So Very Blessed...

Crockpot Quinoa Casserole

2012-01-30T10:00:00.003-07:00

We were in serious need of some comfort food this weekend and we were seriously not in the mood to go to the grocery store. So, I threw the food we had on-hand into the crockpot to let it do the cooking for me! And it just so happened that I had lots of quinoa in the pantry, which made an excellent base for this casserole. And it gave me a great opportunity to try cooking quinoa in a slow cooker.

We had zucchini and carrots in our fridge, but bell peppers, broccoli, and just about any other vegetable I can think of would taste great in here! And feel free to use a smaller can of green chiles. We just really like green chiles in our family.

I keep 2-cup portions of shredded zucchini in my freezer, so the only prep work I needed to do was shred the carrots, chop the parsley, and dice the roasted red peppers. The rest was just throwing it all into the crockpot and waiting! I love my slow cooker.

Crockpot Quinoa Casserole
Makes 8 servings

2 cups quinoa, uncooked
3 1/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 cups shredded zucchini
2 cups shredded carrot
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup roasted red peppers, diced
7 oz can green chiles, drained
8 oz Neufchatel cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Soak quinoa for 15 minutes in water, rinse, and add to crockpot.

2. Add all other ingredients, except for the cream cheese and sour cream, to the crockpot and stir to combine.

3. Cook for 2-4 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low.

4. Fluff quinoa with a fork, then stir in cream cheese and sour cream.

5. Cook for another 15-30 minutes, until cream cheese is melted.

Nutritional Information per serving, according to My Fitness Pal : Calories - 290, Fat - 8g, Protein - 11g, Carbohydrates - 42g, Fiber - 5g

The Post I Don't Want to Write

2012-01-28T17:20:00.001-07:00

This is the post I don't want to write. But I have to. I need to.

Daniel's grandmother passed away around 3am Thursday morning. She was having bypass surgery and her heart just couldn't hold up. Which is ironic, seeing as this woman had one of the strongest, kindest, most loving, most giving hearts I've ever seen.

I cringe just writing the words, "Daniel's grandma," because she was my grandma, too. Even when Daniel and I were just dating, she claimed me as her granddaughter. She never once introduced me as her "grandson's wife" or her "granddaughter-in-law." I've called her Grandma as long as I've known her and that's who she'll always be to me.

It breaks my heart that I only have a few pictures of her, because she meant the world to me.

When Daniel flew to Colorado to meet me for the very first time, it was important to me that he met my parents. It was important to Daniel that I talk to his grandma on the phone. I fell in love with her that night.

When Daniel was deployed, she would call me multiple times a week to make sure I was okay and just to chat. She would tell me stories about how her "Boone-y Butt" used to climb onto her roof to pour water into her swamp cooler and how he earned the name "droopy drawers" when she took him to the doctor so many years ago.

The first time I met her in person was June 15, 2007. It was her 74th birthday and we had planned a road trip to Arizona to surprise her. Daniel's brother and mother had taken her out to eat at her favorite restaurant and when we walked into the room, that woman's face lit up like I had never seen before. She ran over and hugged Daniel, then threw her arms, equally as joyfully, around me.

Later that night, when Daniel was having a heated discussion with his brother and mom, Grandma pulled me over to the couch, put her arm around me, and started filling my ear with how glad she was I was there, how she wanted to learn everything about me and my family, and how happy she was that Daniel and I had found each other.

She lived for her family. She was the peacekeeper. She wanted everyone to be happy and would do anything she could to make that happen. She was constantly putting others' needs above her own.

She was an incredibly hard worker. She would have been 79 this year and it was only in the past month or so that health problems kept her from going in for her shifts. She was a receptionist and all of her coworkers adored her.

Working so hard wore her out, but she would always make time to call family members and keep up with their lives.

Her grandsons brought incredible joy to her life. Daniel's brother has lived with her for the past 20ish years and she loved him to pieces. She was always telling everyone how proud she was of Daniel and his brother's achievements.

I can't believe she's gone. We were just in her hospital room talking to her about shoes and where they were going to move and the book she was reading. The most mundane, everyday things. We had just programmed our numbers into her new cell phone, so she could call us while she was recovering. It's not right.

The world right now without her in it just isn't right.

I'm really glad that I decided to start sending cards this year, because I sent her one at the beginning of this month telling her how much she meant to me, but it isn't enough. She deserved so much more.

I keep wanting to pick up the phone and call her. I want to hear her pick up the phone with a "Hi, sweetie! I've been thinking about you guys!" I ache to hear her laugh again. To feel her arms around me and gently hold my hand. I don't want to forget the sound of her voice.

I miss her.

You've Got Mail!

2012-01-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

You've Got Mail used to be one of my favorite movies and I hadn't seen it in years. I finally watched it over Christmas break and fell in love with it all over again. I do love Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, but the concept of the movie is even more fascinating to me than the actors. As I was watching it this last time, I was thinking to myself, this is just like blogging - writing your random thoughts down to a complete stranger and looking forward to a response.

But I have since learned that it's just not quite the same.

I love each and every comment I get on here, but it's hard to really connect with people there.

I have this reader that e-mailed me a couple of weeks ago. She is studying to become a sign language interpreter and told me a hilarious interpreting joke. So, we e-mailed back and forth a few times about interpreting. Then we moved on to other topics. Then a few more. And then a few more.

Now, pretty much every time I open my e-mail, I have one waiting from her. Blog comments are amazing, but building a personal relationship with someone? That's something special.

I love this girl. She's funny, real, deep, smart, intriguing, and someone I really wish I knew in real life.

The other day, it occurred to me that I'm living my very own (non-romantic) version of You've Got Mail. There's someone, somewhere in the world that I can talk to about whatever is on my mind. No judgements. No criticism. Just an extremely supportive and encouraging listening ear that actually cares about all of the silly and not-so-silly things that I have to say on a daily basis.

We tell jokes, we send prayer requests, we share amusing anecdotes about our days, we talk about our pasts...we just...share. Chat. Connect.

That, my friends, is a very cool relationship to have.

It would be even cooler if I had AOL and was able to hear the cheerful, "You've Got Mail!", but my Inbox (1) will have to suffice. (Okay, it rarely says (1). It's normally more like (12) or (25), but most of my e-mail is junk mail, so they don't count.)

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Crispy Chicken Caesar Bites

2012-01-23T10:00:00.001-07:00

Chicken Caesar Wraps are one of my husband's all-time favorite foods. In fact, it is the only meal in our house that has ever been eaten on a weekly basis...though that faded out a while ago on account of me getting tired of them. Routine is great, but I like variety in my food.

So, I decided to try to take all of the flavors that Daniel loves so much and put them into a different form...the wonton skin. This may be my new favorite medium. You can put anything in these little guys and they'll turn into crispy, delicious little finger foods!

Next time, I'll make sure to have shredded lettuce in the house to sprinkle on top of them. The pieces of lettuce in the bag of salad we had were a little too chunky and awkward to fit nicely on top of these little portions.

Crispy Chicken Caesar Bites
Makes 24 bites

24 wonton skins
1 cup cooked, chopped chicken
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 Tbs light caesar dressing
shredded or chopped lettuce

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Press wonton skins into a greased mini muffin tin, 1 skin per mini muffin cup, pressing lightly to avoid tearing.

3. Divide chicken between the 24 cups.

4. Sprinkle cheese onto each cup.
5. Pour about 1/2 tsp caesar dressing into each cup.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.
7. Serve with lettuce.

Weekly Meal Plan

2012-01-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

Sunday - Twice Baked Potato Bites

Monday - Panko Ranch Chicken and Spinach Stuffing Poppers

Tuesday - Chicken Caesar Wraps

Wednesday - Mac & Cheese

Thursday - Baked Potatoes w/ cheese and sour cream

Friday - Out to eat

Saturday - Leftovers

The Interview

2012-01-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

It sounds like his pharmacy school interview went great! He's nervous about the essay portion, because he ran out of time and wasn't able to finish, but it sounds like he rocked the one-on-one interview!

I mean, how could he not when he was looking this good? ;-)

An older woman was interviewing him and when she asked a question about a moral/ethical dilemma in his life, he started to describe some of his experiences in Iraq. More specifically, a time when he was alone in a room with a terrorist.

She started tearing up.

So much so that he had to leave out quite a few details and end his story early.

I sure don't blame the woman! When I think about what he's been through in his life and see the incredible man he's become, I tear up, too.

That man right there? That's my husband. :-)

It's Interview Day!!

2012-01-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Downstairs Neighbors,

I sincerely apologize for stomping on my floor at you so late last night. My husband is interviewing to get into pharmacy school today, which is pretty much the biggest day of our lives so far. I was doing everything I could to help him get a good night of sleep, but your hammering kept waking him up. I should have walked downstairs and kindly asked you to stop, but it was late and I hope you can forgive my inconsiderate stomping. I really appreciate that you stopped hammering when I stomped. Thank you so much for that.

Sincerely,
Your Upstairs Neighbor

I ordered a bunch of cards to start sending people, but, sadly enough, an "I'm sorry for stomping my feet at you" card wasn't in my stash. So, this had to do. I'm quite sure that the two college guys that live downstairs will appreciate the "love, laughter, and hugs" from a neighbor they don't know at all...

But it'll all be okay, because today is INTERVIEW DAY!! Daniel is meeting with our awesome, amazing pastor at noonish to help him with his suit and tie to make sure he looks ~~drop-dead gorgeous~~ handsome and professional. Then he's off to the campus for his interview! First an essay, then a tour of campus and his interview, and finally a reception with the other applicants and some staff.

This is a BIG, BIG day for us!

So, of course, I had to make silly notes with candy to surprise Daniel when he wakes up.

If you could spare a prayer or two for him today, I'd really appreciate it!

What I've Been Up To...

2012-01-18T10:00:00.001-07:00

Watching Arizona sunrises and loving that the sun is coming up earlier and earlier every day.

Reading, reading, and reading some more. I finished The Help this weekend and am about halfway through Beverly Lewis' The Thorn. And I may have also started two more books on my Kindle. I love reading.

Putting my new running shoes to work. Last week I could barely run 1/4 mile without stopping to walk. I can now run a 12-minute mile without stopping! I have been super out of shape - slowly, but surely, I'm doing something about that! Thank goodness for Maryam, my long-distance texting/running buddy!

Teaching Sunday School! They asked Daniel and I to teach this week and it was a blast! We played floor beachball volleyball to teach them the first 8 books of the Bible. There were music videos. And kettle corn. You can't go wrong with kettle corn.

Buying Valentine's Day presents. They are ordered and on their way! I'm trying to stay ahead of the game, so there's no room for stress!

Watching House, M.D. We're watching season 7 on DVD and I can't get enough of it!

Planning a baby shower. I've found some awesome ideas on Pinterest, but I need all of the ideas I can get! I've never thrown a baby shower before!

Making a Facebook fan page for the blog. Still figuring out how to use it, but at least the blog posts are synced!

Loving the rain, but really hoping the sun comes back out soon, so that I can have some good natural light for food photos!

Answering comments/e-mails - I am so humbled and honored that you all let me be a part of your lives. I love getting to know who's "behind the computer." It blesses me beyond belief. Thank you.

Twice Baked Potato Bites

2012-01-17T10:00:00.001-07:00

I love potatoes. In a big way. Especially fried...or covered in cheese. But since I've been trying to lose weight, I've been trying really, really hard to stay away from fried things...and excessive amounts of cheese.

This recipe would be even more delicious with more cheese and some bacon, so feel free to jazz it up for yourselves, but Daniel doesn't like bacon and I'm learning to just say "no" to cheese. Okay, it wasn't really "no." It was more like, "okay, just a little bit...".

Because eating healthier shouldn't mean sacrificing flavor! These are delicious and they totally satisfy my potato craving! I can eat 4 bites for 120 calories, which means I can either eat even more of them or have plenty of calories left to come up with something else fun to eat with these. I am so in love with these little guys that fill me up and make me feel like I'm eating more than I actually am.

I liked them plenty plain or topped with a little sour cream, but Daniel preferred to eat them with ketchup. Either way, they were the perfect comfort food for Sunday dinner!

Twice Baked Potato Bites
Makes ~24 bites

2 medium russet potatoes, baked
3 Tbs fat free sour cream
2 green onions, diced
1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1 large egg
1 Tbs all-purpose flour

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mash the potatoes in a medium bowl.

3. With a fork, mix in all other ingredients.

4. Scoop mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup with about 1 Tbs of potato and lightly press to compact.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Step In Your Marriage Monday - Comfort

2012-01-16T10:00:00.005-07:00

My husband has the most hilarious sleep habits. Sometimes he'll suddenly wake up and tell me to "stop singing happy birthday" to him when I'm just brushing my teeth in the bathroom. Other times, he'll randomly start humming songs (that aren't really songs...or at least they're Daniel originals). The most common habit is his groaning. When he's stressed, he groans in his sleep. When he's sad, he groans in his sleep. When he's having crazy dreams, he groans in his sleep.

But a few weeks ago, I discovered the key to his groaning. He was there "uuuuUUUUUNNNG"-ing away and I put my hand on his back. Silence. Took my hand away and the "uuuuuUUUUUUUNNNG" started back up again. Touched a finger to his back. Silence.

Honestly, it was a pretty fun game to play (well, you know, until I wanted to turn over and go to sleep and the groaning came back). And I truly don't know if it was my touch in particular or if the groaning would've stopped if Taco had placed a paw on his back (I should totally try that!), but either way, it's amazing how much comfort a simple touch can bring.

One of Daniel's love languages is physical touch and I forget that far too often. A back rub is the last thing I want as I'm falling asleep, so I had to train myself to remember that he actually likes that. For the longest time (and sometimes still now), I thought it was such a bother that he would reach out and grab my hand or arm every time I walked by him as I was trying to do chores. The guy just wanted a quick kiss or to hold my hand for a second. I could speak comforting words to him until my face turned blue (which happens to be one of my strengths - the words, not the turning blue), but what he really needs is for me to stop what I'm doing, focus solely on him, and give him a big hug (which is surprisingly difficult for me to remember to do! It's not on my to-do list!). I'm really working on teaching myself to remember how the little things, a kiss on the forehead or a touch on the arm, can really change the pace and mood of our day. Comfort.

He's on the same road trying to figure out how I need to be comforted. I need the words. His first response is to hug me. As much as I love hugs, I want him to talk me through things and reassure me. He's getting better and better at the soothing words every day! Just last night he was able to completely diffuse my moment of craziness by talking me through my frantic thoughts and explaining to me exactly how everything was going to be okay. His tone, his facial expressions, and his words were so calming. Comfort.

We're still just beginning to learn how to best comfort the other person, but I tell you what - comfort from my husband is unlike anything else. It brings such a deep sense of safety, security, and peace...and I surely want to be able to show that to him more often!

Weekly Meal Plan

2012-01-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine asked if I would consider posting some of my weekly meal plans, so of course I put a post together for her! Our menus include quite a few leftover nights, because there are only two of us, so it seems like there are always leftovers around! This is technically last week's menu, but I figured it would be a much more interesting post with a few recipes and pictures included.

Sunday - Crustless Mini Quiche Bites and Honeycrisp Apples

Monday - Quinoa Risotto Bites

Tuesday - Whole Wheat Thin Spaghetti w/ Shredded Zucchini & Ground Beef Spaghetti Sauce, Rhodes Rolls

Wednesday - Quesadillas and Enchilada Soup

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Leftovers/Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches

Saturday - Subway

Packages

2012-01-14T20:41:00.000-07:00

They say big things come in little packages.

