38/50: The Husband Project by Kathi Lipp

The Husband Project by Kathi Lipp
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 I came across The Husband Project and thought what a fun idea. I've been struggling as a new wife to get out of my self and focus on him a little more. 

The Husband Project is to stealthily do something for your husband every day for 21 days. It may take longer than 21 days because life doesn't always cooperate and that's ok. The somethings are not grand gestures, just something small. Like a post-it note in his lunch saying I love you. Like a fresh cup of his favorite coffee when he gets up in the morning or his favorite snack. Along with the small there are the bigger tasks. Do something together you used to do while dating. Cook his favorite meal. Eliminate a task that he hates doing.

The point is to not do these things/tasks looking for recognition. You aren't doing them so he'll notice. He may and that's wonderful, but he might not. I thought that if I could get through the 21 days without Frenchie getting suspicious that something was up, I was successful. My own personal goal. You definitely wouldn't want to tell your husband you're doing the project because then you're looking for recognition and he's looking to catch the nice things you're doing.

I read through the first couple chapters of this book and immediately posted on my bride forum inviting the other new wives to join me in my endeavor. A few loved the idea and a few others wondered why we needed a book to show our love to our husbands. Of course we don't need a book, but if you're like me, you sometimes get lazy and need some ideas. I dragged my sisters into this project as well and I loved hearing the reactions they got and the struggles they went through during the project. What lucky husbands we have!

I got the reaction "where is the wife project?" a couple of times. First off, can you really see a man doing this? Honestly? Secondly, here's my theory: You get what you give. I found through the duration of doing this that Frenchie started to reciprocate without even realizing it. I felt more in love doing things for him (I'm a giver by nature) than if I just focused on me or asked him for things.

It took me 4 weeks to complete all 21 projects. At the end I told Frenchie he was my experiment and asked him what he thought. Or better yet, if he even noticed. I explained what I had done and he had this light bulb moment.
"Oh! That's why the texts and the facebook statuses about me"
"Oh! That's why this or that"
He didn't really notice that it was a constant thing happening, but there were a few tasks he said he noticed more than some. Obviously those things meant more to him and judging by his Love Language it made sense.

One things I have learned from this project is that it doesn't take much to turn your thoughts to your husband and do one small thing a day for him. Life gets busy, and we focus on the kids, the dog, our job, ourselves and forget about that one person that loves us unconditionally. I've noticed that a few of the projects I did I've continued to do. I just needed a kick in the butt. I've also noticed that since telling Frenchie about my experiment, the things he started doing have also continued.
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French Toast Muffins

I made these muffins for brunch one weekend for my sisters and nieces. they were well received!
The original recipe calls for Frozen Jumbleberry fruit blend. I used fresh raspberries instead. Either would be great!

To remove these from the muffin tin, don't just flip it over. I did that and half the fruit fell off the muffins. Oops!
The ones we had left over I froze and we used for breakfast during the week. Nice treat.

French Toast Muffins  From Inspired Magazine, Fall 2011
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 40 miutes (from frozen); 35 minutes from fresh
Mkes: 12 Muffins
Preheat oven: 375F (190C)
Greased muffin tin

Ingredients
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups 1% milk (I used 2%)
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
10 slices bread, cubed
1 cup frozen berries
2 tbsp maple syrup

Directions
In a bowl whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon until well combined.
Add cubed bread and toss gently until the egg mixture is absorbed.
Add berries and toss gently to combine

Divide muffin mixture evenly into a greased muffin tin and drizzle with maple syrup.
Bake in the centre of a oven for 25 minutes

Eat fresh with a little extra maple syrup drizzled on top.

To freeze:
Cool completely from oven, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a resealable plastic bag or container.
To reheat frozen muffins, remove plastic wrap and place in micrwave on defrost for 1 minute. If desired, drizzle warm muffins with a little more mape syrup before serving.

Freeze and Bake later
To freeze now and bake later, place the muffin tin in the freezer until batter is solid and remove "pucks" to a freezer bag for storage (they don't need to be wrapped individually).
Bake from frozen either in a muffin tin or on a baking sheet.

39/50: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'll preface this review by saying that I had very high expectations of Lola. I loved Anna and the French Kiss so much that I hugged that book when I finished. After all the hype and love my friends gave Lola I was expecting the same sort of love. It wasn't there but I still really liked the book. Hard not to!

Lola is an interesting character. She's smart, funny, has two wonderful parents and has a bit of life she'd rather not talk about. She is as unique as you can get and some of the things she wears made me think she's even more awesome. Started off as a huge fan of hot rocker boyfriend with a nice muscle car until he sold it for van. Really? A van? Gross.

Cricket on the other hand... geeky? Love it. Awkward? Love it. Sweet, caring? Love it. Definitely a much better guy for Lola. He brings out the best in her and lets her fly however she wants.

This one wasn't a complicated book. There was little misunderstanding that were blown out of proportion and that's what made it great. You can see how something would be misconstrued and taken the wrong way and cause problems that you can't help but think "No! Stop being stupid! He likes you, you like him. Get on with it already!" Everything is wrapped up in a nice little bow just like Anna was and that's why it's worth the read. It's fun, it's sweet, it's easy and great brain candy.
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