Sunday, November 20, 2011

Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It seriously is the most wonderful time of the year when November decides to come around! I love the time spent with family and the Christmsa movies, music, atmosphere, wrapping, eating, playing, and just spending quality time with one another and making wonderful memories!

I have been trying to think of some traditions that we do as a Driscoll family when Christmas comes around. Each Christmas Eve we watch Darby O'Gill and the Little People with my daddy because for some reason that must be is favorite Christmas movie....which it isn't at all....and then we all head on over to the candle light service at church. I love when all the lights are out and we are just singing Silent Night with everyone's candle lit and my sisters and I trying not to spill wax on our clothes or one another. We then go over to my grandparents house where we have spent the last 23 and 25 years of our life on Christmsa Eve. Afterwards, we head back home and change into our matching jim jams and wait for the morning! We have to wait and sit on the stairs until mom and dad are ready and then we run downstairs and start the day!

I will be heading home on Dec. 13 (happy birthday Chanel!) and will see everyone on the 14th. There is a huge downfall of this wonderful time however....
It's called being in the military.....

I love my husband more than anything in this entire world. We have yet to be able to create our own holiday traditions and I am hoping we can start this year on some. Two years ago we were able to spend Thanksgiving together out in Waikiki and shared a glass of pineapple juice for breakfast. At the time Jake announced that for every Thanksgiving we have pineapple juice for breakfast. I am hopeing to continue that small tradition this year. It is hard because we both love our families very much and are trying to learn balance and commitment for the holidays. We both have different traditions and ways of doing things that I never had really thought of until this year. Between all of the wonderful moments and time spent with our familes, I still hope we will be able to find time with just one another and create special memories and traditions for our own little family.
Maybe we can drink apple juice for Christmas morning? lol
Being in the military makes you feel SO BLESSED when a holiday comes around and you get to spend it with your spouse. After spending countless birthdays, thanksgivings, and christmas's away from one another, I feel so overjoyed that this year we will spend them together!

This week is THANKSGIVING!
What are ya'lls plans? My turkey is defrosting, the house is decorated and smells of Christmas, Arkansas is going to woop some behind, groceries are all bought, house is clean, and we not only have one special guest but TWO for the Thanksgiving! This morning and last night I prayed to God that Veronica would ask us to keep jake this week. I don't know why I felt the urge to specifically pray for that desire of my heart but I brought it before the Lord. It 'may' seem absurd and stupid but to me, it would be such a wonderful gift! So...we headed into church and sat behind their family. During the greeting time she came up to me and seriously asked me if we would mind keeping him over Thanksgiving? She is having a few families over and it would help her to have one less thing to worry about! I wanted to just cry of excitement. Of course I said Yes! I went back to my seat and was just awed by how God blesses us in such specific ways some times!? I have my book club tomorrow night and can't wait to learn with the other women. I am making some beautiful new friendships there and learning so much.

Heath arrives Tuesday and Wednesday we will be cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Maybe we can go to the dog park when Jake is at work and Heath can see how spectacular and perfect this dog really is! Seriously, this dog is way better than any beach or waterfall here anywase! ;)

Tonight is Sunday so of course we have been watching our Sunday shows and just relaxing. My friend came over today for just a short while but it was so great seeing her!
Mom finished my stocking!!!! It is so beautiful. She is sending it to me tomorrow so hopefully I'll get before the week is over. My Yankee candles should be here tomorrow. Finally!

Jake has been wanting Call of Duty MW3 and I have just been cringing with the thought of having to yet again buy a video game. Jacque, I feel so sorry for you! He brought a box load full of games when we moved here! I guess it is my turn now. BUT, he knew how much I didn't want to spend on the game. To me, you spend all that money and Jake seriously beats the game the day he buys it!!?? So he did probley the kindest and humblest thing he could have done. He gathered all of his games and went to Game Stop to trade them in so we wouldn't have to buy any new ones. Lets just say he gets the next 3 new games for free and then some!!! How romantic and thoughtful was that?
I have lost my husband for the past 2 days due to the extreme awesomeness of this game but thats ok because I know he really cares for me more than his video games.... :)

Well I am off for now, I'm going to go finish my new book and watch Iron Chef: Super Chefs! Great show by the way!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Stove Top Potpourri

While looking through Aubree's pinterest boards, I came across a homemade potpourri that was supposed to smell just like Christmas.
I went to the store and bout the items, came home and cooked it, and IT DOES!

