Alex and I are homeowners! Its crazy and weird and exciting! I'm not sure the weight of a mortgage has hit me yet, and that's ok! I hope it never does. I'm just thinking of it as a more serious rent payment, I guess. Our lease is up on Sunday. I've spent the last two days playing Cinderella in our apartment so it's nice and clean when the manager walks through. I think I'll feel so much better once all our things are at the house and we're not split between the two anymore.
We are working on putting everything away and getting into a groove at the house. Right now, we're sleeping in what will be the guest room since we just bought new bedroom furniture for the master. Unfortunately it will be two to four weeks until our bedroom furniture comes in so right as we're getting used to being in the house, we'll jump rooms!
When we first looked at the house, we thought we wouldn't need to paint anything. It's all colors we like, very neutral and tasteful. The more I'm in the house though the more I think, "Yeah, I'd like to paint the master, and the hallway and the master bath and the living room." I just want to make it our space. We may end up painting the master since we have no furniture in there and we've got a couple of weeks, but we'll see. Furniture was our number one priority, so we'll have to consult the budget. Luckily, paint isn't too expensive. I'll have to think about curtains in there too if we paint...oh man! Maybe I'll get adventurous and DIY it up!
We have a new couch coming soon, hopefully it will be in next week! And we're in the process of finding a TV cabinet. The previous owners had a giant mirror on one of the walls in the living room, which Alex really liked. It definitely made the room feel bigger. Maybe if we can find a good deal we'll get that as well.
Next on our list of things to get is a dining room table. Man, are they expensive or what?! For just a table and chairs. We're just using what we had right now which looks fine. It's a cute little breakfast nook. I think I'll eventually spray paint some frames we had at the apartment and change out the art that's in them, but I'll get to that later. I was hoping to get some landscaping done this fall since it's the perfect time for it! But since we just bought furniture, that's going to have to wait til next year. The yard is fine the way it is anyway. I can't wait to plant some hydrangeas! They're going to be everywhere!
I'll have to wait to post some pictures.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Meet Chandler!
Can you tell she has gotten bigger? This is Chandler! She is a cocker spaniel-labrador mix, also known as a spanador. She is 12 weeks old and growing like a weed! Her first visit to the vet at 8 weeks she weighed 5.6 pounds. Yesterday at her 12 week visit she weighed 10.5 pounds. She is all legs!
A few days before we got her, we bought all the necessities: leash, collar, food and water bowls, puppy pads, food, crate, etc. We overestimated how big she was going to be because the collar and leash were much too big for our tiny pup! In another month or two we may need them though, since she's growing so fast.We also overestimated how fast it would take to house train her. I think we used four puppy pads out of the 50 or so giant pack that we bought. But that's a good thing! She never really peed in the house until we started her in the crate. Thankfully she hasn't ever gone in her crate, but if she's in it for several hours sometimes she just can't hold it until we get her outside.
She is doing really well on the leash-she loves going for walks. She loves playing with her tennis balls and her cow toys. She also loves biting ankles and fingers, but we're trying to curb that habit. I can't wait until she's big enough to go to a dog park and I can't wait to find some time for her to meet our friends' dog Sampson, who is also a playful lab that she will love!
I have to give credit to my mom for teaching Chandler her tricks. My parents have been a huge help while Alex and I have been in the process of looking for a house and moving, by taking care of Chandler and letting us keep her there. She loves her grandparents and they keep her in line! Chandler sure has learned to sit pretty!
*Note: We are moving next week!!!!! More on that to come. I've been too nervous I would jinx something by saying anything to early, but the time is coming quickly! SO excited!*
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Tea Time
I'm really into Jenny Hobick's blog/website. She is a mom, wife, ex-caterer, and her blog is about food, decorating, and party planning. It's my getaway website at work. I dream about planning brunches and parties with fun finger foods. I have scoured the website and yesterday morning I remembered her recipe for scones. It basically calls for flour, sugar, cream, eggs, and any mix-in you want, which I already had. I had also pinned this really simple recipe for lemon curd, which I've only had at the English Rose tea room in downtown Chattanooga served with scones. I always thought it was really fancy, but the recipe made it seem really easy to make.
