Friday, January 29, 2010

Recipe Today!

Twinkie Cake 

(This is not my original recipe.  I have renamed it Twinkie Cake, it taste just like one.  Thank You Taste Of Home)

Ingredients

  • 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
  • 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 eggs
  • FILLING:
  • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. In a mixing bowl, beat cake mix, pudding mix and shortening on low speed until crumbly. Add the water and eggs; beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine flour and milk until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool completely.
  3. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter shortening, sugar, vanilla and salt; beat in milk mixture until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Split cake into two horizontal layers. Spread filling over the bottom layer; replace top layer. Cut into serving-size pieces.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

It's Thursday!



(A present from my Manly Man...fresh baked, whole grain sourdough bread.   From a market by where he works.  My it was good.  We'll be eating the rest tonight with dinner.)

Outside My Window~ SNOW...but it's okay...makes everything seem so much brighter.  I am just not looking forward to the bitter cold we're expecting the next few days.  I am a warm weather girl!
 
I am Praying~  For the bachelors.  Many decisions to be made there.  Thankfully it's not in our hands, so I get to pray about it instead.  Bachelor David ended up with us for two nights last week and went  back home last Friday.  By Sunday his routine was pretty much back to normal. Praying  for wisdom.  For church.  For family.  For Haiti.

I am Creating~  Getting a list going in my head. #1- I have a kitchen wall that needs primed and painted white.  It has some ugly stains on it that wont wipe away.


 #2-  I have some chipped paint that needs touched up down here in the family room.  It's bugging me.

 

There was a laundry accident a few weeks ago.  Someone (who will remain nameless to protect his identity...) Washed Toyota parts in the the laundry room deep sink and left a washcloth in the sink.  The washer drains into the deep sink...it ran a whole load and dumped all the water on the floor.  The water runs right under the wall and stays on the bathroom floor.  The carpet finally dried, after about 5 days...and had weird looking mildew (?) forming on top.  I cut the carpet out of the bathroom (who decided to do that anyway?  Carpeting around toilets is a BAD thing)  and now I need to #3- Purchase some of those peel and stick floor tiles and hide the glue reside from the carpet.


#4- Bachelor David has a break from work for the next 3 weeks while he continues to heal from his surgery.  He wants to clean out a room at his place.  I volunteered to help him organize it...maybe next week.

From the Kitchen~  No menu this week.  Missing it?  We've enjoyed our Cracker Barrel breakfast, pizza dinner and even Chinese this week!  Last night I cooked Alfredo Penne pasta with shrimp and mushrooms and served green salad and garlic bread.  Tonight will be Chicken and Apple Sausages with Hashbrown casserole, green beans and fried apples.

Beside my bed~ I am reading Anne Perry.  It's decent mystery reading.  Some material may not be appropriate for all readers.
 
From the school room~  Silent "E",  Blends, Dimes,  Reading

I am wearing~  PJ's...but will have on a denim skirt and long sleeve shirt soon.

Around the house~   Admiring my new rug set.  It was on sale.  I bought it because I can't stand how dirty the carpet looks and I  just cleaned it a few  months back.  So thank you JC Penny for making my house look cleaner.  Now I'd like a couple throw pillows and some more fake greens to place around the room.



 
A few plans for the rest of the week~  Company is coming over Saturday afternoon for a fried chicken and collard greens dinner.  Yes...I will be taking pictures.  This young couple hasn't been over since summer.  I am looking forward to their visit...and the food!

 
I am sharing~ 

Shadow the cat thinks she is helping Mom finish blogging today.  This intent look means "Hurry up will ya and get my chow!"

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Guest Post


My sister is featuring me on her blog today.  Jump over to her sight to read my post on "Redeeming the Time" and be sure to say "hi" to my sweet sister!





Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Refreshed



((Birthday breakfast at Cracker Barrel restaurant))


((The fireplace was going and it was so cozy and smelled so pleasant!))

We're back and feeling refreshed.  We went on a little trip yesterday to celebrate #2 son's seventh birthday birthday  We drove about 80 miles east of here and visited and stayed the night in a hotel with a pool and hot tub.


  We drove a bit farther west and took him to the shooting arcade at the Cabela's store.



