Life of Lucas

January 4, 2012

New Year

Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don't.

~Steve Maraboli

I really shouldn't make resolutions, because I never really achieve them. Maybe some years and maybe in small ways, but I can't think of a time that I actually completed everything I set out to do that year. Well this year I am going to make it fun. I made a list of things I want to cook, bake and make. Therefore, it will be almost too easy to accomplish, because I've found my new calling in life. I love to cook (well I love to cook delicious looking and tasting things, sweet things and decadent things). Now nightly dinner on the other hand gets old and boring really quick, even when I try to make new things.

There are also other things that I want to accomplish this year, some with plans, others with not. Just to name a few things: drink more water, engage in more exercise and actually enjoy it, be organized, be patient, be kind, be calm, be a better couponer, blog more, expand my search of genealogy, see as much of Japan as I can (luckily we still have two more years and I got a fancy GPS for Christmas, which will make this so much easier!) and just be happy/content with myself.

Now the goal I actually have a plan for. I'm so excited beyond excited. This Summer my little sister is coming to Japan and we are going to climb Mt. Fuji. I'm seriously so excited for her to be here and for us to accomplish this together. It's a journey that I hope will change us (even slightly) and I can't wait to do that with her.

Source: google.com via Danielle on Pinterest

Now for my list of things to make:

*Tapas--thanks to the new cook book I got from little sis.

Source: potterybarn.com via Danielle on Pinterest

*Beignets

Source: ourbestbites.com via Danielle on Pinterest

*Bread--I think I'll start with white then move on to whole wheat and rye

Source: while-they-sleep.blogspot.com via Danielle on Pinterest

*Soft Pretzels

Source: sweetpeaskitchen.com via Danielle on Pinterest

Source: penniesonaplatter.com via Danielle on Pinterest

*Red Velvet cake--I have tried many times, very unsuccessfully, but I will try and try until I get this one right. I'm still looking for the right recipe.

Source: nicecakeworld.com via Danielle on Pinterest

*Macarons--I've never attempted these, because they seem so difficult, and who knows how they really even taste, but they are so pretty and so French. I've read about horror stories, but I've also read that this website gives really good instructions and advice.

Source: prettyprettyyumyum.wordpress.com via Danielle on Pinterest

*Infused Olive Oils

Source: justputzing.com via Danielle on Pinterest

*Homemade Vanilla

Source: simplyrecipes.com via Danielle on Pinterest

*Rose cake

Source: iammommy.typepad.com via Danielle on Pinterest

*Pudding from scratch--Found chocolate and banana recipes to try!

Source: blog.foodnetwork.com via Danielle on Pinterest

Source: thejeyofcooking.com via Danielle on Pinterest

*Rainbow cake--These are so beautiful, I can't wait to make my own. :-)

Source: loveandoliveoil.com via Kaleigh on Pinterest

I'll keep you posted on what I accomplish. I have high hopes for myself this year. Looking forward to a productive, progressive and peaceful year.

Danielle :-)

December 18, 2011

The USPS and I

Over the last year, the United States Postal Service and I have become great friends. I rely on them so much being overseas. However, our relationship has taken a turn for the worst in the last 6-8 weeks. On average it has taken an extra 2 weeks to get packages here. Most of the time my mailing which includes, letters, magazines and packages have been mispitched, missent, deferred or otherwise just taken a really loooooooooong time to get here.

Things take a long time to get here anyway, but at this time of year it makes things stressful, and in some cases makes things moot. For example, at the beginning of November we had our photo taken for what I have decided will be our traditional family Christmas picture (I dragged my poor husband out of bed, when we was working nights and had only slept 4 hours and we got lost for an hour trying to find the place, but I digress). I created a card on the wonderful website, mixbook.com and our order shipped on November 26. Shocker, it's not here yet, and mixbook.com will gladly reprint and resend our order if I provide a physical address. Well that's just not possible, so I'm going to share it here with you now.

Well, I'm having trouble getting it to post in this space, so try to go to this website to view it: http://www.mixbook.com/cards/holiday/reindeer-silhouette-5061883?remote=true&url[action]=ajax_share_project

I'm sorry that I couldn't send these out to you all personally. I had the best of intentions. From our house to yours Happy Holidays. We love and miss you all. Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.

Danielle & Brett :-)

November 11, 2011

Veterans Day

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." ~Mark Twain, Notebook, 1935

These pictures only represent a fraction of my family members that have served. Take time to remember those who have fought, those who are fighting and those who return and face their own battle.

Lemuel Francis Riley
Grandfather
Navy, WWII

Leslie B. Riley

Second Cousin, 2x removed

Army Paratrooper, WWII

101st Airborne Division
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Company I

Deceased June 6, 1944 Omaha Beach, Normandy

Awarded the Purple Heart

Ompstard Allen
Great grand uncle
Army, WWI

Richard Wayne Monahan
Grand Uncle
Navy

Robert Dean Monahan
Grand Uncle
Army, WWII

Larry Brett Lucas
Husband
Air Force

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

September 30, 2011

Fall is here

Fall is here and Summer is over. You can tell by the temperature drop. The leaves haven't started changing yet, but it's happening whether I want it to or not. Don't get me wrong I'm happy about the temperature dropping, just not looking forward to the snow. Plus this year has just FLOWN by. I can't believe it's almost over. I'll just share some of my favorite pics of the Summer. Miss everyone at home :-).