Butt Can Chicken

It has a lot of different names but this is what my family calls it so that's what I'm calling it. This is a recipe I got from my Dad and he generally makes it on the grill. However, since I am female and my domain is not a grill but a kitchen I had to make it in the oven. Here was what I did...

Get a few chickens anywhere from 3 to 5 pounds. You will need to wash the chicken thoroughly, and remove all innards. Be sure to pat the chicken dry.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Put the following seasonings on the chicken both inside and out:

• Chicken Seasoning (I use Zehnder's but any good Chicken Seasoning will do)
• Poultry Seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika

Then take 1 can of beer that has been set at room temperature and using a bottle opener, punch several holes in the top of the can. This will help the beer escape while it cooks. You will need to empty out about 2/3's of the beer so about 1/3 is left in the can.

Next, place the chicken over the beer can. Holding the chicken upright, place the chicken over the beer can until the can is snugly fit inside the chicken. I then put the chicken over a sheet tray with sizes to catch the drippings.

Roast in the oven at 350 degrees for 2 hours, or until the skin is crisp, the chicken meat is done, and the juice runs clear. You don’t need to baste the chicken; the beer will ensure that the chicken remains moist. Remove the chicken from the oven and separate the chicken from the beer can. Let stand ten minutes before carving.

Enjoy cause this stuff is awesome!!

I'm an AUNT!!!

Not something I thought I would be saying any time soon since my brother isn't married... however it is true... He hasn't named my little nephew yet but I'm sure he will soon! Is he not the cutest!!


P.S. I have no clue who the girl in the picture is... she may be the breeder of the puppy!! Hehe!!

Wore Out!

For real! I am exhausted!! I am back to doing way too many things... but I just hate saying no to something I really want to do!

For example, this week I went to VJ's house on Monday for dinner and we watched Dancing with the Stars. Tuesday there was a ladies night in my building which was very interesting... we ate dinner and I learned all the gossip in the building! Wednesday was Community Group night... where Odessa made dinner (yummy waffles) and we had an amazing discussion. Thursday I went to a soccer game with Kit... we watched her beau play and then went to Marlow's Tavern for dinner... an old co-worker John and his wife Heather were there dining so we joined in with them. We ate while watching the NCAA basketball finals on their many T.V.'s. Friday I did a whole lotta work around my pad before heading out to a friends house to take them dinner. They also were putting together a garage sale so I helped them with that too. I was supposed to go bowling Friday after that but was so exhausted I just went home and watched Juno. Anyone else watch that??? Very, very funny. Subject, not so funny. Content, very funny! Saturday I slept in until noon and watched 4 movies while lying on my couch. I feel like a true southerner now... since I have now seen 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' and 'Steel Magnolias.' I also watched 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and daaaaaaarling, I love that movie! What capped off movie day was 'What Happens in Vegas.' I didn't go into the movie with high expectations however it was amazingly funny! Babe, you must watch it!! I laughed out loud so hard I think the neighbors heard me!!!

Tonight is Passion Church with my community group and then I start all over again! Wish me luck!!!

"So... Umm... Florida, I miss you"

So yea, I am totally missing Florida!! My family and I had a blast hanging out with my grandparents for over a week!! We did what I LOVE to do just about every day...

We would wake up by walking the beach during sun rise, ending up at the North Jetty for coffee with my grandparent's friends, then walk back to the car. After the walk we would eat breakfast and the Mom and I would generally shop while the guys would either pick grapefruit or oranges, or golf, or play cards. Then we would end up back at the beach for some fun in the sun (every day was sunny, beautiful, and in the 80's). When we would get hungry we would head back to the grandparent's house for some wonderful food (either at their house or out at a restaurant) and then an evening playing euchre and schafkoph. We also spent one day at Hope Seeds volunteering and then dinner at Linger Lodge. And one night was spent celebrating Dan's 25th birthday at Captain Eddie's!

I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing, fun time!! Check out the pictures here... they are not labeled and are in no particular order. I tried, but failed at both! Ha!

The End.

I was just looking at my blog and realized that I never finished the 'Week of Fasting' information for you. What I learned is that when I can't do something then I want to do it. As soon as I can, not such a big deal any more! LOL!! The entire week all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch and watch a movie. Or movie marathon. However, once the week was over I just wanted to curl up on the couch and read a good book.

I am crazy.

However, I did learn a few things...

