The news has finally broken and we are PREGNANT! Yesterday marked the end of the 13th week, the end of the 1st trimester, and the beginning of being able to openly talk about our precious Baby Smidgen.
But, Clint and I have actually known about Smidgen for a while. We found out that we were pregnant on July 22nd - the day we were leaving for our vacation. What a surprise and we weren't completely convinced - although the pregnancy test was obvious enough. We took another test while on the road on July 23rd and got the same result. So, on the long, long drive to Florida, we scheduled a doctor's appointment on August 6th after we returned. Our appointment went perfectly and the doctor confirmed that we were pregnant. We returned a few days later to meet the OB/GYN and ended up getting our first ultrasound! It was so amazing to see our little 1 cm Smidgen.
Now, we have had a couple more appointments, a TON of tests (all of which came back great - for which we are thankful), and even got to hear the baby's heartbeat a week and a half ago. Smidgen is now pushing "lemon-size" at 3-3.5 inches and should hit 1.5 ounces this week. We are so excited and are busily preparing ourselves, our lives, the baby's room, and everything for Smidgen's arrival somewhere around March 26th (our due date).
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Catching Up
Shame on me... It has been a month and a half since my last post! Wow! I'm ashamed of myself... and even still I don't have too much to talk about! *I know - that's a first!*
Well, I know I have talked a lot about our diets and weight loss endeavors and so far we have been quite successful. Clint has easily hit fifty pounds and I am pushing forty pounds! That's in less than 7 months - I think that is quite impressive and a healthy rate of loss.
Now that we are losing the weight, we are also going to be modifying the quality of our foods. I am trying to make a switch to more raw (not uncooked, but less processed), clean, organice foods. Now, hold on, I'm not going off the deep end, but I just think that the fuel we give our bodies should be high-quality and meaningful. Too often, meals are an after-thought and we end up throwing trash into our system. Then, we wonder why we feel sluggish and bloated.
Instead, we are creating meal plans (side benefit: this helps a LOT with budgeting and grocery bills!) full of whole wheat breads and pastas; fresh, organic fruits and vegetables; appropriate serving portions; and limited processed foods.
Then, just for fun, I made this trail mix from raw ingredients at Central Market. Yay for being healthier! 
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Yummy Food Pictures!
A delicious breakfast pizza, the recipe is complements of Clinton - very yummy and easy to make! Just use a canned pizza dough, white gravy for the sauce, and then pile on your favorite breakfast toppings like sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, and cheese!
Black Bean Burgers - recipe is several posts below...
Avocado Soup - looks good, but it wasn't my favorite.
Carrot and Onion Quiche...
Black Bean Burgers - recipe is several posts below...
Avocado Soup - looks good, but it wasn't my favorite.
Carrot and Onion Quiche...
Other assorted catching-up pictures...
Last Sunday Clint and I took our CHL (concealed handgun license) class which consisted of a class with a written test and a field test. Lots of fun and we both passed! Another tick off of the bucket list.
Then, we just purchased Clint a new to him truck!!! Say hello to King Tritan (my name for the truck, not Clint's). A very nice 2005 F-150 in a very sexy charcoal gray color.
I don't think the next picture requires a comment... Ok, maybe it does... And now, in the center of the ring, Clintoni Hoovoni!
Then, we just purchased Clint a new to him truck!!! Say hello to King Tritan (my name for the truck, not Clint's). A very nice 2005 F-150 in a very sexy charcoal gray color.
I don't think the next picture requires a comment... Ok, maybe it does... And now, in the center of the ring, Clintoni Hoovoni!
Uh-Oh! Time for Catch-up!!! Penelope's Second Birthday!
For Squirt and Penelope's second birthday, we took them to Krystal's Hamburgers for a yummy kid's meal of a hamburger and french fries and then went to Fort Woof for some fun play-time. Enjoy the pictures!
Yes, that is an entire hamburger bun in her mouth. Don't worry - she has it all under control!
Look at her licking her chops!
Yes, that is an entire hamburger bun in her mouth. Don't worry - she has it all under control!
Look at her licking her chops!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Christ Chapel Bible Church
Last night at church we learned about the amazing process and procedure of the Passover, the symbolism of the Seder meal, and the relevance to us as the body of Christ. Also last night we were challenged to fast and pray for our church as we embark on a new building project. This time of fasting can be as short or as long as God leads us, but I feel challenged to fast, pray, meditate, and reflect during my work day. So, for the entire time I am at work, I will be fasting, reading the Bible (during lunch and my conference time), seeking God's plan for our family's financial contribution to CCBC, and refocusing my attention on God.
I decided to do this during work, since this time seems to be the time when I get most caught up in other things. I get most stressed, over-worked, immersed in tasks, and exposed to worldly behaviors during the 7:30-4:30 time block. So, instead of eating breakfast this morning, I read in Dueteronomy about God's provisions and deliverance. Instead of eating lunch, I will meditate on God's word and reflect on His amazing love for me. Instead of snacks, I will dedicate my actions to God's will.
Clint has also committed to fasting and praying with me (albeit, at different times and in different places) during the lunch hour.
Please pray for us today.
I decided to do this during work, since this time seems to be the time when I get most caught up in other things. I get most stressed, over-worked, immersed in tasks, and exposed to worldly behaviors during the 7:30-4:30 time block. So, instead of eating breakfast this morning, I read in Dueteronomy about God's provisions and deliverance. Instead of eating lunch, I will meditate on God's word and reflect on His amazing love for me. Instead of snacks, I will dedicate my actions to God's will.
Clint has also committed to fasting and praying with me (albeit, at different times and in different places) during the lunch hour.
Please pray for us today.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
March, March, March...
Yeah, so, I haven't exactly posted in the last week, but I didn't want to bore anyone. I still don't really have anything to add today, but I was feeling guilty about not posting...
Our diet is going really well. We are maintaining quite a bit of our vegetarian experience - eating meatless meat, veggie rich dishes, and enjoying our local vegan restaurant. I did break down and succumb to a horribly strong BBQ temptation last night - but I got a pulled pork sandwich with very little sauce... Not too bad I don't figure. But, our diet must be working because Clint is hovering at the 20ish pounds lost mark and I hit the 17 1/2 pound mark this morning. After so long seeing the scale increase each time I dared stand on it (and I do mean "dare" since the thought of getting weighed scared me to death!), I love seeing the numbers decrease! I'm not that good about using thedailyplate.com, but I am doing a lot better about portions and healthier choices.
You know you are restricting your diet when:
* your favorite chocolate ice cream makes you think about running on the treadmill for 3 hours
* you care more about calories than prices when you are at a restaurant
* your iphone has become a portable dietician and personal trainer
* thedailyplate.com is book-marked on any internet-ready device within 3 miles of you at any moment
* you snack on whole grain sandwich thins and light cheese instead of a candy bar
* water is your best friend
* you know the gym class schedule by heart (and have the app!)
* your lunch conversations at work are dominated by weight watcher, 24-hour fitness, and how many points/calories is your lunch
* and the number one indicator that you are on a diet:
~~~~~you dream about All-You-Can-Eat Buffets~~~~~ (unfortunately, very true - just ask Clint about 3 nights ago...)
Our diet is going really well. We are maintaining quite a bit of our vegetarian experience - eating meatless meat, veggie rich dishes, and enjoying our local vegan restaurant. I did break down and succumb to a horribly strong BBQ temptation last night - but I got a pulled pork sandwich with very little sauce... Not too bad I don't figure. But, our diet must be working because Clint is hovering at the 20ish pounds lost mark and I hit the 17 1/2 pound mark this morning. After so long seeing the scale increase each time I dared stand on it (and I do mean "dare" since the thought of getting weighed scared me to death!), I love seeing the numbers decrease! I'm not that good about using thedailyplate.com, but I am doing a lot better about portions and healthier choices.
