1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation?

Well since I work from home neither.

2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time?

Same person every time. I go about 8 weeks. It took me awhile to find Inside Out Salon. I love them!

3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version?

Only the comics and parade on Sundays. I do try to keep up with current events through online sources.

4. What is the best book you have read this year?

The Hunger Games! Seriously, go read it now and let’s talk about it. I am obsessed. I have never felt this way about a book. I seriously loved it.

5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?

Ek, this is hard. The best movie I have seen in the theater might be Morning Glory. We don’t go out to the movies that often though. I did enjoy Morning Glory more than I thought I would. Rachel McAdams is just too cute.

6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?

Sweet. Mostly brownies or homemade ice cream.

7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?

Yes everyday. I eat cereal most of the time. I have been trying to eat more oatmeal since it is better for me but I just love cereal too much.

8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs. Isn’t that everyone’s favorite. I am trying to avoid them this year. Too many calories.

9. How late is “sleeping in” to you?

Uh. Let’s say 10:30. I tend to stay up too late. I am a night owl 100%. Ben not so much. We have opposite schedules when it comes to our sleeping habits.

10. Where are you going on your next vacation?

Who knows. I am itching to go somewhere. We haven’t been on vacation in a year and half and I need some relaxation. Hopefully somewhere warm and soon.

1. What is a food that you never thought you would try, but then tried and liked?
Sushi. I remember hating sushi. Just the thought of sticking this big roll of raw fish into your mouth turned me off. Well, turns out I just didn’t have good sushi. When I got out to LA and actually got some good spicy tuna I was hooked. Thank you Tengu. My obsession with sushi has never been the same since. I also now judge each place based on how good their spicy tuna taste.

2. Do you subscribe to any foodie publications? If so, which ones?
Cooking Light. I love to cook healthy meals. CL is the perfect tool to do that.

3. What ingredient do you find yourself reaching for the most when you cook?
Shrimp, Chicken, Orzo, Rice, Chicken Broth. Those are my staples. If I have those ingredients on hand more than likely I can make a meal out of it. We make a lot of one dish meals since they are easy!

4. Are there any foods that you hated as a child, but then learned to like as an adult?
Seafood. I didn’t really like any type of seafood. That has definitely changed. Though I still don’t like anything too fishy tasting or anything with a face.

5. What do you like to eat that others may consider weird?
Mustard with french fries.  People find that weird for some reason. I don’t like ketchup and I still need something to dip my fries in. I also do ranch now though it is not good for you. :/ I also don’t like noodles and red sauce together. I like noodles and I like red sauce just not together. People think that is weird.

6. What is the weirdest ingredient you’ve ever cooked with?
There are some spices that I know have been so weird I have a hard time finding. Usually though if I can’t find it at my local grocery store I don’t make the dish.

7. Do you have any major food allergies?
Nope.

8. Is there an ingredient that you would like to cook with, but are intimidated to try?
I am sure there is but I can’t think of it right now.

9. Do you bake?
Yes I do. I am a decent baker but I have a hard time measuring things which is very important in baking. I cook very loosely…meaning I don’t really follow recipes to the tee. I just eye it and taste it until it is good. It bothers me a bit when I see cooks spending so much time measuring and following the recipe to the tee. Cooking is about feeling…let loose!

10. If you could go on any “foodie” show to compete, which one would it be, and why?
Oh, wow, hmm…probably the Iron Chef. I would definitely be intimidated though.

Microplane Gourmet Paddle Graters

Great for zesting lemon, garlic, you name it. It fits nicely over most bowls and is easy to clean. They have many different grate types but I have found I only really need this one.

Silicone Basting Brush

I love how easily this comes apart and can be cleaned. Before this we had one of those bristle ones that just got gross over time. It is a bit pricer than some others but I definitely think it is worth the money since you won’t need to replace it like other ones.

Silicone Spoons

SurLa Table
Williams Sonoma

I LOOOOOOOVE these spoons. We also have the solid spoon. They hold up really well and can be put in the dishwasher.

