Halloween Wreath

It's about that time- the tricks and the treats are almost here.  The temps are dropping, the candy corn is in bowls, and the costumes are appearing.  So that means it's time to get your door ready for the holiday. 

Check out this easy DIY!  And this one won't break the bank.

Materials needed:

 You'll need a styrofoam wreath form, ribbon, flowers, and any other halloween decoration you can find. My happy halloween text was $2, is felt, and worked great! 

You'll start by hot gluing your ribbon onto your foam form and wrap it around the entire form.  I always get two spools of ribbon to be safe.

Just start playing around with flowers and any other add ons you have.  I always buy flower bundles for the better price and don't forget about the dollar store! Hot glue is the way to go for the ribbon wreaths.  Once things are glued down don't forget to add your accent bow on top! 

And just like that you have an adorable halloween wreath for your door!  

Is a "thank you" too much to ask for?!

Whether it be from your child, coworker, spouse, or friend- don't you just want to hear the words "thank you" every once in a while?  This idea came to me after a longggg Tuesday and during my reading of '5 Love Languages'.

We might not all feel emotional fulfillment from words of affirmation.  But I'd dare to say all of us do enjoy feeling appreciated.  It feels good on the outside- maybe you walk a bit taller.  And it feels good on the inside, maybe you get butterflies or just have a happy heart moment.

On average 1 in 3 adults do not get the minimum recommended amount of sleep.  Why?  Part of it is because people are overworked, over booked, and have jam packed calendars.  I can't preach about that.. I have 4 part time jobs myself.  (my own fault, I know) But with most of us working so hard, wouldn't it be nice to at least feel good inside and appreciated.   Don't you think it might make us feel more fulfilled in those areas of our lives?

I've been trying to be purposeful about the thank you's I've been sending Dave's way recently.  He is the lawn mower in the house.  No doubt about it!  But when he mowed the lawn this week I asked myself, "how many times have I thanked him after mowing the lawn?"

I wasn't really sure.  So that meant I can definitely improve in this area.  Even if Dave's love language isn't words of affirmation.. acknowledgment and appreciation can only help.

Don't you get a little spark when someone says "thank you", "you're the bomb", or something along those lines?  So that's my challenge to you.  Even if it's not your spouses love language, you have no idea what I mean by love language, or you're thinking about the workplace, gym, or home- I challenge you to try and say "thank you" at least 5 times a day. (yes, think and then intentionally say it!)

Is that so hard?  No!  So why do we let things slide by?  I don't think the majority of us feel a stranger must hold the door for us, a child give us a compliment, or a friend do the dishes after dinner.  I completely understand routine.  But come on people, that cannot be our excuse!

So hold yourself accountable- make someone's day, speak their love language, or just acknowledge someone's kindness and watch your world and the other person's world brighten!

leave the eh behind

and gosh darn it say thank you

hugs,

abi

Crockpot Zucchini Lasagna

Crockpot Zucchini Lasagna

Ingredients 

15 oz part-skim ricotta

1 large egg

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup spinach, chopped

Salt and pepper

4 cups homemade tomato sauce or your favorite sauce

4 medium zucchini, sliced 1/8″ thick. (I grilled them first to draw out some moisture)

16 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 tbsp parsley, chopped

Instructions 

Slice 4 medium sized zucchini and grill them on both sides. 

In a medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, spinach. Stir well and set it aside.

Lightly coat the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. (I used a crockpot liner instead- no cleanup :) ) 

Ladle about 1 cup of homemade tomato sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it well.

Layer 5 or 6 zucchini slices to cover.

Place some of the ricotta cheese mixture and top with the mozzarella cheese.

Repeat the layers until all your ingredients are all used up.

Top the lasagna with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Cover and cook on high for 3-1/2 to 4 hours.

Turn off the slow cooker and let stand for about 1 hours. (It might be a bit soupy if you don’t let it stand)

Before serving top with fresh parsley

And there it is!  And it is delicious! 

Yield: 8, Serving Size: 8

Amount Per Serving:  Calories: 251 Total Fat: 13.9g Cholesterol: 59.7mg Sodium: 519.2mg Carbohydrates: 11.9g Sugar: 4.9g Protein: 20.8g

I never thought we'd go 2 years without it

In some ways the last two years have flown by and in other areas, not so much.  Well it's been 2 years since the last time we took the time and did it- and this time it was marriage shaking!

That's right!  We haven't watched the dvd of our wedding ceremony in over 2 years  We sat down a couple weeks ago, cuddled up on the couch, and watched it on our third anniversary.

Initially, I thought we'd watch it every six months.  I mean I love, love.  And I love our love the most.  But jokes on me and my "cutesy" goals.  Life happens and we only took the time to watch it once before, on our first anniversary.

I wouldn't change a thing about watching it though because that night, our anniversary of THIS year, I will never forget as long as I live.  It's amazing how things intertwine in our lives.  I just started reading the book "The 5 Love Languages" and the chapter I just finished completely hit on where we are in our marriage.  (I'll talk about it more in a later blog post- awesome book!) - but essentially David and I and billions of happy couples are no longer in the obsessive compulsive stage of falling in love.  We are in a different, but very fulfilling stage.

So what did watching our wedding video due that was so earth shattering?  Well first, it was so neat to see all our loved ones three years younger.  We saw our college friends and their little antics in the back and we got to relive the laughs and tears that took place during the ceremony.

So what?  Through the tears of the moment, I grinned from ear to ear as we saw the doors open and my dad and I came down the aisle.

I can't explain everything I felt inside but as we were cuddled up on the couch I could physically feel Dave's heart beat-it went faster and faster as the doors opened and I got closer to him at the altar.

To me, it's just what I needed.  He didn't have to say a single word.  I simply felt his body's natural response to a monumental moment in our lives,  I became overwhelmed with the sense that he loves the crap out of me- today and everyday.

No he didn't say that; I'm just assuming.  But his anniversary card did say something pretty close!  But it's not the cute card with Charlie Brown that I'll remember- but the feeling of his heart and the pure joy I sensed inside.

So are we going to watch it every year?  Do I recommend you watch yours often?  Nah, I'd say wait.  It'll probably be well worth it!

leave the eh behind

hugs,

abi