Continuing with what Alicia started, I'm participating in a list of things I love. Alicia assigned me the letter D and it's taken me almost a week to come up with a list. It's been a lot of fun, even if it's been harder than I asked for (I specifically asked for an easy one - hmph). I've taken a few liberties with a couple items in order to come up with my 10.
Here's how it works: You leave a comment on this post, and I'll assign you a letter. You write about ten things you love that begin with your assigned letter and you post it on your blog. When people comment on your post you assign them a letter and the fun continues.
Here we go!
1. Dallas: As in Alicia. And she represents all those friends who I've been able to get to know better through this crazy blog world since I've moved away. Alicia, Alyssa, Freida, Kristin, etc... All people I feel I've gotten to know so much better via their blogs. These are all beautiful women I was never particularly close friends with "in person" back home but who bless me abundantly by allowing me to share in their lives and who share in mine.
2.Dirty Jobs: Jon loves to watch the Discovery Channel, which means I usually end up watching it too. I don't like most of the shows he does: Mythbusters, Storm Chasers, to name just two. But Dirty Jobs is something we both love to laugh and get disgusted at together. Mike Rowe subjects himself to some nasty situations and we find great pleasure and entertainment in this.
3. Downpour: I absolutely love the rain. Dark, cloudy weather puts me in a great mood and rain just makes me giddy. I think it's because I love staying home in my comfies and rainy, cold weather is a great excuse to do that. I love thunder and lightning and walking in the rain is one of my favorite things to do. So much so that I never carried an umbrella until last year when I figured no one would think highly of a pregnant lady being stupid enough to let herself get drenched, and of course I now keep one close so that I can keep Harper dry. The only thing I don't like is wearing wet shoes or socks, which is the only snag in my love of the rain. But in my opinion, just a small price to pay.
4. DFW: I technically live in Fort Worth, but DFW is what the area is called, as well as the airport. I really love living in Texas and am so happy we made the decision to move here. Even though I miss my friends and family more than anyone knows, I wouldn't change my mind. And living only 20 minutes from the airport makes it even easier to get there for flights or to pick those up who are coming to visit - which we LOVE!
5. Dachshunds: Ever since my first Dachshund Lucy, I promised I would always have one. They are such funny, amazing, spunky, feisty, loving critters and I can't imagine what life would be like without them. Between my parents and I, we've been blessed to have had Lucy, Cooper, Peanut and Chuck in our lives and we miss them terribly. I of course currently have my Wylee Boy and she's the home for Maxine, Odie and BenE. All of these fur babies have worked their way into our hearts without much effort. (Side note: This is nothing to take away from Sarge, but I was trying to be more specific than just saying "dogs". Besides - everyone already knows I love all dogs).
6. Diet Coke: My one major vice. I don't smoke, but I am addicted to a different drug: Diet Coke. I drink one as soon as I get up and one or two more during the day. If it's a particularly sleepy morning, I'll stop for a fountain Diet Coke and I can swear there's nothing better at that moment.
7. Driving: I had to wait 6 months to get my drivers license when I turned 16 because my mom didn't want me being a new driver in the snow. Smart. But I definitely made up for lost time once I finally got it. I was off and running and drove down the hill as often as I could afford to or find reason for. I still love driving, though these days I spend more time in traffic away from my family than I care to. Road Trips have always been something I've LOVED doing and being a relatively new Texan, I always look forward to arriving somewhere new and seeing the sights along the way.
8. Decorations: As in holiday decorations. I enjoy making my home feel comfortable, and holiday decorations help me greatly in doing that. I love decorating my home for Christmas, as most people do. But since buying the house, I've also begun loving to put out little things for Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and other lesser-celebrated days. I usually buy my things on clearance after the holiday for use the following year, so when I go to pull out the next holiday's items, it's always a little like Christmas when I find things I might have forgotten about. Iit's the small things I love - but that's what this list is about, right?
