tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54412054649106331432024-03-05T20:13:00.620-06:00Le Blog De Ree~College Ministry
~Weddings
~Cooking
~Travel
~Friends & FamilyAnn Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-22348548324700303082013-06-12T11:05:00.001-05:002013-06-12T11:05:34.863-05:00Ree's Bi-annual Blog Post {Full of life announcements, changes, and what I have in common with Angelina}<i><b>OK, I'm a terrible blogger. I should probably just shut Le Blog down...as I have a grand average of 2 posts a year. </b></i><br />
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<i><b>Y'all just come friend me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/amleveille">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/LaRee1979">Twitter</a> and Instagram. I'm much better in small, short doses.</b></i><br />
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<i><b>Anywhoo, since my blog has been reduced to major life announcements, here's the latest!</b></i><br />
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<i><b>MAJOR LIFE ANNOUNCEMENT ONE!</b></i></div>
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Probably a lot of people out there saw the recent <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opinion/my-medical-choice.html?hp&_r=2&">news story of Angelina Jolie's preventative mastectomies </a>and reconstruction surgeries. Other minor celebs have made similar choices in past years, such as Giuliana Rancic, but Angie is by far the most well-known person to have this done.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwt8fUtqw6vbHR_ZjOec6mdwZP2O3VTeBDhvJEn4lBfgi5JNkiB9kFmYdDm3d5VwhdyGot2PBmk1Lt6GWlXCmn54UslzKl0BeXOTUONm42EFMEP4Pi2zOH3X8Pni6sUU7OVPJNoJd3sA/s1600/MV5BODg3MzYwMjE4N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjU5NzAzNw@@._V1._SY314_CR20,0,214,314_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwt8fUtqw6vbHR_ZjOec6mdwZP2O3VTeBDhvJEn4lBfgi5JNkiB9kFmYdDm3d5VwhdyGot2PBmk1Lt6GWlXCmn54UslzKl0BeXOTUONm42EFMEP4Pi2zOH3X8Pni6sUU7OVPJNoJd3sA/s200/MV5BODg3MzYwMjE4N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjU5NzAzNw@@._V1._SY314_CR20,0,214,314_.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a></div>
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However, there's a whole network of <a href="http://previvors.com/">Previvors</a> out there...just normal women, moms, sisters, wives...strong and resilient women who make bold choices for their health and well-being. "Everyday" women have been making these choices for years now before Angelina Jolie has made it chic. And please understand, there's some criticism out there about AJ going public, but I am glad she did! She says in her own article that she wants other women to benefit from the choices that she made.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjuHyWRwSYJAHUWHM5SCICqrtXbJZpJovBNaC9zt348ZA_2I3wJUG9GPs3jZlZt7GgnEGlEEC0XXiEmThO7nLJhP3E-901N3X7PwqKOotpyGLyyqemR7E7IbWWsxwEec88O8aLredoXk/s1600/Previve-slogan2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjuHyWRwSYJAHUWHM5SCICqrtXbJZpJovBNaC9zt348ZA_2I3wJUG9GPs3jZlZt7GgnEGlEEC0XXiEmThO7nLJhP3E-901N3X7PwqKOotpyGLyyqemR7E7IbWWsxwEec88O8aLredoXk/s1600/Previve-slogan2.png" /></a></div>
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Some of you out there know mine and my family's journey with this disease and the BRCA gene. I am beyond thankful for you and the support and prayers that have been offered on behalf of all of us!<br />
My personal experience with breast cancer came in middle school, when my mother's sister was diagnosed at the age of 33...not ironically, the age I am now. It rocked our world and unfortunately we lost our sweet Noela before her 40th birthday from metastasized cancer. I was 16. I think the fear associated with breast cancer has lived in the back of my consciousness ever since.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoPlh0UPKUp73h40NM9aZplSzWqf9vM1VNTRT4kiJcKul-PMlMX6hHAK0TJUpJEcfvVGCe-uEHmi6GRsFZvjYmF4FgoqSo6_4Htm7n_412AUoek9fUAynt6S46lyRbIt1H_ulgBzM1Mg/s1600/148725_1458857798402_1101327_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoPlh0UPKUp73h40NM9aZplSzWqf9vM1VNTRT4kiJcKul-PMlMX6hHAK0TJUpJEcfvVGCe-uEHmi6GRsFZvjYmF4FgoqSo6_4Htm7n_412AUoek9fUAynt6S46lyRbIt1H_ulgBzM1Mg/s320/148725_1458857798402_1101327_n.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and my aunt on Noela's wedding day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIfUZeyVsvNGK-_b_o1sHcNopea4sFalLmrpco35-PIF-xpsV4fsSeBhpgqrVupYa0I3NNik_9GnOF8Q7xhFRn-mCixrH349LJTtP8-ttwTwDbMkSg-WJujCXp2vVr0VIXRfyqH-YYCg/s1600/150035_1458859078434_8031035_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIfUZeyVsvNGK-_b_o1sHcNopea4sFalLmrpco35-PIF-xpsV4fsSeBhpgqrVupYa0I3NNik_9GnOF8Q7xhFRn-mCixrH349LJTtP8-ttwTwDbMkSg-WJujCXp2vVr0VIXRfyqH-YYCg/s320/150035_1458859078434_8031035_n.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm the flower girl on the left at my aunt's wedding.</td></tr>
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In the past 3 years, we have survived the diagnosis and treatment of 3 more family members with breast or ovarian cancer. We thank God everyday that He chose to preserve the lives of our dear ones!<br />
But starting with my mother's breast cancer diagnosis in 2011, we became aware of the BRCA gene mutations. Every woman who has had a diagnosis of cancer has tested positive for BRCA 2 mutation, and last July, I tested positive as well. You can read my Previvor Day post below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVYTs23M3A8WAr_xVbktcYGvfIdxSWVC-6h5GDAK2lHOq1XAE-bhDPw6FtWohuN1DE-y28a2MuV2eeOTQQohQmGOOtxoog1NdMadTsFdFNuGLn0z8qs_5HW1WqWBK989Cgj80zqeYv3o/s1600/71776_649337385716_4290929_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVYTs23M3A8WAr_xVbktcYGvfIdxSWVC-6h5GDAK2lHOq1XAE-bhDPw6FtWohuN1DE-y28a2MuV2eeOTQQohQmGOOtxoog1NdMadTsFdFNuGLn0z8qs_5HW1WqWBK989Cgj80zqeYv3o/s320/71776_649337385716_4290929_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me visiting the aunt who has fought and survived ovarian/fallopian tube cancer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bPT7pDf6FSmxAzEYpw52KZEMwWegHuXw4DKIf1CeO7TomikeJkiulDsd2I5uOoaX-6QGG4CnBqqIyUSFBEUaosyyAC4cau2RJi0-pL2pnyu6Hjp0mY2K3mb6f7jRNpM9js8ZqLr0G5Y/s1600/230758_729585502846_5884910_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bPT7pDf6FSmxAzEYpw52KZEMwWegHuXw4DKIf1CeO7TomikeJkiulDsd2I5uOoaX-6QGG4CnBqqIyUSFBEUaosyyAC4cau2RJi0-pL2pnyu6Hjp0mY2K3mb6f7jRNpM9js8ZqLr0G5Y/s320/230758_729585502846_5884910_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, mom and my sister. Thankfully, my sister tested negative for the BRCA mutation!</td></tr>
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After consulting with doctors and surgeons, praying and thinking, Scott and I have decided to move forward with a prophylactic mastectomy (PBM) and breast reconstruction.<br />
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I scheduled that for July 11...just a bit over a year after I found out I was BRCA+.<br />
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So, with less than 30 days to surgery, I write this, not to make other feel sorry for me and my family, but to help raise awareness. Investigate your family history. Please have your yearly exams. Speak up if something isn't right.<br />
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My reasons are my own, for having the PBM now instead of waiting, having kids, etc. etc. I am happy to answer any questions though, so just email, Tweet, or Facebook me. Every woman who faces this has to do what is right for them and their families. After all, it's for our families that most of us make these hard choices-if I am able to have children, I want to see them grow up! While the thought of having cancer does scare me, what scares me more is my family having to go through that again.<br />
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Some have called me brave, and I guess that I am...there's a lot of times that I certainly don't feel brave. But I constantly remind myself of the positive outcomes of my decision and most of all, that the Lord has placed me in this time and season by design, and that He is here. I'm thankful for the support of family and friends and for the excellent medical care we have here in Birmingham. I'll be cared for by two wonderful surgeons at St. Vincent's, both of whom cared for my mom with her surgeries.<br />
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<b><i>MAJOR LIFE ANNOUNCEMENT TWO!</i></b></div>
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After 10 years of working for a local OB-GYN office, I am moving on. A job offer came out of the blue, and Scott and I really felt that it was God's leading for a change. <a href="http://www.obgynsouth.com/">OB GYN South</a> has been a family to me through the years, and it's been a joy to also see many of my friends come through as patients and watch their families grow! I will miss my OBGYN South family, but considering all of my medical stuff going on, they aren't getting rid of me completely!</div>
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I'll be tentatively starting at the first part of July, getting oriented to the new place, then be on medical leave for my surgery. <a href="http://www.evanterry.com/">Evan Terry and Associates </a>have been so understanding, generous, and flexible with me, even before I have a chance to be an employee! I'm excited for a new opportunity to learn and grow as a professional and very grateful for the chance to do so with ETA!</div>
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And worry not, I'm still running my wedding planning business, <a href="http://tresbeauweddings.com/">Tres Beau Weddings and Special Events</a> and my studio, <a href="http://bluffparkweddings.com/">Bluff Park Weddings</a>. I'm not going anywhere as far as that's concerned, and I'd love to be booking some new brides for 2014! </div>
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<b><i>Final Thoughts on the Crazy That Is My Life</i></b></div>
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The last several weeks have been very, very stressful, and I have many more weeks of the same anticipated, considering the above situations, plus some others that I will not go into here.</div>
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I know that the Lord allows trials and suffering into our lives, and at the end of each day, we have to cling to the Lord's promises. </div>
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David Crowder said it best, when he sang that "He makes everything glorious". I have to believe that, even the crazy messes of our lives, are for His glory and He is here....and that is enough. I pray that Scott and I will have grace and endurance through everything we go through, and I am BEYOND grateful that God graciously gifted me with Scott as a life partner. I literally do not know what I would do without him!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3NFVkQUk4unPUdQBzNev0LLcMxnDpD6El4rFzXhC6dg-tm_4nudc2UL0Of_vJX6NBvMtwDpe7jDMiDjThsij3gm9Rm71YNx3tQdT6ezyXioUr9ZhEnOCpNVhBCigviSbC7dBQM70JYE/s1600/902991_10100333086873236_1580485350_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3NFVkQUk4unPUdQBzNev0LLcMxnDpD6El4rFzXhC6dg-tm_4nudc2UL0Of_vJX6NBvMtwDpe7jDMiDjThsij3gm9Rm71YNx3tQdT6ezyXioUr9ZhEnOCpNVhBCigviSbC7dBQM70JYE/s1600/902991_10100333086873236_1580485350_o.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott and I at his cousin's wedding in march of this year <3 br=""></3></td></tr>
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<br />Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-83705584711051354552012-09-26T10:12:00.000-05:002012-09-26T10:13:59.563-05:00National Previvor Day-My StorySeptember 26 is National Previvor Day....it happens to fall on the week that span September, national Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and October, national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.<br />
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Both of these cancers have touched my family over the last few years....and PRAISE GOD for His healing and care for my mom, my aunt and my grandmother, as they are all beating it. One member of my family was not so fortunate, and died from metastasized breast cancer when I was 16. My dear Aunt Noela was not even 40 years old. But that was 16 years ago now, and cancer research and treatments have come leaps and bounds in the last 16 years.<br />
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One of those advances is with genetic research in female cancers. Physicians long theorized that breast cancers might be genetically linked, but they weren't sure how. {SIDE NOTE: Know your family history! On both sides of your family! It's important!!} But now, they have pinpointed genes, that when a mutation occurs, increased a woman's chances of developing ovarian and/or breast cancers. They are called the BRACA 1 and 2 genes.<br />
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Part of my mom's diagnosis a year ago for breast cancer included genetic testing, particularly when her surgeon found out that my mom's sister died from breast cancer and another sister was in the middle of battling ovarian/Fallopian tube cancer. So along with the news last September that she found out she had breast cancer, mom was also told that she was "BRACA positive", meaning that she has that gene mutation.<br />
