Selfie

per Wikipedia...

"A selfie is a self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone. Selfies are often shared on social networking services such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. They are usually flattering and made to appear casual. Most selfies are taken with a camera held at arm's length or pointed at a mirror, rather than by using a self-timer."

I moved back home about 2 1/2 weeks ago. The first morning as I lay awake in my bed and heard my parents up and about on the other side of the house, I thought to myself, how nice to hear other people around. The transition back home has been smooth. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on my normal routines and patterns that have been created by living by myself. I did a lot of things on my own. I watched TV shows on Netflix while I cook, I read on my couch at night, and I come and go a lot. I'm mostly content to do so. I had been looking at it from the point of view that there is something wrong with enjoying my alone time, like how dare I relish in the quiet with only myself for company. This weekend however while my parents were both out of state and I had a lot of Tamara time, I came to the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with my lifestyle. Now if I sat around all alone 24/7 and lived totally selfishly, then there would be need for a course correction. Between seeing my patients, working out in a lot of group exercise settings, time with family, free babysitting a few times a month, and a handful of interests and hobbies, life is productive enough to not have to feel guilty of enjoying time all to myself. The most important thing is to live well balanced and being in the moment, whatever that moment may be alone or with delightful company. For 2015 I am going to stop the self guilt.  I will enjoy my "selfie" time with me, myself, and I, and I will be present in the moments when I surrounded with other wonderful souls. 

Hook'em

NKOTB Concert 2009

Cruise 2010

Trip to Idaho to see Shaleen

With Faith, aka Prim

Nauvoo with Grandparents

Me and my bad self about to go to Body Combat

Melissa's first food trailer

Cutest Nephew in the world!

Dad and Mom's first Trail of Lights Fun Run '14

Hanging by the fire at Whole Foods

Cuddling time!

Holi Festival of Colors '13

dried cement from witnessing a total knee replacement in '10

Grrr, proud of my biceps, they are really just for show

Moving myself and all my richness

Well, 12345 Lamplight Village Ave, Apt 1014 has served me well for 4 years. Four years? Can it really be? My first place by myself. I grew a lot while here. Especially materially! Gee whiz!  I've been packing for months in anticipation of being super organized and ready for a smooth move into storage and my parent's home. (I'm going to the folks, 80% of my stuff is going into a garage.) I stressed out a lot this week about the transition, the chaos in my usually spotless apartment, leaving the Elizondo's, the Romney's, and Melissa Smith, and the imposition I am going to be invading my parent's space. I had sad moments of leaving the apartment where there are memories of the last boy that I loved (cracked shelf he build wrong, dancing in the living room, watching movies on my couch). I admit I probably freaked out a little with the prospect of buying a home in the hopefully near future, alone! But really I'm not alone, so my fears are totally irrational. Needless to say, it's been an emotional few weeks for me.

Today I had the thought over and over again- look at all this stuff you have not as a burden, but as physical evidence of how rich you are. I am indeed rich. Yesterday the W.H.O organization announced it is running out of money to feed the 1 million plus Syrian refugees in Turkey. That is a real world problem. My organizing my stuff is a rather insignificant "problem" to have. I am a very wealthy woman by the world's standards globally.

And not only am I rich in material things, but as my friend pointed out- "rich with love, rich in giving, rich with spirituality, and rich with qualities".

So apartment 1014, you have served me well. I am off to my next adventure as my cup runneth over!

Mid-November

Things I've loved about November, the month of gratitude...

Raiding mom's closet to create a super cute outfit for a wedding reception. (Didn't think I should go in my Colt McCoy Jersey and yoga pants.) 

 

Getting messages from these 3 beauties in Houston.

Venturing to Melissa's first Austin Food Trailer on the day the cold front arrived. I ate my Bee Gees and MC Hammer Biscuits inside her warm car. The food was delicious! Just might make a foodie out of me yet!

Texts of this handsome little man playing in the snow in Idaho. I've got the cutest nephew in the world!

Venturing to my 2nd food trailer of the week "Brunch Haus" with the connoisseur of food trailers himself,  Mr. Emmanuel Prempeh, DPT.

This is a pulled pork, pesto, Dijon mustard, grilled cheese sandwich and it was AMAZING!

Manny got the chicken and waffles. Happy Birthday Manny my friend! May your 30's be a decade of awesomeness!

