Day 21- Celebrating LOVE

I went to my girlfriend Jenny's wedding in Az. over the weekend. Not only was there an abundance of relaxation for me (I proudly left my computer and my work in Minnesota) there was SO much love. It was amazing to spend time with the wedding girls the night before Jenny tied the knot and listen to all the stories we had to share about how much we appreciate and love Jenny, everything she has meant in our lives, and how thrilled we are that she found love with such a special guy. I really wouldn't have missed this for the world and even though shortly before I left I had doubts that there was enough (*see lack) money to fund my little getaway, I am so glad I stepped into trust and faith that it would work out, that there was abundance waiting for me, and that this trip was exactly what I needed. It was! I am so grateful I was there for Jenny's big day. It brought me back to a 1- 1/2 years ago when Matt and I took the same vow of love and catapulted me into a deep state of gratitude for all I have and the love that I share with my hubby! Teary- eyed I watched Jenny and Colin share their commitment with all of us and bleary-eyed I got on the plane the following morning at 5am to head home to Minnesota and into the arms of my true love. What a great weekend trip!


Matt and I share a kiss on our day


Jenny and I at her wedding



The girls of the wedding.


Jenny and Colin on their big day.

Day 15- Abundance! Really so much Abundance!

I bought a car! A beautiful 2009 Toyota Corolla, shiny white. I am actually SO AMAZED at the difference this has made in my life, allowing this kind of wanting. It feels SO GOOD to drive a beautiful car and I have never allowed myself one this nice, or nice at all for that matter. I have always driven the junkers because I just didn't care about vehicles. Well, caring about EVERY area of your life makes a difference! YES it does! Because I feel great in this car, in fact I feel stupendous every time I step into it. I promise I will take a pic and send it but really I am just so busy loving driving it right now that I keep forgetting to get a pic!

And thanks to my fabulous hubby for supporting me in all this abundance! I love you Matt!

Day 5/6- Yummy chicken and Kate + 8

My husband is not a chicken lover, or a sweet lover so it is quite amazing that he loved this recipe I made. Panko-crusted chicken with mustard-maple pan sauce. The chicken was so MOIST (do you love this word as much as I do?) and I put his sauce on the side because I wasn't sure what he would think of the maple in it. Turns out he ate it up and enjoyed it enough that it makes the share grade. I also made these totally delish mashers and we have enough leftovers for tonight's new dish; Turkey meatloaf with mushrooms and herbs. I await with bated breath as it is in the oven now and this healthy meatloaf will definitely come under careful scrutiny since Matt's beloved meatloaf is almost always made with beef and gravy and this recipe has neither.

Panko-Crusted Chicken with Mustard Maple Pan Sauce

2-8 oz skinless chicken breast halves cut crosswise in half
2tsp. + 2 tbs. Dijon mustard
1 large egg
1 tbs finely chopped Italian parsley
1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs
2 tbs. olive oil
1 cup low-salt chicken broth
2 tbs. pure maple syrup
2 tbs. + 1 tsp. course-grained mustard
1 tbs. chilled unsalted butter

• Using meat mallet or rolling pin, pound chicken to 1/3-1/2 inch thickness
• Whisk egg, parsley, and 2 tsp. of Dijon mustard in large bowl
• Place chicken in egg mixture and turn to coat
• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper
• Dip each chicken piece into panko, turn to coat
• Heat oil in skillet over med-high heat. Add chicken; cook until brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile whisk broth, syrup, course-grained mustard, and remaining 2 tbs Dijon mustard in a measuring cup.
• Transfer chicken to plates and add broth mixture to skillet; boil until reduced 10 3/4 cup, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add butter; whisk until melted and spoon sauce on chicken.

Creme Fraiche and Chive Mashed Potatoes

3 quarts of water
2 tbs. coarse kosher salt plus additional for seasoning
2 lbs. of Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch wedges
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup creme fraiche
2 tbs. unsalted butter
3 tbs. chopped fresh chives

• Bring the water to a boil and add salt and potatoes. Cook until potatoes are tender about 18 minutes. Drain and mash potatoes. Cover the bowl to keep them warm.
• Heat milk, creme fraiche, and butter in saucepan over medium heat, just until bubbles begin to form at the edge, stirring until butter melts.
  
• gradually mix bot milk mixture into potatoes and fold in the chives.
• Season with course salt and pepper.

Matt and I took on Hollywood and the gross popularity of reality TV last night when we mockingly went as 'Kate +8' ( I was Kate with 8 baby dolls tied to my hip and Matt was my camera crew). Some of you may know this show and the ridiculousness of it, Kate is divorcing Jon and TLC has come forward and said that the show will now be called 'Kate +8' instead of the previous title, 'Jon and Kate + 8'; this of course will only happen if people continue to tune in to this train wreck of a family who's parents have put their children on display in order to find financial abundance. A beautiful reminder that when wealth is desired at the expense of other people's lives (their own children's) there is a karmic return and in this case it is playing out on national TV. Matt predicts bankruptcy for both of them within a year of the show ending. While it might not be in total taste to make fun, we did get a number of laughs!


Kate is having an "affair" with her camera man




'Kate + 8'