Category Archives: Uncategorized

Mar 21 2013

Bench

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bench hoodie

 

I’m so psyched today!  I’ve reached two fitness goals in a week and decided to reward myself with a new bench hoodie.  The  side zip is what really won me over.

But first, the goals reached.  1.) I’m in my goal weight decade.  It’s been far too long since I’ve been here and seeing those numbers looking back at me on the scale probably mean more to me than they should.  I still have a few pounds to go, but being in single digits from my target weight is amazing.  2.) I back squated 145 pounds in a heavy WOD this week.  Who am I?

Unfortunately, one of my other big goals of running 3 miles in less than 30 minutes has to be put on hold.  I went to the doctor this morning for a pain in my foot that’s been persisting for a few months now.  She said that it can likely be fixed with physical therapy, but no running until I meet with the physical therapist.  Hopefully, the PT will give me the all clear to run again soon.

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I found this hoodie a few weekends ago while shopping downtown at Peek and Cloppenburg with my husband.  It was love at first sight.  My husband had mentioned before what an great brand bench was, but I had never found anything from them that I liked.  This sweatshirt has a side zip that I think is really fun.  It also has thumb holes.  Something I wish I had on a sweatshirt back when I was warming up with the people at Crossfit Swift by running outside in February.  It makes such a difference to keep your knuckles warm.  Also, it’s fleece lined.  It’s by far the warmest hoodie I own.  In the day I’ll wear just this as a jacket when popping out to the store quickly.  I’ve even had to take it off in the house because I’ve been too hot.  Unheard of.  Bench for the win!

Mar 19 2013

Calzones

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I haven’t been this nervous about a recipe coming out since I tried that Nigella mustard pork chop debacle.  As soon as I put the vingar in the pan after taking the chops out, I knew I wouldn’t get that smell out of the couch cushions for at least a week.  When my nostrils stung and my eyes watered my heart sank.  Straight in the trash with that tar.

These calzones included yeast and rising and rolling and heart palpitations.   But, oh, did they come out glorious.

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Not even these poor pictures are going to keep me from telling you about these massive beauties.  It’s a combination of Mama Pea’s whole wheat pizza dough and Deb’s three cheese calzone’s with some sausage thrown in.  These are cheesy and meaty and the perfect stuff you til you can’t feel your emotions kinda food.

These aren’t as scary as they seem.  Just takes some time, but it’s really quite easy if you follow the steps.

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
from Peas and Thank You

1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
3/4 cup warm water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 cup white whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour divided

In a lard bowl, dissolve yeast and brown sugar in water and let sit for 10 minutes until yeast is foamy. Stir in salt and oil. Mix in whole wheat pastry flour and 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour. Turn dough out onto a clean, well-floured suface and knead in more flour until dough is no longer sticky. Place dough in a well-oiled bowl, cover with a cloth and put in a warm place. Let rise for an hour. Punch down dough and form into a tight ball. Allow to rest before rolling out.

Sausage and three cheese calzone
adapted from Smitten Kitchen Cookbook

1 pound Italian sausage
Pizza dough
salt
fresh ground pepper
1 cup ricotta
1 cup coarsely grated mozzarella
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
Dried oregano
1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon of water for egg wash

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a pan over medium high heat, crumble and brown the sausage. Once cooked, transfer to a paper towel lined plate and let cool slightly. Roll the dough into a 12-inch round. Mix together ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, then season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, a generous pinch of dried oregano, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the sausage, then heap it down the center of the dough. Pull the sides of the dough over the center, pressing and crimping a seam down the middle. Brush the outside of the calzone with egg wash. Bake the calzone for 15-20 minutes, until puffed and golden all over. Serve with tomato sauce.

Mar 13 2013

The Nightjar: Toronto

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Toronto

 

When my husband turned me into an unmarked doorway in London for my surprise date I still had no idea where I was.  A man in a navy peacoat and knit cap greeted us.  ”Hi, you alright?” he asked.

Anthony told him that we had a reservation for nine.  He spoke into a mic clipped to his lapel.  Just two minutes, he told us.  From where I was standing, wooden stairs led down to a landing with a door on either side.  No pictures on the way down.  No signs.  No indications and no hints.

“Alright you lot.  You can go down now.”

