It's official...

After finishing my Masters program in mid-March, I finally got my diploma in the mail yesterday. I guess these things take four months...

Anyway, it's official now. Woo-hoo!

Holy Productive Day!

I'm amazed at all the running around I did today. So much so that I'm making a list of all the places I went (because it's a lot):

Doctor's Office
Einstein Bagels
Walmart (on 135th)
Bed, Bath, & Beyond
Dick's Sporting Goods
Bank
Library (on 87th)
Supply Closet
Dollartree (on 87th)
Home (for lunch)
Michaels
Library (on Black Bob)
Mardel
School
Walmart (on Metcalf)
JoAnn's
Dollartree (on 151st)
Target
School
Home

Yes, that would be 20 places. I don't EVEN want to know how many miles I put on my car today!

Wow, I can't believe it...

Larry Schnackenberg has been found alive.

http://www.kmbc.com/news/24429447/detail.html

Missing Person - please see link below

I went to college with the daughter of this man. I can't imagine what her family is going through right now. If you have any knowledge to his whereabouts, please call the Lenexa police at 913-477-7301 or the TIPS hot line at 816-474-TIPS.

http://www.kctv5.com/news/24194733/detail.html

Sixteen

What is the number of toads the hubby and I saw jumping across the sidewalk on our walk tonight...

Currently Eating: The Perfect Sandwich

Whole wheat bread with fat-free cream cheese, dill, turkey, pepperjack cheese, goat cheese, spinach, and guacamole. Mmmm!!!

13 out of 100 (KC's Best Restaurants)

*I'm adding Blanc!

BB's Lawnside BBQ
Blanc Burgers & Bottles
Blue Koi
Blue Nile
Fritz's
Garozzo's
JP Wine Bar
Manny's
Minsky's Pizza
Nick & Jake's
One80
Thai Place
Zest

Happy 1 Year Anniversary!

It's hard to believe that exactly one year ago at this time, I was getting ready to have my hair and make up done for the best day of my life. Many people say your wedding day will go by so fast and that you will hardly remember everything. The day DID go by in a flash, however I was able to step back and take in everything. I happen to be blessed (or cursed...depends on how you look at it) with an extraordinary memory. Because of this, I remember my special day quite vividly.

I remember:

• Not sleeping at all the night before because I was so excited and nervous
• Finally getting out of bed around 6:00 AM because I knew I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. After being awake for about an hour, Diane woke up and we went to Panera together. She told everyone we ran into "My friend is getting married today!"
  
• Crying for no reason at all while getting my make up done.
• Looking into the mirror in the bridal suite at Berg and feeling beautiful
  
• Seeing James for the first time...in the alley outside the elevator doors
• Walking down the aisle and seeing the smiling faces of my wonderful friends and family
• The amazing spread of food...and realizing that the macaroni and cheese bar was worth every pretty penny we spent on it.
• The stress of trying to get around and say hi to everyone
• Cutting the cake...we had no idea what we were doing
  
• Our first dance ("When You Say Nothing At All" - Keith Whitley
  
• The crowded dance floor during "Jump On It"
• Showing up at our gorgeous hotel room at The Raphael...and then realizing I didn't have my overnight bag: no toothbrush, no face wash (washing layers of MAC make up off with hotel soap is pretty painful), no change of clothes, no sexy wedding night lingerie...somehow I didn't let it bother me and we ended up having a great night regardless.

It was an amazing day and every day since has been another memory to add to the books. Happy anniversary, Baby. I love you!

Cooking

It's so hard for me to believe that I have become a person who enjoys cooking (and is good at it). Eight years ago, I was the girl who could make mac & cheese and ramen...and that was about it. I had a phobia of raw meat and wouldn't go near it. Over the years, I've come a very long way. Now, not only can I follow a recipe...I've become someone who can create. This pleases me.

This morning, I made Russian Crepes for James and myself. A couple years ago, before I got married, my students threw me a recipe shower. I got this recipe from one of my kids...a super sweet Russian boy. I'm not exactly sure how this recipe differs from just regular French crepes, but I do know this....they're delicious!

Here's the recipe, if you want to give it a try. They're really easy!

Ingredients:

3 eggs
2 tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups milk
1 cup flour
2-3 tbsp. olive oil

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix with a whisk. Batter will be runny.
2. Cook in a skillet or griddle in the same manner as you would pancakes. They will cook considerably faster than a regular pancake, since they're so thin.
3. Serve with your choice of topping. The recipe from my student recommends sour cream, honey, maple syrup, or jam. James and I like to put cream cheese and blueberry syrup in ours. I think they would also be really good with fresh fruit.

I also add vanilla extract and cinnamon to my batter. Hope you enjoy these as much as we have!

Busy Summer

It's really hard for me to believe that it's already July. It seems like my summer break just started but now it's already halfway over. Here have been some highlights of my summer:

• Colorado Trip - Over Memorial weekend, we road-tripped out to Green Mountain Falls, CO for my niece's high school graduation. It was a nice weekend with the family full of good eats and karaoke. We were also lucky to get to see Braden and Diane while we were there. Good times.

• Girls Weekend at Table Rock Lake - Earlier in June, I went out to Table Rock with 7 super fun girls. We spent all day everyday either laying out on the dock or out on the boat. I tried water skiing for the first time, which was hilarious to watch, I'm sure.

• Concert in Chicago - A couple weekends ago, I went to Chicago with my friend Lisa to see the Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban, and the Eagles. The concert itself was the best I've ever been to. I've always been a HUGE Dixie Chicks fan and this is the first time I've seen them live since 1992 (pre-Natalie). I also really enjoyed Keith Urban and the Eagles. We rest of the trip had many hilariously random moments that will forever be remembered.

• 4th of July weekend - This Sunday will mark my 1 year anniversary to my wonderful husband, James. We're going to spend our 4th at the beautiful Raphael hotel down on the plaza. I can't wait!