RAISING THE LITTLE BARR'S

proud to be an american

Charlene1 Comment


Freshman year of high school..Mrs. Thompson's english class. That's where I was when it happened. The news traveled faster than anyone could imagine. Our entire school day consisted of confusion, sadness, and feelings that children today won't ever understand because they didn't live through it. I guess we can only hope that they won't ever have to know what that life-changing Tuesday felt like. We can hope that they will learn from it, but certainly hope they won't ever have to hear news that will shake our country like that.

Every aspect of that day was and still is devastating. The lives lost - the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, grandparents, aunts, uncles, you name it - will never be forgotten. The heroic tendencies of everyone in the community that day will forever be remembered. Our country stood strong - as strong as they could - and came together to remain united.

We sang America the Beautiful in church today and it had a different feeling to it. In the bulletin, there was a quote by a wife of one of the pilots:

"If we learn nothing else from this tragedy,
we learn that life is short
and there is no time for hate"

...amen to that!


~~~~


Hope everyone had a good (and thankful-to-be-here) kind of weekend. Ours was very low key but there is nothing wrong with that. Today, I made chicken salad using the Clauson's a-mazing recipe! We love it. For those of you who have asked for the recipe, here goes:

  • Baked chicken breasts (shred using forks)
  • Toasted almonds
  • Craisins (we didn't even think we liked these, but they really make this recipe great!)
  • Celery (chopped)
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Mayo
Mix all ingredients together. Serve on a croissant (the only way we like it!)
*I did not put measurements because it really just depends on your liking. I only use a little bit of mayo and more cream. You be the judge :) We paired with broccoli cheddar soup..yummy!
chicken salad recipe
chicken salad on croissants
broccoli cheddar soup

Enjoy.

...and be proud to be an American!



dear weather

CharleneComment

Walking into our house after work the other day, I was welcomed like you wouldn't believe. The sun was just begging to shine in our home through open windows with cool breezy air - and we sure let it. In fact, we were begging back for more. Please stay this way weather! And by this way, I mean this 70-degree-bright-blue-sky-not-too-cold-not-too-hot forecast that screams "please, oh please, come enjoy me!!!"

Well, okay, if we must...
Those blue skies were a-callin' our names. Carly and I went walking at the park - our feet quickly hitting the pavement, while Jack's paws led quickly and anxiously, waiting to see what was around each bend. I think I could have cared less what was around each bend because I was just happy to be outside. In case you can't tell by now, I'll say it again - these past couple days have been just beautiful!

If dogs frown, then Grizz sure was. He sat patiently by the sliding glass door, waiting for his turn outside. Although, he did seem somewhat happy to observe the wind blowing through the screen and the creatures passing him by. He stayed put right there as I made stir fry using a bit of Trader Joe's deliciousness. We enjoyed some of our first fall beers of the season. *notice I said some of our first fall beers...the first were really last weekend. We got started a little early on the Oktoberfest brews :)



Today it was Grizz's turn to enjoy the great outdoors. We went out back equipped with a magazine, a phone, a camera, and each other as we listened to the sounds of children playing and airplanes traveling above. He watched every car pass us, hoping the next would be his dad - and he sure knew when it was. J drove by and Grizz went nuts...(I still find it funny that he knows our cars)..and pup's best friend came to play.




As for a great ending to a long week - dinner with friends at Rosa Mia (Ugo's family's restaurant.) It's always nice for the guys to get out AWAY from school and have a little normal time with each other and the wives. Somehow, though, the conversation always, and I mean always, reverts back to school. Oh, those future dorks doctors! ;)


It's too warm for sweaters and it's too cool to sweat - oh how I love thee. We are so excited about the change of weather. It just reminds us of what's to come - delicious seasonal beers, crock-pot meals (already made 2 this past week..what what!), holidays, family, and fun. yessss!

templates

CharleneComment
{free & downloadable}

Download my Menu Cards


Download my Invitations

Download my Reception/More Info. Cards

Download my Ceremony Programs (Front)

Download my Ceremony Programs (Back)

Download my Unity Candle

Download my Memorial Candle

Download my Monogram


F.A.Q.

*Some of these templates were done on Microsoft Word in which case most of you have, but some were done on Adobe Illustrator (which you can download a free trial for on Adobe's website if you don't have it already)

*For most of these templates, you will need to have the fonts already installed on your computer or you will not be able to view them properly and the formatting will mess up.

* Invitations - I bought most of the supplies from our local Paper Source store, which may also be purchased on their website.

*Ceremony programs - Printed 3 programs per 8.5x11 sheet of textured cardstock. I first printed the front side then turned the paper over in the print feeder and printed the backside. Then I cut in between each program and used a round corner punch on each corner.

*Unity & Memorial candle - Printed on vellum paper found at any craft store, then wrapped around candles and used double-sided tape on the back.  I placed ribbon around the candles as well and attached pearl embellishments.

*All paper cuts were made using a paper slide cutter (cheap Fiskars one found at Michael's.)

*Starfish were purchased on E-bay.




Any other questions:
Email me: charlene@becomingthebarrs.com