Fun at the Park

Yesterday, Sebastian, Nyke, Grandma, Papa and I went to Gravel Pit park to meet my mom for lunch. (She works directly across from it.) Even though Sebastian and I are 18 years young, we still love playing in parks and such! Here are some pictures that are rather interesting:



We like the teeter totter (lol)



Like I said, these pictures are interesting!



We love that turtle.



He was just jumping off the the turtle!



He's flying!



Personally, I LOVE this pic. It looks the turtle is going to eat me!

It's obvious we had a lot of fun!

By the way for anyone that read my post titled, Dear Backyard, here is a picture of me and Geshla playing in the snow together!(I couldn't find one of when we played in the leaves. At least I have it on home video though!)



Am I cute or what?! haha

 -Bri


I haven't blogged in forever!

I think it's been about 2 week since I last posted something! So many different things have been going on and the nice weather has definitely kept me away from electronics more. I absolutely am loving this weather (except the random couple days where it was cold)!
So you are probably wondering what has happened in the last couple weeks that I have been absent!?
Well...

1. Nibbles has gotten spayed and she has to wear a cone to keep her from chewing her stitches out (had to take her back to the vet to get staples put in) but she's doing okay now. (Don't tell but we sometimes take off the cone when we are home and watch her so she can have a break from the stupid thing!)

2. I got new window clings! Yay! (FYI: I love window clings!)

3. I heard my sperm donor's (Wes's) voice for the first time ever. It was very strange picking up the phone and hearing "Hello, this is your father." because 1. You're not my father, Nick Dobruk is, and 2. you chose drugs over me. I was actually a little shaken up by it and I'm not really sure why.

4. Zazzamarandabo died. Zaz (for short) was my mouse. She was the best mouse ever and I know this probably sounds silly to you but I actually cried hysterically after Sebastian told me she died. I love all of my pets very much, even a little ole mouse.

5. I'm STILL waiting on my birth certificate to come in the mail so that I can get a S.S. card then I can get an I.D., THEN I can start working at Giant Eagle. God bless them for being to patient. They call every week to see if I have my stuff yet and when I say "No, I'm so sorry!" they repeat, "It's okay! It's okay! No worries!".

6. I biked completely around the Peninsula for the first time EVER with Sebastian! It was so much fun and it made me feel real accomplished because honestly, I didn't think I could do it. We even packed a lunch, strapped it to Sebastian's bike and grilled ourselves a nice meal after about 3/4 of the way done!

Me in front of one of the ponds.



Grillin'!



I wanted to go swimming so bad! But I knew that the water was only about 40!!

7. Sebastian received a job at Mercyhurst college being a dishwasher but will move up to better (cooking) positions quick because the people that interviewed him really liked him and his "work ethic"! I am so excited and happy for him, he will get real good health insurance, a raise every year AND half offMercyhurst tuition!!!! He will go to college in the Fall to their culinary program they have based at the Northeast campus. I AM SO PROUD!

8. And last but not least, got to go to Grove City with the best neighbors ever! You know who you are!

So, there you have it! Ah, it felt good to type again!

~Bri

Riding Bikes With Grandma Again!

Grandma got a new bike today! I am so excited to start biking again with Grandma and Papa! When I was little, around 8 or 9, Grandma, Papa and I would go to Presque Isle to bike on the sidewalk trails they have there. I missed it when we stopped and I am so excited that we will be able to do it again! YAY!


