Feels Like Home

It's the little things sometimes that give you those warm gushy feelings. Those feel good things that remind you of growing up. Of home. 

I can only hope that my son (and any future children we may have) will have as fond memories of me in the kitchen as I do with my Mom. My mom is the best cook I know. Her baking is nothing more then amazing too. Growing up I often came home from school to the sound of the mixer going or the smell of something amazing baking in the oven. If my Mom could make it from scratch, she would. TV dinners were like a bad word in my house. Love and care went into every meal my Mom made. Left overs were wished for because everything was so amazing - we wanted more! 

When I was 6 or 7 I remember asking for an easy bake oven for Christmas. My Mom said "You can just bake with me." And that we did. 

Now as an adult I love making some of those wonderful meals my Mom would make. The thing that most makes me thinking of all those wonderful memories  is when I make bread. Really of any kind of bread. I dare anyone to try to top my Mom's banana bread (that's for another time though). 

Today I'm making pizza! My parents are so awesome with it - they've seriously perfected the bbq pizza! My Mom makes the pizza crust (from scratch of course) and gets the toppings ready. My Dad gets the grill (now the Trager) ready. When the dough is ready my Mom flattens it out and my Dad puts it on the grill. When the bottom is ready they flip it and dress it up. Then it's back to the grill until the cheese is melted! Oh my I can't even tell you how good it is. I'm starting to drool a little! When they make it now my husband and I just about eat ourselves sick! 

So tonight we wanted pizza! But after watching Giada make pizza the other day a simple frozen pizza wasn't going to be enough! A few fixings bought at the store like pepperoni, fresh mozzarella (the best), and some peppers were really all I needed. Of course my hubby came up with the best topping to add - bacon! 

I went off this recipe for the dough: http://www.chef-in-training.com/2014/04/perfect-pizza-dough-recipe/#comment-61282

I'm really not sure why yeast used to scare me. As long as you take your time and let the kitchen aid do the work it's really not that bad. Slow is the way to go. The second half of dough needs to go slowly in and let the dough combined in before adding more. It needs to be as smooth as a baby's butt and then it's ready to rise! 

After about 20 minutes of rising I had this beauty! That's yummy olive oil around the side. It was my non stick choice this round. I pushed it down a bit and we began getting toppings ready while it sat for a little longer in the microwave. That's a trick I learned from my Mom. She would warm up a glass of water and then put the dough in to rise. It was moist and dark - perfect for a dough to rise just make sure no one opens the door or that you turn the microwave on. 

My husband fried up the bacon for me and I went to grate the cheese and then changed my mind. Fresh mozzarella is hard to shred this way and I remembered seeing Giada just hand shred it. Yup - that was happening! 

So cut the peppers - red and orange so it's pretty. I got the sauce ready - a simple tomato paste I mixed some herbs into - we literally have a pizza seasoning someone got us! 

Topped the pizza - sauce, cheddar cheese (hubby likes more then 1 cheese), pepperoni, peppers, bacon, and finally mozzarella. I really like cheese (if you couldn't tell by the picture) so I think I loaded it up. I also love the crust so I left it open around the side and a little thicker too. Not sure why it ended up an egg shape, but I just wanted pizza so I gave up trying to get a perfect circle - I rarely get it that way. Into the oven - because we haven't tried to get close to the bbq pizza my parents make - and now we wait. 

Waiting is the hardest part. The smell of pizza filling our house just makes me that much more hungry. 

22 minutes later (needed a few extra minutes) we had pizza!! Yummy yummy pizza!

I actually was able to divide the dough into 2 so I let this one rest on a cutting board while I spread out and topped the other half and then we ate! 

It was good!

Dutchboy

So I posted this picture on my Facebook page and got some awesome feed back from it so I explained how I made it. I liked it so much I decided I had to blog about it! 

So breakfast Sunday morning started as it always does, with a question: "What do you want for breakfast?" It never fails  , every weekend I or my husband ask the other person this question. Well my husband turned to listing everything we possibly had for breakfast in the house. I brought up a local breakfast place and he turned to "I don't want to spend the money." Okay, so now what? 

