Visit from Mother in law!

Things have been busy here in Iowa-land! We had a wonderful visit with Mike's mom, celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary, and we got a new puppy!! Too much fun to handle really! I'm tired. :)

I tried to be realllly good about taking pictures while the mother in law was here! Here is a glimpse at some of our fun! Check back later for new recipes I've tried and puppy pictures!

 Friday night - after a yummy dinner in The Village we took a quick walk to a park 

 Saturday morning Farmer's Market! 

 This was my first time going - I was very impressed!

 My new fair trade market basket made in village co-ops in Ghana - proceeds help to provide healthcare and school supplies!

 We went to an art show Saturday and Sunday! It was near the Figge Art Museum

 Sunday (Mother's Day) lunch @ the Bier Stube in Moline, IL

 :)

 time at Vander Veer Park - my current favorite park!

 Rose Garden

Mother and Son

 Monday - Credit Island Park

 Whatever the yellow stuff is I thought it was pretty! Even if it's weeds!

 Centennial Park

 after the parks we had lunch and ice cream at Lagomarcino's - great ice cream!

 Monday night dinner @ Thunder Bay

Tuesday after looking at consignment stores we went to The Stand for lunch

stereotypical Iowa, right? :)

Recipe Update

The other day I posted 4 new recipes I was going to try this week. I really enjoyed the onion burgers and will definitely be making them again. I mentioned a few things I'd try differently next time here.

The bbq chicken was.. ok. Nothing amazing and not terrible either! We ended up shredding it and making sandwiches out of it and I'm still working on leftovers for lunch! I do love a recipe that we can eat on for a couple of days - it's just hard not getting sick of it! Last year I made a shredded chicken recipe that had ginger ale and I think I preferred those. Regardless, a good reminder that bbq chicken/ pork is easy to do in the crockpot and will be in regular rotation at our house!

The korean beef tacos were pretty good! Not loving Mexican food I never make tacos so it was fun to have tacos with a different flavor profile! You really could get a Korean feel from the flavor! A little spicy, a little sweet! As with most crock pot meals it made a ton. I tried to pawn some off on my neighbors but they weren't interested! Mom suggested I freeze some so that's what I did! We'll see how it tastes in a couple of weeks to a month!

Last night I made the chicken marsala recipe. At a restaurant chicken marsala used to always be my go to! Sometimes it still is - I love the sweet wine sauce and sauteed mushrooms! This was the first time I've ever made marsala! It was actually really tasty and pretty easy! I chopped all the mushrooms about an hour before Mike came home and combined the chicken stock with the marsala and sherry in a small bowl so I could just dump that in! The recipe is not super duper healthy since you fry the chicken in oil.. but it was yummy and Mike said "Oh! This is really good!" - I love hearing that! The only change would be to try to thicken the sauce next time. This recipe is a keeper!!

It has been great having a plan and everything on hand. I like it! Today Mike's mom comes to visit! We are both so excited to have our second visitor! Mike has his 7 days off from work Friday-Friday so it will be nice to just spend time together and show her around the QC area! I picked out a new pork chop recipe and also plan to have Mike grill ranch burgers! Otherwise we'll likely go out to eat so we can show her a few of our favorite spots!!

Happy weekend!

Thoughts on Deployment

Before Mike got back from deployment I had intended to blog about my thoughts and experiences. It was important to me to document the year and share pictures to prove to myself that the year was not just "lost". Once he came home it seemed like the year was a blur because I could so easily remember the year before when he was home and what we had done that past fall. In some ways it almost felt like he was never gone.

What a really strange feeling. This made me want to do this post even more to really pay tribute to those experiences that filled the year of deployment and recognize those people that were around and helped me get through. As one can expect after a 1 yr + of separation, time past and reconnecting and spending time together was the priority and I didn't make the time to think through the deployment and post those pictures. 

Now I find myself with time and before I'm back to being a working lady I want to take that time. From October 2010 to October 2011, my year in pictures:

1. Oct. 8, 2010 - the day Mike left for Texas and official start of deployment

2. Oct. 8, 2010  - goodbye kiss. talk about heartbreaking. I can put myself there so quickly and it's just a sad, lonely, heartbreaking feeling.

