New York City Birthday Trip!!

Ron knows I love NYC. Love it. I would actually live there if I could make that possible. So one day he asked me to make a list of all the places I'd like to visit in New York. Since I've been there many times, I've seen all the major sights of the city. BUT, there were a TON of foodie places I had always wanted to visit. Places I had read about in magazines or had seen on The Food Network. So for my birthday he took me to NYC! :) He took me on a tour of three of these "foodie" places that I had been dreaming of visiting. Starting with Chelsea Market in the meatpacking district. Chelsea Market is underneath The Food Network Studios. Chelsea Market is an enormous Wholesale/Retail Food complex that takes up an entire city block. In 1898 it was the original Nabisco Bakery where the Oreo Cookie was created. It now houses 12 of New York City's finest specialty food shops. We took a tour of the market and we learned about its history, viewed original artwork and granite sculptors from local New York artists, and learned how it became the ultimate indoor food paradise.

After taking a three hour tour of the market we decided to take the subway uptown to the upper west side. I had heard about Levain Bakery on the Food Network when Bobby Flay challenged them to a Throwdown a while back. Supposedly they make the best chocolate chips cookies. So I had been dying to try their famous cookies!! So we traveled up about 60 blocks to this small basement bakery, Levain. When we walked in we saw these HUGE cookies and noticed that they were $4 each! A lot for us "non-city" people ;)

As you can see Ron LOVED his oatmeal cookie. So my verdict is...these cookies are THE BEST COOKIES I'VE EVER HAD!! :) I had the chocolate chip walnut cookie. And yes, we did pay $4 for each of them. So worth it though...so very worth it. After we visited Levain Bakery we decided to head across town, through Central Park to Serendipity 3. I had seen this restaurant in a movie once (Serendipity) and thought it was so cute! We had tried to visit it on another trip to NYC a few years ago but it was closed for renovations. We decided to try and see if we could get a table, knowing very well that probably not. So we took the city bus across town to 60th street between 2nd and 3rd avenues. When we got there we were told the wait would be an hour and a half to get a table for dinner. So we put in our name and took a seat on an outside bench to wait. We waited only 20 minutes and the Maitre d' came out and asked us our name and we were in!! We were so pumped! The menus were HUGE. I ordered a cheddarburger (I know simple, right). No way! It was so delicious. The outside crust of the burger had a great crispiness to it. They must have seared it really well. It really was the best burger I've ever had. really. the best.

We had to finish our trip with Serendipity's famous Frozen Hot Chocolate with peanut butter. It was Divine! So very good.

I had a wonderful time in New York for my birthday. It was a blast tyring new foods and visiting places I had only seen on TV. Thanks to my very sweet husband for planning this day for me, babysitter and all (thank you mom!!). I love you so much.

It's Time!

Hebrews 12:11
11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

I have struggled with my weight since my senior year in high school-15 years to be exact! Way TOO LONG! I have specific opinions about weight loss that are probably contrary to the norm. I don't believe in diets. Not at all. I think there is an emotional process one must go through before they can be free. There are emotional reasons why I overeat. Getting to the root of those issues is crucial to my success. So you ask, as a counselor, why have you not done this? Well...I'm not sure. I'm trying to figure that out. Possibly because it's HARD work, or because of a bit of depressive spirit.

It's time for me to gain control over my feelings and my life! Meditating on inspirational scriptures consistently is one way I can renew my mind to God's higher purpose for my life, which will help me make wiser decisions in all areas, including my health.

Today is a new day. It's time. Today, not tomorrow. Now.

Psalm 107:9
...for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Me in 9th Grade (looking good in the 80's) :)

Philippians 1:6
...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Trusting his promises today!

Mini Quiche

Everyone knows I LOVE to cook and like to bake ;) I've been trying new things with Addison food wise lately. I know she loves waffles, and pancakes but I wanted to try something different for breakfast, something NOT with a bit of syrup on it. Since she won't let me feed her things like cereal with milk or yogurt, most normal breakfast foods are out. I decided to try making her little quiches. I thought well...in them are: veggies, eggs, cheese, milk, and starch-a perfect start to her morning. I had some zucchini left over so I decided to make mini zucchini and cheese quiches. The recipe made 24 (there were only 22 left after Ron and I tested them :). They turned out great! I froze most of them and Addy tried them this morning (warmed of course)...the verdict is...drum roll please...she LOVED them and ate every bite!

I think I'm well on my way to creating a healthy, versatile, breakfast repertoire for Addison. I feel so pleased with myself :)

Size 5...seriously??

Last weekend when my parents were visiting for Labor Day we decided to go to the mall and do a bit of shopping. Ron was planning on meeting us there after doing a bit of work, and after Addy's nap. When he arrived at the mall we all ate lunch and decided what we were going to do next. We thought about going bowling or miniature golfing. I had noticed before that Addison did not have any shoes on so I asked Ron did he have them in her bag. He was like..."oh no! I forgot them!" So we decided to shop for some new shoes...I knew her little feet were growing and her Stride Rite shoes were getting small. We walked into the shoe store and we asked to have her feet measured. I couldn't believe it when the lady said she needed a size 5 shoe! Man has she grown!! It seems like just yesterday when she only needed a size 3! My little girl is growing up.

What a bargain!

The other day my friend asked me to join her and her sister who were going to a HUGE children consignment sale in Harrisburg. I was stoked to go! We need clothes for Addy for fall and winter. I was so happy to find a cute corduroy purple pea coat from the Gap for Addy and I only paid $7! It's in great shape :) My husband LOVES Converse shoes. He has two pairs himself and even wore a pair last Sunday to church ;) I was thrilled to find these pink high top ones in size 5 (Addy's new size!). I called Ron on my way home and told him I had a surprise for him. When he saw them he just smiled from ear to ear. I only paid $5 for these!! In addition to the coat and shoes I bought two other pairs of shoes, two long sleeve tops from Old Navy, a small bike/push toy, and a pair of jeans from the Children's Place all for $35! Now, that was a bargain!

Yum-O Zucchini Muffins

So lately some of you know I've been trying new recipes in order to get Addy to eat more veggies ;)

I made these zucchini-chocolate chip muffins. I loved them but Addy and Ron were just "ok" fans. My parents however, LOVED them...so as promised here is the recipe:

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Combine the egg, oil, milk, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in zucchini, chocolate chips and walnuts. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done.

...and the search goes on for more healthy recipes for my kiddo :)

Airplanes and such...

When Ron and I were in the plane flying to Michigan the other week I was contemplating a lot of things. Quiet times are a rare blessing to me these days so I was enjoying it. The beauty of the clouds made me think of my Father, my Savior, and Creator. Sometimes I think as American's we take SO many things for granted; our homes, food, our jobs, our rights, our national freedom and so many more things. All the while we remain discontented in our spirits, always searching for more-greener pastures. Why do we need things NOW, why can't we wait, or be thankful for the goodness in our lives? Is it possibly because we focus too much time on our own circumstances?

He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”— and hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. Now is the time for us to break “the flask” of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him? Taken from My Utmost for His Highest

I want to break the flask in my life and outpour His spirit to others...