A message of tolerance and love.

Here’s where I stand with all the drama flying around Social media today after such an intense election battle. 

The message of love and tolerance we all defend so fiercely applies to our own actions. Instead of attacking someone for a mistake they’ve made, or something they’ve said, why not be tolerant and forgiving? Why not educate and lead by example? As individuals, we each possess different abilities in articulating our thoughts. Some folks have a much harder time using their written or verbal voice to express emotion, whether it is love, anger, frustration or joy.  I have said some incredibly ignorant things over social media. It took patient, understanding friends to point out my mistakes and talk to me about how to better express my thoughts, for me to grow and make progress with my own communication skills. If those same people had attacked me for the mistakes I made, what would I have learned?  And if they didn’t give me a chance to express what I was really thinking or feeling, how much progress could I have made?  

My own opinions and emotions frequently conflict with those of my friends. What I love, is that every time one of THEM shares their opinion, I learn a little more about them. I learn a little more about what is important to them and how they relate to other people. It’s a joyful experience to grow a little closer to my friends, even through our vast differences.

I love that as intelligent, progressive human beings, we are an impressively DIVERSE society. If we didn’t all have different morals, values, opinions, fascinations and expectations we would never learn from each other. We would never grow. 

I am getting much better, as I grow, learn and mature, at choosing to love, forgive, learn and educate. I am inspired by the ferocity with which my diverse friends express their emotions and desires. It gives me hope to see such passion, even that passion takes a different form than my own. There is room in this world for ALL of us, and it will take EVERY one of us to be a successful, joyful collective society.

I challenge each and every one of you to think on this: The next time someone says, or writes something which you find extremely offensive, take a moment to get to know them a little better. Care enough to try to discover the root of that emotion or desire they expressed in a way which offended you. Love them enough to value their opinion. Sometimes, something as simple as listening to one person can start a chain reaction of love and positivity that will ultimately bond thousands of people together… people who may not have had any outlet for their thoughts and feelings before you decided to love, and lead by example.

Hope you are all having a joyful day, my lovelies! 

~Bree

The Break-up...

I should have known better than to watch an episode of Glee called: "The Break-up". 

I strongly dislike break-ups... especially the musical sort.  

Positive spin: All this crying has unclogged nostrils which were NOT ready for winter. FACT.

~Bree

Future prince of my castle, aka cabin in the woods!!!

After months and months of researching American Brittany (Spaniel) kennels all over the United States, I FINALLY found the absolutely perfect place to get my future companion from!

Annabella Brittany Kennels, an outfit run out of Richfield, UT, has the PERFECT  environment. They raise the pups for eight weeks, exposing them to multiple environments and training materials. The dogs are held and played with daily by the family's seven children. They are exposed to water, cats, birds and other wildlife and are also introduced to gunfire very early on, so they won't be afraid of it. They spend time training with leashes, grooming, crates and even car rides, etc.. so the pups will be ready for whatever their futures hold.

Most importantly, they are socialized, socialized and socialized some more in order to develop friendly, confident personalities!

Now comes the hard part. WAITING! I put my deposit down to have the first choice of a male pup from a littler planned for next March!  MARCH 2013... I know, it's FOREVER away. But my little prince has a gorgeous mom and pop... just LOOK at these faces!

This is the dam (or mom) of the litter I am waiting for!  Her name is Sis (short for Sister Suzy)  Most folks have American Brittanys for hunting purposes. I just love them because they are playful, protective, friendly and adventurous!





Sis, in her very first field trial! Isn't she gorgeous?!!

    

              
This is the sire (or pop) of the litter I am  waiting for! His name is Ty (his registered name is FireStarter's Crossed the Line) You can read more about Ty on his very own website!






Ty when he was eight weeks old... which is how old his son will be when I bring him home!  With any luck, he'll look just like his poppa!










