Coconut Pineapple Cake; Jasey's Crazy Daisy

I think the beauty of Pinterest is the ability to stumble upon things you normally wouldn't find, simply because you wouldn't ever have looked in a place you didn't know existed.  Tonight, I'm making this fabulous cake for dinner guests I'm having over. It's cooling in the fridge, and I'll do the frosting later this evening, but man the whole house smells fantastic.



If you're looking for that last end of summer fabulousness (or, for my gal pal's from down under, a new take on Spring Entertaining ) to share with friends - I recommend this yummy, yummy cake from Jasey :)

enjoy!
~ Kisha


Jasey's Crazy Daisy: Coconut Pineapple Cake:
One of my grandfather's favorites, it's a tender coconut cake, dotted with just the right amount of coconut and pineapple, soaked with a slightly sweet creamy pineapple coconut glaze for moistness, and frosted with real sweetened whipped cream. Not only do I love it's flavors, I love how versatile it is. As a layer cake, it is impressive, however, for less formal occasions, I simply bake it in a 9x13 cake pan, and call it good. Still pretty and oh-so-yummy, but without all the fuss.

I promised pictures!

Clifford, as we walked to the clinic to look at the infection on his neck. 

And hopefully these will each say a thousand words about our experience this Christmas Season!

One of the remaining homes still standing after the earth quake.
 For safety reasons, all homes must be barricaded by  massive stone walls.

Clinic supply room. We really need so much. Gauze,
pregnancy tests, vitamins...

The other clinic supply shelf

Mike, the PA, setting up for work with the community

Shannon Tyler, Counting Pills and sorting medications

First patient of the day. Stomach ache

Jean Mary, and Gigi, our faithful, helpful interpreters!

2nd Patient of the day at the Clinic

Checking out the new Preschool

haha, La Tomate est Rouge,
The Tomato is red!

Pastor Rodrique, of Restoration Ministries. This
man has such a heart for children. There are (8) kids
living in his home which he & his wife care for. 

The music room. Thanks to a generous donation, the church is
able to give Keyboard lessons, and teach the kids the skill,
and language of music. 

Theresa Swain, the beauty, AND Brains behind
the magic of Restore Haiti 

Joy, taking a much needed nap on the cool floor. 

Pastor Lafleur, letting someone know exactly what the proper
protocol for working with the ministry is :) 

Theresa, Marjorie, and family member

My lovely, Sara and her sponsored girl :) 

Gigi and I, last night - saying goodbye

Garrett & Juli Wendt, pastors Life Tree Fellowship,
Pittsford NY 

Sara & Gage, I think this pic tells everything! 

Artie, being sized for shoes :) 

Prepping the bags, and getting them "to" proper airline weight

Welcome committee at the Airport. 

Port Au Prince Customs/Immigration = Insanity

Felix, and Pastor Lafleur, with gifts from
Sharon

Reggie & the President of Restore Haiti, Philip Peters 

Shoe size tools :) 

New House built by Restore Haiti for church family

Thank you letters for sponsors from the kids :) 

Pastor Rodrigue's part time job, a concession stand

Feeding program - waiting to eat :) 

Chicken leg day :) Yumm! 

Haiti day 3/4

Whew... it's so hard to remember everything. I think it'll be easier once I can get pics uploaded, but for now - today's quick recap was that we went to the clinic to help distribute anti-parasite medication, take care of the sick, and give vitamins and just help. We have a nurse and a PA here this trip so it was great.

Also, Gabby was sooo sweet. He brought me a coconut that he cut out of a tree and then opened for me with  a machete. I shoulda got a picture, but he sent it into the clinic with someone else, and they said "Kesa, gift from Gabby"...lol They all call me Kesa, which means "what" or "why" in Creole. It's funny... because they always ask what is my name... and I say "Kisha" and then they say... what is your name again...lol thinking that I am asking them "what".... lol

Anyway laptop is dying and it's almost dinner time, So I'll be back soon! :)

I feel like there is something building in me.

I'm not sure what, but I know it has to do with this. If you can watch thru the commercials, you'll find the Illegal business of Gender Selection Abortions in India. This is serious. I feel like there is something growing in my belly, something to be done... but I don't know what. Definitely praying about it.

