A Learning Experience

Brian and I tackled a HUGE feat this past weekend, and I mean HUGE. He got me behind the wheel of his car!!! Scary!! Brian's BMW is a “stick” shift vehicle, and I have still not learned how to drive it since we have known each other. This was such a big deal because the last time we drove it was shortly after meeting each other. I think we had only been dating about 3-4 months. We went to a high school parking lot in Tuscaloosa on a whim one afternoon and decided to have a driving lesson. Well, that driving "lesson" has kept me from getting behind that wheel again for two years!

Now let me pause there for just a moment as I do not want Brian to look like the bad guy. We were both not ready for the events that transpired that day. Our relationship has obviously remained stable even after this event two years ago. Haha! Keep in mind we had only been dating a few months when this escapade happened. Brian was unaware of how I deal with difficult situations I just can’t “get” right away (I break down and cry), and I was unaware of how easy he thought this would be for me. After all, he had never really taught a girl how to drive a car. When I asked Brian how he learned and who taught him, his response was, “No one really. I just picked it up after a few tries.” Brian can try anything once and pick it right up as if he has done it for years. I make EVERYTHING look awkward and uncoordinated. I guess opposites do attract!!

This issue has been rising ever since that day. He has been persistently trying to get me to drive. After running out of excuses (i.e. weather, too dark outside, wedding planning…) I eventually gave in and agreed to try again. We've also combined our auto insurance now which gives more push to drive this stinkin' car since I am listed as a driver! So, Saturday morning at 10:30 AM, there we were again-- another high school parking lot, me behind the wheel, and Brian teaching.

After one hour of practice, a more patient teacher, and a better listening student, I drove the vehicle! Now keep in mind, my driving peaked at about 30 mph, but nonetheless, I drove! It was a great start. I only "stalled out" one time! I don't think Brian has ever been more proud of me and that makes me so happy! It makes it all worth it. This was a great learning experience, not only for the obvious reason, but also for our relationship. Everyone handles difficult situations in different ways. We all cope in our own way, and Brian and I had to figure this out and learn this about each other. I’m so fortunate to have an understanding husband who is willing to understand my craziness and nervousness about what seemed to him “no big deal.” I have a feeling we will continue this new teaching method for many weekends to come. I'll keep you posted if I hit the highway. (That way you'll know to stay home that day!)

Sunday Suppers

Bacon-Wrapped Blue Cheese Stuffed Chicken

This recipe is courtesy of one of my favorites: Rachael Ray. If you don't like the strong taste of blue cheese, you will not enjoy this dish, but if you do, you are in for a treat! Lucky for me, any mention of cheese and bacon to Brian and he is drooling. This was surprisingly easy and extremely delicious. It also makes a gorgeous presentation! Make this tonight!!

Ingredients:

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• black pepper
• 4-5 ounces blue cheese crumbles
• A handful arugula leaves from bulk bins, chopped
• A handful spinach leaves from bulk bins, chopped
• 4 slices bacon (We used more than one piece on each chicken breast. :))

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Using a small knife cut into the thick end of the chicken and make an incision reaching 2/3 the way down the breast.

Loosen up the incision with your fingers to make a hole.

Season the chicken with pepper.

Combine the cheese with arugula and baby spinach and stuff the breasts.

Spiral-wrap the breasts with the bacon tightly to cover the meat evenly.

Place the chicken on a non-stick baking sheet and roast 20-22 minutes until bacon is crispy and chicken is firm.

Yummmmmm!!!! How good does that look?

The Apt Tour

Welcome to our home!

Here are a few quick photos of our new residence! It is still a work in progress, but we have the place pretty much furnished. We have a few blank walls left in our living room and bedroom. If you have any decorating suggestions or tips please share! We think our place is quite "homey" now!

This is the entrance/very short walkway.

Our dining room! We have a small Jerrod Brown Photography shrine on the wall. Many more to come once the wedding photos are ready!

