January 2011

January 2011 was a very quiet and restful month for us here at the Wang household.

I didn't do much cooking because I was feeling pretty under the weather for a lot of it.  But somehow I still managed to try some new recipes out.
I made these amazing blueberry muffins from Liz! Sooo delicious.  Even Hubs thought they were pretty good.  How could I tell? Oh, just the quarts upon quarts that kept showing up in my refridge with Hubs gently nudging me saying, "They'll go bad if you don't do something with them."
Sheesh.  But I can't complain. :)
I also really enjoyed improvising with my crock pot, noodles, chicken and alfredo sauce.  Doesn't sound very adventurous but Hubs and I hit our grocery budget mid-way through the month (a prego gals gotta eat) and I needed to make due with what we had in the cupboards.
It was super easy and tasty.
I also, by the way, redeemed my egg bake fiasco from last year.  I searched all over for that blog but I couldn't find it. I'm wondering if I just put it on facebook at that time in my life.
I'll never do that again, blog. I love you way more than facebook.
Anyway, last year, I accidentally dropped an egg bake (casserole) in the alleyway and shattered it on our way to feeding 30 some student leaders.  Instead of just throwing it away and moving on, I stood there like a goose, sobbing over my egg bake.
I can imagine that turmoil now that I am crying every second or so from the raging hormones but I can't imagine what was happening to me then? Tired? Frustrated? Emotional?
Probably all three.
The incident was so tramuatic I called my mother who was with my grandma and my grandparents sent me a check for a new pyrex and a note advising me to get one with a carrying case.  The love of Grandparents knows no end.  I don't know what I would do without my Grandparents digging me out of rough patches like egg bake fiascos.
Well, that was last year.  This year I made not just one but TWO egg bakes (or breaks as my friend Alicia likes to call mine) and sent them merrily on their way to the student leaders meeting.  Once they were out of my hand I seriously considered popping the cork of sparkling cider (for the babies sake) and celebrating.  Even if they had smashed themselves to bits and pieces getting out of the car, I had done my part.
Don't you just love a story of redemption?
I know I do.

In January, I read... a lot.
The list includes:
Prince Caspian: Book 2 in The Chronicles of Narnia
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis (Book 3 in the Chronicles of Narnia)
The Silver Chair (The Chronicles of Narnia, Full-Color Collector's Edition)
The Horse and His Boy (The Chronicles of Narnia, Full-Color Collector's Edition)
The Magician's Nephew: The Chronicles of Narnia
The Last Battle (Narnia)
and on a slightly different note
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Overall, I enjoyed my books. Of course, I cannot ever come to the end of the Chronicles without shedding a tear and yearning to be with those that I love.  The end of the Last Battle is how I picture heaven and how I hope for things to be.  Running and adventuring through a land that seems so oddly familiar and yet more beautiful than words can express.  Old friends around every corner who are at the peak of their youth, waiting for you with open arms to welcome you home.
*sigh* I love Narnia.

The Kite Runner was an alright read.  I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was not in the bowels of an emotional meltdown.  I sobbed for quite some time after finishing the book.
Pregnancy or the book? Who knows.
It was tragic but gave hope for "ordinary people" to do extraordinary things.
I did read the book in almost one whole day, so I think that speaks to how it captured my attention from the beginning. I simply could not put it down.  I was drawn in and captivated by the author's description of life for these young boys.

Other than that, Hubs and I have just been creating a to-do list for the next six months or so of time.  But for now, we're enjoying the last little bit of our January.
 

Twinkies

 It's okay, if you have no idea what you are looking at.  It is REALLY hard to see, especially in this photo what "it" is but what they are is two sacs which hold our two little babies.

That's right. Hubs and I are expecting twins. 

We found out we are pregnant over thanksgiving and got to share the VERY early news with my family which was such a blessing for me.  But then a couple weeks later we had to call them all up again and tell them, "Oh and actually our doctor told us today that there are TWO."

And if you can't see the little babes I'm willing to bet you can read the "header" which our doctor kindly put there for us.

"Hi Mommy and Daddy! Surprise!"

and what a surprise it really was for us.

I think Hubs just took it as calmly as he usually receives news.  I, on the other hand, have been everywhere.  It's hard for me to comprehend that there are two little babies inside of me.  I feel slightly overwhelmed in a good way.  An undeserved blessing to first of all, get pregnant and then to have twins which we are ecstatic for.

My friend Deb told us that God gives us what He knows we can handle and gives us the children He wants to entrust us with.  That really comforted me and gave me a confidence in the Lord that I can do this.  Not by my strength but by His strength and His spirit I can be a mother to twins.

So we're taking it one day at a time.

And laughing about things as they come up.

Here's answers to some frequently asked questions and I'm sure I'll have more stories to share as the days and weeks go by.  Just wanted to share the initial story with you as the word is finally out.

And of course, if you have any other questions, please ask and let me know.  I have a feeling the love of talking about my children will only grow as they are born and get older.

How far along are you/When are you due?

I am 13 weeks. Almost out of my first trimester but definitely out of the "danger zone" for miscarriages.  I am due August 5th but many multiple babies come early so we're praying that they wouldn't come any earlier than mid-July.

