Walk with me?

Okay, check this out:

This was yesterday.

Here's today:

Isn't everything so much prettier bathed in sunlight!?

Not only is it sunny today, but look at these temperatures!


Thank you, Cindy, for getting Ted this gift a long, long time ago (I know he had it at his apartment his junior year of college!). I check it multiple times a day. :)

It's not really ninety-five degrees in our house. I do think the outdoor temp is pretty accurate though! Who can stay inside and do chores on a day like today? Not me! I got my workout done before lunch today, so that means anything else I do exercise-wise is just for fun! I think that calls for a luxurious stroll in the sunshine, don't you?

Oh, you want to come? All right then, lets go!

We're gonna walk this way today.


Shall we head out of town for a bit? Good, I was hoping you'd say yes.


Ahhh....now we're talkin'. We're about halfway done- hang in there!



We're at one of my favorite spots to stroll around, now. My feet sure enjoy off-roading, don't yours? Be a pal and help me watch out for snakes, though, okay?

Wait, do you hear that? What is all that splashing?

Why don't we just sit here and soak it all up for a bit...maybe we'll catch a glimpse of whatever is making all that racket!

Oh, it's fish! Lots and lots of fish! I come here all the time and I have never seen them leap into the air like that. Wonder what's making them jump for joy today?

Listen to the birds! I could just waste away a whole hour here, couldn't you? We should have brought a book.

Alas, we didn't, so on we go.

So what if we just got up? Have a seat...take a deep breath....smile!

It won't be long before we find ourselves back in town, so is it okay if we take our time through this stretch?

Aww shucks, we're almost home. What do you mean you think my camera is out of focus? I'm not doing anything different.... (turns out you were right!). Regardless, thanks so much for walking with me today! It's so nice to have company. :)

But really, get your butts outside for a few minutes if you can! I suspect it's nice in Iowa too....

I know this is a long post, but I have a few more things to say.

1. The other day I told you I had to run on the dreadmill (treadmill) with my Fivefingers. It did not go well for me. I couldn't run right! I did it anyway, but for the first time, things were uncomfortable in my "bare feet." I hate that you have to choose a number to run at on the treadmill. It sounds silly, but I can never get the right speed. I want to just start running, and have the treadmill figure out where I'm at. Do they have anything like that yet? Also, I noticed about halfway through my run that I was about to run right off the front of the machine. I was constraining myself into such a tight little area- once I backed off a little, things started to feel better, but the damage had already been done (mentally at least). For now, I'll stick to the outdoors as much as I can!

2. I've been through 4 books in the last few days!! Don't worry, I only read a chapter or two out of each (Reading is supposed to be fun- no one says I have to finish a book simply because I started it!). After reading Prodigal Summer, which I loved, I can't find a book that will hold my interest! I knew this would happen, so last time I went to the library I picked up three books that were possibles, but lo and behold, not a single one of them could do it for me! That's what happens when you get a REALLY good book- they're hard to follow! Luckily, LuAnn, a good family friend, sent a book over a couple weeks ago- and it's working! You saved the day, LuAnn! That being said, I need everyone's suggestions for good books. I read every night in bed without fail, so I need a list I can take to the library with me! Email me or comment below with the good books you've read lately!

Here's another one of MY random photos in the meantime:

This one is making me DROOL! It's a good thing these rolls are such hard work- keeps me from making them, let alone eating them! Darn that maple frosting. I could probably live off that stuff! If you weren't hungry before, well... you're welcome. ;)

You don't have to be scared.....

of the BOOGEY MAN if you come stay at our house!

There's no room for him under the bed! Last night I went to get the hand-mixer (you'll see why in a minute) from under the guest-room bed. I was a little surprised to see how much random stuff has crawled under there lately.....

A blinking red light for bike riding at night, some goggles, serving dishes, dreadful styrofoam bowls (the texture makes me jumpy), a shipping receipt from Cabelas, a curling iron, a brownie pan, coozies from Jake & Alison's wedding (just waiting for sweaty weather!), and a whole nother layer in the back! They should make nother a word. It sounds better than "whole other."

