learning each day to battle for my very soul, while loving life's littlest blessings
Saturday, December 27, 2008
currently...
We're currently in Mesa, AZ with my sister and her family, really enjoying ourselves, shopping, munching, making and remembering sweet memories... we're headed out tomorrow, driving as far north as we can, through Utah, hopefully making it as far as Salt Lake, then the following day, we'll continue north, into Montana and stay for four nights, leaving the morning of the third! I am enjoying my time tremendously, it feels so great to just get away from it all, and relax, buy goodies... and be with family and friends :)
Friday, December 26, 2008
on the road again...
I'm praying God gets the glory in our time here on the road. What a gift He has given us... these mountains, this weather, snow, laughter, music and warm memories... Praise be to the Lord who gives and takes away.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
It is a Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
t minus 2 days and counting!
Monday, December 15, 2008
My December Love List :) To be continued...
#8 Our Christmas tree!
#9- Puffy Clouds
#10: The open road
#11 Sleep. nough said. :)
#12: Winter Song by Sara Bareilles
SOOOO STINKING EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Karie: I can't wait for your good cookin :)
For all you girls who wanted that recipe:
Here you go ladies :)
Chicken/Turkey Phillo Pie:prep: 20 minutesBake: 45 minutesOven 375deg.Stand: 10 minutesMakes: 8 servings
~2 meduim leeks, thinly sliced
~1 clove fresh garlic~1 tbsp butter or marg
~3 slightly beaten eggs~1 10- ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
~1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ( 4 ounces)
~2/3 cup milk
~ 2tbsp grated parmesan cheese
~dash of pepper
~2 cups chopped cooked turkey/ chicken
~4 sheets frozen phyillo dough, ( 18x14 inch rectangles), thawed
~3 tbsp butter butter or marg, melted
1.) In a medium skillet cook leeks and garlic in 1 tbsp hot butter until leeks are tender. In a large bowl combine leek mixture, eggs, spinach, mozzarella, milk, parmesean cheese, and pepper. Stir in turkey; set aside.
2.) Lightly brush 1 sheet of phyillo dough with some of the melted butter; fold in half crosswise. ( cover remaining phyllo with plastic wrap and a damp kitchen towel to prevent drying.) Gently press folded dough into a 9 inch pie plate; allow ends to hang over edge. Repeat with remaining sheets of dough and melted butter; staggeromg phyllo in pie plate so the bottom and sides are completly covered.
3.)Spoon turkey filling into phyllo crust. Fold end of the pyhllo toward the center. Bake uncovered, in a 375 oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Tell me of your success with your family and friends, they'll love this one!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
When do you put your decorations up? no specific time, I'm sure when we have chillins, we'll make that a more specific day.
When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I never believed in Santa Claus so I guess I always knew the truth.
How do you decorate your Christmas tree? white lights, close to the trunk and then out near the edge, so it looks sparkley all over, and red and gold ornaments with a few memorable ones in there too.
Snow! Love it or dread it? I do love snow! I was wish I was somewhere where it snowed.
Do you remember your favorite gift? I'll always remember that, it's Jesus :)
What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Celebrating the brith of my Lord.
What is your favorite holiday dessert? cranberry bliss bar from the Bux
What is your favorite holiday tradition? dressing the tree.
What tops your tree? A golden star :)
Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? GIVING ROCKS!
What is your favorite Christmas song? Little drummer boy
Candy canes? meh... I can totally live without them
Favorite Christmas movie? Muppets Christmas, Animal!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
I just can't hide it!
Let me share with you, this weeks menu and next week's aswell!
Monday: My husband's favorite:
Chicken Phyillo and Spinach Pie with Butternut soup and homemade bread
Tuesday: out, :) every week after youth group.
Wednesday: Fresh Eggplant parmigiana with a green salad and homemade bread
Thursday: Breakfast: Huevos Rancheros & Dinner: Taco Salad topped with chili with Chips
Friday: Chicken Pot Pie
Saturday: Christmas party at Darryn and Katie's!
Sunday: Meat Loaf, Mashes potatoes, and Green bean cassarole
Monday:Left Overs
Tuesday: Breakfast: Spinach Quiche and Orange Bowknots
Wednesday: Tri- Tip and Corn
Thursday: Personal Made Pizza
Friday: Beef Stew
Saturday: Lasagna
If you'd like any of these recipes
Friday, November 28, 2008
Email from my sister :) All is good!
