Good bye Ox, hello Tiger!

Wow, this was one crazy year with many ups and downs for everyone. As
I wait for dinner at the Geisha House and ring in the new year
watching some magical fireworks over the happiest place on earth I
cAn't help but be thankful for everything we have at this moment! I
hope we can say goodbye to all the bad moments of 2009 and hope 2010
brings us all prosperity in love, happiness, incomes, and laughter!

Linda

Finally coming clean...

Dear anyone who still somewhat comes here,

I'm sorry I've been soo horrible the last three months and not writing at all in here. You see, I've been kinda busy sleeping and resting. At the moment there's a little energy sucker who is residing somewhere in my abdomen. Luckily it's finally learning not to steal all my energy as much and I'm finally able to keep my eyes open longer and not feel like I just ran a half marathon when I just walked twenty steps from my car to the couch. Now that we finally passed the first trimester, I can finally spread the news and blog again.

Thank you for being so patient and sticking around! I pinky swear I will once again start blogging regularly! Oh, how I've missed this!

Hugs,

LMP

P.S. I finally fixed the nastiness linkage problems on the blog...

Just a little upkeep

While it's 85 degrees outside, I'm inside dreaming of winter. Right now our room looks like this:


When winter nights hit, we will freeze freeze because the down blanket we've been getting away will with will only heat us up so much. I think it will be time to pull out the comforter. This is the beauty that's been catching my eye:


Source

Do you change out your linens to suit for cooler temps?

Clean Up

I am happy to report I finally cleaned our computer area in our media room. This is what it looked like before I got to it:



Papers all over the place, things stacked on top of each other. No place to sit... this is hardly a work space. After an hour of sorting and sifting, I finally got it to a place where I can finally not twitch every time I pass by it.

Turkey Meatloaf w/ sauteed Spaghetti Squash Recipes

Turkey Meatloaf (serves 6)

1.25 lbs ground lean turkey
1 egg
1/8 cup bread crumbs
1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp Seasoning Salt
1 tsp Paprika
1.5 tbsp water
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven 350°F.
2. Mix ingredients together
3. Spray cupcake pan and place mix into cups.
4. Bake for 40 minutes, until golden brown.

Serve with a touch of BBQ sauce for an extra little kick!


Sauteed Butter Herb Spaghetti Squash

1 small Spaghetti squash
1 tablespoons I can't believe it's not butter
1 tablespoons finely chopped mixed soft herbs, such as basil, chives, parsley and sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven 375°F.
2. Cut squash down in half and with a spoon, take out the seeds.
3. Lightly spray it Pam and place on pan in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, or until brown. (goes faster in a toaster oven).
4. Once baked, set it aside to cool.
5. In a pan, heat up the rest of the ingredients
6. When able to touch it, using a fork or spoon, gently pull the strands of squash away from the peel and place the squash strands into the pan.
7. Toss squash around to get coated.
8. Serve immediately or cover to keep warm.

Results:




Nutrition
Turkey Meatloaf (Per Serving)



Sauteed Butter Herb Spaghetti Squash (Per Serving)

Trail Mix

We're big snackers at the planner household. While at the farmer's market, the hubby asked if we could get fruit for trail mix. We bought some apples and bananas, and used the peaches we already had at the house. After cutting everything up we put them in the dehydrater. This is one of our favorite random kitchen gadgets! After 12+ of waiting, everything was done. Once we took everything off the racks, we packaged it up in small little baggies. Also in the trail mix is our homemade granola, serving of almonds (salted), a few chocolate chips, a few peanut butter chips, and a small pinch of walnuts.








Ohhh sooo good! Do you make snacks at home?

Honey-Balsamic Chicken Recipe

If you're looking for something super easy to make in advance, this is a good one!

Honey-Balsamic Chicken

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
12 oz of lean chicken breast (about 4 chicken cutlets)
A few dashes of Poultry Seasoning, Seasoning Salt
1 Garlic clove (minced)



1. Mix wet ingredients together with garlic
2. Place chicken in pan and season it.
3. Pour mixture on top of chicken and cover it. Let it sit overnight.
4. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375°F and bake fore 20 minutes (or until brown).

This goes great with sauteed veggies or sweet potatoes!

Outcome:


Nutrition
Honey-Balsamic Chicken (per serving)

Random facts

It's been a while since i posted some random facts about lil 'ol me so here goes:

I've begun planning another big vacation. Between now and when we actually go on said trip I think we will have gone on two other small trips. :)

On my desk are tickets to Knott's Scary Farm. I've been there 9 years, and will be going my 10th time!

I currently have 15 magazines at home I haven't touched.

My favorite NEW show this summer was The Colony. We LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!

This weekend is the annual garage clean up. During this time, all seven boxes (yes 7!) of Halloween goodies will be brought down from the rafters!

I'm in desperate need to a closet clean up. I keep adding things but have yet to take things out to give away

My favorite shoes in the world are a pair of 5 inch heels. They are soo comfy! Kudos to Michael Kors on the designing them!

Second favorite pair are black flip flops

I've sketched out 5 different landscape designs for the backyard. I can't wait till it's December so we can start the remodel!!!

I love to read my Google reader while I'm working out.

I get anxiety when I don't have a lunch made for work the night before. It's the OCD in me!

Have a fabulous Thursday!!!

To Do List before Oct 09 -- Update #1

This month is a cooking to-do list.