You know you are restricting your diet when:
* your favorite chocolate ice cream makes you think about running on the treadmill for 3 hours
* you care more about calories than prices when you are at a restaurant
* your iphone has become a portable dietician and personal trainer
* thedailyplate.com is book-marked on any internet-ready device within 3 miles of you at any moment
* you snack on whole grain sandwich thins and light cheese instead of a candy bar
* water is your best friend
* you know the gym class schedule by heart (and have the app!)
* your lunch conversations at work are dominated by weight watcher, 24-hour fitness, and how many points/calories is your lunch
* and the number one indicator that you are on a diet:
~~~~~you dream about All-You-Can-Eat Buffets~~~~~ (unfortunately, very true - just ask Clint about 3 nights ago...)
Friday, March 5, 2010
More delightful Recipes to Tickle your Tastebuds!
DELICIOUS Black Bean Burgers (a la vegetarian)Ingredients:
1/3 pound fresh mushroom, chopped
1/4 bar cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream (or half sour cream half ricotta cheese)
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 T lemon juice
1 T olive oil
1 1/2 cups onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T fresh ginger, minced
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped (seeds optional)
1 tsp salt
black pepper
cilantro
1 T flour
3 T chives
Directions
In a small skillet, saute mushrooms for 7-10 minutes until cooked. Transfer to a medium bowl and mix with cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of the breadcrumbs. Set aside.
In another small skillet, heat olive oil and saute the onions until they soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, nutmeg, paprika, cumin, and cinnamon and saute for 2 more minutes.
Pour beans into a food processor and pulse until almost pasty. Add onion and seasoning mixture and mushroom mixture. Pulse repeatedly until mixture is chopped and combined but not pureed.
Transfer to a large bowl and add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Taste and adjust seasonings. Shape into patties and pat in extra bread crumbs.
Fry in olive or vegetable oil over medium heat until crust forms. Serve as a hamburger!
AND NOW...
Potato Kale Enchiladas with Roasted Chili Sauce
Ingredients
Chili Sauce:
2 T olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
3 large green chiles, roasted, seeded, peeled, and chopped coarsely
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2-3 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp marjoram or oregano
1 can diced tomatoes with juice
1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
Filling:
1 pound waxy potatoes (yukon gold preferred)
1/2 pound kale, washed, trimmed, and chopped finely
3 T olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 cup stock
3 T lime juice
1/8 cup pine nuts
salt
Corn tortillas
Directions:
Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute the onions in oil for 4-7 minutes until soft. Add the remaining sauce ingredients, bring to a simmer, and then remove from heat. When the mixture has cooled enough, taste and adjust seasonings. Puree in a blender until smooth.
Filling: Peel and dice the potatoes, then boil until tender. Drain and set aside. Cook the garlic in olive oil until sizzling and slightly browned. Add the kale, sprinkle with salt, and raise the heat to medium, stirring constantly to cover the kale with oil and garlic. Partially cover the pot to steam the kale until it has wilted, 4-6 minutes. Add in potatoes, stock, lime juice, and salt. Use the back of a wooden spoon to mash some of the potatoes. Cook another 4-5 minutes until stock is absorbed. Add more salt and lime juice to taste. 1 minute before it is finished, add in the pine nuts, reserving a few for garnish.
Ladle some sauce into the bottom of a greased casserole dish and spread around. Take a warmed corn tortilla and spoon some filling into the center. Roll tightly and place seam side down in the dish. Repeat for all the tortillas and filling. Spoon remaining sauce over the top, sprinkle with paprika and pine nuts. Bake for 25 minutes at 375 until sauce is bubbling. Serve.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Ha-lle-lu-jah!!!
The benchmark at school today was a success! My kids whomped (is that a real word???) the 2009 released TAKS test and made such amazing progress that I shared some delicious cake truffles with them after a huge YAY! pep talk. I am so proud of their progress! We went from 2/3 of the class not passing (January BMK) to 3 not passing!!! This is why I teach in this district and Dual Language program - my kids start off so far behind and then woosh to catch-up and then surpass their peers. GO TEAM!!! (Why do I suddenly feel an urge to high-kick and wave spirit fingers? - hmmm.... that's strange... I'm sure it will pass eventually...)
On another train of thought, our Vegetarian week was a great success. No, we did not stick to our menu exactly (although by now we have eaten most of the recipes - just not in that order). Stay away from the avocado soup (although Clinton loved it) and the Mushroom Strudel - WAY too mushroomy for my taste. But the veggie burgers (made from scratch, no less!) were beyond amazing and definitely gave us food for thought (get it? huh? no, well, you know, FOOD, for thought... food for thought? never mind... pressing on).
The recipe will be posted in a bit pending me actually getting home to the recipe (we changed and modified and added and subtracted from the original recipe so much that I don't think it even counts as the original black bean burgers). Until then...
We have learned that better eating habits (i.e. less calorie ridden meat and more yummy relatively calorie "free" vegetables) make us feel a million-bazillion times better inside and out. We also lose weight easier and Clint doesn't have to worry about the cholesterol, fat, and other evils in most other foods. As a side benefit, we also tended to not eat out nearly as much because so few restaurants serve meat-free menu options - which in turn saved us moolah! I do HIGHLY recommend a restaurant in Fort Worth called Spiral Bakery and Diner. The menu is all-vegan, mostly organic, and delightfully delicious! We plan to go again whether we continue the vegetarian thing or not.
Which leads to the "lesson learned" portion of this story. We have decided that we will be halfy vegetarians. Meaning that we won't be the typical southern, meat and potatoes for dinner only kind of family. Fast food does NOT count as a well-balanced meal and shouldn't be used as such (if you are of the opinion that the occassional fast-food family meal won't hurt, check out this website - it is enough to make you schedule an appointment for a triple-bypass! http://www.acaloriecounter.com/fast-food.php)
Stay tuned for the recipes and check out the status of... THE LIST!
On another train of thought, our Vegetarian week was a great success. No, we did not stick to our menu exactly (although by now we have eaten most of the recipes - just not in that order). Stay away from the avocado soup (although Clinton loved it) and the Mushroom Strudel - WAY too mushroomy for my taste. But the veggie burgers (made from scratch, no less!) were beyond amazing and definitely gave us food for thought (get it? huh? no, well, you know, FOOD, for thought... food for thought? never mind... pressing on).
The recipe will be posted in a bit pending me actually getting home to the recipe (we changed and modified and added and subtracted from the original recipe so much that I don't think it even counts as the original black bean burgers). Until then...
We have learned that better eating habits (i.e. less calorie ridden meat and more yummy relatively calorie "free" vegetables) make us feel a million-bazillion times better inside and out. We also lose weight easier and Clint doesn't have to worry about the cholesterol, fat, and other evils in most other foods. As a side benefit, we also tended to not eat out nearly as much because so few restaurants serve meat-free menu options - which in turn saved us moolah! I do HIGHLY recommend a restaurant in Fort Worth called Spiral Bakery and Diner. The menu is all-vegan, mostly organic, and delightfully delicious! We plan to go again whether we continue the vegetarian thing or not.
Which leads to the "lesson learned" portion of this story. We have decided that we will be halfy vegetarians. Meaning that we won't be the typical southern, meat and potatoes for dinner only kind of family. Fast food does NOT count as a well-balanced meal and shouldn't be used as such (if you are of the opinion that the occassional fast-food family meal won't hurt, check out this website - it is enough to make you schedule an appointment for a triple-bypass! http://www.acaloriecounter.com/fast-food.php)
Stay tuned for the recipes and check out the status of... THE LIST!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Veg, Veggie, Vegetarian...
Well, our week of vegetarianism starts tomorrow (technically) but we began the experiment today at 1:30pm (after we had delicious Greek Gyros for lunch... with diet coke... one last kick before the ban...).
