tuplis mean spring is on the way

best friends

best friends, originally uploaded by frogverde.

r & k during dance this weekend.

i do, love you

this is a post about my wonderful husband, james william.

first i want to say thank you. thank you for being you and not comprimising yourself for anyone or anything. i think think that is one of the most admirable qualities about you dear hubby. the fact that you have convictions that will stand the test of time. now i am NOT talking about worldly things, but real life, heart and soul things like morals and values. now i do have to say that many, yes many, of the things you believe in are not things i like, want to do, think of doing or even would remotely condiser changing my mind to be a spectator of you participating in, BUT, there is such a realness, a true spirit within you that I am so proud of. I love you, I trust you and pray for you. I love your willingness to change and adapt to the life that has become our reality. To the different circumstances that we have been dealt in the hand of life and the ability to accept them and embrace them. We have built this life together that most people would never choose but that works for us and is our path that we have been blessed in beyond all expectations.

Thank you for being the father you are, for the husband you are and the man that the Lord has made you. I pray that I will become a better wife to you and help you grow as a person and child of the Great God we serve. I love you big jimmy. your wife, nikki

beautiful

 

 

Wedding Recovery 101

Sleep. Many, many hours of sleep. That was my first priority after returning home from the wedding this weekend. Seriously, I am thinking of marketing a kit that people can buy for the recovery portion of a long weekend or big event. Step by step instructions on what to do to get back on your feel and feeling great again in the shortest amount of time possible.

The whole wedding weekend was a blast, so much fun and exciting and filled with joy. But it was a long weekend and it feels good to have slept, done laundry and gotten my life back in order and ready for the week.

Thursday was a whirl wind of activity. I had the meeting for the rock star dance and shopping to do for the wedding. I found a few sweaters and a great clearance deal, shoes for $5!!! I found a black pair of pumps, a brown pair and a cute brown pair of wedges. All for $5 each. You can't beat $15 for 3 pairs of shoes. I did find a few sweaters for myself, a nice white one for Rea and Valentine gifts for the munchkins.

Then I bought the Hugs and Kisses and went home to start making the favor bags. I stuffed and tied and tied and stuffed for a few hours until my fingers didn't bend any more. Then I packed and organized for the trip until 2am. Jim and I also took a quick trip to the White Castle to get a few late night burgers. Mmmm! Cali came along for the ride and got to experience true lap dog formation when Jim let her sit on his lap and hang her head out the window on the ride home. Ah! Dog heaven!

Friday early I had coffee with mom, got the kids (they spent the night) and took Cali to the Fuzzy Dog. She was so excited! She went right into the room with the other dogs and allowed them to sniff her. She seemed a bit nervous at first but she quickly became comfortable. The lady working said it is better if they come in a bit nervous since it is the dogs that come in acting tough that they need to worry about. So I left Cali in good spirits at the Fuzzy dog and went back home to get our show on the road.

0215091052.jpg

0215091052.jpg, originally uploaded by frogverde.

we are home and everyone is happy and calm...its nice to have cali back.

the buzz on the buzziness

I am little stressed right now but everything is coming together and I am confident, will fall into place nicely.

I wish I knew why I perform so well under pressure. Oh, if there were a way to really trick myself into believing I needed to meet an earlier deadline for projects.

I KNOW I would get so much (more) done.

Jenna's wedding is Saturday. Yeah, this Saturday, as in 3 days away. Ugh! How could that have crept up so silently? Just a day ago I had at least two weeks to get it all together. Now here we are just 48 hours short of leaving for the southern part of the state and I need to find a place for Cali to stay.

I had a friend, who was going to take the pup for the weekend, but her doggie is now very sick and she is unable to care for another. This, of course, is totally understandable; it just leaves me in a slight predicament for her whereabouts. It's not like she is a cat and can be left with food, water and a clean box. She really needs the love and care of a real human being. Bathroom privileges would be a plus too. Lol!

Well after a ton of calls today, I think I have secured Cal a place to stay (contingent on her behavior, say a prayer for her getting along with other canines) and it will only cost me $35 a night. I have her vaccination records and have to pick up a bag of food, but this sounds like it is the perfect solution to us making a quick get away for the weekend.

Tonight after Awana, I need to finish cutting the favor tops and bake the cupcakes.

