Amy J. Bennett

Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life

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Archives for February 2010

American Idol Season 9 Top 10 Prediction

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The first several episodes of Idol this year I was very worried about this season. The auditions were BOR-ING.  However, I feel like we’ve come out with a really strong Top 24.  Although,I have had no Danny Gokey or Chris Daughtry moments.  There is no one that I have been rooting for from the moment I heard them sing.  BUT there are a lot of really good singers this year and several I’m rooting for.  I know these will change as there are some that have gotten A LOT more screen time but if I had to pick a Top 10 with 5 boys and 5 girls, this is it:

Boys

Andrew Garcia – glasses

Casey James – longish blond hair that Kara likes

Todrick Hall – gray jacket above

Tyler Grady – 70s rocker

Jermaine Sellers – white pants, bottom right above

Girls

Crystal Bowersox – single mom

Ashley Rodriguez – long brown hair

Lilly Sox – platinum hair

Lacey Brown – really short hair cut and competed last year

Didi Benami – long blond hair

I think it’s funny that I associate this people solely on their hair cut/color.  I feel bad for leaving Katie out as I think she’s a strong singer but I think these other have more star quality.  I think we’ll get a really good feel next week on the big stage to how these people will fair in the competition.  I may have a completely different list next week.  That’s the tough part about Idol…people’s top picks can change week to week based on one performance! 

Who are your favorites?

Filed Under: tv

Apologies, iPhone

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Ouch.  I dropped it, just like I have the other 20 times, in our driveway.  I was shocked to turn it over and find this time the screen didn’t survive.  The good news is it still works and I have a screen protector on it so I can still use it without slicing my fingers up every time.  You’d think I hated the thing.  This is the same one that took a dip in the toilet water about a year ago.  So apologies, iPhone, it may not feel like it sometimes, but I do love you.

Longest Marriage Q&A

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On Valentine’s Day the longest married couple (80 YEARS!) did a few Q&A’s on Twitter.  I thought it was worth sharing.  At 11 years of marriage, we’re probably clueless, but I added a few reactions under a few of them.

Q1 @AdrienneAtSlu What made you realize that you could spend the rest of your lives together? Were you scared at all?
A1 With each day that passed, our relationship was more solid and secure.Divorce was NEVER an option – or even a thought
Q2 @jessbess77 How did you know your spouse was the right one for you?
A2 We grew up together & were best friends before we married. A friend is for life – our marriage has lasted a lifetime
Q3 @SeanCPow Is there anything you would do differently after more than 80 years of marriage?
A3 We wouldn’t change a thing.There’s no secret to our marriage, we just did what was needed for each other & our family
Q4 @LaurenHuston What is your advice to someone who is trying to keep the faith that Mr. Right is really out there?
A4 Zelmyra: Mine was just around the corner!He is never too far away, so keep the faith – when you meet him, you’ll know
Q5 @caresseaudra What was the best piece of marriage advice you ever received?
A5 Respect, support & communicate with each other.Be faithful, honest & true.Love each other with ALL of your heart
Q6 @Miss_Ink What are the most important attributes of a good spouse?
A6 A hard worker & good provider.The 1920s were hard,but Herbert wanted & provided the best for us.I married a good man!
Q7 @MJordanD What is your best Valentine’s Day memory?
A7 Z I cook dinner EVERY day.Herbert left work early & surprised me – he cooked dinner for me! He is a VERY good cook!
A7 H: I said that I was going to cook dinner for her & she could relax – the look on her face & clean plate made my day!
Q8 @LidiaAnain You got married very young – how did u both manage to grow as individuals yet not grow apart as a couple?
A8 “Everyone who plants a seed & harvests the crop celebrates together” We are individuals, but accomplish more together
Q9 @twishart What is your fondest memory of your 85-year marriage?
A9 Our legacy: 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Q10 @MidwestPhoto Does communicating get easier with time? How do you keep your patience?
A10 The children are grown, so we talk more now. We can enjoy our time on the porch or our rocking chairs – together.
Q11 @ingwtg How did you cope when you had to be physically separated for long periods of time?
A11 H: We were apart for 2 months when Z was hospitalized with our 5th child. It was the most difficult time of my life
A11 contd: Zelmyra’s mother helped me with the house and the other children, otherwise I would have lost my mind.
Q12 @KindraTaylor At the end of bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?
A12 Remember marriage is not a contest – never keep a score. God has put the two of you together on the same team to win
Q13 @jar556 Is fighting important?
A13 NEVER physically! Agree that it’s okay to disagree, & fight for what really matters. Learn to bend – not break!
Q14 @thewordwire What’s the one thing you have in common that transcends everything else?
A14 We are both Christians & believe in God.Marriage is a commitment to the Lord.We pray with & for each other every day

