addressing those deep seeded camping phobias.

Growing up, I didn't come from what you would call a 'camping family'. I don't have those fond memories of my family of six squeezed into our tent, roasting hot dogs around the campfire, and fishing in the early morning sunrise.

I grew up detesting camping.

And all things outdoors for that matter. But allow me to explain: this 23-year-hatred was through no fault of my parents. Don't get me wrong, I loved my version of outdoors, where I got to control it -- biking, swimming, and playing in my childhood town, but if they ever suggested that I go out of a 30-second radius of running water and indoor plumbing, I blocked out the bad parts of my childhood behavior, I probably threw a mini tantrum whining that there's no way I would be caught dead peeing outside.

To me, camping was all things that I disliked the most --  rolled up into one disgusting package.

I would complain all the time (it's too hot...it's too buggy). I hated sleeping on the ground. I hated getting bit by mosquitoes. HATED it. Oh, to little seven-year-old me that was the worst thing ever about summer.

Chad on the other hand, grew up loving it. And still does. Which is why when his parents suggested that we come out to the lake they were staying at this weekend, he said yes.

Now, I'm slowly warming up to the idea of camping and this experience was a nice way to dip my toes into the camping world since there was a camper on-site and a beach/park down the road with public bathrooms.

But, I toughed it out -- not as much as Chad's parents and sister...but I came a long way from when I was a kid. I slept on the floor of a tent, and minimally complained about the mosquito bites I was getting and the lack of shower I had.

Because I realized that the reason that Chad grew up loving it was because it is really enjoyable. I liked swimming in the lake, was eager to get on the boat and fish, and liked doing things I didn't think I would enjoy (like fileting a fish).

On the way there, I was driving through the deeply wooded Wisconsin back country roads and I actually requested that Chad find some Johnny Cash and play it right then. "Because" I told him, "I think that I'm only in the mood to listen to old school country when I'm camping or fishing". Then with mock horror I said "Am I turning into one of these country girls that I never liked?".

Well, so what if I am. :)

from this weekend -- me: the recent camping convert holding my second fish...ever. wearing a genuine smile.  
husband: photobombing. doing what he does best.

pancakes for one.

Let's face it. Whenever Chad is out of town and I'm left fending for myself food-wise, my creativity goes right out the window. I usually have a meal calendar that is pretty detailed with ingredients listed and groceries to buy, but that is when there is more than one person to feed. And, usually, I'm the meal planner and Chad's the executioner (especially since he's the only one who will get close to the grill). Since Wednesday, I have had suppers of scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, and trail mix; leftover burgers and almonds; and cereal. You know you're at the bottom of the culinary food chain when eating cereal for supper is not a far-reaching concept.

But, today was different. I had to make something. Dirty more than just a bowl or a skillet. Follow a recipe for Pete's sake. So after my morning workout, I knew that my normal two eggs scrambled (I don't think you guys realize how much I eat eggs -- Chad knows that if I had it my way, we'd have eggs every day) wasn't going to cut it. I pulled Breakfast by Williams - Sonoma from the kitchen shelf and modified their blueberry pancakes recipe a little.

Blueberry Pancakes
(adapted from Breakfast by Williams - Sonoma)

get these ingredients together:
*1 c. whole wheat or all-purpose flour
*1 T. sugar
*1 tsp. baking powder
*3/4 tsp. baking soda
*1/4 tsp. salt
*1 egg, lightly beaten
*1/2 cup + 6 T. milk
*1 T. butter melted and cooled
*blueberries, fresh or frozen

then do these steps:
01. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir until well mixed and make a well in the center. Pour the eggs, milk, and butter into the well and then gradually whisk until the ingredients are well combined but still lumpy. Gently stir in the blueberries. (The batter will be quite thick. I put a little more than 1 cup of flour into mine since it was a little runny.)
02. Cook the batter -- is there a better word to use there instead of 'cook'? I don't know...'bake'? You guys know what to do -- when the batter starts bubbling, flip it over. I learned that method from my dad when I was barely able to see over the stove top, and it still seems to be working for me after all these years.
notes: The cookbook says that the batter is thick and they are right.Spread the batter out over the griddle thinner that just ploppin' it on, like I did the first time I made these. Also, these measurements are more like 2 to 3 servings -- perfect for Sunday morning leftovers before church.

To sum it up, Chad...come home soon. I can't eat cereal for every meal. :)

two years.

images of our wedding day captured by: Jeff Loves Jessica 

People have asked us in the past couple days, "so what are you two going to do on your wedding anniversary?" to which we reply, "we don't know." Because honestly, there isn't much that you can do on a Tuesday night when you both have to get up the next day for work. So, I am spending the day doing the routine -- gym, errands, walking the dog, lunch together, cleaning, laundry, supper, and TV watching.

