by Joey | Dec 15, 2014 | Throwback
J and I do our holidays a
little differently now. The first few years we were married, the holidays left us stressed, frazzled, and exhausted. We’d end our “vacation” feeling more tired than when it started. So a few years ago, we made a decision.
And now we stay home for the holidays.
What that meant for us, though, was that it was time to start our own traditions! I have a few things from my childhood that I
need for it to feel like christmas. And so does he. So we married those things to create our own holiday traditions! I’ve partnered up with
Man Crates, an awesome new company who create the
best gift crates filled with all sorts of
goodies for men that he actually has to open with a
crowbar, to bring you guys a His & Hers version of our Holiday Survival Kit! (Also, just real quick, what man wouldn’t want a gift they need a crowbar to open? Just sayin’).
Holiday Survival Kit by
hodgespodges featuring
winter candles
For it to feel like Christmas, I need the following:
- Fleece Lined Leggings. Okay. That’s a little specific. But basically, my parents’ house was known as the “happy pants” house. My siblings would all do their rounds on Christmas all dressed up, and by time they ended up at my parents’ house, they’d just want to change into “happy pants.” So no, I don’t do the dress up thing on Christmas.
- Red Wine. Since I was old enough to drink (and mayyyyyyybe just a little before then) I’ve enjoyed a glass of red on the days leading up to the holiday. Now, it’s a little less necessary since I’m not in a house with all of my siblings and countless family members for days on end, but you get the point 😉
- Bath & Body Works Winter: Okay. This one is more recent. Back in 2012, J was already living in Buies Creek and I was still in Charlotte. That Christmas, J came home for several weeks. I’d just bought this candle and it burned that whole holiday season. We spent the night in a homemade fort. We built a ginger-bread house from scratch. We spent an entire day on the couch watching Christmas movies. All with that candle burning. It was such a special holiday that now I need the scent to feel like “home” at Christmas time. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to a Bath & Body Works on the regular, so I have to improvise. Never fear! There are a couple dupes for this! Glade Hayride melts & Better Homes & Gardens Winter Ski Resort candle (walmart)!
- M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies: Since I can remember, my sister has made M&M chocolate chip cookies at Christmas, and therefore it’s not Christmas unless I have some of those. Now that we stay home, I make a few batches here!
- National Lampoons Christmas Vacation: This is the holy grail of my Christmas. Back when I wasn’t even old enough to understand half the movie, this has been the epitome of Christmas at my parents’ house! So now the week of Christmas, we’re sure to have a Christmas Vacation night!
Hubs Survival by
hodgespodges featuring a
food & drink
Things are a little different for the husband. All he asked was that we carry on his family’s tradition of watching the Home Alones (uh, duh, only the first two) and order pizza! Uh, a tradition that involves pizza and I don’t have to cook or clean up? Fine by me!
He also enjoys:
- Crown Royal: + diet coke. Tis his drink of choice.
- Slippers: It’s pretty much the only time of the year that he actually wears slippers. Of course he has to have a pair that has an actual sole because if Santa brings him anything that he can play with outside, he runs straight out the door to test it out.
- Terry’s Orange Chocolate: I’ve learned that it’s just not Christmas morning if there isn’t one of these in his stocking. Yeah. I found that out the hard way a few years ago… haha!
What are some of your
must haves for the holidays?
by Joey | Dec 12, 2014 | Throwback
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Red Carpet (390)
I bought this polish over the summer with the intention of wearing it at the holidays, and I was so excited to finally pull it out! I’ll be honest. I had a nail art idea in mind and then I just wasn’t feeling it. I really enjoy the look of just a classically painted manicure sometimes, and so that’s what I went with. I realize it’s probably more boring for these posts–but I’d rather keep it real and share what I’m actually wearing instead of just doing a quick nail art mani then wiping it right off.
Anyway, I don’t really have much else to say. Hope you all have fantastically wonderful weekends!
by Joey | Dec 11, 2014 | Throwback
++ A few weeks ago I prayed really hard about needing guidance in a decision. I rarely ask for signs from God because sometimes that can seem a little hokey, but sometimes you really just need some reassurance or a nudge. Am I right? What I needed help with was if I was focusing on the right stuff. It was around the time I decided to quit youtube. Something about youtube just didn’t feel…right. It was fun, but it didn’t feel right. The blog has always felt right. It’s always been fun. I’m most comfortable when I’m writing. So I asked for some signs that I should focus on writing (not just the blog, writing in general). And in the two + weeks since I prayed so specifically, there have been countless opportunities that have come available to me seemingly out of the blue. You guys. I love when you can see God working!
++ I went for my first run in a couple weeks yesterday. So yeah, obviously my whole “30 minutes 5 days a week” thing totally crashed and burned. I blame life. But anyway. The run was okay. I had to stop to walk a few times, but I think that was more mental than anything else. Does anyone else’s chest hurt when they run in the cold? Any recommendations how to breathe around that?
++When I saw this, I couldn’t stop laughing. And then I proceeded to text it to pretty much every female friend I have. J said the answer was: a pumpkin spice latte. That kid. I swear.
++ My aunt and uncle came to visit my parents last weekend. And this is the uncle who is responsible for the
Great Gourmet Cinnamon Buns. Well. I’m not usually a fan of cinnamon buns (in general). I’m just not. But he brought us a box (hello, the husband loves them) and well…I. Can’t. Stop. Eating. Them. If you need a good but unique gift to send someone (you know, maybe spare them the bazillionth edible arrangement) send a box of buns!
