From our kitchen to yours: Valentine's Biscuits

haha okay, I lied ... this isn't a "from our kitchen"post, but it's a food related post so I think the label works!  I think I've told you guys before, I LOVE BREAKFAST and my favorite breakfast food is a warm, flaky, southern BISCUIT! No, no, no, dear one... NOT that refridgerated dough they call "buttermilk biscuits," but a real fluffy, buttery BISCUIT! haha, sorry, I'm not yelling at you, I'm simply emphasizing the word "biscuit." :)

Anyways, tomorrow is Valentine's day... and you know what this girl wants in her belly (okay yeah, a baby) but do you know what else she craves... a HEART SHAPED BISCUIT! Call me simple, but seeing a heart shaped morsel brings me joy! 

Chik-fil-a and Bojangles both have heart shaped biscuits tomorrow, well they've had them for a little while now... you know how I know, yep, I got one already.  Anyways, happy early Valentine's day for the few of my friends/family members that actually read this, and why not give your love a biscuit tomorrow instead of candy?  Just a thought ... I know I'd enjoy it more ;)

Wow, what a delicious lookin' bacon egg and cheese biscuit!

mMm look at that precious Bo-Berry :)

Good Finds: Marriage on the Rock

Yes, notice I said ROCK not ROCKS... haha when I told my mom a few years ago that Charles and I were going to a new Bible Study "Marriage on the Rock," she said something like "oh no! You've only been married a few months and you're going to MARRIAGE ON THE ROCKS!?"

haha yes, we get that reaction a lot when we tell people the name of the class.  Marriage on the ROCK is an amazing way to grow in your marriage and build a firm foundation on the Lord... something I think is ESSENTIAL to marriage! Seriously, I've said this time and time again... I think most marriages don't survive because they aren't set on the principles of love and grace that we've been taught by our faith.  Okay, okay... Insert negative comments from people of other religion (or lack there of), I hear ya, but once again... this is my blog and my perspective.  I can tell you this, in my short 3 years of marriage, I am probably MORE in love with this man than the day I married him, I don't know about you but I don't know how many couples could say that. 

From the overflow of my love for the Lord, I love my spouse. 

Yes, ladies and gents... here's how it goes in order of importance/rank
1. God
2. Spouse
3. Kids
4. Parents
5. Others (friends/coworkers)

Yes, God is first and is always first. You should NEVER love anyone or put anyone or anything above him.  I agree, it's hard. Then, your spouse. 

NEXT is your kids, if you have them, your kids are your offspring but, your relationship with your spouse is first and foremost, DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR SPOUSE ONCE YOU HAVE KIDS, and DO NOT LET THE KIDS HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR LIFE, you are the adult, you need to show them, in love, the order to which they should live their life also. 

After God, your spouse, your kids, comes your parents... once you get married, you "leave and cleave", meaning,  you're a big boy or a big girl and you need to venture away from the shelter and safety of mom and dad's money and develop your own life and traditions with your spouse.  I'm not saying, don't ever spend time with your families, what I'm saying is, make your parents proud and show them that they taught you well.  Honor your "new family", you and your spouse, by taking their advice and working through difficulties with them, and don't go running home to mom and dad to fix things.

wow, sorry I didn't write this post intending to write all of that... but I'm glad I did :)

So, tonight, Charles and I, are going to an event at our church called, Marriage on the  Rock Simulcast.  A 2 day event lead by Jimmy and Karen Evans from California (they are great speakers) on many important marriage topics.  We're excited, VERY EXCITED to do whatever we can to combat societies weak support of the union of a man and a wife in holy matrimony.  Hopefully I'll remember to blog about it next week. 

If you are married, seek the Lord and love your spouse by inventesting in strengthening your bond.  If you aren't married yet, be encouraged... Marriage is amazing and when you find "the one", you'll experience love as you never have before.

Sounds like Life to me: Life Lately

Sorry I haven't posted in a week... I've been feeling like this lately...

Image Found here


Please pray with us for the Lord strengthen my spirit and continuously seek the Lord during this challenging time.

   "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. "
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Thanks ya'll ...

Good Finds: Goodwill Zumba

haha that title makes me laugh... Goodwill Zumba.... let me explain!   So, y'all all know, or atleast I think you know, I LOVE ZUMBA! I really, really love dancing and Zumba is the PERFECT workout to get you burning calories and having fun at the same time!

So, y'all also know, I'm cheap! haha yes, I do Zumba, but only the "free" large group classes some sweet ladies I know in town sacrifice their time and energy to teach and I am sincerely grateful for them!  Other instructors charge around $5-$6 a class and that would add up real quick, and I'm sorry but I'm not trying to spend all my money that way.  So, when I can't make it to class or need an extra Zumba sesh because I'm feeling a little chubbier than normal, I do my zumba fitness 2 for the Wii, yeah I haven't posted a review on that, I know, sorry.  It has been awesome and I really like doing it, thanks Mom B. for the Christmas present!