:) Happy

ok So those who follow my blog, know that for 10 years I was in one particular church, and that I absolutely loved my pastors, Joel & Amy Siegel. Well a few months back, they really felt that God had called them out of the WNY area, and on towards Tulsa, OK. They made the leap of faith, and have been in Tulsa ever since. In a similar fashion, I've very much felt that same call on my life, and know it's time to GO. My heart is ripe for a move of God and to follow him expectantly and obediently is my hearts desire.

Well... Pastor Joel is in town for the week tying up some loose ends with the house, and packing and taking everything (including sweet bella) back to Tulsa after the weekend. I've spent the last couple of days helping him wherever I can and it's been great to visit and chat with him, get my head clear on many things, and really just sit under my 'pastor'... even if he's a pastor no longer. Can I call him my dad? LOL He's only like 6 or 7 yrs older than me... hahaha

Anyway - today Ms Leslie and I spent the day helping to sort, pack and get the stuff ready for the move. Can I say I'm really grateful I'm unemployed right now? I'm so thankful to be able to help and serve... to be available as needed. Best day of my life today :)

<3
Kisha

Dangerous Decisions

So recently I picked up this little booklet which is an excerpt from "Defining Moments: When Choices Matter Most". The booklet, written by Dan Schaeffer, who is previously unknown to me, makes some excellent points about how we go through life, seemingly unaware of all of the small, and large, choices that will have significant impact on the rest of our lives.

While reading the booklet, he quoted something quite profound, and I immediately knew I wanted to share it here. It's a quote by Senator Dan Coates, in a reader's digest from 1996.

"Character cannot be summoned at the moment of crisis if it has been squandered by years of compromise and rationalization. The only testing ground for the heroic, is the mundane. The only preparation for that one profound decision which can change a life, or even a nation, is those hundreds of half-conscious, self defining, seemingly insignificant decisions made in private. HABIT is the daily battleground of Character" 

Hmm... Habit is the daily battleground of Character. Isn't that something to chew on.

What are your daily habits, and how are they affecting your character? For me these questions include how do I spend my time, what do I choose to allow into the windows of my soul (eyes, ears)? Who do I spend my time with? What do we discuss when we are together? How does this make me a better person? Am I spending too much time in a particular area of my life? How do I overcome this insane desire to do everything my way?

Of course, one could go crazy asking all of these questions, so I really don't recommend sitting there wasting away your day with it. But a good, honest, assessment of daily life would be beneficial to my character. Basically what I would equate as a 'character checkup'.

Can I encourage you today friends, to perform a "character checkup"? Ask yourself if you've earnestly been seeking the things of God? Or have you been squandering your years with compromise and rationalization? And what do you plan to do about it, Today?

So proud of my BLITZ kids :)

well it's been a long day and I'm hardly ready for work tomorrow but it was totally worth it.

The kids from church got together this afternoon to shop, and pack for our Operation Christmas Child mission. Together we purchased, and packed 11 shoe boxes. What was totally cool was that we really only had about 4 good shoe boxes when we started, so the kids had to walk around the neighborhood and convince unfriendly strangers to give them their shoe boxes. What a testimony of perseverance when we live in a society of people who are so untrusting of strangers. Some people didn't open the door for the kids, but most did. We got a few boxes we couldn't use, and a ton of boxes we could :) Hence the 11 shoe boxes packed... but the good thing is we did it - and it's going to be a blessing for kids all over the world. That's twice as many as we did last year! I'm so proud of my kids.

Haiti October 2010

Havin a BLAST at KB!

It was a great day yesterday at Kingdom Bound. Tye, Lisa & Sam and I drove out and got there around 12 or so. Tye & Sam immediately went off to their own little world so then Lisa & I hit the vendor tent. That place is awesome. There's all sorts of things there to look at and buy. Music, books, tshirts, DVD's... jewelry. YOu name it they got it.

