Christmas at Our House

We had a wonderful Christmas. We actually started a day early, enjoying lunch together as part of our gift from Grama Kelly and Grampa Dave.

This morning, we awoke to a present-filled house:

And the chaos commenced!

 Josh has perfected fried rice, and really wanted a wok. He was so excited to open it!

Audri loves jewelry!

Donovan wanted a "big candy cane"... Audri gave it to him. :)

Donovan had also asked for a belt buckle and some hair gel - he has a mohawk, but didn't have the gel to fix it. 

Josh loved his Batman shirt from Holly!

Josh has wanted a hula-dancer for his car dash for a few years. I finally gave in. :) 

Audri thought Beckham gave her the perfect gift. :)

 

Donovan is pretty sure that he'll be able to attract the ladies now... thanks to Chase. :)

Audri, wearing her gift from up north!

Donovan fixed his hair for us. :)

We spent the afternoon playing games together - we actually played an entire game of Monopoly! After some quiet time (reading and/or napping) I started dinner. 

For dinner, I made beef wellington:

And I have a cheesecake ready for dessert. :)

We've had a food-filled day, but we've enjoyed every minute of it!

Merry Christmas!

Gingerbread People

We love to decorate gingerbread. It's one of our family traditions. :) We've tried houses in the past, but can't ever seem to make the houses stay standing. This year, I found a gingerbread people kit, so we tried that instead!

The kids, hard at work:

Our completed people!

 Josh's masterpieces...

 I got hungry, and had to eat a foot... :)

After Audri finished her people, she got into the icing...

It got a little messy. :) 

We did let the kids eat their people once we had some pictures:

It was a fun-filled night!

Decorating for Christmas

Tonight we decorated for Christmas! Audri hung the ornaments on the tree, while Josh and Donovan prepared the entryway.

I hung the stockings, which are our favorite holiday decoration. :) We love knowing that Gram took time to make them, just for us.

Our finished tree - we love the Christmas lights!

Once we finished the tree, we made sugar cookies!

I don't have cookie cutters, so we each made the shapes we wanted, cutting out our shapes with butter knives. I'm pretty impressed with us!

We had a great time decorating for Christmas, and being together!

Cookie Exchange

I participated in a cookie exchange yesterday. It's actually brilliant... there are so many yummy treats this time of year, so going to a cookie exchange allows friends to also bake treats and then we can share!

I came home with over 8-dozen cookies! I suppose I should share some... okay, most of them. And probably soon, before I eat them all!

I'm enjoying everything from pumpkin spice cookies to double-layer brownies, chocolate peanut clusters to cake balls, jam thumbprint cookies to chocolate chip bars... I prepared shortbread, and had an extra 4-dozen as well.

It's yummy at my house right now!

Our Office

Three months ago we decided to turn one of the bedrooms into a home office. Josh had been using one of the rooms as his office for quite some time, but it wasn't set up for both of us to work, and wasn't really a space that we had all of our "office stuff". 

For three months, the space has been in varying states of chaos - boxes stacked in the room that were office-related things, piles of paperwork to sort through, books to unpack onto the bookshelves - and this weekend we decided to put it all together.

The view from the doorway... we each chose a wall and set up our desks.

My side! I unpacked all of the books, sorted all of the papers and got everything filed, and even hung my vision board above my workspace.

So - my new commitment, now that I have office space at home... no more working in the living room. If I need to work, I'll go to the office and do what I need to do as efficiently as possible. That allows me to relax, and live, in the living room, instead of working from any space that I set my laptop up in. 

It's all part of my plan to create balance... and work less. :) I am excited about our office!

Changes in Plans Provide Blessings

I am not very flexible. We all know that. It is a lesson I've been learning a lot about this past year. So, when I have a plan and it gets disrupted, I often find myself frustrated and upset.

I was supposed to travel for Thanksgiving this year. Josh didn't want to make the trip, so I was going to travel without him. But, we've had a change in plans. Normally, I would be upset, flustered, frustrated, trying to figure out what to do now that my plan won't work out. However, now, I'm okay... I hadn't planned to fix Thanksgiving dinner at home, but had everything in the pantry that I would need for a traditional Thanksgiving  meal but the turkey.

