a little bit of everything....

oh life. it's been so crazy lately. Chris job situation. horrible. his boss met with him 2 months into working starting off with "i know it's not your fault but....." and told him all these things he didn't do that weren't under his control and these things that weren't communicated even though there would be no other way to deal with them than the way he was taking care of them.....and then "punishes him" by transferring him to a SLOW store 20 minutes from where we live for 6 months while that manager catches up for him "even though she doesn't think she will do any better". Chis is apparently supposed to be a mindreader here. He's had to say goodbye to his friends he just made, the commission that was helping debt and go to a slow, un-populated store for not doing anything wrong?! HELLOOO?!?! WHERE IS THERE SENSE IN THIS?! So like any man being kicked in the balls at his work his pride is hurt and he is really upset he's in trouble for something he didn't do and just dreading every day. It's HARD. to say the least. So since he is at a different store that far away - even though our car is fixed, I am now having to ride the bus to work every shift pretty much. On the plus side I get exercise and help the environment a bit by not driving more than we need to. I am suuuuper happy with my job, I am LOVing the girls and the time there - the days fly by. I LOVE the product. I LOVE that they make their concepts out of recycled material for the most part. I LOVE that there are soo many girls working that I get called often to cover shifts. This last week I worked 6 days. This week I am scheduled 5 days! WHAHOO! Thats a praise. It's still not more than 30 hours but it's getting close. Since Chris works farther and I have to take any shift I can get - we don't see each-other very much. this is hard. especially when a hate for life is there - poor hubbs. so lately I've been tested as a wife - I've failed some and done ok other times. Being understanding, listening, allowing the complaints, allowing the distancing, not nagging etc. It's been kinda a game of twister...we're not exactly in order. ha. It's yet another challenge for Chris and I, and we are doing ok. I think we hit the worst of it - and it's only getting better. So between trying to catch trolleys, busses, coming home at midnight, making dinners and lunches and breakfast, sleeping in, cleaning when i can, reading when i can - I have not been on here or doing my photo challenge as much as I would be :) I like it though. being busy. much better than sitting at home and on facebook all day - then blog, then watch drama and cry ha. oh and I've been making crafts and baking new things too. So. ha. Life is a whirlwind right now.....we are praying for Chris to get into Fashion Valley Mall again. We are praying his pay doesn't differ much so we can keep getting our debt down. I am praying for photo jobs and card sales. Money has also been a tense beautiful issue for us hah. oh man. but lately I feel the Lord totally providing. God is good -and we forget all too much. I have been reading about the famine in Africa and my heart aches for them. I think I am going to put up my cards on etsy - totally revamp the site - and have 25% of my profit go toward them. I can't wait to do this. Even when it's hard to pay the bills we somehow end up buying a coffee or spending money on things we don't need....i love that cards are something you give- and then the money will also be given to those in starvation - it's not much but every little bit helps. I have been reading lots still - I'm reading the mocking jay - of the hunger games - AMAZING books. I love it. - I will be done by this next sunday. Hopefully :) We have been MISSING maui. The people, the ocean the flowers - everything. Ah. Transitions. Here there are so many things though that remind me of Maui. Mainly the flowers :) Today I had off. I got to lay by the pool. Read. DRink coffee. Read in the pool. and I got FRIED. thats an understatement. but I LOVED it all. It was worth it. Ahh felt good to relax. 

{never a dull moment on public transportation - double glasses trying to read the tiny print on his orange pocket bible. LOVEit.}

 yesssssss

{birds of paradise}

My amazing cousin Kelsey and her dear husband Justin had their baby girl Coralee Ruth Martin on Friday August 19, 2011, weighing 7lbs, 13oz, 21in. She is PREcious. I cannot wait to meet this beauty. In december i will hold that precious one. Ah - it made me soo happy on Friday. I am soo happy and so proud of them. Hate that I'm not there - but It's something I'm getting used to. Can't wait to make my gifts for her. :) 

 {happy family of 3 :)}

My baby brother Michael Adelstein is the new up and coming tattoo artist at Old School Tattoo in Bellingham Washington. He did his first tat on August 12, 2011. and its AMAZING. He has been an apprentice for months now - and is finally going to be on payroll, soon! I am so proud and so happy for him. He LOVES it. I can't wait till he can do mine! in 2012 :) I'm going to wait a bit ha. 

 {the stud :)}

 {1st. :)}

{2nd- he's going to shade it next}

My second to oldest brother Caleb officially filed the papers for divorce on August 18, 2011 and in 92 days will be able to start fresh with his life. I've talked so much about him lately - ya'll know how I love him :) This stuff sucks. Point blank. I am hoping those days go by soo fast for him. Oh ya. He talked to the cousins about what happened. I am so proud. He is very brave. 

