Being inventive

Posted on | Thursday, March 31, 2011 | 1 Comment

The one big downside to having a healthier diet is that you can't always use up all the good food you buy. Especially when it's a one-person house hold that you are cooking for. And while I am fairly inventive with my meals there always seems to be some floppy celery or mushy apple that ends up in the trash.

I thought there had to be some way to use those last bits and pieces, perfectly good food shouldn't go to waste just because it's not at it's peak of freshness anymore!

And then the light bulb went off in my head: soup. I could make soup! What is minestrone but just stock with vegetables and maybe a form of pasta tossed in? I had vegetables, pasta, and stock. Albeit not all my vegetables are considered traditional soup fare, but what the heck. The worst thing that could happen is I didn't like it and we've discovered through previous culinary experiments that most recipes turn out in my favor.

So I peeked my head in the fridge. I had wilted celery, half an old onion, some rubbery baby carrots and the last few miniature bell peppers from a container I had bought last week. I also had a can of diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and whole wheat fusilli. Looked like a recipe to me!


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Kale Whale

Posted on | Wednesday, March 30, 2011 | 2 Comments

As I said in my previous blog entry, I am making a bigger effort to eat better (although I have decided to simply eat the remainder of my emergency chocolate, I can't bear to throw it away). Which means the great opportunity to try new recipes that are healthier. I've found several great gluten-free blogs that are full of recipes that not only look delectable but are chock full of healthy ingredients.


As I perused all of the blogs I discovered recipe that each blog had a version of -- it seemed amazingly popular and everyone was raving about how delicious it was.

Baked kale chips.

Now I'd never actually eaten kale before this recipe, but I had heard people say that it is a superfood filled to the brim with healthy nutrients and fiber. You know, one of those foods we should eat all the time because it's so good for us -- like pomegranates and blueberries. Except a vegetable.

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Talking about food

Posted on | Monday, March 28, 2011 | 1 Comment




Over the past six months or so I have slowly been weeding the “bad food” out of our house. Foods that offered us no real nutritional benefit, you know what I am talking about: pre-packaged snacks and frozen meals laden with sodium, "fruit snacks" with the main ingredient being sugar, or foods have more unpronounceable ingredients than I am comfortable with having in my house. I used to not care as much. Kael was – and is – a picky eater and I would often give up and feed him food I knew he would eat. Chicken strips, yogurt, waffles, and popcorn were very popular. I was buying foods that I thought were at least relatively healthy and so long as he ate three meals a day we were fine.

Then around last fall as I was cleaning out my pantry I stopped and read the labels of the food we were eating and it shocked me. Foods that were listed as healthy and good for us... weren't. For some reason that shocked me a lot. I thought we were eating healthy, that I was making healthy choices. But what I noticed more and more was that the foods we were eating were jam-packed with sugar and food dyes and fillers. So I made the decision to fix how we ate, to eat better food that nourished our bodies.

We’ve switched from Eggos to Van’s whole wheat waffles. We don’t use margarine anymore, I use olive or other oils when I cook. Apples and carrots have replaced chips and most of our sweets. Whole grain or pretzel goldfish instead of the neon orange ones. We were never soda drinkers, but we have cut back on juice and are having a go at soymilk. I use milk instead of coffee creamer. Foot Loops are now Cheerios. I make cookies from scratch with whole wheat flour and honey, I add raisins or dates instead of chocolate chips.

It’s taken time to make these changes, especially with having a child that is so focused on having a set schedule and environment. While some things have gone over smoothly others have caused emotional meltdowns when he realized his favorite Finding Nemo Fruit Snacks were gone and he’s only got dried apple slices and fruit leather.

There have been times that I give in and he gets the gummi bears or the French fries. We’re still eating Tyson’s chicken tenders (although without ketchup). I have let more than one Lunchable into my house. Kael still shuns most vegetables and requests candy or popcorn instead. But we’ve made progress. He gets excited about going to the produce section with me when we grocery shop because apples have become his favorite snack. It’s a start.

It’s harder to make these changes because when he’s at school he still gets some of these foods. There are birthday parties with candy and lunches that have Hi-C fruit punch. While the food is still “healthy” it’s more toward what we were eating last year and less toward what we want to be eating now.