((trying out potential camping equipment!))

 On the way back to the hotel we stopped for a Happy Meal and pizza for the folks.  We got a small store bought cake and had a party in our room. 






This morning we toured the Crayola Factory. 






Our son had a wonderful time and came home acting a bit spoiled!


Thursday, January 21, 2010

It's Thursday!



  
It's Thursday!

Outside My Window~  Sunny.
 
I am Praying~  Haiti, the bachelors, my friend Brenda, church and our family

I am Creating~  Nothing.  But I am thinking that I need to work some more watches and I'd like to do a couple painting projects.

From the Kitchen~  Beef Tips,  Egg Noodles, fruit salad, green beans

Beside my bed~ Clive Cussler's  The Wrecker 

















This is a bit more risque than some of the books, but an enjoyable read.

 From the school room~  A slow week.  Teacher Mom is pretty busy.  But we worked on it yesterday.  Short and long vowel sounds and reading practice.  He is coming a long really well in reading!  I am so proud.

I am wearing~  Jeans and a black long sleeved tee, my white tennis shoes.  Comfortable and warm

Around the house~  Bachelor David is snoozing on the couch in front of Emeril.  We brought him home with us yesterday for a bit of rest after his surgery.  He is pretty sore today.  I am trying to keep him comfortable.  Bachelor Mickey (aged 79) is still at his home.  We've got our eyes on him as well.  Took him food and are walking one of the dogs for him.  We'll see how David is doing this afternoon


((Bachelor David))

 
A few plans for the rest of the week~  Birthday boys big day is Monday.  I am hoping my husband will be able to take Monday and Tuesday off and we can go to that indoor water park for a celebration!  I have a ladies meeting Saturday afternoon that I promised to make a dessert for.


  I am sharing~  Not too much to share.  Just keep praying for us.  The Lord is taking care of things nicely with what is going on around us.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Menu Monday...On Tuesday


Monday~  Mexican Chicken Soup with Fritos, sour cream and green onions ((didn't have time to make corn bread...: ))

Tuesday~  Short Ribs with brown Rice, cooked carrots, layered green salad.

Wednesday~  Sour Cream Mennonite Chicken, Cheesey Noodle Casserole, Broccoli with Almonds, Fruit

Thursday~  Beef Tips, Egg Noodles, Green beans, Ambrosia Salad

Friday~ Hawaiian Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes,  Peas, fruit or salad.

Saturday~  Barbecue Meatballs, Sweet potato fries, Garlic snow peas, fruit

Sunday~  Roasted Chicken, Mashed potatoes, gravy, baby bok choy, spaghetti squash, fruit

Desserts~  Cherry Cheesecake, Earthquake Cake, Twinkie Cake (for ladies fellowship Saturday.)

**Making enough of all meals this week to take to the Bachelors.  Bachelor David is having hernia surgery tomorrow and will be recovering for a while.  Pray for us as we help them as best as we can.**

Pray also for another friend from church, Brenda.  She is having surgery Friday (Jan 22nd) at a hostpital in NYC to remove a mass near her lung.  She just lost her husband to cancer and has 4 children at home still. (aged 13-21)  Doctors are not sure if the mass is cancer yet or not.  She is deaf and a challenge for me to communicate with as I know only about 5 words in sign language!  We had a good visit with her yesterday. 

Not sure how much posting will be done this week.  Pray for me as well.  It is a tad stressful helping the bachelors.

Have a great week!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Did You Know



I had some information I wanted to share.  I found all this while doing research for a devotion.  My devotion ended up taking a different turn.  I wanted to share what I found with you anyway!  ((All research from the internet))



Did you know?

 

Recent conversations in our home lately have been on how valuable time is.  Time spent with the Lord, on yourself, for others and for your employer.   How much time do we spend in mindless distraction, impeding our service for others? 

 

I am a witness to it everywhere:

 

The car ahead of me on the road that swerves in and out of their lane and cannot maintain their speed.

 

The car in front of me who sits through the whole green light not moving. 

 

The car accident pulled to the side of the road.

 

The stock boy at the store, standing with his hands in front of him staring at the small object in his hands glancing around to see if he is spotted by the boss while maintaing his finger flying pace on the small object in his hands.

