Thoughtful Thursdays...

Well I thought that I would revisit this type of post since I have neglected to do so. Ironically, this Thursday is New Year's Eve, so of course this, of all days, is a great day to reflect on the past, present and get excited about the future. I have already posted my anticipations on this New Year, so I won't be repetitive. I will however share a couple of quotes that I thought were insightful concerning the New Year. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the craziness of the holidays, but the challenge that I wanted to try and work towards was that instead of rushing through this time, I really want to learn to savor each moment I have, in whatever I am doing with whomever I am doing it with; I just want to be able to enjoy and soak up every moment so I truly enjoy this life and the people and moments that make it up. (Here I go on a tangent, but just bear with me.) For some reason, especially during holidays, I become more aware of time. I guess what I mean is that the reality of time hits me every year like a brick wall, and as I have no problem welcoming change, I LOVE to revisit stories of past moments in my childhood and adolescence and laugh until I cry, however I do have some difficulty dealing with time changing things (people, places, etc). So during these times, I sometimes get worried about trivial little things like what will happen when things happen. I say all of this to say, I feel like during these times, 2 verses that I love and fear, (in a sense) come to mind. The first is Matthew 6: 25-34 where Jesus is addressing the fact that we should not be worried about anything whatsoever because He can take care of those worries as long as we have faith in Him and seek His kingdom and righteousness. Part of my New Year list is to have more faith and I know that God can take care of it, period, no matter what, no if ands or buts, the matter is me. Another verse that I think about in relation to that verse is in Joshua chapter 1 (it is actually repeated so this isn't just one verse) where God is speaking to Joshua and telling him to "Be strong and courageous", "Be strong and courageous", "the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go". I really try to attach myself to these verses because of my worries and fears because I know that God is with me and hasn't given me this spirit of fear. So, during these times, where life happens and time seems to speed past me, I want to stop, smell the roses and be reminded that God holds me in His magnificent hands and provides the refuge, encouragement and confidence I need to appreciate and enjoy this life.

Here are those New Year quotes that I thought were very "thoughtful":
Another fresh new year is here...
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt and fear,
To love and laugh and give!
This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest...
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!
I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!
-William Arthur Ward

Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here's to the things that are yet to come and to the memories that we hold." -Author Unknown

New Year thoughts...

On the trip home to Wilmington, Marcus and I got to talking about 2010. From there, we got into a conversation about making resolutions, what we think about what we hope for the new year, and a bunch of other things that we want from 2010. Of course on the top of our list was losing weight (which is usually at the top of the list every year and the last thing we think about during the year! :)), but our conversation just had me thinking about new years in general. Isn't it so funny how around this time of year, as the old year is closing and the new year is approaching, that we (or at least me) start to get excited, nervous, and hopeful for the possibilities of the new coming year. I mean, it's just another year right? I know that New Year's is the transition from the old to the new, letting the past be the past and moving forward but I don't know what it is about this year, I am just very excited. I have a lot of expectations for this year, but I know that those expectations can only happen if I follow through with them. As Marcus and I were talking about our dreams for 2010, I just started making my own list of 2010 musts. Now, I am not saying these are my New Year's resolutions for 2010, however I am making a list for me to remember for this year that I would like to accomplish and I figure that blogging my list would help me to better remember! :) So here, so far, are my hopes and dreams for 2010....

-Lose weight (I'm telling you, this is the battle of the year, every year!:))
-Become a casual runner (like how I used the word casual ;))
-Start thinking about having a family (Don't worry, this is not just me, it's also on Marcus's list :))
-Try to be more like a Proverbs 31 woman
-Make and take more time for my family
-Move into a new house
-Make and take more time for my friends
-Do something crazy and not like me at all
-Figure out my passion and do something about it
-Pray more and have more faith
-Be the support and encouragement my husband needs to accomplish his goals and dreams

(I'm sure there will be more, but here's my list thus far.) Happy New Year!

Thoughtful Thursdays...

Today's thoughtful Thursday will not be filled with clever quotes or soul searching questions. No, my Thoughtful Thursday will make you think about eating. Thoughtfully think about what you want to cook for dinner and chew on this (no pun intended; that was quite accidental :)) I came across a dinner recipe that is quick, easy, cheap and soooo good. I am ALLLLLLL about that. So here it is. Try it and tell me what you think (although I will pass all the credit to kraft.com):

Sausage with Peppers and Pasta

What you need:

3 cups rigatoni pasta, uncooked
1 lb. Italian sausage, sliced (I got the regular, mild kind, not hot because I can't handle it)
1 each: red, green and yellow pepper, coarsely chopped
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Italian* Mozzarella-Parmesan Cheese Blend
1/4 cup KRAFT Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Make it:

COOK pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, cook sausage in large skillet on medium heat 10 min. Stir in peppers; cook 7 min. or until sausage is cooked through and peppers are crisp-tender. Stir in tomatoes; cook 2 min. or until heated through.
DRAIN pasta. Add to sausage mixture with shredded cheese; mix well.
TOP with Parmesan.