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We were devastated, of course. Especially since the family's energy had been focused the last 18 months or so on my aunt battling ovarian cancer. But my mom is a SUPER positive and energetic person (if you know her, you are laughing right now) and that certainly helped buoy everyone. But after the surgeries, there's still that BRACA gene mutation to deal with.<br />
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With mom's positive BRACA, that sent all the women in the family off to be tested. We can't be sure, but the doctor's think that my aunt who passed away 16 years ago was probably positive, particularly since she was so young with a cancer diagnosis. My aunt who just battled ovarian cancer is positive. My mom's mother is positive. Thankfully, their other sister, the youngest of the sisters, is negative.<br />
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I'm the oldest of 4; two girls and two boys; my sister is the youngest, with the brothers in between. We ALL had to be tested, even the boys. {While men DO develop breast cancer, even with a positive BRACA mutation, the risk apparently isn't that much higher. A positive BRACA male's risk is in passing that to his children.} Turns out, the youngest, Jacob and Abby, are negative {so they fall into the "normal" risk categories for breast/ovarian cancers}. The other brother, Noel, and I, are both positive.<br />
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{So are you keeping count here? It's confusing. BRACA positive family members: my mom, her mom, her sister, my brother, and myself. I think my mom's cousin and my grandmother's sister were tested too, but I don't know their outcomes}<br />
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So getting back to the Previvor Day. "Previvor" is a new-ish term, meaning someone who has the knowledge {eg-BRACA results} to "outwit" cancer, so as to not have to be a survivor. Lord willing, this means that with proper screening, testing, and other preventative measures, I will not have to one day tell my family the dreaded words of "I have cancer". Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, and I now have extra knowledge to deal with my risk of cancer.<br />
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I was really upset about my BRACA positive diagnosis. And all kinds of unexpected feelings and thoughts went through me. {"I'm a genetic freak!"} Definitely, fear is the over-arching feeling. Trusting the Lord in this is hard. {"Why would He create me like this?"} Feeling alone and isolated. Doubts about having children are lurking. {"Do I even want to knowingly pass this gene mutation on to kids?"}My typical reaction to conflict or bad/hard situations is an ostrich-response: stick my head in the sand, and it will go away. Pretend that it's not there. Avoidance. {It took me 9 months after mom's diagnosis to eve go get my genetic testing.}<br />
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So, you may be wondering what to do with this knowledge of a positive BRACA mutation. Well, for now, I'll be having mammograms, breast MRIs, pelvic ultrasounds, and blood tests....every six months. They will monitor everything (breasts and ovaries) very closely to track changes. Honestly, it's going to be exhausting. But not as exhausting as chemotherapy would be. {AND I happen to work at my OBGYN. What a blessing is that?? Super convenient!}So, IF something changes, the docs can catch it super early. Eventually, I have no doubt that I'll have prophylactic mastectomies and a hysterectomy. As to WHEN to do that, Scott and I are still thinking and praying. Obviously, we haven't had children yet, so that's a major factor.<br />
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I am also making lifestyle changes, as has been hinted at on Facebook. Being overweight and inactive increases risk for cancer, and plenty of other modern diseases. {And heart diseases and diabetes "run in the family" too...that could do me in before a cancer does!!} I'm exploring a Paleo/primal lifestyle to make dietary changes. Avoiding all processed foods, cutting WAY back on gluten (because it has been shown to be inflammatory, even without a celiac disease) and carbohydrates in general, cutting sugar, and focusing on high-quality proteins and plenty of veggies and some fruit. I'm trying to at least go walking everyday, and do short strength workouts. <br />
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Even if I cannot <i>change</i> my genes, I can help my body do what it can in <i>reacting</i> to my genetic makeup. And a healthier lifestyle never hurt anyone, right??<br />
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So, back to today: National Previvor Day. Some of y'all who know me IRL may be shocked or whatever by this post. I haven't told many people at all, even though I've known my BRACA results since July. I'm sorry if you ARE finding out this way...I just honestly have been dealing with how to tell people. So, I figured this was as good a day as any! {I live a "social media life", but somehow, this wasn't something that one tweets out immediately. And I don't blog very often anymore, but writing about this helps, I think.}<br />
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What I want to do on this Previvor Day, is to encourage others (women AND men) to:<br />
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<li>Know your family histories! Ask about even your father's side...I met a girl in her 30's who's BRACA mutation came form her dad's side of the family! If you discover more than one family member who's had a female cancer, ask your doc about genetic testing!</li>
<li>Do your self-checks...you hear about it all the time, so just do it.</li>
<li>Do your yearly check ups at the doctor. It's not fun or enjoyable, I know, but it could very well save your life. Mom's breast cancer was caught by mammogram at a really early stage. She still had to do chemo, but not as much or as long, because it was early staged.</li>
<li>Almost all of us could make positive changes for a healthier lifestyle. So take and honest look at yours...cut out processed foods, cut out fried foods or start taking a walk everyday. {This is a daily struggle to overcome 32 years of poor eating habits and a loathing for exercise, so I'm mostly talking to myself here folks}</li>
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Psalm 139:13-16</div>
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<i>For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb.</i></div>
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<i>I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.</i></div>
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<i>Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. </i></div>
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<i>My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.</i></div>
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<i>Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. </i></div>
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Questions? Just ask me!Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-18071920816716291312012-07-27T09:14:00.002-05:002012-07-27T09:14:15.670-05:00Ree's Cookbook: Chicken and Broccoli Casserole<i>I have made this casserole countless times, revised it and perfected it. And have told many of my friends who wanted the recipe that it was on my blog...except that it wasn't! Major oops! So sorry to any of you who I told to just "look it up on my blog"! This is a staple recipe for me and I truly thought it was up here! </i><br />
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<b>So, without further a do, here's Ree's Chicken and Broccoli Casserole, or if you prefer something fancier, "Chicken Divan". </b><br />
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<i>Makes one 9x11 casserole (and doubles, triples, etc very well!)</i><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (depending on size)<br />
1 LB. frozen broccoli cuts<br />
2 cans cream of mushroom soup<br />
16 oz. mayonnaise<br />
shredded cheddar cheese<br />
curry powder<br />
Ritz crackers<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
1. Lightly salt and pepper chicken breasts; boil in a large pot OR bake in oven until cooked through.When cooked and cooled slightly, chop into bite-size pieces. Place in a large mixing bowl.<br />
2. Boil frozen broccoli until JUST cooked through. {I hate soggy broccoli, and it will cook more in the oven, so I usually cook mine "al dente"}Drain and add to the chicken in large bowl.<br />
3. In a separate bowl, combine the soup and mayo. Add in some curry, to taste. {I think the original recipe gave a 1 TBS measurement, but you can certainly do more or less, depending on taste. I do more.}This is what I commonly call the "goo".<br />
4. Toss the chicken and broccoli with a handful or so of shredded cheese {again, no measurement, go with what you like!} and pour the "goo" in, combining all ingredients well.<br />
5. Spread in 9x11 baking dish. Top with crushed Ritz crackers and more shredded cheese. {I usually use one sleeve of crackers per baking dish, but Scott likes more}<br />
6. Bake in 375 degree oven for 45 minutes to one hour, until bubbly and internal temp is at least 170 degrees. {PSA: everyone should have a kitchen thermometer!}<br />
<br />
<i>Enjoy y'all! This is not a fancy dish, like I am prone to making, but its good, homey comfort food! I have people all the time tell me they don't like casseroles and/or broccoli, but they love this casserole, so give it a try!</i>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-33649995147837839382011-11-02T15:09:00.003-05:002011-11-02T15:10:39.614-05:00Scott & Ann Marie: 10 Years!In some ways, I think, "I couldn't have been married for 10 years already!"; but in other ways, I cannot remember what my life was like before Scott!<br />
Of course, at 21 and 23, we were children when we married! ;)<br />
<br />
So, here's a fun "then and now" comparison! <br />
<br />
<b>10 years ago, Scott had just finished college the May before and finished the Managment Associate program at AmSouth Bank (now Regions). He was opening new branches, managing branches, poised to become a junior executive. </b><br />
<b>10 years ago, I was almost finished at Jefferson State Community College with my Culinary Arts degree, working full-time at Saks, Inc. Corporate Dining. (Remember when Saks 5th Avenue was headquartered in Birmingham??) I was the catering assistant and deli chef. I liked my job, but really, all I wanted was to be a homemaker. I wasn't really keen on working full-time outside the home. </b><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<i>Now, Scott just began seminary at Beeson Divinity, and works part-time for SMIC and Berney Points Baptist Church. He is the College and Young Adult Minister for our church, and we couldn't imagine a better ministry! Over the last 10 years, his focus for a career has certainly changed!</i></div>
<div style="color: red;">
<i>Now, I still work outside the home for an OB-GYN office, doing secretarial work, and I own my own business, Tres Beau Weddings and Special Events, planning and designing weddings! I had quickly learned that full-time chef work was not what I wanted long-term...I still keep my hands in food (so to speak!) but doing some catering on the side! I also cook dinner for the college group weekly Bible study and the Young Adult Bible study. </i></div>
<br />
<b>10 years ago, we were attending Shades Mountain Independent Church, our home church, where we've both grown up. I sang in the choir, and if my memory is correct, we still had two services back then. Scott led worship in the Youth Group with Jonathan. (Ah, the pre-cursor to Adoration Band!)</b><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<i>Now, we still at attending SMIC! As mentioned above, we do the College and Young Adult ministries. Scott went to work for the church about 4 months after we were married, to do the church administration. We thought that this would be short-term job, then he would either start applying for grad schools for economics, or go back to the banking world. Eventually, we felt the Lord's call to full-time ministry. (This realization took me much longer!) </i></div>
<br />
<b>10 years ago, Scott and I signed for our house the day before the wedding (happy birthday to our house!); however, the house was not "live-able", and required 6 weeks of intense remodeling after our honeymoon! We were so grateful for our families who helped non-stop and several friends who worked long hours with us! We bought our 1948 cottage, thinking that it would be a good "starter home", and that in a promotion or two, we'd upgrade.</b><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<i>Now, we are still in remodeling process (I've already re-done the bathroom for the 2nd time). We love our little home, and couldn't imagine living anywhere else! Our most recent (still not finished) projects include re-doing the outside from the old siding to cedar shingles, adding on a laundry/mud room, and a re-configured deck. </i></div>
