My Nanad

I was getting ready for bed and I almost forgot to do my thankful post. I did forget yesterday. :( So I'm going to do 2 tonight to catch up. This one will be for yesterday.

I am thankful for my Nanad. Although he is no longer with us, I have wonderful memories of him that I will always cherish. I was very close to both my grandparents and great grandparents growing up. All of my family lived in the same town, and we were always together. For that, I am also thankful.

Anyway, back to my Nanad. When I was younger, my Nanad worked for SPS (now Excel). He used to take me to work with him. I had my own little lunch pale and hard hat. I would color while he did his work. I loved being out there with him.

He was always willing to play with me. He helped me practice for softball -- playing catch with me, teaching me how to bat, etc. He even drilled a hole through a baseball and attached it to a rope. (He probably could have bought one, but I thought it was so neat he made it instead.) That was one of my favorite ways to practice batting. We'd also go fishing together.

In case you didn't know, I'm a Denver Broncos fan. I don't always keep up with the team, but I like watching them from time to time and I've got my Broncos memorabilia. (As I've mentioned before, I don't really enjoy watching any sport on TV no matter how much I like a team.) I grew up watching the Broncos with my Nanad and will always be a fan.

I miss him every day, but I am so thankful for all of the times we had together and the memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.

New Recipe Results

Before I did my thankful post today, I just wanted to give you a little update about the recipes I tried out last night. The crock pot buffalo chicken was yummy! The hubby and I both liked it. Success! We decided to add it to our rotation of favorites. To find the recipe refer to the link in my previous post.

The sweet potato fries weren't much of a success. :( They were decent in flavor, but definitely were not crispy. I'm going to have to keep working on that one. With a little practice, I'm sure I can get crispy sweet taters one day!

What's For Dinner?

Today, I am thankful for the ability to cook. I like to cook (and bake) a lot! Just ask the hubby! :) I'm also thankful that the hubby is willing to try new things and is NOT a picky eater, unlike me. As a matter of fact, I'm trying a new recipe tonight. It's buffalo chicken sandwiches cooked in the slow cooker (Crock Pot). I got the recipe from My Kitchen Apron. She has some great recipes on her blog. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

I'm also making sweet potato fries with dilly dip. I've made sweet potato fries before, but they didn't get as crispy as I would have liked. So I've found a new recipe I'm going to try and if it turns out, I'll share it later. The dilly dip is a mix I bought from a small antique/craft store in my hometown.

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

Dirty Dishes

Today, I am thankful to have a dishwasher and a husband who helps with the dishes (when I cook) that can't be washed in the dishwasher. When he cooks I help with the dishes. We've perfected a routine of helping each other and doing daily chores and tasks together! :) It makes it much more enjoyable and seems to help it get done more quickly.

I know some people don't have a dishwasher and it is a luxury that I am thankful for often.

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

Care Packages

Today, I am thankful for care packages. I just love getting them in the mail. Yes, I still get care packages from my Mom, Nana, and Gran. It started when I went away for college and they haven't stopped yet! :) I got a package today that had things from each of them. It's so nice to know that they are thinking about me and the hubby (they send him stuff too) when we aren't around.

There were some awesome Christmas decorations that I will post pictures of once I decorate (which won't be until after Thanksgiving). I really enjoy decorating for each and every holiday, but I firmly believe in celebrating one holiday at a time. I think it's just like the seasons of our life--we should focus on the one we are currently in and be content. There was also some things for baking Christmas goodies. I LOVE to bake and cook! So treats like this are always appreciated.

There was also a catalog from my Gran. She gets the neatest catalogs in the mail and forwards them to me. The last one she sent had some really neat college gift ideas. Yes, I know I'm an old soul. I still like shopping from random catalogues (the kinds that only your grandparents and great-grandparents receive) and I say things like "neat".

Oh! And how could I forget to mention the Boston Terrier Christmas cards in honor of our Rueger! My family knows me so well. It makes my heart happy. :)

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

Working 9 to 5...

It's a way to make a living. It's a Dolly Parton song, just in case you didn't know! And I'm not exactly working 9 to 5. I'm currently not working, but that's about to change.

When the hubby and I first got married, we decided I wouldn't work right away. I had just moved and he had already been here for about a year. We thought it would be good for me to take some time to get adjusted to the big city life! I had never lived in a place with a population of more than 260,000ish people, and now I'm in a place of 1,000,000+ people.

Anyway, I've had ample time to get familiar with the area and I've learned my way around. So I began looking for a job. I did the whole job search grind--applying, interviewing, applying, waiting, and more applying. Finally, I found a job that is somewhat related to my degree. I received an offer today! Praise the Lord!

Today, I am thankful to have found a job.

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda

Rock & Roll Car

Do you name your car(s)? I don't know what it is about my family, but we name our cars. Yep, each person's car has a name and it's usually a girl's name. But my car, well, my car is a dude! That's right! My car is named Mr. Berry, after Chuck Berry to be exact. See the factory color of my Saturn is Berry Red, so it only seemed appropriate to name the car Mr. Chuck Berry. :)

Ol' Chuck has been good to me since 2004 and is still truckin'! Today, I am thankful for my car (that my wonderful Mom bought for me). It has been a great, dependable mode of transportation that always gets me where I need to go, and it's still going strong. Hopefully it lasts us for a couple of more years because the hubby and I like not having a car payment. That is definitely another thing we are thankful for.

Well, look at that--two things I am thankful for today. See, we can always find things to be thankful for. Blessings are all around us!

Until next time,

XOXO Amanda