Or I'll Blow Your House Down!

So the house is in shambles.  I knew it would be, but I still don't like it.  So far I have been working on packing all things hanging (art/pictures), all the curtains, books, and dvds and whatever else my scatter brain puts in a dark cardboard home.  I really pray that this is the last time we move for quite some time.  Three moves within three years of marriage is a lot, and its about to be four once we find our place of "permanent/non renting" residence.  Keep us in your prayers if you will, we hope to be up and out a week from tomorrow (we are totally NUTSO!).  I will post some embarrassing messy pictures when I get around to finding that camera.... but for now think cardboard/duck tape, can't see the floor, bare walls and bare cupboards and you'll get the idea.

Love to all,
The Currently Overwhelmed Packer

P.S.
My new job is going swimmingly.  Luckily (the Lord is so great at planning - much much better than me) this week I am at home watching training dvd's and don't have to go anywhere until next week - that's when the actual chaos will ensue.  But for now, things are going great.  Monday was my first day - I went into the clinic to have a two hour pep talk and introduction to every nook and cranny of what my job as a Reading Therapist will entail.  I am soooooo excited about what my new boss and I talked about and how they run everything - the establishment is a 22 year old well oiled machine at this day in age, how fitting as it was birthed the same year I was.  Thank you all for your prayers and please continue to pray as we step out in faith to find where our next step will be!

This passage (although I wouldn't consider house hunting too hard of a trial) has been very comforting to me, know that my heavenly Father wants me to be perfect and complete, lacking nothing!  I am so happy that this test is producing patience and that when I lack wisdom, I can just ask and it will be given and that when I ask in faith I am strong and without waver.

James 1:2-6
^"2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."

My Christmas Eve Post!

As we have promised, our annual Christmas e-card.  We figure, we won't send out the real deal until we have little cubs to brag about, so for now enjoy this electronic sentiment.  Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.  Celebrating the birth of my Savior and the reason for His birth today and hoping you are too!

The Merriest of Wishes,

Kendra

Christmas Is Bittersweet

With so many new things happening this Christmas, it is a little bittersweet for me.  Although we have been abundantly blessed this year, it is a little sad to know that we will not be spending next Christmas in this house, which we have made our home.  Spending two Christmases in one residence is quite the record for us so I'm a little sad to see it go, but not bitter.  I love this place, the memories that we have made for our marriage, and the blessing it has been to us.  The sweetness that comes with the sadness is that I have a strange itch to redecorate almost all of the time.  The Lord must have a sense of humor while knowing this about me because we obviously will be redecorating in the near future, being we are moving in t-minus three weeks.

As for our new location, my gracious in-laws are taking us in, once again much to my joy, really.  The first time we moved in with them after being married only a year felt like such a failure to me, world wise.  To be independent and living with my husband for a year, and then moving in with my hubby's family for the entire second year of our marriage seemed like the worst thing a girl could dream of, but it really was one of the best years of my life, and the closest I have ever been with the Lord.  It drew me closer to my heavenly Father as well as stretched my faith and trust.  Also, I am forever grateful to my dear family for getting to know them all the better, and for allowing them to get to know me that second year.  As for where we will be next, who knows but I will keep you all well informed.  My hopes are in Jesus, and the sky doesn't even limit Him.

Also, another bit of news, I recently got a new job as a reading therapist in a privately owned reading clinic, about two blocks from where I live now.  It's a great position, with great pay, great benefits, on the job training, and did I mention I am going to be a reading therapist?  Something actually applicable to my degree that I can do NOW without a graduate degree (which I have no desire to obtain)!!!  So in this season of sadness for my home, I am over the moon at the Lord's favor in general.  He has been in the midst of it all, whether it be provision, decision, or indecisions, I am thankful for a God that knows all and has a plan for mine & Pete's life!  But to tide you over, as this was a doosy of a post, here's what my house looks like all 'decked' out.  I pray you and yours may find the Joy of Jesus in this season, for He truly is the reason.

welcome.

homemade felt trees with button snow.

 a place to hang our christmas wishes & cards.

 the tree - quite the deal this year.

 the t.v. well adorned.

 my vintage pre-lit christmas tree made by my great aunt norma.

 i love this one the best.

 my christmas decor has seemed to take shape this year.

 stockings, hung with care.

 mittens, mittens, everywhere.

