New People, New Places

It seems so strange that E and I have only been married for a month. Not even a month yet! It feels as if this is how it has always been... us going grocery shopping together, taking turns loading the dishwasher, doing each other's laundry, coming home to be with each other. I love my new normal :)

This past week I started my new job. I call it my new job, but really it is the same job I have been doing for the past five years, just relocated to a new building and with brand new co-workers that I do not know yet. I actually do find myself liking it though! It's not where I want to work forever, but the transition has been so much more easier than I was anticipating.

A week before I left my old store, I had a conversation with one of my managers who had just started in her new workplace. She told me that the first day is always hard, but if you let people see your true personality right away it gets much easier. I am generally a shy person when I first meet new people(especially in a new place where I know only one person) but I took her advice seriously and it really worked wonderfully! I haven't necessarily made any new best friends yet, but I am definitely comfortable talking to everyone and I think I might had made a good impression. We'll just see what happens :)

Our Favorite Dinner... So Far

My mom has always been one of the best cooks in the world (at least to me). It's kind of funny to me that she even gave me a recipe because for as long as I can remember she has always been the kind of cook who would just throw whatever she had in the kitchen into whatever she was making. Remarkably, it always turned out great! But sadly, I did not inherit that creative cooking gift, so I must rely on recipes and step-by-step instructions. For Christmas this past year, my mom and E's mom collaborated on a recipe book which they filled with family recipes for E and me. I think it was one of the best gifts I've ever received just because it was so personal and they put so much thought into it. 

When E and I were dating, my mom made this casserole the first time that E had dinner with me and my parents and he LOVED it. I also happen to love it and it is incredibly easy to do so I thought I would share it :)

Reuben Casserole

1 32 ounce jar of sauerkraut, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped parsley

4 cups shredded Swiss cheese

1 1/3 cups thousand island dressing

1 pound chipped corned beef

1/2 cup butter or margarine

6 slices rye bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

In a large bowl, combine drained sauerkraut, onion, and parsley. Spoon mixture into 9x13 pan. Layer with half of the cheese, half of the salad dressing, and all of the corned beef. Layer remaining dressing and cheese.

In a large skillet, melt butter. Add bread cubes an stir until they are coated. Sprinkle cubes over casserole. 

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. 

This recipe is great to split into two pans and freeze half of it!

Prep time: about 20 minutes

We Survived :)

It is now official... the wedding day has come and gone, we got through the honeymoon without too much sunburn, and today is our second day of being just a regular married couple. I could not be happier!

Our wedding was everything I had hoped it would be. No one cried too much or fell down on the way up the aisle, I got to celebrate the most wonderful day with all of the wonderful people in my life, and now I am ready to get into our new normal and our new routine. Hopefully I will be able to post some wedding pictures soon!

Today E went back to work and I am spending the day working around the house, putting away our GAZILLION gifts and trying to figure out where all of this stuff is gonna go. It's so overwhelming to see how many beautiful new things we have now to start off our life together. I am so very thankful for everyone's generosity over the past few weeks... we have gotten so many presents and cards and well wishes! I must go work on fitting all of our new towels into our linen closet now, but I will try to start updating more often :)