Everythings Amazing & Nobodys Happy

If you haven't seen this... please.... watch!
So true, so profound, so funny!Then after you've watched, challenge yourself to be thankful for your easy, wonderful, cruisy life! Unless of course you're one of my 3rd world country readers ;)

Grilled Artichokes ala Bandera!

One of my absolute favorite things to eat is Grilled Artichokes... they've become more popular recently and a few restaurants have been trying their hand at them, but there is only one restaurant that has nailed them! And that restaurant is Bandera and they only charge a ridiculous $12 for that perfection. Every where else I've tried them is not quite right, too watery is usually my complaint, so I scoured the Internets to see if I could find someone out there that had figured out Bandera's secret, and alas I did!

So because I like you, I'm willing to pass on this highly treasured secret of chokey goodness...

Oh and if by some chance you happen to be a grilling freak and have a wood fire grill with some hickory, these are gonna be amazing... I had to settle for gas, but it still was surprisingly good!

Lets begin:

Steam your artichokes with a lemon slice, garlic clove and bay leaf for 15-20 min. depending on their size. (25 min. for a especially large choke) You only get one shot at this, so make sure they're done!

As you can see here I was a little too anxious to get mine out of the water and the heart is slightly underdone... whoops :\

When you take them out of the water slice them starting at the stem working down toward the leaves, this will help keep the choke intact and not get all over the leaves.
Rub a little lemon on them and stick them in the fridge for an hour or if you're always late like me, throw them in the freezer for 10 min. This is the MOST important step, so don't skip it. I'm pretty sure this is the step that the restaurants are blowing it on!

While your chokes are chillin' you need to make a little marinade for these beauties:

Get the lemon you used in the beginning and cut one more slice off it and put the slice aside
Now use the juice from the rest of your lemon
3 tablespoons of olive oil
I use one square of frozen crushed garlic (which looks like 1 and 1/2 crushed garlic cloves)
a large pinch of kosher salt
and a a good amount of cracked pepper
(don't be shy with the salt and pepper!)

When you've got about 10-15 min. to go until you're ready to eat throw these beauties on the grill with a healthy amount of marinade on them. BUT before you do that make sure to scoop out the choke! (the hairy bit just above the heart, you don't not want to eat any of that stuff!)

You'll need to flip them over every 2-3 min. to keep them from burning, but a little char is a great thing on these guys!
Every time you flip them give them some more marinade and when you're close to done sprinkle them with a little more kosher salt!

Now it's time to eat! YUMMMM! I serve these beauties up with a garlic remoulade that you can make up in advance and it will last in your fridge for a week!

Garlic Remoulade:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 cubes of frozen crushed garlic or 3 fresh cloves minced
3 tablespoons relish
The juice from your slice of lemon you put aside
A large pinch of salt
And a dash of dill weed
(taste and add more lemon or salt if needed)

Enjoy!

The Anti-Consumer Hypocrite

So there's plenty of things I'm known for, making my own shoes from carrots I grew in my garden is one of the funnier ones my girlfriend Janeille coined, but one of the lesser known ones is that I'm a bit of an Anti-consumer hypocrite... sad but true.

I'm constantly tortured in my head, knowing that Forever 21 just got in that perfect dress that is gonna suit my not-so-perfect figure and I'm gonna miss it! But I know that I have no business being in that store because my closet is full and once I'm there, there's at least 5 other things I can't live without, ughhh!!! It's places like Nordstroms rack that convince the anti-consumer hypocrites like me that it's OK because that dress was $130 and now is only $11 so it's not really that bad, right!!!!

In an ideal world I would just be content with what I have and never need anything shinny and new. But no, I'm tortured, I'm tossed to and fro all the time. I can't, but I would love to blame it all on Orange County, I mean shopping might be highest on our list of cultural priorities.

