on slowing down

via Pinterest

We live in a society which demands a whole lot of us. We're constantly being asked to do more, to produce more, to make more money. We're addicted to busyness. And it's really easy to do. We're so connected all the time, between computers, tablets and phones. It's so easy to be always working or doing something. And frankly, I think that is one of the biggest mistakes of our generation. Don't get me wrong; I fall into the busyness trap often. Where I feel that if I am not doing something of value, something that can be measured, then I am not doing something of value. I found that especially while I was in college, that if my calendar wasn't chuck full of meetings, social events and activities then I wasn't achieving my full potential.

What would happen if we would all just slow down a little bit? I realized that can be asking a lot. But think about it for a minute. What if we sat down to dinner, around a table, at night with our family. No phones. Just people and conversation. Or what if we took a some time in the morning and picked up our Bibles or a book instead of our cell phones while we ate breakfast. Maybe, just maybe, things would slowly begin to change.

We weren't created to run ourselves dry. To be spread so thin that we don't have enough time to be in community with those around us. We were created to share in life with one another. I think if we all slowed down and disconnected ourselves a bit, that marriages would be stronger, relationships with children would grow and that community with friends and family would be more important. And I think that could make all the difference in the world.

homemade apple butter

Remember all those apples I told you about? Well, we finally got around to doing something with them this weekend. We spent Saturday afternoon peeling, slicing, cooking and canning applesauce and apple butter! To me, there is nothing better in the fall time than having homemade apple anything. Yum!

I love putting apple butter on a warm homemade buttermilk biscuit in the morning. It just warms my soul right up! Plus, it is so easy to make. It just take some time. I like the recipe from my handy dandy Betty Crocker cookbook. If you plan on canning it, you will need a solid 3 - 4 hours to time for it to cook. Other than that little detail, it is easy peasy! Start by peeling and cooring your apples. Cut them into fourths and put them in a dutch oven.

(Hint hint to Santa-- I would love an electric apple peeler. Just saying.)

 

Then come the easy part. Just dump the rest of the ingredients into the dutch oven with the apples. The full list of ingredients is below. Once all you ingredients are in your pan; heat it to boiling, stirring it occasionally. Once it has boiled, reduce the heat, cover and simmer it for one hour.

 

After an hour, mash the apples with a potato masher or large fork. I ended up using an immersion blender after I mashed it to get rid of the lumps. Then simmer it uncovered for another hour; stirring it occasionally. You want the mixture to get nice and thick. After an hour, let it cool for two hours.

This is where I altered it a bit-- I only waited about 30 minutes for it to cook because I was planning to can it and it was going to get heated back up anyway. If you don't plan on canning it, then just put it into a container and store it in the fridge for up to three weeks. And eat it as often as possible!

If you want to can it, you first need to clean and process your canning jars. It will typically tell you how to process your jars on the box or you can use this helpful guide. You will want to sterilize the lids; I boiled them in a pot of water. You will want to put another pot of water on to boil for the water bath canning. I have a big 12 qt. stock pot, which works well for me. 

Once your jars are ready to go, spoon your apple butter into the jars. Leave one inch of head room at the top of the jar. Be sure to remove any excess that may have dripped onto the rim. Carefully, remove the lids from the boiling water and place it on the jar. Screw on the metal band. When all your jars are ready and your water is boiling, place the jars in the water. Be very careful because the water may splash up and it is extremely hot! I have a strainer which came with my stock pot that is very handy, but you can also use rubber tipped tongs, which also work well. Let the cans boil for five minutes (as long as you are at sea level; if not, use the canning guide on the jar box). After five minutes, carefully remove the jars from the water and let them sit. Do not touch them for 24 hours. The jars need to seal. You will hear random popping noises, which is good, it means your jars are sealing. After 24 hours of sitting, you can store them or even open one right up and enjoy!

It really isn't too hard as long as you plan for enough time and read all the way through the directions before you start. I promise, it is well worth it when you can have homemade apple butter all season long!

Apple Butter 

via Betty Crocker Cookbook

12 medium cooking apples

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1 1/4 cups apple juice

1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. ground all spice

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

five on friday

Welcome to Friday again. Today, I am linking up with Christina, Darci, Liz and Natasha for Five on Friday.

