In recent weeks and months, Sundays seem to have become synonymous with gardening, or at least admiring my garden. Those quiet morning moments are becoming increasingly cherished. Today in particular as we got our first decent harvest from the garden! One squash, one zucchini and a big handful of green beans! It isn't much, but it was one of my proudest moments. I'm beginning to understand the inherent reward in growing your own sustenance. More, more! :)
After our weekly gathering with our CLC family, we hunkered down at home. Armed with a stack of Harry Potter DVDs, we set to work on our least favorite task: cleaning our room. Somehow, husband and I missed the step where you are supposed to outgrow this hatred after adolescence. The rest of our house usually retains some semblance of order, but our room...well, the clothes overtake us. I hate it, and have worked in the past to defeat it, but it is a task that must be managed daily, and I cannot always summon the discipline to do so. Despite the hours it took, the room looks beautiful and it turned out to be some very quality time.
Lastly, joined our best friends and 48 or so other married couples for an evening of marriage celebration, sponsored by our church (and there was Joe Ts!). It was a beautiful night, but a nagging thought kept at me: the focus on repairing marriages in honorable, and certainly needed. But equally necessary in today's society is some serious spotlighting on pre-marital relationship health. Often times I see couples attempting to mend what they have torn apart, when it is possible that it never should have been stitched in the first place. I'm not advocating divorce AT ALL, but rather highlighting the sheer lack of long-term consideration and introspection that needs to take place before you make that promise. How to remedy this? I don't have that answer. Pray and ponder...
Highlights:
1) I am beyond blessed to be married to my best friend. Some days the weight of this hits me harder than others.
2) We played a scavenger hunt at the Marriage Dinner that required you to go around the room and find people who have done certain things in their life. Though it was meant to be lighthearted, it did two things for me: 1)reinforced my desire to complete my 30 by 30 list, and 2) sparked a moment of accomplishment and thankfulness- I really have done a lot in my 27 years!
3) I cannot be trusted with Joe T's tacos. That is all.
Love &...well, Love,
K
Friday, July 6, 2012
June 2 - The Day I Started with Farmers and Ended with Tacos
*sidenote* Going to be honest. Feel like giving up! Quite discouraged at my lack of follow-through. Each lag day leads to another. Boo. Alas, we forge ahead.
I don't remember much about this day, except how long it lasted and how badly my feet hurt. I squeezed in a trip to the Farmer's Market to scope out the locally grown goodness. Each week the selection improves, accompanied by my increasing taste for food adventure. I feel sort of like I'm on Iron Chef, buying unfamiliar seasonal veggies only to figure out how to prepare them later (Shout out Pinterest and my cookbook addiction for your combined indelible contributions to these food forays).
We had a very long day at the pie shop, culminating in a catered baby shower that evening. I took the reigns for the party, a task which carries equal amounts of stress and excitement. I may be royally exhausted at the days end, but knowing that I helped coordinate and make food for a successful soiree leaves me with a smile on my face. Not smiling, however, were my two feet. Regrettably, and against my usually prudent judgement, I opted for cute over comfy when it came to my footwear for the day. 13 hours later...ouch.
I ended the day in complete contradiction to its beginning: a plate of greasy fast food tacos. Because sometimes, you just need FasTaco.
Highlights:
1) The random veggie of choice: Pattypan squash. Its cuteness practically screamed "buy me!".
2) Began working out the plans to actually start my 10 Days of Real Food pledge. Oh if I only knew the change to come...
3) My hubs got to escape the long work day by hanging out with our favorite teenagers. Told him he owes me one! Honestly, though, I'm glad for his willingness to do so, and proud of how much they look up to him. :)
Love & Tired Dogs,
K
I don't remember much about this day, except how long it lasted and how badly my feet hurt. I squeezed in a trip to the Farmer's Market to scope out the locally grown goodness. Each week the selection improves, accompanied by my increasing taste for food adventure. I feel sort of like I'm on Iron Chef, buying unfamiliar seasonal veggies only to figure out how to prepare them later (Shout out Pinterest and my cookbook addiction for your combined indelible contributions to these food forays).
We had a very long day at the pie shop, culminating in a catered baby shower that evening. I took the reigns for the party, a task which carries equal amounts of stress and excitement. I may be royally exhausted at the days end, but knowing that I helped coordinate and make food for a successful soiree leaves me with a smile on my face. Not smiling, however, were my two feet. Regrettably, and against my usually prudent judgement, I opted for cute over comfy when it came to my footwear for the day. 13 hours later...ouch.