Our kitchen! Many, many wedding gifts are in this picture! :)

The other side of our kitchen. It is open to the living room.

Our laundy room and pantry. Brian installed this shelf on the wall for us to have extra shelf space. He has been Mr. Handyman so far!

Guest bathroom

Guest bedroom. I allowed Brian to hang all the Alabama pictures in here. What Alabama fan doesn't have a 'Bama' room? haha.

Our living room. Brian was playing video games.

Those days are now over that school is back in session....

Our Master Bedroom! Still blank walls....

I love our new bedding!! Mrs. Williams made our personalized pillows!

The master bathroom

Ok. I just had to include a picture of our closet. Please notice that is completely EVEN. No one thought I could do it. I gave Brian an entire side of the closet and the back wall. I have my extra clothes in the spare closet, not his. This deserves to be shown!

Sunday Suppers

Brian and I love Mexican food. I mean, we really loooooove Mexican food. We eat it AT LEAST once a week (usually on Friday nights for dinner). Every time I suggest a Mexican type dinner to Brian, his face lights up with excitement. But when you cook Mexican at home, there are only so many times you can use the Old El Paso dinner kits before you get tired of it. I've searched for new recipes and here is one I'd like to share that is not only a slight twist on your average quesadilla, but also healthy for you!

I plan to try and share a recipe on most Sunday nights. Sundays always make me think of home cookin' after church. We typically get groceries on Sunday and eat in. This dinner was actually the first cooked meal we had at our dinner table in our new home! :)

Easy Chicken-Mushroom Quesadillas

Ok. So next time I do a Sunday Supper, I will give more step-by-step instructions and photos. I know this may not look too appetizing from the ONE photo I have, but it is. You just have to trust us.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 8 ounces white button mushrooms (1 carton)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves, sliced into ribbons
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 (10-inch) whole-grain flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese mix or Cheddar
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and mushrooms and cook until the mushroom water is evaporated and they begin to brown, 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add chicken, cumin, chili powder, and oregano and stir until spices are incorporated. Add spinach, salt and pepper and cook until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.

Lay 1 tortilla on a flat surface and sprinkle with 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Spoon 1/2 chicken and vegetable mixture on top of cheese, then top with an additional 1/4 cup cheese. Top with another flour tortilla. Heat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray over medium heat. Carefully place 1 quesadilla in pan and cook 3 minutes until lightly browned and cheese is melted. (Brian likes this part because he gets to flip the quesadilla like an omelet in the skillet. Scary for me, fun for him!) Repeat with second quesadilla. Slice each quesadilla into quarters. Place 2 quarters on a plate with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 2 tablespoons salsa. Enjoy!

Hello Blogging World!

Hello there and welcome to my blog! I've decided to try out blogging as a new interest/hobby. If you know me, I have a problem with saving things and not wanting to let anything go. I would say I can sometimes be a bit of a pack rat. Anyways, my point is I like to keep memories. Who doesn't? I scrapbook (even though few are completed), I have a TON of photo albums, etc. I've just recently married Brian on June 19th (yay!), and newlywed life has been wonderful so far. I've decided blogging would be a brilliant idea to keep the memories of our first years together and keep friends and family updated and what's going on in our new life together. My goal is to keep this blog going as best I can during our busy lives. You may be learning something new about me...or Brian. Brian is not a true fan of my blog by the way, so I promise to mention him as much as possible! :) I hope you all enjoy!

What better way to start a "Newlywed" blog, than to show the first things newlyweds do together.....the Honeymoon!! I know many of you have seen our pictures on facebook, but for those who haven't, here are a few of my favorite memories.

Hanging out at the pool.

This was my favorite lunch spot. What a view!

At the Bluff Pool.

An awesome shot of our private patio and pool!

Mud Bath!

Another view of the Bluff Pool.

The Pitons

Pictures from our photo shoot. Romantic.

A "prom pose" I actually like!

I love you!