Cooking Adventures - Results #1!

Alright gang...
I stuck to my goal and completed the Chicken Cutlets & Tomato Saute!

Here are pictures of the process!

Chicken breast - salt & peppered, waiting to be put in the skillet

Cooking the chicken in good ol' EVOO

Chicken's done - now time for those tomatoes!

Sauteed tomatoes, Sauvignon Blanc, scallions & tarragon leaves

The spread!

My Dinner -- pretty DARN proud of myself

Alright...now to find cooking adventure number 2!

<3

Fill in the Blank Friday!

Thanks again to Lauren for the fun Friday activity!!

Feel free to fill in your blanks too!

1. My absolute favorite movie of all time is...  Wow.. tough one. But I'd have to say probably When Harry Met Sally.  I just love the subtle humor in it and how all the relationships are connected.

2.  My favorite movie as a child was...  Sleeping Beauty with out hesitation.  Who doesn't want to be a princess, with a Prince charming that fights thru crushing thorn bushes, battles an evil witch/dragon, and risks his life to rescue you!  Plus I just loved the fairy god mothers - Flora, Fauna, & Merriwether!

3.  The best movie quote ever is... Well, one of them is from my favorite movie.. "When Harry met Sally" -- "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."  It was true for me - and true for Isaac. <3

4.  My favorite actress is...  Diane Lane.  I love her in every movie she's in.  And I love her confidence.  My favorite actor is...  Liam Neeson  There's just something about that accent!  But my favorite movie of his is Michael Collins

5. The movie I could watch over and over again is...  Under the Tuscan Sun (I said Diane Lane was my favorite  actress for good reason!)  Every time I watch it I'm a bit envious of her courage to just pick up and live in another country & find herself...

6.  My favorite movie genre is...  romantic comedy or thriller/puzzle type movies - like Oceans 11 or Duplicity. I just love the twists and turns - so fun

7.  A movie I'd like to watch this weekend...  I really want to go to "Why Did I Get Married Too" Tyler Perry's new movie.  Honestly, I love every movie that Tyler Perry does, I love how he weaves together all the characters, and dives right in to really hard topics, and the fact that he ALWAYS finds a way to give a gospel message...really cool  Plus I think he's hilarious

What are some of your favorites?

Just A Little Something

As I'm getting into this blogging world - it is becoming more and more fun to follow & read what gems of insight others have to share!

One in particular is Amanda .  

 (via The Newelly-Weds)

Follow the link to her blog -- she's even hosting her first give away drawing!

How fun is that?!

<3

ps...it's been one crazy day for sure!

Cooking Adventures!

Ok - time to buckle down and get to domestic business...  I will be renewing my cooking adventures.  I briefly started a while back during football season and had some success with my home made meatloaf & sesame asparagus.  But admittedly, marrying a wonderful chef puts a bit more pressure on a new chef.  So I took a step back and made whatever effort I could while he was cooking....and confession, I just really enjoy Isaac's cooking!

So I'm going to start small and start tomorrow (I have a bible study tonight that will keep me out late)!  And here is a picture of the recipe I'm going try:

Chicken Cutlets with Tomato Saute

Seems easy enough - chicken, tomato, olive oil, white wine.  Can't really go wrong.  The plan is to serve either with mashed potatoes or wild rice.  We shall see! 

Wish me luck!  I'll post on Friday how things turn out with photos of my progession... :)

<3

A Small Appreciation

I love sitting at home with my husband with most lights off and candles lit around us.  I so appreciate the warm glow, the slight flickers, and the soft aromas.  It's so comforting...  We're gonna have to buy some more candles soon - I've had then lit every night since Saturday night.  Makes me kind of slow down and appreciate more small things.  Like my husband getting home early from baseball.  Yummy dinners.  Hugs.  Conversation.

What makes you appreciate the small things?

<3

Humf...

Desperate for some direction.  Aimless is the only word that comes to mind right now.  Well, that & antsy.  My life is happening right now - I understand that....  And I know that it's the journey that is the most significant piece.. but sometimes you just want to be at the end, where everything has come together and it all makes sense.

Yeah... I'd like to be there right about now....  Oh well, c'est la vie right?

<3

Don't Mess With Momma!

Is it bad to say that I love listening to my mom crack the whip on unruly current/potential clients who think they can throw their weight around & behave badly?!  Because if it's wrong... I DON'T want to be right!
She is awesome at what she does and is a true professional; and any poor soul who thinks they can push her around and create chaos is sadly mistaken and should be prepared for an reality!

Phew -- wonder if I'll ever be able to do such a thing!
<3

Follow Suit... Filling In Blanks On Friday!

1.  One song that always takes me back to my youth is  - "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" - New Kids on the Block.   Totally reminds me of running around with my big sisters in our pink house on Laguna Dr.

