Christians and Big Families

This post by a mom with 5 kids is an interesting commentary on a 2-kid max culture.

An avocado recipe from Ang

I haven't tried this yet but it sounds so good!

Grilled Avocados

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lime juice
2 large ripe avocados, halved, seeded, and peeled
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup bottled picante sauce
1 oz Monterey Jack or farmer cheese (shredded or crumbled 1/4 cup)
Snipped fresh cilantro
Salad greens (optional)
Sour Cream (optional)

1. Stir together olive oil and lime juice. Brush avocados all over with olive oil mixture. Sprinkle cut sides of avocados with salt.
2. For a charcoal grill, grill avocado halves, cut side down, on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 5 minutes or until browned. Turn avocado halves, cut side up. Fill centers of avocado halves with the 1/4 cup picante sauce and shredded cheese. Cover grill and grill about 5 minutes more or until cheese begins to melt.
3. Remove avocados from grill. Sprinkle tops of avocado halves with snipped cilantro. If desired, serve on bed of salad greens with picante sauce and sour cream.

Witsius

We're reading Herman Witsius's "Economy of the Divine Covenants" for our Wednesday night Bible Study. It's fun. It's pretty hard, and there are some little kids there who have to try to sit still (although it's hard for them, especially since it's at their house and they have a foosball table in their livingroom). These little kids are particularly cute and funny.

This week we're studying Chapter 2: Of the contracting parties in the Covenant of Works. If you want to check it out, click here.

Pizza Dough

I used to always go to the pizza dough in a bag from Trader Joe's for $1. But now I do this... it's really pretty easy.

1 pkg yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
1 1/4 c. water (120-130 degrees)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 T. olive oil
3 3/4 c. flour
Herbs (optional): a few dashes each of dried basil, rosemary (crunched up) and oregano

Dissolve the yeast in water in a big bowl. Let it hang out for a few minutes and get bubbly. Add salt and olive oil; stir well. Add flour and herbs; mix to combine. Let rise for a few hours.

Divide dough in half (this recipe makes dough for 2 pizzas, or even 3 if you really stretch it). Put some olive oil on your pizza pan (about the size of a half-dollar) and spread it around using the dough. Spread the dough out on the pizza pan using your fingers. Top with your favorite toppings and bake at 450 for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

**You can also use this dough to make calzones, foccacia bread or breadsticks.

Mrs. Travis's Pumpkin Bars

Mrs. Travis is the guidance counselor at Alma Heights Christian Academy. This is a Sunset magazine recipe from 1967 that she passed on to Ken.

1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 c. canned pumpkin
1 1/2 c. unsifted flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. each ginger, allspice and baking soda
1/2 c. dates or raisins
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
Orange Glaze (recipe to follow)

Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg and pumpkin and beat well (it will look curdled). Blend the flour with the spices and soda and add to the creamed mixture. Add the dates/raisins and nuts; mix until well blended.

Spread evenly in a greased 11x16 pan. Bake at 350 until it begins to pull away from the sides (about 16-18 minutes). Spread with orange glaze. Cool and cut evenly into bars or squares to serve. Makes about 2 dozen.

Orange Glaze:
Blend 1 cup powdered sugar with 3 Tablespoons orange juice concentrate.

(Note to self and rest of world: I think I must have used a 9x13 pan because I don't have an 11x16 pan! You might have to bake it a little longer though..)

Brilliant Pita Sandwiches

1/2 cucumber, peeled & chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
10-15 kalamata olives, finely chopped
6 basil leaves, finely chopped
6 mint leaves, finely chopped
1/2 c. plain yogurt
juice of 1/2 lemon
4 oz. (1/2 c.) feta cheese, crumbled

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Offer with pitas, lettuce and avocado. This mixture fills 4 half-pitas. (2 servings)

Mom's Granola

I hope you all know that I never compliment myself, but my friends say I make brilliant food. But I must confess... sometimes I hate Martha. So here's a recipe from MY MOM, the ultimate un-Martha. (Love her!!!)

