Volition

I read about this short film on Randy Alcorn's blog and after watching it absolutely had to recommend it. I had never heard of it before but it apparently was made on a low budget in 3 days back in August (you can't tell from watching it).

Here is the short synopsis:
"Volition" masterfully places its unnamed central character in the context of three of the greatest human rights violations in history: the holocaust, slavery, and abortion.

The film's synopsis explains its name: "Volition (n)- The act of making a choice. Sometimes the choice of inaction has consequences stronger than we could ever imagine. Throughout history, men have been faced with difficult choices in a world that makes it easy for them to conform. This film explores the hope that lies behind every decision made in the face of adversity; the hope that is buried in the heart of those that look beyond themselves and see something bigger worth fighting for."

You must watch it, it is definitely worth the 15 minutes. The video starts immediately when you click on the link: www.thedoorpost.com/hope/Volition/

Here is also a brief history of the video and it's makers if you are interested:

The film was produced by brothers Tim and Matthew Morgan, who created it when they were chosen as finalists for The Doorpost, an online short film competition. The brothers' ages are themselves an achievement: Tim Morgan, who directed the film, is only twenty-three years old, and his brother Matthew, who composed all the music, is twenty.

Tim shared with http://www.lifesitenews.com/ that although for most of his life he had always been “pro-life,” he had never given much thought to the issue until last year when he attended a massive prayer rally, “The Call.” “That’s when it really hit me, hit my heart,” he says, “that there is a need for just some sort of voice in the arts, in the entertainment world, in defense of these unborn babies.”

The Christian community, he says, "has kind of left the art world on the back burner. My vision would be them treating the art world, the film world, with the same sense of urgency as they’re treating, for instance, an overseas mission."

"This is an emergency for our culture, to be able to influence our film, our arts, the American pop culture in this way."

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8-9).

I was so provoked by this film, and the passion that these young men to live out the above verse.

Drudgery?

I read this great devotional by Elisabeth Elliot on the "drudgery" of motherhood. I know I am not there yet, but want to be prepared for it down the road. I am sure the day will come when I am tempted to think: I really don't want to change another diaper, or clean up another mess, etc... and I will need to remember to "do my work as unto the Lord."

This portion really encouraged me:

Drudgery

"I must admit I feel a lot of pressure with two children under two years of age. I am committed to do it until they are in school, however, and feel it is God's will. At times like this--when I wonder if I will even be able to finish this letter with both of them screaming for something--or when I miss going to lunch or getting dressed up, everyday life seems a drudgery. I worked hard to get through college--to be a scrubwoman, ha!"

I understand this mother's cry. So does the Lord. He has given us this word: "No temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for you to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13, PHILLIPS).

"A way out," I can hear her say, "What mother has a way out?"

The New English Bible translation throws light on this: "a way out, by enabling you to sustain it." Think, too, of Jesus' words, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:29 AV). He is willing to bear our burdens with us, if only we will come to Him and share the yoke, His yoke.

I saw this principle in operation when I visited the Dohnavur Fellowship in India. There, day after day, year in and year out, Indian women (most of them single) care for little children, handicapped children, infirm adults, old folks. They don't go anywhere. They have none of our usual forms of amusement and diversion. They work with extremely primitive equipment--there is no running water, for example, no stoves but wood-burning ones, no washing machines. In one of the buildings I saw this text: "There they dwelt with the King for His work." That's the secret. They do it for Him. They ask for and receive His grace to do it. I saw the joy in their lovely faces.

Great Giveaway

Head on over to simple mom for a great giveaway! This is another blog I have LOVED reading lately thanks to Rachel. So check it out and follow her easy directions for this amazing giveaway....

