BROWN: THREE SUSHI TIME!!!!!

Andrew and I have often said we wish we had our own personal sushi maker right at home to make us sushi whenever we wanted. We love love love sushi… and so one night we decided to make our own….thinking to ourselves, well it probably wont be as good, but lets try it anyways! On several occasions we have observed the “sushi masters” behind the counter roll up our order and have thought, well they make it look so easy….maybe it is?!!! So, I “youtubed” a couple sushi making videos and headed to the store for supplies. Luckily Ft. Knox has several Asian grocery stores in the area (strange right?) where we were able to purchase all the various components needed for the perfect sushi roll.  We had somewhat of an odd experience in the grocery, store being that NOTHING WAS IN ENGLISH….nor were the women there able to speak it….but we finally found what we were looking for and headed back home to start our experiment . We had great success as our sushi was DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! This will be a regular dinner at our house…..one word….YUM!

This is a picture of all the supplies you need!!

We chose to make it with cooked Tilapia ( I put cream cheese in mine because that is my favorite at the restaurants too)

Roll it up!!

Cut it up!!

Serve it up with a nice hot bowl of miso soup!!

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love , BROWN

THREE: All Girls Trip: RED

Every time my extended family is together we talk about how we need to be together more often and for years have traded wild suggestions about fantastic girl trips to the beach, to the west, on a cruise... but the wonderful thing about my family is that we really could have fun anywhere. In fact, I thought we had a pretty good time occupying half of the waiting room at the hospital while we hoped for good news about my mom's mastectomy back in October. Unfortunately, this was the kick in the britches we needed to actually plan a girls trip. A month later, Thanksgiving Day to be exact, we got the good news that no chemo or radiation would be necessary -- and immediately started planning.

My sweet in-laws (sweet is a fact, not just something I have to say), have spent the last few winters enjoying the sun and beauty of St. John, a beautiful US Virgin Island they were married on 26 years ago. After our wedding, Ben and I exchanged gifts and I was beside myself with excitement when I opened an envelope to find two tickets to visit St. John for spring break. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It's just a matter of hours until you realize no one can reach you there, and you physically and mentally melt into this relaxed state of island contentment. [I was one grumpy girl on that plane ride home].

At Thanksgiving, I asked Mama and Papa Glass about the possibility of a girls trip... then asked about brining five girls... Mama Glass' mouth dropped open and I knew I went too far. But then she said "yes! We would love it." And so, three months and countless snow storms later, I was boarding a plane bound for paradise.

At the airport, I waited just past the rum-punch welcoming committee for the others to arrive. My mom and my sister, Jennie were the first. A couple hours later and we piled into the taxi with my Aunt Liz and Grandma, "Rufus." St. John is only accessible via ferry boat, the last of which we just made after our adventurous taxi ride over St. Thomas. Mama and Papa Glass were waiting for us with a large truck that would be our transportation for the next several days. If steep inclines and hair-pin turns weren't difficult terrain enough, you drive on the left side of the road on the island... so we gladly left the driving to the professionals [M&P Glass].

Imagine sleeping in a room of screened floor to ceiling windows, the full moon lighting up the entire house and the silhouette of the cliffs and ocean outside, to the tune of the crickets and the wind rustling through the trees [now do you see why I was grumpy leaving this place?].

Rufus and Aunt Liz could only stay for three nights, so we wanted to explore the island best we could while they were with us. Our first stop was Hawk's Nest Beach. You really can't go wrong when choosing a beach on the island; white sandy beaches and the most beautiful turquoise, green and blues you've ever seen. Back in 1956, Mr. John Rockefeller donated a generous sum to preserve 2/3 of the island as National Park. And since the island is only accessible by boat, you're often left with the feeling that it's your little secret.

can you tell they're related?

rufus with M&P Glass - she was a big hit, but that wasn't a surprise to anyone.

We spent the majority of the days on the beach and then headed home for some pool time and one of Papa Glass' famous pina colada's or rum punches (some days, one of each!). It was just what everyone needed- some time away from work and stress -- able to relax and just chit chat all the day long.
Papa Glass was running the Eight Tuff Miles for the fourth year in a row that Saturday morning, so we ladies left him to rest Friday night and went out for some prime rib specials! Delicious. The band didn't know "Pretty Woman", but they did sing "My Girl" for Rufus. Everyone was singing along by the end of the song.

