Five on Friday - Big News!

Hi Friends! Today I am linking up with April, Darci, Christina, and Natasha to bring you Five on Friday!  I've got big news today in my five AND some big news about a giveaway! Join in with us, and be entered to win some AMAZING prizes (see the bottom of the post)! Good Luck :)

ONE: Regenerating my Monster Basil Plant

I don't if any of you remember my basil 'tree' that grew this past spring (if not check it out here) but after a few months, it went to bloom, and began to die. However, I tried a little something different this year. I cut all of tops of the branches (where the blooms were) and placed them all in another large pot. I literally tossed them in the pot all haphazardly, and with no real regard for them. After about a month or so, I had some small plants sprouting, and now, it appears as though I will soon have another bumper crop. So there you have it kids, basil is literally fool proof. Black thumbs and all, you can grow it.

You can clearly see how I just dropped the old blooms from the other plant into this pot, and left them. Now they are decomposing, and helping the plants to grow!

TWO: Tracy Anderson's 'Butt and Thighs' Webisode

I am a believer of the Tracy Anderson method...albeit, I refuse to pay for her series of workout DVDs, Metamorphosis.  Instead, I opt for her free webisodes that can be found on YouTube. As of late, I've been too busy to hit the gym, so I've opted for easy at home workouts (I use the word 'easy' lightly here).  This video will have you completely sore for 3 days, but it really does work you out in only 15 minutes. It engages your core, your abs, your rear, and your thighs. You may curse Tracy while you're doing it, but you can thank her later.

And Baby Makes Three!

That's right, we are finally joining the club and adding a little bundle of joy to our home! Baby #1 is due in April, and it's a boy! We're so thrilled, and looking forward to what's ahead!

Proof that I really am that pregnant girl. The hubster and I went out for Sunday Funday last week. He ordered a beer, I ordered nachos and fried pickles.

FOUR: Malala Yousafzai wins the Nobel Peace Prize at 17 years old

“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” 

-Malala Yousafzai

For those of you who do not know who Malala Yousafzai is, check out my posts from May and June (I touch on her story briefly, to learn more I suggest reading her book!). To summarize, Malala is known internationally because she and her father stood up to the Taliban to fight for the rights of young Pakistani girls to attend school. As a result, Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban - and miraculously survived.  Since then, she has become an acolyte to the world in the crusade to end domestic violence and the oppression of women. In her book, I am Malala, Malala tells a story of pre-Taliban Pakistan, and how the oppressive fundamentalist group eased its way across the border of Afghanistan and into her homeland. As the youngest recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize, she will continue her fight for young women around the world. Congratulations, Malala!!

To read more, check out this article.

FIVE: Weekend Plans!

This weekend my in-laws are flying into Palm Beach to visit us! We are so excited to have visitors, and to see family! We are so far from home, and don't get to go home often, so it's nice change! Two things I am VERY excited about (says the pregnant girl) are the restaurants we will be frequenting. These are two of the very best places to eat in town (take note, if you ever visit on vacay!)

Cafe Boulud - 

Owned by Daniel Boulud, a nationally reknowned chef that has restaurants in NYC, Boston and Palm Beach.  This restaurant is mostly French cuisine, but they occasionally mix in some international flair! I particularly love the hotel its connected to, The Brazilian Court Hotel, and its gorgeous dining patio.

La Sirena

La Sirena is perhaps the most authentic Italian food you can find in South Florida. A hole in the wall kind of place, it's cozy and quaint, and yet very high end.  The owners are a family of Italians that have owned the institution for generations.  Each summer the family travels back to Italy, leaving us craving their delicious dishes for months on end.  After re-opening in September, it's a mad dash to get a reservation.

That's all for me this week, have a happy weekend!!

XO

M

Enter to win all of these great items with today's Five on Friday! Simple add your link to any of the linked blogs above!