Day 7 - Favourite Movies

So...it's movies today. I think in day 1 I said that I'm not a big movie person...and it's true. Do you know how hard it is to find a good, clean, quality, character development movie? That's why I say it's too much work. I've tried to like chick flicks but 99% of the time I'm horribly disappointed in them (which is sad when Jason tries to be nice and takes me to one!) However, there are a few movies out there that I do really enjoy.

1. Shawshank Redemption - this is probably my favourite movie ever. It has everything I could want in a movie. It is one of the few times I have ever walked out of a movie theatre and said "Wow. That was good."

2. Letters to Juliet - I just watched this movie at Christmas and it was sweet and touching and I put it on my "I could own this movie" list.

3. Ella Enchanted - Fun, witty and thoroughly enjoyable. A great mix of fantasy and romance (with a song or two thrown in).

4. Anne of Green Gables - I loved the books and I love the movies. Spirited, amusing and such a simple place and time. I watch them at least once a year (that's a lot for me!)

5. Apollo 13 - I don't know why I really like it but I do. It was a good movie.

6. Pirates of the Caribbean - OK...the plot kinda sucked and making a movie based on a ride is just silly (the second two really sucked) but Johnny Depp's character simply made this movie. Seriously, they could take everything else out and leave Johnny Depp and that would be just as good. I can't actually say I love the movie but Johnny Depp made it fun! PS Speaking of Johnny Depp (an amazing actor, in my opinion) I also really enjoyed Edward Scissorhands but this list is getting long for a person who doesn't really like movies!

There you go...a few of my favourites and, to be honest, I don't have much more than that on my shelf! (I do have a few and Jason has more than that).

Until next time...

Day 6 - A Picture of Something That Makes You Happy

Well, there are so many things that make me happy and I was trying to decide which way to go! I can think of simple little things like chocolate covered chocolate chip cookie dough. Or, there is the obvious and I can say my family. Or, I could think of one special time in my life like my wedding, the birth of my kids or a favourite trip to France. I could think of family vacations from my childhood. Or making cakes in my EZ-Bake oven and taking them to my favourite teacher. I could think of school and learning new things or coffee dates with friends. There's also hanging out with my husband for a whole day or playing with snow in the tub. All these things make me happy, but I wanted to stick with one photo! Now, while my family does make me happy, there are photos of them all over my blog...just go back a few posts so I wanted to do something different and this is what came to mind...water.

Now you'll think I'm strange...especially for a prairie girl who has lived pretty much her whole life in a land-locked province! It's true, though, there is something about water in nature that just soothes me. I can feel a physical reaction when I get close to it. I relax. I calm. It's amazing. This is always where I have felt closest to God - when I'm sitting in front of some water. It's not any one type, either...it could be a pristine lake in norther Saskatchewan, a stream winding through the bush behind a friend's farm, a waterfall tumbling down a mountainside, the vast expanse of the ocean in front of me...these all have the same effect. It is best when there are few other people around. In fact, I'd rather wander the rocky shoreline of a body of water than sit on the beach with a bunch of other people. There's something about the power and the majesty there...something that always makes me stand in awe of my Creator. I love it. Too bad I now (and for the last 15 years) live in a place where lakes are few and sometimes even man-made. Though, I think this makes the joy of visiting these places even greater. (Don't get me wrong, I LOVE where I live!) Anyway, we went out to the Oregon coast a couple years back and drove Route 101 along the coast. This is one of my favourite photos of the highway travelling along the ocean!

There you go!

As for other life things...we did fill the tub with snow and then play in it this morning! It was great fun (mostly for Xander) and we built a snowman, threw snowballs and shovelled. It was a bit cold to go outside so this was a really nice break! It is also amazing how long it takes a tub full of snow to melt. We had to help it along! That's about all that's interesting since yesterday!

Until next time...

Day 5 - Your Favourite Recipes

Ohhh, yummy! This is a bad one because now I wanna make all this stuff that I so shouldn't eat (at least not in the quantities I cook!!) I enjoy cooking...more than that, I enjoy baking. Desserts are actually my thing. I enjoy making a nice meal, too, but if there's no dessert it is just wrong! My Mom is a fabulous cook and I like to think that I've inherited/learned some of that from her. I love to look at recipes but I like old, tried and true recipes...ones that people actually prepare and eat. My favourite cookbooks are the fundraiser ones put out by schools and churches because I know people actually eat them! However, time and having to do it everyday sometimes saps the creativity and desire! These are a few of my favourites:

Main courses:

Pineapple Chicken - delicious with rice and SOOO easy to make!!