-Bri
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Dear Backyard

You have brought me so much peace throughout the years, so much fun and and so many laughs. You have hosted parties that brought family together and you have been a playground for so many children. Do you remember me when I was a little girl? Do you remember my mom? Do you remember that she planted those maple trees for you? They have grown so tall in the past 30+ years. Do you remember my Papa building that swing set for me so many years ago? Do you remember when my Paapa (my great grandpa) use to push me in my baby swing and how he would sing to me? I do. I remember all those things and more. Do you remember me as a baby that couldn't even walk yet, crawling around in your trees' Fall leaves? Do you remember me and Geeshla, the dog, playing together? You probably know this but Geeshla died when I was about 3. She was a good dog, I wish I could have known her better. Do you remember all the times friends and family would have water ballon fights? Do you remember all the times we would play badminton? We couldn't have done with out you. Backyard, you really do mean a lot to me. Most of my childhood existed with you and in the house that you hold. I had to leave when I was around 3 but almost every other day I still saw you. Mom and Dad worked, so I was left in Grandma and Papa's (your owners) care. And I came back, didn't I? Do you still remember all the picnic lunches we would have outside? Remember when you once held a pool? I miss that pool. We would splash so much water onto you, I don't know how there was any left inside of it at the end of the day. Do you remember me and my cousins always getting trouble for splashing too much? I do. I will always remember everything you did for me. No matter what happens, even when we will move away one day whether it be soon or far into the future, I will watch my home movies and see you and all the memories you were part of. You were and still are so peaceful. As I sit here typing, I see you and all the wonderful memories like a flashback going through my mind. One day when you are not mine anymore, I will miss you deeply.

-Bri
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Fried Kohlrabi and Noodles

This recipe is a simple one that I have recently created because I wanted to try kohlrabi. For anyone who doesn't know what kohlrabi is, it means, "German turnip" and it is a member of the cabbage family. It is loaded with vitamins such as A & C, and has plenty of dietary fiber.

Here is what kohlrabi looks like, I have a purple one and a white one. Both colors taste the same.

*Note: Most of these measurements will be estimated because I usually just eye-ball everything when I'm cooking.

Fried Kohlrabi and Noodles (This recipe makes about 2 servings.)

Ingredients:
~1 1/2 cups pasta noodles (I like to use Penne Rigate style.)
~1 kohlrabi, medium sized
~4 tbsp butter
~1 clove of garlic, minced
~1 tsp garlic & pepper seasoning (about)
~1 tsp italian seasoning (about)
~1 tsp thyme (about)

Directions: Make pasta noodles like normal (boil water, salt, etc.). Shred kohlrabi (using a food processor makes this process a lot easier). Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Then place shredded kohlrabi into the pan and stir occasionally. Add both seasonings, thyme and minced garlic to the pan also. When the kohlrabi is turning a little brown and crispy, add the noodles and another 2 tablespoons of butter. Let fry for about 2-3 minutes. Enjoy!

-Bri

Today Was a Good Day

I am ending today feeling very accomplished. In the time frame of today (March 9th) I have managed to make a breakfast pizza for lunch (homemade), score a job from Giant Eagle, go grocery shopping, and peel, slice, dice, and chop veggies and meat to be stored in the freezer(something in which I have been meaning to do).

I was completely surprised that I got the job at Giant Eagle because that was my first interview and they decided to hire me on the spot! I like to think that it's because I am so charming but I really think they decided to hire me because they really need people for the new Giant Eagle they are building and I asked to work in the prepared food section. Either way it's still awesome! I don't know when I will start working but I do know that I am excited to start!

I am also happy about today because my table now looks like the most healthiest table ever. Well, besides the Frosted Flakes and Apple Jacks (haha).



Yep, today was a winner. I believe I am blessed.

-Bri
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My Walk

Yesterday was such a nice day to go for a walk, so that's exactly what I did. It was so peaceful and quiet. I love the fact that I get to live in the country. I wouldn't trade it for anything. ANYTHING. You couldn't pay me enough to live in the city because that rustle and bustle is just not for me.

This is where my walk begins. I love the open land and all the fresh country air. It is so peaceful to walk on that road and not have a car pass by the whole time.


This is the Caterpillar I found on the road. He was so cute, I had to take his picture. He is such a little guy in this big, big world; I actually prayed that he would be okay and turn into a moth just as he is supposed to. (Even though moths scare me, haha)



These horses are enjoying the nice, sunny day like I am!


And this picture shows the travel I take in order to get back home.


"This land was made for you and me!" (Sorry, I had to get a little patriotic on you!)
Anyways, next week it is supposed to get into the 70s! Woohoo! I'll be walking like crazy!

-Bri
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Drop A Pebble In The Water

  Here's a poem of inspiration for the day. 

