Fall Goodies

Since my break from exams ended on Wednesday I've been cooking up a storm in the kitchen as well as studying in between. Don't worry I haven't lost all motivation. Last weekend when my Mom and sister were down (more on the reason why hopefully next week!) and they brought me a HUGE bag of apples. Plus, when I was at my friend Lynnette's house the other day she sent me home with some zucchini from her garden. So I have been on an apple and zucchini baking binge since early Thursday morning.

 

So far I've canned some applesauce, made the most delicious apple crisp, made two loaves of zucchini bread - one for the neighbor and one for the freezer to have at a later time, apple butter and zucchini muffins!

 

The apple butter and zucchini muffins were a first for me and I just so happened to take pictures for you! Let's talk apple butter first.

 

APPLE BUTTER

 

What you'll need...

 

1 dozen apples, peeled, cored and cubed

1/2 cup of water

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon all spice

 

Okay...this is so easy it just takes a while.

 

First, get your apples ready. I only used about 9 apples and still got two pint mason jars out of the whole thing. I also used the canning process so I don't have to eat it all today. Which could happen very easily.

 

 

Then mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and allspice and throw it in with apples. After you stir it up, throw it into the crockpot with the water and cover.

 

I cooked mine on low for about 10 hours - this is what I mean that it just takes a long time. Some people want their apple butter smooth, some people like me thinks this is good enough. So cook the apples down until your little heart's desire and call it a day.

 

I ended up canning my apple butter meaning I just sterilized the jars/lids first and then once the jars were filled with the butter (with the lids on:), I threw them back in the boiling water for about 20 minutes. I'm not sure how long apple butter lasts like this but I would think maybe a year??

 

I'll share the zucchini muffin recipe with you next time. I have to run out the door to babysit for a couple hours this afternoon. Have a great Friday!!

Frosty the Window

My crazy week is coming to a close already and it's only Wednesday. All I can say is, "Thank Heavens". I had three exams in three days and now am suffering from test fatigue and information overload.

So instead of getting right back into the swing of studying new information, I'm allowing myself to take a little breather this afternoon. So far I've:

- started laundry and cleaned up the kitchen which has been on hold since last week,

- emptied out one of my pot of flowers because it's looking pathetic thanks to the squirrel gangs in the neighborhood,

- and now I'm sitting outside on this beautiful Fall day, blogging. One of my favorite things to do which does not mix well with nursing school.

 

I'll think about starting on my new chapters....later.

 

Until then, here's a quick little project appropriately titled, Operation Frosty the Window, Joe and I did a couple weekends ago.

 

Behold our bathroom window.

 

 

Now, in the summer, this window is all fine and dandy for us. We have plenty of leaves to shield the prying eyes of passersby and it's on the second level so no big deal right? Not so much. When those leaves fall, which unfortunately will be happening within the next month most likely, our neighbors behind us will have a pretty good view from what I can assume is their kitchen window.

 

And if you're standing out on the porch you have a nice view of someone doing their business...

 

 

I thought about getting some sort of shade, curtain, wood panel blind of some kind but figured the combination of steam from hot showers and dust wouldn't look to great. And the less I have to dust, the better. So I looked into "frosting" the glass. Once I convinced Joe that with a little elbow grease the "frosting" could come off, he gave me the okay and here how's we did it.

 

I suggest two hands for something like this. Our window isn't huge by any means but it just makes it easier. I picked up the window film supplies from Lowe's, ahhh I love Lowe's, and went to work. For those of you remotely interested, I picked GILA window film for around $20. First, you need to clean the window really good, especially if there's anything stuck to it or there's a lot of dust. You want to make sure you have a smooth surface.

 

 

 

I also picked up an Application Kit like the one here, simple because it came with all the tools I needed to complete the project from start to finish. It came with an application spray, a cutting edge tool, a cleaning cloth and an edging tool help push out all the bubbles and smooth it out. Take the application spray and spray the window like crazy. This is where two hands come in handy. While I was spraying the window, Joe was putting tape on the two sides of the film so we could easily peel them apart. There will be a clear side and a "frosty" side. Peel the clear side completely off and spray the heck out of the frosty side that will be applied to the window as well. By this point we had also cut the frosting panel to the size of our window with about an extra inch around the whole thing.

 

 

Once the window and frosty panel are coated in the application spray, apply it to the window and start working out the air bubbles.

