tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29092880785516033852024-03-13T03:38:38.235-04:00What a beautiful mess...because happiness is homemade.
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-9588276578657280252016-01-07T13:41:00.001-05:002016-01-07T13:49:30.943-05:00Perfect Mimosa<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>The Perfect Mimosa</u></div>
<br />
I love a crisp, bubbly Mimosa on a weekend morning! Reminds me that weekends are a time for fun, family, and celebrating a few precious days away from the hospital. Here is our recipe for the most perfect Mimosa.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Find your fancy champagne flutes, pull them out of the buffet, and dust them off. It really does make a difference in how they taste! You only live once and that crystal is doing you no good in the china cabinet. :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>3/4 glass chilled Chandon champagne </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Chandon is our favorite by a LONG shot! It's dry and perfect.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1/4 glass Simply Orange Pulp Free OJ</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(No one likes fur in their Mimosa) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seems like it's heavy on the champagne but it gives just the right amount of bubble without being so sweet that it makes you feel sick.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
CHEERS!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-33322984594847360132016-01-01T19:46:00.000-05:002016-01-07T13:27:46.946-05:00Thank you!Words cannot ever begin to express the gratitude we feel towards each and every person who has reached out to us since Tripp has been born. It goes without saying that we were in a pretty trying, terrifying situation filled with all sorts of emotions. I never knew it was possible to feel happier and more in love than I ever have at the same time I was feeling a fear I never knew existed. <br />
<br />
There was no amount of planning, preparing, reading, or discussion that could have possibly prepared us for the adventure of parenthood. We were completely blind to the fact that things may not go perfectly smooth. We certainly didn't expect an emergency c-section at 32 weeks due to severe preeclamsia. Parenthood has taught us many lessons we never thought we would be learning. It's amazing how an event so huge, that you think you will learn so much from, does end up teaching you the biggest life lessons but lessons totally different than you anticipated. Of course we were instantly overwhelmed by the love we felt for Tripp. It was and still is the greatest feeling we've ever had in life. We've learned to survive on two hours of sleep for months on end. We're experts at diaper changes. However, we were also blessed to learn a few life lessons we didn't plan on. <br />
<br />
Here are a few of the unexpected lessons we've learned so far.<br />
<br />
<b>1. PLAN?? That's funny! </b><br />
We have learned this year that no matter how much you plan or prepare you will always be trumped by Gods plan. Thank goodness because His plan always ends up being the best plan. I'm sure it goes without saying that Brian and I are planners... almost to a fault. I truly feel like our adventure with a premature baby and life in the NICU was a HUGE lesson in patience and faith. The growth we have experienced by living God's plan has been absolutely amazing. Far greater than we could have imagined. We learned that it's ok to have a plan with the understanding that things may change and we have learned the being flexible is essential. It's sad that it took a premie baby to teach us this lesson... but alas we have learned! I've decided from now on in life I will try to be more of a preparer and less of a planner.<br />
<br />
<b>2. PATIENCE. </b><br />
Having Tripp has been the most humbling experience of our lives. The emotions of having our 2 pound 14 ounce baby laying helplessly in an isolette and knowing there wasn't a single thing we could do for him was unbelievably humbling and also unbelievable frustrating. We kept asking the neonatologist what we could do to help and kept receiving the same answer. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
DON'T RUSH HIM. GIVE HIM TIME. BE PATIENT. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ha! Patience is not something that either of us were blessed with. I always say that the hours in the NICU were so long but the days seemed to fly by. We found ourselves wanting him to gain weight, eat from a bottle, wear real clothes, and sleep in a crib instead of an isolette NOW... we were being selfish. We learned that he had to do these things on his time and when he was ready. It was best for him to go at HIS pace not ours. We learned that being patient made those milestones that much sweeter knowing he was ready and thriving. We learned that rushing him led to set backs for him which was even more heartbreaking. We learned very quickly that his needs came before our wants. We would ask the neonatologist frequently what his "current goal" was and we were repeatedly given the same answer. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
TO EAT, GROW, AND LIVE.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This answer instantly brought us back to the reality of his situation and the fragility of his tiny life and body.</div>
We quickly learned to be patient. <br />
<br />
So patient that on his day of discharge, when we were being sent home with a 4lb 14oz baby, we were asking if they were sure he was ready! They assured us that he was... I'm not totally sure that we were convinced WE were ready :-) Talk about intimidating!<br />
<br />
<b>3. ASK FOR HELP... IT'S OK!</b><br />
I've always been the type to do everything on my own. I refused to ask for help because I never wanted to inconvenience people. This experience put me in a position that I was physically unable to do everything on my own. I learned through this experience that it's ok to rely on other people and it's even ok to ASK for help sometimes. I've finally realized that if people branch out and offer to help it's because they truly want to. This was huge for me! I was in a position that left me pretty helpless and forced me to depend on others. Honestly, this was good for me. I needed to learn that in life there are times I need to depend on others. I've learned that people don't help or volunteer things that they aren't happy to do! One of my big fears in life is inconveniencing people so in turn I try to do everything on my own. I've learned people truly enjoy helping. I guess had I turned the situation around a long time ago I would have realized that when I help others its because I truly want to... I'm not sure why it took me so long to realize this but I'm so glad I did. I learned that it's ok to admit that I can't do it all and that it isn't a sign of weakness. I've also learned that sometimes it shows more strength to admit that you need help.<br />
<br />
<b>4. REACH OUT TO OTHERS</b><br />
I can't tell you how many times in life I've seen people in difficult situations, going through hard times, or just not acting their normal selves and I've watched from the sidelines. It has never been because I didn't care but rather that I didn't want to make them feel uncomfortable and truth be told it was probably because I was a little bit uncomfortable myself. Maybe because I didn't know them that well or maybe because I didn't know what to say or do. I didn't want to overstep my boundaries. I felt that if they wanted to talk about it they would reach out. I felt like if they needed help they would ask and I would obviously be more than happy and willing to do whatever they needed! Again, it was never due to the fact that I didn't care but because I didn't know if reaching out was the right thing to do.<br />
<br />
I'll never watch from the sidelines again. I've learned that it's always so great to know people care! I received texts, calls, and visits from people I barely knew. Now they are great friends. People dropped off baskets with drinks and snacks. There were lots of days that all I had time to eat was a granola bar and gatorade from those baskets. I had days that the walls of my hospitality room felt like they were caving in and then I would get a text from a friend that just said "thinking about you" and all of a sudden I realized that I wasn't alone, our situation was temporary, and we were SO blessed to have a baby that was living, breathing, and thriving. I received Facebook messages from people that I had no idea even knew what was going on in our lives. I would look through comments on Facebook and realize how many people were behind us and how many people cared. That was so uplifting. <br />
<br />
So from now on I'll send that text. People don't have to respond if it's a bad time. If they're sleeping I've learned first hand that they're so exhausted either it won't wake them or they'll go right back to sleep. I'll be dropping of little necessities. The last thing I was thinking about was running out to grab snacks, drinks, gum, or a hot meal. Those little things were game changers and often totally turned our day around. If someone says they don't need help I'm doing it anyway! I understand that there are times when people don't want visitors... I've been there. I can truly say though there was never a time when people stopped by that they left and I wasn't in a better mood and better emotional place. There were several times people offered help, I declined, and they showed up anyway and I was SO glad! We had meals dropped off on our porch with notes that read "Didn't want to bother you but here's dinner." I can guarantee you that was the BEST meal we had in days. People sent premie clothes... I'm sure they didn't realize that we had been holding our breath and waiting for the day they told us he could put an outfit on but of course ordering clothes online was the last thing on our mind and going out to a store was totally out of the question. When we received those clothes in the mail that was truly the first outfits we had to dress him in! There were numerous times people would drop off notes while I was in with Tripp and I would find them when I got back to the room. The tiniest piece of encouragement changed the entire day!<br />
<br />
So I learned that from now on to just do it! If someone says no... do it anyway. It's easier to ask for forgiveness later than permission now :-) Just to know someone is thinking of you can change your entire attitude. <br />
<br />
<b>5. POWER OF PRAYER AND FAITH</b><br />
What did we do when we had a baby at 32 weeks, he couldn't eat on his own, he couldn't breath on his own, he was sleeping in an isollete because he couldn't maintain his temperature on his own, and we had this new, amazing responsibility as a parents but realized there wasn't a single thing we could do for our new baby. We PRAYED! We asked everyone we knew, everyone our parents knew, our friends and everyone they knew to do the same thing! It's so hard for me to imagine how people who don't have faith get through these kinds of situations... because prayer was our only hope and only source of peace. I remember driving to the doctors office the day Tripp was delivered and praying the hardest, most gut wrenching prayer I have in my entire life. He was born forty five minutes later at 2lb 14oz because it was safer for him to be here in this world than in my belly. He is now thriving at 10lb 3oz. We had people praying for this little boy all across the country and those prayers were certainly felt. It was a completely humbling experience to realize that we had no control. We could pray and we could have faith but ultimately Tripp was in God's hands. It was pretty powerful and extremely tough lesson to learn. However, this lesson has definitely been the most important of all.<br />
<br />
<b>6. WE HAVE A NEW RESPECT FOR OUR PARENTS!</b><br />
There are so many times that we look at Tripp and think..."WOW... this is how our parents feel and have felt about us for years!" We had no idea and I don't think there is any way to comprehend those emotions until you go through it. The nights of no sleep, nonstop crying, and trial and error to figure out what is making Tripp so upset... they went through all of that with us! Don't even get me started on how excited we get about poop around here. We are only three months in to this journey and we are already so blown away to think that our parents did all of this for us. The love we feel for Tripp is indescribable and to think this is how they've been feeling for years. The fear we have that something may happen to him is a fear they've felt for over 30 years. I'll never forget talking to my Dad on the phone while Tripp was in the NICU. I told him that I felt guilty because I wasn't being 100% optimistic even though he had overcome every single hurdle and met every goal sooner than the neonatologist hoped and expected. I told him I felt 90% encouraged and optimistic but 10% fearful that something was going to go wrong. I felt like I had a pit in the bottom of my stomach 24/7 because I was terrified of something going wrong. I was terrified that something bad was going to happen to him. His words will stay with me forever.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I'm sure a small part of that is his situation but don't get your hopes up that that feeling will go away. It isn't because he's in the NICU. That is how it feels to be a parent."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When we called to tell them we were having a c-section they were there immediately. They dropped everything to come to Tennessee and now we can completely understand why they wouldn't have it any other way. We're their babies after all and when your babies and their baby is in trouble you don't blink an eye- YOU JUST GO. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We just had no idea.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>7. IT'S OK TO NOT BE OK.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Brian and I both have a problem showing weakness. We try not to complain and we try to see the positive side of things. We put on a smile even when we don't feel like it sometimes. Don't get me wrong... life is truly great about 98% of the time and we're generally very happy people but everyone has that 2% that they want to just say they're having a crappy day.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This experience has taught us that it's ok to not be ok because sometimes things in life really aren't ok. I struggled admitting that this situation was so difficult because I felt like I was being ungrateful. Here I was with a beautiful little baby, alive, slowly gaining weight... I should have been so thankful and I WAS absolutely so thankful! I finally realized that even though I knew we were incredibly blessed that it's also ok to admit that this experience was hard. I cried A LOT! There were days that I sat for hours reading articles on the internet and scaring myself to a point of being nearly inconsolable. I remember walking down the hall to the NICU seeing mothers being transported from labor and delivery with their husbands pushing a crib behind them filled with an 8lb baby and nearly bursting in to tears. We were scared, frustrated, and at times discouraged. There were days that just plain sucked. I learned quickly that sometimes in life things aren't totally ok... and that it's ok to admit that. Sometimes you need to admit that in order to receive the support you need. Sometimes admitting things are hard, admitting that things kind of suck, or admitting you're scared can be so liberating. It's human. Plus most of the time people can see straight through the "It's OK" coming from someone whose eyes are welled up with tears, bright red, puffy, and it looks like they haven't slept in days. Come on now :-) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
People who care enough to inquire deserve for you to shoot it to them straight. "I know I'm so blessed and I'm so thankful for how far we've come... but today kind of stinks." It's OK. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
____________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As of December 30th we're back on the farm. We just had the most incredible holiday season. Brian's family was here for Thanksgiving and mine for Christmas. It was just so special. It's amazing how much a little guy can totally rock your world.</div>
<br />
We have learned so much through this experience. We've grown individually, grown in our marriage, and grown in our relationship with God. We've developed new friendships. We have a new appreciation for each other, our family, and our friends. We've learned to really lean on each other in times of hardship. We have always tried to cherish every day and be present in life but recognize the importance of doing so much more now than ever. <br />
<br />
There is no way Brian and I could ever truly express how thankful we are to have such amazing friends and family. If you called, texted, sent a Facebook message, sent clothes or cards, dropped off food... THANK YOU!! I want you to know that it truly did make our day! We have been absolutely blown away by everyones generosity and thoughtfulness. We've said numerous times throughout this experience that we couldn't imagine how people do it without a support system. I'm trying really, really hard to work on Thank You cards... it isn't happening as quickly as I was hoping. Babies require lots of time and energy :-) I promise they're coming!<br />
<br />
More importantly, thank you to everyone who has kept Tripp and our family in your prayers. It is truly the very best and most powerful gift you could ever give someone. We have felt all of those prayers and the power of prayer is truly evident in our little man! I'm posting this on our blog because I realize prayer is often silent. If you have been praying for us silently- Thank you!<br />
<br />
We're looking forward to welcoming 2016 with full hearts and a chubby baby. Tripp weighed 10lb 3 oz this morning and has stepped on to the full term baby growth curve. He is rocking several leg rolls and several chins. He is interactive and looking around. He is noticing things, grabbing full fists of hair, and making tons of new noises. He has started smiling when he hears our voices which makes the late nights, early morning, and all nighters totally worth every second. He gave my Dad his first little baby giggle. He has completely changed our lives and we are so thankful. We have been totally humbled and we don't take a single blessing for granted.<br />
<br />
Thank you all again for all of your love. There are no words that could ever express our gratitude. <br />
<br />
Now... I'm off to play with our sweet baby!<br />
<br />
XO<br />
Taryn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqvKuN0s7EK0-Ortr6uc3PuLAlB46Zs_flL87HlD_JV8-h39_V4fGGkeD3eos6R7ER6BXqFDakXsjh2r-6JbtbN-RUEX8Md79AcQgjlw8tRrPhPgVhh0zoEs5lR9aPs2lQGpk84ioB5O1/s1600/Tripp+Newborn+%252843%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqvKuN0s7EK0-Ortr6uc3PuLAlB46Zs_flL87HlD_JV8-h39_V4fGGkeD3eos6R7ER6BXqFDakXsjh2r-6JbtbN-RUEX8Md79AcQgjlw8tRrPhPgVhh0zoEs5lR9aPs2lQGpk84ioB5O1/s400/Tripp+Newborn+%252843%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-26400412162681830622014-10-03T10:05:00.000-04:002016-01-07T13:29:28.016-05:00The BEST Spinach Artichoke Dip!I get really down in the dumps when I find a great looking recipe, go to the store and buy all of the ingredients, stand on my head to figure out how to actually make the silly thing, and then take my first bite and it is totally underwhelming! This happens quite a bit actually... maybe because I'm overly critical of the things that come out of my kitchen or maybe because after the hours it takes to make the dish it just seems like it should taste better. Who knows. :-) If anyone out there tells you that everything they make is to die for then either I'm going to call their bluff OR I may just throw in the towel, go move in with them, and just let them cook for me everyday. Not a bad idea, huh?<br />
<br />
The point is that I have TONS of kitchen flops, dishes that just don't taste as great as they sounded, and straight up kitchen disasters.<br />
<br />
I've been searching for a spinach artichoke recipe for years and have made several in the past. Until now I would always make the recipe and then wish I would have bought the TGI Fridays frozen dip because it was cheaper, easier, and WAY BETTER. <br />
<br />
When I found this recipe by Ree Drummond (aka. The Pioneer Woman and one of my all time kitchen/life heroes) I knew it would be good! However, I was wrong. It isn't good- it is TO DIE FOR! The recipe is easy, so worth it, and will leave your kitchen smelling heavenly.<br />
<br />
In fact, I just ate spinach artichoke dip for breakfast. Don't judge me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hzF5XfN4nVJCsfvsN6spPxE-hklaTXX2crQMsoXuWlOw2fJyEolYMOo4hNIEiYEA8cz8uxTwn8oTsoeySSVWGuJ5crImMj3vIjy0bKLOyGidhu_nNdAp7d9a3S56FGH4q9bpkS2kR9eQ/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hzF5XfN4nVJCsfvsN6spPxE-hklaTXX2crQMsoXuWlOw2fJyEolYMOo4hNIEiYEA8cz8uxTwn8oTsoeySSVWGuJ5crImMj3vIjy0bKLOyGidhu_nNdAp7d9a3S56FGH4q9bpkS2kR9eQ/s1600/photo-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Spinach Artichoke Dip</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 Tablespoons butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4 Tablespoons minced garlic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 bag spinach</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Salt and pepper (to taste)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 cans artichoke hearts (rinsed and drained)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3 Tablespoons flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 1/2 cup whole milk</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 package (8oz) cream cheese</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3/4 cup grated pepper jack cheese</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/4 teaspoon cayenne</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
extra grated pepper jack cheese</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pita bread or roasted garlic triscuits</div>
<br />
1. Open cans of artichoke hearts, rinse them, and set them aside in a strainer.<br />
<br />
2. Over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add 4 tablespoons of garlic and allow this to cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn the heat up to HIGH and dump the bag of spinach into the skillet. (It is going to look like it won't fit but it will wilt down really quickly). Sauté until the spinach is soft and turns dark green. Remove from skillet but leave as much of the garlic butter in the skillet as you can.<br />
<br />
3. Turn heat back down to medium. Add the artichoke hearts the same skillet with the remaining garlic butter from the spinach. Let them simmer in the garlic butter until they start to turn golden brown. This will take 7-10 minutes. Stir them often. At this point your kitchen will smell heavenly. Once brown and once most of the water has evaporated, remove the artichoke hearts and set them on a plate.<br />
<br />
