How I Managed to Drag My Husband Out of the Woods.

Every so often Handsome or I get this little tickle that makes us want to modify our surroundings. He will likely argue with the above statement, so I'll just claim it for myself: Sometimes I want to redecorate a bit!

Seeing as we rent our little abode and have signed on the line to never crayola the walls with shades of Indigo or Razzmatazz or Wild Blue Yonder, we are stuck with a nice shade of Almond on all of our walls.

Thusly, the redecorating usually involves rearranging the furniture or the wall hangings or occasionally a change of fabric.

Handsome inherited the Al Borlin-esque couch prior to our marriage and he decided that sharing it with me would be quite a lovely wedding gift! Seeing as I had no couch of my own, and the papasan only seats one bum (literally or figuratively) I gladly accepted his gracious gift. 

See below: 

Now I was certainly a fan of Home Improvement in the glory days of television broadcasting, but since moving in with the husband I have wanted to change cover things up a bit. But seeing as marriage is all about compromise and being a newly-wedded bride with all sorts of hopes to be the best wife ever, I never pushed the issue too much because a certain husband of mine thinks "covers" are umm, how should we say it?, tacky. ugly. cheap-looking. and I could go on.

So I have been living happily in a rustic Oregon cabin in the year 1991 for approximately two years. Until last Saturday night when Handsome decided that our throw pillows have not been adequately supporting his neck. So we left the wooded forrest and headed into town like every other childless couple can freely do on Saturday night and we ventured into another kind of frrest: a forest of throw pillows at stores like Pier One and Tar-jeh and Linens-n-Things. 

And once we reach a clearing, after much hiking and debating and after hitting a few switchbacks, we bought a cover.  We took it home and immediately blanketed Al Borlin with our Almond canvas colored purchase. 

Much to our dismay, it was hideous, but Handsome is not one to give up quickly. So within two or so days we had scoured all of our reasonable options in our city and come across a rich chocolately possibility. 

See below: 

 

If you know me at all, you know I won't turn down chocolate. But I'm so glad that Handsome was open to the change, because I'm quite pleased with our fix. It didn't break the bank. We didn't buy new furniture that might not work in a new place when (and if) we ever decide to move. Both of us are happy. And we got new pillows too. 

Proving, that compromise and patience is key to a successful marriage. And a little bit of chocolate never hurt anyone.

***********************************

I'm here. And I'm still writing,

 

Post. Script. Please forgive the lighting in the before photograph. I took the photo and didn't review it before we had already covered the couch. While I'm certain that Handsome would be happy to remove the cover so I could get a better photo, I decided that I would prefer to wait and use a labor request for a more difficult or necessary project. I knew you would understand.

To Do To Day.

In an effort to keep myself motivated and on track, I'm posting my to do list. I have a strong desire to sit and read for the majority of the day (and maybe throw in a shopping trip if I have a desire to get out of my sweatpants) but I'm resisting the urges and trying to keep myself honest. There are a number of things that must be done and I figure sooner is probably better than later. So, these are the things I have lined up for the day: 1. Clean house. It's been far too long. And Handsome has picked up my slack, so it's time I say thank you to him and get things going. 2. Laundry. A continual must. All of my cute clothes are dirty, hence the sweats. 3. Write thank you cards. I have a number of people who went out of their way to make me feel loved, appreciated, cared for and prayed for while I was studying this summer. It is only right that I let them know of my appreciation. 4. Make an Appointment with a genius. My little Mac is having an issue and I need to take it in. I'm uncertain of the results, which is part of the reason for delay. But I must face the situation, so I'll make an appointment and see when I can find my way to a Mac store.   Nothing much and nothing very exciting, but I suppose that it how most day to day life is. Thanks for letting me use this space to stay accountable. I'm here. And I'm still writing,

Our First Easter Menu. Also Known As Serious Meal-Planning and A Major Step Towards Domestication.

So tomorrow, Easter Sunday 2010, Handsome and I will be in our city alone with each other.  We haven't had a holiday together and sans house guests or away from Hometown since our anniversary which isn't an all-out holiday anyway, and its one of those days where you shouldn't be in your Hometown to visit family and you shouldn't have house guests, so it doesn't count. So basically, in at least the last six months worth of days that are more like national or worldwide holidays, we haven't had one together.

And I'm thoroughly looking forward to it. 

