Terrific Tuesday Recipe

Coconut Cake

1 package yellow cake mix
1 pkg. (7oz.) bakers coconut, flaked, divided
1 c. cold milk
1 pkg. (4 oz.) vanilla instant pudding
1/4 C. powdered sugar
1 (8oz.) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

Prepare cake mix according to package directions, adding  2/3 cups flaked coconut to the batter.  Divide prepared batter between two prepared 9" round cake pans.  Bake as directed on package until cakes test done.  Cool in pans 10 minutes then remove cakes to wire racks to cool completely.

Meanwhile*  Pour milk into bowl, add pudding mix and sugar.  Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended...(mix will be very thick) Gently stir in whipped topping.  Chill 15 minutes.

**To Frost cake...place one cake layer onto desired cake stand.  Spoon about 1 c. frosting onto bottom layer.  Spread evenly.  Sprinkle 3/4 c. coconut over this frosting.  Place second layer of cake over the first layer on the cake stand.  Use remaining frosting to cover top and sides of cake.  Press remaining coconut into top, or sides of cake.  Keep cake chilled until ready to serve.

Menu Monday

You know how I was feeling Friday when I posted?  I thought I was suffering from allergies.  Turns out, #2 son and I spent the whole weekend ill with colds.  We skipped church yesterday.  We're both better today.  The congestion is easing in the nose and we are breathing better.  I slept better last night and feel much better this morning.



My menu suffered because I didn't feel well.  I cooked a bit after coming home from the store Friday.  My little son asks for me to make Hot and Sour soup when he has a cold, he thinks it makes him feel better.  I made a big pot of that soup and a Taco Salad.  What a combination!  That was all from the cooking department here.  I may cook tonight.  It is cloudy dark and rainy today.  We're expected to get heavy rain and winds.  Tonight may be a good soup and grilled cheese night.

~~Menu~~

Monday~  Soup, Salad, Grilled Cheese
Tuesday~  Salmon Patties, Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Broccoli
Wednesday~  French Toast Breakfast
Thursday~  It's My Birthday...not sure what is going on for that.
Friday~ Baked Potatoes, Green Salad, Grilled Chicken
Saturday~Ravioli Alfredo, Green Salad, Rosemary Bread
Resurrection Sunday ((Easter))-  Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans, Frog Eye Salad,  Coconut Cake
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Yep...It's my 40th birthday this week.  Not feeling extra different or weird about it.  What really gets me is it's amazing to have a grown son and still feel like I am 19!

  
(that's me )
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My manly man is almost done with that car for our deaf friend Brenda.  It is all painted and really pretty...if a car is pretty.  I think he is just finishing up getting all the trim put back on it.  Then he'll put the key in and make sure it's running fine.  It may go home today or tomorrow.  Yippee!

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#1 son has decided to change his major at school.  He is struggling with Spanish and doesn't know if he can successfully pass summer and fall Spanish classes (required for his degree).  He'll be switching from Associate of Arts/Liberal Arts to Associates of Science/Liberal Studies (exploring science and arts)(no more Spanish classes in that degree!)  Next term he'll be taking a computer course and 4 electives and will  be done with that degree!  I am pretty excited for him.  It sounds like his last term will be pretty fun.

Some big changes are in store for him.  He thinks he has decided to enlist in the United States Coast Guard.  The Coast Guard is a smaller service and has already met it's enlistment quotas for this year.  He is working on scheduling an ASVAB and getting his physical done.  Please pray for him.  He needs wisdom and peace. 

This Friday he is going to a dentist to have all 4 of his wisdom teeth pulled.  I feel for him in the misery department.  I'd rather have a baby than have teeth pulled.  Thankfully my wisdom teeth have been pulled already.  I'll be sure to be a good nurse to him.  Can't wait to take pictures to post of that!


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My bachelor friends seem to be doing okay.  The older one calls me almost everyday.  Today he was especially alert and seemed almost NICE.  (he tends to be kinda crabby)  We need to have both of the bachelors back over again for a meal.  They love coming here to do that.  Continue to pray for their health and wisdom for folks in charge of their care.  I am praying I help make a difference to them.

 

"And some have compassion, making a difference."  Jude 1:22

That's it for today from my house.  Have a great week!

T.G.I.F.

