Tasty Tuesday: Firehouse Chili

So once upon a time this lucky lady fell in love with an all American hero. If someone had told me that the man I'd marry would be a firefighter, I would have walked away and never thought twice about it. I was going to marry a youth pastor, or a Christian band drummer...instead, I fell in love with a man who not only shares my love for life and Christ, but he has a heart of service...he is a firefighter.

My firefighter in action.

While his shifts can keep him away from home 24-72 hours at a time, there are some wonderful perks to the job. He has a great fire-fightin' family and I could not ask for him to be in better hands. Those guys have one another's backs, no questions asked. Another perk is that they inspire him to cook...which aside from the grill, is not something he's ever really done. I thought I'd share one of his personal recipes with you.

My firefighting hubby makes a mean chili. It tastes great and freezes well. I will say it has a bit too much heat for our toddler but she enjoys the grilled cheese that we make to go along with it.

Firehouse Chili

1 can red beans
1 can black beans (rinsed)
1 can chili ready tomatoes
1 can Rotel
1lb ground beef or turkey
1tbsp chili powder (more or less to suit your taste)
dash (or two or three) of hot sauce
2tbsp sugar

Brown and drain the ground beef. Drain the beans. Combine all ingredients into a large pot. Heat on medium until the chili begins to simmer. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Cook on low for about 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Linking up with Kate and Emily for this week's Tasty Tuesday!

Oh Hey Friday!

::tears:: My summer is over. ::more tears::

I've had some wonderful memories with my itty bitty and I'm slightly grieving all of the time I'm away from her during the day. I hate the thought of how much I'm missing...so I try not to think about it.

I love my job. While being a mom is the most important job I'll ever have, I also know that I've been called to teach. I feel so blessed to be able to do so many things that I love.

For this week's Oh Hey Friday! I thought I'd share a few reasons why I love what I do (this is actually reinforcement for me as I get back into the swing of things but hopefully you'll enjoy them as well.)

OHF 1
Ever since I was a little kid I loved buying new school supplies. There is just something so nostalgic about a brand new box of crayons. I've made a couple of trips to the store, and while I'm trying to really limit the amount of money I spend on teacher/student supplies this year, I can't help but add some things to my classroom supply arsenal.

::via::

OHF 2

I love new ideas and great resources. I adore TeachersPayTeachers.com and the amount of free resources that can be found there. This week the site was running a sale and I purchased two great products. I have some foot work to do but once I get this "All Done!" center completed I'll be golden. I bought the remaining supplies I'll need and I am slowly getting it put together while putting my own spin on it. A huge shout out goes to Miss Kindergarten for making such a wonderful resource! (Hopefully I finish this sooner rather than later and will be able to show pics of my completed project.)

OHF 3

Not only did I enjoy buying new school supplies as a kid, but I loved going school clothes shopping. We were given a modest amount to spend and it was ours to do with as we saw fit (with parental guidance of course...they refused to let me spend $100 on one pair of shoes.) It's been a long time since I treated myself to some new clothes. I figured now would be a good time since I've not only lost weight but I've been cleaning out the closets as well.

You can see some of the items I purchased here. I'd still like to add a "teacher" shirt to my wardrobe...here are a couple of ideas that I'm considering.

::via::

Add caption

::via::

OHF 4

Another project I look forward to at the beginning of the school year is coming up with a simple little goody for the kids at Open House. This year I ran across this cute (and inexpensive) idea and ran with it. I made up my own label and stapled them to the gummy packages.

OHF 5

Finally, I adore my school and I adore my kids. I take my teaching very personally and I hold myself to high standards. I not only teach academics but I teach social skills, self confidence, self-worth, compassion, mercy, etc. Academics are very important but I take a personal interest in also cultivating good citizens out of these tiny people. They are our future. These first grade little minds that I help mold each day have the amazing potential to make wonderful, beautiful change in this world. After all, I see some of these kids more in one day than their own parents. Every moment I have with them is important and precious and every year I go into the new school year with this in mind: Each one of these students were placed in my room for a divine purpose. I am the teacher that has been chosen to impact their world and what I do with our time together means something.

::via::

Linking up with September FARM and The Farmer's Wife for OHF.







Thoughts for Thursday

::via::

I had something completely different prepared for today, but last night my heart was led in another direction. I was reading through the end of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and I suddenly had to pause as my eyes soaked in this verse...

"I will bless you...and you will be a blessing."

Genesis 12:2 (emphasis mine)

Today I'll be saying goodbye to my sweet summer and begin the tasks of a teacher once again. This summer has been filled with odds and ends, both family and work related, and while there were some long days, these last couple of months have gone by in the blink of an eye. Suddenly the fact that life is truly but a vapor made a solid connection with my heart. I got to thinking (which isn't that what Thoughts for Thursday is all about?) about the immeasurable blessings that I have received, not just over the last couple of months, but years, and then daily. Every day I am blessed to an incomprehensible degree.  

Just take a look...

A best friend who'll run after my dreams with me...

I get to be married to the man who truly is my best friend, the love of my life and a dream come true.

