a hodge podge

We closed on our house yesterday. We are now official homeowners. (How did this happen? 2 kids and a mortgage!)

Even Emma seemed to understand and all day was so relieved to have “home”. I only moderatley panicked before, during and after closing. I can’t take it back to the store if I change my mind! BUT we are excited.

After the closing, Daniel and I first came to the house before getting the girls from my parents and THIS was posted on the windows:

What!? They were warning stickers stating the house was under surveillance and demanding that a Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained before moving in.

WHAT?!!?

The stickers were signed and dated for yesterday. Posted the day we purchased our first home. Talk about immediate stress. We literally only owned the home for minutes and there was already a problem. I called the number posted, and prayed in the Spirit while on hold. The unhelpful man told me to call a different number. No answer there. I call back to Mr. Unhelpful. Another number is given. They, also, are unable to give me answers but think the inspector who posted the signs might know something. He has one office hour per day and is unreachable. But where and who I question out loud, has my answers. What is wrong with my house and why weren’t we notified or red flagged in an inspection?

The inspectors secretary explains that he gets all of his orders from the city and it is the city that will have all the information I need. She offers me a phone number….it’s the first phone number that I called twice. To my delight, someone else answers. I explain my situation and she takes my name and address and the name of the inspector.

“Oh really? He just walked in for a meeting, please hold……holding…..He’s says it’s your lucky day. Take the stickers down. The city only wanted to start monitoring it because it has been vacant!”

Thank You, Jesus.

Once we were given permission to enter our own home, we photoed our first keys and unlocking. Daniel also carried me over the threshold and proceeded to walk around the house saying “That’s my toilet, that’s my light fixture, that’s my ugly kitchen floor”…and then he did “snow angels” in the carpet. (Why not!? It’s our house, right!?)

We brought the girls back took our first family photo and showed them their room. Emma was so excited she was jumping and dancing in her no-longer-gold room.  

We had a wonderful dinner last night with our families and our pastors. We had subs on a blanket in the living room floor and prayed for God’s blessing and protection over our home. Daniel also enjoyed his first game of pool with his brother.The four of us “camped out” together on the living room floor last night.

Today we were busy painting. We have a crew lined up for Saturday to help us move in all our belongings.

It’s good to be home.

We found the one. We walked through 24 houses and a week ago today we met our new home. The purchase agreements have been signed by both parties so the pending the inspection…the house is ours! It is about 10 minutes from our current home.

The house is in great shape (this will be even more confirmed by the inspection this week) but some of the decor is out of date. It seems Jesus picked it that way as a gift for me. I love the thought of being able to pick things out and update it ourselves.

See? Out of date - but big and in good condition. Plans are underway.

A wet bar in the finished basement. Plans include transforming this into a retro soda shop.

Daniel is pretty excited that the pool table is staying.

we are looking at 14 houses today?

Please pray that we will walk in peace and wisdom.

Exercise and I (me? I?) aren’t the closest of friends. We don’t speak much. BUT. We were reintroduced by Anti-Suck. A-S actually recommended that we join a gym. So we did. Wanna know the crazy part? I like it.

Our cool gym has child care and at $3 for one hour of me-time it is more than worth it. 

What else do I like about it, you ask?

I LOVE that I get to listen to the music that I want to…uninterrupted.

I like that as I’m squatting to type this as my computer is on the couch, my bum is a bit sore.

I like that I only feel a bit intimidated walking in. That’s a lot less than I had anticipated.

I like that I get to pick the music.

I like that on the bike, I can put my head down, close my eyes and talk to Jesus…with my music of choice as background noise.

I like that a friend from church works in the childcare and the girls love her.

I like that working out is turning my life into one that does not…suck.

Yesterday we decided to visit Chicago for Memorial Day Weekend. Daniel has both Friday and Monday off so we’ll leave tomorrow night. Sunday morning we’ll visit either Willow Creek or Bill Winston’s church. I am VERY excited for our vacation.

