It's Salsa Time!

My absolute most favorite type (genre? ethnicity?) of food is Mexican food. 

I could eat it every day and I honestly don't think I'd ever get tired of it.

I was hungry for some salsa the other day, and didn't want to pay the overpriced cost of a jar of the good stuff from the American Food Store (yes, that really is its name). So I decided to make my own. 

Thus, this post was born ;)

 

It was super easy and quick to make, and not to brag, but it tasted amazing. And it's taking some major restraint this week not to eat it all in one sitting. 

Ah, willpower, why do you have to be so difficult sometimes? ;)

Anywho, on to the super easy recipe...

First, I cut up some onions.

 

Side note... I may or may not have left the room after the onion cutting to give my eyes a break. I have never been able to cut an onion without it burning my eyes and making me "cry." I've tried every "home remedy" I've heard, but to no avail...

Oh well. That's life, I suppose. Anywho, after I returned, I cut up the tomatoes.

 

I then cut up the green bell peppers.

 

Next, I cut up the garlic. 

 

Next I grabbed these bad boys...

 

I removed the seeds, since I don't feel the need to set my mouth on fire, and I cut them up.

 

Side note... After adding these to the blender, I washed my hands really well, as I was afraid I'd have leftover hot pepper residue on my hands. Obviously, I didn't wash my hands well enough because a few minutes later, I wiped the sweat on my face and immediately my face started burning. Fun times, y'all. Let me tell ya.

Ok, back to the recipe...

After the hot peppers, I added salt, black pepper, and cilantro. 

 

Ideally, I would've used fresh cilantro. But alas, I've checked at least 4 different places this week, and they've all been out of it. 

So jarred cilantro, for the win ;)

After that I added some plain tomato sauce and a little oil to the blender and then turned it on and let it work its magic.

I also may or may not have forgotten to take a picture of this step. But I think we're ok. Just use your imagination.

After a minute-ish, I turned off the blender and voila! 

I had delicious homemade salsa!

 

Oh, one more thing...

In case you're wondering... 

I didn't include the number of veggies I used because I forgot to count all of them. 

I just eyeballed it and used equal amounts of tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. 

I then used probably 6 or 8 cloves of garlic and 2 of the hot peppers. 

As for the salt, pepper, and cilantro... I used approximately 1 tablespoon, or maybe a little bit more, of each.

And I used just a tiny bit of oil and enough tomato sauce to give the necessary liquid the blender needed to work its magic.

Have I mentioned that I'm horrible at following and giving recipes?

If not... Well now you know :)

Feel free to copy my awesome recipe. 

Just let me know what you think.

Tea Date

Amber and Erin are hosting their bi-monthly Coffee Date link-up, so I thought I'd join in on the fun. This is where you pretend you're out with a friend, getting coffee, and catching up on life.

 

But since I don't drink coffee, I'm having a Tea Break instead. So pull up a chair and grab a mug of tea and let's chat. After I listen to you chat about the comings and goings of your life, I tell you about mine. 

Want to know what's on my mind?

*one*

 

Want to hear something that'd make my Southern ancestors cringe? I really could live my life without anymore sweet tea. *gasp* 

It's shocking. I know. 

But seriously, I love iced tea, but have, in the last few months, lost the taste for the sugary sweet stuff. So I stick with unsweetened if I make any at all. I love hot tea, minus the sugar. 

I'll drink sweet tea. But honestly, it's just not my thing...  

What a bad Southerner I've become. I'm so ashamed ;)

*two*

 

I've joined the Fitbit craze. Thanks to a super awesome giftcard from a super sweet lady who said, and I quote, buy something fun for yourself that you ordinarily wouldn't buy, I got this bit of awesomeness. Now I just need to set it up. ...and start using it. Yay!! I can't wait!

*three*

 

It is what it is.

One of my co-workers in Selma used to say this all the time. It's such a great motto in life... Learn to accept what's going on and live with it. After all, it is what it is. Anywho, when I saw this little sign this summer, I bought it, with my class in mind. I think it'll be a great lesson for my kiddos (and their teacher) to remember. 

*four*

 

My oldest niece turned 4 yesterday. Where has the time gone? Shouldn't she still be a baby?! ;)

*five*

 

I'm working in my classroom this week, getting it arranged and getting everything ready for this year's 5th graders. As of now, I'll have 15 kids. Although, that number has fluctuated a bit this summer due to new enrollments, cancellations, testing results, etc. I'm so excited for this school year! I have so many big ideas and I can't wait to be able to implement them. 5th grade's going to be the place to be y'all ;)

*six*

 

Heat and humidity are no joke y'all. Oh my word... My apartment is like a sauna right now. It's crazy. My bed holds in the heat, so I moved to the couch for possibly the duration of hot season in Dakar. But honestly, the tile floor is even cooler. So if you see me hobbling around like an old person pretty soon, it's because I've been sleeping on the floor trying to cool off a bit.

Good news, though? There's A/C at the school. So my classroom will be my hideout. Well, once my classroom's A/C is fixed, that is ;) For now, the school office is my hideout.

*seven*

 

I had to pick up some veggies this morning. I bet your fruit/veggie stand doesn't look like mine ;)

The Big "4"

Exactly 4 years ago I became an aunt. 

I'll never forget those first few pictures sent to me via text all the way in Senegal...

 

I'd never loved another human as much as I loved (love) that little girl (and now her sister).