1. Cook 30 meals (includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner) -- 22 meals!!!
2. Post 10 homemade recipes --2 posted, 4 more ready to post
3. Use 10 new ingredients -This didn't really happen. I will move this till next month
4. Crack open recipe books and cook from each of them at least once -- I choose to look online for inspirations
5. Re-organize kitchen cabinets (it's a thing to do every 6 months) 6 down, 6 to go!

Off the Rack and Into my Closet

Lately I've been buying some pieces to fit into my wardrobe. One thing I love about fall are the colors. I'm not talking about reds and browns, I'm talking deep purples and greys. With my first swing at using polyvore, here are some things I want to rip off the screen and toss into my closet!

lmp1 by lilmissplanner featuring Anthropologie

Included are a few staples of mine: leather jacket, handbag, and killer heels! You know I love my heels. The taller the better I say!

Have you started to update your wardrobe yet and ifso, what is your favorite new thing?

Another event to add to the calendar...

I'm one of those people who LOVE LOVE LOVE to have an active calendar. Every weekend has some sort of event or party on it. When days come around where we are home alone we cherish it. In any case, I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting things to do. One of the things the hubby and I said we wanted to do is go to some holiday performance. Okay, the hubby is just going along with it but I know the one I found will be an extra special treat!



At the Disney Concert hall, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from NOLA are performing a Creole Christmas! We saw them during Christmas time two years ago right after we got engaged. We sat on the floor and clapped to the music. We laughed with our fellow guests and took in the history of this place. It was one of the best evenings on the trip.

I know this is a few months away but I love the idea of starting off our holiday vacation with something like this.

photo source

Making a Difference --The Challenged Athlete's Foundation

I have this incredible friend named Marc. If I had to define him in one word, it'd be athlete and not of his disability. I met him years and years ago when we worked together. One day he came into my office and asked me if I wanted to go for a bike ride. I figured since I had no life at the time and I was riding a few times a week, it would be a fun time. We rode along the beach, me on my dad's mountain bike, him on his handcycle. What started as a one time ride, quickly grew to a obsession on being on the road. His love for it made me want to branch out and try to break other boundaries. That's how I started running.

When I started pushing myself, he did the same. He branched out and bought a racing wheelchair and competed at the LA Marathon. From there, he had this insane idea he wanted to do go to Kona, the Ironman Championships. So, he jumped in the pool and started to swim. Months went by and he competed in his first half Ironman and placed, cementing a spot at Kona. That fall, he competed in Kona. Last year, The Challenged Athlete's Foundation saw how amazing and inspiring Marc was and sponsored his third trip to compete at Ironman Kona. Since then, he's been trying to repay the favor and help raise money for this great organization.

Next month, he's going to compete in the San Diego Triathlon in hopes of raising money for young disabled athletes who can't afford the gear. Where a regular bike can cost just a few hundred, a handcycle can be up to $2,500. So, I'm asking for all your help. Please help my friend raise some money to for this great cause. Even if it's $10. Anything and everything will help!

DONATE NOW

Thanks!

Goodbye summer

Sitting at the Hollywood bowl with great friends. In LA, the
fireworks finale is the end of summer for us (the heat is still with
us). The philharmonic moves to the Disney Hall and the illusion of
fall is around us. For me, this is the best part of summer. Good
friends. Good drinks. Good music in the city I love!

Harvey Milk Day bill S 572

Normally I don't go into politics on here but I just was sent a petition to sign to Veto California Bill S572, also known as Harvey Milk Day. So, I decided to click to see what the petition said it was. This is what it basically reads:

Whereas, the effect of SB 572 is to openly teach children that homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality are good and natural and maybe for them;

WHAT? Seriously?

So I traipsed over to the bill and read it online for myself. NOTHING in this says they are teaching kids about homosexuality. Nothing says it will teach kids they should be gay. What it does say it will teach kids about a civil rights leader and his great influence on the 20th century. It also states that 4 other school days out of the year will be dedicated to other subjects:

John Muir Day (ecological conservation)

California Poppy Day (the importance of natural resources)

Teacher Day (about the profession of teaching)

Welcome home Vietnam Vets day (kinda like a second Veteran's Day).

Another thing to note is that this says it ENCOURAGES schools to observe them, so if you send your kid to some ultra conservative school, chances are your kid won't be coming home to tell you all about how a man named after dairy influenced many generations.

If you happen to see this petition floating out there, get the facts before you sign. It isn't what it reads. You might has well sign one for making facebook free too while you're at it!*

Btw, it was already passed by the Senate on May 14, 2009 and is awaiting approval by the Assembly before our beloved Govenator signs it into effect.

*i know facebook is free, this is a reference to the urban legend that will start charging one day.

To Do List before Oct 09

This month is a cooking to-do list.

1. Cook 30 meals (includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
2. Post 10 homemade recipes
3. Use 10 new ingredients
4. Crack open recipe books and cook from each of them at least once
5. Re-organize cabinets (it's a thing to do every 6 months)

Yup, that's about it...

Fake Quiche and Turkey Apple Sausage Recipes

Sometimes I just don't have time to cook full on meals. On those days, I revert to old home recipes like our fake quiche. It isn't really a quiche as it is a egg casserole but the hubby calls it fake quiche so i will too. While it's tasty on it's own, it needs something else, so I make Turkey Apple sausage to go with. YUM!!!


