Christmas Sweater Party

Well we had our Ugly Christmas sweater party last Saturday night for all of our friends at our church.   IT was so much fun.  We had about 35 people there and they all got dressed up in their ugliest sweaters.  Some of them were not that ugly but some of them were pretty bad. 

 

 John and I made a Turduckhen... well, we ordered it and then cooked it.  Turduckhen is a de-boned chicken, wrapped in a de-boned duck, then wrapped in a de-boned turkey all stuffed with cornbread stuffing and pork rice.  It was yummy.  I forgot to take a picture.  :-(

But here are some other photos for your enjoyment.
  The Winner- his grandmother was in town and actually got it out of her closet before he came.  he won because it was an original still in use.
  The men
  The Ladies
 The Chocolate fountain I purchased on e-bay for $15.

two of my favorite boys......

Sleeping on the couch on a Friday night.  It's perfect.

John is having such a hard rotation that our weekend nights are the same as the week nights.... early.  But at least he comes to the couch so I can "hang out" with him.  :-)

something to write about

We have just purchased two new computers.  I have zero pictures and I usually enjoy writing on topics that I have pictures for....so this is why it is hard for me to find something to write about.

However, we just got two new computers...HELLO! 

We are very excited to have two new mac babies in the family.  

I had an old ibook and it died a few months ago.  John has an old PC so we decided to upgrade.  He got a great deal through the university and we sure did take advantage of it. 

I feel like such an American with new toys and TWO new toys that are not cheap.  It is always a bitter sweet moment for me to get new things.  

I want to be generous with the monetary gifts we have been given but I also know it is not wrong to have nice things.  

I was reading in 2 Corinthians this morning about my Heavenly Dwelling place and how transient this life is and how eternal (which is a very long time) the unseen is.  

"Outwardly we are wasting away, but inwardly we are being renewed day by day."  

Am I?

I sometimes think that I am so focused on stuff (whether that be material things or my to do list)  that I am concentrating so much on the things that are wasting away.  I am very convicted that I have ceased thinking that Heaven is way cooler than my ___________. (new computers, christmas party, dog, work out schedule, cleaning house...) 

Anyway- there are some of my thoughts for today...I guess I always have something to write about.  

Christmas Party Napkins

John and I are hosting a Christmas party next weekend.  It is an overwhelming task to make sure that there is enough food and supplies so that everyone will be happy and enjoy themselves.

This past week, John's mom was in town and w

e decided to go hopping for Christmas gifts and party supplies.  We found many cute patterns for plates and cups and 

napkins.  It is very expensive!  We thought it would be fin to have plain red plates and provide SUPER CUTE napkins.  We both saw the same ones and loved them right aw

ay.  They were colorful and had cute 

cartoon characters with just the legs showing and fun little elf shoes.  The top read, "Jingle...." s

omething or other.

Well, a few days later, I decided I would gather all of the supplies so I could make a check list.  

Plates..Check

Cups...Check

Napkins..Check

I decide to admire my cute little napkin set and thank goodness I did. 

 

Taking  a closer look I noticed that my sweet little napkins were not so sweet.  Those cute little characters... a man holding his ladies close.  The reading on the top,... "Jingle MY bells!"

Can you believe it?  

Did I mention this party is for all of our church friends?  

After laughing out loud I started to think about my mother in law.  Did she think these were appropriate napkins for my party?  

John called her and thankfully, she thought the same way we did.  Apparently we were both tired from shopping and thought the napkins were simple "Jingle Bells" with fun characters. 

Andrew Peterson

Well I had a blog and realized after I posted it that I accidentally posted it on Johns blog.  So go and read it there!  :-)

http://sufficientgrace76.blogspot.com/

A hiking we WENT!

We finally made it hiking this year. I wanted it to be a little earlier in the year so that we could catch the trees in peak color change, but it was still PRETTY. I obviously said this word a gazillion times on the ride there and during the hike because my sweet husband made fun of me.

"Preeeeeety" "WOW, PREEEETY!" "ORANGE, PRETTY!" "Look John! PRETTY"!"

And yes, Diesel did great in his shoes. At first he was walking crazy, but we think that he was so excited by the new surroundings that he forgot about them. He had so much fun sniffing and eating everything! We enjoyed the two hour car ride home with a sleeping dog.

