Ten Things

Ten Things (I bet you didn't know) About Jake and Courtney:

1. Jake sleep talks. A lot. One time he dreamt a baby bird had flown into our bed, so he woke up in a crazy rage and killed it. Only there was no baby bird, just a freaked out wife and a clump of sheets...

2. I'm an awful gardener. I blame my mom for this one (sorry mom but you didn't teach me!) or the Okie heat. My herbs are the only plant that survived the summer season. I bought seven. All dead. Sigh.

3. If Jake had his way he would keep the housing at a chilly 68 degrees all day. He loves having the house freezing. It's probably all of those years spent in Utah.

4. I'm a sugar freak. It's a problem. Sugar cereal, Mike and Ikes, baked goods...I'm like a little kid who can't stop. And I think that's why I get migraines. and acne. Well that and stress.

5. Jake hates hot pancakes and hot syrup. He puts his pancakes in the freezer until they're cold enough for his liking. Then he spreads peanut butter on top.

6. I tend to leave things open. Like cabinets, or the gallon of milk in our fridge. Jake and I had many "discussions" about the toothpaste cap when we first got married. So I started buying the kind that has it connected.

7. Jake claps when he's passionate about something. Like when he thinks something's really funny. Or when BYU is about to take the field. It's loud and obnoxious.

8. I am an impatient driver. If you slam on your brakes BEFORE you get in the turning lane... you bother me. If you take two hours to turn at a green light... you bother me. I'm getting bothered even thinking about it.

9. Jake chooses to set his alarm HOURS before he has to get up (I think this is a Kearns thing) He loves waking up and knowing he still has an hour or two to sleep. It seriously stresses me out. Once the second or third snooze goes off I'm wide awake worrying that he's going to be late if he doesn't get out of bed. So now he goes into the extra bedroom after the first alarm to carry out his illogical snoozing.

10. I'm very judgmental when it comes to eyebrows. Dear world of women... stop over-plucking. Go easy with those tweezies. Let them face hairs grow. And I promise it's okay to trim your eyebrows and please pleeease fill them in with pencil with shadow, no one's brows are perfect.

Five Years

Five years ago Jake and I were starting our college years at Utah State University.

Sometimes I dream about the autumn afternoons spent lounging on the quad
or the cold mornings I consumed white hot chocolate at the Merill-Cazier Library. 

Thanks USU for bringing Jake and I together!

Those four years were the best yet.

to read about how we met click HERE

idea (via)

telegrams

Hello blog world! It's been a slow two weeks. 

Although I miss Idaho desperately 

it's good to be back with the husband and my DVR :) 

We finally got some rain here in Oklahoma which was very nice. 

The cooler weather makes me very anxious for fall. 

I'm already creating my fall to do list. 

1. Still makes my heart melt. 

2. Day one of my new nanny job! Love these girls. 

3. Vienna and the giant Light Brite

4. My nightly bowl of PB Crunch. Also known as human dog food.

5. Thanksgiving attire. Classy.

6. The Zipper. No thanks.

7. The Morning Sun Spot.

8. Dog park with friends.

(Jake ran into the pond after a big dog pushed Maizey under water. 

Such a good daddy...)

Music Monday

Back in the country.

Rainy Days

Ten Things to do on a Rainy Day

1. Buy a pair of rain boots.

2. Jump in puddles with your rain boots.

(or drive through them in your heated car)

3. Open up your windows so you can really hear the rain.

(do not do this in your car)

4. Light a candle or two. 

5. Drink some tea or hot cocoa. 

6. Turn off all the lights and look at lightning.

7. Read a book and curl up in your heated blanket.
(don't forget your fluffy puppy)

8. Make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.

9. Collect some rain water for your hair. 

(a soft water rinse makes your hair soft and shiny)

10. Watch one of the following movies: Somewhere in Time, 

Steel Magnolias or Step Mom.

Flashback Friday/Brother Birthday

Yesterday my wittle brother turned sixteen. Normally I would be terrified and very protective of his ability to date (and kiss...) girls. But Kendall isn't like other teenage boys. His interests consist of Kayne West and the Idaho Falls Country Club. And I'm grateful for that.  Let's just hope it stays that way... until graduation at least. Behind that farmers tan and extra low voice hides a big heart and hysterical personality. Any girly would be lucky to have him.

How To Be Fabulous.

A letter to myself...

How to be Fabulous: 

Get up early. Go on a walk in the morning light. Bra-less and without makeup... nothing is quite as peaceful.

Try new things! Eat fresh foods and smoothies. Take time and pleasure in your meals and be creative. Oh, and remember to drink lots and LOTS of water.

Keep a journal, read, and be inspired. You'll be shocked by the things you teach yourself just by writing down your thoughts. Or sketching out your dreams. I sometimes flip back the pages to a year or two before to see how much I've grown. The younger and more dramatic Courtney is rather entertaining.

Exercise and clean to upbeat music. The time will fly by and before you know it, you've lost a few hundred calories and finished all the dishes while dancing. This is my new favorite workout song....
and this...

Take the time to make yourself pretty. Not for anyone else but you. Putting in that extra five minutes to curl my hair and apply eyeshadow boosts your self confidence tenfold. Besides, your husband deserves to see the premarriage face every once in a while! My favorite beauty website is....

Indulge in at least one melodramatic, ridiculous television show a week. Not only is it entertaining but it makes you feel better about your quiet and mellow lifestyle. Some of my favorites are Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Downton Abbey, and Bachelor Pad. To name a few. Don't judge me.

