52 Pix - Week 33

The lady at Publix tempted me into trying the latest Publix Apron's simple meal.  Scallops with a Creamy Bacon Corn Sauce....delicious.  Check out the recipe here and give it a try (only 30 minutes to make!)
I used a can of Rotel instead of the Trinity mix from Publix and accidentally had one with green chilies - our mouths were flaming by the end of the meal.  Aside from that little snafu, it was a great weekend meal!

Presto Pesto

One thing I will definitely be growing again next summer is basil.  It takes little effort and it produces a TON of basil.  It's great to add for a burst of flavor to different dishes...but I most recently have been worried that I wouldn't be able to use it all before the plant dies.  I did a little googling and found a good little recipe for pesto. I LOVE pesto.  Here is a super easy recipe for a tasty version...

 First, rinse your fresh basil.

Then put 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of pine nuts and 1 tablespoon minced garlic in a food processor.  Once mixed well, add 2 cups of fresh basil.  Add a hint of lemon juice and a teaspoon of sugar/Splenda.  (Evidently sugar makes the flavors pop- and it really does!) You can add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese if you're using it within the week; or if you're going to freeze some, just leave the cheese out and add it as you use it.

You can add other herbs, but this is a pretty easy & basic recipe.  It makes a cup or so and can last in the fridge for a week and the freezer for 3-6 months.  Enjoy!

Back to School!

Well, the day we had been waiting on for months...well, really years....finally arrived.  JNS started school on Monday!  In preparation for the big day, we hit up Office Max, he got his supplies ready and packed his book bag the night before.  I cooked a good breakfast and took his picture on the way out the door (we've got to keep his mom's tradition going even if he is 28!)  It's here.  And so far so good - the report from JNS after week one was both exciting and scary all at once - on the one hand there is lots to do, big expectations, a hefty time commitment, but on the other there are great people involved (professors and peers), big dreams and great resources.  We're excited!

We're entering a new season of life - one we have anticipated and been slightly anxious about (maybe that's more me than him) since JNS first discussed this endeavor a few years ago.  And even after experiencing a really cool journey to get to this point, the adventure continues as we learn how to operate on a totally new schedule, tightened budget, and very different roles in our marriage.  I've already realized I won't have the same comfort with our schedule and finances as I used to.  His schedule, for now, will be unpredictable as he will work hard to stay on top of the lecture time, independent study, reading, but also the weekly group work.  And our finances - shoot, I've re-run our budget so many times it's silly.  As John Neal innocently asked me the other day, "what does that even mean, you re-ran our budget?"  What can I say, I like things to be organized.  I like to plan ahead.  I worry.  It's sort of like a hobby....weird, I know. 

Anyways, my point to all of this is that I know this phase of life will bring challenges as things are going to be different that what we've known.   But I've recently been reminded of how enriching and peaceful it is to rest in the fact that God controls all those things - change, new roles, finances, schedules, marriage, jobs, everything.  So here I am in the start of this journey with JNS, learning to daily trust that the Lord has all these things already figured out, and because of that, we'll make it through this season.  And not just okay - we'll make it through stronger, joyful and grateful that we did it.  I can't wait.  :)

Oh yeah, and neither can Mully!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:4

52 Pix - Week 32

Success!!

 Although I have yet to see a big tomato or a green pepper sprouting on my potted plant garden - I can claim victory on my grape tomatoes and my basil! 

As I've mentioned before, my success rate is low when it has come to growing things on my back patio.  It gets a lot of sun (which is good for a lot of plants) but it's REALLY hot on the concrete....so it takes a lot of attention, pruning and water to keep things alive.   

Hopefully I'll be able to show some larger veggies from my garden in the near future...but for now I'm pumped about these little guys! 

52 Pix - Week 31

Reese turned 1 in July!  As you can see, she was really excited about it.  I have loved watching her grow into her own unique personality over the last several months....and she was perfectly content on her own birthday, at her party, doing her own thing.  Unfortunately, her idea of party did not include us singing "Happy Birthday" or wearing this hat. 

Reese was unsure about this whole birthday cake thing, but Hadley did as any big sister would and helped her out. 

