Skills I've Learned Since MJ Left

Does anyone else feel overflowing with love and peace around Thanksgiving or just me? Maybe it's because it's the start of the holiday season or the fact that there truly is power in gratitude, but I've been feeling extra thankful. I've also felt a heightened awareness of all of the hurt going on in the world, and am seeking out opportunities to GIVE during this season.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to learn some new skills since MJ left:

• Light candles using matches (haven't had to do this since HS Chem and it still scares me!)
• Take Out the Trash
• Cook For One  Eat for Two
• Insert a gif into an email
• How to get Ashton to stop crying (I'm really proud of this one considering how many diapers I've changed)
• Reaching out to others for help (One of the hardest parts of having MJ gone is not having my best friend there to constantly vent to/help me make decisions/help me wedding plan, but I've learned to reach out to other friends and family and to ask for help when I need it)
• To navigate the free weight area of the gym (Since it got cold out, I've wanted to mix up my fitness routine from bodypump+running outside >>> indoor cardio+ weightlifting...it's been a fun new challenge since I feel like I have some more time)

Now on to pictures!

Loose leaf tea present from Michael James! He has had special presents delivered to me since he's been gone with help from Amazon and an accomplice that I'm pretty sure is our new roommate, Josh.

Official!

Khakis! 

Rupe loves our new Christmas tree.

Maybe too much.

I had to get a Mr.&Mrs. ornament!

And of course the Charlie Brown tree!

With his "insignias".

Give thanks.

Auntie and Ashton.

Me, Courtney, sleepy Ashton.

The Return of Hipster Mike!

Mike has sent me some pictures during his extremely minimal Navy downtime, but they are proof that things are getting real!!

SUPER REAL. I told Mike I liked his hipster beanie. Also, I taught him how to make that face.

I bought us stockings! 

The bed Mike will have to make every day. I'm grateful to the Navy for reinforcing this habit:)

My beautiful Mother-in-Law and I + my Future Mrs. Johnson sash that Julia got me! (complete with anchors)

Little charmer<3

Being Seen

“There's nothing more daring than showing up, putting ourselves out there and letting ourselves be seen.” - Brené Brown

This past weekend, I got to hang out with some of my closest girl friends from high school and college. These are girls who have seen me in some of my best and worst moments, who still see some of those worst moments, and who love and accept me regardless. I hate being the center of attention. I don't like opening presents in front of other people. I don't like feeling exposed. However, that's exactly what love is. It's showing up and letting ourselves be seen. It's being brave enough to let our defenses down, to be imperfect and vulnerable with each other, and embracing that. 

I know how deep Mike's love is for me because in the past (almost) 3 years, he has seen every kind of Kels there is, and he has committed to embracing every aspect of her, no matter where she is in her evolution. Love is a commitment, and I see that commitment reflected in my closest friendships and in my own family. I can't tell you how healing it is to be seen and loved....I only hope to return to the favor in the future, but I have really great role models for it.

While Mike is at ODS, I plan to share more of my first experiences of what it feels like to be a significant other to someone in the military. I also hope to share pictures that Mike shares with me while at ODS (when he can). And then I'm just going to share my adventures in wedding planning and holiday merriment. But instead of hiding my vulnerabilities during this time, I'm going to let them be seen:)

“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” ~Marianne Williamson

It's Mike's Last Week!

It's Tuesday of Mike's last week at home before ODS. Typing it makes it a little more real. He leaves this Saturday which also happens to be the day of my girls' brunch that Kelly is throwing for me. So I'm glad we scheduled that perfectly. I'll be so happy to see some out-of-town friends and to partake in bottomless brunching that I may forget that I won't see Mike again until 2 days before we get married. #itseemedlikeanokayideaatthetime Truth be told, I think it will make the wedding even more special and I tell Mike that I'm excited to take over his desk when he leaves and to keep everything super clean and to have pinterest crafting parties judgment-free:) I will miss that guy, though. Here are some pictures of our adventures over the past couple of weeks.

Jenny's Halloween Party. Check out the spread! No one can out-Pinterest Jenny and her mom.

Hahahha. Mike will hate me for this. The time I tried to convince Mike that we should dress up as Anna and Elsa for Halloween. #imadeitweird

What we actually were for Halloween: Elmo and Cookie Monster. We basically stole these hats from Kelly and Alex and got way more compliment on our "costumes" from strangers than was expected. I guess people love Sesame Street,

My first Woodberry Forest production. Wow, the things GGSS could do with their budget. I'm hoping I convinced the department director to do Newsies in the Spring! #perfectforallboysschool

Then we went home to Ashton's birthday party and Mike helped me mom set up her own Netflix profile. #mikeexplainsthetechnologies

Beautiful fall run with plenty of leaf confetti. #stayawaywinter

The Last Bison concert at Jammin Java. They have a legit menu and I'd love to go back!

