just do it (a deck building realization)

this past weekend my husband, craig, and i, along with the much-needed help of my father-in-law and my parents, added a deck onto our cottage.  we have over an acre of land, and love spending time outside with our little dog, olive, but we didn't really have an outdoor space that we could enjoy.  so, after a few years of talking about it, we finally planned it, got our zoning permit and broke ground.

it's funny how we put things off that we know we will enjoy.  (sure, it took a weekend and about $700 in materials to make our 18 ft by 12 ft deck come together, but the enjoyment we'll get out of it is truly priceless.)  so, why do we put off things that will ultimately bring us more happiness and enjoyment?  perhaps we're waiting for the "right time" or for the moment when our to-do list is done, but unfortunately, those moments never arrive -- they are forever in the future.

there's a lot of truth to nike's slogan...just do it.  if there's something you've been putting off (it doesn't have to be as grandiose as a weekend-long deck building project) put it on your calendar.  schedule yourself a manicure, go to a yoga class or plan lunch with a friend you haven't seen in a while.  replenish yourself instead of depleting yourself.  put as much energy into the things you love as you do your responsibilities.

olive enjoying the deck

isn't she adorable?!!

so, what are you going to do that will increase the joy in your life?...

pictures from our weekend away

craig and i spent last weekend up in the lake george area of ny to celebrate his 25th birthday.  (the trip was his b-day gift.)  we stayed in the same b&b that we stayed at 6 years ago when we first traveled there together.  we had a fabulous weekend...despite the rain....so i thought i'd share a few highlights from our trip.



every afternoon the innkeeper made homemade goodies for the guests -- behold our ganache tarts



street in lake george, ny



me and craig



craig enjoying inn at erlowest's bar/lounge

drinks at bistro la roux

snapped this while driving -- yes, that is a gorilla dragging a vacuum...

our breakfast at the b&b



course #5 of our five course gourmet extravaganza.  cinnabon pancakes = divine!!!

market in saratoga springs

it goes without saying, but we had an awesome time -- and way too much food : )

happy 25th, handsome!

today is my handsome husband's 25th birthday! in honor of his 1/4 century of existence, i've planned a romantic weekend getaway for the two of us to a b&b that we visited when we were first dating. 

below is the powerpoint i created to deliver the gift : ) 

craig cooks chicken curry

the other night, craig ventured into the kitchen again.  i love cooking, so i tend to hog the kitchen, but, once again, craig impressed me with his cooking savvy.  ...must be from watching me  : )

my handsome fiance made chicken curry with chickpeas.  yum!  inspired by both his love for thai massaman curry and a men's health recipe from the march 2011 magazine.  we invited my sis, han, over to share his creation and watch 127 hours.  (and, bonus!  she arrived with some lovely desserts from a nearby caterer.)

chicken curry with chickpeas
serves 4

1 vidalia onion, sliced
1 tbsp red curry
1 tsp olive oil
2 chicken breasts, cut into tenders
1/3 cup chicken broth
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed
3 cups spinach, chopped
salt & pepper

1.       in a large pan, sauté the onion and curry powder in oil.  season with salt & pepper.  cook until onions are translucent and softened.

2.       season the cubed chicken with salt & pepper and nestle them into onions.  add chicken broth and cover pan with lid and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes.

3.       stir in yogurt and cook for 1 minute more, uncovered, then add the chickpeas and spinach.  cook until the spinach is wilted and the chickpeas are warm.

we enjoyed our chicken curry over quinoa (keen-wa), but it would also be great over couscous or rice.

no chickpeas?  no problem.  any canned bean will do, just be sure to rinse them well before cooking to eliminate excess salt.

we enjoyed some bully hill red with our meal.  smooth & slightly sweet.  this wine complemented the spicy curry fabulously.

and then, it was time for dessert.  thank you, hannie!

pb brownie, chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream & dark chocolate mousse!  oh my!

original recipe from men's health march 2011

like craig's menu?  check out his crab cake recipe {here}.  they were some of the best i've had.  seriously.

we're leaving this afternoon to head up to craig's parents' house in ny for the holiday weekend.  then we're driving back down to nj on sunday afternoon to enjoy easter dinner with my family.  should be a fun (and busy) weekend.

i hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and a very happy easter!  tgif

day o' food & mac n' cheese recipe

so, yesterday (as you know) was craig's birthday.  needless to say, i had a lot of food things planned.  i drove out to meet him for lunch during his lunch break.  we went to this place by his work that is rumored to have "the best" chicken caesar salad...and it did not disappoint.  besides having a yummy creamy caesar dressing and crisp romaine and buttery croutons, it also was topped with marinated portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions and breaded & baked chicken.  wow!  for dessert (yes, we got dessert with lunch.  it was his bday after all...) we shared a creme brulee.  the lemon zest they added to the custard was the perfect touch.

caesar salad

when i got home, i wrapped presents, set the table and finished making his cake.  well, actually not a "cake" per se, he requested a ganache tart with a peanut butter swirl.  fancy : )  i modified the recipe {here} with a peanut & pretzel crust, then added globs of pb to the ganache filling and topped with chopped peanuts.  completely decadent.

for dinner i whipped up homemade mac n' cheese and marinated chicken roll-ups filled with sauteed veggies.  we uncorked a bottle of bubbly and toasted the birthday boy.  good food.  good time : )

mac n' cheese

16oz medium shells
2 1/2 cups italian cheese blend (mozz, parm, prov)
2 cups sharp cheddar
2 cups milk
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup flour
salt & pepper
dash of red curry optional (about 1 tsp)

topping:
1 tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

cook pasta according to the directions on the package.  drain.

heat the milk in a small pot, but do not boil.  melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large pot and add flour.  over low heat, cook for a few minutes.  add the hot milk while whisking & cook for 1-2 min more, until thickened.

off the heat, add the shredded cheeses, 1 tablespoon salt & pepper.  add the cooked pasta and stir well. pour into baking dish.

sprinkle topping over mac n' cheese.  bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.  yummmmmmy!!!



present opened: vintage 1950s cocktail shaker!

it was a wonderful birthday!  (and i think craig enjoyed it too : )

thank you (because i don't say it enough)

thank you for all you do.

me & craig

thank you for doing the dishes and for taking out the trash. thank you for what you do around the house...inside and out. thank you for your patience and your text messages. thank you for loving me so much and for being such a good papa to olive. thank you for putting me first and supporting me in all i do. thank you for asking me to marry you and for being involved with planning. thank you for your hugs and kisses and for letting me keep my feet warm under you when we're on the couch. thank you for doing my taxes and for treating me to bobby's countless times. thank you for allowing me to grow into the person i am meant to be. thank you for your tireless support and for always reading my blog.  thank you for making me laugh and for always being yourself around me. thank you for putting up with my (poor) tv choices and genuinely caring about who "the bachelor" will choose.  thank you for challenging me, pushing me and believing in me (more than i believe in myself sometimes).  thank you for allowing me to pursue my dreams...even when it (temporarily) compromises your own. but most of all, thank you for loving me, handsome. i love you too. 143

isn't he handsome?

me & craig on xix's balcony

who do you want to thank today?

how do i love thee...

love seat

dedicated to you, handsome.

xliii. "how do I love thee? let me count the ways..."
by elizabeth barrett browning (1806-1861)

how do I love thee? let me count the ways.
i love thee to the depth and breadth and height
my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
for the ends of being and ideal grace.
i love thee to the level of everyday's

most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

i love thee freely, as men strive for right;

i love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

i love thee with a passion put to use
in my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
i love thee with a love i seemed to lose
with my lost saints, --- i love thee with the breath,
smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if god choose,
i shall but love thee better after death.

love

i love …
1. your enthusiasm for life (seriously, where do you get the energy sometimes?!).
2. your undeniable & tireless ambition.
3. the way you make me laugh.
4. how i miss you when i haven’t seen you (for even just a few hours).
5. the fun we have together.
6. that you’re completely yourself with me.
7. that I’m completely myself with you.
8. how i can tell you anything.
9. the way you support me in everything i do.
10. date nights with you.
11. days at home (doing absolutely nothing) with you.
12. your thoughtfulness (and your flair for the romantic).
13. your laugh & that you totally get my sense of humor.
14. that you believe in us, more than anything.
15. bobby’s. (i.e. going to happy hour with you.)
16. how you know me better than anyone.
17. that you always let me know how much you love me (sometimes to the point of annoyance : ) just kidding, babe.
18. the vision we have for our future together.

19. that you love to dance with me.

20. walking with you and olive.

21. that you watch girly tv shows and movies with me and don’t complain (too much).

22. that you make me feel beautiful (even when i’m in sweatpants).

23. knowing that you’re going to be a wonderful father to our (future) children.

24. your smile.

25. that this list could go on forever…

happy 5 years together.  (this time next year, we'll be married!!!)