<br />
<b>10 years ago, the September 11th attacks happened right before our wedding. We changed our honeymoon plans because of this, because international travel was so if-y. We went to North Carolina instead and had a wonderful, relaxing time. But patriotism abounded at this time, and the Afganistan/Iraq War was beginning.</b><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<i>Now, we all know that the wars are still going on...but we caught and executed Saddam Hussein and more recently, Bin Laden. Scott and I made it to London and Paris for our 5th wedding anniversary, and have also been abroad for missions. We are planning our big 10th anniversary trip to Paris for January! </i></div>
<br />
How about some pop culture and price comparison info! This should be fun!<br />
<br />
Gallon of Gas:<br />
2001: $1.47<br />
2011: $3.45<br />
<br />
Pound of Coffee:<br />
2001: $3.06<br />
2011: $10.00 (depending on your brand, of course) and/or $5.00 for an espresso-based drink<br />
<br />
Postage stamp:<br />
2001: 34 cents<br />
2011: 44 cents (wait, people still mail things??)<br />
<br />
In 2001, Wikipedia came online and Apple released the 1st iPod!<br />
<br />
Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, was released that Christmas (totally went to the midnight release!). Shrek began his movie franchise, as did the Ocean movies. And Harry Potter began his 10 year reign (while Southern Baptist preachers were denouncing him from pulpits) with The Sorcerer's Stone.<br />
<br />
On the music scene, we had a weird mix of "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias, "Here's To The Night" by Eve 6, "Beautiful Day" by U2, "I'm Like a Bird" by Nelly Furtado, "Fallin" by Alicia Keyes, "Independent Woman" by Destiny's Child, and "Lady Marmalade" (Moulin Rouge soundtrack!) for some of the good stuff. Unfortunately in 2001, we heard, "Drops of Jupiter" by Train (over and over and over), "It's Been Awhile" by Staind, and "With Arms Wide Open" by Creed....<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy Anniversary to me and Scottie!Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-7133087593712638922011-09-21T11:28:00.000-05:002011-09-21T11:28:38.701-05:00Two Thousand and ElevenI'm sitting here in front of my computer screen trying to think through all of the things that have happened in our lives over the last 10 months...that last time I blogged was last November, 2010! But alas, words are escaping me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAxenKOK5Z4fUfq8wdNI7POTI4YfYdMD_3YVfa85K4OkNF_WIpMJ_ahw-6-8gC5X3MsHJndiqb-hdhiZhUclfhR9JVI4T9ala3nO4DwaThqJV5CLHxGfTeeWJsvaEIAKOqjyq765ox_M/s1600/223847_773473735476_20513733_36564609_4569743_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAxenKOK5Z4fUfq8wdNI7POTI4YfYdMD_3YVfa85K4OkNF_WIpMJ_ahw-6-8gC5X3MsHJndiqb-hdhiZhUclfhR9JVI4T9ala3nO4DwaThqJV5CLHxGfTeeWJsvaEIAKOqjyq765ox_M/s400/223847_773473735476_20513733_36564609_4569743_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Scott in Zurich, Switzerland, en route to Montenegro this August</td></tr>
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We've travelled--North Carolina, California, Montenegro/Switzerland/Italy/Croatia. Anniversary trip to Cali and missions to Montenegro (by way of the other countries). See Cali pics <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.632707227686.2166611.20513733&type=1">here</a>! And my pics from Camp Monty <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.774338652176.2232147.20513733&type=1">here</a>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAQAgjqLudnGcfx6YvI9QyyQEm4JgLRo0U_qJtDH6WUW1LTjs2YoCLRhdB7cVNz2Qsa2fM0XOFaDRCsOvhSxYf0HxBrahGCWsjr2t5deNZjnI_kRF9QOvAZ0ykPKU4Z212gE4e9f4N1c/s1600/73404_650597071296_20513733_35407224_2789722_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAQAgjqLudnGcfx6YvI9QyyQEm4JgLRo0U_qJtDH6WUW1LTjs2YoCLRhdB7cVNz2Qsa2fM0XOFaDRCsOvhSxYf0HxBrahGCWsjr2t5deNZjnI_kRF9QOvAZ0ykPKU4Z212gE4e9f4N1c/s400/73404_650597071296_20513733_35407224_2789722_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us with the Cali nieces and nephews!</td></tr>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9c36aRGRsSUvd1IVf_1DK6eSk4RF762aX-xi9t4RUru-JG1iT5s2iR6eHGSGX3yv6iY1yTcDqaEvZx591UT7Dj3rmgopCyqr1AWizTlNTYhKfq16DjiwxOYRWkknZSGeE3uMtYVPthc/s1600/262103_745385509506_20513733_36389077_78988_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9c36aRGRsSUvd1IVf_1DK6eSk4RF762aX-xi9t4RUru-JG1iT5s2iR6eHGSGX3yv6iY1yTcDqaEvZx591UT7Dj3rmgopCyqr1AWizTlNTYhKfq16DjiwxOYRWkknZSGeE3uMtYVPthc/s400/262103_745385509506_20513733_36389077_78988_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">College group Spring Break trip!</td></tr>
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We've closed one book of our life and opened a new one--Scott started post-grad work at Beeson Divinity. He is no longer employed full-time at SMIC, although we are continuing in our college and young adult ministry there. And the Lord provided a full scholarship and other employment!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vbKMNArsRx6FJcZR2oUUS0lgoT3lcEw3ELkho24lsQ67it-YDbiS7w0CvX71KAYuDd5X5sLTYk4FWBPfYgRnBMKqoozrWL_646VJSU0RParPZYZ5lqYgvJQ_fqx0Qn5ZCFadrBS0Xk0/s1600/319531_783982256316_20513733_36691673_6464797_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vbKMNArsRx6FJcZR2oUUS0lgoT3lcEw3ELkho24lsQ67it-YDbiS7w0CvX71KAYuDd5X5sLTYk4FWBPfYgRnBMKqoozrWL_646VJSU0RParPZYZ5lqYgvJQ_fqx0Qn5ZCFadrBS0Xk0/s400/319531_783982256316_20513733_36691673_6464797_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott's stack of books for seminary...semester one! Many, many, more books to come!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm trying to grow a small business, while still working full time--<a href="http://www.tresbeauweddings.com/">Tres Beau Weddings and Special Events</a> is growing so well, and I'm so thankful to be able to do what I love! I'm formulating a new business plan for expansion, with possibly a store-front! Learning as I go, of course.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwqOljLwTGwnb0YG0iT-SppyTlLaJ1iPVK0_o83tpaXFp4ooq_C5oA_mXk-CiC442tyBp0KoEBhZpsCL2-zIABNe378sSjPfk5YrOFX54HCgyBFVKS1Br-BuT2aN89-QbAAPepW9BvNE/s1600/294584_2078360751255_1012080034_31982504_2991213_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwqOljLwTGwnb0YG0iT-SppyTlLaJ1iPVK0_o83tpaXFp4ooq_C5oA_mXk-CiC442tyBp0KoEBhZpsCL2-zIABNe378sSjPfk5YrOFX54HCgyBFVKS1Br-BuT2aN89-QbAAPepW9BvNE/s400/294584_2078360751255_1012080034_31982504_2991213_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my biggest weddings of 2011, Josh and Julie Payne!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifcsoanEFAktYT3CPQKIS5sC1hmCv8lFhHkbAjPSpObYU2nmbFdWv-EyyqAk8-WnqkKq5JCAG67CoaVNiyMeMupzRP3r3YjivTVK7TTC5moirKy_ZouJhqwNR6e2gKptrZcUoGnVBwPY/s1600/1248409379_KE2eg-S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifcsoanEFAktYT3CPQKIS5sC1hmCv8lFhHkbAjPSpObYU2nmbFdWv-EyyqAk8-WnqkKq5JCAG67CoaVNiyMeMupzRP3r3YjivTVK7TTC5moirKy_ZouJhqwNR6e2gKptrZcUoGnVBwPY/s400/1248409379_KE2eg-S.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the other big wedding this year just happened to be my cousin's! Chris and Natalie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We've also had some hard times this year--job changes, and circumstances thereby, were hard emotionally. Scott still struggles with pain from his two shoulder surgeries, and probably will for the rest of his life. And last week, cancer invaded my family once again, with my mom's diagnosis of breast cancer. It's early for her, and she'll have a double mastectomy next week. But her genetic testing came back also with a positive for BRCA, or the "breast cancer gene", so that has some serious ramifications for me and my sister.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcfUSadnVFmRTdaAZ2U2PG_ClXM7LJvHcqrQh2pSqcMpwA6O-ueegTwl7_VVtWAyEi-sznsqU4tnrxTsLDZlqmiiAeD9AuongwFhIRKPeQS6INQQb6VwZcVVrF6zjpZ7twln80M5qAoY/s1600/223529_729585038776_20513733_36183640_5598782_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcfUSadnVFmRTdaAZ2U2PG_ClXM7LJvHcqrQh2pSqcMpwA6O-ueegTwl7_VVtWAyEi-sznsqU4tnrxTsLDZlqmiiAeD9AuongwFhIRKPeQS6INQQb6VwZcVVrF6zjpZ7twln80M5qAoY/s400/223529_729585038776_20513733_36183640_5598782_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mothers Day 2011 at Mimi's house</td></tr>
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<br />
So, there's the BIG highlights of 2011...see my <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/LaRee1979">Twitter</a> if you want the specifics, and my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/amleveille">Facebook</a> if you want pictures....I'm MUCH better at keeping up with Facebook and Twitter! <br />
<br />Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-88879113845521480342010-11-19T11:55:00.000-06:002010-11-19T11:55:29.446-06:00Scott and Ree's Guide to New York City: Part 1, RestaurantsWe are not experts (whatever that means) on New York, but plenty of people ask us all the time about what to do/see/eat while visiting the Big Apple. It's one of my favorite places in the world (right behind Paris, duh) & we go at least once a year, so without further ado, here's Part One, Restaurants.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Our Short List: </b></span></div><br />
<a href="http://leshalles.net/brasserie/">Brasserie Les Halles </a><br />
<br />
This French restaurant is owned by Anthony Bourdain and has traditional French cafe-type dishes. Surprisingly, its affordable too! We first went there for my 30th birthday last year and also visited last summer. It has a bustling, dark interior, wood paneling and white tablecloths. No reservations are needed, but might be useful if you are visiting on a weekend evening. There's two locations in New York, but we have only been to the Park Avenue South location.<br />
I've ordered the steak frites and the steak au poivre and both were excellent. (Randomly, they have the best butter that I have ever tasted! Its cold, smooth and creamy, not too salty but has an amazing fresh taste. And I cannot figure out who their supplier for that butter is either, or I would buy some and ship it to Birmingham!) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.grimaldis.com/">Grimaldi's Brick Oven Pizza </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Brooklyn classic is tucked under the Brooklyn Bridge and is a short subway ride away from Manhattan. In nice weather, and if you feel like some exercise, it is fun to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. You can get some great photos of Manhattan from the bridge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be prepared for a wait--we've never caught it when there isn't a wait. But the pizza and atmosphere are well worth it! While you sit and wait on your order at the checkered-tableclothed tables, you can watch the pizza chefs toss the dough, throw the toppings around and slide the pizzas in and out of the ovens. It's a noisy, crowded, fast-paced New York pizza joint, and so much fun!</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOv4GD9A4uQiusuaer0vyO76cD3j58WoHfGymEHNScHyzwobfOEHKporwFDs-ayEComgDVNtg0Ff_0hj3gu7r1t1vmBabVunNKq48_vBd6EuABFWqEtFOsl2IEpXhHTHkKUgrgAVi1-O4/s1600/Road+Trip+2009+143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOv4GD9A4uQiusuaer0vyO76cD3j58WoHfGymEHNScHyzwobfOEHKporwFDs-ayEComgDVNtg0Ff_0hj3gu7r1t1vmBabVunNKq48_vBd6EuABFWqEtFOsl2IEpXhHTHkKUgrgAVi1-O4/s320/Road+Trip+2009+143.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy!!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTr7Qx3eQHLYvkJ2BlTaMwZ0geIKmNpOoEpXu0K4Nl58RKJ2379ur9_IfhTwFmoxcFARse3GhmgkbAM47LMjx9TlY-WwAgmPshcJNzcd7V0y3dvjT6ZUNLOBabLqRFzaOZoioeqIn0WEM/s1600/Road+Trip+2009+154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTr7Qx3eQHLYvkJ2BlTaMwZ0geIKmNpOoEpXu0K4Nl58RKJ2379ur9_IfhTwFmoxcFARse3GhmgkbAM47LMjx9TlY-WwAgmPshcJNzcd7V0y3dvjT6ZUNLOBabLqRFzaOZoioeqIn0WEM/s320/Road+Trip+2009+154.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great views from across the Brooklyn Bridge!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN23yJEO3oodVVksbt4lX-0Vhf-f9rtExJdORxn7m_rXO9zpAz62C1QbrJkLuWOfIMTB2p5_J0VJVQyaeCtRroJXOxvHTys_c6VHOKKXSrGs-NCus1GpNV6woF6anikm1lofWXxJxtsNQ/s1600/NYC+abby+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN23yJEO3oodVVksbt4lX-0Vhf-f9rtExJdORxn7m_rXO9zpAz62C1QbrJkLuWOfIMTB2p5_J0VJVQyaeCtRroJXOxvHTys_c6VHOKKXSrGs-NCus1GpNV6woF6anikm1lofWXxJxtsNQ/s320/NYC+abby+021.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worth the wait!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://www.magnoliabakery.com/home.php">Magnolia Bakery</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This bakery's popularity exploded after being in a popular TV show, but it remains a nice little spot to grab a snack and explore a unique NY neighborhood. We usually go to the one in Greenwich Village, but have stopped at the Rockefeller shop too, out of cupcake desperation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's no seating at the Greenwich Village location, but in nice weather, we like to sit in the little park thats across the street and enjoy the neighborhood while enjoying our cupcakes. And cupcakes particularly are the draw here, my favorites are the ones with sprinkles!