We happen to like receiving boxes of any shape and size.

Which is a good thing, considering we order something from Amazon practically every week.

But out of all the textbooks, BluRays, kitchen appliances, and cell phone covers that we've received...

This is the package

we most want

to show up

on our doorstep.

Only 126 days until we see our sweet niece again!

Crustless Mini Quiche Bites

2012-01-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Since I've been on my new health kick (you know...all 12 days of it...), I've been trying to find better breakfast options that will keep me full. As much as I love my peanut butter Nature Valley granola bars and Yoplait Light, I need variety in my life. Or at least in my breakfasts.

I am really, really, really not a morning person, so preparing something the morning of is not really a possibility. I pretty much roll out of bed, throw on my clothes, and slump over my desk for an hour in a zombie-like state before I am capable of having an intelligible conversation. I needed an option that was either ready-to-eat or that I could make ahead of time and just reheat at work.

I haven't frozen these yet, but from the refrigerator I reheat four of them for 40 seconds on 50% power.

There are only 102 calories in 4 bites, but 6 grams of protein (per My Fitness Pal's calculator), which has been helping me stay full enough to survive until lunch time. It's been hit and miss in the past. Most days I've had to scarf down Goldfish while the kids are at recess and come up with ways to cover up the sound of my stomach growling while the kids are silently reading.

And, you know, it always helps if it's bite-sized. :-)

Crustless Mini Quiche Bites
Makes ~24 bites

6 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 cup red peppers, finely diced
1/4 cup orange peppers, finely diced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Whisk all ingredients, except for the red and orange peppers, together.
3. Distribute the red and orange peppers into a greased mini muffin tin.
3. Spoon egg mixture over the peppers (about 1 Tbs into each cup).
4. Bake for 15-18 minutes.

Quinoa Risotto Bites

2012-01-10T10:00:00.003-07:00

Have I mentioned that I am currently obsessed with bite-sized food? If I haven't yet, I'm sure it will be quite obvious soon, seeing as this is the second "bite" recipe I've posted in a row with quite a few more to come. What can I say? Sometimes things just taste better in tiny, handheld, fun, well...bites.

A few years ago, I made some baked arancini (Italian risotto balls) and my husband has been asking to make them again ever since. So, being the always-aiming-to-please wife that I am, I waited two years and then completely changed the recipe.

Since quinoa is cooked like rice, I thought it must work well in a risotto, too! It did. But normal risottos can be pretty high in calories, so I just decided to revamp the entire recipe. After a complete overhaul, it is still creamy, cheesy, flavorful and only 118 calories for 4 bites (according to my calculations)!

And it's completely versatile. I absolutely loved the bell pepper and carrots, but I'd love to mix it up next time with spinach, peas, or a number of other vegetables!

If nothing else, making things bite-sized has helped me with portion control. Instead of trying to estimate eating 1/2 cup of something, I can just count 4 bites. Or 8 bites. Or however many bites as I want. But it's much easier for me to see how much I'm eating, so I'm more conscious of how much I'm taking in. Mindless eating is something I'm trying to eliminate. I'd rather not focus on counting calories for the rest of my life, but eating in moderation is what I want to focus on and these are just little things (literally!) that help me do so.

And if you don't feel the need to make all of your food bite-sized, feel free to stop at step 8 and leave out the egg and flour. You'll still have delicious quinoa risotto!

Quinoa Risotto Bites
Makes ~36 bites

1 cup uncooked quinoa
1 Tbs olive oil
1 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup diced carrot
3 cups low sodium chicken broth, hot
1 cup diced red pepper
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 Tbs flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1. Soak quinoa for 15 minutes. Rinse.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.

4. Add onions and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes.

5. Add carrots, quinoa, and 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth.

6. Bring to a boil and cook for about 6 minutes, covered and stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

7. Add 1/2 cup more chicken broth and cook about 4 minutes, covered and stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Repeat until all of the chicken broth is absorbed.

8. Remove pan from heat and stir in red peppers, parsley, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, flour, salt, and pepper.

9. Spoon mixture into greased mini muffin tins, using about a tablespoon of mixture in each cup.

10. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Step In Your Marriage Monday - Stress

2012-01-09T10:00:00.007-07:00

Daniel usually handles his stress quite well. I know he has had plenty of stress from various tests and papers he's had to write over the last few years of taking his pharmacy school prerequisites (and there's that whole two tours in Iraq thing...), but he usually just kind of...handles it. Yes, I've helped him study, tried to make his life a little easier during those times, and given a few extra hugs and back rubs, but I've never really had to do much to help him manage his stress.

This is no longer the case.

His pharmacy school interview is coming up and my beloved husband is....well...a basket case (and I say that in the most loving way possible).

He has been sick for three weeks straight and hasn't had restful sleep in just as long. He spends his days in front of his computer, sometimes playing games to keep his mind off of his looming interview, but mostly doing research on anything and everything pharmacy school-related. He can't remember most conversations he's had recently, because he was probably thinking about the answer to "Can you tell us about one moral dilemma you've had and how you dealt with it?" or "Why did you choose pharmacy school and not medical school?".

In the beginning of these three weeks, I was ready to step up. I was giving extra back rubs, reading pharmacy forums with him, and attempting to serve him hand and foot.

It didn't work. Nothing did. I tried everything in my "How to Be A Good Wife" arsenal and his stress level remained the same.

So, if your husband is insanely stressed about something going on in his life, I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you what NOT to do.

If your husband is stressed...

do not ask him to clean out his car while you are at work and come home crazily frustrated that he didn't do the one task you asked of him that day. He had a monstrous task list he created for himself and probably doesn't need his wife expressing her disappointment, when he is already beating himself up for not accomplishing more on 3 hours of sleep.
do not tell him that he shouldn't feel stressed, because he's going to get in no matter what. He doesn't believe that he'll get in, so his mind focuses on the "your stress is trivial" part and then feels like you're dismissing his feelings.
do not tell him that you don't feel like driving to the school of pharmacy to look around, when driving is one of his favorite ways to relax. On a school night. After running a bunch of errands. No matter the circumstances, get yourself to feel like going.
do not ask him to help you come up with things you've done wrong over the past three weeks that have irritated his stress for the sake of a blog post. He was stressed about it the first time and it probably wasn't the best idea to get him to relive it all.

Oops.

But, I have not given up hope. His interview is on January 20th and he won't find out if he's been accepted until early February-ish, so I have my mind set to make this time as pleasant as possible for the both of us.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

Giving up is not an option! So, I will continue to do good, in as many ways as I can think of, whether they work or not. The stress will not last forever. Soon, he will be back to his loving, playful, thoughtful, giving self and I am so, so thankful that he's working so hard for our dreams.

How, dear readers, do you deal with your husband's stress?

New Year's Resolution

2012-01-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

I'm really, really excited about my main New Year's resolution this year! I'm always trying to come up with new ways to connect with people and show them that I care. I think I've been missing a glaringly obvious opportunity!

Cards.

That's right. You may be a card writer already. Most people I know are great card senders. I, however, never have been. I would try, from time to time, to send a thank you card or a sporadic birthday card, but I've never been consistent. Looking back, it just seems rude to see how many cards and small gifts people have sent to me and me only responding with a quick "thank you!" over text or on Facebook. I have been super lame.

That is all going to change this year! I have our new and funky address labels on their way, along with a variety of different birthday, get well, and thank you cards. I've already given quite a few thank you cards out and it's still the first week of January!

Honestly, it's not just about the cards. Another goal of mine is to deepen my prayer life. I need to be praying more often. And my hope is that while I write each card, I'll pray for the card recipient. I want to be lifting up their joys and heartaches and just remembering the people who are important to me in my daily life.

I also want to deepen my relationships with people. I have no expectations for getting cards myself. My goal is to give to others - give compliments, kind words, encouragement, and most importantly, time. I think so highly of so many people in my life and I rarely tell them how much they mean to me. There is a ton of Scripture that mentions being an encouragement to others and I'm really hoping I will be able to do that through cards!

I'm also hoping to pay more attention to the little things. If someone posts that they're sick on Facebook, I want to send them a get well card. I want to know people's needs. If I can meet them, I sure want to try and do so! If I can't, at least I can be praying and hopefully give them a few positive and hopefully uplifting words.

I want to become more organized, with birthdays written into the calendar and cards ready to send out before the date arrives. I love planning ahead and this is an area that is so easy to do that! Birthdays are pretty set in stone, so I have no excuse! ;-)

So, if I have your address and I know it's your birthday, I want to send you a card (and if I don't know your address and/or your birthday and you want an extra card, give me your info!). If I know you're having a hard week, I want to encourage you.

I'm really hoping I can make this resolution stick, because I am really excited about it!

Cheesy Quinoa Bites

2012-01-02T18:23:00.004-07:00

A new year always brings new resolutions. And I do have new resolutions (in a post to come), but this would be the same resolution I've had pretty much every year that I can remember - get healthier. Hopefully this is the year that sticks. It has to stick through January, because I'm in a group of ladies trying to lose 10 pounds by February 4th. Even if it doesn't stick all year, a month of healthier eating/exercising is better than nothing, right?

So far this year, I've exercised everyday (*cough* ignore that the grand total is only two days)! That's a success rate of 100%! I'm all over this exercise stuff.

But eating is the other half of the equation. Oh, I have a hard time eating the right foods. I love my processed, refined, fried foods with creamy white sauces. It's true. My very popular response to my husband's question, "What would you like for dinner?" is "All the french fries." I'm not planning on giving up all of my favorite foods. I need fried potatoes in my life. But I am planning to try to monitor my portion sizes and add more healthy foods to my repertoire. Enter Cheesy Quinoa Bites.

These babies are amazing. Quinoa is filling, so I felt completely satisfied from these. I calculated the calories of all of the ingredients on My Fitness Pal and assuming their entries are correct, there are only 130 calories in 4 bites! I may have eaten 8 for dinner, because they still fell under my calorie count! Score! And if you decide to pass on the food processor and grate your carrots by hand, then you've added an arm workout! ;-)

I may try to play around and sub fresh parsley for the cilantro at some point, but Daniel loved the cilantro, so he doesn't want me to tweak this recipe! We used Kraft's Light Honey Dijon salad dressing as our dipping sauce, but ranch or even sour cream would probably taste great!

Cheesy Quinoa Bites
Makes ~28 bites

2 cups cooked quinoa
2 large eggs
1 cup shredded carrot
2 stalks green onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbs all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together quinoa, carrot, egg, green onion, garlic, cilantro, cheese, flour, salt and pepper.
3. Distribute mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top (1 heaping Tbs each).
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

*The dipping sauce pictured is Kraft's Light Honey Dijon salad dressing*

The Difference A Year Makes

2012-01-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2011

Our sweet niece isn't the only one who has changed this past year!

Daniel was still in the middle of his pharmacy school prerequisites last year. This year, he is about to enter his LAST semester of prerequisites. His pharmacy school application has been submitted and he has been offered an interview on January 20th. This is the reason we moved to Arizona, so this is a big, BIG deal for us!

I went from interpreting in a high school for the last two years to interpreting at an elementary school, which has added so much more joy to my work life!

We found an incredible new church home and we are oh-so-happy here with our new Arizona family, whom we absolutely adore.

Last year, Daniel and I coached multiple youth soccer teams and this year we transitioned into Daniel reffing and both of us joining the AYSO board as regional referee administrators.

Daniel became an anatomy and physiology tutor and I joined a handbell choir.

Other than that, our life has been pretty steady! I bake a lot. Daniel studies a lot. We love spending time together and try to do so as often as possible.

I have quite a few goals for 2012, but that's another post!

And now that we're back home in Arizona, the recipes will start flowing again!

Happy New Year, dear readers!

The Christ in Christmas

2011-12-30T09:00:00.003-07:00

I know some people are bothered by the Santa aspect of Christmas - the consumerism and focus on getting gifts. Heck, some people are even bothered by the Christ part of Christmas, but I think our family has found a balance that works for us.

There were presents under our tree from Santa. There was a lot of Christmas shopping done and a lot of gift-getting. Our stockings were hung by the chimney with care and filled with goodies on Christmas morning.

But everywhere I looked, I saw Christ in our Christmas celebration this year. And not just at the Christmas Eve candlelight service (which was beautiful, by the way!).

I saw Christ in my brother-in-law, who stepped up and helped my sister and I create goodies that we saw on Pinterest for breakfast on Christmas morning. It was harder than we thought to break the pretzels in such a way to make them look like reindeer antlers. So, Stephen came in, wielding his electric knife and cut a ton of perfectly shaped reindeer antlers for us. We will forever tease him about the electric knife, but his kindness and giving us his time was not unnoticed.

I saw Christ in my mom. The mom that carefully planned (and executed) Christmas meals and traditions, so that everyone in the family was able to do and eat the things that were most special to them. The mom that gave us Christmas Eve gifts for others - a water buffalo, a llama, and women's micro loans through WorldVision, because she's always thinking of new ways she can give to those in need. The mom that supplied me with a steady stream of hot tea all day for my sore throat. The mom that is so nurturing that you just want to climb into her lap and have her rock you to sleep while she takes away all the troubles of the world.

The nana that literally took the shirt off of her own back and gave it to Brianna when her sweet granddaughter spilled water all over her own outfit, so that she could stay warm and cozy until her clothes dried. The nana that hid around the corner playing peek-a-boo over and over again, because her granddaughter never tires the game. Or her nana's presence.

I saw Christ in my dad. The dad that was covering me with a blanket all day, because I was sick. The dad that was ready with a pocket knife any time the wrapping paper or boxes were difficult to get through. The dad that washed a mountain of dishes, picked up all of the leftover paper and boxes from the living room, and built us all a cozy fire in the fireplace.

The grandpop that helped his granddaughter maneuver through the pile of boxes, bows, and packaging just to find the ball she wanted to play with. The grandpop that chased the 19-month-old around the house and pretended he couldn't see her hiding underneath the Christmas tree, causing her to collapse into a fit of giggles and run into his arms.

I saw Christ in my oldest sister. The sister that brought me cough drops all day. The sister that tucked me in for a nap on the couch and told me "I'm sorry you're sick" about a gazillion times. The sister that gave enough piggyback rides and "hops" to wear anyone out.

I saw Christ in my middle sister. The sister who has truly become a mom through and through. The sister who can accomplish anything and everything, putting everyone else's needs above her own, while still caring for a toddler at the same time. The sister who opened up her house to Daniel and I for our entire trip, feeding us, entertaining us, and housing us.

I saw Christ in my husband. The husband who had already been sick himself for almost a week, still wasn't feeling great, but still went out on Christmas day to buy me cough drops at one of the few open stores. The husband who has let us spend every Christmas with my family, even though my family's traditions are far from what he knew as Christmas growing up. The husband who was wracked with guilt because he got me sick on Christmas day and he knows how much I enjoy that day.

This is one of my favorite pictures of the day. Technically speaking, it's a bad picture. I cut off my mom's head and my entire grandma, but it shows our family so well. Brianna is dancing and having a grand time and everyone else is so joyful, simply from seeing her so happy. That's how my family works. Christmas wasn't about getting. Christmas was about giving and seeing others' happiness, because that's where the true joy lies.

I may have been sick, but this was my best Christmas yet. I am so very blessed. Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Pictures

2011-12-29T09:00:00.003-07:00

Honey Cinnamon Butter

2011-12-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Christmas Eve!