4. In a medium size sauce pan add the additional 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Allow butter to melt and then add 3 tablespoons of flour. This should form a paste. Stir continuously and allow this to cook for 1-2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 whole milk and stir until it thickens. (This will take a few minutes but make sure you are stirring constantly and watching it. It goes from very thin to very thick almost instantly).<br />
<br />
5. Now add your cheese! 1 block cream cheese + 1/2 C feta + 1/2 C grated parm + 3/4 C pepper jack<br />
Stir until all of the cheese is melted. Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne. Remove from heat and set aside.<br />
<br />
6. Chop cooked spinach and artichoke into small pieces and add to cheese mixture.<br />
<br />
7. Pour into oven safe baking dish. Top with a bit more pepper jack cheese. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes. I turned my oven to broil at the end to get a nice bubbly brown top.<br />
<br />
Serve with toasted pita bread or garlic roasted triscuits.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdURHx988GiWgaiAV9hYxOVFXX5PKsvcPj1uJExPcZDOasxWCzM55IVdPLHkF0ndJGhehMvdkSRCT_yOo1kK7rKWtAYBRsU-ZOl24bMCEV4b0CDpq07Q318AgSKKqDnatcjJVx3o76ndId/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdURHx988GiWgaiAV9hYxOVFXX5PKsvcPj1uJExPcZDOasxWCzM55IVdPLHkF0ndJGhehMvdkSRCT_yOo1kK7rKWtAYBRsU-ZOl24bMCEV4b0CDpq07Q318AgSKKqDnatcjJVx3o76ndId/s1600/photo-2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-72366961024561356002014-10-01T10:00:00.003-04:002014-10-01T10:00:57.091-04:00Mom's Banana BreadI am the queen of buying bananas, with great plans of trying to eat healthier, and five days later we have fruit flies and my bananas are brown. Oh well! It gives me a great excuse to make my Mom's banana bread. She's been making this bread for years and it was one of the first recipes I ever called her to get.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Mom's Banana Bread</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1 1/2 cup mashed bananas (~3 bananas)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I put them in my KitchenAid mixer so I don't have to do it by hand. Lazy, I know.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1/2 cup melted butter</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1 egg (beaten)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1 cup brown sugar</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1 tsp vanilla</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1 tsp baking soda</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1 tsp baking powder</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1 Tbs water</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1 1/2 cups flour</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1/2 tsp cinnamon</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Optional: <b>1 cup of blueberries</b></div>
<br />
Bake at 350 degrees on the middle rack for approximately 90 minutes. I set the timer for 60 minutes and then use the knife test. Just pull them out when the knife comes out clean. Let cook and wrap in foil to keep the bread moist.<br />
<br />
There aren't any photos because every time I though of taking one I decided to eat the bread instead. Shoot.<br />
<br />
So I will leave you with this... Any guesses where this photo was taken?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgge9t0KbTSAF1cDm4imdMS7agqnVf0gmtn0xk8Hh08oDKa1xZB6jb3iwwAO0BHpYami3FWYilFuTbISqEFclsh8OmuYvYS638kKmfGEAJFA7qf48jwqMpxjro7-yYJeZcGDQzik8jHbj/s640/blogger-image-1069012575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgge9t0KbTSAF1cDm4imdMS7agqnVf0gmtn0xk8Hh08oDKa1xZB6jb3iwwAO0BHpYami3FWYilFuTbISqEFclsh8OmuYvYS638kKmfGEAJFA7qf48jwqMpxjro7-yYJeZcGDQzik8jHbj/s400/blogger-image-1069012575.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-75199244172079128852014-09-30T09:26:00.000-04:002014-09-30T09:26:21.749-04:00Good Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkSOK8RDSXBd0poBUAbQE-IMDfY6gEDTewLDPvdiTf3Po2hMPRns6-dCS8ht-VVBSdgOKRbQCBez-L86PfZnkSNSbj5mYigWpEI6lJSh32kt94j3kQIZSMNKGCneyvd0sFJ-7sYhIgwA2/s1600/morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkSOK8RDSXBd0poBUAbQE-IMDfY6gEDTewLDPvdiTf3Po2hMPRns6-dCS8ht-VVBSdgOKRbQCBez-L86PfZnkSNSbj5mYigWpEI6lJSh32kt94j3kQIZSMNKGCneyvd0sFJ-7sYhIgwA2/s1600/morning.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I have a problem of feeling like I need to be doing something productive at all times. I hate to admit this but I've had frustrating mornings of running errands because I get there so early the stores aren't open yet. Life in the past was so busy I felt like I had to utilize every single second to get everything done.<br />
<br />
Since moving to Tennessee, I have made a real effort to slow down. I have to say that life is SO much better this way. I may still be up at 6:00am every morning but instead of popping out of bed and running wild until it is time to go back to bed that night I've been taking the mornings for me. Taking them slow. Relaxing. I've found that my days are much better, I'm happier, and I get to have some "me time" before anything else gets accomplished. As a woman, at least for me, "me time" is the first thing I sacrifice to keep things running smoothly.<br />
<br />
Things I've learned:<br />
1. Coffee tastes better from a real ceramic mug instead of a travel mug<br />
2. Mens t-shirts are, for some reason, much more comfortable than any women's t-shirt<br />
3. Reading is so much more productive when you don't have Monday night football blaring in the back ground<br />
4. And most importantly- Taking time for ME makes me much better at my relationships I have with others.<br />
<br />
So stay in your robe, drink coffee, look around on Pinterest, read your book, check your email, do a little online shopping, flip through your favorite magazine, plan your day, and THEN go be productive!<br />
<br />
Happy Tuesday!<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
<br />Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-40258084653224818102014-09-29T13:17:00.000-04:002014-09-29T13:17:50.788-04:00Must ReadsThis summer was the perfect time to start reading again. We took a few trips and I spent pretty much every morning on the front porch with a hot cup of coffee and a book. Here are some great books if you're looking for a good read that you can't put down!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCedDsqBJCL8Vnhr5G7mRmjPqGQxPno5mIQxWeJLkoGK0fQ0yIHczROdanIkVlHc_FX-qCj-LUuRNWTV9MiZt9khMxXDTcfaTYdY2GVATK3KMHVxP58UExheRpwCeRRwxxyqZ_IAdwose/s1600/faultinourstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCedDsqBJCL8Vnhr5G7mRmjPqGQxPno5mIQxWeJLkoGK0fQ0yIHczROdanIkVlHc_FX-qCj-LUuRNWTV9MiZt9khMxXDTcfaTYdY2GVATK3KMHVxP58UExheRpwCeRRwxxyqZ_IAdwose/s1600/faultinourstars.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sad, sad, sad! Great story of young love and experiencing life with illness but, man, it was sad!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93p5SW0lhHJWbHF19xFV_0lKq7QksJK861dZsfUzRKslpuCloKGhfGoUd8In6maGI41L4pZoFj5NkrPKzcS29xpuiJg9gUHCTTpt-kYH5zufUP6seCn5hg2SmAERbqRzB4ZaRRrVKiWRo/s1600/ididn'tcomeheretomakefriends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93p5SW0lhHJWbHF19xFV_0lKq7QksJK861dZsfUzRKslpuCloKGhfGoUd8In6maGI41L4pZoFj5NkrPKzcS29xpuiJg9gUHCTTpt-kYH5zufUP6seCn5hg2SmAERbqRzB4ZaRRrVKiWRo/s1600/ididn'tcomeheretomakefriends.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I watch reality TV. Yes, I'm addicted to watching The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Yes, I bought this book. It was highly entertaining, raw, and I LOVED it. I'm all about keeping drama out of real life but I am totally up for pouring a big glass of wine and watching the drama unfold on TV. If you're a fan of the show, you need to read this book. Hilarious!<br />
<br />
Maybe farmer Chris will write a book :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEDpe7Z7mw4qWuOKlKMvQOowO6pxy-6blQQYweK8BL5_ouTs-TxldtP9drC5cWNF8hefMBmVPnKcnKWvf1TgPSI2lpH0AWTSNjkmTdA1HjfvOL-yEm1AxPpPY2kue7HwJBWWYyK7l7zbq/s1600/ifistay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEDpe7Z7mw4qWuOKlKMvQOowO6pxy-6blQQYweK8BL5_ouTs-TxldtP9drC5cWNF8hefMBmVPnKcnKWvf1TgPSI2lpH0AWTSNjkmTdA1HjfvOL-yEm1AxPpPY2kue7HwJBWWYyK7l7zbq/s1600/ifistay.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick, easy read. Apparently it is or is going to be a movie. I finished this book in two days and am getting ready to start the sequel, <i>Where She Went</i>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvw3g7sP3gVtoNPGYNY1axfMSDLef2Anen-gQc3HntTSFN4_WUFrN4kyAberFot_hwwXLlmaCmxZVgH20G1q8nlVfh710tM0pdrZHQE7DzO1FWIeVXZh0ir7ZDG2Kr4O5YvO1-r39eCE3/s1600/orange+is+the+new+black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvw3g7sP3gVtoNPGYNY1axfMSDLef2Anen-gQc3HntTSFN4_WUFrN4kyAberFot_hwwXLlmaCmxZVgH20G1q8nlVfh710tM0pdrZHQE7DzO1FWIeVXZh0ir7ZDG2Kr4O5YvO1-r39eCE3/s1600/orange+is+the+new+black.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've heard mixed reviews about the show and I've never actually seen it. This book is actually really good! I've never been to prison, and really plan on never going, but it seems to be a pretty unfiltered testimony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbKDSOST6Y5PCTO8OrSHhBdcWBvIfVYElxrMqNnoEvCOw3jqDTEFUu0VEkGUpD8PLQ6C6lXXODrgTlbyZa-Ip4YQE_w3xnkZlYQrddmUtE3Lid3TwQXAxQoPqfXmu6JDqoe4KIIM0fbzF/s1600/rosieproject.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbKDSOST6Y5PCTO8OrSHhBdcWBvIfVYElxrMqNnoEvCOw3jqDTEFUu0VEkGUpD8PLQ6C6lXXODrgTlbyZa-Ip4YQE_w3xnkZlYQrddmUtE3Lid3TwQXAxQoPqfXmu6JDqoe4KIIM0fbzF/s1600/rosieproject.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilarious! This book will cause you to humiliate yourself on a plane or in a waiting room because you will be laughing out loud. Couldn't put it down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65ENO3YPGuqtuH2tMm-nP3WaJOmOtIY5_po8kJDy8w8Se9cgcvtSP3W-TUd3MEMqYjjBVrJWvjyxPtqHfhTcmFE8dgk6NB1DqzlT7sSfQhpEhGLLJjB12mxzA9edjmHW8n2BQcCU-PXTW/s1600/thebeachhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65ENO3YPGuqtuH2tMm-nP3WaJOmOtIY5_po8kJDy8w8Se9cgcvtSP3W-TUd3MEMqYjjBVrJWvjyxPtqHfhTcmFE8dgk6NB1DqzlT7sSfQhpEhGLLJjB12mxzA9edjmHW8n2BQcCU-PXTW/s1600/thebeachhouse.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you love Charleston, South Carolina (which I do!) you will love this book. The setting is on Isle of Palms and it has a perfect mixture of real life... work, family, and a love story. Given to me by my mother-in-law, this book was a home run!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnsVAzFl8rB8nuBBF8RuXa37ZV_o8E9rWSNSMduqRh4Z6IrI8S_jKnOo7Qq_Yyu1RtCwxpiTnFVDUFpOI70G_UpJcaVdGHrKLTe1nEDbthGCXze2BkvthTt4Z98U34uAJqQYf3zYaePof/s1600/thegiver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnsVAzFl8rB8nuBBF8RuXa37ZV_o8E9rWSNSMduqRh4Z6IrI8S_jKnOo7Qq_Yyu1RtCwxpiTnFVDUFpOI70G_UpJcaVdGHrKLTe1nEDbthGCXze2BkvthTt4Z98U34uAJqQYf3zYaePof/s1600/thegiver.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I haven't read this book since elementary school, but since it is also going to be a movie I wanted to revisit the book before going to see the movie. My Mom read this book to my classroom so it has, and will always have, a special place in my heart. It really makes you think on a deeper level when you read it as an adult. It has sparked some great conversations. If you read it as a kid, you should revisit it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next in line....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgpg1LeivAvWwlBUeWCNcF7qEdmPZKvFaC6e2r74BRx1VT_j6UzP8LrBCad89bxsnlCABigtPlrIPDILd745Qo4Nap7gqOY4GYgoXVUX0G-5cvW5a7ciqenFvQAxK94oJ8sW8JUraUk66/s1600/where+she+went.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgpg1LeivAvWwlBUeWCNcF7qEdmPZKvFaC6e2r74BRx1VT_j6UzP8LrBCad89bxsnlCABigtPlrIPDILd745Qo4Nap7gqOY4GYgoXVUX0G-5cvW5a7ciqenFvQAxK94oJ8sW8JUraUk66/s1600/where+she+went.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLt-xrN1hmMgvPZhh49tpJikIGIn3vsy_16KXvCBpuivXDqfAwTZwgYbz2lzq-EZJPmHv1h8yg_F5y0BHbg6o5WUR59ZBfo3MuUja7GCQwRzQcK3-BbWC9lxxNFP08_q1v3IW0lcS5Hur/s1600/windsofwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLt-xrN1hmMgvPZhh49tpJikIGIn3vsy_16KXvCBpuivXDqfAwTZwgYbz2lzq-EZJPmHv1h8yg_F5y0BHbg6o5WUR59ZBfo3MuUja7GCQwRzQcK3-BbWC9lxxNFP08_q1v3IW0lcS5Hur/s1600/windsofwar.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
xoxoTarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-25018641802907911502014-09-29T11:42:00.000-04:002014-09-29T11:46:23.976-04:00Life in Tennessee<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhppg7i2i0j1Ah2BFEigMUrSuIHyQzUF-e-beragzAcqSs5M8JYyIvBTWABq0fwVi9AlZEyvrIhUCXk1mHXVGhK_Fo6Ua6cNS31MGo_mHuhvyhlQuoNKkorHTZEDKVedsY-k0CqQZI2EI/s640/blogger-image--457473018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhppg7i2i0j1Ah2BFEigMUrSuIHyQzUF-e-beragzAcqSs5M8JYyIvBTWABq0fwVi9AlZEyvrIhUCXk1mHXVGhK_Fo6Ua6cNS31MGo_mHuhvyhlQuoNKkorHTZEDKVedsY-k0CqQZI2EI/s400/blogger-image--457473018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Brian and I have officially relocated to middle Tennessee and have found what we consider to be "home". We had several years of unknown, with Brian going through the match process, selling houses, buying houses, packing, moving, and then waiting to hear where we would be going next.<br />
<br />
This time was very different. There wasn't a match process and for the first time in a very long time we were able to choose where we wanted to settle down. We knew we wanted a city within close proximity but that we wanted to live out in the country and have some land. This proved to be more challenging than we expected since Brian has to be fairly close to the hospital to take call. Brian knew exactly what he was looking for professionally. Finding a perfect combination of these things things in one place was not an easy venture.<br />
<br />
I'll spare you all of the details but after multiple interviews, trips, and house hunting adventures we finally found a town that seemed to meet all of our needs and more importantly fulfill all of our wishes for our new home and community!<br />
<br />
Brian joined Mid South Surgeons in August and is currently practicing as a vascular surgeon. It's a pretty crazy experience when you wake up one day and all of the training is over. Finished. It seems, for years, like it will never actually be over and then one day you wake up and it is. He is loving his job and feels blessed to work with such an amazing group of colleagues.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AWuEutwuFcNo2tq0ezY2WLnMSGadKXJH5WWDlzDqsZceRXiAHyX59dGQs04D72XvHjvQAbh4jsTITnB0-YOuOUC1ZRipb0iI14GbBOQ-x4UTXzg37m4LmrBz_SEnDzNNdywX1l63ryv6/s640/blogger-image-97564509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AWuEutwuFcNo2tq0ezY2WLnMSGadKXJH5WWDlzDqsZceRXiAHyX59dGQs04D72XvHjvQAbh4jsTITnB0-YOuOUC1ZRipb0iI14GbBOQ-x4UTXzg37m4LmrBz_SEnDzNNdywX1l63ryv6/s640/blogger-image-97564509.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I took a job working full time in the Maury Regional Emergency Department. It is so great to walk into the doctors lounge for lunch and be able to see my sweet husbands face, if only for long enough to say hello! Though I'm working full time, I really feel like I work half as much as I did in Pennsylvania which is truly a blessing! Thank goodness for working longer hours and fewer days. The people that I work with are amazing and I have, once again, been blessed with a group of amazing people.<br />
<br />
We ended up finding a home that was just exactly what we were looking for. Brian really wanted to be somewhere without neighbors and I, after renovating our home in Pennsylvania, was really looking forward to finding a home that didn't require us to sleep on an air mattress for months. God was really with us and blessed us with the perfect piece of property with a home that needed no work. Such an answered prayer! I'm a firm believer in having that mindset of "do what you have to do" but lets just say that we are REALLY glad we didn't have to renovate!<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ecykRJB2DhxVjNqHIBRiZFtgSLedyQG9iY9IkZl_dhYl9bxlD4do1pY1qs-ZaY9gD85ZXoSPsEIo5pqjfPHolBrk844MyW9KOgPCrHa6kzd776uhKEWp6C-XZTbS_B2qI9NhyphenhypheneGRkAIa/s640/blogger-image-986463226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ecykRJB2DhxVjNqHIBRiZFtgSLedyQG9iY9IkZl_dhYl9bxlD4do1pY1qs-ZaY9gD85ZXoSPsEIo5pqjfPHolBrk844MyW9KOgPCrHa6kzd776uhKEWp6C-XZTbS_B2qI9NhyphenhypheneGRkAIa/s200/blogger-image-986463226.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-S8yMy6rpAgkVAF73QXUR11X76LPwPISMps0jBgIsj0dtwTU5IzeQM9DKeyjNe90LZdSmvWvsFHtAvLbB1KFz7jLcA-HWhVNnb5jrbSsjIKf7gBW4hs8aJeFIoLQ6Fgq4ZmybZzJ65tO/s640/blogger-image-669849198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-S8yMy6rpAgkVAF73QXUR11X76LPwPISMps0jBgIsj0dtwTU5IzeQM9DKeyjNe90LZdSmvWvsFHtAvLbB1KFz7jLcA-HWhVNnb5jrbSsjIKf7gBW4hs8aJeFIoLQ6Fgq4ZmybZzJ65tO/s200/blogger-image-669849198.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJMkTyLvM-fUo43Xwo8tg5qiPJZeO7m5-iwptSu-WXrC_thMiectc8LqAeKJxe_93-MyYTqs-lmSVH-qOHdYnQxkWC8mk5qLPUqUIP1QVxdksj6rquIT9wXmEawl8SDBzP1seQP-sfZJj/s640/blogger-image--393912112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJMkTyLvM-fUo43Xwo8tg5qiPJZeO7m5-iwptSu-WXrC_thMiectc8LqAeKJxe_93-MyYTqs-lmSVH-qOHdYnQxkWC8mk5qLPUqUIP1QVxdksj6rquIT9wXmEawl8SDBzP1seQP-sfZJj/s400/blogger-image--393912112.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa2aAOAKICTAKXVxotewrz3DpunrH3_ciizDNbt7Li5vMDitldQwNmUN4uYOKi9GTRyLtGG8wehOX7Si6FJDfVu3WGtdWh6bE-PHHo6cOWjPgphihCTdn33tEjabZzcaxW7J7Kcda_tW-/s640/blogger-image--1979961190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa2aAOAKICTAKXVxotewrz3DpunrH3_ciizDNbt7Li5vMDitldQwNmUN4uYOKi9GTRyLtGG8wehOX7Si6FJDfVu3WGtdWh6bE-PHHo6cOWjPgphihCTdn33tEjabZzcaxW7J7Kcda_tW-/s400/blogger-image--1979961190.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Over the past few months we have been settling in to what we consider to be "real life" in our new home. We spend the weekends working outside, going on hikes around the property, fishing in the pond, making great dinners, reading, hanging out with friends, entertaining house guests, and occasionally venturing up to Franklin and Nashville. We've become Titans fans (when in Rome!) and are learning the concept of being fans even when the team isn't doing so hot. :-) Brian has become the master of tractor work. I've been able to get back to doing things I love... reading, cooking, running, and, finally, blogging again! We're slowly starting to meet new friends and also cherishing time with old friends. Brian is finally able to embrace all of his manly hobbies and it makes me so happy to see him finally able to enjoy his free time again! Now that he finally has some. :-)<br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LcxYfRbIZc7ia7-YNvZU8419jK7ODH0MobWnU2HqIbOpu8t4QS9sGJzZsA7VKaCwZteBzxXDEnF14MO4je2dRYbVcoNYSNUj00tj-alstQzlqFr9nUKDuE3jDI_jun67AGDJfNm4zfU8/s640/blogger-image-2094260985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LcxYfRbIZc7ia7-YNvZU8419jK7ODH0MobWnU2HqIbOpu8t4QS9sGJzZsA7VKaCwZteBzxXDEnF14MO4je2dRYbVcoNYSNUj00tj-alstQzlqFr9nUKDuE3jDI_jun67AGDJfNm4zfU8/s400/blogger-image-2094260985.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhGaC571-yLzu1N8dCdaR8crc72jJdnK1BOJSd-K8vu1Y90BtlKhDG1807c8xa4RWR3lsgog-Z_lC_A-iRu4mo-AJ9A_HEuSzpz2NT7IXWAU4v1-uyq4Q10lO-sNf864SHPUicMA91d-T/s640/blogger-image-1753563393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhGaC571-yLzu1N8dCdaR8crc72jJdnK1BOJSd-K8vu1Y90BtlKhDG1807c8xa4RWR3lsgog-Z_lC_A-iRu4mo-AJ9A_HEuSzpz2NT7IXWAU4v1-uyq4Q10lO-sNf864SHPUicMA91d-T/s400/blogger-image-1753563393.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN7Igil5rczJZJq-fWilse01UM1u_AzCkl08WZvD4a9ff7v-h3hKKmDdqDwkG-yy-KzXjNHpR46f8YFeN2iJeGiMJviZ06KgpwRCufE32XhxYvXCHLm4Eq4aVAgNqp9_iNjbBJjVxeLXB/s640/blogger-image--1529502963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN7Igil5rczJZJq-fWilse01UM1u_AzCkl08WZvD4a9ff7v-h3hKKmDdqDwkG-yy-KzXjNHpR46f8YFeN2iJeGiMJviZ06KgpwRCufE32XhxYvXCHLm4Eq4aVAgNqp9_iNjbBJjVxeLXB/s400/blogger-image--1529502963.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We feel truly blessed for this life and are more than ready for house guests! I can promise that the sheets will be clean, the wine glasses will be full, the Great Danes will be here to welcome you, and the table with be loaded with great food. Come visit us at the farm! <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAOLh5M8hLCjK0wNjpiv3fcRNcWqg-sZW_vOS3mN03b6aQ2rnvLW32DQjhCAHlSl2lzitbOhIwN2d0PdLx2COCFWwHJucIL9TJoyJSK1aM1Tz0egJxjJC3jk3Jnah_y8EFqv8HMc6prnf/s1600/polk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAOLh5M8hLCjK0wNjpiv3fcRNcWqg-sZW_vOS3mN03b6aQ2rnvLW32DQjhCAHlSl2lzitbOhIwN2d0PdLx2COCFWwHJucIL9TJoyJSK1aM1Tz0egJxjJC3jk3Jnah_y8EFqv8HMc6prnf/s1600/polk.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk6q29uMmoVvS_jirUzy6zG61zkqzZy7JHHeWTgbZOxRD2HUDxF9mLsLxGKVp6SbOaxPSUvfK27qX4XTuz0iw8BrS3jykGGwSOgQ8bPNRdgmrT5XDJx58-Ksk8wcddTs8_UxwcBw05WuA/s640/blogger-image-1872347258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk6q29uMmoVvS_jirUzy6zG61zkqzZy7JHHeWTgbZOxRD2HUDxF9mLsLxGKVp6SbOaxPSUvfK27qX4XTuz0iw8BrS3jykGGwSOgQ8bPNRdgmrT5XDJx58-Ksk8wcddTs8_UxwcBw05WuA/s200/blogger-image-1872347258.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTqq_CqDDrDWMMd9-MT44jW0DVBzzhn-7Uvt2O088DyVoIs-3KWLExdIfbvHYCmmVNIrjvhbnSW2NuJ-iMhoxdsZ1W4eu0NzMGBOjKeEoEB0xDtHdu9Acc_WjT2LQf0kZTRvqpqiGAz8Q/s640/blogger-image--494537937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZgFP4E3lTPBpygT8o88HzzOjpjejAHHOOI2jgSUh2YPvildtqY8LSAZwc4LbEvd6pJOrPpn5DQfrFAs7BYVpJN0xFdeCfL-55dPxYJmQjB2HS5QaRQdjhUiSwEL-4_V9uwrKvioy_B4m/s640/blogger-image--540950071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZgFP4E3lTPBpygT8o88HzzOjpjejAHHOOI2jgSUh2YPvildtqY8LSAZwc4LbEvd6pJOrPpn5DQfrFAs7BYVpJN0xFdeCfL-55dPxYJmQjB2HS5QaRQdjhUiSwEL-4_V9uwrKvioy_B4m/s200/blogger-image--540950071.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYQj-rJ5K5RO6NFBiLm_QKdNJwXWXeJdOvJkc13qpN6NoKb9BsCkUebiAke_c-Sd1rRoCZC2MHbFJIqhJFZ_jUOnfYRZoG2xDKsQxn5WqK1NcQLLnlMvV_CCBg0BPoByx9sbSdLdwUR7z/s640/blogger-image-336328946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYQj-rJ5K5RO6NFBiLm_QKdNJwXWXeJdOvJkc13qpN6NoKb9BsCkUebiAke_c-Sd1rRoCZC2MHbFJIqhJFZ_jUOnfYRZoG2xDKsQxn5WqK1NcQLLnlMvV_CCBg0BPoByx9sbSdLdwUR7z/s320/blogger-image-336328946.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYQj-rJ5K5RO6NFBiLm_QKdNJwXWXeJdOvJkc13qpN6NoKb9BsCkUebiAke_c-Sd1rRoCZC2MHbFJIqhJFZ_jUOnfYRZoG2xDKsQxn5WqK1NcQLLnlMvV_CCBg0BPoByx9sbSdLdwUR7z/s640/blogger-image-336328946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoVRlmlBcqykecuj3zhq-qv614AFOFMeBnFQnazufE4y7tNc-p_klfHKZzpvOebH5d32k1XfLRAB6OJrC1hznHCWBDcAnJMBWsheryoRAqIDyL-19MREcigWEhcdmpYkeFOxg_qmM6lpo/s640/blogger-image-1634138739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoVRlmlBcqykecuj3zhq-qv614AFOFMeBnFQnazufE4y7tNc-p_klfHKZzpvOebH5d32k1XfLRAB6OJrC1hznHCWBDcAnJMBWsheryoRAqIDyL-19MREcigWEhcdmpYkeFOxg_qmM6lpo/s400/blogger-image-1634138739.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-79186879058442022122013-11-19T13:00:00.003-05:002013-11-19T13:01:06.898-05:00Date Night On Tuesday? Definitely.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I can't wait to see my sweet husband tonight!! He has been in Wilkes-Barre doing an away rotation for the past two months and we are officially on the downhill slide. He has six more days of apartment, bachelor living until he is home.for.good! I try not to complain about him being away because, well, what would that help? Let me just tell you though... I will be one happy chick to be living under the same roof again. The best part is that after the end of this month there will be no more away rotations. Ever.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;">Residency and fellowship is all about flexibility and accepting whatever comes your way... and to be very honest with you we have LOVED it. Sure, there have been frustrating times, sleepless nights of nonstop pages, holidays spent away from family and even away from each other, and many plans that have had to be changed or cancelled last minute and unexpectedly... but ya know, at least we have been in it together. This will be a phase and time in our lives that we will hold very close to our hearts. I have LOVED this time. We have been forced to learn to depend 100% on each other, to be flexible and understanding, and to appreciate every singe second we get to spend together, every date night, and every weekend off. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;">As I decorate our home for Christmas, I've realized that this is pretty much it for our journey through residency and fellowship. We're putting our home on the market next month and trying to plan for our next step of life. Brian officially finishes fellowship in June... WOW time flies! We're so thankful and so blessed to have had such an amazing journey so far.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;">Now... I'm off to shower and get all dolled up for date night :-) I am amazed every day by my husband. He works so ridiculously hard without complaints, does extra work because he wants to make sure things are fair, and really has one of the coolest and scariest jobs I could ever imagine. However, somehow he still comes home and asks what he can do to help, has no fear of apologizing when he's wrong, makes me want to be a better person, makes me laugh until I can't breath, and makes me feel like the most important thing in the entire world. His investment to our home life is twice that of his investment to work... which is a lot! </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All things that EVERY woman deserves! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I'll definitely toast a margarita to that... and I plan to this evening!!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;">I stumbled upon this quote today and I think it's pretty amazing. </span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><i style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><i style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.”</i> – Bob Marley</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue Light', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span>Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-1017413131862492822013-11-17T21:51:00.002-05:002013-11-17T21:52:18.361-05:00BOOK GIFTAWAY: Cutting for Stone by Abraham VergheseOne of my very favorite things to do is read. I love it... especially when it involves cuddling up with my slippers, blanket, and puppies. However, for the past several years I've come up with a million and one excuses to justify why I don't have time. I need to clean the house. I need to be reading for work. I need to pay bills and run errands. I need to exercise. Blah, blah, blah. :-) While all of those things are true, there is no reason I can't take 30 minutes a day to sneak away. Thirty minutes always turns in to much, much longer but who's counting?<br />
