hello old friend

yes, I'm an awful blogger. what do you want me say? I'm sorry :)

Life has been a little busy. I have just about enough time to throw up an update on facebook here and there and just hope that fam and friends see me there, but... I know not all my fam and friends do the facebook thing. Also, I feel terrible that I don't take pretty pictures of my food to share anymore. I know I've gained most of my followers through my recipes, but I'm making a promise, one day soon, things will change. Morning sickness is no longer a problem. School, still stressful, but I just need to get into my schedule and things will settle down.

News...

It's a girl!! We've known for about a month now, and I'm just now getting around to posting. I put up our adorable little ultrasounds on facebook and thought I would do the same here. Normally I'm not a very personal person on this here blog, at least the day to day.. I like to share the big news and the happy stuff.. but babies are the only things on my mind these days! If it's not babies, it's school, so that my babies can have a mom with an education and hopefully some awesome nursing skills later on in life (also a nurses salary wouldn't hurt). And then when I'm not trying to organize all our baby clothes we're trying to figure out where to live, which is just another stress ball we're trying to climb over. But, all is good :)

Here's a few of the pictures of our sweet little pea.
(from our 16 week ultrasound.. I'm at 21 weeks now!!)

Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend !

with love,

kristin ann :)

my early sketches...

As stated in the last post, I have wished at several points to be some kind of stylist or creator of something fashionable. I think because I have a passion for art it makes it easier, because I like to sketch things up real quick. Well here's proof; proof that yes, I didn't make that up to make myself sound more interesting, and proof that I have had intentions of pursuing that goal. I don't think I have the creative chops to be a designer, but I would love to be able to sew my own clothes; I have always wanted to learn. I know how to sew on a button and fix a seam and even hem, but that's about it, and I don't know how to do those things well, I just make do. Does anyone know a good place to take classes? I have heard Joann’s has classes. But I don't know. I would like to learn. My lovely sister-in-law Heidi, and I bought material and patterns to make ourselves dresses last year, maybe even the year before that, but it just never happened. But Heidi, I promise, it's gonna happen :)

The first picture was a shot of my room, well the floor of my room. I have those sketchbooks all over the place. I buy one, have so much drive to do something with it, and 10 pages in it stops being used and gets put on a shelf, and then the cycle starts all over.

The little cartoon girls are cute, I know :) I was so proud.

About me.. well a little bit

In order for me to show you some of the things that I have been up to, or thinking about I have to explain a little bit about myself; get a little personal. Now I'm not going to tell you my bra size or anything like that (Mom don't be mad, it was just a joke), so consider yourself privileged, I don't open up often.

Since I was a little girl I have had a number of things I've been interested in, enough to pursue. Unfortunately a lot of them stuck, so I still have all these things that I wish I could accomplish, but you can only do so much. As far as my memory can go back, this is what I have been interested in (from early on to current)..

(keep in mind that with all these goals/dreams in mind I still wanted to find prince charming and have a family of 6 at somepoint... yes my number has since gone down)

-becoming a dancer or a gymnast

I grew too tall for a gymnast, and was to shy to dance

-modelling

I was fortunate to get some good genes, this I know, but I'm not cindy crawford :) I subscribed to vogue magazine when I was 12 I think. I had a little obsession for pretty people.

-being a wedding coordinator

oddly enough this was one of the first things I wanted to do, I just loved weddings

-being a wedding cake designer

the whole wedding seemed like to much of a hassle so I started thinking about individual parts of weddings

-designing wedding dresses

notice the wedding trend..

-designing dresses/clothes

then I went through a bit of a fashion phase. having 4 older brothers left me with a girly/stylish void that needed to be filled around the teen years

-being an artist of some kind

I took an art class in high school and found out I was really good, it just came to me. My dad is a fabulous artist, so I guess that's where it comes from. I also took a photography class that I loved, so all areas of art interested me.

