soup & spiders

Before we got married my husband knew my lack of cooking skills but I was bound and determined to be the best possible wife and learn to cook for my husband. Well 7 months later, all I can say is i'm very thankful my husband is a better cook than myself! My husband is a great cook and he's a great teacher. Slowly my cooking skills are improving and one day when we have a kitchen thats big enough for more than one person to fit in, an oven that works and a dishwasher i'm sure i'll become a fabulous cook! I can however follow most recipes. I received a few cookbooks when we got married but there was one I bought after hearing about it from a friend that has become my favorite! Its called the 4 Ingredients Cookbook by Kim McCosker & Rachael Bermingham. I love it! How hard can cooking be if you can make a yummy meal with only 4 ingredients?! One of my new favorite recipes is Thai Pumpkin Soup. It is so yummy! I'll share the recipe with you, but I recommend you go buy the cookbook because it has over 300 recipes that are just as yummy and simple!

Thai Pumpkin Soup (serves 4)

Ingredients: 1kg butternut pumpkin peeled and diced (for my American friends, I believe butternut squash is the same as our butternut pumpkin...I think), 2 tbs red curry paste, 300 ml coconut cream, 1/4 cup coriander chopped

Steps:
1. Saute pumpkin and red curry paste until it starts to catch on the saucepan
2. Add coconut cream to deglaze the pan, top with enough water to level with the pumpkin and bring to a boil
3. Reduce heat simmering until the pumpkin becomes soft and mushy
4. Puree (I use a hand mixer), season with salt and pepper and fold in chopped coriander
5. Enjoy!!

It is a thai soup, but its not too hot/spicy for those who may be wondering.

Besides my cooking skills slightly improving this week, its been interesting around here...I was bitten by a spider. When I first moved to Australia I kept hearing stories about the wildlife here and how they have some of the most dangerous spiders, snakes etc. For those of you who don't know I hate, HATE spiders. Any kind of spider and especially the dangerous ones! I'm the girl who always has bug spray under my kitchen sink! So naturally I would be the one to get bitten by one of those dangerous spiders. We aren't 100 percent sure as I didn't see it, but the bite and all the symptoms I experienced match the red back spider. I got super sick on Tuesday with what I thought was a migraine as I had a bad headache, nausea, etc but later that night I woke up in tears with intense stomach pains. A few other crazy, random symptoms and 2 days later I was feeling more like myself. I didn't go to the hospital because silly me didn't tell my husband about this really sore bite I had on my ankle until the next day. I didn't think anything about it and just thought it was a mosquito bite, but once I showed him the bite he immediately started putting the pieces together and told me what it was and how all my crazy symptoms made sense now. We called his mum who was a nurse and she said I was in the clear. Afterwards once the shock wore off, I'm pretty sure I told him this goes on the cons list for us living in Australia! No...we don't really have a list, we joke every once in a while when certain things come up. And yes, I realize spiders are everywhere, even the dangerous ones. Lets just hope this was my only encounter with one!

 

Fancy that

They have an app for blogger??! Wow. What did we do before iPhones? I know I rely on mine for everything and I'm very glad we invested in the otter box case because my phone tends to dive off the sofa onto our tile floor frequently!

So here it goes, first blog post from my iPhone.

Yesterday was Valentines day. I love holidays, I especially loved being able to celebrate them with my kiddos when I was teaching. There are so many wonderful moments in teaching but being able to celebrate holidays and see them through a child's eyes is so wonderful. Kids often see things differently than we as adults do and so often they see it in a much simpler way and I love that. Although valentines day in Australia is not as big of a deal as in the USA my kiddos and I still had some fun talking about it and making valentines crafts.

