Friday, December 12, 2014

Final Day in Paris...Shopping, Wheel & Food - France Vacation -- Day 12

It is so hard to believe that today was our final full day here in Paris. It seems like we just got here yesterday...but at the same time it feels like we've been here for months. Do you ever get that feeling when you are on any vacation?

Lazy Morning follwed by Châtea de Vincennes and the Top of the Tower - France Vacation -- Day 11

Bonjour mes amis! Today was a rather low key day in the morning, then packed full of walking and fun in the afternoon. This post won't be as heavy as the last one...I promise. But in all honesty, I'm happy that I had the chance to write the last post.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Arromanches 360, D-Day and Back to Paris - France Vacation -- Day 10

Yesterday was a rather long and emotion filled day. We arrived back in Paris at around 11:30 PM and reached our flat at around midnight. The events of the day were weighing quite heavily on my heart so I decided to put off writing this post until today.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Paris to Normandy: Le Mont Saint-Michel et Crépon - France Vacation -- Day 9

It's funny to me that it wasn't long ago that I was waking up in the morning to go feed the chickens and do my morning chores. Today I woke up to get ready long before the sun rose, to catch the train to Rennes to start our two day trip on the Normandy Coast of Northern France.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Mustard and Relaxation - France Vacation -- Day 8

Bonjour, mes amis! Today was our one day of down time in Paris between our trip to the Loire and our trip tomorrow to Normandy. And I think that we took full advantage of this day in many ways!

Château de Chenonceau, Château de Villandry, Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and More of the Countryside - France Vacation -- Day 7

Bonjour! We have finally come to the end of Day 7 of our wonderful vacation here in France. I can't believe everything that we've done...and so excited for everything that we still have coming down the pipeline! If I haven't said it before...I feel truly blessed that we are fortunate enough to travel! But enough of that...let's talk about our day! Ready?

Sunday, December 7, 2014

La Loire...Château de Chambord, Blois et Domaine de la Tortinière - France Vacation -- Day 6

Bonjour mes amis! Well today has been a big day! I just finished uploading all the pictures I took from my phone to my computer! And let me tell you...I took a TON! So this post will be more words than pictures, and when we return to the U.S. I will upload them all to my SmugMug account! Sound good?

Friday, December 5, 2014

Basilique Cathédrale de Saint-Denis, Le Centre Pompidou - France Vacation -- Day 5

Bonjour! Well another day is coming to a close for us here in France. And just like the past few, we've packed in as much as we could. We got a bit of a late start today, but that was due to the fact that we were planning out the next few days. I can't wait to share with you what's coming!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Les Catacombes, Musée de l'Orangerie et l'operà - France Vacation -- Day 4

Bonjour mes amis! Well the days are flying by here in Paris, and I'm sure that is in part to how much we are packing in to each day. But honestly, it feels like we've been here for weeks...in a good way!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Musée d'Orsay and Sacré-Cœur - France Vacation -- Day 3

Bonjour! Today was an incredibly ACTIVE day for me considering that yesterday I was barely able to function! But no need to worry, I have acclimated to the time change and I am ready for whatever France has to throw at me!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Bonjour! - France Vacation -- Day 2: We Made It!

Bonjour! Well...we made it to Paris! The plane ride ended up being a little over 9 1/2 hours because we had a good tail wind. But even with that...it was a long, non-stop ride across the globe.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Packing up and Heading Out - France Vacation -- Day 1 - Travel

Well...by the time this posts I will be in the air on my way to France. It's crazy to think that just a few days ago my kitchen was full of wonderful smells of Thanksgiving...and Michael's parents joined us for dinner. And tomorrow (well today...when you are reading this) we'll be on our way to Europe.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Some Days Call For a Pot Roast

It's funny how some days I crave a steak, or other days I crave chicken enchiladas...but there are those days when there is a chill in the air that you want something that will stick to your ribs a little better. On those days I pull out my recipe binder and thumb through until I find the perfect recipe.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Friday, September 26, 2014

Nothing Beats a Big Fat Bolognese

When the moon hits your eye like a big-a...pizza pie...that's a BOLOGNESE. Okay. I know that isn't how the little song goes...but honestly there isn't anything better than a big bolognese! And who do I turn to when I need the recipe? You got it...Anne Burrell!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Chicken Noodle Soup - Always A Winner

There are some meals that comfort you when you are a child, or that you associate with things from your childhood. Chicken noodle soup is one of those things. I'm sure just like the rest of you, whenever I was sick I was given chicken noodle soup.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Camp Erin...Part 1

I think I'm sufficiently rested now from last weekend! That's saying a lot since I spent the weekend surrounded by 60 amazing kids who ran me ragged! Even though I was worn out...it was worth everything...why? Because, I once again was blessed to be a part of Camp Erin of King County.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Just Grillin'

Even though the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting cooler, I love to stand outside grilling everything from steak, chicken to any veggie that my husband hands to me to make. Grilling has always been looked at as a "manly" thing to do...if that's the case...why on earth am I doing it? ;-) But in all seriousness, grilling is one of my favorite ways of cooking and a great way to test things out!

Friday, August 22, 2014

Preparing for Fall

Well folks...I hate to tell you this...but Fall is coming. The giant leaves on the big leaf maples are already starting to turn colors and some have already hit the ground. I'm not going to lie...Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I love everything about it...some things more than others.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Little Free Library

In March of this year I was approached by a dear friend asking if she could commission me to build something that I'd never really heard of before. I did some online research and told her "Of Course!" However, I didn't really know what I'd gotten myself into!