But… this past week I began looking into food again. I've fallen off track a bit this past month and I wanted to fix that. And as I made my grocery list I realized that while I have made some significant changes, there is still so much more. It’s a lot to take in and a lot to know. To know what is in our food – specifically our diary and our meat. In my attempt to be healthier not once did I think about GMOs or that gluten could be an issue for Kael. I didn’t think about high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. My focus was on bringing the general aspect of healthier foods into our home, but I’ve realized there is a lot more to it than that.

I’m finding study after study showing that children with PDD (like Kael) and Autism benefit from gluten free diets. I know that when I ate gluten, sugar, and dairy free my joints felt better. I never thought to ask why that was, but I am now. I’m learning about how our food supply has changed in the past decade and how our meat, dairy, and much of what is boxed and shelved has changed, too. It’s a bit terrifying to truly let it in, to know all the new things in our food and exactly what I am eating. What my son is eating. And suddenly my little changes aren’t big enough.

So I’m going to start making a bigger effort. I can start by choosing foods that don’t have artificial colors or high fructose corn syrup in them and phasing out the last few things in our house that are truly “unhealthy” (goodbye emergency chocolate stash…). I can buy more fruits and vegetables and making those foods accessible to Kael. I can pay better attention to the dairy and meat I buy, and likely buy less of both. It’ll mean reading box labels more, and knowing what these words mean, but it’ll also mean that I know what is going into my body. We’re going to slowly phase out gluten. That will take a lot of time and for now it won’t be 100% possible due to budget restraints, but we can start. Once we are moved and settled into our new home this summer I can start trying new recipes and transferring us over to an entirely gluten free diet. I'm on the fence if I'd want to include casein in that phasing out as well.

For now I’m taking what I call the Grandma Approach. Did Grandma have Yellow #5 sitting in her pantry? Did she use high fructose corn syrup? How about Aspartame? Did she eat a box of Oreos and not think about it? (Maybe that last one is just me) You can see where I am going with this. Great-Grandma Bertha wouldn’t have used ingredients she couldn’t pronounce and made a majority of her food at home. The portions were smaller, and meat was a side versus the main meal. When I’m at the grocery store this week and buying my food I need to stop and ask myself if I know what is in this food, if it’s healthy.

I still want to bake, cook, take a million pictures and blog about food; but expect for that food to change a bit. Or a lot. I might occasionally vent about the fact that rice flour is horrible at becoming bread and cupcakes, or that I must have been crazy to give up Yellow #5. But I hope that along with those posts my family will become happier and healthier.

I have a long ways to go before I’m where I want to be in regards to how my family eats, but we’re on the right track and the best thing I can do is keep going.

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Ten things I love Sunday!

Posted on | Sunday, March 27, 2011 | 2 Comments

This week has been so, so busy. Apologies to anyone who wondered why I hadn't updated this thing in the past week. A term paper had to be written (Russian Literature is quite the challenge I have discovered), a house that desperately need to be cleaned, and a job that required I work lest I go on the hunt for new employment. That's always the one bad thing about going on vacation, it's so disarming when you come back and the real world is there waiting for you.


Anyways, ten things!


1. Finishing Term Papers


Okay, so this obviously is not mine, but you get the drift. I always feel such a sense of relief when I finish a paper. I know that I am good at writing, I know how to articulate my thoughts and I generally make high scores. The only downside to that character trait is it leaves me unable to do a bad job. Which means spending an extra couple of hours writing and editting that could have spent doing far more enjoyable things. The end result is always worth it though. That blossoming sense of accomplishment.

2. Musicals (Put To Film)

I have been blessed with a child that not only tolerates my love for musicals, but enjoys them himself. Mamma Mia is one of his favorites. He calls it the "Dance Boat Movie!" I suppose that is decently accurate. I love that I can put it on and not feel bad about what he is watching (or dancing around the house to) it. And it always puts me in such a great mood.

