I began writing a post about the dress I purchased today and it turned into something else entirely. Since I actually like the way the other post turned out and I didn't want to ruin it with the other things I wanted to write, you get two posts today.
I have a bit of a pride problem right now. There's something that bugs me and I have to admit it but even admitting it is hard. See, Branden's friends and relatives are accustomed to a certain caliber of wedding. It involves a full meal for all guests and required RSVPs. It includes things like DJs and bartenders. It also includes a price tag that is well out of our budget.
I'm not worried about my family and friends. They are accustomed to weddings that were planned and paid for in six months or less. The receptions we generally attend include cake, dinner mints and Sprite with serbet. That is the wedding we can afford and, for the most part, I'm fine with that... Until I think about the expectaions of others. I tell myself that there's nothing wrong with the wedding I'm going to have but there's still this piece of me that feels this burning shame.
Let me tell you, that's my pride hurting. I need to let it go but I hate the thought that someone may think our wedding is less than it should be. I know I shouldn't feel this way. I know that in the long run, everyone will undertand that Branden was out of work for nearly a year and we are on a strict budget. But that stupid pride! I'm going to have to work on not worrying about what other's may think.
Along those lines, I purchased a prom dress today. It cost me a grand total of $133 and, aside from the lack of train, which I didn't want anyway, it looks every bit the wedding dress. It's unlikely that anyone- aside from those I tell- will know that it came from JC Penney instead of a bridal shop. If anyone does realize it, oh well! I am happy with my choice- so much so that I became all metiforical (see my above post). I guess that's what I need to try to keep in mind: If we're happy with our wedding, that's all that matters.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Mom's Great Sock Idea
I saw a commercial on TV that said something along the lines of, "We all lose socks in the dryer." I thought, "I DON'T!" You may be asking why I am exempt from this basic rule of modern life and the answer is that my mother is a genius. Truly.
When we were young, my mom got sick of spending hours matching the various socks belonging to her sizable family. Her solution was to buy a couple boxes of safety pins and before we put our socks in the dirty clothes we had to pin them together. In theory, we were to leave the safety pin attached to one of the socks at all times but that didn't quite work. Honestly, I don't think this sock program lasted more than a few months. The biggest problems were lost safety pins and that some of the pins rusted and stained socks.
When I began buying knee socks and other fun socks I remembered this idea of my mom's and decided to give it another go. I purchased my pins and have been pinning them ever since. I don't leave my a pin in my socks, they go on a magnet on my dresser and I just grab one before I drop the pair in the basket at the end of the day. Not only do I still have all of my cute socks but I also cut one time-consuming step out of my laundry and I never have to search for that one sock that has to be somewhere in my drawer. Now if I could only get Branden to pin his socks! Ok, I'll be honest, all of his socks look the same so pairing them isn't all that hard and if one disappears then we just have an extra sock until another goes. :P
This may not work for your family- like I said, it didn't last long for us- but I thought I'd share my mom's idea all the same.
When we were young, my mom got sick of spending hours matching the various socks belonging to her sizable family. Her solution was to buy a couple boxes of safety pins and before we put our socks in the dirty clothes we had to pin them together. In theory, we were to leave the safety pin attached to one of the socks at all times but that didn't quite work. Honestly, I don't think this sock program lasted more than a few months. The biggest problems were lost safety pins and that some of the pins rusted and stained socks.
When I began buying knee socks and other fun socks I remembered this idea of my mom's and decided to give it another go. I purchased my pins and have been pinning them ever since. I don't leave my a pin in my socks, they go on a magnet on my dresser and I just grab one before I drop the pair in the basket at the end of the day. Not only do I still have all of my cute socks but I also cut one time-consuming step out of my laundry and I never have to search for that one sock that has to be somewhere in my drawer. Now if I could only get Branden to pin his socks! Ok, I'll be honest, all of his socks look the same so pairing them isn't all that hard and if one disappears then we just have an extra sock until another goes. :P
This may not work for your family- like I said, it didn't last long for us- but I thought I'd share my mom's idea all the same.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Return
The talented and funny Mindy recently wrote a blog about how her original purpose in writing a blog was to record her blessings and that she had strayed from that purpose. In reading what she had to say, I realized that I have also strayed from my purpose. When I first began writing a blog on MySpace, I never wrote about my life. I wrote almost exclusively about my thoughts. I had lots of thoughts, all the time, and I needed a way to get them out.