Fake quiche (serves 2)
1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded cheese
4 egg whites
2 whole eggs
3 slices of whole wheat bread
1/4 cup Fat free milk
1-2 cups asparagus (can substitute mushrooms or spinach --I used two cups)
1 tsp I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! spray
1 tsp of seasoning salt
1 clove of garlic

Preheat Oven 375
1. Pull out dish and spray and cover it with butter spray.
2. Slice up bread into little squares and toss into dish.
3. Mix the eggs and milk together.
4. Dice up your veggie of choice and add to egg mixture.
5. Add seasoning salt and garlic and mik one final time.
6. Pour mix on top of bread making sure everything is covered.
7. Add cheese to the top.
Into the oven for 30-40 minutes depending on the size of your dish. Pull out of oven when golden brown on top.


Turkey Apple Sausage (serves 2)

1/4 lb lean ground turkey
1/2 apple
1 tbsp agave syrup
1 dash of poultry seasoning
1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil
1 dash of cinnamon

1. Mix all items in a bowl.
2. Heat pan to med-high and spray lightly with Pam.
3. Make little sausage patties with your hands and place them in the pan.
4. Cook on both sides until done.

Outcome:

Nutrition:
Fake Quiche (per serving)


Turkey Apple Sausage (per serving)

Nothing left but lint in the pockets...

While enjoying the weekend we spent way too much on wine that we rationalized we needed desperately (don't ask how many cases we have now). Yesterday, while I told myself no more spending I found myself at a loss. With the brand new cable and internet at the house (we went from TWC to ATT Uverse), I couldn't figure out how to set up my bluetooth for my camera to wifi upload. So, what did I do? I bought a cable online. Well, with amazon.com, in order to get the free shipping i HAD to add something to the list. What did I add?


source
These cute babies! So, it has begun. I've made a timeline of each month I'll get a few pieces here and there and swap out my old stuff. Hopefully by New Year's, I'll be all decked out in Le Ceuset.

Now must hide my wallet at least for a few more weeks.

:)

Where's the fast forward button?

I'm not one to complain but can't this summer be over and done with? I miss cool and quiet nights were you can open the windows and all we'd hear is the fountain. Instead, we keep them shut to keep all the refrigerated air inside and the noise from the AC out. I'm done with tank tops and flip flops (okay, not really on the latter, i can't live without my flip flops). I'm ready to put those short skirts away and pull out my nice warm leggings and big comfy sweaters. As much as I adore wearing summer dresses 24/7, I'm willing to suck it up and bust out the Uggs and knee high boots.

Today's forecast:

During the day: High: 97 °F RealFeel®: 101 °F
At night: Low: 65 °F RealFeel®: 65 °F (only 65? uggh!)

So who's with me, who wants to help me overthrow this Indian summer and make fall come quicker then usual?

Things I want = Things I need

I'm totally rationalizing this post because well, I really really want them. T-minus 68 days till my bday and I'm already giving the hubby a list of things I want. On the top of my list is that shed I blogged about a while back. Now, adding to the list, there are a number of kitchen things I want:


Le Creuset 13 1/4" x 10 1/2" Stoneware Deep Dish Baker

Le Creuset 3-Quart Covered Square Baker

Le Creuset® Citrus Multicolor Prep Bowls (Set of 4)

Le Creuset® 10-Ounce Stoneware Mortar and Pestle - Cherry


and because this is ultra cool:

Le Creuset® 2-Quart Moroccan Tagines

Le Creuset 5 3/4-Quart Covered Oval Dish

Photo source
In the words of Rachel Zoe... I DIE!

just two more days of august left. Today we decided to escape the
triple digit heat and all the smoke and ash and live it up in Malibu.
Next to us is a surf class learning the basics. It makes me want
start surfing again.

I can't believe this year is heading into fall. Hooray for
Halloween, our second anniversary, our bdays and Christmas! Before
you know it, it'll be 2010!

back to today, I hope all of you are enjoying life as much as we are
right this moment!

Things to do before SEP 09 -- Update #3

1. Walk/Run 40 miles (21)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (12)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (50%)
4. Do one craft project (I'm going to make some things for the dinner table)
6. Work out more frequently and stop making excuses. (making an effort to walk more)
7. Make reservations for upcoming trips (done!!!)
8. Make 7 new meals/recipes I haven't made before. (So far: aug 4: egg pie, aug 12 cucumber slaw, aug 13: poached orange chicken, aug 16: plum torte & homemade granola)
9. Blog more frequently (not going so well)
10. Keeping up on the gardening. (going well)
11. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go. (need to do this one)
12. Go to a fair (done)
13. Host a dinner potluck and game night! (don't think this is going to happen since we're busy for the rest of the month... maybe september)

Homemade Granola

Learning to make new things at home is the name of the game. Last week I decided to try my hand in making granola. Seemed easy enough!

1.5 cups Oatmeal
1/4 cup of flax seed
1/4 cup of nonfat powered milk
1/2 cup of raisins
2 heaping tablespoons of Raw Agave Syrup or two long squirts from the bottle!

I just threw everything in the bowl, mixed it up, and then put it in the oven for at 300 for 20 minutes (mixing it at the 10 minute mark).

End result:


Super tasty and super easy!!! Totally eating it with my nonfat plain yogurt! :) What a great afternoon snack that is yummy and nutritious!

Well, there goes my writing...

Seriously... you'd think I fell off where the sidewalk ends!

I'm here... and though I have a bunch of things I've been cooking up, harvesting, and other fun activities, i just can't shake this anti-writing mood I've been in. I know I said I'd write so much more but I need to figure out how to turn my desire to write to actually...well, words on the screen.

