Baylor Summer Bunch

Wow, it's been a while.  I've been rather busy lately, and it's been such a "good" busy.  I've been able to catch up with so many sweet friends at weddings, over yogurt, at Six Flags, having lunch and on the phone.  I love it when I get to see (or hear from) so many people.  Makes me so happy. 

{Some of the BSB Kids at Saturday's wedding!}

 

This last Saturday, I was able to do a lot of catching up with friends and family at a wedding.  We have nine families that all went to Baylor with my parents, and each year we get together at Baylor Homecoming and once in the summer for a long weekend.  Somewhere in the last 20+ years, we came up with the name Baylor Summer Bunch (BSB for short). 

The summer trips used to be at T bar M camp in New Braunfels, but as we've gotten older and needed less "activity," we've also been to Lakeway, and now we all congregate at Cedar Creek Lake.  There are 18 adults and 24 kids (I think!), which includes three spouses and one baby now!  Our group is growing big time, and it's so fun.

Because the group is so large, it would be insane if everyone gave their input about the summer weekend plans.  So we have a rotating schedule of which family plans each year.  (I know, we are so hardcore.)  It works really well because if you don't care for how something is done one year, then you can change it your year.  While it's a lot of work for the family in charge, I think it works really well in getting a group to have fun and be able to do stuff together. 

The newest addition to BSB, as of Saturday, was Chrisey, who I actually went to high school with.  She and Brett have been dating since our sophomore year, so although she's been around for about seven years, it's nice to have her "officially" a part of the family!  It was such a fun and beautiful wedding!  I really didn't take many photos though.  Sad day.

Parts of all nine families were represented at the wedding, and it was such a treat to see them.  The best way I can describe it is like having a huge family with lots of cousins, aunts and uncles. Except these are people we've chosen to be around, so in some ways it's even better than family!  (Not that I don't love my fam.  i do.  I just know that not everyone does.)

We have seen job losses, cancer survivors, high school graduates, college graduates, new jobs, new babies, and so much more.  These are friends that we can count on for anything, and they are such great prayer warriors.  On the ninth of every month, we have a big email list of prayer requests, and we've committed to pray for one another that day.  We just started it this last summer, and it's one of my favorite things.

One of the many things I've learned from watching these families come together is the importance of being intentional about friendships.  The moms plan a girls' trip every spring, and we always plan BSB weekend a year in advance, in hopes that the most number of families can come.  It has made me realize that friendships are precious, and you have to make them a priority in order to stay friends. 

I have started planning weekends with college friends months in advance just so we make sure to fit it in!  It's been so worth it, and I am so grateful to be blessed with such a great example.

Totally Loving...

There are a few things right now that I thought I'd share with you that I'm really loving.


First, I read in Real Simple Magazine (my fave, ever) about StereoMood.com, where you can choose from almost 80 different "moods" and have a play list.  I love music, but I hate making playlists.  Currently, I'm listening to the "It's Raining" playlist (because it really is).  But there are other ones like "Romance" and "Spring Cleaning".  Check it out.


On that same note (ha!), I really love the iTunes Genius feature, where you select a song from your iTunes library and click the "Genius Button," and it creates a playlist with similar sounding songs.


And then...

{Baby Mr. K}

{Sarah & Troy last Saturday at Ozona's Restaurant}

{Troy and Me last night at dinner before he left for Hershey, PA}

In case you haven't caught on, all these photos have been edited.  :-)  Some are better than others, but I'm learning.  I have Photoshop on my computer from a class I took in college, but it really intimidates me.  However, the Pioneer Woman's Photography Site has "PW Actions" that are FREE, and you can download them and use them yourself.  With the click of a button, you can have several different effects.  It's great, and really takes the guesswork out of editing for me at the moment.  Just go to her link above, and on the right sidebar, click "PW Actions" for step-by-step instructions on how to get them into Photoshop.  

And today on Fly Through Our Window, Darby did a little recap on her year-long study on Genesis.  I thought she did a great job in capturing what she learned throughout the year in her Community Bible Study group.  She listed one sentence for each week's lesson.  A great read, and I just love her blog anyways.  Take a look if you haven't already.

