Learning from the Master Cook!

For many years I've been blessed by the AMAZING cooking (anyone who knows her will agree) of my friend Trina! Back when we lived in Lithuania I began to realize how lucky I was to get to experience her food creations (including CinnaBon cinnamon rolls one night around midnight!...and baking isn't even her specialty...but WOW!!! YUM!!!).

A couple years after LT I lived with Dave and Trina for a year or so. Can you imagine...coming home from work to a gourmet meal every few nights! She even did the impossible and taught me that cooked veggies can ACTUALLY TASTE GOOD!!!! REALLY!! I LOVE them now!!
Teigen even knows when it's time to come hang out in the kitchen!!! They still blame me for teaching him to beg! (hey, animals need little treats now and then too, right?!!)
It wasn't until I got married and then had to change my diet that I actually started to learn to cook myself (no, i didn't get into the pot but you know what i mean:)!!). I've LOVED it and have SO much more to learn. So when I had the chance to visit Trina, of course we had to share our love of cooking together. She was fabulous and taught me a basic- roasted chicken...and then how to make a broth with the remains!
Tiana came along for the fun too! YUM!!! OH SO GOOD!!! Thanks Trina! Can't wait for the next time!

(Dave and Trina keep a food blog as well if you're interested. It's at givetothewheat.blogspot.com.

I'm back....

I just realized the other day that i haven't posted anything on here for a LONG time...so i think i'll start it up again.

For now just a little something since Matt just got home and i want to see him....we got to see Kendra and meet her husband, Andy, and baby, Malena, the other night!!! SOOoooo good! And they got to meet Matt! Things have changed so much since we last saw each other and it was really good to catch up!

Plus, we got to see her parents as well, and her dad built a fabulous fire for us to sit by and enjoy our dessert! Good times with wonderful people!

He did it again!!!

Until I met Matt, I didn't think anyone could ever pull off any kind of surprise for me before I'd figure it out...or at least PART of it...which was kind of a bummer since i LIKE surprises! BUT, then Matt came along! He has surprised me many times, and he did it again a couple nights ago.

I THOUGHT that my boss changed my work schedule for the day so that a co-worker could go to an appointment. It wasn't until I got home from work that the truth was revealed...matt had schemed ahead of time so that I could get off of work early for a whole evening of fun!

FIRST, I opened the front door to my HANDSOME man dressed in a new black button-up shirt (WOW! if you know matt, clothes don't matter that much to him...they are simply functional). So before i knew anything else about the night, I was bedazzled by this amazing looking man that was MY HUSBAND!!!

THEN, I saw behind him a transformed living room and smelled something in the air that HAD to be GOOD!! Matt had created the atmosphere and made a FABULOUS dinner!!!

NEXT, I dressed up a bit and we drove to Sacramento for the BIG surprise!
A JIM BRICKMAN concert! Jim is an amazing piano player! We used a couple of his songs in our wedding, and his music has also brought much rest to my brain and soul in times of unrest, anxiety and depression that I've faced. So this was a meaningful and amazing gift to me!
The concert was beautiful! More than anything, though, I felt so filled and blessed by my man who took so much of his own money, time and energy to show his love. I am thankful! Words can't express!!
Here's the capital from the top of the parking garage down the street from the theater.

THANK YOU MATT. I LOVE YOU.

Weekend with my SISTER!!!

Cindy came this last weekend!!! We had a fabulous time together! We went to the Folsom zoo...YES, Folsom has a zoo! It was small but fun! The animals have all been rescued from bad situations. My favorites as always were the tigers...and i really liked these birds! They are HUGE and live 60 or so years! AMAZING colors and fun to watch!

Of course I showed her around our new home town...to the lake, the Folsom Prison (yes, the one in the Johnny Cash song), the historic area, etc. We had a sister date at Mimi's restaurant, went in the hot tub, and she showed me and matt all kinds of pictures from her trip last summer through Greece, Turkey, etc. SO much fun!

I LOVE my sister and THROUGHLY enjoyed spending time with her. I'm so thankful for a sister who is a friend...to walk through life with, learn together, and keep growing as God leads us. Thanks for coming Cindy!!!

I was curious to find out if people would still think we look alike. In high school they all thought we were twins. Sure enough...co-workers, a waitress and people at church asked, "are you twins?" I LIKE looking like my sister! kinda fun!

Winter in Tahoe

When Alison and Alastair were here, we all, and DadO, drove up to Tahoe for a day! It's the second time I've been there but the first time I've seen it in winter...and I prefer winter! It's beautiful!

just curious

does anyone read this other than my mom? and a few other family members? i'm just curious who i'm posting to. :)

and whoever you are...please be praying for me as winter continues on. the rain and clouds are far less here than in portland(THANK GOD), but these last few weeks have really effected me emotionally since the sun hasn't shown itself in a while. I have S.A.D. and it is no fun. I'm SOOoooooo thankful that the sun DID come out for the last two days! It has helped more than you can imagine. I'm making lots of choices that help me stay healthy, but some days i just feel unusually low. Thank you for praying. Much Love.

Friends

spending time during the holidays with some of matt and alison's friends from high school days.