My current favorite meal

Yep you see it right!  And so sophisticated!! A veggie corn dog (bought at Trader Joe's), peas and baked french fries.  In the photo I had made regular potato fries.  Last night I made sweet potato fries.

In case you have ever missed it, I make baked fries quite often.  Very easy recipe:

At least 1 potato per person
I put on whatever seasonings I like
3/4-1 tablespoon canola or olive oil for every potato I cut up

Mix them all together, lay out on a baking sheet and bake at 400-425 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes for 45 minutes to an hour.  Simple right!

For regular fries I generally use black pepper, seasoned salt and chili powder.
For sweet potato fries its pumpkin pie seasoning and chili powder.

Yummy!!

My current favorite playlist...

Thought you would like to see my current favorite playlist.  This is almost in constant rotation when my computer is open.

Enjoy!

I heart these kids!

Alex in Cambodia sent me a few pictures that he thought I would love to see.  I wanted to share them here!!

The email's subject was: Someone asked me to send these to you

Followed by this:

Care to guess who???? 

FYI...he's offering you a cucumber in the last pic!

FYI FYI...orphanage cucumbers rock the house. So you're getting a pretty dang tasty gift.

It's Rothanak!!!!

And a second email:

Before you look at this pic, I wanted to tell you that there has been some major rearranging done with sleeping arrangements lately. The girls are now in the new building and the boys are split in the "old" building (younger boys below, older upstairs) - and they have dismantled/reassembled most bunks in the process. So I can't say for certain who might have written what you are about to see, but it is on Hieng's bed. Love it!

Heing sleeping

Just to let you know, Heing is the boy that I sponsor at the orphanage.  No matter who wrote it, I felt loved all day long!!!

And one more picture that Alex sent. First he sent:

And asked me if I recognized it.  OF COURSE I DID!!!  DO you see the necklace in the pic??? Well, I had made it in high school (see the #11 -- my basketball jersey number) and wore it all the time.  After high school it was one thing I just couldn't seem to get rid of, that was until I brought it to Cambodia.  I just though Pichhing had to have it!!! And I love that he's still wearing it!! Yay!!

Then Alex sent me this picture:

Now you can see Pichhing's face.  And the yellow bracelet he is holding... yep, its his present to me!  I'll get it in April... I can't wait!!

And, since the picture above of Heing is him sleeping, I thought you may want to see him awake...

Customer Service and my local Target

I'm not sure how you have felt about your shopping experiences lately but I have to rant here. I've gotten to doing more and more coupon shopping. I'm not as good as some, but I do fairly well with my coupons.  Target, however, hasn't been very nice about accepting coupons.  So I wrote this to their customer service department.  Let's see if they respond...

I have to let you know about an experience I had with Cynthia at 8:30am today. She was AMAZING!!! She greeted me when I walked in the door and was the nicest checkout person that I've had the pleasure of working with at Target She was sweet, helpful, friendly, talkative, pleasant, took my coupons without hassle and got me laughing in the checkout lane. I'm horrible at remembering names but I won't forget Cynthia!

I have to be honest, with the service that I've experienced lately at that Target store I had all but written Target off. The thing is, Target is on my commute to work so its convenient and would love to have positive shopping experiences when I go there. My experience lately at this Target has been sub-par, dare I say worse than Walmart (and I can't stand Walmart). I will print Target coupons from your website and bring them in and have to argue with the cashiers for them to take them. I've even had to argue with a manager... over $.50. Really? Would you rather keep $.50 and lose a customer? I have to be honest, there is a CVS, Publix, Rite Aid, Walgreens, H Mart, Walmart, Kroger, etc all within a few miles of me that I have been frequenting more often just because they treat me better.

Growing up Target was like the Nordstrom of grocery stores. I loved shopping at Target. Now when I walk in I feel like I must be prepared for battle. I have a hard time finding someone on the floor when I have a question or can't find something. And I have to fight to use your coupons. One lady even told me she couldn't take my coupons because (and I quote), "Target is in the business of making money." That was her explanation for why she didn't want to take the coupons I printed from your website. The basic feeling I get is that the employees want to "stick it to the man." Except, I work for a non-profit and I live in Atlanta, so needless to say, I'm not the man. I need to save money where ever I can and I'm so glad you have store coupons. I just would love to be able to use them without hassle.

Please, please, please hire more people like Cynthia. If I had today's experience every time I went into Target I would be doing nothing but raving about your store... I'd have you right back up there with Nordstrom.

God's Love

I hit on the fact recently that I have a personal journal. Well, there's a lot of raw material in there.   The me that I like to keep hidden in the pages that no one else will see.  In there I fight with myself and ask God lots of questions that as a Christian woman I feel I shouldn't have the, well, balls to ask.  And I've been asking God to open my heart and to show me trust.  Today he showed me a little bit.  I what may be a reverse prayer (and yes, I tend to write out my prayers in the pages of my journal, I feel that I have a stronger voice in written word... maybe that why I have continued to blog when so many other things come and go).

