What's been keeping me busy when Dan's on call...

Earlier this summer, Dan was looking on Craig's list and came upon a posting giving away free plants to anyone who would pick them up. With our flower box looking like this...

Dan decided he'd go and pick a few plants up in the morning. When I came home from work that day, I came home to this...

I was so happy! I loved my new little flower box even though all the flowers were nearly dead. It was finally filled with flowers and with the box now spray painted it looked a million times better!

But after a little TLC my pretty little flower box looked like this!!!

Still a little sparse, right??
This week my little pretty flowers burst into full bloom!!!!

These dark purple flowers just bloomed yesterday!
A little baby humming bird keeps kissing these little flowers! It's so cute to watch!

I love these white ones! They are SO beautiful!!

The best part about these flowers is the way they smell when you walk past them! They smell so sweet! These flowers are a highlight of my day. I love to weed them and water them everyday!

When Dan picked up the flowers for me, he also got some tomato, bell pepper, and jalapeno plants. They haven't done so well....

This little plant looks great, but it just hasn't grown anything. Major bummer.

Dan thinks I water them too much, so I've cut down on the watering. We'll see if that's what's killing them. Maybe I should move them into more direct sun light? But I don't want them to burn up...Either way, aren't they beautiful to look at?

Lost in Nebraska

I think I've mentioned before that Dan's the fundraising chair for a free medical clinic in Omaha called the Magis Clinic, which keeps him pretty busy. Well, as the fundraising chair Dan obviously has to set up A LOT of fundraising events to help raise enough money to help run the free clinic.

Dan's in charge of a few very crucial fundraisers for Magis. Among these are two wine tasting events. Since we don't drink, it's quite interesting that Dan's in charge of such events. But really it doesn't matter what event Dan is putting on, he always does a fantastic job and this event was no exception.

Unfortunately, the event had to be held on a Sunday, so after sacrament meeting we headed to Nehawka, NE where the event was to be held. We simply plugged the address to the winery into the GPS and we were off. Dan had to do some setting up before the event started and we were on schedule to pull into the winery an hour before it began, so Dan could do what he needed before everyone showed up.

About 45 minutes to an hour later we knew something was wrong when the GPS announced we had arrived at our destination on the left and we were surrounded by nothing but cornfields. I could see the panic swarm through Dan. If anyone knows Dan, they know he hates being lost. Immediately we got onto our phones making calls to someone who could help us. But everyone was still in church. Finally Dan got a hold of someone. He explained where we were at the best he could and they tried to give us directions. We back tracked for about a half hour and followed the directions we were given to a T but got lost again. Dan spotted someone on the side of the road and stopped to ask for directions (after I insisted). The guy was not helpful at all. So Dan tried to use his phone again, but this time he had no signal. So we guessed the best which way to go. No such luck! We drove until we could literally drive no more because the road was flooded and roped off.

Frustration doesn't even put into perspective the way we felt. It was extremely hot and humid outside and after all this driving we were down to a fourth tank of gas. And now we were late. Dan kept driving and kept trying to get someone on the phone. When he finally got someone on the phone, we got new directions. Directions that worked this time. But we showed up an HOUR late. Yes, a whole HOUR late. Which actually turned out to not even be a big deal, but it was embarrassing nonetheless.

After all the hassle we went through to get there, we surprisingly had a great rest of the day despite the blistering heat!!!

Smiling even after getting lost in Nehwaka, NE aka Nowhere, NE.
The event had live music the entire time. This guy is a fantastic country music singer. He even got his little son to come up and sing with him!!! So cute!

The vineyard was really quite sparse. Nebraska doesn't really have the climate for growing grapes, but people still try. We loved this old truck!!!!

This little shack is actually an outdoor shower you can use if you rent a bungalow for the night.

A little man made pond. So pretty!
I thought the waterfall was gorgeous underneath the bridge. Maybe someday in out yard?!?!

These two little ducks were very entertaining. There were two brown ducks that kept trying to beat up the white ducks. It was hilarious!

We ate brats and listened to some good music!

Lesson learned: Don't rely on the GPS in Nebraska!

Come on Home!

On Wednesday night we went to the Winter Quarters Musical called "Come Home to Kanesville." The musical was put on at the Kanesville Tabernacle where Brigham Young was set apart as prophet of the church many, many, many years ago.