- I don't like it so silent in my house. My own voice is deafening. ;)

- I need to get out more... places like coffee shops where I can work on my computer surrounded by people. I realized how much I stay in.

- I also realized my default is to sit at home and watch TV. When I couldn't, I make more plans with friends and was able to chat with them about life instead of watching TV together.

- I'm glad we live in the 'electronic' age :D

- I thought the week was going to be more about listening for God's voice... it ended up being more about being lead by the Holy Spirit.

I caught it...

the bouquet, that is! My friend Amy got married on Saturday night. Amy was a part of my previous small group so I went with Heather (in the background of my picture) and Christina, my friends from that small group.


I use the word 'caught' very loosely. Really, it was thrown so hard at me it hit me in the face! Hahah!! But, none-the-less I went home with a very pretty bunch of white roses. They are now sitting in a vase in my living room and I love them. I need to have fresh flowers in my house more often!

Whattcha Think??

Friday night was a blast!!! I spent it painting with my friends Emily and Jerry. We each did some paintings, and here is how mine came out...



I love it!! Now I just need to gather up a few dollars to buy some more paints and canvases...

Hello Snow, Michigan called... it wants its weather back!

Yesterday we got like 3 feet of snow!! Ok, not really, but we did get snow. Since Atlanta only has one snow day a year I can appreciate its beauty. Here is a few shots that I took with my phone...

Outside my parking garage at home.

Outside my parking garage again :)

Looking outside the 4th floor window at work...

Looking outside the window again.

And, today it was sunny and 40 degrees. You know what that means... the snow has already melted. That's why I love Atlanta!

Thankful

Today I was able to attend the Catalyst One Day held at North Point Church. It was an amazing experience and I am so thankful I was able to attend, hear Andy and Craig speak, and sit next to my co-worker. However, that is not what I am most thankful for. Truly, I am most thankful for meeting Lindsay. She works at NewSpring Church and is an assistant to their pastor. When I found out they were going to be there I even said, oh I want to see him. Really I was only hoping to walk by in the hallway or something, but God is always so much bigger than me.

To step back quickly, before I got my job at Buckhead Church I would work on Sundays at my old job at Cbeyond. While working, I would watch Buckhead church, listen to Rob Bell @ Mars Hill, and watch Perry Noble @ NewSpring preach online thru their sites. They all have such different styles and I appreciate each for doing what God has called each of them to do.

So when I heard that Perry Noble was in the crowd today I wanted to see him. Just to see if he looked anything like what I saw on my computer screen. I don't know why I thought he would look any different, but I never know.

As I was walking the halls, I decided to stop into the break room to eat a banana that Abby was kind enough to give me. I saw a bunch of ladies that I knew sitting down so I joined them and right away they introduced me to Lindsay. She and I chatted for the rest of the lunch break, found out about her life and about what she does at NewSpring. Before I left the break room I was able to see Perry. And yes, he looks exactly the same in person.

I was thrilled. Like rock star thrilled. I wanted to say to him thank you for what you do. Thank you for letting God use you. Thank you for listening to that small voice inside of you that I am sure is the Holy Spirit. Thank you for preaching to people like me who need to hear what you have to say. But, I always feel weird about saying that to someone I have never met. It's something that I have always wanted to say to Andy as well. God used them to plant a seed inside of me. To change me from who I was two years ago to who He has formed me to be today. I can't thank them enough.

I never thought I would get to see Perry, since he preaches in South Carolina. I never imagined I would meet a woman on his staff and find her so cool that we are now Facebook friends (cause your not really friends unless you are Facebook friends). I am learning every day that I imagine so small. God imagines so much bigger than me. I like His imagination so much more.

What an exciting day!!

Check me out...

I finally fixed up my pictures on here so I now have more room to upload more :) I got this picture today from Erin, who leads the host teams at Buckhead Church. Here is proof I used to work on the host team! But, how long ago was it... I still have my blond hair!!!


I loved it too!! It was a lot of fun greeting everyone as they came thru the door. It must have been summer... look, I am tan!

Day #2

So, just to keep you updated... fasting yesterday was super easy. Probably cause I wasn't home for more than 20 minutes. My weekdays are really so busy that this will be easy for the next few days. It will probably be the weekend that I'll be home in silence. It will be good cause when it's easy I'm not leaving enough room for God.