But I just finished a couple hours of cooking and have come up with a Carrot and Onion Quiche and a new recipe I made up - Black Bean Cheese Enchiladas. Recipes will follow at the end of this post! We had some yummy Orange, Strawberry, and Banana Smoothies for an afternoon snack and we will try some of the enchiladas for dinner.
Here is our plan for the week:
MONDAY:
B - Cereal
L - Carrot and Onion Quiche
D - Chilled Avocado Soup and Grilled Three Cheese Sandwiches
TUESDAY:
B - Yogurt with Fruit
L - Black Bean Cheese Enchiladas
D - Mushroom Strudel and Spinach Salad
WEDNESDAY:
B - Smoothie
L - Stuffed Pasta Shells
D - Black Bean Burgers with homemade French Fries
THURSDAY:
B - V-8 with a granola bar
L - Sweet Potato Burritos
D - Vegan Risotto and Garlic Bread
FRIDAY:
B - Yogurt with fruit
L - Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo
D - Minestrone Soup and Stuffed Peppers
SATURDAY:
B - Cereal
L - French Onion Soup with Cheese Sandwich
D - Artichoke Spinach Lasagna
SUNDAY:
B - French Toast
L - Eggplant and Cauliflower Curry
D - Potato Kale Enchiladas
Stay tuned for all the recipes and for the results on how everything goes! I'm excited about all of this!!!
And now... for the first two recipes:
Carrot and Onion Quiche
Ingredients:
2 Frozen Pie Crusts
4 tbsp butter
1 large red onion, chopped
1 large chalet, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
3 medium carrots, very thinly sliced
2 tbsp flour
3 eggs
1 tbsp white wine
1 cup milk
1 cup mixed cheeses: mozzarella, monterrey jack, parmesean, and cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp savory
1 1/2 tsp seasoning blend
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tbsp fresh chives
Preheat oven to 425. Bake empty pie crusts until crusts begin to brown. Remove from oven to cool and reduce temperature to 325.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, chalets, garlic, and carrots. Saute for 3-5 minutes then drizzle with white wine. Continue to saute until carrots are tender. Remove from heat, stir in flour, then mix in all remaining ingredients. Return to the stove and stir until cheese melts - be careful to not let the eggs cook.
Pour into the pie crusts and bake for approximately 45 minutes until filling is completely set. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Now the yummy Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups mixed cheese - Monterrey Jack and Cheddar
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 can Rotel, drained and reserve liquid
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cans cheese soup
1 26.5 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp paprika
24 warm white corn tortillas
Grate cheese and combine with black beans, drained rotel, diced onion, salt and paprika in a large bowl being careful to not crush the beans.
In a separate bowl, mix the rotel liquid with one of the cans of cheese soup until creamy. Add the other cheese soup and the diced tomatoes (liquid included) and mix thoroughly. In a large casserole dish or several smaller dishes (this made four sets of six enchiladas for me - enough for freezing for later!), spoon some sauce into the bottom and spread around.
Take the warmed tortilla one at a time and spoon some of the bean filling just off the center of the tortilla. Roll tightly and place seam down into the sauce in the casserole dish. Continue until all the filling is gone. Top the enchiladas with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with some grated cheddar and a dash of paprika.
Bake at 375 until sauce is bubbly - 25-35 minutes.
ENJOY!!!
But I just finished a couple hours of cooking and have come up with a Carrot and Onion Quiche and a new recipe I made up - Black Bean Cheese Enchiladas. Recipes will follow at the end of this post! We had some yummy Orange, Strawberry, and Banana Smoothies for an afternoon snack and we will try some of the enchiladas for dinner.
Here is our plan for the week:
MONDAY:
B - Cereal
L - Carrot and Onion Quiche
D - Chilled Avocado Soup and Grilled Three Cheese Sandwiches
TUESDAY:
B - Yogurt with Fruit
L - Black Bean Cheese Enchiladas
D - Mushroom Strudel and Spinach Salad
WEDNESDAY:
B - Smoothie
L - Stuffed Pasta Shells
D - Black Bean Burgers with homemade French Fries
THURSDAY:
B - V-8 with a granola bar
L - Sweet Potato Burritos
D - Vegan Risotto and Garlic Bread
FRIDAY:
B - Yogurt with fruit
L - Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo
D - Minestrone Soup and Stuffed Peppers
SATURDAY:
B - Cereal
L - French Onion Soup with Cheese Sandwich
D - Artichoke Spinach Lasagna
SUNDAY:
B - French Toast
L - Eggplant and Cauliflower Curry
D - Potato Kale Enchiladas
Stay tuned for all the recipes and for the results on how everything goes! I'm excited about all of this!!!
And now... for the first two recipes:
Carrot and Onion Quiche
Ingredients:
2 Frozen Pie Crusts
4 tbsp butter
1 large red onion, chopped
1 large chalet, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
3 medium carrots, very thinly sliced
2 tbsp flour
3 eggs
1 tbsp white wine
1 cup milk
1 cup mixed cheeses: mozzarella, monterrey jack, parmesean, and cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp savory
1 1/2 tsp seasoning blend
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tbsp fresh chives
Preheat oven to 425. Bake empty pie crusts until crusts begin to brown. Remove from oven to cool and reduce temperature to 325.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, chalets, garlic, and carrots. Saute for 3-5 minutes then drizzle with white wine. Continue to saute until carrots are tender. Remove from heat, stir in flour, then mix in all remaining ingredients. Return to the stove and stir until cheese melts - be careful to not let the eggs cook.
Pour into the pie crusts and bake for approximately 45 minutes until filling is completely set. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Now the yummy Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups mixed cheese - Monterrey Jack and Cheddar
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 can Rotel, drained and reserve liquid
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cans cheese soup
1 26.5 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp paprika
24 warm white corn tortillas
Grate cheese and combine with black beans, drained rotel, diced onion, salt and paprika in a large bowl being careful to not crush the beans.
In a separate bowl, mix the rotel liquid with one of the cans of cheese soup until creamy. Add the other cheese soup and the diced tomatoes (liquid included) and mix thoroughly. In a large casserole dish or several smaller dishes (this made four sets of six enchiladas for me - enough for freezing for later!), spoon some sauce into the bottom and spread around.
Take the warmed tortilla one at a time and spoon some of the bean filling just off the center of the tortilla. Roll tightly and place seam down into the sauce in the casserole dish. Continue until all the filling is gone. Top the enchiladas with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with some grated cheddar and a dash of paprika.
Bake at 375 until sauce is bubbly - 25-35 minutes.
ENJOY!!!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
New Recipes!!!
I have two delicious new breakfast recipes to add. I made both of these last night and they were amazing!!!
The first is a Cheese Breakfast Souffle for 2!
Ingredients:
2/3 cup grated extra sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 cup milk
pinch salt
pinch cayenne, dry mustard powder, or paprika
4 yolks
4 egg whites
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place a large (9x13 or so) baking pan in the oven and fill with water, about an inch of water. Spray two 2-3 souffle baking dishes with cooking spray.
Melt the butter and whisk in the flour, cooking for a couple of minutes over medium low heat. Whisk in the milk until smooth and cook until thick, three minutes. Stir in cheeses and spices, cook over very low heat until the cheeses melt. Beat a few tablespoons of the very thick sauce into the yolks, then mix the yolk mixture into the sauce.
Beat the egg whites stiff, but not dry. Mix a big scoop of the whites into the cheese sauce to lighten the mixture. Then carefully fold the sauce into the whites. When combined, put in the souffle dishes, sprinkle with some grated cheddar, and slip the dishes into the water filled baking pan, bake for 25-30 minutes. Serve immediately.
Yum! I love souffles but have been too scared to even try it. For my first time, this turned out so yummy - the key is to not over-mix the batter once you add the egg whites.
The second recipe is for a yummy Stuffed French Toast - again for two!
