22 Random Things

So, a bunch of people tagged me in their 25 Random Things notes, so I figured I would do it...

I'm publishing this on Blogger, but if I tag you in FB, you have to do the same! Then tag 25 others!

1. I have a weird accent. Pseudo-British-ish. I think that I trained myself out of a real southern accent when I was a kid and heard my self on a video. I was embarrassed that I sounded so country.

2. I also have a good phone voice, and sometime my friends call me and are not sure if it's me or not because I'm using my phone voice. I recorded a lot of the phone messages that you hear when you call my office.

3. I hate sports. I can't play anything, but secretly wish I could play tennis. Mainly because of the cute clothes.

4. I have a fear of heights and a fear of drowning.

5. Despite my fear of heights, I love roller coasters! My favorite is the Batman at Six Flags over GA.

6. I love to read! And I do not mind re-reading books. I try to re-read The Lord of the Rings every couple of years...it's better every time!

7. I secretly want to be an Elf (as in LOTR, not like Buddy the Elf) (yes, I realize that makes me a huge dork)

8. If I could do anything in the world for a job, it would be to go to work with Scott and help him.

9. I am realizing that coming up with 25 things about me is harder than I first thought!

10. I am still in college, trying to finish up a Bachelors degree at UAB in International Studies and a minor in French. I love school, but hopefully I'll finish before I'm 40!

11. I used to be scared that God would call us to the mission field and I would have to leave Birmingham. Mostly, I was afraid of "missionary jumper dresses" and no electricity. Now, I'm open to leaving, or staying. And I'm glad God changed my heart toward missions and leaving my "comfort zone".

12. I actually would really love to live in a different culture for a while. Preferably France.

13. I started learning French when I was in the 3rd grade at First Bapt. Church School of Pleasant Grove. I'll always remember those songs in French! "Sur la pont, D'Avingnon..."

14. I like to scrapbook, but lately I have not had the patience for it.

15. I love to decorate and I credit my ability and style to my mom and grandmother. We all have different tastes, but they taught me well!

16. My sense of style (for the house) has streamlined over the years. I think it has come from living with a boy. ;)

17. My sense of personal style has changed too; I dress much more casually than I used to. I think it's because we are always around college students or other people younger than ourselves! I typically wear jeans to church now.

18. I was a Hoover Belle while in high school. When I applied, I wanted that more than anything, and I was so excited that I got it! And I was super excited that I got to wear a hoop skirt! My dress was custom-designed by a lady in Mobile to look like Scarlett's picnic dress in Gone With The Wind, only mine was solid blue. I also had the biggest hoops of all the other Belles!

19. Despite my now-casual style, I love to dress up! I wish I had somewhere fancy to go so I could wear a pretty gown.

20. I also wish I had somewhere to wear a period dress. I secretly want to be a period reenactor.

21. I like etiquette and I read etiquette books for fun. I particularly like reading books from the early 20th century to learn how people (supposedly) behaved. I would secretly love to go to the Washington School of Protocol.

22. I have revealed several secret desires/wishes, so NO MAKING FUN!

Left-Over Wednesday: Baked Mac n' Cheese

Mac and cheese has an entire food group catagorzation, in my books! And I do not discriminate against the varieties of mac and cheese that one may find. I. Love. Mac n cheese.
So here's one of my fav reciepes, if you want to take the time!

Baked Mac n' Cheese
From Ree's Kitchen

1 stick butter
1/2 cup flour
3 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or any other combination of cheese)
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 pound macaroni
1 sleeve Ritz crackers

1. Melt butter over low heat in medium size sauce pan.
2. Whisk in flour until smooth, continuing to cook over low heat and whisking. Cook for approximately 2-5 minutes, until flour mixture is light brown and bubbling. (You just made a roux, the basis for almost any sauce)

3. Whisk milk in very slowly to ensure the smoothness and to keep the milk from curddling. Keep over low heat, whisking frequently. Sauce will start to thicken as it warms.

4. When sauce starts thickening, slowly whisk in cream, still keeping over low heat.

5. Raise cooking temp to med-low, still whisking frequently, cooking until sauce is thickened and just starting to bubble.

