On the Move Again

11 Months after moving into this place.. we are on the move again! We moved last April, and as long as everything proceeds as planned, we'll be moving again March 15th.

This place came together quicker than we thought it would, and a few times through-out this year I received emails from families we "didn't choose" for the other side of the duplex "checking in" on our side. It's in a great school district and one of the only rentals available in the area with 3 bedrooms (not to mention a big yard and basement) so it's a great family place. We love this neighborhood and I could definitely see us moving back in a few years once we have a family of our own. For the time being, however, we want to try something new. Something more urban. We tried out the suburbs at the condo, the "country" feel out here and now we want to try a more urban area. We have been blessed to be able to try out multiple areas before deciding where we want to settle. 

We're not going to rent for a year or so while we try out an area closer to downtown Akron (about 3 minutes from my office!). I usually go into the office 2 or 3 days per week, so it will be a lot more convenient for that.

Now for another exciting piece of news.. 

I have had an ad for our half of the duplex up online for a few days now, and this week I have shown it to 2 families and 2 couples without children. All of them have set up come-back showings and one couple filled out an application on the spot and told me they hope we "choose them". I think they would be a good fit because they have 2 boys (2 and 6) and the neighbors have a 1.5 year old boy and 2 girls 5 and 8. This yard is so great and we love seeing them enjoy it. The girls love to climb trees and have tea parties on their patio. I will definitely miss them, they are so cute.

One other couple has a come-back appointment tomorrow and RJ still has to look over the applications with me (he's been out of town), but it's exciting that we have people ready to go if we decide they'd be a good fit. 

I have been such an official "land-lady" the past few days.. I have an info sheet (like you get as house showings) and rental applications printed out to give everyone that comes through. We're trying to be more organized this time around, even though so far we've been really lucky with our tenants.

With the renters set.. we just need to pick the perfect place for us..

Wish us luck!

Weekend

Freshly painted nails & tea  /  My tacky sweater  /  Sewing book from Mary  

Lunch: Veggie Burger  /  Civic Theater  /  Tacky Sweaters

This weekend we had something going on all 3 days, which made for a fun and busy couple of days. We had a sushi double-date at a new sushi place in town (Thanks, Dad!), a "tacky sweater" birthday party for a friends' husband and chaperoned a magic show at the Civic on Sunday.

The tacky sweater picture was taken at the bowling alley.. which is explains the terrible quality.. but at least you can see the detail on the sweater! That is Sarah-Jane in the plane sweater and of course my sweater is sequin-y and sparkly. I actually like my tacky sweater, but I admittedly have tacky or "artsy" taste.. and I'm glad it only cost me $3 at the Goodwill. I wish I would have gotten a group picture with the guys too!

Mary got me that sewing book and I've been reading it and getting all sorts of good project ideas. Now I just have to learn to use my new machine like a pro. I postponed my lesson for February.. they do them once a month so I'll go in March (or maybe April). We've been finishing up some last minute projects around here, so I want to be able to focus on practicing after my lesson. More on that later!

Lately

Craze & A Design Book in Bed / Prepping Dinner / One of my Favorite Silly Students / Chicken Curry Noodle Soup

As part of our Christmas present from Chelsey, she gave us the ingredients and a recipe for the best thing she's ever made... you can find the recipe here. I'll admit we were nervous to try it. Chelsey is a fabulous cook and we loved the idea of the soup (I love Indian flavors).. but the long list of ingredients and preparation looked complicated at first. 

Let me tell you, though.. it was worth it!

I think it was probably the best thing we've ever made too. It was so noodley and flavorful.. and it made 6 servings so we had many lunches throughout the week!  

Here is the recipe:

Spicy Curry Noodle Soup with Chicken and Sweet Potato

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons chopped shallots
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced lemongrass (from bottom 4 inches of about 3 stalks, tough outer leaves discarded)
• 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons Thai yellow curry paste
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
• 2 13.5- to 14-ounce cans unsweetened coconut milk, divided
• 5 cups low-salt chicken broth
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 3 cups snow peas, trimmed
• 2 cups 1/2-inch cubes peeled red-skinned sweet potato (yam; from about 1 large)
• 1 pound dried rice vermicelli noodles or rice stick noodles
• 3/4 pound skinless boneless chicken thighs, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 red Thai bird chiles or 2 red jalapeño chiles, thinly sliced with seeds
• 1 lime, cut into 6 wedges

Preparation

• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add next 4 ingredients; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in curry paste, curry powder, and chili paste. Add 1/2 cup coconut milk (scooped from thick liquid at top of can). Stir until thick and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add remaining coconut milk, broth, fish sauce, and sugar; bring broth to boil. Keep warm. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate until cold, then cover and keep chilled.
• Cook snow peas in large pot of boiling salted water until bright green, about 20 seconds. Using strainer, remove peas from pot; rinse under cold water to cool. Place peas in medium bowl. Bring water in same pot back to boil. Add sweet potato and cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Using strainer, remove sweet potato from pot and rinse under cold water to cool. Place in small bowl. Bring water in same pot back to boil and cook noodles until just tender but still firm to bite , about 6 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water to cool. Transfer to microwave-safe bowl. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Bring broth to simmer. Add chicken; simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add sweet potato; stir to heat through, about 1 minute. Heat noodles in microwave in 30-second intervals to rewarm. Cut noodles with scissors if too long. Divide noodles among bowls. Divide snow peas and hot soup among bowls. Scatter red onion, green onions, cilantro, and chiles over soup. Garnish with lime wedges and serve.