We plan on going to an earlier-than-normal church service, after which he will take me out for my favorite omelette (Oh, whats that you say? You didn't know we were going out for breakfast? Well, sweet'ums, we totally are).  And then we will lounge, and he will go for a run, and I will prepare our fancy schmancy holiday dinner which I imagine we will partake in around 3 or 4 p.m. 

And its going to be completely fabulous for a few reasons. 1. Because I think Easter is an important holiday, and 2. because I have the opportunity to make a fancy dinner for us, since we won't be in Hometown eating with the families, and because 3. somewhere between the wedding and now I have decided I like cooking. 

So in anticipation of the day and the meal (you know how I anticipate a good meal), I have been browsing all of the best cooking websites I know. Cooking Light, Southern Living, The Pioneer Woman Cooks. And watching hours and hours of The Food Network to see what Giada and Cat Cora and Paula Dean have on their Easter Menus. 

And instead of doing the simple thing and just making of the "Easy Easter Brunch" menus that they have already created, complete with ready-to-print shopping lists and scheduled timelines, I been thinking about Handsome, and thinking about me, and thinking about what is realistic for us and what kinds of foods we would enjoy. 

So for the first time I personalized a holiday menu. (Talk about serious meal planning, people! Can I get a little applause for that?). Just kidding, but I have created something that I think is totally do-able for me. And probably for you too! In the event that you happen upon this post at some point today and have opportunity to run to the grocery store for some last minute supplies.




Our First Easter Dinner Menu
Roasted Asparagus. This is the easiest recipe I have ever looked at. Asparagus. Olive oil. S&P. Into a fairly hot oven for 10 minutes and voila. People think you are brilliant or skilled or something. 
Grilled Steak: You see, this is brilliant to include, because Handsome loves to grill. And he's rather good at it. So this makes for one less item that I need to prepare.  I'm really simplifying this way and I know Handsome will think it tastes good because he grilled it. And it will. Because he grilled it. Not to mention that  he can finally use the Williams Sonoma steak grilling rub I bought him  us for Christmas.  And I don't know how to grill so I can't give you any tips here, but maybe someday Handsome will write a how-to post about grilling and you can read it or maybe you are married to Bobby Flay  and he will have thought-out and will prepare an absolutely excellent Easter menu for you. 
Roasted Potatoes with Herbed Vinaigrette. Because. This sounds wonderful. And one roasted item is clearly not enough for a decadent meal. 
Buttery Rolls (because even if we have potatoes, Handsome can't go a whole fancy meal without a bread item as well and I really don't want him grabbing the plastic bag loaf and bringing over regular sliced bread to my fancy holiday meal for two). Oh, and I'll probably cheat and buy something ready to go at the store, because I am not prepared to spend the day making dough, especially without a bread machine.
Carrot Cake for Dessert. Because it sounds good. And because one PW recipe in a fancy schmancy meal is just not enough. Even if this is the most complicated thing on the menu. Not to mention that I probably owe Handsome a non-chocolate dish. And its spring and its Easter and honestly, who doesn't absolutely LOVE cream cheese frosting. Mmm mmm. 

Happy Eating. Happy Planning. Happy Easter. 
I'm here. And I'm still writing, 

Smooth and Nourishing and Good for the Soul

So the Mr. and I are on a bit of a health kick lately.  We've upped our veggie intake. Decreased our carbohydrates. And increased our fruits. We have both also been exercising more. I love spring because I start feeling like I should eat lighter, get moving, and the combination of those always makes my clothes fit better. 
Its quite fabulous really. 
And this year.... we have this wonderful new machine in our home. It chops, dices, liquifys, and best of all: it SMOOTHS!
Its called a smoothie maker!! (OR some people might call it a blender).
I mentioned the other day that we bought bananas and frozen fruit the other night at the grocery store.
And we have so much frozen fruit in our freezer now that you won't find anything else in there. Just kidding, but we have frozen: mixed berries, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and pineapple. We also have fresh peaches, fresh bananas, fresh strawberries and fresh apples. 
Some combination of these with some sort of liquid has revolutionized my fruit intake. Because I typically have in the past had the best of intentions about eating more fruit... but what happens is that I buy it, bring it home, eat it when it isn't ripe, get grossed out, wait a few days for it to ripen, forget about it, and then find it mushy or squishy or moldy a week or two later when I'm scavenging for a healthy snack and end up having to throw it out (which sort of drives Handsome bonkers: you know something about wasting money on food that gets thrown out and starving malnourished children in other parts of the world).
And then I repeat the same process or you know, sacrifice my body's nutritional needs for the sake of getting along with my man.
But this: 

photo credit: Oster's website.

