FALL FEVER

our front door! :)

I think I fell a little more in love with Pete when he came in to the kitchen today and said, "Man I love fall days!" This comment was music to my ears-even though-his love for fall stems from the never-ending football games that invade our TV 24-7. He recently set us up on direct TV (we now have a hideous dish attached to our deck rail). This new TV set up gives us "NFL SUNDAY TICKET" which basically (according to pete) lets him watch every football game known to man. He even can set it up so the TV will flip back and forth to multiple games at the same time. OH BOY!

Even though it is hard for me to admit it...football is one of the reasons I love fall. I love hearing football on TV while I burn fall-scented candles and make fallish meals or treats in the kitchen. I love the way the weather changes and the air feels. I love busting out new coats and boots and turning up the heat in my car. I love it that Pete just brought us home a pumpkin spice and gingerbread lattes from Peet's coffee. AND I love taking Nellie for walks in the park and watching the leaves change.

There are many times while living in the Pacific NorthWest that I say, "Man I miss the sunshine!" or "Ug I'm sick of this rain!" BUT when fall rolls around-I fall back in love with this area and all the seasons we get to experience. If you know me...you know I get fall fever BAD. It is here and I'm ready to indulge!

Cherries!

“Life is a bowl of cherries. Some cherries are rotten while others are good; its your job to throw out the rotten ones and forget about them while you enjoy eating the ones that are good! There are two kinds of people: those who choose to throw out the good cherries and wallow in all the rotten ones, and those who choose to throw out all the rotten ones and savor all the good ones.”

This past month-Pete and I have had a few "rotten cherries" show up in our bowl of life....a couple losses and some stressful weeks ended up leaving us feeling pretty down. This past week, we have the luxury of staying home together, relaxing, sleeping in, and catching up around the house... it has been rejuvenating and healing. We've had lots of time to talk, reflect and focus on the "good cherries" in our life. We've also realized again just how blessed we are with so many supportive family and friends. Your encouraging words and thoughts have meant so much to us!

I've always has a positive outlook on life. I guess I would say that I have always thought that "life really is a bowl of cherries!" and that the "glass is half full". As I've grown up, I have realized that life is not always a bowl of cherries and that nobody is immune to the hard times and sad moments of life. I believe it is a personal choice how you choose to face these challenging times. It is so easy to wallow in self-pity-I've been there. It is so easy to be angry and lose the skip in your step-I've been there too. IT takes work to get back on the saddle and trust that God does not give you more than you can handle. God makes sure our bowls are full of some pretty delicious cherries.

So as we prepare to start another week, I'm focusing on savoring all things good and promising in life. I encourage each one of you to pick out the plump cherries in your bowl and put those rotten ones right down the garbage disposal! :)

Sleep Tight

As you most of you know, I'm a planner. I plan out my days, my nights, my weekends, and my free time. I really can't help myself-it is just my nature. So you can imagine that when I came home Saturday am from work to find my parents sleeping in my guest bedroom-I was very SURPRISED! They decided to drive to see us last minute....we loved it!

It was a spontaneous weekend. They helped pete and I install shelves in our closet so that we could make the most of of our teeny tiny space-it was a huge success. Saturday night-we went out for a delicious dinner at Noble Rot and took in a stunning view of the city. AND today (sunday), My mom and I went to see a movie while my dad and pete golfed.

Last, but not least, my mom and I finished a house project. Awhile back, I blogged about our revamping on the guest bedroom. The finishing touch to this revamping was hanging letters to spell "SLEEP TIGHT" over the guest bed. My mom, my dear friend Wendi and I have been collecting letters since February in all shapes and sizes. My mom even painted some of the letters all cute and funky. So we got them all up on the wall and it looks exactly how I wanted it (pic)-thanks to my super creative mom.

I love a weekend that is planned and falls right in to place, but I also love it when things take you for a whirl and you fall asleep sunday night feeling satisfied by events that just took shape unexpectantly. It had been a long week for me and my parents "popping by" was just what I needed. Now.... I need a good night of zzzz's-Sleep tight everyone!

ELLA BELLA

Last week Thursday day night (July 21st)- a perfect little baby girl was born. We are so thrilled for our dear friends Jeff and Kelly as the welcomed Ella Kennedy Meakins into their lives. We rejoiced with them 9 months ago when they found out they were expecting and have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of their little bundle these past months!

I was so honored to be part of the delivery and immediate post partum period to support Kelly through the exciting, yet nerve racking process of having a baby. It was so special to be there for little Ella's birth and share in the joy as she met her parents for the first time. I see newborn babies on a daily basis at work-but it is extra special when it is a baby you know on a personal level :). It was an emotional and beautiful thing! Kelly and Jeff were brave and amazing through the whole experience. Now the new family is at home beginning the joys and hurdles of parenthood. We could not be happier for them! Cheers to little Ella Bella!

