New Layout

Some people change put up their Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. I on the other hand change my blog layout:) I'm not puting up my decorations this year because I'm not going to be home but for two weeks in between business travel and going down to California for Christmas. Let me know what you think.

This was. . .

This was the first Thanksgiving that I did not get sick! The emotions are to overwhelming to relay in words what it is like to not be doubled over in bed or in the bathroom (enough said). There was no headache, no fatigue (minus the tryptophan), and I remained vertical all night:) Mrs. Reid was very gracious. She bought special GF gravy mix, cut off a piece of the breast and thigh and cooked them separately for me, and made sure that I even had desert (she set some cherry filling and pumpkin pie fillinf inside special little bowls for me). She even made Chris switch out knives when he went in to cut the ham after finishing off on the turkey. It was without a doubt a GF Thanksgiving:)

It is a good think to give thanks unto the Lord

Last weekend in my SS class our lesson was about King Hezzikiah, and his the gratitude that he had towards God after saving the Jews from the Assyrians. My question to the girls was, Are we only allowed this one day to say thank you to God for his blessings? Their answer surprised me, for they answered "Yes", that we were only allowed this one day to say thank you. Now my girls are young, 6-9, but we have a special time on Sunday mornings allotted to praise the Lord for his provisions and blessings. However, when these answers do arise it's also a great time for teaching and reinforcing what they already know to be true, sometimes they just need a little help. So my next question was, "Well, if that's the case do you think that you could remember an entire years worth of thank yous?" Of course, as children often are they decided to be contrary and said "Yes they could." But as they started to think about it some more they started to change their answer.

Anyway, Thank you for me comes rather naturally off my tongue. You see it was my first word. According to my baby book it came out more like "tank too", but obviously my mom new what I meant. I don't know what I was saying thank you for, however that's really not the point. The point is that we should be grateful for the blessings that God has given us and not hold onto them for a year (or a really long time). We should thank him often for his provision and thank those who are in our lives for the things they do for us. Why it takes one specific day to drag it out of most people is beyond me, but it is nice to have a day that we can take time out, slow down, and appreciate the gifts that we do have. So without further ado (and in no real kind of order) here is what I'm thankful for.

Thank you for:
~ My eternal salvation. Why God did what he did is beyond me and there are not enough thank yous that could be said for that. (If you're wondering what I'm talking about click on the e-Life studies link on my sidebar or take The Good Person Test to find out).
~ My family
~ My church
~ My friends (Kali, Nicki, Meleah, Laura, Shannon & Pastor J., Steve & Sheri, Maggie, Sharon, Katie & Tim, Vicki & Pastor S., The rest of the SPG's, Abbey, Chris & Selena) If I missed anyone I apologize because there are a lot of you. All of you bring something special to my life.
~ The King James Bible AV1611
~ My health ~ My working car
~ My apartment
~ Mrs. Reid, who is going the extra mile to make sure I have a GF Thanksgiving
~ My SS class. Those girls are so great. Each one of them brings something unique to the class each Sunday. There are very few dull moments:)
~ The opportunity that the Lord gave me to share my recent testimony at our Ladies Bible Fellowship. It's wonderful how the Lord works things out for us whenever we let go of our hangups.
~ The dress I just got from Abbey
~ The quiet days with nothing to do
~ The busy days with to much to do
~ My job
~ My new phone (pic soon to be posted)

There is so much more that I'm missing that it doesn't seem right to end the list now. So I'll porbably end up psoting things as I think of them. I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble

The story of Thanksgiving

I just felt like sharing this story of Thanksgiving that was printed out for us last night at church. I hope you (my readers) have the time to read it and enjoy it before you sit down to stuff your face tomorrow:) Yummy!!!