We've been busy preparing Christmas Eve dinner and attempting family pictures this morning, which is quite difficult when you have a wiggly little girl who would much rather be getting piggy back rides than sitting still in her mother's lap.

I've been baking up a storm recently, but haven't taken many pictures of the creations. Food disappears a lot more quickly with my whole family around to help eat things and it's hard to take pictures of food when my niece is around. My camera loves her. But it has been awhile since I posted a recipe, so I felt the urge to get another one on here before Christmas.

I actually made this for Thanksgiving this year, but I'd make it year-round! I was actually trying to recreate the Texas Roadhouse's cinnamon butter, because their butter is insanely delicious slathered on their soft, pillowy rolls. It doesn't taste exactly like theirs, but I love the balance of honey and cinnamon and it did taste delicious slathered on warm rolls!

Just a warning - if you store this butter in the fridge, it will harden up and be pretty difficult to spread. If you like that kind of thing, go for it! I prefer my butter soft and spreadable, so I just store it on my counter and it's ready right when I need it.

So far I've only eaten it with rolls, but I bet it would be delicious on a cinnamon roll, spread on cinnamon raisin bread, or on toast in the morning (or in the afternoon...whenever you eat your toast!). This recipe is super quick and easy and adds a special flair to any meal. You can probably use an electric mixer if you don't have a stand mixer...whatever mixes the ingredients and give the butter some fluff!

Honey Cinnamon Butter

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp cinnamon

1. Put butter in a stand mixer and cream together for one minute.
2. Add honey and cinnamon and beat on medium to high speed until thoroughly combined and creamy.
3. Enjoy!

Little Signing Hands

2011-12-23T09:20:00.001-07:00

Our niece has the cutest little signing hands on Earth. She is SO smart and signs quite a bit! Since we took this video this morning, she has already learned more ("cheese" was a popular sign in the grocery store!). I was jumping up and down when she signed "Jesus!" We just started trying to teach her that sign yesterday!

Her signs may not be executed perfectly, but when she uses them, you know exactly what she's trying to tell you and that's what signing is all about - communication!

I'm such a sucker for little kids signing and when it's my favorite niece, I just can't even begin to contain my excitement!

Please ignore the super loud, high-pitched voice of the camera woman. I lose all vocal control when in the presence of an adorable child.

O Christmas Tree

2011-12-22T20:38:00.001-07:00

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree

How lovely are your branches

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree

How lovely are your branches

In summer sun

Or winter snow

A coat of green

You always show

O Christmas tree

How lovely are your branches

For the photographers in the crowd, pictures were taken with my Canon T2i, 50mm lens at -
ISO 6400
f/2.5
1/100 sec

Perfection

2011-12-20T15:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we finally flew out to Colorado!

And everything is exactly how it should be. We had a day of baking, family time in the kitchen, book reading, napping, playing, ball-throwing, cuddling, and snacking.

Brother-in-laws sneaking Puppy Chow...

My mom making soup...

My dad setting the table...

Even Brianna helping us cook!

And her uncle is more smitten with her now than ever before.

Which just melts my heart.

And of course, I'm just as smitten! I can't get enough of her tiny hands, pleading little "eez?" and sweet hugs.

Everything is perfect. Everyone's together laughing, playing, baking, enjoying...

And there

is nowhere on Earth

where I would

rather

be.

My Week In Phone Pictures

2011-12-15T18:49:00.002-07:00

Okay, technically some of these pictures were taken over a week ago, but I'm allowed to do that. And "My Week Plus A Few Days In Camera Pictures" just sounds lame.

My Secret Santa was amazing last week. Baking supplies, a Christmas cd, a cupcake recipe book, flower-shaped silicone cupcake baking cups...each with a fun little note! I love Secret Santas. :-)

I made vegan, fat-free Cranberry Apple Cinnamon Bars for a vegan, fat-free coworker's birthday. That was a new thing for me. I am just about the farthest thing from vegan and fat-free, but they were actually good! Recipe to come.

The PTO at school is so sweet. How cute is this little penguin?!

Handbell practice. We played at church again last Sunday and will be playing again this Sunday. I love them.

I received my first Christmas present of the year from my favorite seven-year-old. He used his own allowance on that rose! I cherish it.

The weather was like this most of the week. Dark, cold, and rainy. I LOVE rain! I am not quite as fond of the rainy day schedule. A classroom full of elementary kiddos that have been cooped up inside all week gets crazy!

Birthday roses from the love of my life. The card he bought gets a post of its own. :-)

My birthday was packed full of food! It just happened to be book report presentation day in class yesterday, so a bunch of the kids brought in food that they had made. I ate 4 different desserts before lunchtime hit!

Then my amazing friend Bethany took me out to a late lunch at Applebee's (because I'm addicted to their French Onion Soup). Appetizers (yes, that's plural), soup, salad, free birthday ice cream AND she made me a plate of the tastiest cupcakes!

Then just a few hours later, it was off to the Olive Garden for birthday dinner with Daniel! He tried to warn me that I was going to be too full to enjoy it. I didn't listen. I was too full to enjoy it. But we brought 90% of dinner home, so I had amazing leftovers today!

Tomorrow is the last day of school before the kids are out - YAY! I still have to work on Monday, but since there will be no kids, I'm working in sweats - YAY again!

It's going to be a crazy last few days as we scramble to get everything wrapped, packed, and ready, in between baking with friends, a Christmas party, and more, but in exactly FOUR DAYS we will be in Colorado with my family! Eeek! I can't wait!

Milky Way Brownies

2011-12-06T07:00:00.002-07:00

I made these up the other day, because I was craving brownies and thought Milky Ways would taste amazing inside of them. My first recipe was just eh. The flavors were great, but the texture and moisture levels were off. So, I waited a day, changed the recipe, and made them again.

I needed Milky Way brownies.

And they were a success! Chocolatey, gooey, and fudgey - just like a brownie should be!

I'm thinking of throwing other candy bars into brownies, just because I can. It was a very empowering, and deliciously successful endeavor. I highly encourage it.

Until now, I was banned from making up brownie recipes. Daniel was hooked on the boxed mixes and thought any other brownie attempts would pale in comparison to his beloved Duncan Hines.

I totally won him over with these. Success!

Milky Way Brownies
~Makes 16 brownies~

2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
12 fun size Milky Way bars
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Melt Milky Way bars and butter together in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Set aside to slightly cool.

3. Beat eggs in mixer. Mix in sugar completely, then stir in Milky Way mixture.

4. In a separate bowl, stir flour, cocoa powder, and salt with a fork to combine.

5. Pour flour mixture into the batter and stir, just to combine.

6. Pour mixture into a greased 8" square pan.

7. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Secret Santa - Day 1

2011-12-05T07:00:00.001-07:00

This year, a woman on staff at the elementary school where I work organized Secret Santa! The people that wanted to participate had to fill out this little questionnaire about their likes and dislikes, then her neighbor randomly assigned the Secret Santas. Each day this week, we're supposed to give something to our person, then we reveal our identities on Friday. The combined total for all of our gifts is supposed to be $25. That's really hard to do!

I wanted a theme for the week. There was really no need for one, but I felt like it needed one, so I'm labeling this "The Week of Sweets." But there's more than just food. :-)

So, this is what I came up with for Day 1 -

It's Ghiradelli dark chocolate, Milky Way Brownies, and Cranberry Orange Bread (in a cute snowman loaf pan from Michael's).

I used the Silhouette to cut out the label that I put around the Milky Way Brownies container (which, by the way, is an emptied Crystal Light container). I love that little crafting machine.

Here's my note for Day 1. Yes, that really is how I write. I was also in a mad rush to get it all done and ready in time.

Who am I kidding?

Yes, this really is how I write.

I rarely (if ever) execute things perfectly, which I've just come to accept.

This time, it was either a measurement error or a memory error. Either way, I did not have enough paper to go around the whole cylinder. Bummer.

But, sometimes it seems the harder I try, the more imperfect the project becomes. So, I'm choosing to embrace that part of myself.

My name is Becky. I yearn for perfection, but tend to fall short. Please love me anyways.

Ding-A-Lingin'

2011-12-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

After only two practices, our handbell choir performed at church this morning! For only going through the song a few times, I think we did a pretty good job!

Our director is a quiet, soft-spoken guy with the kindest heart. He reminds me of my dad. :-)

This group is full of amazing personalities and they are a riot! I have never had so much fun practicing anything before! And I like that I have the tiny bells, so I get to do fun things like shake them wildly.

This Week

2011-12-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

I joined our church's handbell choir. My good friend, Laurie (aka the pastor's wife), called me to chat as she was driving to church to practice. Then she texted me 10 minutes later saying they needed more players. I can't say no to Laurie. I think she has secret powers. And I kinda missed playing handbells. So now, I am what my family members (and I'm sure other people) affectionately call a "ding-a-ling."

I'm counting calories. Those calories have thus far included pizza, cookies, and powdered donuts. But see, now my strategy is to force myself to eat my yogurt before I eat the powdered donuts. I totally rock at this dieting thing.

My replacement Silhouette blade came and it works perfectly! It's going to take me awhile to train myself to fully utilize all of the settings this machine offers, but this thing is amazing! I'm in love!

The normal AYSO soccer season is over, which means I get to have Saturday mornings with my husband back! But there are still other tournaments going on, so I don't get him back yet. But because it's so cloudy and rainy, this weekend's tournament is canceled, so I get to have him tomorrow! Oh, the ups and downs of being a ref's wife. ;-)

We're leaving for Colorado in 17 days. Only 17 days until we see our sweet niece! There are also only 17 days left to finish our handmade gifts...eek! It's too much time and, conversely, not nearly enough!

I baked Milky Way Brownies...but the recipe needs a little revamping. They're a little too dry and a little too cake-like, but I'm convinced they're going to be delicious if I can get the proportions right!

I had a bowl of Applebee's French Onion Soup tonight. That stuff makes my world go 'round. I seriously need to learn how to make this at home. This picture does it no justice. It's heaven in a bowl...topped with cheese.

Role Confusion

2011-11-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

You know Taco?

The impish black cat that can often be found sleeping either on the towels on the top shelf of our closet or underneath the most recent Amazon box that he has overturned?

The fur ball whose narrow green eyes can frequently be seen peeking out of any available paper bag?

The one who climbs our blackout curtains to chase invisible bugs, leaving little claw holes that let the light shine through, thoroughly defeating the purpose of blackout curtains?

Apparently he learned how to be a rooster.

Backwards.

Instead of waking us up when the sun rises, he waits until all of the lights are out at night and we're drifting to sleep. Then he pads through the hallways, stopping in every doorway to let out a stream of impatient meows in long, low bellows.

I wonder how he'd feel if we dumped him out of his paper bag every time he tried to nap...(ahem. This may be one reason we shouldn't have kids yet. Retaliation isn't exactly a healthy parenting tool. Just sayin'.)

I Want to Be Like Dwight Schrute

2011-11-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

If you've ever seen or even heard of the television show The Office, I'm sure you know Dwight.

And it's true. I want to be like Dwight Schrute.

Source

But not in the beet farmer, can't-take-a-joke, Battlestar Galatica-loving, never-develops-healthy-relationships kind of way.

There is one episode in which Dwight quits his beloved job as assistant to the regional manager to protect the woman he loves from getting in trouble. It was only when he went to work someplace else that Michael, the regional manager, discovers all of the extra tasks Dwight had been doing secretly for years.

Every night, he would organize the trinkets on Michael's desk in his favorite way.

Every night, he would water the plant that Michael enjoyed.

Michael didn't even notice Dwight was taking the time to do these little things until he was gone. It wasn't part of his job and nobody ever asked him to do it.

That's how I want to be. I absolutely love when people notice when I do kind things for them, but that's not my desire. My desire is to be a secret servant; a person who does nice things for other people simply because I care about them. Not for recognition or praise, but for the sake of putting others above myself. For the sake of putting a smile on someone's face and hoping they feel loved, cherished, and important for at least one moment that day.

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" - Romans 12:10-

I'm determined to find way to stealthily serve people...any ideas?

Quinoa Stir Fry

2011-11-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

Our Arizona family bought us a bag of quinoa the other day. They ~~take care of~~ spoil us like that. I love them.

If you haven't tried quinoa yet, you seriously should. It is one of those foods that I originally wrote off on principle. You know....because it sounded too healthy.

It turns out I love the stuff! You cook it like you would cook rice and I boiled mine in chicken broth to give it extra flavor.  Then I wanted to make a whole meal out of it, so I made it into a stir fry! It's actually more like fried rice than stir fry, but "fried quinoa" sounded weird.

This is another recipe that can be adapted to your tastes so easily! Don't like red peppers? Don't use 'em!  Want to add mushrooms? Do it! Want to make it even more filling than it already is? Add leftover chicken!  Like teriyaki sauce better than soy sauce?  Add more teriyaki and no soy sauce at all! Live on the wild side. Go crazy. Indulge your culinary impulses.

Or if you're in a more tame and orderly mood...just follow the recipe. :-)

Quinoa Stir Fry
Serves 4-6

3 cups cooked quinoa
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 stalk green onion, diced
3 Tbs sesame oil, divided
4 eggs
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 tsp ground ginger
12 oz refrigerated stir fry vegetables
2 Tbs soy sauce
3 Tbs teriyaki sauce
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Beat eggs in a small bowl with salt and pepper.

3. When oil is hot, pour eggs into skillet.

4. Scramble eggs until they are cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

5. Add remaining sesame oil to skillet over high heat.

6. When oil is hot, add bell pepper, green onion, minced garlic, and stir fry vegetables.

7. Stir fry vegetables for 3-5 minutes, then add quinoa and scrambled eggs. Stir.

8. Add soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, ground ginger, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir fry until vegetables reach the desired crispness.

I Am Just SO Thankful

2011-11-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

There's a reason my blog is titled "So Very Blessed." My life is overflowing with things that I'm thankful for. If I listed everything, I don't think I'd ever stop typing, but I can at least make a (very, very small) dent in the list!

My husband. I have no idea what I would do without him. He is my love, my support, my companion, my entertainment, and my best friend. I'm so thankful to be going through life with him by my side.

Our Arizona family (the picture is missing Pastor Dan). They may not legally be our family, but since we met them at the beginning of this school year, they have really taken us under their wing. We adore them and appreciate every second we spend with them. They love us, support us, and spoil us rotten! If you want to see true, Christ-like hospitality in action, these are the people you want to meet.

My family. Friends are just wonderful, but there is nothing like the comfort and safety and love in the circle of people who have known me my entire life. And as families go, bias as I may be, mine is just the best. These people are the most self-sacrificial, kind, humble, and generous people I've ever seen.

My niece. Yes, she's family and yes, she is in the picture above, but she gets a category of her own. Brianna has added so much life and excitement to our lives and I've never before experienced the kind of love that I feel for this sweet girl.

On that note....Skype! Distances seem less when we're able to see each other from afar. We've Skyped with my parents while they were traveling in China and have watched Brianna grow up with weekly Skype dates. Phone calls are wonderful, but I am so thankful for the added video that Skype provides! How else would we be able to see Brianna close herself and Bailey in the dog crate in Colorado while sitting in our apartment in Arizona?

We are happy and healthy. I have a job that I love and a wonderful church home. We're surrounded by people we love and all of our needs are provided for. We have a homey little apartment and two adorable cats to keep our laps warm. Our pantry is full of food and our closets are full of clothes.

