Monday, October 17, 2011
Let's talk work.
I quit consulting work 18-months ago but that doesn't mean that I don't care about my old projects or clients. In fact, I still get a thrill out of driving by the projects that I designed. So, imagine my surprise when I received an email with this attachment last week!
I was the Project Manager for the civil engineering on this museum for 3 years before I left my old gig. The design was challenging and you will never see my work since it is mostly buried in the plaza but I'm still proud. This invitation is very gratifying and I can't wait to see the final product!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Anyone out there?
It has been 8 months since I posted here and there have been a lot of changes and happenings here:
Yes! I am a working pilates instructor but it is just too much to sustain at this pace. Downtime is non-existent at the Ross house. I'm teaching on average 4 days a week between the City of Lakewood and Pilates of Cherry Creek. Ideally I will find a way to combine my new love into a more reasonable pace. On a fun note, I have quite the pilates wardrobe now. A few favorites are from lululemon and Gap Body but I'm always on the hunt for some new threads.
We covered almost 1,000 miles over 12 days with five golf courses, four amazing stops. My big souvenir was a brown bag filled with some great magazines.
I'm getting ready to work on the family room, we're hitting the seven year itch with the house so no drastic changes but subtle enough to make me happy. (Full disclosure - there is not a whole lot of "we" in this itch.)
My next post won't be 8-months from now...hopefully not even 8 days.
Yes! I am a working pilates instructor but it is just too much to sustain at this pace. Downtime is non-existent at the Ross house. I'm teaching on average 4 days a week between the City of Lakewood and Pilates of Cherry Creek. Ideally I will find a way to combine my new love into a more reasonable pace. On a fun note, I have quite the pilates wardrobe now. A few favorites are from lululemon and Gap Body but I'm always on the hunt for some new threads.
We went to Ireland in September and if we had it our way (or a trust fund) we would buy a house and move there pronto! It was an amazing two weeks that went by way too fast but 1100+photos should have captured the memories. (Don't get me started with watching Big Break Ireland, it is painful to watch it and not have plans to go back.)
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| Kinsale Harbor - County Cork |
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| No. 12 @ Old Head GC
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My next post won't be 8-months from now...hopefully not even 8 days.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Cooking Lady - Soup is in Season
This winter had me making a ton of soup. It was easy to make ahead and lasted all week for lunches and quick dinners. Here are my three favorites...enjoy!
White Bean Chili
1 T. olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. chili powder
Salt/Pepper to taste
1 lb. boneless chicken breast, cut & cubed
3 cans Great Northern Beans, drained & rinsed
1 can diced green chiles
3 C. chicken broth
Water, as needed.
-Brown onion, garlic and chicken over medium heat in olive oil. Season with chili powder, salt and pepper.
-Once browned, add beans, green chiles & chicken broth. Bring to a boil then simmer on low heat. Add water as needed to obtain desired consistency. Use a potato masher and lightly mash the bean mixture to thicken the soup.
-Serve with cheese & sour cream.
Salsa Black Bean Soup
1 t. olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 t. chili powder
3 cans black beans, rinsed & drained
1 (8-oz) jar salsa (I use the Archer Farms salsa verde)
2 C. water
1 T. lime juice
1/2 C. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
**Optional to add chicken, Tobasco chipotle sauce for seasoning, goat cheese instead of monterey jack cheese.
-Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, saute 1-minute until browned.
-Stir in water, chili powder, beans & salsa. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 1 minute.
-Either use your immersion blender to puree the mixture in the pan; or place 3 C. of the black bean mixture into a blender and puree until smooth. Return black bean mixture to pan and heat through.
-Add lime juice and simmer 10 minutes.
-Serve immediately with cheese.
Broccoli-Cheese Soup
1/2 lb broccoli chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
2 garlic cloves, crushed then minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons unbleached flour
1 cup low-fat milk
1/2 cup chopped green onion (to garnish)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
salt & pepper
**Optional to add cooked potato cubes.
-In a medium sauce pot over med. high heat, place broth, broccoli, onion, celery and garlic. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer 3 minutes. Take off heat and cover.
-In a ceramic coated Dutch oven melt butter over low heat. When melted, add flour and turn up heat to med.- high. Cook stirring constantly till roux is bubbly and a golden brown color.
-Add broth mixture all at once while whisking. Keep whisking or stirring constantly until soup is bubbly and thickened about 3 minutes.
-Take off heat and add grated cheese. Stir in till melted. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with salt and pepper and garnish with green onions.