It smells completley fantastic.

The absolute greatest thing about it is that it last all season long. You can make 1 batch and it will lasts for several weeks (well thats what the website says. I'm only on day two) and your kitchen smells so wonderful.

All you have to do is leave it on the lowest setting of your stove all day but don't let the water run out, keep filling it up with water throughout the day.
At the end of the day, I just pour mine into a mason jar and stick it in the fridge until the next morning but the lady one the website said you can leave it on your stove (turned off) overnight. I didn't want to do that.


What your going to need:
  • 1 orange peel
  • 1/2 cup of cranberries
  • 3 sticks of cinnamon
  • 1 T of whole cloves
  • a pinch of nutmeg (optional)
All you do is pour the mixture into a pot and warm all day!
It smells fantastic. 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Monday Monday

Hello world,

I am sitting here knowing I should be reading and doing homework but I noticed that I haven't blogged for a little while and thought that may be more important :)

We had a very relaxing 4 day weekend! We put up Christmas Thursday. Friday, we went and bought some flowers and replanted some in our garden. I hate that my flowers are always dieing....or getting ate up by bees. Saturday we woke up and I made some Blueberry Lemon pancakes. Jake was so awesome and cleaned the entire garage! We came back upstairs, had some chicken speghetti, and skyped with his family during the game. Sunday we went to church and then did absolutley nothing the rest of the day.

Wait. Have you guys ever seen Hell on Wheels? It is so awesome! I saw the advertisements for it and just knew that it was created for Jake. We watch the Walking Dead at 4, then Hell of Wheels at 5, then watch our recorded Iron Super Chef afterwards. I love Sunday nights! haha.

I'm telling you, we lead a really exciting life here on Oahu.

We are trying to come up with some ideas for over the holiday week next week. I am going to be in this kitchen most of the time so I have been trying to clean out the fridge, freezer, and pantry. The Pioneer Woman has a really good detailed schedual for her Thanksgiving week and it helped me out some. I am praying that my mom lives forever because I def. don't think I will ever do as good as a job that she does in her Thanksgiving meals. She always looks so pretty when she is in the kitchen cooking :)
I see them in one month from today!!! Wow that is going to go by way too fast.
Sarah isn't old enough to get married I have decided.
and Aubree has decided that too.
.
I go back to the doctor tomorrow. Yesterday on our way to church I didn't have to cover my face and I didn't cry while looking out the window!!! I really took that simple trip for granted! I hope my eyes are fixed.

Wow, this is a really random post.
I wish I had taken more pictures this weekend but I did not take any.
I am hopeing to finish up with my school work enough so that I can make it to the beach at least twice this week!

I am reading the Lineage of Grace again.
I wish I could live like Tamar. She was so brave and humble.
But I am so grateful for the wonderful husband I have been given. I think if my dad had to pick out my husband like they did back then, he would most def. pick Jake.

I think after having to write this stupid paper, I want to write as disordley as I can on my blog to make me feel better.

Well thats all my random posts for today! I will really try to take more pictures.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Day After

Hello All,

I am sitting here watching my husband play some video games and enjoying the smell of some chicken taco chili filling up the house. Today Jake and I decided to put up our Christmas! It feels so warm and festive now! I ordered some Yankee candles (buy 2 get 2 free deal is still going on!) and can't wait for their scents to fill the house.
Yesterday was my birthday! I was sadly not looking forward to it because it was the first birthday I spent away from my family. It was the first birthday away from my other half, Sarah June. It is so hard to explain but when you know that you share another half, that a piece of you is walking around somewhere and you can't share the day of your birth together, it is sad. More than sad, it is depressing. But this is the first in 3 years I got to spend my birthday with Jake! I was pretty sure he had not planned anything so yesterday as I sat around the house alone, I began putting up Christmas. He was so excited to wake up yesterday and give me my birthday card! It was so precious to me. While he was at bootcamp, he would write the You are My Sunshine on all of his letters. My card was a snoopy card with a big sunshine on it and he wrote the song out to me again. Each time he writes me that song, all these emotions come up and so many memories appear. He left to go to work in his handsome uniform (Happy Birthday Marine Corps!) and I sat around the house. I decided to begin making my Thanksgiving grocery list and cooking schedual that morning.
I had asked Jake for this purse for my birthday/christmas/anniversary/Valentines. I knew...KNEW....I didn't need it. I have seen it and thought it was beautiful. So I told Jake. He says that it is too expensive but maybe later....with love :)
So I was happy with my card. And the fact that I got to wake up to his beautiful smiling face this morning.

