Meal Plan Monday

I love to meal plan. I like to sit on my comfy couch in my sweatpants and moccasins with my little black dog (who seems to take up way more of the couch now than she used to...) with a cup of coffee and figure out what I'm going to eat. All. Week.

There's something about planning that I just love. Like, planning my wedding. I just LOVED it. I had such a great time making sure everything was in order.

Okay, that's a post for another day.

Meal planning is amazing. I had a professor in college who told us "Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance." Professor Backer...you were so right. Meal planning prevents the "let's just order out" syndrome. It prevents grabbing a bagel and saying "I'll figure dinner out later." It just prevents unhealthy habits. 

So here's what we're eating this week. Chad and I are on opposite schedules until Friday, so I'll be cooking meals probably the night before or in the morning and portioning them out so that he and I can both eat.

Breakfasts:

Fiber One Bar, coffee, & tea (yes, AND tea! I love starting the day with coffee, but I love a cup of herbal tea, too!)

Toast, oatmeal, or a fruit smoothie with spinach.

Lunches: Leftovers from the night before usually...or salad with some protein! 

Snacks: Popcorn, apples, celery & carrots with fat free dip, and yogurt. 

Dinners:

Monday:

Dinner: Cheesy Pastitsio (from Eat Yourself Skinny)

Tuesday:

BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad (from Eat Yourself Skinny)

Wednesday:

Guilt-Free Chicken Taquitos (from Eat Yourself Skinny)

Thursday:

Beef Stew (from Eat Yourself Skinny)

Friday:

Southwest Flank Steak with Peach Salsa (from Eat Yourself Skinny)

If you can't tell yet, I've fallen in love with a blog called "Eat Yourself Skinny." The recipes she posts are just so healthy and EASY! I struggle sometimes with cooking because recipes I find are so involved. After working an eight or nine hour day, taking care of the pony, making sure Gracie gets a walk and trying to break a sweat myself, the last thing I want to do is spend a long time preparing dinner. These recipes are perfect for an on the go wife like me! I'd totally recommend her blog if you want to meal plan but just don't have the time to gourmet it up.  

Oh, and not to mention, her recipes are AFFORDABLE. I spent $78 at the grocery store this week. (I still have to get steak- but I wasn't going to get meat 6 days in advance- catch my drift?) And that was when I was hungry. And picking out some extras here and there. (I LOVE Biscoff. And Clear Choice carbonated waters. And husband loves Swedish fish...ok, I got some extras. See? Told you.) For five big meals with enough for leftovers for lunches the next day, I'd call $78 a big old WIN!) 

        So, that's what we're eating this week. I'm pretty excited about it :) Do you meal    plan? What is your favorite "go to" meal? 

Life in the married lane.

I married my best friend on August 24th in the town I grew up with, with our friends and family there celebrating with us. 

It was our four year dating anniversary.

Everyone wants a perfect day. I got just that.

Chad was so, so handsome.

I walked down the aisle with my mother and my father and couldn't take my eyes off of him. 

Right as we were announce as Mr. & Mrs. LaBrie! 

Our first dance was to "Hold On" by Michael Buble...the past four years that we have spent together made that the perfect song:

"Maybe all the plans we make might not work out

But I have no doubt, even though it's hard to see

I believe in us, I believe in you and me"

I could go on and on about our day. We never left the dance floor! The weather was absolutely beautiful and everything worked out just the way I'd hoped. I'm married to the love of my life and we are both just overjoyed. :)

While I'm sad my own wedding planning is over, I was asked to be a bridesmaid in a dear friend's wedding so I am so excited that I'm not "done" with nuptial bliss.

Oh, and this silly little house can finally get the TLC it deserves! Hubby and I are making lists of the things we'd like to accomplish this year- stay tuned for our DIY home renovations and decorating!

I hope y'all have an awesome Saturday. It's my day off so I rode my horse, cleaned the barn, and took Gracie for a walk all before noon...and now I'm on my way to the Blake Shelton concert! Woo!

Two months to the rest of our life

In two months, at this very moment, I'll be tearing up the dance floor with my husband and our closest friends and family.

That, my friends, is a cool little somethin' to think about.

We have been together three years and 10 months today. We've been through quite a bit already in our short time together.

