14 Things

11.28.2016

amazing, blessed, Disney, family, friends, fun, happy, husband, travel

So I totally spaced last week and didn't write a blog post for either of my blogs...whoops!
Back to my plan of posting 10 things a week I'm thankful for! I added a few to this post though to kinda make up for the lack of a post last week.

1. State Parks and forests. I am so grateful for these beautiful places that are protected from us ruining them. I have it on my bucket list to visit each state park in Florida, and I will say that I'm doing pretty well so far.

2. All the fishing memories I have with my family. They are some of the best memories I have, and I always hold them close and think about them often.

3. I am incredibly grateful for the country I live in and for all those who have fought for my freedom. I am guilty of taking those simple freedoms for granted. I have such great respect for our veterans because I am way too scared to do any of the stuff they do.

4. High school. I am not one of those people who loved high school. I did have a good time and I did meet some wonderful people. I am grateful for all the lessons I learned and for the things that I was taught both by teachers and by the choices I made.

5. Call me whatever you want, but I am grateful for Disney! I love it there and cant help but feel happy there! I have had some awesome memories with friends and family. I've spend Thanksgiving here and lots of other days too. I would still love to be a princess or fairy at some point in my life haha.

6. The creatures in the ocean. I feel at peace when I am close to the ocean. I love the sounds it makes and I love to watch the waves. My favorite is snorkeling around and seeing all the creatures. Dolphins, manatees, sharks, turtles, lionfish, eels, crabs, and tons of other creatures! I love them all and swimming with them is like home to me.

7. Donuts. Do I really need to elaborate on this one?

8. Concerts. Since Hamilton and I have been together we've been to several music festivals and concerts and I have really been missing out. I have the next concert planned and I can't wait. I feel so alive and inspired whenever I go.

9. Architecture. I love having beautiful and intricate things to look at. It makes me think and it makes me want to explore more cities and towns.

10. Dancing. Hamilton has taught me to love dancing in a new way. I have always loved ballet, and my dad would always dance around the house. But Hamilton LOVES to dance, if he could go out and dance every night, he would. He loves to spin me around like a top, and I have really grown to love it so much. I am so grateful that he has taught me to enjoy such small and simple things.

11. Where we live. We live in a tiny little duplex. We rent from my aunt, but I really love it. I love making the space our own and adding our own personality to it. I am so grateful everyday that I have a roof over my head, and a comfy bed to sleep in.

12. I am grateful for the colors of the sky during sunsets and sunrises. I don't think you can find anything more beautiful than the colors that occur during them.

13. I love to watch the storm clouds roll in. I really just love storms. They make me want to curl up with my favorite movie and a cup of soup. I just love the smell of rain and the sound of storms, it is so relaxing to me.

14. The Earth. I am so grateful for all the opportunities I've had to travel all over the world. Every time I watch the stars or look over a mountain I am reminded of how small I am. There is a great big world out there waiting to be explored.

xoxo, Jacquelyn

11.15.2016

delicious, food, recipe

Last night I made some really delicious beef and pasta. I'm not really sure what to call it haha. I found this recipe on Pinterest (I'll link it below) and it was seriously. SO. GOOD. Hamilton loved it so much and has already said I have to make it again so soon!

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 a large sweet onion
3 garlic cloves
1/2 box of elbow macaroni (or whatever kind you'd like)
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup of heavy cream
2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
2 cups water
olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
red pepper flakes (optional)
parmesan (optional)

1. sauté onions in olive oil until soft
2. brown ground beef, then add garlic, salt and pepper
3. add tomato sauce, water, and pasta
4. cook pasta for about 10 minutes, until it is mostly cooked
5. reduce heat and add in heavy cream and italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Cook until it starts to thicken
6. add parmesan and you're ready to serve! (I didn't add the cheese and it was so yummy without it, and I bet it is even better with is)

I honestly eyeballed everything. haha I didn't measure anything and changed it up a little. Honestly this was such a simple recipe and so yummy! This will definitely be one of my go to's.

I also made some baked potato chips.
- I just cut small yellow potatoes really thin, placed them on a baking sheet
- added olive oil and salt
- baked them at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until they turned golden brown
These are so good and I make them at least once a week!

I hope you try this one out yourselves! If you do, let me know :)

pinterest recipe - Shells and Beef // bowls - target

11.14.2016

birkeland, blessed, bowzer, kitties, lds, life, mormon, thankful

10 things I'm grateful for. There are so many more than that, but I figured the beginning of each week during November I would share 3 things I am thankful for. I know I already missed a week, but better late than never.

Thanksgiving is such a good reminder of the things we have in our lives. I have had some struggles this year but that doesn't mean that I'm not grateful for so much. My life is full and I have so many amazing people surrounding me.

1. I am grateful for sunsets and the ocean. I love spending my days on the boat fishing, snorkeling, or just swimming.

2. My fur babies. I love them all so much! The white and grey kitty is Kate Wiskerton and the multi colored kitty is Hermione and our dog is Bowzer. They fill our home with joy and lots of laughter. There is definitely never a dull moment with them.

