Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Yumminess - Banana Almond Smoothie

Mmmm...  I saw this recipe on the TV talk show, "The Chew," and knew I had to try it!  I've been looking for a new yummy, healthy, smoothie recipe.

It's sweet, but not too sweet.  Filling, but not too filling.  And smooth.  And creamy.  And cold.  And delicious!

Banana Almond Smoothie from Daphne Oz on "The Chew"


Need:
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (I use non-fat)
1 banana
1 Tbsp almond butter (I use slightly salted, creamy)
1 scoop protein powder (I use vanilla-flavored)
1 tsp psyllium husks (I use Metamucil- coarse, non-flavored)
1/4 cup almond milk

Blend it all together.  If you'd like it a little sweeter, add a dash of honey. 
Then, add a few ice cubes and blend again.

It's that easy!

Enjoy!


Things I am thankful for today:

1.  These smoothies.  I look forward to them!
2.  My blender.  It makes us happy.  Smoothies and malts.  Yum.
3.  Strawberry vanilla jam.  Homemade.  Yes, please.
4.  Learning new things.
5.  Reading up on Yellowstone.  So excited for our vacation.
6.  The book, "Take This Bread," by Sara Miles.  Loved it!
7.  Highlighters and post-its.
8.  Living in a neighborhood with a nice pool.  I will miss this if we ever move.
9.  Google.
10.  My new picture ($5.99 at Michael's - and it makes me smile!).
("Find joy in the journey...  Relish each day as you live it.")

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Saturday Creations - Dad's "Wings"

I finished Dad's Father's Day gift - and I can post it, because we gave it to him early!  Phew!

In our family, we've always talked about the "roots and wings" that our parents raised us to have... 

The "roots" to know home, family, history, traditions, and the support and encouragement that comes with all of that.  Mom was the one who specialized in this, therefore her Mother's Day gift was a "tree."

The "wings" symbolized risk, adventure, dreams, wanderlust, and the ability to try new things (and know they'd be there to pick us up when we fell).  This was Dad's area.

So, wa-la!  Wings.

His gift is a collage of butterfly wings, made up of maps of many of the places his three daughters have lived or traveled so far...  (It was pretty fun to work on...  I had to leave a lot of places out - there were so many!  Pretty cool.)


Thanks Mom and Dad!  I'm very grateful for both the roots and the wings - they make my life the adventure it is!

 

Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Traveling.
2.  The beautiful places I've been...  Stunning reminders of God's glory!
3.  My sisters and the fun it was to get their lists of places.
4.  Dinner out with Mom, Dad, and Kayla at the "Crooked Pint."  Very fun.
(He liked it!)
(Mom's thinking, "My tree is so much cooler!")

5.  Youtube videos that make us laugh.  (Have you seen the one of a pug that can't run straight?  It even has it's own Irish theme song?  Hilarious!)
6.  An afternoon at the pool.  Lovely.
7.  The hubby telling me I looked great as we headed out for dinner.  Gotta love that!
8.  Hubby had another Lyme's disease scare, but things are lookin' up!  Phew!
9.  Our bright yellow lilies are blooming like crazy!
10.  Strawberries, strawberries, strawberries.  Yum.
(Picked at Afton Apple Orchard yesterday morning...  Glorious!  These will be jam very soon...!)

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Thank You, Bishop Sally!

For all you who are Methodists, it may have been extremely painful to hear the outcomes of this year's Worldwide General Conference...  I know I read reports of the votes, the behavior, and the overall emotion of the conference with a broken heart.

I love the Methodist church.  I grew up in it.  I work for it.  It is my spiritual home.

But boy.  There are times I want to walk out and never look back.  There are times I don't think the worldwide connectional church will ever change enough to meet the needs of today's world...  There are times I don't feel like we live up to "Open Heart.  Open Minds.  Open Doors."  And it breaks my heart.

