day ninety-one

1) *bangs head on wall while mumbling about immigration*

2) Fitz humored me with a trip to the mall to look at luggage because I obviously need more bags. I opted for a wallet and make-up case instead - fills the want for a much smaller price. And they match the book bag Mom and Dad Fitz bought me for my birthday. Happiness all around. 

Fitz got two new video games because they were on super clearance - I love Christmas for all of it's sales. It makes the thrifty shopper in me so satisfied. 

3) Little sister and I talked for four hours tonight. I lover her. And miss her. A lot. She is the best. Seriously. 

day ninty

1) Fitz has been ever so kind to me this weekend. He's cleaned and cooked and did laundry - best husband ever.

2) Nachos (Fitz, Q, and I) and video games (Fitz and Q) are becoming the Monday night tradition in our house. Like.

3) Just when I felt like I was getting control of my purse/bag obsession and being reasonable about just how many bags one person can use in a lifetime, I find more that are so beautiful and I just want to be frivolous and buy them all. Thanks Kait - I'm blaming you.

days eighty-eight and eighty-nine

1) Last night we (the church) hosted a dinner for people in our community - over 320 people came! Tickets are handed out at the food bank so we have a vague idea of how many to expect, but this was far beyond anyone's wildest dreams. I think the plan was for 200, so half again was a huge stretch on our space and food, yet we kept finding more space for tables as people poured in and the food served everyone plus volunteers with leftovers to boot. Loaves and fish indeed.

2) I've told the story of the eyebrow at least 100 times. Only in Canada would I receive compliments on an injury from a hockey puck. Apparently the scar to come will only make the story that much more awesome.

3) I'm so looking forward to the next two day at home with Fitz. We have packed so much into the last week and the weeks coming up are scheduled just as full. December is fantastic, but oh so busy.

you know you live in the mountains when...

... this sign greets you as you enter your neighborhood. 

And for reference - if you're reading this and you're familiar with Bentley Creek, we essentially live up Green Mountain, but worse. 

day eighty-seven

Adding to my thanksgiving list...

11) I'm glad the puck just grazed my head and didn't hit me square on...

... I likely wouldn't have been allowed to refuse a trip to emerg if it had been any worse. 

The shadow under my eye is just that, no bruising so far and relatively little pain. I should have a sweet scar to tell the tale when all is healed though. And a funny looking eyebrow. 

In other news - my Not Black Friday shopping trip was a raging success. In three stores I spent $43 on $318 worth of merch. The crazy good deals were at a sporting goods store where they decided to mark down a ton of stuff to $4.88 and then make the sale items buy one get one free. I got two pairs of board shorts originally $70 each, a pair of Nike running shorts originally $50, and an Adidas climalite shirt originally $50 for $2.44 each. $240 for $10. You can bow to me as the queen of bargain shopping :-) 

It's time to take more drugs and hopefully fall asleep. This weekend will be crazy - moreso than usual - so I'll update Monday if I don't get back before then. Peace. 

PS. Please excuse the frizzy hat hair. 

day eighty-six

In no particular order, my thanksgiving list...

1) Family - for loving us unconditionally and especially for enthusiastically supporting us when we decided to move across the country.

2) Friends - old and new, far and near. We have amazing people surrounding us.

3)  An awesome landlord  - he not only bakes us delicious brownies, but also shovels the snow off our stairs and porch. 

4) Necessities - a roof over our heads, food in our stomaches, and clothes on our backs.

5) Things that make life fun - computers and iPods, crafts and cooking. The ability to have and do things that we enjoy. 

6) Health - successfully avoiding the hospital for another year. 

7) Skype - the ability to call my mother as much as I like for less than $3 a month. 

8) Church - it's our work and our life and we're so thankful that we're loved by the people and we love what we do. 

9) Fitz - who not only tolerates my crazy moments, but loves me through them. He has some sweet dance moves too.