3. My best girl friends. I love them so much. They make my life whole and add so much joy to every life experience I have. I am so grateful for each and every one of these ladies. They are always there when I need them most.

4. Whale sharks! They are my favorite animal EVER! And I was lucky enough to go to the Atlanta Georgia Aquarium to see them up close and personal. The next step is going to Mexico to swim with them.

5. My parents. I am so extremely grateful for my parents. They have given me a wonderful life. I was blessed enough to be able to travel with them and be homeschool up until 7th grade, which allowed me to spend my days on the boat fishing with my dad. I hold those memories near and dear to my heart. They are also the best examples. My mom is currently in nursing school and I couldn't be more proud of her.

6. My in-laws. I am so happy to have another set of parents and so many more sisters and brothers! I love them all so much and they all mean the world to me. Hamilton's mom and dad are my parents too and it is so amazing to have in-laws that I am close with.

7. My nieces and nephews. They are growing up way too fast! I remember when they were all born. It is really not okay how fast they are growing up! They are so smart and so loving. They are the best and funniest bunch of kiddos ever.

8. I am so grateful for my calling. I am the young women's 2nd counselor in my ward. I love those girls so much already and I hope that I can teach them as much as I know they will teach me.

9. I am grateful for the gospel. I am grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so grateful for the temple and that I am able to go there with my husband and friends. It means so much to me to have a place to go where I feel safe and at home. I love having the knowledge that my Heavenly Father is always watching over me and helping me along the way (way more than I will ever know).

10. My husband. Hamilton Aaron Birkeland. I am so grateful for him and all he does for me. He is kind and patient and all the things I need to work on. He is an example to me each and every day. I love him more each day and can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

Tell me what you're grateful for! This month is all about being thankful and grateful. Pass it along and share what you're grateful for.

xoxo, Jacquelyn

11.08.2016

food, recipe, yum

Sorry these pictures kinda suck. I'm not sure what was going on with my camera..

Anyways, I haven't posted in awhile and since it's slowly starting to get colder out, I figured I share the chicken soup I made for dinner tonight!

It was super simple and probably the same as half the other chicken soup recipes out there. We live in Florida so the weather is still fairly warm, but cooler than usual this time of the year. I really just made this to pretend that it's cold out because I totally wish it was haha. Plus my nephews came over today and one of them was sick, so it was perfect for him.

Recipe:
-fill a stockpot half way full with equal parts water and chicken stock
-put in your chicken (I used bone in thighs, it adds more flavor)
-let that cook low and slow until the meat starts to fall off the bone. Mine cooked for about 3 hours. The longer it cooks, the more flavor it will have.
-remove the chicken from the pot, then remove the meat from the bone
-combine everything back into the stockpot

In a separate saute pan.
-1Tbsp olive oil.
-1/2 a large sweet onion, or 1 medium onion
-4 celery stalks
-2 cloves of garlic (mine were tiny so I used more)
-salt
-pepper
-red pepper flakes (to taste)
(I put all this into the stockpot after about 2 1/2 hours to let the flavors meld together)

When your soup is all combined and ready
-bring water to a boil
-add salt
-cook your pasta of choice
I used Orzo, it's my fav for any soups!

At the end I decided to add some more seasoning (salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes) and cooked it a little bit longer.

This is a recipe that you can really tweak and make your own. It turned out so delicious! I also topped mine with some parmesan cheese.
I will definitely be using this recipe more and more in the colder months! I love to cook and I love it even more when I just wing it and it turns our so yummy!

Let me know if you use this recipe, I'd love to hear what you did differently or how you liked it!

xoxo, Jacquelyn

10.07.2016

change, healthy, workout

so, as i'm sure pretty much anyone who actually reads this blog knows, my dad passed away june 31, 2014. however, before that happened i had a pretty good routine going. i was working out at least 4 days a week, usually more, eating decently well, doing really well in school, very active in church, and my life was pretty much put together.
when my dad passed away my whole life got put on hold. i lost motivation to do much. i threw myself into my school work, but that's really it. i made sure to hang out with my friends as much as i could so i wasn't alone.

anyways, fast forward a few months and i started to work out again. i always kept my eating habits at least decent. i still loved my donuts and cookies, but i was sure to get in my fruits and veggies. i was really good at choosing healthier options when i was out to eat. i wasn't quite back into my old habits, but i was getting there.

all in the mix i met hamilton and we just fell in love. we were engaged and just about a month away from our wedding when my brother passed away. Sam passed away on may 22, 2015, which, in my family, is already a special day. my other brother, Satch, was born on may 22, and he also passed away, but in october of 2002 or 2003, i cant remember which year exactly. anyways, after that i really lost all ambition. i stopped caring about what i was eating or whether i was working out or anything at all.

i got super depressed and honestly i am still dealing with all of that. i was prescribed antidepressants, but i stopped taking them. it helped me at first, but i just didn't like having to take a pill everyday and i would rather do things in a more natural way. and that was probably between 4 and 6 months. soooo it has taken me a little while to get motived and actually start.
i cant tell you how many times i said...
-i'll start tomorrow
-i'll just start taking long walks, we have a dog anyways so that'll be easy.
-i'll just start eating healthier, that'll help
-monday, monday is the perfect day to start, i'll start on that day.