I have been struggling with the idea that God, who is so right and pure and true would ever want to have anything to do with me.  I believe God is who he says he is and that Jesus his son came to earth, lived, died and rose again.  I believe.  That's not where my struggle has been.  Mine has hit more on trust.  Why would God love me?  Who can love the mess that is me?

And in my private journal I found something, this reverse prayer, that I feel like I'm not the only one who needs to hear it.  So, if you read and it touches your heart, maybe you are the one that its been put it on the blog for.  If not, feel free to skip over it...

Yes, you are mine.  I created you and I love you not just the way you are or in spite of the way you are but bigger and deeper and wider and longer and so much more unconditional than you will ever comprehend.  Even if you were to never open the door I'd still continue to knock.   

There is no one more special, more important to me than you.  Even if you never change and the ways you hate so much about yourself stay the same for the rest of your life I don't care, Ill never leave you.  I see you as good, as pure, as lovely, as noble, and admirable.  You are so breathtaking to me.  I am ENTHRALLED by your beauty.  I am yours, my sweet child, and you are mine.  Remember the woman by the well?  Remember Mary and Martha? I didn't condemn them.  I love them. And I love you too.   

I am literally willing to go to the ends of the earth and to die to protect you.  In my death I set you free.  Free from guilt and agony and shame and pain.  I set you free from the constraints of sin and of this world and I placed a power in you to do such mighty things.  Because I know you are capable.  I know you are strong enough and you have me by your side to always encourage and honor you.  No matter how narrow the path, I'm with you.  I may even carry you.  No matter how heavy the backpack, I'll carry the load.  No matter where you run or where you hide I'll be with you.  With the most pure, faithful love.  You are my beloved.   

See all the beauty on the earth? Its there for you.  Bask in the colors of the sunrise, in the smell of the ocean breeze, in the ease of a lazy Saturday and the sound of the music you listen to, in the feel of the warm sheets in the winter and the sun on your face.  Enjoy the taste of food.  Enjoy the love of friends and family.  Enjoy everything I've made, because I made it for you.  Because you are worth it all and so much more.   

I have a plan for you.  And don't worry about it right now.  When I want you to know I'll tell you.  Right now work on experiencing my love.  Just be there and rest in that.  Just like you must just be when you are in yoga.  Just be in me.   

Remember the unconditional love in Cambodia?  That's real.  That's a reflection of my love.  Its not forced or manufactured.  And it's not mass-produced. It's personal, its relational and it's just yours.  You are so uniquely made.  And your life is unlike any others.  DO NOT COMPARE your life to others.  Don't measure successes and failures the same way others do.    

I've created you with a purpose in mind that only I know and it will be fulfilled.  And to do it and to prepare you for it and to ultimately show you my love and how strong it is I've allowed you freedom to experiment and to try and to run and to learn.  And slowly I've brought  you back to me.  Because I need you and you need me.    

Open your heart to me.  Understand it's a slow process.  When it's tough lean into me.  I'm unbending and can support you.  When it hurts know I cry with you.  Know when its scary I protect you.  Know no matter what the circumstance I'm with you, I'm in you, I'm surrounding you.  Just like the wind you may not always feel me or see my but know I'm there.  I'm touching and surrounding you because you mean so much to me.  And there will be a day when we stand face to face and we will embrace.  Where ever you are, you are home and you are with me.    

The love I have doesn't even understand or comprehend the words stop or quit or end.  It doesn't understand limits.  Even when you would be willing to quite or give up, know that in that moment my love just got stronger.  Because it in your weakness that I'm made strong.  I get to hold you and wrap my arms around you.   

If only you would view yourself in the way I  view you.  But my view would frighten you because I have you on such a pedestal.  You are my child and I see your potential.  I know your capabilities.  I know how strong you really are.  And right now, in days like today, you're learning a little bit about your strength too.  Most 'normal' people couldn't go thru what you do and have your attitude.   

You are finally learning to be honest with me in who you are; and be honest with yourself.  You aren't coming to me with perfection saying 'look what I did' but coming to me in humbleness saying I need you.  You have fears and doubt and trouble and sadness.  The walls you built up to try to keep all that out... how are they working for you? You've managed t trap yourself inside of them haven't you?  With my help they won't just be removed but we will tear them down and build and build a bridge out of those bricks.  These bricks will pave a way to a world  you can't even fathom on your own.  Because I know what your capable of and remember, I know your strength and I'l never ask you to do anything you can't bear.   

My love, my beloved, you are amazing, outstanding, and I'm simply overwhelmed by you.  If only you could see you in the way I see you, ahhh, what a change that would be.  What a paradigm shift.  Your focus would forever be changed.  What you deem important now you would look at like yesterday's garbage.  Because what I have for you is so much bigger. 

But don't be overwhelmed, we'll go at your pace.  Remember, I have all the time in the world.  And I'll use it all with you.  Use me to fill you up.  Use me to get what you need.  I'm always here.  Always.  You will never need an appointment to see me.  Don't worry about having the right answers, keep asking the questions.  Never give up and I promise I'll never give up on you.   

I love you.  Abba.  Your Father.

Brown Rice Krispies and Fake Out Cabbage Rolls

Let's start with dessert first... I made a variation on a rice krispie treat I've made before... this was just using what I already had at home.

