The "We can't handle marriage" Article

I of course like most people in my generation get most of my news from the internet.  Most of which are stories that I look at and think "Seriously?  This is what you are paying people to research?"  Here are some from this morning:

• How  Hulk Hogan's ex-wife spent her big divorce settlement.
• Butt sculpting tips of celebs.
• Pharrell was fired from McDonald's three times.
• Obama visits Bob Marley Museum in Jamaica
• Best and Worst ballpark beer values.

Now, just because i think these are pointless, don't think I didn't click to find out where to get a cheap beer, how awesome the museum is, and why in the world Pharrell was not a good fast food employee.  None the less, I feel absolutely no smarter having read any of those, yet I don't regret the 2 minutes I spent on them.  Sometimes our brains need a break people!!!

Anywho, as I was going through some of the "news" stories, something peaked my interest because it said "We can't handle Marriage anymore".  Um, okay?  So of course I watched the video and read the story.  For those that don't know; 9 times out of 10 the video says the EXACT same thing as the article below it.  It is just there with pretty pictures and to keep you interested longer.  

For those that haven't read the article, here is the article.  We can't handle Marriage anymore.  It really was an interesting read.  I think each relationship is different, so of course I don't feel every one of them applies to my marriage.  Here is what I liked best

"Best advice, throw out those cell phones. Put the phones away, put away the social media, put some boundaries around when you're going to be online and really try to connect with your partner. Communication is the number one thing In a marriage and if you don't have it you might as well toss it out the window."

Now, my husband doesn't have a cell phone.....shocking I know!  That reason is a whole can of worms in itself, but he no longer has his.  However, he does use his old smartphone as a computer/tablet/internet when we are at home.  We way more often than I would like to admit hop into bed and immediately both get on our phones looking at social media that most certainly can wait until the next day.  I mean, who isn't dying to know Kim Kardashian's new hair color; but pretty sure it can wait til morning.  But if you think about it, more than likely you have been going all day long whether it be with your job, kids, friends, life, cooking, etc, and is it really necessary to keep that phone with us for 20 minutes in bed?  Chances are you haven't had time for great conversation, or quiet snuggling with your spouse yet today, so don't let the phone be a barrier between that.  

One thing that drives me CRAZY, i mean CRAZY is seeing a table of people in a restaurant all sitting on their phones.  Seriously people?!?!?!  Enjoy each others company.  We were at a chain restaurant about a month ago, and there was a couple seated near us, and they BOTH sat on their phones the entire time!  I often just stared at them waiting for one of them to look up and speak, but nothin!!  The husband even ate his wings with one hand and had his phone in the other hand flipping through God knows what!

Put the phone down and spend some time with your spouse/partner!  You might discover that you actually still like them!!!  I know that I shared this article with Trent, and both of us want to try to be better about the phones in bed thing.  We obviously don't have the problem while eating out because, well, he doesn't even have one!

The Baking War

Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies

For those that know me, know that I would be happy as a clam cooking in the kitchen ALL. DAY. LONG.  Now, I am not saying I am the best cook in the world, but family still asks me to brings things when we get together and it keeps the hubs coming back for more.

That being said, my baking skills....aren't exactly in the same category.  I have never been good fond of baking because I don't usually like to follow a recipe.  I like to see and taste things, then make them my own.  90% of the time, it fares well.  Except for that time I made butternut squash ravioli, and well......we ordered a pizza!  Baking always has too many rules.  What I have figured out though is that if you follow those rules, most of the time what you are cooking turns out well.  I have been baking desserts for our weekly staff lunches and they have all been a hit, so maybe I'm not as bad as I think I am!  This has gotten me in the baking spirit!

Case in point this week.  Trent has been driving the bus for the winter overflow shelter, and Monday night was his last night.  So, he asked me to make something sweet to give to the other guys on their last night driving.  Sure, I can whip that up for you.  Thank goodness he gave me a 5 day heads up because; yes; it took me that long to find the right thing to make.  Decisions, decisions!  Do I make a cake? (no, I want to keep my cake plates), do I make a pie? (who makes pies??  Well, my mother-in-law does, but I could never replicate hers), bars of some sort (What fruit do I use this time of year that everyone would like), do I make cookies (winner, winner)!  And a winner indeed.