Soooo many already know that I sponsor a sweet little girl from Peru named Ines thru Compassion International. It is a fabulous organization who take care of kids all over the world in impoverished nations and help them get their medicine, immunizations, food, clothes, school and then the message of Jesus every day. I love it. Well we've been sponsoring Ines for quite some time - I want to say about 3 yrs at this point. Yesterday at the vendor Tent, Compassion had their tables set up and Lisa & I were browsing the little faces... and I came across a young lady who had the same birthday as me, same birth year as Tyler. She'll be 17 this year.

Now let me say this. A 17yr old who is on the table for sponsorship means that she has been sponsored in the past. It means that whomever was sponsoring her, can no longer keep their financial commitment to take care of her. However, Compassion has pledged to that young girl that she will always have a home at the Compassion center in her village, or town. It also means that she will only be eligible for sponsorship for 1-3yrs. I don't remember her name, but she was precious. Tall, beautiful and wearing a silver cross around her neck. She was also from an area that is ravaged by HIV/AIDS infected population. She didn't live with her parents either.

She has been on my heart all day, and all night. Now I'm really going to be putting God's word to the test when I say I'm going to sponsor her if she is still at the table on Wed. when we go back to KB. He said in his word - "God gives Seed to the Sower". I know that God is able to provide the right amount of money for me to send to this young lady, and still keep my sponsorship of Ines. I know God's economy isn't broken. I can't wait to reach out to her in my first letter. It's all very exciting.

Ok so next Lisa and I went and grabbed something to eat from the car, and hit a couple of seminars. One on what happens to Christian Kids when they leave home for college (Between the ages of 17-22). Did you know tha 72% of kids leave church? and only 20% of those that leave come back? YIKES that means for every 10 kids who are in your youth group - 5 of them will leave the church after highschool and 3 will never return. That's a huge %! Then we learned a bit about Campus life, and some of the ministries available on campus to keep this population of college kids engaged in church and Godly fellowship.

Next seminar was on modest, and appropriate dress for young people. The speaker was dynamic. She apparently is the director of pro-life ministries for the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, and quite frankly my stereotypical idea of her was blown to shreds. She was passionate, she was articulate, she really got her message across; at least to Tye & Sam. And she kept bringin it right back home to Jesus AND she used Scripture to back up her point! I was thrilled!

hmm... we ran into some friends and then hit the concerts - Matthew West, which was awesome, and SKILLET which pretty much rocked our worlds. They have a new album coming out in 3 weeks - AWAKE - and I cannot wait for it :)

Ok till next time peeps -

K

KB Day 3!

Well today was another eventful day. Whew am I beat. So glad to be home an entire hour earlier than the last two nights. We cut out of the Jaci Velasquez concert about 1/2 hr or so early to beat traffic, but I still had to wait for the kids to join us! Grr... kids.

So today we started out a bit late. After sleeping in longer than I wanted (8:15) and picking up Sam and Jenna, we didn't arrive at KB until around 11:15, but that was ok. We promptly put all of our stuff in lockers and hit the water parks. We hit the blue and white water slide first, which is hands down my favourite, and then the Tornado which is my 2nd favourite. I love the ride, but I'm always terrified that I will be the ONE person who goes flying out of the tube and over the edge and dies...lol even though I KNOW God isn't done with me yet here on earth, and is totally ok with my enjoying water park rides! After that we headed over to the big Kahuna which is a large red water slide which I enjoyed, but not nearly as much as the first two. Still... the 45 minute wait paled in comparison to some to some other rides! LOL

We enjoyed some extra time in the wave pool, and hook's lagoon which is quite the riot let me tell you! It's basically a bunch of 'ship wrecked' pirate ships that have been taken over by the 'lost boys' who wreak havoc and mishap on all the unfortunate souls who wander off there... buckets of water to tip on people's heads, flexible hoses to squirt people below, lots of water just about everywhere, and about every ten minutes this HUGE bucket of water that must hold easily several HUNDRED gallons of water tips and goes pouring down all over everyone standing in it's way. there are also two small water slides there that aren't really anything amazing, but fun none-the-less!

