Today is my birthday! Yay to me. 🙂 I’m about to go to lunch with a really good friend and enjoy the Olive Garden’s never ending pasta bowl. Yum, you know I think pasta must be a staple food in heaven. 😉 Anyhoo, I’m not taking any pictures or anything today. I’m more or less just enjoying today. I’m visiting friends, eating out and watching girly movies while Emma naps. I thought I would send you some photos of yesterday. I must say that I patted myself on the back because I colored Emma’s face. She looks so cute! I can’t wait for Halloween! I’ll blog tomorrow. Happy September 9th!
Heaven
Duvall
I posted a while ago about walking in Duvall and how it felt like I was in Pride and Prejudice. Well we went back to Duvall this past weekend to visit Trav’s family and actually spend time with them instead of a ‘hi and good-bye’ kinda time. We relaxed, caught up on HGTV, went for a walk, and went out to Chinese. Trav’s parents really took advantage of the time Emma was there. They spoiled her without knowing it, showed her daddy’s old ‘vintage’ toys ( yeah Trav you’re OLD!), read old books to her and video recorded her doing practically everything . It was cute. And yes, Emma capitalized on it all- she ate enough blueberries to make her face blue and ate enough bunny cookies to begin growing a tail. 🙂 Grandma and I went to Target to go fall shopping for Emma and it was great. Emma has some new fall items, but a favorite is a wonderful marshmallow snow outfit that we’re SO bringing to Poland in January.
~One highlight for me was taking her into the shower. We were short on time and all 3 of us needed cleaning before church. She overall did good. She more or less complained to me and used her words wonderfully telling me she didn’t want to be there. Boy, she was slippery. But everything went well and as Trav dried and changed her, I washed myself. (in cold water-*ugh)
For those of you who want the recipe for the pretzels, I’ll send them out asap today. *Aunt Donna, could you give me your email adress so I could send it to you? Thanks! 🙂
Homemade Soft Pretzels
As promised, I made pretzels. The whole process took longer than I thought but they’re really really good. Chewy and only kinda crunchy on the bottom. So yummy. I made salted, plain and cinnamon sugar. I really wanted to make parmesan but alas, I didn’t have any in the fridge. Next time. These little puppies don’t have any butter OR shortening. Only a tablespoon of oil. AND they’re perfect for: lunches, picnic items, homemade gifts (which people like more anyways, *Christmas-hint, hint) So not only is this a healthy snack but perfect for anything! Next time I’m going to mix cheddar cheese into the dough…mmm sounds good huh. 🙂 Speaking of chesse, I’m looking for a cheese sauce/dip I can use with the pretzels. Any favorites?
If you want the recipe comment and let me know. I would be happy to give it to you. It’s just so long that I don’t want to fill up an entire post on that. I would rather show you a pretty picture of them! Enjoy!
Breath of fresh air- from Turkey
~Yesterday we had a friend speak at our church. He’s a friend that we relate well with and love his family. Both our families seem to be cut from the same cloth. And best of all- he just so happens to also be a missionary to Turkey. He’s our age and has a similar view on the world. When you find those people, you seem to latch yourselves onto them and feed off similar opinions. Kinda sick really, but it’s the truth.
Anyways, as he spoke and gave his little message, I was stuck with not exactly what he was saying (although everyone is saying it was incredible. go here to see it) My calling to be a missionary to Poland was rekindled or renewed or something like those two words. Don’t get me wrong though, I have never doubted that God has called me and Travis to Cracow…it’s just that sometimes it can get stale. You know?
It’s like when you meet your new love and everything is roses and shmoozing. (yes I made that word up) But after a while your relationship gets into a rut. Not horrible, just life. That is the best way I can explain how I’m feeling with Poland. I’m excited but it’s a little stale. (or was until last night) Like a pretty bright colored dress that fades slowly with the sun rays of paperwork and just daily routine. Well, as I was listening I was greatly encouraged to hear and see an actually person who sees the world the same way Trav and I see it. Â Someone who would and did move across the world to live in a different culture and learn a new language. Why? Becaues he loves the people and because God called their family. It’s just different you know? I have tons of great friends, but when they find out we are moving next year to be missionaries, they look at you differently and when I talk about the frustrations with work, church and whatever it’s not understood because I see things slightly warped. I know, however, that they love me and I seriously love them. Please understand that. It will break my heart to say good-bye to them.