3. Spring Cleaning

This ties in with finishing that term paper. Suddenly having time on my hands I've come to realize flowers are blooming and spring is definitely here. It's the perfect time of the year to go through everything and toss/give away the things that you have accumulated but never need or use. I scrub everything down and try to be as ruthless as possible. Do I use it? No? Toss it. It takes me over a week to get everything done, but the final result is a wonderfully clean house and the sweet tranquility that comes with having nothing to do.

4. Healthy Eating

So this has nothing to do with the adorable bento lunch pictured above and EVERYTHING to do with these incredible websites I found this week. There are three of them and they're all full of great ideas on how to get your kiddos to eat healthier meals, even when you have a picky eater or two in the house. Thankfully Kael likes whole grains (at least when they are in waffle-form), fruits (apples, strawberries, and grapes!), and veggies (omg carrots, the boy cannot eat enough). But having a larger arsenal of good food is always great. Love it.

5. Boys

I don't say it often enough, but I adore that I have a son. A rough and tumble, in your face, excessively loud boy. A boy that climbs furniture and pretends to be a lion cub. A boy that loves to run and jump and kick soccer balls. I love it. I love having this little bundle of energy in my house and in my heart. Even on days when he is more than I can handle -- and believe me there are plenty of those days -- I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to be blessed with a house full of boys. I truly have no idea what I would do with a girl.

6. Knowing What We Eat


This is something that no doubt will have its own blog post soon enough. I have always had an interest in what I put into my body. What I ate. For a time I was vegetarian -- and even vegan -- but as my time (and income) availabillity changed I let that slide back into the "when we have money" list. Organic was replaced with what was cheapest and non-processed foods took a back burner. I hate saying that, but it's true. But! I love this video and that Robyn is talking so openly about what we eat and what we put into our bodies. It's a terrifying thing to know, and once you know it there is no real way to un-know it, but I love this woman for being that person and getting this information out there.

7. Hearts

I know it's cheesy but I love things like this. I think it's wonderfully adorable. A heart-shaped swimming pool?! How can someone NOT love that? Who would ever say, "Nah, I hate heart shaped swimming pools. Rectangles are so much better." No one, that's who!! Besides, every Valentine's Day there's already a venue for some romantic down time, just add some candles and roses. Win/win.

8. Fresh Produce

Another great thing about spring, suddenly there is a cornucopia of food at the local Mega Mart. I get so excited -- and often times go way over board in my food purchases -- when I see all the lush colors. I bought three artichokes on Friday (hence the picture). I had one for dinner last night and then another for lunch today. The third one is still chilling in the fridge, but it will be gone by Wednesday no doubt. I have bell peppers, endive, kale, mangoes, bananas... Enough edible folliage to last me the rest of the month! Delicious!

9. Far Off Places

I truthfully have picture upon picture saved on my laptop. Links to places I want to go and see. I don't even know where half of them are, to be honest. I am guessing this place is in Scotland? Maybe? Does anyone recognize it? Every time I think that there is no way I could find another amazing place on this planet, I am proven wrong. I have to say God, you are one amazing architect. I hope I live long enough to see all your handiwork.

10. Fluffy Things

I don't have anything witty to say about this picture. It only oozes super cuteness. I want to do that hand-flappy gleeful flailing thing that women do when they see something exceptionally adorable. Because.... Look at it! A fluffy fuzzy squishable bunny nose nuzzling a stuffed bunny! You can't get much better than that.

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Ten things I love Sunday!

Posted on | Monday, March 21, 2011 | No Comments

Okay, so this is a day late. Yesterday was the last full day I was going to spend with Alex while here and I could not willingly spend more that fifteen minutes piddling around on my laptop when he was sitting right next to me. Besides, the weather has been BEAUTIFUL this week. Absolutely gorgeous. I'm taking bets that Oklahoma will be purposefully cold this evening just to spite me.

This list of ten things will likely have more to do with my stay in Alabama than the random cute things I find online when I have nothing else to do I hope my darling readership won't mind.

1. Spring Has Sprung


It's been coming for a few weeks now. Buds popping up all over trees and new greenery sprouting from the earth. But in the past week especially it's errupted. Spring has exploded all over and the world is suddenly vibrant and bright and colorful. Well, at least here in Alabama it is. I'm not too sure how Oklahoma is fairing, but I can readily assume it will be spring-like, albeit a few degrees colder.

