Abby & Brandon’s Blog

It’s been almost 2 months since my last blog and I thought I better update.

I spent the morning with my sister-in-law, Amanda. We had coffee and chatted for a couple hours, covering a wide variety of topics (like most women). We did a little shopping, oooed and ahhhhed over cute office supplies and picked up groceries to satisfy our appetites. Then we headed home and made Paninis. This now counts as my first new recipe since….I don’t even know!!

Cooking with Amanda is a little different than cooking by myself…mostly because she doesn’t use recipes and she looks so professional when she cooks I’m sure she has already blogged about her panini recipe, but I’ll share it for those of you who haven’t made them.

We used Focaccia bread and cut it into 4 sandwiches.

We had Ham and Salami for our meat, mayo and brown mustard, spinach, and cheese. We used Pepper Jack for a little spice.

I don’t have a panini grill so we used a grill pan (which for people like me who don’t know what that is, but happen to have one…it’s a frying pan with the upraised grill to make the grill marks on your meat or sandwich). We melted butter in the pan and cooked the sandwiches over medium heat.

To get the marks in the sandwich we used a smaller frying pan to press the sandwich down onto the pan so the grill marks imprinted in the sandwich. Then we cooked it on both sides until the cheese melted.

It was a really easy recipe and made a great sandwich for a cloudy, rainy day like today!

I am completely obsessed with people. I am always interested in a tid bit of information about someone, whether it be an engagement, a new baby, news on who they are dating, their new job, and anything else. In other words, I am nosy. I am that person that stalks on facebook and follows statuses and checks out photo albums, trying to piece together people’s lives and be in the know.

I find lately that I read a lot about love. Love is what drives people. Teenagers post about their broken hearts, others post about being afraid of love, still others talk about their husbands, wives, and children. Somehow, it always comes back to love.

All this “love” has made me take a look at my own life and the love I have.

I was the typical teenager who thought the world would crash down if I broke up with my boyfriend, but it didn’t….and then it didn’t again, and again. But I take a look at my journal entries and wish I could write a letter to my 16 year old self and say, “Patience, wild heart, you will be loved…you ARE loved”.

My Daddy loves me. He loves me the way God asked him to. The kind of love that leaves me with no doubt about how God loves me. I was not an easy child, I declared my independence and pursued it with gusto. I screamed at night in my crib because I didn’t want to go to bed. I said, firmly, that I would do things myself, I fought against curfews and argued about going places with my friends. I rolled my eyes at my parents and thought, for sure, they were the most uncool people I knew. And through all of that, my Daddy loved me. He let me experience some things, and protected me from others, even when I screamed at him in anger for not letting me go.

When I was small and couldn’t sleep, my Daddy would sit on my bed and rub my back while praying until I drifted off to sleep. When I was a teenager and woke up from terrible nightmares, he would come down the hall to my room and pray over me, then sit up in the living room until I fell back asleep. My Daddy loves me.

My Mom loves me. She loved me even when I told her I hated her and screamed hurtful words to her from my bedroom. She loved me when I ignored her words of advice and encouragement. She loved me even when I didn’t clean my room

My Mom and I didn’t have a close mother/daughter relationship, especially when I was in highschool, but she still loved on me and patiently dealt with my typical teenage mood swings. I like to think she was waiting and praying for the day things would change and I would grow up.

I moved away to college and quickly learned how much I loved my parents and knew I could never ever thank them enough for putting up with me. I couldn’t wait to drive home and hear the excitement in my Mom’s voice when I walked through the door or throw my arms around my Daddy’s neck. I loved the moments at the kitchen table as I shared with them about life at college and what I was learning. It was hard to leave every Sunday night. I love my Dad and Mom.

Then I met the Love of my Life. My amazing husband, Brandon brought a new meaning to love. Love is fierce.

Brandon and I fit perfectly, we are both stubborn, loud, sarcastic, and we hold tight to the things we love. When we fell in love I knew that it was over, I was completely captured, and that was fine with me!