Hadley and Cousin Kate love each other! 

The happy one-year old! 

Happy Birthday to Reese!

Wild Wild West

We went to Arizona last month (as noted in the most recent post about the Grand Canyon) and it was such a fun trip!  We went with John Neal's parents and my parents and made a nice long weekend of it.  Well, sort of....it doesn't feel like a long weekend when you're flying across the country and only giving yourself a few days to acclamate and then travel across the country again.  :)

 

JNS & I flew out Thursday night with his parents (mine were waiting until Friday) and since it was his birthday, we celebrated with a little cupcake from the hotel.  Isn't it intense? 

The following morning the Scott men played golf at Troon North. The challenge of keeping it on the green was for real as rattlesnakes were supposedly rampant in the area.  Yikes!  I wasn't there to witness this (Debbie and I were checking out the pool) but JNS got snagged by a cactus and he thought it was a rattlesnake.  According to those present he screamed like a girl...if only we had all been there for that! 

My parents arrived mid-morning on Friday, and after hanging out at the resort in Scottsdale for awhile, we loaded up the car and made the trip to Sedona.  Beautiful Sedona!  It's known as "Red Rock Country" and you can clearly see why....

We continued on with the road trip and made a day trip to the Grand Canyon.  We saw so many things on this trip - a tractor show in Flagstaff, Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki Pueblo (Indian ruins), Cameron Trading Post, Little Colorado River Gorge and finally the monster... Grand Canyon National Park.   

The trip went by so fast but we saw so much!  The people were all incredibly kind and hospitable....the weather was hot (100+) in Scottsdale but Sedona had the most ideal weather EVER...but the company was my favorite part- thanks to our family for a fun adventure! :)

52 Pix - Week 30

People say when you see the Grand Canyon you can't believe it really is that big....and they're right! Even though you have an idea what it looks like based on pictures (and to use a classic cliche: the pictures really don't do it justice), you can't really grasp the magnitude of this natural wonder until you're standing right there.

Some fun facts about the Grand Canyon:

- Supposedly the process that created the GC started 17 MILLION years ago (I have no idea how science confirms this ridiculous statement, but even if they're off by 16M it's still a long time)

- The canyon walls of the GC were carved by the Colorado River

- Despite its incredible size, it's not the widest or deepest canyon (evidently Nepal and Australia get to take those titles)

- It is about 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide at certain parts and about a mile deep - whoa!

Standing there looking at the breathtaking views, you are reminded how incredible it is that God created all of this. "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and the earth" Psalm 124:8

Full House

Growing up we made many trips to Amelia Island - sometimes with other families, sometimes just the five of us, but this year was extra special....it was the first family vacation where EVERYONE could be there! For the last several years everyone has had different conflicts but this year we finally all made it. The week was full of good food, lots of pictures, putt-putt, ice cream outings, golf, a hilarious round of Minute to Win it, shopping, and more...

My parents loved having all their girls, son-in-laws and granddaughters together for the week.

Hadley was a hoot to hang out with....she loved the ocean and jumping in the pool. Reese was perfectly content sitting in the sand (and maybe putting the sand in her mouth....)

Heather & Scott's vacation as parents-to-be....next year they'll be the ones with the little one!

Sweet Reese and that smile....

I think one of the things we all love most about Amelia is the downtown area of Fernandina. We go there most nights for dinner or at least ice cream (cute ice cream parlor below)....it makes you feel like things are simple and easy as you stroll down the historic tree-lined streets.


It's hard to believe summer is almost over, and the vacation that we longed for has come and gone. But I am so thankful that we had that week together and can't wait to do it again!

52 Pix - Week 29

Recently, we traveled with my family to Amelia Island for a week of vacation. We really had a great time and enjoyed all the relaxing time together. More to come on vacation in a later post....

One night we ate at Brett's Waterway Cafe (great little restaurant on the harbor in Fernandina) and we walked around the area after dinner. The view was amazing...the sun was setting over the water, the colors in the sky were warm...perfect photo opportunity.

I love how this photo still makes me feel that sense of simplicity that I felt while taking the picture. I love vacation! :)