White Bean Chili
1 T. olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. chili powder
Salt/Pepper to taste
1 lb. boneless chicken breast, cut & cubed
3 cans Great Northern Beans, drained & rinsed
1 can diced green chiles
3 C. chicken broth
Water, as needed.
-Brown onion, garlic and chicken over medium heat in olive oil. Season with chili powder, salt and pepper.
-Once browned, add beans, green chiles & chicken broth. Bring to a boil then simmer on low heat. Add water as needed to obtain desired consistency. Use a potato masher and lightly mash the bean mixture to thicken the soup.
-Serve with cheese & sour cream.
Salsa Black Bean Soup
1 t. olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 t. chili powder
3 cans black beans, rinsed & drained
1 (8-oz) jar salsa (I use the Archer Farms salsa verde)
2 C. water
1 T. lime juice
1/2 C. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
**Optional to add chicken, Tobasco chipotle sauce for seasoning, goat cheese instead of monterey jack cheese.
-Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, saute 1-minute until browned.
-Stir in water, chili powder, beans & salsa. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 1 minute.
-Either use your immersion blender to puree the mixture in the pan; or place 3 C. of the black bean mixture into a blender and puree until smooth. Return black bean mixture to pan and heat through.
-Add lime juice and simmer 10 minutes.
-Serve immediately with cheese.
Broccoli-Cheese Soup
1/2 lb broccoli chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
2 garlic cloves, crushed then minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons unbleached flour
1 cup low-fat milk
1/2 cup chopped green onion (to garnish)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
salt & pepper
**Optional to add cooked potato cubes.
-In a medium sauce pot over med. high heat, place broth, broccoli, onion, celery and garlic. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer 3 minutes. Take off heat and cover.
-In a ceramic coated Dutch oven melt butter over low heat. When melted, add flour and turn up heat to med.- high. Cook stirring constantly till roux is bubbly and a golden brown color.
-Add broth mixture all at once while whisking. Keep whisking or stirring constantly until soup is bubbly and thickened about 3 minutes.
-Take off heat and add grated cheese. Stir in till melted. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with salt and pepper and garnish with green onions.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Habits of Happy Women
I did some on-line browsing at lunch today and saw this article from Self Magazine. I can't help think that a few of these items would be a really nice way to enter 2011. (A photo a day? I can't even count a photo a month from 2010.) Read on - there are some great ideas!
Simple rituals that are sure to leave you brimming with bliss.
Sometimes happiness lands in our lap: a surprise half-day at work, an out-of-the-blue e-mail from an old friend, a breathtaking sunset. Other times, it's tougher to grab hold of, say, on a rainy Monday morning when you've forgotten your umbrella. That's why we could all use a few foolproof standbys—go-to tactics guaranteed to lift flagging spirits. "Especially when the world is so uncertain, having a few rituals of your own can bring a sense of control and calm," says Karen Salmansohn, author of How to Be Happy, Dammit (Celestial Arts).
So find a serene spot, pull out a pen and list your never-fail pleasures, no matter how goofy or self-indulgent they seem. In case you need inspiration, we've asked busy women from all walks of life to share their own feel-good secrets. Go ahead and steal them. Just don't blame us if you get hooked. These are habits you definitely won't want to kick!
Photograph Something Every Day
"Four years ago, I started carting my camera everywhere and taking one photo a day. Sure, I have a lot of pictures of flowers or strangers in the laundry room of my apartment building, but I also have snapshots of my sister's baby, friends' weddings, sailing in St. Vincent and people who have come in and out of my life that I would have forgotten if I hadn't captured them on film. When I sit down and look through my albums—another ritual in and of itself—I realize that even though I complain about my life at times, there are many reasons to be happy." —Amy Liu, 28, investment banker, New York City
Get Out the Kleenex
"A couple of times a year I watch really sad movies, like When a Man Loves a Woman, by myself. I start crying, then I remember that this isn't my real life and I feel better! It's sort of reverse psychology." —Johanna Longnecker, 28, marketing manager, Boston
Dream On
"For years, I pushed myself to get up early on weekends to do something productive, like go to the gym or clean the bathroom. But I realized that instead of feeling good about what I'd accomplished, I would end up as wrung-out on Saturday nights as I was during the week. Now I let myself sleep in, guilt-free. I work hard; I deserve the downtime." —Tula Karras, 36, SELF editor, Brooklyn, New York
Write a Chain Letter
