Brix and Stone

So this is a bit overdue - but it was too good not to share!! For my birthday in August (see - I told you it was overdue!) my good friend Kristin took me out to dinner here in Lincoln and we decided to try out Brix and Stone Gastropub in Downtown Lincoln.  They don't have an overwhelmingly large menu but what is there is exceptional.  I opted to order an appetizer for my meal when I saw they had pot stickers.  As you can see in the photo below, they came with three different sauces and served on a bed of steamed rice.

This was actually the perfect size because i was full but not stuffed so i definitely recommend ordering off of the appetizer menu.  My drink was a Marilyn Monroe which was pink and delicious.  In this picture you can also kind of see Kristin's dish which was a Snapper I believe.  

The real star of this table however is the bread.  Now let me preface this by telling you what the server said to us before she brought the bread (she was fantastic by the way). She was very apologetic and said that she was very sorry but they had a specialty bread tonight and she hoped that was okay. Tonight's bread was Pumpkin Bread.  

Are you kidding me?? Pumpkin bread is ALWAYS okay!! It was so moist and delicious that we actually saved it for our dessert.  So if you're lucky they will have this on hand when you visit Brix and Stone, although I have a feeling that all of their breads are on par with the pumpkin.  

Lincoln's Own Little Secret Garden

Okay so maybe it's not much of a secret, but while you're there it's hard not to imagine that you're the first one to ever step foot there, like it's been hidden away for years.

I'm speaking of course of Lincoln's Sunken Gardens.  Created on 1.5 acres near 27th Street and Capitol Parkway the gardens were built in the 1930s.  With construction being completed during the Great Depression, over 200 men were given much needed jobs by the garden project.  The gardens were remodeled as recently as 2004.

The Sunken Gardens include several different gardens.  The Perennial Garden which returns every year of course, the Annual Garden which is planted by volunteers every Spring, and the Healing Garden which was completed in shades of white to inspire calm.  The Annual Garden is planted based on a theme every year.  This summer the theme is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." The garden also includes two different raised ponds with koi and many beautiful water plants as well as several pieces of sculpture.

The Gardens keep busy with many volunteer events throughout the summer and year round.  In the Spring volunteers are welcomed to "Wake up the Beds" and prepare the grounds for annual planting.  In the Fall, volunteers gather again for "Put the Beds to Bed" where the grounds are then prepared for winter by pulling annuals and adding new compost.  Green thumbs can also meet twice a week to learn about the gardens and different gardening techniques.

The Sunken Gardens are in a word, gorgeous.  While not overly expansive, they fill and nearly overflow the space they occupy.  They are lush and vibrant and there's a certain peace the minute you step on the grounds.  Many people mill around looking at the flora and fauna while others sit and rest or read among the foliage.  If you find yourself in Lincoln in the Spring or Summer I definitely recommend - no insist on a trip to the Sunken Gardens.  And if you walk just a little south out of the gardens and then across 27th Street towards the Children's Zoo you can visit the beautiful Rose Garden adjacent to the Sunken Gardens.  I've never seen that many varieties of roses in one place!!

It really is a beautiful treasure in the middle of the city - so much so that when I finally got there, I went twice in one week!  The photos are from a trip there with a friend on one of the most temperate and beautiful nights we've had in Lincoln this summer.  I then went later that week when my mom was in town.  Whether you're learning the fine art of wandering or spending time with family, the Sunken Gardens will capture your heart from the moment you pass under the stunning pavilion and into the flowers below.

Style on a Budget White Sangria

I figured since I mentioned using the leftover wine from the salmon in the sangria - I had better tell you how to make the sangria as well!

I personally love sangria, especially in the summer!  The mix of wine with sweet summer fruits is just a great combination and so refreshing.  Typically I gravitate to red sangria but when i saw this recipe I knew it would be yummy and had to try it!  Bonus - less chance of Amy ruining her clothes when she inevitably spills the sangria.  :) The recipe calls for A LOT of fruit.  And I'm pretty sure I cut the amount of fruit in half and it was fine. Also I omitted the white grapes because I couldn't find any that day.  Basically you can use whatever fruit you like but this recipe is based primarily on citrus.  The best part?  It doesn't really matter if you buy $2 wine or $20 wine - so grab whatever's on sale!!

