The Great Outdoors

Photo of our new address on the front of our house!

Progress with our house is coming along slowly but surely. It's amazing how much time and effort (and money) goes into making improvements - both big and small. The painting downstairs is done and we will soon be hanging pictures and art on the walls. We were so thankful for all of the help we received with moving in, cleaning and painting. We certainly have some amazing folks in our lives.      

One thing I was so excited to accomplish was purchasing flowers and pots and planting some colorful flowers to brighten our porch. After much anticipation - and a few setbacks, I have planted two large pots of beautiful flowers, along with some Oregano and Coriander. We are looking forward to re-landscaping our tiny little yard, hopefully in the near future. I cannot wait until we have a little garden and some cozy chairs to lounge in. Summer makes me so hopeful and happy.

Just planted my Oregano in a pretty pot! My Cilantro (not pictured) did not look so pretty...let's hope it perks up a bit. I have a lot of Yumm Bowls to make and they are not the same without Cilantro.

African Daisies! I forgot the trailing I used. My mom and Kim (long time friend/neighbor growing up and new neighbor), helped me plant them!



I am thoroughly enjoying cooking for both Mike and I and I am trying to get inspired by my numerous cook books. I am finding that it is so difficult to find the time to cook elaborate meals, but I am trying. I would love to post any news and pictures of new and exciting recipes I try out for my lovely future hubby and myself. If anyone has any "must try" recipes, shoot them my way so I can try them!

Home Sweet Home

Life has been wonderfully chaotic these past few months. New job back in September, wedding planning, school and becoming homeowners! What an adventure! Looking back - buying a home was not as hard as I thought, and it actually went pretty smoothly. Some of you who are friends with me on Facebook may be a little hesitant to believe that - seeing as I probably complained a lot! I am just too impatient, so everything seemed ten times harder than it truly was!

I am an instant gratification kind of person, so naturally, when we moved in I wanted everything painted right away. Did we succeed in accomplishing that goal? No. But we certainly came close. We got the entire downstairs painted, along with the stairwell and upstairs hallways. Project for this weekend: Painting our bedroom and possibly planting some flowers/herbs! How exciting. I will definitely post pictures if I find the motivation to garden.

Wedding planning is coming along, although I almost had a panic attack the other day when I realized the countdown is almost in double digits. Yikes! My mom and I got to try out the food for the rehearsal dinner last weekend when Mike was off camping. It was such a fun day and we left with a rather large bag of leftover Thai! Official rehearsal dinner menu: Chicken Pad Thai, Mussaman Curry, Chicken Satay, Fried Wontons and egg rolls. Can you say delish? Thank you Crystal at PeemKaew in The Pearl for making our experience so fun!

Oh ya...and I got to try on my wedding dress again! It was even prettier than the first time I saw it and I did NOT want to take it off. 

Grilled Pizza

A few weeks ago I called my Aunt Suzie on the phone and she and her family were grilling pizza on the BBQ. I love pizza and have made it numerous times with lots of yummy ingredients you can't normally get at a pizza place. Problem is, every time I cook them they take forever and cook a bit unevenly (could just be my problem). I thought I should copy this idea and cook them on the BBQ!

My dad, Mike and I set out on this wonderful pizza adventure and it turned out deliciously! We bought our dough from Winco to save time because although making dough is easy, I think you have to let it set over night.

 
If you want to do it, it's super easy. Buy already made dough (or make your own - we used wheat). You roll it out and put it on the grill about 3 minutes on both sides. Take the crust off the grill and put any toppings you would like, put back on the grill for about 5 minutes or until it looks like you want it too!

We made three kinds:
1. Tomato sauce, canadian bacon, roasted peppers, motzerella and tomato
2. pesto with goat cheese and tomato
3. Margarita pizza

Hello Goodbye

Officially graduated from college?! Really? Where did the time go? I am not sure if I am understanding right, because it certainly does not feel like a big deal and it does not feel like anything has changed. Maybe it's because I had to go through thirteen years of school to graduate from high school, and then after 4 short years I am graduating yet again. I am trying to cherish this moment and see it as an important milestone in my life - but am failing. Does anyone else feel this way?

