I haven't been posting updates on my job search because it's been a challenge. It was hard not to worry about it — how long should I hold out for a job I want before settling for something else so we wouldn't have to resort to ramen for every meal? I knew God would put me in the right place, but there's often a difference between knowing and getting your emotions to function on that knowledge.
I'd get my hopes up, only to see God close the door — I was thankful he made it obvious where I wasn't supposed to be, but more confused at where I should look next. I applied at a local bookstore and after a few visits and e-mails with no response, I gave up. I met one of Fox's friends who works at Google and she suggested I look there (I love Google!). I saw a listing for a job I'd enjoy, only to find out the position had just been filled. I started combing newspapers, government job listings, nearby colleges... but I wasn't finding anything for which I was qualified and/or interested.
A couple weeks ago, Ian got an e-mail Sasaki sent out to all employees asking for references to fill in for the receptionist during her maternity leave. Ian sent in my name, and I interviewed last Wednesday. During the interview, I learned an administrative assistant is retiring soon. So instead of getting the temporary receptionist job, Sasaki offered me a 6-8 week temporary job as an administrative assistant in training. If everything goes well (i.e. I like the job and I'm good at it) I'll become a permanent employee taking the place of the admin who is retiring.
Looking back, it's amazing how God closed the other doors in order to get me to this one, which I think is a job I'll love and will be able to do well. I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited. I start February 8... stay tuned!
1.27.2010
1.25.2010
football stew & buttermilk biscuits
This recipe is a favorite of my mom's because it's so easy and tasty. It's one of my favorite meals as well, especially when the weather is dark and rainy, like today. I'm adding a few modifications to the recipe, because my slow cooker is smaller than my mom's. I didn't take that into account and the broth overflowed a bit. I have a 4-quart slow cooker. I'm listing amounts for my size (the lower amount) as well as the exact recipe from my mom (the higher amount). If your slow cooker is even smaller, adjust accordingly.
football stew
makes 10-12 servings (great as leftovers!)
2 lbs. beef, cubed (any sort of roast/hunk of beef will work in the slow cooker!)
4-5 medium potatoes, chunk
5-6 celery stalks, thick sliced
5-6 carrots, thick sliced
2-3 onions, chunk
approximately 20 oz. of tomato juice (2 inches deep in slow cooker)
3 tbsp. minute tapioca (to thicken)
3 tsp. salt
3-4 tbsp. sugar (go higher if you use more tomato juice)
Mix the meat and vegetables together in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the top. Pour enough tomato juice to fill the slow cooker at least 2 inches deep. (Mom uses a full 20 oz. can which is more than 2 inches in her slow cooker. I couldn't find so I used a larger can and guessed the amount. When I make it again, I'll probably use a little less so it doesn't overflow in my smaller slow cooker.)
Cook on low for 8 hours.
UPDATES: If you can't find tomato juice, substitute a 6 oz can of tomato paste and chicken/beef stock. We've also tried swapping a couple carrots out for turnips and it turned out great (3 carrots + 4 turnips instead of 5-6 carrots). And if you have a too-small slow cooker like us and don't want to shrink the recipe, you can bake this in a dutch oven at 250 degrees for 6-8 hours, but do add extra liquids.
Football stew goes great with my mom's super easy buttermilk biscuits!
buttermilk biscuits
makes a dozen
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. (1 stick) margarine
3/4 c. buttermilk
In a bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. Cut in margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk all at once. Stir the dough with a fork until it clings together.
On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 10 to 12 strokes — DON'T OVER KNEAD or your biscuits will be tough! Roll or pat the dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter (or anything that will work similarly), dipping the cutter into flour between cuts to prevent sticking.
Transfer biscuits to an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 400F degree oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Some notes...
football stew
makes 10-12 servings (great as leftovers!)
2 lbs. beef, cubed (any sort of roast/hunk of beef will work in the slow cooker!)
4-5 medium potatoes, chunk
5-6 celery stalks, thick sliced
5-6 carrots, thick sliced
2-3 onions, chunk
approximately 20 oz. of tomato juice (2 inches deep in slow cooker)
3 tbsp. minute tapioca (to thicken)
3 tsp. salt
3-4 tbsp. sugar (go higher if you use more tomato juice)
Mix the meat and vegetables together in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the top. Pour enough tomato juice to fill the slow cooker at least 2 inches deep. (Mom uses a full 20 oz. can which is more than 2 inches in her slow cooker. I couldn't find so I used a larger can and guessed the amount. When I make it again, I'll probably use a little less so it doesn't overflow in my smaller slow cooker.)
Cook on low for 8 hours.
UPDATES: If you can't find tomato juice, substitute a 6 oz can of tomato paste and chicken/beef stock. We've also tried swapping a couple carrots out for turnips and it turned out great (3 carrots + 4 turnips instead of 5-6 carrots). And if you have a too-small slow cooker like us and don't want to shrink the recipe, you can bake this in a dutch oven at 250 degrees for 6-8 hours, but do add extra liquids.
