Great Deal!

I love magazines.

No, I really love magazines.

One of my absolute favorites is Southern Living. Even the website is amazing. I love getting cooking and decorating ideas from it and it is just an all-around great read. However, in the interest of the family budget, I usually just check it out at the library and copy anything I feel I might really need.

Friends, my days of checking out Southern Living are over. I am now a full blown subscriber for the next year. I am also a new subscriber to Country Living as well! Now, I know Tyler is you are asking, "Rachel, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FAMILY BUDGET?!?!"

Dear ones. Please. I only spent $10 total on these two magazines for the next year.

If you go here, you can get the same deal! It will be $10 upon checkout even though Country Living is listed as $10 itself. Thanks for the tip, Le!

Tasty McTastyness

I don't think it's a secret that I love to eat. I love to cook, bake, look at recipes, cookbooks, pictures of food, food reviews, etc. It is a great wonder that I do not weigh 400 pounds although I could be well on my way if I'm not careful. I was one of those babies who would start to shake with joy when it was time to eat. I may or may not still do that.

Let us move on.

I find great pleasure in going out to eat. I can usually find something to be excited about at a restaurant. During the school year, my coworkers and I will sometimes go to eat at Olive Garden as it is right across the street. My family never went to Olive Garden while I was growing up so I like going now. I do happen to realize that OG does not serve authentic Italian food but that doesn't mean I can't like it!

As much as I love going out to eat, we are trying to save some cash around here, so when I was thinking about one of my favorite OG meals tonight, I thought that I might search the Internets for the recipe. And my word, did I score on this one. I actually found THE RECIPE on the Olive Garden website! I also have the recipes for the salad, salad dressing, and breadsticks from my Food Network magazine.

So all that to say, we are going to have an Olive Garden feast here soon. I would now like to share with you the recipe for my favorite OG dish. I will let you know how it comes out and if I get it all together one of these days, I will type out the salad and breadsticks recipes for you all. That's cause I love you so much. Oh, and if you happen to think this is low calorie, look elsewhere, my friends. Look elsewhere.

Enjoy!

Chicken and Gnocchi Veronese

Ingredients
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 small Vidalia onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, sliced (julienned)
½ zucchini, sliced, (julienned)
Salt to taste
4 chicken breasts, sliced in ½” strips
2 small branches rosemary
1 garlic clove, minced
Juice of ½ lemon

Veronese Sauce
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
½ cup ricotta cheese
14 fl oz heavy cream


Chicken and Sauce

1. COMBINE garlic, lemon juice, rosemary and chicken slices in a mixing bowl. Let marinate for at least 2 hours.
   
2. COMBINE Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese and heavy cream in a mixing bowl and set aside.
   
3. HEAT sauté pan on medium high. Add extra virgin olive oil, onions, bell peppers, and zucchini. Saute until onions are translucent (do not brown).
   
4. ADD marinated chicken slices and cook until slices are brown on all sides and internal temperature is 165°F. Reduce heat and add sauce mixture. Bring to a simmer.
   
5. DRAIN cooked gnocchi and add to pan with chicken, vegetables and sauce. Stir to coat gnocchi with sauce.
   
6. SERVE gnocchi topped with extra Parmesan cheese.

**I do not make my own gnocchi. I get the kind that it vacuum sealed as it is fresh and much easier than making your own. I also get the whole grain gnocchi that is made with sweet potatoes for a healthier option. If you would like the instructions to make your own gnocchi, you can click here for the full version of the recipe.

The Blind Side

Today, I saw a Tweet that Krysta wrote. She included a link and something about crying while watching a movie trailer. Well, I happen to think that she has great taste so I was very curious to see what this whole crying business was all about.

Y'all, I cried all my makeup right off of my face.

I am a sucker for a great movie. I am an even bigger sucker for a great movie that is based on a true story. And HAVE MERCY, is this a great true story.

I would give you a little summary, but I think it would be better for you to join me for a boat ride in The River of Tears and watch the trailer before you go any further.