::Numbered Hairs::

~Laura-Lew photography~

We have been so sobered recently by little trials. You know the minor ones that are really nothing more than an inconvenience. The ones that can pile up and tempt one to weariness. Sinus infections, stomach viruses, towed cars, and most recently a car accident that we are pretty sure totaled Lew's new car. More than anything in God's kindness we have been able to see these trivial trials as an act of God's love and kindness towards us. Not only do they make us more dependent on Him, but they remind us of His Sovereignty in allowing them, knowing that He would never allow them if they were not for our good. We see these "little" trials as perhaps a means God uses to prepare us and train us for bigger ones. And what a kind God we serve, He knows exactly how much we can handle and never seeks to frustrate us or exasperate us. We have seen lots of people suffering to much greater degrees lately. A dear friend who lost her little 5 week old baby girl has been such an example of how to walk through suffering in a God glorifying way. I see families like these who have faced so much grief, and I pray "God teach me to suffer with such faith."

We have so much to be thankful for. In the midst of it all God protected us and protected our unborn daughter. I am reminded of that as she is kicking me while I type this. But more than that God is using this trial as a means to sharpen our faith and teach us perseverance and total dependence on Him. The amazing truth of it all, is God cares. God doesn't just care when we are walking through big trials, but even the smallest most trivial of trials. He cares. I was reminded of that when I read Spurgeon's "Beside Still Waters" this morning:

Numbered Hairs. Matthew 10:30
I beg you to believe that God is in the little things, even the little troubles that can annoy the most. At times, you can endure the loss of a dear friend better than a minor accident. The pebble in your shoe makes you limp but you can jump over great stones.

God arranges the smallest things. Take little troubles as they come, and remember them to your God because they come from Him. Nothing that concerns His people is small to God. Your little anxieties are not too small for His notice, for "the very hairs of your head are all numbered" (Matt 10:30). You may pray to Him about your smallest grief. If not a sparrow falls to the ground apart from your Father's will (Matt. 10:29), they you have reason to see that He arranges the smallest events in your career. So accept them with joy. This is a truth on which you may implicitly rely. Think about it until you lull the sharpest pain, calm the most feverish excitement, and obtain the sweetest rest that a weary, restless spirit can indulge in.

This is the antidote of fear: God appoints everything in the future, so rejoice that everything is in the hand of the great King. The Lord is King! Rejoice:

The Lord is King' who then shall dare
Resist His will, distrust His care,
Or murmur at His wise degrees,
Or doubt His royal promises?
Oh! When His wisdom can mistake
His might decay, His love forsake
Then may His children cease to sing,
The Lord Omnipotent is King.

Amen! Either way, we would love your prayers. Prayers for our hearts as we wait for the other insurance company to accept liability, and provision as we may have to pay some expenses out of pocket while we wait for reimbursement.

Kid's say the darndest things

I have gotten to enjoy some funny conversations with my niece and nephew about the baby in my belly. I just love their responses....

A conversation with my niece Gianna on Sunday (she is 2)


Me: (pointing to belly) Gianna what is
in here?
Gianna: your belly
Me: Yeah but there is something in there! It's your new cousin Miya!
Gianna: (with pure excitement in her voice and a shriek) Can we open it!!!
Me: (laughing) No not yet we have to wait a few months for her to come out.
Gianna: (with disappointment and resignation in her voice) Oh,OK.





Conversation with Isaiah (he's 3) the week before we found out what we were having


Me: Isaiah, do you know what's in my
belly?
Isaiah: A baby!
Me: Yup. Do you think the baby is
going to be a boy like you, or a
girl like Naomi?
Isaiah: Um, a Girl!
Me: Oh yeah?
Isaiah: Yup. Aunt Laura do you think
the baby is going to be... a
monkey? or a yak?
Me: laughing to hard to get any words
out.

I was able to notify little buddy a few weeks later that his guess what absolutely correct we are having a girl. I also reassured him we were not having a monkey or a yak, much to his disappointment.

You gotta love the innocence of children!

Seriously good baking...

Sweets have been on my mind and in my belly a lot lately....what can I say. Sometimes I blame Miya for it. Lew laughs at me because it will be like 10 at night and I will come across a picture of really good food (usually dessert) and all the sudden I'm "STARVING".


