* They've asked that you leave a comment in their guestbook as to the number of stockings you will do. In order to do that, you'll have a make an account - it's free. Bronie, I already counted yours in with our number. *
Here's an opportunity to love on some soldiers who are deployed to Iraq right now. We are friends with this couple and they are making a difference for the Kingdom! Please consider helping to make Christmas special for these soldiers. This will be their 2nd consecutive Christmas away from home. Let me know if you have any questions (you can leave a comment)!
9/30/2008
9/29/2008
9/28/2008
Two yummy recipes
Zucchini Risotto with Sun-dried Tomatoes (Makes 4 servings)
3 1/2 c vegetable stock (sometimes I use chicken stock)
1/2 c tomato juice
1 Tb olive oil
6 shallots, finely chopped
4 medium zucchini, chopped
1/2 c dry white wine (I just increase my stock by 1/2 c)
1 1/3 c Arborio rice (aka risotto)
16 sun-dried tomato halves (not oil-packed), finely chopped
1/2 c finely chopped fresh parsley
1 Tb finely chopped fresh marjora, or 1/2 tsp dried
2 Tb grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
chopped fresh parsley, to garnish
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the stock and tomato juice; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer.
2. In a medium skillet, heat the oil. Saute the shallots until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and wine (or 1/2 c stock); cook until the zucchini is softened, about 5 minutes longer. Add the rice; cook, stirring, about 1 minute.
3. Add 1 c of the stock mixture, the sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, and marjoram; cook, stirring, until the liquid is absorbed. Continue adding stock, 1/2 c at a time, stirring until the stock is just absorbed before adding more, until the rice is just tender. The total cooking time should be about 25-30 minutes. Stir in the cheese and pepper; serve at once, garnished with parsley.
Russian Chicken
1 bottle Russian dressing
1 envelope onion soup mix
3 Tb apricot preserves
1/2 c hot water
4-8 chicken breasts
1. Place chicken in a 13x9 baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, combine preserves with water. Add dressing and soup. Mix until combined.
3. Pour mixture over top of chicken.
4. COVER and bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hrs.
This recipe is easily doubled or tripled. It's great for serving a big bunch of people!
3 1/2 c vegetable stock (sometimes I use chicken stock)
1/2 c tomato juice
1 Tb olive oil
6 shallots, finely chopped
4 medium zucchini, chopped
1/2 c dry white wine (I just increase my stock by 1/2 c)
1 1/3 c Arborio rice (aka risotto)
16 sun-dried tomato halves (not oil-packed), finely chopped
1/2 c finely chopped fresh parsley
1 Tb finely chopped fresh marjora, or 1/2 tsp dried
2 Tb grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
chopped fresh parsley, to garnish
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the stock and tomato juice; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer.
2. In a medium skillet, heat the oil. Saute the shallots until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and wine (or 1/2 c stock); cook until the zucchini is softened, about 5 minutes longer. Add the rice; cook, stirring, about 1 minute.
3. Add 1 c of the stock mixture, the sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, and marjoram; cook, stirring, until the liquid is absorbed. Continue adding stock, 1/2 c at a time, stirring until the stock is just absorbed before adding more, until the rice is just tender. The total cooking time should be about 25-30 minutes. Stir in the cheese and pepper; serve at once, garnished with parsley.
Russian Chicken
1 bottle Russian dressing
1 envelope onion soup mix
3 Tb apricot preserves
1/2 c hot water
4-8 chicken breasts
1. Place chicken in a 13x9 baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, combine preserves with water. Add dressing and soup. Mix until combined.
3. Pour mixture over top of chicken.
4. COVER and bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hrs.
This recipe is easily doubled or tripled. It's great for serving a big bunch of people!
9/24/2008
Kidstuf at Buckhead Church in Atlanta
Please click this link. This is awesome and makes me want to get my teasin' comb out! It's about 8 minutes long but worth every second!
9/23/2008
There's no place like home...
Where is home?
Is it where you grew up?
Is it where you were born?
Is it your parents’ house?
Is it where you rest your head?
I was asking myself this question recently. I have an interesting situation in my life. I grew up in one spot (though not one house). Then I went to a different place for college (Go Gators). While I was there, my parents moved to North Florida. Around that time, Hubs and I had decided to get married. Since we have been married, we have lived in 9 places.
What has home looked like over the years? For all of my childhood, I lived in a neighborhood in the suburbs. Then in college, I lived in dorm rooms and apartments. Since I’ve been married, home has been an apartment, base housing, suburban neighborhoods, hotel rooms on two occasions and my parents’ house.
