Monthly Archives: January 2012

truly scrumptious*

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* i hope everyone got that reference.  one of my very favorite movies.

i always feel a little sad coming out of the holiday season.  no more bright lights and shiny bulbs.  no more festive food.  no more food comas.  no more tins of fudge and Christmas cookies. now, it is just all talk of “a new year” and “resolutions” which we all know is just code for “time to eat celery and drop some pounds!”  lame.

and, grocery shopping at whole foods only exacerbates the problem.  every aisle is freshly stocked with master cleanse ingredients, flavorless puffs of air, kidney detox capsules, hemp seed whozeewhatzee, your pure life NOW books, and kombucha wonder tonics. what makes matters worse is the stark contrast from just a few weeks earlier.  these same aisles, not so long ago, were chock-full of cranberries, stuffing ingredients, pumpkin pie mix, pastries, bread, and sparking juices. now, the sight is just depressing.  seaweed chips.  ick.

now, don’t get me wrong.  i love healthy food.  i love new health trends.  i will always plop the newest, coolest wonder whatever into my cart while hubby and i are shopping.  i’m not anti-vegetables or anti-hemp seed.  in fact, i embrace the somewhat bizarre.  i just don’t want to be bombarded by it while i am still in a somewhat holly-jolly mood.  plus, have you noticed that health food is kinda ugly looking?  sure, fresh veggies can be vibrant and lush.  but, something like flax oil isn’t exactly a visual treat.  food on the shelves in january just lacks that certain luster of the holiday goodies.

and that is why i so look forward to valentine’s day.  ahh, the happiness of brightly colored candy and sweet treats that once again grace the shelves and displays of grocery stores.

so, i was a very happy girl this week.  after navigating my cart through the hoards of health-seekers, hippies, vegans, and detox diet junkies at whole foods, my eyes settled on a fantastic sight.  colored sugar!

look how pretty! 

chocolates and frosted cupcakes and sprinkles and gummy candies and jellybeans!  it makes me smile.

3 men & a little lady

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this has been a week of flashbacks.  first, i got to spend time with gals from high school and college years and then yesterday, hubby got in on the action.  ben’s college roommate spencer from the good ol’ days at rice [he was also hubby's best man in our wedding.  ahhh...wedding] was in town on business so we got to spend some time with him sunday night.  spencer brought his hilarious and quirky brother ryder along for the ride. [p.s. quirky doesn't even begin to accurately describe ryder.  he is really something...]

so, it was me and the guys.  there was good food [of course there was] and frozen yogurt and games and laughter…so much laughter.  plus, many moments of eye-rolling from moi.  good times.

heading out to pick up the boys + dinner at culinary dropout + this place has the best décor. a swanky, hip, edgy yet chill vibe.  look at that purple textured wall with those chandeliers!  come on. + ryder & spencer + pretzel and provolone fondue + mojo fro yo [don't loathe me too much for typing "fro yo".  it rhymes. just go with it] + trivial pursuit pop culture dvd + a series of photos with coco and charlie happily making their way around the table, from lap to lap.  watching the game pieces and napping as they went.  the buddies love when we have guests over.  new laps to sit on!

oh yes, and here are those laughter and eye-rolling shots.  courtesy of yours truly.

the saturday evening post

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isn’t it so much fun to get together with friends?  especially ones that you have known for a long time…

this week, i was blessed to be able to do just that.  betwixt all of our busy schedules packed with work, appointments, husbands, home, tasks, errands, travel, and children [eek! my childhood friends have children!] we were able to carve out a bit of time to spend being girls.

first, i met up with my dear friend kate.  she is a NH girl but traveled to TX to attend baylor [sic 'em bears!].  we spent four years together in waco.  studying, laughing, learning about life, and having a blast!  then, she got married and ended up in the desert – with me!  kate and i enjoyed a leisurely afternoon lunch date at chloe’s.  then, it was off for some browsing [and let's be honest - buying] at jcrew.  we chatted and giggled and had a splendid time.

