It's Thursday!

~~It's Thursday~~

  

Outside My Window~  The weather has cleared this morning.  The last two days were rainy and windy.  It looks like it is going to be a gorgeous day today!  I can't wait to go outside and hang out with my tomatoes!

 I Am Thankful For~    The wisdom, protection, and provision of my husband.  I am always amazed to think how the Lord brought us together and thankful HE has kept us together!

I Am Wearing~  A purple robe, my nightshirt...bare toes.  Will be changing soon to a pair of capri's and a short sleeve tee and my tennis shoes.

  On my Prayer List~  Always praying for wisdom.  Praying to be a blessing.

I Am Creating~ Going to finish that jewelery project for my Mom today.  I bought some more sparkles for making watches.  I may assemble a few of those today as well.  

 I Am Enjoying~ A clean house.  A new c.d. some new scented candles. 

From The Kitchen~  Burgers and Fries tonight with homemade onion buns.  I think we'll eat outside because the weather is so nice.

 From The Learning Room~  Lots of review.  Some new reading practice books.  Not too much left.  We are going to go to the library today.  We'll check out books and work on a few school papers.  About a week of work left...yipee skippy!

  A Few Plans For Next Few Days~   Maybe company for dinner tomorrow maybe not.  Grilled salmon for dinner no matter what. 

Blogs to Pursue~

www.blessusolord.blogspot.com

www.foodiewithfamily.com

www.evilchefmom.com

www.sisterscafe.blogspot.com

Leaving You With~ 

Another picture of my garden!  It's basically a salsa garden...hot peppers...tomatoes... with lettuce stuck in there...blooming flowers to attract bees...in another area, cilantro.  I still need to plant a zucchini and a cucumber.  I had them last year.  The zucchini never fruited the cucumber was refreshing so I'll try again this year.

~~ Have a great weekend! ~~

Menu Monday

 

~~Menu Monday~~

Monday~  Spaghetti, Green Salad, Rolls

Tuesday~  Chicken from a box (General Tso's Chicken and Rice)

Wednesday~  Swedish Meatballs, egg noodles, green beans, pear salad

Thursday~  Grilled Hamburgers (homemade buns), french fries, broccoli salad (if the weather turns nice, dinner is outside)

Friday~  Grilled Salmon, grilled sweet potato slabs, grilled asparagus, s'mores

Saturday~  Hoagie's and chips

Sunday~  Pay day weekend...I've asked to be treated to lunch after church, a steakhouse for steak, baked potato and salad bar.

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**Ramblings for the day...

• The singing service was wonderful last night  I'd say there were about 15 specials including two by the adult choir.  We messed up on our family song, oh well, we are not professionals...  (they keep asking us to sing )  I am thankful that the Lord keeps using people through song and preaching.
• The preaching was great last night as well.  Psalms 92:14   "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;"  This verse is our pastors new life verse.  It's funny.  He used this verse, the ones before and the ones after for his message.  He applied it to having a great spiritual walk, growing in the Lord and being used of him to harvest fruit (souls.)  I also love the verse at the end of that passage...Psalms 92:15   "To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."
• Do you ever listen to preaching and suddenly a great thought comes to mind and you write something down?  Sometimes it's about the message or an ah-ha thought?  I had one of those last night while listen to the preaching.  I have a whole folder full of those ah-ha thoughts.  Here is what I wrote last night... Peace=salvation   "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness..." peace that passes understanding=Philippians 4:7   "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  So that nugget gets filed away.  Maybe someday it will become a devotion or a paper for a bible class.  It will go next to this nugget...  Constant=fruit of the spirit...1 Tim 4:12, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:9...be constant in conversation, charity, word, etc.
• The big dog went home yesterday afternoon.  I am doing a deep cleaning today.  My laundry is done so it's just a cleaning day!  I'll enlist the help of #2 son.  He and the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser do great things together!

 

Have a great day!

 

Recipe Day

 

~~Recipe Day~~

 

 

Upsidedown Berry Cake

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, halved
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 package (3 ounces) raspberry gelatin
• 1-1/
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, halved
  • 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 package (3 ounces) raspberry gelatin
  • 1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-1/4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil

  Directions

• In a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish, layer the walnuts and berries; sprinkle with sugar, gelatin and marshmallows. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, water and oil; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour over top.
• Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before inverting onto a serving platter. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 15 servings.

