Kitchen creations!

Some more delicious things from the Boal Kitchen! 

Sweet Curry Chicken Salad - "A Kaia Creation" 

Honey marinaded chicken with veggie kabobs - "A Steve Creation" 

Homemade pesto grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup - "A Kaia Creation" 

Grandma Irene

We had a really nice time in Iowa celebrating Grandma's life. It was comforting to be around so many family members who were inspired by her in so many ways. The funeral was beautiful, lots of great stories and it was fun to hear some of the poems Irene wrote. Although funerals are sad, they serve as a reminder that we are here for a reason, and only for a short time. 


Our job is to share God's love with those around us, to live in a way that is glorifying to him. So many take advantage of the life they are given, thinking they have time to figure things out, they will wait until they 'need' him, or until He fits into their 'busy' schedule.. Well the scary truth is none of us are promised another day. God want's us here for HIS purposes and his only. It makes me sad, scared and nervous that so many people may leave this world without him, and in turn, will not live in eternity with him. I wish every person I knew and even those I don't would take the time to consider the importance in fostering a relationship with Jesus. I am not claiming to be perfect in any way shape or form, I am very far from where I need to be, but it's a daily effort... a very worthwhile effort. 


I learned a lot from Irene in the short time that I knew her. I learned what it looked like to live sacrificially, to put others before myself, to be content with the circumstances God give's me and to live faithfully trusting in Him everyday. 


When my grandma died years ago I was blessed to inherit some of her jewelry, I love the vintage flare and knowing that she once wore them make them all the more special. 


Again, I was given a beautiful necklace Irene once wore. It is so 'Kaia' I couldn't believe it! I am excited to carry a piece of her with me and remember her each time I wear it! 

Loaf of the week!

Delicious AND nutritious Zucchini/Banana Bread! So moist, just enough sweetness and very very healthy! (Had to make up for the apple crumble bread...) Steve couldn't even tast the zucchini! 


Check out this healthiness: NO butter, NO oil, Whole wheat flour, only 1/4 cup brown sugar and some honey, 3 bananas, a whole zucchini, and hardly any salt! 

(caution: there are more ingredients, don't think this is it you will be mildly disappointed) 

What is better than Fresh zucchini/banana bread?! 

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zucchini/banana bread french toast!!! YUMMMMMMM!

*And watermelon of course, I think we are addicted...

State Fair Bound!

I have never gone to the State Fair on opening day, but Steve and I both had the afternoon off and thought it would be a nice way to get away from the chaos of life and eat our worries away :) Neither of us are big State Fair Goers but it was Thrifty Thursday, we were in dyer need to get out of the house and get some fresh air. So before we knew it we were on the transit and on our way to the fair!

Sadly we have become quite bad at taking pictures of everything we do... BUT we do have a few to prove we went.

A few of our favorite foodie traditions at the fair: (*note, we share everything... if we didn't that would be rather disgusting and we would be quite large)

- Pronto Pups: I don't know why, but they are so much better than a 'corn dog' maybe it's all in the name?
- Giant Turkey leg: mmm... succulent, juicy MEAT
- 1919 Rootbeer: Neither of us drink soda, ever, but we both salivate at the site of a Jumbo cup of ice cold 1919 rootbeer... holy goodness, why do you think we had kegs of it at our wedding?!
-  Roasted Corn: Huge probably chemically altered corn cobs with ginormous kernels that burst with buttery goodness when you bite into them.. can't NOT eat this!
- We usually split some kind of desserty thing, this year we were on our way to the deep fried candy bars... they are morbidly delicious to say the least, but luckily someone was looking out for us and plopped a delicious gelato stand right next door, Praise God we didn't go through with it! The Gelato was very delicious and probably life saving.
- Because of our adventurous spirits and love for food, we always like to try new things, see if you can guess what this years undertaking was...

Does the look on Steve's face give it away? 

These cute little fries came with our meal...

Any guesses yet? 

Boom! That's right. I don't know if I'd get it again, kind of tasted like overdone chicken.. but hey, we tried it.

Legacy

Last Friday morning my Grandma Boal passed away after battling some health issues. She was an incredible woman who loved God with all her heart. She had a joyful heart and a fun loving spirit and was always sending jokes along through email. She loved playing games and learning new things through out her life. Her fun loving spirit was with her to the end as she told my dad she looked forward to hugging a lion when she got to heaven.

She was always proud of her family and the people we are growing to be.

I am blessed to be part of an excellent family on all sides of my life. Grandma was a part of the legacy of faith in our family. She exemplified the values of Christ in her life. She was loving and looked for ways to care for others in all aspects of her life.This legacy has passed on to her kids and grandkids and even the great grandchild. We are all challenged to take the legacy and move forward.

Funerals are sad time as we mourn the loss of a persons presence in our life, but for those who are in Christ, they are also a time of joy celebrating the life of the believer and their union with Christ. Tears will be shed as family and friends unite to remember the life of Irene Boal, but there will also be smiles as we share stories about her. As I think about death and what the future holds, I am overcome with anticipation. That is not to say that I am hoping death comes soon, but I am looking forward to working along the path God has put me on. At church we have been working through Philippians and Paul writes about how life is for serving Christ and death is for being united with Christ. While I am here, there is work to be done. When God says, come home my son, it is time to go be with Daddy. These are all things to be excited for. The journey is filled with pot holes and stumbling blocks, but there will be a lot to sing praises about because God is there the whole way. Grandma knew this day would come, and she did not fear it. She worked her whole life and was taken home to be with her heavenly Father. I will miss her at our family gatherings, but I can't wait to see her again and have her show me the best lions to hug.

On Tuesday we celebrate the life of Irene Boal. We mourn her passing, but look forward to being reconnected with her again. God has put us here for a time to be of use to Him. Remember what is important in life and do not waste the moments you have.

6.25.2011

The day I started life with my best friend. A day to remember forever. I love you Stephen! You are my favorite person on the planet!




* There are sooooo many more photos, but too many to post. I just made a 160 page book with all our favorites (yes there was even more yet) hopefully at some point in time you will all have a chance to look through that! 

The age of social media

For those of you who into the whole social media scene, you'll love this. For those of you who aren't, well you will probably love this too!


BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER!



I suppose I should start tweeting more often...