A Reflection: Dating

Over Christmas of 2007, the Lumberjack and I spent five days together visiting each other's respective families. It was those five days that solidified what I wanted in my life--him.

When I was 15, I started a journal. It wasn't just any journal; it was a journal to my "future husband." I wrote in it monthly, sometimes daily, expressing the hope I had for the man I knew God would one day bring to me. Perhaps it was naive, but at 15 I knew that five or 10 years later, it could be an invaluable gift for the man I waited for. I also knew that the man I would feel comfortable with giving something so raw and unedited would be the man for me.

After the five days that the Lumberjack and I spent together, I started addressing my journal to him. He was the first man I could ever picture myself growing old with, and the only one since then. He was the only man I could ever imagine giving my journal to. He was the first and only man I ever wrote to in the journal and when he proposed to me, I gave it to him.

One week after our Christmas together, he told me he loved me. And I loved him back.

The following months flew by. Our freshman year was nearly over and we had "the talk," the one that determines where "this is going." That May, we both agreed we were serious, and we could make the three months of long distance work.

Long distance was hard. We were only an hour and a half away from each other, but we only saw each other on weekends, sometimes every other week, which was a big change from every single day. But, distance does make the heart grow fonder, and my time apart from him made me realize that I always wanted to be with him.

There were so many things that made me fall in love with the Lumberjack. He's like no one I'd ever met before. The Lumberjack has a tough, manly exterior--he loves sports, rock music, beer and UFC. But, there's a softer side to him that loves fancy dinners, shopping, sunsets on the beach and romantic comedies. He'd suggest watching the movie "Underworld" together and then sing Tim McGraw's "Barbecue Stain" song to me. One night we'd watch a fight together, and the next he'd take my out to a five-star restaurant and surprise me with Tiffany's jewelry. He is one of the most well-rounded people I've ever met, and that made me fall even more in love with him.

The second reason I fell madly in love with the Lumberjack was his 100% acceptance of who I was. I never felt like I had to put on an act for him to like me. I could be me--goofy, crazy, nerdy, studious, food-loving, emotional, passionate me--without having to worry that he wouldn't like it. The truth was, he loved me as madly as I loved him, and there was and is very little that could keep us apart.

By July, he took me engagement ring shopping. I picked out a beautiful platinum-set, octagon-shaped solitaire diamond in a cathedral setting. But I wouldn't get it from him until nearly one year later.
Above, our sophomore year of college before our engagement: one of my favorite pictures, despite my poorly chosen perm.

Peach Pie Perfection

I love making pies. Even better, the Lumberjack loves eating pies. Apple is my specialty--apple crumb, to be specific--though I have dabbled with blackberry a bit. However, I've never made peach pie, despite my love of peaches. Since I regularly bake semi-homemade, I cheated and used a pre-made pie crust--but hey, it tastes good and is so easy!


I then filled the crust with the following ingredients after mixing them all together in a big bowl:


5 cups fresh peaches, sliced
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar


After covering with the top crust on, I cut a few slits into the pie and baked it at 425 degrees for 45 minutes, covering the crust with foil for the last 10 minutes to prevent it from burning.


I couldn't believe how good my house smelled with peach pie baking.

Fresh from the oven, I cut a big slice and covered it with Fat Free ReddiWip for the Lumberjack. Peach perfection. :)

A Reflection: How We Met

One year ago, I was barely three weeks out of college and four days away from my wedding. It's amazing the things that have changed since then.

I loved my Lumberjack when we got married. But my love for him then was so minuscule compared to my love for him now. The comfort and support he gives me every single day is incredible, and I can't imagine spending one day of my life not married to him.

In celebrating the last amazing year of our lives, I thought it only appropriate to share how my Lumberjack and I met, just five years ago.....

It was August 24, 2004. We were freshman at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. After being assigned to a small group for our Psychology 101 class, I found myself sitting on the roof to the PLNU athletic training building with 11 strangers--two senior psychology majors and 10 other freshman, who were as confused and excited as I was. We sat in a circle, cross-legged on top of the building, overlooking the athletic field and then the vast ocean that lay before us, much like the future in our simple college-freshman eyes. We went around and said our names. He was cute--fair skin, blue eyes, light brown hair--but it was far from love at first sight.

Over the next few sessions, twice a week for one hour, we got to know each other more. He loved Metallica and basketball; he grew up in San Diego with his two brothers and parents, still married after 25 years. He was "passionate," I wrote in my journal about him.

By Labor Day, he had a girlfriend. And it wasn't me.

He started dating a girl who played for the basketball team. I was less than crushed, after promising myself I wouldn't waste my time on silly boys like I did in high school. I told myself that the next time I date someone--the next time I kiss someone--it's going to mean something.

