Day 83::July 29, 2010

One of me and Doug's new favorite places to eat in Birmingham is a little restaurant called Camp Taco.  Camp Taco uses all natural ingredients to make delicious, healthy, well, tacos!  We were very impressed with their cheap prices because, as we've come to find out, trying to eat healthy doesn't always work in your wallet's favor.  Our most favorite thing on the menu is most definitely the cheese dip.  This stuff is amazing!!!  Not only do they give you almost double what any other Mexican restaurant would, it's made with three different kinds of cheese!!  I'm not sure what it is, but I love whatever kind of cheese they crumble on top..... SO GOOD! 

I've just decided to dedicate this post to my cheese loving friend, Adrienne.  Adrienne, if you ever come to Birmingham, I'm taking you to get some of this dip.  It will change your life.  I promise.

Anyway, today Doug had to get his stitches out (yay!) and on his way home he decided to pick me (us) up a little surprise!  Flowers?  No.  Candy?  No.  A new puppy?  No.  Dinner?  No.  My loving husband walked through the door and beamed with a smile ear to ear. In his hand he held a to-go box.  In this to-go box was a little bit of heaven.  Thank you Camp Taco for making your amazing Tres Queso.  And thank you, Doug, for thinking to bring some home.

Day 82::July 28, 2010

Warning!  Gross picture today.  But on with the post first.  This afternoon and evening I enjoyed spending time with some wonderful girls from church.  After church we headed over to Doug's parent's house to celebrate his mom's birthday!  They had cake from the same place that did Megan's (Doug's sister) wedding cake.  It was sooo good!

After all that is when the most interesting part of my day started taking place.  Around 10:30 I was hanging out with Delia and found some interesting bumps on her tummy.  If I kinda squeezed one like a zit, something would kinda pop out of it.  It was white and gross and freaked me out completely.  You see, I had read this article on fly strike a while back.  It's where an animal has a wound in which a fly lays eggs.  The dog can get infected and die shortly thereafter.  Thankfully, I have a friend who works an overnight shift at an animal hospital.  I always ask her advice on dog issues since I've never had to take care of a dog before.  Tonight was no different.  She helped me through the different possibilities and then we finally figured out what they were.  Ticks!  I couldn't believe it.  It certainly did not look like a tick.  It looked like a worm or something!  Anyway, with Doug's help, we were able to get the little boogers out of her.  I felt sorry for her because it was obvious that she was uncomfortable but a little treat and belly rub did the trick and made her feel all better.  Now, ready to see the tick?

Day 81::July 27, 2010

I woke up, took Delia out to use the bathroom and found out that the storm from last night left a little more than rain on the ground.  I guess we'll be short a few pecan's this year!

So, being the he-woman that I am and not wanting to wake up Douglas to take care of a task that I knew he was incapable of doing himself because of his surgery, I took it upon myself to drag these lovely limbs from the back yard to the front yard.  I hope they come pick these up soon!

Day 80::July 26, 2010

When Doug decided to plant a garden, I mentioned that I would love to have a wall of sunflowers on one side.  We ended up planting them a tad late and they are just starting to bloom.  I LOVE sunflowers and am so excited that these came up and look amazing!  They are all much taller than we are so to get the bloom pictures I had to stick my arm up in the air, point and shoot.  Glad it turned out well!

(couldn't resist!)

Day 79::July 25, 2010

Spent the afternoon, after church, picking blueberries and figs from our backyard.  What do I do with all these figs?!?  I know I can try to make jam or jelly and I also think I'll try my hand at fig sorbet.  We'll see how that turns out tomorrow.  If you want some, PLEASE let me know.  We have three trees full of them!

After church this evening, the girls in our Sunday school class decided to kidnap Kim (the girl that teaches with me) for her birthday.  We took her to G'Daddy's which is basically like a dairy queen- Gardendale style.  Happy Early Birthday Kim!!!

Day 78::July 24, 2010

Today was another day full of housework and running errands.  Doug took it easy and worked on some school work since he's scheduled to graduate Union a week from today.  I'm so proud of him!  His first master's degree!! 