So, beware, tomorrow I'm going to bombard you with lots of posts.

In the meantime, thanks for sticking around! You're a true blog friend!

~lmp

Random thoughts

~the weekend went by too fast for me. i need another two days.
~did i do anything of importance on the weekend? not really, other than try out a new recipe and plan my lunches for the week.
~finally went to the optometrist. i get to get glasses. yea
~i was sooo good about my caffeine addiction and then all of a sudden i fell off the wagon. one should not be able to drink an entire pot by themselves.
~dragging the hubby to the spinning class tonight. i secretly hope he struggles and i can finally beat him in something. i know... i should not wish torture on anyone but seriously, all the cycling i've done in my life and his lack of should give me some edge! :) yes, i'm that petty and competitive sometimes!
~bought some raw agave syrup. pretty tasty. i wonder what i can use it for?
~looking forward to this weekend. lots of fun things lined up! i love endless days at the spa!
~doesn't the title remind of you SNL? okay... it was called "deep thoughts by jack handy" but still makes me chuckle.

Things to do before Sep 09 -- Update #2

1. Walk/Run 40 miles (17)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (8)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (62%)
4. Do one craft project (I'm going to make some things for the dinner table)
6. Work out more frequently and stop making excuses. (making an effort to walk more)
7. Make reservations for upcoming trips (done!!!)
8. Make 7 new meals/recipes I haven't made before. (So far: aug 4: egg pie, aug 12 cucumber slaw, aug 13: poached orange chicken, aug 16: plum torte & homemade granola)
9. Blog more frequently (have 15 posts by the end of the month)
10. Keeping up on the gardening. (going well)
11. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go. (need to do this one)
12. Go to a fair (done)
13. Host a dinner potluck and game night! (don't think this is going to happen since we're busy for the rest of the month... maybe september)

Things to do before Sep 09 -- Update #1

1. Walk/Run 40 miles (12)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (6)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (62%)
4. Do one craft project (I'm going to make some things for the dinner table)
6. Work out more frequently and stop making excuses.
7. Make reservations for upcoming trips (done!!!)
8. Make 7 new meals/recipes I haven't made before. (So far: aug 4: egg pie, aug 12 cucumber slaw)
9. Blog more frequently (have 15 posts by the end of the month -- so far 4)
10. Keeping up on the gardening. (going well)
11. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go. (need to do this one)
12. Go to a fair (done)
13. Host a dinner potluck and game night!

New Posts on LMP Farm

Here's the link!

New Posts on LMP Farm

Here's the link!

Stalled...

My head that is. I feel like there is so much to talk about but really I can't find a voice to speak out. So this month I'm going to make an effort to jump start the creative juices in my head. I need to if I'm actually going to do any real writing in November for this. If you knew me personally, you'd know how much I love to write. One of my best friends is making me do this and if wasn't for him, I doubt I'd push myself to really follow through.

So in an effort, I will attempt to post daily with quality posts ranging from how-to's to recipes. I might even through in a some rambling posts like this one in there. So, with my camera all juiced up, and my desire growing within my heart to share, here I go, throwing myself into August ready to type till my fingers turn blue.

BTW... if I'm not posting here, I might be posting on my garden blog. I need to start posting more than just photos. Pictures are pretty but it's time I finally share how it really is going.

TTFN

LMP

Things to do before Sep 09

1. Walk/Run 40 miles (1)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (2)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (%)
4. Do one craft project (I'm going to make some things for the dinner table)
6. Work out more frequently and stop making excuses.
7. Make reservations for upcoming trips
8. Make 7 new meals/recipes I haven't made before. (So far: aug 4: egg pie)
9. Blog more frequently (have 15 posts by the end of the month -- sor far 2)
10. Keeping up on the gardening. ()
11. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go. (need to do this one)
12. Go to a fair
13. Host a dinner potluck and game night!

Things to do before Aug 09 -- Final Update

ya, i know, it's august and I'm a bad little blogger...


1. Walk/Run 40 miles (35)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (18)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (44% --not to shabby!)
4. Do one craft project (seriously? come on LMP! I can do better than this!)
6. Do one different type of exercise I haven't done in the last two months a minimum of once a week. (1.rock climbing, 2.nothing, 3.swimming, 4.Spinning, 5.wii active)
7. Lose 5lbs. (let's not talk about this... why do i even try...)
8. Make 7 new meals/recipes I haven't made before. (So far: spaghetti sauce with cherry tomatoes, making new dessert for picnic, bruschetta, roasted green beans, baked green bean fries, key lime pie, marinated orange grilled chicken... I'm on a roll!)
9. Blog more frequently (have 20 posts by the end of the month -- so far 12)
10. Plant new tomato plants. (planted 4 more, might plant two more next week)
11. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go. (need to do this one in August)
12. Plant new flowers under the trees (done)
13. Send out Evite for bbq. (postponed bbq due to plans with the mi familia this weekend)

New Posts on LMP Farm

Here's the link!

