Menu Planning

I made a fatal mistake last week. I went to the grocery store -- without a list.

This is how I always shop. I buy what sounds good. Mostly produce, some chips and salsa, yummy yogurt, some type of non-cow milk, absolutely no meat, and bam! I'm done.

But as I walked into the store this time, I realized, "Oh, I'm cooking for two people now!" Not to mention the fact that I haven't actually cooked in probably the last 6 months. I haven't actually prepared a full-fledged, 4-piece, all-the-food-groups meal. (I haven't eaten one either!)

So, you can imagine how this trip turned out. I bought everything I would normally have bought! And now I have a rotting cucumber, some limp cilantro and green onions, an unopened jar of yummy corn salsa... you get the idea.

I pulled myself together and did some inventory. Here's what I've come up with! Keep in mind I only cook dinner :) Poptarts and hot dogs will have to fill in until I'm more organized!

Monday: Chicken parmesan
Tuesday: Pepperoni Pizza and Cheesesticks
Wednesday: Biscuits and gravy, eggs, fruit salad
Thursday: Chicken stirfry over rice
Friday: Nachos
Saturday: Sweet and sour chicken, fried rice
Sunday: BBQ chicken sandwiches, chips, fruit salad

Let's see how well I stick to this...

A few of my favorite things...

As I sit bored, exploring some of my favorite sites, I thought I'd share.

Here are the things on my wish list, room by room!

Den

http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-7835-57-dylan-sofa-buckwheat.aspx

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/andover-media-console/?pkey=cmedia-stand-flat-screen-display

Living Room

3 of these please!

nebraskafurnituremart.com

http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-8859-58-pauline-chaise.aspx

Dining Room

not necessarily the light fixture.. but definitely the table and chairs!

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1672079&navCount=7

Bedroom

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/seagrass-headboard/?pkey=cwood-beds-headboards

My oh My!

How April and May flew by!

I have been neglecting this blog, so.

But no longer! I have things to post :) After all, I'm MARRIED now!

Here's a first of firsts... a few teasers to my wedding photos! Rachael R. did an amazing job. And I can't wait for April N. to send me the final cuts!

Rachael's Blog

Again, if any of you have any photos you'd like to submit to Chris's and my viewing pleasure, post them here.
username:youngwedding2010
password:chrisnalex

Thanks all! Your help, support, enouragement, frindship, wisdom, love, advice, fellowship, counsel, time, hard work, blood, sweat, and tears were not overlooked! Our wedding day was BEAUTIFUL because of all of you beautiful people! Thanks a million.

Help!

Okay everyone, I need your help!

My decorating ideas are starting to get a little out there, and I feel like I need to be reeled in. Here is what I'm struggling with so far:

• I do not want to paint the walls a "neutral color" in the living spaces.

• I don't want them to turn out too bright, but I'm not a fan of pastels in the family room either..

• I'm thinking a pale color with a hint of either brown, or gray (to make it feel more neutral, but less like a baby's room)

• I need to buy new furniture, and I need it to be affordable

• I'm debating getting furniture that's indoor/outdoor, or at least a few pieces that can move in and out (something wicker like this or this?)

• I don't want the furniture to be the "splash" of color, I'd rather they be neutral -- but perhaps patterned like this?

• I want to have a continuous flow of color when I choose the paint color, but I don't want to be a one-color gal either.

Ahh! See my dilemma? I'm suddenly feeling that buying furniture is a HUGE commitment, because its my first furniture purchase :) And I want it to be something I'll use a lot, and that I'll keep around for awhile. Any ideas? Send 'em my way!

Floor plans

The first floor, with the wall in the kitchen knocked down to expand it into the laundry room. Haven't decided on a color pallet yet, and don't have any furniture! And that gray blob out there is the garage :)


The second floor, with all the furniture arranged accordingly, and the paint colors for the rooms. They're not set in stone yet though!

Our New House - Updates

908 SW Anderson Terrace
is the Northeastern corner of 10th and Gage Blvd.
Just 2 blocks from Gage Park and the zoo!

Here's the upstairs:

View from the top of the stairs
(the stairs make a right turn halfway up, and this
is the view from the top stair. To the left is the bathroom,
to the right is the master bedroom, and the room
at the end of the hallway is the 2nd bedroom.)

View from the doorway into the Full bathroom


The wall opposite the sink in the bathroom. (Don't worry,
Chris isn't the one that left the seat up! I can't believe
I didn't put it down before this photo-op :)


The MASTER bedroom :) This wall is on the right side of the house,
in other words that window at the left of this picture gets
southern exposure, whereas the double window at the right
of the picture gets western exposure. Also, the window at the right
is not the same as the window in the picture below. That wall is actually
very long (the length of the house almost, minus the staircase!)
and there are two sets of double windows.


Our 2 closets! They aren't walkin, but they're separate.
Not shown in these pics is our ceiling fan.
I also just realized how serene these walls look in these
pictures. Don't worry, this room is one of the first to
get painted. They don't look this good in person :)


The "quaint" a.k.a. small) second bedroom. At the left side
there is a very spacious closet. That window is on the same southern
wall as the one in the master.


This is the third bedroom. This is the only room in the house
with carpet. It's not in bad shape, but it's not attractive
either. I do love the glass door, though!


A view from the "back" of the house. This is from inside
the third bedroom, and that glass door I was talking about
is at the right side of the picture. There is a linen closet
just outside this room, and at the end of this hallway
and to the right will take you right back down the stairs.

Our home inspection is tomorrow at noon, and after that I will be posting a virtual layout of the home (once I have more exact measurements). It will feature the things we love, and the things we are changing immediately! (Lord willing of course :) It will also show the paint colors now, and the paint colors for later. Can't wait for all of your feedback! Please pray for our inspection. If all goes well we will close on of before April 16, though Chris and I will stay at our respective casas until closer to the wedding date. We're not paying rent for nothing!

We bought a HOUSE!

908 Anderson Terrace

The Family Room


The Dining Room
This is the blue room to the right of the fireplace in the first interior pic.


The "Den".
Who'd have thunk - Chris and I can afford a house with a den!? Haha, who knows what we'll use it for. This is the cream colored room that is just off the family room -- you can see it in the first interior pic as well :)

View of the Family Room from the Dining Room .

My beautiful staircase <3

My not anything too special teensy tiny kitchen. Not to worry we have BIG plans.


Upstairs pictures coming soon!