I really hate doing the dishes, but sadly it is an unavoidable task. This afternoon that unavoidable task required my attention. Usually I find something on TV that is easy enough to follow just listening, not watching. But, today I decided to do something different.
At lunch today, after much deliberation, my Sunday School class decided to go to Buckhead Church, Andy Stanley's satellite church, for the second Sunday night in a row (I hope this becomes a weekly thing).
This reminded me of a conversation I had with Paula from my Sunday School class. She suggested I check out Andy Stanley's series "The New Rules for Sex, Love, and Dating."
So, I found the video of the first sermon in the series and snuggled up with a blanket on the couch. About eight minutes in I could not keep my eyes open any longer. I decided to pause and take a nap.
When I woke up to my alarm, David Nevue's Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, an hour later I could not put off doing the dishes any longer. However, I really wanted to finish the sermon.So, I decided to do both.
I have this lovely deep window sill above my kitchen sink, the perfect size for my net book. I started the sermon and washed dishes and finished both at the same time. Great way to do dishes? Yes!
I really enjoyed Part 1 (Linked below). The main point of this part was "Become the person, the person you are looking for, is looking for." His challenge was to practice exhibiting the characteristics of love, as outlined by 1 Corinthians 13, in ever interaction we have with potential mates. That way, when you meet the right person, you will be ready.
"The New Rules for Sex, Love,and Dating Part 1"
I am really looking forward to listening and writing about the next three parts of this series.
-Shannon
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The Pretty Purple Vegetable
Eggplants have got to be the most beautiful vegetables. They are such a pretty purple. Maybe my favorite color in fact.
I cannot count the number of times I have passed eggplants in the grocery store, sometimes even stopped to pick one up and examine it, only to regretfully put it back down because I have no idea what to do with it. A few years ago I promised myself that I, Shannon Owen, would one day cook with eggplant. The only thing I have every heard of with eggplant in it is Eggplant Parmesan, and well I do not like Chicken Parmesan. This presented a challenge that has been in the back of my mind for years.
Now that I am on my own and cooking for just myself, I have the opportunity to try out new foods that I never would have been able to try at home because of my picky little sister (Post about my family coming soon).
After lots of time looking, I finally found a recipe that was not Eggplant Parmesan that seemed promising, but I still was not convinced. Then God showed that it was clearly his will I make this recipe.
How did He do that? The same day I found above mentioned recipe two things happened:
1. I got off work at 5:45pm so I had time to go to the grocery store = Miracle!
2. Kroger had eggplant on sale for $.99
The Recipe - Eggplant Pizza
It is very rare that I make a recipe as is, and this recipe was no exception.
Changes
- I used Classico Sun-dried Tomato Alfredo instead of pizza sauce.
- I topped mine with mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and precooked Jimmy Dean sausage.
I was going to add mushrooms, but as hard as I tried I could not get the jar of mushrooms open. It was a sad moment. My friend Amanda suggested I get a jar opener. I informed her I preferred my jar openers tall, dark, and handsome.
When I got these babies out of the oven they smelled so good. I popped two on my plate and sat down to watch How to Train Your Dragon.
I was completely amazed at the deliciousness of these cute little pizzas. They were not just "everything that is covered in cheese is good" good, but genuinely amazingly yummy! I was floored and cannot wait to make them again!
This success with Eggplant will inevitably lead to more eggplant experiments. I am very excited about exploring my new favorite vegetable.
And How to Train Your Dragon was not bad either. Toothless was my favorite.
*UPDATE*
I made Eggplant Pizza again for dinner tonight. This time I used a Mushroom Alfredo sauce and added a fresh basil leaf and drum roll please.... I took a picture.
I cannot count the number of times I have passed eggplants in the grocery store, sometimes even stopped to pick one up and examine it, only to regretfully put it back down because I have no idea what to do with it. A few years ago I promised myself that I, Shannon Owen, would one day cook with eggplant. The only thing I have every heard of with eggplant in it is Eggplant Parmesan, and well I do not like Chicken Parmesan. This presented a challenge that has been in the back of my mind for years.