The thing is, I STILL have thoughts all the time. There's a constant running monologue in my head- sometimes it's a dialogue, I'll admit it- and sometimes it's even something that's worth writing down. :P There are so many bits and pieces of me that I no longer share anymore and maybe you guys don't want to read it and maybe you'll just think I'm crazy but, when it really comes down to it, I'm writing this more for me than for anyone else and it's a risk I'm just going to have to take.
See, there are all these things in my life that I feel like I either can't write about- work drama, for one- and all these things I don't WANT to write about- finances, car problems, relationship drama, computer issues- and so instead of writing about these things I just don't write at all. Don't get me wrong, my life isn't a bad one but there's been a lot of drama and stress recently and it can distract me from everything else. But no matter the stress and drama, I still have all these thoughts about life and (potentially stupid) theories about people and things and I need to remember that I once SHARED all of that and enjoyed doing it. In a way, I think that's why I started my book report posts... I really should write another one. So I plan to write out some of these thoughts in the future and I hope you bear with me. Maybe I'll actually come out with something good.
***This has nothing to do with anything, it's just one of those random thoughts: I typed the title of this post and suddenly remembered that my mom attempted to teach me to type when she homeschooled me in 3rd grade. I was learning on an electric typewriter and instead of "Enter" it had a "Return" key. How fitting that this should come back to me now as I contemplate going back to my beginning. My first random thoughts and stories were typed up by my mother (quite possibly on that very same typewriter) and sent out in her newsletter, The Ronnow Family Times.***
The thing is, I STILL have thoughts all the time. There's a constant running monologue in my head- sometimes it's a dialogue, I'll admit it- and sometimes it's even something that's worth writing down. :P There are so many bits and pieces of me that I no longer share anymore and maybe you guys don't want to read it and maybe you'll just think I'm crazy but, when it really comes down to it, I'm writing this more for me than for anyone else and it's a risk I'm just going to have to take.
See, there are all these things in my life that I feel like I either can't write about- work drama, for one- and all these things I don't WANT to write about- finances, car problems, relationship drama, computer issues- and so instead of writing about these things I just don't write at all. Don't get me wrong, my life isn't a bad one but there's been a lot of drama and stress recently and it can distract me from everything else. But no matter the stress and drama, I still have all these thoughts about life and (potentially stupid) theories about people and things and I need to remember that I once SHARED all of that and enjoyed doing it. In a way, I think that's why I started my book report posts... I really should write another one. So I plan to write out some of these thoughts in the future and I hope you bear with me. Maybe I'll actually come out with something good.
***This has nothing to do with anything, it's just one of those random thoughts: I typed the title of this post and suddenly remembered that my mom attempted to teach me to type when she homeschooled me in 3rd grade. I was learning on an electric typewriter and instead of "Enter" it had a "Return" key. How fitting that this should come back to me now as I contemplate going back to my beginning. My first random thoughts and stories were typed up by my mother (quite possibly on that very same typewriter) and sent out in her newsletter, The Ronnow Family Times.***
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Soft Pretzels
I have made soft pretzels twice in the last four days: Once on Saturday and once on Monday. I've been thinking about making them for a while. As fate would have it, Branden and I were watching Good Eats last week and it was a repeat of Alton Brown making soft pretzels. Branden suggested that I make some and that was enough to set me in motion.
It's been over a year since I last made soft pretzels and I've never made them at home. Luckily, Mr Brown's recipe was exceedingly simple and I'm quite pleased with the results. The one change I made was cutting the dough into 2 oz pieces instead of 4 1/2 oz and shaped them like bread sticks instead of twisting them. That way I got more snacks- who really needs a big pretzels anyway?- and the shaping went faster. Branden loves these, hence my having to make them twice. So for any of you who may want to try making them yourself, here is the recipe courtesy of foodnetwork.com.