{bub and mama :)}

My eldest brother is going on dates!! He is not dating one girl but is meeting people he thinks he is interesting and getting to know them!!! AH his nose has been so much in the books for YEARS and finally sees the final award of all that work in the near future (a physical therapy doctor - owning his own company) and feels comfortable about starting a relationship now! Sad thing is he is soo aware with our brother and his friends divorce that he is suuper careful and marriage seems different now. I just can't wait till my boys will meet their loves someday - I have 4 more sisters to gain :) {brother in law's too!}. 

{I wanted an updated photo - he keeps getting more handsome.. :)}

My In-laws JUST had their 29th Wedding Anniversary and my father in law just had his birthday! So I made a little card for him :) We miss them and hope they visit in October like they said they might.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

coming soon.............a bird mobile craft, friendship bracelet craft, continued photo project, cards for africa, happier life situations :) hope! and some new killer recipes :)

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 8

{will come back to Day 7, will do Day 9, 10...soon :)}

DAY 8: TECHNOLOGY 

she didn't have decent light but she couldn't be more beautiful. this is my mama. 

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 6.

DAY 6: CHILDHOOD MEMORY

having tea or coffee when the day is hard, emotional or exhausting. normally had with a scone and with my mother. That will happen in a month although im pretty sure it will be on happier terms :) 

I logged on to facebook today to see my brother has filed his divorce papers. You may think that since i didn't know this before we must not be close. Quite the opposite although for some reason I don't and have to understand making it a status is his way of dealing with it. For me though it was a punch to the stomach reading it not knowing that it was today. Ah I CANT cry, I have to leave for work in 20 minutes and I don't have waterproof mascara on! Ok. I know it's not my marriage, it's not my business but I am his sister and her sister and I was her best friend. So yes. The end of this, of them is hard. Quite bittersweet, although for my brother I have to say quite sweet. His precious heart is in desperate need of healing as Avas is in desperate need of help and love and Jesus. The weirdest thing...Ava is in my dreams almost every night. I can't seem to get her out...I wonder if thats my hearts way of saying I need closure. I need to see her and talk to her rather than just go about my feelings on here. I have not talked to her since November, when I didn't even know the extent of their issues. Isn't that kinda weird? Anyway. It's going to take some getting used to - them not being them. 92 days and it's official and my brother can finally move on. Oh divorce, I never knew it could be so ugly. Especially how many people it effects, how it can cause other people to not trust their husbands or wives..It's of the devil. Marriage is hard people. I am blessed to have Chris but It's not a picnic. It's work! I wouldn't change it for the world but my little picture of what it was - the fantasy that I made it - It's just much more - hardship, commitment, trust, communication, total teamwork. I guess thats why Paul thinks we all should be single. ha. Oh man. My dearest brother, he will find a second love. I know he will get the best because of his faithfulness and his heart. Anyway - I've gone on long enough about this. Pray for him? As it seems to me that he is doing just fine moving on and being surrounded by friends I still know he hurts. Thanks friends and family and people I've never met but it feels as if we have a kinship. Have a beautiful Thursday :) 

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 5.

DAY 5: SOMEONE I LOVE: 

husby and patrick and tigger :)

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 4.

DAY 4: FAVORITE COLOR:
red!!!

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 3.

DAY 3: CLOUDS

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 2.

DAY 2: WHAT I WORE.

{this looks a bit sexy but seriously this was hard doing on timer 10 times ha. so here you have it.}

Jean Jacket: Elises Second Hand Store Maui

Tank: Old Navy

Skirt: Old Navy

Belt: Buffalo Exchange

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 1.

I think I am going to do the 30 Day Photo Challenge. I am starting today :) I know I'm not starting at the beginning of the month but ah, who cares. Super excited to have fun with this. PLEASE join if you like! There will be no phone cameras involved in this challenge :) 

DAY 1: SELF PORTRAIT.

a day off.

Chris eventually took me on a breakfast date, as well as to see "Planet of the Apes" and "Cowboys vs. Aliens". We went to a nursery checking out options for little house plants and hung at home with the kitties. He also took me to the ocean :) I have been dying to put my toes in the water and just smell the salt in the air. We went to Del Mar, and drove up this cliff overlooking the beach. Walked a few trails and ended up on the ocean. LOVE. Great days off, not thinking about work, or money, or anything but just being together.

A morning for me.

Just when I thought I was going to have a morning with my husband, out to breakfast, by the ocean and just us enjoying life before work....life happened and It ended up being a morning for me. He scheduled a hair appt in La Jolla - but I still came with him. I got a coffee and walked down to the La Jolla park by the ocean as he was gettin a new do. I wasn't in a hurry, just relaxed on the beautiful sunny day. I walked to the nearest unoccupied bench and just sat. Sitting alone on a bench, staring at the ocean...I'm joined by an elderly lady from Jersey with a feather coming out of her hat - who starts talking away about books, ethnicity, how I should never buy a house with a swimming pool, why it's important to know North South East West so you walk in the shade, the russians, old photos etc...she stood up three times, thinking she was going to continue her walk, nope...she sat right back down.:) I can't say I didn't like the company or the conversation, it made for quite an interesting morning, that turned out not to be lonely at all.

