The Weekend / Thanksgiving 2014

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving around here. We ate way too much, enjoyed time with friends, facetimed with family and just soaked in the day. It was great!

This was my first time hosting Thanksgiving and making the meal all by myself. I cannot tell you how relieved I was that it all turned out edible! That deserves a round of applause. Here are the recipes I used and I would recommend each one... Dressing, Macaroni and Cheese, Mashed Potato Casserole (my favorite!), Roast Chicken, Green Bean Casserole (recipe to come!), Apple Crisp and Sour Cream Pound Cake with Cinnamon Glaze. We even squeezed in the parade (a must) and ended the night with some board games.

 My chicken...and no fire this time!

A huge plate of leftovers one day...leftovers are just the greatest.

The rest of the weekend was pretty relaxing and restful. Saturday, Robert had a game and he played so, so well. I am so very proud of that man. After the game we enjoyed dinner with friends at a cozy and delicious Italian restaurant.

 Photo cred: Miejski Klub Sportowy

Sunday we relaxed all day and stayed inside...it is cold, cold here! And we got hooked on the Amazing Race. Such a good show! Robert and I are determined we will be contestants one day:)

 Our view when we woke up Sunday morning.

Now it is time to fully get in the Christmas spirit, as if I wasn't enough already. I think tonight is the night to snuggle by the tree and watch Christmas Vacation, possibly my favorite!

How was your weekend?? And what Christmas movies are on your list?? I would love to know!
 
Linking up with B Loved Boston Carly, Bella and  Join the Gossip.

I Will Give Thanks

I just got off the phone with my mama and they are preparing to go to my Gigi's for Thanksgiving. They will celebrate with my whole family and man that puts a longing in my heart!

It is so difficult for me to miss out on quality time with my loved ones. Family is such an important part in Rob's and my life and we hate to miss these precious moments.

But now, as I sit in our little living room with our lit up Christmas tree, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. Even though we are missing out on sweet moments back home, I am at full peace with God's plan for us. And right now his plan is for us to be here in Poland, together and to make some perfectly sweet memories as a married couple. I am so grateful.

We are learning more than we ever thought possible through this little journey of ours.

We are learning to cherish this rare opportunity in a new culture,  to treasure the abundance of time we get to spend together and  to give thanks in all circumstances.

Even, when curve balls are being thrown our way and things are not going quite like we hoped (which is so often in life!)...we are learning to be grateful and find hope in a greater plan. Thank you Jesus, for being our hope.

So as Thanksgiving approaches, it reminds me to sit and be still. I reflect on all the good and let it overcome any bad, because I have so much to be thankful for. Robert, our health, our families and friends, food on our table and the opportunity to live life with my precious husband...are just a few that I let fill my heart.

I hope you each have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And thank you for reading my little posts. Enjoy these next few days of family, fun and time off!

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. Now go enjoy all the turkey and dressing your heart desires!

Weekending / The Holidays + A Fire

This weekend was such a good one. We stuck to our plan and are now all decorated for Christmas over here! The tree is trimmed, the stockings are hung and Christmas movies are being played non-stop. My heart is so happy!

But do not worry, we are not skipping over Thanksgiving! 

Obviously, they do not celebrate Thanksgiving over here but that does not mean we are passing it by, no way. We are having the Americans from the team over and I plan on going all out. Here's to hoping it turns out delicious! As I mentioned before, whole turkeys are no where to be found here, but whole chickens sure are...

This was my first time to deal with a whole chicken and I totally acted like a little girl, if you can't tell from the picture. I mean you could see where the head was cut off?! 

I was not meant for this. 

Not only was I acting like a 5 year old but I also started a fire. Yes, a legit fire. As Roberto and I took the chicken out to check it's temp, quite a few of it's juices poured into the bottom of the oven. Which we didn't really thinks twice about. Well, that was a bad idea. We closed the oven door while we checked the temp, then all of the sudden we heard a loud swoosh. It took about 2 seconds for us to look in the oven and see a fire. Here is how the next minute went..

Robert: It's a fire!

Bailley: Where is the fire extinguisher?!!

Robert: We don't have one!

*Bailley continues to run frantically around the apartment looking for non-existent fire extinguisher*

Bailley: What do we do?!!

Robert: Do not open the oven. With no air it should go out on it's own.

*Mr. Cool, Calm and Collected over here, while I am still running frantically around the kitchen freaking out*

Bailley: Uh. Ahh. What?? Ahh. Uhhhhh.

Robert: It's out!

*Bailley cools her jets*

Whew that was quite the few minutes. What we learned...

1. Find unknown fire extinguisher in apartment building

2. Learn Polish emergency number

3. Robert is the three C's under pressure...and Bailley freaks out.

What a day! It sure is fun making these sweet and crazy memories with that Mr. of mine. 

 

The next few days I will be prepping and shopping for our real Thanksgiving meal. Wish me luck and pray for zero flames.

Our day ended with my mama's taco soup (recipe to come!), elf and cuddles by the light of the tree.

I would call that a successful weekend!

Linking up with B Loved Boston Carly, Bella and  Join the Gossip.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Thanksgiving is almost here and Christmas is right around the corner. It is the most wonderful time of the year!!

via

Today I am linking up with some amazing ladies for a little Thanksgiving AND Christmas happiness.

First up, let's talk Thanksgiving.

We are hosting a little Thanksgiving celebration at our apartment this year and I am pretty pumped about it. I have not been able to find whole Turkeys here so that is off the list (which is fine by me). So I am braistorming other meat options and I would love your ideas!

Here are a few recipes that look delish and have been added to the menu...

Mix and Match Mama's Mashed Potatoe Casserole. And you can make it ahead of time, just pop it in the oven the day of. Yes, please!

 

Pioneer Woman's Dressing. I do not think you can ever go wrong with one of Mrs. Drummond's recipes.

And no picture yet...but also my mama's Brown Sugar Green Beans. Yummm. Recipe to come soon after Thanksgiving!

And how cute is this??? The perfect centerpiece!

 

Now let's switch gears...to a little Christmas Cheer!

 

I am linking up for A Few of My Favorite Things Holiday Linkup Party. And today is the day to share MY Christmas list!

 

Roberto and I are not going to do gifts this year but it is always fun to make a list anyways! And hopefully to give YOU some fun ideas!

 

 

Clarisonic / 50 mm lens for Camera / Fleece Pajamas / Ugg Slippers / Sign  

 

Fun, right?? I would be thrilled to find any of this under my tree!

 

I just cannot believe we are already talking about Christmas and that Thanksgiving is NEXT week?? It makes me so excited!

 

I hope you have a wonderful day friends! And don't forget to enter the CASH giveaway. A little extra Christmas shopping money would be soo nice, right?! Click here to enter!