Either way I have been trying out new recipes and came across this blog and it's my new fav:

Joy the Baker

These little gems to the left are an example.
Pumpkin Cookies with Butterscotch
Soooooo delicious! I made them twice and they are so easy. They also aren't like typical cookies, they are fluffy and cakey and oh so good.

Either way check her blog out. I am not a skilled baker but most of her recipes are easy and simple to make and her descriptions of food are fun to read. Just a word of caution: they may make you feel "STARVING" too. :)

You live and learn

So I learned a valuable lesson last night, one that I'm sure will have me laughing, and cautious for a good while now. It is this:

If the parking spot you got while in Bethesda seems too good to be true, that's because it is. More than likely you will come back to find your car not where you left it.

Did you catch all of that? I hope so! Yes folks maybe it's common sense (I'm sure it is) but us "country folks" don't visit the city much and parking in a Giant parking lot in the heart of Bethesda right across from the restaurant we were going to seemed perfectly harmless! My friend Renee and I were like oh look at this it's perfect, right across the street from the restaurant, and free! We just assumed all the parking garages were for all the "other folks" who missed out on the deal we got. Yes when we parked we were both certain we were getting the "best deal". Oh how wrong I was. After a perfectly wonderful birthday dinner for my dear dear friend Kelly, we walk out of the restaurant watching our friends make the trek to their parking garage while we just walk right across the street to our "deal" of a spot. Only, wait, where's my car? Definitely not there. Then in the most peculiar not obvious spot we see a sign "Towing enforced for any cars left on this premises. By leaving your car here to are agreeing to a lien with G&G towing and agree to pay the towing fees" Lovely. Thank God for Renee. She kept me calm and by God's grace I was able to laugh. I called the number and tried to stay cool calm and collected. The guy said he would bring the car back to me (how nice) for 148$ wow (not so nice).

So Renee and I waited, and while we waited we saw tow trucks taking cars and bringing cars back, apparently this parking lot is a trap for innocents like us, the signs are not clear enough and someone is making a killing off of it! We saw many a people pleading with tow truck drivers probably trying to cut a deal. So here we were outside in the heart of bethesda at 11:00pm, Renee with a poor hubby at home trying to get the baby to go to sleep, and me a pregnant woman with a bad sinus infection. We spent most of the time laughing and talking about everything from labor to shoes (somehow women have a way of doing this) and finally after almost an hour and a half we see my car, poor baby strapped on the back of the tow truck. At this point I wasn't in the mood to cut any deals with the towtruck driver, I just wanted to get home and get out of the cold. But I did rub my belly and cough a lot while waiting for him to charge my credit card. I figured a little sympathy wouldn't hurt. I think he felt bad, but not bad enough to give me a deal. Oh well, I tried.

Either way, a lesson was learned. Things could have been far worse! At least we were in a good neighborhood. The rain had stopped, I had good company, and I got my car back. Thanks eener, for making what could have been a nightmare so much fun. Next time hopefully we can catch up over a cup of coffee in a warm cafe rather than waiting for a tow truck outside :)

It's a....

What a fun day. Going to the ultrasound was comparable to going into Christmas morning as a child. The only big difference is you really don't care what it is, you just want a healthy baby. My close friends and family will know how we counted down to this day. We were so eager to see our little poppy and find out what God had blessed us with. So I have to confess just to make sure our little one decided to cooperate we stopped for a coke slurpee on the way, hoping the caffeine and sugar would discourage our little poppy from napping during the ultrasound. We knew poppy would go for this because for pretty much the whole first trimester these were on the top of my craving list when the morning sickness was bad.