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In rainy or snowy weather, take your little cupcake box and head to Grand Central Terminal or to Rockefeller Center to people watch while cupcaking!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.serendipity3.com/main.htm">Serendipity 3</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This restaurant is always crowded as well, as it's a popular tourist spot. The main thing here is their signature Frozzzzzen Hot Chocolate. It's like a chocolate milkshake/sundae thing, and its reeeeeally good. Its topped with plenty of whipped cream and served with a spoon and a straw. It's more than enough to share with a friend. <i>However</i>, they have a minimum charge per person that is required here. So if you only come for dessert, everyone has to order a dessert and a drink to spend enough. So, that's kind of a bummer, unless you go and also order regular meal. So we reccommend Serendipity with these reservations. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumJqOMULYif5zgP6QEGsaqJfEdtUP4QHKuZ-GS-W9OD5wa7N_fc-griwlS2fcynS8JpwObiPUz5EnINeqCtMF9yyPogcP3a65BsPgrGyzYACkYjLXla_BczVukeQmLQjooOFkjqgikho/s1600/49b654bb-ba05-4229-8b9e-f656d16a03fd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumJqOMULYif5zgP6QEGsaqJfEdtUP4QHKuZ-GS-W9OD5wa7N_fc-griwlS2fcynS8JpwObiPUz5EnINeqCtMF9yyPogcP3a65BsPgrGyzYACkYjLXla_BczVukeQmLQjooOFkjqgikho/s320/49b654bb-ba05-4229-8b9e-f656d16a03fd.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolaty goodness!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuebkKWFiFIGPuf0-LcFxpFgYIu8Sn-F51K122wifUfrCckDlRB85FRbhY5_b_RKcdTOIrqz_7l4uXjMvkNCBYykV4bICtL0nwh33NkvaxjO4otFp5bIRJ6HG0Pkr5kNgCfsv8AWDSc0A/s1600/a790c0cc-baa0-4dbb-ab0c-3b1e21c9b9ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuebkKWFiFIGPuf0-LcFxpFgYIu8Sn-F51K122wifUfrCckDlRB85FRbhY5_b_RKcdTOIrqz_7l4uXjMvkNCBYykV4bICtL0nwh33NkvaxjO4otFp5bIRJ6HG0Pkr5kNgCfsv8AWDSc0A/s320/a790c0cc-baa0-4dbb-ab0c-3b1e21c9b9ef.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The restaurant is very cute, decorated in fanciful Art Deco style. Its a fun girls place for sure! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fun Lunch Options in NYC:</b></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75M8C770e40SlOhCiNqaocpvMLCN9S_DvtwwLxClreYoxtqJi1RDu4b0ppKXKleO06Va4WWx59doyKDuEzOOw-JqEoWNIMdG4enkLfINX76r31lD7ad9bYw3NQ_OtnPyeLB65XahC7tY/s1600/4611_716777180691_7004739_41422214_6154740_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75M8C770e40SlOhCiNqaocpvMLCN9S_DvtwwLxClreYoxtqJi1RDu4b0ppKXKleO06Va4WWx59doyKDuEzOOw-JqEoWNIMdG4enkLfINX76r31lD7ad9bYw3NQ_OtnPyeLB65XahC7tY/s320/4611_716777180691_7004739_41422214_6154740_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shenanigans in Central Park after lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMRVQewnp-e_aUm2SmUdYlXaCI6QJEIYsSCSUXXs3ZERuMC-dkRkF9-NaTgTQubLnN5dqlQ1UuyFl6qd70hlIRoDD9q3gOlfiaZ5_jvepqFNDiwZAfbiAaGB9Vb3dW-QWSBYgNCK0JiU/s1600/n27419786_40947304_552798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMRVQewnp-e_aUm2SmUdYlXaCI6QJEIYsSCSUXXs3ZERuMC-dkRkF9-NaTgTQubLnN5dqlQ1UuyFl6qd70hlIRoDD9q3gOlfiaZ5_jvepqFNDiwZAfbiAaGB9Vb3dW-QWSBYgNCK0JiU/s320/n27419786_40947304_552798.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying our lunch, just watch out for the squirrels!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li>Find a deli or sandwich shop that's not a huge chain--grab a sandwich and head to Central Park. Find a shady bench and enjoy! Hands down the best way to eat lunch! </li>
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</div><ul><li>Bryant Park- There's lots of options around the park to grab lunch and there's also a cafe. We haven't eaten at the park cafe, but I'm sure its worth trying out! This is personally my favorite spot in the city! Its a small park, but it seems to be where locals eat and enjoy good weather on their lunch breaks. In the warm months, they have an abundance of cafe tables and chairs set up on the lawn. In winter they convert the lawn to an ice rink and have little booths set up for shopping. Southwest Air sponsors a patio that sells drinks and appetizers and even provides Snuggies and patio heaters in cooler weather! </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxRwPZ6VzLFlproFglM6qd02wLtFNci9O19pldQd79-rDxx3DZa3Ja91DhIx7D1J7Z2VdWs-bAFUcnDfgQwZoIbJRzQyFqjxCFwO6VI3WUvtFvEpJVjyuVv7Z3tZAsEWUtcB6WbVUt4I/s1600/00063a79-ba5c-4a66-8a52-7bbfccf4e0eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxRwPZ6VzLFlproFglM6qd02wLtFNci9O19pldQd79-rDxx3DZa3Ja91DhIx7D1J7Z2VdWs-bAFUcnDfgQwZoIbJRzQyFqjxCFwO6VI3WUvtFvEpJVjyuVv7Z3tZAsEWUtcB6WbVUt4I/s320/00063a79-ba5c-4a66-8a52-7bbfccf4e0eb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UdH-3RTPjEt9AP7vpEM0Pgl-bYj_gnFC8YPe972yA8QiaMlo377EDkFlrkMh4cO9Gmtmv4xghKQk-UO8R5hCqcEIcGd8SfhX_RvrVW05Io9ayhDrMG5qYcZioyZj5AOfTddXth4U3oM/s1600/db9ea976-a057-470e-b497-ce014df4b059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UdH-3RTPjEt9AP7vpEM0Pgl-bYj_gnFC8YPe972yA8QiaMlo377EDkFlrkMh4cO9Gmtmv4xghKQk-UO8R5hCqcEIcGd8SfhX_RvrVW05Io9ayhDrMG5qYcZioyZj5AOfTddXth4U3oM/s320/db9ea976-a057-470e-b497-ce014df4b059.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though it was rainy, Bryant Park was still a great lunch spot!</td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fun Dinner Options in NYC:</b></span></div><ul><li>Little Italy: Yes, its a tourist trap, but decent Italian food can be found here. We don't have a particular favorite, so take a little time and look at menu boards and decide what fits your craving and budget. In the summertime, most restaurants have patio seating. After dinner, find a gelato stand and you can't go wrong!</li>
<li>The Upper East Side: This posh residential area of Manhattan is sprinkled with restaurants of all price points. Do a little research and find something that sounds good! We've eaten at a couple of good places, so be adventurous and try something new!</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Our General Advice:</b></span></div><ul><li> Try to eat local! Why would you spend all that money to go to the best city in the world and eat at a place you have at home?? </li>
<li>Your meals don't have to be expensive either--we are usually dragging a group of college students around, so we definately can eat on the cheaper side! And work deals like hotel breakfasts too. </li>
<li>I haven't done food carts or trucks, but that's a huge trend right now in bigger cities. Great for lunch and late night. Next trip I'm wanting to research that and see what I find! </li>
<li>Avoid Times Square area like the plague...I try not to go there in general anyway, but its worth seeing the spectacle, especially at night, if you've never been. But don't eat there. Please. The restaurants will be sub-par and over-priced. </li>
<li>Remember that you are in arguably the food capital of the world--try a new type of cuisine! Do a little research ahead of time if you know you want a type of cuisine. <a href="http://www.graspingforobjectivity.com/">Rachel</a> was in the <a href="http://www.graspingforobjectivity.com/2010/08/blogher-stream-of-consciousness-day-one.html">city at the same time I was last August</a>, and she had researched Greek restaurants, so we met at one of them for lunch! </li>
</ul><br />
Bon appetit and happy travels!Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-75416853494624349672010-09-01T09:33:00.000-05:002010-09-01T09:33:27.168-05:00Home Improvement Afters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
I finally blogged and told yall what we've been working on, showed you some "before" and "during" reno pictures, but I suppose you'd like to know how our projects turned out, huh? :)<br />
Here's a few from our almost-but-not-quite-finished home improvement projects:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuUSEX3eeE10uEoGgcPVP2jtT-HEQamWEqFF73alQGno0ahUrhOD3NLVbCGdILe_eiq2_PVbbuFIgOss-7Qh02YVriPN_vmeceS6nr5v0ljaduHpzks3IeDQKmmOxRuL5XWZ-8rPyKts/s1600/Summer+2010+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuUSEX3eeE10uEoGgcPVP2jtT-HEQamWEqFF73alQGno0ahUrhOD3NLVbCGdILe_eiq2_PVbbuFIgOss-7Qh02YVriPN_vmeceS6nr5v0ljaduHpzks3IeDQKmmOxRuL5XWZ-8rPyKts/s320/Summer+2010+009.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fab aqua trim in the re-decorated bathroom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Bathroom: got a complete redesign, going from black and white toile wallpaper to soft gold walls with antiqued aqua trim on the window and door frame. I haven't finished getting all of the accessories, but we did buy a new mirrored medicine cabinet and did away with the over-toilet cabinet. I found rugs the same color as the walls, but haven't decided on fabric for a shower curtain...still searching for just the right thing!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunVC62RaMAgE8tqeC0m_5j2zMqiqRYLcEgSyzCPF5Am_GJGieReqW4n9COLTBkzUkkeyqoBDIvK571ULyv9-OdlVB1GaKIkNtT5xa5_yfSaQS1wMzv_UxQLA8sJHFCve5Pc-iaRoO1GU/s1600/Summer+2010+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunVC62RaMAgE8tqeC0m_5j2zMqiqRYLcEgSyzCPF5Am_GJGieReqW4n9COLTBkzUkkeyqoBDIvK571ULyv9-OdlVB1GaKIkNtT5xa5_yfSaQS1wMzv_UxQLA8sJHFCve5Pc-iaRoO1GU/s320/Summer+2010+006.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide-shot of the wall color with the trim!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikW5PvPM3VR_7FKOH_23afHowP4jB2OdiAlCR5dl5tCrbfJ1yZEAUjzxDlktBTD-LgDlnsKvcQ6wyIO-8Qfj2GxxZ-e98cLwbX3U4zO2_0wQOfj3mmW5H86Eb2Z8KvHZons1PlKV1CajI/s1600/Summer+2010+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikW5PvPM3VR_7FKOH_23afHowP4jB2OdiAlCR5dl5tCrbfJ1yZEAUjzxDlktBTD-LgDlnsKvcQ6wyIO-8Qfj2GxxZ-e98cLwbX3U4zO2_0wQOfj3mmW5H86Eb2Z8KvHZons1PlKV1CajI/s320/Summer+2010+012.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shot of the inside door trim...still deciding on painting the entire door aqua...what do you think?<br />
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</tbody></table><div>The trim work was painted aqua, then sanded down with the power sander and then glazed with 2 coats of brown glaze to tone-down the blue and antique it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This was my inspiration for painting and antiquing the trim:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQI0fMgSg1T61L9cAmbyjPfbjLaiocpUG4-pb5-3Y9PcsqLgdMPpNTFUJe32iXHcON5ygIhzXwh2-MSp1iW7MYrv6-35Mt1q1UH84Q3Aqo1kln5kA2WMhzMpseFZF82TGD9weTSY54uU/s1600/Montreal+Nov+2009+113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQI0fMgSg1T61L9cAmbyjPfbjLaiocpUG4-pb5-3Y9PcsqLgdMPpNTFUJe32iXHcON5ygIhzXwh2-MSp1iW7MYrv6-35Mt1q1UH84Q3Aqo1kln5kA2WMhzMpseFZF82TGD9weTSY54uU/s320/Montreal+Nov+2009+113.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken in our room at the B&B we stayed in in Montreal last year for our anniversary!<br />
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</tbody></table><div>The other major project we tackled was the laundry room addition! I haven't taken a lot of afters with the shelving in and my new, fun laundry sorter, but these few pics will give you a good idea of what it looks like!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA5gCVnbgDC-71TbrXPQsxX3YG7Y0PR9NKMIQmXjPUbpjv7B9YqHdtht424YbUjQtWllF7X6lwe3srjXz7c_pz2UOYmriGrYahwLO9Y70jJc_3ieusiDMnlD8JGQp2JvEh1UBBPyekyw/s1600/Summer+2010+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA5gCVnbgDC-71TbrXPQsxX3YG7Y0PR9NKMIQmXjPUbpjv7B9YqHdtht424YbUjQtWllF7X6lwe3srjXz7c_pz2UOYmriGrYahwLO9Y70jJc_3ieusiDMnlD8JGQp2JvEh1UBBPyekyw/s320/Summer+2010+021.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother Jacob & Tommy hard at work, with my dad supervising :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>You can see how the room was extended out to the right, enclosing what was the outside door from the kitchen (you can see the white door behind the ladder). The room was also doubled in width! And then, you can see the window that's now being enclosed, right in the center of the new room. On the other side of that window is the 2nd bedroom (that we use as a den), so that window got taken out and drywalled in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjNL7fICjHzWbNAMQMpLb8zd3XaVOn36hvpYOTl3TzwuA2W-9sFAtNVOTA86lfSq0oRO3Q0op1yxjgn6dm_4Ql0AhMmkVcQXx0oDkgYfnKs3UVCc86ZbgC3PVwh1J07flQEsh1cYBWjY/s1600/Summer+2010+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjNL7fICjHzWbNAMQMpLb8zd3XaVOn36hvpYOTl3TzwuA2W-9sFAtNVOTA86lfSq0oRO3Q0op1yxjgn6dm_4Ql0AhMmkVcQXx0oDkgYfnKs3UVCc86ZbgC3PVwh1J07flQEsh1cYBWjY/s320/Summer+2010+029.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the new room with walls! That hole is now the door to the outside, which will walk out onto the new deck (yet to be finished)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So you can get a good idea of how it looks now! There are two windows that were cut out after this pic was taken, and of course a door installed. We changed the roof-line so that we can accommodate any future additions!<br />
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I painted the walls a nice light tan. For the flooring, we finally chose a tile that looks like travertine. Maybe I'll get pics of the inside soon...<br />
