That said, i found one that seemed really interesting. It wasn't on sale, and is cheaper on Amazon, but it is on my list for future purchase.
Check out Photo Op by Kevin Meredith
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I will judge a book by its cover
The other weekend I had the pleasure of meeting my Dad for breakfast at Pancake Pantry. After filling up on the Sweedish Pancakes and my personal favorite, the French Toast with side of crispy bacon, we headed over to Borders to see if we could catch some deals on books. My parents, avid bird watchers, were looking for some books to use for their backyard pleasure and travels to the mountainous East Tennessee. My dad found 7 or 8 books that he found interesting, and eventually narrowed it down to three. They were great deals that he just couldn't pass up. Meanwhile, I headed over to the photography section to see if I could be as fortunate to find something brilliant and inspiring for 70% off. Since I would like to get more involved in photography this year (as professed in my new year's resolutions), I was hoping they'd have some helpful books. Much to my dismay, there were so many with hideous covers. I was perplexed! Photographers, of all people, should have an eye for this sort of thing! If it wasn't technically boring, say with a picture of a camera on the cover, it bordered on overly complicated justaposition of 80's pinks and greens with randomly displayed photos. I'm ashamed to admit this, (because I don't believe it transfers to other areas of my life but you never know...), but I hesitate buying a book if the cover isn't to my liking; I just prefer not to add it to my library! :)
That said, i found one that seemed really interesting. It wasn't on sale, and is cheaper on Amazon, but it is on my list for future purchase.
Check out Photo Op by Kevin Meredith
That said, i found one that seemed really interesting. It wasn't on sale, and is cheaper on Amazon, but it is on my list for future purchase.
Check out Photo Op by Kevin Meredith
faith in context
This week, the discussion at church centered around Phillipians 1:3-11. It's beautiful scripture, but often taken out of context.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Verse 6 is often used to say that God will finish that which He started in each of us. There's more work to be done on our part for this to happen, but that part is often neglected. Pastor Rick brought up the three questions we should ask when trying to figure out the context of scripture-easily put, to who, on what, and why. In this instance, the letter was written to the church of Phillipi because of their partnership in the gospel. Why is Paul compelled to write to them? He wanted to make sure that the fruit of God's activity was evident in their lives. To apply this to us, we should be focused on whether there is evidence of fruit in out lives considering we are saved. We should be living with authenticity and blamelessness. Salvation should have two parts:
1. Faith: We should be trusting fully in god's power
2. Fruit: We should have evidence of God's presence in our lives
Galatians 5:22-23 (New Living Translation)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Verse 6 is often used to say that God will finish that which He started in each of us. There's more work to be done on our part for this to happen, but that part is often neglected. Pastor Rick brought up the three questions we should ask when trying to figure out the context of scripture-easily put, to who, on what, and why. In this instance, the letter was written to the church of Phillipi because of their partnership in the gospel. Why is Paul compelled to write to them? He wanted to make sure that the fruit of God's activity was evident in their lives. To apply this to us, we should be focused on whether there is evidence of fruit in out lives considering we are saved. We should be living with authenticity and blamelessness. Salvation should have two parts:
1. Faith: We should be trusting fully in god's power
2. Fruit: We should have evidence of God's presence in our lives
Galatians 5:22-23 (New Living Translation)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
so ready for springtime cheer...
The salt trucks are out once again, which can only mean one thing: there is likely going to be more snow. That or Nashville is being a little over-precautious. I can only hope for the latter. I am so ready for spring...
1. Up Top by honeytree on etsy
2. Ruffled dress by LC Lauren Conrad
3. pink frosted cake
4. Gatekeeper: Sunset Balloons
5. wall paper by trove
6. peonies
7. oil painted hydrangeas
8. Ruffled cream umbrella
1. Up Top by honeytree on etsy
2. Ruffled dress by LC Lauren Conrad
3. pink frosted cake
4. Gatekeeper: Sunset Balloons
5. wall paper by trove
6. peonies
7. oil painted hydrangeas
8. Ruffled cream umbrella
Florabella Collection
Right now Florabella Collection is giving away free Valentines cards and bookmarks. These are so cute and would make great gifts!
Check out the blog for more details!
Friday, January 21, 2011
snow day pancakes
There's a downside to living in prime location with a view that overlooks the city lights through bare trees. It makes it nearly impossible to travel up and down the hill that is my street when it ices over.
For today's snow day, I decided to whip up some blueberry pancakes since I had a tub of blueberries in the fridge.
Blueberry Pancakes
Ingredients:
2 eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teasooon salt1 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup fresh or frozen thawed blueberries, rinsed
Preparation:
In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff; set aside.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Beat egg yolks in a medium mixing bowl; add milk and melted butter. Stir egg mixture into dry ingredients; mix until batter is smooth and stir in blueberries. Fold in beaten egg whites. Bake on hot greased griddle.
These blueberry pancakes were just the thing needed to brighten my day, bring the sun out to shine, and gradually melt away the ice covered hill!
For today's snow day, I decided to whip up some blueberry pancakes since I had a tub of blueberries in the fridge.
Blueberry Pancakes
Ingredients:
2 eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teasooon salt1 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup fresh or frozen thawed blueberries, rinsed
Preparation:
In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff; set aside.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Beat egg yolks in a medium mixing bowl; add milk and melted butter. Stir egg mixture into dry ingredients; mix until batter is smooth and stir in blueberries. Fold in beaten egg whites. Bake on hot greased griddle.
