Whirlwind Weekend

This weekend is packed!!  Tonight Nick and I are going to see "Up".  It looks fantastic and we have been waiting months for it to come out.  Then we are stoppinga the rec center to swim some laps.  We haven't been swimming since we moved so I am really looking forward to it.  I liked when we lived down the road fromt the rec center; we played racquetball quite a bit and swam often.  After swimming, we are going for a bite to eat.  Who knows where, but we will definitely be enjoying our time together.

Then tomorrow, Nick's family and we are going to the "Got to be NC" festival.  It is an awesome festival that promotes North Carolina products, farms, and bbq-ers.  There are tons of exhibits, free food, a bbq cookkoff (and tasting), and a mini carnival.  We went last year and had a great time.  I am really excited about it this year!!

Then Sunday, our small group will be meeting for the last time until fall.  It will be nice to see everyone, but it is sad knowing it is the last one.  By the time we start meeting again, Nick and I will be leaving in a few weeks plus we will be out of town visiting friends and family.  I must say when we joined this group last February, I really did not like it.  Everyone was so different from ourlast group, and the meting had a much more serious feel.  However, I really have grown to enjoy meeting with them, and we have met some really cool people.  Now I still miss meeting with our old group, but I look forward to seeing everyone in the new group also.

Well today is exactly four months until we fly out with Peace Corps.  On Sept. 29, 2009 Nick and I will be in Philadelphia meeting the folks we will be training with for the next three months.  We'll get anymore vaccinations, have final checks on passports/visas, learn a bit about where we are going/staying in Turkmenistan, and then we'll leave out for 27 months.  The closer it gets the more I realize everything we are leaving behind.  I mean some things are good to leave behind--boring jobs, consummerism, television addiction.  But everyone we know is here, all my cooking stuff is here, safety in knowing everything is going to be fine is here.  I mean we're crazy doing this.  Sometimes I want to back out and just move to Colorado but I know if we don't do this, we are just going to keep getting stuck in a rut with our jobs.  I really want to be excited about this trip (and I am most times), but it is really scary at the same time--at least I will have Nick beside me.

My Summer

This summer I will be doing something that most people who know me would be extremely surprised by...babysitting.  I will be watching an 8 month old little boy, Ethan.  He is extremely laid back, probably one of the best kids I know.  He is very bright and inquisitive.  I am hoping he'll be walking soon, but he sure does crawl around fast now.  I really am enjoying keeping him so far; it is tiring, but at least it is only for a few hours.  I'll probably talk more about him later on, but surprise, surprise I still cannot believe I actually said yes to babysit.

Also, next week we get to vacay at the beach!!  Nick's grandparents have a great little cottage.  They built it back in the '60s and it still looks exactly the same--vinyl sofa and chairs, orginal matresses, vintage serving/diningware, and formica dining table and chairs.  I love it just like it is (although a new matress would be fabulous).  It is like stepping back into a time where life made more sense and you could actually relax--no computers, ipods, or cell phones.  I am really looking forward to going.  It is going to be the last time for a couple years so I really want to each it this time.

Also, Friday will be exactly four months until we begin our adventure with the Peace Corps.  It is still scary to think about leaving everything for two years but it will be a literal once-in-a-lifetime experience.  We did receive some language audio and pdf files this week.  It covers basic Turkmen--abc's, numbers, and basic phrases (ex. where is the bathroom?).  It seems pretty easy to learn, although there is more use of consonants making some words harder to understand.  Overall though, I think Nick and I should do very well with picking up the language.  On a side note, we do have to get dental exams redone.  So please pray with us for the money to be provided to cover this without having to use our savings up again.

Lastly, my garden is looking good.  We have five watermelon sprouts, my zucchini is making a comeback, and there are flowers on the hot banana pepper plants!  The only thing that has not been sucessful is my cilantro which is this one thing I was most excited about.  Oh well.  

Anniversary Dinner

For our anniversary, we went to dinner at George's Gareage.  It was fabulous, as usual.  We shared a crab cake appetizer.  Probably, the best crab cake I have ever had, and I've had alot considering I am from Maryland.  Nick had seafood pasta for his entree.  It was angel hair pasta with shrimp, scallops, mussell, clams, and calamari and a spicy white wine marinara.  Really good but too much stuff for one dish and a little expensive.  I had a spinach salad and linguine.  The salad had feta, walnuts and delicious blueberry vinagrette.  I love the linguine and it was only $9!!  It comes with this fabulous spicy marinara.  Then we shared tiramisu for dessert.  Also fabulous and not too expensive.  It was a great night and a great meal.   We love George's and if you are ever in the area and want a nice meal check it out.

