Happy New Year!

I’m back! After much encouragement from my mom and sister over the holidays, I decided to stop writing blog posts in my head and start actually writing them. What a concept! I then realized the easiest way to post at least once a week would be to blog about our Weekly Family Photo. Starting on our wedding day, Ross and I have taken a picture every week as a way to document and remember our lives. They range from pictures of us in a rainy tent to running into a 90s TV star at LAX.

We started the New Year by celebrating with one of Ross’ family traditions – eating pork and sauerkraut. This was my first attempt at making it and thankfully, there was only one snag. It took me forever to find sauerkraut in the grocery store. I finally asked this sweet old lady if she knew where I could find it. She offered a few suggestions then said, “You LIKE sauerkraut?!” 

Enjoying our pork and sauerkraut with a side of good luck!

Plan B

Last week Ross and I decided to spend our gorgeous Saturday hiking. Then Saturday rolled around and we realized we weren't prepared to head out the door at the early hour needed to beat the crowds, so we came up with Plan B. The National Zoo.

We slathered on our sunscreen and hopped on our bikes for the six mile trip. This was the furthest I've biked since I took summer gym in high school. (You know, the class where you get credit for playing dodgeball, bowling, and frisbee golf.) I wasn't a pro, but it was a fun way to get around a part of the city I normally reserve for public transportation.

Once we got to the zoo I immediately remembered how much I love the place. It's such a beautiful nature oasis in the middle of the city. Plus it's free.

We checked out the sloth bears, fishing cats, elephants, giant pandas and a red panda. Oh how we love that red panda! It was just so precious. We went past it again and it had climbed up the tree and was only about five feet away! Ross was able to capture it's adorableness.

Strolling along to the next area I had an idea. If we stayed at the zoo until 3 then I could get a half price frappuccino at the Starbucks across the street from the zoo entrance. Ross got out his phone to check the time and noticed he had a voice-mail from an unknown number. His grandpa was calling from someone else's phone to let us know he had arrived in DC.

*Record scratch*

We had completely spaced that this was the day he was coming to town with a group of WWII veterans.

Having already biked more than I had in years, I was a bit anxious that we wouldn't be able to catch up with him. He was getting ready to leave the National Mall and go to Arlington Cemetery which is even further away from the zoo.

The veterans were going to watch the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. We arrived just as they were coming in. It was incredibly moving to be a part of this ceremony surrounded by veterans, especially Pa.

It was a quick but nice visit with him before they had to leave to make it back to York. Since neither of us had visited the cemetery before, we decided to spend our afternoon there.

When we finally got home we marveled at how our day turned out. Our day of hiking turned into something neither of us had expected. We ended up biking 15.5 miles, going to two DC landmarks, and got to visit with family. I guess it's important to remember that while it's good to have plans, sometimes the best things are actually Plan B.

Photographic Evidence

Last night Ross and I planned to Skype with my parents during halftime of the Purdue basketball game. (It's still too soon to talk about.)  Our internet was slow, so I decided to talk to them the old fashioned way - on my cell phone. Below is an excerpt from the middle of our conversation.

Mom: "Did you end up getting that sweater that you wanted?" (see previous post)
Me: "I did!"
Mom: "Oh! I wanted to get that for you whether or not it was on sale."
Me: "Thanks, but I already have it."
Mom: "Do you really? Or are you just saying that so I don't buy it for you."
Me: "No. I'm wearing it right now! I really own it!"

See folks, this is why cell phones are outdated. If we had been using Skype or on phones with video chat, this would never have happened. Now, this is the best way for me to prove to my mother that I actually did order the sweater I had my eye on.

Thankfully I asked Ross to snap a quick picture of me when I wore my new sweater for the first time on Thursday. There you go mom, proof that I truly own this sweater.

Footnote: I was so proud of myself for waiting for a coupon since they are always flooding my inbox. But after paying for shipping I only saved $3.50. Ugh. At least I knew I really really liked it since I had to wait. And yes, I wore it to work on Thursday and then again for part of the day again on Sunday. Again, I really really like it.

A Few Of My Favorite Things (Right Now)

Today I thought of some things that are making me happy...

Greek yogurt for breakfast. Chobani or Fage, non-fat or low-fat, it doesn't matter. What matters is which is on sale.

Source

Having a copy of a friend's passport. I know this is random, but it makes me happy that a friend would trust me with this.

Source

The hope of seeing daffodils soon. That's right, they don't even need to be blooming. I love seeing them start to grow out of the ground. Spring is coming!

Ross took this back in 2003. Thanks for sharing hubs!

This picture keeps making me smile.

Terra Dawn Photography

Every morning I hope I get an email saying this sweater is on sale. Why is it that once I find something I really want, they stop sending me "everything 25% off" emails?

