2011 Top Five

2011 has been a year of blessings!  I thank the Lord for the ways He has shown himself this year.
Here are five of my favs...

#1.  Getting Married to John!

#2. European Honeymoon

Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Rooftop in Barcelona, Spain

Cruise on Norwegian Epic

Florence, Italy

Florence, Italy  Duomo

Rome, Italy 

Rome, Italy

Pompeii, Italy

Pompeii, Italy

Palma, Spain

Palma, Spain

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, Spain  Sagrada Familia

Barcelona, Spain   Sagrada Familia

Barcelona, Spain



#3.  Family Vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC

#4.  Singing the National Anthem at a Sporting Event (Lifetime dream of mine)

#5.  Many laughs and smiles

While I'm Waiting

The holidays were great!!!  We were up north for almost a week and a half.  I always have somewhat of a hard time when we come home.  This time was even harder because our neighbors who we loved moved earlier this week.  So, it was a little solemn when we pulled up and saw their empty house.  :-(   

I resolve to find a job for the new year.  Since I have been down south I feel like I have been doing a lot of waiting to see how the Lord is going to use me. I love this song by John Waller.  This is my goal as I'm waiting.  If you are feeling like you are playing the waiting game as well, worship while you are waiting!

I'm waiting 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

And I am hopeful 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

Though it is painful 

But patiently, I will wait 

I will move ahead, bold and confident 

Taking every step in obedience 

While I'm waiting 

I will serve You 

While I'm waiting 

I will worship 

While I'm waiting 

I will not faint 

I'll be running the race 

Even while I wait 

I'm waiting 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

And I am peaceful 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

Though it's not easy 

But faithfully, I will wait 

Yes, I will wait 

I will serve You while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting 

I will serve You while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting 

I will serve you while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

How could I forget?

I had the opportunity today to substitute teach at my former school where I taught first grade for a six years.  John and I surprised everyone by coming up a week early.  He had the opportunity to work in New Jersey this week.

I got the sub call at 6:00 this morning.   I had told my former assistant principal that I was  here all week if she needed a sub.  I never expected to get a call.  But I did.
I left out of bed for the first time in months.   I get this energy whenever I have the opportunity to teach.  The Lord has just given me this passion for teaching that I cannot even explain.  I was giddy all morning. Not only because I was going to be able to teach today but also because I was going to get to see so many of the kids and my co-workers that I miss so dearly. 

One of my students, Carter, who I just had last year came in to me and said, "Hi!  Do you remember me?"

Do I remember you? 

How could I forget the joy you and alll the others brought me every single day?

How could I forget the times where I laughed so hard because of the cute things you all would say?

How could I forget the April Fools tricks you as six years olds played on me?

How could I forget the sweet, sweet prayers you offered in child like innocence?

How could I forget the times that I wouldn't be able to sleep sometimes at night because I was so excited to see you and teach you the next day?

How could I forget the bonds and friendships I have formed with your families and how they accepted me as one of the family?

How could I forget how completely blessed I was every Christmas by your generous gifts?

How could I forget talking about you all constantly?

How could I forget how excited you all were about my wedding and how so many of you showed up that day?

I love my students.

Past.

 Present.

Future

Who knew that being a teacher I would learn so much and be changed every single year for the better. 

I believe that being a teacher is one of the greatest jobs in the world!

I had a great time today, but I must be honest tonight and say that I am feeling kind of sad.  It was very bittersweet to be in my old building today. I haven't found what I had there yet in my new location.  I am so graterful for the time I had teaching first grade. 

Weightless

Time Magazine named this song as the most relaxing song ever.

Weightless

by Macaroni Union

It has been researched, and this song actually lowers anxiety. And who isn't stressed this time of year  The song slows down your heart rate in order to help you relax. I've listened to it a few times while laying in bed at night, and I will say...... it works.



DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS SONG WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING!

Happy Birthday

Happy 30th Birthday to my dear friend Jill.  We have been friends since kindergarten.  We've been through alot together and have always had the times of our life.   I was proud to have Jill in my wedding, as I was in hers too!  I love you girl!

Where's the Line to see Jesus...

Two of my aunts sent me the same email with the story of a song.  At the end was the video for the song.  Take a look...

About the Song:

While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. 

Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"?

My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. 

He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. 

My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios.

It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goose bumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and 

sent off again to Nashville... still no response.

Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from

people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothing. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today.

Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas. 

Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not 

understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to 

reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you.  

Merry Christmas everyone.