Tomorrow, I need to stuff the bags with kisses and seal them up.

Then there is a planning meeting for the 5^th grade dance we are in charge of this year. (Oh, did I mention that is in 2 weeks! Eek!) The planning meeting holds to be a fun experience though as I will be going…

Incognito!  PI Nikki, in disguise for a cause… hmmm. Let's see if I can pull off an evening of spy work for a friend. Poor G is just so done with the Jman yet, she is really dying to see or get a little glimpse of his alter ego. (i.e. Mr. Super restaurant boy! Cape and mask sold separately). I mean really, what could a waiter possibly have to stay at the place so long after closing time for? We want details and we want them now. Well, actually, we have wanted them for a few years. And, if we would have gotten them, we probably would have not been here today, laughing about how I am going to disguise myself and spy on this guy at a dance planning meeting.

I'll let you know how it goes. So between now and then and everything in between, I will definitely be a busy little bee. Buzz, buzz.

 

love and marital bliss is in the air

 I have been helping plan a shower/ bachlorette party for jim's cousin. she is getting married this saturday, valentines day in normal. so over the phone i have been working with her sister and her mom to plan the perfect girls night out the night before the wedding. one of the good things is that there will not be a lot of crazyness because she is having a baby in june. so we are doing everything very classy and low key to celebrate her time before she takes the marital plunge and the baby leap very soon.

we have decided to hold the shower at a local hotel that has loft rooms with fireplaces and beautiful motif and furniture. we are decorating the room with candles, confetti, streamers, balloons and banners in pink and white. her wedding colors are black, white and pick. very elegant for a valentines day wedding. we are holding the shower for her after the rehersal dinner the night before the wedding. the ladies and girls will come after dinner and we will provide punch, cupcakes, fruit and candy. we will have a quick devotional about marraige and love (which I am writing! eek!), play a few bridal games and then have facials and manicures.

i am making the favors for the actual wedding so i have been consumed with what i want to make and perfecting the thoughts i want to manifest into something tangible. i can't wait until it is all over... although i am excited to know that as of saturday afternoon, i will be off the hook of planning, setting up and preparing and can really just enjoy the party.

right now, my only thought and (rather large) concern is who is going to watch Cali when we are gone. I am struggling to find someone who will be available for the 2 nights we are gone to watch a rather large and barkative german shepherd... Something will happen though and it will all work out.

I will post some pics of the final product but there were a few ideas that i used for insipration.

have a good week!

these we a few of the flowers i received for my birthday.

they were so beautiful the next moring in the sunlight.

basketball compassion

jimmy and jake after saturday's game.

too bad the other team didn't have compassion for our team during the game. we tried, but chalked up another loss for our co-ed beginners basketball team. oh well, at least they are having fun.

that's an expensive bottle of sauce you've got there...

that's what i wanted to say when i saw the $8.99 price of the barbecue sauce at a gourmet food party i just attended. but i didn't. i tasted and smiled and bought a few things, but i didn't comment on the prices. everyone needs to make a living, right? well, i did buy an almond pound cake and it is cooking in the oven right now. i can small it. mmm. oh, and what's that, the timer. it's done. i'm off to serve pound cake to the family, although it smells good, i will not be having any. since i have eliminated the wheat, dairy and eggs, i have been feeling great. i just wish i knew which one effected me so i could avaoid it completely and start to realy plan recipes to incorporate the other items. i'll leave you with a few pics of the cutest little baby. she is our friends daughter. little angelina, so sweet :0) 

a moment

jimmy and cali enjoying each other
 

 

 

This came out of their room! Is it ENOUGH?

unbelievable that this much stuff could get piled up in the kids room! wow. we have too much stuff and really need to learn to scale back.i know i haven't posted in a while, but this month has been such a crazy time of getting back on track with life.

i don't really think any other month will be any less crazy, but after the relaxing pace of the holidays and having time off after Christmas where I really did just about nothing, getting back into the full swing of sports, school and social engagements really left me spinning. work doesn't help either. doctors say stress kills and i can see how it can take toll on people's health and well being. i am trying to find better ways of managing my stress. one of the best ways i can practice is "leave it at the door". I do not need to invite other people's problems into my family's life. i have been practicing really "being" with the kids when it is their time and really "being" at work or with God or whomever I need to focus attention on. multi-tasking has it's perks, but i have found it is not a plus in any way when it comes to relationships and people. In fact, it really is nothing  but a nasty, distracting, bad habit. It is one that I would like to focus my attention on this year and break. No more multi-tasking people.

