Monday, January 30, 2012

Sunday

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One of my favorite things to do is prep and store food. I could scrub, wash, peel, chop, and vacuum seal fruit and vegetables all day if I had the opportunity. It’s almost therapeutic for me. I think about all the blessings in my life and one of them is food.

I’ve mentioned before how I have allergies and sensitivities to food. It makes it difficult sometimes, but it’s a blessing in disguise in that I have to eat real. I went from reading labels on packaged food and feeling discouraged to feeling empowered. As time has gone by, my allergies aren’t as sensitive. I can eat most anything, besides corn, in moderation: ice cream here and some bread there. The more I have wheat, corn and dairy in my diet, the stronger the effects are which is why I try and stay away from them most of the time. But real food, now that’s another story.

Knowing where my food came from, what’s in it, and knowing that I have it is the best feeling. It’s like a full tank of gas, knowing you don’t have to wake up early the next day, and when you hear your husband about to walk into the door. It’s special. Food deserves to be treated with respect, not boiled down and preserved to last a year on the shelf.

After church, Sunday was partly spent roasting peanuts and sunflower seeds. Packaged peanuts usually contain an anti-caking agent which is usually cornstarch. Sunflower seeds are just so easy to roast I refuse to buy them, plus they taste better without the salt. Not to mention they smell like popcorn, heavenly!

The other part was spent cleaning and organizing. Brad went on a Mr. Clean tangent and I just wanted a nap the dishes done. Once he gets started he just can’t stop. He made me a little shelf next to the bed, since I sleep against the wall I always hand him things while he’s reading in bed. If I don’t take my earrings off and lose them in the couch cushions, then I forget when already in bed and hand them to him, or when I am done with my cuticle oil he’ll have to set those things on the nightstand for me.

He’s all gentleman-like.

He hung frames, and shined his shoes. He turned on Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and we made potato bacon soup. That’s my Bradley, and our Sunday.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

And then it was Saturday

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It was already a rough week, and boy was I drained.

Crisis. On Saturday morning, I was driving to work at the unholy hour of 10:15 (hey, it’s the weekend) when I realized I left my wallet at home. My first thought should have been, I DON’T HAVE MY DRIVERS LICENSE. When really it was, I’VE ONLY HAD GRANOLA AND APPLE JUICE TO EAT. I was scared. Hungry Haley turns into Roseanne Barr when she goes longer than three hours without eating. And I was working one long shift I tell you.

Crisis, averted. Brad drove to Idaho Falls to have lunch with me on my lunch break, and to bring me my wallet of course. I’m a responsible driver.

Nothing puts a band aid on a bad mood like Brad, Five Guys and a cupcake. Not even Roseanne would complain and she complains about everything.

Since we already ate so horribly for lunch, we figured we might as well continue it into the evening. Breakfast is more important anyway. We finished the day off with pizza, cookies, and always….Don Draper.

Then Brad showed me this and I almost barfed up my whole day. Enjoy!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Christmas happenings

 

Let me just tell you, working in retail is not good for your blog. Especially at Christmas time. Serious apologies to my little space on the Internet.

Since I had to work like a maniac and couldn’t come home for Christmas, my in laws came to us! It wouldn’t have been Christmas without some family, for sure. Brad hadn’t seen his parents since the Christmas before, so he was looking forward to spending time with them since I stayed with them twice this year without him. We went out to dinner with them, took them to Rexburg’s finest restaurants (lol) brad gave them a tour of the campus, they all visited me at work, we played lots and lots of cards, and just enjoyed being with family.

We celebrated Brad’s Birthday by making a big breakfast with eggs, baked potato coins, waffles and oj! I loooove breakfast! We watched The Dream works Christmas short movies, and he opened his gifts! He received a one piece bum flap long johns, a stud finder, seek and find book, a drill, and a batman encyclopedia. Look at those goofy smiles :]

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He said the only thing he’s found with his stud finder is his self. Ha!

I made him Funfetti cupcakes, since those are his  favorite. We celebrated with cake and ice cream that night at his aunts house where we played bingo for prizes and played some more cards!

I really missed my family and I wish we could have gone home for Christmas so bad. My parents sent us a box of presents, and I’ve already used them like crazy! My mom knew my love for salad spinners and got me my very first one, as well as the Babycakes vegan, gluten and sugar free cookbook. So far I’ve made the gingerbread and ate half the loaf by myself. No shame!

We made our Christmas tree and ornaments ourselves, since last year we didn’t have a tree because we went to Washington. And who wants to spend $30 on a tree that doesn’t even smell anymore because it’s dried out? who want’s to spend almost as much on a fake tree that smells like plastic and vinyl? certainly not us.  We’re a fan of dumpsters, it’s amazing what people throw away. I found a heavy bottomed pot once. I didn’t keep it because I already have one and I might just make brad crazy..but seriously? who throws that away? take it to the DI people! Anyway, someone bought a tree too big and threw the bottom portion in the dumpster where we found it while taking out the trash. Brad, being the crafty handyman that he is chopped it up, zip tied it together and we had a tree! We also blew up water balloons, made mod podge, and with the help of fabric, glitter and tinsel, we had ornaments!

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We also had our own little Ms. Clause. I hope your holidays were swell!

pt. 2

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1. Baby Bear 2. Nebraska corn 3. My favorite summer breakfast 4. Homemade face masks, couldn’t move a single muscle 5. Lydia loves Brad’s glasses 6. Bag lady syndrome, it runs in the family 7. Driving from Torrington, Wy to Alliance, Ne 8. Said bag lady syndrome confirmed 9. Brad with his favorite, and only nephew 10. Homemade sandbag 11. Lydia loves getting into (dumping) Auntie Haley’s purse 12. Ladybug on a rusted stove 13. Orange hands from curtain dying 14. Such a handsome baby boy 15. The Happy Couple 16. Fall mornings in the PNW, my happy place.