Grilled Balsamic Vinegar Flank Steak

I originally found this recipe from "Point-less" Meals on Pinterest.  I made minor changes to her recipe by eliminating the additional salt and pepper. The few ingredients this recipe calls for will add plenty of flavor without the need for additional spices...in my opinion. Generally I turn my nose up at the sight, or smell of balsamic vinegar, so I was reluctant to try this...but it really was deelicious, and super simple. 

It's the perfect recipe for your summer grilling...

Ingredients

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons dark brown sugar

1 garlic clove, minced

1 pound flank steak

Directions

Combine the vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, dark brown sugar, and garlic in a large Ziploc bag.  Add steak, turn to coat and massage all of the ingredients into the meat for a minute or two.  Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.  Grill until desired doneness.  Let stand and cover loosely with foil for 10 minutes before cutting into strips.

Serves 4

It really is that simple. Another change I made is that I added two cloves of garlic, but that is totally up to you.  I have a love, love relationship with fresh garlic.  

I would love to hear how this turned out for you.

Enjoy,

Carrie

High Five for Friday

Ok, so it's been a while since I've been hanging around the ol' blog.  Miss me?  Of course you did..so sweet of you to miss me!  :) Last week I was out of town for work, I had two classes that I needed to get out of the way.  They were difficult, to say the least.  Financing and Statistics.  I know...it totally makes you want to throw up in your mouth, right?  Or maybe that's just me.  I was totally stressing, my cuticles look terrible from picking them which is a nervous habit I thought I had passed...but, yeah...not so much..I am in dire need of a mani, and while we're talking about it a pedi would be nice too.  So, I always enjoy going on work trips.  I like hotel living for short periods of time..I can come and go, I'm in a new town, there is new stuff to see, your chances of running into someone you know are slim to none, and I can sprawl out and take complete advantage of every inch of the bed I am sleeping in.  It's heavenly...it's quiet. No dogs barking, no cat vomiting on the floor, no children complaining.  Just peace and quiet for a few days.  

Every Mom needs a little P&Q!  

So, a little funny story about my work trip...a story that I haven't told anyone except for my husband...because he was sort of involved..and I briefly talked about it with Brittney, well because we have out of the ordinary conversations often....it involves my underpants.  Ok, so we're gettin personal here talking about my skivvies, but it's not what you're thinking.  

For one if you know me you will vividly see this played out in your head because it's a typical Carrie moment, and two..if you don't know me, well you'll either laugh at me...or you'll think I'm completely nuts.  Both of which I am totally ok with.  

So, ok...I packed last minute...(imagine that) and by last minute I mean I was throwing stuff in my bag right before I walked out the door at 6:00 a..m. The entire drive to the boro I was doing inventory in my head about what I remembered to pack, and constantly second guessing what I may have forgotten to pack.  

Once I arrived to my destination I was about 30 minutes early, so I began digging through my bag, which was in the seat beside me.  I needed to ease my worries, and see that I, in fact, did not forget anything.  

I did.  I forgot my panties.  

Seriously.  Who forgets their panties?  Well, I do...of course.  I did pack a few, but they were not my "good" ones.  They were not the ones I wear with dress pants, or dresses.  They're blue jean wearin' panties...old ones.  Is that normal?  Does everyone have panties like that?  

Ok, so anyway I was like, well that's just great Carrie...what now!!?  So I called Kyle.  I was like guess what I did...?  He didn't seem surprised.  That didn't surprise me.  Never a dull moment in my life.  So, I was like where could they be?  I was sitting on the couch folding laundry the night before...annnd within minutes he found them folded and stuffed in between the couch cushions.  Don't ask how that happened.  I don't have an answer.  

So, I was like well dang, I guess I'm going panty shopping after class.  Which, I did.  Didn't even think about my panty-less dilemma for the rest of the day, but as soon as I got out of class I headed on my search for new panties. I went to Dillard's because that's typically where I get them.  Nothing fancy or too too expensive, I just really like boy short panties that suck you in, are seamless, and just feel good on your skin, so I knew they would have them there.  They didn't have the color I wanted.  I'm picky, I know.  Don't judge.  So, I decided to browse around the store just for kicks.  