<br />
I love that feeling when you find a book that just sucks you in. You know... the ones you just can't put down! I recently finished what I could consider to be a "must read".<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b></b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
There are a few books that we will have forever... our Bibles, our Marriam-Webster dictionary with the cover falling off, my set of Grimm's Fairy Tales that my mom read to me as a child, my copy of Polar Express, and my collection of Herman Wouk novels that were given to me by Brian's mom. They will all stay on our shelves forever. I love all things with sentimental value!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
However, since there are so many great books out there I think it's a shame to read one, put it on the shelf, and have it never be opened again because there are so many other great ones to read. So why not pass them along for others to enjoy?<br />
<br />
<b>Which brought me to my next idea... BOOK GIFTAWAY!</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>I'm a firm believer in paying it forward. So this is how its going to work. When I finish a great book, I'll post it on the blog with a short synopsis and if it's something you think you may be interested in reading then simply post something in the comments. I don't care if we're good friends, have talked once in our life, talk every day, or are complete strangers. I'm happy to send it to anyone that may enjoy it! After one week, I'll put everyones name in a hat, draw randomly, and then mail you the book. FOR FREE!!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The only thing I ask is that when you're finished that you pass it along to someone else that may love it. Doesn't matter who :)</b><br />
<br />
So here's the first book to be gifted. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. This book was recommended to me by one of my best friends, Carmen. It has been sitting on my coffee table for the past year. Shame on me! <br />
<br />
This book turned me in to a crazy lady. I was reading it at work, waking up much earlier than necessary to read, reading while pumping gas in my Prius (which takes 3 minutes) and then sitting at the pump to finish just one more page. I was out of control!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoSCd7hIa-F4Nv-yBowKgpzEGozL59ED6QXg5EZmLHWDnsCWZFHxWf6s8bklXGhmMvK8_zEcRp8T0xHLat5huBYYA-OdH2wTa9tHc1hV99_SZKp8If0vfwzsyvfaE0mxgCsVW5InSpccn/s1600/cuttingforstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoSCd7hIa-F4Nv-yBowKgpzEGozL59ED6QXg5EZmLHWDnsCWZFHxWf6s8bklXGhmMvK8_zEcRp8T0xHLat5huBYYA-OdH2wTa9tHc1hV99_SZKp8If0vfwzsyvfaE0mxgCsVW5InSpccn/s320/cuttingforstone.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="iframeContent" style="overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash British surgeon. Orphaned by their mother’s death and their father’s disappearance, bound together by a preternatural connection and a shared fascination with medicine, the twins come of age as Ethiopia hovers on the brink of revolution.<br />
<br />
Moving from Addis Ababa to New York City and back again, <i style="font-style: italic;">Cutting for Stone</i> is an unforgettable story of love and betrayal, medicine and ordinary miracles--and two brothers whose fates are forever intertwined.</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Abraham Verghese, the author of Cutting for Stone, is also a physician. He did his internal medicine residency in Johnson City, Tennessee. This is obviously a place near and dear to our family. His history and background are incredible! See the quote and link below to learn more about this amazing man. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://abrahamverghese.com/">http://abrahamverghese.com/</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 20px;">“I wanted the reader to see how entering medicine was a passionate quest, a romantic pursuit, a spiritual calling, a privileged yet hazardous undertaking,” he said. “It’s a view of medicine I don’t think too many young people see in the West because, frankly, in the sterile hallways of modern medical-industrial complexes, where physicians and nurses are hunkered down behind computer monitors, and patients are whisked off here and there for all manner of tests, that side of medicine gets lost.”</span></blockquote>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This book is truly sensational!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
If you're interested comment below within the next week and I'll let you know who will be receiving this gem!<br />
<br />
Happy Reading.<br />
xoxo</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-568147202614644862013-10-29T19:50:00.002-04:002016-01-07T13:31:14.118-05:00Gourmet Portobello Mac & CheeseOne of the most important things I've learned about residence and fellowship is that sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to get things done. Brian and I are in the middle of a crazy stretch... his call weekend, my work weekend, his regular work week, my night shift stretch, etc. You get the picture! I wasn't willing to let a whole week pass without spending at least a few hours with my hubs which meant one thing... ROAD TRIP! This long, crazy stretch will be so worth it when we're able to load up and head to Arkansas for a long weekend! YEHAW!<br />
<br />
I was able to find a few hours this weekend to sneak up to Wilkes-Barre. After hearing for days that Brian was either at Panera or chewing on sunflower seeds for dinner, I thought it would be nice for him to have a real meal for dinner. I've always heard that the way to a mans heart is through his belly :) I loaded up the Prius with a few spices, a few bags of groceries, and Brian's cast iron skillet.<br />
<br />
I'm a firm believer that macaroni and cheese should be it's own food group! I love it. All kinds. All shapes. All combinations of cheese. <br />
<br />
This dish is one that reminds me of something you would get at a fine steakhouse. It's perfect for a dinner party but in all honesty is probably "too much" for just a normal date night for two. This is mainly because the cheese can get a bit pricey and it makes way too much for just two people. It would be perfect for a group of four to six. I promise if you pull this out at your next dinner party your guests will leave full, happy, and begging for the recipe. It doesn't hurt that it's baked and served in cast iron. Cast iron makes everything better! We served this with Brian's pan seared scallops but it would also be awesome with a big, juicy, medium rare steak. It's rich, it's savory, and it's delicious. Mmmmmm.<br />
<br />
My next project is to find some individual size cast iron skillets... I see a dinner party in our near future! Who's coming??<br />
<br />
Enjoy.<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fZ1W9Zz_kAay38vg8uNBi8-8I5Ub6-pSIV4S-WJ6K0gVNqe8FnVt-CUp13ygAai8d_yIuOD5rInO3ANZx9ayMid_cet3axlsiaAjDNEvg8EbZ5g4NSPPi2gB6kUtAP-9JeG9ujjdYVwl/s1600/maccheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fZ1W9Zz_kAay38vg8uNBi8-8I5Ub6-pSIV4S-WJ6K0gVNqe8FnVt-CUp13ygAai8d_yIuOD5rInO3ANZx9ayMid_cet3axlsiaAjDNEvg8EbZ5g4NSPPi2gB6kUtAP-9JeG9ujjdYVwl/s320/maccheese.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The iPhone photo DOES NOT do this justice :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Gourmet Mushroom Mac & Cheese</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(recipe from leitesculinaria.com)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Ingredients</u></div>
<br />
<ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 25px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Handful</span> <span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">coarse sea salt</span>, to taste</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span> <span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">pound</span> <span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">macaroni (a classy macaroni called cavatappi is shown in the photo above)</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">10</span> <span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ounces</span> <span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">portobello mushrooms</span>, stems trimmed level with cap, gills removed</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2 to 3</span> <span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">tablespoons</span> <span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">vegetable oil</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Leaves from a few sprigs fresh parsley</span>, finely chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Leaves from a few sprigs fresh tarragon</span>, finely chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2</span> <span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cup</span> <span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">heavy cream</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3/4</span> <span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cup</span> <span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">tightly packed grated white Cheddar</span>, plus more to taste</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2/3</span> <span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cup</span> <span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">tightly packed grated Parmesan</span>, plus more to taste</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">8</span> <span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ounces</span> <span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Taleggio</span>, rind removed, diced or sliced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="ingredient-n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="ingredient-unit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="ingredient-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper</span>, to taste</li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: -15px;">
<u>Directions</u></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: -15px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"></span></div>
<ul class="directions-list" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200˚C).</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Arrange the mushrooms in a single layer on a baking sheet, stem-side up, and brush with oil. Season lightly with salt, sprinkle with the herbs, and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. Remove and let cool slightly. Dice the mushrooms and set aside.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Preheat the broiler to medium.</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Put the cream in a large saucepan and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce the heat. Add the Cheddar and Parmesan and half the Taleggio, and stir well to melt. Taste and adjust the seasoning. (If a thicker sauce is desired, add more cheese to taste.)</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">6. Dump the drained macaroni into a large bowl. Stir in half the mushrooms and the hot cream sauce and mix well. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Transfer the macaroni mixture to a 2-quart casserole or a 9-by-13-inch baking dish (be sure your baking dish is broilerproof; do not use a glass or ceramic dish). Top with the remaining mushrooms and Taleggio and a good grinding of black pepper. Broil for 5 to 10 minutes, until the top is golden. Serve immediately.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
**I made this is a large cast iron skillet. I poured just enough peanut oil to coat the bottom and prepared exactly as the directions suggest. It was so good, so pretty, and SO easy to clean up!**</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-52334526591721448942013-10-23T12:09:00.001-04:002013-10-23T13:02:29.677-04:00Foodie Friday: Camping Edition!<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
First and foremost, let me just set the record straight. There are no calories when camping! There are also no calories on date weekend, date night, girls night, Saturday mornings, or at Sunday dinner. With that being said, let me introduce you to Foodie Friday: Camping Edition!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While I do LOVE a nice hotdog or sausage cooked over the open fire that is lightly charred with chopped onion and spicy brown mustard, it is also so fun to change things up a little bit. One of the most beautiful things about camping is that there is just NO rush. There is nowhere to be, no DVR to catch up on, no cell phone service and that my friends is glorious. So why not prepare some gourmet food to go with your gourmet views?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We tried several new things this weekend... most of which were super easy! The prep work is all done in your home, before you leave for the weekend, while you're surrounded by your modern day kitchen amenities. When you get to the camp site your main job is to sit back, relax, and smell the delicious food cooking over an open fire.<br />
<br />
See information at the end of the post for help with the basics of cooking with a dutch oven and grilling with charcoal. It's really pretty simple once you get the hang of it :-)<br />
<br />
In addition to what you see below, Brian also made a beef stew and paired with his Mom's cast iron cornbread that was so amazing I can't even think of an adjective to do it justice. He and I shared a large bowl, dumped the cornbread in, and topped it with the stew. I'm so glad no one else was around to watch us devour it... it was pretty embarrassing. It was a continuous spoon, bowl, mouth motion barely allowing time to breath. More on Brian's awesome meal later. It really does warrant it's own post!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
xoxo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEkslVr3-IktoeGtjDU_IJPg586v2hzwt4No51XECuzba-mMNMTnLeb9zVUPdsxWZ3xQa1A27Qjv4hqCRAi-fxXv4fcIfSZwK6UmUCjMNMdh_0HeQ8aODyGUAwiGPxdks5uI80I1k1uRm/s1600/IMG_5733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEkslVr3-IktoeGtjDU_IJPg586v2hzwt4No51XECuzba-mMNMTnLeb9zVUPdsxWZ3xQa1A27Qjv4hqCRAi-fxXv4fcIfSZwK6UmUCjMNMdh_0HeQ8aODyGUAwiGPxdks5uI80I1k1uRm/s1600/IMG_5733.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Onion Bombs On The Grill</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sorry veg friends... you may have to pass on this one. One of my guilty pleasures and all time favorite foods is meatloaf. This awesome dish is made with large white onions, meatloaf, and topped with a special sauce. The concept is so easy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take a large white onion. Cut it in half removing the center of the onion to create an open ball/hollow area in the center. Prepare a meatloaf with whatever recipe you choose. Make a large ball of meatloaf and place in the center hole of the onion repositioning the second half of the onion so that it looks whole again. Wrap twice in foil and throw it in your cooler. Mix up your sauce and place in quart size ziplock.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When you get to the campsite, simply throw the foil balls onto the grill (direct heat), turning every 10-15 minutes, and cooking for one hour. Remove foil and you're DONE! Top with sauce.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The sauce is so easy. Make a small foil boat and heat only the grill for 2-3 minutes until warm. Pour over onion bombs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We served this with asparagus that we tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper, 1 tbs lemon juice, and parmesan and romano cheese. We grilled this in a foil boat until tender.<br />
<br />
While the photos may not make the onion bombs look super appealing (it's hard to get great food photos in the woods!) trust me when I tell you they are to DIE FOR! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Onion Bombs</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4 large white onions</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meatloaf recipe made with 1lb ground beef</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Foil</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Sauce</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/4 cup Sweet and Spicy Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/4 cup ketchup</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4 cloves minced garlic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 tbs brown sugar<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunjIjjXDb2dX6PeR0B4nSstGF01yWBbe28QczEeuI3e_3NmQZ8EPKdNujL4FQeB8n4atObmSwuq_uew9-svhX1ZDt_AjN1QKdFvGfr6Y7jLJjGrTvkYq6nWDMugrVQXICr9sD6Evn0g6a/s1600/IMG_5720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunjIjjXDb2dX6PeR0B4nSstGF01yWBbe28QczEeuI3e_3NmQZ8EPKdNujL4FQeB8n4atObmSwuq_uew9-svhX1ZDt_AjN1QKdFvGfr6Y7jLJjGrTvkYq6nWDMugrVQXICr9sD6Evn0g6a/s1600/IMG_5720.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEUeoyJEnbD03Gv1tiEe1HON4w5zlsoMY8AnB7ZQxKTZN8RdwLkTyZ85YrFCdxTZufQVA_M_s1zf5DKZh5ikY_QtBqRWaAYcFe6yMQalo2jxFPBI1gZ4GrjOwYuAoz6xZ8UczUKIwfBfc/s1600/IMG_5870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEUeoyJEnbD03Gv1tiEe1HON4w5zlsoMY8AnB7ZQxKTZN8RdwLkTyZ85YrFCdxTZufQVA_M_s1zf5DKZh5ikY_QtBqRWaAYcFe6yMQalo2jxFPBI1gZ4GrjOwYuAoz6xZ8UczUKIwfBfc/s1600/IMG_5870.jpg" height="360" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Dutch Oven Cinnamon Rolls</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(recipe from livewellnetwork.com)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This recipe is also made 100% at home, frozen, and then brought to your campsite ready to be cut and placed in the dutch oven. This makes for an easy, stress free morning that allows you to have coffee and watch the sunrise while breakfast is cooking away! This is slightly labor intensive at home just as any homemade bread can be... but it is SO worth it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Cinnamon Rolls</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Dough</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 pkg active dry yeast</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 tbs honey</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 1/4 cups warm milk</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4 tbs melted and cooled butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 large eggs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 1/2 tsp salt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5 1/3 cups flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Filling</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 tbs cinnamon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 cup raisins</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 tbs softened butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Icing</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 cup powdered sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3 tbs honey</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 tbs prepared coffee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Prepare your dough. In stand mixer or bowl comping yeast with 1/4 cup warm water and honey. Stir together. Let sit for approximately five minutes until it starts to bubble. Add milk, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix together. Using a dough hook, slowly add flour one cup at a time mixing on medium low speed until smooth and elastic. This takes about 10 minutes. Place dough in an oiled mixing bowl, cover with damp towel, and let it rise until the size has doubled. This will take about an hour.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After dough has risen, punch it down to release some of the air, lightly flour your work space, and roll dough into 12" by 24" rectangle.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Prepare your filling. Spread 6 tbs of butter over rolled out dough. Mix all other filling ingredients and spread equally over dough.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Once dough is rolled out and filling is spread evenly begin rolling the dough towards you. You want to roll it from the longer side so that you have a roll that is 24" long. Pinch ends. Cut into two pieces. Lightly oil a gallon size ziplock, toss it (carefully!) into the ziplock and put into the freezer until the morning you leave. It needs to be frozen for at least 6 hours and can be stored for up to 1 month.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. Mix icing ingredients in small bowl and pour into a ziplock. Make sure you use coffee that has been prepared and not grounds.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Ready to camp??</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Simply get your logs out of the ziplock, slice into 1.5" to 2" rolls. Grease dutch oven with peanut oil (remember to get the sides). Arrange cinnamon rolls so they're touching. Let them stand for about 30 minutes in the sun to warm up a bit. Bake in dutch oven at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1YlnIOuXHrHQCv8CUx6dbimnVkPPgj_CaycBnn_RNF0lWKiGnIulH3qxz8I36zHI-ZAH8AlGuR44E7hIIb8zl3mesiaN1uonBbDYq8AzkBnZuI28qoS2kF_WOzJY18KRKuKb08tX1z3K/s1600/IMG_5920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1YlnIOuXHrHQCv8CUx6dbimnVkPPgj_CaycBnn_RNF0lWKiGnIulH3qxz8I36zHI-ZAH8AlGuR44E7hIIb8zl3mesiaN1uonBbDYq8AzkBnZuI28qoS2kF_WOzJY18KRKuKb08tX1z3K/s1600/IMG_5920.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pour icing on top and enjoy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-mFSiYB4LFsi5j76FeH71XHflSUJPYWKZJt5J6dL8Bf_QtRjbk3KFZhvwKpZbjUhRtul39yFzZS3PAvU2h4xFCmC4y2z8KH2qAqQbxTLgXAtxCuSIOO0U6TRFM1ExuF8pP2KoI0L-qCq/s1600/IMG_5925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-mFSiYB4LFsi5j76FeH71XHflSUJPYWKZJt5J6dL8Bf_QtRjbk3KFZhvwKpZbjUhRtul39yFzZS3PAvU2h4xFCmC4y2z8KH2qAqQbxTLgXAtxCuSIOO0U6TRFM1ExuF8pP2KoI0L-qCq/s1600/IMG_5925.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ72oeoSSGFnFTFLzR4hmekaqx8r0YQxrJTnLKe3emIZ2ZZUgH_ILdC0Yrxc46AjT0wWNGjoYbleATZYif8QQTY77Axz4iRsBtrBuv_K13sBpgGhyphenhyphend-kIhcD0Idqa8j_V5r95TH_uN-Uom/s1600/IMG_5781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ72oeoSSGFnFTFLzR4hmekaqx8r0YQxrJTnLKe3emIZ2ZZUgH_ILdC0Yrxc46AjT0wWNGjoYbleATZYif8QQTY77Axz4iRsBtrBuv_K13sBpgGhyphenhyphend-kIhcD0Idqa8j_V5r95TH_uN-Uom/s1600/IMG_5781.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5au2XsUCp_RJHgAcp_lPJ_OP1eiX-LwjFJK0Z2dHZUFJeSI_rLxLCwS2idrBRCDMxl1wz_ARH_lMws9tj9VQckjzkwaKGD_f2IyIDz3TBK546-0sGYl7Jxzlo_YZeLCfv3Ipw4XHdbvy/s1600/IMG_5782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5au2XsUCp_RJHgAcp_lPJ_OP1eiX-LwjFJK0Z2dHZUFJeSI_rLxLCwS2idrBRCDMxl1wz_ARH_lMws9tj9VQckjzkwaKGD_f2IyIDz3TBK546-0sGYl7Jxzlo_YZeLCfv3Ipw4XHdbvy/s1600/IMG_5782.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Breakfast Burritos</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are also made 100% at home and simply tossed on the grill! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 lb chorizo sausae</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 hot/medium hot peppers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 large white onion</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 cloves garlic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 large eggs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 cups of cheese (I used Mexican blend)<br />
