A few months ago, my husby decided that he wanted to take some treats into work. So he decided he wanted to take in brownies and I suggested rice crispy treats as well. I told Brian that he would have to make the brownies by himself, and I would make the rice crispies. Everything went fine, the rice crispies came off the oven just in time for the brownies to come out.
So Brian placed the brownies on top of the stove. Between the front burner and the back one, everything seemed to be fine. A few minutes later, out of the spot where we had checked for the peak of perfection of the brownies, a billow of smoke came exploding out. It was like watching smoke come out of a volcano, rapid and leaving me wondering if it would suddenly explode. My heart started to pound out of my chest, and my mind raced trying to figure out what on earth was happening. The smoke alarm started blaring in the background, and I examined the brownies in a state of confusion. Staring at the stove, for just a little too long. Suddenly my brain clicks and realizes that I need to get the brownies outside (yes, my brain reacted just a little too slowly.). I grabbed some kitchen towels and rush toward the balcony door.
When I returned inside, I once again examined what had just happened on the stove. Brian and I had both made a baking blunder. When I took the rice crispys off of the stove, I forgot to turn the burner off! Brian when he set the brownies down on the burners, the back half of them were over the oven vent and the front on the hot burner. In effect, we both burnt the perfect, beautiful, fudgy brownies. With the apartment fire alarm crisis behind us, we brought the smoldering brownies back inside the house. I was ready to trash them, but Brian said, "Wait maybe they're still o.k..." At this point it is like a chocolate brick, and he took a crunchy bite out of one. He looks at me with as much of a serious tone as he can muster and chokes out, "Their o.k...." At this proclamation I decide what the heck, and take a little taste of my own... It was very...smokey... crunchy... with a side of charcoal. Brian still wanted to take them to work. I told him he couldn't. He then of course demanded to know why... I told him that everyone at his work was going to think that I have made this atrocity that we were going to call brownies. I couldn't have that! I couldn't stand that embarrassment! And to his dismay half of the treats that he wanted to take to work went into the garbage.
For one thing, it is of course always the brain dead, easy things that I can't seem to make. But, of course things that have a gazillion steps to making, no problem, it turns out every-time. However, this was my first box brownie mishap. I still can't make rice on the stove. I haven't even been able to master brown rice even in my rice cooker. I have never been able to make no-bake chocolate cookies.There is one other thing that I can't make, but I don't remember.
But I am glad to say the brownies that I made last night have turned out to be fantastic.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
My Current Adventure 3
As Jenny's room started becoming filled to the ceiling of name brand products of shampoo, conditioners, deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and the big and most amazing deal was the laundry soap. She and I sat down one Sunday and chatted, we had to do something with all of the product. There was no way we could use it all ourselves! So we brain stormed about what we could do. We started talking about finding somewhere to donate it, and we left it at that for the day.
The next week, I see her and she is extremely excited, she had discovered where it all was going to go. She had discovered a website: www.anysoldier.com Not only had she found the website, but she had already found contacts with the soldiers in need, and taken ALL of the large flat rate boxes from our local post office. She had begun filling the boxes; and the boxes were stuffed full to the brim. Our goal is to fill the boxes full of everything we can. Why waste money on shipping costs, when it costs the same amount if we put in two products, or 50?
Currently we have over 30 contacts! What do I mean by contacts... What it means is, each contact is a troop leader or Chaplin, who we send boxes to and they distribute the products to people within the troop. Our 30 contacts that we have reach a total of 1,700 troops. So we are attempting to send as much as we can to support them.
The boxes that we are sending out are going to our troops who are in the middle of the desert. These troops are far from the PX's (basically a grocery store of supplies). So our soldiers in these places are going without the basics which we take for granted. The people whom are out there giving of their lives to keep ours comfortable, and also working for the greater good of helping other countries are going without? That is simply wrong! The way we see it is that it is the least we can do to reach out to them and support them in whatever way we can.
It doesn't matter if you support the wars, or support what our government is doing. This isn't about that. It is about giving our "neighbors" aid. They enlisted to the different branches of the military for many different reasons, but in the end it is all for the same cause, serving US! No matter how I look at it, it is more than the right thing to do!
Currently, we are sending out about 30 boxes a month, with still 30 or more just sitting and waiting to be shipped. Our goal is by 2012 to be sending out at least 300 boxes a month! Still just as full as we have been! It is going to be amazing to see how God blesses this and continues to move it forward! I will keep you all "posted" about what is going on!
