Just call me Ryanne

Cross That Off the List

2012-01-23T14:02:00.000-08:00

Just days after posting my must-do in California list, we headed up to LA for an adventure and I got to cross three...THREE...three things off of the list.

1. LACMA

2. La Brea Tarpits

3. Movie at the Arclight

To say the day was full to the brim would be a total understatement.

Ca-li-for-ni-a

2012-01-18T22:22:00.000-08:00

It has recently come to my attention that there is a chance I may not live in California for the rest of my life. Thinking about this makes me sad, excited and anxious all at once. I am a California girl to the bone. I was born and have only lived in California for all of my 29 years. Thinking about this also makes me stressed. I want to make sure I take full advantage of California while I still have it at my beck and call.So I decided to make a list
A list of things I would really LOVE to do before I bid California adieu {one day}.
A list of things I have done before, but not since I was a wee one.
A list of things I have done before, but husband hasn't experienced yet.
A list of things that I would like to do one more time.
A list of things that I probably wouldn't get on an airplane to come and do - when I could be spending that time visiting all my favorite people.

Here is what I came up with so far...
Whale Watching

Catalina

Stay at the Grand Californian
Stay at the Montage

The Beachcomber

Big Sur
Movie at Arclight

Movie in the cemetery

Concert at the Hollywood Bowl

Sing-A-Long Concert at the Hollywood Bowl
Salvation Mountain & Salton Sea
Queen Mary

Camp at Leo Carillo
Hearst Castle
Neighborhood

See the Sequoias & Kings National Park

San Francisco
Napa

Palm Springs Aerial Tram

La Brea Tarpits

Hike to Hollywood Sign

Ride beach cruisers from Balboa to Huntington
Santa Barbara
Mammoth & Yosemite
San Diego Zoo

Getty Museum

Griffith Observatory

Museum of Tolerance

Ronald Reagan Library

LACMA

What am I missing?
What would you add?
What do you think I should skip?

I heart Buffalo Plaid

2012-01-12T16:20:00.000-08:00

I am really in to buffalo plaid.Don't know what that is? Here let me show you with some help from Google images:

{come. on. too cute.}

I know what you are thinking (or saying out loud if you are verbal processor), "Ooooh...plaid. Like what lumberjacks wear."
Nope, not just plaid. Buffalo plaid.

I don't know what it is about that red and black pattern, but I find myself drawn to it.
So much so that when I stare at it for so long, and then look at other plaid I get physically ill at the amount of cuteness it does NOT have.
So much so that I bought three yards of it on sale at the fabric store, with the hopes of every project I make for the next month having some buffalo plaid on it in some way.

If I could...I would cover my husband in buffalo plaid.

Ryanne Witt Literary Society

2012-01-09T20:48:00.000-08:00

I didn't read nearly as many books as last year, but I still think I did pretty good.
I know you are dieing to know what I have been reading {who isn't} so here is the list:

1. Water for Elephants Sara Gruen
2. Madame Tussaud Michelle Moran
3. The Hangman's Daughter Oliver Potzsch
4. Hector and the Search for Happiness Francis Lelord
5. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble H.P. Mallory
6. Toil and Trouble, a Paranormal Romance H.P. Mallory
7. Bossypants Tina Fey
8. Always the Baker, Never the Bride Sandra D. Bricker
9. Patched Together: A Story of My Story Brennan Manning
10. The Family Man Elinor Lipman
11. The Help Kathrynn Stockett
12. Twilight Stephanie Meyer
13. My Horizontal Life Chelsea Handler
14. Redeeming Love Francine Rivers

I joined/formed a book club this year. We like to call ourselves a literary society. None of us (read: the three of us) really knows what a book club does, so usually we spend about ten minutes talking about the book, and twenty to thirty minutes talking about how awesome our book club is. It is really broadening my horizons when it comes to literature.

Who am I kidding? If I learned anything this year it is that I am sucker for ninety-nine cent and free novels on my Kindle, and sometimes I need a little comfort in my life {Twilight}.

Oh well...here is to another 30 Book Goal for 2012. I am thinking I might revisit Harry Potter and Hunger Games. Just for fun.

Get At Me 2012

2012-01-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

I loved 2011. LOVED.
What an amazing life I have. I am so blessed.
But true to form I am ready for the new year to begin. I love a fresh start. I love a fresh perspective. I love a fresh look on life.

For those of you who know me - this is probably comical to you. Because even though I love all those things. What I don't love is...change. So even though the new year always arrives like a breath of fresh air, it also causes some unwarranted anxiety. Am I alone in this?

I have decided this year to welcome the new year anxiety with open arms {Get over here, you}. So...get at me 2012. Let's see what you got.

My Latest Fem Crush

2011-05-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

Oh Kristen Wiig...how I like to dream about us lunching together as BFF for hours laughing hysterically with each other - mostly me laughing at your jokes - because you are clearly the funnier one, which I am ok with.

And that adorable haircut. I haven't thought of cutting my hair short in a long time, and I have never thought about going blond. However, after two hours of Bridesmaids you had me thinking. What? Too Single White Female for you?

I clearly have a thing for making blonds my best friend, because you have been added to the list with Kristen Bell and Rachel McAdams. Maybe we should all get together and go on a girl's weekend to Palm Springs. I'll drive.

I hate crows.

2011-05-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hate them.
They are SO disgusting.