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</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-16139451883635363092010-08-23T14:49:00.000-05:002010-08-23T14:49:12.184-05:00Oh, Hey, I Remember Blogging<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I suppose I should talk about how sorry I am about not blogging in such a loooong time. But instead, I'll just do some pics n' bullet points about what's been going on in the Leveille household in the 6 months since I last talked on here...</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqNgjRRoFQoVWifPktbLdxkdieACVhkayhnFnk-a7UVEjemNJnHwmY5vBlItrxbOxw7KCRuBkQCdgd_t19nMJHyyDm2BY4zdGURKWJkrx4Yad9brZfqqllFkdXubRGFaz0po5i93Tn4w/s1600/2010+iPhone+picture+dump+539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqNgjRRoFQoVWifPktbLdxkdieACVhkayhnFnk-a7UVEjemNJnHwmY5vBlItrxbOxw7KCRuBkQCdgd_t19nMJHyyDm2BY4zdGURKWJkrx4Yad9brZfqqllFkdXubRGFaz0po5i93Tn4w/s320/2010+iPhone+picture+dump+539.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott and Ben hard at work tearing the laundry room out!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ok first up is some home improvements! We hit the house stuff pretty hard this spring and early summer because of Scott's 2nd shoulder surgery (more on that later). Here's what we did:<div><ul><li>Bathroom--stripped the old wallpaper, saying "au revoir" to the toile...made me a little sad, but it was time for a change. And if I ever try to wallpaper something again, slap me. Stripping wallpaper is NO fun!</li>
<li>Bathroom--got repainted to Pale Gold 2 and the trim done in turquoise with an antique-ing and brown glaze to tone down the blue. Definitely a very different style!</li>
<li>Laundry Room--we totally demo-ed! The "before" LR was a lean-to type of room tacked onto the back stoop outside the kitchen. Some of the college group guys came over and had fun slinging sledge hammers through the walls!</li>
<li>Laundry Room--we hired a general contractor to help with the re-design. The new LR is about triple the size! The back door was moved, the hot water heater has its own little closet, and I have LOTS of storage space! </li>
<li>The rest of the front facade was re-sided to the cedar shingles and the door and window trims re-worked. No more shutters, but pretty, wide woodwork! The front of the house is now much more presentable!</li>
<li>Deck--oh golly...the poor deck was demo-ed, but hasn't been put back together yet...but we've re-designed it and it will be bigger, wrap around the side to the back, meeting the new laundry room addition. Hopefully we will have that finished soon!</li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD2KObNRQ_aTAy_CFz04Ol3bT0hijtGQODg8qKGmtlNbeQkY3YXkOWBOdpBaaap9EAqDRmp1ercbTsFzF7GsX3Xg-eTGMJ8wx6yzergyDR3UVd2tFC5qonA3Bb9RyjHU7hnQhXJ3hw0g/s1600/2010+iPhone+picture+dump+479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD2KObNRQ_aTAy_CFz04Ol3bT0hijtGQODg8qKGmtlNbeQkY3YXkOWBOdpBaaap9EAqDRmp1ercbTsFzF7GsX3Xg-eTGMJ8wx6yzergyDR3UVd2tFC5qonA3Bb9RyjHU7hnQhXJ3hw0g/s320/2010+iPhone+picture+dump+479.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry Room in the middle of demo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So, while the laundry room was torn apart, we had to live with my mom, because the hotwater heater lived in said laundry room, and it spent 6 weeks in the middle of the backyard. Can't live very long without hot water! But, my mom was very gracious, letting us take over her house, doing our laundry, and generally putting up with our messiness. And, as home improvement tend to go, an estimated 1 week project turned into 6 weeks. </div><div>At the end of which, Scott had his 2nd shoulder surgery, stemming from an injury when we were overseas last summer on missions. </div><div><br />
</div><div>So here's how THAT weekend in June went down:</div><div><br />
</div><div>Scott has surgery + staying overnight in hospital + Ann Marie coming down with stomach flu + lack of sleep because of hospital neighbor singing all night/Scott in crazy post-op pain/Ann Marie running to the bathroom + Ann Marie in mini-tern at UAB with crazy amounts of papers to write + a house that was torn apart and dirty = we were REEAALLLY glad to be staying at Mom's house! :(</div><div><br />
</div><div>OK I think that I've reached my writing limit for this afternoon...stay tuned and I <s>might</s> will finish the story later this week. </div><div><br />
</div><div><i>I'm trying to be more disciplined in writing....but don't hold your breath! ;)</i></div><div><br />
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</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-88696039067927031562010-03-08T12:00:00.003-06:002010-03-08T12:00:00.498-06:00Both Feet In<div><b><i>So this has been a really busy semester, as I have doubled by class load to TWO classes at night, but it has stretched my schedule pretty much to capacity. Thus, blogging has suffered quite a bit. In fact, I am writing this on Friday and I should be at least doing some research for my paper proposal thats due Wednesday, or doing reading for class discussions...but this is important and I wanted to make sure that I blogged about this before time goes by too much!</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a little bit about our ministry story and what is new...</div><div><br /></div><div>When we were married 8 1/2 years ago, Scott worked for one of the largest banks in Alabama, working his way into the corporate world. Through a series of events in our lives and the church as a whole, Scott quit the bank and came to <a href="http://smic.org">SMIC</a> as the financial/business administrator the spring after we were married. <i>(Ironically, a job that his dad held for like 15 years and had vacated a couple years earlier...weird, eh?) </i>We THOUGHT that would be almost a temporary gig...he'd go in, get everything in shape and running well, then go back tot he business world.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>As I have pointed out many times since then, life is seldom what YOU plan! And thank God for that!</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It's now eight years later, and Scott is transitioning to a pastoral role at SMIC! A couple of years ago, the college group was orphaned when their latest leader left our church. Someone needed to take them on, and Someone decided it could be Scott and I. </div><div><br /></div><div>I, admittedly, was NOT in favor of this. I can't really explain why, aside from my selfishness, except that <i>I</i> felt like we did <i>enough</i> around the church and <i>we</i> didn't need any more responsibilities. (Ridiculous thinking, I know) </div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually, God worked in my heart, and actually, did a lot of shaping in both of our lives, and we threw ourselves into college/young adult ministry. It was at the Thirsty Conference in 2006, put on by <a href="http://www.268generation.com/2.0/splash4.htm">Louie and the Passion team</a>, that I really let God mold me and lead me into whatever He wanted of me/us. We felt the call of college ministry pretty strongly.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we have deepened relationships with students and others we have been ministering to/with, the desire to do MORE ministry has grown in both of our hearts. But its frustrating because our scheduled literally do not allow for anything else!</div><div><br /></div><div>Scott has been the go-to person for anything non-pastoral at SMIC (including grounds and facilities, budgets, HR, insurance, technical stuff...and probably more that I'm forgetting!), but had let Harry know of his desire for having a more free schedule to focus on ministry, the desire to learn to preach and his passion to see others develop their intimate relationship with God. But no one saw a way out of him doing all the other business stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, a man in our church who has served as board chairman, Gary, lost his job..<b>.</b>at a BANK, of all places<b>.</b> He had been feeling the pull to get out of the business world. SMIC also lost our Executive Pastor, Jeff, last year, as he returned to his homeland of Australia, and we had a vacancy in our pastoral staff.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, long story short, Gary is coming in to be the business administrator and Scott will transition into a full pastoral role as the college/young adult/young marrieds/discipleship pastor. We are excited, because this truly has been a desire of both our heart, but nervous as well. </div><div>As I was telling Harry and Karon the other day, its a little scary because its so official. Officially moving from the Professional to the Pastoral. For some reason that is sticking with me. I think before, we had one foot in, and now its both!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, the future at SMIC is exciting for us and we are privileged that the board and staff are willing to give Scott this chance at doing fully what we believe God has called us to. I've been at our church my literal entire life, and everyone there is truly family. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm still working full time and going to UAB at night to finish out my BA, but Scott is looking at starting seminary too, possible later this year. We continue on a full, busy schedule, but looking forward to what God has in store for us and our SMIC family!</div><div><br /></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-9000168314880669212010-01-28T12:38:00.010-06:002010-01-28T14:14:23.454-06:00Professional Croissant Taster and Other Jobs I Wish I Could Have<div style="text-align: center;">Scott and I are headed to Asheville, North Carolina this weekend for a quick get-away and to visit his grandparents. Asheville is one of our favorite spots and it's so convienient to travel to from Birmingham. And we've always said that if we lived anywhere else in the Southeast US, it would be Asheville. So, that got me thinking about what I would do if I moved to a different city. Just for fun, here's my plan for a couple different places!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Asheville, NC</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I would get a job at the <a href="http://www.biltmore.com/">Biltmore Estate</a>, "America's Largest Private Home" (AKA-Castle)</div><div><br /></div><div>I could be a hostess and welcome people on their visit and tell fun, historical facts. I love history and I love the Biltmore. Its amazing and you should visit one day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GhXzJBVdOF1dLU2aFCJTSxS6KMaJWt2gQFFXj_4vmC3D7ZvqBFW19SgIYcOkl_sqvO43qv1gui73XFuPbQZzksYVjbzv1D1O3L0pR1e_60A15XXdWpF0xDommbpEAc9vlLsCVzIyAZQ/s320/Biltmore1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And I would insist upon wearing a period Victorian costume to work. Something like this:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRfxkqY3Wilf_8x7bVZ4S4E1I1bQPSxBK14w3lOpoc1Qh9SCVafMjUmP3KYMSLUIiTPxiE1GaSgGCz3lFngCxhKrPzskjkkbu3uVAAlHgbgfya-N405h2uKgYVaPxU4B5scA7aNMXU8A/s320/meggan.2.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because I am <i>that</i> ridiculous...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But seriously, I would probably apply to work in one of downtown Asheville's chocolate shops. Our favorite is <a href="http://www.chocolatefetish.com/">The Chocolate Fetish</a>! They make fabulous European-style artisan truffles and chocolates. Heaven. May favorite truffle is called Velvet Sin. So great I can't even describe it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcp_6hieNoDgasqAX1eaUd6YGsN8iveIOSVljpmSMUKI_Z01KDvBZ6VEMvNqTF2KPReWfUWGS_VpBPWdb0fazMnKmgWirn3y2hzIfFlAdokBzyw8vazZf6JGm4sbCxYhPPc_cJ9mN0b8/s320/tn_velvetsintruffle.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Or I could apply at <a href="http://frenchbroadchocolates.com/">The French Broad Chocolate Lounge</a>, where they serve coffee only in French presses. How great is that?! They serve what they call Liquid Truffle Sipping Drinks...this is no ordinary hot chocolate!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyzjffUchMJrX4KbYppyN-PUqJmg57ywQLghec-RQsIcrA_XLIX8-OIDJz0rz42Bo70aGMQeSrsOWv0kcRhftBe_smJrUW02UpbSGJuUwMP91tb_-OOSaONrrpHG1heGW-u9F95Qb83I/s320/iPhone+2009+582.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Scott enjoying his treats at the Chocolate Lounge when we were there in September.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Paris, France</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Mais oui,</i> I dream about living and working Paris one day because I am obsessed with that city and French culture. But what would I actually do if I do go to live in Paris?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Would it be acceptable to be a professional Francophile and Student of French Culture? I know I could study language, but what about walking around the lovely streets of Paris or sitting in cafes while wearing a scarf and beret? Will someone pay me to do that?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVEDxawEukwwu0qr1Qxj9a2k9yxLINEzfAoTpIcBRJYvUIUX0JQtLlRzEv8d5Er87qA_s2IcBkMpxiYFcWJFAuUWL-OmoEdwY2gE13PW2e9mO_7gBRgLfVTPbZewJny905i6q2M_ekXo/s320/beret.