Little legs

So... this is where I've been. Well, I've been sitting on my couch being lazy and feeling really, really tired. For the first time in my life I've slacked at making dinner 90% of the time, which kills me (I hate wasting money on eating out constantly). My house has been a disaster, I've barely gotten dressed and I've had to rest if we walk for more than a few minutes. But it's all worth it. Yesterday we got to see our 13 week baby and it's tiny little kicking legs. When the technician found the baby and it appeared on the screen it just blew me away. It's so strange that something is inside of you, moving around, and you can't feel it. It's a miracle!
We are both ecstatic. Obviously, I'm also stressed about losing control of my body and how I feel, which I never thought I would care about. But somehow I do. What I really can't stop thinking about is that mine and David's days alone are numbered. It's just been us two for so long. But we are ready to add more to our family and very excited about it. I can't believe the time is finally here...we can't stop smiling.

Happy Weekend!

I am so happy it's Friday! I love two nights of uninterrupted sleep and a break from my early morning work. Our plans for this weekend include:
Puffy German pancakes
A walk on the beach
BBQ with family on Sunday. I'm making these buns again for burgers. So good!
Lots of cookies and cookie ice cream sandwiches.

 

My dessert last night was my #1 favorite thing inside my #2 favorite thing. (channeling Ron Swanson)

What are your weekend plans?

Men

I'm reading Mindy Kaling's book right now and I love the chapter about the ideal man. (It's actually titled "Men need almost nothing to be great.") It breaks down how to be a great guy. Here are some of my favorite points:


-Own several pairs of dark-wash straight leg jeans
-When you think a girl looks pretty, say it
-Avoid asking if someone needs help in a kitchen or at a party, just start helping
-Have one great cologne and wear very little of it, all the time
-Get a little jealous now and again, even if you're not strictly a jealous guy

Her explanations are funny and real. I love it. Here are some guys I think are great:

(a blogger's spouse. i love his style.)

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RDJ

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Paul

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Mr. Darcy.

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Overload.

It's all yummy food. And I plan on making it all over the next few weeks. Pinterest rules!!

Shells with broccoli and mozzarella.

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Homemade whole wheat cheez-its!

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Creamsicle cookies!

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Vegetable fritters.

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German chocolate bars.

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The Good + the Bad

We're working on New Years goals over here and preparing for school mode again. Basically we've been super lazy soaking up the last days before studying ensues when I'll have copious amounts of alone time. It's kind of funny, but I never thought I'd like being by myself again after I met David. I guess 6 1/2 years of being together and 5 years of marriage was the mark where I began to feel it was okay. :) I also can't get enough sleep right now. I've gone through a few weeks here and there since starting my job where no matter what I do I can't catch up on sleep. This week is one of them, and I am so excited that it's Friday!
                               

Goods + Goals:
We made a plan to only eat out for dinner once a week and have stuck to it this week.
I got a new book and I plan on reading a lot more this semester (TV is my downfall)
We finally got our last piece of 'necessary' furniture, thanks to my bil. A dining set!
Disneyland has been super empty this week which means no long lines
Plus we made a res. for Blue Bayou the day before Valentines Day. We've never been!

Badnewsbears:
So tired.
Knowing mine + David's lazy lounging days are over for a few months
I've had a cold for almost two weeks, and David had one that went away but it's back again, and worse!

At least the good outweighs the bad :)

New Years at the beach.

Christmas was awesome, but we barely took any pictures. We spent New Years weekend at Pismo with David's side of the family and we did get a lot more pictures...but mostly of the girls (as usual). We went to Solvang, San Luis Obispo + the mission, went ATVing at the dunes and had a ton of fun.

Me + Sadie at the Red Viking in Solvang

My doll house!

ATVing it up

Bubblegum wall in SLO

SLO Mission

Pismo Sunset

Finally a photo of all the girls + me

A new favorite photo. This needs to be blown up huge.

Party boy

Repeat the sounding joy.

Christmas was fantastic. We spend Christmas eve and Christmas day with my family in Corona. We opened presents on Christmas eve (something we've never done before) and saved Christmas for church and talking to my brother who's on a mission in Nicaragua. Now that those festivities are winding down, we'll be heading up to a beach house this Thursday with David's family for a few days of fun. Oh, and the detox I'll be doing for the next few days after all the delicious Christmas goodies I've been eating all week. :)

Christmas Photoshoot

I'm officially in love with shooting my friends. We're comfortable around each other and we just get each other. Plus I can make their babies smile! Love the Williams fam!

Christmas things I love.

For the things I haven't gotten to this year, I'm already planning on for next year:

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Christmas Cookies

I'm going to do some baking this week and want your best Christmas recipes! I love making a few different types of cookies and delivering them to friends for the holidays. What is your tried and true cookie recipe that everyone gushes over? I'm making my favorite orange-vanilla sugar cookies that are my 3 year old tradition. They have fresh orange zest in the dough AND the frosting. Seriously amazing. Give me your recipes and links here so I have some inspiration!

Dreamsicle Sugar Cookies adapted from The Luna Cafe

1 cups butter, softened
1 cup of sugar
1 egg  

1/2 teaspoon salt (I use Kosher)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

zest of an entire orange (only the skin, not the white pith)

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 1/2 cups unbleached flour

 

I wish I had a photo of mine, but I haven't made them since Halloween. photo credit

Beat the butter and sugar for at least a few minutes until light and fluffy. Add in the egg, salt and vanilla and mix until combined. Add zest and mix for a few seconds. Now add your baking powder and flour and mix JUST until all of the flour is absorbed. It seriously takes about 30 seconds. Wrap the dough in wax or parchment paper and let it rest in the fridge for a half hour so it's easier to roll out. Sometimes I shape it into a log and wrap it in wax paper, and then just slice rounds and bake them that way. When I'm feeling adventurous I roll the dough out and use my Christmas cookie cutters. Either way, they're amazing! Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes. I don't like any brown on mine because we are a soft cookie family. Plus, they stay fresh longer when they are a little underdone.

For the frosting I do this:
Mix a stick of softened butter with 3 cups of powdered sugar until creamy and fluffy. Add in about 2 Tablespoons of fresh orange juice and the zest of half an orange as well as 2 teaspoons of vanilla (I LOVE lots of vanilla). Sometimes you have to adjust based on the texture you want. I like thick frosting so I barely add any liquid. Top your cooled cookies!