It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

...but not in our house. I just haven't had time time to get the decorations up yet, which makes me sad, because this is my favorite time of year!

Anyway, I'm excited for the coming Christmas season. I'm working with my friend Jacob on planning our church's Candles & Carols service (which is always phenomenal, btw), which we've decided to have on Christmas Eve this year. I'm also trying to get the latest edition of our church's newsletter out tomorrow or Wednesday to the copy editor (since I'm the editor), and I'm waiting on stuff from people. So, I'm doing all my stuff first. 

While my cousin was here staying with over the holiday, she and I really got a lot of work done in my office. As I type this, I'm actually sitting at my desktop computer! :)

 

A miracle, which I thought would never really happen....but, we uncovered the floor, cleaned up the desk, got rid of a ton of recycling & garbage, AND I even found a bunch of gift cards and money from my birthday! Exciting!

 This is the right hand (north) side of the closet. Everything hanging is what I currently have for sale on eBay. Below it, is my plastic bin of fabrics and ribbons for my shop.

 This is my desk area. The piano is on the east wall next to the desk. (The boxes are the last 2 to sort though!)

 You can see the north wall here. (Bookshelf on the west wall).

 As you can see, the bookshelf needs some  help.

 This is just looking out the door to the den, kind of facing southwest.

 And a view facing southeast.

And here is the left (south) side of the closet. It's my little shipping station, and in the cabinet is everything I have for sale in my shop! You can find my shop here






So, I just have a little left to do. But I'm getting there!

It's amazing what you can get done before noon!

Today, I had several things on my to-do list:

1) Wake up at the crack of dawn to go to the Value Village 50% off all clothing, shoes and accessories sale
2) Spend some time with my husband
3) Go to Winco and use the coupons that I sent Robert dumpster-diving for after I found out I'd accidentally tossed them.
4) Go to Home Depot and get a new air filter. (Those things are so expensive! I recommend taking your husband to pick them out).
5) Visit Keri & Kenley for lunch and girl/ craft time.

I was at Keri & Brian's by noon. :) We had an incredible lunch - tuna melts & fries!! Might not be exciting to you, but it is one of my favorites. Then, I got to see their new place and hear all the ideas Keri has for it. (They all sound fabulous, by the way!)

She also introduced me to an idea that might help Robert whenever I finally get my dresser/ armoire built. Super awesome website!

Then, we took magazines, and made them into these!

Most definitely, we learned a lot about paper thickness, brads, and the best key to all crafting: cheats.

We'll both have hot glue next time, because some of our centers were not what we wanted.

This blue one is from a Tiffany's ad. Definitely both of our faves!

On being content...Thankful post #1

So, these last 2 weeks, I have focused my time and energy on my husband, our home, and our lives outside of the home. It has been an adjustment period, as I was working full-time (or more), and am now a homemaker. But I see the benefits of what God is doing in our lives already.

Let me list the blessings I've found from this unexpected situation:

* God's timing: We refinanced Robert's TrailBlazer and qualified for the lowest interest rate available a month ago. Had we waited until now, and I would have no job, we couldn't have done this. It also allowed us to "skip" a payment. So we don't have to pay it until the end of the month.
* God's provision: I've been working hard to get more items up in my shop (http://kimialex.etsy.com), and He has been faithful to provide. The night before I lost my job, I made my first sale on etsy to someone in Florida whom I do not know, nor have any connection to. I've also sold everything on eBay last week that I listed, and have filled 2 custom orders on etsy, as well as sold 2 other orders on etsy, and will make another sale later today.
* God's plan: It has been made apparent to us that I am supposed to stay home right now, and work hard to earn money for the shop and on eBay. This has not failed yet. When we've prayed about this situation, we get nothing but affirmation to continue doing what we are doing from the Lord.
* God's perfect knowledge: I have decreased my stress level by a significant amount, since I've been home. I no longer feel incompetent, incapable and upset every day because of the stressful work environment I was in previously. I am HAPPY, and nothing can take the place of that.
* God's support: No matter what, we've been assured that we're well-taken care of right now. It's been eye-opening. I've been able to have friends over to visit, bless others by using my time and care, and take care of a lot around the house that otherwise wouldn't get attention.

Truthfully, Robert and I are just walking faithfully, and are content with where we are. Despite many negative attitudes we've encountered recently regarding our home/ work situation, we're determined to make this work while the Lord is leading us in a new direction.

I feel confident that we are supposed to be where we're at, and although I am seeking better employment than I had before, I'm also fine with being home right now.

Winter wine glass/ water goblet charms part 2!