I'm not going to lie, I don't have much to report today. Actually, it has been a pretty uneventful week. I spent all of yesterday curled up on the couch with a sore throat and fever. I'm pretty sure somebody on the plane sneezed on me and got me sick. Ok, probably not. It's probably just from being exhausted. I have no idea how my husband manages to work all week after traveling. He's a rock star. Anyway, here is my five for this week.

{ONE} Confession-- yesterday wasn't the only day this week I spent on the couch. The hubs surprised me on Tuesday by coming home a little early and we watched movies for the rest of they day. Much needed relaxation time together.

{TWO} We have been waiting for some final inspection information and quotes on the (hopefully) new  house. We got our final info sent off and are waiting to hear back from the sellers. Prayers and fingers crossed! 

{THREE} Even though our anniversary was last weekend, we are finally going to enjoy our one year cake tonight!!! I am super excited! We didn't save the cake from our actual wedding day because it needed to be cut, but our baker offered to make us another one on our one year anniversary. I looooove wedding cake and I can't wait to dive into this one!

 

{FOUR} My first fantasy football player played last night. Projected to get 8 pts. and he came away with 16 pts. That's a good start, I'd say. And as much as it pains me to say it, I am grateful that Peyton Manning is a good quarterback and likes to throw to Wes. Ugh...that hurt a bit.
 

{FIVE} Last week, I tried my hand at canning dill pickles. I have done a good amount of canning in the past but I've never done pickles. We tried them this week and they actually tasted like pickles!! It was a very exciting day. I've also got a five gallon bucket full of fresh, delicious smelling apples to make some applesauce and apple butter with. Needless to say, I am beyond excited!

Happy Friday to you all! Hope your weekend is filled with lots of goodness.

a complete whirlwind weekend

The past four days have been a real whirlwind. We left Friday around 4 p.m. to head to the airport. Our flight was originally supposed to leave Chicago at 8 p.m. but thanks to a nasty line of storms and serious rain we didn't end up leaving Chicago until midnight. So we spent a lot of time playing cards, getting frustrated, strolling through the airport watching other people getting frustrate and eating snacks.

 

We arrived in Austin around 2:30 a.m. greeted by my trooper of a best friend who lovingly picked us up from the airport regardless of time, even though she had to be up early the next day to be a bridesmaid in a wedding (thanks Lauren). By the time our heads hit the pillow it was almost 4 a.m. and needless to say, we were exhausted. The hubs got up early to get some golfing in while I slept spent my morning relaxing. Oh, fyi, it's hot in Texas in August, just in case you didn't know. 

The reason we were in Austin was for a college friends wedding, which was beautiful. She looked stunning and so in love. We're so very happy for the new married couple!

**Please excuse the poor quality/lighting of these iPhone photos. 

 

We spent the rest of Saturday spending time with my best friend and her boyfriend. In case you didn't know, she moved to Memphis recently and so our visits are much more limited. It was so so good to be able to spend some much needed time with them. And in honor of our anniversary, we took this picture next to a semi creepy/morbid wall mural. We thought it was relevant due to the "til death do us part" but then we later realized there was a wall of names down the street. Oh well.

Sunday was our one year anniversary. We spend our first anniversary mostly in the airport and in the air, which was fine with us. We didn't really care as long as we were together. Thankfully, we got an early flight home to Chicago and we were able to surprise our families who were all together for the Labor Day weekend/draft weekend at my in-laws.

I am very very thankful that the nice people at the Austin airport changed our flight. We were a little sad we weren't with our family when they were all together, but since we got a few extra hours in on Sunday it all worked out just right.

Monday was the family fantasy football league draft day. This is serious business. Last year was my first year in the league and I LOVED it. It made the football season that much more enjoyable because you have so many different players that you are rooting for, instead of just one team. I'm mostly pleased with how my team turned out and am excited for football season to officially begin.

We finally got back home late Monday night. We were so wiped from a complete whirlwind weekend. But when it is filled with fun activities and people you love there is always time for sleep later.

I know I've said it before but I can't believe it's September already. I am definitely ready for fall. The air has already cooled a bit here and it brings nothing but goodness for this upcoming season.

five on friday: anniversary edition

Sunday marks Jake and I's one year anniversary. I can't even believe that it has already been a whole year. It seems like it was just yesterday but also seems like so long ago, all at the same time. I am so thankful every day that I married such a wonderful man. We will be celebrating our anniversary in Austin, TX at a friend's wedding. We have never been to Austin so we're both excited to have a reason to go and to celebrate with my friend Christin on her very special day.

