Recipes

It is high time that I share a few recipes. Since things are going to get progressively more chaotic over the next couple of weeks, I am planning ahead and doing a few blog posts ahead of time! :o) Thank goodness for the 'scheduled posts'---I will be posting even when I don't have internet--ha!

1. Over Roasted Garlic Potatoes (this one is for Heather)

The first recipe I found used pounds, which is great if you have a scale, but if you don't then it is a guessing game. So yay this one tells me 'how many' potatoes to use and I don't have to guess! You would think that my family would be big potato eaters (you know with me growing up on a potato farm), but we aren't and Zech actually hates them! :o( However, these are pretty good and I did manage to get him to eat a couple!

ROASTED NEW POTATOES WITH ROSEMARY AND GARLIC

8 red skinned potatoes, about 2 inches long, unpeeled, scrubbed 1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped (1 tsp. crumbled dried) 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 tsp. salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 lg. cloves garlic, coarsely chopped Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut potatoes in quarters. Place in bowl and add 1-1/2 teaspoon rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried. Pour 2-1/2 teaspoons olive oil over them. Using a rubber spatula, toss them until they are well coated and the rosemary is well distributed. Place them in single layer on heavy baking sheet; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. In small bowl, mix garlic with remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil. Add to potatoes and continue roasting for 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are crisp and browned and easily pierced with fork. Transfer to serving dish, season with fresh pepper and remaining 1-1/2 teaspoon rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried. Serves 4

2.) Greek Salad Dressing Recipe (this one is for Ruth)

Dressing:

1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. olive oil
1 Tbs. oregano
salt & pepper


3.) Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Tortilla wedges

1 mango diced
2 kiwis diced
2 cups strawberries diced
1 lemon zested (cut lemon in half and squeeze into the bowl)
1 Tbsp. Shredded Coconut

* Can add pineapple

Tortilla Chips

10 tortilla's quartered
1/4 c. butter
cinnamon
sugar

Melt 1/4c. butter and brush the wedges. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

* If you do not want to use 'butter', I simply sprayed the tortillas with a bit of water and then added the cinnamon and sugar.

Bake at 350 for 10 min. turn and then bake at 400 for 1 min.


I was sooo excited to find this recipe as it was the ONLY ONE that did not require loads of sugar! It is so TASTY and the coconut totally adds to it. I also added banana. Enjoy!

Are you called to Stay or Go?

We move and have moved around a lot. Along with all the moves we have also received A LOT of CRITICISM and will continue to receive it. WHY?? Well we know what the Bible says about that! ;o)

I have moved around since the day I left home. It is something that I do, it comes naturally, I go stir crazy, I love to explore new places and fortunately I have found (or more over God has provided me with) an incredible man who is exactly the same way! Hallelujah!!!!

We also know that we are called to move, we are called to explore and we are obligated to fulfill that calling. Some people are not called to move, but are called to stay and we may get to that place, but we may not---it is all in God's hands.

So here is the skinny of it (I could write a lot):

1. We are not done moving yet, nope moving is going to be part of our life, part of our calling and John and I KNOW that, have always KNOWN that.

2. We pray A LOT about every move we have made and will make. Sometimes we aren't listening as much as we should be (yup we too make mistakes and aren't perfect--but very humbled). God also has a reason for absolutely everything. We recognize that now and we have always known that, but sometimes it is hard to really internalize that and trust in that when you are going through a rough time in the new land or place you are in, or when the reason is not revealed to you--yet (and sometimes it never will be).

3. We don't own a house and we rent (gasp). We could own a house, but the timing is so wrong for us, so why push it--plus it is HIS timing that we really want and seek. However, because we don't own a house, this means that we are unstable, we are not successful and for some reason it is assumed that my dear husband can't provide for us! Just a little reminder----it is GOD that PROVIDES for us. What a wonderful burden lifted from us!!!!!! :o)

4. We are not the only people that have ever moved around---A LOT. Sadly, I believed this, until God slapped me in the face and got me to wake up. Since then, there have been guest speakers at church who have talked about how much they have moved, blog posts, blog friends, high school friends, new friends, pastors, missionaries...oh the list could go on. Yes Lord, I get the point, I am not alone and I am thankful for your insight! :o)

5. Moving is easy--NOT! Well we are experts at packing..haha! It gets a little more challenging and difficult each time--especially now that we have two kids (man they have a lot of stuff). It is also really hard to leave the wonderful people you meet along the way and have to come to love, respect and adore.

So after all that, guess what?

Yup you guessed it!

WE ARE MOVING!!! :o)

John has been accepted into Briercrest to finish up his Degree and will then be pursuing his Masters. I have put in for a transfer and will hopefully get something in Regina--God willing (I am struggling with this a bit---that's for another post perhaps). We feel pretty darn good about this move (we feel at peace and that I am told is a good sign), but we are also really, really sad to leave the awesome community we have found and established here, the great church and the close proximity to the mountains. :o)

So with that being said, keep us in your prayers. As for what inspired this post--check out this post from the InCourage blog. I needed to hear this, and while I really didn't want to tell everyone that we are moving again, yes for fear of what people are going to say this time about us, I realize that I am living my life for God, and nobody else and He is the only one I have to answer to!

