847-840-4780

I mourned a loss today.  The loss of the only phone number I ever had.  A good, faithful phone number, it has stuck by me since I was 16 and got my first cell phone.  (This was before 10 year old's had cell phones.)  I betrayed it at the sprint store, sending it off into cyber space.  The sprint guy said, "now, are you sure?  because, when I click the button, off it goes for someone else to grab it in Chicago."  Heartless. He didn't understand.  (jk, he was actually really nice!)

My main near-future teaching goal is to teach private piano and voice lessons at our home in Lincoln (or in local studios, high schools, etc...) Several people suggested having a local phone number for advertising purposes.  As Ben's grandpa put it, people might feel like they're calling China if they call a random 847 number off an ad. I knew these people were right - it'd be easier to advertise with a local number.


We changed numbers right after signing a new lease for a rental house.  It all felt very symbolic - new state, new job, new house, new phone number, new season of life. (To tell the truth, I even felt a little emotional! I can't believe I'm admitting this on the internet, and I certainly didn't show it in the Sprint store...) but it's a new start.  In every season, though, the Lord is faithful.  And he will be in this upcoming one.  Of that, I am certain.

Meanwhile, my long time friends who probably have that faithful old phone number memorized, mourn the loss and then kick it to the curb because 847-840-4780 is out and 402-840-9160 is in.  (Nice of cyber space to randomly assign the first 3 digits the same isn't it... it knew I couldn't stand to loose all 7 digits I guess.)

Summers off = lots of time to read

As a teacher, I have the summer off.  No shame.  Among other things, I have REALLY enjoyed reading this summer.  I think I'm enjoying it extra because during the school year, reading felt exhausting.  Most nights, I was too tired to think enough to read for more than 5 minutes.  But this summer, I have loved reading again.

The Hobbit
Ben and I make a lot of trips back and forth between Omaha and Chicago (8 hours each way) and I often end up reading out loud while Ben drives.  He was reading the first book of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, so I read part of it out loud to him.  I didn't really know what was going on, but the further I read, the more I felt intrigued.  So, I decided to take a stab at it from the beginning.  (Side note -I'm not usually into any sort of fantasy or even fiction in general, but it's a classic, so what the heck!)  I backed up and read the trilogy's precursor, The Hobbit.   By the middle of the book, I was fascinated by their adventure, and towards the end, I really wanted to know what happened next.  It's a really great story.  So intricate, and descriptive.  I especially liked Tolkien's tone and the character of Bilbo Baggins.  Haven't started the trilogy yet, but it's coming up soon.  Here's a memorable quote (note: Bilbo is a hobbit who has had an unusual adventure and Gandalf is "The great white wizard," always in the right place, rescuing Bilbo, at the right time)

"Then, the prophecies of the old songs have turned out to be true, after a fashion!" said Bilbo. 
"Of course!" said Gandalf. "And why should not they prove true? Surely you don't disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in bringing them about yourself? You don't really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit?  You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!"
"Thank goodness!" said Bilbo laughing.

The Weight of Glory
This is a compilation of sermons from C.S. Lewis, given at various occasions.  The sermons covered a wide range of topics.  In full Lewis fashion, the essays were practical, theologically sound, and challenging!  I love the way he explains things - sometimes broad and confusing, you can't quite tell where it's all going, and then one connecting sentence that makes the whole thought profound.  (a poor explanation of his writing - you're better off reading it yourself.)  While it's not as popularly publicized as say, Mere Christianity, I think The Weight of Glory is one of my favorite Lewis works.

The Film Club
I read this book per recommendation of a friend whose book reviews and suggestions you can read here!  It's about a father-son relationship and how it evolves as the dad gives permission for his son to drop out of high school on the condition that they watch 3 movies per week together.  I was intrigued by the premise of a father tried to give his kid, who was failing in the traditional educational system, a non-traditional educational experience.  It made me want to watch some classic films, and it made me feel grateful for my relationship with my dad.  It's interesting and a quick read, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected, I'd still recommend it.

Unbroken
This book is probably the one I will recommend to everyone, probably to an obnoxious extreme.  It's about  an American man who is captured as a POW by the Japanese military during WW2.  I have  been trying to find the words to describe it without giving a plot-ruiner and I've decided to just say, go read it.  In my opinion, it's a must-read for everyone. One of my top 10 books of all time.

The Hiding Place
The autobiographical experience of Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place tells how Corrie and her sister spread love in the midst of evil, while imprisoned in a concentration camp during WW2.  As she writes in the book, "there is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still."  Another must-read.  Another one of my top 10 books of all time.
The Giver
I just finished this book today! A quick read that is often assigned to junior high or high school lit classes, it paints the picture of a futuristic regulated society where people live with very few choices.  (I guess I'm expanding my horizons with 2 fiction books this summer already...)  I really enjoyed it - I like how the author paints a picture of this society as if she is living in it, and yet it is so different from what we experience today.  Well written and thought-provoking.

What are you reading this summer?

New Recipe - Spaghetti Carbonara

As listed in my summer goals (which you can read, HERE), I want to try at least one new recipe each week.  This is probably a good life practice, but let's be honest people - sometimes you have a crazy week and you just want to make easy stuff you know how to cook.  Anyway, I tried Spaghetti Carbonara recently and it's easy, light, and scrumptious.  I found the recipe at Allrecipes.com, a website I highly recommend if you don't use it already.  Why? you ask...