6 to 8 pieces of chicken

3/4 c brown sugar

2/3 c ketchup

1/2 c vinegar

1 can pineapple pieces plus juice

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp soya sauce

Mix together everything but the chicken. Pour over chicken in a roaster and bake, uncovered at 375 for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Chicken & mushroom stew (this is THE BEST the next day...I love mine on a toasted sandwich and I substitute grape juice for wine because we never have wine in the house)
3 tbsp of olive oil
8 x chicken thighs
1 lb. of cremini or button mushrooms, cut into quarters
2 x Portobello mushrooms, sliced
2 x onions, sliced
1 cup of chicken stock
1 cup of wine, red or white, your choice
salt and pepper
Preheat a large skillet over a medium-high heat then add the oil and a single layer of the chicken thighs. Because you will be adding liquid and lowering the temperature of the chicken, this is the only opportunity you will have to add the rich flavours of caramelized chicken - so be patient. Brown evenly on both sides. When they are done remove and rest on a side plate. Pour off most of the accumulated fat.
Add the onions and mushrooms to the pan. Sauté first until they begin to release their juices then as they start to become golden brown. Place the chicken thighs back into the pan; then add the stock, wine, salt and pepper. Bring to a slow simmer; a boil will toughen the meat. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid so that no moisture escapes and simmer slowly until the meat is very tender and falling off of the bone, about 45 minutes.

Now to the desserts - I have so many! The biggest hit this Christmas was actually chocolate dipped chocolate chip cookie dough. I found a cookie dough recipe that didn't include eggs (it was made so you could eat it raw) and then just dipped them in chocolate - SO good. I also make a version of Reese Peanut Butter cups but as balls and mint patties...mmmm, I love chocolates. Another big hit is my banana cream square (I make it in a 9x13 pan because pies don't keep their shape, anyway!) It's so simple - graham crumb crust, slice bananas on top of that, add instant vanilla pudding over that and top with whipped cream - HUGE hit and TOO easy!

The two that first popped into my mind, though, are Skor Trifle (this is Jason's favourite and always his request!) and hot fudge pudding!

Skor Trifle

Cake:
1 3/4 c flour
2 c sugar
3/4 c cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c boiling water
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 c milk
1/2 c oil
2 tsp vanilla

Layers:
1 tub Cool Whip or whipping cream
6 SKOR chocolate bars
1 lg pkg & 1 sm pkg instant chocolate pudding

Cake: Combine all dry ingredients in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into a greased and floured 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool. Cut into 1 inch squares.

Layers: Prepare whipping cream. Crush bars. Prepare instant pudding according to directions. Put a layer of chocolate cake squares in a large glass bowl (huge). Pour half chocolate pudding over cake. Spread half of Cool Whip over pudding. Sprinkle half crushed bars over Cool Whip. Repeat. Eat at your own risk :)

Hot Fudge Pudding - I haven't had this in ages because it's best eaten hot but it's kinda much...though as I'm now reading, a 9x13 pan is a double recipe so maybe this would be doable. I've never made it smaller than a double!! :D

1 c sifted flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 tbsp cocoa
Sift the above together in a bowl and make a well.
1/2 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp melted butter
Pour above into well
Beat together and add 1/2 c nuts (optional). Turn batter into a greased pan (9x13 for a double recipe)

Mix together:
1/2 c white sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
3 tbsp cocoa
Sift over mixture in pan.

Pour 1c cold water over mixture. Bake at 350F for about 45 minutes. Turn upside down to serve.

This has a nice chocolatey sauce - yummy!!

I could go on and on, but I won't. These are a sample of my favourites!

I'm really enjoying this 30 day thing. Today was quiet around here as there was no school so the boys wanted to go to Auntie's house. It's been kinda nice having some peace and quiet as spring seems SOOO far away right now (coming from someone who doesn't usually care how long winter is, as long as she doesn't have to drive on icy roads!). It will come sometime. It's been really nice this week but it's hard to get outside too much during the week and, of course, it's supposed to be cold tomorrow! Oh well.

