Rainy Day Project

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was working on a project, in which I needed these awesome antique buttons..........

Well yesterday was the perfect day for me to finish my project, due to the awesome weather we had here in Vienna (NOT). It rained all day! We planned on visiting the Vienna Zoo and actually drove there, got out of the car and were about to walk in, (in the rain yes), but Jon was like "dude I'm not feeling this." We both started laughing and said LET'S GO! So we went back to the apartment and spent the entire day watching True Blood all over again. It actually was great, I guess we needed that!

Back to my project (I tend to get a little sidetracked) I finished what I was working on and thought I'd share it.
Lemme know what ya'll think!



It's a mini scarf with buttons as you can see.......
I loved the idea of a mini scarf because well, I just thought it was cool. I made it adjustable so that it can be worn tight or loose.

Hey.... maybe these will be a big hit and I can mass produce them and sell them all over the world! Ha, hey a girl can dream can't she ;)

ALSO
If you would like to see more pictures from Bratislava, Slovakia (I took almost 100) just click on this LINK and check them out.

Have a great Monday!

Comin' Together

So........
Here is our project slowly coming together.
I forgot how hard it was to paint on a canvas. I mean, I paint on heads for a living ;) I didn't think it would be that difficult.

The only other painting I've done is a boxer (fighter) for my dad. It was two fighters in the ring. He absolutely adores it. But I tell everyone else that my 3 year old nephew painted it....... ya, it's that bad!

Here's what our map looks like so far. Jon loves it! I think it looks awesome, but should still be in an elementary school classroom, not on our wall........ Who knows, I might be surprised and it could be the best painting in the world after we're done. Maybe some famous artist will see it and want to buy it from us.... (Ha, ya right Steph, keep dreamin'.)






I'm just happy it has turned out well, so far. And it has been really fun getting to do this together. Jon is so sweet, he said "you know I really like that it is not perfect, that the lines aren't straight and the colors aren't perfect." He's so good at looking at things positively.

Also.... So excited, my Sookie Stackhouse series came in the mail today! So I will be starting another vampire series.


Have a great Tuesday everyone!!

Another Weekend Update

Friday was my first day back to the gym, after I don't know how many months. I met a friend in the morning and we planned to attend a class, but after arriving, we found that the class had been canceled for that day. So off to the treadmills we went. After working out I headed back home and didn't really move from the couch for the rest of the day. I can't stand being this out of shape. Thursday night Jon and I lifted weights at home and my arms are still sore from that (and it's now Sunday).
COME ON! Seriously. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things.
Friday night my amazing husband surprised me with girl scout cookies!



First day back to the gym and I get girl scouts cookies brought home to me......... It wasn't his fault, he's so awesome and thoughtful for bringing me home something sweet.. but I can't help myself when it comes to those darn cookies!!!

Saturday we woke up super early and loaded our bikes into the SUV. We drove to the nearby park and did a little biking. The park leads to a wonderful trail through a wooded area, and there is a stream running along the trail. Here are some pictures of our biking adventure

You might be a redneck if you put a plastic bag over your bike seat so as not to get your booty wet.

Jonny D

Me

The lovely duck pond

The trail











And a rhino????


After biking, we made our way to Listman's, an art supply store, and bought some acrylic paint. We wanted to get started on our painting of the antique map we've drawn out.
Here's what we have so far. Still have a lot of work.............



We are still working on the colors and have some shading, etc that needs to be done. Like I said we still have a lot to do. Right now I think it looks like a map you'd find in an elementary school classroom. (That an elementary school kid painted.) Well we can't all be painters now can we.

We had flounder for dinner with rice and asparagus. I made the rice and asparagus (olive oil and season all, bake for 10/15 min) and Jon cooked the fish, because he's the pro cook in the fam. The fish was unbelievable. He made a marinade of soy sauce, honey and wasabi and baked the fish for...... well however long until it was ready.

It was like melt in your mouth awesome. You should try it sometime. Very healthy. Then I ate about 7 thin mints. Way to go Steph!

Today we headed over to the base to buy a pedometer so I would know how many miles I was jogging when I was outside. Then we headed out for a three mile jog/walk. I haven't made it up to three miles jogging yet. I'm slowly working my way up. We're taking it easy for the rest of the day. Gonna work on our awesome painting ;)
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Check this out... Top 25 Fittest and Fattest Cities. Oklahoma City is #2 fattest city in the US.