Dressing up and hitting the town for a little Indian food with a Mexican twist. "Nasha" is a new restaurant in East Austin. Don't mind that it means intoxication.

Chicken Tandoori Tacos and daal soup. So flavorful. It was nice to try something new. 

And the night was young, so these two BFF's (minus our third partner in crime) went to Whole Foods to buy our favorite desserts and hot chocolate/coffee and sat by the fire outside. It was a "rotic" evening (thank you Ivy for that term).

Chantilly Cake and Hot Chocolate

Carrot Cake Parfait and Coffee

I think I'm a fan of November so far!

Joseph Smith

I just listened to this address by Elder Neil A Anderson, 

a modern day apostle and special witness of Jesus Christ.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/joseph-smith…

I love the quote "Why does the Lord allow the evil speaking to chase after the good? On reason is that opposition against the things of God sends seekers of truth to their knees for answers".

I didn't plan the timing of it, but it was the perfect talk to have next in my cue after being very frustrated this morning about negative comments I read in response to this article

http://www.nytimes.com/…/its-official-mormon-founder-had-up…

I went to Nauvoo in 2012 and I came away with a firm testimony in the prophetic call of Joseph Smith. There is no doubt in my mind. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not worship Joseph Smith but we praise him because he was key in restoring the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Whom I do worship.

You may call me Cheesemonger

Cheesemonger

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheesemonger may refer to:

• A tradesperson who specializes in cheese

Ha! Okay, so I may not specialize in cheese, but after the Antonelli's Cheese Shop Tricks and Treats Cheese Sampling class I do have a greater appreciation for cheese. Perhaps I'm not a cheesemonger, but my friend Louise has given me the title of cheese evangelist, due to my convincing Grandpa Kelm to combine chocolate and Brie!

We started off with Chevre (goat in French). It is pictured to the right of the logo on the plate. It was a heavenly fresh pasteurized cheese from the Pure Luck Farm and Dairy. Each cheese was paired with a sweet. This one was paired with honeycomb. Real honeycomb, with honey never touched by oxygen till cut into. I think that was the best thing I have tasted in a very long time.

Before sampling each cheese our cheesemonger (a real one) gave us the history of the particular cheese, and how cheese is made in general.

Second sample was Kunik, another goat milk cheese, a soft-ripened cheese like a brie. This one came from Nettie Meadow Farm in NY. They have a farm sanctuary for the animals that "retire". This one was paired with a raspberry jam and dark chocolate. Another combination I would have never thought but oh so creamy and delicious!

Third sample was Cabot Clothbound, a firm cheddar, cow's milk, from Jasper Hill Farm, VT. It was paired with an apple butter and oatcakes. Yum, yum, yum!

Fourth Coolea, cow milk, Gouda style, from Ireland. It was paired with a HEAVENLY Cajeta, or caramelized goat's milk. We got a jar of that to take home!

Fifth and final was Cashel Blue, from Ireland, cow's milk, paired with a Texas Brittle Chocolate Bar. Blue cheese with chocolate you ask? Why yes, it does make it better. I am a fan of some crumbled blue cheese on a salad or burger, but this wedge was a bit powerful for me. The blue in blue cheese is mold blossoming. Kinda gross, but then again why is is really more gross then the others, because you can see the mold and not the bacteria that may be in others?

Here are some tidbits I learned:

The best way to store cheese is in cheesecloth or parchment paper, as to not dry it out or let it sweat too much. I'll think twice before putting cheese in a zip lock baggie.

I learned that you use rennet, an enzyme found in animal stomachs, to coagulate many cheeses, or you can use acid. Paneer coagulates with acid, Blue cheese coagulates with rennet.

Gouda style is sweeter because it is washed/rinsed and the acidity is lost.

The leanest cheese is goats, the fattest is sheep's, and cows is in the middle.

Curds are the solid masses and whey is the liquid protein left behind.

Cheddar is named after a city in England, it is drained of whey and then chopped and stacked, chopped and stacked...which gives it it's crumbly characteristic.

Buffalo mozzarella is just that, made from milk of water bison! I wondered where it's name came from, didn't know to take it literally!

A rind is a sad thing to waste. Most rinds can be eaten, what you want to avoid is the wax, however it cheese is wrapped in it, it must be edible. Wax will take gross, but you won't die.

