If We Were to Sit Down for Coffee.......

If we were to sit down for coffee, I would tell you that the past year has been full of its ups and downs. I would apologize for not being present and hope you understand that sometimes, life gets in the way.

If we were to sit down for coffee, I would tell you that despite our current struggles, we are embracing all we have and trusting our journey.

If we were to sit down for coffee, I would tell you that I am more in love with my husband everyday and grateful to have moments like this.

If we were to sit down for coffee, I would want to talk about food. I am a foodie, and love all things recipe and food related. Call me lame, but I can't help it. Take this homemade sauce and meatballs for example. Making good dinners makes me happy. I won't deny myself the easy and little pleasures in life.

If we were to sit down for coffee, I would smile from ear to ear in regards to my three knuckleheads. They bring so much joy, laughter and slight frustration (I can't lie during coffee). Our home would be so quiet without these 12 little legged friends.

If we were to sit down for coffee, I would hope you are doing amazing and that all your loved ones are happy and safe!

If we were to sit down for coffee, what would you say to me?!

Thankful

As the holidays approach, the days in which we all celebrate with our loved ones and give thanks, I smile to myself. Not only because I am excited to have wonderful food surrounded by the ones I love, but because I am extremely grateful for many great things. I feel many blessings surrounding me, and while holidays are wonderful, I am thankful that I am able to be grateful every day for what I have been given.

I am blessed with this incredible life, my health, and the love of the most beautiful people.

There are many gifts that I have been given that I love, but there is one that I cherish the most. I have been given the gift of my husband. A man I can't even begin to describe. He is selfless, loving, compassionate, intelligent, and so unaware of what he brings to so many of our lives. He is the perfect son, the most loving husband, and those who are blessed to know him, know what a kind soul he has. My life is better because his presence has made me a better person. I am forever grateful for what he has taught me and how I've been shown what love really is.

I wouldn't be able to love my husband with my whole heart, if I wasn't shown how by the most beautiful woman in my life. I am beyond thankful for my momma. She has always been and will always be my reason for life. She gave me my first breath, she has been my strength when I have been at my weakest, she is my very best friend. I am the person I am today because she has always shown me how to treat people, how to love, and how to be strong through the hardships. I have never met someone with such a selfless drive to help others, to open her heart for those in need, to always give more to people than she even has, without expectations. She fills my life with beauty, hope, and endless amounts of love. I am not only grateful for my momma, I am proud and honored to say that she is MY mom.

Along with having a mother that I am forever blessed with, she has also given me someone who I was able to grow up with, and continue to as the years pass by. We go through so many different stages in life and if you are lucky, you have a sister to experience these moments with. While not all our moments in our childhood were spent in perfect harmony, nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than the mischief and adolescent fights we got into. That was the start of the most beautiful friendship, one that I hold dear to my heart and continue to cherish in our adulthood. We have seen each other through dark times, and been there right by each others sides as we embark on life's most beautiful moments, marriage and the birth of my first nephew. I could not imagine a better older sister to look up to and hope that there are many more laughs and memories to be made in our future.

While I look to the future for hopefully more blessings, I can't help but reminisce about the past. I am so thankful for my grandparents, who were a huge part of my childhood. Not a day goes by that I don't remember them or picture their beautiful faces. They always showered me with so much love and affection, supporting me in all my endeavors. I miss them terribly every day and often find when I'm struggling, that their faces pop into my mind when I close my eyes tight, without even trying. They comfort me even though they are not here, and I can't describe how grateful that makes me.

I have pictured them a lot over the past 2 1/2 years, having been given a struggle I never imagined. While at first I couldn't find my strength or poise, I now am able to say that I am thankful for our struggles. It has made me realize how blessed I truly am, it has humbled me and it has allowed me to grow into a better person. As my husband and I travel this journey together, not all days are easy. Some days I feel I am losing my way, but I remind myself all the time, that in his time, all things are made beautiful. I am able to look to my husband for the strength I may not feel, and know that through every obstacle our relationship grows and gets stronger. I cannot ask for anything more than what I am already blessed with.

I look forward to what this life has to offer me, and hope that I can always see the beauty that is surrounding me.

Staycation & Enchilada Pasta Casserole

Why do I go in spurts? Once fall and the cooler seasons hit, I have this sudden urge to write. During the spring and summer, not so much!

I've had a great summer though, and spent lots of time with the ones I love! I've cooked some great new recipes and I'm excited to share :-)

We've been on a staycation for the past 7 days, and it has been so refreshing as well as fun! I love spending time with my husband and I am grateful for the memories we have made.

We have done lots of store browsing, some shopping, had some dates and we went to the zoo yesterday!

The weather was beautiful, and I loved seeing all the animals. My favorite being the gorillas. I could watch them all day. Each one, with a different personality, always reminding me of someone I know. Such as this guy.