Oh and they are apparently stupid, because when I was driving back from lunch the other day a crow flew into my windshield. It flew into my windshield, rolled over the top of my car, and landed on the ground. Directly into my windshield.

It scared the crap out of me. To all you animal activists out there you should know the crow lived - not like I would have cared...because as you know...I hate crows.

2011-03-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

Not only is it March...there are only 10 days left in March. Wow!

See that?

Oh that is just 2011 passing me by.

Back to work...

2011-01-04T21:22:00.000-08:00

After almost two weeks off (I might have used a couple of personal hours in order to take an extra day or two) I went back to work today.

Most people dread going back to work.

I, however, am not one of those people.

There are three things about work that I love:

The people.

I love the people I work with and {oh man} I miss them when I don't see them six times a week.

My job.

I really love what I do. There are no words to really convey how true that last sentence is.

A schedule.

I love sleeping in and lounging around my pajamas as much as the next person. But after about three days I need a reason to get up and get dressed or else I am just useless.

Excited to be back and to see what 2011 has planned for HSM!

Ryanne

10 Things I Loved About 2010

2010-12-31T11:38:00.000-08:00

On the last day of 2010 it only makes sense to reflect on the last year.
Here are 10 things I loved about 2010 in no particular order, because no matter the year I really love lists.

Less stuff, more experiences.
We stuck with our motto for 2010. We downsized our home. We downsized our expenses. And upped the anti on our adventures. And I think we did pretty well.

No DVR in our house.
Random. I know. But we are such different people when we are only focused on our TV. We talk more, go on more adventures, and do more of the things we want to do.

Netflix.
I know I might be a little late to the game when it comes to Netflix, but in an attempt to me getting over us not having a DVR - my husband decided we should try Netflix. I love every second of it.

Camping in June Lake.

I love love love camping. And this trip was one of my favorite camping trips. Even with one complete night of absolutely NO sleep, because of a raccoon and a bear.

Lynchburg/Washington DC Trip.

Jonathan's parents live in Lynchburg, VA and while visiting them we were sure to take a little two day trip up to Washington DC, because although I do not have any desire to be in politics I would LOVE to live in Washington DC one day.

Summer Camp.
I know that Summer Camp is technically work - ok...it is A LOT of work - but I love it so much and I look forward to it every year. I was too busy at Summer Camp to take any pictures so you will just have to use your imagination. It is just a week long reminder that not only do I love my job and LOVE the people I work with, but God has called me to do ministry.

Solo Seattle Trip.

At the beginning of 2010 three of my very best friends moved out of state. Two of them moved to Seattle for two totally separate reasons. By October I was needing to see them. Not just because I missed my friends, but because my soul was desperate for some of that one-on-one time that you just can't achieve over the phone. So much to my surprise my husband said "Yes. You can buy a plane ticket" and I flew to Seattle for six glorious days. It was amazing and just what I needed. And Seattle was really cool too!

Reading more.
I know this is the third post in a row about me reading more, but have you ever wanted to be something and then become that? I wanted to be a reader - and I think I can safely say that I am.

My husband working from home.
In January my husband quit his job to work from home for himself. It was a little scary and a little risky. But, of course, God is good and we had a great year where we have been taken care of beyond. I can not explain how wonderful it is to have my husband working from home. He is always home when I come home from work. Since I have such crazy days off he is always able to swing it and spend some time with me on a random Monday afternoon. And for the first time ever...he was able to come on quite a few work trips with me.

All the little things.
There are a hundred more little moments that happened this year that I will always remember. But something I feel like I have truly learned this year is the little things are just as important as the big things. Yes it is important to take trips and reach goals, but it is also important to laugh and do spontaneous things in the moment.

2010 you were great to me - I can't wait to see what 2011 holds!
XO
Ryanne

New Book Goal for 2011

2010-12-30T23:56:00.000-08:00

Since I almost met my book goal in 2010. I decided I would make another one for 2011 (and actually make it before the year started) I thought I would change it up a bit and make a list of the books I wanted to read this year that also included some nonfiction books. I have a whole bookcase of books at work (because I just REALLY love books) and I have probably read about ten of them - that is being generous to myself. So I pulled out all the books that I would like to read this year to move them to their own shelf.

Let me save you some time - there are 29 books in that pile. 1 shy of what my goal was last year.

So...I am not sure if I am setting myself up to fail or not. Because the truth is I will try to get through all of those books in that photo, but I have a whole list of books that are about fantasy, love, mystery, and drama that aren't pictured above. Not to mention all the books that haven't come out yet or have come out, but I haven't discovered yet.

Maybe I should find a job where I get paid to read all day - then my goal can be closer to 100.

Oh well...still excited about the possibility.

Happy reading!

Ryanne

30...or 20

2010-12-29T10:34:00.000-08:00

In February I decided I was going to read thirty books this year.
I don't know why I picked that number, but that is just what popped into my head.
Sadly...I didn't quite make, but I came really close.

1. One Fifth Avenue Candace Bushnell
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire J.K. Rowling
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix J.K. Rowling
4. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince J.K. Rowling
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows J.K. Rowling
6. Unlikely Disciple Kevin Roose
7. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years Donald Miller
8. Hunger Games Suzanne Collins
9. Catching Fire Suzanne Collins
10. Mockingjay Suzanne Collins
11. I Love You, Beth Cooper Larry Doyle
12. Vision in White Nora Roberts
13. Bed of Roses Nora Roberts
14. Savor the Moment Nora Roberts
15. Happy Ever After Nora Roberts
16. Under the Dome Stephen King
17. A Tale of Two Youth Workers Eric Venable
18. Never Eat Alone Keith Ferrazzi
19. The Carrie Diaries Candace Bushnell
20. Public Secrets Nora Roberts

In my attempt to read thirty books exactly what I wanted to happen...happened.
I fell in love with reading again.
I am ready for recommendations. What are your favorites? What are must reads? What would you recommend?

