Five Favorites, and January 2015 Planning Pages

1. My fireplace is finally functional! I think this is my favorite favorite of all- no leaving the best for last going on here. Zeke still has some finishing touches to do- we'll be removing some more of the woodwork (sad, but that's what the insurance company requires), and putting up some great tile, but we can actually use it! And we have been. Every night this week.

2. Once upon a time, I used to take figure skating lessons. I know, I know. I was pretty terrible- I was too scared to actually do any jumps, and my balance was laughable. so spins were pretty much out of the question, but I did skate a lot in high school- I would put in about 5 hours a week at the rink. So when Zeke suggested we go, I was so excited!

Of course, I'm very out of shape and it took a while to get my "ice legs," but it was so much fun.

3. Peppermint hot chocolate in a giraffe mug. Need I say more?

We can just pretend you can't see those cords in the background, kay?

4. My super-creative mother-in-law asked Zeke if he had any old mattresses... and then turned bed springs into Christmas trees. So cute.

5. And (I didn't take a picture of it), but my door of Christmas cards is filling up. I love Christmas cards. There's something so special about getting cards in the mail, and then the glitter and pictures and joy... it's wonderful. Growing up, my folks put all the cards up along the windowsills, and I would spend at least ten minutes a day looking at them. Now that I'm older, I appreciate the little extra burst of color in my house from all the cards, and I take a couple minutes to pray for friends and family a couple times a day. Ah, Christmas cards. I just love 'em. 

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In other news, in printing out my December planning pages last month, I realized that I really jumbled the last few days of December... so I attached those days to my January 2015 daily planning pages for ya. Sorry about that!

January 2015 Daily Planning Pages

A note about printing: These pages are 8.5 x 5.5 sized, so they should fit in Martha Stewart small format binders, A5 size binders, and Classic size binders. You may need to trim a little.

You will want to print these double sided, flipping on the short end of the paper (or top-to-bottom printing). They'll look a little crazy at first (i.e. the pages don't seem like they're in order) but it should work just fine. After printing, cut the pages in half, and three-hole punch the edge you cut.

Oh, and if you're looking for monthly calendars for 2015, my calendar pages are also available as a free printable!

This post is linked up with Jenna at Call Her Happy for 5 Favorites, today. 

I Told You that to Tell You This: Apple Chips, Farm Cats, and a Link Up

~1~

This has been a weird week in chez Little. I worked all last weekend, so had Monday off (and did nothing. Seriously. Nothing.), and then worked late on Tuesday night, came in early on Wednesday with a "last minute run to Menards"-that-ended-up-taking-all-of-three-hours-chaser. I just feel very... off kilter. My routines! I need my routines!

~2~

That said, I need you all to pray for us, please. Something has (just now, like, this very morning) come up, something that would really throw off my routines, but my heart strings are being tugged. Strongly. I'm just not sure that Zeke's are being tugged the same way, and I can be really really impulsive and I jump right in where he looks before he leaps. And you know, just this morning, so he probably hasn't had time to even think about any of this, but it's big on my mind.

I do realize that I'm being very vague- but maybe just pray that we'll very clearly see God's will and doors will open wide if this is the right thing. And if it is the right thing, trust me, you'll hear all about it.

~3~

A lighter, {happy} note: We have tons of apples. Zeke's folks have an apple tree that was majorly overloaded this year... so we came home with tons of 'em. Just trying to be helpful, you know. 

So Zeke decided to dehydrate them and make apple chips. So yummy! 

 ~4~

While at the farm- I thought this was so {funny}

 

Two cats who just loved walking like this. Too cute.

~5~

While I know I'm really blessed to have meals provided for us during the summer (and the no-clean up, no grocery shopping that goes along with that), there's just something wonderful about reclaiming my kitchen each Fall.

Chicken stock in progress.

~6~

So, I no longer have ballet flats due to an unfortunate "while at a retreat, someone took them" situation.

Wait, I didn't tell you about that yet?

Okay, so two weeks ago I went to a retreat. There were a lot of ladies there, and it was rainy. (The rainy part is important, here.) The first night, there was a very nice lady who won a door prize, and she mentioned that her luggage had been lost in the airport. Bummer deal, for sure.

Anyway, my group went for a hike, and my trusty ole ballet flats went too, and got really muddy. So, instead of cleanin' 'em up before dinner (we were late already), I put them in the shared bathroom and put on my other pair of shoes, figuring I'd avoid tracking mud everywhere and I'd clean them later. But when I went back later, they were gone. I looked around, checked the lost and found... nothing.

Until the last day of the retreat, when I saw the door prize lady who lost her luggage. She was wearing my shoes. Huh? But I then I thought, "Well, she might have the same pair!" and then also "She's way taller than me, she probably has bigger feet. So she couldn't be wearing my shoes."