 Jesus, celebrating Him above all else this Christmas.

The Reason for the Season

(Pause Music Player Below First)

Ch Ch Ch Changes

2011 will bring lots of changes for us.  Lots of things are up in the air.  The biggest being the fact that we have to move in 33 days and counting.  Shocking, I know.  Our current rental residence has been up for sale for just a couple months and we have been faithfully cleaning and allowing showings nearly every other day, that is, until the last week of November when the showings stopped.  We knew then that something was up and that we needed to pray.  Two days ago we received a phone call from our Landlord filling us in on the details and needless to say I caved emotionally.  At first we thought that we would have to move by the 1st of the year which would mean packing up everything (including our freshly displayed Christmas decor) before Christmas.  The thought of this made me very sad thinking that I would be unable to host my annual Christmas Eve party for my family.  However as things changed and communication was established,  we won't be moving on the first - thank the Lord.  Our moving date is still up in the air, but it won't be until sometime in mid January.  I tell you these details because I am asking for your prayer.  We aren't sure why the Lord is moving us, why in such short notice or where he is directing us, but as my husband boldly proclaimed, "I will not be moved." By the way, he is an amazing support system to me, without him I would be in tears every day as I reminisce about our time in this lovely house, that now feels like our home.  So please pray for us, me especially.  Being so sentimental around the holidays I feel the need to break each time I think about all the question marks flying around my head.  "Why do we have to move?  Have I grown complacent that I need this huge of a change? Does God have something better for us or is this just a lesson of obedience?  WHERE ARE WE GOING TO LIVE??"  Our coveted prayers would be these: God's direction, God's will (and that we will heed it and seek it), God's provision for a transitional home while we figure out where we will reside more permanently, and His peace that will surpass all of our understanding.  I read this today and found it comforting.


When you're struggling, people like to say, "Just remember, God never gives you more than you can handle..."  And though they mean well, it never quite makes you feel better.  When you're in crisis, it sure feels like more than you can handle.  During this journey, I came to realize that God does indeed give us more than we can handle - but never more than He can handle.  You see, He wants us to depend on His strength during our crisis and if it wasn't more than we could handle, we wouldn't need Him. 


"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:7-9


Blessings,
Kendra

Winter Craft Tutorials

Well this past Saturday I had the pleasure of decorating for my church's (Calvary Chapel Brandon) annual Christmas Ladies Luncheon.  Each year, I always try to change up the decorations to keep things from getting too same ole same ole.  Usually I do red, white, silver etc.... but this I decided to branch out in to the navies whites and silvers - a more "winter" color theme.  As far as DIY projects I came up with three.  One being the 'Whimsy Windmill' centerpieces for ten of the tables (seen in picture numero uno up top), two being similar 'Whimsy Wall Hangings', and three being 'Felt Christmas Trees.' To whip up these bad little babies follow the directions below and prepare to be sitting for quite sometime - an hour if you're quick, and yes that's just for the first one. We (Lauren & I) made ten Windmills, never again I say.  Glad we saved them, we can re-use them again in a couple years when we do the blue theme again.

Supplies Needed for 1 Whimsy Windmill

• felt  - 1/4 yard (I used navy blue)
• white yarn - 5 feet (I used white)
• ribbon - 3 yards (I used really thin, plain, medium blue)
• wire hanger or galvanized steel (you can buy 100ft at Walmart for 4.99 - car department)
• sturdy single hole punch
• silver duck tape

Directions

• Cut out 10 circles, 5 measuring at about 4 inches, and 5 measuring in at around 2.5 inches.
• Punch eight to ten equidistant holes about 1/4 inch in from the edge and punch one hole the center.  Your circle should look something like this plus the hole in the center.   You can either do this to all of the circles or you just some, I did about half and half, the other half only having one hole to attach with ribbon.