These blueberry pancakes were just the thing needed to brighten my day, bring the sun out to shine, and gradually melt away the ice covered hill!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tilapia with broccoli quinoa
Well...I had every intention of trying the spiced cod with broccoli quinoa pilaf. All the ingredients were purchased and I was all set until I read the reviews that said it fell a little short. I looked up a quick alternative, and made some slight alterations with what I had in the cabinet. It turned out great!
The Double Broccoli Quinoa recipe by 101 cookbooks was my inspiration for tonight's dinner.
Broccoli Quinoa
2 cups dry quinoa, pre-rinsed
5 cups raw broccoli, cut into small florets and stems
3 medium garlic cloves
2/3 cup sliced or slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorina Romano
2 big pinches kosher salt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup heavy cream
1-2 sliced avocado
sliced purple onion, to taste
cubes of goat's milk gouda
dried cranberry
Cook the quinoa according to package instructions and let steam in large, lidded pot.
Pour 1 cup of water in a medium pot and add pinch of kosher salt. Add the 5 cups of broccoli and let steam on medium heat for 2 minutes. Then set aside.
The broccoli puree was made with three cups of the cooked broccoli, garlic, 1/2 cup of the almonds, Pecorina Romano, pinch of salt, and lemon juice in a food processor. Since my processor is a small version of the larger one, I had to do this a little bit at a time and transfer to a larger mixing bowl. I drizzled in the olive oil and cream and used a stick wand to puree together.
Before serving, toss the quinoa, remaining broccoli florets, avocado, onion, and aliced almonds with the broccoli pesto. Turn out onto a serving platter and top with the gouda cubes and cranberry.
Almond-Crusted Tilapia (courtesy of Southern Living)
1 cup sliced almonds, divided
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
4 (6-oz.) tilapia fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
Process 1/2 cup almonds in a food processor until finely chopped, and combine with 1/4 cup flour in a shallow bowl.
Sprinkle fish evenly with salt; dredge in almond mixture.
Melt butter with olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat; add fish, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until golden. Remove fillets to a serving plate.
Add remaining 1/2 cup almonds to skillet, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute or until golden. Remove almonds with a slotted spoon, and sprinkle over fish.
Final product:
The Double Broccoli Quinoa recipe by 101 cookbooks was my inspiration for tonight's dinner.
Broccoli Quinoa
2 cups dry quinoa, pre-rinsed
5 cups raw broccoli, cut into small florets and stems
3 medium garlic cloves
2/3 cup sliced or slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorina Romano
2 big pinches kosher salt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup heavy cream
1-2 sliced avocado
sliced purple onion, to taste
cubes of goat's milk gouda
dried cranberry
Cook the quinoa according to package instructions and let steam in large, lidded pot.
Pour 1 cup of water in a medium pot and add pinch of kosher salt. Add the 5 cups of broccoli and let steam on medium heat for 2 minutes. Then set aside.
The broccoli puree was made with three cups of the cooked broccoli, garlic, 1/2 cup of the almonds, Pecorina Romano, pinch of salt, and lemon juice in a food processor. Since my processor is a small version of the larger one, I had to do this a little bit at a time and transfer to a larger mixing bowl. I drizzled in the olive oil and cream and used a stick wand to puree together.
Before serving, toss the quinoa, remaining broccoli florets, avocado, onion, and aliced almonds with the broccoli pesto. Turn out onto a serving platter and top with the gouda cubes and cranberry.
Almond-Crusted Tilapia (courtesy of Southern Living)
1 cup sliced almonds, divided
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
4 (6-oz.) tilapia fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
Process 1/2 cup almonds in a food processor until finely chopped, and combine with 1/4 cup flour in a shallow bowl.
Sprinkle fish evenly with salt; dredge in almond mixture.
Melt butter with olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat; add fish, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until golden. Remove fillets to a serving plate.
Add remaining 1/2 cup almonds to skillet, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute or until golden. Remove almonds with a slotted spoon, and sprinkle over fish.
Final product:
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
thinking and dreaming of food...
Today I am inspired most by food and how amazing I feel after eating something delicious and satisfying (note: eating, not to be confused with OVER-eating!).
Below is a list of my favorite three soups, breads, and cheeses:
Sauerkraut soup
Potato and Leek soup
Cream of nearly anything soup that Sean's grandmother makes
Pecorino Romano
Frico Gouda
Montasio
Potato Bread
Babka
Asiago Cheese Bread
These are great fillers, but not the most nutritious in terms of fiber, vitamins, so on and so forth. In the new year, I'd like to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my cooking. Specifically, I'd like to cook with more arugula, sweet potato, leeks, brussel sprouts, and possibly try quinoa.
A few recipes on my list to attempt are:
Coconut curry pot pie with sweet potato crust
Pork and sweet potato stew
Spiced cod wth broccoli quinoa pilaf
Mmm....this talking about food is making me hungry!
Below is a list of my favorite three soups, breads, and cheeses:
Sauerkraut soup
Potato and Leek soup
Cream of nearly anything soup that Sean's grandmother makes
Pecorino Romano
Frico Gouda
Montasio
Potato Bread
Babka
Asiago Cheese Bread
These are great fillers, but not the most nutritious in terms of fiber, vitamins, so on and so forth. In the new year, I'd like to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my cooking. Specifically, I'd like to cook with more arugula, sweet potato, leeks, brussel sprouts, and possibly try quinoa.
A few recipes on my list to attempt are:
Coconut curry pot pie with sweet potato crust
Pork and sweet potato stew
Spiced cod wth broccoli quinoa pilaf
Mmm....this talking about food is making me hungry!
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