Google Images Fun

My sis-in-law came across this fun “Game” and so I figured I would pass it along as well.

Rules:   You must answer each question by typing your response into Google and picking your favorite image from the FIRST page of links.  

Have fun with it!!

My First Name:

A place I’d like to travel to:

The town where I was born:

My age:

(I think it’s funny that there wasn’t a single picture of the number I typed in)

 A Past Love:

My favorite color:

My favorite food:

 

(pic from: singleguychef.blogspot.com -which by the looks of it, is an awesome blog unless you’re extremely hungry, in which case- don’t look) haha.

My favorite animal:

A past pet:

My favorite place:

My favorite object:

A bad habit:

 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  =-)

A history for every home.

 This week I discovered a few new things about this old house while speaking to one of the original owners. 

 1. The police department’s horses lived on this lot of land in the 20’s

2.  The ripening of the blackberries was a family affair each year.

3.  This little old house has been “home” for several members of the same family, and their memories are as vivid and romantic as the day they were created.

4.  I love living in this old house more and more with each passing day.

 

 

(Blackberries beginning to ripen)

(Flowers crawling throughout the yard)

 (A lonely and forgotten clothesline)

(A view of the ocean, and Santa Cruz across the bay- it’s faint, but it’s there)

 

 

 

Crêpes

A crêpe (pronounced /ˈkreɪp/, French IPA: [kʀɛp]) is a type of very thin, cooked pancake usually made from wheat flour. The word, like the pancake itself, is of French origin, deriving from the Latin crispa, meaning “curled.”   (Courtesy of Wikipedia.com)

Oh the wonderful world of crêpes!  I have had them before, yes- I’ve even made them once or twice in the past, but for some reason my love for them would stumble, and I would neglect my pans from having contact with them.  But the past couple of days, my Dad and I made some delicious crêpes- and now a world of wonderful tastes wrapped up in a thin slightly sweet wrapper have come to me. 

Yesterday we filled ours with spinach, cheddar, and a yummy sautéed onion mixture for the kids, and for us we used Brie and some Jarlsberg along with the spinach and onion.  Oh it was wonderful! 

This morning I filled them with diced white peaches and some organic raspberry honey that I purchased from the Farmer’s Market a couple of days ago.  It was lacking a binding substance, some kind of sauce- perhaps a sweet cheese?  But it was still wonderful, even in it’s failure to completely satisfy the texture I was envisioning.  Oh well- back to the drawing board on that one.

In Japan, my husband took me to a little stand that served ice cream sundae crêpes.  It was floppy, but it was good.  Instead of the waffle cone, it was a sweet crêpe with similar flavor- filled with 3 scoops of ice cream (I chose to make it Neapolitan), an overly large amount of whipped cream, and lengthwise slivers of banana throughout.  It would have been more delicious had it not be so incredibly humid outside- did you know that ice cream melts?!   Quite quickly in their tropical weather- haha.  It dripped all over, and I was quite a mess, but the memory I have is worth it. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Recipe for batter: Serves 6 (can be halved)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water

2 eggs

1 Tbsp melted butter

1 spoonful of Vanilla Extract (I put this in even if I was making savory fillers, still yummy!)

1 cup flour

Mix liquid ingredients first, then add flour and whisk.  Should be smooth. And you may want to add a tablespoon or so more of milk/water to make it more on the runny side- it all depends on your tastes, and how thin you want your crêpe to be.

———————————

Spray or melt butter in pan to make a non-stick surface.  Put on Medium heat.  The first one takes awhile, but the second one is always better as far as color and ease (is it just me?).  Ladle a portion into the pan and quickly tilt pan around until a thin circle lays in your pan (obviously it’s not going to be perfect).  Wait until under side tans, and it no longer looks like raw batter on the top side. Flip over, and then add your filler ingredients on top of the crêpe-try to keep it in a line in the middle of it, check underside to see if it has a nice speckled golden look to it, and then fold 2 crêpe sides over the filling (it should be folded in thirds at this point)- and you’re set!

Bon Appétit !!!

What’s in a name?

We all have our memories, moments, and emotions that define “father or dad” in our hearts.

 

This is “Father” defined according to Merriam-Webster…

———————————————————

Main Entry:

¹fa·ther

Pronunciation:

\ˈfä-thər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English fader, from Old English fæder; akin to Old High German fater father, Latin pater, Greek patēr

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: a man who has begotten a child; also : sire 3 bcapitalized (1): god 1 (2): the first person of the Trinity 2: forefather 3 a: one related to another in a way suggesting that of father to child b: an old man —used as a respectful form of address 4 often capitalized : a pre-Scholastic Christian writer accepted by the church as an authoritative witness to its teaching and practice —called also church father  5 a: one that originates or institutes <the father of modern science> b: source <the sun, the father of warmth and light — Lena M. Whitney> c: prototype 6: a priest of the regular clergy; broadly : priest —used especially as a title 7: one of the leading men (as of a city) —usually used in plural

— fa·ther·hood \-ˌhu̇d\ noun

— fa·ther·less \-ləs\ adjective

— fa·ther·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective or adverb.

