Photography, food, travel, Nana

Getting Caught Up…..

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

….on movies and knitting.

In the last few days my husband and I have watched four movies by SHERWOOD PICTURES. We re-watched Fireproof, along with watching Flywheel, Courageous and Facing the Giants. These are all Christian based movies produced on a low budget (which may or may not be noticeable in the quality). These movies are definitely “feel good” movies with powerful messages. I highly encourage everyone (especially young parents) to watch these movies.

We also attended a farewell event for Kim Clary, founder of THE CORE. The Core is a youth group of sorts for our Eastside surfing youths. It’s been a place where they can hang out, attend events and get to know the love of God in a non-religious setting. To quote Kim, “Kids come to love Christ because they see Him modeled in the life of someone they respect. Someone who takes the time to go into their world and build a relationship with them. Through time and an intimate friendship, the love of Christ shines through in a very real and contagious way. Matthew 5:16 says – In the same way, let your light shine before men so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Complete Awesomeness!!

Upon Kim’s retirement from the Core, HOPE CHURCH will now be leading weekly events for the Eastside “Groms.” Many thanks to Hope Church and Danny Bennet for continuing to share God’s love. Isn’t this a perfect mission statement, “Santa Cruz Hope is a new church with chill style, real faith and no perfect people allowed. We promise to love you as is!” I love it!

Today was a great day! I’m continuing to choose “content” as my word. I love it and the more I think about it, the more content I feel in so many areas of my life.

You may have seen me post about cleaning/sorting and my knitting/yarn needed big time attention. I now have all my unfinished projects in one nice little basket just waiting on me to finish them up. Hopefully soon.

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Italian Sausage & Pasta Soup

Monday, January 23, 2012

I’ve been in such a soup mood lately (I guess it’s been the cold weather). Three huge pots in the last couple of weeks. Over the weekend I tried out a new recipe that I got from a lady at the grocery store. We were casually chatting about making soup (it was obvious by what was in our carts) and she shared her family’s favorite soup recipe with me. It from an old issue of Sunset Magazine (circa 2003).

Both my hubby and I loved it (as did my sister-in-law, her husband and their daughter). They stopped by to catch the end of the 49′er game with us and although they’d already eaten, they each helped them self to a small bowl. This recipe (especially the way I made it) made a huge amount, we’ll all be enjoying some this week.

Nana

Do you like Triscuits? Have you ever tried this type? Super Yummy!!

Italian Sausage & Pasta Soup

Ingredients

2 lbs. hot or mild Italian Sausages
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 onion, peeled and chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
3 quarts chicken stock
2-14 1/2 oz. cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
2-15 oz. cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 TBSP dried basil
2 cups large pasta shells
4 quarts (approx 12 oz) fresh spinach leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Squeeze sausages from casing and cook over med. high heat until browned. Break apart as you cook.
Discard all but 1 TBSP fat
Add carrots, onion and garlic. Cook until veggies are tender.
Add broth, cooked sausage, tomatoes, beans and basil. Bring to a boil.
Add pasta, reduce heat and simmer, covered until pasta is tender.
Add spinach.
Salt & pepper to taste.
Serve with grated parmesan.

Google Recipe View Microformatting by ZipList Recipe Plugin

http://www.reneewhiting.com/recipes-santa-cruz-photographer-photography/italian-sausage-pasta-soup/

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I Don’t Do Resolutions

Monday, January 23, 2012

I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions. Maybe because how many times can you promise to lose weight or eat healthy or get organized or exercise more or spend less? I think I’ve tried every one of those (more than once) and failed. So this year I’ve decided to try something a bit different.

I’ve seen this posted on a few other blogs (I don’t know who started it) and it seemed more meaningful to me. And maybe, just maybe, I will embrace it more than I’ve embraced a resolution.

Choose one (yes, just one) word that you would like to have as your “word-theme” for the year. I saw this idea last night as I was lying in bed, blog browsing. I came up with my word and this morning I still thought this word would/could encompass my theme for this year.

Drum roll please…………..

I ~~hope~~ plan to be content in everything I have and do!

Now isn’t that better than a resolution?

I hope you’ll all take a moment to think about it and share with me your “word-theme” for 2012.

Blessings,

Renee

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Happy Afternoon My Friends!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

How’s everyone this afternoon?

What is everyone up to?

It’s cold here in Santa Cruz and we’re expecting rain to start anytime now and last through the weekend. It’s okay though, we need the rain and I’m enjoying being at home. What’s not good about it is that the Niners play on Sunday with a home field advantage. It just might be a soggy game in San Francisco! I think it might be another soup weekend.

I’m still busy sorting and cleaning. It’s amazing the amount of stuff one gathers after raising a family. And now I’m collecting baby things again for the grand-babies. Have I told you that grand-baby #4 is due this June? Our middle daughter is having her second and they just found out yesterday that it’s another GIRL! Beckett is now the king of the cousins, with his 3 little princesses following closely behind. Four grand-babies in three years. That makes this Nana happy!

Are you afternoon snackers? What’s your favorite? My new favorite is biscotti and a cup of coffee. I’m a huge coffee drinker. Morning, noon or night, it doesn’t matter. A friend of mine has been making her biscotti for years for her own family and has recently began to share them with the world. You can find them HERE at Brevi Biscotti. Try them, they’re delicious. Crunchy, not too sweet and perfect for dipping!