Chicken Pitas

I am constantly looking for healthy, fast meals because my work hours are so inconsistent. One day I might work from 9:30 to 6 but the next day I might be scheduled 2-9. It has it's pro's and con's but one of the mjor con's is that I can't be there for Eric to make him a nice, home cooked meal. I try so hard to make something ahead of time but sometimes life happens (imagine that!) and I can't seem to find enough time to prep a meal for him. That's even led to him heating up a frozen dinner from time to time! GASP! I hate the thought of that! So whenever I can find something that is healthy and quick I am all about it! I found this great chicken pita recipe from e-mealz.com and it was a home run. 1. It was so easy! I mixed it up, set it aside in the refrigerator and Hubby is able to assemble it himself with hardly any effort. 2. It was yummy! And surprisingly filling! 3. It lasted for 3 meals between the two of us. 4. A lot of the ingredients I already had (most purchased from Aldi)so I didn't have to invest a lot more into the meal. ALWAYS A PLUS especially when your husband is obsessed with doing things the Dave Ramsey way! haha

Chicken Pitas

1 Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. Chopped sun dried tomatoes, with oil
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 clove garlic minced  (I use the pre-minced stuff in a jar! LIFESAVER!)
1 1/2 C. Rotesserie chicken, shredded (I used pre-cooked chickenstrips b/c they are cheaper and I can save the remainders for salads. I still shredded it.)
1 Roma Tomato, choppd
1/4 C. Shredded mozz. cheese
3 pitas, cut in 1/2
1 1/2 C. salad greens

Combine first 4 ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir in chicken, tomato, cheese. Line each pita 1/2 with salad greens and divide chicken misture evenly among pita halves. Tadah! That simple.

Pita's are wonderful because they are delish and also low in calories. One piece of white/wheat bread is around 70-80 calories. So a whole sandwhich can range from 140-160 calories with the bread alone. A whole pita can range from 60-90 calories (depending if you get whole wheat, white, etc.). That's the whole pita! Such a savings on calories but not on flavor! Try this little time-saver! It's delightful!

Nearer, Still Nearer

Ok, so I am clearly on a hymn-kick! haha I just truly love old hymns.
"Nearer, Still Nearer" is one of my all time favorite hymns. It's probably one of my top 5. I remember the first time I heard it....I was 13 years old at Camp Peniel in chapel. Hearing the tune made me feel calm, reading the words made my heart cry out to GOD (not myself), and being in a fellowship of people that felt the same way was truly amazing. The peace that fell over the room was overwhelming. There is a purity to the lyrics. It became our camp hymn. Every year we sang it and every year I loved it. I would cry. I would pray. I would feel such incredible joy to be His child and to be given that opportunity to be there and learn more about Him. And I want to share this song with you. The people in the video was not my church group. It's one I found on YouTube (again). Maybe it won't touch your heart the same way it touches mine but I pray that it does. I hope you walk away feeling blessed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJhDcNKr1g4&feature=related

1. Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,

Draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art;
Fold me, oh, fold me close to Thy breast,
Shelter me safe in that "Haven of Rest,"
Shelter me safe in that "Haven of Rest."

2. Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King;
Only my sinful, now contrite heart,
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart,
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

3. Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine!
Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride,
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified,
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.

4. Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
'Til safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages, ever to be,
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee,
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee.

Shape Note Singing

Shape note singing. I had never heard of it before till a few weeks ago. I am trying to learn more about it because it has really caught my attention. From what I have read so far, shape note singing is a form singing used in the early 18th century (and on) in churches, mainly in the South. However, it's beginnings are in England. In America, this tradition of singing still has quite a following. People would sing hymns from a book called "The Sacred Harp." The sacred harp being the human voice sans musical instruments. The sound is definitely a little different and might throw a person off if they don't listen for a few minutes. Shape note singing uses literal shapes for musical notes and each shape represents do,ra, mi, fa, and so on (no pun intended.) When a song is started one will hear "Do la la mi la la do so do ra mi la fa fa do." But then...oh then the music starts! What sparked my interest in this kind of forgotten form of music? I'll admit it. It was the movie "Cold Mountain." I heard a song called, "I'm Going Home" and I was hooked. I looked it up on the ever handy YouTube and from there heard more and more songs. Don't get me wrong! I love piano's, violins, harps, etc. but there is something very simple and beautiful about the sound of human voices coming together just to praise God. There is a book and documentary out about shape note singing. I hope to have them in my posession soon because I really want to feed this obsession! Included is a link to the song that originally turned me on to shape note singing! Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g1UHZwN3ds

And here are a few more for your entertainment viewing/listening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgnpJiMHJfE&feature=related I really wanted you to see this (although the audio is not favorable)because of the movement of their arms. They do this in "Cold Mountain" too.....assuming it helps them keep count?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BmP1iW5qQg


What kind of music really catches your interest? Do you know anything about shape note singing? Feel free to share! :-)

Sigh...