Ingredients:
4 slices bread
2 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1/3 bar of cream cheese
2 tablespoons of jam (I used strawberry!)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
With a hand blender, mix well the 2 eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and 1 tsp. of the vanilla. Dredge each piece of bread on both sides and cook in a skillet or frying pan.
In a separate bowl and still using the hand blender, combine the cream cheese, jam, powdered sugar, and remaining tsp of vanilla until creamy (may still contain clumps).
As bread is cooked, make french toast sandwiches with a piece of bread, a large dollop of filling and a second piece of bread. Cook in the oven for 5-8 minutes at 375 to let the filling melt and get gooey!
Mmmm-hmmm... dinner was yummy last night!
EDIT:
In looking back, I realized I never shared the recipes for the Homemade Whipped Cream and the Belguim Waffles. So sorry! Here we go:
Homemade Almond Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
1 small or 2/3 large can of evaporated milk
1/2 -2/3 cup powdered sugar (start with 1/2 cup and add more to suit your tastes)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
Place bowl that you will be using, hand beater whisks, and can of evaporated milk in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. Beat all ingredients on high using a hand blender until thick and creamy (keep everything very cold - if it starts to warm up, take a break and pop the bowl back in the freezer for a little bit. Make sure every utensil you use has been chilled or it will make the cream melt). Serve immediately. If you need the whipped cream to hold for a little bit, sprinkle in some gelatin while the cream is still liquid to help it hold its shape.
Belgium Waffles for two (the recipe can be easily double or tripled, but this makes 8 waffle squares - 4 for each person)
Ingredients
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs, separated
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 cup milk
Preheat waffle iron. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a second bowl, use a wooden spoon to beat together the egg yolks and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the vanilla, melted butter, and milk. Whisk to combine.
Combine the egg-milk mixture with the flour mixture and stir just until blended. Do not overmix.
In a third bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Do not overmix!
Coat the waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and pour batter into iron. Close and cook until golden brown. Serve immediately.
Now you are all set for an amazing breakfast!!!
The first is a Cheese Breakfast Souffle for 2!
Ingredients:
2/3 cup grated extra sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 cup milk
pinch salt
pinch cayenne, dry mustard powder, or paprika
4 yolks
4 egg whites
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place a large (9x13 or so) baking pan in the oven and fill with water, about an inch of water. Spray two 2-3 souffle baking dishes with cooking spray.
Melt the butter and whisk in the flour, cooking for a couple of minutes over medium low heat. Whisk in the milk until smooth and cook until thick, three minutes. Stir in cheeses and spices, cook over very low heat until the cheeses melt. Beat a few tablespoons of the very thick sauce into the yolks, then mix the yolk mixture into the sauce.
Beat the egg whites stiff, but not dry. Mix a big scoop of the whites into the cheese sauce to lighten the mixture. Then carefully fold the sauce into the whites. When combined, put in the souffle dishes, sprinkle with some grated cheddar, and slip the dishes into the water filled baking pan, bake for 25-30 minutes. Serve immediately.
Yum! I love souffles but have been too scared to even try it. For my first time, this turned out so yummy - the key is to not over-mix the batter once you add the egg whites.
The second recipe is for a yummy Stuffed French Toast - again for two!
Ingredients:
4 slices bread
2 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1/3 bar of cream cheese
2 tablespoons of jam (I used strawberry!)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
With a hand blender, mix well the 2 eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and 1 tsp. of the vanilla. Dredge each piece of bread on both sides and cook in a skillet or frying pan.
In a separate bowl and still using the hand blender, combine the cream cheese, jam, powdered sugar, and remaining tsp of vanilla until creamy (may still contain clumps).
As bread is cooked, make french toast sandwiches with a piece of bread, a large dollop of filling and a second piece of bread. Cook in the oven for 5-8 minutes at 375 to let the filling melt and get gooey!
Mmmm-hmmm... dinner was yummy last night!
EDIT:
In looking back, I realized I never shared the recipes for the Homemade Whipped Cream and the Belguim Waffles. So sorry! Here we go:
Homemade Almond Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
1 small or 2/3 large can of evaporated milk
1/2 -2/3 cup powdered sugar (start with 1/2 cup and add more to suit your tastes)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
Place bowl that you will be using, hand beater whisks, and can of evaporated milk in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. Beat all ingredients on high using a hand blender until thick and creamy (keep everything very cold - if it starts to warm up, take a break and pop the bowl back in the freezer for a little bit. Make sure every utensil you use has been chilled or it will make the cream melt). Serve immediately. If you need the whipped cream to hold for a little bit, sprinkle in some gelatin while the cream is still liquid to help it hold its shape.
Belgium Waffles for two (the recipe can be easily double or tripled, but this makes 8 waffle squares - 4 for each person)
Ingredients
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs, separated
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 cup milk
Preheat waffle iron. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a second bowl, use a wooden spoon to beat together the egg yolks and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the vanilla, melted butter, and milk. Whisk to combine.
Combine the egg-milk mixture with the flour mixture and stir just until blended. Do not overmix.
In a third bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Do not overmix!
Coat the waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and pour batter into iron. Close and cook until golden brown. Serve immediately.
Now you are all set for an amazing breakfast!!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Cupid's Chase!
My list is well underway and wow is my life getting busier and busier. I took the GRE last Sunday and did really well - I was pleasantly surprised with my score. Better yet, I was glad to get it out of the way. It is such a relief to know that this hurdle is out of the way and I can move on to the next "to-do".
Also, I am officially done with my first graduate class tomorrow! Although, I've already finished and submitted all of my coursework and have closed out the program. Now I am 1/12th the way to my master's and my principal certificate! I am so excited and am absolutely loving my program. I think I've realized again just how much I enjoy being a student - Clint and I are even talking about the possibility of him doing his master's and I might pursue my doctorate! Wouldn't that be fun - Dr. Hoover! It has a nice ring to it.
And then, this morning, we woke up bright and early at 5:20am to go to McKinney, Texas to participate in our first 5k. Clint and I crossed the finish line and are so proud of ourselves! We ran to benefit the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. We are looking into upping our training at the gym with the elliptical and the treadmill with some weight machines built in so that the next time we run we can do better. We are working up to 101 list item #1 "Run a half marathon". We are looking at September for that... But, until then, I think we will do some more training and run another 5k in March. Very exciting!
Enjoy some pictures from our 5k - keep in mind that this was a Valentine's day run and there was a certain "dressing up" component...
Also, I am officially done with my first graduate class tomorrow! Although, I've already finished and submitted all of my coursework and have closed out the program. Now I am 1/12th the way to my master's and my principal certificate! I am so excited and am absolutely loving my program. I think I've realized again just how much I enjoy being a student - Clint and I are even talking about the possibility of him doing his master's and I might pursue my doctorate! Wouldn't that be fun - Dr. Hoover! It has a nice ring to it.
And then, this morning, we woke up bright and early at 5:20am to go to McKinney, Texas to participate in our first 5k. Clint and I crossed the finish line and are so proud of ourselves! We ran to benefit the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. We are looking into upping our training at the gym with the elliptical and the treadmill with some weight machines built in so that the next time we run we can do better. We are working up to 101 list item #1 "Run a half marathon". We are looking at September for that... But, until then, I think we will do some more training and run another 5k in March. Very exciting!
Enjoy some pictures from our 5k - keep in mind that this was a Valentine's day run and there was a certain "dressing up" component...
Our 101 list items #2 and #15 are being planned for next week. We are going to freshen up our diet with no sodas and vegetarian recipes. We will see how it goes, but it should be very interesting - I'm actually looking forward to giving this a try. I think it will be very healthy for us. I'll post the recipes and menu once we finish the "experiment". That means that I will add recipes for 101 list item #40. That should be yummy!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
New Etsy Adventure!