**Please follow these specific directions.  I made this cake using frozen mixed berries.  It took an hour to bake and the cake was overdone.  I also thought it was too sweet with the jello AND the sugar!

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Turkey Fried Rice

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Crisco® Pure Olive Oil
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 pound ground turkey
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 3 cups cold cooked rice
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Pour eggs into skillet. As eggs set, lift edges, letting uncooked portion flow underneath. When eggs are completely cooked, remove to a plate; set aside.
• In the same skillet, cook turkey and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Stir the rice, bean sprouts and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients until blended; stir into skillet. Chop egg into small pieces; stir into skillet and heat through. Yield: 4 servings.

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Coconut Joys

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups flaked coconut
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 ounce milk chocolate, melted
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the coconut, confectioners' sugar and butter. Form into 1-in. balls.
• Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center of each ball. Fill with chocolate. Sprinkle with pecans. Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Chill until chocolate is firm. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.

**When I make these, I am going to substitite whole almonds in place of the sprinkled pecans and call it ALMOND JOYS!

 

 

It's Friday :-)

 

 

 

Outside My Window~  It's been so beautiful outside!  I've been MIA from inside things in favor of being outside getting some yardwork done.  I love it.  It's been the perfect temperature.  The trees are almost completely full of leaves...chasing all my memories of winter away!  I've worked in the yard the past three days.  We bought a load of dirt.  I turned over flower beds, hauled fresh dirt, purchased bedding plants and started my garden.

This is my helper hauling dirt to fill low spots in the yard.

I Am Thankful For~   I am thankful that I can accomplish most anything I set my mind to do!

I Am Wearing~  After coming inside a few hours ago, I took some advil, soaked in a hot bath and watched a show with the boys.  I'm all set to find something sweet in the cupboard and go crawl in my bed for the next few hours.

 

My Garden!

I Am Praying~  Praying still for wisdom.  Something I cannot share.  We're not sure how to approach the subject and praying if we should or if we should just let it ride.

I Am Creating~  Besides working in the flower beds I did a bit of jewelery for my Mom.  She doesn't have pierced ears.  I need to go to the other craft store and see If I can find a different type of clip earring back for making dangling earrings.  My favorite jewelery making is doing the watches.  I love putting those together.  So far I've only shared them with chosen special folks and not sold any.  I did show this craft to a lady at church (Maggie's Mom... a.k.a. #1 son's girlfriends Mom) and she has been making watches for almost a year and given them to many, many ladies here and beyond!

(for Mom on right)

Some of the watches I've made.

I Am Enjoying~  A mystery awaits me on bedside table.

From The Kitchen~  My manly man has been working the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall the past three nights.  No fancy dinners for us.  He took us to Fuddruckers for lunch.  He is off his diet!  Praise the Lord!  He did his weigh in this morning and passed the requirement!

From The Learning Room~  Only did one day of school this week.  We did outside work.  He has his own flower bed.  I taught him how to transplant his own flowers to his bed.  He is such a hard worker!

 

(This is #2 son's flower bed.  He helped me haul all those rocks for the border in that yellow truck!)

Around The House~ Our big dog, Sierra goes home sometime this weekend.  She has been here for two weeks.  I think it's safe to say, she LOVES it here.  She is almost trained the way we like her.  She is still trying to use her size to bully herself around.  Sierra 'smiles' a lot.  When she goes home I will do a major cleaning.  Everything is dirty.  The stairs, the floors, the rug beside my bed, a spot on the rug behind the couch... oh my!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week~   Tomorrow I will be assembling my split pea and Ham soup for our Sunday Supper.  I found a recipe in my Quick Cooking magazine to day for a Upside Down Berry Cake that sounds pretty tasty.  I will make the cake tomorrow also.  Maybe I'll post the recipe tomorrow as well.  Our family is one of about 15 specials at church Sunday night for Sunday Night Sing Under the Stars...(I think it's going to rain so it will probably be inside! )  Pray for us as we sing.  We get a bit nervous!

