Hiking Camel's Hump
A very bundled Ibs
View from the top
Augs in the shop
A recent Probe game (if you want a challenge, try making a sentence using all these words!)
Our well-loved dog
Pictures From This Week
Saturday, January 17, 2015
{This is a great post from GirlDefined.com, re-posted here with permission}
By Beecher Proch
Now, however, there are only two days left on the 2014 calendar and I’m planning for 2015. Which leads me to ask you a question: What do you want out of 2015?
Do you want it to be a year of adventure? Spiritual growth? Broadened horizons? Are you going to focus on a character quality in your life? Helping others? Let me suggest that you can pursue all of the above if you have one thing: a focus on Christ and following him.
When I ask a girl about what she has planned for the year, her response tells me a lot about her.
I’m not going to give examples because in my mind there really isn’t a good or bad response (unless it concerns playing lots of video games or pointlessly staring at the computer for hours – then I’m concerned). One thing is for sure though: when she tells me about goals and ambitions and projects she wants to work on or complete in the year, about new plans she has, I’m impressed.Ambition and action in a woman are admirable qualities, especially when they concern making an impact on the world in Christ’s name.
If you’re needing some last minute New Year’s resolution advice, here are a few simple things you can do to start knocking out goals.
1. Make a list.
Being able to check off accomplished goals throughout the year will help you visually see that you ARE making progress. And it’ll give you a shot of adrenaline to knock out the next goal.2. Dream Big.
Goals shouldn’t be just about us. They should involve others, include others, bless others. When you look at your goals, your eyes should open up in wide-eyed wonder. And then remember that it’s really God working through and with you who will accomplish your goals.3. Don’t hold onto goals with a clenched fist.
This one may be the hardest for me to grasp (yes, pun intended). God will almost certainly do things in your life this year you would never have dreamed of. What he does may require some goals to change (“I wasn’t able to accomplish ____ because this other incredible ______ happened!”). But remember what God tells us in the Bible: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8) Embrace the unknown!Finally, whatever you do, don’t be intimidated when a person (guy or girl) asks what you have planned for the year.
Answer confidently and be sure of your answers. Don’t be afraid of what they’ll think or say – you’ve only got one life and you want to live it the way God is calling you to live it. Which means you’re going to be doing unique things from the next person. Which is awesome.I want to close with one of my favorite verses. It’s Psalm 139:16. “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.” As you plan the year, rest in the fact that your future is held in the palm of God’s hand and he already knows what’s going to happen to you. It’s a comforting thought isn’t it?
So get out there and plan and make lists and dream of what 2015 holds. I am, and I hope you will too.
If you could do just two things in 2015, what would they be?Do you usually make goals for the New Year? Why or why not?
Thursday, January 15, 2015
When your brother is a medical student, and one of his study partners is East Indian (and also happens to be a great cook), you get introduced to a lot of amazing Indian recipes. This is one of them. I based it on the recipe from Allrecipes.com (with 1829 four and a half star reviews!), only I added way more yogurt sauce, poached the chicken instead of grilling it, etc. :)
Here is a picture from the website:
Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups yogurt
3 tbsp lemon juice
4 tsp ground cumin (for the marinade)
2 tsp cinnamon
3-4 tsp cayenne pepper, depending on how fiery you like it
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp minced fresh ginger
salt, to taste
3 very large boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 4 tsp cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and 2 tsp salt. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the yogurt mixture. If you have time, refrigerate this for one hour to marinate. If, like I was, you're in a hurry to get dinner on the table, just skip the marinating step and go right on to cooking the chicken. :)
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pot, then add the chicken-yogurt mixture. Cook on medium-low heat until the chicken is almost fully cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove chicken-yogurt mixture from the pot and set aside while you cook the rest of the sauce - or just use a new pot, if you don't mind washing an extra dish!
Melt the butter in the pot, then add the garlic and jalapeno and saute for 1 minute. Add the rest of the cumin (2 tsp), paprika, tomato sauce, and cream. Simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Add the chicken and simmer for another few minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Add the cilantro and green onions, and serve with lots of rice to soak up the tasty sauce!
Here is a picture from the website:
[courtesy of Allrecipes.com]
Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups yogurt
3 tbsp lemon juice
4 tsp ground cumin (for the marinade)
2 tsp cinnamon
3-4 tsp cayenne pepper, depending on how fiery you like it
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp minced fresh ginger
salt, to taste
3 very large boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 4 tsp cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and 2 tsp salt. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the yogurt mixture. If you have time, refrigerate this for one hour to marinate. If, like I was, you're in a hurry to get dinner on the table, just skip the marinating step and go right on to cooking the chicken. :)
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pot, then add the chicken-yogurt mixture. Cook on medium-low heat until the chicken is almost fully cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove chicken-yogurt mixture from the pot and set aside while you cook the rest of the sauce - or just use a new pot, if you don't mind washing an extra dish!