#2 on my list, Cook 15 new dishes (#3 & 4)

Last week was our ladies Bible fellowship. Normally we do simple finger food, but with the fall season upon us the section that I've been assigned to this year felt like doing something more festive. But the really fun part was the fact that it was almost an entirely GF fellowship, except for a few crackers and the apple pie that was made everything else was GF. Christie made a fabulous pumpkin pie cheesecake with macadamia nut crust. Heather made a spaghetti squash casserole, and yours truly made a GF chicken pot pie! Even the chicken I made for it was from scratch.

TASTE BUD WARNING: Full Flavor Ahead

Roasted Chicken:
1 chicken , 4 1/2 to 5 pounds each
6 lemons
A poultry mix of fresh herbs: Rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley and oregano work well

Marinade for one chicken:
1 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup juice from fresh lemon (don't discard lemon rinds)

To make marinade: Place all ingredients in a nonreactive bowl. Whisk with a wire whisk until ingredients are incorporated well—the marinade should have a smooth and creamy consistency. If you're making this GF make sure to find a GF brand of soy sauce. Yes, even soy sauce has wheat in it. It's usually the #2 ingredient.

To make roasted chicken: Preheat oven to 425°.Clean chickens well and pat dry. Place each chicken in its own baking dish.Stuff cavities with lemon rinds and fresh herbs. A poultry mix is fine, usually consisting of rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley and oregano. Pour marinade over chicken. Add cracked pepper and remaining herbs to the top of each chicken.Place an oven thermometer in each chicken and cover with aluminum foil. Place on the lower rack of the oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, then remove the aluminum foil. Baste with a basting bulb. Keep basting often, ever 15 minutes until the thermometer reads 180°.

This chicken is full of flavor!!! What more can I say. Your taste buds will be accosted in the best sort of way. The lemon and soy sauce work together to bring our a tang that really make your mouth come alive with it's sweetness and tartness; and Oh my. . .the meat was so tender it just fell off of the bone. Do not be afraid to be generous with the herbs, especially the sage (but that's just one that I like). If you have a strong inclination towards one more than the other use that too, but really the more herbs the better. And if you have left overs from your mix, use then as a topper on the chicken. It gives a nice texture to the chicken as it begins to brown. However, remember to take the stuffing out of the chicken before you cut into it. Let it cool a little first. I used some saran wrap to get in there and get it all out, without getting more of the mix in between my finger nails.

I wish I could take credit for this recipe, but as with most of them I can't. I got it off of Oprah's website as I was looking for a roasted chicken recipe. So rather than having you all have to go there, now you can just come here and look at it. But that was just the first part. Once I cut up the chicken I put it in the freezer until I needed it a couple days later (trying to do all this in one day is just to much, unless you have that kind of time. In which case knock yourself out). Next time I make this for an actual dinner, I also plan on saving the drippings for a gravy. Just thicken it up, in a pot, with some corn or potato starch over a warm burner. It would probably be delicious over some mashed potatoes or as a sauce for asparagus.

The second part of the process included actually making the chicken pot pie.

Now I know that it doesn't look exactly appetizing, with it's gravy everywhere, but the corn meal crust on it and the flavors inside it really was, people that had it that night loved it:)

Paparazzi Pot Pie (I'll explain the name later)
1 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded
2 Tablespoons of rice flour
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
5 carrots, sliced/diced thin
1 cup of broccoli
1 pkg of sliced mushrooms
3/4 cup of sweet peas
1package of frozen onions
1 3/4 cup of chicken stock (homemade or gf brand)
1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped finely
3 Tablespoons of sour cream
1 clove garlic, minced

Topping
1/2 cup of cornmeal
1/4 white rice flour plus 2 Tablespoons
2 Tablespoons of tapioca flour
3/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 Tablespoon honey
3/4 cup of milk
2 Tablespoons of olive oil

Directions:
Chop/dice/thaw the vegetables for the chicken pot pie.

