flowers or something.  Or maybe I should bake something.  I haven't done that in a while. Or maybe I should start brainstorming ideas for my next blog so I don't make you endure reading random thoughts in my head again.  Yeah... I'll go for the latter.

Dear friends,

I have been a horrible, no good, very, very bad blogger. I'm sorry.  My cooking has been lacking and well... my brain just doesn't want to be creative right now.  I made snickerdoodle cookies last week and let's just say my dog Kate wouldn't even touch them (she eats everything you put in front of her... aside from vegetables. obviously).  I was a bit disgruntled considering this was the first thing I made in my new kitchen and they are also one of the easiest cookies to bake.  I'll blame the cookbook.  yeah.  the cookbook made me do it.

Anywho, it's 5:50 am and I have to head to Leawood to pick up the brosef.  We're heading to Virginia for a week long fantabulous trip of siblings only.  I couldn't be more excited... aside from never really venturing to the east coast, my siblings and I are mischievous little rascals when we're together.  An 18 hour car ride is the only daunting aspect of this trip. A really daunting one.

Well, better scoot, friends.  It's been good talking to you.  Let's do this again in a week.

Love,

TNP

ehhhh eetsa Italiano!

okay folks.  I just had the most incredible dinner.  It didn't involve heating.  It didn't involve frying.  It didn't involve broiling, baking, or sauteeing.

No. Cooking. Involved.

So what was this dinner, you ask?

It involved me dragging myself to KC's city market and forcing myself to go to the Italian deli where they sell all kinds of fresh meats and cheeses and breads and pastries...

(practically at gunpoint) I forced myself to buy pepperoni, salami, smoked gouda, and fresh italian bread.

This is getting serious.

I then begrudgingly carried my goods home and then completely against my will...

drizzled olive oil on the bread...

sliced juicy red tomatoes...

stacked the cheese, meats, and tomatoes between the fresh, moist, olive oil soaked bread...



and devoured the little piece of heaven.


Please, nobody move to kansas city.

It makes you do crazy crazy things.

Oh, to be there again...

seriously, someone please make me get out of bed.  And for the love of all that is holy, please pry mac from my fingers.

I enjoy mornings in bed, drinking my coffee, and catching up in the blog world, but people, I move to kansas city in 4 days. I've GOT to start packing. seriously.

What am I doing instead? Trying to find a savory tart to christen my new tart pan.  I've got some ideas... I see tomatoes... fresh herbs... cheese... wine...

I need to be moving to Paris instead.

I got into a recent conversation with someone about the differences in the health care systems and overall well beings of people in America vs. people in Europe.  It's astonishing how there is such a lack of obese people in Europe.  However, look at what they eat? There's cheese, wine, and bread in France... Chorizo, paella, tortilla española, and delicious Tiggiani gelato in Spain... heavy pasta, pizza and wine in Italy...

but nobody is fat.  The only slightly obese people I saw in these countries were the elderly. To me, that comes with age and is indicative of a well-lived life.

I had meals of these sizes twice a day in Spain for two and a half months...

(The first course of a meal in Madrid)

(these are the remnants of a meal... I was actually given half a loaf of bread to pair with my roast chicken and half a tortilla española)

And almost nightly (sometimes twice a day), we followed up our meals with this...

And guess what? I hardly gained any weight.  Walking 30 minutes to class and 30 minutes back was my salvation.  Why don't Americans do this? I really am curious. And why do Americans not value their meals? Eating times in Europe are the chances to spend time with friends and family (They take a two hour break in the middle of the day to go home and eat)... they value their meals and the time they spend eating them.  In America, when lunch time hits, people run to the nearest fast food chain to scarf down whatever they can.  How did we get off track with this mentality?

Now don't get me wrong, as soon as I returned to the states my American ways set back in and are currently in practice right now (seriously, someone please make me get out of bed).

Contemplating these issues makes me yearn for the days in Europe all over again...

I'm all for my friends and family packing up and moving there.  Who's with me?

The Leawood, KS Zoo.

