This year will be, legen...wait for it, wait for it...dary!!

Well cats and kittens, it's officially 2013.  Last year's goal to blog more didn't quite pan out, as it's been 2 months since we last posted.  Fear not, the goal is back with a vengeance in 2013!!  This year is an important one for us, we're getting married, combining our finances and living the whole year by ourselves (well... and our cats).  The biggest change for 2013 is our budget, since we're getting married we've decided to start saving for a down payment on a loveshack of our own.  As you may know, in the SF Bay Area even a shack runs you $400-900k, so saving a 20% down payment given sky high rental costs is quite a challenge.  We're selling a well maintained 2008 BMW and trading down to a scooter for our second "car".  Trying to pare down our stash of stuff.  All while living a fun and exciting life with cats, family and friends.

The scooter and our motorcycle safety course endorsement :)

Since, we like a good challenge and as good little beavers, we set out a strict budget beginning on Jan 1 of this year.  Our biggest variable expense of course is food. According to the USDA, feeding a family of 2, aged 19-50 should cost between $350 and $696 per month, which is more like our weekly spending... OUCH!! So we've set a goal, $300 per week or $1200 per month, I know this sounds like a lot, but we've cut down substantially from before and maybe if we can master this we'll lower it again.

In the red and still 3 days to go!

As I write this it is January 28th at 5pm and mint.com says we're over our budget by $8... whoops!  So today we get creative, using only things we already have on hand and try to squeeze enough for two dinners, two lunches and dessert out of our pantry, fridge and countertops, let the adventure begin!!!

But first a break for this important cat yoga session!!

the one in which i express my undying love for Jamie Oliver

Hey Kids & Kittens,

I know, it's been a LONG time since we've blogged.  Well you know life just got in the way.  Here's a quick rundown of life since our last post.... on 4/23/2012 (I don't count the message about writing more posts and then not doing it as a post):

• we adopted another amazing little man, Bender Bending Rodriguez, the adorable hell raising kitten found in the gate area of our last apartment.

photo credit: Benders Aunt Linda :)

• we moved out on our own, into an apartment that is shaded on all sides at all times and perpetually 40 degrees colder than outside.

• we got the mac-daddy of VitaMix blenders, and use it almost everyday!!

• oh yeah, we got engaged too :)
  

  

  Photo credit: Eric Nguyen's Creeper Photography

• and we went to Cancun!!

oh yeah, work it out, sexy beast :-P

And finally, our good friend Emily started an awesome (and much more frequently updated) food/lifestyle blog over at the http://thepigandquill.com/.  You should absolutely check it out.... now.... then come back here and read on!!

And now on to the food!