Ventage Girls: Love Fest

Imagine my surprise when I sat down to write a Ventage post for today and realized I was the Ventage topic.

In response, here are five things I love about being a Ventage Girl.

 1. Distance is no obstacle.
Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I don't think any more than three of us have ever been in the same place at the same time. Wait. I take that back. One time, in 2008, four of the five of us were together. We need to remedy that sometime soon.

2. No idea is too ridiculous to be seriously considered.
Of course you'll win the lottery! Considering buying cowboy boots? Think it's a good idea to quit your job? Want tips on avoiding your in-laws? We will entertain and email about just about any random brainstorm.

3. We protect those we love.
This applies to their protection of me. They have been especially fierce in their insults and suggestions at all the times I've most needed them to me. This applies to their protection of their children. This applies to our protection of each other. Mess with a Ventage Girl and expect the wrath of all of us.

4. The same question would get five answers.
We have incredibly varied tastes, values, preferences, habits, and hobbies. Somehow, this all works.

5. We are perfectly imperfect.
We forgive, accept, and even encourage messy houses, fashion flops, dinner emergencies, failed plans, emotional breakdowns, road rage, and any other number of imperfections. We love each other just the way we are.

A photo collage to document the perfect imperfection.

Stop by: Angie, Em, Katrina, and Stephanie.

Friday Wisdom, Vol. 7

Taken from Indulgy.

I haven't made time to tell you this yet, but I met Gabby.

That's right. I met Gabby.

It seems strange to even say that because I cannot believe I haven't met Gabby before now. Really. From the moment I met her, I felt that we had known each other always.

She is warm. She is funny. She is generous. She is a fabulous mama. She comes from a kind and loving family.

And she lives too damn far away!!

Photo is completely unedited. Just us. After lots of conversation and lots of pizza. 

Gratitude

I never actually wrote down a gratitude list this November. Better late than never.

1. My Parents
I don't take enough time to remember how lucky I am to have healthy parents that are passionate about seeing me happy and healthy and safe. I get impatient with them. I get annoyed with them. The truth is, though, that I wouldn't have the opportunities I do without my parents.

2. My Friends
It is overwhelming to think about the circle of people that love me unconditionally, pick me up when I fall, welcome me into their lives, and take the time to care for me. They are a million times better to me than I have managed to be for them - especially lately.

3. Opportunity
I can't go so far as to say that I'm grateful I failed a lot this year, but out of that failure has come tremendous opportunity. I worked hard for a lot of that opportunity, but it would not be possible without my parents and friends. These people have encouraged me to pick myself up, take crazy leaps, and see opportunity in great sadness.

4. Ability to be frivolous
I am grateful that I am in a position to have things that are wants, to travel, to indulge in amazing food, to treat myself, to give to others.

Made: Thanksgiving

I know I'm behind on this, but I can't miss my annual opportunity to blog about Thanksgiving.

Sigh.

I love Thanksgiving.

I love the food. I love the dessert. I especially love our traditions.

Cooking with Snow White was an new addition to our traditions.

We intended to do lots of drinking. That didn't really happen.  The Bourbon Bog was delicious, though.

Our menu was all of our favorites, including rutabagas mashed by Luke.

Not pictured:
Special dinner guests, Jake and Ryan.
Special dinner guests, Mary Jane and Andy.
Angie's crutches.
Afternoon nap.
Going to see Lincoln after dinner.
Late-night expedition to Walmart.

Only 364 days until Thanksgiving 2013.

Ventage Girls: Wishing For

I excel at shopping, specifically online shopping.

I can't imagine how you don't already know this about me. 

Today's Ventage topic is perfect for me. Without further ado, here is what's on my Christmas list.

