Thirty.

Mr. Malone and I are very lucky to have two sets of parents who are still together.
And today is a very big day for my in-laws!

Here is wishing a very happy thirty years of marriage to Mama & Papa Malone.

Cheers to thirty more!!

USA! USA!

I freaking love the Olympics. Everything about them. I wish I could take two weeks off to sit at home and watch every single event, with an American flag draped over my shoulders & a Budweiser in hand.

I mean, c'mon. How else would you watch them?!

My makeshift Olympic rings. I obviously need to invest in Zen, Kelly & Regal before Rio 2016.

Besides the patriotism and competitive spirit, Bob Costas is really the epitome of the Olympic games. You just can't NOT love the shit that comes out of this guy's mouth. Amazing.

Here is hoping that NBC ups the Bob Costas factor and the good ol' US of A comes home with some hardware!

Birthday Love

Today I am sending all my birthday love to my main squeeze, Mr. Malone.

Cheers to you!

Happy Monday!

And happy it will be! The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is calling my name.

Black Bean Salad

Hello, Summer. Glad you have decided to {finally} make an appearance!

Here is a super easy, and tasty, side for all of those BBQs - enjoy!



{via}


SOUTHWESTERN BLACK BEAN SALAD
*Via skinnytaste

1 - 15.5 oz can black beans, rinsed & drained
9 oz frozen corn, thawed
1 tomato, chopped
1/4 C red onion, chopped
1 scallion, chopped
1 lime, juiced
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 avocado, diced
Salt & pepper

*Combine beans, corn, tomato, red onion, scallion, cilantro, salt & pepper in a large bowl - mix gently.
*Add olive oil and lime juice - stir to combine.
*Let sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
*Add diced avocado right before serving.

Venting

I read an article a few weeks back about blogging. The biggest complaint? Those who blog paint a perfect picture of their lives and families, even though it is probably not reality. While I don't intend to become a "think it and write it" kind of author, that article made me realize it is ok to tell it like it is, especially if it can be therapeutic.

It has been a lousy week and I am angry about it. There, I said it. I am angry.

I like to think I am a really good friend. (Allow me to toot my own horn for a minute, please.) I am attentive, loving, and in all honesty, would run to a friend's aid at the drop of a hat. So how do you think I felt when someone close to me insinuated otherwise?

I felt like shit. To the point where it consumed every thought of every day. I could barely sit still without my eyes welling with tears. I am trying my best to not let it get to me and go about my business, but it's been difficult, if not impossible. And the worst part?

I don't know how I'm supposed to forgive, let alone forget.

Bearcats in Bend

Melinda was my first friend in Alpha Chi. (The way I prefer to describe it - I was a stage five clinger.) Hard to believe, but I was terrified those first few weeks. Melinda was there for me and our friendship only grew throughout our time at Willamette.

And now, she's hitched!

FYI - I made the collage on Diptic.

I had the best time in Bend last weekend. The last time I saw everyone was at our wedding and we wasted absolutely no time getting back into the college spirit.

My Sigma Chi family, Yak & Hirsch.

Every time I see my Willamette friends, I am completely rejuvenated. I am beyond thankful I went to a small school - these are relationships that will last a lifetime.

The Flames.

Mr. Malone, Mad Men status.

The weather was pretty schizophrenic while we were there - it was a torrential downpour on our 6+ hour drive, but then absolutely gorgeous that evening. Saturday was no different. We went from hail, to sun, to threat of thunderstorms, to a perfectly clear window of time for their ceremony. It was perfect.

We stayed at Eagle Crest Resort. It was Sunriver 2.0.

Craig and Melinda could not be more well-suited for one another. They are the perfect balance of calm and crazy excited! (Craig being the calm one in this equation.)

There was one downside to this reunion weekend, though. It left me wanting more. I'm anxiously counting down until August, when a small group of us will be together again.

And, like always, we will re-live the good ol' days. We will talk of trips to Muchas, campus tours, and Serenades. We will laugh, sing, dance, and cry. We will all pretend that we are twenty again.

And I will walk away knowing that I am so lucky to have these crazy Bearcats in my life.