Wedding planning has been a pretty cool experience. I will pride myself that I didn't lose myself too much in the process. I had my moments of frustration, a "bridezilla" moment here or there- but between the programs, and the hand-made invitations that made me want to rip my hair out... it's been mostly about the big picture to me- the marriage itself.

What's amazing about marriage, and I think we forget this, is that it is "til death do us part." It is a beautiful feeling knowing that I was lucky enough to find my other half (and better, most times) at such a young age.

People ask me why I want to get married so young. It's not my age that made marriage attractive. It's not my immaturity, or the fact that I'm naive. It's that I found the person that I can't be me without. I found the person who loves my quirks, puts up with my awful story telling, tells me I'm beautiful and how much he loves me every single day, without fail. I found the person I'd be lost without.

In two months, I will slide a ring up his finger and promise to walk right next to him through every endeavor life has to offer. To support him through everything that may come our way. To honor and cherish every moment we have together because it's true- the little moments are the big ones. 


Two months to the rest of our life.

one hundred and one post ideas...

I just need to tell you, any of you, who read my blog, that I have blog ideas in my head. I really do. And I've written them out one hundred and one times. In my head.


I've been busy. Very, very, busy. My wedding is coming up in two months and all of a sudden my days off are finalizing details.


I have a new job- that I'm having SO much fun at. And I'm working a good 40-45 hours a week.


Miss Callie lives down the street now. Yes, literally down the street. I often ride my bike to her new barn! I'm there 4 mornings a week at 6am.


I'm NOT complaining. I love being busy. But, I won't lie, I wish that I could put a few of these blog posts in my head on the web.


I'll be back. I promise.

:)

Vacation!

We just got back from a beautiful three days away in Lincoln, New Hampshire. For those of you who don't know, Chad and I are very fond of it up there. It was our first getaway together & it's also where he asked me to marry him!


the rock where Chad asked me to turn around so he could get a photo- once I turned..he was on his knee with a ring...

We hadn't been away together in over a year- so when we had the opportunity to take a two night fiesta, we jumped at the chance to stay at our favorite inn, the Mount Coolidge Motel. Family owned and operated, this place is just...wonderful. It's simple, but you can always count on a friendly face at the counter, a clean, welcoming room, and coffee by 6am in the morning. They always know the best spot for a meal, and any events going on, they'll be sure to let you know about. In the summer there's a heated pool, & the Pemigawassat River is right behind the rooms- it is incredibly peaceful listening to the river flowing at night.

When we weren't browsing silly little shops and taking pictures with models & stuffed bears, we were at our favorite spot to eat, The Woodstock Station. Funny how the bartenders recognized us so quickly even though we haven't been up in a while- the staff was so pleasant!

 

At the Woodstock Station- they brew their own beer! 

You're not in New Hampshire if you don't take a photo with a bear. 

Or two. :) 

While in New Hampshire, Chad bought me my first Alex and Ani bracelet. I chose the charity bracelet for the homeless pets! 

Clearly didn't bring my hiking shoes..

Staring contest with the mannequins..

What can you do if you can't be silly?

As any good future husband would do, Chad took me to the shopping outlets in North Conway one of the days we were in New Hampshire. I start a new job soon so I needed some work appropriate attire (jeans and a t-shirt won't quite cut it anymore!) We went to Banana Republic and I got quite the wardrobe- and the bargain shopper in me was quite impressed! We also stopped at Kay Jewelers just to try on some wedding bands for Chad. I like him in jewelry. Yes, yes I do. :) 

We just had the best time away..our next trip will most likely be our honeymoon (Holy crap! 99 days until we say "I DO!" I cherish these moments so much and can't wait to be back in "our spot" again..but I will admit, it was really nice coming home to the dog & cat who were so obviously excited that we were back!

Home Sweet Home,
Janelle

Gracie is graduating!

Gracie has been enrolled in Puppy Kindergarten for 4 weeks now. Week 5 is graduation day- that's NEXT WEEK!

Her trainer is just amazing- we love her. And Gracie loves her.

We were really happy to start puppy classes- Gracie's a smart girl, but it's so important to us that we know we are doing everything right for her to succeed. We want her to be allowed places- to visit family & friends and to go into stores without wondering if she'll be okay or not. This is not your average house-dog. She's a barn dog, a park dog, a hiking dog, a fishing dog.

