Stuffed.

 

    I just got back to Shenandoah after 3-weeks visiting my home-base in MN. After much $$$$ spent at the grocery store, I had a fully stocked kitchen again along with all the ingredients to cook. I decided to have some dear friends over and cook a meal. I thought I would make use of one of my healthy cook books...meal on the menu for the evening: Stuffed Peppers! (*I truly got the insight of how rewarding and nice a meal is that took time to cook from scratch...waiting makes the tummy fonder. Not to mention I hadn't eaten all day*).
    On the social side, it was so nice seeing these girls again, and it was a good quality time listening to music, talking, and cooking this meal. Super easy to make, and quite possibly one of the best tasting things I have ever made. The best thing too...no dipping sauce is needed, there is enough flavor in it. AND...it is healthy for you!

Stuffed Peppers

  **Take a chance and stuff your pepper today!

 Ingredients:

5 medium green peppers (how many you choose)

1 lb. white meet skinless ground turkey

2 cans stewed tomatoes

1/3 cup chopped onions

3/4 cup brown rice

2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 cup fat-free grated cheese

salt & pepper

 Putting It All Together 

 *Cut off tops of green pepper and clean and precook in boiling water for 5 minutes.

*Drain

*Cook rice until almost tender (20mintes)

*Brown turkey and onions in a no-stick pan.

*Add tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce...add salt & pepper to taste.

*Stir in rice and cover to let simmer until rice is almost tender (about 10 minutes). 

*Mix in cheese

*Stuff peppers and add cheese to the tops.

Stand peppers upright in 10 x 6 x 1 1/2 inch baking dish.

*Bake uncovered at 350 for about 45 mintes

*ENJOY*

*Freshly out of the oven...yummmm

*Seriously delicious!

...

I woke up this morning to my Leo curled up at the foot of my bed purring away...
   It was around 10:00 that I woke up (yes, yes I know). I did not go to church this morning, in fact, I haven't been to church in quite awhile...I think about going. I decided that I was going to get up and go to Caribou and read some passages from my bible. But the most difficult part was that, 'get.up'. I finally did it though, showered and made myself look presentable; I did a pretty good job too. I say this because I am going to a friend's Bridal shower this afternoon, hence the motivation to look presentable and not head out the door in neon colored sport shorts.
   May I add a side-note, when I arrived at Caribou I ordered a mug of coffee. I asked for 1/2 an inch room for cream (generously received an inch or +).  When I went back to have the barista 'top it off' he proceeded to hand the mug back to me afterwards with a, "tada". End side-note.



  I am going to try and finish Exodus before it is time for me to leave. I should have been reading it throughout the week....fail. With that said, I am going to open the pages of the Bible and enter the time where Moses walked. My silent prayer to myself is to not become to focused on reading the words, but not to look and try and find a hidden message. I want to read....be read to.

Breathe in and out until the gasping becomes breathing.

   

    It is almost impossible to think that some very important people and everyday things in my life were non-existent a year ago...I guess I never realized how prominent someone/thing is in my life, until the recollection of it not being there is unfathomable. I guess that is why we have to be cautious to what we bring into our lives and what we let stay in our lives...before we know it, it becomes a part of us; and we should hope it's a good part.

When you find your mind drifting away...catch it! And bring it back  to the beauty to what is around you...the beauty of what is real.

Breath in. Breath out. Repeat.

Long Post...Short Message

OH.MY...

   I think about what I wrote in my last post, and it is so true. (The people I have come to consider my frimaly are down-to earth good loving people. I can't believe them never not being in my life). It became tangible when I came home to Apple Valley to visit for a few weeks. I have been here for 2 weeks and head back to Shenandoah on the 18th. (I'll rewind to what I was thinking on the 6-hour drive home) The idea of going 'home' for a few weeks in the summer was wonderful. I would get to see friends I hadn't seen in a while, be home, see my parents, have extended leisure time at caribou, and visit Target multiple times a day if I wanted to. Being home has been great, I even got to spend a week at my cabin in Ely with my family and cousins. Over the past week that I have been home I have been able to do a lot of catching up with friends and live the every-day life of a 'local' in Apple Valley.

   However, what I have slowly begin to realize, is that I am just a visitor...that was actually hard to acknowledge. I have been gone for a year, and everyone around me is in their 'life' doing what the do everyday. Not that I am not, but I am, essentially, taking a 'break' from my everyday life and visiting. Also, I technically haven't 'lived' in Apple Valley for 6 years, because I was at school for the past 5. So while being home I have memories of high school or of college, not really of what is going on now...I am somewhat of an outsider. I say all this (confusing as it may be) because for the first time I find myself thinking about my life in Shenandoah, and that is something I am going back to, and 3-weeks is in fact a long time to be away. Crazy to think that a year ago I had no life in Shenandoah, and today I am thinking about going back and how I have 'baby roots' there. 

   I am not ready to leave Shenandoah, and move back to MN. (Crazy that I ever though t I would say that. Just a few months ago I was crying and wanting to move back...) Shenandoah has become a part of my life, and right now it is where my life is to be. I am not sure when or if there will be a day that Shenandoah will become a place that I go back and visit....remembering of a time when it was my home and my life. 

  Minnesota will always be home-base for me, a place where I know that I am welcomed and loved no matter what. Something I am going to try doing a lot more is being aware, awake, and alive to my surroundings and the life I have been given in the here and now. Not fantasizing or entertaining thoughts of what could be, might be, or what never will be. I have a pretty blessed life and it's about time I start being genuine about it. 