And who doesn't totally love the weekend?!  I'm so glad it's here.  Happy Friday!

Smack Dab in the Middle

{Mother's Day 2010--I really am right in the middle!}

Have you ever been able to step back and realize that right there in that moment you are smack dab in the middle of the biggest blessing?  It happened to me. 

My brother Troy is home for the week between the end of his year in Boston and performing at Hershey Park.  He brought his cute girlfriend, Sarah, home and she stayed for a long weekend.  It was such a treat to have her around.  She is a doll. 

We got to celebrate Mom on her special day on Sunday at Houlihan's restaurant, and then we went to the lake.  So fun.  But really we should celebrate her every day.  I'd say she and my dad have done a pretty good job raising us.  :-)

Perhaps because this year after college has been such a huge time of transition, I am hyper-sensetive to when I feel happiest.  Most of the time it's when my family of four is together.  It doesn't happen too often these days with us living and traveling all over.  So when it does, I just can't stop smiling. 

I know that it's easy to "feel" blessed when things are good in our lives.  But I can honestly say that I am blessed even when things aren't so great.  This year has proven that to me. 

I will leave you with a couple of verses that I've been reading lately in Beth Moore's study on the Psalms of Ascent.  Basically, the theme for yesterday was how the Lord surrounds his people constantly.  In good times and in bad.  I find that so comforting.

Psalm 125:2

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the LORD surrounds his people

both now and forevermore.

Psalm 34:7-8

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

May you find yourself right in the middle of a BIG blessing today.

Please Pray for Baby Smith

My good friend, Gentry, has some cousins that just had a very premature baby about a week ago.  Smith Randle Bailey was born weighing 1 pound, 8 ounces.  The photos of this tiny, precious baby will melt your heart and bring you to your knees.

{Photo found here}

This especially hits home with me because I was a premature baby, and I also work for a non-profit that funds research on preventing prematurity in babies.  I see things like this often, but when it's someone you {kind of} know, it really brings things into perspective.  Wow.

Smith's parents are Kori and Jon, and I know this little family covets our prayers.  Will you join me?

How well do Yogurt and Zambia go together?

I went to choir last night with a bad attitude.  I really just didn't want to go.  I walked in about 20 minutes late.  But I'm glad I went.  Let me explain...

In January, our choir director, Todd, had new choir members stand up. On my row in the next section over, was a cute 20-something girl.  I made a beeline for her because I just knew we needed to be friends.  I LOVE sitting with "the grannies" (Papa's wife Jonita and her girlfriends) as they call themselves, but I'd been praying for a friend in choir that was closer to my age and just hadn't found one yet.  Enter Holly.

{Holly and Me at Yogurtville last night}

I went straight over to her and introduced myself.  Thankfully I didn't scare her off.  She was warm and personable, and we got to talking.  I love making connections, and I quickly found several.  I discovered that she works for Family Legacy Missions, and I know a couple people that work there, too.  Hooray for connections!  I told you I love them. 

Well, we have developed a sweet friendship each week at choir, and she sits with me and "the grannies" in the Alto section even though she's really a Soprano.  Such a rebel.  Altos definitely have more fun.

Holly is so passionate about her job.  To her, it's a lifestyle more than a j-o-b.  I so admire that.  Family Legacy Missions runs camps for orphans in Zambia in the Summer.  Americans come for one or two weeks at a time to love on these children and provide a fun camp experience, and  most importantly, they share the Gospel and change the lives of so many children.  Family Legacy Mission makes this happen, and also provides tangible needs like safe housing, clothes, food and education for the children there year-round.

Now here's where the story fits together with Papa & Jonita and Holly:

{Holly and Bupe in Zambia last Summer...I took this off their website!}

Holly leaves for Zambia in 9 days.  This was her last choir practice until she comes back in August.  I wanted to catch up with her and also with Papa and Jonita since I hadn't seen them in a while, so we all went to Yogurtville for an after-choir snack. Jonita had never been, so I got to educate her in the ways of self-serve yogurt and toppings.  I think it changed her life. 

