I don't cook every single night....and I am not sure if I even cooked at all last week. I feel badly about that, but Tuesday night I got in late (11:00) and crashed. It took me the rest of the week to recover from the amazing, yet not very restful weekend I had at my Salt Lake City flyin. So, tonight, I made a yummy meal. I thought I would share the simplicity of it. I originally made this pasta dish with a beef tenderloin on Easter Sunday......but thanks to my sista's idea, I added some roasted shrimp to it......and voila! A beautiful, simple, and delicious meal!
I threw together some pene pasta, roasted shrimp (5 min in the oven), roasted asparagus, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.
How I did it?
Step 1: Trim asparagus and wash and dry. Put on cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil....roast for 10 min at 400....my asparagus was fat...so 10 minutes let it cook, but still have a crunch.
Step 2: Crush up some garlic and add some olive oil to it...rub down the shrimp and put in the oven at 400 for 5 min.
Step 3: While boiling pasta, slice up the sun dried tomatoes...I used the kind in the jar.
Step 4: When everything is cooked, I throw it all together and toss....salt and pepper to taste, and then shave some fresh Parmesan cheese over it. I also served a crusty bread.
There you have it. A beautiful pasta served warm. The red and green make it so pretty, and it tasted great. The kids actually THANKED me for dinner without their dad having to tell them to. That recipe is a keeper.
Wine would have gone nice with this light dinner, but didn't have any on hand tonight. Hope you like it.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Lazy Sunday Afternoon
Yesterday was a stormy Saturday. In fact, Tripp's 9:00 a.m. ballgame just barely made it through. It was a great game...he hit his first home run (thanks MAXgxl ) In the last inning, we were beating the snot out of them....so we'd already won it basically...but in the last inning, there was a little thunder, but no rain yet. Then one flash of lightning was all it took for me, and I grabbed Lily and yelled back at my hub, "I'm out" and we sprinted to the car. I don't mess with lightning! We had a pretty gloomy day with rain and storms all day long....but thank goodness we had no severe weather. I took a long nap...and I am not a napper, I promise. It was the perfect nap day though.
Today, on the other hand is gorgeous! Blue skies and breezy, with a mild temperature. Perfect! We went to church, and then to a friend's surprise celebratory lunch. He just finished theological seminary....
I am planning on going for a nice long power walk in a bit, but not yet.
I am feelin so mellow. I am home sittin' on my back porch, reading, journaling, pondering, listening to some of my fave tunes, and writing. Perfect. Sometimes, a lazy Sunday is in order. I am reading a book right now called Captivating, by Staci Eldridge. It will be my 3rd time to read it with a different group each time. I do a boot camp at Temple Fitness, and on Tuesday mornings there are several women reading it together. It is a beautifully written book about our heart; a woman's heart...about how God uniquely designed our hearts perfectly. Just read Chapter 1 and need to have Chapter 2 done before Tues. Plenty of time!
Have a wonderfully blessed Sunday! Over and Out!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Feeling a little light on my feet
Okay, listen up! Here's the deal, people. Sticking with a workout routine works. Yes it does. I know this for sure, and I bet you are probably guessing that I am about to give you a story...and yessireee I am! But, I want to start my story by givin a little background!
Last weekend, while in Salt Lake City...there were several of us that arrived before the others...so we went to the mall for a couple of hours. We ate lunch, and we browsed...some shopped. Well the whole group of us went into the Buckle and I browsed but wanted NOTHING to do with trying on designer jeans....NOTHING. I get depressed shopping for Levi's and designer is a whole new level of hopelessness in me. So, I wasn't about to put myself in that.
You have all read (maybe not) my victories and failures and feelings on this whole boot camp thing. I have had ups and downs....wanting to see more results...not getting it....then seeing it....It is a roller coaster sometimes. Well, today, I went in there to get a gift. The sweet guy (prob about 18) helped and then suggested I try on some jeans. We talked. I was like, "boy, I aint tried on jeans in 14 months, and I am NOT doing it today" well he kept pressin me...so I figured, "what the heck," I was alone, if I get depressed, well, that is what Cinnabon is for right? So, then, Justin and his two cute girl assistants began to bring me one pair of jeans after another. Now, what I am about to reveal is top secret, ya hear?
14 months ago, I bought size..........31....so I figured I may be in a 30 by now....so that is what I asked for. Well, they thought differently and brought me 29's! Lots and Lots of beautiful 29's! And they fit! Not the "I have to suck in my tummy, lay down on the floor and zip up" fit. The "they zipped up easily and produced no muffin top" fit. I felt soooo good! I couldn't believe it! I mean, these cute kids probably thought I was a lunatic...then they began to bring the shoes, and the shirts.....boy o boy I was feeling GROOVY. I was saying, "You guys have made my day....I haven't been this size since my son was conceived! (9 years ago) I know they thought I was a nut...but I didn't care....