Have you ever had a time in your life where you feel just emotionally bruised and worn down? Where you just want to curl up in a blanket and hide from the world? I certainly have and this week has been no exception. Just any way I turn I feel like I've made a mistake or haven't been good enough. I am just so grateful I have someone to turn to when I feel this way. The Lord is always there for me, always caring for me, always showing me the way. Honestly, I don't know how those who don't know the Lord get through times like these (or harder.) Without Him, I would have and be nothing. Hymns, along with scripture, are always such a blessing to my heart. "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" is a song that instantly calms me and reminds me that looking at Him will keep me steady. If I focus on HIM, and not the way I am feeling, I can grow closer to Him.

"O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

chorus:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!"

Pslam 61:1-4
1. "Hear my cry, O God, attend unto my prayer.
2." From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3." For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4." I will abide in they tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of they wings. Selah."

I'm "fall"ing in love!

Forgive my nerd-tastic play on words but I just absolutely love autumn! So many of my friends share my sentiments. I've seen so many beautiful and crafty ideas out there!
The other day I sent out a message to a few friends saying, "Do you think it's too early to do fall decor?" Thankfully my fall loving friends said, "OF COURSE NOT!" (maybe the reason I asked them? ;-) ) I immediately started pulling out some fall decorations I had purchased last year. Later that evening, Eric and I went to Hobby Lobby and got a few more small decorations. I've yet to pull out the "big guns." ;-) Then, to my delight, I remembered that I have some fall decorations still at my parent's house. I cannot wait to dig out those almost-forgotten treasures! A few tips:
1. For any seasonal decorations, wait till the season is over (even a month after) and then  buy! You will find some out-of-this world deals! They are practically giving the stuff away! PLUS, you will have some awesome goodies waiting for you the next year. Before I even got married I did this. For example, this past January, I went to Pier 1 and bought some adorable plates and various decorations for practically nothing!
2. I find to make your house feel more cozy and festive, infuse it with appealing scents. I bought $1 jar candles from Wal-Mart: cinnamon roll, mulled cider, and pumpkin spice. I put them in different areas of the house and oh my word! HELLO FALL!! :-) I also bought a room spray for $4 (also W.M.) that is pumpkin spice. I just give a few spritz every other day and it just gets me so excited for the season! These scents smell great but are not overpowering.
3. Get creative! You can purchase some pretty inexpensive supplies that create a luxurious look. Check out the Dollar Tree! I got two scarecrows from there for my front yard that are just as cute as can be!

 A quick dilemma: On my front porch I want to set up some small blocks of hay/straw (pre-packaged from HobbyLobby:$2.99-4.99) and set up some pumpkins and gourds for a nice, fall display. I have seen real pumpkins and gourds at the store for a pretty low price. BUT I have also seen those fake pumpkins that look real and you can still carve for just a few more dollars. Here's my thing: Do I buy the cheapies and just eat the cost because I can't re-use them next year OR do I invest in the fakes and use them for years to come? I guess my struggle is, which work best out doors?? Any advice would be appreciated! :-)

I apologize for the camera quality. I used my cell phone because my digital was charging. Still a work in progress but here you go....
 Centerpiece on the kitchen table
(used a giant leaf plate, giant candle,
and fillers)                                                                  Same image as before

These are actually 2 separate door hangers but I combined them together to give a fuller look.

 

ENJOY! :-)

A Wonderful Lesson About Worry

Last evening I went to my first ladies fellowship at my new church. I will admit that I was a little nervous. I've always had another friend with me to try out new things like this but this time I was all by myself. But in reality I wasn't by myself...God was with me and He gave me the "courage" to be myself and not so shy in front of all these ladies. I loved the time I had with these ladies! We had some yummy food, played a game, learned about some cute crafts to make, poured our hearts out in prayer, read God's word and had some overall great fellowship! I cannot wait for next month when there is another one! The lesson (taught by Pastor's wife) was a great encouragement and I felt compelled to share some key points with all of you out there in blogging land!
We read from Matthew 6:25-34, focusing on verse 26, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do the reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"
Susan, Pastor's wife, said, "Seeing His creation should remind us that HE is in control!" and that really resonated with me. If God can create the world and all of the things in it, from the big to the small, then why could He not handle my worries? She then went into details about how worry can physically and emotionally cause you damage. Worry may cause high blood pressure, heart attacks, nervous breakdowns, etc. What worry does not  do is strengthen your body. Worry has no pro's or cons. It's all con's. Nothing about worry can benefit you. Worry can even reduce your ability to trust in God! When we are trusting in God, the way that we should, worry will be removed. There is a difference between worry and genuine concern-worry immobilizes but concern moves you to action. Then she gave some cool insight into the verses we read:
Seven Reasons NOT to Worry:
1. (based on vs. 25) The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.
2 .(based on vs. 26) Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.
3. (based on vs. 27) Worrying is more harmful than helpful.
4. (based on vs. 28-30) God doe not ignore those who depend on Him.
5. (based on vs.31-32) Worry shows a lack of fath and understanding of God. ----This point hit home!! Think about what it says.
6. (based on vs. 33) There are real challenges God wants us to pursue and worrying keeps us from them.
7. (based on vs, 34) Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry about tomorrow.

It's always goo to be reminded that God is in control and that He takes care of His own. Hope you found this to be encouraging! :-)