My Friday

What Betheelou was doing today!

~It's Thursday!~

Outside my window...   It has been blessedly cooler at my house the last three days.  It's refreshing and inspiring.  Something about temperatures over 88 degrees (and into the 90's) that just makes me wilt.  But the last two days have been 82 degrees.  The forecast for today is 84 degrees.

I am thinking...I am thinking about making a list of things to do now that the weather is hopefully going to be cooler.  I am thinking about many things actually.

I am thankful...  I am thankful as always for the provision of God, for God's protection and for God's blessing upon me.  Especially when I feel so undeserving.

Psalms 136:1  " O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."

From the kitchen...  Chicken and apple sausages with scalloped potatoes in the crock pot, garlic snow peas and pear salads.  Two loaves of coffee cake are in the oven right now, one banana bread and one sour cream coffeecake.


I am wearing...  My wicked tee shirt with a pair of forest green shorts.  Newly painted toes.


I am creating...I have that creating list going on.  I have a few unfinished projects like two bed dust ruffles.

I am going...Tomorrow I am going to have breakfast with my three best girls.  Church on Sunday.  Anniversary afternoon on Sunday.  Piano lessons resume again Monday with our new teacher. Next week our first field trip of the year.  We're going to an apple orchard to pick apples and watch cider being pressed.  We're attending with my Pastor's wife and her three children.  FUN!


I am wondering...I am wondering how 23 years have passed so quickly.  Aren't I that 19 year old girl who got married yesterday?  On Sunday my manly man and I will celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary. I am thankful the Lord put us together and that HE has kept us together!







 We've had a home together far longer than we were at home before marriage.  We want to go out to a restaurant we went to when we lived here before called 94th Aero Squadron. I remember great steak and scalloped corn. YUMMY! 

I also want to go to the flea market and walk around.


I am reading/watching...Just finishing reading the last in the series of the Hunger Games books . . . 

MOCKING JAY.  
 

I LOVE THEM!!  I can't wait for the next two movies to go with them!

We are watching the final episodes from Christy


. . .and when you live in a houseful of men. . . there are many occasions when you just must watch something manly. . .

 

I am praying... praying for the desires of my heart, for my health (and my upcoming Dr. appointment Oct. 31st) praying for wisdom, praying for my children, praying for far away family, praying for all the new babies and their families.

From the learning rooms...  Week #1 done and with great success, I think!  Just a wee bit more manly concentration and week 2 should be fantastic. 

Around the house... I need to run the vacuum around a couple rugs and clean the toilets.  Company is coming tonight as the Pastor wants to come over and have a chat with us.  Good smells coming from the kitchen.

A favorite quote for today... "When the Oakies left Oklahoma and moved to California, it raised the I.Q. of both states." - Will Rogers

One of my favorite things...HIM!!  ((big sigh!))


Something to share:  Another Recipe!

Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 lb. frozen pre-cooked meatballs

1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup

1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of chicken soup

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

1/2 cup sour cream

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 teaspoon dried parsley

dash of nutmeg

Directions:

Place frozen meatballs in slow cooker.  Mix remaining ingredients until smooth and pour over meatballs.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

~Have a Blessed Weekend!~

Wordless Wednesday

Terrific Tuesday with a Recipe

Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese

1 (16 oz.) jar Prepared Alfredo sauce, any flavor
1 (12oz.) can evaporated milk
1 1/3 c. whole milk
1 egg
2 T. Dijon mustard
1/2 pound uncooked elbow macaroni noodles
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 c. shredded American cheese
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
3 T. butter, melted
1/8 t. white pepper
1/2 t. onion powder
1/8 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. salt

Spray crockpot with nonstick spray.  In large bowl beat Alfredo sauce with egg, milks and mustard.  Stir in uncooked macaroni, all of cheeses, butter and spices, stir to combine.  Pour into crockpot.  Cover.  Cook on low 3-4 hours.  Test noodles for doneness.  Do not stir or remove lid during cooking process.