10) The blog - a place to brain dump when Fitz it tired of hearing about my antics. 

craft day

This is the premise of our craft day creation - a bunch of ornaments hanging from ribbons. L and I agreed it's a good alternative to a wreath and it provided a pretty decoration for one of the huge windows in our kitchen. L decorated hers a bit more with ribbon and bows; I'm still trying to decide what I want to add to mine. The inspiration will come as I stare at it for a few more day. 

PS. Check out how steep the empty lot next to our house is... our yard looks just like that. It's kind of crazy how everything is on a super incline. I feel like I could lay down roll right into the lake if there weren't a few buildings in the way.

Also, not looking forward to the day when that lot sells and building commences, but it's bound to happen sooner or later. That will be the point at which I break down and spend $200 on a custom blind for the window. 

day eighty-five

1) I kicked it into high gear with immigration paperwork today. Filled out a bunch of forms and went to the police station for finger prints. I'm in the system forever and ever now.

2) Tonight was the first semi-annual church meeting Fitz and I have had at this church. It was amazing fast, efficient, and drama-free. One more reason we LOVE this church.

3) T initiated an impromptu gathering for wings and we ended up staying out until midnight. I love mid-week parties, especially when there is no expectation for either Fitz or I to be up early the next day.

day eighty-four

1) L decided today was craft day and off to town we went. No idea what the ultimate craft would be, but we came home armed with a bunch of fun Christmas things and set to work. I'm still tweaking mine, but I like the idea we came up with so far.

2) Fitz enjoyed the hour and a half of peace and quite while we were shopping before barging in on his video game day. I should have warned him that we were crafting at our house. Whoops.

3) I've taken to baking as a means to warm the little house. Tile floors are no fun in the winter.

day eighty-three

1) Three cheers for sleeping in and being lazy all day! Everyone needs one of these days once in a while.

2) I've finally added something to the huge empty kitchen window - tea lights in canning jars. (Heh. You knew it had to be simplistic and homemade.) The flames look so pretty flickering against the dark night outside.

3) Q came over for nachos and video games with Fitz. It's just like college, but better.

it's gonna be a good day

day eighty-two

1) When you forget to set an alarm on Saturday night you wake up late on Sunday morning. Just sayin'.

2) I have completely memorized my favorite bread recipe. The only other food that has that kind of status in my brain is chocolate chip cookies. It's that good.

3) Every time I go to someone's house I analyze the floor plan and architecture style and choose bits and pieces that I would include in my own home. (You know, the one I'm building on lakefront property because I have $5m to burn.) Tonight we went to supper with some friends and I decided their house was absolutely perfect. I'll take it as is with the huge windows and wide baseboards and dark hardwood floors and brick driveway. It is just so gorgeous. I'll take the KitchenAid mixer on the counter too.

day eighty-one

1) Superstore was crazy. Definitely Black Friday-esque. Fitz got all the Christmas treasures he was hoping for and I got the large white serving plate I've been coveting for months.

2) Along with no tax, Superstore was offering a $25 gift card if you spent $200. I'm not sure if it's good or bad that we spent $200 in less than 15 minutes. Since most of it was Christmas presents we'll say that it was okay.

3) It's been snowing for three days straight and there is maybe 4 inches on the ground. So bizarre.

day eighty

1) The furnace has been on more than off today and for that I am eternally grateful. I don't like it warm, I like it HOT.

2) Superstore is having a 'no tax' sale tomorrow. It may as well be Black Friday. Fitz already has his list made and has asked twice what time the store opens.

3) The little car and its new snow tires did exceptionally well on the slick roads today. I'm feeling fairly confident that we can get through this winter without incident. Let's hope I'm right.

baby it's cold outside

day seventy-nine

1) I got up with Fitz this morning hoping for an exceptionally productive day, but as he was leaving the power went off. Awesome. I spent the morning wearing a hat and mits and wrapped in blankets on the couch trying to stay warm.

