Minor Miracle: An Injury-Free Weekend

How is it Tuesday already? Weren't we just basking in the Friday afternoon glow of a 3-day weekend? Oh, those pesky hands of time and their inability to stop on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

So, how was it? What did you do? Your comments from Friday's post sounded fabulous! My weekend was an 8.5 out of 10. Not too shabby but there was room for improvement, namely in the "I have a migraine that feels like an ice pick through the eye ball" department. But drugs are wonderful and the weekend wasn't a total wash.

As a recap, which I am sure you are DYING to read, I have highlighted how I did or did not complete my list from last week.

1. Clean out my closet and take everything that I haven't worn, touched or thought about to Goodwill. I did this. And then I promptly went shopping to replace everything I gave away. It was a win/win situation!


2. Clean out the garage. Take everything I haven't needed, wanted or thought about to Goodwill. I did this too. And now I can make up a dance in my garage or Rollerblade in tight, little circles. This could be a win/win depending upon my coordination...or lack thereof.

3. Make 3 dozen cupcakes. Some will be lemon with cream cheese frosting and others will be peanut butter cup with peanut butter frosting. Oh man, oh man. Success! I actually made 4 dozen, 24 lemon and 24 peanut butter cup. I had cream cheese frosting coming out of my ears. But it was so worth it! Here is a picture of them and recipes are coming soon:

4. Eat homemade ice cream. (Repeat and repeat) This, much to my utter dismay, did not happen. My ice cream maker (a.k.a. my mama) was otherwise preoccupied with a 6 year-old named Noah.

Rotten kid.

However, I have high hopes for this to happen very soon.

5. Go to a birthday party that entails dodge ball on trampolines and Frisbee golf. I can almost guarantee you that I will suffer an injury of some kind. Stay tuned. Holy cow, this was awesome!! The only reason why I am currently injury-free is because I did not play dodge ball. I was in charge of taking pictures (or at least that is what I told people) so I just watched as people got pelted with foam balls mid-flight. It was highly entertaining. And then we went to the park and ate pizza and played volleyball (Frisbee golf will be played another day). All in all, it was a spectacular birthday party!


6. Sleep in as late as possible...then take a nap. A copious amount of sleep was had. However I still woke up today tired. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT? I blame capitalism.

7. Yoga. Just because I like to be hip and trendy. And limber. I really love yoga. But I also really love to lay around and watch movies. Apparently my desire to be limber is eclipsed by my desire to not be limber. However, I did squeeze in some very serious cardio on my treadmill of death.

8. Buy a new t-shirt that screams "I am cute and fun and I love summer." I bought several new shirts this weekend, but my favorite purchase are these fabulous sandals at Target. They are only $15 and they come in a plethora of colors. I bought mine in gold and turquoise.

9. Attend church and sing my heart out. I did this and it was wonderful! Amen and amen.

10. Take my nephew to Nella's, the new frozen yogurt place just down the street. You should totally go too. They have a coconut/pineapple swirl that is TO. DIE. FOR. Maybe I'll see you there!  I had every intention of taking Noah to Nella's but then I decided to invite him to the trampoline dodge ball party instead. Nothing says an aunt's love like throwing a kid into a pit of crazy, jumping fools that hurl high-velocity objects at each other. But he had a blast and came away injury free, just like his aunt.

11. Anything else that pops up! I like to keep my options open. Other things that popped up were a victorious round of miniature golf, chats with great friends, a run to the grocery store, shopping, movies and an evening with the 'rents (as in parents).

All in all, it was stupendous! And I am pretty sure I need a weekend to rest up from my weekend. How about you?

Gateway to Summer

Oh friends. There are no words to describe how much I love this upcoming weekend. Well, maybe a few words. This blog post really wouldn't happen otherwise. Lucky you.

I love Memorial Day Weekend! It is the gateway to summer and ushers in hot days, warm nights, my inability to tan and homemade ice cream. It signals slower days and relaxed attire at work. It also means flip flops, which I could live in year-round if it weren't for that pesky stuff called "snow."

My weekend line-up is fairly low key. Here are a few of the expected highlights. Stand back, people:

1. Clean out my closet and take everything that I haven't worn, touched or thought about to Goodwill.

2. Clean out the garage. Take everything I haven't needed, wanted or thought about to Goodwill.

3. Make 3 dozen cupcakes. Some will be lemon with cream cheese frosting and others will be peanut butter cup with peanut butter frosting. Oh man, oh man.

4. Eat homemade ice cream. (Repeat and repeat)

5. Go to a birthday party that entails dodgeball on trampolines and Frisbee golf. I can almost guarantee you that I will suffer an injury of some kind. Stay tuned.

6. Sleep in as late as possible...then take a nap.

7. Yoga. Just because I like to be hip and trendy. And limber.

8. Buy a new t-shirt that screams "I am cute and fun and I love summer."

9. Attend church and sing my heart out.

10. Take my nephew to Nella's, the new frozen yogurt place just down the street. You should totally go too. They have a coconut/pineapple swirl that is TO. DIE. FOR. Maybe I'll see you there!