I think that because I am a “home maker” my home is literally where I have made it. It’s where my family is, where we have routines and things that we do. It’s where we have set up life. So in that sense, home moves whenever and wherever we do. It’s not one geographical location though it could be one day. It’s not even where our stuff is, because after Katrina, home would have been at the trash dump.
What does God intend for us to believe on this subject? The Word says that we are aliens on this earth (Heb 11:9, Eph 2:19), that Jesus went to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house (Jn 14:2), that this world has nothing for us (Mt 6:19-20, 1 Tim 6:7). If home is where the heart is, and my Lord has my heart, then home is where He is. Is that true in my life though?
I will strive to make my home a place of sanctuary, of recreation, of respite, of safety for my family. But I must instill an understanding of the temporary nature of life here on earth in my kids. They must understand that we are “not home yet.”
By the way, I’m looking for some ruby slippers and a blue checked dress. I’m also considering changing one of my dogs’ names to Toto. Yep, we’re moving to Kansas (90% sure, of course)! Maybe we’ll live next door to Auntie Em…
Is it where you grew up?
Is it where you were born?
Is it your parents’ house?
Is it where you rest your head?
I was asking myself this question recently. I have an interesting situation in my life. I grew up in one spot (though not one house). Then I went to a different place for college (Go Gators). While I was there, my parents moved to North Florida. Around that time, Hubs and I had decided to get married. Since we have been married, we have lived in 9 places.
What has home looked like over the years? For all of my childhood, I lived in a neighborhood in the suburbs. Then in college, I lived in dorm rooms and apartments. Since I’ve been married, home has been an apartment, base housing, suburban neighborhoods, hotel rooms on two occasions and my parents’ house.
I think that because I am a “home maker” my home is literally where I have made it. It’s where my family is, where we have routines and things that we do. It’s where we have set up life. So in that sense, home moves whenever and wherever we do. It’s not one geographical location though it could be one day. It’s not even where our stuff is, because after Katrina, home would have been at the trash dump.
What does God intend for us to believe on this subject? The Word says that we are aliens on this earth (Heb 11:9, Eph 2:19), that Jesus went to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house (Jn 14:2), that this world has nothing for us (Mt 6:19-20, 1 Tim 6:7). If home is where the heart is, and my Lord has my heart, then home is where He is. Is that true in my life though?
I will strive to make my home a place of sanctuary, of recreation, of respite, of safety for my family. But I must instill an understanding of the temporary nature of life here on earth in my kids. They must understand that we are “not home yet.”
By the way, I’m looking for some ruby slippers and a blue checked dress. I’m also considering changing one of my dogs’ names to Toto. Yep, we’re moving to Kansas (90% sure, of course)! Maybe we’ll live next door to Auntie Em…
9/19/2008
My Favorite Things
1. this dish
2. Gator teaching Bull his letters
3. Bull's passion
4. Gator's compassion
5. lavender - I'm a bit obsessed with this scent right now, from my Method (another favorite) cleaning products to my lotion and perfume. I love it!
2. Gator teaching Bull his letters
3. Bull's passion
4. Gator's compassion
5. lavender - I'm a bit obsessed with this scent right now, from my Method (another favorite) cleaning products to my lotion and perfume. I love it!
9/16/2008
All things Bull...
Since updates have been heavy on the Gator news lately, here's one for Bull.
His favorite perch
His favorite door and favorite activity inside that door
Proof that he really is a monkey (Note the absence of a climbing aid. Do you see what he was after?)
His favorite perch
His favorite door and favorite activity inside that door
Proof that he really is a monkey (Note the absence of a climbing aid. Do you see what he was after?)
9/13/2008
Goal!
Gator had his first soccer game today. He did very well and had lots of fun! Bull desperately wanted to play, but he ended up being very patient.
* Pictures from Bull's first day of school are up!
* Pictures from Bull's first day of school are up!
9/12/2008
Bull's first day
was great!
He walked into his classroom like he owned the place. No tears and barely a backward glance. He played on the playground, didn't want to do his art project, played with the cars, and had a lot of fun. When I got there at the end of rest time to pick him up, he was squatting, looking at a toy whispering to himself "Be quiet" with his finger over his mouth.
After school, we visited Wal Mart and he picked out his first day of school prize - a monster truck!
He walked into his classroom like he owned the place. No tears and barely a backward glance. He played on the playground, didn't want to do his art project, played with the cars, and had a lot of fun. When I got there at the end of rest time to pick him up, he was squatting, looking at a toy whispering to himself "Be quiet" with his finger over his mouth.
