Baby Shower

Anna Claire had her first party this weekend!  My family gave me a baby shower this weekend and it was so much fun.  We got so many cute things for the baby and had such great food, I don't think I stopped eating the entire time!  It was a wonderful party.  Here is a picture of the hostesses.  Thank you all for thinking of me and for your hard work getting the party together.  I loved spending time with all of you.

L to R- Aunt Lisa, Jessica Yother, Saratha Grigsby, Me, Claire Yother, Sandy Whitten, & Karen Edwards

Sweet Tooth

On my search to stay as healthy as possible I have been looking into sugar alternatives.  Its seems that even though brands like Kashi and Nature Valley use honey and evaporated cane juice syrup to sweeten their treats instead of sugar they basically have caloric equivalence.  The natural, less processed sweeteners "supposedly" have hints of trace minerals that are beneficial but it seems that in order to get enough of these minerals we would have to consume massive amounts of them, which would totally defeat the purpose.  Here is what I've found

Evaporated Cane Juice Syrup is liquid cane sugar. Termed evaporated cane juice because the water has been removed, its flavor is more concentrated and its color is a rich brown. Unlike refined sugar, evaporated cane juice retains some vitamins and minerals, mainly due to the retention of molasses as well as the decreased amount of processing. Moreover, it is different from straight sugar as evaporated cane juice retains its fructose, glucose and sucrose whereas sugar is solely sucrose. Measure for measure, it contains the same caloric content - 1 teaspoon = 16 calories however, because of its processing it is sweeter tasting than refined sugar, so the potential to use less offers the ability to save calories.

Honey actually contains the same basic sugar units as table sugar. Both contain glucose and fructose. Granulated table sugar, or sucrose, has glucose and fructose hooked together, whereas in honey, fructose and glucose remain in individual units. Fructose is sweeter than glucose, which is one of the reasons fructose is used in so many food products today. However, fructose does not convert to energy as efficiently as glucose. As a result, processed foods containing granulated sugar high in fructose convert to fat stores more easily than honey.
HONEY HAS MORE CALORIES THAN SUGAR. One teaspoon of table sugar contains 16 calories, while one teaspoon of honey has 22 calories. While honey may have more calories, people may actually use less of it, since it is both sweeter and denser than table sugar. This being said, you actually may take in about the same amount of calories that you would with sugar or perhaps even less.
In addition, pure sucrose, or table sugar, is highly processed, while honey has only one processing step. (The honey is heated to prevent crystallization and yeast fermentation from happening during storage.) This has implications on the environment and on people who believe that minimally processed foods are healthier. Vegans, who don't use animal products, do not include honey in their eating plans because it is produced by bees.
As far as "unmediated pure sugar," usually called unrefined sugar, goes, most researchers believe it to be a tad healthier than the processed form. The refining process, which is used to get us our good-ol' table sugar, removes all naturally occurring trace minerals from the sugar plant, leaving us with "empty calories." Moreover, unlike refined sugar, unrefined sugar has more fiber in it, which provides an added health bonus. Unrefined sugar's calories are identical to that of table sugar (16 calories/teaspoon).

It seems that no matter what our choice sweetener is moderation is key because all are unhealthy.  Thanks for nothing!!

After my Ryan Rant a couple of days ago I ran across this article online that was published August 20th.  Guess I spoke too soon...don't know what made me think he would actually quit music.  Seems Ryan Adams 'retired' from music last year, but recently returned with a limited edition science fiction inspired rock opera.  And is almost ready to release his book.

Ryan Adams to release previously archived albums this autumn

The singer-songwriter is also readying a 'super cool-sounding solo album which will be ready next year'

• August 20, 2010 | 1 Comments

Ryan Adams is to release a series of previously archived albums this autumn.

In a message to fans on his official Facebook page, Adams announced that both the new double Ryan Adams & The Cardinals LP, 'III/IV', and solo effort 'Blackhole' were "almost out of the oven".

"To anyone asking about 'III/IV' and 'Blackhole', they are almost out of the oven," he wrote. "You will have a chance to get them this fall. There will not be staggered pressings. Digital and vinyl, not limited copies."

Meanwhile, the singer-songwriter gave an update on another solo LP he is working on, which he says will be "ready next year".

