this is our happily ever after

Autumn Spinach Salad

I made this for both Thanksgiving meals we had.  I combined two recipes to make my own thing.  Someone said it was better than any salad they had eaten at Panera...that's a serious complement.

1 (10 oz) bag of baby spinach
1 ripe bartlett pear, thinly sliced
1 crisp apple such as honeycrisp, fuji, or macoun, thinly sliced
1 (4oz) container of crumbled goat cheese (not feta)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 cup candied walnuts (recipe below)
Maple-cider vinaigrette (recipe below)

Mix greens with dressing (you may not need all of it).  Toss in pear, apple, cheese and cranberries.  Top with walnuts and serve immediately. 

Walnuts:
1 cup whole walnuts
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp kosher salt
Place walnuts in a saucepan of boiling water, boil for 1 minute, drain and place on towel for a few minutes to finish draining.  Combine powdered sugar, pepper, and salt in a mixing bowl.  Place walnuts in mixture and coat.  Put walnuts on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes.  Remove and cool. 

Dressing:
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
3 tbsp apple juice or apple cider
2 tbsp  100% real maple syrup (not maple flavored syrup, there is  a difference)
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Mix all ingredients together in a container that can be sealed.  Shake to mix.

Thanksgiving recap

What a whirlwind of feasting with family.  Thursday we had Thanksgiving with my family.  My cousin Michael fixed a delicious beef tenderloin and the rest of chipped in with mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, homemade rolls and pie.  Yesterday we spent the day with Brian's family and enjoyed the traditional turkey and fixings.  Everything was great and now I really feel like I need to eat vegetables and beans for a few weeks before the Christmas feasts and parties begin. 

I didn't participate in Black Friday this year.  Mainly because there's nothing we need and we're doing things simply for Christmas this year....mostly handmade gifts, so there was no need to do major shopping. 

Starting Monday I'm going to begin my December Daily album.  I'm also going to begin posting a recipe and a Christmas idea each day.  I did this last year and enjoyed it.

Thanksgiving in houston...It was about 80 degrees (I wasn't happy about that)

our nephew Braedon...check out those legs!  He's 4 months old. 

Caroline (Brian's cousin) with Braedon

thankfulness day 3

oops...I forgot to post my entry yesterday so today there will be two posts

Today I am thankful for my friends...I have so many awesome friends.  Some I've had since childhood, some more recent, but each of them have  found a place in my heart.  I have learned so many life lessons through them and with them.  My friends challenge me, encourage me, and make me laugh and smile every day. I can't possibly name all of my friends in one post and what they mean to me (it's a good thing to have that many) so today I'll just mention the few that have really helped me the past few years as I prepared for my heart transplant, received my heart, and as I recovered this past year.  These girls listened to me cry, stood by my side, visited me in the hospital and have lifted me up in countless ways.  There are 3 that I want to mention. 

Kelly 

Carrie Beth

and Danice---sadly the only photo I have of us is from when I was in the hospital and she came to visit. Man, I look terrible in the picture...but I guess I'll put my vanity aside for a  moment and post it anyway.    This makes me realize that I must get some good photos of us together...seriously

Danice is in the yellow her daughter Lauren came to visit me too

thankfulness day 2

My family...not sure what I would do without them.  I love them each so very much.  I know I wouldn't be the same person, have the perspectives I have, the faith I have, or embrace life the way I do had I been a part of a different family. 

photo taken in Seattle, WA  9/2008

thankful for #1

This week I'm going to choose one thing each day I'm so thankful for....that without these things or people in my life...well my life just wouldn't be the same. 

number one:

Brian...without a doubt I love him more than anything else in the entire world.   I could not  imagine spending my life, both good times and bad, with anyone else but him. 

hello Friday

Another busy week in the life of Angela.  Last weekend I went to SA (San Antonio) to see the SA gang.  I had just seen Kelly the weekend before at Karen's photography class, but it was super to spend time with her again.  I'm going to try to get over to SA at least once a month to hang out with my friend, do some scrapping, spend time with the kids, etc.  Please pray for Kelly...she has severe varicose veins and one in her right leg has been causing her some terrible pain.  Although she's enjoyed not working all week and she does have a super husband, she needs to get this remedied so she can get back on her feet again.  She is not the kind of person who does well with idle time.  I think I'm going to recommend that she begin reading Twilight. Which I'm going to see tonight on the big screen.  I can hardly contain myself, although I'm sure it won't live up to the book, that was so good I wanted to eat bite it.  If you haven't read the series I HIGHLY recommend it.  Yes, it's about vampires and werewolves....I too thought it sounded stupid and hokey, but once you start you can't put it down.  I haven't met one person who's read it that didn't like love it.  And if you are that person who didn't like it...please don't tell me....I don't think I could ever look at you the same!  Below are some photos from the last week....I have a Seattle trip part 2 post coming later today.  

