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... :)