Catch up day

Today I got caught up.

Yesterday I missed getting up with Paul for his birthday to make him breakfast (I was in a fog of sleepiness) so I got up at 5am today to make him lunch and breakfast for the day. Then I went back to bed until I had to get up for work.

Work was a lovely busy day. I had a great lunch with my lovely office pal Laura and she gave me all the photos from the party I threw for Paul - which I promptly left at work, so I'll be posting them tomorrow instead of now :(

Tonight Paul had a youth leaders meeting/potluck dinner to go to, so I made his favorite Rice/Broccoli Casserole and sent him along. I made one for Karen and I as well. I also moved furniture around, tidied, organized, did laundry, cleaned out the microwave, cleaned out the fridge and refilled everything that needed refilling. While I did that Karen did a huge amount of dishes - she is amazing. Our house is now organized and it feels wonderful.

I had hoped to work on my christmas crafts tonight but through a tragic spray paint on my nice table cloth incident, I've realized that I'll need to complete the project outside...and in the light. Sunday morning here I come! Paul has even consented to help me then - as I need his building savvy. He'll also be building me some shelves for my Christmas Gift from his mom - 16 white mugs (finally completing my set of 16's...Plates, little plates, bowls, mugs & glasses. Wahoo!)

Anyways I've moved some things around our house...here are some photos!

Switching tables around - loving it!

New seating area! All for free!

Without Pillows?

Or with?

Organization Goals - month of December.

I am writting this mostly for myself so I have a record of when I plan to work on things, but by posting this online it helps pressure me (in a healthy way) to complete my organization goals.

1. Organize Craft Things. This is a big job. I am giving myself two evenings to work on it. December 7th & 14th.
2. Make Christmas Cards. This is time consuming, but with christmas movies and sangria, very enjoyable. I've again given myself two evenings to work on it. December 20th and 21st.
3. Make non-Christmas Cards. I've had to give out store bought birthday cards lately because I didn't have any prepped at last minute parties and would like to get back to having a stockpile of cards. I'll work on this all day December 28th, while I'm off of work and Paul is at work.
4. Organize hallway bookshelves. Sort out bedroom: Organize Closet, bedside table, and generally tidy room. I'll do this on my day off and Paul's work day, December 29th.

I"ve spread these tasks out over the next month so that I can still enjoy this coming month. I have 5 whole days between christmas and New Years that I won't schedule anything, including one day that I have off and Paul works. It shall all be lovely.

On top of those goals, I will be doing a little bit of christmas baking. I already have most of it done but I'll be making Almond Roca, and some sort of mini cupcake and cookie to add to the fudge and bark I've already got. These, compiled in little christmas chinese take out boxes, will be our christmas gifts to family and host gifts at parties.

Meal Plan Monday & Must try Monday. Double Links!

Monday: (Paul’s Bday) Beer Bread, Tomato Basil Soup & Spinach Soup. Paul loves beer, bread to dip in soup, and soup. So this is my ode to Paul. He’s long since told me that he does not want cards or gifts from me for his bday, just a great dinner, drinks and some loving. So there you go.

Tuesday: Broccoli Rice Casserole – simple but one of Paul’s favorites.

Wednesday: Pantry Challenge – this is a challenge to myself. Paul thinks this hilarious, but cute and practical. For this meal I am only allowed to cook using ingredients from the back pantry/deep freeze (only exceptions being milk, Becel, onions, spices, etc from the front). I’ll be doing this next week as well.


Thursday: Chili – This will be my first attempt at Chili. I’ll be using a Trader Joe’s Chili seasoning package Paul’s mom bought me. White Chicken Chili, Wahoo! Paul will be stoked!


Friday: Church Christmas Banquet – it’s a dessert only reception but we’ll be there early setting up so I’ll have Paul pick up some sushi for us. I’ll also be bringing some sort of dessert – I’m thinking Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread.


Saturday: Dinner at the Bartel’s in Chilliwack.


Sunday: Jodi & Stef’s Christmas Party Dinner.