A little blurry, but cute photo of Mike and Ashton on his first birthday:)

Ashton and I when I went home for Lauren's engagement party.

This week, Mike and I are planning on fitting in lots of time together before he leaves. We see "As You Like It" tonight along with Josh at Shakespeare Theater Company. We are watching The Santa Clause on Thursday with Absi because we MUST watch it together before he leaves. We watched our last Walking Dead and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Doctor Who episodes together (ahhhhhhhhh tearssss). Mike's mom is coming up to visit on Friday/Saturday and we're having an early Christmas together (since Mike is spending Christmas with my family this year). And we are continuing to go to BODYPUMP/running until he leaves. I joke that our regular BODYPUMP instructors will probably think Mike and I broke up since we always go to class together. 

ALSO: I'm going to keep blogging here (I think) until Mike gets back, but our new blog is going to be at kelsandmike.blogspot.com (domain jackpot) and we both decided on the name "Hold Tight and Pretend It's a Plan" which is one of our favorite sayings from Doctor Who and also feels like the theme of this season of our lives.

Trying to Use Up Leftover Pumpkin

Note to future self: Giant cans of pumpkin from Costco seem like a practical purchase until you realize you're not going to make two pumpkin pies every time you open a can.

We had some matchstick carrots and canned pumpkin to use when I got home on Sunday after an amazing weekend, but I was too tired to bake until Monday evening. By then, I'd found this recipe  for muffins which I was going to make work for my purposes. I like to bake healthy at the beginning of the week so we have enough things around for snacks, breakfast, dessert, whatever. Mike (and I) normally eat whatever's readily available when hungry strikes so it's nice to have healthier options. These ones turned out delicious so I wanted to share the recipe!

My specifics/subsitutions:

• I subbed canned pumpkin (not the pie filling, just the pumpkin) 1:1 for the oil 
• Used applesauce instead of apple
• I used honey instead of maple syrup
• whole wheat flour instead of gluten free flour
• raw sugar instead of brown sugar (I may have bought a giant bag at Costco)
• forgot the walnuts:), thought I want to try them next time!
• almond meal is available from Trader Joe's or your can process almonds in a food processor

ONE BOWL CARROT APPLE MUFFINS (VEGAN + GF)

PRINT

PREP TIME

15 mins

COOK TIME

32 mins

TOTAL TIME

47 mins

Vegan, gluten free carrot muffins loaded with fruit and veggies. Super moist and flavorful, healthy and made in one bowl! Perfect for on-the-go breakfast and snacking.

Author: Minimalist Baker

Serves: 12

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 flax eggs (1.5 Tbsp flaxseed meal + 4 Tbsp water)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup mashed very ripe banana
• 1/4 cup agave nectar or maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 sweet apple, finely grated
• 1/2 cup brown sugar or sub muscavado
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1.5 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup plain almond milk, unsweetened
• 1 heaping cup (packed) grated carrot
• 2/3 cup gluten free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1 cup + 2 Tbsp gluten free flour blend (see notes)
• 1/4 cup raw walnuts (chopped) for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare flax eggs in a large mixing bowl and preheat oven to 375.
2. Prepare muffin tin with liners or lightly grease them.
3. To flax eggs mashed banana, agave or maple syrup, olive oil and whisk to combine.
4. Next add applesauce, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and whisk to combine.
5. Add almond milk and stir.
6. Add grated carrot and stir.
7. Add oats, almond meal, gluten free flour blend and stir.
8. Divide evenly among 12 muffin tins, filling them all the way up to the top, and top with crushed walnuts (optional).
9. Bake for 32-36 minutes, or until deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. When you press on the top it shouldn’t feel too spongey, so don’t be afraid of over baking! The GF blend just takes longer to bake.
10. Remove from oven and let set in the pan for 15 minutes. Then flip on their sides still in the pan to let cool completely.
11. If you try to unwrap them too quickly, they have a tendency to stick to the wrappers.
12. Once cooled, store in a covered container or bag at room temp to keep fresh. Freeze after that to keep fresh.

Adjustments and Pictures

I recently started seeing a chiropractor for some chronic issues with my neck that started sometime during college cheerleading. Because my job involves a lot of travel and constant laptop use, I think some of these issues were aggravated and I started needing massages more than once a month and their effects would not last that long when I got them. This is what brought me to trying out a nearby wellness center and I'm glad I did. It turns out that the treatment plans there incorporate massage, chiropractic, and physical therapy. So on a normal visit I start with a half hour of massage, an adjustment, and physical therapy that is targeted toward strengthening my weaker areas (we focus on good form, core to supports back, balance, and posture). I'm not sure how much I believe yet that chiropractic care can alone treat issues, but I know the combination is making me feel better thus far and costs me way less than an hour massage. Glad my Carefirst is helpful for something.