Style on a Budget White Sangria
via 100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know

Serves 4 (or two very thirsty ladies - guilty!)

One 750-ml bottle dry white wine (such as sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio)
1/2 to 1 cup brandy, to taste (I used 1/2 cup)
1/4/ cup sugar
2 limes, sliced into thin rounds
2 lemons, sliced into thin rounds
1 orange, sliced into thin rounds
1 green apple, sliced
1 small bunch white grapes, removed from the stems, sliced in half
1 cup seltzer
Ice cubes

1.  In a large glass pitcher combine the wine, brandy, and sugar, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

2.  Add the fruit and seltzer to the pitcher.  Let the sangria marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours before serving.  Add ice to the pitcher, stir, and serve.

Cheers!!

Bikini Season Baked Salmon

Remember this yummy looking dish?? 

I thought it would be a good idea what with it being July already (how did that happen?) to post the recipe for the Bikini Season Baked Salmon that I made Memorial Day Weekend.  As I mentioned before, it's from the cookbook 100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know and let me tell you, it is so easy peasy!  And I did make some substitutions.  I used parsley flakes and so you only need about a tablespoon I believe, I did use fresh lemon juice since we were making sangria as well, and I believe I used Sauvignon Blanc for the wine (I used the remainder in the sangria!)

Bikini Season Baked Salmon
via 100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know

Serves 4

Four 8-ounce skin-on salmon fillets
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons capers

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Put salmon skin side down in a ceramic or glass baking pan.  Rub the salmon with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.  Let the salmon sit in the pan for 10 minutes.

2.  Drizzle the white wine over the salmon, then sprinkle 1/4 cup parsley on top; save the remaining parsley to use later.  Put the pan in the oven and cook for 15 to 20 minutes (so quick!) or until the salmon fillets are opaque.

3.  Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix the lemon juice, capers, remaining parsley, and 2 tablespoons olive oil.  Top each salmon fillet with the mixture and serve immediately.

I believe i let it cook to the longer time but i was using two rather large fillets instead of 4 smaller ones.  Just make sure the fillets are flakey and opaque.  This dish was filling but didn't leave you stuffed - perfect for a yummy meal before heading poolside (for those of us without a beach).

Hope you enjoy - I know I did!

I'm here....no worries!!

Hi all,

Many apologies for not following up on all of my food pictures with the accompanying recipes.  Unfortunately with some difficult things going on for me personally, the last couple weeks have gotten away from me.  But I promise to get the recipes posted this week!  I'm very eager to share these wonderful recipes from a great cookbook with all of you!

Thank you so very much for your patience and understanding!

Much love,
Amy

100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know

While my mom was in town this weekend I decided to try out some of the recipes from my new cookbook.  While at Barnes & Noble the other day, I picked up a copy of 100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know.  It was put together by the editors of Glamour magazine using recipes gathered over the years for busy women who want to cook healthily and cook well, but may not have the time or the budget to do just that.  

Tonight my mom and I tried out several recipes, including the following:

Style on a Budget White Sangria (Forgive the Tupperware!)

No-Fail Kale Salad (No joke, that is the center of the Purple Kale that I used for decoration)

Bikini Season Baked Salmon 

Gingery Green Beans

Get Over Him Berry Parfait

As you can see, a lot of the dishes have cute names.  The cookbook is famous for including a recipe for Engagement Chicken which is supposedly responsible for 70+ engagements!  Now I will probably not be utilizing that recipe any time soon - but there are tons of great recipes inside as well as some cute stories from Engagement Chicken success stories.

Throughout this week I hope to share with you the recipes for the above dishes.  I was really excited with how well it all turned out and how quickly it came together as well.

Because I knew you...I have been changed for good.

This weekend my mom came to Lincoln to spend some quality time and so we could take a little side trip to Omaha on Saturday.  While in O-town, we met up with my Uncle Tom and his girlfriend Jennifer for dinner at The Grey Plume at Midtown Crossing, followed by the Broadway musical Wicked at The Orpheum!