It's always easy to turn to cereal or oatmeal or something quick. However, on weekends I don't like doing that! I love breakfast. It is indeed one of my favorite meals of the day and on the weekend I have a chance to do so much more then just a quick bite. 

So I remembered that the other night I made pancakes for dinner (I told you, I love breakfast) and that I saved in our squeeze bottle. Pancakes! That'll work! Then the thoughts of fesh peaches ripening on the table and the idea of a sauce for my pancakes with those beautiful peaches came sweeping into my mind. Done! This is happening! 

My fruit bowl. Apricots, peaches, and a mango. Yum! Is there anything better then fresh fruit in the summer? 

I took about 2-3 tsp of butter and melted it in my pan. I then put a little brown sugar in and stirred (about 1- 1 1/2 of a big spoon so maybe a tablespoon or so). I put about 2 sliced peaches into that (this was supposed to be the start of a sauce or topping for pancakes and then I took a turn). 

A few weeks back my husband and I went to The Original Pancake House in Fort Collins. I had this yummy Dutch Boy there which is this yummy pancake filled with fantastic canalized apples. It's like heaven on plate! This popped into my head as I watched the peaches sauté in my pan. "Honey, how do you feel about me experimenting?" This was met with a sarcastic "Uh-oh". 

I then put my left over pancake batter on top of my peaches that we're starting to caramelize. I had just enough to cover the top, by I recommend putting enough so you don't see any peaches - a good thick layer. I let it sit on the stove for a minute or so and then put it into a 350 degree oven until it was browning on the sides and a little golden on top (maybe about 10 minutes I think - enough time for me to make bacon and eggs).

When my yumminess looked like this I took it out of the oven and let it cool as I got out plates ready with our eggs and bacon. 

I then put a plate on top of my pan and flipped the pancake. Don't forget that your handle might be a little hot still so use a pot holder when flipping! I had to run a spatula around the corners, but it came out pretty easily after I did that. 

My husband and I split the Peach Dutchboy (as I decided to call it) with our son. That with some eggs and bacon made for 3 very full and happy bellies.  

Forever long

It's been awhile. Forever long! Life has changed so much since I last blogged. It's kinda sad just how much has changed. I used to love blogging. I guess life just got in the way. 

So what all has happens since fall 2012? In February 2013 we bought a house. A 4 bed, 2 bath, bilevel beautiful house! I painted the door red pretty quickly after moving in. I love my red door. I love my house! 

Fast forward a little over a year - June 9th, 2014 our lives completely changed! 1:24am our son Michael came into this world! My life has never been the same. And I wouldn't have it any other way. 

So life is a little different now. I obviously still love my role as wife, but now it's wife and Mom. So Happily Ever After has taken a different turn then when I started this blog. Dan and I got married with the assumption that we would have children so it's no surprise at all, but it's funny to think that 3 short years ago we were newlyweds with lots ahead of us. Now we're homeowners and parents and my focus is less on weddings and more on family and what makes me family work. I love where my life is and I'm excited to start anew on this blog! I hope you are too! 

                    Michael at 1 year 

3 months

I knew it had been awhile since I blogged, but I didn’t realize just how long it had been.

So today is September 26, 2012 which means Dan and I have been married for 3 months and 2 days. All is still well and the newly wed sprit is still there, I’m just not here (home) as often. I went back to work again and its as busy (if not busier) as ever. This year on top of the teaching and play directing I am also co-sponsor for student council. I love it and have a great teacher that co-sponsors with me, but it does take more time away from home. Dan comes with me to some events though and we try to make it out to many of the sporting events at the school. That’s one thing he’s always been willing to do and one of the many things I love about him. My students love it to! He’s practically a celebrity when we walk in anywhere. They call him “Manycandy” so we hear “Oooo its Campbell [Hixon if they remember] and Mancandy” whenever we walk in to a school event. It cracks me up! At least they know we care.

