Snowed In

After having a delightful surprise extended weekend - due to being snowed in, it has given me some time to think of a few of my favorite things that have happened/I have enjoyed lately:

Bacon-in-Pancakes. Thanks Pinterest!

Chocolate Chip Pancakes for brunch. Stuck inside? Might as well EAT what ever the heck you want! The recipe calls for a ton of baking powder, but they always turn out really light and fluffy. This is my go-to. I added ghirardelli chocolate chips, because we fancy like that (aka they were on sale)

The Macdaddy of Monopoly boards

Monopoly. Who knew? It's my new (old) favorite boardgame, even though I seriously lost in the worst way. I had 2 houses, Joey had hotels and extreme board control. I was in jail more times that I was in an actual spot - and when I was, I was owing rent like something crazy.

Fleece-lined Leggings.
Seriously. It is negative temps here. You know those leggings you see at Walgreens and you are like, ew, who buys those? It's me. While I am over here warm and cozy and you are like "I am SO COLD", I will wait while you go purchase the 2/$12 fleece leggings on the end of the aisle. Then we can wear them together, and I can say "I KNOW, RIGHT?". I mean, what's more comfortable than a size of "one size fits most" and fleece lined? Not much, guys. Find them here on amazon too.

Practicing Driving in Snow.
It is one of my biggest "damsel in distress" characteristics, but I really hate driving in snow. So, my most awesomely patient husband goes out in the blizzard with me up and down the street to "practice driving". Really, he's the best. This was NOT the blizzard we practiced in, btw.

Organizing Part 1 of my spice cabinet. Seriously, we walked in Lucky's one day, and Joey said "how does it feel to have a more organized spice selection than the actual grocery?" To be honest, feels pretty dang good.

This IGE recipe was soo good and comforting while snowed in. We barely made it through the day without me "practicing driving" Joey to local bar for an hour or so. My house was spotless, all laundry was done, and I was on a major caffeine high...randomly wandering my house looking for the next thing to clean/organize. He had to get out of there! So then I made this for dinner after we had a "cabin fever break" and it was seriously yum.

These things have made me happy lately, in this time of depressing cold weather!

On another note: WHEN IS SPRING COMING? I MISS YOU. Which means, isn't it about time for an OPI Strawberry Marg manicure? Cali nails, I am coming for you.

2015

Once again, it’s been a while. Oops. Life gets in the way sometimes, and well, new TV shows, soft pajamas, books, books, and more books consume my life. Barnes and Noble charges mysteriously show up on the bank statement more often than Kroger does. This may be a problem….or is it just that I am expanding my mind instead of my waistline?

It’s a New Year! Time to get back on track, okay? 2015 is going to be the ish.

I want to be THIS content all the time!

Here are a few of my personal goals for 2015

Expanding my go-to recipes.

You have seen my all-time fave recipes here on the blog over the past year or so, which I always turn to when thinking “What’s for dinner?”.  Well as you can see, there aren’t that many! It’s time to branch out, try new recipes, and possibly even bake! And a rather crazy idea – experiment with flavors (say what?). Plus, I posted 1 or 2 times after getting a brand new kitchen. I guess I am really enjoying it too much to stop and take some pics, but really, do you want to see 4 posts about shrimp and grits? Because we make that ALL THE TIME.

Anything that you would like to see me attempt and post on the site? I am always up for a challenge!

Live a little.

I’m going to be honest here. I am a straight up textbook “homebody”. I would rather get in pajamas immediately upon arrival home after work than do anything else. I had sort of an epiphany this past late fall/early winter where I was like, ‘what am I doing sitting here, waiting for something fun to happen?’. I basically told my husband that we are getting out, we are going to do what we want, and we are going to live a little! He has no problem with that as he has many hobbies and is the opposite of homebody.  Maybe it was just me that needed to go out and do more. Admittedly, I have always been very jealous of Joey's long list of hobbies. So instead of continuing to wallow about being at home so much, I get out much more than before. So far, I have been pleasantly surprised that I have a busier schedule. I was afraid it was going to make me incredibly exhausted, but it is really refreshing to have things to do all the time, and actually look forward to doing them.
You know that feeling where you are like, ‘man, I really don’t want to go…’ and then you go, and it’s AWESOME? I had that feeling a lot last year, and I am finally embracing the anticipation of getting out more. If you are feeling in a funk and don't really want to get out and do much, my suggestion is to get out and do something. You won't regret it- I can say this from personal experience. You may even find that you really enjoy your new hobby! (As I write this, the temp this morning was 0 (ZERO) so, today is not the day I get out more).

Be grateful for what I already have.

I am the type of person who sometimes thinks “that would be really nice to have” or “it would be such a relief to have more money” but this year especially, I need to be grateful of what I currently have. I am fortunate that I work hard and earn enough to afford some luxuries. But to me, some of my favorite luxuries might be total crap to another person. To each his/her own!
There is so much time wasted with “blog envy”, “pinterest envy”, or really, “Facebook envy”, that we forget that this life we are living is perfectly imperfect. Plus, people usually don’t post the sucky things on Instagram, Facebook, or blogs. No one wants to read about the bad stuff most of the time.  I usually choose to share the joyful things in my life rather than complain or share personal struggles. The silver lining of going through tough stuff is I've learned what a great team my husband and I make. #teamgumer #hellurrr

Spoiler alert: The difficult thing J and I go through is deciding which restaurant to go to on date night ;-) KIDDING, of course....or am I? 

Learn how to blog.
In a nut-shell - I don't know the first thing about editing a blog. Let me get right on that. Also, any advice? Who wants to design my page? I'll pay you in hugs or a very small amount of money. You can pick.

For REAL get organized.

#cliche' #organizemylifeplease

I consider myself a pretty organized person in general. But, I do have a ‘Monica Closet’ or two that need some attention. Plus, I like shoving things in drawers #keepingitreal.  I really have been better about things having a place, but do want to apply a little organization to several areas in my life. I was looking at David Lebovitz’s gift giving guide for this past holiday season, and he suggested a book by Marie Kondo titled “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art ofDecluttering and Organizing”.  I am a sucker for best-sellers, who isn’t? So I amazon primed it straight to my doorstep. So far the message I have been gleaning from it is to only own things that “Spark Joy”. So purging things is on the top of my to-do list. I really like that this philosophy goes with my “live a little” goal. When I “live a little” and can come home to a decluttered house filled with things that “spark joy”, well, guys, I will be on top of the world.

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2015! There is a lot to look forward to this year. So go out, live a little, and conquer any goals or resolutions you may have for the coming year!