The next week, I see her and she is extremely excited, she had discovered where it all was going to go. She had discovered a website: www.anysoldier.com Not only had she found the website, but she had already found contacts with the soldiers in need, and taken ALL of the large flat rate boxes from our local post office. She had begun filling the boxes; and the boxes were stuffed full to the brim. Our goal is to fill the boxes full of everything we can. Why waste money on shipping costs, when it costs the same amount if we put in two products, or 50?
Currently we have over 30 contacts! What do I mean by contacts... What it means is, each contact is a troop leader or Chaplin, who we send boxes to and they distribute the products to people within the troop. Our 30 contacts that we have reach a total of 1,700 troops. So we are attempting to send as much as we can to support them.
The boxes that we are sending out are going to our troops who are in the middle of the desert. These troops are far from the PX's (basically a grocery store of supplies). So our soldiers in these places are going without the basics which we take for granted. The people whom are out there giving of their lives to keep ours comfortable, and also working for the greater good of helping other countries are going without? That is simply wrong! The way we see it is that it is the least we can do to reach out to them and support them in whatever way we can.
It doesn't matter if you support the wars, or support what our government is doing. This isn't about that. It is about giving our "neighbors" aid. They enlisted to the different branches of the military for many different reasons, but in the end it is all for the same cause, serving US! No matter how I look at it, it is more than the right thing to do!
Currently, we are sending out about 30 boxes a month, with still 30 or more just sitting and waiting to be shipped. Our goal is by 2012 to be sending out at least 300 boxes a month! Still just as full as we have been! It is going to be amazing to see how God blesses this and continues to move it forward! I will keep you all "posted" about what is going on!
My Current Adventure 2
I did not want to overload any of my readers about my current adventure all in one post so in effect this is part two of "My Current Adventure".
To recap for anyone randomly picking up this blog: I have found myself involved in the beginnings of making a non-profit with my best friend, Jenny. She is clearly the brains of the operation. She is the one who got this all started.
Here is the "short version".
Jenny is the world biggest Coupon Queen when it comes to figuring out how to get hygiene type products for practically nothing. I am still not sure how she does it. But she makes me look silly for getting excited about saving 40 cents off my laundry soap. Instead of saving 40 cents on a product she is more likely to pay only 40 cents on a product, and most often she is grumbling about paying the 40 cents. Most of the products we purchase, it is more likely that we will be paid back for the product. If any of you are as bad at math as I am, you can still imagine this a really good deal.
Just for example. This morning she sent me a text message telling me that in her Sunday morning shopping she was able to get a ton of toothbrushes for nothing, and in return was basically paid $200 by RiteAid for her purchase. We do all of our shopping at RiteAid. Until she started doing the couponing I NEVER purchased anything from RiteAid except my occasional prescription and maybe a candy bar as an impulse item on my way out. But, somehow with her amazing super-human couponing skills, the Plus-Up rewards program, and rebates, our products come out to being nearly nothing. It makes it possible for us to spend $100 out of pocket on any given Sunday, and get over $1000 (sometimes it is closer to $2000) worth of product. Jenny is someone who cannot resist a good deal, and especially when the manufacturer is going to essentially pay you for your purchase. Who would not take advantage of it.
So as you can imagine with taking advantage of these amazing deals, it quickly became a problem finding something to do with it all. So what do we do with all this product? Well, that is what we all started asking ourselves once Jenny, the mastermind of the operation, figured out this system.
To recap for anyone randomly picking up this blog: I have found myself involved in the beginnings of making a non-profit with my best friend, Jenny. She is clearly the brains of the operation. She is the one who got this all started.
Here is the "short version".
Jenny is the world biggest Coupon Queen when it comes to figuring out how to get hygiene type products for practically nothing. I am still not sure how she does it. But she makes me look silly for getting excited about saving 40 cents off my laundry soap. Instead of saving 40 cents on a product she is more likely to pay only 40 cents on a product, and most often she is grumbling about paying the 40 cents. Most of the products we purchase, it is more likely that we will be paid back for the product. If any of you are as bad at math as I am, you can still imagine this a really good deal.
Just for example. This morning she sent me a text message telling me that in her Sunday morning shopping she was able to get a ton of toothbrushes for nothing, and in return was basically paid $200 by RiteAid for her purchase. We do all of our shopping at RiteAid. Until she started doing the couponing I NEVER purchased anything from RiteAid except my occasional prescription and maybe a candy bar as an impulse item on my way out. But, somehow with her amazing super-human couponing skills, the Plus-Up rewards program, and rebates, our products come out to being nearly nothing. It makes it possible for us to spend $100 out of pocket on any given Sunday, and get over $1000 (sometimes it is closer to $2000) worth of product. Jenny is someone who cannot resist a good deal, and especially when the manufacturer is going to essentially pay you for your purchase. Who would not take advantage of it.
