Blessing Bags

I spend a lot of my time on Pintrest.

A LOT OF TIME!

However there are many wonderful "blessings" that come from such devotion to this wonderful world of pins.   At KWAV's (Kids with a Vision) blog Ali B. posted her idea for "Blessing Bags".

Have you ever been at a gas station just minding your own business when a stranger walks up to you asking for some change? Have you ever lied and told them you didn't have any change because you were afraid they would spend that money that you worked hard for and then graciously give away, to buy alcohol or cigarettes? Have you ever told the truth that you didn't have change but truly wished you could help them? Have you ever just been so full of love that you wish you could help anyone you crossed paths with that seemed to need a little pick me up?

I have......

SO when I ran into her blog via pintrest I was more than thrilled to be introduced to the loving blessing bags, because everyone in this world needs just a little something to brighten their day.

I was so excited to do these, I just needed to DO IT!

When I went shopping a few weeks ago I had the full intention of buying things for others. I went to the dollar store and loaded up my cart with TONS of items, being giddy the whole time. When I was ready to check out I let others with only a few things go in front of me. One of the girls I had a nice conversation with. She asked me questions and told me stories of her own: are you doing these through an organization of some sort? That's cool. When I lived XYZ my family did something like this. I think it's really awesome that you're doing this. I told her that I wasn't doing it through and organization I was just doing it because I wanted to because I love people and want to help them out. There were a few other people behind me that seemed a little grumpy and I couldn't blame them. It was a dollar store for cryin' out loud and here was this crazy lady with a cart full of stuff while they held one or two things. It made me realize that I shouldn't judge others on the amount of things they have in their carts because it might not even be for them and I need to be more patient also. When it was my turn I told the cashier that it might be awhile and that I had separate transactions (I was also buying things to do birthday bouquets  which I will do in a latter post- for a friend and the little boy I babysit.) She was super patient and bubbly and I was SO grateful. We also began talking and I explained to her that everything I was buying wasn't for me. I told her it was for some birthdays and the majority of it was for helping with the needs of others. Taking care of the basics for a few days. I thought she was going to cry. She thought that that was the coolest thing she had ever heard and she was even more caring while checking out my items. I was so blessed to have such a wonderful cashier! I walked out of that dollar store feeling like a million bucks and little did I know that my first opportunity would arise that very same day! I continued my grocery shopping, ending the long day at Wal-Mart. Soon it was time for me to go and pick up my sweet husband after his classes and there was a older women outside on the corner of the street with a sign saying something along the lines of "Any Help Appreciated". I thought about my unorganized blessing bags and felt that I needed to give one to her. "But I don't have it put together." "She needs one." "But I'm so tired from the day of shopping." "Why did you buy these things? To help." I pulled off on the side of the road after having driven past her and through together a Blessing Bag as quickly as I could. I then drove back to her pulled aside again to not cause an accident or anything and then I ran towards her feeling like a super hero. I was so full of love for this woman I never met that I had to give her a hug. I handed her the bag and asked for her permission to hug her. She didn't really respond, she just kept saying thank-you. I hugged her and told her I hoped it would help. Then I walked back to the car and got  in. On my way to pick up my husband I sobbed the whole way. I felt so much love surrounding me and I knew in that moment that I had done what my Father in Heaven wanted me to do. Even if it meant nothing to her, it meant a great deal for me. I got home and for awhile the bags of things just sat there and I knew from the moment I wanted to make them that I was going to do a blog post on my own blessing bags, I just haven't yet, I wanted my husband to help, <enter lame excuses here>. Finally I just took an hour or so and put them together and I LOVE the way they turned out! No more awkwardness, no more obligation; just lots and lots of LOVE. After I finished the bags I still didn't write the blog post, no excuse, I just didn't. And now I AM! YAY! I have already had three people come into my apartment and see and question the blessing bags. They loved them so much that they wanted all the details! So here you are! Dedicated to my good friend Liesl, my grandma Jones, and my grandma Gunnel! May you have as much fun as I did making these!

Blessing Bags:

*Note* I loved one of the comments on Ali B's Blog that said to think of food items that are soft. A lot of these people have little, rotting, or no teeth!

