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Funny Friday

FINALLY, I have something funny to share!

You know, I could never commit to a Funny Friday post every Friday, like my friend Bek over there. Either my life is not that funny, or I just don't remember the funny moments.

However, the other day, Oliver gave us all a chuckle, so I hereby present you with my first Funny Friday post.

The fam was all packed together in my parents' car. We were on our way to my cousin's wedding last weekend, just chatting it up.

Oliver's at the age where he doesn't really understand all our conversations, but he likes to be a part of the conversation, anyway.

Somehow, the topic of conversation turned to my budget.

"What do you even budget your money on, Dahlia?"

"Well, $125 for gas, $100 for groceries, around $20 for toiletries --"

"Toiletries!" burst in Oliver. 

"There's no such thing! 

You can't just plant a toilet and watch it grow and --"

And here is where we all burst into laughter.

Yes, Oliver. Toilet trees indeed.

And that's my Funny Friday for ya.

Summer and My Twenties

One of my favorite things to do on a free day is cook lunch for my parents. I like to think that it blesses them as much as it's beneficial practice for me.

[This was actually breakfast one day - French Toast w/ strawberries]

However, I have had what seems like much too many of these free days since school got out June 13th.

While it was fun cooking up mac and cheese, tomato-and-green-bean soup, crispy baked chicken, sweet cornbread, and all that, I started going stir-crazy! So I created a summer schedule for myself:

• Monday - Work at school
• Tuesday - Thursday - Domestic duties in the AM, appointments and errands in the PM
• Friday - Work at school
• Saturday & Sunday - Weekend!

I thought it looked like a great schedule, and I was very proud of myself for thinking of it.

Unfortunately, I haven't done a good job this week of following the schedule. We'll keep working on that.

In other news (I noticed I say that a lot), I feel, along with my friend Samara, (specifically in this post) that a time for change, for action, for happening, is here.

David Crowder's words come to mind:

I think I'm on the brink of something large

Maybe like the breaking of the dawn

I've thought before - what other time in your life is like your twenties?

Source

All I need to do is revisit my old journals and diaries (I've journaled religiously since the fourth grade) to see that, while life until 18 was pretty predictable, the 20's have brought some major life events for me, like:

• Career choice
• College graduation
• Beginning a career

...and, eventually,

• Moving out
• Getting married
• Having my first child

Granted, this might not all happen while I'm still in my 20's, but, even if most of it does, those are some HUGE firsts in one decade. A lot of growing up, growing into, and becoming, you could say. 

Source

For today, that's a wrap.

Saturday wedding and Sunday social

I had a marvelous weekend! 

My cousin Brandon got married on Saturday.

It was the cutest, simplest country wedding.

Sunday, I drove about 2 hours to my sister's church to see these guys:

[I stole this pic from the MC facebook page]

The Master's Commission presented their production of The Gospel. 

It was an inspiring production that I won't soon forget and that I wouldn't mind seeing again. 

And maybe again.

It's one of those things you can see many times, but get something fresh from it every time.

That's how any presentation of the Word is.

But I mostly went to see this girl, my youngest host-sister from when I was in the Master's Commission:

[Also from MC fb]

After church, Ivory and I attended a barbecue hosted by the church, for the MC, swung by a friend's graduation party, and got my hair cut. [I love that my sister is my hairdresser. She does a great job, and it often gives me an excuse to visit her.]

All in all, an active, inspirational weekend full of familiar faces and many new ones.

Thank you, Lord, for friendly faces, and friendly hearts.

Crispy Baked Chicken

I found this recipe for chicken the other day, while perusing my mom's cookbooks. It looked simple, so I decided to try it.

It was an immediate success with my father, who appreciated the crunch (we're both crunchers), and the fact that this chicken is healthier than other crispy varieties, since it is skinless and baked (instead of fried).

So, without further ado, I present to you:

Crispy Baked Chicken

Source

   

What you'll need:

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup crushed cornflakes
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt (this is the only seasoning this chicken's gonna get, so adjust to your preferences)
• 4 chicken drumsticks, skin removed
• 4 chicken thighs, skin removed
• 3/4 cup egg substitute (or 2-3 large eggs)

Easy directions:

1. Drizzle melted butter in a baking dish (13x9x2).

2. Combine cornflakes, flour, and seasoned salt in a shallow bowl.

3. Dip chicken in egg, then roll in cornflake mixture. Dip in egg again, then roll in cornflakes again.

4. Arrange chicken in prepared dish, meatier side down.

5. Bake, uncovered, at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Turn chicken over; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until juices run clear and a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees.

Yields: 4 servings

I served it with sweet cornbread and melon balls. I also served it, at another time, with lemon-pepper rice and melon balls.

Provecho!

Thoughts on a rainy Wednesday

Some thoughts to share with you on this rainy Wednesday:

- I love how, now that school's out, I can post more than once a month! 

- I love how, now that school's out, I get to use my iPad! (As opposed to leaving it in my classroom every night, functioning as an  MP3 player... Thankfully, I now have a school-owned iPod to use for that.)

- I dreamt last night of my students, and the last day of school all over again....they say you never forget your first class. I sure hope I don't. They were a special group of kids.

- I was impacted by the following words this morning, from A.W. Tozer:

“It is because of the hasty and superficial conversation with God 

that the sense of sin is so weak 

and that no motives have power to help you

to hate and flee from sin as you should.”

Isn't that so true? I had to ask myself -- do I HATE sin? Do I flee from it? The answer was...no. I don't.

That led to a prayer from the heart, a Psalm 51 prayer.

And I was reminded what it is to have a conversation with God that is not hasty or superficial.

And I was reminded of what a good, good Father we have.

These are some thoughts from me, for you, on a rainy Wednesday.

Picnicking and packing up

Well, folks, it is finished.

First year of teaching = over (as of Thursday).

Crazy!

I spent a few hours yesterday packing up my classroom for the summer...reflecting on memories from the year and making plans for next year.

Like the pen pal picnic.

The kids loved meeting their pen pals. We face-timed between classrooms the day before, to build anticipation. It worked! But then it's funny how, when the kids finally meet, they are so bashful. Mario and I have come upon a keeper. You can see from the photo that Oliver (and my mom) got to accompany us. Some of my girls loved doting on "Ms. Avila's little brother."

I was not able to find a picnic basket locally, and even online they were mostly out of stock. But that was okay. My aunt lent me her wonderful traditional picnic basket, and I have my eye on one that I want to buy for next year.

So ends the first episode of Ms. Avila: Fourth grade teacher.

Tune in next September for episode two. :)

In the meantime, summer holds some promising memories of its own...