.... has completely changed our LIVES!

Its pretty wild how many machines have been revolutionizing my world lately! 

I have been making smoothies like a machine. Well, actually, that machine has been making the smoothies like a machine, but I've been combining cold berries and soy milk and pomegranate juice and peanut butter and yogurt and chocolate soy milk and have been sucking in the nutrients.  Oh, and I haven't so much been putting all of those together at the same time, but some combinations of different ingredients. 

These are a few of my favorite recipes so far:

Berry Berry Delicious Smoothie:

1/2 c. soy milk

1/2 c. pomegranate juice

1/2 c.ish of frozen blueberries. 

1 handfull-ish of frozen strawberries.

1 whole banana. 

De-thaw in the fridge overnight. Smooth away in the morning. (Oh and put the liquid in the bottom first. Then the chunkier stuff in second).

CBPB Smoothie (that would be the Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie)

1 c. of Chocolate Soy Milk

1 whole banana

1/4 c.ish of creamy PB

A few spoon-fulls of yogurt (or vanilla yogurt) or whatever you want. 

Smooth. And put it back in the fridge so it gets really cold. And plan on eating a light lunch, because this little smoothie is some kind of filling.

These aren't really my own recipes. But they aren't really anyone elses either. They are sort of me trying different things and seeing what I like after reading others smoothie recipes. And of course, compromising based on what we have. Unless of course its Saturday night and we need to get bananas on the way to the Red Box. 

Enjoy!

Quasi-Meal Plan Monday.

My sweet husband will probably laugh when he reads this, and begin his own blog "This is the REAL Katie dot blogspot dot com" which he threatens to do regularly, because the man thinks you all should know the truth about the execution of my big plans whether they be projects or discussion about cooking him meals.

So in the interest of full disclosure on my own blog, I'll explain that this post is merely an aspiration. And I'll be upfront and tell you about my shopping extravaganza today. Okay, maybe extravaganza is a little bit far from the reality, but I went to the grocery store (with a bit of a plan) which is pretty much a miracle in my house. I have a lot more success at grocery shopping and cooking in general when I am not in school, so making a meal plan trip the week that classes begins is a little bit ambitious, but you know, I'm growing and maturing and trying to learn to love cooking eat at home a little more often. And even though Mr. Ruggedly Handsome could likely survive on chips, crackers, cheese, and cereal, I occasionally feel terrible that some weeks he has to. And truthfully, I'm not particularly pleasant if I don't eat protein at least once a day.

So I called my mom and I read some recipe books magazines and I decided I would head to the grocery store to buy us some healthy snacking options and to go out on a limb (or more like the freaking Golden Gate Bridge) and buy some raw meat and veggies and other things that tend to go bad in my kitchen). And off I went, semi-list in hand. And now I am now home, and unpacked, and happy to say that this week, I should be able to "cook" dinner for hopefully WITH my husband three times.

I definitely won't say that I'm going to cook meal A tonight and B on Wednesay and C on Thursday, but without further ado, these are the meals I have ingredients for!

A. Beef Stew! Oh my gosh, its an undertaking I know. I think I'm going to adapt this Real Simple Recipe a bit, but I've definitely got beef chuck, vegetables, and a little bottle of wine ready.

B. Fried Egg and Sausage or Bacon Sandwiches. I went ahead and bought some sausage and fresh cheese and we already had eggs (and bacon). The fried egg part might actually be scrambled egg and cheese and salsa, but you get the idea. And I'm extra excited that we will even have the choice of wheat or sourdough English muffins (for the bread part), because we have a few sourdough left from the last time he went to the store and I just swoon over the wheat.

C. Spaghetti and Meat Sauce. Okay, so I didn't really do buy a lot of ingredients for this one, because we have a variety of pasta noodles at hand in our make-shift pantry, as well as spices, and we also have some marinara sauce, so all I bought for this was a little bit of ground beef.

But its a start right? Maybe someday I'll be super fancy and plan out an entire week worth of meals, execute in a proper fashion, and turn into Martha herself (or maybe Julie is the new Martha). Or hmmm, maybe I'd rather turn into Ree. Well, whatever, you get the picture.

So I'm here. And I'm writing (and maybe even cooking)!



Oh and as a bonus, for the day next week sometime when I'm starving and have no time, and no desire to go back to the store, I gathered up the few things I need to make a creamy chicken and noodles soup.

A Plea For My Wrapping Frenzy.

