Monday, April 25, 2011

Holy Week (that I forgot to post!)

Semana Santa

holy week

it was

it was a week to remember that there is only one who is holy and somehow in a crazy beautiful way that makes all of life holy.

Every relationship... even ones that drive us crazy
Every food... even lamb
Every outfit ... even those ruined or malfunctioned
Every activity ... even a thousand easter egg experiments that didn't work, or Jarod's air compressor in the kitchen to blow them.
Every crazy photo and memory... even those that Yazzid took

Sanctify us. In this the beginning of a new year of life in Christ... give us another holy week, we pray










Friday, April 15, 2011

10 minutes to blog

Well, I have 10 minutes to throw something out here. My life is full and I have lots to say about all of it. Nothing I can summarize in ten minutes - except this one thing that I should have mentioned about 4 months ago. But honestly, I talk about it so much I don't have much to say. The perfect 10 minute blog.

We are constructing a man cave. Yes, that's right. After 10 years of living in less than 500 sq. ft together or out of suitcases and backpack together, of never having a bedroom that didn't serve as either a living room or office - we get a 5,000 sq. ft. house - a true blue bedroom - and my husband decides he needs "a little more space." I think he might be spacially dislexic.

But ya know - what's a girl to do? Besides if he didn't take over the 500 sq. ft at the back of our garage my mom was going to turn it into a craft store or something, and the girls upstairs honestly suggested I start a small Asian grocery. So, because I don't have time for one more hobby and it has been FIRMLY established that I am NOT cleaning the man cave - he go that space. And a budget - and a motorcycle garage door, and me and a friend scrubbing and staining his floor, and an old bowling alley to make a bar top, a free HUGE TV, and apparently whatever else he wants. He told me once about the time he talked a high school teacher up from a D to a B+... just talked her into somehow. He said he's "charming".... he must be - that's how he got me and that's how I got a man cave that I REALLY, REALLY, AM NOT GOING TO CLEAN. :) But I'll probably post a SWEET picture when we're done.

Monday, April 4, 2011

one year later

My life has been filled with good as of late. Long phone calls with distant friends, long over-due yard projects begun with great help, and even long late night drives with Jarod and the kids to pick up a garage door for the "man cave." One year after our house purchase we are beginning to do things like paint our front screen door, clean windows, and cut down ugly trees... oh and randomly remodel the garage. The emergency stuff is behind us (at least we hope - we'll see after the first big spring rain) - and the house is a bit less of a monster. Although, when asked if we wanted to renew our home warranty, Jarod declined, saying, "What else can it cover? We have almost all new appliances, have replaced the hot water heater, boiler, and reached our max on both plumbing and electrical." Those will be the famous last words.
But honestly, a year later the noises of our home are very different. Where there was once the constant beat of a hammer and hum of a sander, there are children running and laughing, students studying and playing ping-pong, and tonight Jarod's Bible study - where I here men debating - so it must be good. Where there was once the worry over "if things are going to work out" - now we only wonder how we can share the blessings of our "family approach" with others.
On Sunday we had an open house and as I wondered through the three floors seeing the students who had worked so hard cleaning and preparing food - smiling and serving as they shared from their culture, I felt such a deep sense of "ok". These students that God has sent us are perfect... and the people He sent to make it possible are amazing. One Year later, I think this thing is gonna really work. And for me that is optimistic. And for me - that in itself is a miracle. When asked in wide-eyed wonder at the progress, "are you done??" All I could respond was, "No - we will never be done - but we are ENJOYING it."
So now, on to my biggest worry. What birthday cake should I make for Salah tomorrow? I was planning a Mississippi mud cake but that has marshmallows, and they have gelatin, and gelatin may contain pork - so that's out. Who knew? You live and you learn. And from 10 diverse birthdays a year - my "festive meal" and cake repertoire is growing - in this good life I learn a lot - EVERY day. Below are just two of the yummy recipes that I just love.

Crock pot Philly cheese steak sandwiches. So EASY - great for a big crowd... when you triple it!!

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs beef round steak
1 medium green pepper, sliced thin
1 medium onion, sliced thin
1 (14 oz) can vegetable broth (can use beef - I've even used chicken in a pinc h)
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
1 large loaf French bread, siced into sandwich lengths
6 slices provolone cheese
How to make it

Spray crock pot with cooking spray
Cut meat into strips, place in slow cooker
Add green pepper, onion, broth, and dressing mix
Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours, or high 3-4 hours
Spoon meat mixture onto bread, top with a slice of cheese
Another option is to toast bread in a 375 oven for 5-10 minutes, add meat, cover with cheese, then bake an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

Irish Brown bread. A Quick bread that doesn't taste quick and can be made from ingredients on hand! (Because I still struggle with bad feelings toward people who make yeast breads twice a week.... but I do love homemade bread!)

This simple crusty brown quick bread is one of the most popular Irish bread recipes and gets its hearty flavor from whole wheat flour and rolled oats.

Yield: 1 loaf (about 1 3/4 lb.)
Ingredients
1  cup  all-purpose flour
2  tablespoons  sugar
1  teaspoon  baking powder
1  teaspoon  baking soda
1/2  teaspoon  salt
1 1/2  tablespoons  cold butter or margarine
2  cups  whole-wheat flour
1/4  cup  regular or quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2  cups  plain nonfat yogurt
Milk
Preparation
1. In a bowl, mix all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture forms fine crumbs. Stir in whole-wheat flour and oats.
2. Add yogurt; stir gently. If mixture is too dry to hold together, stir in milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, just until dough holds together; it should not be sticky.
3. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board and knead gently 5 times to make a ball. Set on a lightly greased baking sheet. Pat into a 7-inch circle. With a floured knife, cut a large X on top of loaf.
4. Bake in a 375° oven until well browned, about 40 - 50 minutes. Cool on a rack. Serve warm or cool.


Some happy folks at the open house!




My amazing father with chainsaw art and smile... people keep asking how many trees we have taken out. I don't want to count... but when you have to build a mountain around your basement, where there used to be a mote - you have no choice but to chop' em out.



And finally... last week, Marrina's birthday was a success - the week before Jude's was a success - two week's before mom and Saad's birthday party went on while Jarod and I spent the night in the ER (by the way - got that bill - it wasn't pretty - but insurance sure is a blessing!)... and now on to Falafel and pita for Salah... all we are missing is the cake!