Sara Jane

The Truth About my Blogging Disappearance…

sarajane — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:21:24 +0000

Finally I’m back on the blog front. Yikes! It’s been way to long. My apologies go out to the very few loyal readers who follow this blog on a fairly regular basis. I’m still here, and I am in fact alive and well! January came and went and I just couldn’t get my act together. Life in Charlotte is a little bit less exciting than our London adventures but I cant say thats the exact excuse. To be quiet honest, I’ve been feeling crappy, my motivation is extremely lacking, I’ve wanted to stay in bed many days and it has nothing to do with the dreary winter weather. We haven’t even had a typical chilly winter (I say chilly because it doesn’t really get too cold when compared to Chicago temps I grew up with), temperatures have been hovering in the 60′s for weeks (and I’m not complaining).

So, the TRUTH about my blogging disappearance… It’s something that is sure to bring a little more excitement to our family and this blog. Two will become three when we welcome baby Slagle into our family at the end of August. Pregnancy is in fact what has kept me from blogging, or at least the side effects caused by this tiny little miracle growing inside me (more about that later). Even through the sickness, I still feel blessed beyond words.

A Savior has been Born to You…

sarajane — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:00:57 +0000

It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of the holiday season and forget the true meaning of Christmas (and forget to blog). There are halls to deck, gifts to buy, presents to wrap and parties to attend, but the truth of the season is found in the words written in Luke chapter 2. In December our church’s sermon series in entitled little town… BIG STORY. Bethlehem was just a little town but was chosen as the place for a big story. For Christians, it is the story that changes everything.

It was no accident that Bethlehem was the little town chosen for the birth of a special baby. Mary and Joseph traveled back to Bethlehem only because they had to register after Cesar Augustus issued a decree that a census would be taken and all would register. The trek was quite far to the little town and when there was no room at the inn, Mary and Joseph founds themselves in a stable. That same evening Mary gave birth and placed the baby in a manger. Jesus, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Savior, born in a stable.

In each sermon Chris, our pastor, told the story of the ordinary people that were apart of the extraordinary story. Two weeks ago the focus was on the shepherds (you can hear it here little town… BIG STORY, the shepherds). Chris delivered an amazing message. The shepherds are not the part of the story we usually focus on. They were just lowly second-class citizens, discriminated against, not allowed to worship in the temples, and not allowed to testify in a court of law, yet they were the ones God chose to deliver very important news…

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” -Luke 2:8-14

This was not an accident. The lowly shepherds were chosen by God to deliver the news about the Savior born in the little town of Bethlehem. In this little town there was a BIG STORY unfolding and the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see what the Lord had told them about. God did not choose a big city, he did not choose to tell a king about the birth of Christ. He picked little Bethlehem and shepherds. God comes to forgotten places like Bethlehem, he comes to forgotten people like the shepherds, he comes to little towns and reaches out to people who feel they are not good enough. The shepherds were not forgotten to God. You are not forgotten to God. The good news is for all the people. A Savior has been born for you. Christ has come for you, and with each little story that we are living, there is a much bigger story to be apart of. We need to let God into our story, he was born for us… something to think about this holiday season.

Last Sunday’s sermon was about Mary and Joseph and how their ordinary lives became apart of this extraordinary christmas story. The entire series is worth a listen.

It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas…

sarajane — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:35:07 +0000

Truthfully it’s been looking like Christmas for awhile and as it should by December 16th. Let’s face it, many stores had Christmas decorations up well before Thanksgiving. The spirit of the season is in full swing, except the weather here in Charlotte just isn’t cooperating. Yesterday the outdoor temperature reading in my car was 70 degrees. December 15th and it’s 70 degrees. It felt so warm when I got in to drive home, that I turned on the air conditioning. Today’s temperature was in the high 60′s. I must admit, this kind of weather is making it a little more difficult to really feel full of the Christmas spirit, but who can really complain about a week in December with weather in the mid to upper 60′s? This mild weather is something I could get rather accustom to!