 

 

The whole window took us about a half hour to complete. It still lets in great light during the day and now we don't have to worry about anyone seeing anyone in their birthday suit.

 

 

So there you have it... our old and improved bathroom window!

One step closer...

God is good.

No.

Great.

Wait.

AMAZING!

 

Why? Because he answers prayers...all in his perfect timing. This afternoon I was offered (and I accepted) a position as a Health Unit Coordinator
(HUC) in the NICU at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital!! I have been volunteering at the NICU since last August and never thought I would be here in this position a year later. I have also applied for countless hospital jobs since receiving my nursing assistant certification but never had the "hospital experience" they were all looking for.

 

The funny thing is. I wasn't even looking for a new job. It all started when I was done rocking babies for the night and I was talking with Alissa, one of the HUCs, and I just randomly asked if there were any nursing assistant jobs. She said no but then mentioned the HUC position that was just posted the Friday before. She also said she'd put in a good word for me and leave a message for Margie (my new boss) so I went home and applied for the job. That week I heard back from HR and had a phone and in person interview set up for the following week.

 

That was last week...and this week I heard the good news. The best part about my interview last Thursday was it never once felt like an interview. Margie just likes to get to know the person so we spent a good amount of the time talking about our dogs. I know, right? How awesome is that? I don't have an official start date, I have to complete a pre-health screening and orientation for Fairview but should be getting my start date soon! I am so incredibly excited!!

 

I'm sure you'll hear me rambling on more about this job once I get into it a bit. My mind (or body) can't sit still at the moment. It actually has been on fast-forward since I got off the phone at 12:30 this afternoon. Ahhh...I'm so pumped!

Our Impromtu Camping Trip

Last Thursday night when I was at the Rascal Flatts concert at the State Fair, I got a text from Joe.

 

Joe: "Can we camp tomorrow? I'll start packing us up right now so you don't have to worry about much. Stella wants to:)" 

Me: "Can I bring a text book?"

 Joe: "Yep. I just want to hike, finish my book, camp and spend some time with my girls. Can I book it?" 

Me: "Yeah go ahead!"

 Joe: "Doing it. I'll start packing up now. Excited (Stella is too:)"

 

Well, we went camping but I didn't get anywhere near reading my text book. Go figure. We did hike eight and a half miles on Friday and had the trails to ourselves. The lucky spot? Great River Bluffs State Park near Winona, MN.

 

 

We set up our campsite and hit the trails.

 

The views of the bluffs were amazing. Can you imagine what this will look like in a few weeks with the fall colors?

 

 

And great views of the Mississippi too!

 

 

Stella was always off and running...until the end. And then she stuck a little closer to us because she was a pretty tired pup.

 

And remember when I told you we had the trails to ourselves? Here's a picture of the parking lot. Remember, we were here the Friday of Labor Day weekend. I'm sure it was busy over the weekend...all the campsites were booked for the rest of the weekend.

 

 

Oh hey grill in our campsite. You're from my hometown!!

 

And this little guy was on our tent the next morning.

 

Joe has a friend!

 

It was such a great little getaway even if it was just for a day/night. The campground was really nice, the bathrooms had showers for goodness sake!!...which was really nice when we came back dirty and dusty from our hike. We had to leave early Saturday morning so I could make it back for the bachelorette party. I could have stayed all weekend... ahhh. Next time.

What I've been up to...

Oh hey there!

It's been a while. Okay, maybe a week.

I guess I've turned into a 'post here and there' type of blogger.

Not my intention. I promise. And I know you've heard my little story before, I'm in school, I'm busy, blah blah blah.

 

Moving on.

 

Let me tell you the FUN I've been having lately even though my days have been filled with reading mass amounts of information. On Thursday evening, my friends and I continued with a tradition we started years ago. Whenever Rascal Flatts come to town, we are there! And Thursday was no exception. They actually performed at the State Fair (where we've seen them twice in past years) and it was another fantastic show.

 

 

Eli Young Band

 

Little Big Town

 

Rascal!

 

Everyone out for the last song of the night.

 

The show was seriously one of the best endings to summer. The night was beautiful, the breeze perfect, the music awesome and the company was great.

 

Some other fun I've been having included Melissa's Bachelorette Party on Saturday! First, we went out on a pedal pub around St. Paul! It was a lot of fun but A LOT of work.

 

 

Then after we went to Melissa sister's house for gifts, games and lots of great food which I have no picture documentation of. Haha. Happy Bachelorette Melissa!!!