-Band-aids (I did band-aids that were weather proof and some that had antibiotic already on it)

-Cough drops

-Trail Mix

-Crackers

-Vienna Sausages

-Apple Sauce

-Pudding

-Toothbrush with cap

-Travel Toothpaste

-Soft Breakfast bars

-Comb

-Chap-stick with SPF in it

-Expandable Washcloth

-Dried Apricots 

-Deodorant ( I did arm-n-hammer for the guys and Secret for the ladies)

-Lotion ( I did an unscented for the guys and a coco butter for the ladies) 

-Travel Tissues

-Water Bottle

-Breath Drops (or travel sized mouth wash and/or mints)

-Plastic Spoon

-To Go Wipes

-Light Pads (For the Ladies.) 

-A Plastic Sandwich bag (For their trash or dirty pads, etc.) 

-A bag to put them all in! ( I just did grocery bags! Or you could do gallon zip up bags)

Blessing Bags all wrapped up:

Since I put them all in grocery bags and I did some for guys and others for ladies I had the thought to tie the bags with pink or blue ribbon so I'd know which are which. Each bag came out to about $10 bucks for me (maybe a little bit more for the band-aids, toothpaste, and wipes that I didn't find at the dollar store) I also wrote a note of encouragement and the local food banks and shelter in case they needed more long term help and didn't know where to look because they were stranded from some other city or state or just because they didn't know.

Note of encouragement:

"Hello! We couldn't help but notice that you could use a little "pick-me-up". Inside are all the things we thought you could need or use such as food, water, and sanitary supplies. You ARE being looked out for and you're not alone. You are a child of God and he loves you. Don't get discouraged! Do not lose hope. Remember "you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem  and smarter than you think"-Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh. Have A Wonderful Day!"

Then underneath the message is the name of the food center, their address, and their phone number in case they have change or you wish to provide enough for a call in the bags. 

Have fun blessing and being blessed!

M.E.G

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

 

  

This is Fact...

Just a few minutes ago I was told by Dax that we should create a website called "This! IS FACT!" Due to the amount of ridiculous things that we claim to be fact.

To understand this weird fad in our home you will have to understand that Dax and I have a lot of inside jokes that you may not understand. Also I happen to be a comedian in my house because Dax thinks I do really funny things such as running up to him when I had toothpaste foam around my lips and yell at him: " I AM A CRAZY RABID SQUIRREL! I WANT MY COOKIE!" It's a lot a fun and it makes him laugh.

However if you are not currently laughing this is what I mean by Dax and my inside humor.

SO to honor him slightly in his request I am doing a blog post on the statement: This is Fact...and will compile things we claim to be fact.

Where did this start you may be asking?

Well there was one day when Dax and I were having a harmless argument about who was more sexy or whatever and in my frustration I raised my pointed finger to the roof and yelled "THIS IS FACT!"

My husband laughed for a long time and that phrase has now become law in our home. It isn't legitimate if the first finger isn't pointed up in the air accompanied by the statement: "This is fact." In FACT it has gotten so ridiculous that if one were to exclaim this argument silencer the other party of the argument must be able to see the pointed finger.

Ergo they then win the argument.

A few FACTS that we have come up for you today 5/1/2013:

• Pizza is the tastiest food on the planet- this is fact. (Dax) 
• "Ice cream should always"...(Dax) "Should always replace cake"...(Megan)- THIS is fact.
• "Ice cream should always be used to celebrate birthdays. This is Fact."- (Dax) "Instead of cake?"-(Megan). "Yes."-(Dax)-This is fact.  
• James Earl Jones the guy who does the voice for Darth Vader and Mufasa has the coolest voice...ever.- THIS IS FACT. (Dax) 

Well that's all we have for today. Maybe I'll keep updating it if/when we come up with some more.

Copycat BK

*Revised (4/17/2013)*
I like to go out to eat just like the next gal.

 Except when it comes to chain fast food.

•  I HATE the drive thrus and yelling at the people through the intercom.
•  I hate the rubbery hamburger meat and chicken. 
•  I hate the grease and grime. 
• But most of all I hate the flavor and the after tastes. (You know when you burp and you can taste your meal a second time...yeah enough said) 

HOWEVER whenever I find that unfortunate time where fast is easier or I just plain have no choice there are a few items I get.

 For example at TB I LOVE their Crunchy Wrap which I have found a homemade recipe here. I WILL be trying this soon. THANK-YOU MARY!  

I used to love the Roast beef and cheddar from AB, but their quality seems to have gone down or my taste buds have grown up.

Don't even eat at WEN, but when I've had to I get the Ceaser side salad and a small shake...pointless but in my opinion best tasting thing there. Fresh my eyeball.

Don't ever eat at McDonalds either although I did used to have a thing for their fries. 

JB was never even an option especially when throughout my childhood my dad called it "Yuck in the Buck" and I always associated it with yucky food. I think I've eaten there once in my whole life. 

