2013...A Year in Review

There is only 2 days left of 2013. Where did the year go? It felt like it sped by quickly. Here is a little replay of my year.

January:
I started the year at the Stafford VFW with my friends Adam and Anthony. There were all of maybe 10-15 people there. A few days later, had another mini celebration with four other close friends of mine at my house.

February:
I sadly moved back to McPherson in the middle of the month. Don't get me wrong. I was happy to be close to my family, but I was sad that I was leaving my friends and the kids I had worked with. I had gotten attached to quite a few of them.

March:
I don't remember anything super exciting or memorable about this month....

April:
My sister, Rae, and her husband, Shane, got married. A week later, I started talking a guy I met through a dating site I had joined back in January. His name? Matt :)

May:
One of my brothers and his wife welcomed their first child, Jrake. He's got the biggest and sweetest smiles!

June:
What did I do this month???? I don't remember!!!!!

July:
Matt and I met for the first time face to face when he came to Kansas for a few days to visit. I had a great time and couldn't wait to see him again.

August:
I turned 31 and also got to welcome my nephew, Deegan, to the world. Just like me, he shares a birthday with his grandparent's anniversary. He was also born on or within a few days of a grandparents birthday.

September:
I've been knitting for 2 years. I had a shawl at the Kansas State Fair win 3rd place out of approximately 23 entries. Many of those entries had been done by others knitting a lot longer than myself.

October:
Another month that I can't think of or remember something exciting that happened.

November:
One set of parents took me to Texas (for the first time) so I could see Matt. Matt took me to see the coast for the very first time which was awesome!

December:
Here we are at the end of December. This month flew past. I don't feel like I did much except work and work on knitting and crochet projects. I did spend some time with family for Christmas, which was nice.

Have a happy and safe 2014 everyone!

White Texas Sheet Cake

I was looking for a new recipe to try and with the holidays upon us, I wanted to bake something. With my head and heart in Texas, I happened to come across this recipe and decided I had to try it. This cake is moist and delicious. The frosting is the perfect kind of sweetness.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, cubed
1 cup water
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
4 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

In a large saucepan, bring butter and water just to a boil. Immediately remove from heat; stir in the flour, sugar, eggs, sour cream, almond extract, baking soda, and salt until smooth.

Pour into a greased 15-in x 10-in baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean and cake is golden brown. Cool for 20 minutes.

For frosting, in a large saucepan, combine butter and milk. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in sugar and extract. Stir in walnuts; spread over warm cake.

16-20 Servings

 

Speedy Vegetable Soup

I remember as a kid that when we had vegetable soup at home, my siblings and I would stir in pancake syrup into our soup bowl. My mom says we learned it from our dad who got it from his mom. I know what you're thinking, "Ewwwww! Syrup in vegetable soup?" You can think that all you want, but I think it's good.

Ingredients:

2 cans (one 49 ounces, one 14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 envelope onion soup mix
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (14 1/2 diced tomatoes, undrained

**I also added browned sausage and a package of frozen corn

Directions:

In a saucepan, combine first seven ingredients; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add tomatoes; heat through.

Serves 11

This was a delicious soup. I hope you enjoy it!

Struggling

It's the holiday season. That means it's time to get the decorations out, time with family and friends, and eating what seems like way too much food. The last is what I struggle with the most this time of year.

In the summer of 2011, I topped out at approximately 183 pounds. Not good for anyone, especially on my short frame. I was uncomfortable in my own skin. I was very self conscious and would try wearing looser clothing to try and hide how overweight I had become.

This is why I'm glad my two cousins and I decided years ago to try taking a yearly picture together years ago. This is a "before" picture for me and how I never wanted to be that unhealthy again. (Christmas 2011)

In January 2012, I finally decided to make the change to become healthier (and skinnier). My starting weight was 178 pounds. I watched what ate and how much I ate. I walked more and found things to do to try staying more active.

I did my first 5K. I walked most of it, but I was able to run some too.

When I moved to Stafford at the end of that summer, I had a walking route that worked. From my house to the point I turned around and went back home, it was about 3 1/2 miles. I did this at least once or twice a week, depending on the weather. I also walked a block to work everyday. That was six times a day.

By the time I had moved back to McPherson in February 2013, I was down to about 148 pounds or so. I had lost 30 pounds in a year! I had been feeling great about myself. I had gained confidence. I still had a little bit of self consciousness, but nothing like before.

