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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Room for a girl :)

So, my task over the next couple of weeks is going to be decluttering my house! In Japan, we lived in a small 850 sq ft home, so needless to say, we didn't keep much! I loved the simplicity of not having a house full of clutter! Now that we have 1800 sq ft, we have somehow managed to fill every closet and garage with things that never get used. Somehow we have gone from few things more than the essentials, to complete overload! (Well, in my opinion anyway!).

Anyway... once I get rid of all the stuff holding me back I want to decorate for the baby. Now, being a first time mom of a girl :D :D :D I want some opinions on which direction to take this in :) So let me know which one ya'll like the most...

black and white
tulip crib set
pink medallion
princess

Have a great night! :)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Black Bean Burgers :D

 Mmmm... just looking at the picture makes my mouth water :) When Mike and I lived in Japan we went through about a month of being "vegetarian". It was fun... well, most of the time! haha. This is one of our most favorite vegetarian recipes that we still continue to make often... it is VERY budget friendly, heart healthy, and easy on the waistline as well! The boys both thoroughly enjoy these and eat them up just as they would any other burger :)



 The cast of characters....


So heres the recipe....
Spicy (but not TOO spicy) black bean burgers
1/2 green pepper (a little more or less depending on how much you like the taste of peppers)
1/2 medium onion
1 16 oz can of black beans
3-4 cloves of garlic
1 egg
1 TBL. chili powder
1 TBL. cumin
1 tsp hot sauce (I like Cholula Chili Garlic, but we have made them with no hot sauce and they are just as good!)
1/2 c. oatmeal (or breadcrumbs, but breadcrumbs have absolutely no nutritive value)

Preheat griddle to about 350-375. Rinse beans and mash with a fork. Use a food chopper or processor to finely chop onion, garlic, and green pepper. Be sure to drain some of the juice from the pepper, or else you may need to add more oatmeal to your burgers. Beat egg and add. Stir in spices, hot sauce and oatmeal and mix thoroughly. Place on griddle by spoonful and shape into a good patty size. Allow to cook for about 5-8 minutes per side depending on thickness. We like ours pretty thin :)

Place on a nice multigrain bun and top with cheese and claussen pickles mmmmm. Really, it has to be claussen pickles. There is no substitute. The boys really like these with ketchup. Mike and I prefer them with A-1 but from this point you can do your own thing ;D  
Enjoy!

Monday, March 21, 2011

So.... Its... A..... BABY....

GIRL

Yup thats right... I was trying to get some pictures up from my cell phone, but it wasn't cooperating! Little baby girl has some LONG legs though! She must be built just like Mamma :)

I have to admit... I CRIED when I found out! I mean I have been praying for a girl since Jackson was born... but the Lord has truly answered! I feel blessed beyond belief and I just still can't believe that the Lord would allow me to have a little girl! Thank you Lord for answered prayers!