The warm weather defintely made it much more enjoyable to put lights on the outside of the house. The weekend after Thanksgiving we jumped right into the decorating. Being that this is the first Christmas in our new house, we were excited to decorate, but not quite as excited about the expense. All the lights, garland, candles, ornaments and decor put a dent in the bank account, but it was all worth it in the end. Our home is filled with Christmas, and I love it.

I made this wreath for our front door.

This Christmas tree puts last years to shame, although most would.

I also made this wreath. Once I figured out how to make the bows the rest was simple

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

sarajane — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:59:29 +0000

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Josh’s family on Friday since Kristen had to work on Thanksgiving. The day was absolutely beautiful, sunny and 70 degrees. Nothing better than enjoying the weather running around the backyard with our little nieces.

Joshie and Kena playing football.

We're #1

We have so much to be thankful for, including our three beautiful nieces. These pictures are priceless…

We are missing little Delany. She was in the house taking a little nap.

Love...

Turkey Turkey Turkey Cookies

sarajane — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:04:29 +0000

These turkey cookies are a Thanksgiving tradition. My mom starting making them when we were young. I think she discovered the idea in a magazine. They are great treats for a classroom, fun decoration for a Thanksgiving table and yummy to eat too.

TURKEY COOKIES

shortbread chocolate striped cookies (turkey feathers)

square caramels, unwrapped (turkey body)

chocolate stars (turkey feet)

candy corn (turkey head)

chocolate frosting (to keep it all together)

Directions- heat the unwrapped caramels in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften. push candy corn into the caramel square and on the opposite side push the chocolate kiss into the caramel. Use the chocolate frosting to attach the cookie to the back.

Our sweet little nieces loved the cookies!

Fall 2011 with Josh

sarajane — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:46:57 +0000

I love fall just about as much as I love Josh. Okay, I love Josh quite a bit more, but I enjoy the changing leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, football, the cool chill in the air… Charlotte hasn’t had too many chilly days, but I’ll take the warm weather for as long as it will last. I can’t believe how quickly fall is coming to an end. With Thanksgiving upon us, Christmas and the cold weather will be here before we know it.

In early October we had a family photo shoot with Josh’s family. Here are a few shots of just Josh and I. More family pics to come soon!

I love this man with all my heart and soul.

Roasted Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

sarajane — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:32:37 +0000

I made this soup many many times when we lived in London and a couple of times in the last month as the fall weather has finally arrived in Charlotte. This is Josh’s most requested soup and perfect for warming up on chilly day.

Roasted Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

1 large sweet potato, cubed with skins on
4-5 medium carrots- chopped
1 butternut squash, cubed
1 large onion, chopped
3+ cloves garlic
4-6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
olive oil
salt, pepper, garlic salt and other herbs to season the vegetables
1 teaspoon salt
fresh ground black pepper
2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon thyme
croutons, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds to sprinkle on top (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Cut the butternut squash, pealed carrots and sweet potato into cubes. On a large baking sheet add the chopped butternut squash, sweet potato, and carrot. Drizzle with olive oil and toss the veggies to make sure they are all coated with oil. Season with salt, pepper, garlic and any other seasoning you desire. Roast in the oven for 30-45 minutes. Stirring every 10 minutes or so. Remove the veggies from the oven when edges are slightly brown and they are cooked through.

2. In a large pot saute onion in olive oil. Cook until tender. Add the garlic, thyme and cumin. Cook for 1 minute.

3. In the blender add part of the roasted vegetables, sauted onion and 2 cups broth. Blend until smooth. Transfer to pot and blend the rest of the vegetables and 2 more cups broth (You may also transfer everything to the pot and blend with a hand blender) Add more broth if soup seems to thick. Bring soup to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

San Diego

sarajane — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:11:41 +0000

Beach…check. Mountains… check. Wine country… check. San Diego is my kind of destination. About this time last week, I was sitting on the beach looking out over the Pacific Ocean. Josh and I flew to San Diego Tuesday to visit Katie and see my parents and Liz who also made the trip. Emily couldn’t make it because of work. We had a wonderful visit taking in California and enjoying good times with the family.