There are a few surprises sprinkled in to make the day a little more festive, like anniversary cards in the mail, phone calls and text messages sending well-wishes, putting wedding pictures onto Facebook, a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge waiting for supper, and a bouquet of pink + orange tulips, but mostly, it'll be just like any other day.

And I'm okay with that. I signed up to live every day with Chad, however normal or extraordinary God makes those days. I know a few years down the road we might be celebrating our wedding anniversary at our dining room table with a baby in a highchair, my hair up in a bun with no makeup on, and a few more years might be even more noisy with more kids around that table. I don't need expensive jewelry or chocolates (although I have never said no to a good truffle) to make me remember and appreciate the significance and blessing of our wedding day. I just need my husband.

Always.

So happy anniversary to you, Chad. Because even though it might seem like a normal day, normal is good with me. Because my normal is you.

absent and present.

Let's play pretend for a post, shall we? 

Tonight, you came over to my house. It's been a good three months since we've truly seen and spoke to each other and during the Bachelorette commercials, I begin to tell you all about what I've been up to. While we share a bottle of sweet white wine, of course.

I'll tell you of my overwhelming past couple months. Like how I'm finally done with school and found out that I'll be teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade next fall, and how excited/terrified the idea of being in a classroom full-time makes me.  And I'll tell you how this semester was one of the busiest times of my entire life -- how I regret the lack of attention and time that I gave to Chad, our house + its upkeep, God, our marriage and other people (friends and family) in my life. I'll tell you how I regret being absolutely consumed with school since February and how, I didn't know how to handle everything any other way. How I had to be happy (or at least satisfied) with how I handled myself, because if I wasn't then I would feel like I had let myself down instead of praising my accomplishments, as simple as they might have been.

How I feel bad about how distant I'm been from my blog, a passion of mine, and photography (a blog's partner-in-crime) and how both have been sitting on a shelf so to speak, collecting dust. How at the end of a busy night after spending hours typing a paper, the last thing I had energy for was more computer time. How my therapy was the weekends spent lounging around my house with Chad and Leo, going to the gym and cooking up meals.  And that, even just the simple act of arranging flowers into 3 vases for our church altar on Saturday/bouquets for our mothers sparked the creative part of my personality that had been dormant for the past 4  months, buried under lesson plans and work samples.

And, that's the point of the evening when you'll interrupt my babbling, noting that it's been two hours, the Bachelorette is over and you need to get up early tomorrow. I'll tell you that I'll be in touch, promising to share photos of our wedding with you, our trip from last summer; both of which you haven't seen hardly any of, and other happenings in our (less busy) life here. 

That's where we leave each other, promising we'll make plans, if not daily, than several times during the week, telling each other that we can't let this much time pass between us getting together. Promising each other and ourselves that we will get together, even if it's just a short time during the day.

Now, back to reality...I'm really looking forward to putting myself into my passions once again! :)

P.S. Photo//pin no. 240731542551441628

instagram // easter sunday.

I can't think of a better way to start using Instagram than by using it on Easter Sunday. Pastels, sparkles, candy, flowers -- these are all in the arsenal of things-Amanda-likes-taking-pictures-of. And luckily, Instagram heard my plea of letting Android users make use of their app by letting us download it last week! Thanks Instagram! Girlfriend is digging on all the filters. :)

Above you see snippets of my Easter Sunday: 
01. My sparkly sparkle flats that I will try to wear on every holiday. If you can't wear sparkle flats on Easter (the greatest day for our reassurance of God's power)...when can you wear them?
02.Blossoms from my apple tree in the backyard.
03. My Easter basket from my in-laws....I mean, the Easter bunny. I think it'll always been know in our family that Easter 2012 was the year that I accidentally told a kid about how the Easter Bunny is fake (kids, avert your eyes). Luckily, I recovered quickly and his mom told me that there was no harm done on Sunday (he still told her the Easter bunny came by the house) but I still felt a little bit like a dream-crusher.
04. Dyeing eggs on Saturday while watching the Ten Commandments. Every year I think I'll be really creative and incorporate fabrics, yarn, ribbon, a la Martha Stewart, but then when it comes down to it, nothing beats the original.

If you are interested you can find my Instagram profile @projectsimplelife.  
Any veteran Instagram users have any tips for your novice friend?

Easter hopes

photo by: ZilaLongenecker

I hope that you see sunshine where you are today.
I hope that you get to be with loved ones on Sunday.
I hope that you get to eat candy from a plastic egg.
I hope that you enjoy being with the people around you.
I hope that you smile at little girls with white lacy hats.
I hope that you wear something in the pastel family. 
I hope that you get to go to church this weekend and hear about Jesus' sacrifice + glorified resurrection.
I hope that you have a happy Easter weekend!

simple roast chicken.

