I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving! We had Brads surgery on Thursday so we celebrated our Thanksgiving on last night (Friday). We had the coach and his family over, the teammates, my friend Sara and of course us four (including my parents, YAY!). It was such a great time of food and fellowship! I am truly thankful for all of the awesome people we have met here and formy parents being here to help us put during Brads recovery.

Our Menu:
Chicken (we did whole chickens since Turkeys are very sparse around here.)
Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole (& reg. green beans for Brad)
Mac&Cheese
Homemade Rolls
Pumpkin Bread
Deviled Eggs
Pumpkin Pie Bars (with tons of whop cream!)

Here are a few photos we were able to get of our Thanksgiving celebration:

Taste of Tuesday: Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Ingredients

Dough: Well I used to the canned pre-made cinnamon roll dough because I haven't quite yet found yeast. Yep, took the easy way out. They were still SO good. 

Filling: +3/4 cup of golden brown sugar(packed)

+2 tablespoons of cinnamon 

+1/4 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature

Glaze: +4 ounces of cream cheese at room temperature

+1 cup of powdered sugar

+1/4 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature

+1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions

+ Preheat oven to 375 fahrenheit

Dough: +Roll out and flatten down on floured surface(or cutting board like me).

Filling: +Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon.

+Spread butter across dough

+ Sprinkle or spread brown sugar and cinnamon mix all over the dough.

+Roll dough up long ways like a log.

+Cut into 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide.

+Bake for 20 minutes and let cool for 10 minutes

Glaze: +Mix all ingredients together.

+Spread over rolls hot or at room temperature. 

These were my absolute favorite and a huge hit with Brads teammates! Be sure to check out all the other link ups over at Let's Get Bananas! and Blissfully Miller!

Christmas Wish List

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year and since it is right around the corner though I would do a wish list! IF we were buying presents for each other this year Brad would be lucky to read this and have this handed to him. Oh wait, I do that anyway. Our initial plan was to take a trip to Paris or Rovaniemi here in Finland in lieu of gifts. Now we don't exactly know where we will be just yet for the Christmas with his surgery coming up and healing time BUT, we can always carry these items on to Valentines, My Birthday and Our Anniversary. ;)

These four things I have swooned over for quite some time now! J.Crew killed it with that vest. It is perfect in my eyes.

What are you ladies asking for this year?

When It Rains, It Pours

"When it rains, it pours." This saying could not be anymore true at this moment. As you all know Brad playing Basketball is in a nut shell "our" lives. This career path is very cut throat and never a guarantee. Brad has been extremely blessed to have literally zero injuries thus far and to have never missed a game.

Well, what do ya know he missed his first game this past Saturday due to a knee injury. Last Thursday he came down from a shot and heard a loud pop. His left knee immediately swelled and he could barely hobble off the court. The swelling went down about 2 days later with tons of icing, elevating and resting. We both thought man look how quickly your healing up and that he would be back playing in no time.

The day after the injury he got an X-Ray, but there was too much swelling to completely tell. Yesterday(Tuesday), he got an MRI. Today we went in to find out the results. Yep, he tore his Meniscus bad enough to need surgery. NEXT THURSDAY. ON THANKSGIVING AT THAT. The Doctor decided that Brad would have 2 options. One completely remove the "bad" areas of the Meniscus letting the scar tissue take its place and be back to playing within a month or two re-attach the torn area and be out 2-3 months with a month of rehab. Meaning this season for him would be over.

Hello slap in the face. He came out of that room definitely down, but still with a hope in his eyes. Boy, is he better at leaving the room for faith first than I am. I immediately tear up with all the thoughts running rapid in my head. Mind you, also trying to stay strong for him. I just kept telling him God has a plan. He knows exactly what he is doing. Maybe this is a sign, is He trying to tell us something. Crap, have we been blind to him speaking to us. You know you start doubting if you've been praying right, believing right or even having your ears open to him.