Despite my busy schedule I’ve been trying my hardest to be Mrs. Suzy Homemaker. Its actually been really fun planning and fixing meals. Some days it just doesn’t happen. Others I make some awesome stuff. The other night I used some cinnamon pear balsamic vinegar to make some pork chops. They were VERY good! Currently there are chia pumpkin cookies in the oven (although mainly making them for my Dad who LOVES both chia tea and pumpkin anything). Another find from Pintrest (which that is a link to the exact pin I have) that is so good.

On a healthier note, I’m very proud of Dan and I. We haven’t done much in the fitness world since the wedding. I tried to get in the gym throughout the summer, but it just didn’t seem to happen. Well Monday we decided that enough was enough and we weren’t allowed to sit on our rump all the time so we became members at the family fun plex down the way from us. They have an indoor pool, basketball courts, an indoor track, and a workout room plus we can go to another location that has a bit more (kind of like a YMCA type gym). We have gone twice in one week and I’m hoping to make it there at least 3 times a week to do some kind of work out. It’s good for us to be working out and having the routine. Although rehearsals are starting so there will be points that it may not be possible, but I’m sure going to try!

Well cookies are almost done and then its bed time! Another day of work tomorrow and then Friday! Defiantly looking forward to the weekend!

Married Life

Well gosh…I guess it’s been longer than I thought since my last blog. I guess the end of summer ended up being busy.

We finally got our pictures so I was able to print some and get some on Facebook. I’ve really enjoyed sharing these with everyone. We also got a book from shutterfly with some of our pictures and I love it! Brides or brides to be, you’ll get a few things for free photo books from shutterfly.com – use them! You pay maybe $8 for shipping and you get a really pretty book to put on your coffee table. I also FINALLY got our thank you cards printed, written and sent. I really like them! I also love the feedback we’ve been getting from everyone about them. I got the idea from Pintrest, but we had our photographer take this picture:

And then I went on the Walgreen’s website and had the picture made into cards – it even came with envelopes. Brides to be, we’ve got a lot of great comments about how great the idea is and we feel like we were really able to make it personal this way (they weren’t really expensive either). We just told our photographer about the idea and then my best friend Rachel made the sign for me (she’s a lot more crafter than I am and MUCH better at it). For the record, we did write personal notes for each thank you we sent out. We didn't just send a picture and call it good.

So I went back to work on Thursday (although I was in the building on and off throughout the last couple of weeks). I’ve seen a few students already, but officially students will start on Tuesday with freshman coming Monday. It’s been fun having people ask how the wedding was and what my new name is. The students I have seen are having a hard time with remembering my maiden name. I figure it’ll take about 4 years until I’m one name. I can see where they have some difficulty with it too. They have known me for 2 years as Ms. Campbell. Now I’m MRS. Hixon. It’s different. Eventually I won’t even think about it – I’m already used to signing my new name (especially now that EVERY card and things I need to sign is under Hixon), but for right now I’m really having to think about my name. I thought about my mom for some reason. I only know her as a Campbell, but obviously she had to make this transition and Dan’s mom did as well. I’m very proud to sport my husband’s name, but it’ll take me some time to totally be used to it. You don’t go 24 years with a name and then be used to it being changed overnight I guess.

The one question I’ve been getting a lot recently that I’m never sure exactly how to answer is: “How’s married life?” I really want to say, “Normal” or “Is it supposed to be different?” Danial is the love of my life and I LOVE being married to him. It’s wonderful to say I’m his wife (although it still sounds a little weird), but it feels normal. Obviously some things were a bit of a transition, but otherwise it’s normal. In fact it’s what Dan and I have been planning for well over a year. I generally have been saying that married life is wonderful or making a joke along the lines of “Well, I haven’t killed him yet…”

