Designing on a Whim

Whilst visiting my (the wife's) family, my mom and I decided to clean up and rearrange the boys old bedroom. The designers in us then suddenly exploded and we went all out making a study/guest room.

Here's the damage:

We spend money on two new pillows and some fabric to cover the old push-pin boards. We felt it added a nice touch.

A close up of the fabric. It has a french travel theme.

Update! Thanksgiving and Christmas Breaks...

What did the two peas do over Thanksgiving and Christmas?
We've got a lot to catch up on....

They braved the cold weather to spend Thanksgiving with the wife's family.

We hit a bunch of large tumble weeds on our way, and they got stuck in the grill! This pic doesn't do it justice since there's only a few pieces left, but you get the idea.

Beautiful scenery on our way.

Older sisters getting the sugary drippings from making yummy pies whilst paying homage to Grant Wood's famous painting.

The cutest little furball of a puppy, Ms. Oreo!

A video of our cute, new friend.  
The nephews are certainly enjoying her antics.

Back at home, the wife studied her brain raw for the psychiatric nursing final while the hubby finished up pediatrics.

They built rice crispy trains with their friends, the Jones.

 It turned out fabulous and yummy!
Hubby couldn't help himself and had to make a snowman. 
We miss the snow.

They got a new camera and spent a week testing it's abilities.

We took Christmas photos with the help of our friends, the Jones.

Then, they got on a plane and enjoyed a beautiful sunset over Dallas on their way to... Africa!

 Safari Time!
Here's a preview of the trip (in this video you'll see a young male cheetah that was injured and calling for a friend; they make a very cat-like sound):

Cantique de Noel

One of my (the wife's) favorite Christmas songs is the one we Americans call "O Holy Night." 

While the English version is beautiful, and please don't misunderstand, it's just not as gorgeous in its meaning as the original French version.

Yep, for those who did not know, "O Holy Night" is a French hymn, 

and it's true name is "Hymn of Christmas."

I am amazed at how much information about the Savior the author was able to squeeze into this beautiful three versed song. I have often wished there was a more literal translation of its text, and ever since I started learning French I have been working on one. I am posting this translation today not only in the hopes of fostering in others a love for the original text, but to convey my testimony of and gratitude for the Savior during this wonderful season.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Cantique de Noël

1st Verse, Français:

Minuit, chrétiens, c’est l’heure solennelle
Où l’Homme-Dieu descendit jusqu’à nous,
Pour effacer la tache originelle,
Et de son Père arrêter le courroux.
Le monde entier tressaille d’espérance,
À cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur.
Peuple, à genoux, attends ta délivrance
Noël! Noël! Voici le Rédempteur!
Noël! Noël! Voici le Rédempteur!

Anglais:

Midnight, Christians, this is the solemn hour

When the Man of God descends unto us,

For to erase the original stain,

And, of his Father, to stop the wrath.

The entire world thrills of hope,

To this night which makes of him a Savior.

People, to a knee, behold your deliverance.

Birth Night! Birth Night! See here the Redeemer!

Birth Night! Birth Night! See here the Redeemer!

2nd Verse, Français:

De notre foi que la lumière ardente
Nous guide tous au berceau de l’Enfant,
Comme autrefois une étoile brillante
Y conduisit les chefs de l’Orient.
Le Roi des rois naît dans une humble crèche;
Puissants du jour, fiers de votre grandeur,
À votre orgueil, c’est de là que Dieu prêche.
Courbez vos fronts devant le Rédempteur!
Courbez vos fronts devant le Rédempteur!

Anglais:

Our faith is like an ardent light,

Our guide to the cradle of the Infant,

Just as in a time past a brilliant star

Conducted the Chiefs of the East.

The King of kings born in a humble crib;

The powerful of the day, proud of your grandeur,

To your pride, this is when God preaches.

Bow your brows before the Redeemer!

Bow your brows before the Redeemer!

3rd Verse, Français:

Le Rédempteur a brisé toute entrave,
La Terre est libre et le Ciel est ouvert.
Il voit un frère où n’était qu’un esclave,
L’amour unit ceux qu’enchaînait le fer.
Qui lui dira notre reconnaissance?
C’est pour nous tous qu’il naît, qu’il souffre et meurt.
Peuple, debout! Chante ta délivrance.
Noël! Noël! Chantons le Rédempteur!
Noël! Noël! Chantons le Rédempteur!

 Anglais:

The Redeemer broke all obstructions,

The earth is free and the heaven is open.

He sees a brother where there was not a slave,

His love unites those that had linked the iron.

Who will tell him of our grateful recognition?

T’is for us all that he was born, that he suffered and died.

People, stand! Sing your deliverance.

Birth Night! Birth Night! We’ll sing the Redemeer!

Birth Night! Birth Night! We’ll sing the Redemeer!

Halloween Handiwork

This year the wife decided to give carving a real-life image a try using a picture of the two peas themselves.

