Sapicay Meat-a Ball-a!

Our friend Dominic swung by to visit and let our pooches play together.

I was cooking meatballs in a spicy marinara sauce for dinner.

You know, cause I wan-na have-a sapicay meat-a ball-a!

We invited Dom to stay for dinner, and he agreed... how could he not??

Well, it was not even 6pm yet, still pretty early.

Soooo, I thought - why not make our own spaghetti?

What else do we have to do?

Out came the pasta maker:

and lotttssss of flour!

We passed the panels of pasta through the roller a few times,

gotta get it just the right thickness!

Then, at last, the skinny panel gets made into little lovely noodles!

We made piles of spaghetti, it looked like a lot by the time we were done.

Cooking only took about 5 minutes! And it was the perfect amount for 3!

The meatballs were ready!

And, the finished product!

Beautiful!

Yummy!

You know it's good when you're 2 segments into your favorite TV show and none of us

have really heard a word of it because we're too busy saying,

"Mmmmmm" with every bite!

I think we'll be making home made pasta a lot more often!

P.S.

Happy Hannukah!

We had my Grandmother's Menorah going, and said our prayers!

All pictures in this post by JJ.

My hands were covered in flour,

and I wasn't ABOUT to stand aside for someone else to have that much fun!

Christmas Cards

I love Christmas Cards.

LOVE.

They are such a treat!

I *just* picked mine out and got them printed - after WEEKS of trying to make my own in Photoshop, I realized I don't know how to do that kind of thing in Photoshop - annnnd, I'm not going to learn now - apparently.

So, the old standby - Walgreens.

Yep, I said it.

We have been getting our Christmas Card Pics done at Walgreens for FOUR years now.

This year, I was hoping to be all snazzy and smart and Photographer-ey and make my own beautiful, hip cards, have them printed in matte from my printer, and send them off each kissed with love.

But, NO.

Walgreens.

The one I picked is so-so. Not even close to what I was hoping to create on my own.

The picture is of the ultrasound - not some great shot of us from this year - cause we have none. How did that happen? Anyway, I digress.

The point I am trying to make here, but failing miserably at, is that

I LOVE CHRISTMAS CARDS - With Pictures.

I fawn over them.

JJ asks if he can open them because I am the one who MUST open every card so I can get the initial OOOHHH and AAAHHH surprise!

Do you know that I literally had every picture card we received in my kitchen window until about JULY this year?

Did you know, after I whittled them down to 4 pictures in July,

I still had them in my window sill until NOVEMBER this year?

In November, I finally relented and cut the pictures out from their Christmas backgrounds,

then moved them to my new office so I can see them every day right here and don't have to be embarrassed when people come over and see LAST YEAR'S Christmas Pics in my kitchen.

Here is a picture of my Filing Cabinet - in the closet - of our now Guest Room/Office.

It's complete with pics from my Loved One's Christmas Card Photos who live in other parts of the country.

Now, 'scuse me, I need to go pick up my photocards from Walgreens and get addresssing,

I'm really LATE getting these out from trying to make my own for way too long!

Looking forward to getting your card!

Hmmmmm...

Well, I just don't know what to write about.

It isn't that things aren't happening, they are!
I just don't have fabulous footage of all of it...which inhibits my blogging.
Blogging from pictures is my thing, not blogging with pictures.



hmmmm...



Well, I do have one really neat picture that tells a story -

It's a boy!

If I gotta explain it, this will go to an X-Rated blog in 2.8 seconds.

Use your imagination and guess what the letters stand for!

EEEEK! So excited!

Pre-Packaged Thanksgiving

WHAT are we going to do for Thanksgiving? I asked.

Oh!

Of course!

We are going to have TV dinners.

Yah, that's it!

Everything must be pre-prepared, let's Keep it Simple!

My husband had conspired with my step-dad to have a TV dinner Thanksgiving.

Not that I minded.

I've done the whole shabang of a dinner three times, just for the three of us.

Mom is usually travelling this time of year, so us three get together and eat a WHOLE

Thanksgiving meal made from scratch by yours truly.

Not going to happen this year.

We had planned on going out to a swanky place,

but that all got reversed on some phone call I was not privvy to...