Last week, I had a long talk with my Pastor about my broken heart.  She understood and felt the same pain (which is funny, because she is still "becoming" Methodist, after a long journey as a Baptist!).  We talked about what it means to "keep on keepin' on."  What it means to live the love of Christ in our own church, in our own community,in our own lives and context in the world.  We talked about being faithful to God - and not to a written statement.

This video, posted below, is our Bishop, Sally Dyck, speaking at last week's Minnesota Annual Conference.  I was wondering if they'd say much about the earlier General Conference...  And I think she said what my heart needed to hear.  We just keep making the difference by being faithful, by loving and sharing, by making room for all of God's people.

The video is 33 minutes - but well worth it (especially if you're a Methodist with a broken heart).




Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Bishop Sally and all she has done for our conference over the last 8 years.  We'll be sad to see her move on in September.
2.  Hope for the future.
3.  Leadership that inspires.
4.  Purple pansies.  :)
5.  Mission Trip meetings full of laughter and fun.
6.  My Dad - for challenging me in my faith and for going on our mission trip!
7.  My Mom - for checking up.
8.  My nephew, Zion - for all his cute pictures that make me smile!
9.  Chocolate.
10.  Summer.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Saturday Creations (On Sunday) - Butterfly Gift

Today, a young woman from our church is celebrating her "One Year of Sobriety!"  We're so proud of all she's accomplished in this past year, all the ways she's begun a whole new life, all the ways her heart has opened to the love offered her - through others and through God. 

It's a big day!

So I decided to make her a little something...

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over...  it became a butterfly."

I can't wait to see what God has in store for her next!


Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Our church's awesome 6th graders!  They got their Study Bibles today - which means they join the youth group next year!  So fun!
2.  Our church's high school graduates!  I felt like a proud mama in church today...  All four of them are beautiful people!

3.  AND I got to watch 3 of the graduates serve communion...  Beautifully. 
4.  Our lovely, "One Year Sober" lady gave a talk in church today, too.  Our whole congregation gave her a standing ovation - and not a dry eye in the house! 
5.  Finally, finished all my projects for work.  Now I can look ahead to the "big picture" things I've been wanting to work on!
6.  Hubby got home safe and sound from a weekend away.
7.  All my flowers are blooming!   Violets, orchids, shamrocks...  and the lilies outside are getting ready to!


8.  Hope.
9.  Tears.  So cleansing.
10.  New beginnings.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

A Reminder

Sometimes, God nudges you in funny ways...  Until you finally get the message.

I've been having a tough week.  And yesterday and today, the same quote appeared 5 different times throughout my days.

A Pinterest posting.
A magazine.
A book.
A note from a friend.
And today?  Another blog.

All right already!  I hear ya! 

It's a good one.  One I've loved for a long time...  Maybe it could help you today, too?

 "People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. 
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
 Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
  Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. 
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. 
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. 
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. 
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. 
It was never between you and them anyway."
-Usually credited to Mother Teresa or Kent Keith


Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Waking up to a happy dog.
2.  Sunshine!
3.  Bouncey houses - and the squeals and laughter they bring to little kids!
4.  Bubbles!
5.  Park events and petting zoos.
6.  A baby cow, named, "Norman" - of course!
7.  Chasing the "furry" chickens with Natasha.
8.  Em, Elly, and Sam visiting - and going for ice cream.


9.  Getting things ready for "Graduation Sunday" at church.  Fun memories of the youth that graduate this year - bittersweet, for sure.
10.  The hubby's phone call from Wisconsin...  Nice to be missed!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Yumminess - Thai Chicken with Peanut Sauce

It's been awhile since I posted a recipe... but when the hubby said, "This is better than a restaurant!" I figured I should share.  It was good.  Really good.

So here it is, from that cookbook.  (Makes it even more fun!  Ha!)

