Hey, Heyyy, Boo-Boo!

Happy Birthday to meeeee!!!  I decided I wanted to camp and hike for my 31st birthday this year.  We went to one of our old favorites - Black Rock Mountain State Park. 

It's the highest park in Georgia, so temps are typically cooler, and it was still definitely in springtime bloom! 

I picked this campsite specifically because we had beautiful pink flowers surrounding us (see the bush behind the tent?).  (Jeff said it would attract bees, but we were ok.)

For my actual birthday, climbed the Tennessee Rock Trail to the peak of Black Rock Mountain - what a view!

Jeff made me Cinco de Mayo / Birthday tacos, and of course - popped up some Jiffy Pop in front of the campfire on Saturday night.

On Saturday night, we were super lazy after our day of hiking and enjoyed the fire all night.

However, our laziness had a price...we didn't put our cooler or food tub back in the car (first time in over 30 trips and we TOTALLY KNOW BETTER)...and because of that, at 4am a black bear decided to visit our campsite, steal our bread, and in general cause chaos less than 4 feet from our tent.  We were terrified!  But he lumbered off - no harm, no foul...except to our poor little pitter-pattering souls who might never be the same.

Charlotte's Web

Anyone who knew me when I was younger will know that I was an AVID reader.

Do you remember Pizza Hut's program, "Book It"?  In third grade, on the board posted in the classroom, I had an obscene amount of little stickers next to my name (the stickers represented number books read). Like, it was a ridiculous amount.

At recess, I would read. While teachers were trying to teach math, I would read. When the kids had to read aloud in class, I read a bunch of pages ahead because I was annoyed at how slow it was going.

I LOVED TO READ.

And now, as an adult, I still love to read. And I am considering re-reading - for maybe the thousandth time - one of my favorites, Charlotte's Web. All thanks to the reminder of the 60th Birthday from the New York Times.

I received a 3-pack of books around the 3rd grade time frame by E.B. White (maybe from Aunt Deb? can't remember for sure). Anyway, Charlotte's Web was one. Stuart Little was another. And I can't even remember the third book.

I don't think I understood as a child all the themes in the book. But I do remember this lesson sticking with me - everything has a purpose, a reason, a season in life (even if it just to be a friend to others). Even in death, life goes on through memories and those we leave behind.  Thank you to all of you who have been my friend.  And been in a memory of mine.

Aww, how CUTE!

Day 1 (no photos) I had so much fun just running errands with my mom and dad the afternoon of their arrival. Just like when I was a kid. Except this time I was in charge! Errands: Chiropractor (Dad and I both got seen on the way home from the airport); fueled up my car; dropped off dry cleaning; stopped for sunglasses; had a pizza lunch buffet; got allergy shots; went to Weight Watchers; went out for BBQ at Shane's Rib Shack! Day 2 Atlanta Motor Speedway tour! Yep, the same one where we whizzed around the track at 95 MPH...and got to see the suites, walk the infield, and stand in winner's circle!

We went out to lunch at Frank's Mill, on the river outside Fayetteville and had some delicious salmon, fish, and most importantly - BAKLAVA!!!!!!!!!!!!! OOOOH. I'm craving it right now. Then off to pick up Amy at the airport in our NEWLY RENTED GMC YUKON!!!!!!!! That sucker was huge - but we needed it to be able to road trip with the 5 of us the rest of the weekend. It's not fair to Amy to always have to be scrunched between Mom and me. :/ Here you can see the Yukon in the driveway of our house, behind the crazy old farmer taking a '67 GTO out for a spin...

Day 3 - Georgia Wine Country! We drove up into the mountains and hit up Wolf Mountain Vineyards at their tasting room and then enjoyed the weather

and then enjoyed the weather

My family is awesome...awesomely hilarious...can you tell we're having fun?

After a long day of driving and drinking (ok, the driver wasn't drinking), we got Oysters in Dahlonega (of course) and then headed to Amicolola Falls State Park to stay at the lodge for the night. (Sleeping arrangements are as they always are on Kienow vacations: Mom & Dad in one room, Jeff and Amy & Jessica in the other.) After Easter brunch, we walked to the falls for some prime photos and breathtaking views...which my computer is not working so I can't post. We had such a ball!

Camping is for Everyone...I SWEARS

Camping season started 2 months ago here in Georgia. But we have yet to go.

BOO HOO!

To get me in the spirit, I read this article to remind myself of everything I would need - and that I already have in my house.

We have the tent, fly, tarp, bungee cords, air mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, fan (essential in GA), camp stove & fuel, cooking pots & pans, plates & utensils, water jug, fire starter sticks, marshmallow roasters, pie-irons, camp chairs, an easy-up, a state park pass...seriously, what more could we need?...

...I know! The article said some of the campgrounds they go to have really pebbly / rocky campsites which HURT your FEET (Black Rock Mountain State Park, I'm talking to YOU). So they suggested buying toy-store large foam puzzle pieces that go in a child's playroom to put on the bottom of your tent.

GEN-IUS! Next stop, Target!

Out of Order apologies, and a Breakfast Recipe

Here are my pending posts which I haven't done yet:

1. Kienow Easter weekend wrap-up, with photos
2. Hawaii work trip report-out, with photos
3. Weekend shenanigans

But I just couldn't WAIT to share my newest breakfast recipe, so you are getting out-of-order posts this week (sorry). (You wouldn't really expect any better, right?)

