I spent the entire weekend laughing hysterically. There were so many times, I was all like, "Yep, that is going on the blog."
In light of that, prepare to laugh.
1. Ben and I went to see the movie "Date Night".
We arrive to the ticket counter. Ben: "We are here for a 'Date Night'."
The girl looks at Ben like he has two heads. I start snorting laughter.
2. Eating at the Mexican Restuarant.
We visited two restuarants in one night.
My prerequisite: I wanted a quiet evening. So, we walked into a smoky-mariachi band dining area. My head started pounded. I begged to leave. We did.
At the second and much quieter Mexican restuarant, I decided to order something that I had never had before. I ordered a mexican cheese rolled in a skirt steak served with avocado, beans and rice. And cactus. I told Ben, "I really like this casket." He started laughing. I looked him. "I meant cask-- er, cactus. I like cak-tus."
Cactus = hard word to say.
3. Church Small Group
We just joined a small group of married couples who are our age. We were so excited we did what ANYONE would do: We facebook/googled stalked them.
We are glad to have new friends.
4. As I was trying to fall asleep....
Ben comes RUSHING into the bedroom. "You will NEVER BELIEVE what our neighbors across the hall are talking about RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR DOOR?!?!?"
"What?" I mumbled into my pillow.
"Not pooping for an entire weekend!" He paused. "Do girls REALLY talk about stuff like that?"
Our poor neighbors.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
My sister
Polar opposites. That is what we were. What we are. Joined by the soul-mark of being born into the same family so close in age.
I'm dark-skinned, brown eyes, brown hair.
She's freckled-sprinkled, blue eyes, blondish-brown hair.
As a kid, I was content with my books and my dolls.
As a kid, she wanted to build bridges. She wanted to an artichect.
She only played with dolls, because I did.
I named my dolls, Bradley, Patty, Benjamin, Brianna, Watermelon.
She named hers Sarajane. All of them. Every single doll.
I liked vanilla. She liked chocolate. I was a vegan. She spent her days feasting on Cheese-puffs and chocolate.
We spent our high school years as a tagged-team. I spent my afternoons in the kitchen watching her bake...We spent our afternoons in the library. She'd look at my Better Homes & Gardens, I'd look at her Architectural Digest.
She is the ultimate Kindred Spirit of my soul. When I brought Ben home, I told him, "If SHE doesn't like you, that's it."Thankfully, she did.
Biggest cheerleaders. Biggest accountability. Strongest supportors. Our passion-infused souls have conflicted with each other on numerous occasions. But even with those conflicts, love flowed like a steady stream.
She is my sister. And, I love her.
I'm dark-skinned, brown eyes, brown hair.
She's freckled-sprinkled, blue eyes, blondish-brown hair.
As a kid, I was content with my books and my dolls.
As a kid, she wanted to build bridges. She wanted to an artichect.
She only played with dolls, because I did.
I named my dolls, Bradley, Patty, Benjamin, Brianna, Watermelon.
She named hers Sarajane. All of them. Every single doll.
I liked vanilla. She liked chocolate. I was a vegan. She spent her days feasting on Cheese-puffs and chocolate.
We spent our high school years as a tagged-team. I spent my afternoons in the kitchen watching her bake...We spent our afternoons in the library. She'd look at my Better Homes & Gardens, I'd look at her Architectural Digest.
She is the ultimate Kindred Spirit of my soul. When I brought Ben home, I told him, "If SHE doesn't like you, that's it."Thankfully, she did.
Biggest cheerleaders. Biggest accountability. Strongest supportors. Our passion-infused souls have conflicted with each other on numerous occasions. But even with those conflicts, love flowed like a steady stream.
She is my sister. And, I love her.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Hot Wings
Dear Wild Wings Cafe,
I would like to cordially inform you that my husband and I will no longer be dining with you. Its nothing that you've done - Ben loves you...he just loves me better.....
Anyone who knows Ben, knows the man KNOWS hot wings. Ben loves them. Can't get enough of them. Its the final game of the NCAA Championship, the kickoff of Baseball, and Ben asked for hot wings. He was skeptical if I could make them.