Thai Chicken with Peanut Sauce
from The New InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook by Hopkins and Lockridge

You'll need:

for the marinade
1 Tbsp soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp peanut oil
zest and juice of 1/2 a lime (about tbsp of juice)
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

for the dipping sauce
2 tsp vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Szechuan hot chile bean paste, to taste
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp unsweetened coconut milk
1 1/2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
1 tsp soy sauce
pinch of sugar
1 1/2 tbsp peanuts, chopped

for garnish
large green or red lettuce leaves, washed well and dried
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted

To Make:

1.  To prepare the marinade, combine the soy sauce, garlic, sugar, peanut oil, lime, and pepper in a large, resealable plastic bag.  Rinse the chicken and pat dry.  Pound slightly until both breasts are of even thickness throughout.  Add the breasts to the marinade.  Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour or longer, flipping occasionally to redistribute the marinade.

2.  While the chicken is marinating, prepare the dipping sauce.  In a small saucepan set over medium heat, add the vegetable oil and saute garlic for 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn.  Stir in the chile paste and continue to cook for 30 seconds.  Add the broth, coconut milk, peanut butter, soy sauce, and sugar; whisk to blend.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 minutes to thicken, stirring frequently.  If using the sauce immediately, stir in the peanuts.  (The sauce can be made up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.  When ready to serve, warm slightly in a small saucepan to thin and add the peanuts.)

3.  Prepare a medium-hot grill or preheat the broiler.  Drain the chicken from the marinade, and discard the marinade.  Grill the chicken for 3 or 4 minutes per side, or place under the broiler, turning once.  Grill just until cooked through, being careful not to overlook.  Remove from the grill and slice thinly on the diagonal.

4.  While the chicken is grilling, assemble a platter with the large lettuce leaves, mint, cilantro, and small bowls with the toasted sesame seeds and dipping sauce.  Serve the chicken alongside the platter of condiments.  To assemble the rolls, place a few slices of chicken on a large lettuce leaf.  Garnish with mint, cilantro, and sesame seeds.  Roll up the leaf like a burrito or eggroll, dip in the peanut sauce, and enjoy!

(Note:  We marinated and grilled some bone-in chicken the night before and reheated it the next day, and shredded it.  That worked just fine!  The marinade is delish!)

This makes 2-3 servings.  (2 for us - it was soooo good!)


Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Forgiveness.
2.  Sleep.
3.  The song, "What Do I Stand For?" by fun.
4.  Celebrating milestones with my youth group kids!
5.  A cloudy, cool day.
6.  A walk in the prairie with the hubby and the pup.


7.  Yummy dinners!
8.  Notes from the hubby.
9.  Coconut milk.
10.  Our orchid is blooming!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Saturday Creations - Love Notes

Another Pinterest idea...  What would I do without that site?

Craft #4:  Love Notes

A cheap frame.  Some "burlap" scrapbook paper.  Some adhesive letters I found in my craft closet...  And a dry erase marker.

Wa-la!

A dry erase love note board. 

Yep.  Write a note on the glass with the marker.  When you're ready to change it, wipe it away and write a new note!

Easy peasey.

And cute.

Now... If I could only get the hubby to write me a note once in awhile...


Things I'm thankful for today:

1.  Our Indian Taco Dinner last Sunday raised $1950!!!  Our trip is almost paid for!
2.  Surprising generosity.
3.  I went to a seminar, about raising kids with strong faith, on Monday night - with 4 other adults from my church.  The best part of the night?  A conversation in the parking lot, when one of the ladies said, "You sure have a lot to think about in your job...  And that's just with the youth!"  Cute.
4.  Book Group dinner!  Good conversation.  Lovely ladies.
5.  Dinner out with Em!  Always what I need!
6.  Coconut cake.  Apparently I love it!
7.  Riding rollercoasters at the Mall of American with our niece and nephew.  Very fun. 
(And playing in the Mirror Maze...  That would be my hubby in the picture.  Whoa.  Ha ha ha!)

8.  Cherry coke.
9.  Summer worship hours.  One more hour of sleep on Sunday mornings.  Love.
10.  Planning our summer vacation!!!
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