Doors closed...what next? Greatness!

So I had a couple of really big doors, that have been slightly cracked open the past few years, suddenly get shut in my face this past week. Initially, I was surprised, but clearly, it wasn’t meant to happen. The ‘old me’ would have spent the past week stomping her feet, pouting and trying to fix something that she knew she has no control over, but would waste a bunch of time and energy spinning in circles, before she finally realized that she couldn’t do anything about it anyway. The ‘new me’ now knows that if the door doesn’t open, or re-closes in my case, that that is what is meant to be. I let myself grieve the loss of something I really wanted to do for a brief second, but then let it go. I thank God that He has given me the wisdom, patience and confidence to know and truly believe that when doors do close, other bigger better ones will open in the future. So I am looking forward, in great anticipation and excitement as to what is coming my way in the (hopefully) near future!

My birthday yesterday was fantastic. I got “Happy Birthday” sung to me twice by my daughter—the best gift(s) ever. Dinner was simple and my homemade cheesecake (recipe on yesterdays entry) was deeeee-licious. It was a really nice day.

Am going to the farmer’s market this weekend as I do every weekend. I get such wonderful inspiration for meals in the upcoming week, by what is fresh at the market.Can’t wait to see the bounty that our wonderful farmers bring tomorrow…..

I hope you have a spectacular weekend!

It's my birthday!!!

I love birthdays. Every birthday, I start by giving thanks to God for letting me see another one. We are never guaranteed a tomorrow, much less another birthday, so I am extremely grateful that I have been given another year. Yay!

My day today started super early with my daughter singing Happy Birthday to me while she was half asleep…THAT was the best gift ever! I asked hubby if he minded if I did my own birthday shopping on-line ‘cause I found a couple of really cute tops that I wanted. What are the chances they’ll show up on my doorstep today?

I made my own birthday cake yesterday, too. I prefer to do that as I continue to watch what I eat—yep, even on my birthday! I made a sugar-free strawberry cheesecake. We're staying in for dinner and I am making.....hmmmmm.....I don't know. I'm pretty sure my grill and some meat will be involved though!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes! You guys make my day even better!!!

The climb...more ways than one....

Cassie and I were creating in the kitchen again yesterday. She wanted brownies for dessert this week, but with my daughter, it can’t just be regular ol’ brownies. She enjoys adding stuff to them to take them just that much more. I make my brownies low-sugar, by cutting the sugar in the recipe in half. But by her adding chocolate chips, toffee chips and marshmallows, I think she made up for it! Bless her 11 yr old metabolism, she has no problem burning that stuff off in a micro-second.

One of my favorite things about my SUV is the sunroof. It is my window to the world! I have it open allll the time. But it’s squeaking like crazy every time it opens and closes. I’ve sprayed WD-40 on it numerous times and it’s still squeaking. Anyone have any other solutions?

I read Joyce Meyer’s daily devotional every morning to start my day. Today was about making sure credit goes where credit should go when you succeed—to God. I’ve heard people ask after awards shows “why do the winners always have to give thanks to God?”….well, when you believe, credit for your success goes to God—always. Anyway—Joyce had this great quote in today’s devotional that just spoke to me, because for so long, that WAS me: “Many people spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find that when they get to the top, their ladder was leaning against the wrong building.”

Til next time, my babies, make sure your ladder is propped up on the right building and give the credit to the one who is responsible for it. He’ll love you for it!

A random weekend.....

Back from the weekend. Very nice and very lazy. Went to the Farmer’s Market, to church and the grocery store and that is it. The rest of the time was spent catching up on stuff around the house, watching some stuff backing up on my dvr, like….

Finally watched the movie “Sense and Sensibility”. It’s a movie from 1995 based on the Jane Austen book and I’m just now seeing it---it was really, really wonderful!! I love those period movies. Amazingly wonderful actor, Alan Rickman plays Colonel Brandon in this movie. When I first see him, I say at the tv “Snape!”….he plays that wonderful evil character in the Harry Potter movies.