So, Sis and Ty's litter should be born next March, and I'll get to take home their son by MAY!  I have NO idea how I'm going to wait that long! For more information on this litter, please visit the Annabella Brittany Kennel's  planned litter page for Spring - 2013.

SOOOOO EXCITED!  I hope you all enjoy this journey with me, as I continue to post information, photos and stories about my experience!

And as always, I hope this post finds you JOYFUL! 

~Bree 

It doesn't matter the shape of the light...

... only that the light illuminate the path.

September, 2012 - St. Catherine's Church, Estes Park, CO  (Photo by Breanne Pye)

I often struggle with the difference between religion and spirituality. The distinction between the two is defined, debated and demonstrated with ferocity everywhere I look. It is debated by politicians on news channels I am required to monitor for my job. It is discussed amongst friends even in the most serene locations and situations. It is demonstrated with both absolute love and absolute hate in every country on earth.

But the biggest debate is between my own heart and my own head. As a Soldier... I know faith. I know my heavenly father is up there lighting a path for me to follow when I stray a little too far toward the shadow. I know he has kept me safe in impossibly dangerous situations. I know he watches over my fellow Soldiers and instills an unmatchable courage within their hearts as they follow paths few others will ever retrace.

I struggle to put that faith in context. I wasn't raised to be any particular religion. My father and mother were both incredibly vague in their instruction on faith and religion. They encouraged me to find my own path and to always follow my heart.

In high school, that path led me to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. All the strength, courage and discipline I possessed at the time came from my desire to follow the teachings of my church, which I believed with all my heart.

Without a doubt, the church was a light which illuminated a path FAR different than the path I would have taken. I know with absolute certainty, that light saved my life back then.

And then I started feeling things even the church couldn't explain... and worse... strongly condemned.

I didn't choose to be gay. I know that's a whole other debate in some folks' heads... but in my head, it's just a fact. At the height of my piousness, I fought with the heart of a lion to make my heart and my body fall in line with my religious beliefs. I prayed furiously to be scourged of such confusing and terrifying thoughts and feelings. I asked for blessings from my elders without ever explaining my struggle in hopes their healing hands could rid me of my demons.

In the long run, I suppose I figured out that, demons or no, my thoughts and feelings weren't going anywhere... a realization that demanded I step aside from my religion and begin the journey of learning how to be the most loving, joyful, spiritual soul I can manage in one lifetime.

These days, I try my best to always pay kindness forward. To always try to be the best ME possible even when I think no one is looking. To be a good leader and a positive role model to my Soldiers, who I identify so closely with as I watch them confront demons and struggles of their own.

I am always looking for the light. Walking straight toward the light. Praying the light will come when I am fumbling blind in the dark.

I fumble much more than I would like.

It still confuses me greatly... when I am alone in a quiet place and I think of the people who have had the strongest influence and impact on my life. A majority of them are strong in their LDS faith, which I continue to admire even though my light has led in a different direction.

What are your thoughts on this matter, friends? What do you think is the biggest difference between religion and spirituality?  Do you struggle with finding a balance? Or... are you happy with following whatever path your faith illuminates?

Today, for me at least... the light fell on my keyboard so that I could empty my doubt with aching fingers on a sharp white screen before all of you.

Hope this post finds each of you joyful, if nothing else.

~Bree

Wild

Thunder and lightening is making me feel WILD today ;)

What are YOU doing with the gifts the universe has given you today, friends?

~Bree

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Scotch Eggs with Hollandaise and Asparagus

Check out additional photos and the amazing original recipe on Peace + Love + Low Carb's blog!

INGREDIENTS:

**For the scotch eggs**

1 lb. Ground Sausage - (I used jimmy dean's ground sage or Italian sausage)

6 Slices of Thick Cut Bacon

6 Eggs

1 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Shredded

***Optional***

1 Bunch of Asparagus - about 20 pieces

3 Green Onions

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400*

Boil eggs in salted water - I like my eggs soft boiled. I wait until the water is at a full rolling boil and then boil to eggs for 4-5 minutes.  This gives them enough time for the eggs to be firm enough to wrap the sausage around. Let cool and peel.

