7 Quick Takes

--- 1 ---

I've always loved doing the quick takes, but lately I've loved it even more. You might have noticed that my blogging has become a bit sparse. I'm trying to catch up on my wedding/honeymoon posts STILL, and I did  do a couple guests posts, but lately I've appreciated having the quick takes to sort of float my blog along until life quits being so crazy (ie we are moved in and settled!).

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So are you ready to hear about last week's date that I planned? I got the idea from Love Actually which has quickly become one of my favorite blogs to dig through! I adapted it to my own liking and we had SO much fun! We did the camp out idea. I ended up making my own invitation with camping guidelines. I named the campground after the street our new house is on, since the camp out took place at the new house! I wanted to make a fun memory in the house before we moved in, so when I saw this idea, I knew it was a winner!

 When we got to the house, we enjoyed pigs in a blanket in front of the campfire :).

Later on, we read ghost stories (I printed them offline so there was no pressure to come up with something scary on the spot).

For dessert, we made SMORES! YUM!!! 

 See? My campfire was awesome! :P 

We had a blast and I'll be using that blog many, many times for date inspirations!

--- 3 ---

We did have a few fails, including glow in the dark stars which did not glow, even after exposure to sunlight AND they pulled paint off the walls when we took them down (good thing we hadn't already painted!). Also, we didn't actually stay the night because his parents were coming super early the next morning to help us work on the house and I didn't want to have to pack extensive overnight bags since we have nothing there yet. So, I put on the guidelines that we had to return to the 'cabin' at 11pm. Honestly, I don't think either of us minded not sleeping on the floor!

--- 4 ---

I finally made a perfect loaf of bread this week, after many imperfect loaves. I've read about how bread machines can be a bit finicky, so I didn't want to give up. The only problem? I'm not 100% sure why it turned out perfect because, in a frustrated huff, I didn't measure exactly (a huge no no in bread), doubled the honey, and doubled the salt. So yeah.... who knows if I will ever have a loaf that perfect again! I have a feeling the salt in the original recipe may have been too low and that's why my loaves were coming out sort of holey in the middle. It meant that about every other slice couldn't be used for sandwiches, which is the only reason I make it in the first place. I love, love, love white whole wheat flour.

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Steven's parents came last weekend and helped us get SO much stuff done on the house! Steven's dad is super handy, and we are the opposite of handy, so it was nice to have his expertise on some small things that we certainly didn't want to have to hire out. We: fixed both storm doors, patched a big hole in the living room, spackled small holes, began taping to paint the trim, mowed the yard, weeded the garden, fixed a roof shingle, replaced the baseboard in the master bath.... and I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting. We also met both next door neighbors while we were out doing yard work. The one neighbor is renting his house out, but gave us his contact info in case we have any issue with his renters.

 The hubby mowing the lawn. No that's not our house. Or that one. Or that one. This is our side yard, so you can't see our house from this picture. 

My father in law fixing the shingle.... I'm sure he'll love this shot of him.

 My mother in law spackling the bajillion holes.

Taping, which I did for hours that day, and on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, annnnd we're not quite done!

--- 6 ---

Last night, we attended the Fortnight for Freedom mass. You probably shouldn't kill birds with stones with it comes to church, but there were 3 birds killed, if we're keeping count. 1- Of course the main issue.... fighting for religious freedom. 2- I've always wanted to see St. Joseph's so I was excited to see that's where the mass would be held. 3- They were having a cookout after sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and, though we are painfully socially awkward in large groups, I like when we push ourselves to do things outside our comfort zone. And food always helps. Anyway, the mass was really beautiful, and it was nice seeing how everything was handpicked (readings, songs, etc.) for the cause.

--- 7 ---

And because I'm oddly out of things to say.... here's a never before seen wedding picture. Oh don't worry, I've got about 700+ of those ;)!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!