2) In the meantime, it snowed in our front yard. Just light flakes that melted when the sun came out a half hour later, but it was snow nonetheless. And thus ends my fantasy that we could look at snow on the mountaintops, but never be forced to touch it. In fact, it's snowing right now and I expect we'll have an inch or two by morning.

3) The cool tile floors in the little house were so enchanting in a cottage-y beach-y way in July. Not so much anymore. My feet are always freezing even when wearing slippers.

day seventy-eight

1) Good intentions to clean and bake and make Christmas stockings were foiled when L called and asked if I wanted to accompany her to shop for Christmas decor. Really I'm just the pack mule because she's pregnant and has lifting restrictions, but I'll take it. I love spending time with her.

2) Since L's birthday was this Monday and the baby was demanding sushi I took her to Ginza. Ah-mazing. I'm not sure how I've lived without those blessed veggie rolls my whole life. Seriously Pennsylvania, you're missing out. Trade in the potatoes for some sushi and you'll never go back.

3) So, stockings tomorrow? We shall see.

day seventy-seven

1) I promised Fitz I'd make cookies three days ago and still haven't done it. Maybe tomorrow?

2) Our dollar store felt stocking from last Christmas are rather pathetic. I have some pretty fabric... how hard can it be to make a stocking?

3) Ebay would like you to know that there are only 39 days until Christmas. (So glad it keeps a countdown for me.)

day seventy-six

1) I've discovered something about shopping... it's begets more shopping. If I go to one store, I suddenly want to go to two. If I buying something new, I think of more things that I want. Conversely the challenge of not shopping in October made us want to shop less. It was a few days into November before I went anywhere but the grocery store. I'm enjoying Christmas shopping right now, but I'm actually looking forward to January when we can realistically stay out of the stores again.

2) Speaking of shopping... Home Alone was only $7 so it found it's way into our cart today. Fitz and I love Christmas movies so we're slowly adding to the collection. We had chips and pop for movie night tonight in true Fitz family style.

Next on the list is The Muppet Christmas Carol. This is a Fitz family favorite, but we're hoping to find it cheaper than $17.

3) Winter is definitely settling in the valley this week. Today we had bitter cold and windy rain. I walked to the mailbox with just a sweatshirt and thought I would freeze to death before I got back in the house. (The walk to the mailbox is just under a mile round trip, just so you don't think I'm a complete wimp.) We're supposed to see snow in our yard on Wednesday... I've been loving the snow capped mountains from a distance, but I'm not sure I'm ready to see it up close.

day seventy-five

1) I suppose I owe you a real update since I've definitely been cheating the past few days. And, yes, I'm counting this as one of the three.

2) We went to lunch with a family from church today - it's so nice to have people that love us and support us and just want to be our friends.

3) Pumpkin pie fail. K and I made a dozen pies yesterday, but something was off with the pumpkin. They cooked for 90 minutes yesterday (30 minutes more than the recipe calls for) and still weren't done. I popped my pie in the oven again today for another 30 minutes and it's still not right, but the crust can't handle anymore baking so it is what it is.

day seventy-four

1) Made pies.

2) Met Leisel.

3) Sweet sleep.

day seventy-three

Got away. Don't worry, you didn't miss anything spectacular.

Lest We Forget

day seventy-two

day seventy-one

1) I've never made a cake from scratch and since that's on my list of "things a good housewife can do" I needed to try. I found a simple recipe for white cake and got at it. I'm not sure this will be my go-to cake recipe, but it was a good starting point. 

2) Fitz got new shelves for his home office. (The term "home office" is used lightly - it's more like an 8'x8' grey, concrete jail cell.) We can see the floor again!

3) I'm running out of items for my Christmas list and I still have money to spend. Any ideas?

day seventy

We ventured all the way to the east side today. Accomplishment!

1) They're putting in a Bath and Body Works! And thus ends my perpetual pout about not getting my favorite hand soaps in the north. Can't wait until the first semi-annual sale.