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How chic is she? Source: <a href="http://hipparis.com/2009/11/02/what-to-wear-in-france-in-the-winter-tips-from-julie-blakley">The HiP Paris Blog</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Or what about being a Professional Croissant & Cafe au Lait Taster?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl5NrNH6FwUV0G4vNzkAbLIByZzMSzuhLe_KY94EWlD6dE9uLqNaEgVTuL6fvJQNKry6Mj7sxFYPyiXZgi1qD2eFVHAYGsLSbHJC75oGmYHUe2ckPENWyY_yj0Mgid5w9VoM_2_YNNRk/s320/38327741_5a07d52220.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/83096974@N00/38327741">In Praise of Sardines</a> Flickr stream.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>C'est la vie</i>...that certainly would be the life! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So what about you? Where do you dream of living and working (or not working!) ?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-89484561816924073642010-01-11T08:00:00.001-06:002010-01-11T08:00:05.990-06:00"Le Blog de Ree" is Two Years Old!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVRB-WwVxS8_qWM3xDKXVx1tBgXc1736JqheUODjVCKyuPgaywKXuq_ShkCMGwNrlyZSS6dQVf2Q7u1GLFXl1RSrpYJGSO44jNfYIcJxbJQ5X1k8j4-PkZErM_uCilhwNGQUPmQBWObY/s1600-h/IMG_9217.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVRB-WwVxS8_qWM3xDKXVx1tBgXc1736JqheUODjVCKyuPgaywKXuq_ShkCMGwNrlyZSS6dQVf2Q7u1GLFXl1RSrpYJGSO44jNfYIcJxbJQ5X1k8j4-PkZErM_uCilhwNGQUPmQBWObY/s400/IMG_9217.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424444491816506274" /></a><br />Happy Bloggiversary to moi!! This will be entering my third year blogging...not very faithful at it mind you, but I'm here in the blogosphere nonetheless!<div><br /></div><div><i>Merci beaucoup</i> to anyone out there that reads me, whether I know you in the real world or not! I hope that you've tried a new recipe or been encouraged, or, more likely, laughed at our crazy lives! <div><br /></div><div>Here's to a new year, a new decade, and the next year of my Le Blog!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-59212250332484349192010-01-08T11:52:00.003-06:002010-01-08T12:32:44.328-06:00Ree's Cookbook: Leek and Potato Soup<i>Scott and I came back from an exhausting, but powerful, weekend at Passion 2010 with our college group. We were "vegging" on the sofa, flipping through the channels when we landed on PBS and "Jacques and Julia At Home". Re-runs of this show have become one of our favorite cooking shows! (We don't have cable, so there's not many options anyway) We love how Jacques and Julia banter while cooking, often bickering like an old married couple...reminds us of ourselves while we cook together! One of my favorite quotes from a show is, Julia: "You could leave out the butter and cream, but </i><b><i>why would you want to</i></b><i>?" My sentiments exactly, Julia! Anyway, we were watching J & J so a show on soups, and as their different versions of leek and potato soups came to life before us, we looked at each other, and said, "Let's head to the store! We have to make soup tonight!"</i><div><i>So, here's our version of Leek and Potato Soup, adapted from "Jacques and Julia At Home" TV show!</i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Leek and Potato Soup</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>1 bunch of leeks, trimmed, thoroughly washed and chopped</div><div>1 white onion, chopped small</div><div>4-5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and chopped</div><div>2 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock if you want to keep it vegetarian)</div><div>3-4 cups water</div><div>Watercress, minced</div><div>Salt and pepper</div><div>Heavy cream</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Heat a tablespoon or so of olive oil and a pat of butter in a large stockpot. Add leeks, stirring to saute for a couple minutes. Add onion and continue sauteing until vegetables are soft. </div><div>2. Add chicken stock and at least 2 cups of the water, stirring well. Let mixture come to a boil.</div><div>3. Add potatoes and more water if needed. You need enough water in the pot to cover all the soup ingredients completely. Let soup come to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are soft enough to mash with a spoon.</div><div>4. Add watercress and salt and pepper to taste. </div><div>5. Remove pot from heat and use a slotted spatula, large fork or potato masher to mash the chunks of potato, leaving smaller pieces in the soup. The idea here is to help thicken the soup with the mashed potatoes, yet leaving large enough chunks to eat. This is not a pureed soup, so don't worry about getting things completely smooth! </div><div>6. Return to heat and let simmer for a few more minutes until soup is heated back though and thickens slightly.</div><div>7. To serve, pour 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream in the bottom of soup bowl then ladle soup on top. The diner can then stir the cream into the soup as they eat. We also served this with cheese toast!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Hope you enjoy this country-style soup! Its "souper" easy and quick on a cold winter's night....don't worry about following the directions to a "T"...add things here and there and I promise it will be great! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Variation: puree soup, add heavy cream, chill and it now becomes Vichyssoise, an iconic French soup! Serve with a dollop of sour cream!</i></div><div><br /></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-35053864534340451822009-12-30T10:20:00.001-06:002009-12-30T10:22:23.485-06:002009 in Collage<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YkDlnrrUnXdns5Exeh2bOJVJ7Q9hjVc7J3BAqqpZZ7k5IC2-6U-AJoE91aMQhgNFLYNqtJr3iajqnNN2xfRZjbOHihWT55OLp9fIj3uIuddrnWixT6G21B71QLlonpODzYCh7YaeF_o/s1600-h/Desktop.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YkDlnrrUnXdns5Exeh2bOJVJ7Q9hjVc7J3BAqqpZZ7k5IC2-6U-AJoE91aMQhgNFLYNqtJr3iajqnNN2xfRZjbOHihWT55OLp9fIj3uIuddrnWixT6G21B71QLlonpODzYCh7YaeF_o/s400/Desktop.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><i><b>(Click on collage for a larger view!)</b></i><br />We've been half-way around the world and a few places in between...here's a collage of people and places from our year! God has blessed us richly in 2009, and we are thankful!<div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-82641983341501401232009-12-21T12:26:00.006-06:002009-12-21T13:23:55.352-06:00Merry Christmas! (AKA-Your Digitized Christmas Card)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRzsUKlpnHGEGd9bWhRGjIiatyIZtbE0nK5NsPINywzW57xfGTc7T0gNnxSrOF06VgO3GOR9VUmNqp4QVyOoiGi2FJ-YtZtglNgC56bhrrTKADlVBHGOno3-tYT9djb8yPszQyCLd4to/s1600-h/IMG_9174.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRzsUKlpnHGEGd9bWhRGjIiatyIZtbE0nK5NsPINywzW57xfGTc7T0gNnxSrOF06VgO3GOR9VUmNqp4QVyOoiGi2FJ-YtZtglNgC56bhrrTKADlVBHGOno3-tYT9djb8yPszQyCLd4to/s400/IMG_9174.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417758649108072242" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I'm still scrambling around for a few addresses for cards this year, AND I needed to cut down the list to save some money, SO here's a digital version for everyone's enjoyment!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is in Central Park at Wolman Rink, taken a couple weeks ago by our own <a href="http://racheldjones.blogspot.com/">Rachel Jones Photography</a>! I cropped and added the script myself in Picasa.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yeah, go over to Faith's blog and link up your card too!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:monospace;font-size:13px;"><br /><center><a href="http://walkwithmebyfaith.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k54/adesignoffaith/christmas-card-button2-150.png" /></a></center><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-7051727641046898922009-12-10T13:23:00.008-06:002009-12-10T14:46:25.460-06:00Holiday Tour of Homes: Christmas Ornaments Special<div style="text-align: center;">I love my ornaments on my tree! Most of the ones I put up every year either were bought on a trip, given to me by someone when they were on a trip, or represent places we've been! And then there's a few "just because" ornaments!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since I did a pretty full-house tour last year (<a href="http://amleveille.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-tour-of-homeskinda.html">Part One</a> & <a href="http://amleveille.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-tour-of-homes-part-2.html">Part Two</a>), I decided to focus this year's tour on my special ornaments! hope you enjoy, and don't forget to link up with <a href="http://ilovemrpibb.blogspot.com/">Greta</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9CM71VooaWt_xuA8BzL5Os4ZiUrak-FYvKLuBO26uSx_VBz8GCbmWZmr7SLuYueM74yZ6niOQJVpkQUDV_lry_sD5Ek0tgTe4A8b5lfDa-HranK8cgjZPj0L-zhyphenhyphenV5_v8ssgOrpNSig/s320/Nov-Dec+09+057.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Overview of my tree and mantel deco. The main thing that changed on the mantel is that my artificial pre-lit garland died this year...so I used the cuttings from the tree and wove lights in that. Its very pretty and natural, but I fear the branches will be brown by Christmas!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WTtiW1L47s3OV0ItO4YCpUuWZz-vQHo_0n98jC7Yw3cK3v56p37eA6scsegKh55ISuXLKd2A0ra7y6CNJs3P27GBvtcPuf7wcmgOUM96yW_C2HKgnTOC0X2Kemtdt2wQAjcmJKvx4IQ/s320/Nov-Dec+09+070.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Close up of the mantel with leopard ribbon running through the branches; it coordinates with my leopard bow and tree skirt on the tree!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuImGBxPlFXYdYKDMMI1KcAK_6udukS6n-iHhoaVU-JD8gg2fpKcTQPwv2STWIbdSx3dow4TEWlAC8MKGGlVVCLlxwUf5Qk_QFbCSp7Yc4r1PFtWwBn6l1czMR9r8w5PyQIh0SGevx4DI/s320/Nov-Dec+09+061.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nativity Ornament always takes center spot!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-CRiAfYpb4TkuMsse1v-T7mbpEoZYGyd8Ygc1dlSZGdaYoKMS92rsgbB8Eiuw2YaBwIzQJxHP2V66hh62bhLP9jrFIxw9KpsL6WMPOqRawSp9Ll3bZfXeZzTz3gz5XJoQxPJkt_eZ6w/s320/Nov-Dec+09+063.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This nativity ornament is carved from olive wood and came from Israel! Scott's parents gave this to us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9t3Q4Ot469LvBu1hbdxNPwo11KpYE6S6t3DsqtzjE8-2iBcW3dfzc1_90K6YlLkkcFNUcav2tzV84fPivoMgKWmzedertu8YMoW4Oll3fsJ8gJvacOn4GTFUzYOWSPDNBN-vc3E15ovc/s320/Nov-Dec+09+081.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Our First Christmas" ornament by Christopher Radko, given to us by my grandmother at our first Christmas in 2001.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLfa5gC-assxNvTRVYYqWcNIFw8pEb14hm26nBtR8RwP47p1yVzgUDOfVdn6XUeqCLkr35k8W1MG7dHfSwha8FgEUZEHOxoLcX0GKCn6Y9bF0NQzNAXs-WaBKKGRuy2XMbv_yFRLMw98/s320/Nov-Dec+09+060.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My sister brought this back from Guatemala last year, where she went on a short-term mission trip.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16Ky31ULfdGJdWLB5NW51jWGTIZXBstWfXrPoOUKzhvIFMytDTiQ3cEPElC3_8DZU9tt7yQe_qmGtHy61glsHiciKaXjIUZSgjwcZ17n0yEdXOHuPYCfuLFCf918ITziUT4Mdj1RNo-0/s320/Nov-Dec+09+062.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This snowflake came from Dubrovnik, Croatia last summer when we were in Montenegro for short-term missions. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJ2TJjwEhUl08e2-xPfMRsXeF6r98ogSMJheyVjAmd6sCRlG1c0XvVQvWT-DaUpGBlabRFcZSdhnDFYof8sYo8zmRSstgKBY_wJWZBuEk1sf7hTaB5X1Go6QSaWIo4Bwt908cy7OguD8/s320/Nov-Dec+09+064.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Scott and I visited Montreal, Canada for our 8th anniversary this year and I found this real leaf coated in silver!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRX5qM6LsrSd7kn8dOFMf2WrlKJ9rDy4wv8QCjJtAdq-IUARuALwealh6zDduK3zzbEfu7fZ1JHPY3rQSK8omQVb9dZj_pHSyLNpNOQdd04njkFFDbiYr3zxj0Zoq7GWuuqRhEtOhVvQ/s320/Nov-Dec+09+065.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This cute Santa is scaling the Eiffel Tower! I picked this up in the Eiffel Tower's gift shop when we visited Paris in 2006!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n0a8v27uJQavMheOcR3dFvXCo8uUeePikAbtAyqTaSFXCDHku-JKrk0udgndjJWCo_Y6IHLpTM4yeE5t5gYKOYW9mw9WRJjGE-V6TxK80s4b2UT1eSdTQ4PkDbaPrLChp_Ub8SAav1w/s320/Nov-Dec+09+068.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This disk ornament is from a 2006 trip to New York City when we visited the Empire State Building.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7-l2WcC-98nIwLIpQQpXUR4J7CZ5MsCH9enfMrBBQt4knWYIQGxIxwfezXgLzIsc2Qcd_K-cw5xAZyL7K9ax8CVPX2kqZCvD8j2yaOubwpwFcgSmLJWHjfjH-Y0-Tlz1P43fuBzWW0A/s320/Nov-Dec+09+072.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This nativity ornament is at least old as I am and was one of favorites growing up! Mom gave it to me a few years ago when she was cleaning out her decorations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYg8Pw8dgr-jYk0CLR8aedDZ4qejwuT3t9_X3dSC3HAEQ3lbpUl60AW7Rj30bE37iN8E18Ej1dPfst08i1EoE0xMLOrdYqA58pn12irpsdqiDKOWoKWz30P6EU17ptA1n6YCnwyv5Ngg/s320/Nov-Dec+09+074.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina, where we spent part of our honeymoon in 2001.