Remember those steep hills and hair pin turns? Eight miles of this make up the course of the "Eight Tuff Miles" and after witnessing the start and finish line, I personally vowed to never take part. Runners come from all over the world to compete in this race. The record time was broken by three minutes this year. Mama Glass, Mom and I enjoyed some delicious french toast just across the street from the finish line (we considered feeling a little bit guilty thinking of Papa Glass enduring the hills and the heat, but the french toast was just so good...). We made it to the finish line with minutes to spare as he ran through, beating his previous times.

We said goodbye to Rufus and Aunt Liz, who left far too early. The remaining days were filled with shopping, snorkeling, hiking, fantastic dining and good conversation. We saw starfish, countless sea turtles and even some stingrays swimming amongst a variety of other colorful fish at Maho Bay (my favorite).

this is ben and I at maho bay 2009... and then just me at the same tree 2010, missing him

Woody's Seafood Bar provided the best Pina Colada I've ever had, hands down. We did a toast with delicious Pain Killers to sweet Ben who was teaching away up in snowy Ohio -- and even met a real pirate!

Our last night on the island, we met several of M&P Glass' island friends and enjoyed a night of wine tasting at a local restaurant -- delicious appetizers paired perfectly with red and white wines from California.

The whole week was spectacular. Good quality time with fantastic people. My sister Jennie and I spent a couple evenings chatting away late into the night, which was great. No distractions, just sweet conversation and beautiful scenery. We can't thank M&P Glass enough for opening their island home to us. They truly have the gift of hospitality and we couldn't have been more fortunate to spend a week with them in the Caribbean. Hope this is just the first of many girl trips to come!

TWO: BLONDE'S BIRTHDAY GIFT

For awhile now I have been begging Blake for a new camera. For my birthday this year I thought I was going to get one because we went looking and researched all the different kinds. BUT, two days before my birthday Blake said, "Babe, I went to all the stores that had your camera and there all gone!" I was mad and sad at the same time! Why did he wait so long to get my present and now they are all gone. On my birthday, I went to work where I told all my students they had to be nice to me because it was my BIRTHDAY! When I got home my wonderful husband had an ice cream cake, a movie, and a NEW CAMERA!!!

The old camera!

......BLONDE

May 7th: Military Spouse Day

Just like to take a moment and say thanks not only to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to our country, but also to their families. Today is Military Spouse Day and one of our very own (the brown one) is the loving, supporting, proud wife of one great Army Lieutenant. So thank you to the hardworking servicemen and women, and also a BIG thanks to their husbands and wives who support them every day.

http://mindyandphil.com/

We love you, Rose, and wish you a Happy Military Spouse Day! We'll continue supporting you all the way to Hawaii!

[rose playing the part of her husband, andrew, during our blog photo shoot]

BLONDE'S BIRTH CELEBRATION (number 24)

BLONDE celebrated her 24th birthday today! In honor, Brown and I have compiled a list of our favorite things about BLONDE (24 of them to be exact). Please enjoy just a peak into the fabulousness that is Claire. We love her so very much and are blessed to be a part of her life!

[this little gem is from our freshman year- blinking reindeer noses!]

1. She is super health conscious and inspires us to be, too!
2. She loves all things Vera Bradley
3. Her contagious laugh!
4. She likes some George Strait and Tim McGraw
5. Matel modeled Barbie after Claire
6. She's a bargain hunter
7. She is a wonderful and creative cook
8. She's very intentional about keeping her house "green"
9. She's the best Aunt we know! So proud of her little niece Ann!
10. She is a wonderful, dedicated teacher to her little children!
11. She basically invented and then mastered the "Poof"
12. She wears my (brown) rings with everything!
13. Claire+Blake = Barbie + Ken
14. She listens to all the ridiculous problems we have and always has something encouraging and    positive to say!
15. One word : Jessica Simpson
16. Even though she may not agree - she is VERY creative!
17. She is so great with all the girls at Union, always giving them a listening ear and good advice
18. She is such a supportive wife!
19. She inspires us to be more organized!
20. She has such a great gift for making people feel at home and welcome
21. I (red) can go to her with any makeup question!
22. She is my (brown) model for all handbags and jewelry
23. She had a pillow freshman year that said "Caution: Blonde Thinking"
24. SHE IS OUR BEST FRIEND!

Happiest Birthday, Claire! We're so blessed to be loved by you and to have you in our lives - hope this year is one of the best!

with love,

Brown and Red