First for the meal!  Midtown Crossing was finished just after I moved from the Omaha area so now every time I go back and have the opportunity, I try to check out one of the new restaurants in that area.  This time we chose The Grey Plume which is a restaurant that bases their menu on seasonally-available foods and strives to utilize locally grown produce and livestock.  It is a smaller restaurant so it is a more intimate setting than a lot of places in the area.  The food was phenomenal!  We had great wine and a great cheese and meat plate to start and then I had an amazing Dungeness Crab Angnolotti which is a delicious crab ravioli with vegetables and a lemon jelly.  So great!

The menu for the night

Dungeness Crab Angnolotti

After dinner we made it over to The Orpheum to see Wicked. I have always wanted to see this show and I was not disappointed!  It was amazing! A wonderful story and exceptional performances by all of the cast, musicians, and crew.  What a great evening!!  

 

Wine + Chocolate = One Happy Girl

This weekend my good friend Kristin and I attended an event at a shop here in town called Chocolatier Blue.  Check out their website to learn more about them, but basically their main locations are in California, but the Chocolatier is actually originally from Lincoln and recently opened a location here!

This weekend they hosted a series of classes (Beer & Chocolate pairing even!) and we attended Friday night's Wine & Chocolate Pairing class.

We were given 4 different kinds of wine and 12 - yes 12! - different chocolates, 3 for each type of wine. They dispelled the myth that dark chocolate and a deep red wine are a good combination (who knew?) and presented us with mainly sweet dessert wines.  

As for the chocolates, they are works of art!!  They range in flavors and they change by the season. I've featured some of our favorites below.  

Butterscotch and Orange Julius - the Orange Julius was one of my favorites and definitely one that worked well with the wine.  

Top - Ants on a Log - Peanut butter, celery, and raisins - sounds strange but was really good!

Passion fruit caramel & Cherry cordial

One that we didn't get a picture of is the Grapefruit with Rosemary, it was A-MAZING!! 

And if this many chocolates and wine weren't enough....

There were GIFT BAGS!!  And the class was only $25! 

It was an amazing start to the weekend which ended up being beautiful weather-wise and overall just fantastic! I even fit in some summer shopping (necessities of course!) and picked up a new cookbook so I have even more recipes to share.  

I don't know about all of you but it seems like the summer is filling up already and I think I can already say that it's going to be one for the books.  Can't wait to see what the next few months will hold! :)

Hi, My name is Amy, and I'm a Chocoholic

Anyone who knows me knows that I am addicted to chocolate, which is kind of ironic since when I was really little I actually went through a period of time where I wasn't medically allowed to have it.  How I survived that time I have NO idea!

One of my favorite things is a double chocolate cookie - chocolate batter with chocolate chips.  One of my other favorite desserts is brownies of any kind.  So when I saw this recipe from Brown-Eyed Baker for Better Than Brownie Cookies - how could I resist??  

Now whether they are actually BETTER than brownies, I think that's probably subjective, but they are definitely oh so good.  I've added some notes on what i will do differently next time too! Try to get the cookies done in as few batches as possible, as the melted chocolate/butter mixture solidifies, the batter/dough gets VERY thick and harder to place on the pan.

Also - recipe is not complete without a big glass of cold milk!!  :) 

Courtesy of: Brown Eyed Baker

Better Than Brownies Cookies

Makes 24 large cookies

2 2/3 Cups (about 16 ounces) bittersweet chocolate, chopped - I used Bakers

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 eggs

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.  Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. - I used unlined sheets and they turned out fine.  

2.  Put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set it over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally, until completely melted and smooth. (I've never done this before, but I tried it and its not too difficult and melts much nicer than in the microwave)

3.  In the meantime, stir together the eggs, vanilla, and sugar in a medium bowl, set aside.  

4.  In a small bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. 

5.  Add the melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and stir to combine well.  Slowly add the dry ingredients, folding them into the batter.  Once all of the flour is incorporated, stir in the chocolate chips.  

6.  Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough (a medium cookie scoop's worth) onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until they are firm on the outside.  Like brownies, do not overbake!  leave to cool completely on the baking sheets.  

Catching up

Hey friends!

We have some catching up to do don't we?

