Hahaha

Posted on May 31, 2007

Brooke Fraser – Shadowfeet

Posted on May 31, 2007

Posted on May 27, 2007

Anyone who knows me, knows that I luuurve Max Lucado. His books bring inspiration, contemplation, and tears, without fail. So, I found a site that has great quotes that are from Christian authors, past and present. I thought I would start sharing a few that speak to me. So today… read this and decide.. what will you choose?

“It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments, the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE…

No occasion justifies hatred;
no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY…

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…
the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see
people as anything less than human beings,
created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as
anything less than an opportunity to see God.” – Max Lucado

Posted on May 27, 2007

Anyone who knows me, knows that I luuurve Max Lucado. His books bring inspiration, contemplation, and tears, without fail. So, I found a site that has great quotes that are from Christian authors, past and present. I thought I would start sharing a few that speak to me. So today… read this and decide.. what will you choose?

“It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments, the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE…

No occasion justifies hatred;
no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY…

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…
the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see
people as anything less than human beings,
created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as
anything less than an opportunity to see God.” – Max Lucado

A visit to the Islands….

Posted on May 26, 2007

Literally.. We went to Islands a few weeks ago to celebrate my in-laws 31st anniversary. They went to Hawaii last year, so this was in remembrance of that trip. I found out something new about Islands… they have a great drink menu inspired by the Tropics. You know why I didn’t know… because I am so cheap that I can’t stand paying 6.50 for a smoothie with rum in it!! And, yes, let’s be honest, that is what a Lava Flow is.
Todd and I aren’t drinkers (not that there is anything wrong with that!!) so Hannah and Todd haven’t experienced the “you can’t have that.. it is just for adults” line. Hannah wants to share everything.. so imagine her surprise when Grandma couldn’t share her drink! If you know Hannah, you will know that her lower lip started to jut out, her brows furrowed, and there might have been a few fist pounds on the table…while I tried to tell her that I would make her a Hannah version when we went to the store next. She finally gave up the pity party and we enjoyed a nice (free.. thank you in-laws) dinner.
So, all that to say… here is my version of a Lava Flow. I think they call it a Volcano when there is an absence of rum!!

I added 1 can of coconut milk and about 4 cups of Coconut Pineapple juice together with ice. You can just use Pineapple juice… but I was at Henry’s and they didn’t have any. To make it a Lava Flow, a drizzle of strawberry syrup is supposed to suspend itself throughout the drink like lava (hence the name)… however, I am not that coordinated, so I just threw some strawberries in there. I am not a huge smoothie person, but this drink was a blend of creamy coconut swirling with flecks of strawberry, with the tiniest hint of pineapple, all icy chilled to perfection. I mean, yum!

A few little known facts about coconut…
- a substance in coconut milk has been shown to fight the HIV virus among others
- it promotes vascular (think veins) health
- it helps your skin look healthy and vibrant

A few little known facts about strawberries…
- they are packed with antioxidants
- they are an excellent source of Vitamin C and fiber and a good source of iodine, B6, copper and others
- they protect against macular degeneration

Why do I tell you all this? Because I think it is important to feed our families healthy foods that taste delightful, and you can feel confident knowing this is a “chock full of health” dessert! Make the Volcano.. tell me what you think!

A visit to the Islands….

Posted on May 25, 2007

Literally.. We went to Islands a few weeks ago to celebrate my in-laws 31st anniversary. They went to Hawaii last year, so this was in remembrance of that trip. I found out something new about Islands… they have a great drink menu inspired by the Tropics. You know why I didn’t know… because I am so cheap that I can’t stand paying 6.50 for a smoothie with rum in it!! And, yes, let’s be honest, that is what a Lava Flow is.
Todd and I aren’t drinkers (not that there is anything wrong with that!!) so Hannah and Todd haven’t experienced the “you can’t have that.. it is just for adults” line. Hannah wants to share everything.. so imagine her surprise when Grandma couldn’t share her drink! If you know Hannah, you will know that her lower lip started to jut out, her brows furrowed, and there might have been a few fist pounds on the table…while I tried to tell her that I would make her a Hannah version when we went to the store next. She finally gave up the pity party and we enjoyed a nice (free.. thank you in-laws) dinner.
So, all that to say… here is my version of a Lava Flow. I think they call it a Volcano when there is an absence of rum!!

I added 1 can of coconut milk and about 4 cups of Coconut Pineapple juice together with ice. You can just use Pineapple juice… but I was at Henry’s and they didn’t have any. To make it a Lava Flow, a drizzle of strawberry syrup is supposed to suspend itself throughout the drink like lava (hence the name)… however, I am not that coordinated, so I just threw some strawberries in there. I am not a huge smoothie person, but this drink was a blend of creamy coconut swirling with flecks of strawberry, with the tiniest hint of pineapple, all icy chilled to perfection. I mean, yum!

