I can't believe it's finally here.
I can't believe my "little" cousin is getting married this weekend.
I can't believe out of us 5 girls (Michelle, me, Christina, Elisa and Lianna) that she is the 2nd one of us to get married, only behind Michelle who is almost 8 years older...ahhhh!!!
I am leaving for the wedding festivities in about 15 minutes, and I'm grinning from ear to ear like the cheeseball that I am. Here is a look at the agenda:
Thursday
Rehearsal at the chapel
Rehearsal dinner at Clay Pit
After-party at Sean's casa
Friday
Lake day
Dinner with the Lyon's fam
Saturday
Breakfast and prep for wedding
The ceremony (I'm doing a reading from the Song of Songs...wish me luck)
Reception at Austin Country Club
Needless to say, I'm looking forward to every single minute of this time that I get to spend with my precious family. I feel truly blessed to be able to share life with family members who are not just blood relatives, but also dear friends. I love life. It's my favorite.
I hope you all have fabulous weekends and are blessed with joy that's abundant!
Stay tuned for massive postings of the wedding with may-juh pictorials!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tasty Tuesdays: 3rd edition
Hello friends and welcome to another edition of Tasty Tuesdays. Today's recipe is super simple and some variation should be fairly familiar to you.
Super Simple SBP Salad
1 bag of spinach (and/or 1 bag of spring mix)
1/2 red onion, sliced
1/2 container of blue cheese (or gorgonzola)
1 pear, sliced
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
1. Toast the walnuts in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes.
2. Combine all salad ingredients in a bowl.
3. Serve with your favorite balsamic vinaigrette.
Feel free to top your salad with some roasted/grilled chicken for a complete meal!
Super Simple SBP Salad
1 bag of spinach (and/or 1 bag of spring mix)
1/2 red onion, sliced
1/2 container of blue cheese (or gorgonzola)
1 pear, sliced
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
1. Toast the walnuts in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes.
2. Combine all salad ingredients in a bowl.
3. Serve with your favorite balsamic vinaigrette.
Feel free to top your salad with some roasted/grilled chicken for a complete meal!
Monday, July 6, 2009
let freedom ring
HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY USA!
made these red, white & blue beauties for the occasion (feel free to drool)
Despite its flaws and lack of sound judgment at times, I am very grateful to be a citizen of this great country and I am even more grateful for the men and women who selflessly devote their lives protecting our freedom and serving the ungrateful citizens that reside in the good 'ole U-S of A.
I spent the holiday weekend at "Kingsland Manor" (my new home away from home) doing all the mandatory July 4th activities: soaking up the sun, cooling off in the lake, eating, watching firewooks, spending time with family and eating some more. The weekend was fairly uneventful, but I loved getting to spend time with Lianna during her last few days of "singleness."
chillaxin' on the new dock with a good book
I think the highlight of the holiday weekend was watching all of the fireworks on the rooftop deck over the lake. There were so many different shows to look at, and a ton of random fireworks being launched at different homes on the lake. I felt like my neck needed to be on a turntable, because I kept whipping it around so I wouldn't miss anything.
I headed home early yesterday to spend some time with 3 of my best girls: my sis, "Pearl" and Mere-bear. I got to spend a lazy afternoon with them and enjoy some tasty July 4th barbeque leftovers.
I hope y'all have a very patriotic holiday weekend filled with food, fun and fireworks. Happy birthday America, and may God bless this year in your life!
made these red, white & blue beauties for the occasion (feel free to drool)Despite its flaws and lack of sound judgment at times, I am very grateful to be a citizen of this great country and I am even more grateful for the men and women who selflessly devote their lives protecting our freedom and serving the ungrateful citizens that reside in the good 'ole U-S of A.
I spent the holiday weekend at "Kingsland Manor" (my new home away from home) doing all the mandatory July 4th activities: soaking up the sun, cooling off in the lake, eating, watching firewooks, spending time with family and eating some more. The weekend was fairly uneventful, but I loved getting to spend time with Lianna during her last few days of "singleness."
chillaxin' on the new dock with a good bookI think the highlight of the holiday weekend was watching all of the fireworks on the rooftop deck over the lake. There were so many different shows to look at, and a ton of random fireworks being launched at different homes on the lake. I felt like my neck needed to be on a turntable, because I kept whipping it around so I wouldn't miss anything.
I headed home early yesterday to spend some time with 3 of my best girls: my sis, "Pearl" and Mere-bear. I got to spend a lazy afternoon with them and enjoy some tasty July 4th barbeque leftovers.
