27 May 2011

Stromboli

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, my mother-in-law gave me a recipe book with their family favorites. I was so excited to get this recipe book for many reasons. For one, I love to cook. For another, I have been wanting to cook some of Andrew's childhood favorites so he can enjoy them now. This recipe book included one of his very favorites of all times... stromboli. I was very surprised at how easy it was to make, and I was very excited at his reaction to the meal! He really enjoyed it.

Joni said that I could share this recipe, so I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Ingredients:

1 loaf frozen bread dough
1/2 pound or so of meat
Shredded cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 tsp basil

Preparation:


Thaw dough in the refrigerator.


Roll dough into 10x15 rectangle. Yes, I wrestled with the dough. Yes, I realize it's not very pretty. Yes, the imperfection bothered me. I am trying to get over that.


Beat egg and parmesan cheese, and brush over crust.


Layer meats and cheese.

Sprinkle with basil.


Roll tightly lengthwise.

Seal edges.

Place sealed side down on greased baking sheet.


Bake at 400 degrees for 13-15 minutes.


Remove.

Slice.


Serve!

Enjoy!

This recipe was very easy. I need to have a bit more practice on rolling the dough more evenly, but not bad! The looks didn't change the taste. That's really all that matters, right?

This week, I have something else planned for this basic recipe. I will share that soon... it will be good!


26 May 2011

Simple Stroganoff

Last night, I made a fairly easy stroganoff by combining two recipes I've recently been given. My mother-in-law gave me an awesome recipe book with their family favorites (which I will share one of those recipes very soon), and my sister sent me an easy stroganoff recipe she uses. Here's what I came up with when I combined the two:


Ingredients:

Stew meat (or ground beef)
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 can of water
1/4 cup Sour cream
Flour
Salt & Pepper

Preparation:

Salt and pepper meat to taste
Coat meat in flour
Brown on both sides
Combine meat with remaining ingredients in crockpot
Mix well
Cook on low for 6-8 hours

Just before serving, cook 1/2 pound egg noodles as directed
Mix well

Serve and enjoy!

Side note...


After using flour yesterday, I just had to unpack these cutie-patootie canisters. I've had these since my first year of college, and I am just now able to use them. A-dor-able! Just another one of those little details that makes me smile : )

25 May 2011

Little Details

Our items arrived yesterday, and we sure do have a big job ahead of us! I have had the chance to add little details so far that has made our home a little more "me", and a little more comfortable. These little things have gone a long way in making me feel more at home.


Curtains and tie-backs for our large double doors. Our landlords live right next to us, and this is the view of their backyard. It's not ideal to have curtains over the doors, but we mostly use the back door anyway. It's nice to have privacy, and it's also nice to have the home-y touch of the curtains.


Owl shower curtain and purple rug : ) We still need to hang the towel holders and do a little more work on the shower area, but this spruced it up quite nicely. I heart this shower curtain!


Plants! Andrew got me these shepard's hooks for graduation. We found these plants on sale at Lowes and had 10% off of that. What a steal. I liked the bright blue flowers on the one, and my friend, Jen, has a plant from the same family as the purple and green one. I think of her every time I look at it : )

Material items most certainly aren't the most important aspect of life, but they sure are helping me settle into my new life so far away from family and friends!

By the way, have I mentioned how awesome it is to have Andrew with me at the end of the day?! I love it!!!

24 May 2011

Latest Addiction

I have been shunning eReaders for a long, long time now. I have held true to the belief that I only like to read a book when I can feel the printed pages, turn each page on my own, and smell the distinct scent of the printed text. To me, that was a large part of the experience of reading.

Earlier this month, I was forced to re-evaluate my beliefs when we got the news that my mom is going to be a published author for Tyndale House Publishers. She has been in the process of getting her novel, Delivery, published for a long time now, and God's timing is now!

For the first time ever, electronic book sales have surpassed print. The market is swinging more toward eReaders as technology advances by leaps and bounds. My mom was chosen as one of five authors to be published first in digital format. If her book sells well digitally, it will most likely be moved to print.

As one who has believed in this book from the very beginning, I was a bit disappointed. Selfish, I know, but I wanted SO BADLY to read this book in the published format. Sure, I've read it eight times now, but that's not the same. Also, I could have very well downloaded the free Kindle app on my computer or iPhone (which I did), but something told me it wouldn't be the same as having a Kindle.

