Sign of a Married Woman

My Rings 

When I was 13 or so, my dad gave me a ring, a simple silver band, a symbol of purity. I made a vow to him, the Lord, and my future husband that I would remain a virgin until marriage. I wore that ring until November 21, 2009 when my dad slipped the ring to Josh at the altar. Few noticed.

Picture by Dan Buettner

I had always worn my purity ring on my ring finger on my left hand until the year I met Josh. Mom told me that I needed to leave the finger open to show that I wasn't married. Reluctantly, I began wearing my little band on my right hand. Since I was on my way to Africa and not planning to get married anytime in the next three years (at least), I felt this was unnecesary.

Weeks later, I was at a Wycliffe Bible Translators meeting. During the meeting I noticed that I had accidently put my ring on my left hand earlier in the day out of habit. (Give me a break. I wore it that way for over 10 years!) I quickly moved the band over, remembering what my mom had told me weeks earlier.

I met Josh that night after the meeting. He asked me out that night. He wouldn't have if there had been a ring on my left hand, he told me later. (Thanks, Mom.)

Picture by Dan Buettner

Now we're married, and I have a new ring. Josh has my old one hanging above his desk at home. My new ring is to proclaim to the world that I am married to Josh. He picked it out with intentionality.

 There are three stones at the top of the ring. The center stone is bigger and stands between the two smaller ones. This represent Christ in the center of our marriage. There are ten little stones, five on each side. (These are ten children! We'll see about that.) I really love this man.

Picture by Dan Buettner

I don't know how accurate it is, but I thought I'd show you a little glimpse of another culture and the importance of symbols of marriage. It may just apply to certain caste. It's an interesting sense of humor anyway.
 
Vermilion Mark 

"In India, bangles, locket and vermilion mark on the forehead are symbols of a married woman. Daily, the husband applies the vermilion on the wife's forehead as it is believed to be connected to his lifeline. When the husband dies, Rudali's (professional mourners) come and strip the woman off these symbols."

Maria's Marinade

About three months ago, I wrote this to my sister-in-law:

I can't stop thinking about your delicious marinade.
May I have it, pretty please? Lovingly, Ruthie

 

Being the amazing sister-in-law she is, she responded with the secrets of the most amazing marinade in all the land. (I don't lie, try it.) So being the amazing sister-in-law that I am, I'm making her famous. 

(Disclaimer: There was something about this being adapted from Joy of Cooking, so I better mention it. But Maria's touch is what makes this the best.)

Citrus Herb Marinade

"This is among the simplest and most satisfying ways to give fish, poultry, meat, and large vegetables lively flavor before applying heat. Suit the herbs to the food."

Combine in a dish and blend with a fork:

1/4 cup mild-tasting olive oil or nut oil

2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh orange juice or dry red wine

1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley, preferably flat-leaf

1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves or other appropriate herb

1/2 bay leaf, very finely crumbled

1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black or white pepper, or to taste

Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

So, I don't follow this recipe to a T. I usually estimate the ingredients instead of taking time to measure, though with measuring, you will probably come up with the best result. When I did this on Sunday, I omitted the red wine/orange juice, and put in extra lemon juice, omitted the parsley, and crushed the garlic, which I think produces a more intense garlic flavor than mincing, and is faster. I usually marinate chicken for 30 min. at the least, but a few hours is preferable. Also, brushing the marinade on when grilling is helpful to keep the chicken moist.

Enjoy!

With love,

Maria

P.S. from me:

I have definitely put this recipe to use in my own way. I don't follow it to a T, but you know how that goes. I often use Italian seasoning instead of thyme, and cilantro instead of parsley... so delicious! Grilling is the best of course, but it works beautifully stove-top as well. I totally made the chicken in the picture at the top and served coconut rice. Yummmm!

Iced Coffee - What about the cubes?

I heart iced coffee, but you know what's gross? Watery iced coffee. I like to drink my coffee slowly and kinda let it sit. So, I needed a solution. You know that little bit of coffee at the end of the pot?

     

Directions:

1. Pour left over coffee in ice cube tray. These are the best.
2. Freeze.
3. Empty cubes from tray into ziploc bag.
4. Store in freezer until you crave this.

P.S. I most definitely use Splenda or else you all know what would happen.
Remember the granola?

Oven Liner Shout-Out

I want to give a shout out to my oven liner. It performed over and above last night and deserves recognition. The evening started with making an apple pie. You know where I'm going with this...

It was delicious. (Thanks, Mom!)

The crust was the flakiest in the land.

 

But, I'm not Mom.

 

  It happens. I'm learning to wife.

It was pretty much the most disgusting pile
of burnt apple pie insides a new wife ever saw.
But when new wife shoved said pile,

it slid right on over and looked like this. True story. 

And with a wipe here and a wipe there ...okay it was like one wipe...

I know, right?!

I could hardly believe it myself.

Ask new husband and brother,
I was leaping all over the apartment with joy.

(No, oven liner makers did not pay me. 

They should, cuz I'm going to tell you where I got it. Where else?)