Greatest Gift Ever

I usually don't get too hung up on telling everyone how great and how much I love my husband on our blog.... but today is an exception.

Me and Brett aren't into buying lots of stuff for each other, but rather do fun things together. For our anniversary this year (it was in June) Brett didn't have a present but said he was having something made for me- a jewelry box (and he really stressed it was no ordinary jewelry box).

Well months turned into months and every now and again he would promise me someday I would have my present. To be honest I had actually kindof forgotten about it until he came home last weekend with it- AND IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT!

Brett talked a guy who has only made a few of these to make me one (he said it took months of coaxing because it takes a long time and he didn't want to build it). It took him over 60 hours and has over 72 pieces involved. It took Brett over 7 hours to finish it. It is the best gift anyone has ever given me by far and will definitely be something we hand down to our kids.

It is wormy maple and Brett did a clear finish with a little tint. Its almost two feet tall and is very heavy. My pictures don't do it justice, you have to see it to appreciate it.

This is with all the parts open. The top opens, the middle opens and is for my necklaces, and the bottom opens also

Just the top part open


All the detail

Thanks to Brett, I love him so much and feel very lucky to be with someone so awesome.

My New Thing...

For Anyone who knows me, I'm always thinking of new things to do, learn, read, etc. I feel like I always have to have a project or I'll go crazy. I'm currently taking a photography and advanced photoshop class (in hopes of someday being a professional photographer), finally finished my latest book (it took me about 2 months), started/came up with a really promising company/venture (but kinda gave it up after seeing the time involved and my job changed) earlier this year. It sometimes feels that Im always go, go, do, go (definitely comes from my family).

I have also been reading that some of my friends have been doing 1/2 marathons.... and now I want to do one also. I used to love working out and used to be in way good shape.... then came Brett. As my love did for him.... so did my waistline- and it hasn't stopped. Well that's (hopefully) over. I am learning the hardest thing about getting in shape is the DECISION to actually do it. I have been at the gym everyday for several weeks and am getting in better shape and my goal for 2010 is a 1/2 marathon (No date in particular, but hopefully somewhere in the spring?) I will keep you posted (hopefully that I've put that out there it will come true and I won't give up).

Anyway, another new goal is to try a new recipe each week. We both love to cook, but get limited with choices. My sister Becky is a great cook so I get a lot of recipes from her (so I will cheat because some of "MY" recipes are some that I actually get from her- but she never updates her blogs sooo....at least I will give her credit). I will post blogs from time to time on the good ones. And you must know if they are good they must be easy to make (cause that's how I roll...)

So to begin.... I have the BEST recipe for chili- and its actually somewhat healthy (this came from Becky).

HEARTY GROUND TURKEY CHILI

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 large white onion, finely diced

1 lb ground turkey

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 fresh ground pepper

1/4 teaspoon Lawry's garlic salt with parsely

4 cloves fresh garlic, minced

1 14 oz can chicken broth

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 small can tomato paste

3 cans beans of choice drained (I use chili beans, black beans, and pinto beans)

1 teaspoon tabasco hot sauce

3 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons ground cumin

Heat oil into a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Saute onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in turkey, salt, pepper and garlic salt; cook until browned and no longer pink. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, hot sauce, chili powder and cumin. Reduce heat to low and simmer until ready to serve.

Serve with cornbread muffins (or whatever).

UMMMM, this is a big hit at our house, and takes no time to cook.