1 pkg medium tortilla shells</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sautee chorizo sausage separate from onions, peppers, and garlic. Prepare scrambled eggs as </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you normally would. Fill tortillas with a layer of scrambled egg, chorizo, peppers, onions, and cheese. Fold and wrap in saran wrap individually. Place 3-4 in a ziplock and freeze the night before you leave.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The morning of simply get them out of the cooler and throw them on the grill using INDIRECT heat. See photo below for our first attempt when we tried using direct heat... epic failure!! Grill slowly until golden brown and warm to touch. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Top with salsa and sour cream.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhfhhns3AS36q21GRMDYHzfpKd0Q2l6j6QFiTD6gqFP7tuv3LEHf6Tfbh8Lmoqa9D-hxE6Z1tYTBBvfJsz8gLUVm2nn0cAeEg3GfRDpTjbwvqOdtSPsdLh_SSy03WESuxuH0mhAPECFip/s1600/IMG_5779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhfhhns3AS36q21GRMDYHzfpKd0Q2l6j6QFiTD6gqFP7tuv3LEHf6Tfbh8Lmoqa9D-hxE6Z1tYTBBvfJsz8gLUVm2nn0cAeEg3GfRDpTjbwvqOdtSPsdLh_SSy03WESuxuH0mhAPECFip/s1600/IMG_5779.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indirect heat using direct heat just to brown at end.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5uXNduEixnFaIFeY-6jDOxJ-4UKsOwDQCpxvx5ECQeWmbJIhE_CVPHdvV_cG3Z_H2mNmB8RbPvAJFsAfjWCP2Qejutv4vBjIvkN7pkaWgVcTgs2GTKAgRLdROmtYAev7jMRMmNM4CJwt/s1600/IMG_5783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5uXNduEixnFaIFeY-6jDOxJ-4UKsOwDQCpxvx5ECQeWmbJIhE_CVPHdvV_cG3Z_H2mNmB8RbPvAJFsAfjWCP2Qejutv4vBjIvkN7pkaWgVcTgs2GTKAgRLdROmtYAev7jMRMmNM4CJwt/s1600/IMG_5783.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Direct heat disaster!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
________________________________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>TennTucky Cobbler</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(recipe from everydaydutchoven.com)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 cup sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 cup self rising flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 cup milk</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 cup melted butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 cups fresh or frozen berries</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 cup sugar (for topping)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This cobbler is so easy and so delicious!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lightly oil dutch oven. You can even premix all of your ingredients at home (leave out the berries and cinnamon). Pour batter into dutch oven, sprinkle berries on top of batter, top with sugar and cinnamon. Brian prefers tart deserts and isn't big on sugar so he recommended leaving the sugar off the top! The beauty is that you can use any fruit that you choose. We used a mixture of blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries.<br />
<br />
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are no photos of our fabulous cobbler because we literally made it under a tarp, at 10:00pm, in the pouring rain! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
________________________________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I'm a firm believer in knowing the how and why of what you're doing before doing it. Below are the very basics of dutch oven cooking and grilling with charcoal.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><u>Basics Of Dutch Oven Cooking</u></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I did quite a bit of research on this cooking method before we left for fear that we would be in the middle of the woods with burnt food... and I don't do well when I'm hungry :)</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Dutch ovens are meant to cook food with even heat distribution with relatively low heat. Make sure for camping that you get a dutch oven with legs and an inset lid. Also, make sure it is well seasoned! Having a well seasoned piece of cast iron can make or break you success! There are tons of methods and articles on how to do this. Take the time and make sure you do it! </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Here are the need-to-know basics.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
1. The oven works by putting coals below the dutch oven and also on the lid.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
2. There is a formula to use to calculate how many coals to use. For 350 degrees use this easy +2/-2 formula.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Find the diameter of your dutch oven (There is a number printed on the lid... ours is 10")</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Coals on top is diameter +2 (12 for us)</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Coals on bottom is diameter -2 (8 for us)</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
3. Arrange the coals below the dutch oven in a circle so that there is no heat directly below the cooking surface. This helps avoid burning the bottom of your food.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
4. Arrange to coals on the lid in a circle and also with coals in the middle. 2/3 around the perimeter and 1/3 in the center. We lined 8 coals around the edge and 4 in the middle.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
5. To increase by 100 degrees add 4 coals to the top and one to the bottom.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><u>Basics Of Grilling With Charcoal</u></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
1. Weber makes small briquettes to start charcoal. Use them! Place one under your charcoal chimney.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
2. Fill chimney with charcoal and light briquettes with long lighter.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
3. Let charcoal heat and burn until the charcoal on top is white with red embers.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
4. Pour into grill.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
5. Decide on direct vs. indirect cooking</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Direct cooking means all charcoal is evenly dispersed throughout the grill and your food is being cooked directly above the charcoal.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Indirect is when the charcoal heats the food indirectly by being placed on one side of the grill while the food is on the other.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
GOOD LUCK!!</div>
</div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-89947636814959815482013-10-22T12:38:00.002-04:002013-10-22T12:38:43.932-04:00Be Present. Do Date Weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDqZqSRyfegOkwI6KJebPnb5IGjezjx5dtIXDSJyvx6_Qxj79qZdW0IialhUgiub9PaHMZZV5stLhxZazurgD-BdmV-d-zeT3bekkEPcu39RiWwfCGDxvmJUTgtHh4nwRSDoSH6jiYi1i/s1600/IMG_5863.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDqZqSRyfegOkwI6KJebPnb5IGjezjx5dtIXDSJyvx6_Qxj79qZdW0IialhUgiub9PaHMZZV5stLhxZazurgD-BdmV-d-zeT3bekkEPcu39RiWwfCGDxvmJUTgtHh4nwRSDoSH6jiYi1i/s1600/IMG_5863.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It's so easy to get caught up in everyday life. It's easy to become consumed with all that you have to do, how many hours you have to put in at work, all of the chores you have to take care of, bills and mail that need to be sorted, dogs that need to go to the vet, laundry that needs to be done, and the list goes on and on... AND ON.<br />
<br />
I challenge you to take a moment and just STOP. Make an effort to "be present" in your life.<br />
<br />
Life will go on if the laundry isn't done right this minute (or even within the next few days) and the world will keep spinning if the house isn't perfectly clean. Are the little odd jobs of life really what's important to you? HECK NO!! God has blessed you with one special life and I challenge you to get out there and live it. <br />
<br />
There are a few things in life that you cannot create more of. One of those very precious things is time. Unfortunately, the clock keeps ticking and every minute that passes is another minute that you cannot get back. Take every opportunity to live life, enjoy the simple things, and be present in the things you are doing. Leave the laundry and go have date weekend. Spend your time actually spending time together. When you're talking to your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriends, or family make an effort to put down the iPhone, put away the iPad, turn down the TV and focus 100% on what they're saying. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0X_HLW-GkRGS2TFbK_gQ7Yu0pwvOUeKp8XNVKm39rkSOt-YF9piveLDWXISs4Ltw-VL26Y9JKOTntyqFHrAIgA4Q6zdPv5E3u4fck8nl2N1Va-Bthzgq6Z3JzV4hR04hQKDmB4gWL6TV/s1600/IMG_5949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0X_HLW-GkRGS2TFbK_gQ7Yu0pwvOUeKp8XNVKm39rkSOt-YF9piveLDWXISs4Ltw-VL26Y9JKOTntyqFHrAIgA4Q6zdPv5E3u4fck8nl2N1Va-Bthzgq6Z3JzV4hR04hQKDmB4gWL6TV/s1600/IMG_5949.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
One of the most amazing things in life, in my opinion, is having DATE WEEKENDS! Take the time to get away together and enjoy each others company. Catching up on life and actually having more than five minutes to plan for your future is priceless. It is amazing how refreshing it is to spend the entire weekend with the one you love. Pure bliss if you ask me. Now... Do date weekends have to be fancy and lavish? Absolutely not! In fact, I've found that simpler is often times better.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcn96Ut1Sh6MTVYQfutK5rHWuR9DNmimuUGidCFL4Ake0AwMK2m0gC-_RpzHr6kZvKbNmylranz5kDEpw_ag3ckwsH8paVIynyMwK0f6k6ZAJIIGdA7snzTzRRbeeEE-5E724K6mYFj62/s1600/IMG_5748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcn96Ut1Sh6MTVYQfutK5rHWuR9DNmimuUGidCFL4Ake0AwMK2m0gC-_RpzHr6kZvKbNmylranz5kDEpw_ag3ckwsH8paVIynyMwK0f6k6ZAJIIGdA7snzTzRRbeeEE-5E724K6mYFj62/s1600/IMG_5748.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSKPjLBR_HtbuFonyeropJIoglbNj_Tf81UKIvkatCiKfrhFD9trrcCekdQ3y9DMfGNNJGYe7ebt82qE2y4EHQT6veOCTMdOmuPn49DYCr8vrme4TUNEHXevtnWtDpSMftLXYH88US317/s1600/IMG_5835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSKPjLBR_HtbuFonyeropJIoglbNj_Tf81UKIvkatCiKfrhFD9trrcCekdQ3y9DMfGNNJGYe7ebt82qE2y4EHQT6veOCTMdOmuPn49DYCr8vrme4TUNEHXevtnWtDpSMftLXYH88US317/s1600/IMG_5835.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This past weekend Brian and I had an amazing date weekend! I've actually named it as one of my top five memories with Brian... EVER! We headed north to Seneca Lake. Since we've lived in Pennsylvania we've talked numerous times about going to the Finger Lakes for wine tastings. We opted for camping instead of getting a hotel and found an amazing camp site right on the lake. We woke up each morning and watched the sunrise while having fresh coffee made over hot coals. We made delicious meals with the dutch oven and spent Saturday night huddled under a tarp in the pouring rain drinking wine and throwing together a homemade cobbler. I learned that my husband is the worlds greatest rock skipper. It was perfection.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTfWbLts_bZXCJHiJSCdE17qmwo6RC7NlE8g_ASXSpyPp75H05Z-Lm3hCkNlp-LwB4dCVRKSkQCLV1-ARFFjmQai_pfV8F_VAkKnspsm2nZhITysckzWn_zxjtkpu-VBLyCd2Y1Y_plCJ/s1600/IMG_5728_2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTfWbLts_bZXCJHiJSCdE17qmwo6RC7NlE8g_ASXSpyPp75H05Z-Lm3hCkNlp-LwB4dCVRKSkQCLV1-ARFFjmQai_pfV8F_VAkKnspsm2nZhITysckzWn_zxjtkpu-VBLyCd2Y1Y_plCJ/s1600/IMG_5728_2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg8gDTpzH5JteIz2T2obfANe1rMlUTwkYHVvzCL73nIpuW-ba2lF1tMoQ2zuaF_lpKzxu20WiTFMW7mKyCs1LLClyVurMZ46e4URf286wZHHEiUto6bhpbJiHZ0seOYk2trbKC2-FKD_o/s1600/IMG_5776_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg8gDTpzH5JteIz2T2obfANe1rMlUTwkYHVvzCL73nIpuW-ba2lF1tMoQ2zuaF_lpKzxu20WiTFMW7mKyCs1LLClyVurMZ46e4URf286wZHHEiUto6bhpbJiHZ0seOYk2trbKC2-FKD_o/s1600/IMG_5776_2.jpg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTfWbLts_bZXCJHiJSCdE17qmwo6RC7NlE8g_ASXSpyPp75H05Z-Lm3hCkNlp-LwB4dCVRKSkQCLV1-ARFFjmQai_pfV8F_VAkKnspsm2nZhITysckzWn_zxjtkpu-VBLyCd2Y1Y_plCJ/s1600/IMG_5728_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLylb2JGMQiZPvXDxLtn9El5KD39M30IrwlGjb7cO2OOhpEQHPP3TyA7ZZ4q8C9EpzW8_b4vPoiO1xnjaxEknJFNcveyjlbYiiWI-n4EQ5I2XGNqwNb9glVWC_FL8l8HFP1On1xaJqJ5y/s1600/IMG_5807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLylb2JGMQiZPvXDxLtn9El5KD39M30IrwlGjb7cO2OOhpEQHPP3TyA7ZZ4q8C9EpzW8_b4vPoiO1xnjaxEknJFNcveyjlbYiiWI-n4EQ5I2XGNqwNb9glVWC_FL8l8HFP1On1xaJqJ5y/s1600/IMG_5807.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We spent the days traveling the countryside and stopping at several wineries. The weather was perfect, the leaves were turning, and it was a perfect representation of fall in the northeast. It was hoodie and scarf weather with no jacket required during the day! I was with my sweet hubs and had my Canon over my shoulder. We picked some grapes off of one of the vines and then headed back to our campsite to get bundled up and make dinner. It was my definition of paradise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHqlWxTb6LruH8TppcxrbA52YTLIpvFO7iX9necA45xCmgth9bVueQjjbPaifGj4Cw_Tzmu5wveqYOGidgB8p9zHtAlP60nxsJcwLyVdf17gervdwS0X5EO_OpmAdYCNmA875fTPnYKh2/s1600/IMG_5936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHqlWxTb6LruH8TppcxrbA52YTLIpvFO7iX9necA45xCmgth9bVueQjjbPaifGj4Cw_Tzmu5wveqYOGidgB8p9zHtAlP60nxsJcwLyVdf17gervdwS0X5EO_OpmAdYCNmA875fTPnYKh2/s1600/IMG_5936.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXh7HfrSzXSogA6TaAMAxlCqvTTlMwoe0vG5WVHBjaGTyb4DlXNlT278aVnFUJ2KsBu2IYbsWEYMfFEvECRPD_IZHnxhaO-0SmOdYPX7jq1xb2RMFLewhnk1TufP5nl0VjUxizLNyuFR5E/s1600/IMG_5815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXh7HfrSzXSogA6TaAMAxlCqvTTlMwoe0vG5WVHBjaGTyb4DlXNlT278aVnFUJ2KsBu2IYbsWEYMfFEvECRPD_IZHnxhaO-0SmOdYPX7jq1xb2RMFLewhnk1TufP5nl0VjUxizLNyuFR5E/s1600/IMG_5815.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdEhISK-ohP7HqtufL-3xn5ZK8P5jjFDGDpJcSlKzrKJvAalRah_lL96h12koTUTjyxzSAdO7O4bQlR1HJvcBBLUa0AgG7UoikiJgfmVC4dVPp5FdUuXRzCFYKKZoQ1wuyMN8gzalrhit/s1600/IMG_5934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdEhISK-ohP7HqtufL-3xn5ZK8P5jjFDGDpJcSlKzrKJvAalRah_lL96h12koTUTjyxzSAdO7O4bQlR1HJvcBBLUa0AgG7UoikiJgfmVC4dVPp5FdUuXRzCFYKKZoQ1wuyMN8gzalrhit/s1600/IMG_5934.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What if this was your "work" everyday?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For an entire weekend we were both "present" and spent all of our time together just enjoying and loving every minute of this precious life. We slept outside, didn't have a bathroom, and wore the same clothes two nights in a row and I'm here to tell you it beat the socks off of any Marriott we could have found.<br />
<br />
My one and only complaint is that it had to end. I try to avoid the Monday blues but this Monday was a bit tough! Yesterday I had to make the choice to go to work and "be present". <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs9GQe_u1vjGMvkfRXRFqqd8hTPKXZET4qqKkHjwr7p9naiHNwyfiBkulV4rwIDrfwVEXpxC_WTq9OdicwmJ1phAm8fURXTziMI1XqD3-sy_SV92h1nxDEIf7_itOX7Xvx7aupqVBp6XP/s1600/IMG_5758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs9GQe_u1vjGMvkfRXRFqqd8hTPKXZET4qqKkHjwr7p9naiHNwyfiBkulV4rwIDrfwVEXpxC_WTq9OdicwmJ1phAm8fURXTziMI1XqD3-sy_SV92h1nxDEIf7_itOX7Xvx7aupqVBp6XP/s1600/IMG_5758.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC8KmKvzS8Ufg_LV4QWGd-l4dDPIoICLAWduu5PNyzdVtf0lZsFrsCGkFJboPTA1-_Dci4Tj170ws5Mhp6HjeUx5leFa3VBjzLr4hvor8aTqlFve1ltdxDpmk3gb6sxVsaTdUakuqOfIw/s1600/IMG_5795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC8KmKvzS8Ufg_LV4QWGd-l4dDPIoICLAWduu5PNyzdVtf0lZsFrsCGkFJboPTA1-_Dci4Tj170ws5Mhp6HjeUx5leFa3VBjzLr4hvor8aTqlFve1ltdxDpmk3gb6sxVsaTdUakuqOfIw/s1600/IMG_5795.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w2sKrs73xUB2LnyAQARU9Xg10RpgEM5CsC8XXMaxqYMe1G58izFTAggBIx1JMDuqRV7A60mJEQUf7jupxvlaiptdoUydWEgVpVi6U6oCSM_9sAemLqr5Kwk58OjA8y9kCFy_eSEXD-hC/s1600/IMG_5751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w2sKrs73xUB2LnyAQARU9Xg10RpgEM5CsC8XXMaxqYMe1G58izFTAggBIx1JMDuqRV7A60mJEQUf7jupxvlaiptdoUydWEgVpVi6U6oCSM_9sAemLqr5Kwk58OjA8y9kCFy_eSEXD-hC/s1600/IMG_5751.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Please, please, please do yourself a favor and DO DATE WEEKEND! If you feel like you don't have time... make time! We had the most amazing weekend and truly probably spent less on food, gas, and lodging than we would have just by going out for one nice dinner. Date weekend doesn't have to be fancy and it doesn't have to cost you a ton of money. The only thing required is that you're there, "being present", together! One thing I can promise you is that we will never regret spending a weekend away.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bGUHPJGcwth1PVM3hm9OcRtNW5RZc-WO-yS3RhPEf_5s0T9PeG5KSOiF5Wyp6uRxOcPBzeQVLtw4aPStSQEdtMF_yoVPQvPWssQTF2UyrxbGBmDTKs9nQIz4ShhkfsLb2CqBOwpx8007/s1600/IMG_5741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bGUHPJGcwth1PVM3hm9OcRtNW5RZc-WO-yS3RhPEf_5s0T9PeG5KSOiF5Wyp6uRxOcPBzeQVLtw4aPStSQEdtMF_yoVPQvPWssQTF2UyrxbGBmDTKs9nQIz4ShhkfsLb2CqBOwpx8007/s1600/IMG_5741.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a brand new day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3kiNkyR0p-LrN9ydwd271vox2mDBB9Rm39-3dj_zRyy4JEio0JCJm9DLwBrSSKfAXzA4Y2Uv0x41wABQtLnj237IQB6Q3IE4qTtRyauvwgEyKxwoU3a-ntU-AU74QHcxfdkvUuCNkA-3/s1600/IMG_5851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3kiNkyR0p-LrN9ydwd271vox2mDBB9Rm39-3dj_zRyy4JEio0JCJm9DLwBrSSKfAXzA4Y2Uv0x41wABQtLnj237IQB6Q3IE4qTtRyauvwgEyKxwoU3a-ntU-AU74QHcxfdkvUuCNkA-3/s1600/IMG_5851.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heaven let your light shine down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Stay tuned for Foodie Friday: Camping Edition! We made several amazing dishes that were ridiculously easy and equally delicious!!<br />
<br />
Here are some of my favorite photos from this weekend. You know I had my Canon strapped to my body the entire time :-)<br />
<br />
If you're from this area and interested in a Seneca Lake date weekend with camping and wine tasting send me an email (tbandricks@gmail.com) and I'll send you a list of all of our favorite places with information on the campsite.<br />
<br />
