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Wedding talk, fishing, and love at Weldon Springs
Wedding planning and fishing. These two things have definitely been our main focuses these last couple of weeks, and it has been magical! That is just the best way I can describe it. Today, we started out the day with a yummy homemade breakfast and then went to try on suits for the big day! When Greg tried on the first suit I immediately got butterflies! He looked so handsome, and I felt like it was a little fun glimpse into our wedding day on June 1oth. I am so happy that we are only are only 76 days away! We are just so excited, and I feel like everything is coming together so nicely. We also received our invitations on Saturday, and I  cannot wait to send them out. They came all packaged up in a big box that I tore into the second I got them in the house. There is just something about seeing what you’ve picked out in real life. I ordered them online so I couldn’t wait to touch them and see them! They fit the theme perfectly and are also the perfect shades of blue and pink- our favorites :).
After picking out the suits we went to Weldon Springs in Clinton, IL to do some fishing. It was a little rainy today so Greg picked this spot that has this covered pier in case it started raining hard. He wanted to make sure we had the perfect place for cover! I also love the piers at Weldon Springs because they look like they’re from Asia which is super cute. Luckily, it only drizzled a little bit, and we had our rain jackets on so we got to be out in the fresh air for awhile. We finished the night with dinner at Outback Steakhouse. We hadn’t been there in forever, and it really hit the spot!
Finally, a little more wedding news, lol. I finished our wedding website this week and wanted to share it with you all! Click the link to check it out. It has the story on how we met and our magical engagement!
My outfit: leggings – raincoat – little gym shoes
 Greg’s outfit: pants – raincoat – gym shoes
Spring! Spring!
Happy first day of spring everyone! There is just something about spring coming around that makes me so happy, and it feels all fresh and nice with the sun staying up longer and the breezy, warmer air.
Greg and I are most excited about nicer weather to fish in and take adventures in, and that our wedding is closer than ever! We’re also really excited about getting our kayaks out on the water. I am really determined to be a better kayaker this year. I’ve been doing extra push ups and everything so that I can row it super fast lol. I’ll let you all know how it goes the first time we take them out.
Anyway, these pictures are from about a week ago when we were really wishing spring would come faster. It was a little chilly sitting there out on the water, but now the first day of spring is here and we’re just so happy that we get to ditch our coats. What do you all love most about spring?
Sunday Sweetness
I hope you all had the most relaxing weekend! Greg and I sure did. For whatever reason last week felt so so long and somewhat stressful, and this weekend was exactly what we needed. Saturday night we cuddled on the couch, and I totally zonked out at like 7pm and slept like a full 12 hours! It was revitalizing, and I woke up the happiest ever! We also took it super easy this morning. We went and had french toast and omelets at the Times Past Inn , walked around Dick’s Sporting Goods, and then went out to Lake Evergreen for some fishing. It was so nice to just be able to chill and cuddle and relax together. Also, I am not so sure if I am ready for Monday to come yet lol. Can we just relive Sundays forever?! That would be the dream life.
Anyway, these pictures are from last Sunday (we took some today, too, but I felt like these should come first). Last week was just so crazy and got away from me, so here they are! We took a quick little fishing trip before dinner, and I absolutely loved this spot. This was at Lake Evergreen too, but we had to walk down this hill and over some rocks to get to it. It felt super adventurous. Greg and I are both so happy that fishing season is here, and now I am ready for some serious sunshine and dresses and taking the kayaks out!
And finally a few of my favorite things about Sundays….
- All the extra cuddles we have time for!
- Lighting a vanilla candle when we roll out of bed. It just makes our house smell so lovey dovey!
- Getting all dressed up for our Sunday breakfast dates! (Greg gets some extra sleep, and I get all dolled up. I love it!)
- The unlimited hot coffee at Bob Evans or wherever we decide to get breakfast 🙂
- Riding in Greg’s truck, listening to country, while we’re on our way to our weekly adventure.
- Ending the night with a great movie!
My outfit – jacket:similar here – shirt – jeans
Greg’s outfit – jacket: similar here – shirt: similar here – jeans – shoes
Gilson Beach Dreams
We fished  Lake Michigan in one of my favorite areas ever when we were up at my parents this past week! With a taste of spring in February, Greg and I took full advantage. We drove to Gilson Beach in Wilmette. Oh, and on our drive there we were listening to the top country songs of 2017 so far, and you have got to give God, Your Mama, and Me a listen! Just give it a click, and you can watch the cutest music video, too. We are playing it on repeat at the moment :).
