for real…

yep its me! 

I’m alive, and doing pretty dang well, all considering.  The surgery was a (fill in the blank with your word choice) and my hospital stay was a blast interesting…  I told Dave, I am now inspired to get back into shape because of the woman that was my roommate.  It was frustrating cause she moaned and screamed every night so much and so loud that saturday I finally called dave and said, “I NEED TO GO HOME- TONIGHT.”   It was quite the experience but I am ELATED to be back home with my girls and dave-I’d rather hear them scream/moan/cry-whatever- anyday, than that woman!   I am feeling worlds better now that I am not on pain meds- only 8 days of that crap!  I’m pretty proud of myself!  I was interested to see what “normal” side effects were, so I looked up online all the drugs they gave me and they range from 2-80 times more powerful than COCAINE!  I cannot believe that!  Needless to say that motivated me even more so to get off them since I’m nursing Charli- they’ve said that it’s “safe” to take while nursing, but I notice a huge difference in her and I’m STOKED to be off them!

I think Tori has probably had it the worst as far as adjusting goes.  We had a new baby, which she wasnt quite ready for(what 2 year old princess would ever be?), then mommy was sick all the time(or doped up on pain meds) and then this surgery- and now its so dang hot, we’re not going anywhere!   Its been difficult and I just keep having to remind myself that its a phase and it will pass.  Thankfully both girls are sleeping right now, which has allowed me some rare downtime.  I’m still restricted to not lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk(or charli…) which is nice is some ways. 

I’ve already been back in the kitchen… alas though, NO PICTURES!  Why?  because during all the hubbub Dave and I cannot seem to find our camera bag… This past month at Costco a digital camera was on sale, and I wish I would have bought it, but we really don’t have the money and we’re attempting to get OUT of debt, not further in.  But, kitchen happenings include snickers macarons from Tartelette, as well as chocolate custard ice cream, both that we brought to my in-laws’ house last night.  Macarons are supposed to be challenging culinary wise, but they turned out perfect and this was my first attempt!  My only problem was that the batch I baked on my Sil-Pat was undercooked, and so some turned out hollow, which was actually ok, since you put peanuts, nougat, caramel and chocolate ganache ALL in between two little cookies… These weren’t my favorite thing, but it was fun to try them- AND!  Now we own a digital food scale- something I’ve been wanting for a while!   Next step-hopefully my sister’s bagel recipe!

A few more things and then I’m done… first the depressing stuff.  I looked last night at the U’s website about the master’s program- I swear I read something about a spring enrollment date… not so.  I re-read and saw that they only start the MBA program in the fall… so now we have to wait a WHOLE YEAR before dave can start!  BUT- I also found this– which is what Dave thinks he’d enjoy doing.  Its a concurrent thing, and adds another 2 semesters onto you MBA- which sucks, but as my Aunt told me this past weekend, “Short term pain, for long term gain”   YES!  Thats the idea/attempt.  I’m so proud of Dave for wanting to go higher in his education- no kidding, out of BOTH our families(parents, siblings, in laws etc…), when he finishes his master’s, he’ll have achieved the highest degree!  WAY TO GO BABY!  I am so proud of him, and after he’s finished, I hope to go back as well- now the debate is culinary school(which would be a BLAST) or the traditional four year degree, most likely in nursing…culinary sounds way more fun- no traditional math either.  I’m dreading when I do go back taking any math class.  It will be made easier cause Dave is a math whiz, but none the less, lets not forget I took Algebra TWICE in high school and still only passed with a D!

