Thanks A Million

The Good Life ~ Kanye West f. T-Pain
While eating breakfast and playing on my iPad I happened to see a quote online: "A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are for what you have." Just let that sink in. All too often I find myself being pulled in different directions and going a million miles an hour. I think it is hugely important to stop and smell the roses. I know I am guilty (and I'm sure many of you out there are too) of taking life for granted. It's so easy to do when we are so busy with minute details. I find myself getting annoyed and stressed when little things get in my way or my day goes south. In the big, grand scheme of things.... that stuff doesn't matter. I'm not going to remember that one bad day 20 years from now or maybe even a year from now! I am thankful for my family's health and my health. I cannot be more happy and grateful for our exhausting but fun holiday season.... My husband and I are both surrounded by some of the best people you can find. This life I lead is truly blessed and I intend on making the time and effort to reflect on it. Life is good.

 

I'm incredibly thankful to have been blessed with this wonderful family....

 

My super sweet dog, Dutch....

 

Goofy husband....

 

Cuddly Rhubarb....

 

 

And most thankful for a love that makes me smile, laugh, and dream of what's to come in the future.

Holiday Salad

The madness of our Christmas gatherings begins on Christmas Eve and continues late into the night on Christmas. With 4 Christmas gatherings for us to attend, it can get a little wild. One thing that never fails: there is always way too much food! I kept things very simple this year. The dish that was the most popular was my aptly named: Holiday Salad. It was easy, healthy, and delicious and there weren't any leftovers!

 

Ashley's Holiday Salad

 

8-10 Cups Taylor Organics Baby Romaine (or Mixed Greens)

3/4 C. Reconstituted Cranberries (directions below)

2 Mandarin Oranges, peeled and separated (or 1 small can)

1/2 C. Fat-Free Feta Crumbles

1/2 C. Candied Pecans (recipe below)

Dijon Red-Wine Vinaigrette (recipe below)

 

Reconstituted Cranberries ~

Super easy to do. Take your dried cranberries or Craisins and put them in a dish to soak in boiling water for about 10 minutes. The cranberries will pop open. Drain and dry.

 

Candied Pecans ~

1 T. butter, 1 T. packed brown sugar, and 1/2 C. of pecans. In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat and stir in brown sugar. Add nuts and stir. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Dry on a piece of foil and separate the pieces so they do not stick together.

 

Dijon- Red Wine Vinaigrette ~

1/3 C. Red Wine Vinegar

1/3 C. EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

1/3 C. vegetable oil (I used sunflower)

2. T dijon mustard (I used Trader Joe's dijon with mustard seeds)

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 t. salt

Freshly ground pepper

Mix all ingredients in a small container. We used an Advocare smoothie container and shook.

 

Okay, now that we're done with the hard stuff. Mix greens in a large bowl. Add cranberries, mandarin oranges, and feta. Toss with enough dressing to coat and garnish with candied pecans. The ingredients take on a special flavor once mixed together. The sweet cranberries and oranges with the kick of feta and dijon vinaigrette was wonderful!

Christmas Treats

Last year, I was given a couple boxes of jars by someone who had gotten the 'candle-making bug' for a very, very short time. She wanted to be rid of the jars and I took them. The jars were adorable but in my eyes they were too big for me to put candles in and sell them at a reasonable price. So they've been collecting dust and I decided in November that I was going to get creative and do something special with those dang jars. With the help of my sister-in-law we decided to make 'Candy Cane Sugar Scrub' for all of the ladies in both of our families. Not only was the scrub easy but it was so fun to make and gift to the girls!

 

Since we were making our scrub in bulk, I'll give you a mini-version!

4 C. granulated sugar

1 C. sunflower oil (or any carrier/cold-pressed oil i.e. olive, grapeseed, almond)

Fresh raspberry juice (enough to color the sugar pink)

20 drops of organic peppermint essential oil

 

Use 2 large bowls and mix equal amounts in each bowl. In one bowl, add enough raspberry juice to color the sugar pink. We used frozen raspberries and defrosted to create a juice. Once you have both mixtures mixed well add into equal parts in the jar. Pat down each layer of scrub evenly. It's is really THAT easy! Before we put the lid on we added 1 more drop of essential oil on top to give the scrub a burst of scent. I had a little test run with the scrub and it made my skin so, so soft but I did notice it made the shower a little slick!

