Real is Better

Prior to the holidays Matt and I have had small discussions about how we wanted to decorate our new home together for the holidays. Whether to get a real tree or not. We bought a fake tree last year & automatically assumed we would just go ahead and use that to save us some money. After putting up and decorating that tree however, I started regretting not getting a real one. There's nothing better than the smell of a real Christmas tree, it just makes such a difference. 

So, what did we do? This weekend we made a short trip to Country Farms & picked up our tree! I also added some more holiday decorations and I am so happy with how cozy & warm our place feels now. Saying Christmas is my favorite holiday is an understatement. 

 Even Michonne loves the holiday season! (:

Updated some of our photos to add some wedding ones, need to add some more up! 

There's Always Something to be Thankful For

It's that time of year that always warms my heart. A time that I've always grown up to know as the merriest times, spent with family & close friends.

When I was younger, a big group of my immediate & extended family would get together to celebrate the holidays and I remember having so much fun even if we really didn't have much to do but hang out with each other. Sadly as I've gotten older, those family gatherings have slimmed down to just immediate family with occasional additions here and there. I've grown up being surrounded by my big family so as much as I do still love this time of year, I also am always reminded how much I miss all my family getting together. 

Despite all of that, I am still grateful. I may not have the big family gatherings, but I am very fortunate to still have my family around to spend it with plus the last couple of years have been exciting as Rylan and I became part of a new family. It makes me very excited for Matt and I to add new additions to our families. 

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Holidays, usually mean going from one family to the other. We started off having lunch with Matt's mom and brother and then made the trek down to Kent to end our Thanksgiving with my family. All filled with lots of delicious food, laughter and love. I can't wait for Christmas! (: 

 Oh, Brutus. I love this big guy so much!

I normally am in charge of desserts for our family gatherings. Usually I make regular rice krispy treats. This year my sis-in-law texted me a picture of a rice krispy treat turkey, so I figured I'd give the challenge a go, and I have to say I'm pretty proud of my creation. lol 

 This isn't all the food, but it was all delicious 

a rice krispy drumstick lol

I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving! 

'Tis the season

Days are all seem to be meshing together the last few weeks. With the holiday season quickly approaching, there just doesn't seem to be enough time to do everything I need to have done. 

Sickness and exhaustion has still taken over me, so any free time I seem to get I spend napping (which, let's be honest it's too horrible lol). Good news is, I was finally able to dedicate a few hours to spend cleaning the apartment, start the huge load of laundry that's built up the last week and a half AND start putting up our Christmas decorations. Yes, I know Thanksgiving hasn't even arrived yet - but I couldn't help it. I was in the mood and with it being my favorite holiday, I just had to. And besides, I had a little helper who was just as excited about putting up the decorations. 

I mean, I can't be sorry about having our Christmas tree up early, because it just completes the coziness that the holidays bring. Whenever I get some more free time, I can't wait to decorate some more! Has anyone else started putting up their trees? I love seeing other pictures of family's holiday filled homes. 

Better Days Ahead

With the change from summer to fall/winter, our family excluding Rylan (thank goodness) has recently caught the cough/cold. That is where my lack of posting has come into play due to my intense lack of energy these days. November has just not been the month for me.

Matt, has been an incredible husband by helping me make dinners & lunches for the family the last few weeks, without even being asked. He has willingly volunteered every time and I am so thankful for him for it. Definitely also grateful for my mother-in-law for helping us during our recent wind/rain storm that left us powerless for about 8 hours. 

The good news is, I am hopeful that I am finally nearing the end of this & will soon be on the road to recovery so that I can get back to normal business. 

Before our power went out, I captured this moment of Rylan ready & eating his favorite snacks (hot cheetos with milk lol) . It makes me happy. He has been so understanding and so helpful around the house & with our dog while mommy has come down with the cold. He loves reading & it just makes me realize how quickly he's growing.

Here's to better days soon!

Foodie Group & Doughnuts

Did I ever talk about this amazing group that we're a part of? It's gotta be one of the coolest groups you could ever be a part of. Every once in awhile (when our schedules permit), we get together with a few of our good friends and our families and just eat. I mean if you love food & like to eat, who wouldn't want to be a part of our group. Hah. We normally like to try out new places, but we're always open to anything (so throw out your suggestions if you have any).

On a quick slight serious note, it really is awesome to get together with our group. They have been such a big part of our spiritual walk individually, as a couple & a family so they hold very high significance. We just adore them & are so blessed to have them in our lives.

Anyways, today we decided to try Peruvian food & by suggestion from a friend we went to San Fernando Roasted Chicken, which was absolutely delicious & authentic. After stuffing our faces there we decided to walk a few stores over and get dessert at Doughnut Factory, which was also amazing. We recommend it, so if you're ever in the Pacific Northwest Region & wanna check out Peruvian food & some delicious doughnuts, try these two places up!

I had to share food pictures. So salivate and enjoy!

And I have to share the sweetest photo I captured of Rylan & Evelyn holding hands walking over to the Doughnut Factory. I love them.

Mulligatawny Soup - Recipe

My good friend Erin shared with me this delicious recipe last year and it's by far one of my favorite soups to make especially during this time of year. Mulligatawny is pretty much just a curry soup. It's definitely a comfort food, and it's been really popular in our house hold.

I figure since it was so kindly shared with me, I'd share it with all of you! (:

The ingredients below is good for about 4 servings, normally when I cook this I double it, to accommodate my husband and I's lunches.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup chopped onion 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 carrot, diced 1/4 cup butter 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder 4 cups chicken broth

1/2 apple, cored and chopped 1/4 cup white rice 1 skinless, boneless chicken breast half - cut into cubes salt to taste ground black pepper to taste 1 pinch dried thyme 1/2 cup heavy cream, heated

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Sauté onions, celery, carrot, and butter in a large soup pot. Add flour and curry, and cook 5 more minutes. Add chicken stock, mix well, and bring to a boil. Simmer about 1/2 hour.
2.	Add apple, rice, chicken, salt, pepper, and thyme. Simmer 15-20 minutes, or until rice is done.
3.	When serving, add hot cream.

This is exactly what I needed tonight for dinner, especially with how incredibly cold it's been the last couple weeks. If you try making it, let me know how yours turns out and how you like it! (: