♫ Summertime...

...and the livin' is easy. ♫


The livin' wasn't easy this week...which served as a reminder that summertime isn't here quite yet (as if the weather hadn't already made that clear).  It wasn't a bad week - just very busy.  


The bulk of my days were spent giving presentations about the student opportunities available through Arts Incorporated.  It's been interesting to see the different reactions of the various demographics found at the middle and high schools I've visited.  I'll be doing more of these this coming week - wohoo!


I've also been able to attend some graduation parties this week.  I love celebratory gatherings (weddings, graduations, showers, etc.).  They provide such a great opportunity to see lots of long-lost friends (and not-lost friends) and have good conversation...usually while eating good food.


Since you all are so good at following directions, I have enough material to write about for probably five more years...not!  I'm giving you another chance to give you input, ask questions, etc.  If I don't hear from you, I'll assume you don't really care what I write about and/or you aren't really reading what I've been writing.


I'll leave you with a short list of things I'm looking forward to this summer:
-a trip to Florida with some girlfriends!
-swimming outside/laying by the pool
-triannual family trip with my home church to Estes Park, CO
-sweet corn
-flip-flops
-tomatoes (esp. cherry ones)


Have a good one,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:

figuring out how to create these: ♫

fellowship with people from Bible study

feeling like a college student again when making these at midnight:

S'mores Bars

12 (5x2 1/2 ?inch) graham crackers

¾ cup butter

¾ cup brown sugar

3 cups miniature marshmallows

4 milk chocolate candy bars, broken into pieces

Heat oven to 350F. Line 15x10x1 inch jelly-roll pan with aluminum foil leaving a 1-inch overhang on ends; spray foil with cooking spray. Place graham crackers onto foil so that sides touch.

I clicked my heels three times, and...

Hello, all!

I hope you are having a wonderful day!  It's soooo beautiful here!  Don't worry - I've been out to enjoy it.  Charlie and I just came in from a "walk."  Then, we played fetch.  Now, this is what he's doing:

Also, thought I'd share this picture from last night:

Anyway, I want to tell you about my weekend last weekend:
I went back home to hang out with my parents and brother (and BFF) for a little bit, then went to visit some relatives near Kansas City.  Being at home was great!  Went to my brother's favorite thrift store, played the newly refurbished (don't know if that's the right word...seems like an understatement) player piano (thanks, Dad!), and just hung out.  I also got to meet this little guy:

I'd really like to share more about my time spent with some great relatives near KC!  Here are some of the things we did:

• cooked Thai food (links to recipes similar to the ones we used: shrimp spring rolls, thai salad with cucumber and jicama, and chicken pad thai)  Jicama is on sale at HyVee right now, btw.
• chatted...a lot  : )
• visited various ethic markets and specialty cooking shops (including The Tasteful Olive - who knew sampling various olive oils and balsamic vinegars could be so fun/delicious/intriguing!  I was gifted a sampler pack and am so excited to put them to use!)
• cooked Ethiopian food - a first for me...and it was sooooo yummy!  (links to recipes similar to the ones we used: doro wat and atakilt wat - both served with injera from The Blue Nile Cafe)
• ate at Chick-fil-a (per my request - yummmm)
• took a yoga class (may have inspired me to join a gym...)
• went to The Chocolate Store - yep, it's as perfect as you think...they have samples!

Those are the highlights.  It was also nice to just hang out and spend quality time together!  Also - I borrowed something to maximize my time in the car from another awesome relative: Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University CD series.  Most of what I've listened to so far is just affirming things I already know/do, but it's very enjoyable to listen to!  I've found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions.  I'd recommend it, even if you don't think you need "financial peace"...or already have it.  :-)


I'll leave it at that.  Thanks for reading!


Until next time,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:

sunshine and warm weather

trees budding and flowers blooming!

Nutella

music

"There she is..."

If you’re like me and live life sort-of like a musical, you just sang the Miss America theme song in your head at the mere mention of “There she is…”  And if you’re not like me, at least that gives you a hint as to why I titled the post as such. 

Last weekend, my boss at Harris Music Studio had the privilege of hosting Miss America, Teresa Scanlan, during part of her time in Lincoln.  For those of you who don’t know, Teresa was Miss Nebraska before winning the Miss America competition.  She’s 17 - the youngest Miss Nebraska ever and the youngest Miss America in 70+ years.  She had a tiny bit of downtime while she was here, so was kind enough to sign some autographs at the studio!  Since we didn’t know how many people would show up, a few teachers, including myself, volunteered to help with this event.  My job was to write down people’s names and anything they wanted Teresa to sign to them with her autograph.  Since she was in a different room down the hallway from where I was standing, there were a few kids who just brought their autograph books/papers up for me to sign, thinking I was Miss America.  haha! 