One day I was desperate and happened to be by a BK. So I looked at the menu and got their Chicken, Apple & Cranberry Garden Fresh Salad.

BEST FAST FOOD ITEM EVER!

I CRAVE this salad! 

Seriously.If only it wern't flippin' $8 bucks for a medium sized salad!

Naturally when you can't have what you want you get desperate and start looking for other options. 

Here is that option:

 "Our Chicken, Apple & Cranberry Garden Fresh Salad perfectly blends seven premium lettuces, crisp apples, sweet dried cranberries, and crumbly blue cheese. Served with KEN’S® Apple Cider Vinaigrette and topped with your choice of juicy TENDERCRISP® or TENDERGRILL® chicken. ©2013 KEN’S Foods, Inc." -BK

Homemade Chicken, Apple, and Cranberry Salad

(Actual BK Salad)

(My copycat Version)

Not the best picture but that's basically what it looks like.

You've got:

• 1 grilled Chiken breast per salad (scroll down for the chicken I did in the above picture!)
• 1 apple of choice (although I would suggest pink lady's)
• 1/2c-1c of dried cranberry (I just eyeball it to my liking)
• Blue cheese (optional)
• Salad or Romaine Lettuce
• Creamy Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Since ©2013 KEN’S Foods, Inc doesn't sell this Apple Cider Vinaigrette (at least as far as I've looked in the grocery stores) I have also found a recipe to make this salad dressing:

1/2 teaspoon instant apple cider drink mix 
1/3 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
Directions:

1
Add ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Mix well.
2
Refrigerate until ready to use.

Easy Garlic Chicken

*note* I completely changed the recipe so if you want the original click the link above!

(Measurements are estimated since I normally just through things in...sorry!)

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4-5 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4c olive oil

1/8c Balsamic vinegar

1 tbs Lemon juice

3 "splashes" of Worcestershire Sauce

additional herbs and spices, as desired ( I added fresh rosemary and salt and pepper)
Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 450°F Line a baking dish or cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray and add olive oil. 
2 Add  garlic, vinegar, lemon, Worcestershire sauce.  .3 Place chicken breasts over the garlic and olive oil mixture.
4. Sprinkle salt and pepper, rosemary, and brown sugar generously over the chicken breasts and the sauce surrounding the chicken.
5.Bake covered for 30 minutes, or until juices run clear. Cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken.

6. Broil uncovered for 5 minutes to allow the chicken to get a little crisp. 

Place lettuce on plate followed by cranberrys, blue cheese (I crumbled it over the salad since their are big chunks, bite sized apples, bite sized chicken pieces ( I cut up my chicken and let it rest in the sauce for a few minutes while I got the beginning of the salad ready), add a few scoops of the marinade over the salad, a a few scoops of the Apple Cider Vinagarette salad dressing over that and sprinkle with a little pepper for decoration! 

Or just have the chicken plain with a side salad and pour the marinade over some mashed potatoes. 

ENJOY!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

M.E.G

Valentines Day- Passport to Love

For the real and true version to the "Passport to Love" please visit "The Dating Diva's" Blog by clicking here. They have SO many fun date ideas...I LOVE their blog! LOVE IT! They were actually holding a contest on the Dating Divas and the winner was Rebecca. All hail Rebecca for her GENIUS date idea.

I know I immediately fell in love with it and so will any other travel-wanna-be-organized dates for a year-kind of person.

I wanted to do it SOO badly, but I didn't know when I would make it for Dax and when to give it to him.

The opportunity arose in a random role play that Dax and I were going through one night. (See other blog about role playing).

You see I was a doctor and I found out that Dax had a serious case of the Meganitous disease. Not extremely  contagious, so don't worry you won't become obsessed or fall in love with me or anything, there isn't really much of a cure, and it's very serious.

Anyway, he was obviously worried and asked me if I knew of a specialist with Meganitous.

Of course I did! However, this specialist was kind of crazy and she lived in a magicalland and worked from home. (Sounds a little iffy doesn't it.) She only goes by her first name, ALWAYS changes her number (because she doesn't want anyone to know), and she's really A-specious (as my younger sister Ruby would say Suspicious. Of course the word is probably more amusing to me because when I heard her say it for the first time: "hmmm" She said on the phone. "What Ruby?" I asked and in reply she said "My toe jam is A-specious. I still can't stop laughing. )

So Dax thinks he has this specialists number and he tries to text it. A reply comes back saying that it wasn't the person he wanted to reach but that she knew where Doctor Megan lived and could him him the exact adress. She suggested he write her a letter seeing if she could see him and then meet up with his travel agent.