We are so very blessed. Thank You, God.

Blueberry Muffins

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Confession - The blueberry muffins in this picture contain no eggs. They are supposed to contain eggs, but I can get a little crazy in the kitchen and forget how to follow my own recipe. Please put eggs in your blueberry muffins. They're just not quite the same without them. Thank you.

Phew. I'm so glad I got that off my chest. I hate feeling deceptive. I have made these muffins (ahem...correctly) a ton of times and they are one of Daniel's favorites. They're full of blueberry goodness (I use frozen blueberries) and make a perfect breakfast on the go! I adapted them from this recipe here. I'm sure the recipe is great exactly as it is written, but I like substituting applesauce for some of the oil in recipes and I don't think I could strictly follow a recipe, even if I wanted to.

I'm convinced it's a genetic trait. I inherited my father's nose and my mother's inability to follow a recipe. Can't fight genetics, right?

Now, go, eat muffins, and be merry!

Blueberry Muffins
Makes ~15 muffins

3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup buttermilk (or 2/3 cup milk + 2 tsp lemon juice)
2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
3. In a separate bowl or measuring cup, mix the oil, eggs, applesauce, vanilla, and buttermilk.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture and stir, just until combined.
5. Fold in blueberries.
6. Pour batter into a greased muffin tin, filling the tins to the top.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

He's Totally Getting Into Pharmacy School

2011-11-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

1 - Because he is insanely smart.
2 - Because he is even more insanely curious and studies things like organic chemistry in his spare time just to satisfy that curiosity.
3 - Because this is his personal statement for his application. Every time I read it (which has been MANY times), I just about burst with pride and can't believe the man sitting next to me is the same man who experienced all of these things.

"Growing up, I left home as an eleven-year-old kid. I lived in a car and hopped between friends’ houses until I could finally afford to pay my own rent at the age of fifteen. Trying to go to school and maintain a full time job at such a young age proved to be too demanding, so I ended up dropping out of school in ninth grade. I thought that was the beginning of the end of my life. I lost out on some of the most important things in a teenager’s life, from parental love and guidance to general education in high school. With nothing to lose, I enlisted in the military, where my recruiter helped me earn my high school diploma. I enlisted as a combat medic and never imagined that I would be put in the middle of a war. In 2005, I deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, a barren desert city that saw some of the worst fighting since the Vietnam War. I was put in a position, again, that I believed would only result in failure. I never thought I would be able to treat a man just minutes after he was shot in the face, or a six-year-old girl coming home from a wedding who was shot in the head and the leg. Over the course of seven months I treated these kinds of patients, day in and day out. I left Iraq a man who could face adversity and overcome it. I became a man who could stare failure in the face and defeat it. After the military I enrolled in college and nearly 100 credits later, this former high school dropout has a 4.0 grade point average. Twice I have overcome extreme odds that favored failure and twice I have succeeded. These experiences have proven that I can now tackle my next great obstacle, becoming a pharmacist."

He is submitting his application tomorrow. This is big. This is the reason we moved to Arizona. He has always wanted to be an Arizona wildcat and this is his chance, not only to get into the U of A, but to get into a doctorate program at the U of A. Whoa. Huge.

And then, we wait. Hopefully in the next month to month and a half, he will be offered an interview!

I am so, so proud of this man.

Ramblings

2011-11-17T17:20:00.000-07:00

I'm reading 4 different books at the moment. One on my new Kindle Fire, one for a class I interpret, one for Daniel, and one for fun. The plots and characters have kind of blended together at this point, so there is currently a pregnant baker who is going to become queen of a magical land, but on the way there, the pilot had a heart attack and crashed the plane, so now the baker must build a house for Habitat for Humanity in an Amish community with her two sisters, while saving her bakery...and her kingdom. Sometimes my head is a scary place.

We went back to the gym for the first time since September. We started with a pretty easy first workout, but it felt so good to be back! Side by side with my husband on the ellipticals, him studying and me reading on my phone, it was a good workout. And, of course, there was the hot tub. Between that and the coconut-scented shampoo, the gym is a pretty happy place to be.

I can't wait for Christmas. My heart is so ready for a season focused on Christ and goodwill toward men (and women. and children.). I started a daily Advent devotional on my phone that is super encouraging. Yes, yes...I know Advent doesn't start until November 27th. I'm just getting a head start. :-)

I have to start dropping some pounds for Maryam's wedding! I probably should have started earlier. The holiday season isn't exactly the prime time to lose weight. I want cookies, fudge, chocolate, candy, and Starbucks' Caramel Apple Cider. Oi vey.

The soccer season is almost over and I'm ecstatic to be able to have Saturdays with my husband again! Temporarily...seeing as next semester he has class all day on Saturdays. Ick.

We're so close to turning in Daniel's pharmacy school application. It's scary and exciting at the same time. This time next year, he could be wrapping up his first year of pharmacy school...that boggles my mind!

I can't wait to be a stay-at-home wife/mom and I still look forward to days off in a big way, but I spend my days interpreting Bill Nye the Science Guy and dancing to the Purple People Eater. Tomorrow is "twin day" and the teacher, student, teacher, and I are dressing as triplets. My life is pretty amazing.

I also got my Silhouette last night! I'm getting all of my big Christmas/birthday presents early this year, apparently. I can't wait to use the Silhouette for crafting! Unfortunately, that will have to wait for a few days, because the blade that came with my machine isn't working properly. But, the customer service people were kind, prompt, and a replacement blade is already on its way!

And tomorrow is Friday, which makes me extraordinarily happy, because it not only means that the weekend is almost here, but it also means it's Pizza Friday - a night full of food, fellowship, and laughter with the family we adore.

My mom just told me about an awesome opportunity I have to serve someone in need and I am just itching to get started! I want to prance around and spread Christmas cheer...but I don't think Daniel would go out with me in public if I did. So, I'll just mentally prance.

And I saw a praying mantis on the side of a building today.

The end.

Blackberry Cupcakes

2011-11-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend was dark, cloudy, and dreary...and we loved every second! If you compare blazing hot Arizona sun to cloudy weather, sometimes cloudy weather is just better! Like, when your husband has to ref 4 soccer games. Or when you want to go to the zoo with your friends. Or when you want an excuse to bake.

I know everybody says that sunshine is supposed to make you happy and clouds are depressing, but sunshine everyday gets to be a bit much, so we have been so thankful for this temporary reprieve!

So, I celebrated by baking. :-)

Blackberries were on sale at Sprouts this week and they're just too good to resist. I ate a full package within half an hour of them being in our house. Then I decided to muster up some self-control and actually save some to bake with. And it has been awhile since I baked cupcakes, so I went to work! Okay, it's not actually "work" to bake cupcakes. The "work" comes when I have to do all of the dishes. Sometimes I dream of having Rosie from the Jetsons living with us. And then I wake up and realize that instead of Rosie, I have one cat unloading our dresser drawers, while the other one steals Pepperidge Farm Goldfish out of my hand.

Anyways...blackberry cupcakes. I probably should have pureed the blackberries and then strained it, so that there weren't any seeds, but 1) that sounded like a lot of additional dishes and 2) I like blackberry seeds. Weird? Maybe.

Blackberry Cupcakes

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups blackberries
1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk + 2 tsp lemon juice)
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

3. Beat in egg and vanilla.

4. Add blackberries and beat on medium speed about one minute, until berries are broken up and evenly distributed throughout the batter.

5. Mix in buttermilk.

6. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

7. Mix dry ingredients into batter, just until combined.

8. Spoon batter into a greased muffin tin, filling each container 2/3 of the way full.

9. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Apple Cider Cupcakes

2011-11-14T07:00:00.001-07:00

I have been addicted to Honeycrisp apples recently. They make my world go 'round. And when things make my world go 'round, I make them into cupcakes, just because I can.

I wish I could infuse apple cider flavoring into everything, because it's just so good! I tried to make apple cider cookie bars. I failed. Twice. I think that's part of the reason I like cupcakes so much - you can tweak the recipe quite a bit without ruining the integrity of the cupcake. That bodes well for me, since I can never leave recipes alone (I blame my mother for that one!), but that also means that the flavors can be so much more versatile!

So, I give you the Apple Cider Cupcake. I added just a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, because I really wanted the apple cider flavor to be the star, and I think it was a success! This little guy is packed with fluffy, moist (my two favorite cupcake adjectives!), apple goodness. And, of course, I had to use some Honeycrisp apple as garnish.

This was actually the second cupcake I baked this weekend (the first one will be shared soon), but this one was prettier, so I'm sharing it first.

Apple Cider Cupcakes
Makes 12-15 cupcakes

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups apple cider
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cream butter and sugar for about 5 minutes.

3. Beat in vanilla and egg.

4. Mix in apple cider.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

6. Stir dry ingredients into batter, just until combined.

7. Bake 18-25 minutes.

We Had Visitors!

2011-11-08T07:00:00.001-07:00

We never have visitors, but my parents were in town this last weekend and we had a blast showing them around Tucson! We ate our way through all of the best places around (we have at least a week's worth of leftovers!), but our favorite part was showing them the Desert Museum!

We've only been to the museum in the summer time until now, which means that we've only been there when it has been excruciatingly hot, but this time the temperature was perfect! They brought the cold Colorado weather with them. :-)

Do you know how long it takes a saguaro cactus to grow? That little guy in the back left is 15-20 years old!

This little guy was my favorite. He's a little screecher owl (that didn't make so much as a peep while we were there!) and was absolutely adorable. I mean, look at his patterning! Just stunning!

The museum built this amazingly intricate cave with a ton of interactive stations. This is my dad with bat ear headphones. He's a goober. :-)

It was pretty cool! The headphones didn't really magnify voices at all, but the slightest breeze sounded like a massive wave was about to overtake you!

This is one of my favorite places to see animals, because you are (safely!) able to get so close to them!

There were wolves...

Bobcats...

The bobcat was also one of my favorites. He reminds me of Chance.

I love having my parents around, because they both willingly pose for pictures when I ask! It gave Daniel a break from being in every picture. And I love lookin' at my mama.

And Great Horned Owls. They're mesmerizing. And slightly intimidating when they're staring right at you.

It's not a trip to Arizona without seeing some javelinas!

The frogs were the easiest to photograph. I don't think even one of the frogs moved the entire time we stood in front of the exhibit (and there were TONS of them in there!).

I could have stared at this guy all day. His eyes pulled me in. Thankfully, not literally. I love that pane of glass that separated us. I like being close to these animals, but not too close...

And we ended our day with a parrot. He didn't seem too interested in us, but his coloring is just gorgeous!

I love, love, loved having my parents here and am super sad that they had to leave, but we'll be heading to Colorado to see them in about six weeks! It's good to have things to look forward to.

And now, I need to get back in the kitchen! We ate out so much that I am having oven withdrawals!

Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes

2011-11-02T07:00:00.001-07:00

Chocolate and raspberry is one of my absolute favorite flavor combinations. Even though I usually avoid dark chocolate, Ghiradelli's dark chocolate raspberry squares are heavenly. I don't think I've ever met a chocolate-raspberry treat that I didn't like! So, when I saw that raspberries were on sale this week, I snatched them up!

I have tried quite a few chocolate cupcake recipes and most have been complete flops. I was half expecting this one to fail, too, but they turned out delicious! They aren't quite as sturdy as most cupcakes, so I ended up eating this on a plate with a fork. The centers also fell on a few of them because I really wanted the raspberry in the center of the cupcake, but it made the perfect little nook to add some extra raspberry preserves. The cake was fudgy, fluffy, and the best part is that it doesn't use any butter or oil! I actually did the on accident, but I'm so glad I did! These pack a big chocolate punch, which I absolutely adored!

And it's all mixed in one bowl, lessening the amount of dishes used. Less dishes always make me a happy girl!

Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes
Makes 12 cupcakes

2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup raspberry preserves + extra for garnish (I recommend seedless!)
12 raspberries + extra for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Whisk together sugars, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour.
3. Stir in eggs, buttermilk, applesauce, and raspberry preserves and mix just until combined.
4. Pour batter into a greased muffin tin until each cup is 2/3 full.
5. Press one raspberry into the center of each muffin cup.
6. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Spread a thin layer raspberry preserves on top of each cupcake and top with frosting or Cool Whip. Top with extra raspberries.

They Thought We Were Construction Workers...

2011-10-31T07:00:00.021-07:00

The teachers I work with and I decided to dress up as minions this year!

Despicable Me minions. Not crazy, scary minions.

I don't do scary.

I prefer puppies, rainbows, and unintelligible little yellow creatures wearing overalls.

Our student teacher made yellow headbands to add to our costumes (which I left at school). We really wanted to add little black gloves, but that doesn't mesh very well with sign language interpreting - that could make fingerspelling seriously hard to read!

But, the kids thought we were construction workers. Oh well.

This is about as scary as I get.

Grr.

Terrifying, I know.

Taco is dressing up, too! I saw this costume at Target and thought it was hilarious. As in, I was busting up laughing in the middle of the aisle, embarrassing my husband so much that he put the costume in the cart just to stop the scene I was making. I love that man.

"Bad-dog" - get it?! He's a cat, therefore making him a bad dog! Hahahaha...you don't have to think it's funny. I'm pretty sure I think it's funny enough for all of us!

Poor Taco hates when we dress him up. Once he's in a costume, he doesn't know how to move his limbs very well, so he just flops over onto the ground and pathetically looks up, waiting for us to free him.

It usually takes us a while.

He's just so cute!

We had an awesome night! Our pastor's family is super amazing and they invited us over to spend the night with them. Who needs kids of our own when we can just borrow theirs? Daniel and the pastor took their son trick-or-treating, while I stayed behind with the pastor's wife and one of their daughters. We watched Survivorman, handed out candy (well, they handed out candy!), and ate chocolate. They also fed us chicken tortilla soup. Have I mentioned that I love them? I love them.

Fun Halloween Food - Mummy Dogs

2011-10-27T07:00:00.001-07:00

More Halloween food! Every day that we get closer to the 31st on this month, I'm seeing more and more of these guys pop up on the internet. I have no idea who originally came up with the idea, but I think they are absolutely adorable...and so easy!

Of course, my husband, who doesn't eat hotdogs anyway and who has recently gone vegetarian didn't eat them, but I thought they were quite tasty! Cute food is always tastier.

I decided to go for a little Halloween scene by adding a honey mustard moon, shredded lettuce grass, and a sour cream headstone to accompany my mummy dogs, but the possibilities are endless!

There really isn't much of a recipe for these, but I included it anyway!

Mummy Dogs

1 package hotdogs
1 roll refrigerated breadsticks

1. Unroll your breadsticks and roll each one into a long rope.

2. Wrap one breadstick around one hotdog and continue until you run out of hotdogs. If you have extra breadsticks, roll them into fun shapes or just normal breadsticks.

3. Bake according to the breadsticks' directions.

"He Don't Eat No Meat?"

2011-10-26T07:00:00.001-07:00

The little Greek woman from My Big Fat Greek Wedding has been popping up in my head a lot lately.

My husband has decided to stop eating meat.

*insert gasps and horrified pointing here*

I know. I don't get it either. Apparently his classes have been teaching him a lot about how meat is prepared and it freaks him out. Thankfully, he hasn't told me about any of the things he has learned, so I'm still all about eating meat. Honestly, the things he learned probably wouldn't faze me much. I'm a meat and potatoes girl - emphasis on the meat.

