First 30 Days of 30: Day Six

July 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A photo that makes you happy. Another tough pick. There are so many I love from my childhood but I’ll need to post about those later when I have access to old albums. Our wedding photos are very special. However, having our actual engagement moment captured on camera makes me truly happy. It’s a moment in time that all of us gals remember, yet not many of us get to see and relive what our actual face/expression/reaction looked like when our special guy asked the question.

What was also incredible about this day is that the day before Mike “put a ring on it” I received and accepted a job offer from GroundFloor Media. I was already on cloud nine following nearly three months of job hunting after we arrived in Colorado. Mike obviously couldn’t have planned to propose the day after I got a job offer, but it made it that much sweeter!

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Five

July 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sadly, the question “what’s your favorite book” gives me angst. I do not read enough. In the past year my lack of reading is a bit embarrassing. I want to read. I enjoy reading once I am in the habit again. But when I finally sit down at night and the choice is TV, Pinterest, blog scanning or reading a novel, my choice is usually made in that order.

I tend to go through reading spurts and always become obsessed with books in those times. I did the Twilight thing and am trying to motivate myself to start Hunger Games. There are a few books, however, that have stuck with me long after the paperback has been donated or given away. Last year I read The Art of Racing in the Rain and made the mistake of finishing it on a plane. The guy next to me must have thought I was a nut case as I held back sobs through the final pages. In college I read The Lovely Bones and that is a book I’ll never forget reading. It haunted me for months.

My all time favorite book is a tough call to make, but What is the What always tops my list.

It is an autobiographical novel based on the Lost Boys of the Sudan. Their struggles, perseverance and faith is beyond words. The atrocities that this generation of Sudanese youth saw are ones many of us would never be able to move past. It is a book I would like to read again one day, and one I’ll surely make sure my children read when they are old enough.

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Four

July 29, 2012 By 1 Comment

Back to Lindsay M’s list for day four of my “First 30 Days of 30″ series. Today I reveal reluctantly admit what you’ll catch me watching on television.

Mike and I were watching WAY too much TV last year and canceled our cable in October 2011. We still stream a lot from Hulu and iTunes but it has helped somewhat. That said, for some unknown reason we get Bravo. And what does that mean? Bravo “trash” is still in my life seven days a week. But Housewives of Orange County, Beverly Hills and New Jersey is not all I watch. We’re obsessed with Game of Thrones and I am in love with Mad Men.

But after a long day at work nothing is better than a good laugh. Modern Family provides just that and if I have to pick just one, I’m going with Modern Family as my favorite TV show right now. I can’t get enough of the episode where Mitch discovers just how awesome Costco really is — from diapers to coffins. It’s Seinfeld-inspired humor to the core.

Source: Entertainment Weekly and FanPop.com

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Three

July 28, 2012 By 2 Comments

I’m going to go rogue from Lindsay M’s list and share a “30th First” as my day three series post. As you read this I am somewhere in the vast Colorado wilderness on my first true backpack camping trip. What does this mean? Well, it means that on my back I am carrying one change of clothes, bags of dehydrated food, toilet paper, all of my own trash, bear bags, and bottle of wine. Yes, I brought a bottle of wine despite the extra weight it puts in the pack. Don’t judge me.

 

I have begged Mike to take me backpacking since we moved to Colorado 2+ years ago but as our departure time approaches, I am more and more nervous. Combine that with a 50% chance of rain and I almost decided to stay behind…

Now accepting bets on whether or not I’ll be doing more backpacking in the future!

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First 30 Days of 30: Day Two

July 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Still taking cues from Lindsay M., today’s reveal is…Favorite Movie.

So many titles come flooding into my head. Do I go funny and say Zoolander, or sappy and say The Notebook? What about the standard girl tear jerker, Steel Magnolias? Ah, that’s a good one.

Nope. It’s more fun to throw you for a loop and pick a very old classic that instantly takes me back to being seven years old during summer break, eating grilled cheese and drinking milk with Ovaltine — all prepared lovingly by my grandma.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Didn’t see that one coming did ya? Perhaps it’s the scene depicted in the picture above where Marilyn Monroe declares “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” that will forever cause Mike angst. I love sparkle! In a follow up post I promise to share a picture of me as Marilyn Monroe for Halloween. I was in 4th or 5th grade and let’s just say, platinum blonde is not my color. I look ridiculous, but it still is my favorite Halloween costume of all time.

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First 30 Days of 30

July 26, 2012 By 4 Comments

I’m lucky to be able to call Lindsay M. a friend. I also worship her blogging skills. Her blog is gorgeous and more importantly, 100% honest. So naturally I was excited when she suggested I follow in her “First 30 Days of 30″ footsteps now that I have officially crossed over into the next decade.