Down 30 pounds here from since the "before" picture was taken. This picture was Christmas 2012.

In the 10 months I've been back in McPherson, I've gained 7-10 pounds back. I'm pretty disappointed in myself to say the least. I haven't been as active as what I used to be. I also haven't been eating like I know I should be. I do try to make healthy choices still, but I don't watch how much I'm eating.

I know many people struggle with their weight, and I'm definitely no exception. I figured if I write about it, I'll be able to get myself back on track (hopefully soon). I have so many great things going for me and I don't want too be where I was two years ago.

Many Reasons to be Thankful Today

I have so many reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving day. Here are some of them...

I am thankful for these two little guys. My nephews, Jrake and Deegan, who's sweet, innocent smiles can warm anyone's heart.

 

I am thankful for both of my Godparents who have loved me unconditionally.

 

I am thankful for my parents and siblings. We might not always agree or see eye to eye, but I know they have my back when I need them most.

 

I am thankful for this goofy, awesome, kind, sweet, quiet man that God blessed my life with. He makes me laugh and fills my heart.

I am thankful for my grandparents. Along with my parents, they have taught me how to work hard and to do an honest days work. They have also taught me to be tough and strong.

 

I am thankful for my many friends. We may be scattered all over the state and country, but I know I can talk to them about anything anytime.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Kansas Girl in Texas

This past weekend, my parents were kind enough to drive me to Texas to see my other half. It was one of the longest drives/trips I've ever been on. It was also one of the best trips for many reasons.

First off, I got to see Matt! I hadn't seen him in 4 months and I was missing him a lot. I was glad just to get to spend whatever time I could with him.

We left Thursday evening and went as far as Oklahoma City, OK and stayed the night with my sister. It was nice getting to spend time with her too.

This is the place we ate at in OKC. It was really good!

 

After we were done eating, my sister and I quickly went to check out the OKC bombing memorial. It is truly humbling to see all of the chairs lit up at night.

 

The next morning, my parents, our other passengers, and myself got up to drive the rest of the way to San Antonio, TX. We ended up getting to town around 3:30 or 4 in the afternoon. Matt came to pick me up from the hotel where my parents and friends were staying. From there, he and I went to check out the Alamo and then to start seeing The Riverwalk.

 

 

 

We were going to do the boat rides, but it had been rainy that day, so we didn't get to do them. We continued walking and found my parents and friends for a drink. Afterwards, we all made our way to Pizzaritas for a few pizzas. The pizzas were delicious!

 

After supper, we walked around for a little bit. Matt and I went back to his place and watched a movie.

 

Saturday morning, he and I got up, got ready, and drove to Corpus Christi, TX. Our first stop: the USS Lexington. It was so awesome and very much worth the trip. We spent the better part of 3 hours walking through looking at things.

 

A view of the USS Lexington coming over the bridge.

On the ship deck.

Some things I learned while there:

• It was called "The Blue Ghost" because people would claim to see it shot down and sink, but hours, days or even a week later, would see it floating elsewhere.
• It was used in the movie, Pearl Harbor.
• A display showed size comparisons between the USS Lexington and other ships. It was large compared to others.

After checking out the ship, we went to check out an aquarium the was a few blocks away. It was okay, but not really worth the time.

 

The USS Lexington

He's so handsome!

 

 

 

I got to see Corpus Christi Bay for the first time. That was pretty cool.

 

 

We went to a part of Padre Island. I got to see the Gulf of Mexico. This was my very first time of ever getting to see the coast. It was amazing! It was cold and rainy though.

 

The waves were loud!

 

 

While at Padre Island, we went on Bob Hall Pier. That was cool! Even though it was really chilly outside, there were several people fishing.

 

 

 

If it had been warmer, I would've put my toes in the water. Instead, I just put my boots in the sand.

 

 

 

I got to mark a place off of my list of places to go and that was Mustang Island, TX. It wasn't much to see, but that was fine. It was somewhere I've wanted to go to for years. Matt was awesome enough to take me to see all of these places.

 

 

 

Sunday for lunch, Matt's mom and brother as well as my parents and friends came over to eat spaghetti that Matt made. Very delicious! He is a very good cook. It was nice to spend time visiting with his mom and brother.

 

Monday morning came way too soon and it was time for me to tell Matt good-bye. I was sad to leave, but trust me when I say I will be back to Texas as soon as I can get there!