I hope y'all have a very patriotic holiday weekend filled with food, fun and fireworks. Happy birthday America, and may God bless this year in your life!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
crazy little thing called pride
Well friends, it's been a while since I wrote about something serious that's been on my mind/heart. I know some people might postulate that I'm a bit too personal on my blog, and while I respect that opinion 110%, I don't necessarily feel the same way. I find myself to be consistently encouraged when people share with me something God is teaching them, and it is my hope the same will happen when I share...even if it is a bit (or a lot) humbling.
I must admit that I've been wanting to write this post for about 2 weeks, but hadn't mustered up the chutzpah to make public something I didn't even know I struggled with. As the title suggests, I've been dealing with a crazy little thing called pride. Here's a look at the bumpy road I've been on.
I was reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis when I came across the chapter on the greatest human sin: PRIDE. What? The greatest human sin is pride? Yes, it actually makes a whole heap of sense seeing as though it was Lucifer's pride that got him kicked out of heaven - hello!?! Well, lucky for me, I am so perfectly humble (catch that sweet irony) that I don't need to worry one smidge about having this sin in my life. Who was I kidding? The more I thought about it, the more I realized my life reeked of pride.
Case in point: I feel it necessary to constantly tout my amazing feats of frugality to all those I come in contact with. I find it particularly essential to let friends and family know that I have not dined out, or purchased food out in months (unless I've used giftcards). Apparently, this makes me so incredibly superior (AKA prideful) that I need to force this habit on others and make them feel bad if they are spending money on food. What is my problem? I am so sorry if I have done this to you, and I will cease to make such comments. So in the future, if I decline your request to have dinner out, please don't take it personally. I simply don't have the means at the moment, but I won't bring that up anymore and I do want to hang out with you. Perhaps a tennis game or a cheap cup of coffee can be substituted?
I also find myself readily able and wholly determined to "handle things on my own," which again, is another behavior that is pride personified. At what point did I decide that God could only be trusted with some things, during certain times or in particular areas of my life? Is He really that small, and if so, why do I believe in such an inefficient, uncaring or incapable God? It seems rather counterintuitive, no? Yes, of course it does, which is why my attempts at fixing my little world are not only ridiculous, but also fruitless.
Finally, I tend to subconsciously compare myself to others in terms of service, sin, etc. Pride tells me I'm doing pretty good compared to this or that, but in reality, the moment we think we're doing pretty well is the moment we have to realize pride is rearing it's ugly head. Pride is one sneaky little sucker, and it can completely capture your heart if you are not on your guard.
What has God been showing you recently? What resources (books, podcasts, etc.) have you been challenged by recently?
I must admit that I've been wanting to write this post for about 2 weeks, but hadn't mustered up the chutzpah to make public something I didn't even know I struggled with. As the title suggests, I've been dealing with a crazy little thing called pride. Here's a look at the bumpy road I've been on.
I was reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis when I came across the chapter on the greatest human sin: PRIDE. What? The greatest human sin is pride? Yes, it actually makes a whole heap of sense seeing as though it was Lucifer's pride that got him kicked out of heaven - hello!?! Well, lucky for me, I am so perfectly humble (catch that sweet irony) that I don't need to worry one smidge about having this sin in my life. Who was I kidding? The more I thought about it, the more I realized my life reeked of pride.
Case in point: I feel it necessary to constantly tout my amazing feats of frugality to all those I come in contact with. I find it particularly essential to let friends and family know that I have not dined out, or purchased food out in months (unless I've used giftcards). Apparently, this makes me so incredibly superior (AKA prideful) that I need to force this habit on others and make them feel bad if they are spending money on food. What is my problem? I am so sorry if I have done this to you, and I will cease to make such comments. So in the future, if I decline your request to have dinner out, please don't take it personally. I simply don't have the means at the moment, but I won't bring that up anymore and I do want to hang out with you. Perhaps a tennis game or a cheap cup of coffee can be substituted?
I also find myself readily able and wholly determined to "handle things on my own," which again, is another behavior that is pride personified. At what point did I decide that God could only be trusted with some things, during certain times or in particular areas of my life? Is He really that small, and if so, why do I believe in such an inefficient, uncaring or incapable God? It seems rather counterintuitive, no? Yes, of course it does, which is why my attempts at fixing my little world are not only ridiculous, but also fruitless.
Finally, I tend to subconsciously compare myself to others in terms of service, sin, etc. Pride tells me I'm doing pretty good compared to this or that, but in reality, the moment we think we're doing pretty well is the moment we have to realize pride is rearing it's ugly head. Pride is one sneaky little sucker, and it can completely capture your heart if you are not on your guard.