And, I wouldn't say that this is simple roast chicken if I didn't mean it. I've told you guys before (see no. 1) that I tend to dry out the meat I cook and cry in the corner while Chad fixes us something else.

But this meal, I have made twice and can attest (so can Chad) that I have been successful both times! Since you are roasting the meat, it does take longer (don't be making any plans for about 4 hours) but like all things -- Good things come to those who wait. :)

Chicken in a pot with garlic
(via Rachael Ray Magazine)

get these ingredients together:
*2 T. extra-virgin olive oil
*4 1/2 pound whole chicken
*2 halved lemons
*35 unpeeled garlic cloves
*4 chopped rosemary sprigs
*crusty bread

then do these steps:
01. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
02. In a large dutch oven, heat 1 T. Extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, breast side down and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Turn, then  squeeze the lemons over the bird before stuffing into the cavity. Drizzle 1 T. of extra-virgin olive oil over the top and season with salt and pepper. Cover and roast in the oven for 30 minutes.
03. Scatter the garlic cloves and rosemary around the chicken, cover and roast for 30 more minutes. Uncover the pot, increase the temperature to 375 degrees and roast until the juices run clear when the chicken is pierced with a knife, about 25 minutes.
04. Transfer the chicken to a platter; using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic to the platter as well. Dip slices of crusty bread into the pan juices, then toast until crisp. Serve with chicken and roasted garlic.

notes: Simply delicious. When I've made it, Chad + I have had to force ourselves to stop eating it since it is just so darn good! We have found that the garlic cloves after they've been roasting, makes this paste that is perfect on top of the bread.

___________________________________________________________________

If you want, make it this weekend. Maybe while you watch the Mad Men Season premiere! I'll be hanging out with nephew, UJ! :)

a saturday night dinner party.

Last weekend, on St. Patrick's Day, Chad and I went to our friend Bethany's charming apartment for some traditional Irish food. As I typed that sentence out -- I was thinking to myself "Wow, could that be any more drained to flavor and excitement? Why would they care about who I had dinner with." As I think about so many times when coming up with content. :)

But then I took a minute to think about how I write for myself and my memories. Because further down the road I'm going to want to remember the fabulous dinner party that my friend threw on St. Patrick's Day 2012. I'm going to want to remember how I had never tasted corned beef before this dinner and just how good it was when paired with cabbage and vegetables. I'm going to want to remember being at the table with my husband on one side and Bethany on the other being truly grateful to have friends -- friends who I haven't seen in months and then in one night have all that time spent away from each other completely erased. I'm going to want to remember how hot it was in the apartment (not your fault, Bethany!) because it was 80 degrees in March. in Wisconsin. I'm going to want to remember laughing hard at the jokes people my parents' age made while thinking to myself "this is something adult people do -- hang out with older adults...and like it!" I'm going to want to remember Chad getting in the car moments after we left and already planning our own corned beef game plan in his mind...

__________________________________________________________________

I wish and wish you have a Bethany in your life because life is dull without her. She just sparkles like it's her job (and probably most her days do involve glitter at some point) :) If you don't have a Bethany, you can borrow mine by checking out her blog: Rinse.Repeat. and liking her Facebook page too! 

Some fun links re: Bethany --  her photos from the St. Patrick's Day dinner party, the instax camera she's giving away, and last but not least, her wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty today!!!

And, yes, she truly is this amazing and creative in real life. :)

what I like about... // my younger sister.

H + me rockin' our marching band shirts back in Mankato....and yes, she's always been this cute.

Just like I did with my older sister for her birthday, I had to continue the trend and share some things I like about my younger sister. Hannah's birthday was earlier this week, but she's singing in her high school tour choir right now (I think somewhere in Missouri right now) so she won't see this until she gets back -- that excuses my tardiness, right Hannah? :)

what I like about... // my younger sister Hannah.

01. She's 17. Which means she's still in high school. Which means she knows about trendy things like The Hunger Games and Modcloth and Pinterest (and hers isn't filled with pins about bulletin boards and free worksheets like mine). 
02. She's 17. Which means I get to teach her things like what rated-R movies are worth her time, what spots in the parking lot should be avoided, and when to apply for financial aid in college.
03. She's the creative soul in the family. She has such a perceptive mind -- she's the only one that thinks of adding handmade name cards to the Thanksgiving table.
04. She watches shows like Doctor Who. Which automatically makes her the hippest younger sister ever.
05. She pulls off ray-ban sunglasses, skinnies, and cardis like a pro. I sometimes wish we were the same size.
06. She's grounded.
07. She's giving.
08. She's funny + goofy -- like the rest of the family.
09. She's caring + sensitive.
10. She's faithful to God in all that she does. I pray as her older sister that I can help her continue to be.