My friends Melissa and Molly came into town from Omaha so that Molly could run the Lincoln Half Marathon on Sunday, May 1st.  She finished beautifully in 1:52!! Melissa and I were proud to cheer her on along with my cousin Jamie who finished the half in just over 2 hours! They were both so inspiring that I decided to run the half next year!  Yikes!  That will definitely be something I will keep you posted as I train, but let's be honest here. Right now I'm lucky if I can run around the block.

Releasing the foodie on the city of Lincoln!  So I am a total foodie, I will try anything once, so I've wanted to post restaurant reviews here.  Unfortunately I tend to forget to take any pictures of the food before I dig in!  I'll work on that, promise.  But I can tell you a couple places that have been absolutely amazing!  El Toro is a great kind of hole in the wall Mexican place with amazing food and to.die.for margaritas!! The same family that owns it owns several other Mexican restaurants in town, all with equally great food I've heard!

I also took in a Lincoln staple, The Oven.  Excellent Indian food, so good!  I had Tandoori shrimp which was amazing and just the right portion.  Both places were introduced to me by good friend Kristin who has been a fabulous tour guide since I moved to town.

The city is full of great restaurants, coffee shops (LOVE The Mill!), bars, etc. I'm so excited to try them all out and definitely have a list of places to check off!

This weekend is full of errands unfortunately, but weather permitting I'm hoping to check out one of the two farmer's markets in town this weekend.

Also, I ask you all to raise a glass tonight to the MU HMI Class of 2011 who are graduating tonight!! I so enjoyed spending my second year of grad school with these people and am so excited for them!!

Nicole's Banana Cake

So one of my favorite things to do is cook - but above all I love to bake! So I typically volunteer to make dessert for our family gatherings at holidays.  For Easter this year I decided to make a dessert I have made for my family before - partially because I hadn't had it in so long!! The recipe is actually a Better Homes & Gardens recipe but to me it will always be Nicole's Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.  I snagged the recipe in graduate school from my friend Nicole (of Sean and Nicole - see blog list at the right) who had made this delicious cake for a department potluck we had.  It is pretty simple and simply scrumptious!  Unfortunately I neglected to take a pic of the cake before it was cut into but here's a shot of one slice!

Originally found at: BHG.com (cake)

Banana Cake
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup shortening (I use butter!)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

Grease and lightly flour two round cake pans or a 9x13 pan.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add bananas, buttermilk, shortening and vanilla.  Beat at a low speed until combined.  Add eggs, beat on medium for 2 minutes.  Pour batter into pans.  Batter will be very thick!

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes for round pans or about 35 minutes for a 9x13 pan or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes and then remove from pans to cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat until smooth, apply generously to cooled cakes! :)

I love love LOVE this cake so I hope you do too!! Many thanks to Nicole of course for sharing!!

LOVE at First Sight

"Here's to the corkscrew - useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the gate of pleasant folly." - W.E.P. French 

Hey there friends! As promised I'm hoping to share some of my "loves" with you! And I feel perhaps I need preface this post with the reassurance that I don't overindulge, and I am very responsible when it comes to this love but....

I do LOVE my vino!!

So, in honor of that affection, from time to time I'll share some wine reviews with you!  Keep in mind, in my opinion, wine is very subjective.  My sister is a bit of a wine lover as well (I learned at the feet of the master) but we don't always see eye to eye on what wine we enjoy.

This past Friday was the culmination of my first week on the new job so in celebration of that I cooked my first big meal in my apartment and picked up a bottle of wine.  Unfortunately the meal didn't turn out so hot, so even better that I had the wine!  :)

One of my favorite wines of all time is the Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon from 2008.  I'm usually a white wine drinker, but this rich, red wine is still my go-to for special occaisons.  However, as you can expect, moving is rather expensive and so my budget has been a little tighter as of late, so when faced with the $35 price tag for Director's Cut (modest really for most wines) I was a bit hesitant.  So as I perused the wine aisle at Hy-Vee, what to my wondering eyes did appear but a wine which at first glance was another Director's Cut??

Turns out, the wine, also a Cabernet Sauvignon from Francis Ford Coppola, is called Director's and is from 2007.  AND it was only $18.00 a bottle!  What's not to love?  Surely it was love at first sight!