 

From the very first time I met and held her in the Birmingham airport at a little over 4 months old, I felt my world was just a little brighter.

 

Spending time with her quickly became one of my most favorite pastimes. It didn't matter if we were just sitting around...

 

Or cheering on our favorite team...

 

 

Or if we're playing or going outside and picking flowers. And seeing that sweet smile and those eyes light up is all it takes for me to join in.

 

 

We have our periodic Daisy/Zizzie Dates when I'm home. Although, she's not selfish. She'd much rather we invite Granny and little sister along too :)

 

 

 

She is one spoiled little girl, but it's worth it. She deserves it :)

 

She's a "ham" for the camera and can totally make me laugh, grinning and posing for a picture :)

 

 

Or showing off our "muscles"...

 

Any day spent with her (and her sister) is a good day for me...

 

This little love bug has totally stolen my heart.

 

Happy Birtbday Sweet Girl!

 

My 31st by the Hour

A fellow blogger, Erika, did a fun style of an A Day in the Life post the other day, where instead of just posting random pictures, she did one picture each hour. 

So I thought I'd "copy" her idea... 

And because I know you're all just dying to know all about how my birthday went yesterday, here ya go...

7:30 - I'd been awake for a little while, but didn't want to out of bed. So I'd been praying and thinking and also listening to my Worship playlist on my phone.

 

8:00 - I ended up calling my mom last night and talking for a long, long time, using up all the minutes on my phone. So I had to go get more credit this morning.

 

8:30 - After that, I came back home to grab a bite for breakfast and to feed my houseguest who's staying with me while his family is traveling.

 

9:00 - I then went to the school to bum their wifi and enjoy the A/C because my apartment was ridiculously hot. Then a friend who just arrived back, asked if I wanted to ride along to the store so we could chat and catch up.

 

10:00 - I opened my birthday bag of gifts from my Mom and also enjoyed a nice cold Dr Pepper (a gift from a student). 

 

11:00 - I then headed to lunch with friends.

 

12:00 - We ate lunch at Feel Juice Dakar. A salad bar in Dakar? Who knew?! It was delicious!

 

12:30 - Yay for birthday presents from friends!

 

1:00 - On the road...

 

2:00 - Grocery shopping with a photo bomber makes for fun times :)

 

3:00 - Tabaski's almost here, so rams are everywhere.

 

4:00 - We made a quick pit stop at another grocery store closer to home that had some food items cheaper.

 

4:30 - Once home, I did a little afternoon reading on the subject of faith.

 

5:00 - Nap time now involves a ceiling fan, 2 stand fans, and me trying to somehow stay cool in the sauna that is my bedroom.

 

6:00 - I made my favorite cake for my birthday dessert for tonight's dinner. I love strawberry cake with strawberry frosting!

 

7:00 - I then headed to dinner with my "family away from family" and my fellow August 6 birthday buddy :)

 

8:00 - Funny "gift" of the night... Slim jims ;)

 

8:30 - We watched Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. I think I liked it better than the first one.

 

10:00 - At this point, the movie was over and this cutie wanted some attention ;)

 

11:00 - Headed home after a long, but totally fun and blessed day :)

 

11:39 - I got home and ready for bed and then finished up this post, so it'd be ready to publish the next day.

 

And with that, I bid my 31st goodnight. 

A Letter to 31

Dear 31,

You're how old I'll be as of Saturday. I sometimes don't see how that's possible. At times, I still feel like I'm 16, I'm high school, and ready to take on the world.

Once upon a time, I was bummed at the thought of potentially not being with my family on my birthday this year. 

Ever since my dad passed away, the day has left a slight twinge of sadness in my heart. It's the "big" days like my birthday, when I miss my dad the most and just really don't want to be alone. 

But, due to various reasons, I chose to come back to Dakar earlier than originally planned, meaning I would indeed be in Dakar on my birthday.

And  knowing how I'd be feeling on Saturday, I chose to plan the day in advance. This way, I could guarantee I'd spend it with friends and co-workers and surrogate families ;)

I have lunch plans with a big group of people. I have dinner plans with my "family away from family." I have a Skype call planned with my mom. And all in all, I think it's going to end up being a great day! 

Honestly, I don't feel any older. But I feel good. I'm getting healthier. I'm honestly just loving life. I am. 

In terms of work... I feel like I'm finally hitting my stride in teaching and in my role in helping to fulfill The Great Commission. I love my job and am so incredibly lucky blessed to be able to follow my passion and do what I love! 

Educationally speaking... I'm in the middle of my last 6 classes needed to become ordained with the A/G. I'm studying through a book/DVD program, trying my hardest to learn enough ASL to (at the very least) have a decent conversation with someone. I'm researching all I can to help me in prepping for a new(-ish) teaching strategy that will be so incredibly beneficial to my 5th graders this year. It all keeps me busy. That's for sure. But I like being busy. I do.

Spiritually speaking... I feel like I'm at a stage where I just can't get enough of the Word. I can sit for hours and hours, with my Bible open, flipping back and forth, reading and studying. I love this hunger deep in my soul that has grown over time. 

Are things perfect? No, of course not. Do I wish I were married and had children and a white picket fence? Yes, definitely. *Well, maybe not a white picket fence, but you get the idea... ;)

But you know... I honestly can say that I'm happy. I truly am. I love my life and am blessed so amazingly more than I deserve.

So to end this letter... 

31, I think you're going to be a great year. I can't wait to see what awesomeness you have for me. I pray I treat you well,