Snowy Weekend

After an unseasonably warm winter and an attempt to snow last weekend, we finally had a snow day. We went out for breakfast at Cracker Barrel, then went to the grocery store to buy the fixings for a homemade lunch.

Cracker Barrel's yogurt parfait with granola is delicious.

Our day was cozy. Hubby was working on our renovation (wet room, and walk in pantry/craft room) while I spent the day in the kitchen. I made my mum's cottage pie, and apple pie.

The following day we got a little cabin fever, so we went to Sonny's for my favorite, barbeque salad. We stayed at our table for over two hours chatting about our upcoming trip to New York in the spring. The waitress kept refilling hubby's sweet tea, and my coffee. So we had a lot of energy when we got home.

We took the energy outside and took all three dogs for a walk. We walk to the end of our street, where there's a forest, and enjoyed walking through the sludge, over logs and over little streams made from the melting ice.

painted by the talented Susan Branch, darlings!

On Sunday after worship, we went to the Flying Biscuit, one of the best places for breakfast in our town. The crowd was dressed in reds, and blue for the Cardinals vs. Panthers game that evening. I wish I could have taken a picture, but that would've been a little embarrassing.

Talking about the game, did you see it? The Carolina Panthers are going to Super Bowl 50. What an end to a snowy weekend.

Stay cozy,

Kiki Nakita

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Hodgepodge And Homemade Spinach Lasagna

Happy Hump day darlings. Today, I'm joining in with the Hodgepodge.

 

1.  Speaking of skating...when did you last 'skate on thin ice', 'skate over the details', 'encounter a cheapskate', or just plain skate?

 

My whole family is full of cheapskates. It has passed through the generations. My Granny was probably the biggest cheapskate, however she would call it resourceful. She grew up in Germany during the Second World War where there were rations. She would continue being resourceful her whole life, always saying "waste not, want not".

 

2. What would you say is the biggest problem of people your age?

This year, I'll be turning thirty. I'm old enough that we didn't have social media while I was in high school (1997-2002). We had some technology, but not everyone had a computer, or cell phone. We'd go over to each other's houses after school to type up our essays on one of our friends computers. Ha ha!

 

We've made up for it by being on social media 24/7. There's a lot of people my age who are always on their phone, I think it's one of our biggest problems. 

 

The worst is being on your phone while driving. Remember that girl who died in a car accident after posting a picture with the caption "happy"?

 

Also, being on your phone while eating. There was a family sitting beside us on Saturday night at a very nice restaurant. The dad was eating his soup while watching some sport game. The mom was texting continually and the kids each had their own pads, and kept being reminded to eat by their mom. How is this progress?

3. What's your favorite accessory? Is it something you wear every day, often, or only on special occasions?

Probably my wedding and engagement rings. I wear them everyday to remember my commitment to God, and my husband.

 

 4. January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day. Are you a lover of cheese? What's your favorite dish made with cheese? Last thing you ate that contained some kind of cheese? 

 

I don't care for smelly cheeses. I last ate provolone cheese with my spinach lasagna. I'll post the recipe at the end of my post.

5. What's something guaranteed to make you roll your eyes?

Politics. I respect that each and every one of us has our own political views, however, everyone assumes they're right, so they don't listen to others, and their points of view.

6. Your favorite book series? 

 

I have collected all of Susan Branch's books from Heart of the Home series. Reading her stories, and recipes makes me feel like she's a dear aunt. I've pre-ordered her next book Martha's Vineyard, Isle of Dreams and anticipating her book tour this summer.

 

7. Why did you choose your profession? 

 

For those who don't know me, I graduated with my AAS and later my BFA in Interior Design and Architecture.

 

During the summers of my childhood, my Nana, Mom and younger sister would go visit stately homes and open homes. I always thought the luckiest person was the decorator. I would spend hours making floorplans of my dream home. 

 

So I didn't choose my profession, it chose me. I just always had an interest in homes, and keeping house.

 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

Homemade Spinach Lasagna

 

Serves 2

500 calories per serving
 

 

2 lasagna noodles, broken in half

4 cups of spinach

1 can chopped tomatoes

1 jar marinara sauce

8 slices provolone cheese

 

In an individual serving dish lay the first lasagna noodle, add 1 cup of spinach and cover with 1/4 can of chopped tomatoes and 1/4 jar of marinara sauce. On top lay 2 slices of provolone. Repeat for second layer.

 

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes

 

I came up with this recipe about three years ago as a lower calorie alternative to the traditional lasagna recipe. It is great if you grow your own tomatoes and spinach. I sometimes add herbs from our garden, like basil, or parsley.
 

Have a blessed week,

Kiki Nakita

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Bloglovin'

Ancestors Recipes For Love

We had an unseasonably warm weekend here in the Carolinas. I started writing my new book - Ancestors Recipes For Love. The book is handwritten, like my favorite author Susan Branch's books, and is dedicated to my charming Husband.  

 

Intertwined, is four generations of love stories told in my family and recipes that I would like to preserve for our children, and children’s children.

 

My Nana and Granddad’s Wedding

 

My Nana once told me the story of being a little girl who liked the Church’s floral decorations at Christmastime, and that’s why she chose a winter wedding.

