Twenty Things in Twenty Thirteen

This past year has been a crazy one... and maybe my favorite year yet.

I graduated from Western Washington University, got married, and moved to a new town - And all of that took place just over the summer! I made two great new friends, and maintained all of my closest old friendships. I have loved officially moving out of my parents house and building a new life (and home) with Adam - Not to mention celebrating 5 years together! It was so much fun having Seahawks season tickets, honeymooning down the Oregon Coast, and having my bachelorette party in Vancouver.

Matt Priestman Photography

I have felt so fortunate for all of my great experiences in 2012 and can't wait to create more great memories in the year to come! Instead of setting an unspecific, typical New Years Resolution for myself, I instead decided to make a checklist of 20 things I hope to accomplish in 2013 - Wish me luck!

Twenty Things in Twenty Thirteen

1.  Run in a 5-K (hopefully Seattle’s Color Run!) 
2. Find a job 
3. Organize all documents, paperwork, etc (Eww…) 
4. Explore 5 new places in Kitsap area 
5. Lose a pant size 
6. Travel to a new state 
7. Pay off ¼ of student loans 
8. Start an Etsy seller’s profile 
9. Purchase a Nikon DSLR camera 
10. Take a photography course 
11. Invest in good running shoes 
12. Learn to knit 
13. Get second tattoo
14. Get Seahawks season tickets again 
15. Make one improvement to our home every month (big or small) 
16. Visit the in-laws house at Lake Roosevelt 
17. Go to at least one concert/music festival 
18. Clean out my closet and invest in smarter, more quality clothing purchases 
19. Start swimming again 
20. Take 1-year photos with Adam

DIY: Gift Wrapping

I think I had too much fun wrapping Adam's Christmas presents. This was my first year having plain brown postal wrapping, and I loved having a clean slate to work with!

My goal was to make each gift look different while still keeping them all coordinated - and not letting any of the scraps of paper go to waste!

Supplies:

Brown Postal Wrapping Paper
Baker's Twine 
Metallic Wrapping Paper (ours is from Costco)
Acrylic Paint
Paint Brushes
Sharpie
Tape

* Wrapping Inspiration


I can't wait to wrap the rest!

Ham Asparagus Cheese Sauce Sandwich

I know these sound bizarre, but Ham Asparagus Cheese Sauce Sandwiches are seriously really delicious. 

I grew up eating these and thought they were a normal recipe (but apparently they were created by my Grandma Hazel)... This belief was quickly put to rest the first time a friend was over while we had them for dinner (and they had never seen anything like them). 

They may look and sound a little crazy, but everyone who has ever tried these has LOVED them. 

Ham Asparagus Cheese Sauce Sandwiches are really quick and easy to make, as well as a great comfort food. But aren't all things covered in cheese sauce comforting? 

(Also, I am noticing a trend with my dinner posts, and I swear that not everything we eat is covered in cheese sauce).

Ham Asparagus Cheese Sauce Sandwich Recipe:

Honey Ham (or favorite ham)

Asparagus 

Bread (I used potato bread)

Paprika

Cheese Sauce:

2 T. butter

2 T. flour

2 cups milk

2 cups cheese (or to taste)

1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. garlic powder
Salt to taste (taste sauce first, as cheese is salty in nature)
Dash of cayenne pepper
Dash of nutmeg

Instructions: 

Start cheese sauce (See Baked Creamy Mac & Cheese for cheese sauce directions). Meanwhile, cut thick slices of ham and sear on both sides in a hot pan - one slice per sandwich. Steam asparagus in shallow water until softened but not mushy. Amount of asparagus varies by preference - I tend to really pile it up! Toast one slice of toast per sandwich. 

Assembly order - toast, slice of ham, asparagus, then top with cheese sauce. Sprinkle paprika on top. 

* These are really filling - I usually eat one with a side salad.

Enjoy!

Back to Running

Find me on Instagram @ megrenhen

In October I started the 9 week Couch-to-5K Running Plan. It is a great program for people like me - By "like me" I mean people who will do almost anything to not  run. I'm not just talking about doing other forms of exercise, but I literally have picked cleaning the house over going for a run. I've always admired people who made the effort to run regularly, I too wanted to be one of those awesome people. Unfortunately, after Week 4 an old ankle sprain started to make a comeback.

This injury happened last May... Are all sprains so persistent and obnoxious? It even threatened to make me limp down the aisle back in August. I personally think the pain keeps reappearing so I have to retell how it happened. How you may ask? Well, I slipped and fell down some cement stairs back when I was still in school. Har har har. The joke is on the stairs though because I saved my Soy Chai Latte! Just not my right ankle.

Anyways, after a two week break I AM BACK. Even with our rainy Pacific Northwest weather. Take that ankle sprain!

Etsy Lovin'

I'm not shy about my love for all things Etsy. I have never been one to chase big name brands (or even really know them) - Instead I love to have those items that people take a second look at because they have never seen one before! Honestly, who wouldn't want unique, creative, personal, homemade goods? It is like I have access to summer arts and crafts festivals year round! Awesome.

Here are a several of my favorite recent finds:

Knit Wool Fingerless Gloves

Camera Strap for DSLR

 I'm still working on getting said camera, but it doesn't hurt to plan ahead!

Nerd Herder Gadget Wallet

Display Coffee Table

Bamboo Cutting Board with Recipe

How cute is this idea? I would love one with my mom and/or grandma's handwriting on it!

3/4 Sleeve Home Alone "Ugly Christmas Sweater"

First Days of December

This last week consisted of applying for jobs, jobs, and more jobs. At this point I have given up being too selective, but I have yet to reach the point of desperation where I'm sending in my application to just anywhere. Perhaps the job I am most excited about is working as a Juvenile Case Monitor - Not only is the pay amazing, but it would actually put my Psychology degree to good use. The best part... I am actually qualified enough for it! That was a pretty exciting discovery. Adam has been beyond awesome being supportive - both emotionally and financially - not nagging me to agree to just any job opportunity that comes my way, but I am getting really anxious to help contribute... Plus, we have a trip to Miami to save up for! Wish me luck!

Since my last post we also bought and decorated our first tree together and worked on some DIY Christmas presents. I love this time of year!

So happy to see that Movember mustache get shaved off yesterday!

Thanksgiving For Two

Yes, two.

We weren't able to make it up to our families houses today due to Adam's work schedule, but we still didn't want to miss out on all of our favorite Thanksgiving dishes - So we just went ahead and made most of them anyways! Mmmm, leftoversss.

Deviled Eggs

Salad with Pear, Pomegranate, Gorgonzola, Candied Walnuts, and Raspberry Vinaigrette

Cranberry Sauce

Green Bean Casserole

Mashed Potatoes

Cornbread Stuffing

And the star - Maple Roasted Turkey with Sage and Smoked Bacon

The smallest turkey we could find was this tasty 16 pounder... Totally necessary for two people.

Finally, delicious Apple Crisp for dessert!

 We are both so thankful for having such loving families - Although we were not able to see them today, we know how fortunate we are to have FOUR Thanksgiving dinners and households full of family just a few hours away. We missed you all!

{A positive aspect of having Thanksgiving with just the two of us: Adam was able to eat as many deviled eggs as he wanted, and for that he is very thankful.}

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble gobble!