9. Dramamine: This is a stretch, but bear with me. I can get motion sickness in just about everything. Cars, boats, roller coasters, buses - you get the idea. I used to take Dramamine but I didn't like how sleepy it made me feel so in recent years I've started using the pressure bands to put on my wrists and they work great. The reason I'm thankful for Dramamine though is that I can appreciate all the opportunities I've been given to have reason to take it. It seems the sickest I've been are places I've had some of the most fun in. On a boat in the Bahamas following wild dolphins spending precious time with my family (twice); on a plane headed to Europe where I first went in high school, then went to spend a semester in Florence, and third when I took an adventure with two friends backpacking for 3 weeks all over; on a big bus with my best friend Heather when she took me as her "guest" on her company incentive trip to Cabo San Lucas where everything was free - everything. Such amazing times and memories for each of these and reminds me how much I love to travel, despite my handicap.
10. Daughter: Saved the best for last. She by far is the light of my life and my greatest love other than God and my husband. She brings me so much purpose to my life and more joy than I could have ever imagined - and I imagined a lot. I always thought I had a good idea what motherhood would be like, but I truly had no idea. It's 100 times bigger than I ever thought: more love, more joy, more heartache, more frustrating, and more rewarding. I wouldn't change it for anything and I am so glad I was chosen to be her Mommy.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
All Decked Out
Despite having a very clingy and cranky baby, we've managed to get quite a bit done this weekend. We got the house totally decorated and Jon is almost finished with putting the lights up. We also got most of our shopping done, believe it or not. This is a huge relief to me as I hate having the requirement of shopping hanging over my head at the holidays. We also stored away a bunch of things in the attic including a lot of baby things we're no longer using. Bittersweet since I'm so glad she's getting bigger and more active, but it's also weird to think that we won't be using things like boppys, swings or receiving blankets until the next one comes along.
Now I'm just waiting for my Christmas cards to arrive so I can then mail them out and check that off my list.
Now I'm just waiting for my Christmas cards to arrive so I can then mail them out and check that off my list.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Weekend Wrap-Up
Well, unfortunately Jon turned out to be sick all weekend. I was crossing my fingers on Saturday morning that he'd have made a full recovery overnight and be 100% healthy again so we could get things done. But it was not in the cards and he spent most of the weekend in his comfies, coughing and trying to sleep. He's back at work tonight and we're praying he makes it through okay.
This meant that I played single parent all weekend as Jon was being very careful about not spreading his germs. It's a tough job, being a single parent. But it meant that I got to give Harper double the lovin' because I had to make up for what Daddy couldn't give. We had lots of fun and lots of laughs, but we both hope daddy makes a speedy recovery so he can join in soon!
I was able to accomplish most of the things on the list, though I refuse to climb a ladder so I couldn't get the Christmas decorations down. And there was no way I could start the cabinet project (again) without anyone else to watch Harper, so that didn't get done either. The clothes are in the back of my car waiting to be dropped off tomorrow, so I believe I can check everything else off the list! Feels good even though I'm completely wiped out and can say that I definitely would have chosen being curled up in bed with a bowl of ice cream most of today instead of doing all the cleaning and picking up.
As inspiration for what we may hope to accomplish in the near future, I'll post a few pics of Jon's latest project: the garage. Being the frugal couple we are, we're always looking for ways to save some cash. My company has been clearing out the building of extra supplies we don't need and giving the things away to anyone who will take them. One of the items that is in great abundance are these wire shelves that attach to the sides of cubicles for storing papers and things. I brought a couple home hoping Jon might be able to use them for something, and with a little intuition and help from brackets he bought, I present to you -- STORAGE!!
Now, I realize this may not look like a big deal. But imagine the work bench in the first picture covered in the things that are on the shelves. All his tool bags, tools, chargers, batteries, paint cans, etc... Just piled up everywhere. Now they're out of the way and it's awesome!!!
