what will we do this weekend?

I recently made a date jar for Mr.H and I.  I came across the brilliant idea on Pinterest (where else??).  Life in the Green House and Lovely Little Snippets both had great ideas for the date jar.  I decided to make my own for Mr.H and I and I'm so excited for us to have our first date from it this weekend!!

It was very easy to make.  I picked up a large mason jar, scrapbook paper and large popsicle sticks at my local craft store.  I painted the popsicle stick with acrylic paint I already had.  Each color represents a different date as seen below in my code.  

All I had to do is come up with was the dates Mr.H and I would go on.  I found some good ideas on Life in the Green House, but I also came up with a few of my own.

I will say that all dates were pre-approved by Mr.H.  I wanted to make sure he participated on all of them so ran all them by him.  I also left a few sticks blank in case we want to add a few more dates in the future.  

PINK=Home Dates

Home dates require little planning and usually cost no money or very little.

     -Homemade pizza and a movie

     -Play tennis together

     -Chick flick and popcorn

     -Cook a new meal together

     -Fondu over candle light

     -Order take out and play dominos

     -Make a dessert together (then eat it!)

PURPLE=$ Dates 

These are dates that require a little planning, but not very expensive.  Something you can do really any weekend.

     -Try a new restaurant

     -Miniature golf

     -Dinner and a movie (Mr.H's choice)

     -Dinner and a movie (my choice)

     -Dessert only date

     -Walk down Main St. and have lunch

     -Afternoon at the zoo

     -Go get yogurt

     -Bowling

     -Dallas farmers market and lunch

     -Ice skating

     -Picnic at the Arboretum

BLUE=$$ Dates

These are dates that require planning in advance and are a little pricy.  Notice how few we have :)

     -Dinner at a fancy restaurant

     -Hotel stay for the night

     -Bed and breakfast

     -Couples massage

Where we live, we have so many fun activities around and don't ever take advantage of them.  Honestly, I think we are sometimes too lazy or simply forget about them.  This is a great way for us to spend some time together and do something fun and different.  

For the home and $ (less expensive) dates, I think it will be fun for us to draw one randomly.  It will make it exciting!  

I'm very pumped because this weekend Mr.H and I will pull a PURPLE ($) date.  We've been busy the last few weekends so we haven't had a date out in a while.  The weather is suppose to be beautiful so (fingers crossed) I hope we get an outdoor activity!  

Have a wonderful weekend FRIENDS!

what would i do without mr. h?

I'm reminded of how thankful I am to have married such a godly man.  Mr. H is truly a man of God and continues to amaze me with his wise leadership of our family.  He is an encouragement to me in my daily walk as I see him dig into the word himself everyday.  I'm so blessed beyond belief and thank God so often for such a wonderful example.  

Mr. H and I do a weekly devotional every Sunday morning with each other: Devotions for a Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.  It's a wonderful time for us to see what the Lord has for us, learn something about marriage and share what God has showed us during the week.  I look forward to this time together every week and so often take it for granted. 

TODAY'S VERSE... 

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them...When Peter saw him, he asked"Lord, what about him?"  Jesus answered, "If I wanted him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?  You must follow me."  John 21:20-23

It's human nature to look at others and judge.  It's easy for us to look at our spouse (and others too) and find their flaws while disregarding that the real issue may be yourself!  It's no secret that you married a sinner so there will always be flaws in your spouse as well as yourself.  It's our responsibility to focus on ourselves and what we need to change-not what we can change about our spouse!!  

As Mr. Thomas points out, "Marriage is about learning how to respond to a sinful human being in a holy way.  It's also about letting someone else's sin reveal our own."  

Thank you Mr. Thomas for bringing Mr. H and I closer to the Lord through your wonderful devotional.  

Thank you God for Mr. H...I look forward to the rest of my life with him and I can't wait to see how HE brings us closer together.

I hope you have a very blessed Monday!

what's on my nails?