Stumbled on a workout clothes sale on the second floor.  So, tried on about 10 pairs of workout shorts and shirts...ended up getting one outfit, and no panties.  Things like this must only happen to me.  In my head I'm thinking..."Priorities, Carrie!!  Do you really need another workout outfit...umm no, you need panties!" 

I don't always listen to myself.  I ended up getting a tiny package of laundry soap, and hand washed a pair of my own panties when I needed them.  Sometimes I wonder why I tell you guys things like this, but then again this is my life, and most of you love me for my crazy stories.  

The moral of this story is...don't leave town without your panties.  

Now, onto my adventures the past week or two....

Friday evening while I was on the way home I got a text from my Friday night date, Brittney...so I got home, unloaded the car, washed my face, changed, filled a wine glass, sat down and hung out with Brittney for a few hours.  It was good to be home!

Brittney and I decided to workout early Saturday morning.  Well, not super early, but after we woke up and whatnot...we both needed to sleep in.  We met up around 9:00.  During our workout I talked her into going to pick strawberries with me at the strawberry farm.  I don't think she reallly wanted to go, but she was a good sport and she did go, but only if I agreed not to pretend I didn't know her if she wore what she was wearing right that second...haha...ok, so I made that part up, but she did say..."do you think it's ok if I wear this?" I was like of course, I'll wear this...no big deal.

I wish I had a picture...so Brit was wearing her airbrushed Brittney -N- Justin  (Justin is her husband) t-shirt  (which is super cute by the way..I would rock one too, but could never talk my husband into getting matching airbrushed shirts on our last vacation) so, as cute as she is in her shirt it is definitely a conversation piece, and we do laugh anytime she wears it.  

So, she's wearing that, some compression pants and sneaks...I'm just wearing typical cropped running leggings, my red sports medicine tee and some sneaks.  We literally went from sweating our butts off after a good 5 miles, to jumping in the car and heading out to the strawberry farm.  

Her daughter, Aidan, went with us...who was dressed completely normal by the way.  

So we get to the farm.  It is a sloppy, muddy, pools of water everywhere mess, and by sloppy muddy pool of water messiness I mean I may have seen some minnows swimming in the puddles.  Ok, I didn't really, but it was ankle deep in some spots...if I was a minnow you could have possibly found me hanging out there...I really like strawberries.. I'm just sayin.  So, back on track here..

I just so happened to throw my mud boots in the back of my car before leaving...How do I remember rubber boots, but forget my panties?  Yeah, I don't know either.  So, we get there...pick about two gallons of berries...I was totally rocking my leggings, red tee, and navy blue muck boots with yellow daisies on them.  Did not match...not one single thing on me...didn't care much either. We were having fun!  :)  

So, on the way home Aidan was starving...she's a 4th grader...so it was every few minutes...I'm hungry Mommy...Mommy what are we eating..  Brittney and I were both like...I don't know..then I said I would totally rock this outfit straight up into Dos Margaritas for some Mexican.  Brittney was like OMG I want Mexican, but didn't want to say anything.  So, in our ridiculous, sweaty, no makeup, hair a total mess by now, add mud to the outfits by this time...we seriously went into a restaurant and ate in public.

The moral of this story....We are awesome...no matter what we wear.

*side note...while eating, Brittney's husband, Justin, called...he was on a fishing trip in the Gulf...and he was also wearing his matching airbrushed shirt that day.  That's true love, folks!  

The moral of that story...I have some of the coolest friends ever!

Came home and snuggled with this guy in the hammock..

Kyle built me this table out of pallets from his shop at work to put on my deck.  I don't remember how it happened, but somehow he stumbled upon my pinterest app on my iPad....he was checking it out, and I showed him my "honey do list" board...two days later I have this table.  You can view the pin with directions here...  Now it just needs to be stained, and then I'll put it on the deck with four chairs, and some throw pillows.  Sure beats buying a new table set at the store for hundreds of dollars.

Moral of this story....ladies...introduce your husbands/boyfriends/significant others to pinterest..

