The Hunger Games- Revisited

http://hungergamesina.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/hunger-games.jpg

John and I finally saw the Hunger Games movie and he was definitely as disturbed with the story line as I was when I read it. Since I already reviewed it I won't delve into all my thoughts. But one thought that came to mind deals more with the reality tv side of things. As a fan of reality tv I am the first to admit that it can be very easy to forget that the people on the other side of the screen aren't just characters. They are real people. And secondly it can be easy to forget that ultimately it's all about money. They need drama to make people keep watching, even if that drama is not in fact "reality." All that to say that reality tv should be taken with a grain of salt. It reminds me that everything is not real and to not judge all these people because odds are that we are not getting the full story regardless.

Some Early Halloween Fun

Farmer John and I

Went to my cousin's house for a 2 year olds birthday party/ Halloween party. We had fun dressing up, though I know John had so much more fun than me and laughed the entire night at me in the cow costume.  But I stayed warm and had fun. We played a few games and had a few treats and it was just fun to dress up. Who doesn't like dressing up now and again?

The Mummy Game

The Cat in the Hat turns 2

Verse of the Week: Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16 (ESV)

New Look

As you may have noticed our blog has a new look. We are going for a more sleek, modern feel and I am just experimenting with a few things, so if it changes again in a few weeks, just bear with me.

Spunky Dunkers Day

 Every Friday at work is donut day. We used to get Dunkin Donuts and then one day everything changed. One Friday the donuts looked different. They were in a box labeled Spunky Dunkers. They were good! And so began a marvelous new tradition that I have labeled Spunky Dunkers Day.

The even better news is that Spunky Dunkers is nearby and John and I went there and were able to buy a box of day old donuts for $4. The only thing better than a box of delicious donuts is a box of delicious donuts at a sweet price!

They have two locations that I know of: In Palatine and Arlington Heights. So if you live nearby and haven't been you should definitely check them out!

Caramel Apple Candy Corn Rocks!

Just had to give a shout out to this amazingly delicious candy corn. It's Brach's Caramel Apple and it's addicting. Don't you want to go try it now?

Pumpkin Farm Fun

John and I decided to have a fall outing to a local pumpkin farm.

We didn't buy a pumpkin but we did walk around and enjoy the fields of pumpkins.

We even had a pumpkin donut and some apple cider. It was just a reminder to me of how amazing creation is. Pumpkins are odd looking.

They come in so many shapes and sizes and varieties and just look funny.

They are so unique.

I just love all the many facets of creation.

What a creative God we have!

Sleep Aid Works!

I got a good deal on this product and have had it in my cabinet for a while. Why I did not think of taking it Friday night when I was up the entire night because I just couldn't sleep is beyond me. However, after being up all night I knew that I needed to sleep on Saturday night, so I went to my cabinet and took a swig. It worked great and I got a much better night sleep. So if you are looking for a product that works to help you sleep this one will do it. I would never recommend taking a sleep aid often but for those once in a while times....it should do the trick! Thank you ZzzQuil!

Freezer Cooking Session

One of these days I am going to do a really big freezer cooking session, but for now I am trying it out as I can a little bit at a time. I actually had a Saturday this week that I had time and didn't have to cook dinner so I went at it.

I made two dinners: creamy mushroom soup and cajun cabbage rice. I am not so great at this remembering to take pictures as I go thing, but hopefully I will get better the more I blog. So I have no pictures of the process but I do have a picture of my freezer after the fact. It's pretty full. Especially since I also made a dozen lunch burritos and already had mashed potatoes, chorizo and waffles in the freezer. Not to worry though, we will be eating all that food in the next few weeks so I can make room to do it all again.

 At least with summer being officially over I don't have to store the ice cream tub in the freezer. I suppose that's one good thing about cooler weather...that and hot tea. But that deserves another post all it's own.

The Week of the Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti Squash Gratin
photo courtesy of Everyday Food

This past week we had spaghetti squash for dinner. Spaghetti squash gratin - monday & tuesday. Spaghetti squash spaghetti - wed & thursday. I'm just happy we liked it because I decided to go all out. I have maybe eaten spaghetti squash once before and never cooked it before, but as I am trying to not be afraid of any foods in the kitchen this looked like one I thought I would like to try my hand at.