We went in the evening time, and it had started to cool down. Luckily we had a blanket and Greg’s jacket in the car so we could still go on our little adventure.It was so fun walking in the sand and climbing the rocks to get to our fishing spot. All I could think about was how lucky I am to be with Greg taking in this beautiful scene and fresh air together. The water and sky were both iridescent, and we could even see the Bahai Temple! It was the perfect backdrop for Greg to tie a lure and throw his line.
We stayed there until it was almost dark, and one of my favorite parts was this cute little gate we had to walk through to get to the pier. It was one of those swinging gates, and Greg was so sweet when he made sure I wouldn’t get stuck!
Anyway, I hope you all have an amazing rest of your weekend and can totally relax! Greg and I are busy cuddling on the coach at the moment because it’s back to winter for now.
My outfit:  sweater similar here – jeans – cowgirl boots
Greg’s outfit and gear: jacket – jeans -tackle box similar here – lure – fishing pole – reel – line
A 21st Twin B-Day!
My little brother and sis turned 21! Greg and I went to Chicago this weekend to celebrate with them, and it was the perfect weekend. Sweet family time, laughs, hugs, and spring in February, and two birthdays!
We drove in Saturday evening after Greg got off work. We got ready at my parents house, and Olivia and I ended up matching perfectly. We had both had gone shopping for outfits to go out to dinner in, and we both picked out fluffy shoes and blush! It was so cute and perfect. It was like we had a total sister thing going on lol.
After relaxing and getting to hang out a little we headed downtown to the Kerryman. We were all really excited to try this restaurant because my dad, Kevin, Greg, and I had won a gift certificate to it in a raffle in an Irish golf outing we had played in together. My mom made our reservation for 9 because if it’s made any earlier when Greg and I come up it’s always a huge rush or we’re late for the reservation, and she never wants us to be in a rush on the weekend, which is really cute and thoughtful. 🙂
Well, by the time we got there for dinner the Kerryman was already in semi-club mode. It was really funny because it was noisy, and there were people everywhere. We sat down for dinner, and then the lights above our table started flickering. We all started laughing because we were not expecting the restaurant to also be a total party place, but honestly it was kinda perfect for a 21st b-day celebration! Ooh, also, the food was really, really good!
After dinner, we wanted to explore a little. Kev, Liv, Greg, and I decided to take a  walk and find a bar to have a cocktail at. I loved walking downtown with all the pretty lights holding Greg’s hand. The city can feel like total magic, and it did! We ended up having a margarita at this quiet Mexican restaurant after almost going to a piano bar… apparently Kevin did not have the right shoes for that place lol. Quiet, little places like that are the best, though, because you can have the best conversations with the people you are with, and we did! We were all laughing and just having so much fun together.
Kevin, Greg, and I ended our night in front of a fire back at my parent’s house at 5am (crazy!!! lol) because we were just having the best time!
My outfit – dress * shoes  Greg’s outfit – shirt * jeans
Cauliflower Crust Pizza
One of our favorite things to do together is try out new, healthy recipes. Greg and I cook most nights of the week, and we always try and make our dinners yummy but also good for us. We totally love the veggie substitute craze because we can swap them in for some of the heavier, not so good for you ingredients. Zoodles (zuccinni noodles) were our first experiment. We started making those for spaghetti and meatballs and chicken alfredo a while ago, and they were soooo good! We barely missed the noodles! Then, Greg really stepped up the game with eggplant lasagna, and then he found a recipe for cauliflower crust pizza, and we had to try it!
Our cauliflower crust pizza turned out really, really good. It tasted almost exactly like real pizza, and we are definitely going to make it again. Plus, getting to have pizza, eating a bunch, and still feeling good afterwards is a total win, so I thought I’d share our recipe and how we did it.
Here are the steps:
First, Greg chopped up the cauliflower really small. You can do this in a food processor, but if you don’t have one, chopping a way like we did works really well, too.
Next, we steamed the cauliflower so it was soft enough to moosh up. We mooshed it all up in a bowl with an egg, a little cheese, and some Italian seasoning, aregeno, and basil.
Then, we formed the crust on our pizza tray. We had put coconut oil on the tray so that the crust wouldn’t stick, but it still did a little bit. I think next time we’d put parchment paper down to solve that problem, but the main thing is that the cauliflower layer should be thin. (Ours was a little too thick in the middle).
Once this was done we put it in the oven for 35 minutes at 400 degrees. At this point I was dying to see how the crust was going to turn out, and Greg turned the light on in the oven so that I could keep peeking. 🙂
Finally, we took the crust out, put our marinara, cheese, mushrooms, peppers, and pepperoni on it, and popped it back in the oven until the cheese melted. You can use whatever pizza toppings are your favorite, that’s just what we were feeling that night!