so, along with the theme of getting some of my bad habits out of the way, i want to mention that i have picked my word for 2009. it is "enough". I have enough, i am enough, enough is enough. I think this realization came when i did take the time to help the kids clean out their room and actually saw the sheer amount of volume that came out of that tiny little room. it's almost embarrassing that 3 kids and all that stuff could fit, but they did and that was the problem. wow! so after we sorted though, donated and threw a ton of stuff away, we all feel more together, healthier and calm. Enough seemed to be a fitting word for this picture and it has prompted me to take a good look at all the other excess in my life. this year i would like to see how blessed i am to have enough of everything i need and to give praise and thanks to God for it all.

 

Breakfast of champions

Breakfast of champions, originally uploaded by frogverde.

Payton got to eat ice cream for breakfast! Yum!

Early morning walk

Early morning walk, originally uploaded by frogverde.

Huge snowball

Law of the Lighthouse

I received this devotional today and was really struck by the "list" Max has given us. It really makes my "oh so important" list seem not that important. hmmm...

 

Laws of the Lighthouse
by Max Lucado

The first of the year is known for three things: black-eyed peas, bowl games, and lists. Some don't eat black-eyed peas. Others hate football. But everybody likes lists.

The Bible certainly has its share of lists. Moses brought one down from the mountain.

There are lists of the gifts of the Spirit. Lists of good fruit and bad. Lists of salutations and greetings. Even the disciples' boat got into the action as it listed in the stormy Sea of Galilee. (If you smiled at that, then I've got a list of puns you'd enjoy.)

But the greatest day of lists is still New Year's Day. And the number one list is the list I call the Laws of the Lighthouse.

The Laws of the Lighthouse contain more than good ideas, personal preferences, and honest opinions. They are God-given, time-tested truths that define the way you should navigate your life. Observe them and enjoy secure passage. Ignore them and crash against the ragged rocks of reality.

Smart move. The wise captain shifts the direction of his craft according to the signal of the lighthouse. A wise person does the same.

Herewith, then, are the lights I look for and the signals I heed:

-- Love God more than you fear hell.
-- Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.
-- Make major decisions in a cemetery.
-- When no one is watching, live as if someone is.
-- Succeed at home first.
-- Don't spend tomorrow's money today.
-- Pray twice as much as you fret.
-- Listen twice as much as you speak.
-- Only harbor a grudge when God does.
-- Never outgrow your love of sunsets.
-- Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.
-- 'Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of scrutiny.
-- God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.
-- When you can't trace God's hand, trust his heart.
-- Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.
-- Don't feel guilty for God's goodness.
-- The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.
-- Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.
-- Live your liturgy.

To sum it all up:
Approach life like a voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the vessel. Make friends with the captain. Fish a little. And then get off when you get home.

cali has a question

cali has a question, originally uploaded by frogverde.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip
All the spice and zing of your favorite wings, minus the time and mess.
Serves: 6-8
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
INGREDIENTS
4 cans (12 ounces) of canned white meat chicken
10 ounces buffalo wing sauce
1 block spreadable cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup bleu cheese dressing
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spread cream cheese generously in the bottom of a 9"x13" pan.
Combine the chicken, buffalo sauce and bleu cheese in a medium mixing bowl, and then pour over the cream cheese.
Top with cheddar cheese.
Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

back to routine

the kids started school this week and I went back to work. Besides the most obvious trauma that caused me, I have taken well to the fact that I am at least 50% more organized than I would have been going into this week by 'sort of' planning the week than not. I think so much faster than I can do. by the time I can articulate what I am thinking, I have changed that thought at least 3 times. Not a good trait to have, indecisivness, as it always feels as if things are not done, not resolved and not put to rest. This is something I have been thinking of for 2009 as one of the placed where I need to make a change, since it would lessen my stress level and allow me to practice more compassion and love toward those who reside in my house.
So, steps I need to take are:
1. planning out weekly meals. (it will save $ and eliminate the crazy what to do every nioght after work)
2. picking out M - F outfits for all the kids and myself. (i will not waste pecious time in the morning looking for clothes or helping little people choose theirs)
Right now, there are really just two, but two big ones that would really ease the amount of pressure I feel each week.
But that being said, out of my two, I have done 1, and I can already feel the pressure down as we ease into Wednesday.
I think this might just work :0)