  

Proudly Introducing: Happy Grow Lucky...Handmade Gifts for Infants and Toddlers

My cousin Leeann and her friend, Trish just started a business on Etsy called 

Happy Grow Lucky

They specialize in handmade gifts for infants and toddlers.  

Check them out!  SUPER CUTE STUFF!!

www.etsy.com/shop/happygrowlucky

Here is a sampling of some of their stuff.

    

   

December Meal Plan...

If you are scrambling for recipes this month with all the busyness of the season, here is what we are having.  We have leftovers on Wednesday because we have to be at church soon after John gets home from work.  I've included some of the recipes.... Enjoy!

December
2011
Meal Plan

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
	Turkey Pot Pie (Healthy)	Venison Stew	Leftover Turkey Pot Pie	Brushetta Chicken (Recipe below)	Leftovers or go out	BLT’s w/avocadoes Soup
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
Potluck-Pumpkin Soup	Stuffed  Peppers (recipe below)	Meatloaf	Leftovers	Talapia (Recipe below)	Fish tacos	Leftovers- soup from freezer
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
Luncheon @ church	Thai Chicken	Turkey Chili	Leftovers	Lasagna	Leftover lasagna
25	26	27	28	29	30	31

Turkey Pot Pie- from Cooking Light.com

Ingredients

• 3 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth$
• 1 1/2 cups frozen green peas, thawed $
• 1 cup (1/2-inch) cubed peeled baking potato $
• 1 cup (1/2-inch) cubed peeled sweet potato $
• 1 cup (1/2-inch) cubed peeled celeriac (celery root)
• 1 cup (1/2-inch-thick) slices parsnip
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen pearl onions
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces $
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour (about 3 ounces), divided $
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk $
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt $
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper $
• Cooking spray $
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough, thawed

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Bring broth to a boil in a large Dutch oven. Add peas and next 5 ingredients (through onions) to pan; cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 6 minutes. Add chicken; cook for 5 minutes or until chicken is done. Remove chicken and vegetables from broth with a slotted spoon; place in a large bowl.
3. Increase heat to medium. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Place all but 1 tablespoon flour in a medium bowl; gradually add milk to bowl, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Add milk mixture to broth; cook for 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. Stir in chicken mixture, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Spoon mixture into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
4. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon flour on a work surface; roll dough into a 13 x 9-inch rectangle. Place dough over chicken mixture, pressing to seal at edges of dish. Cut small slits into dough to allow steam to escape; coat dough lightly with cooking spray. Place dish on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 16 minutes or until pastry is browned and filling is bubbly.

Bruschetta Chicken- from the Taste of Home Cookbook...

• 4 Servings
• Prep: 10 min. Bake: 30 min.

103040\\

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

• Place flour and eggs in separate shallow bowls. In a third bowl, combine bread crumbs and cheese. Dip chicken in flour, then eggs; coat with bread crumb mixture.
• Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Drizzle with butter. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170°.
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon over the chicken. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes or until tomato mixture is heated through. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutritional Analysis: 1 topped chicken breast equals 380 calories, 14 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 185 mg cholesterol, 589 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 42 g protein.

Smoky Stuffed Peppers
2 large bell peppers, tops cut off and seeded4 ounces hot Italian sausage, removed from casing (about 1 link) 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth1 large plum tomato, chopped 2/3 cup instant brown rice1/3 cup chopped fresh basil1/3 cup finely shredded smoked cheese, such as mozzarella, Cheddar or Gouda, divided.

1.  Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler.
2. Place peppers cut-side down in a  large, microwave-safe dish.  Fill the dish with 1/2 inch of water, cover and microwave on High until the peppers are tender-crisps, 7 to 10 minutes.  Drain the water and transfer the peppers to a roasting pan.  3.Meanwhile, cook sausage in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 5 minutes.  Stir in broth, tomatoes and rice; bring to  simmer, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon.  Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the rice is softened but still moist, about 10 minutes.
4. Stir basil and half the cheese into the rice mixture.  Divide the filling between the peppers, then top with the remaining cheese.  Broil until the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.

I served the peppers with an Orange and Avocado Salad with a Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette.  Yum! Enjoy!

BOBBY'S BAKED TILAPIA- from foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

• Butter cooking spray
• 4 (6 to 8-ounce) tilapia fillets
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 lime, finely grated zest and juice
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a large cast iron pan with a nonstick butter spray.

Rinse fish and pat dry; place on the cast iron pan. Season each fillet with salt, cracked pepper, lime zest and lime juice. Add fish to the pan. Place a pat of butter on each fillet and cook in the oven for 8 to 12 minutes.