Independence

Hello, hope you had a wonderful Independence Day. We celebrated on Saturday the 5^th because Josh had to work on the day of. Such is the story of our lives. According to his new schedule since he switched shifts he is working my birthday and Jesus' birthday this year. Oh so now you know what shift he works if you know anything about firefighter's schedules. Please do not come to my house when he is at work. We do have guns and I know how to use them.

On with the story, sorry folks. In case you did not cook yourself some good eats this weekend I would like to direct your attention to what I prepared. The people who love food will thank you for providing this for their enjoyment.

1. Main Dish: Loose Beef BBQ
   recipe here. Also, Elaine (who wrote the recipe), you are a food genius. This is THE best BBQ I have ever made. I make it about 3 or 4 times per year and each time it gets better and better.
   
2. Second Main Dish when we decided we would have 5 people instead of 3 present: Chicken Salad (My own recipe, so easy…boil 4 BS chicken breasts, let cool, cut up into little pieces. Then finely chop 4-5 stalks of celery, dice up a Fuji apple, toast some pecans and chop them up real small. Mix it all together with about ¾ cup PLAIN yogurt and ¾ cup mayo. Drop in some lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve over lettuce or on a bun.)
   
3. Appetizer: Jalapeno Bacon Yummies
   recipe here. In case you haven't figured out yet, The Pioneer Woman is an amazing cook. And seriously, anything you make will be a huge hit. These things were to DIE FOR. And I never thought I would say that about jalapenos but oh boy, were they good.
   
4. Then I made a simple little pound cake and served it with some homemade strawberry sauce. Don't have the recipe here at work with me but it is only like 4 or 5 ingredients.
   
5. I also made some raspberry simple syrup and mixed it with Pellegrino. My new favorite drink.
   

The rest of the food was brought by the guests and I was sad to see it go. Oh wait we have leftovers and all that good stuff.

Then on Sunday it was Josh's last day with his crew so I made some homemade ice cream and cookies for them. The ice cream was so good. I just adore homemade ice cream. It brings very fond memories of my dad mixing it in our garage in Hudson. Actually since I have now made it myself 2 times I realize that my mom had the harder job of preparing all the ingredients beforehand. He just had to layer ice and salt around the thing and push it down every so often. But all that to say, my dad makes a good homemade ice cream with the help of my mom. I miss that delicious fresh strawberry ice cream. Come visit so you can make me some. Please, come visit.

Oh and an announcement, I will now be the Executive Assistant Vice President. Oh sorry, pulled a Dwight Schrute there. For real now, I am going to be the Executive Assistant TO the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Long title, yes please. J Basically it is a little promotion for me and it is very nice. I am definitely looking forward to the change of pace and some new responsibilities. God has been very faithful this past year but it has been a very long year as far as work goes. There have been a few major challenges that created quite a bit of stress in my little world and just the thought of doing something else brings my heart rate down. God has really shown his grace to me in this time. He has supplied peace in my soul and gave me rest for my weary heart. Oh, woe is me. There were some weary times, not too many, but there were some and I have really found rest from that. So, thank you to all who know the details of this situation and have lifted me up in prayer. I have been blessed through your kindness. I am grateful for your wisdom and honest opinions that you shared as I considered this new job.

Now, off to the airport to pick up my little buddy, Lacey! I have my workout partner back after three long weeks of doing that blasted elliptical machine by myself I will now have someone to race again!! Wootwoot!