3. Oct. 16, 2010 - bridal shower for Jenna, spouse of Mike's best friend Drew

4. Oct. 30, 2010 - with the in laws at Drew and Jenna's wedding. I remember this being very hard for a number of reasons. It was the first wedding since our own and the first "couple" type event I had to go to solo, it was the wedding of Mike's best friend and Mike wasn't there to celebrate, and it was so close to when Mike had left! Felt weird not to be together.

5. Nov. 27, 2010 - after Thanksgiving break, back at the airport for another goodbye. Walking back to the car alone that afternoon was an experience.

6. Dec. 4, 2010 - my brother (left) played at local bar and rocked it! Proud sister moment!

7. Dec. 22, 2010 - reunion for Christmas break

8. Dec. 26, 2010 - last day of Christmas break, before heading to the airport. The last time I saw him before he actually went to Iraq. This was a scary goodbye.

February was a busy month! It was so wonderful to get to see roommates and sorority sisters from undergrad!

9. Feb. 11, 2011 - UE roommate reunion in Chicago

10. Feb. 11, 2011 - fun at the bean in Chicago with "the roomies"

11. Feb. 14, 2011 - Valentine's card from Mike - Mike was really great about sending flowers, cards and gifts during the deployment. Such a sweet guy!

12. Feb. 18, 2011 - Shanelle's bachelorette party in Florida

13. Feb. 26, 2011 - painting at Cheers to Art with Enny

14. March 5, 2011 - make your own sushi cooking class with my army wife friend Melissa - a gift from our husbands (they deployed together)

15. March 17, 2011 - St Patrick's day with Enny! 

16. March 28, 2011 - celebrating Enny's bday @ Steak & Shake

17. April 9, 2011 - Shanelle's wedding - weddings are hard when your loved one is far, far away (and in danger!). I remember getting emotional during the dancing part of the wedding and missing my favorite dancing partner. 

18. April 23, 2011 - Dying Easter eggs with Enny and Mevy

19. April 23, 2011 - Easter Egg fun! Spent the night and enjoyed fun girl time with Enny and Mevy

20. May 14, 2011 - Girls trip to Chicago! Mom and I met up with Annette and her mom! A perfect distraction around Mike and my 1st wedding anniversary!

21. May 30, 2011 - Iraq Pack parade on Memorial Day

22. May 30, 2011 - big beers with father in law after the parade

23. June 4, 2011 - Andrea's (sorority sister) wedding - fun to see sisters that I hadn't seen since graduation!

24. June 11, 2011 - In the stands with Mevy and Enny at my brother's graduation

25. July 2, 2011 - with Melissa @ Red, White, & Bluegrass- fundraiser to support Iraq Pack. So thankful that we became close friends! A huge blessing!

26. July 22, 2011 - during Mike's R&R - family dinner out @ Sammy's

27. July 25, 2011 - back at the airport at end of R&R - last goodbye before he came home for good!

28. Aug. 18, 2011 - Cheers to Art with mom!

29. Sept. 16, 2011 - Nancy's wedding weekend - thanks to lively groomsmen and friends I danced the night away and didn't feel so lonely! I also shared a hotel room with Shanelle and her husband. It was great spending that time with them!

30. Sept. 17, 2011 - Phi Mus during wedding BBQ

31. Oct. 9, 2011 - he's home! for good!!

32. Oct. 9, 2011 - so happy to be together again!!

Wow! I really did a lot! And there are so many other things that didn't get documented by photo. Many dinners with family, sushi dates with Melissa, bonding with the brother and sister in law - basically a year of good times spent with family and friends. Can you believe he has been home 7 months? I can't! That's amazing to me.

While the majority of our first year of marriage was apart, that year of marriage is and will always be our first year of marriage. We had different experiences than typical couples and had the opportunity to work on aspects of ourselves and our relationship that would not have presented themselves this early on had it not been for the deployment. So many opportunities to learn and grow.

