December 2009

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2009 and Looking Forward

December 30, 2009 in Family by Tristina | No comments

Goodness, 2009 has been a huge year for Stephen and me.

In the course of 12 months we have -

  1. Adopted a dog (well, technically December 2008 but close enough)
  2. Got married
  3. Traveled to Spain
  4. Sadly put a ferret to sleep
  5. Got pregnant
  6. Bought an SUV
  7. Bought our first Christmas Tree

Much, much more was packed in there but those are the big events to me that stand out.  We are both so blessed  to have accomplished so much in the past year, much of which will continue into 2010.

Stephen’s job is taking on bigger and bigger projects which means good news for them in terms of growth and stability (fingers crossed!).  Our little one is coming in just a few short months and that will be a whole other adventure unto itself.  Shortly, we’ll be talking about finding a home to purchase and really call our own.

As 2009 closes and 2010 begins, we’ve made a few goals as a family and as individuals.

For me personally, getting more in shape in preparation for labor and the baby is at the top of my list.  Same with getting back into shape after delivery.  I realize it’ll take some time and I can’t overdo it but, if I stay focused and diligent about it, I can get to prepregnancy weight in no time.  Writing is also another one that is always on my list and we’ll see how that one jives with a newborn in the picture, but the effort needs to be made.  But, overall, I want to be a better wife, a good mother and a better friend in general.

For us as a family, our short-term goals involve getting the nursery ready, childproofing the house and being as “ready” as we can be to welcome a baby into our home before May.  Yes, I know you’re never “ready” in the honest sense of the word, but I can mark a few things off the to-do list and feel much better about the situation overall.

Longer-term goals involve getting our finances more in order and being more cognizant of our money outflow.  We’d like to pay some things off in the next year like Stephen’s car and my school loans.  We would also like to be in the position to buy a home if we can manage it.  The original plan was marriage, buy a house, have kids and we all know how well THAT worked out.  But we’re adjusting and adapting and talking at length about options and what we can do now to make it possible later.

A lot more will happen in the next 12 months and, between you and I, internet, I’m crazy excited about it.

So from our home to yours, wherever you are, have a wonderfully happy farewell to 2009 and may your 2010 be all you want it to be and more.

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Asian Chicken Rolls

December 28, 2009 in Recipe by Tristina | No comments

This recipe is courtesy of Cuisine At Home Magazine Issue #72.  If you really enjoy cooking but don’t have time/inclination towards really complex recipes, this is a fantastic magazine.  I’ve used it religiously for about three years now.

Asian Chicken Rolls with tangy plum sauce

For the rolls–

1/3 cup chopped scallions
6 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. chili garlic sauce
1 egg, separated
1/2 cup canned water chestnuts, chopped
1 sheet purchased puff pastry
1 tsp each white and black sesame seeds

For the sauce–

1/2 cup plum jam
2 Tbsp. lime juice
2 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. ketchup
1/4 tsp each salt and red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 400; line a baking sheet with parchment paper

Mince scallions, 3 tbsp. cilantro, and ginger in a food processor.  Add chicken, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and egg white; pulse until coarsely chopped.  Transfer to a bowl and fold in water chestnuts.

Roll pastry on a floured surface to 14-inch square then halve lengthwise.  Divide chicken mixture between portions of dough, spreading along the bottom edge of each piece of pastry.  Roll to enclose filling and transfer to prepared baking sheet, seam side down.  Beat yolk with 1 Tbsp. water, brush onto logs, then sprinkle with sesame seeds.  Bake until golden, 20-25 minutes, let cool slightly, then slice each into 1-inch pieces.

Simmer all sauce ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes.  Let cool, then stir in remaining cilantro.

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Holidays and Milestones

December 28, 2009 in Baby, Family by Tristina | 1 comment

I have to say, I love when Christmas falls on a Thursday or a Friday because the celebration just ends up extending through the weekend.  This year’s Christmas was nothing short of wonderful.

We spent it in Atlanta with Stephen’s family and had a fantastic time.  Christmas Eve was filled with LOTS of food, wine (for those who could drink), and presents all around.  And many, many dogs as everyone brought theirs over.  Christmas Day was all about brunch at Grandma’s then back home for more presents and more food and movies.  The weekend consisted of lounging, reading, more movies, more food and more company.

All in all, it was a food-filled, laughter-filled and fun gift-filled holiday extravaganza.

To my family and Stephen’s family, thank you for your wonderful generosity in feeding us, all the great gifts for us and the baby, and your kind company.

Halfway

The Wednesday before Christmas, I hit quite the milestone of my own.  I am officially halfway through my pregnancy (according to the 40 week calendar), hitting 20 weeks without any problems.  Also,  I can officially no longer see my toes.

The due date is coming up quickly – just a little over four months to go – so Stephen and I have begun to talk about the nursery and plans for getting it ready in a timely manner.  I played in Photoshop (yes) to come up with a paint pattern I liked for the walls so the next step is finding paint that satisfies my design idea.

For those of you who know what our house looks like and our available space, yes, we’re getting rid of the guest room.  It’s going to be quite the undertaking to remove the guest furniture (either by giving it away to friends/family or by donation to Goodwill) and then clean, then paint, then procure the new baby furniture from IKEA.

I’m hopeful we can get it all done without much hurry and stress before April so I can have time to just rest and relax in my last month of being pregnant.

The next big event?  Monday, January 4, is my next ultrasound in which we will (hopefully if Tadpole cooperates) find out the gender!  Needless to say, we are both really excited to find out if we’re having a little Olivia or Andrew so stay tuned for the announcement!

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