So, here's how the blessed event turned out:

Appetizers

Not carrots, celery, radishes, olives with dips and deviled eggs..

A tub of Alouette garlic herb spreadable cheese on some black pepper Triscuits.

DELISH.

Drinks

Not Hot apple cider mulling all day with a spike of bourbon...

Margaritas! With pre-made mix!

There were no fresh squeezed limes allowed.

That takes work.

Drink for me, my current fav:

Grande, Decaf, Non-Fat, No-Whip, Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ah, the joys of pregggggers.

The Main Course
Not Turkey that's been cooking since 7 am, wild rice stuffing, green beans with bacon,
hand-mashed cheesey garlic red potatoes...

A Marie Callender's TV DINNER!!
Complete with stuffing, green beans, mashers AND gravy!
Ok, so you can always have MORE gravy,
so in my first ambitious moment of the day,
I added water *gasp* to a turkey gravy mix from a packet!
Wha Lha. Gravy. No drippings necessary.


Was it good you ask?
Well, Mr. Berg was pleased.
He commented on the flavors being darn near the same as home made. (argh)
AND, that it was the perfect portion size.
We were definitely not stuffed when done.


And, the husband test?
"Of course it isn't nearly as good as when my wife spends 9 hours
making everything from scratch! But, it does the trick... and saves
you from being on your feet all morning, darling mother of my child."

Atta good boy.


Here's a peek at my meal. Complete with my special-er beverage of the day.


What do I think?
Not half bad.
Would I do it again?
Only if I'm preggers and really do not want to spend hours cooking from scratch.
Seriously, we were bored half the day!
What ELSE is there for me to do on Thanksgiving!?


Dishes
Not hours of soaking, scrubbing and swearing...

It was a snap.
3 forks.
One small sauce pan.
One wisk.
Done.


Dessert
Not pumpkin and apple pies made from scratch with wholesome ingredients...

Pumpkin Pie from Costco.
Now, this I had heard of before.
If my psycho-everything-must-be-from-scratch-self
can get over it next year, I will get one of these again.
It's pumpkin-heaven in a crust.
Tastes JUST like a pumpkin pie should taste.
Perfection.

I was NOT about to put Cool Whip on top, I just couldn't take it anymore.
So, I whipped up some home-made whip cream,
you know, using my talents where they are most valued...

mmmmm...
Turns out, the smaller portion for dinner
left more room for a HUGE piece of pie!
(notice the paper plate)


Dinner
Not re-heated left-overs...

Cup-O-Noodles.
Duh.
I couldn't consent to that quality of food,
so as the boys slurped their noodles,
I enjoyed left-over P.F. Changs from dinner the night before.
(Sorry, no picture, I ate it too fast.)

We had a great time giggling about how silly we were being,
spending hours surfing the web,
watching movies,
and Skyping family.

I hope your Thanksgiving was just as delightful!

Thankful.

It's Thanksgiving.

and I'm grateful.

for so much.

Words don't express.

Pictures are worth 1000 words.

Maybe they can get close to expressing.

Things I'm grateful for:

My new photography gig.

It allows me the freedom to spend precious time with loved ones, friends and family.

That is priceless, and the single solitary thing I am MOST grateful for this year.

This was a fun project, and I still love this picture Ms. Brookie took.

I am grateful for my husband.

He loves me like crazy.

I am grateful for my sweet Belay Boy.

He's the snuggliest snuggler, fun loving, fishing, fetching, bark-machine of a poodle.

I am grateful that we are expecting a baby.

This is what he looked like at 4 weeks:

I'm so grateful to be able to see my brother, Judd, his wife Shelby, and their son Cameron.

I spent about 3 weeks staying at their house, and they were so gracious to have me.

It was so nice to be able to see them so much and re-connect.

I only wish I had a picture with all three of them.

This is what Judd looks like when something tickles him. It tickles me.

I'm grateful for the time I've had to reconnect with friends!

I made a road trip from Denver to Utah, to Idaho, to Washington, to Montana,

to Albuquerque, to Arizona, and back to Denver.

It made for a GREAT time of visiting with long time friends.

A week long trip to New York to see Ms. Kristen and celebrate Janna's 30th Birthday.

We had more fun and got along better than should ever be legal!

Dinner with Michael.