We are still learning about each other though. My birthday (#25…eeek) is the 23^rd. Dan gets excited about his gifts (we have this in common) so I generally always have gift ahead of the gifting event. This birthday was no exception. He got me a Coach Phone cover and a purse. “It’s kinda like a Coach purse” he said. Oh boy…I LOVE the cover. It’s a black cover with multi-colored “C’s” all around – super cute. The purse though…he tried. He knows I love shoes and purses and after having my third knee surgery some of my shoe love has had to be tamed down.  I love Coach Purses, but they can be expensive – even when I buy them from the outlet store. So he was trying to find something I love and can use while we can still watch our spending, but it just reminded me of a mom purse. I tried it, and I felt so bad I didn’t want to say that I didn’t like it (especially because he was also trying to cheer me up), but it just wasn’t me. So we took it back today and he said I can do whatever with the money. I love him for trying and he didn’t do horrible, but it wasn’t exactly what I wanted. So we are still learning and I wouldn’t be opposed to him buying me a purse again.

Now it’s back to “real” life. My days are going to get busy quickly, but I think Dan and I both are very excited about me getting back to work. As he said, it’s nice for him to come home to me, but it’s really nice for him to come home to me and have more to talk to me about other than his day at work. We’re also excited about seeing the kids during school and school events. We try to get to a lot of school events and games normally, but this year I am co-sponsoring student council so we’re REALLY going to at events this year! I think we’re both excited about it, but like I said earlier BUSY!! Luckily I have a husband who is a HUGE support and loves being a part of the school. Me going back to work also means it’s almost FOOTBALL season!! We’re huge Broncos fans so we’re pumped! We’re also excited to watch college and the high school football. I’m really focused on the cool fall nights! SO ready for that!

Here are a few wedding pictures to share that we love! We SO love our photographer.I might share more later.... 

Reflections

I have some time to kill and it’s been awhile since I blogged. What a better excuse to right?

Currently I’m sitting in my dorm room at Colorado State University. No, I didn’t enroll suddenly. This next year I’m cosponsoring the student council at school. This week there is a “Boot Camp” for future leaders and their sponsors. I started out the morning all over the place. I couldn’t find where I needed to go then I couldn’t find my students, my name tag, or my room. It was a zoo. I kept texting the other sponsor asking her what she got me into. When I was finally able to settle in a little more with the other sponsors I found myself relaxing and really learning. I’ve already happily taken a page of notes and I’ve only been to 2 sessions - lots of good things for the upcoming school year! Tonight I have to look forward to this wonderful room I’m in with a two separate twin beds, a bathroom the size of a closet, totally bare, and I think even smaller than my dorm room. My worry is that I may roll off the bed at one point. I sure will miss Dan though. I’ve gotten used to having him there every night.

Married life has been great. We’ve been married exactly a month today. I finally picked my pictures from the wedding we want our photographer to print. I’m so anxious to get them. I need to get thank you cards out – I promise they will be sent out before my birthday, we just had a little glitch with them. Most of my stuff has been changed over to my new name, although I still have to get used to that. I had to go to the doctor’s office the other day (no I’m not pregnant for anyone who got that idea)and when asked my name I said my maiden name – which is fine because my insurance card is still in that name, but I stumbled. I’m getting it though! The students that are with me keep trying and forgetting my married name. One said “I don’t care! It’s not going to happen.” Ha ha! But my papers all came in so legally its changed. Last things I need to change are my credit and bank cards. Everything else is just about done. Although I’m sure there will be little ones here and there. It all went really easy.