I'm not even ashamed to show you the piles under there, because really- take away every closet and cabinet in your house, and see what you're left with. You'd be stashing stuff under the bed, too! I am a little ashamed that the super-luxurious outdoor carpeting could stand to be vacuumed or swept or whatever, but only a little. What do you think a dust ruffle is made for, people? Hiding things, that's what!

I wanted to get the hand mixer out from under the bed to make a Taste of Home recipe: Taffy Apple Pizza. It's just a baby recipe (by baby I mean small) that I found in a Cooking for Two mag my mom had sent, so I didn't want to drag out the whole stand mixer. This recipe has a sugar-cookie crust, a peanut-buttery-cream-cheesy spread, with some Granny Smith slices and caramel sauce on top! I got busy making the sugar cookie pizza part, which called for refrigerated cookie dough. I can never make anything good with that crap, plus it is expensive (almost three dollars for a tube!) but I don't like to stray from a recipe- It just feels like a bad thing to do. Bad choice- My "pizza" crust turned into an oval-rectangle-square type shape and it got way too crispy (I rely too much on the timer sometimes). It was so ugly I threw it in the trash, BUT, as it was baking I licked the beaters from the peanut butter spread and realized it tasted a LOT like an apple dip my mom makes! It worked out well, because I used the spread as a dip for a little after-dinner treat (Ted liked it too!) and made sugar cookies with the rest of that darn cookie dough. All's well that ends well! The recipe still looks good, but I don't like to clutter my recipe box with anything I don't LOVE, so it's going in the trash.



I know today has been all about FOOD, but I can't resist- I found a new brand at the commissary. I was pretty upset that they didn't have Bisquick (I heart Bisquick pancakes!) or French's Crispy Onions in stock, but after breakfast this morning I have decided to let them off the hook this week. There's a new brand in town called Rudi's Organic Bakery, and they are the bomb! Their slices of bread fit in the toaster (other brands of whole-grain wheat get crammed in there and I can't get them back out!) and they're just GOOD! A tad on the expensive side ($2.70 or so), but then EVERYTHING is a tad on the expensive side. I'm embarrassed to tell you how much we spend on groceries for two people. If we ate only sale items, though, we'd have to live off cereal and pizza! Speaking of pizza, my favorite frozen pizza, Tombstone, has been FIVE DOLLARS a pizza- more than DiGiorno! When I was there yesterday, they had brought the price down to $3.00! Glory be! I don't know how they do their pricing. One day you'll pay seven dollars for brown sugar, and then next week it's two bucks. Must have something to do with living a million miles away from the producers. ;) Why don't I buy German? 1. The exchange rate stinks and it would be very expensive. 2. Their stuff tastes different! Especially anything with chocolate- even M&M's and KitKats have a different taste here. I do run down to the German store if I need a veggie or a condiment, but other than that I hit up the commissary (on post) once a week.

That's way more than I intended to say- I really just wanted to show you the best bread I've had in a LONG time:


I hold a special place in my heart for Sourdough bread. My mom used to bring a loaf home from the bakery sometimes, and we'd slather on the Country Crock and have it with dinner, or make it into a sandwich, or just eat it plain for a snack! This wasn't THAT kind of chewy deliciousness, but it toasts up NICE! We are definitely a wheat-bread family, and Ted loves really hearty bread with all kinds of seeds and stuff, but I decided to veer off this week and treat myself a little. The first ingredient listed is wheat flour (not even bleached or enriched), so I don't feel like it's a terrible decision. Rudi has outdone herself (himself?) with this bread. If you like white bread, but want something without preservatives and ickyness, try this!! You'll like it.

My internet is being a pest, coming and going as it pleases. Maybe that's a sign that I should quit rambling!

Not without today's Random Photo!


It's The Man himself. Sometimes I call him The Duck Whisperer. Birds are not afraid of him! If they only knew he'd take great pleasure in giving them a little bump with his boot.... (don't worry, he didn't and hasn't).

I don't really call him The Duck Whisperer. I just call him mine. does anyone know how to put one of those little hearts here!?

Too bad I just busted out laughing! ;) But really, I love him.

'Bye!

Smells better.....

