31 August 2010

Dining on a Dime

Over the weekend, Andrew and I hosted our first family lunch as a married couple! We fed my mom, stepdad, sister, grandma, grandpa, adopted brother, and each other in our small home. It was so much fun! After everyone left, Andrew and I were talking about how much (well, really how little) it cost to feed everyone.

Let me break it down for you:

Noodles: $2.00
Spaghetti Sauce $2.50
Bread: $1.50
Jell-O Cake: $5.00

With the use of seasoning and parmesan cheese, we calculated that we were able to feed eight people for less than $20. In all, everyone was able to eat for roughly $2 per plate. If we would have gone out to eat, it would have been stretching it for only TWO people to eat for less than $20- depending on the restaurant. All in all, we were very proud of this... and I'm thankful that Mom helped foot the bill!

One way that I cut down on cost is, I made my own garlic bread. Let me show you how easy it is!


Place plain bread on a baking sheet. I just happened to have white bread, but I prefer wheat. Anything is fine... you can even use hamburger buns or hotdog buns. They are equally tasty!


Butter the tops of the bread. I use olive oil butter, but any will do.


I use Spice Islands Garlic and Herb Bread Dipping Spice as my topping, but I'm sure any garlic spice would work nicely. I thoroughly cover the slices, but feel free to use as little as you want.


Bake at 400 degrees for about 7 minutes... or until brown and crisp.


Serve with spaghetti or something equally as tasty! Yum!

Dessert:


Dessert is equally as easy to make. My mom made this cake, but it's simple and very good.

You will need:

1 box white cake mix
1 package strawberry jell-o
1 container of cool whip

Bake cake as directed. Mix Jell-o as directed, but do not cool. When cake is finished, poke holes in top with a fork. Pour Jell-O over the cake. Refrigerate until chilled throughout. When cooled, top with cool whip. Serve cold.

I like to add fresh berries to the top of the cake occasionally. Blueberries and strawberries are very tasty!


Since our house is a bit small, the boys ate at the outdoor table in the living room...


... and the girls gathered around the kitchen table.

It wasn't IDEAL, but it worked!! We had such a nice time, and we really enjoyed hosting our first family lunch!

30 August 2010

Making MORE Memories of Us: Colorado

Day Six


After purchasing a blanket to stay warm in the artic conditions Andrew drives in, we were on our way!


We saw the beautiful knobby-hills of Minnesota and decided it's a beautiful state... at the border of Wisconsin at least!


After driving alllllll day, we ended up in Mitchell, South Dakota... home of the one and only Corn Palace! Everything you see is made out of corn or grain. Very cool!


Although Andrew thought it was going to be corny (haha!), he ended up really enjoying it! It's worth going to... really.

Day Seven


On our way to Colorado, we drove through the Badlands. They are eerie, but very awesome! We were met with one surprise... it was COLD!! We had both worn shorts, and I had to change into pants in the car!


There is nothing like the Badlands!









The pictures do not do this place justice, but it's magnificent! The rock formations are incredible!

After spending a few hours here, we drove through Wall, South Dakota. We, of course, had to stop at the famous Wall Drug.








We had so much fun exploring the drugstore, taking silly pictures, and sharing a very tasty fish sandwich. It was quite the experience!

Since we still had a long drive ahead of us, we weren't able to stay as long as we could have. So, we got in the car and began the long drive to Cheyenne, Wyoming!


The drive through the mountainous region of Wyoming was spectacular. I enjoyed every minute of sightseeing!




My heart longs to move out west!!

Day Eight

After two days of driving we finally made it to Colorful Colorado!!

Before we could do anything else, we had to make a pit stop in Denver.


Our good and faithful camera bit the dust. He had to be replaced with Rocky the Nikon.


With a working camera in hand, we drove the rest of the way to Manitou Springs. We immediately stopped in at a local pub and had awesome lunches. Andrew had a massive bison burger, and I had a wild berry salad- with every fresh berry you can think of! Yum!


After our stomachs were full, we browsed through the shops before heading to our cabin.


Isn't it just the cutest?


The view from the front door...


The view from the bathroom. Yes, it's tiny. Yes, the bedding freaked me out. Other than the bedding and carpet, it was an awesome place to stay!


The stream in front of our porch was a nice touch.


A momma doe had just given birth to twins- they lived in the area where we stayed. They were too precious!


Dinner!! What would a blog be without food?


I'm proud to say that Andrew cooked each night we were here! He's quite the chef!


Yum : )

Day Nine

We started out at Garden of the Gods. Breathtaking. I was in awe.






Kissing Camels : )











Balanced Rock!



Since it was a bit gloomy after Garden of the Gods, we decided to take a little road trip to Cripple Creek... where we were going the next day for a tour of a gold mine.


Pikes Peak!


Sooooo pretty!! Cripple Creek, Colorado.


Should we live here (or somewhere nearby)?!


Yes, we should!!!


Ahh!! Love it! I would move here in a heartbeat.


The clouds were a.ma.zing!


Pikes Peak... again. Right before it was blasted with a storm.




We ended the day with a sunset at Garden of the Gods.

Day Ten

We spent this day exploring Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine. It's our prayer that God leads us to this area, and we are hopeful that Andrew can join the CC&V mining operation.


So gorgeous.


Why, yes, I'd love to live here.



Future homesite? Ok!


I'll take it.




Andrew at the gold mine.

Praying!!!


HUGE!!!!!!!


Massive operation... awesome company.


Crazy big!


Yes, that's the bed.


All of those holes are tunnels from the miners a hundred years ago- too cool!!


Loading the ore into the crusher. Loved learning about this!


End process of leeching the gold. Andrew can explain it well.


Soooooooo cool!!

We will go where God leads us. We are open and willing to move anywhere, but we're really hoping he has a plan for us here!

Day 11

We drove allllllllll day across Kansas.

But...


... the sunrise was gorgeous.

And...


... it never ceased to amaze me throughout the day.

I did learn:

1. I don't like Kansas.

2. I don't like driving when there's more than two lanes of traffic.

3. I don't like road construction.

4. I don't like the sweat that comes as a result of the above items.

5. I DO love every single moment with my husband!


We arrived home and were greeted by a very excited Gato!


He really enjoyed reading his postcard from his humans!

Our honeymoon was absolutely amazing. I spent 11 straight days with my best friend, and I couldn't ask for anything more! We had so much fun together... we laughed and talked so much. We enjoyed every moment together, and I love all of the memories we created. God blessed us with safe travels and wonderful fellowship. We came back rejuvenated and closer to each other... and our Lord.