Home Sweet Home

      September 29th was the first night in our new home. We feel so incredibly blessed to be in this little, green, 1960's house. We love it! We love driving into our own drive way, enjoying the quite, peaceful evenings, and having a nice neighborhood to walk in.

     The mower on the left is one we tried to make work from a sale, I was so glad to have a husband who would be content with an old mower! It wasn't going to turn out to be economical in the long run though with needing to replacing parts. I think it just might have been the highlight of home-ownership for my husband, going and picking out our lawnmower. We love our grass!

   
     Our family was such a huge help with the move! Priscilla helped haul lots of boxes one evening, and Tony showed up moving day and brought our washer dryer over...and several boxes of pizzas as well! My mom has been a huge help, I am so selfishly thankful she was free that whole moving of week. We sanded, primed, and painted up a storm. I love the clean inside of my cabinets now! My dad was super dad as always, he is amazing at putting in dishwasher and fixes just about everything, I am so thankful for the way he just offers to do things and I don't even ask. Our siblings all helped in various ways as well, from moving heavy things, to bringing ice cream bars. We are blessed!

   
    We still have the new homeowner glow and love heading to the hardware store. We just enjoy wandering through the aisle and dreaming of new paint and shiny door handles.

   
     Our little home was even the joyous recipient of company. My grandmas and mom came by with soup for us all and took the grand tour.

Welcome to a small picture tour of our home, more to come as the Segars settle in over here.

The Lord Establishes His Steps

Yesterday we got to enjoy some sunshine at Clayton Beach. This is one of my favorite spots in Whatcom County. I love the smell of the salt water, being able to see "waves", and taking in the sight of the islands that surround us! We are so blessed to live in such a place that has farm lands and oceans and mountains, I surely couldn't ask for more.

Even though the beach was calm, we were in the midst of lots of calling back and forth with our Realtor. Yesterday we signed the paper that resigned our offer on a little house we have been waiting for this past month. In short, it didn't appraise for the full amount of our offer, since the market is just starting to swing back up the bank is still comparing it to other homes that sold for a cheaper price a few months ago. It felt like we were abandoning our little house, I have stacks of paint samples all picked out and ready to go.

Wes was reading this morning Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) 

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." 

The Lord has put our feet on a new path for a reason, I am so thankful He doesn't do things without having a reason or a purpose, either for our learning and molding, or for His glory. Maybe it was a way of teaching us to trust, maybe it was a way of teaching us to not call our dollars our own, maybe we were being protected from thing that we aren't aware of. The possibilities of lessons to learn are many, His steps for our lives are what we want. As I feel a let down giving up my paint samples I am also feeling a sense of gladness in resting in  His strength to establish our steps. We are blessed!

Horse Fun!

 I was one of those girls who read a stack of horse books, dreamed while looking at pictures of horses, and became ecstatic if I got to ride a real live one! While I don't drool over horse books anymore, I still enjoy the incredible beauty that our Creator put into these animals!

What better than two sweet girls, who love horses as well, to go with you on a adventure in hopes of spying a horse!? Katherine and Frances were such fun company as we wandered around the Draft Horse Show in Lynden this past weekend. There was not much happening as it was the afternoon, but there was a small show going on for part of the time. Not to over-tell of the sweetness of these girls, but they were so content as we just enjoyed what was there. We managed to find some facepainting at the Raspberry Festival (again no complaints with the rain...wow!) and very much enjoyed a close up view of the foal. You can see it in the picture, it was missing its mom and letting everyone know that she should be with him and not out in the ring. Even though it was not as big of a show as I was hoping for, seeing this little fuzzy guy made it very worth it. A big thank you to those two for tagging along with me and keeping me company. A summer highlight!

Impressed by my Mocha :)

The beauty of living in a rainy land is the local coffee shops who put so much into their coffee! 

How We Celebrate

Our usual, sharing an order of Chicken Fettuccine

Lemonade

Shrimp Appetizer

Lots of tasty food on a night out to celebrate His goodness! Love these dates with my hubby.