Now that I am on my own and cooking for just myself, I have the opportunity to try out new foods that I never would have been able to try at home because of my picky little sister (Post about my family coming soon).
After lots of time looking, I finally found a recipe that was not Eggplant Parmesan that seemed promising, but I still was not convinced. Then God showed that it was clearly his will I make this recipe.
How did He do that? The same day I found above mentioned recipe two things happened:
1. I got off work at 5:45pm so I had time to go to the grocery store = Miracle!
2. Kroger had eggplant on sale for $.99
The Recipe - Eggplant Pizza
It is very rare that I make a recipe as is, and this recipe was no exception.
Changes
- I used Classico Sun-dried Tomato Alfredo instead of pizza sauce.
- I topped mine with mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and precooked Jimmy Dean sausage.
I was going to add mushrooms, but as hard as I tried I could not get the jar of mushrooms open. It was a sad moment. My friend Amanda suggested I get a jar opener. I informed her I preferred my jar openers tall, dark, and handsome.
When I got these babies out of the oven they smelled so good. I popped two on my plate and sat down to watch How to Train Your Dragon.
I was completely amazed at the deliciousness of these cute little pizzas. They were not just "everything that is covered in cheese is good" good, but genuinely amazingly yummy! I was floored and cannot wait to make them again!
This success with Eggplant will inevitably lead to more eggplant experiments. I am very excited about exploring my new favorite vegetable.
And How to Train Your Dragon was not bad either. Toothless was my favorite.
*UPDATE*
I made Eggplant Pizza again for dinner tonight. This time I used a Mushroom Alfredo sauce and added a fresh basil leaf and drum roll please.... I took a picture.
Introduction
I suppose I should have introduced myself first, but I was too excited about my cookies to put it off any longer. In fact, I am too excited about my next post to do a very good job on an introduction post, but here we go.
My name is Shannon. I am less than a month from turning 21. I have made a tour of several southern states. I was born in South Carolina, lived in North Carolina for fifteen years, Tennessee for three, read on to figure out the fourth southern state I now call home. I am a recent graduate of Western Carolina University with a B.S.B.A. in Finance. A month after graduation, Monday, June 6, I got the call every recent grad longs for, a job offer. Not just any job offer, but a job offer I was excited to accept. I moved in that Friday and started the very next Monday, June 13.
Where did I move? Atlanta, GA.
The idea of moving to Atlanta quite honestly frightened me, but I could not help but be excited. I feel like Atlanta is where I need to be right now and possibly for a while.
What is the job? I'll let you know when I figure it out.
I am working for Genuine Parts Company (They own NAPA and a lot of other businesses). GPC is in the process of building and implementing a new accounting software system throughout all of their subsidiaries. I was the first hire of the Financial Shared Services department that will maintain the system, provide support, and handle reporting. At least that is my understanding at the moment. Since I started, we have hired two new employees in our group, bringing our total to four (Including our wonderful boss).
Currently, I am working with the General Ledger Track. We are getting ready for a big meeting with the subs in a few weeks. We are working crazy hours and playing a lot of hurry up and wait.
Despite the long hours, I am really loving my job. I work with some really great people and I am learning a lot. This is a perfect first job that can lead to a lot of great opportunities. GPC is a great company to work for and I am very thankful to have a job here.
I can't get away with not mentioning that in my first two weeks here I got to go to two Braves games in the company suite and the NKOTBSB concert in the E&Y box at Phillips. This was rare treatment for a new employee. The CFO was at the first game and was so nice. Like I said, GPC is a great company!
The two hardest things about moving to Atlanta are making friends and knowing where to go for what (haircut, dry cleaners, dentist, doctor, nails, etc.).
Since I have been working so much, weeknights are out for most anything but a quick dinner, a little TV if I'm lucky, and strait to bed. So, on Saturdays I play catch up to get everything done. Therefore, the only avenue to make friends I have time for is church. This has really paid off. I have made some great friends from my Sunday School class. Just last night we went to Blue Moon Pizza for trivia night. We had so much fun, even if it was freezing in there and we did not win.
