Coming soon...

Updates are on the way. We are waiting for internet hook-up, so in the mean time, keep your hats on back there in the East! You can think of us fondly as we relax poolside in the 70 degree spring weather.

Goodbye to the Ranch...Hello to a Home

Travis and I signed the deal to purchase this home (all the way on the far right) yesterday. It is a triplex which means it has three large condos inside one building. We are in the process as well, of moving to an apartment at Ray/101 for the next 9 months while it is being built so that Travis can be closer to work and school. Jordan and some friends will move into the Ranch and bravely tackle home-ownership....I am just sad to leave this beautiful kitchen..hopefully not to be neglected by three males. Only 9 months though until I move into my own beautiful kitchen!
Here' s a picture of the interior floor plan:This is going to be a wonderful community when it is finished. There are going to be 2 miles of walking paths, 3 pools with whirlpools too, 3 playgrounds and it has a lot of lakes and green space. We are excited about this community because it is 1/2 a mile from the freeway exit and is in the midst (but not too close) to a huge amount of mixed retail going in around it. There is going to be a large upscale mall going in called "Kierland Mall" similar to one up in Scottsdale and of course I have to note: there is a brand-new Sprouts within walking distance from my house. For those of you from Maryland, it is similar to the idea of Kentlands, with smaller homes and retail very close to it, just not having retail within the space. It is a gated community so it is going to be very safe and we are going to be closer to all of our friends. We are very grateful to God for the oppurtunity to purchase a home and build some equity while the market is low, when we didn't believe we could in the first place!
Move in date: November 18, 2007... maybe it will be ready in time for my birthday!

I'm a Mom!

Remember how I told you I was missing a hen? Now I know why... here she is: a first time mom who was smart enough to pick a warm spot during our cold spell the past few weeks and just in time for a warm weather spurt. I haven't gotten a clear peak at them all but last I counted there were ten or eleven eggs... Yippee. Now we can go back to making eggs !

Curry Cauliflower Stew

As promised...

Curry Cauliflower Stew
makes enough for 6

2 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. butter
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
3 stems celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
2 small or 1 large head of cauliflower, sliced
1/2 cup white wine or beer
1 cup beef or chicken broth
1 cup water
2 Tbsp. curry powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Opt. 3 sliced grilled chicken sausages

Saute over medium heat the onion, carrot, celery and garlic in the olive oil until onions are translucent and beginning to brown. Add butter and heat until melted. Add cauliflower and continue to saute until edges of cauliflower begin to brown. Add wine and cover and cook until absorbed. Add remaining liquids and simmer covered until liquid has thickened. Add curry powder and cook for another 5 minutes. Season and serve.

Fresh beginnings

today I embrace the mercies that are new every day on this Monday to begin my week with fresh faith and fresh beginnings.
Last week was definitely one for seeing the unsanctified responses of my heart to circumstances....

Here's another "fresh" start to our week. I set up a table full of all sorts of green plants. Even though the grass and plants are all brown from the weeks' prior freezes, the eye craves signs of new life. I know most of the country is covered in some form of precipitation and cooler weather, but it feels like spring has sprung here. Today will be a high temperature of the seventies and we are going to enjoy this all week. We don't bank on it staying that way, but we do deposit some faith in warming trends this month. I also know it is spring because I can't stop sneezing.

I thought I had gotten the sneezing under control with strong fumes while deep-cleaning my bathrooms...but looks like I'll have to head to the store for good-ole' Claritin. I took the time to scrub my bathrooms with bleach and soap instead of the quickie cleaning I do with Target's Method sprays. They really needed it because we're having a party this coming weekend. More on that later... Girls, are you excited about the "switcheroo"??? I know I can't wait.