But then I noticed her heels hangin' off the back of them. Those shoes were way too small for her. And I was pretty darn sure they were mine. But how do you go up to someone you don't know and say, "Hey, are you wearing my shoes?"

Weird, the whole situation.

~7~

I told you that to tell you this-

I'm kind of lost without my ballet flats. I gotta get myself a new pair, but until then, I've been trying to work my customary skirts-with-ballet-flats outfits minus the ballet flats. Flip flops have worked great, but now it's getting colder...

So I need help. Because, as I've said, I'm really not much for fashion.  

Here's my outfit for today...

Ignore the messy office in the background. And the garbage can. And the fact that my cardigan is a button off.  There are reasons I don't do this.

... and that's my only idea. (Although I must say, the dress is a {pretty] one. Thank you mother-in-law!) So, I obviously need some help. I asked for help on Facebook, too... but I figured I'd ask again... because desperate.


Link up here with your favorite cowboy boot/skirt outfits. Or just any cowboy boot/skirt outfit. Any outfit at all.

You know what? Let's get wild- link up ANY Fall outfit! 

And, because, you know, the Fall is the perfect time to wear... Fall outfits, this link up will be open for a while. I got no rules. Go crazy.

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Thursday!!

Happy Independence Day!

{7 Quick Takes... er 5, actually} Valentine's Day Quotes

 Linking up with Jen at Conversion Diary today!

1

My hunkiest of hubbies, after he had to go to town for work (so we didn't eat lunch together, like we usually do):  

So, I went to China One (the Chinese buffet where we spend waaaaay too much time) and got my food, and it was good... but you weren't there, and it was soooo boring. Definitely missing something. The crab rangoons were still the best, though. 

I burst into tears at that one. 

Yes, overly emotional. But, still, my husband likes hanging out with me! He misses me when I'm not around! Is there anything better?

2

During a conversation about how sometimes, when you've spoken with someone on the phone, you get this mental image of what they look like... and then when you meet them, sometimes they kind of "fit" their voice, and sometimes they don't at all. You know?

I said that, because I talk on the phone with a LOT of people at work, I'm told quite often that I'm younger than I seem on the phone.

My co-worker: 

Well, that's probably because people don't expect a younger person to be  sweet- and you're always just so sweet over the phone.

Aw.

3

Okay, so I didn't actually hear this yet today, but I know I will... 

One of our former co-workers (who's coming to our Marriage Retreat today! Yay!) never calls his wife by her name. He always (always) refers to her as "my love," or "my bride," or "Cutie." Literally. Always. 

They've been married for at least thirty years. 

4

 This morning, after I told my alarm clock, "Five more minutes," like I do every morning, my hubby: 

Nooo, wake up so I can cuddle you!

I think I coulda cuddled just fine still asleep, but whatever.

5

Zeke just got home (like, really, just now) after being in town (see #1), and he brought a pizza. 

I had a different one I was going to use for #5, but he.Brought.A.Pizza. 

I'll be working all night, and don't have time to cook. 

Is there anything more romantic? I think not, ladies. I think not. 

Happy Valentine's Day- go snuggle with those you love!

 

How We Spent Our New Year

I'll be honest. When I pictured Hunky Husband's and my first New Year as a married couple, I envisioned us reflecting on the old year, making resolutions and hanging them on the fridge, getting together with friends, baking cookies (which, now that I think of it, would have gone against our loosely defined resolutions), and sitting down to a lovely meal to begin the year.

What did our New Year actually look like?

Well, Zeke was on call, so we couldn't go anywhere to visit with friends. Zeke isn't much for reflection (at least not verbally), and we actually spent the entire day comfy clothes watching movies. Oh, and Zeke made hamburgers for supper. I didn't lift a finger. I was on Pinterest while he cooked.

So, I leave you with one of our New Year's activities... Grapefruit flinging.

Hope your New Year was wonderful!

2012 Blessings and 2013 Goals

The holiday season, at least in my family, was focused on Christmas. The New Year was just a little post-Christmas blip that kept us out of school for a couple more days. Nothing too special, really.

This year, though, I've found myself reflecting more and more on New Year's. On saying goodbye to the old and welcoming in the new. For me, part of this has been looking back, seeing how much has changed, and giving thanks for all I have, and making goals for the future. 

My Blessings, 2012

1. Marrying the man of my dreams. We spent years and years wishing we could see each other every day, or even once a week. Now, I see my Hunky Husband all the time, even if it's just waving at him as he blows snow off of the sidewalks. It's an amazing thing, marrying your best friend. I think it's the best gift I've ever been given.

