Passport Wedding Invitation

If you are anything like me, than you have a passion for traveling and vintage style, which is why I opted for a vintage-travel themed wedding. And what is a must for a wonderful and adventurous journey? A passport of course! I decided from the very beginning of planning that I wanted unique touches all over my wedding, because where I'm from, everyone does the same old meet-at-the-church-for-the-same-thing-everyone-else-does reception. I wanted mine to stand out, and show a little more of mine and Kyle's personalities. Now I wasn't sure what I wanted my invites to look like, but I stumbled upon the amazing idea to do a passport themed wedding invite and fell in love! After a bunch of research, and jealous envy, I came up with a template that suited us the most. I used a few ideas from different sources I found, and added my own twists and ideas to it.

The first one I found had a dark blue cover, and gold letters. Closer to a real passport, but way to far from my color scheme. So we decided to go with a cream color, and simple black letters. (although we did run out of cream, and of course the craft store did too, so half of my invites were on a light green paper :Z) For the front logo and picture, we thought about using a standard passport image with our wedding date attatched. But all of the ones we found were... ehem.. ugly. Then fate stepped in and we stumbled across the birdcage you see before you. Perfect! I love birdcages, and it matched my ring box quite nicely.

However, this is where things got a bit tricky. I had to add some of the vine texture by hand, as well as our initials in the center of the cage because the original picture said "LOVE" instead. So I had to trace the image with pen, and add my own details before copying it back onto the computer. After I copied it, I decided to color the birds so they would stand out a little. It just so happened that the blue and pink matched our outfits we wore for our engagement pictures. Awesome right?? The title in front isn't the most spectacular or creative, but we couldn't come up with anything catchy enough, so August 16, 2012 was going to have to do.

For the inside, we decided to scan a map from my scrapbook paper for the background so it wasn't too plain. The hardest thing about this whole project was figuring out the layout of words and where they would be placed once printed. (I only have microsoft word, it would probably be easier with a card maker.) After what seemed like a billion trial prints later, we had everything exactly where we wanted it.

Next we decided we wanted to have an extra flap in there so it would resemble a book, or what a passport looks like inside. We decided to use four of our favorite engagement pictures to show them off a little, afterall isn't that the point of getting them done? My mama has a picture of Venice in her room with the quote "You are my favorite journey, I love where you take me" on it, which I thought fit the theme perfectly. We added it at the end to make the invitiation feel complete.

To finish them up, we rounded the edges with a nifty crafting paper cutter, and tied them together with some hemp string. (Which of course we ran out of as well as the store again, so we had to get thicker string for some of them. Have you ever tried to tie hemp string? Particularly thick hemp string? It's a little tricky. Just sayin..) I don't mean to toot my own horn or anything, but I absolutely love the way they turned out! They exceeded my expectations by a billion and one.

The best part of this project was that Kyle helped with every step of it ;)

Monthly Receipt Box

To help with maintaining a budget, Kyle and I decided to keep track of all of our receipts throughout the month. We started with just an old shoe box, but because I'm me, I couldn't stand to let it sit in my living room without looking presentable. I wish I would've taken a little more time on it, but eh it will do. I started with a variety of scrapbook paper, and went to work. It's really pretty simple. All you do is cover the box with whatever kind of paper you want, and decorate it how you'd like. I then cut out tags for each month to slip into a slot I made on the lid of the box to keep track of the the month we were on. Then at the end of the month, we add up our receipts to figure out how much we usually spend. I also have a file I like to store them in once they are all accounted for, with the total money spent on the front of each month's envelope. (It just makes me feel a little more organized). Why not give it a try!

P is for Procrastinator

Long time, no post. Sorry about that, I've been just a little bit busy. Example: Physiology consumes your entire life. Just sayin. However, I am happy to say that I got 84% on my last test (almost impossible to do I might add). Hard work pays off I promise.
I have been doing a lot of the challenge still, I have yet to find a craft however. I've discovered you need supplies, which require money... haha. But I have been feeling crafty, so I'm sure I can find something that will work. I did find a new subject for a painting however. I think this little beauty will be perfect for my kitchen! I will post pictures of progress, and the final product.
It is a scene from Ireland, which I desperately would love to see in person some day!

