Lesson 13- How to Help Haiti

The tragedy in Haiti is just that--a tragedy. I can't even begin to imagine the emotions the citizens and visitors to the island must be dealing with. I can't even imagine how I would feel in their shoes. I cant even imagine...

But what I can imagine is the hope and promise we all have in Jesus Christ.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure..."--Hebrew 6:19

With all the chaos that we each encounter on a daily basis, it is comforting--at least in my opinion--to know that there will always be something permanent, constant, stable, and hopeful in my life. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Alpha, Savior, Omega.

But what can we do to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, our brothers and sisters of the world. Here are a few things:

* PRAY!! Pray for the victims of the earthquake. Pray for the victim's families. Pray for the government of Haiti that they would seek God for counsel. Pray for relief workers coming from all over the world. Pray, pray, pray!

*Donate money to the relief cause. I've researched a few websites that I know to be reputable.

The American Red Cross
UNICEF
Lutheran World Relief
Hands & Feet Project

I'm still looking for other, non-monetary ways to help and will share those as soon as I find them. Please let me know if you discover anything.

I'll leave you with one last prayer from St. Francis of Assisi

Lord make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek so much
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Lesson 12- Making Hummus

Hummus has almost always been a favorite food of mine. When I was 7 my parents and I lived in Adana, Turkey for 5 months. While there I learned 100 Turkish words (I have a certificate to prove it). But once returning to the US they were quickly forgotten. I also learned the fine art of loving Middle Eastern food. That was something that wasn't lost upon the return to the States.

I've often said my mom makes the best hummus around. And it just is. I don't know why, she's German, Swiss, and Russian. And I'm so kind that after stealing the recipe from her, I'm generous enough to share it with you, my lovely readers.

Hummus

Ingredients:
* 1 16oz. can of garbonzo beans (AKA chick peas)
* 3 tbsp. tahini (AKA sesame seed paste)
* 3 tbsp. lemon juice (AKA uh...lemon juice)
* 3 tbsp. water (AKA H2O)
* 1 clove garlic (AKA...couldn't think of anything clever)

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor until garbonzo beans are completely pureed and ingredients are completely mixed.

But alas my friends!! Last night when Husband and I went to Trader Joe's (an exciting trip for a girl from a small town) I discovered something I want to share with you! Rather than just having tahini that kind trader named Joe had already done some of the work for me! They sell tahini paste that already has the lemon juice and garlic added to the sesame paste. So here was my cheater version:

*1 16oz. can of garbonzo beans
*4.5 tbsp tahini paste (from Trader Joe's)
*3 tbsp water (possibly 4...I forgot)

Again place all ingredients in a blender or food processor until you have your desired consistancy.

Thanks Mommy and Trader Joe's!

Lesson 11-The Old Stomping Grounds

Last week, being my last week as a full time housewife, I decided to head home for a visit with the 'rents. Where is home you might ask? Or you might not really care. But I'm gonna tell you anyway. Home is Las Cruces, NM. It's an itty bitty town, but I love it none the less...just don't love living there.

My dad's 74th birthday was Tuesday (I was a late in life blessing, in case you were wondering). We celebrated by having lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant and an evening movie to go see 'Invictus'. On a side note I highly recommend this movie. Both Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman did a superb job. Anyways I was super stoked to find three sweaters at Marshall's on clearance. Scored all 3 for $37. Present crisis averted! And Daddy loved 'em--contrary to what the husband predicted. Another sweet victory, haha!

Wednesday I went to visit my preschool students--who I've missed so much since moving. Children totally bless my life! I also got to spend some time with my new puppy. His name is Oliver and he's a chorkie--Yorkie/Chihuahua. He's now 3 weeks old and Husband and I are looking forward to getting him home soon!

I was planning on coming home on Thursday, but still had places to go and people to see. That morning was spent with two sorority sisters, S & C, and meeting C's new bambino, L. Too cute, he is! And surprisingly enough it didn't make my baby-making parts scream at me. I'm enjoying this married life and being Husband's one and only too much to want to share it with a chubby bundle of baby. At least for now anyway!