2. Bruster's


So *technically* this isn't Bruster's ice cream. But it looks like it could be! I'd never been to Brusters before this week, but I have to admit I'm officially hooked. Their ice cream tastes phenomenal, and with the aformentioned warmer weather that we've been experiencing it is definitely a timely treat. I am in love with their 'Cake Batter' and 'White Turtle' flavors. An intervention might be needed once I move here.

3. Less Internet


The internet is one of those things that you don't really realize you use all the time until you don't. I've spent maybe a quarter of the time I normally do online, and that's mostly to check my email and to make sure that Facebook hasn't burst into flames. But as I look back on this week I have to admit, shutting off my laptop and ditching the internet (at least somewhat) has been liberating. Alex and I have mentioned consolidating our two laptops into one desktop when we move into a house, and I'm beginning to really love the idea.

4. Sleep
Add 1 part Mommy, 1 part Student, 1 part Employee. Add a heaping tablespoon of insomnia and a dash of FMS to taste. Mix well and bake for two hours. That's basically me, on a daily routine. Mininmal sleep and leaning to the side of grouchy. It has been so delightful this week to sleep. To just sleep. And get up when I feel like it. I didn't value this nearly enough before I became a mother. Now? It's like a miracle.

5. Coffee

If you know me you know I love coffee. It's my "thing". I'm a bit picky about my coffee, too. I don't want to spend my money (or my time) on a cup of joe that leaves me unsatisfied. I'm normally a Starbucks girl. Skinny caramel macchiato, maybe a toffee nut mocha. Alex took me to a new coffee shop this week that's here in Prattville, House of Java. It has dethroned Starbucks in the best possible way. The only downer is that there isn't one in Oklahoma. Which means I have to be unsatisfied with Starbucks until this summer. C'est la vie.

6. Being Outside
See my first loved thing this week. Beautiful weather and being outside go hand in hand, it seems. Going to parks, taking nice leisurely strolls, sitting outside with a good drink and a book. Things we wouldn't do if the weather were dreary or cold. And it's so nice to be able to step outside barefoot and not want to run back into the house. It's like the seasonal bout of cabin fever has finally ended.

7. Bicycles
Laugh if you wish, but I never really learned how to ride a bike growing up. And as an adult I've usually had a small child around preventing me from practicing very much. Not to mention that bicycles are rather expensive for a college student budget. But! This past week I put all of that aside and rode a bike! I may have been screeching like a banshee and partially crashed, but I did it! I'm excited about this summer when I move here and I can legitimately practice (and hopefully crash less), even though it was a bit scary it was really fun, too.

8. Happy Thoughts
This is one of those things that needs to be printed and put all around my house. I've been sad the past few days because I am going back to Oklahoma today, but this is a great reminder. I deserve to be happy. And so I'm gonna be.
9. Cupcakes
First off, don't these things look absolutely scrumptious?! I love them. Like little bursts of happy that we get to eat -- or whoever was near this photographer, at least. But it leads me to another happy thing from this week. Donna's cupcakes. Donna is a friend from church (who I still need to add of Facebook, whoops) who has offered to make our cupcakes for the wedding. They are INCREDIBLE. Donna, if you ever read this open a bakery, I will buy things from you daily!
10. Animal Pajamas
Okay, I know these are expensive but OMG I WANT THEM. The panda bear and the chipmunk make me do that hand-flaily thing because the are so cute and they look so incredibly COMFY. I mean look at them! Super comfy adult animal pajamas! How can you NOT love this?!



Okay, not I need to pack. I've spent a biiiiit too long blogging and I have clothes strewn all across the floor. Eek!

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Baby, baby, baby, oooh!

Posted on | Wednesday, March 16, 2011 | No Comments

One of the particularly awesome things about coming back to Alabama is being able to see old friends again. Most of my friends from four (or more) years ago have moved on to bigger, better, and far different things -- as to be expected -- but there are a handful of people that I am thankful to say are still considered best friends. You know, the people that you can not see then for five years and within a matter of seconds of seeing each other it's like those years never happened.