 Well, I sold out of the Winter wine glass/ water goblet charms last night, so I had to make a new set!
Check out the wine glass/ water goblet charms here!
Don't worry; there will be more coming this week. :)

Customer appreciation goes to Melody Yost for her custom order and buying me out of my stock of the Christmas charms. :) She made me a very happy girl!

Remember, you can always request custom charms!

Someday...

Someday, I will be able to work from home, and not have to deal with the stresses I have at work. That is all.

Dragonfly & God's miracles...

I absolutely had to post this pic everywhere! It reminds me that the Lord has provided my husband and I with a gorgeous new home, and that we ought to appreciate the little miracles that make it special!

This dragonfly was on the screen of the front window when we came home from dinner tonight. Amazing!

A Midsummer Night's Dream (date)

Today, we helped move our friend Chris to his new home in Woodinville. The six of us - Tristian & Melody, Chris & Tiffany, and Robert and I decided to have a very impromptu dinner at our place tonight.

Not only did the guys get the new patio table assembled and ready to use, but we fixed a fantastic meal for our dear friends, and I even baked my famous banana bread for dessert!

I'm not posting recipes yet, but will edit this blog later to show links to what we made.

For now, enjoy the pics!

Salmon cakes on a tight schedule

Well, some of you have been emailing and asking why I haven't updated our blog lately. The short answer is I simply haven't had time. Additionally, I haven't been cooking much, because we haven't had time. (As you read this, I'm getting ready for work while I type!)

Just thought I would post a quick note about last night.

I sat down with my husband on Tuesday night, clipped coupons and made our list for the grocery store. I also did a couple of meal-planned ideas; one of which was salmon cakes from Food Network Magazine. (I'll post the recipe later tonight, or on my lunch break!)

So, I got off work promptly at 4:30, came home and immediately started cooking. (I was also making hashbrown casserole).

It was a hit! Robert LOVED it! Especially the chopped mango and veggie salad. :) Now, Robert is not a fan of tartar sauce....not even curried like I made it. I did also add a bit of ginger and brown sugar to the chopped salad. Mmm!

We are moving! :)

Don't worry; it's not far! It's even closer to my new work, if that was even possible! :)

We are going to be moving into my grandparent's home. Since they are both in Heaven, and the house is paid for, the family has decided that Robert and I will rent for now, and help keep up the property until it's time to sell. At that point, we may decide to look into a rent-to-own, or even just to buy it, but that's a bit down the road.

We are moving the last week of June, so let us know if you want to help! It's only about 2.5 miles from our apartment to the house.

Also, I have no pictures - yet. But it is a 3-bedroom 2 full bathroom rambler, about 325 sq. feet more than what we have now, with a 2-car garage and fenced yard. Did I mention it's new construction? :)

God provides. My uncle (Boppa) approached us last weekend about it. Our lease is up on June 30th. Robert's birthday is the 4th of July. (Which makes me a Yankee Doodle Sweetheart!)

Anyway, I wanted to post so everyone knew. We're so thrilled!

Five-Spice Pineapple Carrot Cupcakes with Ginger Cream Cheese frosting

Yep, this is how we do it at the Crombie house! :)

I started off my new job today in a crazy situation. (Power out for an hour made for training to be a daunting task). But it seems to be a better place by far than where I was at.

Well, I decided I was going to finally bake those delicious cupcakes I saw on Spice & Easy, my favorite new show!

Let me tell you, my (messy) house smells amazing.

I would have to say that $7.59 for the crystallized ginger this recipe calls for was ridiculous-sounding to me at the store. (You can totally tell in this picture how much I chopped off of my hair!)

But making our own was a big hassle. However, we now have ingredients for home-made ginger ale AND the crystallized ginger, so nothing goes to waste. I thought that was a decent compromise for an hour at the stove/ oven.

Well, this frosting is just fabulous! There are 2 tsp. of ground ginger in it, and I still don't think that's enough. But, to each his own. 

I highly recommend using silicone cupcake holders for baking this dish - it worked marvelously well! 

Here's the recipe for the Cupcakes & frosting: 

Five Spice Pineapple Carrot Cupcakes with Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting

And the link for the crystallized ginger:

Crystallized Ginger

And last but not least, homemade ginger ale:

Ginger Ale

Playing catch-up

I am SO behind on everything, it's ridiculous. Least of all, my blogging.

To make a long story short, Grandpa Crombie's passing was followed by Missions Conference, which has kept us going non-stop for the last month.

I'm going to try to tell a story with my pictures here, so be patient! :)

This is the bread pudding I made on Wednesday, April 7th. It was the day Grandpa Crombie went home to be with Jesus. We had a huge dinner at Jack & Leah's, and I offered to make dessert. :) (I'll put all the recipes that are new on the bottom of this blog).

