BeautifulCanvas.org » Just For Fun

Something Ordinary, Something Extraordinary

Dave © — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 04:31:42 +0000

I haven’t captured much video during the past few months since Carmen died. Occasionally, Lana reminds me that Hope is almost a year old and that these moments will never be relived or recaptured. Yet I just haven’t had the desire or will to pull out the camera.

But after I saw this on Friday, I was determined to not let another weekend pass without capturing at least a few unmemorable moments with my girls. So enjoy the out-of-focus, snot-running-down-Hope’s-nose, gum-hanging-out-of-Lauren’s-mouth and booty-ful shots that made for just another day!

Carlos, thank you for the reminder that sometimes you just need to pull out the camera and shoot! When you capture an ordinary day…you just might witness some extraordinary love.

Go Redskins!!!

Lana — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:34:13 +0000

Last week our good friends Kerri and Lee gave us tickets to the Washington Redskins vs. Houston Texans football game. Dave is ALWAYS happy to go to an NFL game! He asked Lauren if she would like to go with him and she said sure. Later she asked me if the Redskins play football or baseball or what. And she asked if Daddy was going to be playing.

Lauren came home and told me that she is a “Reds” fan now and that she had a wonderful time despite the “Reds” losing. As a former Cowboys fan from Texas, I NEVER thought I would hear my daughter say she is Redskins fan. Entirely my fault for marrying a Redskins fan and living in Redskins territory!

Lauren in front of the stadium

Lauren took this picture of Dave. Nice composition of both Daddy and the Redskins store!

We Are Not Above Bathroom Humor

Lana — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:54:47 +0000

As a reward for donating some of her toys, we took Lauren to the toy store to pick out a new toy. She spent a long time looking in the Barbie aisle. Dave gave her a price range and said that the Barbie had to be dressed modestly (easier said than done!).

Finally, she found the one. Barbie with Potty Training Pups.

Lauren read the box, “Pups gotta go!” I asked, “Go where?” To which Lauren hysterically laughed and said, “They aren’t going anywhere, they are GOING!!!!!!!”

I can’t believe we came home with peeing puppies. But, the Barbie was dressed modestly and in the right price range. And Lauren is thrilled. And I would rather have tiny plastic peeing pups than real ones!

They look innocent enough.

Feed them.

And they go. On the newspaper.

One happy little girl.

You are Fabulous and Beatiful!

Lana — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:37:04 +0000

Someone decided to spread some cheer in our neighborhood.

Fabulous and Beatiful. Beet-i-ful. Lauren thought that was really funny.

Is there a law against defacing stop signs? Is it considered vandalism? Regardless, I smiled every time I saw the signs.

YOU ARE FABULOUS AND BEAUTIFUL!

My Attempt at a Food Post

Dave © — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:01:59 +0000

Since Lana is taking over the blog with food posts (just kidding!), I thought I’d try my own. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! Here is Hope’s first attempt to eat solid food (avocado):

She loved it! Unfortunately, her tummy didn’t love it so much…that night, poor little Hope was up most of the night, crying. She usually sleeps about 9 hours straight. The following day, we tried giving her banana but had the same result that night. So, we are stopping solids and will try again in a month.

Laptop Lunchbox

Lana — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:47:46 +0000

My darling daughter, Lauren, is a very picky particular eater. She is very specific about what she likes and what she doesn’t like. And woe unto anyone who fixes her plate of food and has things touching. (Right, NY Grandma? BBQ sauce on top of chicken is not acceptable!)

Laptop Lunches makes a really neat lunchbox system that works great for particular kiddos. Actually, it works great for most everyone because it’s just plain fun!

The Laptop Lunchbox holds quite a bit of food. Here is Lauren’s lunch: Raisin bread and cream cheese sandwich, carrots, strawberries, animal crackers and m&ms, and a cheese stick. The large purple container and the mini purple container come with lids. Laptop Lunches now makes extra containers that all have lids.

The Laptop Lunchbox can simply be closed and carried or placed inside another bag. Lauren has an L.L.Bean critter lunchbox that perfectly holds her Laptop Lunchbox and Funtainer thermos. Laptop Lunches sells an insulated food carrier bag specifically for the Laptop Lunchbox but I thought Lauren might like a kid-looking bag better.

Well, there you have it! Amazon has good prices so just do a search for laptop lunch. I’m not getting anything for “advertising” the Laptop Lunchbox. I just like telling everyone about good products. Lauren loves her lunchbox and so do I!

