Spann Principles

this greeted me in the women's room at OHare Airport. Perhaps the Worker must've forgotten the key that day. Yes, yes. That is a clear trash bag threaded through the roll. And given the size of the roll, I'd say the little invention would make Poppy Hurshell proud. (You see, this picture is the epitome of two VERY proud Spann principles--homegrown inventions and surplus toilet paper!)

I'd like a comment card to suggest a raise for this employee! Dedicated to serving her customers regardless of the obstacles!

Bang update

You know it always looks better several days after your haircut. Here's Ski absolutely OWNING the bangs. Eat your heart out ladies.

This pretty much captures it....Do Not Be Ashamed.

If you've never read any of Rachel Held Evans's work, you are in for a treat.  She is a strong voice in the theological world.  I enjoy her writing-she challenges me to think differently and expects the same of herself.  

Click the link to read her latest post.  It's powerful.  And go ahead and stay awhile.  Explore.  There's some good stuff there.

Ashamed

A note of Praise

Some lyrics rolling around in my head this morning.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
[| From: http://www.elyrics.net |]

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Lyrics from <a href="http://www.elyrics.net">eLyrics.net</a>


I love, love, love.  LOVE when I hear a line or verse that strikes me.  Today it's "No guilt in life, no fear in death, THIS is the power of Christ in me."

May you be drawn close this Lenten season.

Trendsetter

It appears Lebowski has been inspired by the First Lady.  Upon returning from the groomer he has a fresh set of off-set bangs.

You go Lebowksi.  You go!  You.Are.the.Man!

Note the left side....no bangs.

Grammar Check

This was on the front page of our town paper.  Does anyone else think this headline is grammatically incorrect?

Heavenly Pillows of Goodness

Holy Manna from Heaven!!!!  

Ever since we enjoyed such a loverly dinner at Volare I have been jonesin' for Gnocchi.  And not just any gnocchi.  This needed to be good.  Really good.  Good enough that I wasn't completely disappointed and suffering from anticipated let-down because my flavor memory had different expectations.  

I looked online at different recipes and I was never really convinced until I found The Grizzly Kitchen's post about this being a "go-to" recipe.  As soon as I started reading, I knew this was the one.  [My go-to recipe is probably Spinach Enchiladas.  Though as I type this I'm not sure it's my go-to or it's just  Sweet Sarah's most requested].

Nevertheless, last night we decided  rather than eating out we'd give these little gems a shot.  Gnocchi with Vodka Sauce.  Sounds delish, no?  [What I didn't think about was taking pictures throughout the process.  Honestly, it wasn't until I started cutting the little pillows that I realized they were going to be perfect!  So my apologies.]

All in all, this is not a complicated process.  It is a bit lengthy however.  From the time we put the potatoes in to bake to the time we sat down.....elapsed time probably two and half hours.  Now, now, now.  Don't give up on this recipe yet.  An hour of that time was the oven doing the work baking the potatoes.  

The other hour and half?  Well, just plan ahead.  Open a bottle of wine, prepare some appetizers and enjoy the cooking experience.

Sweet Sarah and I took the divide and conquer method.  She made the sauce, I made the gnocchi.  Both were restaurant worthy [no joke! If you doubt, feel free to Open Table a spot at The Drayer and place an order.  teehee]

I'll let you peruse The Grizzly Kitchen's recipe.  She gives some really good advice.  I'll share the tweaks we made and then the pictures!

Tweaks:

• We cleaned the contents of a 3 lb bag of potatoes and threw them into a roasting pan @ 400 degrees.
• I mashed the potatoes by hand with a potato masher
• Tomatoes, food processor, chopping step, etc:  We totally kept this simple.  We bought diced canned tomatoes.  Eliminated the processor and chopping step.  And threw the entire can in the pot.
• The forking of the gnocchi.  Nope.  Didn't do that either.  An extra step that is only for looks.  [It's like criss-crossing peanut butter cookies with a fork.  Just MASH those things down with a glass and move on people!  No time for that.]

Pre-Vodka, pre-cream.  Simmering for taste and depth.  Yummy!

An up close look at the goodness.  Note the glass of wine helping me along.

Three pounds of potatoes makes a LOT of Gnocchi.
We put one pan in the freezer, then in a zip-lock.
One pan served both of us plenty!

Sweet Sarah adding the cream.  [Note the back of spoon technique.  See Virtual Cocktail Hour for reference.]

And here it is.  Beautiful.  

Toss in some grilled chicken or a nice beautiful salmon filet and this little dish is a superstar!

Enjoy!