Next order of business, my hubby. I may have been slacking on keeping my blog up to date daily, but I do have a list of the traits I love about my husband for the last week! Here they are:

Tuesday- I love, love, love Kyle's sense of humor. He is really quite the dork. But he makes me smile nontheless. I'll give you an examply of his nerdy humor. One time, we were watching Pinocchio during the scene where he and his dad have this epic battle with the whale, and Pinocchio gets washed up on shore unconcious. Well randomly Kyle says, "He must be water logged." I almost died laughing. Where does he think of these random things?

Wednesday- I've realized that I call Kyle names way too much. I'm supossed to not do that anyway, but sometimes it just slips out. I don't mean them in a rude way at all, that's just my flirting way I guess. But I have noticed that Kyle never retaliates by calling me something mean back. In our whole relationship in fact, he has only told me to shut up once, and we both laughed for about an hour because it was so shocking that he said that! He is extremely respectful and I adore it.

Thursday- I have to admit, I can be a real grump sometimes. Sometimes Kyle just frustsrates me so much, especially when I know it really shouldn't bother me at all. I need to learn he is definitely not a mind reader and stop punishing him when he doesn't read my mind. I have to give him major props on making it so hard to be mad at him. I'm rambling aren't I. To get to the point, I admire that even when I am acting all mad at him, he can still say the sweetest things, like how much he needs me, and how happy he is that I am with him, and how he never wants to lose me. Mushy cheesy stuff like that always gets me.

Friday- I've noticed that Kyle doesn't complain. I mean, I complain a ton compared to him. But I've really never heard him full on complain about something, no matter how bad the situation is. I wish I was more like that...

Saturday- I'm going to brag for a minute and say that I have hit the jackpot of men. I love a hardworking man, and I think every woman deserves one. Well ladies, I've found one. He never fails to impress me with his willingness to help everyone, like when we go to his parents, and he immediatly gets to work chopping fire wood, helping his dad in the garden, or rounding up cows without being asked. He is so full of service, and I don't even think he realizes how wonderful he is.

Sunday- A little back story: I have 7 gorgeous neices that I absolutely love to peices. That ryhmed. I swear I didn't mean to! haha. Anyway, one of the youngest is my brother's daughter Atayla. I don't pick favorites, but she's definitely in the top 7. She is 3 years old, and has one of the cutest personalities. What does this have to do with Kyle? Well along with that personality comes energy. A lot of it. And I just adore that Kyle tries to keep up with her. She sure loves her uncle Kyle. I think it is so attractive when a man is good with children, don't you? He is amazing with her. I can only imagine how he will be with our own children, and I just love that about him.

Monday- Just a couple more I promise. For Monday, Kyle's trait is smartness. Is that even a word? I love that Kyle is so passionate about learning things he is interested in, such as mechanics. He loves his diesal mechanics class and it really shows. I guess they had this take home quiz that he forgot to do until the morning it was due, and he still only missed 4. I am just so impressed sometimes by how much information he knows about things that interest him.

Tuesday- This probably sounds like a repeat, but I love that Kyle doesn't have a mean bone in his body. He is so quick to forgive me, and that makes him easy to forgive. (Even when he buys video games that we absolutely do not need, nor can afford.) But I love him regardless.

Slacker!

Wow. Why I am such a serious slacker?
I need to play catch up, and quick.
So, here are the traits I love about my hubby from today, Sunday, and Saturday.

1. Saturday- I will admit right now, I'm a total mama's girl. I'm a daddy's girl as well, but I'm seriously attached to mama. She's one of my bestest friends. So naturally I enjoy spending time with her right?
Well, almost every Sunday, Kyle and I like to visit for dinner and football. (I swear I am not using my parents for their T.V........maybe..) Anyway, I absolutely adore how Kyle  is with my family. I love that he can be so at ease and comfortable around them. A very good-quality-family-man-type of trait. Adorable.