6. Add salt and pepper to taste and remove from heat.

7. Add the cheese one handful at a time, whisking each until smooth before adding the next.

8. Add mustard and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

9. Cook macaroni according to package, drain and pour in a 9X13 baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni and fold in.

10. Options: Last time I made this I had some left over feta cheese and I folded in crumbled feta, making little feta-cheese-suprises! Or add chopped, cooked ham, for a classic Mom-dish. Be creative with your cheese choices!

11. Top with crushed Ritz crackers and bake in a 375-degree oven until bubbly and the crackers are toasted.

Silence.

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Selah.

Don't worry, I'll be back.

I have some scheduled posts too.

Left-Over Wednesday: Marinated Pork Chops with Greek Potatoes

This week's L.O.W. is a day late...sorry! Better late, than never, eh?

Marinated Pork Chops

Scott adapted this marinade recipe from a grilling cookbook he has. He is the grill chef of the family, so I do have to note that the grilling instructions are specifically for charcoal grills. Scott's a bit of a snob about grilling...he'd sooner die than use a gas grill! So, if you use a gas grill, just up your cooking times for the pork chops.

Marinade:
1/2 cup lemon juice
2-3 TBS olive oil
Salt and Pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced

Meat:
2 boneless pork chops, 1 in. thick



1. Whisk all the marinade ingredients together. Place pork chops in a baking dish, pour marinade over, cover and let marinate in refrigerator for at least one hour. (It's ok if it's longer)
2. Flip pork chops over in marinade at least once, half-way through marinating process.
3. When you are ready to grill, place the pork chops on the grill, but reserve the remaining marinade.
4. Initially, leave the chops over the fire for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes have elapsed, flip the chops and pour a little of the marinade on each. Leave over fire for one minute. Flip chops again, and baste with reserved marinade. Continue this process of one minute intervals, flipping and basting each time, until about 6 minutes have elapsed. Chops should be medium-well after 6 minutes. Don't forget this is for charcoal grills, which get much hotter than gas grills! Adjust accordingly.

Greek Potatoes

Small red "new" potatoes, cut into 1/4's
2 shallots, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Olive oil
Greek seasoning-Cavender's is my favorite
Feta cheese, crumbled




1. Par-boil potatoes for a few minutes until they are just tender. Drain well and place in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add shallots and garlic. Coat all generously with olive oil and sprinkle in at least 2 teaspoons of Greek seasoning, more if desired.
3. Transfer to a baking dish and top with feta cheese. Bake uncovered in 375-degree oven until potatoes are cooked through and cheese starts to get crusty.

Snapolicious College Retreat

We had a grand time in the Boone, NC area on our college group winter retreat! Here's a few pics of the trip!

Skiing at Appalacian Ski Mtn!

Grandfather Mountain

No, Scott, you cannot have a pet puma; and no, Peyton, you cannot pet Mildred the Bear! :)

Some of the group at Grandfather Mountain!

Happy Bloggy Birthday To Me!!

Le Blog De Ree is one today!

So, thanks for reading everyone!!

In celebration of me being the the blog-o-sphere for one year, I thought I would post a few of my favorite bloggy things! Some blogs offer design inspiration. Others make me laugh. Others encourage me in my daily walk with Christ. I'm sharing the blog-love!

1. Favorite Funny Blog I Read Every Day: Stuff Christians Like

Jon Acuff writes this sarcastic blog from our neighbor Atlanta. He graduated from Samford and randomly knows a couple of people I know. His writing is so funny that I cry, yet he pulls out a serious card from time to time to really address the heart of the Christian culture he pokes fun of. We are also Facebook friends. I also joined his cyber book club. Don't make fun of me.