So my friends, it's only fair that you share the burden with me, so I'm gonna do what any good anti-consumer hypocrite would... Give you the two options to wrestle over that I do, everyday!
You're welcome :)

Let the torture commence:

This month, charity: water is doing a campaign, encouraging people to give up their September birthday gifts in exchange for a donation to charity: water. They hope to further solve the world water crisis, and so far, they're doing a killer job! Good thing it wasn't October birthdays this year, phew!
Watch the trailer, I'm pretty sure you'll become an Anti-Consumer hypocrite too... sorry. And don't worry, I am gonna give up my October birthday this year :)


Next is for those of you who can shop online unimpeded by that nagging feeling.
Zafirenia is a really cute company I just learned about. Seriously cute, cute vintage inspired jewelry.

Did I say cute. I love their big, bold fun designs.

I really wanted to get one for my best friend's birthday, but she has to make the ever torturous call, since it's her September birthday, no pressure.


If you decide you can't live without one of Zafirenia's designs, you can make yourself feel better knowing that you're supporting the cottage industry and actually putting food on a family's table :)

I know, I know, I would say I'm sorry, but all kidding aside I think this is too important. So much of what we do in America needs a bit of a reevaluation. At the very least I've gotten you thinking, cuz if you never did, nothing would change.

Balance my friend, balance.

Your Old Time Friend

A Shout Out!

This is a Shout Out to all you single moms out there! I've had 10 days with my husband gone to Australia and New Zealand, and I have to say I have a new found respect and admiration for those of you doing this all the time! I pray strength and courage for you! I'll be back soon, I'm bubbling over with things I have to tell you... but not now, I got stuff to clean :)

On the Road Again!

Me and my beloved are hittin' the road very early tomorrow morning!
If you're the prayin' sort, please pray for us, we're off to Montana for a really special time with other church planters... but I have MAJOR, MAJOR anxiety about leaving my babies.
One small consolation, there's a Cracker Barrel in the State we're off to... (there's a reason the word "crack" is in their name!)
Sorry I couldn't resist! I'm a huge fan of both her and 'Crack'er Barrel!

I'll be back on my blog in a week with gads of insight... You're gonna have to hold me back!

The Basics of our Faith

As I sit here and ponder all of the pearls of insight into the depths of my soul that I could share right now, I'm coming up short... I'm still right in the thick of processing all the ins and outs of Behavior Modification, so I'm finding it hard to exactly articulate my thoughts... I know that God is in the midst of doing surgery, but one thing that I feel affirmed in over and over again in throughout this process is, that even as I screw up and learn lesson after lesson because of my shortcomings, I'm loved and accepted. I'm beloved and cherished because of Jesus and not because I'm a perfect little saint that never screws up... if that were how God worked, I would be screwed!

For that reason, I LOVE this video!



Let me know your thoughts, or how you've experience this grace in your life!
I know the hardest part for me is to just accept it, even when I do screw up, there's some arrogance in me that just wants to earn His love so bad. But when I take a step back, I'm so glad I can't! Because when I'm totally honest with myself, I know I never could, I know I don't measure up to His standards, so I'm just grateful for His acceptance and grace on Jesus' behalf!

Behavior Modification?

Well, well, well... if you're still reading 3 gold stars for you!

Sorry I've been a lagger, but life for the Weeks have been busy! There's been the executing of an estate, lots of worship leading, good friends in from out of town, entertaining, meetings up the wazoo, veggie gardening and of course lots of watching Judah eat sand! But all along I haven't forgotten you, I think of you often and wonder if you think of me ;)

OK enough with the mushy stuff...

Amidst all the business there has been a lot on my mind! The one that has dominated my thoughts is the whole idea of behavior modification that I eluded to in my post's title,this has had HUGE implications for me in my life lately, on so many levels!

I promise an explanation or at least an attempt at one in my next post. But for now I'm posting the video that's has really challenged me in my usual attempts at behavior modification for y'all to watch, and no I'm not from the south... well Southern California, but we don't say y'all, I don't know what came over me.



We have so much to discuss! Talk to you soon!

Oh Betty!

