Oreo Truffles Gone Bad

I LOVE cooking shows - the Food Network is one of my favorite channels (much to some of my family members' frustration). ;-) I enjoy watching Rachael Ray and, while browsing her website one day, I came across what looked like a delicious dessert - Oreo truffles! Does that sound incredible or what?! So tonight was the night I was going to make this lovely dessert.

It started out fine, until I came to.....the chocolate. Now I haven't really made much with chocolate when it involves melting it first. I'm notorious for messing things up in the kitchen, but I wanted to prove that I could make something and not goof up....so I was trying to avoid asking Mom for too much help - I mean, how hard can it be to melt chocolate in the microwave? Apparently much harder than I thought!

After leaving it in there for about 4 1/2 minutes, Mom suddenly said, "Something smells like it's burning!" I ran over to the microwave - yep, it was the chocolate! =) There was a bit of smoke, a horrible smell, and some very burnt chocolate. Needless to say, I did not finish the truffles.

But, rest assured, they will be finished tonight, as Dad and I ran to Fareway to get more chocolate - and I will not burn it this time!! =)

Anyone else have any funny (and possibly embarrassing) cooking stories to share?? Come on now - I told my story! ;-)

By the way, I found out later (AFTER this whole incident) that they have these handy little things on the back of the chocolate bag called DIRECTIONS for melting the chocolate! Who would've thought?? ;-)

To my readers....

I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend! Ours was very relaxing - going camping, playing ultimate frisbee, and grilling out/playing games with friends. It was wonderful to have an extra long weekend! The sad part is that no pictures were taken! =(

This Friday is the Gaither Homecoming concert (I got tickets for my birthday)!! I'm taking my dad with me - it should be a blast - and there should be plenty of pictures about that!

I have something to ask of all of YOU! Towards the top of my sidebar, I have a poll that I would like everyone to vote on. I want to know what you would like to see more of on my blog. More family photos and random happenings in our lives.....revival updates and photos.....passages of Scripture and quotes.....more recipes from Tori's Tasty Tuesdays.....or do you have another suggestion? I want to know what you think! If you select other, please leave me a comment letting me know your idea. So head on over to the poll and cast your votes (you can select more than one)!

I'm Permitted!

Last week, I went and took my driving permit test and passed - I only missed 2! I was extremely excited - although I have to say that I'm more happy that it's all over with rather than that I can drive. =) I have been driving around our neighborhood and am doing pretty good....with the exception that I need to work on my gradual acceleration, curves, and not getting too close to the side of the road. =)

My big sister congratulating me!

Also, I have a special prayer request - us three girls have been under the weather since last Saturday. I'm basically over it and Deanna is feeling better, but Nikki still isn't doing well. She's very miserable and just wants to be well! Please be praying for her especially. Also, please be praying for my dad who is in Grinnell, Iowa for a revival.

Chicago and Sidebars

This is a picture of the gorgeous skyline of Chicago - we took it last March when we were there and I am extremely excited because we are going back in two weeks!! I love it - it was so beautiful and I loved all the excitement and the hustle and bustle!

So, this is a rather random post, because no camera + no exciting events = no pictures.

So keeping that in mind, I would like to do something I've never done before. I don't know how many of you have ever browsed through my sidebar, but I wanted to highlight some of the things that are on there.

I'd like to encourage you to visit our ministry website: www.delrittgersministries.com . It's full of things to look at - including our ministry schedule, more photos, and a guestbook you can sign! =)

The "Followers" section of my sidebar I'd really like you check out! If you are not yet a follower of my blog, please become one!

Check out the "Fireproof" movie website - they have so much to offer there!

Be sure to look at all the blogs on my blogroll - they are all fabulous and are fun to look at!

If there is one thing I would really encourage you to look at, it would The Rebelution website. It is full of amazing things - I encourage all teenagers, in particular, to read "Do Hard Things" by Brett and Alex Harris, the founders of the The Rebelution. It's an amazing book!

