Posts by Kerry Weisser
Easter and Passover 2015
This is Easter week and the beginning of Passover so we are taking the week off here at Growing Weisser…..I am going to update and repost an Easter post to share with you today and make sure to check back on Thursday for a surprise……
When I was growing up, Easter season began with a Passover Seder meal at my grandparents home where we retold the Exodus story and said beautiful Hebrew prayers. This tradition became more meaningful to me as I learned that Christ became the Passover Lamb and He was the perfect sacrifice for all men for all time. He was nailed to the cross on that Friday (what we call “good Friday”) and was raised from the dead on what we call Easter-Resurrection Sunday. Resurrection Sunday, Good Friday and Passover celebrations are a time to reflect on all that Christ has done for me.
As we raised our family, we incorporated the celebration of Passover with our Easter festivities for a rich tradition of Old and New Testament blending to tell the entire story of God reaching out to man to initiate and open the door for an intimate relationship with His children.
Last year I had the awesome privilege of attending a Good Friday worship night with Bekah and Ashkon at their Christian Student Association at SGU in Grenada. It was a multicultural event including liturgical dance and worship for all with the worship team including special presentations from three groups of students singing in their native tongues-Indian, African and Spanish and two Asian students who shared a piano and violin worship song on prayer. The most moving part of the evening for me was the dramatic presentation of a skit done to a beautiful song called Everything-you can look it up on Youtube. If you …
Read MoreTortilla Casserole-with a Healthy Flair
When your family feels like Mexican food and you have a busy day ahead of you…this casserole can be made ahead of time (even a day ahead)and baked right before dinner. This recipe is low fat and really delicious. Serve it with a green salad and some guacamole and salsa.
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 large onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 can black beans, drained (optional for added protein)
- 2 cups frozen or fresh corn
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon rosemary
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 can or bottle (12-14 0z) enchilada sauce
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups cheddar or colby jack cheese shredded
- Begin to brown the ground turkey in a large skillet.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic and red pepper and continue to cook until onion and pepper are soft and ground meat is cooked.
- Add the seasonings, corn and black beans and stir until blended.
- Mix the tomato sauce and enchilada sauce and add half of this sauce mixture to the browned meat and vegetables.
- Reserve remaining sauce to pour over top of casserole.
- In a PAM sprayed 9 by 13 pan, layer 6 corn tortillas, half the meat mixture, half the cheese. then layer the other 6 tortillas, half of the meat mixture, half of the cheese.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the top.
- Cook in a 350 degree oven for 20-25
Am I Satisfied? 4 Questions to ask yourself……
What does is mean to be truly satisfied? The definition of the word satisfy used as a verb is to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs or demands of a person or to put an end to a desire, want or need by sufficient provision. Some of the synonyms for the word satisfy are gratify, pacify, appease and please.
AM I TRULY SATISFIED WITH MY LIFE?…….
What is enough?
Do I appreciate my blessings?
Do I buy more than I need?
Do I serve those in need?
How are we satisfied? What brings satisfaction…..?
CONFLICT FREE LIVING– when relationships with family and friends are going well and there is no conflict in interpersonal relationships in business or community.
COMPLETED “TO DO” LIST-having a “To Do” list completed for the day.
CONTRIBUTING TO SOCIETY– “satisfied” may be when people feel they are making a contribution to society.
CONTENTMENT-Satisfaction comes when hopes or expectations are met by people, or circumstances that can be controlled or events that occur in our lives that can not be controlled.
FULFILLMENT OF WANTS/NEEDS-Often times we think of satisfaction only in terms of the fulfillment of material wants and needs. In our culture of consumerism and materialism we get off track easily. Every where we turn there is an opportunity to to be discontent because the goal of media marketing is to makes us believe there is “more and better” of everything we could possibly need or want.
A few months ago, my husband and I read a book with a few friends called “Satisfied-Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption” written by Jeff Manion
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The DVD series and workbook that went along with this book had some challenging tasks for us to do, to help us begin our journey towards …
Read MoreOn Being Brave
Who is the first person that comes to your mind when you think about BEING BRAVE?
When I was young, I remember learning about Amelia Earhart and how she was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean-I thought she was BRAVE. In my young adulthood I heard the true story about how my husband’s grandfather had an opportunity in the 1920’s to become a wealthy man and hold a high official position in the Turkish government if he was willing to deny his faith in Christ. He was BRAVE and would NOT deny his faith in Christ and therefore was to be put to death by execution. But God had a different plan for his life and a greater purpose for his future and miraculously his life was spared. He was BRAVE! Ten years ago when my husband received the news that he had cancer, we all had to be BRAVE!!! Every step of the way, through all the decisions we had to make and every year since, when he gets his check-up he has to continue to be BRAVE. Many people have ongoing trials in their life that require them to be BRAVE-infertility, cancer, loss of loved ones, wayward children, aging parents, chronic illness….the list goes on and on….so the question I ask of myself and I want to ask of you is…When have I been BRAVE?