Despite the dinner being a bit lackluster (fingers crossed that the next recipe I hope to put up here turns out!) the wine was wonderful.  Rich, just like my fave, but a bit spicy and with hints of blackberry.  The bottle mentioned a couple different berries, but I for the most part noticed the blackberry.

So if you're on the hunt for a great red wine, at a reasonable price, I highly recommend the Coppola Director's!

I'll be baking dessert this week for our family Easter dinner on Sunday so stay tuned for one of my favorite sweet treats!!  

Live.Laugh.Love.Lincoln

Hopefully by now you all have discovered the new blog address and new title!!

It probably would have been easier to direct you here if I had just started a new blog, but quite honestly i didn't want to go through all the work of getting the design and the fonts and the colors just right when I know I loved what I have!!  :)

So here we are!! I finally have internet so I thought it was time to get going on the new blog.  Live.Laugh.Love.Lincoln.  My hope is that through this blog I can share several things.

First, Live.  To steal an idea from my cousin who also lives in the area, I'm going to be a tourist in my own town, much like I did (tried to do) in Aberdeen!

Laugh.  Let's be honest, there were a few laughs in the last blog too (i.e. Clark, SD) so I hope to share some good laughs and maybe some funny stories along the way.

Love.  I might have some ulterior motives (here's hoping!) but on this one I plan to share with you some of my loves!  I'm a foodie so I plan to share recipes, restaurant reviews and the like.  I'll also share other loves like travel, friends and family!

Hope you all are doing well!!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.....

Hi friends,

I know what you're thinking, this girl is incapable of keeping her resolution of blogging more often.  And while that does appear to be true, I think I owe you an explanation.  Not an excuse, an explanation!! I think you'll understand when you hear me out.

I've been a bit preoccupied lately because I was actually in the process of applying for a new job.  I think I've mentioned that my current position was for only a year.  It was supposed to be up in July but the right opportunity came along in Lincoln, Nebraska and I went for it!!  So unfortunately, my Adventures in Aberdeen will be coming to an end.  But never fear, I do plan to continue blogging.  I'm just not entirely sure about what yet!  Lincoln I'm sure is full of adventure but I would love to include some food blogging both from cooking and from going out to eat and indulging my foodie side.

Of course this also means the blog will need to be renamed!! If there are any great ideas for blog names or content, leave a comment!  I'd love to expand my horizons!

Thank you for your understanding through this transition and all thoughts and prayers are appreciated as this new adventure begins!

He’s on the dance floor yelling Freebird...

The title of this post is actually a line in a song that has come to have great significance in my life - that song being Neal McCoy's "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On."

Now I know what you're thinking - Amy, you've lost it.  Completely. Over the edge.  But hear me out.

This past Friday Neal McCoy played a concert in Aberdeen along with Dustin Evans and the Good Times Band.  I ended up going with a couple of my girlfriends and after a lengthy but good performance by the opening act it was time for Neal McCoy.  Now we knew we wouldn't probably know all the songs but we did recognize a few - Wink & The Shake of course.  And then when Neal started singing "Billy" I started laughing out loud, forgetting that it was Neal McCoy that sang this song.  My friend next to me leaned over and asked why on earth i was laughing (legitimate question). I then proceeded to explain to her that every time I hear that song I think about my first job on the summer paint crew at my high school.  Every year we would create a "paint mix" with a bunch of songs on it that we would literally listen to the ENTIRE summer.  One of the three summers I worked there the first song on the CD was "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On."  I can still remember one of my friends and coworkers singing it at the top of her lungs in her best Neal McCoy twang.

Isn't it funny how songs stick with us?  They can so easily take us back to a point in our lives that we may not have thought of in years.  I have to admit I kind of had a moment at that concert Friday where I felt reconnected to a part of my life that I really hadn't thought about in a while and remembered all the fun times we had those summers.  What a great bunch I was privileged to work with!

In other news, we're in another blizzard warning today and into early tomorrow morning!!  I'd say we have well over 6 inches now and its still falling for the time being!  The groundhog didn't see his shadow right??  :)

Little Motel on the Prairie

Once upon a time, well, almost two weeks ago now, I had a meeting in Sioux Falls on a Friday.  Seeing just some flurries in the forecast for Saturday I decided to stay overnight and hang out with my good friend Liz and her boyfriend Ryan.  Dinner, a night out and shopping the next day - what a great time!  And then, it started snowing.  A lot.

