It's Been A Year

I really love to capture moments where no one knows I am watching. Two beauties against a beautiful background. Makes me smile. The last weekend of July marked the first year anniversary of my Dad's passing. I cannot believe it has been a year.  A year of not seeing his inviting smile, feeling his loving embrace and hearing the words "how's my baby girl?" It was a tough weekend and we all thought of him and celebrated him in different ways. It's funny, this picture is a celebration of him. He would look over the deck like this into the backyard when he was out grilling his girls a tasty meal. I picture it clear as day. What a great memory of a great man. 

Another candid shot I took this particular summer weekend of my Gramma furiously reading. She loves to read, anything and everything. When she is reading, nothing else exists. I think I could have set off a firework behind her and she wouldn't have wavered. I love this about my Gramma. She reads and continues to educate herself on the world around her. She dives into books, newspapers and magazines like Michael Phelps does into a pool; completely absorbed and present in the moment of what she is reading.  When she finished, she asked "were you waiting on me?" not knowing how much time had passed by. 

After a lovely weekend with my family, I came to the Monday crazies known as the beginning of the work week.  Nothing out of the ordinary, just Monday. I just wasn't ready yet!  What filled my Monday with less crazy and a lot of joy was a kind gift from my co-worker, Bonnie. She knows my love for polka dots and even calls me "Dot" at work, which I absolutely love!  While she was out shopping, in her free-time outside of work, her sweet heart thought of me when she saw this box. She left it in my office with a note saying for my "what nots."  I seriously got tears in my eyes because it touched me so deeply. She will never know how much this means to me and I cannot wait to fill it with my "what nots" aka joys starting this new year. 

Mid week took me home again to hang out with my momma and do some busy business work. Since I had been thinking about my Dad grilling, I really wanted to do some grilling myself on his grill. When I am out there attempting this skill my Dad mastered, I feel really close to him, like he is there will me, whispering to me the proper instruction and his noteworthy pats on the back. It is very calming to be out there. I also have a feeling a watchful eye was helping prevent overcooking or burning anything (which I totally needed, thanks Dad!). 

Mom and I shared a lovely meal of grilled chicken and a little love from her garden: fresh basil, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes. The best part of the garden was picking a questionable pepper that mom thought was sweet when she planted it. We cut that baby open, seeded it and was going to make it part of the salad. Good thing we took precautions, my tongue barely touched it and it was on fire. I think mom's patch of peppers is going to be a little bit spicy. 

Her backyard is full of gorgeousness (besides herself). These hydrangeas....swoon. Not only am I a fan of polka dots, but anything white....completely my jam!

Later on in the week, I was asked to be the nutrition expert for an event for Jolly Time Pop Corn. It was great to meet the owner, Garry Smith and hear his speak so passionately about his popcorn, his family and his company.  I was enthralled how health of his employees is important. Each day, everyone of his 170 employees start off with 10 stretches to get them in the right frame of mind for the day, with Garry leading the stretching in the offices. These daily stretches may also prevent injury such as carpal tunnel and back issues. Personally, I took notes and will incorporate them into my daily routine.

With health in mind, Jolly Time has a great challenge going on right now called the Healthy Pop Challenge. Once you join the challenge through September 7th, you can receive a free workout band, awesome coupons, delicious recipes, an easy get fit while you pop workout and be entered to win a FitBit. Making simple swaps in the summer with your snacks can give you more energy for all the activities that you love. Healthy Pop Pop Corn only has 20 calories per cup! I can eat a whole big bag for 100 calories, which is very exciting to me. I am a huge fan of quantity. Not only is it low in calories, it is a good source of fiber and energy boosting vitamins. The smell and the warmth of fresh popcorn is more satisfying than room temperature bland snacks. I personally would rather have a whole cup of popcorn than 3-4 potato chips.  I had a movie date with my friend Stacey this weekend and popped my own bag for the theater. Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone!

The week ended with an awesome presentation I did with my co-worker Chef Stacey for Life Care Services in downtown Des Moines. It was great spreading the good word about healthier eating on the go and at work. We had great discussion on how to eat more balanced and practicing portion control no matter what foods you choose. Stacey whipped up some delicious recipes for everyone to try! She always amazes me with her easy recipes and how great tasting they are. We compliment each other very well when we present together. She knows the nutrition after it hearing it a thousand times from me and I can brag on how much I have learned from her. 

Accompanying me these past 3 weeks was a new intern that I had the privilege to be a preceptor for. Sonja is such an amazing person and hard working!  She did such a great job taking on a lot of my responsibilities impeccably well. Either I am great at teaching and/or she is great at learning. We will chalk it up to both. I really do feel very lucky to be entrusted to educate future Registered Dietitians. I had amazing preceptors and enjoy paying it forward. 