My advice for the day... if you have the chance ALWAYS get up in time to watch the sunrise.<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v9GbFLWnSyDAt7dJkbOWNHgJ2aYG7NB-f1BCI7c5BTPu0xBG27aFIXgChhQoO_yj7GAJTbP6qzl7FqVlaR8LbVmABbvM6l8NHjym5aEq8csfh9lHpolw1naZeDjFMnBvy7h7B_EKec6t/s1600/IMG_5789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v9GbFLWnSyDAt7dJkbOWNHgJ2aYG7NB-f1BCI7c5BTPu0xBG27aFIXgChhQoO_yj7GAJTbP6qzl7FqVlaR8LbVmABbvM6l8NHjym5aEq8csfh9lHpolw1naZeDjFMnBvy7h7B_EKec6t/s1600/IMG_5789.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall colors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v9GbFLWnSyDAt7dJkbOWNHgJ2aYG7NB-f1BCI7c5BTPu0xBG27aFIXgChhQoO_yj7GAJTbP6qzl7FqVlaR8LbVmABbvM6l8NHjym5aEq8csfh9lHpolw1naZeDjFMnBvy7h7B_EKec6t/s1600/IMG_5789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvsIGKpwG1ZAboBD4_43f6Ot-U6vnuH2oiFujo_Mc-Mz841_6Z93M7lbrunog9in5sJhf0IUYrTtVABXDvHzX2XX1Cbau1hP0HrmgVxx1EEfbKyhpDhQAuoth63uRc_5QJNwXjdww8lUY/s1600/IMG_5866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvsIGKpwG1ZAboBD4_43f6Ot-U6vnuH2oiFujo_Mc-Mz841_6Z93M7lbrunog9in5sJhf0IUYrTtVABXDvHzX2XX1Cbau1hP0HrmgVxx1EEfbKyhpDhQAuoth63uRc_5QJNwXjdww8lUY/s1600/IMG_5866.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-BTxrsxk-33KAmEBTJfTOO1y6eqJXzU9jWQAQRJ5HIt3OqYoTIgkyh116jLF2_kNzvd5YLyIxwCiSBkZL_fhPFKB2kE5K8BJWOE_4lLh8CHRP9ggbaLyhJL5nw5eBtirrCZTigZQrTFw/s1600/IMG_5854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-BTxrsxk-33KAmEBTJfTOO1y6eqJXzU9jWQAQRJ5HIt3OqYoTIgkyh116jLF2_kNzvd5YLyIxwCiSBkZL_fhPFKB2kE5K8BJWOE_4lLh8CHRP9ggbaLyhJL5nw5eBtirrCZTigZQrTFw/s1600/IMG_5854.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For any woman who wonders why their husbands want to go fishing in the early morning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvsIGKpwG1ZAboBD4_43f6Ot-U6vnuH2oiFujo_Mc-Mz841_6Z93M7lbrunog9in5sJhf0IUYrTtVABXDvHzX2XX1Cbau1hP0HrmgVxx1EEfbKyhpDhQAuoth63uRc_5QJNwXjdww8lUY/s1600/IMG_5866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PzNNwetfXqCT_0k1ecymDF2qBURDW9vdeOgKN-mphDHhr_wrxiGD5pK6_lU8_DppXHyu2aNfKp0jf01fLOI62UJLwOeRVzNbZjSUICvjsSW52y6WHP0ciPIwTiu1awo-dg6U0oJqAfcB/s1600/IMG_5919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PzNNwetfXqCT_0k1ecymDF2qBURDW9vdeOgKN-mphDHhr_wrxiGD5pK6_lU8_DppXHyu2aNfKp0jf01fLOI62UJLwOeRVzNbZjSUICvjsSW52y6WHP0ciPIwTiu1awo-dg6U0oJqAfcB/s1600/IMG_5919.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat... this one's for you! Mushroom pic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZEZ72eha9lCnwZhgm_Ankfpor-wZSKfR5UWSnaKu3GjrLWpdnZfS6CmnpXKqYNy9fjaEE4zREk5qNY8DzD4daNpYyFI11sbhCbmCBvBZW9lE6sGHLAkCjABKDgp2lEHHRzBK2Hus7byf/s1600/IMG_5753_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZEZ72eha9lCnwZhgm_Ankfpor-wZSKfR5UWSnaKu3GjrLWpdnZfS6CmnpXKqYNy9fjaEE4zREk5qNY8DzD4daNpYyFI11sbhCbmCBvBZW9lE6sGHLAkCjABKDgp2lEHHRzBK2Hus7byf/s1600/IMG_5753_2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle Fork Rapid Transit... on the life to-do list!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZEZ72eha9lCnwZhgm_Ankfpor-wZSKfR5UWSnaKu3GjrLWpdnZfS6CmnpXKqYNy9fjaEE4zREk5qNY8DzD4daNpYyFI11sbhCbmCBvBZW9lE6sGHLAkCjABKDgp2lEHHRzBK2Hus7byf/s1600/IMG_5753_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZEZ72eha9lCnwZhgm_Ankfpor-wZSKfR5UWSnaKu3GjrLWpdnZfS6CmnpXKqYNy9fjaEE4zREk5qNY8DzD4daNpYyFI11sbhCbmCBvBZW9lE6sGHLAkCjABKDgp2lEHHRzBK2Hus7byf/s1600/IMG_5753_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsqA62VeE9NC9W-myPvAj0kY43eMl9dO1-6YKg3gLheO-hEt7LNcwtMUqXZtdTf2jey1O5BsCd7T8iw3GK5cn8KMAToyM4KbstYb6TXdGSrUpPnWKrlP1qEHbXpxwFItVWTbAOyGg1cXr/s1600/IMG_5930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsqA62VeE9NC9W-myPvAj0kY43eMl9dO1-6YKg3gLheO-hEt7LNcwtMUqXZtdTf2jey1O5BsCd7T8iw3GK5cn8KMAToyM4KbstYb6TXdGSrUpPnWKrlP1qEHbXpxwFItVWTbAOyGg1cXr/s1600/IMG_5930.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campsite.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PzNNwetfXqCT_0k1ecymDF2qBURDW9vdeOgKN-mphDHhr_wrxiGD5pK6_lU8_DppXHyu2aNfKp0jf01fLOI62UJLwOeRVzNbZjSUICvjsSW52y6WHP0ciPIwTiu1awo-dg6U0oJqAfcB/s1600/IMG_5919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11gLzDpBMSxj2RKXFLjsChepYfrMbzC9Vq8WsKh9EfrBIi8IMOXO26NzqVrgRuKzFCvPfBQZRBDk1hZZ3Aehox5TPCZ51rJGBpn1WvYLA76B073botIEibrCiMoI8twKicPOFDXIqXYHn/s1600/IMG_5788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11gLzDpBMSxj2RKXFLjsChepYfrMbzC9Vq8WsKh9EfrBIi8IMOXO26NzqVrgRuKzFCvPfBQZRBDk1hZZ3Aehox5TPCZ51rJGBpn1WvYLA76B073botIEibrCiMoI8twKicPOFDXIqXYHn/s1600/IMG_5788.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The days plans.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKjODl2Qg7tdczfV56u7RbpYBvI2w7dPr19PyXS8-3qLh9qlqOcjx-q4w5iHMcVJU4ZDtWXMVbBW1iVGS_c8Xb9AcyFJQLt-iVh80V1eUhkxXAnGDW7V9QGU2TJJijxzf8jL_0bl0L2vx/s1600/IMG_5818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKjODl2Qg7tdczfV56u7RbpYBvI2w7dPr19PyXS8-3qLh9qlqOcjx-q4w5iHMcVJU4ZDtWXMVbBW1iVGS_c8Xb9AcyFJQLt-iVh80V1eUhkxXAnGDW7V9QGU2TJJijxzf8jL_0bl0L2vx/s1600/IMG_5818.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll never get tired of seeing a ring on that finger!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi1dIFmGZBeO-wJ_GlTbLD0bSykBkzlAyxYvccyLJ1vgHo2V-MjY581GVTANWQVn-VMGElO1haWn5tWZM_5iBoUrBlRAKQjyIWoAjqxMz-06BYT-jDEsiZ3kW8M1YzeAkXSHWCSB59xur/s1600/IMG_5868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi1dIFmGZBeO-wJ_GlTbLD0bSykBkzlAyxYvccyLJ1vgHo2V-MjY581GVTANWQVn-VMGElO1haWn5tWZM_5iBoUrBlRAKQjyIWoAjqxMz-06BYT-jDEsiZ3kW8M1YzeAkXSHWCSB59xur/s1600/IMG_5868.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rise & Shine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBDAwgPnlotZ5qgZYxX-Q1O-oaeKd5A-REfTR7QAo1H0l-iQWxcl8o4qfTaWZ0Heeal2eYZ2z4alDKqeMcIfn06EQLlFZkVAsZ2ge7iL1Oyd47aN-p5pUlFnR06KodQXdBv5ouxxhPWZl/s1600/IMG_5864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBDAwgPnlotZ5qgZYxX-Q1O-oaeKd5A-REfTR7QAo1H0l-iQWxcl8o4qfTaWZ0Heeal2eYZ2z4alDKqeMcIfn06EQLlFZkVAsZ2ge7iL1Oyd47aN-p5pUlFnR06KodQXdBv5ouxxhPWZl/s1600/IMG_5864.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiet time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOj1hBIanCNxZgI8ayQVWtEe0mPoRLjm8DE22U9oBI9Fw03BmCMwT5vk3mZbe53_Y_jo69Epe8KsgCXfSh0LFL5dm_MVs_oEco1DBmhCcx6mbgYnVsHIhgpINUyXHlWaJM1VvPdvyLwR0e/s1600/IMG_5949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKuMGYFQgmRrmyt4-HRXdXhLTAOwEDDhbDc-5-0sV__HYB8-0LTpQdLrsYUXnWghMGxX-FlPGO5RqxmKFuyUAKyeLWd5_P9PlU6CpKtW387Ik1P3Svpk2TOyFdvlHvqOUh9MlnGB6dDf6/s1600/IMG_5717_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKuMGYFQgmRrmyt4-HRXdXhLTAOwEDDhbDc-5-0sV__HYB8-0LTpQdLrsYUXnWghMGxX-FlPGO5RqxmKFuyUAKyeLWd5_P9PlU6CpKtW387Ik1P3Svpk2TOyFdvlHvqOUh9MlnGB6dDf6/s1600/IMG_5717_2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vino to go! Thanks for the awesome wedding favor, Car!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-hDpRzcsie_s%2FUmafghCTK9I%2FAAAAAAAABV8%2FD05cPF7QaO4%2Fs1600%2FIMG_5919.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PzNNwetfXqCT_0k1ecymDF2qBURDW9vdeOgKN-mphDHhr_wrxiGD5pK6_lU8_DppXHyu2aNfKp0jf01fLOI62UJLwOeRVzNbZjSUICvjsSW52y6WHP0ciPIwTiu1awo-dg6U0oJqAfcB/s1600/IMG_5919.jpg" -->Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-34035259891327764862013-10-17T16:56:00.000-04:002013-10-17T18:37:44.862-04:00Being Happier In Your Home<div style="text-align: center;">
I was laying in bed this morning looking through sites on Pinterest and I saw a Pin that read "10 Ways To Be Happier In Your Home". I consider myself to be a REALLY happy person. I love my life, love my family, love my work, and LOVE my sweet husband! If you're a Pinterest person you probably know that most of the links you see like that are pretty generic, however, the quote at the bottom of the Pin said "these are actually worth reading and remembering" so I clicked on it. I'm so glad I did! Every day, no matter how happy you are, there is always room for improvement. I love the list I read and plan to incorporate them into my daily life. I, of course, had to add my two cents below each one AND I added a number 11 :)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1. MAKE YOUR BED EVERYDAY</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is something that I actually try to do every morning. It makes me feel like I am officially up for the day, makes my room look clean and tidy, and sets the stage for a well organized life. I do actually feel better if I walk out of my room everyday with my bed made and I love turning the sheets back at night instead of hopping in to a tangled mess!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2. BRING EVERY ROOM BACK TO "READY"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take 2-3 minutes in every room to bring it back to "ready" before you leave the house. It truly only takes a few minutes and when you walk in to your home after a long day it is so refreshing to find that your wine glass from the night before is put in the dishwasher and your blanket that you snuggle up in every evening is folded neatly just waiting for you to return to your normal evening position. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>3. DISPLAY SENTIMENTAL ITEMS AROUND YOUR HOME</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It means so much more to walk through your home and see things that have meaning and sentimental value to you! It is so fun to think of a family member or best friend every time you look at a certain piece of art or every time you pull out your silver serving dish. It's crazy how, at first glance, Grandma's dishes may not exactly be "your style" but when you pair them with more contemporary pieces and fresh flowers they certainly start to feel like your style!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>4. START A ONE-LINE-A-DAY GRATITUDE JOURNAL</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So this is one that I currently don't do... but I'll try anything once! I figure that it certainly can't hurt to take five seconds before climbing into bed to write down something you're thankful for. Gratitude is so important and if you're blessed then you sure should appreciate it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>5. IF YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF IT, GET INTO IT</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately, in our home, there is no cleaning fairy, the dishwashing fairy is on vacation, the laundry fairy is on maternity leave, and the fairy that cleans up the dino-size messes in our yard ran off to Vegas! This means that if we want a clean, happy, functional house we get to do those chores ourselves. If you can't "get out of it" which we CANNOT (I get a little irritable if things aren't tidy) then "get into it". My Mom & Dad got us a Bose stereo system that we can hook our iPhone to. Turn on the music, turn it up, and start shaken' those hips as you scrub your dishes! You have one life to live so you might as well be living it while you're folding the laundry or taking your 2-3 minutes to bring things back to "ready".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>6. BEFORE YOU GET UP EACH MORNING SE<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">T AN INTENT FOR THE DAY</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've noticed that I do better if I have daily goals or tasks. I feel that I'm much more productive, I get less distracted, and I feel so much more accomplished. Don't get me wrong... having intent doesn't always mean work. There are PLENTY of days that my only intent is to have a "me day" that includes a great run, a few hours to read, a nice bottle of wine, hunting for new recipes, and blogging BUT at least there is a plan. The Dali Lama said "Every day, think as you wake up: today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste i<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;">t." </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>7. DO SMALL FAVORS FOR YOUR HOUSEMATES AND EXPECT NOTHING IN RETURN</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So this is a trick that I learned from my husband. I noticed a few years ago that every single time he got up from the couch of an evening he would always say SOMETHING to me and he would never just walk away and disappear. He either says something like "Hey, I'm just going to run upstairs and check some labs on my patient" or "Hey, I'm going to grab a drink" and he always follows his statements with "Do you need anything?". It took a while for it to hit me but I just LOVE that he does that. It's a simple act of kindness, simply letting me know where he's headed, and being courteous enough to ask if I need anything since he's getting up anyway. I've started doing the same for him! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>8. CALL AT LEAST ONE FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER A DAY</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think this one is great! While technology is great and Siri is wonderful she is not a human voice. Text messages and emails are not human voices. You can't really laugh via text or email and if you do sometimes the other person may take it as sarcasm when it was genuine. Brian always reminds me that you cannot detect tone via text or email... which is a really great point. So pick up the phone and have a real conversation with someone. I'll admit that I'm not always great at this but I am going to try to be better! I am very guilty of using the excuse that texting is just easier and faster. I am calling myself out and lecturing myself right here, right now... Taryn Breanne- texting and email do not take the place of a phone call! Got it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>9. SPEND MONEY ON THINGS THAT CULTIVATE EXPERIENCES AT HOME</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are loving married life and since the wedding I have really tried to get back into the things that I used to love to do. Since we moved from Tennessee we went straight in to gutting a house, then wedding planning, and now finally back to normal life. I've started blogging again, reading about photography, reading novels, and have spent hours in the kitchen. I've really noticed that if I spend money on thing that involve both Brian and myself it is so much more fun. We do cooking projects together, house projects, weekend getaways... it is really turning out to be much more rewarding that buying the clearance rack black peacoat that I was eyeing at Banana Republic the other day (which I put back on the rack!).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>10. SPEND A FEW MINUTES A DAY CONNECTING WITH SOMETHING GREATER THAN YOURSELF</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know what you believe in or if you're a spiritual person but I am happy and proud to say that I love the Lord! The power of prayer is amazing. I think it is so important to spend just a few minutes a day "being quiet". Pray, read a novel, take a bubble bath... do something to bring yourself back to baseline and regroup so you're ready to tackle the next challenge the world is going to throw your way because it is inevitable that there will be a next challenge.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>11. GET UP IMMEDIATELY UPON WAKING</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">I had to add this one to the list. I vividly remember sitting in history class as a high school senior. Our history teacher had a list </span>of ways to be successful and happy that <span class="Apple-style-span">he would share with the seniors right before graduation . The one that stuck with me is to get up immediately upon waking. It is amazing how much happier I feel if I just hop out of bed, start my coffee pot, hop in the shower, and do a few of my chores instead of laying in bed to get that extra twenty minutes of sleep. Now... do I always follow this rule? No. However, I can honestly say that when I don't I always wish I would have. It's almost like a free "head start" on the day. I feel less rushed which in turn makes me less stressed and MUCH HAPPIER!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Again, I saw this list and thought it was pretty great. Of course, there is no list that you can follow that will make you happy and each person has different things that make them happy. My advice... whatever it is that makes you happy do it. If you don't know then you need to try your hardest to figure out what it is and do whatever it is you need to do to make it happen! Life is just way too short to live any other way!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope y'all have an amazing weekend... I know we're planning on it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xoxo</div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-54660529512950112522013-10-16T20:51:00.001-04:002013-10-16T20:51:32.247-04:00Mom's Tomatoes Provencol<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLc3sAiM2AvcA2sDjL6wTEgzNH93xm0H2417LsTR5EMap801umQybXMPZtQMsH0HNxzZITdIfAKGaA-IUJHGbendi5SQAANk0qZYpACpAY1HKrOkFzUw_Ang27O0q_1q5Y_KFxXRq6bduI/s1600/IMG_5652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLc3sAiM2AvcA2sDjL6wTEgzNH93xm0H2417LsTR5EMap801umQybXMPZtQMsH0HNxzZITdIfAKGaA-IUJHGbendi5SQAANk0qZYpACpAY1HKrOkFzUw_Ang27O0q_1q5Y_KFxXRq6bduI/s1600/IMG_5652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Ok. So just when I think I’ve tried ALL of my Mom’s most
amazing foods she does some sort of magic trick and pulls out a recipe that she
tells me she’s had for years!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where in the world have I been? My life of preparing side dishes has now
been changed forever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I am absolutely not exaggerating when I tell you that this
is one of the most amazing side dishes I have ever tasted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a perfect combination of fresh
tomatoes, herbs, and garlic! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
This is, hands down, going to turn in to one of my favorite,
go-to side dishes when we have guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is so fresh and so flavorful yet warm and satisfying at the same
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also the perfect side
dish when you want to add an item but you don’t want something super
heavy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We paired these tomatoes
with salmon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My mouth is watering just thinking about it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try it… you won’t be disappointed!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkP0Rmggwum7RAq6dZuKylT58inQp_6Y29eWRCe_hQOydrNX7QkHHLFD3CmBkkNwtcSRnv1mLzpin2TqwSeTlNkrxqoSJFuJshOkz6NTjds9NmX8i-uVU5z7NLjWX47nPTqt6e1sL2vOvO/s1600/IMG_5645_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkP0Rmggwum7RAq6dZuKylT58inQp_6Y29eWRCe_hQOydrNX7QkHHLFD3CmBkkNwtcSRnv1mLzpin2TqwSeTlNkrxqoSJFuJshOkz6NTjds9NmX8i-uVU5z7NLjWX47nPTqt6e1sL2vOvO/s1600/IMG_5645_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Tomatoes Provencol</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
4 large ripe tomatoes (I used vine tomatoes)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1 tbs chopped fresh basil</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1 tbs chopped fresh parsley</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
6 tbs dry bread crumbs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
3 tbs olive oil, plus extra for drizzling</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
½ tsp salt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
½ tsp fresh ground pepper</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Mix all together in bowl to form a paste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Wash and dry tomatoes. Remove stems and cut tomatoes in half
through the width.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put cut sides
up on baking dish. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Spread paste over each tomato half and drizzle with olive
oil. I actually had quite a bit of left over paste. I had enough for at least 3-4 more tomatoes! Buy extra tomatoes :) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Serve hot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Hope you love this as much as we did! Until next time... when Mom whips out a new secret gem!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
xoxo</div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-87300106323737670662013-10-11T22:33:00.000-04:002013-10-11T22:33:19.199-04:00Whole Wheat Pizza Topped With Caramelized Pears, Prosciutto, Blue Cheese & Balsamic Glaze<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyHO99D4TgCw5fGtfH93UsOSqemaxTpjwMJQY7L6xz1B3e6jQVTMGvMi4RsJA5zoSoUCTKGyTKARFMrnbFC9szi0W_VgKyLrUaFxff73WQ0AqKUK_LUspMWmUUzxMBpA7wjpRRCHV8NcU/s1600/IMG_5635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyHO99D4TgCw5fGtfH93UsOSqemaxTpjwMJQY7L6xz1B3e6jQVTMGvMi4RsJA5zoSoUCTKGyTKARFMrnbFC9szi0W_VgKyLrUaFxff73WQ0AqKUK_LUspMWmUUzxMBpA7wjpRRCHV8NcU/s1600/IMG_5635.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9DoEsKLrSk8OTo_PSAF1e4O1xE8AQm9NiMvtgK6Nn0YccainSjfnO7G_wMSJJZodKvdo5KkLgHgWdzAKa6I7ZjFyB1iEbahjLJTI8rtgX0429EdzVCXlERkekcrSqbLHuwUeh73iBWDL/s1600/IMG_5626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9DoEsKLrSk8OTo_PSAF1e4O1xE8AQm9NiMvtgK6Nn0YccainSjfnO7G_wMSJJZodKvdo5KkLgHgWdzAKa6I7ZjFyB1iEbahjLJTI8rtgX0429EdzVCXlERkekcrSqbLHuwUeh73iBWDL/s1600/IMG_5626.jpg" height="320" width="197" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I promise I'm not exaggerating... you HAVE NOT LIVED until you've had this pizza!! It has officially made our list of, "If you could have one last meal what would it be?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brian and I both agreed that it's probably our favorite thing that I've ever made. Ever. If you're from Tennessee then you know how serious I am when I tell you that this rivals any Scratch Pizza or Cooties pizza on the menus. That's serious talk right there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The crust is a whole wheat crust that is perfectly crispy with toppings that blend so well together. A perfect combination of sweet, savory, and bold. It can easily be made veg friendly by leaving off the prosciutto.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CAUEnYsJ69rkOv4lLG_ZNd5V3250STme9Uc2basOKYMUpqRHPW-g-b97ZzuvRZhJu7LOwRmbpUUdqjraI8J0XylxA0wF-lV8Vir_-QEV9Nl6wjQv6uEQayozKuGsCz2eZ1dRNupmlwjN/s1600/IMG_5618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CAUEnYsJ69rkOv4lLG_ZNd5V3250STme9Uc2basOKYMUpqRHPW-g-b97ZzuvRZhJu7LOwRmbpUUdqjraI8J0XylxA0wF-lV8Vir_-QEV9Nl6wjQv6uEQayozKuGsCz2eZ1dRNupmlwjN/s1600/IMG_5618.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please, please, please do yourself a favor and make this pizza. The other option is for you to come to Pennsylvania and Brian and I would LOVE to make it for you and serve you with the most perfect beer to go along with it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPgnUCo57rfKVNCwopv4Hdv_rUkwWYcgqmwdMa3Iq1NUSd4kOQgrCcJtw7E4K5Hi8VhxH-PkW3drWYAOh73xd-t0up0GPBewglHepl9_dAX95pGF4vBGwV4dmItqrN4uTJwXdYiW4ayhN/s1600/IMG_5622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPgnUCo57rfKVNCwopv4Hdv_rUkwWYcgqmwdMa3Iq1NUSd4kOQgrCcJtw7E4K5Hi8VhxH-PkW3drWYAOh73xd-t0up0GPBewglHepl9_dAX95pGF4vBGwV4dmItqrN4uTJwXdYiW4ayhN/s1600/IMG_5622.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian's beer of choice this evening.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This process does take a while because it involves a homemade crust that has to have time to rise. No big deal... throw the crust together in a few minutes and leave it for an hour or so while you read a few chapters in your favorite novel or fold some laundry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
