Thoughts on Baby #3 and Friday Link Love

Thank you all so much for the congrats and in case you haven't heard:

We are expecting! I tend to tell people when these things come about because I'm just so excited and because, well, I'm a writer. I need to write. I need to document. My feelings get all sorted out this way. While this was such a beautiful surprise for us, it's also a little scary. I wonder what the transition from two to three will be like! We'll be outnumbered after all. It was a surprise, but we do want a big family and so this is just perfect for us. We know these years will be precious and fleeting and perhaps a bit crazy, but we are thrilled to have this blessing and a new adventure as a family of five. I'm newly pregnant so of course I would appreciate your prayers for a healthy baby. I won't be going to the doc until after Christmas because the schedule was just too crazy, but I'll know more then. I wanted to share our news on social media because I knew if anything happened to this precious life I wouldn't grieve silently. I'd have to write about it. We are hoping and praying that this little one grows to a healthy, happy babe in about 8 months. Thank you for your support and love! Also:

It's time again for...

1. It's nearly Christmas and I still haven't done my annual (virtual) Christmas List! My husband really depends on that, but I just haven't had time. I thought I'd throw this in the ring, though. I want P90X3! Get ripped in 30 minutes? Surely I can do that ;) Anyway, here's my favorite Beachbody lady, fellow blogger, Alana!
2. Also in the spirit of Christmas, my favorite web designer posted a Joy To The World free printable! It's pretty. I'd print it if we had any colored ink left. Ink cartridge is on my list of "crap to get".
3. If you don't make any other cookie this holiday season, make this one! My mom makes the best thumbprint cookie EVER. Not an exaggeration. You will definitely want to hop in that kitchen ;)

Anyway, what else did I miss on the world wide web today? Send me the good things you've found!

Our 'Make It Work' Moment

For the first day of fall, we celebrated by getting out our Fall Bucket List and getting to work on checking some things off!

Source: katieballa.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

First up on our agenda? Pie Baking!

I insisted that we buy a pre-made crust because who really makes their own crust? "Plus, I want it to be good, honey", I said.

Captain J would have none of it.

"That's cheating!" 

"You didn't really make your own pie if you buy the crust!"

As per usual, I went along with his insanity. For once, I was glad I did after putting the deliciousness in my mouth for the first time. I'm getting ahead of myself, though. The road to apple pie bliss was a little bumpy at times. Here's our story:

To really get ourselves in the fall mood, we brewed some apple tea and put some Benny Goodman on the radio.

Then we set out on our journey. Meticulously we measured, chopped, and mixed. We threw caution to the wind when it came to the kitchen, though. What started out as a nicely cleaned room turned into an awful mess in minutes. See?

Oh, but it was worse. I can't seem to find the Before & After photos, but I'll let you imagine the mess the two novice bakers made.

Halfway through this process, we realized that we didn't have a rolling pin. In the words of Captain J, we "rangerized" our pie. When asked exactly what he meant, he replied, "We didn't have the right tools and we didn't have the right equipment, but we improvised and it worked."

To which I of course countered, "I would say we had a Tim Gunn Make It Work Moment." That went right over his head.

Anyway, the rolling pin we used was a large Starbucks coffee cup.

Our dough was way too sticky. I kept telling him not to worry, just add more flour! But he was cautious because he's actually good at cooking. Anyway, the flour turned out to be a good call and hours later we were actually eating our first EVER baked pie.

Oh my yum.

Things that are sweet

If you know me at all, you are probably well aware of the fact that I have a major sweet tooth. I love chocolate more than I love air. Okay, that's a little extreme...but it IS right up there on the favorites scale. It's too bad I can't bake. Maybe I'll learn one day, but until then I can live vicariously through this lady's creations. Go check out her Little-Sweets blog and support a good friend of the family in her baking endeavors.

What else is sweet? When I receive a care package in the mail from my dear mother! I went to the post office yesterday to find thumbprint cookies, scrapbooking supplies, a book, and a new charm for my Pandora bracelet. I was so excited that I spent most of the day scrapping all the pictures I'm behind on. I'm finished through March now, though! I'm not going to lie, the cookies are almost gone and I only shared one with Captain J. #Bad girl! Oh, well...

Thanks, Mom!

Try it out Tuesday

"...I thank you that I have a wonderful family to come home to..."

When my husband uttered these words while praying just before dinner tonight, I silently rejoiced in my heart because somewhere deep, down I always wanted this. I can't describe to you how much that I never believed I would be truly happy. Until I met Captain J (as my Mimi sometimes says (Before J) "BJ"), I simply believed I'd settle down with a really good guy friend, marry him, and just live a life of mediocrity. That notion changed dramatically when J walked into my life. I'm so incredibly grateful. To this day, I have no idea why God chose to bless me so fully but I'm so thankful He did.

We had a nice dinner tonight. Earlier I told you I might attempt some new recipes. Well, I did just that.  And can I just say: This girl can cook and bake!

Watch out, cooking channel! You could totally have a new star! Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a teeny, tiny bit, but I was rather proud of my accomplishments in the kitchen today. It's as I told Captain J earlier, I know I can cook if I have ingredients, directions, etc. I just also am very aware that I'll probably never be able to go into the kitchen and eye ball measurements and assess whether ketchup goes with pepper sprouts. Apparently, I didn't get that gene. Anyway, two people that did have that very characteristic entertwined in their DNA are my mother and my mother-in-law. These two women are the reason why my dear husband is sitting on the love seat, reading a book, with his belly full. Without further ado, here are some photos and recipes for your enjoyment:

Main Dish: A Meat Marinade

I used chicken, but Laura used steaks. It has an Asian taste to it. Here's what you'll need-

• 
  
  3/4 cup canola or olive oil


• 
  
  1/2 cup soy sauce


• 
  
  2 cloves garlic minced


• 
  
  1-2 tsp grated fresh ginger or dry spice


• 
  
  2 tbsp honey


• 
  
  green onions scallions sliced

Because I lacked time, I only let the chicken marinate for around 45 minutes and that worked well for me. After soaking the chicken, I added it to the skillet/pan for a stir fry type meal.

Let it sizzle and let the yummy fragrance fill the air and VOILA!

Dinner is served! As you can see I prepared rice and some bread to accompany it. Pretty good little meal.

For dessert, I succeeded in making apple dumplins. Mmmm mmmm. This recipe was orignially from someone else in the fam who then passed it on to Mom who then passed it on to moi. It is so easy. Honestly, if you can follow directions you can make this dessert. Here's what you'll need-

• 
  
  two granny smith apples


• 
  
  two crescent roll packages


• 
  
  1 cup sugar (or a little more ;) )


• 
  
  1/2 a stick of butter


• 
  
  can of Mt. Dew (I used diet)


• 
  
  Cinnamon to taste

Directions: Cut the apples into 8 slices. Roll apple slices into crescent rolls. Mix butter, sugar, and cinnamon- Melt it. Pour it over the apples then pour in 12 oz of Mt. Dew. Bake at 450 degrees for 45 min. Sooo tasty!

Before:

After:

We enjoyed both recipes so thanks Mom and Laura! I'd also like to include a link to Cait's page because she always has something creative or uplifting to blog about and just the other day she posted a similar apple dumpling recipe which can be found HERE. Her directions and pictures are much more descriptive so if you want to try it, be sure to stop by her page for more information.

Bon Appetite!