Weekend Update

Lazy.... Lazy..... Lazy, is all I can say for this weekend. Jon and I were extremely sedentary! I feel terrible, especially for my body which probably gained a couple of pounds from not moving off the couch. I guess this is what we needed because our bodies wouldn't do otherwise.
We've made a promise to each other that we are going to start going to the gym after Jon gets off work at night. We are starting first thing tomorrow evening, no backing out.

Saturday we went to Ikea to grab some necessities. Curtains, curtain rods, light bulbs, etc.
We then came home and hung some of those curtains.

Kitchen curtains (mind the dishes)


The Salon curtains


And lastly MUCH needed bedroom curtains ;)

No more scaring the neighbors, for me!

Randomly, Jon is a really great artist. He can draw so well, but doesn't draw because he thinks he's terrible at it....... I don't get it. I think he is amazing. We have a ginormous canvas that we bought back in the states and have yet to do anything with. Saturday we found an awesome antique map,

and decided we should paint this map to put on our wall in the dining room.
We drew the map on the canvas.
It's a terrible picture and extremely hard to see. Click to enlarge.


Later that day we went to the PX, the craft store on base, and even the hardware store and had no luck finding acrylic paint. So we will be ordering some paint online soon in attempt to finish this exciting project.

That evening we cooked barbecue chicken on the grill and had baked beans as a side. Yummy! It took me back to memories of family cookouts. We played the Wii, did some Wii bowling, tennis, and played a little Guitar Hero. (I killed my pinky rocking out so hard)

Sunday we spent the entire day watching the second season of Arrested Development.


We're completely obsessed with this show. I absolutely love it, LOVE IT! It's hilarious!
I can't wait to watch the third season.
Sunday night we cooked steaks on the grill and had a little "surf n' turf." I've never eaten so much in one weekend, but it was completely worth the couple extra pounds. Jon said he wanted some good home cooked meals for his birthday and just for the heck of it since he's been eating fast food for the last two weeks. We definitely had some good food.

Today Jon had the day off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day which was a nice treat. We ran a couple of errands but hurried home because the weather was just icky. It's been raining all weekend. (No wonder we were so lazy, who wants to go out in the gunky rain?)
Jon, my wonderful hairstylist, did my hair today and I gave him a haircut as well.
While Jon was slapping the color on my head I asked
"Are you sure you don't mind doing my hair?"
Jon: "No it's actually fun."
Me: "Really, you enjoy it?"
Jon: "Are you kidding, Dude..... I get to paint my wife's head!"
end of story lol.

Again, he made me look like Cindy Lou Who from Whoville
Before:

After:


I feel like a new person ;) And my hair feels so much better thanks to Jonny D.
We had a great weekend!

Have a great week guys!

Weekend Update

Friday night I invited some ladies over for dinner and girls night!

For dinner I made brown sugar crusted filet, baked chicken rolled in bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese, shrimp cocktail, green beans, salad, and french bread! It was all so yummy! I haven't cooked for company in so long, it was such a treat! (I completely forgot to take a picture.)

Georgina brought blueberry cobbler. Let me tell you first off, I NEVER eat cooked fruit, I have been this way since I was a kid, (stubborn) but I've just never liked eating pastries, cobblers, pies with fruit, etc. I think the texture of the fruit is what gets me, plus I'd just rather eat fresh fruit. Anyway..... I actually tried this cobbler and enjoyed it! When Jon heard I ate cooked fruit he said (in a high pitched voice) "You ate cooked fruit?!?" He was as surprised as I was!

And of course it wouldn't be a girls night without lots of wine and lots to talk about! It was good getting to know these ladies a little better. We had a great evening!

Steph, Georgina, Tara and Yve


Georgina and silly Shannon!


Everyone with their wine eyes! Except Georgina of course! She was drinking sparkling apple cider. This little lady is 5 months preggers! She is having a baby girl ;) Congratulations Georgina!



Saturday and Sunday were extremely laid back for me. With Jon being gone, there's not much excitement happening on my end. ;) I read, watched movies, read some more, watched more movies, and read again. What is it about Sleepless in Seattle that just pulls on your heart strings?