Soo...


I broke down and got one for graduation! It was waiting on me when we arrived in New York.


I also got a chic yellow leather cover for it. Too fun!


Doesn't it look good nestled in there? I need a picture or something for the clear pocket on the left side.

I couldn't wait to set it up, so when I got a break from the madness of moving, I did just that. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and user friendly it was! Within a matter of minutes, I was reading my first book via eReader.


Another thing that I like about it? I didn't fully understand a word, and I was able to instantly look it up via my Kindle. This was TOO cool, and I think it's an excellent feature.

I am very excited about this contraption, and I am even more excited to read my mom's novel on it! It is due for release on July 1, and I will be ready! I would recommend one of these to any reader out there... they're worth it!



23 May 2011

Packing, Visiting, Moving

Things have been busy, busy, busy. I promise to be better at blogging in the days to come. I do have a pretty good excuse as I have just moved across the country, and I don't have my computer just yet. Our items will be delivered tomorrow. Things will be much better after that!

Until then, here's a look into the last week... which has felt like an eternity.


Theodore had minor freak-out moments during packing. He found comfort in me, which made me feel really good. He would stop everything he was doing (i.e. running around like a madman) and curl up by me. It was too sweet.


My family did an amazing job with packing. We couldn't have done it without them. They were stellar, and we appreciate all of their hard work. Now, if only they were here to help unpack! I know my mom is thinking the same thing- they will soon be moving as well. Unfortunately, they won't have the same help that we did. I am sorry I can't be there to help.


Theodore also found a "safe spot" under packing paper. His whole world was turned upside down. Poor thing.


After we had mostly finished packing, the trailer arrived. My brother-in-law came to Cape to help Andrew pack the trailer. We are also very thankful for his help, and it was SO good to spend time with him.


We spent the following two days visiting family. I was pretty excited to have 4 out of 7 nieces and nephews with me to "see me off". I was shocked that I got a picture with all of them, and I was even more surprised that they were all looking at the camera in this picture. I love it!


On Friday, we left our Missouri home as we headed northeast.


We drugged our cat, and we quickly regretted this decision. Apparently this drug does crazy things to their eyes, and for the longest time, his third eyelid was showing. Add that to his miserable cries and scared behavior, and you have pretty upset cat owners. After the medication wore off, he was much better. He spent the last three hours of the trip wide awake and silent. I feel like he was teaching us a lesson... that he COULD be good without drugs.


Once in his new home, he spent the day exploring. He likes the big doors in the living room.


He has also created a cave in a pile of blankets that we threw on the loveseat. Before Andrew left for Missouri, he covered all of our furniture so it would stay clean while our landlords were working on the couch. We threw all of the blankets on the loveseat to watch a movie. I now don't have the heart to put them away just yet as they are helping the goofball adjust to the new home.


I don't think he needs much more time to adjust though, do you? He looks pretty cozy here!

We are ALL adjusting nicely. It is SO NICE to be with my husband, and I am enjoying setting up house. Like I said, all of our things should arrive tomorrow. Andrew is rounding up the troops as we speak, and I am planning a meal to feed everyone. It will be so nice to have our washer and dryer, kitchen supplies, and everything else here.

That's about all that is new. Oh yeah, I have also decided to tackle painting as my next crafting endeavor. Stay tuned for more in that area!


16 May 2011

M.A. CF-SLP

That's me! What does all of that nonsense stand for? Master of Arts, Clinical Fellowship Speech-Language Pathologist. I have to complete a clinical fellowship year before I can sign my name M.A. CCC-SLP. Those coveted C's stand for Certificate of Clinical Competence. Those C's mean that I can assess and treat individuals on my own- without a supervisor. Regardless, I am super excited about my master's degree! Woo hoo! It was a loooooong time comin', but I adore my field of choice. What more could a girl ask for?


Graduation also means that Andrew and I are finally together! YAY for this!!


I had to have a picture in front of the building where I have spent SO much of my time during these last four years. It's crazy to think that I won't be returning here.


That hood was itchy and hot.


The best friends a girl could ever hope for, wish for, or pray for.


