25 November 2010
Thanksgiving
This year we won't be having a big, traditional Thanksgiving meal. At first I was a little bummed because we LOVE Thanksgiving. But, what is replacing our feast this year is much more important and exciting, it's also the #1 item on our "Thankful List". In just a couple of hours we have our first official IVF appointment. It's just the orientation meeting but still, we will learn about the procedure, the drugs I'll have to take, go over the dozens of forms we had to sign and get our official plan of action. It's been a really long road to get here (9 months and countless tests, dr. appointments, consultations and weeks of nervous waiting for funding approval) but it's is oh so fitting that it falls on today because honestly, we are truly grateful for this opportunity. There are a lot of things that are hard about living in a foreign country and being so far away from family and familiar things but we consider it a massive blessing as well. We have so much to be thankful for and today we are most thankful that we are tax paying ex-pats who qualify for treatments from the NHS. My productivity levels this week have been terrible because today's meeting is pretty much all I can think about. Just think, maybe next year our #1 thankful item will be a sweet little baby. Or 2.
23 November 2010
Let Me Count The Ways...
Yesterday was Brent's birthday! It was a big one too, he turned 30. In honor of my truly spectacular hubby, I thought it would be fitting to list 30 of the reasons why I think he's so great. This should have been posted yesterday but his German Chocolate cake took longer to make than expected. So here it goes (in no particular order):
-Say the words, caramel, peanut butter or maple and he's all over it.
-He still has a favorite superhero, even at 30.
-He's so smart.
-The few things he doesn't already know, he learns quickly.
-He puts up with my taste in music. I can only think of a handful of times he's asked me to change the station or skip a song.
-He always lets me have first dibs on the window seat when we fly, if I want it.
-He watches girl movies with me without complaining.
-He is dedicated to his church callings.
-He's an eagle scout (one of the items on my future husband list that I didn't think would actually get fulfilled).
-He loves children as much as I do, which is no small feat.
-He is super fun and knows how to just be silly sometimes.
-He is a good driver and can drive any car on any side of the road that he's asked to.
-He gets excited EVERY time he realizes there is ice cream in the freezer.
-He's starting to adopt British lingo and spelling because he uses it so often at work.
-He refuses to wear a scarf because he thinks they should only be for girls.
-He is never shocked or upset when I come home from a "quick trip" to the shops for "one thing" with a bag full of spoils.
-He likes to try new things whether food, activities or travel.
-He loves to travel, pretty much anywhere.
-He plays a musical instrument, or 2.
-His smile.
-He speaks a foreign language.
-He served a mission (the only item on my "future husband" list that was non-negotiable).
-He honors his parents and family.
-His dad is his hero. I think every boy's hero should be his dad.
-He knew someday he would have a wife and kids so he chose a career with that in mind and is diligent and committed to finishing the requirements for that career (read: exams, exams and more exams).
-He has some hobbies and interests that are totally separate from mine which keeps our marriage dynamic and interesting.
-The way he snuggles me when I feel icky, or any other time for that matter.
-His sisters look up to him because he is a fun and caring big brother (albeit a skilled teaser).
-He can grow a full beard in less than a week.
-He likes to do the dishes and vacuum which happen to be my 2 most hated chores.
-Say the words, caramel, peanut butter or maple and he's all over it.
-He still has a favorite superhero, even at 30.
-He's so smart.
-The few things he doesn't already know, he learns quickly.
-He puts up with my taste in music. I can only think of a handful of times he's asked me to change the station or skip a song.
-He always lets me have first dibs on the window seat when we fly, if I want it.
-He watches girl movies with me without complaining.
-He is dedicated to his church callings.
-He's an eagle scout (one of the items on my future husband list that I didn't think would actually get fulfilled).
-He loves children as much as I do, which is no small feat.
-He is super fun and knows how to just be silly sometimes.
-He is a good driver and can drive any car on any side of the road that he's asked to.
-He gets excited EVERY time he realizes there is ice cream in the freezer.
-He's starting to adopt British lingo and spelling because he uses it so often at work.
-He refuses to wear a scarf because he thinks they should only be for girls.
-He is never shocked or upset when I come home from a "quick trip" to the shops for "one thing" with a bag full of spoils.
-He likes to try new things whether food, activities or travel.
-He loves to travel, pretty much anywhere.
-He plays a musical instrument, or 2.
-His smile.
-He speaks a foreign language.
-He served a mission (the only item on my "future husband" list that was non-negotiable).
-He honors his parents and family.
-His dad is his hero. I think every boy's hero should be his dad.