Outside my window... It looks outside like I feel today.  Cold and blah.  It's supposed to get cold and windy.  I am enjoying the perky Daffodils and Crocus that I spy when I look outside.  I have a HUGE craving for diggin and weeding and throwing some dirt around.  Maybe after April 1st...it will be dry enough to get out and work.
 

I am thankful for... My family.

I am wearing...   Still in my p.j.'s.  Trying to find some motivation this morning.  Oh where, oh where is my coffee refill?

I am praying for... wisdom, for #1 son, praying for the desires of my heart.

I am creating... I think I'll sit around this weekend at this computer and organize some photo's.  I need to put them on cd and then get some prints to fill some photo albums.  In the past I've filled albums according to year.  I am stuck on 2007!

  I am enjoying... Watched a movie with my two children last night...a LOVE story.  It was good.





It's a Hallmark movie so it was pretty decent.  They did drink wine.

I want to see this movie tonight.  Sounds like a very touching story.



From my kitchen... I may change the menu for today.  I am craving a Taco Salad with Doritos chips.  It is something my manly man can eat, minus the chips.

  One of my favorite things... Cozy days
 
From the learning rooms... Special sounds, 15 minutes, perfecting nice handwriting.  His reading is really coming along.  He is so smart!

  A few plans for the rest of the week... Probably just going to be resting this weekend.  I've got to go out to the store after my shower and get some allergy relief and some throat lozenges. 

Around the house...  It's quiet and warm.
 
Leaving you with...
((Some blogs to browse))

www.asimplehousewife.blogspot.com
www.teawithfriends.blogspot.com
www.parkersgeneral.blogspot.com
www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com
www.titus2athewell.com

~ ~Have a GREAT weekend!~ ~

Some of My Favorite Things

Smoked Turkey Soup...tonight's dinner



My Manly man...took the day off from work to get that car painted.



Funny Kitty.  She is getting settled into my unmade bed.



This is one of the tops I found at JC Penny.  I'll wear this for Easter maybe with a brown skirt.



And these shoes.


(www.linenesource.com)
This is the new quilt I ordered for my bed.  I've had the old yellow one for over three years and need a change.  I'll have a purple dust ruffle.  I am not sure about what color sheets.  My new winter sheets are that bright Apple Green color.  Maybe a purple sheet set as well.  Oh I'll probably have to change the valances on the windows too!



Wishing we could do more of this.  So FUN! (beautiful California)


(www.llbean.com)
I have ordered two pairs of these capri's for summer.  One is the color shown, the other, khaki.


And one of these, the color is silver birch.

So welcome spring!  I am so glad to see you again

Terrific Tuesday

My Menu

Monday~  Barbecued Pork and bacon pizza with onions...green salad

Tuesday~  Hot Turkey Sandwiches, Wilted Spinach, cottage cheese and fruit

Wednesday~ Smoked Turkey Soup,  Biscuits

Thursday~ Cheese Raviolis with Alfredo sauce, Rosemary Bread

Friday~ Salmon Patties, Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Broccoli

Saturday~ Hawaiian Chicken, Rice Roni, Salad

Sunday~  French Toast, Sausage,  Eggs, Hashbrowns

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• We've smoked another turkey today.  It's really been a treat eating it.  This is the second one in the last two weeks!  My manly man likes to have the turkey on his dinner salads.  He has lost over 6 pounds already just changing the way he eats.
• My manly man is trying to finish up that car project for our friend from church, Brenda.  He almost ready to paint the car.
  

 

• Will be starting that photo organizing project soon.

• I went to the mall yesterday with #2 son.  It was quiet and peaceful and fun to shop with no crowds.  I bought some new summer shirts from JC Penny.  We ate ate Chic-Fil-A for the very first time.  Did you know that they do not put ONIONS on anything there?

~~have a great day~~


 

Friday's Flashback

 
It's not really an old picture...only taken about an hour ago.  Hard to believe that just a month ago we were shoveling out snow first thing in the morning.  It's a gorgeous day today...already 63 degrees.  I've stripped my bed and opened my bedroom windows.  The spring sheets are coming out and the extra blanket is coming off the bed today!

Have a great weekend!

Outside my window... Oh my!!  It is so nice outside...I can hardly stand it.  I've already been out and worked in the yard for two hours this morning AND started a fire in the fire pit!!