———————————————————

  When I think of my Dad, a flood of memories and emotions come to the forefront of my mind.  Memories of the love we share, the many fun adventures and events we’ve been on, moments of trial and error… moments of comfort, of teaching, of lending me his jacket when it’s cold, taking me to baseball games, watching fireworks, road trips, special “breakfasts” together, learning from him and understanding his love for myself and my siblings.  I love my Dad.

  My husband is also a father.  He loves them, plays rough with them, gives them wonderful memories of hiking in Yosemite, or bike rides, long walks, fun day-hikes and road trips, teaching them about the great outdoors and manly stuff- like how to play with a pocket knife or shoot a BB gun when Mom’s not looking- haha.  Their memories will be different from the ones I have of my Dad- yet the binding unconditional love is the same.  They love their Dad.

 

After the move…

WHIRLWIND

–adjective

4.	like a whirlwind, as in speed or force: a whirlwind visit to New York

First week- house is in disarray, boxes and newspaper everywhere, nothing is in place, odds and ends are laying in heaps around the house and in peculiar places. Where are the towels?!?! I know they’re here somewhere.  How am I EVER going to get this place put together? You call that a garbage can? Where is the other half of it???? 

Second week (it’s almost completed)- furniture is in place, computer is set up, kitchen is somewhat in order, though I have quickly realized that A) This kitchen is too small B) I have way too many kitchen boxes filled with things I “need” and C) There is no garbage disposal and there is no dishwasher….  and I’ve found the towels.

In the past 2 weeks so much has happened for our little family.  I’m happy to report that we are surviving, though sometimes it feels as though we’re hanging on by a thread.  The daily walks to the park or beach make up for not having any moolah to go out for the next two years, haha.  This place is beautiful and reminds me so much of NC and in surprising ways since it’s a very different place.  My heart is happy here, though my mind is listing off the worries for the future-  I know this is where God wants us to be, and I have faith that God has a plan for our little family.  Now I just need to be faithful and wait upon the Lord to show us what His plan is.  

First we need to recover from this move.  Adjust to our new schedules. Make this truly our new home (albeit temporary).  

Baby steps.

 

Discovery

Yesterday my husband and my Dad went to our new place to drop off another truck load of misc boxes.  Upon entering the tiny little house, which feels smaller due to the numerous unpacked boxes lining the walls, they made a discovery.

This discovery wasn’t inside the house itself, but in the yard…(picture below)

 

Apparently, we have a new pet “Buck.”  Amazing!   He probably thought our half-mowed yard was a perfect little meadow paradise (albeit, a small one).  Who knows how long he has used our yard as a resting place, a sanctuary, a place to contemplate.  And then my husband and Dad pop out of nowhere and disturb his peace, in the middle of the day.  haha!   The poor thing ran about the yard before hopping the waist-high fence and ran down the road, narrowly missing an oncoming truck which layed down it’s horn as “Buck” hopped down the road to find another napping place.

We knew that Monterey had deer, but I really didn’t expect we’d get this up close and personal with them! I wish I was there to see it! 

Other “new” discoveries:

Our new house is small and we have too much stuff

The new house has cute old fixtures and touches that I’m falling in love with

I miss our old home but am learning to let go

Having the flu for the first 3 days at your new home is the worst case scenario (I can check that one off my list of “Can’t live life without doing”)

There is sunshine, even if you can’t see it.

*******************************************************************************************************************

Hebrews 11:13-16.

13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

These verses the Lord has shown me, in application to my life, so many times- and it’s been a great comfort and help in my life.  Little background info: I have moved 7 times in my 7 years of marriage, and 13+ times in my 27 years of life, went back and forth each week between my parent’s homes since age 7-  if you can name an emotion, I’ve had it, when it comes to moving. 

My heart aches for a home, a home that is mine, a home I know I’ll stay in, a home that I can hang a picture on the wall and not worry about the nail-hole, or how much of my rental deposit I’ll get nicked for it.  God shows me this verse time and time again, this home is temporary, my body is temporary, this life is temporary. But one thing is sure- God is not temporary, and neither is my place with Him in heaven.  And that brings more comfort than I could possibly ask for in a home here on earth.

Just a little insight if anyone else out there is going through a simliar situation.  I pray that you also recieve comfort from God’s word.

 

I should be packing, but…..

ONE WORD ONLY!