When an intern starts with me, I tell them two things:  

1. I am a bit crazy (Shocker) 2. I want them to have fun while they learn. 

When they leave, I hope they can say #2 was achieved. I cannot wait to see what Sonja does in her future and how she changes the world of dietetics. 

AE

Celebrating Family

This summer has been full of some much needed family time. I think my family is pretty damn awesome.  We may not see each other a ton every year, but when we get together, we enjoy every single minute. 

Mom and I headed to Denver for a fantastic family wedding with the Huebert/Myers clan. Claire and Mark were married in a beautiful garden surrounded by the mountains. 

It was fun hanging out with cousins both young and old.  Growing up, summer vacations meant a trip to Colorado. 

My Aunt Tedde, Uncle Jim and their clan of kiddos was always a highlight of the summer. My sister and I were usually the baby of the cousins and we just adored our older cousins. I remember feeling so cool hanging out with them. When we spend time together now, I still feel like a giddy little girl. 

The start of July always means the birthday of one of my heartbeats, Miss Brenda!  We have spent the last few years celebrating her and it was great spending her special day with her. It was a beautiful day boating on the lake, sun, cocktails and a ton of laughs with her friends. So lucky to have another year of Brenda in my life! 

July 4th was another family celebration and food! We always try to get a few photos of everyone together because it doesn't happen often enough. This is only a small representation of the big group of the Huebert clan. 

I also spent some quality time with these lovely ladies. Miss Lindsey is the little sister I never had and she is also the  proud mama of Miss Ally and Miss Lucy. I couldn't get enough of Ally's kisses and tickles. 

Another collection of memories in my life of people who make my heartbeat...

AE

Friends, Memorial Day, Golf, Music, Future, and Real Deal Kind of Weekend

I think summertime likes to give me more time than I know what to do with by providing longer, sunny filled days and endless opportunities of excitement. However, it does rob me of known indoor activities like writing and blogging. So being the wise adult that I am, I know now to place an alert in my phone that says (no joke):   "Hey Anne,  I know you're having a blasty blast but it's been 2 weeks, have you blogged?"  

The first official holiday weekend to kick off summer fun started with a little trip to Omaha to have Happy Hour with my frista and other lady friends. We dined on sushi, had a few Grey Goose and waters and had endless laughs. Those girlies just make my day and it is always fun to go back and catch up with them. 

One of our favorite spots is Kona Grill because they have killer happy hour sushi and cocktail specials on their amazing patio. The only thing I wonder about Friday's in Omaha is does anyone work past noon?  Geez.....

After a delightful night with the girls, I headed back to my roots to enjoy seeing my beautiful mother, family and the peace and quiet.

There was a time in my life I felt leaving Panama and not looking back was the best thing in the world. Thing is, all roads lead back to the foundation of my life. There is a sense of peace and calm in this small but mighty Iowa town 

(cue John Cougar Mellencamp and the sweet sounds of Small Town). 

When I am back in the hood, I love to head out and hit the pavement with an exploring run. So many fun memories come rushing back and I feel like I could run for endless miles (which let's be honest, 4 miles is more like it and realistically my limit).  The train tracks line the east side of town and run through Whispering Pines Park, which was frequently traveled on by a slew of girls on bikes.

There is this calming sense of comfort as I drive up Main Street and see the homestead on the right. The home I spent the majority of the youth in, sprayed endless amounts of hairspray in, sang karaoke to Cyndi Lauper with my girl gang, ate homemade pizza under the kitchen table, slammed a few doors in, shed a few tears in and shared a life with my amazing parents and sister. I may have also kissed a few boys on the front porch as well.

We picked beautiful peonies in our backyard to take to my sweet Papa and sister on Memorial Day.  Peonies are one of my favorite flowers and they are everywhere in Panama. My mom has these stunning pink ones in the back yard.

 I had a little help from my friend Gypsy. She is also my fur baby, Lil g's momma. She loves to tag along in the backyard and supervise all the happenings.

I also couldn't resist one of my most guilty pleasures from my Mom's garden:  ONIONS!  Oh my goodness, I seriously can pick this straight from the ground, wash it off and eat it like candy. I don't mind dipping it in a little salt if it's handy. The best part about this is I know she planted them for me because she runs as fast as possible away from onions. So thank you Mom for this produce pleasure!

After a relaxing time back home, another work we started. Except this week was not only short, but it was our annual managers golf outing. 

There were over 300 managers who spent the day out on the links. Even though our team didn't win anything,  I would say our team won in the entertaining and a blast to be with division.  Thanks Matt, Jason and Stacey for making it such a fun day!