I love animals.  This is no surprise to anyone who knows me.

However, I am a bit discriminatory when it comes to the animals I show my affection for.

So, of course, I think the best animals in the world are in the White House.  The White House located in Leawood, KS, that is.

Meet Kate. She is a bit intimidating but couldn't harm a flee.  Well, unless you are trying to take food away from her.  The girl enjoys her food. Which is also why she is pushing 100 lbs. no biggie.

(this is the only pic I have on my new computer of just kate)

Now, meet Millie.  The newest member to the White House zoo.  She is a bit prissy and has quite the attitude most of the time.  She is also the most cuddly and sweet looking dog I have ever known (aside from Kate of course... my loyalties are always and forever to Kate).   

Millie can be a bit of a rascal sometimes...

Notice the upside down suitcase on the floor... millie thought she needed more space on the bed.

She decided to play in some mud outside... her punishment? A bath in the kitchen sink by mom.  

Ugh she always makes me melt.

And now, what should be considered our 3rd dog... Snickers.  The bunny. Not much to say about snickers except that he's huge and likes to hang out on our deck outside.  He's also really soft and sheds like it's his job.  Don't wear black around him.

He's about half the size of Kate... Kate has the weight of a small human.  We feed our animals well.

We also have a fish... Sammy. He's a hand-me-down from me.  He doesn't do much but swim around and make his water dirty.  I guess I'm just not a big fan of fish. He has a funny looking nose though (do fish have noses?).  I don't have a picture of him, but if you go to petsmart, look for a male beta fish and you'll get a pretty good idea of what sammy looks like. Not much to him.

We also have mutant spiders/crickets in our basement: Spickets. (don't click on the link if you're queasy)  They are the spawn of satan.  I don't know if you guys know this, but spiders are my worst fear.  So... take the creepiness/ horrible-ness of spiders and add a two-foot jumping ability and you get Spickets.  (Apparently they are also called Cannibalistic Cave Crickets because they eat their own legs when they fall off... which happens often) Call them what you will... I think they should all die. 

I'm sorry... this is the most ridiculous post I've ever written.  You know when people show you pictures of their kids and you're like "uhhh... that's great. adorable. wow. what a cute kid" but really you're thinking "that kid looks just like every other kid I know... why are they showing me these pictures. I couldn't care less".  That's probably what's happening right now in this post.  sorry.

on a side note... look at this frog that tried to have dinner with us one night! 

Animals like this frog are fun to look at, but if it were to jump on me, I would forever hate frogs.  

Note to all non-human and non-dog animals: Stay away from me and I'll like you.  Come too close, and you might was well be dead to me.

I'm talking to you, birds...

Hi I'm Natalie and I have an oreo problem.

Ever heard of the saying "give me an inch, and I'll take a mile"? Well, folks, give me an oreo cookie and I'll eat the whole box.

Which is why I only eat them maybe twice a year.  Now, here comes the problem. I just learned how to make homemade oreos. seriously.  They are as good as the nabisco ones except bigger. problem.

Now here's the other problem... I made many of them..

My only saving grace was the trip home to KC... I was able to bring them home to family members to eat.  Otherwise, I would have eaten them all. seriously.

On top of making entirely way too many delicious oreos, I also decided to crank out some buttermilk pies.  

Ladies, put on your pretty apron and pearls and make this pie.

(can you tell I was born in the wrong generation?)

The pictures aren't great, so I'm going to opt out of posting the pictures and make you use your imagination... or you could just make the pies and see for yourself :)

Okay, now I'm sorry for having waited a week and a half to blog. I would have written sooner but with the graduation party, family in town, and my separation from mac, writing was just out of the question.  My goal for this week: write everyday.  It's a pretty hefty goal considering I have so much to do, but I will certainly try to squeeze it in during or between Law and Order: SVU episodes.

Hint for tomorrow's blog:

you'll just have to wait and see.

p.s.: If you would like very informative and interesting political views, visit our newest friend to the blog world.  It's fascinating.