Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

Today is also National Blueberry Pancake Day. I had cereal instead and then went out, brushed off the two inches of snow accumulated on my car, and sloooooooowly drove to school. 

Then the pretty snow turned into disgusting cold rain, so I took a nap when I got home. 

Speaking of bubble wrap...doesn't it seem like sometimes a whole roll isn't enough? When I get stressed I always wish for some of the stuff so I can pop each and every bubble...one by one. I do have some in my desk drawer. Ben gave it to me so I could get my snarkyness out on something and not grump to him (he's a smart man!)

But I keep it there in my drawer to remind me that there is always someone out there in a worse situation than me that could use the bubble wrap more than me. Granted, Ben and I haven't exactly had the best weekend in the world, and it would be sooooo easy to just pull my pile out and go to town, imagining certain things to be bubbles, popping them away angrily.

However, before I chose to do that, I looked for the bright spots we had in the past few days, as small as they might seem. I got to have a delicious mug of coffee with my mom. Ben and my brother had a lively talk about Game of Thrones and where it might go this season. Ben showed me his childhood "lovey": a large and floppy brown bear named Bear-Fur. Kathryn and I talked all about room design. And we played a rousing board game where Jet magazine and Born Blond were shouted out excitedly (if you haven't played The Logo Game, you need to right now).

In the sermon we heard on Sunday, the pastor talked about road signs. In situations that might give stress, take a step back. There might be a detour waiting that has a more Godly answer than an angry response. 

I'll leave my bubble wrap in my drawer for today and instead choose to pay more attention to the good signs I see in my life. God's got a plan for it, after all. I need to choose to trust him and DETOUR! take a different path sometimes!

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.' Jeremiah 29:11

Happy Monday!

~A

No Soup for You!

It's a recipe roundup!

This week has been soup-making week and I have been enjoying ALL of them.

Soup.

Yum!

Wednesday night I whipped up a big batch of Pioneer Woman's Corn and Cheese Chowder and it was delicious! I used frozen corn so I had to let it thicken just a little more, but it turned out yummy so I count it a success!

Last night I made Smoky Bean Soup with Ham and Bacon and oh my land. I've made it before, but this time I used part of the honey baked ham we got from my family. The ham made it a tiny bit more sweet and somehow I cooked the bacon topping to perfection. It was so so wonderful. You need to make this one right now.

Tonight I'm making Cauliflower Soup, again from the Pioneer Woman. Basically she's got this arsenal of soups in her books and on her website that are fabulous. I'm excited to try something that sounds a tad healthier, although there's sour cream and butter included so we'll see how that goes.

Gotta run, I have a batch of candied pecans in the oven and judging by the heavenly aromas wafting from the kitchen I think they are done!

Love,

A

A Clean, Fresh Start - Welcome 2013!!

Hello friends! It's a whole new year, bright and clean and fresh, ready to be filled with lots of wonderful things!

Up here in the wilds of State College our pre-2013 weekend began with a plethora of snow which was enjoyed by not only the mister and me, but by my mom and sister as well! It was a lovely weekend full of snow hikes, homemade pizza, killer bunnies, batman, and a huge Sunday lunch that was inhaled by all.

Our New Year's Eve was a quiet one. We went downtown to see the ice sculptures and grab a bite to eat. It was fun to get a few appetizers and drinks instead of a whole meal - more variety made it more interesting!

Pineapple margaritas accompanied our countdown, although we watched more of the food network than any of the countdown shows - they're just not the same without Dick Clark :(

Ben heads down to Orlando to present one of his papers at a political science conference today, which means it's girl's week in! I've got the Pioneer Woman recorded on the dvr, plenty of soup recipes to cook up and store for chilly January nights ahead, and a whole batch of ideas from blogs and Pinterest about organizing our space more efficiently. Who knows? Ben may not recognize the apartment when he comes back!

I read something a few days ago about not having New Year's resolutions, but instead, intentions. So in no particular order, my intentions for this year include...

