Puff Pastry Rolls = an experiment.

I wanted to make a special dinner for my honey - just because he is so great. Also, I was inspired by Pinterest. This is a rare occurrence for me, as I am not a "pinterest crazy." But, motivation actually struck! So here it is:

Started off with a refreshing drink. And so simple:

White wine + fresca + ball jar = so good.

I saw a recipe on pinterest for pizza rolls. I used the same principle, but traded out the pizza crust for puff pastry, and threw in some more sophisticated flavors.

Step 1: Gather all the ingredients

I used mozzerella cheese (half fat-free, half part skim), arugula, prosciutto, fresh basil, roasted red peppers, and some goat cheese (not pictured.) Meanwhile, I let the puff pastry thaw.

Step 2: Throw it all on the puff pastry

Step 3: Roll it all up and slice it (I also used an egg wash)

At this point in the game, I was a little nervous. The rolls seemed so unstable and about to fall apart. I was sure this was a "Pinterest Fail." However, never underestimate the power of Puff Pastry.

Step 4: Bake at 375 degrees for 20 or so minutes until they look like this:

Ta-daaaaa! This is the most Marla-ish thing I've ever made. I dedicate these to my mom, Marla, who can make the most delicious looking hors d'oeuvres ever!

Breckenridge

We went to Breckenridge, Colorado to celebrate Melinda's 60th birthday with friends and family, and also to snowboard! Chase has been snowboarding since he was young, and he is very talented. I took a lesson and still consider myself a novice.

The mountains are so beautiful!

Chase getting heel side

All the MacFarlands before Melinda's birthday dinner

The whole crowd!

13.1 whoa!

January 15th 2012 = P.F. Changs Rock and Roll Arizona Half Marathon.

I had been apprehensive about the half marathon for months. Why? Because I could never really make myself train. It was just too boring to run that long, and I rarely ever felt good while doing it. So I didn't train much. When I say I didn't "train much," I mean that I ran 2-3 miles maybe a few times a week, and about 3 months out from the Half I ran 5 miles, and on the Tuesday of the week of the Half (on Sunday), I ran my lifetime personal record of distance at 6 miles.

Sooo how did the Half marathon go?

Well, I just accepted the fact that I would participate in the event no matter what. Even if I had to walk, even if WORSE CASE SCENARIO: the "Slag" Wagon had to pick me up and drive me further ahead in the race because I was too slow. And that is absolutely, without a doubt, the WORST case scenario. How humiliating would that be? From D1 collegiate athlete to "slag" wagon. Even if no one ever knew about my hypothetical secret ride, and I took it to the grave, I would still know. And that is enough.

Sooo how did the Half marathon go?

Incredibly difficult.

I haven't had to exhibit that kind of mental toughness since collegiate soccer (although it really wasn't mental toughness: see below), maybe since that one time in college (I remember the year, it was the beginning of 2007) when Shayne McKenzie, aka most beast-like woman strength and conditioning coach of all time...so awesome and "no-nonsense" that they actually had her (a woman) coach the MEN'S BASEBALL team...which is exceptionally impressive, made us run the "Tour de Worthen." Lets just say it involved several thousands of steps in Ball State's Basketball arena AFTER a workout of running stairs. Let's just say only half of us finished it. Side note on Shayne MacKenzie (who, by the way, is 6'2'' and stares down at you after you ask a question as if you are the most unintelligent human being whose question will not even be dignified with a response. I actually found this to be hilarious)...I think we started off on the wrong foot when we first met and I assumed her name was McKenzie Shayne because she was a girl. Never assume...NEVER.

Back to the half.

Official start time was 7:30am. It was pitch black when we arrived, and I saw so many legit runners as I walked passed the start line to my corral (way, way back there), and I started to think I was in over my head. By the time I got around the runners/joggers/walkers in my corral (which ended up being way too slow for me...could that really happen???) I felt much better. Less serious runners, more casual approaches.

Slowly the corrals were released at the starting line. I didn't start the race until after 8am (I think.) Much to my surprise, I felt good while running. It was actually fun running with thousands of people. I was in a constant crowd of people. I was passing and getting passed. I ran with a girl about my age from miles 4-7. I literally was right next to her side. I didn't even try to hide it. Maybe she was doing the same thing. All I know is: I was cruising.

Until about mile 8. Then I just felt terrible. Everything started catching up to me. Most of all, I was in pain, not soreness, but pain from having my feet and legs hit the ground so many times. Like bruising. And I wasn't moving that fast, so I could feel myself stiffening up. All this at about the time we were running through Papago park. Those are little mountains. And the park is very hilly. We were on a steady incline until like mile 11. Then the decline didn't even feel like we were going downhill.