So, we ran to the store to try to get a small turkey, but there were none left. We came home again thinking that maybe we'd have roast chicken instead... and there was a turkey on our doorstep. It was one of those moments, seemingly insignificant, where we felt like we are not alone, and what we need (or want) is provided, just when we need it.

So, we have everything we need... and most importantly, we are together. The turkey is in the oven, we're watching movies, and we are counting our blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fundraising... And A New Bio Picture

I've spent the last month or so fund-raising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (thank you to all those who supported me!). As part of my nomination as one of Treasure Valley's Finest Young Professionals, I was able to participate in a photo shoot and was given a new picture to use in my bio. 

 

Honestly, I wasn't excited about the idea of the photo shoot at first... but was pleasantly surprised with the picture!

I learned a lot this month about fund-raising... it's hard! But, I had a wonderful experience, and was touched by the generosity of so many people as I raised both money and awareness in the fight for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

I'm Going to be Famous!

Okay, not really...

The College is shooting a new television commercial. They decided to use the Boise Campus as the backdrop, and I have spent the last week coordinating their shooting schedule and lining up graduates for the photography and videography shoots. My next two days will be spent with the camera crew during the filming.

This morning, however, I was teaching class, so they weren't scheduled to begin filming until 12noon. The crew came in a bit early and decided that they wanted to film "an engaging classroom environment", and chose to join my class. They filmed for about 10 minutes... and then told me that they gave up trying to follow me with the camera. I tend to move around a lot while I teach. :)

So - the next College commercial will be out around the first of the year, and will include shots from the Boise Campus. And, I'll be in it!

Thunder Mountain Line

Saturday night was date night, and we decided to do something a bit different! We rode the Thunder Mountain Line and enjoyed a Murder Mystery Dinner!

We arrived at the rail-station at 5:30 and pretty quickly boarded our train. There were probably 15 tables in our car, only half were occupied. Our table could seat four, but was reserved just for us. As we boarded, we met some of the characters from the entertainment group who would enact the murder-mystery.

We enjoyed our salads and bread while the cast meandered through all of the tables and chatted with each guest - in character, of course - leaving clues for us to pick up on so we could solve the murder.

While the cast moved to another rail car, our dinner was served. We had a delicious dinner of pork chops, mashed potatoes, and glazed carrots. Just as we were finishing our food, the cast was back to conclude their scenes. Just as the "murderer" was arrested, we made it to the switch station and were able to de-board for 30 minutes or so.

The switch station was set up with pumpkins everywhere - earlier in the day they railroad has a pumpkin-liner ride - but also had a small museum for us to walk through and allowed us to stretch our legs.

Back aboard the train, dessert was served. The ride back was less eventful, and we comfortably chatted and sipped our wine. 

Next time I think we'll try to ride first class - the seating is a tad more comfortable, but more than that, first-class gets to eat their dinner while enjoying the scenery, and the entertainment is enacted on the ride back while it is dark outside and there is nothing to see.

Regardless, we had a wonderful evening! We're already looking forward to our next ride on the Thunder Mountain Line!

Menu Planning

I know plenty of people who don't menu plan. Some don't because they want to cook whatever "sounds good" when they get hungry. Some don't because they get frustrated or overwhelmed by the idea. I'm sure there are numerous other reasons. I, however, am a planner. And that includes menu planning.

Last week I had taken a couple of days off of work. While I was home, I decided to do my next menu plan (usually done 2 weeks at a time). I pulled out 2 of my recipe books that I haven't used in a few months and sat down to create my menu. Once I completed 3 weeks worth of meals (I got carried away!) and the grocery list that went with the menu plan, I went shopping.

Upon my return from the grocery store, I was feeling particularly energized and ready to be super-organized. So, in addition to separating my larger packages of meat into individually-proportioned bags (labeled by the meal they were to be used for, of course!) I went ahead and sliced or cubed any meat that required it, as per the recipe instructions.

Now, if fajitas are for dinner (2 nights ago) I can simply pull the fajita bag out of the freezer... once the meat is defrosted, I can cook it. Without having to slice it. It's ready to go. That part is fabulous on nights that I'm not home quite as early as I've anticipated. It's all about the little time savers.

Tonight we had steaks in mushroom sauce... and tomorrow night is stove-top meatloaves. While some people may not enjoy menu-planning, I am so glad that I don't have to worry about what is for dinner... I can simply look at my guide, pull out the meat I need, and have a meal the next night in 30 minutes or less.