So I was checking in on my favorite blogs this afternoon and came across The Nail Files on O. Alouette.  I thought I'd check it out and see what it's about.  I decided to join The Nail Files and link up with Tara and Vicki for the first time. How FUN and ironic since I just purchased two new nail colors today.  I was anxious to try them out and this gave me the perfect excuse.  

Let me introduce to you Essence colour & go: a lovely secret (purple) and you belong to me (mint).

I must admit these were an impulse buy when I was picking something up at Ulta today.  These little polishes were only $0.99...what a steal.  Nail polish I think is always a risky purchase because I've found that even expensive ones don't look that great on.  Anyways, I give these two beautifully polished thumbs up!!  Plus they are small so you can try out several colors without feeling guilty about spending a forturne.  

I always seem to be adding to my nail polish collection and with new colors all over the place it's hard to resist.  I purchased two other polishes a few weeks ago and must share because I'm loving them.  I splurged on these two L'Oreal polishes (I did have a coupon though!!!): tangerine crush and walk on the beach.  I was sporting the coral color today, but replaced it with the new mint.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I recently got a pair of coral Gap shorts which I wore today and I think the coral and mint polish compliment each other quite nicely.  I'm loving these two color combinations; I might try to find some cute mint accessories.  Check out how cute...

I'm so happy it's the weekend and the weather is going to be in the 80's!  I'm so excited to spend Saturday with Mr.H.  Maybe I can talk him into doing something fun outside to soak up this nice sunny weather while it's here!  

Happy weekend FRIENDS!

which color?

It's officially SPRING!!  I love this time of year...the weather is beautiful, flowers are blooming, and it's time to pack up your winter wardrobe and break out your spring clothes.  Or in my case (maybe yours too) it's time to start shopping!!

If you've been online or shopping (in any store) recently you know that colored pants and shorts are all the rage this season.  I, myself, am totally giddy.  I love to find ways to spice up my boring wardrobe and I think a pair of these will boost my drab wardrobe quite nicely.

I must admit that several years ago I owned a pair of red jeans.  Notice the past tense.  I realized that they were quite bold and I don't even like the color read.  Hello!  What was I thinking!?!?!  Now that these new pastel pants are sprouting up all over the place, I remember when I owned a pair of turquoise Gap capris.  When I first started dating Mr.H I was going to wear them one outing and he totally looked at me like I was crazy and insisted I not wear them.  I took his advise...another What was I thinking (moment)!?!?!  I should have at least stored them away for later date.  Here we are almost two years later and they are all the rage!

Anyways, I recently bough a pair of coral shorts from Gap (Gap outlet actually!!...Hello savings!) and am looking at buying a pair of colored jeans.  I would like to get two, but I'm pretty sure this is a fad, plus they are bold so I'd like to stick with one for now.  What I'm trying to figure out now is what color I want?  I'm inclined to get a pair of coral jeans or capris, but part of me is leaning towards the mint color.  I need to hurry up and decide because they are selling out all over the place (unfortunately my size is popular...uggg!).

I love the concept of having a bold pant and a more neutral or basic top.  It's the reverse of what I normally do.  Oh how I love fashion!!!

I'll keep you posted once I make my decision.  What are your thoughts on colored jeans/pants/short???

Source: Check out my Pinterest

what's for dinner?

As a new housewife, I have become the chef in our family.  While we were dating, I must admit that Mr. H spent more time in the kitchen than I did.  However, the roles have reversed since we've been married due to the fact that I usually get home before Mr. H and I actually enjoy cooking now.  We now have a nice routine of going to the store on Sunday afternoon (which Mr. H LOVES...jk) to prepare for our meals for the week ahead.  This way we know what we are having for dinner every night and what I love most is that I don't have to go to the store in the middle of the week-Hallelujiah!

Pinterest has been my new best friend recently!!  It's given me so much inspiration when it comes to many things, but specifically cooking.  I wasn't one who could look through a cookbook and get ideas.  I need pictures and like to see the final product.  I also like that I can see comments and suggestions from those who have made the same thing.  I guess you could say I judge a book by it's cover.