((Remains of the coals from the sticks we picked up and burned this morning.)

I am thankful for... My clean peaceful home.

I am wearing... Khaki green, knit, skirt and SHORT sleeve tee in yellows with white ankle socks.  I went out with my sons yesterday and did some clothes shopping...for them.  Socks, shoes, underwear and jeans.  But we went to my favorite thrift store.  I found three skirts and some summer blouses!

I am praying for... wisdom, contentment, summer, vacations, children, big decisions coming up for #1 son.

I am creating... still nothing!  I will be starting the photo update project next week. Bought some c.d.s for storing pictures on.

  I am enjoying... Got a new magazine in the mail today.  I will shortly be enjoying my lunch and my new magazine.  I went to tha library yesterday and stocked up on books.  Also have been enjoying that Tommy and Tuppence by Agatha Christie.



From my kitchen... Salisbury steaks with gravy, scalloped potatoes, green beans and green salad for my manly man!

  One of my favorite things... lovely days like today...temperature is neither too warm or too cold...not windy...just right.


(the crocus started blooming yesterday.)

  From the learning rooms... Nothing this week.  Been too busy with other stuff.


(He got a haircut yesterday...he just needed some off the neck.  I got happy and gave him an almost buzz.)
 
A few plans for the rest of the week... Babysitting today and tomorrow.  Our family is singing a special Sunday morning.  I need to sit at the piano and pluck out the alto part.  Having a hard time hearing that part.  I can sing the tenor just fine!! 

Around the house...  The sound of playing boys.  Peaceful music and SUN streaming through the windows!  NICE!!

(Getting ready for some fresh dirt and spring plants.  A few more dry days and maybe I can get my #1 son to go split some more firewood for me!)

Leaving you with a great verse...

"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon the earth: therefore let thy words be few."  Ecclesiastes 5:2

Resume a 'Normal" Schedule ?!!

Sandy Hook Lighthouse, New Jersey





Back to blogging on a somewhat regular basis.  I am babysitting Thursday and Friday, a little boy in our church.  Should be a fun experience. 

(That's my new charge, JC, on the left by his sister.)





(It was COLD, rainy and the wind was blowing at 35 MPH)





My nephews went home yesterday.  The house is quiet.  I'm almost through putting things back together.  I haven't cooked since breakfast yesterday morning!  My manly man is on his spring diet.  Making nice dinners  for him consisits of a nice big salad.  He's been topping his salad with some yummy smoked turkey from our dinner on Sunday!











Have a great day friends!

It's Friday...Thursday's Post!

Outside my window... Rainy...spring is coming.  I've seen Daffodil shoots.  I think I saw a tree with pollinators shooting out yesterday!

I am thankful for... We've received both our tax returns!  We paid off our van purchase (credit card) and are debt free...Again...We are building up our savings account...anticipating transfer season in 2 years.

I am wearing... Jeans, rose colored tee, my tennis shoes!!  My hair is in a pony tail.  I cut my bangs this morning!

I am praying for... wisdom, contentment, summer, vacations, children, big decisions coming up for #1 son.

I am creating... nothing!  I will be starting the photo update project next week after my nephews leave.

  I am enjoying... A day of rest.  We've been on the go so much.  I HATE city driving.  I did my share of squealing and screaming this past week while my manly man braved the driving!

From my kitchen... Tonight grilled chicken pieces, Baked potatoes, big green salad, chocolate brownies

  One of my favorite things... my job is so rewarding.

  From the learning rooms... Nothing this week.
 
A few plans for the rest of the week... I want to take the boys to see the ocean tomorrow.  We're supposed to have lots of rain and wind.  I'll be keeping my eye on the weather.  We may go to the beach on Monday.

Around the house...  Smelling some good scented wax, cinnamon and  orange...making the house smell great!

Leaving you with pictures...

 
(city driving at night...)

(I love all the pretty lights!)

(The pictures from the WICKED show.  No cameras allowed in the theater.  I snuck one...the Dragon in the Emerald City, he hung from the ceiling and his eyes lit up when he was mad.)


 
(The well kept shop at the merchant marine academy.  I love that color of green!)

(Showing us some of the projects they assemble in this metal shop during the course of instruction)



(the mock up room showing engines (like what you have on a ship!))


Have a great weekend!