I am a major True Blood fan! It's much more adult vampire series on HBO. It is not like Twilight, that's for sure! At Comic-Con this summer, the cast said we would be in for some major shocks in the last half of this summer and MAN, were they right! Last weeks’ ‘human heart souffle’ was just insane! And Jessica’s ‘healing’ situation had me rolling with laughter. Last night was another major WOW episode. Life in Bon Temps is sure getting dangerous and freaky!!! When Marianne makes peoples’ eyes turn black---that just creeps me out. I do like Eric though. It's that 'bad boy' thing, ya know.

Cassie’s first few days in middle school were good. It’s a new school, new teachers, new schedule—she changes classes 6 times now vs. 2 before. She has her first locker too. She’s most excited about decorating it. I remember having pictures of friends and my favorite musicians on the inside door of my locker at school.

Numerous great messages at church this weekend. We’re in the middle of the series about having extreme faith. The topic this week was “You either have my back or your stabbing me in it”. That certainly got my attention when the pastor launched with that statement. In a nutshell, it was about gossiping and watching what you say to and about others. Ask yourself these questions the next time you speak: “Is what I’m about to say helpful?”, “Will it build someone up or tear someone down?”, “Will it benefit those who will hear it?”. Also--Complaining is contagious and destructive. Great service.

Until tomorrow….be good, be strong, have extreme faith and lift someone up today—either with words or in prayer.

..."Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.” ~1 Chronicles 28:20~

Harry Potter in 3D!!!!!

So the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie was released to IMAX theatres this week. I saw the last movie (Order of the Phoenix) in IMAX too and it was fabulous. Harry Potter and all the special effects that it carries, needs to be seen in IMAX. And I love that a portion of the movies are done in 3D, too. That scene in the last movie where they are in the hall with all the glass that eventually shatters and is the major fight scene of the movie, was the portion that was 3D. Holy smokes.....it was amazing to watch! You felt like you were right there in the middle of it. And the sound at an IMAX theatre is sooooo stinkin' loud! I LOOOOOVE it. You have to go see it this way!

We went downtown to Raleigh's Imax theatre and then went to dinner at 518 West, a delicious little Italian grille. I had the chef's special for the night which was a grilled halibut with an oyster and mushroom ragout. Delicious!

Fish tacos...

I was craving fish tacos last week something fierce. When you gotta have 'em, you gotta have 'em. As I was preparing to move to San Diego years ago, someone mentioned fish taco to me and I thought—“ewwwwww, are you kidding me?”. Clearly, I had no clue. Now, the fish taco—the famous, one and only San Diego fish taco—is one of my favorite things to eat…..as often as possible!

I watch Bobby Flay’s “Throwdown” show on the Food Network and the latest episode they ran, strangely enough, was Bobby’s throwdown challenge against the San Diego fish taco. Specifically the ones made at Mama Testa on University Ave in Hillcrest. Mama Testa uses local, fresh ingredients, fried catfish, green and red cabbage slaw and a variety of sauces....droooooool....... They met down in gorgeous Balboa Park to have their cook off. Bobby Flay put his grilled Mahi Mahi fish taco up against Mama Testa’s deep fat fried catfish taco. I’m happy to say, though the judges did find both fish tacos very tasty, the fish taco from Mama Testa was victorious! Of course! Congratulations, guys!!!

Now that Mama Testa’s taco reigns supreme to the whole world…the lines are even bigger to get 'em. You gotta go try one (or three!), but go during off hours so you don’t have to wait so long. I love you, Bobby Flay and all your wonderful culinary concoctions….but San Diego has the fish taco down, baby! Now....who’s meeting me for lunch???

Harry Potter at midnight.....

Cassie and I went to the midnight showing last night of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was packed! Twelve of the theatres in the Beavercreek multi-plex were completely sold out, so there were a lot of Potter fanatics out late. Lots were dressed up too which was fun!

I've already read the Potter books, so the big surprise moment in the movie was kind of blown for me, but I didn't care. The story itself and the special effects were amazing. The movie is kind of the bridge between books 5 and 7, so it's a 'fill-the-gap' movie. It's not fluff--again, big things happen in "Half-Blood Prince", so it's important. I can't wait for the next two and final movies of the series. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is such a huge story, that it's being split into two movies. YAY!

So 'Half Blood Prince' will be released in IMAX theatres July 29th....I'll go to see it there, too. Just like the last movie, there will be a portion of it in 3D and Harry is spectacular in 3D!