Well, Dolly Designs and Material Girls has started a new venture - an Etsy store. And, we've added a new product - delightful, colorful, and durable craft aprons. These are perfect for your sewing, gardening, doll-making, or crafting venture!
Come check us out at http://www.materialgirlstx.etsy.com/ to see what we have available!
Come check us out at http://www.materialgirlstx.etsy.com/ to see what we have available!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Dum-De-Dum-Duh...
In true keeping with my 101 in 1001, I am posting my obligatory post per week. But don't worry friends, I'll think of something.
Maybe like the fact that I am proud beyond recognition of my kids and their gigantic hearts. With all the devastation in Haiti, they were first to ask what we were going to do about it. In 3 days, my students brought in $86.97. By. them. selves. 30 kids brought their pennies, nickels, quarters, and dimes to help people they will never know. Did they expect a reward or prize? No. They just wanted to do a good job and help people in need. What a lesson! And I thought I was the teacher...
*hmmmmm*
Now, on to a jewel I have been sharing with anyone and everyone who will listen. This week's reading textbook has the kids learning about proverbs, sayings, and fables. So, out of curiosity, I gave my kids a quiz where they were to finish the saying the best they could. Here are some yummy little morsels they thought up:
· You shouldn’t throw stones.....at your home.
· The early bird.....wakes you up.
· A picture is worth.....every penny.
· The grass is always greener.....than a tree.
· The bigger they are.....the smaller they look.
· You shouldn’t throw stones...that are shaped like a rock.
· A stitch in time.....could hurt a little.
· Curiosity killed.....a dog in the street.
· You shouldn’t throw stones.....or it makes it worst.
· Curiosity killed.....who’s curious.
· An apple a day.....is a good taste.
· Don’t count your chickens.....right now.
· The early bird.....is late.
· A picture is worth.....10 dollars.
· Silence is.....the 3rd rule. (think BRAVO - our class rules: Voices off when others speak - maybe we need to work on counting next since "V" is actually the 4th rule... all well, you can't win them all!).
· Don’t count your chickens.....if you are going to play with them.
· The early bird.....was so tired.
· Curiosity killed......a lot of people.
· The grass is always.....greener than dirt.
· A bird in the hand.....makes you bored.
· The early bird.....woke me up.
· The bigger they are.....the badder they hurt.
· The grass is always greener.....because we always water it.
And the story of the day is...
*drumroll please*
(keep in mind that I am a Dual Language/Bilingual teacher)
(as in I teach Bilingual students)
(as in students who speak more than one - usually 2 since the prefix "bi" means two)
(so it stand to reason that I might be open-minded and culturally sensitive)
At recess today I sat down (as I normally do) on the teacher's bench. There happened to be a student sitting on the bench as well reading a small book. Now, normally students are not allowed to sit on the teacher's bench, but I was in a good mood so I decided to strike up a conversation with said Reader.
Me: What are you reading?
Reader: The Koran
Me: Oh, cool... What language is that? (I knew, of course, but remember I am trying to talk with this student who is not one of my own)
Reader: Arabic.
Me: Wow! That is so awesome that you are Bilingual!
Reader: *looks at me as if I have lost my marbles and then says in the most even voice a child is capable of* No, I'm Muslim.
*head in my hands*
*metaphorically of course as I can't act distressed in front of the children*
I think I need a good strong Aleve and a nice long bubble bath followed by a nap.
Maybe like the fact that I am proud beyond recognition of my kids and their gigantic hearts. With all the devastation in Haiti, they were first to ask what we were going to do about it. In 3 days, my students brought in $86.97. By. them. selves. 30 kids brought their pennies, nickels, quarters, and dimes to help people they will never know. Did they expect a reward or prize? No. They just wanted to do a good job and help people in need. What a lesson! And I thought I was the teacher...
*hmmmmm*
Now, on to a jewel I have been sharing with anyone and everyone who will listen. This week's reading textbook has the kids learning about proverbs, sayings, and fables. So, out of curiosity, I gave my kids a quiz where they were to finish the saying the best they could. Here are some yummy little morsels they thought up:
· You shouldn’t throw stones.....at your home.
· The early bird.....wakes you up.
· A picture is worth.....every penny.
· The grass is always greener.....than a tree.
· The bigger they are.....the smaller they look.
· You shouldn’t throw stones...that are shaped like a rock.
· A stitch in time.....could hurt a little.
· Curiosity killed.....a dog in the street.
· You shouldn’t throw stones.....or it makes it worst.
· Curiosity killed.....who’s curious.
· An apple a day.....is a good taste.
· Don’t count your chickens.....right now.
· The early bird.....is late.
· A picture is worth.....10 dollars.
· Silence is.....the 3rd rule. (think BRAVO - our class rules: Voices off when others speak - maybe we need to work on counting next since "V" is actually the 4th rule... all well, you can't win them all!).
· Don’t count your chickens.....if you are going to play with them.
· The early bird.....was so tired.
· Curiosity killed......a lot of people.
· The grass is always.....greener than dirt.
· A bird in the hand.....makes you bored.
· The early bird.....woke me up.
· The bigger they are.....the badder they hurt.
· The grass is always greener.....because we always water it.
And the story of the day is...
*drumroll please*
(keep in mind that I am a Dual Language/Bilingual teacher)
(as in I teach Bilingual students)
(as in students who speak more than one - usually 2 since the prefix "bi" means two)
(so it stand to reason that I might be open-minded and culturally sensitive)
At recess today I sat down (as I normally do) on the teacher's bench. There happened to be a student sitting on the bench as well reading a small book. Now, normally students are not allowed to sit on the teacher's bench, but I was in a good mood so I decided to strike up a conversation with said Reader.
Me: What are you reading?
Reader: The Koran
Me: Oh, cool... What language is that? (I knew, of course, but remember I am trying to talk with this student who is not one of my own)
Reader: Arabic.
Me: Wow! That is so awesome that you are Bilingual!
Reader: *looks at me as if I have lost my marbles and then says in the most even voice a child is capable of* No, I'm Muslim.
*head in my hands*
*metaphorically of course as I can't act distressed in front of the children*
I think I need a good strong Aleve and a nice long bubble bath followed by a nap.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Vroom, Vroom!
And behind door number three... a BRAND, NEW CAR!!! Or at least new to me! Take a look at my beautiful new vehicle - a 2007 Kia Sportage. I absolutely love it! Hello SUV gas-guzzler...
Isn't she be-A-U-tiful! I think she looks like a Petunia, but Clint thinks that is a ridiculous name for a car. But, I say it's my car and I can name her whatever I want! What do you think? Petunia? Bubbles? Something cute...
Isn't she be-A-U-tiful! I think she looks like a Petunia, but Clint thinks that is a ridiculous name for a car. But, I say it's my car and I can name her whatever I want! What do you think? Petunia? Bubbles? Something cute...
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Babies, babies, and Gyros...
Wow! What a fun weekend it has been! Yesterday was Ashleigh's (a good friend from our small group Bible study) baby shower. My, my, my was that a beautiful shower - every little detail was thought of. We even played a fun little game called B-A-B-Y-O (kind of like Bingo) where you fill in all the boxes with things you think the new mommy is going to get... things like diapers, baby monitors, onesies, blankets, etc. Then, as she is opening the presents, you place markers (our markers were hershey kisses -- YUM!) and get prizes as you make a BABYO! A very cute idea to keep guests engaged in the present-opening.
Then, today was Beth's (a friend from the "old" small group) baby shower. Her's was a little more intimate but still a lot of fun! She had a great idea to have all the guests draw a number from 1 to 12 and then write Baby Audrey a birthday card for that respective birthday year (i.e. 4 for the 4th birthday). This is such a cute idea that I will definitely keep in mind for down the road... No mom, that is NOT a hint! :)
And then, here is an easy recipe to tempt your tastebuds:
Cake Balls:
INGREDIENTS:
box cake mix (plus any ingredients listed on the box)
meltable chocolate (white and milk)
can of frosting (any flavor)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. make the cake mix according to the instructions on the box. cook in a 9x13 very well-greased pan. cool completely.
