mmm...i love days off...

i decided not to use any capital letters as it is my first full day off since the anniversary sale began! )granted i took 5 days off to go to minnesota, but this is my first day off at HOME).

my homesickness has subsided somewhat. so, don't worry everyone, i'm ok.

on sun. night i made homemade chicken parmesean. super easy recipe given to me by one of my employees. it was so good. i made it with gnocchi, a potato dumpling. yum!

tonight, i'm making my french recipe. zucchini and mushrooms cooked in olive oil on the stove along with fresh garlic. i am pairing it with homemade breaded chicken. (actually the same as chicken parmesean minus the red sauce.) i am so excited.

i actually love to cook. unfortunately, george and i get together later in the evening where we have both eaten already. however, i am going to make a conscious effort to cook for him more often. if, and when, we get married, i will make sure to cook real food. i don't really like processed stuff, nor do i always like to eat out. if you eat out too often, it isn't as special. plus, when your sweat and tears (mom know how i cry with onions) go into it, it makes it even better. my parents cooked alot while growing up and eating out was a special occasion. 'let's dish' is a fantastic way to create a homecooked meal when you have time, and then just heat it when you're ready to eat it. once again, passing up the processed stuff.

today i laid in bed until about 10am. then i did laundry, went to barnes and noble for like an hour, went to osco for the basics (lotion, razors, and wine, of course) and then i headed home. UNTIL i realized i was going to make my feast tonight instead of having a nice dinner out. (george works tonight.) so i bought olive oil, zucchini, and french bread. i passed the most amazing sunflowers on sale for 3 bunches for $10. i had to have them. on my front table is now 6 sunflowers and little white flowers.

i came home, went up to the sundeck and read my new book 'can you keep a secret?'...another gossipy-style book. i love books like that.

tomorrow i plan on going to the art institute to look at the exhibition that has all the french-style posters 'le chat' and 'le moulin rouge'. i always have thought of these works as prints, however they are real paintings. i love that style, so maybe i'll check out the museum shop after to see what i can add to my apartment! :-)

i will top off the evening with george and hopefully his parents...unfortunately at a korean restaurant. not that i hate korean food, i'm just nervous to try it for the first time in front of his parents! oh well. suck it up and try it.

two of my girlfriends have met their 'match' at amanda and matt's wedding...bonnie and her man from california (a groomsman) and sarah and amanda's brother (i knew it when i saw them at the rehearsal dinner.) i only wish well upon those blooming relationships.

i will be closing out now as my dinner is ready :-)

love,
julie