(additions if desired)
*add buttered breadcrumbs to top
*add cooked lobster, shrimp or other seafood and stir in
*add a splash of sherry

Update. . . bullet style

• an update is long overdue
• life has been busy
• school started today
• my husband started his first week of duty this past Friday
• I'm glad we found a church. . .can't wait to get to know more people there
• piano lessons start soon
• We have a home school field trip planned for next week
• I love my neighbors!
• I LOVE my neighborhood
• my life will change again soon as I start caring for my dear friend Tonya's children when she returns to work in November
• my house is clean
• I am resolved to blog more this fall
• I will start MY schoolwork tomorrow
• I wish it was a bit cooler so I can work in the yard
• looking forward to starting the chicken project soon
• looking forward to starting the garden project soon
• still have a couple decorating projects to complete around the house
• I've been looking up crock pot ideas and copying AND trying recipes
  
• I'm praying for all my dear blog friends

Family Campout

(Eli, Beth, Mike, Mom, Ben. . .oh and Banjo too!)

On September 11th we traveled 970 miles north to Oregon to join my family at an annual camping outing. It had been MANY years since we had all been camping together.  We're older.  Family dynamics have changed.  It had been between 4 and 5 years since we'd all been together.



I love camping. 
I love to plan camping. 
I love to pack for camping.
 I love to cook for camping. 
I love camping!


(Hikers leading the way for those of us trailing behind!)

It was a treat to be around my family, both old and new members.  I love my family very much and so wish we lived closer to each other.  I loved seeing my mother happy to have her flock of children all present in one place.  It was a great pleasure and joy for us to finally meet a 'new' sister and her three girls.  It was a blessing to see my youngest brother so happy with his 'family!'  I loved being able to enjoy my brother in law and nephews.  I am so thankful to God for giving my sister a great family, to see them growing a serving the Lord as a family.  I am thankful for my oldest brother and pray for him daily as he struggles to find his niche in his middle aged life.




(a hike in the beautiful Oregon Mountains!)




(pine cone war)

(My Sully)

(a great swim hole with very cold water)




((camp counselors present. . .6))


(the men)


(the GRAND children)


(my happy brother Ben with Jo, Haylee,Hannah, Maddison and two camp counselors . . .plus Bailee, the girl in brown)

(the two roommates @sharolsplace and brother Mike)


( @onehappymomma (s)   family with one camp counselor)


(our little family and one camp counselor)


(all the gang)

We camped a bit on the way back and made a 4 day return trip to San Diego. 


My husband said it was bow hunting season for deer.  We saw many deer, antelope, coyotes and quail.  The deer were mainly in parks or yards where they knew they were protected.




We were able to drive back to San Diego using another route and saw part of the state of California that we'd never seen before.




I'm happy we are back on the west coast.  We realized how much there is to explore and enjoy.  We pray we'll get the time to do much more.



We bought a mattress for the back of the truck and slept in there.  #2 son slept in the cab of the truck with Banjo dog.  But #2 son better not grow too much taller or he will be too big for his sleeping space.  We still have our tents but my manly man is loathe to use that sleeping arrangement after he got spoiled with our previous camp trailer!

We can't wait for our next camping adventure!

 

~Menu Monday~

Menu Monday

Monday-  Crock-pot Lasagna, green salad, garlic bread

Tuesday-  Salmon Patties, Mashed Garlic Potatoes, garlic broccoli, chocolate brownies

Wednesday-  Hawaiian Chicken, Rice Roni, garlic snow peas

Thursday-  Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Friday- Tator Tot Casserole cottage cheese and fruit

Saturday- biscuits and gravy

Sunday-  Grilled Ham steak, Crock-pot Au Gratin Potatoes, green Salad, fruit fluff salad, baked squash

I'll Blog Soon

I'll blog soon!  Really. . . just got back from family camp in Oregon.  Tired.  I'm still putting away camping gear and doing laundry.  banjo came home with FLEAS!!