April Date Day

For awhile now, I have been a regular reader of a blog (thank you Ray Ray for sharing it with me!) that has inspired me to not only be a help-mate and encourager to Handsome Hubby, but to be his buddy. This blog includes "playing together" as one of the 10 Things That Have Made All the Difference in their marriage. After reading their list a few months back, I was convicted in that HH and I don't really "play" together, and I later found out that he also thought buddy-ship was missing in our relationship. Sure, we would go on dinner-and-a-movie dates, we would go on group outings, but we didn't make much time "playing" together, just the two of us. We made an agreement to try and apply this in our lives more frequently. But, how do we do this?! We needed to be intentional.

One of the women in my small group suggested a "date cup." HH and I each wrote down a few ideas of things we would really see ourselves enjoying doing together and placed them in a bowl. One piece of paper is drawn at the beginning of each month, and that is our date day for the month. This can certainly be done more frequently, but because of his crazy school and soon-to-be residency schedule, we decided it not to push it! :) Once the hubster has his schedule, we actually plan a date.

Thus far, this has worked really well for us in being intentional about spending "buddy" time together. In March, our date day was to the nearby zoo and today was our April date day horseback ridding at the military fort. It was awesome! And what's more, we are having fun being active and spending the day together. We always enjoy each other's company, but this has become a real treat!

Although we haven't but into place all of the 10 Things that are listed on the other blog, I would also recommend Tuesday Questions. It has been instrumental in how Handsome Hubby and I communicate our needs and stresses with one another.

Below are some pictures from our outing today. Enjoy! :)

Handsome Hubby waiting with his helmet before our trail ride.

Me. The weather was beautiful!

Greeting to know the horses before the ride.

Meeting Lightning before our ride. So excited!

Velvet...the view from on top.

Lightning (left) and Velvet (the black one just behind Lightning) after our ride. 

Lightning on the right. Great horse! Except he was always trying to eat leaves off the trees on the trail. He was pretty insistent too!

 

To my Mr. B., You probably don't need the reminder, but you have a grand total of TWO days left of rotations! Wahoooo! I know that you may feel that these are the hardest two days of medical school ever, but I know you can do it! Did I mention that one of those days is today?! So, really you only have 1 day left! ;)

To my front porch rose bush, Thank you for blooming this week. I know I confused you this winter when I brought you inside the house to rescue you from the cold outside. You loved the heat so much you produced at least a dozen flowers in the middle of January. You subsequently turned brown and all your leaves fell off. I am glad you have decided to delight me with your beauty once again! Next winter, you're staying outside...

To the Women at the Lasting Beauty Conference last night, Thank you for being called to share your stories. Thank you for reminding a whole room of women that God created beauty and defines beauty, and though the culture and sin may ravish our beauty, it is through God's grace and mercy that our beauty can be restored. Thank you for that sweet reminder. 

To soon-to-be Mama Elsken, Thank you for speaking sense to me. It is amazing how Handsome Hubby can tell me his opinion over and over again, but it is when I hear the same opinion from someone else, that it finally sinks in. Thank you for your honesty and encouragement. Thank you for your prayers. And, thank you for being willing to let the Lord speak through you to give me the discernment I needed about choosing the job opportunity that is right for me. And thank you for letting me eat your M&Ms...

To my [almost] doctor husband!, You graduate in less than a week. I'm totally stoked. Fyi, t minus 6 days until vacation begins!

 

To my creative Mr. B., Thanks for making up the yard game for us to play yesterday. Easter Sunday was a blast enjoying family and friends, incredible food, and hours of entertainment playing the yard game-without-a-name (so far!)...it is sure to become a family favorite. Is it possible to rig that up at our house? Oh, and congrats on having 5 BUSINESS DAYS LEFT OF MEDICAL SCHOOL!

To Stone Mountain, Thanks for providing loads of entertainment on Saturday. You were harder to climb than I remembered, but the hike plus the Lazer Show brought back sweet memories. Handsome Hubby, the Swede, and Banker Boy: I had lots of fun with you guys!