Also, since some of the kiddos had no idea what they wanted her to say, I was left to suggest some inspirational anecdotes (dream big, always be yourself, music is awesome, etc.).  At one point, I jokingly quoted Justin Beiber’s new song and suggested, “Never say never.”  Of course, this idea spread like wildfire and rekindled everyone’s Bieber fever.  I hope Miss America wasn’t offended – it may have seemed as though a good percentage of the kids wished they were at a JB concert.

Of course, I also got a signed photo and a picture with her!  What a great young lady representing our country in this way!

By the way, I just made these granola bars:

2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal

1 cup chopped walnuts (I used cashews)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup honey

3 TBSP light brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed

1 cup puffed brown rice cereal

3/4 cup raisins (I used all cranberries.)

3/4 cup dried cranberries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13×9″ baking pan with foil and coat well with nonstick cooking spray.

Toss the oatmeal and walnuts on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the coconut, puffed rice, and dried fruit.

Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Bake for 20 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.

They’re still cooling, so I haven’t tried them, yet, but they sure smell yummy!  I found the recipe on a food blog (which you should check out! Click here), and it was adapted from Ina Garten (of the Barefoot Contessa)’s original recipe, which I’d happened to see her make on her show recently.  Her recipe can be found here. 

Mmmk – I’m off to practice the French horn.  I won’t tell you why, yet.  You’ll find out soon enough!  : )

Enjoy the sunshine!

-Kensy

Favorites of the day:

nearly 25% in savings on my grocery bill yesterday (thanks to coupons and in-store sales!)

Pillsbury cinnamon rolls

Charlie's Latest Obsession...and other short stories

Hello, hello!  Hope your week is going well - mine is!

Just a few things to share:

First of all, I made this for supper tonight, and it was delicious!

The recipe can be found here.

Secondly, I have a quick story from subbing yesterday:

The jr.-high girl who asked me if I had a boyfriend last time I was there asked yesterday, "Has your knight in shining armor found you, yet?"  I laughed and said, "No, but it's ok."  She exclaimed, "What?!  No, it's not!  What's wrong with the guys you meet?  Seriously...(exasperated sigh)"  I have to say it boosted my self-esteem a bit (and put a smile on my face), even coming from a sweet seventh-grade girl.  : )

Additionally (thank you, 16 years of school, for teaching me how/when to use transitions), I have some Charlie-isms to share.  I feel like a crazy cat lady/helicopter parent, but I also know that many of you enjoy hearing about/seeing my little one.  Those of you who don't can just stop reading right now.  : ) 

As I was rearranging some craft supplies, Charlie decided one of my drawers should be dedicated to him.  I let him stay for a little bit, but in the end, I needed the drawer for other things. I promised him the next box that comes to the coop.

Here is a series of "playing in the sink" pictures.  It's still one of his favorite things to do.  I'm convinced he doesn't drink out of his designated water dish, so he can save his thirst for the faucet.

Finally, Charlie's latest obsession.  I don't know if I should really share this, but I'm going to, anyway:

So, the drain cover on our shower comes off pretty easily...as in, Charlie has discovered he can take it off all by himself.  He has also discovered the fascinating abyss of the drainpipe.  After he pulled out the human hair ball (not pictured), he is content to stick his paw down as far as he can and clean all the other gunk off the sides of the pipe.  I assume he's trying to help me out with the cleaning, but he hasn't quite figured out how to finish the job.  Instead, he leaves all the residue he finds on the floor of the shower.

This is how I found him...peering down the drain. 

See what I mean about the lack of follow-through?

Now that I've filled you in on one of the dirty little secrets of the coop (pun intended), feel free to share any of the gross/dusty/sticky/stinky discoveries at your house!  You all have hair balls and other gunk in your drains - you just don't have a curious kitty to bring them to the surface.  No judging allowed.  : )

As usual, thanks for reading!

TTFN - ta ta for now,

-Kensy

Favorites of the day:

having an evening at home

Lacey's cookies (find them at your nearest Trader Joe's - also a favorite)

Long time, no write!

Holy cow!  I just realized it’s been almost 2 weeks since my last post.  I’m so sorry for being such a slacker…I really don’t know where the time has gone!

Things have been pretty status quo here, except for the weather.  Many of you are probably aware of this, but those of you not in Lincoln should know that last week we had 70-degree weather, wore skirts and flip-flops, and played outside without jackets.  A couple days ago, however, we had a blizzard…literally…and not the kind from DQ.  It took me over an hour to get home the other night (which is more than twice as long as usual).  Praise the Lord for safe travels…and for the hope of spring!

