Food Philosophies

It was quite a busy & productive weekend for us, the weekend felt like a small little blip!

My brother celebrated his 15th birthday on Saturday, we had the viewing and funeral for our neighbor, menu planning and grocery shopping for the next five weeks, gardening and log splitting chores, plus hockey!

I've started to tackle the mass amounts of projects and lists and the first project to get crossed off was menu planning. I wanted to create a better system for the menu planning since I do such a mass amount at one time. I'm working on creating a new menu-planning binder that will keep all the past month plans and current month recipes etc. all organized together. There were 37 days to plan this go round and boy did it help make wading through that grocery list easier! We hit up four different grocery stores yesterday and I still have two more to go before I'm done!

In the midst of all the planning I've also been trying to define our "food stance" if you will. Organic vs. conventional. Local vs. international. Processed vs. "all natural". It goes on and on. Obviously I want to choose the best for us but what premium am I willing to pay? And is it worth the extra cost? I'm still mulling it all over and trying to figure out what is reasonable to try and achieve. How have you decided?

There Were Pink Ballons & Then There Were None

Yesterday I received the kind of news that no one ever likes to have to hear. Our next door neighbor had passed away after welcoming her new baby girl into the world not too many days before. It's a horrible horrible thing that I just cannot wrap my mind around and my heart just breaks for the family.

A lot of you had asked for background information on twitter in response to my tweets so here is what I know.

The mother was only 23, actually turning 24 on Sunday. This was their first child. Both were very healthy (in fact she was a runner and in great shape) and given the all clear and released from the hospital a few days ago.

Mom and baby were doing great and had been home getting settled back in for a couple of days. In fact, not too many hours before it happened I drove by the house and waved to the proud, beaming new dad. Everything seemed to be going well and we had plans to drop by with gifts for the new parents and baby a little while later.

Unfortunately, during that period of "a little while later", the mother went into cardiac arrest. They were unable to resuscitate her and she passed away.

A final verdict on cause of death hadn't been released as of last night, they are still waiting for the autopsy to be finished. The initial statement is that the cardiac arrest appears to have been caused by a fast developing infection, cause of the infection unknown at this time.

We stopped by last night and talked to our neighbor and his father for quite awhile. I could tell it hasn't hit yet. When I had driven by the house shortly before, I saw him outside walking. He was slumped over and looked so defeated. I tear up just thinking about, the whole thing is so horrible.

They were high-school sweethearts. Newlyweds. The father is only 24 and runs his own business in addition to another contracting type job-both with sporadic and long hours. Couple that with having to learn to cook and care for a house AND care for a newborn and he's in for a extremely challenging road ahead while at the same time trying to cope with the grief of loosing his soul-mate.

While visiting last night, we offered up my mom, 3 sisters and my assistance with the house, meals and baby and his eyes lit up right away and he looked so relieved. Hopefully he will not be afraid to let us know what they need and that we are able to meet those needs.

Parenting is a tough enough challenge for two, nevermind one. They are going to need so much help and grace to work through this, please please keep them in your prayers.

Lists upon Lists

I've had so many lists swirling around in my head since getting home. It was wonderful being out of town for so long but coming back I often feel so out of touch and behind. I start to jot down notes for one list and then think of something and start another, and then start another...etc. I'm hoping if I can at least start with a list of the lists that have all been swirling around in my head, maybe I can start to get somewhere.

Source: organizing.yourway.net via Rosie on Pinterest

Monthly meal planning
This has been going super duper since starting it in January. June I only planned a couple of meals because I knew we would be clearing out the fridge and be gone for awhile. I think we'll barely squeak through til the end of this week with food and then I'll just menu-plan for July + the last week of June. Hubs and I are talking about a date to Whole Foods and Trader Joes for some yummy fresh organic gourmet over the weekend but no way we're walking into those stores without a list (past experience has proven to be quite costly).

Shopping/returns
I want to minimize the amount of spending I do over the next couple of months so we can kick the last student loans to the curb once and for all. I also need to gather up all the misc stuff around the house that needs to get returned and just get it out of the house and the money back in our pockets.