A few little known facts about coconut…
- a substance in coconut milk has been shown to fight the HIV virus among others
- it promotes vascular (think veins) health
- it helps your skin look healthy and vibrant

A few little known facts about strawberries…
- they are packed with antioxidants
- they are an excellent source of Vitamin C and fiber and a good source of iodine, B6, copper and others
- they protect against macular degeneration

Why do I tell you all this? Because I think it is important to feed our families healthy foods that taste delightful, and you can feel confident knowing this is a “chock full of health” dessert! Make the Volcano.. tell me what you think!

Yet another plug for TJ’s… and I will be done.. for now…

Posted on May 23, 2007

My kids are allergic to dairy. Well, more like sensitive to dairy. So, we don’t drink cow’s milk in our house. I never realized how inexpensive cow’s milk was until I had to start buying substitutes. Soy Milk is cheaper than Almond Milk, but I don’t want my kiddos having that much soy. And, we don’t even need to talk about how Rice Milk tastes, do we??
So, Almond Milk it is. At the grocery stores, Almond Milk can run from $2.19 to $3.49 for a quart. Yikes!! Lucky for me, (and you) Trader Joe’s carries Almond Milk for 1.99 a quart. So what, you say. That is only .20 cents a quart cheaper. Well, let’s just add this up…4 quarts a week (which is what we use)equals .80 cents savings a week, which adds up to 3.20 a month. No.. that is not a big deal, but when you look at the savings yearly (nearly $40 bucks) that makes a difference. It is the little things you do weekly, that can save you money over time. Who wouldn’t want an extra $40 in their pocket.

…And, my kids are 7 and 5…. if I buy this much milk until they are in college.. I will have saved almost $500 just by buying the cheaper version at TJ’s!!

It pays to save people!!

Let’s hear it for TJ’s….

Posted on May 23, 2007

I have to say it. I love TJ’s. It is a store that is full to the brim of good deals. I know, I know… not everything they sell is cheaper. But a majority of the stuff I buy there is… so sit down and listen to me! I have decided to start blogging about my good finds there, so check back often!

Trader’s sells orange chicken in their freezer dept. Who doesn’t love orange chicken?? It is a delightful concoction of crispy chicken bathed in a slightly spicy ginger orange sauce. YUM!! TJ’s brand is $5.00 a bag. I usually get 2 bags for my family and a bag of rice at around $1.50. So, we are looking at $11.50 for an authentic, MSG free Chinese dinner. If I am feeling ambitious, I will mix peas, carrots, soy sauce and garlic (staples I always have) into my rice… and call it dinner!

I challenge you to find a cheaper Chinese dinner that feeds 5-6 people and is this good… go ahead… let me know if you do.

Yet another plug for TJ's… and I will be done.. for now…

Posted on May 23, 2007

My kids are allergic to dairy. Well, more like sensitive to dairy. So, we don’t drink cow’s milk in our house. I never realized how inexpensive cow’s milk was until I had to start buying substitutes. Soy Milk is cheaper than Almond Milk, but I don’t want my kiddos having that much soy. And, we don’t even need to talk about how Rice Milk tastes, do we??
So, Almond Milk it is. At the grocery stores, Almond Milk can run from $2.19 to $3.49 for a quart. Yikes!! Lucky for me, (and you) Trader Joe’s carries Almond Milk for 1.99 a quart. So what, you say. That is only .20 cents a quart cheaper. Well, let’s just add this up…4 quarts a week (which is what we use)equals .80 cents savings a week, which adds up to 3.20 a month. No.. that is not a big deal, but when you look at the savings yearly (nearly $40 bucks) that makes a difference. It is the little things you do weekly, that can save you money over time. Who wouldn’t want an extra $40 in their pocket.

…And, my kids are 7 and 5…. if I buy this much milk until they are in college.. I will have saved almost $500 just by buying the cheaper version at TJ’s!!

It pays to save people!!

Let's hear it for TJ's….

Posted on May 23, 2007

I have to say it. I love TJ’s. It is a store that is full to the brim of good deals. I know, I know… not everything they sell is cheaper. But a majority of the stuff I buy there is… so sit down and listen to me! I have decided to start blogging about my good finds there, so check back often!

Trader’s sells orange chicken in their freezer dept. Who doesn’t love orange chicken?? It is a delightful concoction of crispy chicken bathed in a slightly spicy ginger orange sauce. YUM!! TJ’s brand is $5.00 a bag. I usually get 2 bags for my family and a bag of rice at around $1.50. So, we are looking at $11.50 for an authentic, MSG free Chinese dinner. If I am feeling ambitious, I will mix peas, carrots, soy sauce and garlic (staples I always have) into my rice… and call it dinner!

I challenge you to find a cheaper Chinese dinner that feeds 5-6 people and is this good… go ahead… let me know if you do.

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