Making the Impossible Possible

Let me begin by saying, I asked Andrew to give his input for this week's menu. I must admit, I was not happy about many of his choices, and I was very nervous about one.

One request was for me to make a family favorite of his- his MawMaw's Beef and Cabbage Soup. I must admit, I wasn't very excited about tackling a recipe from my husband's family. My family is one thing, but I had never attempted a recipe from his.

I also knew that with this recipe I would have to attempt to achieve the impossible.

Cornbread.

After getting the recipe from his mom, I went to work.

At first, I was a little leery because it looked so bland. It was a bit on the pale side, but I covered and let it simmer anyways.

After cooking for an hour and a half, the soup was looking much, much better. After tasting and adding splashes of spice, the soup was ready to cook to perfection.

This meant one thing...

It was time for cornbread.

Let me back up, the last time I made cornbread, I followed the directions in their entirety. Despite my conscious effort to create the perfect cornbread, when I pulled it out of the oven, something was very, very wrong.

It was flat and hard. It was not burnt. Just awful. I had no idea what I had done wrong. It's the one thing I've attempted to cook that I failed terribly at. I think the pan actually went sailing across the kitchen. Ha, ha!

Needless to say, I was a little worried about how this one would turn out. So, I checked it often.

When I pulled it out of the oven, I wasn't convinced that it would be edible. I was afraid that it would be kin to a brick. As I was cutting into it; however, I was reassured that it had turned out well.

After deciding that the bread was a go, it was time for us to sit down for dinner.

Upon first bite, I knew that I had achieved the impossible! I was so excited that I couldn't help but pose for a picture... and then blog about it today. I have accomplished a goal that I set months ago, and I am one happy camper!!

Marching With Elephants

"What?!"

More than likely, that is what you are thinking by this point. That is, unless you're my husband. Then you would know exactly what I am talking about.

For those of you who aren't lucky enough to be Andrew (ha, ha!), let me explain.

Colonel Hathi's March

Hup two three four

Keep it up two three four

Hup two three four

Keep it up two three four

Company sound off!

Ho, the aim of our patrol

Is a question rather droll

For to march and drill

Over field and hill

Is a military goal!

Is a military goal!

Hup two three four

Dress it up two three four

Hup two three four

Dress it up two three four

By the ranks or single file

Over every jungle mile

Oh we stamp and crush

Through the underbrush

In a military style!

In a military style!

Hup two three four

Keep it up two three four

... Do you recognize this song?

If not, let me refresh your memory...

Yes, that's right. It's the elephant marching song from the Jungle Book. Why, you may be wondering, would I blog about something like this?

Because I dreamed I was marching with the elephants the other night. Yes, that's right, I was marching with the Jungle Book elephants.

Everytime Colonel Hathi would yell "Company, halt!!" and the elephants would assume this position...

I would clap my hands together and point them forward like the trunks on the elephants.

Let me tell you, this dream was absolutely HILARIOUS.

What's even funnier? I woke up singing this song outloud... and Andrew was wondering why in the world I would wake up singing this song. I had to explain my dream to him.

He found it funny as well.

It was by far the best dream I've EVER had, and since Saturday morning, I've wished that I could dream this amazing dream again.

Marching with elephants sure is fun. I am hoping to participate again soon.

HA!

New Obsession

A few weeks ago, my sister-in-law posted an entry about her freezer and all of the yummy goodies she was stowing away. You can read about it here. She also posted a simple recipe for making homemade smoothies. I admit, I was a tad jealous of her freezer space, and I thought the smoothies sounded awesome!

This past weekend, Andrew and I were trying to figure out how to arrange items in our own freezer. You see, we have a teeeeeeeeny tiiiiiiiiiny freezer, and the way the house is laid out, the door of the freezer doesn't even open all the way before hitting the wall. We can't even fit a boxed pizza in our freezer.

We've been wanting a deep freeze for a while. We decided to bite the bullet and purchase one with some wedding money.

With all of this added space for freezing goodies, I was excited to start stocking away fresh summer produce... this includes fresh fruits for our smoothies!

