My Christmas Wish List

A Christmas post...already?  You are probably thinking, "But it is only October, Brittany!"  I know but it is never too early to start compiling a "if I only had a shit-ton of money and could request materialistic and completely ridiculously frivolous things" list.  Now that is a mouth full.

Some people got it easy and don't ever have to have a wish list because they have exorbitant amounts of money and can just buy whatever the hell they want while the rest of us are stuck here in dreamland.  I don't mind dreamland though, people tend to be nicer there.  Plus, can you imagine getting everything you want?  I think it would take the surprise and appreciation out of getting a gift but that's just me.

Just because I don't have nice things doesn't mean I have bad taste.  It just means that I'm realistic and responsible with the money that I do have.  I believe the correct way to phrase this is: I live within my means.  Surprisingly a lot of people don't get that concept.  Oh well, better them than me.  I don't have credit card debt or loans because of my feeling of wanting things to conform and fit into what society's general consensus thinks I should own or look like.  Maybe that is one of the reasons why America is in the crapper right now with our national debt.  As for my two cents on the presidential election coming up, it doesn't matter who wins because we are still going to be struggling for sometime  Rant ended, for now.  But seriously, I think I'm right.

Enough with the political baloney and sarcastic sentences.  I am here to make requests so that maybe someone will like me enough to buy me some stuff!  Whoop, whoop. 

My Ridiculous Christmas Wish List
(rich people start share your wealth already)

#1: My crème de la crème would be a Nikon D700 body

#2: All the essential lenses & accessories for my new Nikon D700 of course

#3: 2013 Chevy Camaro

#4: Apple iMac desktop computer to do all of my photography editing on

#5: A getaway cabin like this

#6: To be a stay at home mom and do what I love

#7: A closet full of a modern, chic & lush clothes, shoe & accessories

#8: A rustic barn (sounds weird but it is a PERFECT photography backdrop or place to host events)

#9: Smart phone (seriously...I should have one already)

#10: Photography studio

In all seriousness though, I could go my entire life without getting/buying any of those things and be completely happy.  It doesn't matter what you own.  Your happiness comes from things like your family & friends.  So, surround yourself with good people and your happiness should follow.  Then if you do have money, buy shit because that is always fun.

P.S. Sorry Mom for using curse words.  I love you!

peace & love

bj

Crockpot Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Fall is like a reminder that we should all start pulling out our crockpots so we can make those hearty & toasty warm dishes that make are families happy and their tummies full!  I am a self-proclaimed crockpot lover because of the ease that comes through cooking with one.  Who has that much spare time these days?  I know I don't.  That is the beauty of cooking crockpot recipes.  Give yourself an extra 10 - 15 mins in the morning before rushing out the door and you can be enjoying a delicious meal within minutes of returning home from a hard day's work.  Plus, most of the recipes I have for my crockpot are SO SIMPLE!  You really have to work hard to screw them up.

As I was rummaging through my "junk/everything" drawer  last night I came across my Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup crockpot recipe.  I thought of how yummy it was last winter when I made it and decided it was time to pull out my trusty ole' crockpot to make it again.  I made sure I had all the essential ingredients.  Score, I did!  So I made up my mind that I was going to get up a little early to throw it together. 

As I sit here writing this, I know I will arrive home to a lovely smelling kitchen and 20 minutes of final preparation to pure appetite bliss. Without further ado, here is the recipe.

CREAMY CHICKEN WILD RICE SOUP

• 1 lb. chicken (I use slender cut boneless chicken breast tenders cut into 1 inch pieces)
• 1/2 cup wild rice (uncooked)
• 2 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of potato condensed soup
• 1 can (14 oz.) chicken broth
• 2 cups frozen sliced carrots
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper
• 1 cup half-and-half

Place chicken in 4 quart crockpot.  Mix in wild rice, onions, celery, soup, broth, carrots and seasonings.

Cover & cook on low heat setting for 8 hours

Stir in half-and-half, Increase heat setting to High. (if it seems too thick, add more chicken broth)

Cover & cook for 20 minutes.

Serve & Enjoy!

peace & love

bj

(raw ingredients freshly put into crockpot)

(raw ingredients all mixed together and ready for their 8 hour journey)

(finished product)



Black Forest Cake

There is this cake recipe that my mother would make when I was a child and it is one of my favorite indulgences to this day!  I didn't realize how incrediably easy it is to make until my mother passed her recipe onto me.  Now, I am doing the same for you. 