As the day went on, I decided to Skype my family.
My dad bought me a gun.
I know. It is perfect. I suppose I will be getting my gun liscense soon with my sisters.

When Jake got home I was already sick from all the medicine being poured into my system from my eye medication (I'll inform you of this later on) and was hoping he was still going to take me to the Cheesecake Factory!
While he was changing from his fancy uniform, he asked me if I could go get his phone from the passenger seat of the truck. I said 'of course'.
I walked downstairs, opened the door and saw the most beautiful purse just sitting in the seat!!!
I RAN upstairs and jumped into his arms! His smile was just as big as mine! I had hoped for the purse but didn't really think he would buy it for me!!! I was so happy! We then get into the truck to go to the resturant when he asks me to get his wallet from the console. I opened up the door and there was this BEAUTIFUL wallet just laying there waiting to be picked up! I was completley suprised. I did not expect the purse! No way did I expect the wallet!!!!!

I literally just could not stop smelling the wonderful leather scent! Not to mention how smooth this purse is! Look at that classy little duck just perfectly arranged on this bag?!
We enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner (thanks mom and dad ;) ) and had a great red velvet cheesecake (thanks Aubree).
Sarah suprised me with a Pier 1 gift card. She is wonderful.
I got a beautiful card and some ornaments from my wonderful in-laws (not to mention a FANTASTIC gift which I can do whatever I want with!)
I love my family.
Waikiki was beautiful last night. Everything was wrapped in Christmas lights and the weather was a little crisp!

NOW. let me show you some pictures of our decor!


Isn't he precious? For some reason his face reminded me of Burl Ives?







Shiny Brights :)



Yes, it is FINALLY FINISHED!


Beautiful Advent Calender momma made for me



My Candy Cane wreath
 I love how everything feels just like home!

So I mentioned earlier I am having to take medication for my eyes. Well, you may remember awhile back ago I had to go to the doctor for eye trouble. It was severe then and was supposed to be taken care of after 2 weeks of medication. A month and a half later, I still cannot go outside without balling my eyes out or just covering my face with my hands. I cannot wear my contacts unless I want bloodshot eyes. And...well thats basically it.
So I went back to the doctor Tuesday and had my eyes freaking puffed 13 times, more wooden sticks wrapped around my eyelids, more stains, and excrutiating lights shone into my eyes.
She said I have damaged corneas.
....
What it is is that the layer that protects my retina and cornea from UV rays is damaged by dry pockets. Hence the reason I can't go outside without great pain.
So I have to take this one medicine 4 times a day and this other medicine 6 times a day. The first medicine is this thick bitter vinegar sensation being poured into my eyes. Thats not the bad part. The bad part happens about 2 minutes later when it starts coming out my nose, drops down my throat and into my stomach.
Then I take the other medicine.

Crap.

I go back next week to see what happens next.
Happy Birthday Emily!

At least my house looks pretty.
Oh and I have a wonderful husband that helps me put up Christmas on his day off and buys me purses that I don't need but really want

Well I have to go put some more medicine in my eyes.....
aren't you jealous?

Monday, November 7, 2011

Homemade Apple Sauce

If anyone loves apple sauce, then this is the recipe for you! I LOVED this recipe and it was so easy! It makes about 12 servings (1/4 c each) and is low in WW points (1pt per serving!). It is easily the freshest apple sauce I have ever eaten!
Enjoy!


Ingredients:

  • 8 medium apples (Use a combination of Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Fuji, Gala, etc.)
  • 1 strips of lemon peel - use a vegetable peeler
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3 inch cinnamon stick
  • 5 tsp light brown sugar (unpacked) - or agave


Prepare your work station. :)
     Peel, Core, and Slice your apples...
    Place them in the slow cooker. Add the cinnamon stick, lemon peel and brown sugar.
     Set crock pot to low and cook for 6 hours. Stir apples occasionally, apples will slowly become a delicious applesauce.  Remove cinnamon stick and lemon peel. On her website she said to use an immersion blender but really, you don't need one. It will easily become just the right consistency that you will love!
I love Mason jars....

crock pot apple sauce

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Fall is Here

So I am updating my blog because apparently I have not been posting enough for my mom! lol
Recently I have been on a schedual each day and for some reason haven't found the time to blog.

