A Christmas of Firsts

This Christmas was full of so many firsts for our new family - our first Christmas as husband and wife, our first White Christmas, our first Christmas spent with my side of the family, the first Christmas dinner I've had to cook on my own (but let's be honest - after Thanksgiving, it was easy!), and our first Christmas as Minnesotans. It was absolutely amazing - we're so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends!!! Even though we were far away this Christmas, we felt very loved by everyone.

We started Christmas a little early this year and flew to meet my side of the family in Atlanta last Sunday for Dad's Journey with Gentle Giants. :-P He turned 50 this year so Amanda, Travis, and I surprised him with a snorkeling trip in the Georgia Aquarium with whale sharks! His flight was a delayed coming out of Philadelphia and he ended up spending 36 hours or so in the airport. It was certainly not the ideal way to start the trip, but he made it to Atlanta safe and sound. We got to the aquarium on Monday several hours before his swim started so we would have time to see everything. It's really an amazing aquarium - by far the best I've ever been to. Early in the day we decided to go on a quick behind the scenes tour and were at the top of the large tank just in time to watch them feed the whale sharks. They have a total of four whale sharks and each one is trained to eat from a certain color bucket of food. It was so cool to watch and I think it gave Dad a little reassurance that everything had been well fed. :-) LOL - he wasn't really nervous at all, but we did like to give him a hard time about becoming lunch. 4:00 rolled around and Dad was off to swim. By this time most people had left the aquarium, so it wasn't really crowded. We had a guide who helped us to find Dad after he got in the water. It was so fun to watch him swim, especially when the whale sharks would swim close to his group. We got to watch him snorkel from both the tunnel and viewing window. After he got out, our guide took us on another behind the scenes tour and we got to see the top of every tank. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about what she was doing which to me made the whole tour fantastic (although the guy that was with us who wasn't our guide but decided to tag along was a little weird...you could tell he was a serious nerd). Dad absolutely loved the swim - what an amazing experience! We spent the rest of the trip eating at the Marietta Diner (featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives), watching Avatar, or laughing hysterically with the rest of the family. It was truly the perfect way to start Christmas and we're so glad we were able to spend time with the family.

We got home from Atlanta late Tuesday night and were greeted with multiple winter storm warnings. They were predicting 20 inches of snow between Wednesday night and Friday night. Kevin went shopping for food (because we're good Southerners and when you're expected to get a lot of snow, you shop for the essentials - bread, milk, and bottled water :-P) and I went to work. Wednesday was CRAZY - I will never wait to do my Christmas shopping until that late ever again. Thursday was surprisingly slow and I got to be home early with Kevin, which was nice. Around 3 pm I started to really dwell on our lack of anything Christmasy...

Kevin and I had previously agreed that for a lot of reasons, a tree was not practical this year. First, we were gone for several days before Christmas and wouldn't be able to really enjoy the tree. Second, we have cats. Five of them. Cats like to climb trees...well, let's be honest - Sander likes to climb trees. He also likes to knock things off of trees and attack other cats or feet from under trees. Sander + Christmas tree = NO!!! Third, and maybe most important, we don't really have any decorations. We never spent Christmas together in Fayetteville so we never had to put up a tree before. If you don't put up a tree, you don't bother to buy decorations. And you can't really register for Christmas decorations if you get married in May. Fourth, I hadn't picked out a theme yet. The theme, according to other married couples, is very important. So, no tree for the Hendersons. I was really fine with this...until 3 pm on Christmas Eve. Then I started to think about the next morning...where would we open presents? What would we gaze at as our favorite Christmas song came on the radio? What would I post on facebook about our first Christmas?? Nothing?! This was not okay.

So, at 3:10 on Christmas Eve, my wonderful husband got our tree out of the garage and set it up. :-) It's a prelit tree and is beautiful!! By 4:30 we were on our way to Target for decorations. That's right - my husband drove through TONS of snow on Christmas Eve to buy decorations for a tree we had agreed we didn't need just to make my Christmas special. By 6:00 we had a fully decorated Christmas tree, stockings hanging on the fireplace, wrapped gifts under the tree, and Christmas music filling the house. It was truly the best "Merry Christmas" Kevin could ever have given me.

Our tree :-)


The stockings


Presents!!





We received great presents from friends and family this year! My favorites included a web cam from Alana and a purse cover my Dad picked out because...seriously...it matched my blog (below). Is that amazing or what?! How many dads A) read their daughter's blog and B) would pick a purse in the same style because it is clearly something they like? I love you, Dad. :-)



Kevin's parents sent us a Blu-ray player which we're excited about and Sue sent us a Garmin!! It's so much fun - we set the voice setting to Australian English and our friend Karen gives us directions from down under. Hehehe... We also bought Christmas presents for ourselves today including a new wireless printer, our first Blu-ray movie, and...wait for it...new couches!!! We bought a sectional for the main floor and an amazing couch with recliners for our entertainment room downstairs. Yay!! They're perfect for our new home and I can't wait until they get here!!!