Sibs Dinner

Leftovers Salad Lunch  /  Harvie  /   Craze  /  Picking out Paint

On Saturday we went to Chelsey & Trevor's to hang out with them and meet Halley & Shawn for dinner. It was awesome hanging out and then getting everyone together for dinner.. something we should do more often! On Sunday we went to my Dad & Mary's for dinner and Mary made the best fruit salsa.. isn't it beautiful?

As you can see above.. we're picking out paint yet again. This time it's for the upstairs bathroom. We finally picked out a new vanity and tile flooring last week. Dad's friend Shawn (who did our molding downstairs) is going to come install it for us. It will look so much better when it's all done! Very renter-friendly.

As you can see above, I'm back to brunette for awhile..

until I get bored with it again!

Lately..

Making Hummus / Afternoon Tea / New Stationary / Veggie, Nuts, Cheese & Cracker Appetizer 

I'm always on the lookout for pretty stationary and the other day I found that set above for $1.50! Can't beat that. I think they'll be perfect for my 'better late than never' Christmas Thank You's / Valentines.

Tom's / New Fabric / House-Plants in Old Mugs / Broccoli Cheese Baked Potato 

It has been such a mild and wonderful winter (as you can see above, no snow!). If every winter was like I wouldn't feel the desire to migrate south come December. Although someday I would love the opportunity to live close to a beach.

Yesterday and today have actually been a nice break as I was actually working on both Saturday and Sunday mornings! I can hardly call it work, however, because I love it. On Saturday the Main Library in Akron (which is an amazing library) hosted a Family Reading Festival Day. Project RISE had a table set up where we were giving out information about our program and books for the children. I really enjoy spreading the word about the program and getting to meet other community members. Plus, I was "manning" the table with a few other staff members I really working with so that made it even more fun.

On Sunday I was asked to speak about the program to a local church who is sponsoring us for the month of February. I'm not a huge fan of public speaking but when I care about the topic the words come easily and the nerves subside. It was actually kind of fun feeling like a preacher for a few minutes up in front of the congregation. We have been trying out churches in the area so it was a fun opportunity to try something different.

RJ had to fly out early Monday morning but will be back tonight so it's a quick trip. I got myself a "chick flick" from the redbox to watch last night (and some chocolate covered pretzels) so I was set! 

I had my shelter art program last night and tomorrow is an office day for me. Yesterday and today were business as usual in the home office. I took the cat to the vet today and already have dinner in the slow cooker! It's "everything but the kitchen sink" vegetable soup with black beans, corn, cilantro, tomatoes, roasted red peppers (those were also jarred, not self-roasted), lots of spices and home-made veggie stock. I'm pretty proud of that last part (Drew gave us the idea). We'll throw a little cheese, sour cream and tortilla soup on top.. I'm already looking forward to it! 

A day late..

To my "Little" Brother..

Even though you got the curly dirty blonde-hair and mine is naturally mousy brown (the secret's out!) and straight .. 

Even though you probably wash your face with a bar of soap (if you think about it) and have never had a pimple and I have to stick to a strict skin regimen with expensive products..

Even though you call me (and my friends, like Gotherine) stupid nicknames in public..

Even though you got all the cooking and musical skills..

Even though you remind me that I run "like a stork" (actual mom quote circa 1996)..

Even though you don't know how to use the word muster..

Even though you caused all sorts of fights when we were younger
(that's my story and I'm sticking to it)..

Even though you cut all the hair off of each troll in my collection..

I still love you very much and brag about you every chance I get! 

Happy Birthday, bro.

Family

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to eat at Tomato Grill with RJ's parents. (Yep, we're spoiled). They had gnocchi on the menu which means I made my decision in about 30 seconds. They also had tirimisu on the dessert menu.. that night was full of <delicious> no-brainers.

Things like random Sunday night dinners with them, random afternoon brunches with my dad and Mary and random hang-outs with any of our siblings make living with Ohio winters tolerable.

But every time I have to drive in the snow and ice, a little piece (ok, a big piece) of me misses Georgia. 

Aside from the weather, Georgia does have a few other convincing arguments..

like these two..

I guess the only solution is a summer-home here in Ohio and a winter-home in Atlanta (and mobile jobs). 

That's realistic, right?