2. My Friend That Has a Nationally-Read Blog: Rachel Callahan of Grasping for Objectivity in My Subjective Life

I mean, she's the closest thing to a blog-celebrity that I personally know! She is featured on Five Minutes For Mom, read by people all over the country, holds contests and even has a customized template that she designed. I've been friends with Rachel ever since her older brother "broke up" with me in high school. We didn't become real friends until after the break-up...she didn't like me while I "went out" with JC...seriously. She told me that. But that's cool. I became great friends with all the Zannis' and was honored to be Rachel's Maid of Honor in her wedding and she was my Matron of Honor. Our weddings were about 6 months apart in 2001. Scott and I were also in Lindsay and JC's wedding. She's a great friend and we are both so busy that I've had fun keeping updated on her, Chris and Ali via her blog. She is a MUCH better blogger than me!

3. Blog Templates at Cutest Blog On The Block

'Cause I just can't resist a decorating opportunity, even if its virtual! Their templates are free and easy to copy n' paste the code onto your blog. Great for those that are HTML-challenged!

4. Favorite Ministry Blog: Desiring God Blog

John Piper has become one of my favorite theologians to read and listen to. His blog is a must-read for me everyday. He gives updates on his church and ministry in Minnesota, theology thoughts, encouragement and even "shout-outs" to family members and staff members, such as his wife, Noel. His concept of treasuring Christ for who He is above all else is one that I am having to continually re-visit. And, if you ever have the chance to hear him speak in person, do it!

5. Favorite Ministry Blog: Louie Giglio and the 268 Generation Blog

Um, yeah, that wasn't a typo. I couldn't choose between Piper and Louie. I'm a dork, and fairly blog-stalked Louie and the Passion team as they travelled around the world last year on tour. Anyway, if you are familiar to Passion and the 268 Generation, this is the blog for that ministry. Louie will be starting his own church next month in Atlanta, so that's pretty exciting too!

6. Favorite Website That I Found Through Someone's Blog: Etsy, introduced by my friend Greta Carter at I Love Mr. Pibb

Etsy is a really cool webstore that sells all handmade products. They have everything, from hand-knit scarves, jewelry, furniture, paintings...check it out if you are looking for something unique! And, for a shameless plug, Greta has her own Etsy store where she sells cool jewelry and stationary. I have some earrings and her Wells necklace. She also did awesome custom invitations for my 10th high school reunion last summer! She is oh-so-talented! I have found cute little things around Etsy, like luggage tags and passport covers. There's also a bag that I really want...gotta save up though!

7. Cool Wedding Vendor Site: I Do Originals

They custom-design a "look" for your wedding stationary, monogram, etc. See my review of them on my wedding blog here. They also designed my wedding planning logos! I love them and can't wait to have a bride that uses them too! Their blog is also a great read and they have scores of great ideas!

8. Favorite Wedding-Related Blog: Elizabeth Anne Designs

These ladies are so talented and have a great business, the kind of wedding business I wish/hope for! They are based in Atlanta, but do events, weddings and parties all over the country. One is even planning her own wedding in England. They have great inspiration for weddings and other events! I have blog envy!

So, how about you? Contribute to the party by posting a comment and leaving a link to any blog or website that inspires you, makes you laugh, makes you think, or one that you just plain love!

Left-Over Wednesdays: Cajun Chicken Pasta

This week's recipe is something that I adopted from a dish that my friend, Janet Revel, made one time. It's really easy, using store-bought sauces, and can be multiplied to feed lots of people (like hungry college students!).

Cajun Chicken Pasta

4 Chicken Breasts
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Cajun seasoning
1 jar 'Classico Spicy Tomato Basil' sauce
1 jar Alfredo sauce
1 box/bag of bow tie pasta

1. Pan fry chicken breasts until cooked through. Chop into bite-size pieces. Set aside.
2. Saute bell peppers, onion and garlic in olive oil. When vegetables are almost cooked, add a teaspoon (more or less to taste) of Cajun seasoning and finish cooking.
3. Add both jars of sauces and cover. Let simmer for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
4. Add chicken back to sauce and continue simmering.
5. Cook pasta according to box.
6. Serve sauce over pasta. Garlic bread goes well with this too!

Oh Snap!

I've been MIA lately, which isn't too unusual for me.

I'll have an update ready, pics and all, from our Winter Retreat of 2009!

I'll also be back with an all-new Left-Over Wednesday post!