Lastly- a week from Tuesday is our 3rd anniversary.  I’m so excited- every year that passes I feel like flying the bird(yes, thats right, I just wrote that) to a few people who basically told us we wouldn’t last or it was the wrong thing.  Not that three years equates to like 50 or something, but when we were first together, so many people mocked us and were so unsupportive.  Most of them we do not associate with anymore, and the ones we do, we have learned to forgive even though, with the exception of Dave’s mom and Andrea(our sister in law), no one has ever apologized to either of us for the things they’ve said and/or done.  It was a huge lesson(more for dave, unfortunately) to realize when it comes down to it, we can only truly depend on each other, but it has solidified and made our marriage all the better and Dave is incredible the way he is not afraid to stand up for his family(meaning me and our girls) to ANYONE.  We do things the way we want to and the way that works for us and its AMAZING.  I can honestly say that I love being married the majority of the time!  We have two adorable little girls, who are the cutest kids ever, and really, we are so blessed.  Dave has a job that supports us- albeit not fantastically, but we have been able to support ourselves, by ourselves, 100% of our marriage.  His job has great benefits and he’s got an amazing boss(Jake) who we love like family.  He’s a great friend to Dave and Dave likes going to work most days!  We have been so blessed and watched over(especially recently) and really, we have a splendid life.   And I certainly cannot forget those people that have supported us from the start… there are a few(and you know who you are), but one that comes to mind most often, is my best friend/sister Stacey has NEVER faltered in her support and the time he or I have been down, she’s never complained about 2am phone calls or incessant sobbing over the phone.  I miss you tons stace. 

Now excuse the sappyness that has and is about to ensue…

Happy early anniversary to my amazing husband who does so much for me and our little girls.  I love you Dave -more than anything in this world- and you are a fantastic guy.  Thanks for being you.  Thanks for taking care of me and encouraging me when its been so hard.  Thanks for working so hard in school and working to better our lives in the future.  Thanks for getting up with Charli even when you have to go to work.  Thanks for playing with Tori and relieving me as soon as you get home.  Thanks for dancing with me and showing that romantic side on occassion- I’ve always loved it.  I love you and I love being married.  Here’s to the next 3 and more! Love, your sweetie

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no title, just drool…

Ah, well most of you may see the title and think “baby drool” not so!  I’ve been *mildly* obsessed with trying new things in the kitchen (see previous posts).  In the past month I’ve done red velvet cupcakes(dave’s sup at work), easy chocolate peanut butter cookies, almond joy cake(for dinner at the in laws, but mostly cause my father in law likes the combo of nuts+chocolate+ coconut), butterhorns (aka pastry that we brought to the 4th of July breakfast at Rose and Dale’s) and while Dave and I wrack our brains, we cant think of anything else… So, tonight was no different. 

all this hoopla with my health has sent me running for the hills in search of some stress relief.  Dave has lately said, “I can tell when you’re stressed out or down, cause you bake like crazy.”  Yes, yes I do.  Its some sort of a soothing indulgence for me, especially when I can try recipes that are new, as well as challenge my ability.  This is made even better when I can do it with little distraction- like two little girls!  My sister has a food blog and has got me addicted to the world of food blogging… some of my favorites are Joy The Baker, Smitten Kitchen, and Baking Bites.  I regularly check all of these and tonight’s recipe came from Smitten Kitchen.  I’m debating on starting my own food blog attached to this, but with all that’s happened as of late, its a little insane and not quite the right time.  Check back later and we’ll see…  For now, here’s tonights happenings.

Miniature Soft Pretzels!

And btw, in case everyone hasnt already figured it out, I’m a baker, NOT a photographer!

Salted….

Unsalted…

Dave, in his genius-ness(ok really just the 8 inches in height he has on me) found the kosher salt leftover from our turkey brine last Thanksgiving, so they had that classic dusting of salt, except in a much lighter way,  because this was not the “Super Pretzel” salt you find in those nasty frozen packages.

In any case- these were FANTASTIC.  While I finished the first batch I was on the phone with my friend Stacey, in Okla. and kept saying “I am not a good multi-tasker Stace”, but alas, we continued to talk and Dave from the other room shouted, “OH NO! THEY’RE GOOD!!!!!”  Which to me, is enough confirmation, I’ve hit gold again.  And I managed to do every last one of them, AND not burn one single one… a few were soggy due to the over-poaching, but the still tasted good according to Dave.  Poor guy, I do not eat anything undercooked, burnt, raw, soggy, and the list goes on…picky little brat I am, I suppose.

Yep, I’d say this one is a keeper- a little laborous- but none the less, a KEEPER!!!!  YAY!

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