Cranberry Scones with an Orange Glaze
from Jenny Hobick
In a mixer, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt using the paddle attachment. Cut the cold butter into 1/2 inch pieces. Add the butter to the dry ingredients and mix on low until the butter is mixed in and is the size of peas. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs and whipping cream with a fork. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add the cream and egg mixture. Turn off the mixer once added. Fold in cranberries.
Put some flour on the counter. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Add some flour onto the top of the dough, then pat it out into a disk - about 8-9 inches in diameter.
Cut the disk into 6 pieces like a pie. Separate the pieces and put them on a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes.
To make the glaze, stir together orange juice, zest and powdered sugar. Generously drizzle the glaze over warm scones.
Lemon Curd
from Big Flavors from a Small Kitchen
Cranberry Scones with an Orange Glaze
from Jenny Hobick
2 cups plus 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
**I would use regular table salt. The sea salt pieces are too big.**
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, diced
2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup cold heavy cream
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice
In a mixer, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt using the paddle attachment. Cut the cold butter into 1/2 inch pieces. Add the butter to the dry ingredients and mix on low until the butter is mixed in and is the size of peas. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs and whipping cream with a fork. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add the cream and egg mixture. Turn off the mixer once added. Fold in cranberries.
Put some flour on the counter. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Add some flour onto the top of the dough, then pat it out into a disk - about 8-9 inches in diameter.
Cut the disk into 6 pieces like a pie. Separate the pieces and put them on a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes.
To make the glaze, stir together orange juice, zest and powdered sugar. Generously drizzle the glaze over warm scones.
Lemon Curd
from Big Flavors from a Small Kitchen
3 lemons
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons butter
Zest the lemons with a microplane grater. Cut each lemon in half and juice the lemons. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs and sugar. Whisk constantly and make sure the mixture does not come to a boil (or the eggs will curdle). When the mixture is hot, turn the heat to low and whisk in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Continue cooking on low for 6 minutes until the lemon glaze has thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
With a big pot of tea, this was one of the best breakfasts I've had since I went to the English Rose Tea Room.
Flower Shop
When I was a little girl, I was always creating something. I was a huge fan of the American Girl magazine that regularly had articles about creating a product and then teaching how to market it and sell your product at things like yard sales and to neighbors. I remember making these "natural" (peanut butter, oatmeal, etc.) dog treats and stamping my "brand" (a stamp from Michael's and my name!) on paper bags to bag them up. I walked around to my neighbors that had dogs and sold them, then gave the rest to my dog. I loved creating and the idea of having my own business. Why I didn't pursue that in college is beyond me. I think God knew what he was doing when he put nursing on my heart, but I lately I have been yearning to create and make that my job. It doesn't help that that's the "thing" for moms and young women to do today, and many of my facebook friends bombard my newsfeed with their own Etsy shops and craft websites.
When I got married, I really wanted to do my own flowers, but that's almost impossible when you're the bride. Since then the idea of a flower shop has really stuck in my head. I think about it all the time. I have a Pinterest board just for pictures of flower arrangements, bouquets, boutonnieres, and any wedding decor consisting of flowers.
All of that to explain why I did what I did this past Tuesday. I went to Fresh Market and bought about 6 different bundles of flowers to try my hand at making bouquets and centerpieces. It actually turned out alright, if I don't say so myself.
When I got married, I really wanted to do my own flowers, but that's almost impossible when you're the bride. Since then the idea of a flower shop has really stuck in my head. I think about it all the time. I have a Pinterest board just for pictures of flower arrangements, bouquets, boutonnieres, and any wedding decor consisting of flowers.