Do twins run in your family?

Actually twins run in my extended family but when I asked my doctor if this was why he wouldn't really give credit to my family history.  I think genetics may have something to do with it but he said, "You're just having twins. There's no way to know how this happened."  So I was surprised he said that. But yes, twins do run in both sides of my family.

Have you had any weird cravings?

Arbys roast beef sandwich... oh yum! And breakfast meats like sausage and bacon. Yum! I also cannot get enough of Japanese food.  I absolutely wish I could have sushi now but doctor's orders say a big "no" to raw fish.  I eat chicken katsu, miso soup, okonomiyaki, soba noodles, and gyouza.  I am just starting to reintroduce mexican into my life.  I was absolutely grossed out by the thought of mexican food (very sad) but can eat some of it now.

Do you know their genders?

Nope, not yet.  We have to wait until Week 20 and hopefully they will cooperate with the ultrasound and give us a little peek.  But we are definitely going to find out.

How are you feeling?

I am doing well.  I didn't have any severe sickness.  For the first couple months I felt like I had an upset stomach all day.  I eat CONSTANTLY.  Some nights I have to get up once or twice to eat because if I have an empty stomach I get queasy very quickly. Not fun.  But I'm one of the lucky ones. I hear terrible stories of people who are sick and even have a family member who was sick her entire pregnancy. Yikes. :( But I'm starting to feel better as long as I eat. :)

How is Hubs doing with all this?

Hubs worked through a lot of "is this a good time to start a family" and questions about being a parent.  This is where we are super different but where we compliment each other.  If decisions are a pool, then I jump in and determine if I want to stay in the pool.  Is it too cold? Do I like the pool? etc.  But Hubs he likes to assess the pool, does it look like fun? He might even dip a toe in. Too cold? Then he'll stay out.

So in the pool of "should we have children" I was already doing handstands and sommersaults and all those fun pool games you enjoy.  But Hubs took his time and really went to the LORD about the pool.  Not that I hadn't but like I said, we're just different about decisions.  So when Hubs jumped into the "should we have children" pool he had already decided the pool was going to be awesome.

And then when we found out the pool was actually for twins (am I losing you with this analogy?) Hubs was like, "why not?" whereas I was like, "Umm the water is kind of deeper here."

But in real life, it's not a pool and there is never the option to get out for us and so we are just enjoying our sommersaults and back flips and playing marco polo.

If I lost you with that analogy, in short, Hubs is doing awesome with the Twinkies.  God really spoke to him about having kids in general so he never wavered when we were told it was two.  I never wavered per se but I also have been dealing with my own thoughts of things.  Like two cribs and two feedings and what if they are on different schedules and I never shower until they graduate high school.  

But I wouldn't trade my twinkies for anyone else and I know God gave us twinkies with His hand on us.  I'm thankful for His Spirit.

Thanks for reading and praying for our sweet babes.  Belly shots are sure to come (ohhh man!) and stories galore. Enjoy the ride with us!

Wilbur (psst, i also cross some things off my 28 list)

Earlier this month Hubs and I decided to do some yardwork... and unfortunately when I say "Hubs and I" I mean that Hubs worked really hard hacking up an old grapevine and replanting our roses and I supervised from the kitchen window.  I was actually rearranging our living room (I know, again!!). I am strange.  But anyway, we decided to get a small little bird feeder and see if we could attract any birds. 

Trying to get birds to eat free bird seed is a lesson in patience.  We had birds in our trees and birds flying above the feeder and sitting on our fence but for almost two weeks! No birds!

 See? Full and free for the taking. I almost pitched this thing into the trash.  I know, two weeks doesn't seem like very long but like I said, lesson in patience.

And then one day, Hubs heard a little twittering.... and it was the bird.

I'll call him Wilbur.

 Wilbur had officially arrived and my heart soared to see our feeder being used by such a pretty little thing.  (sorry for the awful photo~ I took it sneakily through a dirty (oops) window)

So Wilbur has arrived and our story is complete.

Or is it?

It seems Wilbur is quite the fiesty little fellow.  I'm not sure if I should be happy about our little guest or not.  Wilbur is very territorial.  We have never seen another bird eat at our feeder and in fact, we have seen some pretty serious "bird fights" in our backyard.  I'm afraid our feeder is advocating for birds to draw up gang lines and I'm not sure we want to stand for this.

So not only have we encouraged gang lines but we are also encouraging picky eating.

Wilbur will ONLY eat the sunflower seeds in our feeder and knock everything else in his way onto the ground.

What are two kind-hearted people to do with a gang associated, picky eatin' bird on their hands?

I really don't know.

But I'll be sure to let you all know when something happens.

Chances are Wilbur will tire of our boring little feeder and go find some new backyard to terrorize.  I hope we haven't scarred all our other birds for life.

On a lighter and random note: I completed #5 and #13 on my list of 28 things to do this year.

I took blueberry muffins to my neighbor and Hubs and I bought a drink for the girl behind us in the drive-thru at Starbucks.