 

  Leaving You With~  Have you visited my main page lately?  It's got links to some blogs I like.  ((I need to update a couple of those links...yikes) 

www.afirefighterswife.blogspot.com

www.newlifedj.blogspot.com

www.neitherheightnordepth.blogspot.com

Also links to take you to the pages where I have some recipes.  (I need to update those as well!)

~~ Have a great weekend! ~~

Menu On Tuesday

 

Tuesday~ Grilled Chicken outside on the barbecue, grilled zucchini, grilled asparugus. Salad.  Smores.

Wednesday~ Sloppy Jo's, tator tots, oriental cabbage salad or broccoli salad.

Thursday~  Garlic Shrimp, creamy italian noodles, salad

Friday~  Chicken from a box, green veg, salad (yes a box...it is some kind of meal I got for #1 son when we went on our cruise.  It was too much work for him, so he never made it.  I think it's General Tso's chicken and rice.)

Saturday~  Riblets, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn salad

Sunday~  Split pea and Ham soup, biscuits with fresh jam and honey, green salad.

*Plans for the rest of the day...  Bachelor David has a doctor appointment this afternoon, I will be taking him to that.  #1 son is off right now with his Dad somewhere taking his ASVAB test.  #2 son is working on a few papers for school.  I want to start up the fire pit and dig some dirt in the yard.

That's all for now.  Have a great day!

It's the Weekend! **PICS ADDED**

(the start of 100 cookies for I Love My Church Sunday)

I cooked all day yesterday.  I am tired of cooking today.  It's going to be a catch what you can for the rest of the day around here.  I did make a nice breakfast, waffles, bacon, fried potatoes and fried eggs.

I got those strawberries this week from Sam's Club.  They were very ripe and had to be processed right away.  I don't remember if I said this last year~That freezer jam pectin is great.  It was made so that you don't have to cook the jam.  You just mix the pectin and the sugar add the berry pulp, put in your jars and freeze.


On top of making homemade pizza from scratch for us, I made a meal for someone sick at church.  The pizza was great!

(pizza on left is pepperoni on right hamburger, sausage, bacon, onion and pepperoni)

Tomorrow we're having fish and rice a roni!

Have a great weekend friends!

It's Thursday!

(happy dogs this morning!)

It's Thursday!

Outside My Window~  Another beautiful day.  Some rain expected tomorrow.  I wanted to go to a park with Alison and her girls tomorrow.  Not sure we'll be able to do that

I Am Thankful For~  I am thankful that I am able to stay home and minister to my family.  I have a great job!

I Am Wearing~  I'm in my p.j.s so far.  I think the oak pollen is really getting to me.  Last night my throat itched.  That feels so wierd!  #2 son is also feeling the effects of something.  He has a huge cold sore on his lip.  I was tired yesterday and today.  I did get dressed yesterday.

I Am Praying~  For wisdom and guidance for our family.  For wisdom for our pastors.  For the desires of my heart.

I Am Creating~  I'm making some jewlery for my Mom.  I need to start taking the cd's to Wal Mart and have pictures made.  I'd like to put peel and stick tile down in the kitchen.  I'm not really sure if I want to invest the time into that project...this is not my house after all.  But it would sure make a beautiful difference.

I Am Enjoying~  Not so many good mysteries lately.  No recommendations there.  But I will be watching this soon~



It's a t.v series based on the Lucy Maud Montgomery books about Prince Edward Island and orphans.

From The Kitchen~  Tonight may be a deviation from the menu.  I have a gift certificate for Outback Steakhouse.  I will combine this night out with a trip to Sam's Club.

From The Learning Room~  I was looking at papers left to finish...maybe about 14 days to go!!  He still needs to finish his reading books and get lots of reading practice.  The other men in the house maybe enlisted to be listeners of the reader!

Around The House~ I am smelling a cherry air freshner and cinnamon candle.  It's helping to cover the 'big wet dog smell!'    I organized my wall in the garage on Saturday.  It looks ready for fire pit season, gardens and grilling!