Q1 @AdrienneAtSlu What made you realize that you could spend the rest of your lives together? Were you scared at all?

A1 With each day that passed, our relationship was more solid and secure.Divorce was NEVER an option – or even a thought

Yes!  We’re tracking with this.  I don’t even like to say the D word around here!

Q2 @jessbess77 How did you know your spouse was the right one for you?

A2 We grew up together & were best friends before we married. A friend is for life – our marriage has lasted a lifetime

Q3 @SeanCPow Is there anything you would do differently after more than 80 years of marriage?

A3 We wouldn’t change a thing.There’s no secret to our marriage, we just did what was needed for each other & our family

Q4 @LaurenHuston What is your advice to someone who is trying to keep the faith that Mr. Right is really out there?

A4 Zelmyra: Mine was just around the corner!He is never too far away, so keep the faith – when you meet him, you’ll know

Totally agree…you just know.

Q5 @caresseaudra What was the best piece of marriage advice you ever received?

A5 Respect, support & communicate with each other.Be faithful, honest & true.Love each other with ALL of your heart

Honesty!!!  Communicate!!!  Respect!!! Yes to all of these!

Q6 @Miss_Ink What are the most important attributes of a good spouse?

A6 A hard worker & good provider.The 1920s were hard,but Herbert wanted & provided the best for us.I married a good man!

I agree!  I have a hard worker and good provider too!

Q7 @MJordanD What is your best Valentine’s Day memory?

A7 Z I cook dinner EVERY day.Herbert left work early & surprised me – he cooked dinner for me! He is a VERY good cook!

A7 H: I said that I was going to cook dinner for her & she could relax – the look on her face & clean plate made my day!

Q8 @LidiaAnain You got married very young – how did u both manage to grow as individuals yet not grow apart as a couple?

A8 “Everyone who plants a seed & harvests the crop celebrates together” We are individuals, but accomplish more together

I love this.  Turn “me” into “we”!

Q9 @twishart What is your fondest memory of your 85-year marriage?

A9 Our legacy: 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Interesting to think about as we are just starting this legacy!

Q10 @MidwestPhoto Does communicating get easier with time? How do you keep your patience?

A10 The children are grown, so we talk more now. We can enjoy our time on the porch or our rocking chairs – together.

Q11 @ingwtg How did you cope when you had to be physically separated for long periods of time?

A11 H: We were apart for 2 months when Z was hospitalized with our 5th child. It was the most difficult time of my life

A11 contd: Zelmyra’s mother helped me with the house and the other children, otherwise I would have lost my mind.

Q12 @KindraTaylor At the end of bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?

A12 Remember marriage is not a contest – never keep a score. God has put the two of you together on the same team to win

Forgiveness is key!

Q13 @jar556 Is fighting important?

A13 NEVER physically! Agree that it’s okay to disagree, & fight for what really matters. Learn to bend – not break!

Q14 @thewordwire What’s the one thing you have in common that transcends everything else?

A14 We are both Christians & believe in God.Marriage is a commitment to the Lord.We pray with & for each other every day

Amen and amen!

Cooking with The Pioneer Woman: Weekly Update

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This week we had some major winners!

Ranch Chicken

This was by far the best chicken dish I’ve ever had at home and might rival any chicken dish I’ve had at any restaurant.  It was DELISH.  It was juicy and flavorful and oh so right.  These are permanently in rotation at our house.

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Cauliflower Soup

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In Emma’s words, “this soup is just good”.  So yeah, it’s definitely a keeper.  I had never had cauliflower soup that I can recall and the best I can describe it is a mix between broccoli and cheese and potato soup.  My only issue with this is it took much longer than it says.  From the time I put the butter in the pan to serving it, it was an hour and a half.