Trader Joe's Tuesday

2010-12-28T10:49:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but at Witt Manor we love carbs, especially those that come in the form of bread.

So when I spotted Trader Joe's Baby Baguettes in the frozen section I snatched those babies up (get it?!).

And they were super easy (just pop them in the oven straight on the rack for 4 minutes) and SUPER delicious.

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of them because after three or four purchases of them I couldn't/can't find them anymore at TJ's (sad face emoticon). I am not sure if they were seasonal or I was the only one buying them or they are still there and I am just not seeing them - which is very possible even in a small little TJ's.

So if you do see them - just take my word and buy them...and maybe mail me a couple of packages.

Enjoy!

Ryanne

Random Picture Monday

2010-12-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

Wish Granted

2010-12-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Remember when I blogged about these beautiful books. Well someone out there really loves me and heard my request because I got one for Christmas! Now I can officially start my collection.

Jealous?

What did you get for Christmas?

I hope it was Merry.

Ryanne

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T09:42:00.000-08:00

"But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end"

Luke 1:30-33

I heart Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T11:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve.
Is there anything better?
Anything more magical? More memorable? More full of traditions?
Is there anything that is a better reminder of how much God loves us?
I don't know about you, but I am having trouble sleeping. Not because a man in a big red suit is coming, but because I am in awe of how much God loves me that He sent His only son to die for my sins.
Sleep tight.
XO
Ryanne

Say Cheese

2010-12-23T10:55:00.000-08:00

What do you eat for Christmas dinner?

Do you eat a traditional meal or a what ever sounds good in the moment?

We ate something different every year. The thing I remember the most is my grandma's short ribs. Oh man my mouth is watering just thinking about them.

On Tuesday I made a Christmas lunch for my team. I put together a baked potato bar that I thought was pretty delish.

It included:

Chili

Chicken

Shredded Cheese

Sour Cream

Onions

BBQ Sauce

Broccoli

Cheese Sauce

I definitely think the cheese sauce was the star of the meal.

It was quite delicious. I am pretty sure I could have taken a bath in it. So if you are planning on having baked potatoes for Christmas dinner or just need to put cheese on top of something here is the sauce I threw together.

Ryanne's Super Yummy Cheese Sauce

{This made enough for 12 people to enjoy more than enough}

1 block of Sharp Cheddar Cheese grated

1 block of Colby Monterey Jack Cheese grated

1 can of Cream of Broccoli Soup

1 1/2 cups of sour cream

1 cup of milk

Put all cheese and milk in a medium sized pot over medium/low heat and stir constantly until cheese is completely melted. Make sure you keep stirring so the cheese doesn't burn. Then add soup and sour cream and stir to well mixed. Then salt and pepper to taste (I use garlic salt, Lawry's Seasoning salt, and kosher salt...what? I like salt. I wish I had Bacon Salt, it would have been perfect for this dish). When it is seasoned to your taste turn the heat down to low stirring occasionally until you are ready to serve. If it is too thick for your liking add milk a 1/2 cup at a time.

Pour over potato, broccoli, chicken or dip veggies or bread in it and enjoy!

As Julia would say "Bon Appetite"

Ryanne

I heart Gnomes

2010-12-22T11:30:00.000-08:00

Finally saw the trailer for Gnomeo and Juliet.

I couldn't even tell you how many people have texted me from their movie seats to tell me about the movie. Looks pretty cute. I guess I have to see it...for the sake of all gnomes around the world.

Trader Joe's Tuesday

2010-12-21T10:13:00.000-08:00

Yum!

I love this Brownie Mix. You make it with vanilla yogurt....that's it. Just mix in vanilla yogurt and put it in a pan. It is that easy and delicious. I use a muffin pan so they are all ready to go in 12 easy to eat brownies. I like to add chocolate chips or mix in some peanut butter. I am pretty sure both of those things add some of the guilt back into these brownies...but why not make a treat just a little bit butter...I mean better? Ok...now my mouth is watering.

Happy Baking!

Ryanne

Random Picture Monday

2010-12-20T11:35:00.000-08:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

Rappin' Christmas Presents

2010-12-19T10:16:00.000-08:00

That is not a type-o. I am not talking about wrapping...I am talking about rappin'. Here is a little Christmas present from me to you!

Ryanne

Drooling Over the Classics

2010-12-18T09:39:00.000-08:00

If there is a secret gift giver out there who was wondering what to give me I might have an idea for you. I am TOTALLY in love with these cloth bound hardback classic books from Penguin. I drool over them every time we go to the bookstore. They would totally spiffy up our bookcase.

Sleeping with the Lights On

2010-12-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

Most nights I fall asleep with the lights in our bedroom on. I settle into my warm bed and read for a little bit, and then when I can't keep my eyes open for one second longer I put down my book turn on my side and go to sleep. I do this knowing that my husband will come in to our room turn the TV on and turn all the lights off. You may think I am being considerate to him, but really I am just being lazy. I am far too warm and cozy to reach up and turn the lamp off next to my bed.