++ I haven’t watched a single Christmas movie yet this season. I think maybe I need to remedy that soon. Which one should I start with? (FYI: Christmas Vacation & the Home Alones are saved for Christmas Eve)
Okay! Now it’s your turn!
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by Joey | Dec 10, 2014 | In the kitchen
**First of all: the amount of love and support I get from you all never ceases to amaze me. I swear you guys are my people and I’m so lucky to call you friends!**
Since the last few weeks have been just a little bit crazy, I thought I’d share with you my go-to meals for when I don’t feel like cooking. Or for when I forgot to pull something from the freezer. Or for when I’m absolutely starving and really don’t want to wait forever to eat.
SHRIMP TACOS
What you’ll need:
recipe yields 4 tacos
Small uncooked peeled shrimp
Tony’s Seasoning
Soft tortillas
Mexican Blanco Queso
Iceburg Lettuce
Other Taco Toppings (we’re plain over here and just use lettuce)
I usually keep a bag of small, frozen, peeled shrimp in the freezer for emergencies. You know, like when I’m really considering running through the McDonald’s drive thru because I’m hungry now.
- I take about 24 shrimp and put them in a colander under cool running water for approx. 5 minutes. Shrimps defrost very quickly.
- Place those babies in a pan over medium heat. Season to taste (I use Tony’s all seasoning–that makes it a little spicy, just how I like it)!
- Shrimp cook really quickly. When your shrimp are completely pink, remove from heat.
- I toast up some soft tortillas in the oven at 350 for approx 8 minutes (until the puff up slightly).
- Fill your tortilla with about 6 shrimp, drizzle with queso and top with lettuce.
- Serve with chips and salsa & guacamole.
Boom! Dinner! You’re welcome!
PARMESAN CRUSTED SALMON
What you’ll need:
Recipe yields 4
Frozen salmon filets
Lemon or lemon juice
1/2 cup Mayonaise
1/2 cup Grated parmesan cheese
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 tbs Garlic powder
- Remove frozen salmon filets from plastic pouch and run under cool water for approx. 5 minutes
- Pat dry
- Squeeze lemon juice over filets
- Mix together mayo, cheese, salt & pepper, and garlic powder
- Spread mayo mixture on top of salmon filets
- Bake at 400 on foil lined baking pan for 12-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.
- Serve with steam in a bag broccoli
GROUND TURKEY TACOS
What you’ll need:
Recipe yields 7 tacos
1 lb ground turkey (or beef, but I use turkey)
2/3 cup water
1 tbs flour (only with homemade seasoning)
Refried Beans
Cheddar Cheese
Lettuce & other taco toppings
- Defrost ground turkey in cool water for about 20 minutes changing water frequently. Or you can cook it from frozen. In case you haven’t noticed, I rarely remember to take stuff out of the freezer in advanced.
- Brown meat and drain grease.
- Mix in taco seasoning, water & flour. The flour helps the mixture thicken up a little if you’re using a homemade seasoning recipe!
- Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Toast tortillas in oven at 350 for approx 8 minutes until puffed up slightly.
- Fill tacos with meat and toppings of your choice. We add the refried beans into our tacos, or you can serve it on the side.
- Serve with chips, salsa & guac!
NAAN PIZZAS
What you’ll need:
Recipe yields 2 pizzas
1 package of naan (2 per package)
Olive oil or Marinara sauce
Mozzarella & various other cheeses of choice
Toppings of choice (I use mushrooms)
Seasonings of choice (Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Oregano if you’re making the hubs’ version)
My Version:
- Spoon marinara into center of naan and spread outward towards edges with spoon
- Top with a buttload of Mozzarella
- Top with mushrooms–I use canned because ain’t no one got time for fresh produce. But you can use fresh, obvs. And whatever other toppings you’d like.
Hubs Version:
- Drizzle naan with olive oil
- Season naan with garlic, salt, pepper, & oregano
- Top with Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese
Place both pizzas directly on the rack in the middle at 375 for approximately 12 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges of naan have browned. Slice into quarters. If you’re too hungry for just a little pizza (which is surprisingly filling, FYI) serve with a simple side salad! Enjoy!
*****
I realize these aren’t the most inventive or fancy meals on the planet, but they work for us in a pinch. It’s always good to have a few quick and easy dishes in your arsenal for nights that you just don’t have your ish together. Which around these parts…is pretty freaking often.
Let me know if you try any of these out! I’m no cook, but these are all pretty dang tasty in a hurry!
by Joey | Dec 9, 2014 | Throwback
I just thought this might strike a chord with some of you like it did me. I follow Sarah Dessen on twitter, and yesterday, which was a particularly hard day (do they all seem that way these days or is that just me?), she tweeted this in reference to the book she abandoned last winter.
Maybe it’s because I’m such a words person, but sometimes someone says the exact words I need to hear to transform my entire perspective on a situation. And sometimes just shifting your perspective can make something feel less suffocating.
We’re still over here waiting in our corner for our upswing. We’ve had a few more curve balls and sucker punches, so extra prayers would be awesome, you know, if that’s your thing. If not, good vibes are always cool too.
But no matter what you’ve got going on. No matter what you’re struggling with. Know that everyone out there is going through something. And how cool would it be if we all stood together and faced all these demons together?
Like an epic game of red rover.
Red Rover Red Rover
Send whatever you’ve got
right over.
Game on.