then, i met up with hallie.  a childhood friend who still likes being my buddy – even after all the weird years of pubescent drama followed by high school growing pains and then college growth.  she is married now and has an almost four-year-old! [again, eek!]  a darling little man named peyton.  we munched on yummy food at picazzo’s while reminiscing, sharing our lives with each othe, and discussing the future…i can’t believe our 10 year hs reunion is this year.  [yikes]  what a great day.

the lovely fresh, organic gardens at picazzo’s + the lovely hallie [who is a total crossfit stud-ette, by the way.  AND an incredible mama to a four-year old.  she is so impressive.  what a rockstar friend, have i] + a very tasty italian chopped salad with meat and cheese and garbanzo beans and pepperoncinis [yum] + bbq chicken pizza on buttery garlic crust

thank God for friendships and new memories with old friends.

hola ombre!

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hello new hair!

as you might have noticed from my blog photos, my ‘do’ gets bored easily.  it likes to mix it up.  sometimes, it is blonde-ish.  sometimes, it is dark brown.  sometimes, it has highlights.  sometimes it has bangs.  you just never know.  and when the mood strikes, it is off to visit the hair guru, sean for some fresh color and a fabulous cut.  this summer, i had big blonde chunks.  then, i went all brown with wispy bangs.  then, i went even darker with blunt bangs.  now, as i phase out the bangs, i decided to phase in the lighter hues with some subtle ombre action.

the party continues…

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as you noticed, we didn’t just honor hubby’s birthDAY, we extended the hoopla into a full-fledged weekend fête.  so, when my family asked us last week to pick a good day for the “ridley version” of ben’s b-day, we figured, why try to cram it into an already jam-packed weekend?  let’s just spread out the fun as long as possible!  and so, we did.

last night, the whole crew gathered at bourbon steak at the princess resort in scottsdale  to revel once again.

hubby and i snapping some pics and playing a bit before heading out + ahh…the princess + admiring the fabulous bourbon steak sign [so swanky] + just when hubby thought he was getting old…dad busted out the readers and mini light in order to read his menu.  it was pretty hilarious + mom looking gorgeous in her new ralph lauren sweater coat + trio of duck fat fries with complimentary dipping sauces = crispy, savory perfection + hubby’s truffle overload burger. yum + more birthday gifts: super-cool running shoes and records galore! [the white stripes, them crooked vultures, radiohead] + plenty of laughter and sassy faces + hubby looking handsome

well.  that should just about wrap up the 30th b-day.  and now, hubby and i will be taking a break from burgers for a bit.

i heart…the gospel coalition

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http://thegospelcoalition.org/

this is one of my favorite reformed websites. thought-provoking and conversation-provoking articles.  fabulous book recommendations.  fascinating interviews.  challenging and enlightening posts from pastors and theologians who are dedicated to the Gospel.

for all you luther lovin’ + solas memorizin’ + calvin quotin’ christians out there.  check it out.

and, coram deo.

30.

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that’s right.  hubby is 30.  and we did it up right.  here are some [okay, a ton] of my favorite snaps from the merrymaking this past weekend.  with plenty of toothsome fare, hullabaloo, and mirth.  get ready for the longest pictorial post ever.  i will do my best to narrate so you can share in each moment, fully.

we kicked things off friday night with a fun and oh-so-hip dinner at lush burger

cow-hide chairs in a burger shop  +  hubby was super excited to dig in  +  i opted for the tuna burger with quinoa patties, asian slaw, spicy peanut sauce, and goat cheese  +  hubby went for the beef with green chiles.  also, yum  +  truffle fries.  all fries should be truffled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the festivities continued on saturday. we relaxed throughout the day and then got ourselves dressed up for a date night at citizen public house. our mostest favoritest place. full stop.

look at my handsome hubby. looking exceptionally dapper this evening + he is just so happy to be at cph! + fondue with sausage, crusty bread, and pears for dipping. and that is classified as a “snack” on the menu. [and that is why i love this place] + the most perfectly delicious dish i think i have ever had. plus, it was gluten-free [which technically makes it a health food] + our entrée. decadent meatloaf with veal demi glace and mushroom cream + i wish i could have shared a picture of the most amazing dessert ever [donut bread pudding with coffee ice cream] but we devoured it too quickly. sorry.

