Archives for September 2011

remembering

For me, it’s important to reflect on this day, to remember back to 10 years ago to the lives lost by the horrific attacks on our country. I didn’t think I would be writing a post about this to be honest, but the news coverage this week has left me all kinds of emotional and so it seems right that I say a little something here instead of just letting the day pass by blank and empty.

I, of course, remember exactly where I was when I first heard of the two planes striking the Twin Towers. I was a freshman in college, it was my second week of school. I was walking back up “the hill” from my early morning Children with Disabilities class. Cindy Sutton was my professor. We left the class at 10:10, which means the attack had already happened, the Towers already were aflame. I began to walk back to my dorm, like any other day after class, but halfway there a girl stopped me on the grass. I didn’t even know her. “Did you hear about what happened?!” she said in a panic. I remember being confused. Who was this girl? Why was she so out of breath? “Two planes crashed into the World Trade Towers. It’s all over the news.” Then she ran away, and I actually never remember seeing her again. Ever again. I stood there not really getting it. I was 17. Away from home. And before that moment, the world revolved around me and my life. Still not completely understanding, I went on my way, entered the hallway of my building, and got pulled into a friend’s room who had a TV. She didn’t even say anything to me, she just pulled me in and planted me in front of the screen.

That’s when I got it.

I stood there, shocked, for the next… hour? two hours? I have no idea.

But I had seen what happened (over and over and over again it was replayed), and it’s like everything stopped. I understood. And it was unbelievable.

Over the years I have often stopped the think about that day, that moment. And I still can’t quite wrap my head around it. I have a picture of me when I was about 13 with the two Twin Towers standing tall behind me. I was visiting the Statue of Liberty on a trip to NY and I was posing in the sunshine with the city behind me. The towers are standing so tall, like pillars connecting the sky to the street. It’s a strange picture to see now, but one that always makes me stop and reflect.

I reflect on the families that lost loved ones,

the spouses that lost their partners,

the children that lost their parents,

the parents that lost their children,

the FDNY workers and police force who worked on 9.11 and every day,

the people of NY,

the people of Washington D.C.,

the people of the United States of America.

I reflect on the terrorists too,

and the importance of a hate-free country, and world.

How I want to teach my first graders tolerance, and acceptance, and empathy.

I reflect on the people who serve our country,

who fight for us each and every day.

THANK YOU. Thank you. Thank you.

And I reflect on those that lost their lives on that tragic day 10 years ago.

In the planes, in the Towers, in the Pentagon, and in the surrounding streets of the attacks.

I reflect on the survivors and heros,

and on our beautiful country,

filled with people who are patriotic, and proud, and brave. ♥

Skan-town, here we come!

Meg and I are driving to Syracuse today for some Burns family lovin’. I cannot wait to get to the lake and dip my toes in that glorious water. Hopefully the weather will be warm enough for me to take a swim too. It’s the ideal way to say farewell to summer. And sad, but true, it’s my first trip to Skan-town all season. It’s my favorite place on earth, so I’ll be sure to soak up all the goodness I can while I’m there. Family and food should do the trick. And warm weather and sunshine would help a bunch too. I’m crossing my fingers for all of the above.

What are you doing this weekend? I hope whatever you do, you have a good one! See you next week!

unpacking

So it’s been a little over a week since we’ve been at our new place, and although it’s not done yet, it’s starting to feel like home. I’ve been working and working to unpack the boxes and find places around the apartment for the contents. With this apartment, I’m trying to go simple. I’m a nick-nack collector, which is good for the memories, but not great for the space. When I started packing up my old apartment, and it seemed like the little stuff was never-ending, I decided to put my foot down. I packed a bunch of bags to give away, and packed some boxes to send back home to my mom. A little bit of clutter is okay, but I don’t want to have too much stuff and especially nothing that feels overwhelming. Simple is so nice.

One of my real struggles is picture frames. I am SUCH a picture person! I love having pictures around that spark my memory, bringing me back to a fun time, or a friend I care about. Luckily, with the new place, there is space for a “study”, a place where I will keep my computer and books, and memories.  I picked out my very favorite frames and pictures and placed them on the bookshelves in the room. This feels like the right place for them and I’m pleased with it.

Lots of you are asking for pictures, but I’m waiting to feel a little more settled before I show the place off. Also, I’d like for the sun to be shining the day I snap the photos. The light in this place is incredible.

last night’s dinner

So. Good.

So. SO. Good.

YUM.

Here’s the recipe!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

adapted from Allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

2 lbs stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 C. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 C. beef broth
4 carrots, diced
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 potatoes, diced (I left this part out, because we were already having potatoes on the side)

Recipe:

1. Place meat in the slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and pepper. Pour the dry mix over the meat and stir to coat the meat.

2. Next, stir in the garlic, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, onion, beef broth, carrots, and celery (and potato too, if you’d like).

3. Cover, and cook on the Low setting for 10-12 hours, or on High for 4-6 hours.

3 easy steps to perfect deliciousness.

Important information: I put this all together the night before I was going to eat it, then cooked it overnight. It sat in the fridge all day while I was at work and then I reheated it for dinner. All the flavors had plenty of time to mix together, which I’m sure is what made it EXTRA delicious. Zan whipped up the potato pancakes from scratch, mostly because that’s how he rolls. I wish I could do that, but I’m truly a recipe girl. Cooking’s not quite in my blood.

Are you a natural at cooking and/or baking?

I pretend to be, but really I have to try (and I try hard!).