11. Anything else that pops up! I like to keep my options open.

So, what are your plans?? Are you grilling? Playing some volleyball? Swinging in the hammock? Sipping on something refreshing? Whatever it is, I hope you love every second of it!

Billy and Johnny

This past weekend I spent more than five hours on my tukus watching performances of the various kind. And even though I am going to need to do a few extra lunges this week, I loved every minute of it.

On Saturday, Lizz and I took in a show of Billy Elliot. It is playing at our theater in Denver. If you don't know the story behind this show, I highly recommend watching the movie. It is a fabulous movie. It is about manly men who work in mines, fabulous '80's clothing, quirky British accents and...ballet. Yep, that's right. It is full of humor and dancing and some crying. Although there is a bit of colorful language, what is not to love, right?

And let me just tell you something else: those kids in the show can seriously dance! I mean SERIOUSLY. It is absolutely mind blowing to me that little itty, bitty kids can get up there and do tap routines and pirouettes with the big people. One little girl, who could not have been more than five years old, was on that stage almost the entire show in a tutu dancing her heart out.

That's passion, people. And also an extreme amount of raw talent. For some reason my tap dancing experience wasn't nearly as accomplished as hers. I don't get it.

So if you have a few bucks to spare and an afternoon to kill, go see a performance of Billy Elliot. And if you don't live in Denver, go rent the movie. I guarantee it will make you want to buy a leotard.

On Sunday I saw a matinee of the Pirates of the Caribbean. And I LOVED IT. Well, I pretty much love anything that has Johnny Depp in it. Holy canoli, he is so dreamy. And my co-worker has met him and she says he is super nice. Dreamy and nice. It doesn't get any better.

The last two Pirate movies I did not love so much. I thought they were a bit confusing and weird and I actually fell asleep half-way through the last one. However, this new one is totally fun and entertaining and goes perfectly with a bag of kettle corn. Trust me, I know this. Plus, there are no beating hearts kept in boxes or weird crabs that take over the world. It was a great movie to kick off the summer. If you have seen it, what did you think?

So, if you have an afternoon to spare, go watch it! And if you live in northwest Oklahoma without any movie theaters, come up to Colorado for a visit and I'll treat you. I promise.

And here is a little something to perk up your day:

You're welcome.

Recipe Round-Up: Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies

I have a friend who just beat breast cancer! She is superwoman and I am so proud of her. Her story has been amazing and God has been glorified through the entire process.  

So in honor of her final surgery this week, I made her these cookies. I am fairly certain that peanut butter and chocolate have super healing powers.

Seriously, how can they not?

And since I don't know what your weekend holds, I figured these cookies could provide you with a little healing as well. Because it is Friday and who doesn't need a little healing from the week? Can I get an amen?!?

So, let's do this, peeps!

Throw a stick of softened butter into a mixing bowl...

Add sugar and brown sugar...

And a half cup of the most amazing food in the world: peanut butter.

Mix those up until they are nice and fluffy!

SIDE NOTE: Have you met my boyfriend? No? Well he is shiny and red and completes me in every way.

Next, add an egg and vanilla and mix again.

And throw in flour, baking soda AND baking powder.

Tricky, I know.

Slowly  mix until a dough is formed.

Go ahead, take a taste. I won't tell anyone.

 Roll the dough into any size you want. I went with the "I think it is about the size of a ping pong ball" size.

Then, take a fork and make a criss-cross pattern on the top of each cookie.It makes them look festive.

And bake.

Oh man, these are warm and buttery and perfect.

I dare you to eat only one.

I. DARE. YOU.

Of course you could leave them just like this. There is absolutely nothing wrong with plain peanut butter cookies. Nothing at all.

However, there is also nothing wrong with dipping these beauties into dark chocolate and sprinkling them with chopped peanuts.

NOTHING. AT. ALL.

Take a handful of peanuts and give them a quick chop.

Grab your favorite bag of chocolate chips and melt.

And dip and sprinkle.

Dip and sprinkle. Dip and sprinkle. Dip and sprinkle.

I dipped half of mine in chocolate and kept the other half plain.

And boxed them up for my sweet cancer-free friend!

So go ahead, give these a try. I guarantee they will perk up your weekend!!

Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies:

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/4 cup flour

Chocolate chips

Chopped peanuts

Directions:

Cream butter, sugars and peanut in mixer until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix. Add baking soda, baking powder and flour and slowly mix until dough is formed. Roll dough into ball and press with fork. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 7-8 minutes until golden.

To dip the cookies, melt the chocolate chips over low heat. Chop the nuts. Dip the cookies into the chocolate and lay them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Sprinkle with nuts.

Enjoy, my friends!!

Denial Ain't Just a River in Egypt

Here I am! I have been here all along, trying to keep my head above water. Figurative water, not real water. That would just be silly since Colorado is void of any big body of water.

Last week we had our marathon of work meetings. All of the directors from around the world congregated in the office for a week. We hashed out everything: conference planning (I head to India in October!), terrorism, evacuations, communications, finances and organizational impact. It was exhausting and productive and beneficial and exhausting.

On top of all of that, something else happened last week. I almost can't form the words to say it. I kind of want to pretend it never happened.

And no, I did not fall into a fountain again.