2. Sunday- He does little silent acts of service for me. I came home from work on Sunday (I really hate working Sundays. Especially during conference weekend) and Kyle was all, "It's your turn to do dishes by the way" as soon as I walked through the door. So of course I started whining about how I just got off work honey, I'm tired, and what not. Well to my surprise as I walked into the kitchen to do the daunting task, I discovered that all of the dishes had already been done. I just love him. I hate dishes, but him I love.

3. Monday- So a little backstory here: When we first moved in together, I was totally into the whole domestic little wife thing. I love cooking! Cleaning, eh, not so much. It's not bad don't get me wrong, just not my favorite. Sorry I'm getting distracted. Anyway! Well one night, I was making dinner for my shnuckums and he tried to take over. So I told him that sometimes I just want to make him a nice dinner all by myself so I can be all domestic. Of course since then, he likes to remind me of that whenever I don't feel like cooking. Long story short, my sweetheart made me a wonderful dinner tonight. In fact it was Chicken Royale (one of my favorites!) and it was quite delicious I might add. I love a man that can cook, and man, can my man cook! ;)

I would post a little more updates in my life of improvement, but Kyle is playing COD right now as he pouts about me not letting him see my blog, and is growing quite curious about what I am always blogging about. A little too curious.... I'll manage. Goodnight!

Challenge Update:

I've been a little behind updating regularly, though I do try my best. As far as the life improvement challenge goes, I'm slowly making more progress. I think about the mantra to put things back where they belong a little more often, and am happy to report that I did organize my plastic container cupboard yesterday as well. No more avalanche of plastic dishes!

I have also been going to Zumba Monday through Thursday nights, although I need to plan for next week and figure out what to do on Friday and Saturday instead. I did find a couple of super inspirational stories to motivate me to try a little bit harder next week. I'm going to make a workout schedule for next week, notice I say I'm going to so I really better do it.

I've made more time for studying, though I really really need to set a more specific time during the day to do it.

I wasn't able to do an actual craft this week, but I've found a picture that I really want to paint. I think I will start that Sunday night. Scratch that, I'm GOING to start that Sunday night.

I have two more traits I love about my hubby to add from Thursday and Friday.

Thursday- (the back story) My sweetie pie and I went out to lunch together (I can't say where, it's just too shameful...... ok Wendy's. There I admit it. Bleh!) But we will pretend I said something else, because everyone knows I'm supposed to be watching what I eat. Anyway! We were sitting there enjoying our... ehem, salads.... when Kyle randomly turned to me, and said, "Honey, you are so very beautiful." Wow right? It was one of those comments that takes you completely by surprise, so you can't even think of a good smart-aleck comeback. It literally took my breath away for a moment and made me blush. I felt so loved in that moment, and it was only a few words. So his trait for the day is absolute sincerety. I love how sincere he is, making it easier for me to believe it, even if it's just for a moment.
Friday- So I'll admit, I've been a little grumpy lately. Very grumpy somedays actually. And it never ceases to amaze me just how patient and understanding Kyle is. He never takes offense to some of the things I say (which I'm not even supposed to be saying in the first place due to the challenge) and he always tries to find ways to keep the humor there, and to make me smile. I truly do not deserve this Greek God of a man. This earned him the adorable trait of patience for Friday. What a lucky woman I am, because anyone who knows me knows that I do not have a patient bone in my body!

I will definitely have to do much better next week. But that's progress right?

Recipies: Husband tested, Wife approved

I'm a sucker for a good recipie, so here are just a few recipie I've tried lately and thoroughly enjoyed! I absolutely do not take credit for all of them, they are just recipies I've pinned on pinterest. Let's get cookin' shall we?

  Au Gratin Potatoes

I love anything to do with potatoes and this is one of my favorite ways to consume them! I found this recipie randomly online, and I recommend it 100%.

Ingredients:

 4-5 potatoes

 Salt & Pepper to taste

 Garlic Salt

 3 Tbls Butter

 3 Tbls Flour

 2 Cups Milk

 1 1/2 Cups of Cheese

 1/2 tsp. Salt

To make:

 Preheat the oven at 400', and butter a casserole dish. Slice the potatoes into thin discs, and layer one layer onto the bottom of the dish. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic salt.