• Thread with yarn in a star shape, tying a knot for the first one through the center so that the yarn won't become undone.  Once the last hole is threaded, tie off another knot so that the "star shape" remains.  Do this to all hole punched circles.  They should look something like this now. Notice, I also used white/silver circles to add a little dimension

• Form steel or wire hanger into circle and tape with silver duck tape.  You don't even see the tape, so no worries.
• Attach circles to circle at varying lengths as seen in the picture above.
• At this point you can also tie on fun curly ribbon or just plain ribbon in between the star hangings. 
• Once all circles are attached cut four equal length pieces of ribbon and tie onto top of steel circle to form an "X." This is where things get a little tricky - you maybe have to move the circles around a lot of get the circle to hang level but that can all be fixed once it is attached to the ceiling or light fixture. 
• Tie four ribbons together, while trying to keep each ribbon at the same length, otherwise it will start to look a little lopsy.  From the knot, tie a long piece of ribbon, this will be attached to the ceiling.
• Move hangings around to level the piece.  This is how I incorporated these little felt chandeliers into the decor.  The theme was light of the world so I think they meshed pretty well.

The second DIY project I came up with (Whimsy Wall Hangings) is very similar to the Whimsy Windmills.  It is pictured below and doesn't need much instruction.  The only difference in assembly is that you use one extra LONG piece of ribbon and just keep knotting off each "star." Seems pretty self explanatary but please comment if you have trouble.

Finally we have the beloved felt trees.  I have seen these in high end stores covered in feathers or burlap and decided to try my hand at them - on the cheap.  Here how you do it!

Supplies Needed for 2 Felt Christmas Trees

• 1 4-5in styrofoam cone 
• Joannes for around $3
• 1 12in cone 
• you can buy styrofoam for about 6 bucks, or a plastic hollow cone for 1.99, I used plastic since I'm a bit of a chinsey spender.
• white buttons, glitter, or small white felt circles
• hot glue gun + glue sticks

Directions

• Cut out half-moon shaped (one end being completely straight) long enough to cover the fattest portion of the tree. Attach with hot glue on all edges.
• Cut out several circles of different sizes.  Attach all onto cone until complete covered. 
• The top of the cone gets a little tricky, you just kind of finagle/stretch the circles.
• Attach faux snow! 
• Duplicate for second tree & place around your home for cheap, cute, homemade winter wonder! Here's my little dining room forest!

Anyone else whipping up some fun little DIY projects for the Christmas Season? Anyone going to tackle the trees with feathers for a more high dollar elegant take? Do tell!

On My Knees

Lately I have been listening to the band "Ascend the Hill."  They are by far, the freshest & most worshipful band I have heard since I started listening to the Wickham brothers (Phil & Evan).  If you haven't heard of them, I encourage you to do so by visiting their site  or by downloading their music for free or donation here.  Also, they are a local band from Brandon, which makes me appreciate their talent all the much more.  I challenge you, Christian or not, to listen to the songs and the amazing lyrics full through.  You will not be the same afterwards and to deny the truths sung would be foolishness.  The lyricism brings me to my knees in complete adoration and humility each time I listen to them.  My favorite album over theirs is entitled "Take the World, but give me Jesus."  To listen to my favorite track, pause the music player at the bottom of this page and click play on the embedded file below.  Also, I have included a video of their vision for Ascend The Hill - they are truly humble worshippers of Christ Jesus, just like you and I.  I hope their music encourages you and blesses you, I can't get enough of it.  Blessings.

Find more artists like Ascend The Hill at Myspace Music

Ascend The Hill - WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! from Ascend The Hill on Vimeo.

A Christmas Craft!

