All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...literally!

First off, I HATE going to the dentist!  Since my childhood and then after my car accident, I ahve been there more than I wish to even think about!

So, with a pretty intense oral surgery looming today, I have been sick over it for weeks and try not to think about it.  Last night I took valium, this morning Valium and Xanax....still anxious....but ready to get it over with..I trudge in.

I get they get me all settled, consent signed, me sedated, mouth numbed, and I hear her showing the partial to Beaver. I asked to see it....in my stupor I note a possible error, but think it might be the medication speaking....so I slowly formulate my question and I hear silence in the room.........Uh-oh....I am so sorry, the partial is wrong.  I got laughing so hard I had tears steaming down my face!  Only me!!!

Long story short, I ended up with free sedation, another Rx for valium, an appointment for another day, and LOTS of apologies.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT  TEETH....LITERALLY!!

His plans are higher

Following a mix-up in communication between 2 leaders of the hospital, I dropped my Master's classes to finish my BSN (even though I already hold a BS in a related field).  Only to find out the information had been clarified, and I could go back into the Masters program. Ridiculous!  So, I decided to finish out the BSN and be done with it. 

I graduated this week BSN, RN, 4.0  J!! After contemplating a break, I will forge ahead and begin taking the Master's classes again Dec 3rd! :)

I was disappointed in not getting to finish the Masters right away and was not proud of the BSN completion.  However, my husband and a special mentor encouraged me to BE PROUD of the accomplishment. I just felt the switch was pretty nuts, but oh well, God knows why!

I heard a quote once, “Never regret money spent on books or flowers.”  I am going to amend the quote, “Never regret TIME & MONEY invested in education.” 

GOAL:

Complete MSN in 18 months

and

Obtain my DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) within 5 years. 

In setting a goal, I humbly realize God has His own plans that I will embrace, should they change!

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.

Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Praise be to God, for He is always good.



God, you and I can handle anything...together!

Work, school, move, adoption, sick nephew, etc....There is a lot going on these past few weeks and in feeling very overwhelmed I look to the Lord to give me the strength and peace that I need.

A very well meaning friend mentioned that "Thank God that He doesn't give us more than we can handle!" This got me to thinking...I don't think I agree with that statement as I am really not able to handle all that is going on...at least NOT ALONE!  Where did that come from? She explained that the verse in Corinthians which talks about God not giving us more than we can bear. 

The verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation is given you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can escape it."

Some believe this means he doesn't give us more than we can handle. The hey, suck it up, God thinks you can handle this so that is why He is allowing it. But no, this is not the context. This verse is about actual temptation, so we have to be careful to read and interpret it in context.

2 Corinthians 1: 8,9 “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” 

Here it is!!  We are burdened, we do suffer beyond our strength...but NOT BEYOND His.

1 Corinthians 12:9 "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

It is when we are challenged beyond ourselves, beyond what we can handle, it is in our weakness that He is strong. His strength is made perfect to overcome our weakness and meet our needs.

We WILL be stretched, stressed, bent, pushed, and pulled.  However, it is in those times that we realize just how great our need is for His strength.  It is then that God in His Almighty strength takes over for us, makes us strong, and provides a way of escape.It does not say that he doesn't give us more than we can handle...but he DOES promise that He will be there to provide the way of to get through.

So next time you or I are tempted to give bumper sticker theology perhaps say it this way instead: God will not give you more than YOU and HE can handle together!

What a mighty God we serve!!  Group 1 Crew  and Jars of Clay have 2 awesome songs that have been an encouragement to me this week, I have linked them below, enjoy!

Jars of Clay - He will lift up your head

Group 1 Crew - He said

Warning: 9 year anniversary present = cookware!

So what do you get from your husbands for your 9 year wedding anniversary? Evidently cookware! :)

Actually, it is just what I wanted....oh and the fact that he has one of the new Pandora bracelets on order doesn't hurt!! (Great job, Honey!!)

I was looking around one of my favorite places in Grand Rapids, Wealthy at Charles, and I fell in

love with the organic cookware set they sell.

