Monday, November 28, 2011

Christmas Ideas!

I just thought I'd let friends and family know that I'm having a sale on my Etsy shop until Christmas! Buy three, get one free!

To get your free pair, order three earrings you'd like, and then message me the one that you'd like for free and I'll include it with your order.

Bring on fun gift giving!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thankful: Day 24

Today I'm thankful for Thanksgiving!

For Family and Friends. For the YUMMY Delicious FOOD, and for what it means--we get together to express our thanks for everything!

I have to be honest, some years all these thankful posts from people drive me a little crazy. But this year, I decided to do it in part because I needed the reminder of all the things I have to be thankful for. There's nothing like counting your blessings to get out of a slump!

I loved thanksgiving growing up--the ones I remember most are the ones at Grandma Nelson's house or the Mackay's house. We always got three candy corns and got to go around the room saying the three things we were thankful for. Grandma Nelson always had the best lines, I laugh every time I think of her "thankfuls". And remember "Bingo" nights with cousins afterward? And all our fun crafts!?!? How bout that year where we crammed our family of 9 in the pulsar. I was a wee thing, but I still remember sitting up on the dashboard in the front. Was that the same year we showed up with wax lips at the door?

More recently I've spent thanksgiving away from family. Which, to be quite honest, is hard for me. I love our traditional fare, and our traditions, and just...the way we do it. But it has been fun to see the different ways we can celebrate. One year in DC I went to the Seays house, and I still remember how much that meant to me--to find a home in the big city where I could feel the spirit of thanksgiving again! The year I started dating Seth he let me come to his home, and I was so grateful to feel so included and a part of things that first year, and it was fun to see some of the traditions they have that are now a part of our family, too! And two years ago, when I was battling my second round of mastitis and bailed on helping with turkey day prep, our friends still let us come at the last minute to the Chez Seguine Thanksgiving I, which was one of my most thankful thanksgivings yet! And who will ever forget Seth's MSG free Green Bean Soup Casserole!?!?!

Thankful for memories, thankful for thanksgiving!!! (Okay, and thankful for FOOD! I am SO excited to go eat!!!)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thankful: Day 23

Today I'm thankful for The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Living without the Gospel is hard to imagine. It's the very foundation of who I am. Often when I'm singing primary songs to Ryan I get teary, thinking that I'm pretty lucky that I was raised with the simplest and most profound knowledge as a part of my earliest years on up.

The bottom line, for me, is that Christ Lives. He loves us. He guides us. And, most importantly, he atoned for our sins and through that can carry our burdens when we rely on Him. And guess what? After I put that into perspective, some of those other "things" seem to just fall into place.

So I'm thankful for the knowledge of the Gospel, and for my Savior.

Update: I did NOT mean for my post to sound so critical or negative about the church...don't worry, I'm still in full fellowship and participation! :) I corrected it to try and sound less negative...sorry!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thankful: Day 22

This thankful month would not be complete without the following:

I am thankful for clothes.

Since that is what more of our discretionary money goes toward than anything else (sorry Seth) I have to express my gratitude.

Confession: I finally stopped buying by size and started buying what fits. Guess what? It's AMAZING!!! I really used to only look at a certain size and if it was a little snug I convinced myself that I was just bloated or something. And you know what? Properly fitting clothes are amazing.

I've really been *trying* to get versatile pieces that are both fashion-savvy and mom-friendly. And especially with this pregnancy, I've been trying to get non-maternity clothes that I can wear for a few months after the pregnancy, too. Because we all know that the post-baby weight takes a m̶i̶n̶u̶t̶e̶ marathon to get off, and no one likes to REALLY be in maternity clothes for that time.

It's kind of fun to see what I can get away with fashion-wise. I probably make most people gag with some of my combinations and colors lately, but it's all about that creative outlet, and heaven knows I need it! :)

Monday, November 21, 2011

Thankful: Day 21

Today I'm thankful for Snuggling.

I am less of a snuggler than I used to be, but I still love it all the same! Ryan started asking to "Sun gul" all the time, and I think it's too cute.

There's nothing better at the end of a long day than a good snuggle from someone you love :)

Tidbit of the day

Thank you, CJane!

There are only three things you should ever say to a pregnant woman:

1. You look great!

2. Would you like to sit down?

3. Can I get you a cookie?


#2 is debatable. I would stick with 1 or 3.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Thankful: Day 20

Today I'm thankful for a place to live.