Plan things to do with new friends. I don't care if your single, married and childless (hollah at me one time) or married with five children. You need time with your friends! Set up a play date or book club. Plan a dinner group or game night! It gives you things to look forward to.

Meditate before bed. This is something I always seem to forget. Stretching before I sleep instantly relaxes and takes away all worries. It also keeps one from feeling stiff and sore the next day. I also play "brown noise" on loop while I sleep, it keeps me from thinking about all of the things I didn't do that day and blocks out those loud airplanes and early to work husbands.

Read this whenever you're feeling down and unmotivated!
(photo via )

Creamy Italian Chicken

 Crockpot Creamy Italian Chicken

Another fantastic recipe from Amy Kearns. 

This is the ultimate comfort food.. so tender... so creamy... 

So good for you. Hah. 

4 chicken breasts

1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix

1/3 cup water

1 package (low fat) cream cheese softened

1 can (low fat) cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

White or Brown Rice

Place the chicken in the slow cooker. 

Combine dressing mix and water;

pour over chicken. 

Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. 

Whisk together cream cheese, soup, and sour cream

and pour over chicken.

Cook 1-3 hours longer or until chicken juices run clear.

Serve over rice.

Oh, and try not to eat all four chicken breasts in one sitting. 

I know, it's hard... but you'll regret it if you do.

Idaho Telegrams Part Two

I'm back in Oklahoma. It's a miracle!

I was gone a total of eighteen days.

Too too long. But it was a blast.

There are some special people in my hometown

and it was a huge blessing to spend so much time with them.

Now I'm back to my other life here in the still hot hot OK.

I'm thrilled to be back with my husband in our home :)

1. Champagne Chicken, stepmum's specialty.

2. These kids have been married three years. Couldn't be happier for them!

3. Pregnant besties who babble about babies all day long. But I love them still...

4. Snuggling up to fluffy muffin and missing my man.

5. Annual Lava Trip with my sisters!

6. My favorite spot in IF. 

7. Allyson, the up and coming Taza.

8. Goodbyes :(

9.  Happy girl!

10. Three years ago I was getting married here. 

11. Mckelly.

12. Ali's hitched! 

13. Mother working her magic.

Three Hour Tour

 Here we go...

           Kendall being lazy. As always.            Maizey the adventure dog. She was so cold.

 Hmm was this suppose to be a "float" mom? Because Kendall's the only one floating.

 Meesen.

My mom was determined to get us on a raft today and against all odds, she succeeded. 

I have to admit that I did not want to go... 

after being gone for two weeks I find that my energy and motivation for this trip has vanished.

But I wiped the tears, put a smile on and jumped in the car!

It was a family bonding at it's best, even though we were missing some

 important members of our clan.

How I wish they were here!

Music Monday

Mat Kearney + Ingrid Michaelson. Nothing better. 

And I'm loving this Passenger song... He's got a weird James Blunt thing going on

but I'll embrace it.

Idaho Telegrams

Wow, what a week! 

Idaho has been crazy like always, 

and I'm missing my husband like crazy. 

I'm loving seeing old friends though.

And the cooler temperatures are sure nice...

1. In and Out with my pops. 

2. Reagan the toddler. When did this happen!

3. Rexburg trip with mini me.

4. Kell's new hobby. She's a cowgirl.

5. Swinging in the trees up in Palisades. 

6. Chick Fil A madness!

7. Snake Bite Feast.

8. Brielle has interesting friends.

9. Mick and Maize.

10. Momma and Mason.

11. War Bonnet Rodeo, hadn't been in over six years!

12. Bareback bucking. I wouldn't want their chiropractor bill. Ouch.

13. Sniffing Tory's ashes.... no words. 

14. Cole's Wedding! Such a pretty bride.

One more week!

Zella's Chocolate Cake

I'm a big chocolate fan. 

And this, my friends, is the most delicious, moist, and fudgy chocolate cake out there. 

I know, I've tried them all. 

A special thank you to Zella Nelson for making this cake on a weekly basis while I was growing up.

Because everyone knows, a teenage girl needs a regular helping of chocolate to survive.

Zella's Chocolate Cake

Prep: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter/flour a sheet pan

Step One: Mix Together

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda

Set Aside.

Step Two: Melt on Stove

1 cup butter

1 cup water

4 T Cocoa

2 tsp Vanilla 

Simmer and combine dry ingredients with those in sauce pan.

Step Three: Turn off stove and add to mixture

3/4 cup Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt

2 beaten eggs

Stir until smooth! 

Pour into prepared sheet pan and bake for 20-30 minutes.

It's quick.

(you can also use a bundt or 13x9 with a longer bake time but the sheet is my fav)

Frosting: Do on Stove

1/2 cup butter

4 T Cocoa 

2 tsp Vanilla

approx 4 cups of Powdered Sugar.

Evaporated Milk to desired consistency

Oh boy.

Melt until smooth and fudgy.

Pour over cake.

It's that easy.

I usually let mine chill for a while before serving, 

but some like it hot if you know what I'm sayin.

Sometimes I shave some White Chocolate on top for some extra razzle dazzle.

ENJOY!

Gold

 From This...

 To This...

These girls brought tears to my eyes as I watched them take home
the gold medal in women's gymnastics.
Especially after witnessing Jordyn Wieber's heartbreak on Sunday.
 They are so talented it blows my mind.

So proud to be an American!