A little red haired, blue eyed itty bitty to call my own.

A beautiful family

Generations of strength and support

A God-art sky

A job I love!

Of course there is not enough screen space in the world to capture all that I'd love to share. I can't overlook my amazing church family or the other friends that we hold so closely to our hearts. These things don't even scratch the surface.

In One Thousand Gifts she goes into detail as to how we are given all blessings in order to be blessings for others. We are to empty ourselves in order to fill others...and yet, in doing so with the love of Christ, we will never feel depleted. God continually restores us...even in the midst of wait and heartache. He willingly fills our lives so that we can then pour out His love to others. Every act of service is testament to God's goodness in our lives. The joy found in our service to others can be found in simple tasks...even the things we do without thinking such as wiping a snotty nose, washing dishes, opening a door for another, bringing a meal to a shut-in...the list is endless. There are numerous ways everyday that we can pour ourselves into others. While not everyone will appreciate our service, God takes note. It pleases Him to see His children "spread the love."

::via::

We're only given today and we have ample opportunities to make the most out of what may seem the mundane. I challenge you, along with myself, to selflessly pour yourself out. Bring your reservations to the feet of Jesus and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you to bring some goodness into the life of someone else. Make it a family affair. Teach your children the truth behind less is more and the joy that comes from giving. Change starts here. How will you be a blessing today?

::via::

Linking up with Annie and Natalie for this week's Thoughts on Thursday.



Tasty Tuesday: Cheddar Ranch Burgers

This is my first Tasty Tuesday post and I'm so excited.  I love swapping recipes and thanks to my blogging buddy over at It's a Girl's World, I've been inspired to join the link up.

We love ranch on most things...pizza can no longer be eaten without it. If this weirds you out I'm guessing you've never tried it but, I digress.

The other night we decided upon hamburgers for dinner. It was a beautiful evening for grilling and we couldn't pass up the chance. The scene then became "comercial-esque". I took one pound of hamburger,   a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch and some cheddar cheese...sound familiar?

I stumbled across the original recipe on the back of the ranch packet and thought I'd give it a try. We were not disappointed.

Cheddar Ranch Burgers

1 lb lean hamburger
1 packet of ranch seasoning
1/2c shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat your grill.
Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.

Form into 4 hamburger patties.

Grill until they reach your preferred temperature.

These were super simple and lend themselves to be very versatile.  We plan to add a little bacon or liquid smoke next time. These would also make great sliders.

I hope you'll join me, Kate and others for this week's recipe swap.

Monthly Weight Loss Update

If you remember in my last post, I didn't have any thrilling news...which is okay. You win some and lose some and while I wish I was losing more than what I am, I'm proud of small victories. I gained a few pounds last month and it was my goal to get them off. Of the four pounds that packed themselves on I have lost 3 of them. That puts me back at a 20lb loss.

Even greater still are the discoveries I made this past week. I decided that with school starting, and since I have not bought new clothes in ages (I am currently still wearing clothes that I bought after graduating collage), a little shopping trip was in order. Having lost 20lbs, many of my clothes do not fit like they once did. This is a good and bad thing. Some of my pants now fit as they should while other pairs literally fall off of me.

Now, when it comes to pants, I've always had a problem buying a pair that fits just right. This is simply because those that make pants must assume that women with my waist size have hips to boot. I do not. There is nothing "hippy" about me. How does this relate to my discovery?

Well, I ventured into Old Navy to purchase a couple of tops. They were having a sale on their khakis. The pair that I had bought last from ON fit fine prior to the weight loss. They now require a belt if they are to be worn. While these pants originally fit better than most, I still looked like I had wings where my invisible hips were supposed to be.

My first discovery was the Diva Everyday Bootcut Khaki pants. Love! They are designed for the souls like me with straighter figures. (Don't get me wrong, I have curves. They are just in the wrong places.) I love how they hug me in all the right places.

My second discovery was the size. I could wear a size smaller!!! Talk about an embarrassing happy dance! I was so excited! While to some this is nothing, to me this was a huge accomplishment! I have not put on a pair of pants this size since high school.

This got me excited and I added a couple more pieces to my work wardrobe (pardon the pictures. I'm horrible at selfies.)

This has given me a new sense of motivation. I'm making a few food choice changes. I've been reading through The Low GI Guide to Living Well with PCOS (again) and I have decided to get back on track with a diet that includes more PCOS friendly foods. Remember, when I say diet, I'm not referring to starving myself. I am referring to the types of food I eat.

I've made a few changes to my menu that include low glycemic foods, which means less dairy, more whole grains, fruits, veggies and lean proteins. There is a balance and I am working towards that. Low glycemic foods break down more slowly, leaving you feeling fuller longer, and helps reduce the surge of insulin that is often produced with starchier foods. You can view a pretty comprehensive list of Low GI foods here.

The final discovery I made while perusing the good ol' internet, is the Food Swap tool by the Glycemic Index Foundation.

You can also find more resources on my Living with PCOS board.

So here's to hoping for good things in August.