But the way I see these two, I'd like them to become habits more than just a one-time deal. So although I'm crossing them off the list, I hope to introduce them into my lifestyle.

word of the day

I have a lot of thoughts rolling around in my head. There is so much I want to share with you and tell you but it's hard to find a starting point.

So I'll start with a blog I read the other day and maybe that will lead me to a point... eventually.

So I love this blog, Jones Design Company, (click on the name to get there) and the other day Jones posted this blog about being intentional but the part of her story that hooked my attention was that her friend wanted to paint the words

be intentional

above her bedroom door.

And that got me thinking...

"What word/phrase has been on my heart and would I want to put on my door frame so that I can better be reminded of what God is teaching me?"

There are so many words that float through my day that it's hard to choose just one but the most persistent two images/words that come to my mind are

sparrow and

cling

The word sparrow is on my heart these days because I recently read the verse in Matthew 10 that says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." (v. 29-31)  and that to me is a reminder that God, who cares for the concerns of a small little bird is much more aware of my needs.  

It's comforting to me, to know that God is aware and cares for me.

And the word cling has been on my heart for quite some time.  I'm not sure how long I've been wrestling with this thought but it's been since the fall.  I blogged about it earlier and mentioned how Jeremiah 13:11, while a strange verse to take to heart, reads, "For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the LORD, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen."  And yes, I realize that perhaps in the message bible this would read "whitey tighties" but I can't help it.  I was completely struck by this verse and not just how we are supposed to cling to God but how we were made to cling.

Can I get an amen?

And while we're on the topic of processing words/phrases that God gives us to reveal more of Himself can I encourage you that this thought of painting something on your doorway as a reminder, as a sign to you, is not something new.  It's not even something Navigator or Joanna or Jones Design Company related.

It's totally 100% biblical.  And even cooler, it's Old Testament.

Thanks to my Dad who forever remains my "go-to" for bible references and information.

Listen to this in Deuteronomy 6:4-9

"Hear, O, Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one.  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

 Whoa! How cool is that? The daily reminder of God's word and His promises for you is something God encourages us to do.

My Dad told me that this portion of the Word is called the "shema" and that every Jewish child was required to memorize it.  Jewish people would (and perhaps still do today) touch it on their way through the doorway as a reminder to them.  It's good and biblical to write ourselves reminders of God's promises.  And not only write them but take them to heart and truly let them become a part of our every day lives.

I have more thoughts on this and I feel like my head is reeling but let's just leave it here for today.... let's revisit this thought of God's word being on the forefront of our minds and even written out on our walls, doorposts and more importantly, our hearts.

So what words have you been struck by, meditating on, or can't seem to stop thinking about?

What words move you and inspire you to move closer to the Lord?

26. (2) (3) (4)

Some verses that have ministered to me and continue to...

*For as the sun and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.* Isaiah 55:10-11
Good verses reminding me that God's word will accomplish His purpose.


*And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.* Isaiah 30:21
A verse that is crucial for me when I step out in faith.


*Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things* Philippians 4:8
The verse that helps me focus my thoughts on things of the Spirit and the Lord and not of my own flesh and selfishness.

books.

I love books. Seriously. I love books.

I love the way books smell. I love the way the way they look with their hardcover spines beckoning you from the shelf.  I love that they took work and that a piece of the author is in them.  Books are no easy feat I imagine.

I love how books take you to another world, how they teach, encourage, strengthen and inform you.  You can pick up a book and travel to another country, to a made-up country, to someone's life, to someone's wishes, into someone's sorrows and even into their wildest dreams.

But it doesn't stop there.  By experiencing books you yourself can be changed.  Your dreams can reveal more about who you are and what you were made to do.

Books are so ingrained into my brain that I wanted my wedding pictures to include the bookshop where my Dad used to work and where I could get lost in the aisles of the books that smelled slightly like brown pages and love-worn covers.  If you don't know what that smells like go to your used bookstore, take a deep breath and enjoy the sweet smell of hard-covered confectioneries. (And yes, I realize bookstores carry paperbacks. And I own and am not opposed to paperbacks but I just loooove hard-covered wonders!)

Books. Books. Books.

I'm naturally full of books in my brain because Mikey and I "joined" our local library.

I am ashamed to admit that the last time, I can recall, being at a library I used it for naptime.  I lived off campus and the library was on campus.  It was also the only place of campus to be guaranteed silent.  I would snuggle up on a love seat and snooze till my next class.  Of course, I used the library for studying. But I was more likely to be chatting with my friends and since chatting is frowned up at the University of Iowa's main library, I was better off just going to a coffeeshop.

So here I returned, to the local library and man, talk about being a fish out of water!!  Do libraries still use the Dewey decimal system? Remember those film strips? I remember that Dewey was a worm, right? Oh, gosh, I guess he's a worm in my memory.  I remember we had to watch how the libraries are arranged and set-up in elementary school probably to avoid youngsters trashing the place.