On to pictures from the past few weeks!!

Mike being handy and hanging a mirror we got from my mom's house!

Mike's first apple baking adventure. (Yes, Mike.) Apple cobbler/crisp/crumble? It does really matter because it was delicious. After this experiment, I asked Mike if he wanted to become a regular baking contributor. He said he was fine with never doing it again; he just wanted to prove to me that he could:)

This tree is now leave-less, but a few weeks ago, it was the most rebellious little tree.

This is what most of Rupe's days consist of. He has a chipmunk friend who like to come straight up to the window and taunt him, but I think they like each other.

From a GGSS pool party we went to last weekend. Mike didn't want me to take this picture, but then I showed him how ripped he looked and he let me keep it.

A giant bear they are now selling in Costco. It's so big that I didn't even have to talk MJ down from buying it.

What to choose?!?!

We got shrimp and grits, gumbo, and the pumpkin bourbon bread pudding for dessert!

After the 5k we ran last weekend with Sarah...

When life gives you burnt cookies, remember icing fixes all. We may or may not have scraped the soft pillow-y bits of cookie tops off and combined with icing in a family-style desert sharing at Josh's last dinner party. 

We're looking forward to a busy next couple of weekends!!

Kimberly J. Brown Strikes Again.

Although Mike and I have both been very busy with work (he's editing something for his contract job in which someone made a lot of mistakes and I had two new coworkers start training this past week), we did have manage to make time for some fun last week.

Thursday:

We went to see Marie Antoinette at Wooly Mammoth Theatre with some friends. Neither of us had been to Wooly Mammoth before. It was a good show, but kinda scary in ways that maybe don't scare people who go to Wooly all the time? There were masks and guillotines and creepy characters. Kinda put me in the mood for Halloween! Before the show, we had Pho for dinner and I got something our waiter recommended for me (as usual) and it was delicious! We did make room for some Rita's afterward too (their pumpkin pie blendini is actually legit).

Friday:

We were excited to attend Abis's annual Halloweentown party. Although the adult in me who works full-time is always completely depleted of energy by Friday evening, nothing motivates you to go out like the anticipation of introducing a Disney Channel classic to a group of English graduate students who may have never experienced the movie. All the cookies, candy corn, and spiked apple cider in the world could not make the acting any better! Thanks Absi for another successful showing:)

Saturday:

Saturday, we completed the first of Mike's track workouts that he is doing every weekend until ODS to make sure he can predict what his performance on the fitness test will be. He already passes every mark killing it on the running portion, but I like serving as his coach/cheerleader while timing him through specific sets. After a 1.5 mile run at racing pace, 2 minutes of times push-ups, and 2 minutes of timed crunches, he also completed a full Bodypump class after. Later, Mike made stew to take to a sick coworker (from Trinity). Afterwards, we went to see Gone Girl in Chinatown. Highly recommend for girls who have read the book and their significant others who haven't! May not be the BEST thing to watch right before you get married haha, but it definitely put me in the Halloween mood. I'm still not a fan of Ben Affleck. Also, if you're thinking of reading the book before seeing it, I also recommend that! It's a super quick read and will make the movie even more enjoyable for you.

Sunday:

Yesterday, I went to my favorite place to be on a Fall weekend in the city: Eastern Market. I bought spaghetti squash, a cucumber, and honeycrisp apples for the week, and I resisted buying the cutest handmade pencil pouch ever. Hope to go back and buy a lot of our Christmas presents there! Then, I met up with Alicia at The Pound to go over wedding picture stuff. She asked me a lot of hard questions that I had not thought of yet. I'm definitely more of a 'planner' than a 'go-with-the-flow' person, but there is so much happiness that will be happening around that time (wedding/christmas/NYEreunion/birthday) that I can only really muster a "YAY!" about everything. Yay! It doesn't really matter if we don't get every picture or if everything goes wrong because (yay) we're getting married and (yay) our family will be there and (yay) I will make Mike watch the Santa Clause with my family and (yay) twinkle lights. That's basically my only train of thought right now. I'm glad I have friends who can ask me questions about l logistics and that Alicia is going to be there to record all the yay.

Things happening this week:

• The Walking Dead premiere!
• My first visit to a chiropractor to see it helps with some mild, but persistent neck/back/shoulder issues
• One of our last calm weekends before one or both of us is traveling somewhere every weekend until MJ leaves for ODS :(((