5 things..

I had a wonderful Easter weekend. We went to Calhoun and spent time with Andrew's family. Lots of good food, coffee and quality hang out time. And Dakota loved getting to be off the leash and run freely through the property.

Dakota, he was experiencing FREEDOM. something we get to experience because Christ our King is RISEN. I always say fall is my favorite but boy do I love spring time too. Perfect representation of what Easter is all about...new life coming forth..Amen!

Well thought I'd kick off the week with a post inspired by Maiedae...5 things about yours truly..

1. I am a picky eater...I try to say I am not...but the truth is ..I am SO picky. There is no formula (as my husband likes to say) to what I do and don't like. There are just a lot of foods I just don't like... I love cheese and coffee with cream, I hate banana's and cake (really most desserts). I don't like sauces like ranch, ketchup, mustard or salad dressing...but I love salsa, hollandaise sauce and buffalo sauce. I hate soda but like sparkling grape juice and champagne. I am more of a salty than sweet person...unless it's dark chocolate..then count me in. (see what I mean..no formula!)

2.When I was in college.. I camped out everywhere! We camped on top of our student union(shimmed up a pipe and tossed sleeping bags up to get there), in the fountain on campus in the winter when the water was shut off, on the intramural fields, in the outdoor chapel, in the gazebo...just about everywhere on campus. My friend Rosie and I were obsessed with being outside in Gods creation and sleeping under the stars and going on adventures..so we camped out just about everywhere while in college...including in the winter time..when I once got mild frostbite from it. We were crazy and it was amazing!

3. I am terrible with time. Time slips by me so fast..I am usually late (working on that) and I can't keep track of time for the life of me. I tend to be such a perfectionist (with everything) that I take my sweet time on the little details and before I know it I am engrossed in whatever task it is and by the end of it I realize I have just been super inefficient and unproductive because of how much time I spent on perfecting one little thing.

4. I love candles....especially fall scented candles. I think this comes from college and my sweet friend Amyrose....we started a tradition where every Thursday night was candlelight night..where our friend group gathered for coffee, the best tunes, and great fellowship and deep conversation..of course..all with candlelight and often star gazing. Ever since then candles have warmed my heart!

5. I love the south! I do miss my family in Kansas City and my brother in Japan ...but I have truly enjoyed becoming a "southern girl" I have embraced the word "ya'll" and southern hospitality and southern family loving from my husbands sweet family. The midwest was fun and full of wonderful people but man is the south great! So close to the mountains and beaches, warmer weather, good food and hospitality and great people too!

And that is 5 things you probably didn't know about me!

Do I think about what I'm thinking about....

Currently Reading: Battlefield of the Mind...by Joyce Meyers...

"For many years of my life I didn't think about what I was thinking about. I simply thought whatever fell into my head. I had no revelation that Satan could inject thoughts into my mind.."

Challenge --> am I intentional to think about what I am thinking about? Wow...good stuff! This book has been a great reminder to take captive all thoughts, and to constantly be aware of what thoughts are going on in my head. Our thoughts affect our attitude and our mood, which ultimately affect our happiness. We have the power to take charge and control and choose/change our thoughts so that they are in line with what the Holy spirit is doing..working through the Word of God to bring victory into our lives.

Our circumstances, actions of others, and things out of our control should not steal our joy and happiness..but our thoughts ultimately have the power to control our happiness and satisfaction.

The scriptures instruct us to think on good things that build us up..it's so easy to let negative thinking, disruptive false thoughts and lies, or worry and anxiety creep in...but it is my responsibility to be aware of that and to not let that detour me. But to take control of all my thoughts, so that I think on Godly, positive, good and true things.

Challenge for 2013: Know and control what I am thinking about...to think more positively no matter the situation or how I feel and to think about good things that glorify God.


Romans 12:2- "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will. "

Taco Ring Recipe

An easy meal that's always a hit...

Preface: I don't measure anything when I cook...so sorry ahead of time for not having exact measurements...make your best guess and follow your taste buds! ;)

What you need:

• 1 can of crescent rolls (I like to get the big crecen rolls) 
• 8-10 chicken tenders or 4-6 chicken breasts
• shredded yellow cheese
• cream cheese and/or yogurt ranch dressing (I like to mix the cream cheese and yogurt ranch but either work)
• cilantro
• lime juice
• mild taco sauce (I like to buy whatever sauce I can find in the authentic/latin food isle)

Let's get cooking: 

• Preheat oven to 350
• cook chicken (I like to boil it in a pot, adding in cilantro and lime for seasoning for it to simmer in)
• rub olive oil on bottom of pan or pizza stone (to prevent sticking)
• lay individual triangle crescent roll pieces in the shape of a star on the pan (making a circle in them middle.) Overlap them and slightly kneed them together. 
• in a bowl mix the cream cheese and ranch (and if you really want to spice it up..sometimes I will mix some boursin cheese in there..if I have it on hand)
• once the chicken is all cooked cut it into little pieces with scissors or shred it and toss it in the mixing bowl you just prepped.
• After chicken mixture is prepared and at the right creaminess for you, spread it around the circle of the crescent rolls that are overlapping. 
• Next drizzle the chicken with the mild taco sauce and a hint of lime juice
• sprinkle shredded cheese around the top of the chicken
• take the ends/points of the crescent rolls and roll them towards the center covering the mound of chicken and cheese
• tuck the ends of the crescent roll into the inner ring 
• place in the oven and bake until golden and barely brown on the edges (I would guess 15 or so minutes)

Then your Taco Ring dinner is ready to be served... (should feed 2-3).... also great served with Guacamole to dip in! 

Bon appetite!

 

Every day is new...

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

Every day is a new day renewed, and brought as a gift from the Lord. We should always rejoice and be glad for each and every day we wake up to.

It's easy to get caught up in #firstworldproblems but I know I have so much to be thankful for!

Enjoy today! Sing, dance, smile and rejoice!