When I walked through the door I felt like that elementary student again, I seriously felt so ridiculous. I was secretly hoping they'd give us a tour or orientation or something to help me figure out where to even start in the library.  Alone I thumbed my way through different subjects and titles, perused the magazine aisle and dvd section, made my way across the computers and ended up finding, on the way out the door, the crafting section.

So many options.  I can visit so many places and people for free at the library.

But now I'm at a loss.... so because I have a library at my disposal I would like to ask you....

What book or books would you recommend reading?

I'm eager to dig my way through the dewe... I mean the computer system and find some books.  I'll take old classics or new treasures. I'll take fiction or non.

Got any book recommendations?

December 2010 in January...oops!

I'm doing a review.... a little late but better late than never.

December was an interesting month with lots of new emotions.  Mikey and I made Christmas our own and were graciously offered many invitations to different events and to all of you who extended an invitation to us, we're so thankful for you.

We got a Christmas tree.  Mikey's first and my first as a married woman.  We decorated our home and even had a few gifts under the tree from Santa. :)

This month was filled with resting.  Both Mikey and I have been under the weather at different times and with school ending and our vacation starting we took our rest seriously and did a lot of things as close to home as possible.

Cooking looked like diving into family traditions.  Something new I tried to make myself was my Grandma Schupbach's chicken casserole.  It was really fun to make it myself!

This month I crafted some new little baby gifts but I can't tell you anymore because my family/friends who are expecting may read this and ruin the surprise. :)

And reading... well, since I rested a lot I read a lot.  It was a wonderful month for stories.
My Life in France by Julia Childs
Whose Body? (Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries) by Dorothy L Sayers
Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe  by C.S. Lewis

I'm working my way through the Narnia series.  It's been a lot of fun to remind myself of how good a writer that Lewis was.  No offense to the movies and to anyone who enjoys them but blah! They are nothing compared to the books!! Read the books first.  Let your imagination come alive!  Don't watch the movies!

Okay, now that I am off my soap box I will move on (seriously, read the books!).  This year I am not setting any new years resolutions because as I said in September my year "begins" then and I set some really high and lofty goals for this year.  So, to keep me on target and to remind ya'll (if you want reminding) I put my goals on the side with an asterisk next to the ones I've finished.

**ahhh, i just finished writing the list on the side and oh no! I have a lot to do the next nine months.  Okay, September, come slowly!!**

Happy January to everyone.

A New Years Resolution Worth Making

One of the things that should be making your resolution list, if you are a follower of Christ's, is to have a consistent quiet time.  It's not as hard as you may think to have some consistency in your daily walk with God.  I know that it is hard for me when I don't like having a schedule.  But when something is important I've realized I'm willing to make time for it.  And nothing is worth more than making time for God.

An easy way to ease into quiet times, if you aren't used to them is a Navigator old school tip called "7 minutes with God".  7 minutes broken down into 30 seconds of praying that God would prepare your heart, 4 minutes of reading and 2 1/2 minutes of praying back to God what you read or a simple prayer such as ACTS (Adoring God, Confessing sins, Thanksgiving and Supplication).

If you have trouble with a desire to be in the Word or applying the Word to your heart, I would simply recommend praying that to God.  It may seem weird at first to pray, "God, I don't desire your Word" but taking that step and admitting and praying about your lack of desire is one step actually closer to the Lord, not further.  It reminds me of the disciples when they prayed that Jesus would increase their faith (Luke 17:5) or when a boy's father prayed  "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).
Start reading in one of the Gospels, I recommend John or Luke.  Or start in Psalms.  Psalms is perfect for reading through, if you're interested because you can read by the date i.e. Psalm 1 on the 1st of the month and then the next month read Psalm 31 on the 1st day.  It's helpful for me to do this because then I can remember where I am at.  Read an entire chapter or read a verse.  It's not important how much you read, but it's more important to read until God speaks to you.  Sometimes I can get "stuck" on the first verse and that's ok too.  God wants to speak to you during your quiet time, so let Him.
Another thing I like to do when I read my bible is journal.  It helps me to process what I just read and pray without much interruption.  My mind tends to wander pretty badly, so I find that writing down my prayers helps me stay on task.  If I'm thinking my prayers quietly I tend to start thinking about my to-do list before too long.

So there you go, a new years resolution you should seriously consider.  I know I want to start my 2011 and end my 2011 with a more consistent time with God.  And remember, it's not about checking off a plan but more important to spend time with God.

November 2010

With a few hours left on December 1st, I would like to remember November.

As I sat here, gathering my thoughts, I realized what a fun, blessed and full of 28 things done month November was.

Let me tell you... ahem,

Hubs and I traveled to visit some sweet friends.  The time in the midwest was full of surprises. Warm weather, a trader joe's opening, chinese pizza, ah-mazing scones, friendships that continue though distance and time separated us, beautiful fall leaves, Christmas trees, etc. etc.

I proceeded to develop my crocheting and sewing more in such fun new ways. #25 on the list.  I made mittens. I made clutches. Too much fun!!