Lemon Chicken Piccata

Lemon Chicken Piccata
Serves 4
4 (4-6 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, flattened to about 1/4-inch (use a ziplock and rolling pin)
Salt and ground black pepper
1/3 cup flour
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, but if not used, use double the chicken broth)
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, quartered or use equivalent frozen artichoke hearts
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Meanwhile, working quickly, season flattened chicken rolling pin until 1/4-inch thick. Season flattened chicken with salt and black pepper. In a shallow dish (or dinner plate), combine flour, lemon zest and paprika. Mix well. Add chicken and turn to coat. Remove chicken from flour mixture and shake off excess flour.
To the hot oil, add the garlic. Add chicken and saute 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Add lemon juice, wine and chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens. Add capers and simmer 1 minute to heat through, then serve.

a clean sink. thanks Jim!

there's just something about a clean sink that makes one smile! and envokes an even bigger smile when that sink was cleaned by someone else. namely, your hubby! so thanks jim. your the best! even with a hurt back the dishes i left in the sink last night were too much for you to take. i think that calls for a nice dinner tonight. how about some cod, wild rice and peppers! yum.

ROMA'S SKILLET CHICKEN, a freezer dinner

I found this recipe on SavingDinner.com a while back and tried it once fresh. Yummy!

I'm pretty sure this would be great frozen on a week night and easy too.

ROMA'S SKILLET CHICKEN
Serves 6

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon olive oil
2/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup white wine (or chicken broth)
2 cloves pressed garlic
1 (28-oz.) can drained whole tomatoes
2 sliced green bell peppers, seeded and deribbed
1 (8-oz.) can drained sliced mushrooms
1 tablespoon rosemary, crumbled

TO ASSEMBLE:
In a one gallon freezer bag, write ROMA'S SKILLET CHICKEN and the date you assembled it on the bag with a Sharpie marker (won't run in the freezer). In this same bag, place the chicken, oil, broth, wine, garlic, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers and rosemary. Seal the bag and gently shake to mix. Open the bag; gently and carefully squeeze the bag to remove excess air. Seal the bag.

BEFORE YOU COOK:
Defrost your freezer meal the night before in your fridge. If you don't have a full thaw at cooking time, place the bag in a sink of cold water (do not use hot water!) to speed-thaw your food safely.

COOKING DAY INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoon water

Place contents of freezer bag into a large skillet or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil and then let simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

During the last five minutes of cooking time, mix together cornstarch and water into a smooth thin paste. Pour into the skillet, stir and allow sauce to thicken for about five minutes.

Per Serving: 223 Calories; 4g Fat; 31g Protein; 14g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 68mg Cholesterol; 310mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 4 Lean Meat; 2 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat. Points: 4

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve with a side of fettuccine tossed with some olive oil and a little Parmesan cheese. Add a big spinach salad and you've got dinner!

"Success is the ability to

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill

Yeah! I excercised self control today! and my comitment to eating frugal...

Today we took my mother in law out for 'dunch' (dinner and lunch) b/c she was craving Mexican food. YUM! We went to Ay Carumba in Park Ridge. It was a yummy meal and I was very proud of myself for excercising portion control and not allowing myself to fill up on chips and salsa (although the salsa is FAT FREE and healthy) and I had a portion of a steak I split with Jim and 2 fajitas (on corn tortillas). No beans or rice (count up those calories saved baby!)
I was thinking (later of course) that we have such an abundance of everythting in this world and the first thing that comes to mind is obviously food. I know in this country 'we' as a nation are blessed, but my family is blessed beyond belief. As I have been thinking about the crab legs we indulged in on new years eve, i find it amazing that we have so much. I feel like my family wastes SO much food every week. I go to the store and place all of the food 'wants' and 'ideas of meals' into my cart and walk out without a second thought. i don't purchase the store brand all the time, nor do i worry about the price of too many things in my cart. i also don't worry a week later when i open the fridge and wonder why i didn't make half the things i purchased and why the $4.00 buttermilk is sour after I used the 1/4 cup i needed for that 'one' recipe.
i have been wondering this week about the reason why these things don't bother me, and the only resaon I can come up with is desentisization. I have become desensitized to the needs that others have. yeah, i know about the food crisis in other countries and it breaks my heart when i see, hear or think of the suffering, but that is not what i'm talking about. i think i am numb to the fact there are real people and real families here in our country, in our state, in our, my, city that are not as blessed as my family is.
so now here is the verb part.... what am i going to do about it? truth is, i'm not really sure. yeah, of course i have ideas, but when you don't have the time, tools and resources to make thoughts turn into plans then turn to action, it is still, well, just an idea.
so i have an idea (and i'll call it what it is. for now at least), that i want to try, and i know it's not going to help another family eat this week (at least not right away) but it is a step that i need, my family needs, to start becoming more aware.
so stay tuned... i will lay out my plan this week. in action of course.
have a great evening readers.
nikki