I got a funny...

So I know that I have not blogged in a while, but since school started back, my world has been turned COMPLETELY upside down. BUT I have a funny story that I HAD to share. If you are ever feeling fat, down, sad, or just need a laugh, commit the visual that I am about to paint for you to memory.

Okay, so I have come to grips that I have gained weight. Don't like it, trying (kind of) to change it, but I have to go to work with clothes on so I have had to go a size up when purchasing school clothes. So I went to shopping for school clothes a couple of weeks ago and after dragging my poor husband around the Avenues mall, I hit gold at Sears and found some cute black capris and fun white jeans (I know, big girl in white jeans, but listen, just because I am big doesn't mean I can't stay trendy :)) Anyways, so fast forward a little to this past Friday. I decided I wanted to look fashionable and wear my black capris. No biggie. So I go through the day, walking around my class with my kids, teaching at the front of the class, walking around campus with my colleagues, you know, the day to day stuff. So all is well, Friday ends and so begins the long weekend. Now fastforward to Sunday night. So Marcus and I decided to go to River Road Church on Sunday night because a friend that he grew up with, who is now a youth speaker, was meeting with the youth and we wanted to hear him. So I decide I wanted to rock my cool black capris, this t shirt and some cute flats that I had gotten. You know that feeling when you just know the outfit you are about to wear is just going to look right, I mean just cute cute cute; that is how I felt. So I take a quick shower, get my hair and makeup done and go to get dressed. So as I am putting my cute, pretty, new black capris on, I notice some light passing through the pants in an unexpected area. I'm thinking, my eyes are deceiving me, so I hold the pants up to eye level. There, MUCH to my surprise, was a hole, and I exaggerate not, the size of my index finger, right in the BUTT-HOLE area of the capris. All of a sudden it dawns on me, OH CRAP, the last time I wore these capris was FRIDAY AT SCHOOL. When this hole happened, where it happened, how it happened and who saw it I am still unaware of. All I know is that I wore bright pink underwear that day and if the hole occurred sometime during the day, somebody got an eye full! I don;t remember any snickering in class and no one pulled me aside, so either I am the talk of my fellow colleagues as the girl who blew the butt out of her pants or everyone is just so mortified that they just decided to try and release the reality of my pink panties out for the world to see from their mind. I am just hoping people thought it was gum!

Thoughtful Thursday

I have seen this on other blogs I have stalked, so I thought this would be something I would like to include in mine; Thoughtful Thursdays, where I post some thoughtful and pretty cool quotes or words. I actually found two for today. This may sound corny, but I am constantly amazed at the awesomeness of God and how He, such an awesome deity, has such love for us. So I found these two quotes that I couldn't decide between the two so I am posting them both. I definitely think that in the daily rush and complete chaos of life, it is nice to be reminded of the simplicity and the uncomplicatedness of God's love for us.

Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, "Grow, grow." -The Talmud

Every person’s life is a fairytale written by God’s fingers.-Hans Christian Anderson

It's been a while, I know....

I know, I know. I have NOT updated my blog in forever BUT this is my attempt at catching up. This blog will therefore be a condensed version of most of the events that have happened over the last month (or so...:))

1. I will begin with a funny. I have to first preface this item. As most people I know know, I am a HUGE animal lover and sometimes worry my husband that I will soon open a zoo within our little home. I have two crazy dogs and one dependent cat. Often times, because we have a rather large backyard, when we are getting a little claustrophobic with the animals, we will put the dogs in the back to let them romp and run. Well, Marcus and I have noticed that Shadow (our cat), has become increasingly curious about going outside, which terrifies me because if he got out, I would fall apart, literally. So, I had been thinking, and upon a trip to Petco I came upon cat harnesses. What a good idea, I thought; Shadow will LOVE this, I thought. So I bought it, brought it home and kind of left it out within Shadow's area for him to check it out. After a little while, I confused Shadow's disdain for that bright red harness for tolerance, so I boldly went where most cat owners know better to not; I put the harness on the cat. I do have videos, but they won't upload so I will have to post them later. :) I will end this item here; Shadow feels the same about the harness today as he did in this clips. So my dreams of my animal kids playing outside together, safely, will just have to wait.