"Honey, I just don't know if you have what it takes." He said as we stood at the poultry section of the grocery store.
I said nothing, just glared at the chicken wings - daring them to defy me.
We googled hot wings recipe. And, I began. I was tense. Nervous. This was make it or break it in my cooking career. First attempts haven't always been so glorious. But I ventured forth. Tense. Nervous. I made Lemon Pepper and Hot Wings.
Those wings weren't just good, they were melt-in-your-mouth, love-your-wife-forever, get-a-free-foot-rub good.
Ben apologized. He said he was sorry for ever doubting me. He said they were the best Lemon Pepper wings he had ever had. Ever. EVER.
Sorry, Wild Wing Cafe, you just lost a customer. A fan. His devotion for wings has moved closer to home.
I would like to cordially inform you that my husband and I will no longer be dining with you. Its nothing that you've done - Ben loves you...he just loves me better.....
Anyone who knows Ben, knows the man KNOWS hot wings. Ben loves them. Can't get enough of them. Its the final game of the NCAA Championship, the kickoff of Baseball, and Ben asked for hot wings. He was skeptical if I could make them.
"Honey, I just don't know if you have what it takes." He said as we stood at the poultry section of the grocery store.
I said nothing, just glared at the chicken wings - daring them to defy me.
We googled hot wings recipe. And, I began. I was tense. Nervous. This was make it or break it in my cooking career. First attempts haven't always been so glorious. But I ventured forth. Tense. Nervous. I made Lemon Pepper and Hot Wings.
Those wings weren't just good, they were melt-in-your-mouth, love-your-wife-forever, get-a-free-foot-rub good.
Ben apologized. He said he was sorry for ever doubting me. He said they were the best Lemon Pepper wings he had ever had. Ever. EVER.
Sorry, Wild Wing Cafe, you just lost a customer. A fan. His devotion for wings has moved closer to home.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter Baskets and Lunchables
Ben has brought several new things into my life. He has incorporated me into his sports world...suddenly, I'm tossing around football terms and who will winn the NCAA championship. Like I know it all.
Recently, Ben has introduced me to two new things.
1. Easter Baskets.
I've never had an Easter Basket. Ever. It wasn't important for my family; it wasn't the focus of Easter for us. I never felt left out. Or lacking anything. Ben, on the other hand, received one every single year.
So, I decided to surprise him with an Easter Basket. To the rest of the world, this is no big deal. But to me this was HUGE.
a) I've never received an Easter Basket. Ever. Ever. So I have no idea how to make one. At all.
b) Ben always pulls out the BEST surprises for me. ALL THE TIME. Literally. Remember this one?
In order to address part A, I did what ANYONE would do. I researched. Here was the primary focus of my research:
Part B...was a little more difficult. Because Ben reads my blog, I won't reveal WHERE I hid the basket and its goodies, but I will confess that I did wake up at 4:45am to put the basket together. Thanks especially to the little boy at the chalkboard.
2. Lunchables.
I didn't grow up with Lunchables. My mom made her own bread by grinding her own wheat flour. For lunch, there was pasta with veggies or veggie pizza or p.b.&j. No Lunchables. It wasn't a problem; I didn't really like pre-packaged things. I still don't.
Yet, this past week, Ben and I got into a fuss. Feelings were hurt on many levels. One night this week, in the middle of our fuss, we went for a run. Together. (Isn't that what all couples do during fusses?!?)
Then Ben surpprised me with a picnic lunch on a bench in the middle of downtown....Over a dinner of Lunchables and Propel Water, we resolved our fuss. The Lunchable was decadent...and I would eat it again.
Then, we went to go have Ice Cream. 'Cause we are best friends. And, thats what you do when you resolve your differences.
Recently, Ben has introduced me to two new things.
1. Easter Baskets.
I've never had an Easter Basket. Ever. It wasn't important for my family; it wasn't the focus of Easter for us. I never felt left out. Or lacking anything. Ben, on the other hand, received one every single year.