today we opted for the 'less expensive' route for lunch and had sandwiches in the parking lot with music and swedish red fishies. yeah. I know really healthy Kisha... what do you expect? It's kids for crying out loud! LOL And it's Darien lake! After that it was down to business. We had to drive to Orchard Park to help my friend Robin out of the house. She had ankle surgery 2 weeks ago and hasn't been able to do stairs since. Talk about stir crazy. She literally hasn't been out of her house the entire time because of her steps on her porch! Anyway we just needed to get her out of the house so her son could take her to the dr. So we drove from KB about 1/2 hr to East Aurora to help her, and then we drove back :)

I let the kids go off on their own after we returned. Heck they don't need me in their faces all night right? We are having a Serious issue (discovered this morning in line for the tornado) because my son does appear to have a 'hicky' on his collarbone, which he insists he got "shaving" (yeah and I have purple eyes, green fingers and was born YESTERDAY! NOT). So lets suffice it to say that I am not allowing them ANY alone time anymore and I am THRILLED that his girlfriend is going on a 2 week trip to Chicago with her grand-dad.

ok I really didnt' take many pics tonight and I don't have a lot of energy for loading them up so I'm really sorry this is wordy, and not any pics, but i will catch up I promise! Tomorrow is the last day and while I'm glad it's over - I'm also SO sad its over!

Good night all!

Kisha

KB day 2 pics

Just some quick pics to share - here are my favs for the day! Enjoy!

KB Day 2

Today was a better day at the festival. My friend Lisa & Sam joined us and Lisa stayed till about 4:30. Sam stayed the rest of the night. It was fun. I did more coasters today than I have I think the last 3 times I went to a theme park! LOL Lets see - first ride we did was the Motocoaster which is funny. It's kind of a lame roller coaster, but it's a bunch of motorcycles so it really was hysterical. Well that and all the jokes about what kind of 'rocket' it was! LOL What did we do next? The vendor tent for a little bit, Tyler split and went to hang out with his girlfriend for the day - what else? Gosh it is sooo hard to recount the whole day. I think we went and got lunch. We had subway subs, and fries which were soo good. Every year we buy a 'commemorative' cup for like $8 and then we get refills all week for $1. The problem is that this year they ran out of the normal cups we buy - won't have new ones till Wed sooo I bought the slightly smaller version and YIKES does it go down quick. I think it's only like 20 oz or so and when it's hot its easy to suck it down fast!

Sam pretty much hung out with me most of the day. We went on several coasters, the motocoaster, the viper, the predator (which HURTS), and then I did the boomerang too which was horrible, and fun all at the same time. Although I did feel like I was going to 'toss my cookies' when I was done... I was ok after a couple tylenol and sips of my lemonade. We saw the really awesome Cirque Neuvaux (sp?) - and then we ran over to see Skillet, but since KB didn't pre-think it and put them on the park stage (they are pretty big rockers) it was SOOOO PACKED. I mean not only standing room only - it was backed way up to the vendor tents which is crazy. I think that more than 1/2 the park was there! Tyler made his way up front, but didn't stay long. I got some great pics of the kids, and then Mary Beth and I headed over to see Third day. It was fabulous! OH! I forgot to mention we did stop at the Worship Tent and saw Vicky Beeching, who I am going to head right over to Myspace to add as a friend, and put one of her songs on my page. She was fabulous!

We did hit the wave pool for a while, but we didn't have our suits so we just got wet up to our shorts and then hung out there for a while. It was a long day on my feet, and I've got a bit of a blister to show for it. I'm probably going to wear sneakers tomorrow to try and baby it a bit, but heck it's been a good week so far! LOL

Now I am just catching up this post so I can download it in my head, download the pics and head off to bed. I'm watching Nashville star, and wow. I knew Shawn Mayer would go - really glad Melissa is in the final running. My poor dog. She is soo lonely - now she's trying to play and we need to get to bed. I think next year I am REALLY going to look into kenneling her for the 4 days so that she can get her play time and all that and I don't have to feel sooo guilty coming home at 1am and then getting up and leaving at 9am again!

Until next time!