To be honest though, I think part of me put off blogging for a little while. Obviously, living in Colorado, there’s a lot of thoughts going round about Aurora and I think I was almost scared to blog. I do want to touch a little about it. That horrific night I was having a hard time sleeping. Dan had taken his little brother and his friend to the Batman marathon which concluded with the premier. I rolled over thinking too much to see a Facebook post about a shooting at the premier. I don’t know if I was not in the right mind set, but I didn’t see where at first. I was sick. I sprang up and searched where it was. I got out of bed a little before 3 after reading all that I could about it. The news was on and already at the movie theatre. I texted my friends I new were at the show, but at a different theatre insisting they text me when they were home. I then text a friend I knew lived in Aurora. “…Please tell me you didn’t go see dark knight in Aurora. Tell me you’re okay!” was the message I sent him. I was sick. I passed the floor watching the news and looking out the window for Dan. I knew he and the boys were fine, but I just needed to see them. When they walked through the door they were all a little stunned to see me awake and I was very happy to see them. Their faces fell when they saw the news on the TV. The whole thing was just heart breaking and stunning. Somehow we managed to turn off the TV and go to bed for a bit. My friend texted me back about 5am saying he had to work at 6 and was fine – thank God! My friend in Canada texted me shortly after to see if I was okay – I couldn’t believe it became international news that quickly. This act of evil is horrific and frightening. My thoughts and prayers go out to each person affect by this. Around Colorado and where I grew up (about 15 minutes from Columbine) anything like this seems to open up old wounds. It hurts to see friends struggle with this. As soon as something like this happens, the Columbine shootings are brought up. It’s hard to think about. Life is so precious. I’ve had to turn off the news and force myself to not click on news reports – it is all too sad.

As Dan’s Mom said, I was relieved he was okay, but then I almost felt guilty. Someone lost a husband, a son, a daughter, a friend and here I am feeling thankful that everyone I know is okay. Above all, hug your loved ones, be thankful they are with you, and remember those lost.

Paperwork

No one tells you the paperwork that goes with getting married – at least for the bride! We now have 2 pieces of paper for our marriage license and then I have a paper to confirm a new social security card is coming, a paper saying a driver’s license is coming, and a new credit card coming all with my new name.  Organization is key.

I’ve been doing the check lists of everything that needs to be changed.  Next step is at work. I have the paperwork ready to go, just need my social security card to change that. The biggest help has been a blog I found via pintrest.This post is all about after the wedding. Many things I didn’t even think about! Also was a good place to start with changing my name. She is very right about finding your maiden name in a lot of places randomly. My mom even pointed out that my voicemail still had my maiden name. She of course then left a message saying that she had the wrong number after I changed it.

I also need to change my bank information to reflect my new name.  Honestly, I think Danial and I did the money thing right, we joined our money together right before we got engaged. Combining money was a little hard at first because it was a little hard to go from budgeting for one to budgeting for 2. The hardest for me was letting go of control. Danial is an accountant so of course he really needs to be in charge of the finances. I really love that we found the roles with the money right away so that as a married couple we already have that foundation. It also made it really easy to save and spend for the wedding. That I would say would be my biggest tip for brides: figure out money as soon as you get engaged or before! Your life as a bride and a new wife (and your groom) will be so much easier that way.

Right now, my biggest role is “suzy homemaker”. As a teacher I work hard for 9.5 months out of the year (as a theatre teacher I have some close to 60 hour weeks) and have about 3 months off to recoup. When we have kids I think I’ll love having that 24 hour time with them. For now though I get to hang out, run errands, keep the house clean, cook, and bake. Sometimes the lazy side of me comes out during breaks where the couch is my best friend for the whole day, other times I am all about cooking and cleaning. My grandparents on my mom’s side got us a kitchen aid mixer for our wedding present and so baking right now is a LOT of fun for me. Not so good on the waist line though. I’m enjoying being a housewife right now and not ready for it to end, but I know come August I’ll be very ready to be back at work.

I’m still trying to find normal again though. Right before the wedding I had a very good routine with getting up, working out, and starting the day. I haven’t worked out since the week of the wedding! I REALLY need to get back to the gym, but with trying to find a normal in the apartment, seeing some people, and trying to wait in lines early for paperwork it’s been a little hard. And yes, some excuses have come in as well. My goal is to get back in the routine by the end of the week.  And hopefully I can start getting some cards and paperwork done by the end of next week!

 My name is legally changed though and now it’s just waiting for cards to come in to complete everything else. My goal is to have it ALL done before I start back up at work on August 16. We’ll see.