Friday, July 13, 2018

Getting Back to Blogging

Hi All,

I'm not sure who actually reads these posts, but with all of the changes currently happening, I want to start taking some time to start blogging again. Let's rewind for a bit with some important dates and things that have happened and things to come…

6/8/2018: Finished my first year of teaching. It was a crazy one, but one I'm sure I'll never forget.
6/30/2018: Got married to the man of my dreams and started the next chapter of our crazy adventure. Check out our hashtag (#rollingwiththepolings) if you want to see some great pictures from what we think was a perfect day!
7/2/2018: Left for the Bahamas on an awesome honeymoon. We had so much fun adventuring and relaxing in Nassau and at the new Baha Mar Resort.

We just returned home yesterday and now we're gearing up to close on and move into our forever home. I want this to be a place where I can document all the things to come, so I hope that I can stay consistent, posting at least once a week to this online scrapbook of our lives in this new chapter. In honor of this, I want participate in one of my favorite things to read, Five on Friday with Christina  and April (bear with me as I only have 3 for this week)!

One:

Like I said, we just got married on June 30! The day was perfect for the both of us. It was a beautiful sunny day but boy was it hot! The heat index felt close to 100 I think. Needless to say, I didn't pick a dress that was right for the heat, but it was beautiful so I didn't care.
Image may contain: 2 people, people standing and wedding


Image may contain: 5 people, including Sydney Liz, people smiling, people standing, wedding and indoorTwo:

THE CARRIBEAN… OH. My. Goodness. We had a beautiful 10 days in the Bahamas staying at the Baha Mar Resort. This place just opened in the fall of 2017 and it was fantastic. While I will say it was a little more of a party than I was looking for on our honeymoon, it was beautifully done and no detail of the resort was overlooked. Rob and I enjoyed laying on the beach and in the water on these awesome rafts that were anchored so you wouldn't float away. I'm convinced that I owe these rafts at least 70% of my tan. The water was so clear and warm. It was a very nice and well needed break after the chaos of wedding planning.

Image may contain: 2 people, including Sydney Liz, people smiling, people standing, tree, plant, sky, outdoor and nature

Image may contain: sky, cloud, ocean, outdoor, water and nature

Image may contain: Sydney Liz, smiling, sunglasses, sky, outdoor and closeup
Three:

We're buying a house! We're just crazy enough that we added to the chaos of getting married to buy our forever home. Neither of us like moving and after having to do it so much recently, I'm grateful to know that the next time I move all of the boxes, it will hopefully be the last. Once we close, I'll post some pictures, but for now, here are some of my inspiration pictures for what to do with our living room.

Family Room Hunting Lodge Design, Pictures, Remodel, Decor and Ideas

Family Room Reveal - Making What You Have Work

Happy Weekending!

-Sydney Liz

Friday, January 26, 2018

Hanging on to Christmas with a Recipe

I intended to post this around Christmas time, but life got busy and just now is the first time I'm thinking about it. For years, my family and friends have always anticipated my Gingerbread cookies at Christmas time. At first, they were my moms, but since I was a teenager, they've become mine. It's not Christmas unless I make these cookies.

Since they're so loved by my family and friends, I wanted to share the recipe so that others can enjoy it as well.



Gingerbread Cookies 
Ingredients:
1 cup shortening (Crisco)
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
4.5 cups flour (you won't use all of it)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ginger


  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees 
  2. Cream shortening and sugar in a mixing bowl until combined 
  3. Mix in the molasses 
  4. Mix in remaining ingredients (only about 3 and 1/2 cups of flour!) 
  5. Roll into two balls and cover with plastic wrap 
  6. Chill in fridge for about 2 hours or overnight 
  7. When you're ready to bake, flour your surface and roll a ball of dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness. 
  8. Cut with cookie cutters and place on an uncreased baking sheet. 
  9. Bake cookies for about 8-10 minutes (more like 10) and then let them cool on a drying rack. 
While most people decorate their cookies, I like to leave mine plain. They are cruchier than other Gingerbread cookies, so I think they go nicely with a cup of coffee or tea. 

These cookies have been such a long time favorite for me, that I hope they become the same for you and your family! 

-Sydney Liz