What's Been Happenin'

My life hasn't been too interesting lately, just relaxing and enjoying things as they come. With Trevor being gone (living in Tulsa) I have found other things to occupy my time. For starters, I read The Help.

It was such a great book! There wasn't a lot of action, but I loved how every few chapters a new character was speaking, so you got to read several view points over the same issue. I also went and saw the movie with some friends. I always like to think of books and movies as different entities when reading and watching. I'm never happy with the movie if I don't think of it like this, because movies are so much less detailed and it makes me think they are lacking in something. So I always just think of them as two different stories. With this book/movie, there were things I liked about the book better than the movie and there were other things I liked about the movie better than the book. So I was pleased with both.

Awhile back I started watching Friday Nights Lights.

More than one person recommended this TV show to me, so I thought I would give it a chance. Well again, since the hubby has been away, I got a chance to finish all the seasons! I absolutely LOVE this show and highly recommend it! I honestly think it is my favorite TV show now...I'm just sad that it won't be returning. I was reading about it and I guess someone wrote a book about someones life, then made the movie, then the TV series, and now I think they are making another movie. I haven't even seen the first Friday Night Lights movie, so I guess I need to catch up.

I have now started reading The Hunger Games

I am only about half way through and I am addicted! It is hard to put down once you start reading it. My friend Andrea and I are reading it at the same time, so we get to talk about it in the evenings which makes it even more fun! We call it our unofficial book club! ;) We need to come up with a good name for our "unofficial book club."

I also have had plenty of time for friends...last night we went to a nice steakhouse here called Level 2.

It's restaurant month here and with that you can order a 3 course meal for $20. I was so full by the end of my meal I had to take my delicious cheesecake home...which I ate this evening! ;)

Lastly...I get to see my husband in 2 days and we will be together for 10 days!!! Can't get any better than that!!! ;)

Hope everyone has a fabulous week!!!

Jillian

Yummy Banana Bread

So this past week, along with many other weeks, I go to the grocery store and while I'm there my hunger pains are larger than my actual stomach and I usually buy more than what I actually need...for instance...Bananas!! I don't know how many times I have picked up 5 bananas and told myself that I am going to eat them for breakfast every day this week. Well after one, maybe two, I usually don't touch them again until they are rotten and am throwing them in the trash! Well not anymore!! I have found, and altered, a great banana bread recipe so I never have to waste bananas again!
*Sorry, I forgot to take pictures until I was almost finished, so this is not as picture detailed as my cookie recipe!

Preheat oven: 350 degrees
Ingredients:
3-4 mashed up bananas (depending on the size)
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups flour

Mash up bananas in a med. sized bowl.
Mix in melted butter.
Add in sugars, egg, and vanilla.
Sprinkle the cinnamon, baking soda, and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix.
Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan.

Bake for 50 min.

Let it cool and then remove from pan.

It should be ready to serve!
Happy baking!!!!


And just because he's cute...

HAPPY SUNDAY!!!

Saloonies!!!

So with summer ending and the park only being open 5 days a week instead of 7, a couple people are leaving the Saloon for the year...so we had a little photo session...


Such a great cast!!!

 

Cute couple!

Great moments in the Saloon!

Saloon Gals!

Such a great last day with some amazing people!!

Hope everyone has a happy Monday! Winston and I are relaxing all day long!! ;)

Jillian

My Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies

Although the title is "My Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies" I really have to give all the credit to my mom. She is the one that passed this down to me! If you need a really good chocolate chip cookie recipe, feel free to use this one...I promise, there isn't a better one out there...not to toot my own horn by any means!

Start by turning the oven to 375 degrees. Then you start with...

I just got one of these this year and it is like heaven on earth! If you don't have one, it's okay...you can just use your hands.

Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup crisco
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
chocolate chips

First you mix the flour, salt and baking soda in a medium sized bowl.

Then you mix the crisco, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in the mixing bowl (or a large bowl).