This one's been a long time coming... one of my all time favorite people ever is Betty Hutton, and I've wanted to introduce you for a long time. I'm hoping most of you already are good friends and have enjoyed her for years, but if you haven't, here's my brief yet non-exhaustive intro to one of my heroes!
Betty Hutton was a glamorous, yet not quite right for Hollywood type that somehow managed to star in dozens of films in the 40's and 50's. She had said that she hit fast and run in hopes that no one would realize that she couldn't really do anything... Well I definitely disagree with you Betty! She had a spunk that is unrivalled. Bob Hope once called her a vitamin with legs... She would definitely fit right in with me and my girlfriends! Fiery and fun with some sass and silliness! This is me doin' my best to pull of Betty's hair for my 30th birthday party!


This one here is my favorite! It shows her range and how funny and delightful she can be. I especially love the part when she sings "woof, woof"


Sadly, Betty followed the road of many in Hollywood, turning to drug use and nearly had a nervous breakdown. She ended up living in obscurity until someone discovered her working as a cook in a Catholic rectory in the 70's!
In an interview with Robert Osbourne on TCM in 2000 Betty was very candid about her personal struggles and the turmoil she experienced in Hollywood and later her bout with drug addiction and ultimately her faith that changed her life!

This one's called the Sewing Machine, I sing it to my kids when I sew :)



I learned that Betty had become a devout Catholic living quietly at the end of her life in Palm Springs, really close to where my Dad lives. I often fantasized about writing her and seeing if we could get together to talk or pray... but my courage failed me, and I soon after learned that she had passed away. Boo...

This one's about a neighbor that never stops playin' his piano... She's so cute!



So while my opportunity to hang out with my girl has passed here, I can't wait to hang out with you in heaven Betty! I hope you love her as much a me! When I hear her fun and silly songs, they just bring a smile to my face and a little joy to my day! And if you want some more Betty head on over here to SatinsAndSpurs.com The Betty Hutton Website
This is the best site there is for all things Betty!


And if you're looking for a good movie to rent this weekend, check her out in "Annie Get Your Gun" it's rip roarin' old timey fun!

And apparently 3 or 4 of her movies will be featured this month on TCM!

So have fun!


Your Old Time Friend...

Some good and some bad news...

Let's start with the bad news... Yesterday the poor, defenseless baby dove eggs met their demise. (tear...) Next year little dove, I'll do whatever I can to protect your precious baby eggs!

Now onto the good news

Do you recognize that face??? It's my beloved Keith Green, and in 2011 they will be releasing a movie about his life! You can read the full story here... There is probably no one that has collectively influenced my spiritual and musical life more than Keith Green, he is definitely one of my heroes. I can't wait to see the movie. Keith really lived out what he believed, more than most of us would dare. He and his wife took in single mothers, people wanting to be freed from drug addiction, the homeless. And I believe he was the first contemporary Christian artist to give his music away and or only charge what people could afford to pay for an album! Such a beautiful life, such an inspiring testimony!
By some miracle when I was in highschool all my friends thought, even in the face of all the punk rock we we're listening to, that a Christian Contemporary artist from the the late '70's was the coolest... I don't know how to explain it, it's just a miracle ;) We would drive down the street, singing his songs at the top of our lungs, and we knew every single lyric! It was the BEST!

If you're not familiar with Keith at all check out some of his lyrics to one of my favorite songs...

Your Love Broke Through
Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky
All my hopes would come tumbling down, and I never knew just why
Until today, when you pulled away the clouds that hung like curtains on my eyes
Well I've been blind all these wasted years and I though I was so wise
But then you took me by surprise
Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love broke through
All my life I've been searching for that crazy missing part
And with one touch, you just rolled away the stone that held my heart
And now I see that the answer was as easy, as just asking you in
And I am so sure I could never doubt your gentle touch again
It's like the power of the wind
Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love, until your love, broke through

then if you wanna hear him in action check this out! He had such a creative way of telling a story with such fun music!


ENJOY!

CROWS!!!

I'm sorry but there is some of God's creation that I don't enjoy...

I'm sure there is something redemptive about crows, I just haven't found it yet!

All morning they have been trying to attack these precious little unborn baby doves...

Not OK!

So I've been fighting them back with yells and claps, my only ammunition... my neighbors think I'm so weird... oh well...