linnybest

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

I love Friends. It's definately my favorite sitcom.




And I once had this really cool car...meet Princess Consuela Bananahammock.




And of course there's a story behind that name!

So I give you Phoebe, and her new hubs, Mike...she's a charactor. And I love her.




And here's the story behind my 1993 Red Mitsubishi Princess Consuela Bananahammock.



I've had a car named "Lil Boat" (that was my first car, a Green Ford Explorer), and a Dodge Durango named "Haus", now Dale and I drive a yellow Cavalier named "Chiquita" and a silver Mazda 6 we call "Shelbie."

HAve you ever named a car? Is there a good story behind it? I'd love to hear!

Focused on Hope

Eliud's story is inspiring.




This is Eliud's home, his front door.




Above his front door, he has written this...




He must read these words every time he walks out of his home to face the hard world around him.

These words must keep him focused on his Creator, his provider, his hope.

Go here to find a beautiful child to bring hope into their lives.

Go here to learn more about the recent Compassion Bloggers' trip to Kenya.

Thank you Shaun and Brad for sharing his story.

Christianity = Social Justice

I understand that not everyone has such an aching heart like I do for the poor, marginalized, orphaned, hungary...but it is something that was very close to Jesus' heart and for that very reason should be on our hearts, as Christ-followers.

I am very saddened by the words spoken by Glen Beck recently on his television show...

I'm begging you, your right to religion and freedom to exercise religion and read all of the passages of the Bible as you want to read them and as your church wants to preach them...are going to come under the ropes in the next year. If it lasts that long it will be the next year. I beg you, look for the words 'social justice' or 'economic justice' on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words.

Here are the refrences for this text...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/08/glenn-beck-leave-churches_n_490060.html
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/03/08/glenn-beck-urges-listeners-to-leave-churches-that-preach-social/
http://blog.beliefnet.com/jesuscreed/2010/03/hey-glenn-beck-listen-to-jesus.html

I honestly want to know where he comes from on his saying these words. I want to know, because I know where I stand and it is far from him, and he claims to be a Christian, as I do. How can we have such polar opposite views on something so vital to my faith, and still claim to have the same faith?

You can go here and let him know how you feel.

How do you feel about social justice? and the church? and those two things together?

Eluid and Nick

A group of Compassion Bloggers are heading back to their homes today after a life changing trip to Kenya. And it has been great watching their journey.

The other day, they visited this place.




It is the Mathare Slum, one of the largest and most congested slums in the world. Over 800,000 people live within these 3 square miles. Garbage is piled everywhere and sewage flows freely in between the houses.

A couple of online friends, Brad Ruggles and Shaun Groves, had the opportunity to go and wrote amazing posts about a man named Eliud Otieno, who calls that place home. He was a Compassion-sponsored boy and has an amazing attitude and outlook on life.




This is Eliud's home.




After reading Brad's post, I read Shaun's too, and this boy man is a beautiful human being and such a testament to the work that Compassion does for so many children around the world.

Eliud was sponsored by a man named Nick in California and they have an amazing connection. Nick encouraged Eliud through so much in his life. Eliud has lost both his parents, Compassion helped purchase the slum-shack his family was renting after their deaths, they also stepped in and helped financially to feed Eliud and make sure that he could continue his education. All because of Nick's support and encouragement this boy's life was changed for the better.




Shaun and Brad asked Eliud what he would say to Nick if he could talk to him and listening to his words brought me to tears. This hopeless little orphaned boy has blossomed into an amazing, strong man of God.

Project Life Tuesday :: Week Nine

Tuesday, March 2, 2010


Mommy and Caedmon went on a morning walk to Target today and Caedmon wanted to help push the stroller.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010


When Caedmon wakes up in the morning, he will be 17 months old!

Thursday, March 4, 2010


Dale MC'd a Barlow Girl concert in Bakersfield tonight so Caedmon and Mommy were on our own at home...we had banana pancakes for dinner.

Friday, March 5, 2010


Daddy and Caedmon picked up a couple things at the grocery store that Mommy forgot this week and Caedmon loves to help!

Saturday, March 6, 2010


He's a climber!!!

Sunday, March 7, 2010


Caedmon LOVES to slide!!!