At the Park..

One of my goals (which has been a goal for a long time now) is to learn how to use my camera better and to take better pictures. I am trying to shoot in Manual mode as much as possible and with natural light, but sometimes my pictures just look plain 'crappy' and are really fuzzy! Erghh--frustrating.

We went to the park a few weeks ago and I decided that I was going to take my camera and try and take a whole bunch of pictures and shoot in Manual mode and just plain experiment, have fun and try out different settings, etc. You know, no pressure, no one looking if I am taking pictures in weird angles, just moi and the kids.

I like the way they turned out---and I also like this new action that I downloaded (I can't remember for where now) to help me edit the photos!

Here's a few favourites:
He hurt his nose going down the slide. I thought I could get a nice picture of the two of them on the bench, but he wouldn't stop crying and then she had to start because he was! They look alike when they cry! :o)

2010 Digital Scrapbooking Survey

Check out this Survey from Jessica Sprague. It's quick, easy and best of all you get a FREE Mini Kit for taking the time to complete it (and it is a pretty nice kit).

2010 Digital Scrapbooking Survey

Simple Woman Daybook #4

For Today . . . April 22nd, 2009

Outside my window... it is gray and rainy. The last few days have been wonderful! The temperature has been in the 20's and we have been outside every minute we possibly can. I even got a bit of a sun burn and my little Gigi got a touch of sun on her little nose (we have a constant battle to keep the hat on--she's a stubborn one).

I am thankful...for living where we do, for an amazing, loving and merciful God that loves and provides for us, even when we don't deserve it!

I am praying...for the 147,000,000 orphans in the world, that have nobody, that go hungry, that live in some pretty horrible conditions, that experience horrible, brutal things that no child should ever have to experience.

I am also praying... that God will speak to us and lead us to where He wants us to be, what He wants us to do for the Compassion in Action Initiative through our church and about some other really important issues that He has been really hammering John and I with lately...well for a long time now...but lately it is every week and it is the same thing over and over again. Our biggest hang up, is how on earth God will or can use 'us' to do what He wants us to do.

I am thinking... about this amazing blog (scroll down to the Feb. 11th post--POWERFUL!) that I discovered last night that absolutely inspires me, makes me cry like I have never cried before and speaks to me deeply and profoundly.

I am celebrating...that there are more boxes packed!

From the kitchen...ravioli (not from a can), salad, mixed veggies, green beans. We are cleaning out the fridge and freezer!

I am wearing...my p.j.'s!

I am reading...the Bible and trying to keep up on emails.

I am hoping...that John will do well on his exam tomorrow and on Saturday--then there is only one left.

I am hearing...sweet nothing, but the sound of the rain pounding on my window.

I am creating...nada.

Around the house... cleaning, sorting and more packing.

One of my favorite things...hearing my son talk so openly, boldly and loudly about Jesus out in Public. We had quite the discussion about Jesus dying on the cross and the fact that He's alive at H&M of all places! :o)

A few plans for the rest of the week... packing, cleaning and packing some more. Hopefully getting to see a few people before we take off and going to church!

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing with you...

John took this picture when we were at Starbucks on Sunday with the Lee family and my Mom and Bill. I LOVE IT!! It really struck me as these two were sitting up at the 'big' chairs talking away, that they are not little babies anymore, they are little boys. They talked about cars, trucks and about the people walking by. It was such a priceless moment. They really love seeing each other and had such a great time together. I can't believe our boys are growing up--so fast!

Thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook for this great idea.

GrEightful!

This week I am grateful for:

1.) My hubby being done his classes and papers--now just four finals left.

2.) My kiddos who are on the mend!

3.) A potluck with our Bible Study group! It was a great evening and we are truly going to miss this awesome group of friends that God has truly blessed us with!

4.) Time to visit with the Ramkissoon family (thanks for coming down guys)! I know these aren't the best pictures, but at least we got some! ;o) Their kids Jaia and Nyal are pretty stinkin cute!


5.) Time with the Nenasheff's (they even spent the night and I didn't get one photo--we were having too much fun I guess)!

6.) An afternoon in Red Deer with the Lee family and with Mom and Bill. We had a good time and the boys were so excited and had such an awesome time together. They are so sweet. First thing Zech asked me this morning was if we were going to see Jonas today (if only it were that simple)!

The boys were trying to roll down the hill. They couldn't quite figure it out though! ;o)


7.) Nice Spring weather--finally!

8.) God and the incredible ways that he provides and speaks to us!

GrEightful!

Oh it has been a long, long week, so I am extremely grateful that it is over and that Monday is the start of a brand new week!

This week I am grateful for:

1.) My two beautiful kiddos. I have been a little grumpy and impatient and haven't been the most attentive mommy, but I couldn't imagine my life without these two and Zech says that he forgives me! :o)


2.) My wonderful hubby who in the midst of having 5 papers due last week, he still made the time and effort to help out as much as possible with the kids!