2. Fourth of July- So for the 4th of July, Marcus and I went back to Wilmington to spend the weekend with my parents. We had a pretty good time, went to Southport, watched the fireworks downtown and just had a good time! So here are a few pictures from our trip.

3. Next, Marcus and I went to Orlando for a little trip. We ended up going to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures. I love theme parks and I especially love riding the roller coasters, but I am learning that I am getting to the age that crazy rides are starting to get to me, like I have to sit down for a little bit in between rides. This new found oldness has not stopped me yet, so I will continue to enjoy the rides. I just told Marcus that my only request from now on is that a.)when we start to have kids, please please please don't bring me to a theme park pregnant, no matter what time of the year it is ESPECIALLY in the summer, and b.) please don't take me to a theme park with a baby with no one else to watch them.

4. OUR 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY: Marcus and I celebrated 2 years of being married July 14th. I will say, I would not change being married or being married to Marcus for anything. I really do love him more than I ever have. I WILL say this. I have learned that wedded bliss might happen within the first two weeks of marriage, but past that, no. Now I am not saying Marcus and I are not happy and in love because we totally are, but reality sets in and I think within experiencing that reality of marriage (laundry, endless cleaning, farts, etc.) THAT is when you truly learn to love your mate. (We celebrated at the Melting Pot this year and it was SOOOOO good!)

5. Last but certainly not least, for the past 4 weeks, my sister-in-law, Tina, and friend, Tara, suckered me into joining them in a cake decorating class. First off, I have learned about myself that I have a deep desire to be domestic and crafty and have a knack for the homey kinds of creative things, but I just don't. I want to be like Martha, but I am just Mandy. But I thought because I have so much time this summer, what the heck, I will do it. So for the past four weeks I have been baking, icing, eating, and decorating (so I am now a little more crafty and huge! ). Through stiff, medium, thin colorful iced roses, shells, people, and clowns, I have a new found respect for cake makers and decoraters! I did enjoy myself and I did master creating a carnation, not a rose, and I did have a blast with Tina and Tara. So all was not lost. But please, if you think I can make you a cake and decorate it, I still can't. :)

And now, you are all caught up! :) Hopefully the next post won't take so long to post nor be so long! :) Ciao!

My sad attempts at being more domestic...

While searching for a recipe to use some italian dressing mix I had, I stumbled upon kraft.com, which I now really like to refer to in cooking. (This site really does have great links that help you save money at the grocery store, plan out your meals for a week that are cost efficient, etc. Just check it out.) Anyways, as I have a very weak sweet tooth, I happened upon the link for desserts under a dollar. So I clicked and found a very cute but tasty recipe that I wanted to attempt to make. Here it is (taken strait from the kraft.com site):

Watermelon Pops

Prep Time: 35 min Total Time: 4 hr 35 min Makes: 16 servings
What You Need!
1 cup sugar, divided
1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Lime Flavor Gelatin
2 cups boiling water, divided
ice cubes
1 cup cold water, divided
1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
3 Tbsp. miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 pkg. (4 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

MIX 1/3 cup sugar and lime gelatin mix in medium bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to 1/2 cup cold water to measure 3/4 cup. Add to lime gelatin; stir until ice is completely melted. Refrigerate 25 min.

MEANWHILE, repeat Step 1 using strawberry gelatin mix and omitting the refrigeration step. Pour into 16 (3-oz.) paper cups. Freeze 20 min. Stir 1/2 tsp. chocolate chips into gelatin in each cup.

BEAT cream cheese and remaining sugar with mixer in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in COOL WHIP; spread over gelatin in cups.

POUR lime gelatin over cream cheese mixture. Insert wooden pop stick into gelatin in center of each cup. Freeze 3 hours or until firm. Remove pops from cups just before serving.

Kraft Kitchens Tips
Look for wooden pop sticks in craft or hobby stores. If you don't have pop sticks, you can use plastic spoons for handles instead.
How to Easily Remove Frozen Pops from Cups
Dip cups in warm water for 15 sec. Peel off cups.(Do not twist or pull pop sticks.)

MY recommendations from my experience making this:

Okay, for make SURE you get the RIGHT size cups, which I think is 3oz., otherwise, the proportions won't turn out right.