But, because I love the man, I'm trying hard to create meatless menus for eating at home. I figure, this is a new cooking challenge, right? He doesn't like a lot of vegetables (yet) and neither of us like beans much unless they are refried, so I am going to have to get creative to put balanced meals on the table.

Hopefully our grocery bill will shrink, because meat can be expensive and until now, we've eaten quite a bit of it.

And I love fruits and vegetables, so maybe this is the push I need to get past my boring veggie preparations (those little steamer bags are just so easy!).

And luckily I can still do all of my baking, because, thankfully, cookies and cupcakes don't have meat in them!

And I can still eat meat when we eat out (which we're also trying to minimize. At the moment, if Daniel went to Subway, the only thing he would willingly eat is a lettuce sandwich. Yum.).

Can you tell I'm still trying to talk myself into this idea?

So, if my posts seem a little bit off or you see a crazed, iron-deficient woman straggling down the street...send meat.

Just kidding. I'm sure it can't be that bad, right?

I honestly don't know. I don't think I've ever gone more than a few days without ground beef. Or chicken. Or pork loin. Or steak. Mmmm....steak. I'll miss your, hearty, juicy, deliciousness.

Okay. I'm done. Now I'm just pining. What I meant was, "Mmmm...carrots. I love your...um...orange...ness." Yeah. That.

Sour Cream Enchiladas

2011-10-25T07:00:00.001-07:00

This is another recipe that my mom has made for as long as I can remember. It's such a good base recipe, because it's easy to cater to different tastes. If you feel like chicken, use chicken (and you could change the cream of celery soup to cream of chicken!). If you're out of chicken, use ground beef! If you want more spice, use more green chiles (or Cholula if you're like my husband).

I actually cheat a little bit to make the filling process a little bit easier. I mix the ground beef (or chicken) into the sour cream mixture and I don't put cheese inside of the tortillas, I just sprinkle all of it on top. I also like to add a little bit of ground pepper into the sour cream.

Sour Cream Enchiladas
Makes 12 enchiladas

2 cups sour cream
1 can cream of celery soup
1 cup green onions, chopped
4-8 oz diced green chiles
1 lb cooked chicken or ground beef
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
12 flour tortillas

1. Mix sour cream, soup, onions, and chiles.

2. Spread 1 Tbs on each tortilla; add 1 Tbs chicken or beef; sprinkle with 1 Tbs cheese.

3. Roll up tortilla and place in greased 9 x 13" pan. When all are done, spread the rest of sour cream mixture on top of enchiladas. Top with the rest of the cheese.

4. Bake in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

Empty Arms

2011-10-20T07:00:00.013-07:00

You may or may not remember that Daniel and I spent the summer in Colorado with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece. I took 10 gajillion pictures. I promised my sister a CD of pictures and she is still empty-handed.

Why?

Because every time I start editing the pictures from this summer,

the room is suddenly far too silent,

and my arms

feel

far

too

empty.

Only 60ish days until we're in Colorado for Christmas...Then I'll have a whole new batch of pictures!

Crockpot Beef Stew

2011-10-19T07:30:00.001-07:00

I've never really liked beef stew. I've tried it before using other recipes and something was always just...off. Whether the carrots were mushy, the potatoes were grainy, or the seasonings weren't right, there was always something left to be desired. They were very unfulfilling experiences. When food can be so good, why waste your appetite on not-so-great things?

So, I avoided stew for years...until a few weeks ago when Daniel subtly hinted, "Did you know that beef stew is one of my favorite foods? You know, you could make it sometime and that would be okay..."

Hint taken. And so, I went back to the drawing board. I looked at a ton of stew recipes and read hundreds of recipe reviews to find out what worked and what didn't. So, from all of that information I found, I picked out the ingredients and techniques I liked the best and put them all together and created our very own beef stew.

And let me tell you, I have fallen in love with it! We live in Arizona, so the temperatures are still quite high, but every time I feel even the slightest degree drop, I get the urge to make this stew again!

This is the absolute perfect meal for a cool day! The smell of it cooking in the crockpot all day is just divine and it is comfort food to the max! It is warm, chunky, flavorful, and SO filling! Nothing grainy, mushy, or under-seasoned - just a bowl of steaming hot broth, tender beef, and a lovely medley of onion, carrot, and potato.

And feel free to leave your onion in bigger chunks. Daniel just doesn't like big hunks of onion, but I didn't want to miss the onion flavor, so I just diced it up for us. Enjoy!

Beef Stew

1 1/2 lbs stew meat, cut into 1" cubes
1/3 cup flour
1 onion, chopped
4 cups low sodium beef broth
5 red potatoes, cut into 1" cubes
5 carrots, peeled and cut into 1" pieces
2 tsp minced garlic
1 Tbs Worcestershire
1 bay leaf
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 packet beef stew seasoning

1. Put beef in crockpot. Sprinkle the flour in and stir to coat the meat.

2. Add all other ingredients. Stir to combine.

3. Cook on low for 6 hours. Remove bay leaf and serve!

Fun Halloween Food - Dirt Cake

2011-10-18T07:00:00.001-07:00

My mom makes the best dirt cake on the planet. I used to request it every year for my birthday and she used to make it in a flower pot with fake flowers and little gummy worms. I miss those days...One time a friend told me that we were eating dirt cake at her house. It was just Oreo crumbs and chocolate pudding - not even close to the same thing!

But, luckily, my mom gave me her recipe for the good stuff! Honestly, the recipe kind of freaked me out. I mean, 1 stick of oleo? Really? You know it's an old family recipe when they still call for oleo! But, it tastes just as good as I remember it!

Mine aren't nearly as cool as my mom's were, but I wanted to be able to see the layers of the dessert, so I figured this was the perfect opportunity to dust off our wine glasses. And, since Halloween is coming up, Dirt Cake seemed to fit the holiday theme! It would be fun to create a little graveyard with little graham cracker tombstones, but that didn't occur to me until I started writing the post, so...I didn't do that yet. :-)

Dirt Cake

1 cup powdered sugar
1 stick oleo (margarine)
8 oz cream cheese
3 1/2 cups milk
6 oz (2 small) packages instant vanilla pudding
12 oz Cool Whip
1 lb Oreos

1. Cream sugar, oleo, and cream cheese together.

2. In separate bowl, mix milk and pudding.

3. Blend Cool Whip first with pudding, then with cheese mixture.

4. Crush Oreos.

5. In large bowl, layer 1/2 cookies, pudding mixture, and other 1/2 cookies.

Fun Halloween Activity - Pumpkin Pancake Carving!

2011-10-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

We may not have kids yet, but it doesn't have to stop us from doing fun stuff anyways! It's good to connect with your inner child and play with your food sometimes, right? Who am I kidding? I play with my food everyday.

So, first I poured our pancake batter (which did not actually contain pumpkin, because we don't like it, but feel free to add it to yours!) into a squeeze bottle and used that to help me draw our pumpkins on the griddle. You may have mad skills and be able to shape a pumpkin without the squeeze bottle, but I need the bottle. ;-)

Helpful hint - I wanted to make the pumpkins really big, but that can make them really difficult to flip (like pancake batter flying around the kitchen and dripping down into the impossible-to-reach parts of the griddle difficult. No, I'm definitely not speaking from experience). Try using two spatulas! I didn't have any pancake-batter-flying flipping incidents this morning!

I used mini cookie cutters to "carve" mine, because I have a ton of them and they were the perfect size to add facial features. And "mini" anythings are cute. I love cute things.

I used mini Christmas trees for the eyes, a circular flower for the nose and a mini cross to make the mouth.

Daniel used a heart cookie cutter for his nose, but he decided to take the challenge of doing the rest of the face freehand with a knife. It's harder than it sounds, but I'm just happy he did it with me! He may not get as excited about playing with food as I do. He'd rather play with his computer. Or organic chemistry molecule set. True story.

When it was time to eat them, I filled the holes of my pumpkin with syrup and it looked way cooler! I wish I had taken a picture, but I was really hungry by that time and just wanted to eat my pancake. But the time we actually ate them, the pancakes weren't very hot, but it was a really fun way to get in a Halloween mood!

This Morning I Was Just the Ref's Wife...

2011-10-15T16:20:00.001-07:00

When we left the house this morning, my job was easy -

-Cheer on my husband.
-Hand him water between quarters and halves.
-Hold the coin he uses for pre-game coin tosses.
-Point and laugh when one of his socks slides down his leg.

You know, the normal Saturday morning stuff.

After his third game this morning, the regional commissioner found us. We are now (pending board approval) the Referee Administrator and Assistant Referee Administrator for the region.

Have I mentioned we have a hard time saying no? And Daniel loves soccer? And we both love kids? And that this AYSO region would soon cease to exist without the Referee Administrator position filled? And we may get a most-expenses paid trip to New Mexico for a sectional meeting?

So, now that they convinced us that they needed us on their board, we have to go to our first board meeting on Monday and convince them to pick us. Does something seem a little off here?

Oh well. It's all for the kids, right? Wish us luck! Maybe I can come up with a fun snack to bring to the meeting...

I'm On Food Gawker! Woo Hoo!

2011-10-14T08:00:00.001-07:00

After my first five submissions were rejected...

My White Chocolate Cupcakes made it onto Food Gawker!

See the cupcake topped with the strawberry on the left-hand side? That's mine! Eeek!

After you submit your photo, they judge it on the appeal of the food, lighting, white balance, exposure, composition, presentation, sharpness, and more, and then they decide whether to accept or reject it.

I am over the moon that they picked my photo! And I may not have been overjoyed when they rejected the first five pictures (Okay, I was really, really sad. Have I mentioned that I can be a little oversensitive?), but I have really learned a lot from their comments. Hopefully this will be the first of many acceptances, but even if it's not...

I made it onto their site!

The site I've spent countless hours on...well...gawking all of the fabulous food. :-)

"My Box."

2011-10-13T08:00:00.002-07:00

We received a few boxes from Amazon orders this week and I thought it would be just brilliant to use them to put the extra packaging stuff that I'm getting rid of from my pantry makeover in.

About an hour after filling the boxes...

they were mysteriously unloaded.

Okay, so it really wasn't much of a mystery. Taco isn't very sneaky. He's actually quite blatantly unconcerned by our "obstacles" to his comfort. Which is why he also has no problem climbing on top of our television. Or knocking over Daniel's Xbox 360 in order to have a warm spot to lay on. But, back to the box...

His message was loud and clear.

"My box."

Fun Halloween Craft - Ghost Poop!

2011-10-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

My dad always used to get us special little treats for Valentine's Day. It was usually some candy by our place mat on the kitchen table, but one year, there was nothing there. I got in my car to go to school and on my dashboard, found a bag of white and pink M&Ms labeled, "Cupid Poop."

One of the many reasons I love my dad. :-)

So, when I saw this idea on Pinterest, I knew I needed to make it! And I thought it would be perfect for some of the kids in our life right now. These are super simple and fast to make!

I just used Microsoft Word to create a document with the ghost picture and the words. I found the free clipart image of a cute ghost online, because I'm all about happy, cutesy, un-scary things for Halloween. Then I printed it out, used scrapbook scissors to cut it down to the size I wanted, and used scrapbook mounting squares to attach the paper to colored scrapbook paper. Then, I used the mounting squares to attach the Ziplock baggie full of mini marshmallows to the paper.

That's it! I'm not even close to being a crafty person, but this was totally doable!

Hopefully the kids find it as entertaining as I do!

Maple Snickerdoodle Bars

2011-10-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks, we've had pizza Fridays with our pastor's family. They provide the pizza and I provide the dessert. They actually never asked me to provide dessert, but I want them to keep inviting us back and sweet treats can't hurt, right?

I'd already brought Caramel Apple Mini Cupcakes and Chocolate Chip Cookies and knew I wanted to make something Fall-like. I've had Maple Flavoring in my cupboard for awhile now, but hadn't found a recipe for it yet. So, I decided to invent one!

This is basically a sugar cookie type dough that I mixed maple flavoring into and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar before baking. I wanted it to be soft and moist, so I used brown sugar instead of the usual granulated.

They turned out fan.tastic. The smell that filled the house while they were baking was just heavenly! This is my second batch and honestly, I want to bake more just so my house will smell like maple-y goodness again. And the smell didn't disappoint! The sweetness, maple, brown sugar, and cinnamon were perfectly balanced.

This week, we ate them after they had cooled, but they would be wonderful served warm with a dollop of Cool Whip!

Maple Snickerdoodle Bars
Makes 16 squares

1 stick butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp imitation maple flavoring
2 Tbs water
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Cream the butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in egg, maple flavoring, and water.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together.

5. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix just until combined.

6. Spread batter into a greased 8x8 glass pan.

7. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

8. Cool, then slice into 16 squares.

It's Fall Break!

2011-10-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

This week, I will be getting very acquainted with my DVR. Hours of "Extreme Couponing," "M*A*S*H*," and The Food Network? Yes, please!

Our pantry will be getting a makeover. I've organized and inventoried my pantry a few times before, but this time it is getting a full overhaul - it desperately needs it!

There will also be lots and lots of recipe inventions this week! I have a Maple Snickerdoodle recipe that I can't wait to share, but they all disappeared before I remembered to take any pictures, so that's first on the list to make again! A recipe post without pictures is just not the same...

This is also going to be the week that I go through our stuff and get rid of a lot of it. We live in a two bedroom apartment. There's not much room for excess. And my parents are coming to visit soon and we want the place to look extra nice. They haven't been out here since we first moved to Arizona in 2009, so we have to make it worth their while!

It's going to be a good week. :-) Happy Monday!

Fun Halloween Food - Spider Web Taco Cups

2011-10-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

It's October, so I can finally post some of the Halloween recipes I've been wanting to share! Okay, this recipe doesn't really have to be labeled "Halloween" if you change the way you add the sour cream, but I just thought this would be a cute little touch to get into Fall mode!

I could always just throw pumpkin some some recipe like a lot of people have been doing lately, but I'm not a big fan of pumpkin, so that won't be happening here. Sorry.

But these are way better than pumpkin-y things. They're taco cups! I mean, come on! Taco-flavored meat, refried beans, cheese, and sour cream all brought together in a neat little individual serving size of Halloween goodness.

Spider Web Taco Cups
Makes 12 cups

1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
2/3 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
1/2 cup water
1 can refried beans
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sour cream

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the ground beef, taco seasoning, bread crumbs, egg, and water until combined.

3. Press mixture into a lightly greased muffin tin and mold mixture against the bottom and sides of each muffin cup, forming a bowl.

4. Press a small bit of shredded cheese into the bottom of each meat bowl.

5. Top each bowl with a heaping spoonful of refried beans.

6. Bake taco cups for 30 minutes.

7. Let cups cool for a few minutes, then remove from muffin tin.

8. Fill a decorating bottle, pastry bag, or Ziplock bag with a small piece of the bottom corner clipped off with sour cream.

9. Design a spider web on top of each cup.

It's Going to Be A Good Week

2011-10-03T15:31:00.000-07:00

The meal plan is made, recorded, and we have all of the groceries in our house and ready to be prepared.

Laundry is done, the floors have been vacuumed, and most things are picked up. Now we just need a Apple Spice Febreze candle burning. We may have bought one just to try it out, fallen in love with it, and burned the entire thing in a week. Now I desperately need another one. Or five.

