Black Beans and Corn Salad – Blackberry Pies and My Blogging Friend

I have this thing about punishing myself.  I don’t cook a lot and when I invite people over I tend to think that what I normally cook is not good enough for company so most of the time I try something that “looks” really good and go thru “is it going to taste good or not?”  Yesterday was one of those days.

Delaney and I met because of this blogging thing I do.  I was googling information about a TV show that was coming to Fresno.  I either posted something on her blog or put a link on my blog to hers.  We found out we were both from Fresno and about a year ago we met for lunch.  Yesterday she come over to my home for lunch.  She brought the most delicious home-made blackberry little pies and I fixed “Black Beans and Corn Salad”.  I actually liked it a lot and so did my friend.

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 sm. yellow and red bell peppers, chopped
1 sm. tomato, chopped
1 cup frozen corn, thawed (I don’t know why not use fresh if available)
2 scallions, chopped (I used green onions)
1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Juice of 1/2 lime
Kosher or sea salt to taste
Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a salad bowl. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

I don’t like raw bell peppers all that much so I sauté the bell peppers and green onions in a little bit of Virgin Olive Oil.  I also added 1 small chopped mango and I meant to add 1 sm. chopped avocado, but forgot and next time I’m going to add a 1 tsp. of chili powder.

You can use this salad as a dip and use corn tortillas chips,  as a filling for tacos or even fill 1/2 a pita bread.

¸¸.•*¨*•☆ Bon Appétit ☆•*¨*•.¸¸

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San Franicsco with the Twelve

About a week ago, Noemi Vera put together an outing for some of our ministers wives that live in the Fresno area.  It was so much fun to just get together, eat, laugh, shop and have a good time.  San Francisco was the perfect spot for our group.  Thank you Noemi for loving ministers wives the way you do ♥

These are the twelve minus the photographer, me

What Do women do best when they get together?  OK, beside that… (LOL) EAT!!!

Noemi Vera

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Some Of My Favorite Photos of 2009

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Merry Christmas 2009

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Elvira Sotelo – Proverbs 31 Woman

Elvira is one of the most beautiful women I have ever known.  She has been helping her husband in the ministry ever since I first remember meeting her.  Was it 1971?  I’m not sure, but it has been a long, long time.  Today her seven children surprised her with a celebration of her 75th birthday!

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her”  Proverbs 31:28

Could not get all of them in one picture, and we are missing here one son in law.

Elvira with her oldest great grandaughter

Danny and Elvira sitting around the table with all of their seven children.

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Never In A Million Years

Never thought this would happen.  Remember about a month ago I met my blogging friend Delaine for lunch after corresponding though our blogs for a few months?  

In my facebook account, I am becoming a pretty good friend to one of my sister’s high school friends.  I wasn’t on her “friend’s list”.   We would just make comments on each others comments in relation to my sister.   All of that changed, she is also my friend and we will meet, hopefully soon.  

Hello sister-friend

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Delaine and Carmen Do Lunch

I been told several times “Be careful with people you meet in the Internet world”.  Today my blogging friend Delaine and I met face to face for the first time.  She is just as she is in her blog, very transparent, (I liked that) we immediately recognized each other, we hugged and had a wonderful time over lunch.  Not having done this type of thing before – I was nervous, not that she was a dangerous person, but that I would disappoint her when we met.  I think she liked me OK.

Of course we brought our cameras and asked our server to take a picture of us.  Until next time Delaine.

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My Time So Far In The South… Louisville, KY – Part Three

Friends from Long Ago at SBC

Jennie and Fred Loper

Fermin keeps finding friends from long ago.  Remember Fermin’s friend Muriel? Jenie and Fred Loper are also friends from seminary.  In 1960 Fermin went to Toronto Baptist Seminary in Canada and is enjoying getting re acquainted with his friends from that time in his life.  I have enjoyed meeting them and hearing their stories.  Jenie and Fred Loper are serving in a church in Marhall, IL.

Maria Wetzel

When we lived in the Atlanta area, and Fermin was in town, he would preach at the local churches and in one of those churches there was a family with a pretty young girl named Maria.   Maria is a pastor’s wife now.  Her and her husband serve in a church in Florida. 

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Meet Muriel Keller Evans “A Blast From The Past”

Have you ever had anyone surfaced from your past?  45 years to be exact.  This happened to my husband, a friend from seminary came to spend the week end with us.  They had not seen each other since 1964.  It was very interesting and entertaining to see them and hear them talk.  I’m glad I got to spend this time with Muriel.  She is very delightful and interesting, she has been a school teacher, school principal, international missionary, some kind of part time travel agent, and now she calls herself a “bag lady”, she travels the world visiting friends and family.  She is also a published author, her book “Jane Austen – Her Golden Years: A Historical Novel Highlighting Her Family and Faith” is one of three books she is writing about Jane Austen.  I just enjoyed getting to know Muriel.

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Congratulations Phillip W. Kell!

I am honor to know Phil Kell.  Phil is the Executive V.P. and Legal Counsel of California Baptist Foundation.  California Baptist University honored Phil with an Honorary Doctorate Degree.   Debbie, Phil’s wife, all four daughters, mother, son in law, grand kids other family members and friends were present for the occasion.  Phil also did a fantastic job in the commencement address.

Congratulations Phil

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