Out with the Old, In with the New

Husbands are so wonderful because they can do things I can't. Such as...

We've been doing some remodeling on the house since before we got married. We live in a 70's style house and many of the fixtures, wallpaper, and other such things have been in the house since it was built. Since Kevin is an electrician/handyman of sorts, there's a lot of the remodeling he can do by himself. Well, ever since we got married I've been complaining of the light fixture in our bedroom. I wish I had a picture, but I don't. Just imagine the absolute ugliest, gold platted, low hanging chandelier you can imagine and then picture it hanging above a bed. Ugly, right??
I kept asking Kevin to put me in a ceiling fan and he kept refusing (mainly because he said I was nagging). So on Monday night, I had an event at the seminary to attend and Kevin said he had a big surprise for me when I got home. I was expecting all the dishes to be done or the laundry to be folded. But when I walked into our bedroom, the most glorious and spectacular ceiling fan was hanging above our bed!
Ok, maybe I'm being a little overdramatic but isn't that what being a woman is all about!!

50 Marriage Promises (Part 3)

21. Compliment twice a day
22. Call during the day
23. Slow down
24. Hold hands
25. Cuddle (Take note Kevin)
26. Ask for each other's opinion
27. Show respect
28. Welcome the other person home
29. Look you best
30. Wink at each other
31. Celebrate birthdays in a big way
32. Apologize
33. Forgive
34. Set up a romantic getaway
35. Ask, "What can I do to make you happier?"

Just a Little Loaf of Bread

Ok, so anyone who knows me well knows that Martha Stewart I am not. I'm a huge advocate of microwave meals and PB&J sandwiches, but somehow being a wife has brought out the cook in me. (Or at least the attempted cook). I think it's the fact that now I have someone to cook and bake for. Before I thought, "Why in the world would I go through all that trouble just for me." But now, there is someone who can appreciate what I am trying to do in the kitchen.
With that said, last week I attempted my first loaf of freshly baked bread. All was going well until I misread the recipe and put in an extra 2/3 cup of sugar. Oops! I got frustrated and almost threw away the whole thing but then I thought, "Well I've made it this far. I should at least keep going and see how it turns out." So I did and suprisingly, it turned out really yummy. It didn't taste weird at all and it was so good that I gave two loafs away to other people.
Sister Schubert can keep her rolls. I'm making my own bread from now on. (Well, maybe not all the time. Sister Schubert does make some pretty amazing rolls!)

Fabulous Homemade Bread (www.allrecipes.com)

By J. Drury

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 3 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup bread flour
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 cups quick cooking oats
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 4 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 10 cups bread flour

Directions

1. In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, stir together 1/2 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 cup bread flour, and yeast. Let grow for about 5 minutes. It will bubble almost immediately.
2. Measure oats, 4 1/2 cups warm water, whole wheat flour, salt, 2/3 cup brown sugar, and 2/3 cup oil into the mixing bowl. Mix on low speed with a dough hook for 1 to 2 minutes. Increase speed slightly, and begin adding bread flour 1/2 to 1 cup at a time until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Humidity determines how much flour you need before the bread pulls away from the edge of the bowl. It is normal for the dough to be sticky.
3. Place dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Divide dough into 6 pieces. Shape loaves, and place in greased 8 x 4 inch pans. Let rise until dough is 1 inch above rim of pans, usually 1 hour.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C) for 35 minutes, or until tops are browned. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, and then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.  

The Joys of Marriage

Now that Kevin and I have been married for 7 1/2 weeks (how time flies) I was thinking the other day about the things I love about being married. Here are just a few...

1. Seeing Kevin's wedding ring and knowing it's on his finger because of me. (By the way, Kevin's an electrician and can't wear his ring to work. Every day, and I mean EVERY day when I get home, it's already on his finger. That is huge for me!!)

2. Knowing there is someone who will always buy me a Diet Coke even when I forget (or intentionally leave) my wallet at home.

3. Having someone to call in the middle of the day just because. (Ok, I do this with my mom too but it's a little different with Kevin).

4. Scooting closer to him at night when it's freezing cold and the blankets just aren't cutting it.

5. Having parents and an entire family I absolutely love only 10 minutes away when I've been far away from my own family for so long. (So, this isn't directly related to Kevin but it's because of him that I have them.)

There are so many more reasons why I love being married but those are just a few.

50 Marriage Promises (Part 2)

11. Select a song that can be "our song".
12. Give back rubs.
13. Laugh together
14. Send a card for no reason.
15. Do what the other person wants before he or she asks
16. Listen
17. Encourage
18. Do it his or her way.
19. Know his or her needs.
20. Fix the other person's breakfast.

This I Promise You

These marriage promises are courtesy of Hyman's Seafood Restaurant in Charleston, SC.
May I daily strive to exhibit kindness and love to my spouse in these ways.

50 Marriage Promises (Part 1)

1. Start each day with a kiss.
2. Wear your wedding ring at all times.
3. Date once a week.
4. Accept differences.
5. Be polite.
6. Be gentle.
7. Give gifts.
8. Smile often.
9. Touch.
10. Talk about dreams.

There are 50 total so to be continued.....