"After college, six of my best friends and I started a circle letter. The first person on the list writes a letter and sends it to the next person in the chain; she then adds her own letter and a treasure or two, and sends everything to the third, and so on. When it's my turn, I put all my responsibilities on hold, curl up on the couch and sift through the photos, letters and clippings. It's one of my favorite ways to reconnect." —Jennifer Elliott, 28, teacher, Simsbury, Connecticut
Eat Like a Queen
"When I was growing up, my family had a tradition of marking our accomplishments by having the person of the hour eat off a red plate. So when I got engaged, my parents gave my fiancé and me our own red plate. It reminds me how easy it is to make someone feel special. We use it to acknowledge things like finishing our taxes or getting a raise. When our puppy graduated from obedience school, he even got to eat off the red plate!" —Taylor Ware, 28, social worker, Ithaca, New York
Enjoy a Creative Moment
"When I was in Venice, I bought a leather journal that I now carry with me everywhere. When I need an escape or just want to record a beautiful scene, I fill the pages with words or drawings. I love looking back and reflecting on what I've seen and heard. It keeps me linked to places I care about." —Sarah Drake, 28, architect, Newport, Rhode Island
Kiss Off a Bad Day
"Ever since I gave my husband a perfunctory smooch after I'd had an especially dismal day, he and I made a rule that we must give each other an intense, long kiss when we get home from work—no matter what. Let's just say that my lackluster greeting did not garner rave reviews and an upgrade was demanded. From then on, our hellos have been hot and heavy. The point is to help us remember that we're with someone we love and the rest of the world is unimportant. Plus, it's a great thing to look forward to." —Angela Hayes, 29, publicist, New York City
Bring Your Holiday Home with You
"Every time my husband and I return from vacation, we make a point of skipping the lousy airplane food and going directly to one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants. That way, we get to ignore the empty refrigerator and the huge stack of newspapers and mail just a little bit longer. Somehow, one last romantic dinner together makes it a little less painful to return to the frantic rhythm of our normal lives." —Alexandra Stoddard, 63, New York City, author of Choosing Happiness (HarperCollins)
Do Something Girly
"Getting my nails done always turns my bad moods around. I usually manage to visit the salon once a week, which makes me feel in control of my otherwise hectic life. The flip side is that if my nails look scraggly, I know I need to slow down." —Meg D'Incecco, 35, publicist, New York City
Connect with Your Crew
"The spring after my father died, I felt the need to strengthen my bonds with friends. So I organized a Women I Love lunch as a way to boost my spirits. I invited all my friends over, we ate takeout, and one by one, I stood behind each woman and explained why I loved her. At the end of the afternoon, my friends all said, 'You have to do this next year!' and an annual tradition was born." —Meg Cox, 51, Princeton, New Jersey, author of The Book of New Family Traditions (Running Press)
Take the Plunge
"I live close to the ocean, so when I return home from work in the evenings, I like to walk by the beach, regardless of the season. If the temperature allows, I take a swim and ride some waves. When no one's around, I may even skinny-dip. Being in the surf always makes the world melt away." —Nina Thayer, 50, registered nurse, West Tisbury, Massachusetts
Make a Date to Get Down
"My fiancé and I have a standing appointment to have sex every Sunday. It doesn't matter how many times we've done it—or not—during the week; Sunday is guaranteed sex, no excuses allowed. While it may seem completely unromantic to schedule intimacy, our plan is actually exciting: We spend the week looking forward to Sunday. Plus, knowing that we won't turn into a couple that never has sex makes me feel good." —Kristen Kemp, 30, writing teacher, New York City
Rock Out
"Whenever I need a lift, I get in the car, turn up my radio and sing at the top of my lungs. I may look foolish to the people in the next lane, but I'll never see them again, so who cares?" —Tracy Mlakar, 29, communications manager, Playa del Rey, California
Be Hallmark Happy
"I love browsing in stationery stores. Typically, I'll buy 10 or 15 funny cards all at once, stamp them, then toss them in my purse. That way, when I have a minute here or there—standing in line, waiting at the doctor—I'll write a 'thinking of you' note to a friend and send it off. It gives me a good feeling knowing that they'll have a pleasant surprise waiting for them in their mailbox." —Nidhi Pardue, 28, entrepreneur, Cary, North Carolina
Feel Famous
"Every so often, I go to the Pierre hotel in New York City, sit in the rotunda—this sumptuous, ornate, oval room with a sweeping spiral staircase and a mural on the ceiling—and order a martini. I always bring a book and read. I like to imagine I'm living in a movie." —Jessica Maria Tuccelli, 34, actress and writer, New York City
{Photo from Martha Stewart - don't you love this look?}
Simple rituals that are sure to leave you brimming with bliss.
