The Game of Life

I've always loved The Game of Life...ya know, the fictitious one. The real one is scary. On the-glass-is-half-full-side it's also exhilarating. I'm working very hard to live in the moment. This isn't a thirty minute game. We're talking lifetime. Lifetime is a big heavy word.  Here's the big change happening in the game of my life...

I am going back to school. As of last Friday, it's official. I will give you a moment to process this. Also, it's for myself. 

Ready? I will be attending Chapman University's Master of Arts in Teaching program to become a Jr. High/High School English teacher. Need another moment? Sure, take as many as you need. I feel a little crazy about it...and also at peace. I'm emotionally confused to say the least.

How long you ask? Well, two years. I'm anticipating them being a blur. 

Doing good? Here's another tidbit to digest. Chapman University is in Southern California, almost 1,000 miles from Seattle. That is a bit too much of a commute for me to keep my Washington residence. I'm heading to California (with all of my coffee mugs, scarfs, and cloth napkins in tow) at the end of July. This is a measly twelve(ish) weeks away! What's my point? If you live in Seattle, we need to hangout ASAP. My goal is to become a professional tourist for the next 3 months. Want to join me? Let me know by commenting here, Facebook, Twitter, or phone. 

I respond to smoke signals as well.

A lady at church said, "I really feel like your life is just starting" when I told her I was moving "home" to go back to school. I got teary eyed. One or two might have escaped. I think she is right. Today, I don't let fear determine my decisions (as much), and I know that there is never an easier softer way. I've tried, but I am left feeling unfulfilled and honestly like a piece of crap. 

Life requires my attention, effort, heart, soul, and my reliance on God. I've tried to do life on my own. It doesn't look pretty. Here is the deal, I am terrified of the unknown. I'm gonna push forward anyway...it is the only way the unknown becomes the known. 

When have you pushed past fear? How did things turn out? Let's share our stories with each other. I fully believe we were never meant to live alone. Community is where it's at. It just is.

Lots of love!

GUEST APPEARANCE: Everything's Alright

Hey everyone, sorry it has been quite a while since my last post. A lot has happened. Mainly I have started contributing to another blog called Breakfast Banter. Check it out right after you hear from my amazing niece...

Hi I'm Mackenzie, her niece. I love to make smoothies and milk shakes with our juicer. The first time that I wanted to make one, I went online and tried to find a website of the recipes of Jamba Juice smoothies. I found them and wrote them down. Lately I've been making my OWN smoothies. My favorite one that I made is called Everything's Alright. Here's the recipe.

~Everything's Alright
1 cup of apple juice
1 handful of frozen peaches
2 scoops of orange sherbert
2 handfuls of frozen mixed fruits (berries)

***
Okay people, keep in mind, I'm ten so my handfuls are kind of small.
Handful: (Your Size)
***

Trying it...

 Liking it...

 Loving it...

Now back to my aunt...

Well, I must say that I am very proud of Mackenzie. Not only for her smoothie capabilities, but also for her writing capabilities. Maybe she will be the next writer in the family. Or really, the first one. Who knows. But back to smoothies. I tried Everything's Alright and it was more than alright. AHmazing!!!! We will definitely be enjoying some more of these over the next couple days I'm in town. You should try this and tell us what you think. Also, Mackenzie will share new recipes with you as she discovers them herself.

What is your favorite smoothie recipe?

Lots of love,
Aunt Lindsey & Mackenzie

Buchanan-Knox Engagement Photos

I kind of fell into being a wedding coordinator on accident. How does this happen? Well, you happen to be organized & creative and have a roommate getting married. The formula might not work EVERY time, but it is worth a try. So, if you want to dabble in coordinating anything wedding related just find an engaged gal looking for a roommate...

My very good friend Whitney was the main camera(wo)man AND hairstylist (this is when I would refer you to her website, but she doesn't have one. I still love her a ton). After hair & makeup were done and blankets & chair loaded in the car, we grabbed some iced coffee (delish) & pink sprinkled cake-pops and hit the road. There is nothing like driving by the Space Needle with the sun setting. I think we took pictures on the most beautiful day of the year. The sun wasn't only shining, it was actually warm. After a couple hours of trudging through Discovery Park (carrying outfits, jackets, hairspray, blankets, purses, camera bags, and a chair) my skin felt a tinge of burn. It was better than the cake pop. And I feel I should remind you that the cake pop was pink WITH sprinkles.