Literally my parents get here in 4 days, YIPPEE! They have always wanted to be able to come visit overseas and watch Brad play. During which falls Thanksgiving he was also playing 2 home games next week which lead them to pick that week to come to Finland. Sadly, they won't get to watch him in action, but will get to be here to help nurse him back to health and love on him. He is going to be one spoiled babe. Hey, he totally deserves it. My mom would do it even if he wasn't hurt so now it's gonna be spoiling madness. Lucky man.

We've had a little bit more time to let it all sit and process. God is so great. The Doctor that will perform the surgery is one of the best in Finland and studied in America. Brad feels very confident to have him doing the surgery. Hello, thank you Lord for setting this man right here in little 'ol Lapua just for Brad. Praying that the Doctor can repair the tear instead of removing this will give Brad a better opportunity for his career to last longer and for him to come back stronger than ever. Believing that they will not have to remove it because that can cause arthritis, later surgeries and a shorter career. Our God is so great and so BIG, so strong and so mighty that there is nothing that he can not do.

Please continue praying with us that next Thursday when they get in there to start his surgery that they will be able to repair his Meniscus so he can have a fighting great chance at continuing his long awaiting Basketball career. We love each and everyone of you and thank you for sharing in our journey!

+My mom sent me Matthew 5:3 and boy oh boy tears flooding down my cheeks.
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."

Taste of Tuesday: Chili for Two

We initially learned this recipe from one of Brads teammates in Czech, but we would always have tons of left overs. I switched it up a bit where it would make enough for two with one serving of leftovers for Brads lunch the next day. I love having Chili anytime of year, but especially cold nights. Enjoy!

Ingredients: 
1 pound ground beef/turkey
Enough oil to cover bottom of pot
1 small green pepper
1 small onion
1 can of kidney beans(undrained)
1 can(or in our case a box) of diced tomatoes(undrained)
1 tbsp of chili powder
1/2 tbsp of garlic powder

Directions:
+Dice the green pepper and onion into small pieces.
+Cover bottom of pot with oil.
+Brown the green pepper and onion in the pot. (about 5 minutes)
+Season ground beef with the garlic powder.
+Add in the ground beef to the pot.
+Brown ground beef completely.
+Add in the kidney beans and tomatoes with all of the juices. Mix well.
+Add in the chili powder. Mix well.
+Bring to a boil.
+Then bring to a low simmer for about an hour or hour in a half depending on how thick you like it.

*We serve ours with white rice on the bottom then chili on top. Also, we use tortilla chips to crush or dip in it.

Be sure to check out the others that linked up through Blissfully Miller and Let's Get Bananas!

Meeting New People

I'm about to get real up in here because this is something that has been weighing on my heart. Meeting new people is the most fun and awkward thing in my life. I hate awkward silences and newness of almost being "fake" when first meeting someone.

Every 8 months of our lives we are thrown into a new country, new city, new adventure to make it our home. There is always this anxious feeling inside of me when leading up to the big move. What if I don't make friends? What if they don't like me? What if I can't get a job? What if I hate it? I am always in constant prayer for when I am settling into a new place.

 You come from different backgrounds and cultures so obviously you think very differently on certain issues. It's a blessing when you see eye to eye with someone and click instantly. Women can be crazy judgmental creatures, we all know that. I want to be able to prove that women don't have to tear each other down, but come together and form a bond.

Fear of rejection is the biggest load of crap the devil feeds me. Let me tell you I feed into it way too often than not. I am an extremely emotional person about life and I always put my all. That can be a good or bad thing, depending the situation. Sometimes I get let down if someone doesn't do the same.

 Brad has his whole team along with two Americans that get what he is doing and how it feels. I don't always get the same luxury. I am without a doubt glad Brad has that because that is what helps him to feel comfortable and fall back into his game. He deserves to succeed and needs to in this cut throat business. He doesn't have time to worry about people not liking him like I do.

I miss my friends and family like no other while overseas. Thinking how much I am missing what is going on in their lives and all the holidays. I always say I don't need new friends I have amazing ones at home. I am sure this makes them feel great ;) When in reality I need to meet new friends while overseas. They will help me make it through rough days when I just need to talk.