_______________________________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Whole Wheat Pizza Crust</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 1/8 Cups Luke Warm Water</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3 tsp Active Dry Yeast</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 Tbs Olive Oil</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 Tbs Honey</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mix the water, yeast, olive oil, and honey together in a bowl. Stir together and let sit for approximately 10 minutes. After 10 minutes you will notice that there are "bubbles" forming. At this point you can add 2 cups of whole wheat flour. Save the other 2/3 cups to add after stirring the first 2 cups in. After you stir the first 2 cups in the dough will be very sticky. Now add the remaining 2/3 cups.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even after I added the second batch of flour my crust ended up pretty sticky and wasn't forming into a ball. I slowly added All Purpose Flour until it started behaving and stuck together in a ball. Remove the ball of dough from the bowl and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the bowl. Toss the ball of dough back in an coat with the olive oil. Cover with a dish towel and leave it for at least an hour (better to wait 90 minutes) in a warm place.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After you've waited 90 minutes and you're feeling super productive because you've been able to multitask during this step, return to your dough. Punch a hole in the dough to release the air and knead with your hand for a minute or two.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FLOUR YOUR WORK SURFACE!! I made this mistake and we had a sticky, sticky mess. Flour a piece of parchment paper and place your dough on top. Use a rolling pin to roll out your dough to a thickness of approximately 1/4 - 1/2 inch. Flip over onto a pizza stone. We dusted our stone with All Purpose Flour and corn meal to prevent the pizza from sticking to the stone. It gave it a perfect, crispy crust.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let the rolled out crust sit for 10 minutes to allow it to rise and then add the toppings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Toppings</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Pears (I used Asian pears)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 Tbs Olive Oil</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Tbs Unsalted Butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Tbs Light Brown Sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/4 tsp Salt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/8 tsp Nutmeg</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6-9 ounces freshly grated Fontina cheese (the block I bought said 9 ounces, but once I removed the wax I'm sure it was a bit less)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Shallots</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4 Garlic Cloves</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5 Prosciutto Slices</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3 Ounces Blue Cheese</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Preparing your toppings could be a good task to take care of while you're waiting on your dough to rise. Though it definitely won't take you the entire time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Start the pears first. Cut them in half lengthwise and remove the core. Then slice thinly. I cut them in half again so my slices weren't quite so long. Add olive oil and butter into a skillet on medium heat. Add pears, salt, and nutmeg. Cover and sauté for 15 minutes. Add brown sugar, stir together, cover again and sauté for 10 more minutes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shred Fontina cheese, mince your garlic, and slice shallots into thin slices then separate the pieces. Keep all of these separated in different bowls.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cut prosciutto into 1/4- 1/2 width slices and then cut the slices into 3-4 pieces. You should end up with pieces that are 1/4 inch by 2 inches. This is just personal preference but the small pieces worked really well for us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Putting It All Together</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brush crust with olive oil. Add 3/4 of the fontina cheese. Dispense shallots and garlic equally over crust. Add pears equally over crust and then add prosciutto. Add 3 ounces of blue cheese crumbles. Top with the remaining fontina cheese.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese brown.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After you put the pizza in the over start working on the balsamic glaze. I would wait unit your pizza has been in for 15 minutes or so and then start the glaze.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heat saucer on medium and add 1/2 balsamic vinegar and 1 tsp honey. Bring to boil and it will (finally!) begin to thicken. Be patient... it takes a while. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your pizza will most likely be done before you glaze is finished. This is good because it allows the pizza to cool.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Drizzle with balsamic glaze.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pour yourself an ice cold beverage, turn on the Cardinals game, and ENJOY!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know this sounds labor intensive but it really isn't. Even if you feel like it's a bit of a pain once you put that first bite in your mouth you will realize that it was so worth it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xoxo</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPG3Cf6uBUtRz98GcxtfaGzfTTx9wW4EhFZpg67n5fxloppbK-cAhx5A6iE3he1Xx27XSRghg4sZbmVwNPdsJqofI-gjJMKNgpzPsSlM_F0_8J91L5NBrxrmN0RMxPKY7ufVYk0n_g5kM/s1600/IMG_5624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPG3Cf6uBUtRz98GcxtfaGzfTTx9wW4EhFZpg67n5fxloppbK-cAhx5A6iE3he1Xx27XSRghg4sZbmVwNPdsJqofI-gjJMKNgpzPsSlM_F0_8J91L5NBrxrmN0RMxPKY7ufVYk0n_g5kM/s1600/IMG_5624.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-16048931863043147302013-10-10T14:31:00.000-04:002013-10-10T14:33:28.506-04:00Our First Look.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF-eI5haoU8SAlPQeh_P_zbdYMs_oBOIUtrVaLk7S5yrn_A-YOHwEe9PnuZmrQjWvsreo7so2NTbBstWsuzRmEZf4JWPV9OlRoe6QHAxbZ9AaBc3tF-zxvbXlnWpwF-ZNdNHPxVtpUjlw/s1600/IMG_8213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF-eI5haoU8SAlPQeh_P_zbdYMs_oBOIUtrVaLk7S5yrn_A-YOHwEe9PnuZmrQjWvsreo7so2NTbBstWsuzRmEZf4JWPV9OlRoe6QHAxbZ9AaBc3tF-zxvbXlnWpwF-ZNdNHPxVtpUjlw/s400/IMG_8213.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have tons and tons of great memories and very few bad ones... I've lived a very blessed life and for that I am so very thankful. I have so many memories from my childhood with Mom and Dad, my high school and college years, PA school, and the days since I've met Brian.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, there are a few select memories that just absolutely light up my soul. The few select memories that remind me how blessed I am and how with every decision we make in life it leads us to where we are inevitably meant to end up. Our first look is one of my "light up my soul" memories!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brian and I debated for months about whether or not we should do a "first look" at our wedding. In case you're not familiar, a first look is when the bride and groom have a special moment together before the wedding where they see each other for the first time. I've always loved the idea of the anticipation of not seeing the groom until you're walking down the aisle and watching to see his expression when he sees his bride for the very first time. I'll admit that when I go to a wedding and the doors open for the bride to walk in my eyes go immediately to the grooms face. I love to watch the expression of pure joy on his face when he sees his future wife in her beautiful gown for the first time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really struggled with this decision. I love the traditional approach but I also love the idea of having an intimate first look. Ultimately Brian and I decided to go with the first look and we're oh so glad that we did. Overall I would say that we're relatively private people. He is my very best friend and we spend most of our days and nights together... just the two of us (when we're not working of course!). We loved the idea of having a few moments together before we were seen by anyone else, without the pressure of one hundred people awaiting our expressions and reactions, and we LOVED the idea of being able to do all of our photos before the wedding so we could attend cocktail hour with our guests. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll admit that leading up to the wedding day (even the night before!) I was wondering if we should actually do a first look. I wondered if we would be missing out on that special moment of walking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking back at this special moment I can tell you that it will actually go down in my mind as my most treasured memory of all time! I'll never ever forget the way I was feeling before I saw Brian. I really wasn't prepared to be nervous... but I was. I wasn't nervous about marriage or about making the commitment to Brian... that part was SO SO easy for me! I'm pretty sure that my "nervous" feelings were actually feelings of anticipation and excitement. I was so excited and it really hit me the morning of July 6th that this was the very moment we had been waiting almost five years for.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I, of course, spent the first part of the day surrounded by the most amazing women in the world. There will be more on our awesome bridal party later! My Mom was right next to be all day long... I wouldn't have had it any other way. My Mom is my hero! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UtsVjJLXGZTPR3DEgJOs6CxeqzIzZsFghQdbwnUUnxb997FNde0ugaN_lCjoIbQWbNA5pM-XOa8eBCIAjeyPddHOkD9YIR_EoH4beaM22aZJcoS5ZQffVyQiomPlHWopIkMuIW31cshf/s1600/IMG_9105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UtsVjJLXGZTPR3DEgJOs6CxeqzIzZsFghQdbwnUUnxb997FNde0ugaN_lCjoIbQWbNA5pM-XOa8eBCIAjeyPddHOkD9YIR_EoH4beaM22aZJcoS5ZQffVyQiomPlHWopIkMuIW31cshf/s320/IMG_9105.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrVM2vEwA_t90s_9J7zjL1v4SDKsYTIrKdXWirKQtdzRq3s-W_cYua13K8mQNOFYfOfcu147KuOCSPtuu7TtJVyTIygzFRWjmdF7MbY9KkNycKpi-MkrWcM_pOQXilcdOqWUITgpm3bXN/s1600/IMG_8342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrVM2vEwA_t90s_9J7zjL1v4SDKsYTIrKdXWirKQtdzRq3s-W_cYua13K8mQNOFYfOfcu147KuOCSPtuu7TtJVyTIygzFRWjmdF7MbY9KkNycKpi-MkrWcM_pOQXilcdOqWUITgpm3bXN/s320/IMG_8342.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a "first" first look with my Daddy. I was all ready in my gown, hair and makeup finished, with my beautiful Momma and best friend holding my hand. They had Dad hidden behind a corner walkway of the hotel and as I walked around the corner I saw the very first man I ever loved. Seeing my Daddy's big smile has always and will always melt my heart. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoUJsb03XMC-yH2_DHOsuJ9qeeRgCOIwMbJAAXmSPpXjgMy6Vn0l4jvFC2iqYoRdvW2k0ocBlmpQN1nkysIJUXPePOqQ5LVBPQs_TuYdyIuJhqYdOQ809YUiYL1UfXeiWFkLKzecu1TXl/s1600/IMG_8388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoUJsb03XMC-yH2_DHOsuJ9qeeRgCOIwMbJAAXmSPpXjgMy6Vn0l4jvFC2iqYoRdvW2k0ocBlmpQN1nkysIJUXPePOqQ5LVBPQs_TuYdyIuJhqYdOQ809YUiYL1UfXeiWFkLKzecu1TXl/s640/IMG_8388.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-eC2pu_lxrkNL_DV_BAVjJVXq7PauBNeZ7IWaH2Mk0tUsvo3ijRKzx7hOz9dvV9Ye_smOAC1cOj9LVYglH6TAdEA-P0bzwkdF3V96FyRRsDlpgwqsPJizan2PKWHs29x06j86wBmTiCA/s1600/IMG_8396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-eC2pu_lxrkNL_DV_BAVjJVXq7PauBNeZ7IWaH2Mk0tUsvo3ijRKzx7hOz9dvV9Ye_smOAC1cOj9LVYglH6TAdEA-P0bzwkdF3V96FyRRsDlpgwqsPJizan2PKWHs29x06j86wBmTiCA/s400/IMG_8396.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnh3ReJBIAfCsL2ySpyR2gqlwJIWsq0v7Tf-vSJYRd0qtPzjeGNNsQq5CofsKVr_6N837uYJdEGrNTOd-tDP88ZUOJ4mBuR_QBxhYFXCvdQeVbUzOESBg5jg3PX7o7Fwft3OTfKCMCg6c/s1600/IMG_8393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnh3ReJBIAfCsL2ySpyR2gqlwJIWsq0v7Tf-vSJYRd0qtPzjeGNNsQq5CofsKVr_6N837uYJdEGrNTOd-tDP88ZUOJ4mBuR_QBxhYFXCvdQeVbUzOESBg5jg3PX7o7Fwft3OTfKCMCg6c/s320/IMG_8393.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzDxqn1INdnIp8-MmPylqcK_0Aliy8StLwDx1zlIEiOXzdQQxm9eKlFBOT1RsLGUX-gtYkgFJSyspyYYbU-UZUxO0eEpycBSGWwb7tArvvzRMNmefBZCoCX4pUB4f9YEVhlyc4X90Udqo/s1600/IMG_8400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzDxqn1INdnIp8-MmPylqcK_0Aliy8StLwDx1zlIEiOXzdQQxm9eKlFBOT1RsLGUX-gtYkgFJSyspyYYbU-UZUxO0eEpycBSGWwb7tArvvzRMNmefBZCoCX4pUB4f9YEVhlyc4X90Udqo/s400/IMG_8400.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hopped in the car with Momma and Daddy and B was with John and Pat. We drove separately to a botanical garden in Asheville where Lauren Clark, our photographer, picked out a gorgeous wooden bridge for us to meet. When we arrived at the gardens I knew Brian was somewhere in a car behind us. I sat in the car with Mom and Dad for what felt like an eternity to all three of us! Dad was in and out of the car trying to figure out if it was time for us to head to the bridge. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When we finally got the OK, I walked arm in arm with Mom and Dad down a set of stairs made of natural stone. As we turned the corner I saw John and Pat who both looked so wonderful and so happy! There are no words to express how blessed I feel to have joined such a sensational and loving family. They are truly gems.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpZJHEtctlBxkG7iKDNBd-ouesaSjZootEmGWnSKXdRaHveWHSDKzB5juwqoqQR24_nzbg1kScIUL6XZqhONK2EoVDU4m3ruSXHRuFmOhsFDCJeE4AONPLN-uC0tiTqVP3T4ZECi0CyP4/s1600/IMG_8416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpZJHEtctlBxkG7iKDNBd-ouesaSjZootEmGWnSKXdRaHveWHSDKzB5juwqoqQR24_nzbg1kScIUL6XZqhONK2EoVDU4m3ruSXHRuFmOhsFDCJeE4AONPLN-uC0tiTqVP3T4ZECi0CyP4/s320/IMG_8416.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then I saw him. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There was my Brian standing in the middle of a wooden bridge with his back turned towards me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDxGC02tT_SnIRv34iOh0a7wPgCf7zUkenJ5AVcMtUj1MKGgM4tPjfqt_V2MYLvlf-OauIJDERgBxlVqQ5Eo4zLRK-QV07am0BlwWEvYt4VEGHkHV2edg6NqlWUSBiXkmmliJRjlStjlB/s1600/IMG_8421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDxGC02tT_SnIRv34iOh0a7wPgCf7zUkenJ5AVcMtUj1MKGgM4tPjfqt_V2MYLvlf-OauIJDERgBxlVqQ5Eo4zLRK-QV07am0BlwWEvYt4VEGHkHV2edg6NqlWUSBiXkmmliJRjlStjlB/s320/IMG_8421.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I held onto my Daddy's arm as he walked me to the middle of the bridge and then retreated back to stand next to HIS bride of 37 years. At this point it was finally time. I was able to grab Brian's arm and turn him around getting my first glimpse of the most amazing man in the entire world.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecaOnnbLJ-k8xKvnvIhJ-Zmy2fKL-cAITSLa-8-iz5QDUFdbilM6LVFLOggetMOaEicHMmrIa4RAk1-N__G7xJYSE3Vwz6gqwFb_cuwr6vUb6fqL0n8t_Lx-J-nk8-j2u21V4JQfdeuSY/s1600/IMG_8426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecaOnnbLJ-k8xKvnvIhJ-Zmy2fKL-cAITSLa-8-iz5QDUFdbilM6LVFLOggetMOaEicHMmrIa4RAk1-N__G7xJYSE3Vwz6gqwFb_cuwr6vUb6fqL0n8t_Lx-J-nk8-j2u21V4JQfdeuSY/s640/IMG_8426.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my very favorites.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLolTsXIMiAFpf8Ho5_ozX8dNdlq-XpLWCjXKawgz0HSCEXJEumnns2XBMBhOPEaHz54znn3SukRHEK5OpXUxbAdzaQ-_8X3nXt09jmg1kBIAiC0A5LN444zs4nJS6tz-rfgkPkBEvUrEj/s1600/IMG_8430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLolTsXIMiAFpf8Ho5_ozX8dNdlq-XpLWCjXKawgz0HSCEXJEumnns2XBMBhOPEaHz54znn3SukRHEK5OpXUxbAdzaQ-_8X3nXt09jmg1kBIAiC0A5LN444zs4nJS6tz-rfgkPkBEvUrEj/s640/IMG_8430.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pure bliss.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecaOnnbLJ-k8xKvnvIhJ-Zmy2fKL-cAITSLa-8-iz5QDUFdbilM6LVFLOggetMOaEicHMmrIa4RAk1-N__G7xJYSE3Vwz6gqwFb_cuwr6vUb6fqL0n8t_Lx-J-nk8-j2u21V4JQfdeuSY/s1600/IMG_8426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOxCQrlnORnlk0fAPJ68cVhnAAsv0B8ZOlfvWda-LjkzLakUX6A1W4ugSkPsxf-o-51pDtk4ium9756kqrMuOeSQ0kYY-J1ecRDXSiiTVNAc6FlxlKtJyKPIkpsxTQpsOpdB2028Kh0p1/s1600/IMG_8440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOxCQrlnORnlk0fAPJ68cVhnAAsv0B8ZOlfvWda-LjkzLakUX6A1W4ugSkPsxf-o-51pDtk4ium9756kqrMuOeSQ0kYY-J1ecRDXSiiTVNAc6FlxlKtJyKPIkpsxTQpsOpdB2028Kh0p1/s320/IMG_8440.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEnC3KTM3bGuR-4hEp5dw9yYFP7o5cemWcVA3mnSic9f-bzN7NAyC048WiqDCpPKnaNgk5lrGgw_eGTpNewxGxZNWb52o415vA5L3F_42mXVnBRAyVqMRUkmPhlr91vy_6UtzFdHD7Byt/s1600/IMG_8433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEnC3KTM3bGuR-4hEp5dw9yYFP7o5cemWcVA3mnSic9f-bzN7NAyC048WiqDCpPKnaNgk5lrGgw_eGTpNewxGxZNWb52o415vA5L3F_42mXVnBRAyVqMRUkmPhlr91vy_6UtzFdHD7Byt/s320/IMG_8433.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We took a few minutes, that I will cherish until the day I die, to just be together and look at each other. It gave us an opportunity to take it all in. To cry and hug each other for as many minutes as we wanted.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At that very moment all of the nervous feelings were gone. I knew I was right where I was supposed to be with the very man God had hand picked for me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62TR1uf47-_jsyH-Ct84Plwpq_D0Y63YfHNIVBkjxqGpOmIVSQuoNBP5NXh_jqiCGVsnZZkcQeU1kiEr7BcQYT1OIDV_EYjcUOa293W5euzncaJDEdaM4A5LuesaAQuVQooMGU-ZJI62-/s1600/IMG_8442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62TR1uf47-_jsyH-Ct84Plwpq_D0Y63YfHNIVBkjxqGpOmIVSQuoNBP5NXh_jqiCGVsnZZkcQeU1kiEr7BcQYT1OIDV_EYjcUOa293W5euzncaJDEdaM4A5LuesaAQuVQooMGU-ZJI62-/s320/IMG_8442.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVVe3dQahFtwsTJb52f03y_kb1JZEt7Lo8CnKT8pzbrPvQNK14PwkuXHLE6uCk5M1MeOvQN6GbscU_csG6flPl_8QLBpnjDolrpL9CaRDUKcXVU9E-eRDvexJjQrWolLbsLrfgqQiaq46/s1600/IMG_8449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVVe3dQahFtwsTJb52f03y_kb1JZEt7Lo8CnKT8pzbrPvQNK14PwkuXHLE6uCk5M1MeOvQN6GbscU_csG6flPl_8QLBpnjDolrpL9CaRDUKcXVU9E-eRDvexJjQrWolLbsLrfgqQiaq46/s320/IMG_8449.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was so special to have this moment, this private moment, that we were able to share with our parents. It meant so much to have them standing with us knowing that not only were they standing behind us on the bridge that day but that they would be standing behind us for the rest of our lives.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our parents joined us on the bridge, we shared an amazing bottle of Biltmore Champagne which was gifted to us by the manager of Fresh Market the day before, and we were able to spend some quality time as a family. Dad opened the bottle and the cork went soaring through the air, through the trees, and into the creek running below the bridge. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKgqBccing1tuWP0Ie-5vYDaAgZOBO6t6z94HKIiXYf1y5gUfJaYsmk8x_hfYn9evRY-6XpUuGEjpmdneFaiDx9kb9BFCWTo9X7OY6tdOPUT-_5ab_zT9ZonwlFVAX8FeCNaQWa7Iw53F/s1600/IMG_8456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKgqBccing1tuWP0Ie-5vYDaAgZOBO6t6z94HKIiXYf1y5gUfJaYsmk8x_hfYn9evRY-6XpUuGEjpmdneFaiDx9kb9BFCWTo9X7OY6tdOPUT-_5ab_zT9ZonwlFVAX8FeCNaQWa7Iw53F/s640/IMG_8456.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcGFNXxnhlVVfka6djvVSHidlKdyk1noKsm7CtxofrDuwmBzd4KPJ1k9XX5sIDGynj5rEIteJby_KdJoVolCMoZ90OPrnj1HlnrmekE7_QxKoJ3bvj8Z1WIoXSDAo2yxchL7QnVtnFYYI/s1600/IMG_8468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcGFNXxnhlVVfka6djvVSHidlKdyk1noKsm7CtxofrDuwmBzd4KPJ1k9XX5sIDGynj5rEIteJby_KdJoVolCMoZ90OPrnj1HlnrmekE7_QxKoJ3bvj8Z1WIoXSDAo2yxchL7QnVtnFYYI/s1600/IMG_8468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcGFNXxnhlVVfka6djvVSHidlKdyk1noKsm7CtxofrDuwmBzd4KPJ1k9XX5sIDGynj5rEIteJby_KdJoVolCMoZ90OPrnj1HlnrmekE7_QxKoJ3bvj8Z1WIoXSDAo2yxchL7QnVtnFYYI/s1600/IMG_8468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcGFNXxnhlVVfka6djvVSHidlKdyk1noKsm7CtxofrDuwmBzd4KPJ1k9XX5sIDGynj5rEIteJby_KdJoVolCMoZ90OPrnj1HlnrmekE7_QxKoJ3bvj8Z1WIoXSDAo2yxchL7QnVtnFYYI/s320/IMG_8468.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVvz5DWcxjW0smUQ-58njKRizAMtyfeokDO5YXbHP9mX_WLuwaaRSRGRIwlWyYxvwLXUAgBZY90DaiyVMuDeIJmMu-Or876hHUAeZV_D69DK9EECADYHEq6zJKPlOWzH1h9zBctVuiQre/s1600/IMG_8470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jsNJVHd53OBj8vwD_b123uaKuYayQJeba44fSjqZ5WI_-pRSGnGh2_le65wOdshd5n-r1FGp5utyIW42GLSf62fZEg5Q5LEOTmdZj_ZPYMGgoQpjxhKCPpeam7fczThl4cXIQ5sp4lFM/s1600/IMG_8487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jsNJVHd53OBj8vwD_b123uaKuYayQJeba44fSjqZ5WI_-pRSGnGh2_le65wOdshd5n-r1FGp5utyIW42GLSf62fZEg5Q5LEOTmdZj_ZPYMGgoQpjxhKCPpeam7fczThl4cXIQ5sp4lFM/s320/IMG_8487.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVvz5DWcxjW0smUQ-58njKRizAMtyfeokDO5YXbHP9mX_WLuwaaRSRGRIwlWyYxvwLXUAgBZY90DaiyVMuDeIJmMu-Or876hHUAeZV_D69DK9EECADYHEq6zJKPlOWzH1h9zBctVuiQre/s1600/IMG_8470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVvz5DWcxjW0smUQ-58njKRizAMtyfeokDO5YXbHP9mX_WLuwaaRSRGRIwlWyYxvwLXUAgBZY90DaiyVMuDeIJmMu-Or876hHUAeZV_D69DK9EECADYHEq6zJKPlOWzH1h9zBctVuiQre/s400/IMG_8470.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a few minutes to laugh and joke before the celebration began with all of our family and friends. After finishing off the bottle of champagne and taking some family photos we were joined by our wedding party who arrived in an original Asheville trolley. This also meant that we were able to finish every single wedding photo before the wedding and fully embrace the joy of cocktail hour!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG17uptX-Y5swiaIQKVZkjsREa_nN2uLShFG7P5gPdg8nFtqxsLgVaoGDXToiP5ximGXgcC-t9nrKUpvlcF8cYY8NOuKJXRzcSvgJhh5plBtISX8KTO-7DyEqnX3CnDulbZkg_bP0MaIk/s1600/IMG_8476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG17uptX-Y5swiaIQKVZkjsREa_nN2uLShFG7P5gPdg8nFtqxsLgVaoGDXToiP5ximGXgcC-t9nrKUpvlcF8cYY8NOuKJXRzcSvgJhh5plBtISX8KTO-7DyEqnX3CnDulbZkg_bP0MaIk/s640/IMG_8476.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG17uptX-Y5swiaIQKVZkjsREa_nN2uLShFG7P5gPdg8nFtqxsLgVaoGDXToiP5ximGXgcC-t9nrKUpvlcF8cYY8NOuKJXRzcSvgJhh5plBtISX8KTO-7DyEqnX3CnDulbZkg_bP0MaIk/s1600/IMG_8476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBWZcpwYIeF_O2Da21-J3bZix17z1sXqs3hf3UGekwX3MePhlwaOZsGCtkJ-pkLHlSznBxxSfyl-UX5k3ZBVEiuJZabva5l2GaWoCjbYnR9_7b1wF9l38dvqWL5TVnLG5sQnlzLiLaNqj/s1600/IMG_8481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBWZcpwYIeF_O2Da21-J3bZix17z1sXqs3hf3UGekwX3MePhlwaOZsGCtkJ-pkLHlSznBxxSfyl-UX5k3ZBVEiuJZabva5l2GaWoCjbYnR9_7b1wF9l38dvqWL5TVnLG5sQnlzLiLaNqj/s400/IMG_8481.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBWZcpwYIeF_O2Da21-J3bZix17z1sXqs3hf3UGekwX3MePhlwaOZsGCtkJ-pkLHlSznBxxSfyl-UX5k3ZBVEiuJZabva5l2GaWoCjbYnR9_7b1wF9l38dvqWL5TVnLG5sQnlzLiLaNqj/s1600/IMG_8481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpYlcKJ4qg_kjVbnLfxvEbHImfRPqbRB59W6PmdG7ix-liWo-L4MuMgwzuVn08wH5Y-SwrvFOrhvginv8dWvQZaMohyrrUoMJ1rB_RWh4lkLFPcmF-OMvKX68KTpeHhdizwK4V-iEiNuK/s1600/IMG_8475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpYlcKJ4qg_kjVbnLfxvEbHImfRPqbRB59W6PmdG7ix-liWo-L4MuMgwzuVn08wH5Y-SwrvFOrhvginv8dWvQZaMohyrrUoMJ1rB_RWh4lkLFPcmF-OMvKX68KTpeHhdizwK4V-iEiNuK/s400/IMG_8475.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are a few of my favorite photos taken before our wedding.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjNdAJ2xWC4eyun4nlKaYWQ_4efD7d_s5O63e95P6ZjXpZi4-0IVNLBaOYYI3GD5RQmop4z4WFOh_U8zfmWQs1me8z4u4fuC1koxabA0qbwDU5KGt9y_S3T9reAmKsm-C-kiwB2ckcDup/s1600/IMG_8493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjNdAJ2xWC4eyun4nlKaYWQ_4efD7d_s5O63e95P6ZjXpZi4-0IVNLBaOYYI3GD5RQmop4z4WFOh_U8zfmWQs1me8z4u4fuC1koxabA0qbwDU5KGt9y_S3T9reAmKsm-C-kiwB2ckcDup/s400/IMG_8493.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCSfQqaYGhnbdIyRxzoTqKRtuGnKUq2qYq5mU02tfUDPkhyphenhyphenxtSUCf8fs3EYbCr5hxHhhR3QDvWJYw7vQnGz7OnkysBg61MMx3MHjikSCVt2DBqiLmxeo43ieTek-q5UA8MJVEXPeBrf5R/s1600/IMG_8511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCSfQqaYGhnbdIyRxzoTqKRtuGnKUq2qYq5mU02tfUDPkhyphenhyphenxtSUCf8fs3EYbCr5hxHhhR3QDvWJYw7vQnGz7OnkysBg61MMx3MHjikSCVt2DBqiLmxeo43ieTek-q5UA8MJVEXPeBrf5R/s400/IMG_8511.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dmMQm8dwdGlfPMR9wAD8O0-_kaxysvoYhV25DIi578Tw1BA4p9zRIzuqJy7-N-oPHjT_EjStY3hKGWW9P1u3SyzNfEzrfdAOZDvcxr9b6arnCyAc4-9XhNmLTjjf-zTdKTW7u2s0-6QQ/s1600/IMG_8512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dmMQm8dwdGlfPMR9wAD8O0-_kaxysvoYhV25DIi578Tw1BA4p9zRIzuqJy7-N-oPHjT_EjStY3hKGWW9P1u3SyzNfEzrfdAOZDvcxr9b6arnCyAc4-9XhNmLTjjf-zTdKTW7u2s0-6QQ/s400/IMG_8512.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3iM0Pn-JfVi6IbQTFRvJnm2lpCsKGTgHdyWypctchUOE83IGH-267tsTBDVB3YEzdtfEoowjjQ78FCpi-YybyddY3BaQ1AL_YbCfRpicphbXoA_viIewvyNxFMh5XaHWBDvwEUj468gO/s1600/IMG_8526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3iM0Pn-JfVi6IbQTFRvJnm2lpCsKGTgHdyWypctchUOE83IGH-267tsTBDVB3YEzdtfEoowjjQ78FCpi-YybyddY3BaQ1AL_YbCfRpicphbXoA_viIewvyNxFMh5XaHWBDvwEUj468gO/s640/IMG_8526.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would not trade this precious memory for anything in the world and when I'm sitting in my recliner as a wrinkly old lady this is one of the stories that I will tell my children and grandchildren over and over and over again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know everyone has different opinions and different ideas about how a wedding day should go. My advice... do what feels right to you! Lots of people prefer the traditional approach, which I've witnessed at several of by best girlfriends weddings, and could tell by their reactions on their special days that it is equally as fabulous and just as special. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My opinion is that, at the end of the day, as long as you're married to the person of your dreams then you've had a successful wedding. After all, its not the wedding that makes the marriage! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcsbVoTCh6E4JEsrN6erx5-RkBzWWwmnhDaxPhcdt7yM4ENr7IjRI6r1ADkKtm5aplTvdSrOPRKuZKjYfRqeptgEuZfjSSeJjfVnwgc9MOO7JF5cns_YzoB0p9QHrDErPi1FdenBMzU8f/s1600/IMG_8655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcsbVoTCh6E4JEsrN6erx5-RkBzWWwmnhDaxPhcdt7yM4ENr7IjRI6r1ADkKtm5aplTvdSrOPRKuZKjYfRqeptgEuZfjSSeJjfVnwgc9MOO7JF5cns_YzoB0p9QHrDErPi1FdenBMzU8f/s320/IMG_8655.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know this was a once in a lifetime experience, a once in a lifetime moment, and that what we share is a once in a lifetime love. I feel so very blessed!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Until next time...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xoxo<br />
<br />