Dinner on the patio with April & Jeff.

Tricia's Wedding...

My cousin, Tiffany.

I spent a lot of time with her, and her daughter Hannah on my Idaho Extravaganza.

She returned the favor by visiting me!

I still can't believe we didn't bust the tree swing in my front yard!

She brings so many laughs, so much joy, and great conversations everywhere she goes...

Brunch with the best Neighbor money can buy.

Ms. Suz.

I am thankful that I was able to do an obscene amount of fishing this year.

My skills really increased, and I can see a huge difference...

mainly in the fish I catch!

35" Dolly Varden. Whoa Nelly. I mean Dolly. Whoa Dolly.

Having friends monkey around with us at the cabin.

Typical shenanegans going on...

Dom entertaining Will... well, trying to anyways!

JJ's 35th Birthday.

14 friends for dinner - all you can eat crab.

He was a happy man.

Sailing.

For the first time.

Ahhhhh....

Road trip this Fall to Nelson, BC from Washington.

A few days with the Beauchamps, the most generous people ever.

It was a wonderful time and so many good memories.

Being able to see my Mom a lot more.

Here she is with her friend, KB.

So grateful for the chance to have breakfast with them in the middle of the week!

Family...and flinging hair.

This is from a ride last Winter with my nephew Taylor.

What's not to love about life??

I'm thankful for so many things this year.

Not the least of which is YOU, for reading this blog.

Thank you, I am grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Walking Contradictions

What is it about horses?

Even if you haven't had one, or spent much time with one,

there is something that is still enchanting & magical about them.

They are strong & solid, gentle but wild, have depth yet still fear.

They can be rebellious, and still want to please.

They are a walking contradiction.

They suck me in.

I heart them.

Here are a few shots from my Sister yesterday.

This is her newest addition.

He is gorgeous.

Pics by Brenda Wood

I'm so proud of her.

Editing by yours truly (not that it matters, but it soooo does.)

Inspired.

Right now, I am inspired.

Spent this morning praying with a friend and resting in peace.

Talked to my mom and soaked up some of her love.

Talked to my sister and shared our excitement over photography. She gets to take the pictures I really want to take every day. She doesn't know how to edit, though, so she is sending them to me to edit. Can I call them mine then? She has horses and cattle and I need to go visit her to get my camera on... Her pictures knock my socks off and I want to fill my home and an art gallery with them.

Spent some time on Julie Harris' blog: www.julieharrisphotography.com/blog - a Denver Photographer who has been inspiring me for years, and it just doesn't stop. I am always wondering how she gets the shots she does. Love her.

Getting ready to go see my Midwife, who is going to 'balance' me. Thank God for her.

Get to find out if we are having a boy or a girl soon, and just CAN NOT WAIIITTT!!

What is inspiring you?

I hope it is goodness and delight for your soul.

Here is one of my Sister's shots that rock my world. Hope you love it. Hope it inspires you.

Married! Boone + Tricia

Boone & Tricia Seal

chose Coeur d'Alene as the place to get married.

It is one of the most beautiful places on the planet - and my hometown - aren't I lucky?!

Anytime you see this little tree on the island off that hill, you can know it's Coeur d'Alene Lake.

A great spot to ponder and dream about Happily Ever After...

Her dress was so beautiful.

A Perfect Fit!

The Rings are STUNNING.

They're inscribed on the sides & just gorgeous from every angle.

Boone made a very handsome groom, and we had fun trying to orchestrate the perfect moment for him to see his Bride for the first time...

Ummmm, Hello Gorgeous!!

So, right before the ceremony, after the guests had left for the beach,

it started to POUR. Not a sprinkle, a POUR.

Look at the rain drops pounding down behind Trish

as she calls the beach to check their weather.

Turns out, the rain skipped the beach!

As the limo pulled up, the clouds broke loose & the sun poured down on us...

It was Kismet!

I love this little sly smile...

Look at the love in those eyes! Fantastic!

Awww, cry time...

YES! We're Married!!

We spent the evening toasting, laughing, and enjoying each other's company.

Congratulations Boone & Trish!

You are perfect together!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, well, since we have been dear friends since we were about eight years old,

I can't finish this post without a picture of us together.

Love it!