Kisha

KB Day 1

Well KB Day 1 is over... and I'm whipped. Not too much exciting happened today but I did run into a few friends, Bob & Sue, Mark and Johnny & Charity, and Mary Beth. Tyler didn't spend a whole lot of time with his momma but hey he did come for the communion which somebody messed up and served at 6pm instead of 8:30 like the Schedule said they would. Oh well - seems not quite right to get worked up over Communion being wrong....*sigh* almost defeats the purpose it would seem! I didn't do any rides, but Tyler met up with his GF and they did the Scrambler, the UFO, the Viper...and a couple others. I hit the vendor tent. I bought him a new bible but don't tell him that - I haven't decided if he's getting it now, since his is falling apart OR waiting for Christmas. Its a nice one - leather bound NIV teen bible. I like it alot. Hopefully he does too. I also picked up a book that is out of print - Becoming babywise by Gary Ezzo. It's about training your babies up the "natural" Godly way. I love the series on teens and tweens, so I'm guessing the baby one will be JUST as good. anyway I got them for friends of mine who just had babies. I also picked up a fiction hard cover that looks like it'll be some good reading. After that I'm done for shopping - I've spent ENOUGH this week for a while....

The concerts tonight were Robin Mark who I'd never heard of but he's from Ireland, and then Lincoln Brewster who it turns out I did know his music and both Tyler and I enjoyed his guitar talent - he was VERY good :)

ok till tomorrow! Asta la vista....

Kisha

Kingdom Bound here we come!

DANGIT! Oh I hate when I do that! I tried to select all my text and REMOVED my entire post! GRRR! Oh I hate it! We are going to be coming and going for the next few days to Kingdom Bound. It's a 4 day Christian Music Festival held every year at Darien Lake. I'm hoping to see Big Daddy Weave, Skillet and Newsboys. As we speak, Rebecca St. James is performing in Binghamton today - but I'm sad that she's not coming to KB this year.

In the meantime what the heck has been going on the last couple days? Well... lets see. Friday was REDICULOUS trying to get out of work. I mean crazy nuts. There are so many teeny details to share that I will drive myself crazy just thinking about what the heck Friday looked like sooo I'm not even going to bother re-typing it however lets just say that I should have been on the river at 6pm where my friends graciously invited me on the boat, and I didn't get there till almost 9!?!!!! They were sooo sweet to come back to the marina and get me but still!

Saturday I worked from 9-3pm. We have gotten funding to run a Digital Camera Class for 60 inner city kids. It's really just an intro to using cameras and then they go on field trips to take pictures. Then next saturday we will be teaching them to download their pics to the computer to then upload to Photobucket and finally to make a Blogger account that they will share all their favourite pics. Once the project is finalized - I'll share the blog with you all to see :) Please check it out as it'll just tickle them pink that they have visitors from all over viewing it!

What else? When I got home Tyler and I kicked butt and cleaned the downstairs of the house. It needed it. I still have to dust the furniture in the living room but other wise it looks really good and I'm feeling much better about being mostly gone this week without having to worry about my stank nasty dirty house! After cleaning Mary Beth called and asked if I did want to go on the boat again, so I took Malik out and oh my he actually went swimming in the lake, AND he went out on the tube! I am sooo proud of him for getting out of his control freak shell and so grateful to Brad for being so patient with him and helping him have so much fun!
Today we had church and afterwards ran over to Penney's for their 'doorbuster' sale which we missed because I ran into Bernie and Rhonda and got to see their precious new baby girl Faith. She's such a doll. So teeny! I ended up spending about $200 on Tyler for school, but he got several shirts, 4 pair of Jeans and 2 sweatshirts. So it was a good deal. I was thrilled when I saw that 2 pair of jeans he had picked out were marked down to $15.99 but then even MORE thrilled when I saw that they rang up as $8.99! YEAH! Now that's a good deal right? I Know! So that really helped take the sting out. Oh yeah I also got him another dress shirt (royal purple) and 2 purple ties. So really for $200 we made out like a bandit. All he needs are underthings and shoes and he is done.
Here are some pics from yesterday - I'm sure I'll have tons to post over the next few days :)




Brad, Malik & Mary Beth getting on the tube

Mary Beth, Malik and Paul floating around in the water

Sue, Bob & Jim watching everyone in the water :)