It was a long day at the airport! Holy moly. First, my flight was delayed for an hour because of “air traffic control” reasons. Then we boarded the plane and were told that there was a mechanical problem that was being fixed as soon as possible. Then I fell asleep because the air conditioning was off and it was SO. HOT. on that plane! Then I was abruptly awoken and told that we had to get off the plane, run to another gate and board a different plane. I ran to the gate, only to find that I could have saved my energy because it would still be another half an hour before we boarded again. I’m finally back, four hours later than scheduled…and I am T-I-R-E-D!! Phewfta.
Anyway…thank you for all of your wonderful tips on hair straighteners! I knew I had the right audience for that question 😉 (No offense of course, gentlemen readers!) I checked out the GHD and the CHI in particular – after the overwhelming response about them – and found both to have some amazing reviews! But as I was reading, I couldn’t help but notice that a link to the Solia line kept popping up as the website’s “customer choice.” There was even a chart comparing it to the CHI.
After a bit more research, I decided to go with the Solia because it offers the option of straightening, curling and flipping. Plus, the price was discounted and it came with free shipping and a free flat iron stand! I’ve never spent this much money on a beauty product before, but I think it will be worth it. I’ll be sure to do a non-food related review when it comes, if you’re interested! 🙂 Again, thanks for all the help!
THE GUARDIAN BUDDHA
I was so flattered yesterday when Jenny from This Winding Road presented me with Julz’s Guarding Buddha Award! She said some super sweet things about me, and I would just like to reciprocate. Not only is her blog engaging, insightful and inspiring, but Jenny herself has such a “thoughtful” perspective – just check out her Thoughtful Thursday posts! – and is always open and honest with her readers. And to top it all off, she has a great name 😉 I highly encourage you to check out her blog, if you haven’t done so already! Then you can add another one to your list of must-reads!
This award was created to help us deal with our everyday worries and live easier. That’s definitely something all of us need, right? So of course I’d like to pass this award on to EVERYONE! So if you are reading this post, consider yourself awarded! 
Seriously, I encourage you to post this award on your blog and talk about how blogging has changed you and/or made life better for you. I know that for me personally, blogging has introduced me to an incredible new group of friends, and even though we may never meet in person (although I sincerely hope that we do!), I know that we will stay connected. That’s such a great feeling!
THE RETURN OF PAPA BENDER
Yes, that’s right! Papa Bender was back and in his element last night. I have missed his cooking so much!! On the menu for dinner was his yummy Surf & Turf Fajitas, and they did not disappoint! Here’s a look at the spread.
Don’t mind all the papers on the left. My ‘rents are building a house and have a lot of catalogs, house plans, etc. on the dining room table 😉 Anyway, Papa Bender had plenty of food for us! There were two different kinds of wraps – whole wheat flour and white corn.
The “surf” was grilled shrimp marinated with various spices.
And the “turf” was flank steak cooked with fajita sauce (from a packet). Mm, it had so much flavor. I swear, I could eat that fajita sauce with a spoon if it wasn’t 100% sodium! With the turf there was also marinated onions and red bell pepper, black olives and tomatoes. So much goodness!
I started out with the fajita you see below, and then went back for seconds and thirds of each of the “filling” components – needless to say, there weren’t many leftovers once we were done because everything was so tasty!! We had to gobble it up right then and there!
It was so great to have a Papa Bender meal again. And now I’m back at school 🙁 But I enjoyed the time away and needed to get back because I’ve got a midterm and a quiz tomorrow – yikes!
I leave you with a gorgeous picture of the Arizona sunset. So peaceful. So tranquil. It was as though that Guardian Buddha was right next to me 😉 Talk about purple mountain majesty!
Here’s wishing you a wonderful start to the new week!
Congrats on the award 🙂
That meal looks scrumptious!
Congrats 🙂
I love my dad’s cooking too! It looks so yummy.
yay for the groovy buddha!! i agree with you about the blog world – i am truly in love with it and while at the beginning, i sometimes thought about stopping to save time in the day, now i really do feel it’s worthwhile to make time in the day to read and write these posts – it’s enjoyable, educational and helps keep me sane!!!
oh i love dads who can cook ;D your dinner looks scrumptious!! i’m so sorry the flight was such a hassle though, i hate it when that happens :/
wowie!! what a beautiful picture of the mountains!! and yay for papa benders fajitas! he is the man at grillin up a tasty dish.
so happy you are home enjoying yourself!!
take care lady!!!