Organize
The paper trail has gotten a bit out of hand in the office with receipts and recipes and printouts that need to be saved... I want to set aside some serious chunks of time to set up a new system as we've definitely started to outgrow the old one.

Clutter
I have a whole bunch of stuff I want to post for sale and the rest I want sorted through and cleared out once and for all so I can finish the home inventory.

Summer
I can not believe we are already near the end of June. Time is just FLYING! Last year's summer plan was quite successful so I think I would like to do another one this year to make we can capture the summer and enjoy it before it's gone again.

Local
We have been blessed to enjoy a lot of wonderful vacations and see a lot of the world already but there are still lots of things we'd like to see and do close to home. Brent and I started discussing a list but I'd really like to get it all written down and saved somewhere before we forget.

Projects
I have lots and lots of projects piling up that I have wanted to get done....building out the gardens for next year, a bit more landscaping, cleaning out the garage, putting together several books of pictures. The list is endless. I'm thinking I'll make a list of all the ones I can think of and then select a couple to do each week/month to make it a bit more manageable.

Financial
With new jobs, promotions and internal changes in our companies that have been a lot of new accounts getting added in, zero'd out or moved around and our Mint overview is starting to look a bit untidy. Over the next few months as we get the final student loans paid off, there are a number of restructuring changes I'd like to accomplish in order to get things simplified.

phew I *think* that covers everything. Just putting it all down into categories makes it seem much more manageable. Each category probably deserves a topic of its own and who knows, if I find enough time, I might just do that!

Back on East Coast Time

We're finally back!

We arrived from our whirlwind west coast tour early this morning and while I'm sure it will take me a number of days to get settled back in and unpacked, (much less sorting through the 2500+ photos sitting on the new camera) this blog has been rather neglected while I was gone.

Side note, the new toy camera is a dream! We have been having so much fun getting acquainted with it. Oh and I think "it" needs a name. Perhaps a contest with a prize for the winner? We'll get to that later...

Back to the trip...every day was filled to the brim with sight seeing and activities. We spent 5ish days in San Fransisco and the surrounding areas. 2ish days in Sonoma and another 2ish days in Northern California/Oregon. Pics and stories from our adventures coming as soon as I get to sorting through. In the meantime, a snippet of photos from my phone, taken at the Redwood National Forest and along the Northern California coast.

We saw so many beautiful things, I honestly am not sure if the camera ever really got put away. It was a truly spectacular trip and it was wonderful to share the experience with Brent and other family members! Rest assured there will be lots of posts coming down the pipeline sharing the fun.

Also big huge congratulations go out to Susannah, Brittany and Jenny on the births of all their new babies! Be warned, they all had serious cuties, prepare for your ovaries to ache!!!

Today's Stream of Consciousness

Newlywed Next Door had a post earlier today entitled "stream of consciousness" and that title sort of just stuck in my mind and seemed fitting for today's post.

My husband was so sweet, he asked for our camera for his birthday since the purchase has been continually delayed and he hates how long I've been waiting for it. The camera came back in stock on Sunday, $150 bucks less than what it had been before and I snatched it up immediately! It arrived yesterday in all its sexy Canon EOS 7D glory and its beautiful! I can't wait to test it out! (and no, that was not the only thing he got for his birthday, I made sure to get him a few surprises)

I already have a Kelly Moore bag but I'm thinking of also picking this bag up for Hubs.



I ordered some of the Tory Burch Eddies when they went on sale and oh my, it is Love! Move over Revas, there is a new top dog in town! It is like walking on pillows!

Source: toryburch.com via Jen | Life Accounts on Pinterest

Source: toryburch.com via Jen | Life Accounts on Pinterest

Source: toryburch.com via Jen | Life Accounts on Pinterest

Anthropologie kicked off a massive sale yesterday and in addition, has marked down all their sale items an extra 25% for a limited time. I was able to call in and get a few price adjustments and also scored a blazer I'd had my eye on for $30 bucks (originally $100!) and a lovely summer scarf, yay for getting money back!