It turned out really fun, especially when the image stood out in the dark.

 

Family Moments

This past week the two peas got to visit with some family. It's been a while. The hubby's brother was interviewing for a job and we jumped at the chance to take him to dinner and his hotel. And not just any hotel. It was high class. The real fun, though, was getting to talk together for a while, even amidst all of our busy schedules.

Here's some highlights:

Brothers are so alike.

Check out this honeymoon worthy bathroom....

We thought the room number fitting considering the stress of job interviews.

Check out that real cow hide.

The hotel had swinging cocoons for lounging outside. Wow fancy!

Easy Hairdos

A sock? In my hair?

Who knew it would turn out really cute?

The wife has seen those amazing looking hair buns that seem to curl, tuck, and stay effortlessly on the wearer's head. And one day, whilst researching some craft ideas online, she came across a website by the weddingchicks. Lo and behold, in their list of DIY's, she found instructions for that awesome hairdo dubbed "the soxy."

Apparently lots of people know how to do this, but for those that didn't know (like the wife) here's how:

Required - 1 used, old, CLEAN sock

Instructions - (1) cut the toe and heal-to-ankle section from said old sock; (2) roll left over portion into a doughnut with inside facing out; (3) put hair into a pony tail at however high you want the bun; (4) put rolled sock round tip of the pony tail and start wrapping the hair around the sock; and (5) roll the sock down toward your noggin (while still tucking hair around and under doughnut). If the bun is loose, simply pull doughnut up and out away from your noggin, and roll some more. Then you can use bobby pins to secure lose ends of hair and the bun.

If you'd like, check out weddingchicks.com for their instructions and pics, and for more really fun and easy decorating ideas, etc.

Going Green: Mostly Pureed

It's another installment of our recent favorite vegetable recipes. This post's winners: Roasted Asparagus Soup, Carrot Soup, Summer Squash Soup, and Fried Teriyaki Tofu.

Roasted Asparagus Soup: 1 head of garlic, 1/2 an onion, 1 celery stick, 1 carrot stick, 1 bunch of asparagus, 1 and 1/2 cups chicken broth, 3 Tbsp Olive oil, and a little butter and salt.

We took one bunch of asparagus and chopped the bottoms off of each stalk. We chopped the stalks into 4 pieces, and chopped one carrot stick. After dousing the asparagus and carrot in olive oil and salt, we roasted them in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. We stirred them half way through roasting. While that simmered in the oven, we chopped the garlic, onion, and one celery stick, and sauteed it in a little butter until soft. We added the roasted ingredients to the pan with 1 cup stock and simmered it for 5-ish minutes. We then combined all of the ingredients, plus another half cup of chicken stock, into the blender and pureed it until it was really smooth. We set aside of few of the asparagus tips to garnish our soup. 

It's way yummy. We licked our bowls clean....

Carrot Soup: 4-5 carrot sticks, 2-3 celery sticks, 1 onion, 1 head of garlic, 2 red potatoes, 2 cups of chicken broth, 2-3 Tbsp oil of your choice, and salt to taste.

We chopped all of the ingredients and sauteed them in the oil and a little salt for about 5 minutes. Then we added the broth, brought it to a boil, covered the dish, reduced the heat, and let everything simmer for 20 minutes. We let the concoction cool, and then pureed it in a blender until smooth.

The Best dish by Far?
Summer Squash Soup: 1 Summer Squash, 1-2 carrot sticks, 1 celery stick, 1 onion, 1 head of garlic, 1 and 1/2 cups of chicken broth and 3 Tbsp oil of your choice.

  We minced the garlic and chopped the onion and celery. These ingredients were sauteed in about 3 Tbsp of olive oil for 2-3 minutes. We peeled the summer squash and carrot sticks, chopped them, and added them to the pan. We then added the broth, brought the pan to a boil, and then reduced the heat, covered the pan, and cooked the veggies for about 20 minutes. Once the veggies were cool, we pureed all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth. This dish was surprisingly very flavorful. We did not need any seasonings. And yes, we definitely licked our bowls very clean. We added dashes of nutmeg to the soup before consuming it.

Time for an old family favorite from the wife's side.
Fried Teriyaki Tofu: One block of Firm Tofu, 3 Tbsp or more of olive oil, 1/2 cup or more of your favorite brand of Teriyaki sauce (mine is Very Very Teriyaki Island style), Basil to taste, Onion (either 1/2 of an onion or about 1 Tbsp of onion powder), and 1/2 a head of garlic.

I mince the garlic and onion (when not using powder) and saute it in the oil. I chop the tofu block and add it to the pan, along with the ground basil. I fry the tofu until it begins to get golden brown spots. Then I add the teriyaki sauce. I continue to cook the tofu until it looks golden brown all over.
Tofu is an acquired taste. I grew up with it. But I just thought I'd share this recipe for those who would like to try it. It's an excellent source of protein.