I ended the day in complete contradiction to its beginning: a plate of greasy fast food tacos. Because sometimes, you just need FasTaco.
Highlights:
1) The random veggie of choice: Pattypan squash. Its cuteness practically screamed "buy me!".
2) Began working out the plans to actually start my 10 Days of Real Food pledge. Oh if I only knew the change to come...
3) My hubs got to escape the long work day by hanging out with our favorite teenagers. Told him he owes me one! Honestly, though, I'm glad for his willingness to do so, and proud of how much they look up to him. :)
Love & Tired Dogs,
K
Monday, July 2, 2012
June 1 - The Day I Grazed
Employee Snack Day, noun: An 8-9 hour event, occurring in ones place of employment, in which participants exchange homemade or store-bought goods, particularly salt and/or sugar-laden, for group consumption. Traditional mealtimes and biological signs of fullness are disregarded as participants eat continually for the duration of the event. Food is assorted, and may be themed, but donuts are always included regardless of their degree of relation to said theme. See also: Grazing; Overweight Americans
That sort of sums up my first Friday in June. Despite my mocking tone, I am total nut for snack days. I even helped choose the theme for this one: Brunch! There were scones (made by yours truly, but more on that later), iced coffee, sausage, casseroles, cake, chicken salad...*burp*
After such a trying day-long experience for my tummy, I treated it to a snow cone. (you know, ice for the swelling...is that not how it works?) And then to coffee (consider it like Icy Hot - cold to dull the pain, heat to relax it away). I'm such a good trainer.
Speaking of coffee, I met two of my longtime loves for coffee at a local place in Fort Worth. For all its charm, I cannot believe that FW doesn't have more local gems like Buon Giorno. Great atmosphere, better good coffee, and even better company (and I met a new friend. Tried to help him name his band by finding words on sugar packets, but he just wouldn't go for). Delightful {decaf} coffee with a side of wonderful friends = the kind of evening where time just gets lost in the laughter.
Highlights:
1) Scones - I made bacon, cheddar & chive scones. I don't even know what to say. Just so stinkin' good! Will try again with turkey bacon so the hubs can share in the goodness.
2) Got lost getting to the coffee shop...this should not be a highlight as it happens so regularly, but on an up note, did a little downtown FW exploring.
3) The last of my snow cone Fridays with best friend. She's done with her teaching now! We have proposed moving on to craft Fridays, for the benefit of our craft lists and our over-sugared tummies.
Love & Grazing Days,
K
That sort of sums up my first Friday in June. Despite my mocking tone, I am total nut for snack days. I even helped choose the theme for this one: Brunch! There were scones (made by yours truly, but more on that later), iced coffee, sausage, casseroles, cake, chicken salad...*burp*
After such a trying day-long experience for my tummy, I treated it to a snow cone. (you know, ice for the swelling...is that not how it works?) And then to coffee (consider it like Icy Hot - cold to dull the pain, heat to relax it away). I'm such a good trainer.
Speaking of coffee, I met two of my longtime loves for coffee at a local place in Fort Worth. For all its charm, I cannot believe that FW doesn't have more local gems like Buon Giorno. Great atmosphere, better good coffee, and even better company (and I met a new friend. Tried to help him name his band by finding words on sugar packets, but he just wouldn't go for). Delightful {decaf} coffee with a side of wonderful friends = the kind of evening where time just gets lost in the laughter.
Highlights:
1) Scones - I made bacon, cheddar & chive scones. I don't even know what to say. Just so stinkin' good! Will try again with turkey bacon so the hubs can share in the goodness.
2) Got lost getting to the coffee shop...this should not be a highlight as it happens so regularly, but on an up note, did a little downtown FW exploring.
3) The last of my snow cone Fridays with best friend. She's done with her teaching now! We have proposed moving on to craft Fridays, for the benefit of our craft lists and our over-sugared tummies.
Love & Grazing Days,
K
Sunday, July 1, 2012
May 31 - The Day I Storm Day-Dreamed
Here's my usual, albeit odd, train of thought when it comes to rainy weather: "Oh, it's raining. Looks dark outside. When it looks dark like this, it seems like it should be cold. Man I wish it was fall. Know what goes good with fall and stormy weather? Harry Potter. I should be at home watching Harry Potter. Mmm Pumpkin Juice. Make that a Pumpkin Latte. WHY DO I NOT LIVE AT HOGWARTS?"
