I just came across this list of marriage advice on a friends blog (check it out here) and absolutely love it! The original list is quite long so I decided to only include some favorites, though the whole thing is great! Note: this is written in prospective of a father to his son.
{Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!}
Praising your wife in front of other people does wonders for her self-esteem.
Criticizing your wife in front of others, even in jest, is always a bad idea. Always.
Sometimes, she doesn't want you to solve the problem. She just wants you to listen. I know, I don't understand it either.
Credit card debt is a monster. Don't fall for it, even for the short term.
Live on less than you make. In fact, learn to live on one income. Swim against the tide.
Tithe. Not only does it honor God, it also brings focus to the rest of your money decisions.
Laughing together is even better for you than exercising together.
Don't be so afraid of hurting the other's feelings that you never really talk about how you feel. It took five years of marriage before I finally told your mom I didn't like grape jelly, which she'd been putting on my peanut butter sandwiches every day.
Don't be too embarrassed to talk about sex together.
Praying together every day might be the most intimate thing you can do. Even more than sex.
Pray together before any big decision and most small ones. The ultimate decision is far less important than the fact you are praying together about it.
Find regular times of quietness, both together and alone. Watching a Cubs game doesn't count.
Hold your career with a light touch. It's not who you are, it's only what you do.
Find a good church and get involved. Don't just be spectators. Churches have enough of those.
If you wait until you feel confident and ready to have kids, you will never have kids.
When you fight, fight fairly and cleanly. No yelling, no escalating, no pouting.
Approach each day with a thankful heart. It's a freeing thing to realize that no one owes you anything. First Timothy 6:6 says, "Godliness with contentment is great gain."
Your wife is an amazing gift from God. Treat her that way.
No marriage is bulletproof. Guard it with everything you have, and entrust it to God.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Weekend Love
Happy Friday! With a long and interesting week behind us, I am definitely ready for a long 3-day weekend! Looking forward to our photo session with Sarah tomorrow, a 5k run where I hope to meet some new potential clients, yummy dinner plans and a relaxing day off Monday. Exactly what we need. Have a lovely few days!image/countryliving
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Much Ado About Nothing
I've been tagged my our sweet friend Rheanna. Feel free to read on for some tidbits about me and definitely check out Rheanna's adorable blog Cammo Style Love!
1. Where do you picture yourself in 5 years?
Wherever I am I hope to be a little bit wiser, kinder and more patient...with a couple of little Hansen's:)
2. What would you do if you won the lottery?
Hmm, how much are we talking? First things would definitely be paying off our student loan debt, buying reliable cars, stashing away a good chunk for the future (kids college, etc.) and taking off to Hawaii for a few weeks. Do you think I could purchase an unlimited Starbucks card for all of the coffee lovers in my life? That would be wonderful! From there, the possibilities to help others are endless:)
3. What is your favorite season?
Spring, no Fall, no wait Spring, or Fall...let's call it a tie!
4. What is your favorite sport, if any?
I love playing volleyball and deeply enjoy live baseball games, but my real love is good old fashioned weight lifting and some running, oh the endorphines!
5. Do you have any pets?
Indeed, two precious pups who make me smile everyday. They're our canine kids. Yes, we're "those" people!
6. Where is one place you hope to go in your lifetime?
I'm thankful to have crossed a lot European destinations off my list by traveling in college, but I have yet to visit Boston or Maine. Some day I would love to take an East coast trip.
7. Can you describe your dream home?
Something Chris and I can take from a drab to fab and preferably an old Craftsman style house! We love the idea of totally remodeling a home! But it would definitely be on a lot of property and have a ginormous garden and a wrap-around porch {swoon}.
8. Do you have any blogging secrets or tips to share?
In a nutshell: post consistently and early in the day, keep it real and when possible, write blogs ahead of time and autopost (a brilliant little blogging secret I've learned!).
And that's me...in 8 questions or less:)
1. Where do you picture yourself in 5 years?
Wherever I am I hope to be a little bit wiser, kinder and more patient...with a couple of little Hansen's:)
2. What would you do if you won the lottery?
Hmm, how much are we talking? First things would definitely be paying off our student loan debt, buying reliable cars, stashing away a good chunk for the future (kids college, etc.) and taking off to Hawaii for a few weeks. Do you think I could purchase an unlimited Starbucks card for all of the coffee lovers in my life? That would be wonderful! From there, the possibilities to help others are endless:)
3. What is your favorite season?
Spring, no Fall, no wait Spring, or Fall...let's call it a tie!
4. What is your favorite sport, if any?
I love playing volleyball and deeply enjoy live baseball games, but my real love is good old fashioned weight lifting and some running, oh the endorphines!
5. Do you have any pets?
Indeed, two precious pups who make me smile everyday. They're our canine kids. Yes, we're "those" people!