2. turn entire cake out onto wax paper and cut in half.
3. take half of the cake and mix with half the can of frosting in a large bowl until the dough can be formed into balls. repeat with the other half of cake and frosting.
4. place each ball in a spoon. use another spoon to coat ball with melted chocolate. use a third spoon to push the ball onto a piece of wax paper. allow chocolate to cool and harden and then drizzle with other melted chocolate (i.e. milk chocolate over white chocolate or white chocolate over milk chocolate)
Such a great recipe for showers where cute little yummies are the items of choice - kind of like petit fours.
On another note, the 101 in 1001 list is under way (I will be updating totals as soon as I finish this entry) but I have tried a new recipe (chorizo and cornbread stuffing in cornish hens baked and braised in white wine, butter, and olive oil - by no means healthy but delicious!) and a new recipe (yay for authentic Greek gyros! - you know it's good when the entire Greek family is stuffed inside a little 4x5 stand (babies and all) and they all talk with a thick accent!!!). Also the health choices are well underway and the graduate school is in the "figure out what I am doing" phase.
Stay tuned!
Then, today was Beth's (a friend from the "old" small group) baby shower. Her's was a little more intimate but still a lot of fun! She had a great idea to have all the guests draw a number from 1 to 12 and then write Baby Audrey a birthday card for that respective birthday year (i.e. 4 for the 4th birthday). This is such a cute idea that I will definitely keep in mind for down the road... No mom, that is NOT a hint! :)
And then, here is an easy recipe to tempt your tastebuds:
Cake Balls:
INGREDIENTS:
box cake mix (plus any ingredients listed on the box)
meltable chocolate (white and milk)
can of frosting (any flavor)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. make the cake mix according to the instructions on the box. cook in a 9x13 very well-greased pan. cool completely.
2. turn entire cake out onto wax paper and cut in half.
3. take half of the cake and mix with half the can of frosting in a large bowl until the dough can be formed into balls. repeat with the other half of cake and frosting.
4. place each ball in a spoon. use another spoon to coat ball with melted chocolate. use a third spoon to push the ball onto a piece of wax paper. allow chocolate to cool and harden and then drizzle with other melted chocolate (i.e. milk chocolate over white chocolate or white chocolate over milk chocolate)
Such a great recipe for showers where cute little yummies are the items of choice - kind of like petit fours.
On another note, the 101 in 1001 list is under way (I will be updating totals as soon as I finish this entry) but I have tried a new recipe (chorizo and cornbread stuffing in cornish hens baked and braised in white wine, butter, and olive oil - by no means healthy but delicious!) and a new recipe (yay for authentic Greek gyros! - you know it's good when the entire Greek family is stuffed inside a little 4x5 stand (babies and all) and they all talk with a thick accent!!!). Also the health choices are well underway and the graduate school is in the "figure out what I am doing" phase.
Stay tuned!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Graduate School
I think word has gotten around and most everyone knows... but I have been accepted into Lamar University's Master Program. In a short 18 months I will be walking across the stage as a Principal-to-be!!! This is such a fabulous opportunity and I am so excited to be taking part in this.
Now, I have to study for the GRE, take the GRE, and make it through my classes. Whew! It's back to school for me - I haven't been a student in 3 years! Time surely flies...
101 in 1001 item number 93 is underway. Many of my other challenges are also underway or in the planning stage - life is good; Thank you Jesus!
Now, I have to study for the GRE, take the GRE, and make it through my classes. Whew! It's back to school for me - I haven't been a student in 3 years! Time surely flies...
101 in 1001 item number 93 is underway. Many of my other challenges are also underway or in the planning stage - life is good; Thank you Jesus!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Day Zero and the List
The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
Start Date:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
End Date:
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Completed tasks will be changed to the color green. :) Why green? Because it's my list and I like the color green, that's why...
Health & Fitness
1. Run a half marathon... working on it! Just ran a 5k!!! Got another 5k in the works for April
2. Give up diet coke for a week... planned for February 22-28
3. Floss every day for 30 days (0/30)
4. Get down to 135lbs - lost 17 1/2 so far!!!
5. Complete a 40 week running/walking/biking training program (0/40)
6. Get a stride analysis for running shoes
7. Give up chocolate for a week... planned for February 22-28, sorry, didn't happen this week...
8. Drink nothing but water for a week ... planned for February 22-28, didn't happen either...
9. Do 100 crunches straight - up to 20... pitiful, I know...
10. Go a month without ice cream
11. Take a yoga class - video or in person
12. Read "What to Expect Before You're Expecting"
13. Buy a bike helmet - at a garage sale for 25c no less!
14. Run 10+ miles total a week for a year (0/52)
15. Try vegetarianism for one week... planned for February 22-28 - operation Eat Veggies complete!
16. Go snorkeling
17. Bike to the store for groceries
18. Give up fast food for a week... planned for February 22-28
19. Take vitamins every day for 30 days (30/30)
20. Go snuba-ing - scheduled for July 2010!
21. Run a sub 10-minute mile... at a 13:38 minute mile and working on it.
22. Learn to drive a dune buggy - scheduled for July 2010!
23. Run in the Cowtown Marathon
Home
24. Vacuum once a week for 10 weeks (2/10)
25. Install granite countertops in kitchen
26. Host a dinner party - Clint's cousin and his fiancee
27. Host a family holiday meal
28. Bathe dog once a week for a month (2/4)
29. Double savings
30. Pay off student loan debt
31. Give Penny vitamins once a day for a week (7/7)
32. Create a living will
33. Bake a pie - a quiche counts! it's a breakfast pie!!!
34. Take a cake decorating class - scheduled for each Monday in April
35. Use reusable shopping bags when grocery shopping
36. Go to a farmer's market
37. Shop at Central Market once a month for a year (2/12)
38. Put up all new curtains in every room (4/10)
39. Give up TV for a week
40. Try 50 new recipes (11/50)
* chorizo and cornbread stuffing in a cornish hen braised in white wine, olive oil, and butter
* Tom Kha soup (coconut soup) - a little too sweet; need to try with more spice
* Massaman curry - a little overcooked to the point of caramelizing; too sweet
* Belgium Waffles - very tasty and really not too hard to make from scratch
* Home-made almond whipped cream - super yummy!
* Carrot and Onion Quiche
* Black Bean Cheese Enchiladas
* Chilled Avocado Soup
* Mushroom Strudel - nasty, don't EVER try it
* Black Bean Burgers - surprisingly tasty
* Cake Truffles - originally called Cake Balls, but since I was taking them to work, we had to think of a more appropriate name...
* Vegetable Stir-fry - yummy with fresh veggies from a vegetable stand in Weatherford
41. Make dinner in the crock pot once a month for a year (0/12)
42. Make limeade from scratch
43. Make soup from scratch
44. Bake a cake from scratch (frosting included)
Social/Entertainment
45. Host a game night - Clint's cousin and fiancee - go Dutch Blitz!!!
46. Attend a concert
47. Give blood
48. Get a Concealed Handgun License - scheduled for April 18
49. See 10 movies in the theater (3/10)
* Sherlock Holmes
* Leap Day
* Dear John
50. Try 15 new restaurants (5/15)
* Greek Gyros
* Mary's Cafe in Strawn, Texas
* Spiral Bakery and Diner
* Baker's Ribs in Weatherford
* Golden Moon in Weatherford
* The Pyramid in Dallas - highly recommend!
