Slumping

I am still blog slumping. There are lots of things I WANT to blog about... okay, i will blog about ONE thing. My dining room. 

 I love my dining room. 

 It is finally painted. I am sorry these pictures were taken at night, but if you want a blog post. So be it. 

 I love tulips. They are my favorite flower, and were my wedding bouquet too. Love. Love. Love Tulips. I was lamenting the other day that I can't have them here in my sunny California home. I lamented it in Arizona too, but I think I lament it every year when January and February rolls around. I always look forward to them in the spring, but here, I don't have to wish the snow was gone. . . It is a hand off. 

It makes me happy to see them. I walked into Lowe's today to finish off another house project... And they were smiling at me. It was meant to be. . . I couldn't WAIT to get them home and into my pots. My favorite addition to my dining room are these pots. They started out as Amaryllis pots at Christmas, Ala nie nie.  She plants Amaryllis every year, and I think I like that as a tradition, however, my Amaryllis were freakishly tall. I may have to try to fix that next year. ...

And now, since I posted a Christmas picture, how about a few more. I had a great time decorating our new digs this year. I love having a new slate, with the traditional decorations you have used year after year. I love how they "find a new home" in a new home. 

 There are some changes coming to this area (shown above) I can't wait to show them to you!

 I had to do a traditional fresh garland. My mom used to do it every year, and this is the first home I have had a banister in! It was fun, but messy, beautiful, but messy, smelled wonderful, but it sure was MESSY!

I know I haven't done any before and afters... and that is because I would have to dig though my pictures, which I just don't have time for right now... Just use your imagination. The home has been a work in progress, but each day it feels more and more "homey". 

A Very Merry Christmas To YOU!

I am embarrassed. The SECOND year in a ROW I have not sent a Christmas card. It has been a crazy year... I WANT to do a family Christmas picture, but to be honest, I see my husband for about 15 minutes a day, and I have about 10 minutes to clear up things I need to clear up and then, it is over. I would love to do a picture, and write all of the things we have done.

I don't have the picture.

But I can write. THAT I can do. . .

THE YEAR IN SUMMARY 

WYNIA FAMILY 2011

The Wynia family had a crazy year. No really, we did. It started off with being newly laid off, and having to make big, gut wrenching decisions about our lives, and our future. Good times, good times. That lasted until April, with Peter traveling to locations, crunching numbers, praying, and trying to figure out exactly WHERE we were going to start on our new Papa Murphy's business venture. (At least we had THAT figured out) We contemplated no less than 5 or 6 places, and finally came down to the Inland Empire in Southern California. For those of you who don't know, that is the little strip of land that travels south from Riverside straight to San Diego on the I-15, and is directly behind those beautiful mountains that are just before the ocean. There is no DIRECT route to the ocean, but we find ourselves making our way there frequently anyway. 

We spent the spring months signing our life away, doing training and getting ready for the big plunge. Peter and I even went to a week long training at the Papa Murphy's headquarters to get ready for this big adventure. 

Kids at Nanna and Papa's house at the Lake during our trip to the corporate office. 

We moved in July. We had the help of a moving co., but of course, I packed every living last thing we owned (besides Peter's office) and I will forever be grateful for the sweet people who showed mercy on me and helped me pack up my house for the 11th time in 11 years. (I am including our first move in together and a few moves from apartments and in-laws while we were building houses, but still, a move is a move.)

Abigail at our house before we "closed" on it!

We are confident we will not have to move again for a VERY long time. We found a great house in Murrieta, just about 3 miles (6 minutes exactly) from our new store, which I am VERY grateful for, because Peter is there about 14 hours a day, and sometimes even more than that.  We love our house, neighbors, schools and ward and feel amazingly blessed to have been given so much after a few years of very difficult struggles. I have truly learned that Heavenly Father has COMPLETE control over our lives, and many of the things that happen to us are purely for our benefit. Even the trials. I am not sure I could say I was grateful for those trials at the TIME, but I am most certainly grateful for them now. They taught be so many things about our relationship with Heavenly Father, how he teaches us, all of us. I am grateful to be through the trials, but still the same, grateful that Heavenly Father thought I was strong enough to endure them. 