Friday I climbed back into the car and drove off into the sunset. This was the longest Husband and I have been apart since we got married. It was rough, but I think the time apart was beneficial. You know what they say...Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Sorry this hasn't really been a lesson on anything too cool. But maybe, hopefully, you've enjoyed learning a bit more about this newlywed.

Happy Monday!

Lesson 10- Purple, Grey, and Striped All Over

As I have previously mentioned, our humble abode was previously a bachelor pad. To the max. Being the wonderful wife (in-training) that I am, I took on the laborious task of transforming said bachelor pad to "Newlywed Haven".

My first major project I took on was revamping the second bathroom. My inspirations were: 1)the deep purple towels and bathmats my mother bought me while I was living in my own bachelorette pad 2)the shower curtain we received as a wedding gift from my cousin A and her husband J and 3)the lovely bloggers over at Young House Love.

Supplies Needed:
*tape measure
*laser level
*paint tray
*4" roller brush
*2" angled brush w/ short handle
*painters tape at least 1" wide
*drop cloth
*1 gallon paint (Valspar- Polar Star)

1) Tape off the stripes. This is where the laser level will be your BFF--if not forever then for the next few minutes. I did 11 stripes approximately just under 9" wide--math was never my forte in school, and I figured I'd be the only one in our spare bathroom with a tape measure. I put a little piece of tape in the stripes that were staying the original paint color.

2) Paint away. The narrow roller is the easiest way to paint your stripes. From personal experience I learned the wider roller doesn't give you enough control. To get around the baseboards, fixtures, and frames, your new BFF will be the angle brush.

3) AS SOON as you're done painting, remove the tape. Again, AS SOON as you're done!!! And wa-la...you're de-bacholorized spare bathroom--or whatever your motivation for getting your stripe on.

I added some of my favorite photos from my year in England as cheap-o artwork above the toilet. The towels are in husband's old wine rack (we upgraded as a wedding present). The magnolia is in a vase left over from weddings centerpieces and the magnolia was purchased from Wally-World and cut down.

Lesson 9- My 2010 Reading List

I always say I love reading, but don't do it nearly often enough. So with this New Year--and new decade--I am challenging my self to read 20 books. That's about one book every 3 weeks. Pretty attainable--I hope.


And without further ado...the list!

1. If the Rains Don’t Cleanse-- Ben Patrick Johnson
2. Sweet Life-- Mia King
3. Pillars of the Earth-- Ken Follett
4. The Six Wives of Henry VIII-- Alison Wier
5. The Irresistible Revolution-- Shane Clairborne
6. Redeeming Love-- Francine Rivers
7. Pledged-- Alexandra Robbins
8. To Kill a Mockingbird-- Harper Lee
9. Chasing Harry Winston -- Lauren Weisberger
10. Velvet Elvis-- Rob Bell
11. Second Chance-- Jane Green
12. Through Painted Deserts-- Donald Miller
13. Ragamuffin Gospel-- Brennan Manning
14. Pride and Prejudice-- Jane Austen
15. The Shack-- William P. Young
16. Three Cups of Tea-- Greg Mortenson
17. On Christian Liberty-- Martin Luther
18. The Happiness Project-- Gretchen Rubin
19. The Unlikely Disciple-- Kevin Roose
20. Dune Road-- Jane Green

I will keep you updated on my progress and my thoughts on these books as the year progresses. And no worries, I'm not keen on writing book reports, so you shouldn't fret that you might have to read one. Wrong blog...

P.S. These are in no particular order and I will most likely not read them in this order

Lesson 8- New Year's Resolutions

I've never really liked resolutions. You stick with them for the first couple of weeks in January, they taper off to a few days a week through February, and by March they are just a think of the past. But this year I decided was going to be my year. Twenty-ten in the year of the Newlywed--the lesser known year in the Chinese calendar.

Anyways I digress...here are my New Year resolutions and I plan on sharing my progress with you throughout the year--or maybe just through March.

Resolution #1- Read 20 books (list to follow soon)
Resolution #2- Run the Disney Half Marathon in September (more on that later too)

Hope everyone is enjoying the New Year and the new decade!
xxx