Homemade Soft Pretzels
It's been over a year since I last made soft pretzels and I've never made them at home. Luckily, Mr Brown's recipe was exceedingly simple and I'm quite pleased with the results. The one change I made was cutting the dough into 2 oz pieces instead of 4 1/2 oz and shaped them like bread sticks instead of twisting them. That way I got more snacks- who really needs a big pretzels anyway?- and the shaping went faster. Branden loves these, hence my having to make them twice. So for any of you who may want to try making them yourself, here is the recipe courtesy of foodnetwork.com.
Homemade Soft Pretzels
- 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
- 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
- Vegetable oil, for pan
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Pretzel salt
Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.
In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.
Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Luck O' Us
We aren't Irish as far as either one of us knows, but we had a great St. Patrick's Day nonetheless. :)
We got up early and met my friend at the Cupcakery. I had a soy milk hot chocolate, Branden had a mocha and we shared a peanut butter cup cupcake... For breakfast. :P Then the four of us- the other two being Sue and her daughter Ruth- went to Crown Candy Kitchen. We ate lunch- yes, just over an hour after breakfast- and bought some candy to take home. Sue had to go to work but Branden and I were just getting started.
We headed over to Dogtown, St. Louis' Irish neighborhood. We missed the parade but the party was just getting started. After much hunting for a parking spot, and a little trickery with a previously "acquired" parking ticket that we'll be paying online, we were ready to follow the crowds of green-clad party-goers. The parade route was packed with people laughing, talking, drinking and having a good time. I have no problem being the designated driver so when we met up with Branden's friends he was free to drink with them. Branden was looking forward to green beer but he had to settle for regular beer as nobody was selling the green stuff. We only stayed for a couple of hours but I don't think we could have stayed much longer. We walked at least three miles today and wore ourselves out with the fun of being in a happy crowd. By 3:30PM we were ready to leave the revelers behind: I was tired and bead-decked and Branden was a little... Not sober but still walking fine.
We got back to the car and I just started driving. We wanted to get home eventually but we didn't feel any urge to hurry so we did a little exploring. We found a really cool antique mall. Unfortunately, we got there about 40 minutes before closing and probably only saw half of it. We found a couple of tin cookie cutters and a silver-plated cake stand that I really like and it only cost $20! It doesn't even have a lot of tarnish on it. :) Then we put gas in the car and wandered around Target a little before finally turning toward home.
After our full day, I took a short nap and Branden took a slightly longer nap. I'm still tired and will be going to bed soon. We had a great day: we both got to see friends, we tried out some new-to-us restaurants, we experienced a bit of a real St. Patrick's Day celebration, we discovered a fun place to wander and just feel lucky in general to have been able to spend the day together. I hope all of you had a little luck this St. Patrick's Day!
We got up early and met my friend at the Cupcakery. I had a soy milk hot chocolate, Branden had a mocha and we shared a peanut butter cup cupcake... For breakfast. :P Then the four of us- the other two being Sue and her daughter Ruth- went to Crown Candy Kitchen. We ate lunch- yes, just over an hour after breakfast- and bought some candy to take home. Sue had to go to work but Branden and I were just getting started.
We headed over to Dogtown, St. Louis' Irish neighborhood. We missed the parade but the party was just getting started. After much hunting for a parking spot, and a little trickery with a previously "acquired" parking ticket that we'll be paying online, we were ready to follow the crowds of green-clad party-goers. The parade route was packed with people laughing, talking, drinking and having a good time. I have no problem being the designated driver so when we met up with Branden's friends he was free to drink with them. Branden was looking forward to green beer but he had to settle for regular beer as nobody was selling the green stuff. We only stayed for a couple of hours but I don't think we could have stayed much longer. We walked at least three miles today and wore ourselves out with the fun of being in a happy crowd. By 3:30PM we were ready to leave the revelers behind: I was tired and bead-decked and Branden was a little... Not sober but still walking fine.
We got back to the car and I just started driving. We wanted to get home eventually but we didn't feel any urge to hurry so we did a little exploring. We found a really cool antique mall. Unfortunately, we got there about 40 minutes before closing and probably only saw half of it. We found a couple of tin cookie cutters and a silver-plated cake stand that I really like and it only cost $20! It doesn't even have a lot of tarnish on it. :) Then we put gas in the car and wandered around Target a little before finally turning toward home.