But let's be honest...a lot of my life is dictated by laziness. All of my TV watching can be chalked up to one thing...laziness. I should be doing laundry or washing dishes or doing anything else besides watching TV. But I don't feel like it. I probably should be cleaning. Oh man I hate cleaning.

The thing is whenever I finish cleaning...I have to clean all over again.

I dust and the next day there is dust everywhere.

I Windex and the next day there are spots on the mirror.

I Swiffer and the next day there are crumbs on the ground.

It is never ending.

So I would much rather read a book or a magazine or watch a movie.

Which then makes me sleepy.

So I get in my warm, cozy bed and go to sleep...with the lights on.

428

2010-12-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

428...that's how many Christmas songs I have on my Christmas playlist on my ipod. The name of the playlist is "Winter Songs" because let's be honest there are a lot of songs about Christmas, but there are also a lot just about snow.

These happen to be my favorites this year...

Marshmallow World

Sleigh Ride

Mistletoe and Holly

"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" is probably my favorite winter song. I prefer the Ella Fitzgerald version, but I haven't really heard a version I don't like. And if I just want to listen to great Christmas music then I put on my Christmas with the Rat Pack album.

What are your favorites?

Ryanne

Success

2010-12-15T10:46:00.000-08:00

I did it!

I thought I would never finish it...but I finally did.

I got through all 1074 pages.

In fact when I finished I closed the back cover and squealed "I finished!"

Here is me excited that I finished.

I have had my eye Under the Dome as soon as it came out. The captivating cover and humongo size of it had me curious from first sight. But at $30 for hardback I just couldn't bring my self to purchase it. However, on many of my bookstore dates with Jonathan I would pick it up and look through it wondering what the story was about. So then my friend Jaime told me he had purchased it, and wasn't reading it - so I insisted he bring it to me right away. That was October. I thought I was never going to make it through the book (I took a couple of much needed breaks and read two other books while reading this one). There was just so many pages and every time something excited happened I knew it wasn't going to have a lot of meaning because I was like on page 120 or something.

But I did it. And now I can move on with my life.

What shall I read next?

Ryanne

Trader Joe's Tuesday

2010-12-14T10:25:00.000-08:00

This weeks TJT is about an item that is only available during the holidays.

Vanilla Cinnamon Black Tea

Delish!

We are BIG tea drinkers. I mean we don't know a single thing about tea, but we just love it and it is definitely our hot drink of choice.

Random Picture Monday

2010-12-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

Say whip...now say Cool Whip

2010-12-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

Raise your hand if you love Cool Whip.

I know you can't see me but I am raising my hand.

Use your imagination.

I heart See Jane Work

2010-12-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of See Jane Work? It is my favorite favorite. You know what I mean?

It combines my love of pretty things and office supplies.

I have never purchased anything from it, but often when I am feeling blue and the need to look at some pretty things I head over there.

The other day I was perusing their blog and saw that they made this:

It is a corkboard made out of a frame from Ikea (another favorite favorite) that I have had my eye on for some time now. I have had my eye on it, but I haven't purchased it because I don't know what to put in it.

Now I do. Can't wait to do this DIY project.

Could make a great Christmas present. What do you think?

13 Days until Christmas.

Ryanne

DIY: Santa Beard on a Stick

2010-12-10T16:02:00.000-08:00

Every year around Christmas my team at work heads to the Grand Californian by Disneyland for what we call the "State of HSM" it is a chance for us to reflect on the past year, and talk about what we are challenging ourselves to do in the year ahead. And we ALWAYS take a team picture in front of the giant Christmas tree at the Grand Californian. I had read about photobooth props on one of my favorite blogs, and decided I was going to make some for our picture this year.

Here is how I did it.

I used the fold in half stencil technique. After drawing several Santa Beards this is the one that won.

Then I bought...yes bought...chopsticks because when you think of an idea at 11:00pm the day before, it can be difficult to find a Pick Up Stix that is open. I jut glued one chopstick to the back of each Santa Beard and mustache.

I made one of each: Santa Beard and Mustache.

Then I tested it for size preference. Seems like a perfect fit.

{This is me saying Ho Ho Ho...obviously.}

Then I got to work making one for each person my team. Which actually didn't take me too long.

Then we posed for our picture...and I can I just say that I love it!

THEN...the security guard made us throw them out before we could go into the park. I actually anticipated that happening so I was happy that they didn't take me too long. You never know how you can assault someone with a bunch of Santa Beards on chopsticks. A few of them made it in...which made for some funny pictures at lunch.

Better get busy making yours. Christmas is only 14 days away!

Ryanne

I heart Wellies

2010-12-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

I am currently obsessed with the idea of ME owning Hunter Wellies. But who isn't right? I mean obsessed with owning wellies, not with me owning them.

I want them all. Every color...black, red, turquoise, pink, and man do I love those purple ones.

The problem is I live in Southern California. Yes, it is beautiful and it is warm all the time, and it doesn't have seasons, and it never really rains. Ok so it never rains. Which is nice a lot of the time. But sometimes a girl wants to pull on a super cute pair of Hunter Wellies and a dress and then go jump in a few rain puddles. Is that so wrong? So me owning even one pair of Wellies would just be silly.

So for now I guess I will just dream.

