The Week in Photos

mozzarella and pesto grilled cheese/ salad/ new Erin Condren planner for 2013/ Rifle Paper Co goodies

first time using the bread maker- beautiful dough!/ waiting at the dentist/ morse code

grocery shopping/ playing with a remote control helicopter/ Texas/ gifts

taking down Christmas/ planning/ outing/ organized dresser

free glasses from Firmoo/ Zero Dark Thirty/ tuna salad/ hockey is back!

kitties took over my Baylor sweatshirt/ Army badges/ helping laundry/ His and Hers tea time

pre-class reading/ biting her nails/ sphere and cubed ice! 

turkey wrap for lunch/ back to school outfit/ Baylor!/ moose head

cats in the window/ what's in my bag/ curried turkey and rice/ arm party

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Curried Turkey with Rice

This evening I made an adapted version of this curried turkey and rice recipe I found. I thought it needed something more than just ground turkey, spice and diced tomatoes, so I added some veggies I had in the fridge. I began by sauteing chopped onion in olive oil, then adding the turkey. Once the turkey was cooked I added the bell pepper and mushrooms, and cooked them for a while before adding the curry powder. I probably used about double the amount of curry they suggested (about 2 tsp), and I put in the full can of diced tomatoes (because what was I going to do with the other half?). I added some salt and pepper here and there, put in some chopped cilantro at the end of cooking, and that's it! It was quite delicious, and simple (and smelled amazing)!

UPDATE: This also makes excellent leftovers!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Erin Condren Planner 2

I recently acquired my second Erin Condren planner. I had my first one for about four months before it was stolen, and when the new year came around I decided I had to get a new one. Let's face it, it's hard to go back to any old planner after experiencing the level of organization that comes with an EC planner. You can see my first post on the planner here, and this time I decided to give you a quick look at how I use it, as a grad student/wife/dedicated planner. It's pretty simple.

The planner has three sections labeled "morning," "day" and "night." I use the morning section to record the happenings of the day- class times, meetings, appointments, etc. I use the middle section to list assignments due that day, or on the weekends I write my To Do list here. The bottom section I use to write what's for dinner each week day, keep track of workouts, reminders, and any other info for the day.

I don't really color code things, though I have a large variety of colors to use and will select things to stand out when needed. I generally use black or blue pen. The first time around I didn't use too many of the stickers that come with the planner, but I've already been using them more (I just have to use a regular ultra fine point Sharpie to write on them as opposed to other pens). I also use washi tape when the occasion calls for it! :) Such as marking multi-day events.

Anyway, that's all there is to it!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Going on a Trip

I finally did it, I booked my flight to Boston for spring break! I'll be there March 10th-14th (I like to give myself time at home over breaks to chill and catch up on school work, so I'm not going for the entire break). I feel bad because Kyle will be at a month long deployment training at the time, so I will have to board the kitties, but I'm trying to not think about that. I can't wait to visit somewhere new, and see so many friends that have happened to move up there in the last year or two (Tracy, sister, Emma, Allie).

image via

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Sunday Social: Reintroduction

I haven't blogged in some days, though I do have some posts planned, so I thought I'd join this linkup today!

What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?
My blog is called From the Desk, because after I got married my friends gave me custom notepads that said "From the desk of Mrs. Sarah McPherson" on the top; it was the first time I saw my new name in use. I have been blogging since April 2011; I was inspired to start after my husband had a blog for a few months!

Why do you blog?
I like to take pictures and I like to share about my life (though I don't claim it is super exciting or anything; follow on your own accord). I am very secluded and far from any good friends, so blogging helps to share goings-on with friends and family, and gives mean outlet to write whatever I want.

What is the first blog you ever followed?
It was a while after I started blogging that I was made aware of the whole blogging world, actually. I think my sister introduced me to Cupcakes and Cashmere as I was planning a wedding and so was Emily (among other things).

What is your favorite blog post you wrote in 2012?
Umm. I didn't have anything that jumped out without me having to go through and remember what all I wrote (actually my favorite posts were from when Kyle got back from deployment and we had our first Christmas together, but I always seem to forget that was December 2011, no longer last year). I guess I'll say: What I Learned From Deployment. As it's looking like we will be gearing up for another one this summer. Oy.