Would I do it over again? That's not a reasonable question! Neither of us wanted this to happen, and if another deployment was avoidable we both would be very happy! I would certainly marry Mike all over again - he's completely worth going through mess so that we can be together. I pray that we do not have to experience another deployment during the remainder of his commitment to the Army, but only time will tell. What I do know is that I can, and we can survive.

 Thank you for your support.

LeClaire, IA

Yesterday Mike and I went to historic LeClaire, IA - finally! The weather was perfect and it was a great time walking around and going in and out of shops! We didn't buy anything but easily could have - especially at this store! 

 Cinco de Mayo fun!

We didn't see the folks from American Pickers, but it was so neat to see the store!! Looking forward to visiting again soon!

Thoughts on Bikram Yoga

Just finished this book. I highly recommend it if you currently do Bikram yoga or are interested / intrigued! It's a great read! Not only is there an entire section devoted to describing each posture with hints or "Bikram's Key" and the benefits of each posture but Bikram also answers some FAQ such as why his classes are so hot! 

It's amazing to see how a pose, such as "Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose", can help relieve pain from sciatica as well as massaging the internal abdominal organs and small and large intestines giving added flexibility in the pelvis, ankles, hip joints and the last 5 vertebrae of the spine (p 137). I love knowing that each posture was selected for a reason. As Bikram says he took "these specific 26 postures to systematically work every part of the body, to give all the internal organs, all the veins, all the ligaments, and all the muscles everything they need to maintain optimum health and maximum function." (p 72)

Some favorite quotes / takeaways:

• "It's never too late, it's never too bad, and you're never too old or too sick to start from scratch once again." (p 13)
• "The way to learn is to do." (p 15)
• "Let me encourage you the way I encourage all my students. Can't do a particular yoga posture today? If you persist in trying the right way, a day will come when you can. Don't cheat or change the posture to conform to your individual weaknesses. If you do, the real benefit goes out the window. Would you rather suffer for 90 minutes or 90 years? The right way is the hard way, and it's up to you to make it work." (p 67)
• "Let's say there's a special room in your house just for meditation. Everything about it is conducive to peaceful contemplation, and you can walk in, lock the door, take the phone off the hook and be completely undisturbed anytime you want. You sit down on your favorite soft meditation pillow, light your favorite incense, play your favorite relaxing music, and begin your meditation. Great. Enjoy. You know what you're going to get from this kind of meditation? A fat ass and a lazy body." (p 75)
• This was in reference to Bikram's 90 minute yoga being a meditation and the importance of finding peace under any condition - not just the calm room. Throughout the book Bikram describes himself as giving tough love! He's also very comical as see in the previous quote!
• "Another overall way yoga heals is by serving as a diagnostic tool. Your inability to hold a posture correctly can often tell you which parts of your body are weak or not functioning well. Like a good mechanic, you'll be running a diagnostic checkup on yourself, locating imbalances to be worked on and organs or other systems in need of repair." (p. 79)

Want to learn more? Go this this website.

Friday

Yesterday was fun! Mike was off so we were able to spend time together! We went to Rock Island and picked up a foosball table he found on craigslist! The man cave is one step closer to being complete!

Let me just say right now, I'm terrrrible at foosball. It was so frustrating that I made Mike play one-handed and he still beat me!! Good thing he has a sense of humor and lets me be a brat and make up rules! One of my favorites "If you are beating me 5-0 you have to get me another beer!" Yes I am a brat. ;)

New leather chair - whoever said cats don't like leather is wrong!

We made the onion burgers last night! Very good. I accidentally put an entire pack of onion soup mix in instead of half (oopsies!) but it wasn't too salty and ended up being ok. Instead of 8 sliders I made 4 burgers because I couldn't find slider buns. If you decide to make it and go this route you may consider more meat! I don't know how I always forget Mike likes a lot of meat! The burgers were a little small and needed a bigger piece of cheese stuffed inside. I sauteed one onion instead of two because it just looked like so much after cutting up one - but I would do two. Those babies really cook down! Mike said the recipe was a keeper so we'll try it again and tweak it a bit!

