No, it's not a political slogan...all though that is a whole separate post...My husband and I have been talking about moving to Montana for a long time. In fact, when he proposed to me I told him that I was going to live in Montana and that he could take back the marriage proposal if he didn't want to move. Our original plan was to move to Montana before our first daughter was born. Well that all happened over five years ago, I guess that was not God's timing for us to move.
Last week my husband got a call from a company that he had been talking with and they offered him a job...starting in just over 2 weeks! We have been praying about moving for so long, and this door opening up for us is amazing. Soon my husband will be leaving and the girls and I will be staying in our home until we get it rented out, then we too will be off to Montana!
I am really very excited, this is a whole new start for us. While it is exciting, it is also quite scary. We are moving to Billings - a city that my husband and I know fairly little about. I anticipate many wonderful things. One of the greatest things about us moving is that our oldest daughter, Emily, will be able to be off of her daily medication because her allergies did not bother her at all when we were in Montana before!
I have so much to do to get ready, I am not sure where to start. OK, that is not entirely true - I know firsthand how cold a Montana winter is, so I started by buying Olivia her first pair of snow boots today, one size bigger than her feet are now!!! I am going to love this!!!!!
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Friday, August 12, 2011
Friday, November 20, 2009
Jambasta
Zack has our Dish set to automatically record Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals. So I was sitting on the couch putting the girls to sleep for their nap and decided to watch an episode that was titled "Fire and Ice" - sounds good right? Well Rachael was making Jambasta, a dish that she created for her dad's birthday that combines jambalaya and pasta.
The ingredients for this dish are:
1 pkg andouille (we used linguica) sausage
1 chicken breast
3-4 large deveined shrimp per person
celery - we used about 6 stalks
half an onion
some (1t +/- to taste) garlic
1 red bell pepper (we used yellow)
1 poblano pepper
1T butter
2-4 t flour
about 1/2C beer
about 1 C chicken stock
a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
a couple sprigs of thyme
about 1/2C cream
1 pound of any short-bodied pasta (we used whole grain penne).
**Liquid measurements are estimates, Rachael Ray did "turns around the pan" rather than measurements. A turn around the pan starts at one spot near the edge of the pan and goes around to that point again.**
To make Jambasta
You start out by removing the casing from your sausage and cutting it up into small pieces. In a large, deep skillet brown the sausage until it is crisp, set aside. While cooking sausage, cut up your veggies.
In the same pan, melt some butter - maybe a tablespoon, and then put your garlic, onion, celery, bell pepper, and poblano pieces in there, sprinkle with flour (maybe 2-4 t) and mix well to combine.
Don't forget to start a pot of water to boil for the pasta.
Pour some beer over the top of your veggies - not really sure how much, about one turn around the pan.
Then pour some chicken stock in, about two turns around the pan. Open the can of crushed tomatoes and add that, mix. Add a couple of sprigs of thyme, when getting ready to serve you are going to remove the stems.
Now is the time to cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, and add them to the sauce. Add the raw shrimp at this time too. The chicken and shrimp are going to cook in the sauce and add a bunch of flavor! Put in one turn around the pan of cream, and stir.
Add your pasta to the water which should now be boiling. Cook according to the package directions, but you want to drain the pasta just shy of "al dente" because it is still going to cook when added to the sauce.
When the pasta is cooked, pick out the thyme sprigs from your sauce. Combine the pasta in with the sauce and mix gently to combine.
Put in your serving dish, and top with linguisa!
ENJOY!!!!
This was an absolutely delicious meal!
Rachael Ray paired this dish with individual pecan ice cream pies, but to be honest with you, we were so full that desert wasn't even on our minds! I hope that if you decide to try Jambasta, that you enjoy it as much as we did!
Thank you for reading this and have a blessed day!
The ingredients for this dish are:
1 pkg andouille (we used linguica) sausage
1 chicken breast
3-4 large deveined shrimp per person
celery - we used about 6 stalks
half an onion
some (1t +/- to taste) garlic
1 red bell pepper (we used yellow)
1 poblano pepper
1T butter
2-4 t flour
about 1/2C beer
about 1 C chicken stock
a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
a couple sprigs of thyme
about 1/2C cream
1 pound of any short-bodied pasta (we used whole grain penne).
