Have your people call my people

So....
imagine you're a Hollywood Star.
And you had a vision of grandeur.
So you went up to Wine Country to make that vision a reality.
And hired a specialist to tour you around the most gorgeous places the Valley of the Moon has to offer.
You were taken to a rose garden.
Century old ruins.
Sweeping vineyard views.
A terraced, ivy covered courtyard.
A lodge at the top of a cliff.
Stories high brick castle.
A charming, remote ranch.

I may not be a complete specialist and they may not have been Hollywood stars, but I got to spend the day making someone's dream come true in the most beautiful of settings. It felt like heaven.
Goodness gracious, I love my job.

Ouch

Day two at the gym:
spin class at 6:00am
I don't know what part of that statement is worse, what I did or what time...
My bootie hurts so bad today. I actually liked the cycling. The work out was intense. INTENSE.
regardless of how my bootie feels, the rest of my body feels great. I think I might make this a weekly thing.
Do you think I can bring my own seat next time?

Confession

Because you're my people, I can tell you the truth.
I ran away from my kids and went to the movies tonight.
It was blissful.
And I am married to a saint.

Because what's a family, if not crazy?

Huge family dinner tonight.
HUGE.
Well, not so huge. Just a little huge. But I really like to use caps lock for effect. I can say that it was a little wacky. There were 10 adults and 10 children. It is rare to have man to man defense at family dinners, but I think we were okay. For the most part. If okay means, no ambulance was required. Because otherwise, I might use different words to describe how the night went.
Chaotic.
Noisy.
Messy.
Anxiety inducing.
A little scary.
But folks, we survived!

P.S.- my children were perfect. If perfect means that one climbed the piano and another smeared diaper contents all over the bathroom and another broke a plumbing fixture and then one also shattered a plate and their sibling tore their Sunday dress and stuffed my phone in their diaper... Angels, I tell you.

The best baby shower ever

Not an announcement.
We are not having a baby anytime soon.
But my friend, Lauren is having a sweet little girl any day now.
I planned a shower for her that I think rivals many a good thing.
We first ate at The Presidio Social Club right in the Presidio in San Francisco. It was delicious and chic and I felt so fancy.

 
Then the group drove over to Golden Gate Park to go on a private tour of the Conservatory.

Isn't that just so hipster, guys?! It was a fun day with fun ladies.

Kate's got the good daughter thing down

Last night Kate said, "Mom, I really want to get the kids ready tomorrow. Will you sleep in?"
Will I sleep in?
WILL I sleep in?
Will I SLEEP IN?!?!?!
Ummm.... hmm... do I really need to think before answering? No. No I do not.
And because Kate likes to spoil her mother, she also brought in breakfast in bed.

Egg whites with spinach and mushrooms. A bagel with peanut butter. Freshly squeezed orange juice. And because she let the littles help, pizza flavored goldfish crackers.
Every time a mother gets breakfast in bed, an angel gets their wings.
But every time a mother gets a breakfast in bed that is delicious, the whole choir of angels gets a trip to Cabo and a winning lottery ticket. Forget wings. Wings are for suckers.

I'm quirky

I like quails. I have been watching our property for the last decade waiting for a California quail to drop dead on the land so I could get it stuffed. Yes, I want to own an animal that has been treated by a taxidermist. Because the California quail is the state bird, I can't just go out and shoot one- and I wouldn't...
It seems strange, because it is. Who really wants a dead animal sitting in their living room? well, I do- but who else in their right mind?
In launching my new business, I have decided to set each table with a signature collectible. I was talking to my friend trying to choose what little figurine I would use. We went through animal after animal all the while forgetting about my obsession with quails. When she suggested a quail, because they were local, I literally hit her seat right by her head. I admit that I shocked this dear friend of mine, but no matter- I got the idea for my signature quail! Don't worry, not a dead one. I still haven't been lucky enough to find that gem. But, I did find these!!! 

The baby quail measures two inches tall. I'm going to hide that little guy on each tablescape as my signature. Isn't he cute? By the way, if you see any sickly looking quails, send them my way.

Because I'm a diva

I felt the need to push myself upon the Relief Society activity and insist on bringing dessert.

