lunch on a monday

home on a monday rarely happens. i am spending the day wedding planning and getting some work done. i took the time to make a ' healthy lunch.' trying to lose weight before the wedding ... eek! this is a simple, not so time consuming chicken salad recipe that i whipped up, with a side of grapes and seltzer of course.

ps - special free tip, bread has tons of calories but pumpernickel is the lowest calorie bread of them all.

chicken salad

2 chicken breasts, boiled and cut into small pieces

1/2 low fat mayo

1 large tablespoon fat free sour cream

1 squirt of yellow mustard

1/2 cup grapes, cut into quarters

1/2 cup dried cranberries

a splash of lemon juice

a pinch of rosemary

salt and pepper

enjoy!

left my heart at the sphinx

we went to egypt for two weeks. we wandered all over the country, more posts to come soon. on day one, we went to giza to see the pyramids. as i step out of the van i was awe struck. these massive creations shoot up from the ground and they are so breath taking. the stones at each level are as tall as i am. they glisten and pop with the blue back drop of the sky.

we wandered around the three pyramids and then got to ride a camel. he was super cute. decorated in bright colors and rugs we trotted down and back. i really loved the camel ride, steve was a little unsure at first, but enjoyed himself. we wandered from the camels and pyramids to the sphinx.

it looks more spectacular in person than it does in pictures. his big long paws stretch out from his body which is more or less still in tact. we had just a few minutes left to wander around and steve asked me if i wanted to sit down. i said, i think we have to go, but sure for a minute.

i turned back to look at the sphinx and when i turned back around, steve was down on one knee. he said, "i love you so much baby, i thought this would be a great time to ask you if you would marry me. now when ever you see a sphinx or the pyramids you will remember this trip and me asking you. you make me so happy and i want to spend the rest of my life with you. so, will you marry me?" i, now tears of bliss streaming down my face, responded with "unequivocally yes." i am not sure why that word popped out, but it did. so... we are officially engaged! so excited.

we spent the rest of the trip wandering around egypt taking in temples and the sun, the nile and the people. it was a great trip. getting back late yesterday we shared the evening with my parents. now back to work and life. only, there is one new and exciting event on the horizon, planning a wedding :)

cranberries and thanksgiving

After a very long drive to Clemson SC, we prepared a fabulous Thanksgiving meal. I thought I'd share one recipe that truly embodies this holiday. I hope your holiday was spent with friends and family. Enjoy.

Cranberry Sauce

1 bag of fresh cranberries
2 cups of water
zest from 1 orange
1/2 cup of sugar or sugar substitute
pinch of lemon juice

boil water, cranberries until cranberries start to pop.
turn heat down to medium and stir in sugar.
add lemon juice and orange zest.
stir and cook for 5-8 minutes.
let cool in metal bowl. serve. enjoy.

happy thanksgiving

how we got here ...

Those that know us well can probably guess who atom and kelvina are. For those who don't know, these are the names that Steven has chosen for our fictitious children. These two little people have been involved in a number of decisions in our lives in recent months. While they are no more than a glimmer in our eyes, we dedicate these thoughts and musings to them. Enjoy.