2.  My first concert ever was     Moderately embarrassed to say, Backstreet Boys with my 7th grade best friends...we have uber nose bleed seats.

3.  If I could create my dream music festival I'd want these bands to be there:      The Eagles, Rebel Souljahz, Cazimero Brothers, The Beatles, Doobie Brothers, & Matt Wertz

4.  The best make-out/"boot knocking" song ever is      Oh I have no idea - my brain doesn't function in that arena...

5.  The best concert I've ever been to was    Matt Wertz & Dave Barnes @ the Aladdin in Portland tied with Matt Wertz @ The Doug Fir Lounge... Pretty much Matt Wertz is awesome

6.  A memorable musical moment for me was        seeing my first Hawaiian reggae show with Isaac in Vancouver.  So many people, tons of Heineken, tons of Isaac's buddies from home randomly all in the same place, and rockin' out to some great music with my honey & friends

7.  The song on my iPod that's getting the most play these days is       Anything on The Eagles Pandora station... I really only listen to my iTunes when working out and that is the best music to 

There's my Friday fill in -- pretty fun I have to say!

Read others Friday fill in's at Lauren's Page

Be Kind

Seems simple right?  But doesn't everything always seem more simple than it sometimes really is?

That was one piece of advice Isaac & I were given just before we were married.  It came from a dear friend to both of us; a woman who had poured into both of our lives individually.  And at the time, I have to admit, it was taken very quickly at face value -- yeah of course we'll be kind to each other, we love each other!  How silly were we....  Often times it seems as though it's the ones you love the most that you can be so unkind to.  Satan sneaks in & digs at the ones we care about THRU us because he is trying to assert himself within.

But get BACK Satan!  You have no place here....   He is powerless against the mighty power of my God!
For our God is one of unconditional love & forgiveness.  Our God is one of making new creations & clothing his children in white!  Our God is one who has the names of his children written in the palm of His hand & He works for the good of those who believe & trust in Him!  And he is kind...

<3

LOSIN' IT!

Today is one of those days where I feel like I'm losing it!  My brain is running to mush - Nothing feels like it's going to be accomplished, and everything is incredibly distracting...

THIS IS WHAT I FEEL LIKE! Yikes!
<3

Crossing My Fingers For That Little Blue Box!

I am crossing my fingers that we'll get selected again this year for the annual Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco, CA.  Last year I made my first appearance at the race (and at a half marathon!) and had the time of my life!  The theme for last year was to "Run Like A Girl" - and I guess that's what I did.  Primarily -- I finished, which was my ultimate goal.  Monique & I agreed very early on in our training that we wanted to finish together regardless of our time.  So we stuck thru it together and finished.

But now the time is here again where I am anxiously checking my bank account and my emails for the anticipated notification email saying that I've been selected!  Last year I was sitting on my living room floor hopping around with pure excitement when I saw that my account had been charged -- a sign that you're IN!  So tonight, I will again keep an eye on my bank account & email...crossing my fingers, toes, legs, etc that we get selected.

There are a number of pros to this race - there's the goodies at the expo in Union Square, getting your name up on the wall of Niketown, the ever coveted Tiffany's necklace for every finisher (which by the way, is REALLY cool to see limos FILLED with those beautiful blue boxes!), and of course the other race day niceties.  But for me - the most enjoyable part is getting to travel with great friends and finish something together.  That was my highlight; sure...getting up at 4:30/5am was tough come race day - but it was worth it when you got down in to Union Square and the whole place if lit up with excitement & anticipation!  And being surrounded by all that energy was intoxicating!  Not to mention being surrounded by so many different women (and some men too) who were running the same race that I was.  That was pretty awe-inspiring too.

So...cross your fingers for me (and my group - Nordhagen & crew as we lovingly call ourselves) that we get selected in the random draw tonight!
<3

Next March!

I am going on a cruise with great friends & my hubby....  I am beyond excited!  I think this will be our first "big" trip with friends.  We're definitely all looking forward to it!

<3

I Surrender All

I have a very distinct place in my heart for hymns...  and with good reason - they speak truth simply...

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

I surrender all I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken

Take me Jesus take me now

I surrender all I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Lord I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me

I surrender all I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all
Oh I surrender all I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Praying this now...
<3

Uncertainty Certainly is Annoying

Sometimes I know exactly where I'm going, exactly what I'm doing, and exactly what to expect.



And other times....not so much.  Today generally was a very good day, but with it winding down, I feel a little overcome with that ugly word & feeling -- uncertain.
I hate feeling uncertain.  Uncertain about what I'm doing in life.  Uncertain about where I am in life.  Uncertain about what to expect with the next week, day, month, year, etc.  I took one of my R/E tests tonight and sucked... not my norm.  But I think it just feeds the fear that I'm not heading in the right direction.  I'm not going to ever be as good as my mom...  And that's scary, because I think there are those who are fully expecting me to be just like her and to be incredibly successful at it right off the bat.  But me... I don't know.  I'm not so certain.  Urgh.