Sigh. Sometimes we have to be grateful that we have something, even if it isn't our ideal. I would do a lot for a washer/dryer and dishwasher and a yard and non-smoking neighbors and a back door and central heat/air conditioning. But, I am grateful that we have a roof over our heads, and that we have a lot more space than most people in LA, and that we have two bedrooms (though you'd wonder if Ryan knew that most nights...), and that we live in a relatively safe neighborhood, and that we have lots and lots of neighbors that are nice. Oh, and I have a kitchen that's twice the size of our last one! (Ha, shoulda seen the last one).

I REALLY believe that the most important thing about a home is who lives in it, and so for that I am SUPER grateful. Seth is the nicest roommate, he's the best I've ever had (and he had some stiff competition!). And even though Ryan doesn't pick up after himself and makes me do all his dishes, I still think he's a pretty great guy to have in the house!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Thankful: Day 19

Today I'm thankful for Turkey.

Because my friend Heather has the most delicious recipe in the world for it! Seriously, we have never had a better turkey than this one. If you're looking for a good Turkey recipe, here it is people! And you can thank Heather Seguine later. Because she deserves a whole lot of thanks for changing our lives with this one.

Lemon Herb Turkey

Ingredients:
16-20 lb. turkey
1 medium lemon
12 branches each fresh basil, parsley, thyme, and marjoram
6 large cloves garlic, split
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or butter
Black pepper
Salt

A day ahead, place bird in roasting pan and rub inside and out with one lemon half, then with herbs and garlic. Slice other lemon half. Tuck inside cavity along with half the garlic and herbs. Mince together leaves from remaining herbs and garlic, blending with the olive oil or butter. Slip the mixture under the turkey's skin all over breast areas, thigh, leg, and back if possible. Sprinkle turkey with pepper. Lightly and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, heat the oven to 325 degrees. Sprinkle bird with salt. Lightly flour roasting bag and place turkey inside. Roast breast side down in roasting pan 15 to 18 minutes per pound, or until an instant-read thermometer tucked into the thickest part of the thigh reads 175 degrees.

During the last 30 minutes, snip corner from bag and pour drippings into saucepan for gravy. Remove bird from bag, turn breast side up, and sprinkle with olive oil. Place back in oven uncovered to brown breast area. Rest 10 minutes in a warm place before carving.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Thankful: Day 18

Today I'm thankful for Christmas.

I have been so excited about getting together our Christmas decorations! We never have really decorated our home for Christmas, but since we have a family now, and since I think there's a possibility that I'll be bed-resting it up for the holidays, I have wanted to get our family Christmas decorations in order!

Last week I asked Seth what "Christmas Color Scheme" we should go with, and he looked at me like I was crazy. Because, you know, are we going to go with a burgandy and forest green, or are we sticking with a pea green and bright red with turquoise accents, just to modernize it? Or should we do a multi-green-and-red-all-over look? Or, should we stick with silver and gold and just do some accents of color?? The possibilities are endless!

Mostly I'm just excited because Christmas says to me a few words: Believe. Give. Receive (the light of Christ, the Christmas spirit, the blessings that God is waiting to give us...). Love. Family. And who doesn't want to remember all those things every time you smell pine trees and cinnamon and peppermint and cloves?

AND, luckily Burbank likes to celebrate their Christmas-y things starting TONIGHT! I'm so excited to go to their festival and get in the Christmas spirit! I bought our tree yesterday and started Christmas Shopping yesterday, too! I just love the spirit of Christmas!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thankful: Day 17

Today I'm thankful for Rainbows.

In high school, I was obsessed with Rainbows. And while I, um, have cooled that obsession, I still LOVE seeing a good rainbow. The first time Rainbows became significant to me was after I found out that Steve died, when we were driving home from his gravesite. There was the most beautiful double rainbow ahead of us on the road. It was such a significant thing to me--a rainbow that symbolized hope, peace, and forgiveness sent straight from heaven. Little did I know that would be something I would need to remember over and over and over and over...and luckily, there are lots of rainbows to help me remember! Every time, every SINGLE time, I recommit to a fresh start, a new beginning.

So...that's kind of a random thing to be thankful for, but I'm thankful that we always have little symbols in our lives to remind us of the course we are trying to stay on :)