"I've been working on a second batch of tunes," he explained. "Both sessions (NYC [New York] and LA [Los Angeles]) sound super cool but I feel like there is even more. Still working. I imagine the new solo LP will be ready next year."

As previously reported, in early 2009 Adams was "ready for quieter times" after quitting The Cardinals, but has already this year issued "his first fully-realised sci-fi metal concept album" in the form of 'Orion', and written 11 new songs inspired by his trip to Ronnie James Dio's funeral.

Devotional

I receive daily devotionals from Proverbs 21 Ministries through Crosswalk.com and the one I read today written by Glynnis Whitwer was wonderful so I am posting parts of it here and the link to the full devotional is above.  I usually don't do this but while we are expecting our first child I think about the story of Hannah and Samuel every day and I long to be like Hannah.  We have decided that if we have a boy his name will be Samuel Alton and a girl will be Anna Claire (Anna is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hannah)

 

Shoot High in Prayer

Glynnis Whitwer

 "'I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.'

And he worshiped the LORD there." I Samuel 1:27-28 (NIV)

         

Devotion:

As a mother of five teenagers, I find my prayers for them have a resounding similarity:  "Father, please protect (insert child's name) at (insert location)."  I usually elaborate on why that particular child needs protection, and move on to the next request for help. 

You might call me a worrier.  Statistics don't help to curb my worry. I know that if 99% of people don't get hurt walking to McDonalds, there is 1% that do.  And, you guessed it, I'm certain someone I love will be in that 1%. 

Over the years, God has addressed this issue in my life, and revealed my lack of faith in His ability to protect. God has also brought miraculous healing over paralyzing fear.  Nevertheless, I still found my prayers focusing on keeping my children safe.  Until I heard a pastor challenge parents to shoot high for their children in prayer. 

It didn't take a detailed self-assessment to realize I'd reduced my prayers to the common denominator of safety.  While that is critically important, I realized I had replaced my vision for their futures with worry about their presents.  I've been caring for the needs of children for 18 years, and I find myself consumed at times with just making it through the day. 

While I know I should be praying for more than that, I sometimes find it hard to rise above the daily needs and routines, and cast a vision for the future.  Thankfully, the Bible tells the story of one mother who had a wonderful vision for her child's future.  Her name was Hannah.

Hannah's story is told in First Samuel.  She was the beloved wife of Elkanah, but she could not conceive a child.  Hannah prayed for God to give her a child, and promised to give her child back to the Lord all the days of his life (1 Samuel 1:11).  God heard that prayer and promise, and blessed Hannah with a son, whom she named Samuel. 

Hannah kept true to her oath to offer her son to the Lord, and after she had weaned him, she took Samuel to Eli the priest for training.  Hannah continued to bless her son's calling, and every year made him a linen ephod (robe) and took it to him when she and her husband offered sacrifices.

Hannah could have stopped her prayers at the gift of a baby. Anyone who has ever struggled with infertility knows that it can be all consuming.   Yet Hannah wanted more than a baby to treasure and love.  Her plan wasn't for a child she could keep to herself.  Hannah had a vision for a child who would serve the Lord all the days of his life.  God heard and answered that prayer.

Praying like Hannah pushes me out of my routine. Most nights as I fall into bed, I'm thankful my children have made it through another day.  I've lost a niece in a car accident, and so I'm particularly grateful for every breath.  And yet, I'm missing a powerful opportunity to partner with God for their futures when I stop my prayers at protection. 

As we start a new school year, I'm challenged to expand my prayers for my children.  I want to re-dedicate my three sons and two daughters to God for His service. I'm committing to pray boldly for God to use them in a mighty way, and for them to be lights in the darkness.  Oh, I'll continue to pray for their safety.  But I won't stop there. Once I've taken the limits off my prayers, there's no telling what God will do.

                                                                                                                                                                          

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting me to approach You in prayer.  Sometimes I forget that You are willing and longing to do more in my life and the lives of my children.  Help me to remove the limits I've put on my prayers and to allow Your Spirit to lead and guide me.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps: 

Take a moment and dream about the future for a child you know.  It could be your own, a neighbor or someone at church.  Don't let "reality" hinder your dream.  Now pray for that child, asking God to use him or her.

