Favorite Foto Friday

Best day of my life!  (So far).  I love this pic, b/c the photographer did not take it. My mother-in-law took it when we obviously weren't paying attention to anyone else!  

The Joys and Woes of Renting...

Today was a great day in the life of the Polidors.  For a while, our refrigerator has been leaking.  I don't mean a small leak, I'm talking, we could not use the bottom drawers at all.  And there was an imaginary line that the milk could not go past or else you would get a milk slushie.  We have been hesitant to call the landlord b/c, well, we hadn't exactly told him that we have a dog.  Anyway, Colin made the call this week.  Well today I get home and my landlord is there dropping off this beauty...

Can we talk about how much I love this fridge.  First, it's huge! Second, no leaking!  But the best part is (drum roll please)...AUTOMATIC ICE MAKER!!!!!  

So these are the Joys of renting...A major appliance breaks, you call someone else, and then a new appliance shows up unexpected!!!  I think you guys probably know the woes of renting, like your neighbors that you share a wall with got Rock Band for Christmas.  Oh, and Danza let everyone know that he lived here this afternoon!  

Favorite Foto Friday

This photo is of me and my two former roommates, Autumn (in the middle) and Rachel (right).  I got to chat with Autumn this week and I'm so glad we got to catch up. Anyway, we lived together in Apt E-26 at the Royal Arms.  Good times there for sure.  I miss you girls!!

Dinner at Allyson's

Allyson made a fantastic dinner for Colin, me, Parker, Kent, and Cionna this weekend.  I was super appreciative of the separate meatless version.   Thanks Allyson!!!

Spring Cleaning. Check.

So, I'm on spring break this week (one of the perks of my new job).  So yesterday my mom came over and we accomplished some serious spring cleaning.  Re-organization, the works.  Tomorrow I'll be attending my first sewing lesson.  Seriously, am I getting old or what?  Spring break used to mean something very different.  And...check out my rocking new canister set!! (please refer back to old comment).  It is the one that my mom used when I was a kid.  Classic tupperware in celery green.  I love it!!!!  I'm totally gonna ransack my parent's house for other cool items from the 70s and 80s.

Favorite Foto Friday

This is Parker, Colin, Jackson, and Leslie at Flugtag.  I was taking the picture.  It was seriously like a thousand degrees that day!!  That's all I remember is how hot it was!  Colin and Jackson were roommates in college and now he and Leslie are some of our very best friends.  And we're related to Parker!  Just kidding - we love hanging out with you too!!

Global Food Crisis Day - March 11

Serious post time.  As you may know, Colin and I support an organization called Compassion International.  We sponsor a child named Hector every month so that he can receive education, food, and know the love of  Jesus.  I blogged about it here and here. Compassion is partnering with churches and bloggers around the world to raise awareness and funds for the Global Food Crisis.  

For more detailed information and how you can help visit www.compassion.com/please.

So, here's my take on it...All information gleaned from above website.

Why is there a global food crisis?  Friends, to be honest with you, I just don't get it.  I believe that there is more than enough food, resources, medicines, etc. in this world for everyone.  I just don't think we're managing the resources appropriately.  Why does anyone have to be hungry?  I know that poverty is a much bigger demon than I can understand, but it still breaks my heart.  Food shortages and poverty are nothing new to the developing world.  It has been a problem for years.  But this food crisis is much worse and more urgent.  "Since 2005, food prices have risen 80%".  Reasons include "rising fuel costs, rising food demands from countries like India and China, natural disasters, and the growth of biofuels".  

What does Compassion do to help? 

--They provide food vouchers to children and families who need immediate relief.

        --They provide seeds and agricultural tools so that families can grow their own food and                make extra money.     

        --They provide supplemental nutrition at Compassion-assisted centers around the world.

Why is there poverty and why is there hunger?  I don't know, but I pray that our generation will see the end of both.  Because at the end of the day, no matter how bad our economy is, I know that I will not suffer hunger like those in the third world.  Be blessed friends, Tiffany

Recipe Round 2

Sorry to all my faithful readers (Cara) for the omission of the recipe.  I promise it was on there before.  Here goes again:

Grilled Vegetable Panini

Summer squash (an assortment)

Eggplant

Onion

Peppers

Olive Oil

Rosemary

Oregano 

Thyme 

Salt and pepper

Slice vegetables lengthwise into strips no thicker than 1/2 inch.  Combine olive oil and spices and marinate vegetables, making sure all faces of the vegetables are covered.  Then cook on grill until vegetables are partially blackened.

2 loaves french bread

2 balls mozzarella

3 large tomatoes

Basil leaves

Cut loaves of bread lengthwise.  Arrange bread on baking sheet and layer with slices of mozzarella first, grilled vegetables next, and last tomatoes.  Drizzle with olive oil and place under broiler until cheese is melted.  Garnish with basil leaves.  Cut in pieces to serve.

Here are my variations:

I did not grill the veggies, I stir fried them on the stove.  And I cheated with the spices and just used vegetable supreme seasoning.  And we used slices of provolone cheese instead of mozzarella.  Yum!

Rockin' New Recipe

So I found this great new recipe for grilled vegetable panini at www.animalvegetablemiracle.com.  If I haven't already told you, the book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is an awesome book.  It deals with one family's challenge to eat locally for a year.  The website has all the recipes from the book, plus menu planning based on the growing season.  This will be really helpful for us this summer because we joined a CSA!!  We are splitting 1/2 bushel of produce with the Wares every week.  I can't wait.  I'm gonna try everything in the box at least once!  The panini was really good.  Colin went for a less vegetarian version of turkey, cheese, and tomatoes, but he also gave it two thumbs up.  Here's the recipe:

Favorite Foto Friday

This photo is in honor of Amberly and David returning to America this week.  We are so glad you are home.  Can't wait to see you this summer!