Source

Michael and Holly have become my new Jim and Pam. I saw this video at the gym, and even without sound it made me oh so happy.

Source 

Being honorary Aunt Kari. My best friend from college had a beautiful baby boy last week. She also happens to be my brother-in-law's sister, aka my sister at heart.

Sweet baby Elliot

Firework Update

I don't have too much I want to say other than I didn't get the job rotation. To say that I'm disappointed is an understatement. Ross is in Colorado skiing and I could barely keep my voice steady while leaving him a message. Now I know it's not the end of the world, but I was hoping to get some career guidance out of this experience. I guess I still will, but not from actually getting the rotation.

I guess I should have listened more to this section of the song:

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe the reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow

And when it's time, you'll know

I've allowed myself to be upset today, but now I'm going to start focusing on the fact that I'm a firework. I would have rocked that job. Their loss. Moving on. Any suggestions on what I should grow up to be?

Adventures in Cooking

Normally on my day off I like to cook a real meal because I have enough time to not feel rushed. For some reason a few weeks ago I decided I wanted to do a cooking extravaganza. I had recently found a menu in Self magazine called Cook once, eat healthy all week and thought it would be a good time to try it out. First I checked the cabinets for items on the shopping list, and then found the list to be very helpful at the store. Ross is an expert chopper so he helped me with the prep work. I got started later than I hoped, so I only got about half of the cooking done. I made three of the building blocks, the mini turkey loaves, and the shrimp enchilada bake.

Starting the next thing as the Adobe-Glazed Mini Turkey Loaves cool.

Layering the Cheesy Shrimp Enchilada Bake.

At this point it was now after 10 and we were tired and ready to eat. I used left over ingredients as a side and just dished out one loaf even though two are a serving. It worked for our late night meal since we had been snacking.

I promise I don't starve my husband.

As soon as we got home from work the next day I changed into my pjs and started cooking. I had to cook the sweet potatoes and make the ragout, thai soup, and shepherd's pie. It didn't take as long since most of the prep work was done the night before. However, I still felt buried under dishes.

We ended up eating the Spicy Thai Soup with Lime Shrimp since it seemed the least appetizing to reheat. I was so concerned about making sure the shrimp cooked that I over cooked them. Ross was glad there ended up being only one in his bowl.

Lessons Learned:

• Don't start this in the late afternoon. Especially if you plan on doing other things around the house that night too.
• Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are stinkin' hot. Either make sure there are absolutely no seeds or just half what it calls for in the recipe.
• Almond milk is not needed since it's just used to soak bread. (Although it's super yummy in coffee.)
• Don't buy the chives until you're ready to eat the shepherd's pie since they aren't in any other recipes and are a garnish.
• Only cook shrimp the recommended time.
• Keep trying and HAVE FUN!

Have you ever tried a week long meal plan? Do you have any recommendations?

"The Theme of Life"

The episode aired March 9, 1998 and I'm just now getting my answer. I don't expect you to know what I'm talking about. I wouldn't even know that information if it wasn't for Google. All I remember is that during an episode of Ally McBeal she was charged with the task of finding a theme song for herself. (I think my love for that show as a 14 year old could be it's own post.) It's supposed to be song that you play in your head to make you feel better. When she picks her song, she starts dancing down the street. I thought it was the best idea ever and wanted a theme song of my own.

Fast forward to this weekend, and I'm driving along in my car and Katy Perry's "Firework" comes on the radio two times in a row. Instead of being annoyed I was completely inspired. It sounds silly I know, but I really needed it. Today I have something that I've been anxious about for the past week. I'm interviewing for a job rotation that I REALLY want, but am doubting that I'm good enough. That's right, I just put something big and scary on the internet. And if I don't get it, you'll all know. Nothing like public failure. Instead of worrying about that I'm listening to "Firework" as many times as I can stand it. Read this portion of the lyrics and let me know if you can think of a better song. One that gets you inspired to tell someone why you're the best person to join their staff for a few months.

Do you know that there's still a chance for you
Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what your worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced

Ross and I heard the song later on Saturday and I think my enthusiasm for the song highly entertained him. Or it could have been my horribly loud and off key singing.

I think a part of me also likes this since I was almost a Fourth of July baby. I love my birthday because it's always full of fireworks. Last year I was so happy watching them with my family visiting from Indiana that I started crying. That's right, I was crying on the National Mall.

This was taken the year before when I wasn't crying

There are other songs that inspire me. Songs that make me what to live a life that matters. Songs that inspire me to love others more fully. But today I need a confidence boost, so today I'm a firework. What about you? What song inspires you no matter how silly?

Self portrait
(Actually this was taken by my skilled husband)