Why did I start a blog? Short answer: Amber (Check out her blog macydayz.blogspot.com)
I have been thinking about it for a while and starting a new job, along with a big move, seemed like a good topic. I think it will be a good way for my friends who are scattered all over to keep up with what is going on in my life.
What's with the title? I love Jane Austen!
My blog title is part of the first line of Pride and Prejudice. The complete quote is "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." I am not sure if that is still a universal truth, especially in Atlanta. However, I am working to cultivate my cooking, baking, and housekeeping skills in order to make some currently single man a good wife one day.
My blog will consist of anything I feel like writing about.
Well, this has been my introduction. Stay tuned for a post devoted to my adventure with eggplant. The pretty purple vegetable.
My name is Shannon. I am less than a month from turning 21. I have made a tour of several southern states. I was born in South Carolina, lived in North Carolina for fifteen years, Tennessee for three, read on to figure out the fourth southern state I now call home. I am a recent graduate of Western Carolina University with a B.S.B.A. in Finance. A month after graduation, Monday, June 6, I got the call every recent grad longs for, a job offer. Not just any job offer, but a job offer I was excited to accept. I moved in that Friday and started the very next Monday, June 13.
Where did I move? Atlanta, GA.
The idea of moving to Atlanta quite honestly frightened me, but I could not help but be excited. I feel like Atlanta is where I need to be right now and possibly for a while.
What is the job? I'll let you know when I figure it out.
I am working for Genuine Parts Company (They own NAPA and a lot of other businesses). GPC is in the process of building and implementing a new accounting software system throughout all of their subsidiaries. I was the first hire of the Financial Shared Services department that will maintain the system, provide support, and handle reporting. At least that is my understanding at the moment. Since I started, we have hired two new employees in our group, bringing our total to four (Including our wonderful boss).
Currently, I am working with the General Ledger Track. We are getting ready for a big meeting with the subs in a few weeks. We are working crazy hours and playing a lot of hurry up and wait.
Despite the long hours, I am really loving my job. I work with some really great people and I am learning a lot. This is a perfect first job that can lead to a lot of great opportunities. GPC is a great company to work for and I am very thankful to have a job here.
I can't get away with not mentioning that in my first two weeks here I got to go to two Braves games in the company suite and the NKOTBSB concert in the E&Y box at Phillips. This was rare treatment for a new employee. The CFO was at the first game and was so nice. Like I said, GPC is a great company!
The two hardest things about moving to Atlanta are making friends and knowing where to go for what (haircut, dry cleaners, dentist, doctor, nails, etc.).
Since I have been working so much, weeknights are out for most anything but a quick dinner, a little TV if I'm lucky, and strait to bed. So, on Saturdays I play catch up to get everything done. Therefore, the only avenue to make friends I have time for is church. This has really paid off. I have made some great friends from my Sunday School class. Just last night we went to Blue Moon Pizza for trivia night. We had so much fun, even if it was freezing in there and we did not win.
Why did I start a blog? Short answer: Amber (Check out her blog macydayz.blogspot.com)
I have been thinking about it for a while and starting a new job, along with a big move, seemed like a good topic. I think it will be a good way for my friends who are scattered all over to keep up with what is going on in my life.
What's with the title? I love Jane Austen!
My blog title is part of the first line of Pride and Prejudice. The complete quote is "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." I am not sure if that is still a universal truth, especially in Atlanta. However, I am working to cultivate my cooking, baking, and housekeeping skills in order to make some currently single man a good wife one day.
My blog will consist of anything I feel like writing about.
Well, this has been my introduction. Stay tuned for a post devoted to my adventure with eggplant. The pretty purple vegetable.
I really wanted some cookies...