Power Verses:

Matthew 6:27, 33, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV) 

Psalm 103:17-18, "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts." (NIV)

Un- Peaceful Valley (Ryan Rant)

I listen to my iPod almost every day at work, it makes the day go by faster and keeps me in a good mood. And it never fails that when I listen to one Ryan Adams ditty I am stuck on him for the rest of the day, Trying to find a peaceful song.  Knowing his current status I can't help but be a little saddened thinking that I will never again be amazed by the chord arrangements, sound of his voice and lyrics for the first time. It is really hard to believe that he will never release another track. 

Ryan Adams I know you are "retired" but seriously.  Are we supposed to survive the rest of our lives without a brand new tune from you? Search Amazon.com for ryan adams

Dear Jamie

We have a tree!!  A coworker and friend (Jamie) has been on me about getting this tree on our wall for some time now so this is a picture of our nursery (don't mind all of the stuff in the crib, these are things I, or my mothers, have bought the baby and we don't have our dresser yet so I've nowhere to put them but here.  And the books on the shelves are ours, we haven't cleared it out for baby yet) in its current, unfinished state with tree. I was dreading this and was able to sigh with relief after the couple of hours it took us to put it up.  The Nursery planning is so much less scary now...thank you Jamie :)

We are waiting on a lamp for behind the rocker, an accent table for beside the rocker, a rug with lambs on it and some Pottery Barn frames to hang 3 lamb prints somewhere on the wall.  The tree took a couple of hours to put up and we love it.  It is exactly how we pictured it even though we decided to put it near the bookcase instead of behind the crib.  Now we need ideas for what to do behind the crib.  We don't really want to do block letters but was thinking that if it's a girl we could hang one of the decorative canopy nets above the crib, but we're undecided.  Any ideas?

Sofa

We found a sofa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JF and I have been looking for a sofa for some time now and its been a chore getting what we want while staying close to the budget.  We finally found one and it is so perfect.  We purchased the Cindy sofa from Robin Bruce's furniture line.  These are made with organic material and are formal yet comfortable.  I was even able to order the fabric of the sofa and fabric of the decorative pillows I wanted! 

In 6 to 8 weeks I will be watching Law & Order marathons curled up on the plush down cushions of the newest member of our family, I can't wait.  Here is a picture of the sofa but not the fabric I chose.  I'll post an actual pic once it arrives.

Another winner!

I have been hounding John Frank to get me a stove top grill pan because of the wonderful summer grilling recipes that I've run across while still on my search for the perfect Yother family meals.  Over the weekend, after shopping around to find the best price, my wish came true.  We purchased this grill pan from World Market and it has been great so far (used it twice), http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3595998 .  It is double sided, one side a grill and the other a griddle, and was such a great price!  I can't wait to make pancakes on it.

Many who know me know that since being married I get really bored with making the same things for dinner so I have only made the same meal twice about 4 times.  We love to cook so meals are usually homemade at the Yothers every day of the week and it can get pretty tough to come up with fresh ideas.  Since being pregnant I have felt safer eating at home so my longing to find those perfect family meals that everyone enjoys and that I can serve to guests, when we start having them, has gotten stronger.

That said, last night I made Open-Faced Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches for my dear husband and he said, "We have to have this again!".  I was thrilled and I love to share so I am posting the recipe from Food and Wine here, http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/open-face-grilled-eggplant-sandwiches.  You can also click on the title of this post to be redirected to this recipe.

I hope you enjoy!!

Open-Face Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches

• TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN
• SERVINGS: 4
  

• FAST
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

Eight 1/2-inch-thick slices of peasant bread

Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing

One 1 1/4-pound eggplant, sliced crosswise 1 inch thick

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 plum tomatoes, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick

1/2 pound buffalo mozzarella, sliced 1/4 inch thick 

8 large basil leaves, torn 

Coarse sea salt 

Directions

1. Light a grill (I used the grill pan over medium/high heat). Brush the bread on both sides with olive oil and grill over high heat until crisp on the outside but still soft inside, about 30 seconds per side. Transfer to a platter.
2. Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Grill over moderate heat until charred on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Turn and grill until tender, about 3 minutes longer.
3. Top the eggplant with the tomato, mozzarella and basil. Cover the grill and cook until the cheese melts, 2 minutes. Transfer the eggplant to the bread, sprinkle with sea salt and serve.

