Year of the Twentieth

Last year was the year of the twentieth for us. Not the anniversary of this blog, but the anniversary of 20 years of marriage. For some reason after long days away from this space I always feel the need to explain where I have been. This is a milestone in our marriage and considering the year we had before we just wanted to enjoy and experience it all. It's kept us incredibly busy with many experiences. I may share snippets of that here and not necessarily in chronological order.

First off we've moved, and while I thought I'd never miss LA, which I really don't, I have concluded I am an Angeleno, maybe a westside Angeleno, but one, none the less. So I look at the image above and smile, even if it's really because I'm not stuck in that crazy traffic anymore.

I want to get back to posting just because I like an image or a trip or something I made or somewhere I ate without the pressure of creating this GREAT post. This is my space to be free with my own creativity. I have enjoyed immediacy of Instagram and the lack of having to write something long or meaningful. Just small edited snippets of life. So this space may become that as well. We shall see, this is a start.

Mindless Monday: Orange Dreamsicles

It's Hot. I'm done with the heat, are you SoCal peeps? Is it raining in your region of the world? Can you send some of it our way, we so need rain here. The humidity bodes well for a rainy winter, so hopefully that really happens.

This weekend was beyond hot. and hardly anyone has air conditioning on the Westside, they all think we get ocean breezes. Uhmm no, I'm 10 blocks away, with multiple buildings blocking my breeze. Seriously SB and I couldn't wait to get into our car just to put the AC on. Getting ready for a meeting or going out to eat was miserable, dripping sweat and make-up is no bueno.

Something had to be done so I decided to make yogurt popsicles. Did your mom ever make these for you growing up, mine did all the time. I have to tap her brain for what she put into them. However for me the questions was, "what did i have in my refrigerator?" Yogurt, check. Left over sweet condensed milk, from my last popsicle trial, check. Oranges and lemons, check. I decide I wanted an Orange Dreamsicle. This was the easiest recipe EVER.

2 cups yogurt (I used Vanilla, next time maybe i'd try Greek plain yogurt)

1/3 cup sweet condensed milk

Zest of one Orange

Mix and pour into your popsicle molds and freeze overnight. Seriously the mixture was so good I was dreaming about these till the next day when I could eat them and I almost ate them for breakfast, I mean it's the equivalent of orange juice, right? These were easy to make and a welcome little treat. Too bad today I'm starting a 2 week NO SUGAR kick. How will I ever make this happen! Happy Monday.

Mindless Monday

It's the beginning of another busy week for me with not much time for this space. While I work away to get caught up on real life work, I miss this creative outlet and wish I had more time to dedicate here.

Summer has been busy and fulfilling, lots of travel and outings. I've thoroughly enjoyed them all. Today I wish I was outside at the beach instead of in my office typing away. I long for the summer breaks from school when you had nothing to worry about other than getting the perfect suntan and where you were going to eat or what movie you were going to watch. Here's to dreaming on a Monday!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Where have you been oh Tanya, well it's been a needed not necessarily welcome break. But as they say, "absence makes the heart grow fonder." I feel the creativity bursting inside. The Fall season has been one of my favorite times of year, but I've barely just started to enjoy it.  Why the absence you may ask, maybe only the two readers that are left are even asking. But here it goes.

When all seemed to be returning to normal for us, during an extremely busy year, is when you suddenly get hit with things that are just unfathomable. This is what happened at the end of August, in the middle of a class that me and SB were attending we ended up in the hospital that evening. SB had complications from a surgery 8 years ago which decided to wreak havoc on us. Two surgeries later and 7 total weeks in the hospital found us "crushed and broken." We've tried to find a new rhythm and adjust accordingly. Learning "modesty" with our selves, being fully aware of our limitations, and succumbing to those is extremely hard and humbling. But the dark road we were on always had patches of sunlight. These spots of light came from us drawing closer together, a timely call, or a text or visit from a friend and family. We even found things to laugh at, just imagine the hallucinations that come to those drugged up on all kinds of things. Can you say "giant marshmallows." Prayer kept us sane and we knew we were being heard. Just when you were at a low point a card would come in the mail with thoughts of warmth and caring from so many dear ones. So I'm slowly getting myself back in gear, so i hope to be in the space more in the coming weeks and share a bit more.

For now I eat cookies and drink coffee for breakfast, well only sometimes. In my attempt to fatten up SB i've been backing a lot.  Hopefully Ill have some good recipe's to share with you. For now enjoy a welcome day off here in America.