 

I used a free printable from The Idea Room: Candy Cane Printable and added a cute tag with the ingredients and directions written with a calligraphy pen. We then tied a craft stick to the tag (for mixing and applying) with a adorable pink ribbon. I really wish I had taken the time to get pictures of the FINAL product. But alas, it was Christmas Eve....

 

Lauren and I had a great time making the scrub and have now officially decided to make crafting a Christmas tradition. That night we were brainstorming of what we could do for next year! I'm already excited!

Music: Ellie Goulding

 

I loved Ellie's first album, Lights, and decided to buy the second album, Halcyon, on a whim. I guess it was a little early Christmas present for me! It's been playing in my car nearly non-stop. This is definitely one of my favorite songs off the album. She's beautiful and her singing is unbelievable. Enjoy.

The Most Wonderful Time

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year ~ Andy Williams

What a blessed December it has been so far. Life has certainly been busy (I feel deja vu when I'm typing that phrase!) My creative endeavor, Eco- Glow Candles, has kept me on my toes. Normally, I would make one large order for Christmas. This year, I sold out so fast that I made three orders! Luckily, there really hasn't been a stressful point in time for me. It's been wonderful to receive messages and orders from people who simply want to support small business. It's an amazing feeling to offer a great product that people love. My friend, Amanda, who did our wedding and anniversary pictures ordered a batch for family members. She went home and took this picture for my Facebook page and my website. Her photography is impeccable and I said to Bill "Oh my gosh. These are the real deal!" The journey to achieve the right label and picture and now finally a beautiful jar has been a couple years coming. I feel so proud that what started as a spare-time hobby has turned into something more wonderful. The best part of this is the feeling I get when I give back to my community. Eco- Glow has turned into something bigger than I could imagine. Not only can I impact people with a great product but I can also give back to my community and to national charities. The charities I supported this year:

 

American Diabetes Association

Boy Scouts of America

Camp Courageous

Cedar Rapids Animal Control

Critter Crusaders

Fidelitas Masonic Lodge

Girls On The Run

Holiday Mail For Heroes

Horizons ~ A Family Service Alliance
Iowa Humane Alliance

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Tanager Place

 

From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life. ~ Arthur Ashe

Ashley's Ultimate Favorite Things

I have some really funny memories when I worked in retail. One of the best memories I had was when women would flock (seriously) to our cosmetic counters after Oprah declared a product one of her 'Ultimate Favorite Things.' So I started thinking of what my favorite things are. Maybe some of these products will give you an idea of something to give as a gift or something you might want for yourself. So here's the first annual Ashley's Ultimate Favorite Things of 2012 ~

 

OM SHE Aromatherapy Body Butter

My favorite scent is the Rose & Lychee but they have a long list of hydrating butters in different scents. The jar will last forever!

 

Smart Wool Socks

I love these socks in all forms. Long, hiking socks or the crew style. Keep your feet warm and cozy without feeling too hot or sweaty. Great under dress slacks or even while relaxing around the house. Don't get the cheap wanna-be's either, I've made that mistake before and they are definitely not the same.

 

BKE Jeans

I get my husband a pair of BKE Tyler jeans every Christmas. Not only are they comfortable for him but his ass looks fabulous in them. It's a win-win for the both of us!

 

Tupelo Honey by, The Savannah Bee Company

See my previous blog about the summer potato salad I made with this liquid gold. Comes in gorgeous bottles for gift-giving.

 

Euphoria ~ Forbidden by, Calvin Klein

My favorite perfume right now. I've always loved the original Euphoria and the new Forbidden version is just a muskier, spicier version of it. Very sexy!

 

Alisa Michelle Designs Jewelry

I love her vintage coin necklaces and have a couple of my own: Love The Life You Live (Live the Life You Love on the other side), It Is What It Is, and Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History. I have purchased a couple as gifts and my friends and sister-in-law loved them. With the sayings you can really personalize the gift.