The Lumberjack and I continued to see each other in class, and we became friends. Within two weeks, his relationship with the basketball player had ended, and he was on to better things: namely, me. We started spending more time together--he'd come over to my room during open dorm to watch movies, and wasn't the least bit deterred when he learned another boy was pining after me. In fact, the Lumberjack encouraged Boy #1 to make a move, or he would, which led to a very awkward conversation when Boy #1 asked me out. I thought Boy #1 was gay. Oops.

Later that week, the Lumberjack was in my room for another open dorm night, and he asked me to dinner. Trying my best to uphold the standards that I had set for myself (and being slightly cruel, I'll admit), I said, "Sure, as friends."

Ouch.

I remember thinking that I didn't want to be his second girlfriend in a month. I wasn't at college to date; I was there to earn a degree and get the best education possible.

When he told me he didn't want to be my friend, I remember thinking he was brave. Not many men would face rejection so boldly and go back in for more.

But he did.

If you ask him now why he stayed around for more, he would tell you that after I commented to him that "making out should be a sport," (yes, I was brazen in my young age), he knew he wanted to know more about me.

And so, the Lumberjack continued to be my friend. We'd spend time together in group settings: going out to movies, eating at the Caf together or attending freshmen-themed events. He even befriended a girl on my hall whom I had grown close to--a sly move.

She came to me one night and told me that the Lumberjack had said "She doesn't know it yet, but she's going to be my girl," about the prospect of dating me.

What an ass--I thought.

But he was persistent. One night, out at a movie with some of our mutual friends, I commented that I was tired and he offered me his shoulder to sleep on.

"No, thanks," I replied.

Now, the Lumberjack lovingly refers to this as Rejection #2.

And he was ready to give up. It was one thing for me to reject him privately, but doing it in public got to him.

I don't remember much of the following week. I do remember getting pneumonia and, right before I left for home, he handed me the sweetest "Get Well" card he could find, even if I didn't deserve it.

When I returned to school the next week, he now admits he had nearly given up on me. But, that Friday, October 22, I asked him if he wanted to see a movie with me, and he accepted.

He expected me to bring a bunch of my girlfriends. I didn't.

The Lumberjack and I took the campus shuttle to the Fashion Valley mall where we split a pepperoni pizza at Chicago Uno. He paid, he admits, just in case it actually was a date. We walked around the mall, taking about our lives and our goals while we waited for our movie to start. At one point, I discovered his middle brother was the same age as my sister and I suggested we go on a double date sometime. And he asked, "So, is this a date?"

Yes, it was. Our first date of many. We continued the night by watching "Shark Tale" together, which to this day is very "us."

But the rejection wasn't over yet. At the end of the night, he asked if he could kiss me.

And I said, "No," telling him that he could kiss me on our second date.

But I didn't make him wait that long. Two days later, we went for a walk and I stopped rejecting him. In fact, I made the first move and kissed him (when I told my mom that I had made the first move, she called me a "brazen hussy"). It was the best first kiss of my life.

Four days after that, the Lumberjack asked me if we could be exclusive, and we were.

And, while his dorm mates called me his "October girlfriend," I knew I was so much more than that.
Above, Christmas at my parents' house, Dec. 2004. This was our first photo together and the first time he met my parents.

Las Vegas, Here We Come!

In celebration of our one year wedding anniversary, the Lumberjack and I are taking a very last-minute, sexy trip to Sin City--Las Vegas. Of course, to us, it's not really Sin City. We hardly gamble (penny slots only, with a $20 limit), and we drink in moderation (mostly because I can't hold my liquor at all). To us, Las Vegas is about the food, the shows, the pools, the shopping, the nightlife and the overall extravagance of the city.

The Hotel

We booked a room at the MGM Signature, in one of the three new towers right behind the MGM Grand. The rooms are timeshares, privately-owned condos, and hotel suites. Using one of my favorite freebie/almost freebie sites, I booked a junior suite over Memorial Day weekend for $170 per night. Gotta love Vacation Rentals by Owner.

The room, as seen below, overlooks the strip, has a king-sized bed, a queen sofa pullout, a kitchenette and, the best part, the hugest marble and granite bathroom I've ever seen in a hotel suite.

The Transportation

In the past, the Lumberjack and I have driven to Vegas. From San Diego, it's only about 5 1/2 hours. The drive there is always great--snacks, music, cheesy driving games--but, the drive back is brutal. Dehydration, too much sun and exhaustion do not make good companions for a drive back through the desert. This time around, we've decided to fly.

Flying is both good, because we save 3 hours of time each way, but bad, because the first leg of our flight takes place in a 10-ROW plane. From Carlsbad to Los Angeles, we are flying in a plane that is about the length of two cars. OK, maybe three. And. That. Scares. The. Crap. Out. Of. Me.