Whelp, the slurpee indeed did the trick. When the tech started looking she was like "oh my do you see it wiggling!" Yes our dear child had it's bum in the air and it's feet almost over it's head. It was waving it's arms and smacking it's lips....must have really enjoyed that coke slurpee with Mom. What an amazing experience. To see this little child moving and it's perfect heart beating is really so miraculous. The tech at our drs. office is wonderful. She walked us through everything, we got to see the perfect four chambers of the heart, the spine from beginning and end, the lobes of the brain, the fingers and toes. It was just amazing. We were praying that she would be able to see everything she needed clearly and that is just what happened. Over and over again she would say "look at this, look how clear this is." What a kind God to show us our healthy baby thus far. Then came the moment of truth...Would our little one cooperate? Oh yeah no problem there. Legs were spread wide open the whole time so not only did our tech get one good look, but she got 4 good looks. Just in case we had her check several times just to be sure. And just as she thought the first time her fourth look confirmed it... we are having a sweet baby girl. Yes it was a shock. In fact Lew and I laughed so hard, she probably thought we were crazy. I explained not only did almost everybody guess a boy, but all the old wives tales pointed to it being a boy. It took a while to sink in, and is still sinking in as I type this. I kept checking with Lew, worried he was disappointed. I knew of his dreams to bring home our little boy in a cubs outfit, and to teach him about manlihood and baseball...but he assured me that he wasn't disappointed and that..."there's always next time." Haha I am nowhere near ready to talk about that "next time" but yes my dear you are right, there is still hope for a boy down the road. Plus I assured him our little girl can still learn about baseball and I will even let him dress her in a cubs outfit when we leave the hospital :) I think that made him smile. Nonetheless, both of us are thrilled to hear our baby is healthy! In terms of names, yes we have them. We have decided Lord willing to call her:
Miya Noelle Lewis

Miya is pronounced mee-ya. We opted for that instead of the traditional mia because we liked the meaning. It is Japanese in origin and means peaceful as a temple. Haha maybe it's wishful thinking on my part :)

Here are some pictures of her:

Her sweet little face

These pictures of the facial skeleton always kind of scare me...just to be honest. It's just kind of funny to see all those facial bones. You can also catch her little beating heart in this picture.

Here she is in all her glory. Apparently those 3 white lines mean girl. I didn't ask any questions I just assume the tech knows what she's doing. You can see her little leg at the top. She sat in the perfect position the whole time.

And here she is from the outside. She is growing, some days I feel huge, I can usually tell when I am having a growth spurt because I will get really bad ligament pain. Thankfully I have a long waist so so far there has been lots of room for things to be moved around. Also note the pink shirt, what an appropriate choice for ultrasound day.


On that note I want to end with part of Psalm 139. I think more than anything Lew and I left totally in awe of God's creating a child in me from the 2 of us. What a miracle.

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalm 139:13-18

Thanks for your prayers for us! Please keep praying for a health rest of the pregnancy. Specifically if you could pray that God would help me to fight sickness, I have been sick this past week with a stomach virus and soon after a nasty cold. My low immune system this pregnancy has made me a magnet for the sickies!

No place like home.

I was reading through our old blog and thanks to my excessive blogging in the past I have lots of fun memories recorded from our first year of marriage, it was sweet to look through and remember the pre-pregnant days :) Either way it feels like home here at blogger.

So what's new?


Our poppy seed is now a mango, 6.5 inches to be exact. Sorry for an old picture I took this one at almost 2 weeks ago when I was 17 weeks, and am now 19 weeks. Poppy has made "it's" presence known these days. I started to feel the movement a few weeks ago but each week it feels a whole lot more of a kick than a flutter. Our poor poppy has had to endure a nasty stomach virus this past week. But don't feel bad for our baby, I was assured that poppy was getting any and all of the nutrients and electrolytes I was able to keep down and would be just fine. Whew that was a relief. Our child has also mastered the task of back flips in the womb, well I guess I can't prove that's what it is doing, but seriously it wouldn't surprise me. And it seems to like to practice most at night and early in the morning. It also has found a nice cozy spot to hang out on my right round ligament. That's right I am imagining our baby laying on the hammock of my ligament sipping a drink and relaxing. Meanwhile I am hobbling around applying hot compressess and trying to apply counterpressure to encourage poppy to find a new spot to relax in my womb. More than anything this pregnancy has made me realize in a whole new way that my body is not my own, and what a gift for God to allow me to house this precious child for these 9 months. It is really a joy, all the aches and pains can't compare to the blessing of carrying this little one. I just find so much humor in the process. Nothing can really prepare you for what it's like to carry a child.

