Needing Something Light

How were everyone's holidays? Ours were amazing! In fact, we're still in Texas, visiting family. My amazing MIL has gotten me hooked on Pinterest. Just where have I been? This might be my favorite site ever!!

We've been cooking and baking a lot. Honestly I'm starting to feel a little stuffed. Like we've had a bit too much good food. You know, holiday food. Filled with lots of yumminess, and calories. I'm craving something delicious, and light. So is my MIL. We took to Pinterest, for a little inspiration.



Doesn't this look wonderful? We thought so! And since our men are fully engrossed, in all things sports, we're completely involved in all things food. Don't tell them, but tonight, we're having a super healthy meal. With this as dessert! If only the link had worked, but it doesn't look too tough, to duplicate. I can't wait to have some fruit!! ♥E

Enjoying Life

Matilda is nearly 2 weeks old! It's been pure bliss around here. :) Our house is currently, full of our loved ones. And we really are loving it!

Having so much of our family around, has been a blessing. It's allowed Paul and I, to get some rest. We have tons of help! And we have knowledgeable people, to turn to, when we have a question! I'm so thankful!

It's also given me, a bit of time to remember those things I didn't get done, before Matilda was born. My parents, managed to find our Christmas decorations. And pulled them out for us. My in-laws have thoroughly stocked our fridge. And my MIL has cooked us many meals, and froze them, for when everyone goes home.

My sisters have managed, to get our holiday donations, to the local Children's home. Paul sent the mail, that I never managed to get to the Post Office. And my SIL bought that CD, that I wanted for the nursery. I swear to you, I had a list! There were just certain things, that well, fell in the cracks.

One of those things, is this hat. My parents still live in the mountains. And we plan on visiting them, in about a month. That means, Miss Matilda, is going to need some warm clothes. Not like we're lacking or anything. I mean, Lola made us so many things! Everyone gifted us, with so much! But I had wanted to make an earflap hat, for my sweet girl.



This hat is a little large. I asked Lola to help me a bit. And she shrank the pattern, to make a more "newborn appropriate" hat. And because I've become a bit of a "yarn hoarder," I have exactly what I need! I'm hoping, I can get a hat done, for Matilda. With all this help, and over a month, I think we can have some success!

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy these early days of mommyhood. And all our family. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving. And long afternoon naps, with the sweetest girl I know! ♥E

Texas Sized Fun!

We got to my in-laws yesterday. And already, we're having so much fun. Last night, I told Paul how lucky he was. I just can't imagine growing up out here. It must have been a blast!



Today, my MIL and I are baking a lot. Paul and my FIL had some work stuff to do. So we're just holding down the house for them. :) We've made all sorts of berry pies. They smell so good. And tonight, we're having some Texas BBQ. I seriously can't wait!

But it's nice to come out here. There's not a whole lot to do. But be close to your loved ones, and nature. I'm really enjoying myself! Do you think I can convince Paul to move out here? ♥E

It's Monday...

I just can't believe how tired I am. But we're back home. And today is Paul's day off. I'm not going to lie, we slept until noon! Yes, I said noon. I can't believe it. But we were so tired from our trip to Texas.

It's a little crazy that we came back home. I'm sure J would have let us stay. And just head from the job to my in-laws. But we really needed to come home and rest up! We're heading out to visit my in-laws this week. And I'm really excited!



Everything just seems so much more laid back. That's the thing about living in rural areas. Having a working farm. It's an amazing thing to go back to. And I can't wait to start cooking with my mother-in-law. She makes the yummiest things ever! Let's just say that my 80-20 week isn't going to work out on this trip. I'm not going to worry about calories or working out. I'll deal with that when we get home.

But my tummy is growling. I'm pretty sure I should get up and go make us some lunch. Oh, and start the day. Why do we have so much laundry. I really have to start my Monday... ♥E

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July! We're excited about today. It's one of Paul and I's favorite holidays. We're actually getting ready to grill. Or I should say, Paul is getting ready to grill. :)

My parents came down too. And tonight we're going to go see the Electrical Parade. So much fun! It reminds me of when we were in college. We would go every year. That's part of the fun of living in a small town.

But you can never forget the people that make it possible. The men and women who are out there fighting for our lives, our freedoms, and our safety. To you, I say Thank You! It means the world to me to be an American. ♥E

Christmas Cookies in a Jar

Earlier this week, I was looking for a good cookie recipe. I really wanted to bake cookies. And I'm going to admit it, we still haven't finished unpacking. So I couldn't find my holiday recipes. I decide to go looking around All Recipes. And I found this recipe.



I immediately thought that this idea would be great for some holiday gifts. For our friends. Who doesn't like a good cookie? And even for some of our family. So I'm going to get started. I have a bunch to make! But I did manage to bake some cookies for Paul and I. They were delicious! I think you should try out this recipe too. But if you're not into sweet cookies, I'd half the chocolate chips. ♥E

Ingredients

1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup orange flavored dried cranberries
1 cup vanilla or white chips


ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions

1.In a 1-qt. glass jar, layer the sugar and brown sugar, packing well between each layer. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; spoon into jar. Top with oats, cranberries and chips. Cover and store in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

2.To prepare cookies: Pour cookie mix into a large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Beat in butter, egg and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Drop by the tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I just love Thanksgiving for all the yummy food. J gave all his employees fresh turkeys. And Paul cooked ours. Amazing! We really out did ourselves this year. And we cooked like we were expecting an Army! It was just the 2 of us. :)

Now we're going through the ads. Looks like it's going to be an early morning for us tomorrow. But we enjoy the crazy shopping. And the good breakfast we usually go out to have afterward. I really can't wait to have a leftover turkey sandwich tomorrow too!

Right now, my belly is stuffed! Oh my! Everything was so delicious. And I'm still considering some more pumpkin pie. :) But I really want to say how much all of our friends and family mean to Paul and I. It's been a crazy few months. And you've stuck behind us. It means so much to us! Thank you very much. This year, we're most thankful for all the people that love us. We really are blessed. ♥E

Home

We've gotten so much done this week. I'm sad that our vacation is almost over. I'm going to miss our family and friends so much. But it was a good trip. And hopefully, really soon we will be back for good.



I had a few interviews. And I'm anxious to hear back from the hospitals. I really want to try and get into pediatric nutrition. It seems like such a rewarding area to work in. And Paul and I are really coming along on plans. All the pieces seem to be falling right into place. Just like we dreamt they would.

Most of all, it was just nice to be around all of our loved ones again. I've missed them so much! We've had a great life in Florida. But this is where we belong. And this week, it's really solidified that for us! ♥E

We Made It!

We made it home. Well, not really our home. But where me and Paul went to college. I'm originally from small community, about 90 minutes away. So it feels like home. And it's just like I remember it. Great friends. Fresh green chili. And a beautiful culture. I'm very excited about being here!



While we're here, we're going to be looking around for a house. And maybe some jobs. We have a serious itch to move back. But most of all, we're going to enjoy ourselves! I'm so glad that we're here. And I really can't wait to enjoy everything here! ♥E