Love God, Love People, Serve the World

The title of this entry is the title of the new sermon series at my new church.  It is also the theme of the entire church.  Up until recently I have attended the same church I was baptized in.  I grew up in that church, and my mom and I were a part of the church choir.

Through a lot of praying and soul searching I decided I needed to look for a new church to call home.  A wonderful co-worker of mine suggested the church that she is a part of.  I have been attending that church for a few months now, and I sang with the Halleluia Chorus at Christmas.  Today I decided to take the leap and join this new church.  I also made a commitment to join the choir as a regular member.

My husband and I (he is sooooo wonderful) attended a Welcome class today after the regular service.  They provided us with a new Bible, written in a more "friendly" language.  The bible I currently own has not been open very often (I am ashamed to say), it is very "pretty" if you know what I'm talking about.  This new bible is going to get read, and highlighted, and worn with use.

I am very excited for this new path I am on.  I think it is going to bring a lot of wonderful things to my life, and I hope to be a wonderful part of someone else's life through this new church.  I feel like God has been pushing me to make a change for a while now, and I was too afraid.  Now that I have made the leap I can see all the wonderful new adventures that are going to be a part of this new path.

Love God, Love People, Serve the World!

Our Trip to Chopstix

This evening my husband and I broke our Chopstix cherries.  We are both a fan of chinese food, and sushi, but had never been to Chopstix.  I have been wanting to try it for sometime, I have heard loads off wonderful things about this place, and the reviews online are also awesome.

The hubby and I stayed in last night, and so we decided we would go out tonight instead.  It works in our favor that we are not football fans.  When we go out during the game, places that don't have a very big bar are usually not very busy.  And so we headed to Chopstix...I for one was very exited!

I got a lot of different recommendations and suggestions of food from different people.  The menu is very extensive.  Chris and I decided to go with the "big meal".  With this you get your choice of soup, two pieces of shrimp toast, two crap wontons, and an entree.  I have never had soup from a chinese place, so I decided to try the hot and sour soup, and Chris got the Chicken wonton soup.  My soup was only ok...I didn't even eat half of it...honestly I wasn't really sure what was in it, and so I wasn't really eager to scarf it down. 

The crab wontons were amazing!  And I know my wontons...they are a favorite of Chris and myself.  We get them almost every time we get chinese food.  I enjoyed the shrimp toast, Chris was not a fan.  Needless to say, the "big meal" idea was a good one, but we will not be doing that combo next time.

Next came our sushi (which did not come with our big meal...but we couldn't not try the sushi!)  The Baltimore Roll was recommended to me by my friend Ashley, so that's what I got.  Chris got the Ninja Roll.  The Baltimore Roll was good, but Chris's Ninja Roll was better.  It was quite tasty in fact.  It was topped with salmon...I love Salmon!

By the time our meals arrived, we already knew we would be needing two boxes.  I think I ate two bites of my sweat and sour shrimp (two very yummy bites btw).  Chris got Kung Pao Chicken....he likes his food very spicy.  He said the chicken had a good flavor, but it was a little more on the sweet side than the spicy.  He likes it more spicy than sweet.

We really enjoyed our dinner at Chopstix, we will be going back soon to try a few new things.  The service was amazing, the atmosphere comfortable, and all over a good experience.  

Plus, they had this really cool ship in the lobby!

Cookies and Pie

Now that I have my new computer, i am feeling more inclined to keep up with my blogs.  After all, it took my Dell about 5 whole minutes to turn on and the internet to start working.  How fast is my new Mac you ask....it takes about 30 seconds....that's a lot faster!!!  

Anyhoo, I am going to condense two blog posts into one here.  I made cookies, and I also made my famous pie.  I am not much of a cook, but I do enjoy baking.  There is an art to it, an art not involved with cooking.  Not to mention baking is a more take your time thing, and when I cook I feel like its a race-a-round until the food's on the table.

Making Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies...yummy!!!

 I got to use my new mixer for the first time!

Cookies!!!!

My next baking project (not in the same day) was my pie.  You can find this recipe on foodnetwork.com 

Spiced Apple Pear Pie. 

This pie is always a big hit with everyone.  Its not super easy to make, and its very time consuming, but its all worth it when you impress everyone with your baking skills.  And you take a big bit of pie and it tastes like heaven in your mouth.  Yummmy heaven :)

Finally got myself a new computer!!!

