John was coerced into doing a pie eating contest. He was sick after! He almost won.
He thought he was done here!
Us with Heather and KyleMonday, October 17, 2011
Cool Patch Pumpkins
We went to Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon with John's squadron, and 2 other squadrons, on Saturday. It was almost 90 degrees, which was weird when looking at pumpkins!
John was coerced into doing a pie eating contest. He was sick after! He almost won.
He thought he was done here!
Us with Heather and Kyle
John was coerced into doing a pie eating contest. He was sick after! He almost won.He thought he was done here!Us with Heather and Kyle
Trip to WA
John and I drove to Puyallup (12 hour drive) to see my family and friends. We were gone 10 days and had a great time!
Tasting Elements Frozen Yogurt for the first time (our friend just opened it). So good.
My friend Bethany just had a baby, so I was able to see him. Baby Phoenix.
We also celebrated my 30th birthday with my family. My niece and nephew love helping me open presents.
My parents and John ended up having a surprise party for me with my friends. Here's the cake John had made for me.
Pretty stinkin awesome.
Anali and I
My old Bible study group.
Emily and Katie
Lisa and I
Seeing some of our old married's small group
We also celebrated my mom's birthday while we were home.
Can't wait to see my family again at Christmas!
Tasting Elements Frozen Yogurt for the first time (our friend just opened it). So good.
My friend Bethany just had a baby, so I was able to see him. Baby Phoenix.
We also celebrated my 30th birthday with my family. My niece and nephew love helping me open presents.
My parents and John ended up having a surprise party for me with my friends. Here's the cake John had made for me.
Pretty stinkin awesome.
Anali and I
My old Bible study group.
Emily and Katie
Lisa and I
Seeing some of our old married's small group
We also celebrated my mom's birthday while we were home.
Can't wait to see my family again at Christmas!Spicy Lentil-Walnut Burgers
I am by no means a vegetarian, but here is another great bean burger we just tried.
Ingredients
3/4 cup lentils, rinsed
3/4 cup walnuts
1/3 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
3 garlic cloves, smashed
2 tsps ground cumin
2 tsp coriander
1/4 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tbsp olive oil
1 large egg
whole wheat pita bread or whole wheat buns
tomato, bell pepper, red onion, etc. for topping (if desired)
yogurt-cilantro sauce (recipe follows)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the lentils in a small saucepan, cover with 1-inch of water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until lentils are tender but still hold their shape, 15-20 minutes. Drain well and let cool.
Meanwhile, spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in oven for 10 minutes, or until fragrant and slightly darkened. Let cool.
In a food processor, combine toasted walnuts, breadcrumbs, garlic, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Process until finely ground. Add the lentils and 1 tbsp of the oil and pulse until coarsely chopped (some whole lentils should remain).
In a large bowl, whisk the egg. Add the lentil-walnut mixture, mix well. Divide mixture into 4 equal parts, roll into balls, and flatten with the palm of your hands into 3/4-inch thick patties.
Heat the remaining 3 tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the burgers, cook over medium-low heat until crisped and browned, turning gently with a thin-edged spatula, 8-10 minutes per side. Once cooked transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain. Serve burger patties on pita bread, top with yogurt sauce (recipe below) and other desired toppings.
Yogurt-Cilantro Sauce
3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, whisk yogurt, cilantro, and lemon juice together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ingredients
3/4 cup lentils, rinsed
3/4 cup walnuts
1/3 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
3 garlic cloves, smashed
2 tsps ground cumin
2 tsp coriander
1/4 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tbsp olive oil
1 large egg
whole wheat pita bread or whole wheat buns
tomato, bell pepper, red onion, etc. for topping (if desired)
yogurt-cilantro sauce (recipe follows)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the lentils in a small saucepan, cover with 1-inch of water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until lentils are tender but still hold their shape, 15-20 minutes. Drain well and let cool.
Meanwhile, spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in oven for 10 minutes, or until fragrant and slightly darkened. Let cool.
In a food processor, combine toasted walnuts, breadcrumbs, garlic, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Process until finely ground. Add the lentils and 1 tbsp of the oil and pulse until coarsely chopped (some whole lentils should remain).
In a large bowl, whisk the egg. Add the lentil-walnut mixture, mix well. Divide mixture into 4 equal parts, roll into balls, and flatten with the palm of your hands into 3/4-inch thick patties.
Heat the remaining 3 tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the burgers, cook over medium-low heat until crisped and browned, turning gently with a thin-edged spatula, 8-10 minutes per side. Once cooked transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain. Serve burger patties on pita bread, top with yogurt sauce (recipe below) and other desired toppings.