Things to do before Aug 09 -- Update #3

1. Walk/Run 40 miles (29)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (10)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (44% --not to shabby!)
4. Do one craft project (seriously? come on LMP! I can do better than this!)
6. Do one different type of exercise I haven't done in the last two months a minimum of once a week. (1.rock climbing, 2.nothing, 3.swimming, 4.Spinning)
7. Lose 5lbs. (let's not talk about this right now... realizing I need the motivation by doing WW again)
8. Make 7 new meals/recipes I haven't made before. (So far: spaghetti sauce with cherry tomatoes, making new dessert for picnic, bruschetta, roasted green beans, baked green bean fries, key lime pie, marinated orange grilled chicken... I'm on a roll!)
9. Blog more frequently (have 20 posts by the end of the month -- so far 12)
10. Plant new tomato plants. (planted 4 more, might plant two more next week)
11. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go. (need to do this one)
12. Plant new flowers under the trees (done)
13. Send out Evite for bbq. (postponed bbq due to plans with the mi familia this weekend)

New Post on LMP Farm

Here's the link!

FREE

That's is one way to describe this weekend. No major plans, no major places to go. This weekend came and is just sitting there, looking at me, wondering what I'm going to do with it. This is unheard of for us. We always have something to do where it's a dinner party, or family, or tickets to something, or even vacation. We are never NOT busy. Since this is like a full moon to us, I'm going to run myself rugged and really tackle a weekend to do list. I think this is our last free weekend till... oh, forever and a day! :)

1. Harvest Corn and get rid of stocks to make room for more tomato plants
2. WEED
3. Plant new hydrangea plants
4. Return Wii Game and get a new one (Bought Sonic, and hated it, going to go get the cooking one because of how our friends' raved about it)
5. Start the 30 day challenge on the Wii Active
6. Start figuring out frame situation in entry way (will post more about this later)
7. Spend the day riding our bikes around Santa Barbara for some much needed relaxation/exercise. Frank (the bike) misses me...and I miss him. He needs his tired pumped too!
8. De clutter Computer station (will post about this later)
9. Clean kitchen thoroughly
10. Clean bedroom
11. Try out two new recipes. I'm thinking of making this dressing my friend emailed me and a new dessert recipe, perhaps a refreshing strawberry pie!
12. Clean BBQ
13. Tidy up Garage
14. Go see a movie
15. Grocery shop
16. and if I'm lucky... go kayaking or rent a paddle boat. :)

It seems like a lot of stuff but I think it can all be done.

What are your plans for the weekend?

a few of my favorite things

my favorite thing in the kitchen: garlic press

my favorite thing in the yard: my blue suede gloves my dad bought me to garden with! :)

my favorite thing in the living room: all our big pillows

my favorite thing in the media room: our new fan

my favorite thing in the dining area: a little succulent plant in the middle of our table

my favorite thing in the car: the AC (it's over 100 here!)

my favorite thing at work: my water bottle

my favorite thing at the gym: the sauna

my favorite thing in the handbag: my iphone

my favorite thing in the world: my hubby

:)

Things to do before Aug 09 -- Update #2

1. Walk/Run 40 miles (25)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (6)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (24% --I've been buying an OBSCENE amount of veggies this month. Like if our bill was 50, 40 would go to veggies and fruits)
4. Do one craft project (ummm...gardening? i'm realizing i'm not too crafty)
6. Do one different type of exercise I haven't done in the last two months a minimum of once a week. (1.rock climbing, 2.nothing, 3.swimming)
7. Lose 5lbs. (let's not talk about this right now... realizing I need the motivation by doing WW again)
8. Make 7 new meals/recipes I haven't made before. (So far: spaghetti sauce with cherry tomatoes, making new dessert for picnic, bruschetta, roasted green beans,)
9. Blog more frequently (have 20 posts by the end of the month -- so far 9)
10. Plant new tomato plants. (planted 4 more, might plant two more next week)
11. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go. (need to do this one)
12. Plant new flowers under the trees (done)
13. Send out Evite for bbq. (postponed bbq due to plans with the mi familia this weekend)

99 Things Meme...

The rules:
Things you’ve already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to – leave in plain font

If you want to do it to, just leave a comment with the link to your post.


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld
8. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Written something that was published (does a short story in 8th grade count?)
11. Bungee jumped or parachuted
12. Walked across the Golden Gate Bridge I have driven, but not walked.
13. Been in a fist fight
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch Several, actually.
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Seen the Rings of Saturn with a telescope
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when not ill can i double bold this one? LOL
24. Built a tree house or snow fort (sorta, but wasn't up to code.)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Fired a gun
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (getting there)
38. Visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal
44. Visited Africa
45. Cried yourself to sleep
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (caricature count?)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Visited the Eiffel Tower
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Pretended you cooked something from scratch when you didn’t
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie, TV, or commercial
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold something door to door
62. Gone whale or dolphin watching
64. Donated blood, marrow, etc
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Held onto a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten frog legs or caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (layed off count?)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards
77. Broken a bone
78. Done something illegal
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Sang a solo
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Climbed a mountain
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had surgery
89. Directly saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury Civil and criminal juries
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Seen a loved one die
94. Given birth to a baby
95. Visited the Alamo
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Sent a text message while driving
99. Been stung by a bee By a wasp, in the face!