To Ray Ray, Nothing like needing a rescuer first thing on a Monday morning! Thanks for being willing to come let me in so I could retrieve my house and car keys. Yikes! I know it made us both a little later than expected, but I am so thankful for you! What an incredible blessing you were this morning. Hoping that all the mishaps this morning aren't an indication of the rest of the day (or week for that matter)!

To the Swede, I am so grateful that you took a week to come spend some time with your American family (and thankful to the Pig that he let us borrow you)! We enjoyed your visit so much, we almost swede-napped you! :) Here's to wonderful Georgia fun and our Swedish excursion soon to come! We miss you already.

To my precious family, Thank you for an incredible Easter weekend! What a way to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior! I'm so thankful for the time we were able to spend together. Can't wait for your visit in celebration of Aaron's graduation!

Brief rest stop with the Swede and Banker Boy about 3/4 of the way up.

Me and Handsome Hubby at the top

Thanks for coming Banker Boy!

The view from above. You can see the lazer show lawn filling up below.

Easter Sunday with the family! (The Swede, Hurricane Hunk, and Weathergirl!)

 
 To my incredible Mr B., You left for the hospital this morning wearing your GT scrubs and drinking out of your GT coffee mug. Way to represent! Hoping your attending today is also a fan...

To my Small Group, Thank for blessing me with our incredible discussion last night. I think all of us (the engaged and the married) needed the reminders and Godly marital advice that was shared. Thank you all for being so open and honest! All of you beautiful ladies are such a source of encouragement for me...I praise the Lord for you!

To the 7-minute Frosting, You have been conquered! It may have taken two recipes, eight eggs, two scientists (thank you Swede), one almost surgeon, and a troubleshooting website, but we got a final product that was amazing! The result: perfectly fluffy icing that tastes like marshmellow fluff...so great that I posted the recipe below.

To my Traveling Companion, When you woke up this morning, the first thing out of your mouth was "I'm excited about going on vacation with you." T minus 14 days before we begin our travels the world! Btw, two countries on two different continents qualifies as the world... ;)

RECIPE: Snickerdoodle Cupcakes with 7-Minute Frosting

The cupcake recipe can be found on Martha Stewart's website. I have a gas oven and would only suggest baking the cupcakes for 15-17 minutes instead and I would also add about 1/4 tsp of cardamom to the mix just because I love it! Otherwise, I followed the directions accordingly. 

My first attempt at the 7-minute frosting, I used the recipe that is given with the snickerdoodle recipe...fail. Maybe it was due to a slight yoke contamination, but the frosting never became fluffy. Aaron was a good sport and dipped the cupcakes in the resulting product anyway. In an effort to try and make my cupcakes look just as good as those in the professional picture, I decided to troubleshoot and remake the icing to cover the remaining cupcakes. This is the recipe I used:

INGREDIENTS- 

2 egg whites

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/3 cup water

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

pinch of salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

 Use eggs taken straight from the fridge, as they separate more easily. Bring a pot of water (roughly 1 quart in a 4-quart pot) to a boil and then reduce to simmer. Place all ingredients except vanilla in a glass bowl and set the bowl on the pot of simmering water, careful that the water is not touching the bottom of the bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix on medium for one minute and then increase to high and beat for an additional 5 minutes which will result in hot, shiny egg mixture with stiff peaks. You may need to beat for a few additional minutes to get the peaks you want. Remove bowl and beat the vanilla into the mixture. Once cooled (~30 mins), this is enough icing to cover at least a dozen cupcakes. Keep iced cupcakes at room temperature and eat within 24 hours. Enjoy!

