Aren’t Roller-Coasters supposed to be fun!?

What a weird day!! I’ve had one of those days that has been a continual emotional roller-coaster. I USUALLY like roller-coasters, but not today. I’m drained, and sick of the ups and downs. 

Up: Jenna and Tyler are having a BABY BOY!!! I’m psyched : ) 

Down: I haven’t been sleeping well the last 2 nights, so I’m feeling like a walking Zombie!

Up: Got an awesome review on a paper I wrote for my class! My professor said – “You’ve written a superb 1st Moral Language paper on your background beliefs. You write clearly, forcefully, and persuasively. You are obviously a person of the highest ethical principles, and a courageous professional.” Well, that feels good!

Down: Took my puppy to the vet…he’s torn his ACL. He needs surgery. Expensive surgery. It’s not so much about the money, but I just feel bad that he is hurt. I feel bad that he has to have surgery, and he’s only 1 year old (as of last Friday). 

Up: Was able to connect with an old friend that I haven’t talked to in a long while. Yay!

Down: Dad was sick yesterday, Mom is sick today, guess who will probably be throwing their guts up tomorrow? Either me or Oliver. Either way it doesn’t bode well for me. Sigh. 

I need some encouragement. BLAH! I need some extra padding on the roller-coaster seats…or some anti-nausea medicine. Any verses or words of encouragement would be much appreciated. I’m going to go home, sit on the couch, enjoy my dinner (probably something NOT HEALTHY) and watch TV. 

Something better than Chicken Noodle Soup!?

There’s nothing that I love more than Chicken Noodle Soup! My mom makes the most heavenly chicken noodle soup I’ve ever tasted. Actually, any variation is ok with me. Often she’ll substitute rice for the noodles, or something of the sort. 

Yesterday I decided to try my hand at chicken soup. I guess I kinda cheated because I had to work, so I found a recipe that you just have to throw everything in a crockpot and Voila! 

my recipe had an even different take on the traditional heart-warming soup…

chicken noodle…minus the noodle….substitute quinoa = heavenly!!

Here’s the original recipe

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2008/02/crockpot-chicken-and-red-quinoa-2.html

though mine was slightly different (mine is listed below): 

 

1 cup of Quinoa (I didn’t use the RED quinoa)

2 3/4 cup of Chicken Broth

Few splashes of White Wine Vinegar (the extra chicken broth and vinegar serves as a subsitute for the white wine since I didn’t have any of that) :  )

2 cups of Water

2 tsp of Dried Thyme

1 tsp of Salt

5 or 6 large Carrots (peeled and cubed)

2 or 3 stalks of Celery (cubed)

1 Onion (minced)

3 Chicken Breasts (cubed) *Note:I put the chicken in raw and it cooked up beautiful

3 TBSP of butter (for extra richness)

**Throw it all in the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours!

Yes! It’s that simple!! Enjoy…

Happy Valentines Day

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone… to have a deep soul relationship with another…to be loved thoroughly AND exclusively…

But GOD says to a Christian, no..not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and content with being loved by Me alone-with giving yourself TOTALLY and unreservedly to Me-with having an intensely personal relationship with Me alone-discovering that ONLY in Me is your satisfaction to be found-will you be capable of the perfect human relationship I have planned for you.

You will never be united with another until you are UNITED with Me-exclusively of anyone or anything else, exclusively of any other desires or longings…I want you to stop wishing and allow ME to bring it to you..

You just keep watching Me, expect the greatest things and keep experiencing the satisfaction that I AM. Keep listening and learning the things I tell you. You just wait…That’s all…

Dont be anxious, Don’t worry. Don’t look around at the things others have gotten or what I have given them. Don’t look at the things you think you want. Just keep looking up to Me, or you will miss what I want to show you. And then, when you are READY, I will SURPRISE you with a love far more wonderful than any would dream of.

You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready…( I’m working even at this moment to have both of you ready at the same time) Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have prepared for you, you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me and thus…the dearest love…

And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love. I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me. And enjoy maturely and concretely the everlasting beauty, perfection and love.