This weekend, I attended a women’s conference called Be You Be Brave. 
I was completely refreshed and encouraged to take a deeper look at my life and to pay more attention to the opportunities that come up in my life where I can be BRAVE. There was an ongoing theme that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. He can and will give us the …
Ranger Cookies Refreshed and Revitalized
Growing up in a family of excellent cooks was fun and there was always some party or family gathering which required menu planning and food preparation. I often times volunteered to be in charge of the baking because I had learned how to bake at a young age and it was something I could do on my own.
Ranger Cookies were one of my favorite cookies to bake. 
Ingredients
1 cup coconut oil (original recipe calls for 1 cup shortening)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups oats
2 cups crushed Kashi sprouted Grains cereal (original recipe calls for Wheaties)
1 cup coconut
Cream coconut oil and sugars, in kitchenaide or with hand mixer.
Add eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly.
Add vanilla and stir well.
Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Add oats, crushed Kashi cereal and coconut and mix well.
Drop by spoonfuls (2 inch cookie scoop) onto greased cookie sheet.
Press down with hand or with glass dipped in sugar.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.
These cookies freeze well. Makes 40 cookies
These Ranger Cookies pack a delicious crispy goodness with a satisfying coconut surprise crunch. The cookies freeze well and stay fresh for days in an airtight container. They travel well and are a perfect cookie to send in a care package. Today I refreshed the old favorite by substituting coconut oil for shortening and Kashi Sprouted Grains Cereal for the Wheaties in the original recipe.
Since the original recipe is one of our extended family’s all time favorites it was featured in the original Baby Bear Stew Family Heritage Cookbook. (featured in our December Passion Perspective …
Giveaway Winner and Passion Perspective Week Refresher
AND THE WINNER IS………Kristin Rubow
If you missed any of our posts this week we would love you to go back and read them and you will be truly blessed.
MONDAY: It was our privilege to feature Rhonda and Cara this week on our Passion Perspective. Check out this first post as we introduce you, our readers, to two fantastic women who have dedicated their hearts and lives to bringing blessings to others through their business, Forever Vintage Rentals
https://www.growingweisser.com/2015/02/23/passion-perspective-getting-to-know-forever-vintage-rentals/
TUESDAY: Read Tuesday’s post about the success they are having in their business which comes from their true passion…”We are passionate about weddings. We love all things vintage. But even more, it does our heart’s SO good to invest into the lives of each of our brides. We are blessed to be able to live out our passion and be a part in creating the day of their dreams.”
https://www.growingweisser.com/2015/02/24/passion-perspective-interview-rhonda-and-cara/
WEDNESDAY: Check out the Wednesday blog post where we spent time asking them some of the ins and outs of their business and the challenges and triumphs they have experienced along the way……”Our greatest challenge has been to keep our commitment of remaining debt free in the process of building a business.” https://www.growingweisser.com/2015/02/25/passionperspective-interview-day-2-forever-vintage-rentals/
THURSDAY: This post is a must read with stunningly beautify pictures from Bethany and Bekah’s weddings. Our family had the joy of being spoiled by Forever Vintage Rentals.
https://www.growingweisser.com/2015/02/26/forever-vintage-rentals-blessings-for-our-family/
Find Forever Vintage Rentals here…
Website: http://www.forevervintagerentals.com
Contact Page: http://www.forevervintagerentals.com/contact-forever-vintage-rentals/
Give Us a Ring: 916-720-9123
Facebook: Forever Vintage Rentals https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forever-Vintage-Rentals/
Instagram: ForeverVintageRentals
Twitter: @fvrentals
Pinterest: Forever Vintage Rentals
Thank you so much for joining us in our journey of sharing the Passion Perspective of Rhonda and Cara and their business, Forever Vintage Rentals.
…
Forever Vintage Rentals-Blessings for our Family
A wedding is one of the most treasured days of life. The day is filled with love, cherished people, celebration, joy, laughter, and promise. Not only are there family, friends, and people enjoying the wedding, but there are a number of people behind the scenes. There are always countless people involved in the planning, the preparation, and the logistics. There are vendors, caterers, planners, decoraters, djs, and the list could go on and on. Two of our family weddings had the blessing of having close family friends help either the venue, decorations, coordination, or the photography. And not only were they a joy to work with (which I am sure you have already read about how wonderful they are), they sure do know how to decorate and throw a party! They did an amazing job with each of the weddings unique taste and flavor. And both of the days exceeded our expectations.
