LOVE

Congratulations to my big brother and his new wife! At this moment they are tying the knot and I'm so happy to welcome Michelle into the family and call her a sister. Nate couldn't have picked a more lovely bride and wife. Wishing you two many, many years of love, laughter and happiness.

Goodbye & Rest In Peace Captain Nielson

Original Image source unknown

This weekend we said goodbye to one of the most genuine, sincere and faithful servants that I have ever met. Captain Matthew Nielson was killed in Iraq June 29th from indirect fire. Two other men were killed in this senseless act, three lives lost way to early. Matt was returning home in August and excited about my brother’s wedding in September. The one thing I learned about Matt while attending his visitation, celebration of life memorial, and burial services is he truly touched every life he came into contact with. Matt was always sporting a huge, contagious smile and I never saw him lose his way. He could teach all of us a lesson in enjoying life and friends.

Image via The Des Moines Register, photographer Justin Hayworth

One of the most powerful things—that always brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes, and still does as I’m typing this—is the support for a fallen solider by those that didn’t even know Matt. The support and honor for Matt from the American Legion Riders Iowa Chapter, men and women from around the state  standing outside the funeral home, community center, and burial grounds proudly holding American flags in the piercing summer sun, some even wearing buttons of loved ones they’ve lost. These men and woman were there to show their support for our fallen soldier and ward off crazy Westboro Baptist Church protestors. When walking past these loyal Americans my parents were able to say thank you for their support. I just welled up, full of emotion, I hope they understand how much that meant to all of us.

Matt’s life was lost to early, but he died supporting something he truly believed in. I keep thinking, “That could have been my brother” or any other loved one still overseas. Something this humbling really puts life into perspective, living like Matt did: loving his neighbors and truly taking the time to spend it with others. We shared great stories of Matt and his parents and family learned the love Matt poured on everyone he met. He was an outgoing man, always keeping in touch, a true and loyal friend.

Matt was buried in the breathtaking Iowa Veterans Memorial cemetery, a true vision of God’s bountiful landscape. Rest In Peace Matt and thank you for your service to our country. In death you realize how much of an impact some have had on your life, you will not be forgotten.

Tremendous Turkey Day

I had a splendid Thanksgiving, on Thursday my mom and I cooked all morning while my dad did the dishes (it doesn't get any better than having your own personal dish-washer). Earlier in the week my dad sent out an invitation to international students at ISU to join us for the holiday, we had one taker and his wife, a young couple from China. The husband is working on his PhD in Astro Physics and the wife is applying to ISU masters programs to get her second masters. It was great to share this uniquely American holiday with the couple, bringing a new appreciation to the tradition.

Then on Friday, my friend John and I made the Salted Caramel and Chocolate Cake from Sweet Paul Fall edition e-magazine for our families. It turned out delectable... although not really like the picture (but their picture is much prettier than our version). The cake itself is super moist, the salted caramel sauce is delicious (but not thick and substantial like it's shown) and the frosting is more of a ganache (even better!)... we only made half of the frosting recipe and we could have gotten away with 1/3 recipe (that way you'd only need 1 cup total of heavy cream), but all-in-all it was a win! I'll definitely have to make it again sometime to impress the boys.

And the holiday weekend ended on a lovely note by flashing three (3!) pictures of me (and fellow ex-coworkers) in a Hallmark public service announcement after the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, November Christmas. Did you see my big debut?

To my grandma

Today I got one of the most beautiful and sophisticated flower arrangements I've ever received delivered to my office. My grandmother passed away Sunday evening and my boyfriend sent them for support. The reason was bittersweet, but it was the most amazing tribute to my grandma, who was a florist. When I think of her, I always think of floral arrangements and purple, her favorite color. Little did Jeff know how perfect and heartfelt the arrangement would be to me.

I've learned so much from my grandma. I was in Iowa for the weekend and stopped by to see her. Her health has been declining since a pretty traumatic stroke in May, but she was still as cheerful and delighted as ever. She always had a great attitude, no matter how tough the situation.

A lot of my interest and passion in crafting came from my grandma. I remember going to her house when I was younger and I'm sure I always came home with at least one craft project, whether that was a wreath made from the vines in her backyard, a floral arrangement in my favorite colors of the moment, or a Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause made from milk jugs... it was always something fun and very creative. She had the best craft storage room I've seen yet, baskets and wreaths every size and color you could imagine, an entire dresser filled with beautiful spools of ribbons (many of which my mom and I have inherited), and other unique embellishments for my crafty desires.

She was also an amazing cook, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at her house were amazing. Many of my recipes are from her, my favorite being a chicken wrapped in bacon dish (you can't go wrong with bacon, right?). Lots of yummy things came from her kitchen (more on that in a later post). Also, my grandparents had the biggest garden ever. Like Martha Stewart sized garden. And their tomatoes? The most delicious. It was a meal in itself.