With that, last night I went to Miranda's house with Erinleigh and we spent the evening eating dinner and catching up on the Oscars. Go 'Slumdog' for all the wins!! PS. If you haven't seen the movie, watch it now!!! Amazing!!

Fasting

As part of my Mentorship Group, I was asked to give up something for one week. I thought about it and prayed about it and ended with I am giving up my computer, my television, and the features on my phone that aren't for texting or calling while I am at home. This will create some silence in my life so that if God so chooses, he can speak to me.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at home in silence. I read a little, napped a little, drew a little. It was nice but the silence was almost deafening. It always seems that way when you give something up, doesn't it. I mean, I sit at my house from time to time with nothing on and it can be great. Its just when I now *can't* turn on the TV or pick up the computer, I now want to. I'm sure as the week goes on I will find that I will come to appreciate the silence!

Devotional

I struggle. I'm sure I'm alone in this. And that tends to make the struggle harder.

In reality, I am so far from being alone. Everyone struggles but when I look at them, I don't see it. I don't see what is deep in their minds, like I do for myself.

As a single lady, I have been struggling lately with giving my relationship life over to God. I have been telling Him that it is His, however, I seem to want to take it back. Then I read my devotional for today and realized that giving my life over to God is not a one time deal... its something I do over every day. You may get something completely different out of it, but I get peace.

Which is exactly what I pray for every night.

The Practice of Surrender
by Rick Warren

“If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives to follow me.” Matthew 16:24 (NCV)

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

Paul’s moment of surrender occurred on the Damascus road after he was knocked down by blinding light. For others, less drastic methods are needed to get our attention.Regardless, surrendering is never just a one-time event.Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31 NASB).

There is a moment of surrender and there is the practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. The practice of surrender requires perseverance; you may have to re-surrender your life fifty times a day: “If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives [daily] to follow me” (Matthew 16:24 NCV).

Let me warn you: When you decide to live a totally surrendered life, that decision will be tested. Sometimes it will mean doing inconvenient, unpopular, costly, or seemingly impossible tasks.It will often mean doing the opposite of what you feel like doing. “Those who are living by their natural inclinations have their minds on the things human nature desires; those who live in the Spirit have their minds on spiritual things” (Romans 8:5 NJB).

We are, by nature, self-centered. When hurt by someone, your natural inclination is to hurt back.It is natural to hoard money instead of generously sharing it, to defend yourself when criticized, to hide your mistakes instead of confessing them, and to try to impress others. You can usually figure out what will please God by doing the opposite of your natural inclination.

Bill Bright founded Campus Crusade for Christ. Through the worldwide Crusade staff, his tract “The Four Spiritual Laws,” and the “JESUS” film (seen by over one billion people), it’s estimated that over 150 million people have come to Christ and will spend eternity in heaven.

I once asked Bill, “Why did God use and bless your life so much?” He said, “When I was a young man I made a contract with God.I literally wrote it out and signed my name at the bottom. It said ‘From this day forward, I am a slave of Jesus Christ.’”

Have you signed a contract like that with God? Or, are you still arguing and struggling with God over his right to do with your life as he pleases? It is time to surrender – to God’s grace, love, and wisdom.

Good, Wholesome Fun!!

This past week, like every week, seemed to just fly by too fast...

Monday is generally a good day because it is my me day. The day I go home, do what needs to be done around the apartment, potentially go for a walk or do yoga, eat dinner and watch my favorite TV shows (Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother). And that is pretty much what I did. I came home, napped, and watched TV. Gotta love that!

Tuesday Lynette and Shannon came over to watch Anne of Green Gables!! For all you carnivores... I made a yummy salad:

• Spinach
• Hard Boiled Egg
• Bacon
• Tomato
• Homemade Celery Seed Dressing

Mix it up however you want!! It was great to see them both and we had a blast watching a great, wholesome show like AOGG!!

Wednesday night was Community Group Night!! Like always, and I always love it! We are still reading Love, Sex, & Lasting Relationships and if you haven't gotten the book already you so have to get it. I am loving it... completely different idea than what is currently norm. And it seems so obvious that I don't know why I haven't always lived/dated this way... and we are only thru chapter 3 of the book.

Thursday night was my usual 'Jui night!! I went over to Erinleigh & George's house, at chili and watched our shows! Always a lot of fun!!

