A New Experience Pops!

I bought this trail mix, Wasabi Wild at Aldi tonight...sidenote: can I just say again, I LOVE ALDI! Love it! Anyway back to the story...I've heard so much about Wasabi over the years but the one thing I always hear is that it's hot! Being one that likes spice but not too much heat (I can handle jalapenos) I was always leary of trying anything flavored with it. Tonight while shopping to stock up on fruits and veggies for the week I saw this mix and decided to buy it (it was only $2.99! A steal for trail mix!) and give it a whirl.

Ahem...let me say, I am a wasabi fan now! It's yummy! It gives this nutty and sweet trail mix a kick. Not too much either...but just enough. I'm hooked!

Here's for trying new things! What have you been trying new these days?

Cake Pops!

The other day I got this very cool little appliance (Yes, yet another small kitchen appliance to store, but trust me it's gonna be worth it!) at Kohl's on sale. I love sales. Love them! Especially now that I'm getting more into coupons and making my dollar stretch. I had a 30% off coupon for Kohl's and saw this in the ad as an early bird special. The light bulb came on my head and I said "cake pops for Addy's birthday party!!" The maker was $29.99 originally and I ended up getting it for $14! Cha ching! Smiling :D I'm going to try and make our sesame street friends for Addy's party as Elmo is our theme this year. She LOVES Elmo~so do I actually...I love his little voice, wink, wink. Can't wait to try my new kitchen toy!

Maytag Rocks!

A picture of a young married girls heart:

I remember almost 11 years ago we moved to New Castle Indiana when Ron took the job as youth pastor at Memorial Wesleyan. I was thrilled about the move after just having finished one very (first I might add) difficult year of ministry with my husband in Kansas. We moved into a small home just beside a beautiful park; our first little home. When we were settling in we realized that we would need a washer and dryer for our new home. Needless to say we were on a very tight youth pastors salary type budget :) I told my husband that I would like a new washer and dryer, a really pretty set in red or blue (which were all the rage in 2001). He told me that we probably should just look for something used to save money. He is the logical one, and I'm the dreamer. I was bummed, really bummed. Reluctantly, I began to look for a used set for sale in the paper. Not too long after looking, we discovered a Maytag set for sale for $75. We called and set up a time to go look at the washer and dryer. The next day we took one look and we were sold!

That same set has lasted us 11 years of marriage!

My young, immature, and dreamy self wanted a new washer and dryer but God knew what He was doing...what a blessing those used appliances were to us!

Just yesterday we bought a new washer after over 13 years of marriage. And no, I didn't get my shiny/fancy red or blue front loader washer, but I did get an energy efficient, digital one.

Since those days long ago I've learned to be more careful with my money and wait upon the Lord for His guidance. It all seems to work out in the end.

Philippians 4:11-13

" I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

This I am daily striving for!

Snazz up a salad!

During my short vacation away last week I was able to peruse a few of my magazines. It was so nice to just sit and enjoy them! I subscribe to the Food Network Magazine and Everyday with Rachael Ray. I think I had like 10 magazines from over the last few months to catch up on. While I was enjoying reading my newest Rachael Ray mag I came across this recipe for Zucchini Fritters with Tuna. It sounded different and was appealing to my taste buds lover of all things tuna ;).

I made these little zucchini fritters tonight and the cold tuna salad that topped them. While the fritter is fried, the salad on top is light and is a nice contrast to the rich fritter it sits on. These were quite good, something to have on occasion (being that they are fried). I will add this recipe to my keeper pile :)

Zucchini Fritters with Tuna

One 12 oz can of tuna
4 scallions, coarsely chopped
1/2 cucumber-peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/4 cup of kalamata olives, sliced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
1/2 pound of zucchini, coarsely grated
1 cup of batter mix
vegetable oil for frying

Batter

In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon plus 1 tsp
baking powder, 1/4 tsp sugar and 1/4 tsp of salt.
Beat 1 cup of milk, 3 beaten eggs, 5 tablespoons of melted butter
and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil until smooth.

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the tuna, scallions, cucumber, olives, olive oil and mayo.
In another bowl, combine the zucchini with the batter.
2. Fill a large skillet with enough oil to reach a depth of 1 inch and heat over
medium-high until it registers 350 degrees. Drop 1/4 cupfuls of the zucchini mixture
in the oil and fry until golden, about 3 minutes; drain. Top with the tuna
salad and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

Enjoy!

Contentment

I was flying home from a quick, but lovely trip to visit friends and family in Indiana and Michigan last weekend when I took this shot. I love flying, for many reasons. First of all it makes traveling so much quicker, as I'm not one for long car trips. But, I also love flying because it feels like you're floating on air, well I guess you are ;) I enjoy seeing the beautiful clouds and the different configurations they make in the sky.

On this particular day I was listening to my iPod while flying and was spending some long needed quality time with my Lord. The sun was shining through the clouds and it was almost as if I could feel the warmth of the Savior on my face. I paused and thought for a moment....I was content. Contentment has been a challenge for me to find some days...but today I was content. It's a grand feeling, something I want to continue to work on. This state of being called contentment, it really is a spiritual discipline.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3