Life is hectic right now so I’m not going to promise that I’ll get a post up every single day. But I’m going to genuinely try. I’ll be copying following her format because she did a killer job, while infusing my own quirkiness along the way. Hopefully this is a series you enjoy as a way to get to know me better!

First up? Favorite Song.

Trying to pick just one song is tough for just about everyone. But there is one tune that I have loved for more years than I can remember, and that I still sing at the top of my lungs when I am by myself on a long drive. It is Garth Brooks’ “Shameless.”

Any other major Garth Brooks fans out there? I would kill to see him live in Las Vegas. I saw him when I was in 8th grade and will never forget that concert. He literally made it rain onstage…and we’re not talking about rappers throwing $100 bills. He is a classic talent.

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Hello 30

July 25, 2012 By 5 Comments

Today is my 30th birthday. I’m actually pretty darn excited about it.

It’s hard to explain, but I’ve been ready personally and professionally for this milestone for quite awhile. Being happy and proud of where I am at probably has a lot to do with “the big 3-0″ not seeming so big. My 20′s were spectacular and it only seems fair to start a new chapter.

Birthdays are a good time to reflect and set goals for the future, no matter how cliche. I view 30 as a time to work on ME more than I ever have before. I’d like to…

  • Learn how to step back and see the big picture. A bad day is usually just one glitch in an otherwise wonderful week
  • Stress less. My worries are usually so minimal compared to what other people have going on in their lives
  • Rekindle old friendships and treat today’s friendships like gold
  • Be the best partner I can be to Mike, in our relationship today and in all that it will become as we chase our individual and shared dreams
  • Save more and be better at deciphering true needs versus in-the-moment wants
  • Treasure as much time as I can with our families, whether we’re lucky enough to do so in-person or through phone calls and good old fashioned letters
  • Make time for us. Make time for me. Make time

Oh yeah, I also want to be better about wearing sunscreen and continue to work out at least three days a week, preferably four to five. Today will be spent at work for a very busy day. A quiet dinner with Mike will be the perfect way to round out the evening. For the first time, I honestly feel like I need nothing more on my actual birthday. I guess I really am growing up.

 

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Colorful Summer Stir Fry

July 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Lately I’ve been trying to go truly meatless on Mondays for “Meatless Monday.” That means no fish, which is tough even though it has been months since I’ve eaten meat. Enter Bon Appetit…the latest issue is full of gorgeous meatless dishes.

Following a particularly gluttonous weekend (an early celebration of my 30th birthday this Wednesday) I decided to start the week right with a Summer Vegetable Stir Fry for dinner. I shopped for fresh ingredients immediately following work. Our kitchen is quite miserable in this heat but I chopped and diced my heart out knowing the healthy reward would be worth the effort. We were not disappointed.

Savvy Bon Appetit readers/home chefs can make this in their sleep. Yet the extra prep step for an herb dressing took this stir fry to a totally new level for me. I’m typically a soy sauce kind of gal whenever I make a stir fry. Not anymore.

My chosen ingredients (a few variations from the recipe…I am getting brave!):

  • Mexican squash
  • Mushrooms
  • Green bell peppers
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Diced purple potatoes
  • Herbs for dressing – fresh basil from our garden, cilantro and tarragon
  • Quinoa instead of wheat berries

Mike nearly licked his plate clean, which is always a major win when I make true vegetarian dishes. Next I want to try a watermelon gazpacho recipe from the same issue. Stay tuned!

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Pin of the Week: Snacks

July 20, 2012 By 1 Comment

It is still really hot here in Colorado. As such, I haven’t been cooking much beyond fish, veggie burgers and steamed veggies (now that I rediscovered my love for our Cuisinart Rice Cooker and Steamer).

I am starting to really miss picking one or two new recipes to try each week. Once I get my kitchen mojo back (or when we win a central AC installation) these seem like a delicious and fun snack to try! Until then, I’ll keep pinning Gina’s recipes from the always-fabulous Running to the Kitchen blog so that I have plenty to try in the fall.

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Basil Smoothies

July 18, 2012 By 1 Comment

 

Our basil plant is exploding and we can’t seem to use it fast enough. We’ve enjoyed caprese salads and recently blended a bunch with olive oil in the food processor for freezing. But a few days ago I discovered what may be my favorite, unexpected way to use basil. Smoothies!

First I adapted the following Lemon Basil Smoothie recipe with what I had on hand. I blended basil, spinach, ice, Chobani lemon yogurt (just a few spoonfuls), lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon, and soy milk. I also added ground flax and some protein powder. One word: refreshingly delicious (okay, that was two but I was so obsessed with the results I told everyone about it at work as soon as I arrived).

Yesterday I was out of lemon yogurt so I went in search of more inspiration. I found this Strawberry Basil smoothie post and put my own spin on it by adding banana and a scoop of Matcha Green Tea powder in lieu of honey. Oh. My. Goodness. I nearly remade it for dinner.

How do you make the most of a plentiful basil harvest?

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