the retreat

Off of our master bedroom is our retreat/on suite/extra space, whatever you wanna call it.  Initially we had nothing in this room.  When the hubs got sick, we decided to make it an office so he could work out of the house vs his casita which is on our property but separate from the house.  His office became our office, mine really because I am the one who uses it now.  It is my little place to enjoy.  I blog here and shop (I am being honest).  Although in the near future it will be my work office as I ease back into the work world.

Since the retreat had become an office we had been discussing it acting as a gym as well.  Although we belong to a gym we don't love going to it anymore so we thought a home gym would do the trick.  Today our newest addition arrived, our treadmill.  She is a beauty folks.  She is strong, sturdy and big.  The treadmill is from Sports Authority and is the brand Freemotion.  I did not research treadmills, the hubs did and this is the one he wanted.  It's features are amazing with a fan, speeds up to 12 miles an hour (don't worry I won't ever run that fast), incline +/- (meaning it inclines forward and back).  If that isn't cool enough it has an TV screen were I can watch TV, plug in my ipad, iphone, ifit built in (so I can work out with Jillian Micheals) and google maps.  The google maps is such an awesome feature.  Why? Say you want to run the New York Marathon, the google maps will display the run as it would be during the marathon so you can train for it in your home.  I cannot wait to start using our treadmill.  I'll let you know if she is a keeper.  Do you work out at the gym or home?

On a side note, I am really looking forward to the weekend.  Jake's birthday party with his buddies is tomorrow and Sunday we have a birthday for one of our close friends kiddos followed by family visiting for dinner.  A busy weekend but lots of fun.  Any plans for your weekend?  Whatever you do enjoy it!

Good times

This weekend went by in a flash.  My bestie was in town for the afternoon on Saturday so we caught up over lunch at Jack's Urban Eats.  Following lunch, my son Jake had a birthday party for a preschool friend so off to Bounce O Palace we went.  Ryan came along and he had a blast although he didn't jump in the bouncy house.  On Sunday we took the fam to Chuck e cheese.  I haven't been there in over 10 years.  We all had a good time playing games and eating pizza.  Sunday afternoon I got a get out of the house card and headed to the movies where I watched Country Strong.  Good movie but sad, really sad.  The music is catchy and I've already bought three tunes from the Album.  

1. Country Strong 2. Words I Couldn't Say 3. Coming Home.

Following my afternoon free of kids, my hubs lil sis's dropped by on their way through town.  Which led us to dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory.  Whew, a busy weekend but lots of time spent with family and friends was just what the doctor ordered.  

Off to the gym now to get myself swim suit ready.

How was your weekend friends?

The Royals

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Seriously, aren't Prince William and Kate Middleton are an adorable couple?  And  how cozy do they look in this photograph by the famed Mario Testino?  I don't know about you but I am excited about their engagement and look forward to their spectacular wedding come April.  Are you excited about the Royal Wedding or could you care less?

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It is rumored that Kate will be wearing British Wedding designer Bruce Oldfield.  While browsing his collection online of wedding gowns, I must say that I was underwhelmed.  I would assume he'd make a gown that would be appropriate for the future Queen of England but still.  What do you think?

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Leave it to People Magazine to enlist some bridal fashion stars to sketch gowns for the bride to be.  My favorite is by Monique Lhuillier, isn't this gorgeous?

On to my family, this past weekend was a blast.  We ventured up to Lake Tahoe and skied the day away on Saturday.  Sunday was our Christmas with the hubs family.  This was the first year we did Secret Santa for the adults.  While it saved us money it wasn't as fun as I had hoped although I believe this will be the new trend.  Overall, we had such a great time, so much so, that me and the boys (Jake & Ryan) spent all day Monday recovering.  Today was busy, as I rushed to the mall and shopped the morning away.  

Luckily Jake was at preschool so I only had Ryan with me.  

My family starts arriving this Friday morning for Christmas so it is a hectic week. 

 How are you all managing the chaos?

Mac store here I come.

Friends, how was your weekend?  Ours was great. We visited friends on Saturday where we played in the pool, at the park (this is Jake's name for play structures in backyards) then feasted on delicious BBQ and wine.  Of course there was great conversation with other adults!! Whoo hoo...
Sunday we spent the day working on our backyard reno. I think I'll be able to show some good before/after pics soon, so stay tuned.  Dinner was at the Spaghetti factory with my mom and dad in law followed by a stroll in the fantastic Brainy Zoo toy store.  We picked up washable paint and brushes for the boys.
Today has been off to a rough start.  My computer is giving me grief and I've been online for 2 hours trying to "fix it".  Mac store here I come.

As you can see the boys had a great weekend.  It's great to have a friend who is also a photographer because he seems to capture a moment better than myself. Thanks again Mike!

* all photos courtesy of Mike Gellerman Photography found here.

Wake up it's Monday

Mondays are hard.  If you know me, you'll often here me say that I spend Mondays recovering from my weekend.  Since I am a SAHM, I find it funny I am like this.  I have a lot planned for today and I will hope do it all.

