Girls just gotta have fun!

This weekend I got a chance to spend some time with Quiana and Christina (friends from youth group growing up).

We always laugh about how we spend our time together because we spend a weekend or a day with each other and when people ask what we did the whole weekend, we always say the same thing- TALKED! And that's really all we did was talk-

over meals...


standing.....


sitting


...more sitting

We had so much fun talking, laughing, and staying up late as if it were our first sleep over party ever.



I will miss them dearly when Josh and I live further away but hope we can get together from time to time. The best thing about great friends is being able to pick up where you left off no matter how long it's been.

With Thanksgiving

Lately Josh and I have had many of our upcoming adventures heavy on our minds- moving, finishing school, starting a new job, being able to take time off for the holidays, and the list goes on. Some days it is very easy to see how blessed we are and other days we find ourselves selfishly grumbling and thankless.

This morning in my quiet time, I really was able to "turn back to praise" every blessing God has provided us recently and in the past- it was certainly not on my own strength that I was able to do this.

The passage I read (Deuteronomy 26) was so appropriate considering the situation Josh and I have found ourselves in (finding it so easy to grumble and point out where things are not as we'd like them rather than focusing on the land of milk and honey that God has provided for us).

Verses 8 -10 remind us of where we came from: "So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the first fruits of the soil that you, O Lord, have given me."

Verses 17-19 remind us of who we are in Him: "You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will obey him. And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised and that you are to keep his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame, and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised."

Me- a treasured possession? Much like the Israelites, I often forget God's covenant promises to me and all that he has done and will do in the future. His promises and provisions are certainly something to turn back to praise!

1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

Although we do not deserve these wonderful eternal blessings, join us in declaring his praises and "enjoying him by glorifying him forever" during this Thanksgiving season and all the year long.

Occupational Therapy....Here I come!

It has been a long road to pursue my career in occupational therapy (or at least it has certainly seemed that way at times)! Today I felt I made some progress towards actually working as an "OT" some day....finally!

Today I applied to take my boards and applied for Florida licensure- fun, but expensive business apparently!

Just when I thought we were done with all the "fees" related to becoming an OT, there was another around the corner. Oh well, just the way it is I suppose.

Tomorrow I will take an online course in medical error prevention. In two weeks I will get my CPR re-certification. And in a few months I will actually take my boards.

On another note,

I suppose part of being a big girl and getting a job means having a more versatile form of transportation rather than "going into work" with the hubby when I need to run errands. Josh and I had fun test driving some cars and hope to get me a set of wheels before I begin my job. I have historically not particularly enjoyed driving, however, I'm hoping to turn over a new leaf in the new year and feel safe and confident at the wheel, rather than depending on my trusty and loving chauffeur all the time.

Edgar can testify to the fact that it's not easy getting old and having responsibilities-after all, he actually had to move "downstairs" in his guinea palace while I cleaned the "upstairs" (shelf). Today I noticed that our tailored "plan my move" calendar (courtesy of the military) suggested we begin talking with our "children" about the upcoming move and select "age appropriate" books as a resource- I considered writing them for suggestions on books to provide our beloved guinea pig, but somehow, I think he'll make it....as long as green beans are involved.

Yummy Quesadillas

Another favorite, affordable, and quick recipe for any time! (Again, from my wonderful Jefferson Roommate, Candice)

Josh says, "THANK YOU CANDICE!"

Very Filling Quesadillas:

1 can black beans (rinsed)
1 can corn (rinsed)
1 can diced green chiles
as much diced red bell pepper as you would like (or you can keep it out)
shredded mexican cheese
tortillas

Mix black beans, corn, green chiles, and red pepper in a bowl

Put tortilla in pan, then spread some cheese, then put as much bean/corn mixture as you would like, then spread some more cheese, then top it with another tortilla and cook it as you would a quesadilla.

Top it with homemade or store bought salsa if you'd like.

Josh and I like to use a grill press on top of the quesadilla to make it melt faster being that it is so "full".

YUMMM! Enjoy!

T Minus 24 Days!

Yep, that's right, we will be moving from the lovely city of Baltimore (except for not) to the Sunshine state in 24 days! Between now and then there is lots to be done! I won't stress you out with the list- it stresses me out thinking about it!

While there are many disadvantages to moving, we will be trying to focus on the advantages.

