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!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010 Highlights
I'm not going to lie, I'm ready to see a new year. 2010 wasn't bad to me but it wasn't great either. Every year is ful of challenges but these seemed to be far heavier challenges than in past years. Is it because as we get older, life gets more complicated? We took down all signs of Christmas yesterday and I'm ready to start fresh. To prove that 2010 wasn't half bad, here are some select highlights:
- I took a new job in April! (Considering my old firm shut down their Denver office last week it was a brilliant move.)
- We sold the 10-year old Accord for a snazzy new Crosstour! (We finally saw snow this week and ithandled awesome!)
- We traveled to West Palm Beach for Jeremy's last hurrah as a Golf Magazine Club Tester in October. We also were also able to visit with dear friends who now have officially moved back to CO!
- The following weekend we headed south for a stay & play at the Broadmoor. As usual we hit up the Golden Bee for a yard of beer then played the Mountain Course and loved every minute.
- I finished my pilates certification seminars and am now working on teaching hours...only 200-hours to go. (Anyone interested in a free half-hour private?)
- We did some serious yard work.We traveled to NM for golf and saw more dear friends.
- I crashed my sister's girlfriend weekend to CO's wine country and enjoyed the relaxation & company. The best part was watching Bec talk details at the wineries. She clearly absorbed all the info from her time in France years ago.
- We upheld the family Ag Day tradition and saw CSU get a rare victory. John even tried to teach Jeremy how to lasso.
It wasn't much of a success.
- Jeremy won the Member-Guest at Foothills & the Duel in the Desert with his golf crew.
- I unplugged to the point of almost disappearing. I am getting back in touch with technology and will soon be getting rid of the old flip phone I stole from Bec since I was too cheap to buy my blackberry when I left V3.
- Jeremy enjoyed golf weather until the week before Christmas! I swear he played more in December than September.
- I got in the best shape of my life from my pilates training! (Then started teaching and have lost quite a bit of that great shape...booo!)
- We hosted another eventful Holiday season filled with family & memories.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
I promise I'm not hiding...
...the summer just got away from me. As I'm coming up for air the calendar has turned to September. So in honor of Back to School, here's what I did on my summer vacation:
1 - We got a new roof! Of course the work was done by Jeremy and crew. The photo evidence speaks for itself - the hubs picked out a great looking shingle and did a wonderful job.
2 - We enjoyed a busy summer that kicked off with a trip to ABQ, NM to get in some serious golf and a visit with Jenny and Luke. (It didn't hurt that we also couriered 3 cases of 2 Buck Chuck back from Trader Joes!)
3 - We spent quite a bit of time in the yard with a few projects. (Really this means that Jeremy with help from his brother and my dad had projects.)
4 - I'm done with my basic certification and am now offering private classes at the studio and was pleasantly surprised to become the newest Pilates Reformer instructor for the City of Lakewood.
5 - I love the new job. I'm almost through my 6-month introductory period and I'm still thrilled with my move. Everyday I wake up pleasantly surprised that I'm not dreading going into the office. After 10-years, that is a very weird feeling!
6 - We've golfed quite a bit this summer even though Jeremy didn't join his Men's Club this year. The ironic part about this lack of club time allowed him to play in the Member-Guest and WIN!
7 - We entertained - boy did we entertain. I had a brilliant idea to invite all the fam over for a 4th of July party then I hosted a pretty fab baby shower for my dear friend Katy. The 4th was pretty fun and held on the 3rd so we had quite a few more folks than I planned. As for the shower, I cooked like I was feeding 40 but ended up only having a dozen or so ladies. I think it all turned out beautiful and I'm sure Katy loved it. I would include photos but I was running around like a crazy lady and didn't have a camera handy at either party. C'est la vie!
I continued the summer of staying unplugged but am ready to get back into technology so be looking for more posts;)
1 - We got a new roof! Of course the work was done by Jeremy and crew. The photo evidence speaks for itself - the hubs picked out a great looking shingle and did a wonderful job.
2 - We enjoyed a busy summer that kicked off with a trip to ABQ, NM to get in some serious golf and a visit with Jenny and Luke. (It didn't hurt that we also couriered 3 cases of 2 Buck Chuck back from Trader Joes!)