We began by washing, chopping, and packaging.

I packaged a zucchini so that we can enjoy the flavorful taste of a homegrown zucchini in the winter months.

Then...

... we separated and individually packaged a smoothie's worth of fruit so we could simply pull a small baggy out of the freezer for a tasty treat.

Just this week, I found blueberries on sale for 89 cents! I was very excited to come across this good deal!

Our new freezer is well on its way to being filled with good foods. We are so excited about this extra storing space, and we look forward to finding bargains that we can stock away for later use.

It's become a new obsession to fill this freezer with fresh garden produce. Next on my list of items to pack away for the winter months: corn on the cob and peaches.

We then decided to put our new frozen goods to use. We used my sister-in-law's recipe as a foundation for our smoothies. Her recipe is:

1 cup berries

1 banana (sliced and frozen)

3/4 cup apple juice

1 cup yogurt

Blend until smooth.

We altered the recipe slightly to suite our personal tastes. We also used apple juice made with Splenda to cut down on our sugar intake. We then used one of our wedding gifts to create the perfect smoothie.

A good friend got us this "bullet" smoothie maker for our wedding. It creates individual cups for easier use. Andrew is the main operator of this cool contraption, I just sit back and enjoy the delicious treat!

We really enjoy this healthy chilled treat, and we are so excited to have more storage for our frozen foods now!

Keepin' it in the Family

I love to cook. I haven't always enjoyed cooking, but as I get older, I love it more and more. A few years ago, my mom gave me one of the coolest gifts for Christmas.

She put together a recipe book with all of my favorite family recipes. I mean, it has everything from my favorite chili to my most preferred appetizer. This cookbook hosts the recipe for the Christmas cookies I baked every year and the dessert I love the most. It's a pretty handy tool. Especially now that I'm married.

I went to use it the other day to bake banana bread, and I realized that my recipe book was missing this very important recipe. Luckily, my mom was just an email away. I realized then, though, that I need more than just my favorites. It became evident that I need (or want!) all of the recipes my mom has used over the years.

She is a great cook, and I so enjoy cooking the same foods she graced our dinner table with each night. I am thankful that I had a mom who made sure we had a homemade meal on the table as often as physically possible while she was working. She definitely instilled a passion in me to care for my own family.

So, Mom, if you're reading this, I would really, really love a more elaborate version of this very special cookbook!

An Evening With My Boys

Last night, we enjoyed a low-key evening at home. Andrew cooked dinner, I washed dishes, Andrew dealt with Charter, and then we opened our books. Andrew was reading for an online class, and I began "The Case for Christ" last night. I was very engrossed in my book when I took a break to look up from the pages because Theodore was being crazy.

This is what I saw...

He finally laid down (this chair is his "safe spot"), and Andrew couldn't resist...

A staring contest began... I could barely take these pictures because I was laughing so hard.

Theodore crept closer and closer... Andrew moved closer and closer... Finally, they were nose to nose. Again, I was laughing so hard that my stomach hurt.

This is the behavior that I encourage in my home in lieu of homework.

My boys never cease to make me laugh. It's pretty lively around this house with Andrew home! I love it!

Revelation

After recent events, Andrew and I have come to realize that we need to re-evaluate our relationship with each other and with our Lord and Savior. We are VERY happily married, but we have realized that we are not EXACTLY where we should be in our relationship with Christ and each other. Christ is the center of each of our individual lives, but we also need to make him the main focus of our relationship... more so than He already is. We simply need to be even more on fire and more in love with our God. Many moments over the last few weeks have led to this realization. Today this revelation was put into motion.

In order to begin our new mission in life, we needed the correct tool. God's Word was the only answer. Andrew and I purchased our first Bible together- one that we both love and feel comfortable studying. It's the right fit for our lives.

It is a pretty incredible Bible.

Andrew took it away to write a dedication in it.

