Priorities

I’ve had some conversations and read some things lately that have really made me think about how I should be living each day…

And to me, it’s pretty simple. Think about your top priorities in life, and ask yourself whether you are devoting your energy to those priorities, or whether you are devoting your energy to things that are not on your priority list, or even doing things that are hurting your priorities.

My current priorities are:

-My marriage

-My health

-My relationships (friends/family)

So I might spend a lot of effort and energy exercising and cooking, but that’s ok because I have chosen to make them a top priority as part of my health. But what about when I decide I’m too busy cleaning or messing around on the computer to stop and talk and spend time with my husband? I’m saying my marriage is my #1 priority, but I’m not acting like it. So maybe then it’s time to shut the computer and go get a hug and remind Noah why I am thankful to have him in my life. Or, what about when I let stress at work affect my relationships, and I am negative and too busy for a small visit, phone call, or e-mail? I’m saying my relationships are important to me, yet I am letting something that is not one of my priorities zap my energy and negatively affect one of my priorities.

 

What are your priorities? Are your actions and energy focused on your helping or hurting your priorities? What changes can you make right now to remind yourself of what your priorities are?

Gifts

With Christmas approaching, it is once again time to think of gifts: What to give, what to request. I have a lot of different thoughts about gifts but the main point is that I'm not big on traditional gifts. I say this at the risk of sounding unappreciative of the many, many, MANY generous gifts I have received throughout my life. All I can say is that I am truly grateful for all of the clothes, housewares, sporting gear, electronics, decor, etc. that I have received from my incredible family and friends--especially during times when I was not able to purchase these things for myself. But, when it comes down to it, I can say that my favorite gifting experiences have come from homemade or particularly thoughtful gifts that never appeared on one of my many wishlists.

• My sister Kelley is a very talented gifter. She has given me some very fun, thoughtful gifts:
• She made me a stapler in jell-o (joke from the office) that still makes me laugh and provides a great conversation piece at work.
• We share a common love for the “Hyperbole and a Half” blog and she got me a great “Responsibility Champion!” mug.
• She made me an apron that says “Chef Bridget” that I use when I bake so that I don’t get flour all over my clothes!
• She put together a family holiday recipe book that I still refer to when making some of the classics.
• My friend Bridget gave me organic cocoa powder from our food co-op along with her family’s cookbook that some of her cousins put together.
• My friends Katie, Heather, and I take each other out to eat for our birthday presents to each other and enjoy spending time and talking—just the 3 of us.
• My sisters gave me a necklace with pendants to represent the two half-marathons I participated in, and the ability to add more pendants with more races.
• My mom gave me an appointment for a massage. 
• My dad gave me an appointment for helping me with my fall planting/gardening. 
• My sister Laura made me two cute necklaces that I wear all the time.. I love when I get compliments on them and can tell people that my sister made them for me.
• My sister Laura made our toasting glasses and wine charms for our wedding.
• My sister Jackie bought and brought us our wine from Trader Joes for our wedding. Not only was it a nice gift, but one less thing to worry about—which is a GREAT gift to a bride.
• My friend Kelsey gave me a cute “thank you” gift that included a $10 gift card to Dairy Queen… just in time for pumpkin pie blizzard month.
• My friend Bridget endulged my pumpkin love with the most delicious pumpkin liquor drink as a hostess gift.
• A coworker bought me a “good luck” gift before my marathon with a $5 gift card to our local ice cream place and a note that said “If I learned anything from the marathon, it’s that you will need to get a chocolate shake from Custard Cup when you are finished. Better make it a large—you just ran 26.2 miles!”
• My husband has given me many thoughtful gifts, but some of my favorites have been the gifts of “dates” to spend the weekend in Chicago, go out for a nice meal, or go walking through park trails.

Mama's chicken salad

My mom has perfected chicken salad. I've had it several times now and she's told me generally how she makes it, and I got pretty close with my last attempt. No measurements, just tasting and guessing. That's how chicken salad is supposed to be, right?

Cooked chicken (I boil chicken breast in some broth)
Mayo/plain yogurt if needed for extra moisture
Celery
Red onion
Apple
Salt/pepper

The key is grinding it up in the food processor, so that you end up with kinda a mushy chicken salad rather than a chunky one. Serve in a whole wheat pita or with some yummy fresh bread and it is even better!

Quick corn chowder

Absolutely love this soup for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. I made it after my busy baby shower day for dinner, and hubby was so excited when he got home. I love when my easy go-to recipes excite him!

Works well with leftover rotisserie chicken, or with the chicken you had cooked up for chicken salad, but didn't end up using because you would have had 8 pounds of chicken salad.

Fiesta chopped salad

In late summer, this is a great way to take advantage of the bountiful garden veggies! We didn't have avocado so I subbed olives, which also turned out yummy. Also threw in some corn and used fresh basil instead of parsley.

When my husband took leftovers to work, everyone was commenting on how healthy his lunch was. I love that my hubby loves good, wholesome food!

Whole wheat waffles

What do you do when you have leftover whipped cream frosting and an awesome husband to spend a lazy Sunday with?

Make these!

Coupled with some sliced fresh cherries, these were absolutely delicious. Recipe made about 7 waffles though... we'll see how well the frozen ones reheat!

Whole wheat zucchini bread pancakes

I had a bunch of zucchini. I love this blog. So I made these.

So good. Little bit of spreadable butter and maple syrup is all you need to turn these into healthy pancakes into a  special weekend treat. For the add ins, I used toasted walnuts one day and toasted pecans another day, and raisins rather than chocolate chips.

Hubby approved!