You can thank me later!

Hard to tell from this picture, or it could be my computer screen, but I put up window boxes in the front of my house.  I cannot wait until my flowers grow and really make the front of my house pop.  

I planted only red and white flowers this year.

A while back Catharina and I were driving to Nashville, and she had these breakfast cookies in her truck.  I tried one, and have been hooked ever since.  I'm still not sure where we were going, or why I was eating her snacks, but..yeah.  They are wonderful....like the best!  High fiber, whole grain, yummolicious!  You can find them in the cracker/cookie aisle at your grocery store.  I have tried the apple cinnamon, and the blueberry...love the blueberry the best!

The sun has been so bright this week...I had to wear my sunglasses for my run...couldn't find my others...so I opted for my heart shaped shades.  Don't judge me.  They matched my outfit, and I totally rocked them!

Moral of this story...if you can match your sunglasses to your outfit you should totally run with it... 

(get that?..haha..I said a punny)

Yes, I realize I am about as dorky as they get.

Rocked my chucks this week...They were super cute with my skinnies rolled up and a vintage tee.  

Lazy day outfits sometimes turn out to be the cutest, and most definitely the comfiest.

The downtown market opens this weekend.  Nuf said!

I'll be there..bright and early..will you?

I am so excited about this that if I wasn't sitting down right this second I would be jumping up and down clapping and laughing like a complete idiot... I have been waiting, and counting down for months....Pickin' on the Porch opens tomorrow night.  Joel Brown Band will be playing.  Check out this previous post to read all about it.  If you are local you must go!!  This is also the band that Brittney and I are just about head over heels for the lead singer...well I mean for his music...ok, and for his looks.  Band guy...lead singer...awesome music...combined with moonshine and amazing friends...what is not to love!?

I have some new recipes coming to the blog soon.  This is a balsamic vinegar grilled flank steak.  I was a little worried about it..I'm not a fan of balsamic vin, but I am a fan of trying new things.  I'm glad I did because it was sooo good!  Can't wait to share with you.

Well, that'll do it...that's my last two weeks in a nutshell.  I can always tell when I've been away from the blerg for too long because I always have a lot to say...if you stayed with me this long, and you're reading to the end, then you're the best...and thanks for putting up with me and my crazy stories that sometimes only make sense to me.  I'm so excited for this weekend that I can already not wait for next weeks Friday post.  It's guaranteed to be a good one!  Hope you have a fun weekend!

xo

Carrie

High Five for Friday

Helleur!!  This week has been busy, busy.

I was super happy that we had almost a full week of bright sunshiny days...It was a windows down, sunroof open, music cranked up kind of week.  I finally got to get my hands dirty in the yard, that was pretty much all I did this week from the time I got home from work until the sun went down.

I planted impatiens in the bed along my sidewalk.  I do this every year, and they always grow to be so full and pretty.  It ends up being one of the main focal points in my front yard.  I especially love it when people walking by comment on them.  This winter I even had a man stop and ask if this was the house that always plants the impatiens.  That was the coolest compliment ever.

We spent Wednesday afternoon planting the garden.  I made sure, insisted actually, that Trey helped us because I think it will become a valuable lesson to him whether he realizes that or not.  His hard work will pay off.  He will understand once we are able to harvest the fruits and veggies.

There are 17 vegetables, and 3 fruits planted in the garden. 

I picked up this adorable window box from Lowes (for $12.00.)  I hung it on my deck railing to use for my herb garden.  The picture is not that great, but that's because I didn't finish it until late yesterday evening.

How cute is this idea for hanging a bird feeder?  I saw on Pinterest that people have used decorative hooks to hang lights, and knew immediately that I wanted to hang one of my feeders on the fence post.  The birds love it.  The first thing I do every morning is open the blinds to see what kind of birds are on my feeder. 

I've never had the best luck, but I found nine four leafed clovers in my yard last weekend in a matter of minutes, and then one day this week I found another one.  Ten in a week...that's crazy, right!!  Maybe my luck's changing!!?

