Thirsty?

Lately, the Lord has given both Aaron & I such an overwhelming desire to be genuine in our Christianity, and with that to evaluate what being "a Christian" really means to us. How is my claim to be a "Christ-follower" reflected in my life? Is it even affecting my life? What am I doing to change? To make His desires my desires? To put aside my comforts for His perfection? Christianity is not about what God can or will do for me...it's about what I am doing to further His kindgom and His agenda. We've been doing a lot of practical application Bible study recently and (much to my chagrin!) I've been realizing how Phariseacal I really am! I know all the right answers (and they sound really good!), but without application with the right heart attitude, my knowledge is worthless.

James 1: 22-24 ~ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

I read this post on my sister-in-law's blog today and it only fueled the desire already planted in my heart!! I long to have such an intimate knowledge of Christ and to walk in such close communion, that my life reflects Him...and only Him. She said it best with, "I commit to immerse myself in Your Word so that who You are is such a part of me that I cannot settle for less."

CVS ~ Back to School!

I cannot believe all the back-to-school sales already going on! It seems like it gets earlier and earlier every year. The poor kiddo's! Talk about ruining what's left of the summer with all the BTS reminders! I'm not in school, nor do I have kid's, but everyone can use 80 bazillion pens and office supplies, right? Some good stuff for crafting, too. :o) CVS has a good 3-day sale this week...I'm headed back tomorrow to get my limits worth of a couple things and roll the ecb's. Here's today's trip.

2 Composition notebooks (@ $.99 ea) = $1.98
3 Starbucks Frappucino's B2G1 (@ $2.69 ea. One didn't make it to the picture!) $5.38 ~ used (3) $1/1 = $2.38 ($.79 ea)
(4) 2-pk Bic Triumph BOGO (@ $3.99 ea) $7.98 ~ used (4) $2/1 = $FREE
2-pk Pilot pens = $.99
Stapler = $.99
Index card holder = $.99
2 newspapers (@ $1.50 ea) = $3.00
2 Neutrogena lip gloss (@ $7.99 ea) BOGO $7.99 ~ used (2) $3/1 = $1.99 ($.98 ea)
Twix bar $.67 ~ used FREE item Q = $FREE
used $2.99 ecb
Total before coupons: $31.77
Total oop after coupons: $9.73 and earned $4.95 ecb ($1.98 for notebooks, $.99 for stapler, $.99 for Pilot pens, and $.99 for index card holder)

Cleanin' Out the Fridge

I've really been making an effort lately to eat thru things either in the pantry or in the fridge. So, I was thinking of how I was going to use those super cheap-o (but small) tortilla wraps I got a while back. So...I thought of quesadilla's!! I've never made a quesadilla in my life, but I figured how hard could it be?! It wasn't.

First, I pre-heated the oven to 350 and diced up 2 chicken breasts in about 1-inch pieces, while melting about 2 tbsp. butter in a skillet. Place the chicken pieces in the butter to cook and sprinkle with some salt/pepper (or any seasoning of your choice).

While that was cooking (I didn't think to start taking pictures until the next step) I arranged the tortilla's on a baking sheet and added a layer of shredded cheese. I diced up some red onion and added that on top of the cheese.

Then, I chopped up banana peppers and added those with the onions. (I also used up the jar of peppers...part of my cleaning-out exercise. Yay!)

Then, I added the diced chicken to the mix. Notice anything different?? :o)

I realized that I had enough chicken for another quesadilla, and they actually come in a pack of 10, so I could use that up also! The 5th one only had chicken & cheese on it.

Then, I added a (generous) amount of shredded cheese on top of the chicken. Yep. I used a whole bag of cheese up, too.

Top each one with another quesadilla and you're ready to bake!

I baked them for 5 minutes, then flipped and baked for 3 more minutes. Once done baking, cut into fourths and serve with sour cream and salsa!


This was definitely a "will make again". Plus, you can add whatever ingredients you want and need to use up! All in all, I used up a total of 3 things from fridge, have lunch for hubby tomorrow, AND he really enjoyed them. I'd say it was a success.

Haddock Dinner ~ YUM!

My mother-in-law made this when we were in Maine last weekend...recipe courtesy of my sister-in-law. This is so super easy to put together and tastes absolutely wonderful! I added a couple tweaks (as usual!). Enjoy!

You'll need:

1 - 1.5 lbs. haddock (about 2 good size filets)
1 stick of butter
2 cloves of garlic (I used 5!!)
1/2 c. bread crumbs (I used Italian flavored)
1/2 tsp. parsley

1/4 tsp. dill (I was out of dill..so I used a little lemon pepper instead)
1 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper (I pretty much eye-balled all the herbs/spices)
1 lemon (my addition)

Press garlic into saucepan with stick of butter and melt over low heat.

Meanwhile, place filets into baking dish.

Once butter & garlic are melted & combined, pour over filets.

Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the dish with fish, & garlic butter.

Mix bread crumbs, parsley, dill, paprika, salt & pepper in dish. Sprinkle over filets.

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.


Seriously...a must try dish. :o)

Feeling Creative

I'm feeling the urge to change the scenery around here...it will look better and more cohesive soon! I promise!