Melt the butter in the pot, then add the garlic and jalapeno and saute for 1 minute. Add the rest of the cumin (2 tsp), paprika, tomato sauce, and cream. Simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Add the chicken and simmer for another few minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Add the cilantro and green onions, and serve with lots of rice to soak up the tasty sauce!
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
I sat down the other day to read what I thought was going to be an interesting article on guy-girl relationships. I hoped it would be thought-provoking and helpful, something that would really make me think, or that would teach me something new. Instead, I walked away feeling very disappointed that the author of the article would, especially in her position of influence, write as though the true meaning of the word "Respect" had never made it into her vocabulary. She clearly loves her husband, but she doesn't clearly respect him.
Belittling and condescension, even under the guise of humor, or framed with loving comments, do not build up a man. It may be funny to tell stories about the mistakes your guy has made, or how poufy his hair was when you met him,or how he botched the courtship (and how you came to his rescue and got him to ask you to marry him).
But genuine respect publicly celebrates stories of his successes, not his lacks compared with your ability to do things better. What would happen to your relationship with him if you told stories instead about what most impressed you about his character that day you first met him, the kind way he treated your little siblings, or his think-big vision that you love about him?
And girls, all of this applies to father-daughter and brother-sister relationships too! I don't have a husband yet, but I'm practicing on the men in my life right now, and I hope you are too.
There are several problems that arise out of disrespect:
#1. Disrespect of him puts us on a pedestal. I was in the right, I had to help him, I taught him that important skill. You may be thinking to yourself right now, "Yes, but I did teach him all those things! Without me, he wouldn't be where he is now." A mature girl enjoys his success, and celebrates with him, regardless of the magnitude of her part in it. The saying, "Behind every great man is (often) a great woman" is a far more satisfying sentiment than "Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes." (Jim Carrey)
#2. Disrespect is unbiblical. "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." (Ephesians 5:33) You get the idea.
#3. Disrespect of guys is not attractive in a girl. Trust me. I have three eligible brothers. :) A guy is looking at how a girl interacts with the men in her life, as an indication of how she will treat her husband in the future. And what guy wants to be treated like the immature child he is not?
Now, the sad fact is that there are many guys out there who don't hit the mark. (to put it kindly.) A lot of women have to deal with men who live like slobs, talk hurtfully, lack ambition of any sort, and are only interested in the latest movie. (Or car. Or football game. Or party.) Yet... I can guarantee you that there is one thing - no, make that many things - that you can find about your man that are truly worth celebrating. Look on the bright side. Focus on his successes. Support him in what he's doing right. He will love you for it, and he will grow.
How do you respect the men in your life?
Belittling and condescension, even under the guise of humor, or framed with loving comments, do not build up a man. It may be funny to tell stories about the mistakes your guy has made, or how poufy his hair was when you met him,or how he botched the courtship (and how you came to his rescue and got him to ask you to marry him).
But genuine respect publicly celebrates stories of his successes, not his lacks compared with your ability to do things better. What would happen to your relationship with him if you told stories instead about what most impressed you about his character that day you first met him, the kind way he treated your little siblings, or his think-big vision that you love about him?
And girls, all of this applies to father-daughter and brother-sister relationships too! I don't have a husband yet, but I'm practicing on the men in my life right now, and I hope you are too.
There are several problems that arise out of disrespect:
#1. Disrespect of him puts us on a pedestal. I was in the right, I had to help him, I taught him that important skill. You may be thinking to yourself right now, "Yes, but I did teach him all those things! Without me, he wouldn't be where he is now." A mature girl enjoys his success, and celebrates with him, regardless of the magnitude of her part in it. The saying, "Behind every great man is (often) a great woman" is a far more satisfying sentiment than "Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes." (Jim Carrey)
#2. Disrespect is unbiblical. "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." (Ephesians 5:33) You get the idea.
#3. Disrespect of guys is not attractive in a girl. Trust me. I have three eligible brothers. :) A guy is looking at how a girl interacts with the men in her life, as an indication of how she will treat her husband in the future. And what guy wants to be treated like the immature child he is not?
Now, the sad fact is that there are many guys out there who don't hit the mark. (to put it kindly.) A lot of women have to deal with men who live like slobs, talk hurtfully, lack ambition of any sort, and are only interested in the latest movie. (Or car. Or football game. Or party.) Yet... I can guarantee you that there is one thing - no, make that many things - that you can find about your man that are truly worth celebrating. Look on the bright side. Focus on his successes. Support him in what he's doing right. He will love you for it, and he will grow.
How do you respect the men in your life?
Saturday, January 3, 2015
You call me out upon the waters
the great unknown
where feet may fail
and there I find You in the mystery
in oceans deep
my faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
and keep my eyes above the waves
when oceans rise
my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours, and You are mine
Spirit, lead me
where my trust is without borders
let me walk upon the waters
wherever you would call me
Take me deeper
than my feet could ever wander
and my faith will be made stronger
in the presence of my Saviour
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