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUokYkh6MZxnYu9C2-tLU19WoMoiukRIiBf43_NViLqrGQ0kWaFpZg6XzrJ6eIR_rpWtVlJktTD5Ymp1TkYuguWpTlxNTbN70jcfGeJovmEU74Kj-kppODODe3dR82PWPZzpCbyFqyElw/s320/Nov-Dec+09+077.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This little Eiffel Tower did not come from Paris, but I picked it up at World Market! They have great ornaments!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLsDMQG8kNVlMnCnJuTGlj4vs72j5Zms6Wd8wwehKmAogccoQuLrvyziTTtEUtTda3UveZ4vNwoXyVj8PINrIrENYG18E9u-zc9-YF5moCBQMPPU7rhQ8uvv9sGFxRxXMz9rl-lWMH2w/s320/Nov-Dec+09+078.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Garfield has always been one of Scott's favorites! His mom gave me this ornament among other childhood favorites!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidB9XQ1yptxMyItizWvCJ-FkBT2fDdRYt_SN8JNDUSsLU8PLEnNZOdIjWdKx7-BvqeI1cIFbbAZ4Au0oYmqcdrSYrzcqhyynivw3_2uhyJWzDEw5DpJlAhbCrAoum4ywm1oojZhJDLDc/s320/Nov-Dec+09+079.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This brass cutout ornament came from the Biltmore Estate, where we also spent part of our honeymoon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you enjoyed a closer look at my Christmas tree!</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-79888729217056830612009-12-01T08:53:00.005-06:002009-12-01T10:39:40.076-06:00Happy December!! With Bonus: Reflections on a Birthday<i>* OK I know its been 2 months since I've blogged. I'm a horrible blogger. I haven't even documented our missions trip or our anniversary trip...bear with me people.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>December is a great month: Christmas, good music, fun decorations, cold weather, and my birthday! This is a big birthday for me...I'm turning the big three-oh (30). I don't <i>feel</i> 30, and most people say I don't <i>look</i> 30 (even if they are just being nice, I'll take it).</div><div><br /></div><div>So this might be a looking-back post....looking back to the last decade of my life. When I think about my 20's, what comes to mind the most is my wonderful hubby. We've been together since I was a teenager, but we were married when I was 21 (almost 22) so he is the person I have spent my 20's with....and God willing, many more decades with!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is random, but here's what I remember about turning 20, ten years ago (I'm a math genius, no?) and reflections thereof:</div><div><ul><li>The best gift I received for my 20th birthday was my KitchenAid stand mixer from my grandparents! I was in culinary school at the time, so this was very exciting! I also got a fondue pot and a couple place settings of my fall and winter dishes. (I think I was more domestic then...)</li><li>I don't remember feeling like it was a big deal to enter into a new decade of life then. I was thinking forward too much. All I wanted was to be married to Scott at the time. I don't regret this, but I'm happy where I am in my life right now. I think so many of us get caught up in "the next thing" in life that we don't enjoy the stage we are in now. Right now, my 30's are looming up at me, wide open to anything! A fact that can be daunting, no doubt, but also exciting. </li><li>Speaking of looking forward to what was coming, at 20, I had my life planned out: Scott and I were going to get married, he was to be a bank executive, and I was to be a housewife. Life rarely works out the way one plans it, and now, 10 years later, I thank God it didn't work out that way. Well, except for the marrying Scott part, of course! The Lord saved Scott and I from ourselves, and a life of comfort that wouldn't really matter. (We certainly are not perfect, and have a lot to learn still, but we are light years away from where we would have been!)</li><li>I was working retail at the time, at NY & Co (called Lerner NY at the time). I was an assistant manger over the accessories department. I loved it, but was also in culinary school at Jeff State, so soon after, I got a chef job at Saks, Inc. </li></ul><div>So what a I looking forward to as I enter my 30s? </div><div><ul><li>I am looking forward to growing closer to my husband. There are times when we are closer, but sometimes it feels like we couldn't possibly love each other more, and then God surprises us and gives us MORE love for each other! Sappy, I know, but I absolutely love the journey of life we are on together. I could not imagine life without him.</li><li>I know my friends and (especially) my family will want me to say that I'm looking forward to starting a family...this is one area of my life that I'm just not certain of. This is one of those decisions that I can't put off much longer--I know this better than anyone. I have not talked about this on my blog before...its a sensitive subject for me, deep down, even though I usually laugh it off. And I need to pray about it more. So, for now, I am looking forward to praying about adding to our family. Let's just leave it at that.</li><li>I am looking forward to finishing my undergrad at UAB. I have been a sophomore for the last 3 years, so I am looking forward to being an upperclassman as I enter my 30s! :) I love school and love learning new things, so I am looking forward to getting into more of my major's courses! (International Studies and French) I also have a study abroad requirement, so I am definitely looking forward to living in a foreign country, even if its for a few weeks. </li><li>I'm looking forward to where God will lead us in our ministry and church. We love doing the college/young adult ministry and have a desire to more with this. But it's great to be in a spot where we feel like God can tell us anything. </li></ul><div>Ok I guess this is enough for today. I might just drum up a few old pics of Rees of Birthdays Past, so stay tuned!</div></div></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-30489308704139962052009-10-02T09:36:00.004-05:002009-10-02T10:11:02.067-05:00A What-I-Have-Been-Meaning-To-Write-About PostI week ago I promised more posts. And here we are....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">postless</span> for another week. So many things are floating around in my head. So much has been going on, that I can't seem to get my thoughts in order. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ahhhh</span>, the truth comes out! Sometimes, I have <i>too much</i> to say, but can't get it organized, so I just don't say anything! Sometimes I just plain suck at expressing my thoughts, even in written form. <div><br /><div>So here's a bullet-point version of what I have been meaning to write:</div><div><ul><li>Labor Day weekend Scott and I got away to the ever-beautiful <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Asheville</span>, NC. It was like a mini-retreat. Much needed time together, focusing on each other. We've had a lot of time together, but it's been injury-focused, if that makes sense. It was great. Beautiful, Sweet.</li><li>I started back to class in August and the only thing that fit my time slot was British and Irish Lit. It's really not bad, small class, feels more like a book club than a class. And my prof is a recent immigrant from Toronto. So its been fun discussing the quirks of living in Birmingham as compared to Toronto.</li><li>We took "the kids"whitewater rafting again in September. Turns out, that the outfitter we used earlier in the summer, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">RaftOne</span>, knows one of the basketball coaches, Rick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">DeYoung</span>, that we worked with in Montenegro this summer! The world truly is smaller than you think! Scott, of course, couldn't raft, but everyone else had a great time. Me, Scott and KR had tamer adventures of our own, exploring the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Occoee</span> River area.</li><li>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">SMIC</span> staff and spouses had a great time on the retreat to PCB in September as well. It was fun staying in really nice condos instead of the old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Laguna</span> Beach Retreat Center! However, we did have to battle rain and ant invasions! </li><li>We are planning fall and winter events for the College/Young Adult group we lead, so adventures in camping, retreats and Passion 2010 are in the works!</li><li>Finally, we have said goodbye over the last couple of months to several friends: <a href="http://polevaultingtoportugal.blogspot.com">Meredith</a> is in Portugal teaching, the <a href="http://www.jarrodjones.com">Jones family</a> is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">pastoring</span> in New York, and we are saying goodbye to <a href="http://racheldjones.blogspot.com">Rachel</a> as she moves to the Atlanta area this weekend. Goodbyes really suck, even when you understand that God moves His children where He will. I'm just thankful for technology like blogging, Twitter, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Facebook</span>, etc., to keep us all connected!</li></ul><div>Well, there you have a the condensed version of our lives over the last couple of months. I told someone the other day that I feels like we just got back from our mission trip, but its been two months already! It's flown by, and life is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">definitely</span> full. But I'm thankful for a full life!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-89299336064903280382009-09-22T13:21:00.003-05:002009-09-22T13:28:54.928-05:00HmmmmmYes, it has been over a month now since I've blogged.<div>I haven't posted any <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">recipes</span>, or written any more stories from our missions trip.</div><div>You would think that we've been lazy and lying around with nothing to do!</div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry, Dear Readers, all 2 of you, for neglecting. Every weekend in September we were out of town. We've been dealing with the aftermath of Scott's shoulder injury and surgery. I've gone back to classes. And we are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">desperately</span> trying to get back to "normal", whatever that means!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I promise: update will be coming more regularly, pictures, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">recipes</span> and other fun stuff! </div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-7691219522820682642009-08-19T13:45:00.007-05:002009-08-19T14:22:53.879-05:00Left-Over Wednesdays Special Event: Julia Childs Day Celebration!<div align="center"> As previously referenced on this blog, Saturday, August 15 was Julia Childs' birthday! To celebrate, I had an entire day of cooking Julia recipes! I used <em>Baking With Julia</em> and <em>Mastering the Art of French Cooking</em>. </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371750323245786450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ENPi2U9jevZv1s1zz-G0WBH77H7rBVXXCmihjvh5Jv-B40v58Lej-rAnu8dBDG0IUlvROnQABOS7AvEYofiRCxOUB0YIxjJv6GuuWYf553sN4VjU30vhPLNdwA5qFvL_wbtjJzJLUYk/s320/Julia+Childs+Day+021.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><em>Brunch</em></strong></div><br /><div>Buttermilk Crumb Muffins</div><div>Scrambled eggs</div><div>Sausage</div><div>French-pressed coffee</div><div>Berry mix</div><br /><div><strong><em>Dinner</em></strong></div><br /><div>Beef Burgundy</div><div>Rice</div><div>French bread with goat cheese</div><div>Red wine</div><div>"Improvised" berry shortcake from the morning's muffins</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371750334690396466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdxynyCzVpxPEvcxh3tx5zK7aybBN_F7IDKM5LClOxXG6m6rEtD9-w6kMQLTICrCT_K9_raN7Xoj__E9bRMz95tHOSM6E7MuH650xcOnZLVc9YMsWh4zsSZfC08_6bQP7C0q8Xln-vo4/s320/Julia+Childs+Day+025.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p> </p><p>I had a lovely day cooking...but had forgotten what it's like to cook all day! Recipes will be posted in two more posts, just to keep things organized!</p><p align="center"><strong><em>Bon Appetit!</em></strong></p>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-5890753952497906042009-08-17T08:00:00.000-05:002009-08-17T08:00:04.615-05:00Shoulder Surgery Scottie<em>Yall that personally know us, know the little "joke" of Scott's name...all kinds of adjectives, verbs and otherwise descriptive terms that start with the letter "S" can be applied to his name. Thus today's post title.<br /></em><br /><div><div><div>Poor Scottie will go under the knife, or laparoscopy rather, today around 1:30 PM. We have to be at St. Vincents at 12:30, so hopefully the Doc will not be running too far behind by then! But I work for docs who do surgery on a daily basis, so I know how THAT goes!</div><br /><div>Pray for the physicians and nurses who will be taking care of him today, pray that they will be able to do the surgery fully by scope, and pray for Scott as he starts physical therapy on Tuesday. THAT is sure to be painful!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369864150809867426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYkLjHgUAq-to6EltmrQJjsUdHQuidwLinhfA4ii8z2S7Hl9hzb2_kDgw5yWEtkLYKGd-cquvUQfuAhoNvicDaVBFnpg47VXZ-iK5sW_iLQlwFOMZdCzmczvdqN6Du3Ed1MepprWP7pM/s320/n27419786_41782275_887553.