LIGHTBULB!

If I was Dax's Travel Agent that would be the PERFECT opportunity to give in the lay out on all the great deals for all these awesome destinations.

He sent Doctor Megan a letter leaving his number and she called back using the *67 to keep her number secret.

This specialist is kinda creepy if you ask me...

She can see him but before they make an appointment he better see a travel agent to get all the arrangements for when he was going.

The travel agent just happened to be the person he text in the first place! (Weird coincidence)\

They made a appointment for the following Tuesday at 3:30pm.

During this whole time the idea started off as just coping what was on the blog and it grew until it became this:

On the original blog about this "Love Passport" You receive a card:

A travel Itinerary:

A passport:

and the link to the passport.

Passport stamps(Seen above, kind of) and the link to those.

and airline tickets:

and THEIR link. 

WELL I couldn't just stop there. 

This idea welled inside of me and I went crazy. 

The Travel Agent had to cancel for a WEEK because "some people she was receiving things from was REALLY busy. She was out of brochures and the LoveBrochureCompany was really behind in making 13 brochures for cryin' out loud.

....I couldn't just be simple could I....

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!

I made A single pricing list, a packaged plans and deals list, a passport application, AND a Love Security Application (not to be confused with a SOCIAL security number. Completely different.)  

Needless to say I was very busy for a week but I loved it...and now I'm kind of sad since it's all finished...so I'm sharing it!

I felt pretty professional yesterday with my heart shaped approval stamp/seal and all of my know-how.
It was a lot of fun having him fill out all these forms and look at the different brochures and helping him plan which country he wanted to go to in which month for the whole next year! 

I told him I would send in his applications and get him airline, hotel accommodation, and other activities all set up and that he should be receiving it all in the mail shortly. 

Mail= his backpack while he is at school on Valentines Day (aka Tomorrow). HEE HEE!!! 

How it will look when he opens the envelope

So yes it took me forever and no you don't have to do this and I won't be offended or think less of you for taking the easier shorter route (heck I might have even done it if I knew it would take this long!) I'm really glad I did all of this because it gave me something to do while Dax is gone at school or work and I learned a lot about the different countries which makes me even MORE excited to be traveling to them all, all this next year with the love of my life! I love the fact that dates are more-or-less planned for every month for a year...usually it's: " I really want to do something," "me too" "What should we do" -one hour later after complaining about how going out and doing ANYTHING (especially in winter) is going to cost money we don't have)- "I guess we'll watch a movie...again..." With this I pretty much know what we're doing and when and it gives me more to look forward to when the word "date" is mentioned. Also it'll all make a great keep sake for when we're older. 

We can say we traveled the world for less that 300 bucks. (That's about 20 dollars per date allowance for a year. Dax and my deal has been "20 dollar dates" if it's anything more it better be once in awhile or else TOO BAD.)

I hope you enjoyed looking at it as much as I've loved creating it. 

XOXOXOX

-M.E.G

P.s. If you ever do want any of the brochures or anything I can figure out a way to give them to you! I mean I did spend all the time on it and then you won't have to!

  

Food Menu's and Grocery Shopping

I can literally spend all day trying to figure out what meals my husband and I can eat for the next two weeks.

I have to go shopping tomorrow...

I have tried to ask him for his input on meals but that would take even longer. :) (I love you Dax!)

I try to use the same ingredients for a lot of the meals so that my money can stretch it's legs a little bit...my money isn't very flexible. (Or at least we'll all PRETEND it's the moneys fault so that I can feel better about not sticking to my budget very well all for the sake of my whiny taste buds!)

Dax and I have been married for about a year and 4 months and I still haven't got the hang of anything.
(This is the part where I'm sure plenty of you are thinking that I'm still young and have a lot of learning and so it's okay that I'm not a perfect budget-er at the moment.)

But I do try...

This week I'm going to try harder.

For some reason the ads used to come to our apartment. When we moved in there was a whole wad in the mailbox but once we actually changed our addresses they no longer come so I got lazy and didn't even try to look for good deals to save me money.

BUT I DID TODAY!

Here is my list so far:
Breakfast:

• Cereal 
• Waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream! I'm going to try this new recipe I found on Pintrest here.
• Smoothies
• Berry Cream Cheese Monkey Bread...I don't need to say anymore except that I'm going to try it!

and I might even try these: Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies.
But for the most part we'll probably have cereal or an Omelette or whatever I come up with last minute. I'm not much of a breakfast person...let alone one who plans breakfast very well.