 

The store cashier who takes  precious seconds of my time to glance at the small object in her pocket before serving me.

 

Half the college math class is using that small object during class time.

 

The folks at church who repeatedly glance at a small object on the pew next to them and even furiously tap on said small object several times during the preaching service at church.

 

The man who spends 45 minutes in rush hour traffic to come home, not say a word upon arrival at said home, but stand in the middle of the room fixated on the small object he holds in his hand until business is complete and family is greeted, sometimes 30 minutes after his arrival home.

 

We live in a faced paced world, a world full of technology.  Fast food, drive through, drive up ATM’s, 24 hour business, GPS, internet, cell phone, portable DVD, cable t.v. instant messaging, blackberries, I phones, on star, blogs, facebook, video chatting, reformers club, soulwinning club, men’s club, women’s club, children’s club, discipleship club, hospitality club, preteen club, teen club, children’s club, dance class, spin class, swim lessons, ballet lessons, piano lessons, ti kwan do lesson, aerobics class, football, basketball, softball, track, cricket golf, tennis, wrestling, summer camp, winter camp, couples retreats…whew…

 

Did you know?

70 % of Americans send at least one text a day

73% of cell phone users admit to using their phone while driving

38 % of cell phone owner think it’s okay to use their phone while on the toilet

(In 2007) 203,000 Americans had a cell phone

75 billion text message are sent a day

Americans average 13 hours a month on a cell phone

47% of teens admit they are able to text with their eyes closed

2 out of 3 cell phone users use their phones as a flashlight

24% of teens sleep with their phone

1,742 is the average of texts sent a month among the 13-17 year olds

teens average 80 sent text messages a day

71% of American teens own a cell phone

25% of police reported crashes are a result of driving while distracted

37% is the amount that cell phones reduce brain activity needed for driving

187,000 text in one month is the world record

74% of Americans use the internet

½ of all American homes with computers are wired for high speed

3 hours a day average time spent on line

12 ½ hours spent on line a week

96 channels of cable is the national average

99% of American household’s posses a television

2.4 is the average amount of televisions in the average American home

66% of Americans eat dinner around the television

6 million movies are rented everyday

3 million items are checked out from the library every day

7 hours a day is the average a television is on in the typical American home

70% of daycare centers report they use television during a typical day

92% of American households posess a bible

in 2000, 59% of those with a bible read their bible, occasionally

37% of those with a bible read their bible once a week

1 in 7 Americans actually STUDY their bible

3.5 minutes a day is the amount of time parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children

54% of 4-6 year olds, prefer to watch t.v. rather than spend time with their fathers.



Friday, January 15, 2010

Thursday, January 14, 2010

It's Thursday!

 
It's Thursday!

Outside My Window~  Feels warmer, it's almost 40 degrees.  I heard we are having a heat wave tomorrow and it will be almost 50 degrees.  It is sunny and reminds me of a spring day.
 
I am Praying~  For Haiti.  For my bachelor friends.  For the return to Spring semester for #1 son next week.  Manly man made a quick trip to Quantico, Virginia last night to attend training today.  May the lord keep him safe on his return drive LATE tonight.

I am Creating~  Working on that guest post for my sister.  I am afraid it is not very original and wish I could do a better job!

From the Kitchen~  No Gumbo today.  We ate a huge sandwich lunch yesterday and were not hungry for dinner last night.  We snacked when we got home from church last night.  So #2 son and I had a late lunch today.  Barbecue meatballs, sweet potato fries and garlic snow peas.  It was very tasty!  Tomorrow the bachelors are coming over for turkey dinner with apple pie!

Beside my bed~  I am really enjoying those Rosemary and Thyme DVD's.
 

 
They are mature though  like rated PG and I wouldn't watch them with little children but they pretty decent watching.  Check out Amazon.com to find out more about them.

From the school room~ 
We enjoyed a relaxed school day today at the library.  It was the first time we've done that.  #2 son enjoyed it.  We checked our books afterward.  Maybe we'll have to try to do that more often!

I am wearing~  My new (thrift store) demin skirt, Christopher and Banks brand that I found for $4.99 last week!  And a long sleeve tee.