 
To Mr. B., I'm so glad you had a wonderful birthday! You kept such a positive attitude...especially when Rooster's Beak ended up being closed (and we went to Nacho Mama's instead), the frosting for the cupcakes never became fluffy (but we dipped the cupcakes in the resulting product anyway), and the Green Jackets lost (but we got the best seats in the whole stadium! although we could pick from almost any seat...). I am so thankful for your ever-positive perspective! 
To the Swede, I'm so thankful that we were successful in the mission to find a formal dress for your high-hat ceremony. I'm sure you will be the only one wearing a dress purchased in the U.S.A. and I know that the Pig will love it! :) Thanks for an enjoyable girls night out...who doesn't love a little P.F. Changs and shopping?! It's so exciting that you are visiting this week!
To my Weathergirl, I just want to thank you in advance for ordering a beautiful weather day for this coming Saturday... the Stone Mountain Lazer show is really no fun if there is any "weather." Hope that you and Hurricane Hunk will be able to join us for a picnic dinner and spectacular entertainment! 
To my amazing husband, Thanks for being my buddy. We definitely have fun together! Can't wait for vacation with you... countdown: t minus 15 days! 

Burrito at Nacho Mama's...mmmmm!

The Swede and her Sunburn Nachos... I can't believe you forgot how much you liked them! Thankfully, it all came back to you!

Monday night at the baseball stadium... lots of seats to choose from and $1 hotdogs! What could be better!?

Aaron's Green Jackets souvenir from the game

Me and the birthday boy- Happy 26 years!

To my Mr. B., HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We have spent the last several days celebrating your 26 years, but today is the day! I have been, and I know so many others also have been, so touched by your incredible life. The Lord has blessed us with you! May you have a day more wonderful than can be imagined!

To the Swede, You made it! After a whole day of traveling to get here, you finally made it back to your "host home". No one is more excited than Long Dog...you only see his excited ears when he is really really excited! :) Here's to spending a whole week picking up where we left off almost a year ago!

To my favorite M-I-L and B-I-L, We had a terrific weekend with you! Thanks for making the long jog down I-20 to spend your weekend with us. Can't wait to spend a whole week with you in St. George! Vaca countdown: t minus 17 days to an entire month off!

To my amazing Hubster, Let's celebrate your day with a little Rooster's Beak and a little more Green Jackets! That's sure to be a home-run celebration combination! :) Nothing like mixing fine Mexican cuisine with peanuts and a 7th-inning stretch!

To my encouraging Mr. B., Last night upon finishing your dinner, you exclaimed that it was incredible! Thank you for making me feel like the BEST cook in the world! Totally earning brownie points...
To South Korea, It may only be Friday here, but your special day is beginning on the other side of the world!! So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Whoopeee for being the first person I know to celebrate in S. Korea! I wonder, do they celebrate the same way over there? The whole gang here misses you to Asia and back... rumor has it you might be visiting soon? The hubster and I can't wait. Oh, and Long Dog misses you too!
To Weathergirl, Have I told you lately that I love having an eye-in-the-sky? You always know what the weather is like here...and when the weather is especially bad, thanks for all your late night phone calls and texts that make me feel safe (should I expect some calls tonight?)! I think everyone should have a family member in the weather business. And who knew that I would have TWO!? Well, kinda... thank the Hurricane Hunk for his tropical weather warnings. :) Btw, congrats on your recent award! I'm so proud!
To my helpful hunny, Knowing your family is visiting this weekend, you came home from work yesterday and the first words out of your mouth was "what can I do to help?". You have NO IDEA how much that means... earning even more brownie points!


On another note, I'm thinking about making these incredibly cute cupcakes for an Easter gathering this weekend. What do you think? I might cheat and use Jelly Belly eggs in place of the icing-birds...

 

To my hardworking Mr. B., You started back on Shock/Trauma ICU yesterday which means you are back to your long hours. You having spring break last week spoiled me...Long Dog and I are now missing your company all the more. Guess it is preparing us for when your intern year starts in July. Hoping you had such an incredible day that you come home with "scrub cap" hair!