I wanted to cry. And I wanted to stop. I took a few steps at a water station so I could drink my water without it going all over my face. The few steps walking was even worse. Because I still hurt, but I was just prolonging the pain by taking longer to get to the finish line. And I still got water all over my face. And gatorade.

By the grace of God, I finished the half marathon, running the whole thing, in 2 hours and 30 minutes. I ran slow, but I ran it.

It was a spiritual battle, for sure. I feel like in those long hours of solitude running, the enemy can prey on us. Does prey on us, for sure. And I knew I couldn't run 13.1 miles just because I have a superfit human body, because I don't. And I knew I couldn't run 13.1 miles because I am incredibly mentally tough, because I'm not. It was only because the Lord gave me grace to finish that I was able to run it all.

Reminded me of the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. at Ultimate Training Camp in 2008 where I met Chase. Although 16 hours of competition is still the most broken down physically I've ever been. And praise God for it! The lord meets us in our weakness, for which I am beyond grateful because I know that, compared to the Lord, I am beyond weak.

Vegas for Christmas

I have not posted for awhile and that is very much indicative of our life. We are in a very busy season, but a fun one too! After Christmas Day this year (which I worked), Chase and I visited Las Vegas to spend some time with his family. It was a wonderful time full of good people, good conversation, and lots of fun. We had a delicious Christmas dinner the day after Christmas with Chase's cousins, aunts, and uncle on his mom's side. We went bowling that night and had a blast.

I used to not like Vegas (like vegas vegas, aka the strip) because I assumed it was only fun if you wanted to get drunk, gamble, or see a peep show! I enjoy none of the above. But I've learned that there is much more to it. We stayed at planet hollywood which is known for it's "miracle mile" of shops on the base floor, so we enjoyed the shopping. We also discovered the MOST AMAZING sandwich shop called Earl's Sandwiches. We ate there too many times to count. It was fantastic. We also went to a show this time. Cirque du Soleil presented "KA." Chase and I were mesmerized by the amount of time and talent that goes into a major production. After a phenomenal show we had dinner at the MGM grand. A special date in Vegas.

We made a little time for tennis too!

Christmas Eve and the Nutcracker

This year, because I had to work Christmas, Chase and I decided to celebrate Christmas together on Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful day together. Chase took me to see the Nutcracker Ballet this year because I had mentioned wanting to see it in the past. It was a spectacular show with a great symphony.

In front of the tree at Symphony Hall

After the afternoon showing of the Nutcracker, we went to the early evening Christmas Eve service at our church, Redemption Arcadia. We celebrated the first coming of Christ and rejoice that He fulfilled his purpose then and will come again.

We when returned home, we opened our stockings that we made for each other. We opened gifts from under the tree, and then we had the most delicious dinner of breakfast casserole (a Christmas favorite at the Murphy house), fruit, and mimosas. Such a wonderful night!

Our cozy living room with plenty of candles and Christmas decorations!

(our TV is in our bedroom for a movie!)

What a wonderful night!

Desk is FINALLY done!

Chase very graciously allowed me to pick up this vintage writer's desk in Flagstaff back in September. I really wanted to refinish it as I loved the beautiful structure and brass pulls.

This is the "before shot," and yes we did manage to fit it in Chase's car -but not without difficulty...or an audience.

Chase sanded it down for me.

After priming it and painting it with several layers of "heirloom white," I began to distress it with a sander, on the edges.

After several attempts at a polycryclic finish, I just sanded it off and used a wax

All finished! Had to move the desk to another wall to make room for the Christmas tree. I prefer the white desk against a brown wall, though.

The wooden thing originally had 3 hooks and a mirror attached to it. Chase took off the mirror and hooks for me and sanded it down. Then I stained it with a walnut stain. I love the authentic look to the wood that the stain gave to it. And the silver pitcher is a gift from Chase:)

Thanksgiving in Indiana

How lovely it was to return to my hometown for Thanksgiving with my whole family! Chase and I flew in on Tuesday, arrived about 4PM, and stayed until Friday evening. All of my brothers and sisters were home on Thanksgiving (the farthest one only lives about 30 min away). I was really excited that both my grandmothers came as well! Grandma Jean drove from Illinois, and Grandma Jackson barely made it because of a knee injury, they were both determined to come!

Grandma Jackson and Grandma Jean

My family's tradition for Thanksgiving is to spend it with our cousins from my mom's side. My mom's sister, Aunt Pam and her husband Uncle Alan, have 6 kids, so both our families getting together is a lot of fun. We switch where it's held almost every year too, some years in Vincinnes, others in Zionsville. In recent years, since we've all grown up (our youngest cousin on that side is 23), not everyone can make it back for Thanksgiving. But since several of us have gotten married in the last year, it's kept the size of the party up!

The whole fam with our spouses

My mom and her sister, Pam