Christmas Tree Hunting!

We decided to take advantage of the good 40+ degree, sunny weather yesterday and pick out a Christams tree at a farm. One of us hadn't anticipated the windchill and is now sick. However, we did find a beautiful, narrow Leland Cypress for our living room.



"Show me which tree to cut down."



We (I) originally wanted a white pine, but there seemed to be none around. (The man would probably have been happy with an artificial tree, although we have no where to store one.)



A leyland cypress of perfect shape & size.

The man did most of the work. I was running after him with the camera to catch the *perfect* first-Christmas-together moment.

It was FREEZING with the windchill. Next year, we will probably just pick up a tree locally.

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Getting Closer to A Fish Recipe the Husband Likes

The Dear Husband makes his famous mashed potatoes while I set the table & finish the rest of the meal.

Salmon in Phyllo, Mashes Garlic Red Potatoes, Mixed Romaine Salad

It was better than the salmon bake, but the husband still prefers a good beer-battered, fried fish. One tip from the Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cook Book is to rinse off the fish and pat it dry with a paper towel before preparing it. That way, it looses a lot of the "fishy" taste. It worked pretty well in this case. We made 3 salmon steaks and shared the leftovers on Saturday.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb, and fashions them according to his will! ... May He grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you. -Sirach 50 

As a little Thanksgiving gift, I've downloaded all our wedding photos to Facebook and the "Our Wedding" page here. We were very happy with them, and hope that you enjoy them as well. Looking through these photos reminded me of just how blessed I felt that day!

 

And this is what we did for Thanksgiving.

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What Has My Thoughts

This interesting column brightened my morning. I am still trying to figure out what it means to be a good wife. It seems to include a lot of dishes, laundry, food prep, listening, and patience.

Saturday: After two days of conferences for us, we took the afternoon through Middleburg and the Loudon countryside.

Sunday: Determined to try something new with our chicken, I took a stab at Chicken Oporto, which the WCM liked very much!

The last load of laundry just rang, which means I can no longer put off the folding, exercise, and errands! Thank God for the 40-hour workweek, which gives me this morning off. :)

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One Month of Discoveries:

Life is relatively easy so far.

"Morning person" should be divided into two categories: moderate and intense. The moderates would be those who like to wake up in the 6:00 hour. Of course, I would put myself in the "moderate" category. (2021 Update: Anything in the 5am hour = "moderate" morning person. School schedules, feeding/dressing kids, and having personal time depend upon it.)

It's okay if we don't do everything together.

It doesn't matter that the toilet seat is up (even though I have a neurotic feeling that everything I touch will fall into it).

Breakfast is really important for so many reasons, including our mental, physical, and emotional health!

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Fish, It's What's For Dinner

Tonight I tried baked salmon fillets. The flavors were fantastic! That is an orange (not a lemon) with orange peel, fresh oregano, freshly ground pepper, and olive oil. Each fillet is baked in foil for about 30 minutes. They should come out perfectly flaky. My mom made this for us when we went camping in the Boundary Waters. It was exceptional after being baked over a fire. Tonight's was oven-baked, but not too bad!

Salmon-Vegetable Bake.

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A Few More Favorites!

We heard again from the photographers and should have all of the photos by Monday. I'd really like to post them in chronological order, so bear with me. We're still waiting to see all of the reception photos & wedding photos taken from the front of the church, but here are few favorites as a "sneak peak."

We loved the farm!

Great role for a child-ham: Flower Girl.

"Please observe how to wear a handkerchief."

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Gratitude

Tonight I am grateful for a clean home, the sounds of a running appliances, and the enjoyable day off work today thanks to our veterans!

Hike in Shenandoah National Park guided by the pro-camper.

Starbucks coffee after my meeting with the Padre.

A man who shattered all of my bitter theories about the less fair gender and who constantly proves to me that love bears, believes, and hopes all things. I'm so grateful that I could honestly tell a colleague last week: the greatest blessing in being married to WCM is that I didn't have to compromise my expectations and desires at all. He surpassed all of them.

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Getting Ready

A few getting ready shots have been posted here.

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Coming Soon!

Wedding Photos! We should have both photographers photos from the wedding & reception soon. We'll try to get them up within a week.

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Healthy Breakfast

Eggbeaters
Avocados
Tomatoes
Swiss cheese
Scallions
Mild Salsa
Multi-grain Toast

It was so full of nutrients that I was full after half of it and had to put it away for the next morning. WCM is having peanut butter & whole grain toast.

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Birthday Treats

Thanks to the WCM's sister, we have the Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook. Here is the homemade dinner plate from last night, compliments of said book:

Chicken Cordon Bleu
Whole Green Beans with Parsley Sauce
Old Fashioned Dinner Rolls

Combined with our remaining Romaine salad fixings and a nice white wine we received as a wedding gift, we enjoyed an outstanding dinner. (I did receive an "outstanding" from the WCM last night.)

Happy 34th Birthday, Honey!

I'm particularly proud of the Butterscotch Crunch Squares for dessert. This recipe came from the Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook. I will give it an "outstanding" when used with Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean ice cream. WCM told me that it was the best thing he tasted that night. (Compliments get you everywhere.) :)




We are now officially on diets!

Here are a couple of treats from the kiddos. Two of them are wedding gifts from Aunt Maria & Anne Marie. Aunt Maria captured the detail of my wedding dress, including the clasp ... and Anne Marie drew a blonde baby in our family photo. WCM also received two birthday pictures from Anne Marie & Lucy. Miss Lucy colored in a heart; Anne Marie drew a beautiful home with WCM and a blonde baby girl ... I got bumped this time. The kids had many "I love yous!" We left feeling rejuvenated.



As we finish the leftovers, we are contemplating the good, healthy foods we can make ...

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Three Weeks and Thriving

Today is the WCM's birthday. We are eating the delicious Edible Arrangement that his sister sent him. A starbuck's card, cook book, and check also came in the mail. It's so nice to have a birthday so close to another major life event - like a wedding. :) Tonight we get to have dinner with his dad. He's getting a lot of love! (My gift is arriving on Sunday.)




Ironically, I do think that I've learned something already. Relating well to my dear husband comes more naturally than it did before we were married. His needs are more apparent to me without him having to tell me. I feel like I understand him better already. Obviously, I have a lot more to learn, but I want to look back at this time and remember how much better it is to be married than engaged. Some have called this "the grace of the sacrament." I'm a believer!

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