27 July 2010

sam says

Bathroom talk ahead.
Consider yourself warned.

Let me set the scene for you a bit...
The other morning Sam was in the bathroom doing his "business."
I was about ten feet away (outside the bathroom)
and the not-so-pleasant aroma was wafting my way.


All of the sudden he says,
"What's that SMELL?!?"

"Um, your poop?!"

"No Mom, I think it's your breath."

Thanks Sam.
I mean, really.
I'm not known for my sweet morning breath, but C'MON!

26 July 2010

raw(e) 2(6)


No, this is not some strange new blogger code,
it's the theme for this week's RAW(e) photo challenge. 

Here's the skinny - go to your 2nd folder and post the 6th photo.
No matter how wacky or horrible the picture.
No editing.
Just raw.

So, here's my photo.


 It's a cast-off from a photo session I did with Ava. 

I really would've loved it if the picture was something crazy like Sam picking his nose
(yes, I take those pictures!).
 But alas, this is what we've got.
So trot on over to Sailor & Company and see if anyone else has a crazy, hilarious photo...I'm headed that way now!




25 July 2010

listening


I've been listening to Tenth Avenue North  Over and Underneath recently.

WOW.

Every single song convicts and comforts at the same time.
My kitchen has become a sanctuary.
My living room has become a confessional.

Here are a few lines that have really impacted me in a deep way...

"Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching?
As if I'm not enough?
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run?
To where will you run?"

and

 "Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart?"

Man.
Good stuff.
Take a listen for yourself.




23 July 2010

peanut butter pie

This has been one of my favorite desserts for as long as I can remember. It's also a classic Amish/Mennonite specialty (for those of you Man vs. Food watchers, this is the pie that Adam had at Yoder's Restaurant on the Sarasota episode). Here is the not-quite-from-scratch-but-just-as-yummy version.


Peanut Butter Pie Ingredients:
1 deep dish pie shell- I just use the ones from the freezer section
2 boxes of vanilla pudding mix (about 1.5 oz. each) 
3 c. cold milk
1 heaping tablespoon of peanut butter (I use creamy)
1 8oz container of Cool-Whip

Peanut Butter Crumbs:
3 tbsp. peanut butter
1 c. powdered sugar


Bake pie shell as directed on the box, set aside.
Mix vanilla pudding and milk until thickened, add 1tbsp. peanut butter.
Mix thoroughly and place in fridge to set.

In the meantime, combine 3 tbsp. peanut butter and powdered sugar in a bowl. Use a fork to mix and continue until crumbs form.

Take pie shell and pour 1/3 of the crumbs in the bottom of the shell. Add pie filling and pour 1/3 of the crumbs on top of the filling. Spread about 1/2 a container (or more) of Cool-Whip on top of the that and add remaining crumbs on top of the Cool-Whip.



22 July 2010

a slight detour




...now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

asparagus with lemon butter sauce

As promised, here is a recipe for one of Marko's favorite dishes.
The sauce is really the thing that makes it so yummy.
You can use it on just about anything...fish, chicken, and vegetables. The sky's the limit!

Here are the ingredients:

1 lb. asparagus
2 tbsp. butter (salted or unsalted)
1 tsp. flour
1/4 c. white wine
1/3 c. lemon juice or juice from 1/2 of a lemon 


Break off tough ends of the asparagus where they snap easily. Cut spears into 1 inch pieces, separating the stems from the tips.


Heat one inch of water (salted if preferred) to boiling in a deep skillet or dutch oven. Add lower stalk pieces and return to a boil.


Reduce heat. Boil uncovered for 6 mins. Add tips, cover and boil 5 mins longer, or until crisp-tender.


Drain asparagus and transfer to warmed serving dish.

Return pan to stove on medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter; swirl to coat. Add wine, remaining tablesppon of butter, 1 teaspoon of flour and lemon juice. Heat 1-2 mins, stirring occasionally, or until thickened. Toss butter sauce over asparagus and serve. 

  

Up next, Peanut Butter Pie....

20 July 2010

the food of love


Well, it's week 6 of the "Completing Him" Marriage Challenge over at Women Living Well.

 And this week's challenge is:
Make your husband a priority by asking him what his favorite dinner, dessert and drink are.
Then head to the kitchen and start cooking!

 Now, I realize that some of you may never even set foot in your kitchen to make a meal...much less know how to make Chicken Cordon Bleu, or his mom's famous lasagna! 

But here's the thing, he will be really touched that you tried. 
Because the heart of this challenge is giving him preference and doing something nice for him "just because." 
So, if the chicken burns and the carrots are soggy, high-tail it to his favorite restaurant. He'll give you an "A" for effort.