Homemaker Gone Pro

This has been me, the barrista, for a year and a half. Many espresso shots later I am moving into a new season of life. I am thrilled to pieces about the change of schedule. I was so thankful at the time to get this job when I did, the Lord's timing is good in both coming and going. Now after a short and wonderful time of being married I am "retiring" to focus more on home.

Even though it will probably be just the two of us for a while still, one of the reasons for me quiting the coffee shop was to be able to enjoy this season to the fullest, just "us" only happens once! 

 A disclaimer for my fellow younger married ladies is that I really think there is nothing wrong with working outside the home before kids, as long as you have your husbands support and encouragement. For my friends with more energy, and for those who love their jobs, and to those who are being great helpers to their husbands by working a bit...I think you guys are pretty awesome.

We are looking forward to being more flexible to: attend family gatherings, go camping, and do more outdoorsy things over the summer! Wes is excited at the thought of having me here when he arrives home from work, what a joy that is! We are also looking forward to getting to work on projects and ministries together, with me bugging him or helping.

Ask me about the adventures I have planned if you are curios, they will probably include some form of canning, biking in our beautiful Northwest, soaking up sunshine, walks with Wes, visits with grandmas, coffee with friends, meals with family, some scrapbooking (requested by Wes, boy what a hard request), a bit of sewing, and keeping our home a clean and welcoming place! 

 Come for a homemade espresso...I will probably be here smiling away.

Cheers to Woods, may you do well, I will miss my Cedar Iced Americanos with White Chocolate!

Nikon D7000

 This past weekend we got to take the ferry to San Juan Island. It was partly for fun, party for the purpose of looking at a camera that was listed on craigslist. I was glad we were able to arrange it so that I could go along after getting off work! We were thankful we made the ferry, barely made it would be more accurate! We were running down from the upper parking lot hoping we would make it. Thankfully there were a lot of other people getting on too, slowing down the ferry, so we did make it.

While on the ferry we got to enjoy the view (the itouch photo does not do it justice!). We went through some of Wes' flashcards for his last test on the roads of Ferndale. We were blessed with the ideal day, it was sunny and warm. After meeting up with the man selling the camera we got to walk around town and admirer the cute shops and the harbor. We even ordered one of our favorite things, Pad Thai, and shared it in the sun on the ferry dock.

What a nice afternoon! The "fun" of the journey was great, and we even accomplished the mission and got the camera. Wesley has been very patient with upgrading his current one. He has been eyeing this particular one but did not have any extremely important reason for putting out that kind of cash. We decided to invest though, in the one he has been looking at, with the realization that it also takes high definition video! I am excited for him to have a project that has such beautiful products. Anyone needing a wedding videographer? ;)

A photo from the new camera as we were landing.....

Jalapenos N' Pizza

     I had a craving for pizza last night, one of the girls at work ordered one and got it right there at the coffee shop! That got me really thinking. So after I got off work I did the quick "google trick" for a whole wheat pizza dough recipe. I tried this recipe for the dough and really liked it. I let it sit for about an hour while going to the Y, it doesn't say to do that, but it worked. I liked how it snuck in some wheat germ, who knew? I also pulled out some jalapenos from a jar, boy, what a kick! We dipped it in a lot more ranch than was healthy I am sure, but it was good. I was proud of the fact that mine was much healthier and cheaper than the delivered one, 15 plus a tip for delivering it, for a tiny thing...this lasted us two meals! My fun in the kitchen from yesterday. :)

The toppings:
left over spaghetti sauce
sauteed onions, red pepper, jalapenos, and garlic
a little bit of sausage that we had left from a breakfast at the fire station (my excuse for eating it and enjoying it;)
cilantro
fresh tomato
and lots of mozzarella and parmesan cheese
so good!

Almost There

Life feels full, a very good kind of full. Especially right now as I watch Wes work on wrapping us his probationary project. We are one rotation, three shifts, and eight days from his finishing the first year as a career member with the fire department. We are so thankful for the work he has been given! I tagged along to see him put up photos at one of the stations, they will look extra snazzy now! I have chicken cooking in the oven. The yummy smell of chicken and rice is helping me prepare for dinner with Wes' sister and brother-in-law. It is such a neat thing to have siblings that around here, and even cooler that they don't mind putting up with us! We got to hang out at a little local Chinese good restaurant last night with my brother and sister-in-law. Truly a fun season, so thankful for days like these.  

