Pioneer Woman's Marlboro Man Sandwich

If you haven't heard of this food blog, The Pioneer Woman, you really should check it out :)

She cooks delicious, filling, (sometimes not-so-healthy but oh-so-yummy) meals. And she's a funny writer.

For tonight's dinner I decided to try this steak sandwich. Yum! The meat is very full of flavor.

(Photo Credit: The Pioneer Woman Blog)

Changes I made to her recipe:

- I wouldn't use butter on the onions but some olive oil so it's not so fatty

- Substitute 1/2 large onion or 1 small onion (instead of 1 large one)

- Add 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced to add to the onions

- I did not/would not add 2 tbs butter on Step 4

- Top with pepper jack (or your favorite) cheese

:) Let me know if you make it too and what changes you made!

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Full of Thanks

This week I officially started my new job as an instructional aid at a charter school in Sacramento.

I am so thankful for it. So thankful.

The staff, the parents, the fellow aids, the students... they have gone out of their way to be so welcoming.

I have 3 main jobs at the school:

1) help the kids in K-3 grades who are struggling academically

2) help the kids in 2-6 grades who are ahead in class academically with challenging lessons

3) help the teachers grade, make copies, lunch duty, tying shoes, zipping jackets, etc.

I laugh a little inside every time I say phrases like the ones below, all of which I said today:

"I need you to make good choices right now."

"We need to persevere."

"That's not a nice word. We don't say mean words to each other. Please say 'I'm sorry'"

"I don't care who started it, it needs to stop."

"What do you think it means?"

I'm thankful for work, especially work I enjoy! I'm looking forward to getting my credential (I'm looking into programs) and continuing to teach and be around little ones. I truly enjoy my days around such wonderful kids.

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Confession

Philippians 4:6-8, 9b

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hears & your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.

9b ...and the God of Peace will be with you.

Confession:

I've failed miserably at becoming a Christ-like woman since... well, a long time.

I have not pursued the Lord on my own.

You know, like, opening my Bible outside of church to see what's inside? To hear from the Lord?

I have worked on becoming a better person, but not a woman of Christ. And those two look deceivingly similar- but one is empty, full of thinking good thoughts and becoming a good person... and the other is full, lathered with joy from Jesus and peace in all circumstances.

After a week of anxious dreams, months of fighting unwarranted bitterness & anger bubbling inside, and a few days of intense frustration, I desperately needed my Bible like a glass of water on a hot day. There was nothing else that could possibly fill that void.

First, I had to find my Bible. And once it was in my hands I read multiple passages regarding anxiety/anxious/anxiousness. This one from Philippians hit home.

Hopeful it will be a drink of water on a hot day for you too.

Philippians 4:6-8, 9b

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hears & your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.

9b ...and the God of Peace will be with you.

So here's to a new year full of pursuing the Lord on our own and becoming more like him. Not just a thinner, stronger version of ourselves. Although that's not too bad either ;)

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Easy Slow Cooker Jambalaya

I found a recipe on Pinterest that was a hit tonight!

(It's a thick soup- pictured above it doesn't look like soup)

It tastes a lot like this soup below, which happens to be my favorite!

Here's a link to the original recipe, but I thought I'd show my version since I made some modifications and the website has a million pop up ads that are annoying!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 pound hot sausage (unless you don't like spicy, then other saussage)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes with juice
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole spice mix (I used Creole and it turned out great!)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• some parsley chopped to taste
• sprinkle ground cayenne red pepper to taste, if you like spice!
• 1 3/4 cup long-grain rice (I used brown long-grain rice)

Directions

• Chop up chicken into large bite sized pieces.
• Combine chicken, onion, green & red peppers, celery, tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth and all spices (minus the parsley) in a large (5-quart) slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 hours.
• Slice sausage into bite size slices (mine were about 1/4 inch thick) and fry on the stove. Or you can grill it then slice them into pieces. Put aside in fridge.
• After 5 hours, add in the rice, sausage and parsley and turn to high for as long as it says to cook the rice.
• Serve with crackers, or whatever you like. :)

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Year One

Jeremy and I have officially been married one year tomorrow! Wooo hoooooo!

In many ways it's flown by, and in other ways it feels like our wedding just happened.

I can hardly believe that living in El Centro, Pasadena, Pleasanton and Sacramento all happened in the year of 2011!

We also vacationed to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for our honeymoon, Minnesota with the Aaron family, and Maui, Hawaii staying with Tiffany and Jon Russo!

I started, worked and ended my own marketing business. Jeremy transitioned companies. I applied for probably 400 jobs over the course of the year. Including one for an inmate. (If you haven't read this story, you have to.)

Despite the many transitions we have encountered, the boxes and bubble wrap that moved us each time- we have truly enjoyed all of the places we've been and lived this year. Yes, even El Centro. It was our home and MAN did they have amazing prices on produce!

Do you know HOW many jalepenos you have to buy to get a POUND? Lots.

We learned a lot together.

How to handle disappointment and how to celebrate.

How to make friends and how to say goodbye to them.

How to prepare for our future and how to live in the moment.

How to live with both families and how to live with each other.

How to transition and how to settle.

It's obvious that when I think of this year I think of change. But I also think of an immense amount of growth we've had personally and in our relationship. Growth is HARD- no exception to that. But it's so good, and produces such strength. It's hard, but it's worth it.

The Lord has been good to us. He has provided us encouragement and support from our wonderful families. I had no idea I could get even MORE wonderful friends and grow closer to the ones I have, but it happened. The Lord is faithful. He answers prayers.

I also had no idea I could fall more in love, but that happened too. I look forward to being surprised by this wonderful realization each year. :)

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

DIY Boyfriend Slip

So I needed a slip for the one shoulder ruffle dress I was going to make (that turned into a one shoulder shirt you can find here).