DID YOU NOT HEAR ME SAY HAVE MERCY A MOMENT AGO? Can I get an amen? If you can watch that without crying, you may have to check to see if you're a robot.

It is based on a book that I think is mostly comparing Michael's story to a football move. Now, I know nothing about football, but I am definitely going to try and read this book before seeing the movie. I just put it on hold at the library, as a matter of fact. Although one of my pet peeves is when I read a fabulous book and the movie does it horrible, terrible justice... cough, MY SISTERS KEEPER, cough.

I don't think we're going to have a problem with this movie, folks. I just don't see that happening. After all, it stars my girl, Sandra Bullock, and I've never had an issue with her.

Have a great night and let me know if you've read this book!

Today.

24 years ago, today, I was born!

2 years ago, today, I married my best friend!

All in all, I would say that August 4 has always been good to me. :)

Prayer for Cheryl

UPDATE:
On Saturday, August 1, 2009, the day after her birthday, Jesus finally healed Cheryl completely and took her home to live with Him.

Please be in prayer for her husband, Steve, her children, Karen, Keith, and Kent, and her grandchildren, Kennedy and Cole. They face difficult days ahead without sweet Cheri.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Lord Jesus, be near.

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Tonight, I would ask you to pray for my friend Cheryl.

Cheryl is a colleague of mine. We met two years ago and worked together on many occasions as I was the sixth grade English teacher and she taught seventh grade English. She has always been very helpful and encouraging to me.

Cheryl has taught at CCS since 1984. She is an amazing woman of God as well as a phenomenal wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Just a few months ago, Cheryl was diagnosed with cancer that had spread throughout her body. She quickly deteriorated even while going through chemotherapy.

Cheryl was moved to hospice about a week ago. Her message to us, as her friends, was to come and visit. I was able to go and love on Cheryl this past Sunday. It was such a precious time. Even though she was so physically ill, she still asked about my life and about Dana's life (Dana was with me) and focused on us. It blew me away. We were able to chat about silly things, like her love of reality television, and serious things as well.

While I was there, I asked her how we could be praying for her. She asked for us to pray for healing and for God's will to be done. Cheryl knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord can heal her on this Earth, but that He will heal her fully when she is welcomed into His arms.

Tonight, our staff received an email that Cheryl is much worse tonight (7/29) and will most likely not make it through the night. Will you join me in praying for Cheryl, her husband Steve, her children and her young grandchildren?

I am praying that Jesus will take Cheryl into His arms quickly, quietly, and peacefully. That He will welcome her with the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"

Cheryl serves Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer. He heals us of all our diseases, but the fact of the matter is that He may not do it on Earth. He can do it, but that may not always be a part of His will for our lives. However, one way or another, Cheryl will be healed because she serves the Lord of Healing. Please pray with me that healing will come soon and that her loved ones here on Earth will remember that it won't be long before they are reunited with Cheryl, healed and whole.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits-
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases...
Psalm 103:2-3

Authors and Laundry and MckAroons, oh my!

This will be a rather quick and random post, but I would like to share a few things.

First off, meet my new baby:


This beautiful Canon PowerShot, which I have named Frank (I tend to name my things, don't ask), is my new buddy. My delightful parents gifted me with Frank as an early birthday present. Hopefully, you will see some good things come from Frank and I. I also checked out Digital Photography for Dummies from the library and hope to come away with some good tips. Let us also hope that Frank is more compatible with my computer so that I can update you with some pictures.

I also would like to, once again, sing the praises of the library. I couldn't love it more. I recently discovered the glory that is the Main Library of Cincinnati. This is the library that is downtown. Oh, mercy. It is a piece of heaven for us book lovers. I just went today. I checked out the first season of Army Wives and it is eight kinds of wonderful. I am almost finished with disc 1. Oh, how I love summers off of teaching.