We spent parts of both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day shoveling our driveway - how Minnesotan is that?! On Christmas Eve one of our neighbors we had never met helped us with his snow-blower. It was a very random act of kindness and I'm so thankful there are people like that in our neighborhood. The snow piled up pretty high over the last few days, but it was also rather warm out so some of it started to melt. We're now stuck with ice and muddy slush everywhere, which is not as fun as powdery snow. :-/ Last night we ate a wonderful dinner of baked ham, twice-baked potatoes and green bean casserole. Yum!! Thanks to our parents for all the delicious recipes!

It was such a wonderful Christmas in the Henderson household. :-) Thank you, Lord, for all the things you have given to us and for how faithfully you provide for our family! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's to all!

Much love!!

The Coldest Day Ever....So Far.

Just some funny things I heard/learned today on the coldest day we've had here so far...BRR!

"I've noticed a lot of people (at work) in sweaters. I just don't think I can rock the Mr. Rogers look..." - Kevin

"So I was thinking about how it got cold today, and then I remembered you live in Minnesota. It's been nice knowing you." - Emily Messner to Kevin on facebook

People in the south teach their kids that it is polite to say "Yes, ma'am" and "Yes, sir"; people in the north teach their kids that it is polite to stomp the snow off their shoes before entering a store. I noticed like 15 kids stop to do it in the store today then glance proudly at their parents for a "Good job!" or pat on the head. So cute! :-)

Rob: Was it your car that died yesterday?
Me: Yes - the battery was completely dead.
Rob: *laughs* We laughed all day about how southern you are. I bet you don't even plug your car in?
Me: I don't even know what that means.
Rob: *laughs hysterically and walks away...without explaining how to plug in your car*

Me: The high for the next 10 days is 28 degrees! That's below freezing! And that's the high!
Dad: *laughs* I'm sorry! *laughs some more* Wait, let me try that in my serious voice. *pause* I'm so sorry, honey. *laughs* I just couldn't do it. You know, we bought you a snuggie to help with this... *snickers*
Me: Oh, shut up.

"It doesn't really matter how cold it is - it's not like we leave the house. Man...we're so old and married and lame." - Kevin :-P

Apparently, good realtors continue to send really nice things even after you buy your house - like incredibly nice wreaths full of real pine that fill your home with amazing Christmas smells. I realize that they want you to give their name to anyone you know who is house-hunting or moving to the area. However, I feel the need to tell our realtor that no one we know will ever move here. Seriously...I'm not even sure how we were convinced to move here from the warmth and comfort of the south. We also don't know anyone here. You really should save your wreaths for people who might actually send someone your way. Speaking of my beautiful wreath - when Kevin handed it to me, I said "Oh, look! There's even snow on it!" thinking that someone had sprayed some fake snow on it to make it look even more Christmas-y. Then I touched it. It was actual snow...it sat on our porch for a while. *sigh* Speaking of fake snow...why do they sell it here? And they do...I saw some in Wal*Mart. Anybody?

I saw a large pond (small lake? I really haven't figured out what the different bodies of water are...) completely iced over today. I haven't seen that much ice on a body of water since...ever. Really.

Me: It feels like it's 6 outside...
Mom: Six....teen?
Me: No, just 6. 6 degrees.
Mom: Oh... *laughs*

It was so cold today that the snow didn't stick to anything. It just got blown around. So, it wasn't just snowing in your face; it was windy, so there's really just snow blowing in your face from all directions - from the ground, from the sky, from across the street - IT'S EVERYWHERE!


Customer: We've had such a mild November...we just weren't prepared for this!
Me: You're telling me! This is my first winter here - I'm from Arkansas.
Customer: *gasps* Oh, dear... *pats me on the arm*

"You're going to die here." - Kevin...and he's right. I'm not going to make it.

:-P

Much love!!

Our First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Surrounded by family with TONS of delicious food and football followed by sleeping and then pies...what could be better? Kevin and I celebrated our first Thanksgiving as husband and wife and as Minnesotans. Although the meal was excellent in the end, I also learned a lot about my favorite holiday today.

#1: Frying a turkey, while not impossible, is a little tricky.