Now one thing you need to know about me, I have an extreme phobia of driving in inclement weather, and I drive an itty bitty car.  Can you see where this is going?  So I head up Interstate 29 and everything slows down.  Eventually through one lane roads at 35 miles per hour, I make it to Watertown.  Now an intelligent person would have stayed there.  Where there is a Hampton, Holiday, or Ramada Inn at least, a mall, and a Minerva's.  But having my new found bravery, I decided to try the highway going West, hoping the snow would be lessening and the roads would get better.  Well, I was wrong.  Very, very wrong.  I was able to reach Clark, SD and then there was absolutely no view of the road.  Now I don't know much about Clark, but I do know that there is a very nice lady that works at the convenient store that put up with my devastation and recommended one of the two motels (note the 'm' not the 'h') in town.

So I made my way to the Pheasant Inn where I met the very nice proprietors and their sweet little boy who definitely made me laugh when I needed it most!!  (I was about 90 minutes from home).  I got a room - bad weather rate and all - and settled in for the evening.  After some yummy convenient store pizza and candy, I watched some TV, read a book I luckily had with me, and got some much needed rest after a stressful day.  I found out later that the state had actually put out a no travel advised notice on the road I was trying to travel on so it was a fantastic decision to stop.  The next morning I was able to slowly make my way after the plows went through finally.  Here are a few snapshots from the room:

Loving me some wood paneling...

The ceramic heater....in case you're wondering it says 59 degrees, and that was after I'd been there for a couple hours.  Brr.  

Now I'm not trying to talk down the Pheasant Inn - it was a blessing that it was there and those sweet people were able to rent me a room for the night.  I had a lot of time to think and reflect and recognize that this was meant to teach me a thing or two.  Never under estimate His power to bring us right where we need to be at any one moment in time.

I promised in my New Years post that I would have more adventures to share.  In the words of my best friend who commented on my facebook when I posted my location for the night...."you lead such an interesting life." Tell me about it.  ;)

*Pin Drop*

I definitely feel like my blog has been quiet enough lately to hear a pin drop.  And that is not following through on my resolution now is it?

Well, I do have quite the story to recount from the weekend before last. I just need to get photos uploaded and then I will be able to share.  Consider this your teaser.  :)

And confession.  This girl is way behind on her Bible study lessons for the week and we meet tomorrow.  Oopsies. So first things first!

Rock the Red Pump!

Hi all!  I know I've used my blog for causes before with Fight for Preemies - but I have one more for you.  March 10, 2011 women across the country will Rock the Red Pump to raise awareness about Women & Girls HIV/AIDS and to represent the strength and courage of women fighting HIV/AIDS or affected by the disease both directly and indirectly.  Rock the Red Pump is aiming to have 500 bloggers sign up to Rock the Red Pump in the next 50 days - 500 in 50.


Though I myself am not HIV positive nor do I have someone in my life that is, I know there are many women out there today living with this disease or supporting someone who is.  So I joined this movement for each of them.


This movement is sponsored by The Red Pump Project which aims to:

• Commemorate major awareness dates with various events or campaigns online and on the ground
• Partner with organizations doing work in HIV/AIDS in their initiatives and events around the country
• Obtain a Red Pump ambassador in every state
• Get women around the country to “Rock the Red Pump™” both online and on the ground
• Be involved in getting 1,000 people tested nationally
• Raise funds for HIV/AIDS service organizations

You can read more about The Red Pump Project and the Rock the Red Pump movement by clicking on the badge in my sidebar.  

Thanks for reading!!! :) 

Let's Go Wolves!!

This past weekend I was able to utilize our season tickets at work to go to the Northern State University Wolves basketball game!  My friend and coworker Karla and I caught the last quarter of the women's game and then the men's game against the Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks.