Well, what do you do when you can't go to class or you don't have your Wii close by? DVD... yeah the DVD set is expensive, so little ole me didn't want to buy it.  I was at my local goodwill the other day and saw this ...

Yeah, a whole lotta Zumba stuff neatly packed into a box with a $3.99 price tag

Wait a second, I can tell this is older, you know probably first edition but this is a ton of stuff! DVD's, CD's, toning sticks, for $3.99, totally worth it.  So I purchased it. Once I got to my car, I noticed a packing slip ...

yeah, this person who bought this from Zumba back in 2010 bought over $90 worth of stuff and I got it for $3.99!? Holy moly, I feel like a thief! Yay for great finds at goodwill :)

From our kitchen to yours: Good Earth

Good morning faithful readers! Sorry I haven't posted in a while :( There's been no real important updates, or extremely fun things happening in my life right now to blog about, but... we have had some surprisingly delicious food. So, here's a post on a $1 find at one of my favorite stores, Dollar Tree!

I don't normally like "boxed" dinners because they're too salty and FILLED with preservatives, but not this one... 100% whole grain, no artificial flavors or preservatives! Herb Crusted Chicken with mushroom risotto

Contents of the pouch: whole grain brown rice, seasoned panko bread crumbs, wine sauce, and risotto seasoning.

Simple step by step instructions :) Yes, much fancier than most boxed meals... "stay in and go all out!" ... cute!

Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 2-Quart sauce pan over medium-high heat for 1-minute. Add rice, stir one minute.

Add water, milk, sauce and seasoning, heat just to boil, reduce heat, cover simmer for 20 minutes without stirring. Uncover, simmer for 5 minutes stirring frequently.

Cut your thawed chicken, yes, this is the only component not included in the box.  Start the chicken once the rice is simmering for 20 mins.

Empty bread crumbs into a large bag and toss chicken until fully covered.

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, I was surprised they didn't say EVOO, to medium-high, add chicken to hot oil, cook until deep golden brown.

mMm then I took it out of the oil and placed on a paper towel to drain some of the grease.

Add a veggie, also something you have to provide (not in box) and enjoy! See, it looks much fancier than most boxed dinners!

Well done Kim for finding this steal at Dollar Tree :)  Oh yes, a little information on Good Earth ... I'm not sure why I found this at the Dollar Tree... it was not out of date, or some strange flavor no one would want.  I swear I've seen this same product on the shelf at Walmart for almost $4, and didn't purchase it because of the price! Anyways, their website has a coupon for $1 off, and the have other yummy flavors such as, Tuscan Chicken with Penne Pasta, Mediterranian Chicken with Angel Hair Pasta, and Spicy Citrus glazed shrimp (yeah, i'd expect to see that one at Dollar Tree) ... So there ya go, Kim's stamp of approval, maybe you should try it for dinner sometime soon!

From our kitchen to yours: Sausage Balls

I don't know about you, but I LOVE BREAKFAST! Yes, I sincerely adore a nice, hearty, warm breakfast but most of the time, I don't have the time to make one during the week.  I work 45 mins away from home so often it's yogurt and dry cereal for me. 

Charles' family has a Christmas morning tradition of sausage balls.  Yep, prep em the night before, pop em on a pan in the morning and bake them until golden brown, place in bowls and pass around while you open presents! Oh yes, and always enjoy them with a nice glass of orange juice.  So, I thought, why not make sausage balls for a week day winter breakfast treat!  GENIUS, I know ...

3 cups bisquick, 2 cups shredded cheese, 1 roll of sausage

Mix well with hands, microwave 20 seconds at a time, if necessary for proper incorporation.

Scoop your little sausage balls and place into a tupperwear tub.

Gettin' a large batch ready for the week, take out however many you want for that meal and bake then to ensure freshness.

Place sausage balls on a non stick pan and bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes.

mMm Delicious breakfast goodies !

Blog Browsing : A little Taggage ...

Yep, I was tagged! Thanks to the ever-so-lovely, new momma, Amy over at Fit New Mama I've been selected to do a little Q&A to tell ya'll a little bit about me ... haha as you know so far, i'm an open book! It's going to be tough to tell you things you don't already know!

 

the rules:

1. you must post the rules

2. post eleven facts about yourself on the blog post

3. answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post,

and then create eleven new questions to as the people you’ve tagged

4. tag eleven people and link them on your post

5. let them know you’ve tagged them

Eleven Facts About Me

1.  I'm married to the most amazing man in the world! He is an amazing reflection of Christ and he is seriously my favorite person in the world!