Gina's Stuffing Recipe for a 12lb bird

Here is a stuffing recipe from my friend Gina. She makes this great mushy stuffing that is To-DIE-FOR! I know it's a little late for a stuffing recipe, but it never goes out of style and you KNOW you'll use it again. Enjoy!

8 cups regular bread or stuffing bread or croutons. (It's works out to be about 3/4's of a loaf of bread.) Wheat bread works good. I've even used rye. I use the plain ole .99 bread.

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup butter - 1 stick

1 tsp rubbed sage or poultry seasoning. ( I use a tsp. of each) and add more to taste if I'm in the mood. I like the added flavor.

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1-2 cups warm milk

Break up un-toasted bread in large bowl. Sauté butter, celery, onion, sage, salt, pepper until veges are soften. Once done, in same pan pour in to start, 1 cup of milk and blend together. Then pour over bread and mix. Use your hands, it mixes better. Add more warm milk until its to your desired texture. Then stuff that old bird. I bake any remaining stuffing in a separate pan.

Add whatever else you might like when saute' the veges. The first time you had my stuffing I added fresh chopped mushrooms as well. The second time I added (1) peeled and chopped apple. Bon Appetite!

A Kept Woman

I Am a 'Kept' Woman
You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)
There were times when I thought I could go no longer, But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)
At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, But the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13)
Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough, But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)
When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up. When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)
I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!

I'm 'Kept' by the Love and Grace of God!

Costco Crab Legs are the BEST!

This was our New Years Eve.

We stayed at home with the kids and played a game of Risk.

I fell asleep before midnight but Jim was kind enough to wake me up and wish me a Happy New Year. Then, I went back to sleep.

But before all the sleeping, Jim went to Costco and bought over 4 lbs of king crab legs! Woo Who! Those were the best! They were huge and tasted great.

The claw

We made dip and mini burgers and crab legs and broccoli. It was a perfect meal but even better since we were home, safe and well rested to start the New Year.

Payton's arm is as long as the crab leg!

A Thought on Friendship

Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit. Aristotle

Introducing my new blog!

Hello everyone! I have decided to start a blog for the New Year.
One of the goals I have set for myself this year is to live a much more Simple life. (don't laugh!).
I want to make my life more about Compassion and Gratitude and less about the world and what "it" tells me I need.
This will be a place where I can record my families experiences and daily "doses" of compassion.
I will be exploring different themes all year of how my family can make this world a better place. Remember, Compassion is a verb!
I hope you will come along for the ride as we blast off into the exciting year of 2009!

me and my new year

I am a child of God. I am a wife. I am a mom. A daughter, a friend, a sister, a runner, a reader, a worker, a cook, a photographer. I am me. One of the goals I have set for 'me' this year is to live a much more "Simple Life". I think it is possible to have that, un-stressed,calm and freeing life if you just slow down, think, listen and then act. Not that I always do this, but hey, it's an aspiration, a goal to achieve, not a way of life, not yet. There are days I am uptight or out of control. Too much yelling and not enough lovining.I want to live my life experiencing and enjoying every part of it, the good and the bad. I want to live with compassion and gratitude and worry less about the world and what "it" tells me I need. This is a place where I can record my families experiences, things I like (or don't), recipes, quotes and other fun things, or crazy ramblings I want to remember. From now now on, I plan to Simply Enjoy Life.