**Liquid measurements are estimates, Rachael Ray did "turns around the pan" rather than measurements. A turn around the pan starts at one spot near the edge of the pan and goes around to that point again.**
To make Jambasta
You start out by removing the casing from your sausage and cutting it up into small pieces. In a large, deep skillet brown the sausage until it is crisp, set aside. While cooking sausage, cut up your veggies.
In the same pan, melt some butter - maybe a tablespoon, and then put your garlic, onion, celery, bell pepper, and poblano pieces in there, sprinkle with flour (maybe 2-4 t) and mix well to combine.
Don't forget to start a pot of water to boil for the pasta.
Pour some beer over the top of your veggies - not really sure how much, about one turn around the pan.
Then pour some chicken stock in, about two turns around the pan. Open the can of crushed tomatoes and add that, mix. Add a couple of sprigs of thyme, when getting ready to serve you are going to remove the stems.
Now is the time to cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, and add them to the sauce. Add the raw shrimp at this time too. The chicken and shrimp are going to cook in the sauce and add a bunch of flavor! Put in one turn around the pan of cream, and stir.
Add your pasta to the water which should now be boiling. Cook according to the package directions, but you want to drain the pasta just shy of "al dente" because it is still going to cook when added to the sauce.
When the pasta is cooked, pick out the thyme sprigs from your sauce. Combine the pasta in with the sauce and mix gently to combine.
Put in your serving dish, and top with linguisa!
ENJOY!!!!
This was an absolutely delicious meal!
Rachael Ray paired this dish with individual pecan ice cream pies, but to be honest with you, we were so full that desert wasn't even on our minds! I hope that if you decide to try Jambasta, that you enjoy it as much as we did!
Thank you for reading this and have a blessed day!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Wannabe French Hot Chocolate
Oh. my. gosh. This was awesome! For days now, Emily and I have been talking about making Wannabe French hot chocolate, a recipe from Max Brenner's cookbook Chocolate: A Love Story that we got for review a few weeks ago.
Our expectations have been building for days, as we read the recipe, bought the ingredients that we didn't have, and actually got around to making this. Most of the ingredients are those that you would commonly have in your kitchen/pantry: milk, corn starch, sugar, egg (yolks), chocolate (your choice, chopped), cocoa powder, and heavy cream.
We started making our hot chocolate and were to the second step of the recipe when I realized that I had not read the directions very well and had to start over. No problem, except I don't have any milk left now! :) Once I read the directions more carefully, it was easy. Emily had fun helping me mix ingredients in, and lick the adjustable measuring cup after we put the sugar in!
I think that it took us less than 10 minutes from start to finish - granted, we enlisted Zack to chop our chocolate and whip our cream! This was a WHOLE family job!
The Wannabe French hot chocolate was amazing!
Seriously, it has a custard base that you melt the chocolate into, and then a "generous dollop" of whipped cream on top, with cocoa powder (we used finely grated chocolate) sprinkled on top! The hot chocolate was incredibly rich, but not with an over-powering chocolate flavor. The
cream on top was a great compliment to the chocolate underneath, it kept the flavor rich while mellowing out the sweetness.
Zack doesn't generally like hot chocolate, but loved this! So we had fun, and our efforts paid off! Did I mention that I love weekends!
Our expectations have been building for days, as we read the recipe, bought the ingredients that we didn't have, and actually got around to making this. Most of the ingredients are those that you would commonly have in your kitchen/pantry: milk, corn starch, sugar, egg (yolks), chocolate (your choice, chopped), cocoa powder, and heavy cream. 
We started making our hot chocolate and were to the second step of the recipe when I realized that I had not read the directions very well and had to start over. No problem, except I don't have any milk left now! :) Once I read the directions more carefully, it was easy. Emily had fun helping me mix ingredients in, and lick the adjustable measuring cup after we put the sugar in!
I think that it took us less than 10 minutes from start to finish - granted, we enlisted Zack to chop our chocolate and whip our cream! This was a WHOLE family job!
The Wannabe French hot chocolate was amazing!
Seriously, it has a custard base that you melt the chocolate into, and then a "generous dollop" of whipped cream on top, with cocoa powder (we used finely grated chocolate) sprinkled on top! The hot chocolate was incredibly rich, but not with an over-powering chocolate flavor. The
cream on top was a great compliment to the chocolate underneath, it kept the flavor rich while mellowing out the sweetness.