Until next time...

Day 4 - My Parents

My parents...I love them to pieces! Everybody says this and lots of us mean it but I have the best parents! My Dad is a retired teacher and now works as a pastor at a small town church. My Mom is a nurse, though she stayed home with us for most of my growing up years. So picture this...6 kids all on a teacher's salary. Now that I am grown up I have finally realized how little there must have been to go around and yet we never wanted for anything! We always had everything we needed (not that it was brand name) and were content. We went on vacations and had a lot of fun as a family. I had friends growing up who thought we were rich...my dad just knows how to shop a deal! (He still does and would probably love to tell you about his latest!) I learned so much from my parents growing up. They were great examples of how to love the Lord and to love others. Their faithfulness to God and the church we grew up in (through good AND bad times) was a great example to me. My Mom is one of the most hospitable people I know and it is great to be adult friends with her! My Dad is full of wisdom that we get to benefit from! My parents aren't big gift givers (though we do get gifts) but they are always willing to give of their time. When it's at all feasible, they will drive 5 hours to come to their grandkids birthday parties or child dedications or just to visit. If something is wrong, they have been known to drop everything and come help. I really appreciate that so much. Anyway, that is just a bit about my parents! I love them so much and I even have a picture to show you (it's good, too - my Mom hates having her picture taken and she always says that as someone's trying to take a picture so then we get a picture of her talking! ;) )

Edit: I had something I was gonna say then forgot when I was posting this but now I remembered so I'll post it! One of my favourite things that my Dad always taught me was that attitude is a choice. Circumstances are just that and it's how you choose to react to them that matters!

Until next time...

Day 3 - Your First Love

I was trying to think of something clever to write, but alas, I am only clever when there is no one to hear (or in such a nerdy way that no one else thinks it's clever!!) Though, when I told my husband the topic, his immediate reply was "chocolate". Hmm, I thought, I do love my chocolate...darker is better - not a big fan of the milk version and white is not a chocolate!! I'd always shop at those boutique chocolate shops, if they weren't so expensive!

Anyway, my first love...this seems to be a popular answer but it is my husband! I had silly school girl crushes when I was a kid but never really even had a boyfriend. I had some good guy friends but that was about as far as it went. As I grew up and moved away, I realized that I could never have dated, let alone married any guy I knew in high school! However, I did meet my husband about a week after I left home! I went to this new church (since it was a new city and all) and got introduced to some college & career aged girls. One of them introduced me to this guy named Jason (gee, born mid-'70s, aren't they all named Jason? My brother is, too - quirky fact). I was honestly immediately intrigued but we didn't start dating right away (though, within the year :) ). My dear brother Jason liked to play "match-maker" and would invite the other Jason (see how hard this gets?) over to watch football or do other things. We dated for 5 years and were married in 2002, so it will be 9 years this spring! I'm not a big romantic, sappy kinda person so I don't have lovey dovey kinda stuff to write so I'll just leave you a photo of the happy couple taken this past Christmas Eve - as much in love as ever :).

Until next time...

Day 2 - Meaning Behind Your Blog Name

Well, today's post should be incredibly easy because I am so incredibly not clever in naming things!! My blog name is really very basic - it is what it says it is. We are the Berkans and this is our life - you can join us here, if you want!! Every once in a while I come up with something clever but not usually when I actually need it so guess you'll just have to live with my boring old blog name! Also, unlike some of my friends my name is not an actual word that can fit into really cute little sayings :) It'd be more fun if it did!

Really, not much else has gone on around here today...just the usual. Well, I did get to have coffee (well, tea and water) with a lady from church this morning and we had a fantastic visit! I can't wait to do it again. Now, I really should be doing dishes and getting ready for care group tomorrow night so I guess I'll go...I don't have any more photos edited to show you, either, so this is kinda a boring post. Since these 30 days are all about me, I guess you've learned that sometimes I'm boring :). I did forget to mention that these prompts came from Heather who is a designer over at ScrapMatters (my favourite forum to hang out at) so hi all you SM girls dropping by!!

Until next time...