BLACK FOREST CAKE
(non-layered version)

Preheat oven @ 350 degrees
Grease & lightly flour pan (you can use a 9x13 or round pan)

• 1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix
• 1 can (21 oz.) Cherry Pie Filling
• 2 Eggs
• 1 -2 tablespoons Vanilla Extract

Mix all ingredients together in medium mixing bowl 
(Do not use electric blender, hand mix only)
*Notation: mixture will only be about 1/2 inch thick once you put it in the pan so don't worry if it looks thin.  The batter will rise like normal.  It is also going to be very dense and solid*

Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes

FROSTING

• 1 cup Sugar
• 5 tablespoons Softened Butter
• 1/3 cup Milk
• 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Mix sugar, butter & milk in small or medium sauce pan
Bring to a boil
Remove from heat and add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Stir until chocolate has melted completely into mixture

Dizzle over baked Black Forest Cake batter that has cooled
Decorate with cherries, whip cream and chocalote shavings to your heart's desire!

ENJOY!

peace & love

bj

1 Year Down, A Lifetime To Go

It has been one year to the day since Brant & I got married.  It is hard to believe that a year has past already but I am so excited to see what the future years hold for us.

Reminiscing is fun and it is hard not to do on a day like today.  As I think back on our wedding day, I have many fond memories.  I will apologize up front for being overly loving in what follows this sentence but sometimes it is OK to be annoyingly in love!

an·ni·ver·sa·ry

/ˌænəˈvɜrsəri/ Show Spelled [an-uh-vur-suh-ree] Show IPA noun, plural an·ni·ver·sa·ries, adjective

noun

1. the yearly recurrence of the date of a past event: the tenth anniversary of their marriage.

2. the celebration or commemoration of such a date.

3. wedding anniversary.

I see anniversaries much like the second definition from the list above: the celebration or commemoration of such a date!  It isn't just looking back at us and our wedding.  I like to remember everything that day held.  It is about the people who attended, the weather, the food, the ceremony and most importantly: the feelings we felt & shared.

• The best part of the entire day may be a detail that many of you didn't know about.  We are both from Catholic upbringings and wanted to be united as man & wife in the eyes of the catholic church.  We also understood that a full catholic ceremony would be long to endure for guests!  After many conversations with our priest and family we were able to plan a wedding day that would be most enjoyable and meaningful to everyone.  We held a private ceremony in the side chapel of St. Bridget's Catholic Church at 9 am on the 15th of October.  We had a full rite of matrimony in front of God, our priest, our parents, witnesses and our son.  I didn't have a stitch of makeup on.  My hair was pulled back into a pony tail and I had on a UWRF Track t-shirt.  I was standing in front of a wonderful man who had always accepted every piece of me.  He had never judged me for the paths I had already walked in life.  He simply took me for who I was & am.  That is the best feeling in the world.  I have never had to pretend to be better than I was because being me was more than good enough.
• My favorite part of our Kilkarney ceremony was when our officiant was announcing us as Mr. & Mrs. Brant Johnson.  "You can now make it Facebook official!"
• October 15th, 2011 was a beautiful and sunny 59 degrees with a hefty winds blowing.  Many of our guest needed to wear their jackets but the short 15 minutes ceremony proved to be worth it.  We had so many compliments about how touching & personal our entire ceremony was and several people commented that our ceremony was the most enjoyable they had attended because it was filled with so much love and laughter.
• Arriving to the reception hall at 6 am the morning of our wedding to decorate was hectic, overwhelming and exciting all in one bunch.  The best part was walking in and discovering a vase of one dozen red roses and a note from Brant.
• The special touch added within our ceremony was by far the Hand Blessing.  We joined hands before exchanging rings while Nate recited the following:
  -These are the hands of your best friend. They are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.
  -These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.
  -These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
  -These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.
  -These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
  -May these hands always reach out with love, tenderness and respect.
  -May these hands continue to build a loving relationship that lasts a lifetime
• A couple of months before our wedding, one of my best friends asked me if we would mind sharing a part of our wedding reception so he could propose to his girlfriend, who just happened to be one of my bridesmaid and best friends.  I was thrilled in being able to share in their joy and happiness.  She had NO clue it was coming and that was the best part.  We all watched from the balcony as they "went for a walk".  Perfection at it's best!
• How about ALL of those handmade details?  Wow, so much of my free time in the year leading up to our wedding was spent handcrafting every single detail from the bouquets to the centerpieces.  I wouldn't change a thing.  The details all came together to create a modern country chic fall environment that was everything that I had imagined.  The caramel apples, hot apple cider, homemade pumkin spice cupcakes with buttercream frosting and a candy buffet added hints of my favorite fall things.  I had help from family and friends in perfecting all the projects and I appreciated their lending hands very much.
• Having our family and friends travel from near and very far to share in our wedding day meant so much.  I couldn't believe how packed it was.  All the seats were filled and people were standing on the balcony overlooking our outdoor ceremony & personally written vows.
• The only 2 times I broke down and cried involved my dad.  What can I say, I am a daddy's girl!  He came through the doors to see me for the first time in my wedding dress and had a glistening tear in his eye marked the first time I shed tears that day.  I knew in that moment how happy and proud of me he was.  The second time I teared up was during our father/daughter dance.  A very special moment I will hold in my heart forever.
• All the kissing & hugs from everyone!  I enjoyed kissing Brant as my husband for the first time the most but man did we get showered with all sorts of affection that day!