Are you ready for this?

This baby turned 6.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE WORLD??

And he likes to play with toy cars, kick soccer balls, run through the sprinklers, race around the yard and climb in trees.

He does not like to be swaddled in a blanket and smothered in kisses by his crazy aunt.

And to top it all off, he has lost two teeth.

I may have to tape them back in.

The Cherub Choir

Last week I had the privilege (is that the right word?) of going to Noah's spring musical.

There is one word that can sum up this experience: AWESOMENESS.



(Noah: Yellow shirt, front and center.)



The kindergarten class, otherwise known as the "Cherub Choir" served as back up singers while the older kids put on a play. And I am fairly certain Noah was bored halfway into the first song but he persevered to the end.

He's a theatrical trooper, that one.

The kids did a great job!

They sang...

And sang...

And grew very restless.

All in all, they were some very cute, very harmonious, very restless cherubs.

Awesomeness on every level.

Recipe Round-Up: Breakfast Frittata

I love this frittata. Well, I pretty much love any frittata. And every Sunday night I make one so I have a breakfast to grab as I head out the door for work.

Now, keep in mind frittatas are like a blank canvas, you can add anything you want to them and they'll probably turn out delicious. Minus weird things, like marshmallows and hominy.

So for this particular frittata I grabbed whatever I had in the fridge which was red onion, mushrooms and spinach. Sometimes I add bacon, sometimes I add a little cheese, if I had a red bell pepper I would have definitely thrown it in, it's just whatever you have available.

But you probably already know this. I am new to the frittata scene.

So, here is how I do it. Start with your veggies:

And chop them up

Saute those suckers in a little coconut oil.

SIDE NOTE: Have you heard about coconut oil? No? Well, it is fairly amazing. It has so many health benefits plus it smells/tastes great! I would highly recommend switching to coconut oil for all of your cooking needs. Thank you.

Once they are caramelized and yummy, throw in your spinach.

SIDE NOTE: Here is where you would add your cooked meats, like bacon or more bacon.

Next up:

Eggs, naturally.

I use 8 eggs. It may sound like a lot but when you divide this into quarters, you get two eggs in each piece. This is perfecto for me and all of my hunger needs.

And pour them into the pan and stir around gently. At this time, shut off the heat on the burner.

SIDE NOTE: Now some people add milk, cream, nutmeg or other yummy goodness to their egg mixture. Go for it! I do not put those things in mine because I ate half of all the pastries in Portugal and my bootie does not need cream. Not even a drop.

Sprinkle a little pepper on top (or add your cheese) and pop the entire pan into a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

SIDE NOTE: Make sure your pan is oven-proof. If you are worried about your handle melting, you can wrap it in aluminum foil.

In the meantime, you should take a power nap or watch your fave show on Hulu. Either one is an excellent choice.

After 20 minutes, pull that puppy out of the oven and let it cool in the pan. I then put it on a cutting board...

...and cut it into quarters. So easy.

Seriously, this is so delicious.

I throw mine in a tupperware and put it in the fridge. I grab a wedge every morning and eat it on my way to work. It is the perfect balance of protein and veggies. I love it because I know I am starting my day off well and this recipe is totally organic. And the best thing is that you can make it exactly how you like it.

Frittatas are cool like that.

 

Let's Talk Breakfast

Thank you to everyone who lamented my spectacular (or not-so spectacular) fall into the Portuguese fountain. I consider my lack of coordination just part of my charm.

Since my return from Portugal, I have found that it is easier for me to get up in the mornings. This is not normal for me so I have decided to take advantage of it and have a nice, leisurely morning instead of rushing out the door with the high probability that I only have mascara on one eye.

That is a very weird look, by the way.

Anyway, as I sat there this morning drinking coffee and eating breakfast, it occurred to me once again that I LOVE BREAKFAST. I mean, I really really love it. It is my favorite meal and I could eat at any time throughout the day.

Lately, I have been making my own organic egg and veggie frittata. In fact, I will have a recipe for you this week. I make it ahead of time and cut it into wedges and that way my breakfast is ready to go every morning. This comes in handy for the mornings I hit snooze for an hour.

I also love oatmeal. It is comfort food without the guilt. I like the old fashioned, organic kind and I buy it in bulk every time I go to the store. This is also my stash for the world's best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, which I have eaten for breakfast, but that usually leads to a day of gluttony followed by the need to wear two pairs of Spanx. I try to avoid that; two pairs can cut off your circulation.

I add water to my bowl of oatmeal and nuke it for two minutes in the microwave. I then add a dash of milk, cinnamon, walnuts and Stevia. It is warm and fabulous and delicious.

I also adore waffles, yogurt and fruit, stuffed french toast, pumpkin pancakes, biscuits and gravy, corn beef hash, scones and bacon. I could literally devote an entire week's worth of blog material to bacon. In fact, I hear they now have bacon ice cream, bacon cupcakes and chocolate-covered bacon candy bars. I am not sure what to think about this but apparently people love their bacon. It could be the perfect food, next to peanut butter of course.

So, now that I am officially hungry again, what are your favorite breakfasts? And if you have a recipe or two, I would love to hear them!