What has God been showing you recently? What resources (books, podcasts, etc.) have you been challenged by recently?
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tasty Tuesdays: 2nd edition
Well, since I'm posting a 2nd edition, can I preemptively claim that this new feature isn't a complete and total failure?
I'm back with another edition of Tasty Tuesdays. Today's recipe is relatively new, but it was well received by my veggie-hating sister, so I take that as a resounding success. I did find the recipe on myrecipes.com (great site), but as per usual, I modified it to my specifications.
"Fresh from the garden" green bean salad
1 pkg. fresh (or frozen) green beans
2 tomatoes (chopped)
1/2 yellow onion (chopped)
2 T dijon mustard
1 T balsamic vinegar
2 T apple cider vinegar
1 t salt
1 t pepper
1/2 T sugar
1. Cook green beans and place in a bowl of ice cold water.
2. While they are cooling, combine the mustard, vinegars, salt, pepper and sugar in a medium sized bowl. Stir with a whisk until thoroughly mixed.
3. Drain green beans and pat dry with a paper towel.
4. Add green beans, tomatoes and onion to the dressing and stir to coat evenly.
5. Chill until ready to serve.
And there you have it. I know it's not super fancy or uber original, but if you need to bring a cool side to your next barbeque (hello 4th of July in just a few days), definitely give this recipe a try!
Until next week's Tasty Tuesday, here's to good eats and sweet treats!
I'm back with another edition of Tasty Tuesdays. Today's recipe is relatively new, but it was well received by my veggie-hating sister, so I take that as a resounding success. I did find the recipe on myrecipes.com (great site), but as per usual, I modified it to my specifications.
"Fresh from the garden" green bean salad
1 pkg. fresh (or frozen) green beans
2 tomatoes (chopped)
1/2 yellow onion (chopped)
2 T dijon mustard
1 T balsamic vinegar
2 T apple cider vinegar
1 t salt
1 t pepper
1/2 T sugar
1. Cook green beans and place in a bowl of ice cold water.
2. While they are cooling, combine the mustard, vinegars, salt, pepper and sugar in a medium sized bowl. Stir with a whisk until thoroughly mixed.
3. Drain green beans and pat dry with a paper towel.
4. Add green beans, tomatoes and onion to the dressing and stir to coat evenly.
5. Chill until ready to serve.
And there you have it. I know it's not super fancy or uber original, but if you need to bring a cool side to your next barbeque (hello 4th of July in just a few days), definitely give this recipe a try!
Until next week's Tasty Tuesday, here's to good eats and sweet treats!
happy birthday friend.
Yesterday, I helped celebrate the birth of my dear friend Kori.
Kori and I became good friends around the time I graduated from high school. Despite the fact we both went away to school (Missouri and New York), we still managed to stay best friends through college and after graduation. I have so many fun memories with her including her 2 trips to visit me in New York (hello Hairspray, Rent, Nine, The Lion King, the shopping, the food), our trip to Las Vegas, our times on the infamous Serious Pleasure, lots of ice cream, even more shopping trips, the visits to Lyric @ Tech, our long chats at Starbucks, gosh the list is endless...
the birthday girl and me, attempting to cool off in the pool
Anyway, on to the festivities. We spent the day lounging in the (94 degree) pool, and sipping some yummy drinks. After a few hours in the sun, we were treated to a tastebud tantalizing meal of grilled salmon, oven roasted vegetables and grilled peaches...amazing. It was all so delicious. I ate way more than my stomach could comfortable hold, and of course, I also had to eat the cookie cake with icecream and sprinkles... ha ha.
I'm so glad I got to be a part of the birthday celebration, and it was so fun to hang out with the birthday girl and all the rest of her family whom I love and don't get to see nearly enough. Thanks for letting me be a part, and here's to your 26th year, Kori. I hope it is blessed with a joy that's overflowing and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Kori and I became good friends around the time I graduated from high school. Despite the fact we both went away to school (Missouri and New York), we still managed to stay best friends through college and after graduation. I have so many fun memories with her including her 2 trips to visit me in New York (hello Hairspray, Rent, Nine, The Lion King, the shopping, the food), our trip to Las Vegas, our times on the infamous Serious Pleasure, lots of ice cream, even more shopping trips, the visits to Lyric @ Tech, our long chats at Starbucks, gosh the list is endless...
the birthday girl and me, attempting to cool off in the poolAnyway, on to the festivities. We spent the day lounging in the (94 degree) pool, and sipping some yummy drinks. After a few hours in the sun, we were treated to a tastebud tantalizing meal of grilled salmon, oven roasted vegetables and grilled peaches...amazing. It was all so delicious. I ate way more than my stomach could comfortable hold, and of course, I also had to eat the cookie cake with icecream and sprinkles... ha ha.