The Lord places all the right people into my path during these times overseas and always.  I seem to think I need to find someone who gets me and can pour into me equal to the way I can pour into them about this journey, but this time around I believe the people that were placed in my path I am suppose to pour into them. None here currently know exactly how it is to get engaged/married and move across the world, but I can witness to them in all sorts of other ways.

Everyone I have met here has been super helpful. It's nice to know if I need to have girl talk or go to a new store they will be there. They all have their lives going on when I drop into it, but they make the time. The devil is liar and God has the people already lined up to be in my life as I go along. I never need to doubt that. Focusing on the good things about being here in Finland or overseas in general is what helps me get through good and bad days. I will end with this, everyone needs someone to lean on and I thank God daily I have him and Brad.

Winter Nail Polish

Let me get this straight, I am obsessed with any nail polish, but Essie just snags at my heart every time I see it. 

I only own one of these colors and it is the Midnight Cami. I am on the look out for the rest(& they actually sell them here!) because they are the perfect winter shades. A nude is always my go to no matter the season which is why I added in the Jazz color. With Essie nail polish I can get my nail polish to stay a good week with no chips. Here is what I do & use:

1. File 

2. Buff

3. Base coat- Strong Adhesion by China Glaze

4. One coat each hand, let dry

5. Second coat each hand, let dry

6. Top Coat- Fast Forward by China Glaze (It really does dry so quick!)

TA-DA!

-China Glaze also has so many awesome treatments, Base coats and Top coats! Since I have my Cosmetology License I can get China Glaze close to half off which is always a huge plus in my book. 

Taste of Tuesday:Honey Soy Chicken Breasts

Found this link up on Blissfully Miller and Let's Get Bananas! I am so excited about it because one I love food and two I love sharing my favorite recipes I have tried! Be sure to link up too and check out the others!:)

HONEY SOY CHICKEN BREASTS

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts

1/4 cup of honey

1/3 cup of light soy sauce

1/2 tsp of ground black pepper

4 cloves of minced garlic

1 tbsp grated ginger

Directions:

-Mix all ingredients except chicken breast and pour into a large Ziploc bag.

-Add the chicken breasts, lay flat in the fridge and let marinate for 2 hours at the least and overnight at the most. 

-Once marinated place chicken breasts on an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet and bake at 375 F, uncovered, for 45 to 50 minutes. 

-Don't throw away the marinade, while the chicken is cooking simmer the marinade over low and brush it on the breasts every 10 minutes as it cooks. 

*We serve ours with steamed rice and steamed broccoli 

ENJOY!

Oh, Monday

 Monday your back. I normally loathe Mondays, but I have learned to love them while living overseas since it's a week closer to seeing family. Today marks two weeks until mom & dad arrive. Wahoo! You better believe I'm counting down.

I was actually able to open my blinds this morning with a purpose. I was just rambling to a friend that the sun literally hasn't come out for two weeks. What do ya know the sun is bright and shining today! Now that is how I know it is a glorious Monday! Thanks God for making me shut my trap about the gloomy, yuck weather! The sun normally sets around 3:50 so I've got about 2 in a half hours of it left. I'll take all I can get. :)

Brad was off Friday-Sunday which NEVER happens and I soaked up every minute of it. Now he is off to shoot around and our weekly routine begins. We didn't do anything to glorious to write about this weekend. Basketball was of course on our agenda, having some friends over for wine and card games, baking/frosting some cookies, watching the Wolverine and some SNOW on Sunday!

Back to basketball for a minute... I need to also brag on my husband for a minute... I mean, of course, I completely think he is an amazing ball player, but to see multiple websites talk about how great they think he is it just makes me burst with joy! He gives his all 100% of the time and he deserves some recognition. At his game on Thursday he had 33 points and 7 rebounds while winning player of the game. For those of you that know Brad and those that don't he is the most humble athlete I have encountered. I had never dated an "athlete" in college before, but he totally took away all the stereotypes. He isn't cocky and lets his love for the Lord shine through his game. It is a blessing to get to watch him play and see how many lives he touches.