Since Hubs and I had some down time in the midwest I was able to plan and shop for the menu for Thanksgiving week with my family.  Since I didn't have my trusty recipe books with me, I had to use the internet and two cooking magazines to get me through.  It was too much fun and shall I say I am doing well with #11 on my list?  Some of the tasty nubs included; pho (vietnamese chicken noodle soup- thanks Liz), chicken and black bean tortillas, two layered pumpkin cake (thanks alissa!!), and cham soup.

Now what is cham soup, you might be asking?

well, I will tell you.  Cham soup is the greatest mistake that ever happened to me.  All my recipes came from one desire... the desire to use up most of what my parents already had in their freezer and deep freeze. (The deep freeze is in the basement.  Basements are what midwesterners have to store all their overhaul of things... like children (Hubs and I slept in the basement) and food (the deep freeze)). I know you sweet Californians don't have basements so I thought I'd enlighten ya!

Back to cham soup.  There I was digging through the deep freeze looking for chicken broth which my mother promised we had.  I found it.  Took it up and started to thaw it. Hmmm.... looks interesting.  The dark meat was beginning to look weirdly dark and purple.  So I asked, "is this really chicken broth?" yup, my parents promised so I threw it in the le crueset (my dad has accumulated an almost entire set from ebay and garage sales. I love cooking at my parent's house!!) and proceeded to cut up the chicken and coat it in a mixture of corn starch and water and then dumped them in.  When I lifted the lid I noticed something... the dark pieces of meat where actually... ham like.  And so it was. The best mistake to ever happen to me.  Chicken noodle soup with just a smack of ham in it. (anyone?)

It was probably the best hearty soup we have ever had and I deemed it cham soup.  If you want more details on the recipe, let me know.

Then my family and I gathered and I always look forward to those moments.  I love to hear the giggles of the children and the either indepth or foolish bantering between my brothers. Most times a conversation contains both.  I love that my sisters (in-law) trade advice back and forth about babies, husbands, food and beauty.  I love that we play games and pretend to have energy after the children are asleep.  I love that from the first floor we can hear a sweet voice (2 yrs) singing "Go Tell it On the Mountain" and another (3 yrs) answer back, "Stop it!" and it's not mean.  It's just that the singing has gone on... and sleep must come.... eventually.

I love that my family trades books and websites, authors and stories as easily as others swap handshakes.  I love that Hubs fits in and has easily found his own place.

Time in the midwest was good.  I had a lot of poetic moments and memories flood my heart from time to time.  I love visiting places that remind me of my childhood.  I don't often get to visit the old town where I spent a lot of my childhood. I don't get to drive the fifteen minutes into town from where I grew up and I don't get to pass the sweet house, tucked back between two hills where my best friend lived.  I don't get to go there often and I know I'll be scolded because I should. I just should.

But time, money, travel and life passes me by and so when I get the chance to visit a place where I remember my childhood I quickly take a hold of it and squeeze all the juice of love, life and laughter out of it.

One of those places for me is Mattoon, IL.  That town has barely changed and my Grandparents home with it since my mama was a baby.  I love that I know my way around town.  That when I pull into the drive I can see, in my mind's eye, my brothers riding the tandem, one of them up in a tree and my cousin out in the lawn.  I love that the dolls my nieces play with are the same I did and before me, my mama.  I love that there is a little corner where my Grandaddy's grocery store used to stand.  I love that this town hangs yellow ribbons from their light poles with the names of those in the armed forces through downtown.  I love that when I ride through downtown I feel like Miss Bagelfest 1992 when she rode down that street on her parade float.  Well, I don't remember if there was a Miss Bagelfest but yes, there was a festival for bagels because Lender's Bagels was made there.  I love that my mama taught me to drive stick on the streets surrounded by corn a "block or two" from her home.  I love watching the school buses go by and hearing my Grandma talk about how when my mama used to ride those she was the first one picked up in the morning and the last one dropped off (because they lived on the edge of town) and my mama would always fall asleep and the bus driver would always have to wake her up.  I love that if you pull the kitchen door just so, you can see the names and heights of all the grandkids growing up through the years.  I do not like that I am the same height I was when I was 16. Why did I stop?  I love that the tile seems to be the same, the wallpaper and the furniture.  In my mind I can see my mama getting ready for all her dates, her wedding and bringing home her first born baby to this house....

I meant to tell you about November... but it seems November meant more to me than recipes and clutch patterns.  Oh I love that I sew and cook and that I am slowly learning to carry on traditions but I think I love more that what November gave to me was moments and memories like those above.

Words, although I tried, cannot do justice to what a wonderful and blessed month this was. I will always treasure November 2010.

the look of happiness

oh the sweetness of a nephew!

Can being an auntie get any better?

11

I've been trying new recipes but sometimes I forget to tell you about them... but I definitely wanted to share about these babies!!

Walnut Cupcake with Brown Sugar Frosting

adapted from Cooking Light magazine

Cupcakes: 

1/2 c granulated sugar

1/2 c packed brown sugar

6 Tbsp butter, softened

3 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups cake flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 c buttermilk

1/3 c plus 2 Tbsp walnuts, toasted, chopped, and divided

Frosting:

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

3 large eggs whites at room temperature

3/4 c brown sugar

1/4 c water

dash of salt

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees

2. Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Increase speed to high; beat for 1 minute.