That is exactly how my husband falls asleep on the couch. This guy was lazy.

My only complaint for this week, that as always it's going by way too fast!

I will leave with a new recipe, I've been loving me some mexican flavors lately so I hope you enjoy!!

Enchilada Pasta Casserole

Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
5 oz cream cheese
1 jar (12 oz) red enchilada sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 small can diced green chiles
12 oz wide egg noodles
salt & pepper to taste

Directions
Cook egg noodles to package directions. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan, saute onion and red pepper until soft. Add minced garlic and saute until fragrant for 1-2 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until meat is browned. Season with chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt & pepper to your liking. Next, add cream cheese to your beef mixture and allow to melt, stirring to combine. Meanwhile, in a bowl mix enchilada sauce, sour cream, corn, green chiles, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and 1 cup pepper jack cheese. Then mix the beef mixture, egg noodles and enchilada sauce mixture together and place in a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and broil in the oven until cheese is melt and slightly browned.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to My Sister Friend!

For many years throughout our childhood, I always felt like my sister stole my spotlight. It makes me laugh to think about it now. Her birthday is two days before mine and she always turned a "better" age than me (in my eyes, of course!) She is three lovely years older than me.

When I turned 10, she became a teenager. When I became a teenager, she had her sweet sixteen. When I turned 18, she was drinking herself to oblivion at the ripe age of 21!

When she got her first car, I got a saddle. This right here is a memory that will always remain in my mind. It makes me snicker. Her first car was kind of a shit mobile and when I was handed my first  riding saddle, the thought that went through my head...."what is this? This isn't pretty!" What a rotten little girl I was!

Sharing birthday parties with her didn't really become enjoyable until my 21st birthday. We took a bus to the city and rocked that shit. It was a fabulous time.

As the years go on, I've enjoyed having a birthday close to my sister. It's our own little special time every year to celebrate. As we get older, I appreciate my sister more and more.

So today, I wish my sister friend the best birthday ever.... and I'm sure with this little man, she'll have a great one! Me love you lots and lots!

Back At It

Yet again, time has passed way too fast and I've let certain things slide. I have been making tons of new recipes, eating delicious food and I have not taken a picture!

I vow now to be better about what I am passionate about. I don't blog for anyone else but myself. I cook new recipes because they make me feel creative. I love to see the expression on my husband's face when I've nailed a recipe..... and I love to share them with whoever reads this nonsense.

So after this weekend, it's time to get back at it. If anyone does read this, be prepared for some writing overload!

Winter Bucket List

With every season comes excitement and brand new goals. As we go into the last month of the year, I find myself thinking of all the final things I want to accomplish this year. I've always loved the holidays but as I'm getting older and life is ever changing, I have a whole new perspective on it.

I have always loved spending time with my family. As the years have gone on, the family has unfortunately gotten much smaller. But no matter how big or small it may be....

My winter bucket list:

-Making delicious christmas cookies

-Find an ornament that symbolizes all the changes we have made this year, for the better.

-Spend as much time as we can enjoying the christmas lights- taking a drive, enjoying the moment

-Drink lots of hot chocolate!

-Make my christmas gifts this year

-See a play in NYC

-A night of appetizers n' drinks

-Sunday Brunch with the family

I just want to embrace the winter months, the time with the people I love and remember what matters most. Our health, our families, our love.....

I Smiled Because.....

This week I smiled because.......

I got to spend a lot of time with this guy.

 I was allowed Peachwave frozen yogurt, twice! Don't fret...it's healthy, right? 

I found a new love of my life.

And paired it with my morning oats!

I learned that these are delicious.....I might be bias because they are named after my hubs!

The caramel is the best, definitely going to have to enjoy that again!

Tried a few new recipes which turned out to be big hits.

Pierogi Lasagna

Tomato, Basil & Parmesan Soup

The man made me dinner which was awesome!

Once the chef perfects and writes a recipe for his chinese barbecue sauce, I'll be sure to share.

Most importantly, I smiled because I'm here living this life and learning to make every day count. It isn't perfect, but it's perfect for me.

Our Very 1st Date

October 1st, 2004, our very first date.....

The first meal we ate together.

The first restaurant we dined at together.

The first movie we saw together.

The first conversation we ever had.

The first kiss I gave him on the cheek.

The first day, of the rest of my life.

To us......

The man who stole my heart on the second date, my best friend and the love of my life. To many more wonderful years together.

I love you!

Oh Monday Monday

Most people hate Mondays. It is the start of a new work week and the end of a perfectly wonderful weekend. I completely understand.

Although, I don't hate Mondays and I never have. Don't get me wrong, I love my weekends spent with the ones I love! I love seeing my husband and having early morning coffee with him. I love being able to talk to him whenever I want. I love being able to make memories with him, and I especially love pawning our dog duties off on him!

