Holy smokes. Long time no write, huh?! I've missed this. I've missed you. Hell, I've missed talking about myself! I visit my blog every once in a while to share recipes and when I went on tonight I was SHOCKED it has been over six months since my last post. Where does the time go?

Before I dive back into recipe sharing, I want to bring you up to speed on what I've been up to the past six months. I know you are just SO curious as to where I've been,  so here it goes - my most recent timeline of exciting events. I have to say, A LOT has happened. Enjoy.

January 7 – One of my best friend's, Kait, got MARRIED! She was the most stunning bride I have ever seen and it was quite the Villanova reunion. 

February 16 – My brother turned 30! Claire surprised him with a 30^th birthday party with all of his closest friends. My Mom and Dad came up from Fla to surprise him, too. We didn't drink at all, I swear.

February 25 – My Mom turned 56 (I think? Or is it 57? She looks amazing either way so I still think she's 40). We all celebrated in Naples with cocktail hours on the boat and roasting smore's (my crack) outback. I only had two, I swear.

March 3 – I turned 27 and danced to “Call Me Maybe” with my best friends until 4am in Tierney's kitchen while we made Eric film us so we could be like Bieber and Selena. Should I be embarrassed to say I did that on my 27^th? Nah. If you hate fun, maybe, but we don't.
 

March 12  – Remember that surgery I told you I needed back in October? Well I got it. It has been QUITE the journey.

Pros of the surgery:
1.) I got to stay with my Mom and Dad for 4 weeks in Ocean City and 1 week in Naples. The recovery was no fun but it was amazing spending so much time with them. I sobbed like a little baby when I had to leave. I wonder if that will ever stop? 

2.) My Mom pushed me around in a wheelchair through the Naples Farmers' Market. Cute little chair, right?

2.) My Mom made me juices and smoothies and delicious meals the whole time to keep me healthy. She's the best.

3.) Ummmmm, and that's it. Oh, and I got care packages and visits from my friends. They have no idea how good that made me feel. I just love them to pieces. 

Cons of the surgery:
1.) It didn't help. I am still in so much pain.

2.) I cry all of the time out of pain and frustration and that HAS to stop (PULL IT TOGETHER JAMIE). I have to thank my parents and Eric though, who are probably so sick of listening to me, but they have been my absolute rock through everything. I don't know what I'd do without them. 

3.) I just went to a 6^th doctor today to help me figure out why I'm still in so much pain. Here's the short version as to why I'm onto my 6^th doc:

Doc 1: Jamie it's your hip and you need surgery.
Me: No
Doc 2: Yes
Me: Okay fine.
Doc 2: Snip, snip, snip (The sounds of the “repair”)
Me: Ouch doc it still really hurts (2 months after surgery), and feels just like it did when this pain started 3 years ago, not like post-op pain.
Doc 3: Just be patient.
Me: No but it REALLY hurts.
Physical Therapist 1: Okay, maybe there is something going on in your back causing your pain.

(Hospital visit #7 and 4 MRIs later)

Doc 3: So you have some back problems, you need to go see a back specialist.
Doc 4 (Back doc): Hmm, you have problems in your lower spine area but I still think it's your hip.
Physical Therapist 2: It's definitely your back.
Me: I hate all of you.
Chiropractor: You are all sorts of messed up, honey. This is going to take a while to fix you.
Me: At least she called me honey, right? This has to be a good sign.

So yea, this has been fun. NOT. I miss working out like you wouldn't believe and I just miss me being me and painfree! It could be worse though, right? It's hard to stay positive but I gotta do it! I was told something recently... “Love your hip, love your body and it will start loving you back.”

Makes me think of Tommy Boy and lovin' on his roll, but I'll try ANYTHING at this point. Don't be weirded out if you see me rubbing my buttocks area - it's just me giving it some love! 

Okay enough hip talk...

April 14 - Kait (the one that got married), bought me a little turtle, who I obviously named Beyonce, as a get well gift. I loved her. Then a day later the turtle died. I had already fell in love and bought a nice tank, filter, etc. so she was quickly replaced with Beyonce 2, aka “Lil' B 2”. I love her. She's growing fast, too! I'm such a proud Mom.

May 5 - I went and visited my adorable Grandpa for his 86^th bday. He is just the cutest thing ever.

May 12 - I was going to rent a car to go see my Mom for Mother's Day...with an expired license (I know. Dumb. But I have gotten away with it before.) NOT this time! I had to book a last minute train to Wilmington, DE – 2 hours away from my house in OCMD – and my Dad came and picked me up. He spoils me, and I spoiled him back per his request...

I drove my car back to the city that weekend to keep it here for the summer and I'm not even going to give you the rest of the details (car gets towed, etc. etc.). Just know that because my license was so expired (14 months), I had to take a written test to get my learners permit. I now have to take a drivers ed course and THEN a road test and THEN I can get my NY license. Lesson learned: don't be an idiot and want to keep your expired Maryland license forever just because it has a cute crab on it.
 

May 24 - Colby and Claire got engaged! It was the BEST night. Just perfect, and he popped the Q in the pouring down rain. How romantic?! I love them and couldn't be happier.

June 2 - Eric completed his first Triathlon in the pouring down, freezing rain. I'm so proud of my manz. I live vicariously through his workouts and dedication. One day I will be out there with him (on a yoga mat)!

June 16 - Spent Father's Day with my Daddy-o, Mom and Eric. I love being in Ocean City. My Dad just bought a new sailboat so we tested that out for the first time. It was an adventure to say the least. Right, Dad? ;-)

June 22 - Eric and I have decided that we are going to move in together in August! After almost 6 years, we are making that big next step. We have started apartment searching in Brooklyn and haven't been successful yet, but I'll keep you posted. (Hopefully cute pics to come soon of our new place!)

As you can see, I have a lot going on. Hopefully you haven't fallen asleep after this history lesson because I have had some time to have a little fun in the kitchen. Surprise, surprise, it involves a raw dessert covered in melted chocolate (it's not completely raw, but who's judging?)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles:

Filling

2 Tbsp. raw cacao nibs or chocolate chips

1/3 c. rolled oats

2/3 c. lightly toasted cashews, walnuts, macadamia nuts or hazelnuts

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

pinch fine sea salt

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

2 tsp. vanilla extract

10-20 drops stevia liquid, to taste

Directions:

In a small food processor or coffee grinder, pulse cacao nibs 3-4 times. Place in a small bowl.  

In the same processor or grinder, process oats, cashews, cinnamon and salt together to form a fine flour.

In a very small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together maple syrup, vanilla, stevia and 1 Tbsp. water. Pour over mixture in processor and process to form a soft dough. Place in bowl with cacao nibs or chips; stir.

Using a tablespoon, scoop out dough and place on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze until firm. Roll into balls; freeze until solid.

Coating

4 oz. unsweetened chocolate

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

2 Tbsp. cacao powder, sifted

20-30 drops stevia liquid, to taste
 

Directions:

In a small pot over medium-low heat, melt chocolate with coconut oil and cacao, whisking constantly.

Whisk in stevia until smooth. Remove from heat.

Remove dough balls from freezer and quickly dip in chocolate. The coating should harden almost immediately. Remove with a fork and tap fork on side of pot to remove excess coating. Place truffles on a tray and refrigerate until firm. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

Love,
Your gimpy, license-less, turtle-lovin' gal