I am writing to give great news about Brian: he was discharged from the hospital yesterday mid-afternoon; although he was given strict doctor's orders to rest for at least 3 more days, his fevers have stopped and he is on the mend!! We can only attribute this gracious gift to God! He held Brian and I in His hands throughout this very hard, long week. Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in Cambodia. Although it is not a holiday celebrated here, a group of colleagues and I got together to prepare a meal. As Brian rested at home, we cooked the most traditional meal possible with limited ingredients: baked chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. A group of 6 of us gathered to truly give thanks to God for our many blessings. Brian was able to eat 2 small plates of food, which is great because he has virtually not eaten for 6 days. It was a Thanksgiving to remember!!! Today, as I have tried to reflect back on this week, I have really realized God's peace was with me. I am a worrier, and although I had times of complete sadness and tears, I still felt the presence of God in my heart. As I write, I am in my classroom decorating for the Christmas season. I am listening to a CD by an old co-worker of mine, JJ Heller. She is a talented musician, and one of her songs really hit me today. I would like to share the lyrics with you, and hopefully encourage you wherever you are at in this sometimes hectic life.
I have unanswered prayers, I have trouble I wish wasn't there.I have asked a thousand ways, that you would take my pain away.I am trying to understand, how to walk this weary land.Make straight the paths that crooked lie, oh Lord before these feet of mine.When my world is shaking, heaven stands. When my heart is breaking, I never leave your hands.When you walked upon the earth, you healed the broken, lost and hurt.I know you hate to see me cry, one day you will set all things right.When my world is shaking, heaven stands. When my heart is breaking, I never leave your hands.
Please continue to lift Brian and I up in prayer. It could be another week or more until his full strength is regained, and until he is feeling normal again. We desperately need good nights of rest: after 6 horrible sleeps, we are beyond tired. Also, please pray that God would protect me against what B had; all it takes is for a mosquito to bite him, then transfer Dengue to me by biting me. We are trying to take all precautions against this happening. We are also still a bit unsure of what our insurance will cover from all this; since Brian was at 2 different medical facilities, we may have to pay more money than usual. Please pray for God's provision with this; we do have savings, but we were planning on using that to travel to Thailand over Christmas break. I cannot thank you all enough for your encouragement and prayers sent to us during this time. We truly could not have gotten through this without you. We love you all,-Brian and Karie
What a wonderful day!
After telling her why we weren't, she got so excited and said, " Do you guys want to come to our house!? It's going to be packed, but we'd love to have you! I was going to invite you but you said you were going to the Ranch!"
So we excitidely accepted, and offered to bring mashed potatoes.
So we made ten lbs of mashed potatoes, and went over around 1:20pm, we were warmly welcomed and felt right at home. Dinner was ready about 30 minutes later, but before we sat down, we all stood in the living room and held hands, and Thanked God for all the Things He has done. Then we went around and said what we are thankful for, I said " Being here, and two years of marriage" :)
Every other adult, things about how wonderful it was to be there, how it felt like family, how it was going to be a lonely thanksgiving, but look what God provided...
What a wonderful way to start the day!
Dinner was AMAZING, Turkey, Ham, Taters, green bean cassarole, rolls, sweet potatoes, two kinds of stuffing, corn, gravy, and Cranberry Sauce... all so amazing.
I sat at their long table eating, and just looked around, I felt so warm and loved. My pastor said over and over again through out the day how much he loved us, how thankful he was Michael married me, and how thankful he was to have us at his home. I love andy and sondra... They're amazing.
I wanted to cry.
Then we played games, had wonderful pie and cheesecake, cookies and coffee, nuts, and soda. It was amazing.
We didn't leave till almost midnight :) what a memory!
I am thankful!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Please pray...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Searching Searching Searching...
And another sweet one:
$249,900
Charming and rustic 2 bedroom log cabin on an acre bordered by Pitcher Creek. Beautiful mountain setting, yet just 2/10 of a mile from Bear Canyon interstate access. Updated kitchen with tiled counters. hardwood floors throughout.
oh yeah, we have a creek in our backyard............................
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Feeling a bit more normal
and out her kitchen window, all you could see was swaying trees... it just made me LONG for Sweet Montana beauty outside my homes windows again... Lord let YOUR Will be done, not mine. Enjoy your Thursday afternoon! Office at 9pm :)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Missing the Snow...
I think I am a happier person in the snow. I lived in Bozeman MT for about a year and a half, and I learned to drive in the snow when I was 16, and I love the snow... something about it quiets the world. Puts a blanket on the noise and busyiness I so dislike. I wish I wish I lived back in Montana where it snows... I miss it so. I wish I could wake up on Christmas morning to the snow, build a snowman with my husband, and someday with my children, I wish I could cozy up to a warm fire on a snowy evening with a great book and a cup of hot cocoa.
Cheers to my readers who live in the snow, I shall live through your photos when you post them, and may I say, please, enjoy it. You have no idea how blessed you really are.