I just recently added the search engine to my sidebar - if there is a certain topic you want to read about on my blog, just search it, and all posts that had to do with that topic will pop up!

Be sure to check out my Playlist - those songs on there are some of my favorites!

At the bottom of my sidebar, there's a place where you can subscribe to my blog! Subscribe today! =)

So that's basically what I wanted to highlight - of course check out the rest of the sidebar (favorite websites, archives, and etc.)!

This may have been a pointless, boring post, but I hope somebody enjoyed it. I promise an exciting post really soon! =)

I'm an Ingrid

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Ingrid!

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"

Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.


• * Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.


• * Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.


• * Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.


• * Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being an Ingrid

• * my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level


• * my ability to establish warm connections with people


• * admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life


• * my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor


• * being unique and being seen as unique by others


• * having aesthetic sensibilities


• * being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being an Ingrid

• * experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair


• * feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved


• * feeling guilty when I disappoint people


• * feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me


• * expecting too much from myself and life


• * fearing being abandoned


• * obsessing over resentments


• * longing for what I don't have

Ingrids as Children Often

• * have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games


• * are very sensitive


• * feel that they don't fit in


• * believe they are missing something that other people have


• * attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.


• * become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood


• * feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Ingrids as Parents

• * help their children become who they really are


• * support their children's creativity and originality


• * are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings


• * are sometimes overly critical or overly protective


• * are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

It's here!

The day we've been waiting for is almost here! The amazing movie, Fireproof, will be released on DVD tomorrow (1.27.09)! Do not miss out on this opportunity to buy this life-changing movie! Click here to visit the Fireproof blog, where they have many updates and neat tidbits about the movie!

Let's support this great Christian film!

Tagged Twice

My two friends, Olivia and Lacey, tagged me in a picture tag! Here are the rules:

1. Choose the 4th folder where you store pictures on your computer.

2. Select the 4th picture in the folder.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag four people to do the same.

5. No cheating (cropping, editing, etc.)

This picture was taken two years ago while Nikki played Minor League softball. She's the one at the pitcher's mound (standing next to the pitching machine).

I tag:

Abby

The Chmelar Family

Sasha

Suzanne

Megan

Then I was also tagged by Suzanne and Nikki for a different tag entitled "Remembering 2008"

The rules for this tag are:

1. Fill in your memories of 2008

2. Link my blog to yours

3. Tag others and comment on their blogs so they know they've been tagged.

Remembering 2008.....

A good book I read: There are too many to narrow it down to one (I looove to read), but I really enjoyed 'Faith of My Father', book 4 from the Chronicles of the Kings series by Lynn Austin. I would definitely recommend this series (and any by Lynn Austin or Beverly Lewis).

Great film/movie I watched: Fireproof

A new place I visited: Downtown Chicago (so pretty!)

An inspiring verse or quote I read: "But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;"

~ Isaiah 43:1-3a

Discovery I made: The joy of driving!

A new skill I acquired: Playing pool and ultimate frisbee

A lesson I learned: That God's grace and love supersedes all earthly devastation and that He always provides.

A moment I will always remember: Shaking Sarah and Todd Palin's hands!

For this one, I tag:

Lacey

Megan

Anna

Jenna

Under Southern Skies

Have fun!

SOLD!

After a year on the market and being through a flood, our old home has finally been sold! Praise the Lord! Thank you to all who were praying along with us concerning this!

a random post

Since I'm having issues posting any pictures, I thought I would post this fun little thing until I can get it working the way it's supposed to. :) I found this on Happenings - feel free to copy the list, highlight the things you've done and copy it onto your own blog. Let me know if you decide to post it on your blog!

