Monday, February 20, 2012

Updated photos of our apartment!

These pictures were take a little over a week ago. Enjoy!





Valentine's Day Part 2: Gifts and Dessert

You can tell I have been sick because I started out this 2 post journey with every intention of getting them both out in the same day, but alas, it did not happen.

So after our lovely date at the MOA, Chaz and I came home to have a dessert I had made the night before. I got the recipe from here. I adjusted a bit by adding a graham cracker crust...the pie crust I initially made was horrible. I bought a dry mix and lets just say, that is never happening again.
My husband waited patiently while I arranged the cheery topping! He loves cheesecake with cherries and this tasted just like cheesecake!
See, a heart for Valentine's day!
Happy man!
Then we exchanged gifts. Chaz got a year subscription to Backpacker Magazine...
And a fun t-shirt...nom nom nom!
And I got to pick out this little number while we were at the mall! He made me feel truly spoiled that night!
Hope everyone had a fantastic day! I love taking time to celebrate every holiday because, well, life is short. So get out there and celebrate President's day today! I will be doing so with a Netti pot, Kleenex, airborne, and some Panera soup! I feel like this cold is finally breaking!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Valentine's Day Part One

This year Chaz planned our Valentine's Day excursion and it could not have been a better night. He picked me up from work with this wonderful smile and we headed to the Mall of America.

Chaz had a little golfing adventure in store for us.
We had played mini golf here when we first moved to the big city so it was fun to come again and enjoy the 18 hole course right in the center of the mall.
Chaz of-course won. As much as he would have liked to let me win, I was too much of a goof and took a few to many 8 stroke holes.
And please excuse the pics...it was dark, and we only had an i-phone.

After golfing, we walked around the mall, did a bit of shopping, and went to Famous Dave's for dinner. We had planned to have dinner at French Meadow but our reservations weren't till 8:45 and we were just hungrytoo.
It turned out to be a delicious choice!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Not feeling well...

At all!

My night tonight is going to be pretty easy...and I am looking forward to it. I want to do a quick 1 mile run. With the 5k in less then a month, I gotta start running consistently and I personally think a little movement or exercise is good when I am sick (although I have read some reports that it is not as it inflames your sinuses and stuff-I have never been good at listening). Then, it will be inside to have dinner, shower, then lay on the couch all night watching tv and/or movies. And when I say lay on the couch, I mean like bring my pillow and comforter to the couch, have a huge glass of water, and just not move.

I hope to put up some pictures from V-day, and maybe work on a bit of homework, but that is all...I know that sounds like a lot but for me, it really isn't! I generally pack my plate pretty full so this will be relaxing for sure!

I am a little put off that this is the second time in the last two months that I have been sick with a cold but what can you do. Aside from medicine, zicam, Kleenex, water, a humidifier, and hand soap, I really don't know what else I can do.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Lovely love...

Tonight my husband planned our Valentine's Day celebration. It was simple, and sweet, and I had a grin on my face the entire night. I am in love with the most amazing man. I feel lucky everyday to have him as the man who stands beside me in all that I do. And I will stand by him, through the good and the bad, the ups and the downs. We are in this together and I honestly could not ask for a better person to share my life with. Our life has been full of adventure, full of laughs and joy, and most importantly, LOVE!

I will fill you in on our date tomorrow, but tonight I leave you with a picture of Faith enjoying one of Chaz's gifts! He got a year subscription to Backpacker magazine and she couldn't wait to enjoy it!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Happy V-Day!

Line a pan with pretzels and top each one with a hershey's kiss.
Bake at 175 or 200 for 4-5 minutes (just watch and when they start to sink, or you can press into one and it falls, they are done).

Press a festive M&M into each on of them.
Cool completely...I like to put in the freezer or in the natural freezer (ie. the tundra that is generally the MN).
Bring back in once they are completely cool and remove from pan. If they are sticking, use a spatula and slowly remove. You can also use wax paper...that's really slick!
Enjoy!

This little baby is on the docket for tomorrow!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The awkward space between...