7-7:30  Wake up and make Jake's and my breakfast
7:30-9  Do Homework
9-11:15  Clean around the house, call a family member, more homework, and change into something else
11:30-1:00  Jake's home for lunch break
1-2:00  Work on more homework, clean
2-4:00  Craft, ...hmmm what do I do.... prepare dinner
4-8:30  Eat dinner and hang out with Jake then go to bed

Pretty interesting huh?
I am really excited about my new Christmas wreath! Jake has a 4 day weekend coming up so we are going to wait till then to put everything up. I still need a few things to make the house have that special atmosphere. I would love some garland and some bath decor but hates to spend so much money on everything.
I am freaking out about not being able to find a push button turkey....

We had a great weekend.
Jake took me out Friday night. We went to the NEX on Pearl Harbor and went Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping. He then took me out to Chilis! So glad they have one here. Chilis is soooo good.

Jake then signed us up for an AMAZING marraige conference for Saturday morning from 8-12. It was so good. I learned so much and it really helped me understand some things I am learning from my book club.
I made some DELICOUS apple sauce and will post the recipe soon.

We went back to our church this morning. We have been a little 'iffy' about the nondenominational church we were attending and both Jake and I felt certain feelings that were telling us that it may not be the best place for us. I believe in the Southern Baptist doctrine and we may seem very 'strict' in certain beliefs then others. Me in particular. I have just always been that way. I see things in black and white and gray areas make me very uncomfortable.

Elton John will be in Oahu Jan. 30.
It costs $250 to sit in the very last row of this huge stadium to see him.
Crap.

Pioneer Woman went to Fort Smith this week.
I wasn't there.
Crap.

I am kinda stressed out about the Thanksgiving week preparations. I never have had to do this before. I am kinda excited because I really do enjoy cooking and am excited about the smells, Macy's Day Parade, movies, and football games but I am not looking forward to cooking this 'right now' nonexistent turkey.

Anywase......we are sitting here watching the "Last Days of Osama Bin Laden" and it's pretty interestings so I am kinda distracted.

I will write more hopefully tomorrow!
Love you momma :)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

ITS NOVEMBER!

I am so excited that it is November! I love how Jake has days off from work, that we are having Heath come out for Thanksgiving, that CHRISTMAS decorations are coming up, and that it is mine and Sarah's birthday.
I already have decided on what treats and meals I want to have around the house. I am currently working on making some homemade apple sauce froms skinnytastes.com made using the crockpot.



The only reason I haven't made it yet is because I love how all the different colors of apples brightens up our kitchen :)
I went yesterday and bought some Mason Jars and am hopefully going to make some creative ways in packaging some of my treats for gifts to some of my friends here.

We had to take Jake back Sunday :(
But he loved the ride...

I seriously prayed to God before we left that He would allow Jake to speak to his owners and tell them how much he wants to stay with us....I was very serious. I love how the backseat of the truck easily folds up also! It can come in major use for future children ;)

I loved going over to Veronica's house and her teaching me how to make an apple pie from scratch. That woman is all about organic and pure foods so it was really interesting using all of her supplies. WE LOVED the pie! It was the freshest apple pie I had ever eaten and will more than likely fix this pie this way for now on. The crust was kinda difficult to fold and roll because we did use whole wheat but if you work fast, it shouldn't be as hard.


We used little leaf cut outs for the top crust. She inspired me to go out and find some for my own. She had every fall leaf imaginable but I only bought a maple and oak leaf.
They invited us out Sunday night for a cookout which was so nice. I love having cook outs with my family and thought it was so kind of them to think of us. It was a little different from our usual Driscoll cookout because the food was all whole wheat, non-fat, and vege made but it was still good. Jake even got to have some braut worst. They are a VERY old fashioned family. They have 4 homeschooled boys who are VERY smart. They are not allowed to watch a lot of television also. They record their shows on a VHS recorder so that they can block out the commercials. They also do not believe in anything about Halloween and went on to inform me about all the paganism that is involved. VERY well mannered boys tho. 

Jake and I are trying out a new church. It is kinda akward trying to tell that to people from our church here. We....I mostly...began to feel to pressured in a lot of areas there and still had not made close relationships to people around my age. Just a different step in our life.

I think we may put up Christmas next week....I convinced Jake this morning that it wasn't too early :) I have even began working on a Christmas wreath

It may be a little lame compared to my Arkansas wreath but at least I have attempted at it!
I am LOVING this tea I found at the commissary called Twingiings