a chicken and a turnip

Hey guys!  Yet again, it has been way too long since I have updated the blog.  The semester has kicked off and hasn't stopped!  Travel season at work has begun and I will be gone at least 2 days every week until November visiting my high schools.  It's crazy how fast time is flying by. Are we really already halfway through with September??  I'm taking a stats class this semester, have to do a directed individual study, pass my comps, then I will graduate with my masters in December!  I get a little stressed out when I think about the directed individual study and comps, but I'm trying to take it one day at a time.  I applied for graduation last week.  It feels like just yesterday I was trying to decide if I should start my masters or not... and here I am, less than 3 months away from graduating.

Speaking of how fast time is flying by, I am in my 17th week of pregnancy!  Week 18 begins on Tuesday. That means a little over two weeks to halfway there! I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and got to hear the precious heartbeat again.  That is so amazing. I wish I could hear it everyday. Instead, I pray for this little life every day. This week my baby weighs 5 ounces this week and is 5 inches long, head to bottom.  Its the size of a turnip!

Baby English is making itself more known to me and to the world, as my belly is growing!  People have been telling me that they don't think that I am showing yet, but I just think they are being nice.  I can definitely tell.  Jesse can too.  He is sweet to place his hand on the bump, put his ear to it (as if he can hear anything), and say, "Hello Baby!"  I'm really looking forward to the next months of pregnancy!  I'm excited to feel the baby move for the first time, watch my belly grow, and find out the gender of the baby.  We're planning to have a "reveal party" at our tailgate on November 5 at the Homecoming game!  If you are on campus that day, stop by!



Here are the most recent photos I have.  Please ignore the articles of clothing in the background.  (You have to get more of those too!)





Just kidding!  That was me trying on the baby bump pillow at Motherhood Maternity. Here are the real ones:





I'll do my best to update you with photos as we go along! I've been buying some maternity clothes... one pair of jeans and this shirt in the picture. I had to, it's MAROON! I don't really need the shirts yet, but I am definitely in the jeans!  Mine don't button anymore... My sweet cousin has lended me some of her maternity clothes that she no longer needs.  Praise God!  It is so amazing to have basic needs provided by the Lord. It's expensive to have to buy an entire new wardrobe!

Well, I've been enjoying having this weekend with NO PLANS.  I love college football, but I'm glad our game was Thursday, so that this weekend would be chill.  I slept in and spent what was left of my morning in the kitchen making our favorite chicken salad recipe!

Homemade Chicken Salad.   I'm not sure if I should say where I got this recipe from, however, it is a VERY POPULAR place to get chicken salad in MADISON or RIDGELAND.  It is particularly good on a BAGEL.  If that doesn't clue you in, then you have never been there.

ORIGINAL RECIPE
Ingredients:

• 3 boiled chicken breasts
• sliced grapes
• sliced almonds
• 8 oz. sour cream
• 3/4 c. mayo
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. pepper

Directions:

• Let the chicken cool - put it in a food processor - until texture of breadcrumbs.
• Hand mix the "sauce" and add to the chicken
• Add grapes and almonds
• Let chill in the fridge/freezer before serving

AC'S CHANGES

I follow these instructions, almost exactly, but here are some changes that I make.

• Instead of boiling chicken breasts, I buy a rotisserie chicken already cooked at the store. Call me lazy. This time I bought the lemon pepper chicken.  Remove skin, and pull chicken from bones.  I just tear apart the chicken with my fingers, and separate into small bits.  No food processor needed!

• Instead of specifically almonds, I use whatever nut I have on hand... almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.   I put grapes, and recently have started adding craisins to the mix as well... adds texture, flavor, and color!

• Note:  when you first mix together all of the ingredients, the mixture looks pretty wet.  It is really important to chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving, because in that time, it firms up to a nice consistency.  

Yummy!  We had the chicken salad for a late lunch.  Jesse likes with with a piece of lettuce on bread.  I prefer it on crackers.  I like the crunch of Ritz!

I hope that you enjoyed this post and that you will give this recipe a try!  Enjoy the cooler weather and have a great weekend!  

Purple Potatoes & Baby Update

Last weekend while visiting Jesse, he took me to the DeKalb Farmer's Market.  So, I'm thinking it would be like any ol' farmers market like others I had been to.  I was kind of confused that we were going on a Saturday night to a building that looked like Sam's club with a large parking lot.  It's actually a world market that is open every day.  We walk into this huge warehouse (I kept comparing it to Ikea, but for food) that is full of every type of food from all around the world.  It was so cool!  They have everything that you can imagine.  We probably spent at least an hour just walking around.