(All photos that you see on this post were taking by the one and only Mrs. Lauren Clark)<br />
<a href="http://www.capturedbyclarkphotography.com/">http://www.capturedbyclarkphotography.com</a></div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-26362703265830766262013-10-08T21:10:00.001-04:002013-10-08T23:09:21.700-04:00Farm To Table: (Not Your Grandma's) Fried Green Tomatoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoNybkxkzlBLiC1MAe2dy0RN91u1hIl33Ihzhmz4k0UYNjtL9LuRms_Yc4YI6pl6K3K0cK8Ct-4Jsq3PAdfKty8dz444Zm6c1H0p0LJH0Cokk90jODjUtxiR_F2E-QEROD_H-WHuw2jBW/s1600/IMG_5566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoNybkxkzlBLiC1MAe2dy0RN91u1hIl33Ihzhmz4k0UYNjtL9LuRms_Yc4YI6pl6K3K0cK8Ct-4Jsq3PAdfKty8dz444Zm6c1H0p0LJH0Cokk90jODjUtxiR_F2E-QEROD_H-WHuw2jBW/s1600/IMG_5566.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There are quite a few things that bring out the "southern girl" in me... one of which is fried food! I'm pretty sure that my love for fried food started at birth and has never wavered. Some of my all time favorites are fried hushpuppies, fried chicken strips, and cheese fries! As I got a little bit older I quickly learned that not only did I love fried foods but my hips and thighs loved them as well. They loved them so much, in fact, that they gobbled up every bit of fried food I ate and held on to it for dear life.<br />
<br />
It was at this point that I learned that I had to alternate my fried foods with fresh fruits and veggies and that in the end it would all balance out. The older I get the balancing act seems to require more fruits and veggies as less greasy goodness but that's neither here nor there!<br />
<br />
One of my VERY favorite things is a deliciously fresh fried green tomato. It takes me straight to my happy place... THE SOUTH!!<br />
<br />
One of my best girlfriends, Amy, sent Brian a list of questions around the time of the wedding. The goal was to ask Brian the questions, get his responses, then ask me the same questions and see how many of our answers matched. One of my favorite questions was, "Who is the better cook?". I think a lot of my girlfriends were surprised because my answer (and Brian's answer) was without any hesitation, BRIAN!! He has the creative mind to know what flavors mix well and has the ability to just create a recipe and have it turn out to be wonderful. So for this recipe the credit goes 100% to my hubs.<br />
<br />
I impulsively purchased some green tomatoes at the farmers market. I had a moment of complete panic at the farmers market when I realized that the season is ending! I sliced my tomatoes, whipped out the milk and flour, and started to get prepared to cook.<br />
<br />
All of a sudden I look around and my milk is gone. Missing. No where to be found. In it's place is an ice cold beer. Want to batter something in beer? Twist my arm :) Then my I turn back around and my flour has a box of corn meal sitting next to it and B is rummaging through the spice cabinet. I've learned over the years that when B gets inspired in the kitchen it's best to just let him go because his results are almost always out of this world. This recipe is so easy and I promise it will change your life!! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>(Not Your Grandma's) Fried Green Tomatoes</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3 Large Green Tomatoes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 Can Beer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 C Flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 C Corn Meal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 Tbs Spanish Paprika (any paprika will work)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 Tbs Garlic Salt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 tsp Black Pepper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Preheat cast iron skillet on the stove so that it's hot and ready to go. Fill bottom with a thin layer of oil. We used peanut oil but any will work.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cut tomatoes into 1/4 inch slices. Have two bowls ready. Fill one with beer and the other with a mixture of dry ingredients. Dip tomato slice in beer then put face down into dry mix and flip coating both sides equally. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSj0SNIJB1rcDZfAX-r7ER-ZS52ZDskRL1nVdiwR2YjbA_2KdaAK8zoxpc7azTP7-LNeqIYKyekLHJGdu8t6lzUlLd8H0hYxePG6dNyrk5NwF1lfYrp_EPx7wXgyExANS0G3Mri0rADeD/s1600/IMG_5568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSj0SNIJB1rcDZfAX-r7ER-ZS52ZDskRL1nVdiwR2YjbA_2KdaAK8zoxpc7azTP7-LNeqIYKyekLHJGdu8t6lzUlLd8H0hYxePG6dNyrk5NwF1lfYrp_EPx7wXgyExANS0G3Mri0rADeD/s1600/IMG_5568.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGVMOhQn1p_tKsSZejcdiKPtS-aOubx_OW384mn9XRL3_0C_cXEsZXM8Fw2qLA_cB_lv2AeooleXs6Fb9RIQmco-J34cWyMmsVRUUY6uI6DjzhIWpnNmx3NGiKV786hMuyNyEguBlcg-l/s1600/IMG_5572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGVMOhQn1p_tKsSZejcdiKPtS-aOubx_OW384mn9XRL3_0C_cXEsZXM8Fw2qLA_cB_lv2AeooleXs6Fb9RIQmco-J34cWyMmsVRUUY6uI6DjzhIWpnNmx3NGiKV786hMuyNyEguBlcg-l/s1600/IMG_5572.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once skillet is hot and oil is "glistening" as Brian says add your tomatoes in groups of three. Brown on each side and you're ready to eat!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdyyEL25RPMhOb3MQC-9xH_MAUtRqTQC0lXm_j32-ngTaRCmzsnGHqJ8nVe4hXDa1jp5S2MUptN9j7STJ7LL1oTPmtBSiGRWnxNrIFaMjDfT1aBKxkNyM_AYyHsMc8lBGSZ28WJYl07Xj/s1600/IMG_5574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdyyEL25RPMhOb3MQC-9xH_MAUtRqTQC0lXm_j32-ngTaRCmzsnGHqJ8nVe4hXDa1jp5S2MUptN9j7STJ7LL1oTPmtBSiGRWnxNrIFaMjDfT1aBKxkNyM_AYyHsMc8lBGSZ28WJYl07Xj/s1600/IMG_5574.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-15895301457347513762013-10-07T20:11:00.000-04:002013-10-07T20:23:45.993-04:00Carpe Diem <div style="text-align: center;">
This weekend was such a great one! Brian and I spent the weekend around the house doing one of our very favorite things... just hanging out together. We went to the farmers market on Saturday (of course!) and stocked up on peppers for Brian's pepper relish, drove 30 minutes to find the perfect radishes for a new recipe we tried, went to a fabulous dinner hosted by the Chairman of B's department, spent a whole day finishing up the final house projects before it goes on the market, and spent Sunday night finishing up Brian's homemade beef stew and getting ready to start our week. As I'm sure you can tell from previous posts, we LOVE to travel but there is something so sweet about staying home and getting back to the basics.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been reading a new book and I just can't put it down. I read a paragraph today that I felt was so well written. A true reflection of how I try to live my life every single day. I then drove home and saw the most gorgeous Pennsylvania sunset. It was so beautiful, in fact, that I had to pull over and take a few photos. It was the perfect combination to remind me to slow down, enjoy life, thank the Lord daily for His blessings, cherish every new day and to treat the ones I love like gold! I feel like we all need reminders like this every once in a while... I know I do :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCylfOEOPD2KVkJ9CQirWVnV3p0JqLd_XQCTKh21tYz1UTrcQB4dJrXi64YkMi3Kqfs1k9pzTFCt3p8qCi-w-6kkDwEzZ_qeK3KT1T0g0IZeS4szhIjSbRytua2XxJ8WwAZBGZFk1Or7YD/s1600/sunset2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCylfOEOPD2KVkJ9CQirWVnV3p0JqLd_XQCTKh21tYz1UTrcQB4dJrXi64YkMi3Kqfs1k9pzTFCt3p8qCi-w-6kkDwEzZ_qeK3KT1T0g0IZeS4szhIjSbRytua2XxJ8WwAZBGZFk1Or7YD/s320/sunset2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmxXZ6QcBgG6vleBp_2fleUFfgIQD-I_YLcTY7slQ9JcJpIysbxYd8d-ljN7VnxXfzr1tYJu0DS8xI4xU3YExMwETXrjuycDWDn6rUm4cigibGtWPG4GzQSUVbjkXT0cwuZCU-95kcIpp/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmxXZ6QcBgG6vleBp_2fleUFfgIQD-I_YLcTY7slQ9JcJpIysbxYd8d-ljN7VnxXfzr1tYJu0DS8xI4xU3YExMwETXrjuycDWDn6rUm4cigibGtWPG4GzQSUVbjkXT0cwuZCU-95kcIpp/s320/sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Seize the day! What matters is <i>this</i> moment! Most of us can't go back and make restitution. We can't do a thing about our should haves and our could haves. But a few lucky men like Ghosh never have such worries; there was no restitution he needed to make, no moment he failed to seize.</b></blockquote>
<b> CUTTING FOR STONE </b><br />
<b> a novel by Abraham Verghese </b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Monday!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xoxo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-71833214022629195712013-10-04T19:55:00.001-04:002013-10-08T23:09:56.113-04:00Farm To Table: Mom's Freezer Corn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc1rrn2v5OObgTYLPnkpcKmbi0-lojQzpxESVntSe6GjkQXmcCHmfIel2x1LulpMBnsFUoKCwnGyi0L7z33zU2PTdn2VZh9z4X_Wgd5kyPPKjbfloL1b1LEJspBiJGiUyd-4-9PmLwCjR/s1600/IMG_5541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc1rrn2v5OObgTYLPnkpcKmbi0-lojQzpxESVntSe6GjkQXmcCHmfIel2x1LulpMBnsFUoKCwnGyi0L7z33zU2PTdn2VZh9z4X_Wgd5kyPPKjbfloL1b1LEJspBiJGiUyd-4-9PmLwCjR/s1600/IMG_5541.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53HloTmV7ThRdoOCVPqGgHAN8tYUSf6_yi59mk-zV23Jef_Qzv3ecZudBWJPpCAHJJTfE2SofwumxGKHJtoycI97gLwJ6-gIrYkr43CoSkE3kZFhbeKQSjS5PI8ZVZtwLU-Be6ot-Z8Uy/s1600/IMG_5534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53HloTmV7ThRdoOCVPqGgHAN8tYUSf6_yi59mk-zV23Jef_Qzv3ecZudBWJPpCAHJJTfE2SofwumxGKHJtoycI97gLwJ6-gIrYkr43CoSkE3kZFhbeKQSjS5PI8ZVZtwLU-Be6ot-Z8Uy/s1600/IMG_5534.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So I guess in all honesty this blog post should be called Farm (er's Market) To Table! Living in Danville we can't have an actual garden, however, we've been taking full advantage of all of the local farmers markets. My dream is to one day have a HUGE garden! When Brian asks me what I want to grow my response is usually "EVERYTHING!". Brian took me to the fair two weeks ago and at that moment I decided that I also needed to add a few chickens to my future farm. Brian quickly gave me the talk that I've heard from my Dad so many times over the course of my life. The talk that sounds something like this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Now, Taryn, you know that they are live animals and you have to take care of them. You're going to have to feed them every day and then you're going to have to clean up after them. Are you sure that you want to do that? You can't just forget to water them like you do the plants "</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sound familiar? Needless to say the chickens are still up for debate around our household. The garden, however, is a done deal. This year has actually been a great learning experience. It would be really unfortunate to have a huge garden with great produce and have no clue what to do with it! So this year I've been practicing with produce from the farmers markets. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When I was younger I can always remember my Mom "putting up sweet corn". We would make a run for a truck full of sweet corn one day and the next day I would come home from school with corn silks covering the kitchen, at least five cutting boards going at once, a minimum three women (sometimes Dad was recruited to shuck the corn) running around in aprons, and lots of boiling water. At that phase of life I went on about my own business. Then I moved out and realized that the sweet corn fairy doesn't just deliver the corn to the freezer every year. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As I've gotten older there have been tons of things that my Mom used to make that I would KILL for. Strawberry freezer jam, pies, bread pudding, chicken and noodles, meatloaf, cube steak... the list goes on and on. I wish that I would have spent every spare second hanging out with her in the kitchen and made very attempt to absorb every single trick she has up her sleeve! Now I try to absorb everything through long phone calls. One of my very favorite things that she would make was her freezer corn! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you're thinking about making it then JUST DO IT! It's easy, it's a relatively quick process, and it's so worth it in the middle of a snow storm to pull out a bag of delicious home grown sweet corn.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I promise I wouldn't fib to you... this process is so easy and the product is OH SO DELICIOUS!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Mom's Freezer Corn</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fresh Sweet Corn (plan for 2 ears per person)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ziplock Bags</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bring water to a full boil.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shuck sweet corn and remove as many of the silks as you can. Mine had a few friends (worms) living at the ends so I had to chop the ends off. Line your corn up in piles for servings (2 ears per adult and 1 ear per child)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dV558lyFICHq_zYX-TDqxmImoidL8k_q5G2np0Yi_w8gUkCVxVcMoJmLSXZ6hYG9PgZDlSDF29gBDX8ZzEiItVumJizogTfmdhCiV9y7wiPFf72XrUv7jRIF-j6waZYEuPYXercDgL_k/s1600/IMG_5521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dV558lyFICHq_zYX-TDqxmImoidL8k_q5G2np0Yi_w8gUkCVxVcMoJmLSXZ6hYG9PgZDlSDF29gBDX8ZzEiItVumJizogTfmdhCiV9y7wiPFf72XrUv7jRIF-j6waZYEuPYXercDgL_k/s1600/IMG_5521.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbddSFpB-xIFzhl0ACSDIPpAqS_r-nt7LOMBWqNFllJGYp99_7uXCgPAANsKoz2djnlXzUCM2llrKP5PoXv7wgixOmzDpBIVKPVc5HV9h1BY2rEK5H91sDuZVHyu_PMFJlxeaD1U2YlS8T/s1600/IMG_5522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbddSFpB-xIFzhl0ACSDIPpAqS_r-nt7LOMBWqNFllJGYp99_7uXCgPAANsKoz2djnlXzUCM2llrKP5PoXv7wgixOmzDpBIVKPVc5HV9h1BY2rEK5H91sDuZVHyu_PMFJlxeaD1U2YlS8T/s1600/IMG_5522.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Drop one serving of corn into the boiling water.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX3SsmAy7Eb43LbWPYcXUMCG13aGB8MnsN_r8mqZLlp9wFuddYofrYljLkL8G-UusRXzIU1fys6zQLNfSBQZPZSO9rrg9uKGyyzPemvbbaYt__6sKzc9h7wRhyphenhyphenP_PzGbzpqVR7p-2aEuP/s1600/IMG_5523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX3SsmAy7Eb43LbWPYcXUMCG13aGB8MnsN_r8mqZLlp9wFuddYofrYljLkL8G-UusRXzIU1fys6zQLNfSBQZPZSO9rrg9uKGyyzPemvbbaYt__6sKzc9h7wRhyphenhyphenP_PzGbzpqVR7p-2aEuP/s1600/IMG_5523.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blanch/boil in water for 5 minutes rotating the corn once throughout.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remove from boiling water and drop into bowl of ice water to cool (This only takes about 30 seconds).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaEAsrhLMneD7i5YuLNWLpbL6wHt6ZO8AaDLuQhpFkDr1NySwOzdFMLgtvr-nIBdGFBkCFDP0C7jU42vH1s-v_OvjC4cv4znn9-LdNyWGZGBI095UmmgkZPqLHm3XQC4iargVETqu9RWY/s1600/IMG_5525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaEAsrhLMneD7i5YuLNWLpbL6wHt6ZO8AaDLuQhpFkDr1NySwOzdFMLgtvr-nIBdGFBkCFDP0C7jU42vH1s-v_OvjC4cv4znn9-LdNyWGZGBI095UmmgkZPqLHm3XQC4iargVETqu9RWY/s1600/IMG_5525.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cut off the cob and put in a ziplock freezer back removing all of the air.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyK_LMwZrIDff-Zi-hpQCKaUYgBl0UKra5y4Icw-oSie7ScmdIfCWtlQ_TIuu2udRDPvXSd8XuBKiBPHOPiEAPjz1WQ5Cj7B-4aF-Jpop0Hbofh6M0jGuXSj6ssJOFW25OzdJQY2voRqH/s1600/IMG_5527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyK_LMwZrIDff-Zi-hpQCKaUYgBl0UKra5y4Icw-oSie7ScmdIfCWtlQ_TIuu2udRDPvXSd8XuBKiBPHOPiEAPjz1WQ5Cj7B-4aF-Jpop0Hbofh6M0jGuXSj6ssJOFW25OzdJQY2voRqH/s1600/IMG_5527.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmdDBMlgoO8HljjNVXyK1womSwnJ0hni7aVYMhemadHHd3fkDKJORbkjt6KejIfMqR5sPGR0NXjvFxunWT_pm_dJTf25ASqb9d6nm3jUoorGcBuMlTm6N2ayROzykygohvll_dXq5-Uic/s1600/IMG_5528_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmdDBMlgoO8HljjNVXyK1womSwnJ0hni7aVYMhemadHHd3fkDKJORbkjt6KejIfMqR5sPGR0NXjvFxunWT_pm_dJTf25ASqb9d6nm3jUoorGcBuMlTm6N2ayROzykygohvll_dXq5-Uic/s1600/IMG_5528_2.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR9m7NnX7clTzL-EloI_XQqC_QiUlYQxM6oZ5iXF1ReS2T1VhdVEUcqNoIptoox75pB54rC_VdSlKr2QPofTFIV0uEAHtABFDH5xNmec8OwS_y1osJpxyO3UfBRsAM_eppEbpJB9FwGSV/s1600/IMG_5531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR9m7NnX7clTzL-EloI_XQqC_QiUlYQxM6oZ5iXF1ReS2T1VhdVEUcqNoIptoox75pB54rC_VdSlKr2QPofTFIV0uEAHtABFDH5xNmec8OwS_y1osJpxyO3UfBRsAM_eppEbpJB9FwGSV/s1600/IMG_5531.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Vwr5l8VPHiM8iPuy3SuIgsQBrpFOiy2s64LGEg4VfRjXogQ7VYqT02IV4u2aTFwskrcm_QY2z9PLZxq_Zawf8kjHMdGb29HS0P1nU3UWlBZcpucZhFx8PehAIzTbKkQA-Ko6xDfGxkUk/s1600/IMG_5532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Vwr5l8VPHiM8iPuy3SuIgsQBrpFOiy2s64LGEg4VfRjXogQ7VYqT02IV4u2aTFwskrcm_QY2z9PLZxq_Zawf8kjHMdGb29HS0P1nU3UWlBZcpucZhFx8PehAIzTbKkQA-Ko6xDfGxkUk/s1600/IMG_5532.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pop it in the freezer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(My assembly line was a one man operating since Brian was at work. I would put my corn in the boiling water and during the 5 minutes of blanching I would cut the previous batch off the cob and bag it. You can cut it off the cob and bag it in less than the five minutes it takes to boil the next batch.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When you're ready to eat your corn just remove from the freezer and pop the bag into a bowl, open the top, and put in in the microwave just long enough to soften. Then remove from the bag and finish microwaving. At this point add butter, salt, and pepper to taste. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-40780799020647339932013-09-30T12:06:00.000-04:002013-10-07T20:20:14.380-04:00Monday is the new Friday.<div style="text-align: center;">
Well it looks like Monday has officially made it's way back around. The start of a new week for most and time to get back into the swing of things. When I worked Monday through Friday, there would be a very large, dark cloud that came over our home Sunday night around 6:00pm. The time when you realize after a glorious weekend off that there are no clean scrubs and nothing to pack for lunch. I would then find myself speed walking through the house tossing in scrubs, darks, and colored laundry all in the same load and then barreling out the door to the grocery store. Grrrr!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please don't be fooled. We still have those moments in our house... just not always on Sunday nights.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, today is a wonderful Monday! Today, in the Kendrick household, we are welcoming Monday with open arms! B was on call this weekend and I'm pretty sure he considered feeding his pager to our danes. It is my last day of work before my "weekend off" and Brian gets to officially hand off the pager and let out a big sigh. Well... sort of :-) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last night I got home from work a bit late and B was already in bed. I decided to throw together a loaf of Amish Cinnamon Bread and an encouraging note to sneak into his backpack. I don't care how old you are it's always fun to get to work and find a prize in your backpack first thing in the morning. Plus, I think it's so important to do things to remind the people you love just how much you love them! In my opinion, the smallest gestures are the ones that mean the most. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ijZ8zCZzUBNmLBd4SzrVu1aP5pJwz_ao3a5xrftg2DIlYSyGrM0tBWbj5c8_01viSZsTEW_4WOuhcWZ7uIJUx8mdIlF2EPod_smnaF3QgaDq7TrX0hdiCnyMWCeBrIGfbWAgXLey35j6/s1600/amish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ijZ8zCZzUBNmLBd4SzrVu1aP5pJwz_ao3a5xrftg2DIlYSyGrM0tBWbj5c8_01viSZsTEW_4WOuhcWZ7uIJUx8mdIlF2EPod_smnaF3QgaDq7TrX0hdiCnyMWCeBrIGfbWAgXLey35j6/s1600/amish1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No stationary? Takeout thai bag works just as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wanted to say congrats to my sweet hubby for chiseling away yet another call weekend of his career as a vascular fellow. One step closer to the finish line!! Tomorrow he starts his LAST away rotation of fellowship and will be spending two months in Wilkes-Barre. We are truly on the downhill slide and that, my friends, is really exciting. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Monday, folks!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xoxo,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taryn</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7SbAQxHeqAWgAF6G6KD8ZSwnaHRMxNW8dO_8qRKFTQKBz7mQkjgND7oi0cG97Z9anEHI6T8VVSnxgYqwiozDP_AipBK3N8zgKCBUBCELmbkcaQwDuMqE4MQ3vo1CDEY28qBExJh9mnyt/s1600/amish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7SbAQxHeqAWgAF6G6KD8ZSwnaHRMxNW8dO_8qRKFTQKBz7mQkjgND7oi0cG97Z9anEHI6T8VVSnxgYqwiozDP_AipBK3N8zgKCBUBCELmbkcaQwDuMqE4MQ3vo1CDEY28qBExJh9mnyt/s1600/amish2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwUi7KK4lq1lcUSiDyLIR_auZAOg19ua6w28j_FiV30ckbqcImjEXhu2W_c6CvbOgR8e3i7IO5FwuDl2x0kGLzmv2hBqHa8hydpPfLmZ9fZRr0nYgOk3ApcPV5C2D2HoA-DUoXegIx5oF/s1600/amish3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwUi7KK4lq1lcUSiDyLIR_auZAOg19ua6w28j_FiV30ckbqcImjEXhu2W_c6CvbOgR8e3i7IO5FwuDl2x0kGLzmv2hBqHa8hydpPfLmZ9fZRr0nYgOk3ApcPV5C2D2HoA-DUoXegIx5oF/s1600/amish3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Amish Cinnamon Bread</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Adapted from Redfly Creations)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yields Two Loafs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Batter</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 C Butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 C Sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Eggs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 C Buttermilk</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4 C Flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 tsp Baking Soda</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mix all together in bowl.