This meant that I played single parent all weekend as Jon was being very careful about not spreading his germs. It's a tough job, being a single parent. But it meant that I got to give Harper double the lovin' because I had to make up for what Daddy couldn't give. We had lots of fun and lots of laughs, but we both hope daddy makes a speedy recovery so he can join in soon!
I was able to accomplish most of the things on the list, though I refuse to climb a ladder so I couldn't get the Christmas decorations down. And there was no way I could start the cabinet project (again) without anyone else to watch Harper, so that didn't get done either. The clothes are in the back of my car waiting to be dropped off tomorrow, so I believe I can check everything else off the list! Feels good even though I'm completely wiped out and can say that I definitely would have chosen being curled up in bed with a bowl of ice cream most of today instead of doing all the cleaning and picking up.
As inspiration for what we may hope to accomplish in the near future, I'll post a few pics of Jon's latest project: the garage. Being the frugal couple we are, we're always looking for ways to save some cash. My company has been clearing out the building of extra supplies we don't need and giving the things away to anyone who will take them. One of the items that is in great abundance are these wire shelves that attach to the sides of cubicles for storing papers and things. I brought a couple home hoping Jon might be able to use them for something, and with a little intuition and help from brackets he bought, I present to you -- STORAGE!!
Now, I realize this may not look like a big deal. But imagine the work bench in the first picture covered in the things that are on the shelves. All his tool bags, tools, chargers, batteries, paint cans, etc... Just piled up everywhere. Now they're out of the way and it's awesome!!!
I'm so proud of him for figuring out a way to make something free and non-workable into something that so perfect! He'd probably hang these all over the garage if we had the wall space for it. He's done a really great job and it's so nice to have the space by the door so I can have a place to set things down when I'm trying to come in the door with my 10,000 bags and Harper. Love it!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
That's Life
The holidays are coming. Life is about to get a little bit busier.
Things have already been a little hectic and I feel more tired than usual. Things throwing us off our routine, lots of projects to get done for the holidays, trying to figure out where in the world all the time to get those things done is going to come from...
Blogging unfortunately has taken a back seat to some of these things, but I promise I will try to get on here as often as I can and at least post pictures. If not here, then on Harper's blog.
Todays' plans are pretty ambitious, but I think we can manage:
Lots to do!! Here's to hoping that life doesn't swallow me whole.
Things have already been a little hectic and I feel more tired than usual. Things throwing us off our routine, lots of projects to get done for the holidays, trying to figure out where in the world all the time to get those things done is going to come from...
Blogging unfortunately has taken a back seat to some of these things, but I promise I will try to get on here as often as I can and at least post pictures. If not here, then on Harper's blog.
Todays' plans are pretty ambitious, but I think we can manage:
- Laundry
- A thorough dusting (with wood floors comes lots of dustbunnies, I've realized)
- Dropping clothes off at goodwill
- Starting the final phase on the cabinets
- Pulling the Christmas decorations out of the attic
- Making a dent in the aforementioned Christmas projects
Lots to do!! Here's to hoping that life doesn't swallow me whole.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
"Papa"
I need to be better about posting on this blog. So much of our life is all about Harper, it's hard to come up with things to add here. But today I have one!
When I lived in Italy for a semester, we ate at one restaurant for lunch every weekday as part of our cost included in studying abroad. By far my favorite dish to eat was Papa al Pomodoro and I was so excited whenever it was on our fixed menu that day. It actually looked like the cook would take all the random leftovers at the restaurant and throw them into a pot and served it. But it was the yummiest concoction I could've ever hoped for!
A few years ago I found a very similar dish in one of Rachael Ray's cookbooks and was so excited to make it. Her version runs a very close second to the authenic one I was used to, and has easily become one of Jon and mine's favorite dishes. We've actually been waiting for the weather to get colder so we could have a good excuse to make some. This weekend we got our wish and he whipped it up last night. We got into our comfies and curled up on the couch with our bowls and I think we said "MmmMmMmM" about a hundred times each! I'm posting the recipe below with some of my own suggestions.