Still here!

Im not sure if anyone reads my blog but I feel the need to inform the few that do that I am still here!  It has been very hard to keep up with daily posts, even monthly posts, but I assure you its not because my life has been boring and I've had nothing to write about during my time away.  Here are some updates...

John Frank and I have been married for almost a year now, which has been wonderful.  I read an article the other day exclaming that the first year of marriage is absolutely the hardest year and it was best to set boundaries and set aside time for yourself without your spouse, blah, blah, blah.  I was floored!  This year has been the best of my life and at the end of this first year I love my husband more than I ever have.  And get this, I want to be with him every second of the day!  And we almost are.  We live together, of course.  We work for the same company, so its a comfort to have him available if I ever need him, therefore we ride together to work occasionally.  Its great to spend so much time with him and he seems to feel the same way :)

Also, Im expecting!!  How exciting is that?  We are due November 12th and have decided not to find out the gender of the baby...for now.  I am so thankful to be given the opportunity to be a mother and I am so excited that there is a little Yother on its way.  And the pregnancy seems to be going well.  We haven't had morning sickness and all of the tests have come back normal so far.  Of course, as a first time mother and a full time worrier I pray every day for the health of the the baby and I covet your prayers as well.  Sometimes its so hard to hand over the reigns.  Especially when I feel that it is my job to protect this child.  I know that our lives are laid out and planned in advance and its our job to listen and follow.

We are working on the nursery now and I hope to post pictures as we get things going.  I wish I would have taken a picture of the room before.  It was JF's office and my sewing room so there was junk everywhere!  The walls were once blue, now Pottery Barn Jicama.  This is what we hope the nursery will resemble by the time we're done.  I promise to try to post as often as I can.

Song of the Day

Search Amazon.com for wilco
About starting a family.  There will be triumphs and failures...we never know where our road leads

And Baby Makes Three

We're expecting!  Great day to try to tell your family the news.

Picture Post

Just wanted to post another wedding picture :)  This one is my fav

I know, Im a slacker

It has been so long since I have posted anything on my blog!  Its amazing how fast paced things get around the holidays.

Update 1: The craft fair was a huge success!  I sold out of almost all of my bags and had 15+ orders for more.  Its been sew, sew, sew for the past month.  Thankfully, my Mom loves me a lot and offered to help me with the market bags.  I couldn't do it with out you Mom.  All of the proceeds from the craft fair and EVERYTHING else I sew goes to the World Food Programme's Fill the Cup and a local Children's Advocacy Center. 

Please take a look at my online shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/keriyother .  I post new things regularly and will have much more time for new items after Christmas.  'Heart' my shop to make it easier to find me and check back!! Here are a few things I currently have listed.

Update 2:  We went hiking with Patti and Al a couple of weeks ago and had the best time.  I actually took the camera this time so I will post pictures ASAP.

Up, up, up....up

Saturday John Frank and I went on our first hike together in Alabama!  We started hiking in Colorado and absolutely loved it so we're giving it a full-time effort.  We hiked the Blue Trail at Oak Mountain State Park, 3.5 miles of it at least (for a total of 7).  We chose the Blue Trail because it was the shortest of the trails and the most challenging, which I didn't realize when we started.  It was so much fun and a real workout!  My legs are still sore today. 

About 3.5 miles up the mountain we saw some protruding rocks, off the trail, that we climbed to for our mid-morning snack and a little rest.  It has a beautiful view of the lake and Eagle Point (I think) but we forgot the camera, of course!!  Here is the best picture I could get with my cell phone.  On the mountain I realized for the first time this season that the leaves were starting to change.  Its sad how we can get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget about the the important things, the beauty of the world around us and all of the natural things it offers.  We're going again next Saturday and I already have the camera hanging on the front door as a reminder.  I hope to get several pictures next week.

Some things in life ARE free!