Now, pictures of our weekend :)

He won a gift card and some of the best chocolate! 

Brad coaching the Jr. Team Friday night

Homemade sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting

Have a blessed week!

Menu Monday

Monday// Lasagna with garlic bread

Tuesday// Chili for two with rice and tortilla chips

Wednesday// Homemade chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes

Thursday// Chicken Stir-Fry with rice

Friday// Enchilada Bubble Bake 

I've never made the last two yet so the links will direct to where I found them. I will post the Chili and Homemade chicken and noodles recipe soon! Brad will be gone Saturday, so I'm on my own and Sunday is a wing it type of day :)

What are you cooking up for this week?

Crocheted a Scarf

Last Friday I took the leap to learn to crochet and I DID IT! Needless to say I got about half way done the first time and decided I hated it so re-did it. Second time worked out much much better, but I know I will keep getting better and learning new tricks as I go along. I definitely rather spend the $4 to make a scarf then what up to like $50 to buy one. You have to pretty much wear a scarf here everyday so all these new ones will come in handy. Here's photos of my progress :)

I will definitely get some softer yarn and a thicker crochet hook the next time around.

I did 185 chains around.

Worked my way to 25 rows.

The finished product:

Now, onto completely different awesome news.... MY PARENTS GET HERE THE 25th!! About 2 1/2 weeks I get to hug their necks! They have never gotten to see where we live overseas in all the three years so I am so ecstatic they finally get to! Dad has been to the UK and mom to Spain so at least they are semi prepared, but not for this cold!

Day 7 of November and I am beyond thankful for my parents. The fact that they are willing to drop their lives and spend a fortune to come and be with us for Thanksgiving is amazing to me. They always go above and beyond for me and of course Brad since they like him better. ;) I am one happy daughter!

Weekend Recap

We actually had a semi eventful weekend so figured I should do a recap for once!

Friday, Brad was gone all day for an away game. Gosh those boys should have won and I could have sworn they would, but it was an awesome game! Brad had 24 points, GO BABAY :) Anywho, I went to the sauna that is downstairs in our apartment building with two of the girls and it was so nice and relaxing! Although, they do things a bit different here in Europe, as in get nakie in the sauna, I am adjusting. I really needed some girl talk and a good sweat ;)

Saturday, Brad scored us some free tickets to the hockey game. I was so excited to get out of the house and see some hockey. I hadn't been to a hockey game since probably elementary school. Let me tell you we froze our butts off. We were bundled and it still wasn't enough. We literally had to go outside in the 30 degree weather to warm up. Next time we will be prepared. I was a little bummed that they don't let them fight like at home. There was a beginning of a fight and the guys quickly backed off. Fights were always the best parts ha, The team won and it was a good time!

After the hockey game we got ready for a night out with the other two Americans. The place we went to was actually pretty cool. It had 4 different sections, karaoke, live band, dance club and a lounge area. The night life really hasn't lived up to the way night life is at home just yet, but we still managed to stay out until 4:30 am! We even got food from a burger joint, Hesburger. It does make me feel a bit at home with feasting after a night out :) I was so excited to see some people dressed up for Halloween at the place we went to so I had to get some pics!

Sunday, we literally lounged around ALL day. It was so nice! 

Hope you all had an amazing weekend! Happy Monday :)

Baked Tacos

We can't seem to let go of our once a week taco tradition at home from Rosas and so I always try to find new ways to spice it up a bit. This was especially one of our favs!

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef or turkey
2 diced tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning
1 cup of cheese-divided
1/4 cup of salsa
12 crunchy taco shells

shredded lettuce, sour cream, jalapeños, guac., cilantro-optional.

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 400 degrees
-Brown and drain your meat
-Stir in 1 diced tomato, seasoning, 1/2 cup of cheese and 1/4 cup of salsa into meat.
-Arrange taco shells standing in 9X13 pan
-Fill each shell with mixture
-Top with remaining 1.2 cup of cheese
-Bake for 15-20 minutes
-Top with remaining tomato and your choice of toppings

ENJOY! :)