51. Join a book club
52. Go to a comedy show
53. Read a Jane Austen book
54. Go to the Gaylord and see the ice sculptures at Christmas
55. Listen to the DaVinci Code on audio
56. Camp near the Grand Canyon
57. Go see a play
58. Read 50 books (2/50)
**1. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella
**2. The Pregnant Father... don't ask, it looked interesting
59. See an IMAX movie
60. Go to a college football game
61. Go to the Fort Worth Science Museum - March 9
62. Vote in an election
63. Watch every season of "Charmed" (4/8)
Marriage
64. Go on a cruise - scheduled for July 2010
65. Surprise husband with a vacation
66. Have a candlelit dinner
67. Tour the Stockyards and get lost in the maze
68. Randomly write my husband a love letter
69. Watch the sunset with my husband
70. Watch the sunrise with my husband
71. Join a library
72. Make baby plans
73. Have a dinner date with my husband once a month (4/32)
74. Make out with my husband in an elevator
Travel
75. Go to NYC
76. Go tandem Sky-Diving - tentatively scheduled for Summer 2011 (post-graduation)
77. Go on a weekend getaway to Houston
78. Visit another country - Puerto Rico among others scheduled for July 2010
79. Go to a Disneyland/world - scheduled for July 2010 - we even have reservations to stay in a Disney resort!!!
80. Go to the zoo
81. Go deep sea fishing - scheduled for July 2010
For Myself
82. Take Trash the Dress photos
83. Read the Bible Chronologically in a year (57/365)
84. Paint a picture
85. Give up my iPhone for 24 hours
86. Ride a roller coaster three times in a row
87. Treat myself once a day for a month (0/30)
88. Learn to play chess
89. Memorize a book of the Bible
90. Update my blog once a week (7/30)
91. Identify 100 things that make me happy (29/100)
**1. my husband
**2. Penny
**3. my mom
**4. my dad
**5. my sister
**6. my brother
**7. my other brother
**8. chocolate
**9. thunderstorms
**10. the color green
**11. finishing a project
**12. snow
**13. sunshine
**14. Xena: Warrior Princess
**15. reality shows - it's nice that other people have bigger problems than me! Sadistic, I know...
**16. sleeping in on Saturday mornings
**17. breakfast in bed
**18. snuggling
**19. hot cocoa
**20. cooking (as long as the recipe turns out...)
**21. new clothes
**22. new purses in cute colors
**23. pretty dresses
**24. new organization or office supplies (bring on the sharpies and fun shaped post-it notes!)
**25. cold nights with 17 layers of blankets!
**26. cooking
**27. sharpies
**28. my new car
**29. the Bachelor/ Bachelorette
**30. avocado
**31. pulled pork
**32. chorizo
**33. trying new recipes
**34. planting a garden (now the real test... will it grow!)
**35. going to school (not that I "go", but I do have classwork!)
92. Identify 25 things I like about myself (12/25)
**1. my drive and determination
**2. my ability to love
**3. my ability to see someone else's point of view
**4. my eyes
**5. my ability to see potential
**6. my love for life
**7. my taste in men - love you hubby!
**8. my cooking style
**9. my shopping restraint
**10. my teaching style
**11. my flair for organization
**12. my desire to do more
**13. my innate realtor and travel agent abilities
93. Finish graduate school
94. Memorize Jeremiah 29: 11-13
95. Use my camera once a month (0/30)
96. Get a facial
97. List one thing I am grateful for, every day for a year (30/365)
**1. my salvation
**2. my Savior, Jesus Christ
**3. my husband
**4. my family
**5. my puppy
**6. my church home - Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth, Texas - a great place for anyone looking to build their relationship with Christ.
**7. my beautiful home
**8. my awesome, but challenging and sometimes exhausting, job
**9. technology
**10. my sweet tooth
**11. my graduate program
**12. my students
**13. good food
**14. air to breathe
**15. fun music
**16. my new car
**17. my safety
**18. my cell phone
**19. Canton Flea Market
**20. ice cream
**21. energy to run
**22. Mexican food
**23. the gym (it's more of a love/hate thing)
**24. discount shopping stores (otherwise I would get in trouble more often)\
**25. my sewing room
**26. flowers
**27. butterflies
**28. chocolate
**29. fun tv shows
**30. the Bachelor/ Bachelorette
98. Learn "Merry Christmas" in 5 different languages (3/5)
1. Feliz Navidad (Spanish)
2. Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
3. Froliche Wienachten (German) - dad, did I spell that right???
99. Feed ducks
List-Related
100. Donate $5 for every task I don’t complete to Christ Chapel Bible Church
101. Put $5 into savings for every completed task
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
Start Date:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
End Date:
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Completed tasks will be changed to the color green. :) Why green? Because it's my list and I like the color green, that's why...
Health & Fitness
1. Run a half marathon... working on it! Just ran a 5k!!! Got another 5k in the works for April
2. Give up diet coke for a week... planned for February 22-28
3. Floss every day for 30 days (0/30)
4. Get down to 135lbs - lost 17 1/2 so far!!!
5. Complete a 40 week running/walking/biking training program (0/40)
6. Get a stride analysis for running shoes
7. Give up chocolate for a week... planned for February 22-28, sorry, didn't happen this week...
8. Drink nothing but water for a week ... planned for February 22-28, didn't happen either...
9. Do 100 crunches straight - up to 20... pitiful, I know...
10. Go a month without ice cream
11. Take a yoga class - video or in person
12. Read "What to Expect Before You're Expecting"
13. Buy a bike helmet - at a garage sale for 25c no less!
14. Run 10+ miles total a week for a year (0/52)
15. Try vegetarianism for one week... planned for February 22-28 - operation Eat Veggies complete!
16. Go snorkeling
17. Bike to the store for groceries
18. Give up fast food for a week... planned for February 22-28
19. Take vitamins every day for 30 days (30/30)
20. Go snuba-ing - scheduled for July 2010!
21. Run a sub 10-minute mile... at a 13:38 minute mile and working on it.
22. Learn to drive a dune buggy - scheduled for July 2010!
23. Run in the Cowtown Marathon
Home
24. Vacuum once a week for 10 weeks (2/10)
25. Install granite countertops in kitchen
26. Host a dinner party - Clint's cousin and his fiancee
27. Host a family holiday meal
28. Bathe dog once a week for a month (2/4)
29. Double savings
30. Pay off student loan debt
31. Give Penny vitamins once a day for a week (7/7)
32. Create a living will
33. Bake a pie - a quiche counts! it's a breakfast pie!!!
34. Take a cake decorating class - scheduled for each Monday in April
35. Use reusable shopping bags when grocery shopping
36. Go to a farmer's market
37. Shop at Central Market once a month for a year (2/12)
38. Put up all new curtains in every room (4/10)
39. Give up TV for a week
40. Try 50 new recipes (11/50)
* chorizo and cornbread stuffing in a cornish hen braised in white wine, olive oil, and butter
* Tom Kha soup (coconut soup) - a little too sweet; need to try with more spice
* Massaman curry - a little overcooked to the point of caramelizing; too sweet
* Belgium Waffles - very tasty and really not too hard to make from scratch
* Home-made almond whipped cream - super yummy!
* Carrot and Onion Quiche
* Black Bean Cheese Enchiladas
* Chilled Avocado Soup
* Mushroom Strudel - nasty, don't EVER try it
* Black Bean Burgers - surprisingly tasty
* Cake Truffles - originally called Cake Balls, but since I was taking them to work, we had to think of a more appropriate name...
* Vegetable Stir-fry - yummy with fresh veggies from a vegetable stand in Weatherford
41. Make dinner in the crock pot once a month for a year (0/12)
42. Make limeade from scratch
43. Make soup from scratch
44. Bake a cake from scratch (frosting included)
Social/Entertainment
45. Host a game night - Clint's cousin and fiancee - go Dutch Blitz!!!
46. Attend a concert
47. Give blood
48. Get a Concealed Handgun License - scheduled for April 18
49. See 10 movies in the theater (3/10)
* Sherlock Holmes
* Leap Day
* Dear John
50. Try 15 new restaurants (5/15)
* Greek Gyros
* Mary's Cafe in Strawn, Texas
* Spiral Bakery and Diner
* Baker's Ribs in Weatherford
* Golden Moon in Weatherford
* The Pyramid in Dallas - highly recommend!
