Flash from the past!!!

So - this morning I get an email that I've been tagged in a photo. I click on the link, sign in and voila'..............................
I have never seen this photo before. My friend Linda put it on her Facebook page.

This is Oct. of my freshman year at LHS - Homecoming. It's weird when I think about it, cuz I wasn't even 14 here yet. I turned 14 a week later. Such a flashback!!!!

The woes of walking in whatcom county

Last week a sort of neighbor friend and I decided to start walking. Well, I decided to start walking with her - she's in great shape and very disciplined! We walked Tues and Wed and I was sore! Pitiful I know - but a reality. Since then, the weather has not been conducive to walking. I don't mind a little drizzle or wind - but seriously...............................

If you'll recall - I hate exercise.............especially in bad weather. Today, it's not raining right this minute, but we have our meeting with our CPA to get our taxes done in about 1 1/2 hrs, so I'm off and running to my office to get together some last minute notes - wish this running counted as exercise - I'd be in great shape!!

Finally!

We had planned to take Brandon and Alex out to the islands on Saturday if the weather cooperated - and it DID!! Alex is from Alabama, so we wanted to show him one of the gems of the Pacific NW - Sucia Island, and the San Juans.

Captain Randy - Happy to be out in the boat again! (Pardon the cheezy grin!)
Our friend Katie came along for the day - she always adds great conversation and lots of laughter!! :-)
Leaving the Marina.....................
Nothing like a campfire overlooking the ocean! Perfect day!
We had lunch, the guys kayaked, we snacked, laughed, visited, had some great conversation, and enjoyed God's beautiful creation! It always amazes me that God cared enough for us to give us beautiful places to enjoy - to HIM be the glory for the gorgeous place we live!
On the way back, Randy had Alex captain the boat. He loves having people try out the captains chair and showing them the ropes!

Back to reality - and weather not suitable for boating! This week's forecast is NOT looking stellar, so I guess I have Saturday's memories to live off of! Brandon is back at college and our household is down to 3 and quiet again - I already miss him!

Spring Break fun & a new recipe!

This week Brandon has been home for Spring Break. He brought his friend Alex who is from Alabama, and we have been having fun. I've been busy in the kitchen - but I LOVE it!

Alex had said that he loves salmon and we informed him that if he hadn't had Salmon from the Pacific NW, then he hadn't had salmon. So, last night we fired up the new grill and did marinated shrimp, salmon and some chicken. Brandon and his friends were outside playing Bocce ball while waiting for dinner and I was loving the evening (besides that fact that it was so warm and sunny!!) We had our friends Katie, Dan & Marla too - so the house was rumbling with activity - LOVE IT! I've decided that I have a 6th love language (if you've read the book it says there are 5), and it is "spontaneous parties"!!!
I love how college kids are so appreciative of home cooked goodness!!
Blackberry pie for dessert................
And, as I made these rolls I decided this is a MUST share recipe for the blog. These are rolls that are a combination biscuit/roll - they are awesome and great leftover for lunches!!

Heavenly Dinner Rolls

1 pkg yeast (about 2 1/2 tsp)
1/8 c warm water
2 c. milk
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. sugar
4+ c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Microwave milk and shortening together for about 2 min and shortening begins to melt, then add to water/yeast (ensure it's not too hot or it will kill the yeast-it should be about the same temp as your wrist), stir in sugar and 2 cups of the flour and mix well. Cover and let rise for 2 hours (at this point I don't even cover it, I just leave it in the mixing bowl and walk away). After 2 hours, add baking powder & soda, salt and enough of the flour to form a soft, yet slightly sticky dough. At this point you can cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days, punching down each day or you can use right away. Turn onto floured surface. Roll dough 1/2" thick and cut with a biscuit cutter. Let rise for 30 min. Bake at 350 for 10-15 min, or until lightly browned. Makes about 20-24 rolls
You HAVE to try these! FABULOUS!!

The finished project

Well, as finished as it's going to be until we save up for the last item.
This is the spot where the "Big Green Egg" will go someday. If you don't know about these, go here: www.biggreenegg.com
These things are awesome! Our friends Dan and Marla have one and it does an awesome job with a piece of meat. It's a ceramic barbeque and it gets hot and you can keep it hot for a LONG time. It's great for making pizzas, rustic breads, etc. They have a whole cookbook for it and I will definitely be getting that with it!
Now, I just need to add a few great pots of plants and we'll be ready! The cushions on my chairs around the table need to be redone!! I've looked into buying new cushions, but YIKES, you might as well buy a new set! Seriously new cushions are a fortune, unless someone has a tip for me where to look. My friend Julie said she would help me sew new ones, but she has a wedding in May and doesn't have time for a big project like that right now. Any suggestions? Any websites? Come on by anytime for a sit on the back porch - I hear you can get a really GOOD latte' here!! :-)

He did it!