  

   

  WOW! I have not been on here since last fall...when my journey to Shenandoah was just beginning. My last post was back in August! The purpose of this blog was to blog about my life in a new state, town, and new chapter of my life. Although I did not (obviously) stay on top of that on this blog, I have had no problem keeping my dear ones up to date via Facebook or phone conversations. I actually find it interesting to read how I felt last summer, to how I feel now...almost 1 year later.
  But seriously...I CAN"T BELIEVE IT HAS ALMOST BEEN A YEAR SINCE I MOVED! I read my posts from last August and smile with bittersweetness. I was so unsure of what this new adventure would bring me...but I was okay with it. So much has happened in this past year...but honestly, it feels normal; it's my life and I can't imagine it not happening. So instead of me relinquishing the past year (that would be a mouthful) I am going to dedicate this post to things I didn't expect happening, but happened and things that I can't imagine never not happening.
  
Some things I did not know last June...
  

• living on your 'own' in college with 4 roomies is different from living alone out of college
•  I had no concept of what South-West Iowa was like
•  being responsible for the well being of 16 kiddos is so much more than a 8-4 job 
• Teaching as a reality has forever changed me
• what it truly meant to be self-sufficient 
• everybody and everyone would be interested and have knowledge of me
• farmers don't (always) throw the seeds to the wind and see where they land
• "think before you speak" is Truth
• I definitely didn't know what it would feel like to not be able to hop in my car, pick up a Starbucks and go home to see my parents for the afternoon.
• the term, 'out of sight out of mind' is a lie
• I would meet such incredible people
• The friend's I have made (& kept) will be apart of my life forever
• I would actually adapt easily to the lifestyle of South-West, Iowa

contrary to popular belief, South-West Iowa is nothing like the rest of Iowa. It is beautifully full of rolling hills, countryside bluffs, and perfectly farmed fields of corn and alfalfa. :)

                                            -Carissa Christine


After reflecting on some things (not all, by far) that I did not know last June...there are many things that I know now that have always seemed to be a part of me...I had only to discover.

Southern Hospitality

    "If you would like to help a child or family in need, then bring an article of clothing to the Giving Tree to help someone in need during these harsh winter months". The Principal would echo throughout the school over the intercom. I think I gave to the Giving Tree a few times in my Primary school years. Honestly, I don't really think I gave it much thought when I was in high school.  However, the Giving Tree seemed to be more and more decorated with each passing day. Bottom line, people care and people give. The people of Shenandoah have been so welcoming and generous, it leaves me speechless.

(Imagine that!)

   On Thursday, I, along with other new staff had an all day in-service. This consisted of going over the master contract, curriculum, information, meetings, tours, anything and everything concerning the school district. We were then taken out to lunch with some members of the SEA (Shenandoah Educators Association...the Union). To be honest, I am not sure how I feel about Unions (pick your jaw up from the floor please) buuut they took us to Godfather's Pizza.

   A few slices of pizza and much information later, they rolled out 9 coolers on wheels! The President of the SEA informed us the coolers (from 1st National Bank) were filled with donations from businesses in Shenandoah. 

   This, my blogger friends, is where I make a connection to the Giving Tree concept; helping out people who may be in need. The Vice President put it perfectly, "Young new teachers, in here you will find gift cards to local restaurants and the grocery store...you will be able to sustain yourselves as you await your first paycheck." I am still speechless because we recieved so much! Gift cards to HyVee, Walmart, Pizza Hut, Fareway, Godfather's, T-shirt stores, Furniture shops, Cafe's, etc. Truly amazed and thankful I am. LOVE!!!

 (Picture coming soon)

   In all seriousness, I cannot express how thankful I am to all the businesses in Shenandoah who donated to us new teachers; their kindness is amazing. All I can do is continue to walk around with a smile, do my best with the whole teaching thing :), and say a grateful "Thank you" when I hand over my coupon or gift card at the local establishments.   Shenandoah.you.rock.


Let us give so others can receive.

Luke 3:11 And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.”

blood, sweat, & corn

I am officially moved in (minus the oodle amount of plastic containers in my storage room). I could not have made this transition into my lovely apartment without the help and support of my amazing family (shout-outs you know who you are). Here is a brief recap of the past 3 days: We arrived to Shenandoah on Tuesday afternoon. Pulled right up to the front door of my apartment (which is located above a shop on main street). Yes, that means many steps to go up, a roaring 20 to the top! With a nice rally line of people, we hauled my loved posessions (treasure not trash..y) up into MY place. It was the HOTTEST day ever might I add. We literally had to be careful to not get a heat stroke! On Wednesday more reinforcement came to help haul in the mega-heavy items.

Fast forward to this evening (Friday), My place is finally looking like someone not only lives in it, but a delightful 23 year old left handed lady at that. ;) My mom is staying a few extra days with me to really help get me on my feet and organized (Lord knows I need help with that). I will be spending my first night tomorrow alone...just Leo and myself.

I have a bunch of emotions running rampid as of late. There are many things I am unsure of and uneasy about currently; though I know this is to come with moving to a brand new place. But I do know that I am in the right place, it seems to fit, and I have a form of peace about it all.

Delight Fact: 4 shops down on the corner form my place is a local bakery. A large coffee is only 75 cents!

**I will update the status on my classroom on my next post. I have realized with the way I type and the effort it takes me to not put EVERYTHING on here has caused me to break up and choose what and when I post.