I have been sitting here enjoying the company of my new army friends while folding the scads of laundry that have been piling up in our room. Here's the deal about laundry: I love it. All of it. I don't mind a single bit, other than running down to the basement for all of the loads. What is bad about clean laundry? NOTHING, I tell you, NOTHING!

I also just finished a chocolate dipped MckAroon. Oh my delicious. I made these for the group of friends that came over last night to watch the parade drive down our street (another post, another time) and everyone gave them a thumbs up. This is one cookie that I will make again.

And before I say goodbye, I have a question for you. Please listen carefully, because I need your help. This is clearly a very important question.

What are your favorite authors/books?

I am a reading fanatic. I go through books in a day or so. Reading is my favorite pasttime and I have some favorite authors, but when I find an author, I tend to go a little nuts and read ALL of their books as fast as possible. This has happened with Mary Higgins Clark, her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, and Harlan Coben, along with some others.

I would love for you to comment and let me know who your favorite authors are or even what your favorite books are. I would love to know some reading interests that we have in common! I would also really enjoy finding some new authors to explore.

But before you go all gung-ho (and I'm hoping you will!), please read this statement: I do not care for historical fiction of any kind. I know, hate me if you must, but this is one genre that I cannot get myself into. However, before you verbally beat me to death for this, please understand that the only historical fiction that I have ever truly enjoyed is that by Francine Rivers. If you have not read Redeeming Love, go out and BUY this book. I promise that you will not be disappointed, even if you are crazy like me and don't care for historical literature.

On that note, I've gotta go switch the Army Wives disc. Can't wait to hear from you all.

I'm Here!

Well, ya'll are probably wondering where I ran off to and died. Never fear. I have returned.

I have been MIA because I traveled to Poland for a short term missions trip. It was nothing short of a delight. I got to work with missionary kids and their families and it was such a rich time for me. I met a new kindred spirit (Anne Shirley, anyone?), Michelle. Have you ever met someone where you instantly connect as precious friends? It was such a blessing for me. Hopefully Tyler and I will be able to go out to California next summer to spend time with Wes, Michelle, and Sidney.

Anyway, I promise that not only will I give you an entry of substance sometime very soon, but I will also give you Part 2 of A Bug's Life. I promise you-- this is one entry you will not want to miss.

In the mean time, I would like to pull a "BooMama" and give you all a taste of some of my favorite things out there on the Internets right now. And yes, I did pluralize Internet and no, I do not care. I'm an individual, and by golly, I like myself.

I digress.

And here goes.

--I adored this post by my sweet (IRL* and bloggy) friend, Lindsey. I can identify with it so much. Girls, for those of you who are blessed enough to live by your families, do not take a moment for granted! Linds, can I get an amen!?

--I want to share with you two things that I love an appropriate amount: bacon and BooMama. So therefore, I almost peed myself when she wrote a post on bacon. She also included a recipe that includes bacon, shrimp, butter, Old Bay, garlic, hot sauce, and OH, DID I MENTION BACON? Loves it.

--A revelation from one of my favorite bloggy friends, Mandy. A revelation that I will be trying, by the way.

--Bill O'Reilly's take on the whole Michael Jackson situation-- I do love when someone just says it like it is. Do I always agree with Bill? NO! I do, however, agree with the fact that we need to move on with our lives, America. Don't get me wrong; I have been carefully formulating a MJ post because he truly was one of my favorite entertainers, but he was just that to me-- an entertainer, not a saint. On with the show.

That's all for now. However, as I sit here as my husband watches Deadliest Catch, I would like to proclaim ALL PRAISE BE TO GOD THAT HE HAS NEVER AND HOPEFULLY WILL NEVER ASK ME TO BE A CRAB FISHERMAN BECAUSE, TRULY, I'D RATHER NEVER EAT CRAB AGAIN THAN GO OUT ON A BOAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA AND SUFFER FROM STAGE 1 HYPOTHERMIA AND SEA SICKNESS ALL THE STINKIN' TIME.

Amen and amen.

P.S. I missed ya'll so terribly when I was gone.

*IRL=In Real Life