Organization: The Linen Closet

Hey everyone!! So I haven't blogged in a while so I figured I should...lol! I just organized the linen closet and though I'd share my accomplishment with you all and show you how I organized it!! Here it goes:

On the top shelf I have a basket, with table clothes, doilies etc. (I didn't take a picture of it because all you can see is the basket and it's not really that interesting! :P

The second shelf I used to store extra toilet paper roll and kleenex boxes (the rest of the toilet paper goes in a storage drawer in the bathroom...maybe I'll show you the bathroom organization another day)

The third shelf, I used two baskets that we're given to me for Christmas ( I totally LOVE them...there great). One basket is for wash clothes and the other one I used to store hand towels (the small ones) and a few tea towels in the back (there extra one for when the ones that we're using now wear out).

On the forth shelf I used for basic towels! The ones underneath are the beach/swimming towels (we are blessed to have an indoor swimming pool at our complex, so these are in use quite often...it's nice to have them in reach quickly). Then on top are basic bath towels which not all here as some are in the wash and the other ones are hanging up in the bathroom! :D 

And.....That's it!! This is how I organized the linen closet, I'm kind of excited about it! I really LOVE to  organize things!! 

<3 Ashley 

Recipe: Spicy Ginger Noodles

This is recipe is SO yummy. I think I've already told you guys about the wonderful lady who's class I took at CLA at WBD. She gave me this AMAZING chicken satay recipe that goes great with any noodle dish. I'm totally going to try it with this recipe.

This recipe would go great with any type of meat really, chicken, beef skewers, salmon. Plus, It's kid-friendly!

Here it is:

Ingredients

250 grams spaghetti (whole wheat or 100% buckwheat soba is fine, I like to use angel hair too)

1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup onion, finely diced
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1/2 large red pepper, sliced thinly (or use 1 carrot julienned (I buy mine already done in a bag at Walmart, what you don't use you can freeze), or 1 or 2 bulbs baby bok choy, sliced -my fave :))
1/2 jalapeno pepper, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1-2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon hosin sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon sriracha
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon sesame seeds + additional for serving

Directions

In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add in noodles. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter and add in onion, garlic, and ginger and saute over medium heat. Let this get soft but not browned. Add in the red pepper and jalapeno.

In a small dish, stir together the soy sauce, honey, hosin, sriracha, and sesame oil together. Set aside.

Drain pasta when cooked to al dente, add to pan with the onion-pepper mixture and pour over the sauce. Toss well. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve in 2 deep bowls. Garnish with additional sesame seeds.

Enjoy!! :D

Recipe: Quinoa Side Dish!

I have been taking a class at my church (CLA) at Women by Design called "Every Women's Life" We have been learning so many new, easy, yummy recipes. The Women teaching the class is an amazing cook and has so much knowledge. :) Today was our last day of the class *tear* but I have totally taken away a lot of new things to try, tips on cooking etc. She recomended today to check out a GREAT website called "Mennonite Girls can Cook", they have a book too, you should totally check it out! :)

Anyways, while I was on there site today. I found this AMAZING recipe with Quinoa (one of my favorite dishes now, its so good) this would be so good for Winter or Summer served with tacos you can serve it warm in the Winter and cold as a salad in the Summer, So great!

Here is the Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3-4 cups cooked quinoa, according to package directions
• 1 cup canned corn
• 1 can black beans, rinsed well
• 1/2 red pepper, diced
• 8 oz sour cream
• 1/2 cup chunky salsa
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3-4 grinds fresh pepper
• cilantro, parsley or green onions for garnish

Method:

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Allow to cool.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
3. Put mixture into a greased casserole and bake at 350º for 30 minutes or until heated right through.
4. Garnish and serve.

This can be made ahead and keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Heat and serve, or try it cold as a salad. Serves 4 as a meal, 6-8 as a hot side dish or cold salad.

From: http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/2012/03/quinoa-side-dish.html

Enjoy!! :)

Tortellini and White Bean Soup!

This is a really fast, easy and yummy soup to make. You can make a big batch in the crock-pot and take it for your lunch at work! :) So simple and filling.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. olive oil

2 ribs celery, sliced

1 (15oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

6 cups low-sodium or regular chicken broth (I use the boxes from Campbell's)

1 pkg. (15oz) of fresh cheese or meat tortellini (any type is fine)

1 can (15oz) of white beans drained and rinsed

1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (I use the plastic shaker kind from Kraft)

Directions

Put all ingredients in crock-pot and cook on low all day (8-10 hours) - I put it on when I'm at work, you could do it overnight too.

Serve and Enjoy!! :)

Identity Post-it Note Challenge!! :)

Okay, So I've been reading this seriously amazing book by Christine Caine called "Can I have and do it all please?"....which for some you will say "Ashley's reading a book...lol" I never read but totally recomend you getting the book and reading it for yourself...SO good! There is a section of the book that really stands out and I thought I'd share this fun challenge with you all...Try it out!

It talks about who we are in Christ. She encourages us to write out these Bible verses on Post-it notes and stick them around your home, office, car etc. to remind yourself of who you really are, you're true identity in Christ. How good is that!

Here are the Bible verses: (write them on Post-its, have some fun with it!...I have my cute pink Post-it notes ready to be written on) :)

I am a child of God.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)

I am saved by grace.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

I am alive to God and dead to sin.

So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)

I am sanctified.

For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (John 17:19)

I am a new creation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am a royal daughter.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

I am reconciled to God.

That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)

I am free.

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

I am justified.

Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.  (Galatians 2:16)

 I am chosen.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:4)

I am adopted.

Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. (Ephesians 1:5)

I am accepted.

To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)

I am forgiven.  

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

I am predestined.

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11)

I am raised and seated in heavenly realms.

Raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6)

I am created for good works.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

I am called to eternal glory.

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)

I am more than a conqueror.

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

I am an overcomer.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

 I am never forsaken.

For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] (Hebrews 13:5)

I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. (Romans 3:22)

I also totally recommend checking out her website where you can view her video blog, she has some great messages on there! Great to listen to at work, while cooking, or whenever you have time. :)

Have fun!!

Really Fun Jell-O Cupcakes!

Just discovered this wonderful, fun, and kid friendly cupcake recipe...made with Jell-O. Plus there super cute! Might even try these for an upcoming "Jr.Worker program" snack :P ...that is if I have time...LOL!

Here's the Recipe:

 Ingredients:

1 pkg. (2-layer size) white cake mix

1/4 cup dry JELL-O Lemon Flavor Gelatin (1/2 of 3-oz. pkg.)

1/4 cup dry JELL-O Lime Flavor Gelatin (1/2 of 3-oz. pkg.)

1/4 cup dry JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin (1/2 of 3-oz. pkg.

1 container (16 oz.) ready-to-spread vanilla frosting

Directions:

1. Prepare cake batter as directed on package; divide evenly into 3 bowls.

2. Stir different flavor dry gelatin mix into batter in each bowl. Alternately spoon batters into 24 paper-lined muffin cups, adding about 2 Tbsp. of each batter to each cup. Bake as directed on package for cupcakes. Cool completely.

3. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes.

Enjoy!! :D

Beth Moore Teaching

Wow...okay! Haven't posted in like forever!! LOL so busy it's craziness!!

Anyways, thought I'd share an amazing teaching video with you all by Beth Moore! She is such an amazing, anointed speaker! Just love listening to what she has to say! Here is the link this one is about "God's purpose for you" - how good is that! When you click on the link it will take you to YouTube where you can click on the other links to listen to the whole message! Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EulFjjbvWRg

Enjoy!! :D