Louisiana Jambalaya

I remember the first time we had this meal.

I remember sitting on the kitchen stool

watching Mom rush here and there around the kitchen.

Chopping, sauting, simmering, stirring...

It was all so fascinating.

My sisters and I were all in elementary school;

we could only do so much to help Mom prepare Dad's Father's Day meal.

Fast forward a dozen years...

Today I pulled at the well worn recipe and decided to take a try

at this classic recipe. And now I share it with you...

Brown chicken breast in skillet.

Once browned add 1 sliced onion and begin to sauté on one side of skillet.

Meanwhile prepare chicken broth using 6 chicken bullions and 5 c. of water.

Shell and devein 1 lb. of shrimp.

Chop 3 stalks of celery, dice 1 green pepper and 3 tomatoes.

Remove chicken once completely cooked and set aside.

Continue sauting onions.

Add celery, green pepper, and 2 T. of garlic and sauté until

vegetables are wilted...about 5-8 minutes.

Stir in 2 c. of rice, 3/4 t. cayenne pepper, 3/4 t. black pepper, and 1 t. of thyme.

Add chicken broth and simmer for 10 minutes.

Return chicken to pan and simmer another 5 minutes.

Add shrimp and simmer 5 more minutes, allowing rice to cook.

Fold in tomatoes and 1 T. of red wine vinegar.

Simmer 1 minute.

Bon appetit!

[enjoy your meal]

Dead Flies

A good name is better than precious ointment;

(Ecclesiastes 7:1)

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor:

so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.

(Ecclesiastes 10:1)

Your name... What do people think when they hear your name?

Nicole...

OR

Innermost Aspirations (for those who only know me by blog)

I read quite a few different blogs and I enjoy them all for different reasons. Beneath my Heart, is one I encourage you to read. My favorite posts are on Wednesdays when she writes about her mother who has went on to be with the Lord. I find myself laughing and crying with her when she writes; her posts show her love for her mother and thankfulness that she was raised in a Christian home.

When you say, Pioneer Woman, I immediately think bizarre city girl who married a cowboy and has amazing cooking posts.

Brookes Insights, may not get all the hits that Pioneer Woman gets but I enjoy reading it not only because the author is my sweet little sister, but also because through her writings I see her passions: her concern for our country, love for her family and children, and utmost desire to find God's will and do it. She is true to her writing and I love her for her sincerity.

The Lettered Cottage, is a blog which I enjoy browsing through the remodeling projects that the energetic couple do together.

Then there are blogs like, Playing Sublimely, Chatting at the Sky, and Stories from a Restless Heart, that some days I read and wish I could write with so much passion and melancholy spirit.

And of course there are those blogs that I read once a week or so... that blogger seems self-centered; their writing is shallow and lacks depth; they have way too much time on their hands type blogs...

I am judging these bloggers just by their style of writing and it made me stop and think. What impression does my blogging give others? And, more personal...what do people think when they hear my name...Nicole?

I once heard a pastor say, "Take care of your character and your reputation will take care of itself." Such a wise statement.

So, what does your blogging tell others about you? What initial thought crosses the minds of others when your name is mentioned?

The Difference

One hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was,

the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...

But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.

Children...oh, how I love them!

I have so many opportunities to work with so many different kids.

First of all, there is my bus route.

And then, there is the 5th-6th grade girl's Sunday School (which

I truly enjoy being a part of)

And lastly, the ones I am with the most..the kiddies at my work...

The ornery,

dramatic,

personable,

and the lovable stinkers.

I work with these kids day in, and day out; 40 hours a week. Sometimes I admit, I feel stressed, annoyed, and at my wit's end. They won't listen, I am raising my voice way too much, I have overused the "be by myself" chair, and I just want to throw in the towel. But then I remember...I was a child once too...and I pretty stubborn one, I have been told! ;)

However, I was raised by godly parents and attended the same Baptist church since I was a newborn in the nursery. I had the privilege to attend a Christian Academy, High school, and College. I was not dropped off at a day care to be raised by someone else. I was disciplined and nurtured by parents who spent the much needed time with me.

Recently alot has been going on in a little child's life at my day care. Stuff that a 3 year old should not have to witness, nor be subject to; something he will remember for years to come. My heart aches for him and his siblings; I found myself thinking...

Why isn't that me?

What is so different about me?

Why did God spare me and see fit to put me in a Christian home?

That could have been me, if it weren't for the Lord's mercy...

I want so badly to take all the hurt out of that little boy.

Instead I put my focus into giving him more love, increasing my prayers, and not letting my patience run thin. After all, I am different, because of Christ; and, I hope someday when he is older and understands he remembers...the teacher who was different.

Til the storm passes over

We have been getting alot of rain around here; watching the storm clouds rage and then seeing the after affects of a good rainfall reminded me of a favorite hymn of mine... Linking up with Mary to be a part of Mosaic Monday.

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face,

While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place.

'Mid the crash of the thunder,

Precious Lord, hear my cry,

Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try,

For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by"

But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise

Where the storms never darken the skies.

When the long night has ended and the storms come no more,

Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore;

In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I

Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.

Chorus Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more,

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky;

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand,

Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

And the greatest of these is charity...

And finally the pics from Liz and Julian's wedding...

Liz looked absolutely radiant; a gorgeous bride.

Michelle (MOH) with the Bride

Liz and me

A friend is a gift you give yourself.

Tab and Liz

Mary and Liz

With the flower girl

Intently thinking...

And, with her family...

Like mother, like daughter

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not;

charity vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own,

is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil,

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things,

endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies they shall fail,

whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there

be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

And now abideth

faith,

hope,

charity,

these three;

but the greatest of these

is charity.

Truly great friends are hard to find,

difficult to leave,

but impossible to forget.

Celebrating...

BirthDAYS in my family NEVER last a single day.... The past few days starting with Saturday we have been celebrating a pretty important birthday of a member in my family: my mom! Here are a few pictures to remember the last few days by...

We cooked her dinner on Saturday and believe it or not, I actually did not take pictures of it...I think I was too hungry that evening...

We dined outdoors at this quaint little place that is located in college town!

We started off with a scrumptiously good appetizer; as

I look at the picture I am getting hungry...

My meal was divine and such a large portion; oh how I love leftovers!

Yesterday my sisters and I took mom out for lunch at a favorite local place...

My darling sisters!

Italian Soda...a must!

Just a little too happy about that Italian soda...

Our attempt at a group photo...not so good...

Happy Birthday, Mom, hope you had as good of a time celebrating as I did! Love ya!