Kevin Loves Christmas

Here is our snoopy inflatable--where we are going to put it who knows--we have no yard!

More Decorations

Love these vinyl decorations from singlestonestudios!! I know I am breaking our family rule of putting up decorations before my mom's birthday--but technically these are winter decorations not Christmas decorations!

Thanksgiving!!

A 5K, using our china and stemware finally! and our first married Thanksgiving! Kevin had mashed potato and dish duty!

Apartment Decorating

Since we can't paint our place and white walls are getting to me. I found this great alternative--vinyl stickers. Thanks to my fellow June knottie and fellow blogger Jennrs, I found this etsy seller--SingleStoneStudios. Here is what I have done so far! I have also ordered this lilac set of frames to change out every season. I stalk her blog and find stuff I love daily.

3 years ago...

I started trading emails with the man who would become my husband. We met on eHarmony and chatted on there for awhile before I eventually gave him my email and then my phone number. Here is the first email he wrote me
Amy,
Thank you for your email. It was awesome weekend for me. I am not trying to brag just it was fun. My brother, a friend, and I just watched the bronco game today. We were suppose to go over to my parents house but did not make it.
I am a laborer at Denver Water full time. I work Mon. thru Fri. from 8 to 4:30. I just have class on Monday and Wednesday nights at Auraria. I usually spend Mon. thru Thurs. at school after I get out of work.
How are your friends? Do you have many friends at work? Do you hang out with many people from work? Do you spend much time on the internet? Are you a fan of John Cusack? Where are you going for Thanksgiving?
I hope this week is better than last week,
Kevin
To which I responded
Hey Kevin
I am glad you had a good weekend. I did too. I shopped, met with
friends,watched The OC and othe chick flicks, watched the Broncos
beat the Raiders.Denver Water huh? Interesting do you do that
yearround? My friends are all good --just a little middle school drama but less
than usual. Yeah most of my friends are from work because where else
do you spend your time as an adult? I have some friends from my
masters program but they are just as busy as I am so I don't see them
much anymore. So mostly its my work buddies. I am not on the
internet much but more than most people I would say. I have my own
webssite and am constantly building stuff for my students and most of
my work stuff is now online. John Cusack yes I would say I am a
fan--mostly of movies like Say Anything and Gross Pointe Blank--you?
Thanksgiving I am going to a friends house here and debating running
the Turkey Trot with her she is such a fast runner I would end up
running by myself so we'll see. Is it a big day for your family?
Talk to you soon
Terribly exciting huh? It is so us. We talk about our days all the time, he knows the names of the students and teachers I talk about. He is a great friend to me above all--I could not ask for more in a husband. I never guessed that 3 years ago when I signed up for eHarmony for the third or fourth time that I would meet the love of my life but I did and now I wake up everyday thankful!! Love you Kevin!!

Old School Polaroids from Digital Pics

You can do these with an application called Poladroid. Right now it's only for Macs but I think it's pretty cool!

Grilled London Broil Fajitas and Spicy Chipotle Black Beans

So I am kicking back after our great dinner while my husband does the dishes and I enjoy the last of my Pina Colada.
Both recipes are from the Bride and Groom First and Forever Cookbook.
Spicy Chipotle Black Beans
2 TSP Vegetable Oil
1 Small Red Bell Pepper--diced
1 TSP finely minced garlic
1/4 TSP Kosher salt
1/4 TSP Cumin
1/8 TSP Cinnamon
1 15 oz can of black beans rinsed and drained
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp Chipotle chilies in Adobo Sauce Minced(add more to taste if you desire)
Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, onion, salt, cumin, and cinnamon. Cook until soft and fragrant(about 5 minutes). Turn the heat to low and add the remaining ingredients. Cook for about 10 minutes and then serve.

Grilled London Broil Fajitas
Salsa
2 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
1/2 TSP Salt
3 TBSP Picante Sauce
3 TBSP Minced Onion
1/2 Jalapeno Chilie, minced
2 TBSP Chopped Cilantro
3 TBSP Fresh Lime Juice
1 1/2 TSP Minced Garlic
Put tomatoes in a strainer with the salt and let drain for 15 minutes. Combine the rest of the ingredients. Refrigerate. You can make this up to 8 hours before.
Fajitas
1 1/2 pounds London Broil
2 TSP Chili Powder
1 TSP Garlic Powder
1 TSP Onion Powder
2 TSP Salt
1 TSP Cumin
1 1/2 TSP Packed Dark Brown Sugar
2 TBSP Vegetable Oil
2 Red Bell Peppers thinly sliced
1/2 Onion thinly sliced
1/8 TSP freshly ground pepper
8 Flour Tortillas

Place the London Broil between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a rolling pin or mallet until it reaches a uniform thickness of 1/2 inch.(We could not get this to happen so no biggie).
Combine the chili powder, garlic powder, onion, powder, salt, cumin and brown sugar together in a small bowl. Rub into both sides of the meat and let rest for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Grill 3-4 minutes on each side.(We cooked it on our George Foreman for about 10 minutes at 350). Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
In a skillet heat the oil until hot but not smoking. Add the bell peppers, onion, and pepper and saute for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Warm tortillas if you choose.
Serve with sour cream, cheese, guacamole.

Help me pick a dress for my brother's wedding

Morning Joe says whats on my mind

I am a proud American! Even though I did not vote for Obama I am hopeful that he will be able to bring change and inspiration to our country. I am done with the name calling when people don't agree with you--after being jumped out on by Obama supporters at the Palin rally and have students tell me that they get dirty looks for wearing a McCain Tshirt. Everyone has the right to their opinion, even if they don't agree with you. Conservatives were painted as the voice of fear in this election--that's not fair of the media to do. Watch Joe speak his mind.

Election 08

life is good

it was a crazy week at school, one of my student's mom's died suddenly and unexpectedly and watching 8th graders struggle with grief, made me thankful for my family and my life. I have been feeling homesick and dealing with the reality of not being home with my family for the first time ever for the holidays--and my amazing husband just keeps taking care of me and telling me how beautiful I am as I stuff my face with the tons of Halloween candy we bought for the trick or treaters who didn't show up. I am so blessed!