Friday I took food out to a friend of mine... some yummy spaghetti & meatballs. I used whole grain spaghetti for the noodle. The for the sauce I sweated an onion, added spices (basil, Italian blend, oregano, salt & pepper), mushroom, and artichoke. Added the Prego and meatballs. Let it sit for 20 minutes and it was complete. I was fasting on Friday so I didn't try any but will be having some shortly for lunch. I am excited!! Friday night I spent it with my friend and owner of the condo I am staying in, Angela! She was in town talking to her new realtor. Her condo is back on the market, which means I now have to make my bed every morning!

Yesterday was an amazingly beautiful day so I spent about an hour just relaxing on my roof! I love days that I can do that. I also watched 'Mystic Pizza' and painted my fingernails a very bright shade of pink. At night Angela, I and another lady from the building went out for dinner at a Mexican restaurant and then a Chinese restaurant... at the Mexican restaurant there was an hour and a half wait and before our table could be seated I had filled up on chips and salsa... hehe! And then Angela was no longer in the mood for Mexican so we headed to Chinese... where I had a seaweed salad... yummo!

I Totally Won!!!

I had a great weekend... and a great week too! Since I haven't updated in a while, here was my past week in review.

Monday:

I watched He's Just Not That Into You with a really fun bunch of ladies that I know from Buckhead Church. We had a blast hanging out and I really enjoyed the movie. I had read the book years ago and absolutely love it. I am now reading Sex, Lies & Lasting Relationships, which I am loving and I think is the Christian version of He's Just Not That Into you. Read it. Seriously.

Tuesday:

Mentorship Group night!! Sue (our amazing leader) made us dinner and we had an amazing conversation. I love how God is putting so many amazing females into my life for me to learn what real community looks like.

Wednesday:

I dropped my iPhone... and its now broken. Very sad, the face place is all cracked up. But it still works so I have added a cover to it and will continue to use it. Not in a place where I can justify purchasing a new phone.

Community Group - meeting #2!!! We are reading SL&LR (see Monday) and we are holding each other accountable. I love my group! Its small but powerful. Watch out world... here we come!

Thursday:

TV night!!! Went to Erinleigh's house and watched our shows!! Abby, another wonderful North Point employee and friend of Erinleigh came over and made chili, it was amazing! It was a lot of fun chatting a little more with Abby outside of work and I always love hanging out with Erinleigh!

Friday:

Lots o' doctors... I had my yearly physical in the AM with my regular doctor. During the physical, I chatted a ton with my doctor, who is really into herbal medication, and she directed me to a place called Health Unlimited. I went and they were very knowledgeable. I am trying some new things to deal with all of my health issues. I'll let you know what I think later...

Did I forget to mention that Friday was in the 70's (degree, that is) and super sunny! I needed to take advantage of such a great day so I spent the afternoon at Piedmont Park. What do you think...

Ladies Night!! Odessa, Teesha and I joined about 15 other amazing women at Bone Garden Cantina. Amazing food. Amazing company.

Teesha, Me, Odessa

(Most of) The Group

The 'catch' of the night was everyone was wearing pink. I pulled out my glitter pink shoes (high heel) out of retirement for the night and was glad I did. They hurt to walk in but it felt amazing to wear some heels again!

Saturday:

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I "Won A Date" with my friend Jerry and we had a blast. Let me back up... Jerry blogged a contest on his site to Medieval Times while back that you know I had to apply for. Jerry sits by me at Buckhead Church, works in facilities, and we chat all the time inside of work. But had never really hung out outside of work. Afer a long and gruling (not really) application process where I was as sarcastic as possible (no, not me...) I came out the winner!!

Jerry made an excellent post here about the 'date'. The official night was supposed to be just Medieval Times, however a few days before we were chatting and neither had anything else going on during the day so we decided to start early. He had a few different ideas, that fell thru, so he told me he would come over and we would figure something out. Unbenonsed to me he had an idea and showed up at my house with a painting kit that contains everything you need for oil/acrylic/chalk/sketching/watercolor paintings. The box also serves as an easel. It’s incredibly awesome and he let me keep it. Fabulous!!

I welcomed him to my house and he started the night with a pink rose.


For the rest of the afternoon, we hung out at my place and we painted while we watched part of Down With Love and Top Gun and chatted about stuff. We worked together on the our painting... one person chosing the colors and the other person painting. We have agreed not to discuss what Jerry painted, however I looked at the painting again last night and thought it was great.