Day 1 - Introduction, Photo and 15 INTERESTING Facts!!

Well, today is the day...I'm starting the 30 days of blogging and here is post number 1! I really should do this before late at night but who knows if that will ever happen!

An introduction...who am I? You know, I hate that question. I'm me. That's who I am. There are just too many facets to really be able to explain. I'm a wife to Jason, a mother to Alexander, Evan and Jonathan, a daughter, an aunt, a cousin, a sister, a friend, an acquaintance, a nerd, that strange lady at the Robert Munsch concert, an accountant by trade, a stay at home mom by choice...yet none of these fully describes who I am. In fact, all of these together still don't describe who I am. I guess the closest I can come is that I am a unique child of my Heavenly Father. Maybe the 15 interesting facts will help you to peer into who I might be!

First, the recent photo of me. Do you know how hard these are to find?!!??! I am behind the camera, basically unless I hand it to someone else and tell them to get some photos with me in them! Though, at that point, they tend to seem a bit forced! :) Plus, I got a bad haircut just before Christmas so a lot of my photos (without my hair done) are not what I really wanted to post. I do have a couple cute ones from Christmas Eve when we were opening gifts so here is one of me with my eldest son.

Now, I'm not so sure there are actually 15 interesting facts about me. I guess that will depend on your definition of interesting!! i'll try to make these as good as possible so that you won't get bored! Here they are (in no particular order):

1. I am the second oldest of six kids. I loved having so many siblings growing up. It was especially fun to watch people as we would pile out of the van. Fairly often, you could see people standing there and counting as we came out - especially when we would go on vacation and have an extra person or two along! It really did make us laugh! However, I have no desire to have six kids of my own!

2. I have taken the Wilton Cake Decorating course, Levels 1, 2 and 3. I enjoy making cakes but I mostly do them for my kids. I have made 3 wedding cakes in my time (and I was a photographer for one wedding but that was my sister!)

3. I love to travel. My favourite places to travel are: anywhere I've never been before and whatever place I just finished reading about! :) Currently, on my dream trip list are: Galapagas Islands, Egypt, Austria, New Zealand and the Antarctic.

4. I went to university on a full scholarship and I managed to maintain it for all four years! (That's how I came out debt free!)

5. I have taught Sunday School to 2 and/or 3 year old kids for 10 of the last 13 years (and I love them...they are so smart and have such great memories!)

6. I have a great memory! I have been asked if it was photographic. No - I don't think so, but I don't think it's far off!

7. I have a genetic, degenerative eye disease called Lattice Dystrophy. It affects the corneas. Obviously, I've had it all my life but it wasn't diagnosed until I was 18 years old. Trust me, some of the comments you get from eye doctors aren't particularly encouraging when you're 12 and they have no clue what's wrong!

8. I am horrible at finishing projects but I usually have a list of 5 or 6 on the go and about 20 or 30 more that I want to do!

9. I love school. Always have, always will. I miss high school (not the social part but the academics) because you got to learn a bit of everything. University it too specific! I'm excited that my boy is in kindergarten and I can't wait until I get to help him with homework (they'll probably never need my help and I'll be sorely disappointed!) So, maybe I actually just love learning.

10. I am generally an optimistic person. One of my favourite quotes is by a guy named Gilbert Keith Chesterton and goes like this "An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered; an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered." This is especially true on vacation - just ask me about first days in foreign countries!

11. I wish a spoke a second language fluently. I know some French (more if I only have to read it) but I am NO WHERE near fluent in it.

12. I'm not a fan of movies. Don't know why and occasionally I really like to watch them but I guess I'm just really picky about which ones I watch so it seems like too much work. I hate having to say "That was a good movie, except...." I'd rather play a game.

13. I would rather do algebra than geometry.

14. I have a knack for picking out the most expensive item from a series, even when I don't know the prices. I call it an eye for quality - you can call it whatever you want!

15. I made it to the last one and am having trouble coming up with something. Hmmm... I love curling. I used to play but I don't anymore. I love to watch it, though. I look forward to February - April so that I can watch the Brier, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and whichever world's is broadcast that year. The men's world championships are here this year and I have had tickets since September.

I made it through today's post and I hope you've learned a bit more about me!

Until next time...