Yikes!

It's been two weeks since my last post-major slacker! Am hoping to be more consistent in my posting from here on out! So since it's been awhile, I will just give brief updates on various areas of our lives to catch you up to speed!

-I finally got a  job! YAHOO! I start on Monday and will be nannying for two beautiful little girls, ages 4 and 6. I am excited to be a nanny again, as I really enjoyed that when I was in grad school.

-Graham is slowly but surely getting adjusted to his job. He had a bit of a slow, somewhat boring start, but things are starting to pick up speed and  he is learning a lot. As this is the first of 4 rotations, he is looking forward to experiencing other areas of greater interest.

-We found a church! It is big, and not something we are really used to-but we like it a LOT. We had our first small group meeting on Tuesday, and are feeling very blessed that the Lord has brought us here.

-Graham and I have both been working out on a regular basis! I go to the gym for cardio and weights in the mornings and he hits the gym on the way home from work each day. He is getting back into juggling and I think he is up to being able to do 5 balls at once-working hard to get back to 8! It is a great upper body workout for him and he is so happy to be back at it!

-Married life is great! We love being married-and have been for 2 months today! It has really flown by!

-We are thinking about getting a dog...but that is going to be my next post...so standby!

Hope all of our friends and family are well! We miss you all!

We visit Pike's Place Market

On the Sunday of the long Fourth of July weekend, Graham and I decided to take a morning trip to Pike's Place Market. Mainly because I had never been, but also because we wanted to familiarize ourselves with the area/parking so we would know how to do it when we take visitors there! We had a good visit, although towards the end we were both feeling claustrophobic due to all the people crowding in. We bought some Copper River Salmon and sea scallops...and omg...they were both amazing! I am not a huge fan of salmon, but this stuff is just SO GOOD it melts in your mouth. The scallops were so tender that Graham pushed his fork down on one and it came through the tines of the fork-like mashed potatoes would. YUM. I want them now. Anyways, here are some pictures from our day.

 The view from the parking garage.

 Look closely at the size of those shrimp and crabs!

 This is where we bought the salmon and scallops. They had shrimp that were as big around as my fist and lobsters that were as long as my knee to ankle. It was craziness!

 There is the lobster-and the monk fish that we are going to get next time!

We had lunch at Pike Place Chowder-where we split a clam chowder, seafood bisque, and crab roll-the soups were soooo good, the crab roll was so-so. Too much celery and mayo, not enough crab. We also saw tons of fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, the original Starbucks, cheese shops, and loads of craft/art booths. So-come visit! We'll take you here!

Delicious Dish(es)

So today I want to share some recipes that I have recently tried. First up, there is an amazing, healthy Banana Blueberry Oatmeal that I made for breakfast this morning and both the hubs and I quite enjoyed it! It was simple enough to make, although I did have to get up extra early to bake it so it would be finished in time for G to eat it-but it was worth it! Plus there is enough for tomorrow morning, so you can't beat that! I got the recipe from my sister's food blog, which you can find here.

At the last church luncheon we attended before moving to the great Northwest, our friend Michelle brought this delicious chicken salad. Now, I HATE chicken salad...yech-all the celery, onions, overly strong mayo...not a fan. This stuff however, is sooo good! The recipe is from Whole Foods, and you can find the original recipe here. Below is the recipe with Michelle's changes as well as the ones I made to lighten it up and reduce some of the cals and fat grams.

Sonoma Chicken Salad
6 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into bite size pieces
1 apple, cored and diced
1/2 c. chopped pecans
2 T. poppy seeds

Dressing:
1/2 c. mayo
1/2c. plain, non fat yogurt
4 tsp. apple cider vinegar
5 tsp. honey
salt and pepper to taste

Whisk the dressing together and toss with the rest of the ingredients. Enjoy!

On the silver screen...

Lately Graham and I have seen quite a few movies via Netflix, and I wanted to share a few that we really enjoyed and I would highly recommend.

1.

Based on a true story, starring Hilary Swank (I adore, Graham can't stand) and Sam Rockwell (i.e. Buffalo Bill from The Green Mile)...I really enjoyed this movie quite a bit. I love movies that are based on true stories and it has a feel-good message. Rent it!

2.

This movie came highly recommended by my brother-in-law. I was hesitant, as I have spent the last 2 1/2 years watching Disney and/or Pixar movies every day. My hesitation was NOT warranted-this movie rocked! Great effects, better story line, and was not all that predictable. Super funny. I pass the recommendation on to all!


3.

Hangover 2-We saw this opening day, 2 days before our wedding. It was funny, but not as funny as the first. I would still suggest seeing it and I could bet money my husband purchases the DVD when it is available. Smh.


This weekend we are hoping to see Larry Crowne, the new Tom Hanks/Julia Roberts movie. I've never seen a bad Tom Hanks movie...(is there one?!?!), so this should be a good time. Other movies we are wanting to check out this summer: Horrible Bosses, Friends with Benefits (I HEART JT!), and The Change-Up. Anything we are missing??

A New Hobby!

Sorry for the lag in posting...I have had a touch of food poisoning that has left me less than energetic and creative!

So last week, in the midst of a little homesickness/low feelings of self-worth due to the non-existent responses to the dozens of job applications I have sent, my husband suggested I check out www.meetup.com and find a hobby, bible study, women's group, or ANYTHING to give me a break from the job hunt. I did and found a really neat-o card making group that meets about 2 minutes from my house. I went to my first 'meetup' last Thursday morning and here is what I made:

They were definitely fun to make, and much easier than I had anticipated. Believe it or not, I can follow step-by-step instructions with the best of them! I enjoyed meeting new people and also getting tips on where to go for groceries, dinner, and fun places to hit nearby. I went to another class (being taught by the same instructor) on Saturday morning, where we learned how to make 6 cards from 3 sheets of paper. There weren't as many people at this class as Thursday's class, but I really liked learning the new techniques and 6 cards from 3 sheets of paper (can't beat that)! Unfortunately I forgot to photograph these when I was finished...but maybe you will find one in a mailbox near you!

What's all the buzz about?

After only being able to find this product in Pike County, Missouri for the first 29 years of my life, it made its debut in St. Louis a few months ago. And now there are commercials in Seattle. What do I speak of you ask? This glorious beverage:

What's next? Porkburgers being sold at Cardinals games? Keep it real people. And know this-we had Sun Drop first, we loved it first, and no one can take that away from us!

First Day of Summer in Seattle...

Today actually got pretty warm here...I think the high was 78 degrees. The funny thing is, for those from the midwest-this would be a beautiful, shorts and t-shirts kind of day, to be cherished as the future is holding 100 degree, 100% humidity days. In Seattle however, 78 degrees is HOT. I was running errands this morning and saw NUMEROUS guys with their shirts off-driving, waiting for the bus, walking in neighborhoods, etc. I picked Graham up from work this afternoon, and upon leaving the apartment complex I saw a large group leaving the pool in bikinis, swim trunks, and wet towels. I think these kids need a trip to St. Louis for a week in August :)

Dude. It's not that hot.
Needless to say, Graham and I are loving this weather-and particularly loving the fact that we don't have to turn on the air or heat.  Oh wait, we don't even have air conditioning in our apartment (most places in Seattle don't). Supposedly, we will rarely use the heat, even in the winter...so hello low utility bills!
Hope everyone had a great first day of summer!