Hurricane Irene Continues...

Here's an update on Irene...we are making the most of it.  I am thankful for Skype!  We talked with my mom and dad for about 30 minutes today showing them the storm and Aaron and Chris being boys---

 

 Our new lake!!

 Flooding...

 I wouldn't drive in this weather...no way...

More trees down by our place.

Hopefully she will be making her way out of here soon.  Still high winds and rain.  Praying everyone is safe and dry!

Hurricane Irene...

Our first hurricane together!  Been inside since last night and don't plan to go anywhere until Irene passes.  There have been a few CRAZY people out but you can find us watching...and reading...and relaxing!  The wind is insane.  We've seen gutters, siding and shingles whirling around.  Praise be to God this is only a Category 1 hurricane!

 Last night we enjoyed cooking a meal together.  Ground beef from Nooherooka in Goldsboro, NC with mushrooms, rice and green beans sauted with cherry tomatoes from the farmer's market topped off with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc MMmMmmm!

The beginning of the rain/winds Saturday morning--

 The wind is incredible--

 Making a late breakfast, we are lucky to have power!  Many around us are out, ours has flickered a lot but still on--

 Check out my Mrs. Sisneros mug from Aunt Eleanor :o)

Great day to finish a few books!  Updates to follow--stay safe everyone!

Break-through?

Many of you who know me well know I fall asleep during any movie...except if it's a documentary.  I'm not sure what my problem is, nothing seems to keep my attention and if it's up to me I'd rather sleep!  Or, most of the time, I don't care to watch a movie if I think it will be scary.  I think movies are way more powerful than most people realize.  There have been countless movies I wish I didn't watch because they put images and thoughts in my head that, on my own, I would never think up or imagine.  I do love a good documentary.  I like being informed and educated.  Most documentaries are biased but I think that's half the fun.  I like the freedom of watching documentaries and being able to develop my own opinions and thoughs. 

Some of our favorite documentaries include

• Food Ink
• The Business of Being Born
• Food Matters
• Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead
• Deconstructing Supper
• Waiting for Superman
• Running the Sahara
• Hell on Wheels

We can't get enough!  Chris and I have really enjoyed watching documentaries together.  I've even found Chris watching documentaries without me and by choice!!!! HA I think that is awesome :)

So when Chris and I started dating he found out, rather quickly, that I would fall asleep during movies...especially if they are at night.  It was pointless to bring me to or rent a movie with me...no matter how hard I tried to fight it I would ALWAYS fall alsleep. 

Recently Chris has ordered some movies on Netflix that 1) I haven't fell alseep to 2) I actually LIKED!!!

We totally recommend YOU watch Soul Surfer and To Save a Life.  They are amazing movies...and the first one is a true story, which makes it that much better!  The second movie has really got Chris and I thinking...we are really excited about some thoughts and are praying hard about some doors to be opened and changes be made....we will update once we have confirmation and/or some more details!  Till next time..hope you watch these movies and enjoy them just as much as we did.

Grilled Pizza

Another Sunday with our family.  After service at Discovery we enjoyed grilled pizza and homemade peach ice cream!  Sharon has taught me so much about cooking...I love watching her in the kitchen.

We made a semi-homemade tomato sauce with fresh basil and dried rosemary & oregano from Sharon's herb collection.

Toppings included green peppers, onions, olives, pepperoni, pineapple, diced ham & mushrooms.

First, Sharon rolled the dough out using a rolling pin and some sweet tossing skills :o)

Then John grilled them for a few minutes, just long enough to start cooking the dough...

And the topping began...

Rachel's favorite was pineapple & diced ham...I liked it too!

He always makes the BEST food!!!

MMMmMmmMMmm!!!

Check out my pizza-making skills!!

...the best part-- the house wasn't hot from the OVEN!  ...and the pizza had grill marks!

Swinging with my favorite man while the pizza was grilling :o)  I love you.

YES, it was as good as it looks!  That pizza was so good.  The best one was by Sharon which was in her cast-iron skillet.  It was buttery and crispy and PERFECT!!!  MMmMMmM!!

Sharon also made peach ice cream that afternoon.  I remember my grandma & grandpa making ice cream years ago.  It was so fun to learn again!  Not everyone liked the peach ice cream ;) but Sharom and I didn't think it was too bad if you kept eating it...

Hope you're having a great week.  We also had an AWESOME service at Discovery church this past Sunday which I will post soon as they post it.  If you have the time you should watch it.  We also went to Music in the Park and enjoyed some live music with friends and family.