I'm so glad I got to be a part of the birthday celebration, and it was so fun to hang out with the birthday girl and all the rest of her family whom I love and don't get to see nearly enough. Thanks for letting me be a part, and here's to your 26th year, Kori. I hope it is blessed with a joy that's overflowing and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
summer time, and the livin' is easy
I'm sure you've just been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for another lakehouse post, so I won't keep you waiting. (You're welcome!)
Last Friday, I busted a move and made my way to Kingsland just as fast as Andi could take me. I arrived as the sun was setting and was greeted by 3 of my most favorite girls in the world. The night was fairly uneventful, but did include a primetime screening of "27 Dresses." Is there anything better than the "Benny and the Jetts" scene? (Get back to me on that.)
We woke up the next morning to a glorious day, and immediately set out for the super classy heebie jeebie (aka HEB) to plan and purchase the night's menu. I swear we were in there for 3 hours, but we got the goods and headed back to catch some rays.
After we all loaded on the boat (with the newly purchased tube that we were really pumped about), we quickly discovered the boat's engine was on the fritz...ahhhh! "Old Faithful" strikes again. We were forced to settle for plan B which included some trips out on the sea doo, a few jumps off the upper deck and a whole lot of laying out. Kind of a perfect day if you ask me.
Li and me
cheers to you mr. sun
After a fair amount of sun exposure, we set to work preparing the meal which included stuffed mushrooms (a la Lianna), baked salmon (courtesy of China), roasted asparagus (go me!), blue cheese salad (combo effort), baked beans (thank you Bush's) and of course, beer bread (word to Elisa). Naturally, this was accompanied by our infamous ghetto sangria. Elisa also whipped up some wicked brownies.
fousin love
times two
After dinner, the night was far from over! The girls planned a crazy crafty project for us to do that I had never done. We TIE-DYED...is that how you spell it? Either way, you know what I'm talking about. It was so much fun and I think we permanently stained the street outside their house (and quite possibly, Elisa's hands). I had no idea what I was doing, and my shirt is definitely proof of that very fact. Oh well. Here's some pics of the fruits of our labor.
yea for tie dye!
more tie dye awesomeness
The rest of the night was spent on the roof looking out for shooting stars and just gazing at the star-filled sky. Pretty perfect if you ask me.
Once again, the weekend flew by at lightening speed and I left wishing we could do it all over gain. Oh, how I love me some lake time. It's summertime, and the living is easy!
Last Friday, I busted a move and made my way to Kingsland just as fast as Andi could take me. I arrived as the sun was setting and was greeted by 3 of my most favorite girls in the world. The night was fairly uneventful, but did include a primetime screening of "27 Dresses." Is there anything better than the "Benny and the Jetts" scene? (Get back to me on that.)
We woke up the next morning to a glorious day, and immediately set out for the super classy heebie jeebie (aka HEB) to plan and purchase the night's menu. I swear we were in there for 3 hours, but we got the goods and headed back to catch some rays.
After we all loaded on the boat (with the newly purchased tube that we were really pumped about), we quickly discovered the boat's engine was on the fritz...ahhhh! "Old Faithful" strikes again. We were forced to settle for plan B which included some trips out on the sea doo, a few jumps off the upper deck and a whole lot of laying out. Kind of a perfect day if you ask me.
Li and me
cheers to you mr. sunAfter a fair amount of sun exposure, we set to work preparing the meal which included stuffed mushrooms (a la Lianna), baked salmon (courtesy of China), roasted asparagus (go me!), blue cheese salad (combo effort), baked beans (thank you Bush's) and of course, beer bread (word to Elisa). Naturally, this was accompanied by our infamous ghetto sangria. Elisa also whipped up some wicked brownies.
fousin love
times twoAfter dinner, the night was far from over! The girls planned a crazy crafty project for us to do that I had never done. We TIE-DYED...is that how you spell it? Either way, you know what I'm talking about. It was so much fun and I think we permanently stained the street outside their house (and quite possibly, Elisa's hands). I had no idea what I was doing, and my shirt is definitely proof of that very fact. Oh well. Here's some pics of the fruits of our labor.
yea for tie dye!
more tie dye awesomenessThe rest of the night was spent on the roof looking out for shooting stars and just gazing at the star-filled sky. Pretty perfect if you ask me.
Once again, the weekend flew by at lightening speed and I left wishing we could do it all over gain. Oh, how I love me some lake time. It's summertime, and the living is easy!
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