The things that I've done are highlighted! :)

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang/played a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Run a Marathon

27. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

28. Seen a total eclipse

29. Watched a sunrise or sunset

30. Hit a home run

31. Been on a cruise

32. Seen Niagara Falls in person

33. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

34. Seen an Amish community

35. Taught yourself a new language

36. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

37. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

38. Gone rock climbing

39. Seen Michelangelo’s David

40. Sung karaoke

41. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

42. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

43. Visited Africa

44. Walked on a beach by moonlight

45. Been transported in an ambulance

46. Had your portrait painted

47. Gone deep sea fishing

48. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

49. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

50. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

51. Played in the mud

52. Gone to a drive-in theater

53. Been in a movie

54. Visited the Great Wall of China

55. Started a business

56. Taken a martial arts class

57. Visited Russia

58. Served at a soup kitchen

59. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

60. Gone whale watching

61. Gotten flowers for no reason

62. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

63. Gone sky diving

64. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

65. Bounced a check

66. Flown in a helicopter

67. Saved a favorite childhood toy

68. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

69. Eaten Caviar

70. Pieced a quilt

71. Stood in Times Square

72. Toured the Everglades

73. Been fired from a job

74. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

75. Broken a bone

76. Been on a speeding motorcycle

77. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

78. Published a book

79. Visited the Vatican

80. Bought a brand new car

81. Walked in Jerusalem

82. Had your picture in the newspaper

83. Read the entire Bible

84. Visited the White House

85. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

86. Had chickenpox

87. Saved someone’s life

88. Sat on a jury

89. Met someone famous

90. Joined a book club

91. Lost a loved one

92. Seen the Alamo in person

93. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

94. Been involved in a law suit

95. Owned a cell phone

96. Been stung by a bee

Fireproof

Our family had the amazing opportunity last night to go and support an incredible movie, Fireproof! Made by Sherwood Pictures (who also created Flywheel and Facing the Giants), this movie is for the entire family. It tells the story of a struggling couple who are find themselves on the brink of divorce - and how God changed their life and their marriage. It gives a realistic view on marriage and it shares the plan of salvation. It also stars Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains, Left Behind) - who does an amazing job!

This is a must-see - especially for all Christians! We need to make sure that we support this Christian film - they are rare these days!

To visit their website - where you can watch the trailer - click here!

Iowa Holiness Association Campmeeting

Do you desire to grow closer to God? Do you want to have a life-changing experience that you will never forget? If you're a teenager, do you want to associate and build fast friendships with other young people who love God and truly desire to serve Him?

Then the Iowa Holiness Campmeeting is for YOU!

If you can say yes to any of the above questions, then you need to make plans to attend this campmeeting, which is held on June 8-13 in Oskaloosa, Iowa!

Our family has been attending this camp for 3 years, and it is the absolute highlight of our summer! Services for adults, children, and teens! Bring the entire family!

You can enjoy lunch and supper in the air conditioned comfort of the dining room on the campus! Great food at reasonable prices!

I would especially like to promote the youth program! Our theme for this year is, "Will You Be The One?". From the Bible studies to the fun and games, this could be an exciting and life-changing time for you and your friends! Also, the youth program is extended one night this year. On Saturday (the 14th) we'll have breakfast, then assist with Camp Clean-up and conclude with a devotional as our send off.

For the teens, five days and six nights with meals for just $60!

Some of the teens activities will include:

• Bowling


• Doing a service at an assisted living home


• Mini-putt


• Movie night


• Bonfire with communion


• Capture the Flag

(Our heartfelt purpose is to provide a Bible study program rather than merely a recreational retreat for our young people)

For more information on this terrific camp, please visit the camp's website: www.iowaholinessassociation.org. There you will find photos, message clips, a brochure to look at, and more!

Do not miss out on this terrific opportunity to attend this camp! We invite you take a look at the slideshow below!

"Iowa Holiness Association Camp was one of the most beautiful experiences that I have, well, experienced! The second day of my first time at IHA camp I was pulled by God and changed so irrevocably. I'm still myself but now I'm more in tune with God's call in my life. Not only was IHA spiritually moving but it was completely thrilling. I made so many good friends that I can't wait to see again. We had lots of fun activities during camp and lots of chances to grow together as friends. I'm not real sure what else to say except that IHA has, in fact, changed my life. I'm really glad that I went and am so excited to go again."

- Kala S.
Age 17
2 year attendee

We look forward to seeing you!