 

They were married on December 12th, 1954 in England. They waited until the Spring for their honeymoon. On their honeymoon they travelled around Europe in a motorcycle and side car. I always loved that story, of the adventurous two.

 

 

In the early 1960's they moved to South Africa, where my Granddad had an importantly skilled job, as a detonator for the gold mines. After two decades, they returned to England in the early 1980's.

 

My Granddad passed away in March of 2009, and my Nana five short months later, in August of 2009.

 

 

~ Four Generations of Anniversaries (on my side) ~

 

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Thawley (Nana’s parents)

December 27th, 1930

Great Granddad and Great Grandma Bird (Grandad’s parents)

February 17th, 1934

Nanna and Grandad Bird December 12th, 1954

Granny and Grandpa Smith December 12th, 1962

Mom and Dad ~ August 10th 1985

Aunt and Uncle Bird (mom's brother) ~ September, 1985 (30th anniversary)

Aunt and Uncle Berry (dad's sister) ~ January 10th, 1987 (29th anniversary)

Us ~ July 31st, 2013 (2nd anniversary)

 

 

~ Remember ~

Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things. Love never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought to an end. As for tongues, they will stop. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

We have some great examples of love before us, and for that, I'm eternally grateful.

 

Just so I remember:

 

On Friday night we went for dinner at Sonny's at The Arboretum. We had redneck rolls, and barbeque chicken salad. Afterwards, we strolled through the isles at Barnes and Noble. 

 

 

On Saturday, we stayed home, and I spent some time gathering four generations of wedding photos, marriage certificates, and anniversary dates for my book. That evening we went for dinner at The Terrace, located in the prestigious Piedmont Center, and for dessert at Ben and Jerry's.

 

On Sunday we stayed home to watch the Carolina Panthers play the Seattle Seahawks. The Carolina Panthers won 31-24. We grilled hot dogs and served with sautéed onions, coleslaw, and chips. While the game was on, I loaded all our ancestor, and family pictures onto my new hard drive. Did any of you watch the game?

 

This week my husband is being moved from his cubicle to an office as he has a lot of face-to-face meetings. He works as a UX/UI designer for insp, the wholesome family channel and Inspiration Ministries.

 

Have a blessed week,

Kiki Nakita

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Bloglovin'

 

Adoption Information Meeting

On Tuesday night, we're going to the adoption information meeting at the Children's Home Society of North Carolina.

 

Before we tried to start a family, we talked about adopting one day. After seventeen months of unexplained infertility, and 3 failed IUI's we had "the talk."

 

Also, we have had so many signals - some have left me speechless. Have you ever had that happen, while ruminating about something? Some might say it's a God thing.

 

One God thing, was a lady who said "What is family? It's people who are committed to loving each other. We're not biologically related to our husbands, yet we're family."

 

Then, my hubby's eldest cousin made an announcement - they are adopting. They are in their early forties, and adopting a newborn domestically.

 

So we looked at our options:

 

International

 

Adopting internationally requires that you meet requirements for both the United States, and the country you adopt from - two federal governments. It can be expensive, lengthy, and the adoptee's country has the right to deny at any time.

 

Domestic Newborn

 

Adopting a newborn domestically requires a birthmother to make the decision to give away her baby to adoptive parents via an agency. The birthmothers already made the decision to give life, and not abort their baby. They also choose the family that will raise their child.

 

Different states have varying laws, but in North Carolina you'd be responsible for all birth mother expenses - medical care, housing, transportation, counseling, clothing etc. but there's no law that allows you to get a re-imbursement if the birthmother chooses not to give away her child. It can be expensive, and risky.

 

Domestic Foster Care

 

There are over 108,000 children in the United States foster care system waiting to be adopted. Oftentimes, their parent's have lost or relinquished their rights. The children are oftentimes in sibling groups and may have physical or emotional difficulties.

 

Adopting from the foster care system is inexpensive, as the state helps with the costs. Also, depending on each child's situation they may qualify for free medical care, and state college tuition.

 

 

We have talked a lot, and have decided we'd like to adopt domestically from foster care. A boy, or girl toddler up to the age of three or four. When we made that decision I slept well that night.

 

The children are already born, and in foster care - waiting day, after day for a permanent family. We have discussed the difficulties, and have spoken with several AP's (adoptive parents) and many have said some emotional and educational difficulties wear away with the attentive support and stability of a permanent family.

 

After making the decision we called our close family, and my mom was beyond excited. She has been especially supportive, as have my sister, and hubby's brother.

 

 

My father who was born in 1958, was adopted by his step-dad in 1962. My dad's biological father was in the German army and passed away when he was a toddler. My Granny remarried in 1962 to my Grandpa who was in the British army. My Granny was from generation hush.

 

I found out when I was a teenager. I know of my biological grandfathers last name, profession, and the country he lived in - but that's all. Who knows, maybe he had a genetic predisposition to cancer, which my dad passed away of in 2013. It's a blank on my medical forms, so although I don't entirely understand how it feels to be adopted, it has touched my life.

 

Our next step

 

We are preparing for our home study appointment and praying for guidance.



 

 

 

 Please keep us in your prayers,

 

Kiki Nakita ~

 

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