New Month, New Healthy Meals!

A few months ago, Rich and I decided to learn from our experiences and to start trying to eat healtier...meals with less sodium, low-fat, but lots of flavor. We've struggled with this a little due to being busy with work and life, but have finally made the committment in March to get healthy! Our goal is 5-fold...5 home cooked dinners together each WEEK! I know, seems like a lot to ask, but with a little planning we think we can be successful!

This weekend we tried a couple new recipes and both turned out great! From sparkpeople.com, we made a Skillet Lasagna (with ground chicken and pesto). The flavors molded together very nicely and we were pleasantly surprised. It was even better as left-overs on Sunday for lunch.

Tonight for dinner, we made Chicken Marsala, Mashed Potatoes and sauteed brussel sprouts. I have always wanted to make chicken marsala at home and I think we nailed it. We improvished from a recipe at Allrecipes.com, and eliminated the half a stick of butter and excess salt. Very delicious and fits into our plan! Over the past few months, I have become a HUGE brussel sprout fan. I'm not sure what it is, but I could eat them multiple times a week!

Along with all this healthy eatting...I've also decided to get back into the groove at the gym. All these changes just help Rich and I have some quality time together cooking, plus, as an added bonus we will work on slimming down our mid sections! Double Bonus!

Now, if Chukar stopped counter surfing and trying to eat our delicious meals...then life would be perfect!

We are ready for spring at the Meyer house and have a fun month in store...lots of work to boot, a trip to Kennewick to celebrate Shawn's 21st birthday, Jenn & Danny coming to visit, and of course, March Madness!

The Bathroom Revamp!

The weekend project that lasted 2 weeks...but turned out exactly how we wanted. I'm not sure why, but it took about 2 days to complete 80% of the project and the remainder of the 2 weeks to finish up the last 20%. Details, details, details....they always take so much time. Plus, we are still looking for the perfect picture, wall decor, etc. for the bathroom too! For now, we are out of the gurest bathroom and back into ours! Very happy to have a working bathroom upstairs!

Saturday, February 11th, we started the project bright and earlier. First step, take out the old toilet! Chukar helped Rich and was such a sport during this.

Yippee, the toliet came out without a hitch!

It was time to start the ceiling painting...the fan had been replaced and we were cruizing along!

A weekend of painting...and then a few days deciding if we liked the paint...

The new mirror arrived on Wednesday the next week and Rich was making sure it fit in the space...since we still hadn't decided if we LOVED the paint yet!

We decided we liked the paint...and the mirror went up!

Wah-la! Final project...a little revamp and refresh!

The bathroom is so bright and cheerful now, plus, the toliet has a "slow" closing lid so it doesn't slam! I'm a happy girl!

Next house project TBD....for now, it's all about work! Happy Leap Day!

Meyer & Meyer Restaurant = AMAZING!

To celebrate Valentine's Day 2012 (our 6th edition)...we decided to do something we love doing (eating) and try something that we are working on (cooking together). A lot of thought went into this and of course, a lot of LOVE! For a few weeks we worked on our meal plan, decided the night and set the stage for this amazing evening...we even spruced ourselves us (YES, the manolos made an appearance).

Cocktail hour was set for 7 with dinner, dessert and dancing to follow!

A pre-shot of the table...nothing to fancy, just perfect for US! A nice bottle of wine, the fancy glasses, and candles!

An up close look at the MENU...my mouth is still watering at how amazing it all came together and how great it paired with our wine and cocktail selection!

Rich getting his "cook-on"!

A shot of the CREME BRULEE (pre-bake).

The cocktail hour began with a twist on an old favorite...the OLD-FASHIONED...but made with MEYER sparkling lemon (instead of soda).

And YES, they tasted as good as they looked!

First up, a spinach pomegranate salad tossed with a balsamic vinegarette (including walnuts, feta, sprouts and more love)!

The wine was decanting as we put the finishing touches on the main course!