Or something like that. Alas, I was stuck at my desk, watching the deceptively cold-looking dark clouds roll in, leaving my to day dream at my desk, no HP or Pumpkin Spice Latte to soothe my fall longings. I settled for a lunchtime reading break, curled up in a recliner in our company's "Library", which should certainly be renamed "The Room of Nooks and Naps". There are only 4 recliners, and you have to beat out the nappers with their giant afghan blankets and occasional snores, or fight for a spot from the digital readers. I'm afraid I'll never be in that latter crowd; I love the smell and weight of a book in my hands that no fancy digital reader could ever replace.
All in all, a rather uneventful day, but I didn't mind. After all, who needs adventure when you've got Hogwarts day dreams :)
Highlights:
1) I am re-reading one of my favorite books, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It is just as beautiful and inviting as I remember, and each time I close the cover, I'm left thinking two things: 1) I hope I'm like Elizabeth McKenna when I grow up, and 2) Why the heck am I not on a plane to the Channel Islands?!
2) Went to the store to prepare for snack day. Normally, this would be fine. Except I skipped my snack and went in with a growing tummy. Daft or dangerous, its a toss up really (bonus points if you catch the reference in that last sentence). Either way, I made it out without doing TOO much damage.
3) My house is old, and it has the odd knack for trapping smells for what seems like hours. I don't know if these two are related, but all I'm saying is, if I cook bacon, you could probably come over like 2 days later and know without me telling you. Now, seeing as how the hubs hates bacon, you can imagine his delight when I have to cook pans full for a work day function. How did I end up with the only guy who wouldn't find this appeasing?
Love & Rainy Weather Dreams,
K
Or something like that. Alas, I was stuck at my desk, watching the deceptively cold-looking dark clouds roll in, leaving my to day dream at my desk, no HP or Pumpkin Spice Latte to soothe my fall longings. I settled for a lunchtime reading break, curled up in a recliner in our company's "Library", which should certainly be renamed "The Room of Nooks and Naps". There are only 4 recliners, and you have to beat out the nappers with their giant afghan blankets and occasional snores, or fight for a spot from the digital readers. I'm afraid I'll never be in that latter crowd; I love the smell and weight of a book in my hands that no fancy digital reader could ever replace.
All in all, a rather uneventful day, but I didn't mind. After all, who needs adventure when you've got Hogwarts day dreams :)
Highlights:
1) I am re-reading one of my favorite books, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It is just as beautiful and inviting as I remember, and each time I close the cover, I'm left thinking two things: 1) I hope I'm like Elizabeth McKenna when I grow up, and 2) Why the heck am I not on a plane to the Channel Islands?!
2) Went to the store to prepare for snack day. Normally, this would be fine. Except I skipped my snack and went in with a growing tummy. Daft or dangerous, its a toss up really (bonus points if you catch the reference in that last sentence). Either way, I made it out without doing TOO much damage.
3) My house is old, and it has the odd knack for trapping smells for what seems like hours. I don't know if these two are related, but all I'm saying is, if I cook bacon, you could probably come over like 2 days later and know without me telling you. Now, seeing as how the hubs hates bacon, you can imagine his delight when I have to cook pans full for a work day function. How did I end up with the only guy who wouldn't find this appeasing?
Love & Rainy Weather Dreams,
K
Friday, June 22, 2012
May 30 - The Day I Earned My Dessert
I love bootcamp. I love bootcamp. I love bootcamp. This is what I have to tell myself over and over to get myself into the gym and working up a sweat. But, just like running, once it is over, I never regret it! Especially when I know there is delicious Italian food on the horizon.
Now, I'm a distinct proponent of patronizing local businesses vs chains (being a small business owner, this should be a big "DUH"). However, there is one particular chain restaurant that has my heart, in all it's Americanized Italian glory: Carrabba's. I can't help it! The chicken soup does me in every stinkin' time. Recently, we have discovered what feels like a little inside secret (and naturally, I can't share it), and this secret seems to always result in free dessert. So yes, I indulged in dessert. And pasta. And bread. And soup. (Can you feel your arteries clogging yet?) But, I also worked my tail off, which made me dessert that much sweeter.
Highlights:
1) The morning weather was deliciously cool & breezy. Maybe God indulged my autumnal longings with a nod of cooler temps. Whatever it was, I was thankful and simultaneously bitter that bootcamp couldn't be held in the morning instead of the 90+ degree afternoon.