We also send a special shout out to Mike and Rachel Jackson as they welcomed little baby boy Levi in the end of May and my cousin Meagan and her husband Jeff Ramos as they welcomed little baby girl Gracie Mae in June. We also look forward to some more new baby arrivals this fall...you know who you are!! :) Seeing all these healthy, and happy babies brings so much happiness! Babies babies everywhere!

Blueberry Breakfast Bake

4th of July weekend-I whipped up this breakfast deliciousness with my mother-in-law Nan. It is a Whole Foods Recipe. It is unique and perfect for berry season. We had a lot of fun making it too. :)

Ingredients:

1 (12 oz) day-old baguette, cut in 1/2-inch cubes

1 pint bluberries, divided (we threw in some raspberries too)

12 oz Neufchatel cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

8 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2/3 cup milk

Maple syrup (optional)

Method:

Place half of the bread cubes in a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with blueberries, reserving a few for garnish.

In a mixing bowl, beat cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, sour cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Gradually add milk until blended. Pour half over bread. Top with remaining bread, then remaining cheese mixture. Cover and chill overnight or up to 24 hours.

Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake about 25 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with reserved blueberries. Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve with maple syrup, if desired.

On life and vacation

Right now I am all cozy on our couch...taking in a summer evening. I got put on-call tonight from work and did not except to have this free time. . .so rewarding when it comes unexpected. Pete is in Seattle spending a weekend with his dad and some of his buds. The house is quiet and peaceful and I just might pour myself a glass of white wine=perfect blogging conditions!

The fact that 2011 is half over as of today-blows me away. Life is a giant whirlwind sometimes. I really don't know what happened. I feel like one day it was February and today I woke up and we are nearing the end of June. WOW. We have been busy. Pete is enjoying his career at Wells Fargo as Private Banker and is going between mainly two different branches in our area. He has been at this position exactly one year now. I have pretty much adjusted well to night shift nursing, but always find myself in need of just a few more hours of sleep. ;) I started my dream job in Post Partum the beginning of MAY. I love working with moms and babies more than I could have ever imagined. I'm working a lot though, so Pete and I cherish the time we have to relax and unwind.

Which brings me to our recent relaxing vacation. We went to Maui to celebrate our 5 year anniversary and be part of Avery and Chad's (our dear friends) wedding- as they were married on June 18th! It was a fabulous vacation. My parents also went and we had the best time with them. Memories included: beach walks, runs, wave riding, sand storms, mai tais, lava flows, macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup, delicious seafood, gorgeous sunsets, boat cruises, snorkeling in search of turtles, home friends, happy hours, jeep rides, shave ice, good books, slow dancing on the beach and then dancing on the dance floor, champagne toasts, nightbows (a night rainbow), and lots of sunshine, laughter, and suncreen...it was the perfect getaway. We were reminded how important marriage is as we start year 6 of ours and as we watched our friends fall in love and share in their beautiful wedding vows! It brings me sooo much joy to watch someone I have known since childhood find happiness!

I know I am about as sentimental as they come, but I truly cherish making memories with the ones I love. To me . . .vacation is one of the best concepts of life. Time to get away from the day to day grind, remember why you work so hard, cherish the beauty of a different city, and laugh with the people you know best. This vacation was a win win situation because we were in tropical paradise and we were with family and friends! I had the post-vacation blues pretty bad when I got home. This week has been gloomy. I find myself constantly thinking "last week at this time we were"....I have contemplated grabbing pete and driving back to the airport on numerous occasions. But as my dad said, "Vacation has got to end so you can start looking forward to the next one!" so that is what I am doing...looking on to the next one. Thanks to all of you who made this one something special!!

Juanitas!

I've been out of the blogging world for awhile, but I had to blog about my latest craving. I need Mexican food like I need my right hand, but I never thought I would desire tortilla chips all hours of the day. Pete and I have a new craving... Juanitas Tortilla Chips made in Hood River, OR. As we wandered through the chip/cracker aisle at Whole Foods on Sunday, Pete said, "Man I heard those chips were good!' I threw them in the cart without a second thought. Upon opening the bag back at home- I realized just how addicting these little crunchies can be. The perfect blend of crunch, salt, and moisture-these chips are authentic and delicious. Pete says they can also be found at the Mexican market in Beaverton. Yum. Top them off with some mango-pineapple salsa and you are set for one epic treat! More posts to come soon. :)