Here are two of the recipes I’ll be making, that I haven’t posted before, and that I did not get from the internet:


Must try Monday:



Creamy Spinach Soup – recipe altered by Tara M.


Ingredients:
• 10oz Fresh Spinach Leaves
• ½ Cup Shredded Carrots
• 4 Cups Vegetable Broth (or 4 Tablespoons stock with 4 cups water)
• ½ Cup Diced Onions
• 8 Teaspoon Garlic
• 1/3 Cup Becel
• 1 Cup Fat Free Milk
• ¼ Cup Flour


Procedure:
In stock pot boil water/broth, add veggie stock/broth, spinach and carrots.
In a sauté pan, melt butter/becel and add onions and garlic. Once onions turn translucent, add flour gradually.
Add mixture into stock pot and simmer for several moments. Puree fully. Place back in pot and slowly add dairy.
Simmer for 2 minutes.
Serve or process.

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread:


Ingredients:
• ½ cup cocoa
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¾ cups chocolate chips
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 2 cups of grated zucchini
• 1 tsp vanilla


Procedure:
Mix dry ingredients together in a medium bowl and set aside.
Mix wet ingredients together in a large bowl. Mix chocolate chips into wet, add wet to dry and you’re done. Put in the oven to bake in muffin tins or in a loaf pan.

Christmas Decor

Today Paul and I had a leisurely sleep in. Then I hoped on my bike and headed down to Cambie and Broadway to meet my friend Sarah, at Caffe Citadella. it was lovely.

Afterwards I headed home to meet up with Paul and go to Richmond for grocery and craft shopping. The fact that Paul was joining was a huge treat, and a real labour of love on his part. He hates driving in richmond, and HATES grocery shopping. He had never been craft shopping but had already guessed he'd hate it. But he endured and came with me anyways.

We have two projects on the go, both for doors in our home. One is something to put on our front door instead of a Wreath, for Christmas, since we already have a all year wreath next to our door that I don't feel like taking down. The other is a Christmas Frame, with wire and christmas tidbits for our living room door, which is more like putting it on a wall since that door remains open at all times. At Micheals we found almost everything we needed.

The two photos below are the inspiration for our door christmas craft:

 And this is the inspiration for our indoor one. Except not an advent calendar, but just christmas themed, since we subscribe to the regular chocolate advent calendar tradition.

Here are the supplies we came home with (plus red spray paint and a Micheal's M). 

I'll be working on these Tuesday evening, photos will come then!

In the meantime I did get to complete one small project tonight. At Micheal's I scooped up some clear, plastic christmas balls to fill with random felt scraps from my last wreath project. I've already added them to my tree and I love them!

Balls before the stuffing

Balls - stuffed and ready for decorating. Sounds dirty, doesn't it? It definitely wasn't the point.

The complete set!

So cute!

On the tree!

Paul joined in on the fun - Below is the "ornament" that he created. 

Dollarama - Fish lure - wire and voila, Paul makes an ornament ;)

Yup, that's what I'd hoped would be on my tree.

Christmassy Thoughts

Today is lovely.

I slept in until 10am, Paul had gotten up much earlier and gone to work so I was left alone to sleep, which means more sleep for me!  I got up, had a shower, ate breakfast, did normal things and then cleaned the house – washed all the dishes, tidied, ran laundry and then prepared to hit up the back closet storage room. 2 hours later I finally manged to have it tidy and organized. It was  a lot of work!

Jenna, Connor and Austin came by after that and we decorated my tree. The house is looking quite festive.

Now Paul and I are curled up on couches watching the 90’s classic, The Net, with Sandra Bullock, eating dip and chips and drinking wine. I’m also working on making our Christmas Wreath, and with that our Christmas Decorations will be complete.

At 7 we’ll be heading to our friends house for dessert and games and then later back home to rest. It is a perfect day.

Nancy helped us organize our bookshelves.
And I finally got to put Paul's car's away and fill our cabinet with dishes! Like real grownups!

Our tree!

 My skinny Santa - I made him at a Lady's craft fair when I was 10 and he's been in every home I've had since then.