Lately, I have been pondering how I can rework my Christmas decor this year with the supplies I have.  Often times I do a little decoration shopping after the holidays and score some pretty cute things for next to nothing, but last year I didn't.  After doing a little "Christmas Spirit" searching via the world wide web, I found my inspiration (Knock Knocking Blog).  If I were a Christmas wreath, this is what I would look like!  I almost cried at the sight of the kitchen-aid mixer charm, on top of the teal yarn, felt roses, fabric pinwheels, and silver sparkle?  What more could a girl want?!?!  What do you think?  Looks pretty simple, I can't wait to DIM (do it myself!)  Pictures of the actual facsimile to follow....

On another note, we are getting our tree this week!  I can't wait!  Husband & I always go to the same lot and last year we started the tradition of going with dear friends.  We hope to continue that tradition again this year, plus one - their adorable baby boy.  I promise to post pictures of my Christmas Casa asap - that is once I get to decorating!  I am still loving my fall-esque white pumpkins at the moment.... How about you guys?  Any traditions already happening pre-December?  What colors or textures are you workin' this season?

Rut-Roe

This past Thursday, while baking with my Mom all day, she discovered a little slip up on one of my recipes, and boy am I glad she did before the dish was baked!  For those of you who tried to make the Broccoli Vee Casserole, I hope you figured out to cook the broccoli before hand as directed by the bag/box.  I forgot to include this fine little detail and apologize profusely if you did not cook yours first!  Hopefully no one ended up eating half-way cooked crunchy broccoli, and if you did I am so very sorry! Then again, not many people read this blog, so hopefully everyone in the blogosphere ended up okay!  Anyways, how was everyone's holiday break?  I worked all weekend, being employed at the mall, so it was pretty much a nightmare - but hey the time sure went by fast!

How To Brine A Turkey

I'll be honest with you, I didn't know what the word "brine" meant either.  I am by no means a Julia Child when it comes to cooking so don't be intimidated in the least.  This will only be my second turkey, so we're in this together.  When I saw this recipe on food network, I thought, man that looks good.  Who would have ever thought to marinate a turkey?  Not me.  Chicken, beef, sure - but turkey? Brilliant!  So, brine, by definition means:
brine [braɪn]

noun

1. (Cookery) a strong solution of salt and water, used for salting and pickling meats, etc

2. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) the sea or its water

3. (Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) Chem

a.  a concentrated solution of sodium chloride in water

b.  any solution of a salt in water a potassium chloride brine

verb

(tr) to soak in or treat with brine

Now again, this may seem daunting, but if the outcome is as good as all the reviews say, it's gotta be worth it.  We'll see two days from now & I'll let you know how it goes, but for now, here's what you'll need to get Birdie started.


Ingredients:

• 24 lb. turkey 
• (I realize this is enormous, so just halve things down if you get a smaller guy)
• 5 sweet onions
• 10 cloves fresh garlic
• 64 oz. vegetable broth
• 64 oz. apple juice
• 192 oz. water 
• (i.e. refill the apple juice container three times)
• 1 bunch fresh rosemary 
• (by bunch, I mean, I went outside and picked a bunch)
• 1 bunch fresh thyme
• 1 bunch fresh basil 
• SALT SALT SALT
• Pepper
• 2 tablespoons "Savory" seasoning
• Ice

Prepare

• Get turkey out of bag and de-gut. Yuck yuck yuck.  I'll admit, my Dad helped me with this part last year, but I was left to my own devices this time around - bummer.
• Rinse well inside and out.  Pat dry.
• Carefully drop into plastic container big enough + lots of broth.  I got a "74 lb" one if that helps.
• Add all veg broth, juice, and half of water.
• Peel onions and quarter. Add to container.
• Peel garlic, smash to release flavor & add to container.  It should look like this so far.