When Kevin found out we weren't going to Conway for Thanksgiving, he went out and bought a turkey fryer to try to recreate my Thanksgiving experience from home. Yes, he is the best husband ever. :-) My dad fries several turkeys every Thanksgiving, so it was a great bonding experience for them. We put the fryer together last night and got the turkey ready by covering it in mustard and spices (trust me - best way to eat a turkey ever!). Today, Kevin moved it all outside and got it started. In order to start a turkey fryer (at least ours) you have to start a timer as a safety precaution. When the timer goes off, so does the fryer. We didn't know this before we put the turkey in. Oops. So halfway through cooking the turkey, the fryer shut off. Kevin had to take the fryer pot off the flame (yes, the pot that was full of super hot oil and a half-fried turkey) and we had to restart it. It turned out GREAT in the end, but it was maybe not the safest things we've ever done...

The turkey!


Kevin setting up the turkey fryer


Mustard + seasoning = AMAZING fried turkey


Kevin setting up the fryer outside


I forgot to take a picture before I started cutting - it looks a little dark, but trust me, it was fantastic!



#2: Carving a turkey is hard.

Tell whoever carves your turkey thank you. It's not an easy thing to do. I did okay with the turkey breast, but just massacred the rest. I just started hacking away and if it came away from the bone, I assumed it was edible and put it on the plate. So take some time to give a special thanks to whoever cuts your turkey into edible pieces.

This is all that was left. What piece is that, you ask? I have no idea.


#3: Cranberry sauce isn't just something you get in a can at the store.

Amazingly, cranberry sauce can be made! Who knew? I've never really eaten cranberry sauce with turkey or anything else for that matter. Something about the way it comes out all can shaped... :-/ However, today while I was cooking, Kevin told me he enjoys cranberry sauce. Well...I did not buy cranberry sauce. I'll admit, I panicked a little. Thank goodness for the internet. Did you know that cranberry sauce can be made with water, flour, maple syrup, red wine, and craisins? All things I had in the pantry! It was the best cranberry sauce I've ever eaten. I actually ate it with turkey and really loved it. Kevin really liked it, too! :-D

Yum!!


#4: Tablecloths hide in upstairs closets.

Seriously, the tablecloth just appeared seemingly out of thin air. It really made my day.

I think Essence adds a special decorative touch, don't you?


#5: Timing isn't everything, but huge microwaves with racks are.

I told Kevin before today that timing on Thanksgiving was everything. All of your dishes need to be ready around the same time so everything stays hot until you serve it. This year I discovered that if your microwave is large enough, timing can be a little off and everything will still come out hot. :-)

Ta da! I love this microwave.


#6: Thanksgiving is a very large meal for just two people.

Even if you make a small amount of everything, there's just SO many dishes you have to make. Plus, turkeys only come so small. You can't get a pygmy turkey for Thanksgiving. I'm so glad Thanksgiving food is one of my faves...

Yikes!


#7: Stores are open on Thanksgiving.

This is an awesome thing to find out when you realize you have no plan for gravy.

#8: People in Minnesota are really nice...almost Southern nice.

We were invited by our neighbors to eat with them not once, but twice. The second time, our neighbor tried to bribe us with both his adorable children and a professional pie maker (??). We were also invited to join a faculty member of Kevin's department. Although we enjoyed a quiet Thanksgiving with just the two of us, it's nice to know we would have had places to go.

#9: You don't have to dress up for Thanksgiving if you aren't going to see anyone.

You know how you get all dressed up because you're spending time with family and then you help cook and you get all hot and feel yucky? Yea, you don't have to do that when it's just you and your husband. For example, Kevin and I both wore Minnesota Twins t-shirts for Thanksgiving today (we matched on accident...we're not that couple). It was comfortable and perfect for cooking and frying a turkey.


All in all, it was a wonderful day. Although I didn't spend it in Conway with the rest of my family, they sent a great text before they started eating. I'm so thankful for my family and the love and support they give me even when I'm so far away. It makes me feel so much closer to home than I really am.



I'm also thankful for my friends, both far and really, really far.
:-) I never imagined we could stay so close while separated by so many states...or oceans. :-P Thank you all for everything you do for me.

And last, but certainly not least, I'm thankful for my husband and the life we've made here in Minnesota. He provides for me and supports me and I would be completely lost with him. Our life together is more than I could have ever asked for.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope your meal was as delicious as mine!

Much love!!

Pomegranates

Today, while flipping through the coupons and sales sheet from our local grocery store, I noticed that pomegranates were on sale. A friend of mine once had a bowl of pomegranate fruit that she shared with me and it was good. So, while we were out shopping today, I decided to buy a pomegranate thinking it would be a nice addition to my lunch. I was wrong. I learned many things about pomegranates today.

First of all, pomegranates are complicated. Being ignorant of all things pomegranate, I looked up how to prepare it. If you want juice, no problem. It's a quick roll and a few slices and BAM! Pomegranate juice! But I wanted the fruit. Most fruit is not much trouble. Apples and grapes? Wash and eat. Oranges and bananas? Peel and eat. Watermelon and cantaloupe? Slice and eat. So, I'm expecting a one to two step list. WRONG! There are 6 steps!! 6!!