Zack doesn't generally like hot chocolate, but loved this! So we had fun, and our efforts paid off! Did I mention that I love weekends!
Friday, November 13, 2009
I l-o-v-e weekends
There are so many reasons that I love weekends, but I think that the biggest reason is that my husband doesn't have to work so we get to have family time.
I love waking up in the morning knowing that I can have a (couple) cup(s) of coffee with Zack while the girls get their bearrings about them - usually while watching a morning cartoon.
I love that there is no rush to fix breakfast - really, the only 2 days of the week that Zack gets something good for breakfast!
I love watching Emily and Natalie playing with their Daddy, knowing that he doesn't have to leave us today.
I wish that every day were a weekend. Not just for me, not just for the girls, but for Zack too! It must be even better for him - not having to go to work, but getting to spend the days with his ladies instead.
Another part of the weekends that always makes me happy is going to church. I have a terrible time getting where I need to be on time, I am late a lot. But I have been working on it, and for the last few weeks, I am happy to say that we have been on time! I love seeing Emily's face light up when she gets dismissed for children's church - watching her for a minute as she smiles with the other kids as they being their worship songs. I love seeing the fire in my husband as he hears and learns God's word. And I love the peace and comfort of Christ totally transform me.
You know, I could have most of what I love about the weekends everyday! That is right, everyday. I am still working on transforming our house into our home, and that is going to take a while, but it is going to be a home built with love!
I love my Gog, I love my husband, I love my daughters, and I am even learning to love myself!
I l-o-v-e everyday!
I hope that you smiled as you were reading this, while you realized how much you love your days too! What are some of the things you love?
I love waking up in the morning knowing that I can have a (couple) cup(s) of coffee with Zack while the girls get their bearrings about them - usually while watching a morning cartoon.
I love that there is no rush to fix breakfast - really, the only 2 days of the week that Zack gets something good for breakfast!
I love watching Emily and Natalie playing with their Daddy, knowing that he doesn't have to leave us today.
I wish that every day were a weekend. Not just for me, not just for the girls, but for Zack too! It must be even better for him - not having to go to work, but getting to spend the days with his ladies instead.
Another part of the weekends that always makes me happy is going to church. I have a terrible time getting where I need to be on time, I am late a lot. But I have been working on it, and for the last few weeks, I am happy to say that we have been on time! I love seeing Emily's face light up when she gets dismissed for children's church - watching her for a minute as she smiles with the other kids as they being their worship songs. I love seeing the fire in my husband as he hears and learns God's word. And I love the peace and comfort of Christ totally transform me.
You know, I could have most of what I love about the weekends everyday! That is right, everyday. I am still working on transforming our house into our home, and that is going to take a while, but it is going to be a home built with love!
I love my Gog, I love my husband, I love my daughters, and I am even learning to love myself!
I l-o-v-e everyday!
I hope that you smiled as you were reading this, while you realized how much you love your days too! What are some of the things you love?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
My take on the Proverbs 31 Woman
Proverbs 31:10-31
Please keep in mind that this is my take on these verses, the verses above are quoted from the NKJV of the Bible...
This picture of a woman has strong character, great wisdom, many skills, and great compassion. This woman is a wonderful wife and mother, but she is also so much more. She has wonderful qualities, that are talked about throughout the book of Proverbs: hard worker, fear of God, respect for spouse, foresight, encouragement and care for others, concern for the poor, wisdom in handling money, and more.The woman described in Proverbs 31, is one who fulfills the command to fear the Lord. Out of her reverence for God, she gains strength and dignity - these things are not of herself. This Proverbs 31 Woman has amazing abilities, she is seen in these scriptures as a wife, mother, realtor, manufacturer, importer, manager, farmer, seamstress, upholster, and merchant...WOW! She may not be one woman, but rather a "composite portrait" of ideal womanhood.
Regardless of if you believe this to be one woman or not, it is something to strive for. I continue, everyday, to evaluate my life and see what changes I can make in my faith, my self, my manners, my actions, my life, and my family to be more like the Proverbs 31 Woman. I am not perfect, but I strive to be the best person, wife, and mother that I can be.
I have made, by the grace of God, drastic changes in my life that make me more suited for the life that I have been blessed with. I work very hard at living a life that shows my love of the Lord and longing to be more like Him and less like me - I pray that I never have to use the "Do as I say not as I do" logic(?) with my children.