But last night I witnessed someone who sees the world differently than most express a radical lifestyle, and he touched and challenged them with his words of passion. I am glad we have them in our lives and have a family that we can relate on pretty much every level. Thanks God for them, they are such a comfort.
Brown Sugar
OK, I was looking here, and she has one of the BEST blogs out there. And recently she wrote about making brown sugar. Well if you read my last post you know that I need some. As I was over at a friends house, who is an avid blog reader too, I told her about the recipe found on the blog. It’s just 1cup of sugar for 2 T of molasses. I, like most people don’t have molasses in their cupboard- but she did! She gave me some and I was SO excited to come home and make it. I know, I’m a nerd. 🙂
Another girlfriend was there and asked why I would make brown sugar when I could buy it cheaper….hmmm. She has a point. Molases IS pretty expensive. Yet after making it I’ve decided that it’s WAY worth it. The quality is amazing and it smells heavenly. I can’t wait to make pretzels with it!!! I have 2 things to say to my friends : Amy- will I ever do this again…I’m not so sure. It is way more expensive. But it was sure fun 🙂 Carolina- Buy another bottle of that stuff because it’s amazing! Seriously.
Ice Cream Sandwiches
I know I told a couple of you that I was going to make homemade pretzels. Sorry, my brown sugar is gone and so hopefully this week sometime I’ll do it. If not, for sure next week. I’ll also post the recipe here too- it’s really simple. Well, it seems that I blog a lot about food. Huh, I guess it’s just an avenue for my creativity. I would love more fabric, crystals, card stock, stamps and spray paint. But as it is, we will always need food! So I’m able to have fun in the kitchen and spread the love Internet style.
I needed to make cookies for Trav’s lunches and I’m always trying to come up with fun little desserts. So, voila! This is the best of both worlds. This is obviously so simple a child could do it. (hint, hint for all you mommies and aunties- fun project for a rainy day!) Right now they’re in my freezer hardening up. I think we’ll add them to tomorrow’s dinner plan. Enjoy!
Portland Zoo
I love going to the zoo. Everything about it. Packing a picnic for lunch, looking at exotic animals and being mainly out of our house. But there is one thing I don’t like- all the crazy people (mainly unsupervised children) snuffling their noses against the glass to see a glimpse of a lion. Well today we beat the system and got smarter- we went way early! Like around 9:30 am. We met a friend who has a years membership and got us in free and we strolled our strollers around the empty paths and did whatever we wanted. It was really relaxing actually! (Let’s not get into me getting lost taking many wrong turns/exits on the way there) No it was a great time and even though I did talk yesterday about getting ‘unconventional pictures’  I wasn’t feeling super creative. I was more focused on keeping Emma entertained so she wouldn’t freak out wanting to walk around and snuggle with a lion or leopard. (yes mom, Emma is wearing the jean jumper you got her and it looks freeking adorable on her 🙂 )
I did, obviously, take some photos to post. Â ~Amy, thanks for inviting us today, we had a great time. I absolutely LOVE the cheesy smile Rylee gave me. I’ll have to e-mail it to you. Emma slept the entire way home and is now talking in her crib. Crap. Well, lets hope her second nap will be a long one.
Laurel Hurst Park
I know I already posted today, showing you Emma’s cute little purple friend. But today’s outing was too beautiful to keep to myself. There was a yoga class (and I told Trav- ‘just like in the movies!’), people with their dogs, people reading, picnicking and of course the random young couple making out.
Fortunately for you I didn’t take any pictures of them! 🙂 hehe But I did take photos of some amazingly beautiful breathtaking trees. There’s even a picture showing you I’m an real tree hugger. hehe j/k
Enjoy and have a great rest of your night. Tomorrow Emma and I are going to the Zoo with a friend and her daughter. It should be nice and I’ll be looking for unconventional pictures to take. Enjoy!
