3. Combine flour and next three ingredients (through cinnamon), stirring well.  Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating until just combined.  Stir in 1/3 c walnuts.

4. Place 12 muffin cup liners in muffin cups; divide batter evenly among cups.  Bake at 350 degrees for 19 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs clinging.  (Cupcakes will look slightly pale.) Cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.

5. Place cream of tartar and egg whites in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until soft peaks form.  Combine brown sugar, water and salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.  Cook, without stirring, until candy thermometer registers 238 degrees.  Gradually pour hot sugar syrup into egg white mixture, beating until stiff peaks form.  Frost. Sprinkle with remaining nuts.

Enjoy!!

My sister-in-law Becca whipped the egg whites and made the frosting because my peaks never even made it to soft... I struggled with whipping them.

So she taught me how to make the most beautiful whipped frosting.  Aren't those peaks awesome?

these are a few of my....

Isn't the blogging world great? I mean, really great? You can surf people's blogs and most of the time meet genuinely wonderful people on the other side of your computer screen.

Well, today I stumbled upon this blog 320 Sycamore through first going to this blog Jones.  Click. Click. Click and suddenly your "sitting" in someone else's living room whilst wearing your pajamas and reading about their lives. I love blogs.

I think I love blogs so much because while I lived in Japan, it was a break to read and communicate with people in English.  Blogs made me laugh.  Blogs were a way to pass time and rainy days when I felt misunderstood or alone.

Anyway, I am a fan of blogs.  So I wanted to join the "party" of bloggers who are now posting...

and tell you a couple of my favorite things....

fall leaves, fall flavors, pumpkins, reds, oranges, the chilly air, jeans being worn, boots coming out of closets, football, again I say, football (in case you missed it)... I love everything related to fall!! 

(click here for photo credit)

I have traveled the world and found no coffee that compares to my beloved Java House.

Java House was my favorite job that I have had to date and leaving was not a smart decision. If I lived in Iowa City, I would beg Tara to hire me back. :D

If you live anywhere near Iowa City or are traveling through on i-80 let me know and I'll get you directions! Best. best. BEST coffee ever! 

One of my favorite things is my family's history and history in general.  I find history to be very interesting.  My friend said it the best when he commented that to think of people alive before our times is mind boggling. (my own paraphrase of what he said)

This picture is of my Grandma. I love to hear the stories of how she lived with a bunch of girls in Peoria, worked as a housekeeper for awhile and how she impressed my Grandpa with her farming skills.... or maybe it was how cute she looked in bib overalls.

I love that my Grandpa farmed before there were tractors or cars.  He was plowing fields by horse.

I love that my other Grandparents met in a grocery store and that she asked her mother for cookies, her mother refused and my Grandpa thought to himself, "If she were mine, she could have all the cookies she wanted."

I love that my Grandpa was in Japan during the signing of the peace treaty in World War 2.

I love that my parents met in pep band and that they walked the quad where my dad (illegally) picked a tulip for my mom.

I love my family's history. And hubs and I are trying to get more history from his side of the family. 

 Speaking of which, Hubs is absolutely, hands down, without a doubt one of my favorite things.

He makes me laugh and makes me smile.

He puts up with my crazy ideas and a 100 miles a minute talking.  He's just so much fun and I totally am in love with Hubs.

It's my personal quest to keep him entertained.

hmmm... was that in the vows?

A recent favorite would be birds.  I can't get enough about birds right now.  It kind of started with the verse about how God knows when a sparrow falls and how He cares for us more than that.

But then it's just become an obsession.  

I love birds!

And that, is a small but starter list to a few of my favorites!!

Go to 320 Sycamore and join in the fun!!

21

 A way for me to get daily exercise (#21 on my 28 things) is to set a goal.  

So when I found out there was a 5K in Normal the same time I was going to be there,

I said hello to my new goal.

It was really fun training for it and having it before me.

the one thing I was not ready for was the cold. It was so cold and windy that day that I hardly knew what to do with myself.

I basically just dealt with it by wiping the snot on my sleeve and pressing forward. 

I finished in 31 minutes and 48 seconds.  Not a world record, not even close... but a time to start with and compare to all the future (Lord willing) races that I will be signing up for in the future.

I think I can do my next one under 30 minutes with more training and less wind! 

Midwesterners are awesome crazy people!

Brrrrrr.....

a fall leaf by any other name would look as sweet

full cup

I am feeling full at the moment.  Full of life and love and thankfulness.

I'm super thankful for my family.  I love that we kiss each other. Sometimes on the cheek, sometimes on the mouth.  I love when I hang out with my extended family and I hear stories of their lives and I think "that is so me. I am so like that person."  it makes me feel connected to them in some ways.  I love that I can be myself and be crazy and sing random songs and they let me.  I love that they get me.

I love that my home is not located so much in a place... but in people. I love that I can be in Iowa, snuggling with a snotty one year old and feel just like I do when I'm curled on my couch, talking with a good friend in California.  I love that my friends greet me with a smile and a huge hug... even when it's been years since we've hugged.