Our favorite produce store, Valli Produce, had the spaghetti squash on sale for .29/lb. So I bought two which cost me just about $2. Not bad. I followed instructions from Everyday Food to roast the squash in the oven and then proceeded to scrape all the stringy squash out into a giant bowl. I read that you could keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days, so I made it all on a Sunday night and then cooked 1/2 Monday and 1/2 Wednesday. That worked out wonderfully.

So the first recipe was the Spaghetti Squash Gratin
It was yummy, but the squash still tasted a little too sweet for my liking. I'm not  a big squash person per say. I did like the sauce though and may try to make it again with rice or pasta.

Second meal was not really a recipe at all, and I forgot to take a picture but it was just spaghetti squash mixed with spaghetti sauce and spices. That I really liked. It had almost a creamy texture and was not sweet at all. I would definitely eat that again.

The verdict is in and spaghetti squash, when in season, on sale, will become a part of the rotation. Definitely a success!

Weak Vessels

The Francis Chan talk was super convicting and yet assuring because God was re-affirming some things I've been struggling with and He gave me confirmation and answers to some of my recent prayers. I'm sure there will be much more to come on some of those thoughts as time goes on.

But one thing I took away was a reminder of how weak I feel. I feel like that picture of broken pottery. I am a weak vessel. I have chips, cracks and deem myself unfit for any real service.

The problem is, it's not my call. I can't shelve myself. I am just the vessel. If God wants to "shelve" me that's his call. But if He wants to use me, weak and broken as I am, who am I to say no. I do, but I shouldn't. I am the one who says, "But God, look at that other vessel. They are shiny and new and much better fit for service than I am.  I will break, I will spill, haven't you seen me?"

But that's the whole point. What good would it be if God chose the best and most qualified people for his kingdom or kingdom work. That would just show that you have to be something in this world in order for God to notice you. That gives man all the glory. Instead "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of this world to shame the strong."1 Corinthians 1:27 God picks who he uses, the weak, the ordinary, and then God gets all the glory. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7

This is comforting and wonderful news that God can use me if I let Him. That I don't have to "be" somebody to enter his kingdom. But it's still hard, because I still feel so inadequate. I really need to trust that God will be my strength in weakness and will supply me with everything I need to do the work He has called me to. I feel a little rusty, but maybe a little use is all I need.

SPAM: Not an Enemy

Since the first time I met my friend Sara, who happens to live where the Spam Museum is located, along with the Hormel plant I knew I wanted to visit one day. Well that day has come and gone and I was able to visit. And I enjoyed it.

The Wall of Spam

The museum was a look at not just spam but George Hormel and the history of his life and really how he transformed the packaged food industry. It was very informative and fun as well. There were no free samples but we did pick up some Spam to take home with us and then last week cooked it up with some mac and cheese. Yummy!

So I have to say, after my visit, I feel well informed and and not so scared of Spam anymore. Not that I will be consuming it on a regular basis, but it's good to know what it is and how it is made. And any time I think of Spam I think of Sara and Monty Python. Not only do they have a hit broadway show that I love called SPAMALOT, but they also have a skit about Spam that is showcased at the Spam museum and which I have linked for you here. Enjoy and give it a chance!

MONTY PYTHON SPAM SKIT

What Constitutes a Bible?

I was recently looking through the magazine of a Christian bookstore and I was taken aback by all the varieties of "Bibles." I put that in quotation marks because I am not so sure that all that was in that section should be labeled as such. There were 3 page spreads of "Bibles." Yes, I am sure the content of the bible was all there, but so much additional stuff was there too. Here is list of some of the titles:

1. Spiritual Warfare Bible

2. The Story

3. Every Man's Bible

4. The Way

5. Gaither Homecoming Bible

6. Everyday Matters Bible for Women

7. The Voice Bible

8. The Message//Remix: The Bible in Contemporary Language

9. The Quickview Bible

10. The Books of the Bible

11. Life Journey Bible

12. Game Plan for Life Bible

13. Heaven's Holy Bible

14. Boys Bible

15. Faithgirlz! Bible

16. Adventure Bible

17. Shiny Sequin Bible

18. Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens

19. Revolution: The Bible for Teen Guys

20. True Images: The Bible for Teen Girls

I did not include the various Study bibles or versions of the bible. These are 20 titles in various versions with titles and descriptions that make me wonder if we aren't a little off our rockers. Don't get me wrong. The Bible is a great book and I wish everyone owned one and read it. But let's not confuse what the Bible is and what it's purpose is. 

