by Kimberly | Dec 27, 2010 | Uncategorized
Well, here we are, last week of 2010. How has your 2010 been? Everything you wanted it to be and more? Not quite what you expected? Heartache? Disappointment? Unexpected joys? Tears? Laughter? All of the above? 2010 was different for me, grand, but very tough in some areas. 2011…who knows what it will bring, but that’s for another post.
1. When will I ever stop trying to measure up to some people’s expectations of me?
2. I love seeing old, and dear, friends.
3. Hit the ground, running!
4. I love hearing people’s heartbeats for their city: like these people who love the Bull Street City.
5. Country music helps me make it through long drives on 95!
6. There are dear friends in my life, these are the friends that you don’t have to see every day or talk to every day, but your life would be no where near the same without them, they are ones you call out to if you need ANYTHING!!! Two such couples are Brad and Lindsay Weldy and Clarissa and Bob Bacon. Love them! God is so gracious to me.
7. The sunrise was beautiful this morning.
8. I had a white boxing day, though I had a 70 degree Florida Christmas. Thankful for the break.
9. This week: reading Radical and Death by Love.
1. Love Mark Hall and this song makes more sense now that I know it is a poem.
2. Most of you may not know who Danny Franks is, but you need to know him and his sense of humor.
3. I will need this every Thursday in 2011.
4. Do you never ask God for more patience? If you don’t, then you don’t need to read this. For the rest of us, check this out by Resurgence.
5. For all you crafty people out there, what to do with all those Christmas cards?
I hope everyone enjoyed a very Merry Christmas, the snow, the sun (depending on what part of the world you live in), and will have a very Happy New Year later this week. I know God is good to me (Psalm 84:11) and that is why I anticipate the new year!
much love – kd
by Kimberly | Dec 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
I love black beans. I love soup. I love all things Foster’s Market. So…this would be a perfect recipe, right. You are right – very yummy. The lime juice definitely makes this a winner for me. We served it today for lunch. My Dad makes great yellow rice and paired quite well with the soup. Not that it’s cold down here in Lakeland or anything, but soup is good anytime!
1 lb dry black beans (rinsed over night, drained)
1/4 cup evoo
1 red onion, diced
1 red pepper, seeded and diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
4 ribs celery, chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
8 garlic cloves, chopped
1 granny smith apple, chopped
1 T basil, dried
8 cups red-sodium chicken broth
4 bay leaves,
salt (to taste)
pepper (to taste)
juice of 3 limes
Cook black beans for about 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, saute onion in the evoo for about 10 minutes. Then add the rest of the veggies for about 10 minutes. Then add the broth and seasonings.
Add to black beans and simmer about 75 minutes, or until done to your liking. Add juice and serve!
You can probably use canned beans and make this a lot quicker.
Enjoy!
by Kimberly | Dec 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
Behold, the power of the internet. And blogs. And girls. And designers. And fun gifts. And Christmas. I decided to participate in the Cold Hands Warm Heart Blog Christmas Swap this year as a way to get to know other people. Tine, a wonderful lady from Norway, was my swap partner. She got my package on her birthday (added blessing) and I got her gift today…when she got a promotion at work (happy Friday to both of us).
One thing I’ve learned about Tine is how caring her is – you can tell in her blogs and in her chats on facebook. What a blessing that is! I do hope I get to meet her one day. She is coming to America in 2012. Or, maybe I need to take a little jaunt across the pond.
The best part of her little package she sent my way was the care and family thoughtfulness she put in it. The mittens (my first ever pair of them) were: “My Father’s family is from a place called Trysil. Its known for its big downhill skiing facilities. In the 1930s the community collected patterns from the local woman.” She hand knitted some ornaments with a pattern from Norwegian design duo Arne & Carlos. She is a beautiful knitter (something I am not good at). I appreciate others’ talents. Especially when they bless me with their gifts.
Tine and I have matching hair clips now, and I love pearl! 🙂 And I have been looking for little hair accessories since they are all the rage now. The last fun thing in my little package is something I know Tine really loves, too. So everytime I use it I will think of her. She loves the work of Lisbeth Dahl, a designer. Look at the beautiful work and you will love it, too.
Tine – you are a blessing to me. I loved the personal-ness of this package (and am amazed at your packing ability). Everytime I look at these gifts, I will think of you. Glad we are now friends.
by Kimberly | Dec 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
Very warm comfort food that has a deep rich flavor. One of my favorite things. Wish it was healthier – but at least it is yummy and comforting.
4 cups medium shells (almost a whole box)
5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cups flour
2-½ cups skim Milk
2 teaspoons dry Mustard
1 egg
1 pound cheese, I used sharp cheddar and an italian blend
½ teaspoons Salt (and don’t forget to salt the water when boiling the pasta)
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
½ teaspoons ground pepper
Optional Spices: Paprika, hot sauce (which I put some in)
Cook pasta till firm and drain. Melt butter and add flour and stir for 5 minutes. Don’t let it burn. Add spices and milk, stir until combined. Add cheese and everything else. Dump in the pasta and stir. Put into an oven-proof pan at 350 for about 25 minutes. I topped mine with homemade croutons and parm cheese.
Delicious!
by Kimberly | Dec 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
On this ice-y morning, I woke up early and immediately thought of pancakes. I had been thinking about them for days but thought today is the day. I didn’t really want to brave the roads due to the slush and ice, but proceeded. I saw a jug of Trader Joe’s Spiced Cider on my counter and that was my inspiration, so I headed to my little netbook and plugged away into the world wide web.
Here we go:
1/4 cup canola oil
2 cups vanilla yogurt
1 cup apple cider
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
Combine wet. Mix dry. Gentle stir the two together. Keeping griddle pan on medium low heat, make pancakes using a 1/4 cup scoop and cook until done.
Before you start making the pancakes, get the apples cooking:
2 cripp lady apples
4 tsp unsalted butter
2 heaping T brown sugar
Slice apple thin and stir into butter and sugar. Keep on low and let cook until all the pancakes are done.
Top with cool whip, apples, maple syrup, whatever you fancy.
by Kimberly | Dec 15, 2010 | food, Uncategorized
What wonderful delicious-tasting, fresh-made Italian food in downtown Apex. I was there taking some photos of my friends at Moon & Lola and we went to Anna’s (downstairs from their jewelry studio) for lunch. And what a warming lunch it was. I found out today that they make their own mozzarella. Now that’s what makes a good pizza – even better…
Oh, if you are in NYC – there are three locations in the big City. Big City pizza in little city Apex…
The salad at Anna’s was non-descript (lettuce, tomatoes, olives) but the balsamic vinaigrette was pretty good, little thicker than most balsamic dressings.
I ordered the lunch special for around 6$ and got salad and a slice of pizza. Ok, this wasn’t just any slice of pizza. This was an inch thick (thin crust, all toppings mind you) and massive slice of stringy cheese, moist chicken goodness. I decided on the Chicken Marsala pizza and it was perfect: sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, chicken, Marsala wine, and that wonderful fresh homemade mozz cheese!
Thanks downtown Apex!
