I have to say one extremely cool thing about subscribing to Blue Apron is that after receiving shipments with hand-picked ingredients and trying out new recipes the family and I would probably never attempt otherwise, we are left with instructions to repeat on our own but with locally store-bought items. So that is what happened here tonight with a personal favorite, Shrimp & Fresh Basil Fettuccine with Roasted Broccoli. Yet on a side note: After having already cooked this up with Gallo Sauvignon Blanc wine a few months ago, which was also delicious as ever I must add, we switched it up with a Barefoot wine this time and were super surprised by how much flavor the crispy sweetness added to the meal both as an ingredient and as a pairing on the side.

​Plus, it'll taste that much better with the late-night snack later on in the evening... just saying.

Today marked the 1-month anniversary of being employed in my dream position of a lifetime at the best employer worldwide, and I celebrated by eating lunch with my team at Black Oak Grill in Midtown Crossing, a hip and new favorite hangout of mine in Omaha. All prepared to eat as much dairy as I'd pleased with lactaid fully stocked, I had myself a loaded up grilled cheese sandwich & freshly made hot tomato soup and just about died with pleasure - it was so incredibly delicious. Not only that, but I was able to meet up with a remote teammate whom I'd only corresponded with via Skype prior to the visit and really got a kick out of his personality and charm, despite the fact that he dogged on my driving skills... but we won't go there in this blog post. Perhaps later.

So yeah, feeling freakishly blessed to know and hang with such amazing people and eat such crazily tasty food on the milestone I never would have seen coming, even in my wildest dreams over the past couple of traumatic years. Although, I seriously wouldn't have minded a sneak peek.

...this is how I'm feeling after a super amazingly totally unexpected first day of the week:

... but thanks to Target's abundant stash of spirits, at least there's wine to drink.
​(Shameless poem reference there.)

But seriously, really hoping my amazing new office continues to stay above water so I can do my new job sans scuba gear.

Me after 1.5 weeks into my new role with the best employer on earth.

First week in my new role at this new amazing corporation, and I must say that I have completely fallen head over heels in love with this place and everything about it.

Dream Job? CHECK.

. . . and it was all kinds of Los Ojos Saloon, Kyoto Sushi & Steak House, Walatowa Pueblo, and Kiwanis Cabin amazingness.

​Life is so worth living with these types of memories to be had.

Today was the first full day visiting my folks in New Mexico and we most certainly made the most of it as evidenced by this slideshow of the Sandia Crest hike Dad and I took on and conquered nicely. Weather? Perfect at @73 degrees even though we expected colder temps, bringing jackets just in case but ending up wearing them around our waists unnecessarily. Then after landing all of the perfect photo opportunities and feeling confident about our overall hike achievement, we finished off the afternoon in the best way possible by eating Gyoza, Sushi, and Bento boxes at Kyoto Sushi and Steak House, the best meal I've encountered in longer than I can remember and one that I hope to repeat again soon. So this whole hike through the Sandian Mountainside experience was not on my bucket list but entirely should have been. So in retrospect of it all? CHECK.

Being a Mostly Empty Nester has its perks, such as having the ability to visit the oldest in her new habitat and check out local sushi while doing so. Above is a slideshow of the sushi feast we landed compliments of Hiko Sushi with rolls named after exotic car types, amongst other interesting varieties. Not one to be shy about indulging *cough*, I fancied myself a Maserati roll, likely the most scrumptious and expensive sushi roll I've ever laid my hands on ($16!). And not only did I enjoy complete sushi deliciousness, but I also scored a pretty pink Hawaiian flower to wear behind my ear in a selfie for posting online.

Next time? Totally going for the Tesla Roll.

My exact feeling going on right now while burning several days of paid vacation: