Just Dive Right In

This time last year, our wedding was 4 days away and I was SO excited!  Of course any bride-to-be has nerves, but the excitement overrides those nerves.  Last year I was also teaching C4K the week before our wedding, so it made the week just fly by.  Honestly, during that week leading up to our wedding, I don't remember eating, relaxing or anything along those lines.  It was a crazy week, but very special and we have so many wonderful memories stored away from that weekend :) This year, to celebrate our one-year anniversary, B and I are going on a quaint little trip to Galena.  There will be pictures and stories to come :)
Now, zoom forward a year later and we find it very hard to believe that it has gone that fast!

This year in the week leading up to our wedding anniversary, instead of running around getting all those last minute details together for our wedding, B and I are looking forward to a break from the "real world" and are so excited to just get to spend some quality time together without any distractions!
This past week for me has been an adventure.  Most of you should know of my frustration finding a teaching job.  I know that teaching is my calling--it's what I love to do, I love the students, it really is my passion.  However there are very few music teaching jobs for someone recently a college graduate (without experience) in our area.  In these past few months it has come to me that I need to go another job route for a while.  Especially since now we are well into summer and of course school is out--we have some big goals in mind, but to achieve them I need a job as well.  So, long story short, I have dove into the retail world and recently been hired as an associate with a local department store.  Let's just say hello panty-hose and dresses, goodbye shorts and t-shirts.  I've had training all week long and it is a bit overwhelming, but I like all the people I've worked with thus far as well as I've learned a lot!
So, while in the year that has passed since our wedding many things have changed, many have stayed the same.  As we've gone through this crazy week leading up once again to June 19th, B has been the ever supporting husband that he always is--even when I come home a bit cranky and frazzled---just like he was the ever supportive fiance listening to me hash out wedding details or vent about wedding stress :)

A Sunray a Day...

The Herb Project

Last summer we discovered that our western sun-filled window sills made for a perfect area to grow basil.  So, this summer we have decided to branch out a bit more and grow a few more herbs.  We started with Lemon Verbena and Oregano.  Since then, we've planted some parsley (which has really taken off) and also started some basil.  It just has added some of the outdoors into our apartment.  Plus, I'm hoping to try out some new recipes with them.  So far I've made some lemon verbena infused tea---which was very refreshing and I also have a great homemade pesto recipe that I can't wait to make again.  It's been exciting watching our plants take off and grow.  Every morning I check on the herbs and loudly exclaim to the hubby that "our babies are growing!"
Enjoy your Tuesday!

We All Have Them

Well, we all have them.  You know, those stacks of magazines in a pile or in a basket waiting for us to go through and read.  I do love reading magazines though..now don't get me wrong...it's just that they start to add up and the basket gets more and more packed.
Anyways, a couple of years ago I got my mom a subscription to Rachel Ray's cooking magazine.  I loved it probably more than she did, haha.  When she was done with them she passed them on to me and there they sat.  Until last week, that is.
Last week, I decided to attack my magazine stash and actually go through my cooking magazines and pull out the recipes I liked and recycle the rest.
So right now my hubby is being very patient as I try out all these new recipes on him.  Such a hard life...I somehow don't think he minds a whole bunch :)
Well, here is what's for dinner tonight...or actually last Monday.  Enjoy, it was delicious!


Chicken-Broccoli Couscous   prep: 20 minutes    cook: 20 minutes   serves: 4
Ingredients
1/4 c. olive oil
1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast
3 c. chicken broth
1 10oz. box couscous
1 onion, finely chopped
1 head broccoli, broken into small florets
1/3 c. raisins
1/4 c. chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/3 c. sliced almonds or walnuts

1) In a large skillet, heat 2 tbs. olive oil over medium heat.  Season chicken with salt and pepper, add to the pan and cook, turning once, until cooked through, about 10 minutes.  Transfer to a work surface, let cool, then shred; reserve the skillet
2) Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring 2 cups chicken broth and 1 tbs. olive oil to a boil, season with salt and pepper.  Add the couscous, cover and remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

3) In the reserved skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbs. olive oil over medium heat.  Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add the broccoli and the remaining 1 c. chicken broth and simmer for 5 minutes.  Stir in the chicken, raisins, parsley and couscous; season with salt and pepper.  Toss with almonds before serving.