Kyle brought me a surprise...a clown cone from Baskin Robbins

I'm a sucker for ice cream...especially when disguised as a clown!!

My throwback Thursday pic was of Nicole and I in San Antonio last fall. Miss her, and so glad I got to text chat with her a few times this week!

 Brodie and Scuba like to love on each other...

they even give sweet little eskimo kisses.

My dogs had a blast playing outside with me this week...
they have the best life!

The End

Hope you have a fun weekend!!

xo

Carrie

High Five for Friday

Hey there Friday!

Here are the highlights from my week...

Over the weekend we finally put the garden in...and by we I mean my husband and my son.  I shoveled as much as I could get away with until they forced me to give the shovel up because according to my son "I could hurt myself...and it's a mans job."   Well, alrighty then...Don't have to ask me twice.  So, I sat and watched them shovel dirt until about 9:30 p.m. Saturday night... I did, however, ask several times if they're sure they didn't want my help.  Sometimes sitting and watching isn't nearly as exciting as helping.

This garden is a pretty big deal considering I have been asking...and by asking I pretty much mean begging, for a garden in the back yard for ummm...3 years now.  No fooling! All that it is lacking now is..uhhh..plants. Not real sure what you call a garden without plants...?  Rain, rain go away!

I loved working in the yard over the weekend...all of my perennials are coming in..I especially love my hostas.  All of them are grown from bulbs I dug up years ago from my Grandmother's, and my Mother's yard...I love to see how much they grow from year to year.

I did this last Spring, and it tickled me pink to see a few nests in my yard with the yarn I set out.  This year I did it again...it's so simple and so fun to watch.  All you need is a suet feeder, and yarn cut into two inch pieces. Hang it in a tree and see what happens!

I took my little red cruiser out for a spin. 

I think everyone needs a basket and a retro bell on their bike...don't you!?

If I see you in your yard while I'm out riding my bike..I will ring my bell at you...it doesn't matter if I have never seen you in my life..you're gettin' the bell..it never gets old..not even when my boy, and my husband roll their eyes at me for doing it...

The boys decided to build a fort behind our fence.  I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I guess all boys do need their own hangout away from their parents.  They used old decking from a neighbors house for materials.  They were serious too...even used an air compressor and a nail gun. 

I'm thinking that girls are allowed in this fort...(Lord help me)

Since prom is in the air..

I decided my throwback Thursday pics this week should be of my prom...from 1995. 

While at Kroger this week I spotted these little single cans on sale and thought I'd try one out.  Have you tried them yet?  I was surprised that they're actually pretty great!! 

My little guys had so much fun working out the yard with us this week...well, until I had to lock them up in the house...fun time was over after they escaped...twice...one time I was in my house clothes, my curls were pinned on my head, annnd it was pouring down rain.  This is their let me out of doggy jail...we'll never do it again Mom, I promise, look..

Cat nap...

Play time...

Catch me if you can..

Chasing my birds...

That's my week...so pretty much upon reflecting.. everything exciting happened to me over the weekend.  This weekend it is supposed to rain...again.  Seriously, I have plants to plant...this is taking April showers to the extreme!!  So, since it'll be raining I have a date with a little blond haired boy, and a stack of red box movies.  Can't beat that!

Thanks for stopping by...have a great weekend!!

xo

Carrie

High Five for Friday

Sometimes I sit and stare at my blogger screen (like right now) and I have no idea how to begin a post.  Believe it or not, sometimes I can't come up with anything at all to say..I go completely blank. I'm not making it up...I know it must be hard to imagine me speechless.. 

So, rather than coming up with something clever to start this off, I'll just get on with it..

Here are the highlights from my week.

Lynn had at least 20+ something people come out and walk with her for the breast cancer awareness 1 mile walk and 5k.  I am sure it was very humbling for her, it even brought tears to my eyes to know how much love and support she is surrounded by during this time in her life.  She is truly blessed, but..we are also truly blessed to be a part of her life.  It's definitely a win/win.

So, last week remember I was stressing about running this race without my usual partners in crime?  Piece of cake!  I got my little buddy up at the crack of dawn (he may still be asleep in this picture) and we scooped my Dad up and headed to Austin Peay to meet everyone.