 

sunday. the real birthday.

i spent the better part of the day creating the official 30th b-day cake + hubby and i sporting our favorite plaid shirts and having some fun in the kitchen at the whitehouse home + ginger ale taste testing + cooking together to prepare miscellaneous sliders, sides, and sauces + the beautiful chopped salad + everyone enjoying all the flavor combos and their own unique slider creations + a nostalgic slide show of ben’s life thus far + opening presents! cookies, a photo album, and new [old] records to add to our collection [penelope will be so happy to have new friends] + blowing out the candles + indulging in the yellow butter cake with brown butter rum frosting [pretty darn good, if i do say so myself]

we really did it up right and ate everything in sight. just the way it should be. what a great birthday weekend. i just love birthdays! happy 30th, hubby. i am so honored and thrilled to share this life with you. here’s to many-many more birthdays – together. and i must say, of all the husbands out there – you really take the cake [wink]

 

God of grace and God of mercy

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there are few things that can match the beauty of believers joining together, rising to their feet in praise, holding up their hymnals, and lifting their voices and hearts to their Lord in worship.  the notes wafting upward toward the Throne as smoke from the offering.  the sweet perfume of the saints.  such a holy fragrance.  i revel in these moments spent with the family of God as we come together in unity to acknowledge our humanity and proclaim His holiness.  singing those precious words of old – that never grow old.  it is wondrous how the Holy Spirit infuses ancient texts and sacred lyrics with vibrancy afresh.

these words were capitivating to me as i read the text, absorbed the depth of meaning, and affirmed it aloud with the congregation. let us mediate on this hymn of the faith.

God of grace and God of glory, on Thy people pour Thy power. crown Thine ancient church’s story, bring her bud to glorious flower. grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.

lo! the hosts of evil ’round us, scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways. from the fears that long have bound us, free our hearts to faith and praise. grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.

cure Thy children’s warring madness, bend our pride to Thy control. shame our wanton selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul. grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal, lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.

set our feet on lofty places, gird our lives that they may be, armored with all Christ-like graces, in the fight to set men free. grant us wisdom, grant us courage, that we fail not man nor Thee, that we fail not man nor Thee.

save us from weak resignation, to the evils we deplore. let the search for Thy salvation, be our glory evermore. grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving Thee whom we adore, serving Thee whom we adore.

Lord, please cure my warring madness. bend my pride to your control and shame my wanton selfish gladness. free my heart from the fears that long have bound me. give me to view a discovered sinfulness, to know that though my sins are crucified they are never wholly mortified. let me not be rich in things and poor in soul. set my feet on lofty places and remind me that my citizenship is in heaven. help me to be effectual while on this earth yet always being mindful that i am but a sojourner on this earth – making my way home. let me not miss Your kingdom’s goal.  amen.

the saturday evening post

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please excuse my lack of a post…but hubby and i are quite preoccupied doing weekend-y things together.  i promise to post many-many images from the miscellaneous moments of merriment on monday.  just itching for more info?  okay, here’s a little tidbit:  hubby and i are about to walk out the door to enjoy an ambrosial dinner at our favorite restaurant, citizen public house in celebration of the anniversary of his birth.  wahoo!  [cue the music]

happy birthday to you!  happy birthday to you!  happy birthday, dear hubby!  happy birthday to you!

[short version] ‘py birthday to you!

[micro version] you!

in the meantime, i hope this cute little rockwell image will hold you over.  happy saturday!