I know I am totally missing so many more grand memories but these are ones that really stick out in my mind.  Thank you to my husband for everything this past year.  We are stronger together than we could ever be apart.  You have held up to your end of the bargain and have loved me through everything that has come our way.  I hope to only be the same for you that you are to me!

Words can be a great way to describe the events that transpired on our wedding day but photos can offer up so much more sometimes.  Here is a collection of my favorite wedding day photos that captured all of the detail and feelings.  Thanks again to Jen Meneghin Photography for capturing such wonderful photos that tell the story of the day we became husband and wife!

peace & love

bj

Creative Outlet

Having a creative outlet or forum is pretty important to me.  I have always loved being creative in one way or another.  Discovering that photography and writing are the most rewarding creative outlets has been awesome.  I love the fact that I can change some body's mood by the post that I write or the photographs that I take.  These creative outlets are "feel good" ways for me to express my individuality.  It is the part of me that is a "people pleaser" that looks to find ways to make others happy by something that I can do.

Writing has proven to be a way for me to be brave, straight forward, honest and blunt with my opinions.  I have received a couple of personal emails from followers thanking me for putting myself out there.  They praised my ability to connect with readers and show them you don't have to be perfect to be happy.  How cool is that?  The fact that some people have felt that way because of me is so rewarding & encourages me to continue writing from the heart. Being myself and having others accept that is one of the best feelings.

Photography has been a way for me to continue learning.  I love finding out new things.  The sense of accomplishment that I get from mastering something new in photography is overwhelming.  It makes me feel smart, important and empowered.  Being able to use the self-taught knowledge in photography to provide portraits for clients tops the cake.

Obviously, you can read all of the post that I've written for My Wonderfully Imperfect Life blog in the achieve folders at the bottom of the page.  If you would like to view the work that I've done in photography, I invite you to visit my website: www.brittanyjohnsonphotography.com

Lastly, if you truly like or enjoy something that I've written or photographed...let me know!  I would love to hear your thoughts, opinions & suggestions.

peace & love

bj

What A Ride

When my best friend got married this past summer I heard a quote for the very first time in my life that has resonated with me and pops into my head often.  I found it to be fitting for my view of life.  The older I get, the more I see how things make sense and the deeper meanings behind them.  Life is one large over arching lesson and what you take from it is the beauty within your journey.

This morning was one of those mornings that this quote came back to me and made me smile because its words ring true.  Lately, I haven't been feeling quite my best and in those moments I wonder why am I going through this.  I remind myself to stop and look at it as a test of strength, courage and faith.  I am being challenged to see how much I can mentally and physically handle.  I will not feel sorry for myself.  I will not give up.  I will look things straight in the eye and say, "Bring it on; I got this!"  Everything we encounter is all a part of the ride. 

Learn to be thankful, humble and soak up every second you have because tomorrow is not guaranteed.  Wallowing is self pity, becoming depressed and purposely being hurtful will not get you anywhere and doesn't add value to your life.  These are just a couple of examples of lessons I've learned in my twenty-some odd years.

I hope you can read this and find the same appreciate for it as I have.  Thank you Karen for sharing this and providing me another great insight as to how to look at this life that I've been given and finding the blessings stitched throughout!

Life is not a journey to the grave
With the intention of
Arriving safely in a pretty
And well preserved body,
But rather to skid in broadside,
Thoroughly used up,
Totally worn out,
And loudly proclaiming,
WOW!!!! What a ride!

peace & love

bj

Failed Attempts

Our life's journey is made up of the many experiences that we have along the way.  We obviously enjoy the positive and happy experiences the most but a lot of times the failed attempts we encounter are the ones that shape us into who we are. 

Without challenge, there is no progress. 

I am thankful for the many failed attempts that I have had through my life.  In that moment of failure you cannot truly see the lesson hidden within.  I guess that is the beauty in getting older, you are able to reflect upon those situations and find that so called "silver lining".  Failed attempts at things force us to grow and change.  Ultimately, it is up to us to decide in which way we grow and change.  I for one, have always chosen to build upon those failed attempts to create a smarter, wiser and better me.

Here are some of the failed attempts I've encountered.  Some are serious and others, not so much.  I have allowed these experiences to mold me into who I am today and I am grateful for them!