We have Dish Network now - bring on the Food Network! I've already seen an episode of The Pioneer Woman (LOVED it!), Sweet Genius (mixed feelings), and I have some Challenges waiting for me on the DVR.

I'm planning a baby shower for the first time ever (remember Bethany and Josh? - they're pregnant! Eek!) and loving every second! I just wish I were more crafty to pull some of the ideas off!

I'm buying a donut pan. We love donuts in our house and you all know how I feel about baking! First on the list is maple glazed!

As you can see from the schedule, we get to hang out with our amazingly awesome pastor's kids on Wednesday night. They're fun, they're spunky, and we absolutely love 'em. And the night includes soccer, so you know it'll be good.

Next week is Fall break! Sleep, Food Network, cleaning, and baking - I can't wait!

Even though neither Daniel and I slept at all last night, a fan broke (which is a big deal here in AZ, even if it is October!), and things don't always go the way I expect they will...it's going to be a good week. Because we can make it a good week, despite the not-as-good stuff.

So, now excuse me while I go bake a batch of cookies while listening to Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. :-)

Happy Monday!

Step In Your Marriage Monday - Protected.

2011-10-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

You know the typical damsel in distress in fairy tales? The I-fell-asleep-and-can't-wake-up-without-the-kiss-of-a-valiant-prince? Or the ever so popular I'm-stuck-in-a-tower-and-need-a-brave-man-to-whisk-me-away-so-that-we-can-live-happily-ever-after?

Real life may not be quite as dramatic, but sometimes the concept is the same. Daniel has a deep desire to protect me. If I get cut off in traffic, he wants to cut off that person right back. If an angry ophthalmic technician is unnecessarily mean, he wants to give her a piece of his mind. If anyone hurts my feelings at all, he wants to show them the error of their ways and cut them out of his life. True story.

It sounds a little rash and sometimes some of his reactions freak me out a little bit, because...let's face it. I'm a pretty sensitive person. My feelings get hurt quite easily, so just because I'm hurt doesn't mean the other person is necessarily in the wrong. But, when he threatens to get his revenge in rash ways, I have to see the heart behind it all -

the heart of a man who loves me so much that he wants to protect me from all of the evils of the world.

And to feel so cherished, so safe, and so protected by him...it just means evertything to me.

Diary of A Wimpy Adult

2011-09-30T07:00:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

After a week of having crazy weird vision issues/headaches, Daniel finally convinces me to go to the doctor.

7:00am - Arrive at doctor's office. Fill out packet of paperwork. In this day and age, when everything is on the computer, wonder why they still need me to write my name, address, and insurance information 10 gazillion times. You'd think once they had the info in their system, that would be it!

7:45am - Super nice nurse takes me back to the exam room, takes my blood pressure, freaks out at how high it is, then takes it again and calms down when she sees normal numbers. Happens every time I go into a doctor's office. No idea why.

8:00am - Meet with the quiet, but kind doctor, tell her my symptoms, she examines me, then sends me to the lab to get blood drawn while she tries to get me an appointment with the ophthalmologist ASAP.

8:15am - Wait for my very first blood draw. Ever. Freak out, because last time I saw Daniel get his blood drawn, they were not very kind to his arm and I passed out. True story. Text Daniel multiple times, using the word "whimper" often.

8:45am - See a cute old man come out of the lab with bandages on both of his arms and his hands. Eavesdrop, as he tells his wife about how they couldn't find his vein. Ask old man if it hurt. He says "No," but he has a very mischievous cute old man expression when he says it. Fibber.

9:00am - Nicest lady ever takes me back and sits me in "the chair." I warn her about the passing out and she takes me back to an exam room to lay down, just in case. Nicest lady ever brings me a pillow and uses the "sissy needle" on me. I barely feel a thing, she talks to me the whole time, and I hug her and tell her that she is the only one allowed to take my blood ever again.

9:15am - Arrive at the ophthalmologist's office and fill out a gazillion more pieces of paperwork. Note that, just like at the other doctor's office, I am the only person under the age of 70 in the waiting room.

9:45am - Angry technician takes me back to the exam room and gets mad at me for not being able to read a full line of letters. Feel guilty and try to make nice with her. My efforts are rejected. Then she puts the drops in my eyes to dilate my pupils. I think it is her way of getting revenge.

11:00am - Decide I will never get my eyes dilated ever again. Besides the fact that my eyes refuse to focus on anything, the light imprints are still alive and well and EVERYWHERE! Feel especially sad, and somewhat panicked, when my phone vibrates and I have no way of knowing who texted me. Briefly think about asking the 90 year old lady next to me to read me the message aloud. Decide that it might be too much work to teach her how to view a message on my smart phone.

11:15am - Ophthalmologist checks my eyes, tells me he believes my "visual phenomenas" to be related to ophthalmic migraines and is "pretty sure it's not a brain tumor, but can't be sure." Tells me to google "ophthalmic migraine" to find more information and call my doctor to find out the next step.

11:30am - Arrive back at work donning my super cool eye-dilation sunglasses and realize I probably should have just taken a full sick day (which my husband wanted me to do. Badly.). Silently wallow in self pity and decide the diagnostic process is worse than what they're actually trying to diagnose. Realize what a waste of time wallowing is, snap out of it, and focus on interpreting...while trying my hardest to stay seated, as to not lose my balance.

3:45pm Arrive home and lay down on the couch, where I stay the rest of the night with my eyes closed.

Charlie's Specials

2011-09-28T07:30:00.001-07:00

This is one of my family's favorite recipes, even though it's "just a sandwich." Until about a month ago, I thought my mom had created this sandwich specifically for my dad and named it after him. My sisters, mom, and I were always labeled "Charlie's angels," so I just figured the sandwich was just following suit in the "Charlie's *insert something here*" labeling game.

I was wrong.

Apparently she got the name and recipe from someone else, but it doesn't make it any less tasty and I still think about my dad every time I make these. Even though Daniel now knows the sandwich isn't named after my dad, he's insisting that I create a sandwich and name it after him. We'll see how that goes...

This sandwich has the perfect combination of crunchiness, cheesiness, and tangy zip. Daniel requests them for dinner almost once a week and I always oblige, because they're so fast, easy, and tasty! And I only have to use one pan. Less dishes is always a plus in my book!

Charlie's Specials

Makes 2 sandwiches

4 slices bread
4 eggs
1 Tbs milk
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 Tbs Miracle Whip
salt and pepper to taste

1. Beat the eggs with the milk, salt, and pepper.
2. Pour into a small sauce pan and scramble until the eggs are no longer liquidy.
3. Remove the pan from heat, sprinkle the cheese on the eggs, and cover.
4. While the cheese is melting, toast the bread.
5. When the bread is ready, spread Miracle Whip evenly on all four slices.
6. Divide the eggs in two and place half of them on one piece of bread and half on another and top with the remaining two slices of bread.

I am not a fan of dance fighting.

2011-09-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

Daniel bought us season tickets to Broadway in Tucson this year and yesterday was the first show - West Side Story.

I was so excited to dress in my theater clothes (you know...nice red top, black pants, and leather boots)! Daniel wasn't quite as excited for the clothes aspect. He's a big fan of shorts and flip-flops....so that's what he wore. It turns out that he knows Tucson better than me! When the theater said that clothing ranged "from very casual to very dressy," they weren't kidding! There were a lot of shorts and flip flops in that theater! Daniel fit in perfectly.

Did I mention that we went to the Sunday matinee viewing? We missed the memo, but apparently nobody (except us) under the age of 50 goes to the Sunday matinee show. Normally, I wouldn't have cared about that fact in the least. It just so happened that the elderly gentleman sitting next to Daniel sprawled out and fell asleep on him for most of the performance and the elderly woman on the other side of me thought it quite necessary to repeat every funny line before laughing out loud, so I was ahem fortunate enough to hear every joke twice...and miss half of the line following the joke.

The show was...ok. I mean, I've seen this play before and I've also seen the movie. The first play I saw was amazing. The movie was a little cheesy. This show was...a lot cheesy. Daniel actually chuckled when Tony was shot, because he was shot mid-run, so when his body hit the floor, he just kept on slidin' (I may have thought it was a tad humorous myself. Don't tell the actor. It might hurt his feelings.). The fake accents were so thick that we couldn't understand half of what they were saying and the other half of what they were saying was in Spanish, so...we didn't understand that either. I'm familiar with the story, so I knew what was going on, but poor Daniel had never seen it before and he was clueless!

The all-dancing scenes were phenomenal and the orchestra was amazing - those two things alone made going to the show more than worth it! And the theater experience itself is just pretty awesome.

But the dance fighting...oh, the dance fighting. I find it neither artistic nor realistic when an actor spins in circles with a knife in his hand 5 feet away from the person he is supposedly stabbing and then fiercely pliés away off stage. But, then again, I've never been in a knife fight, so what do I know?

Our next show is Shrek next month and we can't wait! That's the main show that both of us are itching to see this season! Talking donkeys and various fairy tale creatures are lovely...I'm just crossing my fingers that there is no dance fighting.

Unless it's Puss in Boots. I might enjoy a cat dance fighting...

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Season Premiere!

2011-09-24T16:03:00.000-07:00

My family has been watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition since the first season in 2004. We originally started watching, because we were familiar with the host, Ty Pennington, from the TLC show Trading Spaces. After the first episode, we were hooked! This is not just a family-friendly show, it's a show about hope and sacrificing for people in need.

Each episode, they help people dealing with situations ranging from Hurricane Katrina destruction to families with terminally ill children. There are so many people in the world that could use a helping hand, physically, emotionally, and financially, and this show really tries to step in to meet all of those areas. They send the family off on a super fun, relaxing, and much needed vacation while Ty brings in a massive team of designers, builders, and volunteers to give the family's house a major overhaul.

I was given the opportunity to preview the season premiere of the show and it. was. awesome. They picked a woman who runs The Jubilee House, a transition house for homeless women veterans.

I have a soft spot for veterans. My grandfathers, my sister, and my husband are all veterans and there's just no way for us to know what any particular veteran has had to deal with. I've talked briefly here about my husband's struggle with PTSD and there are countless others out there that are silently suffering. This woman (a veteran herself) was using all of her resources to reach out to other female veterans by providing them a home, food, friends, and opportunities to get back on their feet.

As always, the show went BIG! They start the episode with paratroopers and a massive group of volunteers, civilian, veterans, and active duty military alike. Even First Lady Michelle Obama wanted to reach out and help this woman, so she helped Ty incorporate elements of the White House (like a green house!) into the new Jubilee House.

I don't want to give anymore away, but the finished product is absolutely spectacular.

The season premiere is on September 25th (TOMORROW NIGHT!) at 7/6 central.

*Disclaimer - These opinions are my own. I don't say things just to make other people happy - ask my husband. :-) *

Caramel Apple Mini Cupcakes

2011-09-23T07:00:00.008-07:00

Happy first day of Fall! At 97 degrees, the weather sure doesn't feel like Autumn, but since we're going to be in Arizona another 5ish years, I'm determined to make it feel like Fall around here, no matter how hot it is outside! I was ecstatic when I found apple cider at Walmart the other night, so I immediately snagged some and am working on perfecting an Apple Cider Caramel recipe, but while that is in the works...what's more Fall-like than caramel apples?

You know how I love turning things into cupcakes, so I set out to make Caramel Apple Cupcakes! The first batch tasted great, but the texture wasn't quite what I was looking for. I started with using little chunks of diced apples, but they added so much texture and moisture that the cupcakes kind of just fell apart. So, for my second batch, I shredded the apple in my food processor and it worked like magic!

I used one of my Apple Cider Caramel batches to melt for the cupcake topping - it was quite lovely! Caramel can melt and spread pretty easily, so I suggest putting it on the cupcake as close to the time you're serving them as possible. You could also refrigerate them to "freeze" the caramel in place, but that tends to dry out cupcakes, so I don't recommend it.

Caramel Apple Mini Cupcakes
Makes 48 mini cupcakes

1 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1 cup apple cider
1 egg
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 (3 oz) box vanilla pudding mix
1 1/2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and shredded
Caramel
Milk

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together for about 5 minutes.
3. Mix in the cider, egg, and applesauce.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pudding mix.
5. Mix the dry mixture into the wet mixture and stir just until combined.
6. Fold the shredded apples into the batter.
7. Spoon mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each 2/3 full.
8. Bake 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Melt caramel with a splash of milk and spread on top of each cupcake.

I Passed!

2011-09-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

Remember the interpreter certification test that I was dreading so much? The one where I had to not only interpret sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign in front of a video camera, but I also had to demonstrate my ability to describe my decision-making process on camera when confronted with various ethical dilemmas related to interpreting? The one that is reviewed in front of a panel of interpreting experts, both hearing and deaf?

Earlier this week (about 4 months after taking the test), I received the results...

I passed!

I already have the national certification for educational interpreting, but now I can interpret community situations nationwide, as well! It honestly probably won't change much in my life right now. I love working in the school system and don't want to give that up, just because I can interpret in other places (though I am hoping that it means a small raise!).

It does, however, open up opportunities for the future. If I were to ever lose my current job or if we need to move, I will have a lot more choices than before! I could work for an agency and interpret doctor's appointments, job interviews, and pretty much everything else...except legal. Legal interpreting requires more certifications and it scares me to pieces - no way I'm going for that one. I love Law & Order, but I sure don't want to live it!

I'm so relieved that it's all over now and that I don't have to worry about any more tests! Now, I need to get in gear and earn some CEUs - bring on the RID-approved workshops!

Step In Your Marriage Monday - Serve Together

2011-09-19T07:00:00.001-07:00

Daniel loves doing nice things for other people and he especially loves doing nice things for kids. This weekend, we went to one of our pastor's kids' soccer games and we knew we wanted to do something special. Instead of completely embarrassing the girl, we decided to go with something tame - her team's color in a bag of candy for her with a little note cheering her on.

We had the best time going through the candy aisle and trying to pick out every bag of candy that might have some green pieces in it - Ring Pops, Skittles, M&Ms, gummy worms, Tootsie Rolls, etc. Daniel even spotted some green candy-flavored Chapstick! We took it all home and went through all of the bags, picking out every green piece we could find to put in her little soccer gift bag. Then we went online in search of cute little pictures to put on the card for her (and I had an excuse to break out my rarely used scrapbook supplies!).

It was so much fun! Scheming together, shopping together, sifting through the candy together - it was so nice to be doing something nice for somebody else together. We both added different ideas and creativity to the project and it all just came together so nicely! It's always rewarding when you can do something to bless somebody else, but it's so much more fun when you have a partner in crime!

Speaking of partnering in crime, last week we had also tried to sneakily leave some homemade gummy candy on our pastor's porch for his family. We had driven to their house and the plan was for me to run up to the porch, drop the candy, run back to the car, and drive away unseen. We had pulled into their driveway and I successfully made the candy drop, but just as we were pulling out of the driveway, their garage door started opening...

Daniel froze and we both busted up laughing. We failed at ding-dong ditch. Pastor Dan caught us (yes, our pastor's name is Dan...along with half of the congregation!).

But, we did it together and we had a blast every step of the way. The more I see Daniel's heart for people, the deeper I fall in love with him. When he gets that childlike excitement for serving others, it reminds me how blessed I am to have him. I cherish every second I get to spend with him and I can't wait until our next scheme! He comes up with the best and most fun ideas ever!