So - Saturday evening we're sitting with our company enjoying delicious steaks from our new barbeque and two single headlights come buzzing down the driveway! I clued in instantly...................he bought one!!!! :-0

Yep - he did it! Nathan bought a motorcycle. Of course Craig and Randy were drooling all over the thing and I TRIED to be positive!

Could his smile be any bigger?
Get the man some leather and he's set to go..........................?!?!
I know I still owe you some outdoor kitchen pictures - this just seemed like bigger news! Just another prayer request added to my list......................

Ahhhhh

This morning I got up with one agenda..................to have my morning latte' on the patio. I swept, wiped down furniture, etc. , turned on my favorite Chris Botti CD (if you don't know his music it's a shame!!),turned on the fireplace outside, grabbed my new Food & Wine magazine and made my latte' (the indulgent one), AHHHHH
I enjoyed my FIRST latte', and then about 11:00 Marla came by and I HAD to have a second one!!! :-)

Now it's 1:00 and I'm sitting outside blogging (since my friend Traci reminded me that lap tops were made to use from comfortable spots, NOT desks - thanks Traci!).......................hmmm, I probably should get in the shower and get something done since we're having a barbeque with friends tonight to break in the new kitchen. I will post pics of the final product and first official barbeque.

Randy is up on Ski Patrol today, Brandon came home last night from college for Spring Break with a friend from Alabama (no not a girlfriend - a guy friend), Emily is in the shower, Nathan is motorcycle shopping (YIKES - just what this mom needs!), tomorrow we'll all have lunch together, and all is right with the world!!

The Craft and Antique Show

That's where I've been. Grandiflora decided to have a booth this year (the first time in 8 years!!) and Wed., I helped a bit with prep and then yesterday was a long day as I helped at the Craft Show and also did my regular job in between. About a 10 hour day yesterday, but it's so fun to be around all those happy ladies shopping...........................

.....these ladies were among some of the first in the door - of course!! This is my friend Holly with her friends Linda and I'm terrible, but I can't remember the name of her other friend!! I met a lot of people yesterday so I'm afraid there are a lot of names rolling around in my head.
Here are a couple pics of the booth - the girls did such a nice job, and the booth is so bright and Springy (I know that's not a word - it's just the one I needed!).
The barbeque and fridge go in the outdoor kitchen today and Randy says he's going to plant those trees today - I guess we're not going to start a trend! I was ready to patten the idea of "Re-arrangeable Landscaping"!

Tomorrow - pics of the finished projects (well, as finished as their going to get right now - no more mon - no more fun!)

Have a great day!!

Next project

Last week I told you I saw my husband coming down the driveway with a trailer full of trees - he has been wanting some trees forever!! We both feel like our house looks like it was dropped on the middle of 2 acres and it desperately needs some bigger trees!

Mind you, we've never really stayed in a house long enough to see trees get big, or our landscaping mature, but I'm hoping maybe this time we will!
When I opened the door to take pictures, Max ran outside - and he was scared to death of the 4-wheeler. Randy picked him up and put him in the wheelbarrow for a ride and right after I snapped this picture - Max jumped right out the back! We're lucky he didn't break his legs - that's a long way down!
After Randy set the trees around, he would sit and look at them for a while(I know the pic is dark - but I just had to show you) and then go move them around some more. I told him classical music would've helped inspire him!! This morning he was back out there moving them around again. Maybe he won't plant them and we'll start a new trend of landscaping you can rearrange! :-).
The outdoor kitchen is painted, tiled, grouted and waiting for the drop in barbeque that is coming on Thursday. I'm waiting to post pics of it done - I don't want to string you guys along too much - it'll lose the excitement!!

Have a great day - enjoy the sunshine - there's more coming! We are having friends for dinner on Sat. night to "christen" the new barbeque! Can't wait! Saturday is supposed to be 63 and sunny - make your plans now!!

I shouldn't have...........