Football stew goes great with my mom's super easy buttermilk biscuits!
buttermilk biscuits
makes a dozen
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. (1 stick) margarine
3/4 c. buttermilk
In a bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. Cut in margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk all at once. Stir the dough with a fork until it clings together.
On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 10 to 12 strokes — DON'T OVER KNEAD or your biscuits will be tough! Roll or pat the dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter (or anything that will work similarly), dipping the cutter into flour between cuts to prevent sticking.
Transfer biscuits to an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 400F degree oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Some notes...
- If you don't have buttermilk, measure 2 1/4 tsp. white vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup and add enough milk to make 3/4 c. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. The biscuits won't turn out any different than if you used buttermilk!
- For sour cream biscuits, replace the buttermilk with 1/2 c. sour cream and 1/4 c. milk.
- For plain biscuits, replace buttermilk with 2/3 c. milk.
Menu Plan Monday: January 25-31
It's Menu Plan Monday, hosted by "I'm an Organizing Junkie."
Monday: leftover soup with biscuits
Tuesday: quesadillas (which I can pack and we can eat on the way to community group)
Wednesday: cheeseburger soup, my first attempt at Jenni's recipe
Thursday: mashed potatoes and bbq meatballs
Friday: bratwursts
Saturday: baked macaroni and cheese and homemade chicken nuggets
Sunday: raid the fridge (i.e. leftovers)
breakfasts: cereal, oatmeal
lunches: leftovers, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, chips
1.19.2010
a New England election
Last night, we stayed up late.
To see the beard.
To see the Octagon of Doom rock national television.
And most importantly to see our beloved Wildcats beat #1 Texas.
This morning, we got up early for another important event with national coverage — the special state election to choose the Kennedy-seat replacement. For the first time since 1953, the seat will not be occupied by a member of the Kennedy family. Even more significant, this seat is Senate Democrat number 60 and a party change here could threaten Obama's health care bill. A google search shows the race is a close one.
So it was no surprise there was a decent line at 7:30 a.m., only 30 minutes after the polls opened. I'm just thrilled that our first votes as Massachusetts residents are so significant!
It's a very organized setup, and there are some adorable senior citizens helping voters check in.
Us after fulfilling our civic responsibility.
And to make the experience even more delightful, a beautiful fluffy snow made our short walk to the polls a beautiful one.
The polls close at 8 p.m. eastern time. When you see the results, know that two of those numbers are us!
To see the beard.
To see the Octagon of Doom rock national television.
And most importantly to see our beloved Wildcats beat #1 Texas.
This morning, we got up early for another important event with national coverage — the special state election to choose the Kennedy-seat replacement. For the first time since 1953, the seat will not be occupied by a member of the Kennedy family. Even more significant, this seat is Senate Democrat number 60 and a party change here could threaten Obama's health care bill. A google search shows the race is a close one.
So it was no surprise there was a decent line at 7:30 a.m., only 30 minutes after the polls opened. I'm just thrilled that our first votes as Massachusetts residents are so significant!
It's a very organized setup, and there are some adorable senior citizens helping voters check in.
Us after fulfilling our civic responsibility.
And to make the experience even more delightful, a beautiful fluffy snow made our short walk to the polls a beautiful one.
The polls close at 8 p.m. eastern time. When you see the results, know that two of those numbers are us!
1.18.2010
Menu Plan Monday: January 18-24
Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. At Reunion yesterday we took some time to remember his legacy, one that reaches beyond racial equality, to respect for every person God created.
It's Menu Plan Monday, hosted by "I'm an Organizing Junkie."
Monday: ramen (it's quick so we can make it to Fox's to watch the K-State vs. Texas Big Monday game!)
Tuesday: turkey sandwiches and chips (after community group)
Wednesday: chicken cordon bleu casserole, my first attempt at Vanessa's recipe
Thursday: skyline chili
Friday: football stew and buttermilk biscuits
Saturday: hamburgers
Sunday: raid the fridge (i.e. leftovers)
breakfasts: cereal, oatmeal
lunches: leftovers, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, chips
Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. —Martin Luther King, Jr.
It's Menu Plan Monday, hosted by "I'm an Organizing Junkie."
Monday: ramen (it's quick so we can make it to Fox's to watch the K-State vs. Texas Big Monday game!)
Tuesday: turkey sandwiches and chips (after community group)
Wednesday: chicken cordon bleu casserole, my first attempt at Vanessa's recipe
Thursday: skyline chili
Friday: football stew and buttermilk biscuits
Saturday: hamburgers
Sunday: raid the fridge (i.e. leftovers)
breakfasts: cereal, oatmeal
lunches: leftovers, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, chips
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