Hooray for blogging awards, Papa Bender meals, GORGEOUS Arizona views…. ENJOY!! 😀
Sorry to hear about your flight – glad you made it safe though!
Ahhh! Papa Bender is back in full force 🙂 I love it!
Hope you enjoy your time in Arizona!
Your fajita spread looks amazing! I bet the shrimp was fantastic!
back atcha with the good week.
I love to travel and I loathe to travel…the flight stuff can be EXHAUSTING!
In regards to hair-straightening advice: Haha I sat that one out! My hair is too straight as it is; I’d never go near a straightener… want to give me some of your curl? ;o)
Wow, too bad about the airport frustrations eh? I find that an airport visit just seems to require frustrations. It just wouldn’t be normal if it went smoothly.
Surf + tuuuurf. I want your papa to make my dinners!
Those fajitas look fantastic and the sunset is gorgous!
mmmm Papa Bender’s meals look delish like always!
sorry about your awful airport experience. Believe me, I’ve definitely had my fair share of those.
Good luck on your work this week!
Loved your comment on my cupcakes 😉 I’d totally share if you want to come to boston! quick, there’s only 3 left!
my parents have those dishes!!! and papa bender does it again 😉 hope the rest of the week is better than that flight!
Sorry about your long day, airports ARE exhausting!! That Papa Bender always cooks up some major goods!! 🙂
Thank you so much for the shout out, you couldn’t have deserved that Buddha more, Jenn! And thanks for all the sweet things you said, you are such a special gal 😉
Hope your day has gotten off to a marvelous start!
ah, i hate it when planes gets delayed and you have to move and blah blah blah..i think airlines are currently trying to make their passengers miserable!
but paper bender’s feast looks AMAZING as always; glad you got to have some home cooked goodness!
and congrats on all the awards. we all know you totally deserve them!
Congrats on the awards miss Jenn.
I’m glad you had a great visit at home – your Dad’s dinner looks awfully tasty!
What a gorgeous sunrise. I miss living in the mountains!!
sweets&sweats
Hey! Thanks for the comment on my blog. I’ve been visiting yours for so long, but never popped in to say HI, silly i know. Glad you had a good trip home this weekend.
I hate flying because of those reasons. So annoying!!!
And can I borrow Papa Bender for a few days??? 🙂
It all looks so yummy. I will take some shrimp!
wowwwww that meal looks so homey. I’ll take some shrimp too Meg!!!! I’ve never been to AZ but i’d sure love to with a sunset like that!
Those fajitas look GOOD- will your dad come cook for me?
Sorry about the travel issues… with all the delays and such, sometimes I wonder why I don’t just drive everywhere.
Congrats on the blogger award! You deserve it 🙂
HEAVEN. That AZ pic gave me goosebumps.
Hi Dad!
How sweet are Julz, Jenny, and Jenn?! I love you guys!
I also love all things beauty and grooming related so please post a review of your iron when you get it. And I’ll post a review of my NARS cream shadow that I just ordered. 🙂 Deal?
Straight irons, the topic always makes me laugh. A lot of my friends have really fancy ones (they’re *crazy* popular where I live) but mine is 2nd hand and takes 15 minutes to warm up. Hehe. Glad you found one that you like!
Glad to hear you made it back safe and sound! That picturesque sunset makes me zen 🙂
Why do they tell you there is a mechanical problem? Why don’t they make something up that doesn’t make you think the plane is going to crash? haha. That sunset is gorgeous! And your dad’s food looks incredible! That is so cool that he cooks!
Sorry for all the flight problems. Glad you’re safe and sound in Arizona! Love the sunset.
Yay for Papa Bender. I’ve missed his cooking, too! Have a great time at home, Jenn and congrats on another well deserved blog award.
sorry to hear about the flight problems– so glad you got there safe and sound, hassle and all 😀
that arizona sunset warms my SOUL! i can’t waaaait for thanksgiving!
whoo hoo! papa bender is BACK! i’m so excited to see what else he whips up while you’re there.. those fajitas look incredible!!!
have a wonderful night!