I've gotta give those poor sisters a break...
You know, our wards are combining soon. We will no longer be the ward family that exists now. I have been attending this ward since I was married, almost 15 years! I don't know what the changes will be, but I do know that I will miss the sisterhood I have felt in this ward. These people have heard my stories, seen my battle wounds and helped me grow. I was a spring in my step newlywed when I first met most of my ward family... they've watched this baby grow up. It will be difficult for me to acclimate to a new normal. Especially because this group is used to my shenanigans by now.

Newest family member

BYesterday, when I was driving into the city, I had a tiny little thought, "Hmm.. I really think I'm ready for another foster care placement.."
Never mind that I was dealing with strep throat and driving into the city for something huge and just plain maxed out already. Then Jimmy called me after just finishing serving the boxed lunches and said those words, "The county called." I knew before he even telling me about this new child that I would say yes.
Our new little girl is articulate and curious and precocious. She is already a Graham. In fact, this new addition even looks like a mix between older and younger sisters. It's only day one, but I'm already in love.

Today...

Wow. TODAY. Today!

Cool stuff is going on over in the House of Graham.
Started the day off better than the previous few, as I had a couple doses of antibiotics in me and a better night sleep and, oh yeah, the excitement of TODAY!

Because what did I have planned today, I ask you? well, why would I ask you.. it's my blog. I'm telling the story. You, dear reader, are the one trying to figure why the freak out I keep writing 'today'. This is why: I got to be a vendor in the Sketchbook Series! Not jumping up and down yet? This is why you should be:
The Sketchbook Series is a National series of seminars traveling from city to city where Mary Phan from Very Mary Inspired teaches professionals from the creative careers how to properly and beautifully sketch for their business and clients. But folks, this is not just seminar. It is planned and hosted by event professionals! Like, big people in this field. Companies featured in big name stuff.

That's a gist of what the Sketchbook Series is...
but what I got to do was feed them all. Seriously. The best. The best of the best. I walked into the building feeling like a kindergartener in a university. Just entering the lobby with its expertly designed textures was a breath of fresh, gorgeous air. Every person I passed was more gorgeous than the next. And all their offices- cannot even. Upon receptionist's delivery of myself into the conference room, I was floored. Every surface was jaw droppingly styled to match a dream board created by Roque Events. Every single tiny detail was coordinated in such harmony, I swear I walked into a dream. There was grass growing as a backdrop on the wall. And tiny gold bud vases everywhere filled with all shades of bright orange and pink buds of fresh flowers. The sign showcasing my food was hand crafted by Laura Lambrix herself. It was an honor. 

That's all the best of it. The worst of it- I came in with a cart full of food with a janky wheel. It was awful. The sound I made passing all of those chic offices brought stares. Approaching the conference room delivered anxiety I don't think I have felt in this earthly state. But, I had to put my chin up and walk in that room with the screeching cart and interrupt an artist at work to bring them my humble food. Once I had done my duty, I waited for a photo op and left. They are posting my info and photos for the next year. and tagging me in their PR. Such an opportunity I could not even imagine. And I had it TODAY.

So, doing things with one hand tied behind your back isn't hard enough?!

Let's try TWO!

Not only was I nearly crawling today from being so sick, my workload was such that my best was required of me. Dude, I was sitting in a chair just trying to grate a single carrot for a quarter of an hour. That's not Stephanie time. But, I was going to pull it together, gosh darnit! Who cares that I can barely move? To heck with it all that I have numbed taste buds, I can pull together anything by memory! Because the opportunity I have shan't be wasted. And so, amidst my temporary handicap, I soldiered on. That's what soldiers do. However, when power outages roll through at different times during the day, a soldier sits down and sobs. Here I am trying to chop cilantro by candlelight and I just broke. It felt like in half. While I'm blubbering away and smelling like fresh herbs, the towel literally gets thrown in. We packed up my car with my precious food intended for greatness. Jimmy packed the kids in his car and we drove down to finish prep work at the in-laws. WE successfully completed 34 gluten-free, elegant boxed lunches. It took me more than I have in me to finish a task that normally would have taken two hours- tops.
I am used to operating at diminished capacity. Because in my life, there is ALWAYS a wrench thrown in somewhere. I let it roll off my back. No biggie. I got this. But this is everyone, right? There's never a break from life. To be thrown so far out of my comfort zone brings me such frustration! I want to pick up the wrench that messes up my gears and pitch it right back where it came from.
But then I think, "isn't just last week that I flippantly thought in a relief society lesson that trials really do bring us closer to God?!" What the freak is wrong with me?! No more flippantly thinking. None. Next time I should think, "Trials are great for everyone else- but I'm happy here in my happy bubble thinking happy thoughts."
Seriously, I didn't enjoy the going through. But I am writing this from the future (No really, I am. The time stamp states Sunday, but I'm writing on Tuesday. You know, to fulfill that 'write everyday on my blog' new year goal?) And in the future, I am grateful. I am closer to God. He did help me. He did keep His promises. But sometimes in the moment, I wish I could have both my hands.