Peter and I doing who knows what...

Our Store Front. Yes, REALLY! 

Peter working at what is lovingly known as the "sheeter"

We opened our new store on November 3rd, after a few crazy days of delays and difficulty with the county fire department. All is forgiven now that we are open, and things are going well! We have been met with incredible excitement and we have no fewer than 5 pizza stores in our parking lot. However, we feel like we have a great location, and have received great feedback on our product which is brand new to the area. That is right. There has never been a Papa Murphy's pizza here! (Hard to believe for some of you, I am sure.) 

Peter "sheeting" dough. Yes, he is not required to wear gloves doing this, and yes, his hands are clean...

Peter is still working LONG hours, and I find myself "working" at the store as well. However, my main title is "marketing freakshow" and of course, I love it. I manage our store's facebook page, as well as School Fundraisers, and any other marketing activities that we might need. Peter runs day to day operations, however, I find myself doing a little bit of that as well. I am sure that is a common occurrence when you own your own business. I even go to work and run the cash register and answer the phones when I am needed, and I work WAY more than I thought I would, but I kind like that too because I get a glimpse into what Peter does all day long and I get to educate our customers about what Papa Murphy's is, and why they are going to love it. (You can like our Facebook page to see what I do at facebook.com/papamurphysmurrieta)

Our Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting by the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce. 

Introducing, Mini Murph

Our kids. Oh yeah, we still have them. Abigail is in 5th grade. She is doing VERY well with her grades (after a rough transition to a very intense school) and is finally starting to enjoy the So. Cal. life. She LIVES for boogie boarding, and is definitely going to be a beach babe. We just got a new puppy for her for Christmas. (I know, I can't believe it either) But the family dog was long over due, and I just decided I needed to take the plunge NOW.

I know she is STANDING on her boogie board, but still..

Jaxon being Jaxon.

Jaxon is Jaxon. Really, what can I say about that kid. He is funny, and I wish I could record everything he says. He is getting used to his new school, and I am still working on deciding if we are going to keep him there. It is challenging to come from a school that had an amazing autism program to one that.... doesn't. But we are working on it. 

Waders.

Wade is in his second year of preschool and is going every day. (I had to do SOMETHING to keep him busy! He turns 5 in a few months, and will go to Kindergarten next year) I am sure he will do great, and we are working on reading right now. He is a complete video(game) head, and I hope Peter will teach him programming in a few years so we can capitalize on that obsession....

Kaylie is a wild, stubborn, hard headed two year old. When she is good, she is VERY VERY good, and when she is bad, she is HORRID! I had a babysitter call me in tears the other night because Kaylie was throwing a big tantrum. Really, the first of all my kids who has done it with any real intense vigor. She really knows how to throw it down though. HOWEVER, on the other side, she can be just super sweet and loving. She will go far in life, as long as we can learn to channel all that energy and intensity!

Overall, it has been an amazing year. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity and are finding blessings around every corner. We know without a shade of doubt this is where were are supposed to be, and that is a wonderful feeling after years of uncertainty. We know the blessings of the Lord are upon us, and any who choose to put their faith in Him.  We wish you a wonderful 2012, and hope we will be able to put together a family photo NEXT YEAR! Until then, enjoy this one...

Enjoying the beachy life.

Thanksgiving and more.

We had a quiet Thanksgiving this year. Although having your own business is very rewarding, and hopefully will create a fantastic autonomy for our family some day, right now, it is completely overwhelming and draining, not to mention a complete time suck. My husband has taken ONE day off in three weeks, and guess what, it was on Thanksgiving!

I wanted to make sure my kids were able to enjoy "the thanksgiving experience" eventhough we had no house guests, and didn't travel anywhere.