Ryanne

All I Want For Christmas

2010-12-08T10:31:00.000-08:00

So over the past week Jonathan and I have been purchasing and wrapping Christmas presents (well...he purchases and I wrap). This always brings up some interesting conversations about Christmas gifts and what we should get for each person. Especially those impossible to shop for.

With Jonathan's family we use a website called All I Want For Christmas. It is an easy way to make a list of the things that catch your eye, and people can go in and check off what they are buying for you...don't worry you don't see the checked off items only other people see it. I mean you could always figure out a way to sneak a peek, but who wants to do that? That is no fun.

Since everyone lives in different area it is a great way to see what kinds of things people are wishing for and what they are all ready getting. This is our third year using it, and it is really great and easy.

I really LOVE buying people gifts, especially when the gift is something they really want.

Trader Joe's Tuesday

2010-12-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

Ok...so I really LOVE Trader Joe's. I buy all of my groceries there and I feel like there are so many hidden gems there that I discover every time I am there. So I am introducing Trader Joe's Tuesday where I talk about my favorite things at my favorite store.

This week is all about a new Witt household favorite. Veggie Sticks. No not veggies sticks like cut up carrots and celery, but Veggie Sticks with a capital V and a capital S.

They might look funny, but they are so delicious. They have a slight taste of french fries...light, lower calories french fries. And they feel funny when you let them dissolove on your tongue. Delish!

Ryanne

Random Picture Monday

2010-12-06T14:35:00.000-08:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

Dressember

2010-12-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

My totally adorable friend Blythe is participating in her second annual Dressember. She is wearing a dress everyday of December. She invited others to join her this year, and has got quite a crowd. Doesn't just the thought of it make you feel fancy? Head over to her blog to see all her totally cute dress/tight combos.

I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me

2010-12-04T10:42:00.000-08:00

This year for Thanksgiving we drove out to Las Vegas to visit Jonathan's family. I read my book for most of the ride, and usually I read as long as I can...until the very last sliver of light. Just as my eyes were starting to hurt from it getting a little too dark I looked up and saw the MOST incredible moon rising.I have NEVER seen anything like it. Even though I think this picture is pretty amazing looking it still doesn't even come close to the actual thing (click on the pictures to see the full size).

As we came over each hill the moon rose a little bit more into the sky. (Sorry this picture is a little blurry.)

Ryanne

I Heart Christmas Cardinals

2010-12-03T11:31:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite parts of Christmas decorations is Christmas cardinals. I could have a whole tree of cardinals. I just think they are so bright and cheery and Christmasy. Out of all five Christmas tubs in the garage - count em...five - they are always my favorite things to unpack at Christmas time.

Ryanne

A Witt Christmas Tradition

2010-12-02T11:18:00.000-08:00

Jonathan and I have a tradition of buying each other an ornament every year that we started our first married Christmas. It was actually Jonathan's idea...which makes it even more special for me.

Here are the four years of ornaments...

2006

Jonathan gave: The Diet Coke

Ryanne gave: The (dreaded) Music Note

I really pride myself in being a great gift giver. And yet I bought this ugly music note for my husband with the explanation "You love music". Every year it goes on the tree and every year Jonathan makes fun of me.

2007

Jonathan gave: The Starbucks Cup

Ryanne gave: The Colts Helmet

After the 2006 fiasco I learned my lesson. Instead of looking to Target for ornaments I discovered just what I needed to redeem myself on the internet.

2008

Jonathan gave: The Twilight Ornament

Ryanne gave: The Cheeseburger Ornament

Not only did I do better...I did awesome. I managed to buy an ornament that Jonathan loved and that I thought was beautiful and didn't mind having on the tree.

2009

Jonathan gave: The Gnome with REAL sticks

Ryanne gave: The 2007 Fantasy Football League Champion

Yup...you read that right...2007. That is when he won, and like a good wife I remembered.

Ryanne

Christmas in the Witt House

2010-12-01T09:37:00.000-08:00

Since it is the first day of December it would only make sense that we decorated for Christmas last night. I knew our small little house couldn't hold a giant tree so I have had my eye on small trees. There is a tree lot by our house where the trees are lined up from tallest to shortest and every time I drove by it I couldn't help but giggle at the smallest of the trees. So that is where we headed and that is what we bought. A 3 foot Christmas tree...so small that we had to put it up on a bookshelf so it wouldn't get swallowed up by our house.

It is the perfect size for one string of lights and just the ornaments that are the most special to us. Jonathan insisted that we only put the ornaments on the tree that we have purchased for each other, but I managed to sneak a couple other special ones on the tree.

Now we just need to start wrapping gifts to put under the tree...or beside it on the bookshelf.
XO
Ryanne

I Think I Can

2010-11-30T21:37:00.000-08:00

This isn't a blog about how I am sorry I haven't blogged. Because when I read those all I can think is "Why spend your time writing that blog...why not jut start blogging?" But I do want to make sure that my faithful readers (or reader) know that I do want to blog. I do...I really do. I think about it all the time, and I read all the blogs I love thinking about how great it would be if I had an actual blog, like a big girl blog.

So this is a blog about a challenge to myself.

I am going to blog for one whole month.

There I said it, and now you can hold me accountable (if you wanted to).

So I am going to blog for the whole month of December. And I am really hoping that this will jump start me into blogging - like for real.

So 31 days (well really 32 if you count this one).

For now I will leave you with this cute little piggy wearing rain boots...until tomorrow!

