My week in photos

I realize that I take a lot of photos. Most of them are random and sometimes superfluous. I don't really need 12 photos of my cookie baking process, for example. But I have noticed that I end up with at least one 'good' photo every day. So I thought I could (at least in very surface terms) chronicle my days and weeks in photography. Not especially fascinating, but still somewhat interesting (at least to me and my 2 blog followers ;).

Monday

I had a nice Monday overall. Spent some time discussing our office expansion with the administrative staff and started training the new temp. Kevin fell off a ladder trying to retrieve what we learned was a doll that had been thrown onto our roof over the weekend by the kids next door.

Not quite sure how this happened but it certainly didn't fail to startle me at nearly midnight, thudding onto my roof.

Tuesday

I had a gray and foggy commute this morning and a very (very) busy day at work. I think I will have very very busy days for a long time; it's just the way it seems to go this time of year, and even more so this year. We have a lot going on all at once. Kevin and I went to Chili's for dinner and then went to Aldi for some grocery shopping. We watched the latest episode of 'Dexter' before bed.

Not an unattractive downtown. And yes, I'm driving and taking photos at the same time.

Wednesday

Hump day was more than crazy. I feel sometimes it wouldn't hurt to have a cot at the office; it would make it easier to stay as late as I sometimes need to and not have to drive back and forth. It's probably *not* a good sign that I am even considering that idea though. I had lunch today with my friend Michael whose birthday is tomorrow. We had chicken and mashed potatoes and peas for dinner and I made some potato soup with the leftover mashed potatoes. I baked some sugar cookies and Kevin spent some time with a friend. I bought a few things online at Metrostyle using a great discount.

Still warm from the oven as I pour a glass of milk.

Thursday

I can't even remember what I did at work today but it was a lot! The new space downstairs is coming together well and the cubicles are set up. Now all we need to do is encourage everyone to pack before it's down to the wire. We have big red crates and dollies all over the office and huge computer carts blocking the halls. I came home this evening a tidied a little and had my good friend Bonnie over for yoga. It was enlightening and so therapeutic; we plan on doing this together a couple times a week and I'm SO excited. Oh, and my neighbor is apparently excited about Christmas; her decor went from Halloween straight to Christmas, blinky lights and all.

Friday

Woke up feeling spectacular today. I credit the yoga. Good thing, too, because it was a long day. I showed those expense reports who is boss and completed 5 of them, including making minor corrections to 2 others. I helped like, 7 people throughout the day and decided however stressful that can be, at least I know people can rely on me; that's a good feeling. I didn't leave work til 7pm because I was helping one of my Officers pack his office. I think I knew that at least one person would procrastinate and not pack til the last minute, but we made the most of it - working together we got it all packed and moved (or put in the shred bins - there was more to shred than there was to keep!) in an hour and a half. I was so tired. Got home and freshened up a bit and went for dinner with Kevin at Rancho la Sandia, "our" Mexican place up the street. They recognize us now. ;) Live music, enchiladas and a margarita was a great way to relax.

Hi, my name is Natalie. I'm a Chipotle addict.

Yes, it's true. I'm addicted to Chipotle Mexican Grill. Nothing - nothing - can quite top the drug-like addictive qualities of a Chipotle burrito bowl (which I could eat on a daily basis though my digestive system would most certainly protest). Last night I was super-craving Chipotle but since we have more than reached our out-to-eat quota lately, I tried making an at-home version (after a thrifty visit to my local Aldi - I heart that store!) and it turned out great!

Here are the super simple ingredients to gather:

- Rice - 1-1/2 to 2 c, prepared in the usual manner except this time spritzed with the juice of one lime

- Steak, optional - Seasoned with Cumin, Chili Powder, Crushed Red Pepper ... Grilled, stove top or in the backyard. (I got easy breezy stew meat so it was pre-diced and just browned it in a skillet)

- Fajita veggies (1 green bell pepper and 1/2 an onion; should be red but I had white on hand) - softened over medium/high heat with a little fat in the pan

- Corn - I used one can of corn/chili/pimento mix

- Black beans - one can tumped into a colander and thoroughly rinsed

- Chopped black olives, optional (not a traditional Chipotle ingredient, but tasty)

- Fresh tomato - Diced

- Guacamole - preferably homemade (2 avocados, 1/2 a large tomatillo, 1/4 onion, 1/2 fresh tomato, juice from 1 lime, salt, a tiny bit of garlic powder, 1/2 jalapeno pepper diced and fresh cilantro if you have it, which unfortunately I don't)

- Sour Cream

- Grated cheese

- Lettuce, optional - Diced and sprinkled on top of everything after plating

My grilled steak, 'resting'.

Stove work: Prep the first three ingredients - so basic. Next, warm the corn and beans if you want - this is not a necessary step, as they will be topping hot rice and warm steak and veggies; considering pantries are usually room temp, they will warm up sufficiently.

Homemade guac. Not my very best attempt, sadly, but still good. (maybe since avocados aren't really 'in' right now?)

Construct all of this on a plate or in a bowl. Top with chopped olives if you're using them, fresh diced tomatoes, a scoop of guacamole, some sour cream and cheese. (A little salsa is yummy, too.)

Now all I need is a real live Chipotle margarita and I'm set! Has anyone else noticed how *amazing* their margaritas are?? If I wasn't stuffing myself full of their burrito goodness I'd be flat on the floor 1/2 way through my first drink! They are strong but oh-so delish. ;)

What's cool about doing stuff like this at home (aside from doing so in pajamas while watching Netflix) is saving a few bucks and having great leftovers. The entire meal for Kevin and me probably cost around $10-12 worth of groceries - steak, veggies, dairy, everything - and I had it for dinner again tonight and there is still a little leftover. Compare that to one dinner out + a drink or 2 at Chipotle -- it's over $20.

Also, here's a really scary calculator that tells you how many calories are in your very own personalized Chipotle burrito. Basically, just don't eat all day leading up to a stop at your local Chipotle and you should be OK.

The *real* Chipotle is still my crack, but having it at home was a fun, yummy and slightly more economical experiment.

yum-zilla!