Over the sink colander

Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker

Keurig Single Cup Coffee Maker

We love our Keurig Coffee Maker. I love it so much on Black Friday I heard a couple debating between the Keurig and Tassimo and I had to stop and give my opinion. They just had to know that the Keurig is far superior (and I have experience with the Tassimo so I know).

Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

One Touch Can Opener

Small and simple. It fits nicely in a drawer. Plus it opens a can cleanly so there is no sharp edges.

Waring Pro Professional Cordless Wine Opener

Another one we just love. Opens a bottle of wine with ease. It pops the cork right out. Anyone can use it. It is that simple.

Epicurean Slate Cutting Boards

Oxo Good Grips 12″ Tongs with Nylon Heads

I love that these close up. When my tongs are dirty in the dishwasher I just get sad. I just saw they make a small version. I may need to get another one. They are that good!

Hotel Collection Bath Towels

These towels are so soft and they have a 35″ x 70″ size. It’s huge! I love it!

Another registry trend is to register for things like your honeymoon or your photography. You can always add Essential Sunshine to your registry by including our email address along with your registry lists. We’ll send invoices to your guests and they can purchase gift cards from us to be used towards your photography services.

I could go on and on about all of these items. We love them so much! I’d love to hear your comments on if you use any of these or if you have a favorite item that you just can’t live without.

I’ll leave you with a picture of Lexi on her favorite spot. Anyone tired of the Lexi pictures yet?

1.  What condiments are always, always in your fridge?
All the usual – mustard, ketchup, mayo, etc.  I do not like ketchup though. That is for Ben.

2.   How do you like your steak cooked?  Your burgers?
Burgers, medium well and steak, medium

3.  What’s your favorite use for fresh tomatoes?
Caprese Salad. So simple. Layer tomato with some sea salt on it, mozzerella, basil and repeat. Then drizzle on balsamic vingear over top. YUMMY!

4.  What’s your go-to dinner when you haven’t planned anything in advance and you don’t feel like going out?
Usually some sort of one dish meal. When I haven’t planned anything I tend to either make Athenian Orzo or Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp over Jasmine Rice. I tend to always have the ingredients on hand and they are good.

5.  What’s your favorite snack food lately?
I really like Jell-o Banana Fudge Pudding Cups.

6.  What’s your favorite weekend breakfast to make at home?
Sunny side up eggs with toast and OJ.

7.  What’s your favorite thing to grill?  How do you do it?
Ben’s famous burgers. haha. That’s not what they are called but everyone knows Ben can make a mean burger. We found a great recipe in a cookbook we bought called Mastering the Grill for smoked gouda burgers and they are seriously good.  Ben is the grill master so he always grills anything. He can get a steak done perfectly to your order. Just one more thing I love about him.

8.  What’s your favorite wine for under $10? If you’re not a wine person, what brand of beer is your favorite?
Greg Norman wines are always good for under $10. Layer Cake Malbec is one of my favorites but is over $10 but worth the price. I hate getting wine over $10 but when I know I am going to get something good than it becomes worth it. I have tried too many wines under $10 that I couldn’t even stand to drink so I will buy for reliability.

9.  Give us your most delicious cocktail recipe.
Ek. Um. Ben makes a great margarita in which the key is a splash of grand marnier and a bit of sugar. At least I think that is the key. He always makes it so I can’t be sure. I love a good mojito in the summer time too. I make it pretty simple. You muddle mint in the bottom of a glass, add ice, simple syrup, gin, club soda and garnish with lime. I have heard that making simple syrup with mint makes it really good. Still haven’t tried it though.

10.  How do you like your eggs?
Sunny side up.

And since a post isn’t any good without a photo. Here is a picture I took yesterday of Lexi sunning herself outside. She is sniffing the air which is why she is making that face. I was outside moving some things around so don’t mind all of the distractions behind her.

