Turkey Trot

What better way to rationalize that 5th piece of pumpkin pie???

All you have to do is run in a 5K that morning!!!!


DUH!!!!!




My church "wrangled" everyone together for this event.....

Just 1 more day.....

I'm so ready for the yummy Thanksgiving dinner!!! Well, actually...it's more like lunch, snackin' and then dinner....just continuous eating all day long!

It will be a smallish gathering this year, because my cousins and their families along with my aunt and uncle will be in Florida at Disney World......lucky ducks!

So, although I will miss seeing the entire family, I am looking forward to a quiet and peaceful get together.

I'm making butternut squash soup and a homemade apple pie!!! We'll see how that goes.....hahaha...yes, yes, I know...I graduated from culinary school.....should be NO problem, right? Well, since I graduated last March (as in March of 2007) I really haven't been cooking that much......kind of rusty.........But, I'm sure it will be fine.. :)

Blessings to everyone out there and may you have a joyous and fulfilling Thanksgiving with your loved ones.....

Clint's Birthday!!!!

My best friend for over 20 years is 30 years old TODAY!!!! Wow....he's old! LOLOL!

My dear, dear friend Clint is now 30.........I just can't believe it.........unreal how fast time passes us by........

We're celebrating at Mi Cocina, so I'll update with pics later......

Have a wonderful Friday evening and FANTASTIC weekend!

Sing Along!!!

(you are really going to hate me after reading this.......hehehehe....)

This is the song that never ends.....
Yes it goes on and on my friends....
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was...
And, they'll continue singing it forever just because....

This is the song that never ends….
Yes, it goes on and on my friends….
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was…
And, they’ll continue singing it forever just because….

This is the song that never ends….
Yes, it goes on and on my friends….
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was…
And, they’ll continue singing it forever just because….

This is the song that never ends….
Yes, it goes on and on my friends….
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was…
And, they’ll continue singing it forever just because….

This is the song that never ends….
Yes, it goes on and on my friends….
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was…
And, they’ll continue singing it forever just because….

(hehehe....you know you love me.......)

Happy....

I hope that you are having a happy day! I love being happy......what a wonderful and beautiful feeling...... :)

The holidays are upon us!!!!!

This is my FAVORITE time of year!!!! I just love the cold weather moving in.....the smell of fireplaces.....football.....lots of great home-cooked food....and spending time with family and friends!!!

When my parents and I were planning our Thanksgiving dinner menu a few weekends ago, I couldn't help but laugh.......This year, it will just be me, my mom, my dad, my me-ma and dad-dad and hopefully a few friends....but, the rest of the family will be at Disney World with their kiddos. So, we were planning out a menu for around 6 people.....

We start out, of course, with desserts..........WHAT? You don't start planning the desserts first?? We decide that OF COURSE...we have to have pumpkin pie and pecan pie....then, we should probably have some sort of chocolate dessert...and perhaps a pudding....OH..then, I get the great idea that I should make a yummy apple pie! Ok...so, there's some desserts...

Then, we switch to the main course (don't ask our method...just accept and adore it..haha) Turkey...duh.....Ham...duh......We figure that's good enough......then, of course, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, fresh green beans, dad's FAMOUS cornbread dressing and creamed corn.

We always have a veggie tray to munch on.....and we also decided to make some yummy bacon-wrapped water chestnut appetizers......OH...and we will have fresh yeasty rolls!!! mmmmm....

Yep....that's all for just 5 or 6 peeps....................LOLOL!

So, if you're in the vicinity....and want some food....PLEASE STOP BY....FOR THE LOVE OF MY WAISTLINE....PLEASE!!!!

The Smell of Winter.....

I walk into my apartment after spending the weekend with my mom (dad was out of town).....it's quite chilly in here.....hmm...guess I have to turn on my heater for the first time this season....



YIPPEE!!!!! THE SMELL OF WINTER!!!!!



Ok...is it just me, or does anyone else just LOVE the smell that emanates from the heater when you first turn it on in cold weather??? It's like a mixture of toast burning and ashes in a fireplace.....it's AWESOME!!! Yes, I know that sounds odd....but, I have always adored that scent. It just sparks so many wonderful memories of the holidays and football games and spending time with family. I suppose there are just amazing feelings that stir up and there's nothing like that in the world!!!



Hope you all enjoy that first "Smell of Winter"..........

~Flavour~

Ladies, ladies, ladies.........if you're wondering what Flavour is....you have GOT to come with me next time in December!!!!