2) Aeropostale finally opened. And they have fantastic jeans! I bought two pair... and they are exactly the same. I'm regressing to middle school when I stocked up on cheap, long jeans.

3) Christmas shopping is wrapping up (heh - wrapping up). We each picked up a few more items at the mall so it's pretty much just stockings left. Yay! I love being done shopping in early November.

day sixty-nine

1) Christmas presents are slowly tricking in as Fitz and I made the weekly round. We've learned the pattern of sales which start in November so once a week we hit up the stores that will eventually have the items we want for cheap. It's a fun date.

Today I got a wok. We've been making a lot of Asian dishes so it seems appropriate and it was $25 marked down from $65. I can't wait to cook with it!

2) I get my hopes up with every article that claims "100 Ways to Save!" It's all old news. My mom could have written it 20 years ago, but she wouldn't have been so kind. 'Reduce your cable package' would have been 'Cut cable completely and go outside.'

3) Making a good meal out of nothing is very satisfying.

day sixty-eight

Today was unusually draining. I don't have even one coherent thought, let alone three. So be it.

day sixty-seven

1) The weather is definitely getting cooler. Bah. I was hoping that this was a special part of the north that didn't experience winter. I'm slowly being proved wrong.

2)  Made new Australian friends. They are quite fantastic.

3) Daylight savings time was a great invention. Who doesn't love an extra hour of sleep? (Please disregard the hour we lose in the spring. Let's focus on the positive.)

day sixty-six

1) Mom sent me a whole box of fabric... I'm dreaming of all the craft projects in my future. Oh the sewing I can do.

2) A first - I bought a greeting card that didn't cost $.50. The $3.25 was a huge splurge. Like wow.

3) Do you think I can scam Fitz into a trip to the mall on Monday? Maybe if I bribe him with comic books...

day sixty-five

1) The classifieds have been severely lacking in nice dressers lately. Surely someone has one that they want to give me, no?

2) I want a mirror to hang above my imaginary dresser. And a pretty bud vase for the top. And maybe even a bud.

3) I've had a lot of time to dream about new things to do in the house today.

day sixty-four

1) My passport came today.

2) My passport came today.

3) My passport came today.

It was a huge deal, okay?

it's christmas up in here

Our version of a Christmas tree. The little numbered ornaments are ready and waiting for December 1st when we can start counting down the days!

this mrs. fitz is official

My new passport came! With my married name! 

This means my papers for residency will be on their way soooooon!

day sixty-three

1) I started Christmas shopping today. Totally by accident. We just happened to find a few of the items on Fitz's list on sale so I bought them. We don't even pretend to have secrets for Christmas.

2) The present buying led to present wrapping which led to decorations. Wee! The little bit that I did looks so pretty.

3) I think I'm going to reorganize the kitchen tomorrow.

Fitz's new favorite place

We found a used book store. It has piles (and piles and piles and piles) of old comic books. Fitz looked at every single one. 

day sixty-two

1) An interesting thing happened this morning... when I suddenly had the freedom to shop, I no longer had the desire. Hmm. This attitude could be a good addition to my savings account.

2) Q is a great cook. And baker. Really, ladies, he's an all around fantastic catch. His red velvet cake is to die for. Just sayin'.

3) I'm totally the girl in the grocery store with her calculator furiously punching numbers to see if the sale on Eggo waffles makes them cheaper than the store brand. Eggo won! My taste buds are doing the happy dance.

banana bread

Ingredients:

1/2 cup margarine

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

2 3/4 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking power

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional) 

Directions:

Preheat over to 350F. Grease one loaf pan. 

Mix together margarine, sugar, and eggs. In a smaller bowl wisk together flour, baking power, baking soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients, mashed bananas, and walnuts to the margarine, sugar, and eggs and stir until combined. Pour into pan. 

Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle come out clean.

Yields:

One loaf. (You're seeing two because I made a double batch.)  

Source:

Unknown. (My mom has been using the recipe for decades, and it came from a diabetic cookbook... that's all I've got.)