Luckily my husband knows me well enough to know that even if they don't make a big deal out of something like valentines day here, that he married me and I love celebrating every little holiday! A few weeks ago we were watching 'Friends' where monika and chandler decided to make valentines gifts for each other. My adorable husband thought we should do that too. So one store bought gift and one homemade gift was the plan. He can be creative and crafty...me not so much. It was so much fun though! He was working away for two afternoons on my gift. When I came home from work last night he met me at the door and lead me around the house with my eyes closed to reveal my valentines surprises. Afterwards we went to a yummy dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant at Terrigal Beach. It was such a wonderful valentines day with my valentine.

My homemade...err...edible gift for him and his homemade gift for me :)

our holiday and a little update

It's hard to believe we've been back from our holiday in the US for almost 6 weeks! And sadly i'm just now getting time to blog about it. Better late than never, right?! We left the first part of December for our big trip home (my home anyway) to the US. Last year when I went home for christmas my dad and I had devised a plan to surprise my mom, so this year I was bound and determined to surprise my dad! We originally told my dad we were going to arrive on Saturday, December 10th however really we booked our tickets to arrive on that Friday. I know, I know...not a huge surprise but he is a hard man to surprise. Overall all our trip there was ok, as ok as a 14 hour flight, 6 hour layover and another 4 hour flight can be. I think we counted, our total trip time door to door was 28 or 29 hours. But it was worth every minute! I guess the biggest challenge was not sleeping, neither of us could sleep on the long flight. I think I slept maybe 30 minutes to an hour, I think I was too excited to sleep! By the time we arrived in LA we were so tired, thankfully we slept most of the flight to Memphis. When we arrived in Memphis my mom and brother were there to get us. For those of you who have never been to the Memphis airport it is probably one of the ugliest airports with this terrible brown, shiny brick everywhere and it always seems to have the same smell...but it felt like HOME! We decided to have my dad meet us out for dinner with my auntie Amy and her boyfriend Pete who were also in town for the holidays. We of course chose Mexican food because you just can't get that here! My dad showed up after a few minutes and needless to say I think we surprised him! He said he thought something was up because I was suppose to email him before we left Sydney and I never sent him my itinerary...excuses, excuses!

As soon as we got to Memphis we hit the ground running! We got to attend my childhood church our first Sunday morning there. It was so wonderful to see so many familiar faces and get lots of hugs! I got to see my best friend Bethany and meet her adorable little girl, finally! During our first week we headed to east Texas to visit with some of Ben's friends from when he lived there 10 years ago. It was so good to finally meet them after hearing so much about them. We got to see all the sights of Nac and even saw the house where Ben lived. I was able to meet up with one of my friends from college that lives in Lufkin, it was really good to catch up with her and chat all about being newlyweds! I hated that it had to be such a short trip, but it was worth it! The day we returned from Texas was also when one of my best friends Marie and her husband Brad came into town from Colorado for wedding reception. Marie had come out to Australia for our wedding but she was only there for 4 days so it was good to finally be able to spend more time together catching up. We ran around town like crazy getting things ready for our reception and had a lot of family and friends arriving in town! The Saturday morning of the reception we had my family, my Texas family (you know who you are!) and my 3 best girl friends over for an amazing brunch cooked by Marie's husband Brad who is a chef. I have to say that was probably one of my favorite moments of the entire trip was having so many of my favorite people in the world all in one place. Later that evening we had our Memphis wedding reception or as I like to call it wedding extravaganza part 3 or as my father has named it the Ben and Lindsey world wedding tour, the last stop. My mother and her friends did an INCREDIBLE job transforming the lobby of my parents church into a rustic, winter wonderland. My mother had been "pinning" ideas for our reception on her pinterest board for months and no lie, our reception looked just like her board. I am blown away by all the little details and hard work and her friends did. It truly was my "other" dream wedding! Not many girls get to wear the wedding dress twice and have more than one wedding celebration, we are so blessed to have been able to share it with all of our loved ones. The evening was perfect, the food was delicious, and the time spent with friends and family was priceless. If you want to see pictures from the night you'll have to check out facebook.