-being an art teacher

I realized I wasn't the best of the best, and that I didn't have a huge passion for creating art, but I loved it enough to teach it. This one stuck for a while, on and off it was the long term plan.

-becoming a pastry chef

I thought about going to cooking school for a short period of time. Even though I absolutely love cooking, I knew I would have plenty of opportunities to cook for a future family and current family, so I might not want it as a profession. I also really wanted to go to a 4 year and take a well rounded bunch of classes.

-going to school for nutrition

I had a lot of random health problems (still do) and so I have always enjoyed learning about health/nutrition; but I didn't really want to be a nutritionist.

-This one is a little harder to explain in a few words. Now I have always loved Martha Stewart, and Better Homes and Gardens, and anything like that. It has been a reoccurring dream of mine to work for or do something like that on my own. I love cooking and home and garden and all of that. It was a goal of mine to at least have a blog/website with recipes posted and I have gotten that far, we'll see if I can keep it up.

-The current plan/dream.. Nursing school

I have been going to college on and off for 7 years now and have finally got on track to finish. This plan has only been in action for a few months now, so on paper, I don't have much accomplished, but as for planning out and preparation I think I'm doing great. Just this past week I went to a seminar at Cal State East Bay for the nursing program and I am just so excited about starting this journey. I have a lot of friends and family friends to thank for turning me onto the idea, and I can't wait to pursue this. School starts in september!

Just because I am in the works to pursue the most recent goal doesn't mean I have dropped all the others. Well some of them have been completely dropped, like being a dancer :)

Martin John Murray

This is the love of my life, Martin John Murray.
He makes my heart melt.
Sometimes I tear up just thinking about how happy he makes me
and how much we absolutely love each other.
I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him..

what I am thankful for...

Yes, Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful, did we all forget?

I am so very thankful for.....

-First and foremost, Martin. He's the love of my life, and he just makes everything so wonderful. We're in love, and we only look forward to every future day we get to spend together.

-My family. I love each and every one of them, and I'm so glad that I get to be with them, day in and day out. Most of my future plans involve staying in or around the area just so I don't have to leave them. Mom, Dad, Jason (Katie and kids), Doug, Ryan (Melissa and kids), Todd (Heidi, Lizzie, and almost here baby Max), Jana, and Jennifer, I love you so much.

-Martin's family. They're so amazing, and I am reminded of that with every opportunity to see them (including tonight, which is the Gallagher thanksgiving night).

-My talents. I realize that I have been blessed with creativity and the skills and ambition to do something with it, and it is not something I take for granted.

{Just a few of the major things in my life I am thankful for, there are lots of little things as well.

What are you thankful for?}

P.S. Eat lots of good food, say thank you to those who prepare it, and I hope you all have a fabulous day.

Happy Thanksgiving

I will improve..

I just ordered my new computer!! (Martin did actually, but I helped) so I will be back to blogging in no time! Also, my sewing machine comes this next week, so I'll have things to blog about! Also, my Mom's camera came, so once my little memory card comes in the mail, I'll be taking pictures in no time!!!

I can't wait for the holidays, and to tell you the truth, they're already here! Tomorrow night I'm making the cheesecakes for my Wednesday thanksgiving bash with Martin's family, and then my family, and before you know it, Christmas will be here.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! I definitely did :)

{Thermal Love}

{Just making sure everyone knows that I am madly in love. Especially you Martin. }

new and exciting things...

I have a few things to boast about, and also a few things to be excited about, and I wanted to share...

First, I'd like to explain that I am a very goal oriented person. I have things I want to achieve, or learn how to do, and I usually do it. Whether it's a new years resolution, or a monthly goal, or lifetime goal, I try to keep working towards it. In the last few months I've decided that instead of waiting for the new year to roll around, and jumpstart my plans then, I would start now.