Here she is in her favorite spot. She has basically claimed this purple blanket as her own. I can only use it with strict supervision. (And these were taken right after Christmas. Our decorates are down. )

Speaking of Christmas, Lexi got a new bed from Santa. She is at the stage of chewing up all of her toys. I cannot find a bed that she won’t tear into and chew up. I had been getting my dog beds at Ross or TJ Maxx but decided that they aren’t put together well enough to uphold Lexi’s terror. So I found this one at Target and thought it looks better constructed than others we have tried. It has a coutour solid foam and most importantly a solid bottom (mesh bottoms don’t hold up well). Just a zipper so that the cover can come off to be washed. No stuffing except in the pillow. Well…her bed didn’t last long. The pillow was torn up in matter of minutes and it took her a few weeks to get through the zipper. I am tired of going through beds with her. If anyone has any suggestions we’d love to hear it! I especially don’t want to spend a lot of money since I am worried about what she will do. She doesn’t chew up anything else just her toys (thank goodness). She likes the challenge of getting to the stuffing. She never eats it just tears it apart.

Lexi also got her very own stocking full of treats, a new collar and a toy.

Here is what her bed looks like now (taken with my phone). Well actually it is in the trash.

I wanted to share with everyone my favorite treats for her. I simply love Waggin’ Train & Canyon Creek Ranch. They are American made and don’t have much of any additives.

Lexi loves them too! They are decent size treats for her so she is always happy to get one.

I’ll leave you with some portraits I took after her recent grooming. She has so much hair I feel like she always just looks unkempt. That is what we love about her though.

I am starting a new feature on the site every week. As part of my 101 in 1001 goals (more on those soon) I want to blog more. I figure starting a simple question and answer section is a great way to accomplish that. I get the questions from this website. Feel free to leave a comment with your own questions and I will be sure to answer them in future ten on tuesday posts. Now onto this week’s questions….

1. How did your parents decide on your name?
I am sure my parents have told me this but I can’t remember! Maybe my mom will comment and tell me. I do know that if I was a boy my name would have been Adam. I like to think Samantha was because of Bewitched but I am not sure that is true. I know my sister’s name, Ashley, came from the girlfriend of Fonzie on Happy Days.

2. Do your initials (First, Middle, Last) spell out anything fun/funny?
SEC are my maiden name initials. They don’t spell anything except for the abbreviation of second. My brother and I have the same initials which I thought was neat when I was younger. My initials now are SEV or SVW (which is what Ben always uses…which I think is weird. ). So now they really don’t spell anything.

3. Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you take your maiden name as your middle name? (If unmarried, what do you plan to do?)
I kept my middle name from childhood. Erin is my middle name.

4. Are you or will you name your children thematically (ie. same first letter, all of same origin…)
No we won’t do that. At least not intentionally.

5. Did you decide on baby names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?
I do have a few baby names from when I was a little girl that I still like. We’ll see if I stick to them or not. It’s hard because when I was little I didn’t know what my married name would be and now I am not sure it works with Van Wagner.

6. Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?
Um, not that I am really aware of. My dad is named after his dad but he isn’t a junior since his middle name is different.

7. Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?
A little of both. I like the meaning of my name. It means Listener.

8. Do you name pets with human names (Sally, Henry) or with pet names (Fluffy, Mr. Bo Bo)?
I guess human names but I am not tied to that idea. Lexi is obviously a human name.

9. Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience/someone you once knew?
Sure. None off the top of my head but I am sure when the time comes to name our children I will voice opinions based on childhood experiences, etc. I think it is hard not to do that.

10. What are some of your favorite names? Why?
I like Alyssa, Charlotte, Madison. Not sure why. I tend to think of girls names I like verses boy names. Though I do know I like strong and simple boy names like Paul, Matt, Ryan. I am not tying myself to any of these names though.

That was fun! Hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better. I’d love to hear some of your answers to these questions. Leave them in the comments or send me the link to your own post.