Pupus and Dessert :) SUuper fast, easy and delicious.

Pupu (appetizer.)

Slice baguette, baste with oil

slice cucumber and cantaloupe while baguettes bake for 10min at 350.

spread baguette with cream cheese (or goat cheese)

top with cucumber and cantaloupe. ENJOY! 

 Oreo Covered Brownies

Take brownie mix from a box - mix as directed

Dip oreo in batter and place in cupcake pan - drizzle more batter till it fills 2/3.

bake - and enjoy!! SUUPER delish.

Chicken "Panini" with mozzarella and salsa rossa

found at anthropologie.

This meal was AMAZING....well it looked amazing...I realized I had only one chicken breast - so I had salad and pupus and Chris had this delish gourmet meal :)

9oz mozzarella cheese (thin slices/lower fat)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (one)
8 fresh basil leaves (I WISH I had these - but I used dry.)
2 cloves garlic (1 Clove)
1tbs oil (1/2)
sea salt/pepper

put chicken on board - cut horizontally through without cutting all the way - open flat - season with salt/pepper, add basil leaves, garlic slices, and mozzarella slices. Secure with toothpick after folding back over. Brush with oil and cook 8 min each side - serve hot with salsa rossa, a few extra basil leaves and lightly dressed baby salad greens.


SALSA ROSSA
1 large red bell pepper (I think It would be better with it but I didn't have it)
1tbs oil (1/2)
2 cloves garlic (1 clove)
2 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, rough chopped (1 med tomato)
small pinch hot pepper flakes
1tbs oregano (1/2 tbs)
1tbs red wine vinegar (didn't have vinegar - just used red wine.)
sea salt/pepper

broil pepper till charred, put in plastic bag, cool. Peel discard skin, remove seeds, reserve any juices. chop the flesh. Heat oil in skillet, add garlic, saute for 3 min. Add tomatoes, pepper flakes, oregano - simmer 15 min. Stir in chopped pepper and vinegar and simmer 5 min more. Transfer to blender - puree. Add salt/pepper.

Lemon Harissa Chicken

So at the Anthropologie bowling party, I won two 10$ gift cards to the store, so I bought this darling coffee-table book "food for Family & Friends simply delicious recipes for stylish entertaining at home" by Ryland Peters & Small. So far we are two for two! I will share with you the other recipe after this :)

handful of cilantro, mint and parsley (didn't have mint.)
2 garlic cloves (1 garlic clove)
3 sm red chiles, seeded (didn't have chiles - would have added beautiful color.)
1.2 tsp cumin
1tbs chopped lemon
4 tbs olive oil (used 2 tbs - the other is for roasted veggies that go with this meal - didn't make yet)
6 chicken thigh fillets halved (used 2 chicken breasts - cut in cubes - cooked in a wok.)
salt and pepper (If you have it - use gourmet salt)

process herbs, garlic, chiles, cumin, lemon, 1tbs oil, salt, pepper

1tbs oil in skillet - med heat. cook chicken 7-8 min.
spoon the marinade over top.
turn over and cook for 5 min.
pour lemon juice over the chicken and turn the chicken over in the pan.

It was delish!!! Adding mint, and the chiles would have MADE the meal. YUmmm. I hope you enjoy this! (I also think it would be better as chicken breasts with the bone in - on the bbq. :) )

Love Letters

Ludwig Van Beethoven to his "Immortal Beloved"

Letter 1

Good Morning on July 7

My thoughts go out to you, my immortal beloved.
I can live only wholly with you or not at all -
    Be calm my life, my all. Only by calm consideration of
our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together.
Oh continue to love me, never misjudge the most faithful
heart of your beloved.
   Ever thine
   Ever mine
   Ever ours.

dreaming...

two of my maui friends are hapai (hawaiian - with child) :) they are DARLing and I LOVE the photos they have as they get bigger, as baby grows bigger and bigger inside.

 {Juliana preggers with babe #2, a boy!, and then underwater with Ayah :) }

 {Cassie dearest with babe #1 - a boy, just found out today :)}

Fun on our days off :)

Chris and I wanted to see Captain America, so Chris looked for another theater and we decided that on the way we would look for the apartment he lived in when he was little with his parents! He kept talking about "That is the lanai where I grew my potatoes in my potato plant!" and "Thats where I learned to ride my bike!"sooo sweet. Love seeing that side of him.  So we found the exact place, and then went to the movie :) FUN! (Oh he also found it without an address :) He's amazing. 

I had Sunday off! I went to our Anthropologie Bowling Party!!! SOO fun. I got a ride with Lindsay, and played with Lindsay and Liz against Tierney, Laura and Shawn! SOO fun. We won and I played GREAT games. I laughed SO much. It felt good. I won two 10$ gift cards to Anthro that I got a cook book with :) So fun and I hope we do more things like this in the future.