 

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Baked Fudge

I’m not sure I can give the proper review for this as I didn’t have ramekins and used some small measuring cup/bowls from Pampered Chef.  I decided to make these Thursday night while watching Grey’s.  They were ready to put in the oven within 10-15 minutes and seemed very simple but as PW says, the timing in the oven is the tough part.  I took mine out too early and a lot of mine was more like fudge for a sundae rather than baked fudge.  But, the taste was still good and Scott and I “suffered” through it.  I want to make these again as I bought ramekins this weekend at the mall.  I also have to mention the whipped cream I made as well.  Yum!

 

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Marlboro Man’s Second Favorite Sandwich

We choose to eat these a la carte (read: no bun).  I’ve now deleted three attempts at writing how I feel about these.  Basically, it’s not as good as the ranch chicken, better than the cube steak in Marlboro Man’s favorite sandwich but less juicy but way better than any chicken recipe I had before.  So, take that for what it’s worth.  I’ll make it again, how about that?

 

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Red Velvet Cake (no link)

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I believe this was my first cake that didn’t come with a box.  I think it came out great albeit a little more like pink velvet cake instead of red velvet cake.  The icing was definitely my favorite part.  The edges seemed a bit dry at first to me but after the cake was in the fridge for a while it didn’t bother me a bit.  Maybe because the piece only lasted about 30 seconds on my plate.

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This week also included the frozen chicken spaghetti from the other week.  It thawed and heated up perfectly!

Weekend Recap

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We had quite the eventful Valentine’s Day weekend.

Friday it snowed 4-5”.  It was the girls weekend with Scott’s parents so Scott and I got out just as it was starting to accumulate.  By the time we left their house, we ran into several cars that were in a ditch or trying to head towards one.  Scott had his truck so we (which I use loosely because really all I did was take pictures and tweet the stops) stopped and helped who we could.  We spent a little bit of time with Jake and Jill (and the baby!) before heading home.

Saturday we went shopping up at Concord Mills since I had to go drop my ring off for repairs.  We got back in time for the girls to go to Parents’ Night Out at gymnastics while we went out for a Valentine’s Day dinner with Dani, David, Wayne and Joni. 

Here’s a few pictures of us from that:

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And we tried

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and tried

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and tried

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and really tried

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and really, really tried

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to get a good picture.  But Scott for some reason was ultra-sensitive to the flash.  I promise he hadn’t been drinking!

While we were busy eating, Lexi sustained her first injury at gymnastics

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Apparently she did a face-plant into the trampoline and had some burns.  She said she didn’t cry though!

Sunday we went to church. ate at Mom and Dad’s, spent some time at Scott’s parents and then spent the rest of the day at home.  It was a nice quiet evening to finish our busy weekend.

Sunday Highlights: Love, Sex, God: Attraction

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Oh, of course I dedicated to doing these recaps of North Rock Hill services right before we started a series on sex!  But I have to say this morning’s start was dare I say fun?  I know, I know.  Sex in church…gasp!  Sex talks in church that were fun…gasp!  It just doesn’t sound right!!  What are you people doing over there??  Aren’t you learning about JESUS?!

But today’s intro was so awkward, filled with lots of nervous laughing but just some downright funny, relatable stuff.  And he only covered attraction today!  So here we go.

In this series, he’s covering Song of Songs.  Many like to say it’s allegorical for our relationship with Christ but it’s clear in latter chapters that not ALL of it is allegorical.  As Chris said, there is some stuff in there I just don’t wanna be doing with Jesus!  But yes, it has some allegorical elements.

Cast of characters:

  1. King Solomon – writer and participant
  2. Unnamed Shulammite – she is the beloved
  3. Young Jerusalem women – these are the Beloved’s friends.  As Chris pointed out, a man doesn’t just court a woman, he courts her AND all her friends.