Also, make sure the cream cheese and cool whip mixture is VERY much room temp. and soft, or else, when you spread it over the strawberry jello, it will bleed into the jello, making the pop not so pretty, still tasty, just not quite the look you might be going for.

But I will say, this treat it very tasty, especially on a hot day and I think it would be a VERY cute treat to make with kids!

Here is my very sad, but again tasty attempt at this treat:

Wordless Wednesday...

This is for you Aunt Tina...:)

Wordless Wednesday...

MUST DOs in Wilmington

Spawning from my most recent visit to my lovely hometown, (Wilmington, N.C.), I felt compelled to compile a list of MUST DOs when in Wilmington, whether you are visiting the area for a short period of time or if you have lived there your entire life. These are things from a true-local's perspective that you have to do before you leave Wilmington to have a great experience.

1. Taking in the downtown view from the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge:

If you are driving into (or even out of) Wilmington, this is a must to do. (If you are flying, either taking a taxi or renting a car or bumming a ride will be worth this! ) There is no better feeling in the world than when you cross that bridge. After being on 74/76 for FOREVER, when you cross the bridge and look to the left, you can take in such a charming and picturesque view of Wilmington that no postcard or picture can do justice. For me, when I cross that bridge, I literally feel like I can breath. In fact, I breath a sigh of relief because being able to look at that view of the place I call home is like it's saying "Welcome home".

2. Driving into Wilmington via Market St.:

To locals, Market St. is a NIGHTMARE; narrow two-lane, speed limits that are never followed, and trees that are a little to close to the road. But to me, driving down Market St. (now that I am away from it) is like entering a southern glen. Among the antebellum homes and beautiful old churches are these huge, old Oak tress that cast a very delightful shadow while driving down the street. Its just reminiscent of what I would think an old southern town looks like and I like that!

3. Driving down to Wrightsville Beach and driving down both ends of the beach:

Wrightsville Beach will always remind me of fun, unforgettable Summers with my closest friends,, but there is something about turning off your radio, rolling the windows down in your car and taking in the salt air. The best time to go is when the sun is going down, but that is just my opinion. Again, it gives you the moment to breath.

4. Going to Carolina Beach and getting a Britt's doughnut:

There isn't much I can say about this other than you have NEVER EVER EVER had ANYTHING like a Britt's doughnut and until you try one, you won't understand what I mean. Get a dozen to go, sit at the bar, eat two (if you can) with a diet coke (or whatever suites your fancy) and see what I am talking about. I mean, I seriously cannot describe to you how much those doughnuts will change your perspective on what a good doughnut is. Seriously.

So these again, are just a few things that I think are a MUST to do when in Wilmington, either as a vacationer or a resident. (Other MUST DOs to come! )

*DISCLAIMER: These MUST DOs are simply my opinion. My best friends could tell you four other things they would consider necessary to do when in Wilmington, so if you have any suggestions that I may have not remembered, please share them, and I will CONSIDER adding them to my list :). )

I'm so excited, I'm so excited...

Okay, so as I was clicking through aol.com this afternoon, I noticed a headline that made my heart skip a tiger-beat and made me want to get my caffine pills out (jk). The headline read "'Saved by the Bell' Reunion in the works. WHAT?!!! Are my eyes deceiving me? So I clicked on the headline to find out the real deal. The link was a clip from Jimmy Fallon's late night show where MPG (abbreviated because I can't spell his last name :)) did a parody as one of the hottest tickets in the early 90's (other than AC Slater) Zach Morris. All I needed was to find out if that headline was true. As I continued to watch the clip and after a couple of "time-outs", Jimmy Fallon asked "Zach" if he would be in for doing a reunion with the 'Saved by the Bell' cast. As I sat on the edge of my seat, the sweet words I wanted to hear came rolling off his tongue: "I'd love to see the old gang!" . AHHHHHHHHH! SHUT UP! THAT'S IT! So, I am totally holding out hope that the crew that made my best friend's and my adolescent years worth all the tears, MASH games, and fits on who will end up with Zach, AC and Screech, will deliver and reunite. I am telling you, that just absolutely made me want to spend the rest of the afternoon reliving "Zach Attack" and "The Hot Fudge Sundays".

Wordless Wednesday...

In the Beginning...

Okay, I was so totally not going to do this at all (blogging that is). But I have come to quickly find that I cannot reply or comment on any of my friends and family's blogs because I am not a member of this network society. So... I will join. This is probably not a very good thing for me as I have an addictive personality and I have a LOT of time on my hands right now that summer break has begun, so bear with me, I may say alot, I may say a little. Nonetheless, I can now comment! :)