First off, I need to direct your attention to this article. Go ahead, click the link... it will make you smile. Here's a little preview- "Cows are lovable companions because they're easygoing, have strong nerves and are 'unbelievably devoted' to people they like." Awwwww......

Anyway, I was out on my walk today and right away I noticed that yesterday's rain changed the entire landscape of our street:

All the trees burst into gorgeous yellow flowers! Every single house on the street has one of these trees (except us, go figure), and it smelled so fresh and wonderful! Like a dryer sheet, only the real deal! It's a vast improvement over the smells I've been wading through the last week and a half or so, the number one offender being straight-up manure. It drifts through the open windows, it assaults you on the street....it's everywhere! Usually I don't really mind the smell, but the other day I was walking along a trail that borders a field, and I think I got sprayed. It's time for springtime manure spreading around here, and I don't believe the farmers knife it in or inject it the way most everyone does back home (to avoid nutrient loss, not to spare your nostrils!). I could actually see the stuff being sprayed on the field, and while it's not like I got wet or anything.....that stink was ON me! Enough that I showered and washed those clothes pretty quick after my walk. Probably should have brushed my teeth, too. ;) Needless to say, the floral aromas in the streets and wooded areas today are like a breath of FRESH air.

Short post today....it's already Random Photo time:

Oh, I got a video this time! Well, why not! Please ignore my goobery rolled up sweatpants. I didn't know I was going public that day. Also, turn your volume down, because at the end the dogs start cheering for me quite loudly.



So, do YOU believe in water dowsing?? I do believe the rods cross when they find water, and they crossed consistently in places where it would be sensible to have a water / septic line from the house.... So if you need a well dug, just give me a ring. ;)

P.S. I just logged back in and the video upload quality is not-so-hot and you can't really see what I'm doing the way you can on my computer.....so I guess you really will have to invite me over, and for a nominal fee I'll...... just kidding. Have a nice day! :)

April Showers.....

.....bring May flowers. I know. Still, I can't help but be a little glum about the raindrops that have been pinging on my window all morning. It's a run day for me, and I just don't enjoy running in the rain. That means I'll be taking my Fivefingers to the treadmill for the first time! They're a little grubby from "off-roading"- maybe I should clean up my "bare feet" before taking them to town. ;) I'm a little disappointed to miss out on my usual trail run, but so it goes.

Remember the other day, when the random photo was of the curly cows? Well, I went back to visit them. I generally don't like to drive to my running or walking place, because then I have to do the dreaded "key clutch" the whole time I'm working out. Knowing me, one of these days I'll drop the whole set somewhere along the way and not even realize it. I learned my lesson the hard way, though, after my purse- actually a very nice Fossil purse of my mom's that I was borrowing- got stolen from Fifield Park. I went rollerblading on the trail there and thought that if I tucked everything under the seat, nobody would bother it. Wrong! I wish they had taken everything else and at least left that pretty purse. It took me a long time to religiously lock my car doors. Another time my cell phone and CD case got stolen from my car while I was at church! At CHURCH! Those hoodlums. Those things actually got returned to me- The cops called the "home" number from the address book in my cell phone. The person who took my stuff got caught for something else, so I got my property back that time. I do lock my car now, in case you're wondering.

So back to the original story- I made a concession and drove to workout this time because I wanted to say hi to the curly cows. It's actually a really nice drive over there- all farm roads and fields and "girls" in open-sided barns. There are quite a few dairies around here, and whenever I spot a barn full of cows, I fondly refer to them as "the girls." Which, they are! I'm trying to work out a way to get myself inside so I can pet their baldy heads, but I'm terribly afraid of the German farmers. Hmmmm.

Oh yes, the drive over to the curly cows-

This is approximately the spot two summers ago where I tearfully decided I did not care to learn to drive a stick shift anymore, or ever again. Just thought you'd like to know.

Yes, it looks straight here, and I can do straight, but there's hills and stop signs at either end that drove me into a panic trying to remember what I was supposed to do to stop. Coordination is really not my thing. Don't judge me....there's other things I'm good at....right? Besides, it's safer for everyone if I just use my brainpower to watch the road.

So, the curly cows. I got there, and they were gone! Their pasture was open and a tractor was making its rounds. I looked in all the adjacent pastures too. No evidence that curly cows ever lived there! Maybe they make for good supper? At least I got a good forty-minute workout in- with new scenery, to boot!