Monday, March 8, 2010


Mommy had her last class tonight at church tonight, so Daddy ordered a stuffed crust pizza and Caedmon got to try his first delivered pizza! And he LOVED it...two whole pieces worth!

Meal Planning Mondays!

It feels like this week is back to "normal" after a couple very hectic weeks! So I'm looking forward to more homecooked meals with my boys around the table!

TUESDAY
Dale will be in Bakersfield tonight for a concert, so Caedmon and I are having spaghetti with meat sauce...back to the basics!
WEDNESDAY
Chicken Salads with carrots, cheese and your choice of dressing
THURSDAY
Tilapia over rice with brussel sprouts
I was watching 10 Dollar Dinners and Melissa D'Aradian had a great recipie that I am going to tweek for Dale's tastebuds...I'll let you know what we think and share the recipe soon!
FRIDAY
We have Sacred Marraige at church tonight so it's another quickie...enchiladas from the freezer.
SATURDAY
Rachael Ray's Rice Pilaf and Tarragon Cream Chicken
SUNDAY
orange chicken stir fry bowls

Chicken with Tarragon Cream and Green Bean Rice Pilaf :: Rachael Ray

I like TiVo. I get to watch Rachael Ray and Oprah everyday and fast forward through all the commercials and the fluff...just what I want to see!

My normal frusterations with the Food Network weren't fulfilled today. Normally, I don't write home about the recipes I see on the Food Network shows, because I either don't have some of the ingredients in my kitchen on a normal basis, or I don't own a utensil they used, or they used a term that I have no idea about! But today, Rachael Ray made me smile...

So today, she had this...




Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup broken, thin spaghetti
1 cup white rice
2 3/4 cups chicken stock
1 cup frozen French-cut green beans
Salt and pepper
4 pieces skinless, boneless chicken breast
1 tablespoon EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
8 small white mushrooms, sliced
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 tablespoon flour
1/3 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard


Preparation
In a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add the spaghetti and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice, then stir in 1 3/4 cups chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the pot and cook for 18 minutes. Stir in the green beans, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for a couple of minutes, then fluff with a fork and season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning once, until golden, about 12 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter of the skillet and lower the heat to medium. Stir in the mushrooms and shallot and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk in the remaining 1 cup chicken stock, the crème fraiche, tarragon, mustard and any chicken juices.

Slice the chicken and serve alongside or on top of the rice. Spoon the sauce on top.

So I'm trying it out next week sometime!!

Trying anything new around your house this week??

The Invisible Woman

Sometimes I feel invisible around here...this is very encouraging...



Thanks to my mentor and friend, Super-Mom, Kim for sharing!

Do you ever feel unappreciated?

Who are you doing those little things for?

Project Life Tuesday :: Week Eight

 

    

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Mommy had to make up for the time she missed yesterday at the DMV and went on a cleaning frenzy this morning so Caedmon got to watch his favorite, VeggieTales!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010


Daddy needed a long nap tonight so Caedmon got to take Mommy to the playground across the street until after the sun went down...Caedmon loved the freedom of playing all by hisself!

Thursday, February 25, 2010


... someone has a runny nose...and he likes to wipe it himself...then Mommy cleans it all up.

Friday, February 26, 2010


Mommy took Caedmon to get a Jamba Juice this afternoon and I think he liked it!

Saturday, February 27, 2010


Caedmon has officially hit toddlerhood...screaming fits and everything...but on the otherhand, Mommy and Daddy love those rare moments when Caedmon wants to be held!

Sunday, February 28, 2010


All the kids in Caedmon Sunday School run to the window and watch the bigger kids play on the playground through their window....today Caedmon was very excited to get to see Natalie!

Monday, March 1, 2010


Caedmon got movie time this morning and enjoyed watching Nemo while eating some cherrios.

Meal Planning Monday :: March 1-7, 2010

I am going quick and easy this week for dinners...