Hot and Cheesy Potato Casserole

I made this casserole up after thinking all day about what to cook tonight for dinner.  It was so simple and quick.  Also I sauteed some green pepper and onion we had on hand and served that for the side.  Nick ate about half the casserole, he enjoyed it so much.  Defintely will need to double the recipe if I fix it for the whole family next time.

Recipe: Serves 4

2 pkgs Idahoan instant potatoes (any variety)

4 beef hot links (kielbasa or beef sausage would be a fine substitute)

3/4 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 375*.  Cook potatoes according to pkgs. directions.  Meanwhile, slice hot link into 1/2" rounds and cook on medium high heat.  When potatoes are done stir in sour cream and milk.  In a 9x9 baking dish, add 1/2 of the cheese and spread potatoes on top.  When hot links are done cooking, spread out on top of potatoes and top with rest of cheese.  Bake uncovered for 15 mins.  Then turn on broiler and bake until cheese is just turning brown and getting bubbly.  Enjoy!

Only 180 More To Go

Yesterday was our 3 year anniversary.  I still can't believe it's three years already.  Everyone keeps telling me it only seems to go by faster the longer your are married.  I want to slow down though.  I already feel like I am missing stuff or memories are running together.  But all in all, I love it!  I love being married, I love the man I married.  He is an incredible gift from God.  He loves all of me and that is something I never thought anyone but God could love.  He challenges me.  He goofs off with me.  And he takes care of me.  We have been through up and downs already and we're still just starting out.  Through it all though we are only closer to each other and to God.  We have the most wonderful marriage and I cannot wait to see what waits for us in the next 180 years.

I love you babe!! You are the greatest man I know!  Happy "late" Anniversary!

Virginia Creeper Trail

This weekend Nick's family, some friends and us went to Damascus, Va for a bike trip.  We had a blast. 

On Friday night we had slight mishap with the tacos.  Nick's mom dropped a whole sheet of tacos and Ricky decided this little broom would be great to use for clean up.  Funny...but what a mess!!

 This is us starting out on the Virginia Creeper Trail.  It is a 17 mile long up or downhill trail.  Obviously, we went downhill since none of us are experience cyclists.

The trail is gorgeous.  There is a river that flows by the whole trail with several bridges that cross over.

This is me finally finishing the ride.  The last mile is KILLER!!  My butt was so sore and my arms ached, but I FINISHED!!!  17 miles!

This is the river by our cabin.  There was a huge log "bridge" to cross over.  That is Nick's mom finally making it over.  It was a beautiful area we stayed at.  If you ever get a chance to ride the trail, do it.  It was really gorgeous and so much fun!!

Easy Dinner

Last night we grilled leftover hamburgers from our bike trip (see next post), steamed broccoli with a balsamic reduction sauce, sauteed spinach and steamed corn. Yummy!

Broccoli with Balsamic Reduction:

2 large stems broccoli

1 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp flour

1/4 water

Chop broccoli into flowerettes and place in microwaveable bowl.  Cover bowl with saran wrap and microwave for 5 mins on high power.  On stove bring vinegar to boil and when it is reduced by 1/2 add the brown sugar and slurry (flour and water mix until no clumps remain).  Reduce heat so it doesn't burn and let suace thicken.  When sauce is dark (like chocolate) and coats spoon it is done.  Drizzle sauce over broccoli and serve.

Sauteed spinach:

1 bag spinach (baby or regular)

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tbsp. onion, chopped

1-2 tbsp butter (we use smart balance spread)

Heat pan on medium heat and add butter.  When butter is melted, add garlic and onion.  Saute until golden brown, then add spinach--put spinach in a handful at a time; it will cook down but don't over fill the pan.  Saute until all the spinach is wilted and serve.  Enjoy!

Enchilada Casserole

I forgot to take a photo of this dish but everyone really enoyjed it.  Plus, it was super easy.  We had some leftover steak so I slowcooked it until it was really tender and added it to the casserole.

Recipe:  Serves 6-8

1 jar salsa

1 bag baby spinach leaves

4 burrito size tortillas, cut into 3" wedges

1 can corn, drained well

1 can black beans, drained well

1/2 bag mexican blend cheese or cheddar

Preheat oven to 400*.  In 13x9 baking dish, spread a layer of salsa, just enough to cover the bottom.  Top with tortillas (cover salsa completely) and spread half of black beans and corn.  Layer with half the bag of spinach and top with salsa.  Repeat with tortillas, black beans, corn and spinah.  Top off with any leftover salsa and tortillas.  Bake for 30 mins.  Then add cheese and bake for an additional 10 mins.  Enjoy.

