Rocking Out to the 80s....

I was blasting Guns and Roses on my satellite radio in the new car.  I LOVE satellite radio! 

Our first car together!  2011 Toyota 4Runner

We got one night at the Atwood House Bed and Breakfast.  We had wanted three, but because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we were not able to do so.  Our one night was awesome.

Everyone had written in the guest book about how amazing the breakfast was, and it sure didn't disappoint.

I did accomplish getting HH to get some new blue jeans.  He hasn't bought any since we've dated.  The condition was that all his old pairs must go in the trash.  We found some loose fitting dark wash jeans from Old Navy, and we got him seven pair. 

I got an apology from a parent who was really rude to me last Tuesday.  It took a lot for me to let it go, and I was worried it would ruin my holiday, but I didn't let it.  It was nice to get the apology. 

Decorating the church tonight with the group for Christmas.  Our tree is up.  Pictures soon!

One of The Best Books I've Read in a Long Time

Now if I can just learn Keep Calm and Count On....

Hello Omaha!

I drove HH and I all the way to Sioux Falls last night, while he read my Old Testament homework to me.  (Awww....)  I did my shopping yesterday morning, and then I drove us into Omaha.  (While HH read more Old Testament homework to me!) 

The picture of HH and I together turned out super blurry.  :(  I'll redo it tonight. 

We watched Tyler Perry's new play...

Two Recipes I've Made...

Cream Cheese and Crab Stuffed Crescent Rolls (Got this from the Pillsbury website, but can't find the link to the specific recipe).  Saturday night was girls night, and I brought this.  We had Korean BBQ too.

Pumpkin Spice Truffles:

I cannot make desserts look pretty.  I made these for all the staff I like at school.

Two Recipes

Lasagna Soup

We LOVED this.  I made it with sausage not hamburger. 

Bruschetta Chicken Bake

Nesting Photos....

Here are a few of the items I have bought to make our house a home.  I'm still combing through etsy, and know I'll be buying more soon.

(Yes, this is where we live.  I'm just not blogging about the name, as to try to keep myself out of search engines.)

I love Julia Child.  This is one of her tons of inspiring quotes for would be chefs like myself.

This is too big for the space.  I bought it because the wall behind it is very ugly.  For the most part it serves my purposes.

I love this.  It makes me think of HH and smile.

I'm planning a display of plates, and am currently looking for the plates I want on etsy.  I am really enjoying decorating this place and making it HOME. 

Organizing...Before Meets After

BEFORE...

AFTER:

Counterspace is such a beautiful thing!!!  I need workspace.

We also unpacked eight boxes, and removed one bag of trash from HH's home office.  This is the only room in the house that is not officially "done."  It is taking a bit of time, because my husband's office at work is not complete, and we can't move as much stuff as we would like.  I am so thankful for every single step we take to being "here."

The electrician came yesterday.  We were on his waiting list for five weeks.  We had about four hours worth of work for him to do.  We now have an outlet for our deep freeze, and will be making a trip to stock it very soon. 

Wishing every weekend was a three day one!

What I've Been Reading

What Has Prevented Me From More Personal Reading...

(I jest....I am really enjoying what I am learning for this class.  I am not however happy with myself that I allowed myself to be backed up against a deadline, and have to work like mad to finish this course on time.  I am through lesson 13, and am completing tests I and II today.  It has also been awesome having HH as a personal tutor.  I've been able to ask lots of questions, and we've had some great discussion from this.)

Fun Foods....and Other Snapshots...

I made Kitty Litter Cake for my class....I set the stage by talking with them at lunch about where I could take my cat who was sick.  They were so cute giving me suggestions and well wishes.

I also made Halloween Candy Bark for the staff.

I didn't make anything this past week.  I need to do a major grocery run, and make a plan for next week.

I love TOMS shoes.  LOVE THEM.  Like I have eight pair, and just bought four more.  They are very comfy, and just my style.  I love what they do with their ONE FOR ONE project.  I wrote them an email, asking if they only did international work, or if they ever gave stateside.  I told them about the dire need in my area, and included my contact information.  I never heard anything, so I figured they didn't do stateside giving.  Then a TOMS truck shows up at my school with 1100 pairs of shoes for our kids.  I was at training in another city that day.  My kids were so excited.  I want to have a TOMS day soon where we all where them.  Here is a picture of one of my kids.  (Needless to say I am a TOMS for LIFE now!!!)

I'm coming into my own figuring out what my role will be as "Pastor's Wife."  I'm good at hospitality.  I've put together some events that I will be having for ladies at our home.

Cookie Swap
Mad Hadder's Tea Party
Fear Factor
Jammies and Junk Food
Recipe Swap
Mission Impossible

HH's mom and I spoke yesterday.  She said that this year she would like to get the kids (us) services in the next year instead of gifts at Christmas.  She asked if we would like weekly house cleaning and a monthly detailing for our car.  There is a time when that would have offended me, but not so much now.  I happily said YES.  She was tap dancing around, trying to make it sound like we didn't need it, etc.  I said it is not like we have a lot of "options" for types of services we could have here.  I'm also going to start having more people in own home, by my choice, and it would be nice to have that aspect taken care of.  She is going to ask a lady in our church if she would do the housecleaning.  I really hope that she says yes, because I don't know who else I would want in our home. 

I was getting my dental work done in the city yesterday.  While I was there, our car was being serviced.  We are getting an automatic starter and a heating block put on it.  It is going to be a two day job, completed next week with my husband.  The manager was really nice.  He comes out telling me what they have done, and how the automatic starter works, but there is a glitch with it.  He says he is going to need to research it to figure out how to override it.  He gets a little uncomfortable, and says, "Now since I don't know you, I am going to have to ask you to pay for the car starter today, since it is already installed."  I had to bite my lip not to laugh.  Wow...small town USA!  Of course I thought I was going to have to pay for the product!