 

Clinique Exfoliating Scrub

Love, love, love this stuff. Keeps your skin incredibly smooth inbetween facials. I refuse to use the 7-day scrub, it's just not gritty enough for me. This has great exfoliating power and smells wonderful.

 

Victoria's Secret PINK Boyfriend Pants

Great for lounging and bed-time. Perfect fit to feel sexy but still comfortable.

 

QTICA Intensive Repair Lip Balm

Put this balm on before bed and within 48 hours you'll notice a difference in how soft your lips are. It's thick, creamy and feels wonderful especially when the dry winter wind is drying your lips out.

 

Lululemon Yoga Pants

I prefer the Groove pant or crop but to each their own. These are such a great high-end gift for a yoga-lover or athletic person! Most people know the Lululemon brand.

 

Tarte Maracuja Oil

See previous blog about Maracuja oil. I've had some rave reviews from friends and my Mother who have purchased it after my recommendation.

Trader Joe's Hot Pepper Jelly

Only $2.99 and it's one of the best hot pepper jelly mixes I've ever had. Would make a great hostess gift in a cute little craft bag.

 

Yoga Socks

I prefer ToeSox half-toe with the grips. You can get these socks for only $15 on Amazon. They come in really handy during Winter yoga when you want to keep your toes warm! I wear them throughout the year to keep my toes from slippingon my mat.

 

Smashbox Bronzer

Not too pink, not too orange-y. It's the perfect bronzer for Winter when you need a sun-kissed look. Looks great on every skin-color. You really can't go wrong with this bronzer!

 

DKNY Seductive Lights Lingerie

I love DKNY bras (or should I say my husband does?!). They are high quality, long-lasting, and fit just right.

 

Mirabella Kabuki Brush

If you're using good make-up you need good brushes. Awesome compacts bristles will apply your powder or bronzer flawlessly. The bristles are cruelty-free goat hair and are incredibly soft too.

 

Trader Joe's Lavender Body Oil

I purchased my lavender oil nearly 2 years ago and I'm barely halfway through the bottle. Smells amazing, makes my skin feel soft and silky. It's all-natural and really, really nice.

 

Under Armour Cold Gear Leggings

Dare I say that these leggings are the shit?! Ugh, I did. They are incredible for running in the Winter. Personally, I love the way they fit and keep me toasty. The fabric is very durable too.

 

Clarisonic Brush

If you don't have a Clarisonic Brush YOU NEED ONE. You will notice a difference in your skin after the first time using it. Using good skincare? This allows your products to penetrate deeper into the skin and thus improving the effects. If you already have one, get a replacement brush. You need to replace those every 3-4 months.

 

Books

This is very vague for a reason. Everyone likes something different in books. Every Christmas I try to get a couple books for gifts. Who doesn't like a good book?! What I would like is very different from my Father or even my husband. Find something that will spark your recipient's interest!

 

We should give as we would receive, cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation; for there is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the fingers. ~Seneca

Omigod! Omigod you guys!

If you've been following my blog you would have noticed that back in August I had a audition/mishap at the Theatre Cedar Rapids. So my friend that designs costumes has been getting after me about trying out for something that's a little more style (controversial political stuff like Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson isn't my style, seriously?! :)) So guess what's coming up.... Legally Blonde: The Musical. Is it fate? Ha. I'm still debating on whether or not to actually try out for it. I know for a fact that when something this popular comes to town the line to be a part of it is going to be out the door. That's a lot of pressure and tons of competition. Yikes! Regardless, I went online and checked out the audition process to see how I should prepare. You know what I found? The theater wants you to watch the musical and they'll teach a song (who knows which one) and dance moves. So if I want to try out for this I am pretty much clueless except for the YouTube videos online. *Sigh* So I did my due diligence and watched the musical. Holy shit.

 

 

Yeah, they're talented. And now all that's going through my head is "Omigod! Omigod you guys! Looks like Elle's going to win the prize!" If I do end up trying out for this I'm going to have to drink a carafe of coffee to have the energy that these girls have. Whew!