i made every excuse for myself. i felt awful about myself. i was depressed about things that had happened (not good...don't focus on the past, unless you're remembering the good things)
i have a bit of an issue with that, i tend to focus on what used to be and how much i miss it, or people. which is only natural.

sorry, getting off topic.
fast forward until about three days ago (i know you probably expected me to say 3 months ago). i got tired of not liking how i look or how i felt. i had been trying my best to cook the best meals i could for the past 4 months or so. i really would just incorporate more fruits and veggies and took out the bread or starches, and i try to use "superfoods" like kale, spinach, blueberries, and things like that.

i make smoothies, quinoa, soups, chicken, etc. etc.
i did some research, and by research i mean i typed in workout in my app store and downloaded the first 5 free apps to see which one i liked. and honestly i found one that i really like and that i would recommend to anyone who is trying to start up a workout routine but doesn't know where to start. it's the Nike+ Training app. basically you enter all your info. height, weight, end goal (toning, weight loss, strength training, etc.), tools you have, if any, if you work out all the time or if you are just starting.
it's really cool and once you've entered all the info, it generates a 5 week plan for you, and you also enter how many times a week you want to work out.

for example, i entered my height and weight, i said i want to tone and that i want to workout 4-5 times a week. i said i am a beginner and then after these 5 weeks, i will see where i am and how i am feeling about everything and then i'll see if i'll do beginner or intermediate for the next 5 weeks.

i also use one more app. and yes, i did the exact same thing to find this app haha. it's called YAZIO it's a calorie counter. basically you just type in height, weight, and goal weight. after you enter all that, it tells you how many calories to eat everyday to get where you want to get. you also enter in your workout or any exercise for that day, so even if you just walk around at work all day, you'd enter that. i've only been using this one for 1 day, but i really like it so far, plus it's free! can't get any better. you can upgrade this app and pay monthly for it, but honestly, i don't see why you would need to, unless you want to know everything more in depth. i'm just tracking my calories so i don't need to upgrade.

i'm no expert, but i am loving the changes that i'm making. even though it's only been a few days, i already feel so much better. i truly believe that if you are struggling with sleep or depression, regular exercise can really really help. and just a better diet will really make you feel so much better.
even when i was in my funk and not working out at all, hamilton and i loved to longboard and we would try to do that at the very least once a week. even just doing that helped me a lot.

i don't always have a lot to say, but i appreciate anyone who actually reads these posts. and if anyone else is struggling, i'd love to talk, or just listen.

xoxo, jacquelyn claire

9.19.2016

birkeland, bowzer, happy, home, husband

it has taken 3 months but i finally unpacked the last couple of boxes.

to be fair, they were just boxes of books that were very difficult for me to pick up because of how heavy they were..

anyways, we have our bookshelves in our kitchen by our table because thats where they fit the best. and all the books are finally put out and the final boxes are empty!!

it is slowly but surely turning more and more into a home and i love being a lil home maker. it makes me so happy to have everything clean and tidy and in its place. and to cook dinner for my husband.

it gives me such joy to have my husband come home after a long work day to a clean home and dinner coming soon.

hamilton got a new job a few weeks ago with an arborist and he works 6 days a week and usually is gone for 10+ hours a day. i miss seeing his face as much as i used to, but he likes his job a lot, and im glad that he's happy.

we also added a new member to our family. we have a dog! his name is bowzer and he is a pitbull and he is the absolute sweetest boy ever. i love him and i think he really makes our family complete (for now)

i have always had a dog at my house, but the past 3 years i haven't, and it makes me so happy! i love him and he loves us too. we adopted him from the shelter probably a month and a half or so ago, and our little family feels so much more complete now :)

he's definitely ferocious, i know.

our little cuddle monster

isn't our place so cute? i love it

oh and bowzer ate his first shoe today..and yes, it was hamiltons favorite shoe..

i guess that means i have to replace them at some point

xoxo, jacquelyn

9.05.2016

amazing, birkeland, crazy, emotional, husband

i have the most amazing and most supportive husband. he is so good to me.
i am no where near perfect and struggle to be the best i can be.
hamilton is so loving and caring towards me. i have had too many breakdowns to count and i lash out too often, yet he somehow finds ways to handle my attitude.
it can be difficult for me to deal with all the emotions that go through my mind.

i cant say enough good things about him.
he is so loving.
he is so amazing with my nieces and nephews, it just makes me excited to have children with him.
he is the hardest worker i know.
he is also the goofiest person i know.
we are constantly laughing.
he makes my cheeks hurt from how much he makes me smile.
i love how he pushes me to be better everyday.
he pushes me to accomplish my goals.
he talks with me about my crazy dreams i have for our future.
he will watch my beauty youtube videos with me.
he builds me up every single day.
he never lets me win games, which i hate sometimes, but it does make me try harder to use my brain haha.
he can have fun doing absolutely anything.
he will travel anywhere and everywhere with me.

and so so much more.