Dan and I went to the play last year and absolutely LOVED it! It's a story of love and faith amidst a pioneer family's journey West. The musical has me near at tears every time we go. There is a live band playing all the music behind the screen of the play so you can actually see them playing as the actors and actresses are singing. Also, there is a choir behind us who sing along as well. The performers dance up and down the isles too. All of this combined with the lovely story brings the spirit so strongly to my heart. My testimony of the gospel is always strengthened each time we go. I love it!


They always perform the play around pioneer days which is perfect because outside of Utah and Nauvoo no one really celebrates the 24th of July to honor the faithful saints who scarified everything so their posterity would no longer be persecuted for their beliefs.

Needless to say, I'm grateful for those who work so hard to put on the play so others, like myself, can enjoy the message and spirit they bring.

For dessert, I made vanilla cream pie since we were fresh out of banana pudding! Dan LOVED it!
Strawberries are on sale right now for $0.88/lb, so I just had to throw some of those in! I'm thinking I should can some strawberry jam since strawberries are on such a good deal, but I don't know if I dare do it by myself.....

Muddy Buddies!

Dan is the fundraising officer for a free medical clinic here in Omaha called the Magis Clinic. Dan has meetings every week on Monday night, which obviously conflicts with Family Home Evenings. It's been quite the challenge to get a really good FHE in on Monday nights due to his meetings, but this week we resolved to make it work. Dan and I have also been in work out mode these past few weeks, so we thought we should combine the two. We started the night out at Creighton's medical school gym. We did a really good circuit workout. Dan's circuit was a lot more intense than mine, but I tired to stay up with him and it was so much fun. We tried to keep each station to a minute and really do our best at doing the exercise correctly in order to get the most benefit from it. We did wall sits, planks, crunches, lunges with weights, and so on. Then we topped it off with a good run until Dan's meeting started. I continued to run until the meeting was over which allowed me to run as much as I wanted!! When Dan's meeting was over we drove home and made a yummy FHE treat, muddy buddies aka puppy chow!
After all the puppy chow we ate, it's a pretty good thing we worked out..ooooops!...the two definitely canceled each other out in the "calories in vs. calories out" category. Next, I cut Dan's hair, which I got a little carried away with, but hair grows back, right??! Thank goodness Dan's a good sport :)

Lastly we studied the scriptures together and had a wonderful discussion about our loving Savior. It was a beautiful night!

Farmers Market

This weekend Dan and I went to the farmers market in Old Town Omaha. It was so much fun! It actually started raining while we were down there, but it felt great! Last year when Dan and I went to the farmers market, we were really impressed at the great produce and prices, but this year we haven't been so impressed. Their prices just weren't very good and the produce seemed to be A LOT smaller than last year. We contribute it to them now taking food stamps, which is great for those with the stamps, but not so good for us who don't. We're hoping that towards the end of summer, more particularly harvest time, our little farmers market will prove it's self again! Nonetheless, we got some pretty alright deals!I got this great homemade salsa recipe from my friends blog and just had to try it! Dan and I LOVE chips and salsa, so this was perfect!

It has tomatoes, cilantro, onion, jalapeno, salt, garlic, and lime!!! Honestly there is no sense in putting down the amounts of every ingredient because really you can make it anyway you like. It's just the combination of ingredients that makes this salsa so yummy! I used too much cilantro in my first batch and decided I didn't like how "over powering" the cilantro was. It seemed like that was all I could taste. So in my next batch I threw out the recipe I was following and went to town making it how we like it! Dan was the official taster-YUM!

I love this machine!!!
'Tis the season for zucchini! It was all over the market! We made a stir fry with them and they were delicious! I was actually really surprised at how much Dan loved them!

Dan and I pretty much think we've figured out the farmers market. We've figured out that the more pricey vendors tend to sit along the outer edged of the market, but as you make your way to the center of the market, you reach the cheaper venders!!

Dan is all business when it comes to these types of things. He likes to get in there and get out. I, on the other hand, love to take my time and putts around at all the booths, even if I don't intend to purchase anything. But mostly I like to sample nearly everything people are handing out! It's all part of the experience for me. Someday though, with a few more of "market outings," I know I'll convert Dan into a market lover too!