All of that to explain why I did what I did this past Tuesday. I went to Fresh Market and bought about 6 different bundles of flowers to try my hand at making bouquets and centerpieces. It actually turned out alright, if I don't say so myself.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Drew and Addie's Wedding
The weekend got started for me on Thursday afternoon, running a lot of errands (i.e. buying hot rollers, and some goodies for the honeymoon). Friday began with helping set up for the reception at the church. Lots of chair ties and vases and candles and jade green galore! The afternoon flew by and we all had to make ourselves leave, including the bride, so we could go get ready for the rehearsal, entrusting her awesome aunts with finishing the reception area. We flew through the rehearsal, with only one bridesmaid tripping! We were soon off to Big River Grille to eat an awesome buffet dinner, including their incredible chocolate cake and some awkward but really fun conversation! The girls and the guys split off for the night. While the guys were getting their crazy on, us girls had a nice, calm, and restful evening, except that Molly and I ended up staying awake til 3 am!
Saturday began at 7 am for the girls. We had brunch at the Choo Choo, then back to the church to get ready. Addie had kept her dress a secret from everyone but her mom, which made it so special when we saw her in her dress. She was so pretty! Her dress was very delicate and just made her look lovely. We took some cute pictures and then we waited...My favorite part of the day I think was when all the bridesmaids gathered around Addie about 20 minutes before the wedding and we all prayed over her. I of course boo-hoo'ed the whole time! Then I cried when I saw Drew and the groomsmen walk out for the ceremony. Then I cried more when I heard the song "Beautiful" by Phil Wickam start playing. And then Drew had tears running down his face when he saw Addie! It was so sweet, but I'm not sure I've ever cried that much at a wedding...not even at my own! The ceremony was perfect and the reception was fun! It was cut a little short due to rainy weather, but fortunately we got everyone outside with bubbles in hand, and wished them off in their antique get-away car before the sky literally fell out and rain and hail poured! It was beautiful and we had a really good time.
5 Things I learned from this weekend:
1) Weddings bring out all types of inappropriateness from everyone (especially me! ;-) )
2) I am SO glad my wedding has already happened and that it was perfect!
3) My cute, black, pretty pretty princess shoes give me ugly, bubbly blisters when worn for 6+ hours.
4) Our little family of friends needs to get dressed up more...we're HOT!
5) Alex is really good at being the best man and I am so lucky to have married him.
I'm not sure what I would do without our family of friends...I love that we're honest and open, loving and accepting, funny and sometimes crude, but we always strive to glorify God through each other and our times together. This wedding really proved that. I'm about to cry just writing this...I need sleep!
Addie and Drew-I hope you are enjoying your honeymoon in Jamaica and that you get much needed rest and relaxation. Enjoy your first week of marriage!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
The Waiting Game
Alex and I put an offer on a house a couple of weeks ago...and we're still waiting. It is bank owned so there is no telling when the bank will respond to our offer. I didn't think it would be this hard to wait! The thought of spending that much money all at once is terrifying, and not knowing whether or not it's going to happen is annoying.
The hardest part is dreaming about all the changes we want to make to the house and not being able to buy stuff for the house! Alex and I were in Nashville for a couple of days and went to an antique mall with two of our friends. I found so much stuff I wanted to get to decorate with and after begging Alex for one thing after the other, he gave me the steps...
1) actually get the house!
2) repaint the walls in pretty much every room and paint the cabinets in the kitchen.
3) replace carpet upstairs and put hardwood downstairs or just put hardwood floor throughout, tile in bathrooms
4) move in (we hope that we will have this convenience)
5) refrigerator and possibly other appliances that may disappear between now and closing (awesome part about foreclosures...not)
6) new furniture
7) DOG!!!
8) decorating...
All while praying that nothing is wrong with the house inspection/termite inspection and the roof doesn't fall apart in 6 months! [**Just FYI: a baby was like step 25 :-(** ] The one awesome thing is that our apartment lease is through the end of September, so if we get the house, we have plenty of time to do some quick changes and move in without being rushed, and if we don't get the house, we have plenty of time to look for another one--all while saving money, money, money!
Here's what we're waiting for!
Cute, perfect size for us, fenced in-decent sized backyard, 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, and a two car garage in East Brainerd!