Chelsea is one of those amazing friends. I haven't seen her since 2007 but within a matter of minutes we were catching up like nothing had happened. Both of our lives have changed in the best possible way; we're both Mommys to wonderful children (her daughter Layla is so freaking cute!), we've found awesome guys to spend our lives with, and we have both outgrown being die-hard goths.

Just don't tell our parents that last part.

Layla didn't entirely know what to make of me or Alex. We were cooing over her and within a matter of moments her face crumpled in the most adorable way ever. We weren't Mommy and therefore we had no reason to be cuddling her or telling her how pretty she was.

Although Alex did magically coerce Layla into playing with him after about half an hour. It was simple really, he took apart her play floor and played with a hair brush. Suddenly he was the best thing ever.

Note the piece of floor in her adorable baby hands. It was apparently the best chew toy ever.

I was sad to leave for the night, even though I am planning to come back and see her again before I fly back to Oklahoma. Although I realized the moment Alex and I got home that I had left my purse at her house. It was just an excuse to give her another hug, but don't tell anyone I told you that.

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Om nom nom

Posted on | Tuesday, March 15, 2011 | No Comments

Last night was quite honestly one of the best nights ever. Nevermind the crazy rain storm and the nail polish fiasco (possibly more on that later), it easily breached the Top 5 List of "Most Enjoyable Nights With Super-Awesome People". I'd never been to P.F. Chang's China Bistro, which Mallory and Alex did not realize when the reservations were made. I have to say, I am very appreciative of their choice in cuisine.


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Ten things I love Sunday!

Posted on | Sunday, March 13, 2011 | No Comments

This post is a little late by my average blogging standards (but it's still Sunday, so it counts right?). It's been a busy day here in Alabama. It's been a busy past few days, actually. I'm truthfully amazed by the amount of stuff that can be fit into such a small period of time. I have easily five blog posts waiting, but that's what happens when you have an epic vacation with your soon-to-be husband.



1. Beautiful Days


I don't know what the weather is like in Oklahoma right now, but in Alabama it's been absolutely spectacular. There doesn't need to be many reasons not to love this kind of weather. Seriously.

2. Lush Cosmetics


Lush bath bombs, specifically. This one is called "Christmas Party". I have a gift card from Lush that I really want to use but I have been terrified of wasting the money only to find out that it's something I would never use. I adore their "Squeaky Green" shampoo bar, and now I am sold on bath bombs. My skin feels fabulous. Too bad my bath tub at home is so tiny.

3. Church


I was extremely nervous (and excited) about attending church today. While I have been watching the services online for some times, it's entirely different to be there in person. And to have everyone know you before you know them. But Steve gave a sermon today that truly touched my heart and has left me with thoughts and prayers I hadn't considered before. It makes me feel so blessed.

4. Wedding Things


Earlier today Alex and I spent about two hours strolling about Target and zapping various pieces of cutlery, furniture, and other domestic items. Call me silly, but it was so exciting to pick out items that could hypothetically fill our house in less than six months. Less than six months! However, I would like to know why we have onesies on our registery when we didn't scan a single baby item. Jumping the gun a bit aren't we, Target?

5. Spring Forward


Although it's a bit off-putting to wake up and it be 8:00am instead of 7:00am, it suppose having more daylight in which to do things is worth the loss of sleep. Maybe I didn't feel like I lost an extra hour, but we're just going to pretend I did.

6.Family Rules


I want this sign in the living room of my house. It's is so fantastically true. And it is worth being reminded of every single day. Although I would probably go with a color besides burnt orange.

7. Kitty


I love cats. I seriously do. When I found out how allergic Kael was to felines I was a little sad inside. Looking at this picture makes my heart super happy, though. I mean, it's a kitty. With a magical fur heart. You can't get much better than that. Unless of course you found a hypoallergenic cat.

8. Slide


This picture doesn't even need words. Look at the guy's face. The highlight of his day is climbing up the stairs because he knows he'll get to go down the best slide ever. I wonder how hard it would be to have one of these built into my house...

9. Having Fun


I really hope that when I am older I am as joyful and jubliant as these lovely ladies were. I love everything about this picture. I truly do.

