Carissa's 80s Birthday Party

Let the tackiness ensue!!

So, we had an 80s Pary for Carissa's birthday a few weeks ago. It was a great time! Kathry and Christopher came for the weekend, as well, so that was great to hang out with them.

Below are some of the pictures...several other people took some, but I haven't gottem them yet, so I thought I'd share what I did have... Enjoy!


Carissa, Kathryn and Ginger getting ready

Me in the bathroom getting ready

Carissa, the birthday girl!

Kathryn, looking very racoon-like!

Lindsey putting on her makeup


Me- the drinking series... I promise it was only one wine cooler!

Kathryn and Angie
Josh and Scott
Hai
The Nintendo Phillip got for Carissa!

Phillip
Ginger
Carissa
Lindsey!
Ginger and her brother, Jon

The Peasant Princess

This is the link to the new Song of Songs series that Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church is doing. I was intrigued and started watching the first video and I think it's going to be a GREAT series, so go check it out! http://www.peasantprincess.com/

I've been tagged!!

A- Attached or Single? -Single
B- Best Friend(s): Carissa, Kathryn, and lots of other wonderful ladies in my life!
C- Cake or Pie: hmm...I guess I learn towards cake, but I do love me some cookies!
D- Drink of Choice: That would definitely be coffee- right now that's a Coconut Mocha
E- Essential Item: I'm gonna have to agree with Ginger on this one, chapstick! I'm SERIOUSLY addicted....
F- Favorite Color: Oooo, I think it's still my two normal faves: robin's egg blue and red
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: sour worms for sure
H- Hometown: Borger, TX
I- Indulgence: SUGAR! I love dessert...all kinds, but especially with lots of sugar/butter and chocolate
J- January or February: I guess I'll go with January since that's when I was born
K- Kids: Sure!
L- Life, for me, is incomplete without: Jesus.
M- Marriage Date: Yes, please
N- Number of Siblings: 2 sisters
O- Oranges or Apples? Honeychrisp apples! But I also love tangerines...
P- Phobia/Fears: I have serious issues with june bugs/grasshoppers and with being in open water (everything in that water with me can see me AND move faster than I can....shiver)
Q- Favorite Quote: "God, give me the determination and tenacity of a weed."
R- Reasons to smile: God choosing to let me know He's involved in things, coffee, friends, naps, my puppies
S- Season: That's tough...I answer different each time the weather changes! So, right now it's Fall for sure...
T- Tag Ten: Carissa, Kathryn, Mom & Dad, Angela, Lisa Allen, and I apparently need more blog friends that might do one of these!
U- Unknown fact about me: I have my motorcycle license, and wish I could afford a bike!
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: I don't oppress my food, just eat it
W- Worst Habit: picking at stuff and sugar
X- X-rays or Ultrasounds: Ummm...I would go with Ultrasound, I've never had one!
Y- Your Favorite Foods: Coffee, Apple Betty, Cookies, Icing, Cake, Zucchini/Banana bread, Italian, Whole Grains, QUESO, Guacamole, Homemade salsa...
Z- Zodiac: Aquarius (but that doesn't mean anything in my book)

Oh, did you know...?

I promised I would blog about something other than recipes, so here goes!

I have a tendency to enjoy being right. I also like things to be fair, just, etc. Also, my brain contains a plethora of random knowledge. All that combined tends to annoy people that know me well! I like to be right, smart, knowledgeable, interesting, witty, etc because I want people to notice/like me. Growing up, I was always the "smart kid" that got good grades, graduated from college early, "picked up on things" really quick and all that. I think that I really took pride in that and then started to use that to my advantage.

Fast forward several years...now it just always ends up that I correct people, tell them how they're doing something wrong, babble about something meaningless, make inappropriate jokes, or tell random info to people. It really annoys me, I know I'm doing it, but seem powerless to stop myself!

And, the problem with me telling people when they're wrong all the time, is that I've justified it! And it's a good one too.... I've managed to convince myself that I need to "save" people from making mistakes and the unloving thing would be to watch them screw up without saying anything! When, in truth, all I manage to do is make people feel incompetent and criticized.

So, from now on, for those of you who are around me: I might throw in interesting info into a conversation now and then, but I'm seriously going to try and stop giving advice unless you ask me for it. And feel free to ask anytime, I've got TONS of opinions. But, if you don't ask, even if I know you're about to do something really dumb, I'm gonna keep my mouth shut. If something happens to go bad and I coulda warned you, don't blame me, you shoulda asked! :) Just kidding... I will say something if it's gonna seriously harm yourself or others (especially me).