Here I am, two days later and I am still dreaming of that Chevre with honeycomb. Thank you Louise for the invitation. Louise, Melissa, and I may just be the experts you need at your next cheese party! Now I need a cheese knife!

I'll Just Admit it, I'm Blessed to be Single

Before you think that I think I'm perfect and I achieve awesomeness at every moment of every day, let me tell you a story.

Saturday the two ladies who were suppose to join me at the TEXAS football game had unescapable things come up and I was left to ride with my parents and leave them at good 'ole section 29, row 45, and head to my seats at section 108 , row 48, 11 levels up on the ramp and high in the tippy-top of the second level, on the other side of the stadium.  Dad said, come sit by us. UT is tough on only letting you in to the section you have your seats, so I didn't want to push the envelope and get kicked out. I put on a confident little-Miss-Independent face, and walked to my seat. I said as I walked away, "I'm used to doing things alone".  I figured I'd try to join them in the 2nd half. As I walked to the other side of the universe, I got more and more aware of my lonely state. Nobody else was sitting all alone. Nobody else had to walk up the ramp all by herself. Everybody else had someone to cheer with. Then, at my gate they wouldn't let me take in my empty water bottle. "New protocol" they said.  The tears started to fall on the 3rd level of the ramp, but I kept on going. I found my seat just in time to see the band come out. Then the GIANT flag.   But there I was, crying at a football game. Then my dad called me, he said come over we have empty seats behind us and I'll bring mom's ticket with me, meet me at section 29. No hesitation, I jumped up, sprinted down the stairs and ran down all 11 levels of the ramp, holding on to my belt loops as my pants were falling. It was rather pathetic. Thankfully my dad was wiser then my false stubborn confidence and I ended up enjoying an exciting game with an entertaining Alumni Band halftime show, old twirler man and all, and a stand on your feet screaming kind of end to the football game.

We all have those moments. Moments where we feel defeated, and then blow that defeat out of proportion. 

Let that preface my next comment. After my trip to Utah last week I came to surprising conclusion and self admitting realization that being single is a blessing. Wait what? No, I ache for more. I pray constantly that I'll find the love of my life and have my own cute kiddos. This state I am in, although full and happy, can't possibly be considered a blessing, it's what I have to settle for now right? But no, I am ready to admit to myself that it is indeed a blessing. Yesterday a good friend of mine told me that in all the years she has known me (probably 6 or 7), I am the happiest now then she has ever seen me.   Being single and early 30's is a blessing, a blessing of time.

I'm flying high! And here are a few reasons why...

I'm sitting on a Ducati Diavel, a fancy shmancy, super fast and very expensive Italian Motorcycle belonging to one of my patients. I have a job that I love!

 I can take quick long weekends to see adorable kiddos and take morning selfies, and pick  fresh raspberries out of the garden and eat them on the spot!

And make extra huge Halloween cupcakes with kids who already didn't need another sugar high. 

And who wouldn't want to snap a picture of this cutie who put on a bathrobe to match her momma? 

There are no words for the instant love I felt for this chubby princess AlyCat

And who couldn't feel blessed seeing some of God's most creative creations- fall colors! 

Single gals get to meet up for brunch in random places like Park City, Utah. We took a "Rotic" walk, that's romantic without a man! 

And she bought me this as a belated birthday treat. My Zombie Gingerbread man was the total opposite of gross! 

And when you are single and on vacation, you can take a quick detour to see the Historic Temple square. I literally parked my car, walked around once, and walked back to my car in 15 minutes. 

And when you are single and the closest child to your parents, you get to be a kid and go to fall festival's in Marble Falls.

Another gift of being single is being able to afford to go to TEXAS football games. This view NEVER gets old! 

But sitting by these fine fans made the game. 

Another plus is getting to go to random things with friends like this cheese tasting. Stay tuned on a future blog. It was a ridiculous amount of money, but I'd do it all again. 

Finally, when single and fit, you can spontaneously go for a run on town lake for as long as you want to! (my mommy friends always tell me how much they miss working out at the gym for as long as they want to)

My life is not perfect, and I have moments of sadness, heartaches, and down right bad attitudes, but they are just that, moments. 

I choose to use this gift of singleness to do all I can to prepare to be the woman I want to be, and hopefully one amazing wife and mother some day.