I opened it up to read:

PRESENTED TO:

My wife, Abby

on this 11th day of July 2010

From

Andrew

on the occassion of

Our renewed vow to our Savior and Lord

After reading this beautiful inscription, I flipped the Bible open. My eyes fell on the following verses:

Psalm 86

1 Hear; O Lord, and answer me,

for I am poor and needy.

2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.

You are my God; save your servant

who trusts in you.

3 Have mercy on me, O Lord,

for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant

for to you, O Lord,

I lift up my soul.

Needless to say, I was astounded. How amazing is it that God showed me this verse on this day? I couldn't wait to share it with Andrew. We both find it incredible that God brought us to the verse we needed to hear the most.

We will treasure this verse always. It was a direct answer to prayer, and it's just what our hearts needed to hear.

I am so thankful that God has brought such a loving, Christian man into my life. Though we may fail at times, our love for each other and our deep love for Christ will withstand anything. We are only a month into our marriage, and I can already tell that we are going to lead an incredible life if we keep God at the core.

Our Savior is incredible... amazing... life changing. How blessed are we to know Him!

Life Lessons... From a Plant?

I have lived away from home for almost three years now. Three years ago, when I moved into my new home, Andrew's cousin gave me a mandevilla that she couldn't take with her when she moved. Unfortunately, she moved away the same week I moved into town. I guess I really am THAT bad. ; )

Anyways, she gave me a gorgeous mandevilla that she had purchased from the local university.

Each year, I bring it inside for the winter. This picture was taken the first winter- 2007- that I had it. After all of the blooms fall, I cut the mandevilla back to three inches above the soil. I water it occassionally through the winter months.

As spring nears, it starts to sprout back to life. This is always an exciting time.

Three summers later, this mandevilla is still blooming as beautifully as ever!

I am just in awe that a plant can grow back year after year... after being chopped to merely three inches... and still be absolutely stunning.

Plants truly are a miracle. They are, in my opinion, one of God's greatest creations. I love watching plants as they change and grow throughout the season, and I love being able to save this gorgeous plant year after year.

To me, this plant represents our lives and how we should act towards other people.

You see, during much of the year, this plant is not very beautiful. In fact, for several months, it's absolutely ugly. Despite its appearance, I choose to care for it, nurture it, and keep it safe. Then, in the summer, all of my efforts to care for this plant become evident with its beauty.

We, too, are completely ugly sometimes. Our behavior is not very becoming, and we are often less than loveable. Yet, with Christ's help, we can choose to love each other. Only when we are nurtured and loved unconditionally does the true beauty show through.

I am so blessed to have this visual reminder of Christ's love for us... and how we should act towards one another.

So- please remember, even if someone you love is being less than loveable, love them. Care for them. Nurture them. They may just surprise you like this plant does me and give you the most incredibly gorgeous gift ever.

And, yes, this is a lesson that I needed to learn. I couldn't have picked a better way to do so.

Garden Goodness

This weekend, after surprising our families with a visit, my mom sent us home with three large zucchini from a family friend's garden. George always grows awesome veggies, and I was so happy to take these gems home with us.

It didn't take me long to decide what I wanted to make with two of the three zucchini. One of my all-time favorite recipes is stuffed zucchini; however, before I moved, my mom altered the recipe to stuffed zucchini casserole. It is wondeful. Yum!

Stuffed Zucchini Casserole

Ingredients:

2 or 3 large zucchini

1 medium onion (chopped)

1 lb sausage

6 slices of soft bread (tear into crumbs)

1/2 cup Velveeta cheese

2 beaten eggs

Parmesan cheese

Butter

Salt

Pepper

Preparation:

Bring a large pan of water to boil. Wash zucchini, drop into boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove from water and cube.

Brown sausage and onion in skillet, drain. Combine with cubed zucchini, bread crumbs, Velveeta, beaten eggs, salt, and pepper.

Pour into greased casserole pan. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with paremsan cheese.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until done.

Serve and enjoy!!!

Visual:

Recipe book from my mom with family recipes, bread crumbs with cubed Velveeta, and homegrown zucchini.

All ingredients before going in casserole pan.

Before it has baked. Sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

Finished product. Yum!!

