December in reverse order

Tradition

Let me start by saying Thank You to the six wonderful people (5 maybe?) who helped in my blog's very first poll! I'll be honest with you, it's a little more than I expected. And I will confess, I did vote in my own poll. I started making my Christmas cards before the poll was over, but, as suggested, seeing the trends in voting (can you say "trends in voting" with less than 10 respondents? Is there a maximum number you have to hit before you can even dare to use such a word?) did help me decide on what kind of templates to create for this festive holiday. I'm a decent way through my project but still have a lot left. My mom requested that I make 10 cards for her to send out to her friends so that took some time. And YES! you heard right! I am officially in production. Refer to my last post's title to fill in the blank here _______________.

So now Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is on the way. My husband and I drove to Houston to be with his parents for Thanksgiving this year. It was my first one away from home, and I must say it was a little sad! Thankfully we were able to Skype with my family back home for a little while and see their smiling blurry faces. Loved it. I knew once I got married that holidays would be different - traveling between two families in two far away places (from each other). It's time to start our own traditions as a little family. I can't help but find myself wanting to incorporate ALL of my families traditions with me and Chris. For example: decorating the Christmas tree. If I were home with my sisters and brother-in-law, we would be decorating the Christmas tree the night after Thanksgiving while having egg-nog, Keebler's almond crescent cookies, and most definitely the Christmas tunes. Since we're out of town for a few days, I'm hoping we'll be able to put our tree up on Sunday evening. But I most definitely plan on having those delicious little cookies and the nog. (Sorry Chris, some traditions might take awhile to wear out).

What holiday traditions are you looking forward to? And be honest... how many of you ran out on Black Friday? We went out at noon and found one item we wanted at Kohls. Then we got to the checkout line, decided we would not wait that long, even for $7.99 men's lounge pants, and walked out the doors. As frustrating as those big crowds can be, I'll have to admit, I kind of like it.

And for your absolute enjoyment, my additional plug for those cookies! Trust me, you'll love them:

Now Taking Orders

I have always considered myself a pretty crafty person. I like to use my creative juices to fashion pieces of artwork either on paper with sharpies (when we get our printer working I'll have a visual for this) or using paper for scrap-booking. It's fun, relaxing and I really enjoy it! Recently, I started making cards. You've heard of 'em: given on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, just because. I've done it in the past but sporadically. I think moving to Dallas and having some down time has been the major contributor to my production increase. I decided to make all of our Christmas cards this year, too. Stay on my good side, continue reading here and you might get one yourself. I've already started and must say it's been a little more frustrating than I expected. Maybe because I'm making more than I've ever made for one purpose? I'm a bit of a perfectionist, too. Makes things like this difficult. Yes it does.

So on my last card-making venture, I did Autumn-themed cards. If you know me at all, you know my love for all things Fall run deep. I attached them below for your viewing enjoyment. They were SO fun to make! If it wasn't for actually wanting to send them to the girls I sent them too, I was going to keep them, buy matching frames, display them, and get them out again next year. Maybe I'll do that at a later date.I want to take a poll. If you will, vote for which card is your favorite. They will be numbered 1-6 in the order they appear here. It will help me create the best looks for my Christmas cards. Will you help me? Look for the poll on the right side of the page. I'll keep it open for a week and announce the winner! If you don't see it, it's because I couldn't figure out how to do it. Bummer.

Meat 'n Potatoes

It was this side of one week ago that Chris and I were sitting on this very couch eating a cheese and roast beef sandwich. Mmmmmm. What's that you say? One week ago today we were a day into our fruit (and veggie) only diet? Oh yeah, about that. . . I have a confession to make.

If I did not know it before, I know it now: I am strongly, wholeheartedly, a meat 'n potatoes kinda gal. So is my husband. Before going on the fruit diet, I read up on it a little bit and a one article said not a lot of people don't make it through the first few days because the hunger and withdrawal from sugar and salt is so strong. I thought, it's just 3 days, it can't be that hard. Besides, I love me some fruit. Well sirs and ma'am s, I am here to tell you that it is pretty tough! My stomach was grumbling most of the day, I had a funny taste in my mouth that wouldn't go away, and had a decent headache for my waking hours. I am by no means saying that fruits and veggies are the big EVIL and we should steer clear of them. We had a nearly tasty dinner of roasted vegetables (I'm not sure if that was cheating or not but surely our acts in the following hour were against the diet rules.) and it was soon after that we decided this diet was not for us. I think we were both waiting for the other one to say "I give up" so the other could follow suit. Since we had no meat in the apartment we hopped in the car and drove to the grocery store where we eagerly purchased a loaf of bread and market-fresh roast beef, sliced as thin as you can go. Diet done. Fifteen minutes later, I had never tasted anything so good.

So my lesson that I already knew but now, really know is that fruit and vegetables are a very important part of your diet and should be integrated heartily. They were integrated heartily into our diets for the rest of the week because my fridge was packed with fresh produce, I was just deciding to have it with a little meat.

