Quiet Time

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17

Your broken relationship can be restored only if your heart is broken in repentance.  Bring the pieces of your heart and your life to Jesus, the only one who can mend them.

*I hope to make Quiet Time a weekly post, to share what God is revealing through his word as I commit to spend more time with him.

geico gecko of my own

He is cute. As long as he stays outside the house, unlike his friends Mr. Roach and Miss Mouse that have made appearances inside.  This weekend bait was bought for both, but he can stay. 


Psst. In the background is a new addition to the front porch.  adirondack love.

Summer Soltice: 12:16p.m.

Nerd Alert-
This year the official start of summer occurs today at 12:16 p.m. CST, it marks the time at which the sun’s rays are at zenith (directly overhead) at 23.5 degrees north latitude, better known as the Tropic of Cancer.  On the summer solstice, the sun appears above the horizon for the longest amount of time and also reaches its highest point in the sky. On the equinoxes, exactly half of the sun’s apparent circular path is above us and half of it is below, leading to 12 hours of daylight followed by 12 hours of night. 

Okay enough Bill Nye...all I know it that in Central Texas is it hot, hot, hot.  I like to say It's Hot Don (from a popular car dealer commercial in Kentucky). It has felt like summer since the beginning of May, but we have been making the most of it by enjoying summer activities. The past weekend N participating in the Lake Pflugerville Triathlon, as you can see below I was the number one fan.

waiting for the first swim wave to start

N hadn't been in the water since last September or October and his pre-race mantra was "I'm a fish! I'm a fish!"

FINISHER!

Cheers to kicking off the summer right!

* I used Picnik to edit the photos, check it out.

Cypress Ridge

My parents bought some land in my hometown, the proclaimed "Best Place on Earth."  They are tearing down an existing old farm house and building a new house with a pond and trails, even paddle boats have been discussed, you know for the grandkids. Camp GrAnna and Grandad will be in full operation Summer 2013.  You could call this their pre-post retirement project.

It is less than a mile from the first house they built 39 years ago: the house I grew up in, the only house i have known them in, the house that holds all the memories.  My bedroom has always been down the hall the last one on the left.  I am preparing myself now for the move.and.the.packing.  Our family is no stranger to the moving business, but that is moving other peoples memories, NOT 39 years-three-children-one-grandchild-15-years-of-trophies-every-closet-is-the-house-is-full moving.  Oh I can hear the small town talk now......

It has been fun to hear them talk, plan, and discuss their vision for Cypress Ridge.  I hope to get some pictures from when they first purchased the land because they have already done A LOT of work.  My Dad loves a good project and progress he has made on this project is incredible 

This past weekend the existing house was torn down:

Right now the plan is to keep the old barn.  I love it.

View from across the street.

I can't wait to see all the progress in person!

Weekend Eat-a-thon

With ATX already hitting triple digits you would think swim suits and salads would be on the brain, for Neal and I it is completely opposite.  This summer I will sporting a one piece and Neal will be swimming in a t-shirt!  Let me just put it like this, we have been eating like we are getting ready to hibernate for winter.  When we should be sweating to the oldies Richard Simmons style.  This past weekend we feasted on California Pizza Kitchen, Berry Austin, and this crazy pants dessert. 

Here is the quick and dirty on all three:

CPK: If you have not had the California Club pizza run, do not walk, to your local CPK, order and eat.  Even eat it cold  the next day like me!

 Berry Austin: It is locally owned and hip but we have lost our privileges to all self serve fro-yo.  When you spend over $17.00 on frozen yogurt there is problem.  It is delicious and "healthy" but with oreasbutterfingercheesecakebitesgrahamcrackerscookiedoughbrowniebites on top the "heathy" turns in to "heavy"on the scale and the wallet.

Crazy Pants Dessert:  Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie n'Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar dessert, from kevinandamanda's blog.    The pictures alone make you gain 10lbs.  It is ridiculous. Utter ridiculousness.  From a girl who can plow through two rows of brownies, this dessert is intimidating.  Enjoy in small bites.

Now back to my Lean Cuisines and 100 Calorie pack portioned controlled weekly menu.