Annual Bragging

Dear Blog,

It's been pretty quiet around here lately. I've been wrapped up with my annual sales presentation lately. And lucky for us that the presentation went off without a hitch. We are given an agenda of topics (numbers, goals, accounts etc.) We were asked to find something that separate us from other people. I can honestly tell you, I'm not a sales-y, cocky, used car salesperson. I treat people like I wanted to be treated. What I've needed from a salesperson in the past is creativity, innovative ideas, productivity, and a trusted advisor. That's what I offer. Well, I had a tough time just focusing on numbers and corporate mumbo jumbo. I needed to shake it up and decided to focus my presentation around some very famous words. Arnold Schwarzeneggers' 6 Steps of Success. Genius stuff. So let me take you on a quick trip...

The first step of success is to TRUST YOURSELF. I believe in myself and my mission. The second step is to BREAK THE RULES. It's been said that well-behaved women rarely make history. I don't plan on breaking the law but I plan on thinking outside of the box and solving tough problems. DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL is the third step. Pushing myself above and beyond and not taking no for an answer. Period. The fourth step is DON'T LISTEN TO NAYSAYERS. My Mom always told me I could do anything that I put my mind to... I started this job 15 months ago with absolutely no experience and surpassed goals thanks to not listening to people that doubted me. The fifth step (and most important) is WORK YOUR BUTT OFF. Stay hungry, conquer goals, keep climbing the ladder of success. The last step is GIVE BACK. This is incredibly important to me. Staying active in the community is incredibly important to me. I get such a high from giving back!!

So there's the quick, glossy version of my 20-minute presentation in front of all of our executive management and our peers. Honestly, it was fun to put it together but I'm so thankful it's all over with.... Blog, I've missed you. I can't wait to upload all of my pictures for you. See you again soon!

Love,
Ashley
aka The Terminator

Nothing's Real But Love

You've probably noticed that I'm full of great ideas some days. It's important to note that I mentioned SOME days. Last month I had the fantastic idea that we should set up our tripod at Lake MacBride and take some pictures for our Christmas card. So I chose a super foggy day after most of the leaves had fallen of the trees. Perfect, right?! Oh no, it gets better... See Bill was about a week overdue for a haircut and had decided to start his 'No-Shave November' about a month early. I had been at work since 6:30 in the morning... I was exhausted and my hair was unruly. The perfect storm to make for a great Christmas card!

Nothing's Real But Love ~ Rebecca Ferguson

 

This was our first picture. We take a peek at it and Bill says "I look like shit." I replied "No, you look like Grizzly fuckin' Adams." That's love, people.

 

I had the awesome idea that we should look like we are having fun and throwing the colorful leaves. We couldn't control Dutch for the first couple pictures so we finally made him sit. Looking at his face in this picture it seems so cruel now. And seriously, Bill, don't have too much fun.

 

The throwing leaves idea is scrapped and we go for the posed look. We take a peek at this picture and I tell Bill "On the next picture put your arm around me like a man." Again, that's love.

 

We gave the leaf throwing one last college try. Dutch is ready to throw down with the leaves.

 

This is the best we could do so this ended up on the front of our Christmas card. I had a ton of great pictures throughout the year but, dangit, I didn't want that afternoon to go to waste. We actually got a great laugh about it on our drive home. They may not be the best pictures but we aren't perfect. Our pictures might be goofy, our house might be messy, our dog might attack leaves (or look the other way when we are taking a picture)... but this is our love.

 

Blessings

This Thanksgiving I am so incredibly thankful for the many blessings I have received. I have learned to embrace more positivity. Exhaled and tossed out the negativity that was bound to me. Freed my mind of the clutter. Moved on from the past. Pledged my life. Lived in the moment. Kept my face towards the change and momentum that is beckoning me forward. Explored my faith in every little corner. Focused my eyes on the prize. I've put my hands up and felt a deeper connection. I am so thankful for this journey. It is a long, winding road with the occasional hurtle but the scenery is beautiful.