51. Join a book club
52. Go to a comedy show
53. Read a Jane Austen book
54. Go to the Gaylord and see the ice sculptures at Christmas
55. Listen to the DaVinci Code on audio
56. Camp near the Grand Canyon
57. Go see a play
58. Read 50 books (2/50)
**1. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella
**2. The Pregnant Father... don't ask, it looked interesting
59. See an IMAX movie
60. Go to a college football game
61. Go to the Fort Worth Science Museum - March 9
62. Vote in an election
63. Watch every season of "Charmed" (4/8)
Marriage
64. Go on a cruise - scheduled for July 2010
65. Surprise husband with a vacation
66. Have a candlelit dinner
67. Tour the Stockyards and get lost in the maze
68. Randomly write my husband a love letter
69. Watch the sunset with my husband
70. Watch the sunrise with my husband
71. Join a library
72. Make baby plans
73. Have a dinner date with my husband once a month (4/32)
74. Make out with my husband in an elevator
Travel
75. Go to NYC
76. Go tandem Sky-Diving - tentatively scheduled for Summer 2011 (post-graduation)
77. Go on a weekend getaway to Houston
78. Visit another country - Puerto Rico among others scheduled for July 2010
79. Go to a Disneyland/world - scheduled for July 2010 - we even have reservations to stay in a Disney resort!!!
80. Go to the zoo
81. Go deep sea fishing - scheduled for July 2010
For Myself
82. Take Trash the Dress photos
83. Read the Bible Chronologically in a year (57/365)
84. Paint a picture
85. Give up my iPhone for 24 hours
86. Ride a roller coaster three times in a row
87. Treat myself once a day for a month (0/30)
88. Learn to play chess
89. Memorize a book of the Bible
90. Update my blog once a week (7/30)
91. Identify 100 things that make me happy (29/100)
**1. my husband
**2. Penny
**3. my mom
**4. my dad
**5. my sister
**6. my brother
**7. my other brother
**8. chocolate
**9. thunderstorms
**10. the color green
**11. finishing a project
**12. snow
**13. sunshine
**14. Xena: Warrior Princess
**15. reality shows - it's nice that other people have bigger problems than me! Sadistic, I know...
**16. sleeping in on Saturday mornings
**17. breakfast in bed
**18. snuggling
**19. hot cocoa
**20. cooking (as long as the recipe turns out...)
**21. new clothes
**22. new purses in cute colors
**23. pretty dresses
**24. new organization or office supplies (bring on the sharpies and fun shaped post-it notes!)
**25. cold nights with 17 layers of blankets!
**26. cooking
**27. sharpies
**28. my new car
**29. the Bachelor/ Bachelorette
**30. avocado
**31. pulled pork
**32. chorizo
**33. trying new recipes
**34. planting a garden (now the real test... will it grow!)
**35. going to school (not that I "go", but I do have classwork!)
92. Identify 25 things I like about myself (12/25)
**1. my drive and determination
**2. my ability to love
**3. my ability to see someone else's point of view
**4. my eyes
**5. my ability to see potential
**6. my love for life
**7. my taste in men - love you hubby!
**8. my cooking style
**9. my shopping restraint
**10. my teaching style
**11. my flair for organization
**12. my desire to do more
**13. my innate realtor and travel agent abilities
93. Finish graduate school
94. Memorize Jeremiah 29: 11-13
95. Use my camera once a month (0/30)
96. Get a facial
97. List one thing I am grateful for, every day for a year (30/365)
**1. my salvation
**2. my Savior, Jesus Christ
**3. my husband
**4. my family
**5. my puppy
**6. my church home - Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth, Texas - a great place for anyone looking to build their relationship with Christ.
**7. my beautiful home
**8. my awesome, but challenging and sometimes exhausting, job
**9. technology
**10. my sweet tooth
**11. my graduate program
**12. my students
**13. good food
**14. air to breathe
**15. fun music
**16. my new car
**17. my safety
**18. my cell phone
**19. Canton Flea Market
**20. ice cream
**21. energy to run
**22. Mexican food
**23. the gym (it's more of a love/hate thing)
**24. discount shopping stores (otherwise I would get in trouble more often)\
**25. my sewing room
**26. flowers
**27. butterflies
**28. chocolate
**29. fun tv shows
**30. the Bachelor/ Bachelorette
98. Learn "Merry Christmas" in 5 different languages (3/5)
1. Feliz Navidad (Spanish)
2. Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
3. Froliche Wienachten (German) - dad, did I spell that right???
99. Feed ducks
List-Related
100. Donate $5 for every task I don’t complete to Christ Chapel Bible Church
101. Put $5 into savings for every completed task
A New Year and a Fresh Start
Ok. So, of course, I am a little late getting to actually listing my new year's resolutions (I think I resolved to be more on top of things - I guess that's out the window!), but here I go...
* I resolve to fully rely on God. And, no, I'm not talking F.R.O.G. I am talking about the real, genuine, my-world's-falling-apart-yet-I'm-still-keeping-calm kind of trusting on God. I have really been shown yet again how powerful our God is and want to acknowledge that by making Him my first and most important resolution.
* I resolve to read the Bible chronologically in one year ending with my last Scripture reading at midnight on New Year's Eve 2011.
* I resolve to once and for all lose the 50 pounds I've put on since the wedding so that I can do a Trash-The-Dress photo shoot in my wedding gown. I'm thinking about going down to the coast or somewhere with a lot of water... Any ideas?
* I resolve to work out by walking, running, and biking in an effort to prepare myself for a Half-Marathon in September. Clint and I are doing this as a joint effort - we will start with a 1K walk, 5K walk, 5K run, 10K run, and finish with a Half-Marathon! I am so excited!!!
* I resolve (ok, Clint and I resolve - I guess I can't take all the credit) to continue our accelerated debt repayment plan in an effort to be debt free! Target date: July 2022. Just 12.5 years to go and that will take care of all student loans and the house loan without any new loans (car, etc.).
* I resolve to start every day with a renewed sense of purpose. (I know that is vague, but it felt right to put it in there!)
* AND FINALLY... I will start the 101 in 1001 list. This will be a list of 101 items that I have to complete in 1001 days... Wish me luck!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
* I resolve to fully rely on God. And, no, I'm not talking F.R.O.G. I am talking about the real, genuine, my-world's-falling-apart-yet-I'm-still-keeping-calm kind of trusting on God. I have really been shown yet again how powerful our God is and want to acknowledge that by making Him my first and most important resolution.
* I resolve to read the Bible chronologically in one year ending with my last Scripture reading at midnight on New Year's Eve 2011.
* I resolve to once and for all lose the 50 pounds I've put on since the wedding so that I can do a Trash-The-Dress photo shoot in my wedding gown. I'm thinking about going down to the coast or somewhere with a lot of water... Any ideas?
* I resolve to work out by walking, running, and biking in an effort to prepare myself for a Half-Marathon in September. Clint and I are doing this as a joint effort - we will start with a 1K walk, 5K walk, 5K run, 10K run, and finish with a Half-Marathon! I am so excited!!!
* I resolve (ok, Clint and I resolve - I guess I can't take all the credit) to continue our accelerated debt repayment plan in an effort to be debt free! Target date: July 2022. Just 12.5 years to go and that will take care of all student loans and the house loan without any new loans (car, etc.).
* I resolve to start every day with a renewed sense of purpose. (I know that is vague, but it felt right to put it in there!)
* AND FINALLY... I will start the 101 in 1001 list. This will be a list of 101 items that I have to complete in 1001 days... Wish me luck!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
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