And since it's Friday, I am linking up with Christina, Darci, Liz and Natasha for Five on Friday. Also, in honor of our anniversary, today's five are my five most favorite things about my husband.

(1) There is never a dull moment with my husband. Whether we're starting a new project, he is rough housing with Winnie or one of our random conversations,  it is always a joy.

(2) He is a very strong worker. He is very dedicated to his work or whatever task he is doing. He doesn't do anything half way. He is a great example of how hard work pays off and I know that he blesses our family by being a person of such diligence.

(3) His faith. He is always striving to be a better person. He encourages me and guides our relationship to be one which honors God. This was one of the most important qualities I wanted in a husband and he does it well. And for that I am eternally grateful.

(4) He is tall, dark and handsome. I don't feel that I need to dwell much on this. But he's pretty easy on the eyes.

(5) He is my best friend. I never really understood what that was like until I met Jake. Life is just better with him by my side and I couldn't imagine life any other way. He brings so much goodness to my life and is a better husband than I could have ever hoped for. I am beyond blessed.

Happy One Year Anniversary J! I love you and can't wait for many more years together!

on loving well

Last night the hubs and I finished a four week book study at our church on the 5 Love Languages. I know a lot of people are familiar with the love language concept, but if you're not let me give you a brief overview. Essentially, there are five basic ways in which people give and receive love. Although the study we did was for married couples, this is not specific for marriage necessarily, so don't think that if you're not married that this doesn't apply to you. Because it does. Anyway, the five different languages are

• words of affirmation
• physical touch
• quality time
• acts of service
• gifts

People tend to have a primary love language and often a secondary. This is how one feels loved by others. The book uses the term "love tank" to use as a way of measuring how loved your feel. There isn't a right way or a wrong way to receive love. There are just different ways. And, I think, once you understand how a person feels loved, it really helps you understand them in a new way. I really could go on for awhile about this topic but I'll spare you, so if you are interested in learning more check out the website or the book. I really enjoy Gary Chapman and his books and I think this is a pretty quick and easy read.

I had read this book before I started dating J so I was very familiar with my love language: quality time. I knew that was how I best feel loved by others and often is my ideal way to spend my time with people I care about. However, reading this book now after being married a year was insightful in a new way. Even though we're relatively new to the marriage train, it is still helpful to understand how I can show my husband how that I love him.

The hubs love language is words of affirmation, which is my lowest love language. And it is pretty common for you and your spouse to not have the same primary love language. So that isn't a big surprise. What has come as a surprise to me over the past year is how poorly I am with that specific language. As soon as I learned (thanks to my mom) which was j's love language, I knew why God had brought us together. While I love to write and love to talk, I am not so good with expressing myself verbally with words of affirmation. I always thought that I was awesome at pretty much anything to do with talking because, frankly, I do it a lot. But come to find out, I stink at telling my husband (or anyone else for that matter) how I appreciate them. And when that is the primary way your husband feels loved, it can be a bit of an issue.

I have worked some at trying to improve my skills in this area. Now after taking this class, I realized that just trying a little isn't good enough. My husband deserves to know how much he is loved in a way that speaks loudest to him. And while it is uncomfortable and somewhat awkward for me to express myself this way, it is something that I must learn to do and try to do well. Thankfully, I have learned this early in our marriage and hopefully I can continue to get better at it because my husband is great. He deserves to know that each and every day.

So if this is a new concept to you, I encourage you to check it out. It could really make a big impact in all your relationships.

weekend jet-setting

This past weekend we flew south to Tampa. We left Friday and came back Monday, so it was a quick trip but well worth it. The hubs grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and we had a weekend filled with family and celebration.

The hubs and I are both big fans of family. We are truly blessed with wonderful families on both sides and we love spending time with them. This past weekend was no exception. Most of our time was filled with conversation and laughter. And after the stress of last week, it was very welcome. But the primary reason we were all there was to celebration in 50 years of marriage of Jake's grandparents. The whole time we were there, I couldn't stop thinking about just how fortunate we are. All of our grandparents have been married for 50+ years and our parents for 25+years. I think that says something powerful.

I am so thankful for the examples our families have set for us. We are so blessed to be surrounded by people who understand the importance of strong marriages and who work hard at their own. I just pray that maybe someday our grandchildren may look at us with the same admiration.

I didn't take my good camera so here are a few shots from the weekend via my iPhone.