1.Where is your cell phone? buried

2. Your hair? long

3. Work? exhausted

4. Your father? retired

5. Your favorite thing? Creation

6. Your dream last night? broken

7. Your favorite drink? floats

8. Your dream car? flies

9. The room you’re in? disarrayed

10. Your fears? forgotten

11. What do you want to be in 10 years? Mommy

12. Who did you hang out with last night? Kidlets

13. What you’re not good at? affection

14. Muffin? Jiffy

15. One of your wish list items? home

16. Where you grew up? Livermore

17. Last thing you did? laundry

18. What are you wearing? clothing

19. What aren’t you wearing? rings

20. Your pet? imaginary

21. Your computer? entertainment

22. Your life? work

23. Your mood? shut-down

24. Missing? family

25. What are you thinking about right now? puke
26. Your car/truck? Volvo

27. Your summer? moving

28. Your relationship status? claimed

29. Your favorite color? wine

30. When is the last time you really laughed with meaning? today

31. Last time you cried? yesterday

32. School? life

33. Least favorite weather? freezing

34. Soup?  stew

35. Movie? comedy

I’ll tag whomever wants to play!!

 

Trying to get ahead….

So I realize that not every tree is made of money, and most of us Stay at home mother’s are living on very meak wages and trying to budget every penny.   And not many of you reading this have gone through any of what I’m about to talk about. haha!  Oh well, no time like the present.

We have always been poor.  Even when we thought we had hit it big (because we could afford something to eat that wasn’t Rice-A-Roni or coming from a can), we were still poor.   I don’t dislike being poor, nor do I love it exactly.  But I do dislike the stress that comes with being poor, and the nasty pride (Which comes before the great fall, yes I know) of trying to keep up with the Jones’.  Or in our case, everyone that’s a DINK around us (dual income, no kids) or those with 1 income that is double our own.  Yea- it’s not fun “hanging out” when you feel like a slob because the best shirt you own has 3 stains on it and a hole, or feel badly because you cannot relate to anything these people say (I just spent an extravagant amount of money on something I don’t need, and now I don’t want it anymore- don’t you just hate that?)

So I stocked myself up on coupons for a particular salad I like. And I wait until the day before the “Sell By” date, to use it.  If you are unaware of the produce and meat department’s policies of marking down products a day or two before the sell-by date, well!! You are most certainly missing out on some great deals (yea I’m a cheap-o, but these ways of life are proving to benefit my family more and more each passing day).  So the produce guy marks down my salad from $4.99 to $1.99 and I have a $1 off coupon to use, so I get this $5 salad for a measly $1.  I’m stoked!  Then I realize there are other salads being marked down to $.99, and are larger salads.  So I got to thinking, why are some marked down a dollar more than another?  And then I realize that the store KNOWS there are a bunch of people with $1 off coupons (afterall, it was a display near the salads that I got the coupons from in the first place)… so they are counting on not losing money- they are actually hoping that the bargain shoppers will buy it simply because it’s marked at a $1.99, and figure if you have the dollar off coupon then they still aren’t losing money since they would’ve marked it down to a dollar had that coupon not been out in circulation.  Here I was thinking I’m pulling a fast one, getting a great deal, and really- I’m getting an average deal.   Bummer.  haha!

 Other ways to save money? 

Garage sales…   Sell the stuff you don’t care about, for 50 cents-$5, and there you have it… some $$$ for stuff you don’t care about.  Why you bought that stuff to begin with will always remain a mystery, unless you recieved it as a gift.  And then you just have to wonder why it remained in your possession for so many years. 

SO we’re having a garage sale this weekend, which should be eventful.  I’m hoping to earn enough money to pay for our moving truck, a present for Ichi’s classmate (birthday party, or course), a present for Ichi and Ni (just to ease the transition of moving and losing half their toys), and perhaps a coffee afterwards.  So my goal is close to $300.  Maybe.  Last time we had a garage sale, we made a little over $100 and I was selling junk only… this time we actually have some stuff I’m not wanting to get rid of, but really have no other choice. 

So- our life is now in the process of shedding weight (mentally, and materially).  I like it.  It gives such a sense of freedom when you can get rid of all you have and still feel content.  =-)  

A certain verse pulls me through life, it means a great deal to me, and I’d like to share it with you all.

Proverbs  30:7-9    “Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches- feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I steal, And profane the name of my God.”

May that be a focus in each of our lives, especially through tough financial situations- and even more so when we are ahead in the game.  Remember that the Lord should be our focus, and not the money in our pockets.  That His grace is sufficient for all of us.  What a blessing to have that perspective each and EVERY day. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Swirly head…

Ever have that weird feeling, like you might be really really tired, or need to get another cup of coffee, maybe you’re dehydrated, over-worked, over-worried, or just need to breathe? 