Voting Day Drama

I am proud to say that I voted! I even got a cute little sticker that says so. But oh what a morning. Here is some advice to all those who have never voted before ...... CHECK YOUR PRECINCT!!!!!

John was so excited that his boss let him come in late today so that he could vote. Late being 6:30am. So we got to our designated building and waited in a line of about 50 people. Of course, the church was not open yet, so as we stood in line for 20 min, the line grew longer and longer and longer. But no worries, we were "in the front." As we walked down a very narrow hallway, we noticed people passing us and getting into other lines... their precinct lines. So we asked a man that was helping which precinct were in, and he said, "Where do you live? Oh? You should be in the correct line." We were in the Town branch line.... 6:05a.

So I thought and pondered what it said on the little sheet of paper in my car. White berry? That sounds familiar. Town branch? That sounds familiar too? Stallion? Sure?

Of course they all sound familiar- THEY ARE ALL STREETS IN OUR SUBDIVISION!

So we decided to ask the guy again to look it up.

"Oh, are you an even number?"

"Yes?"

"Oh, You are White berry." 6:19am- inside the Town branch room to vote, four people a head of us.

End of White berry line- 6:20 am- out in narrow hallway- 50 people a head of us.

I almost cried. In fact, I teared up. John had to leave. I was so sad and upset because in my car, with a piece of old gum stuck on it, was a scrap paper with our building and PRECINCT name.

One hour later, I voted and walked out proud and defeated at the same time. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband that sent me a text message saying I was wonderful and that he prayed for me.

I plan on going to stand in line with him. Because that is what best friends do.

So check your precinct, you'll never know where you might end up.

Pumpkins and Costumes

Clearly I am behind but I wanted to update everyone one the Halloween happenings at the Drexler abode.

Last weekend we had the Northrip family come over and carve pumpkins. This has been a tradition going on three years now. They did a great job with their pumpkins and I was sad to see them leave our door step.

Let's see what else has been strange and funny at our home? Well, John was invited by a co worker to go to a costume party. We thought it would be fun to go hang and we were encouraged strongly to dress up.

Earlier that week, I dressed up as a doctor for the girls at the dance studio.

I was not about to be a doctor at a Doctor filled party.....unless, I was going as John. That would only mean that John would have to go as me. Then, we could go as "The Drexler's My husband is so confident.... and very funny. By the way.. he did not fight the idea, He thought it was funny.

A hiking we won't go.

We were planning this past weekend to go on an amazing hike and taking beautiful pictures of all the fall colors. We even bought Diesel some fun shoes because we had heard horror stories of other dogs having sticks go through the paw and how their pads were shredded if they were not used to being outdoors for long periods of time. Even after being made fun of by our friends and families, we still bought the shoes. ;-)

However, the Friday night before the hike, we had the youth church lock-in. I don't know what I was thinking! The last time I stayed up all night long was a church lock-in when I was a youth! Well, I had stayed up to study for a college final but I had also consumed at least 6 cups of caffeine. Anyway, I figured that John would drive to the two hours to the park and I would sleep on the way.

OOPS! John was on call that night and HE went in at 12:45am and came home at 5:30am.
Unfortuantley, we both slept until 2pm. Fortunatly, so did our sweet dog...kind of.

Anyway- here is Diesel in his new shoes...... feel free to laugh.

Pot Sticker Fun

John introduced me to a small edible delight know as the POT STICKER.

When I tried to make them, they turned out VERY soggy but still had great flavor. When John made them they were perfect. We ate about 5-6 each and then we froze the rest for later. Here

is the recipe and some pictures for you to enjoy.

INGREDIENTS
100 (3.5 inch square) round wraps
1 3/4 pounds ground pork - I used a pound of Lean pork- Fatty Pork is better for taste though.
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root - I bought ground ginger in a bottle
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
4 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1 egg, beaten
5 cups finely shredded Chinese cabbage - I used 1/2 of a green cabbage.
1 tablespoon Veg/Canola Oil

1/4 cup water - I used Chicken broth because I had it in the fridge.

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine the pork, ginger, garlic, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, egg and cabbage. Stir until well mixed.
Place 1 heaping teaspoon of pork filling onto each wonton skin. Moisten edges with water and fold edges over to form a triangle shape. Roll edges slightly to seal in filling. Set dumplings aside on a lightly floured surface until ready to cook.