3 - We spent quite a bit of time in the yard with a few projects. (Really this means that Jeremy with help from his brother and my dad had projects.)
4 - I'm done with my basic certification and am now offering private classes at the studio and was pleasantly surprised to become the newest Pilates Reformer instructor for the City of Lakewood.
5 - I love the new job. I'm almost through my 6-month introductory period and I'm still thrilled with my move. Everyday I wake up pleasantly surprised that I'm not dreading going into the office. After 10-years, that is a very weird feeling!
6 - We've golfed quite a bit this summer even though Jeremy didn't join his Men's Club this year. The ironic part about this lack of club time allowed him to play in the Member-Guest and WIN!
7 - We entertained - boy did we entertain. I had a brilliant idea to invite all the fam over for a 4th of July party then I hosted a pretty fab baby shower for my dear friend Katy. The 4th was pretty fun and held on the 3rd so we had quite a few more folks than I planned. As for the shower, I cooked like I was feeding 40 but ended up only having a dozen or so ladies. I think it all turned out beautiful and I'm sure Katy loved it. I would include photos but I was running around like a crazy lady and didn't have a camera handy at either party. C'est la vie!I continued the summer of staying unplugged but am ready to get back into technology so be looking for more posts;)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Unplugged Cont'd.
As part of my efforts to unplug from technology, I've been reading a lot of books. I've become best friends with my library again. I missed the Whale of a Sale last weekend so now I'm going back to the old days when my mom would take my brother, sister and I to the library where we would spend hours picking out just the right book. My hold list is getting longer and longer but somehow the library Gods know when I'm in need of a new book. Do you have any new books that are must reads? I wish my patio looked like this - I could spend all summer reading if I had this set up.
Photo from Sunset
I thought this article in the NY Times is interesting, the couple profiled seems extreme, but I think it has some truth to the over-stimulated argument.
Enjoy some light reading - next time make I'll make it the actual newspaper!
Enjoy some light reading - next time make I'll make it the actual newspaper!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Rejuvenated, Refreshed and Recharged!
It's been a few months since I've been on blogger. I had a rough start to the year and after making some changes I'm back to the old Katie. I'm healthy, genuinely happy and gained such a new perspective on how I want to live my life.
Change #1
After 10-years in the private sector working 60-hour weeks and never leaving work at the office I traded it all in for a job in the public sector. I'm out of the land development game completely and after 6-weeks on the new job, I'm positive it was the best move I ever made. At my going away party an old co-worker joked that I went to the dark side...I told them I finally saw the light. I'm getting used to 40-hours a week and am still struggling with leaving work for tomorrow, but I'm getting the hang of it.
Change #2
With the move to the public sector I gave up the crackberry cold turkey. I unplugged from email, the Internet and the constant distraction from life. I swear I'm more productive, attentive and calm without that life changing blackberry. I no longer aimlessly search the web while I'm waiting somewhere; instead I take in my sights and enjoy the surroundings.
Change #3
I finish my Pilates Certification Seminars on Saturday. It has been intense and just like being in college but with a very physical demand. I've never focused on exercise with such intensity before. Yes I danced and golfed all growing up but these seminars put everything I've ever done physical to shame. I'm quite proud of what I've been able to do but more than anything excited to start teaching. I had to focus on Pilates and not much else to get through the mental demands. Dear Jeremy has been great and so supportive; it's only 8 more hours then it's straight student teaching. Speaking of teaching, if anyone is interested in some great private rates, shoot me an email or leave a comment.
I didn't think I was that unhappy starting the year, I thought it was pure stress. I was stunned when people who saw me after a break between the old and new career commented on how happy and peaceful I seemed. Yep - I made the right move!
Change #1
After 10-years in the private sector working 60-hour weeks and never leaving work at the office I traded it all in for a job in the public sector. I'm out of the land development game completely and after 6-weeks on the new job, I'm positive it was the best move I ever made. At my going away party an old co-worker joked that I went to the dark side...I told them I finally saw the light. I'm getting used to 40-hours a week and am still struggling with leaving work for tomorrow, but I'm getting the hang of it.
