Reflecting and Appreciating the little things

Five years ago if you had asked me where I would be in five years, I would have told you that I was probably going to work for a small or medium size business firm while writing out my business plan. Possibly dating or in a serious relationship. Never would I have thought that I would be six months married and be so happy to love and care for another individual so unconditionally. Clearly I mean Ollie, just kidding, even though the pup is pretty freaking adorable. Why have I suddenly thought of this question?

With the new year coming to an end, I have been blessed to have spent a lot of time with my husband for the past few days ( with his current work schedule that is a true blessing). Spending this quality time with him and our friends has made me feel like we are truly newly weds and "dating" per say. It makes me realize even more than I usually do how much he cares about me and makes me feel special in so many little ways.

 When it comes to life for me, it's always the little things. Nothing has to be over the top or extravagant, just plain and simple. It's the little kisses, the light tickles, and even the face licks.(It's why Hubby says I am a cheap date). It's the small ways he also makes me feel special. Such as every now and then, he makes me choose what we are going to share when we eat and refuses to put in any input and he will eat it whether he doesn't like veggies on his pizza or not. Or when I am not looking in the grocery store he will get me a small bouquet of flowers because he knows how those make me smile. Even when he forces me to sit down and watch my Real Housewives of Whatever town is currently making me laugh while he does the dishes or laundry. ( Yes I have admitted my trashy television to you, but everyone needs a trashy show or mindless television, so you have no room to judge.)

It's these things I have reflected on that makes me so grateful and blessed for my husband, family, friends, and the new blessing God has given us on this journey. What are the things you are grateful for?

A family the Crafts Together, Stays Together!

I believe everyone should have some kind of hobby to keep them busy and not become a complete couch potato. Chris loves to brew beer and wood working, plus some other things. I love to bake/cook and sew here and there. So this past month we have been busy little bees getting our own projects done. I can't show mine yet because they are also Christmas gifts, but I can show you the decorating!

So I promised to show you the progress we have been making with our house with the holidays. I have always wanted to decorate our home for the holidays and I am so excited that I get to do it as our first Christmas as a married couple.

Our Wreath

 We found a plain wreath in our Christmas stuff, so I went to Hobby Lobby got a little ribbon, some shiny things, and Ta-Da!!! Our Wreath, pretty cute I do say so myself!

Center Piece 1

Center Piece 2

We got these Silver Basket and Tray for our wedding and I have had no clue how to use them until now! Filler here and there and BAM, super cute! Sticking close to our red and gold theme.

Mantle Piece

This is just simple but elegant, just like us!

Our tree

This is our tree before our tree skirt.

Now the big project is kind of both of ours but Chris is the one with major technical skills. We are building our dream dresser. I have had dreamed of drawers so deep you could never see the bottom and nice cherry finish. I have never felt like I have had a decent set of drawers, so Chris and I designed our own. And here are some pictures of the top.

Before Stain

After Stain.

 I will add more pictures later, but so far it's sooo beautiful! Chris has already told me that I get most of the drawers! Man, does the love of my life know how to spoil me or what! The drawers are deep and long! I have a sweater problem, so they need proper storage.

Well that's all for now! Is anyone getting excited about Christmas!? Live, Laugh, Love!

Left-Over Mac and Cheese

OK so I know, I have left you alone for two whole weeks! I do apologize but in my defense Hubby and I have been super busy with the holiday season traveling, and working on some top super secret stuff. Don't worry you will know all soon enough! I will prove to you in my next post how we have been so busy to. We have been one crafty little family, even little Ollie is helping out too!

So another reason why I have not posted at all this week, is I have been sick. Hubby was out of town for work and I was trying hard not to cough up a lung. But I am feeling 85.6784% better now. Hopefully by Sunday I will be 100%. Just so glad this didn't happen while traveling to visit family for Christmas.

So all week I have had no appetite what so ever! I come home, barely have energy to cook ramen. Since Hubby was gone, Ollie tried his hardest to take care of mom, but he doesn't have thumbs so it's kind of hard. So finally last night when I was feeling better, I wanted to make something comforting, delish, and using stuff in my house without having to go to the store! (Do you blame me? I already had my PJ's on.) So I decided to make Mac &Cheese with my left overs.

So I pillaged my fridge and pulled out left over green peas, a couple of mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and chicken. I really wanted bacon, but I was out and again the mission was for me not to go to the store. You can use any kind of cheese you have or desire, I have done a Gouda mac and cheese before. So I pulled out the Mexican mix cheese I had and some Velveeta.

Now let me tell you my brief opinion of Velveeta. You can ask any of my friends, I am not a huge fan of American cheese unless it is from Subway or in a grilled cheese. Those are two of my very few exceptions. I am also not a fan of Velveeta. Give me a good mozzarella or provolone, how about Cheddar, who does not like Cheddar? But in Hubby's opinion, it's what qualifies you to be an American and has to be in Mac &Cheese no matter what or it is not cheesy enough. So if I expect him to eat my home made mac & cheese, it has to have Velveeta in it. You have to pick your battles right?

So let's get started. I chopped up one whole chicken breast and started it to saute in some oil. While that started, I started my pasta to boil.

When the chicken was getting close to being cooked through, I added my chopped mushrooms, peas, and quartered cherry tomatoes to the saute pan. Cook till it is desired texture and chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Now when your pasta is cooked and drained, add your chicken saute to the same pot as the pasta. You do not want it to cool, it is very important. Thoroughly mix together.

Now as in most things I do, this is not scientific. I added one part Velveeta and one part Mexican cheese mix. (About 2 oz. for the amount I used, but you might need more if you make a bigger pot.) Now work those upper arms and stir constantly still all your cheese clumps are gone. I also add a little milk to help with the creaminess. If you feel like you need more cheese (who doesn't like cheese?) then add more of your favorite, clearly I did not add more Velveeta.

So keep on stirring, you think you are done, but that Velveeta is a tricky beast and tends to hide in the depths of the pot.

Your ending mixture should look some like this. If your mac is too stiff, then add a smidgen more milk till you get the desired cream texture.

Sprinkle a little pepper and salt, yumm

Multi bene! Your left over mac & cheese is done. What would you add to your left over Mac & Cheese? And remember Live, Laugh, and Love!