LOW-FAT GRANOLA
8 c. oats
3/4 c. honey
1/4 c. olive oil
dried fruits - raisins, apples, dates, berries and/or cranberries
chopped nuts (Mom says go easy on these - they add lots of fat!)

Spread the oats evenly on a cookie sheet. Bake at 300 until lightly toasted. Meanwhile combine honey and olive oil (no need to mix) and warm in microwave or toaster oven (if you are boycotting microwaves like I am).

Dump oats into large bowl. Mix with fruits and nuts. Drizzle honey-oil mixture over oat mixture and stir to combine. Enjoy warm (yummy!) or store in a cool dry place for later use.

(Note: this morning I just used up all the oats I had. Poor Ken was probably tired of oatmeal anyway. I didn't measure it but it covered the cookie sheet about an inch thick with oats. Then I halved the amount of honey and oil - I did 1/2 c. honey and 1/8 c. oil... which now that I think about it is not exactly halving. Oh well.)

Hurricane

With hurricanes and all, I have ceased to blog about stupid stuff.

For an inside view on the hurricane damage, check out this PCA blogger's pictures.

3 what-thes in a row

Peter G reminded me so kindly that I had two what-thes in a row, so I think I'll make it three.

On Tuesday night, Ken and I were dining at the Macaron-eye Grill (it's not that good). The family at the table next to us apparently experienced very slow service, so they demanded that their waitress get her manager. He came; they complained; he apologized. They didn't think it was a good-enough apology, though; they demanded to see HIS manager.

My question is: what the heck did they want? A free drink? They sure were loud. Ken and I just opened our eyes really wide and tried not to laugh too loudly. But my question is this, folks: In America, if you think you deserve better, do you just yell until you get it?

W H A T T H E ! !

Marriage Seminar Needed

I think we need a marriage class at WSC. Ken just came in my office to get a Listerine strip after finishing off a Snickers bar, the last of which he was chewing. He also used my trash can to throw away the wrapper.

WHAT THE?

Saying Hi Back

So I'm sitting here at work listening to the Flaming Lips (thanks, Tami) and this dude comes into my office, so I'm like, "Hi, can I help you?" and he says (nodding in Dr. Godfrey's office's direction), "Is he here?"

Now most people who come in here don't want to see me anyway. They are looking for Dr. G. Which is fine. But at least say hi back. Responding is very important if you want to be a social success. After I told the guy, "No, he's out today," he just left. No "OK thanks" or even "oh." What the?

Guests

Welp, Ben and Amy Hardesty have officially tied the knot and are honeymooning in Hawaii.

We are "taking a break" from having guests while Ellis and his Czech friend Ondra check out Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. However... Stephen Jamauskas is stopping by this evening because he just dropped Buzzy off in Irvine (where she will be teaching 4th-6th grade at a Christian school, I believe). Then Ellis and Ondra will be back on Friday. So Ken and I feel like a hotel (in a good way). Mrs. Champness, the wife of the pastor of Redeemer OPC in Atlanta, told me to expect that... but I didn't think it would start until we at least had more room than a 1 bedroom apartment! But... what do I know.

Please keep visiting though, folks. We really do love to have you all come and see where we live/work/worship/play. :)

The Mountain Fountain, May 2005

What memories, what memories...

Our Old View

Sometime I'll have to show you a picture of our NEW view. (Or maybe not.)
It's not too exciting. It's our back fence, topped with a geranium planted in a Corona bucket. (The guy whose "large patio with yard" butts up against ours is a beer-drinking gardener.)

But anyway.. here's our old view from the Guest Suite in San Francisco. Wasn't it lovely?

Babysitting

Welp, Ken and I had a great babysitting experience this weekend. It was lots of fun. We just pretended we were homeschool parents.


Here are Ken and William reading a reptile book.


We had lots of fun with the digital camera!


Here we are as one big happy family. (Abbie took the picture)


Good times.

Apartment E

Here is our apartment. These two rooms are the ones we like to hang out in because they make up the full area that the air conditioning reaches. :)
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE PARK!