I needed something that tasted amazing. Like baking was what I did for a living, but without too many steps.  With me and baking (KISS: keep it simple stupid) is always the best philosophy.  One day I hope my skills land me first prize at the local fair!  Don't joke, those people can put out some good desserts!!  Granted I probably wouldn't win without a story about it being a recipe handed down from generation to generation and pops and I would always go to the groves and pick the fruit ourselves, but I digress!!

I went with Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies.  The photo above is the picture from the recipe website.

Here is how mine turned out: And yes, since they touched my hand, I had to eat them!

They were a hit and I have already been asked for the recipe.  Even my 3 year old nephew walked in his kitchen at home asking for auntie's cookies!  SCORE!! 

Here is what I did differently from the recipe: You didn't think I would follow it EXACTLY did you?!?!?!

-I used a little over a teaspoon of cinnamon.  It added great and distinctive flavor

-I skipped the step of rolling them in sugar.  I tasted the dough and thought that it was sweet enough as it was.  after eating them, I don't think I could imagine them being much sweeter.

So, baking isn't so bad after all!  I just still have to put my own "Ashley" touches on it!  I just have to!

Happy baking!

Gifts vs. Experiences

Tomorrow is a big day!  Well, maybe not as big as it was 6 years ago, but still pretty special!  Trent and I will be celebrating our 6 year anniversary this weekend!

6 years ago we were in paradise celebrating with families; and well, this dude getting out of the pool!

Insert your moment of the sappiness of all of the lovey dovey things people say to each other on days like this.  I will just say, I still love this nut as much  more than the day I married him!

People often ask "What did he get you for your anniversary?", and I have to stop and think.  We don't generally do gifts for each other.  This will be the first year that we aren't going away on a little getaway for our anniversary.  Well, except for that time we lived in New Bern and were so broke we lived off of canned peas and mac n' cheese.  We aren't "gift people".  We prefer to take the money that we would normally use and spend on a gift, and put it towards an experience together.  If there is something that either of us wants, we generally wait til we have the money for it, and then get it ourselves.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't turn down a gift.  He has surprised me before and gotten me something anyways (and vise versa), but not every year.  We are the kind of people that prefer to take what money we do have for things like anniversaries, and spend it on making memories!  Though one day we may lose our minds and not remember all of these things, I wouldn't trade the time together for anything.  The gift is time together!  In the hustle and bustle of life, we can forget to slow down and really enjoy each other.  Heck, and we don't even have kids yet!  So, I can imagine that one day we will cherish our getaways even more.

Oh; I don't even buy cards most of the time.  I will go to the store and look at them, then if I find one I like I take a picture of it and show Trent later!  Cheap?!?  Who you callin' cheap?  Cards are expensive!  I prefer to take my $6 and have an extra drink at dinner!

Okay, okay, enough of the mushy stuff!  I do have to share our favorite place for a getaway.

Old Edwards Inn is a place to go when you want to spoil yourself!  It is tucked away in the little town of Highlands, NC.  If you are anything like me....take the Dramamine!!  As you get close, those roads are miiiiiiighty twisted!  I think I just gave myself a headache thinking about it!  However windy the roads, it is SO worth it.  Since our anniversary is in March, we are there during their quiet time.  They have all sorts of accommodation options; but we prefer to stay in the Historic Inn portion. 

 What makes this place stand out is the attention to detail and the customer service that everyone on staff offers.

This is not a place to go if you are looking for a busy to do trip.  What draws us is that there is not much to do.  except the spa....oh the spa!!  We go during the week and at times have been the only people in there enjoying the amenities.  Perfect way to relax for sure!

Or, just sit by one of the fireplaces with a good glass of wine and enjoy your afternoon.  Don't just take my word for it.  Seriously.....check it out!