 

Drop A Pebble In The Water

Drop a pebble in the water, just a splash, and it’s gone;
But there’s half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water; in a minute you will forget,
But there’s little waves a-flowing and there’s ripples circling yet,
And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;
You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;
But there’s half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started the flow.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget;
But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet.
And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,
And disturbed a life that was happy where you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;
But there is half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave,
Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you will forget;
But there’s gladness still a –swelling, and there’s joy circling yet.
And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard,
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

~~James W. Foley~~ 

I found this poem amazing and thought that it should be shared. I know I am going to remember this poem and its word for the rest of my life. 

 

~Bri

Best Chicken Tenders Ever!

This recipe is one of Sebastian's favorite's! It leaves the chicken so juicy and wonderfully cooked. Go on and give it a try!

Panko-Parmesan Breaded Chicken Tenders

Ingredients:
~1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
~1/4-1/2 cup parmesan cheese (depending on how much you like)
~1 tsp garlic and pepper seasoning
~1 cup of mayonnaise
~6-8 chicken tenders

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix Panko bread crumbs, cheese, and seasoning onto a place. Place mayo in a small bowl or plate, Take each chicken tender one by one and roll them in mayonnaise. Them roll them in the Panko-cheese mix. Place the chicken fingers in an oven safe pan (I prefer using Pyrex glass bakeware) and cover with aluminum foil. Place chicken in oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove aluminum foil and let chicken continue to cook for another 10-14 minutes depending on the size of the chicken tenders. When the Panko on the chicken starts to become a little golden brown, the chicken is done! Enjoy!


-Bri
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"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal..."

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."

I went to visit my great-grandma or otherwise known as "Little Grandma" today. We played cards, specifically we played Kings on the Corner, a card game she and I were playing ever since I can remember. That was one of the first games she ever taught me and it has become one of our favorites. To be honest, I was actually apprehensive about even going to visit her. I couldn't stand the thought of her not knowing who I was again or watching her say/do strange things. But I did go, and I am extremely glad that I did. She was her normal self today and was so happy to see me. She struggled with playing Kings on the Corner at first because she forgot how it was played, but after a couple of rounds it all started to come back to her and she ended up winning three hands in a row! Way to go for her 96 year old mind!! She laughed and was having a good time but then some shoulder pain caused her to go lay down. We ( we as in my grandma Becky & I) told her we would back in a couple day to play more cards. Before I left though, she exclaimed to me how much she loved with such joy that it is indescribable. I will never forget her sweet, feeble smile and how she told me to let Sebastian know that she loves him too but to not give him any kisses from her because that makes his cheeks turn red (lol). Oh Little Grandma, you never cease to make me smile!

I am dreading for when that day comes when she will no longer be with us in her body any longer. I know that when she passes she will always be in my heart and in my hopes that one day I will see her healthy and well again but that does not make losing her in this life any easier. I feel blessed to be able to call her my great-grandmother. I love her so much. I have so many memories with her, so many games were played, so many letters/notes were written, so many blueberries were picked. I never pick a blueberry without thinking of my Litttle Grandma. I hope she will spend more years with me and my family but only God knows, only time will tell.

I find this quote to be more true then ever: "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."

~Bri

My 3rd Day of March in the Year 2012

Achievements of the day:

• My cousin, Haley, had a great time coming over.
• Washed the dishes.
• Did the laundry.
• Tested out the new Tide Pod things and found that they really do work! Yay!
• Earned over 1,200,000 points on Bejeweled in Butterfly mode & saved 234 butterflies.
• Remembered to put mandarin oranges in my salad for lunch!

Failures of the day:

• Didn't sweep any of the floors.
• Forgot to wash the socks I left half-way under the couch. (I was known for that when I lived at home, huh Mom?!) haha

6 Achievements

- 2 Failures

= A PRETTY SUCCESSFUL DAY! :)

On a random note, I forgot to post these pictures a while ago but here are some pictures of me and Nibbles. Nibbles was in the hood part of the hoodie that I was wearing and she absolutely loved it! I walked around for at least 15 minutes with her in there! She looked so cute!

By the way, Happy March already! Where has all the time gone?

-Bri
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