I know you can't tell, but my t-shirt and sweatshirt are the same colors as my shoes. I didn't even do it on purpose! I'm also doing that dreaded key-clutch. To the left of me is the pasture where the curlies once lived. There's definitely a berm built up along the fenceline- maybe curlies are particularly aggressive? Now I'll probably never know.

Now that the curly saga is finally over- random photo time!

Ha! This is from a medieval dinner we went to with some friends. We literally only knew four people there. At one point, the hosts randomly chose people to get up and do a special dance together. You can see that Ted is really thrilled about it. ;)

Okay, I'll just show you the next couple of pictures too. The uncomfortable look on Ted's face makes me grin. He's such a cutie. Each lady was supposed to turn their head and look at their partner over their shoulder- obviously the lady in pink had just enough to drink that she forgot "left" and "right."

Okay, last one. At this point the ladies were supposed to drape their legs over the guys' shoulders. Someone tell me, why does that lady look so horrified at the prospect of touching my husband? I think I'm offended. I just didn't know it at the time because that's MY bare leg on that giant of a man three people down. I remember being terrified that he was going to have to lift me up or something, which could possibly result in some kind of medical emergency on his part. Ah, good times.

Have a great Monday!!

Hide and Seek

Yesterday I went in my desk drawer to get the cord to sync my iPod, and I had a lovely little surprise waiting for me!

Gummi Bears! Does anyone else do this?? If I get a treat, I eat a little bit of it and then I squirrel it away around the house. That way, when I go to the kitchen looking for a snack, the gummi bears are nowhere in sight. I truly don't even think of them, but they're there if I decide I really "need" a treat.

There's some cheetos in a shoebox.....



And there used to be a bag of toffee peanuts hanging out in this trunk- but this was pre-calorie counting and they didn't last long. Who can resist sweet, crunchy toffee coating!?


I know, I know- they make reality TV shows about this kind of behavior.... But it really does work for me!

Speaking of calories, I got someone else to start using Myplate with me! There's plenty of room for more! Though I prefer short people- it kind of hurts to see how many more calories the tall people are allowed to have. Just kidding. Come one, come all!!

Speaking of tall people, my handsome husband is home! He came sweeping in all sunburnt and smelling like the wind.... and of course I had to show him my new trick...er...yoga pose...right away! It's becoming a bit of a thing around here- Look, honey, look what I can do! And then Ted says, "That looks horrible." And I smile and glow because I can finally do something he can't. It works for us. ;)

I figure since he's watching anyway, he might as well snap a picture. I'm pretty sure that even though I never want to do another push-up in my life, I have to thank push-ups for my ability to hold this pose. Even though it looks like I'm standing on my head, about 90 percent of my weight is actually resting on my shoulders. You're supposed to hold it for three minutes for maximum benefits, and I'm not quite there yet. Someday I will be, and then I will post a three minute video...just kidding. I won't brag about EVERY new pose I learn. I just have a special place in my heart for this one.

Okay, time to wrap it up. I encourage you all to go hide your goodies in random places around the house. Just don't make it obvious. It doesn't help if you put the Snickers next to your toothpaste and the jellybeans in your purse. If you're worried you'll forget about it- it's okay, Easter is coming up. There's bound to be an egg hunt in the house, and if someone comes up with a Nutter Butter, just act cool. "Oh, that? That didn't fit in an egg. Good job!"

Random Photo of the day!

Just me and my dolly! I have to confess the random photo I really selected was of the poison ivy I got last year. Sometimes when I have huge sores I like to take pictures, for posterity. I've graciously decided to spare you. Dollies are much easier to look at.

Me an' Rita

Last night's yoga was a sweaty success, as usual- but I had just the thing waiting for me at home:


A Wine-A-Rita! I didn't even know there WAS such a thing!?
My mom works at Tassel Ridge Winery and she sends me the BEST stuff! This week I got this peach bellini mix in the mail and have been dying to try it! You just throw the mix in the blender with white wine (if you live in Iowa, try Tassel Ridge's Candlelight or Oskyfizzante Wine) and ice- and within seconds you have........