Sometimes happiness lands in our lap: a surprise half-day at work, an out-of-the-blue e-mail from an old friend, a breathtaking sunset. Other times, it's tougher to grab hold of, say, on a rainy Monday morning when you've forgotten your umbrella. That's why we could all use a few foolproof standbys—go-to tactics guaranteed to lift flagging spirits. "Especially when the world is so uncertain, having a few rituals of your own can bring a sense of control and calm," says Karen Salmansohn, author of How to Be Happy, Dammit (Celestial Arts).
So find a serene spot, pull out a pen and list your never-fail pleasures, no matter how goofy or self-indulgent they seem. In case you need inspiration, we've asked busy women from all walks of life to share their own feel-good secrets. Go ahead and steal them. Just don't blame us if you get hooked. These are habits you definitely won't want to kick!
Photograph Something Every Day
"Four years ago, I started carting my camera everywhere and taking one photo a day. Sure, I have a lot of pictures of flowers or strangers in the laundry room of my apartment building, but I also have snapshots of my sister's baby, friends' weddings, sailing in St. Vincent and people who have come in and out of my life that I would have forgotten if I hadn't captured them on film. When I sit down and look through my albums—another ritual in and of itself—I realize that even though I complain about my life at times, there are many reasons to be happy." —Amy Liu, 28, investment banker, New York City
Get Out the Kleenex
"A couple of times a year I watch really sad movies, like When a Man Loves a Woman, by myself. I start crying, then I remember that this isn't my real life and I feel better! It's sort of reverse psychology." —Johanna Longnecker, 28, marketing manager, Boston
Dream On
"For years, I pushed myself to get up early on weekends to do something productive, like go to the gym or clean the bathroom. But I realized that instead of feeling good about what I'd accomplished, I would end up as wrung-out on Saturday nights as I was during the week. Now I let myself sleep in, guilt-free. I work hard; I deserve the downtime." —Tula Karras, 36, SELF editor, Brooklyn, New York
Write a Chain Letter
"After college, six of my best friends and I started a circle letter. The first person on the list writes a letter and sends it to the next person in the chain; she then adds her own letter and a treasure or two, and sends everything to the third, and so on. When it's my turn, I put all my responsibilities on hold, curl up on the couch and sift through the photos, letters and clippings. It's one of my favorite ways to reconnect." —Jennifer Elliott, 28, teacher, Simsbury, Connecticut
Eat Like a Queen
"When I was growing up, my family had a tradition of marking our accomplishments by having the person of the hour eat off a red plate. So when I got engaged, my parents gave my fiancé and me our own red plate. It reminds me how easy it is to make someone feel special. We use it to acknowledge things like finishing our taxes or getting a raise. When our puppy graduated from obedience school, he even got to eat off the red plate!" —Taylor Ware, 28, social worker, Ithaca, New York
Enjoy a Creative Moment
"When I was in Venice, I bought a leather journal that I now carry with me everywhere. When I need an escape or just want to record a beautiful scene, I fill the pages with words or drawings. I love looking back and reflecting on what I've seen and heard. It keeps me linked to places I care about." —Sarah Drake, 28, architect, Newport, Rhode Island
Kiss Off a Bad Day
"Ever since I gave my husband a perfunctory smooch after I'd had an especially dismal day, he and I made a rule that we must give each other an intense, long kiss when we get home from work—no matter what. Let's just say that my lackluster greeting did not garner rave reviews and an upgrade was demanded. From then on, our hellos have been hot and heavy. The point is to help us remember that we're with someone we love and the rest of the world is unimportant. Plus, it's a great thing to look forward to." —Angela Hayes, 29, publicist, New York City
Bring Your Holiday Home with You
"Every time my husband and I return from vacation, we make a point of skipping the lousy airplane food and going directly to one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants. That way, we get to ignore the empty refrigerator and the huge stack of newspapers and mail just a little bit longer. Somehow, one last romantic dinner together makes it a little less painful to return to the frantic rhythm of our normal lives." —Alexandra Stoddard, 63, New York City, author of Choosing Happiness (HarperCollins)
Do Something Girly
"Getting my nails done always turns my bad moods around. I usually manage to visit the salon once a week, which makes me feel in control of my otherwise hectic life. The flip side is that if my nails look scraggly, I know I need to slow down." —Meg D'Incecco, 35, publicist, New York City
Connect with Your Crew
"The spring after my father died, I felt the need to strengthen my bonds with friends. So I organized a Women I Love lunch as a way to boost my spirits. I invited all my friends over, we ate takeout, and one by one, I stood behind each woman and explained why I loved her. At the end of the afternoon, my friends all said, 'You have to do this next year!' and an annual tradition was born." —Meg Cox, 51, Princeton, New Jersey, author of The Book of New Family Traditions (Running Press)