One of my favorite things about the place was all of the different kinds of people that were there - who were also from all over the world.  I bet it is amazing for them to have a place to go to buy the ingredients to make their favorite dishes from home.  I loved how many children were there... sitting in the buggies surrounded by all of these colorful fruits and veggies, fresh breads, etc.  They got to pick out the exact fish from the tank they would have for dinner that night and watch it be butchered.  This might be strange, but I want my children to understand and know where their food comes from... that it's not always perfectly packaged in the meat cooler.  If I ever live in Atlanta, this is where I want to shop for food.  We bought some spices, macadamia nuts, french brioche, coffee, and purple potatoes - all for really good prices.  I have seen recipes that call for purple potatoes, but have never cooked with them before.... until tonight!  We made Purple Potato Au Gratin.  It was really yummy!  I found a good recipe on www.allrecipes.com.

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 leek, sliced
• 8 purple potatoes, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until it starts to brown. Stir in leeks and cook until just tender.
3. Toss potatoes with flour and stir into leek mixture, coating thoroughly. Pour in milk and stir in goat cheese. Cook until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly. Pour into a 7x11 inch baking dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is golden brown and potatoes are tender.

BABY UPDATE:  Jesse and I went to the doctor today for my 12 week checkup. Let the 2nd trimester begin!  The last time we were at the doctor we had an ultrasound to see the baby and see the heartbeat, but it was still too early to be able to hear the heartbeat.  Well, that all changed today!  It was amazing to get to hear that little sound.  For some reason I was nervous just before the doctor put the sensor on my stomach, but it all went away when I heard the precious pitter-patter.  I'm so thankful that Jesse was able to come home early so he could hear his baby's heartbeat.

It's amazing that the Lord has blessed us with this gift - this incredible life that will be our responsibility to raise, teach, love.... all for His glory.  Please be praying for us as we prepare for this huge responsibility as parents, as it is scary!

Everybody is home!

Gosh - where do I even begin to update?  Once again, I have been a terrible blogger, but am excited about all of the fun things to blog about over the coming months!  

In most recent news, JESSE IS HOME!  He originally wasn't supposed to come home until this Saturday.  I went to visit him in Atlanta this past weekend - to find out that he would be following me home! I was so happy when he told me that I cried.  Imagine that.... hormones?  Maybe so, but I was THAT ready for my man to be home. We packed up the UHaul on Sunday and made our way back home.  I can't tell you how good it was to be home with him that day and do simple things like go to the grocery store and cook dinner.  My world is at peace when he is here.  Everything is how it is supposed to be. Life is easy. And FUN.  Gag me?  Sorry, it's how I feel.  

In other news, WE ARE HAVING A BABY! I know this has already been announced on the blog, but sometimes I just have to say it because it still doesn't feel real.  I am 12 weeks this week and we head back to the doc on Thursday for a check up.  We should be able to hear the heartbeat this week.  So exciting!  Baby English is the size of a lime, is just over 2 inches long, and weighs half an ounce.  tiny.  My clothes are all still fitting fine these days, so I'm enjoying that while it lasts.  I haven't been sick, but man have I been tired.  Oh, and my nails and hair are growing like crazy thanks to my prenatal vitamins.

Everything at work is going well.  I have been traveling a little bit to Send Off Parties, hosted by the Alumni Association.  It's exciting to officially welcome my students into the Bulldog Family! Move In Day is this Wednesday.  Starkville is about to explode with over 20,000 students.  Which means we all got raises in the Admissions office. Praise God!  I am very excited about this fall - especially football season!  If you need a reservation at the English Bed & Breakfast, let us know.  This is the last season it will be open for guests (unless you can deal with a 7 month old baby).  

I'll leave you with a recipe that we made tonight.  Every now and then, you find that recipe that you made one time, fell in love, then somehow forgot about it.  I found an old post last year where I posted about this particular recipe. BUT, this time I have pictures.  Oh yeah.

Summer Pasta with Basil, Tomatoes, and Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 pounds vine ripened tomatoes, seeded and diced  (from our garden!)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (from our garden!)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves (from our garden!)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup cream sherry  (we used balsamic vinegar and it was amazing)
• 12 ounces spaghetti (we used whole wheat angel hair pasta)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Asiago cheese
• 2 cups fontina cheese, shredded (we used Gruyere - also amazing)

Directions 

1. In a medium bowl, toss together tomatoes, garlic, basil, mint, salt and black pepper, hot pepper flakes, olive oil, and cream sherry. Let stand at room temperature for up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

2. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, but firm to the bite.

3. Drain the pasta, and transfer to a large serving bowl. Drain 1/4 cup of the liquid from the tomato mixture, and toss with the pasta to coat. Add cheese, and toss until it begins to melt. Add the tomato mixture, and toss until mixed.

Talk about AMAZING.  Love the fresh herbs from our garden.  Tonight we had it with hamburgers and it was delish.  

Not the best plating picutre, but I wanted you to see the final product.

We planted some zinnias from seed in our front flower bed this spring and they are beautiful! I love having fresh flowers in the house - and the more you cut them, the more the plant produces.  My kind of flower.

Much love from the Englishes!  

1+1=3

Big news from the English household....  it's been a little while since I blogged, but I think this will make up for it:


We are expecting a baby due February 22, 2012!!!

