Lately

This last week was one of those where the clean dishes made it out of the dishwasher and right back into the sink, where the clean laundry from two days ago is still sitting in the dryer, and where I said a lot of "Oh wells" and "tomorrow..."

I'm getting better at taking these kind of weeks in stride.  Life's days pass by fast enough as it is.  And sometimes little gems show up amid the chaos.  Like fun mail!

First came our 2013 scrapbook.  I am so pleased with it.  I spent a stupid number of hours on it--many just trying to align a color palette haha.  This is our second Mixbook, and we love the product.  The book is a reminder that among all the crazy little stresses, we have some pretty great things going on.

 

Second came another card from our old lady neighbor, Shirley--which she sent via USPS rather than walking it across the street.

We took her flowers for her birthday a couple of weeks ago, which we learned about only because she brought us a card on her birthday (5/6) expressing what great neighbors we are (it doesn't take much for her).  So in true Shirley fashion she mailed us another card (6/6) in gratitude:

"Dear Kelsey & Preston
Thank you so much for my Birthday Flowers. It was very sweet of you all.  Tell me when your Birthday's are and I'll send you a card.  I'm not able to write good anymore but hope you can read it. My right hand has carpal tunnel.
Your neighbor's and Friends Shirley and Don"

She must be the funniest, most prejudiced old lady with the ickiest well-intentioned fudge this side of the river.  Looking forward to cards 7 and 8, Shirley.

Lastly, Preston and I were lucky to get in an evening at the driving range last weekend before this week picked up.  The weather has been beautiful and we enjoyed wacking the heck out of our worries past and future ;)

Things won't slow down for a few more weeks, which makes me more and more grateful for a teammate who doesn't mind searching for clean underwear in the dryer.

An Easter for Two

I hope you all had a lovely Easter.  The hubs and I had a quiet Sunday together.  My mom sent us quite the "mother load" (punny, I know) of Easter goodies that we enjoyed along with our own painted eggs and treats, and we got to spend dinner with some good friends eating hot Challah bread--something I'd like to become a tradition.

Though we both missed the bustle of family during a holiday, we had a serene afternoon at a nearby garden.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect for a reverent Easter Sunday.  I was in heaven.  The slightly overcast sky, the benches under the tree, the grass left to grow, spotted with wildflowers, and most especially the blossoms: it all took me right back to Europe.  I felt so homesick for Hyde park, Stratford, Paris, Bavaria--all places that I've smelled blossoms in May.

It was a romantic afternoon.  We made friends with a little cardinal who sang above our heads for a good while.  The cardinal's song is a beautiful one.

Enjoy some photos from our day.

I'm so grateful for spring, for second chances and blossoms that return every year, for a sense of smell that stirs fond memories, for a Savior who every day leads me a little bit closer to my ultimate self.

Photo Session (from last fall. Ha.) and Some Gratitude

Oh my gosh, it snowed today.  What the heck, winter?  We said our farewells last week with the 70 degree weather.  I put away my winter boots.  Get out, already.

(Want to know what keeps running through my head? "Be gone, Long One."  You know, from Disney's Robin Hood?  When Little John is talking to Hiss?  Anywho...)

I was organizing files on my computer and realized I never shared these photos.  I imagine our family members would like to see a few.  Our good friend, Vanessa, from Pearl Photo and Design, shot these for us on a gorgeous day last September.  I cannot get over the vibrant yellow sun reflecting off of the leaves behind us, especially on a gray day like today.

Squirrel!

  

Last night, I noticed the magic in this^^ picture for the first time.  It's funny how distance can do that.  When we first got the pictures, I didn't notice that this photo was extra special.  It's now one of my favorites of the two of us.  My heart feels so much gratitude for life as I know it when I look at it.  I think, "Oh my goodness.  I am in love with my very best (and very handsome) friend.  And he loves me so much, too.  I can see it!"  I remember the moment.  We were totally lost in our little exchange.  Everything in this picture is authentic.  I love that.