Take the Plunge
"I live close to the ocean, so when I return home from work in the evenings, I like to walk by the beach, regardless of the season. If the temperature allows, I take a swim and ride some waves. When no one's around, I may even skinny-dip. Being in the surf always makes the world melt away." —Nina Thayer, 50, registered nurse, West Tisbury, Massachusetts
Make a Date to Get Down
"My fiancé and I have a standing appointment to have sex every Sunday. It doesn't matter how many times we've done it—or not—during the week; Sunday is guaranteed sex, no excuses allowed. While it may seem completely unromantic to schedule intimacy, our plan is actually exciting: We spend the week looking forward to Sunday. Plus, knowing that we won't turn into a couple that never has sex makes me feel good." —Kristen Kemp, 30, writing teacher, New York City
Rock Out
"Whenever I need a lift, I get in the car, turn up my radio and sing at the top of my lungs. I may look foolish to the people in the next lane, but I'll never see them again, so who cares?" —Tracy Mlakar, 29, communications manager, Playa del Rey, California
Be Hallmark Happy
"I love browsing in stationery stores. Typically, I'll buy 10 or 15 funny cards all at once, stamp them, then toss them in my purse. That way, when I have a minute here or there—standing in line, waiting at the doctor—I'll write a 'thinking of you' note to a friend and send it off. It gives me a good feeling knowing that they'll have a pleasant surprise waiting for them in their mailbox." —Nidhi Pardue, 28, entrepreneur, Cary, North Carolina
Feel Famous
"Every so often, I go to the Pierre hotel in New York City, sit in the rotunda—this sumptuous, ornate, oval room with a sweeping spiral staircase and a mural on the ceiling—and order a martini. I always bring a book and read. I like to imagine I'm living in a movie." —Jessica Maria Tuccelli, 34, actress and writer, New York City
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Bedroom Redux
5-years later and it's time to change out the bedroom. There was nothing wrong the room, aside from wanting to downsize to a Queen bed. Here are a few bedrooms from House Beautiful that I like. I hope that I can create something similar:
Coffee and Confession Time
I love a good cup of coffee on the weekends. Not so much during the weekdays since I can enjoy it n a leisurely fashion since I'm typically rushing out the door to the office. I have a little ritual on Saturday that entails Jeremy making the coffee and me drinking the half - a- pot on my own. I never intend to drink a 6-cups of coffee; I just hate to see good coffee wasted.
So this brings me to my solution to this very caffeinated problem:: Coffee On Demand.
I figure that if I don't have an entire pot of coffee staring at me, I can enjoy a cup or two and be on my merry way. I've seen this one in use and am fairly certain that it's time I make this purchase. Any thoughts on Cuisinart?
Confession Time...
Ever since Jeremy and I started carpooling to work, I've been forced to listen to the Dan Patrick Show on the morning drive. Jeremy isn't a morning person so I'm fine listening to sports radio if it puts him in a good mood to start his day. Flash forward to a vacation day and channel flipping in the early hours to me finding the Dan Patrick Show is shown on cable. After seeing his crew on TV, I can't get enough of this show. I get so sick of ESPN but this 3-hour show is very entertaining. Yes it's a sports talk radio show, but it also includes some really good interviews. Humor yourself and listen to the show for a minute, if anything your husband will love you for it!
So this brings me to my solution to this very caffeinated problem:: Coffee On Demand.
I figure that if I don't have an entire pot of coffee staring at me, I can enjoy a cup or two and be on my merry way. I've seen this one in use and am fairly certain that it's time I make this purchase. Any thoughts on Cuisinart?
Confession Time...
Ever since Jeremy and I started carpooling to work, I've been forced to listen to the Dan Patrick Show on the morning drive. Jeremy isn't a morning person so I'm fine listening to sports radio if it puts him in a good mood to start his day. Flash forward to a vacation day and channel flipping in the early hours to me finding the Dan Patrick Show is shown on cable. After seeing his crew on TV, I can't get enough of this show. I get so sick of ESPN but this 3-hour show is very entertaining. Yes it's a sports talk radio show, but it also includes some really good interviews. Humor yourself and listen to the show for a minute, if anything your husband will love you for it!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Dining Lady
I met up with some great girlfriends today in the wonderful snowy weather. We went to the oven pizza e veno at Belmar and indulged for a few hours. The service is always wonderful and the food is made with very fresh, local ingredients. If you are in the neighborhood stop by and indulge in the best dessert I've ever tasted...the Oven Baked Doughnut. It is to die for and worth every bite. You won't be sorry!
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