Deja Vu

It's a strange feeling to come back to a place you've been before, only under a vastly different set of circumstances.  The change in perspective it brings is worthwhile.

I'm staying at a hotel in Dallas, sitting here in the lobby with a glass of cranberry juice.  Last I was in this hotel was in 2006 for a job interview.  I was a senior at UGA, and it was the first time I had ever really traveled alone.  I had gotten myself on a plane, into a cab (first time I'd ever gotten one by myself!) and into the city to this very spot.  And I was terrified.  I had a non-stop day of interviews ahead, arguably the most intense I've ever faced.  The result of that day was a job offer with an incredible ad agency.

I vividly remember the churning in my stomach that this chain of events set forth; never before had God placed not one but two incredible opporunities before me.  I could see myself in either place, and I agonized over which to choose.  They were both perfect for me!  Ultimately, I turned down the advertising job.  I prayed (harder than ever) and stepped out in faith to move to Atlanta.  At the time, it was the toughest choice I'd ever had to make.

And today I am back in that same hotel lobby.  I love seeing the plan that God laid out for my life has unfolded.  Had I taken that job in Dallas, I would never have met my husband.  Who knows where I'd be living or really even what I'd be doing.  Ironically, I'm here in Dallas to meet with the very agency that I intereviewed with.  I work with them every day, in fact.  I'm about to enter through the very same door and go up the same elevator as I did that day.  Heck, I might even end up in the same conference room.

So while four years ago I was longing for some combination of the two job opportunities before me, God knew that one day I would have it.  (Tell that to my 22 year old self!)  It boggles my mind to know that He holds every aspect of my life in His control, even when I can't fathom how things will turn out.

There's a girl across the lobby - clearly a student, possibly here for an interview.  I wonder what she's thinking.  Wonder what the ripple effect of today will be for her.  The possibilities are endless!

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord.

"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to

give you hope and a future..." - Jeremiah 29:11

Say Yes To The Dress

Spencer and I were married back in May at my parents' church in Macon.  We were surrounded by our nearest and dearest... and a film crew from TLC.  Yep, apparently we just got our fifteen minutes of fame. Doesn't take much these days, does it? : )

We ordered my dress from Bridals By Lori in November, just a few weeks after we got engaged.  At the time, there wasn't any filming going on.  But then in March, I got a phone call from a producer asking if we'd like to be on the show.  So they taped my first round of alterations and then came to the wedding and our reception.

All in all, we think the episode turned out well!  If you missed it, the show airs again on Sunday at noon.  And, they put us up on their blog and the "After the Show" section of the Say Yes To The Dress website.  We didn't really have any drama, so we don't know if it will come into the rotation again or not, but regardless it was a really neat experience.  And if they ever send us the promised DVD, we'll have a great keepsake!

Chicken of the Sea

Confession: I've never made fish before.  Chicken and steak I've got down.  Shrimp and crab even.  But fish?  No way.  Something about skin and scales and eyes.  Frankly, the idea just intimidates me.  Or at least it did until now.

Enter Alton Brown, fellow UGA grad and master explainer of all things culinary.  I saw his "Gills Gone Wild" episode, salmon fillets were on sale at Publix and thus dinner was born.  While I didn't take any pictures (amateur mistake, sorry), Spencer is insisting that this become part of our regular dinner rotation.
 
So if fish scares you like it scared me... give Alton's recipe a try. Quick, easy, and unbelievably delicious.  The brown sugar caramelizes into the most amazing crust!
 
Ingredients

• 1 side, skin-on, sockeye salmon, 1.5-2 lbs, pin bones removed
• I used two small salmon fillets instead.  Bones?  Skin?  No thank you.
• 1/3 C dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• I halved the recipe and still used the zest of one whole lemon, so to make the whole thing I think you'd need two lemons.
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions

• Position a rack in the oven 3 inches from the broiler. Line a half sheet pan with aluminum foil and place the salmon on the pan.
• Place the sugar, zest, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a small food processor and process for 1 minute or until well combined.
• Evenly spread the mixture onto the salmon and allow to sit for 45 minutes, at room temperature.
• Turn the oven on to the high broiler setting for 2 minutes.  After 2 minutes, place the salmon into the oven and broil for 6 to 8 minutes or until the thickest part of the fish reaches an internal temperature of 131*F on an instant-read thermometer. 
• Remove the salmon from the oven and allow to rest, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes.  Serve immediately.

Because we had slivered almonds leftover from something else, and now I had a zest-less lemon, we made Green Beans with Lemon and Toasted Almonds to pair with our salmon.  I thought it all went together rather nicely, and I wasn't left with random unused ingredients in the fridge.  Pet peeve!
 
Recipes and photo courtesy of FoodNetwork.com.  My go-to place for dinner ideas!

The Bandwagon

I think that just about everyone I know has a blog.  My sister, my co-workers, good friends from college... ok maybe not everyone.  But still.  It looks like fun.

That, and in my head I'm constantly logging things.  I've never been much on physically keeping a journal (though I'm jealous of those who do).  Mine's just all in my head.  And I love to write.  So, this blog is an attempt to combine the two and capture all of the experiences that come with this fun phase of life.

So, without further ado... the blogosphere can add another girl to the roster.  Here goes!