So, I decided to surprise him with an Easter Basket. To the rest of the world, this is no big deal. But to me this was HUGE.
a) I've never received an Easter Basket. Ever. Ever. So I have no idea how to make one. At all.
b) Ben always pulls out the BEST surprises for me. ALL THE TIME. Literally. Remember this one?
In order to address part A, I did what ANYONE would do. I researched. Here was the primary focus of my research:
Part B...was a little more difficult. Because Ben reads my blog, I won't reveal WHERE I hid the basket and its goodies, but I will confess that I did wake up at 4:45am to put the basket together. Thanks especially to the little boy at the chalkboard.
2. Lunchables.
I didn't grow up with Lunchables. My mom made her own bread by grinding her own wheat flour. For lunch, there was pasta with veggies or veggie pizza or p.b.&j. No Lunchables. It wasn't a problem; I didn't really like pre-packaged things. I still don't.
Yet, this past week, Ben and I got into a fuss. Feelings were hurt on many levels. One night this week, in the middle of our fuss, we went for a run. Together. (Isn't that what all couples do during fusses?!?)
Then Ben surpprised me with a picnic lunch on a bench in the middle of downtown....Over a dinner of Lunchables and Propel Water, we resolved our fuss. The Lunchable was decadent...and I would eat it again.
Then, we went to go have Ice Cream. 'Cause we are best friends. And, thats what you do when you resolve your differences.
My Easter Anthem
I'm up too early in the morning. But this one thought keeps coming back to my mind: What does Easter mean to me?
Very simply: He is RISEN. Death could not hold my Savior.
I am blessed to be friends with author Claudia Mair Burney on Facebook. This early Easter Morn, she posted this as her status:
"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." -- Pope John Paul II
I love this because it so beautifully announces that Jesus brought a hope eternal and abolished the grave - "WE are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song".
Sing it.
Very simply: He is RISEN. Death could not hold my Savior.
I am blessed to be friends with author Claudia Mair Burney on Facebook. This early Easter Morn, she posted this as her status:
"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." -- Pope John Paul II
I love this because it so beautifully announces that Jesus brought a hope eternal and abolished the grave - "WE are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song".
Sing it.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
My Prodigal Decor
Today, my family came to visit. It's the first time they come to see us since Ben and I got married. We were excited to see them...but I was nervous, too.
I was about to show off my home and decor to my FAMILY.
no pressure.
Well, as I requested, my dad "oohed" and "aahed" throughout the tour. My 12 year old brother kept asking, "WHY? ARE WE 'oohing' and 'aahing'?"
At one point during our afternoon, my dad said, "You know, Bethany, I guess its about time to give you back your "O" and "H"."
It took me a minute to realize what in the world he was talking about. It took Ben a minute to realize he didn't know what in the world my dad was talking about at all.
I've already told you how my house looks like the rainbow and Fruitloops vomited in my style. I can't help it. I love color. I love quirky things. I love words. I love family pictures and local art. And, IKEA, too.
The letters my dad spoke of? Well, sometimes, a picture paints a 1000 words.
I was about to show off my home and decor to my FAMILY.
no pressure.
Well, as I requested, my dad "oohed" and "aahed" throughout the tour. My 12 year old brother kept asking, "WHY? ARE WE 'oohing' and 'aahing'?"
At one point during our afternoon, my dad said, "You know, Bethany, I guess its about time to give you back your "O" and "H"."
It took me a minute to realize what in the world he was talking about. It took Ben a minute to realize he didn't know what in the world my dad was talking about at all.
I've already told you how my house looks like the rainbow and Fruitloops vomited in my style. I can't help it. I love color. I love quirky things. I love words. I love family pictures and local art. And, IKEA, too.
The letters my dad spoke of? Well, sometimes, a picture paints a 1000 words.