Homemade Gummy Candy

2011-09-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

I love gummi (gummy? I never know which spelling to use, so I just use them interchangeably...) candy - gummi worms, gummy bears, fruit snacks, sour worms, gummi frogs, those little gummy soda bottles...I love them all!

I found a picture of homemade gummi candy from this website pinned on Pinterest and decided that I just had to try it! I was expecting it to be labor-intensive and very sticky and it really wasn't at all!

I used 1/2 cup of water, 2-3oz boxes of Jello, 3 packets of Knox unflavored gelatin for each flavor - Watermelon, Grape, and Berry Blue.

All you do is mix these ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat and keep stirring it until it is all dissolved (3-5 minutes).

The woman from the other website said that she was able to pour the mixture into the molds using a little creamer pitcher, but #1, we don't drink coffee and are without a creamer pitcher, and #2, I don't have steady hands, so I needed more control.

So, I brought out my beloved Wilton decorating bottles. I use these little guys for everything! And it just so happened that one batch fit perfectly into the bottle. Wilton rocks. They know these things.

Even with the perfect Wilton bottle, I still had a few stray drops. I just stuck them in the bags and called them gummy drops and strings... :-)

After you fill the ungreased molds, just wait for them to set for about 20 minutes, then peel them out!

They turned out great! They taste just like the Jello flavors, so if you don't like the taste of Jello, chances are you won't like these guys! They peel out of the molds really easily and clean up was a breeze! I would just use hot, soapy water immediately after each batch to clean my sauce pan and the squirt bottle and I had no issues with sticky residue!

The pieces themselves stuck to our fingers, but they weren't gooey at all. The other website says that you can coat them lightly with cornstarch, but I really didn't want to do that, so we just had fun with the sticky-ness!

These were very firm gummy pieces. I think I'll play around with the Jello:unflavored gelatin ratios until I find the perfect texture, but I would definitely make this exact recipe again! The colors were fun, the flavors were tasty, and it was mind-blowing knowing that I could make gummy stuff myself! The mold/flavor/texture combinations are endless!

It's a good thing I had taken my pictures fast, because Chance seemed to think these were cat toys. Or maybe he just really likes grape flavoring.

I like to think he's just a fan of my work.

Soccer Season

2011-09-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

has officially

begun.

Three days of slathering the backs of Daniel's legs with aloe and they're still flaming red and burning! His referee shorts are a bit shorter than his normal shorts, so I'm pretty sure, until Saturday, the backs of his knees had never seen the light of day.

I promise there will be pictures of Daniel in his super cool bright yellow ref's uniform, but though I remembered to bring the camera last Saturday, the memory card was still sitting in my iMac.

This weekend, he's reffing 3 games instead of 4, so that we can go see one of our pastor's kids play. It's so much more fun to go to a soccer game when you have someone to root for! I'm thinking we should bust out some face paint, vuvuzelas, scarves, and huge signs. I'm sure we'll be invited back. ;-)

S'more Brownies

2011-09-13T07:25:00.000-07:00

These are so easy to make that I almost didn't post the recipe. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool! I love making baked goods from scratch, but my husband loves boxed brownie mixes so much that I promised I would leave them untouched. Almost. I almost never use the full amount of oil in them anymore, because it adds so many calories and we both like the cakeyness that substituting some unsweetened applesauce adds.

I'm sure that I could have done more to make these a bit more fancy, like drizzle chocolate over them or make a graham cracker crust, but s'mores are simple, so I wanted the brownies to follow suit.

And I always love recipes that are quick, easy, and delicious!

S'more Brownies
Makes 20 brownies

1 box brownie mix (I used Betty Crocker's family size fudge brownies)
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
1-10.5oz bag mini marshmallows
2 Hershey bars
20 graham cracker pieces

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix eggs, applesauce, oil, and brownie mix together, just until combined.
3. Spread batter into a greased 13"x9" glass pan.
4. Bake for 24 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Pour the bag of marshmallows on top of the brownies and spread evenly.
6. Put back in the oven and bake for about 3 minutes more.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
8. Using a greased plastic knife, cut brownies into 20 pieces.
9. Insert one graham cracker piece into each brownie.
10. Break Hershey's bars into individual squares and set one square on each brownie.

Have You Ever...

2011-09-12T07:23:00.000-07:00

woken up to a mysteriously repetitive *clunk* *clunk* *clunk*

that turns out to be your impish black cat

energetically throwing his little black body into your sliding glass door

because he saw the lizard

that happened to have gotten stuck

between your screen door and your glass door

and you feel bad leaving him there,

so you try to coax him to freedom

which proved to be a much more difficult task than you anticipated, because your impish black cat was still ferociously attacking the thick wall of glass?

Yeah. We haven't either.

What Brings You Here?

2011-09-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Blogger has this feature that lets me see what search words have led people to my blog. These are the most frequently used words that lead people here -

"my eye patch"
arizona potatoes
killer whale jumping
self control
soccer ball suckers
15 hour road trip
ati gothard blog
becky ness
blessed on sign language
hall pass in sign language

I can figure out why some of the words led people here...

but "ati gorthard blog?" Really? I'm pretty sure I've never typed those words on my blog before! And I feel bad for the people that were brought here from the "Arizona potatoes," because I have definitely used the words "Arizona" and "potatoes" on my blog, but pretty sure I've never used them together!

Maybe I should start a new section - "How do you sign ______ ?" where I teach people how to sign things. Not like I'm the master of all signs or anything, but I've sure come across quite a few in my days!

But I really am curious - what brings you here?

Camping!

2011-09-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

It has been H-O-T in Tucson and the church camping trip gave us the perfect excuse to get away from the heat and into the mountains!

I didn't take half as many pictures as I usually do, because we're still the new guys and I didn't want to be the weird one taking thousands of pictures of people we barely know. You have to ease people into that.

That, and we were so busy hanging out with people that I just plain forgot about my camera most of the time! We learned how to play a couple of new card games that I could have played for weeks on end! I have a feeling Daniel and I will be playing a lot of "Hand and Foot" around our house now!

We were also entertained with music off and on throughout the weekend. This church has some talented people! He tried to get me to play his banjo. It wasn't pretty. I think we're all pretending that never happened. ;-)

Oh, and the food! Holy smokes, I can't even remember the last time we've eaten so well! Breakfast alone was like a four course meal! Eggs, bacon (to celebrate National Bacon Day, of course!), sausage, pancakes, potatoes, muffins...And those were just the basics! We pretty much ate continuously all day long, because the amazing food never ended! There were crockpots full of soups and homemade nacho sauce and endless baked goods!

The amazing woman I was talking about in my post yesterday? She baked these. Mini S'more Cupcakes. I love her.

We went on a couple of different hikes

and took in the view...

I liked this view best. :-)

You know you're still in Arizona when you see lizards in the mountains! We also saw skunks. They were pretty cute...from afar.

Our home away from home! We brought and set up the cot for me, but ended up not using it. We've learned from everybody else's sleeping arrangements, so next year we'll be sleeping much more comfortably!

And it wouldn't be camping without a campfire! There were plenty of s'mores, but we were way too stuffed every night to partake!

And this guy was just cute.

A bunch of people were trying to learn our names this weekend and apparently we just don't look like a Daniel and Becky, so they came up with names more fitting for us.

On that note, Grace and Chris, signing out. :-)

Step In Your Marriage Monday - A Perfect 10

2011-09-05T14:38:00.001-07:00

Daniel and I just got back from the most amazing camping trip! Everybody in this church is kind and welcoming, but there is one couple that stands out so much to me. They have been married for 39 years and are still madly in love with each other! Whenever they're walking anywhere together, they hold hands. They're taking dancing classes together. They still say they're in their "honeymoon stage" and they are the best of friends. You can tell how in love they are just by looking at them! That's exactly the kind of marriage I want to have with Daniel!

I learned so much from them this weekend just by spending time with them! One thing that they do before going on vacations is they ask each other what the one thing is that they can do on the trip that will make it a perfect 10 for each of them. It could be going on a hike, eating a special meal, or even taking a nap, but whatever your spouse chooses, you make sure that no matter what else you do on your vacation, you carve out time for their special activity.

I love that idea! And it doesn't have to be limited to just vacations! I wonder what kind of answers I would get from Daniel if I asked him that question on a daily basis. I'm sure that some things would be harder to pull off than others, but I wonder how many little things I could be doing to make his days a perfect 10.

I plan to find out this week. :-)

Thursday's Tidbits

2011-09-01T12:12:00.001-07:00

Taco has learned how to turn on our printer, because he likes the noise it makes when it powers up. He also unloads Daniel's shirt drawer almost daily. It's scary how much that cat is capable of.

We ran out of toilet paper last night - shopping list FAIL! Luckily, Daniel went to the store on his way home from class.
I can't seem to work up the motivation to work out as much as I need to (though I am going more than I was before), so instead I enjoy watching weight loss tv shows. Thanks to Netflix, that has mostly consisted of Heavy and Ruby.

I'm currently reading Moloka'i by Alan Brennert. It's about the leper colony in Hawaii and so far it's a great read! It's also the reason that my first thought when I saw a red spot on my arm today was, "I have leprosy!" (The spot went away. I think I'm good. :-) )

When Daniel threw me my surprise party at Peter Piper's Pizza last year, we used our tickets to get this squishy tentacle ball. It sat untouched for about 7 months, but now that I've rediscovered it and all of its squishy, squeezy glory, I can't go to sleep without it. Because of that, I've pretty much killed it, so my loving husband found them on Amazon and a box of 6 of them arrived today!

Tonight will consist of lots of cookie baking and packing, because tomorrow Daniel and I are headed up to the mountains to go on a camping trip with our church! Last weekend we bought two sleeping bags (on clearance for $15 each!), a big ol' manly flashlight that Daniel's excited about because he likes the idea of hitting a bear with it (also on clearance!), a cot (because when I was a Girl Scout I had to sleep on the ground, but now that I'm an adult, I'm asserting my right to comfort!), and a mat for Daniel to sleep on the ground (because he's a big, bad former Marine who is way too manly to sleep on a cot). We can't wait to get up there!

Happy Thursday to you all!

Scripture in Pictures - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

2011-08-31T07:33:00.000-07:00

"Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up."

~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10~

All Grown Up

2011-08-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

Maryam and I met in 6th grade and shortly afterwards became inseparable.

We went to early morning volleyball practices together (and let's just all pretend that those bangs never happened. Please and thank you.).

We went to school dances together and we tried to dress in matching clothing as often as possible.

I begged my parents to take her with us whenever we went anywhere or did anything.

She joined Girl Scouts just so that we could spend more time together.

We went to Disney World together,

she helped me get ready for prom,

and she was the maid of honor in my wedding.

I love this girl so, so much! We used to have sleepovers and dream about growing up, becoming kindergarten teachers, marrying twins, living next door to each other, then having babies (who were also going to be twins) that would grow up together and marry each other. We wanted to do everything together for forever. At that point, going even a day without seeing each other seemed like an eternity apart!

But, life happens. Daniel and I moved to Arizona. We don't talk as often as we'd like to and don't see each other nearly enough, but she will be my best friend forever and always.

And now, my Mary-Turkey is growing up. She got engaged! I am so, so happy for her and can't wait to see her walk down the aisle and make Zach the happiest man alive...because, being married to Maryam, it would be impossible not to be.

Congratulations, best friend!

I Love Elementary School

2011-08-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

I went to check my mailbox the other day and found this. It's chocolate. From the PTO. I love them.

I see at least 10 lizards a day, ranging from the size of a small key chain to the size of a 20 oz water bottle. They run away from me before I can even freak out. They've grown on me and now I look forward to seeing them every time I walk to my office.
After saying/signing it everyday for the past couple of weeks, I have now memorized a chunk of the Declaration of Independence.
I have an intense desire to reread Garfield comic books, the Boxcar Children, and all of Judy Blume's books.
I still hate science and social studies just as much as I always have, but at least I don't have to do the homework!
There are some kids from my school that live in our apartment complex. They recognized me in the parking lot the other day, ran over, and exclaimed, "You're that lady that stands in front of the school and goes like this *insert crazy hand movements* and copies everything the principal says!" I love them. It made my week!
The principal knows my name and greets me every time he sees me. I worked at the high school for two years and I don't think I saw the principal once.
It's so nostalgic to see the stacks of Kleenex, composition notebooks, and markers. It makes me want to find Lisa Frank stickers and a Trapperkeeper.
The classroom teacher I am with this year is one of the best I have ever seen. Her patience and energy never ends and she will sacrifice anything to help one of her students. She randomly breaks out into song and dance to get the kids' attention to quiet down - it is one of the most entertaining and effective techniques I have ever seen!
The only time I sit down everyday is during lunch. The activity just never stops! I bought shoe inserts after the first week.
Everyone thinks that interpreting in an elementary school has to be so much easier than a high school. Wrong-o! My brain and body don't stop working from 7-3:30! High school is all about intense lecture, then individual work. In an elementary school, "individual work" still usually involves a lot of adult assistance! And you try interpreting all of the made up words they have in elementary schools (think Dr. Seuss)!
There are plenty of behavioral problems throughout the day, but the pure, genuine kindness that some of these kids show absolutely astounds me.

And it has only been a few weeks! I still have eight months of elementary excitement left!

White Chocolate Cupcakes

2011-08-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

I love cupcakes. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before, but they just make me so happy! An individual, perfectly proportioned little serving size of fluffy, cakey goodness...it just doesn't get any better than that!

This is my favorite cupcake so far. It has a subtle white chocolate flavor, but it's so versatile! I have filled these cupcakes with blackberry preserves, simply topped them with whipped cream and strawberries, and I'm sure I'll be doing something different with them next time. Everything we've tried so far has been good!

This time, we also sprinkled white chocolate chips on top and I loved the crunch, flavor, and sweetness that they added, but they certainly aren't required!

Don't let the buttermilk scare you away either. I never have buttermilk in the house, so I just use skim milk and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes before I add it to the recipe. Easy peasy!

White Chocolate Cupcakes

1 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 Tbs lemon juice)
1 egg
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 box white chocolate Jello pudding mix

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cream the butter and sugar together for about 5 minutes.

3. Mix in the buttermilk, eggs, and applesauce.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pudding mix.

5. Mix the dry mixture into the wet mixture and stir just until combined.

6. Spoon mixture into a greased muffin tin, filling each container 2/3 of the way to the top.

7. Bake 18-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Just Another Afternoon in Our House

2011-08-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

Me: "Babe, what did you do to Chance?"

Him: "Nothing..."

Me: "Then why is he holding a molecule from the organic chemistry set that my sister gave you?"

Him: "Because I was teaching him organic chemistry?"

Me: "Babe..."

Him: "I made him the Methylcyclohexane King. Problem?"

Just another afternoon in our house.

Comfortable

2011-08-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

Meeting new people is hard. Relationships take time and work and usually (for me, at least) the beginning is fairly awkward. And scary. And a little more awkward.

We've been going to a new church for three Sundays now and I have loved every second. The people are warm and friendly and there have been more people at this church that remember our names than any other place we've been (*cue the "Cheers" theme song*). There is usually a normal waiting process that we go through when we start going to a church. We go for a while, slowly get to know people, wait to be invited to some things, then eventually get plugged in with some kind of service and a small group.

We've been to far too many churches since we've been married and I just didn't have the patience to go through the waiting period this time. Again. I want to be connected. I want relationships. I want to serve. So, what's the point of waiting?