Things to do before Aug 09 -- Update #1

1. Walk/Run 40 miles (25)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (6)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (24% --I've been buying an OBSCENE amount of veggies this month. Like if our bill was 50, 40 would go to veggies and fruits)
4. Do one craft project (ummm...gardening? i'm realizing i'm not too crafty)
6. Do one different type of exercise I haven't done in the last two months a minimum of once a week. (So, first week I can say I did rock climbing, last week nothing, this week will be swimming)
7. Lose 5lbs. (let's not talk about this right now... realizing I need the motivation by doing WW again)
8. Make 7 new meals I haven't made before. (So far: spaghetti sauce with cherry tomatoes, making new dessert for picnic, bruschetta)
9. Blog more frequently (have 20 posts by the end of the month -- so far 8)
10. Plant new tomato plants. (planted 4 more, might plant two more next week)
11. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go.
12. Plant new flowers under the trees (done)
13. Send out Evite for bbq. (postponed bbq due to plans with the mi familia this weekend)

Random afternoon thoughts

i've been eating a grapefruit like an orange these days. It's bitter but I sorta like it like this

my new favorite thing in the world is bubble tea. I found a place near my house that sells it. we're addicted.

i haven't done a lick of exercise this week. i blame the weather.

actually the real reason is cause i'm lazy...

looks like ths weekend i will finally go on a picnic.

i will also be driving about 5 hours to get to said picnic spot.

i need to go to the grocery store. must buy jicama, butter lettuce, sprouts for lettuce wraps for dinner

also need to stop by Michaels and get red, green, and yellow food coloring

the hubby has finally gotten the hang of gardening. he's now constantly tending to the cherry tomato bush that took over half the garden. the other half has been taken over by the spaghetti squash

i'm not a happy camper with this heat. i shouldn't talk because it is cool compared to last year. and because i even brought this up, my guess is that we will now break heat records.

Easy Peach Cobbler

Very rarely do I post recipes but since this is a new month and I want to try to blog more, here I am.

In the planner household, we rarely go a night without some type of dessert. It's usually nothing bad, it could be grapes or homemade sorbet. Last night I decided to make some peach cobbler. Last time I made this, it was insanely good but insanely bad for you. So this time around, I morphed the recipe to make it better for you!

Ingredients

1/3 cup flour

1/4 cup splenda

1 peach

1 tbsp I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spread

1/3 cup fat free milk

How to:
1. Preheat oven to 350. (we used our toaster oven for this)
2. Cream the butter and sugar together.
3. Then mix in flour and milk until smooth.
4. spray the pan/bowl you're using to bake them in.
5. place half the mixture on bottom of pan/bowl.
6. Slice up peaches and place them in pan/bowl.
7. Spread the remainder of the mixture on top.
8. Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly brown and crisp.



Serves 2


Build your own nutritional info

Yum!!!

A getaway

Wow, what a trip. We were only gone for 4 days but boy did it feel like we were gone for weeks! We went up to Seattle and got to took advantage of the beautiful weather and long days! Here's a quick recap of everything:

Walked over 20 miles

Rockclimbed the Pinnacle

Dim Sum in the International District

Wine tasting on Bainbridge Island

Beer Fest!!!

Experience Music Project and Sci Fi Museum

5 Pts Cafe

Pike Place

Fish Tacos overlooking Lake Union

University of Washington

Duck Tour

Happy Hour at Ruth Chris and McCormick and Schmicks

I think that's it.



Thank you Linda for all your help! It really was one of the best trips we've taken in a long time!

P.S. our streak of having it rain on vacation is still going strong. It rained about an hour before we left! :) I wonder if we'll ever take a trip without seeing rain. HAHA!

New Post on LMP Farm

Here's the link!

Things to do before AUG 09

1. Walk/Run 40 miles ()
2. Cook 15 meals a week ()
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (%)
4. Do one craft project --
6. Do one different type of exercise I haven't done in the last two months a minimum of once a week.
7. Lose 5lbs.
8. Make 7 new meals I haven't made before
9. Blog more frequently (have 20 posts by the end of the month)
10. Plant new tomato plants.
11. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go.
12. Plant new flowers under the trees
13. Send out Evite for bbq.

Things to do before JUL 09 -- Final Update

I know I am about 7 days late in updating this but I'm here now.
1. Walk/Run 30 miles (17.3)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (15)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (61.38%)
4. Do one craft project -- build ottoman top for fire pit. Haven't started that yet but might change it to something else.
5. Order and install Fan for media room (fan being installed today)
6. Go to the gym 4 times during the work day (ummm....)
7. Go for a picnic and a hike (perhaps this weekend)
8. Go swimming twice at the gym (....)
9. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go. (still need to do this)
10. Buy drip irrigation system and start putting it together (sorta done)
11. Make apricot jam (got the apricots in the freezer, hopefully I'll have some time to do this this weekend)
12. Build trellis for grapes (Must do this in the next 2 weeks, there are leaves on the grape vine now!)
13. Finish last tier of the garden (decided to nix this for now... )
14. Start planning Christmas in July BBQ! (changing this to a wine tasting party)

Something to look forward to:

Source

For starters, while Frank (my bike) hasn't been ridden in many moons, I still am an AVID cycling fan! With that said, I cannot say how excited I am about this year's tour! Maybe it's all the rock hard legs of these cyclists have. Maybe it's the drama they bring to the table that would make a soap opera look like Sesame Street brawl. I love it! Now, with Lance back with Levi (Leipheimer --Tour of California winner many times over) and Contador (2007 winner TdF who wants off the team), it's hard not to watch the drama ensue!

Now, is Lance my fave? No, I heart George (Hincapie). He was Lance's right hand man for many years and commend him on being such an amazing rider. My second is a tie and that would include Lance and Levi. Oh drool! Now, how addicted am i? Well, when I first joined twitter, my first few people I added were these cycling guys!

So I've got my DVR ready to go and my Tour links bookmarked. Last thing I'll need is to get my iphone app uploaded to give me updates if I miss something!

