New Church...

So I guess it's no secret that I don't go to CBC anymore... What a horrible story... I would never want to relive an experience like that again... Church people hurt their brothers and sisters and that is not what Christ intended... Oh well it's in the past and I am only looking forward... not back... soon CBC will be an ugly memory in my past...

For the past 8 months I have been going to The United Church of Christ... I fit in so well there and it really feels like home now. I began to get involved by attending spiritual growth classes on Sunday morning before church and attending a monthly social action forum pot luck... the church is very justice-minded and heavily involved with the community in many ways...

I was encouraged by the pastoral staff to enroll in new member classes a couple months back so I finally gave in... They were very interesting... My father was brought up in the Congregational Church which over the years has become The United Church of Christ, so I enjoyed hearing about the history and tradition...

A couple weeks ago I completed my classes along with 9 others and was accepted into the church as a new member

Pastor Rob asked us various faith questions and with our affirmation we were in!

Although different from the churches of my past, I really love the focus on worship my new church has, sometimes there is a choir, sometimes a band, this Sunday a symphony... I feel a deep connection to the spirit through worship here...

About two months ago I was asked to join The Board of Missions and Social Action, a true honor! I have my first event coming up in a couple weeks and I am super excited... God blesses us with change - and even though it might be hard on us, he always knows what is best. Leading me to a new church where I can worship in spirit and truth is exactly what I needed... thanks be to God...

Memorial Day BBQ

Ahhh summer is finally here - the weather is hot enough to run the AC and the clouds are almost non existent... James and Justin had a big Memorial Day BBQ bash to kick off the season...

James is a master gardener and really has made the back yard look nice...

James did most of the cooking... Including the coconut shrimp I saw Paula Deen making the other day... so good

Nichole and kids were there as well as Candace and Maddy... it was fun to have the kids all running around enjoying the summer sun...

There was also some amazing tri-tip that Kyle was in charge of grilling...

Everyone had a great time just relaxing in the shade... it was a pretty hot day...

By the afternoon we all ended up in the pool...

Ahh I love my friends... These guys mean the world to me...

It actually got chilly at night and we needed a sweater... Fun times...

Grillin'

So I was cleaning out the freezer the other day and found a huge pork loin and some yummy chicken wings... I decided to grill them up for lunches this week...

The pork loin I coated with light olive oil, salt and pepper...


The chicken wings I soaked in soy sauce with a squirt of wasabi paste...


I put the grill on nice and low to slow cook and char the meat... including the weird piece coming off the side of the pork loin...


The smell of smoke from the olive oil was divine... I just love a smokey bbq...


The wings charred up pretty nicely as well...


I was pretty pleased with the results... needless to say Glenn and I stood over the sink chomping on meat like savage animals when it was all done...

Bakersfield...

So I went to Bakersfield for work this week... totally boring... I stayed at the very tired looking Hampton Inn...

There was a fluffy recliner in the room to relax in, but it kinda smelled musty...

The whirlpool bathtub was not much to write home about either, the motor was so loud when you turned it on that there was no way I could relax...

I did eat the new KFC Double Down Sandwich... which was like heaven in a paper wrapper..

Mrs. Sanders Favorite Chips...

So I made tacos this weekend... this time stuffed with delicious carne asada...

There is always a ton of tortillas left over when we are done eating so I like to cut them into little triangles for chips... I always, always, use Guerrero tortillas, they are very fresh and consistent, actually much better than the ones from the tortillaria close by...

From the cutting board they go into the fryer for a nice crisping, then a heavy coat of salt...

They come out just perfect every time... and they keep Mrs. Sanders happy...

Lodi, California...yawn...

So my glamorous work travels took me to the beautiful city of Sacramento this week. I arrived Sunday afternoon and it was actually a really nice day out... the air was fresh n' warm and the sky was blue...

I passed Downtown Sacramento as I made the trek down to Lodi... Upon arriving I checked into the Hampton Suites... cute little place, nice clean room, very comfortable...

I didn't eat anything special or see anything exciting... pretty boring trip... a total yawn...

Explosion!

Wow my bougainvillea and roses are flourishing!

My 31st Birthday...

Ugg 31... whats good about turning 31... your too old to party with the kids, and too young to be part of a supper club or a knitting circle... I feel so middle aged...

Anyway.... not wanting a big hullabaloo I slipped off to Vegas for a few days...

I stayed at the MGM and the room was comfortable and luxurious!

The view from my window was beautiful...

The bathroom gave me inspiration to remodel my own... hmmm maybe a new project?

I just chilled out and relaxed for 2 days... Back at work the gang set up a spread of good eats and took me to Farrell's ice cream parlor to celebrate...

I had the peanut butter and hot fudge sundae...OH so good!

Mimi shared mine and Bob's black and white...

Irene had the brownie..

And Alicia had a simple scoop with caramel on top...

I did end up ordering a second sundae with a hot fudge brownie as well, but hey it was my birthday!

I ended up the week with a trip to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles and Chicago at the Pantages...

And a delicious steak at Steer n' Stein with my Shelly... she is pregnant and so cute...

What a perfect birthday... dozens of texts, cards, and calls... along with food and friends; I was one happy guy... Thanks be to God for the people he places in our lives to love us...