MONDAY: You're on your own tonight! Mom's in class and Daddy's in a meeting.
TUESDAY: fajita enchiladas
WEDNESDAY: tuna helper, we have Life Group tonight!
THURSDAY: a quiet evening at home...BBQ Chicken, twice baked potato casserole and brussel sprouts
FRIDAY: breakfast for dinner, we'll decide what sounds good then!
SATURDAY: meatloaf (from the freezer) lima beans and something else, I can't decide...
SUNDAY: spaghetti and meat sauce...a staple 'round here!

What's on the menu at your house this week?

Aunt Lisa Will Be Proud

Caedmon's Aunt Lisa is a dental hygenist and our family's resident dental guru. Ao I'm sure she is so proud of her nephew and his enthusiastic overexcitement for brushing his teeth...four times a day!

My Little Helper

He likes to help with the chores...

Project Life Tuesday :: Week Seven

Tuesday, February 16, 2010


Tonight Caedmon hung out with a great family from our church so we could go to Bakersfield with a big group of friends to see Rob Bell give his newest speaking tour, "Drops Like Stars" It was a great night full of friends, conversation and Chick Fil A!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010


We have Life Group at Kurt and Lauren's house every Wednesday and tonight we continued the DVD and discussion series called "They Love Jesus but Hate the Church" We had good conversation with everyone!

Thursday, February 18, 2010


Caedmon loves to put on his Daddy's shoes and walk around the living room, he's pretty darn good at it too and o so proud of himself!

Friday, February 19, 2010


Today was a busy day...we got rid of Dale's very first vacuum, recieved 3 new photo books, Christmas 2009, The Bests in the Mountains, and The Bests Everyday 2009 (my 365 project!) in the mail and Caedmon spent the evening at Wesley's house while Mommy and Daddy started their new class at church called Sacred Marriage.

Saturday, February 20, 2010


Caedmon finally learned how to suck through a straw for the first time today! His first sip was none other than a strawberry orange julius...yum! And later that night, Kailey and Rankin came over for dinner and a card game and brought a yummy chocolate brownie mountain to share! It was a great treat since we rarely have dessert 'round here.

Sunday, February 21, 2010


We took dinner to new parents, Brad and Shellie and got to meet baby Brooklyn today...Caedmon kept saying hi to her and giving her kisses; he's so sweet!

Monday, February 22, 2010


Mommy and Caedmon spent 3 hours at the DMV this morning to update our car tags! Yay!

New Recipes!!

I LOVE coming up with new recipes, experimenting with a few ingredients, making up my own personal dinners or just making something I have never tried before!

And this week I got to do that two days in a row...makes a girl happy, I'd say.

Yesterday, I made Beans and cornbread for the first time...after a reading a little bit and a quick call to my Mom for her tips, I made my Daddy's favorite meal and I think it turned out pretty good!

I soaked the beans over night in simply water, covered with a towel on the countertop. Then in the morning, I chopped two green onions and about 5 cloves of garlic (we love us some garlic round here) and put them into a pot with the beans and just enough water to cover the beans. I added the chopped ham that I bought at the store (I think next time I'll try to add some bacon too!); then I added salt and pepper, garlic salt and onion powder and let it boil for a good half hour. Then it was in the crock pot for the rest of the day on low until my boys ate it for dinner that night. I wasn't home last night, so it was a great easy meal that Dale could finish up himself. He whipped up the cornbread and fed Caedmon, I got a bowl of the beans today for lunch and they were yummy is I do say so myself!

So today, it's a new recipe/slash/expierement for my kitchen...taquitos. I have corn tortillas and wanted to make something yummy and new with them...so I am marinating some shredded chicken in a concoction I just came up with containing very Mexican food spices and flavors...hot sauce, lime juice, taco seasoning, garlic salt, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt, and some Worcestershire sauce for that smoky flavor, and a little chicken broth to make it go further. It's going to marinate in the fridge until I get home from work tonight, when I will cook it, with a little green onion, wrap it into the corn tortillas with a little cheese and bake until golden brown and yummy...we'll see how it turns out!

What do you love to do in the kitchen?

Ah, QuikTrip

Something I miss about Okie-home-a...QuikTrip...the awesomest, most bestest convenient store in the world!

And this year, they had a local Super Bowl commercial that I also missed being here in Cali...



But I gotta admit, my favorite of the national commercials was this one...



What was your favorite Super Bowl commercial?