The Bible is the Word of God. "All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17. From this verse and many others I am definitely under the impression and belief that God's Word alone is sufficient for all things. 

Don't get me wrong, teaching has it's place. I love reading devotionals and books that better help me understand the bible. I love hearing sermons that dig deeper into scriptures and teach me the background that I just don't know. However, devotionals and sermons and songs and thoughts by man do not belong inside a book labeled a Bible. To me, that is like saying that God's word simply isn't enough. "The bible is not sufficient for giving instructions on spiritual warfare. Men and women need a different version as do teen girls and boys, and lets not forget about changing the words and interpretation to reach a wider audience." It's kind of scary.

I don't believe the Bible is a book that needs to be "marketed." It stands on it's own and will always be a best seller even if it looked as boring and plain as a piece of bread. It's not the cover or the "extras" that drive people to buy this book. It is the Living Words. Let us not confused God's Word with man's words. 

If you have one of these bibles, no worries. I have had many different varieties growing up as well. I'm not saying it's wrong to have one. I am more concerned about the companies churning them out for profit. I am also just saying to be wary of placing importance upon contents of a book labeled a Bible. Make sure you are getting what you paid for!

Minnesota Top Ten

1. We ate some really good food. Our first meal of the trip was at a Norwegian restaurant, Norske Nook. John got a big Lefse wrap (kinda like their version of a tortilla) and I had potato pancakes. All was good but we had to save some room for their award winning pies. We got two: peach raspberry and pineapple coconut. We couldn't finish them, but did enjoy every single bite! I want to go back.

2. The Mall of America. 4 floors of endless stores. We found some really unique items and in general had a really good time. We were definitely worn out though by the time our shopping day ended. 7 hours of shopping will do that to you.

3. Our hotel. I love priceline! We nabbed a beautiful hotel, Park Plaza,  a few miles from the mall which had a free shuttle to the mall and airport (both of which have light rail stops). This became very helpful the day we went downtown. It was a classy place and we enjoyed our King size bed and the pool and hottub. And this was all for about $53/night. Seriously, priceline is amazing! Thank you Camfel for teaching me the wonders of this website!

4.  Sebastian Joes Ice Cream: John and I tried combo cups. He got apple crisp/pumpkin. I got salted caramel/swiss almond. It was a little hike to get there from downtown, but well worth the walk. Plus it was a gorgeous day, highs in the upper 70's, so ice cream actually was enjoyable, outside.

5. Walker Arts Center Sculpture Garden. We enjoyed this free outdoor sculpture garden and the small atrium nearby as well. They had a beautiful flowered walkway and lots of interesting pieces of art. It was a gorgeous and day and we took our time as we perused through the park.

6. Target Field, the Twins stadium. First of all they have an amazing ball park. We were able to purchase tickets from the box office right before the game and got upper deck tickets behind home plate. Great view overall. When we got to the park the box office appeared closed but they had all these self-serve ticket machines around. So we started to do that, and were approached by a man trying to sell us discounted tickets. We shooed him away and kept working on figuring out what tickets we wanted. As we were doing that a lady who by her outfit obviously worked at the ball park asked if were wanting to buy tickets and told us where we could go to get them without a service fee that the machines charge. She was a God-send. So we found the open box office, with her help. She even went out of her way to make sure we got there and was looking for us near the gate as well. Wow. That would not happen in Chicago!

7. The Spam Museum (more to come in another post)

8. Sara's wedding. It's always a great reminder at weddings of the commitment I made to my husband. Not that I forget, but I love being reminded about the importance and significance of that commitment. It also reminds me to be thankful for the blessing that he is.

9. We stopped at a state park on the way home at the Minnesota/ Wisconsin border right on the Mississippi. Witnessed some gorgeous views and a spectrum of fall colors.

10. Discussing with my husband whether we need to pull over on the side of the road so he could relieve himself. Got stuck in traffic with no exit in sight. This also led to us taking US Hwy 12 (Rand Rd) all the way home from the Madison area. It was a long trip home, but we did get to listen to much of the Ted Dekker audiobook we liked.

Book Review: Gods & Kings

This book is still free right now at amazon.com for the kindle. I would definitely recommend it. I can't wait to check out more of her books from the library.

Much like Francine Rivers, Austin brings to life biblical history at the time of King Ahaz and Hezekiah. I found it fascinating for these stories to become more real. I believe her other books continue along in the story.

Go get your free book and let me know what you think.  Gods and Kings Free E-Book