Where in the world is....

....The Brick House Mama?

4 Reasons Why I am a Bad Blogger...

Hi! Here I am!

Ok, I have some confessing to do...

LIFE has gotten in the way of keeping you up to date here on The Brick House...

Which is why I always try to point you in the direction of ALL the great resources out there, just in case I am busy rocking a baby, cheering my son on at a baseball tournament, taking kids to camp or just trying to do the dishes :-)...

So do you forgive me?

I do have my reasons you know...

Life Reason #1: Why I am a bad blogger

Meet Collin Jai, my nephew.  This summer he is my our sidekick.  He fits right in with the rest of The Brick House circus.  His little smile and bright blue eyes make me want to stop the world and just hold him. 

So yes, it is a bit of a challenge to blog while coo-cooing at a baby...

OF COURSE, I could not do it without the help of my beautiful daughter, Hannah, who is baby-lover just like me :-)...

Life Reason #2:  Why I am a bad blogger

Since Christmas of last year, we have been preparing for Trevor (right), my oldest, to go on a missions trip to Costa Rica with 80 other young people for 10 days. 

We were excited for him and nervous that he would lose something (like money and couldn't eat!)

He came back with stories to tell and memories of an experience that I am so grateful he had!

Life Reason #3: Why I am a bad blogger

My youngest son, Trent, had the privilage of participating in the Grand National AAU Baseball Tournament at ESPN's Wide World of Sports at Disney for an entire week!  They were completely undefeated throughout all the brackets and worked their way into the championship round.  They ended up with 2nd Place, and we were so proud of their accomplishment!  On top of that, they won the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award!

Life Reason #4: Why I am a bad blogger

I am in search...for a healthier me!

Join the Web's Only Nutrition & Fitness Program Just For Teens! Diet
My username is tashabrickhouse

During a conversation with my sister, Kristi, about "the thorn in my flesh"--my weight, she, recommended the wonderful website SparkPeople, a free online weight-loss/diet & exercise tracker.  I spent the first 6 weeks getting to know the program and then determined that I needed to adjust the food calculator to a low carb diet.  An immediate result on the scale confirmed that my body does not like anything in the form of a grain. No wheat, rice, oat and most certainly no sugar...Veggies and low fat protein are my friends...

Then I made a big decision...I began a Couch-to-5k program. Me? A runner?
NO WAY!

Ok, maybe in my almost-35 year-old-crisis-mode I got bold and demanded my body to comply with a very reasonable physical requirement.  RUN!

I remember even in middle school making excuses to get out of running in gym class. 

There are no excuses.

So I started using the C25K app right away (This is a paid-for app, but it is really cheap and well worth it), and love it!  I can play my own music I found some running music on podcast from Podrunner so I was set.

Week 1 was very doable and made me eager to move to week 2.  During week 2 we were at Trenton's tournament, so I opted to run on the treadmill at the gym.  Wrong move (at least for me).  Having never been a runner, and never run on a treadmill, the impact on my knees proved to be to intense.  For the remainder of our stay, I attempted to run in the complex, but I was in some serious pain. 

After reading up on it, I considered giving my knees a break.  I didn't want to lose momentum so this was a hard thing to do.  Lo' and behold, I developed chest cold and there was a true road block.

So this morning, I resumed the program on week 3 day 1 and, whew...I made it!
It was more challenging, and I hope that it was in part because of a week long hiatus.  But I am determined.  Come hectic-schedules or high heat (in Florida), I want to conquor this thing!
"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." Zig Ziglar

What are you doing this summer? Do you have family traditions or annual summer excursions?

He Is Risen | Easter 2014

Previously shared on Easter 2011

New life, new growth, fresh start, clean slate...

The tomb is now empty

and He did it for our sake.

So grateful that He saw me, even way back then...

I wait with great anticipation

Until He comes back again. 

by Tasha Brickhouse

Happy Easter!

May your homes be filled with The Love that is unending!

Join me at the United Pentecostal Church in Deland, Florida

April 20th, 2014

10am and 6pm

Frozen Flavor Cubes

Fresh produce is full of flavor and adds an unparalleled quality to each meal, but how do you get that fresh flavor when key ingredients are out of season? Frozen Flavor Cubes!