After our full day, I took a short nap and Branden took a slightly longer nap. I'm still tired and will be going to bed soon. We had a great day: we both got to see friends, we tried out some new-to-us restaurants, we experienced a bit of a real St. Patrick's Day celebration, we discovered a fun place to wander and just feel lucky in general to have been able to spend the day together. I hope all of you had a little luck this St. Patrick's Day!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Real Pi(e) Day
Branden took me on a date! We woke up early and went to the theater to see the 3D version of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. I was told that this one was more like the book but I most definitely disagree. There are elements from both Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass but I'd say it was more like a sequel to the books than an adaptation. No matter, I had a great time and enjoyed the movie. Was it a movie for kids? Well, I think I'd let my non-existent kids watch it but there are things kids won't understand and maybe a few things that could scare them. If your kids get scared easily, I'd watch it myself first and decide it your particular children can handle it.
The best part of the movie was getting to spend the morning with Branden. We both agree that we should get out more often and are working out plans for this Wednesday. :)
As a side note, I will be eating pie for dessert tonight in honor of Pi(e) Day.
The best part of the movie was getting to spend the morning with Branden. We both agree that we should get out more often and are working out plans for this Wednesday. :)
As a side note, I will be eating pie for dessert tonight in honor of Pi(e) Day.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Pie Day
Technically, Pie Day is March 14 so I'm a little early but... I got a free pie today!
When I worked for Maceys we started selling Cyrus O'Leary Pies. They were quite expensive but also quite good. A couple weeks ago it came to light that the people at Cyrus O'Leary wanted to sell pies at my current bakery, too. As we are the closest to the corporate offices, everyone who wants to pitch something to this company ships it to our bakery and stages things there. Sometimes it's annoying but ocassionally, it's not too bad. Like when they make enough samples for us to try it, too, or when they ship in extra pies and we get to take them home.
Obviously, today was one of the good days. I had the choice of many pies- some new since I was working at Maceys- but I went with an old favorite: Sour Cream Lemon. :) I'm not going to eat any today but just knowing that I have it makes me happy.
Oh, and in case you don't know, Pie Day is a geeky math "holiday" celebrated on 3-14. (Pi=3.14) When I was going to school in Oklahoma, we actually celebrated it by eating pie in math class!
When I worked for Maceys we started selling Cyrus O'Leary Pies. They were quite expensive but also quite good. A couple weeks ago it came to light that the people at Cyrus O'Leary wanted to sell pies at my current bakery, too. As we are the closest to the corporate offices, everyone who wants to pitch something to this company ships it to our bakery and stages things there. Sometimes it's annoying but ocassionally, it's not too bad. Like when they make enough samples for us to try it, too, or when they ship in extra pies and we get to take them home.
Obviously, today was one of the good days. I had the choice of many pies- some new since I was working at Maceys- but I went with an old favorite: Sour Cream Lemon. :) I'm not going to eat any today but just knowing that I have it makes me happy.
Oh, and in case you don't know, Pie Day is a geeky math "holiday" celebrated on 3-14. (Pi=3.14) When I was going to school in Oklahoma, we actually celebrated it by eating pie in math class!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Songs That Bring a Tear
There are some songs that make me cry every time I hear them. Most of the ones that do it to me are country songs... I actually am not a fan of country which has nothing to do with the fact that some of the songs make me cry.
I remember when I was about 8 or 9 Garth Brooks became big and Bekkie really liked him. Since I was trying to be as cool as Bekkie, I liked his music, too. At the time, I didn't understand most of what he was singing about and songs like "The Dance" didn't actually affect me. As I got older and experienced more of life I'd occassionally hear those same songs and they'd impact me in a completely different way. I don't know the first time that "The Dance" made me cry but I know it can take me from nowhere near tears to practically bawling now. In mere moments I am transported through a million memories- not all painful- and the tears just roll.