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><p align="center"><em>He's having his shoulder ligaments repaired and his rotator cuff fixed up, so he won't be so sad...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369864157615498226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKVJa849_di8qkVb_lQDrX-2gbO-zG1ypot0Yh6ksOHtOwUB7mLVV87o8qZWr4S7gUvcN-vN2F5SSBYP_NFqj35gTvdBB4eBbQeqx4wHHJJzFbAGP_y2ksiqPmTdeoOzdT8EnS-Vtfgc/s320/6440_707174000745_27419786_41697506_6847791_n.jpg" border="0" /></em></p><p align="center"><em>...so he'll be back to normal...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369864166584969666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkrsFJWyJg4yQNeYhbdHn0I7cz8o0adDTKLjlUu7YPG79IS5duAApFWgdqwXctzF9VpeTlpODoetxHSKUc628OigcRxKza4xheZRyfeHtbBilgy-wLf5tMBMzKEUGtp9mRJ9IBf0VFjE/s320/6440_707173586575_27419786_41697424_6560299_n.jpg" border="0" /></em></p><p align="center"><em>...and so he can go back to doing this...</em></p>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-71772980717535131702009-08-15T16:03:00.001-05:002009-08-15T16:03:21.277-05:00Happy Birthday, Julia Childs!Today, Julia would have been 97. In honour of her birthday, I am having a Julia Childs Cooking Day!<br /><br />This morning, er, this afternoon, we started with Buttermilk Crumb Muffins, from "Baking With Julia". We complemented the muffins with fresh berries, scrambled eggs and French pressed coffee. Yum!<br /><br />Dinner tonight will be the enduring classic, Boeuf Bourguignon, from "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"! I'll serve it with her suggested sides of rice and onions and mushrooms. <br /><br />A full post with receipes and pictures will go up next week! Until then, Bon Apetit!Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-91563068034580577212009-08-12T13:48:00.007-05:002009-08-12T15:01:26.286-05:00Tales From The Field: Getting There Is Half The Fun! Right?<div align="center"><em>Well I finally got my pics uploaded to my computer, and had a little extra time at work, so here's a little installment of the stories from our trip!</em></div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"><strong>Thursday July 27</strong></div><div align="center"><br />We leave! The start of a long journey...one that takes us on 4 airplanes, one mini-bus, 5 cities, in *only* 40 hours. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369167071178490562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U65cuj6bmKdKv3iiunPKFI-J1R6b2WC-OyE0omKjS2wnMPg1u5PS3UX5Aw_WGXmGUAc1a-cNAvsyu8PpcSFvwTy7dMqYxGInoZJRu7b_6u6xctqtEwrlbjRagfQciql2W3uZNWCZhhE/s320/Camp+Monty+2009+002.jpg" border="0" /><br />Along the way, we napped on the river bank in Frankfurt, had coffee in the airport cafe in Zagreb, and saw the sparkling lights on the Adriatic coast.<br /><p><br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369167210561988562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSVIvavNHctYS1ROGQdJ_Q8O-s4MNr0ovhWzmJpfuird_9vxfK3mrgrJxt4s1537wieYXrRe2XMGcUHj4BX7FHd8fJXPC9IDy5hDxui6GPSh8RhT26DTTcPM0BRlwovtxYT7w94t3YCo/s320/Camp+Monty+2009+011.jpg" border="0" /><em>Hanging out in Frankfurt for 8-10 hours...</em></p><p align="center"><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369167537606380338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmt018EtwGCCVdUBrl8JsNrngUOGeRpFLDObNHIN_Qtb6dO9GD2cqoBcTclLvt-UsinsvQRCrpFcGAVYfS8_nr4E3zHZERu1WO4AFlUWxPYF4jmngDOv71wm-4gWuvC1-UV-bbr09Dk8/s320/Camp+Monty+2009+015.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em>Coffee in Frankfurt!</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369167553728472162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh213GmR9vsdH1t_HCtmQFnXo6R1MfNQiqeW1KwXYg6v8daeDMsJR2j1cjg8zhyphenhyphendI8AlUmFevR_4_6aybpU5cgoyfvLsxtvmnl0Nw0fTxrqpNfpep8-79QdQv5iNgPbea67j8WUlMxvkpQ/s320/Camp+Monty+2009+029.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>The Main ("mine") River</em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369167565302789826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu3nZXwH7mosTkri8i-nz7baU1ZMuHNDc2gfS30h51ywoUOVHbZHNXtSbC4RInO0hb_SOttoo3_peX3U4kqcgcmsCRx993RYtejKJOMIQc6c4ywCyouN8hqReNSgvBthoRjyJ1C-RsZw/s320/Camp+Monty+2009+040.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Frankfurt<br /></em><br /></p>Then came the harrowing mini-bus ride from Dubrovnik to Niksic. The drive was only supposed to take about 2 hours. It took almost 4. In the middle of the night. With drivers who *claim* they don't speak English. In a former Communist country with no cell phone signal.<br /><br />By this time it is late Friday night, almost Saturday morning, local time. Although our bodies have NO idea what time they think it is!<br /><br />We load up at the Dubrovnik airport, after finally figuring out we lost one suitcase along the way. We rumble through Dubrovnik and other picturesque sea-side towns, full of condos, houses and boats. Finally, we leave the coast-side and begin climbing up into the mountains. Have no idea what country we are in at this point. Of course, it's pitch-black out, since it's the middle of the night AND the middle of nowhere.<br /><br />The driver speeds up and is whipping us around hair-pin curves on the side of mountains where there's a 1,000 foot cliff. Great. I close my eyes, trying to doze off while tuning out the Euro-pop dance beat. Not an easy task, in case you were wondering.<br /><br />Then, the road ends. Yes, ENDS. As in, some ruts in the grass is what we drive along now. I think at this point, we all start getting a little nervous. We go along the grassy-rutted-"road" for a while, then it turns to gravelly rock. All the better for those van tires to slide around on! Meanwhile, the driver occupies himself by texting and looking at his Facebook account on his phone. Safety first, you know!<br /><br />This went on for a while, although probably not as long as it felt. And I have to admit: I really thought for a while that we were getting kidnapped and/or trafficked. Seriously, don't laugh. It was the middle of NOWHERE and we have no idea who these guys are or where we are going. We knew the name of the town in Montenegro we were headed to, but it took us all week to learn to say it! (Niksic=neek seek) Plus I was majorly sleep deprived. My brain does not exactly think rationally in that condition.<br /><br />FINALLY, we pop out onto a real road, come around the bend on the side of the mountain, and see city lights below us. The driver points and says "Niksic", and decides to step on it again. After a few more near-misses with other cars and guardrails, we start coming into Niksic.<br /><br />Looking back, we only went through 2 border checkpoints...but travelled through 3 countries! (Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro) Hmmmm.... We are not sure what the deal was, because the "shortcut" took waaaayyy longer than the route we took back to Dubrovnik.<br /><br />Something fishy was afoot, and I don't think we really want to know what! Thankfully, we all made it, the lost suitcase caught up to us, and Montenegro was better than we expected!Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-91333337364435222302009-08-04T12:15:00.002-05:002009-08-04T12:23:12.595-05:00Back Home!We are back from our missions trip, so post n' pics will be forthcoming....however, right now we are having to deal with Scott's shoulder injury, my car that has died, and mountains of laundry. And I had to go back to work today! :-/<br /><br />Just be in prayer for Scott's shoulder. He was playing basketball last Thursday on the trip and popped his shoulder out of joint. It was bad enough for a visit to the local ER (yikes). He is going to doctors today and I believe is having an MRI done right now to determine the extent of the damage. They are saying it might even be a shoulder separation and surgery is more than likely in his near future.<br /><br />Oh, and my car battery has died so I'm borrowing Rachel's car, but it will be Wednesday night before I can see about getting a new one. Just pray that the battery is the only thing wrong!<br />But, God is faithful and His name was proclaimed in a little town in a little country that has been really dark for a long time!Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-69806317195775728802009-07-21T13:37:00.003-05:002009-07-21T14:11:52.304-05:00Missions Trip Coming Up...We leave this Thursday for our first-ever foreign missions trip with "our" college /young adult group! We are so excited, maybe a little nervous, and definately dreading the long flights!<br /><br />We leave Birmingham at 1200 PM on Thursday, and 4 airports, one bus ride, and about 36 hours later, we will arrive in Niksic, Montenegro...some time in the wee hours of Saturday morning. (Local time. It'll feel like about 6PM Saturday for us. Yikes.)<br /><br />I have made endless lists of the stuff to pack, supplies, and made more trips to Wal-Mart than I usually make in a month this week! And, unfortunately, I think I have to go back tonight!<br /><br />Please pray for us over the next 11 days or so! I am really worried that all our bags won't make it all the way through!<br /><br />If we get internet access at all, we will try to post updates on Facebook and Twitter!Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441205464910633143.post-30295645102740372652009-07-15T08:00:00.003-05:002009-07-15T08:00:07.081-05:00Left-Over Wednesdays: Blueberry Muffins from Martha Stewart<div align="center"><strong>Blueberry Muffins</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>from <em>Martha Stewart Living, July/August 2000</em></strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358010588621264306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c1gcyaLN2gKFNA_XPwbfnvce6Dprl1d71o5WWponkPuEYnZ8a03lO5cUwOIkcohesU2Qz2sA8t7ScrDIB9NaizpvW7Y2U5ybi680GL4U62zN4dWWEXuizm4kCHuhh9SsiRc-KCtx10A/s320/Blueberry+Muffins+046.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358010602198703938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhfda7-ZjsJ84YWHsgzgKBO_yuHNw1CjMUyBwliWcA9ApTihlK1WX20Dil5hsqZXhNrMY4dAHTt1IZoZ_K-HxuaEFKlmyvM1tG5lHwaJ2JO2XM3UocJzs6_lHkvBKJ7Fc9VaXMLtnf8E/s320/Blueberry+Muffins+040.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em>This is my all-time favorite muffin recipe! The batter turns out absolutely beautiful, creamy and fluffy! Be sure to very carefully fold in your berries so you don't deflate the batter!</em><br /><br /><br />3 cups + 2 TBLS flour<br />3 tsp baking powder<br />1 tsp salt<br />6 TBLS butter, softened<br />1 3/4 cups sugar<br />1 whole egg + 2 egg yolks<br />1 tsp pure vanilla<br />1 cup milk<br />blueberries<br /><br />1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare muffin tins; line with papers or spray tin well with pan release.<br /><br />2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. <em>*I like to sift directly onto a large flexible cutting mat, rather than into a bowl. Makes integrating the dry ingredients later much easier!</em><br /><p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358009271812320642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAn3mvS_cX5vWtRspq7RhN9fm8jva8wLLLzypTNtb7lg1oPW1hlOUTyMO_HQ4FdBq_ivdcKZ6EGE6RdqsAye14jPVXF6lvbVzfoVr7UzzWMwaP50wpWYgeoeasmm569layuRh5KK_JaY/s320/Blueberry+Muffins+007.jpg" border="0" />3. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar together on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and blend well. </p><p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358009285442163826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_sne_s-mVHzhV35_8MZ65U-GZhGiMjKZy8yZyBa-y04IP8yRGGZIL2evphm7lWUBxW68xJd4o7xKIGqPSf4ekLVaETE5dR9ZJ4grHPTnmsSkt-C4eb-B_ndX10Hz-ggmL3MO5k9of0o/s320/Blueberry+Muffins+008.jpg" border="0" /><br />4. Slow mixer to low speed and alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. </p>5. Carefully fold in blueberries by hand. Scoop batter into muffin tins. Sprinkle tops generously with additional sugar.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358009290842684994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvcw236GyxDImnUUqulYRRFzcz2sizpjEJFEjReHLOsbOV6GLNA_w_Pbg03t15nTtcL8t8qwCp-0KolhZqtBUj241U786xaRnEhAt4Z7xuaJC9Chkcb8VDM8-w5ty6_CFw4nejw9o_Ig/s320/Blueberry+Muffins+020.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358009296942715986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY5EWWJwl0EZnazAukyBuIXx5onpJsvEGS5LMvovDu79acxr3i1VudU_gOB-1b0mEvl4TcJldP69sfv3lQIBs8eoBW3KqOeCMTpVlYEIxFYI2yHtWr3qIZWw9k25Uowc_hfg5oh_G5Fo/s320/Blueberry+Muffins+027.jpg" border="0" />6. Bake for approximately 30 minutes until golden brown. <br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358009307884854914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9jfUs5twFgYVvEfD3arkLK5GYUOCYag3Nelx3OGRRTs8wCJjlzRfh_JXoSH8rcVCbcne9Gl5abNoeHd7xkycWCGw7607k4Z10Tp2XpmE_MlHig-A5_w41OFTq2JIVVIV2iVOh0LgIlc/s320/Blueberry+Muffins+031.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358010599972320898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLQth0lxbKr3zKMsU-doe32OMMVARTXNdaBJrB4ADK64psxY6Uw7-xEi6MwfEJxYnZ7Vi8D01-ngpHs-uHwdL3o2SRiT8X2lxV0SimpACyWO9b1B4nNAeQFwYu0aisVY_Kp7aP-x3VsA/s320/Blueberry+Muffins+038.jpg" border="0" />Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11202108053770473067noreply@blogger.com2