Grandma Crombie got the first helping of it, and then Uncle George was next. He keeps telling Robert I need to open my own restaurant or bakery. What a sweetheart!

So, after Wednesday, I baked for basically 2 straight weeks in preparation for family events and Missions Conference.

I figure, hey! When life gives you 32 lemons, you make LEMON BARS, of course! I have had SO many people ask me if they can have my incredible recipe. The thing is, it's really not that incredible; it just tastes really yummy! It's the Food Networks' recipe.

 I also made orange bars (same recipe; just substituted orange and a lime for zest and tang).

Apparently, these are a HUGE hit, especially with my sister-in-law!

Here are my orange and lemon bars smashed between brownies. This picture was from the Missions Conference, at the Ladies Tea last Saturday morning (12 batches later, from the first time I made them).

The day after Grandpa passed away, Robert and I went back to work. There was no point to us staying home that day, as funeral arrangements hadn't even been made yet. So after work, we decided to make a new recipe for dinner. This is Tyler Florence's take on Grilled cheese. :) (Again, recipe will appear below). 

On another note, we went to our first Mariner's Game of the 2010 Season 2 weeks ago! Here's a picture of me, holding the ball that Eric Byrnes threw RIGHT TO ME!

There is a story behind it.

We got there extremely early, and were able to watch batting practice! How cool! The MARINERS' batting practice! Well, I took my pink Jennie Finch glove to the front of our section (right field), and Eric Byrnes came running up, pointed to my glove, and tossed me the ball! I had it in my glove, and this man next to me reached in, took it out and started heading up the stairs. I was SO upset, I couldn't even speak. This lady walked down and chewed him out. He walked PAST her! That's when he ran into my husband. All Robert had to say was, "I think you'd better give that ball back to my wife." At first, he didn't. But Robert wasn't about to let him take off with MY ball. I surely got it back!

Here's us at the game, and check out that HUGE yawner behind us! :) 

Since we purchased the CORRECT Wontons for our fried brie salad, we've tried it again twice. It turns out SO much better now!

That's all I've got for now. :) Stay tuned!

Here are the recipe links:

Orange-Chocolate Bread Pudding

Lemon bars

Tyler's Grilled Cheese w/ bacon & apples

Grandpa is singing with the Heavenly Choir

I wanted to write a quick note to our friends and family who faithfully follow our blog regarding the events of the past week.

We said goodbye to a great, Godly, loving and cherished man on Wednesday, April 7th, 2010. Our dear Grandpa Jack Crombie went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I want to thank you all for your loving words, kindness, offers of help and prayer and especially for all the support you have extended to our family. It means so much to us.

Robert and I are having a difficult time with this. We both have had our moments of sobbing, laughing, sorrow and joy. Throughout it all, we are comforted knowing that Grandpa has a new body now, free from the bondage of pain he was in. However, it doesn't change the fact that we love and miss him incredibly. We know that he is singing with the Heavenly Choir now, and watching over us every day.

We apologize that we haven't been able to return every phone call and email, but want you to know we've received them all, and we're doing our best to take this one day at a time.

I ask for your prayers, as the memorial is tomorrow afternoon. Robert is going to give a speech, and I am going to be there to support him. This will not be an easy day.

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all you've been praying for and doing for us. We appreciate it more than you can know.

Leftover Wednesday - not for the faint at heart

I have not stopped moving since 5:45a.m. this morning. After I got ready for work, I listed 2 items on eBay, packed my lunch and stopped by Starbucks to make the coffee run for Katie and me. (If you worked with us, trust me, you'd understand why we need it on Wednesdays especially).

Even though I work at a "desk" job, I hardly saw it today. It seems that everyone who came in required me to get up and walk around the office to figure out how to help them for one reason or another. After 8 hours, I headed home.

I promised Leah I'd help do the PR for our AWANA Grand Prix and car Shine n Show. This required me stopping by the church to visit Pasto (yes, the "r" is gone intentionally) Jim, and pick up a bunch of posters. I then went home to get the mail, eat a snack and unload the car from the day. I headed out to the library, put a poster up there, checked out some books and continued East on Grove St. I went to the Marysville Cleaners, put up another poster, stopped at Safeway to put up yet another poster and pick up some white wine vinegar for a recipe we'll be making this weekend, and then went to the Public Safety Center to try to get a poster up, but they were closed. After all that, I stopped at Schucks to put up another poster, but was told to come back tomorrow morning. I tried Napa, who took one with no promises, and Les Schwab, who enthusiastically agreed to put one up.

Finally, I came home to start dinner and dessert. Tonight's menu was simply leftovers with a casserole.