I was watching whichever USA Original Series is on Monday nights, when all of the sudden it hit me. I really wanted some cookies. I really like to cook and bake, but nothing in my current recipe collection appealed to me at the moment and I did not want to make a big batch. I spent some time trying to find a recipe online. Nothing sounded good. So, I decided to take a chance and try to whip something up without a recipe. Anyone who has any baking experience knows that this was a risky move. I was up for the challenge.
I got out my mixing bowl and starting adding "typical cookie ingredients" until it looked about the right consistency. I did not measure anything ,which was a mistake.
Ingredients:
Self Rising Flour
Baking Soda
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Oil
Egg
Vanilla
Chai Tea Concentrate (Yes I did!)
Oatmeal
White Chocolate Chips
I am pretty sure that was everything.
So, I put one pan in the oven on 350 while I washed dishes (what I typically do while cookies bake). When they looked done, I put them on paper plates to cool (my mothers trick, my aunt uses a cutting board). I tried one and the flavor was there but they were thin, crispy, and a little overcooked. Let me tell you, I am soooo over crunchy cookies, I want soft cookies. I reexamined my batter and noticed it could be a little thin, so I added some more self rising flour and put another pan in the oven.
I did not let this batch cook as long. Again, when they looked done I put them on paper plates to cool. I tried one right away and it was soooo soft and yummy. I let them cool a bit and ate another still soft, amazingly yummy cookie.
Still being a skeptic, the next morning I had a cookie for breakfast to make sure they were still soft and delicious before I took them to work to see if they passed the all important coworker test. They were still just as good and did, in fact, pass my coworkers approval.
So, I might have a new favorite cookie, if only I can figure out how to make it again! I plan to try in the near future and actually write down the measurments this time!
Lessons Learned from Cookie Recipe Invention:
- WRITE DOWN THE MEASUREMENTS
- Set a timer, even if you are standing at the sink doing dishes.
- Bake one cookie first, not a whole pan, to see how it turns out. Add ingredients as needed to adjust and bake another cookie. Repeat process until cookie perfection is achieved.
- Be creative, because you never know what might make the perfect cookie.
This experience is what finally pushed me over the edge to start a blog (that and the request of my detail loving bff Amber), so this is my first post.
Introduction post to come.
Happy Baking!
-Shannon
I got out my mixing bowl and starting adding "typical cookie ingredients" until it looked about the right consistency. I did not measure anything ,which was a mistake.
Ingredients:
Self Rising Flour
Baking Soda
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Oil
Egg
Vanilla
Chai Tea Concentrate (Yes I did!)
Oatmeal
White Chocolate Chips
I am pretty sure that was everything.
So, I put one pan in the oven on 350 while I washed dishes (what I typically do while cookies bake). When they looked done, I put them on paper plates to cool (my mothers trick, my aunt uses a cutting board). I tried one and the flavor was there but they were thin, crispy, and a little overcooked. Let me tell you, I am soooo over crunchy cookies, I want soft cookies. I reexamined my batter and noticed it could be a little thin, so I added some more self rising flour and put another pan in the oven.
I did not let this batch cook as long. Again, when they looked done I put them on paper plates to cool. I tried one right away and it was soooo soft and yummy. I let them cool a bit and ate another still soft, amazingly yummy cookie.
Still being a skeptic, the next morning I had a cookie for breakfast to make sure they were still soft and delicious before I took them to work to see if they passed the all important coworker test. They were still just as good and did, in fact, pass my coworkers approval.
So, I might have a new favorite cookie, if only I can figure out how to make it again! I plan to try in the near future and actually write down the measurments this time!
Lessons Learned from Cookie Recipe Invention:
- WRITE DOWN THE MEASUREMENTS
- Set a timer, even if you are standing at the sink doing dishes.
- Bake one cookie first, not a whole pan, to see how it turns out. Add ingredients as needed to adjust and bake another cookie. Repeat process until cookie perfection is achieved.
- Be creative, because you never know what might make the perfect cookie.
This experience is what finally pushed me over the edge to start a blog (that and the request of my detail loving bff Amber), so this is my first post.
Introduction post to come.
Happy Baking!
-Shannon
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