Step 1: Cut off the top or crown of the pomegranate. Easy enough

Step 2: Score the rind of the pomegranate, but be careful not to cut all the way through. Let me tell you, because of all those little seeds, this is a bit harder than it sounds, but still fairly simple.

Step 3: Soak in cold water for 5-10 minutes. Seriously? Why do I need to soak this fruit? I saw this in all of the various instuctions I found, but not one explained why. Whatevs. Also easy.

Step 4: Break the segments you made earlier apart and separate the seeds from the rind and other membranes. Doesn't this sound simple? Well, maybe it is, if you buy a nice, normal sized pomegranate. However, these pomegranates were sold at a set price each. I did what anyone would do; I found the biggest and most awesome pomegranate I could. This thing weighed almost 2 pounds. I am all about getting my money's worth. Little did I know that because this thing was massive, it would take FOREVER to separate the seeds from the rind and other membranes. I sat at the kitchen counter for 30 minutes trying to get all of these tiny pieces of fruit out and get all the icky membrane stuff off of them.

Step 5: The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl of water while the rind and membranes will float. Remove all rind and membrane pieces with a slotted spoon. Now, in the neat pictures they had online, this looked easy. However, in real life, the rind and the pieces of membrane and not in large, easy-to-remove chunks. Oh no. They are in tiny pieces and evade all attempts at removal. They also stick to the seeds that have sunk to the bottom. And the sides of the bowl. And your hands. And a slotted spoon? Forget it. There were five pieces big enough to take out with a slotted spoon. *sigh*

Step 6: Drain the seeds into a collander and pat dry. Eat immediately or store in a airtight container in the frige for up to two days. What they don't tell you is that the little membranes will stick to the seeds. And really, you might as well separate the good seeds from any yucky looking seeds while you're at it. So add another 20 minutes for sorting and picking out membrane.

Finally, I had tiny pieces of pomegranate, ready to eat. Now, I've discovered two ways to eat pomegranate seeds: you can nibble at the fruit around the seed and then spit the seed out OR you can put a bunch in your mouth, chew them up, enjoy the yummy juice, and spit the rest back out. Maybe some people eat the seeds. I don't eat seeds if I can avoid it. Even the white seeds in watermelon that are supposed to be okay to eat - I don't eat them. At first, I was so hungry, I went with option 2. This, however, was really unsatisfying. So, I started nibbling. After several hours, I feel like I've eaten maybe 20 calories worth of pomegranate. And lunch? No, I just skipped it. It took too long to get the pomegranate ready. I think it's a fantastic idea for a new diet. I'm not sure that I'll make it through this pomegranate in two days...even if I eat it constantly.

I think I owe my friend another thank you for that pomegranate fruit.

Here's a piece of pomegranate fruit in a cd - just for scale. And my bowl of pomegranate seeds...probably 2/3 of what it was initially. :-)





Much love!!

Weekend...sort of. :-)

Oh, the life of a professor's wife. :-) I feel like every week we add a new day to the weekend. Usually it's Mondays. This week, we added Friday. We started by seeing a movie - pretty much a norm for us. BTW, The Box? It's terrible. Do not waste your money and time seeing this movie. I like to think I'm pretty sharp, but I am apparently not smart enough to understand the plot or even the point of that movie. However, we also watched New in Town, a cute story about a girl from the south moving to Minnesota...sound familiar? Of course, she moved to Middle-of-Nowhere, MN while I live much closer to a big city so a lot was different about our situations, but it was still funny. They filmed it in Canada, so it actually looks much colder than Minnesota generally is...at least so far. I have informed Kevin that if the temp ever drops to 50 degrees below, I'm heading south for the winter. That's a level of cold that I never want to experience.

We're grilling tonight! It may be one of the last times we get to grill, so we're going all out. Dad's special steak. It involves marinating your steak for 2-3 days in a mixture of pineapples, ginger, teriyaki, soy sauce, and onions. It is, quite frankly, the best steak I have ever eaten. Special thanks to my Dad, who has recently become a master chef. He's come a long way since the days of Dad's special hot dogs: a hot dog stuffed with pickles and mustard covered in american cheese and thrown into a toaster oven. Sounds delicious, huh? :-P It should be a great day of college football and grilling. GO HOGS!

Much love!!

A Special 'Thank You' to Alana and Megan!!

I am a blogger! It's official. Shout out to Megan and Alana who, either through endless prodding or actual blog editing, have helped me get started.

So...I don't have anything else to say. I just wanted to make a post.

Much love!!