Brown Rice Krispies

3 cups puffed brown rice
1 tablespoon coconut oil (use can use any kinda oil you want)
1/2 tablespoon honey
couple drops vanilla
3 cups mini marshmallows
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
couple pinches coconut flakes
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1/2 tablespoon Udo's Wholesome Fast Food (optional)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Lightly coat the inside of a 7 x 5 pan by 2-inch pan with oil and set aside.

Place the oil, honey, vanilla, marshmallows, and peanut butter in a large glass mixing bowl and microwave 1 1/2 minutes, or until marshmallows have melted. Once the marshmallows are melted, quickly add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Coat your hands or a spatula with oil and spread the mixture evenly into the pan. Once the mixture has cooled completely, cut into squares and enjoy!




For dinner I was going to make Jennie's rolled cabbage recipe that she's made several times and I love. Unfortunately, I don't have enough patience to pull the cabbage leaves apart to make rolls, so I made a mock version. Here is what I did:

Fake Out Cabbage Rolls

1 cup minute brown rice
1 egg
1 head of cabbage, chopped

1 cup black beans

1 cup edamame 

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 carrots, diced
tomato sauce (40 oz)

1/2 tablespoon garlic salt

salt & pepper
1 can diced tomatoes

Mix everything but the diced tomatoes together and place in a large baking dish.  Place in oven at 350, bake 1 hour to 1 1/2. Check half way thru and if necessary add the diced tomatoes and water if its starting to dry out. Once the rice has cooked, enjoy!

What my roommate and I wear when you're not watching...

JAM!!!!

I haven't made strawberry jam in FOREVER!!  And we are out. So it had to be made.  Luckily the H Mart had strawberries on sale for $1.30 a pint so I grabbed two.  Stopped by Walmart (aka Nebraska) and picked up some Sure Jell and came home and made some.  I have to wait a day for it to be ready.  I can't wait for some PB&J sandwiches!!

Want the recipe?  Just buy a package of Sure Jell and you'll have it... basically strawberries, Sure Jell and sugar.  Yummy!

Other crafts I've been working on...

I've been keeping myself pretty busy crafting.  Grandma E taught me how to knit dish cloths so I've been making those like a mad woman!  I gave some to my friend Sue for her birthday and she loved them.  Yay!!

I've also been making lots of baby bibs for all of my friends and co-workers who are pregnant.

I've added some new pics here.

I saw the First Lady

She actually came to North Point.

First Lady Michelle Obama was traveling the country talking about childhood obesity.  She had some very interesting information to tell.  But I was more impressed with the production of everything.  From all of the security in the church, to getting her into the building and back out, to the music before hand.  I thought that was really cool!  I didn't have a role or a volunteer post to manage so I was just able to watch, which was cool.  But I would have loved to see more 'behind the scenes.'  Can't say it was a typical day at the office, thats for sure.

Check out the (very few) pictures I took here.

My flowers

For Christmas, Grandma E gave my mom and I a flower to pot.  I have it growing and its producing some beautiful buds.

And, if I can grow it, anyone can.  Do you see the second stalk growing down there?? This picture is about a week or so old because its now taller than the one that's blooming.  It hasn't opened yet but once it does I'll have to upload another photo.

What I'm working on now...

The Montana scarf.  The color is really more of a mustard yellow but I'm loving it.  I am knitting two stands of yarn together to make it really thick and chunky and I'm loving it!

I got the pattern from here.

Your Welcome

After leaving Kroger this was parked next to me.  I was laughing so hard I was afraid *he* would hear me but luckily they didn't and I was able to get this shot.  I'm still laughing...

Old Shale Scarf

I've been just crafting away lately.  And since I make so many scarves I figured I better learn how to make some patterns.  My friend Lisa told me about this site called Ravelry.com where you can get patterns for knitting and crocheting.  I haven't made it to Jennie caliber yet so no crocheting for me.  But I found quite a few patterns in want to try to knit.  Here is my first one.  What do you think??

Lemon Whippersnappers

My favorite cookie growing up!! And I haven't made them in forever, so it was definitely time.

1 box lemon cake mix
1 regular size container whip cream
1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips
1 egg
1/2 cup powered sugar, sifted

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Mix everything except the powered sugar together in a large bowl.  Drop the mixture a teaspoon full at a time into the powered sugar and place on a greased baking sheet.  Bake for 10-15 minutes.

Try not to eat them all right away!

I'll be back...

I can't say I feel bad about not posting, even though it has been FOREVER.  I've done a lot in the last few months.  I've been to Florida and Minnesota, been sick a lot, crafting, there's been huge winter storms and I have been working on myself.  I have a few things that has been building up (probably for years) that I've been needing to work thru.  I finally got to a point that I couldn't move forward another day without starting the journey to work thru those things, which required private writing as opposed to public blogging.  With lots of help from outside sources, it has been very beneficial and I've learned a lot about myself, God, grace, acceptance and love.  Huge stuff actually.

I'm sure I'll be back soon with new antics, recipes, craft projects and pictures.  Until then, I just wanted to stop by and say hello.