Last weekend, while in Salt Lake City...there were several of us that arrived before the others...so we went to the mall for a couple of hours. We ate lunch, and we browsed...some shopped. Well the whole group of us went into the Buckle and I browsed but wanted NOTHING to do with trying on designer jeans....NOTHING. I get depressed shopping for Levi's and designer is a whole new level of hopelessness in me. So, I wasn't about to put myself in that.
You have all read (maybe not) my victories and failures and feelings on this whole boot camp thing. I have had ups and downs....wanting to see more results...not getting it....then seeing it....It is a roller coaster sometimes. Well, today, I went in there to get a gift. The sweet guy (prob about 18) helped and then suggested I try on some jeans. We talked. I was like, "boy, I aint tried on jeans in 14 months, and I am NOT doing it today" well he kept pressin me...so I figured, "what the heck," I was alone, if I get depressed, well, that is what Cinnabon is for right? So, then, Justin and his two cute girl assistants began to bring me one pair of jeans after another. Now, what I am about to reveal is top secret, ya hear?
14 months ago, I bought size..........31....so I figured I may be in a 30 by now....so that is what I asked for. Well, they thought differently and brought me 29's! Lots and Lots of beautiful 29's! And they fit! Not the "I have to suck in my tummy, lay down on the floor and zip up" fit. The "they zipped up easily and produced no muffin top" fit. I felt soooo good! I couldn't believe it! I mean, these cute kids probably thought I was a lunatic...then they began to bring the shoes, and the shirts.....boy o boy I was feeling GROOVY. I was saying, "You guys have made my day....I haven't been this size since my son was conceived! (9 years ago) I know they thought I was a nut...but I didn't care....
Now before you think, "shelli, did you lose control and spend way too much money?" I will tell you that I have the self-control of a....well....a.......well, I just have it, okay? Usually, I have it. Mostly, I have it. Sometimes I screw it up...but not today.
Today.....I put my two new pairs of size 29 jeans and awesome awesome wedge 6 inch sandals on LAYAWAY! Yep....see ya in a month or two or three possibly. Hope I don't lose more weight before I can wear them!
The moral of my story is to tell you to Hang in there.....it will pay off.....Weight loss aint easy....and it will happen with diligence.
Love ya'll,
Shelli
Today.....I put my two new pairs of size 29 jeans and awesome awesome wedge 6 inch sandals on LAYAWAY! Yep....see ya in a month or two or three possibly. Hope I don't lose more weight before I can wear them!
The moral of my story is to tell you to Hang in there.....it will pay off.....Weight loss aint easy....and it will happen with diligence.
Love ya'll,
Shelli
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
My funny girl
Okay, so everyone knows that Lily is JUST like me. And if you don't, well I am about to clue you in people. I was out of town from Saturday to late last night and the kids were all over me this morning. It was so sweet. Both in my lap at one time. I love it! Well, Lily was a chatty cathy....I couldn't think strait! Before getting in the car she is asking Coach Kimmie to pray for her ear...it hurts....and Kimmie promises she will pray for her ear. I love the innocence. Well then she gets in the car after school...I am driving down the road, and I think sister put a whole new cap on how many words a female can speak in a minute. I learned all about her scratches from PE and how at lunch she wanted four sides but the darn lunch ladies would only let her have 3...she was ticked! Then she told me all about her standardized test today and I know I did my best momma....Oh my gosh, the girl wouldn't stop. I got a giggle cuz it sooo reminded me of me at her age...and some of you may have had the privilege to see that side of me now..it still comes out a time or two....
Here is the absolute kicker...the thing that my joyful happy girl did to make me smile soooo big. I came upstairs to help Tripp on a project online and Lily volunteers to water the porch plants. Great! She does it and then comes up to let us know she has named each plant. "Mommy, I named the plants! One is Ally, she is the pink one. One is Sally, and she is the purple one and they are twins. Carly is the purple one on the left. The green one is George," she proudly announces. I thanked her for naming them so now I can address them as I water them. This is my 11 year old child! I love her simplicity and carefree happy spirit. I just love it and wanted to share it with all ya'll.