Paint it up.

Dan and I have nearly repainted our entire town home, except for just a few rooms and closets. A few days ago I decided I wanted to finish the job and paint the rest of the house. After finding some great free paint I liked, I decided to delve into the project! I thought I'd better start with the linen closet.

BEFORE

The shelves were covered with yellow and cream plaid wall paper.
Thankfully it wasn't too difficult to take the wall paper off, which is partially why I've kept putting this project off for 2 years.
AFTER!
So much better than the yellow plaid wall paper!

Red, White, & Blue

The days of summer keep going by so fast! I'm afraid to blink for fear that when I open my eyes it will be August 22nd and my last summer, before "real life" begins, will be over. I've enjoyed slumbering whenever I please and doing whatever I feel like, within reason of course, way too much!

One precious memory I have growing up is of a Fourth of July celebration when my dad stood at attention and sung the army battle song. I remember tears trickled down my mom's face while we all looked at the American flag. It was a beautiful sight. Just thinking about it makes my heart beat faster and my eyes water up. I'll never forget the love my dad has for his country and that makes July 4th, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day really special to me.

The Fourth of July always reminds me of home. Growing up in a military family meant that a large part of the home be decorated in honor to America and all that entails. My home growing up was no exception. Decorations of red, white, and blue weren't hung up during just one month out of the year, but rather they were displayed every-single-day of the year. The reminder of the sacrifices it takes to live a life free from oppression were constant growing up--particularly when seeing my dad in his uniform...

Here are a few decorations I put around the house to make it feel a little more festive. I love this little wall hanging my mom made for me.
May I just add, my mom is the most talented women I know! She can do everything from cooking and sewing to jewelry making and basket weaving...did I mention she mats and frames her own pictures, too???? The list just goes on and on and on... But really, isn't this a great door decoration!!
On the left are the Polish Pottery Americana homes my mom gave me. Quite ironic, Polish Pottery and America mixed into one...haha! In the middle is an American flag my dad had flown for Dan and I last year during his deployment to Iraq. And on the right is the cute homemade calendar I got from my grandma Kropushek this past Christmas--so so cute!

I just LOVE this display!
Since the 4th of July was on a Monday this year, we were able to celebrate the holiday the entire weekend. Friday night after I got home from work, we went and watched fireworks at Elmwood Park by UNO. The fireworks were after a concert by .38 Special. Dan and I skipped out on the concert because we'd already heard them play while visiting my parents in Cuba in 2009. Saturday night we also watched fireworks held at the new College World Series ball park in down town Omaha. They were beautiful!!!!
Taking pictures of fireworks is really quite tough--as evident from these!
Better luck next firework show!
On the Fourth, we started the day early with a neighborhood breakfast of waffles topped with all sorts of fresh fruits, and Dan's favorite--whipped topping! After breakfast the guys chatted about school stuff while the girls chatted and painted nails! Dahlia, our friend who hosted the breakfast, and I painted ours toe nails Fourth of July style--Red and White stripes on one foot and blue sparkles on the other! so so fun!
Next, we went slip-and-sliddin' across the street from our house on a huge hill! It was a homemade slip-and-slide a guy from our ward set up with painter plastic and a few sprinklers. What an fun idea! Dan and I raced to the bottom every time, and he always won--lucky him! After a while the people who owned the property we were slip-and-slidding on kicked us off due to liability reasons. BUMMER!

After that, Dan and I went for a nice long run and got kicked off the levy that runs along the Missouri River by the National Guard. ---ooops! Didn't know you couldn't run on a levy when there was a pending flood...
Next we had smoked ribs and rib-lets with the Jacobson's (dental students in our ward) and the Wright's (medical students in Dan's class). The ribs and rib-lets were delicious!!! Matt always does a great job with his smoker. YUM!!
After dinner we played the game, Clue, which Dan slaughtered everyone in. I keep telling Dan that he better start letting some other people win or our friends won't want to play with us anymore..LOL!

When the sun was setting Dan and I passed the football around until the firework show which was held at Harrah's Casino on the river. We were able to see the show across the street from our house! How convenient!


I hope everyone had a fabulous time celebrating yet another year of independence with family, friends, and good food!!!

And what's fireworks without a kiss?