Where's Abby (+ Dylan and dogs)

 As the last couple of days have been quite likely some of my least favorite days, it has (as well as my good friend, Leslie) pushed me to look at things I'm grateful for.  So, today, my much need gratitude mentions are...  Getting to see these beautiful faces in LESS THAN 24 HOURS! That's right... Best friends, Amy and Amy are comin to town (or across the ocean) to see me. So excited. If only Amanda could come too to have AAAA takeover Denmark. Another time when we're all rich and can travel the world together. :) Ps we have like NO pictures of us three together... That'll change soon enough!  Hearing the SUPER exciting news that Chris and Liesl might be joining me, mom and pops in Germany! As if seeing the padres and exploring Europe with them wasn't exciting enough... My rainboots. These suckers make 4 mile walks in the rain to get the kiddos exponentially better.  Good times last weekend with Megan and Molly at the movies, and Maria joini...

 Since I've been here, I've had the opportunity to explore some with cooking. Here's a collection of some of my favorites... Just click the pictures to take you to the recipes.  Salmon with avocado salsa    I was glad to find this good,  healthy  salmon recipe since most of mine have soy sauce, brown sugar, and maple... Here's to healthy!  Brunswick stew Served with cornbread, of course.  Brown sugar and balsamic glazes pork loin Top favorite.  Sweet potato medallions with rosemary butter sauce  Soo yummy.  Balsamic maple glazed pork chops I just cooked this last night, first time cooking pork chops, and it was quite tasty! I added thyme, rosemary, and didn't bother with the whole "removing pork chops and deglazing pan" bit and it worked fine. Crispy coconut chicken  Favorite of the kiddos.  Honey chicken

  I realized I don't actually have many posts about what I do as an au pair on the reg... Since today was pretty busy and I feel accomplished, here's what I did: Woke up at 6:45 for the usual morning routine. (Feed kids, brush teeth, get ready for school, clean up, air out rooms and duvets, make beds, tidy up)  Did a 5 hour cleaning job  Went for a 6.5mile run (A beautiful one too. Love trails).  Squeezed in an episode of Grey's.  Picked up the kiddos. (An hour of walking required) Quick grocery run.  Made dinna.  Cleaned up dinna.  Made lunches.  Finished more laundry. (4 loads today) Ironed.  Vacuumed (again).  Looked up more cute puppy and cat pictures.  Blog.   Despite it's many downfalls (5+hour cleaning jobs and more) this job has given me confidence and empowerment in conquering family life like a champ... Preparing all meals including full on awesome dinners, library, errands and grocery runs, picking up kids, cleaning like a motha f]%{*_' (won't be put...

    Long weekends are the greatest. And it seems like I've had several lately so I'm pretty happy... This weekend was Wednesday-Sunday off thanks to some Kristi Hemmelfart  for giving us a holiday.  On  Wednesday, I just had a relaxing day full of reading Born to Run and getting inspired by these superhuman Tarahumara people and Jenn Shelton , who I basically wish I was. But READ THAT BOOK! It's awesome, fascinating, challenging and inspiring.   My Thursday actually started at 6:30am, on a holiday, with no alarm! But I used it and went for a super nice run, putting that inspiration from the Tarahumara into action and running TWO whole miles more than my recent runs (previous statement to be read with sarcasm, as these folks run 435 in two days.) But ya gotta start somewhere, right? At the very end of my run, the rain started that would soon  ruin my plans of biking to the city,  completely soak me on the way to the station, and cause...

After meeting this amazing musician, I actually got the reason for most girls' dream of dating one... My own song.  I felt beyond special when I was sitting there listening to this song this cute boy had written... For me.  Here it is, folks.  The man I continue to be amazed by, proud of, and blessed with.    Check out his other stuff and  subscribe to him, why don't cha? ;) Boasting DONE. 

A relaxing Friday night with the dude.  Kæreste kærlig... on the roof... in beautiful weather... with good music. Yess.                                       And goofy pictures Healthy creations  Curry chicken, avocado, and bacon on portabello shrooms Cauliflower fried "rice" Fun times at a festival with Megan, Karen Sofie, and Arthur.  Such cool lights everywhere A Sunday full of smoothies, strolling, sun, and Sune. Ssss Being healthy and healed enough to run 10 miles this week.   An unexpected holiday ahead! Wee!  Happy Monday, readers!  A nice little diddy for the day :)