Yogurt-Cilantro Sauce
3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, whisk yogurt, cilantro, and lemon juice together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Newly improved recipe binder
I had a smaller recipe binder that was getting too full, so I bought a bigger one, and finally added tabs to make it easier to find stuff. Here's how it turned out.
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Air Force life
The Air Force life can be hard and isolating. I'm saying these things not in comparison to other branches of the military, because lots of other people have it harder, but just about our lives. Although I feel blessed in so many ways, moving to a new place with no close friends or family, and then having your husband gone - well, it's just not the easiest thing!
John just went on 3 trips in a month. Usually that wouldn't happen, but they were desperate for pilots. It was a hard month - I wasn't able to talk to him much on his trips, and being home alone all day felt really lonely. I tried to stay busy, and I could tell God was helping me, so I tried to think of it as another way I could get closer to Him, and he could show His faithfulness. But it was still isolating. I've been reading pregnancy and birthing books, and one was talking about having a close friend be with you in the birthing room too...and it made me sad thinking I haven't been here long enough before this big event in my life to have a best friend here. I am thankful my mom can come down here to help me with the baby, but it sometimes feels overwhelming knowing I won't have other help. It's a daily choice to surrender those feelings to God, and know he will take care of us.
When John does get home from a trip, he is often a zombie for days, trying to catch up on sleep. They only sleep about half the nights during their trips - I would be a mess! He comes home just wanting to hang out with me, but he also has other responsibilities at home to take care of since he's been gone. It's a constant struggle to balance his time with me, working on his Masters, and taking care of house stuff.
I never understood or even thought twice about about military families, because I didn't know any. That world seemed so far away from me - like it wasn't really happening. And now I'm living in that world. It's just so crazy to me. It has changed me into a stronger person, so for that I am thankful, but it is a huge life change. Daily challenges arise with schedules changes or weird rules the Air Force comes up with that affect us. I think the important thing is making sure this life makes us closer as a couple, but I know that isn't always the case for military families, which breaks my heart. I honestly don't know how people do it without God's help. Although the military have the noble purpose of protecting our country, it comes with a sacrifice to their families. Not everyone understands that, and I don't blame them. I wouldn't get it if I wasn't in it. Thus comes a piece of the isolation you feel, knowing others don't understand.
All this to say, the anniversary of September 11th yesterday gave new perspective, or at least a good reminder of why people serve. My friend had a good post on Facebook, and it kept bringing me to tears (pregnancy hormones are in full effect!):
John just went on 3 trips in a month. Usually that wouldn't happen, but they were desperate for pilots. It was a hard month - I wasn't able to talk to him much on his trips, and being home alone all day felt really lonely. I tried to stay busy, and I could tell God was helping me, so I tried to think of it as another way I could get closer to Him, and he could show His faithfulness. But it was still isolating. I've been reading pregnancy and birthing books, and one was talking about having a close friend be with you in the birthing room too...and it made me sad thinking I haven't been here long enough before this big event in my life to have a best friend here. I am thankful my mom can come down here to help me with the baby, but it sometimes feels overwhelming knowing I won't have other help. It's a daily choice to surrender those feelings to God, and know he will take care of us.
When John does get home from a trip, he is often a zombie for days, trying to catch up on sleep. They only sleep about half the nights during their trips - I would be a mess! He comes home just wanting to hang out with me, but he also has other responsibilities at home to take care of since he's been gone. It's a constant struggle to balance his time with me, working on his Masters, and taking care of house stuff.
I never understood or even thought twice about about military families, because I didn't know any. That world seemed so far away from me - like it wasn't really happening. And now I'm living in that world. It's just so crazy to me. It has changed me into a stronger person, so for that I am thankful, but it is a huge life change. Daily challenges arise with schedules changes or weird rules the Air Force comes up with that affect us. I think the important thing is making sure this life makes us closer as a couple, but I know that isn't always the case for military families, which breaks my heart. I honestly don't know how people do it without God's help. Although the military have the noble purpose of protecting our country, it comes with a sacrifice to their families. Not everyone understands that, and I don't blame them. I wouldn't get it if I wasn't in it. Thus comes a piece of the isolation you feel, knowing others don't understand.
All this to say, the anniversary of September 11th yesterday gave new perspective, or at least a good reminder of why people serve. My friend had a good post on Facebook, and it kept bringing me to tears (pregnancy hormones are in full effect!):
I guess my encouragement at the end of this post is to pray for military families - I know I don't do this enough! I know they need it, and appreciate the prayers. I am thankful for the support of my family and friends, no matter how far they are from me now.
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