Count Down

Today is one month till my 29th birthday aka 13 months till the big 3-0.  Not that big of deal, right? It is just a number, right? It might be just a number but it means the clock is ticking on a few things that I have been meaning to do...um for pretty much 30 years.  In no particular order here is a run down for the next 13 months:

• Run a marathon, like for real.  
• Visit Sea Turtle, Inc on South Padre Island
• Take the economic development certification test 
• Full weeks vacation to somewhere other than visiting family or a holiday
• Get engaged, hopefully even married :)  (sorry Neal, had to add it)
• Welcome a new baby niece or nephew in to the world! (going to happen in October whether I put it on this list or not)
• Sign up or complete a flower arranging class
• 70.3 Half Ironman
• See a Texas Tech game live, hello never even been to Lubbock, TX
• Shoot a gun (this has been on my to do list since 2006)
• Volunteer to serve at church on a regular basis
• DEBT FREE
• Grow an herb garden
• Complete La Sportiva Vail Half Marathon  (now i am cheating, this trip is already booked)
• Visit Omaha, Nebraska
• Volunteer at a Ironman Competition
• Add anything else to this list at anytime in the next 13 months and then immediately cross it off.  Yes, I am one of those people.

A few that may take longer than 13 months:

• Visit Anguilla
• Spend at least one night in all 50 States
• Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
• Go to the Kentucky Derby 
• Host monthly dinner parties or start a dinner club

Umk, i better get busy.

The Run for the Roses

The first Saturday in May only means one thing "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports", The Kentucky Derby.  This year 22 three-year-olds are registered but only 20 will compete.  Sway Away  and Ruler on Ice will only race if one of the below contenders drop out:

Contenders listed with the odds

Animal Kingdom: 28/1

Archarcharch: 10/1

Brilliant Speed: 25/1

Comma to the Top: 35/1

Decisive Moment: 30/1

Derby Kitten: 35/1

Dialed In: 4/1

Master of Hounds: 25/1

Midnight Interlude: 15/1

Mucho Macho Man: 12/1

Nehro: 8/1

Pants On Fire: 15/1

Santiva: 30/1

Shackleford: 14/1

Soldat: 10/1

Stay Thirsty: 20/1

Twice the Appeal: 35/1

Twinspired: 35/1

Uncle Mo: 5/2

Watch Me Go: 35/1

The late Hunter S. Thompson, once described the Kentucky Derby as “Decadent and Depraved,” yet beyond the fancy façade and classy “whiskey gentry,” the Derby has a long stretching history as a Kentucky milestone.  The event is one of Kentucky's proudest.  Since the first Kentucky Derby, May 17, 1875, the Bluegrass state has been a destination for horse breeding and thoroughbred racing.

Whether you are watching from the grand stands or from the comfort of your living room, place a bet, drink a mint julep and have a piece of derby pie!

Kentucky Derby Traditions:

• Mint Julep, an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint and sugar, is the traditional beverage of the race.
• Burgoo, typically a thick stew of lamb and vegetables is served from iron pots sometimes 10 feet in diameter.  
• Place you bets, study the odds. 
• The Infield, a spectator area inside the track, offers low general admission prices but little chance of seeing much of the race. Instead, revelers show up in the infield to party.  
• "Millionaire's Row" refers to the expensive box seats that attract the rich and famous. 
• Hats, Hats and more Hats, click to see . 
• As the horses are paraded before the grandstands, "My Old Kentucky Home" is played by the University of Louisville marching band while the crowd stands and sings along.
• The Derby is frequently referred to as "The Run for the Roses," because a garland of red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. The tradition is as a result of New York socialite E. Berry Wall presenting roses to ladies at a post-Derby party in 1883 that was attended by Churchill Downs president, Col. M. Lewis Clark. This gesture is believed to have eventually led Clark to the idea of making the rose the race's official flower. However, it was not until 1896 that any recorded account referred to roses being draped on the Derby winner. 
• The Governor of Kentucky awards the garland and the trophy to the Winner

Derby Pie

1 9-inch unbaked pie shell

2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons bourbon or 2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
Whipped cream
 

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs briefly. Add sugar, butter, bourbon and cornstarch until well blended but not foamy. Pour nuts and morsels into pie shell. Pour egg mixture over the top. Bake 45 minutes. Cool 1 hour. Best if served warm with whipped cream. Serves 6 to 8.