In similar news today will more than likely be the last day we refer to our child as "poppy" (or "offspring", as Lew likes to refer to it) but Lord willing tomorrow our child will have a name. I know amazingly Lew and I have had our names picked out since 10 weeks and are just waiting to find out boy or girl. So we'll see it just depends on if our little one cooperates. But if you ask Lew he will tell you that his "SON" isn't going to be shy. Yeah Lew is pretty much already sure that it's a boy, but only the ultrasound will tell. So more news on that tomorrow.

It's Been a while

As y'all can tell, this blog doesn't get updated too often. I've added on the right-hand toolbar a rss feed to our other blogs. I am starting to update my blog more often, it's kind of touch and go with the busyness of life. It's mostly theological musings and what not. On the rare occasion my blog has a personal update, but that stuff is usually on Laura's blog. You know where to find us, and who knows, maybe this will blog start to get more regular postings with summaries of what is happening at the other blogs, if those blogs start to gain more content.

Lew's new blog

It's not exactly new, it just hasn't been announced yet.

http://bloodbought.wordpress.com/

I've been hoping to get into a routine of regularly writing in it, but it appears that might never happen. Be on the lookout for my 2nd online project which I am hoping to regularly start adding more content to as well!

Wait...

For those of you who haven't updated our new blog yet, or who are still using this blog to get to our new blog (Mom Ellis;) )

Here is a link to the latest post on :

Waiting...

Fresh Start

Ahhh I love starting a new year!  Even though Lew tells me that you can get a "fresh start" year round there is just something about entering a new year that feels so fresh to me ;) 

Either way we have decided that this new start will mean...a new blog.

Blogger has been good to us thus far, but we have found iweb to be a lot easier in terms of sorting pictures and updating etc... so you can now visit us at (you can cut and paste it into your browser if it doesn't link you there):

http://web.mac.com/laura_lew

I have already posted and added our pictures from the holiday...

Happy New Year!

"What's going on Saturday?"

A hilarious conversation around the Ellis table last Sunday. As you will notice communication in our family specifically about family events can be a little cloudy! ;) It keeps things interesting!

Me: So Mom what time are we all supposed to come over on Saturday?
Mom: What's going on on Saturday?
Me: Ummm, we are all coming over to celebrate Christmas since Hannah's family and Lew and I won't be here for Christmas!
Mom: Ohhh, I didn't know that! When did we decide that.
Me: (I'm cracking up at this point) Mom we decided this weeks ago, that's one of the reasons why Hannah is driving up from North Carolina this weekend!
Now Sam and Priscila join in:
Sam: Wait whats going on on Saturday?
Priscila: Honey were coming here to celebrate Christmas while Laura and Lew and Hannah and Enoch are here.
Sam: We are? Did you know about that honey? I didn't know that!
Priscila: Yes love I have known about this for a while!
Now Dad joins in the conversation...
Dad: So wait a second what's going on Saturday?
(everyone starts chuckling)
Me: Dad everyone is coming over Saturday to celebrate Christmas because some of us won't be here on Christmas.
Dad: I didn't know that either!
Priscila: (talking to my parents) So are you still going to do something on the 25th even though everyone is coming Saturday?
Dad: Whats the 25th!!??
Everyone laughing hysterically at this point...
Multiple people: DAD ITS CHRISTMAS!!!

My family is so funny! I love you guys ;) Can't wait to celebrate with you on Saturday (It is Saturday right? ;) )

Pinned!