Chukar could not be reached for comment...but wanted us to have a nice romantic night together!

ONE WORD = YUM!!!

The salad was ready and so were our bellies....

The steak "rested" as we enjoyed our salads and a nice relaxing evening....

With the steak and lobster, we decided on a creamed spinach (Rich was a little apprehensive - but he gave it the Meyer seal of approval)!

Plated and ready to enjoy!

Dinner is served!

After dinner, we relaxed for a bit and let the music take over!

To cap off the night...we ended with a delicious Champagne cocktail and dessert...

Did I mention that dessert was homemade Creme Brulee!

Wah-la...an amazing night! Chukar's face says it all! He was happy we stayed in...and ready to retire for the night!

I must say, I think we outdid ourselves!

PERFECTION...

Happy Valentine's Day to all you LOVERS out there!

A Heart's Day Project...

This weekend...Rich and I have decided the best way to CELEBRATE our love and the hallmark holiday is to....

REMODEL OUR BATHROOM and COOK A FABULOUS DINNER TOGETHER!

2 LOVE BIRDS AND 1 GOAL!

For the bathroom:

• New Toliet
• New Mirror
• New Exhaust Fan
• New Paint

For Dinner:

Salad

• Spinach Pomegranate Salad

Main Course

• Steak and Lobster Tails

• Creamy Spinach

Dessert

• Crème Brulee

I'm sure a nice bottle of wine or champagne will accompany this amazing weekend! Love our time together!

LOVE is Round!

The only love which has lasted
is the love which has
everything,
every disappointment, every failure,
which has accepted the fact that
in the end there is no desire
so deep
as the simple desire for
being with each other.
-Graham Greene

A week in the life of...

well, it is here, the much anticipated BUSY SEASON!

Although Rich and I are no longer in "public accounting", we definitely see our business spike the first of the year and anticipate the push to be for a few more months!

We've decided to help us stay sane through this time and to try to remain us...

we are to follow some simple rules!

1. 
   
   Don't stress over things that you can't change...you definitely can't please everyone!


2. 
   
   Make sure that we still have our special "family time" in the morning before we head out for the day and also in the evening. Even if it is only 15 minutes...those minutes and seconds are very important.


3. 
   
   Work hard, play hard! We are going to try to make sure we get out and explore on our weekends (hikes, dinners out, fun with friends & family)!

Pretty simple, yet sometimes, so easy to forget!

Try to remember the GOOD STUFF and what all this hard work is for!

*TIME OFF*TRAVEL*NEW ADVENTURES*NEW EXPERIENCES

Plain, simple, easy! Take each day as it comes, give it our best! Rinse and Repeat!

Last weekend, we were able to divide and conquer! Rich took Chukar for the last weekend of upland game and I hung out with the family and went to Rene's first basketball game. Plus, I was able to celebrate my Mom's birthday with Lori, Rene, Avea and my Dad! So fun! Sunday, was full of work and getting things ready for this crazy week (and SNOW)...but we did find a little time to enjoy ourselves and went to the UW v. WSU basketball game! I won't rub it in since we know how that one ended...which meant I was treated to a cheeseburger and cocktail! I'm pretty easy to please...plus, I had the best company in the world!

Onward and Upward!

A Sunday in the life in...

we went to Church, had a little couple's therapy and even got a workout in (ALL IN ONE)!

Well, that's what Rich and I call it at least...when we get a beautiful Sunday, like we had today!

We headed out early to get a little fresh air, spend some time with one other, do a little cross-country hiking, talk, listen, enjoy one another, and even get Chukar on some birds!

One word...HAPPINESS!

It was everything we could have asked for and more!

A little shot of my boys...with the 2 Quail!
Yes, 2 QUAIL!
Way to go Chukar on the point, Rich on the shot and me on the flush!
Our proud pup after a hard days work!

Here is to a great start to January, Dick's continued recovery, and a little quiet time together, as a family! We may not be perfect, but we are pretty happy!