• Next get your herbs together.  Personally, I used fresh because that what's I had on hand, and let's be honest, it just looks good. Pictured below: thyme.  
• Pick off stems, (we don't want those in the jacuzzi) bruise, tear, chop. Don't skip this step or your herbs will do nothing for you!

• Add to turkey box along with savory season, a couple handfuls of salt and a couple dashes of pepper.  DON'T BE SCARED TO SEASON!  Think about how big a bird this is, (no pun intended big bird) and how much water there is + the sweet apple juice!  Do not by shy folks!
• Top with remaining 1 1/2 containers water and give the turkey a good dunk.  Try to stuff some of the onions & garlic underneath him and try to mix around him without splashing too much. He should look like this now:

• Now doesn't that look pretty good?  I think so.  To finish add enough ice to fill in the broth spots.  I would guess 4-6 cups.  You want to keep him chilled.
• Next, cover, put in fridge and let it soak over night, like so:

• If all goes well this turkey should be falling off the bone after being cooked. 
• Oh by the way, about that.  When turkey day arrives and you are ready to get the bird cooking, pull him out of his bath and pat dry. Be sure his insides are clear of marinade as well.  Discard marinade & contents - it is contaminated now.
• Fill bird with 1-2 quarted onions, 1 orange, & celery. 
• Make herb butter or purchase and rub underneath the skin as seen in handy video (click here).
• Next, put turkey in roasting bag and follow directions according to weight.  For this twenty-four pounder it will take about 3 hours to cook. Although this seems quick, brining your turkey will shorten cook time, not to mention the bag.
• Once cooking is finished let turkey sit for at least 15 minutes, pref a 30 in the bag!  This will allow the juices to redistribute and remain in the bird - a little trick I've learned from my awesome father-in-law i.e. seasoned butcher. 
• Save drippings to make gravy, as seen in this handy video (click here).
• I use water instead of broth and nix the wine and a fine mesh strainer will do to separate.

If you think of me tomorrow, say a little prayer! I hope that this guy turns out well and starts a new tradition of moist & flavorful turkey! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUSBAND!

This video is dedicated to my dearest husband! I love you!
(And of course, this is me playing the accordion silly)



*pause music at bottom of page before playing*

The Husband Diets.

Lately my husband has been on a health kick and when he is there is always a remarkable amount of lettuce in the fridge!  I figured he must be getting pretty tired of manatee's "meat," so I decided to make him a special, but healthy alternative for those munchie hours that all dieters endure! Introducing Kendi's Homemade Trail Mix!  Now these are Pete's personal faves. If you don't like any of these ingredients swap it out for something similar and you will have you very own custom trail mix!  Here's the ingredients I tend to swoon towards.

The Stuff:

• 8 oz. roasted peanuts
• 16 oz. can pecans (I put some aside since it's Pete's fav)
• 2 small bags of craisans
• 1/2 tall can raisins
• 1 8-10 oz. can Dried Apricot
• 1/4 bag Ghirardelli Mini White Choc Chips
• 1/2 bag Trader Joes Honey Sesame Sticks

The only prepping for these ingredients includes cutting the apricots into halves or thirds.  Keep in mind, everything should be bite size if you swap out an ingredient.  Other than that, pour everything into a large mixing bowl and combine.  I poured mine into a cute little (lidded) glass container and set it out for him, while storing the extra in a huge tupperware container in the pantry.  Any body else getting a head start on their diets before the holidays?  Props to you guys! I'm afraid I don't have the will or self control to diet, however I think I will be joining in on the exercising once I get some fresh air in my beach cruiser.

Santa's Got A Brand New Bag

Last Wednesday a good friend of mine and I went to IKEA - pretty much my second residence!  I wanted to check out their new Christmas ornaments and get another pot for my largely expanding herb garden, while my newly-wedded friend needed some other home-ish necessities. Little did I know I would stumble across this beauty in my travels.  Now let me preface this blog by saying  I have wanted a cast iron pot since before we were been married in 2007.  I registered for one, but of course it being somewhere in the $150 range, I didn't get one - hey a girl can dream can't she?  If you know me, three years is a long awaited purchase.  I'm a get it done kind of girl so my patience truly was a blessing - who knew!  However, the best news has yet to come - this was in the clearance section for........drumroll, 29 bucks!  It wasn't returned or damaged but was merely a display item not needed any more. YAHOO! And by the way, the bigger the "dutch oven" the more expensive and this one is huge measuring over 12 inches wide not to mention her nice oblong shape.  Needless to say I will find some use for it on Thanksgiving even if I have to serve rolls in it! Boy do I love a good - and long awaited - deal.

Gimme Your Tots!

For my last birthday, my dearest husband bought me a TON of my favorite food network stars' DVD series.  One of my favorites, who is a little lesser known, is Anne Burrell.  She is hilarious and if you don't know who she is, think about the lady with the crazy bleach blonde pixie hair, whit to kill, and whom often speaks in a growling voice.  Ring any bells?  Okay - just google it.  Anyways, this recipe was on one of the DVDs that I received and although I'm not a huge mash-tater fan, this recipe includes heavy cream so I can only imagine it tasting pretty close to heavenly.  Again, this is for THANKSGIVING, the holiday that exhorts gluttony so just roll with it and repent later.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, washed and quartered
• 4 cloves garlic
• Kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, warm
• 1 stick cold butter, cut into 9 pats

Directions

1. Place the potatoes and garlic in a large sauce pan. Cover with 1 to 2 inches cold water and season generously with salt. The water should taste like the sea. TASTE IT! If the water is under seasoned at this point it will be hard to have a well seasoned end product. 
2. Bring the pot of water to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. 
3. Drain the potatoes and garlic well and pass through a food-mill or ricer. DO NOT use a food processor or blender. It will result in a very sticky and rubbery end product.
4. While passing the potatoes, bring the heavy cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Once the cream has come to a boil remove from the heat.
5. While the potatoes are still hot add 1/3 of the cream and butter and stir vigorously into the potatoes.
6. Repeat this process 2 more times until all of the cream and butter has incorporated. 
7. Taste the potatoes for seasoning and add salt, if needed. 
8. Serve immediately or cover with foil and keep warm in an oven on low heat.

New Layout

What do you think?  
Also, I got a little signature.  
Pretty sweet.  Any thoughts?


Sincerely,

The "Green Stuff"

This recipe hales from the great state of Minnesota i.e. my mother-in-law.  She is a born and raised Midwesterner and knows all about the word "salad."  Now to me, salad means things like lettuce & croutons but trust me, as any Minnesotan and they'll tell you differently.  If this seems confusing to you then you need to see the movie "New In Town."  However, if you haven't acquainted yourself with the, hmm, culture, you are missing out - Don't ya know?  So onto this beloved recipe which I'd say is a GREAT substitute for lettuce and croutons any day of the week - it is green right?

Randall Scale:
Grocery...............$7-9
Skill Rating..........a blind person could make it (no offense)
Serving Size........10-15 (this recipe is doubled)
Prep time.............30 seconds + refrigeration over night


Ingredients:

• 2 boxes JELLO Pistachio Pudding
• 2 tubs 8 oz cool whip
• 20 oz can crush pineapple in juice (not syrup)
• 3 cup mini marsh mellows 
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts *optional*

Prepare:

1. Mix all dry JELLO mix with pineapple - combine well.
2. Add walnuts if you so desire, we never add nuts but if you're feeling nutty...haha.
3. Add marsh, combine again.
4. Fold in cool whip.  Be sure not to over mix or it won't hold.
5. Pour into serving dish or mold and allow to sit in fridge overnight.  
6. Serve WITH main course - yes you heard me right. I LOVE THE MIDWEST!

Broccoli & Cheese? Yes Please.