In preheated vegetable oil, cook pot sticker approximately 1 minute per side, until lightly browned. Place water into skillet and reduce heat. Cover and allow pot sticker to steam until the water is gone.

For dipping sauce, we bought a POT STICKER dipping sauce. however, there are several recipes on line.

John did about 8 at a time- turned out great. If you want to freeze them, place them on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper in the freezer overnight. Put them in a Ziploc bad and store.

Fun Fall Weekends

Before we move from Lexington Ky, which I am not sure when that is happening, I have been determined to enjoy the fall weather and the "entertaining" KY venues.

Last weekend, John and I went to the Maker's Mark distillery and to Boyd Orchards. It was a gorgeous day other than it being hot for a fall day in KY.

At the Maker's Mark Distillery, we had the chance to take a free tour of how they make and bottle the bourbon.

This is the process of Fermentation. John thought it would be fun to share this process...I hope you enjoy it.
Wasn't that fun?

John is standing in the room with all the bourbon doing its thing for three years.

After the tour we went to the gift shop to buy our own bottle and had the chance to dip it into the wax ourselves.

John is dipping his bottle in the wax now, my bottle is the one drying there on the table...I did the technique called the "Slam Dunk." (yes, there is technique.)

Now, besides the fact that I do not like bourbon, I was so excited to buy a bottle and dip it into the hot wax. Whoo HOO! It kind of reminded me of being at the Renaissance festival and dipping my hand in the wax.

Afterwards, we drove towards home and stopped at Boyd Orchards. It was about 81 degrees when we got there and it happened to be their Fall Festival. It was crowded and hot and I felt like a little kid who wanted to go home. We picked some apples for baking and eating and found our perfect pumpkin.

Go ahead John, take the Apple!
I think his back braking position is for dramatics.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. This weekend, we are headed to Cumberland Falls for some hiking with our puppy!

By the way- I made a fantastic pumpkin cheesecake with sour cream bourbon topping! I got it off of the Maker's Mark website. It was very yummy. I have no pictures only because I was so excited to eat it.

Diesel Update

This is for all of you who care about our sweet child...yes, our dog.


He loves comfort.







He loves to eat. Just kidding! He actually does not eat very much, but we went crazy with buying dog food so he thought he would enjoy some too. ;-)




HE loves to play with his friends!






Isn't this place gorgeous? This is the view from one of John's Attendings home! Must be nice.





And..he loves to make hideous faces when he is super excited.

I made it!

YEA! I Did IT! We woke up early this morning, ate breakfast, and headed out the door. After setting up my station, We walked to the pool and got ready for the swim.

The swim portion last year was my hardest, this year, it was my easiest. Last year, I biked every other day, this year, I did that with the swim. I am not sure of my individual times, but my overall time was 2 h and 11min. Last year, 2h and 10 min. At least I am consistent. I guess you can add a min for the added year older. :-)

It was a bit colder this year so when I got on the bike and rode a little, I began to notice that my toes were freezing! It is hard to bike with no feeling in your toes. It is also hard to run right after that! I had to walk a little more during the run than I wanted, but I did get a boost of energy around the 3rd mile. My friend Kathryn (who made me do this all over again this year...and I am thankful) cut 15 mins off her bike time! WOW- she placed 3rd in her division. Go Kathryn!

ME after the swim- all smiles.

Me after the bike...where is that smile now?

Miss Kathryn and I after the race.

Diesel Dog...who is still sleeping after 2 hours of being home. Apparently he was very popular at the race.

And of course, Susan B Cox of the Susan B Cox Triathlon. Who by the way told me she would see me at swim practice tomorrow. :-)

WISH ME LUCK!

Tomorrow, I will wake up around 5 am and head out to complete my second triathlon. I feel like I will finish, but not sure how I will compare with last year. My dad has driven up from Alabama and John will of course be there to cheer me on. And we could not forget the amazing super dog Diesel! It will be fairly chilly for the bike ride and nice for the run. I am a little anxious but also very excited! Let you know how it goes sometime after the race.

This is me setting up my area last year. Hopefully I will get the end spot again!

This is the pool that we swim in- most Tri's are open water like in a lake... thank goodness for walls to push off of!

Yes, I know I look cool!

And the final leg.. running. Last year a did an 8:43 mile... we shall see how it goes this year.