This weekend was low key.  The hubs wasn't feeling good since he completed his 7th round of chemotherapy on Friday.  I was proud of him for taking it easy and listening to his body that clearly wanted sleep.  While the hubs slept, the boys and I played outside on Saturday.  Our play was interrupted by the growing number of wasps feeding on our grass.  Due to this, the hubs sprayed wasp spray on Sunday that kills the protein the wasps feed on.  By the afternoon, all the wasps were still around. Hmmm.. Any suggestions?

Sunday night we had a BBQ, our first at our new house, crazy I know but we've been busy.  I made, marinated the chicken while the hubs BBQ'd it.  It was sooo good.
The chicken was served with Whole Corn and Goat Cheese Salad.

Balsamic Dijon Chicken
Ingredients:
2 chicken breast, 6 thighs (without bones) all organic
1/3 cup of olive oil
1/4 cup of balsamic vinaigrette
1 tablespoon of Grey Poupon
4 cloves of garlic chopped
4 stems of Rosemary
a pinch of salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper

Combine all ingredients, then pour over the chicken (either in a dish or plastic bag) and marinate for up to 4 hours.

Boiled Corn
In a large pot, fill half of the pot with water
Add a pinch of salt
Cook on high until water boils
Drop in corn for about 2 minutes and it's done.
Serve warm

Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients:
5 oz. of Goat Cheese
4 handfuls of Organic Mixed Greens
1/3 cup of red onion (thinly sliced)
1 cup of tomatoes (I prefer cherry)
add more veggies you like. For example, I used half of a avocado, and a cup of chopped asparagus.
Sourdough Bread (cut up the bread and then broil in the oven for a couple of minutes - be sure to keep on eye on the bread so it doesn't burn)

Dressings:
Microwave Goat Cheese in a bowl for 30 sec. to 1 min.
Then mix with balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil
Pour over salad and toss together.

Happy Eating friends!
How was your weekend?  Make anything yummy?

manic monday

Do you remember the song, Manic Monday by the Bangles? 

 I think of it often when I am waking up on Mondays and just want to stay in bed.  As a mom, I am not afforded that option but that's okay, I have my coffee to wake me up.  

How was your weekend?  We had a lovely weekend relaxing and enjoying the outdoors with our sons.  My mom arrived late Friday evening and we've been having a great time.  I am overjoyed to have her as are my sons.  Jake goes to her door every morning and lays on the floor waiting for her to wake up, it is a sweet sight.  I wish she lived closer so we could spend more time together!

This weekend was also a productive one because we had workers gutting our backyard.  When we moved into our home seven months ago the backyard had weeds 6-8 feet high, crumbled concrete and dirt.  We are finally getting around to phase one of our backyard redesign which equals new concrete {stained & stamped}, grass, plants, flowers and a organic garden of veggies & herbs {the little guys will have a hand in this}.  Here is our backyard when we moved in.

Here is what is to be done.  What do you think?  I'll post more pics soon on the progress made on the backyard!

 

a lazy day

This weekend I want to grab my bike and this adorable Kate Spade picnic basket and head to the park.  My boys and I will indulge in crackers topped with yummy cheeses and some dark chocolate while sipping pink lemonade.  

After our yummy snacks we'll go fly a kite or two and run around enjoying the sunny spring day. 

What are your weekend plans?  Any lazy days ahead?

{images found here}

no way, it's already tuesday....

The fam and I had a great weekend.  I hope you did too.  The men worked on the courtyard on Saturday. The boys loved helping dad dig in the dirt to make way for the plants.

{The boys playing digging away}

While the men were hard at work I was being pampered with a haircut and color at my local salon, Hoshall's. It was blissful. I read loads of magazines, drank cucumber water (sooo refreshing) and relaxed in the serene setting.

On Sunday we spent quality time together.  First we started the morning off with......

{I heart my chalkboard}

I recently purchased The Pioneer Woman Cookbook and knew instantly I had to make the French Breakfast Puffs. They are yum! Next time, I am gonna make them as mini muffins so they'll be easier to gobble down. My husband kept saying how great they'd be with a chocolate dipping sauce. Although that would put these under a dessert vs. breakfast. No?

After breakfast we took a walk in our neighborhood and enjoyed the scenery, Folsom Lake. The lake is a bit low right now but she's sure to fill up come Summer time.

The boys loved seeing the horse. She was beautiful, friendly and made giant poops. 

The boys were in awe of them. 

The boys loved finding the different sticks and stones. 

Jake would grab his binoculars to investigate the dirt, it was hilarious!

That's the dish for Tuesday, more to come this week!

A day already gone

It's Monday at 3:44 pm and I am still in my PJ's. At least my boys are dressed, right? Mondays are always my recovery day from the weekend. This weekend we had a great time.
Friday took it easy.
Saturday, a baby shower for Laura then a late night with friends.
Sunday, fun again with friends and a trip to Toys that Teach and the Old Spaghetti Factory.

{Jake and Dad in the caboose at the OSF}

How was your weekend?