Note: If you have not signed up for my Warm Chocolately Christmas co-giveaway with Kelley, please tap your mouse here! and do so.

I'll begin by saying hesitantly admitting that I am a procrastinator. And while I sometimes have these grand ideas for gift-giving and decorating and baking and making my man delicious meals, often times other things will occur in my life or I'll have some spontaneous moment of inspiration for something else, and my "plans" do not happen as I might like.

Which brings me to gift wrapping.

You see, I like to shop with the last minute crowds. Even if I have a plan for what I am going to buy, I feel especially joyful and inspired if I shop in the hustle and bustle that is ten, nine, umm, one day before Christmas! This year I have started earlier than in the past six or so, because I actually finished finals on a very decent date and not like the 20th of December as I was last year.

Anyway, this last minute shopping usually means, actually it has to mean, that I'm always doing last minute gift wrapping too! And while there can be some joy in that, it usually means I don't wrap as I might like or would have envisioned!

So this year, (for this one area of my life that I have dealt with by procrastination in years before), I am resolved to do better! And I plan on beginning to wrap today. I have read about people having these wonderful wrapping fests and I am eager to try it. So as soon as I am adequately dressed today, I'm setting out in search of a few good rolls of wrapping paper and a few bows and some ribbon (because I LOVE ribbon) and I am set to wrap at least some of the gifts I have purchased. And hopefully they will look BEa-Utiful and my gift recipients will feel so special when they open the gifts designated for them under the tree. I'll turn on the music, get the band-aids ready for the paper cuts that will likely ensue, and I get my tape and hot tea beside!

Now, because I have often been a last minute wrapper, sometimes I wrap everything together or throw a lot into one big bag, but I'm determined to do better than this and I'm going to wrap and wrap.

My question is: do you have any tips for creative or extra special wrapping? Or even tips on how to make the wrapping look like Martha came and wrapped my presents instead of little miss-(somewhat) undomesticated me?

Thanks!

To Host. Or Not To Host.

For a little while now, I have been pondering the idea of having a nice little Christmas and holiday shindig at our home. It would a reason to turn on my inner Paula Dean and make a number of holiday recipes I have been wanting to make. It would be a justification for getting all dolled up, something I enjoy but rarely do. (And not having to go outside to brave the cold while being dolled up would be even better!) It would be an excuse to get together with friends, who do not necessarily all know one another, but who Handsome and I really enjoy knowing. It would with the purpose of celebrating the gift the Lord has given us this year, and maybe sharing a bit of joy with those around us.

I briefly discussed the idea with my man.

He sees a bit of a problem with my idea. You see, we have this lovely little home. And by little home, I mean we have a small apartment with a funny layout that is decorated with all of our belongings. We like it. Its cozy. But its not really an "entertaining" set-up. We're one-income, one-student newlyweds remember!

My argument is that we could have a little late afternoon open house-ish party and that way no one will likely stay very long, so hopefully it would not get too crowded, but even if it did, it could be merry and joyful and with some good food, good people, and various spirits, people would still have a good time.

But I think he thinks that is lame or something, because he made a comment to the point that "If we are going to throw a party, we are going to do it right. And he didn't really want people tramping through the master bedroom area, that does not have a door but is open to his office area which is open to the dining room which is really just an extension of the kitchen (and by open I mean basically all one room, but we have curtains separating the office area from our chest of drawers, armoir and bed).

So I understand his point, butI don't know when we will have a larger place of our own, or if we will even have friends when we do because we could be in an entirely new city altogether.

And I still kind of want an excuse to bake and prepare and decorate and doll-up. And I have been wanting to throw a Christmas party since c. 2007 when I had a lovely roommate with a great house, but for some reason we did not throw a party. And... I won't make anyone participate in any of the traditional holiday party games because I definitely don't want to try and fit any White Elephants into our already small space.

So my question for you is, should we host or should we wait until we have a larger space?

Just imagine. Red Velvet cupcakes. Pumpkin Cream Cookies. Warm Wassail. Bing Crosby and Rudolf. A wooden nutcracker and lots of laughter...


And if you're worried that there is really only one more weekend before Christmas, I already determined that we could send email invites! I've never done it, but I don't think there is anything to it.

Cleaning Question / Poll

Just a question:
Do you clean your home in one fowl swoop like once a week or something ...
or do you clean in pieces, knocking out a room or a kind of task each day?
Like Mondays are for vacuuming, Tuesdays for dusting, or Mondays for bathrooms, Tuesdays for the Living Room?