I don't mind flying. It's the falling part I mind. Specifically, I despise taking off and landing. My poor Lumberjack nearly loses the circulation in his hand each time we fly because I am gripping it so hard during takeoffs and landings. I know it's a short flight, but I'm still nervous.

The Plan
This weekend will also be the first that we are not with Dutch. In fact, he has not had a night apart from us since we got him, over 6 months ago. Usually, he travels with us. After much debate of whether we should bring him to The Animal Keeper (where he goes for daycare), leave him with my parents or hire a house sitter, we decided to invite our dear friends Drew and Christine, more commonly known to Dutch as "Uncle Drew" and "Auntie," to spend a weekend at our place and watch over our little boy.

Clearly, he's a bit attached. And, he knows he's cute--a troublesome combination.

So, Las Vegas, here we come. My Lumberjack, I can't wait to spend the weekend with you!

New Rides

After nearly one year of car shopping, I took the plunge and traded in my beloved 2003 Honda Civic for a 2009 Honda Fit. I debated for awhile between the Fit and the Mazda3. When it came down to it, the 2010 Mazda3 had a few things I didn't like, including:

1. Huge blind spots for me;

2. Low gas mileage compared to the Fit; and

3. Higher price compared to the Fit.

The Fit has everything I need and want, all for a great price. For the first time ever, I have a car that unlocks with the push of a clicker. I also have great speakers, navigation, tons of cargo space and 33-mpg.

Tani at Honda of Escondido made our sales experience quite possibly one of the best I've ever had. And, for the cherry on the sundae, the Lumberjack got a 2009 Honda Civic in replacement of his 2004 Civic, which was slowly but surely biting the dust.

So, if you're looking for a Honda, Mazda, Acura or Audi, go visit Tani at the Penske Auto Group in Escondido. She can sell all four brands and will make sure you get everything you want at a price that works for you!

O'Brothers Burgers

I've been following O'Brothers Burgers on Twitter for a little while now and dying to try it. First of all, they serve all organic food, down to their sodas and fries. (In my experience, organic food generally tastes fresher and all around better.) Second, they are located in Horton Plaza (above the Levi store), so they are conveniently close to where I work. Below, you can see their Western Burger, stacked with onion rings, bacon and barbecue sauce.

Served with a side salad, these burgers are perfect for lunch or dinner. They are seasoned perfectly and just the right size to fill you up but not make you feel over-the-edge stuffed. The buns and burger aren't ridiculously sized like many sit-down burger chains, so you can actually eat the whole thing at O'Brothers, be full, but not have to unbuckle your pants. The downfall is that it's more expensive than, say, Jack in the Box, but you're paying for not only much better quality food, but for organic food as well. And, I think it's well worth it. For $7, I got the sliders and fries.

The sliders were essentially a normal size burger cut into quarters, topped with cheese, ketchup and mustard. I think they use olive oil when toasting the buns instead of butter, which gives the buns a soft texture with a rich taste. The burger seasoning also seems herb-based instead of salts or spices. If I had to guess, I'd say they have garlic, parsley and maybe basil or rosemary. The fries are like In-N-Out fries--they are clearly hand cut and come with some skin on them still. However, they are thinner than In-N-Out fries and, thus, a little crispier. They come seasoned with sea salt, a little garlic and (I think) parsley. I skipped on the drinks because they are pricey--$2.50 for a can (12 oz.) of organic soda.

Overall, I was very pleased with O'Brothers food and atmosphere. And, I'll be going back again soon, maybe for a downtown date night with the Lumberjack!

Crunchy Banana-Maple-Pecan Breakfast Muffins

Alright, it's been two weeks since my last post, mostly because nothing too exciting has been happening. However, I did make some amazing breakfast muffins that I should share with you. This recipe is courtesy of Noble Pig's blog.

Crunchy Banana-Maple-Pecan Breakfast Muffins

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup oat bran
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon table salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 cup mashed banana (about 2 medium)
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup canola oil
3 Tablespoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips plus more for topping (I used regular chips, which were fine)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup granola plus more for topping (I used a fruit and nut granola but any kind will work)

Noble Pig says, "In a large bowl combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, oat bran, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, banana, buttermilk, canola oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir together just until both are blended together.

Gently fold in chocolate chips, pecans and granola. Prepare muffin cups with cooking spray or by using paper liners. Divide the batter among standard sized muffin cups and sprinkle the tops with more granola and mini chocolate chips.

Place in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Make sure to keep an eye on them so your granola does not burn.

Let the muffins cool in the pan for 2 minutes.Remove to a wire rack to finish cooling off. Wrap them up individually and freeze up to three months. Pop in the microwave frozen for 30-40 seconds for the perfect breakfast.

