My Husband the Handyman

Okay, so when I married Aaron, I knew he was a wonderful guy.  But,  the longer we are married, the more he surprises me.  Fortunately, most of those surprises are good.   The longer I am married to Aaron, the more I learn about him, and that's fun!   And, the more I learn about him, the more I grow to love him.
Anyway,  this winter he has gotten busy on a bunch of projects around our home.   I have been so amazed and impressed with his handyman skills.  Even more impressive to me is the fact that he wasn't born with them, and they don't even come naturally for him.   He has really gotten out of his comfort zone even since we were married and made it a goal to learn how to do things on his own.   I am just so proud of him!   Okay, enough babbling and I'll show you the pictures....

Two summers ago, Aaron built this two-car garage in our backyard.  This is his workshop/ truck and toy shelter.  He did an incredible job, I think.  Since the weather has been cold and there is less to do outdoors (especially without snow) he had been busy sheet rocking and organizing his garage.   Now, that's some man cave!  

 I also never knew when I married Aaron that he cared so much about things being organized.  Wow- I thought I was an organization freak, but I guess I'm not.

I wish I had the before pictures but forgot to take one.  Since we will be moving some bedrooms around within the next few months due to our new addition,  Aaron went ahead and built some organizing shelves in two of the downstairs bedroom closets.  He just came up with it all on his own.   I helped a little- speckling, caulking, and masking, and he did the rest.  

Then Aaron got out in our garage and built a large shelf in the back corner for other big things in our garage to make some room.  

And, last but not least,  we were so sick of the clutter of bikes all over in the way so he made a bike rack out of wood for the side of our garage.  I was really happy about this.  Now we just hope that the kids will use it  :)

I realized the other day that not many things make me happier than a good honey-do list done.  The other day Aaron dropped everything and did all my honey-do's.   I was one happy honey.  So, I can't help but brag a little.  I never knew I married such a handyman but boy is he ever!  

Sausage Calzones

This has become a family favorite at our house.   (Adapted from the "Taste of Home" Cookbook)
I love any recipe that includes spinach and kids still like it!

Dough:   1 package active dry yeast
               1/2 C warm water
               3/4 C warm milk
               2 T plus 2 tsp olive oil
               1/2 tsp salt
               1 tsp sugar
               3 to 3 1/4 C flour

Filling:  1 package (10 oz) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
              3/4 to 1 lb ground italian sausage
             1/2 onion, chopped
             1 C cottage cheese
             1 C shredded mozzarella cheese
             1/2 C shredded parmesan cheese
             1 T minced fresh parsley (or dried)
             1/4 tsp pepper

In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.  Add the milk and 2 T oil, salt, sugar, and 2 C flour.  Beat until smooth, then add remaining flour to form a soft dough.  Turn and knead on a floured surface 6-8 min until smooth and elastic.   Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.
Meanwhile, cook the sausage with the onion until no longer pink, drain.   Add the spinach, cheeses, parsley, and pepper.  Mix well.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Punch down dough and divide into 6 pieces.  On a floured surface, roll each piece into a 8-in circle.  Top  half of each with 2/3 C filling, then fold the other half over.  Fold edges over and pinch to seal.  Place on greased baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal.  Brush tops lightly with remaining oil and sprinkle with garlic salt.   Bake for 20-25 min. or until golden brown.

Making our own fun

The other day Erika and Kyle were busy playing together in Kyle's room and finally came out to announce, "Mom and Dad, we have a surprise for you!"   This sign was posted on the door:

(Notice the words "parents free" are crossed out in red.)  We thought it was very creative so Aaron and I each went and found a few quarters for the kids to put in their banks.  Who wants a free "plain-old-regular" massage when you can get a "super duper massage" for 50 cents?   So Aaron and I laid out on the bed while the kids gave us our "Super Duper massage".  It was relaxing, and in another way pretty comical.   I had Kyle as my masseuse and he pretty much just did whatever Erika did.  Aaron and I got a good laugh out of it anyway.  

The weather has been so uncharacteristically warm this year and the kids were outside playing in the backyard like it was spring.  Jared found himself a nice little nook to hide away in.   I thought it was adorable!