The rest of our trip was spent visiting with friends and family, shopping...lots of shopping, sightseeing and of course Christmas! We did make a quick day trip to Little Rock, but it was nowhere near enough time to show Ben my "home" so i'm thinking we'll just have to make another trip one day soon! Our Christmas was wonderful. It was our first Christmas together and it was so special to be able to spend it with my family that we don't get to see very often.

Its hard to sum up our almost 3 week long holiday in just so many words. The trip for me was much needed, I was very ready to have a dose of home and to be able to show my hubby the life I had there before coming to Australia. When you live so far from home and your family you learn some big life lessons, and for me I think I took living so close to my family for so many years for granted, so now the times we do get to spend together mean so much. I love the life we have in Australia, but I miss home a lot.

We arrived back "home" in Australia right before New Years. We were able to spend some time with Ben's family, including his grandmother who went into the hospital while we were away and passed away a few days after we returned. I'm so thankful we were able to see her before she passed away. She was such an incredible woman of faith. I only had the privilege of knowing her for less than a year but I was deeply touched and encouraged by her strong faith and love for the Lord.

Since being back things have not slowed down thats for sure. We quickly settled back into our jobs and home routine. I celebrated 1 year of being at my job, our 6 months of being married and we celebrated Ben's 32nd birthday a few weeks ago! I have spoken with immigration a few times since being back. We will find out if our Partner Visa (which means I will be permanent resident) will be approved this year. There is a 9-12 month wait time. So the earliest we would hear would be May, and August at the latest. However we did find out yesterday that if our Partner visa is not approved by April 11th, that I will no longer be able to work at the school i've been working at. The reason behind that is, when I first came to Australia I came on a working holiday visa which has work restrictions that you could only work at 1 employer for 6 months, now that i'm on a bridging visa the same restrictions from my original visa still apply. I was able to work for a second lot of 6 months after we were married because the time started over when I moved to a bridging visa but unfortunately there is no way around it after this 6 months is up, unless my visa is approved. So, we're praying that it will be approved! Please keep us in your prayers that it will be approved closer to the 9 month mark than the 12 month mark! Also be praying for us as we have a few other big things going on, we'll share when the time is right. And no...we're not pregnant because i'm pretty sure thats what most people would think first. We are very blessed and know that God has a plan for us. We're excited to see what the next season in our life will be and where God will take us!

 

Happy New Years!

Happy 2012!



I hate that I wasn't able to send out holiday card or newsletter of some sort this year, so i'm settling for a New Years blog update. I guess we are a much for digital world now days so I guess it fits, but you better believe I will be sending out card this Christmas!

2011 was certainly a year of change, challenges, friendship, love but most importantly a year of blessings! I was able to start a new adventure in 2011 when marrying my best friend and everyday since i've loved being able to share my life with him. I'm not sure how anything can top all the exciting, life changing events of 2011 but I know God has more exciting things for us to come in the years ahead.

To our friends and family, I pray that this year you are surrounded with Gods love, peace and blessings! I hope you get to spend time with your loved ones, get to experience a new adventure and are surrounded with heaps of laughter! We are so blessed to have each of you in our lives and so thankful for all your love, encouragement, and support in 2011! We hope you had a blessed holiday season with loved ones! Next post, I'll update you on our holiday with family in the US!

 

"A change would do you good"

It's bright and early on Saturday morning and these are the lyrics playing in my head. I'm not going to lie, I do love me some Sheryl Crow. Her cd's were some of my favorite lake music! I guess change is the topic on my mind over these last few weeks. I know, not like I haven't had enough change in the last 12 to 16 months...(you know...moving half way across the world, starting a new job, living with my cousins, meeting my husband, getting married, etc!) to say the least its been a huge year and a half of change so why on earth do I feel like I need another one? I honestly don't get it. As a kid and teenager, I HATED change! I was such a homebody and I loved the little bubble I lived in. I guess all of that started to change when I went to College and had to change classes every semester, new roommate every year and living in different dorms. I guess now I just having a hard time sitting still.

