Monday, February 28, 2011

Pioneer Woman and the Tattered Cover

A few weeks ago I went to Denver with my great friends Matthew and Mellisa. I wish you all could meet them because they are super cool. ;-) Anyway, Mellisa and I follow this blog from the Pioneer Woman. Other wise known as Ree Drummond or "P-Dub" as she so lovingly calls herself. She's just like you and I really.

She's a mom....

She home schools her kids...

She's funny...

She's Down-to-Earth....

She's a great cook--thus the cookbook.....

She's shy...

She's a city girl-but lives on a farm...

Her family raises cattle....

And walks in mud...

And walks in manure....

And blogs...

She's great, you should go check her out here...
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

Anyway, back to my story. Sorry for the tangent. ;-)

So, we went to the Tattered Cover in Denver. It's this cute bookstore on a corner street near 16th Street Mall. We got there around 1:30pm and were finally done around 6pm-ish.

Here is my Pioneer Woman Cookbook


Melissa, Matt and I were numbers 324, 325 and 326. Let the waiting begin.


Here is Melissa and I waiting for our turn and posing with our books ready to be signed.


And waiting some more....on the floor. Can you see my pink socks? They are Betty Boop heart socks in honor of Valentines Day. I know, I'm a dork. ;-)


I think my bum was going to sleep....


Matt and Melissa being goofy.



And I finally got to meet her. She is so sweet. Did you notice how beautiful her hair was after 5 or more hours of handshakes and questioning? Amazing!


Awestruck. Cannot believe we have our books signed. We are just giddy with excitement. I was so nervous my hands were sweating. You know what I said to her? All I could think of to say was "Are you tired yet?" Ugh! I wanted to say so much more but couldn't get it out. LOL!


And here is the signed book. I will have you know that that book is not on a bookshelf, not in a cupboard but grandly displayed in our dining room where all can see it. I was not about to hide that thing away after such a great experience to get it.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

New Painting-Lilly's

Good Sunday Morning! I am excited to announce that I have finished a new painting.

I am not sure what to really call it, so I titles it "Lilly's" because well, you know, their Lilly's. ;-)

Here's a close up.


And a bit farther back.


Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Can't wait to watch the Oscar's tonight. Kinda bummed that there isn't a party going on to enjoy it with other people, but it will be fun none-the-less. ;-)

Friday, February 25, 2011

Food for thought.

~Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.

~Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.

~If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.

~Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.

~Our strength grows out of our weaknesses.

~Storms make trees take deeper roots.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Happy Presidents Day

Today, I am very thankful to have the day off. Life has been full and unfortunately not a whole lot of time to catch up on the things I have been wanting/needing to do.

So, what is one the agenda? Cooking, painting, watching movies...oh and laundry. ;-)

To ensure that I am eating a well rounded/healthy meal every day this week, I am making the following:

1: Spaghetti squash- I cut the squash in half then scraped out all of the seeds. Then I rubbed EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and sprinkled dried Thyme and Rosemary. The house smells fantastic right now! I cook it at 400 degrees until it is fork tender and the fibers can be easily pulled through.
2. Roasted Asparagus- Snap the veggie into pieces and roast with some EVOO for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees until just tender.

Later, I will cook some chicken and then combine the veggies with chicken and it will be a tasty meal.

This morning I also made some lean Turkey sausage for a protein snack or with eggs in the mornings.

This afternoon I am going to try my hand at making Humus. I have never done this myself before so I really hope I can make it creamy like the stores do.

Anyway, I am having a great day. I watched some T.V shows this morning and am now making coffee. Awwwweee....Bliss. ;-)

In other news I am still working on my new canvas painting. I am loving the results so far and cannot wait to hang it in my bedroom. It has been a dream of mine for a long time to be able to create my own artwork for my house. Even though sometimes it can be more expensive (Acrylics and stretch boards do not always come cheap) it is still so satisfying when I am done.

So, happy President's Day everyone. If you are off or working, I hope you have a great day.