They seemed to enjoy the pomp and ceremony of it all, and didn't seem to mind that they were on their own all day. However, I missed the extra family, and the entertainment that friends or cousins bring. What can I say, I am a people person, and I got my degree in throwing a party, so, it was a smidge to quiet for me.

I love this happy face.

The bird was a masterpiece, and I LOVED pretending there were going to be tons of happy eaters. But yet, there were just 6.

This is what my kitchen looked like after the dinner was made. I AM sure it was worth it in eating the dinner. I am NOT sure it was worth it in the clean up. That is admittedly the best part of having Thanksgiving guests, they usually clean up the aftermath.

I have posted on this blog the complete gratitude that I have felt for the blessings we have been given. We have been given so many.

A beautiful house to live in,

a great business, that we love and are so excited about,

our beautiful kids, who, are healthy and happy,

two sets grandparents who are happy and healthy as well,

a wonderful new state to live in,

a wonderful new ward,

a wonderful husband who has put in about 8 and 1/2 weeks of work into three weeks (yes, I am talking about 16 hour days)

Our blessings are simple, but astounding, and although I don't wish the trials we went through on anyone, I am grateful for them for teaching us to appreciate the simple blessings, of employment, a home to call our own, direction in our future, and true happiness in all of it.

We are blessed.

This year, I've been naughty.

This holiday season, I had more time on my hands.

And there was good reason.

I made Christmas goodies, but didn't pass them all out. (Come by if you want some!)

I didn't send out a Christmas card, but if I did, it may have looked something like this.

Abby? Who's Abby?

I didn't get pictures with Santa, or do the tree of sharing. (Both things I really, really wanted to do-but was feeling a little like a charity case myself. )

I didn't go to parties that I didn't want to go to.

And you know what?

I am okay with it.

I am REALLY, REALLY okay with it.

Will I shun my normal Holiday routines EVERY year? No, definitely not.

It's not like I didn't do ANYTHING . . . .

I spent time reading books,

I spent time hanging out with my husband, who "claims" to like to spend time with me.

I watched movies,

I went to movies,

I went on date night, and hung out with friends I love.

I got a pedicure.

I baked, and baked, and cooked, and baked.

I avoided the store.

And you know what? I really enjoyed not being stressed out, too busy, or unavailable.

It is a great thing, to just BE. And be Happy. Maybe next year, you should try it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Cards Gone By

Our Family started in April of 2000. I don't recall sending out Christmas cards those first couple of years. Really, is sending Christmas cards any fun when you don't have any kids? Well, I guess it could be, but, let's just say it is MORE fun, if you have a kid to show their growth pattern. And who wouldn't want a picture of this kid.

I think I was one or two month pregnant with Jaxon at the time. Abby had no idea what was going to rock her world.

CHRISTMAS 2002

Here is our arrival in our Christmas pic the next year. . . . Merry Christmas, from the GRUMPIEST BABY EVER!

CHRISTMAS 2003

My husband is seriously going to kill me because of this picture. He hates it, and I am not fond of it either, but since I am doing this for history sake, let's just get on with it.

Yes, it is in beautiful scenic Hawaii. After a 5 hour plane ride with the grumpiest child in the world. Let's just say we were cured of travel with small children for quite some time.

CHRISTMAS 2004

Wanna hear something sad about 2005? I don't know what Christmas card we used. Worse, is that all my pix were wiped off my drive by a virus? Or my computer was rendered useless by one? I can't quite remember, but this will represent . .

CHRISTMAS 2005

Apparently I have my hands up like that because I can't find Jaxon.

This REALLY IS CHRISTMAS 2006! Well, it is fall 2006, and we are at a pumpkin patch, but we really did use this pic as our Christmas card. I liked it! I liked that a professional photog did not have to take it! PS- Yes, Wade is in this picture, but he is only about 3 months along.