Yes, i'm that in love with Le tour!

Things to do before JUL 09 -- update #2

1. Walk/Run 30 miles (10.6)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (10)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (63.21%)
4. Do one craft project -- did some craft repairs around the house
5. Order and install Fan for media room (done!)
6. Go to the gym 4 times during the work day (ummm....)
7. Go for a picnic and a hike (never got a chance to go)
8. Go swimming twice at the gym (....)
9. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go. (this is a July thing)
10. Buy drip irrigation system and start putting it together (sorta done)
11. Make apricot jam (apricots sitting nicely in the freezer)
12. Build trellis for grapes (never got this done but really need to do this!!!)
13. Finish last tier of the garden (decided to nix this for now... )
14. Start planning Christmas in July BBQ! (changed again to the beer tasting bbq)

Itching to get away...

In the planner household, we rarely are home more than 6 months without some trip planned. Last week, we were THIS CLOSE to hitting the submit button on two tickets to Madrid. As much as we could kick ourselves for not buying them (600 for the two of us roundtrip including taxes) we figured it just wasn't meant to be when we noticed the price doubled. So, we are still looking into our Costa Rica trip and toying with the idea of just going to Hawaii and bum around the island. Who knows what we'll end up doing in the fall but right now, I need to jump onto a plane and escape.

So last night, the hubby finally came through and book two tickets to what paradise... I mean Seattle. I love Seattle. If I could move there, I would but the hubby isn't soo keen on that. He's fine just visiting. This will be our second trip together there (our first trip was 3.5 years ago in the winter). We're only going for 4 days over the 4th of July weekend. So, if you have any suggestions for something for us to do, let us know (i'm looking at you Silly Little Mischief!) We've done all the major touristy things (Fremont district, needle, ballard locks--granted we didn't see any fish, Aquarium, bummed around Bainbridge island, belltown, etc.). Here is a link to photos from that last trip. We are staying downtown and will not have a car because we like the public transportation system there.

Here are the things we are toying with doing: Wine Tasting on Bainbridge Island, International District, Kayak Lake Union, hit up the Pinnacle, and Family Fourth Fireworks. Anything you can think of we could do? Any festivals going on? All help is welcomed!

Things to do before JUL 09 -- update #1

I can't believe I've barely posted this month. I feel like such a slacker. In my defense, I got tied up reading... you still alive? I know, I say i'm going to read more and then I don't, and when I don't post, it's cause I'm actually reading. I can't believe I got pulled into this whole Twilight series. I really didn't care for the first book but really liked two and three. Reading the fourth now and wish it ended like 300 pages ago.

Anyhow, onto the update:

1. Walk/Run 30 miles (8)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (6)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (61.38%)
4. Do one craft project -- build ottoman top for fire pit. Haven't started that yet but might change it to something else.
5. Order and install Fan for media room (bought fan and called people to come install it)
6. Go to the gym 4 times during the work day (ummm....)
7. Go for a picnic and a hike (perhaps this weekend, the weather is getting a little better, if you don't count today's thunderstorms.)
8. Go swimming twice at the gym (....)
9. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go. (still need to do this)
10. Buy drip irrigation system and start putting it together (bought another soaker hose, need to finish the last tier before I add this onto the one we have)
11. Make apricot jam (got the apricots in the freezer, hopefully I'll have some time to do this this weekend)
12. Build trellis for grapes (Must do this in the next 2 weeks, there are leaves on the grape vine now!)
13. Finish last tier of the garden (slated for june 20)
14. Start planning Christmas in July BBQ! (haven't started yet but am DYING to have a dinner party)

Fruits of our Labor

Today we're going up to the Ventura to spend the day with my brother's family and my parents. With all the little radishes getting big I decided to harvest some and make a little veggie basket for him.



In the basket are baby carrots, onions, radishes, thyme, rosemary, basil, mint and lemon balm.

Little Ringo

Our little Ringo went through the ringer yesterday. On top of going to the Vet for his annual, he got lots of shots too! Then when I got home, the hubby gave him a bath and gave him a summer cut! (this was the first time we did that... took longer than we thought but overall, not too bad) Now our little boy looks skinny (somewhat) again.

Before:

Yes, he is resting his head on a bone pillow.


Ringo and Bruno (who DESPERATELY needs a cut too!)
The Red-eye feature makes their eyes look weird. haha!

After:


That last photo reminds me of a cross between a koala and a st. bernard for some reason.

Happy Friday!

New Posts on LMP Farm

Here's the link!

Random thoughts

my phone crashed last night. i acted as if the sky was falling. maybe i'm a little addicted to my iphone.

one of the cucumber blossoms turned into a cucumber, one more month until harvesting

it is 69% humid outside. that is 40% more than i like. if i wanted to live in humid weather i'd move to the south.

we never booked our costa rica flights, now they went up. going to still watch them but i think we are going to go somewhere else instead. hopefully northwest this summer and then hawaii this fall

one of my closest friends J is on vacation. i feel a bit lost because i talk to her constantly. glad she is on vacation though, she needed it!

made jam for the first time last weekend. (seven jars!) it tastes great but doesn't seem to have jam-like consistency. hopefully refrigerating it will help... it is more like a spread but i don't mind that. will make a full post about this later

contemplating installing solar panels on the house but the website isn't that easy to navigate. this is a big pet peeve, it ranks right up there with unanswered emails and things not in order.

currently listening to the weepies

watched "i'm a celebrity" last night. not too impressed. at first i loved to hate spencer but now just want him off, he's too annoying.

my new favorite snack: special k crackers. yum!