Tex-Mex Breakfast Wrap - 6 Points Plus, about 10-15 minutes cooking time
(note: photo not ACTUAL photo of my breakfast) (but it's close)

Ingredients (for 2 servings)
2 La Banderita Taco Shells (whole wheat if you can stand it)
1 tsp Bertolli Olive Oil
1 cup Egg Beaters (or store-brand "liquid eggs")
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup medium CHUNKY PACE SALSA (do NOT use non-chunky, or, you can use non-chunky but then you have to cut up fresh green peppers and tomatoes and that's too much work for me, personally...as you all know)
1/4 cup diced ham (yes I bought it already diced)
1/4 cup Kraft Reduced Fat Mexican 4-cheese blend

Heat up olive oil. Dump in egg beaters and spices, then milk, and stir. Add salsa, ham, and cheese. Continue scrambling till eggs are firm and salsa is absorbed.

Place it all in a taco shell, add lettuce and taco sauce if you like and EAT UP!

I added an orange and coffee to my breakfast this morning...YUMMMMMM...

Aloha!

Aloha from Honolulu!

Yes that's right - I'm in paradise this week. From a busy Easter weekend directly into a work trip...trying to fit in a bit o' fun...

I'll post more photos and a recap when I return...if I ever come back!

2 photos from Easter

Here are a few photos from Easter that were on my phone. I have a ton more that I can't wait to share but that will not happen until I get back from my trip and can upload my camera photos.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! Actually, Happy Easter Monday!

Hopefully everyone got their fill of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans this weekend.

The Kienows had a different take on Easter this year.

After Mom & Dad arrived on Thursday, and Amy on Friday, we decided to be local tourists - we ran errands on my day off (not that exciting, I know), we went to Atlanta Motor Speedway for a track tour, went out to some of our favorite restaurants around our house, cooked up a few delicious dinners, and then headed up to the Smoky Mountains.

We spent Saturday sightseeing in Dahlonega, touring wineries through the mountains, drinking (a bit), and laughing at our own crazy selves.

After checking in to the Amicalola State Park Lodge for the night, we awoke the next morning for an Easter breakfast overlooking the mountains, and then to a 749-ft waterfall - Amicalola Falls is one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen. Mom even walked the 0.3 mile (one-way) stretch to get the best vantage point of the falls - but it was so worth it!

We enjoyed the rest of the day driving back to our house, and then spending time on the deck and listening to the birds.

So, although we did not have any Easter eggs this year nor the traditional Easter ham...it was one of my most favorite holidays in memory!

Stay tuned for photos which I will try to post this weekend (when I return...from Hawaii...that's a whole other story!).

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

I am so excited to try this recipe that was posted here this week!

I love Mediterranean food...these ingredients are almost always stocked in my pantry or fridge.

I am not a huge fan of the putzi-ness of kebabs, so I will cut up strips of chicken and pan-cook them. I will most definitely also add a pita!!!

And, so you can see how I make an moderately easy recipe SUPER easy, I will put my comments below for each ingredient on how I, the-ever-lazy-wannabe-chef, plan to make this recipe even simpler.

Ingredients:
1 lb skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes (I am going to do strips)

For the marinade:
2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice (I am going to do bottled)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic, crushed (I'll chop it)
kosher salt to taste (I have the one with the girl umbrella, NOT kosher)
fresh ground black pepper to taste (I also don't have a pepper grinder)
OR - if I'm feeling really lazy, I may just marinate it in RF Italian dressing...

For the salad:
1 1/4 cups cucumber, peeled (no peeling for me, thank you very much)
1 1/4 cups diced tomato
1/4 cup diced bell pepper
2 tbsp red onion, diced (eliminating - YUCK)
1/4 cup black olives (jarred whole olives because that's what I have)
1 1/2 tsp vinegar
1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice (bottled again)
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp fresh dillweed (what? no. I don't ever have fresh herbs. I'll use dried.)
1 tsp fresh parsley (also no.)
1/8 tsp dried oregano
salt and black pepper to taste

4 cups shredded lettuce (I buy the triple washed pre-washed Organic Girl blends. Yes, I'm THAT person who doesn't want to even shred or wash their lettuce.)
1/2 cup feta cheese, grated (I buy Athenos already chunked feta, reduced fat.)
lemon wedges for serving (no again)

Ok folks, the original directions weren't working for me so I condensed them below. Click on the link above if you want to see more beautiful photos and the original directions.

Directions:
Marinate the chicken overnight.

Combine the first 12 salad ingredients (cucumbers through salt and black pepper, not the lettuce) and set aside in the refrigerator to let the flavors set (10-20 minutes).

Throw chicken strips into a pan with 1 tsp olive oil and cooke for 5-6 minutes until chiken is cooked.

Pile lettuce, tomato-cucumber salad, feta cheese and chicken strips onto a plate. ENJOY!

Training and Seminars

Last week, Jeff was sent for training by his new job. YIPPEE!

He learned a bit about security cameras, and a lot about the software and features of various models.

The best part? According to him, it was the food...over 2 days, they really fed the group well!

A full hot breakfast
Mid-morning cold snack
Day 1 - Taco Bar lunch
Day 2 - Pasta Bar lunch
Mid-afternoon dessert snack

I definitely won't be able to compete with my sack lunches of sandwiches, pita chips & hummus, and carrots...