For the Win!

I've had my share of Pinterest fails but lately I'm on a winning streak. Here are some of the yummy recipes I've tried...and LOVED...lately. Enjoy!

Crispy Caramel Nuts. I used raw pecans instead of walnuts. SO delicious. SO easy.

Avocado Chicken Salad. I made this one evening after a day at the pool. SO quick and tasty. I omitted the mayo.

Egg Muffins. I added sausage, onions, garlic, and cayenne to mine. Next time I'll add cheese!

Asian Lettuce Tacos with Peanut Sauce. I pinned this recipe a long time ago after having something similar at The Cheesecake Factory. These were delicious and the sauce is to die for. I added cilantro to mine.

Pesto Zucchini "Spaghetti". We don't like broccoli so I omitted that but it was pretty tasty (ummmmmm, because of the bacon) and we will make this again. I really want to buy one of these spiral peelers to make zucchini noodles but I think that's a pretty steep price for a kitchen gadget I wouldn't use regularly.

3--2--1

Late last month, we dropped Will off for his work-crew assignment at Crooked Creek Ranch Young Life camp and I went from having three kids at home to two.

Early Tuesday morning (and I'm talking 4AM early) we dropped Sarah off at church for her Puerto Rico trip so now I'm down to ONE kid at home.

Abbey has been looking forward to this week all year long. She refers to it as the "week-I-get-to-be-an-only-child". She woke up Tuesday morning grinning from ear to ear with excitement. 

But don't be fooled--I tucked her in the night before and she was sobbing because she was going to miss her sister. I am beyond grateful for kids who love each other.

A few weeks ago, Abbey made a list of all the things she wanted to do while Will and Sarah were gone and we're doing our best to make a dent in it. So far we've been swimming, watched movies, eaten lots of ice cream, had a sleepover, been to Denver to American Girl and Justice (her two favorite stores), and one evening we took her to make a very special purchase she's been saving for. Ummmmmm, she's pretty much been in heaven and has a few more days to milk this for all she can. 

As for Will--he's working hard and having a good time--but is VERY homesick. Can't wait to see that boy soon!

And Sarah? She made it safely to Puerto Rico and has texted a few beautiful pictures! Sending a kid out of the country for a week? Yeah, that requires a LOT of trust...and prayer. A group of kids from our church is there this week leading VBS and another mission project for our sister church in San Juan but they have lots of fun and beach time built in as well. I haven't actually talked to her but their leader has been great to post pictures on Facebook which helps this mama's heart!

Everyone should be back home sometime next week...and I'm looking forward to that more than you can know. And as much fun as Abbey has had this week, I think she's looking forward to it too!

SMP 6.18.13

SMP = Seven Minute Post

Hello blog readers. It's been awhile hasn't it?

Summer is in full swing here at the Life at 7000 Feet casa. I love this time of year. John has been super busy with work and I'm working two jobs until the end of this month so our brains haven't fully switched over to summer mode but there are indications of it everywhere!

So yeah, did you catch that I'm working two jobs? I resigned my Young Life admin job last month and will step away at the end of June. I've enjoyed that job but it was one of those part-time things that felt full-time and it was just too much for me. That's the thing about working from home...you're always "on". I didn't like feeling like I was constantly juggling work and family. I happened upon another job working for a friend who has a home business and it provides a lot more structure (i.e. office) and consistent hours and so far it's been a good fit. I'm really anxious to switch to only ONE job though. I've been carrying a heavy load lately. And am very much looking forward to vacation in July!

I appreciate the emails and texts and messages last week about our safety during another horrific wildfire outside of Colorado Springs. Ugh. Our family/home wasn't in immediate danger, but this fire came much closer to our community than the Waldo Canyon fire did last summer and impacted many of our friends. We were thrilled that all of our friends escaped damage to their homes despite the fire being on the edges of their neighborhoods. It's been very devastating for our community though--hundreds of homes were completely destroyed, including those of some folks from our church. It's truly heartbreaking, but it's also truly wonderful to see a community rise up and come together to support each other.

June Currents

Current Read: My husband finally finished Wild and handed it off to me. I started reading it yesterday and I'm hooked!

Current Playlist: I made a Chicago playlist the other day. Chicago as in the band, not the city. I recently learned about the country artist, Josh Turner, so he's getting a lot of play time because we're going to his concert later this month. There's a story there but I need to save that for another day.

