the path of life...

One thing I absolutely love to do is hike. A few years ago I had the amazing opportunity to hike rim to rim with my mom in the Grand Canyon. It is a 24 mile hike, that we do in a day. We started training about 8 month before we left and to get ready we did many different hikes. Long, short, steep, flat hikes, cold and hot weather hikes, breaking in multiple pairs of shoes, and most of all amazing time spent with my mom. This is a journey that I would not have traded for anything. With out all these different types of training I never would have been able to finish.

We never know exactly what path we are going to end up on in life, but that is why we train so that no matter what is in front of us we can walk down it. Many times most things come at us when we least expect it. I have walked down many paths in my life, had the honor of working with women and children of domestic violence, supporting a VP at the corporate office for PetSmart, and supporting the Family Life Pastor (and Senior Pastor for a period of time) at Radiant Church. Another path I recently walked down was Nursing School, and while I never thought I climb to the top of this I finally did, my boards ended and decisions had to be made. One of the paths I been hiking down a long time, has been one of the most amazing experiences in my life, Radiant Church has not only been a blessing to myself, but to my family. I have learned so much, grown and been challenged in more ways than one. If I could have the best of both worlds I would have kept walking down this path for quite sometime. Last week another path was put before me and I knew change was coming. I have been given an amazing opportunity to work as a Nurse for hospice. This actually could not fit my personality any better. It is such a bittersweet moment. While one path has ended another one has started. All the paths I have taken could not have been orchestrated any better to prepare me for me for this next "hike". There is a lot of training to be done, many new challenges and I may not always know what is around the corner, but I am confident in the fact that I have had the best training from some awesome people. So here I stand, my shoes laced and tied, ready to take the next step, ready to walk down another path. I am scared, nervous, scared, and excited! Well here goes nothing...

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart

Drew's 5th Year!!!

I had the pleasure of planning a 5th Birthday Party for a very dear friend daughter. Drew turned 5 this year and I was so excited when she told me she wanted a "Pink Cowgirl Party"! This was right up my alley. The wheels started turning and I was able to create everything from the cupcake toppers, to favor bag tags, banners, and signs using a Cricut. I had such a great time and hope you enjoy all the pictures!

Happy 5th Birthday Drew!!!!

Welcome Sign

Grazing Pasture - AKA Snack Table

Feeding Pasture - Picnic style area for kids to eat their "grub".

Craft Corral - Paper bag with wooden horses and markers to color

Watering Trough - Pink Lemonade and Pink Milk

Hot Chocolate Bar - Perfect for the cool evening!

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes - made by Eva Sersland

Thank you gift - Drew's favorite "Cotton Candy"

The Host "Me" and the Party Girl "Drew"

Taking the Challenge...

I saw this post on a friends blog, http://naturallyi.blogspot.com/ and thought I would take the challenge also! Thanks Erin!

Oodles of Noodles!!

So in my quest to try new recipes, I decided that the first recipe I would use this month is not a new one, but a favorite of my husbands that I have not made for a year, and it tastes even better when it is cold outside, a true comfort food. So in a way it is a new/old recipe to kick off 2011. We invited a few friends over and made, Homemade Noodles. This recipe is a Hauser Family Favorite. My grandma makes them every Thanksgiving and Christmas, and all of us grandkids would have a fit if she ever stopped! I hope that you enjoy them as much as we did!

Recipe - Homemade Noodles

Flour - 2 cups

Eggs - 1 whole egg, and 3 egg yolks

Water - 3 tablespoons of cold water

Salt - 1 tsp

Whisk eggs and salt until mixed. Add flour and water. You may need a little more water. The dough needs to stick together. I spread out a generous amount of flour on my counter and separate the dough into 3 dough balls. Roll out each ball until thin, lay on a towel. After you have rolled all three dough balls, cover with an additional towel and let dry for about two hours. Roll up the dough and using a knife cut the dough into small strips, spread the strips of noodles back onto the towel, cover and let dry for about 3 more hours.

Boil a large pot of water with 3 chicken breasts, cube the chicken once cooked. Strain and save the chicken broth. Boil the chicken broth (you may have to add in a little bit of water), once boiled add in the noodles and cooked chicken. If the broth is not strong enough you can add can(s) of chicken broth or chicken bullion cubes to your tasting. The broth will boil down since you cook the noodles uncovered, so just make sure you have enough broth to cover all the noodles. It is ok if it looks like soup. Cook until noodles are tender. Salt and pepper to taste. To serve we usually just use a ladle and drain the broth out and only eat the noodles.

Recipe - Mashed Potatoes

(for 9 people)

5 lb bag of potatoes

Butter

Milk

Salt and Pepper

Wash, cut and peel potatoes. While you are doing this you can get a large pot of water boiling. Add the potatoes to the boiling water and boil until you can stick a fork into the potato and it falls apart. Once potatoes are soft drain all the water out the pot and add milk, butter, salt and pepper to taste. All of these ingredients just depend on how thick you want the mashed potatoes to be.

We always serve the mashed potatoes with noodles. I know it sounds weird, everyone always thinks it is a strange but I promise it is incredible.

Enjoy!!

New Favorite...

I stumbled upon this blog today and think I am love with this pantry! Check it out.

http://www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com/a-fresh-start

Top 11 for 2011...

So instead of my top 10 things to accomplish this year, I thought I would pick 11. Here it goes and hopefully someone will read this and hold me accountable..he, he!

1.) Set aside time for just Todd and I to spend together.

2.) Master the art of my new toy, "The Silhouette"!

3.) Run at least two days a week.

4.) Blog at least once a month.

5.) Make homemade cards for all occasions (this idea I stole from a friend, and love it!).

6.) Make one new recipe each month.

7.) Take a photography class.

8.) Start hiking in February one time a week.

9.) Travel to Haiti.

10.) Help my mom on a new SUPER exciting project!!! (more on this one soon)

11.) more about 11 later also :) sorry for being vague.

Anyone else got a top 11? I am so excited for what this year is going to hold, I do not usually get excited or make goals, but this year is different. I want to have an amazing year, so I figure might as well go after it!