Little Edwardy....gosh, I love this kid....and he loves him some choo choo's...The shirt was a gift from me, his Aunt La La....yep, that's what he calls me....aunt la la....how stinkin cute  is that!

ok...I was trying to just get his hands playing with the train...I didn't intend on cutting his head off ;)

mommy and Edward

a year ago today...

I rang the bell...

Today I met my hubby for lunch, worked on my writing, scrapbooked, took a siesta, got a manicure, and read this in my quiet time.  I thought it was perfect for today. "You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done." Psalm 92:4  Yep, that pretty much says it all....
 

rice krispie truffles

This past weekend I went to San Antonio to celebrate with Kara and Kelly.  Kara and her hubby Ian are getting ready to foster children, so Kelly threw a shower for her on Friday night.  The menu was simple...wine and chocolate.  Kelly made these super delicious rice krispie truffles.  I lost count of how many I ate they were so yummy.  I had to share the recipe.  They would be great for the holidays and I was thinking that you could probably substitute the white chocolate for peppermint white chocolate if you like the mint/chocolate combination

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package white chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup KELLOGG'S* RICE KRISPIES*  cereal
• 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

directions

1. Melt white chocolate chips and butter in medium bowl in microwave or over saucepan of boiling water. Stir until smooth. Let cool at room temperature about 30 minutes.
2. Form white chocolate mixture into 2.5 cm (1-inch) balls. Roll in cereal, pressing cereal into truffles to coat well. Roll in palms to re-shape balls. Refrigerate about 30 minutes, until firm.
3. Melt semi-sweet chocolate as above. Dip prepared balls in chocolate to coat. Lift out with fork, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Place on waxed paper lined baking sheet. Let cool about 1 hour.

temporary address

We plan on being out of our house until January or February.  Our temporary address is:
100 Texas Ave West
# 1138
Webster, TX  77598

my cell phone number is 281-851-1610

13 days till Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is only 14 days from now...in two weeks you will most likely gather with family and/or friends to celebrate all we have to be thankful for.  Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday.  It centers around the 3 F's; family, friends, and food...my 3 favorite things.  This year we will be celebrating Thanksgiving twice; on Thursday we will have a non-traditional meal with my aunt, uncle, and cousins and then on Friday we'll have a traditional meal with Brian's aunt, uncle, cousin, and his brother, sister in law, and our baby nephew Braedon.  We are both blessed to get along with each others family...but I know that isn't always the case.  Today in my November devotional by Charles Stanley  I read an article about extending grace to your extended family (or even your very own flesh and blood).  Here are some guidelines I thought were very useful in dealing with those loved ones who might challenge you to live as Christ.  To view the complete article go here...

• Let go of expectations- it's unfair to assume that your family think and believe as you do regarding family time, food, entertainment, etc.  Heartache and disappointment occur when we expect others to act or be a certain way.  Ask others to share suggestions for the family visit to encourage everyone to feel a part of the occasion.  
• Think before giving advice- many times a suggestion or opinion, when not invited, can become a sore spot between family.  In Proverbs 11:12 we read "a man of understanding keeps silent" and  James 1:19 exhorts us to "be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger."  Ask yourself before you "share" thoughts or advice: Is what I want to say the truth? Is it kind? And is it necessary?
• Don't let  differences sabotage a relationship- Not everyone in a family will be like-minded (can I hear an amen!) Disagreements about such topics as politics, religion, child rearing, education, hobbies, etc. can lead to misunderstanding and contention if you're not humble and loving while expressing your viewpoint.  A "my way or the highway" attitude about your opinions and preferences can alienate family members potentially hindering bonding that you could otherwise share.  Ephesians 4:2-3 says that we should "show tolerance for one another in love" and "be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
• Speak only in truth and love- Let's be honest.  Dealing with negative behaviors, intense feelings, difficult situations, and/or conflict within the family can be challenging.  Fear keeps us from sharing the truth about our wishes and concerns, while anger and resentment keep us bound to role-playing and deception.  It's important to take responsiblity for your feelings (instead of pointing the finger) but at the same time share your specific needs, boundaries, or frustrations.  Freedom and healing are possible in even the most difficult situations if you bring listening ears and an open heart to a discussion. (note: I wouldn't suggest having this discussion over the Thanksgiving meal.  Make a time before the visit with family to work through any issues)
• Pray, Pray, Pray- 1 Peter 4:8 says to "keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."  By first being accountable to God, we open ourselves up to the power of His forgiveness that we can then extend to others.