I'm thankful and totally worshipping God that there are fall leaves on the trees still.  Hmmm I caught the end of fall in the midwest.

I'm thankful for friends who are generous and offer to let my husband take the pillow that he was so enamored with.  There wasn't even a second thought of, "oh but what will we do without that pillow?".  I'm thankful for friends who fight to pay for the check and who share their lives with us, letting us sit around the dinner table and "shark pray" or eat pizza or tickle their sweet babies.  I'm thankful for every one of these babies for all my friends who I prayed for and with for these sweet babies.

I'm thankful for people who are genuinely interested in hearing about Japan and about our lives.  Who say, "Ohhhh Joanna... two years in language school....." and I smile and just laugh.  They know me.  They know that I am a people person and two years in a book would dry my heart up.  But I assure them, I'll meet neighbors.

I'm thankful for good coffee.
Good conversations.
Fireplace moments.
Games.
Cinnamon scones and the guy at the grocery store who helped me find cinnamon chips.

I'm thankful for a husband who drives across states and flies across the country and gobbles up tiramisu and is so gosh darn cute....

I'm thankful for so much.

October 2010

October oh, October!

You were cold. You were rainy. You were everything a poor midwestern girl could hope for in California.  You even produced some red and orange leaves in a few trees along my drive.  I have loved you.

October was full of cooking successes and failures.

I experimented with the "Weeknights" book and was able to cook a couple times for friends.  I think I'm going to like the book. I just have to tackle the veal pages that I am not really looking forward to.

I had a major downer in the form of an apple cake.  How can apple cake be depressing? When it turns out to look like baby poop.  I was so sad by my cake I almost made another one.  But then I realized that was incredibly vain and wasteful.  So I served my ugly apple cake to my friends who were gracious eaters.

I also tackled a couple recipes out of a Cooking Light magazine I picked up at the grocery store.  Totally love this magazine.  I made a roasted chicken with pinot noir sauce, buttered green beans and mushrooms and rosemary roasted potatoes. Yum.

I also made a cooking light's recipe for banana bread for my fellow jury duty jurors. Yes, you read that right. I am that nerdy!

Mikey and I were able to take a Jamie Oliver's cooking class in Redondo Beach and that was probably one of the highlights of my month.

We went to this class as a wedding gift from my awesome siblings and we cooked four different dishes.

Jamie Oliver's big "revolution" is about "saving America's health" through education (about what is in our food) and making small changes that can really add up!

Along with the Jamie Oliver recipes we also learned cool tips like cutting an onion so you won't cry, cutting an avocado and avoiding the mess (good for people who like to make sushi) and how to hold a knife properly.

I loved the class. I had so much fun!!

I had a craft day with some friends where we worked on projects we had going including scrapbooking, felt flowers and satin flowers.  I may post a tutorial to some of the things we may but if you are too antsy to wait, go to jonesdesigncompany.com and there you have the source of all my crafty ideas recently. :)

I finished the fabulous book

The Nine Tailors by Ms. Dorothy L. Sayers and was again impressed with Lord Peter Wimsey's wit and intellect that eventually solved the crime.

I'm a bit Sayers obsessed recently, aren't I?

I might have to take a break.

I'm in the midst of reading another book which I will tell you all about when I finish.

What else can I tell you, my precious friends?

I think that is about it for crafts, reading and books.

Enjoy your November!

passing on

Recently, I have been working through the book, "Truefaced" written by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, and John Lynch.

This book is a light shining for all the weary wanderers who have no idea what God wants from them and their efforts have been exhausted.  How do we please God?  How do we draw near to Him? How do we hide ourselves deep in the refuge of His Presence while we are so overwhelmed by our sins and their persistent presence?

I began reading this book because my friend wanted to go through it and so I reluctantly decided it would be good.  I had no idea what to expect and was joking with another friend that I did not want the floodgates of my "issues" to come out as I was very comfortable with the dam holding me together.

My expectations going into the book were "someone digging deep into my life with no resolution except the kind, but sometimes unhelpful, words of 'Jesus loves you'."  I feel terrible that those words have become somewhat unhelpful in my life but as I continued reading I found a paragraph that rocked my heart.

The authors write, Many Christians know God loves us and wants to be with us, but we also believe our sin has put an impossible mass between God and us.  We understand that Jesus has made a way for us to one day be together in heaven, but right now- until we get better, do better or start to take things seriously- we believe we'll have to settle for rare moments of intimacy with him.  We know ourselves too well, and there is no way we're ever going to be able to keep from sinning.  We believe God loves us, but we also believe he's pretty disappointed with us.  We expect to see him someday, but for now we can only hope that some days we will feel his touch on our lives.  That's as good as it gets on this earth... or so we've come to believe. (pg. 65)

And it hit me.  Jesus is not standing on the other side of the mass.  The book goes on to explain that God doesn't stand on the other side of our sin waiting for us to get it together.  Instead, God stands next to us, with our sin in front of us wanting to work on our sin together.

I don't know about you but that takes a lot of pressure and guilt off my shoulders.