Our first day in San Diego was gorgeous. We relaxed and enjoyed the beach.

Josh and I walking to stick our feet in the Pacific. The water was freezing!

Thursday morning the girls had facials (not sure what Josh and my dad did with their man time together), and then we spent the afternoon in La Jolla, a quaint area in San Diego. We walked around for awhile and then grabbed a drink on the rooftop terrace with a beautiful view…

We had the best table looking out over the ocean! Cheers!

Sistas and Mom

While we were up having a cocktail on the rooftop we could hear the seals down below in the cove. Afterward we got a closer view.

Friday it was off to wine country…

This is my favorite picture captured in Temecula where we visited several of the wineries. Although it rained the entire day, the views were still stunning, so I imagine it must be absolutely amazing when the sun is shining!

At the last winery the sun came out so we snapped a quick family shot, just missing Emily!

Saturday was another beautiful day. We hiked in Torrey Pines State Park and Katie took us out to lunch downtown on the water.

Savannah (Katie's Bestie), Liz, Me, Mom & Katie

There is a story behind this picture…. in our bathroom at the “dollhouse” (name of our rental house) there was a picture similar to this one. My dad thought it was such a great picture. He mentioned it several times, so we decided to try and duplicate it. We told him our picture didn’t turn out. Shhhh… I’m going to frame it for him for Christmas! We ended the evening with a little surprise party for Katie’s big 25th birthday.

Great trip! Great memories… I’ll be back San Diego.

Our Costumes

sarajane — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:01:32 +0000

What did we do without the internet? I mean, I know it has nothing to do with costumes, but here I am flying to San Diego checking e-mail, blogging, surfing… This is probably soon to be the new “normal”. Future generations will say, “You didn’t have internet on planes???” and think the idea is crazy. remember dial-up? Or my generation who did not know what internet was in our early years. We didnt have Facebook friends, watch crazy videos on Youtube or google just about anything in question. What did we do without google?! On the other hand how in the heck did people fly on an airplane when others could smoke on the plane. Seriously, disgusting!

Okay enough about that. The internet is great and internet on the plane even better, doesn’t make a five our plane ride to San Diego seem so bad… So here are the costumes that we put together in a day. Actually I put mine together in 30 minutes when the cat costume didn’t quite work out. I did spend a good amount of time working on Josh’s hair. I have to say it made the costume!

Captain Jack? We are a good pirate pair. The trick-or-treators loved the pirates. I don't think the parents knew what to think, haha

Serious pirates (I'm not good at that)

Halloween Traditions

sarajane — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:43:25 +0000

Josh and I met October 30, 2008, one day before Halloween. On Halloween we were at John and Mivvi’s rehearsal dinner. It was a costume party, and I came dressed as a pirate. Josh was dressed as Goose from Top Gun. At that point I was interested and was tickled when he ended up sitting next me at dinner. He would tell me later, he made sure to snag that seat at the table, not to miss a chance to get to know me better (sigh).

"Goose" and "Pirate"

Okay, back to where I was going… Traditions- Josh and I started our Halloween tradition two years ago when we were living in Charlotte. We had our pumpkin carving night where the tradition started, to keep our pumpkin face a secret until we had it finished. Once completed, we would reveal. Last year we kept the tradition going in London (see here) and now in our new home back in Charlotte. And the 2011 pumpkin reveal…

What you should also know about Halloween is that Josh loves to dress up. In fact, he’s been known to have Christmas dress-up parties. Much to Josh’s disappointment, this year we did not do a very good job at planning or preparing our costumes. We made a last ditch effort tonight to create costumes for tomorrow’s trick-or-treaters. I’ll be sure to let you know how they turn out.