Things I Love, by Lauren

Dave © — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:05:56 +0000

Before I went to California, I interviewed Lauren and asked her a few questions. Here is her answer to the question, “What do you love?”

What do you love?

***

Thank you for your prayers for Steve and Wes. Steve’s kidneys are doing well. Both the one in Steve and the one in Wes! Please continue to pray for healing and that Wes’s body will continue to accept Steve’s kidney. Thanks.

My Attempt At A Food Post

Lana — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:00:15 +0000

My guess is that most of you have seen those glorious food blogs. The ones where each step during the cooking process is beautifully photographed and described. Something like this post from the Pioneer Woman.

Well, I decided to try my hand at creating a food post. I’m sure Dave will roll his eyes as he does not get my obsession with taking pictures of food!

Oh and I dedicate this post to Julia K. who made this yummy chili for us and gave me the recipe.

Spicy Corn Chicken Chili

Here are the ingredients. Looks like a bunch but there is lots of opening and dumping so not so bad.

Uh oh. Gotta go change a diaper. I’ll be right back.

Might as well make a cup of tea.

Hope is not happy so now she is on the counter next to me.

OK, back to the recipe. Cut boneless, skinless chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Oops, I didn’t defrost chicken so I’m going to use hamburger. So, brown hamburger meat. Drain.

Hope is cranky so I am taking a break to get her down for a nap.

She is awake.

She is asleep.

Admire the onion and garlic.

Coarsely chop onion and finely chop garlic cloves. I’m not about to wake Hope up so I’m not going to use my Pampered Chef chopper. I hope this is coarsely chopped. Now, cook the onion and garlic in a little bit of olive oil for about 5 minutes.

But, I didn’t take a picture of the onions and garlic cooking because I got distracted by this.

What in the world is going on with the neighbor’s car???

Mix together spices: chili powder, oregano, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cayenne powder. What?! I don’t have any cayenne powder? How is this going to be spicy?

Put the hamburger meat back in the skillet with the onion and garlic. Add spices, tomato sauce, water and salsa.

Add the corn and beans. And salt to taste.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring often. Perfect timing as Hope is waking up and hungry.

Uh oh. I didn’t stir once as I was feeding the baby. Good! It didn’t stick.

Look who just SMILED!!!

Chop 1/3 cup of cilantro to sprinkle on top of chili.

Ding Dong. The doorbell just rang. Hold on…

It was our neighbor (not the neighbor with the messy car). I’m still in my nightgown. And I haven’t brushed my hair. Oh well. Hopefully it wasn’t too shocking.

Lunch is ready and I am so exhausted I could fall over!!!

Spicy Corn and Chicken Chili

Extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Cayenne powder to taste
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
(Or substitute one pound hamburger meat for chicken)
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1/2 cup mild or medium salsa
1 (16-ounce) bag frozen corn kernels
1/2 can cannellini beans, drained
1/2 can chick peas, drained
Salt to taste
1/3 cup chopped cilantro

In a large skillet, brown chicken in a little bit of olive oil. Remove chicken from skillet and cook onions and garlic for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until onions are translucent. Stir in chili powder, oregano, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cayenne. Add tomato sauce, 1 cup water, salsa, corn, cannellini beans and chick peas. Stir chicken back into mixture.

Season with salt, then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring often, until flavors have melded and chili is thick. Serve over steamed white rice and sprinkle with cilantro.

More Fun From Catalyst 2009: Professor Splash

It’s been a long week. Thought I’d share another fun moment from Catalyst. Enjoy!

Yes, this guy really did jump off a platform 35’9″ from the ground into a kiddie pool with just under 12″ of water in it. He’s done this on shows like Jimmy Kimmel but this was a new Guinness world record.

Something Fun from Catalyst 2009

As Lana mentioned in the previous post, I’m planning to pass along a few leadership lessons from the 2009 Catalyst Conference. Before I get to anything serious, though, I thought I’d start with something fun. So here is the first tidbit, which does come with a lesson: when you surround yourself with creative people, it’s only a matter of time before something like this happens.

For those of you who might not know, “Andy” is Andy Stanley, lead pastor of North Point Community Church in Atlanta, GA. Each year, he is one of the main speakers at the conference. The video above was an “introduction” by his good friends Lanny Donoho and Reggie Joiner before Andy’s closing message.

PS. The other guys in the video are not Lanny or Reggie. They are Tripp and Tyler, two guys who entertained us at various times throughout the conference.