Bethany shared, “I was never one of those little girls that dreamed about the details of my wedding or planned it all out in my head, but if I had been, I could not have imagined a more beautiful wedding than what I experienced, thanks to Rhonda and Cara and Forever Vintage Rentals. Even though I already knew them as family friends, they took the time to get to know me and Mike, our relationship, and what we pictured for our wedding day. They didn’t miss a detail. From the tables, to the decor, to the head table, to the food presentation, to the character of the wedding, it was all perfect. I got endless compliments of how wonderful my wedding was. And not just for the food, or the people, but for the atmosphere. People loved the decorations, the beautiful pieces placed all around the property, the …
Read MorePassion Perspective Interview Day 2-Forever Vintage Rentals
As you have seen from the past two days posts, Rhonda and Cara have created a very special business. We continued their interview with more specific questions about their hopes for the future and what they have learned along the way as they have worked together to establish Forever Vintage Rentals.
We asked them…..
What are your long-term goals and dreams?
“Continue to follow wherever the Lord may lead. He has opened so many doors and allowed for opportunities we would have never dreamed possible thus far.”
How has your inventory changed and expanded?
“Every day brings something new… literally:). One of our favorite pastimes is shopping for the business. We are constantly scouting new finds that will suit our brides and the latest trends. We are currently building another FVR storage barn and it will be full in no time at all.”
They have wonderful decorative pieces that they stage for their clients on the vintage pieces of furniture. They love to help brides create their own personal theme with accent pieces.
How do you promote your business?
“We have found social media and our website to be most effective. Rhonda is diligent about keeping FVR active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In addition, we have been featured in highly acclaimed national wedding blogs such as Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ruffled and many others. The blogs are probably our best form of advertisement because of the fact that they are earned rather than purchased, they speak volumes to our clientele.”
What are the next steps for your business?
“Continue to supply for the unique vision of each of our brides and current trends within the industry.”
What marketing mistakes have you made?
“We have tried advertising in Wedding Magazines; to our knowledge it has not been …
Passion Perspective Interview- Forever Vintage Rentals
Today we will take you on the journey of Forever Vintage Rentals…..
We asked Rhonda and Cara a series of questions about their original passion…..
How did Forever Vintage Rentals developed into a business?.
“We are passionate about weddings. We love all things vintage. But even more, it does our heart’s SO good to invest into the lives of each of our brides. We are blessed to be able to live out our passion and be a part in creating the day of their dreams.”
How and when did this passion begin?
“The summer of 2011. We decorated Rhonda’s daughters wedding with vintage items from our homes. Vintage doors, windows, bottles, suitcases and anything else we could find. Cara’s daughter owns a wedding planning business in San Diego. She was planning her own wedding in 2012 and had a vision for farm tables, mismatch china, chandeliers, ladders, hutches and buffets surrounded by architectural pieces from the past. She convinced her dad & uncle to build farm tables for her wedding and promised that she would have them rented if we would start a rental business. At the time, she was in close contact with First Vintage Rental Company in So Cal. She was relentless in persuading us to set the trend for Nor Cal; hence Forever Vintage was born.”
What steps did you take to make it a reality?
“Within a month we had decided to do just that. We decided on a few potential names and put it up for a family vote. Rhonda went to work shooting pictures of everything we could possibly find to start our inventory. Our website was designed and we continued purchasing. Farm Tables were built… and rented within a month.” 
What sets Forever Vintage Rentals apart from other wedding rental companies?…
Passion Perspective-Getting to Know the Co-owners of Forever Vintage Rentals
Precious friends are a blessing from above and when that friend becomes like “family” there are no words to describe the peace and joy that accompanies that forever friendship. Rhonda Piper is one of those friends!! I have known her for over 6 years and she is as close as a sister to me. She is a talented photographer and we were blessed to have her as our wedding photographer for both Bethany’s and Bekah’s weddings. She and her cousin, Cara Nelson, are the founders and co-owners of Forever Vintage Rentals.
Their website is amazing and they describe their business as such-“Forever Vintage presents an eclectic melange of vintage treasures. We specialize in the truly antique, elegant, rustic & boho rentals for a one of a kind design. We travel anywhere the back roads will take us to bring you the finest in vintage rentals. In addition, our designers will custom build anything your heart’s desire. We rent, style, & deliver so you can relax & enjoy your special day!
Servicing all Northern, Central, & Southern California plus Oregon, Washington & Nevada.
Showroom located near Sacramento, in Northern California.”
It is our privilege to feature them this week on our Passion Perspective. Today we take you on an introductory journey into their business, Forever Vintage Rentals
We interviewed Rhonda and Cara to get some fun facts about them to help you understand what sets them and their business apart and makes them so special. In order to set the stage for why we chose them for our Passion Perspective week, we asked both gals how they got to know us. Rhonda stated, “We met the Weisser Family through our daughters. Our girls played softball together at Azusa Pacific. What a blessing they are in our lives. I’ve also had