Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Today I am thankful for my job. It may not be where I thought I would end up, and it may not pay as much as I would like, but it is still a job. And many people don't even have that. It is also a job that has excellent benefits.

Furthermore, I have wonderful coworkers. I am surrounded by such a variety of people from all walks of life, but they are all united in their mission to help the students (current and prospective) achieve academic success at NIU.

Its also nice that I get 2 weeks paid time off at Christmas....

Catching Up... Again

I feel like I had a crazy weekend! So much going on, so that is why I am a few days late with this again.

On Saturday, I ran my first ever 5K race! And I ran it in 30 minutes and 34 seconds, which is about a 10 minute mile pace. This probably isn't that fast, but I have not been able to run a 10 minute mile (much less three in a row) since high school! This is also the furthest I've ever run at one time before. So, I guess I'm thankful for determination (and for Run, Zombies 5K).

Then, Tim and I spent Saturday cleaning our apartment, so I'm thankful for a clean home as well. And we celebrated his dad and sister's birthday's on Saturday night, so I am also incredibly thankful for my In-Laws. I could not have asked for a better family to have married into, and I feel very lucky that they have welcomed me into their inner circle :)

Sunday, I was thankful for lazy days. Tim and I just hung out on the couch with the dog and cat, I made some beer bread and I also made some Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup (recipe below).

Today, I am thankful for Twinings Chai Spiced Apple Tea. It is the perfect cure for snowy day chills.

Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (or Grapeseed Oil)
1 Yellow Onion, chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 Teaspoons Cumin
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Medium Butternut Squash, cubed
1 Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce
2.5 Cans Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth (you could use vegetable broth to make this vegetarian)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Light Sour Cream, for serving
Cilantro, for garnish

In a Dutch Oven, heat oil on Medium High heat. Add chopped onions and salt and pepper and cook for about 7 minutes or until starting to brown (stir regularly). Add cumin and garlic, cook until fragrant, stirring constantly (about a minute). Add broth, squash, chipotle pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Stir and cover. Let simmer on Medium High heat for about 25 minutes or until squash is very soft. Using a blender in batches, or an immersion blender, puree the mixture and then return to Dutch Oven. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream and cilantro leaves.
Makes about 4-6 servings.

Catching Up From Yesterday

I realize that I forgot to post what I was thankful for yesterday. Get off my back! Maybe I wasn't thankful for anything!

Sorry... That escalated quickly... I just forgot. My deepest apologies for neglecting to inform you all what I was thankful for yesterday.

So, I'll make it up to you by being thankful for two things today! What?!? Two?!?! This is crazy!

Today, November 8, 2013 I am thankful for this little bundle of joy...

 

Isn't she beautiful? (yes, she is chilling in the bathtub)

In case you didn't know... that is my cat, Sabrina (also known as BeeBee or Sabrina T. BeeBee - the T stands for either "the" or "trouble" depending on the day). Tim and I adopted her from Tails Humane Society the week we moved in together two years ago. She stole our hearts at PetSmart... As soon as we walked into the adoption center she reached her paw out of the cage and meowed at Tim and I. We are so lucky that we got this cat. She is sweet and silly, cuddly and cunning, feisty and full of love. She is also the most beautiful cat in the entire world - its a fact. 

I am also thankful that today is FRIDAY! (I don't believe an explanation for that is necessary)

Good Day! I must prepare for tomorrow: 5K in the am, Katie's birthday, and Hanson Birthday Dinner Extravaganza at JMK, so a whole lot to be thankful for tomorrow as well!

November 6, 2013

Today I am so grateful  for warm blankets and hot chocolate. After a cold fall rain and the temperature drop I was just feeling cold to the bone, so after my run I bundled up in a blanket and made a cup of cocoa and now I just need to curl up with a good book and it will be an ideal night :)

As long as I've got my blankets and cocoa I can Handle winter, so bring it on Jack Frost!

November 5, 2013: My Brother

Today is my big brother's birthday and he (and his sense of humor) is what I'm grateful for today. We didn't always see eye to eye growing up, but what siblings do? As we have grown up, though, we definitely don't argue as much, but sometimes I wish we got to hang out more.

My big brother taught me a lot when I was a kid. He introduced me to Star Wars and video games, and helped me learn to ride a bike and roller blade. But I think his greatest lessons for me are still to come, like how to be a great parent and a loving spouse and how to work hard to provide for my family.

So, for today and everyday I'm grateful for my big brother, Ryan. Thanks for being there for me Brobi Wan Kenobi! Happy Birthday!

November 4, 2013: Carpooling

Today, I want to reflect on how grateful I am that, although I have a 45-50 minute commute one way, I rarely dread the ride because I have one of my best buds to share it with... my mom! My mom and I carpool almost everyday, and I can honestly say that I never would have made it commuting that far for 8 months without her daily companionship.

I know I can be frustrating at times because it is so difficult to be on time in the am, but I'm so very glad that she puts up with me and I get to sit down to coffee with my mom 5 days a week. She also bakes me biscotti sometimes, so I have another reason to be grateful for carpooling with my mom. And we are saving the environment (and money...)!

 That's my mom, isn't she a doll?

So, just to recap: Today, 11/04/13 I am grateful for carpooling with my mom for the following reasons:

1. Her company makes driving 45 minutes one way interesting and fun
2. I get to see my mom 5 days a week
3. She bakes biscotti for me
4. We are saving the environment!
5. We save money!

Thanks for sticking with me today. Happy Monday!

November 3, 2013: Fellowship

Today was such a wonderful day! I really have numerous things to be thankful for...family, good food, clocks falling back...

My mom, my stepsister and I hosted a Wildtree party today, and we had a great turnout, plus it was a boatload of fun! So, I spent yesterday evening at my moms cooking with my mom and stepsister and I had a blast! Then, today, it was great to spend the afternoon appreciating great food with great company.

Today was also my Father-In-Law's birthday, so Tim and I went over to his parents for a bit this eventing. Whenever we are with our families we laugh so much and always have a great time. I love spending tons of time with my husband and our furry children, but I also love that we are surrounded by so many wonderful people that we can share in fellowship with.

November 2, 2013: Books!

On this, the second day of November, 2013 I am thankful for books, and having time to read them. Growing up, I used to read voraciously. However, when I went to college, I spent all of my free time reading for classes. Now that I have more free time, I read every night and most days on the weekends.

Right now, I'm absorbed in the world of Westeros (George R R Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series). I just started the third book, so I will be caught up to the HBO series soon! There is nothing like reading to take your imagination on the most wonderful of adventures.

Happy Reading!

28 Days of Thanks

For the month of November (through Thanksgiving, anyway) I am going to post one thing each day that I am thankful for. I suppose this a great practice for all year round, but I'll start with a month of Thanks. This was inspired by a few statuses I saw on Facebook this morning, and I thought it was a great way to circumvent seasonal dreariness (especially with Daylight Savings coming up...).

So, November 1st, 2013. I am thankful for so many things today, but most of all I am thankful for my husband. Tim has been my rock, my laughter, and my best friend for almost 4 years. He is the most wonderful man.

He is so many things, but most of all, he is an amazing husband!

And seriously, how could you not love this face :)