1. They have an online recipe box (which most cooking websites do these days)
2. Easy to navigate
3. People comment on the recipes, giving suggestions for alterations
4. Every 4 or 5 star recipe I've tried from this website has been good.
5. You can alter the number of servings you need and it automatically calculates ingredients amounts for you - good feature for those of us who majored in something like music ;)
6. Lots of ideas for cooking on a budget!!

Anyway, here's the recipe (including the modifications I made, which I thought were tasty) enjoy!

Ingredients (serves 6-8)

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 slices bacon, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pinch salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook spaghetti pasta until al dente. Drain well. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile in a large skillet, cook chopped bacon until slightly crisp; remove and drain onto paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat; add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and heat in reused large skillet. Add chopped onion, and cook over medium heat until onion is translucent. Add minced garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Add wine if desired; cook one more minute. 
3. Beat eggs in separate bowl, then add grated parmesean. Mix well.
4. Return cooked bacon to pan; add cooked and drained spaghetti. Toss to coat and heat through, adding more olive oil if it seems dry or is sticking together. Add eggs and parmesean mix, tossing constantly with tongs or large fork. Add salt and pepper to taste (remember that bacon and Parmesan are very salty).
5. Serve immediately with chopped parsley sprinkled on top, and extra Parmesan cheese at table.

Summer Goals Update...

Since my summer has officially started, some of my goals are underway.

 I started scrapbooking the wedding.  So far, I have 5 pages total done.  Let's just say, I have a ways to go.   I have decided to get past my everything-needs-to-be-in-its-place mindset and let the table (and surrounding floor) look like this until the scrapbook is done.  We are gradually starting to have moving-related piles anyway, AND we have 3 bikes in the middle of our apartment... so, what the heck! add the scrapbooking stuff :)

I wanted to try one new recipe per week, which I did, but this picture is not it.  This is just an easy summer meal suggestion - taco salad.  Simple but yummy.  I cook ground beef or turkey, throw the taco seasoning packet on it and throw it in a bowl with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese.  You could add black olives too.  Then, I leave ranch and french dressing, salsa and sour cream out for people (or in this case, Ben and I) to add as they (we) please!  Fritos are DELICIOUS - I prefer them to tortilla chips in taco salad.  Takes about 20 minutes start to finish :)
                                                            
I often purchase bananas, hoping to eat them, and then don't eat them.  Then, I end up making banana bread.  Here's the recipe I use - it's from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.  (I have the "bridal edition" but I'm pretty sure all the recipes are the same.)  I highly suggest owning this cookbook, or some version of it.  I have yet to be disappointed by a recipe in here.


Banana Bread
Prep: 25 min.
Bake: 55 min (or less)
Oven: 350

Ingredients
2 C. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (4-5 medium)
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. cooking oil or melted butter or margarine
1/4 C. chopped walnuts (I omit sometimes; I've also put in chocolate chips instead)
1 recipe Streusel-Nut Topping (optional - I've never done it although it sounds good)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease the bottom and sides of a bread pan (one 9x5x3 pan OR two 7 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2 pans).  In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.   Make a well in the center of the flour mixture; set aside. 

In a medium bowl combine eggs, banana, sugar, and oil.  Add egg mixture all at once to the flour mixture.  Stir until just moistened (batter should be lumpy).  Fold in walnuts.  (Sometimes I substitute chocolate chips OR omit walnuts entirely.).  Spoon batter into prepared pan(s).  If desired sprinkle, Streusel-Nut topping over the batter in the pans.

Bake 55-60 minutes (one pan) or 40-45 minutes (two small pans) or until wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cover with foil the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning IF NEEDED.  Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool completely.

Streusel-Nut Topping: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 C. packed brown sugar and 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour.  Using a pastry blender, cut in 2 Tbsp butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in 1/3 C. chopped walnuts. 


Does anyone else love banana bread and/or taco salad!? 
                                                                                                           

Tasty Summer Dessert

I made this summery dessert (courtesy of my mother's fabulous recipe collection) last night for a little get-together and it seemed to go over well.  At least I thought it was good.  [Do other people ever tell you they don't like what you made?! haha nope!]  Anyway, I wanted to share with anyone who might read this blog [if there is anybody who reads it...] I didn't take a picture of my finished product so I found a picture online and copied it.  The copied picture looks pie-shaped, but I serve it with a spoon in more of a "clump" shape out of a 9x13 dish :) Let me know if you try it out!

Strawberry Blueberry Crumble                      

Topping ingredients:
1 C. flour
3/4 C. packed brown sugar
1/2 C. whole almonds
1/2 C. oats
1 t. all spice
3/4 C. butter

For the topping, blend the above ingredients in a food processor until crumbly (about 45 seconds).  Try not to over-process.  If it gets too moist or packed together, dumb into a bowl and separate using a fork.

Filling ingredients:
3 pints strawberries, stemmed and halved (or quartered)
2 pints blueberries (substituted for rhubarb from the original recipe)
3/4 C. sugar
3/4 C. flour
1 T. vanilla
2 t. all spice

To make filling, mix the ingredients above together in a large bowl.  Cover and let stand on the counter for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Spoon filling into 9 x 13 baking dish.  Sprinkle w/ topping.  Bake at 375 until the top slightly browns and the filling bubbles (about 40-45 minutes).  Let cool.  Serve heated with ice cream or cool whip and ENJOY!