Ryanne

I Am Bacon You To Stop

2010-11-09T10:28:00.000-08:00

The other day I was watching TV and heard about Bacon Salt which is kind of like Garlic Salt...but you know...bacon flavored. I was mildly interested - I mean I enjoy stuff that tastes like bacon. I started imagining all the things that are healthy that I could sprinkle a little Bacon Salt on to trick my tongue into thinking I was eating something bad for me. Rice cakes, fro yo, celery. Then maybe I wouldn't crave things that were actually bad for me. You know...like...bacon.

But then I was browsing one of my favorite catalogs Think Geek (what? people still shop from catalogs right?) and they had a two whole pages dedicated to bacon stuff. TWO WHOLE PAGES.

Then I was online doing some Christmas shopping and I came across Bacon Flavored Envelopes. This whole obsessed with bacon thing is being taken a little far. I mean let's be honest it doesn't matter what flavor you make an envelope I am going to continue splurging for self sealing envelopes.

I heart Children's Books

2010-11-08T11:22:00.000-08:00

While looking over this list I was reminded how much I love Children's books. I have always been drawn to them, and even have a few of them sitting on my bookshelf with my other books. The illustrations, the stories, the sometimes rhyming. I love the titles that don't really have any hidden meaning, and that identifying the moral of the story is usually done within the first pages of the story. And there is no guilt about them lying unfinished on your bedside table.

Steering Wheel Tricks

2010-10-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

Every time this song comes on the radio in my car I think of how fun it would be to do this on my steering wheel. In fact sometimes I am pretend I am doing it.

Four Years

2010-10-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

On Friday Jonathan and I celebrated four years of marriage with delicious food, a great movie, a little time at Disneyland AND mostly important lots of time together!

Today someone asked me how Jonathan and I met. As I told the story I included the part that I often do about knowing Jonathan was "the one" pretty much as soon as I met him. Every day confirms how right I was in that part of the story.

Just 20 Shopping Days

2010-09-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

"The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value." Charles Dudley Warner

Now we all know how much I LOVE my birthday. And since it is just weeks away I have been thinking what it is that I want for my birthday. However, for the first time that I can remember I can't think of one thing I want for my birthday. I mean I could come up with a few things here or there, but usually I am waiting for my birthday to come in order to ask for something extra special that is only birthday appropriate.

Is it quite possible that I have all I want?

Have I succeeded with having the attitude of less things, more experiences in 2010?

I am not really sure what it means, but it means I am very excited to open presents on my birthday, because I assure you it will be JUST what I wanted!

I Heart Sauces

2010-09-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

Tonight I made a salad for dinner, just because I was craving a certain kind of salad dressing (Trader Joe's Goddess Dressing).

I find this happens a lot. I choose where I am going to eat or what I am going to eat based on what kind of sauce or dressing I can eat.

Craving salty, extra delicious ketchup? Then of course I will be heading to In N Out

Looking for a salad dressing I can dip my whole meal in? Then El Torito Grill's Cilantro Pepita Dressing

Just need a dose of guacamole and sour cream (oh man - I love sour cream)? Then Chipotle is my choice.

What's your favorite?

(Nutter) Butter Luck Next Time

2010-09-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

Got an email today from Ruby's about their Nutter Butter shake. I can enjoy a tasty Nutter Butter, and my boss really loves them. But much to our dismay the local Ruby's had shut down. So we ate wings instead - which were delicous - but were not as yummy sounding as a Nutter Butter Shake.

I will have to seek out the shake at another Ruby's.

Fast Flats

2010-09-10T14:14:00.000-07:00

2010-05-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

For those of you not reading this on Google Reader, Bloglines, or whatever RSS reader you prefer you have probably noticed that I have a new blog background and blog header.

At work I have had to learn a few Photoshop skills, and I felt really inspired by what I was creating at work.

So I found this amazing tutorial on how to make a blog background, and then I got to work. I am sure there was a much faster way to do whatever I did, but that didn't stop me from feeling quite accomplished at the end of my designing.

I was so proud of myself I made a new background for the Gnome Blog I also contribute to

I think I will leave the professional graphic design to my husband, but (as you can tell) for the time being I am quite proud of myself.

Random Picture Monday

2010-05-31T09:39:00.000-07:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

Helpink.org

2010-05-29T22:56:00.000-07:00

Helpink.org is a cool new website where artists can submit their art work. Helpink.org turns the artwork accepted into posters and sells them. All of the proceeds go to the charity of the artists' choice.

The End of LOST

2010-05-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

This is not a post about my thoughts on the Season Finale of LOST. LOST is what it is. Confusing, magical, sci-fi, and unanswered. This is a post about me being sad that LOST is over.

I will never forget watching a complete season of LOST on my honeymoon with Jonathan and then searching for a Target because we needed to get season two in our hands well before we headed home from Florida.

I also vividly remember reading the article when the producers of LOST announced it would end in 2010.

I feel like I said goodbye to my friends on Sunday night. I am not sure if it will fall into the ranks of The OC and Veronica Mars as a show I will watch over and over (I have exhausted both the DVD's and Hulu when it comes to those two shows). The intensity and need for me to watch something light hearted as soon as the LOST logo comes across up at the end of an episode may keep me from putting it on as background noise. But Jack, Kate, Sawyer, and Hurley will be always be close to my heart. The writers of LOST could fill my head with a million more unanswered questions and I would still faithfully watch the show every week.

Signing off for LOST.

Bad Robot.