 The chicken recipe, a healthy flavorful one!
Chicken Marabella (Sandy Thomas's recipe)


6 chicken breasts (I used less)
1/2 C olive oil
1/4 C balsamic vinegar
6 giant cloves garlic
1/2 C cilantro (optional)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 can pears (with one whoop of juice :o) Sandy's words!)
1/2 C jam (black currant, black cherry, apricot, etc.)
6 bay leaves


Marinate overnight (or for the day), and bake with the sauce.  It is good to drizzle over the rice!  Bake at 350 for an hour.

Kids and Careers

     Wes got an email from one of the other "probies" at his work a few days ago wondering if he could do a short presentation at a career fair at WCC. He had been asked to do it, but it was his work day. Wes got to do it instead! I got to go along for the ride. He is so nice to let his wife tag along to things, I am glad he enjoys it because it is fun to get to see what he is doing! It really does make me feel more part of his world, hearing things from stories later is mostly what makes up for not seeing him for 24 hrs when he is at work, but whenever I can tag along I think it is awesome! He did great getting down to the high school kids level, and encouraging them to work hard towards a goal. It is so interesting to think about where these kids will be down the road, who knows, Wes could have planted some advice that will help them practically later on. I thought he looked pretty sweet in the teachers spot, and no...I didn't bring my camera and no one was watching when I took this. It was just a quick snap with his itouch, otherwise he might have second thoughts about bringing me along next time. *grin*

Mailbox Surprise

 Life is so full of good things. One of them being a church full of ladies who are able to get together for a more extended time for a retreat. Another good thing is a sister-in-law who graduated from WWU! Whohoo. Both happened on the same weekend. After getting to be in on some of the planning for the retreat I was sad to miss out on the Saturday session, Friday evening left me very excited for the ladies who got to stay and hear more of the things the speaker had prepared to share. While I was excited, the once in a life time "good thing" of my sister-in-law won the day! So amazed at her accomplishments! Another good thing to celebrate is a sweet friend who was thinking of me that Saturday. She saved some of the extra craft supplies so I could enjoy doing and having this adorable project! Look at the cute way she packaged it and all! Thank you Annie for thinking of me, and the good gift of your friendship. I have very much enjoyed this surprise.

A Celebration

My firefighter is on duty right now. I am so very proud of him! Today was one of the milestone for him within his year of probation. He had a test today, not the ordinary kind of test where you are in a classroom. That was part of it, he did fill out a typical test paper. What he did that really amazes me is that he operated a big ladder truck with no help, all the while being observed by one of the chiefs. No second set of hands or other pair of eyes. Just him! To think of him in his handsome blue uniform doing something so cool, ah yes, I am proud! The Lord blessed his diligence, he passed the written test and the important practical. These are for him, a little way to celebrate in the morning. I will be off at work by the time he comes home tomorrow, but it is fun to leave something special for him to enjoy to say....yippee! I am so very proud of you Honey, of your job and the work that goes with it helping others, and of your faithfulness in what you have been given to do.

(the recipe, I highly recommend it http://sweetapolita.com/2011/03/cinnabon-style-gourmet-cinnamon-buns/)

Stanley Park

There are great benefits to being in this season of life! I remind myself this when I see someone holding a cute baby. Days like this past Saturday are something I do not want to take for granted! Wes and I were both off work, what joy! Too add to this joy the sun was out to break up this cold Washington weather we have been enduring. After Wes got home from work we started to think of an adventure to go out and do for the afternoon. My family is not much into the tall buildings and crazy traffic of cities, so growing up we never ventured to Vancouver. I have now experienced it several times with Wes and his family though! We packed our lunch, stopped at the Woods for Upside-Down Ice Carmel Americanos, and hit the boarder wait. The never ending drive through Vancouver was worth it when we arrive at Stanley Park. I loved the view as we biked! I am not sure about all the people who did not know how to bike, it is so nerve racking to watch the person in front of you who can't keep the handle bar straight! Nor do people understand the "on your left phrase"...ie please move over I would like to pass. I surely loved getting to bike next to my smiling husband and smell the ocean and see the water with buildings and boats and people. If that had not been enough it was followed up with dinner at Red Robbins, look at how many sauces they brought me. Oh joy! The perfect day. We are so blessed.

