The Adventures of Dee in Regular Life

Every day is an adventure.
These moments are not based on a true story- they are based on true moments: hence, "a blog about life". Brace yourselves...

-The moment when I feel so confident in my driving backwards skills. I end up in the neighbors lawn (fail).

-The moment when I let the dog out without a leash and he runs off on his own walk without permission (stubborn animal).

-The moment when the dog growls at me (Who does he think he is? I am master).

-The moment when I am singing and washing dishes, mom says I sing like a black lady (best compliment ever).

-The moment when dad tries to convince me that buying 35 POUNDS of raisins is a good idea. 35lbs, 35 dollars (frugal?).

-The moment when I figure out part of the Poplavskiy OCD gene is in my DNA as I continue dusting. With a Q-tip (It's in my blood).

-The moment when I find a half used, old looking pack of Russian amoxicillin on the counter. We were talking about antibiotic resistance in 3rd world countries in micro that morning (OTC antibiotics, anyone?).  

"Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments." Rose Kennedy

Buffalo Chicken Soup

My mom's reaction "Diana, it so good, but too spicy." It was perfect to everyone else! Some people cannot handle hot sauce. This soup turned out really yummy, partly because I added my own spin on it*.

 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

3 stalks celery, diced (I didn't have celery so I added one medium carrot, graded)

1 Small onion, diced

 

1/4 cup all-purpose flour (We ran out of everything except whole wheat flour)

3/4 cup half-and-half cream (Seemed too fattening so I used our 2% milk, and it was still perfect)

3 cups water

  

1 cube chicken bouillon (All I could find was pork bouillon... strange but it worked. lol)

2 cups cubed cooked chicken

1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce, or more to taste

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (Mozzarella is fine too)

1/2 cup rice (not part of original recipe)

 salt and pepper to taste (+ billions of different seasonings that I thought smelled good, can't even name them.)

*When saying I added my own spin, I mean I couldn't find half the ingredients so I had to use what I could find.

Directions

 Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat; cook the celery and onion in the melted butter until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and allow to cook until absorbed, about 2 minutes more. Slowly stir the half-and-half and water into the mixture. Dissolve the bouillon in the liquid. Stir in the chicken, buffalo wing sauce, and Cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stirring occasionally, allow the soup to simmer until the the cheese has melted completely, about 10 minutes.

 

I am notorious for not following recipes. So you try something new, who knows it might be delish!

 

original recipe link: 

 http://allrecipes.com/recipe/buffalo-chicken-soup/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=buffalo%20chicken%20wing%20soup&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe%20Search%20Results  

November 21st

I do not know if I am the only one with this memory, but I feel I should share just to check to see if any one else can relate.

 I remember all the kids gathered around a big calender and the teacher lady went around to each of my peers asking with enthusiasm, "When is your birthday, *insert name*?" Finally this strange tall lady asks me that same question. My palms get sweaty and my heart races.

I don't know.

Teacher probably had to look it up.

The End.
------------------------------------------
A sad story indeed. Considering I was a wide-eyed 4 year old in preschool, that was a scary moment. I was sure to practice saying my birthday in my head from then on. Anyway, that day is today. Happy Birthday to me! November 21st. 20 years old. Landmark moment. I have a path ahead of me. And now here is a song that really touched my heart: 

Already There

From where I'm standing Lord it's so hard for me to see Where this is going And where You're leading me I wish I knew how All my fears and all my questions Are gonna play out In a world I can't control

Oh, oh

When I'm lost in the mystery To You my future is a memory Cause You're already there You're already there Standing at the end of my life Waiting on the other side And You're already there You're already there

Oh, oh, oh, oh

From where You're standing Lord, You see a grand design That You imagined When You breathed me into life And all the chaos Comes together in Your hands Like a masterpiece Of Your picture perfect plan

When I'm lost in the mystery To You my future is a memory Cause You're already there You're already there Standing at the end of my life Waiting on the other side And You're already there You're already there

One day I'll stand before You And look back on the life I've lived I can't wait to enjoy the view And see how all the pieces fit (x2)

One day I'll stand before You And look back on the life I've lived Cause You're already there You're already there When I'm lost in the mystery To You my future is a memory Cause You're already there You're already there Standing at the end of my life Waiting on the other side And You're already there You're already there

You are already there

Sandy Relief Weekend

Looking back three weeks ago, I never would have imagined what was to come. Two weeks ago I had no idea that one of the largest storms to hit New York would be on it's way to reek havoc on us. Even more so the idea of going to NYC to provide relief for the storm was not on my list of things to do. It all simply happened. I love how God does that. He does exceedingly above all I dream of and could possibly imagine.

This is what the typical street on Staten Island looked like (more towards the beach). Filled with 1. Debris 2. People (residents and volunteers) 3. Supply trucks/vehicles 4. People giving away food, supplies, clothing

  You would see this typically in front of each house. Our team pretty much spent the entire day tearing down a basement.

Our living quarters. You just gotta love waking up on an air mattress with your body sinking to the floor!! By the way we were located in a convent! I totally felt the holiness of the previous nuns rub off on me!

 

We spent day two moving stuff from this basement which was filled to the rim and ceiling with boxes/bags of clothing and blankets. 

Spending two weekends in NYC is something I will never forget. If you ever get the chance to go out and be a help to someone in need, you should go without questions. 

Free Song Download- Holy Sprit by Jesus Culture

Here it is: this week only we're giving away a free track from the new Jesus Culture New York album! Get it and let a friend know! 

http://JCw.bz/nytrack
  
(Make sure you click save file when you download it, not just open)

Apple Squares

  Sounds plain? Yes. BUT... They were so moist and yummy, not plain after all! I was surprised! I added a caramel glaze on top while it was still warm (apple dipping caramel). PS don't test it with a toothpick, it won't come out clean because it is very moist. Simply bake it for allotted time and look for it to be semi firm and bounce back when you touch it.

(Recipe makes 1 9x9-inch pan)

Ingredients

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped apple

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9 inch pan. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of white sugar with a wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture until just combined, then stir in the apples and walnuts. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. In a cup or small bowl, stir together the remaining cinnamon and sugar; sprinkle over the top of the bars.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in preheated oven; finished bars should spring back when lightly touched. Cool in the pan, and cut into squares.

 http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apple-Squares/Detail.aspx

Hereditary Disposition

"I have a heredity I had no say in; I am not holy, nor likely to be; and if all Jesus Christ can do is tell me I must be holy, His teaching plants despair. But if Jesus Christ is a Regenerator, One Who can put into me His own heredity of holiness, then I begin to see what He is driving at when He says that I have to be holy."

http://pinterest.com/pin/277745501989485073/

"Redemption means that Jesus Christ can put into any man the hereditary disposition that was in Himself."

-My Utmost for His Highest