Can You Change the World?

Picture taken by Meredith Quintana

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. " ~ Jack Kerouac

An Act of Love

"The work of creating is an act of love.  The God who flung from His fingertips this universe filled with galaxies and stars, penguins and puffins, gulls and gannets...peaches and pears, and a world full of children made in His image, is the God who loves with magnificent monotony." ~ Brennan Manning

Listen to Your Inner Voice

Sometimes, while driving around, I want to "stop and smell the roses"; take pictures of beautiful things.  I never have my good camera with me though.  I guess I need to start taking it with me where ever I go?  Sometimes after a long, hard day, I'll take backroads to my house.  It's a little bit longer, but the drive is simply more enjoyable!  There's this spot along the way where I always tell myself I should stop there sometime and take some pictures.  Well, tonight, I worked late so traffic was nill. 

As I neared "the spot", my heartbeat got faster and I had to make a decision, pull over or not?  I listened to my inner voice and pulled over to captured this amazing view. It had just rained and there was a calming peace in the air.  After getting a few shots, I got back in my car and drove away; feeling centered and excited.  I love that God's given me the passion for capturing His creation. 

Discipline Teaches Us Obedience

"Discipline teaches us obedience, and immediate and unquestioned obedience is a great gift to endow in a boy, a quality of character that will serve him the rest of his life. For it is an essential truth of life to know and appreciate the fact that the universe does not find you at its center. Rather, it demands things of you, requires you to live within its limits. No matter how much you wail and bellow, the rain will fall, summer will pass into winter, and a two-by-four will hurt you if you drop it on your toe. Welcome to reality. Learn to live within it. How much more true this is for a man before his God. You are loved immensely, and you must obey. This is the secret to Lesson One in the Christian book of spirituality. You are loved; you must obey." The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge

Happy 100th!

Have y'all seen the new Spring commercial?  You can call, text or email or text Veatrice Henson who's turning 100! 

"Veatrice Henson, a Missouri resident who is turning 100 this year. As part of a new ad campaign starting today, Sprint is encouraging its customers to reach out to the woman in order to wish her a happy birthday in the spirit of what it is calling “Random Acts of TogethernessTM.” 

Sprint is tracking the well wishes on its Web site, and notes that it will help Veatrice respond to the messages. That might be a tough job.

She’s already received more than 800 calls, more than 1,400 texts and more than 500 emails."  (Info taken from: http://www.geekwire.com/2011/sprints-latest-ad-strategy-missouri-woman-happy-100th-birthday)

Want to contact Veatrice?
Email: veatriceh@gmail.com
Phone: 816.892.5407

Happy 100th birthday, Veatrice!

Benefit Singing for Tornado Victims

BENEFIT SINGING
FOR
TORNADO VICTIMS

Saturday, May 21, 2011
7:00 P.M.
Thompson Chapel Assembly of God
Jemison, AL

Featuring:
HEAVENS STRINGS*
THE DOTSON FAMILY
DEEP SOUTH QUARTET

A freewill offering will be taken with proceeds to go to tornado victims.  Also we will take donations of non-perishable food items, baby supplies, hygiene items, garbage bags, flash lights, batteries, and cleaning items.

*One of my boyfriend's bands.  Come out and support a great cause!

Boyfriend Approved Tummy Yummy

I'm notorious for not being able to follow a recipe. When I was a little girl, my friend and I mistook salt for sugar and sugar for salt. Honest mistake, right? OK, how about the time, not that long ago, when I accidentally doubled an already doubled chocolate chip cookie recipe? Uhhh yeah, I gave away cookies to everyone I knew! All that being said, this recipe is VERY easy to follow, and quite tasty to boot! I hope you enjoy!


Southwest Chicken Bake

1 Taco Bell Original taco seasoning mix (Recipe calls for half a packet, but I found it better to use a whole one)
1 Lb. Boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 Tbsp. Kraft Light Zesty Italian Dressing
1 Cup canned no-salt-added black beans, rinsed (I used a 1 1/2 cans)
1/2 Cup Frozen Corn (I used two cans, drained)
2 Green onions, chopped
1 Cup Taco Bell Thick n Chunky Salsa (I used 2-16oz jars of Pace Medium Fire Roasted Red Pepper and Corn salsa. I didn't drain it, but should have.)
1/2 Cup Kraft Mexican style Finely Shredded Four Cheese (I used more cheese too as I basically doubled the ingredients)
2-2/3 Cups hot cooked long-grain brown rice (I used Uncle Ben's white rice, if it matters.)
**I recommend draining all liquids before layering them into the casserole dish.  I didn't so much, and my final product was a tad soupy.  

HEAT oven to 375 degrees.

ADD seasoning mix to chicken in medium bowl; toss evenly to coat.

HEAT dressing in large skillet on medium-heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 min. or until evenly browned. Scoop into 1-1/2 quart casserole; cover with layers of beans, corn, onions and salsa.

BAKE 20 min. Top with cheese; bake 5 min. or until melted. Serve over rice.
I actually cooked mine a tad longer, of course, I have a crazy oven.  I found that the black beans didn't get cooked in only 20 minutes and were therefore kinda crunchy; Jason liked them that way though.  Hmm, to each his own.  

Also, it stands to mention, as I completely forgot about it.  Don't forget to time the cooking of the rice.  The casserole was nearly completely cooked when it suddenly occurred to me.  No worries, all was not lost.  My sweet, starving boyfriend enjoyed the meal to the last bite; even my crunchy black beans!


Recipe taken from: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/southwest-chicken-bake-123144.aspx

FREE music, tell a friend!

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