Tree and living room

So ready for Christmas!!

Random Things

1. Check out some sneak peak pictures from my friend Laura of Paul’s grad/bday party: http://paraphrasesblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/hard-week.html (photos are at the bottom of the entry)


2. Wednesday I spent 3 hours of my work day at a customer appreciation lunch at the Sutton Place Hotel. It was a lunch and gingerbread house making competition. Free food, free drinks, and good company. It was a lovely time. We did not win, but it was still a great day

3. Tonight is a recipe swap with the ladies from church: I have made Garlic Cheddar Biscuits for my entry. Since my mom can’t cook anymore I have made her famous Kids Kake that she always used to make growing up, and since my flight attendant friend, Claudia, only flies in to Vancouver just as the party is starting and will be coming straight to the party from the airport I’ve made her Almond Roca Recipe. I’ll post pictures tonight of my dishes and the ladies dishes.

Edited to add: PHOTOS

A look back.

June 6th, 2006:
Written in my old LiveJournal Account 4 months after becoming a christian, a week after returning to nanaimo to finish school, and a week after a month long vacation in Vancouver with church friends and family. I'll bold my new thoughts on the issues.

What a long weekend.
I have finished my essay.
I start at Montana’s tomorrow (Tuesday) I love my uniform and the idea of working there
My kitchen is clean.
I am so tired
But I am happy. God is good. My bills are paid, I have a job, I think I found a church; I’m liking people here. 
And once class ends and I go home, then I won’t be as tired and life will be good. 
Plus it’s apprentice Finale tonight. FUN FUN FUN

I've been tagged!
Four jobs you have had in your life:
1. Administration/Reception at Island Marble
2. Banquet Server at the Fairmont Empress
3. Front Desk Attendant at Ramada Huntingdon Hotel and Suites
4. Server at Fast Eddies

Four movies you could watch over and over: 
1. Princess Bride
2. Empire Records- Center Stage
3. Love Actually
4. Sliding Doors – Love Gwyneth Paltrow
**Still all my favorite movies!!**

Four places you have lived:
1. 3785 Bishop Crescent, Port Alberni
2. 121-6711 Dover Road, Nanaimo BC
3. Basement room across from the elemtary school in Ucluelet
4. 1921-1147 Quadra Street Victoria BC 

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. Gilmore Girls
2. America’s Next Top Model
3. Survivor
4. Extreme Home Make Over
**Still true, though Gilmore Girls is now cancelled**

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Hawaii
2. Europe 
3. California (Disneyland 5 times!!)
4. All through the states and Canada and into Mexico, We have a lot of time on our hands in the summer in my family

Four websites I visit daily:
1. www.hotmail.com 
2. www.livejournal.com 
3. the internet movie database
4. Xanga
**Now I visit:

1. gmail

2. Blogger / Google Reader

3. IMDB / Zap2it

4. Failbook **

Four of my favourite foods:
1. Meat – any kind and the more the better, especially fish or red meats(ie. Steak!)
2. Appetizers from Fast Eddies. 
3. Chinese Food and Pizza with Garlic Dip
4. Garlic and butter sautéed mushrooms
**Definitely still true, which makes me so sad that Fast Eddies closed**

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Vancouver with Jenna and my friends
2. With my future husband…I wonder who that will be
3. On a cruise ship with my closest 20 friends…and family. Ideal.
4. Curled up on a far more comfortable couch with my feet far less cold than they are. 
**Currently I am in three of those places: living in Vancouver with Jenna and my friends, with my husband and curled up on a comfy couch, with warm feet. All that's missing is a cruise**

But just to make up everyone entirely jealous I’m almost perfectly happy watching Movies with my roommate Sherri, after spending my day gorging myself on salmon and crab.
**I definitely wish I was eating Salmon and crab, and miss hanging out with my old friend Sherri, who I am pleased to report is also happily married and situated in life**

Four people I am tagging:
To copy Emily: Whoever the heck feels like being tagged. I did this for fun because I never got to do it before
**I still stand by rules on tagging, i hate force tagging people!**