2) The job battle continues. This is where I have to fight the urge to be that crazy overbearing wife, and believe me it is a battle. Its in my nature to want to fix things, to want take control. I'm beginning to think this job search has very little to do with Jon and a whole lot to do with God teaching me another chapter in the ongoing lesson of relinquishing control.
3) We mapped out a few long-term savings goals. Do #s 2 and 3 strike you as ironic? Its ok to say yes, I see it too. I am fighting to let go of the reigns yet making my own plans for the future. But, I really feel like we aren't so much planning as discussing. His will wins in the end, so you might as well find the joy in the surrender, right? I'm working on it, God.
Love & Chain Restaurants,
K
Now, I'm a distinct proponent of patronizing local businesses vs chains (being a small business owner, this should be a big "DUH"). However, there is one particular chain restaurant that has my heart, in all it's Americanized Italian glory: Carrabba's. I can't help it! The chicken soup does me in every stinkin' time. Recently, we have discovered what feels like a little inside secret (and naturally, I can't share it), and this secret seems to always result in free dessert. So yes, I indulged in dessert. And pasta. And bread. And soup. (Can you feel your arteries clogging yet?) But, I also worked my tail off, which made me dessert that much sweeter.
Highlights:
1) The morning weather was deliciously cool & breezy. Maybe God indulged my autumnal longings with a nod of cooler temps. Whatever it was, I was thankful and simultaneously bitter that bootcamp couldn't be held in the morning instead of the 90+ degree afternoon.
2) The job battle continues. This is where I have to fight the urge to be that crazy overbearing wife, and believe me it is a battle. Its in my nature to want to fix things, to want take control. I'm beginning to think this job search has very little to do with Jon and a whole lot to do with God teaching me another chapter in the ongoing lesson of relinquishing control.
3) We mapped out a few long-term savings goals. Do #s 2 and 3 strike you as ironic? Its ok to say yes, I see it too. I am fighting to let go of the reigns yet making my own plans for the future. But, I really feel like we aren't so much planning as discussing. His will wins in the end, so you might as well find the joy in the surrender, right? I'm working on it, God.
Love & Chain Restaurants,
K
Thursday, June 21, 2012
May 29 - The Day We Studied as Friends
One of the things I like about growing up is watching how other people grow right along beside me. Particularly when family starts to become friends, and you learn to like each other not because you're related, but just simply for each other.
My sweet cousin recently graduated college and will soon be accepting a position as a missionary in Prague. In the meantime, she's back home, lingering in that bittersweet in-between of adolescent and grown-up. I invited her to join our small group while she is here, not just as family but as friend. She did, and it was lovely. We talked about what it means to live a radical life, and I know those words weigh more to her now than ever as she faces the future of years in a foreign country, essentially alone. Brave form, and I was proud to study the word beside her, not as obligatory family but appreciative friend.
Highlights:
1) Leftover sangria on the porch during bible study. Hey, somebody had to drink it!
2) The Fall cravings have begun. I now begin longing for all things crisp breeze, pumpkin, comfy sweaters and crunchy leaves. It is going to be a looong summer.
3) More rejection emails for the hubs, hey people, my smart, talented husband wants to instruct your children in all things world history! Please let the man teach!!!
Love & Grown-Up Pleasures,
K
My sweet cousin recently graduated college and will soon be accepting a position as a missionary in Prague. In the meantime, she's back home, lingering in that bittersweet in-between of adolescent and grown-up. I invited her to join our small group while she is here, not just as family but as friend. She did, and it was lovely. We talked about what it means to live a radical life, and I know those words weigh more to her now than ever as she faces the future of years in a foreign country, essentially alone. Brave form, and I was proud to study the word beside her, not as obligatory family but appreciative friend.
Highlights:
1) Leftover sangria on the porch during bible study. Hey, somebody had to drink it!
2) The Fall cravings have begun. I now begin longing for all things crisp breeze, pumpkin, comfy sweaters and crunchy leaves. It is going to be a looong summer.
3) More rejection emails for the hubs, hey people, my smart, talented husband wants to instruct your children in all things world history! Please let the man teach!!!
Love & Grown-Up Pleasures,
K
Sunday, June 17, 2012
May 28 - The Day We Remembered
Every year my family and I perform the music for a local Memorial Day service. And every year, some part of me knows I'm simply going through the motions with little reverence. Every year except this year.