This past year was pretty interesting as far as trying to get healthy.

I made a commitment last December to get healthy. I jumped on the bandwagon and joined Weight Watchers online.

Around the time of my 25th birthday, I had dropped almost 25 pounds.

Then, I just kind of settled. I would focus, and then not focus. I was motivated, and then not motivated. Well, that's just life. But I would rather go through those lulls at an all around lower weight and a healthier lifestyle. Through the back and forth lulls I have managed to put back on 10 pounds. Ah, sucks putting that out there...but really, I settled.

I know weight and health is at the fore front of many people's minds. We are constantly trying to fit a mold, or reach a certain goal, or look a certain way. I am lucky enough that I am generally happy with myself and my features. Sometimes I feel I look pudgy and bloated, but other times I think I look damn good. Interestingly enough, it is not my body that I pay as much attention to when I am working out and eating right, it is the mental state that I focus on. I get a wonderful high from working out, it just seems a pain to get to that point. Why is that?

I have been getting in a few runs, and workouts at the Y. I am running a 5k again for my birthday. Definitely something I am going to try and anniversary. And fancy that, Pintrest has given me a few gems. I just started adding this to my routine today...I loved it and right now, I am feeling the burn.

I know this isn't easy, and I know this won't happen over night, but I don't want to continue in the wrong direction. Time to switch it up!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Fresh start...

Last night my mom and I went to go get our herrrrs done by my mom's lovely friend.
There is nothing like a night of laughter, relaxing, and a new look!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Good morning Monday...

I love sleeping in on the weekends.

My favorite are those mornings when I have no where to be, and really nothing pressing to do. I lay in bed, going in and out of sleep, curled up in my big, soft comforter.

And sleeping in on the weekends means extra cuddle time with the hubby (if he is not working), and my little kitty girl! Faith loves jumping up on the bed (Kea can't get on the bed so I just have her bed next to ours-easy access for pets!), curling up on my head, and getting a good rub down. She is so soft and cuddly in the morning...she practically melts into the comforter with me.

I make sure to always enjoy these moments, these lazy mornings, cuddled up with my loves. Remembering those moments of peace and comfort are what get me through some of the craziest days.

Happy Monday!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Happy February...

Welcome February! I don't know about you but so far we have had a mild winter and even if we get dumped on from here on out, January rocked, and usually it doesn't, so I am good! We are one month closer to summer and that is what keeps my chugging along!

And since it is February, we are only 14 days away from Valentine's day! While this holiday has had every reputation under the sun: some like, some hate it, some are depressed by it, some don't care about it, some wish it was every day. I say, why not take the opportunity to celebrate each and every holiday you can! They are few and far between so let's have a good time!

You don't need a significant other to celebrate...you can celebrate with anyone you love! Parents, siblings, friends, whoever you want! Scratching your brain for what to do?
  • Homemade dinner and dessert at home
  • Dinner and a movie
  • Heart shaped pizza from a local pizza joint
  • Watch a scary movie
  • Watch a romantic movie
  • Have a group of girlfriends over and give each other manicures
  • Wine and appetizer party
  • An evening of watching your favorite tv show on Netflix or on Demand.
  • Making homemade shakes and malts and buying crazy straws to drink them with
  • Take a fun workout class...Yoga anyone?!
  • An indoor, or if you are lucky, and outdoor, picnic
  • A random week night shopping trip
Stuck on what to get those special people in your lives?
  • Those cute little Valentine's from grade school, they can still bring a smile to an adults face
  • Mani/pedi at a local salon
  • Homemade cookies
  • A gerber daisy in a simple vase with some greenery
  • homemade chocolates....check this fun recipe out!
  • homemade coupons...think "One Homemade Dinner" for a friend or family member or "One night of babysitting" for a couple that could use a night out!
  • Bottle of wine or a case of beer with a fun glass to drink it in
And if you really want to have a good time, break out a good old paper lunch sack and get your household in the spirit! Set them out the week prior and during the week, family and friends can place little trinkets in the bag and everyone gets to go through them on Valentine's day!