I had my pinning ceremony last night, in nursing school its a traditional ceremony where you are given a pin to wear on your uniform as well as exhorted to "be the best nurse you can be" ;)  It was a nice ceremony, nothing fancy, but memorable.  I think the reason why it's taking time to "hit" me that I'm done is because I'm done with this journey, but there are so many more to come!  The boards, my critical care course at the hospital, precepting under a nurse on the PICU where I will be working, and taking care of my first patients on my own (yikes!).  Fortunately these all come one at a time, so I won't be overwhelmed.  But I guess I am just realizing finishing this program is really just a start to a whole new realm of learning.  Maybe not quite as structured, but as a nurse you are ALWAYS learning!

Here are some pictures from the ceremony:

Mom and Dad ;)

Rissa and Grandma

Filing into the ceremony

Getting "pinned" by professor Schuler

Finally pinned ;)

::Nightingale Pledge:: "I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to faithfully practice my profession of nursing.  I will do all in my power to make and maintain the highest standards and practices of my profession.

I will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping in the practice of my calling.  I will assist the physician in his work and will devote myself to the welfare of my patients, my family, and my community.

I will endeavor to fulfill my rights and privileges as a good citizen and take my share of responsibility in promoting the health and welfare of the community.

I will constantly endeavor to increase my knowledge and skills in nursing and to use them wisely.  I will zealously seek to nurse those who are ill wherever they may be and whenever they are in need.

I will be active in assisting others in safeguarding and promoting the health and happiness of mankind."  .     author unknown

I made this pledge last night, as I read through it I actually got a little teary eyed (lets call it exhaustion ;) )  Either way while reading it I just couldn't help but see how God's enduring faithfulness has brought me to this point.  Without his mercy I wouldn't be here today, a graduated nurse.  And by his grace I can keep this pledge.  My prayer is that I will never become an apathetic careless nurse, there are already too many of those in our world.  And mainly that I will never lose a heart of compassion;  that I will never stop treating my patients as if they were my brother, sister, child, or parent...  Thanks to so many of you for your encouragement and prayers!  I am so thankful to my friends and family for walking through this journey with me!  

A little "shout out" to my friend Maureen (who I know is reading this ;) )for getting the award for Academic excellence.  Maureen I am so proud of you, all your hard work has paid off!  I am thankful to have spent these last two years with you, we have to keep in touch!!

Where did the year go?!

Us a year ago...

Us now...

As I am typing this it's crazy to think that one year ago we became husband and wife!  This year has been so full, God has been blessing us and teaching us so much, I just can't believe that the year is gone.  We haven't quite celebrated yet just because we wanted to wait until after school had finished so we could really enjoy our time together.  So we plan to go away for two nights over New Years.  We did eat our cake though, and amazingly it was SO good.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was great.  

To My Love:  That God would bless me with a godly, humble, servant like you is beyond my comprehension, but please know how blessed I am to be your wife.  You have taught me so much through your faith and perseverance, I can't wait to see what the years hold for us!!

On another note,  I had my final today, and yes that means I'm done! I'm still in shock. It could be the fact that I only got 3 hours of sleep last night, or the fact that my life has been so dedicated to this nursing program for the last two years that its hard to imagine it really being over!  I'm sure it will hit me...eventually, maybe when I go to take my board exam.  But until then, I will just try to enjoy some undivided quality time with my husband.  He's the one who sacrificed the most this year for me to be able to study hard, I don't know how I could have done it without him!

I hope to post some more pictures soon.   Rissa is finally back from Budapest and we got to celebrate her 19th birthday yesterday.  My graduation ceremony is also tomorrow, so I will post some pictures of that, until then....

Supply & Demand

This morning I woke up feeling weary.  More aware of weakness rather than grace, more aware of my "to-do's" than of all that God has done for me, and more aware of what I lack at the moment, than of the reality that my greatest need has been met through Christ.  

Though I despise the weariness, I love the result of the weariness --> Dependence!  I knew this morning that I needed to kneel before the cross and lay down my burdens.  I knew that I needed to find my sufficiency in Christ and not in myself.  What a sweet reminder!