Mr. H and I have found some great dinner recipes and several very yummy dessert recipes.  Here are a few of our favorite dinners that I suggest trying (dessert favorites to come later!).  All of them are very easy, which I love.  Enjoy...

Maria's Cooking Adventure

This pot roast was super easy and a great dinner to come home to.  Crockpot recipes are so easy because your entire meal is ready to eat with no preparation at all.  The leftovers are even yummy too.  We actually froze half and had it for dinner two weeks later.  I put it all in a medium size pot with the lid on then put it in the oven for about 30-40 minutes.  It tasted like we just made it.  This will become a staple in the H family!

Pip and Ebby

I LOVE Mexican food so I was all over this recipe.  It's so versatile too.  When I made it, we put the chicken in tortillas with cheese and tomatoes then I made some guacamole to go with it.  Next time I make it I'll use the leftovers to make chicken quesadillas. 

Taste of Home

I actually revised this recipe a lot.  I liked the concept so I adapted it to what we'd like.  Mr. H doesn't like beans of any kind so I accommodated and left them out.  My revised enchilada casserole  basically consists of ground beef, cheese and tortillas.  I ground beef, then added some salsa and chili powder, then I started layering in a 9x9 pan.  A layer of flour tortillas, then the beef mixture, then a layer of cheese, then repeat.  I covered it with foil and baked if for 20 minutes at 400 degrees then uncovered for the last 5 minutes.  I served it with tomatoes and of course guacamole and salsa.  Yummy!

i nom things

This recipe was Mr. H approved.  He loves pasta and basically anything citrus so I knew this would meet his approval.  Usually we always end up with lots of leftovers when we cook dinner; however, this recipe was just enough for each of us to have one serving.  It's an easy go to recipe because usually we have everything on hand.  It could also work as a great side dish with chicken.  Instead of using fresh bail, I used dried basil.  I know fresh basil would taste better, but I didn't want to spend the extra money for just one simple dish.  Plus I always have dried basil on hand.  I also didn't include the pine nuts.  

The great thing about recipes is that you can always revise and adapt them to what you want.  I like that!  Thank you Pinterest (aka fellow bloggers) for ideas and inspiration!!  I am beginning to build some great staple recipes for Mr. H and I.  I am very excited to share all the yummy desserts I've made, but I'll save that for another post.  

Happy Dining!

where do i begin?

Thanks for checking out my new blog: Simply Splendid LOVE!  The last 6 months have been some of the best of my life!  I got married and moved in with my best friend.  I love being married and always being with the one I love.  There is something about always coming home and seeing your favorite person waiting for you.

Now that I am married, I have officially put on my "housewife" hat and am now a "housewife" in training.  I must say it's easier than I might have thought...OR maybe it's because I have an amazing husband-thanks babe!

Here's a little bit about me...

I graduated from Baylor University.

I moved back to Dallas/Ft.Worth, which is where I call home.

I married Mr. H on 9.10.11.  {Yes, we did that on purpose!}
(Thanks to Kelly Beane for our wonderful wedding pictures!!!)

I LOVE to eat and make yummy treats.
To quote my sister-in-law, SB, "I'll have a sliver now
and a slice later."  That's become my motto! Hahaha.
(These yummy treats were done by Christie with Daily Dose of Sweet!)

I am addicted to Pinterest.

My favorite color is pink!

I LOVE to spend time with Mr. H.
(A special thank you to my wonderful boss, Catherine,
for the amazing proposal and engagement pictures!!!!)

My family is very important to me.
(Another Kelly Beane picture.)

I am a photographer and work at Catherine Clay Photography.

Mr. H and I are starting our journey together as husband and wife and I couldn't thank God more for placing him in my life.   Stick around and you'll get a glimpse into my life with Mr. H!

Have a blessed day!