Thirty Before 30: #26

#26: Volunteer in a political election.

Okay, so here's the deal. Back in college I interned for a Congresswoman and got PLENTY of time volunteering for her election. Then, in the last presidential election I made calls for McCain/Palin. So, I don't feel bad I didn't technically volunteer in this campaign. I did sign up to make calls, but when we got on election night we were a little too late and they'd stopped making calls. I did however, put a sticker on my car and wear a pin all day showing my Romney/Ryan support. We did also go to the watch party and that was a lot of fun. I met two young ladies in high school who'd been very active in the campaign. I was so impressed by them! They not only worked hard in the campaign, they knew why they were voting the way they were. They knew facts, history and kept up with what was going on in the world. I now follow them on Twitter and just because the election has stopped, they sure haven't! They continue to follow the news and speak up for things they believe in. WOW! I hope they represent the future of America, instead of the usual "I just believe this because my teachers/society/friends tell me to" attitude. Here's a few pics of us on election night:

 

I normally do not get on my political soap box, but I know most of you who read this already know my political affiliation. Yes, I was extremely disappointed in the outcome of this election. I pray God will bless this country not because it deserves it (because as a whole it turned its back on Him a long time ago) but because there are so many of us who still believe in the foundations that this country was created on and have a true love of God and want to put His glory first. God bless America, and even more so America, bless God!

Thirty Before 30: #21

#21: Learn to successfully play tennis.

 

Yesterday was unseasonably warm. The high was 70, but at one point C's car thermometer said 86. So, what better way to spend the afternoon than by playing tennis? The hubby has taught me before, but it's been awhile. I remembered how to play (mostly) but I have trouble scoring. I think I've got it now. We had a great time. 

 



 My ADORABLE coach!

 

Here's the list again, with what I've accomplished so far crossed off. 

 

1: Meet Dave Brown (local weatherman, there is a story behind this I will explain after I accomplish this)

2: Learn a song on the guitar (still working on this!)

3: Take ballroom dance lessons

4: Decide what I want to do with my life (still working on this, too!)

 

5: Be actively involved in a charity

6: Try a new food that is something so bizarre it will make people go WHAT?!

7: Do at least one touristy thing in Memphis I've never done

8: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (only a few weeks more!)

9: Write a letter to the editor

10: Ice skate at Rockefeller Center (same as Macy's)

11: Make a gourmet meal

12: Go to Graceland 2 (happening soon!)

13: Paint a picture

14: Floss regularly accomplished Sept.

15: Regular work-out schedule (work in progress)

16: Play a team sport started playing on a kickball team the beginning of September

17: Put $30 on black.

18: Watch the sunrise

19: kiss my husband in the rain (like in The Notebook)

20: Learn to can like my mama

21: Successfully learn to play tennis

22: Drive a bad @$$ car

23: Be able to fit into designer jeans I got for a steal! (work in progress)

24: Go without make-up

25: Ride my bike to work

26: Volunteer in political election (happening Tuesday!)

27: Learn to drive a stick

28: Get my handgun carry permit

29: Celebrate my birthday in style!

30: Think of all the wonderful blessings God's given me in the first 30 years and wait in anticipation for all the wonderful blessings to come!

Halloween Traditions

So, this year I decided to start a few Halloween traditions. We already carve pumpkins. So this year I decided to add to that. Sadly, we don't get any trick-or-treaters. Sigh.


Anyway, my friend Casey makes dinner in a pumpkin. I thought that would be a perfect tradition to start. Something C and I can enjoy and then eventually kids. So, she sent me the recipe this morning. It's ground beef, rice, soy sauce and other things (obviously). Yesterday I had sushi for lunch and chicken fried rice for dinner. I couldn't do soy sauce and rice again. Shoot. What was I going to do? I REALLY wanted to make dinner in a pumpkin! So I started Googling and found variations of Casey's recipe (which I do want to make) and then I found a recipe for macaroni and cheese in a pumpkin. SOLD!!! It turned out really good. It is extremely rich, but oh so delicious.


Why wouldn't you eat this on fine china?
And yes, we are drinking beer out of our crystal.

Macaroni and Cheese In a Pumpkin
1 large pie pumpkin or 4 smaller pie pumpkins

Cut the top off the pumpkins (a good size to get inside it) and scoop out the centers as you would for carving. You will want to scrape into the sides a bit to bring a little pumpkin flavor into the mac and cheese. Remove all the raw pumpkin you scraped, and the stringy insides.

4 links mild Italian sausage (or 1 pound other meat)
4 Tablespoons Butter
1 T flour
1 cup half and half
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
2 cups uncooked pasta
1/2 cup panko crumbs

In a small fry pan saute the Italian sausage. Cook thoroughly and slice when links have cooled slightly.

In a medium saucepan on medium heat, melt the butter and add the flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until the flour is dissolved and slowly add the milk and cream, stirring as you add. Cook for about 5 minutes as the mixture begins to boil and thicken slightly. Stir regularly and you will see the mixture coat your spoon. Remove from heat and add Worcestershire and hot sauce if using. Slowly mix in the cheeses and stir well. Set aside the cheese mixture while the pasta boils.

The pasta is best cooked al dente if you plan on baking in the pumpkin. Drain the pasta and add to the cheese sauce. Add the cooked meat. Stir well and put into either a large pumpkin or smaller individual pumpkins, sprinkle with panko. If opting not to use a pumpkin, the pasta can be served right now. It can also be placed in a shallow dish and topped with panko crumbs and baked. Place the pumpkins on a sturdy baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes for small pumpkins and 30 for a large pumpkin. Uncover and bake for about 5-10 minutes more to crisp the panko. Remove from oven and plate carefully. Put the lid on the plate for presentation! Store any leftovers in a separate container and not in the pumpkin.

And then the other tradition (of course!) we had to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" I love this movie. How can you not?