Lunch:

• Chips and Salsa 
• Ham Sandwiches with sprouts!
• California Sandwich (I love sprouts!)
• Cucumber and Tomato Sanwhich 
• Other Sandwiches?
• Leftovers of whatever dinner I made a ton of.

I'm not much of a lunch planner either...I don't know how we survive...

Dinner

• Crock Pot whole Roasted Caribbean Jerk Chicken. (I'm making this up so I'll let you know how it goes!)
• BLTs done the RIGHT WAY. Which is baked bacon (about 6 per sandwich) weaved together and then placed onto soft sough dough bread with lettuce and tomato and whatever else you heart desires!
• Crock Pot Lasagna 
• Chicken wraps: Shredded chicken, cucumber, crushed tortilla chips, and Cesar dressing all wrapped up in a soft tortilla. (one of the Favorites)
• Crock Pot black beans to make homemade black bean enchiladas with green enchilada sauce. 
• With some leftover black beans I will make homemade Crock pot chili. Which I just throw things in. 
• With the leftover chili we will have chili dogs.
• With the leftover Jerk Chicken we will have a festive salad. (Also partially going to be made up)
• Spicy Thai Noodles (another favorite!) The original recipe is in the link but I changed it up. A LOT. 

Spicy Thai Noodles

Ingredients

1 box of angel hair pasta

1 tsp of crushed red pepper

1/4 cup of sesame oil (This isn't very cheap and I found that it has a strong flavor and half of the amount works just as well. The original measurement was a 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup of olive oil

Honey (I just eyeball the original recipe says 6 table spoons)

La Choy teriyaki sauce/ Marinade (also eyeballed. The original recipe calls for 6 tablespoons of soy sauce but I've never really liked soy sauce and I have La Choy on hand.)

Green onions

Cilantro (optional. One time I didn't have any and it tasted just as good)

toasted sesame seeds

*and the original recipe calls for peanuts but I'm not a big fan of those either so I left them out and it was delicious.

Directions

Boil noodles and drain.

Heat both oils and crushed red pepper over medium heat while noodles are cooking.

Strain out pepper and reserve oil (optional. I didn't have a WIRE strainer the first time I made it and ended up with plastic in my sauce and wasting a lot of  the not so cheap sesame seed oil. I threw it out and made another batch just leaving in the red pepper. So no worries. :)  )

Add red pepper oil to noodles and coat. 

Add the honey, teriyaki sauce,cilantro and green onion. 

Mix well and then add the toasted sesame seeds. 

*The original recipe calls to serve it cold but I just couldn't see myself eating it cold. PLUS it had to refrigerate for awhile. We ate it warm and it had been a favorite since! 

 Now for the meal that had me writing this blog post in the first place so I wouldn't loose it again:

• Portobello Mushroom Burger/sandwich. In Flagstaff, AZ they have a cute little cafe called Brandy's where I was first introduced to the portobello mushroom sandwich. When Dax and I were no where near Flagstaff I would have mean cravings for this sandwich. So I decided to make my own version. I found the marinade here.(I don't think this is the original site. I think I lost it..) I soaked the shrooms for a little while and then baked them in the oven and served them on kaiser rolls with a pesto mayonnaise, sprouts and tomato's. I hadn't had one in so long that I didn't remember that they cut up the portobello mushroom and saute them and then add a cheese on top. I usually got Munster. ( I only know this now since I've gone back again once!) I've even grilled the shrooms a few times and they are just as good but they like to burn pretty fast! This time I decided that I'm going to take the sandwich and make a salad out of it. I'll have the saute mushrooms over some lettuce with a pesto ranch dressing and possibly croutons. I'll have to let you know how that goes too! 
• My own Chicken Fajita recipe. I made this once for my grandma before she passed away and while we were living with her and she called them "fruity burritos". HAHAHAHA! :) She said "Megan what were those delicious burritos you made fr me the other night? I was telling your Aunt about them. What were they called? Fruity burritos or something?" I stood there in the kitchen with a confused expression on my face. Fruity burritos? I don't think I made anything with fruit in it for her. The only thing that I could think of that I had made for her recently was the chicken fajitas and in hers I put her favorite mango salsa. "Their fajitas, grandma." I said trying to stifle a laugh. She was so fun to cook for because everything I made for her was like a gourmet meal. Not only would she tell me that this was the best "such-n-such" she ever had or how tasty "this" was but she would tell her kids, my aunts and uncles, how good it was. Mostly the above mentioned aunt. :) It made me feel really good and I was glad I could give her something besides her normal yogurt and granola or frozen meals. 
• Stroganoff- Megan Style. 
• Lemon Lenguini- also Megan Style since Dax doesn't like very sour things. Another favorite!

