Recipes are more like guidelines

So I found a recipe in a cook book Tasha and I got from the Bahers. I looked it over and then modified it to work with what we had and what we liked.

1 can of salsa
2 cans of tuna (drained)
1 handful of baby spinach
3 servings of uncooked macaroni noodles
4 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp basil
1/8 tsp dried minced garlic
1/8 tsp black pepper

Wilt the spinach in melted butter and oil - simmer for 5 minutes
Add the garlic and salsa to the spinach - simmer for 5 minutes
Add the basil, pepper, and tuna - simmer for 5 minutes
Pour over cooked macaroni noodles and enjoy!


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Oh, we added sliced olives to it too. Yummy!

Thanksgiving

I am so thankful that I had the week off for Thanksgiving! I was able to do all kinds of fun projects. For example, I made my first macaroni salad and my very first pie. A good friend who regularly makes a pie when her son comes home from college showed me how to make a oh so delicious apple pie. I normally endure the crust of a pie to get to the filling. This homemade crust was irresistible. I also was able to make a special photo album for Ama and Apa! I made a red scarf for my mom. I listened to Worth, The Penderwicks, and I'm in the middle of listening to Rodzina. If you want a light hearted funny book, pick up The Penderwicks. If you want a good story set around the late 1800s (from what I remember that is) in the Midwest about a family who through hardship learned to accept one another, pick up Worth. So far Rodzina is quite interesting as she is a Polish orphan being sent west in the last 1800s on an orphan train to be given to hopefully loving families. Rodzina isn't too happy about the move and fights being picked on for her Polish heritage and physical size.
Kyle and I were able to spend two days with friends and family in Bako. Have you ever played the game Imagine If? I had so much fun playing. According to my family I am a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I thought of myself more as a turkey sandwich, but who knew... :) I also got to spend quite a bit of time with PopPop, my grandfather. He shared all kinds of stories about his past that were very interesting. Growing up my grandparents lived in New York, so I got to see them about once a year. This was a special time for he and I as I learned all kinds of stuff. :)

Perspective

What would it be like to be a moth traveling and landing on this bush?

What would it be like to be a rollypolly crawling though this jungle of leaves?

What would it be like to be an ant trying to crawl up this fuzzy flower?

What would it be like to be a worm popping up and seeing a sea of gold?

What would it be like to be a sparrow landing in this tree?

A November Walk

I went on a walk, and what did I see?
I had to stop by the post office because I knew they had some of the prettiest trees around.

The lighting was perfect that afternoon.

The colors were stunning and breath taking.

I ventured on toward downtown Clovis.

And although it is fall, you can still find evidence of summer.

Saint and Sinner

I stumbled across this as I searched for the meaning behind Luther saying "sin boldly".

This new design is a visual example of one of Martin Luther's most famous quotes. "Simul iustus et Peccator". As we live in God's grace, we are reminded that we are both forgiven and sinner. This shirt proclaims Saint to all who look at it, yet if you look down at your own shirt, you will be reminded that you are also a Sinner. This design was created by ambigram artist Mark Palmer and is used by permission of Wow Designs inc.

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Simultaneously Saint and Sinner

Beauty Over the Weekend

Oma and Grandpa Jack's bird of paradise

 Don't you love how the wind makes a good hair day into a scary one?

Grandma Murial's neighbor's garden

If you look closely, you'll see an ant.

I just thought these were pretty.

Thankful

I am thankful for the four days off I've had.  Kyle and I were able to go visit my family in Bakersfield on Friday and Saturday morning, his grandparents on Saturday afternoon, and my grandparents on Sunday.  It was a whirlwind trip including 11 hours of driving, but it was well worth it.  I'm grateful that cars exist.  I'm talking to my kids about traveling in a wagon.  This trip wouldn't have been possible via wagon with just 11 hours of drive time.  I'm thankful that brave souls cut through the mountains and made roads.  I wouldn't choose to go by wagon over the mountains unless it was VERY clear from God that I was supposed to.  I'm thankful for the time to visit.  Having both Monday and Tuesday off allowed me to get lesson plans done for this week and next while still enjoying the company of friends at lunch and a bit of shopping today.  

Why

Does anyone else think it is unsettling that California voted YES on 2 but NO on 4?

Why is it that this state cares more about livestock than it do babies?

Dilemma

Should we get a dog?
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OR
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Should we have children?
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