Journaling card from In A Creative Bubble

For Barb The Reader:

Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust

Subscription to Cook's Illustrated

A pretty copy of Wuthering Heights

For Barb The Cook:

Some new Fiesta in a variety of colors (rice bowls, chip and dip)

Stainless steel cookware (because a girl can dream)

Starbucks Verismo

Glass bowl for Kitchenaid

For Barb The Aspiring Fashionista:

A new home for my iPhone

Adorable polka dot pajamas

Ridiculous but adorable Orla Kiely bag

Bracelet from The Lucky Elephant

Earrings from Tiny Galaxies

For Barb The Decorator:

This reminder to hang on my wall

Gnome reading lamp (spotted at Target!!)

Smile pillow

"Everything is Wonderful Here" poster for Wisconsin

Wake Up and Be Awesome sign

An adorable bird dish

Really, though I'd trade the whole list to be able to plan a get-together get-away with my Ventage Girls. 

Angie, Emily, Katrina, and Stephanie - I would whisk us all away to some sort of secluded location. It doesn't even really matter where because the weekend would just be all about us. We would eat and drink and talk and laugh and sleep and be pampered.

Currents

There has been LOTS of Girl Scout cookie-eating going on at my office. Too much.

Time: 7:49 PM
Location: Bedroom. Door closed.
Watching: Elizabeth Gilbert talk on Oprah (recommended by Katrina)
Eating: avoiding all things turkey 
Drinking: Meil's (in mass quantities from a local coffee shop by my office)
Feeling: Overwhelmed, stressed, lack of confidence
Thinking: I need to shake off the crabbies and focus on what I'm looking forward to
Wanting: A warm-weather vacation instead of Christmas
Needing: To learn to be more disciplined about money
Making: Project Life. . . still. . . always
Loving: my gray Uggs

Currents stolen from Tina Aszmus.

Ventage Tuesday: Thanksgiving

It's no big secret around here that I love Thanksgiving more than any other holiday. It's a holiday that is just - in my mind, anyway - about food. What's there not to love?

Here, in no particular order, are five things I love about Thanksgiving.

The Company.
Angie and I went family-free for Thanksgiving in 2005. It's a frie-mily Thanksgiving, and it's awesome. It's mellow. It's relaxed. We've come up with all of our favorite foods. And, I love that we have a tradition that is all our own.

The Dessert.
Pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheesecake. No pecan pie. No apple pie. Just pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheesecake. With real whipped cream.

The Napping.
There is generally some napping or at least serious relaxing happening at some point in the day.

The Friday.
I don't use it to shop. I don't schedule anything that day. It's just a day to be.

Friends episodes.
I love that a Thanksgiving episode was always a Friends thing. My favorite is the one where Joey wears Monica's maternity pants in preparation for eating an entire turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.

And don't forget to visit Angie, Emily, Katrina, and Stephanie to learn what they love about Thanksgiving.

Friday Wisdom, Vol. 6

Journaling card: Fairytale Paislee Press

I'm headed "home" for the weekend. 

I'm not sure what to call it. It sure feels like my home. It's where most of my people are. It's the last place my stuff was unpacked. It's the place I know exactly who has the best Chinese take-out, inexpensive pedicure, and ice cream treats.

No matter what I decide to call it, I'm excited for a weekend filled with my favorite people.

Project Life: Week 27

It was fun to think about Costa Rica. There was lots of sunshine there.

The week I got back from Costa Rica was also the week the divorce started. There will eventually be some hidden journaling about that. I'm just not ready to write it yet.

I want to remember.

Screen shot. My Facebook timeline from about one year ago.

Not too long ago I caught myself telling someone, A year ago, I never would have guessed my life would turn out this way. And, a year from now I hope I can forget this part.

I'm sorry I said that. I don't want to forget this part.

This is the part where I got brave. The part where I started taking care of myself. The part where I realized the things that it never occurred to me I wanted.

And, the really hard truth is that I don't want to forget the part where I was married either.


No matter how much it hurts right now to think about being married, there are some things I want to remember about it.

Being folded into a big, safe hug after a difficult day. Enjoying time by myself as a special treat - little things like Thai take-out eaten on the couch while watching Gilmore Girls. Cooking and sharing Sunday breakfast. Cutting down a Christmas tree together. Reminiscing about shared moments and memories.