Fingers crossed!
The hardest part is dreaming about all the changes we want to make to the house and not being able to buy stuff for the house! Alex and I were in Nashville for a couple of days and went to an antique mall with two of our friends. I found so much stuff I wanted to get to decorate with and after begging Alex for one thing after the other, he gave me the steps...
1) actually get the house!
2) repaint the walls in pretty much every room and paint the cabinets in the kitchen.
3) replace carpet upstairs and put hardwood downstairs or just put hardwood floor throughout, tile in bathrooms
4) move in (we hope that we will have this convenience)
5) refrigerator and possibly other appliances that may disappear between now and closing (awesome part about foreclosures...not)
6) new furniture
7) DOG!!!
8) decorating...
All while praying that nothing is wrong with the house inspection/termite inspection and the roof doesn't fall apart in 6 months! [**Just FYI: a baby was like step 25 :-(** ] The one awesome thing is that our apartment lease is through the end of September, so if we get the house, we have plenty of time to do some quick changes and move in without being rushed, and if we don't get the house, we have plenty of time to look for another one--all while saving money, money, money!
Here's what we're waiting for!
Cute, perfect size for us, fenced in-decent sized backyard, 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, and a two car garage in East Brainerd!
Fingers crossed!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Life As We Know It
Foreword: I am terrible at blogging regularly...not like anyone reads my blog but I hate seeing that it's been so long since I have posted something.
Probably the biggest thing that has happened since I last posted is me getting my dream job as a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It has been a struggle adjusting to a different work schedule and getting used to a new job. I am still working as needed, usually one time a week, at The Allergy and Asthma Group where I was. They started training me to work in the office part, not just in the shot lab, so at both of my jobs I am learning new things! I work nights at the hospital which is 6:30 pm to 7 am. Completely opposite of my husband's, our families', and friends' schedules so I feel like it's a small miracle when I can hang out with friends. That's a little dramatic because sometimes I get 5 days in a row off and I'll get to do a lot. Usually the way it works out though, everyone is busy when I'm off and free when I'm working; then I feel really left out and lonely. Night shift sleeping schedule is not a breeze either. I don't sleep nearly as well during the day. I usually wake up every hour scared to death I've over slept or my cat wakes me up or a text message will wake me up or a leaf blower or someone's washing machine...I could go on and on. AND when I can sleep at night, I don't sleep well either because my body has gotten used to working at night. I barely ever get a solid 6-7 hours of sleep. That I'm sure will at some point start taking a toll on my body but for right now I feel pretty good despite the lack of sleep. The worst thing about night shift is not being at home with Alex at night. That used to be my guarenteed time with him since he's also super busy. We have to go week by week, day by day and plan our time together. Sometimes we'll go three days and see each other maybe three hours. It stinks. Great birth control...it would seriously be a miracle if I were to get pregnant any time soon.
I have to remind myself every day, especially when I'm driving to work knowing that my husband is hanging out with our friends without me, or going to church without me, or my brothers are home from school and it will be three days before I get to spend time with them, that this is God's plan and SO many people prayed that I would get this job! I begged God for this job, knowing this is what I wanted to do all through nursing school. Alex has to continuously remind me to be grateful to even have a job and to have a flexible job and a job that I usually love while I'm there! I also have to remind myself that I'm still pretty new at this job and am still learning the ropes and eventually there will be an opportunity for me to move to day shift. God has a purpose and a plan for me, and it is not an accident that I am where I am! Easy to say, hard to live out.
Alex and I are starting to look for a house! It's stressful knowing how much money it will cost, especially if it's not exactly what you want. Sometimes I feel like it's like picking out your wedding dress. You have to stick to your budget but it's hard to pick out the one that's perfect for you. And once you've bought it, that's it! No more hunting because you can't exchange or return it. I'm looking forward to having something more permanent than an apartment, and making it our's. Alex and I really love HGTV and home repair/renovation so there's already been a trip to Home Depot to pick out flooring we like and paint colors and granite countertops. It's fun to plan. I'm also looking forward to getting a dog!