Can't believe this was a little over 3 years ago!

2. I am licensed to carry a concealed weapon in the state of North Carolina!  Yep, I'm normally packin' ... haha  

Get it, girl :)



3. I LOVE CHEESEBURGERS! Oh my gosh... really I think a good burger and fries are my favorite meal! I use to work at Red Robin and their Banzai Burger is fantastic!

Yep, this is a genuine I AM SO EXCITED I'M ABOUT TO EAT A BURGER AND FRIES kinda face!


4. People tell me ALL THE TIME that I look like Natalie Portman, true story.

yeah, she's gorgeous...and i'm... well... cute :)



 5.  I have never owned a dog. My mom taught me that dogs were smelly and that licking you was disgusting growing up so I've never owned a dog.  Maybe one day ... But I do love holding puppies :)

So sweet!

6. I LOVE dancing!  Shagging, Zumba, Line Dancing ... oh my, so fun! Anytime there's music and a crowd, i'm probably there :)




7. I LOVE serving in kids ministry! I currently lead K-5 praise and worship at Temple Baptist and MAN do we have fun praisng God! I've also been to Mexico, St. Lucia and Ukraine with mission trips where we lead camps and vacation Bible School and to Lumberton, NC, New York and Chicago to do Urban Ministry! It's sooooooo amazing to see God working through these precious little lives!


Nogales, Mexico



Chicago, IL

8. I'm half Greek (my dad's side) so I have the ability to get a really, really dark tan in the summer :)

 And I can fit into a high chair!


9. My dream job is to be a Stay at home Mom! haha yes, Lord willing we have a child sometime in my lifetime ... I would love to be at home and raise our kids and then, once their school age be a high school Home Economics teacher.

Our sweet friends baby girl! I never pass up the opportunity to hold a little one :)

10. I have never dyed my hair, nor do I ever plan to unless I start getting gray hair before 30(ish). I think it's because i'm too cheap to maintain it... yeah i'm ridiculously frugal!

 
And it has been realllly long a few times in my life! I also donated it to locks for love :)


11. I am a work in progress! My life has not been perfect but I am so thankful for my faith in the Lord and how he continually strengthens and refines me.  Life is full of adventures and I am beyond blessed to be here on Earth living this beautiful life the Lord has given me!

Amy's Questions

1. What is your favorite saying? Bless your heart!  haha yes, I'm a true Southern girl... Growing up I was "Kimmy Sue" (Kimberly Suzanne)

2. What are you listening to right now? Sadly, nothing... I just listen to whatever is on the radio! I haven't used my ipod in months!

3. If you could go anywhere right now, where would you go? Probably a cruise to the carribean islands, I've never been on a cruise and I would love to go back to St. Lucia.

4. What is your favorite book? I don't read ... really, I don't find enjoyment in it and I know that's terrible! But the book I read most often would be the Bible, it's just overflowing with amazingness and God's words are timeless and the truth!

5. What is your favorite kind of workout? I LOVE ZUMBA! Or any kinda of dance aerobics :)

6. Where would you like to be in 5 years? A stay at home mom with one baby and another on the way ...

7. What is your favorite food? CHEESEBURGER AND FRIES ... as referenced above

8. What are you wishing for in 2012? A viable pregnancy and a healthy baby

9. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? hahaha I wanted to be a talk show host, I really wanted to be Regis' co host for a long time ... oh well!

10. What job would you do for free? Teach dance aerobics (zumba or hip hop) to adults and kids 

11. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what is the first thing you would do with it? hahahaha no joke, hand it over to my finacial advisor... my husband and let him deal with it! I am TERRIBLY NAIVE about money.  I'm more or less scared of it because we didn't have much growing up.  But i'd definitely go on an amazing all expenses paid vacation somewhere tropical :)

My Questions for you Gals to Answer

1. What is your favorite game to play?

2. What is something you do in your spare time just for yourself?

3. What is the most important trait to have in a marriage or relationship?

4. Where is your favorite vacation spot?

5. What is your favorite meal?

6. What is your favorite Bible verse?

7. If you could visit one state/city in the USA what would it be?

8. What is the best surprise you ever received?

9. What is your favorite weekend activity?  

10. What are you afraid of?

11. What do you hope 2012 has in store?

My Tags

Rebecca at Baby Claire's Blog

Linley at Dwelling and Telling

Jenny at Moxie Made

Natalie at Matt and Natalie  

Stephanie at The.Glove. Box

Ashley at The Christian Wife Life

Megan at Doulos

Averi at Southern Sunshine

Heather at Heather in Chicago

Candice at Down Home Country

Christin at Carolina City Girl