New Hobby: Wine Making

About a month ago I stated I wanted to start a hobby. Since then, I have started several.

A year ago Hubs got me a wine making kit. This consisted of the grape juice and other stuff, but we never bought all of the needed supplies. Until a month ago.

Sunday, we started the process.

It will be in our bath tub fermenting for 10 days, then we will put it into a carboy.

Here's to a three month long process!

BC's Pizza and Beer

Lately, I think I could eat pizza every night for dinner. But not just any pizza, pizza from BC's Pizza and Beer.

I have known that it existed for most of my life. I have driven by the place thousands of times. And it wasn't until a few weeks ago that Hubs and I decided to try it out.

It is by far one of the best pizzas I have had in a long time. I think I have become tired of the chain pizza places. It all begins to taste the same, or worse, begins to taste like not much of anything.

And just like Mad Duck, the service is great.

The next time you are in the mood for pizza (or beer), check out BC's at Shaw and Sunnyside. You won't be disappointed.

Steph the Builder....Outdoor Planter

I got an itch to build something while laying on the beach in Catalina reading This Old House magazine. There was this awesome planter that looked simple to build. So I came home and told Hubs we were going to build it. And I did.

Of course, Hubs showed me how to use the Table saw. But I did the work.

(look at that flowing hair!)

And then how to use the miter saw.

And after the wood was cut to the proper dimensions, I began putting it together.

The ends...
Frame is complete!
Then came the part I really like...
Sanding....
And PAINTING! (don't tell Hubs, but I finished painting this thing on Monday night and found paint on my ankle on Wednesday morning. I promise I shower)

The finished product!

I had a blast making it and am already thinking about my next project!

The Mad Duck-Eat Local

The Hubs and I are always looking for new places in town to eat, especially smaller, local places. We waited anxiously for The Mad Duck to open. When it finally did, it was worth the wait!

The Mad Duck is a pub located in Clovis at Willow and Herndon. The place is always busy, yet we can always find a place to sit too. The food is affordable and delicious...the burgers are awesome. The thing that has been the most impressive is the service. Most places like The Mad Duck have good food, a great selection of beverages, yet the service is horrible (I can think of 2 places right now, one in north Clovis and one in downtown Fresno). When we have gone to The Mad Duck, we have never had to hunt someone down for anything....food is always right, drinks are always filled, and we are asked several times throughout our time there if they can get us anything else, but not in an obnoxious way.

If you are looking for a fun place to hang out with some friends and some great food, check out The Mad Duck!

My Sister is Getting Married!

Today, my wonderful big sister Stacey gets to marry the love of her life Jared Gerbrandt. It is amazing how perfect they are for each other and how God brought them together.

My Dogs and God

Every time I come home, my dogs Sammy and Madi could not be happier to see me. They are so excited that I am home, that I have come back to them. At times, I think they hardly remember I was gone they are so happy to see me. They want to play, go on walks, don't remember when I have scolded them...dogs truly are mans best friend.


I have been thinking a lot lately about how my relationship with my dogs is similar to my relationship with God. My dogs run out in the street. I call after them. Sometimes they come running back to me, other times they continue on their way (especially if they are chasing a bird). When they come back to me, I am happy that they are safe and that they chose to listen to me calling after them.

Even though I may walk the other direction and may "leave" God for a time, He is always calling after me. And when I finally return, he is so happy to see me. He is happy that I am home, that I want to walk and talk with him. The fact that I had chosen to not include him in part of my life has been forgotten.

Its like the prodigal son. Although I didn't ask for my inheritance now, spend it on useless things, and choose to live obvious sin, I know that in many instances I turn my back on God. And when I choose to turn back to him, he is there waiting for me with arms wide open.


His grace is sufficient for me. And for that, I am forever grateful

Why I have the Best Husband #65-He Cleans

This week has been crazy and for the most part our evenings have been booked.

LifeGroup.

Meetings.

My Sister Getting Married This Saturday.

I honestly was not sure when certain things would get done. I didn't know when I would have time. But I didn't need to worry about it.

This week, hubs has:
Unloaded the dishwasher
Swept
Swiffered
Vacuumed
Watered the grass daily
Watered the garden

All while still working a 40 hour week and attending one meeting with me.

I have it good.

Cherry Avenue Auction

Today, I am taking the Hubs and my camera to the Cherry Avenue Auction. Although I have lived in Fresno most of my 26 years on this earth, I have never been. Apparently this is turning into a weekend of firsts for me.

Based on the website (and the hokey music on every single video), not sure if we will actually get anything, but I am looking forward to it none the less!

Do you have a swap meet event weekly where you live?

Eyes and Balls

Part of my role at The Bridge is to oversee and implement our global and local missions program. I have been on staff for 3 years now. What I have discovered in those 3 years is that churches and non-profit organizations in Fresno work extremely well together. It's as if they realize that the goal isn't for each individual church to have the largest attendance but want to make the greatest impact on the kingdom by working together.

There are a group of missions pastors/directors that get together a couple times a month just to get together, to talk about what is going on in our ministries, and a time to ask each other questions. I have come to really value these times together. I love hearing what others are doing. I love gleaning ideas from their ministries so that it works in the culture of our church and the direct community that we are in.

Today, I had Indian food for the first time with a group of these people. One of the topics of discussion was the most abnormal food to our own culture that we have eaten on a trip to a foreign country. Pretty much every person beat me with what I would call a weird food...from a foot long worm, to half developed chicken egg, to an animals eyes and balls...

The only abnormal thing that I have eaten is iguana, armadillo, and goats meat (which is actually really good!)

What is something you have eaten that you never thought you would eat?

Yesterday...

I took 100 pictures with my new camera in about a half hour.

Here are some of my favorites.

I can't wait to get photoshop so I can edit them!

~Stephanie