We sat outside for about an hour chatting.  It was delightful.  And for that hour, we learned so much about Zambia and the people there.  Jonita and I asked her lots about this ministry, and to see Holly light up when she talks about Zambia is great.  But to me, the best part was watching Papa ask her questions and show genuine interest (not that he's disinterested in missions, by any means.)  It's amazing to me that two 20-somethings can connect with two 70-somethings over Yogurt and Orphans in Zambia.  I think it shows the awesome power of the Gospel of Christ.  I was bursting with joy when I left Yogurtville last night, and I just had to share it today.

Please join me in praying for Holly, the staff and volunteers that will be in Zambia this summer.  I can't wait to hear about it when she gets back

Cookin' Up a Storm

{Sonoma Chicken Salad from Whole Foods}

This past weekend was the first time I've had a break in five weeks.  I've either been traveling or working or both, and man, was I beat!  Those weekends really make a difference!

For some reason, I was really craving Whole Food's chicken salad.  I generally only crave things like Dr. Pepper, Sonic and Yogurtville, so this was an interesting twist.  Granted, I realize this isn't the healthiest choice of food either, but I made a few changes (more on that in a minute), so I figured it was just fine.

The Saturday before last, I actually went to Whole Foods and bought it pre-made.  I spent almost $10 on one pound of chicken salad, which made me cringe.  (I did get two meals and a snack out of it, though.)  I realized this could get to be a very expensive habit very fast, so I Googled the recipe, and found that they actually posted it online!  Since I had all this "extra" time on my hands, I decided to try out the recipe.  It was really good!

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise

4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
5 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Salad
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cup pecan pieces, toasted
2 cups red seedless grapes
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced

Method
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to dress the salad. This can be prepared up to 2 days ahead.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Place the chicken breasts in one layer in a baking dish with 1/2 cup water. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes until completely cooked through. Remove cooked chicken breasts from pan, cool at room temperature for 10 minutes, then cover and refrigerate.

When the chicken is cold, dice into bite-size chunks and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in pecans, grapes, celery and dressing.

I was reading through some of the comments for this recipe online and found a couple of modifications.  Instead of regular Mayo, Olive Oil Mayonnaise was suggested, so when I saw that at the store, I opted to try that instead.  Did you know they even made that?!  I didn't.  And instead of dicing the chicken, someone suggested shredding it, so I just took two forks and pulled the chicken breasts apart while it was still a bit warm.  I really liked it, and I think it mixes better, too. 

I also made the Pioneer Woman's Pizza dough on Saturday, too.  (I'm telling you, I was really in the mood to cook.)  I'd never made dough before, so I wasn't sure how it was going to go.  But the pizza was tasty, and it was fun to make, too.  It makes two crusts, and even still it's a lot for two people to eat, so I made half and then froze the other half of the dough.  PW says it'll be good for 6 months...I think I'll make another pizza before then!

Ingredients
1 teaspoon Instant Or Active Dry Yeast
1-½ cup Warm Water
4 cups All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
⅓ cups Olive Oil

Preparation Instructions
Sprinkle yeast over 1 1/2 cups warm (not lukewarm) water. Let stand for a few minutes.

In a mixer, combine flour and salt. With the mixer running on low speed (with paddle attachment), drizzle in olive oil until combined with flour. Next, pour in yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined, and the dough comes together in a sticky mass.

Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form the dough into a ball. Toss to coat dough in olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set it aside for 1 to 2 hours, or store in the fridge until you need it.

Note: it’s best to make the dough at least 24 hours in advance, and 3 or 4 days is even better.

When you are ready to make the pizza, grab HALF the pizza dough (recipe makes 2 crusts) and squeeze the dough toward the bottom to form a nice, tight, pulled ball. You can roll out the pizza with a rolling pin if you’d like, but sometimes it’s just as easy to throw it around and pull and stretch till it feels right. And when the crust is nice and thin, lay it on an oiled baking sheet or pizza pan. Drizzle a little olive oil on the dough and spread it with your fingers. Very lightly sprinkle some salt on the crust.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Top your crust with your toppings of choice. Then bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and toppings are bubbly.