2. Our home. Zeke has provided so completely for me. I love our home, even when it seems like it may be way too small to house all of our stuff (I always blame the stuff for that). I love spending time here. I love coming home from trips. I love waking up in the morning and being here. It keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We are also incredibly blessed in that we don't pay rent- Zeke's job covers our housing costs.

3. Our families. We both are blessed with large, happy families. Together, we have two nieces and two nephews, five sisters, and two brothers. Over Christmas time, I was overwhelmed with the fact that I have not only one family that loves me, but two! I'm so thankful for the lessons they've taught me, the patience they extend to me, and the time they spend with me!

4. Not having a job. Yeah, this is a strange one... but not having a full time job this past year has truly been a blessing in disguise. I've been able to take time to figure out how to be a good wife to my new husband, gotten to learn more about my community, and spend some time organizing and making our house into a home.

5. Our camp community. I've never lived somewhere so spiritually uplifting before (and that includes my time at a Christian college!) The people surrounding us are so wonderful, so godly, and such good role models. Their transparency with us, the commitment to sharing prayer requests, and the fact that God is central in our community makes for a wonderful place to live with a wonderful camp family.

2013 Goals

1. Healthier living. We've had a bit of a reminder this year (through some family health issues) that caring for our bodies needs to be more of a priority. Starting next week, Zeke and I will be trying to incorporate some juice meals into our diets, both for the nutrients and the weight-loss benefits. Neither of us has been eating very healthily... and we'd like to change that. 

2. A greater closer walk with the Lord. I think this one is a constant goal, but more specifically, I'd like to spend more time in His Word. I think I have a pretty consistent prayer life, but I really struggle to sit and read the Bible. 

3. Less TV. I've realized that if I watch TV during the day, I get about 1/3 of the tasks accomplished that I do if the TV is off. I'd like to be more productive during my home days, getting my household tasks done and then working on craft projects Zeke gets home. 

What are your goals and blessings? 

Butternut Squash Lasagna

My husband loves squash. Loves loves loves. I, on the other hand, never was much of a squash eater. We never really had it growing up. I was first introduced to this recipe at a friend's house. It was then that squash and I began our beautiful relationship. This recipe is pretty easy and very delicious. It's vegetarian, so it would be great for non-meat eating company, but it satisfies the carnivores as well- even my grew-up-on-a-cattle-farm, 6'5" Hunky Husband doesn't complain about the lack of meat.

Butternut Squash Lasagna A Little Wife

3 lbs butternut squash, halved

3 Tbs vegetable oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 c unsalted butter

2 Tbs minced garlic

1/4 c flour

2 c heavy cream

2 c milk (whole is preferred, but anything would work)

9 no-cook lasagna noodles

1 1/3 c Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Brush squash with oil and sprinkle with salt.

Roast on greased baking sheet until flesh is soft (about 45-50 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes.

Scoop flesh into a bowl and set aside.

Heat butter in sauce pan. Stir in garlic. Stir in flour and cook 3 minutes. It will look pretty lumpy, like this:

Whisk in the milk and cream until smooth.

Bring to a simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in squash.

Reduce oven temperature to 370 degrees F. Pour 1 cup squash mixture into a greased 9x13 pan.

Layer as follows: 3 noodles, squash, Parmesan cheese, noodles, squash, cheese, noodles, cheese.

Cover with foil, bake 30 minutes.

Once again, I'm a little too slow with taking pictures....

Love List

A few things that I am loving this week:

1. The smell of burning leaves. Our neighborhood allows us to burn leaves, and with so many trees around, at least one close neighbor is burning every day I know some people hate this smell, but man, it just smells like fall to me! Mmm.

2. My new bed! Zeke and I actually made the frame together, then we got a new mattress (thank heaven). With the cooler weather, I couldn't help but put all the fluffy bedding on it, and now it's nearly impossible to get out of bed in the morning. I think I should move the fridge and TV in there... then I'd almost never have to leave.

3. The cleaning checklist I've been using. Okay, I have a little confession to make here. The other day, I watched the kids of a friend of mine. She had a "Babysitter Info" sheet... I'm sure many of you have the same thing. Anyways, I didn't need it, but she had mentioned that it had the pediatrician's name on it, and I was curious. So I looked over the sheet, and then saw this checklist underneath it. And, being snoopy as I am, I had to look it all over. I immediately went, "Wow. This could be the best thing ever for me."

I went online and bought the lists. They are awesome. I was really kind of struggling with how to fill my "at home" days when I wasn't subbing- there's just so many things to do that I didn't know where to get started. Thanks a bunch to The Confident Mom at theconfidentmom.com!!