Thanks for reading my completely random post! Hopefully it will come to some use for you, I know it will for me. All of the recipes will be in one place and I don't have to search through the mountains of recipes I've pinned on Pintrest. 

Wish me luck!

I hate to grocery shop since I don't have money and it takes forever!

xoxoxoxox

M.E.G  

A Tribute to "Da Man"

My husband and I like to role play...

A LOT.

In fact saying "a lot" is a bit of an understatement since there isn't a day that goes by that we are not being super silly.

Sometimes we pretend we're Russians and if my husband isn't too shy or put on the spot when asked to give some examples of accents that he does- you'd know he is really REALLY good at them.

Sometimes we pretend we're part of the mafia. We look around suspiciously and then lean into each other and ask if the other "gots da money" or "gots da stuff".

Sometimes we pretend that we don't like affection. We over-exaggerate by becoming stiff and making silly faces as though we were completely revolted by the amounts of kisses! When "Da Man" first started this I will honestly tell you I was a little offended. however this is not a surprise since I find myself unfortunately easily offended. And then I found myself doing it back to him and found out that it was extremely fun. Why? Because the other person adds MORE kisses and saying like "oh come on! How do you know you don't like it if you won't try it."

...

I think I have way too much fun with this. :)

Sometimes we even pretend we're two people that have never met before (this actually happens all the time!) Sometimes my hubby is my doctor, sometimes he's the paramedic that is giving me CPR when I've "passed out". wink wink. hahahaha. Sometimes my hubby is my private massage therapist. Or sometimes it's the other way around completely.

If all this role playing was real life I'd have some serious health issues.

Most often with role playing it makes intimate life more interesting but still clean and pure the way God intended it.

I've realized that role playing has helped the hubby and I in so many ways. It helps us to have fun.

But even with role playing, the laugh's and the fun there are times where I just don't feel myself somehow.

I'll say mean things and then think that I already did this that and the other thing, I guess I can't be a good wife anymore" just because I had said those few mean, awful and hurtful things.

I couldn't stop, either.

Whenever I would try to be a little nicer my hubby would just do something that would irritate me. OR at least those WERE my thoughts.

And then I would say mean things again.

I would let all the dishes pile up because I just didn't feel like doing them.

My hubby after working all day with me -as we clean a large house for a part time work- having to listen to me complain the WHOLE time. I even snapped at him because I wanted to finish moping the dang floor! He only needed to walk on the floor for not even a minute to grab a few things and then I could mop that part.

But I didn't let him...

And why not?

It seems so simple and harmless and yet I wanted to rip into him for disrupting the thing I was hating to do at the moment.

Then we go home and he does the large pile of dishes.

I kept slipping. Just letting him do things and then getting mad at him for doing them. I wasn't sure how to stop in my tracks and start over and be a wife he could love.

I then read.

A lot of things coming from Pintrest. All of the things you should do for and with your hubby so that you can be a more lovable wife. There were lists of advice to do, but I wouldn't remember any of that! Either that or I would try too hard to remember and to do it right that my heart wouldn't be in it.

Then I read two very important things that I believe changed my perspective practically overnight.

1. Drops of Awesome- by "Daring Young Mom" Katherine Thomson
 I found it on Facebook. One of Da Man's aunts had shared it and I read the whole thing and even cried (an activity I've been doing a lot lately).
It's humorous as it talks about deep and serious thoughts that I've had. I read the whole thing thinking "wow. I really needed this right now".  She talks about how instead of focusing on all the things we didn't do in the past like letting the dishes sit in the sink until your husband does it and letting it ruin our now by continuing to wallow in self pity and play computer games instead of the nasty said dishes- we should force those thoughts out and just try to do something good to add a drop to our buckets of "awesomeness".

I've already caught myself saying "drop of awesome!" to myself whenever I do something good.

She even did an object lesson with a Church class that she writes about and just hit me over the head with a "duh" moment.

2. Dax's Journal.
My hubby wasn't ENTIRELY refusing to let me read his journal. It started last Sunday during church that I read one of his entry's. After Church I asked him if I could read more and I finished the "up to now" in 2 days. At first I would read some silly things he said about the girl he was infatuated with at the time and we would laugh (mostly me) and I would read his words in a mocking tone. He had told me the whole story between him and this girl so nothing was really a surprise when I read it.