Things to do before JUL 09

1. Walk/Run 30 miles ()
2. Cook 15 meals a week ()
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (this month we need to do a little bit of stocking up... hmmm...)
4. Do one craft project -- build ottoman top for fire pit.
5. Order and install Fan for media room
6. Go to the gym 4 times during the work day (ummm....)
7. Go for a picnic and a hike
8. Go swimming twice at the gym (....)
9. Rain Gutters: measure house, create cost sheet, map out where rain barrels will go.
10. Order drip irrigation system and start putting it together
11. Make apricot jam
12. Build trellis for grapes
13. Finish last tier of the garden
14. Start planning Christmas in July BBQ!

Green goals for the Summer

After talking to the hubby how to lower our bills and become more Eco friendly, we made five goals for the summer.

1. Insulation: we have about 15-20 recessed lights. Last time I was in the attic I noticed how many spots where hot or cold air can seep through them, wasting it. By insulating them, we'll be able keep our electricity bill down more and keep the house at a temp we like.
2. Fans: we are going to add a few ceiling fans to circulate air and hopefully keep the ac off longer.
3. Rain gutters and rain barrels: two winters down and many more to go. Every winter it's rained enough to leave huge puddles. Some storms it feels like our house is an ark. By putting in gutters, we can move the water into rain barrels and then be able use that water for the garden.
4. Solar tunnel: our master bedroom closet is dark dark! We always loved the idea of sun lights. With solar tunnels, it moves the sunlight through the tunnel and light up the area and not cost us a dime! (this one is a maybe)
5. Drip irrigation: we hand water about 75% of the garden. It doesn't seem like much but we're talking 20-30 minutes at a time. It's a good way to not waste water but wastes our time. Putting one on a timer will keep water usage at a minimum and save us time.

Due Date August 15, 2009

How will you try to become more Eco friendly than you are now?

Things to do before JUN 09 -- Final Update

1. Walk/Run 30 miles (30)
2. Cook 15 meals a week (15)
3. Save 60% on our grocery bills (71.46% lowest grocery bill of the year= $108.67!!)
4. Do one craft project (worked on a bouquet for a friend! )
5. Clean my bike and go riding (stuff came up... booo)
6. Go to the gym 4 times during the work day (ummm....)
7. Go for a picnic and a hike (lost all the weekends somehow)
8. Go swimming twice at the gym (....)
9. Do boot camp ONCE ()
10. Work out 4 times a week ALL month (i should really just scrap this one. it sounds great but i never do it)
11. Read a book (read lots but never finished it... almost done )
12. Build stairs in the garden instead of my "stepping bricks" i have. (Built but am thinking I may need to make them bigger to step on. I almost fell off the other day)
13. Map out rest of the garden and start building it. (done)

New Post on LMP Farm

Here's the link!

hAPPY FriDay!!!

Just the raddist video i've seen in ions.



Hope y'all have a great weekend!!!

a new blog

After a long drive home (20 minutes) I realized I just didn't like how my life on LMP has turned into only talking about dirt. So, what did I do? I created a blog called Little Miss Planner's Farm. Now, I've thought long and hard (okay, only about a minute) about this and decided that I will now only post the garden stuff on that blog. But for those who like reading about it, I will do a post here to say go there. Make sense? Hope so. Also, there now are links on the top of this page to get there as well.

So head on over there and let me know what you think. If you see any links broken or whatnot, email me and I'll fix them right away. Hope y'all enjoy it.

lmp

Feeding the addiction...

Three ways I did so...

1. Our toilet is not being nice, it's slowing running and wasting water. Once we figured out what was the issue, I talked the hubby to venturing out to Home Depot. Once there, I quickly grabbed the basket and made a bee-line to the garden center for more dirt. Three big bags to be exact. I don't what happened but two more herbs (oregano and rosemary) and a jalapeno pepper plant found it's way into my basket too. When the hubby found me, all crazed and a little high off the smell of dirt, he just rolled his eyes and took the basket away and paid.

2. I found the most amazing books on gardening. As much as I'd like to tote my laptop out to the garden, I don't think the hubby would allow it because of my klutzy nature. So in my search for knowledge, I acquired these bad boys on overstock!




3. My garden/cycling/all-around friend Bob is going to come over and is bringing me a HUGE gift.. a truck load of mulch. I know I know you are all jealous of my well connected friends who can get me tons of mulch and railroad ties for free. We'll finally cover the hill with it to keep the weeds at bay and it'll look a lot prettier than how it looks now too! I'm also going to use him as cheap labor and help move some dirt so we can start building the last tier. If he works fast, I might buy him dinner! :)

How do you feed your addictions?

Little Miss Planner's Farm...update #8.1

Because of the amount of photos I took and the ugly timeouts I'm getting from Nikon Picture Town, I'll have to do this in two posts. Bare with me... lots of photos to follow!!!
I love spring time!


This is the mystery garden section. I am slowly figuring out what is what!


The first portion of the garden we did is sooo big now!


The Herb Garden


Peppers, tomatoes and squash!


The left row is Garlic and the right row is Asparagus


Even the flowers are blooming around the garden







You know how I mentioned we built a second bench? Well, we also stained it and here it is! We are going to make a top for the fire pit to act like a ottoman when not in use. That will be June DIY craft project. I love sitting out here in the evening with the tiki torches lit. It's very calm and serene!