• For anyone that is in the ward, or a member of the church even, you know that every year there is a primary program put on by the primary kids, in which there are talks, scriptures, personal thoughts, and lots of songs. Well I've been the pianist in the primary for over a year now (I actually started right before the program last year) and it has been a big deal. I've taught myself how to play over the years with a few lessons back when I was 12 and a month or so of lessons about a year ago. It wasn't until I was asked by Jim and Cindy to play for the primary, that I had really even considered playing in front of people. Because I play every sunday and usually have to practice what I'm going to be playing during the week, the level at which I can play has increased exponentially. Also, the confidence I have when I play is so much higher than in past years (although, it could still use some work). Last year I was way too nervous and not ready, so I had the wonderful Cindy play for me, but this year, I did it!! I played the whole program and let me tell you, it was not that easy. Playing them in the primary throughout the whole year wasn't even enough practice, the last few weeks I was playing through the song list almost every day. Soooooo, that's huge accomplishment #1; playing a whole set of songs (I had actually played for the primary once or twice but just 1 or 2 songs at a time) in front of a 200+ crowd (it was nerve racking for sure). I still plan on improving my piano playing abilities. Martin actually plans to have me play with him on stage sometime!! I don't know if I'll ever do it, but he is pretty adamant about making that goal of his reality. Also, watching Regina Spektor for a few hours made me realize how much I love the piano, so I wouldn't mind making it a more central part of my life.



{that's Regina, she's amazing}

• I made a quilt! With no help, and no directions, and to be honest, no knowledge of quilt making, I made a quilt. I actually made it when I was in high school I think, I was about 18, but I never completely finished it (it still isn't completely finished). But I had planned to give it to someone as a gift, and I just ended up shoving it in a closet and never finishing it. Well I needed a new blanket and so this past week, I took it out of the closet, dusted it off, took out all the pins and put it on my bed. I have a small part that needs to be sewn up still, but for the most part it's done :) I'll show pictures of it soon, which takes me to my next bit of important info.




• I have a new camera!! (Really, my mom has a new camera, but we're going to share). She's been wanting a nice camera and she finally bought one! A nikon d90 will be arriving in the mail on the 18th, and I am so excited you have no idea. When I started my blog earlier this year I had initially wanted to wait until I had a nice camera because my dream was to put together a collection of my recipes, but with professional looking pictures, not the horrible ones I've been putting up. But I decided to start with what I had. Now I'll be able to take the gorgeous pictures I've been dreaming of! Luckily I have taken a few photo classes in the past, in high school and college, so I already know a little bit of what I'm doing. Food styling will be my new expertise :)




{by the end of the month I should be able to show you pictures like this, which is of course, not mine}



• My Mom and I are going to take a photography class from Nicole Hill in San Francisco, which I am just so darn excited about. She's the photographer that had a recipe contest, which I submitted my Quiche Champignon to. Here's her blog, which is wonderful.



• Cindy asked me to put together a lunch for a church activity tomorrow, and I am currently planning on about 40 people. Not a huge number, but the fact that I was asked, and by tomorrow afternoon it will be completed, I feel like it's something to be proud of. I'm making a chicken fettuccine alfredo with mushrooms, and a sausage bolognese as my main dishes. A side of candied yams, sauteed green beans, and a pecan cranberry salad, with my favorite pumpkin pie for dessert. Recipes will follow in a few days! (A thanksgiving feel is what I was going for if you couldn't tell).



• Martin bought a new bed (with a little help from me) so eventually WE'LL have a wonderfully comfortable bed to share. The costco brand tempurpedic (it's amazing).



• I'm going to teach myself how to sew. I already have a little bit of common sense and know how, but not a lot of skill I guess. Currently I am looking for an affordable sewing machine, maybe even a used one, because I have big plans! As of this month I have been working on a little side project (that will remain a secret for now) but hopefully I will be selling my secret creations to you in no time!! Since I started blogging it has been of goal of mine to be able to create something that I could give and sell to others and I think I found my niche :) I've also been collecting fabrics and clothing items for years with plans to create things on my own, but I've never put in enough time and effort in to, and that's all about the change. Heidi is my partner in crime really. We both have been wanting to sew and just haven't found the time. About a year ago, we both bought fabric and patterns to make dresses and it just didn't happen, but Heidi is working on a quilt, and I just finished mine and those dresses will be next!!