So, after our second time visiting this church (which I had already fallen in love with - the worship is powerful, the sermons challenge me, the people are kind and genuine), I approached the pastor. His wife wasn't at church that day, so I handed him my number and asked if she could give me a call at some point.

She called me the next day (so prompt!) and I invited her to coffee. Yup. I'm the person that asks someone who has never even met or seen me to go to coffee. Remember that awkwardness I told you about? I told this poor woman that I wanted to meet her so that we could "catch up." Yeesh. Awkward.

So, we met at Starbucks and just chatted for a couple of hours. I love her. She asked about Daniel and I, we talked about some areas where I could serve in the church, and she had a list of people that she wanted to connect us with (YAY!). By the time we were about to leave, she invited us to her kids' birthday party the next day (how nice is that?!).

At church the next day, she introduced us to quite a few people, then that afternoon we went to the birthday party. There were a few other people from church there and we had the best time! Before we went in, Daniel had said we would stay about half an hour to be able to meet people, but then go on our way. We stayed for over two hours!

These people are the most comfortable people to be around! All of the other families knew each other very well. They've all been married longer than us and all have kids, but we never once felt left out. We talked about everything from pets to movies. We watched the kids open presents, which, by the way, were SO fun to shop for! We ate ice cream and cake topped with soccer figurines (how perfectly did that work out for my soccer-crazed husband?!). We played with puppies, which Daniel wishes he could do constantly. There was chatting, teasing, and a ton of laughter.

It was the perfect afternoon! Spending the afternoon with a room full of strangers at a birthday party for kids we had just met a few hours earlier was surprisingly...comfortable.

Genuine, fun, kind, relaxed, hilarious, hospitable people are so hard to find and we found a whole group of them! Both Daniel and I were shocked at how easy it was to just relax and enjoy ourselves in that group of people! We are so, so very blessed.

I can't wait to get to know them better!

Scripture in Pictures - Matthew 17:20

2011-08-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

"He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,

you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you."

~Matthew 17:20~

The Best Laid Schemes

2011-08-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

So, we woke up at 4:45 yesterday morning and made it to our BodyPump class at the gym! Who knew that Daniel was perky in the morning?! In the past, he's always stayed up late studying, so he would never be up when I left for work, but when the alarm went off, he had already been awake! And he was chipper! It was still dark outside. "Chipper" would not be the term to describe my morning self.

Anyways, the teacher of our class was so nice! She helped us get our step, mat, barbell, and weights figured out and gave a brief explanation of the class. At the time she talked to us, there were maybe 5 other people in the room. By the time class started, the room was packed! At 5:30 in the morning!  Seriously! People do this?!

So, we picked out our weights. I'm not afraid of judgement (most of the time) and I'm a weakling, so I went on ahead and picked the smallest weights there. You know the kind. The same ones the 70 year old women use. True story. Two of them in our case, actually.  I don't even know how much weight Daniel picked, but it was way more than I had!

The class started and I actually felt good! I was moving, I could do everything they were doing, and the music pumped me up (yes, I just said that)!  I was actually having fun! Then the warm-up ended. See, the point of this class is to do ten bajillion reps to build muscle. The first few sets were fine, but then it got hard. Like, my legs/arms-were-shaking-and-could-have-given-out-at-any-time hard.

There were lunges, squats, pushups, sit-ups, over-the-head lifts, rows, dead lifts, tricep pushups, planks, and a whole bunch of other things that I don't even know the names of. Sometimes I make up my own names. In my head, we have exercises called "The Robot" and "The One That Makes Me Wish I Were A Dog Just So That I Could Play Dead Right Now."

But, we did it! We made it through the entire class! Daniel had to walk out at one point for a minute or so to stretch out his achilles tendons, because the military broke him and he could hardly stand up, but other than that (and me majorly cheating on the push-ups), we did it!

We got a few modifications after class for Daniel's ankles and my shoulder injury, but then we went straight to the hot tub!  The hot tub is always my favorite part of working out. :-) We were feeling VERY worked out at that point!  Then I had to take a shower. Do you know how much work it is, not only to lift your arms to put shampoo in your hair, but then move to your arms even more to lather it after your first BodyPump class?! A lot.

After getting ready, I took off to work and really did feel extra energized. I was more awake, more alert, and much more focused than I normally am in the mornings. Granted, sitting down, standing up, and walking were monumental tasks that day, it still felt good! I thought I would be dying for a nap by noon, but I really wasn't! It definitely hit us around 6 that night and we were dying to go to bed early (which we did), but I kind of consider that a good thing, since we still accomplished everything we needed to that night!

And....we haven't been back to the gym since. We planned to go Tuesday-Friday for the 5:30am classes, but when we woke up this morning, neither of us could sit up. It hurt. A lot. We've been pretty pathetic all day.

Daniel was on his hands and knees climbing onto the bed this afternoon and his muscles were so sore that he kind of got stuck. That part was actually pretty hilarious...he started whimpering, "Babe, just push me over! Please?" I laughed at him...And then I had to walk down the flight of stairs outside of our apartment. It was a sobering experience.

We planned to try to get to the gym tonight for some cardio, but the USA vs Mexico soccer game was on and I had to be home to get something from a lady from work. And we're probably not going to go to the class tomorrow morning, either. We're super sore and the first day of work with the students back was way more exhausting than I anticipated. Wonderful, challenging, and rewarding...but oh-so-exhausting!

The point being..."The best laid schemes of mice and men/Go often askew" ("To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough" by Robert Burns)

We'll do better next week. :-)

Gettin' Healthy

2011-08-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

The other day I mentioned that Daniel and I have been wanting to make some lifestyle changes and there's no better time like the present!

We bought a juice extractor. This was mostly my doing. I know a lot of people who have started incorporating fresh juice into their lives and have loved the results, so I really wanted to give it a try. That, and my best friend is very, very persuasive! She and her boyfriend have been drinking fresh juice and absolutely love it.

My current plan is just to replace breakfast with fresh juice, but we'll see what happens. I have a feeling I'm going to have to start with the "normal" juices (apple and orange) and work up to the crazier ones. Mostly because we tried carrot, cantaloupe, and cucumber juice and they were absolutely disgusting. I want to like them, but this is definitely going to be a process!

The other big change is our workout schedule. We're going from working out, well, none...to going to classes at our gym 4 mornings a week. Yes, I said mornings. Did I mention the classes start at 5:30am? Yeah...Both Daniel and I really want this to work, because neither of us were motivated to go to the gym after a day of studying, class, or work, so the only other answer is going before!

So, one step at a time, we're moving forward. Starting today. Okay, we actually started trying to eat healthier starting last Friday, but "today" sounded more dramatic. :-)

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

2011-08-04T13:30:00.001-07:00

Daniel and I have grand plans to start eating healthier and working out again...but that hasn't started yet. In the mean time, we've been eating cheesy things. We love them so. Real cheesy things.

I love skim milk, low fat sour cream, and light yogurt, but cheese?

It has to be the real deal. Low fat cheese melts funny.

Daniel is currently on a nachos kick (which also feeds his Cholula addiction) and I made Alton Brown's macaroni and cheese last night for dinner.

Maybe eating healthily will start next week...Until then, I recommend cheesy potatoes. :-)

The dip adds amazing flavor, so they still retain the loveliness of traditional cheesy potatoes, just with an added bonus taste.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

1 pkg frozen shredded hashbrown potatoes, thawed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbs dried chopped onions
1 lb tub french onion dip
1 can cream of celery soup
1/4 tsp pepper
3 oz French's fried onions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the potatoes, onion, dip, celery soup, pepper, and 1 cup of the cheese together in large bowl.

3. Spread potato mixture into a greased 13x9 pan. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

4. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 55 minutes.

5. Remove foil and sprinkle fried onions over pan. Bake for 5 more minutes or until onions are browned.

"It Is Possible To Be Right About God, But Wrong About Who He Is"

2011-08-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

That was the topic of the sermon at church this week and it sure it home!

The pastor used the story of Jesus healing the blind man in John 9 to explain how the Pharisees were incredibly knowledgeable of God's laws (and many they had created themselves), but they weren't necessarily practicing what they were preaching.

The main point being - what we believe about God needs to be lived out.

Yikes. Guilty.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..." - James 1:19

Yup. Absolutely believe this verse.

Yet, the other day at my orthopedist appointment when we waited for over an hour until the receptionist accused us of not checking in, despite us checking in (with this very woman) and Daniel checking in with her after half an hour to see where we were in the wait list and the appointment had to be rescheduled for another day... I got frustrated. Really, really frustrated. And it was not a slow anger.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambitions or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value other above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Philippians 2:3-4

Believe this one through and through.

Yet, when Daniel offered to help me clean the house the other day and he ran out of time to get through all of the jobs he had volunteered for, all I saw were my own interests. I didn't see a husband trying to help his wife. I saw a man that committed himself to more than he could handle. How selfish and conceited of me!

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I so want to be living this one out. I don't know why it's so easy for me to focus on the negatives sometimes and I have no idea how I can just forget to talk to God during my day, but it's something I want to change about myself. Now. I already have Scripture posted all around our house and Daniel and I read the Bible and pray together every night, but I need more. Maybe it's time to set prayer alarms? We'll see.

I'm so glad that we were there to hear that sermon! It's so easy to let some of these things slide, but I needed to be challenged. These things (and many more!) can be changed and I'm so glad that my attention was brought to them! I want to be growing and maturing and being challenged is a great way to do that!

It was actually a new church that we were trying and I absolutely loved it! The worship was deep, the sermon was challenging, and they had this app-type thing that Daniel could download to his phone to follow the sermon notes on...meaning, both of us were happy! Yay!

It's Over!

2011-07-30T14:49:00.000-07:00

Daniel took his final for the summer class he was enrolled in on Tuesday, then he took the PCAT on Wednesday morning, immediately found out his results (which were AWESOME!), and now the studying is OVER!

Well...as "over" as studying can be when your husband enjoys reading organic chemistry books...

But that's okay. :-) It means he doesn't have to stress about anything for an entire month, which makes both of us much happier campers!

The next step for him is writing his personal statement and all of the essays for his pharmacy school applications, which means we're finally moving forward! At this time next year, we could be getting him ready for his first year of grad school! SO EXCITING!!

I'm headed back to work next week, which has it's pros and cons. I'm definitely going to miss the sleeping in, free time to bake/photograph, and all of the quality time with Daniel, but at the same time I am really excited to be working at an elementary school this year!

Until then, we're planning on cramming a few more fun (and not so fun) things into our schedule before I go back to work! We're celebrating Daniel's brother's birthday, going to a water park, getting a cortisone shot (blech!), trying a new church, and hopefully getting ahead with meal plans and cleaning!

Happy Saturday to all of you! I'm off to take birthday cookies out of the oven!

Scripture in Pictures - Psalm 119:114

2011-07-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

"You are my refuge and my shield;

I have put my hope in your word."

~Psalm 119:114~

Arizona Has Been

2011-07-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Creature infested.

We still don't know how this guy climbed all the way up our stairs. Creepy!

Monsooning.

We love, love, LOVE the rain and clouds, but we could do without the crazy wind knocking our power out!

And...you know, uprooting our trees.

But did I mention the rain?

The wonderfully wet,

calming drops of elegant beauty?

Speaking of beauty,

we have been having some amazing sunsets recently, too!

Our house has been full of tons of baking and lots and lots of PCAT studying. His test is a week from today! He's not too thrilled about it, but I can't wait! This is another HUGE step on his way to pharmacy school and our future.

New Photo Spot!

2011-07-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

I was a little bummed when we got back from Colorado, because we went from being surrounded by bright colors and greenery to being surrounded by...brown. I know tons of people see beauty in it, but I don't tend to get excited about taking pictures of dirt.

So, I researched good places to take pictures here and found a really cool place! It's like a little oasis in the middle of the desert.

No cacti, tons of grass, palm trees, and even a body of water!

It would be a nice place to go and relax any time, but we were on a photographic mission that night!

Daniel HATES having his pictures taken, so for each picture I took of him, he took one of me.

I don't think it worked out evenly.

But I was thrilled to get some shots that I liked! And it's awesome that Daniel is learning a lot of this stuff with me, so we can just randomly break out into a conversation about EXIF data, composition, lighting, etc.

And he broke out the self-timer to get some shots of BOTH of us!

He earned mega bonus points for that...

And then he herded ducks.

A good day in my book!

Skype

2011-07-12T14:03:00.001-07:00

My parents travel abroad. A LOT. Daniel is better at listing all of the places they've been than I am because there are just too many! India, Costa Rica, Thailand, Morocco, some others that I'm sure Daniel could name...and now China!

Our family has this unwritten rule that "no news is good news." When my parents leave on one of their trips, we don't expect to hear from them until they're back in the United States. It's not a bad thing, it has just been the way it is...until now!

The last trip or two, my mom has tried to send an e-mail update while they're gone, but this trip we were spoiled rotten! We not only got TWO e-mails, but we each also got a Skype call!

(She's going to hate this picture, but I was just so gosh darn happy to see her that I needed a screenshot!)

The beginning of the call was crystal clear and then something wacky happened and they could hear us, but we could only hear bits and pieces of their words. So, the conversation didn't last very long and it was quite entertaining for us to try and guess what they were saying at the end, but we got to SEE them! In China! That just blows my mind. I love technology.

Because we were all expecting the Skype call from my mom, both of my sisters were online, so while we were waiting, I got to Skype with both of my sisters and my niece!

It's nowhere close to being able to hold and tickle and love on Brianna, but we did get some good giggles when Daniel became a monster and played some peek-a-bazinga!

Skype, thank you for bringing my family together from all across the globe.

Chinese Chicken Salad

2011-07-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

This is our family's go-to summer recipe. Everybody in our family adores Chinese Chicken Salad and requests it often...and it doesn't heat your kitchen up! It's so easy to make the parts ahead of time and just throw it together at the last minute. The cool juicy chicken, crisp cabbage, just-sweet-enough dressing, and crunchy noodles all meld into culinary perfection. I'm telling you, there is no downside to this recipe.

I may be slightly bias, because I'm a sucker for nostalgia and I can remember so many summers that we would sit outside on our picnic table eating this with a side of grapes on our multi-colored sectioned plastic plates, while our little black lab bounced around the yard eating the sprinkler heads...But Daniel loves this recipe, too, so it's not just my nostalgic bias!

Chinese Chicken Salad

1 lb package shredded cole slaw mix
1 bunch green onions
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs sesame seeds
1/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds (I don't like almonds, so I omit these!)
2 packages Ramen noodles, crumbled
1 1/2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
1 packet Ramen soup seasoning (any flavor, but my favorite is oriental!)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup oil (olive or canola)
2 Tbs soy sauce

1. Boil the last 5 ingredients (Ramen seasoning, sugar, vinegar, oil, and soy sauce) together for 1 minute. Cool.

2. Brown the almonds, sesame seeds, and crumbled noodles in butter until lightly browned. Cool.

3. Slice green onions. Mix with cole slaw mix and chicken.

4. Mix with dressing. Add noodle mix just before serving.

Like I mentioned earlier, it's so easy to make this recipe ahead of time. We often cook extra chicken to chop for this when we're already making chicken for another meal, cook the sauce ahead of time, toast the noodle mixture...and then all you have to do at dinner time is mix it all together! Easy. Delicious. Summery. :-)

Scripture in Pictures - Galatians 5:22-23

2011-07-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love,

joy,

peace,

patience,

kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness,

and self-control.

Against such thing there is no law."

~Galatians 5:22-23~