Brandon loves me. He sacrifices for me, he says “no” to me when he should, but works incredibly hard to please me and provide for me. He surprises me (in a good way) and he grows with me in life. He shares his dreams with me and asks to hear mine. He encourages me to do things I like, and always tries to find a way to make things happen for me. He makes me laugh all the time. He lets me cuddle with him in bed even though it makes him warm. He shuts my alarm off in the morning when I don’t work so that I will sleep in. He loves me fiercely.

I will admit that I do not understand when people say they are afraid to love.

I have loved and lost, I have cried many tears when roads have parted, but never have I regretted loving. It is hard to love sometimes and it hurts sometimes, but without love I wouldn’t be me.

I love to be loved and I love to love. To light up when someone enters the room, to be showered with hugs by your family, to know you are accepted by someone, to know that you can be yourself because someone loves you.

God loves me. I have always known God loves me. I can see it every day in many different ways. Even when I make mistakes, get angry, feel sad, He loves me. He made me the way I am, he made me to love fiercely, to crave that relationship with Him.

He made me to be loved.

He made you to be loved.

I haven’t blogged in a long time and I’m feeling so overwhelmed with all the things I should blog about that I don’t know what to say!

I’m at Caribou (of course) because this is where I feel creative. I am here to write up a little memoir about a teacher of mine who is being honored tonight for 25 years of teaching at New Testament Christian School.

I love this teacher and I had her for 5 years of my life. I am, however, at a loss for words. What do I say in 3-5 minutes about someone who shaped my life as a little girl and taught me through the hairy junior high years…and still gave me hugs when I wasn’t her student anymore? I wanted something profound and meaningful but all I can think about is how many coupons she would have earned after 25 years of attendance…

I suppose most people wouldn’t have a clue what I’m talking about when I say coupons so…Mrs Runge did something called “Store” every Friday. You could purchase items at this store with the coupons you had earned. You got 3 coupons for each day you attended school and then there were many other various ways to collect coupons throughout the day. You also lost coupons if you were not behaving.

I also keep thinking about this blessing song she would sing over us every morning. I remember rolling my eyes many times when she did this, but now I almost tear up thinking about how meaningful and wonderful that was. I plan to sing this to her tonight.

My brother and I are doing this speech together tonight…both of us are feeling writer’s block. I have our opening and our closing, but the middle is very wide open.

I attended a PPA conference on Tuesday night. PPA is Professional Photographer’s Association. They had their 2010 tour and the main speakers of the night were amazing. I felt so inspired, but then I got home and just felt overwhelmed and inadequate. They made us pledge at the beginning that we wouldn’t get overwhelmed it was pretty funny. But no matter what, I do feel overwhelmed with information and unable to put this good stuff into action.

One of the things they talked about is how people should surround themselves with things that inspire them. It could be interesting textures, colors, items, people, music…the ideas are endless. I think this is a good spot for me to start so I plan to pay attention when things make me “light up” and try to find ways to surround myself with this.

I love writing and reading. I am still feeling the effects of a book I read a couple weeks ago. I have read two other books since then, but both seem simple and easy (which they are). I keep coming back to the other book, A Garden To Keep by Jamie Langston Turner. The way it was written woke something up in my brain and pushed me to think and interact with the characters. Some of the words melt on my tongue while others I hold in my hand, feeling them and tossing them around. It inspired something in me.

Inspire: to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence. Inhale

I love the definition “inhale”. That is such a good description. When I truly feel inspired it’s like breathing in fresh air.

So what inspires you?

What is your “fresh air”?

Life as of late has been like a Merry Go Round that I can’t get off.

A month ago I quit a nanny job I had only been working at for two weeks. It had been more stressful than I could handle. I jumped back on the job searching band wagon and dropped off applications at the mall. While at the mall finishing filling out an application two recruiters from Abercrombie and Fitch approached me and asked me to fill out an application for their store and come in for an interview THAT DAY! I was feeling pretty confident that I could find a job now!

Before I headed over there I dropped an application off at Aeropostale…they set up an interview on the spot for two days later!! I was sure hitting the jackpot!