I was in Chapel Hill today for work training.  I'm always glad when those days are over, they are so long.  I enjoyed the training today....lots to read and learn now!  Thanks for all the prayers guys ;)  (you know who you are) the ride was uneventful and pleasant.

Getting late...I should get some sleep tonight.  Will blog again soon :o)  .....lots going on here!!!

Sip 'N See Mason Charles

Last weekend we threw a Sip 'N See for Mason Charles, my sister-in-law Brittney's new little boy.  I'd heard of a "sip 'n see" a few times since living in the south but never went to one.  Sharon and I both agreed it would be a fun idea.  We asked Britt about it and she too loved the idea too because it was getting a little close to her due-date to be travel 2 hours for a shower. We had SO much fun planning!!  Our idea was to have lots of yummy drinks for everyone to "sip" on and visit with Mason.  Our color theme was of course, blue, green and a few hints of yellow.  We also had cake squares, which I'd never heard of before either (another southern thing) and little munchies.

Everyone got to come and visit with Britt, Andrew and Mason.  It was so sweet!  Britt also got a bunch of presents for her and Mason. 

I'm really bad about taking pictures (trying to get better-- I love to have them and hate to take them).  Fortunately, our very talented friend Laci stopped by and took some really good pics of the shower.

Another free slideshow design by Smilebox

Our NEW Daily Roast

Yesterday I had some time to come home for some lunch so I called up my hubby and told him I was coming home to make a BLT for lunch.  When I got home the aroma of fresh cooked bacon was in the air and I knew my sweet husband was making me lunch!  MMMMmMMMm!  To my surprise Chris had not only made me lunch but also a fresh cup of coffee.  Now, this was no usual cup of coffee-- it was coffee from our new french press!  Chris was annoyed because he got it this morning and cracked the top before he even used it-- but the best part-- he found it at Goodwill for $1.39!!!!!!!!!!! He always finds the good deals at Goodwill!!!  Despite the slight crack in the top that french press makes a VERY good cup of coffee!  Smooth and full-bodied I could get use to this coffee.  Check out our new gadget. 

If you haven't already I highly recommend coming over to try a cup! 

It's the little things that make me smile :o) 

Like the sign says in our place, "Cherish Life's Simple Pleasures"

Keeping up...

     Just wanted to stop in and let ya know I've been thinking about blogging but just haven't gotten to it.  We have been busy but wouldn't want it any other way.  I'm starting to realize it is important for me to keep busy to an extent because I feel better and healthier overall when I'm MOVING!  ...and we are MOVING along quite hastily. 

     Chris continues to teach yoga at the spa and gym-- he absolutely LOVES it.  He has increased his classes and numbers continue to climb as well as great feedback.  I love to listen about how he continues to learn and enjoy teaching.  Yoga has given Chris something different between massages to look forward to.  We purchased a subscription to YogaToday.com for a year, if you love yoga it's a great tool for online yoga classes!  They have thousands of classes with all types and styles of instructors.  This way Chris is able to stay immersed in the yoga world despite the lack of yoga in our town.  Check it out www.yogatoday.com

   

     I've been much happier lately.  The first few weeks of working full-time wore me ragged!  I was so tired and didn't have the energy or desire to do anything but sleep.  I am happy to share I am getting into the swing of things and have adjusted to the full-time work life while maintaining our life too.  Each day I get more and more comfortable with work and am getting to know the RN, which is always a plus!  I'm enjoying my job for the most part, it's a great opportunity and I can see how this job will greatly pave the way for something better later.  For now, I'm enjoying work and making the most of it.  I know I don't want to do research for the rest of my life-- but that's about all I know.  Don't ask me what I want to do next, I have a few ideas to share later but really don't have a clue.

     Our newest enjoyment is coffee dates!  I bought a cute little book called "Simply Romantic Coffee Dates for Couples."  You would think we wouldn't need a book for dates but it is SO FUN!  We go about once per week, usually a week night and spend a few hours sipping on coffee and chatting.  We always get out of our place and go to a coffee house or fun spot to relax but a different place each week.  We haven't been married long but I can tell you communication is so important.  Probably one of the most important aspects of our relationship.

     Hope you're having a great week.  It's almost the WEEKEND!!!!  YaHOOO!  We are excited because Britt, Andrew and sweet baby Mason will be here this weekend.  We are throwing a Sip-N-See for Mason, I can't wait to share about it...I will try to take pics!  It is also Rachel's birthday Saturday.  Busy weekend ahead. 

     I was listening to the radio on the way to work yeserday and they said, "Honk if you love Jesus, text if you want to meet him!"  I got quite a laugh out of that, hope you do too :o)