So as you can imagine with taking advantage of these amazing deals, it quickly became a problem finding something to do with it all. So what do we do with all this product? Well, that is what we all started asking ourselves once Jenny, the mastermind of the operation, figured out this system.
My Current Adventure
Sometimes adventures are planned out like a trip taking you through the mountain passes. Planning every place you will stop and stay for the night, or planning where you are going to stop and play. Carefully planning things out to be sure that it all goes smoothly.
Yet again, sometimes adventures take you by surprise. Like in the Pixar movie "UP", one of the kids, Ellie says loudly with a child-like boldness, "Adventure is OUT-THERE!" Finding adventure can simply be, being open to the possibilities that come your way. It is the kind of adventures that you are not even aware of until you are already heading down that road. These are the kind of adventures which I find the most fascinating!
Well, without me even being aware of what was happening, I seem to be involved in something bigger than I had ever imagined. For months now, I thought I was simply helping my best friend assemble boxes and sending them to the troops.
Now, without me completely being aware of it, I am apart of something that is so much bigger than I had ever anticipated. My best friend and I are starting a non-profit! I am even getting a big title! And I need to have business cards made. None of which are anything that I had ever thought of. Becoming someone with a big-ish title had never crossed my mind. I don't even know exactly what I want to be when I "grow up". But how did this happen?
I suppose it all happened because I was open to what the Lord had for me. Or maybe I wasn't paying attention and I fell down the bunny hole. Does this mean I get to go on a wild adventure lead by Johnny Depp like Alice in Wonderland? No, I don't think Johnny Depp will be making any guest appearances in this portion of my life story.
But, as we are working on our research for what we need to fill out and the requirements we need to fulfill, we are beginning to see just how big of an operation we are looking at. It is becoming apparent that the possibilities are nearly endless. I am amazed... excited... and humbled.
Yet again, sometimes adventures take you by surprise. Like in the Pixar movie "UP", one of the kids, Ellie says loudly with a child-like boldness, "Adventure is OUT-THERE!" Finding adventure can simply be, being open to the possibilities that come your way. It is the kind of adventures that you are not even aware of until you are already heading down that road. These are the kind of adventures which I find the most fascinating!
Well, without me even being aware of what was happening, I seem to be involved in something bigger than I had ever imagined. For months now, I thought I was simply helping my best friend assemble boxes and sending them to the troops.
Now, without me completely being aware of it, I am apart of something that is so much bigger than I had ever anticipated. My best friend and I are starting a non-profit! I am even getting a big title! And I need to have business cards made. None of which are anything that I had ever thought of. Becoming someone with a big-ish title had never crossed my mind. I don't even know exactly what I want to be when I "grow up". But how did this happen?
I suppose it all happened because I was open to what the Lord had for me. Or maybe I wasn't paying attention and I fell down the bunny hole. Does this mean I get to go on a wild adventure lead by Johnny Depp like Alice in Wonderland? No, I don't think Johnny Depp will be making any guest appearances in this portion of my life story.
But, as we are working on our research for what we need to fill out and the requirements we need to fulfill, we are beginning to see just how big of an operation we are looking at. It is becoming apparent that the possibilities are nearly endless. I am amazed... excited... and humbled.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Friendship
Friendship is sometimes, something that is indescribable. There is an aspect that leave avenues open for anything to happen. There are amazing friendships where, even if you haven't seen each other in a long-time, you can pick up again like no time has passed at all. There are other friendships that as some would say "Were only meant for a short while".
There are at least two kinds of friendships that are rare to find. First, being the friendship I said just above, a friend that no matter where you have been, done, or gone... You can pick up again as if no time has passed at all. The second, which is almost just as rare, are friends who once they become your friend they stick close to your side for years and years.
Recently a close and dear mentor of mine went on a trip to California with some girlfriends of hers that she has known since she was little. She was gone for a week, and had a blast. We are still hearing stories of the fun trips they went on and the hours of talking and giggling they shared. What has amazed me from listening to these stories is how they lived through: bad relationships, divorces, children, bad times, good times, losses... Everything that life brought their way. It blows me away.