I'm still trying to finish the strawberries, but those I could pop like m&m's.

An apple for the teacher?

Its breezy outside today, more like windy I suppose and I am absolutely loving the sound of it through my open balcony door. Now, if it were just about 10 degrees cooler, even 5, it would be a fantastically Fall day. In case you haven't noticed, I have an affinity for the season. Christmas carols are even starting to pop in my head, but can I really help it with all the Christmas-decor springing up? Admitingly, even if there wasn't such decor I would still be singing tracks off of The Rat Pack's Christmas Album in my head.
I have found it very hard to concentrate on job-searching today because of it all.. the Fall like weather that is. I'm pretty good about spending several hours of my day online and focusing on follow-ups and hunting for my next gig but today all I really want to do is listen to the leaves rustling (while drowning out the occasionally loud birds, planes, and car horns) and read a good book.
Any suggestions for a good book by the way? I'm thinking maybe a classic, or a really good mystery (not too scary of course). I miss the Library.

Tomorrow is going to mark Day 1 of a 3 day diet experiment for Chris and I. Not so much for the purpose of losing with fast (although I do need to cut back on my baking. Waist lines can only hold for so many chocolate-chip cookies before expanding another inch.). We have been reading and hearing a lot about fruit diets lately and the huge benefit they're suppose to have. It's supposed to detoxify your body and kid of reset your system I guess. I've read its arguments, though, that since you have a liver and kidneys, your body doesn't really need to detoxify in this way. None-the-less, it's something we're going to try. If anything well just eat really healthy for 3 days and maybe that'll make us (okay, not us... just me) not want to have that popcorn when we go to a movie. I went to Sprouts today and got some fresh fruit and veggies. I expect to feel pretty hungry throughout the day tomorrow but I will stay strong and ignore all the starch and treats in my pantry!

Ask me how we did on Friday.
Also, I think I'm going to start my certification process to become a teacher. This time next year I could be in a classroom of youngsters
. . . . But that's for another post.

Coffee Coffe Coffee

I like me some coffee.
My relationship with coffee has been a dynamic one over the years. In college, I loved it. I loved it sweetened. I loved it cold. I loved it hot. I loved it as a Reese's frappe. (I really miss my college coffee shop!) I can almost smell that frappe. But by the time I graduated and spent some time away from "free" coffee I felt that swiping a plastic card that had my money connected to it was just not the same as swiping my student I.D. We were on a break. I'd have the occasional small cup at home (usually with some French Vanilla creamer. Would you like some coffee with that creamer?)

Then a funny thing happened. I got engaged, and a few days before the wedding, my lovely aunt and cousins from Holland flew in. The girls stayed at my sister's house with us and on several of the mornings we asked them if they wanted coffee. Being the hip foreign girls they are they said yes and I asked them what they wanted in it. They said, "black is fine". Wow! Gutsy. Or normal I suppose. So, I decided to try it a few times over the following weeks and surprisingly, I kind of liked it! Okay, so I had it with a little sugar. I remember an especially good cup when we came back from our Honeymoon and were opening gifts on our living room floor.

So for the past couple of months I have had a hankering for coffee fairly regularly - more often in the past few weeks. Last week my heart said yes to coffee but my tummy said please stop!I listened to that until the next morning. Chris wanted some before work so I had to support him in his decision. Now I'm exploring the flavors I like post-college. I have found that I really like Starbucks' Cafe Mocha with soy. Ever since I found out I have a bit of an aversion to dairy, I try to be better about having coffee with soy. It's pretty tasty.

Right now, I am waiting for my freshly brewed coffee to get cold in the fridge so I can attempt to make a frappe. I'll let you know how it goes. Here's hoping!

movies, potholders, and wedding bells

We have clearly established my love for Fall. Or, maybe we haven't and my just stating it is clearly establishing it. This Autumn seems like a brand new adventure since I've never lived this season in this particular city. Although it's still an average of 82 degrees outside, there is a fresh, crisp feeling in the air that is delightful when paired with a steamy cup of coffee. Usually, I prefer my coffee a little less than steamy. I'm not a fan of the 24-hour stay when I burn the tip of my tongue. Chris and I went out on our Autumn-Saturday last weekend and just ventured around. It was fun and proved productive at the same time. He took me to a Christian book store he frequents on his lunch breaks just to show me around. It was large and in charge with much more than books - pastors. Every man in the place looked like a pastor. But that's besides the point. On our way out I saw these:
They came as a set and I loved them as my very own right away. Chris laughed at me and said "honey" (you know the one, with a sigh but a little laugh because he secretly loves your materialism..). We walked away and I noticed he lingered. I smiled my sneaky smile and he said, we'll get 'em. It was like Christmas early. They're just so darn cute!