Once these ingredients are mixed well, add the flour mixer in:

Then add the chocolate chips in:

Then roll the dough in large balls on a cookie sheet and place in oven:

Only leave them in the over for 8 min!!! I repeat...8 min! Even if they don't look done, I promise they are!
Once you take them out let them cool for a bit and then they are ready to eat!! YUMMMM!!!

I will be taking these to work with me tomorrow!!! Mmm Mmm Good!

Jillian

Things I Love...

Well, as many of you know, Trevor has officially moved back to Tulsa and I am still living in Missouri. Last week got a little quiet around my house, but me and Winston will manage! Trevor started work at Ernst and Young last Wednesday and so far it seems to be going well. We got a little spoiled because I actually have been off work since Friday and have most of the week off. But after this week, it is back to being in seperate states for a few months. Since I have been off work all week, you would think I would have something interesting to write about, but I have been pretty lazy all week so far...I have hung out with friends a few times, gone to lunch with friends, and hung out by my parents pool...but that is about the extent of my days! So I thought I would do a little random blog about the things I love. Those that know me probably already know these things, but if you are reading this blog for the first time, this will give you some fun facts about me!

First up...MUSIC! I started singing when I was about 7 years old and it has always been a passion of mine. I was in a 4 girl performing group for about 10 years that taught me so much. When that ended I started doing more solo work and began to learn to play guitar. Initially, I didn't get too far with the guitar. I was able to accompany myself on a few songs, but then I started college, and life got crazy! Throughout college I was still performing every summer as much as possible and taking every opportunity that presented itself. About 4 or 5 years ago I started writing my own songs. Writing in a journal has always been an escape for me and a way to get everything out, so songwriting came pretty easy to me when I would just sit down and devote some time to it! Then a few years ago I started taking piano lessons again. Again, I never became a pro at this, but it is a helpful tool when writing songs. Last summer I started performing out at Silver Dollar City and have enjoyed every minute of it! That will be coming to an end this October, and I am so excited to see what else I can do with music when I return to Tulsa to be with my husband! Performing has always been a passion of mine and it always seems to lead me in ways that surprise me!


Next Up...

I love OSU!!!! The two pictures above were taken in the suites!! My brother is 4 years older than me and he went to OSU...so it was kind of written in for me to go there. Plus, when I started dating Trevor junior year of high school, he was dead set on going there...so it was a win win situation for me! It was the best 4 and 1/2 years of my life and memories that I will never forget! I'm so excited to go to football games and tailgate over the next years! It will be exciting going back as an alum!

Which leads me to...

FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!! I would not be who I am today without these people in my life!!! My family has always supported me 100% on anything I do! Trevor has been my best friend and supporter since the day I met him! And I could not ask for better friends!!! They have been there for me through thick and thin and I know I can always count on them!

A lot of people can't say this...but I love my job!!!!

I work with the best people in the world and I am doing what I love doing! I have been blessed so much in getting this job and all that is has offered me! I have also met some of the best friends through this experience!

Last but certainly not least...

I love my adorable puppy Winston!!!! He was a gift to me from Trevor and it was really the first gift that Trevor gave me that was hinting at wanting a future with me! Winston has always been our puppy! Although he gets in trouble quite often...he can do no wrong in my eyes! ;) 

Although there are many things I love...these are the ones on my mind today! I hope everyone has a fabulous Wednesday! I'm about to be poolside the rest of the day!

xoxo, Jillian

Cookout!

A little late, but better than never. On Sunday night Trevor and I hosted a cookout at our apartment!...it's something that we like to call "church"!! You just have to be there! With it being Trevor's last night in Branson, we decided the cookout would be a little going away get together. Here are some pictures from that night...


Our usual spot!

Me and my pup!



Winston and Auntie Em!!



Patrick & Sam

Great Friends...our creepy neighbor took this pic!

Overall, it was a successful evening!!

My Week in a Nutshell

Overall, this past week has been pretty relaxing, which is exactly what Trevor and I needed. This was Trevor's last week living here in Branson, so it was great to not have much to do and just relax.