Change #2
With the move to the public sector I gave up the crackberry cold turkey. I unplugged from email, the Internet and the constant distraction from life. I swear I'm more productive, attentive and calm without that life changing blackberry. I no longer aimlessly search the web while I'm waiting somewhere; instead I take in my sights and enjoy the surroundings.
Change #3
I finish my Pilates Certification Seminars on Saturday. It has been intense and just like being in college but with a very physical demand. I've never focused on exercise with such intensity before. Yes I danced and golfed all growing up but these seminars put everything I've ever done physical to shame. I'm quite proud of what I've been able to do but more than anything excited to start teaching. I had to focus on Pilates and not much else to get through the mental demands. Dear Jeremy has been great and so supportive; it's only 8 more hours then it's straight student teaching. Speaking of teaching, if anyone is interested in some great private rates, shoot me an email or leave a comment.
I didn't think I was that unhappy starting the year, I thought it was pure stress. I was stunned when people who saw me after a break between the old and new career commented on how happy and peaceful I seemed. Yep - I made the right move!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Spring has Sprung
I broke down last week and indulged in some spring shopping. Years ago I had given up on shopping at Ann Taylor Loft but recently I've loved everything coming out of their ads. Remember this outfit from Loft?
I honestly don't like how they styled the cardi from BR but love it with a yellow cami I have. It seems my wardrobe is taking on blue tones so I'm consider it the new black.
Yep, I scored the jacket for $19.88 on final sale and the skirt for $24.99 - thrilling! I love my chunky necklaces and couldn't pass up this beauty:
I wore the necklace with a suit last week and received so many compliments, I know this one will stay around for a long time. I have a few other items on my wish list so I'll have to watch for a good sale to snatch these up:
I also scored some great deals at Banana that included this darling shirt and cardi:
I honestly don't like how they styled the cardi from BR but love it with a yellow cami I have. It seems my wardrobe is taking on blue tones so I'm consider it the new black. Amped Up
This morning started like any other Saturday with some early cleaning and me asking dear Jeremy for some coffee. He's such a dear and brewed my typical half a pot of coffee. I typically don't drink that much but today I drank the entire half a pot. After sleeping horribly and fixing it with drinking some serious caffeine I realized that I needed to burn off some anxiety so I tackled our master closet.
By appearance the closet seemed to have worked, we have plenty of rod space and can store all of our clothes without falling over each other. But it did not function the way I wanted and it was largely the shoes to blame. After vacuuming, dusting and evaluating I decided that it was time to invest in some of the clear shoe storage containers to hold my collection. After showing Jeremy that it really was the only way to maximize our storage without spending an arm and a leg he gave me the go-ahead to finish off the closet.
I took a brief intermission this evening to meet my parents at Our Lady of Mount Carmel for the St. Joseph's Table feast. Jeremy stayed behind to watch the beloved KU Jayhawks. (I don't really need to comment on the outcome of that game.) After enjoying the feast that reminded me so much of my Great Grandma, thanks to the polenta, gnocchi and pizzelles I headed to Target. I found an employee and made my way to the check-out with 40 of my bins in tow. Once home I dusted one more time and got busy. Here's the end product:
I'm absolutely thrilled with how this turned out and am so glad the closet is more functional. As for that half a pot of coffee, I'll be up until midnight and Jeremy will likely switch me over to decaf after this marathon day.
By appearance the closet seemed to have worked, we have plenty of rod space and can store all of our clothes without falling over each other. But it did not function the way I wanted and it was largely the shoes to blame. After vacuuming, dusting and evaluating I decided that it was time to invest in some of the clear shoe storage containers to hold my collection. After showing Jeremy that it really was the only way to maximize our storage without spending an arm and a leg he gave me the go-ahead to finish off the closet.