6. Where is one place you hope to go in your lifetime?
I'm thankful to have crossed a lot European destinations off my list by traveling in college, but I have yet to visit Boston or Maine. Some day I would love to take an East coast trip.
7. Can you describe your dream home?
Something Chris and I can take from a drab to fab and preferably an old Craftsman style house! We love the idea of totally remodeling a home! But it would definitely be on a lot of property and have a ginormous garden and a wrap-around porch {swoon}.
8. Do you have any blogging secrets or tips to share?
In a nutshell: post consistently and early in the day, keep it real and when possible, write blogs ahead of time and autopost (a brilliant little blogging secret I've learned!).
And that's me...in 8 questions or less:)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Plans
I really needed this little reminder today...
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
When things are uncertain, as they are right now, we can rest assured there is hope! Have a wonderful day!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
When things are uncertain, as they are right now, we can rest assured there is hope! Have a wonderful day!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Occasionally...
we break the rules and throw tradition out the window. In the Hansen house we occasionally have breakfast for dinner. That's right, we sometimes forgo the salad and lean meat and have a bowl of cereal or an egg white scramble and on a very rare evening-waffles. It's all about balance, right?!
And may I suggest that if you're going to do it, you should either go big or go home. So last Sunday we went big and savored every last drop of these scrumptious pumpkin waffles (we find any excuse to use our new belgian waffler!).
As I said last week, this was our first attempt at them, but I'm definitely impressed to have found a keeper on my first try! The recipe comes from Health and was certainly more health conscious than most I found. And the touch of ginger and cloves really gives them that something special. Perfect fall treat-for breakfast or dinner!
And may I suggest that if you're going to do it, you should either go big or go home. So last Sunday we went big and savored every last drop of these scrumptious pumpkin waffles (we find any excuse to use our new belgian waffler!).
As I said last week, this was our first attempt at them, but I'm definitely impressed to have found a keeper on my first try! The recipe comes from Health and was certainly more health conscious than most I found. And the touch of ginger and cloves really gives them that something special. Perfect fall treat-for breakfast or dinner!
Pumpkin Waffles with Maple-Walnut Syrup
Recipe courtesy of Health
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch ground cloves
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk, well shaken
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
2/3 cup pure maple syrup
Powdered sugar, for garnish
Preheat oven to 400°. Combine first 7 ingredients (through cloves) in a large bowl. Whisk together next 6 ingredients (through oil) in a medium bowl. Make a well in center of dry ingredients; add wet mixture. Stir just until moist.
Preheat waffle iron, and coat it with cooking spray. Add about 1/2 cup batter, and spread it to edges; cook until the steaming stops. Repeat with remaining batter, setting waffles aside until all are cooked. Place on baking sheets in oven for 5 minutes to crisp.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add walnuts; sauté 3 minutes or until lightly toasted. Add the maple syrup; simmer 2 minutes. Dust waffles with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve with warm syrup. (Serving size: 2 waffles, plus syrup)
image/Health
Monday, October 4, 2010
Glitter Me Festive!
This weekend I took at stab at glitter pumpkins. And now I've got my own little display of colorful beauties! But be warned, they are not as easy at they look. It's all about the glue application. But once you get the hang of it, it's quite fun - though I had the advantage of doing these with my friend Parris, who always makes things more fun!
Here's the finished product! What do you think?
Here's the finished product! What do you think?
Friday, October 1, 2010
Happy October!
Happy October, lovelies! Don't you just love this month?! So much Fall flavor and fun to be had!
A couple of things I am looking forward to in October include: Apple Hill, wine tasting with friends, visiting the pumpkin patch, a photo session with the incredible Sarah Dawson, testing the waters of pumpkin waffles and roasting my very first chicken!
But I might be most excited about this year's pumpkin project. Remember my first experiment with pumpkin painting last year? So fun and totally plan on doing that again, but this year I am absolutely smitten with glitter pumpkins!
The idea comes from the brilliant Martha Stewart, but I am personally taken with the versions I came across here on the blog A Field Journal. Aren't they so pretty and whimsical? Lovely way to put a little sparkle on the season. I can't wait to try these out myself! I'll be sure to share my finished product!
A couple of things I am looking forward to in October include: Apple Hill, wine tasting with friends, visiting the pumpkin patch, a photo session with the incredible Sarah Dawson, testing the waters of pumpkin waffles and roasting my very first chicken!
But I might be most excited about this year's pumpkin project. Remember my first experiment with pumpkin painting last year? So fun and totally plan on doing that again, but this year I am absolutely smitten with glitter pumpkins!
The idea comes from the brilliant Martha Stewart, but I am personally taken with the versions I came across here on the blog A Field Journal. Aren't they so pretty and whimsical? Lovely way to put a little sparkle on the season. I can't wait to try these out myself! I'll be sure to share my finished product!
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