::via::

Oh Hey Friday! Christmas in July

 

Oh Hey Friday (and hello August!) has come again! Join myself, Karli and others for this week's edition. This week I was inspired by all of the Christmas in July sales around town. For all of you who ask me what I want (and for those of you who don't) I thought I'd help you out. I'm never good at making a Christmas list because I forget the things I've fallen for over the year. I was determined to change that this year (my mom will be so happy). I created My Gift Wish List on Pinterest. Since most of the folks who buy for me (and thank you in advance) are on Pinterest, it just seemed like a no brainer. On my list you'll find practical items as well as dream pieces.

 

Here are a few things from my list...

OHF 1


Interrupted

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

   Books by Jen Hatmaker

 

I'm currently working through her devotional, Out of the Spin Cycle, and love it! There are several of her books on my list and I'm looking forward to eventually reading each one.

 

 

 

OHF 2

Bath and Body Works Stress Relief Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Lotion

I think the reasoning behind this is pretty self explanatory.

 

 

OHF 3

::via::

I have been googley eyed over this Spectrum necklace by Premier Designs for quite some time. I do have a couple family members who sell this line of jewelry ::cough cough:: Just saying.

 

 

OHF 4

Better Homes and Gardens Tufted Comforter Set in Grey

We're making plans to revamp our bedroom and this comforter would be perfect for our grey and navy palate.

 

 

OHF 5

The Pioneer Woman Cooks : A Year of Holidays Cookbook

I have her other two cookbooks and LOVE them! It's only natural that I should add this to my cooking collection.

 

 

What's on your Christmas list?









Thoughts on Thursday

Where do you find your strength?

It's a question that has been posed to me by fellow bloggers, my devotional, and friends. There is a saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." But where do they go? I can't speak for everyone, nor would I want to, but I think it's important to know where one's strength comes from so that when your hope is running low and your faith is temping luke warm, you'll know where to run. You'll know the reservoir in which to plunge.

Everyone has at least one battle they're facing. Some find comfort in sharing their struggles while others resort to dealing with things alone. A couple years ago my husband and I were facing the same battle that we are facing now...a long, undesired stay in the Land of Infertility. I promise not to bore you with our woes. Instead, I want to share with you the well from which we drink.

::via::

Long ago, though at different ages and miles apart, my husband and I gave our lives to the Lord. We asked forgiveness for our sins and trusted the Lord with every aspect of our lives. As we grew in age and faith, our faith was tested, our dreams were realized, and our lives took unexpected directions along the way.

As I came closer to graduating high school I knew the course I was on. God had made things abundantly clear. Upon entering college various situations tested my faith, toyed with my anxiety, and made me question my choices. Did God once leave me to wander? No. While there were times it seemed as though He was absent or sitting silently, truth be told, He was waiting with open arms. Each time I came to Him with my fears, questions, or frustrations, He was there to guide me. These things led me to working at a Christian camp for 3 summers (where I met my amazing husband), a change in my college major, and a giant leap of faith that resulted in a big move.

When I sit back and look at my journey thus far, it becomes clearly evident that God's hand was in everything. It is still in everything. Even in our struggle with infertility.

It has rarely been easy to see the "sunny side" of things while dealing with the side effects of my medication. The countless pregnancy and birth announcements, while thrilling to my heart, also sadden it. Yet, never once has God not gone before me.

As we face this journey again, the time tables have been laid out before us. The "ifs" far out weigh the certainties. I've been thinking lately about how I can change this way of thinking. I'm trying to make a conscious effort to cling to what I know is certain.

I am certain that:
-God loves me
-God has the best for me
-I will face failure and trials
-I can't control circumstances but I can control my responses
-My life is filled with wonderful,  miraculous things
-I can contribute to the Kingdom
-I matter

While my heart still feels the ache, my stomach still sinks and my head tosses the past and future around constantly, I've also been continually reminded about God's goodness.

::via::

Back to the Well. We here in the country generally rely on our wells to provide the water necessary for our everyday needs. It is a life line if you will. Take that literal image and go a step further. There is an account in the Bible of Jesus speaking to a woman at the city's well. There are many reasons why this was against reproach, but Jesus never shied away from tending to those who needed Him. This woman was no exception. At one point in their conversation He directs her to the Living Water that He offers. He offers Hope, Eternal Life, and a Promise for the future.

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4: 13-14

Read the full account in John 4.

This same Well is where my strength comes from. While there are times of desert and drought, my soul is forever quenched by the same Jesus who shared His love and wisdom with that woman so many centuries ago.

"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

The Lord provides more than just scripture. As humans, we are tangible beings. He has provided me with a wonderful group of friends who, regardless if they understand our circumstances, pray for us. They send texts, emails, and cards at just the right time. I can't tell you how many times a random act of kindness has been just what I've needed to get over the hump of a tough day.

So when someone asks me where my strength comes from know that while I will have moments of weakness and I will shed tears of grief, I have hope. I find my strength in the Lord. He is my portion forever.

::via::

Thanks for joining me for this week's Thoughts on Thursday. I hope you'll link-up with myself, Annie, Natalie and others. I look forward to seeing what's on your mind!