Good Evening Ladies & Gents!  This here is the kick off for my Thanksgiving recipe series - I do hope you enjoy them and dare I say, try them out this upcoming turkey day!  The first star to enter the spotlight is the daring and rather, unusual Broccoli Vee Casserole.  Now - know this, I don't eat broccoli any other day of the year but this recipe makes me want to swim in it - props to my Mom as she is the brilliant mastermind behind hiding good things is bad food (that will make more sense once you see the recipe). Now before you jump all over my velveeta, yes, you use velveeta in this recipe, you have to try it.  It doesn't taste like velveeta when used in this recipe because all you can taste is buttery ritz cracker goodness.  Here we go!


Randall Scale:
Grocery......................$12.00
Skill Rating..................Kindergarten Friendly
Serving Size................10-12 peeps
Prep Time...................30-40 minutes tops


Ingredients:

• 1 large bag frozen broccoli florets 
• 1 medium brick Velveeta Cheese
• 1/2 stick-a-butta
• 1-2 sleeves Ritz Crackers
• 1 casserole dish (somewhere around 12 by 12)

Prepare:

1. Open cheese. Now, again, I know Velveeta is the king of all kings of processed cheese - heck you get it OFF THE SHELF next to the pasta sauce.  If you just can't bear to use dear old V then substitute this with a nice melty cheese like gouda or gruyere.
2. Cube into small 1/2 inch bites - pop a few if you are so inclined.
3. Remove Ritz sleeve numero uno and empty contents into gallon sized ziplock.  Bang bang bang til its nice and crumbly, but not too fine - a good time for the kids to help.
4. Take broccoli out of freezer and pour into greased casserole dish or corning wear.
5. Cover broccoli with cubed cheese like it's your number one job. Mmm mmm good.  
6. Cover cheese with Ritzy ditzy crumbs, if you run out of crumbs enlist the kid's help again and proceed to cover completely.
7. Remove half stick of butter from fridge.  Melt in microwave and pour over crackers - this keeps getting better and better, my mouth is watering!
8. Preheat oven to 350-375 degrees.  Cook for 15-18 minutes.  Watch.  When finished, the crackers should be golden brown and crispy and the cheese yummily melted.  If not put back into oven until crispiness and meltiness is achieved.
9. ENJOY & HAVE SECONDS!

My Latest Shoot - The DiBernardo Family!

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of shooting portraits for the DiBernardo Family!  Their three kids are nothings short of adorable and it was such a gorgeous day outside that it was really more fun than work! I hope you enjoy this little snapshot (forgive the pun) of their photoshoot at Madard Park!