I have to admit, this is not my idea.  My wise (mother-like) friend, Doris taught me this when I was just a teenager, and I've used it ever since.  This variety uses just 4 ingredients: Green Peppers, Red Pepper, Onions, and Garlic.  Proportionately, you will want more green peppers than onions and garlic.  You may want to experiment to find out just how much of each that you would like to use. 



I used:
8 small green peppers
1 small red pepper
2 medium onions
1 1/2  medium heads of garlic



Wash all of your veggies.  Cut into pieces that will fit in your food processor (or you may be able to chop smaller and use your blender).  Puree until all chunks are gone. 

I purchased ice trays that would only be used for flavor cubes

(I don't want my ice cubes tasting like garlic :-))

Fill trays will the puree and freeze thoroughly.  When they are frozen, remove them from the ice cube trays and into a freezer bag.  When you want to add this to your meals, place in a pan on medium heat with a jot of olive oil.  This will thaw quickly and then you can proceed to add your meat or veggies. 

You may choose to use this idea in many ways.  By using this concept, you can create fruit flavored cubes (strawberries, blueberries, mango, etc.) that can be added to a dessert or a glass of water (for flavoring).  You may want to add fresh herbs such as cilantro, basil or thyme.  The possibilities are endless.  Just think of the time you will save by having these beauties on hand when you need to turn out a quick meal!

Have fun and let me know how your flavor cubes turn out!

The Best FREE Bible App

Faith is the chief cornerstone of The Brick House, and with that, taking time out to read God's word is a priority, but time is not always on our side. 

With a great app like YouVersion FREE Bible for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android, Palm WebOS, Java, Symbian and Mobile Web, you can choose from 41 translations and 22 different languages.  Not only that, but they have many different reading plans and devotionals that make reading the Word simple to fit in when you are on the go! You can also share passages on Facebook, Twitter, or forward them in an email, all from inside this app.  I promise, this FREE app will not disappoint!

Two Thousand Eleven!

Here we are.  Two. Thousand. Eleven.  Can you believe it? Have you set plans for this year?  Do you have goals? Are there things that you would like to accomplish?  I can say yes to all of these.  Some of these plans are still in formulation, but one thing is for sure:  I cannot plan alone.  Being a wife & mom, photographer, and a mixed bag of many other things can take me in a bazillion directions at once.  Prayer is an absolute must in order to gain direction for a New Year.  As I pray, I begin to prioritize my various roles in life to keep things in check.  I'll give you a little sneak peek into my brain {pretty scary-I know}.

1. God :: Communication with the Lord is my highest priority.  Without this, I am doomed before I even take the first step.  This means prayer and Bible reading consistently.  It is as essential as eating regular meals.  It is the food for the soul, nourishment to my character.  All those around me suffer when this is neglected.  He is what makes me worth anything to anyone at all.
2. My Marriage  :: What would it be like if you only cared for one half of your body, but neglected the other half.  How about if you only washed the right side of your face but never the left?  When we join together in marriage, the Bible says that two become one flesh.  If I only care for myself, but not my husband, in essence, I am only caring for one half of my body.  Life is busy, and sometimes it is hard to take the time out to care for our spouse in the way that they do not feel neglected, especially when there are children to be cared for.  When I place my marriage at the top of my priority list, right under God, I not only honor God, but I give my children a stronger home.  I pledge to do even better in 2011.
3. My Children :: As parents, we are commissioned by God to train up these children in the way that they should go, so that when they are old, they do not depart from it.  Sometimes I have to ask myself if we are training them in a way that I would want them to carry out for the rest of their days!  I just keep on pointing them to Jesus, and pray that they will stay on the path that will bring them joy like no other.
4. My Contribution to the Marketplace :: Each of us are blessed in various ways with talents that become creative outlets for glorifying God, blessing others and as means to provide for our families.  Each of these outlets are opportunities for meeting new people and affecting the lives of others.  The Proverbs 31 woman is a great example to pray upon while considering this area of my life:

{Proverbs 31:13-31}

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

I pray that your New Year's Planning is underway in a great way! Make 2011 GREAT!