500

Random Picture Monday

2010-04-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

Headed to Lynchburg

2010-04-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

We are headed to Lynchburg on a red eye tonight to visit Jonthan's parents.

I am such a lover of the East Coast, and it has been SO long since I have been there! I can't wait to just take it all in!

We are hoping to sneak a trip to Washington DC in there as well - I love love love love love Washington DC. You can guarantee there will be lots of pictures!

See you in a week!

Random Picture Monday

2010-04-19T10:31:00.000-07:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

Home Sweet Home

2010-04-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned how much I love my cute little home?
True after living in our four bedroom two-story house it did take some getting used to our 900 square foot one-bedroom apartment...but I love it. We have everything hung on the walls and every single box unpacked, and I am pretty sure everything has a home. There is nothing that seems to be missing, and I am not on that constant search for that one last thing to make the house complete. I just love it.

Even when I have the day off and Jonathan is working about 15 feet away from me.
Even when I have to get really creative with counter space while making dinner.
Even when I can hear my neighbor talking (loudly) on the phone in the morning, or smell cigarette smoke lingering up through my window while I am laying in my bed.
Even when I have to carry my groceries up two flights of stairs.
Even when there is someone in our one bathroom and I have to pee.

I especially love it when it only takes me five minutes to dust the whole house.
And when I turn the air conditioning on and within minutes the whole house cools down.
And when birds come and hang out on our balcony.
And when I can see what my neighbors are watching on TV.
And when I DON'T hear any neighbors screaming at their kids.
And when I leaving to go out of town the task of coming home a totally picked up house is not unattainable.
And when I have the day off and Jonathan is working 15 feet away from me.

I just LOVE it.

Saying Thank You

2010-04-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Part of my job is to say Thank You to people. Well really I am supposed to appreciate and encourage people in such a way that they they know I am saying "Thank You!"

Thank You for loving students.
Thank You for taking time off of work to come on this trip with us.
Thank You for giving tirelessly EVERY week to your small group even though your students never acknowledge this.
Thank You for showing up at that freshman baseball game and sitting in the ninety degree weather in your business suit so that one student had a fan.
Thank You for calming that parent down...for praying with that student...for inviting him over for family dinner...for listening to her talk about her break-up with her boyfriend.
Thank You.
Thank You.
Thank You.

Generally these Thank Yous come in the form of handwritten notes or a small token of my affection. I would rather be sending them on all expense paid vacation to Tahiti where they could sleep in a hut over the ocean while basking in the beauty of God's creation...but I can't.

So instead I buy stationary, and $5 Starbucks cards, and little trinkets that remind me of that person and I mail it to them.

How do you say Thank You?

The Land of Enchantment

2010-04-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

Last week we were in Shiprock, New Mexico with serving the Navajo people there.
I am so proud of all of my students and adult leaders - they worked hard - slept little - and really gave their all to serve.

Here is MY trip to New Mexico in numbers:
156 students
37 adults
6 kids
4 busses
25 hours in the car
1 stop at Cracker Barrel
500 pages of Harry Potter read
8 trips to Walmart
1440 hot dogs
1440 hot dog buns (every SINGLE hot dog bun in Walmart)
38 boxes of Cheese-its
26 jars of peanut butter
77 loaves of bread
1 trip to Home Depot
4 REALLY heavy buckets of primer
38 pies from The Village Inn
6 times my math failed me
2 times we followed the GPS instead of our instincts
52 times Jonathan and Phil made fun of me
2 dinners at 2:30am
20 total hours of sleep over five days
1 midnight trip to the emergency room

It was non-stop and just when you thought you could sit down to rest (and maybe take a nap) we would be on to the next thing - but it was such a blast to watch our students come back to the hotel each night tired, dirty, and overflowing with God's joy!

Happy Birthday Ange!

2010-04-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

My sweet friend Ange is turning 30 today!

Since I can't be with her to celebrate her birthday I wanted everyone to know how great she is and how much she deserves to be celebrated.

Here are 30 things we both love which is why we are the best of friends!

1. We love LOST

2. We love our iPhones

3. We love Sprinkles cupcakes

4. We love tumbleweeds

5. We love 30 Rock

6. We love Bagels and Brew

7. We love traveling to new places

8. We love ministry

9. We love Twilight

10. We love homemade guacamole

11. We love crappy TV

12. We don't really love exercise, but we like to pretend we do

13. We love Starbucks

14. We love to read

15. We love animals (she loves them more than me)

16. We love Christmas decorations

17. We love our families

18. We love blogs

19. We love adventures

20. We love a good commercial

21. We love to laugh

22. We have just the right amount of love for Disneyland (not too much not too little)

23. We love Twitter

24. We love to talk

25. We love trendy pop songs

26. We love to text silly things to each other everyday

27. We love musicals

28. We love to think (maybe over think sometimes)

29. We love to sit really close to each other on the couch

30. We LOVE GNOMES

I love you Ange! You can move back to Orange County now.

Random Picture Monday

2010-04-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

Random Picture Monday

2010-04-05T10:28:00.000-07:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

Random Thoughts

2010-04-01T23:40:00.001-07:00

I have always thought of the 5 freeway as more American because Disneyland is off of it. I don't even know what it means for a freeway to be American.

I drive so much differently when I am in the car alone. Especially on the freeway. I am way more aggressive. I am 100% sure it is because I am not talking...to anyone. I feel the need to put "to anyone" at the end of that sentence because there is a good chance I am talking to myself.