Around the house~  My new lime green flannel sheets from JC Penny.  Got them on sale, makes me feel good and makes my bed feel cozy!

 


A few plans for the rest of the week~ 
It's a three day weekend for my manly man, Monday is a holidayNot sure what we'll be doing.  He has been spending a lot of time lately with his Asian friend.

 



I'll probably have to compete for attention with HER!  Also one bachelor friend is having a hernia surgery next Wednesday.  We'll be shuttling him to the hostpital, looking in on them after his return, and taking them a meal for a few days in a row.


I am sharing~ 

My sister has been having a special week on her blog, interviewing her 'friends'  you should drop by and see some of her posts for this week.  www.xanga.com/onehappymomma

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Contemplation


Psalms 56:3   What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

prudence.jpg picture by betheelou

Philippians 4:6   Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Terrific Tuesday With A Recipe!




These are the flowers I received last night from my manly man.  I really needed them too! 

(Are you curious how the goat cheese lasagna turned out?  It was beautiful!  #1 son had 3 servings, manly man had 2 servings.  I was less impressed.  For all you goat cheese lovers out there...more power to ya!  Definitely not something for me to eat everyday.  I told my guys that was a gourmet meal as goat cheese is fashionable these days.  Probably about $20.00 a plate if we ate this meal in a restaurant!)

Earthquake Cake


http://i.ehow.com/images/a02/36/lo/make-earthquake-cake-200X200.jpg


Coconut- enough to cover bottom of 9x13 pan
1 c. chopped pecans-sprinkle over
1 German cake mix, prepared according to box directions.
Pour over coconut.
Combine 1/2 c. butter
3 and 1/2 c. powdered sugar
8 oz. softened cream cheese
Beat until smooth.
Spoon over cake mix. Do not stir.
Bake at 350' for 1 hour.




Monday, January 11, 2010

Menu Monday

 

Menu Monday

Monday~  Goat Cheese Lasagna(for #1 son as he has a fond rememberance of a meal made for us in Alaska in which we got to try this lasagna and he loved it!) Rosemary bread, green salad

Tuesday~ Chili Dogs

Wednesday~ Barbecue Meatballs, Sweet Potato wedges, Snow Peas

Thursday~ Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo with Rice

Friday~  Roasted Turkey dinner with all the trimmings    (The bachelors are coming for dinner this day)

Saturday~ Fish, Rice Roni and vegetable or fruit salad

Sunday~ Dining Out

-------------------------------------------

 All is still quiet here on the home front.  We've returned to our normal schedule, which includes homeschool and lots of it!  The chicken pox is almost healed and the scabs are starting to fall off of my Spotted Boy!

The house if fairly clean after a weekend with all my guys doing car repair in the garage.  Just doing laundry today.

I am cold however and as I said before it makes me crave oowey, gooey comfort food.  I can't wait for that turkey dinner on Friday.  All my favorites rolled into one meal.

----------------------

#2 son will be celebrating his #7 birthday soon.  You know how stressful it's been around here recently?  Made even more so by organizing doctor appointments and shuttling our bachelors around.  I want to get away to celebrate #2 son's birthday.

It's pretty expensive, we may end up just finding a hotel with a pool locally...

Crayola Factory

About Crayola®

We shall see...

Have a great week friends!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Flashback Friday




My first  chicken pox boy..Spot... March 2000




Second chicken pox boy...Spot ... January 2010

Have a great weekend.  Stay warm!



Thursday, January 7, 2010

It's Thursday

It's Thursday Again How does that happen so quickly?


Outside My Window~  Brrr...it's cold outside!  Snow is coming tomorrow, we're expecting about 3 inches.
 
I am Praying~  For our bachelor friends, to be a blessing, just to be a better wife.

I am Creating~  I have been asked to be a guest poster on my sister's blog.  I am thinking about what I want to post.  I have no firm ideas just yet.

From the Kitchen~  MMmm...Shrimp in sage cream sauce, with spinach fettuccine, rosemary bread and salad.

Beside my bed~  A new mystery, I forget what it's called... about a guy hunting Italy for a chef for an American restaurant and stumbles on a murder.


From the school room~ 
No school for Spotted boy while he is running a fever.  That is torture I wouldn't want to endure myself...