A few days ago I picked a bunch of peas from the garden.  Doug's mom did the majority of the work getting them out of the hulls.  To my surprise, they sprouted in the cup she put them in!  The cat in the next picture is one of our neighbor's SEVERAL cats.  Also, to my surprise, this cat decided to take a long nap next to our little fish pond.  Normally these cats are very skittish and run as soon as they see someone but this cat let me take his picture and then ran away.  Thanks cat.

Day 77::July 23, 2010

After only a few hours of sleep, we anxiously awaited the doctor's approval for Doug to be dismissed.  This morning felt like a waiting game.  Sometimes Doug felt good and sometimes he felt sick.  Fortunately things seemed to be getting back to normal around 10 and he was up and about in the room.  The surgeon visited us around 11:30 and told us to get out and go home.  Yay! 

Doug slept a lot and watched some TV but once night time rolled around he was thirsty for a milkshake, so we got in the car and headed to G'Daddy's (basically a Dairy Queen) and got just that...a milkshake!  I'm glad my Doug is starting to feel like his old self again.

Day 76::July 22, 2010

Got a phone call from the doctor this morning at 9:00am.  He said he had good news and bad news.  The good news was they know what's wrong with Doug.  The bad news was that it was his appendix and that we needed to head to the ER right away.  Thankfully, the surgery went very smoothly.  His appendix was "ugly", said the doctor, but had not yet ruptured!  They were also able to do it laparoscopically so he won't have any scars.  It is truly amazing to me that they can take a body part out using only a few tiny holes.  Recovery is going okay so far but it is still so hard to see someone you love so sick.  I know we won't get much rest tonight, but we're supposed to get to go home in the morning.

Pre-surgery hang out room

Day 75::July 21, 2010

I didn't do too much today, hense the boring post.  I did do a lot of housework though, so in honor of that I decided to take a picture of our portable dishwasher.  This thing is worth all 12 steps to get clean dishes.  What do I use it for the most you ask?  Cups. 

On the other hand, Doug went to the doctor today since he hasn't been feeling well.  He got some blood work done and a CT scan so hopefully we'll find out what's wrong tomorrow.

Day 74::July 20, 2010

We've been taking it easy today, trying to recoup from camp.  Doug was up almost all night sick so he's been in bed off and on all day.  I've been doing some housework and running errands.  Delia went to the groomers today!  Haha, after trying to do it ourselves, Doug and I gave up and decided it was worth it for her to be in the hands of professionals.  Doesn't she look adorable?!  I love the little red bows!

Day 73::July 19, 2010

Student Life Kids Camp::Day Four

This morning came early.  Really early.  For those of you who read yesterday's post, you'll know that it came early because we let the girls stay up as late as they wanted.  Haha, I love comparing the first picture of the party to this first photo.  Energy... gone.

Sweet Laci fell asleep like this.  I thought it was too cute to not take a picture of.  I just noticed the two girls passed out on the left hand side as well.

As tired as our girls were, they made it through celebration time and surprisingly all the way home.  If they're anything like me and Doug, they crashed pretty much immediately upon seeing a bed.  Speaking of bed, I think it's time to pay mine a visit.  

Thanks for catching up with us!  Kids Camp was awesome!!

Day 72::July 18, 2010

Student Life Kids Camp::Day Three

Today is our last day at camp!!  We've had so much fun.  I have really enjoyed getting to know all our awesome girls, especially those who are coming into the youth in a few weeks.  Today we heard from a student who had grown up in Africa as a child sponsored by Compassion International.  He told us his story- how he, with his four siblings and mother lived in a 10x10 house, how he grew up in poverty, and that received his first pair of shoes when he was nine years old.  He told us about his sponsor, a New York resident, and how he first received hope when he found out he was being sponsored.

This story really hit home for me since Doug and I are sponsoring someone.  Our child lives in Tanzania and is eight years old.  His name is Mussa John and we have enjoyed writing to him.  It was especially exciting when we received a hand written letter and drawing from him.

Because it was the last night of camp, the children's minister's wife, Kelly, let the girls stay up as late as they wanted.  I wimped out and went to bed at 2:30 but I hear a few stayed up until 5:00, crazy!  We stayed up playing games, giggling and talking.  It was such a fun time getting to goof off and have fun.

ENERGY!!!  

Remember the big suckers from yesterday's post?  Check out the inside!!