To the vacation that lies ahead, You're almost here! The airline tickets are purchased (finally), the hotels are booked, the planning is nearly complete! T minus 23 days until a blissful month of traveling...Hip hip hooray for finally taking a honeymoon after more than 3 years of marriage!
To my crafty side, we nailed another Diaper Cake! Here's to a "vanilla" baby shower creation that looks good enough to eat (I made the last one with wide "chocolate" ribbon)!! This could become a real hobby in the making, especially with how fruitful the small group has become!
To my many job perspectives, I thank the Lord for the support and encouragement that I have received through you! What a surprise that I would be able to have so many different positions to choose from. Father, guide me and give me the discernment I need to select the job that you would have me do! And, in everything, I pray that I find my fulfillment in you!
To my bottomless pit of a hubby, how about brinner tonight? Nothing like thick slices of french toast oozing syrup and fruit salad piled high on top to end a wonderful day! Mmmm...

To my dearest Mr. B., Just wanted to say I love you. God has really blessed me with you. Thanks for inspiring me to be (more) spontaneous, adventurous, and easy-going. Living life with you is so much better than I could have ever imagined.
To my Masters' breakfast, I have been delighted in eating you three of the last five days. Nothing like eating like a Masters champion? A simply delicious chicken biscuit paired with an incredible sunrise is a beautiful way to start the day. Two of the tournament days down...one more to go!
To the Georgia heat and humidity, you really reared your head today! So thankful that we were able to create our own breeze while riding bikes at the canal...wading in the cold cold Savannah River helped cool us off too! Thank you Lord that we spent the day marveling at your beautiful creation!
To my lounge monster, thank you for hanging up the hammock earlier this week. I never truly appreciated a hammock until spending some time swinging on ours. Is it possible that Long Dog loves the hammock even more than the two of us combined?!

View from the hammock. Lord, your creation is amazing!!

To Mr. B., Thanks for an enjoyable day at the Masters! I loved my trip with the Swede last year, but it was incredible to see your eyes light up as you recognized the golfers and to see the course through your eyes! Thanks for letting me tag along!

To Ray Ray, You were so ecstatic when the two Masters badges arrived in the mail addressed to you. Who would have thought that you would let the hubster and I use them for a whole morning at the Augusta National?! We are forever indebted to you and Moe's Man!! I would have traded 1000 pimento cheese sandwiches for an opportunity to be so close to Tiger, Phil, and Angel (and all the others)!

To the frightened deer, You looked so scared as you ran through the crowds of people gawking at you. Hooray for being the fastest deer I have ever seen! I hope that you found a nice quiet place to hide...near Amen Corner?! If it was only up to speed, you would at least get a honorary green jacket!

To my frugal hunny, It makes my heart smile that you still think the best (and cheapest!) souvenirs from the National are the plastic drink cups. As we left for the day, you couldn't help but dig through the trash bags (I know, I know...you only grabbed the ones on top) to gather these treasures... While others are asking for badges on the way out, I thought for sure you would ask the patrons for their cups! ;)

 

Dear Mr. B, Thanks for coming with me on our "Date Day" to Columbia! Feeding the giraffes, hanging out with kangaroos, walking by the river, and eating cupcakes (mint chocolate chip...mmmmmmm!). Thanks for a whole day of us acting like kids! You make such a great buddy! Dear Master's Week, You are here again! I look forward to you every year: no AM traffic, the empty parking deck, the quiet building, famous travelers around town... Oh, and thanks for the extra opportunities to make a little dough! To my small group women (and Weathergirl!), Thanks for your words of encouragement especially over the last few weeks! Knowing I will lose my job (as of June 30th) is certainly less painful when I have your support! Your messages, posts, phone calls, and snail mail letters (!!!) remind me that I am loved and that the Lord will provide! So glad I get to spend the next 5 years with you girls. Dear Hubby, Your $2 at the zoo for a handful of lettuce was well spent! I subsequently spent all day talking about the experience. You even offered to go back after we had seen the rest of the animals to feed the giraffe again and you bought me a pint-size stuffed replica as a souvenir! You know how to warm my heart...

Aaron with his Lemon Cupcake