The Lord is my Shepard

What do these photos I took have to do with the following post? Very little... But, I think they are calming.

 What comforts you? As I was trying to fall asleep last night, my mind wandered back to my young days as a first grader who had just moved 3,000 miles away from home (to the Philippines). A new world I entered into with new frights and challenges. My loving mother taught me this famous passage and I had it memorized as a 6 year old. I use to lay in bed each night in those early days reciting this passage over and over again in my head and aloud. What peace and comfort it brought me! Though I do not have those same fears, this passage brought me peace and comfort this week. God brought this into my mind and I did my best to recite it aloud to my husband (whose mind was scattered in preparation for his first exam in the morning). Though I did not recite it perfectly, a smile was brought to my face as I realized that God knows just how to comfort his sons and daughters.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd;
         I shall not want.
 ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
         He leads me beside the still waters.
 ³ He restores my soul;
         He leads me in the paths of righteousness
         For His name’s sake.
    
 ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
         I will fear no evil;
         For You are with me;
         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
    
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You anoint my head with oil;
         My cup runs over.
 ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
         All the days of my life;
         And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
         Forever.

        Psalm 23

This is a passage to memorize and carry with you in your heart and mind every day. 

Food Treats

The following 3 foods have been such a treat the past couple of days: Homemade Salsa, Eggplant Parmesan, and Breakfast Crepes!

 You can make it too! Ingredients include: tomatoes, green onion, onions, garlic, and spices to your liking. I used Cajun and chile powder along with some salt and pepper. The proportions are up to you! Try it out and experiment with what tastes best. This is my favorite way of cooking! Especially when the result is delicious and so fresh tasting! Chop all your ingredients up and blend away! I'm eating some now with chips..... just can't get enough!

 Eggplant Parm was a success! I made it lasagna style by simply layering the bread-crumbed eggplant layers with spaghetti sauce and cheese (parm and mozzarella). Andrew loved it and ate it for breakfast the next day!

 We enjoyed crepes this morning for breakfast. Ever had chocolate with blueberries? Me either.... until this morning. Not bad! Great way to start the day!

In other news... Andrew's first exam is on Monday. He is studying diligently, but we ask for prayers as this is the first of many to come! 

I began my training in the expanded care nursery (where we care for sick newborns: drug withdrawal, infections, etc) and I am truly loving it! My first day was crazy, but I am feeling more encouraged that this is where I am supposed to be. God is good and he always provides. I have so much to be grateful for. 

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!!! 

First Sewing Attempt & Craft Date

I made my first quilt! It's quite rough around the edges--- literally. However, it was so much fun and I look forward to making more, better-improved quilts! I fell in love with these fabrics for a baby quilt because they are so gender neutral and aren't the typical yellow/green. What do you think?

 My new friend Catherine and I got together today for a craft project. Inspired by Pinterest and numerous other bloggers to include (Urban Nester & A Fortunate Accident). Painted jars/glass vases! The only problem is that we did not have the correct paint. So... no water goes in these jars... I still like the look of them and can use them for candles or little pen/pencil containers or something.

 

It has been a true blessing to have met Catherine and her husband (who is attending med school with Andrew). We are both nurses, both new to Portland, and have so much in common. It's just nice to be meeting new people and be encouraged by fellow believers. Stay tuned for more Catherine/Jenna craft projects!

Blackberry Pie!

Fresh farmer's market blackberry pie!

I used this Recipe

Braided crust adds an artistic flair! I saw this on pinterest and couldn't wait to try it. I purchased pre-made crust and cut it into strips to braid. Worked perfectly!

 Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

Dahlia Days

What a great start to Labor Day weekend! 

It all started with a birthday dinner with my family on Friday night. My Grandma stayed in Portland with us and we had lots of fun adventures today to include: riding the street car to PSU's Farmer's Market, riding the aerial tram up to OHSU and back with Andrew, and going to Canby's Dahlia Festival! The weather was perfect!

 

My sweet mom made Cake Pops for birthday dessert. Though a hassle to carry, they were delicious!

Instead of going out, we ate in on the roof patio! They surprised me with my favorite- La Hacienda Real Mexican food: chicken fajitas and cheese enchiladas. So thoughtful and absolutely yummy!

 

I got a sewing machine!!! Now I can fully jump into my domestic-wife-self and sew things! I've been wanting one for a few years now and am thrilled! My first big project to start: Baby quilt blankets. Working on an OB floor, I see many homemade blankets and have been wanting to make some myself! Now I just need friends to have babies so I can give them one!  *hint hint* you know who you are...

My grandma taught me to sew when I was a little kid. So excited she could be here with me to get it all set up!

The Farmers Market was so much fun! I look forward to going again. I ended up purchasing heirloom baby tomatoes, an egg plant, & blackberries. 

This is where Andrew attends Med school: Oregon Health & Science University. I think it is beautiful. He rides this air tram each day to get there. So convenient and sustainable!  

 Now off to the Dahlia Festival! Swan Island Dahlias is the largest Dahlia producer in the US!

 Gorgeous flowers, gorgeous day. Thankful for time with my Grandma and family.

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8

Twenty Three

Yesterday was my 23rd birthday! Whoa, I'm getting old.... 

Unfortunately, I worked a 12 hr night shift on my birthday eve and then had to sleep all day and went back to work in the evening until 11pm. However, here are some of the things that made me smile during my working/sleeping bday!

 

*After Andrew got home from classes, we went on a short walk down the street to Subway and had an outdoor quick dinner before I had to go back to work.*

 

*I came home from work the morning of my bday to this sweet sign made by the hubs. Andrew-flair included! No furby or dino drawings though. Out of the ordinary for him : )*

 

*This was an unfortunate experiment. I tried to make myself a birthday cake to bring to work to share.... First of all, I wanted to make cupcakes but discovered that we either don't have a cupcake pan or I can't find it... hmmm So, I made this round cake and poured the rest of the homemade batter into small corningware cups*

 

*The cake turned out ok but the frosting is an entirely different story. One not worth sharing other than that I ended up having to throw the entire cake/frosting duo in the trash. Oops. Still working on this whole baking thing! It would help to have tried & true recipes. I need to stop trusting random recipes online. Have any great frosting recipes?*

 

*Andrew made me dinner the night before my birthday before heading to work. Smiley faces included and all! Love him and love our short bits of time together*

* Helping to welcome a new baby into the world and having an excellent shift at work*

*THANK YOU for all of the thoughtful texts/calls/messages. You all also made me smile. * 

Looking forward to:

1) My parents and Grandma coming up tonight for a bday dinner celebration

2) My grandma (we're besties) staying with us for the night and having a fun day tomorrow in Portland

3) The ENTIRE 3-day weekend off

4) A bday date this weekend with Andrew. Can't wait to actually celebrate and spend time together!