The end of my sap-fest. :) 

spring breaking.

So ... spring break came at the perfect time in my semester.

For reals. Now I know why college kids don't blog.

Last week it was the perfect storm of future assignments, night classes, papers, lesson plans, and on, and on, and on. My breaking point was almost reached and I was thisclose to snapping (or melting into an emotional wreck).

Then God gave me spring break. God soothed my soul and gave me the week off. A week to re-energize for the next two months of long nights in front of the computer while some Real Housewives franchise is shouting at each other in the background. But I am taking these days of just working, working out, and being. Being with my husband and dog and enjoying life. Being me again. Not the me that is spread in seven different directions in one day.

Spring break is my blessing. And I'm taking it.

P.S. God also decided to give us late spring/early summer weather this week and we've been spending every night outside. The pictures above were taken by Chad on Sunday afternoon in between playing catch and water breaks. :)

love poems from my great love.

you radiate brilliance

side effect: stupor

symptoms: dry mouth and nervousness

_________________________________________________

what did you do to me?

you made me complete.

when did it happen?

still taking place as we speak.

________________________________________________

i dream of you

it puts me fast asleep

you don't need to move to knock me off my feet.
______________________________________________

i believe when our hearts met 

it was more than random.

now going a day without seeing your face 

is something i can't fathom.

but if i make it through a few 

it means i'll see you soon

because simply being in your presence

can heal any wound.

in the mail.

 Question: Do any of you still send Valentines to your loved ones?

I'm sure my love for Valentine's Day mail stems from my immersion in early childhood + the day care kiddos I'm with every year: I look forward to getting 'miss amanda' scribbled all over the front of a valentine with characters from Cars 2 on the front and chalky love hearts attached in a baggie.

My valentines to siblings and schoolmates aren't covered in glitter and they don't have a tootsie roll pop sticking out, but they do come from the same place in my heart that they did when I was in elementary school and gave cards during my class party. I want to make my loved ones feel special and loved since they do the same to me.

________________________________________________________

Curious where I got these? I dug them out of my craft box a couple weeks ago and remembered that I bought them when chronicle books was having a sale. Find your own box here: the little box of I love you.

p.s. Just have to say... best new artist! so proud. :)

five senses.

seeing // my new February meal calendar. This month, I'm learning the great skill of organization + planning ahead that was perfected by my mother. With some of my school days lasting from 7am all the way to 8pm I have to pack my lunch + backpack + life with me into the car. So, I had to plan an entire month of meals that we can whip up when we walk in the door home from the gym or work.

hearing // Bon Iver on the radio. Bon Iver on SNL (tomorrow night!) and the Grammys (next week!).We are thrilled for our hometown band!

smelling // sweat. at the gym. (does that gross you out?) That really isn't my intention but I have to share my proud fitness moment with you --- out of the past 34 days, I have gone to the gym + gotten my sweat on (whether it's at classes or the elliptical) 28 days! (eek! Is this really me?) For a newly conformed regular at the gym, this is an amazing feat. I don't know where my inspiration is coming from, but I want it to last!

tasting // mint chocolate chip frozen yogurt. Yes I know that I just said that I'm a gym-goer, but it's our favorite weekly guilt-free (almost) that we share...in small bowls of course.

touching // the laptop keys. With school in full speed again, I am tied once again to my favorite/least favorite slave driver. Sprinkling a pinterest session into reading education articles is the best way I learn. :)

what I like about... // february.

The next installment of my 'what I like about...' series is about February.

Now, my husband and I used to be very melancholy about this month, wishing for its swift departure out of our lives and just bring us to March. But not this time around. This time, we've got events, things, and to-do lists to conquer.

what I like about... // February. 

01. Melting (as of right now). Even if there might be more three more huge snowstorms here in Wisconsin, it's nice to know the sun can still warm the frozen snow.
02. My trip to a professional development conference next week. This is my first one for my career and I'm kinda excited. Which is really nerdy. But I'm still excited. :)
03. A wedding in three weeks. Family. Food. Pretty dresses. My neice and nephew. Photo possibilities galore -- what more could I ask for?
04. Valentine's Day. I love pink, remember?
05. Getting one month closer to student teaching. It can't come soon enough.
06. Lip balm. Silky smooth.
07. The beginning of Lent. An important time to reflect on sacrifices.
08. It's a short month. Not as short as it usually is, but it's still short...

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Curious about my desktop background picture? Check out Smashing Magazine -- they do really fantastic monthly installments of new backgrounds. View February's post here.

Here's the rest of my what I like about series.