Down the creaky stairs I wasn’t sure which door to enter.  Anthony pushed open the one on my left.  Suddenly, I was in the past.  Not my own past, but a past before me that I’ve never known.  I was in the 1930′s during prohibition.  I was listening to Ray Charles in the 1950′s.  I was in a moody room being seated by a flapper from the 1920′s.  I was served by a bar tender who wore a thick black beard and suspenders cerca 1910.  I was in a speakeasy.  I was in The Nightjar.

The menu, also unmarked, took fifteen minutes to read.  Drinks came in three classes: pre-prohibition, prohibition era, and post-war.  I chose the Toronto from pre-prohibition.  It’s a dark, just like The Nightjar.  Mixed with Woodford reserve burbon and roasted pecan maple syrup, it started smooth but left with a strong kick at the back of my tongue.  Served with orange flavored spun sugar, this drink doesn’t take itself too seriously.  I drank the drink slow, but ate the sugar fast.  Time stopped at The Nightjar.  I feel like I’m still there, like I just left, and like I was there one hundred years ago.

Mar 12 2013

London to Celebrate 7 years

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London breakfast

I spent this weekend in London celebrating seven years of marriage with my husband.  We drank tea.  Went to the boxing. Rode the tube for what felt like an eternity.  Ate all the pasties.  Stayed mostly warm at a great rugby game.  I was given a lovely surprise date at The Nightjar.  Went to Wembley and to Twickenham.  Stayed in the hippest hotel with the funniest signs.  Had the worst flight home with roller coaster turbulence.

It was lovely.

 

Mar 6 2013

New Plan: Songs of Ascent

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A new #shereadstruth plan is here!  This time we are studying a portion of the Psalms called the songs of ascent.  These Psalms are going to help us prepare our hearts for Easter.
SheReadsTruth

After all of the awesome testimonies that have just been shared, I can’t wait to jump into a new study with both feet.  Please join me as I start this study today.  Hop over to YouVersion, sign up today, and read along with us.

Mar 4 2013

hello, march

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brainstorm

This is what me brainstorming for a paper looks like.  This is what March is going to look like.  Some morning walks and a lot of sweat sessions at the gym will be thrown in there.  But mostly it’s library and papers and writing. The sun is finally making an appearance in Germany and I want to soak it up.  March is for more. More writing. More pictures. More blogging. More making. More, more, more.

 

Feb 1 2013

Hello, February

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I lay aside my old self, which has been corrupted, and put on my new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.  So, laying aside falsehood, I speak truth with all people.  If I get angry, I don’t act on that anger and sin.  I don’t let the sun go down on my anger.  I won’t give the devil that opportunity.  I don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, but only words that build people up, and I only speak them when the moment requires it, so the person I’m speaking to can really hear it.  I don’t grieve the Holy Spirit who sealed me for Christ’s return.  I let all bitterness, wrath, anger, backbiting, and slander be put away from me, along with all malice.  I am kind to other people, tender-hearted and sensitive.  I forgive others as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ has forgiven me.

Adapted from Ephesians 4:22-32

 

Jan 8 2013

Project 365: Week 1

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Mirror shopping.

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They also had this beautiful light fixture that reminded me of tulips.

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My husband is so creative and has been working his magic all week.

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Of course working creative magic required multiple trips to the hardware store.

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Germany hasn’t taken down all their Christmas decorations yet.

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A cool door I walk by almost daily.

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Layered tights are my new thing.

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Dinner out: Tibetan food.  So good, but it almost made my lips leap off my face it was so hot.

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My dentist must also be the dentist for the Men in Black.

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Jan 1 2013

New Year, New Plan

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Happy 2013!  I am so excited for this new year.  It’s going to be full of so many good things.  First of all, a new #shereadstruth plan: Fresh Start.  ”This year, we have a proposition for you. Instead of resolving to get better, to grow yourself, to finally get it right – walk with us through His Truth as we let Him do the getting it right.”

Yes, yes, and amen.
SheReadsTruth

Second, I’m starting a 365 photo challenge.  One photo everyday for a year.  To keep myself accountable I’ll be posting a recap of my photos once a week here on the blog.  I know that this challenge will stretch me creatively.  It’s going to be hard some days, and honestly, that excites me.  I’m ready for some daily creativity  that was lacking in 2012.

Finally, I have a lot more things I’m planning for my 2013.  Many of them I’ll be documenting here, on my internet art journal.  I’m ready for the big changes and new challenges God has in store for me.  So hello, January.  Hello, growth.  Hello, 2013.  Let’s make a good first impression on each other.