As of 4:40 today I am the proud owner of a new Library card!  This card can be used at any of the public libraries in the county in which I live, I think there are 4 or 5 or so, and it feels great!  We walked in, went to the desk and whispered, "I need a library card please".  I filled out a form and he handed over a card.  I just knew I was going to check out 5 books and I would be able to take them all home to read at my leisure (within 14 days, of course) without handing over one red cent, right?  Wrong!  Everything I looked up was either out of stock or in stock at another location, wa waa waaa.  Oh how I wanted a yellow paged book that smelled of must with a shiny plastic protective sleeve over a faded dust jacket.  Maybe next time.  Of course my husband found 2 books and had read a chapter of one in the first 5 seconds he owned the card, turdbird.  And he's just confirmed that he's read 77 pages, thanks John.  He's mighty handsome though.  Lemme show you :)

Craft Fair

I have committed to selling my bags and other homemade items in a craft fair on November 10th.  I had such big plans when I enrolled myself and I have all of ZERO things made to sell in the fair!!  I have a plan though.  If I make one "craft" per day until then I will have enough to fill up a 6' folding table, hooray!  I seriously doubt I can accomplish this but I am going to make it a challenge (french accent) to myself and use this blog to hold myself accountable, cross your fingers. 

By the grace of God, I am what I am

Today, while on the internet researching random things, I came across a couple of verses that I can't stop thinking about.

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle… But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

and

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
- 2 Corinthians 3:5-6

After a couple of days of some unsuccessful sewing (my main hobby lately) I've realized that I compare myself to others, a lot!  Not just comparison of sewing skills but lots of things.  Even little things like my handwriting.  Granted, I usually (always) lean towards the- 'Im lesser than and can't do things a well as'- but comparison, in and of itself, is no good, no matter if its greater or lesser.  Most of the time I don't even notice Im doing it...thanks to my husband I am now well informed :)  Its wonderful to have someone that can help me better realize and understand how I operate.  And its wonderful to have a Father who has written the words to remind me that I do not operate because I am adequate; He is adequate.

Food-the good kind

John Frank and I have been married for a time now, 71 days.  During this time, it has been my goal to find and tag certain dishes as staples to the Yother (Keri and John Frank) Family recipe file.  I have been given several wonderful recipes from friends and family but for some reason I just have the urge to create some of my own through trial and error.  Testing recipes is so much fun but I have yet to find a recipe that is a 'must have' (or must eat often) for John Frank and I...until last night!  I found a chicken recipe with a mustard cream sauce and it yelled French Cuisine, which yelled de-li-cious!  So, I cooked it.  And guess what?  Jackpot!!  We have our 1st meal to put in the "Family Dinner" section of my recipe box.  It feels wonderful.

The chicken with mustard-cream sauce is a Martha Stewart. 

You can find it here, http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/sauteed-chicken-in-mustard-cream-sauce .  It is really good. 

I made Parmesan roasted potatoes to go with, http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/parmesan-roasted-potatoes-10000001192054/ .  Also super tasty.

and roasted asparagus, you should always have something green at each meal.  I put EVOO, garlic powder and kosher salt on the asparagus and baked them for 10 minutes on 400.  They were wonderful and were even better the second day for lunch.  If you try it and love it let me know.  If you don't like it...well, just pretend you do :)

Sewing

I have sewn!!  A purse.  Two purses, actually (one is really a lunch bag).  Oh, what a sense of accomplishment!   I can't find the words.  I would definitely like to thank Claire, for sewing a gorgeous apron and activating the I CAN DO IT TOO in me, thank you Claire.  I would also like to thank my mom, for letting me stay the weekend with her for sewing lessons. 

I will post pictures of the items I sew periodically.  And if you'd like a purse (or something semi easy), I'd be happy to make it.  Please remember that these pictures are taken with my cell phone.  Maybe one day I will get a nice camera and some photography classes but for now, bear with me.

Testimonial

Sorry it has taken me so long to TESTIFY! (and yes, I sang the word testify in my loud, high pitched, 80's hair metal voice.  Hence the all caps with exclamation point.  Its the only way to get a point across and it is accurate to assume that any word I type in all caps with an exclamation point is in this tone.)

Citrus Solutions was wonderful! My carpet looks (almost) brand new. They even give you a "free" bottle of spot treatment spray for future stain removal. Its all natural and you can absolutely tell, its clear...looks like water and smells like Tropicana.

I actually recommended them to my grandmother, she used their service, and Citrus Solutions sent ME a check in the mail for $13.50, woo hoo! Can you believe that? What a deal!