Today Mike is installing the surround sound in the basement and we have some more pictures to hang otherwise we are going to go out and have fun! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Meet the Bostons

Mike and I are hoping to adopt a Boston Terrier in the very near future! We've sent out 2 applications and are working on the final 2! Then we just have to wait! Here are the 4 contenders!

Aren't they so cute?! Gosh I'm in love already! Keep your fingers crossed!

Happy Things

1) I went to Hobby Lobby to buy yarn for project #3 and met a lady named Julie. She was also in the yarn aisle and seemed to know what she was doing so I asked what "worsted weight" yarn meant. She explained and we started chatting and she brought up the Fireside Knitters group that meets weekly at the library. I told her that I almost went this past week but chickened out! Anyway long story short I met a knitting friend and she convinced me to go to the knitting group this coming up week! I'm excited!

2) Found this at the grocery store and then convinced the cashier that it is the best stuff ever and he must try it! Forget Whitey's! Did you know that you can go here and put in your zip code and it will tell you if any stores nearby sell Graeter's! That's my secret.

3) After some other errands (finally got sheets for the guest bed!) I went to Starbucks and treated myself to my first ever Green Tea Frappuccino. Super delicious!

image source

4) This song is my favorite right now. Especially fun in the car.
A good night indeed!

Feeling Domestic

Having a beautiful home with appropriate kitchen and storage space makes me realize I can be domestic and not resent it! It feels so wonderful having a clean kitchen (not that it's always clean..)! Not only do I do dishes on a regular basis but I'm also cleaning the counter tops and stove tops and all those other clean kitchen chores that in the past didn't happen very often! Go me. What can I say, I'm finally becoming a real adult.

This morning while play around on pinterest I came across a link where this lady plans out meals for dinner for the entire month. This is just crazy to me! Talk about organization! I can kinda wrap my head around planning week to week - but a month! Wowza. I've never planned an entire week of dinners ahead of time, and as a result we typically eat out far too often!

Today I planned out dinners for the next few nights! Granted Saturday night I wrote down nothing as we will be going out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo... baby steps!

In addition to having Skyline one night I'm trying these 4 new recipes!

-Stuffed French Onion Soup Sliders - I will be making regular size burgers because I couldn't find tiny buns!
-Crockpot BBQ Chicken
-Slow Cooker Korean Beef Tacos
-Chicken Marsala

Looks good right?! I'll let you know how they turn out!

Quote

Last night I "finished" my second scarf project. It ended up being a bit of a mess, but lots of lessons learned in the process! I realized a little ways into my second ball of yarn that the wire on the circular needles was twisted.. and as a result so was my scarf. As my mother in law pointed out, it's always ok to donate projects! Just because it isn't supposed to twist doesn't mean it can't keep someone warm!

Tonight I've been reading this book about Bikram yoga, written by Bikram himself! It is so surprisingly interesting. It outlines instructions and benefits for each posture. I'm continuing to be even more fascinated by Bikram yoga and only wish there was a studio in the QC area! In time, perhaps. Once I finish the book I'm going to share some of my favorite quotes! Too inspiring not to share!

For now I'm sharing a quote unrelated to yoga, but rather lovely. Enjoy.

White Chocolate Bread Pudding Goodness

Sunday night Mike and I went out to eat at Biaggi's. It had been cold and rainy for the past few days and I was really craving some warm, comforting pasta. Neither of us had been there and it was really a lovely experience! The best part however was the dessert. I really did not have any room left, but when the server responded that their bread pudding did not have raisins we HAD to try it! If I was being dramatic I would say it was simply life changing!! Really it was delicious! My favorite had been at a place in Cincinnati called Nicholson's, but after going a few months ago with the family I discovered that they actually put raisins in their bread pudding and it just wasn't as magical. This on the other hand, was perfect.

image source

I told Mike that if he felt so inclined he could pick this up for my birthday dessert. So yum! 

This morning I found a copy cat recipe! Check it out! Can't wait to make it!!

Time to drag my butt to a yoga class! Happy Tuesday!