Healthier Zucchini Bread

Hello out there! I know it's been absolutely forever since I've blogged, and I apologize. I just have been busy and haven't felt like it... Anyway, here's a recipe, which is always quick and easy to blog and then I'll write an update on me and my rather boring life very soon.

This started out as my Nana's Zucchini Bread which I LOVE in it's original form, but I felt like I can't make it too often due to the huge amount of oil and sugar in it. I tend to eat it whole in one sitting and that's awefully bad for my current workout/stay fit plan! Anyhoo...below is the recipe with the modifications I made. I could've made more, but I didn't want it to turn out tasting like "health food" as my last batch of "healthy muffins" did last time (according to my family, I thought they were good!).

Zucchini Bread – Healthy!

3 eggs, beaten
1 ¾ cup sugar
¼ cup oil
¾ cup applesauce
2-3 cups zucchini, grated
3 tsp vanilla
2 ½ cups white whole wheat flour
½ cup wheat germ
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 tbsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, etc)

In a large bowl, combine beaten eggs, sugar, oil, grated zucchini, and vanilla. In a smaller bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and nuts

Mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients in a large bowl with a spoon. Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Sprinkle each pan with a little bit of sugar and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Granola

I just wanted to post this recipe. My mom has made this for as long as I can remember, and it's EXCELLENT! It is my favorite granola, even out of the kind you can buy. The ingredients are probably going to sound kinda funny, but it's super healthy and tasty. So, try it sometime! And, be prepared to give some away, it makes TONS.

Granola

12 cups regular oats
1 cup oat bran
1 1/2 cups wheat germ
1 cup dry milk (I know this sounds terrible, but you can't taste it at all)
Pecans (About 2 cups), chopped
Almonds (About 1 cup), chopped
1 cup oil
1 cup honey
3 tbsp water
Raisins (I use about 2 cups) and/or
Dried fruit of your liking (apricots, banana chips, dates, cranberries, etc)
Any other nuts/seeds you might like

1. Combine oats, oat bran, wheat germ, dried milk, pecans and almonds (or other nuts/seeds if you prefer)

2. Mix oil, honey, and water and pour over dry ingredients. Stir until all combined. If it still feels too dry, add a little more liquid (honey will make it sweeter, oil will make it more fattening, and water will just wet it) until all the ingredients are coated (not soaked).

3. Spread granola out on a cookie sheet (or 2) and cook at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes until toasted (may take longer for this big of a batch).

4. Add raisins and dried fruit after cooked. Store in a zip-loc bag and enjoy! You can easily eat it dry or with milk like regular cereal.

Children

I keep hearing about "being like children" in church, and how being child-like is a good thing, but it's never really sunk in until now. I understood it some, but mostly just logically, but not really how it applies.

So, I wanted to share with you the letter I got today from my child I sponsor with Compassion International. He is 8 years old and lives in Uganda and I love him to death! His letters today almost brought me to tears because of how he sees Christ and speaks of Him. It's not just a topic he mentions, it permeates his entire life....like it should with all of us.

Praise God so much. I greet you and your family in the name of Jesus. I am so excited to hear from you once again. I am so happy to know about you and your family. I have seen the photo you sent and you have such a beautiful family. Thank you again for loving me and praying for me. I also promise to be praying for you when I am going to bed. I love school and request that you pray for me to keep doing well at school. Again, I love going to church and I love Jesus so much. I love you and will keep in touch.

This is the second letter that was attached to the one above:

Praise God once again. I appreciate your great love and care for me. Thank you so much for the birthday gift worth 162,501 uganda shillings ($10). When we received it, I was so happy and excited. May God bless you greatly. From the money, I am going to buy a pair of shoes and clothes and I will take a photo putting on the bought clothes and send it to you so that you can see how smart I look. I have nothing to give you in return but only love and prayers that God continues to increase you everyday. God bless you and I love you.

Wow.

I hope to only have a smidge of that mindset. How often does my life and all the "things" I think are so important get in the way of my sweet Savior?