1. Eating right and staying healthy. Using even more fresh produce in cooking and especially snacking. And eat bigger breakfasts full of protein!
2. Listening to my body instead of looking at the scale. Our scale only stresses me out anyways.
3. Paint my nails! (so I don't pick them when I get nervous)
4. Exercise in a fun way more than just once or twice a week. Maybe as part of a morning routine?
5. Sleep. More.
6. Channel surf less. Actually, watch tv less. (this is a lofty goal)
7. Take time to smell the coffee (and not just pour it blindly into my mug each morning)

As Anne Shirley says, tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it. I'm looking forward to enjoying each morning as a wonderful, bright start. Hooray for 2013!

Love,

~A

continue the joy

At this point, I know, a lot of people have shared their opinion, but I feel like I need to get mine out there too because there is so much to be said. It still seems incredible that my life has continued as it normally does, sitting here sipping my coffee. But out there parents and brothers and sisters are laying their loved ones to rest forever. It breaks my heart.

This is an unspeakable tragedy, that is obvious. In our day and age of technology and ever-increasingly paranoid security, we left our most precious innocents without protection. It makes me so so sad, but I also have all these angry angry feelings as well. How could this have happened? How? It reminds me that my little world of loved ones is not safe, not really. I suppose that it could always be worse...and I am incredibly and daily grateful for the blessing of safety, but still.

It makes me wonder where Christmas is this year. On tv this morning a pastor being interviewed said that this week in Advent the candle of Joy was lit. As Christians we should realize that we are able to possess joy, even when happiness is the last thing on our minds. Joy comes from God, and it cannot be taken away, even in the darkest of times.

In the weeks and months to come, I wish much joy to the families and the community in Connecticut. Joy in remembering the good times they had with loved ones lost. Joy for the teachers that protected their students at the ultimate cost. And joy that those who suffered are in a better place.

Jesus was the great joy, as it is said in Luke 2:10 "And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." God gave up his only son...for the entire world. Jesus brought with him joy, abounding and unending. Although the times are dark now, I hope He can be the light for those who need it.

It seems somewhat silly to go on preparing for Christmas, but when reflecting about that, is it? Perhaps Christmas is even more necessary this year. In a shattered and terror-filled world, we need stability. And the coming of a baby, an innocent like those who lost their lives, may be exactly what brings back the joy.

My deepest desire this Christmas season is that Jesus will bring with him a little extra this year. A little extra joy, a little extra healing, even a little cooperation for legislators to work together to fix our nation. In realizing the joy that is Jesus, my hope is that others will continue to reach out and reflect His light to others in need. In this way we can begin to bring about healing that is deeply needed in our country.

In the midst of everything...before we continue on with our lives, stop and think. Jesus is the greatest present we can ever receive. He is a gift that is on it's way to us, one that brings hope, love, joy, and peace.

 I will continue to prepare for Christmas, perhaps a little more urgently this year. Because our world needs it. Our world needs it desperately.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Lots of love, 

~A

This Girl...

My baby girl is too cute. I can't get enough of how tightly she curls herself up when she naps. It's like she is a snail. She's my little schnecken. 

Ben has late classes this semester. Which means I come home to a cold house and a tightly wrapped little kitten tucked into corners and crannies of the couch. 

So I scoop her up and settle back down onto the couch and sometimes we sleep, sometimes we watch something (probably on Food Network) but most times we just tell each other about our day. She is a great listener too!

There is nothing like a sleepy, warm, cuddly cat on your lap. Especially when she starts purring :)

:)

:D

:D :D :D 

Happy snuggling!

~A

December: An Update and National Pie Day!

It's December!

Yea, I agree, I don't know where the year went either!! But my favorite time of the year has come at last and friends, there is so much I want to share with you, plus I have a plethora of pictures too!

...here comes the list...

1. Go see Lincoln immediately. I think I've mentioned briefly my huge small crush on Daniel Day-Lewis before, but seriously. DDL is fantasticly wonderful in this movie. And James Spader, who I always want to call Alan Shore from Boston Legal, plays the same character he plays in every movie, a sort of deliciously sleazy guy (in this movie he's a lobbyist). Besides, seeing that movie in November just made me appreciate the month of no shaving a little more. Some of the facial hair in that movie was seriously impressive!

2. CHRISTMAS IS HERE!!! (Actually...it's 24 days away). But in the Soltoff household it's been here for a week and it is fabulous. We got back from visiting family last Sunday and the apartment was completely decorated (inside and out) within about 5 hours. Our tree is set up, twinkly lights are on outside, and Santa hats are being worn daily. It's only the first of December, you say? The more the merrier is what WE say!

