Sniffles & Snow

Oh, the snow is coming down! Big fluffy flakes. Finally, it is winter.

And now that I have said that, I think I'm already ready for springtime. Just kidding. I like some elements of winter. I like bundling up both indoors and outdoors. Wearing lots of layers and snuggling close to the ones you love. I love spending nights with hot cocoa and a movie or a good book. I love the smell of the fireplace at my grandma's house. Oh, grandma's house. How I wish I could be there now....(Especially now because they're snow birding in Florida...where it is not snowing).

But along with winter, comes the sniffles, which I have battling these past couple days. Yuck! I do not like being sick. As if anyone does, but it seems to be even more annoying when you're older because you don't get to stay home from school. Sure, you can stay home from work, but there isn't nearly as much enjoyment out of staying home from work because its all still there tomorrow, just piled up more.

Although, I am pretty fortunate to have someone who loves me enough to take care of me when I have the sniffles. Yesterday, I spent the day on the couch not leaving except when I ran out of tissues. My faithful companion, Winnie, laid with me most of the day. I swear that dogs take on whatever emotion you are feeling. So, Winnie and I watched countless episodes of reruns and the newest episode of The Bachelor. Thankfully, Jake went to the store for more medicine and made me chicken noodle soup and 7UP, which always makes me feel better. So today I got off the couch and went back to daily life. Still sniffling just a little...but now the snow is falling and its beautiful.

Also, Winnie got her first haircut. She went from a floppy puppy to a little lady!

Cozy weekend & soup

It snowed for the first time this week and Winnie had her first snow experience. 

The rest of this weekend was filled with warm, coziness, movies and reading.

I have started reading this book and so far I am loving it. I also tried a new recipe today (you know to continue my resolution). Snowy weather and Jake has been feeling a little under the weather, so I figured soup would be the best. So I made Tomato Basil Soup. So, good. It's definitely something we'll eat again. I paired it with a provolone,tomato grilled cheese sandwich.
 

Tomato Basil Soup

3 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 - 14 oz. cans of crushed tomatoes

1 - 14 oz. can of whole tomatoes*

2 cups of stock (chicken or vegetable)

1 tsp of sea salt

1 tsp of sugar

1/2 tsp of fresh ground black pepper

1/4 cup of heavy cream

3 tablespoons of fresh basil, julienned

Parmesan cheese

*I used peeled, fresh tomatoes and blended it all with an immersion blender.

In a saucepan, saute garlic in olive oil on medium heat for 1 minute.  Add the crushed tomatoes.  Add the whole tomatoes one at a time, squeezing them into the pan to break them up.  Add the juice from the whole tomatoes, as well.  Add chicken stock, salt, pepper and sugar.  Cook the soup on medium at a simmer for 10 minutes.  To finish, reduce the heat to low and stir in heavy cream and basil. 
 

Resolution Update

Here is a new update on life. I am now working new hours...9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. I'm am no longer an 8 - 5'er. I have mixed emotions about it still. At first I was kind of...whats the word...upset, about the whole things, but I have decided to change my attitude and see it as a luxury. I'm working on it.

However, one of the perks of this new change is that I can now work out before work and not have to get up before 7 a.m. to do so! Yay! I now have no excuse not to work out expect for sheer laziness, which is usually the reason I don't.

Today I tried a new work out:

It wasn't bad at all. Actually, I probably should have worked a little harder. But after the second wall sit my legs were burning so I feel good about that. I'm still trying to find a routine/workout that I can enjoy or survive through. Still taking suggestions...

I also managed to stay true to my other new year goal: making a new recipe each week. Last night I made Cilantro Lime Rice to go along side our salads. Yum! Also, still trying to adjust to eating healthy again. I really must have let myself go! But the rice was delicious and so easy. I will be making it again. This is the recipe that I used. I think it would go great with a chicken fajita and some beans.

Small victories...but at least they are victories!

I'll keep you upated on my work schedule adjustment. It's all about attitude right?!?

Today is brought to you by the letter, W

I am two days into getting back in shape. I have ran and lifted (minimal) weights for two days in a row. I'm impressed with myself. I also have a new running partner.