4. The beautiful scenery in my neighborhood. This was taken just across the street. No joke.

5. Knowing what to make for dinner. Now that I've been trying out recipes for a couple of months and gauging Hunky Husband's reactions, I've got a bunch of HH-approved meals, so I've been able to actually plan, rather than just frantically searching for recipes at 3:30.

6. Pandora. I'm sure you've heard of this website before, but if you haven't, it's an online radio that's customized to your preferences. At my house, the radio doesn't pick up very many channels, and doesn't get the local Christian station at all. I've got my Pandora's Hillsong Radio going almost all day, and I love it! I'm not so sure that the neighbors who live below me like it so much... they have to hear me singing all day long...

7. My wonderful husband. He's taking on more hours at work starting this week (the maintenance director is cutting back on his own hours), and it's a busy time to work maintenance at camp with all the winterizing and boat-pulling-outing they're doing.

Wordless Wednesday (Fall at the Lake: A Walk in My Neighborhood)

Fall Decorating!

 Fall is here! Well, not officially, I guess, but it sure feels like fall. I think the weather in our neck of the woods went from "too hot to have the windows open" to "too cold to have the windows open" in nearly record time. Seriously. The other day, it was only 38 degrees at 8:30 in the morning! I'm so not ready for this yet.

On the bright side, the arrival of fall also means that it's time to put away the summertime decorations and start feeling fall! Here's a little peek into my house...

On top of our "pantry," I moved the wedding stuff I had there to make room for some candles, the adorable lantern we got as a wedding gift, and a jar of red candies. I also put some acorns in an old pickle jar after I removed the label and wiped the dirt off the acorns. I almost wish I'd done two of the acorn-jars, it's so cute. 

 
Even though I moved it from the prominent "pantry" location, I couldn't help but keep out a bunch of stuff from the wedding. The roses are actually my wedding bouquet, and below them is my tiara (up until the last moment, I really didn't think I was gonna wear that thing, but I did!), and the wooden heart thing was our cake topper. Oh. And please ignore all the clean dishes in my sink. I got too into decorating... they were drying when I took this picture!

On my little blanket trunk in the living room, my summery bottles and sand centerpiece has been cleared away for leaves and pumpkins. I also convinced Zeke that I neeeded the candles- we couldn't find any pumpkin wax melts at Walmart. We got a set- five candles (three small and two large) for $10. As much as I dislike Walmart, the price was right this time!

And outside? I found this scarecrow at the Dollar Tree, added a cardboard sign with our last name, and voila! Cute little welcome scarecrow!

What are you doing to decorate for fall?

Happy Fourth of July! (and Can Lantern Tutorial)

And what a beautiful day it is here! It's about 95 degrees Fahrenheit here at the lake, and the water is the place to be! Hunky Husband usually takes two sets of campers on tube rides every day, but there are just too many boats on the water today to be doing any tubing! Instead, he's installing air conditioners into cabins. Sooo much more fun than driving a boat around...

I've been busy, too! I wanted to do something sort of patriotic for the holiday, but I really don't have too much to work with just yet, and I didn't want to spend money. I remembered an idea for making little lanterns out of tin cans that seemed pretty easy, cute, and most of all, cheap!

Okay, here's how it works....

 You're gonna need a couple cans. I used three. And I pulled 5 of them out of the recycling bin here at camp. You're also going to need at least one nail and a hammer, as well as a freezer.

First things first, you're going to want to wash out the can really well if it still has any food remnants. At my home, if I didn't, I'd probably wake up to three raccoons, a turkey, and a family of deer asking for seconds.

Then, use warm water to loosen the label, and peel the label off.

 Fill the can with water...

...and stick it in your freezer. (Little Wife Note: This is a very important step! Make sure that the ice is completely solid before you go on. It's much, much more difficult and blister-inducing if you skip this part!)

Pull the can out of your freezer (the next day, I'd say) and take it outside!

Because I know my own (lack of) artistic ability, I pre-drew the stars on pieces of paper. Otherwise, I would have made catfish lanterns. I'm trying to make stars, here. I put a nail right through the paper and into the can to begin.

Then I put nails into all of the "important" corners, to give me a guide. (Notice, the ice is already beginning to make a big puddle on the table. It's hot out here, guys!)

At this point, I took the paper guide off, and freehanded the edges of the star. I found that it was pretty difficult to put nails into the raised part of the ridges, so I tried to just put holes on the lower parts.

 After I finished my star and put a little candle inside, the can looked like this!

It was all right, but not exactly what I was going for. I consulted with HH. He suggested putting another row of holes into the can.

And I like it much better.

I made three cans like this, and I'll use them tonight on our porch while we watch the fireworks!

I had a couple left over cans- Zeke took care of those... he picked some flowers for me!