- I was obsessed with trying to fly as a child.  I don't know what it was about it and why I wanted to so badly but my imagination would run wild with ideas of how I could fly.  I got this grand idea that if I jumped off of one of the calf barns while holding onto a garbage bag that I would be able to fly for a bit.  Dumb idea, right?  Nope, not to my nine year old mind!  Needless to say, it hurt a lot when I slammed into the ground.  Sad part of my story: I tried more than once.  Persistence must have been breed into me!  Lesson I learned: I can't fly.

- Learning how to ride a bike was a pretty big deal and I thought I was awesome once I learned.  I must have been about seven years old when I got the challenge from my big brother to play chicken.  I wasn't an expert bike rider and I've never been one to back down from a dare so I agreed.  There we were, riding directly towards each other and neither of us willing to give in.  Well, I ended up flying through my big handlebars and crashing onto the gravel driveway and rolling into the ditch.  The scraps stung badly and lesson learned: don't challenge my big brother or agree to stupid dares!

- Growing up on a farm meant learning how to drive a tractor.  Pretty sweet huh?  Not if you almost knock a grain bin over onto yourself or almost roll the tractor over in the ditch.  This was a serious lesson learned from a failed attempt at driving a tractor.  I wasn't paying full attention to what I was doing and damn near killed myself twice.  Dad didn't let me drive another tractor for a long, long time and I was OK with that. 

- My brother Jason is 2 years older than me and was often my partner in crime while growing up.  We would dare each other to ride the calves while doing chores.  I would repeatedly get the wind knocked out of me from getting bucked off.  I'm lucky I never broke a bone or sprained an ankle.  Lesson I took from it: don't do stupid things that could result in physical harm.

- Girls, do you remember the very first time you ever shaved your legs?  Oh my gosh.  This was an experience that I will never forget.  I was terrified of doing it but already had friends that were shaving so I knew it was time.  By the end, I had like 30 pieces of toilet paper stuck on cut spots and thought to myself that I didn't care if I ever did it again.  What did I learn, nothing really.  I still cut my damn legs, ugh!

- Prom is a huge deal and Senior prom is a pivotal moment in high school.  I wasn't the most popular girl and didn't have a boyfriend so I was fearful of going to prom dateless.  I had hoped that someone would just ask me but as prom got closer, I realized that just wasn't going to happen.  I had a major crush on one of my friends and fellow classmate.  I worked up the courage to call him and ask him to prom.  He had a date already.  Failure and letdown was felt hard that night but the lesson I took from it was to not be afraid of rejection or failure.  You never know what you are capable of unless you try!

- This is a good one.  I made the varsity cross country team as a little 7th grader.  I was at my first race and didn't know what to expect.  I was nervous, excited, anxious and had no clue of the time frame of a meet schedule.  I was waiting in line to use the bathroom when last call to check in was announced.  I had an "oh crap" moment.  What do I do?  I left the bathroom line and got on the start line instead.  There was no way I was going to miss my first ever varsity race.  That decision resulted in me peeing my pants during the race.  Gross, I know.  Hard to relive it but I gained a big lesson from that experience.  I never go into anything with out knowing an overview of the schedule and I always make sure I go pee first!

- Seven is my number... for car accidents I've been in.  Some were my fault, others were not and there was one freak incident too.  Most important lesson I took from these: there is NOTHING that is worth getting hurt in a car accident for.  I am OK with being 2 or 3 minutes behind because I still have my life.

- 2004 Senior track season was a heart breaker.  I missed going to state in the long jump by less than a 1/4 of an inch.  I was new to the 300 hurdles but had a shot at making it to state in that too.  I was leading all the way to 100 meters left when I got to a hurdle that someone had set to the wrong height.  My trail leg caught and I fell.  It was evaluated and the committee granted me another chance to run it, by myself, after I finished anchoring the 4x400 and had a PR for my split.  I ran the 300 hurdles again but I didn't improve due to exhaustion.  Lesson learned: NEVER EVER GIVE UP! 

- Lastly, I could not do this post without sharing my first drinking experience.  I was 17 years old when I drank for the first time.  I thought I was a rock start that Saturday night.  What I didn't realize; church was at 8 AM the next morning.  I'm catholic so we do a lot of stand, sit, kneel, stand, sit, repeat.  This continual motion was no good for me and my first ever hangover.  We were halfway through service when God's mighty hand struck me.  I knew I was going to puke.  I excused myself and once I hit the back of the church I think I ran the fastest 400 meters ever and then proceeded to throw up all over the church's bathroom.  I certainly felt like I was going to hell after doing that.  It was not a proud or shinning moment in my life.  Lesson learned: hangovers and church to not mix.

I know I'm not perfect and I never have been.  I have had to learn things the hard way but I can tell you that I am all the more wiser for having gone through them!

peace & love

bj