God is not expecting us to work on our sin, to finish our sin... God knows that is impossible.  We cannot manage our sin ourselves.  God wants us.... wants me to instead entrust my entire self with Him and work on my sin together.

God wants me to come out of hiding and embrace His forgiveness and love.  The book of Jeremiah says we were created to cling.  To be dependent.  We were created to depend on Jesus, not to live this life alone.

Aren't you tired of trying to fix yourself on your own?  I know I am.  I'm no good at managing my sin and being a better person.  I've got to get back to my roots... I was created to be dependent.

I hope this is encouraging to you. I really just wanted to pass on the good news that was given to me.  God truly does not stand condemning us.  At the time we come to recognize Him as Lord and every day, every moment thereafter! 

Be encouraged my beloved friends.

horribly belated (12)

I'm a terrible blogger. How many times have I promised you, my sweet reader, of my devotion to writing faithfully when I turn around and forget to follow-through for some time.
Please forgive me.

To show you my sincerity I will now be posting two recipes from the "Weeknight" book I've been cooking out of.

herbed pork chops with apples

1 tsp. dried sage

1 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. dried oregano

3/4 tsp dried rosemary

salt and freshly ground pepper

4- bone-in center-cut pork loin chops (about 1" thick)

2 tart apples such as granny smith, cored and cut crosswise into slices about 1/2" thick

1 T canola oil

1. Season the pork chops
In a small bowl, stir together the sage, thyme, oregano, rosemary, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.  Season the pork chops on both sides with the herb mixture, patting it firmly into the meat.  Place the chops on a large platter in a single layer and let stand for 10 minutes at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate for up to overnight.

2. Cook the pork
Preheat your broiler. when ready to cook, place the chops on a rimmed baking sheet and place under broiler. Cook, turning once or twice, until browned on the outside and barely pink inside, 8-12 minutes total.

3. Cook the apples
When the chops are about half done, brush the apple slices with the oil and place them around the pork on the baking sheet.  Cook, turning once or twice, until lightly browned and tender, 4-6 minutes total.  Cut the apple slives in half, and serve alongside the chops.


Lemongrass chicken and asparagus (20 minutes start to finish)

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

salt and pepper

2 T canola oil

3/4 c green (spring) onions

2 T ginger minced

1 stalk, bulb part only lemongrass, trimmed and finely chopped

3 cloves garlic

1/2 lb. asparagus trimmed and sliced diagonally

3/4 c chicken broth

2 T asian fish sauce

1/4 c peanuts chopped

steamed white rice for serving

1. Stirfry the chicken

Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper.  In a wok or frying pan over high heat, warm the oil.  add the chicken and stir fry until golden on the outside and opaque throughout, 2-3 minutes.  Transfer to a plate.  Add the green onions and stir fry until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.  Add the ginger, lemongrass, and garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds.  Add the asparagus and stir-fry just until tender-crisp, 2-3 minutes

2. Finish the dish

Add the broth and fish sauce to the pan and bring to a simmer.  Return the chicken and any juices from the plate to the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 1 minute to heat through.  Sprinkle with the peanuts.  Spoon the rice onto individual plates, top with the chicken and asparagus, and serve.

Eat and Enjoy! Let me know if you try any of these recipes! You won't regret it!

you'll never need another recipe...

Hey-o Joanna's friends!

Jo has asked me to guest blog on here to share with you the recipe that I used for her birthday cake. I adapted this recipe from one that my mom had.

Pumpkin Cake

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup pumpkin
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 4 eggs
• Chocolate chips (optional)

Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl until well blended. Bake mixture in a 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes.

I ended up doubling this recipe and just used the whole can of pumpkin, leaving out some of the oil.I made three layers in an 8x8 square pan. To the middle layer I added a cup of chocolate chips. Yum!

I used cream cheese frosting for this baby, Betty Crocker did the trick! I actually made homemade butter cream frosting initially, but I made it at my parents' house and had to drive 3 and a half hours back to Long Beach. When I got home the frosting had melted down the cake, so I quickly scraped it off and refrosted with cream cheese. Then I did the piping detail with chocolate frosting, also Betty Crocker and a round 9 nozzle.

Eat! Enjoy!

(note: you can enjoy more of Alissa's recipes and adventures over at her blog: click here)

26. (1)

*Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will receive me to glory.  

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

But for me it is good to be near God;

I have made the LORD God my refuge,

that I may tell of all your works.*

Psalm 73:23-26, 28

In my quest to complete 28 things for the year my hubs challenged me to reflect on 28 verses that have/are meaningful in my life.

I could ramble on about these verses (which I am only counting as one) and why they are so meaningful to me but I'll try to be quick.

v. 23 the promise of God being near to me

v. 24 the hope of being with God receiving us to Himself (a direct verse that speaks into a fear of mine)

v. 25-26 although the World distracts me and tells me otherwise the truth is that God is all I need. He is all I want to desire and I find that He sustains and strengthens me.

v.28 being close to God is the best thing for me and the reminder that God's good works in my life aren't meant to be a secret.

That's it in a nutshell for life verse numero uno! 

Do you have a verse you love?