I took a brief intermission this evening to meet my parents at Our Lady of Mount Carmel for the St. Joseph's Table feast. Jeremy stayed behind to watch the beloved KU Jayhawks. (I don't really need to comment on the outcome of that game.) After enjoying the feast that reminded me so much of my Great Grandma, thanks to the polenta, gnocchi and pizzelles I headed to Target. I found an employee and made my way to the check-out with 40 of my bins in tow. Once home I dusted one more time and got busy. Here's the end product:I'm absolutely thrilled with how this turned out and am so glad the closet is more functional. As for that half a pot of coffee, I'll be up until midnight and Jeremy will likely switch me over to decaf after this marathon day.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Worlds Largest Pepper Mill
In celebration of Dad's and Johnny Arkansas' birthdays, we all headed east to Emil Lene's Sirloin House. Emil Lene's is a no frills sirloin house in the middle of a field off of Smith Road. If you want atmosphere and swanky digs, this is not your place. There is no menu and don't expect anything on draft, bottles only. There is a certain charm that comes from a restaurant that has a tree in the middle of the dining area. Nolan just loved this feature and couldn't get enough of posing for photos. 
The best part of the meal is the pepper mill, words don't do this justice:
The best part of the meal is the pepper mill, words don't do this justice:
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Happy Birthday Commish!
It's my Dad's birthday. How old you ask? Let's just say that there's the perfect beer out there for him this year:
You're the best Dad and I love you very much.
My Dad sure doesn't look or act 64, he still has the energy of a 34 year old. Trust me, he keeps Corey, Jeremy, and Johnny Arkansas on their toes. He'll really put those men to the test with our upcoming roofing project, I'll have to document this one very well;) 
Thank you for continuing to build the tool arsenal and help whenever we need anything. 
(Love these in progress shots!)
I wish you a year of many "appointments", travels and projects. But more importantly, I hope this is your year to win the Lang Cup!
You're the best Dad and I love you very much.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
pure barre = pure torture
I went to pure barre for the first time today after my girlfriend Julie suggested that I'd love the workout. (Julie and I have done pilates together for a year so I had every reason to believe her.) OH MY GOODNESS - it was 10x more difficult than any Body Pump class I've ever taken and so different than pilates.
I'm in dang good shape right now with doing pilates 4x a week but this was such an intense class. The parts of class that focused on my strengths from pilates were okay, but the portions that were ballet focused were incredible. The article in the Denver Post last year was dead-on. I don't know if I'm naive or a sucker for punishment but after reformer tomorrow I'm heading to another class. Hopefully tomorrow isn't as killer as it was today.
Pardon my absence
It's been a month since my last post and I would love to say I was off on a fabulous vacation. The fact is, I've been in a big rut. The routine of work, pilates and more work has hit me hard. Couple that with the February weather and the "dirty" landscape that takes over Colorado and it's been a depressing month.
There were some high points, we celebrated a lovely little Valentine's Day and enjoyed watching the Olympics. But as it stands now, I'm dying for spring and something fresh. Here's hoping that the weather holds and we can avoid a big spring storm. In the mean time, I'll keep looking at the great articles in Sunset and hope my yard looks like this very soon.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Be Mine Valentine!
With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, here's my list of gift ideas to remember the one I love:
1 - Ecco World Class Limited Editions, size 45. 
2 - A new staff bag.
3 - A vacation to somewhere warm & tropical, Poipu Bay anyone?
4 - Or...a weekend of luxury at the Broadmoor concluded by their champagne brunch.
5 - A new watch, technically a replacement for the TW robbery watch.
Or...maybe I'll settle on making him dinner and giving him a carefully selected Hallmark;)
Baking Lady - Decadent Chocolate Cake
Do you follow Blonde Designs Blog? I love every post they do, as former art directors at Martha Stewart, their taste is impeccable. Can you imagine having them as room mom's? (Do they even have room mothers these days? Mom was mine for a number of years and was great!) A few weeks back I saw this post concerning their book club and when I saw the chocolate cake, I had to bake it last week for the KU/K State game. It is an amazing cake, has the perfect consistency and is super moist. Add this one to your recipe book - it's a definite keeper!