Know that I LOVE YOU completely.

I AM GOD.

My view … yesterday

February Challenge …

 

A friend posted this on FB so I stole it from her : ) I don’t think she’ll mind…

 

Last month I gave up soda for the entire month. So tomorrow, I will be starting a new monthly commitment while I most likely sip on my diet coke…  

 

Stay tuned everyone…

 

Love and Commitment for 25 years!

Yes! Today, my parents have been married for 25 years! How amazing are they. I’m so thankful for godly parents who have taught me how to love better by example of their marriage. There is no doubt in my mind that they are best friends and will always be! I love you both so much. Happy 25 years! Here’s to an even better 25 more…

Quinoa-Broccoli Casserole

A lot of my friends have been asking for the recipe, so I decided I would post it… 

Can’t believe how much I liked the quinoa! Definitely WAY better than rice, or at least I thought so. But you’ll have to form your own opinion. 

Try this…and best of luck! Hope it turns out well!

 

One 10 oz can condensed Cream of Broccoli soup (or mushroom), low-sodium if you prefer – I even used Cream of Chicken

1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise 

2 tablespoons milk

1 1/4 cups reduced fat shredded cheese (cheddar, colby-jack, etc)

1/2 teaspoon Splenda/sugar

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Dash freshly grated nutmeg

.
2 cups cooked broccoli

1 1/2 cups  COOKED quinoa (see note)

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

.
To cook quinoa:

3/4 cup quinoa

1 1/2 cups water (my best friend boiled the quinoa in chicken broth – she said it gave it a nice flavor)

1/4 teaspoon salt

Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve until water runs clear.  In a small saucepan combine the quinoa, water, and salt.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to low and cover.  Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until fluffy and the white ring/tail is visible.  Fluff with a fork.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a shallow (8×8 in or 5-6 cups) casserole dish – or individual ramekins – with vegetable cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine the soup, mayonnaise, milk, shredded cheese, Splenda, pepper, and nutmeg until well mixed. Stir in the quinoa and broccoli. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole.  Sprinkle on a couple tablespoons of Parmesan and bake for 35-40 minutes (20-25 minutes for ramekins) or until bubbly on the edges and golden.  

Makes 8 generous 1/2-cup servings.

 

Per Serving: Calories 199,  Protein 10 g; Fat 9 g; NET Carbs 14 g; Fiber 2 g; Sugar 1 g; Sodium 297 mg

they all grow up…

It’s hard to believe that Ollie is approaching his 1 year birthday! February 17th! : ) Love him more and more every day! Especially love how he wants to snuggle every morning when he wakes up!! From this morning…

 

 

what are you meditating on today?

My meditation today is that…

January: Starting the Year off with Fun…

How awesome is it that I was able to start the beginning of my year with a vacation? Yea, I think it’s pretty amazing. I was able to go visit my BFF in all the world, Mrs. Anne Gibble thanks to her parents help, Les and Suzanne Crane! 

We had a ridiculously, astoundingly crazy packed week. But it was so refreshing to see her and just be with her. It had been 1 1/2 years since I saw her last, at Tyler and Jenna’s wedding!! 

We were able to go to the Atlanta Aquarium…how cool!? 

         

           

 

We did a bunch of other fun stuff, including surprising the Eoutes in Greenville! It was just like old times. We had Sunday lunch with them, spent the afternoon over there at their place, went to church and had dinner with them…but sometimes old times aren’t as good as now…we didn’t have to be back to campus at 10:30pm : ) We spent the night, so of course we had to stay up late watching videos and talking! It was such a fun time with them : ) 

 

Monday night (the night before I had to fly out), we headed out to Auburn, AL for a swanky little paint place!

Sips N’ Strokes! 

 

We tried our hand at some painting…My hand was better than I’d thought it would be. ;  )

                                                                 

                                                              

 

And the finished result….

 

Sadly, I had to come back home. It was good to see my puppy. I was definitely missing him. But it was a fabulously long trip I got to spend with Anne! Now, I have to get ready to jump back into the Spring semester…and all the other obligations I have.