…and then we got to eat it! We ate  it with forks because the crust is still cauliflower, and our center was a little too soft, but the edges were perfect and tasted exactly like thin crust pizza! If we could’ve gotten the whole pizza to taste like the edges it would’ve been perfect. I was laughing because when I was eating the middle I kinda felt like I was eating cauliflower with pizza toppings on it, but cheese and pepperoni would be good on anything so no big deal! But honestly with that little adjustment, we both feel like the cauliflower pizza is a total winner and a must try!
If you make one, let me know how it turns out, how you liked it and who you shared it with! 🙂
Fishing in February?!
Hunting season in Illinois has only been over for 3 weeks, and Greg and I are already itching for spring big time!! This past weekend we just wanted to be outside so bad. It was like God heard us talking about how bad we wanted spring because on Sunday it was 46 degrees out, and there was no wind, so we grabbed the tackle box and headed out to our favorite spot, Lake Evergreen. If it had been cold enough we totally would have tried ice fishing, but instead we got to pretend it was spring and throw a line in the water.
We didn’t catch anything because the fish are probably shivering somewhere near the bottom right now lol, but I loved splashing in the water and Greg also loved being able to bring out his fishing pole! We are both hoping that spring comes sooner this year, but unfortunately I think the groundhog saw his shadow last week. 😦 That’s ok, though, six weeks goes fast! Plus, we’ll get out there every chance we can if there’s sunshine. Even if it is chilly, Greg and I can cuddle and go fish.
Ooh a little wedding update, too… We officially found our caterer, bridesmaid dresses are ordered, we’re registered, we have our photographer, and the venue is booked! I am also going to pick out flowers on February 2oth, and Greg has been working on our perfect honeymoon. We are so excited that everything is coming together! Yay for June 1oth and love!
Greg’s look: Sweatshirt similar here – jeans – shoes similar here
10 Reasons to Marry a Hunter
Recently I saw an article on why you should never marry a hunter. It just totally inspired me to write 10 reasons why you should marry a hunter because Greg and I love sharing this hobby together, and the countdown to our wedding has officially started. Whether it’s a good hunt or a not so successful hunt we always leave our spot feeling so connected, relaxed, and happy. So here it goes:
1. Adventure will always be a big part of your relationship.
Greg is extremely adventurous. He likes finding new spots to hunt, different ways to hunt, and is totally fearless when it comes to the outdoors. He is also really fearless in other parts of his life, too, and it is really inspiring. He’s even jumped out of planes before! We are always on a new adventure or coming up with a new idea to try out. Recently we joined an archery league together.
2.You will get to spend extra quality time together.
Waking up really early or sitting out in a field for a long amount of time might sound difficult, but it is actually really special time. It is uninterrupted hours where you can chat or cuddle together in the chilly weather. Usually phone service is pretty bad so it’s just you and your love. You look forward to your hunting trips because you know it is just going to be a great time for you both, and sometimes you even get to stay in a hotel!
3. You get to wear super stylish camo together.
It is just so perfect because camo is so in right now. Even Kim K is wearing it. 😉
4. You get to develop a skill and work on your hobby together.
One of the best parts about hunting together is also getting to cheer each other on during a hunt or in practice. Hunting is really exciting especially when the animals work the way you want them to. You get to witness the great shots, adrenaline surging, and sometimes you can even get their moment of glory on video!
5.Hunters are relentless when it comes to meeting goals.
Meeting goals is such a big part of success. Greg has hunted since he was little, and every part of hunting also plays a role in other parts of his life. Greg has big goals when it comes to hunting and always puts a plan into action in hopes of being as successful as possible. If a hunt is unsuccessful he will try a new strategy for the next hunt. As a couple, we are able to set goals and work together to meet them just like we do out on a hunt.
6. Hunters are innovaters.
Whether we are in a sticky situation in water or in the woods, Greg has a solution! He also uses these skills to help me when I get into one of those positions… like that one time I couldn’t get these silly fake eyelashes off! He did not give up until they were removed, and I felt better! 🙂
7. Sharing hunting as a hobby can lead to bonding in so many other areas.
Greg and I love to do absolutely everything together. We’re into each other and love to share our interests. We love to take part in what makes the other one happy. We shop together, cook together, we watch the same tv shows together, and we spend every free moment we can together. I think sharing such a exhilarating hobby makes us connected and in sync.
8. The post hunt/ adventure naps and cuddles are heaven on earth!
After each early morning hunt Greg and I usually hop in the shower, and then snuggle and take a nap together! It is one of the best feelings because you’re so sleepy, and you both zonk out instantly in each other’s arms. 🙂
9. So many memories are made out in the wild!
Whether it’s slipping in the mud, killing out in an hour, or getting lost in the woods (I always get worried we’re lost in the woods, and we never do lol) you can look back at those hunts together and laugh and talk about all of the fun parts or reminisque about when I was just learning how to hunt.