Doubly grateful

Last night, after the joy I felt receiving my logo.
Well, and making this for somebody:

Who wouldn't feel joy with that cake in their presence, ammiright?!
I came home shivering and spiked a super high fever.
Rather than do anything else, I laid on the floor in the fetal position in front of the fire. All night.
Instead of getting to rest, I had a wedding a birthday party to cater today.
And so, I went to work.
And sat on the ground.
And my staff buzzed around me and did everything.
While I couldn't swallow due to a sore throat.
While I couldn't stand up without feeling faint.
They took care of every detail.
My mother in law came to help.
My daughter came to help.
Both parties were a success.
Thank goodness for the amazing people I have in my life!

In preparation for something cool

I had this designed:

Bu the same company that designed and branded logos for my favorite chef: Thomas Keller. I am connected to greatness just a little. And I am giddy.

A day of firsts...

It was my first time:
-hiring a design firm (not an etsy shop) to design my logo
-having a photographer and food stylist help me photograph things for a website (it's getting official!)
-poaching lobster tail in a butter emulsion (oh.my.goodness.)
-having an email conversation with an event planning big dog.
-making a (the best) german chocolate cake from scratch (holy crap! If you ever need a chocolate cake recipe...)
-letting Kate do one whole catering component by herself (from start to finish!)
It's been a good day.

Bottom to the top

Today was busy!
I went shopping for four events- one of which I cannot wait to share in a future post.
Another of the events is a wedding where the bride and groom have chosen to have an ice cream bar. While shopping at Target I had two emotions running through me:
1) Temptation- I had to put things in my cart that are all on the no-no list of the health challenge I am doing right now.
2) Shame- just look at what I was pushing around in my cart.

Not a single healthy thing in there, folks.

 

A third 'event' I purchased food for was the photo shoot I will be having tomorrow with fancy pants food. Because I'm launching a website. FINALLY. One of the things I forgot to purchase was scallops. Because I buy all my seafood at Whole Foods, I totally forgot to pop in there amongst the many stores I entered. The pouring rain made the day ultra hard. That, and the grumpy cashier at Trader Joe's. In the decade I've been shopping at TJ's I have never, ever met a rude cashier. I did today. And because Trader Joe's is my happy place, I felt violated. I walked around the rest of the day in such sorrow. In all seriousness, I was more than upset. I think I might go back a bring that cashier a cookie tomorrow, then he'll be nice to me. But I digress.

So, the combination of emotion and inclement weather caused me to miss a stop in my shopping trip. Jimmy had to run out and get the scallops at 9:00 tonight. He texted me in a panic. Whole Foods had run out! I asked for head on shrimp- none! Lobster tail?! YES! He grabbed the tail and came home. When Jimmy walked in the door, without a word, he just held up the wrapped seafood and:

Because there were two things I needed and the counter did not have- I got my lobster for FREE! And they were closing up shop. But, yay. Guys, for the stressful day I've had. A day that caused me to sit for a full five minutes in a daze, responding to no one, just got better.

Sneaky, Sneaky...

I have a friend that went out of the country for nearly a month and is arriving home in the very wee hours of the morning tomorrow. In fact, her family of 8 are in transit as I type.

The group that gets together weekly decided that we would surprise them with groceries. Luckily we had a key!
Here's our handiwork:

It was so fun doing something goofy at this late hour!
Let's hope she doesn't read this before seeing her surprise...

Christmas Eve

It took me years to train my husband's family to let me go fancy when it comes to holidays. I can party with cocktail weinies and paper plates with the best of them, but I feel especially festive when I get to produce and event. I love my job. I love providing my clients with great food and festive tablescapes. However, when I get to treat my family, it really brings me joy.

The first Thanksgiving I served a plated dinner with multiple courses, people were not happy. I think it's maybe because I eliminated any root vegetables adorned in marshmallows. That was nearly a decade ago. Now, when I break out the big guns, people actually get excited! Christmas Eve was no different. I really wanted to go nuts on this one.

