Longwinded Update

 

Outside My Window~  A much needed cool down for the next few days.  It has been hot and humid here lately.  I smile thinking that the Lord knew we needed a weather break here

I am thinking~ I have another post coming about brotherly love...

 From the kitchen~  Most of the leftovers have been cleaned up.  I have lettuce to harvest in the garden.  I also have three cherry tomatoes to pick!  We'll probably have a big green salad for dinner and maybe a piece of grilled chicken. 

I am thankful for~   I am thankful for many things.  So many today that it is hard to name.  The Lord is good to me always meeting my needs above and beyond what I could ever think or ask for.

 I am wearing~     My p.j.s!!  I will get dressed sometime today!

I have created~  ...Our community participates in curbside pickup for unwanted household items.  The last few Sunday evenings we've driven these neighborhoods looking for furniture for the bachelors home.  I found a great chair on Sunday night.  It has a big tear in one section that I thought I could repair.  I repaired the chair yesterday and my men delivered it the the bachelors home.  I need to find one more chair and a bath mat then I will be done creating at the bachelors home!

He thought I should leave the chair in the garage to help him 'work' on the Toyota!

The brown area is where I removed the damaged leather and sewed in a piece of brown fabric. 

This is David posed next to the love seat we got for him at Salvation Army.  We have removed the cream colored wing chair and replaced it with the recliner.

I have been~ We went to the city on Monday with Maggie.  #1 son wanted extra credit for his Geology class and needed to go to the American Museum of Natural History.  My favorite part of what we saw was the hall of North American Forests and the Hall of Minerals and Gems.  The American Forests hall had unique panoramic scenery painted in the background.  I thought they were great and my favorite part!

A huge display of a Malaria Mosquito.

Eating at famous Brooklyn charcoal brick oven pizza establishment.  The pizza was good but not the 'best'

A pose from Maggie our pizza model!

I am reading~   Between books right now.  I do have my next Mitford book to read, "Light From Heaven"  I found a complete book list for those of you who asked me.

 

I am watching~  Campion from BBC (click on picture to find out more about this series)

   

I am praying~ For all my prayers to be answered.  Praying especially for wisdom...for church... 

I am hearing~ the painting master working on his Toyota.

Around the house~ I need to put away laundry.  Most of the house is clean.  I need to make my salad and marinate some chicken for dinner. 

Sharing pictures from the last week~  

Our dear friends Chris and Sharon.  Our house hosted a baby shower on Saturday.  Sharon's baby is due July 28th. 

   

(One of the blankets I made for her.  I think my gift for visiting them after the baby is born...a candy bouquet.  I'll be sure to post pics when I get ready to create that bouquet)

Sharon's momma and sister attended the baby shower. 

Sharing something else~

NOT engagement pictures...just for fun.  Maggie will head back to Arkansas on Friday.  These two sure have sure enjoyed their time together.  Theirs has been a long distance relationship.  They are working really hard at being pleasing to the Lord while they are courting.  See what Maggie's Dad said about them on his blog .

~~Enjoy the rest of the week friends!~~

 

Terrific Tuesday Recipe!

 

 

Cantaloupe Chicken Salad

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup uncooked orzo pasta
• 1 snack-size cup (4 ounces) pineapple tidbits
• 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup fat-free plain yogurt
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh mint
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/3 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 small cantaloupe, quartered and seeded
• 1/4 cup unsalted cashews

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, drain pineapple, reserving juice; set pineapple aside. In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, mint, lemon peel, honey, salt, pepper and pineapple juice until smooth.
• Drain pasta and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the chicken, celery, red pepper, onions and pineapple. Add mayonnaise mixture and toss to coat. Serve on cantaloupe wedges. Sprinkle with cashews. Yield: 4 servings.

Peanut Chicken Skewers

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 2 cups shredded red cabbage
• Sliced green onion tops

Directions

• In a saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients; cook and stir over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until smooth. Reserve half of sauce. Slice chicken lengthwise into 1-in. strips; thread onto metal or soaked wooden skewers.
• Grill, uncovered, over medium-hot heat for 2 minutes; turn and brush with peanut butter sauce. Continue turning and basting for 4-6 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Place cabbage on a serving plate; top with chicken. Sprinkle with onion tops. Serve with reserved sauce. Yield: 4 servings.

Lemon Chicken Skewers

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-1/2-in. pieces
• 3 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-1/2-inch slices
• 3 medium onions, cut into wedges
• 12 cherry tomatoes

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients; set aside 1/4 cup for basting. Pour half into a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat. Pour the remaining marinade into another large resealable plastic bag; add the zucchini, onions and tomatoes. Seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate chicken and vegetables for up to 4 hours or overnight.
• Drain and discard marinade. Alternately thread chicken and vegetables onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 6 minutes on each side or until chicken juices run clear, basting occasionally with reserved marinade. Yield: 6 servings.
• Serve over a bed of cooked brown rice or cooked orzo pasta.