Skip ahead to a week later…

I had been offered a job at Abercrombie and Fitch which I turned down (it really smells strong in that store!!). I accepted a job at Aeropostale and prepared for my orientation. I was excited to have a job again!

That weekend we moved from our apartment into a duplex not far from where we were living. We were excited to be moving into a new place! It was a two bedroom and it had a basement…no end to the storage possibilities!! My parents came down on Friday and with the help of one of our friends we were able to move everything that day/night.

I worked my first day at Aero last Sunday, March 7. I had a BLAST!! It was more fun than I was anticipating and I was thrilled to have this job. I had stayed busy all day long with little tasks and greeting people. My coworkers were fun and really nice and I knew I would enjoy working with them.

Monday…

Ring Ring…Ring Ring… (this is my lame imitation of Brandon’s phone which actually plays a song and does not ring ring, but you get the idea)

Brandon was offered a job with a web development company in Alexandria, which he accepted. He was going to start right away.

I feel like Jekyl and Hyde as I absorb this news. I knew we would be getting a call about this job that day and I had been praying and hoping that he would be offered the postion. But how was I to know that I would actually love working at a clothing store that had nothing to do with my degree? The fact that I like people was the only reason I had applied for the job in the first place. But here I was, loving this new job after one day and realizing I would have to call them and give them my two weeks notice. Not exactly something I like to do with any job, but especially one I have only worked at for a day.

I did call and they were understanding. I worked one last day with them on Tuesday night and still had so much fun. They encouraged me to use all my discounts up so I invested in a few souvenirs which I have loved wearing the last few days.

We packed both of our cars as full as possible…and I really mean as full as possible. Except for the driver’s seat and a small area for viewing out the back window, my car was literally packed to the max. Apparently Brandon is a professional Tetris player because the trunk of my car was the most amazing game I have ever seen! We both had food from our favorite eateries, Chipotle for Brandon, Brueger’s Bagels for me, something we will not have again for awhile! Then we drove home Wednesday night in the fog.

We are living at my parent’s house until our lease is up at the duplex. Praise the Lord for wonderful parents! Brandon started work on Thursday and I, once again, started the job hunt.

I have little motivation to look for a job at this time…I spent 1 1/2 months searching for a job, found the nanny job, quit the nanny job, found the Aero job, quit the Aero job, moved to Alexandria and now have no idea what I want to do.

I sent an application to the YMCA, which has not yet opened in Alexandria. For those who don’t know, I worked at the Y in Willmar for two years; One of the best jobs I have ever had. I had no other leads for jobs and felt defeated just thinking about searching.

Today, I got a call from an old friend I worked with in Willmar, she happened to have transferred to Alexandria as one of the directors at the Alexandria YMCA. She saw my application come in and said she called me right away (secretly I was hoping this would happen because I knew she was working here now). She leapt right in asking when I could start and said they needed me! Oh how good it feels to be needed.

I obviously said, “Start me right away!”. They will be calling later with more details!! This has definitely healed the “wound” of leaving Aero…the YMCA is a second home to me.

Brandon and I have so many things to do before we will be settled here in Alexandria, but our dream of living here someday has come true, albeit much faster than we expected. But God has the best timing We have already starting pushing down roots as well, starting with “Couples Group” on Friday night. My sister-in-law and I are starting a book club, I am going to a Bible Study on Tuesday night and it looks like I’m going to be starting a job now too!

The Merry Go Round has it’s wonderful moments and even though I have to squeeze my eyes shut at times to keep from getting dizzy, the ride is incredible.

We are working on packing up our apartment so things are getting pretty messy and the fridge is getting pretty empty…which left me to invent something for us to eat tonight.

I pulled some chicken out to thaw and figured, if anything, I could simply bake it and mix up a box of Pasta Roni. Later this afternoon, however, I got creative and “made-up” a recipe.

I used 3 chicken breasts, an egg, Italian bread crumbs, paprika, alfredo sauce, and mozzarella cheese.