I did end up being the only one in our group to run,  but by the time I woke up that morning I was super pumped and not nervous at all.

and I felt fantastic when I was finished!!

This was actually the first race I ran with a chip.  I just enjoy running so I do it for fun, and in the past have opted out of the chip...The competitor in me liked seeing the printed results.

I placed 7th in my age group, and 99th overall..out of 154 with a time of 35:38.  Is it great.. no, I know I can eventually do better, but I was proud of myself.  I keep having to remind myself that I will probably never be able to run a seven minute mile like I could when I ran for sport in high school.  So rather than beating myself up about my 11ish minute miles, I remind myself that this time last year I was doing about 14-15 minute miles...and then I remind myself that at least I'm doing something and feeling good about it no matter now long it takes, and no matter how many people are in front of me. 

While we're talking about running...my throw back Thursday picture this week was my 9th grade (I almost cried when I realized this was 20 years ago) Cross Country pic that was taken for the yearbook.  I had the best time with my team travelling to all of our meets.  Those were the days..

Kyle and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary this week.  Earlier in the week I found myself looking through all 800 of our wedding photos on my computer.

After looking at the wedding pictures I moved on over and started looking at honeymoon photos...apparently I can meet friends no matter where I go...

and oh what I wouldn't give to be back in Grand Cayman right about now!!!

I got a sample of Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Elixir in my April Birchbox.  Today it was windy and just a nasty day outside so I decided to try it out to see how my hair did on what would normally be a bad hair day.

The bottle said to only use 3-4 drops.  I used 4...the drops were tiny, but it was just enough.  I could tell immediately as soon as I ran it through with my hands.  I went about my normal day, and really didn't look at my hair again until I got home from work.  It pretty much looked the same as it did when I left. It was still shiny, soft, and not a bit of frizz.  I'm digign' it, and for $20.99 and only 3-4 drops at a time, I'd say it's well worth it.

I finally finished Matched by Ally Condie.  It did end up being a good book (more towards the end) so the second one has been a little easier/quicker to read.  It is a little slow for my taste, but I would recommend it if you like YA stuff.

Monday is Earth Day...One of my most favorite times of the year!!  If you know me personally you know that I love to get my hands in the dirt, plant things, watch them grow, and admire their beauty.  Every year Trey and I celebrate Earth Day and get our hands dirty!!

I'm pretty excited that I am growing my own fruits and vegetables in a raised bed this year.  I have never done this before so it could turn out to be a total flop, but I don't think I can mess it up that bad...Tomorrow I am going to the Mennonite farm across the state line to buy my plants.  

This is the plan I intend to use for my garden.

I ordered a few of these garden markers from BowenDesign on Etsy.  Since this is my first garden I may be going a little over the top, but I think my garden needs cute markers..don't you!!??

Have you heard about Barkbox?  I'm serious...it's like Birchbox except it is for your dogs.  Nicole told me about it one night, and I was like "shut up!!"  It's a little too pricey for me, but I thought it was too cool not to share.  I figured some of you dog lovers could splurge!!

When I lay down to read at night Brodie likes to lay on the top of the couch right above my head...it's pretty cute!

One morning I heard some noise under my bed, and no one would answer me when I asked who's there....I bent down and spied a little Winston Westie nose under my bed.

Scuba is totally over me taking his picture...

Sebastian is my paws on blogging buddy...No matter where he lays if he is close to me he has to be touching me...he's the cutest little kitty cat ever.

I'm not exactly sure why this giant Great Dane of mine constantly thinks it's ok to sit in my lap.  He just looks at me with those sad eyes when I say he's too big to sit on me...the puppy dog eyes always win...

Scuba went with me to pick Trey up from school one day...it was a wind in your face kind of day and he pretty much loved it!!

Brodie is the cutest!!

Well, that's my week in a nutshell.  It flew by, and I look forward to spending most of the weekend outside in the garden and in the flower beds. 

Thanks for stopping by H54F... 

I hope your week was just as good as mine, and that your weekend is even better!!

xo

Carrie