I have been wanting a MacBook Pro for ages now.  And today my wish finally came true...I got a gift card from my Dad and money from my Mom, and Chris gave me his gift card from my Dad, and I got myself a brand spanking new MacBook Pro!!!

I made sure to document this monumental event :) 

I have been spending this evening learning all the cool new things that my MacBook Pro can do, and my Dell only dreamed of doing :)  I made a slideshow of my dog...I have to say its pretty awesome, and it only took me about 10-15 minutes!!!

I also had some fun with photo booth. Seriously....once you go Mac, you will never go back :)

Looking forward to all the adventures that my Mac will be taking me on...together we can accomplish ANYTHING!!!

Smoothie

After stuffing my face yesterday (Thanksgiving)  I thought it would be a good idea to start with something light and healthy today.....especially since I plan on having leftovers  :)

 Step One...Add ice, frozen, fruit, some whey protein powder (vanilla), and orange juice

 Step Two....blend.  I love my magic bullet, I dont know what I would do without it!!!

Step Three....ENJOY!!!!

And it is very yummy!  Now I can jump start my day without feeling guilty.  Time to find those Christmas decorations!  :)

Go Sally Go!!!

So I decided to try Sally Hansen's Salon Effects. I have to admit, I've seen them in the drug stores for a while now, but they looked like they couldn't possibly work....I mean they just look like stickers, and on top of that they are $10!!! I wasn't really willing to spend my money on something that wasn't going to work.

But then I came across a few reviews for the product - it was weird....was not looking for that at all - anyhoo, the product had raving reviews....almost everyone (who wasn't a moron) loved this product!!! And said that it really does last 10 days....or more! So I decided to give them a try....and wouldn't you know they happen to be on sale! Super!!! I got the gold ones with the black lace and also a pair of silver with cobwebs for Halloween. So far I am really pleased. They went on relatively easy, and I could have actually cut them in half and gotten two uses out of the box....oh well, next time. I will keep you updated on my new find....let you know how it works out :)

BTW I got my new Sporty Watch in the mail on Saturday!!! One week and only $12 for a brand new watch....seriously awesome!! I also started a referral program where you can earn free jewelry! Check it out www.rachelreid.org

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One Tree Hill

I feel like everyone has one or two TV shows or movies that they may consider a guilty pleasure.  I probably have more than a few, but I like what I like, and I don't really care what anyone thinks.  One of my guilty pleasure shows is "One Tree Hill".  I am kinda of sad to see that this show is entering their last season, but at the same time I do also feel like they have had more than one "series finale" if you know what I mean.  It's kind of like LOST.  I love that show, and I will watch it over and over, but you can tell when it went from being really good, to pretty good, to "I'm going to continue to watch because I am sucked in".

I love the characters of OTH, and I have to admit that I probably am one of the few people who not only appreciated the older characters starting in season 5, but I also didn't mind seeing Payton and Lucas "drive off into the sunset".  Their relationship always got on my nerves a little.  I was a Brooke and Lucas girl myself.  (But as far as Sophia and Chad...I was team Sophia all the way)

Besides I Haley was always my favorite character in the show.  I could relate to her the best, and felt we had the most in common.  So as long as they don't kill her off, I'm still a fan.

This brings me to the reason for this rant.  I follow the OTH blog, and just read their most resent post titled: EW: ‘One Tree Hill’ has found its hit man — EXCLUSIVE
Now, I was a little concerned to find out that a hit man would be involved in the final (and did I mention short) season of OTH.  I felt that this turn of events had "Days of Our Lives" written all over it.  (Anyone remember the Salem Stalker...that freaking storyline lasted like an entire year!)  But I am a fan, and I will watch.  Afterall, I didn't think a crazy nanny would make a good storyline, and that is one of my favorite seasons!

When I googled this story however, I found a plethora of negative comments regarding OTH in its entirety.  I was a little bummed with all the negative vibes.  I mean I kinda think the show kicks ass.  Do I get teased for still watching....yeah, sometimes....but like I said, its my guilty pleasure.  And I feel like, if you don't like the show, than don't watch it.  But do you really have to hate on it??  Obviously I am not the only one with the guilty pleasure of watching, or they wouldn't have made it for nine seasons.  That's right NINE!!!  That's one more than Charmed.  (another guilty pleasure.....and I own all eight seasons)

Anyhoo.....now that I have shared a few of my own guilty pleasures (did I mention "Secret Life of the American Teenager"....that's a particularly embarrasing one.  As I watch I am thinking "why am I watching this??")  maybe you can share a few of yours with me.  :)