The prettiest, tastiest frozen drink EVER (and a fresh pineapple? Why is he there?)!




Yep, me and Rita had quite a night. We did some heavy reading,


Watched some trashy tv........(What, I don't have kids in the house!),


and then it was time to say our goodbyes........


With promises to meet again, real soon.

But seriously, you have to try this stuff for your next girls' night or party or date with yourself (do what ya gotta!)....

There's something else that has been on my mind. It's about zoos, and how much I love them... how safe I feel when I visit them because the animals can't get me... and then I watched this video yesterday! Wait, who let out a deadly, venomous COBRA?! I go to the zoo because I was under the impression that the animals COULDN'T GET OUT! Gross. Snakes are gross and devious and sneaky.

And if you watch the video from that link, make sure you sit there and pay attention to the Beef Checkoff ad. I'm a big supporter of the Beef Checkoff. Also pay attention to when the guy from the zoo tries to downplay the fact that there's a missing cobra by saying, "If the cobra was loose in my house with my children, I wouldn't worry." Yeah, okay. Don't get me wrong, I don't see any reason for panic in the streets, but I don't want a cobra in my house. Just sayin'.

Okay, one more thing about snakes. The other day on The Simpsons, Bart found a pet python and named it Strangles. HA! Strangles.... Oh, Bart.

I better stop now- I can already see myself being the only one laughing. Random Photo Time!

That's Fred, on the right. We have at least one thing in common: We'll eat about anything you put in front of our face.

In the Kitchen with Ashley....

Okay, I don't post a lot about cooking, because to be honest, I'm not really a chef. I follow recipes, don't get creative at all, and my food rarely looks like the picture in the cookbook. Yesterday, though, I decided to make myself a "real" lunch- you know, other than soup or sandwiches or what-have-you. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pitas! I used a recipe from Cooking Light: Smoky Bacon and Blue Cheese Chicken Salad Pitas. Only they don't sell blue cheese at the commissary, so I substituted Feta crumbles. And I don't like mayonnaise, so I used Kraft Free Ranch. And I left out the tomatoes. So it became a Chicken Bacon Ranch pita! It was really tasty, and you can make them ahead of time to take to work- just bring your pita pocket and fill it at lunch time! So, here's a kitchen success for Ashley.


This morning I didn't fare so well:


I guess I'm still not used to all the horsepower this microwave brings to the table. Whoops. That was my last oatmeal packet, too. :( I don't like "real" oatmeal because no matter how I much I adjust the amount of water or milk, it is too soupy and gross. I know that I can make the texture the way I like it with instant, microwave oatmeal, so that's what I do! It comes from years of practice- I used to eat "hot cereal" almost every morning before school in the winter. I haven't heard the term "hot cereal" since I left home! Ted thought I sounded like a person from the retirement home. ;)

Since most of the ladies I know have husbands in the field right now, a few of us decided to get together to watch a movie. My friend Jennifer got AppleTV- basically it is iTunes that streams right to your television. The movie rental price on iTunes is the same as what we can rent for at the shoppette, so I guess it would save a trip to town. Although I get the tenth rental free at the shoppette, and I do like rewards and incentives.... I'll probably stick with that. Anyway, we watched Black Swan. It was described to me as a "psychological thriller." I wasn't really thrilled with it, I'll be honest. It was a lot of "ewwww"! Very creepy and twisted and the kind of movie that you don't want to watch right before going home to bed all alone. That being said, some people really loved it, so don't let my opinion stop you from renting it!

Something I watched recently that I really loved- last week's episode of The Office! It wasn't as funny as some, but I really loved it. No kidding, I actually had tears in my eyes at the end. It will be interesting to see where the story goes (if it does) without Michael Scott!

Oh my, look at the time. The online auction for Government Liquidation has opened, so I need to log off here and get my bid on! That's right, I'm negotiating bids on 1-ton trucks for my husband, since he can't do it from the field... I think that qualifies as "Good Wife." :)

Oh wait!! Random Photo!!

Oh my goodness. It's my favorite cows in all of Germany. I want one. I might have to go visit those lovely, shaggy curlies on my walk today!!