For example:

making a point to know where your birth certificate is (or isn't) every once in awhile
or
Figuring out what was so smelly in the refrigerator all that time (when you are required to clean out the bottom drawer!)
or
weeding through the many, many, many things that you will just never use again (Dad, I knew you'd be proud ;))

Really, though, we are looking forward to beginning this new adventure- Josh is anxious to begin his career as a Naval Flight Officer, I am anxious to finally start my career in occupational therapy, and Edgar, well, as long as green beans are involved, there's simply no need for anxiety!

Vacationland

Josh and I just got back from a quick, but wonderful weekend in Vacationland-Maine!.

We arrived in Portland on Thursday night (where his brother Matt lives) and hung around Portland until Matt was done with work Friday. Ironically we even fit in a lunch date with Mom G (as she was picking up her new Kayak in Freeport, ME that day).

Josh and I got a chance to see the base that Matt works at in Brunswick, ME Friday afternoon and met a few of his friends from his squadron as well.

After spending a few hours in Brunswick we made our way to Belfast, ME where Josh's Aunt Melinda and Uncle Daniel live. It was a mini reunion there, as Mom A and Gramma were also in Maine visiting!

The food was DELICIOUS as always and the company even better!


Here is a picture of a P-3 (the plane that Matt flies). Matt just got back from El Salvador where he and several members of his squadron made great progress in keeping drugs out of our country and others.

Spending time relaxing, reading, and looking up cars on the computer


It didn't take long for one of their friendly cats (Megan) to make herself comfy on our suitcase :)

Brotherly love...looking up dream cars together


Mom A and I (reading and studying)

After dinner shenanigans (pseudo swing dancing)




Who knows?

Uncle Daniel in the Kitchen


Uncle Daniel initiated dancing with Aunt Melinda after dinner and then we all took turns- he is quite the dancer if I do say so!

Gramma just couldn't keep her feet from dancing and taught Josh a few moves :)


Here is a video of Josh and Matt doing a "swing dancing" move....they should be gymnasts!

Thanks for visiting!

A Recipe for Fall

Fall is my favorite season by far. I love the changes, the smells, the leaves, the foods that are associated with this time of year, oh, I could go on!

One of my favorite fall recipes is from one of my Jefferson roommates, Candice. It's from a cookbook by the Authors of "More with Less" called "Simply in Season"- it advocates for using food that is in season and has some great recipes to really savor each season. One of my favorite fall recipes now is

"Pumpkin Sausage Pasta"- it's a must try! Here is the recipe:

Cook, drain, and set aside 1 lb Penne (I use whole wheat)

In large deep frypan brown 1 lb bulk sweet italian sausage over medium-high heat. When cooked, remove meat and set aside. Drain fat from pan and return pan to stove.

Add 1 medium onion (chopped) to pan and 4 cloves minced garlic to fypan and saute until soft (3-5 minutes)

Add 1 bayleaf and 2 tablespoons fresh sage (I've never added the bayleaf and I add dried herbs)

Add 1 cup dry white whine or chicken broth and cook until half of liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes

Mix in 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth, 1 cup pumpkin or winter squash (cooked, pureed- I use pumpkin puree in a can, however, make sure it doesn't have anything sweet added to it like is frequently used for pumpkin pies)

Continue stirring until sauce starts to bubble and add sausage. Reduce heat.

Stir in 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.

Simmer 5-10 minutes to thicken. Mix sauce with pasta and serve with freshly grated romano or parmesan cheese.

To make a great recipe and meal even better, I had the honor of cooking with my wonderful husband. He's such a great mincer and chopper! It's always picture perfect and handled with care. Although Josh said when we started cooking- "I don't like 75% of the ingredients going in here", it was a winner- and it better be because, boy, do we have leftovers :)

Go Navy!

Yesterday Josh and I met up with the Paul Family to go to the last Navy home game of the season (Versus Temple). It was a beautiful day- in the 70's for the most part- and we all had a lot of fun!

We know the Paul's through Mom and Dad A and have had a great time getting to know them better while we live in the D.C./Maryland area. The last time we got together we went to the Baltimore Aquarium- another great time!

We happened to leave with 5 minutes left to the game thinking Navy would lose (it was 7-27), and somehow Navy managed to pull it together and won 33-27 in overtime!!!


Josh and John Paul

Noreen and Johnny


Catherine and Johnny


Catherine petting the real "Bill the Goat" (Navy's mascot)

Johnny and Catherine with the "human" "Bill the Goat"



Awww...we coordinated blue and gold for the game- how cheesy ;)

Thanks for a great afternoon Paul Family!