Beauty at the Sea

           We first saw her 4 years ago, we were immediately captivated by her beauty.  She stood tall just a short walk from the waters tide.  The first time we saw her we were staying next door in a modest two bedroom townhouse, she towered over us and her modern details stood out in comparison to our 30+ year old townhome.  She had a lot to boast about, the exterior covered in windows, the way her roof curved to make the oceans, sometimes, furious winds still seem gentle, two huge balconies, one that had a rectangular pool another with a fire pit and lots of seating. 


          We have been fortunate to visit the beach a lot in the last 4 years and every time we drive down to look at the house we grew to love.   When we aren't at the beach we have dreamed about her too. Brian, my husband, found her on the internet and we have looked at her photos and again talked about how much we loved her.

         Last week we went on an "escape the snow" getaway to the beach.  We took the kids and enjoyed time away as a family.  The weather was warm enough that we were able to ride bikes the majority of our time there.  One afternoon I was trailing behind my husband and without him saying a word I knew where we were going.  We pulled into her driveway and immediately we both started grinning. As we walked the beach in front of her we couldn't help but notice that prettier, more modern, more amazing homes were being erected around her.  She had been such a standout and suddenly she was fading while others were being noticed. 

         The clear glass balcony was suddenly not so clear and a little more dingy, her white exterior had been hit with sandy winds a few too many times and they too appeared dingy.  While still a gorgeous home and a dream to be right on the beach I suddenly felt let down.  I started to say this to my husband when he spoke first "man the house has kind of gone down hill, huh?" he stole my words.  He felt the same way. 

         I then looked out to the ocean and was immediately reminded that the beauty of man fades, but things created by God, like the ocean, they remain majestic and beautiful forever.  I want to be less impressed with gorgeous beach houses and more impressed with the beach and the one who made it. 

Let Them Be Little

              

 

The nights your baby just won't sleep, the time your toddler decides to throw an Oscar worthy tantrum in the middle of target, Easter Sunday you put that brand new bubble on your baby boy and he immediately has a blow out ruining the bubble.  Moments like these leave you dreaming of them just a little bit older.  Nights where they sleep better, trips to target where they are mature enough to not throw tantrums,  Sundays where they are potty trained and make it to church in the outfit you had planned. 

 

 

She is headed out for her first date,  He is now 30 minutes late for curfew and isn't answering his cell phone, she has decided that being seen in public with her parents is as bad as having ebola.  Moments like these leave you reminiscing of the days when they were with you all the time.  These moments leave you longing for the time when she said she wanted to marry daddy, longing for the time when his only truck was a Tonka truck that he rolled up and down the sidewalk, wishing for times when she asked to hold your hand as you walked down the street. 

 

While babies and toddlers are hard, it only gets harder.  Appreciate the tenderness of these tiny souls and don't wish for another day.  For when another day comes you will surely miss these young times.   

 

 

Single On Valentine's

               For some, Valentine's Day can't go away quick enough.  Going to work is hard when it feels like all of your coworkers are being gifted with flowers and chocolates.  You open up Instagram or Facebook and immediately regret it.  Once again you are bombarded with pictures of couples in love and romantic gestures that have been done to your friends.  For the millionth time today you are reminded that you are single. 


            You are just about to cave into a dark place of self pity and binge on a bag of Doritos, but then you look at your phone and go through your contact list. Wow! You are suddenly reminded of the army of friends that you have.  While being single on Valentines is hard, knowing that you have great friends softens the blow.  You put the bag of chips back in your pantry and you decide to do something special for yourself! Buy yourself a massage, or chocolates or a new outfit.  Celebrate yourself and do something for yourself that you wouldn't normally do.


             Friends, just because you have a valentine doesn't mean that everyone else does.  If you have a friend that is single this Valentine's day I encourage you to get them a card, shoot them a text or bring them a coffee.  Everyone wants to be loved and those that are single need to be reminded that they are special and loved too. 

           


          

BBQ Nachos with Zucchini Chips

 

 

I was trying to do something different with zucchini other than pasta so I got the idea for nachos.  I had seen on pinterest a recipe for salt & vinegar zucchini chips.  When I saw that a light bulb went off and gave me an idea to make a play on BBQ nachos using zucchini chips.  These were a homerun at our house and we will have these again and again.  The best part is you can use any toppings you like so you can make them many different ways. 

 

 

 

First, to slice the chips, I used a mandolin.  You could use a spiralizer and do the largest spiral setting or a knife and slice the zucchini thin but the mandolin seemed the simplest way for me.  Now, I must warn you that mandolins can be dangerous so please use with extreme caution.  I did this while my kids were napping so that I could pay full attention to the task at hand :) 

 

 

Once you slice your zucchini chips layer them on paper towels so that the water that the zucchinis retain can be absorbed.  Place a paper towel on the top as well, let them sit for 10 minutes and then pat them dry with the top paper towel. 

 

Next spray a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and then salt and pepper the entire pan.  Next, lay your zucchini chips on the pan.  Now, salt and pepper the tops of your zucchini chips.  Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  You may have to cook your chips in batches depending on how many you have. 

 

 

 

Start slicing and dicing any of your favorite toppings.  I went and got 1/2 a pound of pulled pork BBQ from our favorite BBQ place.  If you are cooking your own meat this would be the time to do that as well.  You could easily do chicken or ground beef.  Also these would be delish with just lots of veggies. 

 

 

 

Once your chips are done cooking put them on the plates and you are ready to start assembling your nachos. 

 

 

 

Ingredients

 

2-3 zucchinis

5 cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/4 cup shredded carrots

1 bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup black olives, drained and diced

1/2 cup shredded cheese

dollop of sour cream

dollop of salsa

1/2 lb of chicken, pulled pork or ground beef

 

These nachos were delicious and the best part is we did not have to feel guilty for indulging!! Enjoy!