The Wolves played a great game, but came up just a little short against the Mavericks.  It was so fun to go to a college ballgame again though - albeit on a little bit smaller level than Mizzou or Creighton!  The whole community comes out to support the team it seems.  I saw tons of people that I knew and got to catch up with a few friends.  Hopefully I will get to go to another game before the end of the season - maybe even our courtside seats next time?

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow....and snow...and snow...

Many have pointed out to me that I failed to mention something pretty "adventurous" events in my New Years post. As many of you may know, Aberdeen and much of Northeast South Dakota was hit with not one, but TWO blizzards within a three day period over New Years Eve. It began on Thursday, December 30, as the snow began to fall and the wind began to blow. I was luckily sent home early from work - had I waited any longer, my little Ford Focus would have been stranded. The snow briefly let up that evening only to begin falling heavily again on Friday around Noon. New Years plans for much of the town came to a screeching halt. A friend of mine from church did however send her husband in his 4-wheel drive pickup to pick me up so I could spend NYE with them. Such sweet friends! I will tell you though, I was in disbelief that he even made it once I saw the side streets (My windows face an Emergency Snow Route so to me it didn't seem THAT bad). It was really a mess though. Most of it was cleaned up on Saturday and Sunday. Although many piles still stand tall on the street corners making visibility just a little bit challenging. Unfortunately I don't have any photos or videos from the event, but I did find the video below from KELO TV in Sioux Falls. It definitely makes me laugh a bit though - note in particular the reporter reporting from the side of the highway....in low-visibility blizzard conditions...while talking about people going off the road...now I ask you, should he really be standing there?? The link is below.

Back To Back Blizzards In Northeast

Oh and did I mention? It's snowing again today....and tomorrow...and the next day... time to grab some hot chocolate, marshmallows and a good book!!

Happy New Year!!

Happy 2011 Everyone!  As you can see, we have a new blog design again - don't worry - this one will be around for a while.  The font colors will be changing too, but I ask your forgiveness as I'm having trouble getting my customization to work!

And yet again I have to apologize for a lack of posts in December! An exciting but challenging project at work took up most of my month.  December was filled with holiday gatherings and time with family which was such a blessing.  This year my entire family on my mom's side was together for Christmas - including family from Texas! Truly this was the greatest gift we received this holiday season.

Since it is the new year and as tradition goes, resolutions must be made! I feel I have several this year, and although in my opinion resolutions can be made at anytime of the year, there just seems to be a more effective incentive with the New Year doesn't there?  A couple are typical and one is something I've been contemplating for some time.  So I'd like to ask your patience with me as I get a bit serious for a moment - blogging my resolutions for everyone to see - now how's that for accountability??

1. BLOG!  At least 2 times a month, I need to be having AND sharing more adventures here in Aberdeen.  
2. Find new ways to be fit & active.   A twist on the usual - I'm already a YMCA member and will be avoiding it until the rush calms down - but I want to find other ways to keep in shape that might also be adventures to share!  I'm thinking dance classes, cross country skiing, snow-shoeing, etc.
3. And now for our serious turn...Be Open.  

I know that might not make ANY sense but let me explain.  I have a tendency to believe that things should be a certain way (this won't come as any surprise to my friends who are all to familiar with my perfectionist ways) or that the right or wrong decision extends beyond my own opinion or feelings into the opinions or feelings of someone else.  So this year I am going to work to be open to many things but most importantly, to be open to following my own heart and my own calling.

This year will be another year of big life changes in one way or another.  I am nearly halfway through my fellowship and whether I remain in Aberdeen when I'm finished or head off in a different direction, I will definitely be starting a different job at some point and possibly in a different city.  It is my hope that I will be able to listen to my own heart and accept God's plan for me as the right one for ME and for no one else.  This will definitely mean a new job, maybe a new city, a new home, new relationships and who knows what else.  But I am excited for what 2011 will bring and want to be as open as possible to the opportunities and challenges that God puts in front of me - regardless of whether or not they fit into my plan.  So for many things I will try my hardest to Be Open, and I encourage you all to do the same.  Be open to change - be open to new ideas - be open to variety - be open to love.

I wish every one of you the most abundant joy in 2011 and pray that this year brings you among many other things - the love of family and friends, peace in the present and hope for the future.  It will be an exciting year my friends, stay tuned!!