So You're Dead, Now What?

My garden has been doing really well, but we were having a problem with wild onions and weeds.  We had wanted to grow without pesticides.  I thought since we did not have any "fruit" yet I would go ahead and srapy for weeds.  However, I sprayed some of the plants (the bottle did say it was safe to use on flowers and vegetable plants), and by the time Nick came home--about two hours after I sprayed--all but two of my plants were dead!!!  I was so upset.  But...I did start over.  I had to get four more tomato plants, four more hot banana pepper plants, and plant more zucchini.  I guess I learned my lesson.  

Also, we planted sugar baby melons.  Yum!!

I haven't really fixed many great dinners lately.  I did try to make a "fall-apart" pork last night, but it didn't cook all the way through.  I ended up slicing some off and finishing it in the microwave.  The flavor was great, and I think I might try it again and just cook it slow all day.

If you would like to try it, check out the RV Cooking Show.  

Contemplations

I have been reading the new issue of Relevant Magazine, and it has caused me to do some thinking.

1) Sloth--One of the "Seven Deadly Sins".  Being a sloth is not equivalent to being a couch potato.  It is the attitude, knowingly or unknowingly, of apathy.  I am a sloth by this definition.  Yes I care about my husband and my church, but outside of that, I am pretty much apathetic towards most things.  Right now, my focus has been solely on me and how much longer I am going to be stuck in the "phase/chapter" of my life.  I am sick of it--the waiting, the passion waning, the slow death of my spirit, the general discontent, the compromising, the noise to fill time (and the noise that irritates).  I just want it to all be over so I can move on to a more exciting part of life.  We decided almost two years ago to join the Peace Corps and we are still stuck in Durham and now living with Nick's parents.  I have let my time in Durham slowly kill my spirit of giving, loving, caring, helping and serving.  I let go of most of my friendships stating they didn't care about me anymore, but it is mostly because I "feel" like everyone else gets to move on with their lives and I am stuck in the holding pattern.  I need to change.  God did not create me to be selfish.  He created me to care about others and show them His unconditional love.  I want to change and be empathetic and caring again.  It just feels like too much work to change now...

2) TOMS shoes--I have a chance to change the life of another.  Why am I not doing it?  I talk about social justice issues and how Christians need to become the leaders on these issues, but I am doing nothing about it myself.  For bewteen $44 and $98 I could get two awesome pairs of shoes--one for me, one for someone overseas to desititute to even own shoes.  Yet I spend probably 2-3 times this much just on food (grocery and dining out).  Really I need to cut back.  That next time I want to go out, why don't I just give the money to a great organization and help life change begin.

3) Prayer--I pray often, but mostly it is selfish praying.  I want to pray for others.  I need to pray for others.  The Apostle Paul writes over and over how he prays for others always.  He thanks God for the lives and ministries of fellow Christ Followers.  He prays for their needs to be met and for God to bless them for the work they are doing.  And all of this is while Paul sits on prison for preaching the same message.  I want to be able to pray for other unselfishly--just to thank God for using them and blessing their lives and leave it at that. 

These are just a few thoughts going on in this crazy mind God gave me.  Hopefully, getting them out here will provide with rest for tonight, but if not maybe new thoughts to aprk my new journey of life change will grow in my restlessness.  

New Garden

We decided to plant a garden this year.  We only had a small place but there were lots of weeds and monkey grass to remove.  It took two work days to clear out everything but finally got it done, and it looks great!

This is the garden before.

These are our zucchini plants.  I planted them last Wednesday, and they are sprouting already! There are four plants (only two growing yet).  Can't wait to harvest some of these and grill some kabobs!

This is the garden after the first half was cleared and planted.  I planted two Roma tomato plants (on the left), two Homestead tomato plants (on the back right), and two hot banana peppers (in the front).  I think it looks great.  We just need some rain!!

This is my cilantro planter.  I had six sprouts but three died because I left them in the sun too long one day--it was extremely hot that day.  I have three still living and planted five more.  Hopefully, there will be some new sprouts next week.

These are my other herbs.  All my chives (in the back) are doing great.  The parsley (in the middle) is good--I had one casuality with the hot weather.  The thyme (front to picture) is so-so.  Lost two plants and it is not growing that much.  I am patiently hoping it makes it.
 

Also, I have spearmint which is sprouting like crazy.  I will also be planting yellow squash next week, but we need more soil.  I really like gardening.  It is tons of hard preparation work but the outcome is a great reward!!