Book of Ruth #1

Over the month of February my church did a series on the book of Ruth titled, "Songs of Love". It was split into I think a 5 part series but I can't find my church bulletin for week 5...so there may only be 4 but for some reason I think there was 5.

The song of FAITHFULNESS

I was pumped up about this series. I have always wanted to study the Book of Ruth, but never have. Not sure why. Either way, I couldn't wait. I have told you before about my church and how awesome the music is. Well, for these series' they picked fun songs to lead into the regular worship music. Since the Book of Ruth was split into several weeks, each week there was a a focus theme. Week #1 was Faithfulness. So this awesome choir member sang this song, this is the actual video from the service. Love it! His name is Donovan Duke, I encourage you to follow him on you tube.

Wasn't that awesome? I seriously think he should be on American Idol.

Ok, back to Ruth.

I knew that the book of Ruth was a love story, but I think I expected a twilight version. Boy, was I wrong! LOL! However, I still loved the series and learned so much.

Being Faithful.

Faithfulness- a conviction based in truth that shows up in action.

Nancy Reagan was once quoted, " A woman is like a tea bag; you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water. " I love that, and I think that has a lot to do with faithfulness.

From church bulletin- 'In every relationship, particularly marriage, there are times when those in the relationship must be faithful, regardless of the challenge.' In my opinion this doesn't mean infidelity. This means every day faithfulness. faithfulness to BE THERE.

Thick and thin. Better or worse.

My challenge every week is going to church alone. Just me and Hayden. I love it once I am there and in my seat, but I strongly dislike walking into the church and walking to my seat alone. There is even more uncomfortableness when a couple sits on my row pretty close to me. I feel like everyone is looking at me wondering why I am alone. Truth is, my husband would go with me if asked, but that is not the right reason is it? He still goes occasionaly, but a majority of the time I am alone. I have struggled in the past with this, but you know what. God is always there for me, and he teaches me faithfulness. I will be there for my husband. I will pray for him diligently, I will be praying for his spirit. I will not pray that he goes to church with me because that is selfish. I will pray for his spirit and for God to lay something on his heart.

Psalm 37:4 He will provide all the desires of your heart.

The hardest thing for us as followers is to realize that God will provide, only, in his time. Not mine.

Stay tuned for Week two of the Book of Ruth: the song of Grace.

Couch to 5k, round 2!

I graduated the Couch to 5k program back in October. I continued to run for about 2-3 more weeks. Then I lightly sprained my ankle and got shin splints, and used that as an excuse to quit. I am so VERY mad at myself. I had worked up to 3 miles. I had lost 42 pounds, I can't believe that I quit!

Well, today started day 1 of my restart of the C25k program. I am 15-20 pounds heavier, but I was able to finish it. MAN...it was HARD! I can't believe i am saying that. Sad day. Hopefully I can stay strong like I did before. I would like to run the Polish Pickle Run 5k, at the end of June. *heres to hoping I can finish this.

The app has changed sooo much since I did it last fall. It now has a built in Pace, and Distance feature. Love it!

REVERSED

I didn't make this video, however, I absolutely LOVE it!

I'm such a Brainiac!

Hayden has been attending her little Private Montessori preschool now, for almost two years. She has learned so much and I am thinking of letting her stay there for Kindergarten. She still has one more year of Pre-K before Kinder, but she is already surpassing the Pre-K standards. I give all this credit to her wonderful school, well, and to me! teehee!

Back to my 'Smart' moment.

Hayden's school is housed in a church that is selling their building due to low member numbers. If her school does not find another building, they will be forced to close permanently.

I have been in contact with her director trying to give ideas on where they could move to. She expressed her issues with the codes that they had to follow being an all day school. Such as a sprinkler system etc. I listened and still the wheels in my mind were turning. Two weeks later I was picking Hayden up and had a friend from work with me in the car, she asked, "why is it so hard for them to find a building?", I replied, " some silly code about a sprinkler system, I mean, who really cares if they have green grass or not". My friend began to laugh hysterically and could not talk from her chuckles...she began to point to the roof. It then dawned on me...it wasn't a sprinkler system it was a FIRE sprinkler system they needed. LOL! I felt sooo stupid! But it was soo funny, and I am still laughing at my MOMENT of pure Smartness!

I have been distraught over this. I have no idea where I would send her that would give her the education she is getting now. I am also sad for their legacy, they have been in business for 33 years. It is just an awesome school. I have looked into other places that in my opinion are close to the same in their educational expectations, and my tuition rate would increase by $5oo! Which is worth it, if her school doesn't not find another building. Right now, there is a good lead on a building and I pray that all works out!!