Although, I'm pretty sure I just slow her down. My jog is her walk, which is good because then I feel the need to step it up a bit. I have enjoyed my two runs with Winnie. I think it's good for both of us. And who would have thought that in the first week of January we'd be able to run outside without a jacket on! Crazy, I tell you. And to be honest...I'm not really sure how I feel about it. I mean don't get me wrong, I love that it's not in the negatives, but my mind is confused as to what month it is. I feel like it's March...not January. I could use a couple good snows. No ice, just snow.

I am encouraged by my motivation but I am sure that it will diminish here again quickly. So if you have any tips or new work out plans that you are enjoying. Please share. I get bored easily so effective and not time consumer works well for me.

Also, I am so excited because it's going to be a wedding planning weekend! Eek! I am heading to my first ever bridal show. I'm excited. I'd be excited to go even if I wasn't getting married, but it just makes it that much more exciting! Here are a few items of inspiration I've been using for our wedding.

Kate Spade

 

Welcome to 2012...a bit late

So maybe I am a few days late and maybe I have been a slightly bit absent for, oh, almost two weeks. However, I have managed to have five Christmas celebrations, one New Years Eve, three days of packing and moving, one week off from work and two weeks of crazy, greatness.

A lot has last happened since my previous blog. We celebrated five great Christmas' this year. We managed to have at least one meal with each family in two states over five days. I so wish we could have spent five days with each of them, but we will take what we can get. So many calories were consumed, presents opened, and laughs were shared. I will give you a full photo recap soon, I promise. But to give you a sneak peak...one side of my family has gone from this...

To this...

In just a few short years. (Thanks for the pictures, Laura!) There is never a dull moment when you get all of us in a room together for any amount of time. It's time that is so deeply treasured and something I always look forward to.

But as 2011 is now a time in the past, a new year approaches. This will be a big year. A year where there will be two weddings in my family. A year that will change my original family structure into something new, different, and exciting. It is a year of weddings and you know how much I love weddings. So, I am exciting for all that this year brings with it. There will be some adjusting and life changing moments, but also lots of love and joy shared.

My heart is hopeful for what is to come in 2012. I can't believe Jake and I will be husband and wife in just under eight months!

I am also not one to make new years resolutions. I never have and probably never really will. However, this year I have some changes in my life that I think should be in place. See...no resolutions.

It is time to get back on the healthy/exercise track. I've taken a vacation from it for awhile, but I am starting to notice some of the unwelcome guests it brings with it. And with two weddings coming up...it's time to get myself back in shape. Not just back in shape, to readopt my healthy lifestyle. I'm going to need some serious motivation and anyone who wants to join me, I will gladly accept the company. (Jake has even mentioned starting P90X again...eek). But I've also thought that maybe it's time to give up pop and drink more water and I want to try to make a new recipe every week. I need to broaden my recipes since I will soon be a wife.

So that is what I have planned for this year. Think I can manage it? We shall see.

Mary's Song

Sometimes I get worried about what I write about, whether it will be funny, interesting, or have some sort of added value to others lives. I get wrapped up in focusing on what it is I'm writing. But today, I'm just going to write whats on my heart and mind.

Today I read this...

And Mary said:

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 

for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; 

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

~ Luke 1:47-55

Imagine, you were told that you were going to give birth to the Son of God. Woah. Yet, as you can see, Mary faithfully accepts what God has asked of her. She has such a beautiful heart and trusting spirit. She is humble and gracious for the gift that God has planned for her. You don't see her saying, "but that's not part of my plan." "Don't you know this is going to make people ask a lot of questions and they just won't understand." She simply says, "I am the Lord's servant."

Mary is someone who I know I need to be more like. To accept the path before me with no questions or concerns, but to trust and know that God's plan is so much greater than anything I can imagine. Even though, the future is uncertain. Even though, I am in a phase of transition and preparation. I need to adopt Mary's attitude.

Something to remember not just at Christmas, but all the time.

Blessings to you this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Vacation

Lately...

 

1. Christmas cookies -- Sugar cookie, dipped in chocolate with peppermint crumbles. Delicious!
2. Ornaments -- beginning
3. Wreath -- finished product
4. Salt dough ornaments
5. Homemade vegetable stock -- great to freeze for future use.

One more day til Christmas vacation!