Good Music: The Used

Sweet band, pretty funny video, and awesome song for running/working out. It's divine when this song comes on during a run on the trail. It seriously pumps me up. I'm thinking that if we ever went to see The Used in concert it might work out in my favor to dress as a cigarette. On second thought, that might be the worst idea I've ever had.

My Great Escape

Her eye, her ear, were tuning forks, burning glasses, which caught the minutest refraction or echo of a thought or feeling... She heard a deeper vibration, a kind of composite echo, of all that the writer said, and did not say. ~Willa Cather

 

Have you noticed a slight change to my blog? I've added a little Shelfari widget. Now you can really take a glimpse into my crazy, twisted reading life! As most of you know I have a slight obsession with books. If you've clicked on my Shelfari information you'll notice that I write that "I purchased my husband a sleep mask so I can stay up late and read." That's no lie. I was surprised when I look at my 2012 statistics and I'm officially on my 27th book. That makes for quite a few late nights and un-productive weekends. It also makes for a wise and intelligent Ashley.

 

I'm loving the Shelfari site because I can keep track of what I've read and what I'd like to read in the future. I can also get recommendations from other readers about what I should read next (or shouldn't read for that matter). That's not to say I haven't had some bad recommendations... The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time or The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake were duds. How those particular books became best-sellers is a world-class mystery to me. I try not to focus on the fact that I'll never get the time back that I wasted reading those books but I suppose there are worse things to do with my time. Shelfari is also where I discovered The Scott Westerfeld series of Uglies and Pretties (yeah, so what if it's a young adult series), Wally Lamb, and Jeanette Walls. Just those alone far make up for the weird shit that people think is intellectual and quirky... to me, those in particular lack substance and are a little too out there for my taste.

 

An interesting story for you.... I've always been a intense reader. In fact, when I was 2 years old I had 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear' memorized. My Mom still likes to tell the story about how a librarian thought I was a total genius. (Smart lady!)When I moved out of the house at 19, I was pretty broke. So broke that one day I had $11 to my name and needed to get some essentials and I ended up going to the Dollar Store so I could make the most of my cash. While I was there I happened upon a book called The Big Picture, a hardcover, that was only $1. Steal of a deal. Seriously, the best $1 I've ever spent. I've loaned it out to a couple different people who have said the same thing. Occasionally when I pass by my book shelf I catch myself taking an extra look at one of my favorite books of all time and remembering the struggle in my life at that time. I remember finishing it and picking it right back up and starting it over. It's. That. Good. I'm thankful that I decided to splurge on myself and get myself a little escape from life. Buy it from Amazon, pick it up at your library, and just thank me later. It will blow your mind.

 

Books have and probably always will be my great escape. Reading allows me to de-stress. I love reading before bed and getting caught up in an incredible story. I love talking to friends, family, co-workers about great books and being able to recommend random books that I've read. I love being able to say that I've always read the book before I've seen the movie. Now it's getting late... I suppose it's time to wordlessly pass Bill the mask and get my read on.

 

Threads of Love

My Mother never ceases to amaze me. She surprised me last week with a beautiful hand-made rug. She spent weeks (yes, weeks!!) weaving this rug for our house. And after all of that work she wanted me to legitimately use this rug... as in, wipe our feet and put our shoes on it. Has she gone completely mad? I put it in our guest bedroom and have refused to step on it. This is something I will treasure! Her point is a valid one, she wants me to use it but I still can't imagine putting this at a door.  Even though I'm a grown woman, married, and independent my Mom still has a way of continuing to mother me. She never expects anything in return, she is selfless and nurturing (and crafty!). I have absolutely no idea what I would ever do without her.

 

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her. ~George Washington

 

Happy Birthday, Zane David!

It's official! I'm an Aunt again to a beautiful baby boy, Zane David. He was born at 5:24 pm on Friday, November 2. It's been a pretty wild ride and we are so happy and grateful that he is healthy and happy.