Ah, finally, A good all around picture. We all know the pains of taking a good picture, right? I am quite certain two or maybe even three heads were photo shopped in this pic. And it was taken in the summer, long BEFORE Christmas, but who cares right?

CHRISTMAS 2007


Once again, I have no idea what picture I sent out for Christmas. My mind is telling me, I didn't send Christmas cards this particular year. Maybe it was because 2008, wasn't that great. So, I don't think I did. Did I send out a Valentines Day card? If someone out there remembers, will you let me know? Either way, I DID have cute pictures of my kids.

CHRISTMAS 2008

This right hear is Christmas 2009. And guess, what. This is good as it is going to get for this year too. Because I didn't send out Christmas Cards.

CHRISTMAS 2009


And you know what? I am okay with that. Hope you are too! :)

PS- I DO have a Christmas PRESENT for you though, and it will be coming tomorrow! So, be sure to check back!

Divine Pumpkin

The pumpkin tasting was a smashing success. Get it? Pumpkin? Smashing? Oh never mind.

A few days ago, my friend Rachel and I decided that we wanted to bake. That baking together was FUN. More fun than baking alone, right?

Actually, Rachel said that baking was NOT fun, so, I told her we just needed to do it together, and I could change her mind. You'll have to ask her if it worked. I am not sure yet. I put a Facebook post out there for any and all of your favorite pumpkin recipes. I got plenty to choose from. They were ALL delicious. Rachel made the Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bread, Pumpkin Craisin Muffins, and Pumpkin Carmel Cheesecake. . . .

Doesn't this look like the most beautiful cheesecake EVER?

I made these scones. . .and they were completely and totally scrumptious. Doesn't that scone look amazing? It was.

Here is the Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bread.

And the pumpkin craisin muffins. (Aren't these pictures awesome? Thanks Liz!)

Here is a happy customer. HI ANGEL!

And this would be an amazing Pumpkin Bisque with Mexican Cream.

And this is what my counter would look like after Rachel told me she was frustrated in my kitchen because things were in the WRONG PLACE. Honestly, THE NERVE.

Actually, I agreed. My kitchen wasn't working for me either. It was a combination of moving into a kitchen 1/2 the size of the one I had before, and gaining about 500 new kitchen gadgets ala Pampered Chef. It is tough to find space for all those fabulous tools, I admit.

However, after declaring that I could NOT have three junk drawers in my kitchen (the most organized junk drawers anyone has ever seen mind you) she swiftly re-arranged my kitchen to make it work. And I must admit, I like it.

Except, this pile on the counter.

Of which remnants of this pile are still there. Three days later.

I will be posting the rest of the recipes on my food blog soon!

PUMPKIN OBSESSION

I don't know what happened, but suddenly I am obsessed with Pumpkin. Pumpkin Waffles, Pumpkin Trifles, Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Pumpkin!!! I hatched a plan this morning. I want MORE pumpkin recipes, but the thing is, I only want the BEST! So, I gathered a partner in crime. I don't have time to make every pumpkin recipe that comes along, but I still long to look at them, and ooh and ahh over them, and I would like to make WAY more of them than I can do by myself,

So, I am having a PUMPKIN OFF.

Send me your best Pumpkin recipe between now and Sunday night. Your favorite one. I mean the BEST you have EVER had. I want it, and I want to make it and then: Monday morning, I am going to make it. There is going to be a Pumpkin Explosion at my house. I have roped in another famous chef, Rachel Thomas, to help me out that morning, and at 12:00 noon, we are going to feast on our pumpkin explosion, and you can too.

PUMPKIN TASTING PARTY AT 12:00 p.m. I need to have your recipes though, so, e-mail them, message them, post them in the comments. If we decide to make YOUR recipe, then you might win a Pampered Chef item that is a MUST HAVE in the kitchen!

YOU IN?

PUMPKIN NOW.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST PUMPKIN, and YOU MIGHT WIN!