 I got to a point where it began to mean something to me.

Something sweet and special.

These were honest and true feelings coming from the heart of the one I love.

He had had a long day and was sleeping next to me as I finished his heartfelt words.

When he wrote that she had hurt him badly and he was miserable- so was I.

When he wrote that he was nervous to pin her corsage on her- for prom- because he didn't want to touch her inappropriately;  I fell in love with him all over again. He must have thought I was teasing him since he rolled his eyes and did his half shoulder shrug I'm all to familiar with. I told him I was serious. This was his journal and if he wrote something like that, it shows his true character.

I'm not saying I ever doubted his character, just that reading his words from before he even knew I'd be reading them made it even clearer to me that I married a wonderful man who respects women.

He could have written something like "I was so nervous because of how close I had to pin her. Even though I secretly would want to I would never do something like that".

BUT HE DIDN'T.

That's just the person he's always been.

What kind of person did my journals say about me?

After this girl broke his heart, in a way, I read as he grew up into the man I married. The man who has a strong enough testimony in his savior Jesus Christ and what our brother has sacrificed for us, to say in the midst of the worst pain he would ever feel: "You know what? I know I'll be okay. I'll be okay because I know that Christ went through this same exact pain that I am feeling right now. He went through it just for me."

wow..

That right there is a moment I will remember forever. Through his pain, tears, and clenching teeth he was able to udder these words of amazing testimony.

Who does that?

I doubt I would have. I probably would've just cried and thought "ow ow ow ow ow! I wish it would go away".

He taught me a very special part of the atonement. Not only did "God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son"-John 3:16 But the son so loved the world that "11... he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccorhis people according to their infirmities." -Alma 7:11-12 (taken from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Website but can also be found in the Book of Mormon).

He, Dax, has always been and will forever be an example to me. He has such amazing faith and I enjoy having an eternity to learn from him.

After I read his journal a thought occurred to me. "He's a real man with real and true feelings. He may not show them or speak of them very often but they're, there." Have I given him anything that would cause him to write in his journal about how much I've hurt him? I don't want to even give him that opportunity!

I'm not perfect, but I am trying to get better.

Dax is the best husband I could ever asked for and I am so grateful to have the title of his wife.

xoxoxoxox

M.E.G

Christmas Gifts

Christmas was an overall not so very Christmas-y day for me.

It is unfortunate, to say the least, that I was a perfect Grinch or more perfectly accurate Scrooge.

There were many times throughout the day where I just wanted to say "humbug" and go back to sleep and wait until the Christmas Day was over.

I woke up Christmas morning with a huge headache and a very irritable mood. I partially blame my irritable mood based on the irritable mood I was in Christmas Eve. To save hurt feelings among family I will just simply say the way I viewed Christmas Day activities was different than others, and it bothered me deeply.

My hubby and I had a long conversation before bed and I concluded that since Christmas was about love and Family I would forget what bothered me and go to sleep.

Apparently I didn't have any messengers during the night to remind me of the good things I had going for me.

I started dinner in the crock-pot which as you may have guessed I got from Pintrest. It just may become one of Dax's and my first Christmas traditions!

Crock Pot SWISS STEAK

 

See how this meal is Christmas colors?

2 lbs. boneless beef round steak, cut into 6 serving pieces
1.1-oz pkg.Lipton beefy onion soup mix
3 c. onion, sliced
28-oz. can diced tomatoes
3 T. all-purpose flour
1 c. water

Arrange steak in a crockpot. Sprinkle soup mix over steaks; arrange onion slices all around. Top with tomatoes. Cover and cook on low setting for 8 hours, or on high setting for 6 hours. Remove steak and vegetables from crock pot; set aside. Mix together flour and water; add to slow cooker and stir until thickened. Spoon gravy over steak to serve. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

The meal above is from Crokin' Moms: Crock Pot Blog

I used my moms recipe and just applied it to the crock pot method. :) My mom's recipe is below:

2 lbs. boneless beef round steak, cut into 6 serving pieces
 onion, sliced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
Seasonings

Tenderize steak with the back of a knife and then brown in a skillet on both sides. Season. In an electric skillet  arrange onion slices all around, Top with tomatoes. Cover and cook at 200 degrees for 2 and 1/2 hours.  Remove steak and vegetables from crock pot; set aside. . Spoon gravy over steak to serve. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

My mom always served this meal with mashed potatoes and I think it's a perfect complement. To get the green color into this meal I did another recipe from Cassie's blog "Back to her Roots". 

  ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH APPLES AND BACON

ooooo SOOO yummy! 

My husband and I loved these! The apple offsets the slight bitter taste to the Brussels sprouts and the bacon adds a contrast texture to the side...plus anything with bacon is it is an automatic "must try".  From Cassie's blog:

Sprouts are a member of the cabbage family, and like most cabbage, contain sulfur. The longer the Brussels cook, the stronger the sulfur smell and taste become. Not good eats for kids (or adults). Avoid the dreaded kid spit out by roasting these babies until they are just tender and brown.

Serves 4-6

Print this recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, washed, trimmed and halved
• 1 large tart apple, cored and diced
• 4 slices, thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°
2. In a large bowl, combine sprouts, apple and bacon and stir until evenly distributed.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.
4. Pour olive oil mixture over sprout mixture and toss to coat.
5. Pour out the sprout mixture in one layer onto a greased cookie sheet. Season liberally with salt and pepper.
6. Roast in oven for 10-15 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking, or until sprouts are tender and brown.

 Anyway, back to my Scrooge Holiday...

So I had tenderized my round steak for browning and I coated them in a little flour with salt and pepper and then added them to the hot oil in my frying pan. As they were browning I reached to get my tongs and they weren't there! I looked for a little while and in panic asked my husband where he put it (bad move on my part- never start anything with an accusation!) He said he didn't remember even washing it. 

I didn't believe him because if they weren't  where they usually were he MUST have washed them and did what he usually does: puts items away but where they don't belong. 

I grabbed a spatula and flipped my steak over. 

A light bulb went on in my husbands head. He remembered (unlike me) that we had left our tongs in the salad bowl when we went over to a friends apartment for dinner. He took it out, washed it off, handed it to me, and then went back into out bedroom.

I felt awful. 

After I finished browning I added the steak into the crock pot and went to apologize to my sweet husband who only is ever trying to help and I tried to bite his head off with my accusations. 

Like always he forgave me instantly and I still felt awful since he is so good and I am so...spoiled rotten to have him. :)

I went back to slicing some onions, adding the tomato sauce and dices, rinsing out the cans into  the mixture as well to get every pennies worth of the sauce that clung to the sides of the can. After I set the crock pot on low for 8 hours I went to get ready. 

I was having a bad hair day. 

No matter what I did with it, it turned out horrible. Tried putting it in a pony tail, tried a twisted pony tail, tried curling half of it, and ended up washing out the hair spray angrily and putting on the hat my sister had made for me for Christmas. 

For sure at this moment my husband could tell there was something wrong. 

On the ride to his families house he asked me what was wrong and I said that despite it being Christmas I was just having a bad day. 

He told me not to have a bad day. 

Huffily I said "Well I'm trying not to but nothing seems to be going right today and I already started off in a bad mood because of last night,"

Then we forgot all the presents I made his family.

We turned back to get them and continued on. 

 For the most part, in silence the rest of the way. 

His family only lives a few minutes away from our apartment, so it wasn't much of a drive. 

They had already opened all their presents and most of them were having seconds sleeps. They had breakfast all ready to dive into when we got there and my sleepy mother-in-law on her way to give me a hug scratched my forehead. 

It was actually quite humorous since she was sleepy. She only had one eye open and was swaying like a drunk person. It was probably the first time I smiled that day. 

We ate and then I gave out Dax and my presents to those who were "present". For all the brothers I gave them shirts with animals I had bleached on with a Clorox bleach pen I I forgot to take pictures of them before I gave them!) Which I got the idea also from pintrest. 

(Go to Dora's blog for more details: click here) 

They were quick and easy and super fun! 

And then for all the sisters I made them bags! Just like the one I made for myself on a previous blog post. 

Ronnies Outside

Ronnies Inside

Jades outside 

Jade's Inside

Tess's Outside

Tess's strap! I loved how it turned out!

I loved how all of my bags turned out! I made one for my sister Ruby and my best friend Tylene but these are my favorites by far! By Ronnie's bag I became a pro bag maker ;)

I made my sister a large queen blanket. It's green and has a soft fuzzy lining! 

After giving gifts and receiving a few I had a much more calm attitude but I also gained a headache. 

The problem I saw Christmas Eve ended up working itself out, I got to lay around all Christmas at my second home and then I got to end Christmas with the most wonderful man eating awesome food and watching the "Miracle on 34th Street."

So overall fretting over the little prickly things don't really matter but being apart of the little sweet things do. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy almost 2013! 

Where did the year go?

xoxoxox

M.E.G