 

First, came the table:

 

Inspired by the Christmas classic, 'A Christmas Carol' Complete with a toile linen, brass French horns, Gold leaf scrolls for place cards and red accents. Top it off with fresh white flowers and candles- you've got yourself one fancy table! We started the evening with a gorgeous cheese board- but I forgot to take a picture. Unfortunately, the rest of my pictures are so so...

First course:
Cauliflower Vichyoisse with chive oil and a seared scallop.
One of my favorite healthy and delicious starters. Often, our family will have this as a main dish.


Salad Course:
bibb lettuce and baby arugula
pomelo, pomegranate, pepitas and grapefruit vinaigrette
Unfortunately, the avocados I bought were gross, so I had to scrap them. So, so sad.

Main Course:

Seared halibut

haricot verts

roasted rainbow marble potatoes with lemon dill sauce and a creamy beurre blanc.

Halibut is my favorite fish of all time. I have been wanting to do it for a holiday, but it's so dang expensive! We were able to pull it off this year!

And dessert, the most intimidating of all:

Pavlova with fresh raspberries, homemade fudge and whipped sweet cream.

It was heavenly. I was terrified to make this most simple dessert. But now, I'll tuck it away in my recipe box for another day- it was so easy! I was afraid of nothing!

Honestly, I do not do these fancy dinners to show off or anything, I make this food and set the table because I LOVE to do it. The process that is torture for some is bliss for me. The planning, shopping at specialty markets, choosing flowers, the hard work is just so awesome. It's even better when I get to share with the people who are usually in the background helping me pull it all off.

It's following me!

This year, our home was bogged down by Holiday Goodies.

We had all kinds of confections hanging around the house.

Just when I thought I had contracted permanent dental damage from all the sweets, Jimmy came home with home baked goods from his coworkers. I was happy that they shared, but seriously dreaded the insurmountable task of the necessary bite from each tin. You know, so I wouldn't be lying when I told them how good everything was when I see them at the office party.

The first tin was fudge- creamy, delicious, sweet.

Then came the thumbprint cookies- crumbly, rich, sweet.

I had gotten into the groove of things and prepared myself for the sugar overload that would come with my final bite.

Upon opening the last tin, I had an almost deflated reaction... home made Chex Mix. Seriously? I was not excited to take the obligatory bite, but I love my husband and I did not want to disappoint. (Because I'm sure out of all the crazy things I do, refusing to try a bite of cereal snack mix would be the top offender...)

I grabbed the smallest little handful I could and munched on it mindlessly.

And then, like a literal switch being flicked, my eyes lit up. With out using a single word, I grabbed the tin and sat in a corner of the couch and started munching away. It was just the reverie I needed to pull me from my perma-sugar coma. I think Kate even tried to snatch a piece and I slapped her hand away. It seems cloudy in my mind but I think I might have even hissed a little...

And so a monster was born. I started thinking about Chex Mix nonstop. You think I am kidding. That I am just saying this to be funny. No joke, I thought about the snack mix so much that it became a mini obsession. When I was in full blown cereal mode, I started seeing the bags everywhere. It got to be so humorous that each new sighting warranted a picture sent via text to Jimmy.

SEE?!

 

 

 

And to curb the cravings and sleepless nights. I broke down and got all the ingredients needed to make my dreams come true.

I did it. I made the perfectly customized homemade dream. Extra nuts, no wheat chex and miso for flavoring. My hard work yielded two gallon sized bags of the heavenly savory treat. It lasted 36 hours. My work here is done.

Perks

We love our sweet Genevieve. Like, a lot. I think we have to love her as much as we do because some days I think I want to give her back. Jimmy called me in a panic while I was at a meeting today. Little Miss Vivy had gotten out of her crib and ambled out of her room holding her head. Isn't 18 months too young to be part of the 'Get out of my crib when I'm supposed to be taking a nap' club?! She has done everything young, that one. Rolled over from front to back at two weeks, back to front at 6 weeks and took off all her clothes in bed when she was not even 2 months old. I suppose she's been trying to break out of things since she was born...
Today I joined a gym solely for the child care.