I have had lots of friends, and still consider myself to be someone who has many friends. Life has already taken me through lots of twists, turns, ups, downs, scares, and joys.... I have had many close friends, best friends, and the like. Life has seemed to weave these people through my life and they have been there for key parts, and many have faded to the background for now. Not gone, not forgotten, just not in the forefront at the moment.The stranger part is that I'm not old at all! The more time that continues to go by and all the friends that I have or had are adding up. The numbers can simply become outrageous!
A year ago, today, my best friend moved up to Oregon from California. She had been down there for many years, and found herself in need to leave. She moved up here because this is where she felt that the Lord needed her to be. She is the daughter of my mentors, whom I consider family. I had not met her until a year ago, and when she came she found me to be in the worst state that I had been in ever. I was going through a rough time in my life, and there she was, she jumped right in and helped me in whatever way I needed. The first time I met her, Dadu brought her over to help us move out of our apartment and into a new one. So she and I met, and from the second she has been here helping me. It has been amazing being able to share life with her. The love that she has shown me has blown my socks off. I, in and of myself, of course, wish I could claim being the sole reason why she felt God wanted her to come up here, but I know for a fact that there is so much more of the horizon for her. She is a beautiful woman, with an enormous heart... It has been amazing to get the opportunity to see her adjust to Oregon and discover all the fun things that are here. And we are still exploring. :-)
There are at least two kinds of friendships that are rare to find. First, being the friendship I said just above, a friend that no matter where you have been, done, or gone... You can pick up again as if no time has passed at all. The second, which is almost just as rare, are friends who once they become your friend they stick close to your side for years and years.
Recently a close and dear mentor of mine went on a trip to California with some girlfriends of hers that she has known since she was little. She was gone for a week, and had a blast. We are still hearing stories of the fun trips they went on and the hours of talking and giggling they shared. What has amazed me from listening to these stories is how they lived through: bad relationships, divorces, children, bad times, good times, losses... Everything that life brought their way. It blows me away.
I have had lots of friends, and still consider myself to be someone who has many friends. Life has already taken me through lots of twists, turns, ups, downs, scares, and joys.... I have had many close friends, best friends, and the like. Life has seemed to weave these people through my life and they have been there for key parts, and many have faded to the background for now. Not gone, not forgotten, just not in the forefront at the moment.The stranger part is that I'm not old at all! The more time that continues to go by and all the friends that I have or had are adding up. The numbers can simply become outrageous!
A year ago, today, my best friend moved up to Oregon from California. She had been down there for many years, and found herself in need to leave. She moved up here because this is where she felt that the Lord needed her to be. She is the daughter of my mentors, whom I consider family. I had not met her until a year ago, and when she came she found me to be in the worst state that I had been in ever. I was going through a rough time in my life, and there she was, she jumped right in and helped me in whatever way I needed. The first time I met her, Dadu brought her over to help us move out of our apartment and into a new one. So she and I met, and from the second she has been here helping me. It has been amazing being able to share life with her. The love that she has shown me has blown my socks off. I, in and of myself, of course, wish I could claim being the sole reason why she felt God wanted her to come up here, but I know for a fact that there is so much more of the horizon for her. She is a beautiful woman, with an enormous heart... It has been amazing to get the opportunity to see her adjust to Oregon and discover all the fun things that are here. And we are still exploring. :-)
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Yet another reason why my husband is the best!
This morning Brian (my husband) had to get up for a meeting with a couple of guys. He is working on learning how to make websites and other computer things. He wants to one day own his own business making websites and helping people with their computers. So he is out helping others learn at the same time. This will be good to help him learn even more about what he wants to do! :-)Anyways he made me coffee before he left this morning. He didn't tell me when he came in to say goodbye. So I slept and just relaxed in bed for 2 more hours. Waking up here and there smelling coffee, and being jealous of which ever neighbor of mine who was having coffee. When I finally rolled out of bed, I walked down the hall and the smell of coffee got stronger. Once I enter the living-room there is a note laying on the corner of the couch telling me he had made coffee for me! It is really sweet in and of itself. But we also almost never brew coffee at home. When we brew its always me who does it. Who knew he had the powers to make AMAZING coffee! I suppose he must be making coffee at work and has perfected his art.