Here is the absolute kicker...the thing that my joyful happy girl did to make me smile soooo big. I came upstairs to help Tripp on a project online and Lily volunteers to water the porch plants. Great! She does it and then comes up to let us know she has named each plant. "Mommy, I named the plants! One is Ally, she is the pink one. One is Sally, and she is the purple one and they are twins. Carly is the purple one on the left. The green one is George," she proudly announces. I thanked her for naming them so now I can address them as I water them. This is my 11 year old child! I love her simplicity and carefree happy spirit. I just love it and wanted to share it with all ya'll.
redemption
I think it is so masterful and merciful of the Lord to allow us to be used even when we have our own issues we wrestle with. So many times, the enemy tries to make us believe the Lie that we can't be used for the kingdom if we are havin our own issues....I was talkin to a precious young lady this week…..I was hoping and praying to give her words of wisdom…the wisdom of the Lord, not from me, cuz there aint’ nothing wise about me. “Why in the world this sweet gal wanted to talk to me, I have no idea,” I went to sleep wonderin.
But, I do remember days when I was living off on my own, no momma, no sister, and no spiritual mentor. I remember days when my heart hurt and I felt lonely. I needed the nurture of an older (I aint saying I am old by the way) mature woman (I aint mature either) I remember times when my heart ached from a break-up and I had no one. My mom was 2 states away, and there just were no women….I remember driving one particular mom of a gal I babysat crazy. It was my senior year in college….My first love broke my heart. This poor woman would sit and listen to me go on and on. That was all I had at that point. I remember wanting to talk to others and needing others, and not having it. So….when this sweet thing called me to talk and I could hear the tears in her voice, I knew with all that was in me, that I just had to make time for it. I wanted to be the “thing” for her that I so desperately needed back then.
And, boy what a blessing it was for me. I don’t know what she got from it, but God spoke to me. In fact, as I was saying to her, things like, “You are a saint….don’t live like a sinner….be free from your guilt and learn the lesson and move on.” Condemnation is a strong thing! It isn’t from God either. I felt the Lord telling me to pay attention to these words….. MY WORDS. I about wanted to CHOKE! Nothing like havin’ to take your own vinegary medicine.
I just find it so darn ironic that I for one would be called on to help this sweet girl in her pain….when I am so messed up myself. When I have got my own stuff going on? But I said, okay, come on over, we will talk. So, Oh, Thank you Lord for that. But the other thing is this…..that the words coming from my mouth, were the very words used to minister to me in my own stuff. Funny how that works. How masterful is that!?
One thing I really wanted her to know and discover for herself was that no matter what I said to her, I am human and flawed, that she needed to take my words to the Lord and ask Him about it. If that wasn’t a gift from God, I don’t know what is. Sometimes, we hear from others about their thoughts and feelings and opinions.
I learned this week, that not everything spoken over me with “truth in love” is completely Truth. It taught me that I need to not use that phrase lightly ever again. “Truth in Love” should always be gentle. Love is gentle. NOT saying’ I am always gentle…and definitely not sayin’ I am always actin’ in love either. “Truth in Love” knows when to be gentle, knows when to be bold, and knows when to be silent and just listen and pray. I am learning a lot about that. When should I be silent and pray? When should I be gentler, and when should I be bold? I pray I will know “when to” more often.
God used this sweet thing in her pain to also minister to me..she was my angel that day ….she needed me, but I am humbled, because I think I may have needed her more. I am thankful for being used, but man did the experience meet me right where I needed it too. I am eternally grateful.
So, in this, I have become even more determined to pray for the future women in my daughter’s life. She will not always have me around…or close by. I may not be there the first time her heart gets broken. I hope I am the one to hold her in my arms and rock her in my lap, or lay next to her in the bed stroking her hair and back while she weeps. I remember Ann Chastain (my dorm RA) doing that with me. I hope it’s me. I hope I can be there with words of wisdom or with an understanding ear… NOT words of sour condemnation or legalism as I listen to her confess her “mess-ups”. This woman will be full of words of gentleness, love, and freedom. I may not be the one giving her the words of life everytime. So, I pray she will have women in her life that will have the same heart as mine. I pray that they will have the same love in their hearts for God that I do. We will be partners in raising up sweet sweet Lily Grace….
But, I do remember days when I was living off on my own, no momma, no sister, and no spiritual mentor. I remember days when my heart hurt and I felt lonely. I needed the nurture of an older (I aint saying I am old by the way) mature woman (I aint mature either) I remember times when my heart ached from a break-up and I had no one. My mom was 2 states away, and there just were no women….I remember driving one particular mom of a gal I babysat crazy. It was my senior year in college….My first love broke my heart. This poor woman would sit and listen to me go on and on. That was all I had at that point. I remember wanting to talk to others and needing others, and not having it. So….when this sweet thing called me to talk and I could hear the tears in her voice, I knew with all that was in me, that I just had to make time for it. I wanted to be the “thing” for her that I so desperately needed back then.