So, thank you Jeff for such a touching offering of support. And thank you, Grandma, for the amazing memories and teaching me so many things in life and starting me on so many of my interests/passions that I have today. Rest in peace, with love, I know you're in a better place where there are gardens, ribbons, and flowers a plenty.

Happy Summer!

Today, I celebrated the first day of summer with homemade potato salad, coleslaw, and a roast beef sandwich... all made from farm-fresh foods from the CSA I joined. I think tonight I'll celebrate with a heirloom tomato and basil salad!

Also: Congratulations, Daddy! Right about now you should be getting a well-deserved award for "Professional of the Year." We couldn't be more proud. Love you!

My Daddy

Today is Father's Day and I gave my daddy a new waffle iron... I'm hoping this will prevent any more soggy waffles on my future visits (sorry dad).
But I just wanted to say (and I've told anyone that will listen to me) how much I enjoy my "adult" relationship with my parents. I finally seem to be past the stage in my life where I was disrespectful to/annoyed with/a teenager to my parents and am finding out now how much I truly enjoy their company. Now that I've been in the "real world" for 2 years (yikes!) I feel like I can talk to them on a whole different level. I relate to the stresses and challenges that they're going through with their jobs and other committments. And it's the weirdest thing... I can talk to my parents about my love life! What?!? Before I was too embarrassed/giddy/immature to talk to my parents about any sort of relationship that I was in, but now it seems like a normal topic. I can't say it enough... I am just really loving this time in my life and the growing relationship with my parents. I'm hoping it will continue to develop as I get older and more mature (ewww!).
So... Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Shout out to my bro

Nate, my older brother, bought a house last fall in Augusta, GA a couple blocks away from one of the gates to the Masters golf course. Immediately upon purchasing the home he started the demo, tearing out the cracked and broken pool in the backyard, bringing down walls to create an open floor plan, and moving the kitchen to a completely different location. I am so proud of him and the work that he has been doing on the house. He has high ambitions that this is the first of many project houses. He has done most everything himself in this house, from the plumbing to the electrical to the dry walling and kitchen cabinet installation. He even installed the hardwood floors himself! I was down there in January to help him paint and pick out different items for the house, but at that point it was still pretty bare bones...

Last weekend I was able to get away for a long weekend, meet my mom in Atlanta and travel to Augusta to help Nate with more of his house. I was eager to see Nate's progress on the house, the kitchen, the carpet and the hardwood had all been install since my last visit and most of the walls were painted with the colors I had advised him on earlier! While in Augusta, I was able to help him paint the two bathrooms and the trim that will be used for the baseboards, window and door casings. I also got to do some tiling work in the master bath (although I was quickly demoted on account for not being very fast/skilled with the trowel)!
I can't wait for the next stage of his house: decorating! I'm having so much fun picking out colors, artwork, & furniture!

Have your cake...

Finally! After all this time, I finally got around to posting pictures of the cake I made for my grandmother's 85th birthday party over Thanksgiving. The cake is a 4 layer (the 4th layer was insisted on by my grandma) lemon cake with lemon frosting and lavender fondant flowers. It was a big hit! Also included are pictures of an apple dessert and delicious pie!

Nate's New Home-Sweet-Home

My brother just closed on a house in Augusta, GA, where he is stationed for the next four years in the Navy. The house is perfect for a rehab project, he bought the house for a great price and it is an area that is being rejuvenated and near the new August National Golf Course (just ranked as number 5 in ESPN's America's 100 most important sports venues!). We're all really excited for Nate and can't wait to help him on his new big project.
Currently, the house is deemed "unlivable" so his first steps are just to get the house in living condition. He has some big plans for the project and has been busy creating renderings on Google's SketchUp. His first step is to move the existing, outdated kitchen to where the current dining room is located, just off the carport. He has drawn up the cabinet layout and asked for opinion on wall colors, cabinets, & countertops. Below are some of the inspirational images I am suggesting and some edits to his rendering:

Some inspirational images for Nate's new kitchen.

Nate's kitchen rendering with maple cabinets and cherry cabinets in the island. Cool blue-gray wall color and charcoal Corian countertops.

Nate's kitchen rendering with maple cabinets and cherry cabinets in the island. Warm gray wall color and charcoal Corian countertops.

Nate's kitchen rendering with all maple cabinets, chartruese wall color and stainless steel countertops.

Congratulations and good luck, Nate!

Finally Finished!

I have been working on my Grandma's 85th birthday party for the longest time and we finally had enough of it planned to send invitations. I got them all sent out on Wednesday morning. Here is the final, purple and bird-loving invitation!

85 years....

I am working on planning decorations and menus for my Grandma's 85th birthday party, which will be celebrated on Thanksgiving weekend. She LOVES purple, so that is the theme: Purple Thanksgiving. Above are some images I am using as inspiration for the party. Yay!