OSCURO organic cookware handmade from Columbia.  It is so versitile, just what I need!  From the microwave to the stove top, into the oven, or even on the grill!!  For impatient cooks like me, you can even cook on the stove top with a high flame! :)

This cookware is so nice looking that I can cook in it and then use it as a serving dish. Less to wash, another huge bonus for me...or actually that part benefits my husband! :) Or you can pop the cookware right into the dishwasher!!

Honey, thank you so much! My only hope is that I do not have to wait until Anniversary # 10 to get my next piece...HINT HINT!!

Mac & Cheese Grows-Up!

I often joked that I had the palate of the 5 year old...but I have broadened my scope over the years.  However, sometimes there is just nothing like some good old macaroni and cheese to soothe the soul!

Here is my grown up version that my husband and I made over the weekend. It was very creamy and the gorgonzola gives it a great rich, grown-up flavor! :)

1 box of macaroni - (penne, rotini...your choice!)

1/4 c butter
1/3 c flour
3 c milk

12 oz cheddar cheese (white or yellow)
2 oz gorgonzola
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 splash of worchestire sause
1/2 tsp fresh garlic
1/8 tsp pepper (white or black)


Make a roux of the butter and flour - then slowly add the milk, stir constantly.  Once the mixture thickens (about 12 minutes on medium heat) turn off the burner and add in all the other ingrediants except macaroni.  Once the cheese has melted add in the macaroni mix it all in and then pour it into a baking dish.  I used two 5X9 dishes, but a 13X9 dish would work too.  I also have some small serving size baking dishes, you can use those if you have them to make individual portions.

TOPPING:

1 sleeve of ritz type crackers (we use aldi brand - they taste the same)

1 1/2 - 2 tbsp butter

melt the butter in a pan

crush crackers and add them to pan with butter and stir to coat all crumbs.

Spoon the topping over the mac n cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

DIG IN!!

Repurpose to Recycle

Ran out on a quick errand and snapped up this fab find at an estate sale!  It will be my new recycling bin! Reminds me of the song, "Momma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'...."

Hannah's Mango-Pineapple Chutney Recipe - watch out, it has a kick!

I made up this delicious recipe to go with Black Beans and Brown Rice Burritto's, the chutney along with some lettuce and fat free sour cream and a little mild cheese sprinkled in there make a really wonderful and healthy dinner!

 

 

1 mango - diced

1.5 cups of pineapple - chunked

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 quarter inch slice of fresh ginger or 1.5 tsp powdered ginger

1 tsp chili powder

1 small onion (or 1 tbsp of onion flakes)

1 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (may omit if you do not want the heat)

1 diced bell pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp vinegar

1/4 cup water

1 tsp cinnamon

1 crushed clove

Throw everything into a saucepan - and bring it to a simmer for 5 minutes.  Then either cover and turn to low for 20-30 minutes or place in a small crockpot for a couple hours.

This makes more than two people can eat in one meal and does not last long enough in the fridge.  So, I freeze it in ice cube trays then store in a container in the freezer, then I can take out one to two servings at a time.

Grilled Apple and Spinach Salad

Last Friday night I ate out and had a salad similar to this one.  It was very good, but I did not care for some of the flavors.. So, I changed it up a bit and LOVE IT!!  We had it for dinner last night and my husband said to me today, "Let's have that salad again for dinner tonight."

Ingrediants/Directions

1) Fresh Spinach - washed and the little stems cut off

2) Apple - sliced however you want to slice them - I think they are best sliced very thin, but you can chunk them or slice them depending on the texture you prefer. Then grill them, it brings out the flavor, but if you prefer not to, it is just as good. We had a bowl of non-grilled apple slices on the side and ended up using those too and it was really good. Also, use the apple of your choice I used Braeburn because they are my favorite.

3) Walnuts - toasted under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes on each side - YUM make extra they are just so delicious you have to sample a few while assembling!!

4) Gorgonzola - spinkle a generous amout over the salad

5) Raisins - again sprinkle over the top

6) Balsomic Vinegar and Olive Oil - drizzle over top

7) Fork - DIG IN!!

ENJOY!!