Mandy and Jace

These sandwiches were a great hit with us because Jace loves pesto and I enjoy almost any kind of sandwich. One of Jace’s favorite places to eat is Which Wich because he can get his favorite sandwich, a grilled turkey and pesto sandwich. I decided that I couldn’t let his favorite sandwich be from a fast food chain, and I needed to make a better one. I used our roasted turkey recipe (that is amazing by the way), but I just roasted a turkey breast. That was much easier than handling a whole turkey. Believe me, it’s worth your time to roast your own turkey but if you can’t any deli sliced turkey will do. I served this with some awesome buttermilk potato soup and it was a great meal.

Turkey and Pesto Croissant Sandwiches
Several slices of roasted turkey breast
2 cups basil
3 cloves garlic
handful of grated Parmesan cheese
handful of pine nuts
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil
4 large croissants

In a food processor or blender (I prefer the food processor) throw the basil, garlic, handful of Parmesan cheese, handful of pine nuts, salt and pepper into the bowl. Start the food processor or blender and drizzle the olive oil in until it is to the consistency you want. Taste and adjust as you would like. I added a little more basil after I was done, but everyone’s different when it comes to pesto.
Cut your croissant in half and smooth out a layer of pesto over the bread. Add the turkey and throw the sandwiches in the oven for 3-5 minutes just to warm them through.
Put them back together and enjoy!

Photo via Pinterest

Tonight: roasted turkey breast and pesto grilled sandwiches with bacon and roasted jalapeno buttermilk potato soup.
Tuesday: sweet and sour chicken stir fry with fried rice.
Wednesday: slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches with pinto beans.
Thursday: take out after praise and worship practice
Friday: date night

Happy eating!

So apparently Christmas is SUNDAY! I guess I’ve been hiding under a rock for the past few weeks. My to do list just tripled in the past hour and now I hear the only day I have to get things done is Friday and the weather is supposed to suck. Strange enough though it hasn’t dampened my excitement for Christmas. This has always been and always will be my favorite time of year. I love all the lights and decorations. I love any excuse to sit by the pretty tree and drink hot chocolate AND THE FOOD!!! I decided a long time ago that Christmas food has no calories. It just can’t, it’s magical like that.
I am also reminded that Christmas time is why I am actually here. I’m finding as I’m get (ahem) older that the lights and gifts are moving farther behind the true meaning of Christmas. I am so thankful that God sent his Son for me so that I can live this wonderful life that I do. I am blessed beyond what I could have ever imagined and I know that it is all God. Everything I have from my amazing husband to my adorable house and all my stuff that I don’t need but love having is a gift from Him. I take no credit for it.

Speaking of blessings, I want to thank everyone who gave money to help me get to Africa next month. You guys have blown me away with your amazing, giving spirits. I never dreamed I would even be going much less have so much love and support behind me. I have all the money I need plus more that I’m going to use to buy gifts to take to the sweet women we are going to be ministering to. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is sneaking up on me. After the first of the year I’m going to get my to do and to get list together and get moving. New experiences are so much fun! I can’t wait to finally be able to feed my wonderlust and see parts of God’s creation that I have never seen and also most importantly to tell these wonderful women about HIM. It’s going to be amazing!

Doesn’t that look amazing? The mountains, hot chocolate and a big blanket. Sign me up!

Photo via Pinterest

Tonight: Five spice beef stir fry with squash, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions and noodles.
Tuesday: Braised Chicken with Rosemary, White Wine, Golden Raisins, and Mushrooms
Wednesday: Christmas party
Thursday: not sure yet. It’s supposed to be cold this week so I’m thinking some kind of soup and bread.
Friday: Christmas date night. Yay!!

Happy eating!

I’m really not sure what compelled me to read this book, but the second I started reading I was hooked. This book is written by Blake Mycoskie the founder and creator of TOMS shoes. In the book he talks about how he decided to start making TOMS and what propelled him to create his one-for-one business. If you have been living under a rock for the past couple of years and haven’t heard about TOMS I will break it down for you. For every pair of TOMS shoes sold the company donates a pair of shoes to a child in need of shoes.
He explains in this book how he took a trip to Argentina and saw first hand the children who didn’t have shoes to wear and the diseases they were getting by walking around barefoot all the time. He decided to create a comfortable shoe that is durable for the children to wear. His idea and shoes became a success and millions of shoes have been given to needy children.
Not only will the stories in this book bring you to tears but he goes into his business strategies and how to run a successful business and be successful in life in general. I highly recommend taking time to read this book. I now have a new respect for the TOMS brand, a new pair of shoes and a child to pray for that is walking in a pair of shoes for the first time because of my $44.