Amen, is it really 2010?!

Well...it's official! The youngest Nido girl has carried on the sisterly trend and has waved goodbye to Providence High and hello to Appalachian State! (how convenient and closet friendly that we all did not have to get rid of our black and gold high school apparel to trade in for new school colors...we're black and gold FOR LIFE) I remember when Nat was in elementary school and 2010 seemed light years away. We must be having fun because these years seem to go by more quickly the older that we get.

We celebrated the graduate all weekend long with family, friends and in true Nido fashion, hosted a a graduation party that should have been featured on The Food Network! (I will be dedicating an entire post...or three...to the outstanding menu created by none other than my dear Godmother, Angela!)

Congratulations, little one!

Fresh Mozzarella or Goat Cheese? (And Other Life Lessons...)

When it comes to good food, Kealy and I are from the same mold. We discuss flavors to the fullest, digest recipes in detail and reminisce about last night's meal as if it was like experiencing love at first sight. When we used to sit in neighboring cubes at work, we were told that just listening to us talk about how much we love food would instantly cause someone to gain ten pounds! Surprisingly, we are both two little health nuts (who always have room for something sweet to end a meal!) Alas, in our minds, there is no other way to be.

A few weekends ago, Kealy and I decided to take a delightful Sunday hike up to Crowder's Mountain, about 40 minutes outside of Charlotte. With busy work weeks and our heads in a spin, it was nice to enjoy the fresh air. As our little legs made their way down the mountain, our conversation went in a tasty direction (surprise surprise!) Kealy asked me if I could eat only one cheese, for the rest of my life, which would it be? Fresh mozzarella of course! This quickly turned into a food frenzied game and as I type up this memory, and our choices, my mouth is watering!

Pasta? Paparadelle and Rigatoni

Vegetable? Asparagus...wait...are tomatoes a vegetable or a fruit?

Fruit? Strawberries and Blackberries

Yogurt? Greek!

Breakfast food? Cereal

Fish? Salmon

Salad? Greek Country Salad! Duh!

Herb? Basil

Dessert? Tiramisu...Cannolis...Apple Pie...Gelato....ok nevermind this category is impossible to pick one

And the winner of the official "holy trinity" of food goes to...Tomatoes, Basil and Mozzarella!

Thinking back on this tasty little game is a good reminder to never overlook the little things in life. Some around kitchen nerds like us might think we are absolutely nuts and overly obsessed with the art of good eating but in my mind we are taking one of the little morsels in life and magnifying it, because it explodes with happiness. In our world today, it is so easy to let yourself drown in the day to day routine and situations that challenge us in ways that try so hard to take us down. It seems as though a serious epidemic of what is known as "busy-ness" has taken everyone around me. A lot of my sweet friends have been running around like crazy with work and just day to day happenings that take a toll on our well being and overall happiness. It is in these times that we have to stop being "busy" and quit being "stressed". Stop thinking about the things you can't control and start focusing on the things that you can. Pick out the positive points of your day and trash the negative ones- when you wake up, you have a clean slate and the choice to make it a fantastic day.

The middle of the week is upon us and there is so much to be thankful for. Take a few moments today to step away from the madness and sprinkle your life with some happy thoughts! And what the heck, while you are at it, grab a friend, go on a hike and make up a wacky game to play.

Lucky 100!

I'm back!! I am neglecting my blog and I miss it so much! In the past month I have moved out of my precious apartment, relocated the majority of my possessions to the Midwest and taken up residence in my old room at the "Nido Luxury Hotel". This means I should be blogging about every meal I eat, right!? It's all about the food over here. With all of us being at home this summer it could not be any more of a funny farm and I am loving every minute of it! Our summer fun list is bursting at the seams and I cannot wait to bask in the happiness!

There really is no reason for lack of spreading peace & love other than that the busy-ness that is life has gotten the best of me and I have not done my job to pause in the small, happy and delicious moments and share them here. Like every bride does, I have been counting down the days until our September wedding and like the dork that I am, decided to sync up the 100 day mark with my 100th blog post! It's hard to believe I have had this little blog for a year and I just want to leave a little sprinkle of Nina love and blog hugs too anyone who has popped over in the last year or so as I take my bloggable bites and share delightful morsels of life.

Happy weekend.

Happy 100th blog post.

And Happy 100 Moore Days!!

We're Smitten with the Mitten!

What a year 2010 is going to be for these sisters. I can hardly contain my excitement as I am about to share even more exciting sister news!!!

This time it belongs to Andi... the one who has conquered all! After months of hard work, lots of love notes to God, frequent family pow-wows, and more dedication and drive than I have ever seen from anyone in my life, she has been accepted to Physician Assistant school and is headed to The University of Detroit Mercy in the fall!!! Andi hopped on a plane a few weeks ago to interview and I knew they would have been crazy not to accept her. The girl is a genius and I have never known anyone to have such passion and commitment (not to mention those legs looked AMAZING in the suit she wore!)

Her heart is so full and I have never seen her so excited. Not only will this adventure take her (and Ozzie, too!) back to our birth place of the "mitten state", but UDM is the alma mater of our very own #1 P.A. in the universe, Muffin!!! What a happy day it is. This also means that come September, Andi will be joining me and MM in the Midwest! I am thinking my sweet parents will be making lots of visits northward in the next couple of years. I am such a proud sister!

Andi, you are going to look so cute in your scrubs. I love you so much! And yes, this is better than Christmas!

Love Drunk

Here is a small sneak peek of how MM and I spent last Friday afternoon to kick off the Easter weekend...

We had a blast with Lindsay and for most of the time, we didn't even realize she was snapping away with her camera and talented eye! I cannot begin to express how blessed I feel that she has crossed our paths at the most perfect time. The first time we met, I felt like I was meeting a long lost sister. I can't wait for her to be behind the camera again for our big day in September. For more Friday fun, click here.

all images via {here}, property of Lindsay Alexander Photography

Welcome to the Peep Show!

This post needs only a few words because the pictures are worth more than Webster can provide! Let me just say that my crazy dad and precious little sister decided it would be fun to stay up until 2:30am on Easter Eve hiding Peeps everywhere. Have you ever seen such a sweet sight? You can't make this stuff up! And you can't find another family that loves these little edible creatures as much as we do.

Hippity- Hoppity!

Guess who is on his way to the Queen City today!?! I am busy as a bunny getting ready for a fantastic holiday weekend...and getting a few surprises ready, too! (see below...)

I am such a kid a heart when it comes to holidays. Last year when I surprised MM with an Easter basket, I don't think he knew what to say. I love all things seasonal! I am so excited for this weekend that I just might put some bunny ears and a tail on and hippity hop all the way to the airport!! Wishing everyone a blessed Easter weekend!