Yes.  I know.  CRAZY!  We are still a little shocked and scared but we are most EXCITED!  We weren't necessarily planning for this, but the Lord obviously had other plans in store for us.   Just a month after we celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary, we will be welcoming a new person into the world!  

It has been so hard to keep this a secret.  I found out the Friday of Father's Day Weekend - how appropriate? Jesse was already planning on coming home that weekend, so I surprised him with a Happy Father's Day card when he got to Starkville that night. I think he first thought it was from Maggie until he looked up and saw the  look on my face.  We went through all sorts of emotions that weekend - excited, scared, freaked out, excitied, etc. It was very appropriate for Jesse to hear a sermon about being a father that Sunday! Once we shared the news with our families, it became more and more real to us and the excitement has grown so much over the past month!  It has been so fun to share with friends and I am so relieved that the whole world can now know!

We ask that you pray for us in this time.  It is so exciting, but it is still a little scary.  I will finish my masters this December and Jesse will finish in May. My maternity leave will take us through the end of May, and then we will see what God has in store for us.   It's very comforting to know that the Lord has plans for this precious life.... that is being created inside of me... which is still weird to fathom. 

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Prasie Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

I guess that's enough news for today.  :)

Quick Update

I hate that I have not had much time to blog this month!  Orientation really is taking over my life.  We are about to start our last week - beginning with a Counselor Dinner tonight followed by our last Freshman session Monday and Tuesday and our last Transfer session on Wednesday. What is getting me through this month?  Well its these people in this picture.  Some of the biggest blessings in my job are these people you see below.  It's very rare when all of us are together for any amount of time, due to our recruiting territories, but it always fun and interesting when we are! We are so excited about the class that will be joining the Bulldog Family this fall.  Missing you, Megan and Matt!

MSU Admissions Counselors

Where has June gone??  We have anticipated this time of the summer for a while, and it is about to be over.  Crazy.  I'm sorry that this month has caused me to be a distant friend...  I'll be back very soon! I'm definitely looking forward to what July will bring - a roommate!  Kelley is moving in for the month before she heads off to become an adult and teach English to the 7th graders of New Albany, MS. Today I'm working on getting the guest room cleaned out and ready for her to move in.

Awaiting me at the end of this week is the English Family 4th of July trip to North Georgia!  On Friday, Kelley, Trae, and I will pack up and meet the rest of the family at a lake in Ellijay.  I am so excited to see Jesse and hang with the fam.  There most definitely will be a fun post with pictures from the long weekend!

Until then...  :)

June - Survival Month

So, June is officially almost halfway over.  Really?  June brings many changes to my life - and its almost half way over??  This will be a short post, but just wanted to catch you up on what is going on in the English household.

It seems like it was just yesterday that Jesse was headed to North Carolina... and he has gone again, but this time to Atlanta. He is pumped about going to all the Braves games! He is at an internship this summer in downtown Atlanta for the National Park Service and is living in the Decatur area.  I wasn't able to help move him in because of the other thing June brings to my life - MSU Orientation.  We have already completed 2 sessions, with another one beginning on Thursday. By the end of June, we will have completed 7 sessions. Whew.  It has been really cool to see my students at Orientation!

More to come later - until then, I wanted to share the best recipe that I have ever found for Oatmeal Raisin cookies.  Jesse and I made these a few weeks ago and I can't get them off of my mind.  Follow every step. Including whipping the butter and sugars for 5 minutes - I've never done it that long, normally until it is just combined - but it's worth it!  http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2010/10/oatmeal-raisin-cookies-recipe-flour/

Happy Birthday, Maggie!

I know a lot of my posts end up being about my favorite pooch... but this one is special!  Our Magnolia Mae is 1 year old today!  We went to Madison to visit with my parents for the weekend.  She had a very eventful birthday weekend.  As usual, there are many pictures to go along with the story.  

Last weekend we celebrated Memorial Day with Jesse's family and had to board her, so she was really excited this weekend once she realized she was getting to go with us.  

We woke up Saturday morning to spend the entire day on the lake. Maggie was quickly a big fan of riding on a boat.  

Jesse caught a bass...

...and I caught a catfish!

Which we ate for lunch today. Yummy!

 

After fishing and riding, it was time to get in the water. (By the way, why is June already so hot this year???????)  A dip in the lake was very refreshing - and we finally convinced Maggie that being a lab means that you must be a waterdog.  We tried to get her to swim back in November, but she was not a fan...  So, after some coersion, in she went!  She made a b-line to my Dad who was chillin on a raft and immediately climbed aboard to safety.  

Here's a video!  At this point, she still wasn't too sure about it and was ready to be back in the boat... as you will see.

But once she got used to it, she loved swimming and sitting on the rafts!

Surfing Dog!

After a great weekend in the Brick City, we made it back to Starkville for a birthday dinner with Aunt Kelley and Trae, who brought a gift!  Every lab needs a duck toy.

Overall, I think she had an excellent first birthday.  She is absolutely pooped now that she is home.  And so it is time for bed. Goodnight!