I have this weird fear, that when my Twilight books end, I won't have anything else exciting to read. So I am trying to put off finishing these books, but finding it extremely hard to put them down!
I have to say I am looking forward to reading the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. True Blood the HBO series is based off of these books and I absolutely loved the first season of True Blood, so I think I will completely enjoy her books. I just need to order them soon!

I did another haircut this weekend, slowly picking up the business again, I know it will take some time. At least I have some regulars and more and more new clients are making appointments! Yippie! I guess at the end of the day, it is a blessing that I am not as ridiculously busy as I was back in the states! It was hard on Jon and I, me working 60 hours a week and not getting home until 9 most nights! Part of me is glad I am not working that hard, but part of me misses staying busy and seeing all of my wonderful Okie clients everyday!
At least I am meeting new clients and friends!

I am getting back into scrapbooking! A couple of years ago, I went scrapbook crazy and made everyone in my family scrapbooks. From my mother, to my dad (a manly scrapbook), my grandmother, my step sister and Jon's mother, I definitely went to town on some scrapbookin'. But I remembered how much fun it was and how I could let my creative juices flow, so I rummaged through some boxes in our basement until I found some of my old stuff. I am extremely low on paper and embellishments, etc. etc. etc. But I did manage to pull this page together this weekend. I thought it would be a great idea to start one for our adventure in Europe. I love my blog, but I wanted something else that I could keep forever! I know, it's soooooo sentimental, but ya know, when you get older you realize the important things. Now I've got to find a scrapbook store here, I MISS YOU HOBBY LOBBY!



I'm just getting back into the swing of things and with more practice this book will turn out great!

I also threw this vase together before girls night on Friday!
I am really liking it now! Kinda rustic lookin.'


Today, I'm starting on the 4th book of the Twilight Series, Breaking Dawn! So looking forward to it! I cannot......... let me stress again, CANNOT wait until Twilight comes to our tiny theater at the PX! I believe the first showing is Monday, Jan. 26th. I'm dyin here! I've been dying to see it since before it showed in the states! Hurry up already Germany and get with the times ;)

Because it is SO STINKIN COLD in Germany right now, I thought I'd make stew for dinner tonight! Nothing's better than comfort food on a cold day! I walked to the grocery store this afternoon, and I'm not kidding when I say, it hurt to breathe! That's how cold it is, that my lungs were cussing me all the way to Rewe!

I made Minestrone, my mom's recipe and it's been stewing for a while.
You guys definitely have to try this, this recipe is so easy! and ridiculously amazing, especially heated up the next day.

Minestrone

2 pounds ground beef (I use ground turkey)
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic finely shopped
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans
1 can (12 ounces) whole kernel corn
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 small zucchini, sliced
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni (I use whatever noodle sounds good on that day) 3 cups water
2 teaspoons instant beef bouillon
1-1/2 teaspoons salt (I just add a dash it's gets really salty, I'd taste test at the end before adding salt)
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasonings

Cook and stir ground beef, onion and garlic in a large stew pot until beef is light brown. Stir in tomatoes (with liquid), kidney beans (with liquid) and remaining ingredients; break up tomatoes with fork. (I use stewed tomatoes sometimes too, that way their not so chunky)

Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until macaroni and vegetables are tender.

And voila! Easy as pie!



Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Another hobby!

A couple to three years ago I really got into crocheting, I know I am such an old lady in a young woman's body! But I love to make scarfs. I used to make scarves all of the time at the salon if I had a break between clients or just during the weekends when there was nothing to do. It is so relaxing and therapeutic just like making jewelry. Jon and I went out and about a couple of weeks ago and found a yarn store, I literally lost it with excitement! We grabbed some yarn so I could start crocheting again and here is what I made! My first homemade scarf of the year! Isn't Jon such a wonderful model!



Now I can keep up this hobby and have some fun accessories to wear for the winter! I am such a busy body I love having all sorts of hobbies, well maybe it's because I might be a little A.D.D. or something! I like to have little things to do around the house to keep me occupied! I get bored very easily. Anyway just wanted to share a picture of my new scarf with you guys!

P.S. I do owe my best friend Lisha a scarf that I promised her like two years ago! I'm sorry I will finish your scarf this year and when you visit in December I will have it for you!! I LOVE YOU! OH NO! And I just remembered Brian my bestest buddy I totally forgot I have a scarf for him too that I was supposed to finish for him last year! SO SORRY! I will have it for you when you come visit too lol! Sorry, I'm a sucky finisher of scarves! Maybe I have too many hobbies and need to stick to one thing at a time so I can actually finish something in a timely fashion!