3. Let me just say this...getting good grades is kind of addictive. I have been doing really well in my classes this semester, and seeing A's on tests and papers just makes me feel super accomplished.

4. Where did the Caramel Brûlée (I know! Look at those fancy marks on that word!) Latte come from? It's like the Toffee Nut Latte and the Caramel Macchiato decided to have an off-the-set secret love affair. It's tasty and warm and oh so gooddddddd. Definitely my new favorite drink!

5. I made schnecken. For many of you that may not be a big deal. But it was my mother-in-law's gift to me when I became a Soltoff. She passed away last year and so it's been difficult for me to make because it's kind of a "Soltoff daughter-in-law" thing handed down from HER mother-in-law and then from her to me. But I have now made it twice and it's turned out pretty yummy each time. It's a cinnamon-sugar cookie filled with jam and rolled into a crescent shape. The name literally means "snail" in German, and it's sort of really complicated to make. But I think I've got the hang of it, which makes me feel good about myself, hooray :)

6. Um...I have the month of January off? Lock Haven doesn't start school back up until January 28th, so if anyone can suggest inexpensive things for me to do, that would be great. I think I'll try to volunteer somewhere...??!??

Aaaaaaannnnnnndddddd, here are a bunch of random pictures that are cute/weird/fun/silly...

In PA lots of kids get the day off from school when hunting season starts. I was driving home from Lock Haven that day and saw this car. "Why do they have a black rug strapped to the back," I thought. Turns out it was a black bear. How could I tell? When I got closer I could see the little pads and claws on it's back legs hanging off the side #gag

Ariel secretly wishes she was Will Muschamp #muschampmania

This was in Target and I almost allllmost bought it for Ben. Now I sort of wish I had one for ME.

Finished schnecken. Raisin-less for me please! #yum

First snow!!! And hoping for lots and lots and lots more!

...and here are some shots of our decorated apartment! Our Nativity scene that I grew up with and got as a gift last year is on top. 

Bedroom tree! #treeone It's a live one and has candy canes and cinnamon stars on it. Basically the bedroom smells JUST LIKE Christmas every time you walk in. 

Hahahahahahahahahaha...Toilet tree #treetwo 

This is a massive amount of Christmas books that have somehow accumulated through the years...and the shelves are filled with Nutcracker paraphernalia. 

Our Kitchen tree! #treethree

Last of all, here is our Family tree! #treefour. Yup, we have a Christmas tree in EVERY room of our apartment. This one is probably my favorite one though because it has all our cool ornaments. Star Trek light up ones, a pink pig, several skiing animals, a snail, Nutcracker dancers, and a whole host of others, including an incredibly cute picture of five year old Ben!

#happyhusband

#excitedcatmama

#zonkedoutkitty

Lots more to share! Hopefully I'll be able to backtrack and share a few of our fall adventures in the next couple days, as well as our upcoming holiday fun!!

Lots of sticky candy cane love, 

~A

P.S. If you haven't had a piece of pie lately, go out and get your self one dangit! It's National Pie Day! #pecanpieforme

The Wipeout

Today I fell up some stairs.



It wasn't just a fall, it was a complete wipeout. We're talking wet, slippery, rainy stairs and a girl with a full bag, an umbrella and a travel coffee mug.



Now imagine all that splayed alllllllllll overrrrrrrrrr the wet ground.



I got one of those gross wet knees on my jeans that reminded me of being a little kid with muddy clothes.



And man! Did my shins and knees hurt like crazy! Walking around still hurts, and it has been pretty painful to move around today.



The worst thing though was the feeling of total embarrassment. When something like that happens, it feels like there is a massive spotlight pointed right at you and a big-time sportscaster giving a play-by-play of the slo-mo recap. My cheeks hurt from bring so red and I actually almost started crying (from shame? haha or more likely, from the pain).



However, I got back up pretty quickly and gave myself a quick pep talk as I continued to walk to class.



"Amanda, people fall," I told myself, "so you need to keep walking, the day is going to get better. Just keep moving."



And while other little things have bothered me today, I treated myself to a hot chocolate, took a different route on the way home, and even got a package of pumpkin cookies from my family.



All in all...not a bad day.

Love,

A