10. Cake


I have discovered a correlation between technicolored foods and deliciousness. Somehow when food is given rainbow colors the number of people who want to eat it multiplies by ten. Don't believe me? Take some rainbow cupcakes and some vanilla cupcakes to a bake sale. See which on sells more.

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Arrival

Posted on | Saturday, March 12, 2011 | 1 Comment

Thursday night I finally finished Alex's anniversary present. It took two months, four glue sticks, five magazines, four different colors of tissue paper, and an un-numbered amount of crayons, markers, and tape to complete.

And it was 100% worth it.

It's called a boyfriend book. There's an online community that I haunt, in which members brainstorm ideas and share books/journals that have been made. Some of them have been simply stunning and I loved the idea; even though I don't of myself as overly creative.


At least I could try, right?

Truthfully, I am amazed at how wonderful it turned out. I'm carried it with me onto the plane and gave it to Alex about twenty minutes after I got into Alabama. My hypothesis was that he would look at it, get a wibble lip, and then hug me tight saying I am the best thing in the history of ever. I'm proud to say I was right.

Anyways, enjoy!


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Adjustments

Posted on | Thursday, March 10, 2011 | No Comments

I received an email earlier this week that had me bouncing to the moon:

Dear Alisha,

Thank you for choosing David's Bridal! We are delighted to inform you that your special order item(s) listed below have arrived and are available to pick up. We kindly ask that you stop by the David's Bridal where your order was placed to pick up your item(s).

Since I am leaving tomorrow for Alabama I figured that it would be wisest to come in today and be fitted, especially since the latter part of the email tactfully stated that after 14 days they would no longer be able to hold my dress. It would be a tragedy to have them re-ship my dress, especially since I'm working on a deadline!


<--more!-->It made me super happy that the dress still fit; I've been eating horribly (remember those cupcakes for dinner?) and not taking very good care of myself as of late. I would hate to have to let out my dress only to take it in again a month later! Luckily the dress I have hugs my ribs perfectly, so even if it doesn't quite fit the other bits and pieces just so I know that the sizing is right.

I can't exactly shrink my ribs, after all.

The hem needed to be taken in a bit, the bust altered, and a bustle made. I felt a bit like a pin cushion by the end of it. A very jubliant pin cushion. Thankfully the seamstress was very good at what she did and none of those pins stuck into anything other than the fabric.

Getting the dress off was a bit of a challenge. Katy was there to help me, which was a relief. Although I think I may have been sctrached in a few places my errant pins. The dress should be ready in about a month, then I can do my second alteration if needed. It's starting to get really exciting, all the big things that go with a wedding are starting to happen -- the dress, the catering, the venues. Eeee!!

Also, while I was there I realized that the colors we had picked for the wedding party (Lapis and Cornflower) looked hideous together. Truly monstrous. Actually, most colors clashed rather violently with Cornflower, which so happened to be the color Alex picked out for his vest. And it also so happened that his vest matches the tie Bruce (his Dad) wore to his own wedding, which Alex wants to wear to ours.

So the search was on to find a color that meshed with Cornflower. We were torn between "Truffle", "Mermaid", and "Sunbeam" for a few minutes. Ultimately, Sunbeam won. It made Cornflower pop and enchanced the colors versus dampening them.

It helps that I really like the color yellow. It's so bright and happy. It makes me feel like smiling just by looking at it. So why not incorporate said color into the wedding? Plus, Alex loves yellow, too. Everyone wins!

(As a side note, the yellow was not this bright in person. It's definitely gorgeous in the picture, but at the store it had a more muted hue.)

Right. Now to get off the computer and pack for Alabama (and take my last midterm for the semester)! If you don't hear from me for a week or more don't panic. I'm just enjoying the warmer weather and valued time with the almost-husband.

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Friends in low places

Posted on | Tuesday, March 8, 2011 | 2 Comments

Well, kind of. Minus the bar, the wedding, and the song.


This week has been incredibly painful. I don't feel comfortable discussing it on a public forum, but suffice to say it has been truly heartbreaking. There isn't any real end in sight to what is happening and it is taking a toll on all involved. I made mention of what was happening on my facebook and asked people to pray for those involved. Upon returning home I saw that Katy had posted on my wall --

I know that youre having a tough day, so I made all those cupcakes we looked at yesterday, I'll be over later.