On that note...there is no way I could ever be on a reality tv show. I talk to myself so much when I am alone I am sure I would spook the camera man.

Random Picture Monday

I never thought I would be the girl who looked forward to the Oscars, but alas I have become that girl. Due to my husband I am much more interested in movies that seem to make their way on to the ballot each year. But part of my excitement is our traditional Oscar Party that we attend every year. Everyone brings dishes inspired by nominated actors or films. Puns are appreciated and encouraged.

We contributed three dishes this year.

Based on the movie Crazy Heart...

Based on Avatar...
Everyone's mouth was bright blue.

And lastly, based on Inglorious Bastards...

Overall we considered our contributions a delicious success.

Random Picture Monday

2010-03-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

Random Picture Monday

2010-03-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

I heart Straws

2010-02-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

If you come to my house on a Thursday you will see an array of glasses and cups on the ottoman and in the sink with different colored straws in them. A collection of my beverage choices from all week long, that have yet to be picked up due to the business of the week. Water, Diet Coke, Iced Tea - I am not picky...but I do believe that every beverage tastes a little better with a straw (and out of red plastci Coca-Cola cup...but that is a different post). All those pink, green, and blue straws add character to our cute little home.

There are many things I love about drinking out of straws, but I was just reminded of a major reason while eating lunch today. Out of laziness I skipped the search for a straw at work today - although I have them in my desk and there are often some in the lunch room. As I finished up lunch and was taking my last sip of DC, something near disasterous happened, the ice lurched forward and threatened to spill the remains of my delicious beverage on my nice white shirt and cute grey dress. Save from a few drops of DC in my hair I was able to save my outfit for the rest of the day, but the truth is the whole situation could have been avoided with a straw in my cup.

In fact...I am going to go find a straw right now.

Random Picture Monday

2010-02-22T10:26:00.000-08:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

I heart Fro Yo

2010-02-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

If you ever need to have a hard conversation with me, admit that your wrong, tell me of something bad that you have done, or are running late then you should bring me frozen yogurt. I guarantee that the meeting will go better once I am hopped up on the sugar of chocolate frozen yogurt with some chocolate bar topping and hot fudge as the topper. Since the frozen yogurt is low cal there is no need to cheapen the toppings (none of that tart and fruit stuff).

It is basically that simple.

I heart the Olympics

2010-02-16T10:34:00.000-08:00

In 2008 for the Summer Olympics we threw a party to celebrate the opening ceremony. The watching of the opening ceremony for this Winter Olympics was a little more low key (the Edwards and us in our comfies eating delicious food that Katie created for us) - but that does not mean that we love the Olympics any less.

I am not sure Jonathan has moved off of the couch in the last three days - well maybe during women's hockey - and the only reason I have chosen to not watch every Olympic event on our DVR is because I had to go to work.

But the real question is why do you love the Olympics? What is your favorite event/moment?

Random Picture Monday

2010-02-15T11:14:00.000-08:00

A peek into my life every Monday based on a random sampling of pictures on my computer.

You are welcome!

A Change of Heart

2010-02-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

I used to HATE Valentine's Day.
I described it with every cliche in the book. It's a Hallmark holiday. Why do you need a day to tell someone you love them? etc. etc.

But something changed.
I fell in love.
I didn't just fall. I tripped down the stairs and tumbled into it. And then after that happened, the next time Valentine's Day came around was just...different.

And ever since then I haven't hated Valentine's Day as much. In fact I really love it.
So as I am spreading my Valentine's cheer around I wanted to be sure to pass it on to you, faithful reader. Happy Valentine's Day. You are loved.

Cheeseburger Cake Fail

2010-02-09T16:28:00.001-08:00

I had this dream of creating the perfect Cheeseburger Cake for Jonathan's birthday, and set a goal for myself to make one.

I decided to make cheese and tomatoes out of melting chocolate and lettuce out of green marshmallow fluff. I was off to a good start.

Then I came home from work and had about an hour and a half to bake two cakes, frost them and put everything together. I wish I had a picture of the patty (chocolate cake) with the chocolate cheese on it. It actually looked like a hamburger patty.

Then I started to put everything else together and frost the bun (funfetti cake) when it was still warm and all disaster struck. To make a long story short - I failed!

And I was sad...

I Heart Rain

2010-02-03T21:22:00.001-08:00

Rain might be returning to us this weekend...and my heart is filled with joy!

During the last storm I took this picture while waiting in line at the Drive-thru Starbucks. There was something about that moment looking at the tip jar filled with water, where even inside my car rain was hitting my face...

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

2010-02-03T09:04:00.000-08:00

Today is my very favorite person's birthday. My best friend and the person who makes me laugh the hardest in this world. I can only hope he feels half as happy today as he makes me feel everyday.

Happy Birthday Jonathan Lance Witt!

My Favorite App

2010-02-01T23:05:00.001-08:00

I love QuadCamera on my iPhone. You can't help but laugh when using it!

Home.

2010-01-25T13:57:00.001-08:00

The move was a success (a big thank you to all our friends who walked up and down two flights of stairs). We are quickly getting settled in our new little home, and there are only a few more items I need to find a home for.

I have been waiting to post this because I wanted to post "after" pictures with it, but true to fashion life did not stop when we moved in so I am not quite ready. I had a day or two to get some stuff out of boxes, but then it was off to work and away for the weekend. I will be out of town for the next three days, so hopefully next week I can deliver some after pictures to match these before pictures!