Jessica

Save the Dates: Are they Really Necessary?

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I hemmed and hawed for a while about the whole save the date thing. It’s a cute idea really, and it makes a ton of sense, especially if you want everyone you invite to the wedding to be able to come. I’m going to sound like a total negative nancy here but I really don’t want everyone we invite to come.

Both Chuck and I come from huge families and some of the people in those families we rarely talk to. I know it’s all about celebrating the day, but when you start adding second cousins and friends of the family, who we haven’t seen in years it gets a little over the top. The people that are most important to us we talk to on a regular basis and already know the date of the wedding, so sending save the dates seems a bit redundant.

Another thing is the cost. Weddings these days cost so. much. money. Even with our super simple plans, it’s going to cost way more than we were originally thinking, so I thought that this would be an easy place to cut costs. Making up 200 save the dates, magnets or cards aren’t that expensive coming in anywhere between $0.75 to $2.00 each you could spend $150-400, but we haven’t even talked about shipping them to you, to then send out. Stamps these days cost $.049 or close to $100 for 200 people. Add it all adds up and you’re looking at $250 on the cheapest end, not including all the extra shipping, taxes and fees.

These are just the save the dates! We aren’t even started talking about the real invitations here. Though I did have a friend who only sent save the dates and directed people to her wedding website for RSVP and all other pertinent info, which isn’t a half bad idea if all of your guests are computer literate.

And since most people are quite computer literate I have also been playing with the idea of sending digital save the dates, companies like MailChimp, Facebook or another internet based notification could really be helpful with this. We are still trying to figure that part out right now.

For us, the best decision was to skip the save the dates and only do real, regular invitations. I want to note that we are planning on sending the save the dates a little early than you normally would so people who need to have enough time to book hotels & flights. After all, it is the invitation that has the hotel booking info.

I’m not saying this is for everyone, but for us, this worked best. Hey, we are being green!

Recently No. 7

By Jessica

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This month was nice and slow; it was about recovering,
reflecting and setting new intentions. I’m not going to lie all of our 2015
goals went out the window that first week. We had some crazy things happen that
kept us busy until late in the night multiple nights that week. That’s part of
life though and the last two weeks of the month really helped us turn things
around so I’m hoping for some better luck in February.

Chuck cleaned up the basement and got out home gym back
in order, with some fancy new additions.

We made it to the rock wall for the first time in a long
time.

I got to a couple yoga classes and even tried Barre.

We re-instituted eating a salad before dinner.

I started a winter garden.

We spent lots of time with a few long lost friends, and
it was great!

I learned to crochet, more on that later.

We finally finished Son’s of Anarchy, and I have pretty mixed emotions on it. I almost feel like this final season wasn’t even necessary. What I know for sure wasn’t necessary is the volume of brutality seriously too much. I can’t even.

Around the net:

I am incredibly awestruck and inspired by this woman.

sometimes I need a fresh perspective. Mimi’s beautiful writing provided for me something I really needed this month.

Gender Issues: I agree with Rabbi Fink.

Banana bread is amazing. This recipe made my week last week.

This got my blood boiling. Really what are we telling students.

This might be the best sandwich ever. I’m betting leftover stroganoff will work really well also. We are doing this ASAP.

Next time you meet someone with a difficult to pronounce name, please take the time.

6 Ingredient Creamy Sausage Gnocchi

By Jessica

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This winter man, it’s killing me. Typically I love winter,
snowy days mean big cups of steaming tea, by the fire, good books, crafts, and
ice fishing, but so far this year there really isn’t any snow. It’s just plain
cold. The year hasn’t started off so great; there were a number of very sad occurrences,
issues with broken cars amongst the normal life stress. I’m excited for January
to be nearing its end, February is going to be a new month and bring some much
needed changes.

For now I’m brightening my spirits with some good comfort
food. Next week we will get back on that healthy eating band wagon that work
out band wagon too, because man running errands every single night after work
is killing my ability to work out big time. I will get back into it, I have to,
I have a wedding to be in shape for!

Anyway enough of my griping and on to the recipe!

This one is a good
one. A super simple recipe that does not skip on flavor and is super
comforting. It also comes together in less than 30 minutes, which makes it
great for a week night meal.

I mean really could you ask for anything more?

Creamy Sausage Gnocchi (Serves 4)

1 lb gnocchi

½ lb Italian sausage, casings removed

1 small fennel bulb, chopped

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

1 cup heavy cream

Fresh grated Parmesan, for garnish

Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions. In a
large skillet crumble the sausage and cook until it begins to brown and crisp.
Drain the pan, leaving about a tablespoon of fat in. Add the fennel and cook
until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and bring to a simmer and
cook for 5 or so minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the cream. Serve the
sauce over warm gnocchi and a garnish of parmesan.

How is your year starting off?

Indoor Winter Garden

By Jessica

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There are a few things I notice about the way I cook in the
summer versus the winter; the main thing is the number of salads, and fresh
veggies. Obvious I know, but I also noticed that a lot of these types of
veggies are fairly easy to grow indoors. So I have decided to try out a small
indoor winter garden.

Don’t you love Chuck’s gnome? I do.

Now I already have quite a few plants hanging around our
tiny apartment, so to start with I had to make space. The first to go were the
succulents and cactuses. I don’t get any real joy from these, and I’m not very
good at taking care of them. I know; cactuses. Whatever, we all have our
weaknesses.

I also combined a few things, did a few crafts and cleaned out some junk to make more space.

Next I transitioned a few of my outdoor plants to the
indoors. Those included parsley, Swiss chard, a few chive and tarragon
seedlings. The tarragon didn’t make it, I think because they had already gotten too cold. I’ll try again next year.

I already had quite a few plants started through my re-propagation experiments, so those are still going, and will hopefully be
providing for us for a few more months.

I also started some bean seeds. I wanted to do more vegetables but there just isn’t space. Maybe our next place (hopefully before the spring growing season). Anyway the little bean seedlings are popping up now and I’m excited to see what comes of them! Hopefully we will get enough beans for a few dinners.

It’s baby steps to sustainability around here.

How are your indoor plants doing?

What to Expect from your First Barre Class

By Jessica

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What to Expect from your First Barre Class

Source

I went to my first Barre class a few weeks ago. Let’s just say I was slightly under prepared for the awkwardness, and pain. I figured that I could not be the only one feeling this way so I thought that I’d share the bounty of my wisdom with you all.

You are going to be on your toes a lot. It’s a wakeup call for your calves!!
All the moves are done in little tiny pulses. It seems silly but it hurts, during the workout and a few days later. So you know it’s doing something.
Squats happen a lot so be ready to have trouble going up and down the stairs for the next few days.
Get used to holding one arm in the air, because you’re trying to be a ballerina here after all.
Wear basic yoga wear. Formfitting, but breathable clothes are the thing.
That awkward thigh master from the 90’s shows up in the form of a squishy ball, and it’s still totally awkward.
You will feel silly picking up 2lb weights but after 100 tiny pulses you will wish it was ½lb weights instead.
It is not an “easy” day workout, don’t try to fool yourself.

I definitely got a good workout from the class, I mean I was sore for a few days; however the awkwardness factor makes me think I’m going to stick with videos in my own home if I want to do it again. Much like zumba my gangly arms and legs are give me a crazed giraffe look that no one needs to see.

What classes have you taken that you liked? I’m looking for new experiences here.

Jessica

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