Dip each of the chicken breasts in the egg then cover them in Italian bread crumbs, sprinkle a little paprika over each and bake them at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes add Alfredo sauce (however much you feel, but don’t be stingy!) and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake another 10 minutes.

I cooked up some noodles and served the chicken over the noodles.

It was very simple and easy plus it tasted great! I’m sure I could expand on this recipe and make it fancier, but this was a great way to use the few things we have left in the house and not have to go out for more groceries!

Hope you enjoy and I will try to get back on track with my recipes next week!

I haven’t done any new recipes this last week! I started a nanny job last week but found out quickly that it wasn’t a good fit for me. This week was my last week there and I haven’t had anytime for grocery shopping or cooking so I will have to start catching up!

Brandon and I have been looking for a new home and we found one! We are moving on March 3rd into a duplex in Hopkins, MN which is just a few miles away from where we are at now. We are very excited because it is a two bedroom place with an unfinished basement! SO MUCH STORAGE!

I will be starting the packing this next week and will probably just be making meals out of the stuff we have at home in an attempt to use up as many of the perishable items that I can before the move.

Life has been up and down for us, but we are trusting God to guide us. I am now back on the job hunt and am really hoping for some direction and keeping my heart open to God’s leading. We are both so happy to be facing life and it’s challenges together.

We are heading back to Alexandria this weekend…so excited! We made a pit stop in St. Cloud because Brandon had a meeting so I am currently shivering at a Caribou thinking about finding a gas station so I can pick up some puff corn.

Until the next recipe~

Tonight I made Chow Mein Hot Dish for supper.

I just started a new job this week as a nanny and I have to get up at 5:30 and be there by 6:50. My commute is about 20 minutes…although all this snow has made it longer. I get done at 3:30, but a day with two vivacious boys (3 & 4) leaves me with little energy to want to make a big dinner. Thankfully, tonight, I had planned to make this and was well prepared with everything I needed.

The prep time on this was probably around 20 minutes. I was also talking on the phone at the same time so it could take even less if I had been concentrating.

I only made one small mistake and the hot dish tasted just fine so it didn’t affect it too much…I had my hamburger, onions, and celery all fried up and I dumped it into the casserole dish…then I realized I never drained the meat!!! We probably added on a little more fat than we needed tonight, but all things considered, it wasn’t the worst mistake.

Here is the recipe…don’t forget to drain the meat!

Chow Mein Hot Dish-

1-1 1/2# hamburger (I used 1 1/2)

2 onions-chopped

1 cup raw celery-chopped

*Brown hamburger, onions, and celery together in a frying pan

Pour this mixture into a casserole. Add 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup, 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup and 2 cans water. Add 1/2 c. uncooked white rice and 2 Tbls. Soy Sauce.

Bake, uncovered, for 2 hours at 350 degrees. Top with Chow Mein Noodles 1/2 hour before serving.

Bon Appetite!

The new recipe countdown continues! Well it actually continued on Friday night, but I haven’t gotten around to blogging it until now.

Friday evening’s recipe was Saucy Beef and Rice or you can use noodles. I went to noodle route for a couple reasons.

1. I am not a huge fan of rice…it is so dry

2. I have never made rice before and decided it was easier to just make noodles for this time around. I’ll attempt the rice another night.

Something I’ve always found hard with noodles is that so many recipes seem to just say “serve with noodles” or “serve over noodles”. It would be nice if they could tell me how many noodles to cook! I have yet to figure out how to guesstimate the amount of noodles I need for the amount of whatever I am making. Something else you just learn with time I guess!

I also made chocolate chip cookies last night…I have made those before, but I thought we needed something sweet in the house. I used a recipe my mother has always used and I have always loved. Somehow they just didn’t turn out like they should. Again, probably something I will just master over time, but it seemed even though I had the oven temp right, the cookies were a little too dark on the bottom and too light on the top. I was using a dark, non-stick pan which perhaps could have been part of the reason, but my mom’s pans are dark and her cookies are perfect. *sigh*

I will keep trying until I get those cookies right!!