Source: anthropologie.com via Jen | Life Accounts on Pinterest

I guess yesterday was quite the notable day as I got two phone calls with good news! The first was the bread outlet for 60 loaves of fresh bread plus other assorted treats for mere pennies! Whenever we get bread from the outlets it's decidedly more fresh than the bread they have in stores (since it comes straight from the manufacturer) and filling my car for $20 bucks (quite literally) can't be beat. My car smelled like a fresh bakery all day! :)



The second phone call was a call I have been waiting for now for a few weeks. My purse had arrived at the Atlanta branch from London and the store was shipping it out to me. Here's a sneak peak:

Source: lkbennett.com via Jen | Life Accounts on Pinterest

I'll post more pictures when it arrives!

I have started a bit of cross-training with the shred for the days where its too hot to work out outside. The first day was a doozy and it took a few days to recover (I think I did weights too high for the number of reps) but the second time I didn't dial it down any less but it seemed decidely easier, I was barely even breathing hard! I think maybe I need to try and go up a level and see if that's any more challenging.

One thing I am curious about though, do people really do the shred 30 days in a row? It seems to be advertised that way but that also doesn't seem very smart to do the same exercises and work the same muscles the same way day after day. Tired muscles lead to incorrect form and injury so it seems weird that she promotes doing it every day! Anyone who's done the shred care to weigh in? (pun not intended!) I'm very curious how others have done it!

We are preparing to head to San Fransisco in mere days now. Once we get there, we plan to road trip from SF up to Portland over the course of a week or so. I would love recommendations on things to see/do and places to eat!

Source: google.com via Kate on Pinterest

Lastly, I have finally started sketching out the gallery wall project in our bedroom. It seems like it has taken me MONTHS to sort through the 10,000+ photos we have and narrow it down to a reasonable number. This project has been quite the doozy! I've started a rough map of the beginning configuration (bit of a weird flash-I was taking the picture with my phone to help me remember in case the wind and fans blew all the paper scraps down). The second photo from Finding My Feet, will give you an idea of what the end product will look like.

Source: raechelmyers.com via Jen | Life Accounts on Pinterest

My Man

Today is a very special day. It's a day that year after year we celebrate my husband Brent, otherwise affectionately known around these parts as Hubs. In honor of his birthday, this post is dedicated to the best man I've ever known and whom I am blessed to be married to. I don't know if I've ever formally introduced Brent on this blog but allow me to remedy that today.


A few years back when I started this blog, Friday's were dedicated to him and every Friday he would tune in anticipation of his Friday love letter. Well, time sort of slipped by and I got off track with his Friday posts, so today Babe, this one's for you.

Several years ago, I walked into the college bar and fell head over heels for the tall muscular sexy bouncer at the front. Although it was your looks that first drew me in, what really captured my attention was your sparkling smile, warm engaging personality and hilarious dry sarcastic sense of humor.

Its hard to put into words just how much you mean to me, but you are the only person I have ever fallen for, you define the term "soulmate". Truly.

You are incredibly patient and oh-so laid-back and easy going, which as we know, helps to balance out my crazy! :)

You are such an amazing servant leader and hard worker, I am grateful everyday for the hard work and effort you pour into my family. It's such an exciting time to be a part of your team!

You are a wonderful coach and mentor, dedicated husband/son/brother and friend and I think everyone feels as I do in that they are blessed to have you be a part of their lives.


A good listener, an excellent gift giver, amazing back/foot rubber and an amazing athlete, you really are the dream husband that every girl fantasizes about. How lucky and blessed am I to have been choose to spend the rest of our lives together!

You could have gone all the way in sports and made a career out of it, instead you made the decision to pursue higher education and academics and make a career in business. A decision that I am oh-so-thankful for, since it allowed me the opportunity to meet you! God had a plan!


My workout buddy, my co-chef, my travel companion, my shopping soundboard, my coach and cheerleader. The Richard to my Laura, the Clinton to my Stacy, the bread for my cheese! :)

You are the man that everyone likes and respects. I have never met a person that wasn't instantly swayed by your natural charm. You provide such a lovely balance and stabilizability for me. After God, you are my rock!

Every time I think of you I thank God for you.
Philippians 1:3

Happy Birthday Baby, I hope your every dream comes true!

Love,
Yours Forever