Last weekend, my best friend from home came to visit (and meet Charlie for the first time)!  We had a great weekend of quality time, good food, long chats, and lots of fun!  For one of our breakfasts, we made my favorite oatmeal pancakes.  Here is the recipe (you should really try them!):

2 c. milk

1 ½ c. instant oatmeal, uncooked

1 c. flour

2 ½ T. sugar

2 ½ tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs

½ c. oil

Pour milk over oatmeal and set aside for 5 minutes.  Sift dry ingredients and stir them into the oatmeal.  Beat in the eggs and oil.  Drop onto a hot greased griddle, and cook until bubbles cover the surface.  Turn and cook the other side until golden brown.

Charlie’s doing great!  Ornery as ever, but we love him.  : )  Here he is in the process of chewing through the string on his scratching post ball (he succeeded, and there is no longer a fun ball hanging from the post):

I have some challenges for you for the week:

-find joy in the little things, and share that joy with those around you

-call/write/e-mail someone who’s been on your mind lately (sounds cliché, but really…do it this time)

-share this blog with someone you think may enjoy reading (you could share one of the more interesting posts, if you want)

I'd love to hear about the outcome of any of these!  Feel free to share in a comment (anonymously or otherwise)!

That’s all for now!  Hope you have a lovely rest of the weekend and thanks for reading!

Love,

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

hand-me-down stamping and craft supplies

game nights (we played through the entire deck of Taboo cards last night!)

being comfortable driving on these crazy snow-packed/icy roads

Subbing Stories

Whew!  That week sure flew by, even though it was the first full one we've had in awhile (those of us in the education world, at least...or maybe just me?  haha).


Anyway, it was a good one here - hope yours was fantastic, as well!


I got to sub for three different teachers/classrooms this week, and they were all music classes - hooray!  Thought I'd share a few things from these experiences:

• "Are we discouraging you from being a teacher?" -high school choir kids  (Of course, I said "No!")
• Jr. High lunch room duty: nothing about jr. high has changed...drama, drama, DRAMA!!!  Yikes...
• A jr. high girl who I student taught last year came into the room where I was supervising a study hall to ask me a question.  There were other students around, so she decided to write down the question.  It was, "Do you have a boyfriend?"  I answered out loud with a "Not right now," to which she replied, "What?!  But you're so pretty!" I laughed and said, "Well, thanks.  If you know someone you think I should meet, you can let him know."  She said, "Yeah - I'll tell him I know this really awesome girl who's awesome at the trumpet.  If you're interested in that, you should be interested in her!"  I made sure to tell her, "It would be ok if he were interested in other things, too."  

: )  Getting back in the classroom on occasion is such a blessing.  It's especially nice when I get to be surrounded by such great kiddos (and staff)!

Also - I don't think I've shared about this, yet (forgive me if I have):
As of the beginning of this semester, I have an adult beginning trumpet student at the studio (Harris Music Studio)!  We meet once a week, and it's been soooo fun to teach someone who is excited, self-motivated, eager to learn, and who understands concepts younger beginners can't.  Don't get me wrong - I love teaching the younger ones, but it has just been a great (and new!) experience to teach someone older.


Sorry if you're not a music or education person and were bored by this post.  Your day will come!    (If anyone ever has any requests for posts or topics of discussion, be sure to let me know!)


Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
-Kens

Favorites of the day:

the 9-yr.-old trumpet prodigy whose solo I'm accompanying (She's amazing!)

Date Delights (a.k.a. Date Balls) - here's my mom's recipe:

1 c. sugar

1 egg

1/2 c. margarine/butter

3/4 c. chopped dates

3/4 c. chopped pecans

Combine and bring to a boil.  Cook 5 min.  Remove from heat and stir in 2 c. Rice Krispies.  Cool slightly.  With buttered hands, roll in 1-in. balls and roll in powdered sugar.

Yields 4 dozen

Gooey Bars

I had a little bit of an epiphany about my passion for grocery shopping:

My family almost always ran errands on Sundays after church.  Our first stop was usually Sam’s Club, where we pretty much had a lunch of samples.  We had fun trying to make mom deter from her list – haha!  It was also a ritual to go through the Sunday ads and find coupons, etc.  These are such fond memories – perhaps I’m subconsciously trying to recreate them in my own grocery excursions.  : )

Ok – as promised, the recipe.  I think this was originally my grandma’s (on my dad’s side) recipe, but my mom makes them enough that I may end up attributing it to her.  Either way, they’re delish!  Even my cream-cheese-disliking brother likes them (and he even knows what’s in them!):

Gooey Bars

1 box yellow cake mix

½ c. butter

1 egg

Mix together and press into a greased 9x13 pan.

1 8-oz. package cream cheese

2 eggs

3 ½ c. powdered sugar

Blend together and spread over cake mixture.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Hope you enjoy them if you try them - let me know!

Peace,

Kensy

P.S.  I’ve decided to wait on the detox thing.  I WILL do it, eventually, but after seeing the grocery list and my schedule for the week, I’m going to hold off till I have a little more flexibility (and money for all those healthy foods).