He does a lot of things that simply make him even more dear to my heart. He will do random things that are thoughtful, or really sweet. He will do things like clean the kitchen or vacuum or laundry. He's not perfect by any means, but he is continually making efforts to be better. Two weeks ago on his walk home from the bus, he stopped at the store and picked me up flowers. He knows that I like flowers other than roses, so he picked up some purple roses with white carnations mixed in. A beautiful mix of vibrant color! I of course immediately put the flowers into a beautiful vase that my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas! All of the little things that he does adds up to make him even more wonderful in my eyes. It also makes me feel cherished. We have been married for over 4 years now, and everyday I fall deeper in love with him. Never once have I regretted the decision we made. I am so thankful for him, and grateful to have found someone so special. He has a big heart, and he loves the Lord. There are many who are not a lucky as I am. It truly is a blessing to be loves so much. <3I have now had two cups of coffee, and it is time for me to go on a long walk to get rid of the gitters. But, maybe I'll have another cup before I go.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Spicy Chicken with Dates & Butternut Squash
Hello all.
I thought today I would share a short story and a recipe to go along with it.
It must have been 2 years ago in September. A good and long-time friend was in town for a short while, and we got to spend some good-times together. Amongst that was our birthdays, and for them we got together and went out for a night in downtown P-town. Don't get me wrong, I don't normally do such things, but it was necessary this time (circumstances allowed the exception.). Anyways, we went out for some delicious Mediterranean food first. I don't believe the restaurant is still there. I've gone to find this Aaamazing place, and couldn't. It is right off of Burnside... But the night was full of tons of fun (of course Brian was there as our body guard). One place we went to was Darcell's, there are not words to describe this place. Most of you wouldn't be interested in visiting it anyways. I don't think I would return myself... lol
Moving on!
I enjoyed the food at the before said restaurant and thought I would branch out in my cooking a little more. So this is what I found, and we have been in love with it since! And every time I make this dish it reminds me of her and I think of our fun night in P-town.
Spicy Chicken with Dates & Butternut Squash Recipe
Cut squash into cubes, place in baking dish, and drizzle EVOO over it. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
place in oven for about 30-45 mins. or until tender.
Cook chicken in EVOO with salt & pepper.
Add onions, dates, spices, bay leaf, & Cinnamon stick into pan. When onion is tender add flour, cook about 1 min.
Add stock, bring to a bubble. Simmer until curry thickens and dates plump. (5-6 mins)
Remove bay leaf and Cinnamon stick
stir in roasted squash
Serve with rice or couscous
Number of Servings: 6 (round about-ed this number)
*it would really be 6 large servings, I don't think the calories are about that much. It makes a lot, esp. with rice!
For those of you curious about calories and such I entered this into a recipe nutrition calculator and this is what it says:
I thought today I would share a short story and a recipe to go along with it.
It must have been 2 years ago in September. A good and long-time friend was in town for a short while, and we got to spend some good-times together. Amongst that was our birthdays, and for them we got together and went out for a night in downtown P-town. Don't get me wrong, I don't normally do such things, but it was necessary this time (circumstances allowed the exception.). Anyways, we went out for some delicious Mediterranean food first. I don't believe the restaurant is still there. I've gone to find this Aaamazing place, and couldn't. It is right off of Burnside... But the night was full of tons of fun (of course Brian was there as our body guard). One place we went to was Darcell's, there are not words to describe this place. Most of you wouldn't be interested in visiting it anyways. I don't think I would return myself... lol
Moving on!
I enjoyed the food at the before said restaurant and thought I would branch out in my cooking a little more. So this is what I found, and we have been in love with it since! And every time I make this dish it reminds me of her and I think of our fun night in P-town.
Spicy Chicken with Dates & Butternut Squash Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Butternut squash
- 4 TBS EVOO
- 2 1/2 lbs Chicken (breast or thigh)
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 lg onion
- 12 dry pitted dates, coarsely chopped
- 1 Tbs ground Cumin
- 1 Tbs ground Coriander
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 3 Tbs Flour
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup cilantro roughly chopped
Directions
Preheat Oven 400 FCut squash into cubes, place in baking dish, and drizzle EVOO over it. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
place in oven for about 30-45 mins. or until tender.
Cook chicken in EVOO with salt & pepper.
Add onions, dates, spices, bay leaf, & Cinnamon stick into pan. When onion is tender add flour, cook about 1 min.
Add stock, bring to a bubble. Simmer until curry thickens and dates plump. (5-6 mins)
Remove bay leaf and Cinnamon stick
stir in roasted squash
Serve with rice or couscous
Number of Servings: 6 (round about-ed this number)
*it would really be 6 large servings, I don't think the calories are about that much. It makes a lot, esp. with rice!
For those of you curious about calories and such I entered this into a recipe nutrition calculator and this is what it says:
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 304.1
- Total Fat: 13.7 g
- Cholesterol: 17.3 mg
- Sodium: 196.5 mg
- Total Carbs: 37.8 g
- Dietary Fiber: 6.6 g
- Protein: 11.2 g
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