2016 Goals

Well, folks... I've done it again. I set some pretty high standards for myself for the next 365 days. But I love working hard and I love to strive for excellence. And so, here I go with a year trying to improve who I am. When January rolls around each year, I am bogged down with sweets. My head is foggy from all the family gatherings in which I am navigating the different personality types. My nights are filled with catering events. Having a January in my life is refreshing and this year is no different. My goals for the year 2016 are:

• Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables a day. I have very little problem eating healthy when I put my mind to it. However, my downfall is usually when the two weeks between healthy eating challenges of which I am always taking part. Rather than try to avoid sugar for a year (which I tried last year and made it to April) I wanted a positive goal. Avoid= stay away. DON'T. Eat= go towards, DO. My fridge is stocked and I'm ready to eat!
• Exercise daily. I love exercise. I HATE starting exercise. Once I buckle down and actually move my body, I love it. The anxiety of getting there is awful. I have noticed that when I don't take a day off, my weeks go better. What's helping me to keep this goal is my definition of exercise. Yes, I will do videos. Yes, I will go running. Yes, I have signed up to join a gym. Yes, walking to our mailbox will count as exercise. Our mailbox is a quarter mile away. My goal is to move. To move a lot. It is to lead an active life again. I lost almost 100 pounds before I had Vivy. I want her to know the mother Kate got know very well. I want Vivy to meet the mom that hikes nearly every day and plays tag. That girl is so full of energy that I tend to think we'd get along.
• Pray and Read Scriptures daily. This is something that has become a daily habit already. In fact, I a surprised at how I've been able to keep up with this. When I was in church as a teenager and we were asked to pray or read daily, I thought that this was just an ideal that was a lofty, unattainable goal. I honestly thought that no one ever did these things EVERY day. Well, my life has changed. What I thought was impossible has become my life. I don't mean this in a boastful way. I am more grateful for this blessing than is easy to express. and the reason I have put this as one of my goals this year is because I don't want to this important habit to go by the wayside while I'm trying hard to accomplish the other goals I have set. I aimed high this year so I need all the help that comes from a daily habit of communing with the Lord.
• Clean out one drawer or shelf a day. I have read 'The life changing magic of tidying up' multiple times now. It makes me want NOTHING in my home, save my family. I want to live in an empty box with the people I love and enjoy the simplicity of life. The method stated in this book requires chunks of time I do not have. There is a toddler living in my house that would have a heyday if I chose to organize a whole pile of ALL my clothes at once. Although I am 100% behind the method set forth in this book, it is so all encompassing that I kept putting off beginning the project. I have no issue throwing things away. I am sadly unsentimental about stuff- to the point that I think it might be a disorder- so getting rid of things is not my issue. My daughter, she's the issue. In fact, as I type she is playing in a puddle of water in the middle of the kitchen floor. No joke. Which leads me to my next goal...
•  Blog daily. At all costs. I have never regretted setting aside time each day to document my life. I write it for me. What used to be a way to communicate with other stay at home moms has become an outlet for me. I don't really care about comments or who reads this. I have not chosen to write to appease an outside source. I am writing because it makes me happy. I am writing because I love to look back and reflect on what I've accomplished. Or screwed up on. I like to see what I still think is funny. I blog selfishly and invite all to read!
• Read and Study the Sunday School lesson each week. I cannot tell you how many times a year I have to keep talking myself into attending Sunday School. I fell uncomfortable in there. I feel like I am surrounded by people who all know more than I do. It becomes a discussion between returned missionaries that I feel I'm imposing upon. I am not stupid. I have a testimony of the gospel. But Sunday School is just plain hard for me to enjoy. This year, I will try my best to enjoy. If I don't, come December, meet me in the mother's lounge.
• Do my visiting teaching monthly. I suck at visiting teaching. Harsh words, harsh truth. I do not have a testimony of visiting teaching. This is why- I hate it when people tell me what to do. I have joined book clubs more than I can count. I love reading. I love talking about books I have read. I love eating food that I did not cook. I love dressing up and getting away from my children. I hate book club. I HATE being told what I have to read. And then there's visiting teaching. I love visiting people. I love serving others. I love dressing up and getting away from my children. I hate being told who I have to be friends with. It feels fake to me. Possibly because I (not trying to sound boastful) visit people all the time. I bring meals to people or stop by to chat. In all of these cases it has started with a prayer to find others to serve. I suppose I do already do visiting teaching, but they're never on my list. I know it sounds horrible, but visiting teaching is something I absolutely dread.

Lots of goals. High expectations. I love the opportunity I am given each new year to examine my life and strive to improve. I like myself better when I try hard. I'm with me all day- might as well like the company.