Solomon and this girl are not together at this point.  They’ve met and there is attraction.

v4 – This is not his bedroom, this is a place where the King hangs out.  She’s basically asking him to take her to his favorite place (although Heather pointed out that probably IS his bedroom)

v6 She is a peasant/servant.  She’s not fair skinned and plump like a princess would be.   Yet, she has captured the King’s attention somehow.

v7 Basically she is saying, I’m not playing games like the rest of these girls that follow you around to try to catch your attention.  Tell me where you are.

The rest of the first chapter they exchange love notes basically.

One thing: Love is not about finding the right one; it’s about BEING the right one.

Women generally use 2 approaches to catching a man’s attention

1 – Catching mode.  These are the ones similar to the girls that veiled themselves and followed the shepherds around.  They put on an outfit, do their hair and rely on looks.  Think Bret Michaels Rock of Love for a worse-case scenario.  It’s like throwing bait out to see what you can catch.  The problem with this is you’ll have to keep him with that bait and Father Time is not on your side.  You will eventually lose them when you lose your bait.  And when you catch him, you’ll generally find out he is a loser.

2 – Hunting mode. The women pursue.  Do all the work.  Call, set up dates, tell the guy exactly what’s going to happen and basically call all the shots.  The result is you have a passive wimp.

v7 shows a picture of the alternative.  She made a decision to be a princess.  You are either going to be the one they sleep with or the one they marry.

v3 Name is significant.  He had a good reputation and honor.

v7 Before courtship, create a standard.  If you don’t, it will change based on emotions.  Guys are great manipulators and will say anything to get what they want.

A woman doing it right will hold her standard up, wait to see if he leads.  She wants a leader not a pacifist.  If he doesn’t lead now, he won’t lead later.  Don’t compromise for attention.  Princesses have expectations.

Males, be a leader and respect boundaries.  Don’t be selfish.

If you’re married, instead of pursuing this in another marriage, work on your own. You can’t fix someone else but you can control yourself.  Be the best husband or wife you know how.  1 Peter 3.  Life is more about marriage.  Your life should be a pursuit of Jesus regardless of your spouse.  Men, step up.  Women, encourage your husband when he does step up.  Men are also responsible for being attractive after married.

Typing this out, I guess it felt a little like Dating 101 but it was so interesting seeing it related to Song of Songs.  Also, I think every single teenager needed to hear this.  It makes me want to save it another 5 or 6 years for a few little girls I might know.  I highly recommend listening to the Podcast (when it’s posted).

Next week is about Courtship!

Cooking with the Pioneer Woman: Weekly Update

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So things went a little slow last week.  I had a horribly busy week at work, Scott went back on nights and it just didn’t happen.  BUT I do have a few things to share

Chicken Spaghetti

This was very creamy, flavorful and comforting dish.  My mom made a tuna casserole growing up and it reminded me a bit of that.  I think adding peas to this dish would be a great addition.  Oh my, is that me being a cook??  The best thing is I divided it between two dishes and froze one of them!

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The Best Lasagna Ever

I was a little hesitant with cottage cheese in my lasagna but I’ve learned to simply trust P-Dub.  It’s ok I’ve only had ricotta cheese in mine.  Really.  And it was really MORE than ok.  Scott took a plate over to my parents (long story but just go with it) and my mom emphatically said it was the BEST lasagna she’d had in her 50 years.  So that’s saying something.

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Potato Skins (no link)

This recipe called for real bacon.  And I’ve never fried real bacon.  It’s a shame, I know.  But we always buy that already done stuff and stick it in the microwave for 32 seconds.  But lawd, why haven’t I done real bacon before?  Wow, what a difference!  The sad part is we used most of the bacon for the jalapeno poppers so I only got to fry up 4 pieces of bacon but I will not do potato skins without them again!  But even so, these were FANTASTIC.  I have to say they aren’t the easiest thing I’ve ever done with all the cooking and scooping and more cooking and oiling and more cooking.  Yeah, it was probably an hour and a half process altogether.  But it was worth it.  And they were just as good leftover!

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That’s it for new stuff this week.  We also made several repeats: tomato soup twice this week, another round of mocha brownies, jalapeno poppers and onion strings. Can you tell we had an impromptu Super Bowl party?  It was so nice to say hey, I have an onion.  Why don’t I make onion strings?

One last note, DO NOT make the tomato soup with anything but fresh parsley and basil.  Just sayin’.