Cake:
1 C boiling water
3 oz. unsweetened chocolate (chopped into small pieces for easy melting)
8 T butter
1 t vanilla extract
2 C granulated sugar
2 eggs, separated
1 T baking soda
1/2 C sour cream
2 C less 2 T flour, sifted
1 t baking powder
Chocolate Frosting (see below)
Heat oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour a bundt pan. In a large bowl pour boiling water over the chocolate and butter. Let stand until melted. (The smaller pieces of chocolate melt much easier than leaving the bakers squares whole.) Stir in the vanilla and sugar then whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time, blending well after each addition. Mix the baking soda and sour cream together then whisk into chocolate mixture.
Sift flour and baking powder together, then add to the chocolate batter, mixing thoroughly. Beat the two egg whites until stiff but not dry. Stir a quarter of the egg whites thoroughly into the batter. Scoop the remaining egg whites on top of the batter and fold together. Pour batter into the pan. Back on the middle rack for 40-50 minutes or until the edges pull away from the side of the pan and the cake tester comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes then unmold on a wire rack to cool completely.
Chocolate Frosting
2 T butter
3/4 C semisweet chocolate chips
6 T heavy cream
1 1/4 C powdered sugar
1 t vanilla extract
Place all ingredients in a heavy saucepan over low heat and whisk until smooth. Cool slightly, add more powdered sugar if necessary to achieve the consistency you want. Spread on cake while frosting is still warm.
Cake:
1 C boiling water
3 oz. unsweetened chocolate (chopped into small pieces for easy melting)
8 T butter
1 t vanilla extract
2 C granulated sugar
2 eggs, separated
1 T baking soda
1/2 C sour cream
2 C less 2 T flour, sifted
1 t baking powder
Chocolate Frosting (see below)
Heat oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour a bundt pan. In a large bowl pour boiling water over the chocolate and butter. Let stand until melted. (The smaller pieces of chocolate melt much easier than leaving the bakers squares whole.) Stir in the vanilla and sugar then whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time, blending well after each addition. Mix the baking soda and sour cream together then whisk into chocolate mixture.
Sift flour and baking powder together, then add to the chocolate batter, mixing thoroughly. Beat the two egg whites until stiff but not dry. Stir a quarter of the egg whites thoroughly into the batter. Scoop the remaining egg whites on top of the batter and fold together. Pour batter into the pan. Back on the middle rack for 40-50 minutes or until the edges pull away from the side of the pan and the cake tester comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes then unmold on a wire rack to cool completely.
Chocolate Frosting
2 T butter
3/4 C semisweet chocolate chips
6 T heavy cream
1 1/4 C powdered sugar
1 t vanilla extract
Place all ingredients in a heavy saucepan over low heat and whisk until smooth. Cool slightly, add more powdered sugar if necessary to achieve the consistency you want. Spread on cake while frosting is still warm.
Cooking Lady - Black Bean Soup
Since I've been working 60-hour weeks this past month, I've been using my Sunday afternoons to cook multiple meals to last a week. Last Sunday I made black bean soup that turned out great. I think this one is definitely worth sharing:
Black Bean Soup
2 cloves garlic
2 cans black beans
1 can chicken stock
1.5 C salsa
2 C water
1 chicken breast cooked & cut into 1" chunks
1 T lime juice
Goat Cheese to garnish
Avocado slices to garnish
Brown the garlic in a heavy sauce pan in 2 T olive oil. After nicely browned, add the black beans, chicken stock, salsa and water. Bring to a boil then use a potato masher to thicken the substance. Lower to a simmer and add chicken chunks and lime juice. Allow to simmer further for another 10 minutes. Serve warm w/goat cheese and avocado slice as a garnish.
ENJOY!
Black Bean Soup
2 cloves garlic
2 cans black beans
1 can chicken stock
1.5 C salsa
2 C water
1 chicken breast cooked & cut into 1" chunks
1 T lime juice
Goat Cheese to garnish
Avocado slices to garnish
Brown the garlic in a heavy sauce pan in 2 T olive oil. After nicely browned, add the black beans, chicken stock, salsa and water. Bring to a boil then use a potato masher to thicken the substance. Lower to a simmer and add chicken chunks and lime juice. Allow to simmer further for another 10 minutes. Serve warm w/goat cheese and avocado slice as a garnish.
ENJOY!
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