I try to be like the Proverbs 31 woman because of her virtues, I love the thought of verse 28 above - Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her! How awesome is that!!
I was recently told that the Proverbs 31 woman does not exist...I beg to differ, the descriptions that the scripture gives may not be the same today but the virtues and principles stand strong. I know many women who I believe are the picture of Proverbs 31:10-31 and the first thing that I notice about these women is their reverence for the Lord! I am not to the point in my life yet that would be appropriate to say that I have all the qualities described in this post - but my God is not finished with me...
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, she brings food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Please keep in mind that this is my take on these verses, the verses above are quoted from the NKJV of the Bible...
This picture of a woman has strong character, great wisdom, many skills, and great compassion. This woman is a wonderful wife and mother, but she is also so much more. She has wonderful qualities, that are talked about throughout the book of Proverbs: hard worker, fear of God, respect for spouse, foresight, encouragement and care for others, concern for the poor, wisdom in handling money, and more.The woman described in Proverbs 31, is one who fulfills the command to fear the Lord. Out of her reverence for God, she gains strength and dignity - these things are not of herself. This Proverbs 31 Woman has amazing abilities, she is seen in these scriptures as a wife, mother, realtor, manufacturer, importer, manager, farmer, seamstress, upholster, and merchant...WOW! She may not be one woman, but rather a "composite portrait" of ideal womanhood.
Regardless of if you believe this to be one woman or not, it is something to strive for. I continue, everyday, to evaluate my life and see what changes I can make in my faith, my self, my manners, my actions, my life, and my family to be more like the Proverbs 31 Woman. I am not perfect, but I strive to be the best person, wife, and mother that I can be.
I have made, by the grace of God, drastic changes in my life that make me more suited for the life that I have been blessed with. I work very hard at living a life that shows my love of the Lord and longing to be more like Him and less like me - I pray that I never have to use the "Do as I say not as I do" logic(?) with my children.
I try to be like the Proverbs 31 woman because of her virtues, I love the thought of verse 28 above - Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her! How awesome is that!!
I was recently told that the Proverbs 31 woman does not exist...I beg to differ, the descriptions that the scripture gives may not be the same today but the virtues and principles stand strong. I know many women who I believe are the picture of Proverbs 31:10-31 and the first thing that I notice about these women is their reverence for the Lord! I am not to the point in my life yet that would be appropriate to say that I have all the qualities described in this post - but my God is not finished with me...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Family Fun - CAUTION*** ADDICTING
For my birthday my hubby got me a Nintendo Wii, it is awesome. I love it, there are not enough good things to say about it. Well we have only a limited number of games - sports package that came with it (bowling, baseball, boxing, tennis, and golf) and of course we have Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09!! Well my husbands cousin let us borrow her Karaoke Revolution Presents American Idol Encore 2 and microphone...we are so going to buy it! It is great!
Earlier I was dancing and singing a song by the Spice Girls...don't act like you never liked them (I wont tell anyone). After I was done, and the judges laid into me pretty hard, it was Emily's turn. She is sooo stinking cute! She was swaying and singing - PRICELESS! Then a few minutes later I was in the kitchen and I hear my husband serenading Emily with "Hey Their Delilah"
Like I said, amazing family fun, worth every penny - but incredibly ADDICTING!!!
Earlier I was dancing and singing a song by the Spice Girls...don't act like you never liked them (I wont tell anyone). After I was done, and the judges laid into me pretty hard, it was Emily's turn. She is sooo stinking cute! She was swaying and singing - PRICELESS! Then a few minutes later I was in the kitchen and I hear my husband serenading Emily with "Hey Their Delilah"
Like I said, amazing family fun, worth every penny - but incredibly ADDICTING!!!
Monday, July 27, 2009
My family!!!
This is an older picture of us - it was taken Thanksgiving 2008. After everyone else had left, we were still at my mom's house and we decided to take a few pictures. In this picture, Emily was almost 2 (literally days away) and Natalie was about 2 1/2 months old...I wont tell you how old Zack and I were!
From day one, Emily has always loved to hold her baby sister. Back in these days it was much easier for her because Natalie didn't move around to much - nowadays it is a comical sight!
I will post newer pictures when I am able to find the box in the garage that has my camera. Hopefully, that will be really soon - I miss taking pictures, it is one of my passions!
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