For the rest of you, dust off those recipes and let your man know that you haven't forgotten that the way to his heart is through his stomach!

Here is some of what I'll be making this week (recipes to follow):

A big juicy Steak (thank you Pioneer Woman for the handy tutorial)
Asparagus tips and Sweet and Savory Potatoes
Peanut Butter Pie for dessert

and

Peanut Chicken Satay
Coconut Rice
Asian Green Beans
and still eating peanut butter pie...Ha!
Who am I kidding?
That thing will be gone in 4.2 seconds flat!

So are you in?
I'd love to hear what some of your husband's favorite meals are.
I'm ALWAYS looking for new things to make for dinner!

19 July 2010

same kind of different as me


A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery.
An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel.
A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream.
A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it.

It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana . . .
and an East Texas honky-tonk . . .
and, without a doubt, in the heart of God.

It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda . . .
an upscale New York gallery . . .
a downtown dumpster . . .
a Texas ranch.

Gritty with pain and betrayal, this true story also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love.


If you're looking for a great read (one that you won't want to put down until you're finished) go out right now and pick up this book!

Same Kind Of Different As Me takes a look inside the hearts and minds of two vastly different men. More than a good read, this story moved me and challenged me to see people with heavenly eyes. Eyes that look beyond the dirt and disaster of addiction, eyes that look for wisdom in the most unlikely places, and eyes that do not make rash judgements based on the appearance of a person.

I was also challenged to step out of my comfort zone. Do the thing that is hard for me. Obey the voice of God and leave the results up to Him. Like Deborah (in the book), pursue the passions that God has placed in my heart...no matter how far fetched they seem.

I would highly recommend this book. It is a heart-warming, convicting, stereo-type destroying book that everyone should own.

12 July 2010

p is for...



Pee Wee people



painting,


putting purple and pink polka dots & puzzle pieces on P's,


polishing off popsicles,



and playing in the pool

at preschool.

10 July 2010

photo therapy


Taking pictures is one of my favorite ways to de-stress.
And given the week that I've had, I needed some serious de-stressing!
So, yesterday I headed out to the marina and clicked away.

I got there feeling like this


but after seeing this


and this


and this


and this


I started feeling more like this


and left feeling like this.


08 July 2010

the man i adore


This week over at Women Living Well the "Completing Him" Challenge continues...

Admire your husband in writing.

Gladly!
And, because I'm feeling obnoxious creative, I'm going to list his merits in alphabetical order.

Attractive- His eyes still melt me into a puddle after 15 yrs.
Brave- He goes to check out the strange noises for me in the middle of the night.
Creative- He loves to create things, from wedding cakes to model trains...and does it all well!
Devoted- He is completely committed to his job as husband and father.
Encouraging- He encourages me to take chances and do things that intimidate me.
Faithful- He shows me in a million little ways that he only has eyes for me.
Gentle- He is a pro at soothing hurts (emotional and physical) and always has a soft touch at the right moment.
Hard-working- He is the provider for our family and puts 100% into making sure that we have everything that we need...and lots of what we want!
Inventive- He is always thinking outside the box. He finds extraordinary uses for ordinary things.
Joker- His antics keep the rest of us in giggles!
Kind- He speaks to me with kindness and thoughtfulness.
Long-suffering- He is endlessly patient with my quirks and insecurities.
Masculine- He is a man's man in the best sense of the word.
Nature-lover- He loves sharing his amazing knowledge of plants and animals with Sam.
Ornery- He is playful and mischievious.
Prepared- He is a man with a plan when it comes to keeping our family safe on outings and trips.
Quick -thinking- He always has an ingenious solution to problems big and small.
Relaxed- He is relaxed when I am a stressed out mess...somebody has to keep their head on straight!
Sincere- What you see is what you get with him. No airs, no pretense, just 100% real.
Trustworthy- If he gives me his word, I know he will follow through on it.
Unswerving- He sticks to his convictions and is not easily swayed.
Vital- He is vital to my happiness. ;oP
Warm- He is my personal heater on chilly nights.
X-tremely wonderful- Need I say more?
Youthful- He is young at heart and makes an excellent playmate for the kids (and me!)
Zestful (is that a word?)- He has a zest for life and fun.

God could not have picked a more perfect man for me. He is my opposite in so many ways, yet we are a perfect fit.
I love you, Marko!

06 July 2010

raw(e) flower-o-rama


So.
I figured I would ease back into posting (since my computer is still down)
with a RAW(e) photo challenge from Sailor & Company

This week the challenge is flowers...one of my favorite things to photograph. 


Despite the blurriness, I love this shot. There is something about the way the buds
pop out at you that makes it a favorite of mine.

If you love blossoms, blooms, and buds, dash on over to look at the other beauties.