10. You’ll always feel safe and loved.
It’s the toughness, certainty in all situations, ability to shoot a gun super accurately, and preserverence that make you feel like you can overcome anything. Also, Greg knows first aid, and his kisses and hugs make even the slippery, dark hunts feel easy and safe. Plus, the passion is just the best.
Down and Dirty
For this post we wanted to show some of the preparation that we do before we are out in a field to hunt. Greg and I get the truck loaded up together with our decoys, hunting gear, camera, and guns. We always double check to make sure that we have everything so that we can maximize the chance for a successful hunt. We also have a pretty good method for getting everything out in the field. We make sure the decoys are organized so that we can carry them or put them in our layout blinds and drag them to the spot. When we get out in the field, I pop the heads on our goose shells and Greg sets them out in their formation.
On this hunt, we also had our friends Pat and Michelle with us. We were able to get way more decoys out, and it was so funny getting them out to our spot because it was so so muddy! The boys carried the heavier decoys, and Michelle and I were in charge of the silhouettes, some of the big foots, and the camera gear. As we were walking mud was just getting caked onto our boots. We were literally like big foot and our feet were so heavy! For some reason the mud was also making us laugh so hard! We were getting stuck, having trouble lifting our feet, and dropping gear like every two seconds, and it was just the funniest thing ever! All of our organization beforehand did not matter because the mud just totally took over.
By the time we got to our spot we were all muddy, sweaty, and just laughing so hard! ( I was also happy I got a model shot in before our hunt because my pony totally fell out, and there was mud everywhere!) We all got everything set up together, and then we were able to watch the geese come in. The outdoors is just so fun, and on this hunt we all got down and dirty.
A Couple’s Hunt for the New Year
We had the best time this weekend hunting with our friends, Pat and Michelle, on New Year’s Day. We all put on our camo and headed out in the chilly weather. This was an afternoon hunt because we all wanted to sleep in after New Year’s Eve, and it was just a perfect way to bring in the new year. We were outside, taking in  beautiful nature, laughing and watching the sky with our soulmates.
This spot has become one of our favorites, and it was really fun to be able to experience it and hunt it with our friends. Driving to this field, we pass the little ponds (one on each side of the road) that the geese sit on. It looks so beautiful, and there are thousands of geese every time! Then as the sun begins to set, the birds fly. They come over the field, and we get to see them flying together, and they sound so so close. This will always be my one of my favorite parts! Everyone stays really quiet, and it is pure harmony and excitement because it feels like they are going to land right next to you, and that means Greg get’s to experience one of his favorite parts!
After our hunt, we took a walk and scouted a different part of the field. We were able to see a few more groups fly overheard. The birds will fly later because moon cycles, the weather, and the brightness of the sky even after the official sunset time. I also love getting to watch the pretty sunset with Greg, especially when it’s pink!
I hope you all had a great New Years, and I just believe 2017 is going to amazing, inspiring, and full of love!
The Most Magical Time of the Year
Christmas is one of our absolute favorite times of year! Last December, Greg and I got engaged on the 23rd so Christmastime will always hold a special place in our hearts. On Christmas Eve we hunted and then got all cleaned up, and went to Greg’s aunt’s house. His whole family was there, and it was so fun seeing everyone. When we got home on Christmas Eve we still had presents to wrap and lots to get ready because we hosted Christmas Day for our families! Greg and I made a pizza, wrapped presents, and then we dozed off on the couch for like an hour before we went to bed lol.
When Christmas morning came, we got up early together and exchanged gifts just us two and had some coffee and cuddles together. I put on Christmas music (I like the Jessie James Decker Holiday pandora station), and we cleaned and cooked together, with the help of Greg’s sister Katie before our families came. Greg is a master chef in the kitchen. He did most of the cooking because he is such a pro. Seriously, everything he makes in mouthwatering. I always try and copy his cooking, but his always turns out better. I was really just in charge of cleaning up and making the gluten free brownies for Greg’s grandpa; brownies are my speciality lol. Oh and my sister, Olivia, made the green bean casserole.
We were super excited to have everyone over at our place for Christmas, and it was really special and fun. We had my mom, dad, my brother and sister (Kevin and Olivia, Greg’s grandparents, his dad and dad’s wife, Colleen, and his two sisters (Katie and Emily). It was so nice having everyone together to eat, have some drinks, yummy desert, open presents, and have some good sports on in the backgrounds thanks to my dad and brother :)! My mom made pretzel jello, which Greg loves. Greg’s grandma made the most amazing salad, and Olivia made a turtle cheesecake that turned out like it was professional! Christmas always makes me and Greg feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and we definitely felt that way being able to share all the fun and create really special memories with our families together.
thehuntbundle 