We are off to a hopefully wonderful dinner this evening!  We are trying Fratellis.  Of course I will let you know how it is!  Thanks for asking!

What's your Motivation?

For the longest time I would never get anywhere with bettering myself.  Whether it be physically or emotionally, I never seemed to grow!  Correction....my waist line grew, but my mind did not!  I started on this true lifestyle change journey a year and a half ago, and haven't looked back since.  Have I had ups and downs?   YES.  Days when I have had 2 brownies when I needed 0?  YES.  Have I had days where I wanted nothing to do with a workout, but instead thought all day long about putting on my PJ's when I get home?  DUH....have we met??  But all of that is why I have stayed on track!

I used to have unreal expectations of what it meant to "lose weight" or "live a healthy lifestyle".  The day something clicked in my head is the day my motivation changed!  That is a good feeling.

This photo is what I used to think would motivate me to want to change my eating habits and daily routine.  I would get the Victoria Secret magazines in the mail and cut out those pictures and tape them all over either my closet door, or my refrigerator door.  In the long run, this did nothing but hurt what I was trying to do.  That picture....is not me!  Nor, will it ever be me. Every time I would look at the photos, all it would do was mess with my head and make me so mad at myself that I wasn't there and didn't look like her after one month of working out and eating right (well most of the time anyways).

Once the light bulb went off in my head and I learned that my workouts, eating, and motivation could use a face lift, it is amazing the things that can happen.  Pinterest became my best friend.  That may sound a little weird when talking about a healthy lifestyle because isn't that where we all get those decadent recipes that are the most uhealthy things on the menu?  But it helped me find my motivation.  I went from the gal in the skimpy 2 piece that was airbrushed all over, to this; it is amazing the difference in myself!

I love to go on Pinterest and search the Health & Fitness section.  Not because I want to look like some of the fitness models in the work out demonstrations, but for tips on how to stay on track and especially for the sayings like this one.  

So, what motivates me?  Switching my closet door photo gallery from the 5'10 bombshells that my 5'6 self would never be, to what inspires me to be me and keep going!!  I still have pictures up on my closet door, but they are pictures of saying just like this one.  Once you find your positive motivation, look out!  You will be unstoppable!  It is not a perfect journey, so therefor I am not perfect at it.  Once I gave that "perfect" image the boot; I was able to start working on being the best me I can!

Cluck goes the chicken

I have made a couple of great chicken meals this week.  One I can take complete credit for, the other I had some help from my love Trader Joe's.  TJ's and I have shopping dates several days a week.  Trent knows, but he is okay with it.  So when I went to put in my pictures for the homemade chicken chili I made....I DELETED THEM!!!  I don't know what I was thinking but I kept hitting trash can instead of share....so typical me!  So, all I have left is the final product.

Add a little fat free sour cream and low fat cheddar cheese....so delicious on a cold night!

Here is the recipe:

-6 skinless boneless chicken breast

-1 Tall box chicken Broth

-1 48 oz. can tomato sauce (Same water)

-1 16 oz. can diced tomatoes

-1 can drained and rinsed black beans

-1 can drained corn

-1 sweet onion chopped

-3 cloves of garlic minced

-1 can green chiles

-1 packet taco seasoning

Start by cooking your chicken breast in a pot submerged in chicken broth.  While that cooks, in a large pot, mix everything else together and let those flavors start to marinate together.  Once chicken is cooked, shred it, and add to the other ingredients.  Add some of the chicken broth as you see needed.  I added about 3 ladles.  

Once all the ingredients were in the pot, I let them cook for about an hour.  Hint: it was even better the next day.  

Chicken Burgers:

I also made some of Trader Joe's "Lime Chili Chicken Burgers" last night for dinner.  So quick, so easy, and so yummy!

Broil them on each side for 4-5 minutes.  I cooked the first side, then when I flipped them over, I added tomato slices to them to broil on top of each burger.  Once they were done, we didn't feel bread was necessary, so I topped them with avocado and a little Texas Pete.  Trent was skeptical, but raved about them.  Bravo my other love!  Chicken burgers. are. awesome!