Fast-forward to this week. I thought mosquito season was over, but clearly it is not. Chris is the groomsmen for his friend Bryan's wedding (which is this evening) so we had the rehearsal on Thursday night. I sat and waited in the chilly air and while I did, the mosquitoes decided to have round 2 on my legs. Round 1 was 3 weeks ago while a bunch of us played softball. Mosquito-bite count was 18 red ones. Needless to say, I was up half the night last night itching and applying anti-itch gel. Tonight I think they're going to spray the area before the wedding. Phew. I might still bring my own though. Regardless of whatever irritating insects might be there, Bryan and Tara will have a simply beautiful wedding at the winery... full of twinkle-lights and of course, the wine.

I also have to make a quick plug for the movie, Life As We Know It
We went to see it last night, and although critics said to "Skip It" I say See It! I've always liked Katherine Hiegl movies, and this was no different. Bring plenty of tissues and choose good seats (away from noisey families). I'm a sucker for a good romantic comedy and this is at the top of the list and hopefully will be in our DVD collection. The movie portrays a difficult life circumstance and shows real emotion, I appreciate that. Maybe the basic emotional/relationship story line is typical but I don't care. Grab the girls and go see it, you won't be disappointed. If you've seen it and disagree with me, I respect your opinions but also think you're nuts.

Apple Pie... So Heavy

I'm back. Consider the absence due to wedding planning, the actual wedding, and then moving to Dallas. I guess that's the past 10 months summed up in a sentence! Heavy stuff, I know. Delightful stuff. We are paving a new way for ourselves, watching and wondering where life is taking us in this big Texas town... or a small Texas town if we move to the burbs.

When we got to Dallas I was pretty torn. I had acknowledged, even reminded ourselves, that God was moving us here and I was 100% behind that. But I still slammed the door pretty hard when we got to our apartment for the first time... our second floor, vaulted ceiling, separate closets apartment. Sounds wonderful? When we finally got our furniture it started turning into that. Now I've probably exaggerated it and if I post pictures of the place I'll leave you with several question marks. But I am getting used to the area and have ventured to most of the grocery stores within the vicinity. I think that is what is getting me adjusted to being here oddly enough. Knowing where my food is at.
That is something I have thoroughly enjoyed about marriage: the opportunity to cook. I've discovered I love it. Sauteing, sprinkling, rubbing, baking, they all keep me quite happy. Although, I look forward to the day when I have more counter space - maybe an island. Until then I am quite content moving some things around to toss flour in the air and slap some chicken (not quite like on Modern Family). Chris might have to corral me soon if our grocery bill takes flight, but for now, the occasional lemon, sweet potato and chili powder are alright. Don't be confused, those are not all in one recipe... or are they?
Yesterday, I made my mom's Appletart. A Dutch apple pie. Several good childhood memories are centered around this pie and it's delicious dough. So I decided I needed to bake it, and what other time to do it then the ushering in off Fall? So, I got to work:

And the finished product, messy as it looks: drum roll please
Oh yes... it all it's tasty glory there it sits. We had a little piece after dinner. But that's a different story. For dinner, I fastened my apron once again and decided to make shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta. I had it for dinner when Chris and I went out a while ago and it was so good I wanted to recreate it. Here are the little guys, waiting to be tossed into the lemon butter sauce:

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzleIn the end it tasted pretty good. However, Chris' first reaction was, "It's bland." After I reprimanded him for the comment (in good taste of course) We added some garlic salt and parm and that spruced it up nicely. There were even some leftovers.

This recipe will go in the books, we liked it. Paired with some wine (blush for me) it was nice. Too bad my stomach didn't appreciate all the butter, garlic, and pie. If you ever repeat my evening... put more hours between the two.

Maybe days.

New Decade, New Decisions

It's hard to believe it's 2010 already! As with the past several years, 2009 seemed to fly by, I kind of miss it. I really wish I would've kept up with posting for the past several months because a lot went on I could have posted about. The biggest thing:

I'M ENGAGED! Chris proposed on September 26th, and it was perfect. He actually was sick with mono when he proposed! It wasn't exactly according to his plan but it turned out lovely. We've been engaged for a little over 3 months and have only 4 months (ish) to go. Our wedding is in May, and quickly approaching. I think it's hit me a little more that I'm getting married in the past few days, since we've moved into 2010. It sounds silly but in the past 3 months I kept thinking, "I'm not getting married til next year, it's still so far away." Well, really it's not! There's still so much to do and I can definitely understand why people elope. I never would, but I understand why they do, it's a lot of work!

So now, I'm spending a lot of my free time (the small amount it is) to get wedding details in line. We're taking the DIY route for our wedding. I've been searching blogs and websites high and low to find simple and affordable ways to make a big impact on your wedding day. Having a vision for the day has been the easy part really, finding ways to make all my ideas fit into the vision is the tricky part. I just have to keep in mind that at the end of the day I'll be married to my best friend, the love-of-my-life and that is the blessing I'll be smiling about on that Saturday! It's very easy to be worried about what others will think of my wedding, whether or not they'll like the food, appreciate the decor, or have fun at the reception. In response to this Chris showed me something he had written down that a pastor said in a sermon once. He basically said we would stop worrying so much about what other people thought if we realized, that in reality it's not us they're thinking about, but themselves.

Refreshed.