Isaac asked me once what I would do if I didn't do real estate or if I wasn't at my job...  And to be honest, I didn't really have a response.  Will I ever have a response?  Or an idea?  Or a plan?  Or a direction...

Lord I trust your guidance and know that You are perfect and your will is perfect.  Would Your love overflow in me so that I may find joy even in the uncertainty...

<3

Luau

Just got home from the Willamette Lu'au with Isaac -- definitely a fun evening.  I think it really lights a fire in the two of us to be more involved.  We'll see what things come together.

And I think if & when the time is right - and doors are open -- it would be a blessing to be able to raise our family for some time in Hawaii.  I know how Isaac would want our kids to experience living in Hawaii at some point.  So like I said - if the time is right and all the doors were opened, we'll explore that option.


But for now we'll just enjoy our lilikoi juice and catch up on today's baseball games!
<3

You Can't Pick Your Family...

And I'm actually thankful for that!  My family is pretty dang amazing when it comes right down to it.  God was good when He was planning how to knit us each together.
So let's start from the beginning:
Dad (aka Greg or daddio) was born in Salem, 3rd of 8 kids - worked hard all his life, graduated from my alma mater (McNary), went into the Marine Corps and found himself there.  Met my mom...
Mom (aka momma) was born in Puyallup, 1st of 4 girls.  She was the one who took care of it all and of everyone.  A Jobs Daughter Queen, graduated high school & also joined the Marine Corps.  And surprise surprise - she did awesome in the Marine Corps!
Both my parents were married before they got together - but God had bigger things in mind...so while on a date with a guy name George at the officer's club, my mom met my dashing dad & ditched George!! Match made!  They definitely faced their trials during their 30 (yes that's right...I said THIRTY) years together - but overall they have put our family first in all things and have taught my brother and what it means to take care of your family first & foremost.  Sure during my younger years it was tough to see where they were coming from...but looking back I know that God is good based on how my family has turned out.  We love each other, we are family first - but now we are friends as well.  What an unbelievable blessing - to love my family AND to like them...  We fully understand one another and how each person works within the bigger picture.
Since I know who I am... there's Allan, the younger brother :)  The baby -- the only boy of 3 girls (yes.. I have 2 older half- sisters from my dad's first marriage).  And boy is he ever the only boy...  He is my dad's "buddy" - two peas in a pod.  Literally, my brother is a mini-me of my dad, a small carbon copy.  But he is one of the coolest, most down to earth kids I have ever met.  He is very caring and probably the most stable individual out there.

On top of all this - recently Isaac was added into the mix.  And it was as if he was an ever present fixture within our family.  He stepped right in and all the dynamics still worked and worked well.  My dad has another buddy, my mom has another mind to bounce business ideas off of, my brother finally has the brother he always wanted, and of course I got the best end of the deal -- an amazing husband who is not only willing to put up with my craziness from time to time, but he also loves me for that very reason.  I've said it before and I reckon I will say it again -- we are far better together than we ever were on our own.

All in all I am thankful for my family - thankful for my husband, my immediate family, for our unique extended families, & for our friends that are just like family.  What an amazing gift in the big scheme of life.  To love who you were placed next to in this life.  Things are good!!
Now back to my Friday night with my hubby... time to relax together and enjoy our life together.  Thank you God for your blessings.

<3

TGIF!

In all seriousness - thank goodness it's Friday! This week has been crazy - crazy work, crazy family, just flat out crazy! It's time for rest! 
So tomorrow, we will finish some projects around the house (cross your fingers I can get Isaac to really put a dent in the office...it's chaotic to say the least). Then off to the WU Annual Hawai'i club Lu'au.  That should be tons of fun! And Sunday will round out the wknd with the big guy playing worship at church and then rest, rest, rest -- mixed in with some studying for real estate.

Phew...I'm ready for the weekend for sure!!!
<3

Pipe Dreams

Ok... I know it's not going to be a pipe dream forever... But these are just glimpses of things I would want in my house, either current house - or future house.

Organzied Home Office:

I love this one - clean, but still warm.  Tons of storage and lots of places to showcase some fun knick knacks that Isaac and I have both collected - individually & collectively.

This one is probably a bit more realistic for my house and the configuration of our current office.  I think the only change I'd make is to switch the bench & chair - so either of us could look outside...and I'd get a different chair. All in all... I like it!

Organized Master Bedroom Closet:

Hello! Talk about storage & beauty galore!  Plus the high ceilings make it definitely not feel like a regular ol' closet.  I just love love love it!