Here is the recipe for Saucy Beef and Rice (or noodles)

1 1/2# of Round Steak

4 tbls. oil

1/4 c. water

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

3 cloves of garlic-crushed

1 can Cream of Mushroom soup

1 can water

Cooked rice or noodles

Trim fat from steak and cut into cubes. In a large pot, brown steak cubes in oil. Drain fat. Add water, salt, pepper, and garlic. Simmer 1/2 hour, covered, stirring occasionally. Add soup and water. Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Serve over rice or noodles. Makes 4 serving.

We watched Julie and Julia with my parents and brother and sister-in-law to be last weekend. Brandon and I had already watched it once, but it was fun to watch it again! Meryl Streep did such a great job.

Earlier that day I had a conversation with my mom and Mer (my brother’s soon-to-be wife) about how I am not good at cooking meals. I am a fairly good cook, most of the things I try turn out well, but I hate to go shopping for everything! It is rare that I have all the ingredients in the house and while we have a Target close by it isn’t a Super Target and has a very limited grocery selection. I also am terrible at actually coming up with something to make. When I flip through the cookbook I am uninterested in the things listed and my collection of recipes is limited and we tend to eat many of the same meals.

So, I was inspired to fix my cooking problem. I will not be cooking through Julia Child’s cookbook or any cookbook for that matter, but I am planning to fix 50 NEW recipes this year. That will be about 1 a week which at this point seems doable.

I am going to define “NEW”: “New” for this project will mean anything I haven’t made myself…I may have eaten it, but I have not made it. I did look through my Rachael Ray cookbook and picked out a few recipes I have never had before and will also try my hand at those.

Tonight was the beginning of my project…1 meal down 49 to go!

I made Tater Tot Hot Dish tonight…it was delicious and so easy!

Here is the recipe if anyone would like to try:

Brown 1# ground beef with chopped onions (it does not list how much onion…Brandon is not fond of onion so I    used 1/2 an onion for ours.) Drain. Add Salt and Pepper to taste. Put in bottom of a small roaster pan.

Drain a can of corn or green beans and layer on top of meat.

Dilute 1 can of Cream of Celery soup with 1/2 can of milk. Spoon mixture over vegetables.

Top with tater tots

Bake at 350 for 1 hr.

Enjoy!

Today was a great day. Some things were not so great but looking back over the day right now I just feel happy. Brandon was home sick today-not such a great thing. I got up at 8:30 and got ready for the day, then sat down and watched The Fox 9 Buzz and The Bonnie Hunt Show, while Brandon continued to sleep until 11:00.

Our bedroom had water damage last weekend and they have been working on it, but we slept on the air mattress in the living room last night because our room is still a little messy, hopefully we will be sleeping in there tonight.

After the TV programs were over we watched the second hour of The Bachelor on Hulu together then Brandon got himself up and ready. I figured I would finish catching up on TV so I watched Secret Life of the American Teenager…then I had some lunch.

I was going to put the air mattress away this afternoon, but Brandon still wasn’t feeling great so he had laid back down. We had The Office playing from our Netflix and we relaxed while watching a few episodes. Around 2:00 I fell asleep for 2 hours!! My body has grown used to being able to take a nap everyday…there is no way I really need as much sleep as I have been getting. Although I have used the excuse that I am sick and trying to get over it, which I am.

I woke up at 4:00 and Brandon came back to lay down (he had been up doing other things) so we watched HGTV until we left for the chiropractor.

Our nerve system now clear we came back home, I changed, and we drove downtown to meet a family looking for a nanny. We had coffee with them at Dunn Bros for an hour then we headed home. I am now back on the air mattress typing my, as I now realize, incredibly lazy day.

However lazy and useless I was today I still feel good. It was such a relaxing day and even though I wish Brandon hadn’t been sick it was fun to spend some time together and sleep in.

Tomorrow I plan to be much more productive and get myself out and about…but for now I will enjoy my time on the air mattress watching Brandon play video games and thinking about the popcorn I am planning to make.