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Topping</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2/3 C sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 tsp cinnamon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mix topping together in bowl.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grease two loaf pans. Pour 3/4 of the batter (divided equally in half between the two) into the two loaf pans. Top with 3/4 of the cinnamon and sugar mixture (again divided equally between the two loafs). Add the remaining batter to each of the pans and top with the remaining cinnamon and sugar mixture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes before serving.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This ended up being a perfect "coffee cake"!</div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-67703994852659374902013-09-28T09:13:00.000-04:002013-10-08T23:10:10.255-04:00Mrs. B's Apple Butter<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jioAFZGLaBEIDnj1iWC3-r5i7pBJiM3ZTtMkgCm6eK_T7tJj2brsqLqDEdHZHZmeYkv0Eakuo5NCS3NWP4U-DRjTa82SVnzvvT-2gNYdrl0Q8TWqnrS9PnK0Rm2tlxwLejTTtyHUMS3-/s1600/IMG_5463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jioAFZGLaBEIDnj1iWC3-r5i7pBJiM3ZTtMkgCm6eK_T7tJj2brsqLqDEdHZHZmeYkv0Eakuo5NCS3NWP4U-DRjTa82SVnzvvT-2gNYdrl0Q8TWqnrS9PnK0Rm2tlxwLejTTtyHUMS3-/s1600/IMG_5463.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Fall is certainly one of my favorite seasons. What's not to love with the crisp cool air filled with amazing smells and the excitement of football!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Speaking of smells... If want to fill your home with the sweet scent of apples and cinnamon without lighting fifty different candles, which I must say I am definitely guilty of having a candle lit in every room, I have just the way to do it! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crock pot apple butter is my new favorite hobby. It requires about 10 minutes of chopping and peeling apples and then you're done. The best part is that when your home smells delicious and mouth watering you actually get to eat it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When working in the Emergency Department you run across all types of people and on a very special, rare day you run into one of those patients that just steals your heart. Two days ago I had the pleasure of meeting the most sensational woman, who at 84 years of age is still climbing oak trees, cleaning her own gutters, and picking pears and apples from her own trees. She lives alone and has the sweetest soul and the most amazing stories. She of course has no physician and has a medication list that is super easy to remember. NONE. For privacy purposes, we will call her Mrs. B.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She is the perfect example of a woman who has worked hard every day, loved her family, and lived a full and rich life. We talked about canning and cooking and somehow ended up talking about my desire to learn how to make apple butter. We talked for quite some time about her family and her recipes and she walked me through her process of making apple butter! What a treasured recipe that I will have forever in my mind.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I brought her back yesterday for a recheck and as soon as I walked in the room I could smell them... APPLES!! This amazing, sweet woman brought an entire bag of apples that she hand picked from her own apple tree. This was one of those times in life that I thanked God for having the opportunity to work in a field that allows me to help people. Little does Mrs. B know but she actually helped and taught me more than I could even begin to do for her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14793BCeZhnPzg4qL-A5j-GEM0LW57Yi1F07b4rCC1gh3rPlq7qimesai6cMCxE511vwKutQ8XyvkGYztfpws55XE-1MnQjCDwpSNuJf8cOCHr3cxzqTr8UmciEqhPtWlMEUOFGFko0Na/s1600/IMG_5445_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14793BCeZhnPzg4qL-A5j-GEM0LW57Yi1F07b4rCC1gh3rPlq7qimesai6cMCxE511vwKutQ8XyvkGYztfpws55XE-1MnQjCDwpSNuJf8cOCHr3cxzqTr8UmciEqhPtWlMEUOFGFko0Na/s1600/IMG_5445_2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can tell the God lives deep within the woman's heart and it was such a blessing to cross paths with her. It's crazy how you can come and go in and out of someones life so quickly and never really know how much you impacted them. I'm sure she will never know it but she will be well known in our family... I packaged her butter in mini-jars to share! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Mrs. B's Apple Butter</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">14 Apples</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I asked what kind of apples to use. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Her response, "Whatever falls from the tree.")</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lemon Juice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 Cups Apple Cider</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cinnamon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cloves</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nutmeg</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peel, core, and chop apples. Toss around in just enough lemon juice to give a very light coating. Mrs. B said that she used to make her apple butter in a roasting pan. She now uses the new crock pot her daughter bought her. Toss the apples in the crock pot. Coat the top with cinnamon. I used a pretty hearty dose of cinnamon. Add 1 tbs of cloves 1 tbs of nutmeg (more or less to taste).<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfjkgMELcAIsIqEOzM3aP-fTIUMakX1-ZlI2aj0lcjkjVBYuyf8lr2fB0J8jBenTglGpVO3dpUogF7tiQHGg_ICNo0Pi1c0cF6krfbnGVSPudwRm-L7FHJrZ1gaQ9ib35ndz8wPu0nz9U/s1600/IMG_5449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfjkgMELcAIsIqEOzM3aP-fTIUMakX1-ZlI2aj0lcjkjVBYuyf8lr2fB0J8jBenTglGpVO3dpUogF7tiQHGg_ICNo0Pi1c0cF6krfbnGVSPudwRm-L7FHJrZ1gaQ9ib35ndz8wPu0nz9U/s1600/IMG_5449.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1w3sQCjxaBhMKpxdY_86p517AdRCvN8JGgawRZ9ITaDIkbUtlQyRiAYJNZw2xW0lD-RhB2g9Jfey35F5iTNO6xhTr9ObJIy8TPshx7W6pRGxFMbgZQSrFz5wtHOn6pLPOcMCj847PHzH/s1600/IMG_5451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1w3sQCjxaBhMKpxdY_86p517AdRCvN8JGgawRZ9ITaDIkbUtlQyRiAYJNZw2xW0lD-RhB2g9Jfey35F5iTNO6xhTr9ObJIy8TPshx7W6pRGxFMbgZQSrFz5wtHOn6pLPOcMCj847PHzH/s1600/IMG_5451.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
Turn on low and just let it do it's magic. I started my crock pot at 6pm. We headed to bed around midnight so at that point I propped the lid open with my wooden spoon to let some of the moisture out. Turn your crock pot off and then back on before heading to bed. Most have timer cut offs and will automatically turn off after a certain number of hours. We were up with the sun to head to work and our butter was done right at 6am. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remove the apples from the crock pot. Put them in a food processor and process until smooth.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzutSAVHMBtvKK-3NaSZgpN0l7D2bnwR72lx-eI2bhGA7Uc6GoOgq7ScRQei33gVmiPDkb-SIuQeIm8X5JNB795KXqEkZW9dxUAn0yb7YFcRYhfSY_ECKNFkpqjxUVwMOACzymrpE6PCW/s1600/IMG_5452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzutSAVHMBtvKK-3NaSZgpN0l7D2bnwR72lx-eI2bhGA7Uc6GoOgq7ScRQei33gVmiPDkb-SIuQeIm8X5JNB795KXqEkZW9dxUAn0yb7YFcRYhfSY_ECKNFkpqjxUVwMOACzymrpE6PCW/s1600/IMG_5452.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FEZV294hE8toMYLHcGkvTLc0gxbsq2q0w_m3x3VfK-Sz3iNKOjhbfB38U8y4pSWm5NiHWbCMwbSih7MVJu7xoqMD9DlUNyawXcNZMLRPEQ1k77fBh2bg4rrBAYQ2tQTq-Mwx2GCgjM8j/s1600/IMG_5453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FEZV294hE8toMYLHcGkvTLc0gxbsq2q0w_m3x3VfK-Sz3iNKOjhbfB38U8y4pSWm5NiHWbCMwbSih7MVJu7xoqMD9DlUNyawXcNZMLRPEQ1k77fBh2bg4rrBAYQ2tQTq-Mwx2GCgjM8j/s1600/IMG_5453.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And there you have... Mrs. B's apple butter.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmQLYGPmBnfJb1VfyRfWt7XfeRTzWPK5SwlW6n73FqHNG8C7TTO0JxraxaDGC5KXZOA1e6qi_4XgV1S9738ynEscaq8_jRXQa67R3mVr9g-NnGW7cGwcMt-1SJ7Q7N-bxQC7OxtMfIQw2/s1600/IMG_5458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmQLYGPmBnfJb1VfyRfWt7XfeRTzWPK5SwlW6n73FqHNG8C7TTO0JxraxaDGC5KXZOA1e6qi_4XgV1S9738ynEscaq8_jRXQa67R3mVr9g-NnGW7cGwcMt-1SJ7Q7N-bxQC7OxtMfIQw2/s1600/IMG_5458.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This would be amazing paired with John's homemade biscuits! <br />
Today, due to time, we tossed it on some wheat bread. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C0UELEkYWERLC0ziKUvcYnrJrTQlan9UGwvv01JO_Qywq_9NRNiejY2ApEyGv-d3xOVCMzozGhy_85LhGbiFiHezRW0CofuuQtbCtXeYZhS99CRMORJqr1NvmZO4J69124_sqq9EHy6y/s1600/IMG_5465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C0UELEkYWERLC0ziKUvcYnrJrTQlan9UGwvv01JO_Qywq_9NRNiejY2ApEyGv-d3xOVCMzozGhy_85LhGbiFiHezRW0CofuuQtbCtXeYZhS99CRMORJqr1NvmZO4J69124_sqq9EHy6y/s1600/IMG_5465.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Serve with a steaming cup of Onyx coffee in your favorite Saturday mug.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xoxo,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taryn</div>
<br />Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-67160041865194622402013-09-26T18:51:00.001-04:002016-01-07T13:32:36.620-05:00Kale Caesar Salad<div style="text-align: center;">
I first heard the term "kale" on one of my best girlfriends blogs... Car was one of the bridesmaids in our wedding, is one of my best friends, and also happens to have an AMAZING food blog. She inspires many of the meals around the Kendrick household. I remembered seeing a recipe for kale sauté and thinking, "Sounds good... What's kale?". If you're looking for some amazing, reputable recipes that are backed by an amazing wom then check out her blog. You will not be disappointed!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://carmenskitch.blogspot.com/">http://carmenskitch.blogspot.com/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After I read her recipe, the old Taryn instantly had no clue what kale was and moved on to something like a grilled chicken caesar on spinach. Kale and I must have been meant to be soul mates because it popped up on another one of my favorite blogs last week! Before I go further I'll just go ahead and admit it... I love watching The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. There... I said it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And so does my husband. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sure he's reading this saying "NO, I DO NOT!" However, there are the countless comments from his side of the living room that include but are not limited to:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"So who's the mean one this season?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Where's that one really good looking one?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Wait... What did she just say?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brian Kendrick... you are officially busted and I'm letting the cat out of the bag that you're a fan of The Bachelor. He will continue to deny it I'm sure but luckily y'all are now in the know.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jillian Harris is one of the former Bachelorettes and now has an amazing blog. She is a designer for Love It Or List It (one of my favorite HGTV shows) and Extreme Home Makeover. Fashion, food, and interior design... this girls got it all! She also inspired my idea for Foodie Friday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So getting to the point. Foodie Friday this week included a caesar salad on kale. Before I share this gem, I want to make it known that I did not take the photo of this salad nor did I create this recipe. I'm a firm believer of giving credit where credit is due:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jillianharris.com/blog/post">http://www.jillianharris.com/blog/post</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, I have given it the old college try and it will rocked my world. Promise yourself that you won't run for the hills when you read that there is anchovy paste in the dressing. I will be honest... it's in a tube that looks like it came out of a medicine cabinet, it's a really gross grey color, and it has the consistency of toothpaste. However, it's divine! Trust me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPIiL3kG6Xo8-p_ORo50qXy8PyFoYQirL5paOFBt6svsEHYSXIEPuvqJUZYP89y6o1fcaXBFSDT-74Uf-PLOyMQ1OY5y5y8T7y0w73tcukURIRtNY3KnOwqf2OaKpNsLUN_L_wdRZcjJ6/s1600/kale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPIiL3kG6Xo8-p_ORo50qXy8PyFoYQirL5paOFBt6svsEHYSXIEPuvqJUZYP89y6o1fcaXBFSDT-74Uf-PLOyMQ1OY5y5y8T7y0w73tcukURIRtNY3KnOwqf2OaKpNsLUN_L_wdRZcjJ6/s320/kale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">KALE CAESAR SALAD<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Serves 2-3</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 cups of fresh kale</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup - olive oil </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tbsp - white wine vinegar </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tsp - dijon mustard (I used stone ground because that's what we had on hand)</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tsp - anchovy paste </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp - Worcestershire </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cloves garlic minced </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Salt & Pepper </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tbsp - grated parm </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tbsp - Miracle Whip</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 full lemon squeezed </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fresh Baguette</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">Bacon</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Easy as 1, 2, 3:</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">1. Make Your Dressing: Mix together olive oil, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire, garlic, and anchovy paste. Then add S&P, parmesan, and Miracle Whip. Squeeze the juice of one full lemon into the dressing and whisk together. You can alter the amount of lemon and add extra vinegar at the end depending on your taste.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">
</span></span>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">2. Throw your bacon onto a cookie sheet (lined with aluminum foil) and toss it in the oven at 375 degrees. You will smell it when it's done. Tear your baguette into bite sized pieces, toss them in some olive oil with salt and pepper, and toss them in the oven on broil for some easy homemade croutons.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">3. Toss it all together, top it with more parm, garnish with a lemon slice, and pour yourself a glass of vino. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cheers to kale!</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">xoxo,</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Taryn</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-67582449764760326332013-09-25T20:27:00.001-04:002013-09-25T20:27:39.155-04:00Life As Newlyweds.Hi Everyone!<br />
<br />
It's been a minute or two since the last blog post. Needless to say the past several months, ok really the past year, has been the most amazing whirlwind. We finally got settled in to life in Danville, then got to plan our wedding (more details on that later), and now we're enjoying the sweet bliss of married life. It is SO GREAT!! <br />
<br />
We've been saying for months that we're excited for things to slow down. It has always been "after the move when things slow down" or "after the wedding when things slow down" but the truth is that I think we're pretty content with things not slowing down. We like to be doing things, we love to have projects, and we love planning for our next adventure.<br />
<br />
Here is the 'quick and dirty' of our life as newlyweds thus far:<br />
<br />
We decided to wait to go on our honeymoon. We talked about several places that we would love to go and for some reason we always came back to Europe. I've never been and Brian has been once but it has been years ago. Brian is finishing up fellowship and I'm still in the emergency department so the option of going to Europe right now was really not in the cards. We're so excited to take some time to backpack through Europe after Brian finishes fellowship and I quit my job and before we both start working again. We're going for the true backpacking experience...literally! We're having so much fun planning our trip and we're having a really hard time narrowing down where to go. We recently purchased 50L packs and have already taken them for a trial run to California. I was successfully able to fit a weeks worth of stuff, including 4 pairs of shoes, in my pack (they may or may not have been tied to the bottom... whatev!)<br />
<br />
We made a trip back to Illinois to see my family. My parents are now fully embracing retirement as full time Floridians. They sold the house in Illinois and recently had an auction with proceeds benefiting organ donation. I went home with the idea of helping Mom get rid of things that we just we don't need... it ended up with me and Mom sitting on the floor of the garage crying over old Christmas decorations. Now we have a ridiculously large storage unit to hold all of the "memories" that I refused to let Mom get rid of. I was little to no help in the cleaning out process. <br />
<br />
We recently got back from Beverly Hills! Brian went for a conference and I went for moral support. Packing light was actually REALLY nice. We successfully took our packs, spent a week in Cali, and loved every second. It was so nice to get away for a few days and it was our first official trip as husband and wife.<br />
<br />
I lost the blonde hair and went brunette while we were gone. Why not, right?? <br />
<br />
Pennsylvania is gorgeous this time of year and we've been trying to really take advantage of living in this area for the few months that we have left. We've done a few great hikes and have a weekend getaway planned to the finger lakes in New York. Wine country of the north... enough said :-)<br />
<br />
We made it to a Hogs game! We met Nathan and Melissa Tyler in New Jersey to watch the Razorbacks/Rutgers game. We had a very successful tailgate and I, of course, loved making new and creative tailgate food. If we would have left during the third quarter I would say that the game was great (we took a turn for the worse in the 4th)... we'll get 'em next time!<br />
<br />
This pretty much brings you up to date. <br />
<br />
We're really enjoying and embracing married life and trying to appreciate every day. I'm making an effort and so excited to get back to things that I love doing... blogging, cooking, running, etc. I'm putting blogging back into my regular routine! I plan on posting photos and recipes on a pretty regular basis. We've started a new tradition in our house called "Foodie Friday"... though it doesn't always occur on Fridays at this point.<br />
<br />
Have you ran in to a rut with your recipes and cooking? I know I did for a while. Most of my issue was that I felt like I didn't have the time to spend cooking and then I realized we were going out to eat on all of our days off. I would look at recipes and not know what some of things were or I was intimidated because I didn't know how to prepare them. Not anymore! Now I consult my trusty resources... wikipedia and you tube!<br />
<br />
Foodie Friday is intended to be a fun cooking day filled with a trip to the grocery store (that isn't rushed!), wine, music, and new recipes that we normally wouldn't try. Since Brian works on weekdays I pick one and have "Foodie Friday" and then he is able to come home to a really unique (I'm not saying it's always good!) meal... last week was tailgate food and this week was homemade pasta and ravioli. I'll post some great recipes that we've been trying! Next week is salmon week... I've always been intimidated of preparing fish. <br />
<br />
I'm tossing around the idea of signing up for a marathon! It's on my bucket list and I feel like now is probably just as good as any other time to do it. Danville has a half-marathon and full marathon and it's already on the calendar for May 3, 2014. I brought it up to Brian and he actually sparked a little bit of interest in doing it with me... fingers crossed! The marathon route goes right past our home and we have the perfect porch for spectators. Visitors would be warmly welcomed :) <br />
<br />
We have a trip to Arkansas coming up which we're both really excited about! We're so excited to see family and fall in Arkansas is like no other. <br />
<br />
We're excited to start putting together the puzzle pieces of our future and will hopefully have some set plans in the near future. Until then we're just enjoying the days of our new life together. I know people said that "everything changes" when you get married. Initially I thought they were crazy. How much could change, really? Now I realize that looking at Brian and knowing that he is my husband is definitely a change... it has made life so much sweeter!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-23740572543282273912013-06-16T21:50:00.002-04:002013-06-16T21:50:24.624-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
It is pretty hard to believe that in just three short weeks I will officially be Mrs. Kendrick!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out our updated Schedule of Events for tons of new information. We have lots of exciting things planned and are counting down the days until we get to see everyone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please keep in touch if you have questions or concerns... we're just a phone call/text/facebook message away and want to make sure everyone has a safe, fun, stress free trip to North Carolina!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See you soon!</div>
Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909288078551603385.post-12536471189692945412013-01-05T15:46:00.000-05:002013-01-05T15:46:18.094-05:00Let The Countdown Begin!<div style="text-align: center;">
Six months from today we will be getting ready to head to our rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and will be surrounded by our closest family and friends in one of our favorite cities. In lieu of a traditional wedding website we have decided to use our blog to keep everyone updated on our plans. To the right you will see several tabs filled with lots of wedding information. Feel free to look around and please let us know if you have any questions! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg59f-km-fntsvdNFxGRl43wGFfOgpiJIpxikl_0VIKfSBTaH87-KPyzcxtMpNghe-788gRAI8456NvjzAl76j1UqFjrPUyIpm4xr4jo6AIA9NeLVorGC7OBiFZ7cN4DmYOVMYAPTF42xy/s1600/AshevilleSkyline2009a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg59f-km-fntsvdNFxGRl43wGFfOgpiJIpxikl_0VIKfSBTaH87-KPyzcxtMpNghe-788gRAI8456NvjzAl76j1UqFjrPUyIpm4xr4jo6AIA9NeLVorGC7OBiFZ7cN4DmYOVMYAPTF42xy/s400/AshevilleSkyline2009a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Tarynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083645776625233402noreply@blogger.com0