Recharging

Beware. This post is random.

So yes I know it has been a while since I have posted but it hasn't been because I haven't had anything to post about.

The month of January has just flown by and I didn't realize that I wasn't pausing to appreciate the daily happenings of my life.

Since coming back from Christmas break I haven't caught up at work. 

We have had 3 days of early releases or delays which have thrown my teaching plans out the window.

( I am actually on a 3 hour delay today which is why I am writing)

I am a huge type A person.

When I leave school I don't bring work home, home is time for me to relax and enjoy my husband. When I leave Friday I have all my copies and plans ready for the next week, I have all my papers graded and I am ready to enjoy my weekend.

Well in the past month I have broken these rules everyday.

Hence the not blogging. I typically read others and write my blog when I get home from work and schedule them for different days of the week. This way when Andrew is home I can focus on us time. However since I have been bring my work home I don't end up writing till the mornings while he is asleep.

Then it starting cutting into my quiet time with God so I stopped blogging. I knew at the moment I needed a recharge. A month of planning less(Hey a girl can't quit cold turkey) a month of taking things as they coming and getting back on track.

This past week as I was listening to the Elevation Worship Station on Pandora there were some lyrics from a song that really struck home.

Our God is Fighting For Us Always

We are not alone, we are not alone.

Its what I needed to hear. While I have been overwhelmed with everything that the world and my life is throwing at me, he is fighting for me to slow down and I did realize it.

At church Pastor JD talked about that during our quiet time we should spend time reading the Bible, praying, and reading literature about scripture over a 30-45 minute span. I do read the Bible and then spend time praying every morning but I do not read literature about scripture everyday and when I do its at night. I am excited that Andrew and I are starting a quiet time study together on the book The Reason For God: Belief in a World Of Skepticism by Tim Keller. I can't wait to see what it does to bring out quiet times together and reflect.

How do you recharge? Do you get in to deep before you realize you need to slow down?

How do you know??

How do you know he loves you?

How do you know he's yours?

And yes Disney's Enchanted is the inspiration for this post

Dating.

While I am married I believe dating is so important to any relationship.

What's even better?
Impromptu dates :)

Yesterday was my first class of the semester and we got out early. Andrew and I had a long weekend with my family and we barley saw each other.
Now lets add that I was kinda cranky before I left for class.

Hence I called Andrew and asked him to get dressed and be downstairs in 5 minutes.
Then off we were to late night coffee and crapes :)

This weekend we are spending our Saturday at the Raleigh Natural Science Museum.

It's so easy to get into a habit of just going out to eat. 
Why yes that is a date, how much thought goes into it?
How often does the conversation just pass the time?

Planning dates that engage you in new experiences and new conversations help your relationship grow.

What dates do you plan for you and your spouse/significant other??
I would love to have some extra ideas!

Spicy Sausage, Chicken and Kale Soup

I know what you thinking

Really Kale soup... its seaweed

( if that crossed your mind you and my husband would be bff's)

But really Kale and other greens are such the crazy right now and I love them so I have to be pretty creative to get Andrew to enjoy it

Spicy Sausage, Chicken and Kale Soup

Lets just say Andrew enjoyed it!

 The gnocci I used had a wierd after taste so I am going to have to buy a different brand next time but besides that I can't wait to make it again!

3/4 lb ground Italian sausage

1/2 pound of shredded chicken

  1½ tsp crushed red peppers

      1/2  large diced yellow onion

  2 tsp miced

 10 cups chicken stock

  1 lb of gnocci

  1 bunch of kale

Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.

 In the same pan, sauté  onions and garlic over low-medium heat for approximately 15 mins. or until the onions are soft.

 Add chicken stock to the pot and heat until it starts to boil.

Add the gnocci and cook until soft

Stir in the sausage, chicken and the kale, let all heat through and serve.

This recipie served 10!. We ate it for 2 days and freezed the other half for later!
Hope you enjoy it! 

 

Furniture Dreaming

So I have dreaming lately of what furniture I want for our master bedroom.

Hopefully soon this will become a dream come true cause I am holding out for it cause its perfect

(umm hello tax return)

Here is the bedding we currently have on our bed

Source: wayfair.com via Brianna on Pinterest

I love it so much, it softens and opens up our room so much!

So here is my inspiration

Claudia Bed in the antique pewter-- Pottery Barn

Source: potterybarn.com via Brianna on Pinterest

Stratton End Table-- Pottery Barn

Source: potterybarn.com via Brianna on Pinterest

Stratton Extra Long Dresser-- Pottery Barn

Source: potterybarn.com via Brianna on Pinterest

Minus the Lamps.. Add tall pillar candles

Source: homedesignspins.com via Brianna on Pinterest

Hmmm.. does pottery barn have a credit card????