Date Night

I love these pictures that Wes took! They were taken right before an evening that we got to spend going out to eat and to a movie. I am so blessed to have a guy who surprises me from time to time with such outings. He asked me to dress up a little and didn't tell me where we were going. I just can't stand surprises, so I guessed the whole drive to dinner which place we might be going to. Such fun anticipation!

It makes me laugh watching him take these kind of photos. He got his lights all set up and the settings on his camera adjusted just right, then the fun begins. While I stand and happily do nothing he runs back and forth pushing the buttom and then posing and smiling, back to see if it turned out, adjusting it, back and forth...and the result is we get to save pictures of us like these with no arm jutting out the side like most of our twosome pictures are. Notice the pretty pink rose he came home with too. It smelled amazing, but was sweetest for the thought.

Almost six month, so few, so much to learn and lean on Him for, and so fun!

Our Saturday

     This is my pizza dough which is currently rising in the oven. I am a bit skeptical of it. It is for a "thin" crust pizza, but I am not sure how this little bit of dough will spread out into anything...no matter how thin! Hoping for a tasty outcome non-the-less.

 

     This is a cute little basket from a box of Beckie's things. It is for a table center piece for the ladies retreat this next upcoming weekend. I am having fun with lots of fabric and some amazing tools that I get to own preparing a small square to go under the basket. It is involving some mustard yellow embroidery floss and big stitches to make a quilted look. Can't wait to see how these turn out in the end as well!

 

     This is what my poor husband is drugged on. I discovered it last year when I had to go to work super sick a few days (ew!). We normally are not big into such chemically looking things in bottles, but today is an exception. He worked yesterday and during the night didn't get
much sleep.  

     I am sure he will appreciate having his picture taken and posted. :) He is still snoozing away and I wanted to capture how cute he looks all sick. Even though I feel very bad for him, he does look pretty cute.

Off to top the pizza with some veggies! It is a movie night for us!
http://www.tammysrecipes.com/thin_crust_thai_chicken_pizza

Phone Calls

Wes snuck this photo while I was on the phone with Kelsey. Our phone calls don't happen as often as the "typical" girl might be on the phone, but when they do they usually last plenty long. I love how she will humor me and tell me the happenings from her neck of the woods in chronological order, that way you don't miss anything! I love sitting in a comfy place while chatting, here I was enjoying watching the snow and the workers across the way organize their snow plows. Thank you, Kelsey, for the phone calls and making the time to chat. Thank you for including me in this way and telling me about your adventures in Texas. Thank you for being sweet about my ramblings and enjoying hearing them. Those phone calls to and from Texas have been so nice!

A New Start

     My hope for a new post is that I will continue to post. As I continue to post I would love for this blog to be a place for me to write down small things about this big season of life. I would love to post some things for others to enjoy and maybe smile over, and also for me to use this space as a way of documenting and remembering the things I loved about this season.

     So as this blog got her new background and look for her second start, I was multitasking between frustrated grunts with the computer and test tasting cookies as they came out of the over. What better place to start than to start in my kitchen. I absolutely love my kitchen, I love taking the time to wipe-up all the crumbs I seem to leave all over so that I have a sparkly counter, I love taking the time to do my meal planning for the week, I love trying simple, new recipes, and I love when a cute husband comes and helps me with the dishes as he did yesterday.

I love the yellow kitchen aid most of all

I love the super full and messy drawer with the containers for Wes's meals for his work days

I love the old fashioned soap dispenser that Wes picked out when we were registering and the pink sponge

I love the company and little sounds from Jeffrey our cocktail makes

I love the good smells that come from the kitchen

I love turning out the light and saying good night to my kitchen

Yes, I am enjoying this part of our new season.