Each year, my summer officially starts with the first concert I go to.  Last year, I pledged to attend 3 concerts (minimum) a summer because there is nothing better than witnessing music in its most vulnerable and creative space: live. I also pledged to be open to new and different types of music to expand my horizons and the first one up did a lot of expanding.  It was an enjoyable night of creative outlaw country at Wooly's. 

The end of week was full of new adventures. I met up with this lovely, who I haven't seen for a long time when she was my intern!  I am proud of Jena and all of her dietitian accomplishments thus far. It is great reconnecting with dietitians I have worked with in the past and hear about all the amazing things they have done and are doing. 

The Principal Charity Classic was back in town this past weekend and it was a pretty kick ass day out on the course. I enjoyed a few beers, soaked up some sun (with SPF 30 slathered all over of course!) and hung out with some of my favorite people. 

Whew! Holy Sh*% that was a crazy, busy, beautiful week!  I love this time of year. I love making memories and being with people who make my heart beat. 

AE

Easter Joy

This Easter was a bit different for me and my family. A beautiful day remembering new life and new beginnings, unfortunately without some very special people, my Poppo, Dad and Sister. "Firsts" are hard. I feel seconds, thirds and fourths will be just as hard. We had the spirit of those 3 pretty amazing people surrounding us all weekend. We shared a few tears and a few smiles. We shared the joy of knowing and loving them. 

Mom and I started out our morning sharing chocolate and coffee. Nothing like hoping off the treadmill and having a pretty amazing "recovery" meal. Then we picked up Gramma and headed out into the sunny day to my cousin's Christine and Denis's home for a lovely, tummy filling brunch. 

Christine creates beauty all around her home. Her chandelier in the kitchen was full of pansies, fresh budding birch branches and real hardboiled brown eggs. 

I am always amazed by her creativity. She set a beautiful table of intricate hand-embroidered white linen tablecloth and napkins. Adorned with antique glassware and white plates. My love for white made we want to hug this beautiful table and place settings. 

Beautiful music filled the air, songs of Frank Sinatra reminding us of Dad and his friends as well as him and Poppo's  love for dancing. Gramma telling stories of special times of her and Poppo dancing the night away was a uplifting and special converstion. 

I did my best to honor my Dad's Bloody Mary blending skills and carefully made up some cocktails to start the day. 

Then there was the mouthwatering line up of Chef Christine's masterpiece brunch: 

Fresh berries and star fruit, salmon deviled eggs with salmon caviar, grapes. 

What would Easter be without a honey baked ham? 

Quiche with pancetta, parsley and gruyere cheese in a flaky, delicious homemade crust. (Wow!!!)

Green eggs and ham: broccoli, hard boiled eggs, hollandaise sauce and ham. Seriously, this was so delicious!  I will get the recipe and share it so you can make this next Easter. 

And we finished with a holiday tradition, my Mom's homemade caramel, pecan and raisin cinnamon rolls. With butter and coffee of course! 

Karlie had the right idea, naptime after this amazing brunch. I debated on taking a walk versus taking a nap. Nap time won!  

I hope you all had a joyful holiday. If it was a "first" for you, my heart knows how you felt. If it was a second, third or fourth, I will know how you feel in the years to come. Time keeps moving and the seasons keep changing. 

How lucky we are to have such special people in our lives, those on this earth and those in other special places. How lucky I am to have had this day again with those I love. 

AE 

Happy New Year!

February 2016...my New Year has begun! This new year has been the best to date and I got to spend it with all the important people in my life that I care for deeply! 

It started with a surprise get together with my Des Moines tribe of Amanda, Stacey, Jason, Justin and Kevin. I was truly surprised and that does not happen very often! They so thoughtfully baked me this delicious cake, made my smile and laugh so hard my cheeks hurt and it was the perfect start to the 2 weeks that followed. 

My travels took me west to spend Valentine's Day with my Mom and family. 

Red, pinks and hearts galore, Chef Christine (also one of my soul sisters) prepared a fun spread of delicious treats of my favorite things: roses, goat cheese and roasted tomatoes crostini:

Garlic, red pepper and artichoke toast:

Jalapeño breads with a creamy red pepper dip:

All paired with libations, fancy espresso in beautiful cups and ending with chocolate, candles and wishes....

After a beautiful evening and a night full of slumber, Chef Christine whipped up more delicious eats and we indulged in a couple more libations before my western departure to the next leg of my travels. 

After a tummy full of pizza, I left to spend some time with my Omaha tribe. I was greeted with hearty homemade soup and  my absolute favorite dessert, key lime pie. The night was finished with champagne and a movie. And you think that would have ended possibly the best New Year a girl could have...but then it was time to head to somewhere tropical...

More to come! 

AE