Click here to see the rest of my design board for our room :)

Dancing with Ashley's DIY

So I am back and heading to work today and officially missing my Grandma and my family who are still loving it up together in Charlotte. But I am excited to have Ashley as my last guest poster. Check out her DIY

Hi!  I'm Ashley from Dancing with Ashley. A big thanks to Brianna for having me today! 

A plain sweater plus a bit of fancy ribbon equals a whole bunch of sparkly fabulous(ness).  Those of you who know me, KNOW that I hate JoAnn's Fabric Store with everything in me.  Yes, I had to ask a lady where I could find some thread, and yes, I left with a stress rash all over my body.  (Ok, the stress rash part isn't true, but that's how JoAnn's makes me feel).  Too many sewing supplies and not enough sewing talent to navigate through it all.

Anyways, I would give you a step by step on this, but all I did was sew some fabric on to my sweater, ironed it flat at the end, and that's that.  A new sweater for Ashley!

Have you tackled any DIY projects lately?

Shug in Boots

Well today's my last day with grandma and I have had a blast. I will recap more on my weekend tomorrow. But today I have Beth from Shug in Boots for you today. I love her blog and I know you will too!!


Well, hell-O there, sugarpies!!

Beth here, over from Shug in Boots.

Seems Ms. Brianna has had an unexpected visit from Grandma and she is off to get her quality time on!

Did y'all know that Ms. Brianna and I have a handful of things in common?:

* there's the husband-named-Andrew thing

* there's the experience-teaching-elementary-school thing

* there's the Wolpack-for-life thing 

* and of course, there's the from-Charlotte-moved-to-Raleigh//from-Raleigh-moved-to-Charlotte thing we got goin'

Now that I'm not a total stranger,
raise your hand if you've read a post {or scrolled past any posts} about resolutions for 2013?

yeah? 

a few of y'all?

Welp.

This ain't one of those posts.

I'm gonna get crazy with y'all today and instead of things I'm tryin' to do/figure out, I'm gonna tell y'all 13 things that I have already figured out.

I'll be 30 in July, so let's be glad I've learned at least 13 things in my time here on the planet, am I right?

{1}

Listen to your gut. That yucky feelin' is tryin' to tell you somethin'. If you think he's just not into you, it's probably because he's not, shug. Are you really doin' that because it's what you want, or are you doin' it to make somebody else happy? 

{2}

In marriage: put your spouse first. Like, before your mama 'nem & before your BFF. Trust me. Leave the nest. Your marriage will be so much better for it.

{3}

No matter the situation, it is much more bearable when you have plenty of sleep, enough exercise, and a clean house.

{4}

Turns out, God does answer all prayers. It's just that sometimes, it takes a little longer than we want, and He often throws in a few extra lessons if we pay real close attention.

{5}

You are the only person in charge of your happiness - not your spouse, not your coworkers, not your parents. If you aren't happy, gather the courage to make a change. Ain't nobody else gonna do it for you.

{6}

The grass is never greener. Maybe they have a few things goin' well for them in their lives while yours is lookin' a hot mess, but I promise you, everybody's got somethin' they're dealin' with. Everybody.

{7}

The key to happiness is to find something positive in every situation. 

{8}

Speak your piece. Then, move on. Don't hold on to somethin' that makes you bitter and nasty. There will always be a critic. It is impossible to please everybody. Might as well do what sits right with your soul.

{9}

Marrying someone is one decision in which you should have zero hesitation. It should absolutely feel like you are doing 'the right thing'.

{10}

God only made ONE you, and He didn't screw up. Stop wastin' your time and everybody else's by tryin' to be anything other than YOU.

{11}

Take care of your health startin' yesterday. It is much easier to maintain it than it is to get it back after you lose it.

{12}

There is always somebody somewhere with a struggle bigger than yours who would love to trade places. Be grateful, and give thanks.

{13}

If you want a delicious, ice cold, canned Diet Mt. Dew, then have a delicious, ice cold, canned Diet Mt. Dew. Just drink plenty of water along with it. ;)

Hope y'all have a magical day!!

Delightfully Dunn :)

So unexpectedly my grandmother decided to fly in from Caifornia for a week. LIke it was Monday and she called to tell us she would be here in less than 24 hours. So I took a day off work to spend time with her since I haven't seen her since I got married! Yup almost 2 years!
So I have some awesome guest posters lined up for you and today its Marianna from Delightfully Dunn!

Hey y'all!

I'm Marianna! I blog over at Delightfully Dunn. 

Brianna was kind enough to share her little piece of blogland with me

while she's hanging out in Charlotte with her grandmother

(who I can only assume is as cute as Brianna).

And because she was so nice to share,

I promise I'll try not to bore you too much!

Brianna and I actually have a pretty neat story together.