Sometimes I wonder if I ought to go to the doctor, or if this is another symptom of adding another day to your life.  The past couple of weeks I’ve woke up to days that leave me fuzzy-brained, swirly headed.  I stand up and start walking, and suddenly- where am I? Is the room spinning? Am I just tired?  It basically feels like I’ve just hyper-ventilated… though it usually happens out of nowhere.  Maybe I amforgetting to breathe, haha!  Who knows.  One of those odd things in life that I won’t have checked out until I actually faint… or I’m forced to go pay the $30 co-pay to see a doctor who will more than likely tell me to drink more fluids, and come back if it continues.  Blah. But I’m tired, not sleepy-tired, just drained.  I feel as though I’ve done more than my body can handle… I’ve been packing and lifting so much lately… I should really be more careful.  I’ve hurt my back numerous times already in the past 2 weeks.  I’m driven. Driven to pack, driven to organize, to be able to push through… and yet my back would beg to differ.   

List of Needs:

1).  To eat better.  It doesn’t help that I love to eat… and eat not-so-healthily.  I love my salads, don’t get me wrong… but most days I want stuff just smothered in butter, baked with mayo/tartar sauce, drizzled in chocolate, or … well, you get the picture.

2). More organization.  When I write out these blogs I really just have one thing to say, and then end up saying 5.  And nothing really seems to be interesting, or thought provoking… just me spilling out 10 minutes worth of thoughts so you can read it in 3.  Isn’t that a weird concept?

3.) To ask for help, even when I think I can do it by myself.  I need to humble myself a bit more, instead of trying to do it all on my own.  I need to ask for God’s help instead of assuming I’ll be able to do everything in my own strength.  Because, believe me, I can’t do it on my own (even if I’ll try to convince myself that this time it’ll be different).  It never is any different.  One of these days I’ll be able to just accept that. 

4.) Prayer.  For me, from me, to God. 

————————

The title of this post reminds me of Foster’s Freeze.  There’s one in my hometown that has a nifty little guy on the sign- perhaps everywhere has this… but I’ve only seen 2 Foster Freeze’s in my life- so who knows.  I’m not even sure if they serve ice cream or frozen yogurt… but I do know they serve burgers.  Go figure. 

If you click on that link and have your speakers turned on, you get a nice little jingle stuck in your head… it worked for me anyway.  Now I want a root beer float…. yum!

 

Cookbooks, Yard Work, Laundry… Happy Birthday!

Today has been a pretty nice b-day.  I’ve been able to speak to my Aunt who I haven’t spoken with in about a year… I really shouldn’t be such a booger of a niece- especially since she’s my favorite Auntie!!  I was able to talk with my friend, go shopping, go grocery shopping, do some laundry and yard work, have my sis-in-law drop by with an awesome picture frame/present, open up two lovely cookbooks/presents from Ichi and Nibon- and now we get to go out for dinner!  Whew!  It seems like so much for one little day! 

 

I’ve had a birthday triathalon this week… I was very pleased and surprised.  Usually my birthday passes without much going on- no cake, maybe a present, maybe a phone call…well one phone call for certain!  This year has blessed me with 2 birthday dinners (and one was Sushi, my all time favorite!!), and cards, and presents… I’m thinking that we should have my birthday more often, haha! 

Ichi seems really excited about it, he keeps drawing “Birthday Cards” on printer paper, then wrapping up some of his toys and taping it shut, then bringing it to me as another birthday present.  Man do I love that kid- just when I think he’s growing up faster than I can keep memories… he goes and does things so sweet and little kid-like….   awwww….. proud mommy moment.

I’m excited to try out some recipes from my new cookbooks.  Ichi picked out a Martha Stewart Cookies cookbook, and Nibon “chose” a Southeast Asian one from William-Sonoma.  Funny how a 2.5yr old somehow knew my taste for cooking Asian foods.  Funny.   I have another ASIAN cookbook from William-Sonoma that was a gift a couple years ago from my Sis-in-law which I have absolutely LOVED.  I’m anxious to try out these new yummy dishes.  My husband even “conveniently” found his favorite Thai dish in the cookbook…. guess I’ll need to earmark that one, and make it first. 

So- Happy Birthday to myself- and here’s to another blessed year!!  I do hope that you all are having a wonderful week… and let’s not forget that Mother’s Day is only 3 more short little days away!

I need to get on top of that one too…. tomorrow of course.  =-P

 

Move Update:  I’ve been doing pretty well on my daily lists… in fact, I’ve almost completed 2/3 of each list for each day… it would be better if I could check off everything, on the day I’ve listed it, but it is a work in progress.  It does give me direction anyway.  And we signed our lease, so we’re officially renting a home in Monterey.  Wahoo!  Looks like Memorial Day weekend will be our moving weekend.  Now we just need to finish up all this packing!! … oh, and the other 1/3 of my scheduled lists…. haha!