With all of that in mind, I've been thinking about starting a side business to help people menu plan. I actually have a lady that said she'd pay me to create her menu plan and grocery list, which got me thinking that maybe others would, too! It's still in the thinking/planning part of the process, but it's intriguing!

I love menu planning. Of course, I also love thinking about food. And being organized. Combining those things could be the start of something for me... :)

Vision Board

I spent the past weekend at a retreat - I was one of three featured speakers, with a topic of "work-life balance". Ultimately, I think I have a decent balance, but there is always room for improvement!

Anyway, one of the things we did at the retreat was build our vision boards - what we'd like our lives to look like, things we'd like to do or have, words/phrases that describe us and who we want to be... so - below is mine.

First, I want to live a life of purpose... a life I choose. I don't want to feel like life happened to me, but rather that I chose it. Secondly, I want to travel with my husband... it doesn't have to be far, but time away to enjoy the country we live in and enjoy time together. Third, I want Josh and I to be healthy... which includes fitness, and a dance class. :) He already said he'd take one...

Fourth, I want to cultivate relationships with supportive girlfriends. Fifth, I want to focus more of my energy on my true passion, which is cooking. When I have a day to do anything I want, I want to be in my kitchen. There has to be something I can do with that. I don't know what yet, but I'm working on it. :)

Sixth, I want us to live in a house. Our apartment has been wonderful, and it's in a fantastic location. But, I'm ready to think about a house again, with a fireplace, an outdoor living space, and a huge kitchen. Lastly, I want to allow myself time to dream, to just be.

There you have it! I'm not ready to specify goals related to each aspect of my board yet.... they will come. For now, I want to ponder on what prompted me to choose each of those pictures and words, and focus on what choices I want to make so that I have chosen to live my best life!

Boise Fall Parade of Homes

Josh and I spent this afternoon walking through 6 or 7 of the Boise Fall Parade of Homes. No, we're not house-shopping... we just wanted to see what builders are doing, see what ideas we would be inspired by, and have a fun afternoon out of the house. :)

We had so much fun! There were aspects of each house that we liked a lot... my favorite "aha" was a 24"x24" door in the laundry room that opened into the master closet. It was brilliant! I could pass the laundry basket through from the master closet into the laundry room, and vice-versa. So easy!

We are concluding our "date" by sharing a caramel apple and a glass of wine... we have had a great day!

Cooler Weather

The weather has finally started to cool down, and I love it! Now that we're in the 70-80 degree range, I want to take more walks, plan picnics, and take drives to see the leaves as they turn colors. Cooler weather also means more crock-pot cooking, more soups and stews and hearty dishes. Fruit desserts with cinnamon and spices, the aromas filling the house and wrapping me in cozy memories of home and family.

Today I have been able to spend a great deal of time in the kitchen, kneading dough for cinnamon rolls and baking zucchini bread. It smells like fall, and I am in heaven.

Spirit of Boise - Balloon Festival

This past week was the Spirit of Boise - Balloon Festival. Hot Air Balloons from all over the country come to Boise to participate in the four-day event, where they lift off each morning and play different games (quest, chase, etc...). Friday night they hold Night Glow, where the balloons light up like large lanterns.

So Friday night we walked down to the park (about a mile-and-a-half from our complex) to participate in the festivities!

 There were a couple of exhibition inflations prior to nightfall. The Coca-Cola bottle (above) and Mickey Mouse (below) were the fan favorites. Mickey Mouse is apparently the only hot air balloon to have risen from the base of the Grand Canyon.

Once darkness fell, we waited in anticipation for the balloons to light up.  

And then they did! They tried to do a "wave" effect with the lighting, calling out the balloon leaders names... it was too slow to really be the wave, but it was still interesting to watch.

Josh was able to catch one of the moments on video!

After 30 seconds it goes dark... we kept recording thinking they would light up again, but they didn't.

We enjoyed the balloons so much Friday night we decided to get up early Saturday morning and drive up to a viewpoint to watch the balloons lift off on the final day of the Festival. One did so right away, and the rest were trying to catch up.

Our view, with over half of the balloons in the air.

It was gorgeous! We had a wonderful time watching the balloons and chatting with other people who were up early to watch the final day of lift-offs. It was a wonderful way to begin our weekend!