Tuesday was kind of a sad day...As you may know, Trevor has been working out at Silver Dollar City with me a couple days a week this summer and Tuesday was his last day! :( We probably won't ever work at the same job again, so we enjoyed it while it lasted!

 On Wednesday night, a girl from my work had a cookout because her dad was in town. So we all went over to her house and had fajitas. Delicious! I made a dessert that my mom passed down to me called Oreo Dessert (I know...very original!) It is chocolate ice cream, oreos, and cool whip all mixed together and then frozen!...It is so good! Perfect for summer time!

We also ended up playing a new game...

PASS THE PIGS!!! I have to buy this game now! It was so much fun...and very...Oklahoman!! haha! We were playing this game until about 2:30 in the morning!! luckily I didn't have to work on thursday, so I could sleep in! If you haven't played...I recommend it!

Last night Trevor and I made chicken parmesean for dinner...yum! Well technically I made it for Trevor because it is his favorite meal. It was actually the first meal I ever really made him back in the day. Then we went and saw the movie Crazy Stupid Love! It was hilarious!!! I would definitely go and see that again!

Lastly, I finished our Wedding Album. I absolutely love the website Shutterfly and I have used them several times for scrapbooks and homemade cards and I have never been disappointed!...So here is our Wedding Album! Enjoy!

Click here to view this photo book larger

<3 Jillian

Beach Bound...I Wish!!!

So every year since I can remember I have gone to Holland, MI for an annual family reunion. My dad's parents live there and most of my family lives up north, so we always have our reunion there. When I was younger we would always stay in cabins about a mile from the beach. About 6 or 7 years ago they destroyed the cabins we would stay in, so my grandpa has started renting our houses that would accommodate each family. It's perfect because it is walking distance from 2 different beach areas! We would always take our bicycles there when we were younger and we would ride them everywhere. We rarely ever got in the car to go anywhere. During the days each family has their own agenda...although my family never plans anything, so the extent of our days are going to the beach! But at night all the families gather for dinner. My dad has 3 sisters and a brother, so there are 5 of them total. Each family takes one night and cooks for the rest of the families. Since most of the cousins are getting older, we have started having more cousins cook for dinner, but either way, the food is always delicious! In Holland, they also have my FAVORITE ice cream in the world!!!! Mackinac Island Fudge!! Umm Umm GOOD!!!! I absolutely LOVE going to Michigan because it is so relaxing, and I get to see family that I only get to see once a year! Well, hence the title, Trevor and I are not going this year! I am so down about it! I was blessed to be able to see a lot of my family this year at the wedding, but it just isn't the same as seeing them on the beach at our normal reunion! Michigan means so much to me!!! The first time Trevor came with my family, we had the most amazing time! That is when Trevor told me that he is going to marry me one day!..of course I was one happy girl!! Since then, I have always wanted to get our engagement pictures taken in Michigan on the beach. (see picture below). In honor of my family being in Michigan this week, I have attached some pictures of the past 4 or 5 years!


2005: my grandpa's brother took us up in a small plane to view Holland. The beach we are always at, which is the State Park is on the right side of the channel.

 

2007: Me and my brother on top of the dune. This area is no longer accessible though because they are trying to preserve the dune.

 

2008: Me and Trevor!!! The year he told me that he is going to marry me some day! ;)

 

2009: my little W playing in the sand!! He absolutely LOVED it!!! He would just dig and dig in the sand!

 

2009: Beautiful sunset. Every year we usually go and play volleyball one night and we watch the sunset! There is just nothing like it!

2010: I just thought this flower was really neat looking!

 

2010: Trevor took this picture. There are always million sailboats on Lake Michigan.

2010: ENGAGEMENT PICTURE!

 

Engagement picture

Bridal Portrait...yes, I hauled my wedding dress all the way to Michigan to get these pictures taken!!

Bridal Portrait!!

I hope everyone has a GREAT week! I will be thinking of my family and living vicariously through them!!!

Love, Jillian