I don't want to forget those parts.

They are part of who I was, am, and will be.

Ventage Girls: Random Facts

Five Random Things About Me (in no particular order)

1. I like to mix Kraft mac and cheese with canned tuna. 

2. I've never broken a bone.

3. My first car was a 1978 Chrysler LeBaron. . . in 1996.

4. I started taking piano lessons when I was four.

5. I never had cable as a kid. I missed 90210. I missed MTV.

Learn more about:
Angie
Emily
Katrina
Stephanie

Hello

Hello Life Brushes and Stamps Ali Edwards for Designer Digitals

Hello. . . thinking, "I should put that on my Christmas list." That will have to be another post.

Hello. . . new television shows. I'm hooked on Homeland and am loving watching Weeds again. 

Hello. . . family dinner on Sunday. It's been a long time since I've lived in the same city as my parents or my sister.

Hello. . . lots happening at work this week. I'm excited to actually have some projects of my own.

Hello. . . Thanksgiving menu. It will be written by the end of the week.

Hello. . . reading. I've been trying hard to make reading every night before bed a habit again. I'm back into Art of Fielding and just started The Diviners.

Hello. . . plans with friends. Working on a little Book of Mormon weekend in January and looking forward to some Taylor Swift August 2013.

Hello. . . wisdom from the Internets shared by friends. Check out these ideas to remember during a personal apocalypse and advice about how to move on.

Stole the idea for "Hello Monday" from Katrina who Stole it from Lisa Leonard.

Meal Plan # 2

Chicken Paprikash - a meal from last week.

Have I mentioned that I miss my dishes?!

Meal 1. Chopped Salad with Ranch Dressing and Shrimp Cocktail

Meal 2. Supreme Pizza Burgers with left-over salad

Meal 3. Pizza with Kale, Butternut Squash, Bacon, and Smoke Cheese with  more left-over salad

Meal 4. Pork roast with Spicy Parmesan Green Beans and Kale

Meal 5. Beef Burgundy Crockpot Roast with steamed broccoli

Extras. Red Velvet Cupcakes with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting (for a traveling lunch party at work)

Friday Wisdom, Vol. 5

Found via Pinterest from Isabella.Nina.

Actually the art of Sabrina Ward Harrison.

I'm the kind of person who always has a plan. I often fail at the steps needed to get to the plan, but I generally have some kind of a plan or scheme, some sort of grand next steps, something to work toward, or just something to countdown and look forward to.

I can't remember what that was in my marriage. 

Awaiting a holiday, putting other commitments on the calendar, getting promotions at work. None of that is really something meaningful to work toward together. 

I truly can't remember the last time we really had something we were working toward together. 

We worked toward a house. . . 7 years ago. We planned a wedding. . . 8 years ago. We moved from one city to another. . . 9 years ago. 

And, I'm not even really confident we is the right pronoun to apply to any of that.

But, really. We were holding onto a future together for a whole lot of years with absolutely no plan or direction. Why was it such a surprise, then, that things fell apart?

What really matters right now, though, is the choice to let go of all of that planned life.

What I've gained by letting go of that is a life I never ever realized I wanted.

And, that's pretty damn awesome.

Project Life: Week 39

Big apology for the terrible pictures. I leave for work when it's dark. I get back from work when it's dark.

I really like this week. It even has an insert.

The insert is all about fashion. There's been lots of photographing of outfits lately. . . . 

I shouldn't have done this, but I just figured out that I need to do four weeks each week to finish 2012 before 2013 starts. I'm determined to not start the new year weeks and weeks behind.

Made: Fancied Up Brussels Sprouts

I'm slowly cooking my way through the recipes on my Fall Food List.

