What is winter doing?!

Winter is here. I mean, looking out the window on Monday I saw the epitome of winter in North Dakota. Snow is blowing. The sky is grey/white because of the clouds and precipitation. The wind is blowing (30mph thankyouverymuch). It’s winter.

I know that Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow, therefore we’re supposed to have an early spring. But I’m overly skeptical today. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Northern Minnesota and it seems that an “early” spring makes a debut at the end of April and a “late” spring doesn’t arrive until the end of May. But a blizzard doesn't give me much reassurance.

I don’t have high hopes for spring arriving any too “early”.

Kyle and I got phone calls from the school district Monday morning at 5:30 letting us know that it was a 2 hour late start. It was wonderful to hear that. But when I looked at the list of area schools, I was glad that I wasn’t driving anywhere. There were 80+ weather related announcements and the road reports looked rough.

So, we’re very thankful that we have jobs in town and that we have reliable vehicles to get us to and from school every day.

And on that note, who is planning a “spring break” trip? I need some warm thoughts sent my way, as I look out at the blizzard blowing outside my window.

Happy Wednesday!

March Madness

Well--this post doesn't necessarily have to do with the NCAA March Madness going on right now...even though my bracket is now crap. *Sorry Kyle, I'm out $10
But it DOES have to do with how crazy this month has gone by. I mean, seriously. I was just sitting in my living room marveling at the fact that March was neigh upon us. And then, BAM!, here it's over. And that means a few things for our family.

[one]
No more double payments on living arrangements. We don't have to pay on our apartment and our mortgage anymore. One payment from here on out. AND, I do believe we are getting our deposit back too! Don't get me wrong, I loved our time in our first apartment together. And there were times that I loved our second apartment too. But being in our own home has made me very grateful for everything we've been blessed with.

[two]
Only 10--yes, you read that right--10 more weeks of school left FOR.THE.YEAR! Year #1 in a new school, in a new district, and it's FLOWN by! Only 4 more weeks (really 3 1/2) left in our "semester" and then our last 6 week block. I feel that I've grown as a teacher and as a person these last 9-ish months. I'll elaborate more on that at a later date.

[three]
We are in the throes of home improvement planning for the summer. Check out my insta for some photos that give a little tease of what we're thinking. And the hashtag #homeimproving on IG has our specific home projects. (click my IG button--do it. Then request to follow me. Do it.)

[four]
I'm so excited to try this out this spring. I love plants. I love gardening. And I love greenhouses.
How great is it that this had a rebate? It was only $10 afterward.

How perfect will this be in my our bare backyard??

[five]

Aubrey's time has come! She's hosting this month's book club discussion. And since she's the boss hostess, she's decided that her review won't be up until Monday. Capisce? Cap-osh.

Here are her discussion questions for this month's book--Wuthering Heights

1. Did you like the book? Was it what you were expecting or hoping for? Why or why not?

2. Love and revenge are the two main themes of the novel. Can love and revenge co-exist     or is one one influenced by the other?

3. "...He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are          the same..." Arguably the most famous quote of the novel (and just beautifully                written to boot, I'm swooning a little bit inside and I know I'm not the only one. What        do you think made Wuthering Heights a classic? Was it the plot, the characters, the          language? What was it? 

Now go have a good weekend and don't forget to finish reading the book! See you soon!

Five on Friday: What I need to buy next

 

We have a dog. And she gets so excited to see us. How great is that? She's so happy to see us after school, after meetings, etc. BUT! This week she got too excited. She was so excited that she.peed.in.my.shoe!

So, that happened. Which leads me to my first item of business for this week's Five on Friday.

one

I need to go find a new pair of flats. I loved my purple flats from Target...but they're sooo two seasons ago. So, now off I go. What about these, these, these, or these? I know they're no bright purple faux-suede...but maybe I'll like em? Either way--I'm not happy with that dog. Even IF she's excited to see me.

Okay...maybe I do like her...just a little.

two

I'm going to a baby shower tomorrow. So I'm thinking about making a gift. Maybe some of this along with some of this on top? Or maybe this for the top? Thoughts?

three

So we're thinking about buying hockey tickets for this weekend. And I'm excited that these guys are playing this weekend in the first round of the NCHC playoffs! #1 ranked UND plays #8 ranked Colorado College this weekend in a best of three series. The winner of this weekend's series goes on to play at the Frozen Faceoff next weekend in Minneapolis, MN.

four

I wish I could buy some flowers to grow. But...I'm nervous that spring isn't truly here. Sad. 

five

Finally--I know I've already posted about it--but I can't wait to get "Go Set a Watchmen" by Harper Lee!

Happy Friday!

Chicken Salad Recipe--Dinner tonight

We tend to have troubles at our house picking out meals for supper. Kyle is hungry all.of.the.time--his metabolism is better than mine...hello, love handles. So I've been searching for meals that are filling, but healthy too. Now...this one might not fall into the "filling" category for Kyle...but as long as we give him a can of soup, he should be good for the night until 7:30 tonight.

I made this for lunch with a friend over Christmas break and I faux followed someone's Pinterest recipe. But this is my variation.

Enjoy!

Chicken Salad Croissants

1/2 c lite mayo
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/2 c celery--sliced (we love celery at our house)
1/2 c grapes--halved
1/4 c dried cranberries (to taste)
*milk, whipping cream, heavy cream, half and half can be added if your salad needs some thinning

Seriously--that's all I did! We were so happy with these sandwiches. The next time I make them (on a weekend) I'm going to try my hand at making the croissants by myself! *instead of buying them from Target* Hah!

I'll post photos tonight when I'm finished. Enjoy and let me know what you think! Ooh...don't forget to try your own variations of this salad. Don't like cranberries? Try almonds. Don't like nuts, add some shredded cheese!