Then Jared and Meredith came and picked us up and we went to Medieval Times for dinner and JOUSTING!!!! Oh Yeah!!

If you are not familiar with Medieval Times, it is a dinner theater in which you eat dinner with your hands while actors re-enact a story of a princess and her prince, a tournament, and an evil knight trying to take over a kingdom. Pretty basic storyline, but really well done! I walked away from this experience absolutely amazed! I highly recommend it to anyone. We thought it was going to be a joke and we would just be people watching all night, but we actually got into it and had an incredible time!

Sunday:

Work and church in which Jeff Henderson did an amazing sermon on our church, reflecting over the past year and looking forward into this year. Then I went to Lenox mall to get a cover for my iPhone. I also check out a few shops and landed in Restoration Hardware where I picked up these amazing pillow covers for $5 each!! I have been looking for a while for a nice cover for the pillows, and even contemplated making some, however was just to cheap. I can totally do $5 for beautiful and comfortable pillows!! (I have tried to add them here however I have reached my upload quota... not sure what that means , but sorry, I'll have to figure something out)

At night I went to PassionCityChurch and it was another amazing experience. I went with Teesha, Odessa, and Jackie. We had a great time and loved the service. Right now they are meeting once a month and I think it will be another fun place to praise God. How blessed am I!!

SNL

So, my church played the following SNL skit during the latest series, "Balanced," where finances were discussed. What do you think of the skit??

Update: I was given a link by my friend Tim for a better version of the skit. Check it out here...

Turkey Wild Rice Casserole

I am on a mission to clean out my freezer and pantry. I generally will just eat a salad or some fresh fruits/veggies instead of eating all of the foods that I buy half price, on sale at Publix. I say it is an effort to be money savvy, but really I feel better when its cleaned up. I found a recipe online and added to it... and this was the creation.

1 pkg. UNCLE BEN'S® Long Grain and Wild Rice Mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3 c. turkey, diced
1 c. celery, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (5 oz.) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 can string green beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
3 tbsp. soy sauce
mulled flax seeds

Cook rice mix according to package directions (I made it in the microwave while I prepped the rest of the ingredients and it turned out perfect). Stir in soup. Add everything but flax seed. Mix well. Pour into 3 quart casserole. Sprinkle flax seeds on top. Bake 350 oven for 1 hour.


Erinleigh and George came over for dinner on Sunday night and we ate while we watched the Grammy's. It was fun and we all loved the dish.

Phil Wickham

Service today at Buckhead Church was AMAZING!! As always, I guess, but we had Phil Wickham as our musician and he rocked it. Whats even more amazing is that you can get a free download of his album here. Seriously, you should do it!

Atkins Park

I decided to play a little bit with Photo Booth and iPhoto and this is what I came up with...


Not super outrageous or anything but fun none-the-less!

Last night I had a great time running between 2 parties.

The first was for my friend Carlos, it was a combined birthday/going-away party. The party started with dinner at Atkins Park in the Highlands. I didn't order (I ate my leftovers from Avra) but Carlos let me sample some of his dinner and it was really good!! It was nice chatting with him and everyone else at the party. He will be moving back to the Miami area to start doing photography professionally. He says there is a beach near by but I'm not quite sure I believe him, I'll have to check it out for myself to be certain! ;) Hehe!

(Sorry don't know who the guy in the blue is but there is also Carlos and me in the picture)

Another picture of me! I'm with Jonathan's sisters!

The second was a birthday party for my friend Bobby and it was at Ten Pin. There was an event going on there with people taking pictures so once again if I somehow come across them I will put them here! It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed just hanging out and chatting with everyone!!

Right now I am at work and I will go directly to Jana's house for the Superbowl Party!! Should be pretty fun!

Silver Skillet Rocks

Erinleigh, George, and I went to the Silver Skillet today for brunch... amazing!! I had a biscuit with egg and bacon, side of pancake, and coffee... yumm-o! Erinleigh and George have a habit of going and hopefully they will include me every time they go. I could do that again in a minute.

I guess this post is my restaurant review, although I don't think they really care too much about my opinion cause its, like, the most visited restaurant in Atlanta by the 'real' famous people. Want the history... check it out here. What I found most interesting is that parts of Remember the Titans were filmed there as well as Travis Tritt's Here's a Quarter, Call Someone Who Cares music video.

Since I have posted a Travis Tritt video already I figured you would want to see another one! Don't you just love the mullet!!!