We've had a lot going on these last several weeks. They've been very busy and a bit overwhelming. I found out a few weeks ago, I did not get the teaching job I applied for at my school. I'm not going to lie, it was very upsetting. More so in the way the situation was handled. It was handled very poorly and to be honest I don't feel like I was really considered for the position. But for myself to move on I need to forgive and forget, which is something I'm still working on. But at the end of the day, God has my life in his hands, he knows my heart is in the classroom and I know I will be able to teach again one day.

Its the end of the school year, even though i'm not teaching I still have a lot of end of year things to finish up with my job and considering the fact that I begin another part of my job (Vacation Care) the day after school gets out, doesn't leave a lot of time to get stuff done. Oh, yeah and also preparing to be gone from work for 3 weeks! And is December, which means Christmas time! To be honest, I haven't even thought of Christmas. I have only bought 1 gift, we haven't and won't put up a Christmas tree, and there will be no Christmas cards from the newlyweds this year. It does make me sad, but it doesn't even feel like Christmas yet. I'm hoping when we arrive home next week and step off the plane in Memphis, TN and are hit with that winter weather, it will start to feel like Christmas.

One week from now we'll be on the plane! I'm probably the only person excited about traveling for 24 hours, including a 14 hour flight. Its weird, I remember in college I had lots of friends who lived far from school so they always got to fly home for the holidays and me only living 2.5 hours had to drive home. I remember thinking, one day I hope I live somewhere that I can fly home for the holidays...yeah, be careful what you wish for! Saying that i'm excited about going home is an understatement. I'm so ready to be in a familiar place again with familiar people. And knowing that i'm 1 week away from seeing and hugging my family and friends, some of my favorite people in the world puts the biggest smile on my face. I've heard about the reverse culture shock thing, but i'm not worried about it. I honestly think we're going to be too busy and won't be there long enough to have to deal with that, but I guess we'll see.

Whether it be our short trip to the US or something else God has planned, I feel a change is in the air. We just need to keep praying and trust in God's plan for our lives. I'm excited to see what maybe the next chapter in our lives. And I know that no matter what it is or where we go that God with take care of us and He has given me the most amazing man to share the journey with.



 

Thankful

Whoa, 2 post in 2 days! I guess thats what happens when your husband works on Saturdays and I'm stalling from getting started on my to do list today. Ever since I was little I've loved the month of November. Not just because its my birthday month, but because Thanksgiving was always one of my favorite holidays. I loved getting together with family and having my mom, aunts and grandma cooking away in the kitchen. I love that the weather was finally cold enough then that it really did feel like fall. I miss all those things. Don't get me wrong, we (my husband, cousins and I) still celebrate Thanksgiving here, but its just not the same.

On Facebook this month its become a bit of a trend to write what you are thankful for each day. Everyday I can easily think of tons of things i'm thankful for. Is it terrible that almost everyday I want to put down something relating to my husband? Without a doubt he has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I love him so much more now than the day I married him, I didn't even know that was possible?! I know some people were a little bit surprised by our whirlwind romance but what I do know is it was all a part of a plan. I'm not sure that I ever shared a lot of details with how we met, etc. Back in January after I had returned from visiting my family in the US for Christmas, I was working a few casual days in Sydney at a preschool. The money was great, but after just a few short days I realized I was not cut out for the commuting life! One evening, 2 trains and almost 2 hours later I was walking home from the train station almost in tears, praying. I remember I kept saying, "God, I need something better, I don't know how much longer I can do this." At this point I had been in Australia for almost 5 months with no permanent job. I was running out of money, and seriously thinking my adventure in Australia was going to be coming to an end soon, but God had other plans. The very next day I got a phone call from a friend about the job at St Philips. And 2 days later I was in my principals office accepting a permanent job. On the day of my interview, there were only 2 people in the office as it was still closed for school holidays. As I was leaving my principals office, someone else walked up and that someone was Ben. My principal introduced us and I guess the rest is history. Well not really...for the next 4 weeks we chatted and got to know each other around the office but that was all until one Friday we went out for coffee, which turned into dinner and the rest is history.