My New Job

My new job rocks. (I feel like I'm writing: Brinkley. Brinkley is my dog.)

Anyway, it does. I come there, people tell me I'm a genius (except Mary, the receptionist, who was told that I'm good at computers - ?), they laugh at my jokes, I laugh at their jokes, I get to talk to intelligent people all day, when I make dumb mistakes they are patient, etc., etc.

Plus, in a few weeks I am going to meet 70 new friends.

Can I stay here forever?

Escondido

Escondido is brilliant. Every Tuesday afternoon they close a section of Grand Avenue and have a little farmer's market. It is no Pike Place, but it is pretty cool. It is too hot to eat anything but salad, so it's perfect.

Our apartment has a large patio with yard. This means: 27 square feet of patio and a little strip of dirt. But... mint is growing randomly in the dirt, so that's cool.

Yesterday we went to a winery! I am shocked that Escondido has one, but it does. And it's pretty cute. Not fancy like Northern CA ones, but a nice eye-break from the chain stores of Escondido.

P.S. - Ken joined Costco! Can you believe it?

Phew!

Finally! We are moved in to the Grand Rose Apartments in sunny, HOT Escondido, California. Pictures coming soon. It's great to be neighbors with Bethy once again.

But for now, here's one of our friend Ben Hardesty and his fiance (his FEE-ansee?!) Amy. Wedding date: August 13. Registered at Bed Bath & Beyond and Kaufman's if anyone wants to send a gift. :)

Ken in Guest Suite

Here is Ken modeling our apartment in Ralph & Ai's house... otherwise known as the Guest Suite.
If you would like to make reservations to stay there after we move out, please let me know.

In the Woods

Welp, on Friday, Ken and I got back from a week at this lovely place. It was most refreshing. The weather was perfect, and not a mosquito in sight.
We also enjoyed daily encouraging sermons by Pastor Bill Shishko from Franklin Square OPC in New York City. After these encouraging sermons we did other encouraging things like taste wine, go bowling and ride rollercoasters. It was the second best vacation I have ever taken.

I got glasses and suddenly have become a vegetarian and do not wear makeup. 

Walk For Life... DONE.

Well folks, another Walk for Life is over. Thanks to all who supported Ken and me financially or morally. :)

And now for my next project... finding and hiring my replacement!

Jake and Ken at the Walk for Life! 

Here are Precious #4, #2, and #3 at Cracker Barrell in Tiftonia (the Cigna Chain Gang reunion). [otherwise known as Emily, Daphne and Christie] 

I Got A Job!

You are reading the blog of the newest staff member of Westminster Theological Seminary. I owe great thanks to Pastor Erickson to pulling some strings for me. :) Also to my mom for teaching me how to be a great administrative assistant!

I'm going to be the assistant to the president of the seminary, Dr. Godfrey. I'll start sometime in July (that has yet to be determined.)

All we need now is a place to live! :S :)

Our dear little graduate. We are so proud of her! 

Here are some random friends at graduation. I think the fashion awards go to Monica for her daring yet conservative Ralph Lauren capris, and of course to Julianne for her amazing talent to pull off halter tops and those huge hoop earrings that Ken won't let me wear. 

Pam, Michelle, Stephen, Ken, Buzzy, and Susie at the Crepe Vine after Bible Study (I was the photographer) 

Get a Thesaurus

Bruce said to me, "You haven't posted in like forever." Which made me think... Is anyone else paying attention to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes? I know, Mom, you don't care. And I don't either... well, just a little. It is sort of interesting.

Anyway, Katie Holmes is reported as saying to one source: "Tom is the most amazing man." And then to another source: "Tom is the most incredible man. He's amazing."

And do you know what they said about her? Get a Thesaurus!

I think that's a little harsh. People ask her the same question day after day. I can sympathize. Does a day go by when I do not hear, "So, when are you guys moving? Do you have a place yet? Do you have a job yet?" Which is fine. But - after a while I do feel like a parrot.

My conclusion: lay off of Katie Holmes, folks. Anyway, how would you like to be Tom Cruise's wife #3? Yuck! And that's my deep thought of the day. Thank you.