I found this precious "gem" or truth in Beside Still Waters by Charles Spurgeon:

We have great demands, but Christ has great supplies.  Between here and heaven, we may have greater wants than we have yet known.  But all along the journey, every resting place is ready; provisions are laid up, good cheer is stored and NOTHING has been overlooked.  The commissary of the Eternal is absolutely perfect.

Do you sometimes feel so thirsty for grace that you could drink the Jordan dry?  More than a river could hold is given to you, so drink abundantly, for Christ has prepared a bottomless sea of grace to fill you with all the fullness of God.   DO NOT BE FRUGAL. Do not doubt your Savior.  Do not limit the Holy One of Israel.  Be great in your experience of His-all-sufficiency .  Be great in your praises of His bounty, and in heaven you will pour great treasures of gratitude at His feet.

What great mercy He has shown us!  

Yummy Pecan Goodness...

The other night we were having some friends over for dessert...originally I had big ideas of what kinds of dessert I was going to make.  I had a ton of new recipes I had been holding onto and waiting for the right time to break them out.  As I went through some of the recipes I wanted to try I decided I wasn't up for all the work they entailed, so I fell back on something I had made before that required LITTLE effort and LITTLE ingredients ;) And they are so very yummy, cant beat that!

They are Hungarian Cookie Bars.  Don't know what about them makes them Hungarian, but I made them this past summer when we were sending my sweet little sister off to study abroad in Hungary.  Either way the recipe is so easy, and they are delicious.  You can add whatever kind of nuts you want as a topping.  I have tried both walnuts and pecans, and I liked the pecans best.  They taste like little pecan pies, they have a dense crust like layer, a ooey gooey middle, and a nice caramel like crust on top with nuts....yum!

Hungarian Cookie Bars

1 3/4 C packed brown sugar

1/2 C butter/margarine softened

1 teas. vanilla

1 1/4 C all purpose flour

2 Large eggs

1 C chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 325ºF. Grease a 9" square baking pan; set aside.

In a medium bowl, cream together 3/4 cup of the brown sugar and the margarine. Add vanilla and flour; mix well. Pat this mixture into the bottom of the baking pan.

In a small bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the remaining 1 cup brown sugar; mix well. Pour into the pan over the first mixture. Sprinkle the nuts evenly over the top.

Bake at 325ºF for 30 to 40 minutes, or until center is no longer jiggly. Cool completely before slicing. Slice into 2-1/2"x1-1/2" bars.

All I want for Christmas are ....trash ties?

Yes ladies (and men?)  these little things would be the perfect stocking stuffer for any lady in your family...or you could always just buy them for yourselves ;)  Either way these things are great, you've got to check them out!  I have an unusually thick head of hair and most hair "contraptions" don't work at all or give me a headache....I have been waiting for something like this to come on the market...and alas here it is!  Make sure you look at the gallery on the website to see how cool they look. 

Meat & Taters...

Lew is definitely a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy.  Though he puts up with my "frilly" concoctions I like to try to bless him with the kind of meals that he truly enjoys!  Even though he's easy to please it's cute to see him get so excited over a meat and taters dish ;)

So, here is something I made this week for the first time and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't have kiddos but I imagine that they would be quite fond of these little little meat muffins;)  They tasted so yummy and really weren't very hard to make.  I served it with brown sugar glazed carrots and mashed potatoes. 

Diner Meat Loaf Muffins

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup finely chopped carrot

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup ketchup, divided

1 1/2 pounds ground beef, extra lean (raw)

1 cup finely crushed fat-free saltine crackers (about 20)

2 tablespoons prepared mustard

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 large eggs

Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350°.

Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Cool.

Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.

Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 2 teaspoons ketchup. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes. 

To make the brown sugar glazed carrots...

Boil about 2 cups of baby carrots in salted water for about 8-10 minutes (until tender-crisp).  Then drain and set aside.  In same pot add 1 tbs butter, 1 tbs brown sugar, and a dash of salt.  Stir until mixed in and butter is melted.  Add carrots and stir for two minutes until glazed.