Everyday I look at my husband and i'm reminded and overwhelmed by God's love for His children. Everyday I am so grateful for God's grace and forgiveness. God answered so many prayers when he brought Ben into my life. Never in my life would I have thought I would deserve or find a man like Ben. I'm thankful for how God is working in our lives and I know he has great plans for us. I have truly found my best friend and other half. I love that he makes me laugh when I want to cry. I love how hard he works for the two of us. I love that he is patient, understanding and holds me when I am incredibly homesick. I love that he is constantly helping me to see the bigger picture and reminding me to always give things to God in prayer. I love that he is my biggest cheerleader and reminding me to always reach for my dreams. I love how he is around our family and friends and how great he is with our nieces and nephew it makes me excited to have children with him. I love that he is a leader, honest, encouraging, respectful, goofy, sweet and of course handsome! I love how he loves me and makes me feel like the only girl in the world. But most of all, I love his love for the Lord.

With thanksgiving a few weeks away...I have so much to be thankful for.



 

Its been a while...

I know, I know...its been a while. Lets just say, I had a lot more free-time during my 6 weeks off work than I do know. So I guess I need to do a little catching up. Shortly after my last post I went back to work after my long post wedding break, or my forced break due to immigration laws. Getting back into a work routine wasn't the easiest thing, but finally after being back over 2 months I finally feel like things are back to normal. All sorts of things happened in my absence, which in some ways makes me think I should never leave again, but in just 4 short weeks I will once again be away and hope that my staff will manage without me.

We have settled in nicely to our flat. Its tiny, or for better word cozy. We are a 5 minute walk from the beach and I love it! Our landlords, who are friends of ours are such a fun couple to live next to and they spoil us rotten! Its the perfect place for us right now. I think we'll see how long we can stand living in such a tiny place. Ben says when we get sick of each other, then we can move somewhere bigger. Isn't my husband, sweet?

About a month ago for the long weekend, we traveled up north to visit my brother/sister in law and our adorable niece. It was the first time I had traveled any farther north than Newcastle, so it was nice to see more of the "country." Despite the constant rain, it was still a good weekend away to spend time with Ben's side of the family.

We celebrated my birthday. I'm now a lot closer to 30 that I would like to be. The day before my birthday we had a BBQ with my family here at our place. I love nights like that when we can just sit around outside, enjoying the beautiful summer-like weather. On my birthday my husband spoiled me rotten! Made breakfast, planned a day for us together. We went to the beach, shopping, out for dinner, he even made a super yummy cake for me! It was so nice to be able to spend the whole day with him. As much as I may not love the idea of being 27, 26 sure was a great year so I can't wait to see what this next year has in store!

And...4 weeks from today we will be on a plane, heading HOME!! I can't believe how fast the last few weeks have gone by. I feel like it was just yesterday I said we had 8 weeks to go and now we're already down to 4! And I know how busy they will be and before we know it we'll be at the airport getting on the plane! If you can't tell, I'm super excited! Even last night before bed I told my husband I probably won't be able to sleep the night before we leave because i'll just be so exited. And the fact that its almost a 24 hour trip home, my husband may not want to sit next to me on the plane because i'm pretty sure i'm going to be as excited as a kid at Christmas! Its been almost a year since i've been home, seen my friends, etc. I'm just ready. Ready to see everyone, ready to introduce Ben to everyone and ready to have 4 weeks off work with my hubby to spend with my family. I'm beyond excited :)

So, theres a little update. Life is good. We are extremely blessed. And married life is even better than I could have thought. With thanksgiving right around the corner I can't help but be extremely happy and thankful for all that God has done in my life this last year.