Our church has a series for women that is hosted by the senior pastor's wife, Lisa Young. She is incredibly dynamic, caring, beautiful and fun, fun, fun!!! The latest series is named "Hospitality".....and she reinvigorates the meaning of that word so powerfully.


Hospitality is grace extended with kindess and given with purpose....



Isn't that just perfect?!!



She really makes you remember how we should treat everyone around us....

Cold Weather Blues.....

(imagine you're in a blues bar...)

Da da da da dum
Had to stay late at work...
Da da da da dum
Ain't got no perks...
Da da da da dum
Gonna storm hard outside
Da da da da dum
TAKIN' IT ALL IN STRIDE!........(harmonica starts up at this point...hehe)

Ok....somebody out there......CHEER ME UP!!!

Man, oh man....I'm feeling bummed out today! Like crazy! I stayed at work late (only until 5:45....you would think I was there til 8...hehe)...but, it was dark by 5:30. Going home in the dark....kind of depressing. Perhaps, it's because I have to come home to this HUGE apartment and be all by myself...............ok, my apartment is less than 600 square feet...but STILL!! :)

I think it's just the "Cold Weather Blues".......anybody out there get those?? The weather is changing, it's getting darker earlier.....it all just adds up to some "blah" feelings.

Really, what I think I need is to dive into this book that I just started. It's AWESOME!!! It's called "Feeding Your Appetite" by Stephen Arterburn. It's about taking control of your life by knowing what God intends for your life and discovering the purpose for your "appetites"....whether it be money, food, power, sex, etc......It's about fulfillment of those hungers through the Lord. VERY excited about it......

Ok, I'm already starting to feel better......haha......

Da da da da dum
Through the thunder and bright lights
Da da da da dum
I can see God's might
Da da da da dum
Not feelin' so low
Da da da da dum
CAUSE I'M FILLED WITH THE LORD'S GLOW!!!!

Ooooh...oooh.....I got the Cold Weatherrrrrrrrr Bluuuuuuuuuuues......

Downer.......with hope....

Well, I'm sure you know by now (unless you live in a hole) that Obama will be our new president........to say that I was deflated when I heard this information is putting it lightly.

Although I had a sneaking suspicion that it would swing that way, I still held out hope that McCain's supporters would show up to those polls and help him take that victory. Alas.....as I was watching Fox News and saw the slow descent.....and recognized those blue states taking over....my heart began to sink. I had bible study at 7, so at least I was dragged away from the tv for a couple of hours. But, when I got back home.....it was pretty apparent......and I wasn't exactly sure how I felt.

But, after discussing certain things in bible study and with friends from church....I've realized that there is a reason that God has placed Obama in this position of power. Our pastor, Ed Young, gave a message a few weeks back about how we should choose who we vote for......here are the five categories that he deemed worthy of discussion:

Character
Conviction
Courage
Compassion
Constituency

As Ed stated, it all begins with Character! Proverbs 29:2 "....if we elect righteous leaders, our government will be righteous, and if our government is righteous then the laws will be righteous."

He went on to elaborate on the other four very eloquently......and I just wish that all Christians were listening.

What I've come to realize is that God's plan doesn't always make sense.....and so, who knows what He has in store for us and our country. We must always have faith that He loves us and His plan is so great that we cannot begin to comprehend it.....just accept it and continue praying!

So, that said....I will do my very best to support our president, but that does not mean that I will agree with all of his decisions or that I will support any ideas or agendas that are not Godly. But, he will be in my constant prayers.....along with America and its' people.

My First Day.....

Today was my first day at my new job!!! How wonderful to be gainfully employed once more.... :) I love starting new adventures!!!

Look out world.....here I come!

I'M A MEMBER!!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!!! I became a member of my church today!!! I'm so incredibly excited that I am about to bust!

I look forward to all of the amazing things I can do to serve there and make myself a useful and obedient servant of God. I have found my passion in life....I have found my fulfillment.....it is serving.....and, boy oh boy...I'm pumped!

Undy 5000

So, today, I ran in the first EVER Undy 5000 5k......benefitting and raising awareness for colon cancer. This cause is especially near and dear to my heart because my mom (aka...the most AMAZING woman in the world) was diagnosed with Colorectal cancer when I was 12 years old. She fought through radiation and chemotherapy..........lost all her hair.......was always sick.....and yet....always positive.....

AND WON!!!

I hope...someday....I can be half as strong as she is......I admire her more than she realizes....




There were not that many people out there for this "First Annual" run....but, I hope that next year, we get LOTS of supporters!!!!



I JUST couldn't help myself from taking this picture.....How hilarious is THIS!!!???



LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE!!!!!!!!!!



I love you mom.........