When boating doesn't work...make chinese food!

On Sunday, Jason, I, Bridget, and Adam had made plans to go boating! 

All week the weatherman kept saying that in our area, Sunday was going to be beautiful. 

He was a liar.

It was kind of chilly, and it rained a little too.

We were sad [insert sad face here].

So what do you do when you can't go boating....?

Well of course you make chinese food!

That, my friends, is homemade sesame chicken.  Yep. 

My personal favorites....crab ragoons.  Baked!

Adam's specialty...fried rice! 

Maybe next time we will get to take the boat out!  I have my fingers crossed!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

I recently found this recipe and tried it out...it is amazing. 

Seriously. 

I have been looking for a good recipe for cookie bars, but have not found one that was great.

Until NOW!

Go make these immediately....they are to die for!

Here's the link to the website I found it on here.

 Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars

Makes a 9X13-inch pan of bars
2 1/8 cups  all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
12 tablespoons butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted and cooled slightly
1 cup  light brown sugar
1/2  cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups chocolate chips***


Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Adjust the oven rack to lower-middle position. Line a 9X13-inch baking pan with foil, letting the excess hang over the edges of the pan by about 1 inch so you can grab those edges and pull the brownies from the pan after they have baked. Spray the foil-lined pan with nonstick cooking spray.


Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside. Whisk the melted butter and sugars in a large bowl until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips and turn the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the spatula.


Bake until the top of the bars is light golden brown, slightly firm to the touch, and edges start pulling away from sides of pan, 24-28 minutes. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Remove the bars from the pan by lifting the foil overhang and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve.


*** I followed all the directions except I used 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips instead of 2. 

Sub City & Disc Golf

 Jason and I headed down to Waverly last night to eat some Sub City, and do some disc golfing!  Sub City is EASILY my favorite sandwich place...no one can come close to how they make them!

Here is our collection of discs...long range, mid range, and putter.

Jason trying to make it to the basket...

So close!

This was one of my shots...I believe it was on hole 7...I was so close to losing my disc in the river!

This is a great disc golf course, and also a really nice park.  We will be back soon!



On my mind...

My job continually reminds me how short life is on this precious Earth, and today was no different.

I have the utmost respect for families that have a family member who is diagnosed with a terminal illness or cancer.

Or for those whose baby has died in childbirth or at a young age.

They stand strong.  They respect their family members wishes.  They are there for them. 

To me, this has to be the hardest job to endure, yet, they are doing what they can.  And that's what matters. 

Being on the outside, I don't usually know their story.  I just see them, for who they are, right now. 

I find it hard to put into words on what I want to convey through this post.  The people I have met through this job, my customers, will forever change my outlook on life. 

To smile and joke with me, when you aren't sure if you will be alive in the next 45 days, shakes me to my inner core.  I am amazed at the strength and courage these people possess. 

I am inspired. 

Today, I stopped.  I stepped back.  And I said thank you. 

My life, all 23 years, has been amazing.  Simply put, perfect.

I couldn't have asked for anything more.  I am so very blessed.

Remember and celebrate every day, milestone, moment.  Life is short. 

Tree landscape...

This was our lonely tree in the front of our yard...

We thought it needed an upgrade...

So after a little landscaping blocks, dirt, plants, and mulch...

We got this.

Happy tree!

Relay for LIFE-2011 Chickasaw County

This past Friday, the N-P Cheerleaders participated in the Relay for Life held in New Hampton IA.  What a great event that was organized and for such a great cause.  My aunt, Angela, was the Honorary Survivor.  She was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and since then has underwent a stem cell transplant and her cancer is now in remission.  It was very speical to see her up there with all of her family surrounded by her. 

The N-P Cheerleaders teamed up with The New Hampton Cheer squad to do Relay for Life, our teams name was Cheer for a Cure.  The girls perfomed a quick cheer and stunt.  They did great!

And here they are leading the suvivor lap...

Quick photo on the Wooden Wonderland!

Face painting to donate all proceeds to Relay for Life..

Meeting new friends with cats that don't wear shoes!

The Luminaries were beautiful at night!  The whole evening was a reminder to always think how quickly your life can change if you or someone you love is diagnosed with cancer.  It is a blessing to have a community that can come together to raise money for a great cause!

Gardening...

Tonight I took some time to complete a little gardening...and added some color to our front yard.

Jason and I ventured up to a Mennonite greenhouse called Deerfield yesterday after work.  We purchased these flowers and the rest of the vegetables you will see below.

I'm not a big gardener....

When I was young, if I got in trouble, my mom would make me pull weeds in the garden.

It must have stuck with me...

because I LOATHE pulling weeds!

But I love having fresh, tasty vegetables in my backyard.

SO, I will put up with pulling a few weeds I guess ;)

Peppers! :)

Tomatoes...

And here is a picture of my feet...I painted my toenails a different color and I knew you all wanted to see what color...purple glitter! :) 

Have a fantastic evening!