Marvelous & Holy

You see a painting & it's beauty - it doesn't take a brilliant man to know that a painter created it. 
You see the earth and it's intricacies of design, the perfect workings of the human body are evidence enough for the existence of an Intelligent Designer. 
Consider the human eye: it is made up of more than two million working parts - TWO MILLION!  The eye is a ball with a lense on one side that has a light sensitive retina made up of rods and cones inside the other. The lense itself has a sturdy protective covering called the cornea that sits over the iris which designed to protect the eye from excessive light. The eye contains an amazing watery substance that is replaced every four hours, tear glands that continually flush the outside clean, an eyelid that sweeps the secretions over the cornea to keep it moist, and eyelashes to protect the eye from dust. On top of that EXTRAORDINARY muscles are attached to the eyes that instantaneously move the eye and shape the lense at the same time for the function of focus.  Did this amazing piece of complex machinery come together by some mindless process & random series of accidents?  Atheists have to muster up the faith to answer, "yes" to that question. I don't have enough faith to be an atheist. [alwaysbeready.com/Charlie Campell] In speaking about the human eye, Charles Darwin (world renowned proponent of Darwinism, natural selection, & evolution) says, "The eye to this day, gives me a cold shudder. To suppose that the eye [...] could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree."  Even Darwin knew there had to be something, or rather, Someone greater.
It seems so simple to me to KNOW that there is a Creator.  
Another example for you: 
"You could leave the barren side of a mountain exposed to wind, rain, the forces of nature, chance and millions of years of time …and you would never get a Mt. Rushmore, let alone a living, breathing human being. Why? It takes intelligence. You need intelligent intervention. [It took 400 intelligent workers fourteen years (1927-1941) to carve those four faces. And George and Abe just stare at you. They don’t talk. They don’t smile. They don’t do anything. How much more intelligence would it take to create a living breathing human being? Good question.] As Dr. Norman Geisler points out, it would take great intelligence to create a robot that operates like a human, and it would take even greater intelligence to create a real human being. No one alive today would believe that the faces of Mt. Rushmore came about by millions of years of... erosion, wind, rain and undirected random acts. And yet atheists believe that real-life human beings with… 206 bones, 640 muscles and hearts that beat over 100,000 times a day…are the product of a mindless, random series of accidents. This is foolish." (Charlie Campell)
And even greater truth, this one is my favorite, that this Creator - that created the vast mountains & fields & oceans & everything in them - this Creator created ME in His image.  I bear the image of Christ!  Christian, how encouraging to us!  He could have made the beautiful mountains or the deep oceans in His image, but he chose to make US like Him. I simply cannot contain such amazing news.  I am in complete awe of my God's love for me. "Oh love of God how rich and pure, shall forevermore endure.  How measureless and strong, the saints and angels song we sing, HOLY HOLY!"
How can you not believe, I ask you?  Or rather, how can you believe & keep the news to yourself?  We only have one job, and that is to go forth and make disciples of ALL nations!  Whether that be leaving the comfort of our own homes to tell others, telling our neighbors while checking the mailbox, or moving to a third world country, spread the Good News!  Jesus, perfect and without sin, came to this earth and took on the image of man.  Not only that but he came without reputation.  He dwelt among us and yet even those who SAW Him denied Him.  I will not deny my Father, nor keep His reputation quiet.  He is the author of my life, the designer of my physical being, the lover of my soul, and I am made WHOLE because of Jesus' atonement on the cross. He died and rose again so that I can go to heaven - that's good news enough!  I get to go to heaven and be with Him forever!
Challenging myself to "make disciples" today and everyday.
"Oh God be my everything, be my delight. Jesus my glory, my soul satisfied!"


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Back Porch Refresh

For the most part of our time here at the Oleander house, our back porch has been less than desirable.  With our herb garden growing larger and larger each day the sun rises, we decided to move it closer to the kitchen (instead of having it out front) so that we could have the visual reminder of using it!  I also have been slowly cleaning and reorganizing the garage so a few pieces have been dumped and a few repurposed.  This baker's rack is my grandma's and I can't seem to part with it so I put in on the porch to serve as a new home for my herbs (and a few other collections)!  I like that my plants have a sunny new spot, although the end of their lives is much more imminent now..... hopefully I will get a dining set out there soon so we can enjoy the crisp fall evenings that we have been so blessed with!

Vintage Storybook Painting Series

As I make a mad dash to the end of the week, I have had very few hours at my actual paying job.  I am a little bummed about this while I watch Pete running around like a chicken with his head cut off, and me not working at all, however, he assures me that it's okay.  He's too good to be true - really.  

Anyways, with my time pretty freed up (aside from applying for other jobs, cooking, cleaning, laundry, church, etc...) I have been trying to scramble as many items as I can for my upcoming show!  For those of you who have yet to hear, and I'd be shocked if you hadn't - I am in another art show this Friday!  To find out more info just click here!  Also, the reason for this post, almost forgot, is to show you my newest painting series.  I have always loved vintage children's picture books and have taken a liking to them even more so in my recent travels through cyber space.  Here are a few my newest paintings.  I think they would be absolutely adorable in a nursery, playroom, or even a "grown-up room" - why not add a little whimsy to your life?  Without further ado I bring to you.....

The Meek Mr. Fox

The Lonesome Song Bird

And All The Family Gathered 'Round

(Comments & Critics Welcome)