-He knew someday he would have a wife and kids so he chose a career with that in mind and is diligent and committed to finishing the requirements for that career (read: exams, exams and more exams).
-He has some hobbies and interests that are totally separate from mine which keeps our marriage dynamic and interesting.
-The way he snuggles me when I feel icky, or any other time for that matter.
-His sisters look up to him because he is a fun and caring big brother (albeit a skilled teaser).
-He can grow a full beard in less than a week.
-He likes to do the dishes and vacuum which happen to be my 2 most hated chores.
Happy Birthday to the most amazing and wonderful husband that I could ever have!
I love you!
I love you!
19 November 2010
Soup of the week
That's right folks. It's back! And none too soon, in fact a little late. I've been travelling and/or recovering from travelling non-stop since the end of September so I've barely cooked any meals since then and they've all been quickies or reheating leftovers. I was pretty excited last night to get a chance to cook a real meal and since it's cold now, we had soup. This week, I used a recipe that I got from my mother-in-law.
Creamy Vegetable Soup
skill level: easy peasy
time: 30 mins to 1 hour (depending on how fast you are at chopping vegetables)
yield: 4 quarts (10-12 servings)
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 medium zucchini, chopped
1 bunch broccoli, chopped
2 quarts chicken broth
2 medium potatoes, peeled and shredded
1 tsp celery seed
1-2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 cups light cream
In large kettle, saute onions in butter until transparent but not brown. Add the sweet potatoes, zucchini and broccoli; saute lightly for 5 minutes or until crisp tender. Stir in broth; simmer for a few minutes. Add potatoes and seasonings; cook another 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in cream and heat through.
Review: Use a really big pot. I used my 5 quart and it was getting hard to stir before I had even put in the cream so I had to break out the monster pot and transfer. I didn't really "chop" the veg, per se. More like cubed or chunked. Since there is no meat in this soup I wanted it to feel more hearty. Also, I forgot to shred the potatoes, they got chunked as well. It made the soup extra chunky but the broth was a bit thin because of it. I'll shred next time. I left out the celery seed because I'm not a fan and I don't have any and I didn't want to clutter up my spice shelf even more with something I'll never use. I also stuck to the low end of the cumin measurement because again, not a big fan, but I actually kind of liked it this time. I added garlic powder because I think most recipes should have garlic in them. I don't know how much, I just dumped 'til it smelled right. Maybe like 1-2 tsp?
We had it with crusty rolls and that was all. It made a ton. We both had huge servings and there was enough left over for 3-4 lunch servings and an entire big tupperware with enough for another whole meal that got put in the freezer. I was expecting Brent to want something else as a side but he didn't even seem to notice that there wasn't any meat so that's a good sign. Big hearty, healthy vegetarian soup. Yum!
Creamy Vegetable Soup
skill level: easy peasy
time: 30 mins to 1 hour (depending on how fast you are at chopping vegetables)
yield: 4 quarts (10-12 servings)
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 medium zucchini, chopped
1 bunch broccoli, chopped
2 quarts chicken broth
2 medium potatoes, peeled and shredded
1 tsp celery seed
1-2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 cups light cream
In large kettle, saute onions in butter until transparent but not brown. Add the sweet potatoes, zucchini and broccoli; saute lightly for 5 minutes or until crisp tender. Stir in broth; simmer for a few minutes. Add potatoes and seasonings; cook another 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in cream and heat through.
Review: Use a really big pot. I used my 5 quart and it was getting hard to stir before I had even put in the cream so I had to break out the monster pot and transfer. I didn't really "chop" the veg, per se. More like cubed or chunked. Since there is no meat in this soup I wanted it to feel more hearty. Also, I forgot to shred the potatoes, they got chunked as well. It made the soup extra chunky but the broth was a bit thin because of it. I'll shred next time. I left out the celery seed because I'm not a fan and I don't have any and I didn't want to clutter up my spice shelf even more with something I'll never use. I also stuck to the low end of the cumin measurement because again, not a big fan, but I actually kind of liked it this time. I added garlic powder because I think most recipes should have garlic in them. I don't know how much, I just dumped 'til it smelled right. Maybe like 1-2 tsp?
We had it with crusty rolls and that was all. It made a ton. We both had huge servings and there was enough left over for 3-4 lunch servings and an entire big tupperware with enough for another whole meal that got put in the freezer. I was expecting Brent to want something else as a side but he didn't even seem to notice that there wasn't any meat so that's a good sign. Big hearty, healthy vegetarian soup. Yum!
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