Think about the BIG picture!

Seriously- do it!

As I mentioned before, I have a bit of a crazy temper. I also have a zero tolerance level for stress... ok, maybe like a 50% tolerance level (on a REALLY good day).  I just don't handle it well. I was having a mini-meltdown at work today. Nothing serious. Just me, freaking out, as usual. As a side note, I am really good at those, at work, I surround myself with things that make me happy. For example, pictures of Jose and I, family, friends and quotes that make me smile or might fit what I am going through at that moment. Today, I made myself a little sign that said "Find your happy place" and I made the pretty picture of the Amish Country sunset my desktop background because it reminded me of a beautiful and happy day.

After that, a friend told me to think about the BIG picture.

That really hit me. It made me feel 100 times better. Everything that bothers me is so insignificant. It might seem HUGE at the time but it really isn't. It was nice to take a step back and just think about the BIG picture.

All day today, I have had these profound, beautiful reminders that GOD watches out for me. On my way to work this morning, I started sliding towards a fire hydrant and I started to freak out (yep, this is a theme in my life). I was on the phone (hands-free) with Jose and I just asked him to pray with me. As we prayed, I felt this overwhelming calm. It carried me safely to work and back home at the end of the day.

So, in parting, hug someone you love, take a step back, find your happy place and think about your big picture. It is worth every second.

-Mailyn

Hello Winter Weather!

I love hearing people complain about how much they wish it would actually look and feel like winter outside. I get it. I love winter and we live in Northeast Ohio... you just learn to accept the horrible weather.

Then we get slammed with the snow and EVERYONE is complaining about it! Myself included. I should probably clarify my earlier statement. I love winter when I can watch it from the comfort of my home with hot tea and a really good book. I hate winter when I almost get run over by a semi-truck because they forgot to snowplow half the highway. I hate driving anyway but jeez! My heart was in my throat after that.

On the plus side, the hubby and I had the most fantastic weekend. We took a mini adventure to Amish Country on Saturday! We were so lucky. It was 50 degrees and sunny; a beautiful day.

We started at Smucker's. I always have the best time in there. It just might be my love of Mixed Fruit Jelly.

After that, we stopped at a "Latin store" and stocked up on all the yummy things we can only find in stores that import from Mexico... hello yummy-ness. 

Our next stop was Lehman's. Most people wouldn't be impressed with a store that sells non-electric goods. I am and, lucky for me, my husband is too! 

Jose's caption for this one- "This is what my wife 

does in a non-electric store... reads her Kindle."

I very nearly spent a LOT of money in there... I reined myself in. My birthday is only a few months away.

The next stop was just to satisfy my snack attack. Shislers Cheese House has samples of their most popular snacks right inside the shop. Hello snacks! Some of them are even healthy. Yumm! 

Our last stop was Das Dutch Kitchen. Go there! Go there very, very hungry. Get bread for the table and cover it in a LOT of apple butter. Then eat the Broasted Chicken. Save room for the Bumbleberry Pie. Or get the pie to go and buy a container of the apple butter.  Wow, that was seriously delicious food.

And the perfect ending to a beautiful, happy day.

These wonderful memories, with the person I love, get me through the dark, bleak, snowy days. The next time the sun shines, go make some memories with the one you love.

How fast a week goes by!

Hello!

It is such a beautiful day! I got to wake up and make my husband breakfast! Mr. I-don't-like-oatmeal has changed his tune. This makes me very happy. He got a bowl of oatmeal (just like my mom used to make) and toast with cinnamon & sugar. Yum!

Tonight, I am having dinner with one of my favorite girls from The Nest! We met in person a few months ago. We had a double date with our (wonderful) husbands at Stir Crazy. We had a great time!

I also might stop at (the highly addictive) Bed, Bath & Beyond. Jose's birthday is this upcoming Saturday. I can't wait to go all out for him this year. He was very, VERY particular about the cake he wanted. Unfortunately, I cannot make him the seven layer cake he so desires. I am settling for making him a German Chocolate cake with a chocolate mousse filling. I considered making him this cake from The Pioneer Woman. She is fantastic and I love her. She is pretty much my idol right now :) I got one of her cookbooks (here) for Christmas and she has great recipes with awesome step by step pictures and lots of humor.  She makes me laugh. Anyway, I guess I am going to stick with a fairly basic German Chocolate cake (from a box). I think I am going to stop to get a display plate and one of those cake saw things so  can make the cake pieces flat. I actually considered getting a cupcake plunger and randomly plunging the cake to get pockets of mousse. We'll see. I just want it to be super special for my hubby. He deserves it.

Have the very best Saturday night :)