3.) That my baby girl is finally on the mend. It has been a wild weekend with her from almost choking, to scratching her cornea and then getting a stomach flu last night.

4.) Good talks with some pretty incredible friends!

5.) For medication (even if I hate being on it) that helps me feel better. I am still not over this nasty cough, but at least I can breathe, swallow and hear now.

6.) For play time with my boy--he is such a card!

7.) An exciting new initiative at our Church - Stop the Traffic. To bring awareness and make a difference in ending human trafficking and slavery. Did you know that in Canada, the RCMP estimate that this year alone 1000 people will fall victim to human trafficking!

8.) Time to read the Bible and seek God, even if it was limited and not as much as I need or had hoped, it is still always refreshing and uplifting.

Simple Woman Daybook #3

For Today . . . April, 9th, 2009

Outside my window... the sun has almost set, the skies look clear and there is still some snow lingering from the crazy storm we had last night. Please Spring come back??!!

I am thankful...for a lot right now. That my baby girl is ok after we had a real scare this morning. That my husband is knowledgeable and knew what to do. For my little boy who listened and did exactly what we told him at a time that we needed him to listen and be his best. That 911 actually works and is a fast, efficient service. For a wonderful EMS team that was so understanding. For Jesus who took care of us and answered our prayers and helped our little girl.

I am praying... for healing, for sleep, for faith, for trust and for everything to just work out and come together over the next few weeks.

I am also praying... that God will provide for us and that I will be able to just hand it all over to Him.

I am thinking... about my Friend's awesome news on her blog. Her second gave his heart to the Lord and her eldest is now ready to be baptized. So, so excited and happy! Praise the Lord!!! As a mother this is my number one prayer, the biggest burden on my heart when I pray for my kids--such awesome news!

I am celebrating... that my baby girl is safe and sound and sleeping peacefully after our near choking episode this morning.

From the kitchen... leftovers and soup from a can--So sad!

I am wearing...shorts (yes I am wishing and hoping and praying summer is right around the corner and maybe this will help) and a t-shirt.

I am reading...the Bible. Trying my best to just listen, be still and listen to what God wants to say to me (something new for me and something I am not that good at--too many thoughts in my head, too many distractions).

I am hoping...for some sleep tonight and that I will get more than the 4 1/2 hours like last night. I am hoping that my cough will not keep me up.

I am hearing...John and his best friend talk Theology, listen to Christian music and videos on the internet over the phone. It is quite funny, these two do this all the time, but I am happy that they have such a great relationship with one another.

I am creating...nothing and probably won't be for a month or so now.

Around the house... cleaning, and more packing.

One of my favorite things...nice, long conversations with my husband about God, about us, about God's plan for our lives, about our kids....I just love talking with my hubby.

A few plans for the rest of the week... resting or trying to, John has more work to do on his paper, hoping to see some family this weekend, packing.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing with you...

So this is Genesis after we got home from the hospital with her new Teddy Bear from the EMS. I was playing with the kids this morning and trying to sort through some boxes while I let my dear hubby sleep in. I had told Zech to throw a few things in the garbage and assumed he had. John woke up and came down and Genesis went to him. All of a sudden she just started choking and having troubles breathing. John kept asking me what was going on, as she has had a cold for the last week and we thought maybe she was just coughing. But then she started gasping for breath and John took her right away and started to do the proper CPR procedure for infant chokings. We kept sweeping her mouth to see if something was inside, but we couldn't find anything. I took her thinking that I may be able to calm her and she started puking blood and mucous all over the place. By this time we were in full panic, and I called 911. They were here within 5 min., but when your baby is choking and having problems breathing it really felt like an eternity. She had started to calm down by this point, but there was still some distress. She had puked up two more times and it was full of blood, and that is a scary sight. We went by ambulance to the Children's hospital and on the way she started coughing and choking up again and then we saw something. There it was a STICKER. While I was sorting through the boxes, one of the things I had asked Zech to throw away was a sticker. I didn't follow up to see if he had thrown it away and I also didn't see that Genesis had gotten a hold of it. It was a fairly large metallic sticker and it really didn't have much flex, hence the reason it caused such havoc. As soon as we got it out, she was completely fine and went to sleep. She was fine by the time we got to the hospital, but the doctor's just checked her over to make sure there was no damage, etc. What a little monkey! Yes, I have the sticker and the EMS lady told me to scrap book it--ha! I can laugh about it now, but I have never been so scared in my life. I guess as a parent your whole entire life revolves around ensuring the safety of your kids and when it is compromised, it really puts things into perspective.

So tonight we go to bed with a few more gray hairs, a few years taken off our lives due to stress (ha) and feeling extremely grateful that it was nothing more serious. Oh, and a lot more paranoid! ;o)

Talk about timing, I am so grateful that my husband was home and I didn't have to go through this by myself.

Thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook for this great idea.