 For the sauce, melt the butter in a pan. Add the flour and 1/2 tsp. salt, and mix for about a minute. Stir in the milk, cooking it until it thickens. Add cheese, and stir it in until melted.

 Pour the cheese sauce over the first layer of potatoes, adding another layer of potatoes until all of the sauce is gone.

Finally, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, cover, and bake for about an hour and a half. 

  Parmesan Chicken

This is my own recipie, and I must also add that it is one of my hubby's favortie meals I make. It's super easy and absolutely delicious if I do say so myself.

Ingredients:

 4 large chicken breasts

 about 1 cup italian breadcrumbs

 about 1 cup parmesan cheese

 about 1/2 cup melted butter

To make:

 Melt the butter in a bowl, and in another bowl mix cheese and breadcrumbs. (I added about because I never actually measure it, I just eyeball how much to add so I won't waste any breadcrumbs). Take a chicken breast and coat in the melted butter, then coat in breadcrumbs and cheese. Place chicken on a foiled pan, and bake in the oven for 1 hour at 350'. 

  Smothered Beef Burritos

This is a fabulous crockpot recipie. I love my crockpot and any excuse to use it! This recipie was found on foodpusher.blogspot (I think), and is super yummy! However, the recipie calls for enchilada sauce, but I think I'm going to try it with a green chili sauce next time instead.

Ingredients:

 1 1/2 1bs of shredded beef

 1 large can of mild enchilada sauce

 2 beef boulian cubes

 5-7 tortillas

 1/2 can refried beans

 Cheese

To Make:

 Put boulian, beef, and sauce in the crockpot. Cook on low for about 7-8hrs, or on high for 3-4. Once the meat is tender, spread refried beans onto the tortilla, and a spoonful of meat. Top with cheese, and fold into a burrito. Once all of the burritos are assembled and in the pan, top with the rest of the sauce and meat in the crockpot, as well as a good helping of cheese. Broil for about 3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.

  Chicken Enchiladas

Oh my goodness, my mouth is watering just writing about these. I've never made my own sauce for enchiladas before, but this sauce was the bomb! I found this recipie on joyfulmommaskitchen.blogspot through pinterest. I added a few of my own ingredients and twists though.

Ingredients:

 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken

 2 cups cheese

 3 Tbls butter

 3 Tbls flour

 2 cups chicken broth

 1 cup sour cream

 1 can green chillies

 1 cup corn

 1 cup beans (any kind)

To make:

 Preheat the oven at 350', and grease pan. Cook/shred chicken (I boiled mine, but I recommend boiling it with a little chicken stock/boulian to add more flavor). Mix chicken, corn, beans, and cheese in a bowl, then roll into the tortillas.

In a pan, melt butter, then add flour. Mix for about a minute, then add chicken broth. Heat until thick and bubbly, and stir in the sour cream and green chillies. (Do not boil the sauce after you add in the sour cream, you will curdle the cream).  

Pour sauce over enchiladas, cover with cheese, and backe for 22 minutes. I broil mine after 22 minutes for about 2 minutes to make the cheese golden and melted.

  Italian Cream Sauce

Finally, this is a pasta sauce I found on jaimiecooksitup.blogspot. So, so yummy. Her recipie comes with a chicken recipie as well, but I just made my parmesan chicken (posted above) and it was just as delicious I think.

Ingredients:

 10 oz Italian Herb cooking cream (Philadelphia)

 2 cans cream of chicken soup

 1 cup chicken broth

 1/2 cup milk

To make:

 Add all ingredients to a pan and heat through until the sauce is creamy and bubbly. Pour over any kind of pasta, bow-tie is best I think. Serve with chicken either sliced on top or on the side.

 

Burritos and Dishes = Love

One quick trait of the day before I pass out!
When I got home from work around noon today, my dearest Kyle had already left for his job. Well to my surprise, all of the dishes were washed, AND I found a note on the coffee table informing me that lunch was in the oven, (a.k.a leftover burritos, I must post the recipe because they were the bomb!) anyway, it made me realize how much of a sweetheart he truly is, and that he is so unbelievably considerate of me.
Needless to say, he is quite the keeper. :)