 

Menu Monday and other bullets

 

~~Menu Monday~~

Monday~  Alfredo Noodles with grilled chicken bits, Green Salad, Garlic Bread

Tuesday~  Chicken Fried Rice, Garlic Green Beans

Wednesday~ Alphabet Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Thursday~  Taco's

Friday~  Grilled Chicken Sandwiches,  French Fries, Cole Slaw

Saturday~  Our Home is hosting a baby shower.  I'll be making potato salad, frog eye salad and old settler's baked beans.  The momma to be is bringing hamburgers and hot dogs and the cake.  Weird...I know

Sunday~  Hoagies, clam dip, chips, lefotover baby shower food

• Maggie arrives tomorrow.  #1 son is beside himself with excitement.  So excited he ran over a HUGE cement and cast iron water meter in the front yard with the mower and destroyed the mower.  He bought a brand new one to replace it...but hasn't finished mowing yet...
• Bachelor Mickey is still in the rehab facility.  His guardian is believing he is getting better and will return home soon   We'll see what happens.  I have not seen an improvement.  He went from walking up/down to his third floor apartment and walking four blocks 6 days a week, to barely getting out of bed or walking.  We took one of his nicer dogs to see him yesterday.  We pushed Mickey in a wheelchair while he held the dog leash.  Then he played a couple hymn songs for me on his keyboard and wanted to go back to bed to rest.  We visited with him about 1 1/2 hours.  I think we're going to try to go again Wednesday and give him a shave and haircut.  Tomorrow he is supposed to travel with his guardian to the VA medical facility, in a car...and walking...after being in bed 3 weeks.  Should be interesting.
• Bachelor David needs us to find out about some bills this week that appear to not have been paid from his surgery in January. We'll help him to get those paid.
• Manly man is planning on taking a few days off this next week.  He NEEDS to get that Toyota DONE!!
• Not sure how much time we'll be spending with Maggie...I think we are going to venture to the city on Monday to visit the Museum of Natural History for #1 son to receive extra credit points for his Geology class at college.  Maggie will also be here Saturday for the baby shower barbecue.  She and #1 son are also going to help staff a youth conference our church is hosting Thursday and Friday.
• I still want to go camping.
• I have a bad fishing bug.  Last evening would have been a great evening to fish.
• Daddy and #2 son enjoyed making Toy Story 3 a huge box office hit over the weekend.  He LOVES Toy Story.  He was looking for my old Ken yesterday to play with his Army men.

I think that's all for now friends.  Enjoy the week!

 

It's Thursday!

  

 Outside My Window~  It is supposed to be warm but less humid today and tomorrow.  This is good as our AC unit died this week.  Thankfully it will be replaced this weekend!

I am thinking~ Enjoyed reading the replies to Amber's post about Pastor's and life in the ministry.  Makes my brain think.

 From the kitchen~  We had taco salad last night with a sweet cantaloupe.  Not sure what I'll make for tonight.  I have a spaghetti squash that needs used up.  I saw an idea for serving one with crumbled chorizo on top.  I may try that and have Frog Eye Salad with it. 

I am thankful for~   My salvation.  Thankful that I am always learning from my experiences.

 I am wearing~     My p.j.s!!  I've been so busy the last week!  I am tired out.  I am covered in bruises.  My hair needs colored.  I need a manicure and pedicure.  Today is HOME SPA day!  

I have created~  For the past week I have been over at the bachelors house trying to improve living conditions for them in the event that Mickey (80 year old bachelor) comes home from the 'Rehabilitation Center.'  Mickey is suffering from old age.  In the past 6 weeks he has fallen twice while walking around downtown.  Once, he rode home in a police car.  Once he rode home in an ambulance.  The last time, he was found walking around dazed and confused and was taken to the hospital.  Mickey has no family and someone we know is in charge of making decisions for Mickey (not David as David is mentally handicapped).  I am not sure if he'll be coming back home.  I have done my best to make sure that if he comes home it will be easier for a nurse to help care for him.

The following pictures do NOT do justice to what was done to this apartment.  I need to take a few more 'after' pictures of the living room, bedroom and kitchen.  Thank you to my #1 son who invested hours and hours into helping me.

Bedroom Before

Bedroom After

Living Room Before

(yes that is urine and feces on the floor)

(Beds in the living room because the bedroom was being used as storage for the boxes that were placed at the time of their move, 5 years ago!)

(We laid a brown area rug down and found a love seat at the thrift store Tuesday to put in front of the woodstove.  I want to replace the ratty chairs as well.)

(We also hung many pictures on the walls.)

(I didn't do much to the kitchen.  I cleaned these two surfaces off.  The papers on the tops were about 3 years old.  We mopped too.)

(If Mickey comes home, we'll see about getting a shower curtain for around the tub...for now it works for David who can sit in the tub.  I didn't do much here either.  The dogs use the floor as a potty station so I just vacuumed dog hair, cleaned the sink and toilet.)

So, if Mickey doesn't come home, we'll see about finding a social worker to help David keep up with his paperwork (bill paying),  medical appointments, groceries and prescriptions. 

Be in prayer for the man who is guardian of Mickey.  Mickey really does need full time care.  David is not able to provide that (he works full time.) It's sad for Mickey, he wants to be at home with David and the dogs.

I am going~ Not going anywhere today, at home spa day. 

I am reading~   I need to reserve the last two Mitford series books from the library.  I have enjoyed these books so much!

I am watching~  Campion from BBC (click on picture to find out more about this series)

   

I am praying~ For far away family.  For our next move.  For #1 son decisions.  Wisdom.  Church. 

I am hearing~ #2 son playing with plastic swords.  Windchimes.  Peaceful house.

Around the house~ I am caught up with my own chores after five days taking care of some else's home.  Everything is done, put away and CLEAN! 

A few plans for the coming week~  #1 son's girlfriend, Maggie, is coming to visit 'family' next week.  We are looking forward to spending some time with her.  Youth Conference at church next Thursday and Friday.  The theme is 'Call of Duty'  I'm taking some military things over to church this weekend for them to use as decorations.

Something to Share~   Pictures.

 

 

My Sweet Sister

 

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Sister!

I Love You and wish that you have a wonderful birthday!

 

I  You!