Not too sweet and not too fattening. Makes about 16 standard sized muffins."

The muffins came out perfectly. They are delicately sweet with a mix of banana and nuts. The cinnamon and nutmeg give this recipe a nice, comforting taste. The Lumberjack and I ate a few, and I froze the rest for future breakfasts. YUM!

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In the meanwhile, Dutch has discovered the glory of sleeping on our bed, instead of in his crate. He whines when he wants up, and plops down on our bed like only a corgi can. He thinks he's a prince, because he likes to find the softest spot possible. Sweet boy. On another note, how crooked is that mirror in the background of my photo? I'm going to have to check on that tonight!

Freebies/Almost Freebies

I have a confession: I have become obsessed with free/so-much-on-sale-that-its-almost-free stuff.

For the past month or so, I've received a sample of something in the mail a few times a week. It started out because I just wanted to try some products: Starbucks instant coffee, new Quaker chocolate raspberry granola bars, or new Tide Total Care detergent. But, it's grown. I've now received Kashi cookies, Huggies wipes, Zyrtec, Crest teeth whitening kits, Dr Pepper coupons....the list goes on.

But, hey, it's free!

I've also become mildly obsessed with huge sale/discount sites. I love finding jewelry marked 85% off, or trips to Hawaii for about $500 a person (including room and airfare), or kitchen gadgets that are marked ridiculously low.

But, what kind of a person would I be if I kept it all to myself?

Here's a list of my favorite free/huge discount sites:

1. Travelzoo.com. Anyone who knows me know that this IS, in my opinion, the best travel site out there. I flew round trip to London for $600 through this site. I booked a $700/night Las Vegas room in the Planet Hollywood Hotel for $79/night. I've flown throughout Europe for $2 each round trip flight. Seriously. I haven't booked a vacation without using travelzoo.com in years.

2. Bradsdeals.com. If you're not a member of this site, join today. I cannot believe the deals posted daily here. Two days ago, I saw a KitchenAid stand mixer for $129 (usually $300). Yesterday, they had a Bulova women's watch--WITH DIAMONDS--for under $200 (usually $995). The deals change every day, and they're always items marked way down.

3. Spaweek.com. This amazing site holds spring and fall events each year where qualifying spas in your city offer $50 treatments. Yes, you CAN get a massage from an expensive spa for just $50. I have personally participated in the last two Spa Weeks (Fall 2008, April 2009) and was impressed. During the fall event, I received a $50 Swedish massage (usually $85) from a spa near my house. It was hands down the BEST massage I've ever received. Last month, I received a Hot Stone massage (usually $95) from the same spa, which was equally amazing. For $50, some spas also offer facials, microdermabrasion, 60-minute pedicures, etc. They also also discounted services at participating spas throughout the year. Sign up today!

4. Walmart.com. While I rarely actually shop at Wal-Mart, their Web site (http://instoresnow.walmart.com/in-stores-now-free-samples-and-trials.aspx) always has free samples available. From wipes to detergent to allergy medicine, you can order a sample before you commit. I love that I can try something (like Crest whitening strips) before I spend money on a product.

5. Gilt.com. I am a relatively new member of this site, and I'm loving it. Each day, they host new sales online. New DESIGNER sales. Lucky for my bank account, and my marriage, I don't go to a lot of place that I can rationalize having a $1,000 handbag (originally $2,500) or a $150 silk top (originally $350). But, if I did, this would be where I buy my entire wardrobe.

5. Restaurant.com. I love food. And, I love eating out. Restaurant.com helps me eat out without breaking my budget. This Web site sells gift certificates for a reduced rate. The catch is, you have to spend a certain amount, which you're going to anyway. For example, they sell a $25 gift certificate to McCormick and Schmicks for $10. The catch is you have to spend $35 at the restaurant. Still, if you spend $35, that means you're only paying $20. And, restaurant.com has major sales. I have purchased a $25 gift certificate for $2. That means, for a $35 meal, I'm only paying $12. Come on, you can't beat that. Only certain restaurants qualify, but within 30 miles of my house, almost 200 restaurants participate. Check it out!

6. VRBO.com. I love travelling, but staying in a hotel can get expensive. Not only do you have to pay for the room, you have to plan on eating every meal out. Not so anymore. VRBO (vacation rentals by owner) offers condominiums and houses at discount prices. For our honeymoon, the Lumberjack and I used VRBO to stay in the most amazing condo in Hawaii (http://www.vrbo.com/131306). It was every bit as good as the photos on the site. The condo was beautifully decorated and a fraction ($169/night) of what we would have paid staying in a hotel. Plus, it was 2 bedrooms/2 bathroom and had a full kitchen! Not to mention, it came with a new Jeep for us to drive. It doesn't get much better than that!