I guess I was a bit sloppy with the sides of the casserole dish, but the Hashbrown Casserole is a PERFECT golden-brown. :) I did have to start it on 300 degrees, with the lemon bars, because of timing. I so desperately wanted Robert to come home to a hot meal on the table, and everything had to be timed perfectly.

Initially, I was going to do chicken tonight, but I was so tired, and didn't have the skin-on chicken breasts that I needed. So, leftover soup it was, as well as zucchini parmigiana. Everything came out perfectly, though!

I know it's not the most appetizing dish, but it sure is great comfort food. Not only that, but Robert LOVED it! I think I totally got wifey points for this.

Not to mention that we still have leftover maple blondies from Monday night, so he's pretty happy.

I think tomorrow will be a nice break from cooking, because we're eating with Robert's parents.

After all this, I am going to bed!

Monday: Fried Brie Salad & Maple Blondies with a side of savings!

Last night, I asked Robert to make the Fried Brie wonton salad for dinner tonight. We had it at Lahaina Coolers in Maui on our first dinner out on our honeymoon. We're still trying to perfect it, and tonight's recipe was pretty quick & easy.

Generally, you use mixed greens, shredded carrots, onion, mandarin oranges and apples or pears, fried brie, and the vinaigrette of your choice. (In Maui, it was Passion Fruit).

  Tonight, we just used Romaine lettuce, pears, mandarin oranges and the Spiced Papaya Vinaigrette I purchased at the Farmer's Market on South Kihei when we were in Maui. But we were able to use our deep fryer for the 2nd time for the brie!

I thought it was incredible. Robert says he wished we had different wontons, because these ones tend to explode as they reach the cusp of golden-brown. :( So I suppose I'll be hunting those down this weekend sometime.

For dessert, I grabbed the Food Network magazine (are you surprised?!), and turned to the "Fun Food" section. I found a recipe for Maple Blondies, and decided to try it out, after I discovered that I couldn't make lemon bars tonight. (We'll do that tomorrow or Wednesday). You can find the recipe on the Food Network's website here.

It was really simple, AND - we got to use our KitchenAid mixer for the first time! No, we didn't need to fill up all 6 quarts of space, but it was really neat!

Here's me, getting all the food out of the mixing bowl! I was so excited!

Anyway, I finally got it in the Calphalon pan. For some reason, they call for it to be lined with foil, and then to butter the foil. This was easy with the butter at room-temperature, but I don't recommend doing it with butter right out of the fridge.

They came out perfect! I did substitute Special K Low Fat granola cereal instead of nuts on top, because I'm not a fan of them. I wasn't sure if my husband would like it, but since he cleaned his plate AND mind, I'm thinking he thought it was pretty good. Also, I used white chocolate chips instead of chunks of white chocolate.

Before I forget, I wanted to write briefly about my frugal expenditure today. It started yesterday, sitting on my Auntie's couch, going through coupons. We got a bunch that she wasn't going to use (manufacturer's coupons). I already had some for various stores, but Albertson's was offering 3 coupon-matching (for manufacturer's coupons) offers from Sunday to Tuesday this week only. Today, on the way home from work, I stopped and text-messaged Robert to see what I needed to pick up for dinner in addition to the few things I was purchasing with the coupons. I got everything I needed. The total bill was $29.67 after $15.19 in coupon savings! WOW!!!! I was thrilled. The lady at the checkstand was not, because apparently it took too much effort on her part, but I didn't care. This is very much worth it to me, because we only had just over $34 left on our food budget for March. (Don't worry; I shopped ahead for the rest of this week!)

 I took this last picture to show that 30 minutes exactly at 350 degrees yields perfectly flaky, golden-brown moist batter. YUM!

Maple Blondies: 

Ingredients

For the Blondies:

• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature,
• plus more for the pan
• 1 cup walnut pieces
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 6 ounces white chocolate, cut into chunks

For the Topping:

• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces

Directions

Make the blondies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on two sides; butter the foil. Pulse 1/2 cup walnuts in a food processor until almost fine (do not overprocess). Whisk the ground nuts, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.

Beat 10 tablespoons butter and the brown sugar with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in the vanilla. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in the white chocolate and the remaining 1/2 cup walnuts.

Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until the blondies are light brown around the edges and spring back when pressed, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly on a rack.

Meanwhile, make the topping: Place the maple syrup and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until the mixture bubbles and thickens, swirling the pan, about 6 minutes. Add the cream and continue to cook until the mixture is the consistency of caramel.

Use the foil to lift the blondies out of the pan, then cut into large bars. Serve warm topped with ice cream, the maple-butter sauce and the walnuts.