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week~   It's "I love my church Sunday"  this Sunday at our church.  I have been recruited to make 100 cookies and put them in bags of two.  I think I'll make gingerbread hearts and either a potato chip cookie or a double,chocolate chunk cookie.  I will shortly be heading out to Aldi's for a stock up of groceries!
 
Leaving You With~  This verse is on my mind this morning.  Praying for all my xanga friends, my church family, my family, and others.

"...the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."  James 5:16b

~~ Have a great weekend! ~~

Bits

I did not design this kitchen.  If I had it would be perfect.  I think a bachelor designed the layout of this kitchen.  What do I like about this kitchen?  Well....I LOVE that the fridge has an ice-maker and water in the door with TWO water filters!!  That's all I like...seriously.




I grew frustrated last week.(I know hard to believe that I could become frustrated right?) Frustrated at my ugly kitchen.   The faucets were ugly and the sprayer hose doesn't work.  Our house has very low water pressure and the sprayer has never worked right.  Yesterday I went out and bought a new faucet set up.  I've put faucets in the kitchens of the last 4 houses I've lived in...all the same style faucet too!





Now I can put big pots under the faucet and fill with ease.  Thank you #1 son for helping me finish this project.



Isn't she pretty?  I just need a plug for the sprayer hole.



All is well in the dog department too.  Sierra, the big chocolate lab is having a great time at our doggie spa.  She has rested well each night, even snoring.  She looks at us and smiles!


Have a great day friends.  I am going to go play with my sink.

Menu On Tuesday

I'm back!  We took our computer into the "Geek Squad"  they were unable to find the problem but gave my manly man some tips on what might have been the problem.  He messed around with the computer a bit and it 'seems' to be working fine.  

I have a ton of Ham leftover from Easter that I froze.  I'd like to make a split pea soup...yummy.  I'm craving a good batch of spaghetti too!

~~Menu~~

Monday~  Grilled steak, potato salad, baked beans
Tuesday~  Chicken pasta, green beans, pear salad
Wednesday~ Spaghetti, rosemary bread, green salad
Thursday~ Taco's
Friday~ Homemade Pizza and Cokes
Saturday~  Creamy Chicken Salad over a bed of greens
Sunday~  Parmesean Fish Bake, Rice Roni, Baked zucchini with garlic and parmesean, cottage cheese and fruit

This week is payday.  I need to go down to Sam's Club and get some meat.  I'll check out strawberries as well and make some more freezer jam.

Have a great day!

It's Thursday

I will do my regular post for today.  Not sure when I'll be able to post again.  Our computer is sick. ( I spent most of the day yesterday putting my photo's on a disk.  I ran out of disks and have more to save.  This afternoon I'll go out and get more disks.)  Not sure what's wrong, we think it's a bad cord or loose connection.



It's Thursday!

Outside My Window~  Beautiful summer weather!  Everything is still very wet.  Too wet for yardwork.  More rain on the way tonight.  They are predicting thunderstorms...one of my favorite things!  Hope it happens when I am still awake!

I Am Thankful For~  All that God has entrusted me with.  I am thankful that he meets our needs over and above what we could ask or want.

I Am Wearing~  My new Capri's and a hot pink top.  Bare feet with hot raspberry colored toes.



(my tee is this color)


I Am Praying~  For wisdom and guidance for our family.

I Am Creating~  Backing up those pictures, and a few documents.   I need to print pictures and make photo albums. Gotta get my text phone working.  My Mom wants me to make her some jewelery...need to get that done too.

I Am Enjoying~  Warm weather,  singing birds, movies on my personal dvd player (what a great invention!)

From The Kitchen~  Italian tonight with ravioli's and alfredo sauce, a big green salad and maybe garlic bread.

From The Learning Room~  Day 140.  About 30 days left a few weeks if we double lessons.  He needs lots of reading practice.  I am excited to be taking a break.

Around The House~  Having a doggie guest for about 10-14 days.  Sierra.  She came last summer and spent a few days at our doggie spa.  She played so much, she rested for two whole days when she went home last time.


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week~  Playing with Alison, Sienna and Ariya this afternoon.  It will be a short visit.



Leaving You With~  A great verse.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
Romans 1:20



~~ Have a great weekend! ~~