You see, we know each other in real life and in blog life,

which I think is always pretty cool.

We also kind of have a lot in common.

For one, we're both newly(ish)weds

and consider ourselves to be "southern wives"

(although I am 125% sure Brianna pulls this off way better than me).

We're also both mildly obsessed with our puppies.

And we both became teachers after graduating from only the best school ever.

While both of our blogs chronicle the adventures of our lives,

I'm pretty sure Brianna's are a little more adventurous. 

For one, the amazing recipes (that girl can cook forreal) you find on her blog

can't be found on mine.

And I don't have a super cute brand new baby sister

sooooo there won't be any pictures like this:

But remember that husband I mentioned up there?

Yep, he's on the blog. Along with THE secret to a successful marriage.</ div>

The puppies make an almost daily appearance as well.

Along with some other pretty fascinating, random tidbits of my life.

Like all my love/hate relationships.

And that time I compared my step brother to Justin Beiber 

(pre-pot smoking days of course).

So anyway, long story short,

you should definitely stop by and say hi!

And you should definitely try all of Brianna's recipes. 

That corn chowder. Nom.

Hugs,

Calling all Southern Bloggers + a favor

Love to Blog?

Love that your Southern

( a little thing us southerners know everyone wishes they could be )

Check out

Southern Blog Society

The Southern Blog Society (SBS) aims to "be a resource for lifestyle bloggers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The SBS aspires to create a community that transcends state lines and gives food, fashion, and other miscellaneous lifestyle bloggers the tools necessary to succeed in the blogosphere today." 

I was so excited when Cathy and Jessica contacted me to be one of the founding contributors to the blog! I have browsed all the blogs of the girls who took part in the initial phase and they are amazing!!

To get in on the exclusive sales, discounts, and resources only available to members all you have to do is pay a $10 membership fee. So go over and check it out. What a great way to find other southern bloggers!!!

So here is my favor! My grandmother from Cali decided to randomly fly in so I will be making an impromptu trip to Charlotte. Any of you want to guest post for me??? 

Healthy Enchilada Sauce

So as I stated yesterday eating processed foods is off our menu in 2013. I had chicken enchilada pasta on the menu for this week so I got a little nervous. But after some searching on the Internet I found a DIY recipe for Enchilada Sauce

So good bye canned el paso

Hello healthy homemade goodness

(This is by far 100x's better than any can version I have ever tried!)

This recipe makes about 2 cups

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

2 Tbsp Flour

2 Tbsp Chili Powder

2 cups of water

3 oz tomato paste

1/2 tsp of cumin

1/2 tsp of garlic powder

1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper

salt to taste ( I used none cause we don't cook with salt)

STEP 1: Add the vegetable oil, flour, and chili powder to a medium pot. Turn the heat on to medium and whisk the ingredients together. Continue to whisk as the mixture begins to bubble. Whisk and cook the mixture for one minute once it begins bubbling. 

STEP 2: After one minute, whisk in the water, tomato paste, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper until smooth. Allow the sauce to come up to a simmer. Once it reaches a simmer it will begin to thicken slightly.

STEP 3: Starting with a 1/2 teaspoon, add salt to taste. I used about 3/4 teaspoon total. The sauce is now ready to use!

What I want out of 2013

2012 was a wonderful year. I am always very optimistic about New Years because they can't be any worse than the year before. You learn from the mistakes you make and grow from the accomplishments you have received.

 In sight of that I have been thinking alot about 2013 and what I want to see out of our life in the next year. So here are my goals for the new year. (I don't like the term resolution because to mean that seems like your are completely changing yourself where as goals are help you better who you already are)

1. Continue to grow in my faith and relationship with the Lord.
Through the past year  I have found a home Church in the Summit. We have joined a small group and went all in the for the mission. I hope to continue growing by finding somewhere to plug in volunteering and will be starting the process of reading the Bible in a year.

2. Saving
When I started my new job I ended up with 2 months of no pay. The Lord helped us through it cause without Him and a supportive family it would have been very tough on us. Through this next year I plan to build back up our savings accounts. We have big plans and they can't happen without fundage :)

3. Be a better wife, daughter and friend
I try my hardest everyday to be the best I can be to those in my life but we are all human so you know how that goes. We made a pact last year to spend more time without individual technology. It has done amazing things for our relationship. This year we want to make it happen more often.

4. Healthy Lifestyle
Over the last year we began cutting alot out of our diets and I can tell such a difference. This year we are cutting out all pre-made foods. So no more canned items, frozen meals etc.  Also we are going to try and eat out only once per week and in return continue to try more new recipes. I love to cook so this one is fine by me! We have also started running together. Andrew and I usually do our own workouts so this is nice to spend this extra time together.

So what about you? What goals are you putting in place for the new year?