Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Peaches and Yum

Add a little SPICE to a summer favorite ...
Peaches and cream (or almond milk)

did you know that cinnamon is a great source of fiber, iron and calcium.
Top your favorite summer fruits with a little cinnamon. It adds yummy flavor and is oh so good for you. Instead of cream try almond milk, coconut milk or rice milk.

One of my favorite things about summer is stopping by a stand and getting farm fresh produce. There is nothing like it. Yum!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Summer 2011

It's always sad when the summer ends.
I have big time PTD
(post trip depression at the end of my cruise)I have to say, it was a great summer ...
Full of new places ...
Awesome people ...I am so lucky to have such amazing friends to share these experiences with.
New food ....
(Copenhagen & St. Petersberg)
Family ... lots of family time this summer.
(baby Ewan)
.... Adventure!
... Beauty! (Yosemite was spectacular!)

I can't complain. It was an awesome summer!
Back to real life ... {sigh}Wow ... I have a pretty great life don't I!

Read

I suggest you put this book on your must read list. I was asked to read it for school. Our professional development for this upcoming year is going to be based on this book. I thought it was excellent. Whether you are a stay at home mom or a VP ... you can get something from this book. It is written in a story format which makes it an easy read.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Lunch

Currently, this is my favorite lunch. So I thought I would share!One slice of your favorite whole grain bread (I avoid gluten so am using a whole grain gluten free bread from good earth)
One wedge laughing cow cheese (these are the best! they come in lots of flavors and are only 35 calories)
1/4 of an avocado
Tomato (fresh from from the garden -- yum!)
seasoning salt
One the side -- fresh cucumber wedges

Super yummy, healthy and all for approx. 250 calories

Friday, August 12, 2011

Relax

Attempting to relax that is.
Apparently the raft was not protection enough when the sea monster was coming!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Yosemite

This has been a summer of first! When Jennie D. called and told me that for her birthday she was planning a trip to Yosemite I was super excited. I know, I am not exactly a "camper". I don't actually own a sleeping bag, or a lantern, or ... anything related to camping. Well I do have a headlamp (a super cool Erik headlamp). I might have even been heard saying that I do not like to camp -- it's the whole sleeping part that really gets me. K
So, knowing me as well as Jennie does she agreed to have everything I would need. I just needed to show up.
Everything is fun with Jennie D. Even six hours in the car with a quick bathroom break at McDonald's. Toss John into the mix and you KNOW it will be a good time.
Funny things just happen to us -- like meeting Ansel Adams second cousin in Yosemite!
Our first adventure ... white water rapids OR floating down the river. I pretty much sat and relaxed while Jennie paddled. Hey, we only had one paddle. That would be the pillar that we ran into and then wrapped around. We might have been freaking out like we were going to die.
Jennie and I made a new friend. John's "friend" came along too. We loved Shey from the get go. She is fun and smart and interesting and sassy. She was a perfect addition!
The scenery in Yosemite was SPECTACULAR! Honestly, words and pictures do not do it justice. Because of high snow pack this year the falls were amazing. Everywhere you looked it was amazingly beautiful.True Blue! This wasn't even planned. Best friends FOR sure! After all it is where we met and became life long friends.

We did a beautiful day hike. Waterfall after waterfall. It was just so fun.

We had a great camp site. Ate yummy camping food. I did not get eaten by a bear (a real fear of mine). I totally camped and even liked it! (Ambien makes camping totally due-able!) I kinda want to go again. Happy Birthday Buddy!
Thanks for inviting me on your birthday trip to Yosemite.

Ewan James McPhie

Emily (my sister) Gavin, Delia, Cloe & Ezzy welcomed a baby brother to the family!
There is NO lack of attention from his sisters! This family of girls is SO excited to have a baby brother! I got to spend five days loving on this baby. There is nothing like a newborn. I am pretty sure he loves his Aunt Sari!