In a Dutch oven, heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the 2 Tablespoons of rice flour, 1/2 teaspoon of dried mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Cook about 2-3 minutes until bubbly and foamy. Slowly whisk in the chicken stock. Return to boiling. Add the vegetables and basil and simmer for ten to twelve minutes or until tender. Add the cooked chicken and the sour cream; combine well. Put the vegetable mixture in a 9×13 baking dish.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

To prepare the topping, combine the dry ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together well. In a large bowl, combine the honey, milk, and olive oil. Add the dry ingredients and stir until moistened. Spread on top of the vegetable mixture. I had to make two servings of the crust for this recipe, but for me that was OK. I like a thicker/heartier crust. So do what works for you. If you don't like how thin the crust turns out. Then by all means make another one. It will be just fine.

Bake, uncovered, about 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
Serves about 6

Use whatever veggies you have available. This original recipe I got from Gluten Free Mommy, called for a can or artichokes as well as some red bell pepper. Go ahead an put your own spin on it though and find what you like. If you have veggies that you're afraid will go bad this is probably a good recipe to use to freshen up the whole tired stew menu. I also recommend not doing it at the last minute, but that's just me. If you get home around 6 or 7, you might be eating to late if you make this. I think it's a perfect meal for a Saturday evening with the family (or friends if you're like me and don't have family on hand). I was also liberal with the basil. Since I was already buying fresh herbs for the chicken I decided to just do the same for the pie. It's hard to know how many basil leaves actually make up a TBSP so I just gauged it with my eye. It was probably more, but basil is a great flavor anyway so I'm sure it didn't matter at all. Also the gravy was a little thin. I think if I added more sour cream it would be thicker. I'll have to try that next time.

OK, now for the name of the pie. I was taking pictures of my dish and Kali started teasing me about the flashes as they were going off. She said it looked like Pot Pie Paparazzi was everywhere (I'm sure TMZ is dying to get this recipe, LOL). BTW, try saying that 10 times fast. It's really hard huh. So, not only did I teach myself a new recipe, but I also came up with my own tongue twister. My talents never end:P.

So there are my new dishes. I hope that you get to try them for yourselves. I'm sure you'll love them too. I know this post was long, but I've been saving onto this one for a while so I could post them together. I love fall cooking. Lots of comfort food to be had:)

#11 on my list, Learn 30 New facts (#1)

Part of my job as Marketing Assistant is to talk to people and cut deals for placing ads in maritime publications, and today I got to talk to one of the biggest characters (you'll get a lot of those in the South). Pat was nice though and out conversation wasn't all business. It varied from different topics. One of them included where we used to live. One of the places that he used to live was in Dalton, GA, which produces 70% of the carpet in the USA. I know it's an odd fact to learn, but this is the kind of information that will make me a winner on Cash Cab one day:) LOL. Anyway, there's new fact #1, I'm sure I've learned more, but obviously I couldn't remember them well enough to post them. Go figure.

Dress Shopping

Dress shopping should be fun, right? That's what I typically think. It should be fun to go out and look for something dressy for a nice evening. However, this is not the case for me at the present moment.

Recently I've been tapped on going to the International Work Boat Show in New Orleans this year. We go every year, but this year is my turn and I'm really looking forward to it. One, because I always enjoy meeting new people, Two, because it's not on my dime, and Three, because I like to travel and this time while I'm there I'll get to stay in the historic French Quarter. So if I'm excited about getting to go, why am I whining . . . It's because of the dress.

This week we were invited to a party that is being hosted by the daughter of a client that we do a lot of business with, not to mention that her brother is friends with one of our brokers as well. So it's pretty much expected for us to be there. They live right down in the Quarter, I'm told in one of those mansions that we always picture from that area. It's not a formal party, but I almost wish that it was because at least then I could justify spending the money on a descent modest dress. Modest nice/casual dresses for the type of party, that are actually in my size, are very difficult to find and can get pricey. They're either to short, the neckline is to low, or they're sleeveless (I'm not sure if that's considered in modest, but I don't have nice upper arms so I'd rather not show them anyway).

All I really need is a "simple" black dress that I can class up with some jewelry, that way I can at least have a shot at wearing it again, but even that is proving to be a challenge at this point. If I'm able to figure out the rest of my Genotype lab, for Bio, I'll be able to go shopping on Saturday and hopefully find something.