Day 71::July 17, 2010

Student Life Kids Camp::Day Two

Today we had a great time worshiping, having fun, learning more about the Lord and studying the first part of Micah 6:8- He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  Today we studied what it means to act justly.

We also had some rain during rec time but that's okay!  We made the best of it and still had a great time.

Day 70::July 16, 2010

Student Life for Kids Camp::Day One

Excited for the first Worship Session!!

We're the Red Squad so we had a nail painting party to show our spirit!

It is interesting to see the similarities between Kids Camp and Youth Camp!  Doug and I took the youth to Student Life mission camp in Louisiana a few months ago.  We have had a great time so far and can't wait for our first full day tomorrow.

Day 69::July 15, 2010

Can I just be honest for a second?  The ELS Bible Code, done non-electronically is an enormous waste of time.  I thought I'd enjoy it, but after 2 1/2 hours of trying to find the word "how" I got a headache and gave up trying.  Why did I do this, you ask?  Well, I was hoping to enjoy it, like I said.  Kinda like a treasure hunt.  But this was no treasure hunt.  Is the ELS Bible Code real, you ask?  I don't think so, but some people do.  (I asked Doug the same question and got a 20 minute history lesson on how it definitely can't be real, haha).

Changing the subject, Doug got to make one of his favorite desserts today!  Deep fried cinnamon rolls.  We discovered this tasty treat in Charleston last year at the Charleston Cafe, a cute little restaurant featured on the Food Network Channel.  They're really easy to make; all you need is a tube of cinnamon rolls and a deep fryer and you're good to go.  :)

Day 68::July 14, 2010

Today I made lemon blueberry bread.  It was so good!  Unfortunately it only used ONE of my many cups of blueberries.  I've already made blueberry sauce for ice cream and that didn't use up too many either.  Do you have any suggestions?  Changing the subject, tonight we took our youth to go see Despicable Me after church.  We had a HUGE turnout!  If you're curious about whether or not you want to see Despicable Me, I would definitely recommend it.  :)

Day 67::July 13, 2010

Enon Baptist Youth Summer Mission Project 2 - Boys and Girls Club of Warrior, AL. 
10 Youth
32 Kids
2 Chaperons

Crafts- air dry clay!

I love their smiles

Shannon gets in on the fun!

Video games are always a hit.

This girl was precious- always had something to say

The talented Miss Hannah Harper everyone!

(Ps- this was probably really hard... I couldn't even get my heart shape to form correctly!)

Blake, caught you white handed!

This little dude was adorable.  He told me he was making a pancake and I joking said, "Can you toss some chocolate chips in there?  Chocolate chip pancakes are my favorite!"  And he did!  Just for me.  I felt special. :)

Again, love the smiles on these kid's faces! 

Mr. Landon everyone, our resident artist!!!

Day 66::July 12, 2010

It's blueberry picking time!  Today Doug's mom came over and we picked as many blue blueberries as we possibly could.  At one point I mentioned how the neighbor's must think we're crazy for standing at this "random" tree for so long, picking at stuff and standing on ladders inside the tree.  If only they knew that was actually a gold mine full of delicious fruit.  Here's my creative picture for the day.  Confession, it took a LONG time to get this right.  Maybe one day I'll be a better photographer and can snap this in no time.  Until then, I'm just glad I got a cool picture!

Day 65::July 11, 2010

Hot. summer. days.  Need I say more?

Aside from snapping this adorable pic, we had lunch today at our house after church.  We fried up the catfish and made some shrimp, hush puppies and baked potatoes to go with it.  In case you missed the catfish catching extravaganza, click here to find out why we were so excited to have a catfish lunch. 

Day 64::July 10, 2010

Today's challenge:  Butternut Squash Fries.

There came a bit of surprise when our squash started growing because I thought they were the regular, yellow squash- not the HUGE butternut squash that we actually have!  I immediately thought of making fries because I tried it once before and they didn't turn out so hot.  Tonight I tried it again and *almost* perfected it.  Here are the steps in case you'd like to try it yourself...

Start with a ripe butternut squash.

Peel the squash, cut it in half and scoop out the seeds.

Cut into fry shapes (mine will be smaller next time I try this)

Toss with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoned salt

Enjoy!  (Serving it in a plastic basket makes it more authentic, don't you think?)