Friday, August 15, 2014

Beatin' the Heat

I'm not sure what the temperatures are like in your neck of the woods...but I do know that here in Snohomish...they've been hanging out in the 80s! And if you know anything about me...you know that the good Lord built me for colder weather.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Rest Now Mr. Williams

Yesterday while scrolling through friends' posts on Facebook I let out a gasp which made Michael look at me funny. Robin Williams...dead.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Rainy Days = Comfort Food

This summer has been quite interesting to say the least around these parts! When we first moved to Snohomish it rained almost every day! And when I decided to work on my coop, it was sweltering for two weeks straight! Butthe clouds have come back every now and again...some days bringing rain...others just bringing some relief from the heat and humidity.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Ol' Fashioned Coop Raising

Moving to Snohomish has really turned into something great. Both Michael and I really enjoy the privacy we have here as well as the room to do the things we've always wanted to do. Michael can't wait until this winter when I start building the terraced gardens on our front hill...and me...well I couldn't wait to build the coop of my dreams!

Monday, August 4, 2014

This REAL Housewife is now the REAL RURAL Housewife

Hi...remember me? I'm the REAL Housewife of Snohomish County. Well folks, I have no excuse for being absent from blogging for such a long period of time! It's been over three months to be exact. As I'm sure everyone else has been experiencing, life has really changed for us in the past few months...so hopefully you'll let it slide that I have been absent so long. Will you? Please? :)

Sunday, March 30, 2014

It's Spring! Kind of...

Well the official first day of spring has come and gone. Sadly, the only thing that really lets me know it's here is that I've now mowed the lawn three times! Other than that...it still feels like a dreary Seattle winter around these parts.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Napa Valley Vacation - Day 6

Today was an incredibly fun and full day! We started our day in Napa and are now getting ready for bed in Nevada City, CA. And the best part of it all...the temperature is MUCH cooler up here! (This blog was typed on 3/18...but because of no internet service it is being posted on 3/19)

Monday, March 17, 2014

Napa Valley Vacation - Day 5

Well the title of the blog changed from conference to vacation...that's right...today was the first day of our vacation! And we started it off the right way...we slept in...until 8. HAHA. Isn't that sad when sleeping in is either 7 or 8 AM! Well, it truly was decadent!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Napa Valley Conference - Day 4

Today was the final day of the Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives conference in the beautiful Napa Valley. While the days were extremely long, and some of the talks rather boring (for me personally), I'd say all in all it was a fantastic conference and the highlight of it all was definitely today.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Napa Valley Conference - Day 3

It was another gorgeous day here in the Napa Valley. I truly do feel blessed to have the life that I do, and the opportunity to travel to the places that we do. We've really enjoyed our time here so far...but that being said...the days have been very long and some of the lectures have been a bit dry.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Napa Valley Conference - Day 2

I honestly have no idea how my eyes are still open right now. It seems as if we've been here in Napa for about a week and a half...it's hard to believe we just flew in yesterday! Today was a long day with the conference going from 7 AM until 5 PM.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Napa Valley Conference - Day 1

I feel like I'm sitting in an Italian villa drinking my white wine...but I'm really in Napa Valley in a cute hotel called Villagio. Michael and I are here for a four day conference (that I was dragged to against my will) called Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives which is being held at The Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, CA.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

What Inspires and Motivates You?

I've been rather absent from my blog this month, and as always, there is no good excuse for it. Over the past few weeks I've had several blog ideas rolling through my head, but never actually sat down to write. That was until the other night when my phone buzzed telling me that I had a new e-mail waiting for me.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Home in Honolulu...Day 11.

I can't believe that today is already the end of our vacation. Like I said yesterday, it seems like we just flew in...but in the same breath it's like we'd been on island for months.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Home in Honolulu...Day 10.

It's hard to believe that today was our final full day here in Honolulu. It seems like yesterday that we landed...but at the same time it seems like we've been here for months.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Home in Honolulu...Day 9.

After spending the last two days lounging around, we decided that we should take advantage of the day and get out and about. We originally planned to go to Makapu'u to look for whales...but after seeing the weather we changed our plans.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Home in Honolulu...Day 6.

As I sit here on the couch tonight I can barely keep my eyes open. All around us they have Pro Bowl festivities going on, and true to form, we are two old ladies who are ready for bed! But that might have something to do with our day today.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Home in Honolulu...Day 5.

If yesterday was a low key day...today was downright dead! Okay, that isn't actually true, but we didn't really do much in the way of activities...but that was just fine for the both of us.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Home in Honolulu...Day 4.

Today turned out to be a pretty low key day here on Oahu for us, but that isn't always a bad thing. I find when people go on vacation, they always feel that they have to be going here or there and filling every minute with activities. That's one thing that I love about vacationing with my husband, we don't "plan" things as much as we have things in mind that we want to do...and then let the day dictate what we do.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Home in Honolulu...Day 2.

There's nothing like waking up...looking out your window and seeing the ocean. There's also nothing like sitting on your lanai, sipping Kona coffee with your breakfast while the trade winds lovingly blow over you. Hawaii...home.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Home in Honolulu...Day 1

Well folks...the day has finally come! I'm finally home in Honolulu! It seems like it was only yesterday that we were here, but in the same breath it seems so long ago. I find it funny how certain places or memories can be like that...I think that is the sign of a good memory or place. Does that make sense? Or is the Jinro talking? :)

Monday, January 13, 2014

Binge and Purge...

Binge and Purge...it seems to be something that we as humans do in all aspects of our lives. I feel like over the past year I've spent a great deal of time binging and not enough time purging...and now that a new year has come, it's time to do some serious purging.