Incidentally this is the same issue I ran into last year while I was shopping for my HS reunion, and I'm sure I'm not alone when I say this, but the longer that it takes to find something, the more I discouraging it is and I want to stop. It's always when you're "not looking" that the perfect dress falls into your lap. Not to mention that, with a few exceptions, there's really only one dress that a girl wants to buy anyway. Everything else is just superfluous. Anyway, that's my dilemma. I'll let you all know how it goes. Sigh, it's a good thing I'm done with Christmas shopping and have a few extra bucks to spare.

New Layout

I've changed my layout to a theme. I was inspired by the fall season plus I get bored easily and have been looking for something cuter. Let me know what you think. I'll probably end up doing it seasonally now that I know how. If you want to change yours too here's the link to The Cutest Blog.

Even more to brag about

WOW, WoW, Wow, wow!!!! Have I said wow enough?
One more time, WOW!

No one will ever believe me anymore about science not being my forte. I just checked my grades to see the results from last weeks lab assignment and I got 19 out of 20 points. Seriously people I barely understand this stuff. Reading my science book is like reading a different language, trying to decipher how it all works. Between cellular division, the phases (inter, pro, meta, ana, and telo), diploid and haploid cells, and the formation of DNA and how the crossing over process works, it's enough to make a person go batty. The more I study this subject though, the more I realize that we truly are "fearfully and wonderfully made", Psalm 139:14. The fact that God created all of that and knew how to do it without an instruction manual is just mind blowing!

Anyway, I'm pretty stoked right now. I got a full nights sleep (after only getting 3 hours of sleep the prior evening, that's a long story that I'll share later) and I got an A on my Mitosis and Meiosis lab:) I'm really speechless. Trust me though, the quarter is not over with yet and though I'm set up pretty well at this point to pass the class I won't rest easily until I take my last 2 exams. Then I'll let out a big sigh of relief. Until then I'll still brag whenever I get a grade like this.

Takin' a moment to brag a little

Math and Science have never really been strong subjects for me (I'm more of an English / Sociology / History nut). However, in order to complete my AA I need to have those 2 subjects completed. My pre recs are 2 Science classes (one with a Lab) and a college level Math class (which I will finally be able to take this Spring thanks to completeing all the pre recs for Statistics. That was a long haul). I tried taking Chemistry a couple summers ago, but the quarter was so short and I was so busy that I ended up not doing very well in the class, so I'm still bound to the schools regulations.

Anyway, I'm taking Biology this quarter and anyone who has had any online classes or Science classes for that matter might be prone to agree with me that the 2 don't go well together. I always have so many questions that it takes me almost 2 days to complete a small portion of my lab assignments and discussion board questions. However, something must be starting to make sense to me because this weekend I just got extra cedit for helping another student out the Math portion of this weeks lab, and a B+ on last weeks fermentation and cellular respiration lab (which wasn't easy since I was also bound to writing my Bible Institute paper during the same week). I'm completely elated!!! Although I will be happy once this chapter of school is over with. I'm doing so, so on the exams, but as long as I can pull a 68 on the last 3 I'm looking pretty good for passing the class, with at least a C. Which I will be content with due to my lack of general knowledge in this area.

Just wanted to share:) Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!!!

And the bids have been cast

As we head to the polls today and vote for the candidate that we like the best it should be noted that the eBay polls, for our candidates Cabbage Patch kids, have already closed; and the winner is. . .

Sarah Palin @ $19,000

I'm speechless at the cost of this doll. I mean I could use that to continue my college education. Maybe I should put myself on eBay and see who wants to bid on paying for my college education! Don't get me wrong, the money did go to a good cause (Toy's for Tots). I just think that my education would be a better one;)

The rest of the dolls rankings are as follows. . .

#2 Barrack Obama @ $8,400
#3 John McCain @ $6,000
#4 Joe Biden @ $3,550.01