Life's great journey is made up of day by day delights.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The "C" Word

The "C" word is not a very long one. The word itself is not comlicated to pronounce. With those two facts alone, it should be a simple word. But when one hears the "c" word, things can change in an instant. The word may not be long but the list of worries that goes with it is. It may not complicated to pronounce but it is gut-wrenching to say. The "c" word is most certainly not simple.

Yesterday, I found out that my dad has cancer. From the moment those words left my mother's lips, I have felt like I was truly in a bad dream. None of it could possibly be real. Over and over in my mind I say, "Dad has cancer...." but I can hardly wrap my mind around that and can't even say it out loud. Even now, although stinging tears are rolling down my cheeks, there is a part of me that is in complete shock. I could list all of my worries and concerns for you but instead let me list another "C" word (or rather a name) that moves me more than "cancer" does.

                                                                CHRIST

Although the hearts of my family and I are shaken (and yes, scared), I am so grateful for Christ who is blessing us with unimaginable comfort. Amid the fear and heartache, there is peace. A peace that passes all understanding. A hope that allows us to rest in a Father who is also the Great Physician. A certainty that this did not take Christ by surprise but is rather a part of His divine plan. The scriptures and songs that are flooding my heart are overwhelming. I'm so grateful for that! Just another way that God shows His love for His children. Yes, the "c" word is terrifying but Christ and His love is so much more powerful.

Enjoying this song because it's putting my heart into praise mode where is exactly I need to be in a time like this!


John 14:27:

"27.Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."




Saturday, September 24, 2011

Playing Dress Up

For ladies, I don't think playing dress up ever really stops. It just evolves in each stage of life. In the younger years, for example, I would take almost every article of clothing I or my mom had and combine it with everything else I had then I'd enter my imaginative world and act out the character I felt I had best represented. I'd pretend I was anything from a princess to a spy to, believe it or not, a lumber jack! hahaha (such a weirdo!) Thankfully, I had a willing brother who was eager to go along with that idea! We'd haul the wood we had "cut" around in our little red wagon and after a "long day at work", we'd come in from "the mill" (or whatever lumber jack's work in), and warm up by drinking some hot "coffee" (a.k.a. hot chocolate) all the while sporting whatever plaid patterns I could get my hands on! Even then I was very detailed. But I digress...
Then, when the awkward stage came in full swing (felt like an eternity...sometimes I wonder if I'm still in that stage), I was just trying to look like everyone else. Still a form of playing dress up but kind of for the wrong reasons.
And finally, I am at the stage of my life where I "play dress up" for all the right reasons. I love clothes and I especially love when I feel I have pulled together that perfect look! Nothing better, right? Being able to express my personality through my style makes me feel invigorated and like I have an easy creative outlet. Sometimes, though, my creative bug is also a diva and wants to buy all of the latest and greatest (and usuallymost expensive) clothes. Hubby is there to squash the diva-tude. What a dear! Sooooooo how do I get my fix? How do I get those creative juices flowing?
Ladies, what if I told you I found the world's biggest and best closet? One with endless possibilities and an endless budget? One where you don't have to spend a penny? Follow me to the land of Polyvore....
Polyvore.com is truly my latest obsession and I have been on there almost every night this week. I found it on the wonderful site Pinterest.com (don't even get me started on that site! Pinterest = love) and have been hooked ever since. Basically, it is a site where you can create outfits and post them to sites such as Pinterest. it's great because you can create whatever look you want and never have to shell out the cash! Sure, I don't actually get to own the outfits but seeing them put together is gratifying enough. They have items listed from Target to Chanel! Oh the Chanel! This wonderful site is like playing dress up for adults! Here are a just a few of the ensembles I've created thus far....