Here are the photos I snapped at Whitney's side. 

Melissa & Kyle, you are beautiful people. 

I love you. 

Hey Girl...

As many of you know the Hunger Games movie came out last week. 

I was definitely at the midnight showing & had too much caffeine running through my body. I wasn't the only one. That's why we busted out Pinterest & laughed about all the Ryan Gosling 

"Hey Girl" photos about Hunger Games. 

We were just enough crazy to make up our own. I hope you enjoy it. 

It brought us a lot of laughter & helped us pass the time.

Thank you Alison for your diligent work to make this happen. And, don't worry, a Hunger Games post is coming soon. Sooner than Mockingjay will be coming to the big screen. I promise.

What would your "Hey Girl" say?

Photography. Spring is Springing.

Have you ever loaned something to someone that you never use and the next day want nothing more than to use it? This is EXACTLY what happened when I loaned my camera to my mom while hers was being fixed. I seriously hadn't used my camera since I got my iPhone almost 2 years ago. I liked not carrying the weight around and not worrying about forgetting it. I have a serious attachment to my phone (this is a topic for another day). Maybe it is because the sun is out, but I wanted nothing more than to carrying around my heavy camera today. Even after only sleeping 3 hours (I went to the midnight showing of The Hunger Games. Did you?) I chose a stroll along Juanita Beach over a nap. I don't even recognize myself yet I haven't felt more like myself in a long time. The sun beating down on me while I searched for the perfect shot was magical. Spring is magical and spring is exactly what I found today. I even took pictures of breakfast...it must have been the sun rays shinning in through the window. They are like catnip for me. 

Easy Peasy Cheesy Quiche

I made up this quiche about 2 weeks ago for the girls I "nanny." I use the quotes because honestly I don't nanny the way you would think. The girls are 15 & 16. Not so much in need of being watched & more in need of someone to listen/guide. Anyway, this is the 3rd time my quiche has been requested in the last 2 weeks. They think it good, so I thought maybe you would too.

Easy Peasy Cheesy Quiche
Serves 6-8

Ingredients
1tsp butter or cooking spray
2 cups chopped broccoli
7 eggs
1/2 cup milk of your choice
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1tsp salt
Pepper to taste

Directions
1. Coat pan with butter or spray (I used a Pyrex glass pie dish)
***this is a crust-less quiche. If you're watching carbs, or staying away from gluten this is a great option***
2. Boil broccoli until bright green. Remove immediately & drain.
3. Mix all ingredients. (again...gotta love a Kitchen Aid mixer for this. It mixes while you clean)
4. Pour into dish.
5. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.

Enjoy!

Cheesy Quinoa with Kale & Bacon

Sundays always have this invisible film of pressure. This precious day holds my last few hours of freedom before Monday hits. Do I nap, fold laundry, read a book, clean, go out with friends, catch up on paperwork (somehow there is ALWAYS some sort of work that consists of paper), discover something new in Seattle I've never done, paint my nails, hit the thrift stores...you get the idea. Sometimes (more than I'd like to admit) I sit frozen not knowing what to do. I waste away my precious hours in indecisiveness. Not today my friends! I created a masterpiece in the kitchen. 

May I present you with Cheesy Quinoa with Kale & Bacon???

Thank you Aaron Woodall for the Mac&Cheese conversation that inspired this dish.

Cheesy Quinoa with Kale & Bacon
Serves 2-3

Ingredients
2 cups chopped kale (I used the bagged kale from Trader Joe's)
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp rosemary
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1/4 cup nonfat greek yogurt
1/4 cup milk (whatever you have on hand)
3/4-1 cup cheeses of your choice (I used feta, mozzarella, & gruyere) 
Bacon bits to your liking (fresh are always better)

Directions
1. Coat kale in oil. Sprinkle with rosemary, salt & pepper. Broil on LOW until warmed.
2. Cook quinoa according to directions.
3. Mix all ingredients & place in 8X8 glass dish.
4. Broil on HI until preferred crispiness is acquired.

Eat it up, because it is delicious!

If you are lucky like me, then you can mix everything with your Kitchen Aid mixer. 

I loaned him to a friend not too long ago, and he came home with a name. 

Meet Tangy. This is his internet debut. 

He is very happy to meet you & hopes to cook for you one day.