Covenant College 50th Commencement

Last weekend Ken and I were back on Lookout Mountain. We flew east to see our dear little Tami graduate, which she did (Omedeto!).

Highlights included staying at the Mehne's comfortable hotel, having breakfast at Cracker Barrel with the Cigna gang, eating at various Chattanooga establishments with various important people, getting a tour of Andy Montgomery's wicked-cool St. Elmo house, and of course, worshipping at Cornerstone Church on Sunday with all of our old friends, plus Elder Scott & Joyce, Dennis & Karen Fullalove, and some other SF-peeps.

Lydia and Bruce - you were seriously missed by not a few people. Basically, all of the Loft and Damien say hi. Oh, and Lyd, did you know that you are in Charissa's wedding? :)

Just like anywhere I visit, I wanted to just move to the Noog the entire time I was there. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. It felt so homey!! But then I remembered how I feel about SF, not to mention how I always love Washington so much whenever I am there. So... whatever.

P.S. - I don't put recipes on my blog. ;) But if you want a good cookie, check out Martha Stewart's Lime Flowers. They are soo good. You can probably find them on www.marthastewartliving.com ... let me know if you can't find it and want the recipe and I will type it out for you.

Farewell, Pastor Bob

Our dear Pastor Bob Y. Eckardt has announced that it is time for his family to relocate to Dayton, Ohio, where he'll be serving as pastor of Redeemer OPC. Cornerstone just got the news, so no search has started for a new pastor. The church is in the Lord's hands... we shall see where it goes from here.

Andy Montgomery said, "Too bad Ken isn't finished with seminary already." Naturally I was complimented, and agreed... it is too bad. Wouldn't that be fun?! But then I started to hyperventilate. Can you imagine? Ken, the pastor of an established congregation with elders old enough to be his father?

Grief Counseling

I recently picked up Ken's copy of Jay Adams' classic pastoral counseling book, "Shepherding God's Flock," and read the section on grief counseling. Adams sees grieving people as ministry opportunities. I agree - it is important for pastors to minister to people who are grieving, especially since it is something that everyone will experience. We won't all get married, or have children, etc. ... but grief necessarily is something that we all go through.

Today I talked with a friend who is still grieving over the loss of her father several years after his death, mostly because she still has issues with him that she needs to forgive. I suppose forgiving someone who is dead is mostly for your own benefit - to eliminate bitterness which can eat away at your soul. My friend is certainly struggling; she cannot mention the subject without tears.

I wonder if Ken and I will be able to counsel people who are mourning the loss of a loved one - or even more complicated situations like this one. (By the way, incidentally - according to Jay Adams, the "Pastor's Wife" is not an office, and should not be treated as such. Thank you. How liberating.)

now i am going blog/picture crazy. here are connie, aaron and me at the APC. (aaron is a volunteer who is paid in candy, coins and small bills) 

My Most of My Church (back row L-R: me, Ray, Ralph, Chester, Stephen, Aldo, Eric, Nick, Chuy, Eduardo, Jonah, Bryan, Ju Jin, Bruce, Doree, Gertrude, Julie, Liza, Liliana. front row L-R: Rita, JT, Imma, Dave, Rachel, Dorothy, Susan, Helen, Buzzy, Pam, Michelle, Suzy, Alta, Danny, Scott. Not pictured: BARB, Ken, Pastor Mac, Donna, and a few others...) 

Fire Drill

Yesterday at my work we had a fire drill. Normally this would be fine, a good idea, etc. However: my work consists of 3 employees. The fire drill was complete with an announcement over the loudspeaker (what on earth?) and a "role-play" (i.e.: run over to the donut shop and stay there for 5 minutes until the "fire" is put out).
I would like to pose the question - is this really necessary? I think not.

Finally

Hi folks, Kermit thee frog here, reporting live from San Francisco, and excited to say that I have finally got a blog. Thanks to little sister Moisie for your selfless help to the technologically impaired.
OK, let's see if this thing works.