I need prayer

i can't and won't go into details at the moment
or maybe even in a few moments
but i need prayer
and clarity
and knowledge that everything's going to be ok

a few days ago i was praising Jehovah Jireh--my provider--on my facebook status
(and of course in my heart)
i need to HOLD ON to the promise that He IS my provider right now

please pray
please.

Nashville: 11:39 pm

boulevard of broken dreams...broken cars...broken people, broken lives
strange sights, strange sounds, strange land
creeped out drivers plod through wasteland, wantland, needland
amazed and astonished at what lies before them

blue lighting up the skies on every turn
abandoned highway where there should be plenty,
abundance of cars
sits silently in wait of the lone driver, the adventurer

she drives alone, terrified yet enthralled
heart pounding with excitement, with fear
knowing the strange silence of these nashville highways
is temporary

the dark thoughts that swirl around her mind will disappear

light will come

the hustle and bustle will return
normalcy will come
and until then

she must drive on

So...I'm 29

my 29th birthday was sunday
i'm now officially as old as i can possibly be and still check the box for "20s"

it was a good day
i received cards and a package in the mail the day before (because i suck and check the mail approximately once a week. i also had my census form in there. so it may have been 2 weeks...)

i woke up in someone else's house
no, not because i was partying the night before
i was babysitting for the dogs in anthony's family
while they were in kentucky for memorial service #2 i took care of the 5 poodles that his parents, grandparents, and two aunts own.
it was actually a blast.
adoration takes on a whole new form when there is food involved and 5 pairs of eyes are begging you to just.drop.a.noodle.

sooo, i slept in because there had been a weather radio incident at 2:48 am, followed by about 30 minutes of barking from 4 of the 5 pups who were apparently still a bit concerned
went to church
treated myself to thai food (yum) and thai tea (omgosh)
performed with the chorale that afternoon
went home to get ready
because anthony was taking me to dinner

and he came
bearing a large package
and after i opened my card
*which was hilarious and a total inside joke*
he plopped said package on my lap
it was HEAVY
and he said "open it!"
to which i did
and found a brand new
WII!

so on the next rainy day
i will be purchasing a wiifit
and shall go to town on it :)

after i opened my present
we went to dinner
at the pub
where they had placed us at the very front table
which was uber-cool

it was slammed when we got there
but by the time they stopped playing
it was just a few of us
and it was lovely

all in all
a very low key event
(but don't worry...there's a birthday celebration at the pub the weekend following Easter...and that will not be low-key)
:0)

on the right track

i'm down the 2 pounds that i gained back last week
(oops)
but yay...
and today i went for a walk/jog
(walked the whole way one direction, ran all the way back)
and went to trader joe's
(swoon)
where i spent lots of money on amazing produce
veggies (which i love)
fruits (which i'm learning to love)

small steps toward the right direction
attempting to use only the best, freshest ingredients when i cook
(except for pasta...because once in awhile that's just necessary)

what have you done lately to make you a healthier you?

Monday's Memory: The One With the Pizza

last march
right after my birthday
my friend angie came into town
she snapped this photo
of anthony and i
when we introduced her to a great little pizzeria here in nashville
mmmmm...hungry yet?

pause

anthony's granddaddy went Home early this morning
it's his 79th birthday
tonight we celebrate him

i've only had the pleasure of knowing him since i've been dating his grandson
slightly over a year and a half
not enough time
but long enough to know he was a class act

quiet strength
noble
humble
wise
and hilarious
he had this way of saying one little thing
which made us laugh for hours

what a GREAT life he had.

Recipe of the Week -- Shepherd (or Cottage) Pie

As per my usual I made this for St Patrick's Day. This year I took it to the hospital and shared it with Anthony's family who were all gathered with his granddaddy. It was my attempt at bringing Irish cheer to the hospital, and it was enthusiastically received. I've shared this recipe before, but it deserves a repeat. Plus I've changed it (anyone surprised?)

Just for the record, I make this with lamb (Shepherd's Pie) or ground beef (Cottage Pie). It's a technicality that some people are very strict about :-)  

Cottage/Shepherd's Pie

1 lb ground beef (or one pound ground lamb)
1 onion, chopped
clove of garlic, minced or chopped finely
1-2 cups mixed veggies (I use carrots, corn and peas normally)
1 1/2-2 lbs potatoes
1 stick butter
1/2 cup beef broth
2-4 tbsp tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce
1/4 cup of red wine (this is totally eyeballed and I'm fairly sure I used closer to 1/2 cup this time around)
3 tbsp Worchestershire sauce
salt, pepper, other seasonings
(rubbed sage, thyme, mint, etc)

Begin by peeling, chopping, and boiling potatoes in salted water for 20-30 minutes.

About 10 minutes after they begin boiling, melt 4 tablespoons butter in large frying pan.
(which means you have time to harvest, plow and plant approximately 30 plots on farmville. just in case you wonder.)
Saute onions in butter and mixed spices until tender over medium heat (approx 10 minutes). About 5 minutes in, add clove of chopped garlic and the carrots.

Add meat and saute until brown. Add peas and corn, salt and pepper, worcesterchire sauce, splash of wine, and beef broth and cook, uncovered, over low heat for 10 minutes, adding the tomato paste/sauce about 5 minutes into this process.

When potatoes are tender mash them. I add about 2-3 tbsp butter, milk, and even amounts of salt and pepper as I mash. You, of course, can season how you would normally season mashed potatoes.

Line baking dish with beef, onions and veggie mixture. Layer mashed potatoes on top. Rough up with a fork so peaks will brown nicely.
(or not...it's gonna taste the same)
Cook at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until brown and bubbly. Turn on broiler and let brown for an additional 5 minutes.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up: Volume 10

remember bank robber Santa?
well
he came back
as bank robber leprechaun

so the mystery is solved
but the guy in the suit(s) is dead
big-time police shootout
killed the driver of the getaway car eventually
and the actual robber killed himself as he fled on foot
thankfully, the only casualty on the law enforcement side was the police car that got shot up

(news story here)

nashville always makes the news for odd things...
(this time we made *international* news!)
i wonder what's next?

Thursday's Ten: Things found In...

Does anyone else need to clean out their purse as badly as I do?

We're about to find out.



Ten Things Found in Your Purse
(or wallet, laptop bag, or manpurse)

1. wallet (well, that's normal)
2. camera (still normal)
3. small notebook that I use to jot down scripture and prayer
4. coupons (random ones, some of them likely expired)
5. not one or two but three shades of Burt's Bees tinted lip shimmer
6. old Victoria's Secret mint tin that I use for a change purse
7. plastic spoon. no, I don't know why.
8. a thank you card from a friend
9. individual cracker bag. unfortunately the crackers are more of a powder by now
10. a baggie full of earrings that I've made so that I have a backup when I inevitably forget to put them on in the house. oh, and random necklaces and bracelets for the same reason.

how about you?
what will we find in YOUR bag?


(grab the button and sign MckLinky)