In August of 2011, my extended family suffered a blow that will forever change how we see Memorial Day, American flags, or the 6:00 news report on the country's war casualties, when my cousin Jesse lost his life fighting in Afghanistan. Now, I don't want to stake a claim to emotions that aren't mine for the sake of a "good story" - to do so would be a mockery of those whose hearts are hurting the most. Jesse wasn't involved in my daily life, we spoke infrequently and were not what you would consider to be "close". But small pebbles make big ripples in the pond, which you notice even from the distant shore. My family hurt, so I hurt. There was still a sting from having to personally know a reality which you had always sanctioned to some other unknown family in the newspaper. And there was the incredible feeling of unfairness about it all. So young, so much still to offer, never coming home to raise the beautiful boy he left behind. So we wept, for our loss of Jesse, for the weight of unfairness that only God could make sense of, for the futures that would remain unwritten or forever changed, our tears a passage into a club no one ever hopes to join - family of the fallen. Those kinds of tears can change you, and so they did with me.
I'm not a perfect citizen, or even the most patriotic American - but watching that blue-eyed little boy hold a picture of his daddy, showing a symbolism he isn't even old enough to understand - I get it. And I know it doesn't make for an honorable story to say that I didn't really understand Memorial Day until it affected me, but it's the unpretty truth. And it's not far off from most of our lives, is it? Oh that we may learn to appreciate the beauty of the pond long before those ripples touch our toes on the shore.
We went on to spend the day with friends, grilling out, and cooking a delicious dinner. The joys of the day don't necessarily represent irreverence - it was with a thankful heart I enjoyed the freedoms I didn't pay for, both physical and spiritual. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Highlights:
1) We enjoyed a pool, or rather, the boys enjoyed trying to torture the girls in the pool. Is it written in our DNA that this starts at age 12 and continues...forever?
2) This may sound cocky, but sometimes I think it is good to be our friends. We whipped up a yummy from-scratch dinner of sauteed green beans, roasted cauliflower, spinach, linguine & homemade marinara - yum! Oh, and there was pizza. That is due to it being good to be someone else's friend. ;)
3) Made a white sangria (thanks Pinterest) that turned out pretty good! White wine, Fresca, cherries, strawberries and farmer's market peaches. Mostly fruity, not so wine-y, just the way I like it.
Love & Remembrances,
K
In August of 2011, my extended family suffered a blow that will forever change how we see Memorial Day, American flags, or the 6:00 news report on the country's war casualties, when my cousin Jesse lost his life fighting in Afghanistan. Now, I don't want to stake a claim to emotions that aren't mine for the sake of a "good story" - to do so would be a mockery of those whose hearts are hurting the most. Jesse wasn't involved in my daily life, we spoke infrequently and were not what you would consider to be "close". But small pebbles make big ripples in the pond, which you notice even from the distant shore. My family hurt, so I hurt. There was still a sting from having to personally know a reality which you had always sanctioned to some other unknown family in the newspaper. And there was the incredible feeling of unfairness about it all. So young, so much still to offer, never coming home to raise the beautiful boy he left behind. So we wept, for our loss of Jesse, for the weight of unfairness that only God could make sense of, for the futures that would remain unwritten or forever changed, our tears a passage into a club no one ever hopes to join - family of the fallen. Those kinds of tears can change you, and so they did with me.
I'm not a perfect citizen, or even the most patriotic American - but watching that blue-eyed little boy hold a picture of his daddy, showing a symbolism he isn't even old enough to understand - I get it. And I know it doesn't make for an honorable story to say that I didn't really understand Memorial Day until it affected me, but it's the unpretty truth. And it's not far off from most of our lives, is it? Oh that we may learn to appreciate the beauty of the pond long before those ripples touch our toes on the shore.
We went on to spend the day with friends, grilling out, and cooking a delicious dinner. The joys of the day don't necessarily represent irreverence - it was with a thankful heart I enjoyed the freedoms I didn't pay for, both physical and spiritual. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Highlights:
1) We enjoyed a pool, or rather, the boys enjoyed trying to torture the girls in the pool. Is it written in our DNA that this starts at age 12 and continues...forever?
2) This may sound cocky, but sometimes I think it is good to be our friends. We whipped up a yummy from-scratch dinner of sauteed green beans, roasted cauliflower, spinach, linguine & homemade marinara - yum! Oh, and there was pizza. That is due to it being good to be someone else's friend. ;)
3) Made a white sangria (thanks Pinterest) that turned out pretty good! White wine, Fresca, cherries, strawberries and farmer's market peaches. Mostly fruity, not so wine-y, just the way I like it.
Love & Remembrances,
K
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