Krazy

I am the worlds worst at making excuses as to why I can't walk/run/exercise...I'm too tired, I have a headache, my toe hurts, I don't have time, I might have to go to the bathroom, it's too cold or hot outside, I would rather have a drink, etc.  You know the feeling?  Sometimes your excuses don't reeeally make sense, but in your head at the moment they do.

I have done this for years, and I know a good part of it is because quite simply put: I don't enjoy walking and running.  Those things are not fun to me!  I am not saying a nice family walk with the weiner dog is out of the question, I am saying that is not exercise that I find enjoyable.  I have still yet to find someone smiling while they run; thus leading me to question if anyone actually does.  I have come to the conclusion that they must otherwise they wouldn't continue to do it.

All of that rant to say, I have never been more excited to exercise in my entire life!!!  I have found a new love, and each morning when I wake, I get excited to start my day knowing I get to go to the Kraze!

The Kraze

About a month ago I was sitting around watching the Biggest Loser eating a doughnut...I give you complete permission to judge me at this moment!!  When I realized, I WANTED to be motivated, I just didn't know where that was going to come from.  So I got to thinking, there are 2 fitness things that have always been on my "Bucket List".  The first is to be to try my hand at rowing, and the second is kickboxing.  Both things I would never think of myself doing.  

The Kraze is a local gym with no frills or fanciness to it, but they have some great group classes, one of which is an LA Women's only kickboxing class (Enter my Excitement)!  I inquired online to look at the class schedule, and someone called me the next day to set up a night for me to come on in and try it out....I felt like I had to go even though I was trying once again to make excuses in my head as to why I couldn't.  I took one class, and I was hooked!  I have never had so much fun sweating in all of my life.  It was a butt kicker let me tell you, but in the best way possible.  It is a COMPLETE body workout that is great to work out a little frustration too!  We signed up that night, and the next day I went and bought me my first pair of boxing gloves.

Yes, they are pink....but it was my only color choice.

Of course, this is all still new and exciting, and Trent has said he hopes it doesn't wear off, but I got to thinking.  I have never gone for a walk and come home and said...I can't wait to go do that again!  These classes are Tuesday & Thursday evenings at 6, and Saturday mornings at 9....who would ever think my ass would be out of bed on a Saturday morning if I didn't have somewhere to be or my house was on fire???

So my words of wisdom for today are to find something you love doing, and do it!  Try something new!  I was scared to try it because in my head I was thinking "everyone in there will know what they are doing and I will stand out like a sore thumb"  my oh my was I wrong.  

I think my sister "Bump" said it best "Everybody has a first time.  This just happens to be yours"  How true, how true!

Stella Brew

Insert the Hallelujah Chorus....there is a local beer and wine shop that has come to Ardmore!!  Literally RIGHT down from our house.  Trent is just beside himself!  They have been open about a month now, and seem to be doing a good business.  Since it is so close to our house we drive by there every day, and they always seem to have a little crowd.

The owners are super friendly, and you can tell he is SO passionate about what he is doing.  What is this gem called you ask?  Stella Brew!!

They have quite a selection of craft beers, and not a bad wine selection either!  Here are a couple of my favorites so far:

This ha been my favorite by far!  It comes from the "Old Speckled Hen" company, and it is wonderful.  I prefer old crafty over old speckled because it has more flavor.  It has a richness that I can't explain very well, but of course I shall try!  To me, if you were going to infuse brandy into a beer....this is something like what you would get.  It has a great malty finish and the flavor that sits on your palate is just yummy!!

I was pleasantly surprised by this one!  It of course is a full bodied beer, but the vanilla is not too....in your face!!!  To me it has some coffee undertones to it.  Also, a great choice.  The great thing about some of their beers there, you can mix a 6 pack.  The best part is...they are already cold!  Most mix a 6 you can do are not cold, so this is a bonus!

Even though it is 9:30 in the morning as I type...I am already looking forward to one of these this evening!

Happy sipping!!