Last summer I was making breakfast one Sunday and Branden was watching CMT's music video countdown. A song came on that I'd never heard before and by the first chorus I was crying... Not just crying: sloppy tears streamed down my face while I tried to choke back any sobbing sounds. Ironically, I've loved the song since that first time I heard it. You may ask, which song is it?: Then by Brad Paisley. When Branden realized I was crying, not only could he not believe it, he couldn't understand it. He's a guy, it's not his fault. I'd like to play that song and dance with Branden for our wedding but I know I won't make it through. Whether or not I hear that song on my wedding day, we'd better plan on water-proof mascara, Katie, because I'm gonna need it!
When it comes to non-country songs, both "Wish You Were Here" and "I'll Catch You" by The Get Up Kids make me cry. Sometimes I can make it through the first one, but I NEVER make it through "I'll Catch You." There's a Flogging Molly song that gets me every time but I don't know the name of that one. Then there's the "Baby Mine" song from Dumbo but... Hey, I don't know of a girl who doesn't tear up at some part of at least one Disney movie! There are more songs but I think I've admitted to enough crying for now.
I remember when I was about 8 or 9 Garth Brooks became big and Bekkie really liked him. Since I was trying to be as cool as Bekkie, I liked his music, too. At the time, I didn't understand most of what he was singing about and songs like "The Dance" didn't actually affect me. As I got older and experienced more of life I'd occassionally hear those same songs and they'd impact me in a completely different way. I don't know the first time that "The Dance" made me cry but I know it can take me from nowhere near tears to practically bawling now. In mere moments I am transported through a million memories- not all painful- and the tears just roll.
Last summer I was making breakfast one Sunday and Branden was watching CMT's music video countdown. A song came on that I'd never heard before and by the first chorus I was crying... Not just crying: sloppy tears streamed down my face while I tried to choke back any sobbing sounds. Ironically, I've loved the song since that first time I heard it. You may ask, which song is it?: Then by Brad Paisley. When Branden realized I was crying, not only could he not believe it, he couldn't understand it. He's a guy, it's not his fault. I'd like to play that song and dance with Branden for our wedding but I know I won't make it through. Whether or not I hear that song on my wedding day, we'd better plan on water-proof mascara, Katie, because I'm gonna need it!
When it comes to non-country songs, both "Wish You Were Here" and "I'll Catch You" by The Get Up Kids make me cry. Sometimes I can make it through the first one, but I NEVER make it through "I'll Catch You." There's a Flogging Molly song that gets me every time but I don't know the name of that one. Then there's the "Baby Mine" song from Dumbo but... Hey, I don't know of a girl who doesn't tear up at some part of at least one Disney movie! There are more songs but I think I've admitted to enough crying for now.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
I Love Technology
I've spent more time than usual on the phone today. I love weekends because I have unlimited minutes on my phone so I don't think twice about talking as long as I want... Not that I really think twice about it most of the month. :P I talked to James (it's his 19th birthday!), I talked to Chantelle (a WHOLE lot) , I talked to Branden (twice... but talking to him is free anyway), I talked to Mom (for a minute or two; we'll talk more tomorrow) and I talked to Jessica from work.
I love the way technology allows me to be in contact with my family. Cell phones and internet allow me to more easily keep up to date on day-to-day happenings. I may be 1300 miles away, but when I'm on the phone with Katie of Chantelle I feel like I'm so much closer. I love reading blogs and feeling like I am piece of the action. I'll admit that sometimes it's still not enough but, even so, this is so much better than waiting weeks to hear from someone.
Thank you to everyone who talks to me on the phone and puts up with my ramblings. Thank you to everyone who READS my ramblings and lets me read theirs. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to comment of my FB or blog. I can't express how much I appreciate the contact. :)
I love the way technology allows me to be in contact with my family. Cell phones and internet allow me to more easily keep up to date on day-to-day happenings. I may be 1300 miles away, but when I'm on the phone with Katie of Chantelle I feel like I'm so much closer. I love reading blogs and feeling like I am piece of the action. I'll admit that sometimes it's still not enough but, even so, this is so much better than waiting weeks to hear from someone.
Thank you to everyone who talks to me on the phone and puts up with my ramblings. Thank you to everyone who READS my ramblings and lets me read theirs. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to comment of my FB or blog. I can't express how much I appreciate the contact. :)
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