I think if I were still a single gal - this would be my dream closet!  But with the big guy's stuff, this might not work effectively for us.  But I still love it! I love the doors over the dress section.  So cute!

Dreaming Dreaming Dreaming!

<3

An Evening At Home

It sure is nice to spend an evening at home -- love being together.  I treasure these moments because I know that with the end of school comes the start of preparation for the coming football season. (tip to all those football girlfriends/fiances/new wives....football is absolutely not only a fall sport).  So I will treasure these nights... even with the big guy playing Tiger Woods on Wii.

He may shoot me for posting that... I'll risk it :)

Haha - love my Hawaiian!

<3

looking forward to running tmrw...time to be healthy! :)

Hawaiian Music

I've said it before and I'll say it again....I love Hawaiian music... particularly classic Hawaiian music. And one of my most favorite songs is the one that Isaac and I danced to at our wedding.  "Misty Rains and Lehua" - and it the version we danced to was sung by Isaac's Nana..  It was so special to be able to have her be a part of our day that was so significant, since she couldn't be there with us in person.

On another note... Isaac & are going to start being better about taking photos of our life in these early years.  We've got adventures on the horizon and we need to document!!

<3

Sickness Makes You Stop

There's nothing like being sick to make you come to a complete stop....  Urgh.

But a benefit to being stopped in my tracks is that I am forced to think and rest, and think and rest, and think and rest.   So I've been thinking a lot already - and it's only 9:00am.  Here are some thoughts that have bubbled to the surface:
1.  God is soo good.  He works in a sometimes confusing way, but in the end it all comes together perfectly (why wouldn't it though...He's God).  Ex: me w/ wyldlife...just when I'm thinking what the heck did I get myself in to, God brings out a desire in some of those 6th grade girls to meet together and talk about that really great God.
2.  My husband is an outright stud.  Not just in the general meaning of "he's a stud."  But he's absolutely the most amazing man I have ever come across.  He is incredibly loyal, kind, focused, talented, family focused, and loves Jesus.  Thank you God for bringing us together -- we are better together than I think we were on our own.
3.  Though I may not always enjoy my job - I do enjoy getting things accomplished and feeling like I am a part of something bigger than myself.  I value that my job enables me to step outside myself and focus on getting things done for others.  I think it's important to not think of one's self as the most important person in the world -- I just find it hard to believe that everyone cares to know EXACTLY what I'm doing, ALL the time.
4.  I'm starting to not be so concerned with what others think of me.  Even though it's a slow, and sometimes painful, process...it's one I'm willing & have to go thru.  I guess that's part of growing up.
5.  The life Isaac & I are creating is one that I am so excited about.  We're making choices to be financially set for our future children, we're making choices that are creating an environment that will be warm & welcoming, and we are making choices to surround ourselves with those who are like minded and/or respect/value how Isaac & I are choosing to live.
6.  Reality has hit me that in order to really enjoy the life that Isaac & I are creating - I have to take care of myself.  On all fronts.  Now is the time to take care of our lives - rest, healthy eating, exercising, vitamins, balance in our choices, etc.

Just a couple of things running thru my brain as I'm at home....
<3

One of My Life Goals

I know that God really brought Isaac and I together for a reason.  There are so many things about our lives that coincide before we ever got together, that it is somewhat comical how good God is.  And of course there are little things that we've discovered that we think are fun to connect to...one being that one of the last heirs to the Hawaiian throne (Princess Ka'iulani) was half Hawaiian & half Scottish (my heritage).  And when we were on our honeymoon - the church designated as being the "first" church in Hawaii was a Lutheran church.  Now we realize that these little ties are silly - and probably insignificant.  But they're fun for us.

But in marrying Isaac and having a real opportunity to experience and learn about Hawaiian culture, and Polynesian culture as well, I have found a deep rooted appreciation and growing love.  There is something about the warmth of the culture, the honor/respect for Hawaiia's history/ali'i, and the overwhelming kindness expressed.  There seems to be an insatiable interest in the history -- I finally finished Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen by Queen Lili'uokalani - a fascinating autobiography of her life, and the complexities of Hawaii's history, annexation, and her experience as the last reigning monarch of the Islands of Hawaii.

I feel like I want to learn and take in so much more about Hawaii....so I am on the hunt for some more materials.  The history nut in me is going crazy. 

Ok - so one of my life goals is to go to the Merrie Monarch Festival on the Big Island.  I love Hula...it is so beautiful, such a beautiful way of story telling & expression.  I just love it...  Now... to find a way to make getting there not an issue with my school teacher husband.  So cross your fingers we can figure out a way to make it work!! Otherwise I may even go with out him! Any one want to be my back up dates?!

All in all...I'm loving the chance to be a part of a new culture, even if in a removed sense.  It is such a blessing, and I can not wait for our future kids to experience it all as well!
<3