Dear Zane,
You are finally here! When I first saw you, you were so tiny that I didn't even offer to hold you. You were too perfect to disturb out of your fitful sleep. Your Uncle Bill and I just touched your perfect, little hand and looked at you. I can only imagine the man you will grow up to become. The possibilities are endless when I think of the men in your family. I know that you are so loved and cherished. I can't wait to become a part of your life and for you to become a part of mine. You are such a little blessing.
Love, Aunt Ashley

 

Uh-oh! Looks like it's time to go home!

 

 

When you Lose....

....Don't lose the lesson. I drive by our local church every day and there's always a cute catchy phrase on their sign. This particular phrase struck a chord in me. Lately, my professional life has been full steam ahead and I'm constantly on the go. I've had a great amount of success, movement, and growth. That is... until today. I had put a deal together that was practically a done deal. Just waiting on the signature and the pat on the back from my peers. However, everything is not always as it seems and I lost it. Through no fault of my own and not an ounce of malicious intent on anyone else's behalf it went to someone who had slightly more history with my customer. I have no other inflection to add other than the adage "you win some, you lose some." As I ponder and have myself a pity party (complete with Hank Williams Jr. and retail therapy) I'm still asking myself the question: "Do I love to win or hate to lose?" and I still can't give a definitive answer. It's a threatening idea to think that I can't win everything....because deep down inside there's the 5-year old me that's having a little temper tantrum complete with holding my breath and stomping when things don't go my way. There's also the present-day me that's doing the running-man and high-fiving when I do win. Winning is the best and losing is certainly at the other end of the spectrum. I fear losing. I fear that having the utterly optimistic hope that "positivity begets more positivity" won't always work for me. Today was a literal punch in the gut, no joke, the air was literally sucked right out of my lungs. Despite this doom and gloom, I'm determined to learn a lesson from this.... But what lesson? My thoughts drift to:

~Don't count on everything

~You can't always get what you want (Sung in my Mick Jagger voice)

~Be realistic
~Quit being a spoiled brat

I had a moment this evening that made me shift my internal thinking and helped me in learning the lesson. Trust your life. Trust that the chaos and drama and frustration is just a tiny blip on your radar. The petty things that I'm wound up about aren't worth the breath it steals. Let go of the struggle, be optimistic, and dust yourself off when the going gets rough. Accept circumstances that are out of your control. This acceptance will allow you to take more steps in the right direction. Could it be that God was telling me something in that little sign at the church? If so, I'm hoping to drive by later this week and see "The world is yours." Thanks in advance, God.

Music: Massive Attack

Driving, yoga, spa, wherever... I really, really like this song!

Enchiladas Delicioso!

Sometimes the best meals come out of complete random ingredients. I needed to go grocery shopping and didn't have time so I grabbed some ingredients from the pantry and made some of the best enchiladas that we've ever had. These enchiladas were delicious, cheesy, and oh so easy!

 

Grabe Enchiladas  

1 lb. ground chicken

1 can low sodium cream of mushroom soup

1 small can of corn niblets, drained

1 small can of diced green chilies, drained

1 can black beans (15 ounces), rinsed and drained

1 can of enchilada sauce, green or red

3/4 C. shredded cheese

7 Life Balance tortillas

Mexican spices (Chile Pepper, Cumin, Chipotle Powder etc.)

 

Preheat your oven to 375. Saute your ground chicken with your Mexican spices and a little olive oil. We used 2 teaspoon of chipotle powder, and a couple shakes of chili powder and cumin. When the chicken is browned (about 10-12 minutes) add the cream of mushroom soup, corn, diced green chilies, and black beans. Mix thoroughly and remove from the heat. At this point, you could add more spices if you wanted more of a kick but beware if you are using chipotle powder since it has quite a kick! Spray a 13x9 dish with Pam and pour enough enchilada sauce in the bottom so just cover (about 1/4 of your can). Load your tortillas up generously.

 

 

(Just a disclaimer: the picture above doesn't do this filling justice. I can assure you these are really delicious!) Roll up and place seam side down in your dish. When you are finished with the tortillas top them with the remaining enchilada sauce.