And, boy what a blessing it was for me. I don’t know what she got from it, but God spoke to me. In fact, as I was saying to her, things like, “You are a saint….don’t live like a sinner….be free from your guilt and learn the lesson and move on.” Condemnation is a strong thing! It isn’t from God either. I felt the Lord telling me to pay attention to these words….. MY WORDS. I about wanted to CHOKE! Nothing like havin’ to take your own vinegary medicine.
I just find it so darn ironic that I for one would be called on to help this sweet girl in her pain….when I am so messed up myself. When I have got my own stuff going on? But I said, okay, come on over, we will talk. So, Oh, Thank you Lord for that. But the other thing is this…..that the words coming from my mouth, were the very words used to minister to me in my own stuff. Funny how that works. How masterful is that!?
One thing I really wanted her to know and discover for herself was that no matter what I said to her, I am human and flawed, that she needed to take my words to the Lord and ask Him about it. If that wasn’t a gift from God, I don’t know what is. Sometimes, we hear from others about their thoughts and feelings and opinions.
I learned this week, that not everything spoken over me with “truth in love” is completely Truth. It taught me that I need to not use that phrase lightly ever again. “Truth in Love” should always be gentle. Love is gentle. NOT saying’ I am always gentle…and definitely not sayin’ I am always actin’ in love either. “Truth in Love” knows when to be gentle, knows when to be bold, and knows when to be silent and just listen and pray. I am learning a lot about that. When should I be silent and pray? When should I be gentler, and when should I be bold? I pray I will know “when to” more often.
God used this sweet thing in her pain to also minister to me..she was my angel that day ….she needed me, but I am humbled, because I think I may have needed her more. I am thankful for being used, but man did the experience meet me right where I needed it too. I am eternally grateful.
So, in this, I have become even more determined to pray for the future women in my daughter’s life. She will not always have me around…or close by. I may not be there the first time her heart gets broken. I hope I am the one to hold her in my arms and rock her in my lap, or lay next to her in the bed stroking her hair and back while she weeps. I remember Ann Chastain (my dorm RA) doing that with me. I hope it’s me. I hope I can be there with words of wisdom or with an understanding ear… NOT words of sour condemnation or legalism as I listen to her confess her “mess-ups”. This woman will be full of words of gentleness, love, and freedom. I may not be the one giving her the words of life everytime. So, I pray she will have women in her life that will have the same heart as mine. I pray that they will have the same love in their hearts for God that I do. We will be partners in raising up sweet sweet Lily Grace….
Sunday, April 18, 2010
MAX
Living life to the MAX! This is a new phrase I am embracing. Some of you know about this new product and company I am in with called MAX International. I am in Utah now getting intense flyin training with others all around the country. We are getting training from the top people in our company and the founders all are here too. It is super exciting to be aligned with so many quality people.....and my team is just like a family. I am whipped, but excited. I have loved getting to know people on my team better, as well as making new friends altogether.
Coming back to Nashville....on fire......
Tomorrow's day starts early....first thing in the morning we talk with our founder, Steven K Scott....also the founder marketer of companies like Total Gym, Deal a Meal, Proactive, and Where there's a will there's an A......wonderful man. He wrote a book I am reading write now called, "the richest man who ever lived." Wonderful Christian man......
Coming back to Nashville....on fire......
Tomorrow's day starts early....first thing in the morning we talk with our founder, Steven K Scott....also the founder marketer of companies like Total Gym, Deal a Meal, Proactive, and Where there's a will there's an A......wonderful man. He wrote a book I am reading write now called, "the richest man who ever lived." Wonderful Christian man......
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Hello....I am back!
Wow, a couple of BIZY weeks didn't give me much time to sit and blog.
I am now on vacation in Orlando Florida visiting my family. It is so sweet to sit and visit and just enjoy watching the cousins play. My nieces and nephew are the cutest! Carleigh (8), Olivia (6), Sawyer (4), and Grace (3) are some pretty awesome kids. They are playing great with my two...Lily (11) and Tripp (8). I am so enjoying just sitting and catching up with mi hermana. We took the kids swimming at my dad's pool today, and tomorrow we will pool hop on to Melbourne to visit my brother in love's mother...."nana" It promises to be fun, and yummy. Sarah is an amazing cook, and I always look forward to visiting with her. I love her strait forward style, and how she will speak truth in love to you. It is so refreshing. Life is too short to not be genuine and real in my opinion. As long as words come from love....
My sister (www.525baxter.blogspot.com) is a great hostess...and I always feel welcome and at home. She also loves the Lord and it is evident in her and in her children. You should check her blog out too.
Peace out for now.....blog more later with pics...
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