Changes

Many things have changed since the last post. We are in a new state, in a new apartment, I am working at my school placement, and Matt is about to start to start to start his new job at Time Warner on Monday. It is a time of mixed emotions as we have family and friends in Ohio but we had to leave family and friends in Georgia. It was very hard leave Sara, Neal, and Riley, I miss them all so much already!!! I had grown so close to my sister (and brother in-law, and niece puppy) over the 5 years that I was living in Valdosta, and I am so thankful for that time to together.We shared many ups and downs together, but she was always there for me though it all, baking and cooking up a storm on Sunday.

The move went pretty well over all. The Uhual didn't live the hills so a 13 hour drive turned into a 16 hour drive with the check engine light most of the way, but we made it. Thanks again to EVERYONE that helped to load or unload the truck you were amazing and we couldn't have done it without you! The apartment is looking like a home, once we get it a little further along I will post pictures on here. We need a hang a few more pictures and put a few boxes away for storage.

My school placement is going great! I love my school and my mentor, I think I am going to have lots of good experiences this semester. This week was mainly the paperwork, scheduling the children, and the first week of school drama, but I got to see a few kids for screenings which was great. I can't wait to see how everything plays out over the semester.

Fishing in Suwannee

No need to get your eyes checked you read that right, I went fishing! And not just siting on the side of a pond fishing but on a boat in the ocean fishing. It was so much fun!! Matt's boss invited us down to his step-father's place and wow what a place he has. It was so peaceful and quiet out there, and perfect little getaway before the move. The weather wasn't perfect, but we made it work and we got plenty of time out on the water. We got rained on every time we went out, but we managed to avoid the really bad weather.The catfish were really biting this week-end, but we also caught some trout, a flounder, and Brian caught a shark!!

 I sure could get used to waking up to this view!

Matt putting some bait (shrimp) on his line!

See I really did fish!!

Not really want you want to see while out in a boat on the ocean! Here comes to storms and waterspouts!

Playing in the Ocean

So these pictures are past due but here a few more pictures from the trip to St. Augustine.

St. Augustine

While Matt's mom and nieces were town we took a little overnight trip to St. Augustine. This is one of our favorite places to visit. It brought back so many great memories of getting engaged there and going there during our honeymoon. It was different going there with two kids, but it was a good kind of different. We had such a great time hanging out with everyone last week, it made me kinda excited to move to Ohio in 9 days! Here are some pictures of around town, another post will have some sunrise and beach pictures.

Jambalaya

I can't believe I have never posted this recipe on here before now. This is a top request of company, yet it is so simple and quick to make. I made it when my mom was in town and I finally took pictures. While they aren't the best pictures since our apartment is so dark, they will do. I used Paula Deen's recipe as a base and then make a few changes to make it my own.

You can make this first part whenever and store it, or do like i do and just mix it up as you making dinner.
Jambalaya Mix: 

1 cup long-grain rice
3 tablespoons dried minced onion (I leave out and add fresh diced onion while cooking)
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 beef bouillon cube
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (cut down to less, unless you like lots of spice!)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf
In a small bowl, combine rice, onion, parsley, beef bouillon, thyme, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and bay leaf. Pour into cellophane bag. Store in an air-tight container.

Now onto the making of the meal
2 1/2 cups water
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1/2 lb. fully cooked smoked sausage (sliced thin)
1/2 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined

In a dutch oven saute the sausage and onion (if using fresh) to until translucent.
Add mix, water, tomatoes, tomato sauce to the sausage (I usually add some fresh garlic as well)
Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat
Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20-minutes
Add shrimp and cook for additional 5-7 minutes, or until shrimp are done.