I got me a Jeep Commander! Before you get to jealous of me, know that it’s only for the summer. Since the beginning of Emma, I’ve not had a car of my own and I was stuck at home more often than I liked (my parents often came to my rescue there). A friend of Daniel’s mom’s is going to Alaska for the summer and needed someone to take over his lease for 4 months, we not-at-all-reluctantly volunteered and I am super excited. It still smells new! The sweet part is that the day before we heard about the car being available I was in a parking lot longingly looking at a Commander. God heard that which I didn’t even pray. So…anybody need a ride?

i never thought i’d see this.

I’ve not cooked much lately, so this is my first new recipe - I still have a bunch that sound so good thanks to y’all. Amy’s Swiss Chicken was delicious! I’m not sure I made it all right…all the yummy goodness slid off the chicken during cooking. And it might not look like much but it sure tastes good (especially the stuffing - it was a bit crunchy!) Thanks Amy!

Have you tried any news meals lately?

I was excited that so many people wanted in on my project! I figured I would start by adding a few of my favorites to share with you all and my first “new meal” will hopefully come from a recipe you add in the comments.

I am all about comfort food that is easy to make. I really like using my crock pot. I’m not too “fancy” with my food.

I hope you enjoy these and I hope all the necessary ingredients are available at the ends of the earth:

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Cook plain pasta in large pan.

Add all the following ingredients in a blender:
(I’ll give the exact measurements but most of the time I just eyeball it)
1/4 c flour
1/4 c melted butter
salt
1 1/3 c milk
(at least) 1 c shredded cheese
(sometimes I also add a little onion)

Blend until mixed well and add to cooked pasta. Heat on stove until sauce is warm - if sauce is not thick enough add more cheese.

OR Combine sauce and pasta in a baking dish and bake at 350. Sprinkle bread crumbs and seasoning on top. mmmmmmmm

Beef Stew Ole (I didn’t come up with the name)

4 carrots cubed
4 potatoes peeled and cubed
1 onion chopped
1.5 lbs stew beef cubed (and seered)
8 oz tomato sauce
1 package taco seasoning
2 cups water
1.5 Tbsp corn starch
salt & pepper

Layer first four ingredients in crock pot. Add tomato sauce.

Combine taco seasoning and 1.5 cups of water. Stir cornstarch into the other 1/2 cup of water until smooth. Stir together and pour over ingredients. Salt & pepper. Cover and cook on Low for 7-8 hours. Serve over rice with cheese.

Oven Fried Chicken

1 egg beaten
3 tbsp milk
1 cup of finely crushed saltine crackers (about 2
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp paprika
pepper
2 -2.5 lbs chicken pieces
butter

Combine egg and milk. In another bowl mix cracker crumbs and spices. Dip chicken in egg mixture and then in crumb mixture. Arrange chicken in a greased baking dish so pieces don’t touch. Drizzle chicken with melted butter. Bake at 375 for 45-55 minutes. Do not turn chicken while cooking.

Hashbrown Casserole (I made this one up! It’s just like green bean casserole but with potatoes)
1 bag of frozen hashbrowns
cream of mushroom
milk
french friend onions
pepper

Combine all in a baking dish. Bake for about an hour.

And some holiday favorites:

Orange Fluff
1 container of Cool Whip
1 container of cottage cheese
1 can of drained crushed pineapple
1 pkg of orange jello.

Mix all and let set in fridge. Yum!

Corn Pudding (As easy as this is…I get the most feedback on this dish!)
2 cans cream corn
1 package of corn bread / muffin mix
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup melted butter

Mix and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

I hope you enjoy these! I look forward to getting some of you favorites.

I made homemade macaroni and cheese tonight (mmmm….probably my favorite dish ever and my ultimate comfort food). Last night I made chili. I realized last night that I cook the same 8-10 meals a majority of the time. Sure, I occasionally make something new. Recent ventures include burgers with Gorgonzola and bacon. A couple weeks ago I made Mexican beef stew. New meals are not my norm. So I’m thinking about trying a new recipe every 1-2 weeks. I can’t overextend myself. I have two questions for you:

1. Is anyone interested in joining me in this journey of new tastes and flavors?
2. Do you have any recipes I must try? (Cereal doesn’t count)