Friday, February 18, 2011

A new blog has been created.

Hey there,
Come over to view my new "Prayer Room".

http://annjeri-prayerforthenations.blogspot.com

For a while now I have felt lead to create a place online that is all about Praying for the Nations". Here we will be able to seek out the heart of God and be a community of prayer warriors.

Eventually, I will be opening a prayer site here in Colorado Springs for people to come and join in worship and prayer. It will be awesome! ;-)

Have a blessed day and a great weekend

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Steering the way.

I love this song because it portrays how we are on a daily basis without fully relying on God. So many times I find myself trying to take the wheel and drive wherever "I" want to go. Interesting eh? With God steering we go to places where we could never have imagined. He is the one who should truly direct our paths.


And this song I just love. I see it as a love story between me and God. I listened to this song over and over while I was in YWAM. I was hurting and needed comfort and this song gave me a picture of how God loves us.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The things that bring joy to my life...

Need I say more?


Chilaxing!


Sweet Potatoes


The Biggest Loser


Reading


Painting


House--Hugh has a gorgeous smile! ;-) Oh wait you can't see it.


And Bones. I think they should get married.


80's Music and Parties


Ballet


Banana's


Going to the beach


Playing on my Djembe


Oh wait, the Pièce de résistance
Cheese Cake!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

Bon Appetite Part 4- Valentines Chocolate Covered Cherries

This year for Valentines day, my roommate Monika and I decided to make some candy. Valentines Chocolate Covered Cherries. Yummm....

First you drain your marishino cherries and lay them out on paper towels to dry


Then you have your roommate pose with the dipping chocolate.





Then take your ingredients (3tbsp margarine, 3tbsps Corn Syrup and 2.5 cups powdered sugar)


Cover each cherry with the fondant


Which should look like this




You ladies are doing such a fine job. SPEED IT UP!!!




And then like this....


And then you dip the candy like this..




Or like this...


Until they all look like this


Then you have your roommate beat the white chocolate like a mad woman


Sprinkle the white chocolate over the top of the cherries


Have fun with it and get messy!


The finished product.

Bon Appetite!

Set yourself free.


There is no outside force holding you back. You are holding you back and you are blaming it on someone or something else. The way you are able to continue holding yourself back is by maintaining the illusion that you’re a victim. Once you realize that illusion, you will naturally and easily move forward. In fact, it is easier to fulfill your best possibilities than it is to avoid them. So let go of the blame and watch the limitations drop away. Certainly there will always be challenges that hold you back. For each challenge provides you with a pathway through which you can move toward fulfillment. It is your very nature to accomplish. Lovingly accept your destiny, and allow that accomplishment to be manifest through you. Set yourself free to follow your purpose. Set yourself free to truly live.

Quoted by Ralph Marston at greatday.com

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Maker of Heaven, you are my life....

There are many days where I wrestle with hopelessness. Sometimes it's because of not being married and having kids, sometimes it's my job..etc.

Today is a hard one for me. I have to wonder "What do you have for me Lord?" "What kind of future is in store for me?" "Am I ever going to go anywhere or do anything important?"

I know that my hope comes from the Lord. He is my maker. This song said it all.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Bon Appetite Part 3--Chocolate Covered Strawberries

So, for the Superbowl Party this year I decided to make Chocolate Covered Strawberries and they were a BIG hit! This was really fun and super easy.

You start out by heating up water under a double boiler. Once the water is hot then add your chocolate dipping chips.


Then you let them melt and continue to stir them until the chocolate is shiny and smooth.


Then you dip the strawberries in the chocolate, but not quite to the top of the stem.


They should be smooth like this.


Once you have dipped all your berries, you can add a pretty and delicious touch by melting some white morsals to put on top of the chocolate. I added butter and milk to the chips in order to make them creamy and smooth.


Your white chocolate should end up streaming off of your wisk like this.


Take your wisk and draw it over the berries.


The finished product.


And the final presentation. Bon Appetite!