I am wearing~  My new thrift store skirt and a black long sleeve tee and knee high socks

Around the house~ I am so pleased with the a clean, shiny, sparkly great room.  It makes me sigh to have it so!
 


A few plans for the rest of the week~
Waiting for a call from our bachelor friends Dr. about an appointment.  Wondering how I will do all that with Spotted boy in tow??  Staying in and keeping warm for the weekend.  Our family is scheduled to sing next Sunday night, will we be able to or should I just let #1 son sing a solo?  I really wanted to sing that song, It's Through the Blood.  I think #1 son would do a great job singing As the Deer for a solo.  I should try to see if our piano player has that music.

I am sharing~  A quote...
"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." 
Abraham Lincoln

Have a great day and blessed weekend!




Wednesday, January 6, 2010

~~Just Call Me...Spot~~


 
This is my #2 son.  We've decided to rename him Spot.  He is feeling much better this morning and his fever is very low.  He's already had a special bath and dressed in another pair of pajamas. 

He is trying out his newly organized room with his army men buddies.


I am posting some extra pictures of my great room after I put all the Christmas decorations away and displayed one of my Christmas presents on the buffet. (A new radio with 3 CD changer.  This will make reading in those two chairs so much more pleasant, and soothing with relaxing music going softly in the background.  )




The new, spring, looking place mats I found at Wal Mart on Monday.



((And... April Jo, even with pretty stuff on the table, my guy still sets his 'stuff' there...arrgghh!))

------------------------------------------------

Cowboy Calzone

1/2 pound Hot breakfast sausage
1 pound ground beef
1/2 onion, finely diced
1 (8oz can) Rotel tomatoes
8 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
1/2 c. grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 c. grated Monterey jack cheese
1 egg beaten
 salt and pepper
prepared pizza crust dough
oil for brushing

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In large skillet combine the sausage and hamburger with the onion.  Brown on medium heat.  Drain grease after cooking.  Pour in Rotel to hamburger mix in the skillet.  Stir.  Cook 2 minutes.  Then cool. 

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Monterey jack and egg with salt and pepper.  Add cooked , cooled meat mixture to to cheese mix.  Stir to combine.

Divide dough into 8 equal pieces.  Roll out to 6 inch circle.  Place 1/8 of meat mixture in the middle of each dough circle.  Fold in half, creating a pocket full of meat.  Seal edges.  Transfer calzone to greased baking sheet.  Brush tops with olive oil.

Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown.




Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Menu Monday~ On Tuesday!


 
I played catch up yesterday running errands that didn't get done with the holiday last week.  We didn't back until almost 2 p.m.  #2 son wasn't feeling so well.  So I encouraged some liquids and kept an eye on him.  Dr. Mom is thinking he has chicken pox!  He only has a few spots so far and is running a pretty good fever.  He just wants to watch movies and ..."NOT DO BLEND LADDERS!!"

The Christmas boxes are down from the attic, waiting for me to fill them up and get them put away again.
I was inspired by all the organizing tips from jimsruby recently.  Yesterday we purchased some plastic containers and packed a few toys from #2 son's room and sent them to the attic to be forgotten for a while.  When they come back, it will be like they are new.  I bought him a bigger area rug trying to encourage him to play with ALL his army men in his room.  We are pleased with the results.


#1 son is cleaning his room...can you tell it's hard work?


It's pretty bitter cold here and it's expected to remain that way for a few days.  It makes me crave soups, stews and fried things with gravies...oh my!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Menu Monday~ On Tuesday

Monday-  leftover stew and corn bread
Tuesday- hamburger stroganoff with cooked rice, stir fried green beans
Wednesday-  salmon patties, mashed potatoes, garlic broccoli  chocolate chip cookies
Thursday-  shrimp in sage cream sauce with spinach fettuccine, green salad, rosemary bread
Friday- Cowboy Calzones and coke
Saturday-  Grilled chicken thighs, grilled zucchini, grilled sweet potato
Sunday-  Waffle breakfast, sausage, fried potato, scrambled eggs
((evening fellowship at church  I am taking those pretzel candies and maybe crackers and cheese))

Have a great week friends.  I'll try to post an update on our house tomorrow!