Jeremy had mentioned he wanted to throw out some of his old undershirts so I figured they were fair game for me to cut up for my idea. Don't judge the pits.

1. I cut off the sleeves

2. I made two cuts from the neck line to the shoulders, cutting it open.

3. I pinned up the side and jumped inside and adjusted the pins to fit me best.

(Yes, that is Pride & Prejudice on the TV)

5. I took it off and sewed the sides along the edge.

6. I had an extra awkward little flap that I pinned and sewed a triangle so it stayed down

7. I took it off and hemmed the top where I wanted.

(Not pictured below)

And TA DA you have a boyfriend slip. Get it? Cuz it's a slip made out of your boyfriend's undershirt? Husband slip sounds too boring and so not trendy.

It is a little snug so I have to wiggle it on, especially since I'm not lacking in the booty department. But once it's on it fits nice and snug.

I think it took me 15 minutes. Maybe longer to figure out the pins? Not long.

And now I don't have to pay to buy more slips for the dresses I'm making!

Stay tuned.

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Sewing My First Shirt

Welp, I sewed my first shirt! It didn't start off intended as a shirt, it was going to be a one shoulder dress with a ruffle top...

BUT I don't like to follow directions and would rather end up with a one shouldered shirt then sit down and follow patterns. And I couldn't find a tutorial for what I wanted so I thought I'd give this a go!

So, I just started cutting.

AND Jeremy is out of town so I can stay up late watching chick flicks (Pride & Prejudice & You've Got Mail to be exact) and sew into the night.

I started with some cotton fabric I got from the Fabric District in LA with my sister-in-laws. I think it cost me around $2 at the Michael Levine store (the upstairs one where you buy by weight).

1. Got a tank top out of my closet and laid it on top of my fabric.

2. Cut about 3 inches extra around the whole thing (excluding one shoulder so I only had a one shoulder top)

3. Flipped the shirt on the fabric so I'd have a mirrored image of the one shouldered tank top and cut it out

4.Pin the shirt together around your body so it fits how you want it to.

Wouldn't this have been a cute dress?!? Kicking myself for not cutting it longer.

Live and learn. Next time ;)

5. I hemmed all the raw edges.

6. I pinned all the seams and sewed them so that the hemmed edges were inward... look at a shirt you have if that doesn't make sense. Iron the insides flat so they don't poke you.

I can't wait to sew more! I really enjoy it- especially making it up myself.

Until next time!

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Life Resolutions

I've never made New Year's Resolutions mainly because I've never intended to keep any sort of resolution. Why start when you're planning on stopping?

Many of you know, I have a very picky stomach. I am effected by stress, nerves, citrus, sugar, fiber, parasites... you name it.

When we moved to Pleasanton I woke up one morning and I was sick of it. I was sick of being sick. Of feeling nauseous after eating what other people consider "normal." I was ready to be healthy and feel good, no matter what that sacrifice looked like.

So, I started eating multiple times throughout the day so I wasn't overloading my system 3 times a day. I started eating smaller portions- SO difficult for me. I stopped ordering sugar drinks and only would take sips of Jeremy's. I packed my suitcase a few days before we left for a trip so I didn't stay up late and upset my stomach. The list goes on...

Since summer I've felt the best I've ever felt. I feel like I have a normal working body for the first time.

Finally I have a eating lifestyle that I feel GOOD about.

So here are some new life resolutions I have to be the healthiest version of myself. Some of them started in the Fall, and some I am just now getting into practice.

I think it's important to recognize what FEAR has kept me from making this a practice already in my life and what TRUTH do I need to adapt to make this happen.

- No sweets/fatty foods after dinner.

Goal: Reduce feeling overly full/sick.

Fear keeping me from this: Missing out. No longer following my craving.

Truth I need to adapt to make this happen: You'll be fine. And feel better. It's worth it.

- Exercise at least 3 times a week. Cardio minimum of 30 minutes, weights/resistance for arms and abs, fitness classes, racquetball... whatever it takes.

Goal: Toned, energized, stronger.

Fear: Time management. Procrastination. Don't want to be too muscular in my arms (trust me, it can happen).

Truth: To be healthy this is a must. Non-negotiable. And only you notice your arms- get over it.

- Stretch EVERY day.

Goal: Flexibility and healthy muscles.

Fear: Time management. Procrastination.

Truth: You make time to write this blog and do countless other unimportant things, you can make time to stretch. 15 minutes a day isn't that much.

- Nightly devotions/prayer with Jeremy before bed. Note: this would be a good time to do daily stretches while we talk.

Goal: Get to know God and each other better.

Fear: Too much I want to know- where to start first. Not having a good enough/in depth study.

Truth: Gotta start somewhere. No study will be perfect. P.S. neither will you.

- Buy less canned food and more fresh food.

Goal: Eat delicious food.

Fear: Things going to waste. Learning how to prepare new foods.

Truth: Think ahead more. Freeze it if you're not going to eat it. And throwing things out isn't the end of the world. Not ideal. Not a big deal.

- Grill more.

Goal: Eat delicious food. Branch out.

Fear: I don't really know how to. What if I suck?

Truth: You'll learn. It's not rocket science. And fresh grilled food tastes sooooo gooooooooooddddddd! P.S. your husband and about everyone else on the planet knows how to. Ask them. Or Google.

- Choose JOY.

Goal: Live a life full of the spirit of the Lord.

Fear: Those moments when it feels GOOD to choose hate and the last thing I want to do is be mature.

Truth: So not worth it.

There's some more I won't dive into. Don't fake tan EVER, don't over tan/burn, don't lose more weight, don't take unnecessary medications... I'll spare you any more details ;)

With love from Sacramento,

Paige