Then Monday rolls around and I feel like a new woman, every.single.week. I'm excited to get more things accomplished. I love to start the new week off refreshed and happy. I take Mondays as a day to plan, organize and set the tone for what the week will bring.

Maybe it's because I don't have the five day work week like some, and for that I am very grateful. I am cherishing the time I have to enjoy these Mondays. I know it can all change at any time.

Fall Goals

There is such satisfaction in setting a goal, no matter what it is and accomplishing it. I love the feeling I get when I cross off things from my to do list. That being said, I have decided to make up some goals for the fall. These will be goals that I WILL accomplish, with no excuses.

- I will go apple picking
-I will make an apple pie from scratch AND an apple crisp
-I will pick out a pumpkin and carve it
-I will go to a haunted house
-I will go to a corn maze
-I will take pictures of the beautiful colors of fall
-I will take my dogs on a fall hike

I think those are all very reasonable goals and I can't wait to start crossing them off. I'm thinking if the weather is good this weekend we might go apple picking! I sure hope so!

Source

Silence

Turn off your TV. Let the clothes dry in the sun. Save running the dishwasher until bed time. Just listen. Silence.

May you find the time in your day to just sit for a minute and listen to nothing. Think of nothing. Love the feeling of nothing. In those few minutes, the clarity you can feel is amazing. Just be.

Or you can lie down instead of sitting. Whatever position you fancy.

Choices

There are so many choices you have to make in life. From the moment you enter this world, it's just a bunch of left and right turns. Sometimes you make the right ones from the start, but a lot of the time you have to learn through wrong choices. You can think of the wrong choices as mistakes, or just paths that lead you in the right direction. I have my moments, where the little pessimistic beast comes out, but for the most part I like to embrace both the good and the bad, and take full responsibility for my choices.

I don't believe in regrets. I believe in following your gut and working hard towards the things you want. It doesn't mean things will ever come easy, but you just try until you get an outcome you are satisfied with. I've been persistent my whole life in everything that I've wanted.

I wanted a Jetta. So when it was time for my first car, a Jetta is what I got.

I wanted to go to nursing school, so I did.

I wanted to move out on my own, so I got my first apartment.

I wanted to work in the emergency department, so I did.

I wanted to date the man that stole my heart, and I got him.

I wanted a dog, so we got one.

I wanted a second dog, so I got one. Okay, sometimes you make decisions before really thinking.

We wanted a house, so we bought one.

I wanted a new car, so I got one.

I knew from the second day I met the Mr. that I was going to marry him, and I did!

Now, don't think any of these decisions were easy.  Life is not a complete fairy tale. What you tell people could always be the frosting on top of the cake, but it doesn't mean things didn't go wrong. They did and they still do. It took a lot of hard work, persistence, and let downs to accomplish the above goals, but I got through it and I'm proud of myself for that.

At the moment, I'm trying to figure out what I want in my career and what really matters to me. It's not an easy decision to make, so I'm trying to take the time I need while still being responsible. In the back of my mind is constantly the question, "is this right?" and I really don't know. What I do know is that all my choices, good or bad have gotten me to this point. So I'm going to have confidence in myself to keep on moving along and make decisions that I hope lead me to my next step.

Life is not perfect, but it can be absolutely wonderful if you just live it! You have the ability to make of it what you want, and I am always reminding myself of that. That's the beauty of it all, its your choice as long as you allow it to be!

My Day

All good days start with a little sunshine on your face,

 While amongst the company of your furry friends.

These little creatures love you unconditionally and always remind you to believe.

Life is a Miracle

The past few months have not been without obstacles. They have not been without tears, nor have they been the happiest of moments. But through the tears, pain and disappointment, there has been a clarity. I have been given the opportunity to see the positivity and beauty in all things, both good and bad.

To say I've not been happy with my current job, might be considered an understatement. I loathe working nights, but despite a few interviews, I am still at this job. I am trying to see what I can learn from it, and what I have already learned so far in the 4 months I have been there.

I am trying to find happiness in all the beautiful moments spent with my husband. We are trying to do a lot more in our time together, instead of just hanging out at home. We are making memories, things we can talk about until we grow old and gray together. In 50 years, I hope to look back and remember sitting under the beautiful night sky, wrapped in a blanket with my love, listening to a live concert by Lady Antebellum. I want to remember that this life was worth living, because it is.

Nothing is ever perfect, there will always be things in your life you wish you could change. Just try to live each day knowing that you are surrounded by a miracle, because that is exactly what happened when all of us were created.

It will Find its Way

I am a firm believer of the above statement. Sometimes it is hard to to see around whatever you may be going through, to get to this point. In the end, it is just so very true. 

We can't always choose how our lives are going to go. We can't help what obstacles that may stand in our way, or what heartache we may have to endure. All we can do is try our hardest, look for support when life gets us down, and move forward. There is a story written for all of us. Not every page is going to be glorious, but the ones that are, are worth the wait.