 

 

 

Top the enchiladas with cheese and cook for 20-25 minutes. Switch your oven to Broil and put the pan on the top level and broil for 5 minutes or less to brown the cheese on top.

 

 

Serve with chopped romaine, tomatoes, and fresh salsa. And, as always, ENJOY!

 

Family Ties

We were lucky to come back from Galena to see my beloved cousin, Julie, who was travelling all over the Midwest to see friends and family. It was a whirlwind afternoon of catching up and talking until all of us could barely keep our eyes open. Julie is such an sweet soul with a thick Southern accent! I love picking up little southern phrases that she has and attempting to use them around the house (which has either brought on a strange look from Bill or just laughter). She's been through her share of struggles and I think this trip was exactly what she needed to recharge. I am so thankful for our wonderful family.

 

Weekend In Galena

Galena, Illinois is a cute, touristy little place to get away. Bill and I took some time for ourselves and took a long weekend to stay at the Eagle Ridge Golf Resort. The weekend was filled with some of the most delicious food I've ever had, Chime Pinot Noir (highly recommend it!), cards, and beautiful scenery. The blessing of the weekend was how simple and simply wonderful it became. We ate, drank, hiked, and just enjoyed each others company. The best part of the trip was that we were able to take Dutch. I have to admit that when Bill first surprised me with the getaway I was absolutely convinced that Dutch should come but it turned out to be a fantastic idea!

 

Holiday Road ~ Lyndsay Buckingham

 

When we drove into town around lunchtime on Friday we checked in early and dropped Dutch off in our beautiful villa that had this cozy cabin decor. We decided to head to Main Street to have lunch and ended up at a pizza joint called Gobbie's.... We decided to get a taco pizza since we saw one when we first walked in and it looked delicious! I think it's safe to say it was the best taco pizza I've ever had and quite possibly some of the best pizza ever. We washed it down with a couple wheat beers and walked it off down Main Street. After getting back to our home away from home we took Dutch for a long walk through the South Golf Course behind us.

 

That night we decided to head up to the Main Lodge and listen to live music. We were able to eat, drink, listen to music, and watch the Cardinals game. Afterwards, we decided to crack open the Chime and play 313 until 2 am. I won the first game and Bill won the last two but I should mention that he only won the last game by ONE POINT!

 

The next day we hiked through the hills of Galena all morning through mid-afternoon. It was a foggy day so we had the trails to ourselves and Dutch was able to run off-leash the entire time. He was having a blast! After a quick nap, we went to Main Street again to shop and eat. We walked up and down the street a couple times and decided to eat at Fried Green Tomatoes. Oh my word, it was amazing. We started with Crab Cakes which were better than the crab cakes I've had in Boston or South Carolina! Bill had steak for his entree and I had Chicken Marsala. We finished it off with a hot apple crumble dessert served with fresh-churned ice cream. We were absolutely stuffed.

 

So when we woke up on Sunday morning we realized... we haven't taken one picture so far! So here's a couple quick ones we got before we took off that afternoon. It was a great trip and I am so thankful that I married such a thoughtful man!

 

Dutch loved the yard behind our villa ~

This was our view!

The first hole on the South Course near our place

Man's best friend

The view was beautiful.

 

 

See that brown little cabin in the lower middle part of this picture? That's where we stayed. I have a feeling we might want to make this an annual getaway! 

 

Roasted Chickpeas

I'm a relentless snacker. Sometimes I feel as if I'm hungry all day long. No joke. I generally go for a salty snack and I need something that can be pretty filling. This recipe is perfect as long as you love chickpeas! I am loving the spiciness and how filling these little snacks are. Bill loves nothing about them... I forgot that he hates whole beans. Ooooops. Nevertheless, I can share with you!

