A New Day

Today was my first day back to work since Dec 22. I have to admit that I was not excited about getting up at 5:45 AM this morning to get ready... but who could resist a day that begins like this! Thank you Lord for painting such a beautiful sky for me to enjoy this morning.

Wonderful Weekend with Family

Happy first day of winter! After temperatures hitting near 80 this weekend it finally feels and looks a little bit like winter today. Friday evening we celebrated Alyssa's successful surgery and complete recovery with a delicious dinner at Lucca's. Every time we go it is a culinary delight! On our way home we drove down Yale Street in Fullerton to see their unique "ball" lights. It makes you feel like you are in a fairy land. Saturday we had lunch at an Ethiopian restaurant. The food was very delicious! It was a new experience for the Myers' but they loved it. Mom and I went to church Sunday morning and then wrapped presents while watching Christmas movies all afternoon. That evening we drove to Pasadena to Lake Avenue Church for a Messiah Sing-a-long. The music is so beautiful and inspiring! Sara & Patrick met us there and Sara enjoyed herself singing along. Today is my last official work day of the year! I am so ready for a break and am looking forward to spending a wonderful Christmas with my family.

Graduation Day

Today was Wayne's final graduation ceremony after 30 years of service. The president presented him with a special "diploma" commemorating the event. We Love You Wayne!

Merry Christmas to us!

Today we had our office Christmas party. Lots of delicious food was to be had, fun games abounded and prizes for the best decorated cubicles were given out. This year instead of doing a gift exchange we collected donations to send to the orphans in Thailand (over $300!). It was a good time spent with our office family. God bless us everyone!

Two Hearts
"...there could have been
no two hearts so open,
no tastes so similar,
no feelings so in unison,
no countenances so beloved.
Now they were as strangers;
nay, worse than strangers,
for they could never become acquainted.
It was a perpetual estrangement."
- "Persuasion" by Jane Austin, as quoted in the "The Lake House"

What a difference a day makes!

Even though it was 39 degrees in La Mirada this morning and our high was only 58 degrees, the sun was shining nice and bright.

Bright, beautiful sun how I missed you yesterday!

On another note, went I got to work this morning I was met by the hustle and bustle of movie making. I guess they are shooting a Hallmark movie in and around campus this week... who knew? Interesting notice though. Does it mean you can go home if you don't want to be filmed? Hmmm...

Cold and Rainy Monday... who wouldn't feel blue?
Here is the view from my truck as I drove to work this morning. Rain always makes me gloomy and sad... I am a sunshine girl and miss it dearly.

Biola Employee Christmas Luncheon was held today in the gym. Everyone was dressed in festive holiday colors and even got a photo op with the Prez... well sort of... Why the sad face holding a coffee cup? I am protesting the fact that we still haven't had our long ago promised "Coffee with Corey"!

A Happy Thanksgiving

This year we all gathered at Donna & Greg's for the Thanksgiving meal. There are so many things to be thankful for! I have been blessed abundantly this year with wonderful family and friends. God's provision for all our needs is evident every day. After the meal we enjoyed a nice long walk. Friday we spent the day cleaning up and decorating the house. In the evening we had a wine & cheese night with friends which was very fun and the food was delicious! Saturday morning I went on a shopping adventure with Alyssa and we had a fun time finding some great deals. That afternoon I made the trek back to Imperial through a sandstorm, did more shopping with the kiddos and watched the old Christmas movie "Holiday Inn". Sunday was filled with church and more family time. Monday was time to get back on the road for the long drive home. Thankfully the traffic was not bad at all and I made it back in good time. That night I spent baking cookie for the annual cookie exchange at work. I made Surprise Snowballs. About seventeen ladies participated and I came away with a great tray full of holiday treats. I am mailing them all off to some servicemen in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of the monthly care package program of Soldier's Angels. Remember to pray for our troops especially this Christmas season.

Apple Pecan Gorgonzola Rustic Pie
This Thanskgiving I wanted to make something a little different that the regular apple pie. I found a recipe online and adapted it to my taste. Here are the results!

Ingredients:
1 pie dough crust uncooked
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
5 Tbsp real maple syrup
3 large granny smith apples, peeled, cored, chopped
1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)

Toss the pecans, Gorgonzola, thyme, chopped apples, and half of the maple syrup together in a medium size bowl. You can squeeze a little lemon juice on them to help keep them from discoloring.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out pastry dough to 13-inches, at an 1/8 of an inch thickness. Place pastry dough on a rimmed baking sheet. Mound the filling in the middle of the rolled out dough, and spread out evenly to 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches from the edge of the dough. Pleat the edges of the dough over the filling.

Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, until crust is nicely browned. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Drizzle the remaining maple syrup on top. Makes 6 to 8 servings.