Although the excitement of being done with my undergrad has thus far eluded me, I was very grateful for my last few days in Eugene and my first couple of weeks back home in Gresham.

Sadly, the end to my time in Eugene did not end as I had planned, but I guess that's how life goes sometimes...okay, most of the time. Leaving my three best friends was so bittersweet. I am moving on to bigger things and moving closer to Michael and to our families, but leaving this group of people was heartbreaking. Most people don't understand us at all, as we laugh when things are sad, make jokes about serious things we can't handle, but most of all - we just love each other unconditionally. It's a weird and empty feeling going from seeing the same three girls almost every day, to seeing them once in a month. I know we are all adjusting and getting through this hard time, but only time will tell how strong our friendships really are. I hope all my friends in Gresham get a chance to meet them, as you all have heard a lot about each other, because I love all of my friends and my everyday conversations are filled with thoughts of you.

Here are the girls and I at our "goodbye" dinner and dessert.





Leaving Eugene was sad, but the weeks following the move were busy busy busy. We had family come from out of town, had a graduation get together to celebrate the end of my Undergraduate schooling! Woo hoo! I was so thankful that so many people were able to come and I truly enjoyed the evening.









And of course, I must thank my wonderful Grandma for cooking delicious Mexican fare for all to enjoy!

Here's to a Healthy 2010

First off, I realized today how weird it is to write the date. I am so used to simply writing 09 on my papers. Now I have to write 2010 - way to long.

As usual, my New Years resolution has to do with health. It is amazing how unhealthy the college lifestyle can be. Stress, late night studying which leads to extra snacking and less sleep, and for some - numerous weekends of beer pong and bar hopping (that's a lot of calories).

Instead of making a HUGE goal this year, I will start off by making small attainable ones. Flossing, actually going to the doctor/dentist if something is wrong (imagine that), getting 8 hours of sleep, eating healthier, and doing something active for 20 minutes at least 5 times a week.

So far I have been doing pretty well with the eating healthy thing, I filled my fridge and cupboards with delicious, yet healthy food which certainly helps. I was never a huge fast food person, but realized it only takes one hectic finals week to get you addicted. Sometimes, when I am being lazy fast food seems like a good idea - but I always regret it afterward. I am lucky that my room mates enjoy quality homemade meals. I am one of the only students I know who cooks and has sit down meals most nights.

Wish me luck on my new mission! I just did one of Jillian Michaels' workouts and it part of it you are required to use weights. I cannot find mine so I used "invisible weights" and was totally beat by the end. That is pathetic!

Happy New Year to everyone I wish you all a fun and healthy 10...2010.

Family Beach Trip

A couple weekends ago I went to Tierra Del Mar with my parents, Mike and my doggies. It was so beautiful and serene. I really needed some time away from civilization. The house we stayed in is literally on the beach and it was awesome to wake up to the beautiful view every morning.

This is the view from the house we stayed at. Beautiful.


Daisy was so cute, it was her first time getting to explore freely, leash free. She met so many cute dogs and even chased one down the beach. Jag of course just made whining sounds when a dog passed by.

Mike and I completed a puzzle, we all watched movies, ate delicious food, drank wine, and took walks. I love spending time with my family.







This one is of Jag refusing to pass the tiny stream of water

Honey Bunny

I have so many things I have been meaning to blog about, but they will all have to be put on hold. This blog is dedicated to a high maintenance yet incredibly adorable canine named Honey. She left behind a family of four who misses her dearly and two doggies who despite Honey's controlling self, will miss her as well.

She died unexpectedly and was only 8. I know she was just a dog and for those of you who do not or have not had a special stinky-breathed creature in your life, do not read this because you will not understand. I never thought I would be this upset over a dog dying. When my first dog died I was sad, but not like this. My house has been quite depressing but it is getting better. My mom and I tried to stay busy today to keep our mind off Honey and Daisy has been following my mom around everywhere. They are pretty much attached at the hip.

Anyway, I miss Honey so much and our house is more quiet than usual with out her constant annoying barking and her cute little snorts. So everyone, take some time tonight and cuddle with your furry best friend, because no one loves you like they do.