Yes, yes, yes. When I was in college, I begged my sister to flirt her way into obtaining the O and H from the Huddle House sign they were taking down. The old vintage color of Huddle House is orange. So, in a couple of weeks, I will be welcoming home my wayward letters. I'm thrilled. Ben is, well, very gracious. I never cease to amaze him.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Books: My Past and Present
When I was a kid. I loved books. Okay, I still do, but that is besides the point. I eagerly awaited for the next Mandie Book to come out. I felt just like a jungle explorer when I found book 14 in the Trixie Belden series buried between Box Car Children and Hardy Boys at the library.
I was quite the adventurous kid, I tell ya.
I would try to copy my speech and writing to mimic Jo from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. And, don't even get my started on Martha Finley's Elsie Dinsmore books. It was a lot of work, trying to be like authors from another time.
I was so adventurous - I spent time in musty bookstores and antique stores looking for my next great read. All before I was 14 years old.
Then, there was Anne. Anne of Green Gables. The girl of my dreams. My heart. The character who just got me. The character who understood that the world really may end without a kindred spirit and that that would directly plunge me into the depths of despair. The girl who took note of names of homes...much like how my address must have that certain ring to it, or I'm not settled. I wanted red hair. Because of Anne. L.M. Montgomery, you ruined me.
I was livin' the life. And, I still prefer a book to a TV...(except Tuesday's Biggest Loser...and other shows I will never confess to watching)
In all the books, Jo found her Professor - this hairy, burly man who was such a nerd, Jo's heart was lost. Mandie falls for someone (I can't remember his name!!) and Trixie for that tanned, logically-minded boy named Jim. Elsie falls for her father's best friend. (Gimme a break - the book was written during the 1800s, when that was SOOO not creepy. But it is. Creepy.)
And, Anne? Gilbert chased her. Through it all. Every single thing. College. Teacher. Author. There was Gilbert. He loved her, that Anne-girl. And, Anne? She was too stubborn to realize she loved him, that Gilbert Blythe boy, until he almost died. Tragic, I know, right?
That said...I need a next good read. I've moved on in the world. I now frequent Barnes and Nobles. (Where, I'm convinced music announces my arrival.) And, lately, I'm reading books writtten within the last 5 years. I've been mesmerized lately by:
The Glass Castle
Sarah's Key
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
They've been great books; ones I've enjoyed a lot. But, I want to know: what books do you recommend?
I was quite the adventurous kid, I tell ya.
I would try to copy my speech and writing to mimic Jo from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. And, don't even get my started on Martha Finley's Elsie Dinsmore books. It was a lot of work, trying to be like authors from another time.
I was so adventurous - I spent time in musty bookstores and antique stores looking for my next great read. All before I was 14 years old.
Then, there was Anne. Anne of Green Gables. The girl of my dreams. My heart. The character who just got me. The character who understood that the world really may end without a kindred spirit and that that would directly plunge me into the depths of despair. The girl who took note of names of homes...much like how my address must have that certain ring to it, or I'm not settled. I wanted red hair. Because of Anne. L.M. Montgomery, you ruined me.
I was livin' the life. And, I still prefer a book to a TV...(except Tuesday's Biggest Loser...and other shows I will never confess to watching)
In all the books, Jo found her Professor - this hairy, burly man who was such a nerd, Jo's heart was lost. Mandie falls for someone (I can't remember his name!!) and Trixie for that tanned, logically-minded boy named Jim. Elsie falls for her father's best friend. (Gimme a break - the book was written during the 1800s, when that was SOOO not creepy. But it is. Creepy.)
And, Anne? Gilbert chased her. Through it all. Every single thing. College. Teacher. Author. There was Gilbert. He loved her, that Anne-girl. And, Anne? She was too stubborn to realize she loved him, that Gilbert Blythe boy, until he almost died. Tragic, I know, right?
That said...I need a next good read. I've moved on in the world. I now frequent Barnes and Nobles. (Where, I'm convinced music announces my arrival.) And, lately, I'm reading books writtten within the last 5 years. I've been mesmerized lately by:
The Glass Castle
Sarah's Key
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
They've been great books; ones I've enjoyed a lot. But, I want to know: what books do you recommend?
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