Speaking of pets, I forgot another big thing that's happened since I last blogged. Alex and I took in a stray cat. Her name is Carla and she is about 2 or 3, according to the vet. She can be very sweet and snuggly when she wants to be, but she is usually very loud, meowing for no reason at all, and sneaky. She really likes to hide under our bed and dart out from underneath when I walk by, giving me a heart attack. She seems to prefer Alex much more than me, as she will sit in his lap and snuggle with him while he sleeps. I'm still getting used to her and so ready for her to have a puppy friend to play with.
I'll try to post some pictures later. I should also do a post about Disney, Passion 2012, and my awesome new scar and bangs! That should be fun.
Probably the biggest thing that has happened since I last posted is me getting my dream job as a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It has been a struggle adjusting to a different work schedule and getting used to a new job. I am still working as needed, usually one time a week, at The Allergy and Asthma Group where I was. They started training me to work in the office part, not just in the shot lab, so at both of my jobs I am learning new things! I work nights at the hospital which is 6:30 pm to 7 am. Completely opposite of my husband's, our families', and friends' schedules so I feel like it's a small miracle when I can hang out with friends. That's a little dramatic because sometimes I get 5 days in a row off and I'll get to do a lot. Usually the way it works out though, everyone is busy when I'm off and free when I'm working; then I feel really left out and lonely. Night shift sleeping schedule is not a breeze either. I don't sleep nearly as well during the day. I usually wake up every hour scared to death I've over slept or my cat wakes me up or a text message will wake me up or a leaf blower or someone's washing machine...I could go on and on. AND when I can sleep at night, I don't sleep well either because my body has gotten used to working at night. I barely ever get a solid 6-7 hours of sleep. That I'm sure will at some point start taking a toll on my body but for right now I feel pretty good despite the lack of sleep. The worst thing about night shift is not being at home with Alex at night. That used to be my guarenteed time with him since he's also super busy. We have to go week by week, day by day and plan our time together. Sometimes we'll go three days and see each other maybe three hours. It stinks. Great birth control...it would seriously be a miracle if I were to get pregnant any time soon.
I have to remind myself every day, especially when I'm driving to work knowing that my husband is hanging out with our friends without me, or going to church without me, or my brothers are home from school and it will be three days before I get to spend time with them, that this is God's plan and SO many people prayed that I would get this job! I begged God for this job, knowing this is what I wanted to do all through nursing school. Alex has to continuously remind me to be grateful to even have a job and to have a flexible job and a job that I usually love while I'm there! I also have to remind myself that I'm still pretty new at this job and am still learning the ropes and eventually there will be an opportunity for me to move to day shift. God has a purpose and a plan for me, and it is not an accident that I am where I am! Easy to say, hard to live out.
Alex and I are starting to look for a house! It's stressful knowing how much money it will cost, especially if it's not exactly what you want. Sometimes I feel like it's like picking out your wedding dress. You have to stick to your budget but it's hard to pick out the one that's perfect for you. And once you've bought it, that's it! No more hunting because you can't exchange or return it. I'm looking forward to having something more permanent than an apartment, and making it our's. Alex and I really love HGTV and home repair/renovation so there's already been a trip to Home Depot to pick out flooring we like and paint colors and granite countertops. It's fun to plan. I'm also looking forward to getting a dog!
Speaking of pets, I forgot another big thing that's happened since I last blogged. Alex and I took in a stray cat. Her name is Carla and she is about 2 or 3, according to the vet. She can be very sweet and snuggly when she wants to be, but she is usually very loud, meowing for no reason at all, and sneaky. She really likes to hide under our bed and dart out from underneath when I walk by, giving me a heart attack. She seems to prefer Alex much more than me, as she will sit in his lap and snuggle with him while he sleeps. I'm still getting used to her and so ready for her to have a puppy friend to play with.
I'll try to post some pictures later. I should also do a post about Disney, Passion 2012, and my awesome new scar and bangs! That should be fun.
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