Have a great week ;)

See You Later Alligator!

This weekend was a busy, busy one! It was such a wonderful time getting to spend our last weekend at home with our families! It is a weekend we will both cherish forever! We are so blessed to have such amazing family and friends! To our families and friends, Thank you for everything you have done for us! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Friday Night!

Friday evening, Jon and I went to a going away party for one of my long time friends Melissa. She is actually moving as well and starting a new life in Tucson, Arizona with her boyfriend Joey. Joey is going to school there. I can't believe we are both moving on the same exact day, August 1! We have known each other since 9th grade and was the maid of honor in my wedding. We were both cheerleaders together and have definitely been through a lot together. I will miss her very much! Her mother was kind of like a second mother to me! Melissa and I were attached at the hip all through high school. I remember staying at her house all the time and making Rotel queso and drinking Dr. Pepper. Those were great times that I will never forget!


Melissa and Myself

Dylan (whom I've known since middle school)
Joey, Melissa, Jon, Me, Janell (who also cheered with Melissa and I)
and Archie her husband, Archie and Janell are newly weds!
They were just married July 11 in Jamaica! Congrats to them.


Saturday Night!

My mother and step father threw us a big shin dig at their house in Oklahoma City. We had the best array of food! We had 1,000 ribs! (It seemed). My mom made homemade potato salad and homemade beans. We had salads and rolls, lots of fruits and deserts. And some great family and friends to make the night even better!
What a wonderful night this was! We are so blessed with such great family and friends!

Look at all those ribs!

So yummy!

Everyone!

My brother Sean and I

Jon and Jon

Me and my mom

Jon and Sean

Me and Jon's mom Brandii

Jurrii, Jon and Brandii

My step sister Kim and I, isn't she so beautiful!

Me and my step dad Steve

Jurrii Duttii and Me

Brian and Me! My twin brother from another mother!

My best friend Lisha and myself! I'M GONNA MISS YOU

Jay, Liz and Me
Liz and Jay are 3 months pregnant! Jon and I are so happy for them! They are going to make the best parents!

Jessica, Chris, Liz and Jay! We're going to miss these guys ;)

Brandii and Brian eating cheese cake bites and strawberries. Brian mixed the two together and said it was like a party in his mouth. Silly guy!

Brian, Jay, Liz, Jessica and Chris

Lisha, Chris, Me, Jon and Brian

Brian, Jessica and Chris cooling off by the pool.

Brian and Me! I MISS U ALREADY!

Brian, Jessica, Jon, Chris and Myself!

Sunday Funday

Sunday morning Lyndsay came to the house and picked me up so we could spend the day together. We first went to Target so I could get some last minute things for our move to Germany. Afterward we ran a couple more errands only to end up at the beadery, Allouettes. Lyndsay and I spent FOUR hours at the beadery and had such a blast. She made the cutest necklace and I made a necklace for myself. It is my favorite one yet. It was actually a really tough necklace to make so Lyndsay, after finishing hers, had to help me figure out what I was doing. She actually finished it one side of it for me, because I didn't have the patience to do it myself ;) But it turned out wonderful! I was so pleased with it, I have worn it constantly since we made it! Time went so fast that by the time we looked at the clock it was already 4:00 and I had to rush back home to get ready for the cookout we were having for our families. I was so glad I got to spend that time with Lyndsay because she has become such a great friend to me! She's done so much for me. I'll miss her a lot. I did take a picture of my necklace so I could share it. I hung it from the wall so I could take a better picture.


Later that evening, Jon's parents, sisters, my dad and step mom came over to spend time with us! We also had Brian our best friend come, Lisha and Lyndsay my great friends came as well! We did a little cooking out and just had some great fun! We ate like little pigs and afterward played this hilarious game called Apples to Apples. It is a card game. If you haven't played please go buy the game. It will be well worth it. The game is so much fun for a group of people! We had a blast with everyone and are so grateful for the time we got to spend with them! We are going to miss everyone so much but know it won't be long before we get to see all of them again!

Look at all this chicken Jon made!!!

Lisha, Lyndsay and Me making veggies!!!

My dad and brother being silly!

Me and my dad!

All of us playing Apples to Apples!

Jurrii, Brandii, Jon, Jon and Jennii