My "little" brother graduated with his bachelor degree on Saturday as well. He will begin seminary in the fall. I'm a proud sister!


You can see my sparkly cap in this picture. Jen is on my left, and Andrea is on my right. It looks like we are praying, but I'm really not sure what's going on. Jen is probably starting to tear up at this point, which is when I bolted. No tears yet. Those come soon enough.

I know I've said it a thousand times lately, but the biggest blessing I've received from graduate school is the amazing friends I've made. These years have been so very tough, and we couldn't have made it through without each other to lean on.

It's so hard to believe that I am finished with school. That reality hasn't hit yet, and I'm not sure that it will until I am headed Northeast. It's also wild to think that my time here is almost over. That being said, I need to begin packing!

15 May 2011

Little Bit of Bling

My friends and I got together on Thursday of this week to decorate our caps for graduation. We met for lunch beforehand, and then went to Hobby Lobby together to purchase supplies. We had SO much fun doing this together, and it made me realize even more how much I am going to miss this group of girls. They are awesome.


Here, Andrea and Ali are just getting started designing their caps.


Jen and me at the beginning.


Andrea and I finished first. Our finished caps looked awesome if I do say so myself!


Ali and Jen finished, and they also did a great job with theirs. So pretty!


We then had a little photoshoot in my kitchen. What a great, great group of friends. God has blessed me beyond my imagination. We have laughed together, cried together, and shared so much. I will take them with me wherever I go because they left such an imprint on my heart.


Jen and I had to snap a picture with our finished hats. Love, love, love her.


Here is a close-up of mine. Please notice the teals, greens, and purples that accent the rhinestones. How fun is this?!

I couldn't have asked for a better day with my friends, and I can't wait until they come and visit New York! I hope a trip is in the works soon : )

I love you guys!!


10 May 2011

Teeny Tiny Visitor

I was on the phone with a recruiter today when I looked out my door and saw the most adorable thing. I had to quickly grab my camera, make sure Theodore didn't get out, respond appropriately to my phone conversation, all while trying not to scare this little guy away.



Precious, right?! I'm going to miss little things like this about this place...


09 May 2011

Hot, Hot, Hot!

We are NOT lovers of the heat in this household. When I arrived home yesterday from Mother's Day with Mom, I walked into a house with the air blowing through the vents... as hot as could be. The air conditioner is out.

We made it through the night ok. I was very restless, Theodore drank 1.5 bowls of water.


At one point in the sweltering afternoon, I looked back to see this pitiful face. Doesn't his eyes just tell the whole story??

Luckily, not too long after this, Helen's husband, Harry, came over and put in the window unit Andrew keeps in the shed.


Theodore immediately lined himself up with the airflow from the window unit. He didn't budge for the rest of the day. That is, until it was his 9:00 bedtime. Yes, he puts himself to bed each night!


You know he's saying, "Now that's better!"


"Ahh! This is the life!"

The heating and cooling guy comes tomorrow morning. I am anxious to see what he says... in more ways than one. I am ready to get the air conditioner working again so it's more comfortable packing in here, but I'm also worried about the outcome.

Saying some prayers for sure...


Welcome, Little Freaks!

Sadly, my turtle doves lost their babies a week before they were due to hatch. I blame a snake, Andrew says it was probably the owl that lives in my bradford pear. I think he says that so I won't freak out about a snake.

The fatherless robins hatched this week though! They are some freaky looking babies too... especially when they stretch their little necks out to get food! I wish that I could capture a picture when the momma is feeding them, but she isn't too fond of me. We don't have the same bond that I had with Ellie Mae.

Anyway, she was off of her nest today, so I decided to take a few pictures. Please pardon the blurriness... it's hard to take pictures when you're dodging a mad momma!


See the little eye and pointy beak?


I cut the head off of one in this picture. Their beaks are crazy looking!


Here they both are! They look so snug in there. I think the one in back is getting squashed though. After taking these pictures, I realized that they do have feathers. That makes them cuter. When they have their necks stretched out, they look bald. So, maybe they aren't really freaks.


So sweet. I cannot imagine having 3-5 baby birds in there! Robins normally have 3-5, and this one only had two. That's probably good, because this nest is full.

I wish them the best... I only have another week with them.