What are your blogging goals for 2013?
Uh. I don't really have any? I have a vague idea to write a post each week about something social work related, even if it's just an excerpt from a class reading or a rambling post on my thoughts about the state of mental health care. I guess that's as close to a "goal" as I have for this thing.

Top 3 Favorite blogs to follow?

Rebekka Seale (formerly, Dear Friend)

My husband (Seek Arete)- he doesn't post often, but it's cute when he does!

Studio DIY- I went to undergrad with Kelly's boyfriend, and she has a wonderfully crafty site! 

image via Studio DIY

- From the desk of Mrs. M

The Week in Photos

I've mostly been sick for the last week, so it's not too exciting. 

clothes den/ Influenster Holiday VoxBox/ New Year nails/ date night

date night continued/ grapefruit and grapefruit Airborne/ Sole Society bogo shoes

cat hugs/ nails/ maiden name/ sick toes getting fresh, cold air

meal kit/ heart/ Darwin/ Kelly Moore bag

D/ first time out of the house in a while/ dinner I couldn't taste/ mint logic

dumb parking/ HOCKEY IS BACK/ Hux helping me organize/ Thomas Henry Huxley

books from a friend/ garlic baked chicken/ cute husband/ textbooks arriving

egg whites, mushrooms, peppers, onion/ rainy day/ My favorite/ southwest stuffed peppers

- From the desk of Mrs. M

What the Year Will Bring

At first glance this year appears to be one, the first in many, with no big events, changes or plans. And while that may be true, this is also the year where Kyle and I will know a lot more about our future- where we will be moving to after I graduate, when we can have kiddos(!!)...big things like that. Kyle's contract with the military is up December 2013, and we are looking at his reenlistment possibilities, as well as non-military options. I'm not sure when we will know (it's sounding like sooner rather than later), but it is exciting that this is the year that will give us a better picture of what our future will look like. :) Always good for a planner like me. I'm excited to see where this year will take us, even if it doesn't take us there until next year or the years that follow!

Also this year:
- finishing up first year of grad school and starting the second
- 2 year anniversary!
- Kyle and I both turn 25
- possible probable deployment to Afghanistan :(
- Kittens turn 2 years old
- possible trip to Boston

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Singing Happy Birthday

Today, a little video of my family singing Happy Birthday to my brother for his 21st birthday...




- From the desk of Mrs. M

2013

After two crazy weeks and a long drive home with the kitties, sick husband and I (very mildly sick; Airborne works people) are spending the last day of 2012 chilling, watching movies, and maybe wearing snuggies (I am; he is not). We may have just watched The Avengers followed by The Avengers with commentary. Happy New Year, everyone!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

week in photos

The rest of the holidays in PA and our return to Texas...

Christmas nails/ sink obsessed/ gift wrap/ nap by the tree

my best wrapped gift, for my brother/ advent/ stuffing/ jolly

Austrian drink/ midnight on Christmas/ Christmas eve meal/ playing with kitties

Toms/ Lego architecture/ fruit cake/ Christmas snow

watch!/ appropriate footwear/ drive to Pittsburgh/ in-laws tree

Christmas day travels/ Kyle, his brothers and cousins/ Pittsburgh tree/ morning at Ome's

snow storm- Pittsburgh/  Snuggie action/ Snow storm- State College

morning shoveling/ John's birthday/ Canadian's pup/ coffee with Abigail

snowy Starbucks/ comfy Toms/ hux in a bag/ Dar watching a toy helicopter

lots of Indian food/ Sheridyn and Bear/ fun hat/ flakie

wine/ Herwigs/ holiday Georgetown Cupcakes/ yum 

 movie night/ rest stop in VA/ hotel breakfast/ traveling darwin

Mississippi river/ Hux traveling/ late lunch/ home!

Finnish mits/ swatch/ Mr. Nutcracker/ movies!

- From the desk of Mrs. M