Brussels sprouts and I have a complicated relationship. I've only cooked them myself one other time; it ended in a Sonic parking lot. I've cooked them with Angie before with success. It bolstered my confidence enough to try it solo.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Barley

1 lb small Brussels Sprouts
1 Tbsp olive oil
Salt
2/3 C fresh cranberries (or 1/3 C dried cranberries)
1/3 C crumbled Gorgonzola or goat cheese
1/3 C freshly toasted pecans
1 1/2 C cooked barley, reheated
1 Tbsp maple syrup, or more to taste
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, or more to taste

Prepare Brussels Sprouts. Cut off tips. Remove discolored leaves. Slice in half.

Prepare broiler.

Warm a 12" cast iron skillet over medium-high heat on the stove. 

Meanwhile, toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and salt until evenly coated in a thin layer of oil.

Dump the sprouts into the hot pan. Quickly rearrange them so the flat sides are down. Let them cook for two minutes.

Toss the fresh cranberries into the pan and transfer the pan to the broiler. Let the sprouts broil for about three minutes. Check the sprouts for doneness - their tops should be a little brown and the bottoms caramelized.

Toss warm barley, sprouts, cranberries, cheese, and pecans in a bowl.

My Notes:
This was my first experimentation with barley. It worked.

I mixed up a little extra balsamic vinegar and maple syrup to drizzle over the chicken. It worked, too.

The cheese made the difference here. I went with a high quality blue instead of a gorgonzola. I liked the bite it added; I'm not sure the goat cheese would have added that touch.

I'd make this again.

Ventage Girls: Sing Along

Some things you should know about me and the music.

• I'm terrible at knowing who sings a song. I'm so terrible at it, that I get furious whenever someone asks, "Who sings this?" It's my kryptonite.
• I'm also terrible at choosing favorites - especially when put on the spot.
• I don't buy new music very often. In fact, I only do it when my friends suggest things. 
• I like plenty of crappy pop music. I listen to it countless times. I may or may not have driven around the block a few extra times this morning to listen to "22" one more time. And, it's possible that this crappy pop music never goes out of style for me. Maybe I even still listen to "Party in the USA."
• There are some songs that I just can't listen to right now. Lots of these are songs about love. They are also songs that were important to my relationship.

So, I went with a list of my timeless favorite songs.

3 x 4 List Journaling Cards - Splendid Fiins for Jessica Sprague

I learned to love "Walk Like an Egyptian" as an adult. I have no recollection of ever hearing it as a child.

Johnny Cash didn't come into my life until Walk the Line. Thank you Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.

Nothing to say about Joan Jett. The song just makes me smile.

I started loving "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" when it was the theme song for Life Goes On. Remember that show?

And, "Barbara Ann" is a favorite because a family friend (one of my dad's HS besties) used to sing it to me as a child. He thought it was my actual name.

What do you love listening to?

Check out my girls:

Angie

Em

Katrina

Stephanie

Currents

First red cup of the season. 9:04 A.M. Sunday. November 3.

Watching: Weeds, Season 5 (I have cable again!)
Listening: still loving some T-Swift. Tay. T-Swizzle.
Eating: at a different local restaurant each week 
Drinking: coffee made at home almost every morning 
Feeling: scattered. disorganized. chaotic.
Thinking: about a warm weather vacation
Preparing: a menu (and lots of schemes!) for Thanksgiving
Wanting: a new black bag
Making: Project Life - only 19 weeks behind
Enjoying: learning how to wear eye make-up
Loving: seeing the Capital every day
Savoring: a small victory over the garage door opener
Anticipating: Obama and Bruce Springsteen. Today!

Idea inspired by Tina Aszmus

Meal Plan # 1

I'm cooking again!

Sunday night dessert. 

Pumpkin spice egg nog pound cake with salted caramel ice cream and a drizzle of amaretto.

Meal 1. Stuffed cabbage rolls.
Meal 2. Gnocchi mac & cheese.
Meal 3. Chicken paprikash.
Meal 4. Creamy blue cheese risotto
Meal 5. Chicken enchiladas and homemade refried beans.

Extra. Egg nog pound cake (made with pumpkin spice egg nog)

Friday Wisdom, Vol. 4

Screenshot taken from Promise Tangeman Updates (via Pinterest)

What are you thankful for today?