Puppy kindergarten was split up into a different command (or two) each week. Gracie excelled like woah.

Sit.
Sit-stay.
Down.
Down-stay.
Loose leash walking (!!!)
Touch.
Leave it.
Take it.
Focus.
Wait.
Come.

Gracie's trainer told us she is ready for the intermediate classes where we will challenge these commands in new ways. Eventually we will go for Gracie's Canine Good Citizenship, and you can imagine my excitement when I was told that she may be a good candidate as a therapy dog.

Big things are coming for Miss Gracie :)

Wedding things

In less than four months, I become a married woman.

I had a meeting with my day of coordinator at our venue with my mother last week, and it reminded me that I have SO much to do! (And yet at the same time, we're in really good shape.) 

Bridal party gifts have started coming in for my wonderful girls. I got my wedding shoes. My wedding ring. We've got music. We've got favors and food. Creative juices are flowing. Chad's excited. I'm excited.

 Our bridal shower was a couple of weeks ago and it made the whole thing REAL. We were literally showered with gifts from our closest friends and family and are still in awe of how lucky we are.

We had such a great time! Our shower was wine themed- does it get much better? There were wine glasses with lindt chocolates as favors, & a cake with wine bottles on it, & the most amazing part was that everyone was asked to bring me a bottle of wine! We've got a great supply going..deelish!

My best friend's bridal shower was the day before mine- she looked stunning and it was a gorgeous party. Who knew we'd be getting married within a month of each other?! I love this photo- she's in the light blue, I'm on her right. It totally captures the way we are with each other all the time. I love you, Meg :) 

I don't know what I'm going to do once wedding planning is over..this is just so much fun! :) 

Wedding bells are ringing,

Janelle 

Product Review- & a little something for one of you!

I was recently contacted to do a review.

On my blog. 

Yes, it's true. 

It was one of those "right moment" type of things. I'd really wanted to get back into blogging & all of a sudden I got this offer. 

I'm pretty skeptical by nature, but I agreed to choose a pair of glasses from a brand called "Firmoo" and review them. 

Firmoo is a company that manufactures inexpensive & stylish glasses (both prescription &  fashion!). I went through a page of available glasses and could see them on real people who had sent their photo in- I REALLY liked this part! 

I chose a pair of sunglasses, & they were shipped to me within a week.

The package came! Woo! 

They came in a hard case, but also had a soft case & a cleaning cloth AND even came with a repair kit and extra screws! 

I LOVE them. Like, I really do. They're comfortable, don't move around my head and I don't get that pesky nose mark when I take them off. They do their job well! 

Reviews are never complete without a puppy.

They're big. But I love big glasses. They look great, feel great, and I am so happy I got the chance to work with the company. 

If you do decide my review led you in the direction of choosing Firmoo as your next eyewear provider, let me also tell you that one thing I really count on when ordering a product is customer service. I ask a lot of questions before I jump into something and I dealt with Antonio who was just wonderful. He replied back to me promptly and courteously and was happy to answer all of my silly questions. That is what really sold me on agreeing to do this review.

What's cooler STILL is that Firmoo has given me a coupon for one of my blog readers for 30% off your purchase. Like I said, their glasses are VERY affordable (I have my eye on a pair that are $16!) ALL you have to do is follow my blog & leave a comment here letting me know you did! Don't forget to comment, I'm going to randomly pull a winner from the comments on April 25, 2013! 

yes, it happened.

i was trying desperately to re-name a blog that had potential, but a name that only made sense to me. you see, i sign all my love notes (and honey-do notes) to chad with xo, me. i always have. so understandably, that's special to me...but you? that means nothing to you, does it? & it doesn't quite roll off the tongue. 

while walking gracie today,  i had the epiphany. so i present to you the "re-launching" of what i hope becomes more than just my online journal, 

life in the married lane. 

oh yeah, the almost married lane. 

if you've never been here before, thanks for joining & please follow! if you have, thanks for coming back. i've got some fun new ideas & even a giveaway planned, so check back often to see my musings and ramblings as i cruise full speed into the married lane.

the almost married lane, of course.

love, 

janelle 

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Hey all, just throwing this out there!