{I think I could make a dress like this if I really put my mind to it, isn't it pretty}



• I'm going to have a Pumpkin Cheesecake giveaway around thanksgiving, so stay tuned!!!!



• During the month of February I will be taking a trip to Australia!!! I will be telling you much more about that in the future :)



• Last but not least, I am so in love I can barely contain myself. Everyday I am so thankful I have Martin in my life. And most of the happiness I have and things I achieve is due to the ever so supportive, loving, caring, understanding, helpful, sweetheart of a boyfriend I have. I love you Martin :) (Martin has been very busy himself. The band is playing all over the place this month, so if you'd like to check out a show you can view his schedule here, or just take a look for fun. He's just got the website up and running this week and I am oh so proud of him. Some of the photos and collections of photos are from me. I help when I can.)

I have a problem...

This has nothing to do with creativity or artistic wonder, or tasty treats, just a little personal "this is what's going on." And an explanation to the lack of posts this week (also, my computer decided it no longer wants to connect to the internet this past month, perfect timing).

In the last few months I have had terrible headaches. At first I wasn't alarmed, because to tell you the truth, I always get headaches. But, they started to feel a little different than normal, and so I googled some of my symptoms. Surprisingly, I searched for "headaches that feel like you have a band of pressure wrapped around" and I was given quite a few results with people that had the same problem. They all seemed to be related to your teeth or jaw. I was actually pretty happy, because I thought, if I have an infection or something along those lines, it means it is fixable. Went to the dentist, no infection, no wisdom tooth impaction, I have TMJ syndrome (or a tmj disorder). Which just means there's something wrong with your jaw. It's not out of alignment, stress on the muscles in your jaw and in your neck can cause jaw popping, and a loss of jaw motion, and lots of other fun stuff. Well I was able to get put on my Mom's dental insurance (thank goodness I'm a student this quarter) and so at least it's not all paid for out of pocket. But it still may take a while to fix things, if things are even fixable.

The love of my life plays in a band, and I've had to limit my time at his shows (which would make my ears ring even before I came across a jaw problem) in hopes to limit my headaches. And it is a little sad, because I love to support him and hear him play at any chance I may get. You can almost count on a swelling pain around my head by the end of the day no matter what I do, and currently pain while eating a bagel. So it's been a little rough.

{Martin sent me this picture last year when he was on tour, I think this picture was taken from coney island, or somewhere east coast, we had only been dating a month or so. Lucky me to have someone fall in love so soon and have no problem showing me or anyone else.}

Thank goodness Martin is the most understanding and patient man, and all my complaining, and sometimes crying, still has yet to phase him. We go to Jamba Juice, and play Scrabble, and just relax, in hopes to keep me feeling better. I love him :) And although I wouldn't let him buy me a new computer, which he tried insisting on, he lets me use his computer, and I managed to have 30 posts last month!! It was a little goal of mine, and even with all the nonsense going on with my head, I still managed to devote time to my little blog.

fingers crossed :)

The Champignon Quiche was a recipe I created for a recent contest I entered. On Nicole's blog (she's a photographer in the great city of San Francisco) she had mentioned a project she was working on, photographing a cookbook. Well she then threw out the idea for the contest, where the winner will receive a free trip to Boston (where she has been photographing), a photo shoot of the winning recipe being created, and an invite to the cookbook is finished party! Too cool right?! Well I am very very excited and anxious to see the outcome, so everyone keep their fingers crossed for me!

p.s. The contest was for international recipes, which is why I chose the quiche recipe of mine. Then I switched it up a bit with the mushrooms and gruyere to make it a little more french authentic.