After school, we visited Wal Mart and he picked out his first day of school prize - a monster truck!
9/08/2008
Gator's first day
of Kindergarten was wonderful!
He had a great time, and had no trouble hopping out of the car in the car pool line. He played on the playground, read books, drew a picture, sat at the blue table, earned a panda buck (for the panda reward store) and stayed on green all day today! After school, we went to Wal Mart and let him pick out a prize - the Hot Wheels watch.
Bull was mopey. He kept saying "Where Gator go? I want Gator." I had to assure him that Gator would be home soon. Tomorrow, Bull starts Mother's Day Out. Maybe that will help his adjustment!
He had a great time, and had no trouble hopping out of the car in the car pool line. He played on the playground, read books, drew a picture, sat at the blue table, earned a panda buck (for the panda reward store) and stayed on green all day today! After school, we went to Wal Mart and let him pick out a prize - the Hot Wheels watch.
Bull was mopey. He kept saying "Where Gator go? I want Gator." I had to assure him that Gator would be home soon. Tomorrow, Bull starts Mother's Day Out. Maybe that will help his adjustment!
9/06/2008
9/05/2008
What Do I Know of Holy lyrics
I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?
(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees
(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life it’s name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?
(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
putting it back together...
We have spent the vast majority of today picking up, pulling down, and putting away. For anyone who knows me, to have my house out of order does not make for a happy Christie! It's getting there.
I have managed to keep the TV off for most of the day. That's a major victory for days like today. It's been especially challenging because Hubs' professors haven't given the students any slack on assignments. They are pressing on with no adjustments to the syllabi. I need to stop there. Otherwise I may say something that shouldn't be said!
School starts on Monday. I look forward to the routine of school. I can live "routine-less" for a little while, but soon I can't take it! Our summer was far from routine-less, just more laid back than normal.
Ooh Adie Camp's "When It's Over" just came on the radio. Can I just say that I love her voice! It is so soothing! That gave my petered out spirit the lift it needed to start dinner. Here I go!
I have managed to keep the TV off for most of the day. That's a major victory for days like today. It's been especially challenging because Hubs' professors haven't given the students any slack on assignments. They are pressing on with no adjustments to the syllabi. I need to stop there. Otherwise I may say something that shouldn't be said!
School starts on Monday. I look forward to the routine of school. I can live "routine-less" for a little while, but soon I can't take it! Our summer was far from routine-less, just more laid back than normal.
Ooh Adie Camp's "When It's Over" just came on the radio. Can I just say that I love her voice! It is so soothing! That gave my petered out spirit the lift it needed to start dinner. Here I go!
9/04/2008
Home Sweet Home
is still standing with no damage! Praise God!
Lots of work to do though...will post again soon.
Lots of work to do though...will post again soon.
9/01/2008
in spite of it all...
Today was a good day. We were able to sleep a little bit later than usual. Hubs' parents and my grandmother came for a visit. My dad arrived after spending the weekend with his parents. Gator learned to jump off the diving board and swim to the side of the pool today. Bull had a blast jumping into the shallow end.
The storm proved to be much weaker than we feared. So far the levees have held (with a couple of exceptions). There is still damage though. Many people still lost everything they owned. There are still some who lost their lives, though none reported in LA. All of this to say that God answers prayers. So many people have been praying that the storm would have as little affect as possible. I believe that prayer has been answered. I am sympathetic to those who have lost everything. But this time I can help. I feel optimism taking over the dread that pervaded my mind just 24 hours ago.
We'll be going home as soon as power is restored and the water/sewer is back up and running. Gator starts Kindergarten as soon as the school system reopens (he was supposed to start tomorrow) and Bull will be going to Mother's Day Out.
I am smiling at tomorrow for sure!
The storm proved to be much weaker than we feared. So far the levees have held (with a couple of exceptions). There is still damage though. Many people still lost everything they owned. There are still some who lost their lives, though none reported in LA. All of this to say that God answers prayers. So many people have been praying that the storm would have as little affect as possible. I believe that prayer has been answered. I am sympathetic to those who have lost everything. But this time I can help. I feel optimism taking over the dread that pervaded my mind just 24 hours ago.
We'll be going home as soon as power is restored and the water/sewer is back up and running. Gator starts Kindergarten as soon as the school system reopens (he was supposed to start tomorrow) and Bull will be going to Mother's Day Out.
I am smiling at tomorrow for sure!
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