.....but I did! This week I had to run to Cash and Carry and gave in to sin. I've only purchased this twice before in the last few years - and I just couldn't resist. This makes the BEST, most indulgent latte's you've ever had! Of course, a latte' requires 3 Tbsp of this fabulous powder and that comes in at a whopping 160 calories and 13 grams of fat!!! OUCH!!!
This would be why I don't usually buy it! So,if you ever want to try it, give me a call - tell you what - I'll even deliver, or you can come sit on my patio and try it out by the fireplace!! :-)

If I start wearing sweat pants everywhere and you see me - maybe you could lovingly suggest I not buy this sweet stuff again! But for now -

AHHHHH!!!

Project progress

Here are a few more pics of the progress of our current project...............



I filled the nail holes this morning and Randy is Painting it this afternoon, and says he wants to grout yet today too! Is he a driven man or what?!?! I'm so blessed - I will say, "he's a project finisher"!!

Bring on Barbeque season and evenings on the patio!

Today is just a putz around the house and get some things done. So far *cleaned out fridge and threw out all growing things!
*washed fronts of all cabinets
*laundry
*dusting
*coffee with Hubby!

Oh yeah, that reminds me............I just looked up and saw hubby coming down the driveway with a trailer full of trees for the yard. He's busy as a bee - It's like someone lit a fire under him! You don't thing he'd sell the house without asking me do you? HMMM!

It's officially a project

On Monday Randy started in on the next big project here at Korthuis Manor (yes there's lot's of landscaping still begging to be done, but that will be a constant project for a while with 2 acres).

When we built our house we had the back porch designed to have an outdoor kitchen someday..........................someday is here......................sort of.

We're going to go as far as we can without spending much money and then we will purchase items as we have money available.

Here is the beginning stage..........................
Now, if you know my husband at all, you know that the project has progressed quite far already - he's a driven work horse, but I can't post all the pictures at once because I need blogging material!! :-)

More to come - now we just need spring - AND NO MORE WIND!!!!! (I was up at 12:30 this morning making sure all the furniture was secure outside)

Fun night last night with friends, food, and scrapbooking. Never can get enough of these moments. Of course I don't have pics because I was enjoying myself too much! Thanks girls for all the laughs and swapping of "middle aged woes"!! :-)

Spam and Cheese

Yes, I said SPAM!! Come on - admit it - you like it! Actually, I've only ever eaten it one way and that is "spam and cheese buns".

Growing up my mom mixed grated spam with grated cheddar cheese and finely minced onion (she would leave onions off mine - bless her heart!) and broiled it on leftover buns. Then, when we were first married we were at friends for coffee one Sunday night and had a "new" version of this recipe................and I was hooked!!

The new version is our family favorite now - it's awesome with tomato soup.

SPAM AND CHEESE BUNS
1 can spam/grated
2 c. grated cheddar
1 8oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
Mix well, and spread thickly on english muffins (you don't toast them or do anything to them, just cut 'em open and spread it on). I usually buy the lg bag of english muffins at Safeway - I think it's 10 - so 20 halves and it works out perfectly. You can also mix it up and keep in fridge for a few days and make them as you eat them.
Place on cookie sheets and broil until lightly golden brown.
I love to make a batch of these up to put in the freezer when I go out of town. I put 2 per sandwich baggie and they can grab them and heat them up at lunch time. Awesome lunch option!!
This is something I make to take to small group, or when I need to bring an appetizer - they get wiped out - kids especially love them!

I hope you will try them - they sound a little odd - but aren't those usually the best recipes?!?

Life lessons

Last week we were blessed to spend 5 days in Palm Springs (thanks Debbie and Marty!!).

We headed out EARLY Tuesday morning with Emily and her friend Sarah (wonderful BFF Marla chauffeured us at o'dark thirty!!!)
and hopped on Allegiant in Bellingham direct flight to Palm Springs.

We arrived in PSP about 11AM and Marty picked us up at the airport. He and Debbie own a spot at Outdoor Resorts and they have a beautiful 5th wheel parked on it, along with great outdoor furniture and beautiful pots of flowers. They let us use their Honda Element that they leave down there, so we were all set!
Here's where the life lessons come in........................this is a HUGE resort, about 1200 spots! It's a small city. It's obviously full of middle aged to "God's waiting room" aged people and as I watched these people come and go I saw something VERY CLEARLY!

IF I DON'T TAKE CARE OF IT NOW - IT ISN'T GOING TO MOVE VERY GOOD LATER!!!! Seriously - there were people that I reckoned lived their lives like me - hating exercise!! And then there were people playing tennis, riding bikes, walking, etc. and they were having fun!

So - what does this life lesson mean?!? ......................for now I don't know....................but something HAS TO CHANGE...............stay tuned!

More vacation pics to come.