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

1 15 oz. can of Garbanzo Beans, rinsed and drained

1 T. Olive Oil

1/2 t. Sea Salt

2 t. of spice mixture (curry, Morrocan, or Mexican spice mixture)

Make sure the chickpeas are dry after rinsing them. Double or triple pat them dry. Toss the chickpeas with the olive oil and spice. I ended up using curry which gave it a delicious Middle-eastern kick. Preheat the oven to 400 and arrange the chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet or stone. Bake for 30 minutes or until crispy. While baking, stir the pan every 10 minutes with a spatula. These chickpeas are a great snack and even better on a salad. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Living Magnet

Fall has arrived in Iowa. The trees have turned colors, the yard is covered in bright leaves, and the smell of sweet leaves in the air. It is such a beautiful time of year. I'm not exactly looking forward to the hours we will spend raking, I am looking forward to the feeling of accomplishment and pride at our beautiful yard.

This week ~ Happy, grateful, energetic, hopeful, joyful, and delighted to be alive. I've learned that positivity begets more hope and happiness in my life.

Music: Mumford & Sons

 

I'm a huge Mumford & Sons Fan. When I heard this song I knew I was going to share it on my blog. There is something about 'Below My Feet' that is so powerful and rich. In fact, their entire cd is pretty amazing. This is what REAL music is. Many people have commented on what they think the video is about.... My personal idea, it's a Bonnie and Clyde traveling across the land with man's best friend in the back seat. Nevertheless, it's a awesome song and the video is even better!

Meet Me In St. Louis: The Zoo

The St. Louis Zoo has a special place in my heart. I love being around animals and while I'm not a huge fan of animals in captivity the St. Louis Zoo is pretty amazing. After all of the times we have been to St. Louis, I have never taken Bill to the zoo. The weather was perfect and we spent the day in wonder of each animal. We ooh-ed and ahh-ed at the baby elephant, laughed at the hyena's resemblance to our dog, and pointed out our favorite animals. It was such a fun day for us.

 

Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to. ~Alfred A. Montapert

Meet Me In St. Louis

I received a message from my cousin Kris in early September telling me she's going to be back in St. Louis for a high school reunion at the end of the month and "would we be able to stop down and visit?" You bet your sweet .... umm, yes, Kris we'll definitely make the trip down to see you. It's only 4 hours and Bill and I love STL. Just to give you a little background. Kris lives in San Rafael, California and has lived there for about 20 years. I haven't seen Kris since my Aunt Dene's funeral in 2008 and, of course, when you see someone under those circumstances it's not easy to laugh and catch up. Before 2008, due to unforeseen circumstances (there was a bit of a family rift) I, honestly, cannot remember when the last time I would have talked to her.

 

I am going to completely get off topic here but I feel that this would be the perfect time to bring up Facebook. Oh the dreaded, horrible Facebook. People knock Facebook constantly about the drama, the cheating, and the gossip. In 2009, when I was beginning to plan my wedding and still under the impression that Facebook was the devil incarnate I was getting bummed out that I couldn't share details easily with my family. So I did the unthinkable and joined Facebook. I was smart about it and only became 'friends' with family and people that I would say "hello" to if I were grocery shopping. It might sound silly but it's amazing how many people you don't want to be in touch with!! For me, Facebook has let me keep in touch with my family, who besides my immediate family, is all out of town. Facebook allowed me to keep in touch and get to know the family that we hadn't spoken to in years. It's been pretty wonderful.

 

So back to St. Louis, I am excited to see Kris and make a little mini-vacay while we are there and Bill is excited that he finally gets to meet her! So we meet Kris for an amazing breakfast. The food was fantastic but we talked, and talked, and talked for 3 hours. My heart was just bursting with love, affection, and gratitude. I am so thankful we were able to see each other and have time to catch up. We left no stone unturned and had such a blast. My only complaint is that there just wasn't enough time! There is something about Kris... something that I just relate to. She has such a good heart and after all of these years we just picked up where we left off. We didn't miss a beat. Now there is talks of more mini-reunions and having all of the family and cousins get together.

 

Days Like These ~ Jason Aldean

 

I should also mention that by some strange fate my Dad was going to be in St. Louis that weekend for his high school reunion too! So the next day Kris and 'Uncle Drew' were able to catch up over lunch. I know that Kris was excited to see him but I've never seen my Dad that giddy about anything. He was excited about his reunion and seeing Kris was sweet icing on the cake. We love you, Kris!