This recipe is husband, wife, AND cat approved. Andrew loved it so much that after dinner, he said, "I WILL take this to work tomorrow! It has awesome flavor." That pretty much sums this dish up. This casserole explodes with flavor, and everyone should try this super yummy delicacy at some point!

As you all know, I love homegrown summer produce. I especially love family recipes that utilize these summer miracles!

Fish Are Friends, Not Food

Last night Theodore and I discussed his new friends.

He enjoyed watching our fish family swim around, but I explained to him that our fish are friends, not food. He seemed to grasp this concept very quickly.

Andrew told me that I didn't need to encourage him and his fascination with our latest additions. He gets on to Theodore whenever he is near the tank to ensure that Theodore won't try to eat them.

So, I turned Theodore away from the tank while still holding him like the picture above, and that little stinker turned his neck almost completely around to see his buddies!!

It was too funny!

He's such a silly cat, but you know, he's far too interested in the birds and bugs outside of the house to worry about the tasty friends inside.

New Life

Andrew and I have brought new life into our home.

We have decided to expand our pet family beyond Theodore and Brutus the Beta.

Once the tank was filled with black rock, plants, a snail, an Easter Island head, and pagoda, we went fish shopping. Here we are acclimating our new fish to their tank. Yes, Brutus is also preparing to enter his new home.

20 minutes later, it's time to introduce them to their new home.

So far, so good. They immediately began to explore their new environment.

Theodore immediately spotted his new friends. We're hoping he doesn't like them too much. But, hey, it's free TV for the gato!

Meet the Family:

Pictured in the corner is Rocket. We'll talk about him later. Above him is Brutus the Beta. He's almost a year old. He's my favorite. Then, there are the two guppies. They're waiting on names. Around them are the Groupies. There are too many of them (6 to be exact) to name and try to keep separate. Since they are always together, they are called "The Groupies."

At the top of the tank, you will see Raymond. We call him Ray. If you don't understand this reference- please watch Princess and the Frog. He's bright yellow. He's pretty awesome.

In the middle of The Groupies, you will see Evangeline. She's Raymond's girlfriend. Again, if you don't understand this... you know what to watch.

This blog wouldn't be complete without Andrew's Easter Island head. He's always wanted one. I can check this wish off of my list. The teal and orange guppy is checking out his own reflection. The other guppy is purple and orange.

Now, meet the fish that has shown us that hating a household fish is truly possible. In the lower corner, you will see our black and silver striped catfish. His name is Rocket. He is terrible. Who would have ever thought that a fish could have such poor behavior?! Not me!! He made tank life miserable for all of his other friends. In fact, I am surprised to see one of the Groupies hanging out on Rocket's side of the tank. You see, Rocket darts around like a madman. I was sure he'd give himself a heart attack. No such luck.

Finally...

We HAD to put him in solitary confinement. I am surprised I was able to capture this picture. It's the ONE time he was still. He continues to dart around like crazy even though he has no room to move. His behavior is horrendous. We're hoping to be able to trade him in for another fish that is a bit more calm and better behaved with other fish friends.

After we removed Rocket from the mix, tank life calmed down tremendously. In fact, the fish almost immediately spread out across the tank. They are all much happier now that they can swim around the whole tank without playing bumper fish.

Brutus is the happiest of them all. He despised rowdy Rocket... and it was evident on his little fish face. He now swims around like he did in his old home. More importantly, he still visits me when I am around the tank. I love that.

I am enjoying our new tank. Having a little more life in this house is a good thing! Now we're just hoping we can replace Rocket. He's lost his privileges in the tank due to continuous poor behavior and bad decisions.

Until then, I'm enjoying my calming tank.

*** UPDATE ***

Rocket the awful catfish is back at his original home. The pet store got a new shipment of fish in today, so he now has 3 other catfish to keep him company. This is a good thing for both parties involved.

New additions: Sunny the Dwarf Gourami, Playto the Plecostomus, and Fat Belly the yellow Balloon Molly. They are acclimating now and should be a beautiful, peaceful addition to our fish friends.