He Is Risen!

I can't imagine going through life without the love of my Savior.  Reading through Matthew this week has reminded me of the incredible sacrifice he made for me, and every other person ever created.  He died so that we could have eternal life.  He was rejected by those he came to save, and he chose to love each of us anyway.  What an incredible day to celebrate that our God is not dead, he's ALIVE!

Easter S'mores!

How fun are these?  Peeps s'mores in Easter colors!  I can't resist!  Check them out at poppytalk.

Well, Hello Spring!

Goodbye Winter

I will miss:

-Living in boots and socks.  Daily.  Nakey feet are not my favorite.

-Sitting by the fire on any given evening.

-Hot chocolate and spiced tea for no reason at all.

-Snuggling to keep warm :) 

-Burying myself under a blanket cloud.
-An excuse to wear a stocking cap.  (Are they still called that?)
-Watching my dog attempt to keep her feet out of the snow while visiting "the lady's   room".
-The smell of chimneys burning a toasty fire.

Hello Spring!

I'm looking forward to:

-The small window when Oklahoma weather is perfect.  
-Sleeping with the windows open.  
-Getting my hands in the dirt and planting some flowers.
-Colors like turquoise, fushia, raspberry, and bright yellow coming out of hibernation.

-Sitting on the porch and relaxing by the fire pit.
-Our camping trip with friends in May!

-Sweet tea.

-Thunderstorms.  Thunderstorms.  Thunderstorms!!!






*Pictures Credits

A Little Pick-Me-"Up"

Insert happy place here. This is one of those stories that just made my heart smile to know that people out there actually took the time and energy to make this project happen. And it actually worked. A house lifted by tons of colorful balloons, just like in the movie "Up".

Sometimes you just need a light hearted story that's void of the doom and gloom of our world. So take a little time to check out the full story with pictures and video here.

Recipe for a Happy Snow Day (or...snow melting day)

Spinach and Ricotta-Stuffed Shells

This recipe is super easy, and super good to eat on a cold day. It makes for a happy tummy and a happy husband. Here are the steps!

Ingredients

20 jumbo pasta shells (about half a 12-ounce box)

1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce

2 15-ounce containers ricotta

2 cups baby spinach, chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)

Kosher salt and black pepper

1/2 cup grated mozzarella (4 ounces)

green salad (optional)

1. Set an oven rack to the highest position and heat oven to 400° F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and run under cold water to cool.

2. Spread the marinara sauce in the bottom of a large broilerproof baking dish.

3. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

4. Spoon the mixture into the shells and place them on top of the sauce.

5. Sprinkle the shells with the mozzarella and bake until heated through, 10 to 12 minutes.

6. Increase heat to broil. Broil the shells until cheese begins to brown, 2 to 5 minutes. Serve with the salad, if desired

And voila! Eat and enjoy! :)

SNOWKLAHOMA {ROUND 1}

Growing up in Edmond, I have memories of playing in the snow every winter, and always building epic snowmen.  Apparently that is a talent only children possess, because all our snowman amounted to was a snow lump.  At least he looks happy, right?

Something about being inside while it's freezing outside sent me on a cooking spree! (Recipes to come later.)  I'll take any excuse to sit around in my p.j.s all day and enjoy good food.

The Wehunts and the Loehrs luckily had the foresight to get snowed in together!  We enjoyed spending a few days with some of our favorite people, and loved the 11 month old charm of Baby Darryl and his precious grins.  Watch out Kelly, I might have to snatch him up and bring him back over to the Loehrs! :)

I'm pretty sure I'd make a good Eskimo, because I never get tired of being snowed in, and I can always think of an endless amount of things to do.  Of course those things usually don't include productive tasks, but....what are snow days for, really?

Me: "Hey Dustin, this snow isn't sticking.  Maybe we should add some water."

Dustin: "Jess, I really think we should either get a shovel, or just admit this isn't going to work."

Me: "I guess growing up in Arizona, you didn't learn the vital skills of snowman building like we did here in Oklahoma..."

Dustin: (facial expression above)

2010: Our Year in Review

We've had a great time being married for our first year, and an eventful 2010. Here are the highlights.

January: We realized that we had become "those people". You know the kind. They call themselves mama and daddy because they're dog owners. They treat and talk about their dog like it's their baby. Well, after adopting our little Bostie Marlow in November, we quickly fell in love, and became a family of three :)

February: We (and by "we", I mean "I") started a blog! I figured out this new-fangled technology, and have loved documenting our lives ever since! I gave the husband candy-themed Valentine's gifts, lucked into some incredible Suns/Thunder tickets with his parents, and it snowed again!

March: We gave Dustin's new office a makeover, went to a concert, made my first trip to Ikea, enjoyed room service, went to the Dallas Aquarium, and returned home to a spoiled pup with painted toenails!

April: Dustin and I had the opportunity to lead worship at a single's retreat at our old stomping grounds, and we went to an awesome Hillsong United concert at Lloyd Noble. There's nothing like worshipping with thousands of of other believers.

May: Marlow got to have a friend over for the week (her "sister" Chloe), we had the pleasure of pulling back carpet in the bathroom, and fixing a leaky pipe. Thanks snow and freezing temps from the winter! We also decided to rip all of the overgrown shrubs out of our flower beds and start over! (If only I had taken an "after" picture...)

June: My musical man played the National Anthem at the Women's College World Series softball game with a trumpet trio, we went to Dallas to see Wicked (musically, life changing), my neighbor Eryn and I decided to start an Etsy store called Hello Blossom, and worked almost daily to get it ready by July. I also had to cancel music lessons due to the GIANT flash flood that we had. Cars were submerged, people were boating down the street, dogs and cats living together...mass hysteria!

July: MY BROTHER GOT ENGAGED!!! He took Madison on an all-day date, and my job was to set up her room with flowers and candles before they came back. Talk about a near heart attack from the pressure! We also went to the Okie Noodling Fest, went to Florida as high school camp leaders, and we officially launched our shop, Hello Blossom!

August: We got to have my mimi over and cook for her. I'm so thankful for our fun time that evening. I planned my home school music lesson business, started my 3rd year of teaching, had an indoor picnic, and celebrated my mom's b-day at Sage Gourmet Cafe in Deep Deuce, and then Cuppies and Joe for dessert!

September: We went to the Oklahoma State Fair, ordered fried s'mores on a stick, fried mac and cheese, fried cream cheese and bacon, a burrito, and grilled corn (food heaven), went to the petting zoo, salivated over hot tubs as Dustin lectured me about how expensive and impractical they are, held hands on the ferris wheel, and held a baby pig. :)

October: We enjoyed every second of fall! We celebrated our 1st anniversary, my grandparent's 60th anniversary, Dustin's birthday, Logan's birthday, visited the Chikasaw Museum, (Dustin's on the tribe roll!) created and directed a pirates music program, and had an awesome Halloween party! Phew!

November: We celebrated Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family in Norman, and ate with my Mimi in her retirement home. As always, time with my family involves non-stop humor and entertainment. We also decorated for Christmas on Black Friday, because December for a musician is just about as busy as it gets!

December: I prepared my Christmas Etsy orders like a mad woman, directed our school music program, we sang in our church Christmas program, went snow tubing, caught up with friends, celebrated my birthday, and my family's Christmas tradition of Chinese food, the Christmas story, and presents on Christmas Eve. Christmas day, we hung out with the Loehrs' family, and Dustin modeled an awesome dirty Santa gift. I busted out "mistletoe on the go" and consequently had a hickey on my forehead for 3 days... (see picture) We also rang in the new year with some of our besties :)