I truly love that woman.

She came over and held me while I cried. And then we ate cupcakes. Red Velvet, Lemon, and Vanilla Almond. I smiled and then cried a bit more, and had another cupcake. It's something special when your friend sees you are in pain and spends her morning making wedding cupcake replicas from scratch (Katy doesn't believe in box mixes). It's even more special when they hold you and let you feel everything you have bottled up inside without saying a word. It was truly the best thing should could have done.


I still have about seven cupcakes in my fridge right now. I'm planning on eating several of them for dinner tonight, my diet be dammed.

I don't know what is going to happen or what to expect in the coming weeks (or months), but knowing I have people that love me this much reminds me it will be okay. Regardless of what happens it will be okay.

And we will always have cupcakes.

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Ten things I love Sunday!

Posted on | Sunday, March 6, 2011 | No Comments

Week three! It's a good thing that I have to widdle my way down to ten things, right? I think so, at least. Loving stuff/people/ideas/things is wonderful. And a really great way to end a week.


1. Penny Loafers


I bought these last week and I adore them. I normally don't do well with this kind of shoe, they usually result in painful blisters and scrunched up toes. Not these guys! They fit like a dream. And look how CUTE they are!

2. Cupcakes


These vanilla almond cupcakes with salted caramel buttercream icing, to be exact. They will be at my wedding. Oh yes. Just look at them. They oooooze delectability and perfection.

3. Waffles


Someone please tell me they know where to find this incredible waffle iron. Pretty please? It's a KEYBOARD WAFFLE IRON, GUYS. Do you know how awesomely cool that is?! I would be making waffles every weekend, from SCRATCH. Just to use this bad boy of culinary epicness.

4. Clouds


I wish I had come up with this idea. I love it when the weather is light and beautiful and I can just go outside and look at the shapes clouds make. This just takes that to another level entirely.

5. Harry Potter


The books, not the movies. Although I like the movies, I don't love them. The books though? About once a year I go back and read them. It's like seeing an old friend again. I usually read books four through seven (I have lost ther first three and have no idea how), and even though I know what's coming it still makes my heart go pitter-patter and I fall in love with the characters all over again.

6. Bento Boxes


I love bento boxes. Turning a drab meal into something exciting. I mean, who wouldn't want to have a Calvin and Hobbes caricature lunch?! I keep telling myself that I'm going to start making my own bento boxes, but for some reason it's still stuck on the list of things "I'm going to do". Between my current culinary experiments and the fact that I leave work before I eat lunch I simply haven't motivated myself to doing it. Yet.

7. Less Than Six Months


Okay, so it won't be exactly like this (my dress will be prettier and we will be far more awesome). But darnit, it'll feel like that. I seriously cannot wait.

8. Beaches


Where is this place and how can I get there? It looks absolutely perfect. The clouds, the amazingly pristine ocean, the white beaches with gorgeous greenery. I want to jump into this photograph and just be. Breathe in the salty air and feel the wind swirl my hair about as I soak in all the fabulous vitamin D. Alex, if you tell me that this is somewhere in Florida we can move next week.

9. Tea


I'm not a big tea drinker but I love this idea. I think it would make me into a tea drinking fanatic if I had the opportunity to make art every time I made a delicious mug of Earl Grey or Raspberry Zinger.

10. Coffee


Of course I can't love tea without loving coffee. Or at least loving the coffee receptical. i really love the idea of changing "I wish" into "I will". It's the same as eliminating the word "should" from your vocabulary and replacing it with "I want" and "I need. Saying "I wish I were healthier" or "I should take better care of myself" does nothing. But, saying "I want to be a healthier person and I will change how I take care of my body". That changes things.

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About

Photobucket I was born and raised in California. I have also lived in Hungary, Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, and I will be moving again this summer. Kael is my incredibly awesome kiddo who is growing up far too quickly, and Alex is my fiance who makes me happier than should be legally allowed. I write about them a lot. I'm mildly obsessed with cooking and photography. I write about those things, too.

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