Current Color: I'm loving turquoise lately. I found a cute turquoise necklace at my neighbor's garage sale last week and it matches a ring and some earrings I already had. Makes for a cute albeit matchy ensemble. 

Current Drink: It's finally summer and I'm so much better at drinking water when it's hot. Word on the street though is that I make a mean Shirley Temple. Abbey had one in Denver with friends a few weeks ago and has been begging me to make them ever since. Here's the recipe link. 

Current Food: I'm quite obsessed with this 7 superfoods salad from Costco. It's yummy. 

Current Favorite Favorite: John's mom gave us one of these steamers for Christmas and I forgot about it until last month when I had an item I really needed to de-wrinkle. Oh wow. For a girl who detests ironing, this small appliance is a game-changer.

Current Addiction: Words With Friends. I am crazy-addicted to that game. 

Current Wish List: Some plants for the front porch. I know most of you get to start planting things in March, but around here it's not wise until late May or early June. 

Current Need: I don't need anything at the moment, but Sarah is leaving for Puerto Rico next week and has quite the list. Hoping to tackle that in the next few days. 

Current Triumph: Took Sarah swimsuit shopping last week and found a cute, modest suit at the FIRST store we went to. AND it was on sale! TRIUMPH indeed.

Current Annoyance: I have a bad cold that is kicking my butt. ANNOYING. I fought and kept this cold at bay the whole month of May, only to succumb during summer? Not happy about that.

Current Indulgence: Sleep and rest--because of the aforementioned cold.

Current Mood: Blah. I really feel pretty miserable at the moment because I'm sick.

Current Blessing: I've been able to talk to Will several times in the last week because we sent that boy a phone card in his first care package. He's working hard but having fun! I think he's a little homesick though I'm not sure he'd ever admit that. 

Current Outfit: Running shorts, t-shirt...which will later change to capris, summer top, flip flops. :)

Current Excitement: I'm looking forward to lunch with a friend this week and also some pool time!

Current Project: I have a couple of painting projects I want to tackle, but honestly I need to get through June before I can start them. 

Current plans for the day: Work a little. Clean a little. Mail another care package to Will. Rest. Read. Make dinner.

Current link: I cleaned my Dyson last week. Like too the whole thing apart and cleaned the filters, the attachments, the traps, the cannister...everything. It now runs like new and smells much, much better! This isn't my exact model, but I used this tutorial. 

Six on Saturday

Six on Saturday is kind of like five on Friday but with a bonus, right?

1. I had a birthday this week marking forty-three years of life. It was a very good day! The best gift I received was this poem from my husband. He not only knows how to make me feel loved, but cherished. I am so very blessed. 

2. On my birthday, John and I got up early and hiked before he went to work. I tripped over a rock or log or something and ripped my toenail. Not quite sure how it happened through my shoe AND sock, but there's a tear right down the middle.

(Yes I DID just post a picture of my toes. And that rip in my toe is even bigger now than it was then. Weird.)

3. We took Will to Crooked Creek Ranch Young Life camp yesterday where he'll be working for a MONTH. This is the longest he will be away from home to date. I got a little choked up when we pulled into camp but I pulled it together because I know this will be such a good experience for him and he's ready for it. Crooked Creek Ranch is GORGEOUS and I'm excited for what lies in store for Will. 

4. I'm planning to hike a couple of 14ers this summer (not surprised are you?) and after driving through the mountains yesterday I'm so very glad we pushed our dates back because there is still a TON of snow on most of the taller peaks along the front range, and even a lot at just 9,000 and 10,000 feet. I was quite surprised by the amount of it. We'd originally planned to tackle one next weekend but July is looking more realistic. Stay tuned...

5. Even though summer started last week I'm still working a lot. Things are definitely less hectic though; my brain is only going in a dozen different directions as opposed to a hundred. That's an exaggeration, but the truth is I'm still not feeling like I'm 100% on top of my game. Case in point: I forgot to pick Abbey up from a playdate on Thursday. I was horrified. The other mom was gracious and I was only twenty-five minutes late (which is a lot for this punctual gal) but the bottom line is that I completely forgot my child. I've reached an all new parenting low.

6. I'm heading to the Young Life Garage Sale in a little while. It's another big fundraiser we have to raise money for summer camp. We typically end up having it on the coldest Saturday in May (not on purpose of course) but today should be nice and I am soooooooo thankful for that. If you're local, stop by The Home Depot in Monument. I'd be happy to send you home with some "treasures".