This site is bah-nana's (in the words of Rachel Zoe)! If you need a creative outlet via fashion, this is the place! It's even helped me get more in focus of what my style is, what I want it to be, and how to get there....well the cheaper version of "there."  So go check it out, tell me what you think, and show me those fab outfits you've designed!! Have a great day! :-)

Monday, September 19, 2011

Peach Cobbler

Fall is in the air and that makes this girl one happy camper! Fall is probably my all time favorite season.....the nip in the air, the artwork of changing leaves falling from the tree's, the clothes, the colors, the smells....clearly, I love it all. I can't get enough! Good thing the season has just started. I have plenty of time to get all of those things in before.....(drum roll please).....CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-) One thing about fall I don't love, however, is pumpkin flavored items. I really enjoy the smell of, for example, a spiced pumpkin candle but a spiced pumpkin latte? Not for me. So how do I get that color scheme into my yummy treats?? Hmmm....well a trip to the local farmers market inspired me to get my orangey-ish color without going for the gourds!...which technically a pumpkin is a gourd-like squash but that doesn't have quite the same ring to it, does it?

Peach cobbler isn't exactly a brand new concept but this simple crisp is just the autumn, pumpkin colored comfort food I was looking for! The farmer selling the famously fuzzy fruit said it would be his last for the season which made me happy I was able to grab about eight of those little gems before the rest of the crowd got to them. I have to admit...I almost didn't make this because the peaches were so amazingly juicy. I gobbled up about every other piece I would slice because I simply couldn't resist. Shhh! It'll be our little secret. ;-)

ANNA'S PEACH COBBLER
WARNING: None of my measurements are exact because I just kind of "wing it" till I get the desired result I am looking for.
8 peaches
1 stick of butter, softened and cubed
1 - 1 1/2 c. sugar
1-2 c. oats
2-3 tbsp. cinnamon
*I'd recommend also adding a little nutmeg.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.. Peel and slice your peaches, place in a bowl and set aside (sometimes I add a light cinnamon and/or sugar mix to the peaches depending on their natural sweetness and tenderness.)


Mix together remaining ingredients in medium bowl....


I actually use my hands because, for me, it makes it easier to mix and tell if I need more of one thing or another. Place peaches in a buttered dish. I first typed "Place peaches in a buttered fish." You all would have stopped reading, wouldn't you? haha Crumble the oat mixture over the peaches and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is toasted & crunchy and the peaches are tender.
Simple but oh so sweet!
What is a favorite fall time treat of yours? Are you pumpkin lover or not? I feel like I am the only one that doesn't like the taste of pumpkins so if I am not alone in this, PLEASE let me know! We can start a support group! ha!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

White Chicken Pizza

I'm so excited to share this recipe with you! I can't believe I haven't already since it's a fave of mine. Why is it a favorite? Well every gal loves a quick and easy recipe, right? This recipe is both of those plus it's tasty which turns it from just convenient to AWESOME.
I wish I could say I was the mastermind of this fab pizza pie but I'm not. I am, however, the "tweaker". I have a tendency to take a recipe and pitch what I don't like while adding what I do. That's one of the many things I love about a recipe like this---it's flexible enough to be what you want it to be. Just like my bacon ranch chicken subs! Take away the ranch, add some honey mustard and bell peppers and you've got yourself a whole new sandwich! Easy recipes like these help me get a hot meal on the table without breaking  a sweat, all the while making Hubby think I am Super Woman. And Ladies, isn't that what it's all about? ha!

To make White Chicken Pizza, it goes a little something like this....
2 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. Pre-minced garlic
1 Pre-made pizza crust (typically found in the Italian section; I use Mama Mary's whole wheat thin crust)
Mozzerella or Parmesan cheese (freshly grated if you do Parmesan)
Pre-cooked chicken strips (usually used for salads or wraps)
Basil

Melt butter in sauce pan along with the olive oil. Once melted, add garlic and cook for up to 1 minute being careful not to burn the garlic. The point is to soften it, not blacken it. Ask me how I know! ;-) Lay pizza crust on a pizza stone or baking sheet. Spread the butter/olive/garlic mixture on the pizza crust then sprinkle with cheese. Shred the chicken into smaller pieces and sprinkle on top of cheese followed by more cheese then sprinkle basil on top of that. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Voila! It is literally that simple. Serve it with some fresh veggies or fruit (to make up for all of the cheese) and you've got a delicious, easy meal. I made this tonight and served it with fresh tomatoes that I bought at the local farmers market yesterday morning. Delish!



Let's get a close up of those beautiful tomatoes, shall we?


Deep red and superbly scrumptious!
What are some go-to easy meals that you treasure? Feel free to share the recipes!:-)