Enjoy!
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - plus some for drizzling
4-6 cloves garlic, chopped -we use at least 6-8, but we really love garlic
1 medium to large onion, finely chopped
1 can diced tomatoes (15 ounces)
1 ocan crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
Salt and pepper
1 quart chicken stock
4 cups stale bread (about 1/2 pound), chopped or torn - for our latest batch we used a sourdough baguette and left it out for 3 days. We weren't able to make it as soon as we had hoped so I tossed it into a ziploc and froze it. It's been our best bread yet.
2 cans small white beans – smaller than cannellini beans (15 ounces each), such as Goya brand
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, to pass at the table (we use plain' ole shredded parmesean. Cheaper and easier to find but just as good)
10 fresh basil leaves, torn (optional) - not optional in our opinions. :)
Preparation
Heat a medium soup pot over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of EVOO, about three turns around the pan, garlic and three quarters of the onion. Cook for 7-8 minutes, then add the diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Add the stock and raise the heat to make the soup bubble. Reduce the heat to simmer and add the bread and beans. Stir the soup as it simmers, until it thickens to a stew-like consistency. Turn off the heat, adjust the seasonings and ladle the soup into shallow bowls. Top with grated cheese, an additional drizzle of EVOO and a spoonful of reserved finely chopped raw onions. Torn basil is an optional garnish.
This is a 30-minute meal but you really need to let all the flavors simmer for a good 20 minutes in order to get a really good batch.
When I lived in Italy for a semester, we ate at one restaurant for lunch every weekday as part of our cost included in studying abroad. By far my favorite dish to eat was Papa al Pomodoro and I was so excited whenever it was on our fixed menu that day. It actually looked like the cook would take all the random leftovers at the restaurant and throw them into a pot and served it. But it was the yummiest concoction I could've ever hoped for!
A few years ago I found a very similar dish in one of Rachael Ray's cookbooks and was so excited to make it. Her version runs a very close second to the authenic one I was used to, and has easily become one of Jon and mine's favorite dishes. We've actually been waiting for the weather to get colder so we could have a good excuse to make some. This weekend we got our wish and he whipped it up last night. We got into our comfies and curled up on the couch with our bowls and I think we said "MmmMmMmM" about a hundred times each! I'm posting the recipe below with some of my own suggestions.
Enjoy!
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - plus some for drizzling
4-6 cloves garlic, chopped -we use at least 6-8, but we really love garlic
1 medium to large onion, finely chopped
1 can diced tomatoes (15 ounces)
1 ocan crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
Salt and pepper
1 quart chicken stock
4 cups stale bread (about 1/2 pound), chopped or torn - for our latest batch we used a sourdough baguette and left it out for 3 days. We weren't able to make it as soon as we had hoped so I tossed it into a ziploc and froze it. It's been our best bread yet.
2 cans small white beans – smaller than cannellini beans (15 ounces each), such as Goya brand
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, to pass at the table (we use plain' ole shredded parmesean. Cheaper and easier to find but just as good)
10 fresh basil leaves, torn (optional) - not optional in our opinions. :)
Preparation
Heat a medium soup pot over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of EVOO, about three turns around the pan, garlic and three quarters of the onion. Cook for 7-8 minutes, then add the diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Add the stock and raise the heat to make the soup bubble. Reduce the heat to simmer and add the bread and beans. Stir the soup as it simmers, until it thickens to a stew-like consistency. Turn off the heat, adjust the seasonings and ladle the soup into shallow bowls. Top with grated cheese, an additional drizzle of EVOO and a spoonful of reserved finely chopped raw onions. Torn basil is an optional garnish.
This is a 30-minute meal but you really need to let all the flavors simmer for a good 20 minutes in order to get a really good batch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