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Luke 18:15-17

Hard Lessons

I am going through Step Studies at church right now and it has been TOUGH but also so good... If you don't know what that is, it's a program simular to Celebrate Recovery , but our church has modified it a bit. It's been very challanging, but very worth it. I'm to the point now were I have to deal with forgiveness and serving others. It's been a hard challange and God has been working in my heart to teach me that it's not about me, I'm just as messed up as everyone else (if not more so), I can't judge others, I cannot hold a grudge against others, etc. I just am learning that it doesn't matter what others to do me, or how terrible I think things are, I am still called to behave in a loving way and serve others regardless.

I'll be honest, this is very hard for me! I have a very strong desire for justice and fairness, and hate to be taken advantage of, used, trampled on, etc. and see someone get away with it. I also like to blame others when they do things to me and therefore justify my reaction. And, even if my reaction might be "right" according to the world, holding a grudge and making things "fair" is not always loving and/or Christ-like.

So, I just thought I'd share some verses I've been reading through and ask for prayers! I am fighting so hard against this and hate to let it go, but I SO need it....I've definitely made some progress, but it's been a daily struggle.

-If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
1 Corinthians 8:2

-"knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.
1 Corinthians 8:1b

-So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12

-"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”
Leviticus 19:16-18

-For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15

-You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:5

-For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5:14

-he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
Luke 10:27

Wet Ears

My poor puppy hates being wet, especially when her ears are wet. This is her trying to dry them off, the way she always does it!

Kitty Attacks!

This is what happens in my house when I'm working...all the time :) Carissa playing (or annoying) with my cat!

John Mayer Concert

Also totally forgot to blog about this one, but about a week and a half ago I got to go to the John Mayer concert...and man, is he amazing live. We had a great time! It was super hot, but so nice to be laying on a blanket and listen to him live. Enjoy!
Gina & Julie
Carissa & Phillip
Julie, Me, Julie and Gina

Brooke Fraser Concert

I have been a lazy blogger lately! Sorry about that...I need to get on it. I have a lot to blog about, so I'll try and get all updated!

A group of us went to the Brooke Fraser concert last Wednesday at the House of Blues and it was excellent! She is so talented and at the same time completely down to earth and funny. If you haven't listened to her, go to iTunes and check her out! Her latest album is called Albertine.

Also, she came with William Fitzsimmons who was absolutely hysterical! He sang mostly somber and depressing songs about topics like divorce, but had such an excellent, dry sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed him as well!

William Fitzsimmons

Gina, Me, Julie and Heather at the concert
Phillip and Carissa
Brooke Fraser!

Holy Ghost

I read this web comic regularly thanks to Chuck, and it's usually absolutely hilarious. Today was no exception! Check it out!!

Crazy!

I have felt the need to blog a lot lately, but my mind has been so full and scattered, nothing has materialized. So, there's a good possiblity this blog might not make a lot of sense :) I've been super busy lately with a lot of different stuff, mostly church stuff. Work has also been kinda crazy with me working all last weekend. It hasn't been that terribly busy, just one fire to put out after another, which is a bit stressful!

Anyhoo, nothing too interesting going on around here. I went to the John Mayer concert on Friday and it was fantastic. I also LOVE live music so much more than recorded. I am going to a Brooke Fraser concert tomorrow night that I can't wait for! I am then heading to San Antonio on Thursday night to throw my great friend April a Lingerie Shower/Bachelorette Party on Friday, so that'll be fun. I haven't been back to San Antonio since I moved to the DFW area in December, so I'm really looking forward to it!

As soon as I can think of something post-worthy, I'll write it, but until then I'm just gonna post some random videos of my pets, because they mak me laugh. I hope someone enjoys them!

Creamy Baked Fettuccine with Asiago and Thyme

I don't remember where I got this recipe, but I made it and it actually tasted better than any Fettuccine Alfredo I've ever had! I made this once by adding some chicken to it, which is also great. Enjoy!


Creamy Baked Fettuccine with Asiago and Thyme

1 pound fettuccine pasta
2 cups grated Asiago cheese, plus ¼ cup
2 (8-oz) containers crème fraiche
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 ½ tbsp fresh chopped thyme leaves
½ tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper


1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid.

2. In a large bowl, combine the 2 cups Asiago cheese, crème fraiche, Parmesan, thyme, salt, pepper, cooked pasta, and pasta cooking liquid. Gently toss until all the ingredients are combined and the pasta is coated. Place the pasta in a buttered baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup Asiago cheese. Bake until golden on top, about 25 minutes. Let sit for at least 5 minutes and serve.