 I totally get it when people want to exclaim to the world how happy--how in love--they are.  I'm there.  Man alive, I am one blessed girl.

{Recipe Share} Bacon-Wrapped Basil Pesto Chicken

I know.  I'm posting another recipe.  I have more to come, too.  Whatever.

Bacon-Wrapped Basil Pesto Chicken

Ingredients

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded flat (you can halve the breasts if you'd like)

about 6 Tbsp. basil pesto

garlic salt and pepper

Feta, Parmesan, or Swiss cheese

6 slices bacon or prosciutto

2-3 Tbsp. olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Sprinkle flattened chicken breasts with garlic salt and black pepper. Drop a tablespoon of basil pesto in each breast, add some cheese, and roll up.  Wrap bacon around each chicken breast and secure with toothpicks.

Place chicken in a 9x9-inch baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.

Bake 30-35 minutes (or until chicken has an internal temp. of 160 degrees F).

The chicken is super tender and makes great leftovers. (Preserve the juices when storing to help with reheating.)

*Note: This recipe is a mash-up of a few from allrecipes.com.  Just search the ingredients or name and you'll find the original.

{Dear Martha Anne} Here's to Health

Dear Martha Anne,

Today was a day that I loved running.

It's an on and off relationship.  Some days, I grit my teeth and glare at my feet and hate the thing so, so much.

And some days, I have a big goofy grin on my face and my arms are flailing and Chariots of Fire is blasting from somewhere behind me.

Today, I had no Chariots of Fire.  In fact, I was still stuck inside on a treadmill, even though by now it should be warm enough to run outside.  But for some reason, I loved every step I took on that spinning belt.  I loved feeling my heart pump, my hamstrings stretch, my feet kick up behind me, my arms flex with every swing.  I felt very alive, and very healthy.  That is a great feeling.

I've spent my fair share of time in physical therapy over the years--tendinitis here, out of place rib there, muscle tension all over.  I know what it is to have every step, every single move shoot pain through my spine, or through my hips.  I'm just prone to injury that way.  Chiropractors, physical therapists, and masseuses either really love or really hate my body.  I've had plenty of mornings where I've felt 80 years old.

But it is what it is, and as a result I feel extra grateful for days like today, when everything just feels good.

I hope you have such a day.  I hope my body carries me through for years to come, as it has for you.

Much love and health,

Kelsi

{Travel} Louisville, KY & Nashville, TN--Part II

From Louisville, we headed down to Nashville, finding even warmer weather.  Our first stop was Mammoth Cave National Park, where we participated in a two hour tour underground.  Thank goodness, my claustrophobia didn't kick in during Fat Man's Misery--a tiny little crawl space we all had to squeeze through over 250 feet underground.  Really, it was a very interesting tour in a cave that has over 400 miles currently mapped.

Once in Nashville and cleaned up, we ate at Monell's for dinner, a family style restaurant, dining with 8 other strangers and conversing like old friends.  We passed around cornbread, cornbread pudding, fried chicken, beef 'n gravy, meatloaf, green beans with bacon, mashed potatoes, pasta salad, biscuits, and banana pudding.  We were stuffed and so satisfied, with both the food and the company.

After dinner, we walked Broadway and bar-hopped late into the evening, enjoying live music of all genres.  The air was warmer than we've felt in so many months--we couldn't pull ourselves away from the night.

And let me tell you, Southern hospitality is such a real thing.  Even in the bars, the people were so nice.  Everyone helped each other out and acted like old friends.  It was an amazing thing to witness.  Nashville made quite an imprint on us.

Our carefree evening was followed by a beautiful morning at the Latter-Day Saint temple near Nashville and a stroll around Franklin, enjoying more spring weather.

Our three day getaway flew by, but our little break from routine gave us the boost that we needed.  We returned to more unseasonably cold weather, but our hearts were warmed.  And we were greeted by this sweet face. :)