Divide the sausage into six even portions and flatten them into patties

Layer cheese on top of each of the sausage patties.  Press down in the center to make a dip to hold the egg

Place an egg on top of each sausage patty and form the sausage around the egg until it completely covered

Place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet and line your strips of bacon on it.  Place the eggs on the rack also.  Bake for 20 Minutes

Remove from oven and take the cooling rack off, place the asparagus down in the bacon drippings and replace the cooling rack on top.  Bake an additional 10-15 minutes

While your eggs and asparagus are in the oven the second time, prepare your hollandaise according to package directions or whichever recipe you are using.  

INGREDIENTS and DIRECTION for preparing the HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

Ingredients:

• 3 egg yolks
  
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter (if using salted butter, skip the added salt)

Directions:

1 Melt the butter slowly in a small pot. Try not to let it boil – you want the moisture in the butter to remain there and not steam away.
2 Add the egg yolks, lemon juice, salt and cayenne (if using) into your blender. Blend the egg yolk mixture at a medium to medium high speed until it lightens in color, about 20-30 seconds. The friction generated by the blender blades will heat the yolks a bit. The blending action will also introduce a little air into them, making your hollandaise a bit lighter.
3 Once the yolks have lightened in color, turn the blender down to its lowest setting (if you only have one speed on your blender it will still work), and drizzle in the melted butter slowly, while the blender is going. Continue to buzz for another couple seconds after the butter is all incorporated.
4 Turn off the blender and taste the sauce. It should be buttery, lemony and just lightly salty. If it is not salty or lemony enough, you can add a little lemon juice or salt to taste. If you want a thinner consistency, add a little warm water. Pulse briefly to incorporate the ingredients one more time.
Store until needed in a warm spot, like on or next to the stove-top. Use within an hour or so.

FINAL STEP!

Serve each scotch egg with 5 pieces of asparagus.  When the eggs come out, wrap them with bacon, top them with the hollandaise, garnish with green onions.  

SERVE AND ENJOY!!

Recipe: Chicken enchiladas with green chili sour cream sauce

Check out the ORIGINAL and DELICIOUS recipe on Joyful Momma's Kitchen Blog!

INGREDIENTS: 

10 soft taco shells
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (I bought a rotisserie chicken from Safeway and shredded only the white meat.. which made exactly two cups!)
1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 stick of unsalted butter
1 stick of garlic herb butter
3 1/2 Tbsp. flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 (4 oz) can diced green chillies (you can get hot OR mild chilies) 
2 ripe, medium avocados


INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan
2. Mix chicken and 1 cup mixed cheese. Roll up in tortillas and place in pan.
3. In a sauce pan, melt butter, stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add broth and whisk until smooth. Heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
4. Stir in sour cream and chilies. Do not bring to boil, you don't want curdled sour cream.
5. Pour over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake 22 min and then under high broil for 3 min to brown the cheese. 
7. Cut avocado into thin slices to place on top of finished enchiladas

JOYFUL MOMMA'S ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS: 

1. If you would like, you can substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream in the recipe.  It is a 1 for 1 substitute.
2. If you cook your chicken first (rather than using a rotisserie chicken), you may wan to add some spices to give it extra flavor.  I like the chicken to have good flavor.  I tend to cook my chicken in the crock pot with some ground cumin, garlic powder, and ground black pepper.
3. You can make this ahead and keep it in the fridge up to 24 hours.  Just put it in the oven and increase the time a bit.  You will want to make sure they are heated through.
4. This sauce does not freeze well.  Then enchiladas themselves freeze really well.  I freeze a few pans of them double wrapped in foil and then I just make the sauce the day of.  Thaw them first, add the sauce, cook according to original instructions.