Bon Appetite!

David and I watch a lot of the food network shows. One of our recent shows to TiVo is America's Worst Cooks. I think I should apply to be on the show. David has a lot of culinary background and actually attended culinary school for a little bit. I cannot however, seem to cut or saute anything without his help. However, today I decided to surprise my hubby with a dish that we say on our new show this past week. Here it is. It was actually pretty simple and he LOVED it! SCORE!

Sweet Potato hash

Roasted Chicken with a sweet glaze...

Here is the recipe in case anyone wants it... i left out the onions, and shallots as well as the pumpkin seeds. He still loved and this quite possibly could be his new favorite dish of mine! Yeehaw, momma did it!

Ingredients:
2 (3-pound) chickens, wing tips, spine and breast plate removed, cut in 1/2
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
1 cup real maple syrup
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Make a small hole in the extra skin on the legs and poke the end of the drumstick through to form a perfect package. Toss the chicken generously with olive oil and salt, to taste. Arrange the chicken on a sheet tray or baking dish lined with parchment or silpat. Roast the chicken until it is about 3/4 of the way done, about 20 to 25 minutes. The skin should start to brown and crisp.
While the chicken is roasting, combine the maple syrup and cayenne in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the syrup is reduced by about 1/2 to 3/4 or until the syrup is very thick and syrupy.

After the chicken has roasted for 20 to 25 minutes, brush each piece of chicken generously with the reduced syrup. Continue to roast for another 10 to 12 minutes, brushing the skin with the syrup 1 or 2 more times while cooking. The skin should start to become very dark and sticky. If the skin starts to get too dark, cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and let rest about 10 minutes before serving.

For the hash:

Ingredients:

2 garnet yams, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
4 to 6 slices thick cut bacon, cut into lardons
1 large onion, cut in 1/2-inch dice
2 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch dice
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
1/2 cup green pumpkin seeds (pepitas), toasted

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large bowl, add the sweet potatoes, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, to taste. Toss to coat and arrange them on a baking sheet. Roast the sweet potatoes until they are soft but not mushy, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and reserve.

Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Add the bacon and put the pan over medium heat. When the bacon has started to get crispy and brown, add the onions, season with salt and saute until the onions are very soft and aromatic. Add the apples and the scallion whites and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the sweet potatoes, and saute until the sweet potatoes are cooked through and starting to become crispy, about 7 to 8 minutes.

Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with the scallion greens and pumpkin seeds.

BON APPETITE!

Mom of the Year

what? what is that you say? Mom of the year? **blushing** me? Ahem, why yes, thank you...its an honor to be nominated this year and for it to be so soon in the year has me beaming.

Now, on a more serious note...I made POPCORN BALLS! Yeehaw~! Hayden has her class Valentine's party tomorrow and I am normally so on top of things to make sure she brings something unique and cute, however this year, momma has been kinda lacking in the motivation on the weekends. I am counting down until summer when Hayden and I can spend days in the pool, park, and whatever else we decide to do on our whim!

Ok, back to the popcorn balls! My grandmother, Maw, used to make them every year at Christmas-time and color them green, red and white. It was very festive. I tried making them years ago, pre-Hayden era. Come to find out, you are suppose to make sure there are no kernels in the bowl before you start pouring and balling them up! LOL! whoops! So this time, I sent my dashing hubby to the store for some microwavable popcorn and marshmallows. Yup, Marshmallows, this new recipe I found called for marshmallows and I thought, YUMMO! I also decided to be festive and make them more Valentine colored. So when he came home with Kettle Korn, I decided HEY WHY NOT! The sugary the better.

( Doesn't this look like a bowl full of Fatty Yumminess! )

(and this just looks like a Valentine Massacre)

Cooling!~

Let me tell you, balling these bad boys up before they cool is no easy task. THEY WERE HOT! Now, I am off to find some cute baggies to put them in and make her some awesome labels to attach. Love being her mommy!

Church today was on the book of Ruth...more to come on that later. It was very eye opening.

Snow Day #1 February 1-4

The first of the snow day of our school year was a blast! Of course I feel this way after a weekend outside and after two days of good weather. Last week I was beginning to understand how people eat their young. Being at home with Hayden is great and a time that I wouldn't trade for the world, but after the "rolling blackouts", our Uverse wouldn't come back on and we were stuck without TV....which wouldn't be so bad if we could go out and play. It was hard! We tried baking cookies, painting...finally daddy came home and rescued us and took us to dinner. Keeping an active 4 year old busy is quite a task, even for a teacher. More pics and video to come after I find more for us to do on this second week of ...duh da da duh....our SNOW DAY...EEK!